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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SAFAR 25, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Kuwait believes Australian Bush dynasty Small Qatar in Egypt’s hostage-taker launches the big ability to face had violent, latest US new player challenges3 unsettled7 past presidential13 bid in18 sport Carnage as Taleban storm Min 13º Max 24º Peshawar school, kill 141 High Tide 07:31 & 19.55 Low Tide Victims of Pakistan’s bloodiest attack mostly children 01:50 & 13:14 40 PAGES NO: 16375 150 FILS

PESHAWAR: Taleban insurgents stormed an army-run from the editor’s desk school in Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 141 people, almost all of them children, in Pakistan’s bloodiest ever Not in our name terror attack. Survivors described how the militants went from room to room shooting children as young as 12 dur- ing the eight-hour onslaught at the Army Public School By Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan in the northwestern city of Peshawar. The attack, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) as revenge for a major military offensive in the region, was condemned [email protected] by the US, UN and major Western powers as well as Pakistan’s arch-rival India. The Pakistani government and military reaffirmed am at a loss for words to describe the Taleban car- their determination to defeat the TTP, which has killed nage yesterday at a school in Peshawar. The mer- thousands since it began its insurgency in 2007. Chief Iciless slaughter of dozens of innocent children is military spokesman General Asim Bajwa said 132 stu- beyond anything the human mind can comprehend. Whatever issues the Taleban have with the govern- See Pages 10 &11 ment, indiscriminately killing defenseless students and teachers is beyond the pale. dents and nine staff were killed, and 125 wounded. This What did these monsters think they would gain exceeds the 139 killed in blasts targeting former prime by this senseless bloodletting? Definitely not sympa- minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi in 2007. thy for their cause! This heinous massacre has only Teenage survivor Shahrukh Khan described his narrow resulted in alienating the long-suffering Pakistani escape from the militants as they rampaged through the masses, deepening their disgust and revulsion school, hunting for people to kill. The 16-year-old said he against the Taleban, who claim to be fighting for jus- and his classmates ducked below their desks when four tice. gunmen burst into their room. “I saw a pair of big black The Taleban also claim to be fighting in the name boots coming towards me, this guy was probably hunt- of Islam - is this what Islam teaches? Is this the brand ing for students hiding beneath the benches,” Khan told of Islam they want to impose on Pakistan and the AFP from the trauma ward of the city’s Lady Reading rest of the region? In every religion, society and cul- Hospital. Khan decided to play dead after being shot in ture, the rules of war forbid the killing of women and both legs, stuffing his tie into his mouth to stifle his children. After years of bombing girls’ schools and screams. “The man with big boots kept on looking for killing polio workers, the Taleban yesterday shat- PESHAWAR: A Pakistani man carries an injured student at a hospital following an attack by Taleban gunmen students and pumping bullets into their bodies. tered every rule in the book, and this may be a turn- on a school yesterday. — AFP Continued on Page 13 ing point in the bloody recent history of Pakistan. Also, coming on the heels of a siege in Sydney by a so-called Islamist radical, incidents like these only help reinforce anti-Muslim stereotypes in the minds Kuwaiti ship’s of the world. Islam is being held hostage - literally - by extremist groups and individuals who are doing a captain held great disservice to Muslims by tarnishing the image of our peaceful religion and fanning the flames of CAIRO: The captain and first officer of a Kuwaiti con- Islamophobia around the world by their killings and tainer ship have been detained for four days after their beheadings. The fact that most victims of such terri- ship collided with a fishing vessel in the Red Sea, killing ble atrocities are Muslims proves that these godless 13 Egyptians, a public prosecutor said yesterday. The terrorists have no religion and only seek to further prosecutor said on Monday that initial enquiries their own perverted ideologies. showed the fishing boat had capsized following the Let us all unite and strongly condemn these collision with the Kuwaiti ship, which had just passed through the Suez Canal on its way south. The prosecu- mindless acts against innocents. We have had tor is also questioning the rest of the container ship’s enough of this bloodshed done in our name. crew about the collision. — Reuters Bourses battered as oil falls OPEC will not step in: Kuwait • IMF upbeat KUWAIT: A fresh wave of panic sell- investors are not rational anymore,” ing wiped out $49 billion of stock said Sebastien Henin, head of asset market value across the Gulf Arab management at The National economies yesterday as the price of Investor in Abu Dhabi. Since OPEC Brent crude oil dropped below $60 a decided to maintain its production barrel for the first time since 2009. unchanged on November 27 and oil The stock market losses came on top prices dived, all seven of the Gulf of over $200 billion of value already bourses have been hit hard. Dubai destroyed since the end of October. has dived 31.5 percent, the Saudi Most of the frenzied selling has been bourse is down 19.2 percent and by retail investors who fear govern- Abu Dhabi stocks have fallen 18.9 ments will cut spending in line with percent. The Qatar exchange has falling oil revenues. dropped 17.1 percent, Oman has lost The falls in some markets, particu- Ali Al-Omair 15.3 percent and Kuwait has shed larly Dubai, were reminiscent of below the key 3,000-point mark. The 11.7 percent. The tiny Bahrain bourse sharp dives seen in the aftermath of DFM Index closed down 7.3 percent has lost less than five percent. the 2008 global financial crisis and on 3,083.69 points, a 12-month low. “The reason for the fall is very the Dubai foreign debt crunch. The Heavyweight Emaar properties and clear - the steep decline in oil prices Dubai Financial Market led the way construction giant Arabtec lost the helped by a pessimistic outlook for in a free fall, shedding more than maximum allowed 10 percent. Many the world economy,” senior Saudi eight percent during trading - the other stocks did the same. economist Abdulwahab Abu- biggest single-day loss in more than “We are in the panic mode now, Dahesh said. five years - but resisted dropping there is no more support and Continued on Page 13 Mudej grilling fizzles out By B Izzak alleged administrative and financial irregularities and the situation of KUWAIT: The debate of the grilling the Kuwait Stock Exchange. against Minister of Commerce and Mudej said after the grilling that Industry Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej he was prepared to face a grilling ended yesterday without a no-con- every week provided a similar fidence motion, meaning that the “democratic environment” is guar- minister survived without any polit- anteed. He stressed that he has ical consequences. At the end of answered the issues raised in the the debate that lasted about five grilling with complete transparency hours, a number of MPs submitted and clarity. MP Abdullah Al-Turaiji, a list containing 15 recommenda- Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej who submitted the request to grill tions calling on the minister to revise and follow up the minister, produced scores of documents and comments made by the Audit Bureau, follow up the showed footage to prove a large number of allega- affairs of the free trade zone and study the subject of tions against the minister, who was a senior member food subsidies in addition to studying a number of Continued on Page 13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 LOCAL

Zain concludes partnership with Knowledge Club 2014

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommuni- initiative. Mariam Ali, Zain’s Chief cations company in Kuwait, announced Commercial Officer, received a token of the successful conclusion of its lead Vigor Events’ appreciation on behalf of sponsorship of the Knowledge Club 2014 Zain with the attendance of the compa- in line with its continuous ‘Zain ny’s Human Resources Director, Nawal KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Knowledge Conference’ initiative. The Bourisli. of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, accompanied by Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri. The meeting series of events, which were held from The conference was also attended by was attended by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.— KUNA May - December 2014, were organized a group of local and international by Vigor Events and hosted an array of experts who shared their experiences in local and international business experts. the challenging world of business, and Zain’s support of this initiative was highlighted the role played by innova- Amir patronizes Sheikh Salem inspired by the company’s desire to offer tion in the development of individual its employees additional skills and capa- skills and corporations. The industry bilities. Emerging from its Human leaders also spoke of the role of success- Al-Ali Informatics Award session Resources strategy of equipping its staff ful leadership in elevating businesses. A with the most appropriate training pro- panel discussion was held, in which Dr KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah “[Sasson] has made a brilliant develop- December that year, he succeeded in taking grams, ‘Zain Knowledge Conference’ has Saad Al-Barrak, Executive Chairman of Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will patronize ment, with which we have been interacting the first digital photo with a prototype cam- seen the company’s partnership with the ILA Group; Tarek Al-Dowaisan, Professor and attend a ceremony honoring winners of these days,” Sheikha Aida said, alluding to the era he had personally assembled. The success Knowledge Club that incorporated the of Industrial and Management Systems the HH Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah wide-spread usage of the digital camera and nudged him to seek other photographing implementation of several training Engineering at Kuwait University; Fahad Informatics Award in its 14th session. The related smart applications. inventions. courses and interactive workshops tack- Al-Baqer, Business Leadership event takes place today at Bayan Palace. Sheikha Aida also praised the genius cre- Advising amateur inventors, Sasson said ling several important facets such as dis- Consultant; Faten Al-Naqeeb, Board Kuwait has honored the internationally- ativity of the American scientist, also noting they should adopt an open-minded covering areas of creativity within Member at ACICO Industries Company renowned inventor of the digital camera that this invention has paved away for a vari- approach, be courageous enough to admit employees in managerial positions; Kuwait; and Phil Bedford, Managing Steven J Sasson in line with a policy designed ety of creations in the electronic and smart errors in their initial designs. Elaborating, he enhancing leadership and interpersonal Director & Master Franchise at the to encourage creativity and motivate Arab realms. Moreover, she expressed gratitude to opined that teaching must not be restricted skills; motivating employees on a per- Referral Institute, took part in discussing and foreign inventors of record creative His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al- to gathering knowledge, and should aim at sonal and professional level; as well as important aspects related to being suc- works. Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness encouraging creativity too. Although many developing customer service and team- cessful in business. Zain’s lead partner- Sheikha Aida Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chief of the National Guards Sheikh Salem Al- inventors do not have university degrees, they work. ship with Knowledge Club is part of the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of His Ali Al-Sabah, for their support that put the have made historic accomplishments, based The successful conclusion of the year- company’s vision to support the devel- Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah institution among the competing ones inter- on their personal experimentations. long Knowledge Club included a closing opment of human resources to the bene- Informatics Award, which honored the nationally. The American inventor thanked the conference entitled ‘Learn from the Best’. fit of the wider community. The company American inventor late on Monday, affirmed Sasson, addressing the award’s fourth Kuwaiti establishment for granting him the At the conference, sponsors and partners will look to maintain its leadership in in a statement the national strategy aimed at diwan , indicated that he started the work in “informatics medal” in admiration for his were honored for their successful partici- supporting similar initiatives that mirror encouraging and hosting innovators, promot- 1975, dismantling and assembling used elec- creative work that inspired other innova- pation in the series of events; with Zain its Corporate Social Responsibility strate- ing them in the Arab world and shedding tronic devices and chips, seeking to transform tions in medicine, communication and receiving special mention for the high gy and focus on training its most valu- light on latest technologies in general. the picture into a storable digital shape. In teaching.—KUNA level of support it offered this prominent able asset, its employees. Kuwait believes in Egypt’s ability to face challenges Kuwaiti-Egyptian Higher Committee meets

By Abdellatif Sharaa tance of investment in Egypt, as there are this participation? many promising opportunities. He said we Shukri: Among the subjects we spoke KUWAIT: The Kuwait-Egypt Higher Joint are proud of the long and fruitful partner- about was to prepare for the conference in Committee held its tenth meeting in Kuwait ship between Egypt and Kuwait Fund for Sharm El-Sheikh. yesterday under the chairmanship of Arab Economic Development Fund, noting Sheikh Sabah: I want to confirm that Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Foreign that more than 700,000 Egyptians in Kuwait Kuwait will participate at a high level at the Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- are contributing with their efforts, experi- economic conference and will help in the Sabah and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh ence and work in the developmental and success of the conference. It will include the Shukri. In his welcome speech, Sheikh construction boom in Kuwait. public and private sectors, and I am sure Sabah Al-Khaled said “we strongly believe in that we will be ready for it. Egypt’s people and elite to face the reper- Strong relations KT: Are there requests from Gulf coun- cussions of the transformation that swept Meanwhile, Shukri said that HH the Amir tries to have Egypt work in improving rela- our Arab region in the past few years,” Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah tions? As for Syria, there has been talk about adding, “the Egyptian people are able to received him and listened to his views on solving the problem politically but without face all challenges and difficulties.” strengthening relations between Kuwait Al-Assad, so what are the steps taken? Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said we will con- and Egypt, regional and international devel- Shukri: Egypt supports any action that tinue presenting all means of support to opment and other Arab issues. He said he strengthens solidarity among Arab coun- Egypt and the “program of President also was received by HH the Prime Minister tries to fulfill their joint solidarity so that Abdelfattah Al-Sisi, as the roadmap contin- Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- they become able to meet the challenges. ues with success to achieve the largest part Sabah, who stressed that relations must Egypt has not received any specific requests of its elements”. He said the continued remain strong, and that opportunities other than to continue the Egyptian policy development at commercial and economic should be utilized. He said that the in adopting the idea of Arab solidarity. We levels between the two countries is evi- Palestinian issue was discussed during dis- reject any violation from any party, be it dence of its depth and strength, which cussions with Kuwait’s foreign minister and Arab or foreign, and there should be mutual resulted in trade in the first half of this year working on establishing a Palestinian state respect and care for everyone’s private mat- of over one billion dollars, and “this calls on Palestinian territories with east ters. As for Syria, what the Syrian people are upon us all to strengthen relations between Jerusalem as its capital, along with other going through hurts Arab people and coun- KUWAIT: Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri speaks during the press conference all sectors to reach the sought after goals”. issues such as Yemen, Libya, Iraq and terror- tries and there is an agreement on the as Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Sheikh Sabah said the Public Authority ism that is worrying everyone. importance of a political solution, bearing Hamad Al-Sabah looks on. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat for Investment is working on an ambitious Kuwait Times: Will Kuwait participate in in mind that there are things that compli- plan to increase the volume of its invest- the economic summit to be held in Sharm cate the situation. are glad that Egypt hase reclaimed its lead- you discuss the compensations issue with ments in Egypt out of its belief in the impor- El-Sheikh, and what are the expectations of Sheikh Sabah: I want to confirm that we ership status and its follow up of the situa- the Iraqi prime minister during his upcom- tions in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen and terror- ing visit? ism, and this helps our Arab role lead by Sheikh Sabah: Terrorism is not Gulf or Egypt. Arab, but it is a danger for the entire world. KT: What are the agreements all about? We are part of an alliance that has more There were reports that some Egyptian uni- than 60 countries in it. As for the visit of versities want to open branches here in Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi to Kuwait, Kuwait - what about this? we welcome him again to continue dis- Shukri: The agreements are many and I cussing issues with him. As for compensa- hope they will open more cooperation tions, they will discussed by the concerned fields in joint investment be it in Kuwait or committee on Thursday before the visit of Egypt, prevent double taxation, media, the prime minister. exchanges by the diplomatic studies insti- KT: What about talks between Arab and tutions and business. The 11 agreements UN Security Council permanent members deal with various fields of cooperation. to recognize Palestine? Sheikh Sabah: As for cooperation in Shukri: There is a committee which is higher education, there are two high-rank- currently on a visit to France to discuss their ing delegations between the two countries ideas which are supported by Britain, and to discuss these issues. I want to build on they are also being discussed by other par- what has been established for decades. The ties on how to resume the peace process. first educational mission to Kuwait was Sheikh Sabah: Kuwait, as the President from Egypt. Our students are in Egyptian of the Arab summit, heads the peace universities and those who studied there process committee, and an Arab delegation are in leading posts in the country. There was formed on Sept 7 to consolidate efforts are more than 15,000 Kuwaiti students in to find solutions at the UN Security Council Egypt now, so we are ready to cooperate in and support the proposed resolution to this field. end the occupation with a time schedule KT: What about coordination between and the establishment of the Palestinian Members of the Egyptian-Kuwaiti Higher Joint Committee during their meeting yesterday. Arabs with regards to Islamic State? Will state. LOCAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Crime Report

Activist held for urging demonstrations

KUWAIT: A political activist was arrested for urging people to demonstrate by placing a number of signs and banners in and around Al-Karama roundabout in Sabah Al-Nasser calling for rallies and respecting the people’s right of free- dom and dignity. The banner also called for considering Sabah Al-Nasser as a new ‘determination yard’, said security sources, noting that the banners included statements like ‘The People are the Source of All Powers’, ‘Enough The suspect caught in the gambling flat raid The drugs found with the Bangladeshi passenger Corruption’ and many others. The sources also noted that checking on the suspect, detectives found that he is a polit- ical activist who holds no driving license and is was wanted Gambling flat raided for several cases. By Hanan Al-Saadoun investigation was opened to determine the circumstances Liquor possession Clergyman sentenced behind the incident. An Asian man was sent to the deportation department The court of appeal sentenced clergyman Mubarak Al- KUWAIT: Jahra police raided a flat in Jahra used by a after authorities found 81 bottles of locally made liquor Bathali to three years’ imprisonment with labor and a Bangladeshi for gambling during holidays. A security Shooting report with his possession. He was taken to the proper authorities KD 10,000 fine over charges of jeopardizing national source said four people escaped during the raid. A citizen told police in Mubarak Al-Kabeer that he to face charges. unity by posting Twitter statements encouraging con- heard the firing of a weapon, and when he left his home, tempt of a certain sect. Drug smuggling he found spent rounds near his sports car worth more Kidnap and rape Customs officials at Kuwait International Airport arrest- than KD 25,000. A person told Abdallah Al-Mubarak police that his Mad fan arrested ed a Bangladeshi man who tried to smuggle 5,000 drug daughter was kidnapped by a man, who took her to a flat in pills into the country. The drugs were found concealed House robbery Salmiya where he raped her. An investigation was opened. A mentally disturbed person was arrested at Kuwait Airport inside footwear that the man had in his luggage. The sus- A citizen told Maidan Hawally police that a citizen where he demanded meeting the Football Association pect was taken to the proper authorities for further action. robbed her phone. She said that she was surprised by a Chairman and got very angry when security men told him ‘Homosexual’ caught man knocking at her door, and when she refused to Police arrested a Syrian homosexual wearing a wig. Shabu that he was in the wrong place. The man was referred to Body found open it, he broke the door, took the phone and the psychiatric diseases hospital. drugs were found with the man’s possession. He defended An Asian man’s dead body was recovered from a deep escaped. The alleged suspect is being summoned for his ‘personal freedom’ during questioning by police. He was hole in a construction area in Sabah Al-Ahmad City. An questioning. referred to the proper authorities for further action. Verbal assault A Saudi was arrested at Nuwaiseeb land border exit on arrival to Kuwait where he publicly insulted and slan- AUK seminar addresses Islamist dered some VIP GCC figures, said security sources, not- ing that the border staff reported the matter to state security. radicalism in Middle East Conman at large A number of cattle breeders and sheep merchants filed By Faten Omar State’ it is not ‘Islamic’.” Shayji agreed with the fight against this dangerous, radical “Teenagers went to join them and bought several complaints at Dahr police station accusing a what Obama said, but not what Obama did. ideology is not over. This doesn’t mean that one-way tickets to Turkey. Why nobody Bangladeshi sheep retailer of swindling them of KD KUWAIT: Islamist radicalism’s effect on the “Today we have a hostage situation in we have to go back to fighting these ideo- talks about this - they only talk about how 86,000, said security sources. According to the com- Middle East was in focus at the American Sydney. Unfortunately, the person holding logical movements in the same way. It evil IS is, but nobody talks why Daesh is so plaints filed, the man, who had a good reputation for University of Kuwait (AUK) on Monday. those hostages could be an IS supporter, means that we haven’t found the right strong in convicting these kids and why trading in sheep and who had over 20 years of experi- Abdullah Al-Shayji, the former head of the and this give a black eye to Islam or por- solution yet. We haven’t found the right they go there. Nobody lifts a finger,” he ence in this field in Kuwait, had bought sheep from Political Sciences Department at Kuwait trays an image that all Muslims are bad balance,” Shayji explained. He pointed out charged. them to sell during Eid Al-Adha worth KD 86,000, prom- University and a specialist in Gulf and US guys or terrorists, but a few can’t ruin the “with the active participation of over 40 At the end of his lecture, Shayji reiterat- ising to pay them once he sold the sheep as usual. They politics, addressed the seminar organized image of 1.7 billion people,” Shayji said. countries including 10 Arab ones led by ed that with the US and its Arab and inter- added that they had been waiting ever since but he by the International Relations Club (IRC). “That’s the problem we are facing - stereo- GCC states, this is not a US war alone, but national allies at war against Daesh, it never showed up to pay them. However, checking on Shayji’s lecture centered around the typing. Those thugs and criminals do not one that pits moderate Muslims against would be prudent to agree on a compre- the suspect, the authorities found out that he had left issue of the rise of Islamic State, ongoing represent Muslims. Daesh (IS) has killed extremist Muslims”. hensive strategy and be engaged whole- using a fake passport because his own was withheld by nuclear negotiations with Iran and the more Muslims than non-Muslims, but we “Daesh would not have become the heartedly. They must also have an exit his sponsor. A case was filed and further investigations spread of Islamist radicalism. The lecture have this in every society. There are many monster that everyone fears and gangs up strategy. are in progress. began with US President Barack Obama criminals in the US who keep killing chil- to slay. If we had acted then, we would not “We don’t need much to end Daesh - we seeming to speak on behalf of Muslims dren and people, but nobody calls them have been here today. Daesh is not the just have to get thousands of troops to everywhere when he noted, “Let’s be clear, terrorists,” he added. problem - it’s a small group compared to flush them out, or it will be another decade Woman cheated while this group may call itself the ‘Islamic “IS was a wakeup call to the world that Israel and Bashar Al-Assad,” Shayji said. of war and mayhem,” he warned. A female citizen reported that reaching a dead end on her marriage, she asked her husband for a Step-plan to depend divorce and that he conditioned that she get a bank loan in her name to purchase a house to split after on tourism as alternative the divorce, which she did. The woman added that income source after getting a KD 76,000 bank loan and handing it over to him, he divorced her but took the money for KUWAIT: “The recent drop in oil prices enhances the need himself, leaving her to pay the debt alone. to consider tourism as a supporting source of national income in Kuwait,” stressed the General Manager of Multiple charges Leaders Group Company for Consultancy and A citizen was arrested for harboring a runaway girl Development (Leaders Group) Nabila Al-Anjeri, pointing reported missing, escaping arrest and driving danger- out that tourism was one of the alternative solutions to reduce possible deficits ously, said security sources. Case papers indicate that a that are expected to police patrol asked the driver of a vehicle with totally reach KD 3.5 billion blackened windows to stop, but he sped off. Chasing annually. and forcing him to pull over, detectives found a girl with In the company’s him and on checking on them both, the driver was monthly report, Anjeri found wanted on several cases and the girl reported suggested a 10-step missing by her family. five-year plan to allevi- ate the impact of oil price drops: Search for fake cops 1- Considering An Egyptian reported that two people claiming to tourism as a priority in be police detectives stopped him in Khaitan, hand- political decision-mak- cuffed him and took him in their vehicle claiming to ing in a way that makes head to the police station. The man added that on all decision makers KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait (CBK) participated in the Kuwait Small and Medium Businesses Forum, the way, they accused him of stealing KD 2,000 he adopt this principle which was organized recently by the Kuwait Banks Union in cooperation with the Arab Planning Institute. The had with him, but he swore that he had just collect- and accordingly pass event was held under the patronage and attendance of Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh. ed it and that he had receipts for it in his car. The decrees and legisla- suspects drove him back to his car pretending to tions that would open wait till he got the receipts, and as soon as he got Nabila Al-Anjeri up the country and Successful drill off, they drove off with the money. A case was filed facilitate entry visa News and further investigations are in progress. issue in order to attract more visitors, which has already in breif been done by a number of GCC states, namely Qatar, at AOU buildings Bahrain and UAE. KUWAIT: An emergency evacuation drill was successfully con- Missing girl found 2- Institutionalizing tourism through forming an inde- ducted at the Arab Open University (AOU) buildings by the Saudi embassy sues Security sources at Al-Salam police station said that a girl pendent ‘Supreme Tourism Authority’ or organization for Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) in collaboration with the Kuwaiti bloggers who had been reported missing was recently arrested by a touristic issues and make the needed decisions without AOU crisis management team. The scenario of the drill started routine police patrol, but refused going back home having to go through boring routine that has been hin- when the control room of the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate because her father allegedly treated her badly. A case was dering touristic development. (KFSD) received information that a fire broke out inside the AOU By A Saleh filed and the family was notified. 3- Reviving the national tourism strategy that was set Kuwait Branch where three students trapped inside. Meanwhile, in 2005, costing a fortune without being put into practice, while the Ardiya Fire station firefighters were quickly moving to KUWAIT: The Saudi embassy in Kuwait yesterday filed a provided it is updated to match the recent developments. the fire location to control the fire and rescue the trapped stu- complaint with the foreign ministry demanding filing a Women brawl 4- Setting a plan to promote Kuwait which requires dents the AOU crisis management team, comprising of AOU staff lawsuit against two Kuwaiti bloggers, Saleh Al-Saeed A female citizen and a Moroccan woman had a scuffle setting adequate budget and investments to promote and students, evacuated all students and staff inside the buildings and Rania Al-Saad, for slandering the Custodian of the inside the Hawally courts complex, said security Kuwait touristic-wise by developing touristic facilities to upon hearing sirens and the declaration of an emergency case. Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. sources, noting that both women filed complaints be ready to receive visitors, namely those from GCC In a press statement, Dr Naif Al-Mutari, Director of the AOU Kuwait branch, said that under the directives of Prof Moudi Al- against each other presenting medical reports with states. Humoud, AOU Rector, this drill was conducted and in complying injuries they allegedly suffered during the fight. 5- Developing the skills of nationals working in ‘Government supports tourism which calls for human resource development with the requirements of KFSD that is keen on preparing a crisis through encouraging more citizens and establishing a management team able to deal in emergency cases. From his family businesses’ special college or institute to train them, especially since side, Director of Farwaniya Fire Department Colonel Hussein Asad Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Store manager charged appraised this cooperation between the university and KFSD, only 1 percent of the manpower working in tourism are and Industry Abdulmohsen Al-Mudej said that the A Filipina sales clerk working at a Fahaheel department adding that KFSD is ready to cooperate with all bodies to raise citizens. government never spares an effort to support fami- store reported that her market manager assaulted her in awareness on the emergency evacuation. ly businesses and other private sector projects 6- Promoting public awareness to help citizens under- Eng Mohammed Shaalan Chief of the crisis management the middle of store. A case was filed and further investiga- “because they play a very significant role in building tions are in progress. stand the meaning of tourism and its impact on the local committee said that this drill was successfully conducted and economy through providing enough job opportunities. the success came back to joint efforts between KFSD and AOU national economy.” Speaking opening the GCC 7- Encouraging medium and small touristic proj- where many awareness sessions conducted to train all AOU staff Family Businesses Forum (GFBF) which opened in ects to allow and expand job opportunities in the private Kuwait under auspices of His Highness the Amir Porn dealer caught and students how to behave in similar situations. Lieutenant- sector through projects like travel agencies, touristic Colonel Mosab Al-Ansari thanked all participants who worked Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Mudej stressed An Asian was arrested with 350 CDs with porno- guidance, touristic transport, restaurants, cafes, sport, hard to conduct this drill successfully, adding it is important to that holding such forums occasionally provides spe- graphic content that he was offering for sale to a exhibitions and spas. form crisis management teams offering help to KFSD in such cialists with opportunities to probe challenges that Farwaniya cafe customer, said security sources. 8- Facilitating touristic initiatives so that tourism can emergency situations. companies and businesses in this field face, and find Case papers indicate that while sitting in the cafÈ, be of significance in the national income, especially since suitable solutions. — KUNA the suspect offered CDs for sale and whispered to many major projects that could have turned Kuwait into him that he also had pornographic movies. an outstanding touristic destination have been delayed Pretending to accept the offer, the man called the and impeded, and forced some neighboring countries MoI considers deporting police, reporting the matter while the suspect and a number of European countries to get rid of bureau- expats committing went back to his car to bring the CDs. Policemen cracy. two severe traffic violations arrived and arrested him on leaving the cafe. 9- Privatizing state-owned touristic facilities so that The Interior Minister’s assistant undersecretary for traffic they could be run by more economic mentalities capable affairs Maj Gen Abdullah Al-Muhanna said that the min- of developing them. istry will take stricter measures over traffic violations. Suicide attempt 10- Monitoring the five-year plan progress through: A citizen reported that his Asian housemaid was threaten- * Annually assessing visitors’ satisfaction. Muhanna added that in addition to deporting expats ing to jump from the third floor and kill herself unless she * Making tourists numbers match the definition made driving without licenses, the ministry is also considering was allowed to travel back to her home country because by WTO. deporting expats committing two ‘severe’ traffic viola- she was fed up of work. Arriving at the scene, policemen * Increasing hotel occupancy rates. tions or offenses. “This decision is not meant to retaliate managed to talk the maid out of her attempt. She was * Surveying citizens’ and expatriates’ opinions in the against expats. It is meant to regulate traffic and save arrested for attempted suicide. plan’s progress. the lives of motorists,” he remarked. — Al-Jarida LOCAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

