Journey of HOPE

SUBSCRIPTION

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SAFAR 10, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Petrol, cooking Erdogan Robot sells Packers best gas prices hosts Putin to espresso Patriots in to increase tighten Turkey, machines potential Super in early4 2015 Russia 7alliance in27 Japan Bowl20 preview ‘Journey of Hope’ welcomed Min 06º Max 20º home after landmark trip High Tide 07:57 & 20:23 Premier hails achievements of ‘sons of Kuwait’ Low Tide 01:52 & 14:01 40 PAGES NO: 16360 150 FILS KUWAIT: The ‘Journey of Hope’ boat was welcomed home yesterday in a ceremony held at the Marina Crescent under the auspices of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The party to celebrate the safe return of the Journey of Hope after visiting 19 countries over nearly seven months was attended by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, senior officials, families of journey members and several others. The party started with the Kuwaiti national anthem, followed by verses from the Holy Quran, then a documentary on the details of the journey entitled “Dream Come True”. General Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Journey of Hope Yousef Al- Jassim addressed the event, expressing gratitude to HH the Amir for his continuous support to the journey, which was essential to secure its success. Jassim also appreciated the backing of the prime minister whose “direct support was the major factor for achieving the set goals of the journey”. Member of the boat’s board of trustees and head of the crew Jassem Al-Rashid Al-Bader briefed the gathering on the course of the Journey of Hope and the activities carried out in the target countries. The journey embodied the spirit of collective human action and constituted a national epic for Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people, Bader said. At the end of the event, the premier was handed a commemorative plaque in appreciation of the enor- mous attention by Kuwait to persons with disabilities. Sheikh Jaber expressed in a press statement his pride of what the “sons of Kuwait” achieved in the journey “that carried to the world a noble humanitarian message and targets for caring for this dear category of people with their obvious social and sports activities”. He also lauded the persistent efforts by the members of the expedition KUWAIT: HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah is seen with members of the ‘Journey of Hope’ and a commemorative plaque at the Marina and those in charge for their efforts to highlight the “civ- Crescent in Salmiya after the expedition returned to Kuwait yesterday. — KUNA ilized face of Kuwait”. — KUNA Most Gulf firms can Indian embassy explains guarantee prosper with $70 oil By B Izzak other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) action against India, including reducing the states - Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab number of Indian workers in the country KUWAIT: The Indian embassy yesterday Emirates, Qatar and Oman. The embassy and to halt further recruitment from New Local bond markets eyed explained the decision by the Indian gov- said that the bank guarantee is not com- Delhi. DUBAI: Plunging stock markets in the Gulf economists say those fears are overblown. ernment to demand a $2,500 (KD 730) bank mercial in nature and not a bank deposit Separately, the National Assembly is show investors are panicking about the Even if oil stays at $70, two of the big GCC guarantee from employers seeking to but a simple guarantee that is beneficial to scheduled to debate today a request by MP prospect of $70 oil next year. But heavy state economies - Kuwait and Qatar - will still be recruit domestic workers from India. The both sides. It also insisted that in case of Abdullah Al-Turaiji to grill Commerce and spending means most firms in the region, running state budget surpluses and be embassy told the local electronic publica- petty disputes, it is not essential to take the Industry Minister Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej with the big exception of petrochemical pro- under no major pressure to cut spending. tion Darwaza News that the decision aims issue to authorities or courts but can be over allegations of financial and adminis- ducers, are likely to do just fine. Investors fear The two largest GCC economies, Saudi to provide protection for Indian citizens resolved in an amicable way. trative violations. Under the assembly char- that if the price of Brent crude stays around Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will against abuse and that the guarantee will The embassy said that the guarantee will ter, the minister has the right to demand a $70 a barrel next year - down from around probably run budget deficits. But the huge be refunded immediately after the return be refunded in full once the workers com- delay for two weeks and is automatically $115 in June - governments in the six-nation fiscal reserves that they have built up over of the worker to India. plete their terms and get their full contrac- granted but he also can accept to debate Gulf Cooperation Council will cut back their the last several years mean they will easily be The embassy said that the decision was tual rights. A number of Kuwaiti MPs have the grilling today. The minister has not said spending in line with shrinking oil revenues, able to keep spending high. taken after the 2007 joint ministerial meet- strongly blasted the guarantee decision whether he will debate or delay the grilling. which are their main source of income. According to Thomson Reuters data, ana- ing and it was applied long ago in all the and called on the government to take Continued on Page 13 State procurement budgets could be cut, lysts have only marginally changed their subsidies removed and big construction average forecasts for 2015 corporate earn- projects slowed or cancelled. If that happens, ings in the UAE and Qatar over the last three corporate profits throughout the region months. would suffer. But many fund managers and Continued on Page 13 Indian IS recruit home after made Saudi woman arrested to clean toilets at border for driving Kuwait job spurned RIYADH: A Saudi woman who tried to Cooperation Council which includes NEW DELHI: An Indian student who travelled to Iraq drive into the kingdom in defiance of a Saudi Arabia. Hathloul also posted to join the Islamic State group has returned home ban was arrested yesterday after being details about her long confinement in disillusioned after jihadists made him clean toilets blocked at the UAE border for a day, her car. and do other menial jobs, according to media activists said. Conservative Saudi Arabia is She said Alamoudi arrived “and has reports. Areeb Majeed, 23, left for Iraq with three the only country in the world which does brought me a toothbrush. Refreshing”. friends in late May amid fears by authorities that IS not allow women to drive. “I have been at “Thank God I still have some petrol left,” militants were attempting to recruit from India’s large the Saudi border for 24 hours. They don’t she wrote. “If it weren’t for that I would pool of young Muslim men. The engineering student want to give me my passport nor will have died of the cold last night and my flew home Friday to Mumbai where he was arrested they let me pass,” Loujain Hathloul said in phone switched off. Yaala, I am almost 20 and charged by India’s elite National Investigation CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: In this Oct 24, 2014 photo, researchers Randall a Tweet at around midday, before Tweets hours now at the border.” Six hours into Agency (NIA) with terror-related offences. Briggs (left) and Will Bosworth monitor a robotic cheetah during a test run on an from @LoujainHathloul stopped. her wait she had said she was “opti- Majeed told NIA officers he was sidelined by the Activists said she was arrested at the mistic”, and earlier joked: “If someone jihadists for whom he fetched water and performed athletic field at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. —- AP border with the United Arab Emirates brings me a horse or a camel to the bor- other lowly tasks such as cleaning toilets, instead of yesterday afternoon, but the interior der, maybe then I’ll be allowed to pass.” taking part in the deadly offensive like he wanted, MIT engineers have high ministry could not immediately com- The other activist who spoke to AFP the Press Trust of India news agency reported. He ment on her case. Another woman, UAE- said Hathloul was trying to make a point phoned his family to say he wanted to come home based Saudi journalist Maysaa Alamoudi, in her unusual attempt to drive through after suffering an unexplained bullet wound for hopes for cheetah robot who went to support her, was also arrest- the border. “She knew that they wouldn’t which he did not get proper medical attention, the CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts: It’s a ed, an activist told AFP. “They transferred let her pass,” the activist said. During agency said late Sunday. “Only after I begged them, I to design key elements from scratch robot unlike any other: Inspired by the her and Maysaa... to the bureau of inves- October dozens of women drove in was taken to a hospital,” he was quoted as saying by because of a lack of or shortcomings in world’s fastest land animal, controlled by tigation” at a Saudi police station, said Saudi Arabia and posted images of NIA officers. “There was neither a holy war nor any of existing technology. That includes pow- video game technology and packing the activist who asked for anonymity. themselves doing so as part of an online the preachings in the holy book were followed.” erful, lightweight motors; electronics nifty sensors - including one used to Both women’s phones rang unanswered. campaign supporting the right to drive. India’s moderate population of 150 million that control power for its 12 motors; and maneuver drones, satellites and ballistic Border officers blocked Hathloul In response, the interior ministry said it Muslims have traditionally not been drawn into sec- an algorithm that determines the missiles. The robot, called the cheetah, because she was driving, activists said. would “strictly implement” measures tarian conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere, but amount of force a leg should exert dur- can run on batteries at speeds of more “The customs (department) have no against anyone undermining “the social the case of the four raised concerns about online ing the split second that it spends on the than 10 mph, jump about 16 inches high, right to prevent me from entering even cohesion”. Women drivers have previous- recruitment. Al-Qaeda announced in September a ground while running - the key to help- land safely and continue galloping for at if in their opinion I am ‘a violator’ ly been arrested and cars have been con- new chapter of its extremist movement charged with ing the robot maintain balance and for- least 15 minutes - all while using less because I am Saudi,” Hathloul tweeted fiscated, activists say. They say women’s waging jihad in South Asia, prompting several Indian ward momentum. An onboard computer power than a microwave oven. yesterday morning. She said her driving driving is not actually against the law, states to be placed on high alert. organizes data from various sensors and It’s the creation of researchers at the licence “is valid in all GCC countries”, a and the ban is linked to tradition and Continued on Page 13 sends commands to each motor. Massachusetts of Technology, who had reference to the six-nation Gulf custom in the Islamic nation. — AFP Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 LOCAL

UAE president commends the Amir’s efforts to iron out GCC differences Emirates adorned for National Day celebrations

ABU DHABI: United Arab Emirates President internal affairs of Arab and Gulf states is a to make the people of the UAE among the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan applauded stumbling block in the way of achieving the happiest nations, and stresses on keenness of yesterday His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah much-needed regional security and harmony maintaining its unity. Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Saudi King in the region,” he concluded. The UAE people have made strides at vari- Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s efforts to resolve dif- ous levels, modernizing their country, an ferences and buttress pan-Gulf Cooperation National Day achievement viewed with existence of many Council relations. UAE citizens are poised to celebrate the state-of-art buildings, facilities, road networks “We highly value the initiative by the Gulf state’s National Day today, decorating and other transport means. Latest to be built Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King public places with the national flag and color- is the metro network. While Dubai is Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi ful decorative items. renowned for businesses, tourism and enter- Arabia, which brought together the GCC lead- Public places, government buildings and tainment, Sharjah has become a center for ers in an extraordinary summit and ironed out landmark sites have been adorned with the regional cultural and intellectual activities. differences, thus giving a further push to GCC national flag and the Vice President and Dubai cooperation and integration,” Sheikh Khalifa Ruler, Sheikh Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Open-door said in a televised speech on the occasion of Al-Maktoum, has ordered closure of all gov- The UAE adopts an open-door policy, host- 43th anniversary of the national day. ernment departments and ministries on ing more than 200 foreign and Arab communi- “We also commend the persistence of His December 2-7 for holding continuous celebra- ties, living under umbrella of laws, basic norms Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- tions throughout the five days. and principles, namely respect for peoples of Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, for his sincere UAE citizens celebrate the national occa- all religions and cultures. keenness on the GCC unity and for his efforts sion proudly, having succeeded in turning The country hosts more than eight million to narrow the differences between points of their country into a lucrative hub for tourists people, with the UAE citizens constituting view.” and businesses. They particularly recall the some 16 percent of the whole population. It is The UAE President said that his country is His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah UAE President Sheikh Khalifa late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nuhayyan, the seventh globally with respect of crude oil looking forward to active participation in the Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah bin Zayed Al Nahyan who spearheaded unification of the neighbor- reserves, the 22nd with top monetary and upcoming GCC Summit in Doha. “That partici- ing emirates into a single well-respected state. banking systems and the second as to pur- pation will show our firm commitment to sup- a manner that safeguards the security of these At first, six emirates formed the UAE, but later, chasing power per capita. Its gross domestic port collective security and joint collaborative Fighting terrorism countries and restore tranquility and stability on February 10th, 1971, Ras Al-Khaimah joined product is estimated at 1,025.7 billion dirham work that will realize aspirations of our peo- Sheikh Khalifa explained the UAE view with to their peoples. We also welcome the trans- the federation. It consists of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, per year. One USD is traded at 0.27 to the ples for stability and prosperity, and preserve regard to participation in the international formations taking place in Iraq and call on all Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al dirham. the prominence and achievements made by coalition to fight the Islamic State (IS). “Guided its parties to achieve broader reconciliation Quwain and Fujairah; each unique in its own The National Day, celebrated on December our states.” by our foreign policy principles, our State is and accord on national principles, in a way way and complementing to the rich heritage 2 each year, marks the UAE’s formal independ- The President underscored that safeguard- participating in the international alliance to that restores the stature of the state and secu- and culture of the UAE. ence from Britain on December 1, 1971 and ing the UAE state requires both the leadership fight terrorism, a move we have taken with our rity to the Iraqi people.” Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashed repeatedly the eventual, federal unification of the seven and people to maintain consciousness, unity full will, as part of our commitment to collec- On Syria, he stressed the importance of uni- affirms that the federal state main objective is emirates. — KUNA and solidarity. “As we celebrate the anniversary tive responsibility in supporting security and fying the regional and international vision in of the establishment of our State, we sense the stability of the region and the world at large. handling the Syrian crisis in order to reach to a tremendous national work that has been He expressed deep concern and sadness peaceful process to stop the bloodshed. accomplished over the past ten years since we about what recent developments in several took the solemn oath to carry the banner,” he Arab countries. Iran relations said. On Egypt, Sheikh Khalifa underlined that a With regard to relations with Iran, the UAE “The 2nd of December will always remain successful Egypt will be the gateway to peace Leader said that his country is looking forward deeply embedded in our minds as a day for and moderation in the Arab World. “It is to good relations with Tehran to enhance deepening our love of the nation, enhancing incumbent upon us and upon the region and efforts for security and stability in the region. the values of belonging and loyalty, a day on international community to contribute to “We look forward for building better rela- which we recall - with pride - our commend- efforts aimed at enhancing its stability and tions with the Islamic Republic of Iran, a hope able and honorable history and the lives of our supporting its economic and social develop- that is only hampered by Iran’s continued founding fathers, who shaped the aspirations ment in order to enable it to rise up strongly occupation of our three islands of Abu Musa of the nation and its citizens when they united and restore its leading role in the Arab World,” and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs,” he added. the different emirates into a unified, single he said. “Iran’s reluctance to reach any understand- political entity, the United Arab Emirates, the “We also call for more Arab and internation- ing or peaceful solutions - either through 43rd anniversary of whose establishment we al efforts to be exerted to back legitimacy and direct negotiations or international arbitration mark today,” the President said. its institutions in Libya, Yemen and Somalia, in - and its unacceptable interference in the KAC to receive two new Airbus jets this month

By A Saleh had fought in 1967 and 1973. Commenting on the GCC security agree- KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways is making con- ment, Ashour stressed that the agree- stant contacts with Airbus on their pro- ment violated some constitutional arti- ductivity and schedules of handling the cles and that it was referred to the leg- contracted new planes of which KAC is islative committee for more study. scheduled to receive one or two in the period of Dec 16 to 25. Meanwhile, offi- Municipality law amendments cial Kuwaiti arrangements are underway Rapporteur of the public facilities par- to discuss financing KAC’s Boeing plane liamentary committee MP Saud Al- deal, said informed sources, noting that Huraiji said that a number of inquiries the government tends to pay 2.5 per- would be filed concerning the delay in KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and his deputies at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. — KUNA cent of the deal on inking the contract issuing the food authority law’s execu- and the rest in gradually increasing tive charter and threatened that installments. inquiries might develop to become Cabinet approves children rights bill grilling motions. On another concern, Mishref plant Huraiji said that the committee would Stock prices slump addressed in weekly meeting Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is cur- discuss the municipality law number rently preparing to sign a new contract 5/2005 for special workshops next week. KUWAIT: Aiming to protect the basic rights and Then, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign well as the Kuwait’s hosting of the 42nd session with a major international company to Public funds protection panel to care for children, the future leaders of the coun- Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- of the OIC Foreign Ministers Council in May, operate and maintain the Mishref question investment officials Rapporteur try, the Cabinet endorsed the children rights’s Sabah apprised the ministers of the outcome of 2015. sewage plant by Nov 2015, said of the public funds protection parlia- draft law during its weekly meeting yesterday. the 133rd meeting of the foreign ministers of the Earlier, the Cabinet was informed about a let- informed sources, noting that the cur- mentary committee MP Saif Al-Azmi said “Out of great interest in caring, protecting, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, ter addressed to His Highness the Amir Sheikh rent contract had been extended one that after reviewing recent Audit Bureau guaranteeing proper upbringing, and preserving held in Doha recently, and tackled the prepara- Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from the more year, especially since the plant has reports about invested public funds, the the dignity children, the Cabinet reviewed the tions for the upcoming GCC summit, efforts to President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon. The let- been running smoothly without any committee decided questioning invest- children rights draft law,” said Minister of State achieve integration among GCC states, strategic ter focused on efforts to expand bilateral coop- problems since 2011. ment officials concerning the funds for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah dialogue between GCC and main world blocs, as eration in various domains and at different lev- The sources added that the new con- Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah following the cabinet the latest regional and international develop- els. It also included an invitation to His Highness tract would be signed in implementa- invested in the periods of Jan 1-June 30, meeting, chaired by His Highness the Prime ments. the Amir to visit Tajikistan. tion of the Cabinet recommendations to 2013 and Jan 1-June 30, 2014. Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled acquainted the min- It was also informed about two letters sent to have an international specialized com- Sabah. isters also with the outcome of the meetings His Highness the Amir from the United Nations pany run the plant using modern tech- KU probe “The Cabinet then ratified the bill and held with Moroccan, Jordanian and Yemeni for- Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief nology so that Kuwaiti technical cadres MP Abdulhameed Dashti yesterday referred it to His Highness the Amir Sheikh eign ministers, held on the sidelines of the Doha Coordinator Valerie Amos and President of the and teams can benefit from their experi- urged the Minister of Education Dr Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a prelude meeting, to bolster partnership and bilateral International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Bader Al-Essa to put an end to the prac- to refer it to the National Assembly.” cooperation. Maurer to thank Kuwait’s for its outstanding sup- ence. The sources also noted that the 25- year-old Umm Al-Haiman plant project tices of a KU professor he described as Seeking to follow up the situation in Kuwait He also briefed the cabinet about the GCC port to humanitarian operations and healthcare “holding a questionable degree”. “He dis- Stock Exchange, Sheikh Mohammed said that foreign ministers meeting with the consultative services for the needy in the Middle East region. would be expanded through joint cussed indecent issues with female stu- the Cabinet had presentations from Capital Commission of the GCC Supreme Council as well The Cabinet congratulated the United Arab investment between the government Market Authority Chief Nayef Al-Hajraf, Governor as about outcome of the extraordinary Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al and foreign investors. dents and raised some sectarian issues of the Central Bank of Kuwait Mohammad Al- Foreign Ministers Council and the Arab Peace Nahyan and heads of the Supreme UAE Union to cover it up,” he stressed, noting that Hashel, Head of the local investment depart- Initiative Committee meetings, held in Cairo last Council on the celebrations of the 43th National GCC pact though the PhD holder was not a profes- ment at the Kuwait Investment Authority week. Day. It wished the UAE more progress and wel- Member of the parliamentary legisla- sor at the Sharia College, he had been Waleed Al-Rawdan about the main factors The Foreign Minister highlighted the main fare and stability. tive committee MP Saleh Ashour deputized to work in the faculty of sci- behind the recent slump in stock prices and the topics and outcome of the talks held with the Later, the ministers discussed the main announced that the committee has ence. “We are fully alert over those hang- expected impact of oil prices downfall on stock Chairman of the Organization of the Islamic issues on the agenda of the coming National approved a proposal to include bedoons ing out around the Assembly wishing to market as well as the proposed measures to cat- Cooperation Iyad Ameen Madani during his Assembly sessions. They also debated the lat- who fought during the Kuwait liberation come back as lawmakers,” he said, urging alyze the individuals and institutions invest- recent visit to Kuwait. He pointed out that the est regional and international political devel- war in 1991 in the social security system the minister to refer the concerned pro- ments in the market. talks tackled buttressing bilateral cooperation as opments. —KUNA like their bedoon and Arab peers who fessor for investigation. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 LOCAL

KUWAIT: The minister officially opens the roundabouts. One side of the project.— Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh Further roads to streamline traffic: Minister

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works is be later offered for bidders, Ibrahim said. He keen on extending road projects nation- also referred to a host of road projects that wide to overcome traffic problems, Minister have been offered over the past period. Kuwait leads in disabled Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim said yesterday. According to the Minister, the South Ibrahim, also Minister of Electricity and Surra road will be offered to bidders in a people’s care: Minister Water, added that the major vital road proj- month time, together with Abdali and ects in the country are being carried out in Salmy. As for the 6.5 Road, it will be offered KUWAIT: Kuwait enjoys a leading role line with timetable. in two weeks. Salmi Road will be offered in terms of issuing legislations on The Minister made the statement after he over three phases, the first of which in looking after people with disabilities, opened higher roundabouts of the 7th Ring January 2015. better referred to sometimes as peo- Road near Abdullah Al-Mubarak neighbor- On the roundabouts inaugurated yester- ple with special needs, Minister of hood. day, the Minister said they will mainly State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Meanwhile, the two projects of complet- streamline traffic for inhabitants of the Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al- ing the 5th Ring Road and Cairo Road have Abdullah Al-Mubarak and motorists using Sabah said yesterday. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s been sent to the relevant bid committee, to both the 6th and 7th Ring Roads. —KUNA Minister Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim statement was part of his address to the opening session of Kuwait’s 5th Annual Convention on the occasion of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. This annual event is sup- Sheikh Mohammad ported by His Highness the Amir Abdullah Al-Sabah Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, which manifests the great launched carrying them to several attention by the state higher leader- Arab and foreign countries, thanks to ship to this category of “dear Kuwaitis,” an initiative by His Highness the Amir. the Minister added. This conference, held for the fifth Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah successive year seeks to convey a host underscored Kuwait’s keenness on of messages, topped with carrying on whatever could help alleviate suffer- with humanitarian activities, following ings of the disabled as well as taking the example set by His Highness the advantage of their capabilities and tal- Amir, conference coordinator Kifayah ents, so that they can play due role in Al-Alban, also director-general of the building the future of their country. Training Gate International (TGI), told The Minister also highlighted the the opening ceremony. Last The two sides during yesterday’s meeting. issuance of law 49/1996, and then by September, His Highness the Amir law 8/2010, in line with which the was honored by the UN as a Public Authority for Special Needs Humanitarian Leader and Kuwait as a Kuwaitis encouraged Affairs was established. In addition, Humanitarian Center. Other mes- the Waqf Fund for People with Special sages are directed to parents, who do Needs was launched in 1994 to the hard job, caring for their disabled finance projects that serve the dis- kids, and legislative and executive to invest in Cambodia abled, including the Kuwait Center for officials to interact with this special Autism Activities. category of the society, not only The Minister of State for Cabinet through issuance of laws but also KUWAIT: Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce For his part, Khaled Al-Khaled, a member of Affairs stressed that as part of the sup- qualification and offering them prop- Sun Chanthol has urged Kuwaiti investors to Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry, port to the Kuwaitis with special er jobs to make life easier and help take advantage of the new economic laws said that exchanging of visits contributes to needs, the “Journey of Hope” was them merge in the society. —KUNA aimed at targeting and encouraging foreign strengthening and developing joint relations. investors notably in the sectors of industry He noted that Cambodian keenness on and agriculture. encouraging foreign investment has positive In his statements while visiting the Kuwaiti effects on Kuwaiti investors and prompt them Marathon marks people Chamber of Commerce and Industry yester- to carry out projects there. day, Chanthol said that the visit aims at Cambodian markets are promising and with disability day strengthening economic and trade relations offer many major investment chances, he between the two countries and promoting pointed out, indicating that local private sec- KUWAIT: Marathon for people with dis- besides offering further care to enable investment chances for foreigners. tor tends to invest in Asian countries whose abilities was held yesterday on the occa- them perform as any other ordinary per- He added that his country has been experi- growth post high rates notably in agriculture sion of celebrating International Day of son living a normal live, said Dr Nabeel encing many changes over the past period and industry. People with Disability (IDPwD), under the Al-Hunaif, Head of the ministry’s physical regarding encouraging foreign investment at According to Kuwait’s Central Statistical patronage of Abdul-Mohsen Al-Mutairi, medicine service department. The min- KUWAIT: Cambodia’s Minister of markets and offering facilities to investors, Bureau, Cambodian exports to Kuwait Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social istry of health offers great care for dis- Commerce Sun Chanthol speaks at the inviting Kuwaitis to visit his country to be reached KD 1.4 million in the second quarter Affairs and Labor. abled people with various medical and meeting. — Photos by Fouad Al-Shaikh briefed on these laws and chances. of 2014. — KUNA The event came to shed light on peo- rehabilitation services they need, he ple with disabilities and their unlimited affirmed. capabilities, said Dr Fatma Al-Mulla, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ministry’s Assistant Undersecretary for Hospital will celebrate this day under the Social Care who launched the marathon. slogan, “disability is not the end of the Such activities aim to allow people with disabilities to interact with the society road”, under the patronage of the min- besides spreading awareness of concerns istry’s Assistant Undersecretary for of the handicapped, Mulla added. She Medical Support Services, Dr Jamal Al- expressed her happiness for the high Harbi. The celebration program includes turnout in this event which reflects the explanation of the “daily care” system, national and humanitarian commitment, and how much it would serve such cases, as well as social solidarity. besides a lecture to be given by a repre- A number of bodies representing the sentative of the Kuwaiti Society for Ministry of Defense, National Guard, Parents of the Disabled. The celebration Ministry of Education, besides some will also include distribution of educa- social figures attended the event. tional publications and a medical exhibi- International Day of People with tion, Hunaif said. — KUNA Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disabil- Salma Al-Hajjaj, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank with staff and Pink Coffee team at the Boot Camp. ities. It has been observed since December 3 1992. It aims at increasing aware- Gulf Bank partners with Pink Coffee ness of vital issues concerning people with disabilities, to protect their KUWAIT: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Gulf Bank Graduate Development Program which spans 9 Reshaid stated that Pink Coffee has carefully rights and allow them to signed a cooperation protocol with Pink Coffee months, and during which staff receive training selected a group of its best national trainers engage in various social to run a boot camp for its staff. In line with its on all aspects of banking business, as well as the with an outstanding track record to participate activities. commitment to develop the national manpow- opportunity to develop their personal and lead- in Gulf Bank’s training program. These are name- er, the boot camp is designed to train Bank staff ership skills. The Program wraps up with four- ly Rana Al-Khaled, Yarub Bou-Rahmah, Shamlan Raising awareness on the latest techniques required in the job mar- week field training at a well known international Al-Bahar, and Mishari Al-Mefreh. She added that Meanwhile, the ket, and impart on them the necessary skills bank.” the program includes interactive and dynamic Ministry of Health, repre- through highly-qualified training professionals Eman Al-Reshaid, Executive Manager at Pink lectures that will surely enrich the experiences sented by the physical in various fields. Coffee, expressed her pleasure to be cooperat- of the trainees. therapy services depart- On this occasion, Salma Al-Hajjaj, General ing with Gulf Bank, one of the most renowned Reshaid once again expressed her apprecia- ment, announced plans to Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank, stat- commercial banks in Kuwait, and for contribut- tion to Gulf Bank’s Management for its great ed: “Gulf Bank places great importance on ing to the preparation and training of Gulf Bank confidence in the company and in the national celebrate the human resources development mainly with Staff on skills that are necessary for them to pur- manpower in particular, pointing out that the International Day of respect to the young national manpower in sue their career. She confirmed that the training trainees’ final project will be in April next year, People with Disability preparation for them to take on senior positions crew will exert its best efforts to support and commenting: “We hope this partnership will be tomorrow. at the Bank through succession planning. The establish a national manpower capable of push- the corner stone of a long-term relationship and This day aims to raise Boot Camp held in cooperation with Pink Coffee ing development forward and carrying out their the beginning of a fruitful cooperation serving awareness and support falls under the framework of the Gulf Bank tasks to their full potential. our beloved Kuwait’. for people with disability, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 LOCAL Pedo teacher ‘disappeared’ 2 weeks after working in local school Man fled to Kuwait to avoid sex chat trial in UK, India

Crime By Nawara Fattahova The staff member also mentioned name. “We received complaints by Crime that Meekin entered Kuwait with a fake some students and their parents about Report KUWAIT: A report is circulating about a his teaching as he derided the Islamic Report British pedophile teacher who fled to and Arab culture in his classes. So we Kuwait to avoid trial and is working in a gave him a memo and asked him to Drunk man threatens bilingual school in Kuwait. Paul Meekin respect Islamic history and our culture. has been investigated by police in We also asked him to submit his crimi- to kill own kids Britain and India, where he was due in nal record, which he didn’t for several KUWAIT: Ahmadi police arrested a drunk man who threat- court to face claims he engaged in days, then vanished,” she pointed out. ened to kill his children. He was also found wanted on online sex chats with a 13-year-old boy. “We only found out that Meekin is drugs charges. Police received a call about a drunk man Contacting the school mentioned in the same teacher who just joined our holding a firearm threatening his children with it. Police the report, a staff member of the school under a fake name after a went to the scene and stripped him of his gun before tak- school administration told Kuwait British daily contacted us asking about ing him to the police station. Times yesterday that Meekin is no him and sent us his photo. The differ- longer working at their school, where ence was his shaved beard,” stressed he only spent two weeks. “Meekin left the administration staff. the school after two weeks after not According to a report published by ‘Missing’ girl found submitting the required documents the Daily Mirror, Meekin was investi- An absconding girl appeared in Mina Abdullah chalets including his criminal record last gated by police in Britain and India for with a man. Policemen who were on patrol stopped a month. He sent his resignation via sexual abuse. He was arrested in Jan car and found a man and a woman, both citizens, and email and disappeared,” she noted. “He 2012 when he was the head-teacher at found the woman was wanted in an absconding case. Paul Meekin in a picture posted is not working in any other school in the Trio World School in Bangalore. A She said that the man is her boyfriend and that she by the Daily Mirror on their Kuwait, and I’m sure he has left the warrant was issued for his arrest after lives with him at her own will. The woman was sent to country,” she added. website. he failed to turn up in court in April. concerned authorities, while the man was taken for questioning on charges of harboring her.

Girls caught out of ‘suspicious building’ Two Egyptian girls claimed that they were at their friend’s house to borrow a book after they were caught at dawn leaving a suspicious building. Both were taken to the police station and their families were called to collect them after they gave an undertaking not repeat their act. The bedoon man with the liquor bottles.

Thief maid Man arrested for A Sri Lankan maid left for her country after stealing jewelry and expensive watches along with cash from liquor possession her sponsor’s cupboard. The sponsor who lives in Sabah Al-Nasser was surprised by the disappearance of his maid, only to discover his cupboard was broken By Hanan Al-Saadoun into and nine watches worth KD 12,000 and gold worth KD 2,500 in addition to KD 1,150 in cash were KUWAIT: Farwaniya police arrested a bedoon man after he missing. attempted to escape, leaving eight bottles of liquor in his car. Meanwhile, Ahmadi security men arrested an Asian man with 119 liquor containers in Fahaheel. In the mean- Wedding theft time, 10 persons without IDs and four wanted men were A woman who attended her friend’s wedding was shocked arrested and six cars were impounded for reckless driving. when her purse disappeared with her mobile phone, cash and personal papers. The incident took place in Sabah Al- Salem. New driving license regulations explained

Kuwait asked By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Director of Public Relations and Moral Guidance to halt visas for and Acting Director of Security Information Brig Adel Al- Hashash said the approval of Deputy Premier and Interior Nepalese maids Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Sabah of some amendments of the traffic law is related to general condi- DOHA: Nepal has requested Kuwait not to issue visas to Nepali women as housemaid before the countries reach an tions and exempted categories that includes domestic ser- agreement on the matter, a Nepalese newspaper reported vants who drive, as item 9 of the said decision mentioned yesterday. that private servants and those in their category who Nepal’s State Minister for Labor and Employment Tek worked for at least five years for the same sponsor with the Bahadur Gurung wrote to Kuwaiti Social Affairs and Labor The suspects with the drugs. condition that the occupation be changed to driver. Minister Hind Al-Subaih during Abu Dhabi Dialogue—a He said the amendments are not retroactive for all pre- consultative meeting of Asian countries sending and vious driving licenses and in all cases the validity of the receiving labor—held in Kuwait City on November 26. Interior ministry seizes license is linked to the iqama. A domestic driver who Nepal has banned Nepali women from taking up a job of comes from abroad is excluded as long as his iqama housemaid in Kuwait, Kantipur reported on its website. remains with the same sponsor for the same job. In case “It is imperative for both Nepal and Kuwait to reach a 650,000 Captagon tablets the domestic driver wants to work for another sponsor, and special agreement on the issue of letting Nepali women in case the domestic job is changed to driver, the job must seek a job of housemaid in Kuwait. I would like to request be changed in the visa and he will not receive a driving the Kuwaiti government not to issue visas for Nepali KUWAIT: Security officers from the Directorate General license until after five years of working for the original housemaids before any agreement between the two coun- for Drug Control (DGDC) arrested two people for attempt- sponsor. When the servant decides to change his job to tries is reached on the matter,” said Gurung. ing to smuggle around 650,000 Captagon tablets and 21 another one, his license will be revoked. In response, Kuwaiti Minister Subaih said visa-related kilogram of Hashish into the country, Interior Ministry issues do not fall under the purview of her ministry and announced yesterday. that she would inform the concerned ministry. The directorate was informed about an attempt to Doubts over Kuwait’s According to the Nepali embassy in Kuwait, Gurung smuggle a large quantity of Captagon tablets and held separate talks with ministers of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Hashish, stimulant-type drugs, by a Syrian national and a ability to implement UAE and Qatar on the issue of Nepali migrants’ security and female illegal resident, who trade in drugs that they bring their working environment. from a neighboring country, the ministry said in a press maids agreement Acting Nepali Ambassador to Kuwait, Bishal Bhattarai statement carried by the state’s official news agency said that the two-day dialogue centered on security and KUNA. KUWAIT: Will Kuwait implement the Gulf-Asian agree- rights of migrant workers, their capacity building and their These anti-drugs efforts are exerted under directions ment over domestic help which was signed in Kuwait, exploitations by manpower agencies. of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh and calls for eight hours of work, a weekly day off and Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the statement the right to live outside the sponsor’s house? The agree- said. It also noted that Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled’s The car used in smuggling directions stress the importance to intensify all efforts in ness on countering the widespread phenomenon of ment signed by Gulf social affairs ministers and repre- Physical inactivity order to combat drugs trafficking operations in order to drugs trafficking, urging the society to commit to Islamic sentatives of 12 Asian countries is not yet active at the protect the society from this scourge. teachings and social values, and increase knowledge and domestic help department at the Interior Ministry. A cause of diseases Meanwhile, Acting Director General of DGDC Brigadier awareness by reading much often about the latest on source at the department said the Social Affairs Ministry in Kuwait Saleh Ghanam Al-Enezi affirmed the directorate’s keen- effects and dangers of drugs in all their types. does not have the right to approve domestic help con- tracts, which is under the supervision of Interior KUWAIT: The rate of spread of non-communicable diseases Ministry according to Article 20 of the labor law. in Kuwait is high and physical inactivity is a leading risk fac- Petrol, cooking gas prices The source said another proposal submitted two tor that causes such diseases, Assistant Undersecretary of years ago by the deputy premier and interior minister the Ministry of Health for Private for approval safeguards the rights of the three parties - Services Dr Mohammad Al-Khashti to increase in Q1 2015 said yesterday. the domestic helper, owner of the agency and the spon- Speaking at a workshop on sor - and removes all problems families are suffering “toward a more active Kuwait,” KUWAIT: The subsidies committee, gested new price of cooking gas was held with a PACI official to dis- from, most importantly the high prices of domestic help organized by Health Promotion comprising of elements from various cylinders will gradually increase over cuss means to provide citizens with as it called for activating article 1 of law 40/1992 with Department in cooperation with concerned government establish- a period of one to two years from petrol subsidies and that it was sug- regards to regulating private domestic help. World Health Organization (WHO), ments, met at the Finance Ministry the current KD 0.750 to reach KD 1.5. gested to provide them with KD 30 in and reviewed lifting subsidies off The sources also noted that the price subsidies every month by using their About regulating domestic help agencies, the interi- Khashti said the workshop aims at or minister will set with a decision the conditions and raising awareness toward increasing fuel and cooking gas pending refer- of ‘Premium’ petrol will jump from 60 civil IDs at the pump. Moreover, the procedures of granting the license, its duration, fees, Dr Mohammad physical activity in society. ring it to the Cabinet during the first fils to 100 fils per liter, ‘Super’ petrol sources highlighted that 90 percent Al-Khashti He noted that physical inactivity quarter of 2015, said informed prices will jump from 65 fils to 130 of the gas produced in Kuwait was renewal, conditions for revocation and the fee it causes six percent of all deaths sources. fils per liter while the ‘Ultra’ petrol being consumed as gas cylinders dis- receives from the sponsor of every worker, and in this across the globe. It is only outstripped by high blood pres- The sources added that the proj- prices will jump from 90 fils to 170 trusted through 73 outlets where var- way the prices will be unified at all agencies, contrary to sure (13 percent) and tobacco use (nine percent) and car- ect recommends lifting fuel and gas fils per liter. ious consumers, including restau- what is seen now, as the price of a Filipina maid has subsidies gradually and that the sug- The sources said that a meeting rants, benefit from them. —Al-Watan ries the same level of risk as high blood glucose (six per- reached KD 1,400 and a salary of up to KD 200. —Al-Rai cent). He said physical inactivity is the main cause of 25 percent of breast and colon cancers, 27 percent of diabetes and 30 percent of heart diseases. Kuwait, Turkey eye better ties Statistics conducted by Health Promotion Department at schools in 2011 showed that obesity reached 22 percent ISTANBUL: Undersecretary of the would meet expectations. and the weight of students who were between 13-15 years Kuwaiti Interior Ministry Lieutenant He recalled that the recent visit to increased by 50 percent, Khashti pointed out. He stressed General Sulaiman Al-Fahad and Istanbul Ankara by His Highness the Amir Sheikh the necessity of launching an initiative aimed at encourag- Governor Vasip Sahin discussed in Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah had ing physical activity in society. He noted that WHO’s member states have agreed to Istanbul yesterday ways and means of actually contributed to a further promo- decrease the rates of physical inactivity by ten percent by bolstering and cementing bilateral relation and consolidation of bilateral rela- 2025, stressing that this move comes in the framework of tions, mainly in the security field. tions in various domains. He added that a global plan for the prevention of non-communicable During the meeting, the Kuwaiti gen- he was impressed by the Turkish experi- diseases. eral stressed the depth of Kuwaiti-Turkish ment of hosting Syrian refugees, noting In a press statement on the sidelined of the workshop, Dr relations as a model for international ties that Turkey boasts regional and interna- Abeer Al-Bahwa, director of Health Promotion Department, thanks to mutual credibility, cooperation tional political weight. said that the event lasts for three days and the department and similar views on many positions and Kuwait and Turkey signed a security will announce the results of research (of obstacles of physical activity of adults in Kuwait) at the workshop. She noted crises. He said his visit to Turkey is part of agreement in Istanbul in 2005 over bilat- that the event sheds light on physical inactivity in Kuwait as previously inked security agreements in eral cooperation in the fight against ter- it is a leading risk factor that causes non-communicable dis- the fight against terrorism and drug traf- rorism, organized crime, drugs, smug- ISTANBUL: Lt Gen Al-Fahad and the Kuwaiti delegation with Istanbul eases in Kuwait and across the globe. —KUNA ficking, hoping that bilateral cooperation gling and illegal immigration. —KUNA Governor Vasip Sahin. —KUNA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 LOCAL

In Brief Inaccurate reports Farms evacuation Transportation allowances KUWAIT: Reports about the killing of Kuwaiti IS KUWAIT: High-ranking oil sources said that in collabo- KUWAIT: Eight hundred people working at the leaders in Iraq or any other places were mostly ration with the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs Khafji oil field won a court order that stipulates pay- inaccurate, a high-ranking security source said. and Fish Resources, Kuwait Oil Company intends to ing them a total of KD14 million as transportation evacuate around 1,500 farms in Abdaly, underneath allowances retroactively. As per the ruling made by His statement came in response to recent news which huge amounts of Jurassic gas have been found. the Appeals Court on a case filed by the Kuwait Gulf about the death of a Kuwaiti IS leader in the Syrian The sources added that to prevent intervention and to Oil Companyís labor union, a total of KD 800,000 will city of Al-Bokamal. “According to previous experi- protect oil exploration, the farmlands would be handed be paid monthly to workers for unpaid allowances ences, social media reports are never deemed reli- over to KOC because of the discovery of extensions of since June 30, 2013. Each employee will receive KD able sources,” the sources added. —Al-Anbaa some major oilfields such as northwest Rawdatain and 800 to KD 2,000 a month depending on their base Retqa beneath them. —Al-Anbaa salaries. —Al-Rai Photo of the day

KUWAIT: A photo taken on a recent cloudy day in Bnaider, 76 kilometers south of Kuwait City. Temperatures have seen a noticeable drop in the past few days, caused by the shifting of winds to north west- erly. The minimum temperature expected today is 7 C degrees. —Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat Argana flourishes at Al-Beda’a bazaar

KUWAIT: Argana Hotels and Resort the young ambitious generation in “We would like to extend our sincere organized flowers and roses bazaar on order to strengthen their presence in appreciation to Argana Hotels and Friday 21 November 2014 and the community.” Commented Faten Resorts for giving us the opportunity Saturday 22 November 2014 at its Zebib, CSR and Events Development to participate in such an exciting commercial strip at Al-Beda’a “Argan Manager at Argana Hotels and activity, as well as the open doors for Bedaa”. Resorts, emphasizing on the role of the public to learn about the latest The bazaar was launched on Friday Argana in the community by encour- innovations in the field of flower 21 November 2014 at 10:00 am and aging various projects and give the arrangement, and we would like to lasted till 9:00 pm with the attendance opportunity for young people to dis- thank them in particular for their sup- of a huge crowd and interested peo- play their products and their business port to the young talented generation ple as well as the presence of press in a dynamic and distinct area such as of the community through this type and media representatives to cover Al-Beda’a. of community activities that allow this event that is held for the second Zebib added: “Argana Hotels and them to showcase and present their time. Resort always strives to develop envi- creations and ideas.” “This bazaar comes in line with the ronmentally friendly projects and The bazaar showcased a lot of par- company’s annual strategic plan in encourage greening projects at vari- ticipating shops such as, Rose d’Amour, contributing in the development of ous levels, which is one of main objec- All About Flora, Fresh Couture, Casa the community through encouraging tives and goals of the company.” Rosa, ARGAN Landscaping, Spring the talents of individuals and small One of the flower shop owners Flowers, Al-Shaheen Nurseries and businesses which is the first step for commented regarding the bazaar: Sweet Twins. ticed inKuwait. tion to endtheillegaltradeinhumanbeingsprac- authority.tered onastate-run This isthebestsolu- alternative underwhichexpatriate workers are regis- ever to cancel thesponsorshipsystem andadoptan Ibelievetrafficking. thatthetime now isbetter than in recent monthsonaccusations offacilitatingvisa officers andemployees were referred to prosecution illegal profits attheexpenseoflaw andorder. isanundergroundIt businessinwhichpeoplemake to worker makealivingonhisown.Then isleft every tries, andregisters theminthenameofonesponsor. who bringsdozens ofworkers from theirhomecoun- close to works thesponsoroften asthe ‘middleman’ Kuwait, especiallyamongfamilydrivers. Aperson for. they are sponsored directly by thepersontheywork which gives themmore freedom asopposedto when the workers themselves refuse to transfer theirvisas, being sponsored by someoneelse. many In cases, moves to work from oneplace to anotherdespite woman approaches asponsorto obtainavisa,then sorship system, asituationhappenswhenmanor visa regulations. Underthecurrently prevalent spon- S be disinterested andunaware ofsuchchanges. sions inthestate’s administrative bodiesseemto crucial administrative andfinancialdeci- of making undergoing several changeswhilethoseincharge understanding liberties! which reveals agreat dealoffogginess interms of and themisuseofvarioussocialmedianetworks social occasions, attire styles, makeup, behavior the country, accompanying misconduct many physical andverbal violence in found everywhere fault-free becausethenewchangesalsoinclude change. sole source ofincome mightbeallcausesfor such witha sumption wave onacountry anditsimpact tronic communication withtheworld andthecon- youth nowadays, suchasstudyingabroad, elec- they lookforward to. The newwindows openfor studied to probe thenewtrends andthelifestyle causes ofsuchchangeneedto bemeticulously However,tangible fact. thecircumstances and noiseless form ofrejection. political andsocialstatusquo. and This isasoft which mightbeaform thedominant ofrejecting cutting loosewithstagnantly runbureaucracy, growing. More andmore forward to are looking ment employment andthattheirnumbersare indicates thatyoung Kuwaitis are govern- rejecting Kuwaitis. Kuwait’s largest employer ofcloseto 85percent of Commissionwith thelaws- oftheCivilServices er professions seemto beattempts to cutloose organized by young people, photography andoth- focusing onfamilyreform through many seminars consumer exhibitions, joiningthefashionbusiness, ness. es andto findoutwhetherthey were led by aware- studying for two mainreasons theircaus- -to know amongst Kuwaiti youth inrecent years are worth ter ofthepast.Many ofthephenomenaspreading informationelectronic hasmadecensorship amat- P countries, andregistersthem The issue is in fact largerThe thanthat,asmany issueisinfact state This phenomenonhasbecome widespread in The bottom lineisthatyouth around usare Naturally enough,changeisnotpositive or Kuwaiti youth are changing! Yes, indeed. This isa Such development inemployment concepts The passionfor reading andwriting, holding sor often workssor often asthe‘middleman’ whobringsdozens of workers fromtheirhome in thenameofonesponsor employment concepts indi- employment andthattheir End sponsorship repercussions whoare unaware onvictims of lowed inthestate, whichleadsto dangerous ome sponsorsignore systems andlaws fol- cates thatyoung Kuwaitis start of change are rejecting governmentare rejecting A personclosetothespon- ‘quick information’ andtheavailability of er. This canbeattributed to thespread of assion towards thebook fairisgettingweak- numbers aregrowing — Such development in Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida Youth and system [email protected] By Mudaffar Abdullah By LabeedAbdal kuwait digest In my vie w I forple andaccusing othersthoughIknow sure that tendencies andmood. acquitting peo- They started and even legislators whojudgeaccording to their world suddenlyturnedinto judges, law professors tence have read them. Yet, millionsacross theArab am sure noneofthosefor orthoseagainstthesen- andtheverdict wasputinovercourt 2,000pages. I HosniMubarakwasacquittedMohammed by the itics orsports! sion asabaseto judgeany issue, beitrelated to pol- local andoverseas oppositionmembersallusepas- both politiciansandmembersoftheopposition educated, ‘political hyenas’, hypocrites whopraise opposition members, educated andtheso-called becoming easierthanhaving asipofwater. Pro and had never donebefore. Groundless accusations are Arabs. They are swarmingon channelslikethey TV analysts who rely onpassioninthewholeworld are opinions have madethrough thosegates. The only theories. Arabpoliticians’ Most acy andanalysts’ conspir- those probing intentions andtheso-called the upsurge oftheArabSpringrevolutions are A 20 percent ofthe total citizens ofIsrael. Israel’s against Arabcitizens ofIsrael, who are more than getting worse.” tion. This law triesto prevent thesituationfrom threatened withphysical andcultural annihila- the state. “Israel isthe onlyJewishstate anditis mittee thatfightsagainstthedelegitmization of steeringteacher com- andamemberofKnesset ofthestate,”character a BatZion Susskind, is growing upwithout any ideaoftheJewish to become the “state ofallitscitizens.” by andcharacter callingforJewish identity Israel tothe billaimsto stripIsraelofits fightefforts inIsrael, sayright ofthepoliticalspectrum that nation state oftheJewishpeople.” —thatIsraelisthe tant to anchorthefirstpart The Prime believes Minister itissimilarlyimpor- the rightsofallIsrael’s citizens underthelaw. oftheequationenshrining the democraticpart codified andanchored into ourconstitutional law Declaration ofIndependence. We have already Regevsaid.Mark isstated clearlyinour “This democratic state,” Israeligovernment spokesman “Israel hasalways defineditselfasaJewishand democratic nature ofIsrael. Jewish nature ofthestate would winoutover the the Jewishpeople,” meaningthat,inaclash,the bill definesIsrael’s as identity “the nation-state of thatcould leadto newelections. the country The opposition from bothoutsideIsraelandwithin Two days ago, theformer Egyptian president The widestgates thathave beenopenedsince But detractors sayBut detractors thatthemove discriminates “As ateacher, Iseethatthefuture generation ofthebill, whoareSupporters mostlyon the Defenders ofthebillsay itisnothing new. Jewish nation-state billto avote, despite he isdetermined to bringthecontroversial sraeli Prime Binyamin Minister Netanyahu says their future! past, hate theirpresent anddonotbelieve in rabs are sopassionate thattheyadore their Jewish State bill sparks controversy corruption Fighting LOCAL Passions killArabs most likelyleadto ifthelaw newelections, goes threatened to quitthegovernment whichwould including thelargest partner Yesh Atid, have elections. Two ofNetanyahu’s coalition partners political rightsfor allofitscitizens.” a Jewishstate. Israelmusthave equalsocialand ed thedemonstrationsaid. “We alreadyit’s know Jews,” whoattend- AmitaJarmon,apeace activist this law isgoingto makeIsraelastate onlyfor Jerusalem lastnightagainstthelaw. “I feel like demonstrated outsideNetanyahu’s homein making suchaverdict. making judge withouteven waitingto read thecausesof theories according to thesentence read by the turned into law experts. They madetheirso-called ever theyall Nevertheless, since theystarted. none ofthemhasever followed upthehearings corner! ping someAmericancoffee atacafe around the them, however, madesuchjudgments whilesip- the wholeworld isplottingagainstus. of Most Arab world’s problems theories asif to conspiracy against thejudging panelwhileothersplaced the ed, hesaid, addingthatheopposesthebill. ic andJewish.” The two terms cannotbeseparat- of thestate asJewishanddemocratic, democrat- and greatness, boundtogether two components for thebill. asNetanyahu, hadharshwordssame Likudparty president Reuvenwhocomes from Rivlin, the The law hasalsosparkedtalkinIsraelofnew Hundreds ofIsraelis, mostlyon theleft, Some ofthosehotshotsevenSome expressed fury “The DeclarationofIndependence, initsdepth “The we usually tendtotalkabout when we findnothingtojus- tify ourmistakestify aspeoples, Independence, initsdepth together two components of thestateasJewish and democratic, democratic because we aretoobusy clinging tothepast, and We have lostourpresent and greatness, bound ‘conspiracy theories’ “The Declaration of Declaration “The and Jewish.” Equal rights moral obligationto say what he’s doing.” from the center Netanyahu to theleft. hasa inHerzliya. (IDC) so,“If you’re offending everyone Centerfessor ofpolitics attheInterdisciplinary than democracy?” askedGil Troy, avisitingpro- to me nationalism andthatismore important ofthelawbeen noofficialtext published. up hisrightwing. At thesametime, there has this law issimplymeantfor Netanyahu to shore analysts Some sayright-wing coalition partners. ground.” would ratherseecreating concrete onthe facts detour. Idon’t believe inpoliticaldeclaration -I problem, theytriedto compensate by goingona tator said. “But instead thereal ofgoingafter left,” AmielUngar, anIsraeliwriter andcommen- system hadnottiltedif ourcourt sofarto the nation state law. would have“There beennolaw opposethe nevertheless is too left-leaning sions. Israel over initsdeci- thedemocraticcharacter to favorCourt theJewishnessofstate of The Jewish-state law would force theSupreme the West Bankto keepoutPalestinian attackers. the barrierthatIsraelisbuildinginandaround including forcing thestate to changetheroute of repeatedly ruledinfavor ofPalestinian plaintiffs, dovish tendencies. The has Supreme Court counter whichhas anIsraeliSupreme Court that theywillbeheldincoming months. andtherenew elections, isgrowing speculation through. Netanyahu hassaidheisnotafraidof belief thatpassionistheworst ofourproblems! to itsweeping theArabworld, whichenhanced my verdict’s justifications, butIamevaluating reactions am notalawyer norhave Iread thecasebriefor we give itup. hinder ourdevelopment andadvancement unless annihilate logic us. will Suchpassion-dominated peoples ofthewholeuniverse have to signed pacts the wholeworld isconspiring againstusandthe talk about ‘conspiracy theories’ feeling that andstart to justify our mistakesaspeoples, we usuallytend to busy clinging to thepast,andwhenwe findnothing Academy. if theyhadbeenbornatSandhurstMilitary alliance troops as struckISandsomeofthemacted whentheinternational experts turned into military was acquitted. Many Arabandnon-ArabMuslims and othersturnedinto executioners whenMubarak lution laws whiletheotherhalfturnedinto judges population turnedinto lawyers specialized inrevo- Kuwait national football team lost.HalftheArab whenthe experts All Kuwaitis turnedinto sport bloopers dominatingmostArabs’ way ofthinking. “Is hesaying, “I’m raisingthestakesonJewish Netanyahu hasbeenunderpressure from his IsraelianalystsSome whoagree thatthecourt IsraelianalystsSome saidthelaw ismeantto Acquitting former president Mubarakreveals the I cannotcomment onMubarak’s verdict becauseI We have lostourpresent becausewe are too — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa USA,DCME 2,2014 TUESDAY, DECEMBER By Thaar Al -Rasheedi By LindaGradstein —The Line Media in my view in my view

