18th Dec

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Trio attacks school director, guard over parking row

Turkey detains ministers’ sons, businessmen in graft probe

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www.kuwaittimes.net

SAFAR 15, 1435 AH

How royal backing sells British goods

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Tucker’s six field goals lift Ravens to key win over Lions

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Kuwait mulls amnesty for illegal expatriates Govt warns bedoons against staging demos

Max 16º Min 03º High Tide 13:44 & 23:44 Low Tide 07:12 & 18:40

By Ahmad Jabr

MERS infects camels too

KUWAIT: Kuwait may grant an amnesty to illegal expatriates in early 2014 - the first time in three years - and just a few months after a similar amnesty in neighboring Saudi Arabia. Under the amnesty period, expatriates living illegally in Kuwait would be given the option to legalize their status by paying fines or leave the country without having to pay fines or risk being blacklisted.

“Senior officials started entertaining the idea of an amnesty period after database records near the end of 2013 showed that there are around 100,000 visa violators in Kuwait,” said Interior Ministry sources quoted by Al-Qabas daily yesterday. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity since no official statement was released.

No specific details were given on the duration of the amnesty period or when it might begin. Around 42,000 expatriates living illegally in Kuwait benefited from a four-month amnesty period which ended on June 30, 2011, according to the Interior Ministry. “Thirty-four percent of illegal [residents] benefited from the amnesty, including 28,662 who left the country and 12,870 who legalized their status as of June 22, 2011,” said Maj Gen Abdullah Al-Rashid, Assistant Undersecretary at the Interior Ministry, in 2011. The number of illegal expatriates before the 2011 amnesty was estimated at 115,000, and several newspaper reports had suggested that the number dropped to 90,000 by early 2012.

The idea of an amnesty for 2014 was first floated during a meeting at the Citizenship and Passports Department in August. “But an agreement was reached to put the issue on hold until the end of the year,” reported Al-Qabas. Illegal residents are those with expired visas, facing criminal court cases or fugitives as well as those currently detained or reported as absconding.

Continued on Page 13

LONDON: Scientists have proved for the first time that the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus that has killed 71 people can also infect camels, strengthening suspicions the animals may be a source of the human outbreak. Researchers from the Netherlands and Qatar used gene-sequencing techniques to show that three dromedary, or onehumped camels, on a farm in Qatar where two people had contracted the MERS coronavirus (CoV) were also infected. The study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases journal yesterday, confirms preliminary findings released by Qatari health officials last month. Camels are used in the region for meat, milk, transport and racing.

But the researchers cautioned it is too early to say whether the camels were definitely the source of the two human cases - in a 61-year-old man and then in a 23-year-old male employee of the farm - and more research is needed. “This is definitive proof that camels can be infected with MERS-CoV, but based on the current data we cannot conclude whether the humans on the farm were infected by the camels or vice versa,” said Bart Haagmans of Rotterdam’s Erasmus Medical Centre, who led the study with other Dutch and Qatari scientists. He said a further possibility is that humans and camels could have been infected “from a third as yet unknown source”. “The big unknown is the exact timing of infections, both in the persons and in the camels,” he added. Both the men infected in Qatar recovered. — Reuters

Outdoor shopping newest habba

By Hussain Al-Qatari

NEW DELHI: Indian workers remove a barricade that had been erected as a safety measure outside the main entrance of US embassy yesterday. — AP

India outraged after US arrests diplomat NEW DELHI: India launched a series of reprisals against US officials yesterday, foreign ministry sources said, as outrage grows over a diplomat’s arrest in New York, which New Delhi has branded “humiliating”. In an escalating row over the arrest, the Indian government ordered a range of measures including the return of identity cards for US consular officials that speed up travel into and through India, the sources said. “We have ordered the withdrawal of all ID cards that are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs to the officials at the US consulates across India,” a senior ministry source told AFP on condition of

anonymity.

The government will also stop all import clearances for the US embassy including liquor, the sources said, while Indian security forces removed barricades from outside the US embassy in New Delhi. Tow-trucks and mechanical diggers were seen taking away the heavy barriers which control traffic from the streets around the embassy.

The moves come after India’s deputy consul general in the US, Devyani Khobragade, was arrested in New York last week while dropping her children off at school. Khobragade was arrested for Continued on Page 13

A handout picture shows a Qatari flag, large enough to cover seven football pitches, which was sewn with fabric imported onboard three planes. The gasrich country claimed a Guinness Book record with the flag, as it celebrates its national day today. — AFP

KUWAIT: Italian basil, speckled beans and different varieties of tomatoes sit in baskets.

Little jars of fruit jams, small containers of chocolate-covered nuts, artisan breads and colorful dips and salsas spill across the tables.

These are among the variety of homemade and specialty items that can be found at Kuwait’s latest, favorite trend - ‘outdoor or farmer’s markets’. Outdoor markets have become the newest ‘habba’ (Kuwaiti slang for trend) in Kuwait. A local popup farmer’s market, Shakshooka, has a loyal, almost cult, following and the newest entry into the landscape, Al-Qout Market, has become the ‘it’ place to be for locals and expats in the know.

Farmers’ markets, as they are typically called in the US or Europe, tend to be dusty, informal affairs where local farmers gather one day a week or month to sell their freshest fruits and veggies direct to the community.

They typically involve dirt roads or roadside kiosks, pickup trucks filled with crates of fresh veggies and lots of gingham. Kuwait, however, has ‘Kuwaitized’ the concept, bringing a distinctly local flavor and attitude to the idea.

Local farm products are now available as a special section within the produce department of grocery markets like Sultan Center.

Shakshooka, the first to popularize the concept outdoors, is a sort of nomadic, farmer’s market. Shakshooka doesn’t have a permanent home but instead ‘pops up’ at locations around Kuwait including Marina Crescent, Q8 Books, Al-Kout mall, Becarre, Tilal Gallery and other locales. They only announce the location on the day of the event - typically a Thursday and they are only open for a few hours.

Shakshooka offers strictly homemade and

KUWAIT: People shop in the monthly Al-Qout Market in Sharq. — Photo by Fouad AlShaikh (More pics on Page 3) farm goods. No established businesses, no big corporates. “We’re missing the cook-yourown-food culture here in Kuwait,” said Maryam Al-Nusif, one of the founders of Shakshooka Market. “The best selling items are readymade items - pies, breads, cheeses, jams,” she explained. She believes that with proper education, people will appreciate the value of fresh veggies, fruits and herbs. “If this is habba, then in my opinion it’s a good habba. Let people eat clean and good food,” Nusif added.

Another outdoor market but on a much larger, much more commercial scale, is the popular Qout Market. Held monthly at Arraya

Center in Sharq, Qout has only been held two times but has quickly become the talk of the town. The monthly bazaar has attracted vendors from other Gulf countries and includes a dizzying array of vendors, from popular local restaurants serving salads and sandwiches, booths selling superfoods like chia seeds, quinoa and whole grains, and alternative medicine stores selling scented Himalayan bath salts and hand-made scented candles. At the last event (Qout is held on the first Saturday of every month), there was also a children’s area with games, activities and other vendors selling toys and items for children.

Continued on Page 3

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LOCAL

CBK participates in GUST jobs fair

KUWAIT: Bahraini Ambassador to Kuwait Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al-Khalifa hosted a reception on the occasion of his country’s National Day. A large number of dignitaries and diplomats attended. Picture shows Information Minister, State Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Humoud Al-Sabah, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid, Bahraini Ambassador and former speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi cutting the cake on the occasion. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) participated in a job opportunities fair organized recently at the Gulf University of Science and Technology; a decision that reflects the CBK’s commitment to supporting student activities around Kuwait.

“The CBK is keen on par- Huda Sadiq ticipating in exhibitions and forums that give us the opportunity to explain students on job opportunities that we can offer for them and provide an update about the growing labor market in Kuwait”, said Huda Sadiq, the acting general director of human resources in the CBK. Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad and Bahraini Ambassador.

Expansion work at Al-Bahar hospital

By A Saleh

Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid (third left) and other dignitaries.

KUWAIT: The Health Ministry said that it is carrying out changes that will reduce crowding in the outpatient clinics of Al-Bahar Ophthalmology Hospital. It said that maintenance and expansion of the outpatient clinics will be complete within few months.

Health sources said the expansion of Al-Bahar Center include the eye emergency clinics, with additional eye operations theaters.

They said an integrated ophthalmology department will be opened in Farwaniya hospital starting January 2014, in addition to clinics in Omariya center.

The ministry said that work is going on to complete Mohammad Al-Dukhan Ophthalmology Center in Shamiya area and it is expected to be opened in the second half of 2014.

A group picture of dignitaries.

Hashem calls on premier to resign Adasani proposes amendment to electoral law

By B Izzaak KUWAIT: Opposition MP Riyadh Al-Adasani yesterday proposed to amend the controversial electoral law with the aim to increase the number of candidates a Kuwaiti voter can elect back up to four from the existing one vote. The reduction of the number of votes to only one just over a year ago had led the opposition to boycott two parliamentary elections held in December last year and July in 2013.

The reduction was made through an Amiri decree that was later approved as legal by the constitutional court in a key ruling issued last June.

But Al-Adasani’s proposal gives Kuwaiti voters the right to vote to a maximum of two candidates in the constituency they are registered in and one candidate each in two other constituencies.

At present, the law gives voters the right to chose one candidate only in their own constituency.

Before the controversial amendment last year, Kuwaiti voters had the right to pick up a maximum of four candidates in their own con-

stituency.

After last year’s amendment, most of the opposition groups boycotted parliamentary polls held in December 2012 and led to the election of a pro-government assembly.

That assembly however survived for less than seven months and was dissolved by the constitutional court on procedural flaws but the single-vote decree was upheld and considered in line with the constitution.

The ruling encouraged a number of opposition members to contest the July election and some of them won seats like Al-Adasani himself.

But Al-Adasani’s proposed amendments have very slim chances of being accepted by the National Assembly because a majority of its members favour the single vote law over the four votes.

In another development, MP Safa Al-Hashem yesterday called for Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to step down, insisting that changing a limited number of ministers is not enough.

The call comes less than a week for the decisive ruling of the Constitutional Court on the fate of the National Assembly. The court is

scheduled to rule on Dec 23 on two challenges against the single-vote law and alleged procedural flaws in calling for the July election.

Parliamentary sources had expected that if the court does not scrap the assembly, the prime minister was expected to undertake a cabinet reshuffle with the aim to dismiss a number of ministers who are having difficulties with the National Assembly.

The sources expected that the premier may change as many as eight cabinet members and the process could take two weeks during which the government is expected to abandon assembly sessions.

The prime minister however said early this week that no decision had been taken by the government not to attend the assembly session.

Al-Hashem said that changing some ministers will not resolve the problem in the country and the only solution is to change the prime minister, adding that she does not trust his capabilities.

Al-Hashem also warned Commerce and Industry Minister Anas Al-Saleh to answer a large number of questions he had sent to him otherwise she will file to grill him.

KUWAIT: The school guard getting treatment at the clinic.

Trio attacks school director, guard KUWAIT: A citizen and his two sons attacked the director and guard of an elementary school in Um Al-Haiman yesterday. The three used a tent pole and a knife, then attempted to run over a teacher while escaping.

The attacker wanted to park his car in a covered parking spot that belongs to the school, and when the guard prevented him

from doing it, he brought his sons and they started beating the guard. The teachers (female) along with the director came out to defend the guard.

He attempted to attack them before trying to escape. Another teacher stood on his way and the man attempted to run her over.

Police are investigating.

Obesity ‘a worldwide epidemic’

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Obesity is an epidemic that a USbased doctor says is likely to stay and worsen unless something is done to combat it. Dr Evan P. Nadler, an associate Professor of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Integrative System Biology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences who also serves as a Co-Director of Children’s National Obesity Institute at Children’s National Medical Center spoke to the Kuwait Times during his visit to Kuwait last week. He was one of the participants at the Gulf Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society (GOSS) which held its first annual meeting from Dec 12 to 14. The meeting featured the Fifth SKMCCleveland Clinic Obesity Symposium and the Second Kuwait Society of Metabolic Surgery Meeting.

Below are excerpts from the interview with Dr Nadler: KT: Here in the region, obesity has often been referred to as an epidemic. To what extent do you agree with the statement?

Do you believe the same applies for the US? EN: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that has preferentially targeted the US and the Middle East but obesity is on rise in almost every country. Unfortunately it’s an epidemic that is likely to stay here and potentially will only get worse. That is unless we do something collectively to combat the epidemic.

KT: In your work as Co-Director at Children’s National Obesity Institute, how often do you deal with patients from Kuwait and the Gulf region in general?

EN: I’m visiting with a patient here in Kuwait while I’m on this trip. Although we don’t see too many patients for obesity care from the Gulf at my hospital currently, we see many patients with other pediatric ailments but not obesity yet. I expect that with more attention being paid to childhood obesity in the region I may see more patients in the future. It’s unfortunate but likely true fact that more children will be affected with obesity and will require treatment.

KT: When you do receive patients from out-

side of the US at Children’s National, be it from the Gulf or elsewhere, what are usually the reasons that these patients choose to seek treatment abroad?

EN: The circumstances vary among the different countries, but it’s human nature to always seek out the best possible medical care that one can find. For certain conditions and in certain country that medical care maybe in US or Europe. Currently most of the patients we

Dr Evan Nadler see have complex medical conditions that cannot be treated in home country. I think part of my hospital and my hope is that we form a partnership where we do train local medical community to care for the medical complex condition. There always may be certain very complicated patients that can only be handled abroad. Even in the US there are certain centers that have expertise where, for instance, the patient in one state can be transferred to a hospital standard in another state because of the condition. It is important for medical care everywhere and physicians with special expertise should share that expertise, rather than demand that all patients come to him or her. Even in the US, I spend time training other physicians to do what I do, rather than try to monopolize the patient population because at the end what is best for the patient

is to get high level care in convenient and comfortable location.

The problem is that there are certain “pieces” of the bariatric surgery team that do not exist currently in the Middle East, or the Gulf to be more accurate. One of those is often the mental health perspective. But on the flip side, my mental health professionals in the States don’t have any expertise with local culture, so there needs be a two way interaction if we were to offer these types of services. It’s similar with nutritionists as the diets are different enough, that a US based nutritionist wouldn’t necessarily be able to advice Kuwaiti patient in post-operative care without having knowledge or experience with local customs.

KT: How do obese adults and obese children differ in terms of treatment?

EN: The surgery is very similar between adults and children. Even some of the pre-surgical management is similar, in that most medical programs focus on changing eating behavior and exercise behavior. The major differences are that in child obesity it’s a family challenge, so we have to educate not only the child, the patient, but you also have to educate the parents. And if the parent don’t believe in the need for more exercise or change of diet, it’s very difficult for the teenager to eat healthy, if their mother or father is eating fast food before going to the gym. In adult care we are just dealing with one person, the adult who makes all the decisions. In pediatric care we are dealing with a family unit.

Again, you also have to worry about the growth and development, both physical and emotional, which is unique to the pediatric population and why we have child psychologist and pediatric nutritionist involved in our program.

KT: Is there minimum age for obesity surgery for children?

EN: Currently the standard in the US has more to do with physiologic maturity rather than absolute age, so a child who has gone through puberty or has reached their full adult height that is the standard now in the US. My youngest patient now is 12, but she is about 190 cm tall and she looks like 25 years old because she is fully developed. Her actual age

of 12 didn’t matter as much as her overall development. However, there is international experience here in the Gulf in operating on patients before puberty in certain extreme situations.

KT: When it comes to obese adolescents, what are the procedures and operations that are usually performed? What are some of the less invasive options that are available?

EN: The majority of surgeries in US currently are one of three, in terms of adults: the most common is the gastric bypass, then sleeve gastrostomy, and followed by laparoscopic gastric banding. For adolescents, those same three surgeries exist to a degree, as the devise for the banding is still not approved by FTA for those under age 18, so only few surgeons will offer this for patients under 18. Some of the major centers are performing gastric bypass on adolescent patients, although my personal opinion is that the procedure should be reserved for patients over 18, as the child and adolescent patient can’t understand the nutritional risks associated with the procedure long-term. Almost all of my patients whose parents have had had bypasses don’t want their child to have that operation, because they know there are a lots of side effects that are difficult to manage on long term. So that leaves the sleeve gastrostomy, which is the operation I perform the most in the adolescent population. In terms of less invasive options, one of the problems in the US is that devices for obesity that are being developed are only tried in adults. So the FDA doesn’t approve them for use in children, so it’s very limiting in terms of what we can offer for children.

KT: When do you make the decision to go with surgery for obesity treatment? And does this differ if the patient is a child or adolescent?

EN: The major difference between adolescent/children and adults in terms of surgery is that the adult comes seeking treatment, while the pediatric patient is often brought in by their parent who want treatment but the child may or may not want treatment. So I will not operate on a teenager until after he or she

tells me they want the surgery. There are other standard criteria such as being part of a medical program for 6 months, and being evaluated by my child psychologist to make sure that the patient is emotionally mature enough to handle the procedure and the behaviorial changes that come with the procedure. The medical criteria are the same as for adults, which is a BMI over 40, or over 35 with comorbidity. Yet, I know that in Kuwait they have different pediatric criteria where they have to have a BMI over 50 or over 40 with comorbidity, which puts the adolescent at a disadvantage as weight-loss surgery only achieves a certain amount of change, so the heavier you are when you have the surgery, the heavier you will be after your recovery no matter what procedure or what age you are. So we recommend earlier intervention rather than later intervention.

KT: Is obesity surgery a permanent solution? What are the risks associated with the surgery in the long term?

EN: It’s not a permanent solution for about 20 percent of patients. About 20 percent of patients either regain weight after several years or never lose weight to begin with, and that’s true whether it is an adult or an adolescent patient. And we don’t understand why that is, and even with gastric bypass 20 percent of patients regain weight 5 years after surgery. So without behavior modification all of these procedures can fail.

KT: Do you believe that obesity surgery has a higher success rate with adolescents than with adults?

EN: It’s probably the same for both.

Although potentially slightly better if you have family buy-in, if the family changes how they buy and prepare food, if they exercise together, it can help and adolescent. Which brings us to the real reason we do weight-loss surgery which is to reverse illnesses related to obesity, so we do surgery to treat hypertension or diabetes or sleep apnea. Those are easier to reverse if you have them for shorter duration.

Thus we find adolescents have a better success rate in reversing their medical conditions than adults, so long as they lost weight and stay track on what they are supposed to do.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Images show people shopping in the monthly Al-Qout Market and the popup Shakshooka market. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh and Joseph Shagra

Outdoor shopping newest habba Continued from Page 1 The idea for the Qout market first took shape when it was presented as part of the 2012 Middle East-North Africa Active Citizen Summit, organized by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), in partnership with the US State Department. Cofounder Budour Al-Qassar presented the farmer’s market idea at the summit in Washington DC and the project was selected for a small grant to help it get off the ground.

“We established Qout to be a service to the community. Many people have the desire to learn more about healthy foods, but they

don’t have the right place to go to find answers to their questions,” said Qout cofounder Noaf Hussein. Regarding the products featured in the market, she says that they have two solid rules - no cupcakes; and the business owners must be present behind the table. “We wanted it to be personal,” she explains.

The cooler winter/spring months in Kuwait also make it possible for people to spend more time outside - an important way to get more sunlight and vitamin D. The outdoor markets also provide a new and a healthy alternative to the lengthy summer months of indoor shopping.

Family optimistic about release of two Kuwaiti Gitmo prisoners

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Two detainees at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were sent home to Saudi Arabia by the United States. The news was received here positively by the relatives and friends of the two remaining Kuwaitis in Guantanamo. Khalid Al-Oudah, the father of detainee Fawzi Al-Oudah, told Kuwait Times the new development is a positive sign and a hope for the imminent release of the two. “I believe the action taken by the US government is going in the direction parallel to our desire for their complete freedom. We and the Kuwaiti government have been hoping for this for a long time and we are optimistic about the return of Fawzi and Fayez Al-Kandari very soon,” he said.

US President Barack Obama had promised to close the prison after it was opened by his predecessor (George W Bush) in the wake of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. Hundreds

Ministry stops signing expat teachers’ contracts KUWAIT: The Education Ministry stopped signing contracts abroad to cover the shortage of teachers in certain specialties. The ministry will rely on the Basic Education College and the Education College at Kuwait University, as well as local contracts with those residing in Kuwait, as well as bedoons. Education sources said the Education Ministry decided this year to stop foreign contracts to meet a shortage of teachers, adding that the public education sector was instructed to present an estimation of its needs in the form of specialized human resources for the next school year. The sources said the most notable required specialties for next year are mathematics, chemistry, biology, geology and physical education.

Meanwhile, the Education and Health Ministry agreed to change the type of meals given to kindergarten and primary students as new tenders are put out next year. Sources said the joint committee from the two ministries held a meeting last week to discuss the type of meals that are given to students, as recommendations indicated they are not suitable for the students’ age group.

They said that the health ministry indicated that some types of food have high percentage of fat.

Meanwhile, Al-Watan daily said the students’ training project on TOEFL for the 11th and 12th grades has returned, as the Education Ministry said in a surprise circulation for the secondary stage students that it was necessary to resume the training program to prepare students for the test starting from the second period of the 2013/2014 school year at a rate of two classes per week.

Educational sources said that it is difficult to implement the project because teachers are not qualified and cannot do it, so schools will face difficulty in implementing the instructions.

were captured throughout the world in US anti-terror operations and sent to Guantanamo. Twelve of them were Kuwaitis - 10 were released years back and two remain imprisoned.

Kuwaitis and the government consistently have pushed for their release after twelve long years in the terrible experimental prison at Guantanamo Bay where justice is missing and arbitrary detention has become the norm.

Detainees have complained of mistreatment and many were held for years without trial while others face military tribunals. “I think the release is very good. We can see light in the tunnel and we thank them for this. Yes, it has been long time since they promised to once and for all release all the prisoners, but I think political issues are keeping them at the expense of our loved ones. It’s between the Republicans and Democrats - they are using them as a political tool, but we hope that they finally come to their senses and stop such propaganda,” Oudah said.

Fayez Al-Kandari and Fawzi Al-Ouda

He called upon the Kuwaiti government to be firm on their decision, as demonstrated during the last six months.

“The Kuwaiti government has been doing their job well to

push for the final exit of our loved ones from the prison.

They’re doing great and we thank them too,” he said. Oudah also called upon the United States government to hold on to their promise. “They have to respect the rule of law and democracy they’re preaching,” he stressed.

Oudah’s optimism is related to the new and relaxed rules in the Pentagon budget on the handing over of Guantanamo detainees. The men released from Guantanamo to Saudi Arabia were identified as Saad Muhammed Husayn Qahtani, 35, and Hamood Abdulla Hamood, 48.

Neither had ever been charged with a crime, the US government said. They were among the last 11 Saudi citizens in the prison. The transfers reduced the prison camp’s population to 160 detainees. Government sources said the Saudi repatriations during the weekend were voluntary and that a federal task force determined the men were eligible for transfer “subject to appropriate security measures”.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LOCAL kuwait digest

kuwait digest

Thank you, Lord!

‘Prohibited’ instruments

By Suad Al-Mojel

By Dr Sajed Al-Abdali

I

S

he was born with one scarred eye and for almost half a century, she lived semi-blind, having to swerve her left eye leftwards to a tiny hole through which light could go all these years. Despite all the agony, she refused others’ pity as well as refused to be treated as disabled or inferior to others.

That is why she always insisted on taking part in various activities and succeeded in doing almost everything.

As a child, she insisted on playing hopscotch with her peers and because she could not see the signs made on the ground clearly, she used to go to the playing ground when other kids went home and crawl on the ground, feeling the marks and looking more closely to memorize them all. She soon managed to join them playing and sometimes beat them.

She used to read and study books at home by bringing their pages so close to her face that they could touch her single eyelash. Despite the opposition of teachers who believed her disability was too big to enable her to succeed in various educational stages, she managed to finish schooling, joined university, got a bachelors and then a masters degree that later on qualified her to become a university professor teaching journalism and literature, lecturing at the university and various cultural clubs and being interviewed on radio about literature. She once wrote: “I have always feared total blindness and therefore, I led a merry life by the minute”.

At the age of fifty two, medicine had developed a lot and doctors could then do something to help her.

She underwent an operation that made her see forty times better and stronger than she had ever done. She then realized how more beautiful and joyful than she had ever known the world is. She even started finding joy in washing dishes. “I started playing with soup bubbles chasing the small ones to hold them before light so that I can see all the rainbow colors through them. I spend much time watching little birds’ flocking through snowy weather...our lord in heaven, thank you!” she concluded.

Borghild Dahl passed away at the age of 92 leaving behind thousands of people who had been impressed by her story, her strength and her optimistic view of the world. She left leaving good literature comprising of 17 books, the last of which was “Happy All My Life”!

That is a real impressive biography with so many moral lessons in it. So, will we, the healthy, thank Allah for everything He has bestowed on us? Will we ever remember to thank the Almighty for the blessing of vision, for being able to see all the beautiful things surrounding us? Ninety percent of man’s life mostly goes well while only ten percent goes wrong.

Nevertheless, that ten percent may occupy all the man’s mind, mood and soul, forgetting all about the greater and more beautiful part of his/her life! So dear friends, stop worrying, start enjoying life and never feel disappointed for not having a shoe because others may not have feet at all! — Al-Jarida

kuwait digest

Syrians, be patient

By Dr Wael Al-Hasawi

T

here was a cat that I used to pass by everyday on my way to the mosque. It was a long-haired, peaceful cat that was mostly found near people than other cats. A few days ago, a walked in the same alley and found that the cat had died. I figured that since the cat could not have starved to death because she used to eat food dumped in a nearby trashcan, it probably died because of the extreme cold.

This reminded me of Omar ibn Al-Khattab who feared that he would answer before God for the welfare of not only people, but also animals in the Islamic state during his reign as caliph. But people nowadays have more important things to worry about than the fate of an alley cat, don’t they?

Many people might actually feel that way, but what about news reports regarding scores of Syrian children freezing to death in refugee camps? Not mentioning that those kids were considered lucky to have escaped bombardment, random killings, explosions and sieges in their villages.

Shouldn’t the repeated massacres against the Syrian people for the past three years be considered the worst disgrace to humanity in the modern era? Can we believe that all countries including Western nations which keep preaching about human and animal rights, freedoms and people’s right of decent living - are

unable to help the Syrian people overcome their misery and defend themselves against aggression?

I listened to a statement from an American congressman a week ago during a forum in Manama. He defended the United States’ policies of destroying Syria’s chemical weapons “which could inflict serious damage to humanity”, but left the Syrian people and opposition’s fight against President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces to continue until all parties agree to sit at the table of negotiations.

Simply like that, the congressman spoke about what is seen as a solution for the most complicated crisis in the modern era. It is strange that he never told us about the reasons behind the US administration’s efforts to stop arms from reaching the opposition. And if we assume that the Syrian opposition agree to US Secretary of State John Kerry’s proposal and sit down at the table of negotiations without preconditions, can negotiations be held with a regime guilty of the murder of thousands of citizens, one which refuses to relinquish power and one that continues to refer to the opposition as ‘terrorists’?

All I say to Syrians is be patient. The same way you exposed the false defenders of freedom and human rights, your final victory will put an end to the Western dominance over Muslim countries. — Al-Rai

was hoping that a Kuwait University official would release a comment on what happened at the Faculty of Social Sciences since news about it were reported last week.

According to reports, a function was organized as part of the humanitarian week at the faculty, and featured a musical segment. Suddenly, members of the student’s society that organized the event ordered the musical segment be canceled under the pretext that it contains playing on instruments regarded ‘haram’ or prohibited under extreme religious interpretations, such as the keyboards. The group follows the strongest students’ list in the KU, which represents political Islam in Kuwait.

The same report also revealed that the political club in the faculty, which is affiliated to the National Union of Kuwaiti Students, refused applications of female students who applied to participate in a cultural trip to the European Parliament in Belgium. The girls were told that they should bring a male relative to travel with them as a legal guardian.

I will not discuss the different interpretations regarding Islam’s view of music - this topic has already had its enough share of debate. Instead, I would like to point out the ridiculous ways in which religious regulations are circumvented.

For example, my friend who believes that music is haram once invited me to her daughter’s wedding. I was surprised to discover that speakers were blasting music, and for a moment felt that my friend had changed her mind regarding her views on the subject.

But when I asked her about this, she said that she still believes music is haram, and that what I was hearing was music played by an ‘Islamic DJ’. What is an Islamic DJ?!

According to my friend, he is basically a sound specialist who uses computer software to remove sounds from songs played by ‘prohibited’ instruments such as the keyboard, making the song halal! The funny part was that the little modifications on the songs never affected the dancing or general atmosphere at the party.

A second example is an experience of another woman I know. Despite supporting the religious interpretation which states that a Muslim woman must only travel with a male companion, my friend had to take a trip to London alone. I asked her whether she had changed her mind on the subject, but her answer was no. She explained that her niece lives in the United Kingdom, so technically speaking, she had a relative staying at the same geographical spot with her during the trip. The problem was that during her twoweek stay in London, she never came in contact with her niece who studies hundreds of miles away in Edinburgh!

These examples and many others reflect misinterpretation of religion and shallow way of dealing with religious teachings. A similar practice is found in some Islamic banks which take more interest on loans than traditional banks under religious excuses supported by ‘sharia consultants’ who perhaps make a fortune for the ‘fatwas’ that they give to these banks.

True Islamic values preach honesty, integrity and commitment to principles. Unfortunately, these values are largely ignored, and religion has become a cover for practices such as banning a musical performance or preventing female students from traveling alone, practiced by societies who have so far failed to address actual educational problems. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Commercial ‘downtowns’

By Abdellatif Al-Duaij

A

n advertisement for “deluxe” apartments drew my attention. Of course, it is a normal thing if these apartments are in commercial areas like Salmiya or Hawally, or even in an investment area like Jabriya, Surra and others. It would have been normal if they were beyond the Sixth Ring Road or even the fifth or third, but the area of the deluxe apartments is under the Third Ring Road, which means it is in one of Kuwait’s well-known model areas.

Then there are those who cry, and those who are hurt, and will blame the government of course as well as businessmen for the high prices of land. Is the person who turned his residential home in this model area into a commercial building a big businessman who monopolizes buildings and lands? Or is he just a “simple” citizen among those known as limited income people?

Who allowed the change of residential areas to commercial ones where homes, floors and deluxe flats are rented these days? Who allowed the increased heights of buildings and the use of empty lands that are allocated for ventilation and provide calmness and quietness in model areas? Who allowed multiple floors in residential areas, so that buildings are high and some of them block the sun and prevent air from reaching neighbors, who of

course found themselves compelled to compete with their neighbor so that they can breathe and not feel cornered?

The rise in residential real-estate prices and the escalation of the housing problem is caused by the reckless and uncivilized policy that elected municipal councils have set in the first place. These councils that were so good at raising the construction percentages and in dividing residential lots and creating all possible opportunities, and the not so possible for that matter, to benefit commercially from residential real estate. No need to say that this is caused by the “simple” citizen of limited income who insists on making money and own the real estate, so he changed residential areas into commercial ones, and residential buildings into flats and even annexes that are rented and utilized commercially.

This is the way residential areas become not fit to reside in, and model areas have become commercial “downtowns” that are more crowded and noisy than the largest cities of the world. The solution of the residential problem is not in providing more lands or building additional homes - rather by changing the commercial mentality that stands behind many of those who want government facilities to make private wealth. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Al-Nisf ‘a decision maker’

By Dr Abdelmohsen Hamada

K

uwait was a decision making country - that is why it grew and flourished in a record time, although the price of oil at that time was no more than three dollars.

Modern residential areas were planned. People moved from old homes to modern buildings. Kuwait businessmen became active and established important companies, and we adopted the democratic path. Many private and professional societies appeared during that period, including women’s societies, and we built the fund for future generations. Both the people and the government loved the country, and that is why we carried out that transformation, which impressed our neighboring countries.

But suddenly we were hit with the illness of being hesitant to take a decision and hindering projects. That is why the national capital migrated to our neighbors. In light of all that, we will try to understand the obstruction of the efforts of Captain Sami Al-Nisf to rescue Kuwait Airways (KAC) from taking a dive. He was selected a year ago to carry out this difficult mission, and he belongs to the company and knows its defects. There is no doubt that he has the ability and competence to achieve his mission, and we can know his abilities through his CV in addition to the experience he gained as a pilot, former minister and advisor to HH the Amir.

We also can look into his personality through his opinions and columns, and from that we know he is a patriot. He has the ability to reform and fight corruption in addition to knowing the problems of the country and means to fix them. He has the courage to express his opinion without being reckless

or hurt feelings. He is an educated person who saw many different opinions.

A person cannot be a good writer unless he is a good reader, so I find out that the specifications used to select Captain Sami Al-Nisf to revive KAC, which almost died, were correct, and those who selected him must have given him the authority to complete his mission. Among the authorities that must be given to leaderships is the green light and not hesitate in taking suitable decisions, so we find it strange for the communications minister’s fury against the measures taken by captain Al-Nisf to renew KAC’s deteriorating fleet, and find it stranger when the minister says that Nisf did not consult with him over that deal.

Leaders are not required to consult the minister in everything, rather it is better to give them confidence and encourage them not to hesitate and take the necessary decisions to carry out their missions. Yet it seems that we have become a country without decision that punishes those who take a decision to reform the state apparatus, especially after captain Nisf explained during his press conference and the court case he filed against the minister that the appointment law give him the right to sign that deal without consulting with the minister, and that foreign companies evaluated and approved the deal. Even the deal to purchase and lease 35 new aircraft that was announced by the minister may not have been correct, but depends on the party from which KAC will purchase and agreement of banks to finance it. The minister said that to silence his opposition. — Al-Qabas

LOCAL

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

KUWAIT: The ambassador of the Republic of Kenya Mohamed Mahat hosted a reception at the Regency Hotel on the occasion of his country’s 50th anniversary celebration. A number of high-ranking officials, diplomats and media people attended it. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

Outraged at being overcharged? Call 135

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: With the New Year ringing in, so are plans for celebrating it. Many restaurants in Kuwait offer special packages at a higher price while not having regular items on the menu available - a marketing stunt that is illegal in Kuwait. “These package deals force the consumer to buy something - this is illegal in Kuwait,” said Ibrahim Al-Amri, an inspector from the Consumer Protection Department.

“Restaurants are not allowed to force the customer to pay an increased amount or a minimum charge by forcing him to eat a certain meal,” Amri said, explaining that in such cases, the consumer can call the hotline 135 (Consumer Protection Department) of the Ministry of Commerce and file a complaint. He should then provide his civil ID number with the complaint and our inspectors will go to investigate the place. Then the restaurant or hotel will be sanctioned,” Amri told Kuwait Times.

Violations on the part of restaurants include not allowing a customer to dine at their place despite there being empty seats. “The restaurant is not allowed to refuse to seat a guest who wants to dine in their place if there is a vacant table, unless it is reserved by another customer. So if the customer comes and finds an empty table and is not allowed to sit, then he can com-

plain,” Amri said, adding that the department receives many such complaints.

‘Immoral items’ In a related matter, MP Hussein AlQuwaian recently demanded banning selling any items and goods related to Christmas celebrations, claiming they are unacceptable to local customs and traditions. This was echoed by MP Hamdan Al-Azmi, who had also demanded banning selling items related to Halloween, claiming such sales are against Kuwait’s beliefs and customs.

Minister of Commerce Anas AlSaleh noted that the ministry is checking the goods sold in the market and confiscating any suspect items based on previous ministry decrees. These include goods with verses from the Holy Quran or products insulting religion, as well as “immoral items”.

Amri assured that these decrees include banned items such as sex toys sold illegally by roaming vendors or illegally smuggled and sold in some shops. “Definitely our rules and ministry decrees do not include banning selling Christmas trees, decorations, outfits, toys or other stuff as long as it’s not related to immoral behavior. We don’t have a law banning selling Christmas or Halloween items. In Kuwait we respect the freedom of beliefs and religions,” he pointed out.

Al-Mousherji stresses partnership based on interaction, devotion

KUWAIT: A Christmas tree placed at one of the hotels in Kuwait.

— Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Shareeda Al-Mousherji said here yesterday better future could be ensured through genuine partnership based on interaction and dedication on the part of all society categories.

In a keynote speech during a religious forum entitled: “Partners of Success”, organized by the Public Authority for Printing and Publishing the Holy Quran and Sunna, the minister said the event is part of the authority’s fervent efforts to extend bridges of confidence and loyalty between institutions and dealers.

The banner of the event “Partners of Success” is a real translation of “our desire to make the future of the Public Authority for Printing and Publishing the Holy Quran and Sunna and to attain the purposes and goals of the authority”.

“This forum reflects our realization of the great role played by the Kuwaiti society and its official and civil institutions and their icons in taking care of the Holy Quran and Sunna,” he said.

He added that the reinforcement of human resources and development of leaders’ efficiency and skills are the ideal way to attain distinction in performance and mobility, noting that clearcut visions and integrated planning would boost the authority on sound bases.

The minister voiced hope that the conferees would come up with suggestions and recommendations that could guarantee single visions and concerted efforts to look out the future of this religion and to notch up excellence and pioneering as well as meet modern challenges through moderate and careful solutions.

Several former ministers of awqaf and board members of the authority were awarded by the minister during the opening ceremony of the forum. —KUNA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LOCAL

Angry woman stabs harasser in Jabriya Tow truck driver mugged KUWAIT: A woman was taken in police custody Monday night after she left a harasser with three stab wounds and waited until officers arrived at the scene. The incident took place in Jabriya where the Kuwaiti woman told police that she stopped at the side of the road after noticing that a male driver was following her. The man pulled his car over behind her vehicle, then got out and approached the angry woman.

However, he found out that she was waiting for him with a knife in hand, which she used to attack him. She then called police and waited until they arrived. The man was taken in an ambulance to Mubarak Hospital where he was diagnosed with stab wounds to his chest, abdomen and shoulder.

The woman was taken to Jabriya police station to face charges.

Maid stabs coworker A domestic worker was hospitalized with a stab wound following a fight with another maid at a house in Saad Al-Abdullah. The Indian woman was taken in an ambulance to Jahra Hospital where she was admitted inside the intensive care unit with a deep stab wound in the abdominal area. Police who reported to the scene with paramedics in response to an emergency call arrested an Ethiopian maid working in the house after investigations revealed that she stabbed her coworker during a dispute over work duties. The victim is still recovering at the hospital while her attacker was remanded in custody pending further action.

Girlfriend stabbed A search is on for a man accused of stabbing his girlfriend for the second time within a week. Paramedics and police rushed to the scene in response to an emergency call reporting a man attacking a woman with a knife and escaping. The girl was

rushed to Mubarak Hospital and was cleared to speak to police after receiving treatment in the intensive care unit. She said that her attacker was her boyfriend who is also romantically involved with a second girl. She explained that he stalked her in Hawally and assaulted her over accusations that she was spreading rumors about his relationship with the other girl. The woman also accused the man of stabbing her on the shoulder a week before the second incident over the same reasons. Investigations are ongoing in search for the suspect.

Five prostitutes Criminal Investigation General Department detectives busted two prostitution networks which lured clients in Kuwait online. The first operation took place in Salmiya where four Chinese women were arrested inside an apar tment. Police raided the apartment following a tip from an undercover agent who obtained the address from a website that offers sexual services to clients in Kuwait. The second operation was at a Kuwait City hotel where police arrested a Spanish prostitute who arrived in Kuwait on a visit visa.

The five women remain in custody for further investigations.

Scam network Hawally detectives arrested two men who collected over half a million dinars through scams, while a search is ongoing for a third suspect. Investigations went underway after several Kuwaiti men repor ted at the Salmiya police station that they fell victim in deals to purchase lands on Messila beach. The complainants gave identical information about the scam operation - saying that they were approached by three men who offered to sell them pieces of land at exceptional locations for attractive prices. The men signed contracts after being

led to believe that the suspects worked for a major real estate company and sponsored by a member of the ruling family. They later discovered that the contracts which they said were signed in 5star hotels were forged.

Detectives arrested two Egyptian men who admitted of scam through which they collected more than KD 500,000. They gave information of their accomplice, a Kuwaiti, and a search is on to put him under arrest.

Jleeb manslaughter A man was found dead at a carpentr y workshop in Jleeb AlShuyoukh in a case classified as manslaughter following preliminary investigations. Paramedics and police headed to the scene following an emergenc y call reporting a dead body near a pile of wood inside a workshop. The 18-year-old Syrian man was pronounced dead, and a medical examination revealed beating marks on the victim’s head. The body was sent to the forensic depar tment after crime scene investigators examined the place.

A manslaughter case was filed based on preliminary investigations which indicate that the man died after he accidently fell under falling logs that were found at the scene. Further investigations are ongoing to confirm the man’s cause of death.

Driver mugged Investigations are ongoing in search for a person who stole money from a tow truck driver after luring him to a trap. In his statements to police, the truck driver said that he headed to an empty yard near Saad Al-Abdullah where a man asked for help to tow his malfunctioned car for repairs. The suspect stole KD 150 from the truck driver at knifepoint, then took the truck keys before he got into his car and drove away.

KUWAIT: The Bangladesh Ambassador Maj Gen Mohammad Ashab Uddin hosted a reception at the chancery this week to observe the 42nd anniversary of the Victory Day of his country. The ambassador hoisted the Bangladesh national flag in the presence of embassy officials, officers of the Bangladesh Military Contingent, Bangladesh Biman, members of the community and representatives of the local print and electronic media.— Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh

Qatar National Day ‘occasion to mark accomplishments’ DOHA: Qatar celebrates the 18th anniversary of its National Day today, an occasion where the natives boast of their substantial and rapid progress, both in sectors and national manpower.

This year’s celebration, held under the logo, “our hearts are resources of our pride,” is the first to be patronized by the Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who succeeded his father, Sheikh Khalifa Al-Thani, on June 25, following the latter steps on path of comprehensive development, with aim of transforming Qatar into a pioneering country in the Gulf region.

Qatar has been celebrating the 18th anniversary of the National Day since issuance of the Law Number 11 (2007), the day when Sheikh Jassem Bin Mohammad Al-Thani took the helm of power and started leading the country on path of modernization.

Basic values, principles All forms of activities, except for festivals, rallies and gatherings marking the joyful occasion tomorrow, will come to a standstill. Businesses, schools and other sectors will be shut.

Qataris, while celebrating this great day, recall achievements of the late, Sheikh Jassem Bin Mohammad Al-Thani, founder of modern Qatar in 1878. He had succeeded his father, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Thani, leading the country till unification.

December 18th is a day where the natives re -affirm commitment to basic values and principles, namely loyalty to the pious and brave ruler.

Upon directions of Sheikh Tamim, Qatar had adopted a scientific approach to invest and develop human resources, realize maximum employment of national and foreign experts.

The country witnessed, over the past years, full-scale renaissance, as affirmed by international agencies and organizations that praised the noticeable progress in the political, economic, social and intellectual realms. Moreover, repor ts by the international organizations noted marked development of human resources in Qatar.

At the political level, Qatar became a non-permanent member in the United Nations Security Council. In 2005, it hosted the second summit of the G77+China. It had also organized a large number of major conventions designed to create a new world, free from religious, sectarian disputes and spare mankind “the conflict of civilizations.”

Keen on maintaining bonds with the Arab nations, the Qatari leadership has taken honorable stances regarding diverse crises in the Middle East. Also at the regional level, Doha has maintained close bonds with the sisterly member states of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Noticeable development Amid noticeable and rapid development and construction of the GCC countr y, the Qatari market has become lucrative for investment companies and laborers from various corners of the world. And, work is picking up pace in many mega ventures covering all sectors.

In line with the Qatari State visionary strategy till 2030, Qataris have been seeking to diversify the national

DOHA: Kuwaiti Deputy Chief of the National Guard Sheikh Mishal AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrives in Doha to attend the National Day yesterday. economy, namely fields other than oil and gas, and that is through development of major sectors such as financial services, health and educational care and sports. Employing enormous surplus in the state budget, the government has succeeded in launching re-investment in the national economy. Over the past 10 years, Qatar witnessed major economic transformation, where enormous hike of oil and gas production led to making record economic growth and prompted the government to spend generously on upgrading infrastructure, power and housing sectors.

Qatar’s gross domestic product grew 18 percent between 2006 and 2012, making it the fastest growing country among the GCC states. The GDP would grow by 4.5 percent during the current fiscal year.

Expenditure of the state budget for the 2012-2013 financial year grew 28 percent, compared to projections of the 2011-2012 budget. Spending on major investment ventures constituted 25 percent of the overall expenditure, rising 30 percent, in contrast to actual spending in the previous financial year.