KUWAIT: Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Bahraini Ambassador Sheikh Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah greets Bahraini Ambassador Sheikh Khalifa Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, senior officials and diplomats cut the cake during the ceremony. bin Hamad Al Khalifa. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat Kuwait keen on Iraq’s security, stability: Foreign Minister Compensation payments delay request to be studied

KUWAIT: Kuwait is keen on security and stability of Sabah Al-Khaled said a joint special committee was Iraq, a senior government official said Monday night. registering all Kuwaiti properties in Iraq and the Iraqi Bahrain Meditation Centre announces “Iraq is facing dangerous challenges, foremost fight- properties in Kuwait. ing terrorism,” First Deputy Prime Minister and 3rd International Self Development Conference Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al- Peace process Sabah told reporters on sidelines of a reception held Asked about Arab-American discussions over the hen there is light in the soul, there will Meditation Centre noted, “We pride ourselves ment tutor and an inspirational speaker. In a by Bahrain Embassy on the eve of the Gulf country’s Middle East peace process, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled ‘Wbe beauty in the person, when there is that the Bahrain Meditation Centre was the first unique blend of wisdom, insight and humour national day. said an Arab group, chaired by Kuwait, would be beauty in the person, there will be harmony in in the Middle East to host an International Mike brings together the three key strands of Affirming that fighting terrorism in Iraq was in meeting the French Foreign Minister in Paris tomor- the house, when there is harmony in the Meditation and Self Development Conference in the 21st century: emotional intelligence, man- the interest of the region and whole world, Sheikh row, but Kuwait would not be attending the meeting house, there will be order in the nation, when 2011 and 2012, which was a huge success with agement/leadership development and continu- Sabah Al-Khaled added that the international com- for “special circumstances.” He added that the Arab there is order in the nation, there will be peace over 500 delegates attending from over 20 ous unlearning. He is the author of ten books munity has formed a coalition consisting of 60 coun- group were also scheduled to meet US Secretary of in the World’. countries over the three days. including The 7 Myths About LOVE and Don’t tries to help Iraq in the fight against terrorism. State John Kerry in London yesterday to exchange It is not only ancient wisdom, but also mod- Get MAD Get Wise. views over the peace process. Sheikh Sabah Al- Ancient Proverb ern science that is telling us that human con- Judy Rodgers is the founding director of Last payment Khaled said the Arab group was acting to put a spe- The Bahrain Meditation Centre for Self- sciousness plays an important part in the evolu- Images and Voices of Hope, a global dialogue Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled was asked about cific timetable to end the Israeli occupation and Development is organizing its 3rd International tion of the world. Perhaps it plays the most with media that seeks to strengthen the role of Kuwait’s position regarding the Iraqi finance minis- establish the Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 Self Development Conference’. The event is important part, because we cannot change the media as agents of world benefit. Since 1997 titled ‘The Road to Peace’ and will be held at ter’s request that Kuwait delays Baghdad’s last pay- borders. world without changing our thinking. she has worked as an organizational consultant the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and ment of compensations the Iraqi government was Historic relations The Road to Peace conference explores ways and coach, emphasizing strength based Industry, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain from in which each one of us can make a tangible dif- approaches to social innovation and individual paying for damages caused by the 1990 Iraqi inva- Meanwhile, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled extolled his- 10th to 12th February 2015 under the patron- ference in this world of limitless possibilities. Not and system-wide change. She has been practic- sion of Kuwait. The UN Compensation Commission toric relations with Bahrain, underlining at the same age of His Excellency Sheikh Khalid Bin by trying to change other people, circumstances ing meditation for over 20 years and lives in a (UNCC) will examine the Iraqi request, answered the time keenness of leaderships of both countries on Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister, or the course of events, but simply and very retreat center in the Catskill Mountains of New Kuwaiti official. broadening cooperation at all levels. Kingdom of Bahrain. The conference objectives powerfully by changing the way we are inside. York. “Kuwait will always act towards the alleviation of “In a few days we will be in Manama to hold the are to create a greater awareness of our innate Peace begins with us. Dr Sarah Eagger is a consultant psychiatrist these difficulties facing the brothers in Iraq within high joint committee meeting, where prospects of peace and to manage an everlasting inner In this year’s conference we will again feature in London with over 20 years experience looking the jurisdictions of the UNCC and without undermin- cooperation are to be discussed,” Sheikh Sabah Al- peace within the self & others. presenters and speakers from all over the world after the elderly. Her particular interests include ing the Security Council resolutions,” he added. Khaled told reporters. On his part, Information who are not only experts in the meditation, but training mental health professionals. She is the Asked about the postponement of the Kuwait- Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs A Time for Peace in the World who are also practical examples of the wisdom coordinating editor of ‘Values in healthcare’ pub- Iraq joint committee meeting, Sheikh Sabah Al- Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah We are living in the most challenging and they teach.” lished by the Janki Foundation in 2004 and used Khaled said the two countries agreed to postpone congratulated the Kingdom of Bahrain on the sensitive of times. Never in the history of in training health-care facilitators throughout the meeting after the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister National Day, extending best wishes to its leadership humanity has there been such an era of uncer- This year’s speakers: the world. Haidar Al-Abadi, due in the coming days. Sheikh on the occasion. — KUNA tainty and chaos. Together with the accelera- Keynote Speaker Neville Hodgkinson is a writer and journalist tion of change in the world, human conscious- BK Jayanti is an emissary for peace, a broad- who worked for more than 20 years as a medical ness is travelling towards turbulence and tur- caster and author who conveys her messages and science correspondent of several national moil, confusion and fear. The human mind is with a unique blend of Eastern wisdom and newspapers in the UK. becoming increasingly fragmented and vulner- Western pragmatism. BK Jayanti is the European He has been a co-organizer of four interna- able. The state of imbalance within the individ- and Middle East Director for the Brahma tional symposia on science and consciousness. ual is reflected in the world around us. In addi- Kumaris World Spiritual University in London, His interest in mind-body medicine led him to tion, the deterioration of human values has and its’ non-governmental representative to the take up the practice of meditation in the early resulted in human beings becoming strangers United Nations. 1980s. He is Chairman of the Janki Foundation to their inner peace, and to the important val- for Global Health care, a UK-based charity that ues of compassion, respect, equality and truth. Speakers encourages research and awareness in the field It is now time to reconnect with these Mike George is a bestselling author, manage- of values and health. intrinsic values, and to find a better way to live. Only when the human mind finds alignment and arrives at peace within itself, can the process of peace begin in the world.

Who is the Conference For? The conference is for people from any age and from all walks of life, who are looking to live more peacefully, purposefully and mean- ingfully. It is for those who wish to be more effective in their work and relationships and who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Dr Ebrahim Al Dossary, Assistant Bahraini Ambassador Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomes former parlia- Undersecretary at the Prime Minister’s Court ment speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi and former prime minister His Highness Sheikh Nasser and also the President of the Bahrain Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah. Winter solstice falls Dec 22

KUWAIT: The winter sol- stice, the longest night and shortest day of the year, is expected to fall on December 22 when the earth’s axial tilt is farthest from the sun, astronomer Adel Al-Saadoun said yes- terday. Daytime in Kuwait will last for 10 hours and some 16 minutes, while the night will last for 13 hours and 44 minutes. Much of the sunlight will be scat- tered over vast areas of the earth thus its intensity will subside. The length of day and night during the winter solstice varies from one country to another. — KUNA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 LOCAL

kuwait digest Overcoming GCC stock markets disabilities

By Labeed Abdal

[email protected]

he Kuwait Blind Association announced hosting the Arab Forum for the Blind on Feb T7-17, 2015. The event is held under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and features participation of 17 Arab states. Organizing the event under the auspices of the state’s head of government is an important step to highlight the forum’s signifi- cance and boost relations between people with visual disabilities in Kuwait and the Arab World. Governments have the duty of supporting civil society institutions to achieve their goals. In this particular case, the Kuwaiti government’s support to the Kuwait Blind Association is notable in order

What matters the most at the end of the day is to benefit Al-Jarida from the giving of all members of society, and not allow dis- abilities to stand in front of kuwait digest people to contribute to society Rescue people, not shares to take care of people with visual disabilities and By Abdullatif Al-Duaij allow them to recognize and utilize methods through which they can show their capabilities. he continued collapse of oil prices and its cata- feed on welfare spending. If we were forgiving in the past for spending While fate plays a role in causing people to strophic effects on the public budget, which Today, after prices of shares came under danger, national income on paper shares as a service for bid- become visually impaired, something positive can Tthreatens the livelihood of citizens and the next only then the so-called decision makers moved to face ders and gamblers under the notion that goodies are be made out of this situation, and the disability generations, has not alerted the government or the the collapse of oil prices and do whatever is necessary plenty, we are today in need to pause and think a mil- National Assembly, it seems. Its effects on the stock to rescue their shares. No, you masters, your shares are lion times before we spend one fils, because it is dear can become a means to unleash creativities and market and shareholders is what moved some people not more precious than citizens’ lives, and your non- today, and the life of citizens is more precious than benefits for entire humanity. and awakened the sleepers and urged “patriotism productive companies are not better than us, and not shares, and stability of future generations is more What matters the most at the end of the day is claimants” and protectors of public interest to hurry dearer than our children. You go to hell first, and let deserving than the status of companies and condition to benefit from the giving of all members of socie- and meet to face the matter. your shares and bogus companies follow you. We are of markets. ty, and not allow disabilities to stand in front of It hurts that warnings and recommendations to not concerned with you as investors, because you do Stopping squandering of funds and preserving people to contribute to society. Health problems preserve people’s livelihoods and the future of their not deserve this title to start with. We are not con- income sources is more required today than any other that some people might face could eventually children have gone with the wind, while the col- cerned with you as producers, because you are bid- time. What is required is to care for citizens’ livelihoods become a source of happiness when the person lapse of share prices leads to excite the instincts of ders and gamblers. We are not concerned with you as and preserve the savings and rights of future genera- defence with all those who closed their ears, hearts producers, builders and protectors of life in this socie- tions. There is no doubt that none of this will take receives an outpouring of support from people and minds against the dangers that were and still ty, because you are like us and like the rest of Kuwait’s place through injecting our blood in dead veins. around him and the society. lurk over consumers of oil income, and those who parasites feeding on welfare spending. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Qabas

kuwait digest Was the opposition knocked out?

By Dr Sajed Al-Abdali

e often hear statements like ‘We do media address and confusion most of the not have an opposition’. Despite the time. Their moves were impulsive all the time. Wlogic found in such statements The second reason is the lack of a clearly because the term opposition usually refers to defined plan in terms of statistics, seminars, political groups that ‘oppose’ governments sit-ins and acceleration phases they even steadily and for long, what we do somehow failed in boosting public opinion awareness, have are political movements that are not in the culture and motive of opposing. They also good terms with the government, and lacked media techniques and elements and accordingly there would be no harm if we defined schedules for work. They only left metaphorically describe these groups as members to improvise and thus they only ‘opposing movements’. acted in reaction to government actions. We Followers will, of course, notice that these will not be exaggerating if we say that the entire ‘movements’ are out of parliament government was the real maker of the events nowadays because this particular parliament taking place in real life. has been con- The third reason tained and con- lies in the fact that trolled in favor of they lacked skilled the government. The first reason behind the teams assigned with However, even if I current state of the opposition ‘administering’ the say that we have opposition move- opposing move- is that it lacked a clear vision ment and this led to ments or some many unsuccessful form of opposition, of its goals or limit to judgments by various facts show that its parties that never role and existence demands, be that in the short knew the limits of are subsiding their job duties extremely. Its exis- or the long run though they did have tence is becoming good intention. They no more than did not have a special grumbling and angry talks in diwaniyas, pri- team to set strategies, follow tactics, address vate gatherings, some articles scattered in the the media, tend to legal affairs and protect daily press, blogs and some confused unor- the group’s activities and members who ganized statements intermittently posted on might be arrested by the authorities. In fact, Twitter. everybody did everything at all time and all Some people justify the current nature of places! The fourth reason is the enrollment of the opposition by the harsh measures taken some ‘grey’ undefined elements with low by the government against its members and credibility, the opposition’s failure to purify those close to it such as withdrawing citizen- itself because of fear of weakening in such ships, detainment and so on. Though we critical times. The fifth reason is victims falling agree that such painful strikes were very during the movement activities with tempo- important, the current status of the opposi- rary detainment or imprisonment, especially tion was a normal subjective result of many amongst the youth, which was shocking and heavily accumulated reasons that existed unexpected. There was no real legal opposi- before the government’s abuse of powers. It tion despite the fact that the opposition is a pity that these reasons were not unknown included dozens of lawyers and this created or unseen for many opposition members. public concern about joining it. Now, to They have been often written and spoken answer the question in the title, we can say that about, but these warnings were ignored, the opposition is lying motionless with some underestimated or even made people ques- pulse and its possibility to get up again tion the intentions of whoever made them. depends on correcting the above-mentioned The first reason behind the current state of mistakes to make another breakthrough with the opposition is that it lacked a clear vision more steady steps, and most of all, they have to of its goals or limit to demands, be that in the be convinced that the struggle may be long short or the long run. This led to lack of joint and that the reaping may be a long way from vision amongst opposition members, which the present! was reflected in the form of non-unified — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Jarida WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Suspect in 6 Turkish coup trial draws concern over judiciary Pennsylvania killings target of manhunt Page 8 Page 9

SYDNEY: Young Muslim women lay flowers at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in the heart of Sydney’s financial district yesterday. (Inset) This April 18, 2011 file image shows Iranian-born perpetrator Man Haron Monis. —AFP Australian hostage-taker had violent past Monis had no known ties to terror groups

SYDNEY: The self-styled sheikh behind a Those charges and the conviction, as well even call them,” Monis wrote. for Shiites. “Now I am a Muslim,” he added. said. “I know that left quite deep scars for siege at a Sydney cafe had been charged as as public statements Monis made on his web- Monis left predominantly Shiite Iran in the him,” he said. “If he had formed the view prior an accessory to murder and with multiple sex- site, have raised questions in Australian media Unsettled Loner late 1990s after coming into conflict with to this siege that he was going to inevitably ual offences. He also harboured deep griev- about whether authorities should have done Sydney-based criminal defence lawyer authorities there, said lawyer Manny go back to prison, whether he was guilty or ances against the Australian government and more to monitor him. Prime Minister Tony Adam Houda, who represented Monis over Conditsis, who represented him in the murder not ... I can see that might have unhinged had found little kinship in the city’s large Abbott told reporters that Monis was well the letters sent to the soldiers’ families, case. After receiving asylum in Australia in him.” Muslim community, where he was seen as known to police. When asked by a journalist described him as a deeply unsettled loner, 2001, Monis obsessed about exposing vio- Despite the warning signs, police must deeply troubled. Man Haron Monis, an Iranian whether it was appropriate for Monis to have wholly apart from Sydney’s tight-knit Muslim lence against Muslim civilians abroad, focus limited resources on groups attempting refugee described by those who knew him as been granted bail for the murder charge, New community. “He was a very, very, very unusual Conditsis told Reuters. His website showed to pull off major terrorist attacks, said Greg a loner, was killed early yesterday after heavily South Wales state Premier Mike Baird declined guy, and he had no affiliations with any graphic images of children that he says were Barton, director of the Global Terrorism armed police stormed the Lindt Chocolate to comment. group. He operated alone. He was a lone wolf,” killed by US-led coalition air strikes, as well as Research Centre at Monash University in Cafe to end a 16-hour hostage drama that Monis’ website, now taken down by Houda told Reuters. A source close to Sydney- media coverage following his court appear- Melbourne. Barton said there was only a tiny made global headlines. authorities, painted a picture of a man unrav- based Islamists, speaking on condition of ances and statements addressed to the category of people at any given time police Last year Monis was charged as an acces- elling, enraged by Australian courts and by anonymity, said Monis did not belong to any Muslim community and Abbott. can legally and financially justify keeping sory to the stabbing murder of his ex-wife, perceived injustices against Muslims in Iraq local radical group and that leading figures under surveillance. “On the triage priority list, who was set alight in a Sydney apartment and Afghanistan. “Man Haron Monis ... has held him in contempt. Deep Scars he would be well down that list,” he said. “I block. He was charged this year with more continuously been under attack & false accu- In December Monis seemed to suggest on He compared himself to Wikileaks founder don’t think it’s a case of a failure or a mistake. I than 40 counts of sexual or indecent assault sation by the Australian government & his website that he had switched from Shi’ite Julian Assange, saying he was being persecut- just think it’s a case of the harsh reality of deal- against women in Sydney, according to court media since he started his political letter to Sunni Islam, which would help explain ed for his political beliefs. “Since the ing with this kind of threat.” Abbott seemed to documents. He was also found guilty in 2012 campaign from 2007,” Monis wrote on the media reports that he had demanded police Australian government cannot tolerate confirm as much yesterday evening, when he of sending threatening letters to the families website. He also railed against what he said bring a flag from militant Sunni Islamist group Sheikh Haron’s activity, (it) is trying to damage told reporters that Monis had not been on any of eight Australian soldiers killed in was a decision by a court to prevent him Islamic State to the cafe. “I used to be a Rafidi, his image by these false accusations,” he watchlist. “Even if this individual had been Afghanistan and sentenced to two years in from seeing his children. “His children have but not anymore,” he wrote, using an Arabic wrote. While in prison Monis claims he was monitored 24 hours a day, it’s quite likely, cer- prison, although he served only a portion of been taken away from him by the Australian word that can be translated as “heretic” and is tortured, smeared with excrement and forced tainly possible, that this incident could have that penalty. government and he is not allowed to visit or sometimes used by Sunnis as an abusive term to sleep on a bare concrete floor, Conditsis taken place,” Abbott said. — Reuters Sea of flowers as Solidarity for Aussie Australia mourns Muslims after siege SYDNEY: Tearful Sydney office work- expressions of fear and dismay, and ers and Muslim women in hijabs laid pictures of the distinctive city har- SYDNEY: One of the bouquets left yesterday them. Some have succumbed and fled to Syria flowers yesterday at the scene of a bour and skyline emblazoned with in a sea of flowers at the site of the Sydney and Iraq while more than 70 others have had deadly siege, as an outpouring of the hashtag #prayforSydney. “I will siege read “I will ride with you.” It was as much their passports confiscated, sparking fears grief and shock gripped the usually ride with you”, read one note a wholehearted message to Australia’s Muslim over possible attacks on Australian soil, with IS easy-going harbour city. Nearby attached to a hand-picked bouquet community as to the incident’s victims. Those leaders calling online for public beheadings or florist kiosks struggled to keep up in Martin Place, referring to the words are the theme of a Twitter campaign of executions. After counter-terror raids in with demand as well-wishers created campaign for solidarity with the solidarity, offering to accompany any Muslims September, there was a backlash that saw sev- a sea of bouquets in an impromptu Muslim community that has seen who fear venturing onto public transport at eral mosques vandalised. Anxious to contain memorial at Martin Place, the city tens of thousands tweet the hash- this time, in case of a public backlash after any damage from Monday’s tragedy, more square where the 16-hour drama tag #illridewithyou. Flags on all gov- Monday’s deadly cafe siege by an Iranian-born than 40 Muslim groups quickly issued a state- unfolded. “Just the fact that some- ernment buildings were ordered to extremist. The campaign has raised hopes that ment decrying extremists “who seek to thing like this has never happened be flown at half mast. Australia, a nation forged by waves of immi- destroy the goodwill of the people of before in Australia, and it just makes “I don’t think I could be sadder,” gration down the decades, will be drawn Australia”. you feel so sad,” said Tom Harris, who New South Wales state Police together by the tragedy and not torn apart. The hostage-taker was widely identified as works on the Sydney Harbour Commissioner Andrew Scipione Mirella Rigo, overcome with emotion, a self-styled Islamic cleric called Man Haron Bridge, as he approached with a said as he looked at the floral trib- rushed through the crowd of people paying Monis. He had displayed an Arabic flag during large bouquet. “And I just feel so sad utes, where emotional onlookers their respects on Tuesday morning to the siege, and was killed along with two of his and just feel sorry for the poor peo- sobbed. “That’s the only thing we SYDNEY: Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margaret lay embrace a Muslim woman at a makeshift 17 hostages as police stormed the cafe early ple, especially at Christmas time.” can do to show our feelings,” said wreaths at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a fatal siege in the memorial near the Lindt cafe in downtown yesterday. Officials said he had no clear links Emotions were raw as Australia Zully Carro, with tears in her eyes heart of Sydney’s financial district yesterday. — AFP Sydney’s Martin Place. “It’s heartfelt,” she said. to Islamic State or other jihadist groups, but dealt with the news that the Lindt after placing flowers on the grow- and that’s... so upsetting. I feel we who had been going about their “I feel for these people. I think to make them was rather a mentally unstable man with chocolate cafe had been stormed in ing pile. “But to those kids who are lost our innocence yesterday.” ordinary morning ritual of buying a see they are not responsible for this.” Mariam extremist views and a history of violence. the early hours by heavily armed not going to have a mother again, coffee on their way to work, was too Veiszadeh, from the Islamophobia Register Australia’s race discrimination commissioner police, ending the siege in the heart these flowers are not going to be ‘Completely Innocent’ much for many. which collates reports of anti-Muslim senti- Tim Soutphommasane said he was heartened of Sydney’s financial district. Most of any relief to them.” The nation has been on a raised “That could have been absolute- ment, told AFP she had been touched by the by the Twitter campaign, adding: “Let’s not the hostages escaped but the cafe While the siege was underway, security alert for months, after ly anyone and... they’ve done noth- reaction from ordinary Australians. “The allow fear, hatred and division to triumph.” manager, 34, and a 38-year-old Martin Place attracted curious police in September disrupted an ing. They are completely innocent tragedy that unfolded in Sydney yesterday has The mood was set by the Twitter hashtag mother-of-three lay dead while six onlookers. But yesterday the mood alleged plot by Islamic State sup- and to lose their lives, for those really brought Australians together - irrespec- #illridewithyou, which Tessa Kum tweeted on more people were injured, includ- was sombre as hundreds of people, porters to abduct and behead a poor families, it’s just really heart- tive of our backgrounds, religious or racial Monday to counter concern about an anti- ing three women with gunshot Prime Minister Tony Abbott among member of the public. Rather than breaking,” Angelica Haifa told AFP. identities,” she said after placing flowers at the Muslim backlash. Tens of thousands have wounds. The attack staged by them, paid their respects and the work of a terrorist cell, the cafe Mirella Rigo, overcome with emo- Martin Place memorial. “And I’m really hoping tweeted their support. Kum said she had been Iranian-born Islamist gunman Man signed condolence books. “It just siege was staged by a self-styled tion, rushed through the crowd to that we take this feeling throughout the rest inspired by another commuter. “She’d done a Haron Monis, who also died, rocked doesn’t feel the same today. Martin sheikh facing dozens of serious embrace a Muslim woman laying of the week.” very simple thing - she had seen a distressed the country. Sydney tabloid The Place is such a beautiful area but charges including involvement in flowers at the memorial to show her The 490,000-strong Muslim community Muslim woman on a train take off her hijab Daily Telegraph conveyed the today I just feel numb,” said onlook- his wife’s murder, and sex offences solidarity with the Islamic commu- has been battling the emergence of Islamic and had approached that woman at the train national mood with its front-page er Terri Lucia. “I just feel that we’ve stemming from his time as a “spiri- nity. “It’s heartfelt,” she told AFP. “I State this year and its growing impact on dis- station and simply said, “Put it back on, I’ll headline: “Evil Strikes Our Heart”. lost something, something that I tual healer”. But the shock of the think to make them see they are not enchanted youth, who have been targeted in walk with you”. That broke my heart a little bit,” Social media was flooded with felt that we were protected from, bloodshed, and the death of people responsible for this.” —AFP sophisticated social media drives to radicalise Kum told ABC radio.—AFP p8_Layout 1 12/16/14 9:20 PM Page 1

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Tired of talks and under pressure, Palestinians turn to UN

RAMALLAH: With peace talks exhaust- see a UN resolution as the lone way for- attacks in Jerusalem and the West Bank term deal in sight, PA officials feel their Erakat said of the European votes, sug- ed, pressure building on the streets and ward. A resolution is the “only option left and in frequent clashes between Israeli power has been eroded. It is a gesting that Washington might also be increasing international support, the to the Palestinian leadership,” political security forces and stone-throwing “Palestinian Authority without any more open to some sort of UN resolu- Palestinians are hoping the time has analyst Abdel Majid Sweilem said. “Any Palestinians. authority,” chief Palestinian negotiator tion given its engagements elsewhere in finally come for a UN resolution on end- further talks must be carried out on a Saeb Erakat told foreign journalists in the region. “The United States is (in) a ing the Israeli occupation. Jordan is new basis, with an internationally PA a ‘Glorified Administration’ Bethlehem recently. “They love us to call coalition with Arab and Muslim coun- expected to submit an Arab-backed agreed timetable,” he said, adding that Under pressure to take action, the ourselves an authority, but the reality on tries, fighting wars in two Arab and draft resolution to the UN Security only the pressure of a deadline would Palestinian leadership is following the the ground (is that) since 2009 we have Muslim states called Syria and Iraq,” he Council as early as Wednesday, seeking a force Israel to make concessions to a only course it can, said George Jiacaman been deprived totally of any jurisdiction said, referring to the US-led alliance car- two-year timetable for Israel to withdraw two-state solution. Successive rounds of of Birzeit University in the West Bank. on any domain,” Erakat said. rying out air strikes against the Islamic its forces from the occupied West Bank peace talks have failed to resolve the key “The Palestinian leadership has been Jiacaman compared the PA’s power to State jihadist group in the two countries. and east Jerusalem. questions in the conflict - the creation of forced to go to the Security Council as that of a city hall. “The PA’s legitimacy is “We are trying to internationalise our Washington is all but certain to veto a Palestinian state with defined borders, an alternative to measures the threatened because the Palestinian cause,” he said. any resolution setting a deadline for an the fate of Palestinian refugees, and the Palestinian street is demanding, such as street thought its formation would lead A European diplomat at the UN has Israeli withdrawal, and Secretary of State status of Jerusalem. halting security coordination with Israel,” to the creation of a state - rather than it said there is a “window of opportunity” John Kerry has been meeting European Frustration among the Palestinians he said. The Palestinians agreed to secu- just remaining a glorified regional for a resolution and a willingness from allies and senior Israeli and Palestinian has grown, fuelled by the continued rity cooperation with Israel under the administration,” he said. The Palestinians’ the United States to “consider options at officials this week in a bid to head off a expansion of Jewish settlements in 1993 Oslo peace accords, which also set frustration has been mirrored by many the UN”. France is reportedly putting diplomatic crisis. But after the latest Palestinian lands and calls from up the Palestinian Authority (PA) to in the international community, in par- together a more nuanced version of the round of US-backed peace talks broke rightwing groups to expand Jewish administer the occupied territories until ticular in Europe where British, French resolution, setting a two-year timetable down in April, and with increasing vio- rights at a Jerusalem holy site. That an agreement could be reached within and Spanish lawmakers recently voted for concluding a peace treaty, without lence in the West Bank and east anger boiled over in this summer’s Gaza five years. in favour of recognising Palestine as a mentioning the withdrawal of Israeli Jerusalem, experts say the Palestinians war, in a series of deadly “lone wolf” Two decades later, without any long- state. “We’re being helped a great deal,” forces. —AFP 200 killed as Syria bases lost to Qaeda

BEIRUT: Nearly 200 combatants on both out of most of Idlib last month by Al-Nusra sides were killed in 24 hours when the Front fighters. Mainstream rebel forces had Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda took two regime been battling to take Wadi al-Deif and bases in Idlib province, a monitoring group Hamidiyeh for around two years, but failed said yesterday. The Syrian Observatory for to take it over despite repeated attempts. Human Rights, which is based in Britain but Idlib was among the first provinces to fall, gleans its information from a wide network soon after the March 2011 outbreak of the of activists and medics on the ground, said armed revolt against Assad’s rule. Al-Nusra Front attackers also captured Elsewhere in the war-torn country, more than 100 regime soldiers. “There were regime warplanes hit the besieged district at least 100 dead on the regime side and 80 of Waer in the central city of Homs, killing among the attackers, killed in clashes, at least 13 civilians, said the Observatory. bombardments and by mines,” Observatory Among the casualties was a member of a chief Rami Abdel Rahman said. delegation that had been in talks for a At least 120 soldiers were taken prisoner ceasefire with the government, as well as and about another 100 fled south in vehi- his wife. Waer is the last rebel-held area of cles and on foot towards the town of Morek Homs, which as once known as the “capital in the neighbouring province of Hama. of the revolution” against Assad. Seizing the key Wadi al-Deif and Hamidiyeh Talks have been underway for months military posts on Monday also gave the on a potential ceasefire between regime jihadists control of most of the northwest- and rebel forces, but they have so far been ern province, in a major blow to President fruitless. The conflict began as a pro- Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. The jihadists democracy movement demanding his advanced on the bases in coordination ouster, but later evolved into a brutal war with Islamist rebel groups Ahrar al-Sham after the regime unleashed a massive and Jund al-Aqsa, the Observatory said, crackdown. More than 200,000 people adding that a string of villages in the area have been killed in nearly four years, and also fell. It was also another defeat for around half the population has been forced Western-backed rebels who were driven to flee. —AFP