Al-Anbaa TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Pope risks Islamic ire with terror Colombian rebels free captured army general appeal Page 10 Page 8

ANKARA: Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday at the entrance of the new presidential palace. —AFP Putin, Erdogan meet to strengthen ties Strongmen set aside differences

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yes- Erdogan, 60, and Putin, 62, both charismatic strongmen hadists who have taken swathes of the country up to the week that in some Turkish regions 22 times more gas is terday held talks in Ankara with his Russian counterpart accused abroad of authoritarianism, while retaining Turkish border. IS is “recruiting Muslims from the (Rus- needed in winter than in summer. Gazprom had prom- Vladimir Putin aimed at boosting trade and strengthen- significant support at home. Russia and Turkey appear sian) Caucasus as well. This constitutes a serious security ised to increase deliveries this year to Turkey to 30 billion ing relations, despite sharp differences over the crises in so far to have successfully shielded their close relations problem for Russia,” a Turkish official told AFP. cubic metres of gas, up from 26.7 billion last year. How- Syria and Ukraine. Erdogan personally welcomed Putin from potentially damaging disputes over the crises in Turkey - the second largest European importer of ever to the alarm of Ankara, the projected figure has now for the one-day state visit at the gates of his controver- Syria and Ukraine. Ankara - a strong supporter of the ter- Russian gas after Germany wants cheaper but more gas fallen due to the crisis in Ukraine, a key transit country sial new presidential palace in Ankara and the Russian ritorial integrity of states due to its own battle with Kurd- from Russia especially in the current winter season. En- and on Saturday Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller leader is only the second world dignitary to visit the ish separatists - opposed Russia’s annexation of Crimea ergy Minister Taner Yildiz noted on a visit to Moscow last held unannounced talks in Istanbul with Erdogan. —AFP grandiose complex after Pope Francis on Friday. from Ukraine this year. Talks were expected to focus on energy cooperation It is also worried about the situation on the Black Sea - with Ankara seeking not only a reduction in gas prices peninsula of the Turkic Crimean Tatar minority who, ac- from Russia, but also greater import volumes ahead of cording to activists, are the victims of persecution by the the winter - as well key diplomatic issues. Putin, heading new pro-Kremlin authorities. Meanwhile, the two coun- a delegation of 10 Russian ministers, was also expected tries are at odds over the Syria conflict, with Putin the to discuss how to realise the aim of tripling bilateral last remaining major ally of President Bashar Al-Assad, trade to a target of $100 billion in the next years from while Erdogan is pressing for the Syrian leader to be $32.7 billion in 2013, a goal some analysts see as wildly ousted without delay. over-ambitious. His visit came just over a week after talks between US Vice President Joe Biden and key NATO ally Common Ground on IS Turkey failed to reach a breakthrough on cooperating But these disputes do not appear to have harmed over Syria. other aspects of cooperation, with more than four million Russian tourists visiting Turkey annually and Russia Charismatic Strongmen building Turkey’s first nuclear power plant in a $20 bil- The meeting is the first time the pair have met face-to- lion project. In a decision clearly timed to coincide with face since Erdogan moved from the post of prime min- Putin’s visit, Turkey’s environment ministry yesterday ap- ister to president in August, the same job change that proved the building of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant Putin himself made in 2012. Putin, whose motorcade after an environmental impact report. was accompanied along closed-off streets by soldiers on Russia, isolated by the West over its role in the Ukraine horseback, was welcomed with full state honours at the conflict, is also looking for close cooperation with An- palace which has just become operational after being kara as it takes over the G20 presidency in 2015. Even built at a cost of $615 million. on Syria, Ankara and Moscow may now find common Commentators often note the similarities between ground on the need to fight against Islamic State (IS) ji- Red tape blocking US couple’s Qatar exit DUBAI: An American couple depart hours later despite efforts by the official Qatar News Agency cleared by a Qatari appeals court by the US ambassador herself to noted the foreign minister’s call of wrongdoing in the death of intervene. with Kerry but said only that the their 8-year-old adopted daughter US Secretary of State John Kerry two men “exchanged views on but blocked from leaving the welcomed the decision to overturn a number of topics of common country held out hope yesterday the Huangs’ conviction but said interest”. that they would soon be allowed the US was “deeply concerned Eric Volz, managing director to leave the tiny Gulf nation as a about new delays that have of the David House Agency, a family representative blasted a prevented their departure”. Kerry crisis-management firm that is continued travel ban against them spoke Sunday with Qatari Foreign coordinating legal and publicity as “institutional kidnapping”. Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al- efforts for the family, told AP that A Qatari appeals court on Attiyah and urged the government Sunday overturned a child to immediately implement the the Huangs have been informed by endangerment conviction against court’s decision and allow the the US government that a number Matthew and Grace Huang of Los family to return to the US “without of procedural steps must still be Angeles over the death of their further delay”, according to a press completed before they can depart. daughter, Gloria, and said they statement. Qatari officials have not “We really are hopeful and doing were free to leave the energy-rich commented on the verdict or the everything we can to get out of OPEC nation. They were stopped continued travel ban against the here,” Volz said by phone from the at the airport as they tried to couple. A brief statement carried Qatari capital, Doha. — AP p8_Layout 1 12/1/14 9:15 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Kurds tighten border as displaced Iraqis strain resources ‘Militants could infiltrate along with the displaced’ ARBIL: They used to be symbols of an oil- the regional capital Arbil has heightened Islamic State because he was a policeman. largest influx of 492,000 people. Baghdad must do more to help by paying fuelled boom, but the unfinished buildings those concerns. “The increase in IDPs “Only God can get us through this check- Many more have headed for the salaries of displaced civil servants, deliver- in Iraq’s Kurdish north are now crammed (internally displaced people) coupled with point”. Kurdish region from fighting elsewhere in ing food rations, and helping to build 26 with people fleeing violence in the rest of the region’s financial constraints pose sig- Iraq, and the region has also taken in new camps. The United Nations has also the country. Of the two million people dis- nificant challenges for our security agen- Influx from Syria, Iraq 20,000 refugees from the Syrian border been criticized for its response, which placed by Islamic State offensives in Iraq cies,” the head of Kurdistan’s Security At a camp in the disused hangar of a town of Kobani. Those with friends and Kurdish officials and smaller aid agencies this year, almost half sought refuge in Council Masrour Barzani said. “There have construction company on Arbil’s outskirts, family in the Kurdish region are staying say has been hampered by bureaucracy Kurdistan, inflating the semi-autonomous been cases of Islamic State affiliates and the displaced complain they have not with them. Others are living in rented and red tape. region’s population by around 20 percent sympathizers disguised as IDPs in been able to wash in days and lice have apartments, or sharing motel rooms. Up to The United Nations has raised 29 per- and putting acute strain on its resources. Kurdistan, and arrests have been made.” spread. “We need soap, we need fuel, we 70,000 are in camps, but the rest are shel- cent of the $2.23 billion it needs to support The concrete frames of future shopping Displaced Sunni Arabs have borne the need money,” says one woman. “We need tering in half-built office blocks, supermar- displaced people across Iraq until the end centers and supermarkets have been brunt of the restrictions. In the past, Arabs boats too,” jokes one man, looking out kets and shopping centers. Many Kurds of 2015. Unless more donations emerge, wrapped with plastic sheets to shelter wishing to enter the region had to find a over part of the camp flooded by heavy sympathize with the displaced, but some assistance will have to be cut. The priority is their new occupants as winter sets in. Aid Kurd to vouch for them, but now even that rain. Even before three major waves of dis- building site owners want to resume work to move those without a roof over their agencies are struggling to provide for the is not enough to gain access for some. At a placement within Iraq this year, the and are threatening to evict them. heads into shelter. Beyond that, the future displaced, and Kurdish authorities are checkpoint on the edge of Arbil, a group Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said Resentment is also growing in the of displaced Iraqis in Kurdistan is uncertain. tightening controls along their border of people denied entry wait for their luck it was stretched to accommodate a quar- Kurdish governorate of Dohuk-the most Kurdish authorities want as many as possi- with the rest of Iraq to prevent more com- to change. All of them are Sunni Arabs. ter of a million refugees from Syria. A fur- heavily affected in all Iraq, where the num- ble to be housed in camps, but the United ing, concerned about the threat to the One man said he had spent two weeks ther 76,000 people arrived early this year ber of displaced people equals roughly half Nations says that is not viable. “There is no region’s own security. sleeping rough by the side of the road, after militants seized a city in the Sunni its own population. Two months after the strategy for the long term,” said Dindar The fear is of infiltration by Islamic State strewn with cans and wrappers thrown Arab heartland of Anbar. The fall of Mosul start of the academic year, some children Zebari, deputy head of Kurdistan’s militants, who have been driven back in from the windows of passing cars. “They in June sent 131,400 people fleeing into have not gone back to school because Department of Foreign Relations. “The KRG the north by Kurdish forces and coalition won’t let us in,” said Abdullah Salout, the region and two months later Islamic classrooms are occupied by displaced peo- wishes for these people to go back to their air strikes. A bombing two weeks ago in whose house in Shirqat was blown up by State surged north, precipitating the ple. The Kurdish regional government says own homes: this is the solution.”—Reuters Rescued Syria refugees living in Cyprus limbo

NICOSIA: Amr spent three days and the Syrian coast but has not seen a major nights adrift in the Mediterranean, bat- influx of refugees from the conflict. Emilia tered by a storm in a fishing boat Strovolidou, public information officer in crammed with hundreds more Syrian Cyprus for the UN High Commissioner for refugees who thought they were going Refugees, said around 2,000 Syrians have to die. “We spent days at sea with no food arrived since 2011. Of these, just 10 have and no water. There were so many people been granted official refugee status. on the boat. We called it the journey of Several hundred have been granted tem- death,” said the 18-year-old. “But we were porary protection giving them limited also escaping from death. From Syria, rights, while the rest are awaiting deci- from the war.” sions on their status. Amr, who hails from Homs and gave UNHCR called on Cyprus in July to only his first name, is one of more than address “inadequate reception condi- 300 Syrians and Palestinians who sur- tions, a significant backlog of asylum vived more than three and a half years of applications... and the use of detention” civil war before finally deciding in for Syrians. “People fleeing the war in September to flee. Some paid as much as Syria should be granted refugee status,” $8,000 (6,400 euros) each to hitch a ride says Strovolidou. “Only in exceptional cas- on an unseaworthy trawler local smug- es should they be granted lesser forms of glers claimed would make the treacher- protection.” Andreas Georgiades, the inte- ous voyage to Italy, and asylum in rior ministry’s assistant coordinator for Europe. But when the storm hit the asylum services, urged those who arrived smugglers abandoned ship, leaving the on the boat to register as refugees. “It is refugees to their fate. They were picked so much better for them if they officially MOSUL: An Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga fighter fires at Islamic-State (IS) militant positions, from his position on the top of Mount Zardak, about 25 up days later by a Cypriot cruise liner and request protection from us,” he said. kilometres east of Mosul. — AFP brought to shore. Of the more than 123,000 people from English classes Syria to have sought asylum in Europe More than 50 children were rescued Islamic State kills 16 Iraqi since the war’s outbreak, thousands have from the boat, including around 20 who done so by attempting the dangerous were travelling alone. Some take weekly Mediterranean crossing, many with disas- English classes at the American Academy trous consequences. The United Nations soldiers on Syrian border Nicosia, with local students and staff vol- estimates more than 3,000 people have unteering to help run the lessons. The perished on the voyage in 2014 alone. children vary in age and fluency, with the The 345 men, women and children PM dismisses 24 interior ministry commanders younger ones scrawling their names in aboard Amr’s boat know they are lucky to English in the front of their textbooks and be alive. Most of them now live in a tem- BAGHDAD: Islamic State fighters killed 16 Iraqi ground in other parts of the country, Islamic ciency in confronting terrorism,” the statement teenagers taking turns to describe an old, porary camp in Kokkinotrimithia, just soldiers in an attack on a western border cross- State fighters have sought to maintain momen- said. The latest announcement came a day after monochrome photograph held up to the west of Nicosia, sleeping in plastic tents ing with Syria yesterday, the head of the local tum in Anbar, attacking the centre of the he announced that a graft probe had uncovered class. Eva Argyrou, director of studies at provincial council Faleh Al-Issawi said. He said provincial capital Ramadi last week. A month the existence of 50,000 “ghost soldiers” on the on a site that once served as a British jail. the school, says the sessions offer the four other Iraqi soldiers were wounded in the ago they killed hundreds of members of the army’s payroll. attack on the Al-Waleed border crossing and Albu Nimr tribe, which had opposed them in His spokesman said that the drive to curb Asylum backlog children a brief reminder of normal life. “They are getting some vocabulary, they were taken across the border for treatment in the province. corruption which observers said reached Although safe for now, the refugees, Syria. A tribal leader in the Islamic State-con- unprecedented heights under his predecessor who set out for western Europe, face a are getting some sentence structure. They are not learning fluent English,” she trolled town of Rutba, 80 miles southeast of Al- 24 commanders dismissed Nuri al-Maliki would spread to all state institu- stark choice: apply for asylum in Cyprus Waleed, said the fighters seized guns and vehi- Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al- tions. Abadi has already fired or retired several says. “They actually need school every- or await a transfer elsewhere that might cles and brought them back to Rutba, firing Abadi has dismissed 24 senior interior ministry generals who were seen as responsible for the never come. Many are reluctant to regis- day... to keep up their education because guns in celebration as they arrived. officers, a statement from his office said yester- armed forces’ abysmal performance when the ter, as receiving official status in Cyprus if they have a big gap it is going to affect The border crossing and the town of Rutba day. It did not provide a specific explanation for Islamic State group swept through swathes of could prevent them from joining up with their future.” Amr still hopes to finish his are both in Iraq’s western province of Anbar, a their dismissal, but Abadi has been sacking and Iraq in June. He also dismantled the office of the family in other European countries. “We studies in the Netherlands, where he has Sunni Muslim region where Islamic State had a retiring a raft of top security officials since he commander in chief, an extra-constitutional left with the aim of securing our future,” family, but fears asylum will be all but strong presence even before it swept through took office three months ago. “New officers body which Maliki had set up to retain effective said Basel Meshal, 17, a Palestinian from forced upon him in Cyprus. “It’s not what I Mosul and much of northern Iraq towards were appointed as part of the drive to reform control over the interior and defence min- Damascus who had been aiming for want — (to) stay here, without a residen- Baghdad in June. While they have lost some the security apparatus... and improve its effi- istries.— Agencies Germany. “But getting legal papers (in cy, working on farms and living a tradi- Cyprus) as a refugee is very difficult.” tional life,” he says. “It’s not the life I The island lies just 100 kilometres off dream of.” — AFP Israel PM eyes early election Palestinian woman

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister was still very likely to win a fourth term as Benjamin Netanyahu, enmeshed in a cabi- prime minister if an election were held stabs Israeli civilian net crisis, said yesterday he would call an today. early national election unless rebellious The poll showed Netanyahu’s approval ministers stopped attacking government rating had slipped to 35 percent, compared JERUSALEM: A Palestinian woman stabbed an violence. So far, just one house has been demol- flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound. Known policies. His coalition, dominated by the with 42 percent at the end of the July- Israeli civilian in a Jewish settlement bloc in the ished. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has to Jews as the Temple Mount, the plaza has been right-wing, is split on a range of issues, August war against Hamas Islamists in the southern West Bank yesterday and was then accused the Palestinian leadership of inciting the focus of the heightened tension with including the 2015 budget, high living Gaza Strip, but he still led the race against shot and wounded by the Israeli army, the mili- the violence, but Palestinians blame Israel over Palestinian Muslims reacting strongly to what costs, policy towards the Palestinians and a other potential contenders. If an election tary said. The attack was the first by a moves to expand the settler presence in occu- they perceive as Jewish attempts to take it Jewish nation-state bill that critics say dis- were called, one casualty would likely be Palestinian woman in a wave of unrest in Israel pied east Jerusalem, as well as tensions at the over.— AFP criminates against Israel’s Arab minority. the 2015 state budget. Parliament last and the occupied territories, and comes as ten- The divisions have prompted speculation month gave initial approval to the 417 bil- sions run high particularly in Jerusalem and that Netanyahu will bring forward an elec- lion shekel ($107 billion) spending pack- nearby areas of the West Bank. The civilian suf- tion that is not scheduled until 2017. age. If there is no agreement and final par- fered minor injuries in the stabbing near a major In public remarks to members of his liamentary approval by the end of this year, crossroads in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc Likud party, Netanyahu gave his strongest the original 2014 budget, which excludes south of Bethlehem, an army statement indication yet that an early ballot could be mid-year increases, will be used to allocate said.”Security forces on site overpowered the in the offing. “I have not enjoyed the fulfill- spending next year. The last parliamentary suspect and transferred her for further medical ment of even the most fundamental obli- election was held in January 2013, with assistance,” it said. Police had initially said the gation-the loyalty and responsibility of Netanyahu then taking two months to stabbing victim was a soldier. They said the ministers to the government in which they piece together a five-party coalition gov- attacker was shot. serve,” he said. “I demand these ministers ernment.— Reuters A spokeswoman for the Jerusalem hospital stop their undermining, stop the attacks,” where the woman was taken said she was in a Netanyahu added. “I demand that they serious condition. The incident came after close ranks behind the proper policy for months of rising tensions marked by a series of leading the nation, for its security, econo- deadly attacks in Jerusalem and deadly stabbing my and lowering the cost of living, in every incidents in Tel Aviv and the Etzion settlement aspect. If they agree to do so, we can con- bloc. In the bloodiest attack, two Palestinians tinue to work together. If they refuse, we armed with a gun and meat cleavers killed four will draw conclusions, and go to the voters.” worshippers and a policeman at a Jerusalem Netanyahu was due to meet later and synagogue on November 18, before being shot today with two of his fiercest cabinet crit- dead by police. A week earlier, a Palestinian ics-Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who has stabbed to death an Israeli woman in Gush been sparring with the prime minister over Etzion, hours after a Palestinian teenager in Tel the 2015 state budget, and Justice Minister Aviv stabbed a soldier who later died of his Tzipi Livni. Livni has been highly critical of wounds. the Jewish nation-state legislation, which In Jerusalem, two deliberate hit-and-run won cabinet approval over her objections a attacks by Palestinian drivers killed a total of four week ago, but has not yet been brought people. Both attackers were shot dead at the before parliament. An opinion poll pub- scene by police. In a bid to deter would-be BETHLEHEM: The mother (second right) of Amal Jihad Taqatqa, a Palestinian woman from Beit lished by the left-leaning Haaretz newspa- attackers, Israel has pledged to demolish the Fajjar near the West Bank city of Bethlehem, cries in her home yesterday, after her daughter per on Sunday showed that although Israel’s Prime Minister family homes of anyone involved in anti-Israeli attacked an Israeli civilian in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, south of Bethlehem. — AFP Netanyahu’s popularity was declining, he Benjamin Netanyahu TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

When home is Congo’s ‘triangle of death’

KIPETO: When the Mai-Mai militiamen came, their the Congolese army arrived “late, after they had faces streaked with flour and talismans hanging destroyed everything.” At the time, there was no mil- from their arms, the villagers in the DRC’s “triangle itary facility near her community. “We saw atrocious of death” ran for their lives. “We saw them coming things,” said Kasongo Tshombe, a community work- with arrows and weapons,” Kalongo Musonda told er at the Mwashi camp, also in the Pweto region. “I AFP from the safety of the Kipeto camp for the inter- saw my brother-in-law shot down and decapitated, nally displaced, in the southeast of the Democratic just like that,” said the 49-year-old. Republic of Congo. “They were singing as they Even crueller is the fact that these rebels often came,” said the 46-year-old, flapping his hand before come from the communities they now terrorise. his mouth while producing high-pitched whoops in “They are our brothers, our uncles, our cousins who imitation of the feared fighters. didn’t go to school and went away to enlist,” Tshombe The Bakata Katanga are among the most power- said. The United Nations estimates the number of dis- ful of the dozens of Mai-Mai militias still operating in placed in the Pweto region at 178,500, many of them the DRC’s east more than a decade after the end of children taken out of school who now risk becoming devastating back-to-back wars, in 1997-1998 and recruits for the rebels. Tshombe founded an associa- 1998-2003. “They wore ripped trousers and they had tion to try to keep local youths out of the militia, with powdered their faces with flour. They had lashes many of those displaced unable to afford monthly tied round their arms with fetishes tied on,” school fees of $2 (1.6 euros). Ghislaine Kibombe, who teaches the camp’s 150 In Pweto itself, a school for displaced children children, recalls with horror. opened last year with the same goal, taking in 180 The Mai-Mai insurgents are fighting for inde- youths aged nine to 15 — most of them orphans, pendence for Katanga province, which is the size of some of them rescued from the clutches of armed Spain and provides about half the world’s cobalt groups. Thirteen-year-old Adele was briefly held and boasts substantial copper supplies, along with captive by militiamen after they murdered her par- KIPETO: Ghislaine Kibombe, 37, a teacher who moved to the Kipeto refugee camp in the south east- diamonds. They also want a greater share of the ents. “They used me as a cook, made me carry ern Democratic Republic of Congo, stands in a classroom. Kibombe has very dark memories of the mineral resources concentrated in Katanga’s south, water,” she said. “I also carried a bucket full of bullets, militiamen at Bakata Katanga. — AFP for the underdeveloped north. The Kipeto camp lies and a weapon. After two days they let me go, along fighters? “To stop what they are doing, and let us The rebels are accused of enrolling fighters by about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the town of with my sister.” Today, Adele hopes to become a rebuild our country.” force. “They tell you, ‘You don’t want to join our Pweto, in an area in the heart of Katanga’s violence schoolteacher. The Pweto centre-financed on a two- movement? We’re going to burn you!’” said Marie- nicknamed the “triangle of death”. Since 2012, insur- year basis by a dozen different donors-is set to close ‘Going to burn you!’ Louise Ngoy, a teacher at the school in Mwashi. In gents have ravaged whole tracts of the “triangle”, in 2015 unless it finds a new source of funding. Between January and October this year, nearly Kakolona itself, a number of residents have dared where the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, For Ignace, who tells with a trembling voice how 4,700 homes in 75 villages were torched in the return from exile to live beside what remains of the accuses them of murder, rape and looting, as well as the militia shot his father in the back, that would Pweto area, according to the NGO International brick dwellings. The army maintains a small outpost burning down homes and entire villages. spell disaster. “Since I have no father, I have to study Emergency and Development Aid. Along the road in the town, but a lieutenant explained that if the here to look after my little brother, the 13-year-old from Pweto to Kakolona, around 15 kilometres situation remains calm, the troops may be ordered ‘Our brothers, our uncles’ said. His schoolmate Mariam, whose parents were away, several villages have been razed to the to leave-a terrifying prospect for the displaced. “If Kibombe, 37, says she does not understand how murdered in similar circumstances, speaks of their ground. “There’s one group that only carries out they ask the soldiers to go, the Mai-Mai will find out, “a group of civilians who weren’t heavily armed” killers without hatred: “May God forgive them for theft and extortion, while the others start fires,” said and then they will come down on our heads,” could have “stripped all away” around them, while what they did to our parents.” Her message to the the group’s Jean-Pierre Ruti Mutembera. warned one refugee, Kadjiba Katombo.— AFP

Pro-European parties Pope risks Islamic ire with narrowly in Moldova toughened terror appeal CHISINAU: Pro-European parties in Moldova its citizens in Transdniestr and warned the secured a narrow win yesterday over those West against meddling. “There is no need to backing closer ties with former master indulge in any illusions about whether Russia in a parliamentary election held Russia will protect its own citizens,” said Muslim leaders urged to condemn killers against the backdrop of the bloody conflict Russia’s tough-talking Deputy Prime in neighbouring Ukraine. Three parties back- Minister Dmitry Rogozin. VATICAN CITY: The pope’s suggestion that ing integration with the European Union Muslims are not doing enough to counter terror- together won about 44 percent in Sunday’s Festering tensions ism may increase tension between the West and vote, seen as a litmus test for the aspirations Tensions with Moldova over the fate of Islam, but it reflects sincere concern in the of the impoverished and politically volatile the breakaway region have been festering Church over the issue, Vatican experts said yes- country. Pro-Russian parties were just for years but have gained fresh momentum terday. In what Church watchers described as a behind with about 40 percent, according to since the insurgency in eastern Ukraine significant toughening of his tone, the pontiff partial results issued with 88 percent of the erupted eight months ago. Transdniestr, a has called on Muslim political, religious and votes counted. strip of land bordering Ukraine, broke away intellectual leaders worldwide to “clearly” speak The three pro-European parties-the from Moldova after the collapse of the Soviet out in condemnation of those who kill in the Liberal Democrats, the Liberals and the Union in 1991 and a brief civil war the follow- name of Islam. He did so at the risk of offending Democrats-have enough votes to form a ing year. Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister those in the Muslim world who feel they have coalition, gaining about 54-56 seats in the Iurie Leanca had urged Moldovans to cast done exactly that. And also those who say 101-member parliament against 45-47 for their ballot for a future in Europe. “Our train is Western leaders fuel militancy through support the pro-Moscow parties. But their narrow already on the move but has not reached the for Israel, military interventions in Muslim coun- win and differences among the three mean point of no return,” Leanca said. “If we stop on tries, and mistreatment of believers in their soci- there could be tough bargaining ahead to this European path, I can’t even imagine eties. form a government in the country, where when we will get another chance.” The pope’s appeal came on Sunday evening Russia has troops in the breakaway pro- The presidents of Poland, Romania and as he returned from a trip to Turkey. While in Kremlin region of Transdniestr. Adding to Ukraine and German Chancellor Angela Turkey, the 77-year-old Francis was lectured by the complexity of the situation, Mikhai Merkel had backed the pro-EU campaign in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the role of Ghimpu, leader of the right-wing Liberal the country of about 3.6 million. “If the pro- what he described as rising anti-Muslim preju- party which backs joining NATO, is seen as a European parties win, Moldova’s course dice in Western countries in helping to foment tough negotiator. Sunday’s vote came with towards European integration could the militancy that has given rise to the Islamic Russia and the European Union locked in a become irreversible,” said Arcadie State group in Iraq and Syria. “People are being tug-of-war over the fate of Moldova as well Barbarosie, executive director of the labelled as conservative, intolerant and violent ABOARD PLANE: Pope Francis addresses journalists aboard a plane at the end of his three day as Ukraine, another former Soviet state Institute for Public Policy in Chisinau. just because of their faith,” Erdogan said, accus- visit in Turkey. — AFP where Moscow-backed separatists in the Controversially, a pro-Russian party, Patria or ing the media and politicians of reinforcing issues. Allen added: “Other popes, including added: “There is always a tension in the Vatican east have been fighting Kiev’s rule since Motherland, was excluded from the vote racist and discriminatory perceptions. John Paul II after 9/11 and Benedict XVI, have between the diplomatic side and what you April. just days before the poll over alleged illegal said similar things but it was the first time that could call a more prophetic side who say ‘people financing from abroad. In a major surprise, Islamaphobia? Francis has been this clear in pointing a finger at are getting killed here, and some of them are ‘No future outside Europe’ the pro-Russian Socialist Party came first On the eve of the pope’s arrival, the Turkish leaders of the Muslim world and said ‘you have our people - we can’t be soft about this.’” Moscow does not want to part ways with with 21.6 percent of the vote. leader, long accused of eroding the secular to do something’.” Moldova, while the EU is keen to make the Another pro-Moscow party, the nature of his country, had delivered an extraordi- Soul of Islam country a symbol of its own soft power Communists, who want to revise Moldova’s nary speech suggesting “foreigners” loved to Not lecturing anyone “There’s also a view that there is a struggle for strength. In June, Chisinau’s outgoing pro- treaty with the EU, came third, with 17.8 per- exploit and divide Muslims. “Believe me, they Francois Bousquet, a Rome-based theologian, the soul of Islam going on right now and they European government signed a landmark cent of the vote. Political analyst Olga don’t like us. They appear to be our friends, but said the pope’s comments reflected the thinking are trying to figure out how to ensure the right association treaty with Brussels in the face of Goncearova said Sunday’s poll showed the they want to see us die, see our children die.” of his inner circle on the rise of Islamic State, side wins. “What we are seeing here is Francis bitter opposition from Moscow, which retali- emergence of a new and ambitious pro- Francis’s comments were in response to a ques- whose militants stand accused of driving coming down on the side of the argument that ated with an embargo on imports of many Russian leader, 39-year-old Igor Dodon of tion about the “Islamaphobia” issue raised by Christian and other non-Muslim minorities out you have got to almost shame them (moderates) Moldovan foods. “It looks like the country’s the Socialist Party. “The Communist Party Erdogan. of Iraq and Syria. “If interfaith dialogue is serious, into acting.” Valentino Cottini, the head of the pro-European course will remain in place,” with its ageing leader Vladimir Voronin is Responding at length, it was notable that the it has to turn into action when inhuman things Pontifical Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies, said one pro-European Moldovan voter, exiting the political stage,” she added. Partial pope, given his frequent statements on the happen,” Bousquet said. He played down predic- suggested Francis was essentially appealing to Mariana Virnav. results gave the Liberal Democrats 19.3 per- plight of migrants to Europe, declined to tions of an angry Muslim reaction to Francis’s ordinary Muslims, in the absence of a religious The 29-year-old IT specialist said she had cent of the vote, the Democrats 15.7 percent acknowledge any problem with the treatment of comments along the lines of the furore that hierarchy with the kind of influence the Vatican been afraid pro-Russian parties could win and the Liberals 9.4 percent. Around 78 per- Muslims in the West, according to a prominent erupted when his predecessor Benedict has over its global flock. “There have already and was even thinking of leaving the coun- cent of Moldova’s population is ethnic American Vatican expert. “He had the opportuni- appeared to link Islam to violence. “The pope is been many condemnations but the issue is who try. “Moldova has no future outside Europe,” Romanian, while Ukrainians and Russians ty to take the deal and he really didn’t” said John not judging, looking down on or lecturing any- are the opinion makers in the Islamic world,” she said. Russia in October vowed to protect account for around 14 percent. — AFP Allen, Associate Editor at Crux, the Boston one,” Bousquet said. “That is not his tone, it is Cottini said. “What type of Islam is driven by the Globe’s specialist news service on Catholic recalling that we have to live together.” Allen mass media and social networks?” he said. —AFP Unruly rebel nightlife in eastern Ukraine

DONETSK: The icy avenues of their beers at one table while another its large bay windows in the shape of Donetsk have been silent for hours- is holding court in front of a giant Che flying saucers. “We closed for security only the garish neon of the Banana Guevara poster, US hip hop blaring reasons,” he says, irritated, adding Cafe sign cuts through the gloom, out of the speakers. Dmitry says they that he does not recall any brawl. But defying the curfew so that rebel fight- were given orders to secure the city’s there appear to be bullet holes in at ers have somewhere to drink, smoke nightspots. “This seems to be the least three windows behind him. and fight. The underground bar is most problematic,” he adds. No one The constant presence of rebel open 24 hours a day and one of the has been killed, but the combination soldiers at night creates a tense few nightspots in this separatist bas- of booze, firearms and the tensions of working environment for Donetsk’s tion of eastern Ukraine, where no one life on the frontline has led to several proprietors. Igor, a civilian, recalls is supposed to be on the roads injuries, with the clientele pulling joking with a waitress that he would between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. guns on each other once every couple shoot the owner in the knees for call- Two boys, barely in their twenties, of days, Dmitry says. “When they’re ing last orders too early one night. guard the entrance. Dmitry from drunk, they get into arguments to see The owner took him seriously and Sevastopol clutches his Kalashnikov who’s strongest, who’s hardest.” rushed his drink out to him. Some while Nikolai, a Russian in a splendid establishments have managed to grey hat and bulletproof vest, carries a ‘A bloodbath’ maintain their pre-war decorum, par- high-tech sniper rifle. Every customer Around a dozen hotels, restau- ticularly the high-end joints, even gets the same question: “Are you car- rants and clubs stay open in the though armed rebels in fatigues are rying a weapon?” It’s a new rule at the evening in Donetsk, including three just as welcome there. One group of Banana Cafe. No more Kalashnikovs that go beyond the curfew. In late fighters turned out to be slung over shoulders or Makarov pis- October, a popular rebel hangout Francophiles, according to one city tols tucked into belts-orders from the was suddenly shut down without centre restaurant-showing up for the head of the rebel administration. The explanation. There are rumours annual release of the “Beaujolais dress code hasn’t changed. The men involving phrases like “glasses of Nouveau” wine in late November. The DONETSK: A man takes pictures of a destroyed shop hit by shelling in the Telstilshik district of the eastern are in military fatigues, the women in alcohol”, “shots fired” and “a blood- evening of foie gras, wine and French Ukrainian city of Donetsk yesterday. At least three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 14 injured in the past low-cut tops. bath”. One employee still guards the song reportedly passed without inci- 24 hours as fighting intensifies for control of Donetsk airport. — AFP Four fighters are hunched over entrance of the bizarre building with dent. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Ferguson protesters lawyer up after arrests

FERGUSON: The young man and woman waiting were one of several teams working in shifts to help call for lawyers and legal advice. They were also past decade in the wake of high-profile mass resisting arrest to felonies including second degree in the dark outside the St Louis county jail were some of the more than 100 people who were offered a ride home. The volunteers, who will demonstrations, including protests at the burglary, arson, unlawful firearm possession and bundled up in scarves and hats to ward off a light arrested during last week’s sometimes violent return to the jail again on Monday after the holiday Republican National Convention in 2004 and the assault. Many who were charged in the tumult that freezing rain, but still they were shivering. Every protests in Ferguson, Missouri. Their job was to weekend, are part of a centralized team of lawyers Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011. The network followed the police shooting of an unarmed black time someone emerged from the jail they would help the newly released individuals get legal aid for and law school students pitching in from around includes seasoned lawyers who routinely handle teenager in August are set to appear in court in scurry with the person to a nearby car, which had upcoming court appearances. the United States. They are tapping into a sophisti- cases stemming from protests and civil disobedi- January, while others arrested last week and the engine running and the heat blasting. The pair Each person received a flyer with numbers to cated network of legal experts established over the ence, and who say they have learned from each unable to post bail are still in jail. protest. The team of lawyers working on Ferguson “Occupy Wall Street is the gift that keeps on protest cases is led by Arch City Defenders, a St giving,” said Wylie Stecklow, a New York-based Louis-based group that provides free legal repre- lawyer. Stecklow’s firm, Wylie Law, represented 200 sentation to poor St Louis residents. Volunteers are people who were arrested during the Occupy manning a local legal aid hotline for protesters protests in New York. He learned valuable lessons who have been arrested and their families, and var- from the Occupy and RNC protests. For example, ious local and national non-profit groups have how best to centrally fund bail payouts and how to formed a central defense team to handle the cases. work together to represent large numbers of peo- “There’s a huge apparatus of invisible people work- ple. Some of the volunteers deployed in Ferguson ing on this,” said Purvi Shah, director of the Bertha have acted as legal observers, who are tasked with Justice Institute at the Center for Constitutional documenting each arrest that is made at a protest Rights in New York. She is one of around a dozen and serving afterward as a witness to the events lawyers who have made regular trips to Ferguson leading to charges. But the job of the legal team from around the country since August. She esti- working in Ferguson goes far beyond the duties of mated there were more than 100 lawyers offering protest observers. Once people have been arrested help from afar and 10 or 15 people working in and charged, lawyers from the same central net- shifts on the ground. That number does not work offer their services to each individual with a include the law students and recent law school court case. graduates volunteering in Ferguson. “Having a mass defense coordinating efforts ‘Huge Apparatus of Invisible People’ is the best way to do things because you’ve got Since August, roughly 300 people, including lawyers and paralegals sharing information,” said local residents and activists as well as organizers Martin Stolar, a New York lawyer who represent- and journalists who traveled to Ferguson, have ed people arrested during the Occupy Wall Street been arrested amid the protests, which have been protests. “You can also tell the prosecutors, ‘You ST LOUIS: The Rev Al Sharpton tells the congregation to point at Michael Brown Sr and the Brown family, marred by looting and arson attacks. Those arrest- should dismiss all of these cases unless you can ed face charges ranging from unlawful assembly go through and prove every individual one is standing in front, and send them prayers on Sunday at Friendly Temple Missionary Baptist Church. —AP and trespassing, interfering with police activity and valid.’” —Reuters Colombian rebels free captured army general Two other hostages also released

BOGOTA: Colombia’s leftist FARC Santos were at loggerheads again in the midst of the conflict has been order to get the talks back on track. guerrillas freed an army general over the issue of a ceasefire. the best way to preserve the essen- The two soldiers were freed last Sunday in a concession to revive Santos has repeatedly refused to tial elements of the state and pre- Tuesday. Alzate, Rodriguez and peace talks, but the president consider a bilateral ceasefire with- vent the talks from becoming an Urrego were released Sunday morn- refused to budge on their calls for a out a peace agreement, on grounds interminable exercise,” the president ing on the banks of the Arquia River ceasefire. Two weeks after sending that the rebels would use it to said. He praised Alzate’s release, in northeastern Choco. They were the peace process into crisis by cap- regroup, lengthening the war. In a however, saying it “contributes to flown to a military hospital in turing Brigadier General Ruben statement from Havana, the FARC recovering a favorable climate to Bogota, which said they were in Alzate, their highest-ranking captive urged him to reconsider. “The time continue the talks (and) demon- good health. After being reunited in 50 years of conflict, the has come for a bilateral ceasefire, or strates the maturity of the process.” with his family, Alzate will have to Revolutionary Armed Forces of an armistice, so that no act of war in Alzate, 55, heads a task force appear before Congress, which has Colombia handed him and two oth- the fields of battle can be used to charged with fighting the rebels and summoned him to testify on his er army captives over to the Red justify the interruption” of the peace drug traffickers rife in Choco, a capture and explain why he was traveling in civilian clothes without a security escort. ST LOUIS: A clergy member assists a protester as he is taken to the ground on Sunday at Kiener Plaza. —AP Impact on Talks The European Union and Organization of American States Missouri officer resigned welcomed the release and called for talks to resume quickly. No date has without severance deal been set to return to the table. But the government said its chief nego- FERGUSON, Missouri: The white police officer who town St Louis after the game and later marched tiator, Humberto de la Calle, would shot and killed an unarmed black teenager in through the surrounding streets chanting “black fly to Havana Monday to evaluate Ferguson, Missouri, in August got no severance deal lives matter”. Many Rams fans, mostly white men, the situation and make a “speedy when he resigned from the force, the mayor of the applauded riot police as they followed the decision”. The quick resolution of the St. Louis suburb said on Sunday. The officer, Darren demonstrators. A handful of demonstrators were crisis shows that “both sides want to Wilson, announced his resignation late Saturday, seen being taken into custody. continue the peace process and saying he feared for his own safety and that of his avoid an escalation,” said Angelika fellow police officers after a grand jury decided not Rebuild Trust Rettberg, an expert on the negotia- to indict him in the fatal Aug. 9 shooting of 18-year- Wilson, who said he was acting in self-defense tions. The talks in Havana, the fourth old Michael Brown. “There will be no severance or and that his conscience is clear, had been on attempt at a peace deal, have made extension of benefits for Darren Wilson following administrative leave and in seclusion since the halting progress since they began in his resignation,” Mayor James Knowles told a news incident. Ferguson’s mayor said he had not asked Nov 2012, but a comprehensive conference. Knowles also outlined new incentives for Wilson’s resignation but Knowles wanted the peace agreement remains elusive. MEDELLIN: Gen Ruben Alzate (right) meets Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon (left) and to bring more African-Americans into the Ferguson city to turn a page, even though the officer had Getting them back on sound footing Armed Forces Commander Gen Juan Pablo Rodriguez (second right) Sunday. —AP police force. expressed an interest “in a future here”. Knowles may not be easy, some observers Brown’s death galvanized critics of the way said his focus was on how to rebuild trust in the Cross in the jungle-covered depart- process, they said. They urged the remote western department that is said. “In the long run, this episode police and the criminal justice system treat African- city, where the shooting exposed long-standing ment of Choco. government to “redesign the rules of Colombia’s poorest. He was cap- will be felt in Havana,” said Christian Americans and other minority groups. Protests in grievances about race relations both in Ferguson “Freed... in perfect condition,” the game” as the peace talks take up tured with Corporal Jorge Rodriguez Voelkel, an analyst with the Ferguson have taken place for months and erupted and across the country. tweeted President Juan Manuel the most sensitive issues: disarma- and army adviser Gloria Urrego on International Crisis Group. The into violence when the grand jury decided last Veteran civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton Santos, who suspended the peace ment and reparations for victims. Nov 16 as they traveled by boat to FARC’s leader, Timoleon Jimenez, Monday not to charge Wilson. The protests have preached on Sunday to a congregation of some talks on which he has staked his But though Santos said he would visit a civilian energy project. The alias Timochenko, warned pointedly spread around the country. Over the past week 2,500 worshippers at the St Louis church where presidency over Alzate’s capture. meet with the government’s negoti- FARC defended their capture as a last week that the government’s sus- there have been demonstrations in more than 100 Michael Brown’s funeral was held in August. The The move paves the way for the two ating team to discuss “the terms of legitimate act of war. pension had “destroyed trust”. The cities, on public roadways, in shopping malls, and dead teen’s parents were among the congrega- sides to resume the two-year-old their return to Havana,” he appeared Cuba and Norway announced on Colombian conflict has killed more government buildings. tion. Wilson’s departure was long anticipated talks in the Cuban capital Havana, unwilling to yield on a ceasefire. Nov 19 that a deal had been than 220,000 people and uprooted On Sunday, demonstrators temporarily shut because of the potential risks to his own safety the most promising bid yet to end reached for the FARC to release the 5.3 million more since the FARC was down part of the busy Interstate 395 highway that and the deep rifts that have emerged in Ferguson the conflict. But no sooner had Negotiating Amid Conflict three captives, plus two soldiers founded in the aftermath of a peas- runs through Washington, DC, police said. The between the mostly white police force and the Alzate been freed than the FARC and “I’m convinced that negotiating captured in combat on Nov 9, in ant uprising in 1964. —AFP protest lasted less than an hour while people majority black population. formed a human chain to block traffic in both direc- Some critics want the police chief to resign as tions. Anger spilled onto the playing field when the well. During the news conference on Sunday, the Vazquez wins Uruguay presidential runoff NFL’s St Louis Rams played Oakland at home on chief, Tom Jackson, said he had no plans to resign. Sunday. Some of the Rams entered the stadium The mayor said no changes in the department’s MONTEVIDEO: Uruguay’s ex-president Tabare Marijuana Law in Doubt in his first term, has spoken out forcefully against with their hands raised overhead in a show of soli- leadership were in the works. President Barack Vazquez won a new term in a runoff election Sunday, Vazquez, who starts his new term on March 1, has smoking pot, called the idea of pharmacy sales darity with Brown, who some witnesses say had his Obama was to meet yesterday with civil rights extending the left’s decade in power, though not at times clashed with Mujica within the FA. The presi- “incredible” and said that if elected he would make hands in the air when Wilson fired the fatal shots. leaders, elected officials and law enforcement offi- necessarily his predecessor Jose Mujica’s ground- dent-elect cuts a much more sober figure than his “any corrections necessary” to the law. The St Louis Police Officers Association said in cials from around the country to discuss how breaking marijuana law. Vazquez, a 74-year-old can- popular predecessor, who still drives around in his Though the legislation officially came on the a statement it was “profoundly disappointed” by communities and police can work together to cer doctor who previously served as president from beat-up Volkswagen Beetle and is known as “the books in April, implementation is still in the very early the act. “(They) chose to ignore the mountains of build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across 2005 to 2010, had won 55.5 percent of the vote with world’s poorest president”. Mujica legalized abortion, stages. One of the law’s key components is a national evidence released from the ... Grand Jury this the country, the White House said in a statement almost 72 percent of the ballots counted. His center- gay marriage and marijuana sales during his adminis- registry of marijuana users to ensure that buyers have week and engage in a display that police officers on Sunday. He will also meet with cabinet mem- right opponent, 41-year-old lawmaker Luis Lacalle tration. But the marijuana law, his landmark initiative, fulfilled the licensing procedures and do not exceed around the nation found tasteless, offensive and bers to discuss a review Obama ordered in August Pou, conceded defeat after three exit polls showed the monthly maximum purchase of 40 gm. But users inflammatory,” the statement said of the Rams of federal programs that provide equipment to him losing by a margin of more than 10 percentage have been reluctant to sign up, fearing the anonymi- players. About 40 or 50 protesters briefly blocked local law enforcement agencies, the White House points. ty promised in the legislation may not protect them if a street outside Edward Jones Dome in down- said. —Reuters Lacalle Pou, a former president’s son and a pas- the government changes policy someday. sionate surfer, had 44.5 percent of the vote in the official count, according to results released by the Five More Years Suicide blasts, raid in Nigeria national electoral court. In a victory speech before Vazquez will also face the challenge of governing cheering supporters undaunted by a rain-soaked in an increasingly difficult regional economic climate. MAIDUGURI, Nigeria: At least five people were crowds of shoppers. In that attack, more than 45 election day, Vazquez called for a new approach to When he first won election in 2004, he cruised to vic- killed yesterday when two female suicide people were killed. Two suspected female sui- face the country’s “new challenges”. “It won’t be just tory in a single round as voters punished Uruguay’s bombers blew themselves up at a market in cide bombers were then arrested in the city on more of the same, because Uruguay today isn’t the two traditional parties for the region’s 2002 economic northeast Nigeria and Boko Haram launched a Wednesday and Thursday, while on Friday, a same as in 2005 or 2010,” he told the crowd. He crisis. That victory was a historic first for Uruguay major assault on police in two state capitals. The roadside bomb near another market was vowed “more freedoms and more rights,” as well as after 174 years of dominance by two parties: the blasts in Maiduguri and dawn raid in Damaturu defused. “more economic, social and cultural development.” “Colorados” (Reds) and Lacalle Pou’s “Blancos” came just days after a deadly mosque attack in Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a sim- The win consolidates the leftist Broad Front (FA) (Whites, now officially called the National Party). the northern city of Kano left at least 120 peo- ilar raid in Damaturu on Oct 24, 2013, in which coalition’s hold on power and returns Vazquez, who Vazquez presided over five years of economic ple dead and hundreds more injured. Almost four police buildings were hit with guns and swept them to office 10 years ago, to the helm in a MONTEVIDEO: Presidential candidate for growth, boosted by a favorable global climate that daily attacks have heightened tensions in explosives and militants battled with security game of political leapfrog for this country that bars the ruling Broad Front party Tabare unleashed Latin America’s so-called “golden decade”. Nigeria’s far northeast and sparked fears of forces. Both incidents will add to claims that presidents from serving consecutive terms. The FA Vazquez celebrates on Sunday. —AP The economy has continued growing under unrest beyond the country’s borders. Nigeria’s government has not done enough to retained its legislative majority in the first-round Mujica - registering 4.4-percent growth last year - and Both Maiduguri, which is the capital of protect civilians from the Islamists, whose insur- vote on October 26, including a senate seat for may face an uncertain future in Vazquez’s hands. poverty has fallen by two-thirds during the FA’s Borno state, and Damaturu, the main city in gency has claimed over 13,000 lives since it Mujica. The small South American country will now Under the law, the first of its kind in the world, decade in power. But Vazquez will likely have to make neighbouring Yobe, have been hit repeatedly by began in 2009. Nigeria’s main Muslim body, the watch to see how Vazquez, a straight-laced politician marijuana users were supposed to be able to choose tougher decisions on economic policy this time Boko Haram. The site of the latest blasts in JNI, on Sunday attacked the government for with a formal style, handles the take-over from a supply source - pharmacies, cannabis clubs or around. Uruguay’s two giant neighbors, Brazil and Maiduguri - the popular Monday Market - was failing to prevent the deaths of ordinary people Mujica, a former guerrilla fighter famous for living in home-grown plants - and buy or grow the drug in a Argentina, are suffering severe slowdowns. And Latin hit just last Tuesday when two women detonat- and called for civilians to protect themselves a run-down farmhouse and donating most of his regulated, fully legal market. Vazquez, who made America as a whole is struggling with the end of its ed explosives hidden in their hijabs among the against attack. —AFP salary to charity. strict anti-tobacco legislation one of his top priorities commodities-fueled boom. —AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Afghan forces ill equipped to fight without NATO