Qatar’s economic plan aims to trim dependence on the oil sector for income by diversifying the resources, boosting manufacturing industries and mastering modern technology.

Moreover, the state encourages using financial surplus by giving incentives to the private sector to invest in industrial development and privatizing part of the national industrial sector.

At the cultural level, the state supports efforts and activities aimed at preserving and promoting traditional heritage, building public libraries, theatres, museums, arts’ centers.

Moreover, it supports publishing houses, cultural magazines, regularly organizes festivals and exhibitions.

As part of the government plan to update the health sector, it built Hamad Medical City complex, various specialized hospitals and health centers. Teaching sector witnessed a new era with establishment of the Supreme Education Council, launching the “national initiative” for developing teaching, supporting expansion of private teaching, building the Education City that comprises topnotch international faculties and educational institutions, in addition to focusing efforts on scientific teaching, for which the state earmarked up to 2.8 percent of the domestic product.

Furthermore, Qatar University has undergone substantial reforms and had worked out a special program to guide students specialize in realms, most needed by domestic labor and employment markets.

At the social level, Qatar built a series of centers and institutions, specialized in care for women, child, elderly, disabled and all other segments of the society. Overhaul stretched to various state departments in charge of security, judicial affairs, administration, communication, environment, culture, arts and media-latter witnessed noticeable liberalization in terms of freedom of expression.

As to sports’ achievements, Qatar won the right to host the World Cup Mondial (2022), many international, Arab and Asian sports conventions and tournaments.

Preparations for the great occasion are in full swing. Public places have been adorned with the national flags and colorful decorations, expressing the natives’ happiness on the national occasion. —KUNA

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Ukraine leader seeks cash from Putin amid protests

Three years on, Tunisians mark uprising with demo

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BERLIN: German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, 4th left, German Economy and Energy Minister and Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, 5th left and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, 6th left, and the members of the cabinet pose for the media during the constitutive cabinet meeting of the new German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, yesterday. — AP

Merkel starts her third term ‘Grand coalition is a coalition for grand tasks’ BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel was sworn in yesterday for a third term at the helm of Europe’s top economy, ending nearly three months of post-election limbo while she bartered with rivals to forge a “grand coalition”.

Merkel, 59, will lead for another four-year term after being overwhelmingly approved in the job by the Bundestag lower house of parliament where her new left-right coalition has a huge majority.

“I accept the election result and thank you for your trust,” she said, dressed in a black trouser suit, having accepted a bunch of flowers and before shaking the hands of supporters. Eighty-six days after Merkel’s conservatives swept to victory with 41.5 percent of the vote in September elections but narrowly failed to grab an outright majority, the Bundestag ballot outcome came as no surprise.

Merkel secured a “yes” vote from more than 74 percent of the 621 deputies who voted in the secret ballot, or 462 votes, while 150 voted against her becoming chancellor and nine abstained. After her previous junior coalition partners, the Free Democrats, for the first time failed to win any parliamentary seats in the September 22 elections, Merkel was forced to seek out a new government tie-up.

After weeks of cajoling an initially reluctant centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU), their Bavarian CSU sister party and the SPD hammered out a deal at the end of November to enter a political marriage of convenience.

And with 504 of the 631 Bundestag seats, the new government now commands a huge majority-the biggest for nearly half a century-though the path ahead is expected to be bumpy.

Parliamentarians began the vote by standing for a short memorial to South African peace icon Nelson Mandela who died this month, as Bundestag president Norbert Lammert paid tribute to his example in fighting racism.

Merkel went to the palace of President Joachim Gauck to be confirmed in the post and returned to the Bundestag to be formally sworn in as Germany’s only third post-war chancellor to win a third mandate.

Raising her right hand, she took the oath of office and, smiling, received a standing ovation from deputies before taking the first seat on the new government bench.

After her ministers were also to be sworn in, Merkel’s cabinet was set to meet for the first time, enabling the chancellor to finally get back to business in earnest after the longest government-building period since World War II.

Merkel heads to Paris Merkel is due to address parliament today and travel to Paris for talks with President Francois Hollande the same day, ahead of an EU summit at the end of the week. A parliament debate after today’s address will be the first opportunity for a face-off across the floor since the SPD moved off the opposition benches.

Mass circulation Bild newspaper expressed concern at the small size and the make-up of Germany’s opposition and declared itself the government’s new “extra-parliamentary opposition”.

“Bild will wrap the new government over the knuckles at every opportunity! Hard. Painfully. And without mercy,” it said in an editorial. Merkel on Monday promised “solid finances, secure prosperity and social welfare” and said that “a grand coalition is a coalition for grand tasks-we want to make sure that the people in 2017 are better off, even better off, than they are today”.

SPD chief Sigmar Gabriel, who will become vice chancellor as well as energy and economy minister, drove a hard bargain in weeks of negotiations to draw up a deal for the new alliance.

Amid initial scepticism among the SPD’s grassroots membership after the party ended up in Merkel’s shadow during its previous grand coalition in 2005, Gabriel pledged to give the members the final say this time around.

He put the coalition pact to an unprecedented binding vote among the SPD’s more than 450,000 members, 76 percent of whom backed the new government. Despite its poor election outcome of 25.7 percent, its second worst showing since World War II, the 150-year-old political force extracted concessions in the coalition talks such as a national minimum wage and pension improvements.

The SPD has six portfolios in the new cabinet, including the foreign ministry, where Frank-Walter Steinmeier returns for a new term. Merkel keeps trusted lieutenant Wolfgang Schaeuble as finance minister to continue Berlin’s tough loans-for-reform stance towards troubled eurozone countries and as the watchful guardian of the German public purse.

In a surpise move, she also appointed CDU rising star Ursula von der Leyen, a worldly high achiever and motherof-seven, to take over the defence ministry. And Germany’s first national minister with Turkish roots, Aydan Ozoguz of the SPD, will be state secretary for migration, refugees and integration. — AFP

Militants kill 8 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq BAGHDAD: Militants killed at least eight Shiite pilgrims in and around Baghdad yesterday, after car bombs targeted others the day before, Iraqi security officials said. A suicide bomber detonated explosives among pilgrims walking south of Baghdad, killing four, while militants in a car threw hand grenades at pilgrims in the capital, killing at least four others.

The two attacks also wounded at least 27 people. The violence came after two car bombs targeted Shiite pilgrims south of the Iraqi capital on Monday night, killing at least 24 people and wounding over 50.

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 the Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) grandson, Imam Hussein.

The 40th day, known as Arbaeen, falls on December 23 this year.

Sunni militants, including those linked to Al-Qaeda, frequently target members of Iraq’s Shiite majority, whom they consider to be apostates. Interior ministry spokesman Saad

Maan meanwhile said in an online statement that there had not been “any explosion or aggression against pilgrims in the Mahmudiyah area,” where other sources said the suicide bombing took place.

Maan had said in an earlier statement that security forces killed a suicide bomber who was “attempting to target pilgrims... in the Mahmudiyah area.” Maan also asserted that the grenades thrown in the Baghdad attack were defused without causing any casualties.

The Iraqi government frequently seeks to downplay deaths from the rampant violence plaguing the country, releasing “official” death tolls that are often far lower than those given by other sources.

A spokesman for the security command responsible for Baghdad meanwhile issued two emailed statements, one of which confirmed that soldiers had killed a suicide bomber south of the capital, and another saying that security forces had killed five militants in clashes. Violence in Iraq has reached a level this year not seen since 2008, when the country was just emerging from a period of brutal sectarian

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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

Three years on, Tunisians mark uprising with demo Martyr continues to haunt the country SIDI BOUZID: Tunisians gathered yesterday at the birthplace of the Arab Spring to vent their anger at social exclusion three years after a street vendor burned himself to death in what became an iconic protest.

Civil society groups were preparing to stage a rally late morning in Sidi Bouzid, the impoverished central town where the self-immolation of 26-year-old Mohammed Bouazizi on December 17, 2011 unleashed the revolution that toppled long-term strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. With popular discontent at the government’s failure to improve liv-

been cancelled,” Mohamed Jalleli, one of the organisers of the event to commemorate the revolution, told AFP. He did not elaborate on the nature of the threat, but a large security presence was deployed in Sidi Bouzid, where Marzouki and Ben Jaafar were heckled and pelted with stones at last year’s celebrations. From early morning demonstrators started to gather outside the regional governor’s headquarters, where Bouazizi set himself on fire in a desperate act of protest against economic hardship and repression that became a fuse for uprisings across the region.

women of this region. Its destiny as martyr continues to haunt the country,” said Tunisian daily La Presse, in an editorial entitled: “Sidi Bouzid, the volcano.”

Pro-reform activists who organised the Sidi Bouzid protest jointly with the power ful UGT T trade union confederation have called for a peaceful demonstration.

‘Revolution promises betrayed’ “Tuesday will be a day of rage and protests against the policies of the government which did not keep to its word and betrayed the promises of the revolution,” said activist Youssef Jlili. There were no

TUNIS: Tunisian girls carrying flags showing the four fingers, the symbol known as “Rabaa”, which means four in Arabic, remembering those killed in the crackdown on the Rabaa al-Adawiya protest camp in the Egyptian capital earlier in the year, gather to mark the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled deposed president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Sidi Bouzid’s Mohamed Bouazizi square yesterday. The square was named after the fruitseller whose self-immolation sparked the revolution that ousted the longstanding dictator and ignited the Arab Spring. — AFP ing conditions in the marginalised region still running high, President Moncef Marzouki, outgoing Prime Minister Ali Larayedh and parliamentary speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar decided not to attend the planned ceremonies.

“For security reasons, the inauguration of the ceremony in the presence of the three leaders has

Three years on, unemployment in Tunisia remains stuck at 15 percent, with that figure rising to 24.4 percent, the nation’s highest, in the Sidi Bouzid region, home to nearly half a million people.

“None of the different governments of the past three years has managed to improve the economic circumstances of the men and

major ceremonies planned in the capital. But numerous calls to protest outside the government’s headquarters in the Kasbah district have been launched via the Internet, including

by Ansar al-Sharia, a banned jihadist group designated a “terrorist organisation” by the authorities.

“The struggle is mandatory and

it must be a popular struggle... we support the planned protest at the Kasbah on Tuesday,” the group said on its official Facebook page. The interior ministry has banned participation in any protests by organisations that are not recognised.

Since the assassination in July of opposition MP Mohamed Brahmi, police have carried out multiple arrests aimed at weakening the secretive group. Demonstrators were to pay tribute to Brahmi and Chokri Belaid, and another leftist politician killed earlier this year. The authorities accuse Ansar al-Sharia of being behind the killings, accusations that the group denies.

The murders plunged Tunisia into a deep political crisis which began to ease in October when the ruling Islamists and the mainly secular opposition struck a hard-won agreement to form an interim government of independents pending fresh elections. And after months of wrangling, Tunisia’s political parties agreed Saturday to choose Industry Minister Mehdi Jomaa to head a government of independent figures tasked with organising elections in 2014.

But the protracted crisis and resulting economic malaise led organisers of Tuesday’s events to insist that the country’s leaders were not welcome in Sidi Bouzid.

“We categorically refuse their presence... because they have done nothing but impoverish our region.

They are not credible,” said UGTT official Lazhar Ghmoudi. Jomaa was chosen a day after a previous pick for premier agreed on by the outgoing government and the opposition, Mustapha Filali, 92, ruled himself out due to his age. The ruling Islamist party Ennahda has led the coalition government since Tunisia held its first freely contested elections in October 2011.

“Three years have gone by and nothing has changed. The social and economic situation is still difficult and the region has plunged into misery,” activist Mondher Chaibi said ahead of today ’s demonstration. — AFP

SOFIA: Syrian refugee children sing a song during an aid distribution of food, clothes and blankets by the Bulgarian Red Cross at a refugee center in Sofia yesterday. Over 11,100 refugees, most of them Syrians, have entered Bulgaria illegally this year, crossing the border with Turkey. The number of Syrian refugees in the Middle East will nearly double over the next year to exceed four million, the United Nations said on Monday as it launched its appeal for funds. — AFP

Syria peace conference to open Jan 22 in Montreux GENEVA: The United Nations plans to precede its internationally brokered peace talks between Syria’s warring sides next month with a one-day meeting of foreign ministers in the Swiss city of Montreux, officials said yesterday.

A daylong gathering for speeches by US Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and more than two dozen other foreign ministers is planned for Jan. 22 at a Montreux hotel. It is to be overseen by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, with help from the Swiss government.

The session is taking place at the opposite end of Lake Geneva from the UN European headquarters because a luxury watch fair has taken up all the hotel rooms in Geneva for several days, Khawla Mattar, a spokeswoman for the UN-Arab League’s special envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, told reporters yesterday.

Montreux, home of the famous jazz festival, was chosen because it has the security, facilities and hotels for such a high-profile gathering. Mattar said the foreign ministers will demonstrate “that there is global interest in solving” the Syria crisis.

The conference will break up for a day, she said, and reconvene on Jan. 24 at the UN’s European headquarters in Geneva for the start of actual negotiations between Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government and armed Syrian opposition groups, which will be moderated by Brahimi.

The negotiators would set the timeframe for the talks at the start, she said, and Brahimi will urge the delegations to keep working through the weekend until they are finished. Those talks are restricted to

the Syrians and Brahimi, she said.

The aim of the “Geneva 2” conference is to agree on a roadmap for Syria based on one adopted by the US, Russia and other major powers in June 2012, including the creation of a transitional government that would lead to holding elections. With his troops keeping their momentum on the ground, Assad’s government has said he will not surrender power and may run again in elections due in mid-2014.

Brahimi is to meet on Friday with U.S. and Russian envoys to make final preparations for the conference including the selection of which nations will be invited to the ministers’ gathering. Previous attempts to bring Syrians to the negotiating table have failed over questions that include whether Iran, Saudi Arabia and other regional powers should be involved.

Later that day, the meeting will expand to include all five permanent members of the UN Security Council - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - plus Syria’s neighbors, which are straining to handle the refugee influx.

The last UN estimate in July put the death toll from the 3-year-old Syrian civil war at 100,000, though activists more recently gave a figure of 120,000. Along with 6.5 million internally displaced people, there are 2.3 million Syrians who have fled the country during the war. Most of those are scattered in refugee camps and informal settlements across neighboring Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and Iraq. On Monday, the UN and other aid groups said they would need $6.5 billion to help the displaced Syrians in 2014, the largest-ever appeal for a single crisis. — AP

Freed Saudis face ‘rehab’ RIYADH: Two Saudi detainees sent home from the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay will go through the kingdom’s rehabilitation programme for militants, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood were repatriated to Saudi Arabia on Monday after spending 11 years in Guantanamo, Cuba, without being charged with any crime.

They were both captured in Pakistan in 2002 and US military documents allege they fought alongside the Taleban in Afghanistan and were working for al Qaeda. “They will be subjected to the regulations in force in the kingdom, which include benefiting from the counselling and care programmes,” Interior Ministry spokesman Major-General Mansour Turki was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia’s programme to reintegrate former Islamist militants features art and sports classes, religious instruction and psychological analysis aimed at pushing them away from interpretations of Islam that favour political violence.

The programme lasts at least three months, according to officials who took reporters on a tour of one of its facilities this year. It is compulsory for all Saudis convicted of offences relating to Islamist militancy after their release from prison.

The authorities say fewer than 10 percent of those who have undergone the course have taken up arms after their release, but the recidivists include several who became senior al Qaeda figures in neighbouring Yemen after fleeing the kingdom.

Saeed al-Shehri, who Saudi and Yemeni authorities say was killed in a drone strike in Yemen early this year, went through the programme after being sent home from Guantanamo in 2007. The Saudi national escaped months later and fled to Yemen to become second-in-command of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, seen as one of the movement’s most dangerous wings.

A new Riyadh branch of the rehabilitation programme is housed in caramel-coloured buildings behind high walls in a down-at-heel neighbourhood in the east of the capital, and boasts a sauna, art classes, a football pitch and pool tables.

Saudi officials have argued in private that the initiative’s main purpose is to convince the Saudi public to support the government against militant groups, according to a March 2009 U.S. embassy cable released by WikiLeaks.

“While these Guantanamo returnees rejoining al Qaeda in Yemen was embarrassing...the programme itself was achieving the true goal of turning the Saudi populace against extremist radicals,” Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, now the interior minister, told diplomats in a conversation reported in that cable.

He said Saudis would be impressed that the government was offering militants “a helping hand”, and would come to see those who rejected it as “deviants”, the cable said. — Reuters

What is left of the Arab Spring NICOSIA: Hopes that the Middle East and North Africa would be transformed by a democratic tide over the past three years have been dashed in most countries. Here is a brief rundown: Bahrain A protest movement that erupted on February 14, 2011 was put down a month later, but this small Gulf kingdom is still the scene of unrest as a Shiite majority contests the ruling Sunni dynasty.

Egypt President Hosni Mubarak handed over to the army on February 11, 2011 after a general revolt left almost 850 people dead.

On July 3, 2013, Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, the first freely-elected head of state, was also ousted by the armed forces.

More than 1,000 people, mainly Morsi supporters, have since been killed in street clashes and security forces have made 2,000 arrests.

Libya Since Moamer Kadhafi’s regime collapsed in October 2011, authorities in Libya have struggled to maintain order.

They rely on former rebel groups which have become armed militias that challenge the state if their interests are threatened.

Syria Since March 2011, peaceful protest in Syria has been transformed by a brutal crackdown under President Bashar al-Assad into all-out war that essentially pits Shiite Muslims against Sunnis.More than 126,000 people have died, according to a Syrian non-governmental organisation, and millions of people have been displaced.

Tunisia Tunisia is where the “Arab Spring” began but is still without a strong central government almost three years after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled on January 14, 2011.

A constituent assembly dominated by Islamists from the Ennahda party was elected in October 2011 but Tunisia is beset by chronic social unrest and political crises, including the murder of two opposition figures this year.

ARBIL: Iraqi Kurdish girls wave flags of Kurdistan during the celebration of Flag day in the northern city of Arbil, yesterday. — AFP

Yemen Yemen is struggling to establish a new constitution under a UN- and Gulf-backed transition launched when president Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down in February 2012. The main sticking point is southern Yemen’s demand for autonomy.—AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2013

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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

South Sudan on edge as army hunts coup plotters KAMPALA: Sporadic gunfire continued to ring out in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, as the military “cleared out remnants” of a faction of soldiers accused of mounting a coup attempt, the foreign minister said yesterday amid growing tension over the likely fate of the former deputy president who is accused of leading the failed plot.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin told The Associated Press that the military had arrested five political leaders with suspected links to the coup attempt and that many more were yet to be traced. Chief among the wanted is former Vice President Riek Machar, he said, who is now believed to be in hiding after he was identified by President Salva Kiir as the political leader favored by a faction of soldiers who tried to seize power earlier this week.

“They are still looking for more ... who are sus-

pected of being behind the coup,” Benjamin said, referring to the military. Machar, he said, “is wanted by the government.” The United States Embassy in Juba and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan denied they are harboring Machar, he said.

The hunt for Machar, an influential politician who is one of the heroes of a brutal war of independence waged against Sudan, threatens to send the world’s youngest country into further political upheaval following months of a power struggle between Kiir and his former deputy. The international community continued to urge South Sudan’s leaders to exercise restraint amid fears the military’s actions in the aftermath of the attempted coup could spark wider ethnic violence.

Hilde Johnson, special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for South Sudan, warned against “hate speech” that could spark violence against certain ethnic groups. “At a time when unity among South Sudanese is more needed than ever, I call on the leaders of this new country and all political factions and parties, as well as community leaders to refrain from any action that fuels ethnic tensions and exacerbates violence,” the statement said.

Kiir fired Machar as his deputy in July, sparking fears of political upheaval. Machar, the deputy leader of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, has said he will contest the presidency in 2015.

He has openly criticized Kiir, saying that if the country is to be united it cannot tolerate a “one

man’s rule or it cannot tolerate dictatorship.” At the time of Machar’s ouster, part of a wider dismissal of the entire Cabinet by Kiir, the U.S. and the European Union urged calm amid fears the dismissals could destabilize the country.

Kiir addressed the nation Monday in combat fatigues and vowed the plotters would face justice and announced a dusk-to dawn curfew in the capital city. It remains unclear how many people civilians or soldiers - have been killed or wounded in the latest violence, in which mortar and heavy machinegun fire has been heard.

Emma Jane Drew, South Sudan director for the aid group Oxfam, said she “strongly condemns the use of violent force against civilians, particularly women and children,” urging all armed groups to respect human rights. — AP

Ukraine leader seeks cash from Putin amid protests Opposition plans another monster gathering

ISTANBUL: Detained Azerbaijani businessman Reza Zarrab (C) is surrounded by journalists as he arrives at a police center in Istanbul yesterday. Turkish police detained more than 20 people including the sons of three cabinet ministers and several highprofile businessmen in a probe into alleged bribery and corruption, local media reported. — AFP

Turkey detains ministers’ sons in bribery probe ANKARA: Turkish police detained the sons of three cabinet ministers and several high-profile businessmen yesterday in a sweeping probe into alleged bribery and corruption that sent shockwaves across the country.

The dawn raids targeted 37 people in Turkey’s largest city Istanbul and the capital Ankara suspected of fraud or bribery in connection with public tenders for construction projects, media reports said.

Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu confirmed the operation but declined to comment on the details. “There is an ongoing operation,” he told reporters. “It would not be proper to make a statement while the investigation is under way.”

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), which boasts of being pro-business, has pledged to root out corruption, a chronic problem in Turkey particularly in the booming construction industry.

Accepting and facilitating bribes But some political observers speculated that the raids stemmed from simmering tensions between Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted government and influential Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen which have burst out into the open ahead of elections next year.

Those detained include the sons of Interior Minister Muammer Guler, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar. The suspects also include well-known businessmen and bureaucrats including the chief executive of Turkish state bank Halkbank Suleyman Aslan and construction tycoon Ali Agaoglu, local media reported.

Both Guler and Caglayan cancelled their official programmes for Tuesday after their sons were taken in, according to press reports. The suspects are accused of accepting and facilitating bribes for some projects and getting construction permits for protected areas in exchange for money, the Hurriyet newspaper

reported. It said the raids were the result of a year-long surveillance operation. ‘Turkey is not a banana republic’ In a speech after the police operation, Erdogan vowed he would not bow to any “threat” or “dirty alliances” aimed at ruffling the feathers of his party, although it was not clear if he was referring to the movement led by exiled cleric Gulen.

“We will not bow to any threat as long as you stand behind us,” he said in the central Anatolian city of Konya, a conservative AKP bastion. “Turkey is not a banana republic or a third class tribal state... Nobody inside or outside my country can stir up or trap my country.” The feud between Erdogan and exiled cleric Gulen hit the headlines last month after the government floated plans to close down a network of private schools run by Gulen’s Hizmet movement.

The row exposed fractures in the religiously conservative power base of Erdogan, who has dominated Turkish politics for 11 years, ahead of a highly-charged election year beginning with local polls in March. Gulen, 72, has been living in exile in the United States since 1999 to escape charges of plotting against the secular state but his movement still wields considerable influence within the status apparatus in Turkey including the police and the judiciary.

Highlighting the friction, former international football player Hakan Sukur announced Monday he was resigning from the AKP. Sukur, who was elected MP for Istanbul in 2011, has voiced objections to the government move to shut down the schools run by Gulen’s movement Hizmet.

The ex-footballer, who is known to be closely affiliated with the Gulen movement, was the second AKP to quit in just a few weeks. “The AKP has put its signature to many important successes and reforms over the past 11 years, but the senseless attitude adopted since the dershane (Gulen schools) issue broke out has offended many conscientious people,” Sukur said.— AFP

Six US soldiers killed in Afghan helicopter crash KABUL: Six US soldiers from the NATO mission fighting Taleban insurgents in Afghanistan were killed in a helicopter crash yesterday, with officials saying it was not a suspected militant strike. However the Taleban immediately claimed responsibility for the deaths, using their main Twitter account to report that their fighters had shot down the US helicopter in the southern province of Zabul. The incident was the single biggest loss of life for the NATO mission in Afghanistan since seven Georgian soldiers died when a suicide bomber blew up a truck loaded with explosives outside a base in Helmand province in June.

“Six International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members died following an aircraft crash in southern Afghanistan today,” an ISAF statement said. “The cause of the crash is under investigation, however initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.”

US defence officials in Washington told AFP that the fatalities were US troops. “I can confirm six Americans were killed,” said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

An investigation was underway to determine “the cause of engine failure,” the official said.

The Taleban Twitter account, under the name Abdulqahar Balkhi, said the helicopter was brought down yesterday afternoon while flying low over the district of Shah Joy in Zabul. “( The) chopper crashed in (a) ball of flame... killing all 8 invaders aboard,” the account said. The Taleban regularly make unsubstantiated claims of attacks on NATO and Afghan forces and also exaggerate casu-

alty numbers in proven strikes. Provincial officials confirmed the incident in Zabul, a restive province bordering on Helmand and neighbouring Pakistan.

“I can confirm a helicopter crashed in Shah Joy district this afternoon but we don’t have any information about the casualties or the cause of the hard landing,” Mohammad Jan Rasolyar, deputy governor of Zabul province, told AFP. Local officials said that ISAF and Afghan forces rushed to the scene of the crash and were still on patrol around the site when darkness fell. Aircraft crashes are fairly frequent in Afghanistan, where the 75,000-strong international mission relies heavily on air transport as it battles the insurgency alongside Afghan forces who now take the lead in most military operations.

The last fatal helicopter incident for US forces occurred in April, when an Apache chopper went down in eastern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of two American troops.

Five US troops also died in the southern province of Kandahar in March when their helicopter came down during a heavy rainstorm. Before Tuesday’s crash, there had been 149 NATO fatalities in Afghanistan this year, 119 of them US soldiers, according to the independent icasualities website. The annual total peaked in 2010, when 711 NATO troops died. NATO combat operations in Afghanistan are due to end next year, and coalition commanders say that the local army and police have made enough progress to provide general security and keep the Taleban at bay. — AFP

MOSCOW: Ukraine’s embattled President Viktor Yanukovych sought yesterday a multi-billiondollar lifeline from Russia’s Vladimir Putin that could relieve a brewing economic crisis but also stoke huge pro-EU protests roiling Kiev streets.

The ex-Soviet nation of 46 million has been at the heart of a furious diplomatic tug of war since Yanukovych’s shock decision last month to ditch a landmark EU partnership agreement and seek closer ties with its traditional master Russia.

Putin told Yanukovych in opening remarks at the Kremlin that he viewed Ukraine as one of Russia’s “strategic partners”. “I very much hope that we will be able to make progress on resolving our most sensitive issues,” said Putin.

Yanukovych replied that the two sides “should continue developing our strategic partnership” and said he especially hoped to resolve a festering feud about the price Russia charges for natural gas on which the Ukrainian economy depends.

“If we fail to sign something today, then we should be able (to sign it) in the near future and continue working further,” the Ukrainian leader said. Yesterday’s high-stakes talks came two days after frustrated EU officials suspended months of negotiations they had hoped would pull Ukraine out of Russia’s orbit for the first time.

Reward for Kiev’s U-turn Diplomats in Brussels cited Yanukovych’s advances toward Russia for their decision and demanded a firmer commitment to EU standards on political freedoms and economic reforms. But Yanukovych instead decided to seek an urgently needed cash advance from Russiaestimated by local media at anywhere between $5 billion and $12 billion (3.6 billion and 8.7 billion euros) — that his critics view as Putin’s reward for Kiev’s U-turn on the EU pact.

“A Russian loan can help Yanukovych keep power,” said Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko. “And the Kremlin is ready to help him because this meets Putin’s strategic interests,” the analyst said. Yanukovych’s reversal sparked the largest anti-government rallies since the 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution that first nudged Ukraine on a westward path.

It has also exposed the deeply embedded cultural fault lines that run between the nationalist and Ukrainian-speaking west of the country and the more Russified east aligned with Moscow. The Ukrainian government has organised counter-rallies by bussing thousands of people into Kiev from eastern regions where Yanukovych enjoys broader support.

Yet those demonstrations have been dwarfed by the pro-EU protest-a permanent camp that features rock concerts and gathers hundreds of thousands on the same central square that was

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) shows the way to his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yanukovich before a meeting of the Russian-Ukrainian Interstate Commission at the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. Russia has agreed to resume oil supplies to a refinery in Ukraine, traders said, in a sign Moscow is ready to reward the country’s president for spurning a trade deal with Europe in favor of ties with its former Soviet master. — AFP at the heart of the 2004 revolt.

The latest big rally drew nearly 300,000 people to central Kiev on Sunday and the opposition plans another monster gathering last evening aimed at putting still more pressure on Yanukovych during his Kremlin talks.

Events in recent days suggest Yanukovych is scrambling for a way out of the deepest political crisis of his nearly four-year rule. He held an inconclusive meeting with three top protest leaders on Friday and followed that up by sacking senior officials whom he held responsible for a violent crackdown on protesters at the end of last month. But the Ukrainian leader has firmly rejected the opposition’s main demand that Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resign immediately and fresh presidential and parliamentary polls be held.

Cheaper gas, Russian loans Yanukovych hopes to sign a series of deals with Putin that besides the loan include a Russian natural gas rebate that could provide some relief to a Ukrainian economy that has

been shrinking since the first half of last year.

“Our manufacturers are impatiently waiting (for a new gas agreement),” Yanukovych told Putin at the Kremlin. But demonstrators fear that Yanukovych will in fact be putting Ukraine on a path toward future membership in a Russian-led Customs Union that Putin hopes to build into a rival to the 28-nation EU bloc.

The Ukrainian government rejects the idea that a Customs Union deal might be signed on Tuesday. But this has failed to allay the protest movement’s worst fears. “If Yanukovych signs an agreement on Ukraine’s membership in the Customs Union, he will be buying a one-way ticket to Moscow,” said opposition lawmaker Arseniy Yatsenyuk. Nationalist opposition leader Oleg Tyagnybok said his Svoboda (Freedom) party had learned that Putin intended to reward Yanukovych for delaying the EU deal’s signature with a $5.0-billion (3.6-billion euro) loan.

He said Russia would also lower the gas price it charges the Ukrainian state energy company to $200-$300 per thousand cubic metres from the more than $400 that it pays now. — AFP

What’s ahead in Knox murder trial FLORENCE: Former American exchange student Amanda Knox spent four years in jail in Italy, from her arrest to her conviction in her first murder trial through her successful appeal.

She’s now facing a second appeals trial, along with her former Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito.

Here’s a road map to help understand where the Italian court system is going next: First trial, second trial, third trial Knox and Sollecito were convicted in 2009 of murdering British student Meredith Kercher, whose throat had been slashed the night of Nov. 1, 2007. Knox was sentenced to 26 years, including one year for a slander conviction for wrongly accusing a bar owner of the murder, while Sollecito received 25 years.

An appeals court overturned their murder verdicts, while confirming Knox’s guilt on a slander charge and raising that sentence to three years. Knox, who had spent four years in jail during the investigation and the trials, was free to return to the United States, and she did.

In March, Italy’s highest court vacated the appellate court in a scathing decision that blasted it for “deficiencies, contradictions and illogical” conclusions. It ordered the case back to appeal, noting specific weaknesses such as the failure to hear one witness or to test a minuscule trace of DNA on the handle of the presumed murder weapon. The new appeals trial in Florence began in September.

The third appeal Knox is now 26 and Sollecito is 29. She has remained in the United States but submitted a written statement to the court, denying that she was a killer. Sollecito has attended some hearings and addressed the court in Florence.

All the evidence is being weighed again at this trial. The judge in the Florence appeals trial ordered additional DNA testing on the tiny DNA trace on the presumed murder weapon.

The trace had been previously been deemed too small, but the high court noted advances in technology. The test indicated the DNA on the handle belonged to Knox. The defense considered the finding a victory, because it failed to provide independent proof that the knife found in Sollecito’s drawer was the murder weapon.

Still, the prosecutor argued in his closing that a trace of DNA found on the blade, which was key to the lower court convictions,

Amanda Knox belongs to Kercher. That finding was put into question by experts in the appeals trial. The prosecutor also backs the validity of a DNA trace on a bra clasp that has been attributed to Sollecito. Sollecito’s defense has argued that the evidence was compromised.

Prosecutor Alessandro Crini has demanded a 26-year sentence for murder for Knox and codefendant Sollecito, and wants Knox’s slander sentence increased to four years. In his closing arguments, the prosecutor also shifted the murder scenario from an erotic game gone awry, as was claimed in previous trials, to a long-standing disagreement between Knox and Kercher over cleanliness that exploded in

violence triggered by a dirty toilet.

What’s next The lawyer representing Kercher’s family, Francesco Maresca, will sum up his arguments on Monday. Amanda Knox’s defense makes its final arguments on Tuesday, while Raffaele Sollecito’s defense is scheduled to close on January 9. Both sides will have a chance for rebuttals on Jan. 10. The panel of 10, two professional judges and eight lay jury members, will begin deliberations on Jan. 10 or Jan. 15. A verdict is likely the same day of deliberations, but there is no telling how long they might go on.

If there is another conviction If Knox is convicted, the verdict would still need to be confirmed by Italy’s highest court to be final, a process that can take months.

Then the Italian justice ministry would have to request her extradition from the US to serve the sentence, something it’s likely to do given the severity of the crime. As for Sollecito, the sentence could be started much more quickly since he is in Italy, pending formalities.

Legal experts say the United States might challenge the extradition on the basis of the US legal principle of double jeopardy, which bars trying someone for a crime for which they have been acquitted. But since Italy’s high court never confirmed the acquittal, a necessary step to making it final, the wrangling could be protracted.

The case could be further bogged down if Knox and her legal team appeal any guilty verdict to the European Court of Human Rights, whose rulings would be binding on Italy. If it rules that the Italian justice system did anything in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights, then the court could in theory order a retrial, or tell Italy to change its laws. In most cases, the court only imposes fines, or calls for subtle changes. Knox has already appealed the slander conviction to the European court.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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

Pakistan’s ‘ghost schools’ threaten next generation CHANCHER REDHAR: In a decrepit white-walled classroom in southern Pakistan, Bushra valiantly struggles to keep discipline as a dozen girls run and scream around her. With no teacher for the past eight months, the 10-year-old has been forced to step in.

“I teach them lessons from the Quran, I teach them Sindhi, I teach them to count one-two, I teach them the alphabet A-B-C-D,” said Bushra, wearing a traditional nose stud and a scarf around her head. She says she dreams of becoming a doctor and learning about computers.

But her academic ambitions risk being scuppered after her own teacher fled. Authorities have not appointed a new one, making Bushra’s situation typical for a student at one of Pakistan’s 7,000 so-called “ghost schools”, where no formal classes can be taught.

These abandoned pupils are part of a growing education crisis in the country where, according to the United Nations, over five million children do not attend primary school.

“The last teacher told us she would stop coming if we did not pay for her transportation to the village,” said Salim Samoon, who has seven granddaughters at the school catering for the roughly 600 residents of Chancher Redhar, a village two hours drive from Karachi in the south of Pakistan.

“But we have no money and the authorities have not appointed a new teacher,” he said. The southern village is far from the notoriously conservative parts of northwest Pakistan near the Afghan border, where Taliban attacks against public schools are commonplace. Schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai become an international symbol of the right to education for all after surviving a 2012 Taleban attack in which she was shot in the head. But the damage caused by “ghost schools” across Pakistan, such as the one in Chancher Redhar, is self-inflicted and potentially greater: a new generation of children growing up without an education, either because the schools have been abandoned, destroyed, or because teachers

are not turning up.

“Maybe the media highlights the bombings of schools more because it is visible. But this is a more dangerous problem,” said Rahmatullah Balal of the NGO Ailaan Alif, who has published a ranking of districts in terms of the quality of education available.

According to his ranking, the district of Thatta, home to Bushra and her classmates, lies in 140th position out of a total of 144, behind Taliban hideouts in the northwest. Teachers paid to stay home Alerted last year to the problem of “ghost schools,” the Supreme Court of Pakistan asked provinces to scrutinise institutions that took students and were officially regarded as schools. The results, released in late November, where shocking. “In most of the basic teaching units of the district, the situation is very alarming,” the report said. “Most of these schools are teaching institutions only in name, but virtually no student is being admitted there to seek education and the teaching staff is taking salary at home.” Along with teachers who

received salary but did not teach, other schools failed to appoint teachers, were appropriated by wealthy landowners, or had budget irregularities, such as “paidfor” computers which never arrived.

“The government and bureaucrats have no willingness to solve the problem,” said Balal. “The money that the government gives to the school is consumed by bureaucrats. The budget might tell you what the money has been used for in the schools, but you don’t see it get spent and then the money is gone.” He says school funds are split “5050” between feudal lords and bureaucrats, partly to ensure that there is no threat to the feudal lords’ power base by seeing the poor receive education.

‘Admit to the problem’ Those politicians who are actively trying to raise the issue say that it is not a priority for the government. “We have to invest in our education because it is the only way to get progress,” said Humera Alwani of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

“You have to admit to a problem

before you can correct it,” she said. The existence of “ghost schools” also removes incentive for poor families to ensure their children get an education.

Instead, many see more value in sending them to work in the fields or bazaars.

“I do not like this school, this is why I do not go,” said Arbab, not yet a teenager. “I go to fetch and buy water, and then I sell it.” Local residents worry another generation will grow up without the skills they need. “These kids of ours, they don’t know anything. They don’t know the meaning of their names, they don’t know the basics, they know nothing,” said Kazoo Samoon, a villager in Chancher Redhar.

“My other daughter grew up without an education and now these children will grow up without any education.” In the cramped class, Bushra’s attempted lesson is over in just a few minutes, ending with a rendition of the national anthem. Then the girls continue to play as they have done every day since their teacher left, waiting for the arrival of another who may never come. — AFP

Kerry backs Philippines, warns China over air zone $40m to help Philippines strengthen sea defence capabilities

GOTEMBA: Picture taken on August 20, 2013 shows Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces vehicle being unloaded from a CH47J transport helicopter during an annual live fire exercise at the Higashi-Fuji firing range in Gotemba, at the foot of Mt Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture. Japan unveiled plans to boost defence spending to $240 billion over five years to deploy amphibious vehicles, drones, Osprey aircraft to respond dynamically to perceived threats from China and North Korea yesterday. —AFP

Japan invests in new military kit as China row simmers TOKYO: Japan announced yesterday it will buy stealth fighters, drones and submarines as part of a splurge on military hardware that will beef up defence of far-flung islands amid a territorial row with China.

The cabinet of hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to spend 24.7 trillion yen ($240 billion) between 2014 and 2019 in a strategic shift towards the south and west of the country-a five percent boost to the military budget over five years.

The shopping list is part of efforts by Abe to normalise the military in Japan, which has been officially pacifist since defeat in World War II. Its well-equipped and highly professional services are limited to a narrowly defined self-defensive role.

It comes with the establishment of a USstyle National Security Council that is expected to concentrate greater power in the hands of a smaller number of senior politicians and bureaucrats.

Fears are growing in Japan over the rising power of China, with the two countries embroiled in a dispute over the sovereignty of a group of islands in the East China Sea, and the perennial threat posed by an unpredictable North Korea.

New guidelines approved by the cabinet yesterday said Tokyo will introduce a “dynamic joint defence force”, intended to help air, land and sea forces work together more effectively. Abe said the shift would allow Japan’s military to better shoulder its responsibilities on the global stage.

“We hope to make further contributions to the peace and stability of the international community through proactive pacifism,” he said. “ This shows with transparency our country’s diplomatic and defence policies.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on a visit to Manila Tuesday that his country backed the newly-announced re-armament plan, saying it had been planned with the United

States beforehand.

“Japan has the ability to play a more modern, engaged role (in the region). This is something we have been working on, and they have been planning for some period of time,” he told reporters.

Spending will be raised to 24.7 trillion yen over five years from April 2014, up from the present 23.5 trillion yen over the five years to March 2014, but the figure could be trimmed by up to 700 billion yen if the defence ministry can find savings and efficiencies.

New hardware will include three drones, 52 amphibious vehicles, 17 Osprey hybrid choppers and five submarines-all designed to boost maritime surveillance and bolster defence of islands.

The spending will also encompass two destroyers equipped with the Aegis anti-missile system and 28 new F-35 fighter jets, a stealth plane far superior to the F-15s that Japan currently has in service.

The jets will be Japan’s first stealth-capable fighters, but the upgrade follows military practice around the world. Analysts noted that much of this kit will replace obsolete equipment, but the reorientating in military priorities is evident.

“The guidelines underscore a clear shift of Japan’s major defence focus to the protection of its islands in the East China Sea,” said Hideshi Takesada, an expert on regional security at Takushoku University in Tokyo.

During the Cold War, Japan’s military was largely static, with the majority of resources in the north and east to guard against any invasion by Russia.

But changing dynamics and in particular the rise of China-where double-digit jumps in defence spending are the annual normmean that Japan’s armed forces need to be located further south and to be able to deploy to the country ’s many far-flung islands.— AFP

Pakistan rules out military action against Taleban ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ruled out military action against the Taleban yesterday and promised to persuade insurgents to lay down their weapons through peace negotiations.

Mullah Fazlullah, the Pakistani Taleban’s new hardline leader, has rejected outright the idea of peace talks and vowed to step up attacks as part of his campaign to topple the central government and establish Islamist rule in Pakistan.

The emergence of Fazlullah has prompted speculation that Pakistan might have to ditch hopes for a negotiated ceasefire and resort to military action against militants holed up in lawless ethnic Pashtun areas on the Afghan border.

But yesterday, the government said the Taleban’s tough rhetoric did not mean negotiations had failed. “Their public posturing is different from what’s going on in the background,” said Tariq Azeem, a senior official in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s team. “They want to appear tough but back channels show that they are also interested in talks.”

The Taleban could not be immediately reached for comment. Under Fazlullah,

MANILA: US Secretary of State John Kerry warned China yesterday against any move to declare an air defence zone in the South China Sea, as he affirmed defence ties with long-time ally the Philippines.

Kerry, in Manila for a two-day visit, criticised China for its declaration last month of an Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the East China Sea including over disputed islands.

He warned Beijing against any similar move in the South China Sea, where it has overlapping claims with several Asian countries including the Philippines. Kerry also announced that Washington had committed $40 million to help the Philippines strengthen its sea defence capabilities.

The two sides are also in the final stages of hammering out a deal allowing more US troops, aircraft and ships to pass through the Philippines, where the last US bases closed in 1992. “ Today, I raised our deep concerns about China’s announcement of an East China Sea air defence identification zone,” Kerry said after meeting his Filipino counterpart Albert del Rosario.

“The zone should not be implemented and China should refrain from taking similar, unilateral actions elsewhere in the region, and particularly over the South China Sea,” he told a joint news conference. The Philippines had said last month that Beijing’s announcement of its ADIZ in the East China Sea raised the prospect of it doing the same in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the South China Sea but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims. Tensions between the Philippines and China have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes more aggressive in asserting its claims.

Key treaty ally Earlier this year Manila took Beijing to a United Nations tribunal over the contested Scarborough

MANILA: US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, gestures beside Philippine President Benigno Aquino III before dinner at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines yesterday. Kerry said the United States will provide the Philippines’ security forces with $40 million in new assistance in part to help the country protect its territorial waters amid rising tensions with China over disputes in the South China Sea, while urging all the nations involved to “lower the intensity.” — AP Shoal, which has been controlled

by Chinese government vessels since last year. Beijing’s East China Sea zone requires aircraft to provide flight plans when traversing the area, declare their nationality and maintain two-way radio communication, or face “emergency defensive measures”.

The zone covers disputed Tokyo-controlled islands-known as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China-where ships and aircraft from the two countries already shadow each other. “I told the (Philippine) foreign secretary that the United States does not recognise that (East China Sea) zone and does not accept it,” Kerry said.

Kerry also threw his support behind the Philippines, calling it a “key treaty ally”. “The United States

called pivot to Asia.

Kerr y was expected to meet President Benigno Aquino last night, and visit the typhoon-ravaged central city of Tacloban today.

Kerry said the United States stood ready to assist the Philippines in the long road to rebuilding, more than a month after Super Typhoon Haiyan left more than 6,000 people dead and over four million homeless.

The United States provided massive humanitarian assistance, deploying an aircraft carrier and mobilising 1,000 Marines.