ISTANBUL: Besiktas and other Turkish football fans shout slogans yesterday during a protest against the trial of 35 fans that took part in mass anti-government protests in Gezi Park in 2013. — AFP Turkish coup trial draws concern over judiciary Football supporters accused of forming ‘terrorist group’ ISTANBUL: Thirty-five Turkish football fans went ernment of the Turkish Republic using illegal brought to justice. At least six protesters and on trial yesterday accused of attempting to methods,” the indictment said. one police officer died and thousands of people stage a coup during mass protests last year, in a The ‘Carsi’ supporters group played a promi- were hurt in the unrest. In their indictment, pros- case the opposition and rights groups say is an nent role in the protests, which drew diverse ecutors cited the seizure of gas masks, flares and abuse of the justice system by a government crowds of hundreds of thousands across Turkey. hand guns as evidence against the soccer fans. bent on revenge. Prosecutors are seeking life An anti-police slogan chanted at matches rang They also cited payment arranged by one defen- HANDARAT, Syria: A fighter fires mortar shells from a rebel-held area towards Syrian sentences for all of them, from a supporters’ out regularly and at one point Carsi members dant for meatballs and pizza “for individuals in pro-regime positions during the battle for control of this region, located just north group of major Istanbul team Besiktas. They are commandeered a mechanical digger and drove the protest area”. “This is the world’s funniest of Aleppo, on Monday.—AFP accused of helping organise the protests that it towards police lines. Some defendants court case where a football fan group is accused erupted in Istanbul’s Taksim square in May 2013 appeared to take a light-hearted approach to of trying to stage a coup to overthrow the gov- and grew into a major challenge to then-Prime the accusations. “If we had the power to stage a ernment. Of course this has no logic,” prominent Houthis block army chief, Minister Tayyip Erdogan. coup, we would have made Besiktas champions,” journalist and Besiktas fan Ridvan Akar told Erdogan, elected president in August, has one of the Carsi leaders, Cem Yakiskan, said to Reuters. Hundreds of police backed by water accuse prez of corruption vowed to hunt down the “traitors” behind the laughter and applause in the courtroom. cannon trucks imposed tight security at protests and a corruption scandal which Besiktas last won the Turkish league title in 2009. Istanbul’s palace of justice as the case began. SANAA: Houthi fighters prevented Yemen’s lar escalation, President Abd-Rabbu Mansour emerged just over six months later, both of The unrest began as a peaceful protest “Shoulder-to-shoulder against fascism,” chanted new army chief from entering the defence Hadi was at the forefront of the forces of cor- which he cast as an orchestrated bid to topple against the demolition of Gezi Park, a leafy cor- hundreds of soccer fans, some from rival clubs. A ministry yesterday in a fresh show of power, a ruption,” he said, referring to anti-government him. The trial began two days after Turkey drew ner of Taksim, but spread nationwide after a bru- few lit flares and some held up banners, one day after the Shiite faction accused the presi- protests led by the group before it captured international criticism for the police detention of tal police crackdown. Prosecutors have since reading: ‘Carsi will never walk alone’. Trade dent of promoting corruption and demanded the capital. “The Yemeni people ... will not be prominent media figures in what Erdogan said launched a series of court cases against those unionists, politicians and activists were among that it oversee state funds. The escalation of indifferent forever”. was a response to “dirty operations” by his politi- involved. “The make-up of the AK Party govern- the crowd. Advocacy group Human Rights tension between Houthis who control the A senior aide at the president’s office said cal enemies. ment has run and its true face has emerged. The Watch said the prosecution was a “blatant mis- Yemeni capital Sanaa and Western-backed the speech showed the Houthis, who have The indictment accuses the soccer fans of Carsi trial is the revenge for Gezi,” said Umut use of the criminal justice system”. “Charging President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi raises the penetrated state institutions since seizing seeking to occupy Erdogan’s Istanbul office near Oran, an Istanbul MP for the main opposition these Besiktas football club fans as enemies of prospect of open confrontation after months Sanaa in September, were plotting to bring the Besiktas stadium “to create the appearance CHP, whose members ripped up a copy of the the state for joining a public protest is a ludi- in which Hadi sought to appease the group. down Hadi’s administration and “complete that a weakness of authority had emerged in the indictment outside the court. crous travesty,” HRW Turkey researcher Emma Houthi leader Abdel-Malek Al-Houthi, in a their takeover of the state”. “We expect that country”, and of drawing foreign media to the Sinclair-Webb said in a statement. “It reveals a speech to tribal leaders late on Monday at his the group has prepared another plot similar protest areas. “They tried to create an image Meatballs and Pizza great deal about the enormous pressure being northern Saada stronghold, said Hadi was a to the one it had when it captured Sanaa,” the evoking government changes in some Middle Government officials have repeatedly said exerted on Turkey’s justice system by the gov- leading player in the country’s corruption. official, who asked not to be identified, told Eastern countries known as the ‘Arab Spring’ and the judiciary is independent and that criminal ernment,” she said, calling for the prosecutor to “During the popular revolution and the popu- Reuters.—Reuters aimed to overthrow the legally established gov- elements among the protesters must be ask the court for an acquittal. —Reuters Israel arrests 10 anti-Arab extremists

JERUSALEM: Israeli police yesterday acting against Lehava even though killed four worshippers and a police- extremists. One Kahana follower, arrested 10 members of extremist it’s a legal organisation fighting man. Lehava activists follow the Baruch Goldstein, massacred 29 anti-Arab group Lehava which has against assimilation,” Itamar Ben Gvir teachings of the late Meir Kahana, a Muslim worshippers at a Hebron been linked to an attack last month said, accusing the “left” of pressuring virulently anti-Arab rabbi whose Kach mosque in 1994. Gopstein has said on a Jewish-Arab school. The attack, the police into making arrests. party was banned in Israel, and its Lehava does not act illegally, and which incited violence against Arabs Leftwing MPs have demanded members fight against intermarriage. accused the Shin Bet internal security and equated them to a “cancer”, that Lehava be banned as a “terrorist Kahana was murdered in New agency of trying to frame Lehava to sparked a wave of condemnation and organisation”. Three Lehava members York in 1990, but his ideology still thwart its “holy work of saving the came amid months of rising tensions were arrested last week on suspicion inspires loyalty among Jewish daughters of Israel”. — AFP and unrest in Israel and the of torching a classroom at the Hand- Palestinian territories. “Ten suspects, in-Hand school, a rare symbol of members of the Lehava organisation, coexistence in Jerusalem. The Nov 29 have been arrested for questioning attack saw the classroom badly dam- following incitement and calls for aged and slogans including “Death to racist acts of violence and terror,” the Arabs” and “There’s no coexistence police said in a statement. with cancer” scrawled on the walls in The suspects were arrested at Hebrew. Prime Minister Benjamin their homes in the Israeli towns of Netanyahu and other senior officials Petah Tikva and Netivot, as well as in condemned the attack at the 624- Jerusalem and Jewish settlements in pupil school on the Green Line sepa- the occupied West Bank. Police also rating west Jerusalem from the seized computers belonging to the annexed eastern sector. It came as suspects. Among those detained was tensions ran high in Jerusalem after a Lehava leader Bentzi Gopstein, who spate of deadly Palestinian attacks RAMALLAH: Palestinians carry the body of 20-year-old Mahmoud Abdalla during his lives in the flashpoint West Bank city against Jews, including cars plough- JERUSALEM: Benzi Gopstein, the leader of the extreme rightwing funeral in the Qalandia refugee camp near this West Bank city yesterday. Abdalla of Hebron. Gopstein’s lawyer said the ing into groups of Israelis and a movement Lehava, is brought to a court in Jerusalem for a hearing was killed in clashes with Israeli troops. —AP arrests were political. “The police are bloody assault on a synagogue that yesterday. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Haiti PM defends tenure after forced resignation

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: The Haitian remains. An independent commission lowing negotiations with lawmakers and that make up the opposition, who has prime minister who resigned under created by President Michel Martelly to releasing several people considered accused the president of trying to stack pressure over the weekend said resolve the situation recommended that political prisoners by the opposition, the electoral council with supporters Monday that the country has made sig- Lamothe resign, which he did early government spokesman Lucien Jura said and trying to undermine the nificant progress during his tenure even Sunday. “I made the ultimate sacrifice for Monday. Constitution. On Jan 12, the terms of as the political standoff that led to his the country to move forward and to Martelly was supposed to call elec- the current Senate will expire and the ouster continues. Laurent Lamothe said respect the findings of an independent tions in 2011 for a majority of Senate president can sign a decree that will foreign investment and school enroll- commission set up by president,” he said. seats, the entire Chamber of Deputies enable the country to hold the elec- ment both increased during his 31 The entire Cabinet must step down as and local offices. But several opposition tions in the first half of the year, months as prime minister, the longest well under the Constitution. The com- senators have used parliamentary pro- Lamothe said. period anyone has held the post in mission had said that Martelly should cedure to prevent a vote authorizing The departing prime minister said he Haitian history. He said crime is down name a new nominee for prime minister the election while orchestrating a series has no plans to run for president of and most of the encampments that this week but his nominee must still win of large protests in the capital to call for Haiti and is looking forward to taking sprung up following the January 2010 approval from the Senate and the the president to resign. Another protest some time off after many long days try- earthquake are now gone. “The results Chamber of Deputies. The president is was planned for Tuesday despite the ing to run the government of the strug- are there and they are undeniable,” also complying with the rest of the com- resignation of Lamothe. gling country. “In the 31 months, I was Lamothe said in an interview with AP. mission’s recommendations, including “We are not making progress with determined to show to the world that But a bitter political standoff that removing the entire electoral council Martelly. He has to resign,” said Andre Haiti was a different place and I think I Laurent Lamothe has delayed legislative elections and replacing it with new members fol- Michel, the leader of one of the parties have started to do that,” he said. —AP Guantanamo 9/11 hearing canceled after CIA report

WASHINGTON: The US military on ney representing two Guantanamo Monday canceled a pretrial hearing for detainees. “That is going to be hard to the accused mastermind of the Sept 11, resist by fact-finders in connection with 2001 attacks, an Al-Qaeda figure promi- the Guantanamo prosecutions,” Cohen nently mentioned in last week’s Senate said. CIA evidence that is potentially report on the CIA’s harsh Bush-era inter- important to the prosecution could be rogation program for terrorism suspects. thrown out, he added. The military commission at the US deten- Defense lawyers raised issues of mis- tion facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, treatment of prisoners in previous was supposed to discuss allegations the Guantanamo hearings but the judges FBI tried to infiltrate legal defense teams, presiding over the hearings largely according to the court’s docket. ignored them, saying they were irrele- No reason was given for canceling the vant to the guilt or innocence of the hearing for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, defendants. “If the prosecution tries to who according to the Senate Intelligence use evidence of statements that were Committee’s report was subjected gained through torture, then torture is repeatedly by his US interrogators to the relevant,” said Martha Rayner, a law pro- simulated drowning technique known as fessor and attorney for Guantanamo waterboarding. But attorneys represent- detainee Sanad Al-Kazimi. ing Guantanamo prisoners say evidence Lawyers for Mohammed and four oth- of torture mentioned in the Senate er suspects had wanted this week’s hear- report means prosecuting suspected ter- ing to go forward so that Judge James rorists has suddenly become more diffi- Pohl, an Army colonel, could determine cult. the extent of FBI contact with defense AURORA, Colorado: In this Oct 22, 2014 file photo, the apartment building is seen in which police say is the home of two of the three “The most significant revelation from team members. Pohl had ruled in July teenage girls who, according to US authorities, were en route to join the Islamic State group in Syria when they were stopped at an airport the Senate report is the conclusion that no conflict of interest arose for in Germany. —AP based on entries into the CIA record that defense attorneys from the FBI many of the statements the CIA made approaching a security officer for a are simply lies,” said Jim Cohen, an attor- defense team. — Reuters Islamic State recruiting broadly, not just fighters Group pushes to build new society

WASHINGTON: The three teenage girls from national security division, said in an interview. she try humanitarian work instead of jihad, but Colorado swapped Twitter messages about mar- “They’re seducing them with promises about she told them that if she couldn’t fight, she riage and religion with recruiters for the Islamic how wonderful it will be,” said Mia Bloom, a pro- would use her skills as a nurse’s aide to help mil- State group, then set out for Syria with passports fessor of security studies at the University of itant fighters, according to court documents. and thousands of dollars in stolen cash. Massachusetts-Lowell. “They promise a sense of Conley pleaded guilty in September and is to be Authorities intercepted them in Germany, then adventure, that their worries will be addressed.” sentenced Jan 23. Her lawyer, Robert Pepin, has returned them to their families without criminal Justice Department officials say people aid- said she was “led terribly astray” while pursuing charges. That case and others like it show how ing the Islamic State understand what they’re her religion and was “saved” by her arrest. the group is targeting its sophisticated propa- getting into and risk prosecution, whether or Perhaps no case better shows the penetra- ganda beyond male fighters, seeking to entice not they venture to Syria and even if they don’t tion of the recruitment campaign than that of not only wives but also professionals such as plan to take up arms themselves. Prosecutors the three Colorado girls, all from East African doctors, accountants and engineers as it pushes have criminally charged more than 15 people. A families, who were radicalized online and head- to build a new society in a territorial base that Rochester, New York, food store owner stands ed for Syria in September. A review of the girls’ has spread across broad swaths of Iraq and accused of trying to arrange for others to travel social media use, which included thousands of Syria. to Syria and of plotting to kill members of the Twitter messages and postings on other sites, The motives of this diverse pool of recruits US military. An Illinois man, allegedly deter- by the SITE Intelligence Group shows they were perplex Western governments trying to combat mined to join militants, left behind a letter say- in contact with online jihadists from around the the flow. One recruit, Shannon Conley, a ing he was disgusted by Western society. And world and were deeply interested in marriage Colorado woman who was caught and is being prosecutors say a North Carolina man asked and the role of women. As recruiters interacted sentenced next month, sought to fight in Syria Allah online for martyrdom. with the girls, their typical teenage banter or use her nursing skills to help fighters there. Most charges are brought under a 1996 about friends and school became replaced with The group “is issuing a bit of a siren song statute that makes it illegal to provide “material discussions of religion, paradise and death, the PENNSBURG, Pennsylvania: A sheriff’s deputy stands outside a home yesterday through social media, trying to attract people to support” - including money, training or a false review showed. where suspect Bradley William Stone was sought. — AP their so-called caliphate,” FBI Director James identity - to a designated terrorist group. Six months before they went overseas, one Comey told reporters. “And among the people Defense lawyers have long argued the law is girl wrote that she wanted to get married as Suspect in 6 Pennsylvania they’re trying to attract are young women to be overly broad and ensnares the misguided as soon as possible and her friends wished her brides for these jihadis.” often as it sweeps up the dangerous. Courts, well, telling her they hoped she got an “amazing As the Islamic State seeks to expand its foot- however, have accepted an expansive interpre- husband because you do not deserve anything killings target of manhunt print, it conscripts children for battle, recruits tation of the law. “We need to make clear that if else!” One female recruiter told prospects to Westerners for acts of jihad and releases video- you want to go over there and join a terrorist expect to marry quickly and expect to live a LOWER SALFORD, Pennsylvania: post-traumatic stress disorder. He enlisted taped beheadings. But the organization also group, you’re likely to end up instead in jail,” domestic life, as it is “‘completely impossible’ for Pennsylvania police yesterday searched for with the US Marine Corps Reserves in 2002, uses propaganda with a humanitarian appeal, Carlin said. women to participate in battle,” according to an Iraq war veteran suspected of killing six was deployed to Iraq at least once and was such as photos of bombed-out Syrian villages SITE. Women are expected to marry the fighters family members, including his 14-year-old honorably discharged at the rank of ser- coupled with pleas for help. Video images of Other Strategies and bear their children, she explained. Another niece, in a shooting spree in communities geant in 2011, according to military smiling children being given treats and enjoy- But Justice Department officials say they’re recruiter told a 16-year-old girl who inquired near Philadelphia. The hunt for Bradley spokesman Captain Dustin Pratico. He was ing stuffed animals paint a family-friendly por- also trying strategies other than prosecution, about joining that “everyone is welcome,” William Stone, 35, was focused around believed to have gone on a shooting spree trait that suggests roles within the proto-state including trying to identify potential recruits according to the report. US officials say even Pennsburg, about 80 km northwest of in three towns, first killing his ex-wife’s sis- for wives and mothers. before they go. FBI agents in Colorado met comparatively benign motives for supporting Philadelphia, where residents were advised ter, husband and 14-year-old daughter in Even as they preach violence, “they’ll do the repeatedly with Conley, a 19-year-old nurse’s the Islamic State are troubling. “I’m not sure to stay inside with their doors locked, the Souderton around 3:30 a.m., the district warm and fuzzy ... the gun in one hand and the aide who had converted to Islam, hoping to dis- we’ve seen someone who’s gone over there Montgomery County district attorney said. attorney said. A 17-year-old son survived kitten in the other,” Assistant Attorney General suade her from traveling to Syria to marry a mili- who’s not attracted to the jihadi cause,” Carlin Stone, who lives in Pennsburg, was a but was wounded and hospitalized, she John Carlin, head of the Justice Department’s tant suitor she met online. Agents suggested said. — AP suspect in the shooting deaths on Monday said. About an hour later, a 911 call pointed of his ex-wife, her mother, grandmother, police to a house in Lansdale, Ferman said. sister and two other family members, There they found Stone’s former mother-in- District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman told law and former grandmother-in-law dead, journalists. “As we stand here right now, we she said. Police then received an emer- Freezing rain coats roads in Dakotas don’t know where he is,” she said. Stone gency call from a neighbor of Stone’s ex- took his two young daughters from his ex- wife Nicole, 33, in Lower Salford, Ferman FARGO, North Dakota: Freezing rain coated Dan Grider, general manager of the Great Motorists in other areas were told to be cau- wife’s house but left them safe with a said. Police found her shot to death, she roads throughout the Dakotas Monday, caus- Bear Recreation Park ski area, near Sioux Falls, tious, with slippery conditions on almost all neighbor, Ferman said. said. — Reuters ing headaches for motorists and delaying or said the snow was welcome, but not enough highways. It was Pennsylvania’s second recent shutting down schools. The National Weather to change the park’s plans to close for the A Missouri man was injured Sunday night high-profile manhunt after a seven-week Service posted a freezing rain advisory in week. The park needs to make artificial snow when the semitrailer he was driving went out chase to capture survivalist Eric Frein, 31, much of North Dakota and in northern South to replenish the 12-to-18-inch base depleted of control on an icy Interstate 94 west of accused of killing a state trooper in a sniper Dakota, with much of the rest of South Dakota by last week’s unseasonably warm weather Jamestown and overturned, according to the attack in September outside a state police under either a winter weather advisory or a and the rain on Sunday and early Monday. Highway Patrol. The man’s injuries were not barracks. Ferman said Stone sometimes winter storm warning. Up to half a foot of “Never have we opened (in November) and considered life-threatening. Ice buildup on uses a cane or walker, but it was not clear if snow was expected in southeastern South then had to shut down for an extended period power lines caused outages for Sioux Valley he needed them to get around. Upper Dakota by the end of the storm, according to of time to make more snow because we lost Energy customers from Madison to Brookings, Perkiomen schools in the Pennsburg area were closed yesterday, the district said. The forecasters. what we had,” said Grider, who has been at the in eastern South Dakota. The number of peo- search for Stone turned on Monday Freezing rain was also making roads icy in park for 22 years. ple without power varied throughout the day evening to neighboring Bucks County, western Minnesota, and snow was expected Freezing rain began hitting North Dakota but stood at about 400 people late Monday where a man walking his dog was confront- across the state and into western Wisconsin late Sunday, causing problems for the Monday afternoon. ed by a knife-carrying man who tried to later. The storm with both rain and snow was morning commute. “It’s super icy,” said Kendra The icy conditions in southeastern South take his car keys. unusual for the time of year, said Todd McMillen, who works at Love’s Travel Stop in Dakota were compounded later in the day by The dog walker was armed and fired Heitkamp, a weather service meteorologist in Williston. “There’s no snow on the ground, but snow - something the region hadn’t seen since several shots at the suspect. Police in Sioux Falls. “We’ve been in a warm weather it’s cold and icy.” Some rural schools in the before Thanksgiving. “It’s going to take people Doylestown Township, about 24 miles from pattern, and when you get a pattern like that, Williston area closed for the day. North a little bit of time to get their winter driving Pennsburg, say the man fit Stone’s descrip- any system you see is going to be like a late- Dakota’s Transportation Department advised (abilities) in order, since it’s been so long since tion. Media reported Stone suffers from Bradley Store fall or early spring storm,” he said. no travel in the region for a time early Monday. we last had a snowfall,” Heitkamp said. —AP INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

PESHAWAR: Pakistani soldiers take position near the site of an attack by Taleban gunmen on a school in Peshawar. — AFP/AP photos Pupils recall narrow escapes, carnage in Taleban slaughter

PESHAWAR: It began like any other morning “They opened fire at the students and then in Pakistan’s Army Public School in the north- went out. The army doctor and soldiers man- western city of Peshawar. Students pored over aged to escape and we locked the doors from their books. Teachers ruffled through their inside,” he said. “But very soon they came, notes and gave lectures. broke the doors and entered and again started In an instant, the peace was shattered - firing.” gunfire, smoke and dead bodies strewn across He said many tried to hide under their the the school’s halls and corridors, with crazed desks but were shot anyway, adding that there militants rushing from room to room shooting were around 150 students in the hall around randomly at pupils and adults. the time of the attack. At least 141 Pakistanis, most of them chil- “They killed most of my class mates and dren, were killed in the broad daylight attack then I didn’t know what happened as I was on the military-run school yesterday, an brought to the hospital,” said Khan, breaking assault lauded by Taleban insurgents as down in sobs. revenge for the killings of their own relatives Others said the gunmen addressed each by the Pakistani army. other in a language they could only recognise Reuters interviews with witnesses showed as either Arabic or Farsi - a possible testament most victims were shot in the first hours of the to the Taliban’s network of hundreds of foreign assault when gunmen sprayed the premises fighters holed up with them in the remote with bullets in an indiscriminate massacre. It mountains on the Pakistani-Afghan border. was possible that some were also killed in the Another student, Jalal Ahmed, 15, could ensuing gunfight with Pakistani armed forces hardly speak, choking with tears, as Reuters who stormed the building. approached him at one of the hospitals. The school in Peshawar, a Pakistani city on “I am a biochemistry student and I was the edge of the country’s turbulent tribal belt, attending a lecture in our main hall. There are is operated by the army. Although it enrols five doors in the hall. After some time we some civilian students, many of its pupils are heard someone kicking the back doors. There children of army officials, the Taleban’s intend- were gun shots but our teacher told us to be ed target. quiet and calmed us down. The assault began at around 10 am local “Then the men came with big guns.” time (0500 GMT) as a group of nine militants, Ahmed started to cry. Standing next to his suicide vests tightly strapped to their bodies, bed, his father, Mushtaq Ahmed, said: “He burst into the building, according to witness- keeps screaming: ‘take me home, take me es. Some said they were wearing Pakistani home, they will come back and kill me’.” army uniforms. Parents grieve at a hospital following an attack by Taleban gunmen on a school in Peshawar. One nine-year-old boy, who asked not to They bypassed the heavily guarded main “One terrorist then walked up to her and Taleban and Pakistani forces intensified, at One distraught family member was given a be named because he was too afraid to be entrance and slipped in through a less fre- started shooting her until she stopped making least three of the militants blew themselves wrong body because the faces of many chil- identified, said teachers shepherded his class quently used back entrance, the witnesses any sound. All around me my friends were up, resulting in several charred bodies of dren were badly burned as a result of the sui- out through a back door as soon as the shoot- added. Shahrukh Khan, 15, was shot in both lying injured and dead.” bombers and victims. cide bomb explosions. ing began. legs but survived after hiding under a bench. A Reuters correspondent visiting the city’s Khalid Khan, 13, told Reuters he and his “The teacher asked us to recite from the “One of my teachers was crying, she was Suicide bombings Combined Military Hospital said its corridors class mates were in a first aid lesson in the Koran quietly,” he said. “When we came out shot in the hand and she was crying in pain,” At least 500 pupils aged between 10 and 20 were lined with dead students, their green- main hall when two clean-shaven armed men from the back door there was a crowd of par- he said as he lay on a bed in Peshawar’s Lady years old were inside the building when the and-yellow school uniform ties peeping out of wearing white clothes and black jackets ents who were crying. When I saw my father Reading Hospital. attack started. As the gunfight between the white body bags. entered the room. he was also crying.” — Reuters

Men help an injured student to a hospital. Pakistani parents leave with their children near the site of an attack.

Pakistani men carry an injured school girl to a hospital following A Pakistani man comforts a student standing at the bedside of a boy who was An armored personnel carrier moves toward a school under attack an attack by Taleban gunmen on a school in Peshawar yesterday. injured in a Taleban attack. by Taleban gunmen in Peshawar. INTERNATIONAL WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

An ambulance transports a wounded student, whose fate is unknown, near the site of an attack by Taleban gunmen on a school in Peshawar yesterday. Taleban insurgents killed at least 140 people, most of them chil- dren, after storming an army-run school in Pakistan yesterday in one of the country’s bloodiest attacks in recent years. Pakistani volunteers carry a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taleban gunmen. Quotes reacting to Pakistan attack

eactions from around the world to the attacks in Peshawar, Pakistan where Taleban gunmen Rstormed a military-run school yesterday, killing 126 people.

“I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blood- ed act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in hor- ror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cow- ardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable. I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters - but we will never be defeated,” Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai.

“The government together with the army has start- ed Zarb-e-Azb and it will continue until the terrorism is rooted out from our land. We also have had discus- sions with Afghanistan that they and we together fight this terrorism, and this fight will continue. No one should have any doubt about it.”

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif speaking from Peshawar. Zarb-e-Azb is the name of the Pakistani military operation being carried out in North Waziristan.

“The United States strongly condemns senseless and inhumane attacks on innocent students and edu- cators, and stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan, and all who fight the menace of terrorism. Few have suffered more at the hands of terrorists and extremists than the people of Pakistan,” US Pakistani soldiers transport rescued school children from the site of an attack. Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson said in a state- ment.

“The killing of innocent children is contrary to Malala ‘heartbroken’ by Islam,” Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement. Pakistan school slayings “I condemn this criminal attack in the sharpest pos- sible terms. The cruel cowardice of taking children hostage and murdering them surpasses everything LONDON: Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blooded act of ter- mendable.” Seventeen-year-old Malala, who now lives in that Pakistan, which has been subjected to terrorism shot in the head by the Taleban in 2012, said she was “heart- ror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children Britain, became a global icon after she was shot and nearly and violence for years, has known to date,” broken” by “the senseless and cold blooded” killing of scores in their school have no place in horror such as this,” Malala said killed by the Taliban in her native Pakistan in October 2012 for of children by Taleban militants yesterday in Pakistan. At least in a statement. insisting that girls had a right to an education. The Tehreek-e- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter 130 people, most of them children, were killed when gunmen “I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand Taleban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack as Steinmeier said in a statement. stormed an army-run school in Pakistan’s northwestern city of united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan retaliation for a major military offensive in the region, saying Peshawar in an act that drew swift global condemnation. “I whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are com- militants had been ordered to shoot older students. — AFP

Pakistani men carry the body of a soldier killed in an attack by Taleban A woman weeps as she waits at a hospital, where victims of a Taleban An injured Pakistani student lies on a bed at a hospital. gunmen on a school in Peshawar yesterday. attack are being treated in Peshawar.