KABUL: Afghan district police chief local soldiers, police and others in the Afghan forces will struggle with reduced that takes time. It will be at least three or intelligence gathering is still dependent Ahmadullah Anwari only has enough face of a Taleban onslaught that has killed Western support, particularly from the air, four years before a home-grown air force on US systems. Keeping supply chains grenades to hand out three to each more than 4,600 Afghan security force however much they may have pro- can replace US planes and helicopters, running for everything from ammunition checkpoint in an area of Helmand members already this year. gressed. They also underline how fragile said Maj Gen John McMullen, the US offi- to spare parts for vehicles is another province swarming with Taleban insur- And, despite increasingly deadly sui- stability remains in Afghanistan, where cer in charge of developing Afghan air recurring problem. Civilian casualties are gents who launch almost daily attacks on cide bombings and assaults on military the West is desperate to prevent the hard- capabilities. climbing, meanwhile, with more than security forces. “Sometimes up to 200 and civilian targets, most of the country is line Islamist Taleban movement from The prospect of less frequent interven- 1,500 people killed in the first six months Taleban attack our checkpoints and if under government control, albeit loosely returning to power 13 years after it was tion by fighter jets and attack helicopters of 2014, 17 percent higher than in the first there are no army reinforcements, we lose in some areas. “The Afghan national secu- toppled for protecting Al-Qaeda. When across the country’s often hostile terrain half of 2013 and on track to make this the fight,” said Anwari, in charge of one of rity forces are winning, and this is a huge- insurgents attacked a foreign guest house is a daunting one. “If we had air support, year the deadliest of the war, according to Afghanistan’s most volatile districts, ly capable fighting force who have been in central Kabul last Thursday, Afghan we could very easily defeat the Taleban the UN. Nearly 3,500 foreign soldiers have Sangin. “It shames me to say that we don’t holding their ground against the enemy,” commandos killed the attackers, but and we would not face a big number of died since 2001, including around 2,200 have enough weapons and equipment. Lt Gen Joseph Anderson, second-in-com- international helicopters and special fatalities,” said Mohebullah, police chief of Americans. But this is a bitter reality.” mand for coalition forces, told a recent forces helped in the mop-up operation Baraki Barak district in the eastern The US-led coalition says insurgent As most foreign combat troops pre- press briefing. Yet wary of the threat that lasted hours. province of Logar. In August, hundreds of attacks have fallen this year, although pare to leave Afghanistan by the end of posed by the Taleban as thousands of Taleban fighters also entered Camp Taleban mounted one of its most brazen the number of 18,000 given by Anderson 2014 after 13 years of war, the experi- troops, and most of their sophisticated Bastion, a large base in the southern attacks in recent years in Logar, just south still amounts to more than 50 a day. And ences of Anwari and other police chiefs arms and equipment, head for the exit, Helmand province handed over to of Kabul. Mohebullah, who goes by one while the coalition says Afghan forces and army commanders across the coun- Washington appears to be hedging its Afghan troops a month ago by withdraw- name, said his men were fighting bravely control most of the country, the reality try are NATO’s biggest worry. The United bets. President Barack Obama recently ing US and British forces. It took Afghan but complained of being outgunned. on the ground can be very different. States, which provides the bulk of NATO freed those few thousand US soldiers soldiers three days to drive the insurgents Officers are armed with AK-47 rifles and a Graeme Smith, senior Kabul analyst for troops in Afghanistan, has poured some remaining post-2014 as part of a 12,000- out. Gen. John Campbell, commander of few rocket-propelled grenade launchers, the International Crisis Group, says that $61 billion into training a nascent strong NATO force to engage the Taleban international forces in Afghanistan, said but he said insurgents had mortars and in many remote districts, the govern- 350,000-strong security force, seeing it as in combat if necessary. the US would provide limited close air machine guns. ment controls a few administrative the lynchpin of a plan to exit its longest support next year and new aircraft to buildings “but the influence of Afghan war. US and Afghan commanders have Air Support Crucial allow the Afghan Air Force to attack the Civilian Casualties Keep Rising forces may not extend far beyond that praised the bravery and effectiveness of Incidents in recent days illustrate how enemy and evacuate the wounded. But Aside from air support and weapons, point”. — Reuters

India sisters applauded for beating molesters NEW DELHI: Two Indian sisters were show- intervened was a pregnant woman!,” said ered with praise and cash yesterday after a actress Freida Pinto, star of “Slumdog video of them thrashing three alleged Millionaire”. “Bravo! #RohtakBravehearts 4 molesters on a moving bus was widely standing up against eve teasing. Hope you replayed. Arti and Pooja Kumar, aged 22 become role models for all girls who want and 19, were allegedly harassed by the to stand up against #eveteasing,” another men on a crowded bus last week while Tweet said. returning home in Rohtak, a district of Rohtak police spokesman Ved Singh largely rural Haryana state that borders Nain promised a speedy investigation into New Delhi. The sisters, using their belts and the incident that occurred on Friday. The their hands, were seen retaliating for the women said the men started abusing them harassment by attacking the men who when they rejected their advances. “On the themselves fought back. Other passengers bus, they made obscene gestures, touched merely looked on. us and abused us,” Pooja told NDTV news Police arrested the men on Sunday channel yesterday. “We could not take it night after mobile phone footage, shot by anymore and started beating them. One of a pregnant fellow passenger, was uploaded the men grabbed my sister’s hand and the on social media and replayed on India’s other held me by the neck. That is when my multiple 24 hour news channels. Although sister took out her belt and started beating many praised the girls’ bravery, others were them,” she said. scathing of the other passengers. Some of “One of the boys started touching my them were seen sniggering as the attacks sister and making kissing gestures,” Arati took place. “Hats off to #RohtakBravehearts. told reporters. “I told him to go away or I N I despise such men who just sat and would teach him a lesson. Then he called watched everything happening,” one post- another boy saying that we have to beat ed on Twitter. up two girls. And then the other boy got on Braveheart was the term given by the the bus.” The sisters said that no one on the media to the 23-year-old student who died bus tried to help them. Instead, other pas- after being gang-raped on a moving bus in sengers told them to not provoke the men, Delhi in 2012. The horrific attack sparked because they might later attack them or international outrage, street protests and a throw acid on them. round of soul-searching in India about its Haryana Chief Minister M.L Khattar treatment of women. Some hoped the lat- announced a cash reward for the est incident would inspire others to rise up women of 31,000 rupees ($500) each, against so-called eve teasing, a euphemism saying he hoped the publicity would BHOPAL: An Indian resident feeds second-generation victim of the Bhopal Gas disaster for harassment that women in India endure sensitise others to the issue. “The kind of Umar at the Chingari Trust, an organisation working to help the second generation vic- on an almost daily basis. work that has been done by these two tims of the disaster, near the Union Carbide factory on Sunday. (Inset) Disaster survivor “Go brave girls! #girlrising and wake up girls is praiseworthy,” Khattar told Akbar Khan, 70 sits inside a steam box as part of their rehabilitation using traditional bystanders! Its shameful, the only one who reporters. — Agencies Ayurvedic treatment at the Sambhavna Trust Clinic yesterday. — AFP Bhopal kids paying price 30 years after disaster Amnesty sees clear evidence of poisoning BHOPAL, India: When Champa Devi Shukla’s as autism or deafness. The centre provides granddaughter was born with a raft of facial physical and speech therapy along with deformities in the Indian city of Bhopal, she schooling and sports. Attack at Afghan was not left short of advice. “Many people Rasheda Bee, a co-trustee, says she said you should kill her. They said she is of no believes most of the illnesses stem from funeral kills 9 use, you should stuff tobacco in her mouth” “drinking poisonous water”. Her determina- SONEPAT, India: Indian sisters Pooja, 19 (left) and Aarti, 22, are photographed at to suffocate her, said Devi Shukla. “But I tion to help began after she saw her sister KUNDUZ, Afghanistan: A suicide attack at a funeral in their home yesterday. — AFP thought, I’m not going to let her die. I’ve and then her three nieces die of respiratory northern Afghanistan killed at least nine people yesterd ay, already lost three sons to this tragedy so I’m illnesses. It was fuelled by a trip to Japan, officials said, underlining nationwide insecurity as NATO not going to lose someone else.” When a where she met children of victims of the 1945 troops end their 13-year war this month. The blast followed cloud of highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) Hiroshima nuclear bombing. Although she is a series of attacks in the capital Kabul which have height- gas blew across Bhopal on the night of Dec 2, not a doctor, she was involved in tests on the ened concerns that Afghanistan could tip into a spiral of Maoist rebels kill 13 1984, around 3,500 people were killed in the breast milk of 20 mothers. Half were from violence as the US-led military presence declines. The immediate aftermath and up to 25,000 are neighbourhoods close to the factory and the embattled Kabul police chief who tendered his resignation police in central India estimated to have died in the long-run. others were on the other side of town. “The on Sunday will stay on in the role, a spokesman said, as The tragedy didn’t end there for locals liv- figures for one half were normal but nine out Afghanistan struggles to respond to rising militant unrest. ing around the Union Carbide chemical plant of the 10 living near the plant had high levels NATO’s force in Afghanistan will change on Dec 31 from RAIPUR, India: Maoist rebels killed 13 ets. The Maoists are believed to be pres- at the centre of the disaster, with many later of mercury in their milk,” she said. Mercury a combat mission to a support role, with troop numbers cut police and wounded another 12 in an ent in at least 20 states but are most giving birth to children with abnormalities. stunts the development of foetuses. to about 12,500 - down from a peak of 130,000 in 2010. “A ambush in a remote part of central India active in Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar, While the exact numbers are impossible to A report a decade ago in the Journal of suicide bomber on foot detonated his explosives among yesterday, two senior officers said. The Jharkhand and Maharashtra, occupying pin down, the streets near the now aban- American Medical Association found boys people who were attending a funeral ceremony in Burka troops were carrying out an operation thousands of square kilometres of land. doned factory are full of families whose chil- born to families exposed to the gas were on district this morning,” Aminullah Amarkhil, police chief of deep in a forest when the gunmen The insurgency is believed to have cost dren born post-1984 have either died prema- average 3.9 cm shorter than those from other Baghlan province, told AFP. “Initial reports show nine peo- attacked, the head of Chhattisgarh state’s tens of thousands of lives, with much turely or have major health problems. But the parts of the city. The head of Amnesty ple, including two police, were killed and around 18 anti-Maoist operations told AFP. action focused around the insurgent- government has not confirmed a link, which International, which is campaigning for more wounded.” “Thirteen security forces were killed in a dominated, so-called “Red Corridor” would have major implications in terms of compensation, says there is clear evidence of Amarkhil said the funeral was for a tribal elder in gunbattle with Maoists in a deep forest stretching through central and eastern compensation so far limited to people who poisoning. “We are now dealing with inter- Baghlan, a province on the main road from Kabul to Mazar- were alive at the time of the world’s deadliest generational health problems which are e-Sharif that has suffered worsening security in recent of Sukma region of Chhattisgarh,” said India. years. Taj Mohammad Taqwa, the district chief of Burka, industrial disaster. being passed on from the parents to the next Rajinder Kumar Vij. The victims were all Former Indian prime minister confirmed the death toll to AFP. “The target was probably a Devi Shukla lost her husband and three generation,” Salil Shetty told AFP while with the Central Reserve Police Force Manmohan Singh described them as the number of high-ranking police officials and provincial coun- sons on the night. One of her daughters, attending commemorations for the 30th (CRPF), a paramilitary unit. Its local head country’s most serious internal security cil members who were attending the ceremony,” he said. Vidya, was also left partially paralysed after anniversary of the disaster. “There have been of operations Zulfikar Hasan said the threat. Critics believe attempts to end “They are unharmed.” There was no immediate claim of attackers had used villagers as human the revolt through tough security offen- inhaling fumes, although her condition multiple studies over the years... It’s very clear responsibility. shields. sives are doomed to fail, saying the real improved after extensive physiotherapy. The that water contamination has happened,” family was overjoyed when Vidya fell preg- said Shetty, adding some water and soil con- “The Naxals were using local villagers solution is better governance and devel- Spate of Attacks nant, but more pain was to come. Her first tamination from the plant happened even A Taliban attack on Saturday in Kabul killed a South as shields, hence our force couldn’t retali- opment of the region. India’s Home child, a son called Sushil, was stunted and is before the gas leak. ate with full force as that would also have Minister Rajnath Singh condemned what African father running an education charity and his two now less than four feet tall at the age of 18. A Devi Shukla said even now pupils “have a teenage children. Insurgents have targeted foreign guest cost villagers’ lives,” he told AFP, using a he called a “dastardly act of violence”. second son, Sanjay, died after five months. fear of the drinking water”, although the term commonly used for Maoist rebels in “Deeply saddened and disturbed to houses, embassy vehicles, US troops, Afghan army buses And then Vidya gave birth to a daughter, pipes have been changed. A doctor at a gov- and a female member of parliament in recent weeks. They India. “The operation is still on and I can know of 13 CRPF men being killed by the Sapna. “She was born with a cleft lip and ernment-funded institute which has been also launched a four-day attack on a major military base in confirm that 13 of our men have lost Naxals during an ongoing encounter in palate. She has had three lots of operations studying child health in Bhopal says it is too the southern province of Helmand that was only handed their lives... Besides, another 12 CRPF Chhattisgarh,” he tweeted. “I express my so far” with one still to go to reconstruct her early to draw a link between the plant and over by NATO a month ago, and killed 12 soldiers at a sepa- men are injured.” The attack is the latest condolences to the families of our brave nose, Devi Shukla told AFP. Sapna, now a hap- congenital illnesses. “It has not been estab- rate outpost in the same province on Saturday. in a simmering conflict that pits the CRPF men who sacrificed their lives.” py 13-year-old, says she wants to become a lished, but it has not been denied either,” the President Ashraf Ghani reacted to the spate of attacks by insurgents against local and national The rebels struck during local elec- doctor when she is older. doctor told AFP on condition of anonymity. describing the Taleban as “a small minority who want to authorities in the forests and rural areas tions in the impoverished neighbouring Shetty acknowledged the exact cause of hijack the nation”. “We won’t allow that,” he vowed. Ghani, of mainly central and eastern India. state of Jharkhand, which has also been ‘Poisoned Water’ - some illnesses was contested, but said the who came to power in September, has vowed to bring The guerrillas, who say they are fight- racked by insurgency. Army and police Her own family’s experience having con- onus was on the government. “Why can’t the peace to Afghanistan after decades of conflict, saying he is ing for the rights of tribal people and have been deployed in force at polling vinced her of the link, Devi Shukla helped government of India conduct proper medical open to talks with any insurgent group. Kabul police chief’s landless farmers, often collect funds stations amid fears of attacks from set up a clinic for children of survivors who research and study? It’s not like India doesn’t resignation was accepted on Sunday, but the decision was have health problems. The Chingari Trust have the capacity to do this. Thirty years is through extortion and protection rack- Maoists. — AFP reversed yesterday morning. — AFP has 705 pupils, many with conditions such too long for the victims to wait.” — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 INTERNATIONAL South Korea ship sinks in Bering Sea; 50 missing

SEOUL: Rescuers searched yesterday for ministry, said on condition of anonymity catching pollock, began to list after taken to South Korea once the weather scenario, they will be picked up by a more than 50 people missing after a because of office rules. The crew included stormy weather caused seawater to flood improves. “The condition of the fisher- Korean vessel that is out fishing nearby.” South Korean fishing ship they were 35 Indonesians, 13 Filipinos, 11 South its storage areas. The official said the men who were rescued is fine,” Artur Rets, Rets said the rescue operation was ongo- working on sank in the Bering Sea, offi- Koreans and one Russian inspector, the 2,100-ton ship was 35 years old. The chief of the rescue center at the ing. Kim Kang-ho from Sajo Industries, cials said. At least one person died. official said. Russian authorities said there South Korean foreign ministry said it Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky port, told the which owns the ship, said it left for the Authorities rescued seven crew members were 62 people aboard the ship, which asked Russian officials to work quickly to RIA Novosti news agency. “They are cur- Bering Sea from a port in Busan, South and recovered one body, but weather sank in the western part of the Bering rescue the other crew members. rently on the ship that rescued them. Korea, on July 10. Kim said there are five and water conditions were complicating Sea, near Russia. Authorities in the Russian port of They will stay there until the weather South Korean-owned ships currently fish- the search for the others, the official, from The South Korean ministry official said Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky said the res- improves and South Korea decides how ing in the Bering Sea to catch pollock, a the South Korean fisheries and oceans it’s believed that the ship, which was cued fishermen were well and would be to get them out of here. In the likeliest winter delicacy in South Korea. —AP Australia opens door to nuclear energy

SYDNEY: Prime Minister Tony Abbott yester- many countries, pointing to Japan and day opened the door to the use of nuclear France. “So I have no theological objection to energy as Australia faces growing pressure to nuclear energy and if we are to dramatically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. reduce emissions, we have to remember that Australia is the world’s third-ranking urani- the one absolutely proven way of generating um producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada emissions-free base load power is through but does not use nuclear power, largely due nuclear,” he said. to its abundance of low-cost coal and natural “It’s never really been an option for gas reserves, and community sentiment. But Australia up till now because we don’t have with demands growing for Canberra to the energy shortages that other countries do. announce its climate targets for beyond 2020 We’ve got abundant coal, abundant gas, hun- at global talks in France late next year, Abbott dreds of years of reserves of coal, hundreds of said he was open to the idea. years of reserves of gas. “On nuclear energy, as I have said on many “We want to reduce our emissions and we occasions, I don’t have any theological objec- will... If someone wants to put a proposal for tion to nuclear,” said the prime minister, who nuclear energy generation here in Australia, recently called coal “good for humanity” and fine, but don’t expect a government subsidy.” once said climate change science was Businessman and nuclear physicist Ziggy “absolute crap”. Switkowski, who headed a 2006 review com- Australia is among the world’s worst per missioned by the previous conservative gov- capita polluters due to its reliance on coal- ernment that showed nuclear power was a fired power and mining exports. Canberra has practical option, said it must be part of the so far committed to reducing emissions to 5.0 nation’s energy future. percent below 2000 levels by 2020. “It’s a big call for our leaders to engage in Environmentalists say it ought to target 15 this debate, but a good one because it will percent. A reopening of the nuclear debate in take some time for communities and indus- Australia comes after the United States and tries to get comfortable again with the cur- China-the world’s two biggest polluters- rent and future generations of nuclear tech- announced a surprise deal last month to nology,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald. ramp up their efforts to combat climate However, the Labor opposition dismissed change. It effectively made global warming nuclear as an energy option. HONG KONG: A police officer (center) raises his baton at a group of pro-democracy protesters as he restrains a protester on the ground at central to the world political agenda, “I don’t think it’s a viable option for Tamar, near the government headquarters in the Admiralty district of Hong Kong yesterday.—AFP and stymied efforts by Abbott to reduce Australia,” Labor foreign affairs spokeswoman the issue to the margins of last month’s G20 Tanya Plibersek told reporters. “We know that summit in Brisbane. it’s expensive. It takes a long time to get nuclear energy underway and in fact coun- Hong Kong warns protesters ‘We want to reduce emissions’ tries that have been relying on nuclear energy Abbott acknowledged that nuclear power like Japan and Germany are actually retreat- was an important part of the energy mix in ing from the use of it.” — AFP not to return; govt HQ shut Police use batons, pepper spray on students

HONG KONG: Thousands of Hong Kong pro- reporters. “I call for students who are planning to in several rounds of heated clashes overnight, democracy activists forced the temporary clo- return to the occupation sites tonight not to do forcing protesters back with pepper spray and sure of government headquarters yesterday so.” He did not respond when asked if police batons. Scores of volunteer medics attended to after clashing with police, defying orders to would clear the sites yesterday. Hong Kong numerous injured, some who lay unconscious retreat after more than two months of sustained Federation of Students leader Alex Chow said and others with blood streaming from head protests in the Chinese-controlled city. the protesters had intended to paralyse govern- gashes. Police said at least 40 arrests were made. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying said ment headquarters. The unrest came as British lawmakers said police had been tolerant but would now take “The plan was a failure on the whole, given they had been told by the Chinese Embassy they “resolute action”, suggesting that patience may that even if some places were occupied, they would not be allowed to enter Hong Kong as have finally run out. Chaos erupted as com- were cleared by the police immediately,” Chow part of an inquiry into Britain’s relations with its muters made their way to work, with hundreds said. The democracy movement represents one former colony and progress towards democracy. of student-led protesters surrounding Admiralty of the biggest threats for China’s Communist Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 Centre, which houses offices and retail outlets, in Party leadership since Beijing’s bloody 1989 under a “one country, two systems” formula that a stand-off with police. The central government crackdown on pro-democracy student protests gave it some autonomy from the mainland and offices and the legislature were forced to close in in and around Tiananmen Square. an undated promise of universal suffrage. the morning, as were scores of shops. Financial Secretary John Tsang said the The protesters are demanding free elections SYDNEY: People walk and rest on Maroubra Beach in Sydney yesterday near where a The latest flare-up, during which police protests had damaged Hong Kong’s internation- for the city’s next leader in 2017 rather than the body of a baby was discovered in the sand. —AP charged protesters with batons and pepper al image and hurt investor confidence, adding vote between pre-screened candidates that spray, underscored the frustration of protesters the city’s economic growth could be lower than Beijing has said it would allow. at Beijing’s refusal to budge on electoral reforms the government’s forecast of 2.2 percent. The The Hong Kong rallies drew more than and grant greater democracy to the former territory also reported a slowdown in monthly 100,000 on to the streets at their peak. Numbers Australia police appeal British colony. “Some people have mistaken the retail sales. have since dwindled and public support for the to mother of baby police’s tolerance for weakness,” Leung told Hundreds of riot police scattered the crowds movement has waned. — Reuters buried on beach First year raises doubts SYDNEY: Australian police yesterday urged known whether it had been stillborn or the mother of a baby girl found dead and how it had died. buried at a popular Sydney beach to come Its sex was not immediately obvious due forward, as the city reeled from its second to decomposition but a post-mortem Abbott will last full term case of abandoned infants in days. Two revealed late yesterday it was a girl, police young boys playing at Maroubra beach said. There were no further details on how SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is tonne. Abbott warned about ballooning deficits in found the decomposed body in the sand the child died or how long she had been in nearing the end of his first full year in office hob- May when he released an unpopular budget on Sunday morning, a week after another the sand. The gruesome discovery by two bled by missteps and a souring economy that have packed with deregulation moves, new levies and baby was found barely alive in a drain in brothers, aged six and seven, came exactly plunged his approval ratings to historic lows, spending cuts, but the public has never accepted western Sydney. one week after a baby boy was found increasing speculation he may not survive to a sec- his plan. New South Wales state police commis- wrapped in a hospital-issued blanket down ond term. On Monday, Deloitte Access Economics sioner Andrew Scipione urged the mother a drain, where he was believed to have sur- Faced with a collapse in commodities prices and released a report predicting that, based on a com- of the dead child to come forward. vived for five days. an unruly upper house Senate that has held bination of Senate intransigence and plummeting “Come and talk to us, seek some advice, Passers-by were able to rescue the new- Abbott’s first budget hostage since May, voters revenues, there was no chance for the balanced we need to talk with you,” he said, while born after hearing his cries, and a 30-year- have abandoned his conservative government Budget Abbott predicted for 2017-18. also pleading with anyone who thought old woman was later charged with more quickly than any other in three decades. The “Australia’s Budget boom of the last decade is they might know something to speak to attempted murder. drum beat of bad news, most recently the thrash- ending, not with a bang, but with a whimper,” authorities. New South Wales Police Minister Stuart ing handed to Abbott’s Liberal-National coalition in Deloitte said. “So if the particular woman won’t come Ayres said the cases raised the question of state elections in Victoria on Saturday, has sparked Yesterday, Abbott described the government’s forward herself, please if you are a friend, a what could be done to help desperate fam- calls for Treasurer Joe Hockey and Defense Minister performance in the past week as “ragged”. That true friend, you will tell us because we ilies. “There is no doubt we find ourselves David Johnston to be thrown out. included defense minister Johnston saying he Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott speaks think she might need some help.” with two cases that are currently under However, even a cabinet reshuffle may be too would not trust a government-owned submarine to the media.—AP The naked baby’s body was found investigation that requires us to think seri- little, too late, with the opposition Labor Party firm “to build a canoe”, which led to calls for his buried about 30 centimetres (12 inches) in ously about what we need to help families increasingly painting Abbott as a hypocrite over sacking. “Obviously I take responsibility for every- any reshuffle. the sand. Police said Sunday it was not that are in crisis,” he said. —AFP policy shifts that include deep cuts to the popular thing in the end. I mean, the buck stops here,” Opposition leader Bill Shorten said yesterday he Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Abbott told reporters. Treasurer Hockey, once con- expected that a scheduled mid-year fiscal update Abbott was a ruthlessly effective opposition sidered a successor for Abbott, has been hurt by this month would confirm that budget as Hockey’s leader against Labor Prime Ministers Julia Gillard the budget impasse and will be a likely target in first - and last. —Reuters and Kevin Rudd, but those qualities are less desir- able in a prime minister, Dr. Andrew Hughes of the Australian National University told Reuters. “Tony Abbott’s brand is so hard and it’s so negative. It Japan destroys chemical makes you wonder whether he was a one-use only brand,” he said. weapons cache in China Abbott has had significant accomplishments this year, concluding free trade deals with Japan, BEIJING: A Japanese-built facility in China yes- between Tokyo and Beijing are at their worst for South Korea and China, and hosting the G20 lead- terday began destroying the largest cache of years over a territorial dispute in the East China ers summit last month. Still, Labor has surged World War II chemical weapons abandoned in Sea, and the continuing legacy of Japan’s brutal ahead to lead the government by a margin of 55 the country, Tokyo officials said, in a rare case of 20th-century occupation. percent to 45 percent in the latest Newspoll co-operation between the two countries. The “Abandoning these weapons was one of the released on Nov 18. A cabinet reshuffle is likely facility has been built in Harbaling in the north- severe crimes Japanese militarist invaders com- after the Victorian election, Hughes said, but a east, where some 300,000 to 400,000 chemical mitted during their invasion of China,” China’s leadership swap may already be unavoidable. weapons are believed to have been left behind, official news agency Xinhua Sunday cited an Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, who has per- a government official at Japan’s Cabinet Office unnamed Chinese official as saying. formed well this year, is seen as a possible leader. said. In 1999 Tokyo and Beijing agreed to destroy “If those numbers don’t budge, they’re going to Both Japanese and Chinese staff work at the the devices, with Japan providing all necessary TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister and the Liberal Democratic Party leader Shinzo Abe have to consider it. They’ve got no choice,” Hughes facility, the official said, adding: “As our respon- funds, technology, experts and other resources. said. Australia, by far the world’s biggest exporter (center) tries to link his hands with Japan Innovation Party leader Kenji Eda (left) and sibility, we will sincerely proceed with the dis- Originally the process was meant to be com- of iron ore and coal, has been battered by a world- Democratic Party of Japan leader Banri Kaieda at the start of a debate by the leaders posal by paying great attention to the safety of pleted by 2007, a deadline later pushed back to wide fall in commodity prices. Iron prices have of eight Japanese political parties prior to the lower house election to be held on Dec local people and the environment.” Relations 2012. It has since been delayed further.— AFP 14, at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.— AP plunged 44 percent so far this year to under $76 a NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Emiratis are seen yesterday in front of a government-sanctioned graffiti entitled “Our Journey”, which marks the United Arab Emirates’ 43rd National Day in Dubai. The Guinness World Records on Sunday announced that the 2,245-m artwork would be entered into its record book. — AP

Indian IS recruit home after made... Most Gulf firms can prosper with $70 oil Continued from Page 1 and instead took up arms. Now what happens to his future?” Sheikh told the Indian Express newspaper yester- Continued from Page 1 Meanwhile, in a region dominated by bank loans and Tanvir Sheikh, the father of one of Majeed’s friends day. “I feel let down by my son. He had a bright career international bonds, GCC countries are laying plans to devel- who was still missing in Iraq, said he felt betrayed by his ahead of him but he took advantage of our love and Saudi Arabia has seen a significant downgrade, but that is op local currency bond markets through reforms that will give son. Sheikh said his son Fahad was offered a job in betrayed us.” Radicalised foreigners have been drawn to almost entirely due to the petrochemical sector. Corporate new opportunities to their financial firms. In the past, local Kuwait but instead decided to travel to Iraq to join the the IS group, which has conducted a series of mass exe- earnings in the GCC’s two smallest states may be hit hard by bond markets were largely considered unnecessary in the six extremists. “He had got a job offer from Kuwait with a cutions and other atrocities since launching its offensive oil at $70. Bahrain was already running a budget deficit when GCC countries. Banks were able to channel abundant oil mon- salary of three lakh rupees ($4,800) but he ignored that in Iraq and Syria in June. — AFP oil was above $100; Oman is now almost certain to slip into ey into loans, rapid economic growth let companies fund the red, and its fiscal reserves are relatively small. their expansion through retained earnings, and big state- Spending cutbacks therefore look likely in both countries. owned firms had easy access to international capital markets. Last week, an advisory body to Oman’s government suggest- Those conditions haven’t changed, but other factors are MIT engineers have high hopes for cheetah... ed sweeping spending cuts and tax rises to cope with cheap- now swaying policy makers. After the global financial crisis, er oil. On Sunday, shares in Muscat-listed cement producers they want to reduce risks for their banking sectors - which Continued from Page 1 Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. plunged after the government said it would reduce subsidies means limiting banks’ exposure to individual firms, and The military research arm is also funding a similar robot and introduce higher gas prices from Jan 1. Last week, encouraging those firms to raise some of their funds via “This is kind of a Ferrari in the robotics world, like, we being developed by Boston Dynamics. The company Omani telecommunications shares sank because of the bonds instead. Governments are also scrambling to diversify have to put all the expensive components and make it says its version is powered by an off-board hydraulic prospect of tax hikes in the sector. their economies beyond oil and create private sector jobs, really that instinctive,” said MIT professor Sangbae Kim, pump and uses a boom-like device to keep it running in Across the Gulf, petrochemical companies’ earnings are which means helping smaller companies - some of which who leads the school’s Biomimetic Robotics Lab that the center of the treadmill. Crafting the cheetah robot set to suffer. Petrochemical product prices are closely linked have been shunned by banks in the past - to raise money. designed the robot. “That’s the only way to get that took five years of designing, testing, tweaking and plen- to oil prices, while regional producers buy subsidised feed- The result is a drive to develop primary markets for corpo- speed.” Insight gleaned from the design of their prototype ty of confidence to ignore those who said electric stock, so higher crude prices provide them with better mar- rate conventional bonds and sukuk, while ensuring investor could have real-world applications, including the design motors aren’t strong enough to propel a running gins; cheaper oil removes that advantage. The damage to demand for bonds in the secondary markets is strong enough of revolutionary prosthetics, wearable technologies, all- mechanical cheetah powered by batteries. Researchers petrochemical firms will be most keenly felt in Saudi Arabia, to absorb additional supply. In Saudi Arabia, for example, the terrain wheelchairs and vehicles that can travel efficiently had to exercise a lot of patience during test runs. The because such firms account for about a third of the Saudi central bank has been pressing banks this year to limit their in rough terrain much like animals do, Kim said. There are robot broke dozens of legs manufactured by 3-D print- stock market’s capitalisation. In the past three months, ana- exposure to single clients to no more than 25 percent of the hopes the robot will be able to be used in search and res- ers and reinforced with Kevlar strips and carbon fiber. lysts have slashed their average earnings growth forecast for bank’s reserves and paid-up or invested capital. cue operations in hazardous or hostile environments The results? Strong, lightweight components that the Saudi petrochemical sector this year to 13 percent from The Saudi Capital Market Authority announced last month where it’s too risky to send a human rescuer. made untethered running possible, including a carbon 25 percent. that rules for credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s “When the robot is running, at every step, we calcu- fiber-and-foam sandwich frame that can absorb the They do not see much of a slowdown for other Saudi sec- would be introduced next September, which could help to late the appropriate amount of the force to the legs so forces generated by running and jumping. Some off- tors, however. Their forecast for earnings growth across the fuel foreign investors’ interest in local bonds. The CMA has cut that the robot can balance itself,” said MIT research sci- the-shelf components, including an Xbox controller for entire stock market has dropped only slightly, to 12 percent the time it takes issuers to go through the regulatory process; entist Hae-Won Park, who wrote the complex algorithm maneuvering the robot and wireless Internet communi- from 17 percent; most of that fall is due to petrochemicals. it now gives initial feedback within days of an application used to control the cheetah, which weighs around 70 cations for sending commands to the mechanical chee- The International Monetary Fund has estimated Saudi Arabia being submitted, instead of the months it took just a couple pounds - about the same as one of its female feline tah, also came in handy. Each leg is propelled by three needs an oil price of about $92 a barrel to break even in its of years ago. counterparts. Sensors inside the robot measure the motors that can generate powerful forces at slow state budget. At $70, it will be in the red, but its fiscal reserves Saudi Arabia is well ahead of other GCC countries in angle of the leg and that information is sent to an speeds. Still, researchers continue to tweak their proto- can easily cover that. Its original state budget for 2014 envis- encouraging the use of bonds to fund big infrastructure and onboard computer that also organizes data from the type, looking to add additional sensors that would aged spending of 855 billion riyals ($228 billion); the govern- industrial projects. The rest of the Gulf is not nearly as Inertial Measurement Unit, or IMU, which is also used to eventually make the robot autonomous. “In the next 10 ment’s reserves at the central bank in September - excluding advanced as Saudi Arabia in promoting corporate bonds, but maneuver drones and ballistic missiles, Park said. years, our goal is we are trying to make this robot to its other assets - totalled 801 billion riyals. the gap may narrow. In the UAE, local currency issuance has The project is funded by the US Department of save a life,” Kim said. — AP Corporate earnings in other big GCC markets, where been minimal, but new rules were issued by the securities petrochemicals have smaller weightings, are likely to suffer regulator this year. Among other things, the rules cut the min- less. Over the last three months, analysts polled by Reuters imum issue size for corporate bonds to 10 million dirhams Indian embassy explains guarantee have actually increased their average forecast for the com- ($2.7 million) from 50 million dirhams, remove the need for bined 2015 earnings of Dubai’s 13 leading listed companies issuers to have credit ratings, and shorten the regulatory Continued from Page 1 protecting them and has failed as a minister to safeguard by 3 percent. They have also increased their outlook for Abu approval period for issues. public funds. Dhabi’s major listed firms by 5 percent. The two UAE markets Qatar’s government has been more active in building a Turaiji meanwhile continued his onslaught against the The minister has categorically denied all the charges, are dominated by banks, property firms and telecommunica- local yield curve, expanding the tenors of the debt it sells. It minister, saying that he expected him to step down over saying that he will refute them during the debate. The tions companies. For Qatar’s major companies, analysts have has also increased pressure on both issuers and investors to the performance of the Kuwait Stock Exchange which has debate could end in 10 MPs filing a no-confidence motion. reduced their 2015 earnings outlook by 2 percent since enter the local currency bond market, for example by shifting substantially declined over the drop in oil prices. The law- Voting on the motion must take place after eight days and September, largely because of Industries Qatar, whose opera- the weightings of investment banks’ permitted securities maker denied that his grilling was personally motivated it requires the support of just 24 MPs to pass. If approved, it tions include petrochemicals, and Gulf International Services, holdings in favour of local debt. Authorities are now looking and insisted that the minister is encouraging violators and will mean an automatic dismissal of the minister. a drilling rig provider. at technical improvements to the market. — Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues Russia can play good cop too

By Matt Robinson

here were 76, but they were dubbed the ‘Russian 100’ - life-savers flown in from Moscow within hours of an Tappeal for help from Serbia as the heaviest rainfall in more than a century inundated the Balkans in May. Brits, Austrians and Bulgarians arrived too, deployed by the European Union to aid an aspiring member of the bloc. But the Russians arrived first, and in force. “Crazy brave”, was how Serbia’s prime minister described them. Russia at the time was earning the ire of the West for dismembering Ukraine, so the PR in the Balkans was priceless. “They won the day,” said one Western diplomat. Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall signalled the collapse of the Kremlin’s grip on eastern Europe, Russia is re-asserting some of its lost influence. That is most obvious in Europe needs migrants it doesn’t want Ukraine, where unmarked tanks roll across the countryside in support of pro-Russian separatists. But it is manifested in more subtle ways too all over ex-Communist eastern Europe: in the By Paul Taylor That will mean “serious labour supply constraints” in such as Germany and Spain which will have the oldest energy deals governments sign with their main gas supplier, in some of the strongest EU economies - Austria, the populations. closer diplomatic ties, and in what Western diplomats say is a urope is ageing faster than any other region of the Netherlands and Finland as well as Germany - according to As the post-World War Two baby boom generation growing Russian effort to win over public opinion on an world. It badly needs immigrants. But many a European Commission study by Joerg Peschner and retires, the ratio of over-65-year-olds to the working age increasingly hostile continent. EEuropeans don’t want them. The “old continent” may Constantinos Fotakis that took a baseline economic recov- population is set to rise dramatically, while the number of In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin was guest of be able to offset the impact of a greying workforce until ery of just 1 percent. By contrast, Britain, France, Ireland under-15s declines by nearly 15 percent by 2060, according honour in Belgrade at a rain-soaked military parade marking around 2020 by bringing more women and elderly people and to a lesser extent Italy can expect healthy expansion. to projections by Eurostat. At present, the age dependence 70 years since the Red Army liberated the city from the Nazis; into work, encouraging mobility within Europe and making Britain will have overtaken the Germans by 2050 as the rate is 27.5 on average in the 28-nation EU, but Germany this month, Russian paratroopers held a one-day drill with better use of existing migrants, EU and OECD experts say. EU’s most populous nation with 77.2 million - if it stays in and Italy are well above that level. The rate is projected to Serbian soldiers and Russian Patriarch Kiril blessed a statue of But in the medium to long term, the European Union will the bloc - while France will have caught up with Germany jump to 49.4 in 2050, when there will be only two people of Czar Nicholas II outside the Serbian presidency building. need to attract significant numbers of skilled workers from on 74.3 million. working age for every retiree. Most EU countries have raised “They’re ramping it up,” said the diplomat, who declined to be beyond its borders - and overcome growing public opposi- Regardless of their place on the scale, many European their retirement age to 65 or beyond and are making citi- named. The Russian relief effort in May was coordinated tion highlighted by the rise of populist anti-immigration countries still recovering from six years of economic crisis zens contribute longer for a full pension - but further through the Serbian-Russian Humanitarian Centre, a spotless parties. are being tugged in the opposite direction from demo- increases lie ahead. new building opened in 2012 in the southern Serbian city of “If you close the door (to immigration), you will pay an graphic realities by a tide of anti-immigration political rhet- Meanwhile there’s the impact on Europe’s economy of Nis as a disaster-response centre with regional reach. economic price,” says Jean-Christophe Dumont, an expert oric. Marine Le Pen in France, Nigel Farage in Britain and having a big chunk of the population focused on “needs, It plays on the image some Serbs hold of Moscow as pro- on migration at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Geert Wilders in the Netherlands are attracting working- rather than wants,” to consider, as Paul Hodges, co-author of tector of its Slav brethren and lies barely 50 km from Kosovo, and Development, a Paris-based intergovernmental think- class voters by raging against freedom of movement of the e-book “Boom, Gloom and The New Normal”, explains. where 5,000 NATO troops still secure the peace between tank. “For now, we can make better use of migrants who are workers within the EU, from the poorer east and south to “Demographics drive demand,” he said. “Older people have majority Albanians and minority Serbs 15 years after alliance already here, matching their skills better to labour market the wealthier north. They accuse the EU of opening the less need for houses, cars and consumer goods and have to air strikes wrested the territory from Belgrade. Equipped with needs. In the longer term, it will not only be about match- flood gates to “job stealing” migrants, driving down wages make do on lower incomes as they move on to pension age, shiny red fire trucks, boats, generators and tents, the centre is a ing skills, it will also be about numbers,” he said. and living standards and raising crime rates. slowing the wheels of the economy.” “pilot project”, said co-director Viktor Safyanov, with others Going by current trends, Europe’s industrial power- Before the financial crisis erupted in 2008, economic planned in Latin America and Russia’s ex-Soviet backyard of house Germany, along with Spain and Poland, will see its Demographics Drive Demand growth in the euro zone averaged 2 percent a year, roughly Central Asia and the South Caucasus. It saved 3,000 people population shrink from now on, slowing potential eco- The backlash against immigration prompted Pope made up of a 1 percent gain in employment and 1 percent during the floods, he said, and has plans to expand to become nomic growth. Germany’s 82 million residents will dwindle Francis to appeal in the European Parliament for an “elderly in productivity. That growth potential, regarded as neces- “international”. “Of course, we value the verdict of the Serbian to 74.7 million by 2050 and their average age will rise to and haggard” continent to show a more welcoming face to sary to maintain the current level of European welfare pro- and Russian governments,” Safyanov told Reuters. “But for me nearly 50, assuming unchanged levels of migration, those who cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of a bet- vision, collapsed during the crisis and has yet to return in and many of my colleagues, what’s important is the verdict of according to EU statistics agency Eurostat. Some projec- ter life. Another pressing argument for rational debate is most countries. Without employment gains from migration, the people.” tions are even more dire, putting the German population the growing impact of the demographic reversal on the Europe will need an improbably big boost in productivity to as low as 65 million by 2060. funding of pensions and healthcare, especially in countries sustain its living standards - or see them decline. —Reuters Soft-Power Doctrine Russia recently outlined a new soft-power doctrine entitled “Integrated Strategy for Expanding Russia’s Humanitarian Influence in the World”. The plan, said Foreign Minister Sergey German population drop spells skills shortage Lavrov, was to counter “unprecedented measures to discredit Russian politics and distort Russia’s image”. This month, Russia By Georgina Prodhan and to work from towns around the region. fits for parents and stay-at-home moth- imaginative solutions. Car maker BMW launched a state-of-the-art media organisation to counter Michael Nienaber “You have to turn a lot of screws to be ers - which critics say keeps more women is retaining more workers aged 50 or what its chief journalist called the West’s “aggressive propa- able to deal with this demographic out of the workforce - and increased over - it expects them to make up ganda”, with offices in dozens of cities around the world, erman bathroom fittings maker change,” Egenter said. “We’re not waiting kindergarten places. To offset the burden more than 35 percent of its workforce including Belgrade. Hansgrohe is a successful firm until it becomes a problem.” on the pension system of an ageing pop- by 2020, from 25 percent at present - The Serbian office will have a staff of 30 and launch a Gwith a track record of global ulace, Merkel also introduced a phased and says they are “at least as produc- Serbian-language news website by the end of this year and exports and an attractive profit-sharing Political Response increase in the retirement age to 67 in tive” as younger workers. It has also radio broadcasts early next, said its head, Ljubinka Milincic. “I scheme. But it’s struggling to hire highly- The population shift will be a major her first term - but then brought it back introduced practices in consideration think earlier Russia often lost the race with Western media,” qualified engineers - and many more problem by 2060, when there will only be down to 63 for some workers, under of their health: Wooden floors soften Milincic told the Serbian daily Danas on Wednesday. “We sim- “Mittelstand” companies are too. The raft 1.3 workers per retiree, against 2.3 now. pressure from her centre-left coalition the impact on workers’ knees and staff ply want to show that truth has another side too.” Western of firms named after their small-to-medi- Meanwhile, the country’s birth rate is the partners. rotate jobs during shifts to avoid too money flowed to independent media, pro-democracy um size kept Germany afloat throughout lowest in Europe. “The political response Companies remain deeply concerned. many repetitive movements. activists and politicians in the 1990s as the West tried to bolster a global economic downturn and still to the demographic challenge will...be An international PwC survey of 2,400 SAP, the biggest software player in opposition to then Moscow-backed strongman Slobodan have healthy order books. But now they decisive in determining whether the family-owned firms found German com- Europe, is hiring people with autism Milosevic. Western foundations are still active in supporting must brace for a blow to their business German economy can retain its leading panies were more worried about attract- from around the world, believing that media and civil society. from a demographic time bomb. position in many areas,” Jens Weidmann, ing and retaining talent than their for- their unique talents can give it a com- Western diplomats say Russian money may be finding its The working-age population of president of the Bundesbank (central eign peers. Without heavy immigration, petitive edge. And chemical giant way to media outlets in Serbia, sympathetic think-tanks and Germany - Europe’s biggest economy - is bank), said recently. “the German labour market will overheat BASF plans to hire its second round of political parties too, though firm evidence is hard to come by. expected to shrink by 6.3 million by 2030 But politicians can’t openly urge and labour supply will soon start to con- trainees in Tarragona, Spain. But They also suggest support for right-wing groups that promote as the country’s overall population dwin- Germans to increase the birth rate - it’s strain overall German growth,” wrote Germany’s population problem will the more conservative values embraced by much of Russian dles from 82 million to 65-70 million by taboo because of sensitivity about the David Mackie, an economist at JP still have to be confronted, says SAP society - Orthodox Christian, patriarchal and anti-gay. “It’s clear 2060. Policymakers are warning of a Nazis’ “Mutterkreuz” medal for women Morgan. board member Stefan Ries. “It is indis- that Russian intelligence services are financing - from the looming shortage of skills that the who had four babies or more. Instead, putable that this problem lies ahead,” Baltics down to Bulgaria - extreme right movements, various Cologne-based IW institute has estimat- Angela Merkel, Germany’s conservative No Panacea said Ries. “We see it with our industrial unofficial groups, cultural groups, and that is where a lot of ed is already costing Ä22 billion ($27 bil- chancellor since 2005, has offered bene- Some German firms are finding customers, in our ecosystem. You see their cash is going,” said a former senior government official lion) a year. There is a particular deficit of it much more clearly in the with experience working across the region. “Obviously, jour- workers with adequate qualifications in Mittelstand.” nalists too,” he said. “They are using a certain type of soft-pow- maths, computing, science and technol- er there.” Keeping the working-age population Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary, where Prime Minister Viktor ogy. And there is little slack in the form steady would need annual net immigra- Orban stands out in the EU for his warm relations with of unemployed people or part-timers tion of at least 300,000 until 2050, Moscow and a 10 billion euro Russian loan this year to expand willing to work more: Unemployment is Stephan Sievert of the Berlin Institute the country’s Paks nuclear plant, lie on the route of Russia’s at a record low 6.6 percent and the for Population and Development said. It planned South Stream gas pipeline, and have been frustrated underutilised labour rate of 9.3 percent is was 460,000 last year and could hit by the EU’s refusal to give the go-ahead to construction. the lowest in the euro zone, according to 500,000 this year, he said. Like much of Anecdotal evidence suggests Russian ties to a number of Eurostat. Europe, Germany is debating tougher right-wing Hungarian news portals. —Reuters For now, German multinationals can controls on immigration, though even compensate by luring talent from the right-wing Alternative for Germany abroad and adjusting working condi- (AfD), poaching votes from Merkel, val- tions to retain older staff. But the mil- ues qualified immigrants. All articles appearing on these lions of “Mittelstand” companies who However, initiatives like a “Blue Card” employ six out of 10 German workers scheme for highly-skilled workers and pages are the personal opinion of and often have their headquarters in academics have a limited impact: only the writers. Kuwait Times takes no rural settings are finding it hard to com- 18,000 have been granted since its responsibility for views expressed pete. “Twenty years ago, an employee introduction in 2012 and most of the therein. Kuwait Times invites read- had to apply to a company, but today I recipients were already living or study- have to compete for potential staff and ing in Germany. Back in the Black ers to voice their opinions. Please show them what I can offer,” said Forest, Hansgrohe hired a young man send submissions via email to: opin- Hansgrohe’s human resources chief from Portugal last year and offered his [email protected] or via snail Thomas Egenter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel (center right) and the German State fiancee a trainee engineer post too. But At its headquarters in the quiet Black Secretary for Migration, Refugees and Integration Aydan Oezoguz (center settling them in and helping with red mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Forest town of Schiltach the firm - owned tape was a “massive effort” for the firm. The editor reserves the right to edit left) hold a hammer as they visit the training centre of the Berliner by U.S. company Masco and a branch of Verkehrsbetriebe (Berlin public transportation company, BVG) in Berlin “They’re doing a super job, no ques- the Grohe family - offers perks like child- tion, but it’s a lot of work,” Egenter said. any submission as necessary. yesterday. —AFP care, a share in profits and free transport “It’s not a cure-all.” —Reuters p15_Layout 1 12/1/14 9:02 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SPORTS