Yesterday Kerry paid tribute to the “resilience” of the Filipino people, which he said had inspired the world. Del Rosario said Kerry’s trip underscored the “increased momentum” of bilateral and defence ties. —AFP

Singapore to deport Asian workers involved in riot SINGAPORE: Singapore said yesterday it will deport 53 South Asian workers and pursue criminal charges against 28 others for involvement in the city-state’s first riot in more than four decades. “We

have taken strong and decisive action to charge and to repatriate those who took part in the riot to send a strong signal that we will not tolerate actions by anyone which threaten law and order in

Taliban fighters took over Pakistan’s Swat valley in 2009, imposing austere Islamic rule and eventually prompting the army to launch a major offensive to flush them out of the strategic region just 160 km (100 miles) northwest of Islamabad.

Commitment to talks Sharif chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on National Security yesterday where officials confirmed their commitment to talks rather than military action. “The Committee deliberated upon the government’s strategy to engage various groups of Pakistani Taliban to address issues of extremism and militancy,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. “The Committee reaffirmed (the) government’s commitment to the strategy of negotiations with TTP (Pakistani Taleban) and consider the use of other options only as a last resor t.” Fazlullah, who fled to Afghanistan after the 2009 operation, has now returned to his homeland to lead the insurgency. He was named the leader last month after his predecessor, Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed in a U.S. drone strike on Nov. 1. — Reuters

is committed to working with the Philippines to address its most pressing security challenges,” he said.

“That is why we are negotiating a strong and enduring framework agreement that will enhance defence cooperation under our alliance, including through an increased rotational presence in the Philippines.”

John Blaxland, a defence analyst at the Australian National University’s College of Asia and the Pacific, earlier said Kerry’s visit was meant to assure the region that America “is not just a fair-weather friend”.

“Kerry’s visit can be expected to act as a catalyst for change,” Blaxland told AFP, and underscored the Philipines’s important role as Washington embarks on its so-

SINGAPORE: This handout photograph made available yesterday by the Straits Times shows an officer (L) sitting next to arrested foreign labourers as they arrive in a police van at the Subordinate courts in Singapore. Singapore will deport 53 South Asian workers and pursue criminal charges against 28 others for their involvement in the citystate’s first riot in more than four decades, the government said yesterday. — AFP

Singapore,” Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean told a news conference.

The riot on December 8 by hundreds of South Asian workers has forced the tightly controlled citystate to examine how it deals with the presence of nearly a million low-paid foreign workers, who drive its economic growth.

The rampage, which erupted after an Indian man was killed by a bus in a district known as Little India, saw 39 people injured, including police officers, and 25 vehicles destroyed.

Fifty-two of the 53 men being deported are Indian nationals and one is a Bangladeshi, said police commissoner Ng Joo Hee. They were hauled up yesterday morning and will be deported after travel and administrative arrangements are settled, he said.

The 28 men facing rioting charges remain in police custody pending further investigations and can face seven years in jail plus caning if found guilty. Seven Indian nationals who had previously been charged were released yesterday after charges were withdrawn.

The Ministry of Home Affairs

said in a statement that investigations showed the 28 facing charges were involved in “acts of violence, damage to property, defying police orders, or inciting others to do so”.

The men being deported failed to disperse despite police orders, and threatened public order, “making their continued presence in Singapore undesirable,” it said.

About 200 others who were at the scene of the riot but whose involvement was deemed to be “relatively passive” will be handed “formal advisories” by the police.

“No further action will be taken against them and they will be allowed to remain and work in Singapore, so long as they continue to abide by our laws,” the ministry said. The riot was Singapore’s second incident involving a large group of foreign workers in the past year.

In November 2012, 171 Chinese bus drivers stopped work to demand better wages and living conditions-the first industrial strike in the city-state since 1986. Five of the drivers served jail terms after the strike was declared illegal, while 29 others were deported without trial. — AFP

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Kuwait mulls amnesty for illegal...

India outraged after US arrests diplomat

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1

Many of the fugitive illegals are those who were caught in human trafficking scams. Thousands of expatriates are brought to Kuwait every year with the false promise of a job only to find when they land here no such jobs exists. MP Riyadh Al-Adasani claimed in November that 82,000 companies in Kuwait are guilty of visa trafficking, including 39,000 fake companies (those with nonexistent businesses).

Crackdown on illegals Since April, thousands of illegal expatriates have been arrested and deported in a widespread police crackdown. The unprecedented campaign triggered anxiety among even legal expatriates with checkpoints and raids common throughout expatriatepopulated areas including Salmiya, Jleeb AlShuyoukh and Farwaniya among others. No official final numbers of those deported have been released.

Kuwait is home to 2.7 million expatriates, who account for 68 percent of the country’s 3.9 million population. The population rose from nearly 3.7 million by the end of 2011, including 2.5 million expatriates. The annual population growth rate in Kuwait is almost 2 percent, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Seeking demographic balance In a bid to restore greater demographic balance, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Thekra Al-Rashidi announced a plan in March to deport 100,000 foreigners every year as part of a scheme to cut the country’s expatriate population by one million within a decade. No detailed explanations were given for the mechanism to execute the plan, but the minister

did identify expatriates living illegally as the main target.

Demographic imbalance has become a main concern in Kuwait and is often mentioned in debate about the country’s housing problem, traffic crisis, subsidies and underemployment. “A ratio of one Kuwaiti for every three expatriates is threatening Kuwaiti identity, puts Kuwaiti culture and traditions under the risk of vanishing, and pushes citizens to become a minority in their own country,” former MP Adnan Al-Mutawa said during an election campaign in July.

The affairs of expatriates in Kuwait are organized through the sponsorship or ‘kafala’ system, which is often blamed for violations practiced primarily against low-skilled labor forces, and caused the state to fall under pressure from human rights groups in the past few years to abolish it. The Kuwait Trade Union Federation compared hiring under the sponsorship system in a statement earlier this month with slavery by suggesting that it grants employers ‘full control’ over workers.

A new governmental authority passed in the parliament earlier this year is not expected to start operating before the beginning of the new fiscal year on April 1, 2014. The Public Labor Authority would replace the sponsorship system by exclusively handling the affairs of expatriate labor forces including hiring in local companies.

Kuwait is also home to an estimated population of 100,000 stateless Arabs or ‘bedoons’ who live without a nationality and claim citizenship of what they describe as the country of their birth. The Interior Ministry released a statement yesterday in which they warned bedoons against plans to stage a demonstration on Thursday in Taima, which has featured regular protests since 2011.

allegedly underpaying her domestic helper, who is also an Indian national, and for lying on the helper’s visa application form. Anger over the incident has been mounting in the Indian press, with front-page reports yesterday claiming Khobragade had been handcuffed and “strip-searched and confined with drug addicts” after her arrest.

Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said yesterday the government had “put in motion” measures to address the arrest, calling Khobragade’s seizure “completely unacceptable”. “We have put in motion what we believe would be effective ways of addressing the issue but also (put) in motion such steps that need to be taken to protect her dignity,” Khurshid told reporters in New Delhi without confirming the new reprisals.

India last Friday summoned the US ambassador to protest at the arrest, with a foreign ministry official saying at the time that India was “shocked and appalled” at the US handling of the incident. The arrest cuts into a series of issues in India where fear of public humiliation, particularly among the middle and upper classes, resonates deeply, and pay and conditions for servants is kept mostly private. The case is also the latest involving alleged mistreatment of domestic workers by wealthy Indian families. Many are poor-

ly paid in India and rights groups regularly report cases of beating and other abuse.

US State Department deputy spokesman Marie Harf said on Monday that diplomatic security staff “followed standard procedures” during the arrest before Khobragade was handed over to US Marshals. Harf also said Khobragade does not have full diplomatic immunity. She only has immunity from prosecution with respect to duties performed as a consular official, under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The diplomat’s father urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in the case and ensure his daughter’s safe return to India. “I am concerned with the safety and dignity of my daughter. I want my daughter back safe in India,” Uttam Khobragade told TV stations. With general elections just months away in India, both the ruling Congress party and the main opposition are keen not to be seen as being too lenient with the United States over the issue.

India’s national security adviser called the diplomat’s treatment “barbaric” while a string of senior politicians from both major parties snubbed a visiting US Congressional delegation over the issue. Opposition candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi, said he had “refused” to meet the US delegation over the arrest. “Refused to meet

the visiting USA delegation in solidarity with our nation, protesting ill-treatment meted to our lady diplomat in USA,” Modi said in a tweet. The speaker of the lower house of parliament also called off a meeting with the US visitors, her office said, while Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s office said he was too busy in parliament.

The Indian embassy in Washington said on Friday that the detention was based on “allegations raised by the officer’s former India-based domestic assistant”. The domestic worker had “absconded” from her employer in June and was already the subject of an injunction issued by the High Court in Delhi, the embassy added in a statement on its website.

A senior member of Modi’s socially conservative party, currently favourite to form the next government, said India should retaliate by putting partners of gay US diplomats in the country behind bars. India’s Supreme Court last week effectively ruled homosexuality to be illegal. “The reason why they have arrested this Indian diplomat in New York is violation of the law of the land in the United States. Now the same violation is taking place wherever US embassy official have obtained visas for their partners of the same sex,” former finance minister Yashwant Sinha told Reuters. “If American law can apply to Indian diplomats in New York, the India law can apply here,” he said. — Agencies

14

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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FOCUS

How royal backing sells British goods

By Julien Mivielle hen Britain’s royal family grants a warrant to its favoured supplier of tea or salmon, it’s not only an honour for the firm but also a major boost in the global marketplace. The strength of the Windsor brand lends its weight to some 800 companies who are eligible to feature the royal crest and the words “By Appointment” on their products. “It’s the ultimate mark of quality and regarded as an international stamp of approval,” Andrew Leigh, founding chairman of Scottish smoked salmon manufacturer John Ross Jr, told AFP. “We’ve held the Royal Warrant for 24 years and in that time it has opened doors across the world and enabled us to grow the business.” The company now exports to 36 countries and the Royal Warrant has helped increase its export market by 30-35 percent, said Leigh, adding that it would “continue to play a major factor as we expand throughout China, Japan and South East Asia.”

Royal Warrants are granted to people or companies who regularly supply goods for a minimum of five consecutive years to Queen Elizabeth II, her husband Prince Philip or her son Prince Charles.

Companies with warrants, which range from multinational companies to small artisan firms, have the right to feature the coat of arms of whichever of the royals has backed them on their packaging - more than one royal may grant a warrant to any particular company.

W

Toilet roll and hunting vests Warrants are not a new invention. Tradesmen in the Middle Ages were granted official recognition, while under king Henry VIII, who reigned from 1509 to 1547, a certain Thomas Hewytt was appointed to “Serve the Court with Swannes and Cranes and all kinds of Wildfoule”. But the process was formalised in the 19th century with the issue of warrants, and the Royal Warrant Holders Association was established in 1840. Today, there are warrants for high-end goods such as Prince Charles’s traditional whisky suppliers and the hunting vests worn by the outdoorsy royals.

But at the other end of the scale, holders include a supermarket and a toilet paper manufacturer.

Most are British, with the exception of some French champagne makers and South Korean electronics giant Samsung. Small family businesses rub shoulders with global brands like Twinings tea or Schweppes soft drinks. A rare few have chosen to leave the royal seal of approval off their packaging: the crest disappeared from boxes of After Eight mints, now made by Nestle, in 2009. “After Eight is a global brand sold in more than 70 countries. In December 2009, Nestle standardised the packaging to ensure relevance and consistency in all countries, resulting in the royal warrant being removed,” said a spokesman for the Swiss food giant.

But the queen’s thumbs-up is a sought-after honour for most, especially for manufacturers of luxury goods. Clothing maker Barbour has the rare privilege of holding warrants from Prince Philip (since 1972), the queen (since 1982) and Prince Charles (since 1987). “The warrants are recognised as a mark of quality around the world from the United States, throughout Europe to Asia,” said a spokeswoman for Barbour.

“We are always very proud when we see pictures of members of the Royal family wearing our products.”

‘Valued in the export market’ The enduring global fascination with the British monarchy - which burnished its image with the birth of Prince George in July, the marriage of his parents Prince William and Kate in 2011, and the queen’s diamond jubilee last year - effectively means firms with warrants get free advertising. “The Royal Warrant is seen as a marque of quality and is especially valued in the export market. Countries where it seems to have most impact are the Middle East, Far East, US and Commonwealth countries,” said Richard Peck, secretary of the Royal Warrant Holders Association.

He dismissed any suggestion that a royal link might be counter-productive at a time when Britain and many other countries are still feeling the pinch of austerity. “There is a perception that a company granted a Royal Warrant is expensive, but the converse is true. To retain the Royal Warrant companies must consistently demonstrate value for money, a quality product and reliable and flexible service,” he said. — 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.

How China is penetrating US defenses

By John Shiffman and Duff Wilson gents from Homeland Security sneaked into a tiny office in Oakland’s Chinatown before sunrise on Dec 4, 2011. They tread carefully, quickly snapping digital pictures so they could put everything back in place. They didn’t want Philip Chaohui He, the businessman who rented the space, to learn they had been there. Seven months had passed since they’d launched an undercover operation against a suspected Chinese arms-trafficking network one of scores operating in support of Beijing’s ambitious military expansion into outer space.

The agents had allowed a Colorado manufacturer to ship He a type of technology that China covets but cannot replicate: radiationhardened microchips. Known as rad-chips, the dime-sized devices are critical for operating satellites, for guiding ballistic missiles, and for protecting military hardware from nuclear and solar radiation. It was a gamble. This was a chance to take down an entire Chinese smuggling ring.

But if He succeeded in trafficking the radchips to China, the devices might someday be turned against US sailors, soldiers or pilots, deployed on satellites providing the battlefield eyes and ears for the People’s Liberation Army.

Entering He’s office at 2:30 that December morning, the agents looked inside the FedEx boxes. The microchips were gone. The supervisor on the case, Greg Slavens, recoiled. “There are a bunch of rad-chips headed to China,” Slavens recalls thinking, “and I’m responsible.’”

A

Immediate Threat As China rises to challenge the United States as a power in the Pacific, American officials say Beijing is penetrating the US defense industry in ways that not only compromise weapons systems but also enable it to secure some of the best and most dangerous technology. A classified Pentagon advisory-board report this year, for instance, asserted that Chinese hackers had gained access to plans for two dozen US weapons systems, according to the Washington Post.

But the smuggling of technology such as radiation-hardened microchips out of America may present a more immediate challenge to the US military, Reuters has found. If China hacks into a sensitive blueprint, years might pass before a weapon can be manufactured.

Ready-made components and weapons systems can be - and are - used immediately.

Beijing says its efforts to modernize its military are above-board. “China has mainly relied on itself for research and development and manufacturing,” the Chinese defense ministry said in a statement to Reuters. “China always complies with relevant laws and cooperation agreements and protects intellectual property rights.”

The technology products the Chinese military seeks tend to be miniaturized, and thus aren’t easily identifiable to US border agents unlike drugs, for example. And trafficking in these goods isn’t technically illegal until someone tries to export them. “When you think about how many legitimate transactions go to a place like China, it makes it very difficult to track,” said Craig Healy, a senior Homeland Security official who directs the US export enforcement center.

Officially published US estimates of how frequently American arms technology gets smuggled are incomplete. By one Pentagon calculation, suspicious queries to US defense manufacturers by entities linked to China increased 88 percent from 2011 to 2012. The government won’t disclose the number of cases that underlie that percentage. US defense and intelligence officials said that although they closely monitor the Chinese buildup, they believe China remains at least a decade behind America.

“They still have a long way to go,” said one senior US defense official.

Reuters analyzed court records from 280 arms-smuggling cases brought by the US government from Oct 1, 2005 to Oct 1, 2013.

Reporters also interviewed two dozen counterproliferation agents and reviewed hundreds of internal Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security and Commerce Department documents. The number of counter-prolifera-

tion arrests related to all countries quadrupled from 54 to 226 from 2010 to 2012, internal law enforcement records show. Since 2008, the number of China-related space-technology investigations - like the undercover case against the Oakland man - has increased approximately 75 percent, US law enforcement sources said.

Since late 2012, federal agents say they have begun nearly 80 space-and-satellite-related investigations.

“I think we’re getting better at this, but this stuff is rampant,” said FBI assistant director for counter-intelligence Robert Anderson Jr. Anderson was referring to cases involving all potentially hostile nations, not just China. “The more you dig in these cases,” he said, “the more potential investigations you find.” Said a US diplomat based in China: “I think we do a good job on the cases that we learn about, but it’s really just a finger in the dike.”

A Man Named ‘Hope’ US counter-proliferation agents say the 2011 Oakland sting is typical of dozens launched recently against people trying to acquire space and missile technology for China. It also demonstrates the difficulty in dismantling smuggling networks, even when a target appears patently suspicious from the outset. The Oakland investigation began in spring 2011. The manufacturer, Aeroflex of Colorado Springs, Colorado, received an email from a man who called himself Philip Hope of Oakland. The man wanted to buy two kinds of rad-chips - 112 of one type

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “They fit the design of a satellite that you’d want to stay in space for a reasonably long time, and therefore are likely small parts of a bigger satellite.”

Despite the concerns about where and how the components might be used, He’s order of 312 rad-chips violated no law. These chips may be legally sold domestically, and to foreign buyers who obtain a State Department license.

They may not be exported outside the United States to certain nations, including China. He had the chips sent to his office address in Oakland, making the deal legal. If He tried to take them abroad, he’d be breaking the law.

The Agents’ Dilemma The agents faced the key question that comes in almost every counter-proliferation case: Could they lure the suspect into a sting? If so, would it be worth the trouble? Undercover operations are time-consuming, expensive and risky. If agents dangled rad-chips in front of the suspect and he got away, the components would probably end up on Chinese satellites. If they delivered the chips and watched him closely, he might lead them to a network traceable to Beijing.

The agents in the case faced another complication: At the time, Aeroflex - the very manufacturer enlisted to help with the sting - was itself under civil investigation for sending radchips to China. Although that investigation was still under way, Aeroflex had already admitted that it sent more than 14,500 rad-chips to China

How often the Chinese succeed at acquiring US-made weaponry or components is unclear. US government officials say they don’t know, in part because the problem is too widespread and difficult to track. and 200 of the other. The total cost: $549,654.

The initial email triggered suspicion.

People and companies who buy these kinds of rad-chips are usually well-established, repeat customers - more multinational corporation than mom & pop. Aeroflex salesmen had never heard of “Philip Hope” or his company, “Sierra Electronic Instruments”. Most suspicious of all, just days after placing the order, Hope sent Aeroflex a certified check for the full amount, $549,654. That was rare. Buyers were expected to make a deposit, but nobody paid up front.

The suspicious Aeroflex employees contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which keeps a special counter-proliferation office in the space technology hub of Colorado Springs.

Based on quick record checks, the HSI agents drew a portrait of “Philip Hope”. The man was a Chinese immigrant and legal permanent resident, Philip Chaohui He, an engineer for the state of California assigned to a Bay Bridge renovation project. Sierra Electronic Instruments was a start-up run from the one-room office in Chinatown. The HSI agents concluded that He was buying the rad-chips on behalf of someone else. Someone rich. Someone who couldn’t legally acquire them. Probably someone in China - likely the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, a state-run entity that operates nearly all of China’s military and civilian space projects.

China Aerospace officials did not respond to requests for comment. An official at a Shanghai subsidiary said he was unaware of the He purchases. The rad-chips He ordered from Aeroflex are not the most powerful on the market, and could not operate a sophisticated military satellite on their own. But experts say they have few uses other than as one of the many components of a sophisticated satellite. “You wouldn’t spend that kind of money on those microchips unless you intended to use them in much bigger satellites,” said Alvar Saenz-Otero, associate director of the Space Systems Lab at the

between 2003 and 2008. Aeroflex exported more than half of those chips even after US officials had directed it to stop doing so. The company declined to comment. But documents show two mitigating factors - Aeroflex voluntarily disclosed the transgressions, and it blamed them in part on misreading complex and sometimes competing Commerce Department and State Department regulations. Even so, State Department regulators would ultimately conclude: “The exports directly supported Chinese satellites and military aircraft, and caused harm to US national security.”

Thus, if the HSI agents wanted to attempt a sting against the man in Oakland, they would have to trust a company that had admitted aiding a potential enemy on a much larger scale.

On July 28, 2011, a federal agent posing as a Federal Express driver arrived at He’s office building in Oakland. The agent handed He’s wife a package containing the first order, 112 rad-chips. She leaned it against a wall. The undercover agent wore a hidden camera that recorded the office’s 10-by-12-foot interior. The place had sleeping bags and mattresses on the floor. There was no satellite research equipment.

The agent departed, but not before leaving a tiny surveillance device. For the next five weeks, the device indicated that the box didn’t move. Agents also put a camera outside the office door, placed a keystroke-logger on He’s computer and monitored his movements based on his cell phone location. They placed his name on an automated watch list at airports and border crossings. But they didn’t have the manpower to tail him. He slipped out of the country on Sept 6, taking a flight to San Diego and driving across the border at Tijuana. The agents received an automated security alert only the following day, Sept 7. They also learned that He was booked on a flight from Tijuana to Shanghai that evening. It was too late. They’d missed him.

Was China about to receive 112 militarygrade microchips for its space program? There was no way to know for sure. The agents had

two options: Drop the case, or send He the second batch of chips and try to catch him exporting those.

Another Surprise On Oct 6, an undercover agent helped FedEx deliver the second shipment, 200 radiationhardened chips. Once again, the agents waited and watched. When two months passed with no indication that He had moved the microchips, Slavens sought the sneak-and-peak warrant. The late night search, on Dec 4, turned up empty boxes. Slavens then sought a warrant for He’s home and renewed the airport and border lookouts. On the morning of Dec 10 - before the agents could complete the search warrants - the smuggler surprised them again. An agent noticed He’s cell phone on the move, far south of Oakland, heading toward Los Angeles - presumably to Tijuana again, and then on to China.

Slavens scrambled Homeland Security Investigations agents near Los Angeles.

The LA agents followed the cell-tracker to a Best Western hotel south of the city. In the early evening, they located He’s Honda sedan in the hotel parking lot. They confirmed that He had checked in, and they settled in for surveillance.

At about 8:45 am on Dec 11, 2011, He left his hotel room with an unidentified traveling companion and pulled the Honda onto Interstate 110, driving south. Tijuana was two hours away.

The HSI agents planned to stop him at the Mexico border. But after just 3 miles, He pulled into the Port of Long Beach. Then, he used a Transportation Safety Administration pass - a badge he carried for his Bay Bridge repair assignment - to swiftly get through port security.

The agents caught up as the Honda drew near a red and white cargo ship flying a Chinese flag. Stenciled on the mast were the letters ZPMC. This was the same company with the Bay Bridge repair contract to which He had been assigned by the California transit agency. A coincidence? The agents couldn’t be sure. (ZPMC did not respond to requests from Reuters for comment.) HSI agents stopped He and his friend as they approached the ship captain. An agent opened the trunk. Stuffed inside a tub of Similac infant formula, authorities found 200 radiationhardened Aeroflex microchips.

The agents say the captain told them that he expected to receive “household goods” and other consumer purchases from He for delivery to friends in China. The captain and He’s driving companion were permitted to leave. He was handcuffed. Under questioning, He told the agents that he’d started his Oakland business at the behest of a Shanghai electronics broker who promised to reward him with a condominium in China for his assistance.

The Missing Chips In August, more than five years after Aeroflex admitted wrongdoing, the State Department announced an $8 million fine for the company’s 2003 to 2008 satellite microchip shipments to China. If Aeroflex completes remedial measures, such as training employees to follow rules the company already should have been following, half of the fine will be suspended. In September, He pleaded guilty in federal court in Colorado.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday.

Federal guidelines call for a sentence of 46 to 57 months.

In a court filing, his lawyer disputed the government’s assertion that He knew the rad-chips were destined for use by the Chinese government. Assistant federal defender Robert Pepin said He believed they would be used for commercial mining satellites. Pepin said He deserves a sentence of no more than 24 months, noting that He faces certain deportation when his sentence concludes, and potential separation from his children, who are US-born citizens. “The life he knew and enjoyed is destroyed,” Pepin said.

Despite the scope of the investigation, no one else was charged. The others in the suspected network - the ship captain, the Shanghai broker, the traveling partner and another Oakland suspect - were not arrested.

The fate of the first shipment of 112 radiationhardened chips - the ones that got away - is unknown. US officials strongly suspect they are either in China or orbiting the Earth aboard one of Beijing’s satellites. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

S P ORTS

Hoddle ‘open to Spurs approach’

Schild leads WCup slalom COURCHEVEL: Bernadette Schild posted the fastest time in the first run of a World Cup slalom race yesterday, well ahead of her older and more famous sister. Schild clocked 51.71 seconds. Marlies Schild, who has 33 World Cup slalom wins, was third, .13 seconds behind Frida Hansdotter of Sweden and .20 adrift of her sibling. Nine years younger than her sister, Bernadette Schild is still looking for her first World Cup win and nowhere near beating her sisterís many achievements. ìI think itís going to take me a while to do that,î the younger Schild joked. Marlies Schild won the slalom world championship in 2011 and took slalom bronze at the 2006 Olympics. World champion Mikaela Shiffrin has a lot of work to do. Starting first under clear skies and mild temperatures, the 18-year-old American managed the seventh best time on the powdery Stade Emile Allais course. ìNot my best run. Hopefully I can pick it up for the second run,î Shiffrin said. ìI didnít have a great feeling. I was just a bit nervous ... Sometimes I donít get that great feeling I want in the morning. I thought I had that today but it didnít go how I want.î Former overall champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch started strongly before going off course, while Tessa Worley - a Frenchwoman who won a giant slalom in St Moritz last weekend - went back on her skis and appeared to injure her right knee. — AP

Gattuso under investigation

LONDON: Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Glenn Hoddle would be interested in returning to the club to succeed the sacked Andre VillasBoas, a source close to him revealed yesterday. Technical coordinator Tim Sherwood, a former Spurs midfielder, has been placed in interim charge of first-team affairs following Villas-Boas’s dismissal as manager on Monday. Hoddle, 56, has not worked as a manager since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2006, but he appears eager to return to Spurs, where he made his name as a player before becoming coach in 2001. A story published on a website co-founded by Hoddle on Tuesday said: “Zapsportz.com understands that Hoddle will certainly help if the club makes an approach.” Hoddle has also received backing from his former Spurs team-mate Ossie Ardiles, who also managed the club between 1993 and 1994. “For me, the man for the job is Glenn Hoddle,” Ardiles told British radio station talkSPORT.”I think he is a wonderful manager and he is a lot more mature, so I think he will be a wonderful choice. He knows everything about the Premier League and Spurs especially.” Thrashed 5-0

by Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend, Spurs host London rivals West Ham United in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday before returning to league action at Southampton on Sunday. — AFP

ROME: Gennaro Gattuso, a member of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning side, was placed under investigation while four people were arrested in connection with a match-fixing scandal yesterday, Italian police reported. Gattuso, 35, sacked earlier this season as coach of second division Palermo, is suspected of “associating with criminals with intent to commit sporting fraud”. The long-running “Calcioscommesse” saga took a further twist with the arrest of the four, all said to have provided the link between players and a clandestine betting ring. Police declined to say where the arrests had taken place, but the nationwide operation was led by the Cremona prosecutor’s office, which initially uncovered the scandal in 2010.The four were named as Salvatore Spadaro, Francesco Bazzani, Cosimo Rinci and Fabio Quadri, the news agency Ansa reported. Spadaro is said to be linked with the “Bolognese” gang which was involved with former player Giuseppe Signori, who was arreted in 2010 in the intial investigation into match-fixing. Bazzani has also been linked with Signori, as well as Almir Gegic, the alleged ringleaser of another match-fixing gang.Rinci, chairman of the Riccione football club, and Quadri both have links with Spadaro. —AFP

Pakistan strive to keep momentum against Sri Lanka SHARJAH: In-form Pakistan are seeking to build on their recent thrilling one-day triumph in South Africa when they take on dangerous but rusty Sri Lanka in a five-match series starting in the United Arab Emirates today. Pakistan last month sealed their first-ever ODI series win against the Proteas, beating them 2-1 just weeks after a 4-1 drubbing against the same opposition in the UAE. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, whose side lie sixth in the one-day rankings, two places lower than Sri Lanka, hopes they can build on their success against the South Africans, saying his players thrive under

pressure. “We have good confidence before another tough series and we hope to carry the momentum we gained in South Africa,” said Misbah. “It is the Pakistan team’s quality that they produce better results when they are under pressure. We were under pressure before the South Africa tour and when the confidence is better we play well.” But Misbah warned his side against complacency.

“We must not relax,” he said. “Complacency comes when you beat a bigger opponent so we must guard against that because Sri Lanka know these conditions well.” Pakistan will be without lanky

paceman Mohammad Irfan-who stands seven feet one inch (2.15 meters) tall-after the bowler fractured his hip bone during the Twenty20 series against South Africa last month.

Misbah said his team will be up to the challenge posed by Sri Lanka. “Sri Lankans are fighters. We need to show our skills and be at our best to beat them,” said Misbah. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews highlighted Pakistan’s bowling strength.

“Pakistan has got one of the finest bowling attacks in the world. They are a good mixture of fast and spin attack. They can counter-attack at any stage,”

said Mathews.

Sri Lanka will be missing former captain Mahela Jayawardene and left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who both opted out of the one-dayers. They have been frustrated by a lack of match practice after their drawn three-match ODI series against New Zealand last month was disrupted by rain. The preceding Twenty20 series between the sides finished all square at 1-1. The remaining ODIs will be played in Dubai (December 20), Sharjah (December 22) and Abu Dhabi (December 25 and 27). The one-day series will be followed by three Tests.— AFP

Penguins edge Maple Leafs 3-1

PERTH: Australian player Ryan Harris bowls against England on the fifth day of the third Ashes cricket Test match in Perth yesterday. — AFP

Australia complete England demolition to regain Ashes PERTH: Australia faltered for pretty much the first time in the series trying to close the deal but rallied to blow away the last vestiges of English resistance and reclaim the Ashes with a third emphatic test victory yesterday. Just three months after England wrapped up a third successive Ashes series triumph by a similarly dominant 3-0 margin back home, Australia had wrested back the urn they last held in August 2009 with two matches to spare. Ben Stokes had made them sweat through the first session on the fifth and final day of the third test at the WACA by completing his maiden test hundred as the tourists chased their improbable victory target of 504.

But once the lefthander was dismissed for 120 in the third over after lunch, Australia’s bowlers ran quickly through the England tail to claim a 150run victory and an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

Fittingly, it was Mitchell Johnson, whose fiery spells of pace bowling had turned the first two tests, who delivered the coup de grace by dismissing James Anderson to end England’s second innings for 353. “It’s a fantastic feeling,” said captain Michael Clarke, the only member of the Australia team to have previously enjoyed Ashes success.

“What an amazing performance not just throughout this test match but over the course of three test matches. I think we put a lot of work in over a long period of time and we got the Ashes back. “I don’t think you’ll find one bloke in that dressing room who won’t say that this is the pinnacle,” he added. “Playing test cricket against

Scoreboard PERTH, Australia: Scoreboard at the conclusion of the third Ashes Test between Australia and England at the WACA Ground in Perth yesterday: Australia 1st innings 385 (Steve Smith 111; Stuart Broad 3-100) England 1st innings 251 (Alastair Cook 72; Peter Siddle 3-36) Australia 2nd innings 369-6 (dec) (David Warner 112, Shane Watson 103; Tim Bresnan 2-53) England 2nd innings Alastair Cook b Harris 0 31 Michael Carberry lbw Watson Joe Root c Haddin b Johnson 19 Kevin Pietersen c Harris b Lyon 45 Ian Bell c Haddin b Siddle 60 Ben Stokes c Haddin b Lyon 120 Matt Prior c Haddin b Johnson 26 Tim Bresnan c Rogers b Johnson 12 Graeme Swann c Smith b Lyon 4 Stuart Broad not out 2 Jimmy Anderson c Bailey b Johnson 2 Extras (b13, lb13, w6) 32 Total (all out wickets, 103.2 overs) 353 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Cook), 2-62 (Carberry), 3-76 (Root), 4-121 (Pietersen), 5-220 (Bell), 6-296 (Prior), 7-336 (Stokes), 8-347 (Swann), 9-349 (Bresnan), 10-353 (Anderson).

Bowling: Harris 19-2-73-1, Johnson 25.2-678-4 (5w), Lyon 22-5-70-3 (1w), Siddle 2611-67-1, Watson 11-1-39-1.

Australia won by 150 runs.

England and winning the Ashes. That’s always been the pinnacle for Australian cricketers.” Steve Smith was named Man of the Match after his innings of 111 in the first innings, the sixth by an Australian in the three tests so far.

That Stokes’s hundred was the first by an Englishman in the series and helped his country to their highest innings total in the three tests said much about why the tourists have been outplayed so comprehensively. “The simple fact of the matter is we haven’t had enough players in form with either bat or ball,” said England skipper Alastair Cook, who admitted his 100th test was the low point of his career. “You can’t put it any more honest than that, and people in the dressing room know that. It hurts like hell when you come into a contest and you end up being second best.”

England had resumed on 251 for five requiring another 253 runs for an extraordinary victory or more likely needing to bat through the final day to save the test. The yawning cracks that had opened up on the sunbaked wicket added an extra danger factor for the batsmen, with one Ryan Harris delivery to Stokes jagging off into the slips.

Lefthander Stokes, who made his debut in the second test in Adelaide, showed great concentration and no little courage to help England to their biggest innings score of the series.

JOHNSON BREAKTHROUGH Johnson, who finished with figures of four for 78, made the breakthrough when Matt Prior took a swipe at a widish delivery and got a nick on it to be caught behind for 26. Two overs later and Stokes, who had edged his way nervously through the 90s, pulled Johnson to the long-leg for four to reach his hundred, pumping his fist in celebration.

England made it through to lunch at 332-6 but their task always looked too tough and when Stokes was brilliantly caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off spinner Nathan Lyon the end was in sight. “Every time we got a partnership going or a few wickets with the ball, Australia always responded better than what we could deal with,” said Cook. “You have to give a lot of credit to how Australia played in those circumstances and throughout the three games. They’ve been very ruthless with us. When they had a sniff, they’d taken their chances. And when they had us down, they kept us down.”

Graeme Swann (four) and Tim Bresnan (12) went in consecutive overs and there was just one more over of England’s innings before Johnson claimed his 23rd wicket of the series. “It was pretty hard bowling. The emotions were flying and just trying to keep them in check. It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Johnson. “I came back from injury and I had a lot of doubters I knew. I did all the hard work and I had the opportunity and I took it with both hands. “It means a lot to finally win the Ashes after being part of a couple we lost, so it was very special.” Australia won the first test in Brisbane by 381 runs and the second in Adelaide by 218 runs and will now be targeting a 5-0 sweep in the final two tests in Melbourne and Sydney. “I’m not looking at it tonight, I can guarantee you that,” said Clarke. “I think it’s very important that we celebrate together tonight and enjoy this feeling ... but I can guarantee you there won’t be any complacency.”—Reuters

PITTSBURGH: Sidney Crosby’s 19th goal of the season broke a tie with just over 6 minutes remaining and the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 on Monday night.

Crosby took a centering pass from Pascal Dupuis and beat Toronto’s Jonathan Bernier to the stick side to boost his point total to a league-leading 47. Chris Conner and Brandon Sutter also scored for the Penguins, who were playing without a number of regulars, including forward Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 25 shots for Pittsburgh to improve to 27-3 in his past 30 home starts. Pittsburgh has won four straight and nine of 10. Morgan Rielly scored the first goal of his career for the Maple Leafs. Bernier made 28 saves, but couldn’t stop Toronto from losing for the fourth time in its past five games.

SENATORS 3, BLUES 2, OT Cody Ceci scored his first NHL goal in overtime and Ottawa beat St Louis. Ceci recovered a clearing attempt by the Blues and sent a wrist shot toward the St Louis goal that beat Brian Elliott at 3:59 of the extra period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Bobby Ryan scored in regulation for the Senators, who picked up points for the fifth time in their past six games. Chris Stewart had both goals for the Blues and both came late in the second period and both were set up by Derek Roy. AVALANCHE 6, STARS 2 Paul Stastny scored twice and added two assists and Colorado beat Dallas. Erik Johnson and Andre Benoit also scored in a four-goal second period, and Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie scored for Colorado. Tyler Seguin had a goal and an assist and Kevin Connauton scored his first NHL goal for the Stars, who have dropped three of the past four. Goalie Kari Lehtonen stopped 42 shots for Dallas.

JETS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2 Evander Kane returned from an injury to score a goal and add an assist, leading Winnipeg over Columbus. Mark Scheifele and Bryan Little also had goals for the Jets, with Al Montoya making 22 saves. RJ Umberger and Fedor Tyutin had the goals for the Blue Jackets, who had a first-period goal disallowed. The Blue Jackets had picked up points in five of their past six games (4-1-1). The Jets won four of six games on a road swing only to return home and go 0-2-1 before heading to Columbus.— AP

NHL results/standings Pittsburgh 3, Toronto 1; Winnipeg 3, Columbus 2; Ottawa 3, St. Louis 2 (OT); Colorado 6, Dallas 2.

Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Anaheim 23 7 5 111 89 51 22 8 4 94 68 48 Los Angeles San Jose 20 7 6 108 82 46 Vancouver 20 10 5 98 83 45 Phoenix 18 9 5 104 100 41 Calgary 13 15 5 86 106 31 Edmonton 11 21 3 93 120 25 Central Division Chicago 24 7 5 135 101 53 St. Louis 22 6 4 112 76 48 Colorado 22 9 1 94 75 45 Minnesota 19 11 5 81 81 43 Dallas 15 12 5 92 99 35 Nashville 16 14 3 77 92 35 Winnipeg 15 15 5 93 102 35 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Boston 22 9 2 92 70 46 20 12 3 88 75 43 Montreal Tampa Bay 19 11 3 90 80 41 Detroit 15 11 9 89 94 39 Toronto 17 15 3 98 102 37 Ottawa 14 15 6 99 113 34 Florida 12 17 5 78 109 29 Buffalo 7 23 3 55 96 17 Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 24 10 1 108 75 49 18 12 3 105 97 39 Washington Carolina 14 13 7 79 94 35 NY Rangers 16 17 1 76 91 33 Philadelphia 14 15 4 76 91 32 New Jersey 13 15 6 78 85 32 Columbus 14 16 4 87 95 32 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).

PITTSBURGH: Pittsburgh Penguins’ Robert Bortuzzo (41) and Toronto Maple Leafs’ Troy Bodie (40) fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Monday, Dec 16, 2013. — AP

AECK, TEC book finals KUWAIT: AECK and TEC entered the final of the 16th Prof Ramachandran Memorial Cricket Tournament (RMC) conducted by College of Engineering Trivandrum Alumni Association (CETAA) and sponsored by GTE Olayan Co, beating KEA and TKM respectively in the semifinals held on 13th Dec. The final will be a repeat of the last 3 years where AECK came up trumps each time. However, TEC with their all round capabilities will be hoping to turn the tables around this time on the strength of their consistently authoritative performances during the entire tournament.

In the first semifinal, KEA won the toss against AECK and surprisingly chose to bowl first when previous records showed AECK to be tentative chasers. Skipper Nithin (27) and Mahesh (16) gave AECK a good start putting on 44 runs for the opening wicket in 6.3 overs.

However the successive departure of both of them in the space of 3 runs put AECK under pressure. One down Rafi steadied the innings with the help of Remon but when AECK lost their 3rd, 4th and 5th wickets at 64, 64 and 68 runs, KEA were on top.

But Rafi (41 - man of the match) took total charge blasting 3 sixers and with able help of Abulais took AECK to a challenging 112 for the loss of 7 wickets off their 15 overs. For KEA, youthful Nitin Varghese was the most impressive bowler taking 3 wickets for 14 runs while Biju, Renju and Presoon took a wicket each. But none of the bowlers could stop Rafi’s final overs onslaught which proved decisive in the end.

In reply KEA lost the crucial wicket of Nithin with the score at 10 caught at the deep mid wicket boundary. Skipper Tibish (31) played responsibly with Sreejith to take the score to 49 in the 9th over but by then the asking rate was climbing. Thereafter in an effort to increase the run rate, KEA lost wickets at regular intervals

with none of the other batsmen able to cope with the situation. AECK bowlers kept a tight leash with good field support and KEA lost 8 wickets for 13 runs in the space of 4 overs leaving AECK comprehensive winners by 50 runs.

Dileep (4 wickets) and Abulais (3 wickets) were the main wicket takers while Remon and Smithosh chipped in with a wicket each.

In the 2nd semifinal, put into bat TEC found the going tough loosing star batsman Girish in the first over. Skipper Suresh (14) and Sunil took TEC to 22 by the end of the 3rd over and TEC seemed to be heading for a comfortable total. But Mukesh rocked TEC in the 4th over taking 3 wickets with the TEC batsmen unable to read his deceptive in-swingers. Dinto (26 man of the match) found an able partner in Shajeer (20) putting on 39 runs for the 6th wicket in a little over 4 overs enabling TEC to finish on a below par 86 for the loss of 7 wickets off their 15 overs. For TKM, Mukesh was the star with 3 wickets while Riju and Rahul took a wicket each to restrict TEC. In reply, TKM began confidently putting on 19 runs for the opening wicket by the 3rd over. However the departure of Nizam and main hope Anfar in quick succession changed the complexion of the game.

And when in-form Isaac fell at the score of 40 in the 8th over the game turned decisively TEC’s way. Anil (23) fought on gamely but could not accelerate and the other batsmen perished under the pressure of the asking rate. TKM were all out for 68 in the 15th over leaving TEC winners by 16 runs in a closely fought game. For TEC skipper Suresh took (4 wickets) while Dinto, Shajeer (2 wickets each) and Girish (1 wicket) ensured that TEC entered their 5th successive final. On the last day of the tournament (20th Dec), AECK will meet TEC at 7 am in what should be an absorbing finale to a month long tournament of exciting cricket.

KUWAIT: Rafi receiving the man of the match award from Hari kumar.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

S P ORT S

Tanaka eyes US move under new rules TOKYO: Star Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka yesterday told his club he wants to try his hand in Major League Baseball, hours after a new “posting” system was announced that makes switching to the United States easier. Major League Baseball (MLB) said on Monday that it had reached an agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) on the new rules and the 25-year-old Tanaka is keen for a fresh challenge.

“I told ( Yozo Tachibana, president of the Rakuten Golden Eagles), ‘let me try in the Major League next season,’” Tanak told reporters at the team’s ground in Sendai. “After this season, I want to go on to a fresh stage,” he said. At a separate news conference, Tachibana said he would reply to Tanaka’s request after holding talks with club management, saying: “We will take his decision seriously.” Under the previous system, which saw Japanese stars such as Yu Darvish, Daisuke

Matsuzaka and Ichiro Suzuki move from Japan to US clubs, American teams made blind offers for negotiation rights to a player.

The highest bidder would win the rights to an exclusive signing period. If the player signed a deal to leave Japan, his former club would receive the posting fee as a purchase price for the player.

If there was no deal, the player would stay with his Japanese club and the posting fee would be negated. Under the new system, if an NPB club wishes to make a player available to US clubs, Japanese officials will notify the MLB commissioner’s office of his availability and a release fee that would be demanded. Such a fee cannot exceed $20 million.

The commissioner’s office would notify MLB clubs of the player’s availability and a day after the player is posted any Major League club willing to pay the release fee could negotiate with

him. Any American team that signed the player would pay his Japanese club the release fee. If he is not signed the release fee is not owed and the NPB player remains under reserve to his Japanese club. Tanaka went 24-0 in the regular season this year, helping to propel the Rakuten Golden Eagles to their first Japan Series title.

The right-hander was expected to command a high fee for negotiation rights and a huge salary, but he had been in limbo as US and Japanese league officials discussed changing the system.

Rakuten officials could decide that since they cannot receive more than $20 million for Tanaka, they will keep him for another season. They could have expected more under the old system. In 2012, the Texas Rangers posted a winning bid of $51.7 million just for the right to negotiate with Darvish, eventually signing him to a six-year deal worth $56 million. — AFP

Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka

Pistons hand Pacers their first home loss INDIANAPOLIS: Josh Smith had 30 points, Greg Monroe finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Detroit Pistons handed Indiana its first home loss Monday night, stunning the Pacers 101-96. The Pistons won for the second time in six games, ending a six-game skid in the series and a nine-game losing streak on the Pacers home court. Lance Stephenson had a season high 23 points, while Luis Scola scored 13 of his season-best 18 in the fourth quarter for Indiana (20-4), which was 11-0 at home coming into the game. Oklahoma City remains the only NBA team unbeaten at home with a 12-0 record.

Detroit held a 55-40 rebounding edge and outscored the Pacers in the paint. Indiana tied the score four times and got as close as 96-94 late in the fourth.