Volunteers move the coffin of a student from a hospital following an attack by Taleban gunmen. Parents escort their children outside a school attacked by the Taleban in Peshawar, Pakistan. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

Nationalist Ishihara retires from Japan politics

TOKYO: Irascible former Tokyo Governor Shintaro term governor of the Japanese capital who rarely and relations went into a tailspin from which they they split in May. Ishihara went on to form the Party Ishihara, who has made a decades-long career out shied away from proffering an opinion on every- are only now beginning to recover. for Future Generations with several of his loyal lieu- of baiting China and offending Japan’s liberals, thing from homosexuality to the wastefulness of The renewed friction was a delight to Ishihara, tenants, all in their 70s. announced his retirement from political life yester- vending machines. who has never made a secret of his dislike of China, The octogenarian yesterday blamed the party’s day. The 82-year-old, whose Party for Future As governor in 2012, he raised cash to purchase a country he refers to by its pre-war name “Shina”, name for its drubbing in Sunday’s election, when its Generations was almost wiped out in Sunday’s gen- the uninhabited Senkaku islands, which China which is offensive to the Chinese. previous tally of 19 seats was reduced to just two. eral election, told reporters he would not be seek- claims as the Diaoyus, and planned to develop Ishihara stood for parliament in the 2012 general “The naming required some explanation for ing office again. them with the express purpose of reinforcing election, gathering a motley crew of nationalists people to understand. I had expressed objec- “I have worked in politics for more than 50 years, Japan’s sovereignty. The move pushed the Japanese that eventually joined forces with a party started by tions,” he said. “It was problematic as a name but I have decided to retire after the results of the government into nationalising them in what minis- fellow arch conservative Toru Hashimoto. for a political party.” Ishihara said in his retire- latest poll,” he said. ters said was an effort to head off fall out from the However, their short-lived union was not robust ment he would focus on supporting young Ishihara, a former novelist, was a popular four- inflammatory purchase. But China reacted furiously enough to contain the two super-sized egos, and artists and spend time sailing. — AFP

Family of gang-rape victim says women still unsafe in India

NEW DELHI: Women’s safety in India has The student, who was also attacked not improved since the fatal gang-rape with an iron rod, died from her injuries 13 of a student in New Delhi, the victim’s days later but had been able to speak to parents said yesterday on the anniversary police about the crime. The brutality of of the attack that sparked international the assault sparked large-scale street outrage. protests. Candlelit vigils and a public meeting Four of her attackers were convicted on women’s safety were held in New and given the death penalty in Delhi to mark the second anniversary of September 2013 after the case was fast- the attack that unleashed a wave of pub- tracked, while a juvenile was sentenced lic anger over violence against women in to a correctional facility. India. Another died in jail after apparently The mother of the 23-year-old student committing suicide. The case sparked said she was disheartened by what she soul-searching about India’s treatment of said were still high numbers of attacks, women and also led to initiatives to edu- despite a tougher law against rapists. cate men about respect and equal gen- “There are attacks happening every- der rights in the deeply patriarchal coun- day,” the mother, who cannot be named try. for legal reasons, told NDTV news chan- But activists say this month’s case of a nel. “Seeing this (daily reports of attacks), female passenger allegedly raped by an it does not feel like anything has Uber taxi driver with a record of sexual changed. Everything is the same.” attacks shows India still has a long way to A survey published yesterday said 91 go. percent of women saw no improvement Speaking on the sidelines of an event in safety despite a series of measures in to commemorate her 23-year-old daugh- the aftermath of the attack-including ter’s death two years ago, the victim’s better policing, women’s helplines and father called for a collective change in fast-track courts as well as the new law. society’s attitude towards women. The survey by the Hindustan Times “The government has changed the newspaper of 2,557 women also said 97 laws but that alone won’t help. For things percent reported they had been victims to change, the society as a whole needs themselves of some kind of sexual to change the way it treats and looks at MUNINLUPA: National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives round up inmates inside New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, south of Manila yes- harassment. women,” the father told AFP. terday. A sex, drugs and bribery scandal at the Philippines’ main prison, where a raid uncovered drug lords “living like kings” in luxury cells with The physiotherapy student was sav- “This anniversary is obviously a sad stripper bars and jacuzzis, has shocked a country inured to tales of official corruption. — AFP agely attacked by six men after boarding day for us. It refreshes all those painful a bus on her way home from the cinema memories. We just hope that her killers with a male friend on December 16, are executed before the next anniver- 2012. sary.” — AFP Prison sex, drugs and bribery scandal shocks Philippines ‘Military should take over the prison’

MANILA: A sex, drugs and bribery scandal at mobile telephones and computers. One room government had long known about the prob- the Philippines’ main prison, where a raid was stocked with an expensive whisky brand lems and was only acting now to correct it. uncovered drug lords “living like kings” in luxury and another had a safe containing expensive “It’s not just a drugs problem. It also con- cells with stripper bars and jacuzzis, has watches and a stack of dollar bills. cerns kidnappers. The masterminds and the fin- shocked a country inured to tales of official cor- anciers inside... have direct access to the rem- ruption. Concert stage nants of their gang outside” who continue to The revelations were headline news yester- The raid also turned up a small concert stage kidnap people, See said. day, a day after police commandos swooped on with rock music instruments and a room with an Jimenez, whose brother was murdered by a the infamously crowded Bilibid prison complex elevated platform, strobe lights and a mirror drug dealer now serving time at Bilibid, said to verify reports drug rings were operated from ball where police said strippers smuggled into endemic corruption in the prison system behind bars. the jail compound performed. allowed prison officials to trade privileges for Police found methamphetamine or “ice”, De Lima told reporters yesterday the privi- cash. cash, inflatable sex dolls, a stripper bar and a leged prisoners each had two million pesos Convicts with cash are also regularly released jacuzzi spread across 20 air-conditioned “villas” ($44,620) in cash in their pockets during the for one night or even an entire weekend at a built for convicted drug dealers, according to raid. “When you are summoned (by prison offi- time, he alleged. “In one case the inmate was Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. cials), you must have cash on hand, especially taken to a hospital suite, where he received “The military should take over the prison, now that it’s Christmas,” she added. high-class prostitutes.” and all the people involved from top to bottom Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu Jimenez also said that in some provincial must be fired,” Dante Jimenez, founder of the insisted Tuesday that his government agency jails, convicts were at times freed to carry out Manila-based watchdog group Volunteers was unaware of the extent of the structures. “It’s contract killings. The abuses highlight official Against Crime and Corruption, told AFP. like a maze, like a tunnel. When you enter you’ll corruption and the wide divide between rich NEW DELHI: Indian political and civil society activists take part in a vigil to mark “It’s unfair that even after conviction, we’re get lost because there are many people inside, and poor. The remaining prisoners, mostly petty the second anniversary of the fatal gang-rape of a student in the Indian capital, still not sure that justice has been served,” many partitions. You’ll need a guide,” he added. criminals, are crammed in squalid cells. at the bus stop in the Munirka area of New Delhi yesterday. Women’s safety in added Teresita See, head of the Manila-based “It’s only now that we’re zeroing on it. Our Ordinary Filipinos took to social media to India has not improved since the fatal gang-rape of a student in New Delhi, the Movement for the Restoration of Peace and task is to reform the system,” he said, adding the mock what they described as their govern- victim’s parents said the anniversary of the attack that sparked international Order. luxury accommodation would be dismantled. ment’s ineptitude. outrage. — AFP De Lima admitted after the raid on Bilibid, a President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman “Prison life: It’s more fun in the Philippines,” sprawling suburban Manila complex built for Herminio Coloma told reporters yesterday: Twitter user EDD K. Usman microblogged, using 8,900 inmates but currently housing 23,000, “Secretary de Lima is conducting a thorough a play on the country’s tourism slogan. “Why is that the drug convicts were “living like kings”. investigation and all those responsible will be (Corrections chief Bucayu) still there? Where Philippines seeks They had the use of structures with marble- punished.” does he get the gall?” added Twitter user Dylan custody of US Marine tiled bathrooms and hot showers, and access to However, both See and Jimenez alleged the Castro. — AFP charged with murder India court dismisses MANILA: The Philippine government the hotel with Laude. He was the last per- marine’s plea to sought formal custody yesterday of a US son seen with her, police said. Marine charged with murder over the Murder is punishable by up to 40 years extend stay in Italy death of a Filipino transgender woman in jail. The US embassy issued a statement after a court ordered his arrest. Tuesday on the murder charge against NEW DELHI: India’s top court yesterday dismissed a In a case that has fanned anti-American Pemberton, but made no mention of the plea by an Italian marine facing murder charges to stay feelings and tested close military ties, court order for his arrest. “In accordance in his home country for four more months to undergo Joseph Pemberton was charged Monday with the US-Philippine Visiting Forces medical treatment. with murdering a transgender woman Agreement, the United States has a right to Massimiliano Lattore, who suffered a stroke in who was found dead at a cheap hotel in retain custody of a suspect from the com- August, is one of two Italian marines accused over the the northern port city of Olongapo in mission of the alleged offence until the 2012 shooting of two fishermen mistakenly believed to October. completion of all judicial proceedings,” it be pirates, in a case that has soured ties between New A lower court in Olongapo ordered the said. Delhi and Rome. defendant’s arrest yesterday and ruled he “The United States will continue to work The Supreme Court had allowed Lattore, 47, to will not be entitled to post bail, court offi- closely with the Philippine government to return to Italy in September for four months of medical cials said. “We welcome the progress made help ensure justice is served and the rights treatment. He sought to double that extension in his so far on the case, and as we stated earlier, of all persons are protected.” latest plea to undergo treatment that includes heart we will now formally seek custody over the A US embassy spokeswoman did not bypass surgery. accused,” foreign department spokesman immediately reply to requests for comment “The plea of the accused is dismissed,” Chief Justice Charles Jose said in a statement. by AFP on the arrest order and the foreign of India H.L. Dattu said. Pemberton has remained under official department’s request to seek custody of He also dismissed a separate plea by the second US custody even after he was transferred Pemberton. Italian marine accused in the case, Salvatore Girone, to from a US warship off Olongapo to the Laude’s death sparked street protests in return to Italy for Christmas. Philippine military headquarters in Manila the Philippines, a former US colony that amid a public outcry. gained independence in 1946 but has Following international pressure, India dropped a Jennifer Laude, a 26-year-old transgen- retained a close alliance. The United States plan to prosecute the marines under a tough new anti- der woman also known as Jeffrey, was closed down two major military bases in piracy law. Italy says the incident occurred in interna- found dead on October 12 in a cheap hotel 1992, but the allies in 1998 signed a Visiting tional waters and that jurisdiction over the marines TRIVANDRUM: In this April 22, 2012 file photo, an Indian policeman stands guard as should lie with Rome. in a red light district of the port city of Forces Agreement that allowed US troops Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre, left, and Salvatore Girone, center, walk to enter In April 2012, Rome paid $190,000 to each of the vic- Olongapo. to take part in war games on Philippine main premises of the central prison, where they were then detained in Trivandrum, Pemberton, 19 at the time, had just fin- soil. Military exercises involving thousands India. India’s top court turned down travel appeals by two Italian marines accused of tims’ families as compensation. In return, the families ished taking part in US-Philippine military of US soldiers have since taken place each killing two Indian fishermen in 2012. The Supreme Court yesterday denied dropped their cases against the marines, but the state’s exercises near Olongapo and checked into year. — AFP Massimiliano Latorre permission to remain in his country for two more months.— AP case has yet to come to trial. — Reuters NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Mudej grilling fizzles out Jeb Bush to run Continued from Page 1 of goods in the local market so no artificial increases take place. Turaiji also accused the minister of appointing the of the liberal National Democratic Forum before joining brother of an MP as an adviser and showed documents to the Cabinet over a year ago. prove the appointment of relatives of ministers and MPs in for US president Turaiji claimed that the minister is responsible for viola- the Capital Markets Authoriy and the bourse. The minister tions in the subsidies department in the ministry, whether again denied the allegations and insisted that he cannot it is food subsidies or for construction materials, alleging interfere in the affairs of the Capital Market Authority and WASHINGTON: Jeb Bush, son to one former US presi- the political scene and largely centrist positions. In partic- that the ministry has overpaid around KD 100 million to an denied the appointments. Turaiji further claimed that the dent and brother to another, threw his hat into the ring ular, his moderate stance in the explosive US immigration owner of a steel factory. minister approved moving a number of employees from for the 2016 race yesterday, announcing he had consult- debate - he has proposed extending legal papers to some The lawmaker said the ministry has failed to curb price their positions because they complained against a number ed his family and decided to explore a bid. “As a result of classes of illegal immigrant - may hurt his chances. rises and trade in expired goods because some of its top of corrupt senior officials. The minister categorically denied these conversations and thoughtful consideration of the officials are owners of commercial enterprises. He exhibit- the claims. kind of strong leadership I think America needs, I have Crowded field ed documents showing that a number of commerce min- Speaking in favour of the grilling, MP Abdulhameed decided to actively explore the possibility of running for Bush is a mainstream Republican, seen as less ideolog- istry officials have commercial licences. Dashti said that his relation with the minister is much clos- president,” he said. The 61-year-old former Florida gover- ical than conservatives like Senators Ted Cruz and Rand Turaiji claimed that the head of the bourse receives a er than those with Turaiji, with whom he had a number of nor turned private investor is the first serious Republican Paul, Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Arkansas gov- very big salary (KD 14,500 per month) because he is a sen- court disputes, but “he was speaking for Kuwait”. Dashti contender to announce a likely run in his party’s primar- ernor Mike Huckabee. Cruz, Paul and another potential ior official in the minister’s political group. He also claimed claimed that the minister has squandered public funds and ies. candidate from Florida, Senator Marco Rubio, have that an employee who tested some soft drinks products as distributed wealth as if he is running a private farm. MP Jockeying is already underway to see who will chal- already launched leadership PACs - political action com- unfit for human consumption was demoted and themn Mubarak Al-Harees defended the minister and insisted that lenge the presumptive Democratic frontrunner, Hillary mittees - fundraising tools seen as steps toward a run. moved from his position after he refused orders to change Turaiji failed to substantiate his claims and allegations Clinton, in the general election to decide who will replace Bush’s move heaps pressure on two Republicans viewed his results and reports. against the minister and tried to unnecessarily bring President Barack Obama. But the announcement of such as influential party moderates: New Jersey Governor Chris The minister however denied all the allegations, espe- immoral incidents into the grilling to give it some weight, a high-profile and popular politician essentially shifts the Christie and defeated 2012 Republican flag-bearer Mitt cially that top ministry officials are engaged in private busi- but also failed in this. 2016 White House race into full gallop. Other Republicans Romney. ness, saying that only one executive obtained a licence for A number of other MPs also spoke in spoke in favour of - and there are many contemplating a run - are on notice Romney, a two-time White House challenger, has a very small shop more than 15 years ago. The minister also the grilling and against before several MPs submitted the that the clock is ticking. repeatedly stated he is not running for president, but denied any wrongdoing in the subsidies department and recommendations.The support of 10 MPs was needed to Creating an exploratory committee would permit Bush there is a Republican movement to draft him for one final said the ministry has been working hard to oversee prices file a no-confidence motion. to start raising funds legally and traditionally signals the attempt. In the primaries, the state-wide races which first official step in a presidential campaign process. His determine a party’s presidential candidate every four statement did not officially announce an exploratory years, the Republican faithful demand conservative fealty Bourses battered as oil falls committee, but a declaration to “actively explore the pos- from the candidates. Earlier this month Bush openly sibility” is pretty clear speak in US politics. “In January, I warned about such challenges, telling a Washington Continued from Page 1 of cutting subsidies on fuel, water and electricity. New prices also plan to establish a Leadership PAC that will help me forum that a nominee should “lose the primary to win the for diesel, kerosene and jet fuel will be introduced at the facilitate conversations with citizens across America to general without violating your principles”. “This has fuelled investor anxiety and tension amid beginning of the new year after subsidies on those fuels are discuss the most critical challenges facing our exception- In 2012, with Tea Party conservatives in the ascendant, extremely high uncertainty... Nobody knows the floor for oil reduced, Omair said. al nation,” Bush said. Romney was seen as tilting far to the right to appease core- prices, as they could hit $40 or less,” Abu-Dahesh told AFP. On Sunday, Bush had said he would decide “in short value voters during primaries, only to balance back to the Dubai has been the most volatile among the Gulf Gulf can Cope: IMF order” whether he will seek to follow his brother George middle in the general election. Bush may face headwinds exchanges, probably because it is the most exposed to inter- Speaking at a conference in Dubai yesterday, an W Bush, president from 2001 to 2009, and their father on several fronts, including Bush fatigue. His brother led national markets and investors, traders said. International Monetary Fund official said that although the George H W Bush, 1989 to 1993. When it comes to wooing America into two wars that proved unpopular, and their The Saudi Tadawul All-Shares Index, the largest in the oil price plunge would cut revenues of Gulf Arab govern- the conservative Republican base in his own party’s pri- mother Barbara Bush acknowledged last year that voters Arab world, dropped more than four percent in just one ments, they had big reserves so in general they would not maries, he could suffer from his seven-year absence from have “had enough Bushes” in the White House. — AFP minute after opening yesterday. The TASI deepened losses need to reduce state spending significantly. If current oil and closed down 7.3 percent on 7,330.30 points, its lowest prices persist next year, the six rich nations of the Gulf level since May 2013. All 15 Saudi sectors dived, led by the Cooperation Council will face the most dramatic change in Carnage as Taleban storm Peshawar... market-leading petrochemicals with 7.5 percent and energy their fortunes since the global economic crisis in 2008. All with 6.8 percent. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange dipped except Qatar would run state budget deficits as oil revenues Continued from Page 1 and their families killed in the army’s offensive against mil- below the 4,000-point mark to close 6.9 percent lower on shrank; Bahrain and Oman would be deep in the red. itant strongholds in North Waziristan. “We are doing this 3,892.08 points. The key energy sector dropped 8.7 percent Harald Finger, the IMF’s head of mission for the United I lay as still as I could and closed my eyes, waiting to get because we want them to feel the pain of how terrible it is and real estate slumped 9.8 percent. Arab Emirates, said that because the big GCC economies shot again,” he said. “My body was shivering. I saw death so when your loved ones are killed,” he said. “We are taking The Qatar Exchange, the second largest in the Gulf after had built up huge fiscal reserves, they would not have to cut close and I will never forget the black boots approaching this step so that their families should mourn as ours are Saudi Arabia, dipped 3.5 percent to remain slightly above state spending deeply, and could therefore avoid sharp eco- me - I felt as though it was death that was approaching mourning.” the 11,000-point mark on 11,057.33 points. The Kuwait Stock nomic slowdowns. “Most of the GCC countries have quite me.” The military has hailed the offensive as a major success Exchange fell 2.1 percent to 6,170.90 points, while the small significant buffers in the form of foreign assets in sovereign There were around 500 students in the school when the in disrupting the TTP’s insurgency. More than 1,600 mili- Muscat bourse lost 2.9 percent to close on 5,409.41 points. wealth funds or central banks, plus most of these countries attack started, and Bajwa said the attackers, equipped with tants have been killed since the launch of operation Zarb- Bahrain was off. Oil faced another dizzying plunge yesterday, have a capacity to borrow, so there is no need now for a very ammunition and food to last “days”, only wanted to kill. e-Azb in June, according to data compiled by AFP from with Brent crude sliding to a five-year low under $60 as mar- steep and quick reduction of spending, which would not “The terrorists started indiscriminate firing as they entered regular military statements. Talat Masood, a retired gener- kets were rocked by shrinking Chinese manufacturing out- necessarily be desirable,” he said. the auditorium so they had no intention of taking any al and security analyst, said the attack was intended to put and turmoil in Russia. Finger said the UAE might have to tap into its store of for- hostages”, he told reporters. weaken the military’s resolve. “The militants know they At midday in London, benchmark contract Brent North eign assets to sustain government spending if oil prices The Lady Reading Hospital was thronged with dis- won’t be able to strike at the heart of the military, they Sea crude for January delivery slumped to $58.50 per barrel - stayed at current levels or went lower. Abu Dhabi’s largest the lowest level since May 2009 - and New York’s West Texas sovereign wealth fund is believed to have nearly $800 billion traught parents weeping uncontrollably as children’s bod- don’t have the capacity. So they are going for soft targets,” Intermediate (WTI) for January hit a similar nadir at $53.80. of assets, roughly twice the UAE’s entire annual gross ies arrived, their school uniforms drenched in blood. Masood told AFP. The oil market has plummeted by almost 50 percent since domestic product, so it could cover many years of budget Irshadah Bibi, 40, whose 12-year-old son was among the The attack began in the morning when the gunmen June, dented also by OPEC’s recent decision to hold its out- deficits. UAE economy minister Sultan bin Saeed Al- dead, beat her face in grief, throwing herself against an entered the school and started shooting at random. Army put ceiling in an oversupplied market. Mansouri told the conference that the country’s fiscal ambulance. “O God, why did you snatch away my son? commandos quickly arrived at the scene and started reserves would let it avoid any significant cuts to develop- What is the sin of my child and all these children?” she exchanging fire with the gunmen. Students wearing No Need to Change OPEC Decision ment projects in coming years. wept. Funerals of many of the victims had taken place by green school uniforms could be seen fleeing the area on Meanwhile, the Kuwaiti oil minister said yesterday that Senior economic officials from the two biggest emirates evening, with the rest to follow today. Sajid Khan, the Pakistani television. Outside the school, two loud booms OPEC should stick by its decision to maintain production lev- in the UAE, forecast yesterday their economies would stay uncle of 10-year-old student Gul Sher, told AFP his nephew of unknown origin were heard coming from the scene in els despite sliding prices, as Brent crude breached the $60 strong. Abu Dhabi predicted average growth of 5.5 percent had plans to become a doctor, but instead God had placed the early afternoon, as Pakistani troops battled with the mark. “There is no need for OPEC to change its decision” tak- annually between 2014 and 2018; Dubai forecast rates him in casket. “We cannot take the revenge from the ter- attackers. Armored personnel carriers were deployed en on Nov 27, Ali Al-Omair told reporters outside parliament. above 4.5 percent. So far, international investors appear to rorists but we pray to Allah to take the revenge,” he said. around the school grounds, and a Pakistani military heli- “Kuwait believes the decision was correct and we should agree that the big Gulf economies can ride out an era of low- Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced three days of copter circled overhead. Pakistani television showed sol- continue with it,” he said, brushing aside calls for the er oil prices without facing debt crises or steep reductions in national mourning and described the attack as a “national diers surrounding the area and pushing people back. Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to take their economic growth. Bond yields and credit default swap tragedy unleashed by savages”. “These were my children. Ambulances streamed from the area to local hospitals. action. The decision was not aimed at triggering “a price prices in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar have not This is my loss. This is the nation’s loss,” he said. Nobel “My son was in uniform in the morning. He is in a cas- war”, he Omair supported a statement by the OPEC secretary risen sharply, suggesting little stress on financial systems. In peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, herself shot by the ket now,” wailed one parent, Tahir Ali, as he came to the general, Abdullah El-Badri, that there was no need for an contrast to 2008, moves in foreign exchange forwards mar- Taleban in 2012, said she was “heartbroken” by “the sense- hospital to collect the body of his 14-year-old son emergency OPEC meeting to study deteriorating oil prices kets do not indicate major pressure on Gulf countries’ cur- less and cold-blooded” killing. US President Barack Obama Abdullah. “My son was my dream. My dream has been and global markets. “No country (from OPEC) has so far rency pegs to the dollar. condemned the attack as “heinous” and said America killed.” One of the wounded students, Abdullah Jamal, called for an emergency meeting,” Omair said. The minister However, the stock markets’ collapse shows the local hinted that oil prices could continue to slide. “Undoubtedly retail investors who dominate equities trade in the Gulf are would stand by Pakistan in its struggle against violent said that he was with a group of 8th, 9th and 10th many of the shale oil and sand oil companies are producing unnerved by the speed of oil’s decline and worried by the extremism. Narendra Modi, the prime minister of graders who were getting first-aid instructions and train- at a cost higher that current oil prices,” Omair said. “It fact that their governments do not appear to have tried to Pakistan’s neighbour and bitter rival India, phoned Sharif ing with a team of Pakistani army medics when the vio- depends on the capability of these producers to continue support oil prices. Mohamad Lahouel, chief economist at to offer condolences, Sharif’s office said. lence began for real. When the shooting started, Jamal, pumping at such a low price,” he said. the Dubai Department of Economic Development, The school on Peshawar’s Warsak Road is part of the who was shot in the leg, said nobody knew what was Omair said that OPEC pumps around 30 percent of global acknowledged that poor sentiment related to oil prices Army Public Schools and Colleges System, which runs going on in the first few seconds. “Then I saw children supplies and “we cannot reduce this level. We took the initia- could slow growth next year. “Households may anticipate schools nationwide. Its students range in age from around falling down who were crying and screaming. I also fell tive of keeping production unchanged when we had the low future oil prices and lower income and start reducing 10 to 18. Yesterday’s attack was seen as shocking even by down. I learned later that I have got a bullet,” he said, capability to produce more.” The minister said that “surplus their spending in 2015,” he said in a presentation to the con- the standards of Pakistan, which has suffered thousands speaking from his hospital bed. Another student, Amir crude supplies are drying up... which shows that things will ference. After the markets closed, Mansouri issued a state- of deaths in bomb and gun attacks since the TTP rose up Mateen, said they locked the door from the inside when stabilise. It’s a matter of time.” Kuwait’s development projects ment intended to reassure stock market investors, saying in 2007. TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said yes- they heard the shooting but gunmen blasted through will not be affected by the drop in oil price, Omair said, they should act rationally and that markets tended eventu- terday’s assault was carried out to avenge Taleban fighters the door anyway and opened fire. — Agencies adding that the government was looking into the possibility ally to resume rising after falls. — Agencies WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Focus Plunging oil ‘to spark more global tensions’