Williamson to lead NZ Stampeders lift Grey Cup Webber survives crash DUBAI: Batsman Kane Williamson has been given the opportunity to flex his CALGARY: Bo Levi Mitchell did the heavy-lifting but Drew Tate got the glo- BRAZIl: Former Formula One driver Mark Webber had a lucky escape captaincy credentials after being named to lead New Zealand in their one-day ry scoring two touchdowns as the Calgary Stampeders tamed the international and Twenty20 series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. from a high-speed crash at the World Endurance series race in Brazil. Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 to hoist the 102nd Grey Cup and be crowned The 38-year-old Australian’s Porsche 911 made contact with Matteo The 24-year-old, who has been touted as a likely future New Zealand captain, Canadian Football League champions on Sunday. will take over from Brendon McCullum, who is returning home to rest ahead of Cressoni’s Ferrari on the final corner of the six-hour race in Sao Paulo Mitchell was named the most valuable player, completing 25 passes for and slammed into a track barrier. the Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand in December and January. 334 yards, though his backup Tate finished a pair of drives by scoring on New ball bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult are also quarterback sneaks from the one-yard line. Webber, quit Formula One last year, was not seriously returning to New Zealand as part of the team’s player The victory erased the disappointment of a loss to the Toronto hurt, according to a statement on the Endurance Series workload programme, as the series against Argonauts in the Grey Cup final two years ago, but it was more heartbreak website (www.fiawec.com). Pakistan does not end until a week before the for Hamilton, who also lost the final last year and looked to have stolen a A subsequent statement on Webber’s official first Sri Lanka test in Christchurch on Dec. 26. dramatic victory at the death. Facebook page said he was okay and had been taken “Managing players’ workloads will be an Trailing 20-16 with 30 seconds to play diminutive Brandon Banks electri- for medical checks. “After his accident in the six hour important part of our summer plans and this is simply fied the crowd when he returned a punt for an apparent touchdown only an example of that,” New Zealand selection manager race in Sao Paulo, Mark is awake and alert,” the state- for it to be called back for an illegal block leaving the Hamilton bench ment said. “(He) has been taken to the medical center Bruce Edgar said in a statement. stunned and Banks in tears. “I saw that flag come out real early so I knew,” He stressed the decision had nothing to do with the for further checks.” said Mitchell. “You know you got to stop those things, that almost lost us After a 12-year career in Formula 1, former Red death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, with the Grey Cup.” The Stampeders, the CFL’s top team during the regular sea- McCullum acknowledging he had been affected by the left- son with a mark of 15-3, drew first blood with Tate sliding into the end Bull driver Webber joined the Porsche team in hander’s death during their third test victory over Pakistan zone from one yard to cap a nine play, 55-yard drive to bring Calgary sup- the Endurance series where he finished ninth in Sharjah that salvaged a series draw.—Reuters porters among the 55,000 crowd at BC Place to their feet.—Reuters overall. —Reuters Red Wings down Canucks

DETROIT: Pavel Datsyuk scored twice as the first period, beating Ryan Miller with a the Detroit Red Wings beat the Vancouver slap shot, and Nyquist made it 2-0 midway Canucks 5-3 on Sunday for their fourth through the period with a one-timer on a straight victory. power play. Vey scored on a power play at About a third of the arena, including the 2:37 of the second, and Datsyuk countered Vancouver zone, went dark 29 seconds into late in the period with a power- play goal the game after a minor power failure. The that appeared to hit Canucks forward Nick game was delayed 33 minutes. Bonino’s skate before crossing the line. Niklas Kronwall, Danny DeKeyser and Matthias and DeKeyser swapped goals Gustav Nyquist also scored, Henrik early in the third before Vey added his sec- Zetterberg had two assists and Jimmy ond. Datsyuk had an empty-net goal in the Howard made 30 saves for Detroit. Linden final minute. The Red Wings played the Vey scored twice, and Shawn Matthias third period without forward Justin added a goal for Vancouver. Abdelkader after he left the game with an Kronwall opened the scoring at 3:15 of upper-body injury. —AP NHL results/standings Western Conference Montreal 16 7 2 65 63 34 Pacific Division Detroit 14 5 5 74 61 33 WLOTLGFGAPTS Boston 14 9 1 61 58 29 Vancouver 16 7 1 75 66 33 Toronto 12 8 3 76 69 27 Anaheim 14 6 5 68 66 33 Florida 9 6 6 45 53 24 Calgary 15 8 2 78 64 32 Ottawa 10 9 4 61 63 24 Los Angeles 12 7 5 65 57 29 San Jose 11 10 4 68 70 26 Buffalo 8 14 2 43 76 18 Arizona 9 12 3 57 74 21 Metropolitan Division Edmonton 6 14 4 54 82 16 Pittsburgh 16 5 2 81 55 34 Central Division NY Islanders 17 7 0 77 65 34 Nashville 16 5 2 64 46 34 NY Rangers 11 8 4 68 64 26 St. Louis 16 6 2 66 51 34 Washington 10 9 4 65 65 24 Chicago 15 8 1 74 48 31 New Jersey 9 11 4 58 71 22 Winnipeg 12 9 4 52 56 28 Philadelphia 8 12 3 61 74 19 Minnesota 13 9 1 65 55 27 Carolina 7 13 3 54 68 17 Dallas 9 10 5 70 84 23 Colorado 9 10 5 64 75 23 Columbus 6 15 2 52 83 14 Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point Atlantic Division in the standings and are not included in the loss Tampa Bay 16 6 2 85 64 34 column (L).

LOS ANGELES: Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry (center) is defended by Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant (left) and Nick Young during the second half of an NBA basketball game. —AP Lakers end losing streak

LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant had 31 points, 12 matched his career worst at 11 games under Miami’s next 15 points to help the Heat maintain assists and 11 rebounds for his 20th career .500. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with the lead. triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers ended a 23 points. four-game losing streak with a 129-122 overtime Van Gundy broke up his usual three-post line- MAGIC 93, SUNS 90 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. up against the smaller Warriors, starting Kyle Tobias Harris scored 21 points as Orlando Seven players scored in double figures for the Singler at small forward and bringing Greg held off a late rally to beat Phoenix and snap a Lakers, including all five starters. Nick Young Monroe off the bench. It didn’t work. Monroe, four-game losing streak. Nikola Vucevic added added 20 points off the bench, Carlos Boozer Andre Drummond and Josh Smith shot a com- 18 points for the Magic, who led by 16 early in scored 18 and Jordan Hill had 16 points and 12 bined 12 for 38. the fourth quarter before the Suns cut it to three rebounds. with 1:02 to play. Kyle Lowry had 29 points, nine assists and six GRIZZLIES 97, KINGS 85 Phoenix coach John Hornacek drew a techni- rebounds for Toronto before fouling out with 2.8 Zach Randolph had 22 points and 12 cal on Orlando’s next possession, the coach seconds left in overtime. Terrence Ross had 20 rebounds, AND Marc Gasol added 18 points and claiming to no avail that Vucevic traveled on a points and Lou Williams added 19 off the bench six rebounds as Memphis held off a late rally to layup. for the Raptors, whose 13-3 record entering the beat short-handed Sacramento for its fifth Consecutive 3-pointers by Goran Dragic and game was the best start in franchise history. straight win. Gerald Green, the second with 2.9 seconds to go, Toronto played without leading scorer DeMar The frontcourt tandem took advantage of a cut the lead to one, Evan Fournier sank two free DeRozan, who tore a tendon in his left groin dur- Kings team playing without center DeMarcus throws with 1.6 seconds to go and Phoenix ing Friday’s 106-102 loss to Dallas and is out Cousins, who missed his second straight game failed to get a shot off at the buzzer. Dragic indefinitely. Greivis Vasquez made his first start because of a virus. The Grizzlies built a 21-point scored 22 points and Markieff Morris had 18 of the season and scored 19 points. lead in the second quarter and pulled away points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the again in the fourth to stretch their NBA-best Suns. SPURS 111, CELTICS 89 record to 15-2. Pavel Datsyuk in action in this file photo. Danny Green scored 18 points and coach Rudy Gay scored 20 points and reserve TRAIL BLAZERS 107, TIMBERWOLVES 93 Gregg Popovich returned from a two-game Reggie Evans finished with 17 points and 20 LaMarcus Aldridge had 26 points and 15 absence to lead San Antonio over Boston for its rebounds as Sacramento (9-8) lost its third game rebounds to pace Portland over Minnesota. New Zealand are team to seventh straight victory. Popovich returned for in a row. Wesley Matthews added 23 points, including six the opener of a four-game trip after missing two 3-pointers for his third straight game with at games following an undisclosed minor medical HEAT 86, KNICKS 79 least five 3-pointers, and the Blazers led by as beat as Ireland impress procedure. Dwyane Wade returned from a seven-game many as 16 points. Leading 80-77 with 10 minutes left, the Spurs absence to score 27 points -13 in the fourth Portland was coming off a 112-99 loss to LONDON: Reigning champions New Cup challenge is their perennial happiness went on a 14-2 run to take a 94-79 lead with 6:11 quarter - as Miami beat New York. Memphis on Friday night that snapped a nine- Zealand remained the team to beat less to cast themselves as underdogs. left on a layup by Cory Joseph. After Jeff Green Chris Bosh added 20 for the Heat, including a game winning streak. Shabazz Muhammad than a year out from the World Cup in Ireland fans must hope captain Paul made a free throw for Boston, cutting the lead to crucial 3-pointer with 1:07 left as Miami held off came off the bench with 28 points for England after yet another successful O’Connell’s words after the Australia match 94-80, Aron Baynes beat the 24-second clock a late New York rally. Carmelo Anthony also Minnesota, which used just nine players. The November campaign in Europe. were for public consumption only and that, with a 3-pointer then made a layup for a 99-80 returned after a two-game absence because of Timberwolves have won just four games this There’s nothing new in the All Blacks privately at least, the squad have rather lead with 4:36 to go. back spasms to score 31 points for the Knicks. season, including a 120-119 win in Los Angeles being the yardstick for the global game and more self-belief. Boris Diaw had 15 points and Tim Duncan Amare Stoudemire had 19 points and 12 over the Lakers on Friday. their rivals will take some comfort in know- “We’ve been here before and it didn’t added 14 for the Spurs. The Celtics were led by rebounds Injuries and illness have decimated the ing New Zealand have yet to win the World serve us well,” said O’Connell. “All we are try- Jeff Green with 16 points and Evan Turner with After trailing by 16, the Knicks pulled to 65-63 Timberwolves. The latest was rookie forward Cup on foreign soil. ing to do is improve game by game.” For 12 as they dropped to 1-7 in their last eight on Tim Hardaway Jr.’s layup with 9:22 left. Wade, Andrew Wiggins, who played just under 19 min- So the fact they were pushed close by England, Saturday’s 26-17 victory over World games. Rajon Rondo finished with only two sidelined since Nov. 12 by a hamstring injury, fol- utes after he was a game-time decision with a both England (24-21) and Wales (34-16) this Cup pool rivals Australia was timely follow- points and missed both of his free throws. He lowed with a baseline jumper and scored 12 of flu-like illness. —AP month before emerging victorious won’t ing defeats by New Zealand and South has made just 9 of 30 all season. have done the All Blacks any harm, nor will Africa. That it was achieved on the back of the success of a virtual second-choice side in traditional English scrummage power ought BULLS 102, NETS 84 NBA results/standings preserving their unbeaten record against not to embarrass anyone in the Red Rose Jimmy Butler had 26 points and Pau Gasol Scotland. However, all these matches camp on the receiving end of jibes about a San Antonio 111, Boston 89; Chicago 102, Brooklyn 84; Golden State 104, Detroit 93; Memphis 97, Sacramento 85; had 25 points and 13 rebounds, leading Chicago Miami 86, NY Knicks 79; Orlando 93, Phoenix 90; Portland 107, Minnesota 93; LA Lakers 129, Toronto 122 (OT). demonstrated how no team goes for the full lack of midfield creativity. past Brooklyn. Rookie Bojan Bogdanovic led the 80 minutes quite like New Zealand, who Indeed if England top a group featuring Nets with 13 points and reserve Jarret Jack Eastern Conference Western Conference have enviable depth. Wales and Australia, they have a route to the added 12. Derrick Rose had 14 points and Atlantic Division Northwest Division England found themselves needing two climax of the World Cup where they reserve Nikola Mirotic chipped in 12 points and W L PCT GB Portland 13 4 .765 - scores in the closing stages against the All wouldn’t face another major southern hemi- 12 rebounds for the Bulls, who capped a seven- Toronto 13 4 .765 - Denver 8 8 .500 4.5 Blacks and managed one while Wales con- sphere side until the final. Brooklyn 6 9 .400 6 Utah 5 12 .294 8 game, 14-day road trip with their second Boston 4 10 .286 7.5 ceded 24 points in the final 17 minutes. “The World Cup will look after itself,” said straight win and finished 4-3 overall. Chicago’s Oklahoma City 5 12 .294 8 “We’ve had to earn the right to win some Lancaster. “Australia will have a lot of time NY Knicks 4 14 .222 9.5 Minnesota 4 11 .267 8 United Center had been reserved for the annual Philadelphia 0 16 0 12.5 Pacific Division games,” said New Zealand coach Steve with their new coach (Michael Cheika). They circus show, forcing the Bulls on the road. Central Division Golden State 14 2 .875 - Hansen. “What we’ve found is ways to win took us to the wire and they’ll only get bet- Chicago 11 6 .647 - LA Clippers 11 5 .688 3 ugly.” Ireland, under the shrewd guidance of ter and better.” WARRIORS 104, PISTONS 93 Milwaukee 10 8 .556 1.5 Phoenix 10 8 .556 5 Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt, enjoyed contrasting But for all their back-line class, Cheika Draymond Green scored 20 points and Cleveland 8 7 .533 2 wins over South Africa (29-15) and Australia knows Australia must improve a set-piece Indiana 7 10 .412 4 Sacramento 9 8 .529 5.5 Stephen Curry added 16 points and 10 assists to LA Lakers 4 13 .235 10.5 (26-23) where they demonstrated the ability which ought to be bolstered by the return of help Golden State beat Detroit for its ninth Detroit 3 14 .176 8 not just to vary their tactics from game to currently injured front-row Stephen Moore. Southeast Division Southwest Division straight victory. Washington 10 5 .667 - Memphis 15 2 .882 - game, but during matches as well. South Africa, developing an all-round Marreese Speights added 11 points and 12 game, may have beaten England but a dis- Atlanta 9 6 .600 1 Houston 13 4 .765 2 rebounds for the Warriors (14-2). The Pistons (3- Miami 9 7 .563 1.5 San Antonio 12 4 .750 2.5 GAME BY GAME appointing tour ended with a 12-6 defeat by 14) have lost eight in a row, the longest streak of Orlando 7 12 .368 5 Dallas 13 5 .722 2.5 Wales. South Africa were, however, without Perhaps the only thing holding back Stan Van Gundy’s coaching career, and have Charlotte 4 14 .222 7.5 New Orleans 7 8 .467 7 Ireland from mounting a sustained World 25 players in Cardiff. —AFP p16_Layout 1 12/1/14 9:02 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SPORTS B’desh’s Taijul grabs hat-trick on debut

DHAKA: Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam nine wickets for 33 runs and were dis- became the first cricketer to claim a hat- missed for 128 in 30 overs. trick on his debut in a one-day internation- Leg-spinner Jubair Hossain shared in the al as he set up a five-wicket victory for demolition, taking 2-41. Hamilton Bangladesh over Zimbabwe yesterday. Masakadza top-scored for Zimbabwe with The win in Dhaka gave Bangladesh a 52 and shared a 79-run second-wicket clean sweep in the five-match ODI series stand with Vusimuzi Sibanda (37) — the against their fellow cricketing minnows. only high point in Zimbabwe’s innings. The whitewash came after the hosts Panyangara and Chatara, who shared recorded a 3-0 win against the visitors in the five Bangladeshi wickets that fell, the preceding Test series. briefly raised the visitors’ hopes. But Taijul bowled Tinashe Panyangara in the Mahmudullah kept his composure to score last ball of his sixth over and returned to an unbeaten 51, guiding Bangladesh to trap John Nyumbu leg before and bowl 130-5 in 24.3 overs. Tendai Chatara in the first two balls of his The 28-year old middle-order batsman next over to complete the hat-trick. hit two fours off successive balls from Taijul, who finished with 4-11, is only the seamer Solomon Mire to seal the rout and fourth Bangladeshi to claim a hat-trick in an bring up his 11th fifty in the process. ODI after Shahadat Hossain, Abdur Razzak Sabbir Rahman, 13 not out, supported and Rubel Hossain. Mahmudullah after Bangladesh lost their Shakib Al Hasan took the last wicket to fifth wicket with the score on 93. Chatara return figures of 3-30 as Zimbabwe col- finished with 3-44 while Panyangara lapsed after a fine start. They lost their last claimed 2-49. —AFP

SCOREBOARD

DHAKA: Scoreboard of the fifth one-day international between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe at the Sher- e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday:

Zimbabwe innings (w1), Shakib 7-1-30-3 (w1), Taijul 7-2-11-4, Jubair H. Masakadza b Jubair 52 8-0-41-2 S. Raza c Rahim b Mortaza 9 V. Sibanda c Mortaza b Shakib 37 Bangladesh innings B. Taylor b Shakib 9 Tamim Iqbal c Mire b Panyangara 10 S. Mire lbw b Taijul 9 Anamul Haque c Masakadza b Chatara 8 T. Maruma b Jubair 1 Soumya Sarkar c Raza b Chatara 20 ALBERTA: Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud (centre) celebrates his win on the podium with second place finisher Austria’s Matthias Mayer left)( and third E. Chigumbura not out 3 Mahmudullah not out 51 place finisher Italy’s Dominik Paris following his run at the menís World Cup Super-G ski race. —AP T. Panyangara b Taijul 0 Shakib Al Hasan c Masakadza b Panyangara 0 John Nyumbu lbw b Taijul 3 Mushfiqur Rahim c Taylor b Chatara 11 T. Chatara b Taijul 0 Sabbir Rahman not out 13 T. Kamungozi c Mahmudullah b Shakib 2 Extras (lb6, w10, nb1) 17 Norway leads way without Svindal Extras (w3) 3 Total (for five wickets; 24.3 overs) 130 Total (all out; 30 overs) 128 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Tamim) 2-28 (Anamul), 3-47 Fall of wickets: 1-16 ( Raza) , 2-95 (Masakadza), 3- (Soumya), 4-58 (Shakib), 5-93 (Rahim) Bowling: LAKE LOUISE: Kjetil Jansrud is quietly taking in Saturday’s downhill. the equipment. Our styles are different but 108 (Taylor), 4-109 ( Sibanda), 5-112 (Maruma) 6- Panyangara 10-1-49-2 (w3, nb1), Chatara 10-0-44- over as the leader of Norwegian skiing. Jansrud The two wins, Jansrud’s first in the World we’re both looking for the ideal line,” he said. 120 (Mire), 7-120 (Panyangara) 8-124 (Nyumbu), 9- 3 (w6), Kamungozi 4-0-21-0, Mire 0.3-0-10-0 (w1) won both weekend races at Lake Louise as the Cup outside his home country, added to com- Svindal tore his Achilles tendon playing foot- 124 (Chatara), 10-128 (Kamungozi) Result: Bangladesh won by five wickets to take absence of Norway’s flag-bearer Aksel Lund patriot Henrik Kristofferson’s astounding slalom ball in training days before the season opener Bowling: Mortaza 5-1-23-1 (w1), Abul 3-1-23-0 the five-match series 5-0. Svindal, injured before the start of the alpine victory in the Finnish resort of Levi earlier this in Soleden in October. His absence had seemed skiing season, has gone almost unnoticed as his month. “I don’t think I have a secret for how I to pave the way for a fourth successive big team-mates have won three of four men’s races skied this weekend and I never expected a dou- globe for Hirscher, but Jansrud might have a so far. ble win as it’s something you very rarely see in say as well even if he insists he has no such “So far Lake Louise has always been Aksel’s skiing so I am kind of surprised,” Jansrud said. plans. hill and not mine but hopefully it’s turning into But his Lake Louise double made him on par “With Marcel around, the overall is always mine as well,” said the versatile 29-year-old with former skiing greats like Austria’s Stefan difficult. It’s not an objective as such but if I Jansrud, who now leads the World Cup stand- Eberharter, American Bode Miller or Svindal, keep my downhill and Super-G form, maybe ings over three-times defending champion who achieved the same feat two seasons ago. we’ll think about it in the end of season,” he Marcel Hirscher of Austria. While stealing the limelight off his compatri- said. The men now leaving Lake Louise to the Jansrud beat Olympic downhill champion ot, Jansrud insisted he missed him. “It’s harder women and move to Beaver Creek, a crucial Matthias Mayer by 0.29 seconds after upstaging without Aksel because we have the same ski test as the Colorado resort will host the next local favourite Manuel Osborne-Paradis by 0.14 maker and we can share useful information on world championships in February. —Reuters Nicole grabs World Cup win

ASPEN: Austrian veteran Nicole Hosp upset the younger slalom favorites, including world and Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin, to take her first World Cup skiing victory since 2008 on Sunday. Revived by this year’s Sochi Olympics, where she won a silver and a bronze after years fighting injury, the 2007 overall World Cup winner won in a combined time of one minute and 44.90 seconds. The 31-year-old beat Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter by 0.19 seconds and compatriot Kathrin Zettel, who seized the overall World Cup lead, by 0.95. Since making her return from two knee injuries in 2009, the Austrian all-rounder has shone more in speed events and took her Sochi medals in the combined and Super-G. Her last World Cup win before Sunday was in a slalom in Maribor, Slovenia, in January 2008. “The last time I won a slalom was in 2008. It’s like another lifetime,” she said. “To win today is a bit like scoring my first victory. It means a lot when you’ve gone through all these troubled years. “I cannot say I’d stopped believing in my chances because I felt in training I was not finished. I thought a top five was possible, maybe a ASPEN: Nicole Hosp, of Austria, speeds down the course during the women’s World Cup slalom DHAKA: Bangladeshi Taijul Islam (back) jumps into the arms of Mahmudullah (left) podium. But in slalom, with all these young girls ski race. —AP coming up, I didn’t think I still had my place.” as they celebrate with Mushfiqur Rahim the dismissal of Zimbabwe’s Tendai Chatara “It’s hard when you ski great in training and I lost a bit of confidence,” she said. “I knew I during the fifth One-Day International cricket match. —AP The young generation, personified by Shiffrin, were not in their best shape on the then in the race nothing goes according to plan,” needed to do something special in the second Aspen course. The 19-year-old American clocked said Shiffrin, who finished 5th, 1:08 behind Hosp. run today but that little extra something the fastest morning time but faltered in the Despite the disappointment, it was an wasn’t there.” The women’s circuit moves to afternoon, perhaps weakened by a stomach bug improvement from 11th in her previous race in Lake Louise next weekend for a downhill and a Pakistan coach satisfied that had been bothering her all week. the Finnish resort of Levi this month. “After Levi Super-G.—Reuters despite final Test defeat Australia and India Test dates moved SHARJAH: Pakistan cricket coach Waqar ment broke our team’s rhythm,” said Waqar Younis yesterday termed his team’s per- of Thursday’s play abandoned after the SYDNEY: The first cricket Test between Australia head by a short-pitched delivery during a Sunday, will be held in his hometown of formance over five Tests as “extremely news of Hughes death came from and India will now take place in Adelaide after a domestic first-class match. Macksville in northern New South Wales. good” as they beat Australia 2-0 and lev- Australia. Hughes died of head injury two major reshuffling of the series following the His death has triggered an outpouring of Hughes was a popular member of the elled the series against New Zealand 1-1. days after being hit by a bouncer in a first death last week of Australian batsman Phillip emotion, sympathy and support from inside and Australian cricket community and several mem- Pakistan went down by an innings and class match in Sydney. Hughes. outside the cricketing world. The funeral for the bers of the Australian team were playing in the 80 runs in the third and final Test against “Our boys lost rhythm and when the The first test was supposed to start in left-hander, who would have turned 26 on match when he was struck by the ball. —Reuters New Zealand in Sharjah on Sunday, an Test began after a day’s gap we lost our Brisbane on Thursday but has been delayed by a ending Waqar felt should not be criticised. way,” said Waqar of Pakistan’s first innings week and switched to Adelaide to give grief- “It would have been icing on the cake derailed from first day’s score of 281-3 to stricken players more time to recover with and a happy ending had we won the last 351 all out on the second morning. Hughes’ funeral taking place tomorrow. The Test and the series against New Zealand Waqar predicted a good future for Australian and Indian cricket boards considered but if I analyse the performance in the five Pakistan in Test cricket. “Look, you need a range of options in conjunction with the play- Tests I found it extremely good,” Waqar told discipline in Tests which begins from the ers’ union, including cancelling the Brisbane test AFP. Pakistan’s October win-also in United hotel room, like how you are resting dur- altogether, before opting for a reshuffle. Arab Emirates-was their first against ing the five-day game and then bowling, Three of the four matches in the Border- Australia in 20 years. Waqar said he was fielding and batting all need discipline and Gavaskar series have been changed, according proud of his team. these boys are capable of keeping that dis- to a revised fixture list published on Cricket “I am proud of the boys, the entire cipline in future,” said Waqar, who played Australia’s official website yesterday. nation should be proud of them,” said 87 Tests and 262 one-day internationals for Adelaide, which was due to host the second Waqar. “We had a depleted bowling attack Pakistan as a frontline paceman. test from Dec. 12-16, will now host the series but they delivered in both the series, they Waqar said paceman Rahat Ali has pro- opener from Dec. 9-13, in what is sure to be a couldn’t finish it off but I am still very hap- gressed by leaps and bounds. “Rahat had highly emotional occasion. py.” Pakistan were without their ace spin- come a long way and when you play five Brisbane will now host the second Test from ner Saeed Ajmal who is under suspension Tests it takes a lot of fitness and resolve Dec. 17-21 while the third Test will proceed as over illegal bowling action since and he has shown that in abundance,” said planned from Dec. 26-30 in Melbourne. September. Waqar of the left-arm paceman. The fourth and final test will still take place in But left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and Waqar said Pakistan’s batting led by Sydney in the New Year, but will start on Jan. 6, leggie Yasir Shah took 27 wickets apiece in Younis Khan and skipper Misbah-ul Haq three days later than originally scheduled. the five Tests to fill the void well. was impressive. “Younis and Misbah were Changes to the dates of the matches were Waqar said the abandonment of the outstanding and the way Misbah led the expected after CA postponed the start of the second day’s play in the third Test against team was praiseworthy,” said Waqar. first test and the Indian team, currently in New Zealand because of Australian bats- Pakistan and New Zealand now play Adelaide, cancelled their flight to Brisbane on man Phillip Hughes’s death had not two Twenty20s in Dubai on December 4 Monday. SYDNEY: A bat is placed among floral tributes at the entrance to the Sydney Cricket Ground helped. and 5 followed by five one-day interna- Hughes died in a Sydney hospital last following the death of Australian cricket player Phil Hughes. Hughes was 63 not out when he “It’s not an excuse but the abandon- tionals.—AFP Thursday, two days after he was struck in the was struck by the ball and that number has become symbolic in the tributes. —AP p17 2_Layout 1 12/1/14 8:59 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SPORTS Crash victim Davies rewarded for long climb back

MIAMI: It has taken nearly five years but crowd at the Azteca Stadium in August to fitness and eventually was loaned Revolution head coach Jay Heaps post-season that his instinct for goal American striker Charlie Davies, whose 2009, with the opening goal against out to D.C. United in MLS and spent a believes his club has offered the perfect remains intact. career was nearly ended by a horrific Mexico and, despite the US losing that year with Danish club Randers, where environment for Davies to regain confi- With US national team coach car crash, is finally again looking like qualifier 2-1, Davies, who had just he failed to score a single goal. He was dence and form. Juergen Klinsmann lacking a genuine the player who once caused such moved from Swedish club Hammarby soon back in the States with D.C. “I think Charlie just needed to get goalscorer, Davies could even be in the excitement. to French team Sochaux, had cemented United. somewhere and into the culture of a frame for a recall and a strong showing The 28-year-old scored both goals as his place in Bob Bradley’s plans. Now, though, after just over a year at club,” said Heaps. “I credit Charlie on all in the MLS Cup, against either LA New England Revolution drew 2-2 at Then, on the night before the final Revolution, he is just 90 minutes away of it. We gave him a stable environ- Galaxy or Seattle Sounders, would cer- home to New York Red Bulls on qualifer against Costa Rica, Davies was from the chance to bring the title to ment but he was fighting for his posi- tainly help that cause. Saturday, earning his team a 4-3 aggre- a passenger in a car which veered out New England for the first time in what tion every day. Davies was born just an hour from gate victory in their Eastern Conference of control in Washington, DC, crashing will be the club’s fifth MLS Cup appear- “He got his first start in Dallas and New England’s Gillette Stadium in final and a place in the title-deciding into a railing and killing another pas- ance. then, as the season went on, you could Foxborough and says winning his first MLS Cup. senger. “For me, personally, it’s unimagin- see him taking more minutes, getting title with his local club would be partic- Davies was set for a place in the Davies suffered a series of internal able really,” said Davies.”These five more starts and when he started, the ularly pleasing. World Cup in 2010, having impressed and external injuries including a leg years, really just grinding it out. Things team wanted to help him play better. I “It’s amazing to be in my first MLS for the United States during their quali- broken in two places, numerous facial would go against me and there’s a lot of think that’s a pretty amazing story.” Cup. Bringing a championship back to fication campaign and in their run to fractures and bleeding on the brain. tears and pain, but through it all I just His pace may never be what it was Boston would be the ultimate goal and the final of the 2009 Confederations He spent most of his time with continued to fight and stay with it and before the crash but Davies has shown something we hope we can do,” he Cup. He even silenced a near 100,000 Sochaux then just trying to fight back things have turned out for the best.” with four goals in four games in the said.—Reuters Botafogo relegated in Brazilian League

SAO PAULO: Traditional Rio de Janeiro club they were not providing good leadership. Botafogo was relegated to the second divi- “It’s tough with everything that we’ve sion of the Brazilian league after a 2-0 loss had to go through this year, but what hap- at Santos on Sunday. pened off the field shouldn’t be an excuse Former Brazil striker Leandro Damiao for our poor performances,” defender Regis scored twice in the second half to give said. “The fans didn’t deserve this, we have Santos the win and seal Botafogo’s demo- to apologize. We are ashamed.” Botafogo tion for the second time in its 110-year his- made headlines in 2012 when it signed tory. The two-time Brazilian champion also Dutch star Clarence Seedorf, who led the played in the second division in 2003. club to the Rio state title in 2013. With one round left, Botafogo is second- At the Maracana Stadium, Guerrero put to-last in the 20-team standings with 33 Corinthians ahead in the fifth minute, but points. It is six points behind Palmeiras, the Fluminense rallied with two second-half first team outside the relegation zone. The penalty kicks converted by Fred and a last- bottom four clubs are demoted. minute goal by Conca. Fred is the tourna- Cruzeiro, which clinched its second con- ment’s leading scorer with 17 goals. secutive league title last week, drew Corinthians guaranteed a place in next Chapecoense 1-1 in Chapeco using its sec- year’s Copa Libertadores despite the loss. ond stringers. The four-time national cham- On Saturday, third-place Internacional pion reached 77 points, one more than it beat Palmeiras 3-1 in Porto Alegre and also needed to win last year’s competition. secured a berth in Latin America’s most Second-place Sao Paulo drew important competition next season. Figueirense 1-1 at the Morumbi Stadium in The result left Palmeiras in danger of rel- Kaka’s last home game before moving to egation. The eight-time national champion Major League Soccer. has lost five in a row, being outscored 11-1, Also Sunday, Fluminense routed and must beat Atletico Paranaense at Corinthians 5-2 in Rio with goals by striker home in the final round to avoid being Fred and Argentine playmaker Dario Conca. demoted for the second time in three Peru striker Paolo Guerrero scored one of years. Palmeiras is one point ahead of Corinthians’ goals. Vitoria, the first team inside the relegation Botafogo needed to beat Santos to zone. Vitoria lost 4-0 to Flamengo in the remain with hopes of escaping relegation, jungle city of Manaus. but it lost for the sixth time in a row after Bahia also has a chance to escape rele- Damiao scored in the 49th and 90th min- gation thanks to a 1-0 win over Luiz Felipe utes at the Vila Belmiro Stadium in Santos. Scolari’s Gremio in Salvador. Criciuma had “There’s not much to say,” Botafogo defend- already been relegated. PORTUGAL: Benfica’s Jardel Vieira, from Brazil, vies for a high ball with Academica’s goalkeeper Lee Oliveira (right) also fromBrazil, during a er Andre Bahia said. “It’s just sad. We fought In the final round of the second division Portuguese League soccer match. —AP hard but it wasn’t enough.” on Saturday, Avai became the last team to One of the top four teams in Rio de secure its place in the top flight after a 1-0 Janeiro, Botafogo has struggled financially win over Vasco da Gama, which had already in recent years and hasn’t been able to pay sealed its return. Joinville, the tournament’s Crowd trouble mars Benfica win players’ salaries on time. The club’s presi- champion, and Ponte Preta also had dent drew criticism after he released some clinched a berth in the first division in LISBON: Crowd trouble forced Benfica’s dren.” “This police intervention followed an low shot past Cassio into the far corner. of its best players a few months ago, saying advance. —AP Primeira Liga match at Academica Coimbra to episode which happened before the match Goalkeeper Cassio kept Rio Ave in the be interrupted for five minutes late in the sec- when our fans were banned from entering game until the 78th minute when Colombia ond half on Sunday, prompting the Lisbon with scarves and flags bearing the colours striker Jackson Martinez broke from the club to protest at heavy-handed policing. and emblems of the club.” halfway line, cut inside and fired a low shot Play was halted when fans spilled onto the First-half goals by Nicolas Gaitan and just inside the post from outside the area for running track around the pitch to escape the defender Luisao gave Benfica a 2-0 win which his eighth league goal of the season. trouble. Pictures showed smoke bombs and kept the defending champions top with 28 That was followed by a bizarre third goal in plastic seats being thrown as riot police points from 11 games, two ahead of Vitoria the 89th minute when Alex Sandro over-ran entered the crowd wielding truncheons. Guimaraes. Third-placed Porto thumped Rio the ball but a defender’s clearance struck him “Benfica regret and are puzzled by this Ave 5-0 with all their goals coming in the sec- on the foot and flew over Cassio into the net. aggression towards our fans,” said the club in ond half. Porto, playing in a fluorescent pink Juan Quintero threaded the ball through a statement. “During tonight’s game, there instead of their traditional blue and white for Oliver Torres to add the fourth and Danilo was an indiscriminatory police action against stripes, broke the deadlock two minutes after completed the rout with a thunderous left- the Benfica fans, including women and chil- halftime when Cristian Tello drilled an angled foot strike. —Reuters Paolo Goltz Racing, River Plate advance

BUENOS AIRES: Diego Milito after Nicolas Bertolo had put Salcedo before Cavenaghi struck and winning at lowly Quilmes to America reach scored twice to give leaders Banfield ahead just before the the winner from the spot in the retain the league title. “It’s been Racing Club a 3-0 win at Rosario interval. 73rd. Giving up a club record 31- a good week beating Boca and Central and River Plate came Winger Carlos Sanchez put match unbeaten run while they winning this hard match ... It’s Mexican semis from behind to beat Banfield 3-2 River ahead three minutes later concentrated on reaching the motivation for the final,” on Sunday to take the Argentine but they had Osmar Ferreyra Copa Sudamericana final, which Cavenaghi said in reference to league title race to the wire. sent off soon after and conceded they did beating Boca 1-0, has the first leg of the South MEXICO CITY: America have overcome the “curse of the superleaders” but America Lanus were also in with a chance a penalty equaliser to left River depending on a Racing American final in Medellin so-called “curse of the superleaders” to go coach Antonio Mohamed brushed it aside. of winning the title in a tight Paraguayan striker Santiago defeat at home to Godoy Cruz tomorrow.—Reuters through to the Mexican Apertura champi- “Today we saw the reality of the superlead- run-in to the Primera A championship semi-finals where they will meet ers... The tie could have gone either way. onship. They were at home to Toluca. Being leaders helped because we drew on Both America and Toluca, who drew 1-1 aggregate,” Mohamed said. Boca Juniors in Sunday’s late at home to Chiapas on Sunday for a 2-2 “We’re not going on holiday, nor am I match. With one round of match- aggregate result, qualified for the last four leaving as everyone said, I’m in the job for es to go, Racing have 38 points, thanks to their final positions in the champi- another week,” he told reporters after after an 11-match unbeaten run onship’s 17-match league phase after their rumours he would be sacked in case of a including nine wins, and River quarter-final ties ended level. defeat. Argentine central defender Paolo 36, while Lanus face Boca with Toluca were fourth and Chiapas fifth Goltz headed the decisive goal 15 minutes 33. The final round of matches is while America, who beat Mexico City rivals from time to maintain compatriot expected to be postponed for a UNAM Pumas 1-0 at the Azteca on Saturday Mohamed’s hopes of a second Mexican week so River can concentrate for a 1-1 aggregate score, finished top. league title after his success in charge of on the final of the Copa Pumas, who won the first leg 1-0 at home in Tijuana in the 2012 Apertura. UANL Tigres Sudamericana, South America’s midweek, were eighth. also went through on Saturday thanks to equivalent of the Europa League, Rarely have the team winning the league their second-place finish in the league stand- against Colombia’s Atletico phase gone on the lift the title and finishing ings after a 1-1 draw at home to Pachuca Nacional, the sports daily Ole in top spot has come to be branded the gave them a 2-2 aggregate result. —Reuters said citing Argentine FA rules. Milito scored twice by running onto through balls and rounding the keeper in the final Mancini already impatient 25 minutes after Gaston Diaz had given them the lead in the for the transfer window 42nd. “We’re close to achieving what for us is a dream,” Milito MILAN: Roberto Mancini has only been in need to improve quickly,” A new centre for- told reporters. charge of Inter Milan for two weeks and the ward is likely to be top of Mancini’s list after River, who relinquished top new coach is already itching for the January Rodrigo Palacio, partnering Pablo Daniel place in a 1-0 defeat at Racing transfer window. Mancini complained that he Osvaldo in attack in place of the rested Mauro last weekend as they rested play- had the wrong players for the system he want- Icardi, again failed to hit the target. The ers for Thursday’s Copa ed to play after his side went down 4-2 at AS Argentine forward has not yet scored this sea- Sudamericana semi-final against Roma on Sunday, leaving them in eleventh son. “The defeat doesn’t change our ideas,” Boca Juniors, won with two place in Serie A with only four wins from 13 said Mancini, who has ditched predecessor goals from substitute striker games. “This squad has been built to play a Walter Mazzarri’s three-man defence and giv- Fernando Cavenaghi at El different system, so it’s inevitable that there en Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin a more are some teething problems,” he told attacking role. “We knew it wasn’t going to be Monumental. It was only reporters. “We don’t have any out-and-out perfect straight away, but we need to adapt to Cavenaghi’s second appearance wingers, but the players are doing well to the new system quickly. “I think Guarin’s most of the season after foot surgery adapt. We’ve now got a month to do what we natural position is as a creative midfielder, but but he turned the match for can, then we’ll see,” said Mancini, who was he has to understand when to go it alone and River coming on at halftime and BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors’ Daniel Diaz (left) clears the ball next to River Plate’s Teofilo Gutierrez (right) sent off for dissent during the match. “We when to move the ball on.—Reuters equalising within nine minutes during their Copa Sudamericana second-leg semi-final soccer match. —AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SPORTS Qatar slam new World Cup corruption claims

MANILA: Qatar dismissed new allega- they went to parliament before publish- Michael Garcia disowned the findings of Germany’s football boss said Qatar capacity fan site was successfully cooled tions of corruption in the bidding ing, to get parliamentary privilege,” Al his report into the bidding process, as should be stripped of the World Cup if it during the Brazil World Cup and can be process for the 2022 World Cup as they Khater said at the Asian Football presented by FIFA. cannot improve its human rights record. scaled up, Al Khater said. basked in strong support from FIFA chief Confederation (AFC) awards in Manila Widespread calls to make the report Qatar will publish an interim workers’ He added that several dates were in Sepp Blatter and Asian football officials. late on Sunday. “I guess that tells you the public have fallen on deaf ears. Al Khater welfare report this week, looking at play for 2022, which faces being moved Qatar 2022 communications chief story... there’s a story that came up but said: “At this point our opinion is that this issues like the sourcing of labor and to winter months to avoid the harsh Nasser Al Khater said “reader fatigue” they went to the select committee in report isn’t in relation to Qatar, as a lot of accommodation. Hundreds of migrant desert summer. But a spring and autumn was setting in after a British newspaper parliament, so already that tells me that people make it sound.” workers have died in the wealthy Gulf tournament are also possible, according printed fresh claims of vote-buying by they’re looking for some protection.” He added: “I’m pretty sure people are state. to Al Khater. “We’ve heard something as 2018 hosts Russia and Qatar. Asia’s second World Cup enjoys already feeling tired of this story. I think “We recognise that there’s been some early as September or October, we’ve He said it was telling that the Sunday staunch backing from regional officials, there’s already reader fatigue in terms of problems, but we also recognise that heard November-December, we’ve Times sought parliamentary privilege, a with Blatter earning loud applause when this story. For us we’re just focused on there’s been tremendous progress on heard January-February, we’ve heard defence against libel, before publishing he told the gala dinner: “The World Cup our work, we don’t really pay attention this issue as well,” Al Khater said. May and then we’ve heard the tradition- unproven claims it says were secretly 2022 will be played in Qatar.” to it.” Al Khater said worker welfare was a Work has started on five stadiums al date of June-July,” he said. “So you compiled by Britain’s bid team for the Controversy again engulfed Asia’s top priority, after Amnesty International and engineers are developing air-cooled have several dates on the table right 2018 event. “What I understand is that second World Cup when investigator published claims of forced labour and training venues and fan zones. A 1,500- now.” —AFP Van Gaal dreading busy December

MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admitted he is dreading the Christmas period as his team continue their bid for a Champions League place against lowly Stoke City at Old Trafford today. The visit of Mark Hughes’ team marks the beginning of a month in which United play seven league fixtures and, while his team has no interest in European or League Cup football, Van Gaal is adamant such a schedule is too demanding. “I’m not happy because I do not agree with that but I cannot change that,” said the former Netherlands coach. “I don’t think it’s good for the football players that they play within two days another match. In December, it shall be like that. “We also have families. I also have a wife and kids and grandchildren and I cannot see them this Christmas,” the Dutchman added. “But, I want to work in the Premier League, I have to adapt and I shall adapt.” Van Gaal’s concerns have been heightened by his team’s alarming injury record with Angel di Maria and Wayne Rooney becoming the 41st and 42nd United first-team players respectively to sustain injuries this season, during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hull. Di Maria’s hamstring pull will keep him out of the Stoke game, although Van Gaal was more OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini controls the ball in this file photo. —AP optimistic regarding Rooney’s chances of recov- “The manager has said it was our best game ering from calf and knee problems in time. of the season and I think it was. It was a complete performance. “The manager said after the Matches on TV NO FIXTURE BENEFIT Arsenal game it was a performance which we’d (Local Timings) The debilitating injury record is one reason really ground out, we didn’t play particularly why the United manager has said that the lack well. But against Hull we did. He asked for six English Premier League of fixtures in other competitions does not give points as a must and we’re going to deliver that Leicester v Liverpool 22:45 his side any advantage over their rivals near the today. “Confidence is good, with our home form beIN SPORTS 3 HD ANFIELD: Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert gestures to referee Craig Pawson in this file top of the league table. “No, I don’t think so,” Van as well. We’ll be coming out firing again today.” Man United v Stoke City 22:45 photo. —AP Gaal said. “It depends on the injuries and the Meanwhile former United striker Hughes has beIN SPORTS 1 HD other clubs are used to playing in the an injury headache in midfield, with both Steve Swansea City v QPRR 22:45 Champions League. Sidwell and Glenn Whelan set to miss the trip to beIN SPORTS 4 HD Rodgers to tighten “You cannot say Chelsea are not used to play- Old Trafford. Burnley v Newcastle 22:45 ing in the Champions League, the Premier The pair suffered injuries during Saturday’s 1- beIN SPORTS 11 HD League, the League Cup and the FA Cup. They West Bromwich v West Ham 23:00 0 loss at Liverpool, with Sidwell sustaining a beIN SPORTS 7 HD are used to that and they have all those selec- Liverpool’s style knee problem after a Rickie Lambert challenge, Crystal Palace v Aston Villa 23:00 tions for that. “When you are challenged during while replacement Whelan, who is only just back beIN SPORTS 8 HD the whole season, you become better and we from a broken leg, failed to re-emerge from the LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Brendan to put your body on the line,” added the have to train to become better.” Defender Chris tunnel after half-time after pulling his calf. Italian Cup Rodgers has said he will persist with a prag- Reds boss. Smalling, one of United’s scorers against Hull, Whelan’s place was taken by Charlie Adam, SS Lazio v Varese 18:00 matic approach when the Merseysiders “You’re not just representing yourself believes his side’s latest victory represented the who is the obvious choice to fill in. “I’m con- beIN SPORTS 3 HD travel to Premier League strugglers here, you are representing the supporters best performance of Van Gaal’s reign and is rel- cerned by the injuries we are getting at the Sassuolo Calcio v Pescara 20:00 Leicester today. who are used to success and challenging. ishing the prospect of continuing their current moment, although you can’t legislate for the one beIN SPORTS 7 HD The Reds challenged for the title last “That has been our success-our workrate, Hellas Verona v Perugia 23:00 vein of form against Stoke. Steve Sidwell suffered,” Hughes said. “He opened season with an enthralling attacking style courage and desire,” he explained. beIN SPORTS 9 HD “Quite a lot of our wins this season have not his knee up and is very sore. “We just hope which saw them score 101 goals and finish Liverpool will check on the fitness of Italy been that complete performance but I think there’s nothing sinister to it but he’ll need to be Spain Copa just two points behind champions striker Mario Balotelli after he missed the against Hull we put on a 90 minute performance checked. It’s unlikely either Steve or Glenn will Manchester City. win over the Potters with a groin com- Real Madrid v Cornella 22:00 that the manager wanted,” he said. make it.” —AFP beIN SPORTS 2 HD However, following the sale of striker plaint. Rodgers will also decide whether to Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the close season restore captain Steven Gerrard to the start- and Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems, ing line-up against Leicester after leaving Liverpool have failed to recapture that form the 34-year-old midfielder on the bench this term. against Stoke. QPR seek to improve After a run of three league defeats, Rodgers adopted a more disciplined and TOUGH LEAGUE away form at Swansea defensive game against Stoke City at the Nigel Pearson has told his Leicester play- weekend and saw his side grind out a 1-0 ers they cannot afford to feel sorry for LONDON: Midfielder Karl Henry has warned Queens Park Rangers must win. And, ahead of the clash with Leicester, themselves if they want to end their poor improve their disastrous away form if they are to haul themselves out of Rodgers said he planned to stick with a run of form. the Premier League relegation zone. more conservative style for the time being. Leicester are in the midst of an eight- Harry Redknapp’s side have yet to secure a single point on the road “We’ve had a lot of changes, we have a lot game winless spell and have now dropped so far this season and will attempt to end that run when they travel to of different players and we are dealing with to the bottom of the Premier League table. Swansea City today. a different set of cards,” Rodgers said. The Foxes face Liverpool fresh from Rangers appear to be finally developing some momentum at Loftus “You have to deal with what you’ve got. Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at fellow strugglers Road after a dismal start to the campaign left the club rooted to the foot The flowing football will come but first QPR, where ending their eight-hour goal of table. we’ve got to get our confidence back into drought counted for little. “Of course the Saturday’s 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City means the the team. players will be beating themselves up a bit,” west London club have collected 11 points from 13 games with only “We felt in the game against Stoke we said Leicester manager Pearson. “But you goal difference separating them from fourth-bottom Hull City. were back to being competitive again. You can’t dwell or do that. I’m certainly not Henry believes the team are moving in the right direction but must have got to earn the right to win a game of going to be downbeat. “It remains a tough find a way to win away from home if they are to build on their improved league at the moment but I’ve got a lot of football,” the Northern Irish manager standing. added. belief in the players. “We are just a win away from being on a point a game which keeps “The minimum requirement is the abili- “We’ll get ourselves going again and get you in the league, and that’s the target for us,” Henry said. “We are kind of ty to compete and that, for some reason, our preparation right for our next game.” back on track, and if we can get some wins in our next few games, we has gone out of our game. But we know Pearson is expected to reshuffle his pack have the players understanding how to with the out-of-form Leonardo Ulloa, can suck other teams back into it. compete in the team.” Leicester’s £8 million ($13 million, 10 mil- “In the past we have been accused of not giving it everything, so it’s Liverpool earned that victory over Stoke lion euros) record signing, expected to be important that we show everyone what we’re about. thanks to a stooping header from Glen among the fall guys. “We need to show that we’re going to dig deep. That’s what it’s all Johnson, who received a painful boot to “The Premier League has evolved over a about. The easy part of football is working hard, and that’s something we the temple in his determination to get the long period of time and it remains very have got here in abundance,” he added. vital touch. hard to be successful,” added Pearson. “For Rodgers insisted that level of commit- sides like ourselves it is frustrating at the PLAY UGLY ment needed to be shown throughout his moment. But I still feel we’ve got players Henry, though, believes Redknapp’s side have laid the foundations for squad whenever they play. “You have got who are able to adapt.” —AFP a successful survival battle. “Our home form has been good,” he explained. “We have a game-plan at Loftus Road and it’s working well. “It’s not pretty but we’re getting points, but we need to start picking up points on the road; it’s not enough to rely on your home form. “We want to go to Swansea, make it ugly, make it difficult for them to FIA Annual General play, and hopefully come away with something.” QPR will draw confidence from Swansea’s worrying habit of allowing a lead to slip. Once again, the south Wales club failed to hold on after going ahead in Assembly meeting Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace and Garry Monk’s side-who lie DOHA: Nasser Khalifa Al-Attiyah, QMMF sudden rescue process and the safety eighth in the table-have now dropped 13 points from winning positions President and FIA Vice President expressed aspects related to any international event this season. his pleasure at the hosting of the 2014 FIA organized under FIA organization. “We were on top of them for most of the 90 minutes,” said Swansea Annual General Assembly events which Jean Todt, FIA President and Professor goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski as he reflected on the Palace match. started in Doha from Dec. 1-5. 163 mem- GÈrard Saillant, President FIA Institute, “Unfortunately, we ended up with a draw and we’re disappointed with bers representing 116 countries and praised these preparations that QMMF has the final result. around 800 guests will attend this FIA carried out. Al-Attiyah said that this meet- “In some of the games this season we seem to play well up until the meeting. ing would be a motivation for us in Qatar, first goal and then we seem to lose our focus a little. But once you score Al-Attiyah said he is very happy with the Middle East & North Africa to continue our you need to push even harder. start of the event with the opening of the work. Al-Attiyah praised Omar Alfardan for “We gave a sloppy goal away and it’s always difficult when you con- FIA Medical Summit, as it is one of the FIA his hospitality for hosting this international cede because you have to focus and re-organise. “But we’ll draw some main concern and interest to ensure the event. conclusions from this game and look ahead to today now.” —AFP LONDON: Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony looks dejected in this file photo. —AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 SPORTS Barcelona’s crossroad: Win again or start over

BARCELONA: Even with Lionel Messi, Not long ago Barcelona lived up to its Cruyff said last month. “With UNICEF, it sons he recently questioned whether he put the former Barcelona goalkeeper Luis Suarez and Neymar in the team, a motto of being “more than a club” as was the toast of the world. Everyone would be able to see through his desire under growing pressure. growing number of Barcelona fans are coach Pep Guardiola orchestrated some wanted to watch it play. We have lost so of finishing the better part of his career On the field, Barcelona is settling in restless for change. of the most attractive football ever while much prestige in the world.” The Catalan with the team. under new coach Luis Enrique. Sunday’s The discontent of the club members the club paid UNICEF to sponsor its club’s woes don’t stop there. Barcelona’s answer to this multi-front 1-0 win at Valencia came despite being bubbled to the surface last weekend shirts instead of cashing in on advertis- There is also former president Jose crisis was to take a further risk by signing outplayed for long stretches. when the president and sports director ing like the rest. Luis Nunez, who ran the club from 1978- Suarez, one of the most divisive players Real Madrid, meanwhile, is challeng- were widely jeered by thousands of dis- With “Qatar Airways” now on its play- 2000, going to prison for bribing tax offi- in the game, fresh from his third suspen- ing Barcelona for the mantel of playing gruntled fans. What the club had ers’ chests, the club is mired in several cials to benefit his construction compa- sion for biting an opponent. the most beautiful football in Europe, planned as a festive tribute video to legal battles and has lost its clean sheen ny, and the ugly courtroom battle The club now faces a critical season with Carlo Ancelotti guiding the club to Messi for breaking the Spanish League’s of being the team that outshines its between the current board and former to see whether it can resolve its off-the- the European title last season and a scoring record took an unpleasant turn rivals. president Joan Laporta. field problems as well as return to win- record 16 straight wins this week. when the taped congratulations from Former Barcelona great Johan Cruyff Even Barcelona’s once lauded youth ning major titles after coming up empty- This all points to one conclusion: Josep Bartomeu and Andoni Zubizarreta recently said that the legal troubles academy has fallen under scrutiny with handed last year. Barcelona either must rediscover its were drowned out by ringing boos. The embroiling the club, including those into FIFA banning the club from making new Zubizarreta, however, may not last mesmerizing style and win a major title, fans know that Messi’s latest scoring Neymar’s transfer that led to its most signings for one year. until the summer. Signings such as the or the club needs to heed its members feat, which came three days before he recent former president, Sandro Rosell, Messi, who is facing his own prob- injury-plagued Thomas Vermaelen, who and hold early elections at the end of also topped the Champions League’s to stepping down and giving Bartomeu lems over alleged unpaid taxes, pointed has yet to play and will be out another the season, cutting short its current scoring chart, can’t mask a wretched run his current job, are taking a serious toll. to “these moments that Barcelona is four-to-five months, and the little- mandate that runs until June 2016, and for the club off the field. “It’s pitiful to see Barca like this,” going through now” as one of the rea- known Brazilian defender Douglas, have start anew. —AP Asian boss rules out tilt at FIFA presidency

MANILA: The head of Asian football ruled vice president, after the AFC decided to out a future bid for the FIFA presidency combine the posts. and said he had long-term ambitions for Sheikh Salman said there was still much the continent which will host its second to do in a region that failed to impress at World Cup in 2022. this year’s World Cup when its teams Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea all who is seeking re-election next year, told departed without a win. AFP that even another four years in the Match-fixing concerns remain following Asian job wouldn’t be enough. a number of scandals, including at this “No, no, no,” he said at the Asian year’s Asian Games where suspicious bet- Football Confederation (AFC) awards late ting patterns were reported. on Sunday, when asked if he saw himself Last month’s AFC Champions League as a potential leader of football’s world final ended in acrimony and a mass shov- body. “You ask me this question today, my ing match, with runners-up Al Hilal later only focus is about Asia. I think there’s a lot calling their 1-0 defeat “a black spot in the that needs to be done here. history of Asian football”, citing a number “Two years or another four years, I don’t of failed penalty appeals. think it’s enough. So my focus is just to “In every match you will always have look into the confederation and what some complaints regarding a result. But I changes we can make for the better of the think Al Hilal has accepted it, and I think game.” the Sydney club have won it and congratu- The Bahraini royal was elected AFC lations to them,” said Sheikh Salman. president in 2013 to a truncated two-year He added that his priorities if re-elected term after the ousting of his controversial would be to maintain harmony across the predecessor, Mohamed bin Hammam, over vast and diverse region, and also raise rev- bribery allegations. enues for the AFC’s 47 member associa- Bin Hammam’s football career ended in tions. a life ban from the sport after the Qatari He said he is also working on mod- was accused of vote-buying during his ernising the AFC’s formats and competi- campaign to unseat FIFA chief Sepp Blatter tions, and starting new initiatives to devel- SPAIN: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, from Argentina (top) duels for the ball with Valencia’s Otamendi during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the in 2011. op football in Asia. “I think we’ve achieved Mestalla stadium. —AP Blatter is seeking a fifth term next year, that but still I think there is more to be when he will be strong favorite to see off done, to improve, and I hope that if I get French challenger Jerome Champagne. elected for the next four years from 2015 Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein is also onwards we can set realistic goals,” he said. Barca win as Depor fan reportedly considering standing. Likewise Qatar is due to host the World Cup in Sheikh Salman looks set to retain his posi- 2022. It was held in Asia for the first time in tion next year by winning an election 2002, when the hosts were Japan and which will also see him installed as a FIFA South Korea. —AFP death shocks La Liga Messi hit on head by plastic bottle

MADRID: Barcelona left it late to snatch a 1-0 of La Liga was again on display when Lionel draw and we pushed until the end,” Busquets win at Valencia on Sunday after Atletico Madrid’s Messi, who had a quiet night after setting a La said in an interview with Spanish television. “The 2-0 victory at home to Deportivo La Coruna was Liga scoring record last weekend, appeared to ball fell to me after Alves saved and I put every- overshadowed by the death of a visiting fan be struck on the head by a plastic bottle thrown thing into the shot,” added the Spain midfielder. hours before kickoff. A 43-year-old Deportivo from the crowd during the goal celebrations. supporter had to be pulled out of the freezing The Argentina captain did not look to have SHOCKING EVENTS Manzanares river near Atletico’s Calderon arena been hurt and gave the thumbs up as he left the After the shocking events outside the after dozens of rival fans, who police said pitch. Barca’s victory trimmed the gap to Real Calderon in Madrid, midfielder Saul Niguez put belonged to radical “ultras” groups, battled in Madrid back to two points after the leaders set a Atletico ahead two minutes before halftime and the streets. club record of 16 straight victories in all compe- playmaker Arda Turan made it 2-0 10 minutes The man, who was identified by Deportivo as titions when they won 2-1 at Malaga on into the second half. It was Atletico’s fifth victory Francisco Javier Romero Taboada, suffered car- Saturday. Real have 33 points from 13 matches, in their last six La Liga outings as they seek to diac arrest, hypothermia and head injuries and with Barca on 31 and champions Atletico on 29 defend the Spanish title they won last season for died shortly after 2 pm local time when he failed in third. Valencia dropped to fifth on 24 points, the first time in 18 years. to respond to efforts to revive him in hospital. two behind Sevilla who thrashed visiting “We came into the game after two wins and “It’s disgusting, such scum have no place in Andalusian rivals Granada 5-1. Barca should we wanted to continue the run,” defender Diego football,” Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel have been ahead in the 14th minute when Godin told Spanish TV. “Our opponents respect Gil Marin said on the club’s website (www.clu- Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves produced a us and they know we are a difficult team to play batleticodemadrid.com). superb save to deny Luis Suarez, who is yet to here at home,” added the Uruguay international, “I just hope that they identify those responsi- open his account in La Liga since his ban for bit- who said the troublemakers outside the ground ble so they can’t repeat actions as regrettable as ing expired at the end of October. The Uruguay “do not represent football or any team”. BULGARIA : Liverpool’s English midfielder Steven Gerrard. —AFP these,” he added, just one voice in widespread international, who joined from Liverpool in the “This curse must be eradicated from foot- condemnation of the violence. close season, then had a goal wrongly ruled out ball,” he said. “The Atletico and Depor fans do Barca and Valencia each had plenty of for offside in the 69th minute. not deserve to have their image damaged by a chances in a scrappy game at the Mestalla that Barca keeper Claudio Bravo was also on fine few.” Villarreal climbed above Malaga into sixth Liverpool offer Gerrard was settled when Sergio Busquets pounced on a form and conjured brilliant stops against sec- with a 2-0 win at struggling Cordoba, who are loose ball and smashed it high into the net in ond-half efforts from Sofiane Feghouli and without a win and stay bottom on seven new contract — Rodgers the fourth minute of added time. The ugly side Alvaro Negredo. “We are never satisfied with a points. —Reuters

LONDON: Liverpool captain Steven game. Gerrard rubbished Sunday reports Gerrard had been offered a new contract of a rift with Rodgers by posting a photo by the club, manager Brendan Rodgers of himself and the manger in training on Pirlo and Pjanic keep Juve and Roma flying said yesterday. Instagram, together with the message: “Firstly in terms of the club the latest is “Just to set the record straight media MILAN: Andrea Pirlo and Miralem Pjanic provid- Pjanic’s first goal, which came minutes after for- Mario Gomez scored his first goal for eight that Steven Gerrard and his representa- talk of a fall out between us 2 is NON- ed the moments of magic to inspire leading mer Roma forward Pablo Osvaldo had brought months in a 4-0 win at Cagliari, whose maverick tives have been offered a contract here SENSE.”Gerrard came on late against Serie A duo Juventus and AS Roma to battling Inter level. Pjanic has not been at his best of late coach Zdenek Zeman got more than he bar- and at this moment in time that’s where Stoke, with Rodgers deploying Lucas Leiva victories on Sunday with the gap between the but showed against Inter what he can do, first gained for. Bottom side Parma lost 2-1 in it’s at,” Rodgers said at a news conference in the anchor midfield position he usually sides remaining at three points. Pirlo scored with netting a great offload by captain Francesco Palermo with coach Roberto Donadoni under ahead of Liverpool’s match away to bot- occupies. Rodgers’ decision appeared to aplomb deep into injury time to give pacesetters Totti to make it 3-2 on the hour and then con- serious pressure with media reports suggesting tom of the Premier League Leicester be vindicated by both a much-needed win Juve a 2-1 win over an unfortunate Torino in an verting a free kick in stoppage time. he could soon be sacked. Napoli travel to high- today. and a clean sheet into the bargain. intense Turin derby. Elsewhere, injury-prone Fiorentina striker flying Sampdoria late yesterday. —Reuters “It certainly won’t be money,” the And the Liverpool manager, asked on Juve were down to 10 men when the ageless, Northern Irishman added. “I’ve spoken to Monday if there was a rift between himself classy midfielder found the corner of the net him enough times at length and that and Gerrard, said: “No, 150 percent no. “If with a booming, low shot from outside the area won’t be the case. there are two words that describe our rela- to send the Juventus Stadium into raptures. Turin’s lesser lights had not scored a goal for “Between now and the end of the sea- tionship it would be honesty and respect. 12 years in the city derby but it was worth the son he deserves the opportunity to think.” He is arguably the best player to ever play wait as Bruno Peres ran almost the length of the Former England midfielder Gerrard, 34, in the Premier League. field to net a goal-of-the-season contender after has spent his entire 16-year professional “It’s not so much about the number of 23 minutes, equalising Arturo Vidal’s penalty. career at home town side Liverpool. games he plays now, it’s about the level of Brazilian Bruno Peres, who dribbled past a However, in October he said he could the game and that is something we will host of Juve players and finished off in style, typ- leave Anfield if he wasn’t offered a new look at.” Gerrard, playing as a deep mid- ified Torino’s all-action approach with his defen- deal. “I won’t be retiring this summer,” said fielder, nearly led Liverpool to the title last sive pressing also limiting the hosts. Gerrard, whose current contract expires in season before they finished runners-up to Juve’s Stephan Lichtsteiner was dismissed for May. “I will play beyond this season. We eventual champions Manchester City. a second booking after 77 minutes but 15th- will have to wait and see if that’s at But with star striker Luis Suarez having placed Torino ran out of steam and it was the Liverpool or somewhere else. That’s left Anfield in pre-season and Daniel relentless champions who notched an 11th win Liverpool’s decision.” Saturday saw Gerrard Sturridge sidelined through injury since from 13 games. dropped to the bench for Liverpool’s 1-0 August, Liverpool now find themselves a Bosnia midfielder Pjanic scored twice in the Premier League win over Stoke at Anfield- huge 16 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, late game at the Stadio Olimpico where Roma a match that took place on the 16th and Rodgers said he was contemplating a beat a determined Inter Milan 4-2. Despite the defeat, 11th-placed Inter put on anniversary of his debut for the club. different role for Gerrard. “With the play- one of their best performances of the season However, Rodgers was adamant there ers we had up front, his quality could and showed a clear improvement in Roberto was nothing more in his decision to put exploit that,” said Rodgers. “The dynamic Mancini’s second match in charge since his Gerrard among the substitutes than his up front has changed so I have to think of return. belief it was now unrealistic to expect the a restructure so we look at a different type Mancini’s passion was there for all to see ITALY: Juventus’ Andrea Pirlo (right) and Angelo Ogbonna (second right) celebrate with team- former England captain to play every of midfielder to come in.”—AFP when he was sent off for complaining after mates during a Serie A soccer match against Torino at the Juventus stadium. —AP Lakers end Nicole grabs losing streak World Cup win

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 201415 16 Qatar slam new World Cup corruption

KANSAS: Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (left) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Justin Houston in the first half of an NFL football game. — AP Packers fend off Patriots challe

GREEN BAY: Aaron Rodgers threw for two touchdowns and against Anthony Levine in the end zone, Rivers hit Royal to con- Johnny Manziel to dig out of. Taking over with 12:01 left after Houston (6-6). Eddie Lacy ran for key yards in the fourth quarter as the Green clude an 80-yard march to the Chargers’ third straight win. starter Brian Hoyer threw his second interception, Manziel Tennessee’s Zach Mettenb Bay Packers fended off the New England Patriots 26-21 Sunday in Baltimore (7-5) lost at home in November for the first time capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive with a 10-yard run that cut playing behind a makeshift offe a high-profile matchup between Super Bowl contenders. since 2009. The Ravens were 11-0 all-time at home against West Buffalo’s lead to 20-10. The Bills (7-5) won their second straight. Jake Locker took over in the thi Rodgers bested Tom Brady in the first meeting between the Coast teams. Rivers went for 34 for 45 for 383 yards and three Cleveland (7-5) lost for only the second time in six games. with a touchdown and two in star quarterbacks as starters. Rodgers connected with Richard touchdowns, two to Keenan Allen. who have lost six straight. Rodgers and Jordy Nelson for long touchdowns. Joe Flacco threw for two scores for Baltimore, which wasted FALCONS 29, CARDINALS 18 Leading by five, the defense held firm late for the Packers (9- four field goals from Justin Tucker and 106 yards rushing from Julio Jones had a career day, catching 10 passes for 189 yards RAMS 52, 3). Mike Daniels and Mike Neal combined to sack Brady on third Justin Forsett. and a touchdown to keep the Falcons in first place in the NFC Tre Mason scored two lon down for a 9-yard loss, and kicker Stephen Gostkowkski pushed a South. accounted for three TDs in th 47-yard field-goal attempt wide right with 2:40 left. The Packers SAINTS 35, STEELERS 32 Arizona (9-3) still leads the NFC West after its second straight nowhere 38-point first half tha sealed it after Rodgers converted to Cobb on third-and-4 with Drew Brees threw five touchdowns for the ninth time in his loss, but its lead over defending Super Bowl champion Seattle chise history. the Patriots out of timeouts. career as the Saints dominated the sloppy Steelers. Kenny Stills dwindled to a single game. Mason had 113 yards rushin Brady finished with two touchdown passes to Brandon LaFell caught five passes for a career-high 162 yards and a score as the More troubling for the Cardinals, they had gone more than 11 89-yard score, plus a 35-yard jau for New England (9-3), which had its seven-game winning streak Saints (5-7) ended a three-game losing streak by restoring a little quarters without an offensive touchdown until a meaningless the scoring. Hill was 12 for 15 fo snapped. The second score came from 15 yards early in the bit of respectability and a sense of order to the NFC South. The score with just over a minute remaining. for a 2-yard score. The Rams (5 fourth quarter to get within 23-21. The lead could have been Steelers (7-5) kept New Orleans tight end Jimmy Graham without Steven Jackson broke off a 55-yard run - his longest since first five possessions, got a fi wider for the Packers if not for some hiccups in the red zone. a catch, but it hardly mattered. Brees worked over Pittsburgh’s 2009 - to set up a touchdown on the Falcons’ opening posses- through the second quarter to Green Bay settled for four field goals from Mason Crosby of 35 secondary anyway. Ben Watson, Marques Colston, Erik Loring and sion. Jones hauled in a 32-yard scoring pass, and Matt Bryant total for any game this season yards or less, including a 28-yarder to make it a five-point lead Nick Toon hauled in touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger passed for kicked a career-best five field goals for the Falcons (5-7), who the largest in franchise history, o with 8:41 left. That kick came after rookie Davante Adams 435 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions matched New Orleans’ 35-32 win at Pittsburgh to remain tied for in 1980. The Raiders (1-11) were dropped a potential touchdown pass on third-and-5 from the for the Steelers. the top spot in the NFC South. ted five turnovers. New England 10. BILLS 26, BROWNS 10 TEXANS 45, TITANS 21 COLTS 49, R BRONCOS 29, CHIEFS 16 Quarterback Kyle Orton and defensive end Jerry Hughes Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for a franchise-record six touchdowns Andrew Luck threw a career Peyton Manning threw two touchdown passes and Connor scored touchdowns 10 seconds apart in the third quarter. Orton and DeAndre Hopkins had a career-best 238 yards receiving and topped the 300-yard mark for Barth was perfect on five field-goal attempts. CJ Anderson added put the Bills ahead 7-3 with a 3-yard pass to Chris Hogan. Buffalo’s two scores. Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup after being season. 168 yards rushing and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass, and defense scored on the next play from scrimmage when Hughes benched for two games for Ryan Mallett, who suffered a season- Indianapolis (8-4) won for th Demaryius Thomas also had a TD grab to help the Broncos (9-3) stripped the ball from running back Terrence West, and returned ending chest injury last week. starting 0-2. Luck was 19 of 27 fo beat Kansas City for the sixth straight time. the fumble 18 yards. JJ Watt helped out in the win, too. He had his third touch- 30, 3, 48, 73 and 79 yards. He b Alex Smith threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns for the It was too deep of a hole for Browns rookie quarterback down reception, two sacks, forced and recovered a fumble for most 300-yard games in one s Chiefs (7-5), the second of them to Jamaal Charles to make it 26- Dan Marino as the only quarter 16 early in the fourth quarter. But Smith’s pass on the 2-point try their first three seasons. fell incomplete, and the Broncos added another field goal to put NFL results/standings He did all that while Rober the game away. The victory kept Denver a game up on San Diego behind Luck in 2012, watched f in the division race. San Diego 34, Baltimore 33; Buffalo 26, Cleveland 10; Houston 45, Tennessee 21; Indianapolis 49, Washington 27; Jacksonville 25, NY Giants 24; ment, Colt McCoy, was 31 of 4 Minnesota 31, Carolina 13; New Orleans 35, Pittsburgh 32; St. Louis 52, Oakland 0; Cincinnati 14, Tampa Bay 13; Atlanta 29, Arizona 18; Green three TDs, also a career high. BENGALS 14, BUCCANEERS 13 Bay 26, New England 21; Denver 29, Kansas City 16. straight. Andy Dalton ran for one touchdown and threw to A.J. Green American Football Conference National Football Conference for another, helping the Bengals overcome numerous mistakes. AFC East NFC East VIKINGS 31, Dalton shrugged off three first-half interceptions, and the W L T OTL PF PA PCT Philadelphia 9 3 0 0 375 285 .750 Adam Thielen and Everson Bengals (8-3-1) weathered 10 penalties and an ill-advised onside New England 9 3 0 0 378 253 .750 Dallas 8 4 0 1 302 273 .667 punts by Minnesota for touchd kick that cost them momentum after taking the lead in the sec- tory one team had two in the sa Buffalo 7 5 0 0 264 217 .583 NY Giants 3 9 0 0 257 319 .250 ond half to win on the road for the third consecutive week. Teddy Bridgewater threw fo Miami 6 5 0 0 285 219 .545 Washington 3 9 0 0 244 322 .250 That’s a franchise first that seemed improbable following a lop- NY Jets 2 9 0 0 177 303 .182 and Griffen had two of the four sided home loss to Cleveland a month ago. NFC North Cam Newton. AFC North Green Bay 9 3 0 0 380 267 .750 The Bengals lead the tightest division race in the NFL, with a Cincinnati 8 3 1 0 260 247 .708 Despite entering the week j Detroit 8 4 0 0 231 207 .667 11/2-game lead over each of their AFC North rivals - all of whom Baltimore 7 5 0 0 328 242 .583 in the struggling NFC South, the Chicago 5 7 0 1 253 337 .417 lost. Pittsburgh 7 5 0 0 320 298 .583 out of their bye. They’re 0-4 und Tampa Bay (2-10) threatened in the closing minutes. However, Cleveland 7 5 0 0 252 245 .583 Minnesota 5 7 0 0 233 257 .417 annual in-season week off, and a 21-yard completion that would have put the Bucs in field goal AFC South NFC South season. range was overturned after a replay review confirmed the Bucs Indianapolis 8 4 0 0 382 283 .667 Atlanta 5 7 0 0 291 299 .417 This was the seventh-coldes had 12 men on the field on the play. Houston 6 6 0 1 287 247 .500 New Orleans 5 7 0 2 323 318 .417 kickoff temperature of 12 degr The ball was moved back to the 46, an additional 14 seconds Tennessee 2 10 0 0 213 338 .167 Carolina 3 8 1 0 228 331 .292 year for the first time since 1981 were added to the clock, and Tampa Bay turned over the ball on Jacksonville 2 10 0 0 186 329 .167 Tampa Bay 2 10 0 2 220 314 .167 downs. AFC West NFC West JAGUARS 2 CHARGERS 34, RAVENS 33 Denver 9 3 0 1 361 276 .750 Arizona 9 3 0 0 258 224 .750 Josh Scobee kicked a 43-y Philip Rivers capped a frantic drive with a 1-yard touchdown remaining, and the Jaguars ra San Diego 8 4 0 0 279 249 .667 Seattle 8 4 0 0 298 221 .667 pass to Eddie Royal with 38 seconds to go. The Chargers (8-4) Jaguars (2-10) ended a four-g Kansas City 7 5 0 0 277 224 .583 San Francisco 7 5 0 0 231 244 .583 trailed 30-20 with 6:13 remaining and 33-27 with 2:22 left before Oakland 1 11 0 0 176 337 .083 Giants (3-9) a seventh consec Rivers brought them back. Following a pass interference call St. Louis 5 7 0 0 261 285 .417 questions about coach Tom Cou World stocks down on China data, weak US sales

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NBK Capital acquires majority stake in Sistem-9

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Page 26 Impact & Echo Kuwait brings home bronze Kuwait’s real estate robust in October Awards 2014 Page 22 page 25

GHENT: Port workers light a flare as they block a road towards the port of Ghent, Bel- gium, yesterday. Trade unions hold a month of intermittent strike action by paralyzing the port of Ghent and Zeebruges, the steel industry around Liege and slowing train traffic though much of Belgium. —AP Brent crude falls to 5-year low below $68 Oil policy purely economic in motive:Riyadh KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia said yesterday that its oil policy was importance for the kingdom,” SPA reported. “The market is still looking for a new equilibrium below $70 (a barrel), which based on economic principles, as speculation continued to swirl after last On Sunday, Iran’s oil minister was cited as saying that OPEC’s decision is a little surprising given that with the current prices much of the shale oil week’s OPEC meeting of political motives aimed at other producers. “The is not beneficial to all members, but Iran has refrained from protesting to production in the US, or part of it, will be unprofitable,” Commerzbank ana- cabinet stressed that the kingdom’s oil policy is emanating from economic maintain group solidarity. Gulf oil producers are ready to ride out the weak lyst Eugen Weinberg said, pointing to the potential impact on investment in fundamentals, to achieve the economic interests of the kingdom on the oil prices that have hurt the likes of Venezuela and Iran - OPEC members shale oil in the United States. short and long term, and the interests of producers and consumers,” the Sau- which face big budget pressures, but cannot afford to make output cuts With oil prices losing about 40 percent since June, the impact is felt di cabinet said in a statement on Monday according to state news agency themselves. around the world as oil-producers from Iraq to Nigeria are revising 2015 bud- SPA. Riyadh, along with its Gulf OPEC allies, resisted any OPEC output cut The Saudi cabinet also called for cooperation against market speculators gets to reflect lower prices. at the group’s meeting, to maintain the exporting group market share in a and said that “cooperation of the producers from within and outside the or- Iran refrained from protesting against OPEC’s decision to retain its pro- battle with non-OPEC and North American producers. ganization is a shared responsibility to achieve stability.” duction ceiling to maintain group solidarity, even though the move will not Brent crude oil fell yesterday to a five-year low below $68 as investors Both US crude and Brent have fallen for five straight months, oil’s longest benefit all members, Iran’s oil minister said in local media reports. Slower looked for a price floor after the OPEC decision not to cut production. A losing streak since the 2008 financial crisis. “The market is still very much in than expected growth in China’s manufacturing sector may add further boom in shale oil production and weaker growth in China and Europe have panic mode,” said Energy Aspects’ chief oil analyst Amrita Sen. “Once we get downward pressure on oil. China’s official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) sent prices down by over a third since June. over the panic, Brent prices will probably stabilize at around $65-80 a barrel slipped to 50.3 in November, a government study showed yesterday, lower in the short term.” than analyst forecasts of 50.6. Content Brent hit a low of $67.53 a barrel, the lowest since October 2009, and was “In the fourth quarter, oil markets have lost the support of both the invis- Despite the steep fall since last week, the Saudi cabinet “expressed satis- down 50 cents at $69.65 a barrel by 1120 GMT. US crude fell 50 cents to ible hand of the US Fed and OPEC,” Petromatrix analyst Olivier Jakob said, faction” with the OPEC decision, which it said “reflects the cohesion of the or- $65.65 a barrel, having slipped to an intraday low of $63.72, the lowest since referring to the Federal Reserve’s move to phase out monetary stimulus for ganization and unity, and foresight, which is something that is of particular July 2009. Oil lost more than 12 percent after OPEC’s decision last Thursday. the US economy. —R euters Russian ruble suffers worst fall since 1998 MOSCOW: The beleaguered ruble two, told AFP, referring to the plu- of financial instability,” said Sergey yesterday recorded its biggest one- metting currency. “The first thought Romanchuk, the head of currency day fall since the financial melt- is, ‘goodbye summer vacations’.” dealing at Metallinvestbank. down of 1998 after oil prices sank “Our lives are becoming expen- “The Central Bank MUST mitigate further amid spreading worries sive directly in proportion to the rise volatility on the currency market,” he about Russia’s economy. The Rus- of the dollar and euro,” she said. said on Facebook. sian currency’s fall—for a third day Brent crude was down to $68.39 The country is expected to record in a row—saw it slump at one point on Monday morning, a five-year low, capital outflows of $130 billion as by more than eight percent, to over following a decision by OPEC last Russians hedge against the falling 53 rubles against the dollar and 67 week to leave its output target un- ruble by converting their ruble sav- rubles against the euro in afternoon changed. ings to foreign currency. Finance trading. “Brent’s moving below $70 (-2.7 Minister Anton Siluanov said last The currency then clawed back a percent overnight) has triggered the week that Russia was losing up to little ground to 52 rubles against the rout, as consensus seems to hold $140 billion (112 billion euros) a year dollar and 65 against the euro. The that the oil price drop will persist because of Western sanctions over ruble has now depreciated by some over an extended period,” Alfa Bank the Ukraine conflict. President Vladi- 40 percent against the dollar this said in a note. mir Putin has brushed off concerns, year, due to collapsing oil prices The central bank had propped up saying the economic damage was and Western sanctions imposed the falling ruble through daily inter- “not fatal”. against Russia’s support for a sepa- ventions until November, when it In a fresh sign that the Kremlin ratist uprising in eastern Ukraine. said it would limit its support and let was girding itself for a protracted According to a new study by the the ruble float freely. The plummet- battle with the West, Putin’s chief- polling company Public Opinion, 50 ing currency has renewed pressure of-staff urged officials to put togeth- percent of Russians said the falling on the central bank to intervene. “I er plans to replace imports across all ruble was having an impact on their personally believe that the situation industries. “I believe that such work lives. in which the exchange rate grows should begin immediately,” Sergei “This is shock and horror,” Elina from 44.50 to 52.50 (eight rubles, or Ivanov told officials in comments re- Moscow: Pedestrians walk under a board listing foreign currency rates against the Russian ruble outside an Drozdova, a 39-year-old mother of 18 percent) in five days is a situation leased by the Kremlin. —AP exchange office in central Moscow yesterday. —AFP BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Kuwait’s real estate robust in October

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

News in brief

Kuwait seals 2015 gasoil term at $1.25/bbl premium SINGAPORE: Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) has sealed its 2015 gasoil term deal with buyers at a premium of $1.25 a barrel to Middle East quotes on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, down 44 percent versus its 2014 deal, industry sources said yesterday. KPC had also sealed its 2015 jet fuel deal at $1.80 a barrel premium to Middle East quotes. The middle distillates market was hit by high supplies KUWAIT: Real estate sales in October reached KD362 mil- transaction value of plots overall in October. Adjusting for percent of all transactions. Farwaniya followed with 24 per- this year compared to last, which may have affect- lion, up 44 percent year-on-year (y/y). Activity during the the Sabah Al-Ahmed Sea City effect, the trend in transac- cent. The largest transaction, however, involved the sale of ed the term premium. Gasoil and jet fuel cracks month was supported by strong performances in the tion values remains upward. Meanwhile, the Mubarak Al- a plot of land for KD 9 million in Sharq. Transactions involv- were weak before they recovered to multi-month investment and commercial sectors. Despite only three Kabeer and Hawally governorates accounted for 17 per- ing vacant plots accounted for 24 percent, with the majori- highs yesterday due to stronger regional demand. weeks’ of business activity in the month due to the Eid Al- cent and 10 percent of all transactions, respectively. In the ty (25 plots) being sold in the Sabah Al-Salem Area. The lower underlying crude oil prices had also Adha break, October looks to have been a very good residential sector, 69 percent of all transactions involved In the volatile commercial sector, sales more than dou- helped push the margins up. month for the real estate market. the purchase and sale of land or vacant plots. bled y/y to reach KD 80 million. (Chart 6.) A total of 11 Sales in the residential sector totalled KD 138 million Meanwhile, in the investment sector, sales of KD 144 transactions were recorded during the month; the two during the month. This was a decline of 12 percent y/y, million were recorded in October, an increase of 136 per- largest were a building in Kuwait City that sold for KD 25.7 however. The number of transactions was also down, by 8 cent y/y. While this is more than double last year’s value, million and a commercial complex in Al-Jahra that fetched Doha Bank shareholders percent y/y. The average value of residential transactions the increase was largely due to a base effect, since sales in KD 16 million. approve India assets buy has remained relatively steady for a number of months October 2013 were low by historical standards. In terms of October also saw two coastal line transactions: a home now. the number of transactions, 147 were recorded during the in Mubarak Al-Kabeer that was bought for KD 3.4 million DUBAI: Shareholders of Doha Bank have approved Residential activity was heaviest in the Ahmadi gover- month, an increase of 46 percent y/y. The average transac- and a plot in Ahmadi that was sold for KD 3 million. Coastal the purchase of the Indian assets of HSBC Bank Oman norate, which accounted for 57 percent of all residential tion size also increased, to KD 1.1 million. For the 10-month line transactions are unique as they are independently reg- after an extraordinary meeting, the Qatari bank said in transactions during October. More specifically, plots in of the year, the sector’s sales are up 50 percent from last ulated and can be either commercial or residential. a statement yesterday. HSBC Bank Oman, an affiliate Sabah Al-Ahmed Sea City accounted for almost half of all year, to KD 1.57 billion. The Kuwait Credit Bank (KCB) approved 307 housing of HSBC Holding, said in April it had agreed to the sale transactions in the residential sector, with the release of In the investment sector, apartments accounted for 45 loans worth approximately KD 18.7 million in October, a of its Indian business to Doha Bank and the Qatari plots in phase-four of the project contributing to the flurry percent of all transactions. Whole buildings followed, com- drop of 52 percent y/y. (Chart 7.) Again, this was largely of activity. The average land transaction in the area is prising 26 percent of all transactions. The Ahmadi gover- due to a base and seasonal effect. Disbursed loans totalled lender’s board authorized the purchase in September. under KD 300,000, which has brought down the average norate once again witnessed the bulk of activity with 30 KD 16 million, an increase of 13 percent y/y. The value for the transaction was reported as about 75 million riyals ($20.6 million) by Qatar-based newspaper Gulf Times. Asia expects big Saudi price cuts Gulf markets stabilize Egyptian firm Pioneers SINGAPORE: Asian refiners forecasted big excessive and likely would not win more after panic sell-off price cuts of $2-$3 a barrel for Saudi Arabia’s market share for Saudi Arabia. posts rise in Q3 net profit January crude exports, but some expected Traders from five Asian refiners expect CAIRO: Egyptian Pioneers Holding posted yester- DUBAI: Gulf stock markets steadied and UAE, EGYPT day third quarter net profit of 159.37 million the top oil exporter to reduce prices by a Arab Light’s official selling price (OSP) to fall some rebounded yesterday after tumbling a In Dubai, some stocks also rebounded, but smaller margin as global benchmarks have by $2-$3 a barrel in January, a Reuters sur- day earlier in response to a plunge in oil this was not enough to stop the index drop- Egyptian pounds ($22.29 million), up from 138.06 already hit multi-year lows. Saudi Arabia cut vey showed yesterday. The forecasts are prices. Brent crude fell nearly $2 a barrel to a ping 2.2 percent because its biggest listed million pounds a year earlier. It posted revenue of prices for crude sold to Asia in four of the based on an unofficial formula of monthly five-year low below $68 in early trade yester- company, Emaar Properties, fell its daily 10 per- 807.10 million pounds in the third quarter, up from past five months, part of its strategy in a price changes for the two Middle East day but then pared some losses and cent limit. Sunday was the record date to quali- 384.698 million in the same period a year earlier. climbed towards $70. That appeared to fy for Emaar’s special dividend of 1.257 fight for market share against non-OPEC benchmarks, Dubai and Oman. Traders also The company, which specializes in brokerage serv- soothe Gulf investors’ nerves and inspire dirhams per share, which is linked to the initial ices, is in the midst of a bidding war to acquire producers. Global oil benchmarks tumbled factored in a cut to compensate for a rise in some late buying. public offering of subsidiary Emaar Malls to five-year lows this week after OPEC the Oman benchmark due to strong Saudi Arabia’s index rose 1.1 percent as Group in October. Egyptian cheese maker Arab Dairy Products. decided against an output cut after its demand from China. most market sectors rebounded, while Shares in Emaar Malls rose 2.7 percent, con- meeting in Vienna last week. “December OSPs were up due to petrochemicals were almost flat. The bourse tractor Arabtec Holding gained 1.6 percent OPEC crude price down closes at 1230 GMT, hours after its Gulf coun- and developer Deyaar added 2.2 percent. Abu Big price cuts would signal that the mar- Chinaoil’s bids (in trading for the previous by $1.91 to $68.89pb ket share battle continues, while smaller- month), hence, they will have to do a dou- terparts, and so reacts more to Western mar- Dhabi’s index slipped 0.2 percent but blue ket moves. Alinma Bank was the main sup- chips National Bank of Abu Dhabi and Aldar VIENNA: OPEC daily basket price went up by $1.91 to than-expected cuts might indicate global ble correction for January,” a trader with one port, surging 5.3 percent. Properties jumped 4.6 and 3.1 percent respec- $68.89 a barrel on Friday compared to $70.80 the pre- prices have fallen enough for OPEC’s top of the Asian refiners said. Fears of another rights issue, which would tively. vious day, the cartel said here yesterday. The monthly producer and that it thinks further reduc- Chinaoil, trading arm of PetroChina, in force investors to commit more cash or have Egypt’s benchmark edged down 0.8 per- rate of the OPEC crude basket hit $85.06 a barrel in tions would not have a significant impact October bought 24 million barrels of their holdings diluted, may have sparked this cent as Commercial International Bank and October and $95.98 a barrel in September, it said. The EFG Hermes fell 1.0 and 2.3 percent respective- on its market share. The official selling price Middle Eastern crude for December load- week’s sell-off. new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made Qatar’s benchmark rose 0.8 percent as ly. Although Egypt’s bourse has avoided the (OSP) for Saudi’s flagship Arab Light could ing, pushing spot differentials for bench- up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol hit the lowest in at least 10 years if the fore- mark Persian Gulf grades to multi-month banking and property stocks led gains. Qatar sharp drops experienced by markets in oil National Bank added 1.2 percent, while exporting countries, negative regional senti- (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic cast price cuts materializ, Reuters data highs.Saudi crude OSPs are usually developers Barwa Real Estate and Ezdan ment may have slightly soured the mood in Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export showed. released around the fifth of each month, Holding rose 3.5 and 0.9 percent respective- Cairo too, said Allen Sandeep, Naeem Holding (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar “It’s too big a cut and might send shock- and set the trend for Iranian, Kuwaiti and ly. But stocks exposed to the oil and gas sec- director of research. Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban waves through the market,” said an oil ana- Iraqi prices, affecting more than 12 million tor remained under pressure. Qatar Gas Egypt’s trading volume was lower than on (UAE) and Merey (Venez). During their recent meeting, lyst who declined to be named. Some barrels per day (bpd) of crude bound for Transport Co fell 1.7 percent and drilling rig days when the market gained last week, OPEC oil ministers decided to maintain the cartel’s traders said such big price cuts would be Asia. —Reuters provider Gulf International Services lost 1.0 “which suggests we are still in a bullish trend”, percent. Sandeep added. —Reuters production level at 30 million barrels per day. Indonesian inflation up, manufacturing hit after fuel price hike