CLIPPERS 115, SPURS 92 Blake Griffin scored 27 points, hitting 11 of 15 free throws, and Los Angeles cruised past San Antonio 48 hours after completing a seven-game road trip. Chris Paul added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Jamal Crawford had 17 points in his second straight start for the Clippers, who repelled several threats in the third quarter to maintain their lead. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, whose four-game winning streak ended. Tony Parker limped off the court with a right shin contusion with 5:09 left in the third. He finished with eight points and six assists in 26 minutes.

DeAndre Jordan added 11 rebounds and Griffin had nine to help the Clippers control the boards, 43-36.

NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar female boxer Nwe Ni Oo stretches at the Wunna Theikdi boxing training centre during the 2013 SEA Games in Naypyidaw.

(Inset) Nwe Ni Oo poses for a picture at the Wunna Theikdi boxing training centre. — AFP

Myanmar women boxers land blows for equality NAYPYIDAW: Tough, stocky and packing a withering left hook, Myanmar’s gold medal-winning boxer Nwe Ni Oo cuts a surprising image in a conservative nation where women are expected to be demure rather than combative. But the 19-year-old won hearts with a tearyeyed podium celebration at the Southeast Asian Games in the capital Naypyidaw, after a bruising points victory over her Philippine rival in the 57 kilogram class.

“It’s very exciting because I have never fought foreigners before... I’m happy to fight in front of Myanmar fans too,” she said after Saturday’s win. Nwe Ni Oo is also blazing a trail for women, who have boxed for Myanmar at the regional showpiece event since 2001 but failed to win gold, cramped by poor funding during the corrupt junta era and a lack of wider support.

Emerging from the shadow of decades of military rule, the country is proud of its reputation for relative gender equality in a region where violence against women is widespread. The nation’s most famous daughter is Nobel Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and women are given equal rights under the law, enjoying a higher social status than their counterparts in India and China.

Yet they continue to face significant challenges in the impoverished country. The International Monetary Fund says two-thirds of Myanmar’s women are stuck in unskilled labor with low wages, while only 18 percent of adult women have attended secondary school or higher, impeding their economic prospects. It is also a deeply traditional culture requiring women to dress modestly more so in the countryside-and follow welltrodden cultural pathways in the devoutly Buddhist society. So much so that organizers of the games even cut gymnastics and beach volleyball from the line-up of events, reportedly convinced the outfits worn by athletes would be too scandalous.

But in the sports they have competed in, women athletes have flourished, winning plaudits and prestige in everything from local cane-ball game chinlone to football. The women’s boxing team has earned special praise after claiming a gold, a silver and two bronzeshelping their country to the upper echelons of the medals table in the regional showpiece competition, which is seen as a “coming out” party for the former pariah nation.

As humble outside the ring as she is pugnacious within it, Nwe Ni Oo-the eldest of six siblings - said she is fighting for a better future for her family, who come from the hard-scrabble southern delta region. “My family support me... my father in particular wants me to be a great boxer,” the diminutive teenager said, a beige smear of traditional thanaka make-up barely concealing a bruised cheek. Her victory is all the more remarkable given that she only put on gloves three years ago and came in two kilos underweight for her category at the SEA Games.

To observers, women’s sporting victories are bringing more than just medals. “Sport can improve the role of women in this country,” said May Sabe Phyu, a gender equality activist. “When women claim medals, it shows we are as capable as men,” she said, adding she also wanted to see a greater gender balance in the heart of government. Her comments were echoed in a recent briefing note by the UN’s development agency which said there remains “much to be done to make

gender equality a practical reality”-including boosting women’s representation in public life and addressing some restrictive cultural norms.

Speaking at a women’s forum in Yangon in December, Suu Kyi said the burden of keeping families together during the repressive junta era had often fallen on women. But as the country opens, women are determined to help shape the future, she said. “We want to make our rightful contribution to our society... we want to take a meaningful role,” she added.

For the home athletes, the SEA Games is a chance for both personal glory and to play a part in that openingwhich has been formalized in political and economic change, but also wider social liberalization. As the competition, which runs until December 22, breaks new ground for women boxers, supporters hope their success will open the pipeline of talent across the nation.

“Myanmar women are traditional... most women can’t box,” said Aung San Oo, a former boxer who has spent months training Nwe Ni Oo ahead of the event. “I feel very honored to help now that women can box and compete in other sports,” he said. — AFP

Myanmar’s fans riot after the SEA Games knockout YANGON: Myanmar soccer fans started fires, tore out seats and hurled rocks after their team was eliminated from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the latest stadium violence in a country once banned from 2018 World Cup qualifying because of unruly fans. Myanmar’s 1-0 defeat to Indonesia late on Monday angered spectators, who threw stones as disappointed players left the pitch in tears. Some spectators invaded the pitch as others tore down banners and destroyed plastic seats in the stadium in Yangon, video footage showed.

Fans outside set ablaze billboards and SEA Games flags, hats and even their own T-shirts.

Rioters threw stones at police, who huddled behind shields and responded with water cannon.

Myanmar has a passionate soccer following but has gained an unsavoury reputation for crowd violence. FIFA imposed a ban on Myanmar taking part in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup after fans hurled rocks and glass bottles at the referee and the Oman team during a qualifier for the 2014 Asian Cup, held in July 2011.

The world governing body later lifted the ban on appeal but ordered the country to play all their qualifying home games on neutral territory. The SEA Games is the first significant multi-sport event Myanmar has staged in 44 years. Monday’s rioting will cast a cloud over Myanmar’s hosting of a tournament it hoped would showcase the enormous changes it has undergone since the end of five decades of brutal military rule in 2011. — Reuters

NETS 130, 76ERS 94 Joe Johnson made 10 3-pointers, most in the NBA this season, and scored a season-high 37 points to lead Brooklyn over Philadelphia. Johnson finished 10 for 14 from behind the arc, including 8 of 10 during an incredible third-quarter shooting performance. He passed the nine 3-pointers made this season

by Jeremy Lin, who also did it against the 76ers’ inept perimeter defense, and Stephen Curry. Johnson scored 29 points in the third, his most in any quarter in his career. Deron Williams had 13 points and 13 assists for the Nets, who led by as many as 42 and won for the fourth time in five games while playing without center Brook Lopez. James Anderson scored 17 points for the 76ers, who lost their seventh straight overall and have dropped 11 in a row on the road since winning at Washington in their road opener.

HAWKS 114, LAKERS 100 Kyle Korver sank three 3-pointers in Atlanta’s dominant third quarter, Al Horford scored 19 points to lead the Hawks past cold-shooting Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles. Paul Millsap had 18 points and Jeff Teague had 17 with 10 assists for the Hawks.

Horford grabbed 11 rebounds. Bryant made only 4 of 14 shots for eight points. Nick Young led the Lakers with 23 points while making five 3-pointers. Jordan Hill had 21, Xavier Henry had 18 and Pau Gasol had 16, but no other Los Angeles player scored in double figures.

WIZARDS 102, KNICKS 101 Bradley Beal’s driving layup with 6 seconds remaining carried Washington past New York. The Knicks didn’t use one of their three remaining timeouts after Beal’s basket. Carmelo Anthony took the inbounds pass, dribbled the up court and attempted a 3-pointer that bounced off the rim as time expired.

Beal led the Wizards with 21 points, including their final seven as Washington erased a six-point fourth-quarter deficit. Martell Webster added 30 points and John Wall 20 points for the Wizards. Anthony finished with 32 for the Knicks.

HEAT 117, JAZZ 94 LeBron James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds and nine assists despite sitting some of the second half after twisting his left ankle, Dwyane Wade added 27 points and Miami rolled past Utah. It was Miami’s 17th straight victory over a Western Conference opponent, the second-longest regular-season streak by an Eastern Conference team in NBA history.

Boston won 20 straight over the West during a nine-month span of 1973. Chris Bosh scored 20 points for the Heat, who moved within two games of Indiana for the East lead. Miami play host to the Pacers today. Alec Burks scored 31 points for Utah, which got 17 from Derrick Favors.

CELTICS 101, TIMBERWOLVES 97 Jared Sullinger had 24 points and 11 rebounds, including a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 2:22 left that helped Boston Celtics hold off Minnesota. Sullinger had 15 points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter, and Avery Bradley had 19 points for the game. The Celtics won for the fifth time in seven games to hold onto first place in the Atlantic Division despite a 12-14 record that would be 12th-best in the Western Conference. Kevin Love had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota, which has not won in Boston since 2005. But he was 2 for 11 from 3-point range as the Timberwolves, who hit a season-high 12 3-pointers at Memphis on Sunday, went 8 of 29 from beyond the arc. — AP

ATLANTA: Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) and Atlanta Hawks guard Shelvin Mack (8) scramble for the loose ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Dec 16, 2013. The Hawks won 114-100. — AP

NBA results/standings Detroit 101, Indiana 96; Atlanta 114, LA Lakers 100; Boston 101, Minnesota 97; Brooklyn 130, Philadelphia 94; Miami 117, Utah 94; Washington 102, NY Knicks 101; Orlando 83, Chicago 82; LA Clippers 115, San Antonio 92.

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

Portland Oklahoma City Denver Minnesota Utah LA Clippers Phoenix Golden State LA Lakers Sacramento San Antonio Houston Dallas New Orleans Memphis

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L 12 14 9 13 9 15 7 17 7 19 Central Division 20 4 12 14 9 14 9 14 5 19 Southeast Division 18 6 13 12 10 13 10 14 8 17 Western Conference Northwest Division 21 4 19 4 14 9 12 13 6 21 Pacific Division 17 9 14 9 13 12 11 13 7 15 Southwest Division 19 5 16 9 14 10 11 11 10 13

PCT .462 .409 .375 .292 .269

GB 1 2 4 5

.833 .462 .391 .391 .208

9 10.5 10.5 15

.750 .520 .435 .417 .320

5.5 7.5 8 10.5

.840 .826 .609 .480 .222

1 6 9 16

.654 .609 .520 .458 .318

1.5 3.5 5 8

.792 .640 .583 .500 .435

3.5 5 7 8.5

Nerves fraying as teams enter home stretch of playoff races NEW YORK: With two weeks left in the National Football League’s (NFL) competitive regular season, many teams are starting to show frayed nerves - particularly in the NFC East. A pair of two-time Super Bowl-winning coaches let off steam following conference defeats on Sunday. Beleaguered Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan walked out of his news conference and New York Giants helmsman Tom Coughlin called his offense “pathetic” and questioned the effort of some of his players.

Frustration on losing teams like the Redskins (3-11), who fell 27-26 to the Atlanta Falcons, and New York Giants (5-9), 23-

0 losers to the NFL-best Seattle Seahawks, is hardly a surprise as the days dwindle down. But the Dallas Cowboys need to regroup in a hurry after their stunning 37-36 home loss to the Green Bay Packers because their playoff future still rests in their own hands despite dropping to 7-7. “This is one of the hardest losses that I’ve experienced,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose team led 26-3 at halftime. “That’s a shame that we’ve lost that ballgame.” Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, who had 11 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, agreed but brought some shame on himself by walking off the field with 1:21 left in the game.—Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

S P ORT S

2013

R e v i e w s

Year to forget for Dubai ruler, Cecil loses battle PARIS: Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed AlMaktoum’s Godolphin Operation had what can only be described as an annus horribilis for despite some big winners their year will be remembered for being implicated in the worst doping scandal to hit the sport. The doping of 22 horses-including the surprising 2012 St Leger winner Encke-may have resulted in an eight year ban for the man held responsible, trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni, but it still did untold damage to the image of his employer.

Sheikh Mohammed-nicknamed the ‘boss’ and who is renowned for being a hands on employer-didn’t help his image much in a public relations catastrophe at the English 2000 Guineas day in May when his Dawn Approach cantered to victory.”I always face certain....challenges. To me it’s normal,” was his remark as to his being present rather than staying away in light of the scandal. However, clearly ill at ease when asked about the British Horseracing Authority’s handling of the affair he turned on his heel with a dismissive “That’s up to them.”

The doping cloud would not leave the side of Sheikh Mohammed through the year as it was revealed later that a shipment of illegal veterinary goods from Dubai had been seized from a Dubai government private jet by British authorities as well as at a stud owned by the Sheikh. Although it transpired the products were not to be used on thoroughbreds it placed Sheikh Mohammed’s junior wife Princess Haya in an unenviable position as the president of the International Federation of Equestrian Sports (FEI) as she was due to lead an enquiry into the seizure of the products and their destination.

However, Sheikh Mohammed-who as a result of the Zarooni scandal banned anabolic steroids from all horse-related sports in Dubai in May-then asked Britain’s former top policeman John Stevens to conduct a full investigation into his whole racing operation and which should report in the New Year. Al Zarooni was not the only trainer to be punished for steroids during the year as England-based Irishman Gerard Butler copped a five year ban after being found guilty of seven charges relating to the use of substances containing the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol.

While Al Zarooni and Butler brought shame

to the ‘Sport of Kings’ racing bid farewell to a legend whose integrity was unimpeachable.

Henry Cecil, from whom Sheikh Mohammed removed his horses in 1995 after a falling out, lost his long battle with cancer on June 11 at the age of 70 just months after his greatest horse Frankel retired after finishing unbeaten in 14 starts to a standing ovation at Ascot.

Such was the esteem that the 10-time British champion trainer was held in that over 1,000 people drawn from all walks of life crowded into Ely Cathedral in September for his memorial service. Cecil’s name, though, did not disappear from the winners enclosure as his widow Jane took over the license with the high point coming when she welcomed home two winners at the flagship Royal Ascot.

Cecil himself always had an eye for the ladies-he was married three times-and he would have been the first to celebrate a stunning year on the track for the fairer sex as they swept four of the most prestigious races on the calendar. Two races that could claim to stop a nation-the Grand National in England and the Melbourne Cup in Australia-went to Sue Smith, wife of former leading showjumper Harvey, and Gai Waterhouse, whose original choice of career of acting saw her appear in an episode of Doctor Who. The Breeders Cup Classic produced a fairytale result as 50-year-old Gary Stevens guided Mucho Macho Man to a hairsbreadth win to make Kathy Ritvo, who only a few years ago had a heart transplant, the first woman to train the winner of the race. There was no such close run thing in Europe’s most prestigious race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as filly Treve cantered home to give trainer Criquette Head her second win in the race and justified Qatari owner Sheikh Joann Al-Thani paying a reported 8million euros for her after she won the French Oaks earlier in the year.

The emergence of the Qataris as a force in racing is another factor to give Sheikh Mohammed pause for thought and their ambitions laid out in late November made it clear he is in their sights. “Our goals and objectives are to be the best racing operation in the world,” said Nasser Sherida Al Kaabi, Sheikh Joaan’s media manager. “We want the best horses, the best trainers and the best people.” — AFP

PARIS: Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates as he wins the 2013 French tennis Open final against Spain’s David Ferrer at the Roland Garros stadium in this file photo. — AFP

Nadal and Serena raise the bar high LONDON: A year in which a British man won Wimbledon, Roger Federer’s star began to fade and doping reared its ugly head was defined by the dominance of two players - Rafa Nadal and Serena Williams. Between them they won half of the grand slam singles titles on offer, triumphed at 21 tournaments in total, collected more than 150 match wins and $25 million in prizemoney.

Not bad considering both have battled back from potentially career-ending injuries. Written off by some when his knee problems returned with a vengeance in June 2012, Nadal launched a comeback in Chile in February that was nothing short of extraordinary. Playing like a man on a mission Nadal won 10 titles, including the French Open and US Open, and reclaimed the world No.1 ranking for the first time in more than two years.

The Mallorcan was expected to dominate again on clay, which he did, culminating in an eighth Roland Garros title when he beat countryman David Ferrer. But he reached new heights on the hard courts that had proved his Achilles heel. After beating arch-rival Novak Djokovic on his way to the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Nadal claimed the Cincinnati crown before taking New York by storm, winning the US Open for the second time with victory over Djokovic. The only blip in a season of 75 match wins and 14 finals from 17 tournaments was at a wildly unpredictable Wimbledon where he lost in round one to Belgium’s Steve Darcis.

WIPEOUT WEDNESDAY Nadal’s defeat came in a first week that included Wipeout Wednesday, when seventimes champion Federer was spanked by 116thranked Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky and a host of top names pulled up lame, some blaming dangerous court conditions. Through the carnage Murray rode like a knight in shining armor to finally deliver the men’s title for successstarved British fans after 77 years of waiting. The Scot, reduced to tears by Federer the previous year after losing in the final, coped with the suffocating weight of expectation to beat Djokovic in straight sets on a sun-kissed Centre Court.

Djokovic did not do much wrong in 2013, beginning the year with a third consecutive Australian Open title and ending it on a 24match winning streak including victory over Nadal in the ATP World Tour Finals. It was the perfect response to Nadal snatching back the

world No 1 ranking in October and keeping it into 2014. “We make each other better players.

We make each other work harder on our games, especially when we play against each other. It’s always a huge challenge,” Djokovic said of a rivalry that looks set to continue into 2014 and beyond.

With Murray having undergone back surgery and a fading Federer down at world No.6 having managed a solitary title, cracks are appearing in the so-called “Big Four” and Juan Martin del Potro and Tomas Berdych will be sensing some grand slam opportunities next year. As for the next generation, Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz, who scared Murray in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Bulgarian Grigor Dmitrov and Canada’s Milos Raonic will hope to make a move.

DIFFERENT PLANET The women’s game is sadly lacking the same edge as Serena Williams appears to be playing tennis from a different planet. Despite being the wrong side of 30 the American finished the year zooming away from her rivals and, providing she stays fit, it is hard to see who can halt her march towards Steffi Graf’s record 22 grand slam titles over the next couple of years. She took 11 titles, won 78 matches and suffered only four defeats, claiming a record $12 million in prize money.

Winning the French Open and US Open took her grand slam singles haul to 17, just one behind fellow Americans Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. The bad news for the chasers such as Belarussian Victoria Azarenka, who took advantage of Serena’s early Australian Open exit to retain her title, China’s Li Na and Russian Maria Sharapova is that Serena still wants to improve. “I have some areas where I can do a lot better for next year and I look forward to it,” said the oldest women’s world No 1.

“There’s definitely a lot of things I can add to my game, a multitude of things. Overall I’ll remember the wins, but I also want to learn from my mistakes so I don’t repeat them.” Williams lost in the Wimbledon fourth round to Sabine Lisicki who went on to reach the final where she froze against unorthodox Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli. Weeks after winning her first grand slam title Bartoli retired from the sport. In team tennis the Czech Republic retained the Davis Cup, beating Serbia in Belgrade while Italy won the women’s Fed Cup.—Reuters

SAO PAULO: View of the Corinthians Arena stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. — AFP

WCup casts long shadow over 2013 LONDON: The World Cup finals are not taking place until the middle of next year but they cast a long and, at times, disturbing shadow over Brazil and the world of soccer in 2013. As countries battled to qualify for the finals, Brazil was convulsed by protests in more than 100 cities about the vast amount of money being spent to stage the tournament. Angry Brazilians targeted the Confederations Cup warmup event in June to gain maximum publicity for their grievances about the paucity of government funds for health, education, public transportation and welfare while billions were being spent on stadiums.

The building of those stadiums has caused no end of problems too, falling behind schedule to cause more headaches for world governing body FIFA and Brazil’s World Cup organizers. An accident which killed two workers in Sao Paulo in November means the stadium being used for the opening match in June will not be ready until April. Fan violence at Brazilian championship matches is another worrying development. The authorities are under no illusions about what could happen off the field next year, but what may happen on it will preoccupy the rest of the world.

Under Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil are emerging as favorites to win the World Cup for the sixth time.

Victory on home soil would go some way to alleviate the pain of what is still regarded as a national tragedy failing to win in 1950, the last time the World Cup was held in Brazil. Scolari has spoken at length about how the crowds at the Confederations Cup inspired players like Neymar, Fred and Paulinho to take the trophy with a scintillating 3-0 victory over world champions Spain in the final at Rio’s Maracana.

Spain will be back to defend the title they won in South Africa in 2010 and attempt to become the first European side to win a World Cup in Latin America.

Vicente del Bosque’s side qualified comfortably, coming through their preliminary matches unbeaten, and remained top of FIFA’s world rankings throughout the year. But Spain face tough competition from Brazil and the improving South American sides of Argentina and Chile, and also from much closer to home.

EMERGING GERMANS This year’s outstanding European side were Germany who ended the international year on a high while Bayern Munich regained the European club title.

Joachim Loew’s youthful squad cruised through their World Cup qualifying campaign, winning nine and drawing one of their 10 matches to raise expectations they can become world champions for the first time since 1990.

Ranked second to Spain in FIFA’s world list, Germany’s inventive midfield boast attacking talents like Mesut Ozil, Mario Goetze and Thomas Mueller and are able to take the pressure off a sometimes less than impressive backline. They ended the year with a 1-0 win over England at Wembley, the same venue at which Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in an allGerman Champions League final full of drama and attacking football. The game had a twist in the tail as Arjen Robben, who missed a penalty when Bayern lost to Chelsea in the 2012 final, scored his club’s late winner.

Bayern, who also claimed the German title and cup, and Dortmund had emphatically proved Germany’s club superiority over Spain in the semis.

Bayern thrashed Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate while Dortmund beat Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg to go through 4-3 on aggregate. Whether these results reflect a switch in the balance of European power from Spain to Germany will be seen next year.

FERGUSON RETIRES There was a shift in power at another of Europe’s great fortresses when Alex Ferguson retired after almost 27 years as Manchester United’s manager. In a career unlikely to be matched for the foreseeable future, Ferguson, who first came to prominence at Aberdeen in the early 1980s, won 49 trophies as a manager, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League successes.

Ferguson’s departure, after United were crowned champions, left former Everton manager David Moyes in charge and his first few months proved problematic as the Old Trafford club struggled to keep in touch with the Premier League leaders. Another exit from

the English game could herald the start of a new era at least that is what Real Madrid are hoping. In August they paid a world record fee of 86 million euros ($117 million) for Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale who joined the previous most-expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo, at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real had lost out to Barcelona in the La Liga title race and parted company with their manager, Jose Mourinho, as a result. Lionel Messi of Argentina and Barcelona, who won the World Player of the Year award for the fourth time, and Portugal’s Ronaldo continued their battle to be regarded as the greatest of their generation, but another man surpassed their achievements. In September Ronaldinho helped Atletico Mineiro to the South American championship meaning he completed the golden trio of winning the World Cup (Brazil 2002), the Champions League (Barcelona 2006) and the Libertadores Cup. Another player, or now ex-player, involved in many

a big money move was David Beckham, who called time on his career at the end of the 2012-13 season at title-winning Paris St Germain. Beckham is now looking at buying a franchise in the United States, where a once-great club was reborn this year. New York Cosmos, the trailblazers of the old North American Soccer League (NASL) with Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto in the 1970s, returned to action after an absence of almost three decades and won the title in their first season.

Two tiny soccer-playing nations were happy for a brief appearance on the world stage. In January, Cape Verde Islands reached the African Cup of Nations for the first time and fought through to the quarter-finals before losing to Ghana. Tahiti, the Oceania champions, qualified for the Confederations Cup and came up against Spain who beat them 10-0 at the Maracana in one of the more unlikely competitive internationals of recent times. — Reuters

NEW DELHI: Red Bull driver Sebatian Vettel of Germany celebrates winning the Formula One Indian Grand Prix 2013 at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida in this file photo. — AFP

Vettel hit F1 for four LONDON: Sebastian Vettel was on such a record roll in 2013 that by the time Formula One rocks up for next year’s season-opener in Australia it will be almost eight months since anyone else won a grand prix. Even allowing for an August shutdown and three month winter break, that single statistic highlights just how demoralizing a year it has been for all those trying to beat Red Bull’s quadruple world champion.

The cheeky-faced 26-year-old, soon to be a father, could have clinched his employers fourth successive constructors’ championship on his own given that he amassed more points (397) than any other team over the 19 races. The finger-pointing German chalked up nine wins in a row, the first time any driver has done that in a single campaign since the championship started in 1950, and 13 in total to equal compatriot Michael Schumacher’s 2004 record with Ferrari.

The youngest quadruple champion also became the first to win his first four titles successively. Rallying shrugged off nine years of Sebastien Loeb domination to crown another French Sebastien, Ogier, in a debut season for Volkswagen while MotoGP hailed the top category’s youngest ever champion in Honda’s 20-yearold Spanish sensation Marc Marquez. But in Formula One and NASCAR, where Jimmie Johnson celebrated his sixth Sprint Cup championship in eight years, it was more of the same.

Some early rising television viewers may have opted to go back under the bedcovers, or take the dog for a walk, rather than watching Vettel win yet again but others were happy to give credit where it was due and recognize a special talent. On the evidence of this year, Vettel can look forward to new milestones - and more of the tyre-smoking victory ‘donuts’ - in 2014 as his career increasingly draws comparison with the best of the best.

Victory in Australia would make him the first driver to win 10 races in a row and take his career tally to 40 wins - just one short of the number amassed by the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna.

Another title, in a year that will see Russia make its

debut and Austria return after India and South Korea bowed out, would equal Schumacher’s record of five in a row. The good news for rival teams and fans yearning for change at the top is that past performance, as any fund manager will attest, does not guarantee future success and 2014 could be very different to 2013. “You never know what’s going to happen, next year is an unknown,” Vettel said in November. “I’m sure we will fight a lot to maintain our position but there’s no guarantee that next year will be like this year.”

END OF ERA This year marked the end of an era, on the technical side at least, and the start of a new journey into an uncertain future. The trusty V8 engine has been pensioned off, screaming into retirement, to be replaced by something potentially far less reliable - and much more expensive - in the form of a turbocharged V6 unit with energy recovery systems. Ferrari, beaten to the runners-up slot

by Mercedes, have waved Brazilian Felipe Massa off to Williams and welcomed back their 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen - who complained of not being paid by Lotus - as Fernando Alonso’s team mate in a line-up of champions. Whether the biggest rule change in a generation can also transform the pecking order remains to be seen, with Vettel still very much a favorite, but there is a realistic chance that it will. Nobody knows which of the three manufacturers will produce the best engine and, in a bid to keep interest in the championship going for longer, the governing FIA has decided controversially to award double points for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi. The fans, some of whom took to booing Vettel on his increasingly routine trips to the top of the podium, were scathing about ‘Abu Double’ and what they saw as a needless gimmick - with the champion very much in agreement. They were not too happy after this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang either when Vettel ignored team orders (the famous ‘Multi 21, Seb’) and passed Australian team mate Mark Webber for the win.—Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

S P ORT S

FIFPro demands radical overhaul of transfer system LONDON: World players’ union FIFPro has demanded a radical overhaul of soccer’s transfer system and is ready to take legal measures to get its way. “The transfer system fails 99 percent of players around the world, it fails football as an industry and it fails the world’s most beloved game,” FIFPro president Phillipe Piat said in a statement yesterday.

“Football’s governing bodies, clubs and leagues claim the transfer system is necessary to ensure competitive balance, whereby in fact it creates a spiral of economic and sporting imbalance which only benefits the richest one percent of clubs and player agents.

“Football players are workers and only when they are able to enjoy the rights enshrined in law and enjoyed by all other workers will FIFPro be satisfied,” added the Frenchman. “FIFPro will not stand by and watch from

the sidelines as players’ rights around the world are systemically disrespected and the football industry dismantles itself.”

The union said it would take its recommendations and complaints to the European Commission, the European Court of Justice and human rights courts if necessary. FIFPro complained that transfer regulations impeded the freedom to move clubs for footballers. “Exorbitant compensation for breaches of contract is imposed on players, unimaginable in any other industry,” said the union before adding that footballers also faced the threat of sporting sanctions.

SELF-DESTRUCTION CLAIM Bobby Barnes, the head of FIFPro’s Europe d i v i s i o n , s a i d : “ D e s p i te e n j oy i n g re co rd

amounts of revenue, football’s regulatory and economic system fails miserably on numerous f ro n t s a n d d r i ve s t h e p ro fe s s i o n a l g a m e towards self-destruction. “Thousands of players worldwide are not paid on time, or not at all, while 28 percent of the global transfer market (an estimated $750 million annually) is paid to agents and lost to the game. Something is not right with this picture.

“Unpaid players are vulnerable targets of crime syndicates who instigate match-fixing and threaten the very existence of credible football competitions,” said Barnes. “The current industrial model of football in general fails to ensure a professional management and compliance culture that is capable of safeguarding

our game against internal and external abuse.

“In contrast, in the absence of competitive balance, it encourages speculative, unsustainable, immoral and illegal investment models like third party ownership of players,” added Barnes. General secretary Theo van Seggelen said FIFPro would not break off its relationship w i t h wo r l d s o cce r ’s r u l i n g b o d y F I FA a n d European soccer ’s governing organization UEFA. “We will remain at that table,” he said.

“We are firmly committed to dialogue provided that all stakeholders possess an honest will to critically question the status quo and a will to implement fundamental changes now. “But FIFPro will not be limited in its means to bring about change.”— Reuters

Stenson named European Tour’s Golfer of the Year LONDON: Sweden’s Henrik Stenson crowned a remarkable season yesterday when he was named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for 2013. The 37-year-old, the first man from his country to win the award, made history this year by winning both the FedEx Cup and The Race to Dubai-the order of merit competitions in the United States and Europe. “It’s a big honor to be voted the European Tour Golfer of the Year,” Stenson said. “It just reflects the stellar year I have had. You can call it a dream season, year of my life, whatever you want. It has been an unbelievable year and I am delighted to win this award, especially as I am the first Swede to do so.”

Stenson won his first European tour title in 2001, but he had to go through two career slumps-the latter of which, in 2011, left him ranked 230th in the world-before bouncing back in style. His other stand-out performances in 2013 included a share of third place at the Scottish Open, followed by runners-up finishes at The Open and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational and third place in the US PGA Championship in the space of just five weeks.

He then won the second FedEx Cup play-off event, the Deutsche Bank Championship, before triumphing in the Tour Championship in Atlanta to seal the overall title and a $10 million (7.3 million euros) bonus. Though plagued by a wrist injury, he played in all four tournaments in the European Tour’s inaugural Final Series, surging to a sixshot victory in Dubai with a tournament-record score of 25 under par. “I’m not sure how I top it, to be honest,” added Stenson, who is the current world number three. “I am not sure many people will get the chance to do what I did this year, but I just need to keep working hard and pushing forward.

“The majors are the biggest goal for me now and if I can continue to play at the level I have been then I feel I can have a pretty good shot at them.” European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said: “There is absolutely no doubt that Henrik Stenson is a fully deserving winner of the Race to Dubai European Tour golfer of the year award.

“Henrik’s unprecedented success was the result of the most tremendous consistency and hard work, and to finish it all off in such style at the DP World Tour Championship to secure The Race to Dubai was quite remarkable.”

EMIRATES’ SPONSORSHIP In another development, Golf ’s European Tour received a financial boost yesterday when Emirates signed up as its airline partner and agreed to double the number of tournaments in which it invests. In a four-year deal, the Dubai-based airline said it would support a further 10 events, in addition to the nine it was already involved with. Financial terms were not disclosed. “Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world, and as a global sponsorship platform it has been immensely successful for us,” Nigel Hopkins, an executive vice-president with the airline, said in a statement.

Emirates is heavily involved in sponsorship of a number of sports, having naming rights to the Arsenal soccer stadium in north London. It is also a backer of Formula One motor racing. — Agencies

CHELYABINSK: Torch bearer Evgeny Zemskov rides on a camel during the Olympic torch relay in Chelyabinsk, Russia yesterday. — AP

Sochi’s Olympics critics get terrorist treatment SOCHI: They are fearless, stubborn and increasingly under siege.

Environmentalists, activists and journalists in Sochi have spent years exposing the dark side of Vladimir Putin’s showcase Winter Games - and now they’re paying the price. In recent months, these campaigners have been detained, put on trial and even barred from going to the beach. With the Olympics less than two months away, authorities are stepping up the pressure as these men and women refuse to back down in their fight to shed light on what they insist has been the destruction of the environment and a way of life.

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch called local authorities directly responsible for the campaign of harassment against activists in the Krasnodar region, which includes Sochi. Rights groups have lamented Russia’s human rights record for years, but critics say the tactics in Sochi are extreme even by this country’s notoriously overbearing standards. “Authorities in the Krasnodar region are harassing the environmentalists and activists who dare to speak critically of them in the context of the preparations for the Olympics in Sochi,” said Yulia Gorbunova, a researcher for Human Rights Watch. As the games approach, she said, “the pressure is increasing.”

Anna Minkova, a spokeswoman for the Krasnodar government, said that authorities were “not aware of the instances of the harassment of civil activists” that the AP brought forward.

She added that the activities of law enforcement agencies are not under the regional administration’s authority. Local law enforcement agencies declined repeated requests from AP to comment both on the overall alleged clampdown and specific claims of harassment. Here are some of the local activists and journalists at the front lines of a struggle to reveal corruption and environmental damage in the run-up to Russia’s $51 billion Winter Olympics:

Henrik Stenson

Sky rider Tiernan-Locke faces action for doping PARIS: Team Sky rider Jonathan Tiernan-Locke faces disciplinary action after an analysis of his biological passport showed “anti-doping rule violation”, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said yesterday. “The analysis of the biological passport of Mr Jonathan Tiernan-Locke by the Experts Panel has demonstrated an anti-doping rule violation (use of prohibited substances and/or methods),” the UCI said in a statement.

“Consequently and in compliance with the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI has requested his National Federation to initiate disciplinary proceedings.” If found guilty, Briton Tiernan-Locke, who denies any wrongdoing, could face a two-year ban. “Mr Tiernan Locke vehemently denies the charges brought against him and has informed the UCI that he fully intends to contest them,” a statement from the rider’s representatives read.

Once hailed as a brilliant British prospect, the 2012 Tour of Britain winner was withdrawn from racing in September after being questioned by the UCI over a discrepancy in his blood data. Tiernan-Locke then pulled out of the world championships’ road race in Florence, Italy. He has not raced since then.

The 29-year-old rider broke into the limelight in 2012, winning the Tour Mediterraneen, the Tour du Haut Var and the Tour of Britain while riding for the British Endura Racing team.Team Sky reacted to the news by suspending the rider. “We have been informed that he intends to defend himself against that charge,” it said in a statement. “Jonathan Tiernan-Locke will not ride for Team Sky or take part in any team activities - including training camps and all team duties - until a decision is made in this disciplinary hearing process. “We understand that the violation was highlighted by an anomaly in his Biological Passport, in a reading taken before he signed for this team,” it added. — Reuters

SVETLANA KRAVCHENKO When Kravchenko visited the water company to demand answers about a supply cut in Sochi, she suddenly found herself surrounded by security guards. The veteran reporter pushed her way out of the office and into the street, as the guards clutched at her clothes and tore off a sleeve. The next day, Kravchenko was charged with beating up one of the guards who had towered over her. A medical examination documented a 0.3 millimeter (microscopic) scratch on his ear. Six months later Kravchenko was found guilty and fined 10,000 rubles ($300).

Over the years, Kravchenko has documented environmental travesties in Sochi and the heavy-handed tactics of local officials as a reporter for the Caucasian Knot, a major Russian web publication that covers the region. She’s been insulted and threatened before. But nothing prepared her for the shock of being put on trial for purportedly beating up a security guard.

Kravchenko said the water supply episode was merely a pretext for authorities to “take revenge against a difficult journalist.” The water company and Sochi judicial authorities did not return requests for comment. “Any sane person would ask: How can you beat up a person using your hands and feet ... and he would only get a scratch inside his ear?” Kravchenko said. “It’s a blatant lie.”

to construction works on the beach. Olympstroi told the AP that it sued Kalinovskaya because it had information that she and other activists were “hampering construction.”

Judge Alexander Yakimenko said in the ruling that “the presence of the defendants” on the beach and “their actions to prevent construction machinery from operating are presenting a threat to the schedule of Olympic venues construction.”

Kalinovskay dismisses that. “We never tried to stop the construction of Olympic venues,” Kalinovskay said. “We were only trying to stop the destruction of the beach. How come Putin isn’t ashamed of destroying the pristine beach here, in this unique place?”

SUREN GAZARYAN For Gazaryan, a zoologist, it all started with a fence. Gazaryan had been mobilizing his fellow activists to call attention to what he said was the property of Gov Alexander Tkachev - popularly known by his nickname “Sanya” - situated in a national forest where construction is forbidden. Last year, he was found guilty of “deliberate destruction of property” and handed a three-year suspended prison sentence. The crime: spray-painting “Sanya is a thief” on the fence. Gazaryan said it didn’t matter that it was not him but his friends who had spray-painted the words.

Prosecutors went after him and his comrade-in-arms Yevgeny Vitishko, another fierce critic of the games’ environmental record. “They had to punish us,” Gazaryan said.

After another outing to inspect what was rumored to be a secret mansion belonging to Putin, Gazazyan, already on probation, found himself facing charges of making death threats against a security guard. Two other guards were listed as witnesses. “There were those three bulky guys with truncheons,” said Gazaryan, “and now they were saying I was threatening him.” Gazaryan feared that his suspended sentence would be converted into real prison time, and fled. He was granted political asylum in Estonia this year. His friend Vitishko still lives in the Sochi area. His probation officer recently petitioned the court to replace his suspended sentence with a prison term. The hearing is on Dec. 19.

ANDREI RUDOMAKHA Rudomakha leads the Environmental Watch on the North Caucasus, the key force behind exposing illegal landfills, the destruction of landscapes and endangered trees, and the contamination of the key waterway in Sochi. Rudomakha has repeatedly landed in trouble with authorities: He has been detained at protest rallies, vilified in state-controlled media, and his office has been raided by the Federal Security Service. Now he is being investigated on suspicion of slandering a judge he claims of convicting an activist over an unsanctioned protest on officials’ orders. “Authorities are sending a message,” Rudomakha said: “Don’t go too far, or things will get worse.”

NATALYA KALINOVSKAYA Kalinovskaya became an activist when she realized that Olympic construction was going to go ahead without any discussion with residents. “Nobody showed us the bid book, we had no idea what was going to happen to us,” she said. “The first projects we saw were brought by foreign media because there was no other place to find out about it. We saw that our cemetery, which is now surrounded by the Olympic venues, was not on the map. I’m sorry but my grandfather lies there, and it’s a lie to say that this area is just an open field.”

Kalinovskaya and her neighbors have written dozens of petitions and organized rallies to protest what they say was illegal construction on their local beach. The activist, who already has a degree in economics, is now getting one in environment studies. She has been repeatedly detained at protest rallies. In February, a local court upheld a complaint against Kalinovskaya by state contractor Olympstroi - and barred her as an “obstacle”

DMITRY SHEVCHENKO Rudomakha’s deputy Shevchenko, who has extensively reported on the environmental disaster in Sochi, was held at the airport in the regional capital of Krasnodar for four hours last month after he flew in from a business trip. First, the environmentalist was searched by Federal Security Services officials.

Then he was taken to a police station where officers would not let him go or explain why they had to hold him.

Policemen told Shevchenko that he was stopped because he fit the description of a terrorist on a wanted list. He was also told that his detention was part of security drills that Russian special services were conducting in the region. He was released from the police station four hours later without any explanation. “As I see it, they are holding drills to subdue troublesome people ahead of the games,” Shevchenko said. “They know perfectly well what can damage the games’ image: These are political activists, journalists, bloggers and environmentalists.”— AP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

S P ORT S

Leicester undaunted by Man City Cup clash MANCHESTER: Manchester City have beaten European champions Bayern Munich and Premier League leaders Arsenal in the last week but they hold no fear for second tier side Leicester ahead of their League Cup quarter-final. Leicester host City at their King Power Stadium yesterday hoping to take advantage of the big-spending Manchester club’s decision to make several changes for the last eight cup clash.

“I thoroughly believe we can beat them. We’re definitely not going into the game thinking that

we’re not going to get anything from it,” Leicester defender Liam Moore was quoted as saying by British media yesterday. “We’ve got to see it as another game. It’s a great fixture for the fans and a great fixture.” Leicester, who won the last of their three League Cups in 2000, are third in the Championship ahead of a top-of-the-table encounter at leaders Queens Park Rangers on Saturday as they push for a return to the top flight after dropping down in 2004.

The Midlands club knocked out Premier

League side Fulham 4-3 in the fourth round but Moore understood the magnitude of the task facing them in the 2011/2012 Premier League champions. “We’ll give them everything we’ve got,” the 20-year-old Moore said. “If they bring their ‘A’ game and we do and they manage to win, then we’ll hold our hands up. If I play, then I’ll be giving nothing less than 100 percent.”

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini will be without Argentine forward Sergio Aguero, who is out for a month with a calf injury, as well

as defenders Micah Richards and Matija Nastasic for the match. The Chilean suggested he would make five or six changes from the side that dismantled Arsenal 6-3 on Saturday with Montenegrin forward Stevan Jovetic pushing for a start after recovering from injury. Pellegrini, though, wants no let up in performance after two big victories. “I think it is an important cup,” the Chilean said. “We hope we can continue with this cup and always a final in Wembley is important.”— Reuters

Christmas results could spark epl title bid: Suarez LONDON: Liverpool striker Luis Suarez believes his side can mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title if they enjoy a successful Christmas campaign. Suarez was presented with the 2013 Player of the Year award at the Football Supporters’ Federation Awards at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on Monday, but the Uruguayan has more significant silverware in his sights.

Suarez missed the first six matches of the season due to the ban he received in April for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

But he has hit 17 league goals since returning to action, with a brace coming in Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of Tottenham at White Hart Lane. At the start of the season, Brendan Rodgers’ side would have been happy enough to challenge for a top-four finish, but their expectations are starting to rise.

The second placed Reds, currently two points behind leaders Arsenal, face Cardiff, Manchester City and Chelsea before the turn of the year, and Suarez said: “If we continue this level the next two or three weeks we can win the league or we can finish in the top four. “It’s important we concentrate and focus on the next game. “We know that after Cardiff we have two very, very big games. “That will be important to what comes next.”

Suarez paid tribute to Liverpool’s supporters for their faith after his biting ban, admitting he would not have had a future at the club without such backing. Citing his return to Liverpool action as his 2013 highlight, he said: “Coming back to play at Anfield: because after so many difficult moments for me I was able to win the supporters back, and that was unbelievable when I came back to play. “They helped me, and that was

impor tant for me, for my confidence, and for my family, because they are together with me in this.

“It’s very special for me (the award) because my hard work on the pitch is recognized. “Everybody knows about my problems and my difficult year, but after that I forgot everything and have been able to get back on the pitch. “Liverpool are starting to reach their potential and we can play our best on the pitch. “It’s very important that we stay together, we keep going, this is very important. “If Liverpool don’t have these players I cannot continue my level, because it’s too much.” In the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, Suarez was proud to captain Liverpool for the first time on Sunday.

But he challenged his Liverpool team-mates to continue to prove they can thrive without England midfielder Gerrard. “I was a little surprised by that (the captaincy call), but I think we have only one captain here, Steven Gerrard,” Suarez said. “If we stay together, we are together, we are the captain, the team is the captain, that’s important. “It’s far more important than me being captain that we win 5-0 against Tottenham, this is very important.”

Suarez has had a troubled career marred by the Ivanovic biting incident and a ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra. But he said childhood troubles growing up in Uruguay have helped him swat aside the many and varied controversies that have plagued his career. “When I was a child I had too many problems, but I could try my best on the pitch,” he added. “Once I was playing football I could try my best, because I just love to play football, I play with my heart.”— AFP

Extras Valladolid limp out of relegation zone VALLADOLID: Javi Guerra scored three second-half goals in heavy fog at Jose Zorilla Stadium on Monday to help Valladolid earn a much-needed 3-0 win over 10-man Celta Vigo.

Valladolid’s second home victory of the season and first since August lifted it out of the Spanish league’s relegation zone and put it level on points with Celta. Valladolid goalkeeper Diego Marino made a superb diving save to tap Charles’s header over the bar in the 33rd minute.

And Marino then got the Celta striker sent off in the 56th when he craftily kicked the ball into Charles to draw a second yellow card for obstruction. Four minutes later Guerra volleyed in a pass from Patrick Ebert. He gently lofted a header over the reach of goalie Yoel Rodriguez in the 67th before sidefooting home his third in the 86th. The Valladolid striker has 10 goals in 16 rounds, tying him with Real Sociedad forward Antoine Griezmann as the third-leading scorer in the league behind Diego Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo with 17 goals each.