By Caroline Varin

he oil market faces an uncertain outlook in 2015 as tumbling prices resulting from global oversupply Tstoke geopolitical tensions in key producers of crude, analysts say. Oil prices have lost around half their value since June, punished by abundant supplies, a stronger dol- lar and weak demand in the faltering world economy. Losses accelerated in late November when the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) - which pumps out one-third of the world’s oil - decided against cutting its output despite the supply glut. Prices subsequently hit a series of five-year lows in London and New York, rocked also by 2015 oil demand forecast downgrades from both OPEC and the International Energy Agency watchdog. At the OPEC meet- ing on Nov 27, kingpin Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monar- Syria female fighters battle for equality too chies opposed a cut to the cartel’s daily output ceiling of 30 million barrels. Analysts say they want lower prices, By Benedetta Argentieri Fierce Fighters as derogatory. Last year she travelled to Syria to join the YPJ and even if it slashes incomes, to counter the rise of US shale “We want to set an example for (both) the Middle East and the now heads her unit, which originally had 20 members, mainly from oil - which is more expensive to produce and eats into very night before 27-year-old Arin goes to bed, she hangs her West. We want gender equality for all,” said one of the six other Syria and Turkey. Today only seven survive. She was reluctant to OPEC’s market share. However at the other end of the Makarov, a Russian semi-automatic pistol, from a steel coat women in Arin’s unit who all live in the same, small apartment. give too many details about the group’s combat operations or to scale, oil producers Venezuela, Nigeria, Iran, Iraq and Erack by the entrance to her one-bedroom apartment in a When asked for their full names, the women declined, preferring comment on any links between the YPJ and the Kurdistan Workers’ Russia are desperate for prices to rise so they can balance small, dusty town on the Syrian border with Iraq. The pistol was an to be known and addressed by their noms de guerre. David L Party, or PKK, an organization fighting for Kurds in Turkey that is their books and salvage their teetering economies. award for her success on the front line in the battle to protect Phillips, director of a program on Peace-building and Rights at designated a terrorist group by the United States and European Kurdish areas of northeastern Syria and is a far cry from her life a Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights in Union. Syrian Kurds have an ambiguous relationship Assad, who Social, Political Turmoil year ago when she was working as a nurse in Cologne in Germany. New York, said these women were making a mark. “(They) are has mostly left the Kurds alone while focusing firepower on insur- In Venezuela, plunging crude oil prices have already “This is a bloody war,” Arin, using only her combat name, told the some of the fiercest and most effective fighters. Many of them are gents fighting to unseat him. The Syrian Kurds have denied coop- sparked social unrest and political uncertainty. Following Thomson Reuters Foundation at the almost deserted apartment widowed, and strongly motivated on the battlefield by their per- erating with Assad. When they’re not fighting, the unit of seven the OPEC meeting, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro block in Til Kocher in northeastern Syria. “But we need to fight it, sonal loss,” he said. women try to avoid talking about war. They cook and laugh as if ordered his government to slash the budget of his oil- we need to protect our women and children or nobody else will Human Rights Watch has reported serious human rights abus- they were living an ordinary life but their lives are far from normal. dependent and economically weak nation. In Russia, the defend us.” Arin is one of thousands of young Kurdish women who es by the Syrian government and other opposition fighters in the Arin hasn’t talked to her parents since she left Germany. “I don’t call tumbling oil market - combined with Western sanctions have taken up arms in the past two years, with Kurds, Syria’s largest Syria and also said Kurds in parts of northern Syria have carried out them, it’s better this way,” she said, adding that she might call then linked to the Ukraine crisis - has sparked a collapse in the minority group, largely left to their own devices by President arbitrary arrests and failed to investigate the killings and disap- one day, once the war is over. “My life is here with these brave ruble. The plunge in crude prices since June has hit Russia Bashar Al-Assad’s forces battling Islamic State militants who have pearance of political opponents. Arin, who was born and raised in women. They are my family.” particularly hard, as half of the country’s revenues stem seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. About 7,500 women are esti- Germany, said she was awarded her pistol after she killed 20 Her loyalty to her fellow soldiers is typical of YPJ members who mated to have joined the Women’s Protection Unit, or YPJ, many as Islamic State militants, earning her the reputation among her col- boast to live by a code of honesty, morals and justice, addressing from energy exports. Russia’s central bank hiked its interest volunteers, which was set up in 2012 as part of the People’s leagues as one of the most dangerous snipers in the group. Born each other as Haval, the Kurdish word for comrade and friend. The rate for the second time in a week on Monday in an Defense Unit (YPG), the Kurds’ dominant fighting unit in the north- in Cologne of Kurdish parents, Arin graduated from nursing schedule of Arin’s unit is always tight, starting with breakfast at 8 attempt to halt the ruble’s plunge, which has sparked huge ern Syria region of Rojava. school and was working there when the Syrian conflict started, a.m. every day and strategy meetings. Nisan, a 24-year-old com- rises for consumer goods. Norway, on the other hand, Their aim is to fight any group that threatens Kurdish inhabited rising a pro-democracy movement which grew into an armed batant, spread a gray plastic table cloth on the floor. She lost her unexpectedly cut interest rates on Thursday in an effort to areas of Rojava and the YPG has taken defacto control over a siz- uprising and inflamed regional confrontations. Some 200,000 right finger while fighting in Rabia, the Iraqi town adjacent to Til counteract the impact of plunging oil prices and stimulate able chunk of Syria’s predominantly Kurdish north. While female people have died during the four-year conflict, according to the Kocher, in August. Rangin, another sniper, came in with breakfast: the Nordic nation’s oil-dependent economy. In the Middle fighters are common within the ranks of Kurdish forces, a women’s United Nations. Tomatoes, olives, goat cheese, and homemade bread. After break- East, Iraq - which is battling Islamic State (IS) militants - will only combat unit is unusual for the Muslim world where some “I had a good life, I liked living there,” Arin said, dressed in a fast, the unit’s phone rang. Orders were given and three women take a major hit from the plunging cost of crude, according Islamic traditionalists are of the view that women should not dark green camouflage uniform with baggy trousers, but she felt grabbed their combat gear, ready to jump in a car waiting for them to expert Richard Mallinson at consultancy Energy engage in combat. Like the followers of Islamic State, many Kurds she had to do something as the news became worse. “I remem- outside to take them to Jezza, a town close to Kobani near the Aspects. “For now the Iraqi prime minister (Haider Al- are Sunni Muslims but this band of young female fighters hope ber watching television when I saw women and children slaugh- Turkish border and one of the most violent flashpoints in the war. Abadi) is managing to hold together his political coalition their frontline role will help put women on an equal footing with tered by Daesh (Islamic State), and I couldn’t stand it anymore,” “We are going to fight the Daesh, take care,” Arin said as she closed and has halted IS advances with various international sup- men. she added, using a term for Islamic States that is widely viewed the door behind her. — Reuters port,” Mallinson said. “Iraqi politicians will find it difficult to cut spending in the current context and so the country is potentially facing a serious economic crisis in the next year Can identifying mental illness stop attacks? or two.” Added to the picture, Iran - the second biggest oil producer in the 12-nation OPEC cartel after kingpin Saudi By Jill Lawless Arabia - is gaining increasing power within Iraq. “Iran is getting even more influential in Iraq, and those two coun- radical Muslim killed a soldier outside Canada’s Parliament. tries together could start to challenge the level of Saudi A rightwing extremist opened fire on buildings in Texas’ crude oil exports in coming years,” said Petromatrix analyst Acapital and tried to burn down the Mexican Consulate. An Olivier Jakob. At the same time however, US lawmakers Al-Qaeda-inspired assailant hacked an off-duty soldier to death in could decide next year to impose fresh sanctions on Iran London. Police said all three were terrorists and motivated by ide- over its disputed nuclear energy programme, which could ology. Authorities and family members said they may have been continue to weigh on the nation’s own oil exports. mentally ill. A growing body of research suggests they might well have been both. Rebalancing? New studies have challenged several decades of thinking that Some analysts, however, predict that low oil prices psychological problems are only a minor factor in the making of terrorists. The research has instead found a significant link could stimulate demand and global economic growth, between mental problems and “lone wolf” terrorism. Now aca- which would help soak up excess supplies. In turn, that demics and law enforcement officials are working to turn that would help to lift prices in the long run. “One cure for low research into tools to prevent deadly attacks. “It’s never an either- oil prices is low oil prices,” summarised analysts at Swiss or in terms of ideology versus mental illness,” said Ramon Spaaij, a bank UBS. A 25 percent drop in world oil prices in the short sociologist at Australia’s Victoria University who conducted a term would help boost global demand for crude by 0.50 major study, funded by the US Justice Department, of lone wolf percent, or 460,000 barrels per day, according to IMF data extremists. “It’s a dangerous cocktail.” cited by British bank Barclays. The study preceded yesterday’s end to a deadly, 16-hour siege However, it could take quite some time for the benefits involving a gunman who took hostages in a cafe in Sydney. Prime of low oil prices to boost world economic growth. “It could Minister Tony Abbott said the gunman - Iranian-born Man Haron This image taken from video shows a man believed to be the gunman, Man Haron Monis, inside a cafe in Sydney potentially take from a few months to perhaps a year for Monis - had “a long history of violent crime, infatuation with on Monday. — AP the lower oil prices to feed through the global economy,” extremism and mental instability”. With groups like Islamic State But the new research suggests that solo terrorists are much Missed Opportunity noted analyst Fawad Razaqzada at trading site Forex.com. spreading violence in Syria and Iraq - and bloodthirsty rhetoric on more likely to have mental health problems than either members MI5 agents suggested that Adebowale - who is now serving In the meantime, low prices would curb output from high- the Internet - authorities around the world have issued increas- of the general public or participants in group terrorism. Spaaij a life sentence in a psychiatric hospital - be assessed by the cost US shale energy producers, according to Germany’s ingly insistent warnings about the threat posed by lone wolf and Mark Hamm of Indiana State University studied 98 lone wolf agency’s Behavioral Science Unit, a team of psychologists and Commerzbank. Falling oil prices “will be a tough test for attackers. attackers in the US. They found that 40 percent had identifiable social scientists, but the assessment was never done. The law- the profitability of many (US) producers and is likely to They can be difficult to stop with a counterterrorism strategy mental health problems, compared with 1.5 percent in the gener- makers’ report called that a missed opportunity, and recom- spark a supply reaction in the medium term,” said geared toward intercepting communications and disrupting al population. Their conclusion? Mental illness is not the only fac- mended that “MI5 should ensure that the unit’s advice is inte- Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch. OPEC faces tough plots. Solo terrorism “doesn’t take an awful lot of organizing. It tor that drives individuals to commit terrorist acts, but it is one of grated more thoroughly into investigations.” doesn’t take too many people to conspire together. There’s no new competition from cheaper oil from US shale fields - the factors. Spaaj said mental illness can play a part “in shaping Signals also were misread in the case of Nicky Reilly, a 22- great complexity to it,” London Police Chief Bernard Hogan-Howe particular belief systems and in constructing the enemy, external- year-old convert to Islam who walked into a restaurant in the but this involves a costly extraction process that needs told the BBC recently. “So what that means is that we have a very izing blame for one’s own failure or grievances onto this all-threat- English town of Exeter in 2008 with a homemade bomb. The high oil prices to make it worthwhile. Oil output is boom- short time to interdict, to actually intervene and make sure that ening enemy.” device went off in the restroom, injuring Reilly and no one else. ing in the United States thanks to fracking, which involves these people don’t get away with it.” A second study by Paul Gill and Emily Corner of University At his trial, jurors were told that Reilly had learning difficulties blasting a high-pressure blend of water, sand and chemi- Police forces and intelligence agencies are examining whether College London looked at 119 lone wolf attackers and a similar and had had many years of contact with mental health services. cals deep underground in order to release hydrocarbons insights from research by Spaaij and others could help. Spaaij said number of members of violent extremist groups in the US and In 2003, he talked to a psychiatrist about making a bomb. The trapped between layers of shale rock. — AFP a number of law enforcement and intelligence agencies have Europe. Almost a third of the lone wolves - nearly 32 percent - had information was passed on to the police, who judged that Reilly shown interest in his work. In Britain, a police counterterrorism been diagnosed with a mental illness, while only 3.4 percent of wasn’t a serious threat. unit is using a major study of lone wolf terrorists to develop risk- terrorist group members were mentally ill. “Group-based terrorists American authorities, in contrast, have been accused of assessment analysis. A British security official who spoke on con- are psychologically quite normal,” the researchers said. They said being too aggressive in pursuit of lone attackers. The FBI has All articles appearing on these dition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk on the one reason may be that terrorist recruiters are likely to reject can- foiled several alleged attacks through sting operations in which pages are the personal opinion of record said many attackers display warning signs, but that recog- didates who appear erratic or mentally ill. agents posed as terror supporters, supplying advice and equip- the writers. Kuwait Times takes no nizing them is easier in retrospect. He said British intelligence offi- Mental illness could make lone wolf attacks easier to foresee: ment. Critics say the strategy can amount to entrapment of cials are studying the link between mental illness and lone-actor Gill said 60 percent of the attackers he studied leaked details of mentally vulnerable people who wouldn’t have the wherewith- responsibility for views expressed terrorism. their plans, sometimes telling friends or family. He and Corner are al to act alone. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- working with a British counterterrorism unit as police try to devel- Meanwhile, the fundamental question of whether there is ers to voice their opinions. Please Lone Wolf Attackers op ways of distinguishing genuine threats from hot-headed talk. a link between mental health problems and terrorism Most people with mental health problems are neither terror- The unit declined to discuss the project, but recent cases suggest remains controversial. The most lethal lone-wolf attacker in send submissions via email to: opin- ists nor violent, and mental illness alone can’t explain lone wolf determining who really is a threat is fraught with difficulty. recent years was anti-Muslim extremist Anders Behring [email protected] or via snail attackers. Some experts dispute whether there is a link at all. After More than a year before he hacked a soldier to death in Breivik, who killed 77 people in a bombing and gun rampage mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s deadly attack on a soldier Oct 22 in London in 2013, Michael Adebowale’s online extremism drew the in Norway in 2011. Breivik was unrepentant. One psychiatric Ottawa, Jocelyn Belanger, a psychology professor at the attention of Britain’s intelligence services. Domestic intelligence report found him to be insane, while a second concluded The editor reserves the right to edit University of Quebec at Montreal, told the Canadian Senate’s agency MI5 told a parliamentary inquiry into the murder that it that he was sane - and judges agreed, sending him to prison any submission as necessary. national security committee that “to believe that radicalized indi- uses a range of factors to assess the threat from potential lone indefinitely. The killer was happy with the outcome. For viduals are crazy or not playing with a full deck will be our first wolves, including an inability to cope with stress and anxiety, Breivik, it was recognition that his views were legitimate and mistake in developing effective counterterrorism strategies.” social isolation and mental health problems. not those of a madman. — AP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SPORTS

Rooney: Utd can win league Adan could miss final Montoya eyes EPL move LONDON: Manchester United can challenge for the league title after recover- BANGKOK: Malaysia skipper Shukor Adan is struggling to overcome a BARCELONA: Barcelona defender Martin Montoya is eyeing a move to the ing from their worst start to a Premier League season and rediscovering the art back problem and could miss the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final Premier League having decided to leave the Catalan club in the January of winning ugly, according to their captain Wayne Rooney. The England striker against Thailand yesterday. transfer window, his agent said. scored as United beat bitter rivals Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to The central defender picked up the injury in the closing stages of The 23-year-old home grown talent opted to stay and fight for his place make it six consecutive league victories. their surprise 4-2 win over Vietnam in the second leg of the semi-final this season despite being on the radar of several European clubs including The 20-times English champions are third in the table with 31 points from on Thursday and has been undergoing treatment since. Liverpool, but he has been given little playing time. 16 games, eight adrift of leaders Chelsea, after new manager Louis van Gaal “The knock is causing me some discomfort in training,” Shukor was “He is going to go in January and all that has to be done is to reach an led United to their worst start to a season in the Premier League era. quoted as saying by Malaysian media in Bangkok yesterday. “I thought agreement with Barcelona,” Montoya’s representative Juan de Dios Carrasco Rooney thinks the team’s recent run, in which they have carved out victories it would be OK after a couple of days, but it is still bugging me. told Reuters yesterday. “There are a number of clubs in England that are at Arsenal and Southampton despite being outplayed for long periods, is remi- “Missing games are part and parcel of being a footballer, but I am ready to negotiate for him and his buy-out clause is 20 million euros.” niscent of the squad that were crowned champions two years ago. doing my best to ensure I get to start in the best possible condition.” Montoya has found himself fourth in the pecking order at the “We have to believe we can win the title,” he said. “We are Malaysia coach Dollah Salleh was wary of his side’s chances of winning Nou Camp behind Dani Alves, Douglas and Adriano. eight points behind and coming into a busy period. If we can only a second title at the biennial Southeast Asian championships if the “I know Martin very well and it is difficult for me to rule out win our games and the others have one bad result, then 35-year-old FELDA United back misses out. players and so imagine what it would be like for a player that I there is nothing there. “We have to keep winning our games, “Our defence will lose his leadership qualities if he does not play. had with me in the youth team,” coach Luis Enrique told a hopefully get back to the top, and you never know. We won Furthermore, he organises our defence well during matches,” the coach news conference this month. the league two years ago and we weren’t great in a lot of told reporters in Bangkok. “We still have Muslim Ahmad and Afif “I have only words of praise for his effort and willingness. those games but we got the results. Amirudin as options for Shukor in the centre-back position with Fadhli The situation can change in any moment and he is “We have shown a great resilience this season. Some Shas.” Malaysia, 2010 winners, face an uphill task against three times working hard for that to happen so all I can do is of the games haven’t gone the way we would like but champions Thailand who have been the standout side in the tourna- try to motivate him to keep doing what he is we are winning them and that is a great quality to ment so far and beat them 3-2 in group play. The Malaysians host the doing and make it difficult for his team have. —Reuters second leg on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur. — Reuters mates.” —Reuters

PITTSBURGH: Ryan Callahan No. 24 of the Tampa Bay Lightning hits Patric Hornqvist No. 72 of the Pittsburgh Penguins†in the third period at Consol Energy Center. — AFP Massaro aims to defend title Penguins stop Lightning DOHA: World champion Laura Massaro world titles in a year. The 2013 and 2014 believes that surviving an entire day of near World Championships have been staged panic before the final in Penang nine within nine months of each other and last PITTSBURGH: Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28 months ago has given her a better chance week Massaro headed an England squad shots, and Bryan Rust and Brian Dumoulin NHL results/standings of becoming the first Englishwoman ever which won the world team title back at scored their first NHL goals as the Pittsburgh to make a successful world title defence Niagara Falls. Penguins beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on this week. However the outdoor conditions in Monday. Toronto 4, Los Angeles 3 (SO); Chicago 2, Calgary 1; NY Rangers 2, Edmonton 0. Massaro, who has a rest day before play- night time Cairo are unique, while the field Brandon Sutter added a short-handed goal and Steve Downie had a goal and an assist as Western Conference Detroit 17 7 7 92 79 41 ing Annie Au of Hong Kong tomorrow for a is possibly the strongest in depth there has Pacific Division Montreal 19 10 2 83 79 40 place in the quarter-finals, says she will ever been, and the top seed is Nicol David, a the Penguins beat the Lightning for the 10th straight time. WL OTLGFGAPTS Toronto 18 9 3 103 85 39 draw on memories of her extreme ordeal seven-time champion who has been world Anaheim 21 6 5 95 83 47 last time to help deal with new challenges number one for more than 100 consecutive Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby missed his Florida 12 8 8 64 74 32 third straight game due to the mumps, though Vancouver 18 10 2 89 86 38 Boston 15 13 2 76 78 32 here.“There’s these different levels of nerv- months. The second-seeded Massaro has San Jose 17 11 4 90 82 38 he is expected to return later in the week. Ottawa 12 12 5 76 81 29 ousness,” the 31-year-old Lancastrian said also had trouble in the past with the Los Angeles 15 10 6 82 73 36 with a hint of humor. unorthodox left-handed skills of Au, the Jonathan Drouin and Nikita Kucherov scored Buffalo 12 16 2 56 91 26 for Tampa Bay. Lightning goalie Ben Bishop left Calgary 17 13 2 95 85 36 world number nine. Arizona 10 16 4 70 99 24 Metropolitan Division Against that, Massaro was extremely after the first period with a lower-body injury Pittsburgh 19 6 4 94 69 42 and did not return. Evgeni Nabokov made 18 Edmonton 7 19 5 65 104 19 resilient last night in falling temperatures NY Islanders 20 10 0 96 87 40 saves in two periods and took the loss. Central Division while resisting the challenge of Mariam Chicago 21 9 1 95 61 43 Washington 14 10 5 85 79 33 Metwally, a very talented 18-year-old. The St. Louis 20 8 2 89 70 42 NY Rangers 14 10 4 84 77 32 young Egyptian earned a game ball in the ISLANDERS 3, DEVILS 2 Josh Bailey scored the winning goal in the Nashville 19 8 2 78 57 40 Philadelphia 11 13 5 79 87 27 second game and was well in contention Winnipeg 15 10 6 73 74 36 till 7-8 in the fourth game of a 11-3, 13-11, fifth round of the shootout as the Islanders ral- New Jersey 11 15 5 72 91 27 lied in the third period for the second straight Minnesota 16 11 1 81 70 33 Columbus 12 15 2 71 95 26 8-11, 11-7 defeat. “I didn’t feel that happy Dallas 11 13 5 85 103 27 with my performance at first,” Massaro game. Bailey fired a shot between the pads of Carolina 8 18 3 61 83 19 Long Island native Keith Kincaid, who was trying Colorado 10 13 7 78 98 27 admitted. “My initial reaction was one of Eastern Conference Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one disappointment with my focus more than for his first NHL victory in front of nearly two point in the standings and are not included in dozen family members. He was in line for the Atlantic Division anything else. Tampa Bay 19 9 3 105 82 41 the loss column (L). “But having spoken with Camps (David win until Matt Martin scored the tying goal with Campion, England coach) and with Danny 4:15 left. Bailey also scored in the second period, (husband and psychologist), they seemed and Kyle Okposo added a shootout goal for the SABRES 5, SENATORS 4 since starting the season 3-13-2. pretty happy with the performance - given Islanders. Jaroslav Halak made 26 saves to top Matt Moulson scored the only goal of the Alex Chiasson had a goal and an assist for the the conditions and the fact that Mariam is the Devils. shootout to lift Buffalo to its sixth straight home Senators, and Bobby Ryan, Curtis Lazar and Mark young and talented and she had the home New York is 6-0 in shootouts and 9-0 after win. Moulson and Rasmus Ristolainen also Stone also scored. crowd, which came into it in the middle of regulation. Marek Zidlicky and Scott Gomez scored in regulation for the Sabres, while Brian Buffalo’s Jhonas Enroth and Ottawa’s Robin the third and fourth games.” scored first-period goals, and Jaromir Jagr assist- Flynn and Marcus Foligno each had a goal and Lehner both had 29 saves through overtime. As for Annie Au, she is “massively dan- ed on both but New Jersey dropped its fourth an assist as Buffalo has won a season-high four Enroth also stopped Mika Zibanejad, Kyle Turris gerous,” according to Massaro. “I’ve had a straight (0-2-2). Kincaid finished with 31 saves. straight overall. The Sabres improved to 10-3 and Bobby Ryan in the shootout.— AP few tough ones with her, but I managed to get two 3-0 wins over her - at the British Laura Massaro in action in this file Open, and at the world teams last week. photo. “She really taxes you with her ball control All Blacks coach Hansen re-signs “There’s the nervousness when playing and touch, so it will be a case of taking her for England, which is worse than that when strengths away from her if I am to have a WELLINGTON: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen agement, have in him,” Tew said in a statement. Zealand where a number of veteran players are you’re playing for yourself, and then there’s chance of winning.” has signed a contract extension until 2017, “To have him re-sign as head coach through expected to either retire or seek lucrative off- Penang nervousness, which is something Only then will Massaro start looking ensuring he will remain in charge of the to 2017 gives the All Blacks the continuity they shore contracts following the World Cup and else. ahead to a draw which has placed in her national side until after the British and Irish will need as they make the transition into 2016 the Lions tour looms as the All Blacks’ biggest “That’s the most nervous I have ever half the fifth-seeded Alison Waters, a fellow Lions tour of New Zealand. and beyond, following next year’s rugby World series before the 2019 World Cup in Japan. been in my life by far, and it helps me to member of the world team title winning The 55-year-old Hansen’s original contract Cup.” Hansen succeeded Graham Henry in the “After getting the support of my family and know I can win a world final, even when I squad, and Raneem El Weleily, the world had been until the end of the 2015 World Cup, role after the successful World Cup campaign various team personnel to continue, I asked have been like that. number three from Egypt. but New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive in 2011. myself if I still had the hunger and desire to “So, yes, going into this World Instead Massaro will spend the day prac- Steve Tew had indicated last month they were He had been assistant to Henry since 2004. continue in the role, which I do, so the deci- Championship I am going at some point to tising on the glass court at the Wadi Degla in talks to extend it beyond the global show- The All Blacks have won 38 of their 42 tests in sion to continue became a no-brainer, have to handle pressure, so hopefully I can club venue and perhaps casting an eye on piece. “Steve is the first All Blacks coach to be Hansen’s tenure, with two losses and two because there is no better job in world rugby,” use it here. If things go well I will use the David’s efforts as the Malaysian’s bid for an given a contract extension beyond a rugby draws the only blots on his copybook, and he Hansen said. “I am really looking forward to experience here. If not, I can always put it in eighth world title moves to a second round World Cup which demonstrates just how much has been named World Rugby’s coach of the the future, starting with 2015 and the oppor- the bank.” If Massaro does succeed again against a surprise survivor, Emily Whitlock, a faith the Board and our wider organisation, year for three successive years. The decision tunity and challenge that awaits us at the rug- she will be the first player ever to win three young English qualifier. — AFP together with the All Blacks players and man- had been widely expected in rugby-mad New by World Cup.” — Reuters WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SPORTS Pakistan look to clinch New Zealand series