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s inflation rate jumped and manufacturing activity sank to a record low after the country’s new president raised the price of fuel in Southeast Asia’s top economy, data showed yesterday. The 30-percent increase in the price of diesel and petrol, announced last month, was aimed at cutting government subsidies that gobble up a huge chunk of the state budget and have sparked investor alarm. But, as expected, the move caused an immediate spike in the cost of transportation as well as basic goods, which are now more expensive to deliver. November inflation surged to 6.23 percent year on year from 4.83 percent in October, official data from the statistics agency showed. Economists expect inflation to rise further in coming weeks but then drop back next year. The fuel price hike also contributed to a slowdown in manufacturing activity, which had already been weakening in recent months due to falling demand, HSBC said in its Purchasing Managers’ Index for Indonesia. The gauge fell to 48.0 in November from 49.02 in October, the lowest reading since the introduction of the measure in 2001. A reading below 50 indicates JAKARTA: Two Indonesian vendors wait for customers at a traditional market in contraction, while anything above signals grow- Jakarta yesterday. Indonesia’s inflation rate jumped and manufacturing activity sank ing. “The hike in subsidized fuel prices may have to a record low after the country’s new president raised the price of fuel in Southeast exacerbated things, though we note that both Asia’s top economy, data showed yesterday. —AFP domestic and external demand were already lion deficit the previous month as a fall in oil are often met with public anger. President Joko moderating even before the hike,” said HSBC prices cut the country’s import bills. Widodo, who took office last month, made economist Su Sian Lim. On a more positive note, Economists have long been calling for reducing the payouts a key election pledge, and official data released yesterday showed Indonesia to reduce its generous fuel subsidies has vowed to divert the money to overhauling Indonesia’s trade balance swung to a small sur- as they are blamed for a widening current the country’s creaking infrastructure and pro- plus of $20 million in October from a $270 mil- account deficit, although attempts to cut them grams to help the poor. —AFP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 BUSINESS World stocks down on China data, weak US sales

BEIJING: World stocks mostly fell yesterday after a deepening. HSBC said its purchasing managers’ index BLACK FRIDAY: Early discounting, more online friendly elites to screen candidates for Hong global demand. The U.S. benchmark fell more gauge of Chinese manufacturing declined and US retail declined to 50.0 from the previous month’s 50.4 on a shopping and a mixed economy meant fewer people Kong’s first direct election of its leader in 2017. than 10 percent on Friday to below $70 per bar- sales fell Thanksgiving weekend. Hong Kong stocks 100-point scale on which numbers below 50 show shopped over Thanksgiving weekend, the National The territory’s finance secretary, John Tsang, rel for the first time since 2010 and is off 35 per- dived following clashes between police and pro- activity contracting. The bank said domestic demand Retail Federation said Sunday. Overall, 133.7 million expressed concern Monday that the conflict that cent from its June high. That has battered ener- democracy protesters. was sluggish and new orders were weak. China’s eco- people shopped in stores and online over the four-day began in September will “undermine consumer gy shares but cheaper energy is a boost to KEEPING SCORE: Germany’s DAX shed 0.6 percent nomic growth slowed to a five-year low of 7.3 percent weekend, down 5.2 percent from last year, according to and investor confidence,” holding back an eco- import-dependent economies in Asia and else- to 9,922.53 and France’s CAC 40 dropped 1.1 percent to in the latest quarter. a survey of 4,631 people. Total spending for the week- nomic recovery. where. 4,343.60. Britain’s FTSE 100 shed 1 percent to 6,656.39. THE QUOTE: “The November PMIs confirm that end is expected to fall 11 percent to $50.9 billion from ASIA’S DAY: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index ENERGY: The US crude benchmark, West Futures pointed to losses on Wall Street. Dow futures growth in China’s industry remains under downward an estimated $57.4 billion last year. plunged 2.6 percent to 23,367.45. China’s Texas Intermediate, tumbled $1.35 to $64.81 per fell 0.4 percent to 17,734 and S&P 500 futures dropped pressure,” said Louis Kuijs of Royal Bank of Scotland in a HONG KONG: Police charged protesters who tried Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.1 percent to barrel in electronic trading on the New York 0.5 percent to 2,056.10. report. “The surprisingly meager development of the to march to Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying’s 2,680.16 while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 added 0.8 to Mercantile Exchange. On Friday, the contract CHINA FACTORIES: A survey by HSBC Corp. new export order component in today’s PMI indices office after organizers said they would step up their 17,590.10. Seoul’s Kospi declined 0.8 percent to plunged $7.54 to close at $66.15. Brent crude, showed Chinese manufacturing activity weakened in suggests that global demand growth also remains sub- campaign for democratic reforms. Pro-democracy 1,965.22. India’s Sensex was down 0.4 percent at used to price international oils, fell $1.28 to November, adding to signs an economic slowdown is dued.” activists oppose plans that call for a panel of Beijing- 28,579.39. Singapore and Sydney also declined. $68.86 per barrel. Brent is off 38 percent from its OIL PLUNGE: Oil prices fell further following June high. last week’s decision by members of the CURRENCY: The dollar fell to 118.30 yen Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries from Friday’s 118.61 yen. The euro rose to to maintain production levels despite weaker $1.2466 from $1.2448. —AP Gold tumbles after Swiss referendum, silver drops

SINGAPORE: Gold slid 2 percent yesterday 2009. US gold futures declined nearly 3 per- and silver slumped to its lowest since 2009 cent and silver futures tumbled 9 percent, after Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a before recovering slightly. “A ‘no’ was expect- proposal to boost central bank gold reserves, ed but there was probably a risk premium providing a new trigger for sell-offs in an factored in. That’s why we are seeing this liq- already nervous market. The “Save our Swiss uidation today,” said a Sydney-based precious gold” initiative, which would have compelled metals trader. the Swiss National Bank to boost its gold He said there were huge stop-loss orders reserves to 20 percent of its assets from below $15 for silver. “The move happened in around 8 percent currently, was rejected by thin market conditions, even before Tokyo 77 percent of voters. opened. The lack of buying interest and the Spot gold dropped as far as $1,142.91 an stop-loss orders triggered this big move.” ounce, its lowest since early November when Also weighing on precious metals was the it marked a 4-1/2 year low of $1,131.85. It was weakness in oil prices, which prompted down 0.8 percent at $1,157.20 by 0757 GMT. investors to believe inflationary pressures Spot silver fell as much as 6.4 percent to would soften. Bullion is seen as a hedge $14.42 an ounce, its weakest since August against inflation. —Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 BUSINESS

Honor for Alghanim Motors, sole distributor of Honda in Kuwait Impact & Echo BBDO Kuwait brings home a bronze at Epica Awards 2014 KUWAIT: Impact & Echo BBDO Kuwait Lifelike Sound (Wansa Home Theatre has been announced as the Bronze System), The Apron That’s Got You Award Winner in the “Luxury and Covered (Ooredoo Kuwait). Launched as Premium Brands” category at this year’s the first European advertising competi- 2014 Epica Awards Show. The awarded tion, Epica Awards Show is an interna- campaign, “Quiet Far Away”, for tional celebration of creativity, attracting Alghanim Motors - sole distributor of thousands of entries from around the Honda in Kuwait - was among thou- globe. sands of entries from more than 60 Impact & Echo BBDO is one of the top countries in the world. advertising agencies in Kuwait, estab- The Epica Awards, which celebrates lished in 1978, with over 35 years of global creative excellence, is unique as it delivering total communications servic- is the only prize judged by journalists es across Advertising & Marketing, working for marketing and communica- Media Planning & Buying, Digital & tions titles with more than 40 magazines Multimedia, Public Relations and Events and websites on their jury. Impact & to some of the leading businesses and Echo BBDO Kuwait, the only agency in brands in the country. Kuwait to ever bring home an interna- Part of the global BBDO network, tional award, claimed the Bronze for its IMPACT BBDO is a leading regional com- efforts in a proactive campaign devel- munications group operating across the oped for Honda Marine Engines. Middle East and North Africa region for “At Impact and Echo BBDO, we take more than 40 years. IMPACT BBDO offers extreme pride in what we do and we are comprehensive and integrated commu- very passionate about taking creativity nication solutions, covering the region to a new level”, said Fouad Bou Mansour, from Algeria to Pakistan, to a wide and Managing Director of Impact & Echo prestigious base of global, regional and BBDO Kuwait. “We believe innovative- local clients. ness is interlinked with our outstanding IMPACT BBDO prides itself on con- creative and strategic teams, and win- tributing to BBDO’s worldwide creative ning this award is validation of this phi- reputation and has consistently been losophy.” highly ranked in regional competitions. In addition to the Bronze Award, The group employs more than 1,000 Impact & Echo BBDO Kuwait had two people delivering comprehensive com- more campaigns which were shortlisted: munication solutions.

French bosses take to Asia, Europe factory activity streets for week of protests slackens despite price cuts PARIS: Thousands of French company French businesses have some of the chiefs took the streets yesterday in a rare narrowest margins in Europe, while rigid protest against what they see as exces- labor laws are sometimes blamed for dis- Slower pace of growth comes as demand drops sive taxes and red tape strangling activity couraging employers to hire extra staff. in the euro zone’s second largest econo- Unemployment is rooted above 10 per- LONDON/SYDNEY: Manufacturing growth my. The protests in Paris and the south- cent and jobless numbers rose in across Asia and Europe eased in November as western city of Toulouse are the first in a October. The European Commission has heavy price cutting failed to revive demand, sur- week of demonstrations organised by set France a March 2015 deadline to take veys showed yesterday, more evidence that a employer groups before the Dec. 10 steps to reform its economy or faces fines feeble global recovery may be grinding to a halt. unveiling of a law President Francois over its failure to bring its public deficit Worryingly for policymakers at the European Hollande’s government hopes will boost within EU limits. Central Bank, who are struggling to bolster investment and jobs. Macron expects to have the so-called growth and drive up dangerously low inflation, But many business-owners are scepti- “Law on Growth and Activity” passed factory activity declined in the euro zone’s three cal that it will help them and want a dras- through parliament by then, but the bill biggest economies: Germany, France and Italy. tic reduction in corporate tax rates. “We faces resistance from some in the ruling “The concern is the ongoing lack of any real are the economy, we are work,” a rally of Socialist Party and trade unions wary that growth in the euro zone. We are dealing with largely small business-owners and it will erode labor protections. very low price pressures, and when that comes traders chanted outside the Finance While French trade unions are known with weak growth, like in the euro zone, it raises Ministry in Paris where Economy Minister for street protests, it is rare for employer concerns,” TD Securities head of global strategy, Emmanuel Macron is preparing the law. lobbies to take to the streets. One of the Richard Kelly, said. Markit’s final November man- Police put the turnout at 2,200, about last major protests was against the intro- ufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for half that estimated by the CGPME small duction of the 35-hour working week in the bloc was 50.1, its lowest reading since June business lobby that organized it. 2000. —Reuters 2013 and down from a flash reading on Nov 19 of 50.4, despite price cutting made possible by tumbling input costs. BEIJING: A delivery courier drives his three-wheeler through a street in Beijing yesterday. That is barely above the 50 mark that sepa- China’s manufacturing growth skidded to an eight-month low in November, an official survey rates growth from contraction and, in a sign that showed on December 1, fuelling speculation authorities will take further steps to stimulate the there is little prospect of improvement in December, new orders declined for a third world’s second-largest economy. — AFP month. The growth slowdown comes despite Slowing inflation acts as an unwanted tight- Asia’s economic powerhouse falling for the first factories cutting prices at the steepest rate since ening of policy as it pushes up real interest rates, time in three months, while its measure of man- mid-2013 although neither factor will push the one reason China and Japan surprised with new ufacturing activity stayed stuck in contractionary ECB into altering its already very loose policy stimulus measures in recent weeks. territory. In Indonesia, the PMI was at its lowest when it meets on Thursday, according to a After saying for months China does not need since the survey began in April 2011, while in Reuters poll. any big economic stimulus, the central bank Japan, the Markit/JMMA version of the PMI Annual inflation fell to 0.3 percent in wrongfooted markets by lowering rates in late eased. The economy slipped into recession in November, firmly in the ECB’s deflation “danger November. the third quarter as the impact of a hike in sales zone”, and as oil sank to its lowest in over five taxes lingered longer than anyone expected. years yesterday with the industrial bellwether Asian clouds Still, the extent of the contraction may have copper not far behind, there are few reasons to Yesterday’s gloomy news began in Asia with been overstated, given figures out yesterday expect any meaningful pick-up. China’s HSBC/Markit PMI touching a six-month showed business investment was stronger than Both US crude and Brent have now fallen for trough of 50.0. The official version was scarcely thought. India was a rare bright spot, as it has five straight months, the longest losing streak better, slipping to 50.3 in November from been for a few months now, with its PMI climb- since the 2008 financial crisis and the rout has October’s 50.8. ing to a 21-month high last month. spread to gold and silver while the dollar rose to “This is the lowest reading since March and British manufacturing activity unexpectedly ATHENS: Greece’s finance minister Gikas Hardouvelis arrives to deliver a speech dur- seven-year peaks against the yen. highlights downward pressure on China’s picked up a little speed as domestic demand offing an economic conference entitled ‘ The greek economy at a turning point’ in Lower commodity prices are a boon to con- growth in the manufacturing sector,” Credit set falling exports from Europe and emerging Athens yesterday. Greece’s budget for 2015 has failed to win the approval of the so- sumer spending power but have damaging side Agricole economist, Dariusz Kowalczyk, said. markets. A PMI covering the United States, due called troika of international creditors — the European Union, the International effects in a world where official interest rates are China’s troubles were felt broadly across the later yesterday, is expected to show solid but Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank. — AFP already at historic lows in many countries. region, with South Korea reporting exports to slowing growth. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.710 Sierra Leone 0.000063 0.000069 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Singapore Dollar 0.219804 0.225804 South African Rand 0.020222 0.028722 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001919 0.002499 Japanese Yen 2.458 Australian Dollar 232.58 229.58 Thai Bhat 9.885 Taiwan 0.009268 0.009448 Indian Rupees 4.705 Canadian Dollar 259.32 260.32 Turkish Lira 131.225 Thai Baht 0.008555 0.009105 Pakistani Rupees 2.859 Swiss Franc 306.71 304.71 Arab Srilankan Rupees 2.218 Euro 366.70 367.70 Bahraini Dinar 0.768474 0.776474 Nepali Rupees 2.943 US Dollar 292.35 295.35 Egyptian Pound 0.037870 0.040970 Singapore Dollar 223.870 Sterling Pound 458.83 461.83 Bahrain Exchange Company Iranian Riyal 0.000081 0.000082 Hongkong Dollar 37.677 Japanese Yen 2.49 2.51 Iraqi Dinar 0.000195 0.000255 Bangladesh Taka 3.755 Bangladesh Taka 3.758 4.028 CURRENCY BUY SELL Jordanian Dinar 0.407985 0.415485 Philippine Peso 6.503 Indian Rupee 4.708 5.008 Europe Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Thai Baht 8.887 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.216 2.651 Belgian Franc 0.007607 0.008607 Lebanese Pound 0.000143 0.000243 Irani Riyal transfer 59.000 Nepali Rupee 2.933 3.468 British Pound 0.449187 0.458187 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023893 0.047893 Irani Riyal cash 116.000 Pakistani Rupee 2.868 2.790 Czech Korune 0.005139 0.017139 Nigerian Naira 0.001184 0.001819 GCC COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 79.44 79.91 Danish Krone 0.044785 0.049785 Bahraini Dinar 775.91 777.98 Omani Riyal 0.752808 0.758488 Saudi Riyal 77.938 Euro 0.358088 0.366088 Egyptian Pound 40.76 41.36 Qatar Riyal 0.079536 0.080749 Qatari Riyal 80.294 Norwegian Krone 0.037464 0.042664 Jordanian Dinar 415.39 421.04 Romanian Leu 0.081813 0.081813 Saudi Riyal 0.077270 0.077970 Omani Riyal 759.420 Omani Riyal 758.15 765.45 Syrian Pound 0.001732 0.001952 Bahraini Dinar 776.270 Slovakia 0.008531 0.018531 Qatari Riyal 80.50 81.05 Swedish Krona 0.035107 0.040107 Tunisian Dinar 0.155137 0.163137 UAE Dirham 79.594 Saudi Riyal 77.87 78.27 Turkish Lira 0.130279 0.137279 ARAB COUNTRIES Swiss Franc 0.295646 0.305846 Turkish Lira 0.130279 0.137279 UAE Dirhams 0.078560 0.079709 Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.441 Yemeni Riyal 0.001319 0.001399 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.775 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.363 Australian Dollar 0.238450 0.249950 Tunisian Dinar 159.640 New Zealand Dollar 0.222060 0.231560 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate America Al Mulla Exchange Jordanian Dinar 412.470 US Dollar 291.750 Canadian Dollar 0.250054 0.258554 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.961 Canadian Dollar 260.085 US Dollars 0.288050 0.292750 Syrian Lira 2.083 Sterling Pound 456.630 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Morocco Dirham 33.580 Euro 366.500 US Dollars Mint 0.288550 0.292750 US Dollar 291.550 Asia EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Swiss Frank 303.035 Euro 366.100 Bangladesh Taka 0.003405 0.004005 US Dollar Transfer 292.150 Bahrain Dinar 775.760 Pound Sterlng 459.900 Chinese Yuan 0.046161 0.049661 Euro 365.190 UAE Dirhams 79.330 Canadian Dollar 257.450 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035587 0.038337 Sterling Pound 457.650 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Indian Rupee 4.699 Indian Rupee 0.004494 0.004895 Canadian dollar 256.720 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Egyptian Pound 40.760 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Turkish lira 131.430 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.216 Japanese Yen 0.002372 0.002552 Swiss Franc 303.370 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Bangladesh Taka 3.704 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Kenyan Shilling 0.003231 0.003231 Australian Dollar 248.330 Philippines Peso 6.490 Indian Rupees 4.716 Korean Won 0.000252 0.000267 US Dollar Buying 290.950 Pakistan Rupee 2.862 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 Malaysian Ringgit 0.083523 0.089523 GOLD Bahraini Dinar 776.350 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 Nepalese Rupee 0.002986 0.003156 UAE Dirham 79.450 20 gram 226.000 Philippines Pesso 6.481 Pakistan Rupee 0.002728 0.003008 Saudi Riyal 77.850 10 gram 116.000 Cyprus pound 715.865 Philippine Peso 0.006387 0.006667 *Rates are subject to change 5 gram 59.000 Japanese Yen 3.480 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 BUSINESS NBK Capital acquires majority stake in leading digital signage firm Sistem-9

DUBAI: NBK Capital Alternative Investments driven by the technological shift from tradi- Group has successfully acquired a 51.0 percent tional static banners to interactive digital pan- stake in Sistem-9 Medya, the market leader in els. the fast growing digital signage (DS) industry “We continue to invest in companies that in Turkey. The investment was made through demonstrate a strong capability to innovate NBK CapitalEquity Partners Fund II, the firm’s and thrive in growing and evolving industries”, private equity fund which focuses on acquiring said Amjad Ahmad, Head of Alternative minority and majority stakes in growing mid- Investments at NBK Capital. “The advertising dle market companies in the MENA region. industry is at an inflection point where we will Established in 2005 by Kaan Akin, Sistem-9 see convergence towards digitalized platforms, Medya is the leading Turkey-based provider of and we believe Sistem-9, with its strong system end-to-end Digital Signage (DS) integration integration capabilities and advertising net- solutions and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) works, will be at the forefront of this evolution”, advertising channels. The company operates in he added. two verticals: system integration and advertis- Akin stated, “We see our partnership with ing networks. Sistem-9 has been capitalizing NBK Capital as a key milestone and we are con- on the rapid growth of the DS industry that is fident that our partner’s financial and strategic Amjad Ahmad, Head of Alternative knowhow, as well as its regional reach, will Investments at NBK Capital enable Sistem-9 to become the regional fron- NBK Capital has been a leader in alternative trunner in this rapidly evolving industry”. investments in the MENA region since its NBK Capital Equity Partners Fund II is a $310 launch in 2005. The firm launched its inaugural million private equity fund focused on acquir- private equity fund in 2007; NBK Capital Equity ing significant (majority and strategic) stakes in Partners Fund I, followed by the region’s first growth companies in the MENA region. The credit fund in 2009, NBK Capital Mezzanine Fund specializes in an active investment Fund I. NBK Capital Equity Partners Fund II is approach to create long-term sustainable val- the firm’s third fund and continues the same ue through financial, strategic, operating and successful strategy as NBK Capital Equity corporate governance enhancements. Partners Fund I. All three funds are focused on Globalturk Capital and Cukur & Yilmaz Law growth opportunities in middle market com- Firm acted as financial and legal advisors for panies operating in the MENA region specifi- Sistem-9 respectively. The legal advisor for NBK cally in the GCC and Turkey. Today, the firm Honda Accord 2015 wins Capital was Esin Attorney Partnership, a boasts an investment platform with an experi- Member Firm of Baker & McKenzie enced team of 20 professionals operating from Car and Driver magazine’s International. Dubai, Kuwait and Istanbul. ‘2015 10 Best Cars’ Award BMW Group appoints new sales and KUWAIT: For a record 29th time in Dreams engines in combination with the 31-year history of the award, “Car an all-new Continuously Variable marketing director for Middle East and Driver” magazine has named the Transmission (CVT), for a new com- new 2015 Honda Accord to its presti- bined torque output torque of 25.0 gious annual list of the 10 Best Cars kg-m @ 3900rpm and a horsepower Alexander Eftimov to assume new position for BMW Group in Munich in America. The award comes as an of 185 @ 6400rpm. DUBAI: BMW Group has yesterday enced executive with a broad international admirable recognition to Accord’s Honda Alghanim urges customers announced that Ralf Bissinger will succeed background, extensive knowledge of the exceptional engineering and driving and Honda fans to test-drive the new Alexander Eftimov as Sales and Marketing BMW Group brands, and marketing expertise performance that have made it a top 2015 Accord and learn more about it. Director for BMW Group in the Middle East. - he will play a crucial part in achieving our choice vehicle to buyers in the Customers are welcome to visit The change will be effective as of January goal to strengthen our number 1 position in United States. Honda showroom in Safat Alghanim 2015 with Eftimov taking on a leadership role the Middle East premium automotive seg- Now in its ninth generation, the from 8:30 AM until 10:00 PM, as departmental head within International ment even further in 2015 and beyond. I look Accord has been sold in the US since Saturday to Thursday, and from 9:30 Corporate, Direct and Special Sales. forward to welcoming Ralf as a member of 1976 and produced in America since AM until 10:00 PM on Fridays, and the Bissinger brings considerable expertise to our management team.” 1982. The new 2015 Accord boasts Honda showroom in Shuwaikh, from the Middle East with more than 25 years’ During Alexander Eftimov’s tenure in the luxurious modern interior combined 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM experience within BMW Group. Since 2010, he Middle East, the company witnessed double with a sophisticated, linear and until 8:30PM, from Saturday to has been Sales and Marketing Director for digit sales growth in the region. 2013 was its sporty exterior. The vehicle features Thursday. BMW Group Thailand and was previously best-ever annual sales results, with 24,596 standard LED Daytime Running Founded in 1955, “Car and Driver” Sales and Marketing Director for BMW Group cars sold to customers, a 15% increase over Lights and LED taillights, along with a magazine is not only considered one India. Prior to that, he held a number of senior 2012 figures. It was also the third consecutive bold chrome grille that enhances the of the most important automotive marketing positions including Marketing record-breaking year, which reaffirms the expressive character of the car while publications in the world, but also General Manager for BMW Asia, Singapore company’s position as the most successful keeping the local taste in mind. The one of the world’s best 100 maga- and Importer Region, Marketing General premium automotive manufacturer and Manager for BMW Group M in Munich, leader in its premium segment, globally and 2015 Accord exudes luxury coupled zines. It covers the latest car models Ralf Bissinger with comfortable interiors with as well as the latest technologies in Germany, and Regional Sales Manager for the in the Middle East. world-class cabin space. The refined the automotive industry. Read by America Region for BMW M, also in Munich. BMW Group Middle East has continued the the regional operation: “I would like to con- He was also Product and Market Planning trend into 2014 with January - October sales cockpit of the sedan focuses on an more than one million car enthusi- gratulate Alexander on his exciting new role, Manager for BMW Australia. across the region achieving an impressive 21 and thank him for his outstanding contribu- advanced and intuitive driving inter- asts, “Car and Driver” also has a radio Commenting on Bissinger’s appointment, percent sales increase. tion to our business here in the Middle East. face with the full 8-inch color station via Radio America and avail- Johannes Seibert, Managing Director for BMW Seibert also took the opportunity to thank We wish him continued success in his new Intelligent Multi-Information Display able in more than 100 websites. Group Middle East, said: “Ralf is an experi- Eftimov for his contribution to the success of position.” (i-MID) that offers simple access to a Alghanim Motors, the sole distribu- wide range of important functions. tor of Honda automobiles, motorcy- New to the 2015 Accord is the elec- cles, power products, and marine tronic parking brake for added driver products in Kuwait, is committed to convenience as well as LED interior providing customers with flexible pay- lighting. The cabin space is segment- ment solutions and efficient and cost- leading and offers outstanding effective services. The waiting lounge legroom, front and rear shoulder offers entertainment and comfort for room, and front and rear ACs. customers with gaming consoles, digi- In the drivetrain department, tal satellite TV, free wireless internet Honda added Direct Injection to the and relaxing massage chairs. For more 2015 Accord 4-cylinder i-VTEC Earth information, please call 1822777. Malabar Gold & Diamonds launches 4th edition of Gold & Diamonds Festival

KUWAIT: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the latest Malabar Gold & Diamonds designs prominent jewellery retailer unfurled by paying only making charges ensuring details of the 4th edition of ‘Malabar they don’t lose any value on the rate of Gold & Diamonds Festival’ in GCC & gold. Furthermore, 8 gm gold coins can Singapore. The festival that runs from 1 be bought from their outlets with December 2014 to 31 January 2015 in absolutely no making charge during this Kuwait will display distinctive pieces of period. jewellery from across the world and Keeping up with customer demands, offers massive gifts and irresistible offers. the jewellery chain offers a fabulous col- This much-awaited festival is one of lection of gold, diamond and platinum the biggest jewellery events in GCC. A jewellery to suit the tastes of both resi- true shopper’s delight, Malabar Gold& dent and international customers, skill- Diamonds Festival will captivate the cus- fully crafted by jewellery specialists from tomers by exhibiting eye catching Italy, Singapore, Turkey, Bahrain and designs in gold, platinum, diamonds and India. This is in addition to their exclusive precious stones from different parts of branded jewellery - Mine- Diamonds the world to flaunt any occasion or event Unlimited, Era- Uncut Diamond and are well priced too. The festival Jewellery, Ethnix- Handcrafted Designer stands apart from the usual jewellery Jewellery, Divine- Indian Heritage exhibitions and promotions and as the Jewellery, Precia- Precious Gem Jewellery tag line indicates- ‘Everyone Wins’, i.e. and the unique jewellery for kids- Starlet. every customer gets a chance to be a Taking advantage of the recent dip in winner through this festival. gold price and keeping the price move- For every purchase of gold jewellery ments in mind, there is a huge increase above KWD150, the customers get a in the number of customers all over the Special winter savings on certified ‘Scratch& Win’ coupon through which world who buy record volume of gold they can win a guaranteed gold coin or ornaments to quench their thirst for pur- up to 100 gold coins instantly. With every chasing gold. The festival season is ahead pre-owned Mercedes-Benz models diamond jewellery purchase, the cus- and the group expects a significant tomers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon for a increase in the customer footfalls this KUWAIT: A R Albisher and Z Alkazemi Co, the dards of pre-owned sale via the Proven Michael Ruehle, CEO, Abdul Rahman Albisher guaranteed cash refund and get a season. exclusive general distributor for Mercedes- Exclusivity program. Under this program all & Zaid Alkazemi Co. “In many instances our chance to win up to 100 percent cash Operating 121retail outlets globally, Benz in Kuwait - is bringing certified pre- vehicles go through a multiple point techni- pre-owned cars are almost on par with our back. The customers who buy diamond the group is always at the forefront when owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles into the spot- cal check-up and service by certified techni- newer vehicles offering our customers the jewellery worth KWD 150 or above are it comes to promotions and celebrations. light once again with a special winter savings. cians. In addition, a full service history and a chance to purchase their ideal Mercedes- eligible to get both the coupons. The last three editions of ‘Malabar Gold & From now until 31st December, customers 12 months warranty will be given to the cus- Benz at an affordable price, and with assured To add customer’s delight, the group Diamonds Festival’ elicited tremendous will receive up to KD 500 off any pre-owned tomer. quality.” also offers ‘Zero Deduction Exchange’ response from the jewellery lovers. This Mercedes-Benz vehicle via the A R Albisher and Z. Alkazemi Co are also Mercedes-Benz is a world class brand and scheme through which customers can time also the customers are excited to be ProvenExclusivity program. offering financial service options. “Our Proven a leader in the luxury segment. The vehicles update their old ornaments to the latest a part of this much awaited festival to Customers interested in purchasing a pre- Exclusivity program includes extra measures remain of the highest standards whether a collection of Malabar Gold & Diamonds witness the rarest collection of jewellery owned Mercedes-Benz can choose from a to ensure all vehicles have met and even few months old or a few years, and Mercedes- without any loss. Any 22 ct old gold from across the world and to avail fabu- wide selection of models that have under- exceeded a number of technical require- Benz ProvenExclusivity program is about giv- ornaments can be exchanged with the lous offers. gone rigorous inspection to match the stan- ments before being offered for resale,” said ing customers value for their money. technology TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Hackers force message on websites via US firm

LOS ANGELES: A US firm that helps con- with access to our service,” Salyer wrote. newspapers, CNBC and the National traffic by tweaking the company’s web absolutely clear: Neither Gigya’s platform nect more than 700 companies with cus- The executive said hackers had rerout- Hockey League. address on Internet registry Whois.com itself nor any user, administrator or oper- tomers through social media says a Syrian ed Internet traffic from Gigya’s website to The message also showed up briefly so that it would point visitors to the out- ational data has been compromised and group hacked the company’s web address an outside computer server. That server on some retail sites just as they prepared side server. The registry entry on was never at risk of being compromised,” to upload a message to other websites. generated a message to visitors that their for the biggest shopping day of the year Whois.com was fixed about an hour after he wrote. The Syrian Electronic Army Gigya CEO Patrick Salyer outlined what site had been hacked by the Syrian on Friday. The National Retail Federation the company detected the breach, Salyer aligns itself with Syrian President Bashar happened in a blog published Thursday. Electronic Army. did not immediately comment Thursday. said. Assad. It has previously taken credit for At around 6:45 a.m. Eastern Time, the Published reports noted the message Still, the issue appeared to be resolved Even so, the executive sought to reas- hacking media sites like E! Online and the company discovered “sporadic failures appeared on websites for several UK quickly. The hackers rerouted Gigya’s web sure the company’s clients. “To be BBC. —AP Cyber Monday gears up to get online shoppers hyped

NEW YORK: After a busy holiday Game that is usually $80. “Online is nowhere near its last year. ComScore tracks US weekend in shopping malls, mil- maturity, so Cyber Monday should online sales based on observed lions of Americans are expected to Shipping deadlines be big, with a lot of strength in the behavior of a representative US log on and keep shopping on the The name “Cyber Monday” was days leading up to it,” Forester consumer panel of 2 million Web day dubbed Cyber Monday. coined in 2005 by the National Research analyst Sucharita users. That day, the Monday after Retail Federation’s online arm, Mulpuru said. “More consumers The National Retail Federation Thanksgiving, has been the Shop.org, to encourage people to are spending more shopping dol- has forecast overall holiday sales biggest online shopping day of shop online. After retailers revved lars online.” will increase 4.1 percent to $616.9 the year since 2010. The day could up deals for the day, it became the She expects two spikes in billion in 2014. Even shoppers who take on added importance after a busiest online shopping day in online shopping: one during the braved the stores over the week- Thanksgiving weekend that saw 2010. The name was also a nod to long Thanksgiving weekend, end weren’t shy about how much fewer shoppers and lower spending than last year, according to some estimates. Retailers have been pushing deals all month and particularly the past week, hoping to spur cus- NEW YORK: In this undated photo released by Girl Scouts of the USAGirl tomers to spend. That may have Scouts, Bria and Shirell practice selling cookies on one of two new digital plat- taken away some spending from forms. It’s the first time Girls Scouts of the USA has allowed sale of cookies Thanksgiving weekend. using a mobile app and personalized websites. The Digital Cookie program is Research firm comScore expects people to spend about intended to enhance, not replace, traditional use of paper spreadsheets. —AP $2.5 billion on Cyber Monday. There’s reason to think a lot of dollars are migrating online. Girls Scouts byting into PayPal said its global mobile pay- ment volume jumped 47 percent digital for cookie sales on Thanksgiving Day compared with last year. Wal-Mart said it had NEW YORK: Watch out world, the Girl Scouts are tablet. “They can get them quicker than waiting for more than 500 million page views going digital to sell you cookies. For the first time me to deliver them because sometimes it takes on Thanksgiving, and eBay says it in nearly 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA will me a long time to deliver,” offered 11-year-old sold 2,000 iPad Air 2 tablets for allow its young go-getters to push their wares Priscilla at the preview. The adults at the event $399 at a rate of one a second. using a mobile app or personalized websites. asked that only first names of scouts be used. Amazon has been offering spe- But only if their scout councils and guardians Added 7-year-old Anna: “My favorite part is cial deals since Nov. 21, adding say OK. “Girls have been telling us that they want that now I can sell more Girl Scout Cookies.” She new discounts as often as every to go into this space,” said Sarah Angel-Johnson, pulled down about 200 boxes last year and has 10 minutes for eight days straight. chief digital cookie executive for the organization upped her goal to 600. Girl Scouts use their cookie Deals include up to 45 percent off covering about 2 million girls. “Online is where money to pay for community service work or some Samsung TVs and 28 per- entrepreneurship is going.” troop activities such as camping and other trips. cent off Beats by Dre headphones, And the best news for these digital natives: The websites will not be accessible without an selling for $275. They can have cookies shipped directly to your email invitation, requiring the girls to build client Wal-Mart said it has doubled LOS ANGELES: In this Dec. 2, 2013, file photo, a FedEx employee sorts packages at the FedEx hub doorstep. More than 1 million scouts, from kinder- lists. And personal information is as protected as its Cyber Week deals to 500 com- at Los Angeles International Airport on “Cyber Monday”, the Monday after Thanksgiving, and garten-age Daisies to teens, were expected to opt any digits out there, for both the scouts and cus- pared with last year, including up the busiest online shopping day of the holiday season, in Los Angeles. Millions of Americans are in as cookie-selling season cranks up this month tomers, using encryption in some cases. to half off some TVs, tablets and expected to log on and keep shopping on the day dubbed Cyber Monday. —AP and the scouting organization gets digital sales Much of the responsibility to limit identifying toys with free-shipping offers. underway. But digital sales are intended to details about scouts online falls on parents. Toys R Us is offering online online shopping being done at including Cyber Monday, and one they like shopping online. enhance, not replace, the paper spreadsheets deals for 11 days that began the work, where faster connections later in December when shipping Jennifer Donaldson, a 47-year- used to generate an estimated $800 million in Digital options Wednesday before Thanksgiving, made it easier to browse, less of a deadlines to get items by old property manager, dropped in cookie sales a year - at anywhere from $3.50 to $5 Troop Leader Karen Porcher of the Bronx has and also has free-shipping offers. factor now. Christmas start to hit. at Macy’s at New York City’s Fulton a box, depending on scout council. an 11-year-old scout and is particularly psyched Cyberdeals include $15 off Cyber Monday comes after a Research firm comScore Street Mall on Sunday, although There are important e-lessons here, scout offi- about the digital options. They live in a house Disney “Frozen” Princess dolls weekend that saw 5.3 percent few- expects online sales to rise 16 per- she usually does her shopping cials said, such as better articulating and tracking rather than an apartment, and she and her hus- that are regularly $50 and $20 off er shoppers and 11 percent less cent to $61 billion during the online. goals, learning to handle customers and money in band work at home, eliminating at-office cookie a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spending, according to estimates November and December shop- “It’s crowded, and people are a new way, and more efficiently processing credit and neighborly building sales. Battroborg Electronic Battle by the National Retail Federation. ping season, up 16 percent from rude,” she said of stores. —AP card information. “During cookie season my daughter is wearing “A lot of people have asked, ‘What took you so her (scout) vest on the subway and people are so long to get online?’ We spend a lot of time think- excited to see a Girl Scout,” Porcher explained. ing how do we make this safe, scalable and smart,” “Strangers actually will buy a case of cookies and Xbox chief resigns after poor sales Kelly M. Parisi, chief communications executive for wait for her to call. This is going to be amazing Girl Scouts of the USA, said at a recent demonstra- because now she can just say ‘Give me your busi- tion for select media. ness card,’ or ‘I’ll take your email address,’ send the TOKYO: The head of Microsoft’s Xbox business in email and they can be delivered. This is gonna be Japan has stepped down, but the firm said the Platforms sweet.” move was not linked to years of poor sales of the Councils were offered one of the two platforms Porcher also sees word-of-mouth value in get- games consoles. but not both. For web-based sales, scouts cus- ting cookies delivered quickly. “People are going to Takashi Sensui resigned Sunday as “interactive tomize their pages, using their first names only, be walking around with cookies and others are entertainment business general manager” at and email prospective customers with links to click going to say, ‘Whoa, how did you get those Microsoft Japan, but he will keep working in the on for orders. They can also put up videos explain- already?’” games business at the US head office, the company ing who they are and what they plan to do with Zack Bennett of Manhattan has a 9-year-old said. their proceeds. scout who sold more than 1,000 boxes last year. Microsoft said Sensui’s position would not be The mobile platform offers tabs for tracking She hopes to increase her goal to 1,500 this season replaced, and added that his transfer was unrelated sales and allows for the sale of bundles of different and went through training to learn how to set up to sagging Xbox sales. kinds of cookies. It can be used on a phone or her new cookie website. —AP It was “part of a global re-organisation of the Xbox business”, a Tokyo-based Microsoft spokesman said. Sensui was promoted to head Japan’s Xbox division in 2006 but sales have badly trailed those of Amazon’s new robot Sony’s PlayStation and Nintendo’s Wii consoles. The September launch in Japan of a new model, Xbox One, fell flat with no enthusiastic crowds seen army is ready to ship on sales floors despite a good reception in the United States. TRACY: A year ago, Amazon.com workers like 34- heavily this year in upgrading and expanding its dis- Some game fans have attributed the unpopulari- year-old Rejinaldo Rosales walked the aisles each tribution network, adding new technology, opening ty to a lingering bad impression over earlier techni- shift to find each item a customer ordered and pre- more shipping centers and hiring 80,000 seasonal cal glitches, as well as the console’s design and pare it for shipping. Now the e-commerce giant workers to meet the coming onslaught of holiday game choice. boasts that it has boosted efficiency by deploying orders. Amazon says it processed orders for 36.8 mil- Xbox One sales in Japan totalled just 40,387 units more than 15,000 wheeled robots to crisscross the lion items on the Monday after Thanksgiving last from its September 4 launch to November 23, floors of its biggest warehouses and deliver stacks of year, and it’s expecting “Cyber Monday” to be even according to an estimate by leading game maga- toys, books and other products to employees. “We busier this year. CEO Jeff Bezos vows to one day zine Famitsu. pick two to three times faster than we used to,” deliver packages by drone, but that technology isn’t By contrast, Sony’s PlayStation 4 has racked up TOKYO: This file picture taken on November 20, 2010 shows Microsoft Japan Rosales said during a break from sorting merchan- ready yet. Even so, Amazon doesn’t want a repeat of sales of 784,638 units since its late February launch, dise into bins at Amazon’s massive distribution cen- last year, when some customers were disappointed the survey showed. Both Xbox One and PlayStation Interactive Entertainment Business general manager Takashi Sensui (L) delivering ter in Tracy, California. “It’s made the job a lot easier.” by late deliveries attributed to Midwestern ice storms 4 are aimed at hardcore gamers, strategies the com- the company’s Xbox 360 Kinect to a Japanese customer (R) at a shop in the electronic Amazon.com Inc., which faces its single biggest and last-minute shipping troubles at both UPS and panies hope will insulate them from the challenge goods district of Akihabara in Tokyo. The head of Microsoft’s Xbox business in Japan day of online shopping on Monday, has invested FedEx. —AP posed by free or cheap smartphone downloads has stepped down, but the firm said the move was not linked to years of poor sales of popular among casual players. —AFP the games consoles. —AFP Robot sells espresso machines in Japan Coffee with Pepper?

TOKYO: Move over George Clooney- The 120-centimetre (four-foot) tall developed the technology. Nestle has employed a fleet of chirpy robot has a human-like face perched on Pepper, which was unveiled in June by robots to sell its coffee machines in top of a white plastic body, with rollers SoftBank president Masayoshi Son, Japanese stores. and what looks like a tablet computer on already sells mobile phones at SoftBank’s The Hollywood heart-throb, who has its chest. 74 Japanese stores, where it has been become the global face of the Nespresso The gimmick will eventually see 1,000 used to collect customers’ opinions. brand, has been given the elbow in favour stores across Japan with their own Pepper, Engineers claim the robot’s artificial of Pepper, a cheeky and chatty android, which makers say can understand up to intelligence has allowed it to expand its which its makers claim can answer cus- 80 percent of conversations. conversational ability by listening to what tomers’ questions. The robots will “help us discover con- customers say. “How do you enjoy coffee? Number one: sumer needs through conversations The robot will go on sale to the public An eye-opener coffee; Number two: A post- between our customers and Pepper,” said in February, with a price tag of 198,000 TOKYO: Japanese telecom giant Softbank’s humanoid robot Pepper (L) meal cup of coffee,” Pepper asked a TV per- a joint statement from Nestle and yen ($1,670) plus monthly fees. George attends to customers to introduce Nestle’s coffee machines at an electric sonality at a promotion event yesterday. SoftBank, whose French arm Aldebaran Clooney, meanwhile, will not. —AFP shop in Tokyo yesterday. —AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Water-borne disease plagues IS-held city in Iraq

BAGHDAD: When Islamic State group fighters “The impression given in IS propaganda is a Some people have even turned to digging ly children, who had become sick, and that stom- shortage of medicine needed to treat these sick swept into northern Iraq’s second city Mosul in a group offering a better quality of life than before their own wells to get water because of interrup- ach and intestinal infections and hepatitis were people. lightning June offensive, their propaganda that is also more just for locals,” said Aymenn al- tions in the mains supply, which Abu Ali said on the rise. “The roads are closed and Mosul has turned trumpeted a better life for the people under Tamimi, a fellow at the Middle East Forum who is could be cut for a day or even a week. As the number of ill people increases, there is into a big prison that we can’t leave,” she said. jihadist rule. Now, nearly six months later, resi- an expert on jihadist organisations. Problems with basic services already exist- a corresponding shortage of medicine available Expensive private pharmacies are now the dents there are suffering from a lack of clean But “the hardships of the locals certainly ed in much of Iraq before this year’s crisis to treat them. only option, she said, asking: water and also a shortage of medicine to treat undermine IS claims to be a state meeting the erupted, but these have been compounded in “How will the poor get medicine?” illnesses caused by it. needs of the people and offering them real secu- Mosul by skilled government employees flee- ‘A big prison’ A 29-year-old woman living in southern The very name “Islamic State” is a clear point- rity,” he said. ing jihadist rule. One official in the Nineveh provincial health Mosul brought her daughter Shaima in to Mosul er that the group seeks to rule as well as to con- One resident of east Mosul whose wife “Treatment stations are old and the water department said stocks of drugs were running General for treatment. quer: IS has declared a cross-border Islamic became ill because of contaminated water told distribution networks are damaged,” a water low and the Nineveh Pharmaceutical Company “My daughter has not stopped crying and “caliphate” spanning parts of Iraq and neigh- AFP by telephone that the “disruption of the treatment official in Mosul said, adding that had stopped operating. suffering from stomach pains” since the day bouring Syria. water treatment stations” had led to sickness there was now a shortage of workers as well. “Communication with government institu- before, she said. But despite spearheading the June offensive among many people. At Mosul General Hospital, one doctor said tions has been cut and we have not received any For now, there would appear to be little that also overran the surrounding Nineveh the facility had admitted 15 people infected by budget to allow the provision of the medicines immediate hope of the problem being resolved. province and swathes of other territory, IS has Digging wells contaminated water in just 24 hours-and there we need,” the official said. While Iraq’s army and allied forces are been unable to provide basic services in these “The biggest and most dangerous problem are nine other hospitals in the city. Umm Mohammed, a resident of west Mosul engaged in an anti-IS offensive, the key cities of areas, ultimately undermining the state to which now is because of our harsh circumstances and A doctor at Republican Hospital said it too who brought her 10-year-old son to Republican Mosul, Tikrit and Fallujah remain in jihadist it aspires. the absence of services,” Abu Ali said. had received a large number of people, especial- Hospital for treatment, said: “There is a major hands. —AFP

Study: Too many infants still sleep with blankets

CHICAGO: Too many US infants sleep with accidental sleep-related suffocation, gov- blankets, pillows or other unsafe bedding ernment data show. For more than a that may lead to suffocation or sudden decade, the American Academy of infant death syndrome, despite guidelines Pediatrics, the NIH and safety experts have recommending against the practice. That’s warned parents against using soft bedding according to researchers who say 17 years in infants’ cribs, either over or under the of national data show parents need to be baby. That includes blankets, quilts, cush- better informed. iony crib bumpers, pillows and soft toys. That doesn’t mean letting babies freeze; The Study safe sleepwear is advised, including one- Researchers from the National Institutes piece sleepers, and keeping the room at a of Health and federal Centers for Disease comfortable temperature. Control and Prevention analyzed annual telephone surveys involving a total of near- Sleep Safety Campaigns ly 20,000 parents. Almost 7 out of 8 used The decline in SIDS deaths is often blankets or other soft bedding for their attributed to the government’s Back to infants in 1993. That dropped sharply over Sleep campaign emphasizing the impor- the years but by 2010, more than half still tance of placing babies to sleep on their were doing so. The practice was most com- backs, not stomachs. To encompass other mon among young mothers, blacks and sleep-related risks, too, including suffoca- Hispanics. The study was published yester- tion, the National Institute of Child Health day in Pediatrics. and Human Development and its partners renamed the effort the “Safe to Sleep” cam- The Issue paign in 2012. Safe practices include hav- Accidental suffocation in bed, though ing babies sleep alone in cribs or bassinets, uncommon, is the leading cause of injury- not on couches, water beds or sheepskin. related deaths in infants. While SIDS deaths These infant deaths “are tragic and have declined in recent years, they still they’re just not necessary,” said study co- totaled about 2,000 in 2010. Meantime, the author Marian Willinger, a SIDS expert at suffocation rate doubled from 2000 to the National Institute of Child Health and CIREBON: In this Oct. 17, 2014 photo, a worker walks at power plant area in Cirebon. The sprawling power station that hums and 2010, when about 640 infants died from Human Development. —AP coughs along this coast in Indonesia is labeled as a Japanese contribution to the global fight against climate change. The plants promote new coal technology from Japanese companies, which is cleaner than old coal technology but still pollutes far more than solar, wind or natural gas. —AP Climate funds for coal highlight lack of UN rules Biggest problems for UN to fight climate change