“I’m having some luck with my goals and enjoying a good run,” said Guerra. “We were playing for a lot tonight. We needed these three points to get some confidence back. We are a humble team and now we can breathe easier.” Valladolid’s win meant Almeria slid down into the drop zone along with Rayo Vallecano and bottom side Real Betis. Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lead the league with Real Madrid trailing five points behind.- AP Pilsen name new coach PRAGUE: Czech champions Viktoria Pilsen named Dusan Uhrin Jr. as their new coach yesterday, following the departure of Pavel Vrba, who has taken over the Czech national team.

Uhrin, 46, who left Georgian champions Dinamo Tbilisi two weeks ago, will sign a two-and-a-half-year contract at Viktoria, who were eliminated from the Champions League after finishing third behind Bayern Munich and Manchester City in Group D. “I didn’t have to think long about the offer. It’s the most successful Czech team of recent years,” Uhrin said. His predecessor Vrba won two league titles and twice took the team to the group stage of the Champions League. Uhrin has been in charge of several Czech top-flight sides and has also worked in Romania and Cyprus. He is the son of Dusan Uhrin, the coach of the Czech Republic team containing Pavel Nedved, Karel Poborsky and Vladimir Smicer that reached the final of Euro ‘96 in England. He will lead the side into their Europa League last-32 tie with Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in February.

Bale out of Madrid clash MADRID: Gareth Bale will miss the second leg of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey fourth-round tie against third-tier Olimpic Xativa today due to a calf injury. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said the Welshman had picked up the knock in training yesterday, but was hopeful he would be fit for Sunday’s trip to Valencia in La Liga. “He had a little problem with a knock on his calf and we’ll need to see how he recovers over the nest few hours, but I

don’t think he will have any problems in playing on Sunday,” said the Italian.Madrid will also be without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo and Los Blancos still have work to do to seal their place in the last 16 after being held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

Ancelotti’s men also suffered a blow to their La Liga title hopes with a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna on Saturday that saw them fall five points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. And the former Chelsea boss wants his side to recreate their fine start to the match in Pamplona at the weekend. “We need to continue in this competition, it is important for us. “We need to play well and with intensity. We didn’t play badly at Osasuna, although the result wasn’t great. The first 20 minutes were the best we have played this season.”

Fan cleared after hug MIAMI: A prosecutor on Monday dropped charges against a 20-year-old college student who jumped out of the stands, ran onto the field and hugged Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo during an exhibition match in Miami in August. The Portugal striker personally intervened in the case of Ronald Gjoka, a Canadian who faced charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing after the incident in the second half of the International Champions Cup match between Real and Chelsea.

After learning of Gjoka’s legal predicament, Ronaldo wrote a letter to the prosecutor in the case appealing for the charges to be dropped. “We are happy to announce the prosecutor today dropped the charges against our client in open court,” Richard Hujber, a lawyer for Gjoka, said on Monday. “In particular, we thank Cristiano Ronaldo for all his assistance and consideration in this important matter involving a young college student with an extremely bright future.” Gjoka, who attends Palm Beach State Community College, said he hoped to have a chance one day thank the star personally. “My dream now is just to see him again to say thanks,” he said.

Oldham sack winger LONDON: English third tier side Oldham Athletic have sacked winger Cristian Montano following a spot-fixing investigation by British authorities. The National Crime Agency arrested six men this month, including Blackburn Rovers striker DJ Campbell, and released them on bail until April.

“Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the ongoing criminal investigation, it is our view that the player’s conduct, in not only bringing the name of Oldham Athletic but also the Football authorities into disrepute, amounts to very serious breaches of club discipline, and therefore constitutes gross misconduct,” Oldham said in a statement on Monday. “Oldham Athletic take matters such as this extremely seriously and believe it was essential to act as swiftly as possible in conjunction with our legal advisers to investigate and deal with this matter decisively once they became aware of the allegations and irrespective of any other investigations and proceedings by other agencies.”

British media reported the investigation was centered on lower league matches.

LONDON: Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s French defender Etienne Capoue during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London, England, on December 15, 2013. — AFP

Fluminense rescued from the drop zone SAO PAULO: Fluminense were saved from the ignominy of relegation on Monday after Brazil’s Superior Court of Sporting Justice ruled rivals Portuguesa be docked four points for fielding an ineligible player. The unanimous decision means Portuguesa will drop into Serie B next year even though they ended the season two points and five places ahead of Fluminense, who had been the first team to be relegated a year after winning the league title. Portuguesa, a small club from Sao Paulo, made the mistake in the final match of the season a week last Sunday. “We’re very sad, but we expected it,” full back Brayan told reporters. “We can appeal and see what we can do. But this was no surprise. We have to accept it, no matter what division we’re in we’ll sweat to do our best.”

They were punished for introducing Heverton in the 77th minute of a scoreless draw against Gremio.

The midfielder had not sat out the second game of his two-game suspension. Portuguesa said during Monday’s hearing that their lawyer had not informed them of the outstanding suspension and said it would

be overly harsh to relegate them for fielding a player who played 13 minutes and did not affect the outcome of the game.

But judges said ignorance was no defense. “It’s no excuse for them to say they didn’t know,” said judge Paulo Valed Perry. “There was a clear mistake by Portuguesa.” It was not the first time Fluminense, traditionally the club of Rio de Janeiro’s white elites, have been saved from the second division by controversial off-the-field decisions. In 1999, the team won Serie C and were scheduled to play in Serie B a year later.

However, an unanticipated reform of the league system saw them lifted straight into the first division.

In a later decision on Monday, the court also docked four points from Flamengo. The Rio club played former Arsenal full back Andre Santos against Cruzeiro when he should have sat out a match for suspension. Flamengo argued the suspension was picked up in a Cup tie and that the punishment should not apply to a league game. The decision means that Flamengo end the season in 16th place, just one point above the revised relegation zone.— Reuters

Man United’s Fletcher reveals agony of illness

BIRMINGHAM: Manchester United’s Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher (right) gestures to the crowd at the end of the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park in Birmingham on December 15, 2013. — AFP

LONDON: Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed he did not know whether he would be able to live normally again as he battled with a debilitating medical condition. Fletcher fought to recover from ulcerative colitis, an extreme condition affecting the colon, for several years before making his latest comeback in United’s 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Scotland international had already taken two breaks from the game in the hope of finding a way of managing the condition without success. And as he prepared for a third operation he was more concerned with how he would cope with the rest of his life rather than his struggle to return to action at Old Trafford. “I couldn’t leave the house,” he said. “Simple stuff, like taking my kids to the park, going for a meal

with my wife.

“The nature of the illness meant I just couldn’t do it. There was the exhaustion side as well. “I always believed one of the medications would work. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. “Ultimately that was the reason I went for the operation.”

Although Fletcher’s surgeon was confident surgery would prove successful, the consequences of failure were laid bare. For a 29year-old, supposedly in the prime of a career that had already brought him four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a couple of League Cups, it was a bleak prospect.

“There was a day in May when we said ‘this is it’. Once I came out of that operation I would know whether it had worked or not,” he said. “There were no guarantees. If the operation was not a success there was no

way I would be able to play football and my everyday life would have been very difficult.

“It was very emotional. There was a lot of fear and anxiety. I put all my trust in the surgeon. “I didn’t want to give it up. I worked hard to be a professional footballer. I always have. I always kept that determination.

“I was doing this operation, not just to have a quality of life but also to get back playing football.” Fletcher achieved his aim at Villa Park on Sunday, being introduced as a second-half substitute as David Moyes’ team cruised to victory in the Premier League fixture. “I am back to normal. I do not have ulcerative colitis. I am back playing football in the Premier League,” he said. “I don’t want to take it easy. I’ve done enough of that. I am just like anyone else.”— AFP

Australia complete England demolition to regain Ashes

15

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Myanmar women boxers land blows for equality

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Valladolid limp out of relegation zone

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DETROIT: Detroit Lions tight end Joseph Fauria (left) defended by Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit on Monday, Dec 16, 2013. — AP

Ravens overpower Lions; Tucker shines DETROIT: Justin Tucker’s powerful leg kicked the Super Bowl champions into playoff gear. Tucker made six field goals, including a franchise-record 61-yarder with 38 seconds left that lifted the Baltimore Ravens to an 18-16 win over the Detroit Lions in a Monday night matchup with major postseason implications. Ravens coach John Harbaugh chose to let Tucker try the longest kick of his career - by 5 yards instead of going for it on fourth-and-8 from the Detroit 43.

“If they send me out there, they have reason to,” Tucker said. “It’s because they think I can make the kick.” Rookie safety Matt Elam sealed the victory with an interception Matthew Stafford’s third of the night - after raising eyebrows during the week by calling 28-year-old Calvin Johnson “pretty old” and saying the plan was to make the star receiver uncomfortable by getting physical with him. Stafford threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Fauria with 2:21 left, putting Detroit up 16-15. But the Lions were unable to make a 2point conversion and couldn’t prevent Baltimore (8-6) from setting up its sensational kicker for his 33rd successful field goal in a row.

Tucker’s kick went just inside the right upright and barely had enough distance - eight days after Denver’s Matt Prater broke the NFL record with a 64-yard field goal. “I definitely felt like I got a lot of leg into it, but it jumped up so high I thought I might have gotten under it,” Tucker said. Tucker,

who hasn’t missed a field goal attempt since he was 0 for 2 in Week 2 at Cleveland, has the NFL’s longest streak since Matt Stover made 36 in a row for the Ravens from 2005-06, according to STATS. “What can you say about Justin Tucker?” Harbaugh said.

“When we got the ball there, I think at the 45-yard line, I said, ‘Hey, are we kicking this?’ ... He said, ‘I got it.’” He sure did.

Moments after his clutch kick, Tucker mentioned in a television interview that his big night also benefited his fantasy football team. More importantly, his real club won its fourth straight game and maintained control of an AFC wild card as the Ravens seek their sixth consecutive postseason berth and a chance to defend their Super Bowl title.

Detroit (7-7) has hurt its playoff chances by losing four of five, falling out of sole possession of first place in the NFC North to third behind the division-leading Chicago Bears and Green Bay. “This is a setback, no question,” Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. “We had control and now we need help. We have to get two wins and let the rest shake out.” Stafford’s three interceptions followed a troubling trend for the franchise. He has 12 turnovers, including two fumbles, in his last five games. Not coincidently, the Lions have been able to overcome those miscues well enough to win only one game during the slump.

Joe Flacco, meanwhile, didn’t turn the ball over and made

enough subtle moves in and around the pocket to get sacked only once. He has been sacked a career-high 42 times this season, but he stayed upright enough to move the ball into position for Tucker’s big kick. Flacco was 20 of 38 for 222 yards, including a 27-yard pass to Jacoby Jones to convert a third-and-15 from the Baltimore 28 on the game-winning drive. Jones had six receptions for 80 yards, and returned Detroit’s last kick to the Baltimore 33.

Stafford was 18 of 34 for 235 yards with a TD and three interceptions - increasing his five-game total to 10 - for a season-low 48 quarterback rating. “This was certainly not my best game,” he acknowledged.

Johnson had six receptions for 98 yards and dropped two possibly pivotal passes thrown his way in the first half. “We just put every guy on him to try to stop him,” Elam said. “It was no disrespect meant to Calvin. He’s the best in the league, so why would I challenge him? Words just got stirred up.”

The Lions started strong, with Reggie Bush running for a 14-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Detroit, though, got in its own way as it often has this year. Johnson dropped a pass that would’ve converted a third-and-15 deep in Ravens territory. On the ensuing drive, Tucker kicked his first of three field goals in the first half - two of which were set up by penalties against Detroit. Tucker’s next field goal was set

up by a pass-interference call against safety Don Carey.

Johnson couldn’t catch another pass in Baltimore territory thrown at him late in the first half. The Ravens took advantage of that mistake and one by Detroit’s defense on the next drive.

Flacco threw an up-for-grabs pass on third-and-8 from the Lions 44 after avoiding a sack, and the incomplete pass was negated by Louis Delmas’ helmet-to-helmet hit on Marlon Brown with 16 seconds left in the first half. That flag put the Ravens 15 yards closer to Tucker’s field goal that gave Baltimore a 9-7 lead at halftime. Detroit drove to the Ravens 31 on its first possession of the second half, but Stafford threw a pass behind Bush that was picked off by defensive end DeAngelo Tyson. Baltimore went ahead 12-7 on the next drive on Tucker’s 49-yard field goal midway through the third quarter.

The Lions scored on the ensuing drive - on David Akers’ 40-yard kick - for the first time since the opening minutes of the game. The field goal came after Stafford’s pass into the end zone fell incomplete. A replay showed Detroit receiver Kris Durham had his arm held on the play by Lardarius Webb, but there was no penalty flag for pass interference. Tucker’s 53-yard field goal - matching his previous season high - put the Ravens ahead 15-10 with 8:06 left. Detroit responded with its best drive since its first one. — AP

Roma slip 5 points behind Juventus MILAN: Francesco Totti ended his two-month injury absence for Roma but had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw away to Milan, who had Sulley Muntari to thank for a late leveler at the San Siro on Monday. Roma travelled to struggling Milan looking to close the gap on leaders Juventus to three points after the Serie A champions had opened up a six-point gap with an eighth consecutive win on Sunday.

But despite bossing Milan in almost every department, Roma had to settle for their fifth draw in six matches to remain second, five points behind.

“I’m happy with the performance but not the result because we were in front twice,” said Roma coach Rudi Garcia, who steered his side to a Serie A record of 10 opening wins at the start of the season. “When you have so many chances on goal, normally you win. We should have scored a third. But taking a point at Milan is not so bad.” Despite Milan’s domestic struggles, they remain Italy’s sole representative in the Champions League after exits by Juventus and Napoli last week.

And after batting away questions about their last 16 opponents Atletico Madrid, coach Massimiliano Allegri said: “We played well technically in the second half, we were braver and took the game more to Roma even though it left us more exposed to counter attacks.” Roma started brightly and opened the scoring before the quarter hour through Mattia Destro, only to be pegged back by a Cristian Zapata leveller on the half hour. The visitors restored their lead on 51 minutes when Kevin Strootman scored from the penalty spot but Milan were handed a lifeline when Muntari made the best of Mario Balotelli’s pass to beat Morgan De Sanctis on 77 minutes.

Roma’s Ivorian striker Gervinho looked particularly lively in the opening period and forced Christian Abbiati to save down low at his near

post inside 10 minutes. But it was from Strootman’s run down the left that Roma opened their account, Destro sliding in unchallenged to slot the ball home on 13 minutes. It was Milan’s 114th anniversary on Monday, but there was little to celebrate as the hosts struggled for rhythm against a well-oiled Roma side and Gervinho’s lightning runs.

However against the run of play Milan found the breakthrough from a corner, Zapata meeting Muntari’s header with a bouncing header of his own to beat De Sanctis on the half hour. Roma thought they had restored their lead a minute later but Michael Bradley’s effort from a tight angle bounced off the goalline. Destro threatened again just before half time but Milan’s blushes were saved by a timely tackle from Daniele Bonera.

Abbiati failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Gabriel, who after seven minutes failed to stop Strootman’s spot kick after the ‘keeper ran out and fouled Gervinho on the edge of the box.

Totti replaced Destro in the 64th minute and the Roma veteran was immediately involved in the build-up which saw Bradley head just wide from six metres out. Until then, Milan had not looked likely to score an equalizer. But in the 77th minute Muntari made the best of Balotelli’s layoff to the right on the edge of the area to beat De Sanctis down low to the keeper’s left.

The goal revived Milan and after penalty claims were waved away, when Mattia De Sciglio’s cross into the area was chested down by Nicolas Burdisso, De Sanctis did well to punch out Balotelli’s fierce free kick after Montolivo had been upended. Both Balotelli and Gervinho had chances to snatch a win at the death but after turning his marker in the box Balotelli’s tame left-foot shot went wide of the target and Gervinho’s effort went just wide after he had sidestepped Bonera. — AFP

MILAN: AS Roma’s Argentinean defender Nicolas Andres Burdisso (left) fights for the ball with AC Milan’s Brazilian forward Kaka during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan on December 16, 2013. — AFP

Business

Australia deficit blows out, Moody’s warns on growth Page 22

Britain’s Tesco applies to set up shop in India

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

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Mercedes-Benz dominant in luxury and executive class

Carrier, Otis convene sustainability experts

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ATHENS: A lottery ticket vendor holds her stand in front of the University of Athens yesterday. Euro-zone finance ministers approved yesterday an aid payment of one billion euros for twice-bailed out Greece, after Athens made good on promises to reform its economy. — AP

Azerbaijan opens key gas route to Europe Strategic $28bn investment to see gas flow beyond Russia BAKU: The consortium developing a huge Azerbaijani natural gas field signed yesterday a final investment clearing the way for the first deliveries to Europe and opening up a key route beyond Russia. The Shah Deniz II consortium signed off on the final decision worth about $28 billion (20 billion euros) of investment that triggers the start of construction of a key new pipeline route from the Caspian Sea to Europe. Six billion cubic metres of natural gas will go to Turkey and Georgia from 2018 and the rest will go to Europe from around 2019, according to the consortium which includes Britain’s BP and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR. The move is seen as a key step towards European ambitions of reducing energy dependence on Russia. “Today’s agreement will change the energy map of Europe,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said at the signing ceremony in the capital Baku. “Azerbaijani gas can now reach the market that needs it the most.” British Foreign Secretary William Hague praised the agreement and thanked Aliyev for “the vital role that Azerbaijan has played in making this deal a reality.” “The announcement of the Shah Deniz II development is welcome news for Azerbaijan, for the UK and for Europe,” Hague said at the ceremony.

“This adds to Europe’s energy security and competitiveness by opening up a new source of gas for southern Europe,” he said.

‘Major milestone’ European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso hailed the deal as a “strategic door opener” and said it would help boost economies across the continent. “This is a major milestone for the diversification of our energy supplies, to the benefit of European consumers and businesses,” Barroso said in a statement. In June, the Shah Deniz

group-which also includes Norway’s Statoil and France’s Total-opted to build the shorter and cheaper Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) that will link up to southern Italy. They agreed to extend their cooperation until 2048 as part of yesterday’s deal.

“Shah Deniz II and the Southern Corridor pipelines will not only change the energy map, but will give customers in Europe direct access to the gas resources of Azerbaijan for the first time,” said BP chief executive Bob Dudley. That decision appeared to deliver the final nail in the coffin of a long-favored rival project called Nabucco, which would have swung north to Austria to plug into a pipeline network that serves several northern European countries.

In September, the group sealed delivery deals with nine firms across Europe. The project will help reduce Europe’s dependence on gas from Russia-a stated EU target.

EU countries currently import 60 percent of their gas needs, with more than a quarter of that amount supplied

by Russia. Ahead of the signing ceremony rights group Amnesty International called on Britain to use the event to push for guarantees on Azerbaijan’s poor human rights record and make sure the deal is “not limited to gas and profit”.

“Azerbaijan has an appalling human rights record and the country is currently embarked on a particularly aggressive crackdown on freedom of expression,” said Allan Hogarth, head of policy and government affairs at the London-based watchdog. Any sign of dissent usually meets a harsh response in the resource-rich nation. Rights groups have accused the authorities of pressing on with a ruthless campaign against opponents in the wake of Aliyev’s crushing election victory in October. — AFP

Egypt CB tells banks to offer the euro at market rates US budget deal clears key Senate hurdle WASHINGTON: The Senate advanced a bipartisan budget deal yesterday, virtually guaranteeing passage of a bill that sets spending caps for the next two years and reduces prospects of a government shutdown next year.

The bill, which cleared a Senate procedural hurdle with a bipartisan 67-33 vote and has already won House approval, is now expected to pass Congress this week before lawmakers go on their year-end recess. President Barack Obama has indicated he will sign the deal into law, allowing lawmakers to spend their two-week break crafting spending measures, within the overall budget cap of $1.012 trillion for 2014, for specific government departments like defense, state, interior and agriculture.

By all accounts the deal is a modest one. It eliminates $63 billion in blunt automatic spending cuts known in Washington as sequestration, and reduces the deficit by some $22 billion. The accord, struck by Democratic Senate Budget Committee chairwoman Patty Murray and Republican House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan, does not close tax loopholes or include an extension of unemployment benefits, something Democrats have complained bitterly about. — AFP

CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank has told banks to conform to international market rates in official trading of non-US dollar foreign currencies, a move that traders said could discourage banks from selling euros and boost black market trade.

The announcement circulated to banks late on Monday and seen by Reuters forces banks to offer euros at around 9.5 pounds yesterday compared to 9.8 on Monday, two currency traders said.

“Kindly note that banks are requested to strictly conform to pricing the non USD/EGP rates to their customers ... using the prevailing international market rates,” the note said. “The cross rates should not be inflated in such a way that would reflect a higher embedded USD/EGP rate.”

While the move was aimed at ensuring tighter compliance with existing regulations, traders said it risked driving more currency trading into the black market as banks would be discouraged from offering the euro and other foreign currencies because they can no longer offer competitive rates.

The euro was being offered at 10.22 pounds on the black market yesterday, a market source said. “I have no room to negotiate prices with the clients, so in the end, clients will (have to) go to the black market,” one foreign exchange dealer at a bank said. The central bank did not provide an explanation for its move and central bank officials were not immediately available for comment. — Reuters

Egypt rises to 35-month high on stimulus plan MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Egyptian shares rose yesterday, lifting the main index to a 35-month high, after the finance minister announced plans for a second economic stimulus package worth around 30 billion Egyptian pounds ($4.4 billion).

The spending, 25 percent more than previously announced and financed partly with aid from the Gulf, is to begin in January. Finance minister Ahmed Galal said 20 billion pounds would be spent on public investment, while the rest would cover a public sector minimum wage.

Cairo’s benchmark index rose 1.2 percent to 6,720 points, its highest level since January 2011, before president Hosni Mubarak was ousted.

“The market is reacting positively to the second stimulus plan and the confidence that they have the funds for this,” said Islam Batrawy, Cairo-based head of regional equity sales at NBK Capital. Juhanya Food Industries jumped 5.5 percent and Commercial International Bank gained 1.0 percent.

In Saudi Arabia, shares in Saudi Hollandi Bank climbed 4.5 percent to their highest close since Oct. 30 after the lender said it planned to boost its capital by 20 percent next year through a bonus share issue. After rising almost 10 percent in each of the past two days, PetroRabigh showed signs of losing steam, gaining only 5.3 percent. It has been climbing since it said its parent

companies agreed to cut international marketing fees for PetroRabigh’s products by a third over a five-year period.

The overall Saudi market stayed quiet; the main index gained just 0.3 percent to 8,412 points, a five-year high. The market is up 23.7 percent year-to-date, heading for its best year since 2009. Mohammad Omran, president of Riyadh-based private firm Gulf Centre for Financial Consultancy, said the market could target the 8,500-point level by year-end.

“Petrochemicals, telecoms and banking will be the leading sectors in the coming year, but growth in banks will be modest.”

Abu Dhabi banks In Abu Dhabi, banking shares that lagged the recent leg up by Dubai’s bourse played catch-up. The Abu Dhabi index climbed 1.3 percent to its highest level since September 2008; Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank rose 5.6 percent.

“There are a lot of investors looking for bulk buying in the banking sector as a whole on speculation about earnings and dividends,” said Hisham Khairy, head of trading for the institutional desk at MENA Corp.

Companies will announce annual dividends and earnings after mid-January. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS

News

in brief

Dubai’s Arabtec denies Drake & Scull merger DUBAI: Dubai’s Arabtec Holding denied yesterday what it called “recent market and media speculation” that it was looking to buy local contractor Drake & Scull. “Arabtec Holding confirms that there have been no discussions between the management of both companies about a potential deal, and there are no current plans to acquire Drake & Scull either in full or in part,” it said in a bourse filing. Shares in Drake & Scull, which are up 93 percent year-to-date, have been buoyed by the merger speculation as well as by Dubai’s strengthening economy and real estate market, and expectations that the firm may win contracts related to Dubai’s hosting of the 2020 World Expo. In May, Drake & Scull’s chief executive Khaldoun Tabari said he had no plans to sell his stake in the company, though he added that there would be more partnerships on projects with Arabtec.

Waha Capital to back $5.4bn ILFC buy DUBAI: Waha Capital, an Abu Dhabi-based investment firm, said yesterday it would vote in favor of AerCap Holdings’ $5.4 billion acquisition of American International Group Inc’s aircraft leasing unit. AerCap will pay $3 billion plus stock for International Lease Finance Corp, in a deal which would see it take a 46 percent stake in the company and result in the insurer finally securing a sale of the business after four years of trying. “We are supportive of this transaction which we expect to be value enhancing for AerCap’s existing shareholders and indirectly for our own shareholders,” said Salem Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Waha Capital, in an Abu Dhabi bourse filing. Waha Capital is AerCap’s largest shareholder with a 26.3 percent stake. Should the deal complete, Waha’s holding will be reduced to about 14 percent, the statement said.

Bahrain’s GFH names Rayes as permanent CEO DUBAI: Gulf Finance House, the Bahrain-based investment firm which has restructured a number of debt facilities since the financial crisis, has confirmed Hisham Al Rayes as its chief executive officer, it said yesterday. Rayes had been acting CEO since March 2012, the statement to the Dubai bourse said. The sharia-compliant investment house was hit hard by the global financial crisis and it was forced to restructure a number of debt facilities - some more than once - since 2009. Rayes told Reuters in July that a leaner balance sheet and a new strategy in which it engaged more in its investments would help drive the business forward in future. Its current debt pile was less than $235 million, yesterday’s statement added.

Safco to pay 6 riyals/share cash dividend for H2 2013 DUBAI: The board of Saudi Arabia Fertilizers Co (Safco) has recommended the firm pay a cash dividend of 6 riyals ($1.60) per share for the second half of 2013, a bourse filing said yesterday. This is in line with the dividend paid for the corresponding period of 2012. Safco is an the affiliate of one of the world’s biggest petrochemical companies by market value, Saudi Basic Industries Corp.

Morocco keeps key rate unchanged at 3% RABAT: Morocco’s central bank held its benchmark interest rate at 3 percent yesterday, forecasting inflation would be above its average of recent years but would stay in line with its midterm price stability objective in the medium term. ‘Taking into account the expected level of international oil prices and the subsidy expenditures set in the Finance Bill 2014, inflation is projected at 2.1 percent in 2013, 2.5 percent in 2014’, the bank said in a statement. The Moroccan government has begun to index oil prices partly to international levels to reduce its subsidies and meet international lenders’ requirements. The central bank expects the economy to grow 4.5 to 5 percent in 2013 and 3.5 to 4.5 percent in 2014 based on a medium-sized agricultural harvest.

Australia deficit blows out, Moody’s warns on growth Economic transition ‘unlikely to be seamless’ SYDNEY: Australia is facing years of deficit with a Aus$17 billion ($15.2 billion) blowout since September elections as the economy struggles to deal with an unwinding mining investment boom, the treasurer said yesterday.

Joe Hockey said the conservative government had inherited a “simply unsustainable” budget from centre-left Labor and warned that without urgent action Australia would be in the red for a decade, with a deficit of Aus$47 billion this financial year. “More than half the deterioration in the budget position is due to the softer economy,” he said in releasing the new government’s first budget update. “ This reflects a sharper-than-forecast fall in resources investment and a slower recovery in the nonresources sectors.”

Australia is undergoing a bumpy transition from an Asia-led decade of booming mining investment towards other drivers of growth, with key partner China slowing and easing demand driving commodity prices down. The update said the transition was “unlikely to be seamless” over the next four years with “the fall in resources investment expected to be sharper than previously forecast (and) the recovery in the non-resources sector expected to be more gradual”.

“Activity in the non-resources sectors has been subdued, with positive signs in those sectors thus far limited largely to the established housing market, above-average measures of consumer sentiment and improving business sentiment,” the update said.

“From 2014-15, resources investment is expected to start sharply detracting from growth.” The opposition Labor and Greens parties accused Hockey of setting the stage for major spending cuts, with the treasurer warning Australians would have to “adjust their expectations of what government can sustainably provide”. “He’s preparing the ground for deep and brutal cuts come budget time, cuts to come which will affect every Australian,” said Labor finance spokesman Chris Bowen.

The conservatives had vowed during the election campaign to bring the budget back into the black at least as fast as Labor-a deadline of 2016-17 but this will not happen with deficits totalling Aus$123 billion forecast over the next four years. The update committed the government to “returning the budget to sustainable surpluses that build to at least one percent of GDP by 2023-24”. “We want to get back to surplus as soon as we can,” Hockey told reporters.

“It will require a sustained and fundamental structural overhaul of expenditure. All options are on the table.”

Detailed cuts are expected in the May budget. Hockey said GDP forecasts for 2013 were unchanged at 2.5 percent for the current financial year to June 30 2014, but growth had been downgraded the following year from 3.0 percent to 2.5 percent.

Unemployment was revised down from a peak 6.25 percent to 6.0 percent this financial year, but the forecasts were more pessimistic in the medium term, seen at 6.25 percent in each of the next three years as the workforce aged and younger workers delayed entry.

That contrasts with pre-election forecasts by Labor of

SYDNEY: Office employees are reflected in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s wall in the central business district of Sydney yesterday. Australia is facing at least four more years of deficit with a $15.2 billion blowout since September elections as the economy struggles to deal with an unwinding mining investment boom, the treasurer Joe Hockey said. — AFP

Dubai sells 50% stake in Miami hotel to Turnberry DUBAI: Istithmar World, a unit of Dubai World, has sold its 50 percent stake in Miami Beach’s landmark Fontainebleau hotel back to south Florida developer Turnberry, a source close to the seller said yesterday. Dubai World, one of the emirate’s big state-owned conglomerates, declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Reuters had reported in September that the Fontainebleau deal was close to being completed; the price was not immediately known. Dubai World originally paid $375 million in 2008 for its 50 percent stake in Fontainebleau Miami Beach. It is the latest in a string of asset sales by Dubai World companies, as the conglomerate steps up its divestment program following a $25 billion debt restructuring.

Proceeds of asset sales by Dubai’s state-linked firms will help to meet a heavy schedule of debt maturities in the next three years, including the first repayment under Dubai World’s restructuring plan, worth $4.4 billion and due in May 2015. The emirate came close to a debt default in 2009 as the global financial crisis triggered a crash of its property market. Dubai’s economy is now recovering strongly but bankers are eager to see how the emirate repays roughly $50 bil-

6.25 percent in 2014-15 and 5.0 percent the following two years. Ratings firm Moody’s said the “somewhat worse projections” on growth and deficit were “clearly credit negative” but did not pose a risk to the government’s Aaa credit rating.

“The rise in the debt ratios that would result from these deficits, while clearly a negative trend, still leaves Australia in a relatively favorable position compared to almost all other Aaa-rated sovereigns,” Moody’s said. Chief among the Aus$17 billion blowout in government spending since September was an Aus$8.8 billion cash injection to the Reserve Bank of Australia and Aus$1.2 billion for the government’s military-led people-smuggling crackdown. — AFP

Turkey keeps rates on hold, eyes US Fed

lion of obligations coming due between 2014 and 2016.

Dubai World initially struggled to offload assets in the aftermath of its debt restructuring deal because of poor market conditions, but it has completed two other exits this year. A unit of Torontobased investment company Brookfield Asset Management bought British-based logistics warehouse developer Gazeley from Dubai World subsidiary Economic Zones World in June. Istithmar World then transferred another landmark hotel, Dubai’s Atlantis, to fellow state-owned fund Investment Corp of Dubai earlier this month.

The 1,504-room Fontainebleau hotel became famous in the 1960s as a playground for stars such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis.

Turnberry is owned by South Florida’s Soffer family; Jeffrey Soffer bought the Fontainebleau hotel in 2005 before bringing the Dubai firm in as a partner three years later.

The resort, which borrowed more than $620 million to fund a restoration program before it reopened in November 2008, had to restructure the loan in 2010. Dubai World offered $100 million of new equity to lenders as part of that restructuring. — Reuters

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s central bank held fire on interest rates yesterday and said it would keep monetary policy cautious as it worries about a withdrawal of US monetar y stimulus, which could weaken the lira further and push up inflation. The bank kept its main policy rate, the one-week repo rate, at 4.50 percent, its borrowing rate at 3.50 percent and its overnight lending rate at 7.75 percent, it said in a statement after its monthly monetary policy committee meeting.

It also left primar y dealers’ overnight borrowing rate from the central bank unchanged at 6.75 percent. “The committee decided the current policy stance is sufficient to limit the risks to inflation,” the bank said.

The bank said it expected inflation to keep falling in the period ahead but said core inflation indicators would remain above target for some time.

It said interbank money market rates would be kept at around 7.75 percent and that the weighted average cost of funding was seen at 6.75 percent or higher.

All 16 economists in a Reuters poll had expected key rates to be left unchanged. Turkish assets were largely unmoved by the central bank deci-

sion, which came after Governor Erdem Basci repeated last week that the bank will remain cautious on monetary policy until inflation falls back into line with its targets. The lira was trading at 2.04 to the dollar while the yield on the 10-year benchmark bond was at 9.72 percent, unchanged from before the decision.

Markets were focused on the Federal Reserve meeting yesterday and today, in which the US central bank will discuss the future of its bond buying program. Opinion is divided on whether it will move this week to taper the $85-billion-a-month program or hold fire until January or March.

The lira remains under pressure near historic lows, as Turkey’s huge current account deficit leaves it vulnerable to the withdrawal of capital from the developed world which any reining-in of Fed stimulus would be expected to generate. Turkey’s central bank also held fire on rates last month but signalled more tightening via its day-to-day monetary operations. In October it raised its inflation forecast for the end of 2013 to 6.8 percent and for the end of 2014 to 5.3 percent. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

2.878 4.647 2.672 2.163 2.924 231.500 36.585 3.642 6.574 9.072 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.684 77.982 737.170 753.820 77.292

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 271.01 278.70 318.39 388.05 282.80 458.26 2.98 3.639 4.578 2.158 2.868 2.666 77.06 752.70 41.03 402.49 735.46 78.09 75.54

SELL CASH 272.000 279.000 318.000 390.000 285.500 462.000 3.000 3.700 4.820 2.500 3.300 2.760 77.400 753.500 41.100 407.500 741.500 78.500 75.800

Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

3.000 10.015 3.065 3.860 89.290

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY

BUY

SELL

Europe Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

0.007366 0.448723 0.006648 0.047494 0.379246 0.043353 0.081774 0.008124 0.039966 0.306721 0.140278

0.008366 0.457723 0.018648 0.052494 0.386746 0.048553 0.81774 0.018124 40.044966 0.316921 0.147278

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

42.900 40.717 1.324 173.730 400.790 1.904 3.083 35.025

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer Euro Sterling Pound Canadian dollar Turkish lira Swiss Franc Australian Dollar US Dollar Buying

283.700 390.000 458.350 279.510 143.090 317.870 274.050 282.500 GOLD

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

248.000 125.000 65.000

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

Selling Rate 283.150 276.220 456.285 385.340 312.980 747.655 77.070 78.620 76.375 399.145 41.040 2.155 4.553 2.669 3.640 6.551 695.475

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee

Australasia 0.259152 0.229085

0.270652 0.238565

America 0.268140 0.279300 0.279800

0.276640 0.283650 0.283650

Asia 0.003260 0.044844 0.034466 0.004365 0.000020 0.002825 0.003408 0.000253 0.085039 0.002937 0.002526

0.003860 0.048344 0.037216 0.004766 0.000026 0.003005 0.003408 0.000268 0.091039 0.003107 0.002806

Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

0.006415 0.000069 0.223432 0.022498 0.001827 0.009525 0.008703 Arab 0.745268 0.038500 0.000078 0.000183 0.395501 1.0000000 0.000139 0.022687 0.001200 0.730072 0.077133 0.074937 0.001929 0.168969 0.140278 0.076178

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

0.006695 0.000075 0.229432 0.030998 0.002407 0.009705 0.009253

0.753268 0.041600 0.000080 0.000243 0.403001 1.0000000 0.000239 0.046687 0.001835 0.735752 0.078346 0.075637 0.002149 0.176969 0.147278 0.077327

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) 283.150 387.000 455.450 275.600 4.625 41.075 2.161 3.640 6.565 2.670 754.150 77.150 75.650

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Global equities set to close year on positive note NBK ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: Equity markets in advance economies are poised to close 2013 with an excellent performance, up over 20 percent, and led by the US and Japan. The Dow Jones Industrials at about 16000 was up 19 percent on the year in November. Interest rates are closing the year higher, by as much as 120 bps higher in the case of the US 10-year note, up less or about 40 bps higher in the German case. Official rates shortterm remain near zero in most cases and are lower in the EU following the ECB’s recent cut in the overnight rate to 25 bps.

The general expectation or consensus view going into 2014 is a widely held “more-of-same”. In other words: economies are all recovering and improving with the EU in particular about to post further positive growth, after emerging from recession in 2Q2013. The economies of China and Japan are expected to do relatively well, with growth of 7-8 percent for China, and growth near 1—2 percent for Japan (all real GDP growth).

Finally, the Iran-West temporary nuclear deal of November was the icing on the cake in 2013, as geopolitical tensions and risks were defused.

Low and falling inflation has emerged as an important factor in 2H2013 and looking forward.

Retail inflation (CPI numbers), in most countries, has surprised on the lower side. It fell under 1.0 percent in the case of the US and the EU, threatening to break under 3 percent in the case of China (late in the year), and barely holding near 1.0 percent for Japan. Recall that central banks are trying very hard to avoid the so-called Japanese deflation scenario, while Japan itself is trying mightily to put it behind (using Abenomics which includes aggressive monetary and fiscal stimulus).This dis-inflationary development has added pressure on central banks to either stay put for longer (“no 2013 taper” for the Fed), or cut rates further (ECB), or pursue new QE type measures (Japan).

This appears to leave us in a Goldilocks “not-too hot, not too-cold” scenario for now. Investors are happy with steadier growth, lower risk, and a relatively stable interest rate environment. Central banks are presumably satisfied in the near term. However, beyond the near term, they may have to move out of their current status-quo comfort zones. The Fed may

very soon need to start tapering (probably in 1Q2014) and will be very skittish given the September 2013 experience (and miscommunication). The ECB may have to go the other way and ease further. However with rates near zero, it may need to delve into QE or negative interest rates on bank reserves, both unconventional measures and thus difficult for the ECB. Emerging markets Emerging markets, which in some cases suffered from outflows and currency pressures around September when a Fed-taper looked imminent, appear to be in better shape to weather an expected 2014 Fed taper. The latter, again, should be very well advertised and excruciatingly gradual in its first phases. Even advanced markets appear now ready for the idea of the “taper”. The trading aftermath of the “good” (pro-taper) November US employment numbers (203K new jobs, unemployment at 7.0 percent) saw US stocks move higher and interest rates little changed. The above outlook is already starting to gradually impact exports (US, China, Japan) in a way

that could reinforce the growth story. In that scenario, Europe catches up further as well but lags the others which could put pressure on the euro, especially if and when the ECB moves in opposite direction to the Fed. Recall at this point that a Fed taper would still leave short-term official rates unchanged for a long time. The Fed is bound to emphasize that point again and again in its communications. The current pace of securities purchases, $85 billion per month, is supposed to gradually wind down to zero, over 2014 and possibly beyond. The first reduction should be $1015 billion. Subsequent cuts will depend on upcoming data and market reaction(s). The GCC countries continue to post steady growth of about 5 percent on average in real terms (non-oil GDP), on the back of strong financial positions and government spending. Oil prices are near $100 pb, but could soften further with progress on the Iranian nuclear deal. The UAE got a further boost to its growth outlook with Dubai winning the bid to host the 2020 World Expo while it, and others in the GCC, keep getting solid support from government infrastructure spending.

Britain’s Tesco applies to set up shop in India Many foreign retailers await regime change

NEW YORK: Watches are on display at Kmart in New York. The government reports on consumer prices for November yesterday. —AP

US consumer prices flat as gas costs fall WASHINGTON: US consumer prices stayed flat in November, held down by falling gas prices. Inflation remains low across the broader economy, giving the Federal Reserve latitude to continue its extraordinary stimulus program. The consumer price index was unchanged last month, after dropping 0.1 percent in October, the Labor Department said yesterday.

Gas prices declined 1.6 percent in November to keep overall prices down. Over the past 12 months, consumer prices have risen just 1.2 percent. That’s well below the Fed’s 2 percent inflation target.

Excluding volatile energy and food costs, core prices rose 0.2 percent in November from October and just 1.7 percent over the past 12 months. High unemployment and small wage increases have kept consumers from ramping up spending, making it difficult for businesses to raise prices since the Great Recession ended. Low inflation also gives Fed members more reason to hold off scaling back its buying $85 billion a month in bond purchases for a few more months. The Fed’s final two-day policy meeting started yesterday and many economists expect the Fed to keep the purchases at that level.

“Indeed, inflation is still a distance from the Fed’s 2 percent target and this is one report that would give the Fed reason to go easy on tapering,” said Jennifer Lee, senior economist

at BMO Capital Markets. Cheaper gasoline costs in recent months have kept inflation extremely weak. Gas prices nationwide are averaging just $3.23 a gallon, according to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

The November decline in energy costs was offset by higher prices for home rentals, hotels, airfare, and restaurant meals. Grocery prices edged up 0.1 percent last month, led by higher prices for bread, hot dogs, soup and milk. Prices for new vehicles and clothing fell.

But in a sign of potentially changing fashion styles, the price of women’s dresses increased 5.7 percent during the past 12 months as the cost of women’s suits dropped.

For roughly a year, the Fed has been buying Treasury and mortgage bonds to keep long-term interest rates low and encourage more borrowing and spending. The Fed has also kept its key short-term interest rate near zero since late 2008. Critics of the bond-buying program fear it will spark higher inflation in the future. But the inflation has yet to materialize. Moreover, a number of Fed officials say the program is needed because inflation has been too low. A small amount of inflation can be good for the economy, because it encourages consumers and businesses to spend and invest before prices rise further. But if prices don’t increase at all, consumers might pull back their spending on the expectation that goods will be cheaper in the future. — AP

Strong car sales drive euro-zone recovery hopes PARIS: Demand for new cars in Europe rose for the third month running in November, according to trade figures published yesterday, bolstering hopes of a moderate eurozone recovery next year.

A total of 938,021 new passenger cars were registered in November, data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association showed, a 1.2-percent gain on sales the previous month. The gain was powered by demand in Britain, which was up 7.0 percent and Spain (+15.1 percent).

Registrations were down by 2.0 percent however in Germany, Europe’s top economy, and in struggling France (-4.0 percent). “The overall situation is truly improving: month after month, more and more European markets are returning into the black,” said Carlos da Silva, analyst at IHS Automotive.

Nevertheless, registrations were down by

2.7 percent overall in the EU over the first 11 months of the year, with a decline of 7.7 percent in Italy and da Silva sounded a note of caution. “Does this mean that the crisis is behind us and we can start thinking about Christmas? I’m not so sure,” he said.

Future growth would be “slow and staggered” he predicted. The figures for car registrations-seen as a good indicator of wider demand in the economy-come on the back of positive signals from the euro-zone, gradually getting back on its feet after a long and crippling crisis.

Earlier yesterday, investment sentiment in Germany hit a seven-and-a-half year high on optimism over the economic prospects for next year. Further afield, auto sales in the United States powered a 1.1-percent surge in industrial output in November, the Federal Reserve reported on Monday. — AFP

Euro-zone November inflation picks up BRUSSELS: Euro-zone inflation picked up in November because of a rise in electricity and accommodation prices, data showed yesterday, but wage growth continued to decelerate in the third quarter to the slowest pace in three years.

Consumer prices in 17 countries sharing the euro fell 0.1 percent on the month, increasing the annual inflation rate to 0.9 percent from 0.7 percent in October, a drop which forced the ECB to cut rates to a new record low in November.

The inflation rate dropped below 1 percent for the first time since February 2010 in October.

The monthly drop was led by a 0.8 percent decrease in prices of energy and a 0.1 percent fall in prices of tobacco and services. Food prices were flat in November, data from EU’s statistics office Eurostat showed yesterday.

Labor costs in the euro-zone rose at their slowest pace in three years in the three months to September, Eurostat separately said, in a sign the cost competitiveness of euro-zone countries was improving. Nominal hourly labor costs in the bloc grew 1.0 percent in the third quarter, following a 1.1 percent increase in the second quarter.

Ireland, which has just exited its international bailout, saw wages fall 1.4 percent. In Portugal, still under a bailout reform program, wages fell 0.2 percent and salaries in Cyprus decreased by 7.7 percent. ECB President Mario Draghi said on Monday the bank was ready to intervene if inflation remained low for too long, but gave no details what instruments it could use to counter any prolonged weakness in prices. —Reuters

MUMBAI: Britain’s Tesco said yesterday it has applied to open supermarkets in India, becoming the first retail giant to try to enter the market since New Delhi removed foreign investment barriers last year. The world’s third largest retailer has applied to India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board for permission for an initial $110 million investment in the Tata Group’s retail business Trent Hypermarket Limited.