ABU DHABI: Stand-in captain Shahid here, he is our captain till the World Cup Afridi is hoping Pakistan can maintain and I think he is watching each and every their winning momentum and seal the thing and that’s why the management series against New Zealand in the fourth wanted him to be here,” said Afridi. one-day match in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Pakistan has the option of resting Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 wayward paceman Wahab Riaz and after winning the first match in Dubai bringing in all-rounder Anwar Ali. New and the third in Sharjah. Zealand opener Martin Guptill said his New Zealand won the second game, team will look to bounce back once also played in Sharjah. Afridi, leading the again. “Our spirits are still high. We have a side in the absence of Misbah-ul Haq chance to come back and win 3-2. So, who injured his hamstring and was ruled there is still a lot of excitement in the out of the last three games, said he want- camp at the moment. We have two more ed a strong finish from his side. games to go out and prove that we can “The team has been playing here for do it and we know we can do it,” said the last three months and has played Guptill, who described New Zealand’s good cricket so it should be a happy reply of 217 to Pakistan’s 364-7 in Sharjah ending after the Test and T20 trophies as disappointing. were shared,” said Afridi yesterday. “We just didn’t get things right. We Pakistan lost the only Twenty20 didn’t have a platform to launch from like against Australia in October before being Pakistan did. That’s the key in chasing big white-washed 0-3 by Australia in the totals.” The fifth and final match will also one-day series-also played in United be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Arab Emirates. They then beat Australia 2-0 in Tests Teams (from): and squared the Twenty20 and Test Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain) series against New Zealand. Pakistan Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, were forced to send paceman Umar Gul Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad and all-rounder Bilawal Bhatti home after Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed, both suffered injuries. Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Afridi credited the team management Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah, COLOMBO: England’s batsman Alastair Cook plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, and Mahela Jayawardene watch dur- for Pakistan’s big 147-run win in the third Anwar Ali. ing the seventh one day international cricket match. — AP match on Friday. “I have not done any wonders,” said Afridi who scored a rapid New Zealand: Kane Williamson (cap- 26-ball 55 and took three wickets in the tain), Corey Anderson, Dean Brownlie, last match,” he said. Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Dilshan batters England “I will give the whole credit to the Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell management, they have created a good McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam COLOMBO: Tillakaratne Dilshan smashed a century atmosphere in the dressing room, all Milne, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, and grabbed three wickets in his 300th one-day inter- SCOREBOARD those players who used to have a fear of Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori. national as Sri Lanka whipped England by 87 runs in failure, they now have no fear of failure the seventh and final match in Colombo yesterday. because the management has given full Umpires: Shozab Raza (PAK) and Dilshan passed the 9,000-run mark in one-day cricket COLOMBO: Full scoreboard of the seventh and final one-day international between England and confidence to the players.” Richard Illingworth (ENG), TV umpire: on his way to a stroke-filled 101 to lead the hosts to a Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday: commanding 302-6 after they elected to bat in the Afridi said Misbah was still Pakistan’s Joel Wilson (WIS), Match referee: Roshan day-night match in Colombo. Sri Lanka: A. Hales c Prasanna b Dilshan 7 regular captain. “I think Misbah is still Mahanama (SRI). — AFP England were bowled out for 215 in 45.5 overs in M. Jayawardene c Woakes b Gurney 28 J. Root lbw b Prasanna 80 reply after Dilshan’s off-spin broke the tourists’ back T. Dilshan c Ali b Jordan 101 J. Taylor c Sangakkara b Lakmal 2 with the key wickets of Moeen Ali (0), Alex Hales (sev- K. Sangakkara c Tredwell b Ali 33 E. Morgan lbw b Dilshan 4 en) and Eoin Morgan (four). A. Mathews b Ali 20 J. Buttler c Chandimal b Prasanna 23 Joe Root top-scored with 80 but skipper Alastair D. Chandimal not out 55 C. Woakes b D. Perera 34 Cook (32) and Chris Woakes (34) were the only other T. Perera c and b Jordan 54 C. Jordan lbw b Prasanna 0 batsmen to cross 30 in a disappointing batting display S. Prasanna run out 0 J. Tredwell st Sangakkara b Jayawardene 17 by the tourists on the slow pitch. The emphatic victory J. Mendis not out 1 H. Gurney not out 6 gave Sri Lanka the series 5-2 and left England search- Extras: (lb5, w5) 10 Extras: (b4, lb3, w3) 10 ing for a winning formula ahead of the World Cup Total (for six wickets, 50 overs) 302 Total (all out, 45.5 overs) 215 which opens in Australia and New Zealand on Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Jayawardene), 2-120 Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Ali), 2-28 (Hales), 3-51 February 14. The veteran pair of Kumar Sangakkara (Sangakkara), 3-156 (Mathews), 4-236 (Cook), 4-57 (Taylor), 5-78 (Morgan), 6-126 and Mahela Jayawardene could not have asked for a better parting gift in their last one-day international (Dilshan), 5-299 (T. Perera), 6-299 (Prasanna). (Buttler), 7-192 (Woakes), 8-192 (Root), 9-193 on home soil. Bowling: Woakes 9-0-71-0 (w1), Gurney 9-0-60- (Jordan), 10-215 (Tredwell). The duo whetted the appetite of some 20,000 Sri 1 (w2), Tredwell 7-0-50-0, Root 5-0-22-0 (w1), Bowling: D. Perera 9-0-53-1 (w1), Dilshan 10-0- Lankan fans at the Premadasa stadium with some glo- Jordan 10-0-55-2 (w1), Ali 10-0-39-2. 37-3 (w1), Lakmal 8-1-25-2, T. Perera 3-0-22-0, rious strokeplay, but fell just when they looked set for A. Mathews 2-0-3-0, Prasanna 8-0-35-3 (w1), J. a big score. Jayawardene had hit 28 off 22 balls when England: Mendis 4-0-28-0, Jayawardene 1.5-0-5-1. he pulled a short ball from Harry Gurney to the long- A Cook c Jayawardene b Lakmal 32 Sri Lanka won by 87 runs; win seven-match leg fielder. Sangakkara offered a tame catch to mid- M. Ali b Dilshan 0 series 5-2. wicket off Ali after making 33. But the fans roared with delight when the tournament, although he remains non-committal mid-wicket fence in the 44th over, but Chandimal (55 Jayawardene, a part-time off-spinner who was handed about his future in Tests. not out) and Thisara Perera (54 off 26 balls) boosted the ball by skipper Angelo Mathews, had James Dilshan, whose 18th one-day century contained the total with a quickfire stand of 63 from 35 deliver- Tredwell stumped by Sangakkara in his second over to nine fours and a six, put on 55 for the first wicket with ies. Ali and Jordan claimed two wickets each, but finish the match. Jayawardene, who has already Jayawardene, 65 for the second with Sangakkara and seamer Woakes was hammered for 71 runs from his retired from Tests, will hang up his boots after the 80 for the fourth with Dinesh Chandimal. Dilshan nine overs and off-spinner Tredwell gave away 50 in World Cup. Sangakkara too will quit one-dayers after pulled a full toss from Chris Jordan to Ali on the deep seven. — AFP Captains in the spotlight ABU DHABI: Pakistani cricketers Umar Akmal (right) and Younis Khan prepare to bat during a practice session at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan’s stand-in captain Shahid Afridi hoped his team keeps the winning momentum and for second Gabba Test seal the series against New Zealand. — AFP BRISBANE: Australia’s willingness to confront a brave new world without captain Michael Clarke will see Changing times Steven Smith debut as skipper in the second test in Brisbane, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s recall to lead India has fanned fears of a return to the past. Dhoni takes back the reins from Virat Kohli after for Australia recovering from a thumb injury but has a hard act to follow after his stand-in’s performance in Adelaide. BRISBANE: A changing of the guard is tak- ter. This pitch out here is going to suit him Batsman Kohli lost his first test in charge but ing place in Australian test cricket and the perfectly.” Standing 6ft-5in (1.96m) tall, emerged with reputation enhanced after back-to- gathering pace of the rebuilding process Hazelwood has all the physical attributes back centuries and an aggressive push for victory on will be on show in Brisbane this week. for a fast bowler and has been steadily day five that fell short by 48 runs. With one eye on the future, Australian making his presence felt in Australia’s first- Indian media have long put the team’s appalling selectors anointed Steve Smith as their new class competition. record away from home at Dhoni’s door, blaming the skipper on Monday and began replenish- In this year’s Sheffield Shield final, he 33-year-old wicketkeeper’s conservative captaincy for squandering victory chances and hastening epic ing the bowling stocks a day later by took career-best figures of 6-50 to help defeats. His return has raised fears the team might go awarding a first test cap to Josh Hazelwood New South Wales win the title. Then last back into its shell at the Gabba after the chirpy defi- for the second test against India. month, he took his best ODI figures when ance at Adelaide Oval. The lanky paceman has long been he snared 5-31 for Australia against South “With Mahendra Singh Dhoni likely to be back at recognised as a rising star of Australian Africa. Smith becomes the 440th player to the helm, India must not shed the positive approach cricket but the 23-year-old’s elevation to play a test for Australia. He will be present- that they showed in the wonderful test in Adelaide,” the test team has taken longer than ed with his baggy green cap on the Gabba Times of India columnist G. Rajaraman wrote. “It will expected. outfield prior to the start of the second of mean a change of mindset for Dhoni as test captain.” He played his first one-day-international four tests against India today. The new cap- as a teenager in 2010 and was selected for tain is confident Hazelwood will be a big NEW ATTACK Australia’s tour of India later that year but success on a bouncy Gabba surface where Smith, Australia’s third-youngest captain, was pre- withdrew because of a back injury. he has captured 24 first class wickets. ferred to 37-year-old wicketkeeper and vice-captain Brad Haddin as Clarke’s replacement in a vote of confi- Hazelwood had to wait more than three “He’s very skilful for his age,” Smith Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. years before playing his second ODI for added. “I’m just looking forward to seeing dence from selectors. Australia, then another year before finally him zing a few through and bowl with that Smith has already made his position clear by pro- Shaun Marsh has also been called in to replace Clarke delayed to allow players to mourn the death of in the batting order and joins his all-rounder brother Australia batsman Phillip Hughes. With the test put getting his first call up to the test team. extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of moting himself to the injured Clarke’s fourth place in the batting order. He has pledged to maintain the reg- Mitchell, the first siblings to make the side since the back nearly two weeks, the pitch is expected to be “It’s very exciting. I’ve watched Josh very bounce. “(The Gabba) is traditionally quite ular skipper’s proactive approach to captaincy but will Waugh twins. India have not won a test in five greener than intended with muggy conditions likely closely over the last couple of years at New a fast and bouncy wicket and it certainly have to do so with a very different side in Brisbane. attempts at the Gabba, the last a draw in 2003, and to add swing to the bounce. Dhoni kept silent on the South Wales and he impresses me every looks no different out there for this test Barring strike bowler Mitchell Johnson, Australia can expect a more lively wicket than the batsman- makeup of his team but offspinner Ravichandran time,” Smith told reporters in Brisbane on match.” Australia lead the series 1-0 after will bring a new pace attack, with left-armer Mitchell friendly road served up in Adelaide. The Gabba was Ashwin is expected to be recalled after being a sur- Tuesday. completing a thrilling 48-run victory on Starc and debutant Josh Hazlewood coming in for the supposed to be the venue for the opening test of the prise omission at Adelaide, where legspinner Karn “I think he’s only getting better and bet- Saturday. — Reuters injured Ryan Harris and the dropped Peter Siddle. four-match series but it was switched to Adelaide and Sharma struggled on debut. — Reuters WADA sets up inquiry into Russian athletes

MONTREAL: The World Anti-Doping Agency Standard processes or rules” including by WADA- with in an appropriate fashion under the World Anti- will also “ensure all matters of concern are thorough- (WADA) yesterday set up an independent investiga- accredited laboratories, athletes, coaches, trainers Doping Code,” said Reedie. ly and rigorously examined.” The treasurer of the tion into the “serious” allegations of widespread and doctors, said the statement. It will “explore “The commission will be given the resources it International Association of Athletics Federations doping in Russian athletics. whether sufficient evidence exists that could lead to needs in order for the investigation to be carried out (IAAF) Valentin Balakhnichev, and Diack’s son have The commission will be led by Richard Pound, a sanctions against any individual or organization thoroughly,” he added. The International Association stepped down from their positions while the corrup- former head of the agency and a leading and long- under rules of the World Anti-Doping Code.” of Athletics Federations (IAAF) welcomed the World tion and doping allegations are investigated. standing member of the International Olympic Richard McLaren, a leading expert on interna- Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announcement. The Balakhnichev is also the president of the Russian Committee, said a WADA statement. tional sports law and a member of the Court of IAAF ethics commission is also looking into the alle- Athletics Federation, while Diack’s son Papa Massata WADA has acted following a series of German tel- Arbitration for Sport (CAS), will also sit on the com- gations. “The IAAF takes this opportunity to reiterate Diack has been working for the IAAF as a marketing evision documentaries which said Russian athletes mission. WADA president Craig Reedie said the com- its full support of the WADA investigation,” said IAAF consultant. Diack has stepped down after allega- were systematically given banned substances at mission would analyse the documentaries and infor- president Lamine Diack. “Our primary concern must tions of possible corruption linked to the attribution international competitions. Russian officials have mation received “separately” by the agency. always be to protect the integrity of competition in of the 2017 world athletics championships, which strongly denied the accusations. The commission “If it is found that there have been violations or support of the vast majority of clean athletes, and was handed to London ahead of Qatar. Both will seek to establish “if there have been any breach- breaches of the rules, WADA will ensure that any we look forward to working with WADA to this end.” Balaknichev and 50-year-old Diack deny the respec- es of World Anti-Doping Code or International individuals or organizations concerned are dealt An IAAF statement said the ethics commission tive allegations. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SPORTS Mayweather must fight Pacquiao next

LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather Jr. built a career - and made a fortune - by using deception to con- fuse and outwit his opponents. Playing the same game outside the ring has also paid off for Money May. Mayweather has, for the most part, been able to fight who he wants, where he wants and when he wants. He sells enough pay-per-views that he has been able to avoid a fight with Manny Pacquiao that should have taken place five years ago. But the game has gotten old, even if Mayweather’s many yes men haven’t had the courage to let him know. His latest attempt to twist the story line about a possible fight next year with Pacquiao was so dated and absurd that even the sycophants in his sizeable entourage had to be rolling their eyes. The wizard of defense has finally been boxed into a corner. The charade is over, whether Mayweather realizes it or not. He must fight Pacquiao next, if his career is to have any legitimacy. And he must to do it on terms that reflect he won’t be the only superstar in the ring. Mayweather didn’t seem to grasp that the other day when he broke his silence and tried to make it seem as if he were challenging Pacquiao to a fight, not the other way around. In Manny Pacquiao an “interview” with the Showtime network that are slowing for both Pacquiao and Mayweather. easily make $100 million, maybe more. employs him, Mayweather not only declared he Pacquiao’s fight last month with Algieri in Macau Assuming he wins - and Vegas oddsmakers have wanted Pacquiao, but set a May 2 date for the wasn’t a big seller, and both of Mayweather’s already put up lines favoring him by as much as fight. Lest long suffering boxing fans get too fights last year with Maidana underperformed. 3-1 - he would cement his legacy and bolster his excited, though, the conditions quickly followed. Both HBO and Showtime are charging premium claim to being one of the great fighters of all Mayweather not only wants to pick the date but rates, but not showing premium fights. Put time. to set the purse to his liking and have Showtime Mayweather and Pacquiao in the ring together But if the fight has an expiration date, so do be the broadcaster. He regurgitated old argu- ments about blood testing that didn’t make sense five years ago when he first started spout- ing them and make absolutely no sense now. Luckily, the interview ringside in San Antonio didn’t last long. If it had, Mayweather might have demanded Pacquiao be allowed to train only one week for the fight, have his blood taken in the locker room just before he goes into the ring and not be able to use his right hand for the first eight rounds. That may be laughable. But so, too, is this: “Manny Pacquiao, (promoter) Bob Arum, you guys have been ducking us for years,” Mayweather said. “We’re tired of you guys fool- ing the public, fooling the critics. Before we tried to make the fight happen and you guys didn’t want to take random blood and urine testing. So that’s why the fight didn’t happen. Then I offered you $40 million and you didn’t want to make the fight happen. Then you lost twice and now you’re coming back begging for the same mon- ey. That’s not going to happen.” Maybe Mayweather doesn’t read the papers. If he had, he would know Pacquiao had no prob- lem with unannounced blood tests for his fight CHICAGO: New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) leaps over Chicago Bears with Chris Algieri last month. He would know free safety Brock Vereen (45) after receiving a pass from quarterback Drew Brees (9) that Pacquiao and Arum would almost surely Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the second half of an NFL football game. — AP accept a smaller purse as long as the money split and that would change. Though both fighters the negotiations. For a fight as big as this, they wasn’t lopsided. have slowed some in recent years, the matchup would likely need to be wrapped up by the end He would know that the free ride is over for is still one fans desperately want and are willing of the year to allow time for the promotion to the most part and Showtime won’t keep paying Saints tame Bears to pay for. It would be the richest fight in history, begin. It’s taken five years to even get him $20 million to $30 million to fight the and it wouldn’t be close. Mayweather to say he wants the fight. Now it’s Marcos Maidanas of the world. Frankly, it’s hard to see why Mayweather has- time for him to step up and show he really CHICAGO: The New Orleans Saints and were never threatened. The fact of the matter is pay-per-view buys climbed into first place in the jumbled Brees finished with 375 yards passing n’t already signed on the dotted line. He would means it. — AP NFC South after feasting on the strug- while Josh Hill was on the receiving end gling Chicago Bears in a 31-15 win on of two of his scoring throws. Chicago Monday. quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked seven Super-bacteria found in Rio Drew Brees fired three touchdown times and threw three interceptions as passes and the Saints took advantage of the Bears (5-9) dropped their third the Bears to move atop their division straight game to be out of playoff con- despite their 6-8 record. tention. bay ahead of 2016 Olympics “We responded, our defense came out “Just trying to get better these next and played fantastic. Offensively, we did two weeks and give a good performance RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilian scientists have dis- untreated dirty water are dumped every day in make do by vaccinating the athletes.” enough,” Brees told reporters. “You want offensively,” said Cutler, who leads the covered antibiotic-resistant super-bacteria the bay, described by one leading biologist as a A first Olympic sailing test in August, which to be playing for a lot at the end of the NFL in turnovers. “I have to take a look at thought to emanate from hospital waste in the “toilet.” Dead animals, television sets, sofas, drew more than 320 competitors from about 35 year and we are. We control our destiny.” the film and see what slowed us down.” latest bad news for the polluted bay that will shoes and other detritus have all been found in countries, was an eye-opener. The NFC South has faced middling In the first three quarters, Chicago got host sailing events at the 2016 Olympics. the waters, which authorities are scrambling to Australian Olympic champion Nathan results this season, yet New Orleans, across midfield for only two offensive Contact with the bacteria, which was found clean up. Outteridge hit a dead dog with his boat. Other Carolina (5-8-1) and Atlanta (5-9) remain plays on nine possessions, penetrating at three locations in a river feeding Guanabara A remediation plan was put in place in March sailors said they had to steer clear of cat carcass- Bay, could cause infections that require hospital- ahead of the 2016 Olympics, but authorities con- es, rats and other flotsam. The International in a tight race for the division crown. no deeper than the Saints’ 46-yard line. It ization, said microbiologist Ana Paula cede they will only be able to clean up the bay Sailing Federation said it was “very concerned The Saints entered the night having was also another poor performance for d’Alincourt, who led the study by the Oswaldo by 80 percent. about the pollution.” lost four of their last five, but they the Chicago defense which has allowed Cruz Institute. Alastair Fox, the federation’s chief of competi- opened the game with 24 straight points the most points in the NFL. — Reuters So far no swimmers have been affected. “You ENVIRONMENTAL ‘FIASCO’ tions, said that while water conditions have could get sick, but no more so than from other “Rio de Janeiro in the 21st century has the improved greatly since 2013 there was still much microorganisms. The problem is that if someone same sanitation as in the 18th century. All the work to be done. NFL standings is infected, it’s possible the treatment would city’s rivers are used as sewers” biologist Mario Contacted by AFP, the Rio-2016 organizing require hospitalization and antibiotics that are Moscatelli, an expert on the matter, told AFP committee had no immediate comment on the American Football Conference National Football Conference no longer used because they are toxic to the yesterday. “Rio’s bay is in no condition to receive discovery of the superbug. AFC East NFC East body,” she said. The bacteria, which produces an the Olympics because nothing has been done. Pollution in the bay is often aggravated by WL T OTLPF PA PCT Dallas 10 4 0 1 381 328 .714 enzyme resistant to standard antibiotics, was They say everything is under control but practi- rains, currents and tides. The clean-up program New England 11 3 0 0 442 280 .786 Philadelphia 9 5 0 0 416 347 .643 found in the Carioca River, one of the largest that cally nothing has been done to date. The water involves the deployment of “eco barriers” to Buffalo 8 6 0 0 302 254 .571 NY Giants 5 9 0 0 317 339 .357 runs through Rio. treatment station at Flamengo is not equipped block waste from entering the bay and 10 “eco Miami 7 7 0 0 327 301 .500 Washington 3 11 0 0 257 370 .214 One of the competition sites, Marina da to treat hospital waste,” he said. barges” to collect waste that does get through. NY Jets 3 11 0 1 230 360 .214 NFC North Gloria, is near Flamengo Beach, where the river Environmentally, Rio is “a total fiasco and the Rio and neighboring communities currently AFC North Detroit 10 4 0 0 281 238 .714 empties. Nearly 70 percent of the waste of this Olympic Committee is shutting its eyes to it,” treat a bit more than 50 percent of the waste Cincinnati 9 4 1 0 311 289 .679 Green Bay 10 4 0 0 436 325 .714 city of 10 million people winds up in Rio’s Moscatelli said. “There is less and less time to waters entering the bay, up from 11 percent in Pittsburgh 9 5 0 0 389 339 .643 Minnesota 6 8 0 0 277 297 .429 Baltimore 9 5 0 0 376 267 .643 Guanabara Bay. Thousands of liters (gallons) of clean it up. They are probably going to have to 2007. — AFP Chicago 5 9 0 1 296 409 .357 Cleveland 7 7 0 0 276 300 .500 NFC South AFC South Indianapolis 10 4 0 0 424 317 .714 New Orleans 6 8 0 2 364 374 .429 Houston 7 7 0 1 324 277 .500 Carolina 5 8 1 0 288 358 .393 Tennessee 2 12 0 0 231 390 .143 Atlanta 5 9 0 0 348 369 .357 Jacksonville 2 12 0 0 211 376 .143 Tampa Bay 2 12 0 2 254 367 .143 AFC West NFC West Denver 11 3 0 1 407 303 .786 Arizona 11 3 0 0 287 244 .786 Kansas City 8 6 0 0 322 254 .571 Seattle 10 4 0 0 339 242 .714 San Diego 8 6 0 0 303 294 .571 San Francisco 7 7 0 0 251 285 .500 Oakland 2 12 0 0 213 381 .143 St. Louis 6 8 0 0 291 297 .429 Stolen Red Bull trophies found in lake

LONDON: Twenty of the 60 trophies stolen public, but many are damaged. in a raid on Red Bull’s headquarters in the “Some of the trophies were recovered British town of Milton Keynes have been from Horseshoe Lake near Sandhurst,” said found in a lake, police said yesterday. a spokesperson from Thames Valley Police. The trophies were taken after thieves “We estimate about 20 trophies have drove two vehicles through the front been recovered, but we are liaising with entrance of the premises during a late- Red Bull to establish the exact number as night burglary earlier this month, which some of the trophies are damaged.” team principal Christian Horner described The trophies taken in the raid did not as “devastating”. include the F1 drivers’ and constructors’ Some of them have now been found in championship prizes, which were present- Horseshoe Lake near the town of ed to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes at the Sandhurst in southern England, 75 miles end of the 2014 season. Police are still BRAZIL: Aerial view of the polluted Caju port area in the Guanabara bay on June 5, 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A group of experts have found (120 kilometres) south of Milton Keynes, appealing for information about the raid, in a drug-resistance bacteria, normally found in hospitals, in the Guanabara Bay waters-where some of the Olympic Games 2016 water sports after being spotted by a member of the which nobody was hurt. — AFP competitions will take place. — AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SPORTS

Qatar’s World Cup: Not what you might expect

DOHA: Cooled, modern stadiums. Fans traveling from the Middle East and beyond, to a region anxious to prove it can put on a show and have its own brand of fun. All against doubts about whether women, gays, and beer-drinkers will feel comfortable. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the wealthy oil- and gas-producing Gulf nation with giant ambitions that belie its size, is shaping up as a unique experience. As plans jump from architects’ tables to bricks and mortar on what used to be desert, Qatar officials put- ting together the first World Cup in the Middle East detailed - in exclusive interviews with The Associated Press - what the fan experience may look like in eight years.

THE SCENE With the world’s third-largest proven reserves of natural gas, Qatar has vast riches to deliver its World Cup bid slogan: “Expect Amazing.” Visitors to Qatar’s showcase capital, Doha, will see the toothy skyline rising from what was sand 35 years ago, and eye-catching wealth. At night, the souped-up roars of luxury supercars and racers chasing each other on superbikes rever- berate off the futuristic steel-and-glass towers. Perhaps only in Doha can one see advertisements such as this in a local newspaper: “Urgently wanted: Palace.”

STADIUMS There will be eight to 12 venues, the exact number hasn’t been disclosed yet. Architectural drawings offer a preview of some. The planned Lusail Stadium in northern Doha, where city ends and desert begins, is earmarked for the opening match and final. “Without being frivolous with our money, without being extravagant, we are aiming for an architectural- ly iconic vision,” and “a finish and a design that is somewhat groundbreaking,” project manager Tamim el-Abed said. He dropped a hint to expect high-tech, saying fans will soon be able to watch live-action replays on QATAR: This computer image released by Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of an artist’s impression shows the Al Wakrah Stadium. There will be eight to 12 tablets from their stadium seats. venues, but the exact number hasn’t been disclosed yet. — AP “Future-proofing is very important for us because you see the speed at which technology is develop- ing,” he said. “You don’t want to design something now that is redundant by time the tournament comes The big new player in sports around.”

HEAT DOHA: Leaders of Qatar seem to have a simple formula for entirely delivered by organizations or by firms coming from serve as dry-runs for another try. And there are plenty Concerns that visitors will wilt in desert heat have their plans over the next decade: Money + sports = global either the West or North America and South America,” said more sports, teams, and events for Qatar to buy into. The been one of Qatar’s biggest headaches. But fans fame. Never in sporting history has a country invested so Mushtaq al-Waeli, executive director of a Qatari institute, sports minister said he personally would like to own an should pack sweaters if, as expected, FIFA moves the massively, quickly, internationally and ostentatiously as the Josoor, that is training people from the Middle East and English Premier League club one day. tournament to November-December or January- small oil-and-gas-rich Gulf emirate that is using the world’s North Africa ahead of the World Cup. “We have a special team for the investment,” he said. February. Evenings this November were cool, even thirst for energy and for sporting entertainment to realize “They take the experience and they go back and do it “They are good business people. They are learning. They chilly. Sea breezes made daytime heat feel less fierce. its giant “Look at me!” ambitions. somewhere else,” he said in an AP interview. “So there is no are getting better and better. ... They are investigating all But dust from the desert and construction tickled With a spending spree of staggering reach and propor- legacy really left in our region.” Still, Qatar hungers for opportunities, in America, in England and everywhere.” “I throats. tions, the thumb of desert with a native population of just more. Failed bids for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics could don’t think we are going to stop.” — AP If FIFA moves the tournament from June-July, 282,750 — that would be 14th in a list of London boroughs Qatar still plans to air-condition World Cup sites, as and tied with Toledo, Ohio, for 66th among US cities — has promised in its bid. used sports to make itself a household name in Europe. “Stations will be cooled, fan zones will be cooled, The rest of the world is next. queuing lines and the last mile (kilometer and a half) Lionel Messi and his teammates wear “QATAR AIRWAYS” before a venue will be cooled,” el-Abed said. on the front of their Barcelona shirts for $40 million a year, Power will come from solar energy, with a 100- which Qatar was earning in just three hours from hydrocar- megawatt solar-plant by 2017, said Dario Cadavid, bon exports before the recent plunge in oil prices. the point-man on cooling technology. Hundreds of millions more bought Paris Saint-Germain, On-pitch temperatures should hover around 26 France’s most glamorous football team, and made it cham- degrees Celsius (79 F) and never exceed 28 (83), pion again. unlike the sometimes “suffocating” humidity and heat Further vast spending has greased Qatar’s passage in at this year’s World Cup in Brazil, he said. sport’s corridors of power, made it the new favored venue for major events, acquired another team in Belgium, MIDEAST MOJO enabled Qatar’s sports broadcaster to muscle aside inter- Qatar officials say two billion people live within a national competitors, sponsored Europe’s richest horse four-hour flight radius of Doha. This could give a very race, and built a world-class sports hospital and a state-of- Middle Eastern feel to the tournament held 10 times the art training academy in Doha that makes hardened out of 20 in Europe. sports pros giddy with awe. Cairo, Tehran, Baghdad and Beirut are no more And that’s just the start. The projected cost of readying than three hours flight time away; Istanbul is four Qatar to host football’s World Cup in 2022: An otherworldly hours; Gulf neighbors just a hop away; the Saudi $160 billion. Small wonder that when Qatar’s sports minis- Arabian capital, Riyadh, is a six-hour drive. ter walks into a room, some see a walking cash machine. “You will be greeted by Qataris, along with Speaking to The Associated Press in a rare and exclusive Lebanese, Tunisians, Moroccans, Jordanians, Iraqis, interview, Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali recalled that Saudis, Kuwaitis,” said Mushtaq al-Waeli, executive as a student in the United States, people used to ask him: director of a Qatari institute, Josoor, giving sports- “Where is Qatar?” event training to people from the Middle East and Now they ask: How about investing in our sport, our North Africa. team? “Most of the meetings with officials are like this,” he Middle Easterners look to 2022 to show that their said. “We in Qatar, we look for good opportunities. I meet a region isn’t solely defined by Israeli-Palestinian con- lot of them and they do presentations from buying clubs, flict, frequent violence and oil and gas. to new clubs, to all kinds of sports, and introducing new “We need to break down those perceptions about sports in Qatar. And a lot of opportunities. We are open. We what we are,” said Hassan al-Thawadi, Qatar’s chief listen.” Qatar’s grab on sport isn’t only for prestige, recogni- World Cup organizer. “Even if it means chipping down tion, vanity, and to drill new wells of revenue for when oil just one layer of prejudice and you’ve got a thousand and gas run dry. It also sees sport as a way of motivating layers behind it, that’s one layer less.” Qataris who, thanks to the riches underground, are the world’s second-wealthiest people per capita but, in obesity FUN and diabetes, have the health problems of comfortable liv- Doha is no Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian party city ing. “You want to create a challenge for them,” al-Ali said. that swayed to samba, football and booze at the 2014 “Some countries they create, really, political challenges, World Cup. Alcohol is sold to Doha visitors only in you know? To make a focus for the people, (or they) create posh hotels and they must show passports. another enemy.”At the turn of the 20th century, this former “Qatari ladies are not allowed to enter the bar at British protectorate smaller than Puerto Rico first tasted any time,” says the sign in one Doha hotel. “Alcohol prosperity when it became the hub of the pearl industry. will be available in certain areas and other areas it Then Japan farmed pearls, took over the global market, won’t be available. Alcohol is not part of our religion, and the bottom fell out for Qatar. it’s not part of our tradition,” said al-Thawadi. Today, that collapse is still cited as an example of why Fans “won’t be able to walk around the streets or Qatar must think long-term, prepare for a post-hydrocar- walk around the corner and buy, you know, a pint. bon future, and build an economy based instead on a well- That’s not how we are. But they’ll find places.” educated population and revenues from its growing port- Doha resident Regard Aboo Yakou, manager of folio of global investments - Barclays Bank, London’s iconic Qatar operations for construction management firm Harrods department store, its stock exchange, and 2012 Hill International, doesn’t expect much of a party. Olympic Village, to name just some. “There is nothing to do,” he said. “Football fans like “You always think, ‘OK, what can I do to survive in diffi- to drink, raise hell, party in the streets and take their cult circumstances?’ One of them is to have a good rela- clothes off and whatever. They won’t be able to do tionship with big countries,” al-Ali said. “You need to be that here.” known, you need to be heard.” So sports fans find themselves tuning into beIN Sports - QATAR: This computer image released by Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of an artist’s impres- WOMEN, GAYS an offshoot of Qatar’s Al Jazeera network - that is gobbling sion shows the Qatar Al Bayt Stadium. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar. — AP Visiting women need not cover up almost com- up broadcasting rights not only in the Middle East but also pletely like Qataris, and there’s no formal dress code the Americas, Australasia and France. That operation is one for them. “You just need to dress appropriately,” said the most visible vehicles of Qatar, whose acquisition-hun- Deepa Puvanik, an Indian woman who wore jeans gry sovereign wealth funds are estimated to be worth Qatar: Where is it? What is it? and a shawl to a football match in November, when more than $100 billion. At PSG, fans now celebrate again after Qatar’s 2011 Qatar beat North Korea. WHERE: Qatar is a thumb of land that pokes into the nearly four times that of Britain, and bettered only by the “Of course, to come here in a bikini is not accept- takeover and star recruits - David Beckham finished his career there - ended the club’s 19-year title drought in Persian Gulf. Its only land border is with Saudi Arabia. $142,564 of residents in Macau, according to World Bank able,” she said. How welcomed gay visitors will be WHAT: Qatar is the world’s second-largest exporter of nat- figures. isn’t clear. The Qatari sports minister, Salah bin Ligue 1. When the Middle East’s first World Cup kicks off in eight ural gas, after Russia, and has the third-largest proven ECONOMY: Most jobs in Qatar are done by migrant Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali, said in an AP interview this reserves of the valuable energy source, the fount of much workers, largely from Asia and Africa, who number more question is still being looked at. years, Qatar will already have hosted world championships in track, swimming, handball, volleyball and possibly also of its vast wealth. than 1.6 million. Bin Ghanem didn’t provide specifics but said, SIZE: Ranks just 166th in the world by area; is slightly GOVERNMENT: Led by an unelected, British-educated “We are studying all these issues. We can adapt, we basketball, since it is bidding to stage that sport’s World Cup in 2019 or 2023. In the process, Qatar will also have larger than Jamaica but smaller than Puerto Rico. Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani; inherited power can be creative to have people coming and enjoying POPULATION: 2.27 million, the vast majority foreign- in 2013 from his father, the outgoing ruler. the games without losing the essence of our culture trained sports-management administrators and workers who could challenge Western firms in the big business of ers. There are just 282,750 native Qataris, according to the SPORTS: Host of 2022 World Cup and world champi- and respecting the preference of the people coming government. Qatar’s GDP per capita is a whopping onships of track and field in 2019; bid unsuccessfully for here. I think there is a lot we can do.” — AP organizing and marketing sports. “Any event that we deliver now in the Middle East is $131,758 - more than double that of the United States, 2016 and 2020 Olympics. — AP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 SPORTS Arsenal stars hail ‘inspirational’ Henry