KANCI KULON: The sprawling power station that its financial and technological help, many The only way for the math to work with coal is hums and coughs along this coast in Indonesia is developing countries might build cheaper, more through technology that sucks carbon dioxide labeled as a Japanese contribution to the global polluting coal plants. “There are countries ... that from the air and stores it underground, said Niklas fight against climate change. cannot afford to have other methods than coal,” Hoehne, an energy and climate researcher at But the Cirebon plant, built with Japanese said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Takako Ito. Wageningen University in the Netherlands. But financing two years ago, is not powered by the “For these countries, we’d like to provide the best this latest technology is expensive, reduces the sun, the wind or any kind of renewable energy. It’s method of reducing carbon dioxide. We believe ... efficiency of a plant, requires a lot of space and is fueled by the biggest source of carbon pollution this is a very practical and realistic and effective not yet commercially available on a large scale. in the energy system: Coal. way to reduce carbon dioxide.” Neither Cirebon nor Paiton has it. The Cirebon Cirebon is one of three coal-fired power plants The second-largest project reported to the UN plant has brought the debate over coal to a vil- in Indonesia that Japan has helped fund with for 2010-2012 was a $729 million loan for what lage in West Java province in the fourth-most BAIKONUR: Russia’s Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft carrying the International nearly $1 billion in loans earmarked as climate Japan described as a “high energy efficient ther- populous nation in the world, where smog, acid Space Station (ISS) crew of European Space Agency’s German astronaut finance, or money provided by rich countries to mal power plant project in East Java.” AP found rain and air pollution are common. People living Alexander Gerst, Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev and US NASA astronaut poorer ones to tackle global warming, The that the loan from Japan’s Bank for International in Kanci Kulon village, less than 1 kilometer (1 Gregory Wiseman blasts off from the launch pad at Russian-leased Baikonur Associated Press has found. The plants promote Cooperation, or JBIC, was used to build an 815- mile) from the Cirebon plant, told cosmodrome early on May 29, 2014. — AFP new coal technology from Japanese companies, megawatt coal-fired unit next to two existing AP that when the wind is right, they can feel a which is cleaner than old coal technology but still units at the Paiton power plant, which is partly sooty grit in the air. Although no environmental pollutes far more than solar, wind or natural gas. owned by Japanese firms Mitsui and Tokyo studies have been done, local fishermen say their Europe targets Ariane deal to Villagers nearby also complain that the coal plant Electric Power Company. catches of shrimp, crab and green mussels have is damaging the local environment, and that Also among the top 30 projects globally was a shrunk. Daud, a 50-year-old fisherman who like stay in commercial space race stocks of fish, shrimp and green mussels have $214 million loan from JBIC for the construction many Indonesians only uses one name, said he dwindled. of another “thermal power plant” in West Java, used to bring in 45 crabs a day. Now the most he BERLIN/PARIS: Weeks after its dramatic Call For Reform The money for coal highlights one of the which AP confirmed was the Cirebon power sta- gets is 10. coup in landing a probe on a speeding The new venture is the most serious biggest problems in the UN-led effort to fight cli- tion. The plant is co-owned by Marubeni Corp., a “I believe this is because of the coal sludge” comet, Europe is hoping a last-minute deal effort to reorganise Europe’s space industry mate change: A lack of accountability. Climate Japanese company that was fined $88 million this from the Cirebon plant, he yelled, struggling to be to provide funding for the workhorse Ariane and is being set up in the hope the one-day finance is critical to any global climate deal, and year by the US Department of Justice for bribing heard over the jet-like roar from the power sta- rocket will prevent its space ambitions falling ministerial meeting in Luxembourg will rich countries have pledged billions of dollars Indonesian government officials to secure a sepa- tion. back to earth this week. back Ariane 6 - ending a compromise two toward it in UN climate talks, which resume rate power project. Anxious to preserve its own access to years ago which split potential funding Monday in Lima, Peru. Yet there is no watchdog Japan’s development agency gave another Prevent warming space, the 20-nation European Space Agency between the upgrade known as Ariane 5ME agency that ensures the money is spent in the loan of $15 million for a plant in Indramayu, West Cirebon officials told AP journalists touring the will seek to put aside differences over how to and an eventual new Ariane 6. most effective way. Java, among more than a dozen smaller projects site that the plant is safe and denied that any respond to US low-cost rival SpaceX and But Europe’s space industry remains There’s not even a common definition on what related to coal, including studies linked to high- sludge is released into the Java Sea. They also safeguard thousands of high-tech jobs at heavily influenced by state agencies and climate finance is. Japan, a top contributor of cli- efficiency coal power in India, Indonesia and pointed to cooling towers that are used to pre- ministerial talks today. industry sources say removing multiple lay- mate finance, denies any wrongdoing and has Vietnam. Those were identified as coal projects in vent warming of the surrounding coastal waters. After two years of wrangling, the outlines ers of management is key to keeping done nothing illegal. Despite a growing backlash documents submitted to the UN, while the larger Heru Dewanto, vice president of the utility that of an accord to fund development of a new Europe’s commercial activities competitive. against supporting coal power in developing projects in Paiton and Cirebon were not. runs Cirebon, acknowledged that the plant had Ariane 6 satellite launch vehicle appeared to SpaceX offers launches for around $60 countries, there are no rules against counting JBIC, which is under the Ministry of Finance, caused some problems for “200 to 300 green be in place after Germany dropped its insis- million (50 million euros) compared to 70- such projects as climate finance in the UN system. said there was no specific reason they were mussel farmers or fishermen,” but said this draw- tence on a prior upgrade to the current 90 million euros a shot expected for the However, even UN climate chief Christiana labeled thermal power plants, a term that back should be weighed against the benefit of Ariane 5, officials said. Ariane 6 and an average Ariane 5 launch Figueres admitted she was unaware that Japan includes coal, nuclear and natural gas-fired plants. providing electricity to half a million homes. France is likely in return to back contin- price of 130 million euros ($160 million). was building coal plants with climate money, and Edi Wibowo, Cirebon’s senior environmental ued European funding for the International Efficiency comes into play in a cut-throat concerned. Hide or disguise engineer, said emissions from the plant were Space Station. global commercial market where most “There is no argument for that,” Figueres told “We don’t have anything to hide or disguise,” a between 856 and 875 grams of carbon dioxide “It would be very serious if there is no companies can only rely on national links AP. “Unabated coal has no room in the future Foreign Ministry official said, speaking on condi- per kilowatt hour of energy produced - 20 per- decision on Dec 2 because Europe would when it comes to sensitive defence satel- energy system.” The newly launched Green tion of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized cent lower than from an old coal plant. However, have a competitive delay that it would never lites. Climate Fund, a key channel for billions of dollars to speak publicly on the topic. that still compares with 600 to 700 for oil, which manage to reverse,” said Karim Michel of climate finance in the future, also has only The Foreign Ministry compiled the list of cli- nowadays is rarely used to generate electricity, Sabbagh, chief executive of Luxembourg- Russia’s Role vague guidelines as yet on how to spend the mate finance projects that Japan presented to the 400 for natural gas, and near zero for renewables based satellite operator SES. The European Space Agency, an inter- money. Board member Jan Cedergren said he UN in consultation with other ministries. While like solar and wind power. With the arrival in 2013 of SpaceX, found- governmental organisation with 20 mem- didn’t believe the fund would support fossil fuels noting that Cirebon and Paiton plants are cleaner Japan stands out among rich countries for its ed by electric car entrepreneur Elon Musk ber states from across Europe, was founded but acknowledged no decision has so far been than older coal plants, JBIC is upfront about say- investment in coal. The US and many others have and offering cut-price satellite launches, in 1975 to pool the continent’s finances and made. ing that financing them met its mission to keep cut public funding for coal projects in developing Ariane needs to lower costs dramatically. brains at a time when the United States and Japanese industry internationally competitive. countries. Germany still supports coal projects in The chief executive of Europe’s largest Russia had virtually monopolised space. Direct support Indonesia is also Japan’s second-largest supplier poor countries, but unlike Japan it doesn’t count space contractor Airbus Group, Tom Enders, But despite Europe’s Ariane capturing 50 “The point is to not invest money in things of coal, and JBIC says it believes supporting infra- them as climate finance. told Reuters a deal would mark a “new chap- percent of the market, a costly system of job that have a negative impact on climate,” structure projects overseas can help efforts to buy Coal provides a relatively cheap, abundant and ter” in the way Europe approaches space. distribution and rival design offices has cast Cedergren said. The story of how Cirebon and the resources from the same countries. reliable source of energy to meet growing But he called for a clean break with a shadow over Europe’s commercial activity other coal plants became climate projects starts Marubeni and Mitsui declined requests for demand in China, India and Southeast Asia, said bureaucratic public-private space industry even as it basks in scientific success like the at a UN summit in Copenhagen in 2009, where comment. Tokyo Electric, a major utility that helps Keith Burnard, a technology expert at the structures to avoid Europe being “marginal- Philae comet lander. rich countries pledged $30 billion in climate run the Paiton complex, said transferring International Energy Agency. ized” by international competition. Science ministers will also decide on finance over the next three years, with Japan pro- Japanese technology can lead to a substantial “Ideally coal, or more precisely, emissions from “A departure from current ways of work- whether the ESA’s participation in the viding about half. They also agreed to scale up the reduction in carbon emissions. coal, would be removed from the equation,” he ing is a precondition for future competitive- International Space Station will continue flow to $100 billion a year by 2020. However, many climate scientists say even said. “But there is also a reality there.” ness of the European space business”. beyond 2020, its original shutdown date, An analysis of the 300 top climate finance proj- “clean coal” technology will not achieve the goal Figueres, the UN climate chief, said the climate Airbus Group, which builds the Ariane 5 and in what way. ects reported to the UN during that period of U.N. climate talks: keeping the global tempera- finance money provided in 2010-2012 was a trial, launch vehicle, is expected to inaugurate a The United States earlier this year said it showed Japan was the only country to include ture rise below 2 degrees (3.6 F). For that, overall and acknowledged the need to discuss and previously announced joint venture with would keep the ISS running until at least direct support to coal plants, among its many emissions will likely have to drop to zero by the define climate finance in Lima. “Over time, what engine maker Safran on the eve of the talks 2024, but Russia is looking at going alone other contributions. Japan says it will continue to end of the century. Coal-fired power plants can we should be seeing is a very, very clear trend of to help secure Ariane’s future. It will incorpo- and creating its own orbital station. Europe count its new coal plants as climate finance lock in emissions for more than 30 years because investment into clean renewable energy,” she rate Arianespace, the launch services firm and Russia are also working on a two-mis- because without of their life span. said. —AP which operates Europe’s satellite launcher. sion ExoMars probe shot to Mars. —Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE WHO warning as China says nearly 500,000 living with HIV

BEIJING: The World Health Organization issued a tion-although UNAIDS does not give figures for call to action to China yesterday over HIV/AIDS as China. government figures said nearly half a million peo- More than a quarter of a million HIV-positive ple are living with the disease or its precursor, with people are currently on antiretroviral treatment in hundreds of thousands more thought to be undi- China, UNAIDS China director Catherine Sozi wrote agnosed. in a China Daily op-ed on Saturday. Bernhard Schwartlaender, the World Health China “needs to increasingly go beyond its ini- Organization’s representative in China, wrote in an tial success in the roll-out of large-scale HIV pro- op-ed in the state-run China Daily newspaper that grammes and focus on how to reach people who “there is much more China needs to do” to prevent are currently falling through the cracks,” she wrote. infection and better help those living with HIV. “Perhaps most importantly, we must eliminate Discrimination lawsuit stigma and discrimination towards people living Sexual contact is the most common means of with HIV, and at-risk populations such as men who transmission in China, followed by mother-to- have sex with men, sex workers, and injecting baby transmission and drug needle sharing, the drug users,” Schwartlaender wrote. Family Planning Commission said. “I’ve seen some of my own colleagues in the In the 1990s, rural parts of China-particularly medical profession turn patients away because the central province of Henan-were hit by the they disapproved of the person’s sexual orienta- country’s most debilitating AIDS epidemic. PARIS: Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo (C) hands a pen to Michel Sidibe (C-L), executive director of UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations tion. That is simply unacceptable, and it has to It stemmed from a tainted government- Programme on HIV/AIDS, as they sign the “The declaration of Paris”, an agreement between the city of Paris and UNAIDS, during stop,” he added. backed blood donation programme and infected a press conference in Paris yesterday, on World Aids Day. —AFP The op-ed was published on World AIDS Day, a tens of thousands of people, including entire vil- day after the National Health and Family Planning lages. Commission said that by the end of October, a But now, sexual transmission accounts for total of 497,000 people in China had been diag- more than 90 percent of infections, the official AIDS campaigners say pandemic nosed with HIV/AIDS since the country’s first case Xinhua news agency said, citing the Chinese in 1985. Center for Disease Control and Prevention The figure represents an increase from (CCDCP). has finally reached tipping point September 2013, when 434,000 people in China Gay men accounted for 25 percent of new HIV were known to be living with HIV/AIDS. But it was cases in the first eight months of this year, accord- LONDON: The world has finally reached “the ple globally had access to AIDS drugs, a dra- “We want to see bold new funding from a not clear whether the rise was due to an increase ing to the CCDCP, up from 19 percent in 2012. beginning of the end” of the AIDS pandemic matic improvement on the 5 million who were more diversified base, including more from in infection, or more cases being diagnosed. Discrimination against those with HIV/AIDS that has infected and killed millions in the past getting treatment in 2010. African domestic budgets,” she said. Another 154,000 have died from AIDS over the remains an issue at hospitals, workplaces and oth- 30 years, according to a leading campaign “Despite the good news, we should not take ONE also noted that HIV is increasingly con- past three decades, the commission said. er establishments across the country, a factor that group fighting HIV. a victory lap yet,” said Hohlfelder. She high- centrated among hard-to-reach populations China’s National Center for AIDS/STD Control experts say hampers efforts to diagnose and treat The number of people newly infected with lighted several threats to current progress, such as injecting drug users, gay men and sex and Prevention last year estimated that as many as the virus. HIV over the last year was lower than the num- including a $3 billion shortfall in the funds workers - groups who are often stigmatised 810,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in the In August, two HIV-positive passengers sued a ber of HIV-positive people who joined those needed each year to control HIV around the and have trouble accessing treatment and pre- country, including those who have not yet been Chinese airline after staff refused to let them on getting access to the medicines they need to world. vention services. —Reuters diagnosed, out of a total population of 1.36 billion. board, in the country’s first such lawsuit. take for life to keep AIDS at bay. That is a far lower proportion than India, where The two, along with an HIV-negative travelling But in a report to mark World AIDS Day on UNAIDS says there are more two million people companion, were told by Spring Airlines that their Dec 1, the ONE campaign, an advocacy group living with HIV, in a slighter smaller total popula- tickets had been cancelled. —AFP working to end poverty and preventable disease in Africa, warned that reaching this milestone did not mean the end of AIDS was around the corner. “We’ve passed the tipping point in the AIDS fight at the global level, but not all countries are there yet, and the gains made can easily stall or unravel,” said Erin Hohlfelder, ONE’s director of global health policy. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS is spread via blood, semen and breast milk. There is no cure for the infection, but AIDS can be kept at bay for many years with cocktails of antiretroviral drugs. United Nations data show that in 2013, 35 million people were living with HIV, 2.1 million people were newly infected with the virus and some 1.5 million people died of AIDS. By far the greatest part of the HIV/AIDS burden is in HUBEI: Chinese aids activists hand out condoms in a subway station in Wuhan, sub-Saharan Africa. central China’s Hubei province yesterday. The World Health Organization The AIDS pandemic began more than 30 AMRISTSAR: Indian school students hold posters as they pose for a photograph while years ago and has killed up to 40 million peo- taking part in an awareness campaign to mark World AIDS Day at a school in issued a call to action to China yesterday over HIV/AIDS as government figures ple worldwide. said nearly half a million people are living with the disease or its precursor, Amritsar yesterday. The UNAIDS agency says some 2.5 million Indians are living with The United Nations AIDS agency, UNAIDS, HIV, many of them ostracised by their communities. —AFP with hundreds of thousands more thought to be undiagnosed. —AFP says that, by June 2014, some 13.6 million peo-

NIVEA offers a must have product for every woman No skin irritation, redness or dryness!

This season, NIVEA helps you forget all your usual cleansing routine can seem for when you’re in a rush or on the go. ticles on the face and remove them about redness, tightness and dryness of like a chore, NIVEA 3 in 1 Micellar†Water Micellar water gets its name from the leaving the skin feeling soft and pure. your skin. With the launch of NIVEA 3 in doesn’t even need water to work. science behind the product, micelles, You don’t need to rub, causing redness 1 Micellar†Water, the must have prod- Suitable for all skin types, the caring for- tiny oil molecules suspended in water. and irritation and you don’t need to fol- uct of every woman and make-up artist. mula of NIVEA 3 in 1 Micellar Water with The solution never feels oily, which low up with toner either. This expensive You can cleanse, remove make-up and Dexpanthenol and Grape Seed Oil means it can be used all over the face and innovative micelle technology keep the skin moisturised in just one cleanses deeply. Its extra effective, yet from forehead to chin. Rather than developed by the NIVEA R&D center in step! mild cleansing complex moisturises and being made of a foaming solution that Hamburg target the needs of all con- Whether youíre a model or a mother refreshes the skin. The product is free of contains soaps and harsh chemicals, sumers in the region and offer them a this product is quick and easy to use, it parabens, colorants, perfume and alco- micellar waters are different. The small revolutionary product at a reasonable is a lifesaver for on-the-go beauty. While hol thus making it a perfect alternative molecules grab on to all unwanted par- price! WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

KNES celebrates Tolerance Peace and Souvenirs Day

emembrance Day celebration and Poppy Appeal nowadays and especially honouring the millions of assembly with secondary students one with primary Madame Chantal school director addressing students Campaign are part of the traditions at Kuwait men who died or were injured during the terrible First students was also organised to celebrate the impor- and staff after observing a minute of silence reiterated RNational English School. During a very special World War. tance of tolerance and respect. that education, Tolerance and Peace are closely liaised assembly secondary students lit a candle for Peace This was a perfect opportunity to celebrate as well Students discussed why tolerance is nowadays a and interdependent from each other and stressed once honouring and remembering all the people who gave Tolerance as this is another value that Kuwait National duty and the most important universal value to pro- again on the importance for children from a very their life for the freedom of others, by the past and English inculcates in all students. Along with the mote the necessary spirit for cooperation and Peace. young age to have access to the right education.

ACK CT announces ‘Health & Safety Matters’ seminar

he Australian College of Kuwait’s Corporate tancy services, as well as certifications from award- Training Department (ACK CT) has ing bodies such as the”Institution of Occupational Tannounced December 16th, 2014 as the date Safety and Health” (IOSH) which is the largest and for the 2nd installation of its annual “Health & sole chartered body for health and safety profes- Safety Matters” seminar. sionals in the world and has more than 44,000 Set to be hosted at the ACK campus in West individual members in over 100 countries. Mishref, the seminar will feature eminent guest In addition, ACK CT is proud to support IOSH’s speakers focusing on the topic of “Occupational “No Time to Lose” international, which raises Health - The Silent Hazard”. The seminar will awareness onoccupational acquired cancers. As address common issues related to Occupational part of ACK CT’s pledge to the campaign, thesemi- Health & Safety, while offering specific strategies nar will also highlight also types of cancers directly organizations can adopt to reduce such incidents caused by occupational exposure. Finally, ACK CT in the workplace. would like to invite corporations, entrepreneurs ACK CT is uniquely positioned to provide a and individuals to register for the seminar at cor- range of local, regional and international consul- [email protected] Korean movie night

IDAK-MES dental camp DAK (Indian Dentist Alliance - Kuwait ) took part in a medical camp organized by Muslim Educational society, (MES-Kuwait Ichapter). IDAK was represented at the ‘care and Aware camp’ by Dr Johncen, Dr Niveditha, Dr Pratap, Dr Zubair, Dr Shahjhan and Dr Soumya. 80 patients were screened during the camp.

Announcement Dec 31- Kozhikode District NRI Association Kuwait - KDNA Christmas - New Year on 31 December at Indian PAPA (comedy) dies in a car accident, he is left with her 6 children, all Secretly Greatly (action/comedy) Community School [Senior] Salmiya at 7 Visit Choon-Sub is a talent manager from South Korea of different races, from her previous marriages. He Won Ryu-Hwan trained in the North Korea Special www.kdnakuwait.com who flies to America to chase after his client who ran discovers that eldest daughter, June, is a talented Forces. He can speak five languages and is also a lethal Dec 5 - Fankaar Arts presents Musical Nite with film star away with another manager. He soon learns that she singer and dancer. Now in need of money, he con- killing machine. Two years ago, he received orders to Govinda along with Bollywood sensational singer is with child and would be unable to pursue her vinces her to take part in a reality TV show contest. deploy to South Korea as a spy. In this quiet area he met 2 Mohammed Aziz & Priyanka Mitra with anchor Azhar career. To avoid returning to Korea and face his boss, Because the children need Choon-sub to keep the of his spy colleague from North Korean. While the three Kazi on 5th December 2014 (Friday) 6.30 pm at he gets a residency permit through a contract mar- family together and not to be relocated to different young men live unnoticed among their neighbors, they American International School - Maidan Hawally, Kuwait. riage with Korean-American woman. When his wife homes, June agree. await orders from North Korea. Their order finally arrives. YMCA Kuwait conducts week of What’s On - Submission Guidelines prayer and fellowship meeting All photos submitted for What’s On MCA Kuwait conducted week of MarThoma Church gave the message should be minimum 200dpi. prayer and world fellowship meet- based on the theme. The Week of Prayer Articles must be in plain text and Ying under the presidentialship of and World Fellowship of the YMCA and Dr. A.T. Varghese (President). The YMCA YWCA is a tradition and an important should include name and phone week of prayer is a tradition dating back tool for us to reaffirm our commitment to numbers. Articles and photos that to 1904. Each year in the month of be co-creators with God of a better world fail to meet these requirements will November, the YMCA movements issue a we all aspire to. Johnkutty Oommen joint call for prayer. Building upon the lead the prayer & singing section was not be published. prayers that have been spoken for over lead by Sunu Oommen. Mathew Eapen Please send them to 100 years. The theme for this year’s week (Vice President), Parimanam Manoj of prayer is “Bold and Transformative (General Secretary), Deacon Santhosh [email protected] Leadership”. Mathew (Treasurer) also shared their Rev Sunil Joy Vicar of St Thomas words on this occasion. WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 JMB offers personalised weddings at largest ballroom in Kuwait

umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa, butler service throughout the event. dating up to 2,000 guests. With a venue that Kuwait’s idyllic resort, offers couples a Along with flawless arrangements, luxuri- can also bring back treasured memories of Jtruly memorable wedding at the spec- ous amenities and delectable cuisine, cou- lavish wedding celebrations from previous tacular Badriah, the largest purpose-built ples and their guests can enjoy elegance, generations, today’s weddings at the ballroom in Kuwait. luxury and a rich history that only Jumeirah Badriah ballroom are among the most The hotel has a team that specialises in Messilah Beach Hotel and Spa can provide. extravagant and memorable weddings creating personalised wedding packages Hakan Petek, General Manager, said: imaginable,” he added. that include the use of a stunning bridal suite “Such a momentous occasion that unites As a complete destination for more fun and a selection of exquisite wedding cakes. husband and wife must be conducted in a and celebration after the wedding, the cou- In addition, the packages include a com- venue that can provide only the finest set- ple, their families and guests can also plimentary one-night stay in a suite, compli- ting. This includes the most delightful cui- choose to stay in any of the hotel’s 407 ele- mentary dinner inside the suite on the wed- sine and a magnificently decorated ball- gantly appointed guest rooms comprising ding night, tailor-made traditional wedding room, which happens to be the only one in 316 rooms and suites, 80 residential suites menus with exclusive drinks and a dedicated Kuwait capable of comfortably accommo- and 12 private and luxurious villas. ASAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners sponsors RunQ8 to support FSRI non-profit rehabilitation center

SAR - Al Ruwayeh & Partners (ASAR), Kuwait’s leading and most prominent Acorporate law firm, and one of the region’s top tier firms announced its recent sponsorship of RunQ8 Marathon, a 10 km charity race open to the public which is organized by the Fawzia Sultan Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI). The event was held on Saturday, November 29th, 2014 at Marina Crescent. The event, which gathered more than 1500 runners, was planned by FSRI to dedi- cate the proceeds of RunQ8 this year to its Non-Profit Pediatric Rehabilitation Program. Caring for a child with a physical and/or cognitive disability has significant emotional, physical and financial effects on a family. Often, the family will postpone seeking treatment for their child due to financial constraints. This is when FSRI extends its support in collaboration with local partners, to provide families without resources the assistance to care for their disabled children. During the event, Sam Habbas, Senior children. We look forward to participating in ing those in a less fortunate position than ty. The first RunQ8 “Vision 2020”, supported and Traffic Safety Program, teaching car and Partner at ASAR highlighted ASAR’s strong many more community events in the future, that of ourselves. FSRI do a fantastic job with the establishment of the Community Eye traffic safety to over 10,000 schoolchildren belief in giving back to local communities. to help grow health awareness among the this event every year and we are proud to be Health Care Program at Kuwait University, in the project’s first year. This project was “As part of our corporate social responsibili- communities in Kuwait.” associated with them and this worthy part of the United Nation’s World Health embraced by the local community partner, ty strategy, we are proud to participate in a Again participating in the event this year, cause.” Organization’s Vision 2020 Initiative. The Porsche, and won the Porsche 2012 Best cause that raises public awareness on chil- John Cunha, Partner at ASAR commented: The aim of the run is to benefit non-profit second race, RunQ8 2011, highlighted the Practices award to become the community- dren with a physical or cognitive disability, “We are pleased to have participated in a organizations and programs committed to “Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011- education model for all Porsche driving and encouraging healthy living to these cause, which has as its core objective, help- health, education, and project-based chari- 2021” by creating an Early Childhood Road schools in the Middle East.

KidZ’s wild jungle party! idZ Nursery and Preschool loves learning about animals. On Thursday, 27 Nov, both KidZ branches (Kaifan and Faiha), celebrated their theme for the month - ‘animals and birds’ with a fun party. The children were dressed up as the favorite animal costumes and the school decorated like a mini-jungle! With various creative activities throughout the month, KidZ ensured that the theme of the month is Kincorporated into all the learning subjects. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 TV PROGRAMS

13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:40 Mystery Diners 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 00:00 D-Tox 01:00 Shark Bait 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 01:45 Deja Vu 01:10 Destination North Pole 02:45 Dino Time 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:00 Enlisted 04:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 04:30 Garfield’s Fun Fest 15:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 05:45 The Rock 02:50 Storage Hunters 06:00 Barbie And The Diamond 16:35 Chopped Stewart 08:00 Iron Man 03:15 Game Of Pawns Castle 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks 01:00 The Colbert Report 10:15 Europa Report 03:40 Storage Wars Canada 08:00 Scooby Doo! Stage Fright Morocco 01:30 Saturday Night Live 12:00 Into The Blue 04:05 How It’s Made 09:45 Barbie As Rapunzel 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 02:30 Hello Ladies 14:00 Superman: Unbound 04:30 How It’s Made 11:30 Ben 10: Alien Swarm 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:00 Raising Hope 15:45 Iron Man 05:00 Treehouse Masters 12:45 Dino Time 18:40 Siba’s Table 03:30 The Goldbergs 18:00 Police Story 06:00 Wheeler Dealers 14:30 Curious George: Swings 19:05 Grandma’s Secret 04:00 Back In The Game 20:00 Europa Report 06:50 Extreme Fishing Into Spring Cookbook 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 22:00 Ong Bak 3 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 19:30 Mystery Diners Jimmy Fallon 16:00 Cinderella 08:30 Storage Hunters 19:55 Burger Land 05:30 Community 18:00 Barbie As Rapunzel 08:55 Game Of Pawns 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 06:00 The Simpsons 20:00 Astro Boy 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 06:30 My Name Is Earl 22:00 Curious George: Swings 09:45 How It’s Made 22:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers Into Spring 10:10 How It’s Made 23:30 Cinderella 22:25 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 08:00 Back In The Game 02:00 Hellboy: Blood & Iron-PG15 10:35 Gold Rush 22:50 Ching’s Restaurant 08:30 Community 12:15 Destination North Pole 03:45 The Rock-PG15 Redemption 09:00 Raising Hope 06:00 Iron Man-PG15 13:05 Storage Hunters 23:15 Ching’s Restaurant 09:30 Dads 13:30 Game Of Pawns 08:15 Europa Report-PG15 Redemption 10:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 10:00 Into The Blue-PG15 00:00 The Legend Of Hercules- 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 10:30 My Name Is Earl 12:00 Superman: Unbound-PG 02:00 Good Day For It-PG15 14:20 Extreme Fishing 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 13:45 Iron Man-PG15 04:00 Death Clique-PG15 Jimmy Fallon 16:00 Police Story-PG15 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 12:00 The Simpsons 06:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 16:50 How It’s Made 18:00 Europa Report-PG15 08:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 12:30 Back In The Game 20:00 Ong Bak 3-PG15 17:15 How It’s Made 13:00 Community 10:00 Battle Of The Year-PG15 17:40 Treehouse Masters 22:00 Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear 00:40 Ade In Britain 13:30 My Name Is Earl 12:00 Hide Away-PG15 18:30 Deadly Islands 01:30 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 14:00 The Goldbergs 14:00 Dangerous Attraction-PG15 19:20 Dual Survival Tour 14:30 Dads 16:00 Thor: The Dark World-PG15 20:10 Game Of Pawns 02:00 Emmerdale 15:00 The Michael J. Fox Show 18:00 Phantom-PG15 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 02:55 Coronation Street 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 20:00 Limitless-PG15 21:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 03:25 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Stewart 22:00 The World’s End-PG15 21:50 Deadly Islands Of Here! 16:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Sister Act 2: Back In The 22:40 Dual Survival 04:20 Michael Flatley: A Night To 16:30 Til Death Habit-PG 23:30 Marooned With Ed Stafford Remember 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 03:30 Bean-PG15 05:15 May The Best House Win 18:00 Raising Hope 05:00 Dumb And Dumberer: When Abroad 18:30 Welcome To The Family Harry Met Lloyd-PG15 02:00 Trans world Sport 06:10 Paddock To Plate 19:00 Young & Hungry 06:30 Free Samples-PG15 03:00 NHL 07:05 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 19:30 The Michael J. Fox Show 08:00 Hope Springs-PG15 05:00 International Rugby Union Tour 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 Sister Act 2: Back In The 07:00 Golfing World 07:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Jimmy Fallon Habit-PG 08:00 Emirates Australian Open 00:00 Giuliana & Bill Of Here! 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 12:00 Bean-PG15 Highlights 00:55 The Soup 08:25 Michael Flatley: A Night To Stewart 14:00 Parental Guidance-PG 09:00 Hero Indian Super League 01:25 Keeping Up With The Remember 21:30 The Colbert Report 16:00 Hope Springs-PG15 Highlights Kardashians 09:20 Billy Connolly: Journey To 22:00 Eastbound & Down 18:00 Nick And Norah’s Infinite 09:30 Top 14 Highlights 02:20 Keeping Up With The The Edge... 22:30 South Park Playlist-PG15 10:00 International Rugby Union Kardashians 10:15 May The Best House Win 23:00 Hello Ladies 20:00 Servitude-PG15 12:00 Golfing World 03:15 Escape Club Abroad 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 22:00 House Party: Tonight’s The 13:00 NFL 04:10 E!ES 11:10 Emmerdale Night-18 15:30 Hero Indian Super League 05:05 THS 12:00 Coronation Street Highlights 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 12:30 Ade In Britain 16:00 Live Snooker Champion of Miami 13:25 Paddock To Plate Champions 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take 14:20 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 00:00 Royal Pains 20:30 Futbol Mundial Miami Tour 01:00 Homeland 21:00 Golfing World 07:50 Style Star 14:45 May The Best House Win 02:00 The Newsroom 01:00 The Twilight Saga: Breaking 22:00 Live Pool Musconi Cup 08:20 Giuliana & Bill Abroad 03:00 Supernatural Dawn Pt. 2-PG15 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 15:35 Michael Flatley: A Night To 04:00 Revenge 03:00 As I Lay Dying-PG15 10:15 Giuliana & Bill Remember 05:00 Once Upon A Time 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 05:00 The Woman In The Fifth 16:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out 06:00 Royal Pains 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 07:00 Knife Fight-PG15 02:00 Emirates Australian Open Of Here! 07:00 Made In Jersey 12:05 Beyond Candid With 09:00 Stolen Child-PG15 Highlights 18:00 Tales From Northumberland 08:00 C.S.I. Giuliana 11:00 The Woman In The Fifth- 03:00 WWE Superstars With Robson Green 09:00 Once Upon A Time 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 04:00 Live WWE Raw 18:20 Paddock To Plate 11:00 Revenge 13:00 12 Wishes Of Christmas 13:35 Beyond Candid With 07:00 International Rugby Union 19:10 Coronation Street 12:00 Emmerdale 15:00 Magic Journey To Africa Giuliana 09:00 Golfing World 19:35 Michael Flatley: A Night To 12:30 Coronation Street 17:00 Stolen Child-PG15 THE ROCK ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 14:30 Style Star 10:00 Pool Mosconi Cup Remember 14:00 C.S.I. 19:00 Stuck In Love-PG15 15:00 Keeping Up With The 14:00 Golfing World Highlights 14:30 Melissa & Joey 03:30 Pawn Stars UK 20:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out 15:00 Royal Pains Kardashians 21:00 The Pact-PG15 15:00 WWE Raw 20:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 15:00 The Walking Dead 04:00 Storage Wars Of Here! 16:00 Emmerdale 16:00 Keeping Up With The 23:00 The Bling Ring-18 18:00 WWE Experience Highlights 16:00 Dirt 21:50 Tales From Northumberland 16:30 Coronation Street 04:30 Storage Wars Kardashians 19:00 WWE Afterburn 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy With Robson Green 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:00 Pawn Stars 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 20:00 WWE Raw 18:00 Desperate Housewives 22:20 Coronation Street 18:00 C.S.I. 05:30 Pawn Stars 18:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 23:00 WWE Smackdown! 19:00 MasterChef Australia 22:50 Emmerdale 19:00 Switched At Birth 06:00 Duck Dynasty 18:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:00 Switched At Birth 23:45 May The Best House Win 20:00 State Of Affairs 19:00 THS 21:00 According To Jim 06:30 Duck Dynasty Abroad 21:00 The Voice 20:00 House Of DVF 01:00 A Nanny’s Revenge 21:25 According To Jim 07:00 Storage Wars Texas 23:00 Supernatural 02:30 Casanova 22:00 Detroit 1-8-7 07:30 Counting Cars 04:30 I Spy 23:00 Detroit 1-8-7 00:45 Passion Fish-18 08:00 Pawn Stars 06:15 The Insider 08:30 Pawn Stars 03:00 Great Expectations-PG15 OSN SPORTS CRICKET HD 08:45 A Nanny’s Revenge 05:00 Goal II: Living The Dream 09:00 American Restoration 00:00 Evolutions 00:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 10:15 National Security 07:00 Muhammad Ali’s Greatest 00:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 11:45 The Station Agent-PG 09:30 Pawn Stars UK 01:00 Engineering Connections Fight-PG15 00:05 Chopped 01:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 13:15 XXX 10:00 Storage Wars: New York 09:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes 02:00 Situation Critical 02:30 ICC Cricket 360 15:30 Con Air 01:50 The Outfit 10:30 Counting Cars 11:00 The Last Harbor-PG15 01:45 Guy’s Big Bite 03:00 Battleground Brothers 03:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 17:30 The Insider 03:35 The Treasure Of The Sierra 11:00 Pawn Stars 13:00 Eastwood Directs: The 02:10 Guy’s Big Bite 04:00 Adventure Wanted ODI Highlights 20:00 Godzilla Madre-PG 11:30 Pawn Stars Untold Story-PG15 02:35 Jenny Morris Cooks The 00:00 White Collar 04:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 22:30 Thorne: Sleepyhead-FAM 05:40 TCM Presents Under The... 05:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 14:30 Faces In The Crowd-PG15 12:00 Storage Wars Riviera 01:00 Good Morning America ODI Highlights 07:00 Across The Wide Missouri 06:00 WWII’s Greatest Raids 16:45 Son Of Rambow-PG 12:30 Storage Wars 03:00 Jenny Morris Cooks The 03:00 The Client List 05:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 08:20 The Band Wagon-FAM 07:00 Secrets Of The Wild 18:45 The Tall Man-PG15 13:00 Pawn Stars Riviera 04:00 True Blood ODI Highlights 10:10 Ziegfeld Follies-FAM 08:00 Evolutions 21:00 Cloud Atlas-18 12:00 Anchors Aweigh-FAM 13:30 Pawn Stars 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 05:00 Good Morning America 06:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 09:00 Engineering Connections 14:20 Light In The Piazza-PG 14:00 Ice Road Truckers 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 07:00 Emmerdale ODI Highlights 07:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 00:00 According To Jim 16:00 Mogambo-PG 15:00 Pawn Stars UK 04:40 All You Can Meat 10:00 Situation Critical 07:30 Coronation Street ODI Highlights 00:30 Castle 17:55 Please Don’t Eat The 15:30 Pawn Stars UK 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 11:00 Inside 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 07:30 ICC Cricket 360 01:30 Grey’s Anatomy Daisies-FAM 16:00 Pawn Stars 12:00 Knights Of Mayhem 09:00 24 01:00 A Common Man-PG15 05:50 Siba’s Table 08:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 02:30 According To Jim 19:45 Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo 16:30 Pawn Stars 13:00 Family Guns 10:00 Emmerdale 03:00 Class-PG15 22:00 Our Mother’s House-PG 06:10 Sweet Genius 11:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 03:00 The Walking Dead 17:00 Pawn Stars 14:00 Great Migrations 10:30 Coronation Street 05:00 A Christmas Kiss-PG15 12:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 04:00 The Walking Dead 23:45 Destination Tokyo-FAM 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 17:30 Pawn Stars 15:00 The Known Universe 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 07:00 No Clue-PG15 13:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 05:00 According To Jim 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 18:00 Pawn Stars 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:00 Real Time Disaster 12:00 Castle 09:00 Red Sky-PG15 ODI Highlights 05:30 Melissa & Joey 18:30 Pawn Stars 08:15 Chopped 16:30 Real Time Disaster 13:00 White Collar 11:00 Lost Christmas-PG15 14:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 05:55 Melissa & Joey ODI Highlights 06:30 The Walking Dead 19:00 Storage Wars 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back 17:00 Salvage Code Red 14:00 24 13:00 Temptation: Confessions Of To Basics 15:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:30 Dirt 19:30 Storage Wars 18:00 Bandits Of Selous 15:00 Live Good Morning America A Marriage Counselor-PG15 00:00 Pawn Stars UK 09:30 Chopped Canada 17:00 Castle 16:00 Australia v South Africa T20I 08:30 Castle 20:00 Pawn Stars 19:00 The Known Universe 15:00 Marvel’s Next Avengers: 00:30 Pawn Stars UK 10:20 Recipes That Rock 18:00 White Collar Highlights 09:30 According To Jim 20:30 Pawn Stars 20:00 Real Time Disaster Heroes Of Tomorrow-PG 17:00 Australia v South Africa T20I 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 01:00 Storage Wars 10:45 All You Can Meat 19:00 24 21:00 Pawn Stars UK 17:00 Red Sky-PG15 Highlights 11:00 According To Jim 01:30 Pawn Stars 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 20:30 Real Time Disaster 20:00 Castle 21:30 Pawn Stars UK 11:35 Grandma’s Secret 18:00 Australia v South Africa T20I 11:30 The Walking Dead 02:00 Pawn Stars 21:00 Salvage Code Red 21:00 White Collar 19:00 Homefront-PG15 22:00 Pawn Stars Cookbook 21:00 Kon-Tiki-PG15 Highlights 12:30 The Walking Dead 02:30 Pawn Stars 22:00 Bandits Of Selous 22:00 The Client List 19:00 ICC Cricket 360 13:30 According To Jim 22:30 Storage Wars 12:00 Chopped 23:00 Carrie-PG15 03:00 Pawn Stars UK 12:50 Siba’s Table 23:00 Inside 23:00 True Blood 19:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 14:00 Melissa & Joey 23:00 Storage Wars

CLOUD ATLAS ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL Classifieds

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (27/11/2014 TO 03/12/2014)

SHARQIA-1 THE CULLING 3:15 PM 360º- 1 DUMB AND DUMBER TO 12:30 PM DUMB AND DUMBER TO 5:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 1:15 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 2:45 PM THE CULLING 7:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 3:30 PM DUMB AND DUMBER TO 4:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 9:00 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 5:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 6:45 PM THE CULLING 11:00 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 8:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 8:45 PM THE CULLING 1:00 AM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 10:15 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 10:45 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 12:30 AM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:45 AM FANAR-4 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 11:45 AM 360º- 2 ACCOMMODATION CHANGE OF NAME SHARQIA-2 HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 1:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 12:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 1:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 3:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 2:30 PM I, Felix Brazinho Vaz, holder THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 3:00 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 5:45 PM JESSABELLE 4:45 PM Small room for rent avail- HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 5:30 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 7:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 7:00 PM able from Nov 30, 2014 in of Indian Passport THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:30 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 9:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 9:15 PM Sharahabel St., Hawally, for G1685583 & Maria Da Anjos HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 10:00 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 11:45 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 11:30 PM Filipinos only. Please con- Vaz, holder of Indian HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 12:05 AM tact mobile # 51080902. Passport F1714898 both FANAR-5 360º- 3 (C 4870) presently residing in SHARQIA-3 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 11:30 AM FALCON RISING 12:00 PM Kuwait, notify changing our PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 12:00 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 2:00 PM FALCON RISING 2:15 PM 1-12-2014 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 2:30 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 4:30 PM FALCON RISING 4:30 PM names to read as Felix PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 4:30 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:00 PM FALCON RISING 6:45 PM Brazinho Vas & Maria Dos PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 6:30 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 9:30 PM FALCON RISING 9:00 PM SITUATION WANTED Anjos De Souza. (C 4869) FALCON RISING 8:30 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 12:05 AM FALCON RISING 11:15 PM 1-12-2014 FALCON RISING 10:30 PM Well experienced Indian FALCON RISING 12:30 AM MARINA-1 AL-KOUT.1 FALCON RISING 12:30 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 11:30 AM currently in Kuwait looking SITUATION VACANT MUHALAB-1 THE CULLING 2:45 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 1:30 PM for part time assignments NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:00 PM FALCON RISING 4:45 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 3:30 PM for building up of account- Required a chef for a FALCON RISING 2:00 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 6:45 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 5:30 PM ing system and establish- NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 4:00 PM FALCON RISING 8:45 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:30 PM respected family, who ment, internal control and cooks Arab and Asian cui- FALCON RISING 6:00 PM THE CULLING 10:45 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 10:00 PM auditing, finalization of all NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 8:00 PM FALCON RISING 12:30 AM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 12:30 AM sine. Call: 99006777. FALCON RISING 10:00 PM books of accounts and (C 4871) NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:05 AM MARINA-2 AL-KOUT.2 audit reporting. Contact 2-12-2014 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 12:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:15 PM 97934610, email rasheedp- MUHALAB-2 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 2:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 2:15 PM [email protected] (C 4868) HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 1:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 4:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 4:15 PM 1-12-2014 HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 3:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 6:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 6:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 5:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 8:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 8:15 PM THE CULLING 7:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 10:00 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 10:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 8:45 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:05 AM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:15 AM THE CULLING 10:45 PM 112 HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 12:30 AM MARINA-3 AL-KOUT.3 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 12:45 PM THE CULLING 11:30 AM MUHALAB-3 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 3:15 PM FALCON RISING 1:15 PM THE CULLING 11:30 AM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 5:45 PM THE CULLING 3:15 PM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 1:15 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:45 PM CATCH HELL 5:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 3:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 10:15 PM FALCON RISING 7:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 5:15 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 12:15 AM THE CULLING 9:00 PM FORCIVIL INFORMATION THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:15 PM FALCON RISING 10:45 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 9:45 PM AVENUES-1 THE CULLING 12:45 AM Automated enquiry THE CULLING 12:15 AM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 1:30 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 4:15 PM BAIRAQ-1 about the Civil ID card is FANAR-1 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 7:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 12:00 PM FALCON RISING 11:30 AM CATCH HELL 9:30 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 2:00 PM FALCON RISING 1:30 PM CATCH HELL 11:30 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 4:00 PM CATCH HELL 3:30 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 6:00 PM FALCON RISING 5:30 PM AVENUES-2 THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 8:00 PM 1889988 HAPPY NEW YEAR - HINDI 7:45 PM THE CULLING 12:00 PM THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1 10:30 PM FALCON RISING 11:00 PM THE CULLING 2:00 PM FALCON RISING 1:00 AM FALCON RISING 1:00 AM THE CULLING 4:00 PM THE CULLING 6:00 PM BAIRAQ-2 Prayer timings FANAR-2 THE CULLING 8:00 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 11:45 AM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:30 PM THE CULLING 10:00 PM FALCON RISING 1:45 PM Fajr: 05:01 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 2:30 PM THE CULLING 12:05 AM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 3:45 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 4:30 PM FALCON RISING 5:45 PM Shorook 06:24 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 6:30 PM AVENUES-3 HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 7:45 PM DUMB AND DUMBER TO 8:30 PM FALCON RISING 1:15 PM FALCON RISING 9:45 PM Duhr: 11:37 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 10:30 PM FALCON RISING 3:30 PM HORRIBLE BOSSES 2 11:45 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:30 AM FALCON RISING 5:45 PM Asr: 14:30 FALCON RISING 8:00 PM BAIRAQ-3 Maghrib: 16:49 FANAR-3 FALCON RISING 10:15 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 1:00 PM HAMATI BITHEBINI -Arabic 1:00 PM FALCON RISING 12:30 AM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 3:00 PM Isha: 18:11

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 2/12/2014 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Departure Flights on Tuesday 2/12/2014 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:20 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 THY 764 Istanbul 02:15 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 FDB 075 Dubai 17:45 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 TAR 328 Tunis/Dubai 18:05 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 FDB 076 Dubai 18:25 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 TAR 328 Tunis 18:55 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 THY 765 Istanbul 06:55 ABY 121 Sharjah 19:20 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 19:25 BAW 156 London 08:45 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 104 London 19:55 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:05 KAC 382 Delhi 08:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:05 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 SYR 342 Damascus 21:10 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 SYR 341 Damascus 20:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 KAC 381 Delhi 22:00 KAC 282 Dhaka 09:20 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 12:20 KAC 203 Lahore 22:20 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 CROSSWORD 742 STAR TRACK

Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22)

Talking should be quite unconstrained to you, as your mind is usually quite You may find much of your energy being used on romance and creative clear and natural. Ideas could come flowing to you with ease. You find your taste in artis- pursuits. This is not a waste of time as whatever results happen will be beneficially used tic things and appreciation in general is keen now. This may be the perfect time for you in the workplace as well as in your personal life. You may own your own business but to pick out furnishings, colors and so forth–the finer things in life. Your sense of value is more than likely you are serving others, which is often where you like to be these days. to the front. Later today you may want to just sit back and enjoy what you have. You may You are entering into a very aesthetic and competitive phase now, one in which you actually prefer to spend more of your time with loved ones and family later this after- want to be admired and appreciated for what you do and who you are. As a new cycle noon. Your mood is just one of wanting to enjoy the home environment. Someone spe- starts in your life, there arises a passion for details, a need to do just the right thing at just cial wants to cook for you this evening and you may lend a helping hand, perhaps to the right time. This can give you indigestion if you take it to extremes! Knowing that you chop, peel and steam. Yum! did a job well gives you lots of satisfaction and is a high priority at this time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21)