“Today, we’re making an application to develop a multi-brand retail business in India,” said Trevor Masters, chief executive officer for Tesco’s Asia operations, on the company’s website.

“If it were successful, it could open the way to Tesco investing directly and forming a partnership from our existing relationship with the Tata Group,” Masters said. The Indian government moved last August to open up its potentially lucrative retail sector to foreign companies to try to boost a sharply slowing economy. But until now no companies had applied amid concern about some of the tough conditions for entry.

Commerce Minister Anand Sharma welcomed Tesco’s move, which initially proposes establishing stores in the western state of Maharashtra and the southern state of Karnataka, and opening three to five stores every financial year. “We welcome this development and on our part assure them all support for expedited clearances,” Sharma said in a statement. “We hope that this will mark a new beginning in transforming India’s retail industry. I am sure that the other global leaders will also look at investing in India.”

P Phani Sekhar, an analyst with Mumbai’s Angel Broking, said the move would come as a relief to the government more than one year after it opened the sector. “India needs serious long-term foreign investment,” he said. Tesco already supplies about 80 percent of the goods in Tata’s 16 Star Bazaar and Star Daily stores in southern and western India after signing an agreement in 2008, Masters said.

LONDON: Britain’s Tesco is seeking to open supermarkets in India becoming the first retail giant to try to enter the market since New Delhi removed foreign investment barriers last year.

Until the law was relaxed last year, foreign multi-brand retailers had been unable to sell directly to consumers in India. If Tesco’s application is successful, the two firms will enter a 50-50 ownership of Trent, the latter said in a release.

“We believe that our understanding of the Indian market coupled with Tesco’s unparallelled global retail expertise will allow us to leverage the tremendous potential of the market to the benefit of all stakeholders,” Trent said. Foreign supermarkets can now hold stakes of up to 51 percent in multi-brand retailers, after the government opened the $500 billion sector.

Wal-Mart and France’s Carrefour were among the first retailers to voice interest in setting up shop in India, the world’s second most populous

country and home to a fast-growing middle class. But the supermarkets have sought more clarity on the rules, which say foreign firms must earmark 50 percent of their investment to setting up back-end infrastructure such as warehouses, and also source at least 30 percent of the value of the goods they sell from small-scale local firms. Wal-Mart in October announced it was ending its retail partnership with Indian firm Bharti, with which it had operated as a wholesaler in the country since 2007.

Analysts says some foreign retailers are waiting until after the general election next year before deciding on investment, with the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party expected to take power. — AFP

Hungary adopts 2014 budget with higher deficit, faster growth BUDAPEST: Hungary’s parliament adopted the budget for 2014 yesterday, forecasting a slight rise in the deficit and faster economic growth, ahead of elections expected in the spring. The deficit was estimated at 2.9 percent of gross domestic product, up from 2.7 percent in 2013, while the economy was forecast to grow by 2.0 percent, compared to 1.0 percent this year, according to the new budget.

Economy Minister Mihaly Varga had earlier said the deficit should remain under three percent for the foreseeable future, ruling out looser fiscal discipline in the run-up to the elections, likely to be held in April. Earlier this year, Hungary exited an EU budget monitoring procedure that had been imposed after it broke the 3.0 percent deficit threshold.

Budapest had been subject to the measure since joining the EU in 2004.

Hungary’s central bank (MNB) cut its main interest rate yesterday to a new record low level of 3.0 percent from 3.2 percent, in line with analyst expectations. The cut, announced on the bank’s website, was the 17th in a row in an easing policy begun in August 2012 when the rate was 7.0 percent.

The MNB was scheduled to explain its decision in a statement at 1400 GMT. The central bank has said in recent months that Hungary’s low inflation and growth outlook, as well as the continuing favorable global market sentiment, argued in favor of chopping the base rate to historically low levels.

Hungar y-not a member of the euro zone-has recorded three straight quarters of growth this year, after enduring its second recession in four years in 2012. Overall growth for 2013 was forecast at just 1.0 percent however, followed by 2.0 percent in 2014.

Twelve-month inflation, one of the highest in the EU in 2012, has meanwhile dropped to a 40-year low of 0.9 percent since October. After yesterday’s announcement, the national currency-the forint-remained stable, trading at 299.16 to the euro compared to 299.07 just before. — AFP

BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (front row, C-R) and deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semlyen (front row, C-L) sit at parliament along with MPs during a session to approve the budget for 2014 yesterday in Budapest. — AFP

JP Morgan bans multi dealer online chat rooms LONDON: JP Morgan Chase, the biggest US bank by assets, is banning the use of multi-dealer online chat rooms and the use of such chat rooms among staff for social purposes, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters yesterday.

Chat rooms have been a focus for regulators investigating manipulation of benchmark interest rates and possible rigging in the $5.3 trilliona-day foreign exchange market. Chat communications featured prominently in a five-year probe into the rigging of a key interest rate known as the London interbank offered rate, or Libor, which has already cost banks billions of dollars in settlements. The source said JP Morgan’s decision was unrelated to the FX

probes which first surfaced in June, noting that this had been under review at the bank since even earlier this year.

“This has always been about more than FX,” the source said, adding that the casual nature of online chat rooms increased the potential for “inappropriate” remarks to be made. The ban will come into force later this week. Bilateral online chats between JP Morgan traders and traders at other financial institutions are under review, while external chats between JP Morgan staff and clients will still be permitted, the source said.

JP Morgan declined to comment because the plans have yet to be finalized. Other banks have taken similar action recently. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Asian shares higher on Wall Street lead

TOKYO: A woman walks by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo yesterday. Most Asian stock markets edged up yesterday, with some indexes regaining slight losses after opening in directionless trading ahead of the US Federal Reserve meeting. — AP

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mostly higher yesterday as Wall Street provided a positive lead following upbeat US data before a closely watched Federal Reserve meeting. The dollar eased against the yen but remained up from Monday’s levels in Asia, as investors wait to see whether the Fed will announce a cut in its massive stimulus program after a two-day meeting.

Tokyo rose 0.83 percent, or 125.72 points, to 15,278.63, Sydney closed up 0.27 percent, or 13.6 points, at 5,103.2 and Seoul ended 0.23 percent, or 4.59 points, higher at 1,965.74. But Hong Kong lost 0.20 percent, or 45.43 points, to end at 23,069.23 and Shanghai fell 0.45 percent, or 9.78 points, to 2,151.08.

Global markets have mostly fallen over the past week as investors speculate about the future of the Fed’s $85 billion a month bond-buying program, which has helped fuel an equities rally since it was unveiled in September last year. But as the US central bank prepares for a two-day meeting starting Tuesday, investors in most markets picked up cheap stocks after another set of positive US figures showing industrial output surged a solid 1.1 percent in November.

Also Monday, preliminary data indicated US manufacturing expanded for a fourth consecutive month in December. On Wall Street the Dow rose 0.82 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.63 percent and the Nasdaq picked up 0.71 percent.

Markit Economics also said business activity in the 17-nation euro-zone ticked up in December, although there was still weakness in France. Market-watchers said traders had priced in any reduction in the

US stimulus following upbeat data, including on unemployment and economic growth, as well as the expected passage of a bipartisan budget deal through Congress that will avert another government shutdown.

“Over the past week or so, the implied probability of ‘tapering’ by the Fed has increased. The US budget deal and better retail sales for November were some of the catalysts for a change in sentiment towards tapering happening at the December (Fed) meeting,” said analysts at Nomura in a research note. It added that 37 percent of polled clients expected the move this month, slightly more than those forecasting a January move.

“It has been priced with a very high probability for one of the next three meetings, and it may not matter greatly if the tapering starts in December, or in January or March.”

In the forex market the dollar dipped slightly against the yen but remained higher than its Monday levels in Tokyo. It had suffered a sell-off Friday after hitting a fiveyear high of 103.93 yen.

The greenback was at 102.98 yen in afternoon trade, against 103.02 yen late in New York after slipping to 102.62 yen at one point Monday. The euro was quoted at $1.3776 and 141.84 yen against $1.3761 and 141.77 yen.

Oil prices dipped, with New York ’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for January delivery, down 28 cents at $97.20 in afternoon trade. Brent North Sea crude for February eased 36 cents to $109.35. — AFP

Luxembourg tax break helps firms recover LONDON: “Life in Luxembourg is simply different,” says its government website. The same could be said of tax in the Grand Duchy. It’s known for its generous tax policies, but what’s less familiar is a Luxembourg rule that lets companies cut their income taxes using costs that they haven’t actually borne - a break offered by almost no other state.

The rule, which dates back to World War Two, helps companies save hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes each year, a Reuters analysis of the accounts of several major international corporations shows.

The profits that escape tax have often not been earned in Luxembourg, but in countries like Britain, the United States and Germany. Those countries may lose out.

New York-listed telecoms group Vimpelcom, US internet group AOL Inc, building equipment maker Caterpillar and UK mobile telecoms group Vodafone are just four of those to have made use of the system, accounts for their Luxembourg subsidiaries show. Other firms have similar arrangements, tax advisers say, but have not made them public. What these firms can do that companies in most other countries cannot is use notional losses - like a fall in the value of an asset that a business still holds - to cut their corporate income tax. In other countries, such an asset would have to be sold, so that the loss is realised, before the company could use it to reduce its tax bill. The only other country to offer a similar tax break is Switzerland, according to 20 tax advisers from a dozen countries interviewed by Reuters; but they said the Swiss are more restrictive.

In the European Union, where some countries use tax incentives to attract corporate investment, Luxembourg’s rule is a unique lure. Tax advisers say it has helped attract more than 40,000 holding companies and thousands of high-paying jobs for the population of nearly half a million.

“For a government that wants to collect taxes ... this is just a stupid idea,” said Reimar Pinkernell, tax partner in Flick Gocke Schaumburg in Bonn. “But if you don’t want to collect taxes, if you are just happy that the company is there, and employs some people, then this is a perfect system.”

The leaders of the Group of 20 biggest economies pledged in September to close some international loopholes in company tax, but their plans won’t target countryspecific practices like Luxembourg’s. EU sources said in September the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, wrote to Luxembourg, Ireland and the Netherlands asking for details of tax deals they had cut with foreign companies, to see if they meet competition rules.

Tax advisers point out that other countries offer different tax breaks to attract investment. The Luxembourg Ministry of Finance said its tax rules are sensible, and not intended to help companies shift profits from other countries. “A lot of countries use tax competition,” said Heather Self, partner at law firm Pinsent Masons in London. “There’s nothing wrong with it and there’s nothing wrong with companies taking account of different tax rates. Tax is just another cost of business.”

Spokespeople for the US, UK, French and German finance ministries declined to comment or said it would be inappropriate to comment on another country’s tax rules.

A spokesman for the EU Commission said the issue was not one it has examined in detail.

An ‘internal bank’ Here’s how the rule works. If a company makes an investment, say it buys another firm, and the business turns out to be worth less than it paid, the company will follow international accounting rules to reduce, or write down, the value of the asset in its accounts. In countries like Britain and the United States, that impairment does not generate a tax saving. But in

Luxembourg it does.

The case of Dutch-based Vimpelcom Ltd, one of the biggest phone operators in Russia with operations in Canada, Italy and North Africa, shows how firms can benefit.

At the end of 2012 a Vimpelcom subsidiary, a holding company called Weather Capital Sarl, made a 1.1 billion-euro ($1.51 billion) write-down in relation to some shares it held in a subsidiary, Weather Capital Special Purpose 1 Sarl, also a holding company. It also reported an 840-million euro decline in the value of a loan it had made to the holding company. Under Luxembourg rules, those two losses could save hundreds of millions in tax. But the loss doesn’t give a saving on its own: It must be offset against profits. And Luxembourg’s domestic market is too small to make much profit; Vimpelcom doesn’t even have a telephone business there.

So the company found another way to benefit. In January this year, it told investors at a presentation in London that it planned to establish an “internal bank” that would borrow money and lend it on to operating units around the world, to fund their investments.

Henk van Dalen, its Chief Financial Officer at the time, said the company planned to route $13 billion to $15 billion of loans each year through the new financing unit. The in-house bank would generate large profits by charging more in interest than it had to pay. And these profits would escape tax because the financing operation would be based in Luxembourg, where Vimpelcom had big tax losses to use. The “tax saving” would be $200 million to $250 million each year, van Dalen said.

Vimpelcom declined to comment or answer questions about its Luxembourg operations. Van Dalen did not respond to requests for comment.

It could go on indefinitely, van Dalen told the London meeting, a video of which is available on the company website. “Of course, at a certain moment you will run out of these tax losses and then there will be a new phase developed for the financing company,” van Dalen said.

One investor on the video described the structure as “fairly ingenious.” But University of Connecticut School of Law Professor Richard Pomp said the system made no sense. “It’s absurd,” he told Reuters of the Luxembourg rule. “It gives the taxpayer too much control in managing their tax bill.”

AOL’s Luxembourg move Luxembourg’s practice was actually inherited from Germany and dates back to the occupation of the Grand Duchy during the Second World War, said Ministry of Finance spokeswoman Veronique Piquard.

Indeed, Germany allowed companies to create such tax losses until 2001, although Berlin was less generous, German tax lawyers say.

Another difference was that while Germany gave deductions for write downs, if a firm made a profit when it sold an investment, the company would be taxed on that. In Luxembourg, if the investment goes up in value or is sold at a profit, the gain isn’t taxable. Pomp, the University of Connecticut professor, calls that a “one way bet” for companies. “There should be symmetrical treatment,” he said.

“This is a pure tax incentive.”

Tax advisers say Germany changed its approach because it stopped taxing capital gains, so it no longer made sense to give a deduction for losses. Piquard said Luxembourg’s treatment of write-downs was not a tax incentive and the tax authority only gave deductions for write-downs which were justified. The deductions can be quite quickly arranged, as illustrated by the case of internet group AOL Inc. AOL told investors in its 2009 annual report that it was experiencing weakness in its European display advertising business. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Mercedes-Benz dominant in luxury and executive class S-Class and E-Class win the Auto Trophy 2013

STUTTGART: The readers of the German motoring magazine “Auto Zeitung” have voted the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EClass the best cars in the luxury and executive class. Accordingly the two premium models from the world’s oldest automobile manufacturer have been awarded the “Auto Trophy 2013”. The advertising by Mercedes-Benz also proved a star, as its high quality was likewise rewarded with the top placing and the “Auto Trophy”.

This year 103,074 readers answered the call of “Auto Zeitung” to vote for the best cars.

They were able to choose their

favorites from 400 different models. The results of this traditional award event, which has now taken place for the 26th time, were a particularly shining success for the Mercedes-Benz star. In the luxury class category the S-Class easily took first place. In the executive class it was the Mercedes-Benz E-Class that won the laurels. Both were therefore awarded the coveted “Auto Trophy 2013”. Prof Dr Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler AG Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars, and Ola Kallenius, the member of the

Mercedes-Benz Cars Executive Board responsible for sales, were able to receive a further “Auto Trophy” for the best advertising in the “Classic Remise” in Dusseldorf.

The new S-Class earned itself the high-class award because many people see it as the best car in the world, and the standard-setter for technological progress and luxurious travel.

This exceptional saloon car underpins its status, for example, with numerous innovative safety systems, one of which even allows semi-autonomous driving in traffic tailbacks. Another unrivalled innovation in the new S-

Class is the Magic body control system, which makes the saloon the world’s first automobile capable of recognizing uneven road surfaces in advance and adjusting the suspension for an unprecedented level of ride comfort. For all its technical brilliance the S-Class is also the most economical saloon in the luxury segment, and shines with fuel consumption figures that seemed utopian even for the medium class just a few years ago. Because of its exceptional status, the Mercedes-Benz SClass was recently also the recipient of the “Golden Steering Wheel” award. In October the S-

Class was once again the world’s best-selling luxury saloon.

The E-Class won favor with readers of “Auto Zeitung” when it was more extensively revised by Mercedes-Benz than ever before, making the latest technical advances available in practice very early-on. These include the new or improved, intelligent assistance systems from the new S-Class. For the first time, these are for example able to prevent accidents with crossing traffic, pedestrians or oncoming traffic.

They can also warn against unintentional contravention of noentry signs. The highlights also include dazzle-free permanent

high beam headlamps. All this underlines the trailblazing role of Mercedes-Benz as a safety pioneer. Moreover, the new E-Class offers a considerably enhanced design with a refined yet sporty overall appearance, as well as significantly more comfort, highquality appointments, efficiency and driving pleasure. All of this confirms the top position of the E-Class in the executive class and in the assessment of the readers. The new models in the EClass have been well received by customers. In October 21,996 customers (+21.5 percent) decided in favor of the Saloon and Estate alone.

Britain told to mull expansion of Heathrow or Gatwick airports Capacity crunch could slow economy growth

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man walks in front of a truck featuring a picture of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Islamabad yesterday. Sharif’s government has struggled to woo investment in the energy sector to boost the economy which has averaged growth of about three percent over the past five years, insufficient to significantly improve living standards or fully absorb a growing labor force. —AFP

Hayes pleads not guilty to Libor fraud charges LONDON: Tom Hayes, a former UBS and Citigroup trader, yesterday pleaded not guilty in a London court to charges that he had sought to manipulate Libor benchmark interest rates with employees from around 10 leading banks and brokerages.

The 34-year-old, who appeared alongside former RP Martin brokers Terry Farr and James Gilmour, has been charged with eight counts of conspiracy to defraud between 2006 and 2010 as part of a global inquiry stretching from the US to Asia.

Hayes, who last December was also charged with fraud-related offences by US prosecutors, made his plea after an 11thhour change of legal team. Farr and Gilmour, who were arrested alongside Hayes in Britain last December and later also charged with conspiracy to defraud, also pleaded not guilty.

UBS, which was fined $1.5 billion by regulators last December in connection with the Libor investigations, and Citi both declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. The three Britons are the first suspects to face trial in the Libor inquiry into whether traders manipulated rates such as Libor, against which around $400 trillion worth of products, from derivatives to mortgages, are priced worldwide. US and European authorities have fined 10 banks and brokerages $6 billion to date and charged seven men with criminal offences in connection with the rate-rigging scam.

In an effort to restore faith in the financial services industry, regulators are also now investigating how other benchmarks are set such as in foreign exchange and swaps markets. —Reuters

Czechs hold rates at record lows PRAGUE: The Czech central bank CNB kept its main interest rates flat at all-time lows yesterday, as the country struggles with low inflation and recession.

“The two-week repo rate was held at 0.05 percent, the (overnight) discount rate at 0.05 percent and the (overnight) Lombard rate at 0.25 percent,” the bank said in a statement.

The bank intervened last month on the forex market to weaken the koruna currency to about 27 koruna per euro. Inflation in several central European countries has fallen to unusually low levels, and strong disinflation is also a matter of concern in some countries in western Europe.

The Czech move was aimed at boosting exports and pushing inflation closer to the central bank’s target of 2.0 percent by making imported goods more expensive. The koruna was being traded at 27.62 per euro, the weakest level since March 2009, ahead of the bank meeting yesterday.

The CNB said it would keep “using the exchange rate as an additional instrument for easing the monetary conditions” while keeping the koruna rate at close to 27 to the euro. “The pledge is a long-term one, valid as long as we’re in danger of undershooting the inflation target of 2.0 percent,” CNB governor Miroslav Singer told

reporters, adding intervention should help boost economic growth next year. Amid a Europe-wide threat of deflation, inflation in the Czech Republic remained low in November, at 1.1 percent annually and a negative 0.1 percent on a monthly basis.

Analysts at the London-based Capital Economics said “it would probably take a serious deterioration in the inflation and/or growth outlook” to make the CNB change the koruna rate target.

“For now we expect the 27/euro target to stay in place until at least late next year.

The first rate hike will come much later,” they added. The Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.5 million people which is yet to join the euro-zone, shook off a record recession lasting 18 months in the second quarter.

But growth was short-lived as the economy heavily dependent on car production and exports to the struggling euro-zone shrank again in the third quarter, by 0.1 percent on a quarterly basis. However, Barclays Capital analyst Daniel Hewitt was upbeat about the economy’s prospects. “A number of monthly growth indicators are pointing to recovery in October,” he said, highlighting growth in industrial production, new orders, consumer confidence and exports.— AFP

LONDON: Britain should consider building a new runway at one of London’s two biggest airports Heathrow and Gatwick - to address a capacity crunch that economists suggest could slow economic growth, a government advisory body said yesterday.

The recommendations, which are not binding and subject to further revision, are likely to stir up a political debate about how to deal with what will be one of the country’s biggest infrastructure projects this century. Lawmakers and business leaders agree that Britain needs new runways to remain economically competitive. But the idea of building extra capacity in London is unpopular with many voters who worry about aircraft noise, pollution and safety.

Passions ran high during Britain’s last 2010 election over a possible expansion at Heathrow, with suppor ters of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in west London helping make sure the now ruling coalition dropped the plans. With no Commission decision until after a general election in May next year, the Conservative-led coalition government has been careful not to favor any option and most politicians are keen to avoid being dragged into the emotive debate.

“The capacity challenge is not yet critical but it will become so if no action is taken soon, and our analysis clearly supports the provision of one net additional runway by 2030,” the Airports Commission said in a statement. In a report, the Commission shortlisted three proposals, two of which were to expand Britain’s biggest airport, Heathrow. As well as building a new runway, the airport could also have one of its runways extended, the report said.

An idea to build a new airport on the Isle of Grain to the east of London should also remain an option, it said. But it did not formally add it to its shortlist, saying it would only decide whether to include it before the end of the year. The Commission, led by

LONDON: Passenger jets are parked on the runway at London Heathrow airport Terminal Five in London.

London should build new runways at its existing airports before building a new air hub to expand capacity, the British government’s Airports Commission said yesterday.—AFP Howard Davies, the former head of the Financial Services Authority, must make its final proposals on how and where to expand airport capacity by the summer of 2015.

Heathrow’s strong showing on the list represents a turnaround from three years ago when the two-party coalition scrapped plans to expand the airport, overturning the previous government’s decision to go ahead with a third runway there.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow, said he was unsurprised by the change in the airport’s fortunes, calling the case for his airport “strong”, but cautioned that there was a long way to go for all of the expansion options. “It’ll need broad political support. As long as it’s a party-defining issue it’ll be very difficult to make it happen,” he told the BBC in an interview.

London’s high-profile mayor Boris Johnson, who has been tipped as a possible rival to Prime Minister David Cameron, is opposed to the expansion of

Heathrow and supports the building of a new airport to the east of London. One of his proposals, a new airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary, dubbed “Boris Island”, failed to make the Commission’s shortlist, as did a plan to expand London’s thirdbusiest airport, Stansted.

Expansion woes Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe, the third busiest globally and a hub for international flights. But its location near residential areas makes its expansion a toxic issue for local voters, green groups and the Conser vatives’ coalition par tners, the Liberal Democrats. Different expansion plans for airport capacity around London have been on and off the table since the 1970s, but with demand for air travel expected to double in Britain to 300 million passengers per year by 2030, the crunch is coming to a head.

“It is no longer acceptable to bury our heads in the sand on this,” John Cridland, head of Britain’s

business association, the CBI, said in a statement, adding that urgent action was needed from the government when the Commission’s final recommendations were made in 2015.

The group is one of many who say London’s airport capacity must be increased to boost trade and routes to developing markets such as China to maintain London’s lead over rival European airports as an international hub. Paris’s main airpor t has four runways, while Amsterdam’s has five compared to Heathrow’s two. The airport, which is west of London, is par tially owned by Spain’s Ferrovial. “ We’ve got Paris and Amsterdam, Frankfurt desperately trying to eat our lunch, they want to have the business that the UK benefits from today,” Matthews said.

The Commission said that by 2050, the capital would need a second runway in addition to the one it will recommend be build, and said the Stansted proposal could be an option for that. — Reuters

Surging Saudi fuel use a bigger threat than US shale oil: Jadwa DUBAI: Rising Saudi energy demand is a bigger threat to the world’s biggest oil exporter than surging US shale output, Saudi Jadwa Investment bank says in a study published yesterday.

“The key long-term challenge facing Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry remains the high and growing domestic demand for hydrocarbons,” Fahad Al-Turki, Head of Research at the Riyadh-based investment bank, said of the next 25 years. “This is exacerbated by low prices locally, which will distort internal economic decisions and reduce the available income from the Kingdom’s oil exports,” he said.

Global demand for crude oil produced by OPEC members like Saudi Arabia is expected to fall, along with oil prices, over the next few years due partly to higher supply from North America. An abundance of cheap natural gas liquids (NGLs), produced by the

US shale gas boom, could make Saudi petrochemicals industries less competitive than they have been to date. But Jadwa Investment expects steep decline rates of tight oil wells and their limited productivity to soften the blow of the US shale revolution on the oil export dependent kingdom.

Turki said the main impact on Saudi crude exports of US shale would likely be the reduction of price differentials between light and heavy crudes grades, which it said may change how oil is refined in Europe. But Jadwa sees a bigger impact from the US shale industry on Saudi petrochemicals companies that use gas as a feedstock. Low priced and plentiful natural gas available to US petrochemical producers could make it difficult for Saudi industry to compete and may see some open plants in the United States, Jadwa says.

Although US gas costs have fallen from over $13 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) in mid2008 to around $4.29 now, Saudi gas prices that have been fixed at around $0.75/mmbtu for many years are still much lower. But the relative lack of investment in new gas production that such low prices have contributed to see Saudi Arabia struggle to meet demand in summer - forcing it to burn millions of barrels a week of oil in power plants. A surge in US shale gas production over the last five years has also brought with it a sharp increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies which could hit Saudi exports. US production of LPG - mainly butane and propane used for cooking and increasingly transport - has risen to the point where analysts expect US competition to force Saudi Arabia to cut its sales prices in Asia and Europe in years to come. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS

Carrier, Otis convene sustainability experts Initiative to support green building in Mideast KUWAIT: With the region known for having one of the world’s highest per capita consumption rates of electricity, Carrier and Otis convened their ‘Distinguished Sustainability Lecture Series’ in the Middle East to inform par ticipants about green building opportunities.

Through events held in Kuwait City, Riyadh and the final one in Dubai, the series connected 350 industr y professionals, local building owners and operators with international green building exper ts from Carrier, the world’s leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, and Otis, the world’s leading manufacturer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways.

Participants who attended were provided with the opportunity to obtain LEED training, learn more about the business case for green building and gain insight into world green building trends from experts such as John Mandyck, chief sustainability officer at UTC Building & Industrial Systems, and Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

According to members of the Emirates Green Building Council, appreciation is growing for the need for more efficient buildings. The Emirate of Dubai has passed a law requiring all future

buildings to be green starting in 2014, while a recent McGraw-Hill Construction study found 74 percent of UAE firms expect green building projects to account for the majority of their projects by 2015. Given that the UAE has more green neighborhood projects planned than any other country in the world, the series offered a timely opportunity for local professionals to gain exposure to broader green building trends.

In Saudi Arabia, where per capita energy consumption is three times the world average according to the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center, investment in green building is growing. Of the 1,300 or more green building projects currently underway in the Middle East, the Saudi Green Building Forum reports nearly 70 are based in the Kingdom.

The growth prospects for green building in Kuwait are even greater. The country has just 17 projects registered through the US Green Building Council’s(r) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Yet, according to the Energy Information Administration, the countr y already uses as much as 98.5 percent of its grid capacity during times of peak demand. Rapidly rising consumption rates and persistent power shortages during demand periods make sus-

tainable buildings a priority in Kuwait.

“The Middle East has a great opportunity to establish a strong

green building future, especially where we are seeing increasing demand from clients,” said John Mandyck, chief sustainability

officer, UTC Building & Industrial Systems. “Green building is a smart, long-term business decision with equal economic and

environmental value. We strongly believe this week’s dialogue will have a profound, lasting impact.”

DMCA gears to host Dubai Maritime Week 2014 Event to position Dubai as top exhibition, hub

Investments in Saudi Arabia’s plastics sector exceed $50bn RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most attractive investment destinations for petrochemicals and plastics in the Middle East, even during the global economic slowdown. Recent studies reveal that total investments in the plastics sector have reached $50 billion, affirming the strength of the market.

Furthermore, the petrochemical industry is determined to achieve a production capacity of over 100 million tons per annum by 2015 to maintain Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the largest producers of petrochemical products.

Saudi Plastics & Petrochem 2014, the 11th International Plastics & Petrochemicals Trade Exhibition, is set to take place from 17 to 20 February at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, highlighting the growing demand for the latest plastics and petrochemical products in the Kingdom.

Over the past decade, the trade event has established itself as the largest marketplace for plastic and petrochemical products, machinery and services in the Middle East. The upcoming show will be an ideal gateway to know more about the latest technologies in machinery, equipment, raw materials, semi-finished products, spare parts and services in the plastics and petrochemical sectors.

Zeyad Al-Rukban, Deputy General Manager at the Riyadh Exhibitions Company, said: “The industrial sectors in

Saudi Arabia are witnessing a robust growth with several large-scale developments and infrastructure projects underway. To sustain this expansion, a wide range of business opportunities has emerged in the plastics and petrochemical industries. Saudi Plastics & Petrochem 2014 will serve as an ideal platform for engineering firms, manufacturers and suppliers to display their latest products, high-tech services and state-of-the-art technologies. We expect the footfall at the forthcoming edition to surpass previous records.”

With more than 20,000 square meters of exhibition space and exhibitors from over 27 countries across 10 national pavilions, Saudi Plastics & Petrochem 2014 is the largest industrial trade gathering for local, regional and international industrialists and professionals. Some of the biggest plastics and petrochemical companies from Saudi Arabia and the region are expected to participate in the event, along with a number of government industrial commissions from the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Plastics & Petrochem 2014 will be held concurrently with Saudi Print & Pack, the 11th International Trade Exhibition for Printing & Packaging Technologies. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and Tasnee are the Diamond Sponsors of the event, while Saudi Polymers is the Platinum Sponsor.

DUBAI: Dubai Maritime City Authority ( D M C A) , t h e g ove r n m e n t a u t h o r i t y charged with regulating, coordinating and supervising all aspects of the maritime sector in Dubai, announced that it has begun preparations to host the second edition of the Dubai Maritime Week which will take place in November 2014.

Held once every two years, the first-ofits-kind event in Dubai serves as part of DMCA’s commitment to position the emirate amongst the world’s leading international exhibition hubs.

Following the successful inaugural edition of the Dubai Maritime Week in 2012, DMCA plans to expand the agenda of the next edition to include Dubai Maritime Forum, the Seatrade Middle East & Indian S u b co n t i n e n t Aw a rd s, t h e S e a t r a d e M iddle East Maritime Exhibition, the Seatrade Middle East Money and Ships Co n fe re n ce, a n d t h e S h i p - R e c yc l i n g Conference. It will also feature a series of awareness programs, technical and cultural events, and interactive workshops to celebrate Dubai’s rich maritime heritage.

Organized by DMCA in cooperation with Seatrade Middle East, Dubai Maritime Week 2014 is expected to gather high-profile government officials, industry professionals, regional and international experts, and ship owners and operators from the UAE and the region to discuss latest developments and explore new prospects to raise the bar on maritime competitiveness in Dubai.

Amer Ali, Executive Director, Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: “The success of the first edition of Dubai Maritime Week reflects DMCA’s strategic role of promoting Dubai’s pivotal position as a regional and an international maritime hub. Focused on the assets of modernization and inclusiveness, the upcoming edition will showcase high-level interactive activities to create communication channels among local government entities, regional and international experts, suppliers, economists, analytics, and maritime financiers to encourage exchange of best practices and the latest trends to promote sustainable development across Dubai’s maritime industry.”

“Dubai has built a strong reputation as one of the leading investment, business and tourist destinations in the world through its integrated competences and advanced infrastructure. Today, the emi-

rate is taking proactive steps to reinforce its footprint on the international maritime landscape, guided by the directives of Sheik h M ohammed Bin R ashid AlM a k to u m , Vi ce Pre s i d e n t a n d Pr i m e Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,” Ali added.

“Last year, we succeeded in emphasizing our commitment to support the wise v i s i o n o f t h e l e a d e r s h i p to p ro m o te Dubai’s position as a global city for business events by hosting the first edition of the Dubai Maritime Week. We will continue the march towards excellence with the upcoming edition by developing an integrated and impactful agenda. In cooperation with our strategic partners which

include local government bodies, we will serve our common aspiration of upholding Dubai’s position locally, regionally and globally,” Ali concluded.

Dubai Maritime Week 2012 was coorganized by Seatrade and supported by D u b a i M u n i c i p a l i t y, D u b a i Cu s to m s, National Transport Authority, DP World, and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. It introduced several key activities such as the Seatrade Middle East & Indian S u b co n t i n e n t Aw a rd s, t h e S e a t r a d e Middle East Maritime 2012, the Maritime Places of Refuge and Salvage Forum, and the Dubai Creek Conference along with other art and cultural programs to celebrate UAE’s rich maritime heritage.

Nissan Al-Babtain launches new offer to promote vehicle safety KUWAIT: As part of its social responsibility and its commitment to transparency and safety, Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al-Babtain Co, the sole authorized distributor of Nissan Motor Co in Kuwait, launched a vehicle safety initiative from September 15 till October 10, 2013.

The objective of the campaign was to raise awareness about vehicle maintenance and urge drivers to go in for a free safety check-up of their vehicles at one of Nissans’ 8 Service Centers and 14 Parts outlets built as per global Nissan standards and guidelines and conveniently located throughout Kuwait.

Passionate about providing the vehicles with the best services, the Nissan factorytrained team identified and repaired any potential problems in Nissan 2010 models or any previous models in order to ensure that the car runs smoothly and hassle-free between scheduled services.

The activity included a thorough safety check and a diagnostic evaluation of the engine oil level, wiper blade effectiveness, hose condition, tire pressure, and offered the customer a 25 percent discount on Nissan genuine replacement parts, a 10 percent discount on check-up services, in addition to a free 10-point safety check-up and a free gift for every invoice of KD5 or more.

Committed to improve service centre standards in Kuwait and offer the best

maintenance and after-sale services, Nissan Al-Babtain believes that regular servicing and general vehicle maintenance is integral to reliability, roadworthiness and safety.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

technology

How to clean smartphone, computer screens the right way LONDON: Screens get dirty - really dirty. Touch screens make way for a whole new level of dirty because they’re meant to be touched by our grimy fingers. If you don’t believe, take a look at your screen protector the next time you replace it. Peel it off, compare it side-by-side to a brand new one, and prepare to boot it in the nearest trash can.

Computer screens can get pretty filthy as well. Over time, dust accumulates on the screen, and while your computer may not have a touch screen, you’ll be amazed at how many fingerprints show up on your laptop display after a while.

Luckily, there are ways that you can clean these digital windows so that they’ll not only be germ-free, but the screen will look better through a clean sheet of glass. A clean smartphone is a happy smartphone.

However, before you get out the cleaning supplies and an old rag, you should know that there are right and wrong ways to clean a smartphone and computer screen, and it’s not just a ritual right-and-wrong; there are literally right and wrong ways that could be the difference of getting a nice, clean

screen or a scratched-up nightmare of a display.

Don’t use abrasive cloths, such as paper towels, tissue paper, etc. These types of clothes can scratch your touch screen quite easily, and while you won’t notice the scratches right away (they’re rather small), they build up over time the more you clean the screen with an abrasive cloth. Instead, use a microfiber cloth. These are specifically designed to clean sensitive surfaces like your smartphone or computer screen.

Microfiber clothes are fairly cheap, and we even found this six-pack for just $9 on Amazon. You can usually get them for free, though; more than likely, a microfiber cloth comes with any screen protector you buy, and some computer manufacturers include them with their laptops.

Don’t use any harsh chemicals on your smartphone or computer screen. While most displays have a glass panel (thus leading you to use Windex or other glass cleaner), these chemical-laden cleaners that can contain acetone, ammonia or alcohol aren’t healthy for your electronic devices, as they can strip away the screen’s protective coating.

Inmarsat to acquire globe wireless

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nmarsat the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today announces the acquisition of the business and substantially all of the assets of Globe Wireless LLC (“Globe Wireless”).

Headquartered in Palm Bay, Florida, Globe Wireless is a leading provider of value-added maritime communications services to the shipping market.

The acquisition of Globe Wireless is driven by multiple strategic benefits: Access to a skilled engineering team that will significantly expand Inmarsat’s installation capabilities and enable a faster roll-out of both XpressLink (“XL”) and Global Xpress (“GX”) to the maritime market, both through its already wellestablished channel partnerships and direct to end-users; The acquisition of a portfolio of industry-leading value-added services (“VAS”) for maritime customers that will jump-start Inmarsat’s ambitions to move beyond pure connectivity and offer solutions and managed services to the maritime market, both through its channel partners and direct to end-users, that will be relevant to both Lband and GX customers; The immediate opportunity to offer the Globe Wireless VAS range to Inmarsat’s entire installed base of maritime customers, both through its channel partners and direct, enabling further ARPU(average revenue per user) growth that might otherwise have taken years to develop through in-house development of an equivalent product range; and Significant operational synergies identified through immediate integration with Inmarsat’s maritime business unit, and which are expected to deliver a material improvement in profitability within the first year.

Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, commented: “This is a highly compelling transaction for Inmarsat”. Pearce highlighted a range of important strategic benefits associated with the acquisition. These included the opportunity to swiftly deliver significantly improved financial performance through synergies. He said that rapid take-up and a growing backlog for XpressLink, had pushed Inmarsat near the limit of its existing engineering capability to meet the demand from our channel partners and customers.

Continued Pearce: “Adding the Globe Wireless team will immediately bring material

benefits, enabling a faster roll-out of XL, Fleet Broad band and transition to GX in due course. We are also acquiring a skilled and established solutions development team that has been responsible for a market-leading portfolio of value added services”.

Concluding, Pearce said: “Accessing this portfolio offers a truly exciting cross-selling opportunity for our channel partners and ourselves, across the entire Inmarsat installed maritime base. This is a transaction that both accelerates our longer term strategic aims and can deliver meaningful contribution in the short term.” Frank Coles, President of Inmarsat Maritime, commented: “Globe Wireless has created a suite of products and value added services that are unequalled in the market today, and by combining this with our FB and GX services, we believe we can further enhance our position as the leading provider of services to the maritime customer”. Coles said that the team at Globe Wireless will bring a highly unique set of skills and abilities, ranging from software development, direct relationships with customers through a skilled sales team, and provide ‘touch the ship’ support and installation capabilities.

He continued: “We will be making these capabilities immediately available to our channel partners via our global network and wholesale support environment, strongly enhancing the Inmarsat Maritime proposition into the market”. Coles believes that through integrating these VAS, installation and support capabilities into the Inmarsat Maritime business unit, Inmarsat will be able to offer a completely unique managed service to its channel partners.

Said Coles: “Our purchase of Globe Wireless also removes the need for partners to invest the time, funds and other resources in duplicative R&D”. Inmarsat will acquire the business of Globe Wireless for a total consideration of US$45 million and will fund the acquisition from available liquidity. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2103, Globe Wireless generated revenues of US$91 million and currently has an installed customer base of over 6,000 ships. Closing of the transaction is subject to certain regulatory and other approvals, which are expected to be completed in January 2014.

THE CLEANING METHOD

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his is perhaps the most important step. Not only do you need the right materials, but you also need to know the correct method to clean your screen. Here’s a step-by-step: 1. Turn the device off and unplug it if it requires outlet power (like a computer monitor).

2. Start by taking a dry microfiber cloth and wiping off the dust and any other loose objects.

3. Next, take your microfiber cloth and damp it slightly using either water or the specialized cleaning solution. You don’t want too much that it’s dripping; just get it damp. Do not spray the solution directly on the screen.

4. Use light, rapid circular motions on the screen.

The circular motions will cut down on streaking, and pressing down too hard could break your device.

5. Keep cleaning the screen until all smudges and imperfections are gone.

6. Finish the job by taking the dry side of the microfiber cloth and wiping the screen dry if any solution is still present.

That’s all there is to it! It might sound like there are a lot of precautions to take, and there certainly are, but once you have it nailed down, you won’t think twice about using a paper towel and Windex, and the process should simply come naturally to you.www.gottabemobile.com

Deal adds to Google robotics toolbox SAN FRANCISCO: Google may be gearing up to build robots that resemble props in sciencefiction movies as the ambitious Internet company expands into yet another technological frontier. To gather the expertise and research it needs, Google has purchased eight companies that specialize in robotics this year. The acquisitions are being assembled into a new robotics division headed by Andy Rubin, who oversaw Google’s development of Android, now the world’s leading mobile operating system.

Google Inc added more pieces to its growing toolbox of robotics late last week with the purchase of Boston Dynamics, a military contractor that has raised intrigue by releasing videos of its inventions in recent years. Those inventions include a four-legged robot capable of galloping past Olympian sprinters and a jumping contraption that can leap onto tall buildings. Another video of a creepy-looking four-footed machine has been watched more than 15 million times since it was posted on Google’s YouTube site five years ago.

Besides designing animal-like robots, Boston Dynamics also has been working on humanoids as part of a $10.8 million contract with the US government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. Boston Dynamics’ links to the US military has inspired comparisons of its work with the ruthless c yborgs that over threw humans in the “Terminator” movies. Founded in 1992 by former Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Marc Raibert, Boston Dynamics says it is dedicating to “changing your idea of what robots can do.”

Google confirmed the Boston Dynamics purchase on Monday, but declined to reveal any other information, including the sales price. Rubin, though, evidently views the Waltham, Mass., company’s technology as a key to Google’s robotics plans. “The future is looking awesome,” Rubin wrote about the acquisition in a message posted on his Twitter account late Friday, after news of the deal leaked out. Google revealed Rubin is running its new robotics arm earlier this month, shortly after Amazon.com Inc. CEO Jeff Bezos used a

FRANCE: This picture taken on December 10, 2013 shows Google’s logo at the Google cultural hub in Paris. —AFP segment on “60 Minutes” to announce that the Internet’s biggest retailer is developing a fleet of automated drones called “quadricopters” to deliver merchandise to customers’ doorsteps.

That has led to speculation in the media that Google hopes to build robots that would automate manufacturing and distribution center jobs currently handled by humans. Other possibilities include housekeeping robots or automated caretakers for the elderly. Some of the other robotics companies acquired by Google have been dabbling in humanoids and other technology that could be used for loading and unloading delivery trucks. One company bought by Google, Bot & Dolly, makes a robotic camera system deployed in the making of a recent science-fiction film, “Gravity.”

Other robotics companies sold to Google this year are Schaft, Industrial Perception, Mek a, Redwood Robotics, Autofuss and Holomni. Google has only said that it considers its robotics division to be a “moonshot.” The Mountain View, Calif, company applies that description to high-risk projects that have little

to do with its main business of Internet search and online advertising. These gambles also typically take years to pay off, to the chagrin of investors who prefer that the company curb its spending on far-flung ventures and focus on its main areas of expertise.

Other Google moonshots still evolving include Internet-connected glasses, autonomous cars and Internet-beaming balloons. All of those were hatched in Google X, a secretive lab overseen by cofounder Sergey Brin. The robotics division is being run separately in a Palo Alto, Calif, office located a few miles north of Google’s headquarters. Android, a technology that Google picked up through another acquisition eight years ago, also was once considered a wacky idea before it became a key piece of the company’s strategy for connecting its services on smartphones and tablets. The software, which Google gives away to device makers, is now running on more than 1 billion gadgets. Rubin, 50, stepped down as Android’s leader nine months ago, spurring questions about what he might do next for Google. —AP

Tech tips: Using a phone abroad without huge fees NEW YORK: If you have a trip outside the United States coming up, one thing you’ll likely want to bring is your cellphone. You might have heard warnings about how those phones can accrue international charges quickly through your US wireless carrier. It doesn’t have to be that way.

In the past, I’ve simply turned off my phone’s cellular connections while abroad. But nearly three weeks in Thailand and Cambodia earlier this year proved too long to stay away from email, Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and other time sinks.

If you’re traveling internationally, check with your carrier on whether your phone will even work with cellular networks abroad. If it doesn’t, you can still use apps through Wi-Fi connections at hotels and malls.

Your phone company might even rent or loan a compatible phone.

Assess your needs: Will you make a lot of calls or texts? Before I left, Verizon told me that calls would cost $1.99 a minute in Thailand and $2.89 a minute in Cambodia. No, thanks. I’ll just text people instead. To avoid text charges, I signed up for three free services, WhatsApp, Line and Viber. The catch is that you can text only with those on the same service, so your contacts will also have to join.

Where international use can get expensive is in data charges.