LONDON: Present-day Arsenal stars led the tributes to Ian Wright, whose Arsenal scoring record Henry chance.” British television personality Piers Morgan, club great Thierry Henry yesterday after the former broke, tweeted a photograph of the former Monaco one of Arsenal’s most high-profile fans, tweeted: France striker announced his retirement from profes- and Juventus player with a simple message saying: “Thank you @ThierryHenry for all the goals & trophies- sional football. Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey wrote “The king.” Arsenal’s website published a link to a July and the sheer, majestic glory of the way you played on Twitter: “Congratulations on an outstanding career 2008 fan poll in which Henry was voted the greatest football. What a career.” @ThierryHenry. Top player. Top guy. #Legend.” The player in the club’s history. French Football Federation Writing in the Daily Telegraph, British football club’s German playmaker Mesut Ozil tweeted: “Once president Noel Le Graet said: “One of the greatest for- writer Henry Winter said: “He loved playing, dribbling, you enchanted all of us-now I can only say: Thanks for wards in the history of French and world football running, scoring, and his example suffused countless everything! @ThierryHenry #ArsenalLegend.” English bows out following an exceptional career. “The entire impressionable young fans with an awareness that the winger Theo Walcott, who inherited Henry’s number family of French football joins me in congratulating game should be about joy and adventure.” Henry’s 14 jersey after the Frenchman left the club in 2007, and thanking Thierry Henry for his remarkable career.” time at Barcelona brought him the Champions League said: “A true inspiration to me in my career. Thank you trophy that had eluded him at Arsenal, as well as two @ThierryHenry & good luck in your new path.” ‘JOY AND ADVENTURE’ league titles, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup Henry, 37, became a world and European champi- Having finished his playing career with the New and the FIFA Club World Cup. on with France and won the Champions League at York Red Bulls, Henry is due to return to London next A message on the club’s website concluded: Barcelona, but it is for his record-breaking exploits month to work as an analyst and ambassador for Sky “Merci, Henry!” Italian club Juventus, where Henry HIGHBURY: In this Tuesday, August 3, 1999 file photo Arsenal’s latest signing, with Arsenal that he will be best remembered. He won Sports. Former Manchester United defender Gary spent eight months in 1999, tweeted: “A true ambas- Thierry Henry (left) with Manager Arsene Wenger, pictured at Highbury in north two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Neville, who will work alongside Henry at Sky, said: sador of the game. @ThierryHenry, wishing you all the London. — AP club, set a new Arsenal scoring record of 228 goals, “We were blessed in this country to see Thierry play- very best in your new adventure!” Not all of the reac- and was honoured with a statue outside the Emirates ing at his peak. tion to Henry’s retirement was positive, however, Stadium in 2011. “He’s potentially one of the greatest players in the owing to his handball in a World Cup qualifying play- Ebola fears headline 2014 Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who spent four world and even if you supported another team, you off against the Republic of Ireland in 2009 that helped years playing alongside Henry at Arsenal, posted a couldn’t help but enjoy watching him play.” Former France qualify at Ireland’s expense. “There are a few picture on Twitter of the pair during a post-match England striker Gary Lineker, now a BBC television greats who spoil that with what they do,” former for African football interview. “Sad to see the end to the career of one of presenter, wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to Ireland midfielder Rory Delap told BBC Radio 5 Live. the best players I’ve ever played with,” he wrote. “A @ThierryHenry on a truly wonderful career. One of the “I’m sure he regrets that. There is still a lot of feeling ABUJA: Ebola caused the 2015 African upstaged by a revived South Africa under true legend @thierryhenry!” great footballers of our time and a top bloke. Bonne back home.” — AFP Nations Cup to be moved from Morocco to new coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba and Equatorial Guinea in a year which also saw Congo, despite reaching the last 16 of the Algeria and Nigeria reach the World Cup World Cup finals with Algeria. finals knock out stages. The north Africans, making their first The last 12 months also saw Al Ahly of appearance in the knock-out stages, were Egypt complete their haul of continental beaten by eventual champions Germany. trophies with its first victory in Africa’s sec- Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the AFCON ond-tier international competition, the topped a torrid few months for the defend- Confederation Cup. ing champions, with the country’s football Ebola, which has killed more than 6,000 federation in turmoil and uncertainty over people in west Africa, was a headache for Stephen Keshi. The coach was sacked then football’s authorities, with fears about the reinstated after the intervention of disease’s spread causing cancellations and President Goodluck Jonathan but it is still multiple venue switches. That culminated not clear whether he will continue in the in Morocco, the hosts for the continent’s role. showpiece tournament, backing out of the competition and forcing the Confederation CASH ROWS of African Football (CAF) to find a new ven- Africa also grabbed the headlines in ue. Oil-rich Equatorial Guinea stepped in at Brazil for the wrong reasons when Ghana- the last minute. But there are concerns quarter finalists four years ago in South about whether the tiny nation, which co- Africa-became embroiled in an unseemly hosted the 2012 edition with neighboring row over appearance fees. Gabon, will be ready in time, with the com- The government in Accra was forced to petition slated to start on January 17. step in and fly more than $3 million in cash Last time round, there were complaints to South America on the eve of their must- about the high cost of living and limited win final group stage match against hotel space. “If I say there will be no prob- Argentina. lems, I would be lying,” CAF president Issa Black Stars players counted the money Hayatou admitted in a recent interview. “In long into the night just hours before the two months we can’t bring together every- game. The issue caused controversy back thing that is needed without there being home with Ghana’s economy squeezed by some imperfections. We’ll do everything so inflation and a depreciating currency. we can save the essentials.” Nigeria’s government also had to intervene after players threatened to stage a boycott SHOCK EXITS if they were not paid. CAF had earlier stopped matches being A bitter power struggle for control of played in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) where the deadly haemmorhagic fever has meanwhile led to repeated threats of inter- devastated the country’s population and national sanctions from the game’s world economies. governing body FIFA. The three nations were forced to play In club football, Al Ahly delivered a stop- their qualifying matches away from home page-time winner to pip Sewe Sport of the but despite the odds, Guinea managed to Ivory Coast to win the only continental tro- make it through to the finals after a late ral- phy that had eluded them-the ly. By far the biggest shock in the AFCON Confederation Cup. qualifiers was the failure of seven-time The Egyptians already had eight champions Egypt and holders Nigeria to Champions League titles, six African Super advance to the competition proper. Cups as well as four trophies from the now- Senegal and Tunisia qualified ahead of defunct Africa Cup Winners Cups. PARIS: France’s David Trezeguet (left) celebrates with teammate Thierry Henry after scoring during their Euro 2004 qualifying soccer match in the Pharaohs, whose last appearance in a “Ahly are a big club and our philosophy this Saturday Oct. 11, 2002, file photo. —AP competition they have dominated was in is to win more,” declared a proud coach 2010 in Angola, where they won their sev- Juan Carlos Garrido after the dramatic cup enth trophy. final win. Entente Sportive de Setif mean- Coach Shawkey Gharib, who succeeded while clinched the more prestigious FIFA rejects Garcia appeal the American Bob Bradley after another Champions League at the expense of AS failed World Cup campaign last year, was Vita of DR Congo on the away goals rule to fired as a result. crown a fine run for Algerian football in over corruption report Nigeria’s Super Eagles were meanwhile 2014. — AFP

ZURICH: FIFA yesterday rejected an appeal by identities had been given away by Eckert. Romanian Olaroiu to former US prosecutor Michael Garcia against FIFA did not name the two but they are the handling of his inquiry into alleged cor- believed to be Phaedra Almajid, who worked Matches on TV ruption around the Russian and Qatar bids for for the Qatar 2022 bid team until 2010, and (Local Timings) take charge of Saudi the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Bonita Mersiades, who had worked for a rival RIYADH: Cosmin Olaroiu will lead Saudi they will be in a better position whoever A FIFA appeal committee ruled that the Australian bid. They said that confidentiality request made by Garcia was “not admissible.” guarantees had been breached in Eckert’s 42 FIFA Club Arabia at next month’s Asian Cup in is going to take charge from me.” Olaroiu World Championship Australia after the Crown Prince of has enjoyed great success managing It also turned down complaints by two people page summary because they could be easily who gave evidence to Garcia’s inquiry that identified in the information given. Entente v Wanderers 19:30 Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed clubs in the region, winning the Saudi beIN SPORTS 7 HD agreed to release the Romanian from his title with Al Hilal in 2008, the Qatar Stars their cover had been blown by FIFA’s actions. “FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee chairman Garcia, who spent 18 months investigating has concluded that there were no grounds to San Lorenzo v Auckland 22:30 contract with Emirati club Al Ahli. The Cup with Al Sadd in 2010 before moving beIN SPORTS 7 HD former international defender will take to the UAE and winning two league titles the World Cup votes won by Russia and Qatar justify the opening of disciplinary proceed- in 2010, had complained that a summary of ings,” said a statement. charge of Al Ahli, who the Sheikh is with Al Ain. German Bundesliga chairman of, for the last time on He took charge of Al Ahli in July last his report released by FIFA’s top judge Hans- The chairman ruled that as both “had gone Joachim Eckert was “incomplete and erro- public with their own media activities long Dortmund v Wolfsburg 22:00 Saturday before linking up with the year, signing a three-year contract and beIN SPORTS 4 HD three-times Asian champions. leading them to the Arabian Gulf League neous.” before the publication of the statement of the Eckert said in a summary of Garcia’s report chairman of the adjudicatory chamber Judge Hoffenheim v Bayer 04 22:00 “My next job is to prepare Saudi title. They are currently sixth in the beIN SPORTS 9 HD Arabia for the Asian Cup, but I won’t league after 12 matches, five points off that the inquiry had not uncovered evidence Eckert, the breach of confidentiality claim had think on anything else until Ahli’s game the pace. He could return to the club of corruption and that there should be no re- no substance.” — AFP against Baniyas,” Olaroiu told United Arab after the Jan. 9-31 Asian Cup, where the vote for the two World Cup finals. Emirates newspaper The National on Saudis have been drawn in Group B The German judge also reaffirmed FIFA’s Monday after a 2-1 win over Al Wahda in alongside China, Uzbekistan and North insistence that the full Garcia report could not the league. Korea, as the Arabian Gulf League takes a be released to protect the identities of some “It was a decision taken by the chair- break for the showpiece tournament. people named by the inquiry. man of the club and I must respect that Olaroiu succeeds Juan Ramon Lopez FIFA said Eckert’s summary “does not con- decision. “Ahli haven’t had a great season Caro, who was sacked earlier this month stitute a decision and as such is neither legally so far, but we are happy to win the three shortly after the Saudis lost 2-1 at home binding nor appealable.” “The report neither points against Wahda and will hopefully to Qatar in the final of the Gulf Cup in cites any rule violations of an accused person, win the next game against Baniyas so Riyadh. —Reuters nor does it contain any kind of recommenda- tion to the adjudicatory chamber for sanction- ing an accused person,” said a statement released by FIFA’s appeal committee. Pardew: Newcastle won’t Widespread allegations of corruption have been made, notably against Qatar. But the fear cup clash with Spurs Gulf state has strongly denied any wrongdo- ing. The battle of FIFA’s handling of the bids LONDON: Newcastle United manager Alan still very difficult to win there,” he told will be reopened on Thursday when the foot- Pardew says there will be no fear factor reporters yesterday. ball governing body’s executive committee when his side visit Tottenham Hotspur in “Both times we had a little bit of luck on discusses Garcia’s report. It is to hold a vote on the Capital One Cup today having won our side. (Goalkeeper) Tim Krul was mag- whether the report should be published in their last two games at White Hart Lane. nificent the first time we won and the sec- full. The FIFA executive will hear a proposal Newcastle play Tottenham before a ond time we still needed to have those submitted by Theo Zwanziger, former head of Premier League derby against bitter rivals slices of luck. the German football association and a power- Sunderland on Sunday and Pardew feels “We played well on both occasions and ful critic of the decision to award the 2022 his team may have a psychological edge that’s what we have got to do. If we con- World Cup to Qatar. Britain’s Daily Telegraph heading into the quarter-final cup clash. centrate on the performance then hopeful- said Zwanziger wants a redacted version of Pardew’s men won 2-1 in the league at the ly the result will follow,” said Pardew. “It will the full Ethics Committee report published to end of October and also triumphed 1-0 in be a cracking game because the two teams protect the identities of witnesses who co- the same fixture last season. are very different. One plays quite narrow, operated with Garcia. A FIFA disciplinary com- “There won’t be that kind of fear ele- one plays quite wide and we will see which mittee also turned down appeals by two peo- ple who gave evidence to Garcia that their ment that sometimes you can have but it’s one goes through.” —Reuters Cosmin Olaroiu Dilshan batters Mayweather England must fight Pacquiao next

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 201416 17 Qatar: The big new player in sports Page 18

CLEVELAND: LeBron James No. 23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Michael Kidd-Gilchrist No. 14 of the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. — AFP Cavaliers sweep Hornets, 76ers fall

CLEVELAND: LeBron James scored 27 points scored 11 points and Patrick Patterson had 10 wing and knocked it down. Jimmy Butler led with 13 assists, and Kevin Love added 22 for the Raptors, who improved to 11-1 this the Bulls with 22 points. The Bulls had won six NBA results/standings points and 18 rebounds, as the Cleveland season against opponents with losing records. straight over the Hawks. Cavaliers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 97- This was Toronto’s third of six straight games Cleveland 97, Charlotte 88; Indiana 110, LA Lakers 91; Boston 105, Philadelphia 87; Atlanta 93, Chicago 86; Toronto 95, 88 on Monday. against teams below .500. BUCKS 96, SUNS 94 Orlando 82; Milwaukee 96, Phoenix 94; Portland 108, San Antonio 95; LA Clippers 113, Detroit 91. The Cavaliers jumped to a 21-0 lead, but Tobias Harris scored 18 points, Ben Gordon Khris Middleton hit a 3-pointer at the Eastern Conference Western Conference the Hornets regrouped and got within two had 16, Nikola Vucevic had 13 and Victor buzzer, giving Milwaukee a win over Phoenix. Atlantic Division Northwest Division points early in the third quarter before the Oladipo 12 for the Magic, who have not won Middleton’s shot bounced off the backboard W L PCT GB Portland 19 6 .760 - Cavaliers pulled away. in Toronto since March. 26, 2012. and curled into the net for the game winner. It Toronto 19 6 .760 - Oklahoma City 11 13 .458 7.5 The Cavaliers ended the third on a 21-9 run. was the biggest three points of the 14 he Brooklyn 10 12 .455 7.5 Denver 10 14 .417 8.5 Kyrie Irving scored 16 points for the Cavaliers, PACERS 110, LAKERS 91 scored on the night. The Bucks trailed 94-93 Boston 8 14 .364 9.5 Utah 6 18 .250 12.5 who were coming off consecutive road losses Rodney Stuckey scored 20 points and after Markieff Morris knocked down a 14-foot NY Knicks 5 21 .192 14.5 Minnesota 5 18 .217 13 to Oklahoma City and New Orleans after win- grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Indiana over the jumper from inside the free-throw line with Philadelphia 2 22 .083 16.5 Pacific Division Central Division ning eight in a row. Kemba Walker led Lakers 110-91. Los Angeles shot 33 percent 3.9 seconds left. Morris led the Suns with 25 Golden State 21 2 .913 - Chicago 15 9 .625 - LA Clippers 17 7 .708 4.5 Charlotte with 24 points while Al Jefferson from the floor and trailed by 39 points during points, including two buckets in the last 24 Cleveland 14 9 .609 0.5 added 14. the game. seconds of a back-and-forth final five minutes. Milwaukee 13 12 .520 2.5 Phoenix 12 14 .462 10.5 CJ Miles scored 20, David West and C.J. Brandon Knight dropped in a running jump Indiana 8 17 .320 7.5 Sacramento 11 13 .458 10.5 CELTICS 105, 76ERS 87 Watson each scored 12, and Donald Sloan shot with 7.2 seconds left, part of his team- Detroit 5 20 .200 10.5 LA Lakers 8 17 .320 14 Kelly Olynyk scored a career-high 30 points scored 17 points for Indiana. Kobe Bryant led high 20 points for the Bucks (13-12). Isaiah Southeast Division Southwest Division to lead the Celtics to a victory over the Lakers in scoring with 21 points, shooting Thomas scored 11 of his 20 points in the Washington 17 6 .739 - Memphis 19 4 .826 - Philadelphia. Avery Bradley had 15 points, and 8 of 26 from the floor. fourth quarter. Atlanta 17 7 .708 0.5 Houston 18 5 .783 1 Brandon Bass and Jeff Green added 14 apiece Nick Young scored 18 points and Carlos Miami 11 13 .458 6.5 San Antonio 17 8 .680 3 for Boston (8-14), which snapped a three- Boozer recorded a double-double with 13 TRAIL BLAZERS 108, SPURS 95 Orlando 10 17 .370 9 Dallas 17 8 .680 3 Charlotte 6 18 .250 11.5 New Orleans 11 12 .478 8 game skid. points and 10 rebounds. The Pacers bench Damian Lillard had 23 points and a Rookie Nerlens Noel had a career-high 19 outscored the Lakers bench 52-46. career high 10 rebounds as Portland points for the 76ers (2-22), who dropped to 0- downed short-handed San Antonio. the night before, was given the night off. turnover ratio. Jodie Meeks had 20 points for 13 at home this season. Philadelphia moved HAWKS 93, BULLS 86 LaMarcus Aldridge added 23 points and 14 Detroit. closer to the NBA mark for worst home start to Al Horford scored 21 points, including a rebounds for the Blazers, who have won CLIPPERS 113, PISTONS 99 JJ Redick scored 14 points, and his streak of a season, set in the 1993-94 season when the huge jumper with just under a minute remain- seven of their last nine games. But starting Blake Griffin scored 18 points and DeAndre 29 games with a 3-pointer ended one game Mavericks began 0-19. ing, and the streaking Hawks won for the 10th center Robin Lopez injured his right hand Jordan had 16 points and 15 rebounds, as Los shy of teammate Matt Barnes’ franchise record. time in 11 games with a victory over the Bulls. early in the second half and did not return. Angeles breezed over Detroit. Chris Paul had Jodie Meeks had 20 points and Andre RAPTORS 95, MAGIC 82 The Hawks led most of the way, but never Kawhi Leonard had 21 points and nine 11 points and eight assists. He committed one Drummond had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Lou Williams scored 18 points and Kyle by more than 10 points. After Taj Gibson’s rebounds for the Spurs, who had just 10 turnover in 24 minutes, after getting six in the Pistons, who were coming off road wins Lowry had 17 as the Raptors won their 10th dunk with 1:13 remaining brought the Bulls to players available. Tim Duncan, who had 15 each of his previous two games. Paul finished against Phoenix and Sacramento after losing straight game over the Magic. Amir Johnson 87-84, Horford got loose for a 19-footer on the points and nine rebounds in a 99-91 victory last season with a league-best 4.57 assist-to- 13 straight games. — -AP Bryant, Anthony need Spanish women shine to think partnership LOS ANGELES: The call could go something like this. “What’s up, Melo? Man, in dark year for men you won’t believe who they’re giving Lakers jerseys to these days. We should change our name to the Los Angeles Charmins.” “Don’t even get me started, MADRID: In a year when the men’s soc- European titles, with a debut World Cup Kobe. You should see these stiffs I have to play with every night. We’re not cer and basketball teams flopped on the in between, and Nadal rising to the top the New York Knicks. We’re the New York Knick. I’m good, but I ain’t good biggest stage and Rafa Nadal’s season of the tennis rankings and bludgeoning enough to win playing one-on-five.” was wrecked by injury and illness, it was his way to a record nine French Open As far as we know, such a conversation hasn’t actually happened the women who helped protect Spain’s crowns. between Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony.Maybe it should. reputation as a nation of sporting excel- It came as a massive shock when Bryant deserves to go out better than this. Anthony needs to realize that lence. Spain failed to progress beyond the the prime of one’s career comes with an expiration date. The standout performers were swim- group stage at the soccer World Cup For now, these two superstars are bogged down on storied franchises mer Mireia Belmonte, who set two world finals in Brazil, while the basketball team, enduring truly wretched seasons. If the NBA had relegation, Kobe’s Lakers records at the short course world cham- who had home court advantage and and Melo’s Knicks would be candidates for the D-League. Things can change Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant pionships in Doha this month, and bad- were expected to at least make the final quickly, of course (just ask Cleveland), but a championship for either Bryant happen - Bryant will have to be satisfied with individual achievements play- or Anthony looks far, far away. minton player Carolina Marin, who in Madrid, were eliminated by France in ing for a Lakers franchise that has become a dysfunctional mess. Going into pulled off a huge upset to beat Chinese the last eight of the World Cup. Nadal did Given their hefty contracts - which, by their own doing, is part of the the game at San Antonio, he was just 30 points from tying Michael Jordan world number one Li Xuerui and win the win at Roland Garros but was unable to problem - it would be tough to work out a trade for either of them. Even if for third place on the career list at 32,292. there was a championship-contending team willing to take on one of the If Bryant has a couple of more seasons like this, he’ll make a run at the women’s singles title at the world cham- compete for most of the year and game’s top players, any benefit would likely be more than offset by having to second guy on the list, Karl Malone (36,928). Not even Kareen Abdul-Jabbar pionships in Copenhagen in August. announced in October he would miss give up half their roster to make it work under the salary cap. (38,387) is totally out of reach. Their achievements were recognised the season-ending World Tour Finals But considering all the road kill that’s taking up roster space in New York One thing’s for sure: Bryant still has plenty of game after missing most of at Monday’s annual awards presented by because of appendicitis. (the Knicks were 4-20 and losers of 10 in a row heading into Friday night’s last season recovering first from an Achilles injury, then going down with a As sports daily, along with the rhythmic Belmonte and Marin each name Nadal game at Boston) and Los Angeles (the Lakers were a slightly less terrible 6-16 knee injury. gymnastics team, who successfully as an inspiration, citing his never-say-die as they prepared to face the NBA champion Spurs), perhaps one of those Granted, his shooting percentage is ugly, but that’s to be expected given defended their world title in the five attitude and athletic prowess. Like Nadal, teams could find a way to make a Bryant-Anthony partnership work. every opponent knows he’s about the only player on the Lakers who can clubs category in Izmir, Turkey in Marin is a left-hander and when she col- If it’s the Knicks, there would be the added perk of Bryant reuniting with beat them. Bryant was averaging more than 25 points a game, which is September. lapsed onto her back on the court after his coach from the Lakers’ championship years, Phil Jackson, who’s now run- essentially unheard of for someone his age. Of the NBA’s top 10 career scor- Spaniards have been spoiled by suc- stunning Li it was almost a carbon copy ning things in New York. ers, only Karl Malone managed a season with a 25-point average after his cess over the past decade, with the men’s of one of Nadal’s triumphant celebra- Barring a New York-LA trade - and, we’ll admit, it doesn’t seem likely to 36th birthday. —AP soccer team claiming consecutive tions. — Reuters India’s newest airline gets permit to fly

Page 25 Business Britain warns of tougher bank stress tests ahead WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Page 23 Qatar oil min says market will India’s ‘smart’ cities plan risks leaving millions behind settle eventually Page 24 Page 22

MOSCOW: Signs advertising currencies are illuminated next to the exchange office in Moscow, Russia, yesterday. After a massive ernightov rate hike by Russia’s Central Bank, the ruble staged a two-hour rally yesterday morning before rolling back to new historic lows. The surprise Central Bank decision to raise the rate to 17 percent from 10.5 percent came in the early hours yesterday in a desperate attempt to prop up the troubled currency. — AP Rouble crisis may shake Putin’s grip on power Central bank, government have limited options MOSCOW: Russia failed to halt the the country’s financial crisis in 1998, repay $120 billion in debts. collapse of the rouble yesterday, Tuesday morning saw no scramble This will be even harder because leaving President Vladimir Putin fac- at currency exchange points and no access to global capital markets is ing a full-blown currency crisis that panic buying of food. There have restricted by sanctions over Ukraine, Oil’s fall below $60 sends could weaken his iron grip on power. been almost no protests. and year-end foreign debt redemp- A 6.5 percentage point interest But opinion pollsters say discon- tions are looming for this year as shockwaves through Gulf rate rise to 17 percent overnight tent with the rouble’s fall and deep- well. failed to prevent the currency hit- ening economic gloom will gradual- Russian officials have said repeat- DUBAI: A fresh wave of panic selling wiped out $49 billion of competitive advantage they enjoy against foreign rivals from ting record lows in a “perfect storm” ly hit the emerging middle class in edly the country will not impose stock market value across the Gulf Arab economies yesterday cheap feedstock. Also, the global economic weakness indicat- of low oil prices, looming recession the big cities and then spread to his capital controls although many ana- as the price of Brent crude oil dropped below $60 a barrel for ed by the commodities rout is a bad omen for petrochemical and Western sanctions over the support base in the provinces. lysts say this looks inevitable. Capital the first time since 2009. exporters. Abdullah Alawi, assistant general manager and Ukraine crisis. “I think he has a store of support flight is expected to be far above The stock market losses came on top of over $200 billion of head of research at Aljazira Capital in Riyadh, said oil’s plunge For the economy, this means a that can last 1-1/2 to two years,” Lev $100 billion in 2014 and 2015. value already destroyed since the end of October. Most of the had served as a catalyst for a correction in an overvalued mar- deeper recession is now more likely Gudkov, head of the Levada Center, But the central bank can ill afford frenzied selling has been by retail investors who fear govern- ket, whose trailing price-to-earnings ratio had almost reached next year as the high lending rate an independent polling group, said to keep drawing on gold and foreign ments will cut spending in line with falling oil revenues. 21 in September, exceeding blue-chip benchmarks such as the will crimp growth. For businesses, it by telephone. “We will see the first currency reserves to prop up the “We are in the panic mode now, there is no more support FTSE 100 and S&P 500. means more uncertainty and less signs of discontent in the spring.” rouble. The reserves have already and investors are not rational any more,” said Sebastien Henin, “That was way too expensive,” he said. “Many stocks access to funding. For the central Putin is aware that his predeces- sunk to around $416 billion com- head of asset management at The National Investor in Abu reached unrealistic valuations.” bank, it means a credibility crisis. sor, Boris Yeltsin, resigned early after pared to more than $509 billion at Dhabi. Dubai’s index tumbled 7.3 percent to 3,084 points, a The market is likely to remain volatile until the Saudi gov- For Putin, it increases the risk of a financial crisis and that Soviet the start of the year. one-year low. The market has now retraced more than 50 per- ernment assures investors that it will at least maintain spend- losing two of the main pillars on leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s grip on Putin’s promises of measures to cent of its massive rally from a multi-year low in January 2012 ing near current levels, many fund managers believe. which his support is based-financial power slipped as the economy help small and medium-sized busi- to this year’s peak in May, a rise of 318 percent. “We are waiting, especially in Saudi Arabia, for the govern- Abu Dhabi’s benchmark ended 6.9 percent lower, posting ment budget for 2015 to see whether the government would stability and prosperity-and brings crumbled. ness in a speech on Dec. 4 look an unwelcome policy headache at a its biggest daily loss in five years and also hitting a one-year maintain its current expenditure levels or if they would cut increasingly empty, leaving the low. Investors ignored statements by officials and economists down significantly,” Alawi said. time when relations with the West Limited options investment climate difficult and who said fears of sharply lower spending and growth were not “We need a big event like that, otherwise we will remain are also in crisis over Ukraine. Such a time frame means Putin, businesses worried. justified. Speaking at a conference in Dubai yesterday, an volatile and negative.” Saudi Arabia is expected to announce its “Putin rode the wave of higher oil the government of Prime Minister He is left relying on a sharp rise in International Monetary Fund official said that although the oil 2015 budget by the end of this month, and possibly as soon as prices in the years after he came to Dmitry Medvedev and the central the oil price. It is currently below $60 price plunge would cut revenues of Gulf Arab governments, on Monday. power, but there is no question that bank governor, Elvira Nabiullina, a barrel, while a price of around they had big reserves so in general they would not need to Elsewhere in the region, Qatar’s index tumbled 3.5 percent the economics will start to adversely need to act fast. But their options $100 is needed for the state budget reduce state spending significantly. and Kuwait lost 2.1 percent. Bahrain’s bourse was closed for a impact the politics,” said Nicholas are limited. to balance. United Arab Emirates economy minister Sultan bin Saeed national holiday and will reopen tomorrow. Spiro, managing director of Spiro The bank has now made three “No one is now going to invest al-Mansouri said development projects would not be cut sig- Oman’s benchmark dropped 2.9 percent to 5,409 points, its Sovereign Strategy in London. significant interest rate rises in two until they understand what kind of nificantly in coming years and urged investors to remain calm. lowest level since August 2012. Unlike its bigger and wealthier “The pieces are falling into place months — 1.5 percentage points in situation we are now in,” Igor But investors were dismayed by the speed of oil’s decline Gulf neighbours, Oman is expected to reduce spending sub- and the fact that their governments do not appear to have stantially and raise taxes to cope with lower oil revenues, and to start to affect the political sustain- October, 1 percentage point last Bukharov, president of the ability of this regime,” he told week and the 6.5 points overnight. tried to support oil prices. Heavily traded UAE blue chips such the government has already announced plans that include Federation of Restaurateurs and Reuters. The impact has been minimal- as Emaar Properties, Arabtec and First Gulf Bank sank their 10 reducing gas subsidies. Hoteliers, told Reuters. Putin, who rose to power at the Tuesday’s fall against the dollar was percent daily limits. One of the few UAE stocks to gain was Air He said he had lived through sev- end of 1999, has enjoyed popularity the deepest since Russia’s rouble cri- Arabia, which can be expected to benefit from cheaper avia- YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS eral crises and would just have to try ratings above 80 percent since sis and default in 1998, and the rou- tion fuel. The stock edged up 0.7 percent and was Dubai’s third DUBAI Russia reclaimed the Crimea penin- ble has fallen more than 55 percent to cope. most heavily traded. The index tumbled 7.3 percent to 3,084 points. sula from Ukraine in March. He has against the U.S. currency this year. “When I was in Austria in the ABU DHABI no obvious rivals, with critics accus- Russian officials say there is an 1990s, our colleagues at a restaurant Saudi, Qatar The index fell 6.9 percent to 3,892 points. Saudi Arabia’s bourse, which has the biggest share of petro- SAUDI ARABIA ing him of smothering dissent, and advantage in that this means said they had been in business for chemicals among markets in the region, tumbled 7.3 percent The index fell 7.3 percent to 7,330 points. much of the state’s big business is in exports of vital products such as oil, 70 years and I asked: ‘So what did you do after World War Two?’” he in its biggest daily loss in six years and reached 7,330 points, its EGYPT his allies’ hands. metals, grain and natural gas reap in lowest level since June 2013. The index fell 3.6 percent to 8,516 points. There has been little or no sign of more roubles than before-feeding said. “They said, ‘Well we put up an Dozens of Saudi stocks fell by their daily 10 percent limits, QATAR panic from a public that gets most of government revenues. indicating further potential weakness. The index has dropped The index fell 3.5 percent to 11,057 points. advert saying if you have food, bring its news from state media that prop- But it makes international debt 34 percent from its September peak. OMAN agate Putin’s view that Russia is payments much more expensive in it and we will cook it for you.’ While analysts think earnings in many sectors such as bank- The index fell 2.9 percent to 5,409 points. under attack from speculators and rouble terms and a credit crunch is Therefore I just see every crisis as a ing and retailing will not necessarily be dampened much by KUWAIT the West. looming in 2015, when Russian com- crisis ... we must learn how to live cheap oil, petrochemical firms are exposed as they will lose the The index fell 2.1 percent to 6,171 points. — Reuters Unlike the scenes of chaos during panies and banks are scheduled to through them.” — Reuters BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Qatar oil min says market will settle eventually Sada says oil price plunge hitting gas