Your emotional direction is toward taking care of business–you want an Taking care of business could be one of your major themes today. Much of organized and practical outcome with the effort you put forth. You want to get things your emotional support and security comes from your friends, moral integrity and social accomplished. Health and work goals take on importance and you are appreciative of the involvement during this time. You could definitely be feeling a need to make some days when everyone works well together. Your way with words and your sense of humor changes in your life, and to break away from some of the outdated things of your past. are some of the things that endear you to others. Some competition today is fun and You just want to embrace the new, innovative, different and unique. The old has become rewarding as you use your sharp mind to surpass the others. Jot down some of your bril- boring and common and it is time to upgrade your way of doing and looking at things. It liant techniques to help others learn how to memorize or work through a customer file or may be easy for you to enjoy and value your own life situation, or to feel especially kind close a deal. Away from work, you could find that real estate may tweak your imagination. toward a friend or loved one. There could even be some special compliments coming You envision a future home and may spend time with design ideas. your way regarding your tastes or belongings.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A temporary obstacle may appear this morning, but never fear . . . It is short- You have many projects developing at this time and your professional term. You may be very pleased with the results of your quick thinking and progress is running smoothly. Now you have the ability for sustained work hard work by the time this day has ended. You organize projects and people. People’s ACROSS 4. Cylindrical green fruit with thin green that allows you to coordinate events and complete tasks like never before. Your open- opinions are not quite enough for you now, they must be backed up by authority or evi- 1. 3 to 30 gigahertz. rind and white flesh eaten as a vegetable. mindedness makes it easy to work with most people. Today you may be asked to com- dence and that is what you will be receiving. Those in authority take notice and you will plete difficult tasks and although you are worried that you will not finish, you are success- 4. A person who eats human flesh. 5. Beside one another in a row or rank. be rewarded for your successes soon. There is a great opportunity to expand your mind ful and you are able to help others complete their tasks as well. Those that you find near- and educate yourself now. Children come to you for practical help and others are pleased 12. A steep-walled semicircular basin in a 6. The compass point that is one point est and dearest to your heart, like your mate and perhaps a child or two, are emphasized at the way you can organize a crowd–particularly with children. Talk about any celebra- mountain. east (clockwise) of due north. this afternoon. You love to make little trinkets that always seem to endear you to your tion concerns with a partner or loved one now–travel may be in the forecast. 15. A federation of North American indus- 7. Offensive or even (of persons) mali- loved ones. Feeling appreciated for your gifts and talents is a powerful need. trial unions that merged with the cious. American Federation of Labor in 1955. 8. The basic unit of money in Peru. 16. In an urbane manner. 9. To work at or to absurd length. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 17. An association of countries in the 10. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar Cancer (June 21-July 22) western hemisphere. to but heavier than beer. You have a natural god-given gift for knowing just what the public wants Circumstances may increase an appreciation and enjoyment of your life situation. 18. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- 11. A harp used by ancient Greeks for and needs when they come to see you. This could mean anything from per- Your system of values may deepen, providing you with a better sense of discrimination. Others fume, cologne, vitamins, haircut, etc. There is a great feeling that comes with the ability to cially in Turkey). accompaniment. depend on your past experience and your expertise at purchasing, selecting colors, etc. Others will 19. British writer (born in Hungary) who 12. Fossil fuel consisting of carbonized make successful and wise decisions and to use your skill to help others. Time is moving find your helpful comments important. Co-workers may find you especially dynamic and assertive; much too quickly and when asked, you find just the thing that will make a particular cus- wrote a novel exposing the Stalinist vegetable matter deposited in the you have an abundance of energy and drive at your fingertips. Continued success may point to tomer happy today. You might enjoy working as a concierge in a fine hotel, a wedding purges during the 1930s (1905-1983). Carboniferous period. your ability to be as flexible as possible–perhaps reworking some of your goals. Devote some time consultant or a cruise ship’s entertainment coordinator. There is no escaping the fact that 20. A sweetened beverage of diluted fruit 13. Gully or streambed in North Africa and to the one who means the most to you this evening. Harmony is your mindset now. Harmony is you have plenty of work to do just now and it is not good to ignore it. You may be secretly juice. the Middle East that remains dry except what you get! A quiet evening may consist of some organizing pictures for a wall or an album. planning a trip around the world in your own yacht–you will make it happen. 21. The process of becoming mildewed. during rainy season. 23. Brief episode in which the brain gets 14. One thousandth of a second. insufficient blood supply. 22. Deciduous shrub of North America. Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. The dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in 25. United States playwright (1906-1963). Thessaly and Boeotia and Aeolis. 28. (of weapons or instruments) Causing Financial knowledge and a practical turn of mind are qualities that take on It may be necessary to do some penetrating analysis, particularly with a group or in relation to your situation. Others may come to you for help in greater importance in your life now. As a wheeler-dealer, you have a knack of knowing 26. Minor or subordinate. suffering and pain. understanding or psychoanalyzing their predicament. This could be a time when it would how to put people, ideas and things together profitably. Playing the role of a leader has its 27. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or 30. A small tube. be beneficial to make some changes in your environment. Being able to communicate and rewards. Others will discover just how practical you are when it comes to working and get your message across to others is essential now. Your timing should be good and those BB gun. 31. The principal evil jinni in Islamic dealing with you. You seem to have a built-in radar detector that helps you to act without around you will appreciate your effort on their behalf. Time spent alone this evening can 29. (electronics) Designating sound trans- mythology. haste or emotion. You are smart and you use your common sense as well as your intellect. mission from two sources through two 32. Informal terms for a meal. be very healing. Meditate and get your thoughts together, or refresh your energies before Feeling the need to be respected is a strong need but you will learn to take care and not going shopping or attending a group get-together. You seem to be full of exciting plans channels. 33. An organization of countries formed in let it rule you; confidence and humility are best and you make a good mentor through this for the future and for you and a loved one. 34. An early form of streetcar that was 1961 to agree on a common policy for the knowledge. You may decide to visit with friends this evening. drawn by horses. sale of petroleum. 39. Cap that fits over the hub of a wheel. 35. A detailed description of design crite- 41. State of being torn or burst open. ria for a piece of work. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) 42. Wear away through erosion or vapor- 36. Separated into parts or laid open or ization. penetrated with a sharp edge or instru- There could be some very important matters that require your attention Everything is coming together to show you off at your finest in the work- 43. A soft white precious univalent metal- ment. and have you serving as a guide to someone younger than yourself. You may, at long last, place. You may be teaching or lecturing during the day. You have an expanded knowledge lic element having the highest electrical 37. In a correct manner. figure out new ways to proceed with plans and decisions that affect some business con- of abstract and spiritual things and you are blessed with the ability to help others, cerns. Some in-depth discussions and probing conversations find you at your mental best. although you may not think it a blessing. Your friends may have a special way of utilizing and thermal conductivity of any metal. 38. Any plant of the genus Reseda. Your analytical abilities are at a high point. Expect some good practical job-related some of your talent, or it could be that you find circumstances bearing down on you that 44. One of the two male reproductive 40. An esoteric or occult matter that is tra- thoughts and ideas. The ability to communicate with superiors or describe what you see is force you to reorganize and be more conservative. This should all work out just fine. Your glands that produce spermatozoa and ditionally secret. strengthened during this time. Having a big understanding of conceptual and spiritual more reserved qualities serve you well at this time. You may find a kind of romantic wistful- secrete androgens. 47. A loose sleeveless outer garment ideas and knowing just how to present them goes a long way in increasing your populari- ness characterizing your approach to life. This could even mean a longing for a soul mate 45. A member of the Dravidian people liv- made from aba cloth. ty. A neighborhood event finds you on your toes this evening. or a yearning to save the world. ing in southeastern India. 48. Low stingless nettle of Central and 46. Someone who works (or provides South America having velvety brownish- workers) during a strike. green toothed leaves and clusters of small WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 49. A brittle gray crystalline element that green flowers. is a semiconducting metalloid (resembling 51. Having escaped, especially from con- silicon) used in transistors. finement. 50. Other than what is under considera- 53. A coenzyme derived from the B vita- tion or implied. min nicotinic acid. 52. Obvious and dull. 54. A piece of land cleared of trees and 56. A colorless odorless gaseous element usually enclosed. that give a red glow in a vacuum tube. 55. A very poisonous metallic element 58. The visual percept of a region. that has three allotropic forms. 61. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 57. A member of a North American Indian 63. Stem of the rattan palm used for mak- people living around the mouth of the ing canes and umbrella handles. Colorado river. 66. Characteristic of a mob. 59. Fragrant resin obtain from trees of the 71. A city in northwestern Syria. family Burseraceae and used as incense. 72. Of or relating to Oman or its people. 60. A crystalline metallic element not 75. Someone whose business is advertis- found in nature. ing. 62. An uproarious party. 76. The highest level or degree attainable. 64. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising 77. A tricycle (usually propelled by ped- solely the razorbill. alling). 65. A primeval personification of air and 79. American prizefighter who won the breath. world heavyweight championship three 67. A small cake leavened with yeast. times (born in 1942). 68. (Islam) The man who leads prayers in a 80. A sudden short attack. mosque. 81. Genus of beetles whose grubs feed 69. Informal terms for money. mainly on roots of plants. 70. A town in north central Oklahoma. 82. A master's degree in education. 73. A rapid bustling commotion. 74. Game in which matchsticks are DOWN arranged in rows and players alternately 1. A fraudulent business scheme. remove one or more of them. 2. A Chadic language spoken south of 78. A silvery ductile metallic element Lake Chad. found primarily in bauxite. 3. A young horse.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 information

For labor-related inquiries and complaints: INTERNATIONAL Call MSAL hotline 128 CALLS

Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 GOVERNORATE PHARMACY ADDRESS PHONE Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Ahmadi Sama Safwan Fahaeel Makka St 23915883 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Sabah Hospital 24812000 Abu Halaifa Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd 23715414 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Danat Al-Sultan Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Jahra Modern Jahra Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 24575518 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 92 24566622 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Capital Ahlam Fahad Al-Salem St 22436184 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Chest Hospital 24849400 Khaldiya Coop Khaldiya Coop 24833967 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Farwaniya New Shifa Farwaniya Block 40 24734000 Ferdous Coop Ferdous Coop 24881201 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Adan Hospital 23940620 Modern Safwan Old Kheitan Block 11 24726638 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Hawally Tariq Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25726265 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Al-Razi Hospital 24846000 Hana Salmiya-Amman St 25647075 Ikhlas Hawally-Beirut St 22625999 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Physiotherapy Hospital 24874330/9 Hawally & Rawdha Hawally & Rawdha Coop 22564549 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Ghadeer Jabriya-Block 1A 25340559 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Kindy Jabriya-Block 3B 25326554 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Ibn Al-Nafis Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St 25721264 Mishrif Coop Mishrif Coop 25380581 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Kaizen center 25716707 Salwa Coop Salwa Coop 25628241 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Rawda 22517733 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 DAY: 0RQGD\ Issue Time Burundi 00257 New Caledonia 00687 Shuwaikh 24814507 Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Expected Weather for the Next 24 Hours Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Nuzha 22526804 %<'$< 0RVWO\VXQQ\ZLWKOLJKWWRPRGHUDWHQRUWKZHVWHUO\ZLQGZLWKVSHHGRINPK Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 %<1,*+7 &ROGZLWKOLJKWWRPRGHUDWHQRUWKZHVWHUO\ZLQGZLWKVSHHGRINPK Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 WARNING Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 1R&XUUHQW:DUQLQJV China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 STATION 0$;(;3 0,15(& 6)&&+$57 87& Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 .8:$,7&,7< & & Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 .8:$,7$,53257 & & Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 $%'$/< & & Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 %8%<$1 & & Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 -$+5$ & & Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 )$,/$.$,6/$1' & & Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 6$/0,<$+ & & Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 $+0$', & & Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 -8/8,$+3257 & & Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 4$52+,6/$1' & & Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 W Hawally 22630786 800$/0$5$'(0 & & Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 Sabah 24810221 4 DAYS FORECAST El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Jahra 24770319 Temperatures DAY DATE WEATHER Wind Direction Wind Speed Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 New Jahra 24575755 MAX. MIN. Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 West Jahra 24772608 7XHVGD\ 6XQQ\ & & 1:1 NPK Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 :HGQHVGD\ 6XQQ\VFDWWHUHGFORXGV& & 1: NPK Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 7KXUVGD\ 3FORXG\WRFORXG\ & & 1: NPK Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 )ULGD\ &ORXGVWRGHFUHDVH & & 1:95% NPK Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 North Jleeb 24311795 PRAYER TIMES RECORDED YESTERDAY AT KUWAIT AIRPORT Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 Ardhiya 24884079 Fajr MAX. Temp. °C France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Sunrise MIN. Temp. °C Firdous 24892674 French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 Zuhr MAX. RH % French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 Omariya 24719048 Asr MIN. RH % Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 Sunset MAX. Wind km/h N Khaitan 24710044 1: Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 Isha TOTAL RAINFALL IN 24 HR. mm Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Fintas 23900322 All times are local time unless otherwise stated. 83 UTC 9 7 ŵŤŚƀ Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 PRIVATE CLINICS Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Ophthalmologists Plastic Surgeons Paediatricians Endocrinologist Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi 25665898 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Dr. Zahra Qabazard 25710444 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Family Doctor Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Physiotherapists & VD Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Psychiatrists Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Dermatology Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Dr. Mohammed Salam Rheumatologists: Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Bern University 23845955 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dentists Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr Anil Thomas 3729596/3729581 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Internist, Chest & Heart General Practitioners Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 General Surgeons Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Japan 0081 USA 001 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Assistant Professor Of Medicine Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Internists, Chest & Heart Head, Division of Cardiology Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Neurologists Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Consultant Cardiologist Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Urologists Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Farida Al-Habib 2611555-2622555 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Gastrologists MD, PH.D, FACC Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Inaya German Medical Center Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Te: 2575077 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Fax: 25723123 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Soor Center Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Psychologists [email protected] Tel: 2290-1677 Kaizen center Noor Clinic William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 /Psychotherapists www.soorcenter.com Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 25716707 23845955 Lithuania 00370 LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Gossip36 Queen announce New Year’s Eve gig Richie confirms

ueen + Adam Lambert will perform in London on New Year’s Eve. The ‘We Will Glastonbury slot QRock You’ hitmakers are thrilled to be presenting some of their most famous hits at a special show close to Big Ben, both before and after the iconic clock strikes midnight to signal ionel Richie is to perform at Glastonbury next year. The the turning of the year. ‘All Night Long’ hitmaker has confirmed he will follow in Roger Taylor said: “I never imagined we would Lthe footsteps of country singer Dolly Parton by playing be around to usher in the year of 2015, what a in the Legends’ slot at the English music festival next summer. thrill! We promise you a great night.” Brian May He said: “I’m really excited to play Glastonbury next year as it’s added: “OK - Let’s Rock into 2015!” And Adam one of the most iconic festivals in the world.”It has a phenom- has promised the group - whose original front- enal history. The alumni of artists that have previously played man Freddie Mercury died in 1991 - will “kick is incredible, I’m so honored to be joining that club. off” the new year “in style”. He said: “Words can’t ”It will be a really special moment for me and Ican’t wait to describe how excited I am, we are going to kick share it with everyone. I can now say, ‘Yes, I’m playing Glaston- off 2015 in style!” ’Queen + Adam Lambert Rock bury’.” The 65-year-old star - who is playing a number of dates Big Ben Live’ will broadcast live on BBC One in in the UK and Europe next year - is the first act announced for the UK and will take place in the build-up to the 2015 line-up so far. Festival organizer Emily Eavis shared midnight, before continuing after the famous her excitement, saying: “He’s one of the great soul legends. fireworks display along the River Thames. Char- He’s got some incredible songs and I think he will get people lotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, said: “BBC on their feet. There will be a lot of love out there for Lionel.” One will be kicking off 2015 in spectacular style The singer-songwriter previously revealed his interest in play- with an exclusive live concert from rock legends Queen + Adam Lambert ing the festival earlier this year after hearing Dolly had drawn Lionel Richie Queen and Adam Lambert, I hope you join us for a in a crowd of 175,000 people. Other artists rumored to be in night to remember!” talks to perform at Glastonbury next year include Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac and Oasis. Rodgers restoring CHIC recordings Firth wanted to be Bond ile Rodgers is restoring some “lost” CHIC recordings. The 62-year-old musician was given a number of boxes of tapes he olin Firth got tired of waiting to be asked to play James Nfeared were lost forever four years ago, and now he has beaten Bond. The 54-year-old actor portrays a suave secret cancer, he is working hard on recording and reworking the material. Cagent in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ and while he He revealed: “I physically lost our recordings when the studio we’d was attracted to the role because it was similar to the shows worked in for years was sold. This felt worse than death... ”In June 20, Susan Boyle and movies he loved in the 1960s, he joked he took the part 2010, a number of boxes showed up at my house filled with tapes because he had accepted he wasn’t going to be offered the I’d thought were lost forever. ”I felt my original CHIC band had one role of the iconic spy who is currently played by Daniel Craig. more chance to live. A few months later I was stricken with extremely He said: “I think to a very large extent, in terms of style, the severe cancer and I said, ‘Before I die I’m going to do so much music Boyle writing own music character of the spy movies I fell in love with has its roots in that CHIC won’t ever be lost again.’ ”In the last four years I’ve done the 60s. It’s ‘The Man from UNCLE’, it’s the ‘Harry Palmer’ films, more concerts and records than any period of my life. I’m currently it’s John Steed’s ‘Avengers’ and those early Bond films. ”It’s the cancer free and started to work on the lost CHIC tapes, which includes: usan Boyle is learning to write her own songs. The former ‘Britain’s guy in the suit who seems slick and cool and capable and is analog multi-tracks, two-tracks, cassettes and hand-written scores and Got Talent’ star has amassed a £75 million fortune from record- very, very contained but you cross him at your peril. He’ll get lyrics.” And the ‘Le Freak’ star is thrilled with one particular track which Sing albums of cover tracks, but the 53-year-old singer is now keen you with the umbrella or a slick move or a gadget or some- has “everybody” - including former backing vocalist Luther Vandross to pen her own music. A source said: “Susan loves singing but she has thing. It was all that. ”I’d been waiting for the offer on Bond - on the recording. He added on his blog: “Thirty-five years ago the decided that she wants to change direction with the music she is putting for long enough, but it was [director] Matthew Vaughn who original CHIC Organization LTD commercially and spiritually died. The out there and write it herself. So she is learning how it’s done properly. decided that it was a good combination.” The ‘Bridget Jones’ last original surviving members, along with some of my current band ”She will be putting original hits on her seventh album, and she has Diary’ star admits the director only approached him because mates, performed a vocal session on a song that was a CHIC Organiza- already began work on it.”She is taking lots of advice and is being taught he felt he was such a surprising choice for the part. He admit- tion out-take, one of the rare few that exists. The session was perfect. how to do it so it can be the best standard possible for her fans. ”So far ted to SFX magazine: “Matthew limes to take your presump- ”The track has everybody from the 1st CHIC recording session on it, all of the songs she has put out there have been written by others and tions about people and then flip them on their head, so he even Luther Vandross. as much as she wants to continue to belt out songs she loves, she knows came to me and said, ‘I think you’re the last person on Earth There was more love musicians have to evolve. ”Susan is the last person to be motivated by anybody would expect to kick anyone’s ass so I think it would in that room than I’ve money - she doesn’t spend what she’s got already - but her new plan will be a big surprise. But I would like you to do it, so are you up felt in a long time. make her millions.” But Susan - who recently revealed she has found her for it?”—Bang Showbiz ”Maybe, There ‘Is’ Life first boyfriend, a US doctor - isn’t planning a radical change in musi- After Death? (sic)” cal direction as she still wants to keep her existing fanbase happy. The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “She is also looking to find some brilliantly talented singers to collaborate with. Susan knows who her fans are, she’s not looking for a new fan base, she just wants to give them something different.”

Nile Rodgers Kunis and Colin Firth Mel B’s fairy ‘mini-me’ Kutcher have secret cameo in el B has described her ‘Tinker Bell and the Legend of the Nev- Benedict Cumberbatch: erbeast’ character as a “mini-me”. The 39-year-old television Mpersonality “thoroughly enjoyed” voicing the animated fairy I’m not in Star Fury because they share the same “attitude”. She explained: “I’m Mel B - Annie Scary Spice - playing Fury, it kind of suits me. She does have attitude my ila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a secret cameo in ‘Annie’. character, it’s like a little mini-me.” Despite their similarities, Mel admit- The new parents - who welcomed their baby girl Wyatt Wars: ted how she sometimes found it difficult to replicate her feisty cartoon. MIsabelle in September - will reportedly star in a film within Talking in Disney UK’s official YouTube video, Mel said: “You look at a ‘Annie’, called ‘Moonquake Lake’. According to Confident@l, the massive screen of your character saying the lines and you try and match movie’s father figure Will Stacks, played by Jamie Foxx and the titular The Force Awakens your voice to the character ... and that may take a few times.” Mel - who star, played by the 11-year-old actress Quvenzhane Wallis go to the has four daughters, Phoenix Chi, 15, from her first marriage to Jimmy cinema to see the film, where the real-life couple play lovers. Mila, enedict Cumberbatch insists he is not in ‘Star Wars: The Gulzar, seven-year-old Angel Iris from her marriage to Eddie Murphy, 31, and Ashton, 36, will then be confronted by a blue villain, played Force Awakens’ trailer. The 38-year-old film star has and three-year-old Madison with her current husband Stephen Bela- by the pop star Rihanna. ’Back to the Future’ actor Michael J. Fox will laughed off claims that he is the mysterious voice behind fonte, who is father to Mel’s step-daughter Giselle, 10 - revealed that the make a cameo appearance in the film as he endorses the fictional B the most recent trailer for the highly-anticipated science fiction whole family was excited for her new film venture. She said: “I’ve got four mayor of New York City. While ‘Saturday Night Live’ member Bobby film. Benedict confirmed: “I am not the voice of the ‘Star Wars’ girls. They love Tinker Bell. In fact, they have lots of dress-ups. I’m a huge Moynihan stars in the final scene of the movie as a “rude and mouthy trailer, nor am I the hooded character with the rather cool new Disney fan. You name any Disney movie and they’re all good.” The ‘X Fac- bar patron” who makes fun of Will Stacks. The remake of the classic lightsaber.” When asked if he featured in the space opera at all, tor’ judge even joked about her ITV co-stars Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, 1982 film - which originally starred Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan the ‘Sherlock’ star simply told the Radio Times website: “No.” Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, as she mused over which fairy role would and Aileen Quinn as Annie - has been produced by Jay Z and Will Instead, it is thought that ‘Lord of the Rings’ actor Andy Serkis suit them best. Mel said: “If Cheryl was to play a fairy she would be Tinker Smith. Cameron Diaz and Rose Byrne are also set to star in the film, is the man behind “the hood”. According to the website HitFix, Bell. I think Simon Cowell would be the one trying to destroy everyone which is due out in cinemas from December 25. the 50-year-old star is set to play a “pivotal role” in the latest and everything and every land. And Louis would just be the funny one.” ‘Star Wars’ flick. The source shared: “He’s playing a pivotal role in the film, although he will not have a lot of screen time.” Despite his assertion that he doesn’t feature in ‘Star Wars’ Benedict - who recently got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Sophie Hunter, 36 - remained humble when questioned about the award buzz surrounding his new film ‘The Imitation Game’ as he insisted he was simply “excited” to have more people hear about his character Alan Turing’s legacy as a World War II code breaker. He shared: “[I am] thrilled for the film and, you know, any kind of buzz around it, for any other reason, is just [...] people being in- trigued to see the film. ”That’s really exciting for me, because the only thing that matters is that his story and the legacy of his name is brought to a wider audience and that seems to be happening.” Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Benedict Cumberbatch Mel B LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Music37 & Movies

China jails Tibetan singer for political lyrics hina has sentenced a popular Tibetan singer to four years in prison for calling on Tibetans to People Magazine publishes Cunify and speak their language, reports said, highlighting tight cultural controls in the region. Kalsang Yarphel, 39, was convicted by a court in the Douglas’ southwestern province of Sichuan after taking part in concerts encouraging people to speak and learn Ti- betan, India-based news website Phayul.com reported pre-written obituary Sunday. “Authorities accuse him of singing songs that have political overtones,” Phayul.com reported, adding eople Magazine accidentally published its pre- that Yarphel’s music arranger was also sentenced to written obituary for Kirk Douglas on Sunday two years in jail. Pnight. It’s not uncommon for major publications It was not clear what crime the long-haired sing- to write their elaborate obituaries in advance, and er—who blends traditional Tibetan instrumentation People Magazine clearly didn’t mean to run the story with pop influences—was convicted of last Thursday. as evident from the “DO NOT PUB” in the headline. Still, US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Asia (RFA) cited a “Spartacus” and his family members can’t be happy. local source as saying: “He was indicted for organizing Douglas, who turns 98 next week, isn’t the first ce- Tibetan concerts and singing songs... carrying political lebrity ‘death’ botched by People. In 1982, Abe Vigoda themes.” was erroneously referred to as “the late Abe Vigoda” Yarphel’s songs included “We Should Learn Ti- in People Magazine, which became a running joke betan” and “We Should Unite”, RFA reported, adding about Vigoda on talk shows like “Late Night with Conan that he was detained last year. The concerts were in O’Brien.” Vigoda is, of course, still alive. Bloomberg 2012, the reports said. The singer’s call for Tibetans to made a similar obituary gaffe when it published news “build courage” to think about Tibet’s “future path” was of Steve Jobs’ death in 2008 three years before the deemed subversive by Chinese authorities, RFA added. Apple co-founder’s actually passing in 2011. The editors Wary of any challenge to its rule, Beijing tightly con- of Bloomberg quickly posted a retraction and apolo- trols cultural and religious practices in Tibet, and many gized for the mistake. So far, no mea culpa from People Tibetans complain of economic discrimination. Magazine’s editors. Douglas’ reps could not be reached Controls have tightened since a wave of deadly for comment.—Reuters Kalsang Yarphel riots in Tibet’s capital Lhasa in 2008. Beijing says it has brought economic development to poverty-stricken dying. China says that the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader making reports hard to confirm. Authorities in Sichuan Tibetan areas, and that it grants broad religious free- the Dalai Lama has encouraged the immolations, and province could not be reached for comment.—AP doms. At least 130 Tibetans have set themselves on fire has warned foreign governments against meeting with since 2009 in protest at Beijing’s rule, with most of them him. Beijing heavily restricts journalists in Tibetan areas,

‘Penguins of Madagascar’ continues DreamWorks animation’s stock woes effrey Katzenberg likely can’t wait to put 2014 in the rear view mirror. By almost any measurement—box office, stock market, public image—it’s been an Jannus horribilis for the DreamWorks Animation chief and the studio he built. The company’s latest big screen venture, “Penguins of Madagascar,” stumbled in its US debut last week, earning $35 million over the five day Thanksgiving holiday. It had been expected to earn between $45 million to $48 million. In response, shares of DreamWorks plunged more than 9% on Monday morning. “Movies are going to be the driving factor with their stock price and the movie business is often very hit or miss and they seem to have gotten it wrong several times now,” said Marla Backer, an analyst with Ascendiant Capital Markets. The disappointing performance of the “Madagascar” spin-off underscores the vulner- ability that DreamsWorks Animation faces as a publicly traded company that fields Kirk Douglas only two or three film releases annually. The company has tried to diversify by moving more heavily into television, new media and consumer products, but each time one of its movies opens, its stock is liable to rise or fall based on the result. Walker’s Among the company’s 2014 releases, “How to Train Your Dragon 2” made $618.8 million, but “Mr Peabody & Sherman” resulted in a $57 million write down. ‘Fast & Furious’ The film failures indicate that DreamWorks Animation’s approach to family fare, one that combines pop culture references, emotional uplift and a few fart jokes, co-stars pay tribute on one may not be resonating as strongly as it once did. At the same time, the animation market has grown more competitive, with Universal’s Illumination Entertainment and Fox’s Blue Sky Studios fielding hits such as “Despicable Me” and “Ice Age,” and year anniversary of his death Walt Disney Animation undergoing a renaissance with the likes of “Frozen” and “Big Hero 6.” Gone are the days where DreamWorks Animation and Pixar carved up the animation pie between themselves.

Whiff of desperation The need to get bigger and to guard against market fluctuations prompted Kat- zenberg to begin shopping around his company this year. That strategy backfired, however, when word of two potential mergers were leaked to the press, scuttling DreamWorks Animation’s potential sale to first Japanese tech giant SoftBank and later toymaker Hasbro. Each failed deal gave Katzenberg a whiff of desperation, damaging his clout on Wall Street. Over the past year, DreamWorks Animation’s stock price has fallen steadily. It kicked off the year trading at $35.30 and opened Monday at $22.35. It’s too early to write off “Penguins of Madagascar,” but with a production budget of $132 million plus tens of millions in promotion and advertising costs, it unday was an emotional day for the “Fast & will lean heavily on foreign audiences in order to push it into the black. So far, the Furious” cast, as it marks the one-year anniver- film has done respectable business abroad, earning $36 million, with several major Ssary of the death of their co-star, Paul Walker. territories left to open. Should “Penguins of Madagascar” fail, it will become the The actor died Nov 30, 2013, in a car crash at the age fourth of DreamWorks Animation’s past six films to lose money. of 40, leaving behind his teenage daughter Meadow, his parents, two sisters and two brothers. Walker’s Tendency to overreact “Fast & Furious” co-stars, including Vin Diesel and AC/DC’s Young That was a fate that the studio had tried to avoid when it moved “Home,” an ad- Tyrese Gibson, reached out via social media to post aptation of the children’s book “The True Meaning of Smekday,” out of the Thanks- remembrances of the late actor. giving slot and into next year and replaced it with “Penguins.” The hope was that Diesel posted a photo of Walker and Diesel’s six- says brother’s dementia “Penguins,” with its ties to the “Madagascar” franchise, would be better able to year-old daughter. “He was a part of so much in my compete during the competitive holiday. The best thing working in “Penguins of life... long personal talks with my mother or babysit- Madagascar’s” favor is that there isn’t another major family film hitting until “Night ting the Alpha Angel... he took a certain pride in being evident six years ago at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” debuts on December 17. That gives Dream- uncle Pablo,” Diesel wrote. Works Animation time to establish its film as the de facto choice for parents. “As Diesel has previously opened up about the pain of analysts we have a tendency to overreact a bit to opening numbers, and it is true losing his good friend. He once wrote, “I will always C/DC guitarist Angus Young says he first noticed something amiss with broth- that films in the holidays can play and have longer legs,” said Backer. love you Brian” on his Facebook page, referring to er Malcolm six years ago, and his dementia worsened until he could no longer The problem is that DreamWorks Animation’s strategy is to mix original films Walker’s character in the “Fast & Furious” fran- remember his own songs. Malcolm Young, 61, who co-founded the veteran A with sequels and spin-offs to its core franchises. The failure of “Penguins,” which is a chise. Ludacris posted a photo of Walker on Instagram, Australian band that went to become one of the biggest grossing groups of all time, spin-off to the company’s blockbuster “Madagascar” series, exposes some cracks in saying that he couldn’t believe it had been a year retired this year and is now believed to be in a Sydney care facility. Angus Young said that plan and raises questions about how much the company is worth. “If someone since his death. “Always in our hearts,” he wrote. “Can’t he first noticed something was wrong when they were recording their last album, is looking to buy this company, the value Jeffrey Katzenberg is going to get just believe it’s been a year already. You spirit will be felt in “Black Ice”, in 2008, a record that shot to the top of the charts in 31 countries. took a haircut,” said Eric Wold, an analyst with B. Riley and Company.—Reuters volumes across the world forever #fast7april3rd #rip” “When we were writing songs together, me and him, then, it was noticeable,” Gibson posted a photo of himself with Walker. “A he told ABC television in an interview yesterday. “It was just strange things, you celebration of Paul William Walker will be echoed know? I mean, memory things. “Malcolm was always very organized (so) it was kind around the world.... In this life one would hope to be of strange,” he added. “For the first time I’d seen him disorganized, being confused this “effective” 1 year ago today God called an angel about a lot of things. That’s when it kind of, you know, hit me. Something was not home early.... I miss my brother I miss my friend and I right with him.” Angus said he spoke to Malcolm, telling him he did not need to keep miss OUR STAR!!!!! Physically gone but forever alive in going if he did not feel up to it. our minds, hearts and spirit,” he wrote. “And he said ‘no I’ll keep going, you know, until I can’t’,” he said, adding that even- “What was once tears of pain and shock are now tually his brother could no longer remember his own songs. Despite the setback, tears of JOY celebrating all that you stood for,” Gibson the high-voltage group decided to stay together, which was Malcolm’s wish, and goes on. “Everyone worldwide please take 5 mins out they have a new album, “Rock or Bust”, out this week and a world tour scheduled for of your day to send live, prayers and energy to Paul’s 2015. “He said ‘keep making music’,” lead singer Brian Johnson said of Malcolm Young family his daughter Meadow and immediate circle when he knew he could no longer continue. “Without any of that sympathy stuff, you today will be a tough day for us.... To this day his arm is know, there was none of that stuff around. still around my neck with love and protection..... Rest “And he just said to keep doing it. That’s the way he talked -- (he was a) straight in heaven....” Michelle Rodriguez tweeted about Walker, shooter. So we did, and it was great.” The band hired Young’s cousin Stevie as his tagging Reach out Worldwide, the foundation that replacement. Since then they have had to deal with another crisis after drummer Phil Walker founded to help those in need after disaster. Rudd was arrested in New Zealand and charged with threatening to kill and posses- Walker died while on hiatus from shooting the seventh sion of cannabis and methamphetamine. Under New Zealand law, threatening to kill installment in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, “Furi- can attract a seven-year sentence and it remains unclear whether he can continue This image released by DreamWorks Animation shows Agent Classified, voiced ous 7,” in what would become his final film. It’s set to with the band. The Young brothers founded AC/DC in Sydney in 1973, and it has by Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Skipper, voiced by Tom McGrath in a scene hit theaters April 3, 2015.—Reuters gone on to sell more than 200 million albums.—AFP from, “The Penguins of Madagascar.”—AP LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Features38 Chinese farmer finds new life in an Blenders orange submarine Pride Fashion Farmer Tan Yong preparing his home-made submarine Tour 2014 for a dive.

Farmer Tan Yong and a friend after they surfaced in his home-made submarine.

n the village where he was born, a Chinese chicken breeder emerged from a lake of green to tell of his life beneath the waves in a homemade orange subma- Irine. Tan Yong bolted together his two-tonne craft, christened the “Happy Lamb” after a popular cartoon character, in just nine months and has steered it down to depths of eight meters. The 44-year-old is one of the growing ranks of rural Chinese do-it-yourself in- ventors whose individualism contrasts with the collective farming of past decades. This photo shows batteries and gas bottle in farmer In his electric vessel, gauges and air pressure dials were screwed to the cabin wall Tan Yong’s home-made submarine, before a dive above plastic piping that would look appropriate beneath a kitchen sink, while on Danjiangkou reservoir, in China’s central Hubei handwritten operating instructions were stuck up with sticky tape. Electric cables province. —AFP photos spewed from an array of fuseboxes, and a gas canister was positioned on the floor. “This is the air pump, it’s used for going up and down,” Tan explained, adding nonchalantly: “I haven’t installed any kind of escape device.” Tan was born just two years after the Beatles released their 1968 hit Yellow Submarine, but he grew up in rural poverty and says he does not know any songs about colored underwater vessels. At a national level China has increasing naval ambitions and Tan, who makes his living selling chickens, first hatched the idea of building a submarine two years ago, launching a prototype in March. “I never studied this in school, I’ve based everything on my imagination,” he said. “I can stay underwater for 45 minutes.” He scraped an extra layer of sealant around the portholes before waving cheer- ily as he closed the hatch, emblazoned with a red Communist-style star. The craft—powered by five car batteries—chugged away from the banks of the Danjiangkou reservoir, with a friend aboard and many more of them cheering as they looked on from beneath a grove of orange trees. The engine whirred and bubbles rippled the lake’s still surface as it gently descended, leaving a barely visible outline before disappearing entirely. But his mother stayed away from the demonstration. “He’s had a habit of making things since he was small. Toys, boats, model guns and things like that,” said Wang Mingfeng, 65. “I don’t dare to watch, I’m too scared it’s unsafe.”

‘Peasant Da Vincis’ Launching himself into the life aquatic, Tan is one of a number of amateur in- ventors—dubbed “Peasant Da Vincis”—who have in recent years bashed together homemade planes, helicopters and even tanks, apparently with little consideration of practical value. They include a hairdresser from Zhejiang province, who built a one-seater aeroplane with wheels from a motorized wheelchair and a seat scav- enged from a go-kart. In late 2012 a farmer in Hebei province grabbed worldwide headlines ahead of the supposed Mayan apocalypse with a range of “survival pods” hewn from fiberglass. This year, the creations took a military turn when Jian Lin, a 31-year-old farmer, drove a homemade tank through a village in Sichuan province. Tao Xiangli, a young man from a remote spot in eastern Anhui province who now lives in the capital, blazed a trail into the depths in 2010 with a home-made submarine featured in a Shanghai exhibition on the work of eight rural tinkerers. “They are determined and fearless, in that they are not afraid of mockery from others,” the show’s curator, artist Cai Guo-qiang told AFP. “People in the countryside under the Communist regime used to collectively work and live together, and there was no room for individualism,” he added. “The emergence of peasant Da Vincis also implies that the creativity of peasants in China is slowly taking shape and gaining traction.” Models showcase ‘Crushed like plastic’ creations A silence hung over the lake in Hubei province as Tan lingered undetectable to by designer those on the shore. Tan’s underwater journeys have not always been smooth, and Suneet he told earlier of a scary moment eight meters down. “There’s a lot of water pres- Varme sure on the steel panels, they were crushed like a plastic bottle,” he said. “I was very during the nervous. And then there was a large banging sound. “I can guarantee its safe down Blenders to 10 meters. After that, it’s uncertain.” But minutes after diving, the submarine’s red star broke surface again, and Tan Pride Fash- reemerged. “No problem!” he said with a grin. He has commandeered a shed out- ion Tour 2014 in side his parents’ ramshackle farmhouse as a personal workshop, where scrap metal Mumbai. litters the dirt floors. Tan claims materials for the submarine cost him just 30,000 yuan ($5,000), though admits the time spent on its construction put strains on his marriage. “If I make another submarine, I will get down to 30 or 50 meters without any problems, I’ll just make the steel a bit thicker,” he said. But his eight-year- old son Tan Junfeng added a note of skepticism. “Our family doesn’t have much money, and Dad’s spent it all,” he said. “So I don’t think he’ll be making another Art, luxury one.”—AFP

itting at a restaurant table looking out over a renowned California-based street artist Shepard Fairey. and $1 million. Miami’s real estate market has been domi- courtyard of street art murals, real estate developer Most of the developers are New York firms hoping to nated by Europeans and Latin Americans looking for a SJessica Goldman Srebnick muses about her vision of repeat the success of urban renewal in SoHo, the Meat- place to park their money, said Jonathon Yormak, whose a creative, cultural image for Miami, a city long vilified for packing district and Brooklyn. company, East End Capital, plans to build a mixed-use vice and frivolity. “We like to think of ourselves as roman- project in Wynwood with one- and two-bedroom rental brands tic developers,” said Goldman Srebnick, 44, describing the Gangs to galleries apartments in the $1,300 to $2,500 a month range. role of her transplanted New York family in the transfor- Not so long ago, city officials dared not set foot in “Now they are coming here to work,” he said. Next mation of Wynwood, a once-derelict area of warehouses the gang-infested area, said former Miami mayor Manny door in the Design District, a metamorphosis is taking north of Miami’s downtown, into one of the hippest Diaz. “My cops looked at me, like pale, and said ‘Mr Mayor, place as 12 square blocks of old furniture warehouses give Miami urban revivals in the United States. we’re not sure we should take you over there,’” he said, have been torn down to make way for luxury brand As thousands of wealthy contemporary art enthusiasts recalling the time after his 2001 election. Today Wyn- stores, from Cartier and Louis Vuitton to Hermès and descend on Miami Beach for the annual Art Basel fair this wood is billed as the largest open-air art museum in the Valentino. districts hip week, on the other side of the Biscayne Bay, the streets world. In September, it was named by Vogue magazine Chicago real estate investment firm General Growth of Wynwood - above all its graffiti-art walls - will likely as one of 15 of “the globe’s hippest neighborhoods.” “It Properties and New York-based Ashkenazy Acquisition garner as much attention from visitors. Much as South starts with creative people, fresh ideas, positive energy Corp paid $280 million in October for a 20 percent stake makeover Beach rose from the ashes two decades ago to become and smart fun - so that’s where people want to be,” said in the Design District Associates, a partnership between a popular tourist destination, Miami’s new “Uptown” Sonny Bazbaz of New York-based Bazbaz Development, local developer Dacra and L Real Estate, a subsidiary of neighborhoods, covering about 100 square blocks, are which has a $110 million retail and residential project in French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. “Everyone said being rapidly gentrified by a mix of luxury retailers and Wynwood. you could never bring South Beach to Miami. Then the apartment buildings, as well as tech innovators, brewer- Though it currently has barely 1,000 residents, that is idea of Art Basel came up,” said Craig Robins, founder ies, bakeries, and restaurants. set to change. “We’re reinventing a city,” said Albert Gar- of Dacra and one of the early pioneers of South Beach. The Miami makeover began after artists began paint- cia, 37, a Wynwood business leader who runs a fashion Starting in December, 50 new high-end luxury stores will ing Wynwood’s walls a decade ago, with the encourage- footwear firm. “We’re becoming residential. People want open in the Design District, with still more in the works. ment of local developers, led by Goldman Srebnick’s late to live here, play here, eat here.” “It’s going to put it up there with Madison Avenue and father, New Yorker Tony Goldman, a pioneer in the revival Property prices have soared. A single-family home in Rodeo Drive,” said Robins.—Reuters of New York’s SoHo district. Several major contemporary Wynwood bought in 2011 for $35,999 was purchased art collectors set up shop there, adding to Wynwood’s in early 2014 for $700,000 by a developer, according to hipster appeal. “The concentration of public art in Wyn- property records. New apartments in neighboring Mid- wood and rippling out from there is unprecedented,” said town and Edgewater sell for anywhere between $350,000 LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 Features39 Tenement Museum uses novel way to teach English

French actor Delon

Educator Pedro Garcia, second auctions arms collection from right, accompanied by immigrants of Shared Journeys, a workshop in English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL.

Immigrants participating in Shared Journeys, run by the Tenement Museum, on New York’s Lower East Side, leave the venue after class.—AP photos

he actress playing a real-life teenage immigrant in 1916 never stepped out of Jennifer Call, the Rescue Committee’s family education coordinator, said her character as she talked about the hardships of living in three small rooms with groups sometimes start off shy but that the interactive experience gets them Tnine family members. Her captive audience of 11 — squeezed into her tiny talking. “Field trips like this really bring the class together,” she said. Before visiting apartment at the historic Tenement Museum in lower Manhattan — were immi- Victoria’s first-floor apartment along a dim, dilapidated hallway, the group gathered grants themselves, some recently arrived in New York City from Venezuela, Mali and in a visitor’s center classroom. There a museum worker gave a short history on Vic- other far-flung nations. The group, representing eight countries, spent several hours toria’s family and her job sewing aprons and introduced them to unfamiliar vocabu- one recent morning at a workshop that uses the museum’s exhibitions of authen- lary words like “tenement” and “homesick” before inviting them to share their own tic former tenants’ apartments to help the recent immigrants build their language stories. Later they reconvened in the classroom for further discussion on topics that skills. touched on religious freedom and education. Called Shared Journeys, the workshops in English for Speakers of Other Languag- The classes are adjusted according to the level of English proficiency but always es, or ESOL, encourage participants to imagine life in the tenement and to share focus on the museum’s mission of connecting immigrants of today with immigrants and compare their own experiences to those of the early Irish, Italian, Jewish and of the past. They’re popular with dozens of organizations and language schools that German immigrants. Voytek Chachlowski, 55, who came to the US from Poland 20 offer English as a second language. The adult program recently expanded to include A picture shows the Winchester rifle used by Steve years ago, said he could easily relate to 14-year-old Victoria Confino’s story of living high school and middle school students. The museum offers 150 workshops and McQueen in “Wanted: Dead or Alive”. —AFP in cramped conditions. When he first arrived he had to “share two rooms and one averages about 1,700 participants a year. Victoria’s story is one of six interactive ex- rench film star Alain Delon was yesterday to bathroom with seven people.” periences at the museum, each providing an opportunity to discuss social and civic auction off scores of antique weapons, including The program is one of many immersive experiences at the museum located in issues of the day that still resonate today. a Winchester rifle from the 1950s US hit series a restored 4-story tenement building on the Lower East Side that housed 7,000 They include the 1935 apartment of Rosaria and Adolpho Baldizzi who came to F “Wanted: Dead or Alive” presented to him by Steve working class immigrants between 1863 and 1935. Seven of the original apartments the US during the height of the first immigration restrictions. Discussions some- McQueen. The sale will consist of 80 lots of weapons are restored, complete with drab furnishings, peeling wallpaper and laundry strung times focus on what it means to be “American.” Or visitors can choose to go to the and souvenirs collected over the years by the veteran over a coal stove; three others have been intentionally left as they were when the 1897 apartment of the Levine family who ran a small garment factory in their home. actor, who said recently that he had been “collecting building was condemned in 1935. They later talk about the conditions in factories and the larger issue of acceptable everything all my life.” The 30-calibre Winchester Model working conditions. 1892 wielded with devastating speed by gunslinger Costumed interpreters Raul Betancourt, 39, like others attending the workshop, thought life for immi- Josh Randall played by McQueen in the 1950s Western Kathleen Fletcher played Victoria, whose family came from Greece, for the visiting grants was easier today. He quickly found an apartment through the Internet after was expected to fetch between 2,000 and 3,000 euros group from the International Rescue Committee, an organization that helps refu- coming from Venezuela two months ago. “Technology makes a big difference,” he ($2,500 to $3,700). gees resettle. She’s one of 15 “costumed interpreters” who bring to life the stories of said.—AP Delon is also selling a Colt Frontier 1873 pistol, which the tenement’s residents. “It gets to the heart of the museum mission most immedi- he used in the 1971 Western “Red Sun” starring Charles ately, revealing the challenges of people of the past, present and future,” she said. Bronson. But the most valuable piece was expected to Kathleen Fletcher, be a rare Holland .465 calibre double rifle that could portraying 14-year- fetch as much as 40,000 euros. “It turns out that, at my old tenement age ... I have accumulated a mountain of stuff. Rather resident Victoria than leave these weapons to my children, I’d rather Confino, talks with leave them money,” Delon said in a recent interview in immigrants during Le Figaro magazine. “Sometimes I see ‘Jean Marais, post- Shared Journeys. humous sale’. I can assure you you’ll never see a ‘Alain Delon posthumous sale’,” said the 79-year-old. Arnaud Cornette, who runs the auction house that will sell the Kathleen Fletcher, sec- collection, said: “These are not cops’ and robbers’ weap- ond from right, portray- ons but a journey into a passion of Alain Delon.” ing 14-year-old tene- Delon “built up his weapons collection with the same ment resident Victoria rigour, the same passion, the same high standards as he Confino, talks with im- did with his other collections of paintings, sculptures, migrants during Shared drawings, watches or wine,” said Cornette. “Certain lots Journeys. are genuine works of art and will be coveted by collectors the world over,” he added.—AFP Business is more exquisite at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa oing business is a pleasure at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, where intelligently-designed function Dspace, attentive conference services professionals and state-of-the-art conference equipment are presented in comfortable surroundings of an oceanfront resort. Set amidst lush gardens and beaches overlooking the Arabian Sea, Manama city and Bahrain Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa offers guests a tranquil oasis for business meetings while being conveniently located only eleven kilometers drive from Bahrain International Airport and three kilometers from Manama. The city offers traditional Arabic hospitality and excellent facilities as incentive and conference destination. The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa boasts the finest conference venues in the Middle East. The 245-room resort offers over 3,750 square meters of meeting, conference and banqueting facilities including a 1,195 square meter ballroom, a second 858 square meter ballroom, and four additional individual meeting rooms. The Grand Foyer, a spacious 1,428 square meters of marble lined pre-function space, is beautiful- ly accented by panoramic floor to ceiling windows. The resort can accommodate conferences for up to 1,000 people, yet the hotel retains its sense of intimate elegance, with its many secluded seating areas providing privacy and comfort. Both ballrooms are equipped with advanced meeting room technology such as a sophisticated lighting system, enabling the user to control and program lighting patterns. The extensive meeting space comprises of the following venues: The conference facilities are complemented by a team of dedicated conference services professionals, who are able to work in partnership with meeting planners to create truly memorable events. They work side by side with the organizer throughout every phase of the meeting. The Business Centre is conveniently located in the lobby next to the reception, and is equipped with competent professionals eager to help with technical assistance, equipment rental and secretarial services. The folio of services includes as well a Boarding Pass Printing Station that allows guests to check-in to their airline flights and print boarding passes without leaving the surroundings of the hotel; and avoiding lengthy queues at the airport. The hotel’s Technology Butler is also on-call 24 hours. French actor Delon auctions arms collection

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 39 Children and Christians sing during a lighting ceremony of Christmas tree at Seoul City Hall Plaza, South Korea, Saturday.—AP

A whole lot of Nearly 4,000 tie the knot

t was Rio’s biggest mass wedding: a total of 1,960 cou- afford to marry if they had to pay for licenses and banquet loveples who exchanged vows Sunday in a hall next to inthe halls. The megacrowd Rio gathered in the venue which is often Ifamous Maracana stadium. The big event brought out used for major concerts, couples tied the knot and friends a whopping 12,000 people, between brides and grooms, took in a concert by samba star Dudu Nobre. Guests also friends and family and authorities—including a pack of got a free ride on local trains—nicknamed the “I Do Day judges, a Catholic priest and an evangelical Christian pas- Train” just for the occasion.—AFP tor. Dubbed “I Do Day,” the event was sponsored by authorities to encourage many people who might not be able to

People gather at the Macazinho stadium, next to the famous Maracana, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where 1,960 couples are getting married in a collective civil marriage ceremony.—AFP photos