Verizon was charging $20.48 per megabyte in either country. Just opening the Facebook app uses more than half a megabyte. Five minutes of scrolling through friends’ posts can eat up more than 10 megabytes, or more than $200. That’s before sharing a single photo.

Bills can reach thousands of dollars in no time. The solution is to get a data plan.

T-Mobile’s main plans now offer free text and data in more than 100 countries. Speeds are adequate for sending email and checking Facebook, though you’ll need to pay for faster speeds. Other US carriers offer affordable packages, too, if you plan ahead.

Start by monitoring how you use your phone. On Android, look for “Data usage” in the settings. On the iPhone, go to “General,” then “Usage” under the settings. Check back in a few days or a week to see how much data you have used. Android also will tell you what apps have been using your data. Owners of iPhones can get a free app called Onavo Count. Your cellphone bill might also have information on past data use.

Keep in mind you might use your phone more than usual because you won’t be checking from regular computers at home or work. Check if your hotel offers Wi-Fi, as that might help reduce cellular use. If there’s a daily charge for Wi-Fi, your phone might still be cheaper.

To reduce data use further, turn off automatic syncing for as many apps as you can. I also kept my phone on airplane mode most of the time and allowed connections only periodically. I monitored my data usage to spot data hogs early.

Your options: Your phone company can tell you about their packages. Although Verizon quoted a $20.48-per-megabyte charge, it offered me 100 megabytes for $25 in Thailand if I signed up in advance. That’s 99 percent cheaper than $2,048. I’d still have to pay regular prices in Cambodia. Weekly and monthly rates are sometimes available as well. It varies by carrier and by country, so it’s best to check before you leave.

You can also ask about calling and texting packages. In Cambodia, for example, I could have saved 60 cents a minute on calls by paying a one-time fee of $4.99. Because my visit to Cambodia was short, I got by with the hotel’s free Wi-Fi for data and made no calls or texts. Whatever your needs, don’t commit until you explore other options.

It will likely be cheaper if you buy a phone package at your destination. Local carriers typically have shops at airports. In Thailand, the True mobile company offered 3 gigabytes for less than $35. Had I used

Verizon’s plan, I likely would have needed a second or third block of data for $25 each. True gave me much more for much less. One drawback is I must use a temporary phone number, not my regular one back home.

If you go this route, turn off data roaming on your phone before you leave so you’re not inadvertently charged. Leave the phone on airplane mode until the local plan is set up. If you forget, some carriers will warn you by text, but sometimes after you’ve started accruing charges. You need an unlocked phone to use another carrier’s SIM card. US phones are typically locked, but major carriers will unlock them upon request after your contract is up or the phone is paid off. Some carriers will also unlock it before international travel - if you ask.

Third-party services also offer to unlock the phone for you, but the legality is dubious, and you risk disabling your phone permanently.

If you don’t have an unlocked phone, try borrowing or renting one. Telestial and Cellular Abroad offer phone rentals and international data plans. They are sometimes more expensive than what your US carrier offers, though. You can also try to rent one at the airport when you arrive.

If you travel a lot, consider buying a cheap unlocked phone, such as the $179 Moto G. The advantage of that is you don’t have to configure it with your favorite apps and contacts each time.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Scientists query study saying ear acupuncture aids weight loss LONDON: Scientists derided research published yesterday that suggested ear acupuncture may help people lose weight, saying the study’s design was flawed and its conclusions highly implausible.

Responding to the findings of research published online in the journal Acupuncture in Medicine, experts not involved in the work said it was unreliable and probably a waste of money.

“It is hard to think of a treatment that is less plausible than ear acupuncture,” said Edzard Ernst, a professor of complementary medicine at Britain’s University of Exeter.

A summary statement about the

study, conducted by Korean researchers, said it compared three approaches in a total of 91 people - acupuncture on five points on the outer ear, acupuncture on one point, and a sham treatment as a control. It said participants were asked to follow a restrictive diet, but not one designed to lead to weight loss, and not to take any extra exercise during eight weeks of treatment.

Its results suggested significant differences were apparent after four weeks, with the active treatment groups receiving acupuncture on one or five points having lower body mass index scores compared with the sham treatment group, where there was no such reduc-

tion. Weight also differed significantly after four weeks in both active treatment groups compared with the sham treatment group, the researchers reported in the journal, which is one of 50 specialist titles published by British Medical Journal group.

According to background information given in the journal, auricular acupuncture therapy is based on the understanding that the outer ear represents all parts of the body and was first used in France in 1956 by a doctor who noticed that a patient’s back-ache was cured after a burn on the ear.

But external experts said this research and its apparent conclusions should be

viewed with extreme caution.

“While it’s good to see attempts to evaluate so-called alternative treatments using the same approach as is used for more conventional treatments, this study has several features that complicate the picture,” said Kevin McConway, a professor of applied statistics at Open University. He noted that more than a third of the study’s small number of starting participants did not complete the course, and yet the main results did not take this into account.

“The study lasted only eight weeks, which is not long when it comes to a long-term issue like being overweight,” he said. “It tells us nothing about what

might happen after eight weeks, and the world is full of weight-loss treatments that have no demonstrable longer-term effect”. Ernst, whose research at Exeter evaluates scientific evidence for acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and other alternative therapies, said the trial had “several serious flaws”. He too pointed to its small sample size and high drop-out rate, as well as what he called “questionable statistics”.

“Collectively, these limitations render the findings far too unreliable for issuing recommendations about the use of ear acupuncture,” he said. “Consulting an acupuncturist will reduce your cash but not your body weight.” —Reuters

Anti-bacterial soaps may not curb bacteria New support to outside researchers

Chinese man’s leg proves handy solution after arm severed BEIJING: Doctors in China kept a man’s severed hand alive for a month by attaching it to his leg, before restoring it to its usual position, a report said yesterday.

The 25-year-old, identified by his nickname Xiao Wei, had his right hand sawn off by a drilling machine at work last month in Changde, in the central province of Hunan, the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald said.

The damage was too severe to re-attach the hand immediately, so surgeons in the provincial capital Changsha grafted it onto his lower leg, just above his Achilles tendon, to keep it alive while the healing process began. Severed limbs can be saved

if their blood supply is restored within several hours of their amputation, depending on the circumstances.

Earlier this month, doctors removed the hand and successfully reattached it to Xiao Wei’s arm in a nine-hour operation, said the newspaper.

He will have to go through several further operations and rehabilitation therapy to restore the limb’s function, it added.

“It’s just like building a house,” the paper quoted Tang Juyu, Xiao Wei’s primary doctor, as saying. “Currently the main body is established. There will have to be interior decorations in the future.” —AFP

WASHINGTON: After more than 40 years of study, the US government says it has found no evidence that common anti-bacterial soaps prevent the spread of germs, and regulators want the makers of Dawn, Dial and other household staples to prove that their products do not pose health risks to consumers.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration announced Monday that they are revisiting the safety of triclosan and other sanitizing agents found in soap in countless kitchens and bathrooms. Recent studies suggest triclosan and similar substances can interfere with hormone levels in lab animals and spur the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

The government’s preliminary ruling lends new support to outside researchers who have long argued that the chemicals are, at best, ineffective and at worst, a threat to public health.

“The FDA is finally making a judgment call here and asking industry to show us that these products are better than soap and water, and the data don’t substantiate that,” said Stuart Levy of the Tufts University School of Medicine.

While the rule only applies to personal hygiene products, it has implications for a broader $1 billion industry that includes thousands of anti-bacterial products, including kitchen knives, toys, pacifiers and toothpaste.

Over the last 20 years, companies have added triclosan and other cleaners to thousands of household products, touting their germ-killing benefits.

‘A wealth of data’ Under a proposed rule released Monday, the agency will require manufacturers to prove that anti-bacterial soaps are safe and more effective than plain soap and water. Products that are not shown to be safe and effective by late 2016 would have to be reformulated, relabeled or removed from the market.

“I suspect there are a lot of consumers who assume that by using an anti-bacterial soap product, they are protecting themselves from illness, protecting their families,” said Sandra Kweder, deputy director in the FDA’s drug center.

“But we don’t have any evidence that that is really the case over simple soap and water.”

A spokesman for the cleaning product industry said the FDA already has “a wealth of data” showing the benefits of anti-bacterial products.

Monday’s action affects virtually all soap products labeled anti-bacterial, including popular brands from CVS, Bath and Body Works, Ajax and many other companies.

The rule does not apply to hand sanitizers, most of which use alcohol rather than anti-bacterial chemicals.

An FDA analysis estimates it will cost companies $112.2 million to $368.8 million to comply with the new regulations, including reformulating some products and removing marketing claims from others.

The agency will accept data from companies and researchers for one year before beginning to

CHICAGO: This file photo shows Dawn Ultra antibacterial soap in a kitchen in Chicago. The Food and Drug Administration says there is no evidence that antibacterial chemicals used in liquid soaps and washes help prevent the spread of germs, and there is some evidence they may pose health risks. —AP finalize the rule. The proposal comes more than four decades after the FDA began evaluating triclosan, triclocarban and similar ingredients. The government only agreed to publish its findings after a three-year legal battle with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group that accused the FDA of delaying action on potentially dangerous chemicals.

Triclosan is found in an estimated 75 percent of anti-bacterial liquid soaps and body washes in the US More than 93 percent of anti-bacterial bar soaps also contain triclosan or triclocarban, according to the FDA. Some consumers said the FDA ruling would have little effect on their buying habits, since they already avoid anti-bacterial soaps and scrubs. “The regular soap works fine for me. And if I was to think about it, I would guess that those anti-bacterial soaps probably have more toxins,” said Marco Cegarra, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Diane McLean, of Washington, D.C., thought the soaps always “seemed like a bad idea” because of concerns about creating drug-resistant bacteria.

Regulatory delays The FDA was asked to investigate anti-bacterial chemicals in 1972 as part of a law designed to set guidelines for dozens of common cleaners.

But the guidelines got bogged down in years of regulatory delays and missed deadlines. The agency published a preliminary draft of its findings in 1978, but never finalized the results until Monday.

Most of the research surrounding triclosan’s safety involves laboratory animals, including

studies in rats that showed changes in testosterone, estrogen and thyroid hormones. Some scientists worry that such changes in humans could raise the risk of infertility, early puberty and even cancer.

FDA scientists stressed Monday that such studies are not necessarily applicable to humans, but the agency is reviewing their implications. On a conference call with journalists, Kweder noted that the government’s National Toxicology Program is already studying whether daily skin exposure to hormone-altering chemicals could lead to cancer.

Other experts are concerned that routine use of anti-bacterial chemicals such as triclosan contributes to the emergence of drug-resistant germs, or superbugs, that render antibiotics ineffective.

In March 2010, the European Union banned the chemical from all products that come into contact with food, such as containers and silverware. A spokesman for the American Cleaning Institute, a soap cleaning product trade organization, said the group will submit new data to regulators, including studies showing that company products do not lead to antibiotic resistance.

“We are perplexed that the agency would suggest there is no evidence that anti-bacterial soaps are beneficial,” said Brian Sansoni. “Our industry sent the FDA in-depth data in 2008 showing that anti-bacterial soaps are more effective in killing germs when compared with non-anti-bacterial soaps.” The group represents manufacturers including Henkel, Unilever and Dow Chemical Co. —AP

Do vitamins block disease?

BEIJING: A doctor checking Xie Wei’s hand grafted to his ankle in a hospital in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province. —AFP

BEIJING: This picture taken on Dec 4, 2013 shows a doctor checking Xie Wei’s hand grafted to his ankle in a hospital room in Changsha. —AFP

WASHINGTON: There’s more disappointing news about multivitamins: Two major studies found popping the pills didn’t protect aging men’s brains or help heart attack survivors.

Millions of Americans spend billions of dollars on vitamin combinations, presumably to boost their health and fill gaps in their diets. But while people who don’t eat enough of certain nutrients may be urged to get them in pill form, the government doesn’t recommend routine vitamin supplementation as a way to prevent chronic diseases.

The studies released Monday are the latest to test if multivitamins might go that extra step and concluded they don’t. “Evidence is sufficient to advise against routine supplementation,” said a sharply worded editorial that accompanied Monday ’s findings in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. After all, most people who buy multivitamins and other supplements are generally healthy, said journal deputy editor Dr. Cynthia Mulrow. Even junk foods often are fortified with vitamins, while the main nutrition problem in the US is too much fat and calories, she added.

More research needed But other researchers say the jury’s still out, especially for the country’s most commonly used dietary supplement - multivitamins that are taken by about a third of US adults, and even more by people over the age of 50.

Indeed, the US Preventive Services Task Force is deliberating whether vitamin supplements make any difference in the average person’s risk of heart disease or cancer. In a draft proposal last month, the government advisory group said for standard multivitamins and certain other nutrients, there’s not enough evidence to tell. (It did caution that two single supplements, beta-carotene and vitamin E, didn’t work). A final decision is expected next year. “For better or for worse, supplementa-

tion’s not going to go away,” said Dr. Howard Sesso of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. He helps leads a large multivitamin study that has had mixed results - suggesting small benefits for some health conditions but not others - and says more research is needed, especially among the less healthy. Still, “there’s no substitute for preaching a healthy diet and good behaviors” such as exercise, Sesso cautioned. As scientists debate, here are some questions and answers to consider in the vitamin aisle: Q: Why the new focus on multivitamins?

A: Multivitamins have grown more popular in recent years as research showed that taking high doses of single supplements could be risky, such as beta-carotene. Multivitamins typically contain no more than 100 percent of the daily recommended amount of various nutrients. They’re marketed as sort of a safety net for nutrition gaps; the industry’s Council for Responsible Nutrition says they’re taken largely for general wellness.

Q: What are the latest findings?

A: With Alzheimer’s on the rise as the population ages, Harvard researchers wondered if long-term multivitamin use might help keep older brains agile. They examined a subset of nearly 6,000 male doctors, age 65 or older, who were part of a larger study. The men were given either multivitamins or dummy pills, without knowing which they were taking. After a decade of pill use, the vitamin-takers fared no better on memory or other cognitive tests, Sesso’s team reported Monday in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Lower risk of cancer Q: Did that Harvard study find any other benefit from multivitamins?

A: The results of the Physicians Health Study II

have been mixed.

Overall it enrolled about 15,000 health male doctors age 50 and older, and the vitamin-takers had a slightly lower risk of cancer - 8 percent. Diet and exercise are more protective. They also had a similarly lower risk of developing cataracts, common to aging eyes. But the vitamins had no effect the risk for heart disease or another eye condition, Sesso said.

Q: Might vitamins have a different effect on people who already have heart disease?

A: As part of a broader treatment study, a separate research team asked that question.

They examined 1,700 heart attack survivors, mostly men, who were given either a special multivitamin containing higher-than-usual doses of 28 ingredients or dummy pills. But the vitamins didn’t reduce the chances of another heart attack, other cardiovascular problems, or death.

Q: What about women?

A: Research involving postmenopausal women a few years ago also concluded multivitamins didn’t prevent cancer or heart disease. But it wasn’t nearly as rigorous a study as Monday’s research, relying on women to recall what vitamins they used.

Q: What’s the safety advice for multivitamin users?

A: The preventive services task force cited no safety issues with standard multivitamins. But specialists say to always tell your doctor what over-the-counter supplements you use. Some vitamins interact with some medications, and Sesso said anyone worried about nutrition should be discussing their diet with their doctor anyway. —- AP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Ancient bones offer peek at history of cats in China First evidence of the food web WASHINGTON: Five-thousandyear-old cat bones found in a Chinese farming village have raised new questions about man’s complex rapport with domestic felines through history, said a study out Monday. Cats are widely thought to have been domesticated in ancient Egypt and the Middle East some 4,000 years ago, and the oldest evidence of a wild cat buried with a human on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus dates back even further, to about 10,000 years ago.

So to find evidence of a rapport between cats and humans in between those time periods, and in faraway China, came as a surprise, said lead researcher Fiona Marshall of Washington University.

“First of all, they are in the wrong place in terms of our old ways of thinking,” she said.

Working with colleagues at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the team performed radiocarbon dating and isotope analysis on the bones, found in the village of Quanhucun. Evidence of carbon and nitrogen in the bones suggest that the cats were feeding on animals-probably rodents-that were

eating the farmed millet in the area.

Some of the cats appeared to have been eating the millet grains as well, suggesting they either scavenged human food or were fed it. “It’s the first evidence of the food web, the relationship between the food of humans and cats. It’s evidence for the process of domestication,” said Marshall.

Other findings of the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that the relationship between cats and humans was even closer.

Close proximity For instance, the bones of an aged cat imply that it was sheltered by an owner and lived longer than it would have been expected to in the wild.

“Even if these cats were not yet domesticated, our evidence confirms that they lived in close proximity to farmers, and that the relationship had mutual benefits,” said Marshall. Until now, domestication of cats was thought to have occurred around 2,000 years ago in China.

The study raises, but does not answer, new questions about how cats came to be in China. “We do not yet know whether these cats came to China from the Near East, whether they interbred with Chinese wild-cat species, or even whether cats from China played a previously unsuspected role in domestication,” Marshall said.

According to Jean-Denis Vigne, a historical cat exper t and researcher at France’s National Center for Scientific Research, (CNRS) said the study brings new facts to light. “ There was a Chinese histor y between cats and man,” he told AFP. “Until now, this history was limited to the Middle East and Egypt.” He said the study also pointed to the origins of the relationship between cats and humans, which was quite different from dogs and humans. “Dogs were the pets of hunters and cats were the pets of farmers,” he said. “It’s an unusual path toward domestication-a cat is never totally domesticated,” he added. “Cats maintain a degree of independence from human societies, and they return easily to the wild.” —AFP

KORIYAMA: This photo taken on December 9, 2013 shows pupils eating French cuisine and cakes cooked by French chef Christoph Paucod (in background) and members of his French chef team “Caravan bon appetit” for their lunch at an elementary school in Koriyama. The “Cravan bon appetit” members visit the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster sites in northern Japan and serve French cuisine every month. —AFP

Forces foie gras industry vows changes AUCH, France: Long accused of torture by animal-rights activists, French foie gras producers are admitting they may have gone too far and vowing changes to how ducks and geese are reared and their livers fattened.

They are also promising a new spirit of openness and transparency about the controversial practice of gavage-the force-feeding of animals by passing plastic tubes through their throats directly into their stomachs.

“Maybe we did go a little too far,” said

Marie Pierre Pe of CIFOG, an industry group representing French foie gras producers.

“In the ‘80s, 30 to 35 percent of foie gras came from Eastern European countries. We had to improve production to be more competitive and maybe went too far,” she said.

Animal-rights activists have carried out a sustained campaign against foie gras-literally “fatty liver” in French-for decades. Its sale has been banned in California, Britain’s House of Lords has

taken it off its menu and Internet retailer Amazon has banned it from its website. The delicacy-a standard feature on French tables at Christmas and other festive occasions-is fiercely defended by fans who argue that birds stuff themselves with food in the wild while undertaking long migratory voyages.

But critics insist the practice is cruel and a 1998 EU report showed that death rates among force-fed birds could be up to 20 times higher than in those reared normally. —

W H AT ’ S O N

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

GUST instructor McDevitt voted as second president of TESOL Kuwait

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ulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) Instructor and Foundation Program Unit Accreditation Coordinator, Jeffrey McDevitt, was in the running for the presidency of TESOL Kuwait which held its elections for the Executive Board during the First Annual International Conference this past November. McDevitt won by an overwhelming majority and said: “It was a great honor.”

McDevitt is “very excited to help bring TESOL Kuwait into its second year.” And he hopes to build on the foundations that were set by the first President, Yvonne Johnson - also an Instructor in the English Foundation Unit at GUST. He says that the organization will continue to hold open meetings for its members and has already begun planning for the next conference in

November of 2014.

When asked about his plans for the organization, McDevitt says, “We are hoping to get more involvement from all areas of English language pedagogy. Currently, people think that you have to be a language teacher to be part of our organization, but we are trying to promote the organization to anyone who is interested in promoting teaching/learning in an English medium. Membership is open to anyone who teaches in Kuwait and wants to develop pedagogical skills for teaching nonnative speakers of English.”

Prof Ghassan Aouad, VP of Academic Affairs at GUST, stated: “The University is delighted with McDevitt’s new appointment and I am confident that he will bring energy, innovation and strong leadership

to this role.”

TESOL Kuwait is a professional community of educators, researchers, administrators, and students committed to advancing excellence in English language teaching for speakers of other languages in and around Kuwait. TESOL Kuwait fosters the exchange of ideas, research, and peer-to-peer knowledge, and provides expertise, resources, and a voice on issues affecting the profession. Through professional development programs, its annual conference, and special interest groups, TESOL Kuwait engages hundreds of professionals to collaborate locally and create a world of opportunity for people of all ages who want to learn English. Contact current members to see how you can become involved or become a member by visiting www.tesolkuwait.org.

KKIC conducts Islamic seminar slam is the religion that Allah sent to humans. Its addressing is universal and its decrees are comprehensive. It is not man-made religion; Manmade religion is not called religion; the religion is from God alone.

God made righteous and moral things but man cannot

I

everything in the universe and is unique from His creation. Islam clearly addresses one of the most central and challenging questions in human history: “What is the purpose of life?” God declares in the Quran, “And I did not create ... mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56) For

do it. Duabi Awqaf representative and well known scholar Sheikh Siraj Al Islam said inaugurating the Islamic Seminar Declaration program at Khaitan community School.

The most essential principle in Islam is the purely monotheistic belief in one God. God is the Creator of

Muslims, the purpose of life is to worship God, the Creator of all things. Worship in Islam is a comprehensive concept that urges people to be conscious of God throughout their daily lives and provides a framework to help people live a balanced and virtuous life.

This way of life promotes strong moral character,

good relations with people, and just and harmonious societies. Devoting one’s self to a life of submission to God is the key to attaining a true sense of peace because it produces a balance of spiritual needs with worldly affairs. It also lends special meaning to the concept of living one’s life responsibly, aware of the accountability to come in the hereafter. Parental obedience and dutifulness is integral to Islam. Men and women are to sanctify their relations in a marital contract, taking their spousal roles and family units seriously. Raising children who are morally upright and responsible participants in their communities is also a significant obligation.

Spirituality in Islam is about nurturing tolerance, kindness, control, righteousness, and forgiveness while shunning arrogance, pride, ego, anger and selfishness. This spirituality and God-consciousness should be reflected in a person’s interactions with other people. Therefore, Islam stresses the importance of treating people with respect, mercy, and dignity. He said.

TP Abdul Azeez General Secretary, KKIC outlined the seminar outline and PN Abdullatheef Madani presided over the function. The seminar will be held at Farwaniya during 25 to 28th of February 2014. There will be varieties of program events in the four-day mega conference. NK Abdussalam proposed vote of thanks. Islamic seminar chief patron O Abdulkader, Sadathali, Basheer Batha, Sharafudheen Kanneth, and Abdussamad AM were in the presidium.

Faisal Al-Qanaie, the Secretary General of the Kuwait Journalists Association, released the ‘2014 Martyr Fahad Ahmad Calendar’; a work that he designs and releases annually featuring pictures documenting the late Sheikh’s life.

Greetings

Best wishes to my brother & South Indian cinema junior hero Guduru Dileep Kumar. May all of your dreams come true one day. Happy birthday to you. Best wishes from K.S.Raju (Bala) & family, parents, friends & relatives.

Melbandhan Pancham released in Kuwait

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elbandhan Cultural Group hosted Melbandhan socio cultural evening on 15th November at the Auditorium of Kuwait Medical Association.

This cultural event was hosted on the eve of the official publication of the Fifth volume of Melbandhan.

Melbandhan is a book of Bengali literature contributed by the Bengali authors and poets of India and Bangladesh settled all around the world. This is the fifth year of publication. Ambassador of Bangladesh - Major General Mohammad Ashabuddin and Shubhashis Goldar, the Consular of Indian Embassy in Kuwait unwrapped the cover of the book in presence of the

Chief Editor of Melbandhan - Dr Ashok Deb and his coeditor poet Selim Reza. The First Secretar y of Bangladesh Embassy Ali Reza and other officers of both the embassies graced the occasion by their valuable presence.

To make the event more memorable some eminent persons of India and Bangladesh were honoured with mementoes. They were M P Dalbehera, Mohammad Shahid Islam, Ashfaq Ahmed Khan, Dr Noushad K P and Professor Humayun Kabir. Ambassador of Bangladesh and Consular of Indian Embassy in their brief speeches glorified the effort of bringing the neighbouring coun-

tries- India and Bangladesh closer together by means of literature, culture and heritage.

Sukdeb Chatterjee, Mrs Nazneen Rahman Lazu and the Ashfaq Ahmed Khan anchored the program. Aloke Kumar Deb, the chief organizer of the event assured the audience - a memorable cultural evening.

Starting from the inaugural song, the singers and dancers of India and Bangladesh enchanted the audience with their vibrant and heartwarming performances. Among the singers - Sanghita Deb, Partha Bardhan, Rina Deb, Mohammad Farook and Fatema along with the table maestro- Hassan Kamal amused the audience

with modern songs in Hindi and Bengali with old melodies. Madhusudan Ray recited a very passionate poem of the Legendary poet Nazrul Islam. The gorgeously costumed graceful dancers of Rhythm Dance Group- Muskaan Thapar, Tamanna Shaw, Anahita Chatterjee, Riyana Kohli and Sweta Ravindran mesmerized the audience by their performances. All those dances were beautifully choreographed by Rina Deb Director of Rhythm Dance Group. Shreya and Raisa, two graceful girls also presented a beautiful dance performance. Melbandhan Cultural Group is looking forward to such events in the years to come.

W H AT ’ S O N

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Embassy Information

Praise God Ministry holds 8th thanksgiving festival

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he Praise God Ministry (PGM) held its annual Sthuthi Swaralapana festival last weekend. The festival - in its 8th consecutive year - was attended by over 2,000 people who enjoyed an exciting devotional musical program. The festival is held each year as a way of saying “Thank You” to underprivileged members of the workforce in Kuwait by providing them an opportunity to participate in an evening of thanksgiving and entertainment.

The event was graced by the presence of a very special guest, Samer Khanachet, Chief Operating Officer of KIPCO. Pastor Ratna Maitra said the 2013 festival was a huge success.

“I would like to give special thanks to Khanachet for giving us his time and his words of encouragement. This is an event organized for a special section of our community who serve us throughout the year. In his keynote address Khanachet spoke of 7 steps for joy and success in life.

These included “Giving is good”, “Kind gestures count” and “An awareness that everybody, irrespective of where they stand in society, go through difficult times”. Khanachet’s words were both powerful and inspirational”.

Pastor Ratna Maitra added “The Sthuthi Swaralapana, or

Praise Music festival, is our way of expressing our gratitude to everyone in our congregation - our family members, our mentors, our pastors, our friends, colleagues and the community. This Festival also provides an opportunity for all of us to have a good time with an evening of entertainment as well the opportunity to enjoy an excellent home cooked meal. Without their fantastic help and support we would be unable to hold this event”.

“Every year at this event we discover new people with hidden talents. This year was no exception”.

“PGM Pastors lead the creative charge. Pastor Prasanna wrote and directed the drama “The Good Shepherd”, Pastor Prem penned two songs one for the PGM choir and the other for the PGM youth. PGM’s praise team leader Vijay Krupa carried the entire load of composing the tunes for the songs and completing the background score for the events. The costumes for the dances were designed inhouse and a group of tailors Koteswara Rao, John Kalyan, Bhasker Rao, from the PGM community stitched them.”

“Anil, Anil Jillela, Babu, Fenny, Joshua, Mahi, Pradeep, Raja, Ravi, Raju Bhoni, Satvik, Suri, Sarath and William from the PGM youth performed the youth dances in Hindi

based on the song “Aja Nach Le” and Telugu number “Ascharya Karyamulu”. These items drew repeated cheers from the audience. We saw a teenager Fenny who had never danced in his life evolve during rehearsal and come alive during the show.”

The drama “Good Shepherd” touched the hearts of the audience. The story revolved around the effect of disconnecting from God and becoming slaves for money. God came as “The Good Shepherd” to save them from this tragedy and restore their relationship with God. The climax brought tears to the eyes of the audience. Rekha and Dayakar’s performance stood out.

“Above all, I would like to thank all the members of our congregation and the broader community for being part of this big and loving family. Like previous festivals, this year’s event required a lot of hard work, sacrifice and commitment from many of the PGM family members. Each member of the organizing team has worked very hard over the past two months to make the evening possible.”

Pastor Ratna Maitra said the congregation enjoyed the evening and that everyone is looking forward to next year’s event.

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

EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa has the honour to inform that on the occasion of the Christmas and New Year, the Embassy will remain closed from 24 December 2013 and will reopen again on 5th January 2014. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF SLOVAK The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kuwait would like to inform the public that on the occasion of the Christmas holidays the Embassy will he closed on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26, December 2013, on the occasion of the New Year and the Independence Day of the Slovak Republic, the Embassy will be closed on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 and on the occasion of Catholic Epiphany Holiday, the Embassy will be closed on Monday, January 06. 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:

Kayamkulam NRIs ‘Kudumbasangamam’

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ayamkulam NRIs Kuwait Chapter will hold its annual ‘Kudumbasangamam’ family get-together on Thursday, January 02, 2014, at the Rhythm Auditorium, Abbassiya, at 6.30pm. A variety of cultural programs and games will be staged on this happy occasion to entertain its members and their families. For more details, please contact mobile: 9917095/55110309/67669535.

ICSK Amman holds seminar for careers in commerce field

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he Indian Community School, Kuwait, Amman branch, organised a highly informative career guidance seminar for the students of Class 9th and 10th on 27th November, 2013. The seminar was conducted to inform the students about the various commerce-related career opportunities. The seminar was presented by Dinesh Kamath, Treasurer to the ICSK Board of Trustees and was initiated by the Staff and student welfare committee of the ICSK Board.

Principal, Amman Branch, Rajesh Nair C set the stage for Dinesh Kamath by welcoming the audience. Dinesh Kamath captivated the audience with his winsome personality and encouraged the students to take their careers seriously. He also welcomed doubts from students during the talk.

In his talk, he informed students about the various choices available if they chose to pursue their studies in the field of commerce. He outlined the job-descriptions and growth opportunities on selecting careers like CA, CFA, MBA among others. He also addressed common questions related to career in commerce. His talk was highly engrossing, informative and interactive. It aptly addressed the important questions in the minds of children related to their careers.

Academic Supervisor Sumitra Nandakumar proposed the vote of thanks and thanked the school management for providing this opportunity to students. The students can surely make a well-informed choice related to their careers and benefit from such programs.

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

Kuwait Tamilosai conduct Christmas special meet

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uwait Tamilosai Poets Association convened their 92nd monthly meet to celebrate Christmas in Kuwait. The function began with the recitation of the Tamil anthem. The meet was presided over by vice-president Anbazhagan accompanied by Amanullah, the editor of “Tamil Nesan” weekly. The Association’s President

Kumar delivered the welcome address with keynotes on Tamil legends late Prof Saalini Ilanthiraiyan, philanthropist Pandithurai, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G R and recently deceased former South African President Nelson Mandela. A special poem to mark Christmas was chanted by Tamilosai Press Secretary cum-poetess Rani Mohan.

Announcement TIES Center - Where cultures meet he TIES Center is glad to announce that its Winter 2 Arabic language courses will begin on Sunday January 19 until Wednesday March 5, 2014. We offer classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Our classes are specially tailored to meet the needs and requirements of expats living in Kuwait. You still have the chance to join if you are interested. The TIES Arabic classes are intended for all expats who wish to learn Arabic. Whether you want to Learn Arabic for business or basic communication or simply as a hobby, the TIES Center welcomes you. Throughout the course, the students will learn how to read, write and speak Arabic in a friendly, relaxed and welcoming environment. TIES Arabic program highlights: Lessons are step by step - ranging from basic to advanced level; Lessons build confidence for speaking, reading, and writing Arabic; Lessons combine language learning with cultural insights; Lessons are specially tailored for expats living in Kuwait. It is an opportunity to interact with other Westerners, who are taking the courses. For more information.

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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.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 00:15 David Copperfield 01:05 Paradox 02:00 Eastenders 02:30 Doctors 03:00 The Royle Family: Joe’s Crackers 03:55 Absolutely Fabulous 04:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 05:00 Boogie Beebies 05:15 Poetry Pie 05:20 Balamory 05:40 Spot’s Musical Adventures 05:45 Show Me Show Me 06:10 Buzz & Tell 06:15 Boogie Beebies 06:30 Poetry Pie 06:35 Balamory 06:55 Spot’s Musical Adventures 07:00 Show Me Show Me 07:25 Buzz & Tell 07:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 08:00 Absolutely Fabulous 08:30 David Copperfield 09:15 Eastenders 09:45 Doctors 10:15 Hustle 11:05 Return To Cranford 11:55 Last Of The Summer Wine 12:25 David Copperfield 13:10 Absolutely Fabulous 13:40 Eastenders 14:10 Doctors 14:40 Hustle 15:35 The Weakest Link 16:20 David Copperfield 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 Hustle 19:00 One Foot In The Grave 19:30 Absolutely Fabulous 20:00 Hitler On Trial 21:25 Hitler On Trial: The Story Behind The Film 22:15 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 23:00 Come Fly With Me 23:30 The Office

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 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers 08:00 Bargain Hunt 08:45 Homes Under The Hammer 09:35 New Scandinavian Cooking 10:00 The Little Paris Kitchen 10:25 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 10:50 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 11:20 Come Dine With Me 12:05 Masterchef: The Professionals 12:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 14:10 Antiques Roadshow 15:00 Homes Under The Hammer 15:55 Homes Under The Hammer 16:45 Bargain Hunt 17:30 Cash In The Attic 18:20 Antiques Roadshow 19:15 DIY SOS: The Big Build 20:10 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking: Xmas 2011 21:05 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow

00:30 Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls 01:20 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 02:10 River Monsters 03:00 Mythbusters Specials 03:50 Border Security 04:15 Storage Hunters 04:40 Flip Men

05:05 How Do They Do It? 05:30 How It’s Made 06:00 American Guns 07:00 Mythbusters Specials 07:50 Alaska: The Last Frontier 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 Get Out Alive With Bear Grylls 12:25 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 13:15 River Monsters 14:05 Border Security 14:30 Storage Hunters 14:55 Flip Men 15:20 Finding Bigfoot 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 You Have Been Warned 22:50 Treehouse Masters

15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:55 19:20 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25

Wolfblood Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta A.N.T. Farm Jessie Wolfblood Mako Mermaids Dog With A Blog Violetta Jessie My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wolfblood Gravity Falls Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm

00:40 Stuck With Hackett 01:30 Stunt Junkies 02:00 The Gadget Show 02:25 Tech Toys 360 02:50 Rocket City Rednecks 03:45 Junkyard Wars 04:35 Smash Lab 05:25 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 06:15 The Gadget Show 06:40 Tech Toys 360 07:05 Mega Builders 08:00 Mighty Planes 08:50 Mighty Ships 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 Junkyard Wars 14:50 Stunt Junkies 15:20 The Gadget Show 15:45 Tech Toys 360 16:10 Rocket City Rednecks 16:35 Rocket City Rednecks 17:00 Nextworld 17:55 Mega Builders 18:45 Smash Lab 19:35 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 20:30 Prophets Of Science Fiction 21:20 The Science Of Star Wars 22:10 The Gadget Show 22:35 Tech Toys 360 23:00 Prophets Of Science Fiction 23:50 The Science Of Star Wars 23:00 Prophets Of Science Fiction 23:50 The Science Of Star Wars

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 Reza’s African Kitchen 03:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 03:35 Food Network Challenge 04:25 Food Wars 04:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:15 United Tastes Of America 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Iron Chef America 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 Food Network All-Star 12:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:00 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:50 Siba’s Table 14:15 Barefoot Contessa 14:40 Barefoot Contessa 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 Food Network All-Star 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 Food Network All-Star 22:10 Iron Chef America Special 23:00 Food Network’s Christmas Kitchen 23:25 Food Network’s Christmas Kitchen 23:50 Unwrapped

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 With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 The New Normal 02:00 Louie 02:30 Brickleberry 03:30 vMelissa & Joey 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 09:30 The Crazy Ones 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 14:00 Melissa & Joey 14:30 The Crazy Ones 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

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 Bolt 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 Off Limits 04:00 Reza’s African Kitchen 04:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 05:00 Bizarre Foods America 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

Airport 24/7: Miami World’s Greatest Motorcycle Xtreme Waterparks Trip Flip The Food Truck Bizarre Foods America 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 Baggage Battles Baggage Battles Man vs World

Hanks lands Palm Springs honor for playing ‘Captain Phillips’ and ‘Walt Disney’

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om Hanks, who received SAG and Golden Globe nominations last week for his title role in the piracy drama “Captain Phillips,” has been named recipient of the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Chairman’s Award, PSIFF organizers announced on Monday. Hanks also co-stars as Walt Disney in “Saving Mr Banks,” a supporting role for which he was surprisingly bypassed by Globes and SAG voters. He will receive the Palm Springs award for both films.

BEWARE THE GONZO ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Last Man Standing 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:30 Ben And Kate 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 22:30 Louie 23:00 Brickleberry 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

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Burn Notice Homeland Hemlock Grove Rescue Me Grey’s Anatomy Bunheads Burn Notice Drop Dead Diva Criminal Minds Grey’s Anatomy Bunheads Homeland Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Criminal Minds Burn Notice Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Criminal Minds Franklin & Bash Perception Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Hannibal 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 Chinese Zodiac 02:15 No Man’s Land: The Rise Of Reeker 04:00 Underworld: Awakening 06:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt 08:00 The Avengers 10:30 Mission: Impossible 12:30 The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift 14:30 Battleship 16:45 Mission: Impossible 18:45 The Apparition 20:15 Battleship 22:30 Shadow

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

10:00 11:00 Rides 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00

00:15 No Man’s Land: The Rise Of Reeker-18 02:00 Underworld: Awakening-18 04:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt-PG15 06:00 The Avengers-PG15 08:30 Mission: Impossible-PG15 10:30 The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift-PG15 12:30 Battleship-PG15 14:45 Mission: Impossible-PG15 16:45 The Apparition-PG15 18:15 Battleship-PG15 20:30 Shadow-PG15 22:00 Bunraku-18

00:00 Flypaper-18 02:00 Calendar Girls-PG15 04:00 Beware The Gonzo-PG15 06:00 The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom-PG 08:00 A Thousand Words-PG15 10:00 Blame It On The BellboyPG15 12:00 Beware The Gonzo-PG15 14:00 This Means War-PG15 16:00 Blame It On The Bellboy 18:00 Just Crazy Enough-PG15 20:00 Venus & Vegas-PG15 22:00 Flypaper-18

01:00 Shadow Dancer-PG15 03:00 World Trade Center-PG15 05:15 Virtual Lies-PG15 07:00 Playdate-PG15 09:00 Shadow Dancer-PG15 11:00 One Angry Juror-PG15 13:00 Five-PG15 14:45 Here-PG15 17:00 Blue Lagoon: The Awakening-PG15 19:00 Down The Shore-PG15 21:00 Beastly-PG15 23:00 One Day-18

01:00 Hara-Kiri: Death Of A Samurai-18 03:15 Cosmopolis-PG15 05:15 The Forger-PG15 07:00 A Woman-PG15 09:00 The Trial-PG15 11:00 Reign Over Me-PG15 13:15 Hide Away-PG15 15:00 Courage-PG15 16:45 Reign Over Me-PG15 19:00 L’amour C’est Mieux A DeuxPG15 21:00 In Time-PG15 23:00 Little Birds-18

00:45 Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, SpyPG15 03:00 Good Day For It-PG15 05:00 Dating Coach-PG15 07:00 Flicka 3-FAM 09:00 The Double-PG15 11:00 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island-PG 13:00 Katy Perry The Movie: Part Of Me-PG 15:00 Now Is Good-PG15 17:00 The Double-PG15 19:00 Pitch Perfect-PG15 21:00 Girl In Progress-PG15 23:00 Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters-PG15

01:00 Moomins And The Comet Chase 02:45 Blue Elephant 2 04:30 Daddy Day Camp 06:00 Gnomeo & Juliet 08:00 The Land Before Time 10:00 Everyone’s Hero 11:30 The Adventures Of Don Quixote 13:00 Daddy Day Camp 14:45 Princess Sydney: The Three Gold Coins 16:00 A Monster In Paris 18:00 Everyone’s Hero 20:00 Home Alone: The Holiday Heist 22:00 Princess Sydney: The Three Gold Coins

00:00 The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption-PG15 02:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-PG15

04:00 Hit List-PG15 06:00 Burden Of Evil-PG15 08:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked-PG 10:00 Frankenweenie-PG 12:00 You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger-PG15 14:00 Project Nim-PG15 16:00 Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked-PG 18:00 Midnight In Paris-PG15 20:00 Skyfall-PG15 22:30 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter-18

03:00 Futbol Mundial 03:30 Trans World Sport 04:30 Rugby Union 06:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:00 PDC World Darts Championships 12:00 Futbol Mundial 12:30 Amlin Chanllenge Cup 14:30 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 15:00 World Match Racing Tour 17:00 Futbol Mundial 17:30 Rugby Union 19:30 PGA Tour Highlights 20:30 European Tour Weekly 21:30 Futbol Mundial 22:00 Live PDC World Darts Championship

00:30 PGA Tour Highlights 01:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 02:30 WWE Bottom Line 03:30 Live NHL 06:30 WWE This Week 07:00 Futbol Mundial 07:30 HSBC Sevens World Series 08:00 PGA Tour Highlights 09:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 10:00 Champions Tour 11:00 NHL 13:00 Futbol Mundial 13:30 ICC Cricket 360 14:00 Darts 19:00 NHL 21:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 21:30 Trans World Sports 22:30 PGA Tour Highlights

00:00 Rugby League World Cup 02:30 HSBC Sevens World Series 06:00 Golfing World 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Pool Mosconi Cup 12:00 Champions Tour 13:00 Golfing World 14:00 Asian Tour Highlights 15:00 Trans World Sport 16:00 PGA Tour Highlights 17:00 pga european Tour Highlights 18:00 Champions Tour 19:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 19:30 Amlin Challenge Cup 21:30 Golfing World 22:30 HSBC Sevens World Series

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 Vintage Collection 08:00 WWE Experience 09:00 Ping Pong World 10:00 US Bass Fishing 11:00 NHL 13:00 UIM Aquabike Champs 13:30 UIM Aquabike Champs 14:00 European Le Mans Series 15:00 Mass Participation 15:30 Mass Participation 16:30 WWE This Week 17:00 WWE SmackDown 19:00 NHL 21:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter 22:00 UFC

The Chairman’s Award will be presented to Hanks at the festival’s Awards Gala, an annual fundraising event that is also used by studios to showcase awards contenders in front of an audience in the desert resort 100 miles east of Los Angeles. The award has previously gone to Ben Affleck, George Clooney, Richard Gere, Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman. Other awards recipients at the Jan. 4 gala will include Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Bruce Dern, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen and the cast of “American Hustle.” Last week, the festival announced that it would present the Breakthrough Performance Award award to Lupita Nyong’o, the co-star of “12 Years a Slave,” and the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing to “Saving Mr Banks” composer Thomas Newman. — Reuters

Hollywood’s Weinsteins reunite with Miramax

H

ollywood power players Bob and Har vey Weinstein are reuniting with Miramax, the company they founded in 1979 but sold to Disney, in a joint production and distribution deal, they announced Monday. The multi-year deal will include film, television and live stage projects based on hit Miramax films like “Shakespeare in Love” and “Swingers,” as well as TV series based on titles such as “Good Will Hunting.” Films created under the partnership will be released in the United States by The Weinstein Company (TWC) and sold internationally by Miramax, the two companies said. The first productions will start in early to mid-2014.

“This is an amazing opportunity to reunite us with the company named after our parents Miriam and Max,” said the brothers, whose films have won more than 70 Oscars over their time with Miramax and TWC. The Weinsteins sold Miramax to Disney in 1993 but continued to manage it until 2005, when they formed The Weinstein Company, behind Oscar winners including 2010’s best picture “The King’s Speech.” Disney sold the company in 2010 to a group including Qatar Holding and Colony Capital.

“Reuniting Harvey and Bob with the acres of cinematic diamonds that is the Miramax library, and combining the two companies’ powerful distribution capabilities, will create an unparalleled partnership in cinematic excellence,” said Miramax chairman Thomas J. Barrack. The Weinsteins added: “We salute Qatar Holding and Tom Barrack of Colony Capital ... From movies to TV shows to the Broadway stage they have reinvigorated Miramax productions and to have the Miramax banner fly once again is a dream come true for all of us.”

Their mother Miriam added, in a company statement: “Over the years Bob and Harvey have never let me talk although I would have done better than them, after all I am a Jewish mother. “I want to thank Tom Barrack, Colony Capital, and Qatar Holding for bringing Miramax actively back into my life and making a dream come true. “No one would be happier than Harvey and Bob’s late father, Max. This is truly a lucky partnership for all involved, for filmmakers and hopefully lucky for filmgoers all over the world.” — AFP

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 CARRIE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL HATOULY RAGEL THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG)

THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 11:45 PM

1:00 AM

FANAR-4 TARZAN (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D)

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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)

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360ยบ- 2 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CARRIE (DIG) CARRIE (DIG)

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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)

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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)

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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) 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)

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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)

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AVENUES-2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) DELIVERY MAN (DIG) PARKLAND (DIG) DELIVERY MAN (DIG)

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AVENUES-3 OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG)

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AVENUES-4 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION

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FANAR-2 OLDBOY (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG)

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FANAR-3 THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) THE FROZEN GROUND (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

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SHARQIA-3 OLDBOY (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) OLDBOY (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

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OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 360ยบ- 1 HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

SHARQIA-2 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

MUHALAB-1 THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) THE HUNGER GAMES:CATCHING FIRE (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

ACCOMMODATION

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (12/12/2013 TO 18/12/2013)

4:00 PM

AL-KOUT.1 TARZAN (DIG-3D) TARZAN (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG-3D) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.2 SAVING SANTA (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) SAVING SANTA (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL (DIG)

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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)

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1:45 PM 3:45 PM

Sharing accommodation available for decent bachelor non-smoking, Amman Street, one big room, opposite to Al Rashid hospital.

Please contact: 66232356/55862576.

(C 4600) 18-12-2013 FOR SALE Selling Mazda 6 (2004 model) white color car, mileage 124,000 kms only.

Body, chassis, engine, gear, A/C, exteriors etc all in good condition and well maintained. Expecting KD 550. Call 66596645.

(C 4601) 18-12-2013 Pajero jeep model 1996, color red, used by a lady.

Contact: 66152130.

17-12-2013

5:45 PM 9:15 PM

AL-KOUT.4 THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG)

Ford Lincoln, 2009 model, excellent condition, full options, top price.

99081888. (C 4599)

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.

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry aboutthe Civil ID card is 1889988

Prayer timings Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

05:11 06:36 11:44 14:34 16:53 18:15

No: 16020

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)

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Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines JAI JZR JZR THY QTR ETH GFA THY UAE ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB THY DHX FDB JZR BAW KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE KAC ABY GBG QTR IRM ETD FDB GFA IRA IAW JZR JZR MEA TMA MSC IRM UAE SVA JZR JZR MSR KAC CLX KNE KAC FDB QTR KAC

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 18/12/2013 Flt Route Time 574 MUMBAI 00:10 267 BEIRUT 00:40 539 CAIRO 00:40 772 ISTANBUL 00:45 1084 DOHA 00:55 620 ADDIS ABABA 01:45 211 BAHRAIN 02:10 764 SABIHA 02:15 853 DUBAI 02:35 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 02:45 643 MUSCAT 03:05 612 CAIRO 03:10 1076 DOHA 03:45 67 DUBAI 04:00 770 ISTANBUL 05:35 170 BAHRAIN 05:40 69 DUBAI 05:50 529 ASYUT 06:20 157 LONDON 06:40 412 MANILA 06:45 53 DUBAI 07:50 206 ISLAMABAD 07:40 302 MUMBAI 07:55 352 COCHIN 08:10 344 CHENNAI 08:35 855 DUBAI 08:40 362 COLOMBO 08:45 125 SHARJAH 09:00 913 BISHKEK 09:00 1070 DOHA 09:10 1186 TEHRAN 09:15 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 09:20 55 DUBAI 09:40 213 BAHRAIN 10:40 603 SHIRAZ 10:45 157 BAGHDAD 11:00 143 DAMMAM 11:40 165 DUBAI 11:30 404 BEIRUT 11:55 213 BEIRUT 12:10 403 ASYUT 12:20 1188 MASHAD 12:40 871 DUBAI 12:50 9330 MEDINAH 12:35 141 DAMMAM 12:30 561 SOHAG 12:55 610 CAIRO 13:00 382 DELHI 13:05 792 LUXEMBOURG 13:15 480 TAIF 13:15 522 NAJAF 13:45 57 DUBAI 13:50 1078 DOHA 13:55 672 DUBAI 14:00

MSR SVA KAC KNE IRC GFA JAV KNE JZR KAC JZR QTR UAE ETD RJA JZR JZR JZR SVA ABY GFA KAC KAC RBG JZR QTR FDB KAC IYE KAC KAC KAC KAC GFA KAC OMA FDB MSC JAI ABY ETD AXB MSR DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE GFA QTR FDB JAI AIC JZR JZR JZR

575 500 790 472 6692 221 621 462 329 538 327 1072 857 303 640 787 777 357 510 127 215 384 542 553 177 1080 63 786 826 618 674 102 166 217 774 647 61 405 572 129 919 489 606 634 229 402 307 859 219 1074 59 576 975 135 239 185

SHARM EL SHEIKH JEDDAH MEDINAH JEDDAH MASHAD BAHRAIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA MEDINAH NAJAF SHARM EL SHEIKH NAJAF DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH JEDDAH MASHAD RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN DHAKA CAIRO ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DOHA DUBAI JEDDAH SANAA DOHA DUBAI NEW YORK PARIS BAHRAIN RIYADH MUSCAT DUBAI SOHAG MUMBAI SHARJAH ABU DHABI-INTL COCHIN LUXOR FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI COCHIN CHENNAI BAHRAIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA DUBAI

14:15 14:30 14:25 14:35 14:35 15:00 15:05 15:45 16:00 16:05 16:45 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:00 17:55 17:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:45 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:55 19:00 19:25 19:35 19:10 19:30 19:30 19:55 20:05 20:05 20:10 20:20 20:25 20:35 20:45 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:15 22:30 22:05 22:20 23:20

Airlines AIC SYR UAL JAI DLH ETH THY UAE KAC ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC JZR FDB JZR THY GFA THY KAC JZR FDB BAW JZR KAC ABY KAC UAE KAC ETD KAC QTR FDB IRM KAC GBG GFA KAC IRA JZR IAW KAC JZR JZR MEA KAC MSC JZR JZR JZR TMA MSR SVA

Departure Flights on Wednesday 18/12/2013 Flt Route Time 982 AHMEDABAD 00:05 1452 DAMASCUS 00:35 981 WASHINGTON 00:55 573 MUMBAI 01:10 635 FRANKFURT 02:10 621 ADDIS ABABA 02:45 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 854 DUBAI 03:50 381 DELHI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 644 MUSCAT 04:05 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 68 DUBAI 04:40 1077 DOHA 05:15 383 DHAKA 05:15 560 SOHAG 06:20 70 DUBAI 06:30 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 537 SHARM EL SHEIKH 08:10 142 DAMMAM 08:30 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 140 DAMMAM 09:20 671 DUBAI 09:30 126 SHARJAH 09:40 789 MADINAH 09:45 856 DUBAI 09:55 117 NEW YORK 10:00 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 521 AL NAJAF 10:05 1071 DOHA 10:10 56 DUBAI 10:20 1187 TEHRAN 10:30 175 FRANKFURT 10:45 914 SHARJAH 11:00 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 602 SHIRAZ 11:45 356 MASHHAD 11:55 158 AL NAJAF 12:00 103 LONDON 12:20 776 JEDDAH 12:25 328 AL NAJAF 12:45 405 BEIRUT 12:55 785 JEDDAH 13:00 406 SOHAG 13:20 326 AL NAJAF 13:30 786 RIYADH 13:35 176 DUBAI 13:45 223 AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL 13:45 611 CAIRO 14:00 2331 JEDDAH 14:00

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

IRM KNE UAE FDB CLX QTR MSR KAC KAC KNE IRC GFA SVA KAC JAV KNE JZR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR RBG JZR JZR FDB QTR IYE GFA FDB OMA KAC KAC ABY MSC JAI KAC MSR DHX ALK MEA ETD ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC QTR JAI JZR JZR KAC

1189 481 872 58 792 1079 576 673 617 473 6693 222 503 773 622 463 238 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 554 134 554 64 1081 827 218 62 648 331 361 120 404 571 351 619 171 230 403 308 920 220 301 60 860 205 1075 575 528 502 415

MASHHAD TAIF DUBAI DUBAI GIALAM DOHA SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH MASHHAD BAHRAIN MADINAH RIYADH AMMAN MADINAH AMMAN ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DOHA RIYAN MUKALLA BAHRAIN DUBAI MUSCAT TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO SHARJAH ASYUT MUMBAI KOCHI ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI ASYUT LUXOR KUALA LUMPUR

14:05 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:45 14:55 15:00 15:05 15:30 15:30 15:35 15:45 15:45 16:05 16:25 16:30 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:40 19:55 20:15 20:45 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:10 21:45 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:10 23:15 23:25 23:30 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 402

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19)

ARIES You may work in an area, already a hotbed of home-building activity, and decide to take on the art of real estate. This sales industry seems perfect for you. By the time you get your license you will find that—regardless of the way the economy is moving—you will be moving houses. Your comedic attitude is appropriate in some places, but inappropriate in others and you have come a long way in learning when to step back and view the type of audience you might have before inserting foot, so to speak. You are becoming sensitive to the needs of others and can demonstrate this when someone asks for your opinion. Tonight you may enjoy the entertainment of youngsters. A holiday play or musical will show off a child. One of your own, perhaps.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find yourself in a talkative mood this morning. Ideas are clear and easy to see—you have your opinions too. You may have a conversation during the break time about the accomplishments during this year and you think about your own goals.

This afternoon you may decide to work in a little overtime in hopes of getting ahead.

Perhaps it is some weather change or the upcoming holiday parties, but you want to be able to leave work without leaving work incomplete. An award luncheon may be planned for next week and you will want to go. You find problems are short lived and you are as helpful as you can be to guide others through some difficult customer’s story. A warm fire is enjoyed this evening.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A member of a pastoral people living in the Nilgiri hills of southern India.

5. Charge falsely or with malicious intent.

12. The residue that remains when something is burned.

15. The sixth month of the civil year.

16. Sensationalist journalism.

17. A member of the Dravidian people living in southeastern India.

18. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

19. (of animal tails or ears) Cut short.

21. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

24. Any thick messy substance.

25. Conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence.

29. Animal food for browsing or grazing.

32. Panic grass.

36. The act of scanning.

39. (Greek mythology) Daughter of Zeus and Demeter.

40. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

44. The academic world.

46. The largest city and principal port of New Zealand.

48. A canoe made by hollowing out and shaping a large log.

49. (British) Traditional jazz as revived in the 1950s.

50. A Nilotic language.

51. King of England who was renounced by Northumbria in favor of his brother Edgar (died in 959).

54. A silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion.

55. Half the width of an em.

56. (folklore) A corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living.

59. Having the polar diameter greater than the equatorial diameter.

65. Washing out a hollow organ (especially the stomach) by flushing with water.

68. (Norse mythology) Trickster.

69. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

72. Joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ.

73. Earn on some commercial or business transaction.

74. Open to change.

76. Neither warm or very cold.

77. (informal) Exceptionally good.

78. The sodium salt of amobarbital that is used as a barbiturate.

79. (Sumerian) Water god and god of wisdom.

DOWN 1. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

2. A European river.

3. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

4. Relating to or associated with Arabia or its people.

5. A highly unstable radioactive element (the

heaviest of the halogen series).

6. The capital and largest city of Yemen.

7. A soft heavy toxic malleable metallic element.

8. The twelfth month of the civil year.

9. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria.

10. (law) A courtroom conference between the lawyers and the judge in a trial that is held out of the jury's hearing.

11. The capital and largest city of Japan.

12. A town and port in northwestern Israel in the eastern Mediterranean.

13. A city in northeastern Egypt at the head of the Gulf of Suez and at the southern end of the Suez Canal.

14. The dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal).

20. Relating to or resembling a cone.

22. Any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species.

23. Genus of erect herbs of the Middle East having showy flowers.

26. 1/10 gram.

27. On or outside the dura mater.

28. In operation or operational.

30. Any of various spiny trees or shrubs of the genus Acacia.

31. A short sleeveless outer tunic emblazoned with a coat of arms.

33. A brittle aromatic resin used in varnishes.

34. (Greek mythology) God of the heavens.

35. A battle in which the Danes defeated the East Saxons in 991.

37. American novelist (1909-1955).

38. A frame of iron bars to hold a fire.

41. An island in the Aegean Sea in the Saronic Gulf.

42. Marked by excessive complacency or selfsatisfaction.

43. Kidney disease characterized by enlarged kidneys containing many cysts.

45. Fastening by dowels.

47. (astronomy) An indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels.

52. A bachelor's degree in religion.

53. (of tempo) Very fast and lively adv.

57. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric.

58. American professional baseball player who hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in 1934).

60. A deep prolonged loud noise.

61. Long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant.

62. The basic unit of money in Western Samoa.

63. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

64. A fabric made by knitting.

66. Any thick messy substance.

67. (Norse mythology) Goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match.

70. Make amends for.

71. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

75. Angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object).

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

The activities before noon are few and you may find that you can get quite a bit accomplished at your own desk. You have a passion for details—be careful not to waste too much of your time on one thing. You feel a sense of satisfaction by getting in touch with things of a mysterious or spiritual nature. Detecting the truth in a situation is fun and resembles working a puzzle—you may find many people come to you for help in solving their problems. This could be emotional as well as a concern about business issues. It’s common sense and the search for information that counts and today you are on the winning side. This evening is a great time to just sit back and enjoy what you have; however, you might consider entering a contest when you see one. Relax.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You should find this an exceptionally good day for anything job related. You shine in your particular job and may find that a promotion is in the works. You could find yourself representing or speaking for your company or communicating about your skills.

This could be a day for figuring out what you truly believe in and maybe even fighting for it. This study becomes a high personal priority and may include religion, law, politics, travel and higher education. There are moments of testing your limits to see how far you can go.

You feel a love of law and order and you have an appreciation for responsibilities and duty.

You are happy to discover that it is possible that many technical products currently on the market help people become smarter.

Leo (July 23-August 22) There is a doorway open for you in which you could receive insights regarding any number of matters. Career opportunities will continue to present themselves to you and you should be able to find a particular job that will match your selfexpression. You have a natural sense for communicating with others, especially those younger than you. You may be advising or guiding young people in matters of driving, voting or budgeting. You will do very well and you have the attention most of the time.

Good results happen from your hard work. Your mind is exceptionally sharp and you are quick-witted. There is also a sense of nostalgia today. Certain smells, songs or pictures trigger good memories of the past.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You may sometimes feel that you are trudging uphill, especially if you add to your workload just now. There are no hard and fast rules for getting to your goals but hard work seems to win out. Of course, the results can be much quicker if you gain help— teamwork is good. Taking care of yourself through diet and exercise is important at this time. Depending on the weather, you might enjoy a long drive near the outskirts of town before dinner; perhaps you will discover a country vegetable stand to visit later this weekend. Alternatively, you could choose to work on your car—tinkering with the motor, changing the oil—an activity that you may find comforting. This driving or working on your vehicle will help you transition from the workday stresses.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a time that you could be enjoying and appreciating your ties to others. You soon may find yourself working especially hard on some project that requires a group effort. Others could view you as the perfect person to be in charge of some project requiring a focused mind. Marriage and other close relationships give rise to great expectations now, as a new cycle gets underway in your life. It would also be a good time to bring together and organize your affairs or to rearrange your living situation. You may tend to isolate yourself somewhat just now, but only to become caught up on last-minute details for a party or get-together with friends. Expect some change in the way you help others. Perhaps your schedule will become more flexible soon.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) The things that will pique your interest are adventures that take you completely out of your realm of imagination. You may find such travel on the internet or through pamphlets that friends show you. There is an interest in new worlds, new cultures and new styles. You want the freedom to explore places where no one has ever gone before. These are very deep and powerful longings—it is what got the human race to the other side of the moon. Many of your experiences would be best put into words—the written and spoken word is your work of art. Expect pleasant conversations with others and absorb the new thoughts that may come your way today. You may become a very good writer; keep practicing. Music and fun is scheduled soon.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Obstacles to self-discipline or to your sense of organization may appear at this time. Someone could frustrate you in this regard, or external events might pile up and be thrust upon you. Authorities and red tape may stand between you and your goals—pace yourself. You are entering into a time of emotional directness and excitability, one that is inscribed by forceful and powerful feelings. A new emotional beginning is the first step and you will work to create a new attitude as well as a new and positive habit pattern. An idea running around in your head finally takes focus this evening and writing out a plan is a good idea. This may be any subject pertaining to your hobby or an invention. You could take this to a level that would earn you some money.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Setting your personal desires aside, you may dive into work with a strong determination to complete all tasks assigned to you. You do not want to get behind and find yourself working overtime. After work, you prepare in advance for a party—perhaps a masquerade party. This party may be done as a benefit planned to help the less fortunate during the cold weather. You may find that your rewards are many as you consider the basics that these individuals might need. The things that you value and care about find a great deal of support. Being appreciated for your gifts and talents are wonderful feelings, but that comes with family. You could be feeling a particular closeness to lovers, children and other people that are near and dear to you this evening.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Check to see if your company has, or will create, a college plan for employees. If you could take off work early twice a week, you might have time for night school and finish some special education. If not for you, it may be that you seek this for a friend.

Now is a time when you are particularly helpful to others and willing to set an example.

These thoughts occur to you as you see or hear about some great opportunities with a continuing education project. Expect to make some clear decisions that will affect others.

Compliments are easy to find this evening. A party or group meeting is just the thing to keep you aware. You love to know all about the activities and achievements of your friends and neighbors and you are always willing to help.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Something may spell out your need to reorganize and become more conservative. This should all work out since it is probably your intuition telling you it is time for some sort of inspection in your workplace. Because you begin a clean up, others seem to follow suit and when inspection does happen, everyone gets higher points than usual— not necessarily this day. Team sports seem to occupy you and your friends this afternoon.

Careful, you could be forgetting an important appointment. A short holiday trip, perhaps to look at lights, can be a fun activity for the whole family this evening. Curb your excessive tendency to spend money on things that are short-time enjoyment. Save some of this money for a real new year’s fling, or a special gift.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 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

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

lifestyle G O S S I P

Adele to receive

her MBE In rare comment, de Havilland mourns Fontaine

O

livia de Havilland has offered a rare public comment to say that she is “shocked and saddened” by the death of her sister and fellow actress Joan Fontaine. Fontaine died on Sunday in Carmel, Calif. She was 96. The sisters had reportedly feuded for decades and de Havilland has often declined to talk about Fontaine. The 97-year-old longtime resi-

dent of Paris said in a statement Monday that she was grateful for the “expressions of sympathy.” De Havilland and Fontaine are among Hollywood’s most famous siblings.

The fellow Oscar winners and stars from Hollywood’s studio era are known for their many screen achievements and for a rivalry that at times became public. Fontaine was openly critical of de Havilland.

A

dele will be awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. The ‘Someone Like You’ singer was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list for her services to the music industry. Her new title will be Miss Adele Adkins MBE, which stands for member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire The 25year-old singer has achieved huge success over the past two years with the release of her second album ‘21’. The record topped the charts in more than 30 countries and was number one in the UK for 23 weeks, selling more than seven million copies in the country. It

was certified diamond after 24 weeks at the top spot in the US. Adele is now a global pop superstar and also won an Academy Award in February for her James Bond theme song ‘Skyfall’. She is rumored to be planning the release of her third studio album sometime next year but has been busy being a mum after giving birth to her son Angelo with partner Simon Konecki in October last year. Singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, broadcaster Aled Jones and author Joanne Harris were also on the list for MBEs, while broadcaster Claire Balding was honored with an OBE.

US judge revokes Brown’s probation

A

California judge on Monday revoked Chris Brown’s probation stemming from his 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna, following an alleged assault in Washington DC in October. The troubled US rapper, who appeared in court with onagain-off-again girlfriend Karrueche Tran, was also ordered to stay in a rehab facility and to return to court on February 10. The 24-year-old allegedly punched a 20-yearold man who was trying to get a photo with Brown in October, and the criminal complaint suggested a “prima facie showing of violation,” said the judge. But while revoking his probation, Los Angeles Superior Court judge James Brandlin said: “I’m not inclined to take Mr. Brown into custody” because of his general good behavior. “I do want to emphasize that I’m pleased that he’s doing well in the program,” the judge added. The good probation report was in contrast to his last one, which prompted the judge to order Brown to complete a 90day drug abuse and anger management program. Brown was arrested in February 2009 after getting involved in a physical confrontation with Barbadian superstar Rihanna that left her with a bruised and

battered face. Brown, a Virginia native, was required, after pleading guilty in court to the assault, to take part in domestic violence counseling and sentenced to five years’ probation and community service.

California authorities have filed probation violation charges against Brown twice this year already, giving him an additional 1,000 hours of community service work on his sentence for beating the pop star.

DiCaprio Rihanna is new face of Balmain slammed

by PETA

K

im, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian have unveiled their second Kardashian Kollection clothing line for Lipsy. The three sisters have teamed up with the retailer once again for the second installment of their range after their first drop, which was released in October, flew off the shelves in record time. The collection features 14 brand new pieces, which draw on the individual style of Kim, Kourtney and Khloe. The range will contain figure-hugging bodycon dresses, floral print frocks, lacy rock-chic pencil skirts, sheer blouses and a stunning monochrome printed biker jacket to fit every shape and size. The new

No Indiana Jones movie for two years

‘I

ndiana Jones’ fans will have to wait at least two years for another movie. Rumors emerged recently that a new installment was on the cards after Disney bought out the marketing

R

ihanna has become the new face of Balmain. The 25-year-old singer will front the Spring/Summer 2014 collection advertising campaign for the French fashion label and is expected to feature in magazines from January. The label’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, told WWD: “In front of the camera, she makes you feel like she is the only girl in the world. “When the woman that inspires you wears your creations, your vision feels complete.”

In the adverts, which were shot in New York City, Rihanna - who recently launched her own make-

designs will be available to buy online from December 23 and will be in Lipsy stores across the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Middle East, the Netherlands and Russia on December 29. Prices start at just £30, and the stylish garments can also be purchased from Next, House of Fraser and Bank.

Despite pushing forward with stunning collaborations, the sisters - who have previously teamed up with Dorothy Perkins - insist they won’t be starring in their own fashion TV show in the near future. Khloe said previously: “Never say never, but right now there’s so much on our plate we want to just nurture what we have.”

and distribution rights to future ‘Indiana Jones’ films from Paramount Pictures, but the media corporation have said it could take up to three years before the archaeologist embarks on his next adventure.

Walt Disney Studios’ chairman, Alan Horn, told Variety: “We haven’t done anything. We don’t have a story. We need a story. It didn’t make sense to produce the movie at Disney and then have it be distributed and marketed by Paramount.”

Meanwhile, Harrison Ford admitted last month that he wants to reprise his role as ‘Indy’ after his last appearance in 2008 in ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull’. He said: “I would love to make another Indiana Jones film ... It would be great to return to the character, even at my age! “I would certainly be happy to play Indiana Jones one more time. I don’t have the hat and the whip, but I know where I can find them!” The Indiana Jones franchise first kicked off in 1981 with ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, which was closely followed by ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom’ in 1984 and 1989’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’.

up range - can be seen wearing a two different outfits. In the first snap, the ‘Stay’ hitmaker is propped up on a white and black- squared block while wearing a cute baby pink dogtooth checked over-coat with turned up sleeves and gold accessories. However, in the second photograph, Rihanna shows some attitude in a denim top and denim high-waited trousers, which is complete with chunky gold chains and a choppy bob that covers one eye. The brunette beauty was styled by Mel Ottenberg, who also serves as her personal stylist, too.

Lorde: I look like

P

eople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals isn’t monkeying around with Leonardo DiCaprio. The animal rights organization is taking aim at the actor with a new ad campaign slamming him for appearing in a scene with a chimpanzee in his upcoming film “The Wolf of Wall Street.”

PETA’s campaign includes a graphic video detailing the lives of ape “actors,” as well as an online petition urging DiCaprio to never work with great apes again. According to the organization, during the film DiCaprio drags a chimpanzee named Chance through a bustling office party. PETA claims that the chimp was provided by a member of the Rosaire family, which “is notorious for operating a traveling circus that forces chimpanzees to perform cruel and unnatural acts.” “Someone as committed to environmental concerns as Leonardo DiCaprio should know better than to support the well-documented cruelty involved in using great apes for entertainment,” PETA primatologist Julia Gallucci said.

“PETA hopes the next time Leo receives a script with an ape ‘actor’ in it, he’ll remember that these sensitive animals are stolen from their mothers at birth and subjected to physical abuse - and he’ll demand a rewrite.”So far, PETA has taken no issue with the fact that wolves are being defamed by the film by associating them with the stock market.

Gollum

L

orde thinks she looks like Gollum from ‘Lord of the Rings’ when she performs on stage. The 17-year-old star likened herself to the ugly fictional character from J.R.R Tolkien’s tales during a question and answer session with fans on entertainment website Reddit. The ‘Royals’ hitmaker said: “I know when I’m on stage, I don’t think about how it looks, I just concentrate on really feeling what I hear.

But I totally know I look like Gollum when I perform, so it’s cool.” Lorde also revealed she “hates dentists”, when asked why she referred to her teeth so much in her debut album, ‘Pure Heroine’. In an hour, the Kiwi singer attracted almost 5,000 questions and comments during the ‘Ask Me Anything’ session. During that time, she confirmed she would be performing at a

“major festival” in North America in 2014 and revealed for her next video, she is deciding between the album tracks Ribs, 400 Lux and Buzzcut. Another fan asked what shampoo she uses on her trademark brunette curls. She replied: “My mum buys it in 2-litre bottles from the supermarket I don’t even know. [sic]” Lorde also said she has no regrets about going into the music industry at such a young age, saying: “I feel like I learnt early on how things worked and that gave me a good understanding of what could be deal with/which rules were dumb and shouldn’t have to be followed. [sic] “Plus, I can sit down with basically the most intimidating people in the industry and not flinch. And maybe even make them flinch. Or cry. Heh. [sic]”

37

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LIFESTYLE F E A T U R E S

The 53rd

International Miss

Beauty Pageant

Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago presents her a traditional dress.

Miss Spain Araceli Carriero Martinez presents her traditional costume.

Newly-crowned Miss International Bea Rose Santiago, center, of the Philippines is congratulated by 1st runner-up Miss New Zealand Casey Radley, left, and 2nd runner-up Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker.

Miss Puerto Rico Ashley Beth Perez Calderon presents her traditional costume.

Newly-crowned Miss International Bea Rose Santiago of the Philippines poses for photographers after winning the final of the 53rd Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo yesterday. —AP photos Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker presents her traditional costume.

Miss Venezuela Nicelin Elian Herrera presents her national dress.

Miss Singapore Chew Jia Min presents her national dress.

Miss Indonesia Marisa Sartika Maladewi presents her traditional costume.

Miss USA Andrea Neu presents her national costume.

British Airways’ top destinations for 2014

Four Seasons Hotel overlooking Victoria Harbour - Hong Kong Commonwealth Games come to town on July 23.

One of Europe’s most vibrant cities, enjoy a warm friendly welcome and good times.

Oporto, Portugal

Le Meriden, St Julians - Malta

I

t’s the time of year we look forward to the most, and to help customers decide where to holiday next year, Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager for the Middle East and Central Asia, has compiled his top 14 for 2014.

From Britney in Vegas to football in Brazil, and the hidden ski slopes of Moscow to the bliss of the Greek islands there’s something for everyone. Next year is all about vibrant destinations - it’s time to go big, or go home!All eyes will be on Brazil with the World Cup taking place; and for the adventurous traveler there’s still plenty to discover in destinations such as Johannesburg and Chengdu.

Austin, USA

The self-proclaimed ‘live music capital of the world’ is booming right now.From hundreds of live music venues to barbeque pits and gleaming shopping centers, as well a growing technology industry in the ‘Silicone Hills’, the Texan capital has drawn a young hip crowd thanks to the popularity of its South by Southwest festival.

Johannesburg, South Africa

The imminent film release of ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ is a timely reminder of the social regeneration the country has undergone. There’s so much to discover in this vibrant country, from the Apartheid Museum to the world heritage site of the

Cradle of Humankind, as well as game reserves and safaris.

The historic town of Oporto is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance. It is the second-largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon, and one of the major urban areas in Southern Europe.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Hong Kong, China

Caiprinhas at the ready - revellers from around the world will descend on Brazil, for the ‘Copa do Mundo’, which comes to a climax in Rio on July 13.Despite its many cultural attractions, the reason to come in 2014 is to enjoy the party atmosphere and camaraderie among cheering football fans.

Albuquerque, USA

Thanks to its cult following, ‘Breaking Bad’ has put Albuquerque on the map and boosted local tourism.

But there’s more to New Mexico than chicken shops and car washes - it boasts spas, golf courses, dormant volcanoes, hot air ballooning, ghost tours, sunshine 310 days a year, and of course tours from the programme!

Leeds, UK

Just an hour’s flight away and you could be digging for Roman coins, visiting unique breweries and enjoying countryside walks - all in Britain.Boosted by popular T V including ‘Educating Yorkshire’ and ‘Downtown Abbey’, it’s no surprise that Yorkshire came third in Lonely Planet’s top destinations for 2014.

Chengdu, China

In the next seven years, China will become the

Sky Villa at Aria Hotel, Las Vegas most popular tourist destination, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.With high end hotels such as the Ritz Carlton and Six Senses popping up in Chengdu - now’s the time for intrepid travellers to discover this Eastern mystery.

While many come for the giant panda sanctuary, there is also the possibility of onward travel to Tibet and the rest of China too.

Las Vegas, USA

When you thought it couldn’t get any better, Britney Spears comes along and announces a twoyear residency in Las Vegas. This isn’t the only new attraction - there’s the Aria Hotel and soon-to-open Gordon Ramsay’s ‘Plane Food’ at McCarran international airport.

Santorini, Greek Islands

The romantic and magical island of Santorini is expected to be one of the airline’s most popular honeymoon destinations when it launches in May. The warm reception and great value for money still make Greece one of the top holiday spots.

Glasgow, Scotland

Get among the Scottish spirit when the

There’s still so much to discover in Hong Kong.

From the rawness of Kowloon market, to the luxury of the Four Seasons Hotel, there’s something for everyone. Big in 2014 is the merging of venues, such as Duddel’s art-gallery-cum-restaurant, one of many collaborations to seek out.

Moscow, Russia

Russia may not instantly come to mind when you think of ski and snowboarding breaks, but the Sochi Winter Olympics has raised its profile as a serious contender for thrill seekers. Moscow is home to the centrally located ‘Three Hills’ resort, or take a quick connecting flight to Sochi with its ‘Rosa Khutor’ resort.

Mykonos, Greek Islands

Launching in May, British Airways will start flights to the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos. A great party destination for those nocturnal folk.

Malta

Glorious weather, picture perfect beaches and the bustling nightlife of St Julian’s make Malta a firm favourite for the year ahead. Often used as a setting for Hollywood films, names such as Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Rachel Weisz have been spotted here.

38

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

LIFESTYLE M U S I C

&

M O V I E S This 1991 file photo shows the band Nirvana, from left, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Kurt Cobain.

File image released by Starpix shows, from left, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer of KISS as the band arrives at SiriusXM offices to promote their latest release ‘Monster,’ in New York. —AP photos

Nirvana, KISS

among 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

irvana, the influential Seattle grunge band founded by the late Kurt Cobain, and the flamboyant 1970s rockers from KISS were among six new inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the organization said yesterday. British singers and songwriters Peter Gabriel and Cat Stevens, folkpop singer Linda Ronstadt and rock and soul duo Hall and Oates completed the list of performer inductees to the prestigious Hall of Fame, chosen from 16 nominees.

The induction ceremony will take place in New York City on April 10, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation said in a statement.

Nirvana, formed by singer and guitarist Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in the late 1980s, brought grunge music to the mainstream and was considered the flagship band of Generation X with songs like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are.” Cobain committed suicide in 1994 at the age of 27 and the band broke up after just three full-length studio albums in a sevenyear career, during which Nirvana sold 75 million records worldwide, making it one of the best-selling acts in music history.

Nirvana was chosen as an inductee in its first year of eligibility.

The Cleveland-based Hall of Fame establishes that an artist or group must have released their debut album or single at least 25 years earlier to be eligible.

N

KISS shocked the music world in the mid1970s with its outlandish black-and-white makeup, racy costumes, hard-pounding tunes and elaborate shows. Songs such as the trademark “Rock and Roll All Nite” helped define a hard rock-and-shock style

File photo, Dave Grohl, left, poses with Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic at the premiere of the documentary film ‘Sound City,’ in Los Angeles.

File photo shows Yusuf Islam, previously Cat Stevens, during a sound check for his concert at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles.

that continues to thrive today. Peter Gabriel, 63, was lead vocalist and flautist for the progressive rock band Genesis, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2010 inductee, before pursuing a solo career that produced hits including “Sledgehammer.”

Islam, Ronstadt to rock the hall

Cat Stevens, the former stage name for Yusuf Islam, shook up 1970s rock with his distinctive voice and compositions such as “Wild World” and “Moon Shadow.” He later converted to Islam and today at 65 years of age com-

bines music with philanthropy and humanitarian causes. Linda Ronstadt, known as the “First Lady of Rock,” was a mainstay of the 1970s rock scene with hits including “You’re No Good” in 1975. The 67-year-old revealed this year that she could no longer sing due to Parkinson’s disease.

Daryl Hall and John Oates broke out in 1976 with the hit “Rich Girl” and ruled the charts in the 1980s with bouncy melodies “Kiss on My List” and “Private Eyes.” The inductees were chosen by more than 700 voters from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, but fans were also allowed to cast votes online for the artists they believe were the most deserving of induction. Three of the top five artists from the fan ballot will be inducted in 2014.

“This year’s Hall of Fame Inductees really capture the passion of the fans,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. The E Street Band, the group behind singer Bruce Springsteen, will be inducted through the Award for Musical Excellence, the foundation said. The late music entrepreneur who managed The Beatles, Brian Epstein, and Andrew Loog Oldham who managed The Rolling Stones will be inducted with the Ahmet Ertegun Awards for lifetime achievement, named after the late founder of Atlantic Records. — Reuters

Beyonce sells 617,000

Anchorman 2 review

Ferrell sequel more B

albums in 3 days on iTunes

sketchy-sketch-sketch than a movie reader Ron Burgundy, and as the film begins, it looks like he and wife Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate) have it all - they’ve left San Diego for New York City, where they co-anchor the weekend network news and are raising a son in a sumptuous brownstone.

When the legendary Mack Harken (Harrison Ford, given little to do or say that’s particularly funny) steps down from the network’s main anchor desk, Ron thinks it’s a big break for him and his wife, but he’s only half-right: She gets the gig, and he gets the boot. Drunk, self-pitying and back in San Diego introducing dolphin shows at Sea World, Ron gets another shot: a millionaire tycoon is starting a 24-hour cable news network, and the startup wants Ron. Ron reunites his usual gang of idiots - sportscaster Champ Kind (David Koechner), ladies’ man

Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and barely-functioning weatherman Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) - and prepares to take New York by storm again. Upon arrival, however, Ron learns that tough-as-nails network exec Linda (Meagan Good) has relegated him to the graveyard shift while prime time goes to the glossy and charismatic Jack Lime (James Marsden).

“Anchorman 2” has a surfeit of funny ideas, from Ron single-handedly inventing almost every awful idea in cable news (car-chase coverage, knee-jerk patriotism, weathermen standing in the middle of hurricanes) to clever tweaking of the chronology (it’s supposed to be 1980, but the movie subtly throws in anachronistic references to Trivial Pursuit and “Ghostbusters”). Audiences who have spent the last nine years quoting the original will no doubt come away with a whole arsenal of new lines and situations to add to their repertoire.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, Paul Rudd is Brian Fantana, Will Ferrell is Ron Burgundy, David Koechner is Champ Kind and Steve Carell is Brick Tamland in a scene from ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”. — AP

With all the talent on hand, and such a rich comic set-up, I can’t help wishing that “Anchorman 2” weren’t so flimsy. It’s a constant barrage of jokejoke-joke, but they’re all gags that take place in the moment and are immediately shoved aside for the next one. Nothing builds. There are no setups for later payoffs.

In a five- or ten-minute comedy sketch, that’s perfectly fine, but it’s not a formula for the long haul of a feature. If this were “Idiocracy,” it would just be “Ow! My balls!” over and over again for 119 minutes. (Extended running time no doubt thanks to producer Judd “Leave it in!” Apatow.)

It’s also a pity that McKay and Ferrell couldn’t figure out more for the women in the movie to do Applegate spends most of the movie off-screen, Good gets relegated to reaction shots and even Kristin Wiig’s turn as the one woman in the world mentally impaired enough to be Brick Tamland’s soulmate feels more like a one-note rehearsal than an actual character. (“Anchorman 2” also suffers the sequel’s curse of “do it again, but bigger,” particularly in a climactic showdown that recalls the first film’s local-news rumble.) Perhaps the film’s biggest miscalculation is its insistence that Ron realize the error of his ways and attempt to become an actual journalist. Does anyone really want to see Ron Burgundy learn his lesson? If we’re grading “Anchorman 2” for the sheer number of jokes, or even by the percentage of those jokes that land, it’s a success. It’s just too bad that the entire enterprise feels as disposable as yesterday’s news. — Reuters

hen Zucker, Abrams and Zucker created the hilarious (and influential) “Airplane!” they filled the screen with a rapid-fire rata-tat of sight gags, puns, parodies, absurdities and pratfalls. Yet underneath it all, the writer-directors maintained a skeletal story on which to hang all their wackiness, even if they’d lifted the plot from the vintage, mostly forgotten disaster movie “Zero Hour!”

With “Anchorman” and especially with its sequel, “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” director Adam McKay, co-writer Will Ferrell and a cast of talented comedians bring all the rat-a-tat you could ever want without bothering to create any kind of structure. And while you might not think a framework is important to comedy, it’s the sort of thing you don’t notice until it isn’t there.

Ferrell reprises his role as idiotic and vain news-

W

Joke-joke-joke

eyonce’s surprise album has sold surprisingly well: Her fifth solo effort sold more than 600,000 units in its first three days, setting a record for firstweek domestic digital sales. Beyonce’s selftitled album was released early Friday morning exclusively on iTunes unbeknownst to the public. Apple said Monday that the album sold 617,213 in its US iTunes Store. It sold 828,773 internationally. “You have to be innovative. The Internet has changed the game. You’ve got to look at how to address the fact that most artists’ albums leak before their release plans,” said Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, the general manager of Beyonce’s production company Parkwood Entertainment, who released the album alongside Columbia Records.

“Look at where your opportunities can lie and that’s kind of how we approached it,” she continued in an interview Monday.

“We had a multitude of things we were trying to accomplish, some things we were trying to avoid, and this turned out to be the right perfect plan for us.” Beyonce surprised fans with the release of the album, which features 14 songs and 17 videos, and social media website exploded with mentions of the singer and her new music.

In three hours, it sold 80,000 units, and the build-up continued over the weekend.

Keeping the album secret

“It really wasn’t about making a hit record or chasing what sounds like today’s music for singles,” explained CallahanLongo, who has worked with Beyonce for seven years “Beyonce” features collaborations with Jay Z, Drake, Frank Ocean and Justin Timberlake, who co-wrote two songs. The album is being sold by iTunes exclusively for a week at $15.99. It will be sold in retailers and others websites this week. “It wasn’t easy and we were really careful,” Callahan-Longo said of keeping the album a secret. “It started with a very small core group of people and only grew when necessary in order to make something happen. It got a little dicey there and concerning as we got closer and closer as the circle had to widen.”

“Beyonce” broke the first-week digital sales record for an album in the United States. It also marks the singer’s best firstweek numbers. It will debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart this week.

Callahan-Longo said the Jay Z-featured

Beyonce performs onstage at her ‘Mrs Carter Show World Tour 2013,’ on Friday at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. — AP “Drunk In Love” and “XO,” co-produced by Ryan Tedder, will be launched as singles.

She said Beyonce came up with the idea to launch a “visual album.” “She said to me one day, ‘I really want to do a visual album.

I want to do all the videos and I want to put them out.’ I looked at her and I said, ‘Whoa, wow, oh my God,’” she recalled. “We all said to her, ‘Wow, you’re crazy, but OK, let’s think about that.’ And we really kind of sat down and figured out how could this actually happen.”

Timberlake, Beyonce have year’s top iTunes albums

Beyonce’s new album was just released last week, but it’s the second best-selling album on iTunes this year. Apple announced yesterday that the diva’s selftitled album is only behind Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience.”.

Albums from Imagine Dragons, Jay Z and Drake round out the top 5. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have the top-selling song with “Thrift Shop.” Their hit, “Can’t Hold Us,” placed fifth. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons and Pink’s “Just Give Me a Reason” ranked second, third and fourth, respectively. “Skyfall” is the year’s top-selling movie and “Breaking Bad” is the leading TV show. — AP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Nirvana, KISS among 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

38

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2013

Napoli’s cheerleaders dressed as Santa Claus perform before the Italian Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs Inter Milan in San Paolo Stadium on December 15, 2013. — AFP

Woman aiming to put on three stone to weigh 52st A

woman is aiming to pile on three stone over the festive period in a bid to weigh 52-stone. The 42st mother, Susanne Eman, lost both weight and as a result her fiance earlier this year after shedding several pounds to bring her weight down to 32st 7lbs. But her weight loss has left her unhappy so she is now planning to gorge on calorific treats this Christmas to put a smile back on her face.

She told Closer magazine: “I like being fat I love the feeling of my huge, soft folds of flesh. Controlling my food habits was like having my main source of pleasure taken away from me. Last Christmas was miserable.

I was only allowed a small bit of roast turkey and veg and fruit for pudding. I’m going to make up for it this year.” — Bang Showbiz

Priest tells scary Santa story A

priest scared young children when he told them Santa saved three slaughtered children whose corpses were to be sold as meat, during their school assembly.

Rev Simon Tatton-Brown said the saint - who he claims Father Christmas was based on - resurrected three children after their corpses were put into barrels by a butcher, while he gave a speech on Wednesday at Charter Primary School in Wiltshire, south west England.

He also suggested Father Christmas was not real which upset many parents. The vicar has since written to the head teacher, Sarah Flack, to apologize, as he didn’t intend to cause any trouble.

Cafe charges more to rude customers

Man spends $1.5k creating rubber band ball

A

35-year-old man has spent $1,500 and 32 years of his life creating a 250lbs rubber band ball weighing 250lbs. Zack Hample devoted all but three years of his life making the huge rubber band ball, which weighs nearly 17and-a-half stone.

However, his effort doesn’t beat the world record which is held by Joel Waul, whose rubber band ball is 7ft tall and made up of more than 700,000 bands. The object also weighs a massive 4,000kg, which is almost the equivalent of a female African Bush elephant. — Bang Showbiz

Residents take photos of a Santa Claus statue imitating Marilyn Monroe’s famous pose outside a department store in Taiyuan in north China’s Shanxi province yesterday. —AP

Santa Claus uses lie detector on kids

A

cafe charges more money to people who are rude, but if they use good manners then the price of their drink will decrease. Owners of La Petite Syrah in Nice, France, have been encouraging their customers to be courteous when they visit the eatery as they bump the price of a £1.20 coffee up to £5.80 if shoppers have bad manners.

However, if the customers say “please” then the price of the hot beverage will reduce to £3.50 and if they say “Bonjour” the cost of the coffee is just £1.20.

CafÈ manager Fabrice Pepino said: “It started as a joke because at lunchtime people would come in very stressed and were sometimes rude to us when they ordered a coffee.”It’s our way of saying, ‘Keep calm and carry on.’

A

Father Christmas has been using a lie detector test to find out whether kids have been naughty or nice this year to see if they deserve to get their desired Christmas presents. A Santa Claus in Southampton, Hampshire, southern England, and one in Brent Cross in north London, have been using a polygraph to work out whether children have been naughty or nice over the last 12 months to see if they deserve to get their desired Christmas presents.

Katie Tucker, Marketing Manager at Brent Cross, is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “We know that Christmas is a busy time of year for Santa and parents, so we decided to lend both a hand and check if children had really been naughty or nice, to make sure no one is telling fibs. “The children of Brent Cross proved to be extremely honest, and we look forward to testing the kids of Croydon and Southampton to see how they fare!” — Bang Showbiz