DOHA: Qatar’s oil minister said OPEC and individ- ied by individual countries, he said. The Oil fell to close to $59 a barrel for the first time ual producer countries were closely watching oil Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries since May 2009 yesterday, extending a six-month prices following their latest decline yesterday, but declined to cut production at a Nov. 27 meeting selloff as slowing Chinese factory activity and he added the market would settle eventually. and major Gulf OPEC members have since shown weakening emerging-market currencies added to Asked if OPEC stood by its decision to keep its no sign of reversing course. concerns about demand. output target of 30 million barrels per day (bpd) “We need to watch market closely, but it will The sharp drop in global oil prices has caused despite the fall of Brent crude futures to $59 a bar- settle eventually,” Sada said. “OPEC is watching the the value of natural gas to also depreciate, Sada rel, the minister, Mohammed al-Sada, said the pro- market closely and the development of oil prices is said. “Energy markets are interconnected, and we ducer group was watching the market closely. being studied by individual countries and the can see the effects of the oil price drop affecting The development of oil prices was being stud- OPEC secretariat,” he added. gas too,” Sada told reporters in Doha. There was already a “strong degree of conver- sion of gas spot prices between different regions,” he said on the sidelines of the 16th ministerial meeting of gas exporting countries. Qatar is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, in addition to its exports of crude oil. Gas is sold either through long-term contracts or on spot markets. The Henry Hub Natural Gas Spot Price dropped 10 percent to $4.12 per million BTU (British thermal units) between June and November, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Sada was upbeat about the prospects for the gas market, however, saying both supply and demand were increasing. “We believe that gas has a strong advantage not only as a source of energy but a source of a cleaner energy. And gas demand is likely to be further augmented,” he said. The 12-member OPEC, which includes Qatar, decided to keep its production target unchanged at its most recent meeting late last month. Oil prices have continued to fall since. They settled Monday below $56 a barrel, their lowest price since DOHA: Qatari Oil Minister Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, center, speaks during the Gas the US was still in recession in the spring of 2009. Exporting Forum where gas exporting countries had their 16th ministerial meeting in Doha, Al-Sada was speaking at the end of a meeting of Qatar, yesterday. — AP the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. — Agencies Dubai property price rises slow, 2015 outlook stable

DUBAI: Increases in Dubai property prices slowed higher risk into a country that’s perceived as com- 2015 - we’re looking at more marginal growth lev- in the second half of 2014 and valuations will be paratively stable.” Residential property rental values els,” said Green. steady next year as a glut of new units are released, rose 7 percent in 2014 - less than 2013’s increase of “Hyperinflation dramatically increased the cost consultants CBRE said yesterday. 24 percent - while sales prices climbed 18 percent of living, so stability in the market is a very good The real estate sector in Dubai, one of seven this year and 30 percent in 2013, CBRE estimates. thing.” emirates in the United Arab Emirates, has been But the vast majority of 2014’s gains occurred in The bigger increase in sales versus rental prices among the most volatile globally over the past the first half of the year - the final six months were has pressured rental yields. decade as it turned from boom to bust to boom near-flat for rentals and sale prices rose 3 and 2 “Not everyone is a buy-to-let investor but, as an again. Prices rebounded from early 2012, soaring percent respectively in the third and fourth quar- investment destination, Dubai is no longer as from June that year to the end of 2013. ters, said Green. attractive as it was,” said Green. “I don’t think we “The major investors haven’t really changed Transaction numbers in 2014 fell by 23 percent will have a correction like we had before. The mar- over the past five years - UAE nationals are some of year-on-year and the total transaction value ket is relatively well insulated, with the kind of pop- the largest buyers, (plus) India, Pakistan, United dropped 17 percent. More than 20,000 new resi- ulation coming in and the economy still sound.” Kingdom,” Matthew Green, CBRE Middle East’s dential units are due to enter the market next year. Dubai’s economy is expected to grow about 4.5 head of research, told a news conference. “The apartment market is going to see signifi- percent this year, with growth rising above that lev- “For money coming in from this region, it’s cant supply, the same for villas, so we’re not el in coming years, a senior official of the emirate about moving cash out of countries which are expecting a repeat of this year’s performance in said yesterday. — Reuters

BRUSSELS: Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko gestures as she speaks during an interview with a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) during a visit to Brussels, yesterday. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk led a delagtion to appeal to the EU for urgent financial aid saying his government was doing all it could to fix a shattered economy but needed help. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Syrian Pound 2.710 Philippine Peso 0.006482 0.006762 Nepalese Rupees 3.945 Sierra Leone 0.000065 0.000071 Singapore Dollar 0.219986 0.225986 ASIAN COUNTRIES Malaysian Ringgit 87.645 COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Chinese Yuan Renminbi 48.035 South African Rand 0.018907 0.027407 Japanese Yen 2.504 Australian Dollar 230.99 227.99 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001872 0.002452 Indian Rupees 4.617 Thai Bhat 9.885 Canadian Dollar 254.86 255.86 Turkish Lira 131.225 Taiwan 0.009230 0.009410 Pakistani Rupees 2.910 Swiss Franc 308.83 306.83 Thai Baht 0.008558 0.009108 Srilankan Rupees 2.214 Euro 368.45 369.45 Nepali Rupees 2.925 US Dollar 292.70 295.70 Bahrain Exchange Company Arab Singapore Dollar 224.830 Sterling Pound 460.05 463.05 Bahraini Dinar 0.769403 0.777403 Hongkong Dollar 37.575 Japanese Yen 2.55 2.57 Egyptian Pound 0.038210 0.041310 Bangladesh Taka 3.733 Bangladesh Taka 3.750 4.020 CURRENCY BUY SELL Iranian Riyal 0.000081 0.000082 Philippine Peso 6.531 Indian Rupee 4.606 4.906 Europe Iraqi Dinar 0.000201 0.000261 Thai Baht 8.881 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.215 2.650 Belgian Franc 0.007616 0.008616 Jordanian Dinar 0.408481 0.415981 Irani Riyal transfer 61.555 Nepali Rupee 2.879 3.414 British Pound 0.450667 0.459667 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Irani Riyal cash 121.740 Pakistani Rupee 2.918 2.790 Czech Korune 0.005179 0.017179 Lebanese Pound 0.000143 0.000243 UAE Dirhams 79.54 80.00 Danish Krone 0.044844 0.049844 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023936 0.047936 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 776.84 778.91 Euro 0.358437 0.366437 Nigerian Naira 0.001186 0.001821 Saudi Riyal 77.711 Egyptian Pound 40.81 41.41 Norwegian Krone 0.035148 0.040348 Omani Riyal 0.753717 0.759397 Qatari Riyal 80.390 Jordanian Dinar 415.89 421.54 Romanian Leu 0.081051 0.081051 Qatar Riyal 0.079632 0.080845 Omani Riyal 757.210 Omani Riyal 759.06 766.36 Slovakia 0.008547 0.018547 Saudi Riyal 0.077363 0.078063 Bahraini Dinar 774.010 Qatari Riyal 80.60 81.15 Swedish Krona 0.034260 0.039260 Syrian Pound 0.001734 0.001954 UAE Dirham 79.362 Saudi Riyal 77.97 78.37 Swiss Franc 0.296572 0.306771 Tunisian Dinar 0.154454 0.162454 Turkish Lira 0.126615 0.133615 Turkish Lira 0.126615 0.133615 ARAB COUNTRIES UAE Dirhams 0.078655 0.079804 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.950 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001320 0.001400 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.824 Australian Dollar 0.232122 0.243622 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.366 New Zealand Dollar 0.219882 0.229382 Tunisian Dinar 159.180 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 291.750 Jordanian Dinar 412.960 America Canadian Dollar 260.085 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.963 Canadian Dollar 0.245580 0.254080 Sterling Pound 456.630 Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) Syrian Lira 2.086 US Dollars 0.288400 0.293100 Euro 366.500 US Dollar 291.950 Morocco Dirham 33.544 US Dollars Mint 0.288900 0.293100 Swiss Frank 303.035 Euro 364.150 Bahrain Dinar 775.760 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Asia Pound Sterlng 460.300 UAE Dirhams 79.330 US Dollar Transfer 292.500 Bangladesh Taka 0.003468 0.004068 Canadian Dollar 256.950 Qatari Riyals 80.935 Euro 366.500 Chinese Yuan 0.046102 0.049602 Indian Rupee 4.715 Saudi Riyals 77.975 Sterling Pound 459.520 Hong Kong Dollar 0.035614 0.038364 Egyptian Pound 40.815 Jordanian Dinar 411.660 Canadian dollar 252.160 Indian Rupee 0.004615 0.005016 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.215 Egyptian Pound 40.707 Turkish lira 124.200 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Bangladesh Taka 3.715 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.225 Swiss Franc 304.690 Japanese Yen 0.002405 0.002585 Philippines Peso 6.554 Indian Rupees 4.716 Australian Dollar 241.460 Kenyan Shilling 0.003223 0.003223 Pakistan Rupee 2.898 Pakistani Rupees 2.867 US Dollar Buying 291.300 Korean Won 0.000258 0.000273 Bahraini Dinar 777.350 Bangladesh Taka 3.759 Malaysian Ringgit 0.080826 0.086826 Philippines Pesso 6.481 UAE Dirham 79.500 GOLD Nepalese Rupee 0.002989 0.003159 Cyprus pound 715.865 Saudi Riyal 78.000 20 gram 238.100 Pakistan Rupee 0.002739 0.003019 10 gram 121.740 Japanese Yen 3.480 *Rates are subject to change WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 BUSINESS Turkish CB offers forex support as lira hits low

ISTANBUL: The Turkish central bank said ment. The economy minister said he did making the company a frequent buyer markets experiencing a deep depres- Fethullah Gulen, with whom he has yesterday it would meet some of the for- not believe a “strong intervention” was of forex. The central bank’s move, which sion,” said Eral Karayazici, domestic sales been in open conflict since a graft inves- eign exchange needs of state energy needed to prop up the lira. But the cen- takes effect on Dec. 17, eased some manager at brokerage Gedik tigation targeting his inner circle importers, stepping in to support the lira tral bank moved to ease dollar demand, pressure on the lira, which recovered Investment. Investor sentiment towards emerged a year ago. Other emerging as it tumbled to a record low amid a saying it and the treasury would cover slightly to 2.3690 against the dollar by Turkey has also soured after Sunday’s market currencies also tumbled against major selloff in emerging markets. some of the forex needs of state energy 1330 GMT from a record low of 2.4140 in arrests of media executives from outlets the dollar, fueled by massive price falls in Turkish shares fell as much as 4 per- buyers. earlier trade. critical of the government. President commodity and credit markets. Russia cent and bond yields jumped as a Turkey depends on imports for The Istanbul stock index was down Tayyip Erdogan on Monday rejected EU tried to shore up the rouble with a mas- plunge in the Russian rouble sent almost all of its natural gas needs. State 3.53 percent at 79,878.82 points, under- criticism over the arrests and signalled sive interest rate hike overnight. investors stampeding out of emerging pipeline operator Botas buys gas in dol- performing a 1.2 percent fall in the more raids could come. Turkey’s 10-year benchmark bond markets. A row between Ankara and the lars under long-term supply deals while emerging market index. “The source of The arrests marked an escalation in yield rose to 8.63 percent from 8.39 per- European Union also weighed on senti- selling to consumers in lira at a discount, the move is Russia, with the country’s Erdogan’s battle with U.S.-based cleric cent on Monday. —Reuters

Britain warns of tougher bank stress tests ahead LONDON: The Bank of England warned loans to reduce its risk-weighted assets Britain’s banks they should expect a by another 5.5 billion pounds by the end more exacting test next year of their of 2018. It said it was unlikely to make a defences in the event of a crisis abroad, profit in the next three years while it after state-backed lenders narrowly works on its recovery plan. passed a debut check focused on poten- tial domestic strains. Debt burdens Lloyds and rival Royal Bank of Britain decided to introduce annual Scotland scraped through this year’s test, stress tests for its banks in the wake of proving they could withstand the regula- the 2007-09 financial crisis which tor’s doomsday scenario of plummeting required taxpayers to pump 66 billion UK house prices and soaring unemploy- pounds into RBS and Lloyds. ment, after both took pre-emptive meas- While the Bank of England said ures to shrink their balance sheets and Tuesday’s results showed that the core of raise capital. Next year’s stress test, how- the banking system was now significant- ever, is likely to focus more on risks from ly more resilient, it criticised the banks overseas markets. That will mean a hard- for failing to give central bank staff full er time for banks such as HSBC and answers during the tests. Standard Chartered, which do much of “In a number of instances, the nature their business in Asia. of the interactions fell below the stan- “We can expect that we will look to dards set out,” the Bank of England said, some of those global risks much more without identifying which banks it was closely, they will feature much more talking about. prominently,” the governor of the Bank of This year’s stress tests required banks England Mark Carney told reporters. to have a core capital ratio of 4.5 percent The Bank of England will also examine but from next year, the Bank of England banks’ ability to cope with a sudden liq- said that it would also assess banks’ uidity crunch, and will scrutinise leverage leverage ratios. Regulators are increas- ratios, which reflects their level of indebt- ingly emphasising leverage ratios amid edness. “There will be no let-up even for widespread distrust of banks’ own those who passed with flying colours,” assessment of the riskiness of their said Neil Williamson, co-head of EMEA assets. The leverage ratio removes assets’ LONDON: A file picture taken on May 13, 2010 shows the BT Group logo pictured in London. BT Group, the British telecoms and TV ompany,c credit research at Aberdeen Asset risk weighting. said on December 15, 2014 it was in exclusive talks to purchase mobile operator EE for 12.5 billion GBP (19.6 billion USD, 15.7 billion euros). EE Management. Carney declined to say Lloyds, RBS and Santander UK had is a British mobile phone brand operated by French company Orange and Deutsche Telekom of Germany. — AFP whether the Bank of England would give leverage ratios below the current 3 per- state-backed Lloyds approval to resume cent requirement under the Bank of dividends next year after its narrow pass England’s stressed scenario. Barclays’ rate in this year’s test. “Any decision leverage ratio was 3 percent under the World set to end year in about future dividends at Lloyds is first a stress test. decision for the board of that institution, KPMG estimated that if banks had but it has to be consistent with their con- been expected to reach a leverage ratio tinuing need to build capital. There is no of 3 percent in this year’s tests, then they brittle economic state proposal to adjust the dividend at pres- would have had to shrink balance sheets ent,” he said. by 350 billion pounds. Investors said both Lloyds and RBS From 2019 onwards, large UK banks Poor survey calls for PBOC, ECB easing had performed credibly in a test that will have to have a leverage ratio of 4.05 stimulated a 35 percent collapse in percent. The Bank of England stress test LONDON/SYDNEY: The global economy is end- sanctions over its relations with Ukraine. a cost: firms cut prices for the 33rd month. house prices. added a number of additional layers on ing the year in a fragile state with factory activity Inflation in the bloc cooled to a five-year low “While the passes weren’t great, they top of those applied by European regula- shrinking in China, euro zone business growth Moody data of just 0.3 percent last month, well within the were passes,” said David Moss, head of tors in an EU-wide test of 123 banks in remaining weak, and emerging market giant Euro zone businesses are ending 2014 in European Central Bank’s “danger zone”, adding European equities at F&C Investments. October, including a rise in interest rates Russia in a spiralling currency crisis. slightly better shape than thought but growth to expectations for more policy easing. “The test was deliberately harsh and to 4 percent from 0.5 percent currently. “These are uncertain times again and there is remains weak and firms are still cutting prices to Weak growth and deepening concern that what’s key is they passed and we can Under the stress scenario, RBS’s core a risk of another global downturn,” said Stephen encourage trade, surveys showed. plunging oil prices may send the euro zone into Webster, chief European economist at 4CAST. Markit’s Composite Flash Purchasing a deflationary spiral that will push the ECB to move forward.” capital ratio fell to just 4.6 percent, a Poor to mediocre business surveys in Asia Managers’ Index, based on surveys of thousands buy sovereign debt early next year, a Reuters Shares in Lloyds were up 1.3 percent whisker shy of the 4.5 percent minimum and Europe released yesterday are likely to put of companies and seen as a good growth indica- poll found last week. at 1115 GMT while RBS shares were up required, before actions it had taken this pressure on both the European Central Bank and tor, rose to 51.7 from a 16-month low of 51.1. 0.1 percent. The Co-operative Bank, year were taken into account. Lloyds’ People’s Bank of China to come up with more That beat the forecast in a Reuters poll for a Asia which nearly collapsed last year before core capital ratio was 5.0 percent before stimulus. rise to 51.5 but was the second-lowest reading The mood in Asia was little better after a being bailed out by bondholders, was its actions were taken into account. RBS, They also threaten the overall 2015 outlook in over a year. measure of Chinese manufacturing activity from the only bank to fail the test, with a core which is 80 percent owned by the state, give the two economies’ huge global reach. Data “Although the PMI has not been a perfect HSBC/Markit fell to 49.5 in December from capital ratio of minus 2.6 percent. said it would sell 2 billion pounds of for the United States was due later in the day. guide to GDP over recent quarters, that suggests November’s 50.0. Co-op Bank said it would sell more notes to bolster capital. —Reuters But it was events in Russia that were most that the euro-zone economy probably barely Anything below 50 indicates contraction. eye-catching. expanded in Q4, if at all,” said Jonathan Loynes, “The manufacturing slowdown points to a Russia’s central bank took drastic action to chief European economist at Capital Economics. weak ending for 2014,” said Hongbin Qu, chief defend its rouble currency in a surprise midnight Still, German analyst and investor sentiment economist for China at HSBC. “The rising disinfla- raising of interest rates by 650 basis points to 17 rose sharply in December for a second month tionary pressures, which fundamentally reflect percent. running, as a decline in the euro and oil prices weak demand, warrant further monetary easing But despite that the rouble was some down 4 boosted hopes for a pickup although a compos- in the coming months.” percent against the dollar, having opened about ite PMI covering Europe’s largest economy Worries about disinflation, and whether it 9 percent stronger, and the dollar-denominated showed weaker growth. could morph into outright deflation, have RTS share index fell more than 11 percent. Coupled with a PMI for France, which high- spread world wide and the risks are such that It has lost around 50 percent to the dollar this lighted a continued decline, the euro zone sur- investors are wagering the U.S. Federal Reserve year. A relentless slide in oil prices-Brent crude vey suggested there was a renewed upturn in might go slow on policy tightening next year has almost halved in price since June-while a the bloc’s smaller periphery countries. even if its economy continues to outperform. blessing to most rich world consumers, is “The periphery is seeing faster growth but The central bank starts a two-day meeting becoming a curse for countries reliant on you are in danger that if the (euro zone) core later yesterday and there is intense speculation resource exports. remains weak, that will spread to the periphery on whether it will drop a commitment to keep- The Russian economy still depends in large and everything will come down again,” said Chris ing rates near zero for a “considerable time.” measure on sales of oil and gas, which account Williamson, Markit’s chief economist. British inflation fell to its lowest level in more for about two-thirds of exports and Indonesia Williamson said the PMIs pointed to fourth- than 12 years in November, coming in at half the became the latest Asian casualty when its cur- quarter GDP growth of 0.1 percent, weaker than Bank of England’s two percent target and leav- rency caved to fresh 16-year lows. the 0.2 percent predicted in a Reuters poll last ing it under no pressure to raise interest rates Russia, however, is also being hit by Western week, but that very weak expansion is coming at anytime soon.— Reuters VIVA extends its German investor sentiment global recharge jumps again in December service to include BERLIN: Investment sentiment in uation in Germany, as well as their VIVA-Bahrain Germany rose sharply in December after expectations for the coming months. a rebound the previous month, driven The sub-index measuring financial KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most by a weak euro and plunging oil prices, market players’ view of the current eco- developed telecom operator, announced that it has a survey found yesterday. nomic situation in Germany also rose, extended its Global Recharge service to include VIVA The widely watched investor confi- by 6.7 points. Bahrain, allowing its customers to top-up their credit dence index calculated by the ZEW eco- In November the ZEW headline indi- when travelling in Bahrain. The Global Recharge serv- nomic institute jumped by 23.4 points cator had bounced back for the first ice already exists with Saudi Telecommunications in December, after rising for the first time in 2014, adding to signs that the Company (STC) through its SAWA top up cards. time this year in November, ZEW said in German economy is stabilising and pro- Through this service, VIVA pre-paid customers a statement. viding a boost for the eurozone as a roaming in Bahrain can recharge through the use of It said there was abundant evidence whole. recharge cards from VIVA in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that faith in Europe’s top economy After hitting a 22-month low in to recharge their credits as if they were in Kuwait. This among financial market experts was October, the index jumped to 11.5 service is also applicable for VIVA Bahrain STC cus- being restored. points from minus 3.6 points the previ- tomers who are roaming in Kuwait. “This renewed confidence remains ous month. VIVA’s customers travelling to Bahrain or to Kuwait linked to the auspicious economic con- Last week Germany reported that its can buy recharge VIVA cards from any of VIVA’s points ditions including the weak euro and the trade surplus had grown slightly in of sale, and recharge as it is described on the low price of oil,” ZEW president Clemens October, with imports showing a sharp- recharge card. VIVA will continue to offer its cus- Fuest said in a statement. er decline than exports due in part to tomers innovative services to facilitate and enhance “This positive trend could be seen in the weaker euro. customers’ experience. the recent data for German exports. But Exports slipped by 0.5 percent in To find out more information about this new serv- it should be noted that the current eco- October to 97.2 billion euros ($120.1 bil- LONDON: A file picture taken on November 20, 2013, shows a branch of the Co-oper- ice, or any of VIVA’s products and promotional pack- nomic optimism is fostered by factors lion) compared to the previous month, ative bank in central London. The Co-operative Bank failed the Bank of England’s ages, please visit any of VIVA’s 62 conveniently locat- that can change quickly.” while imports fell 3.1 percent to 76.6 bil- stress tests, it was announced yesterday4, while the Bank of England also raised con- ed branches across Kuwait or visit our website at For its survey, ZEW questions analysts lion euros, according to seasonally cerns about state-backed pair Lloyds and RBS — both of which narrowly passed the www.viva.com.kw. and institutional investors about their adjusted figures published by the feder- assessment. — AFP current assessment of the economic sit- al statistics office. — AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 German retail giant Metro swings back to profit

BERLIN: German retail and distribution giant euros ($158 million) in a turnaround from a 35 ment. “In order to keep momentum for this Business took a hit from currency losses, Metro had set a target of 1.75 billion euros Metro said yesterday it had returned to profit million euro loss the previous year. business development going, not only will we particularly in the Russian market where the in earnings before interest and taxes for the full during its 2013/14 business year thanks to a Metro, based in the western city of proceed in 2014/15 resolutely with the trans- value of the ruble has tumbled. More than fiscal year and fell just short, with EBIT of 1.73 strong fourth quarter. Duesseldorf, cited restructuring and better formation of Metro group, but we will also one-quarter of Metro’s total full-year earnings billion euros. For the financial year 2014/15, it The company’s net profit for the fiscal year results from its Media-Saturn electronics stores intensify those efforts,” chief executive Olaf before interest and taxes derived from its cash said it expects a slight earnings increase with a ending September 30 reached 127 million in particular as factors behind the improve- Koch said in a statement. and carry business in Russia. marginal rise in overall sales. — AFP India’s ‘smart’ cities plan risks leaving millions behind

NEW DELHI: As he pulled his family’s liminary ideas for the cities to be built as belongings from the rubble of his bull- satellite towns of metropolises and by dozed home in the Indian capital, modernising existing mid-sized cities. Rajesh Kumar was pessimistic about The cities would offer “decent living Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to options to every resident” which would revolutionise the country’s stressed provide a “very high quality of life com- cities. parable with any developed European “All these years, I have seen our city city”, the urban ministry’s “concept note” grow with many new roads, flyovers said this month. and a metro,” Kumar said of New Delhi. Joshi said he feared the new cities “But I haven’t seen anything change in would give rise to exclusive so-called our slum, only the population has gated communities, while the poor grown,” said Kumar whose two-room remained squeezed into ever-growing shack home along with hundreds of and sometimes illegally built slums with others was suddenly demolished few services. recently for encroaching on state forest “There is a large number of people land. who want to move out of poverty, to “My oldest child is 11 and the move out of the slums, but they don’t youngest is one, tell me where will we know how. We are not focusing on that. go this winter?” asked the stonemason. The focus is misplaced,” he told AFP. After storming to power at elections in Urban development expert Jochen May, Modi’s right-wing government Mistelbacher said the government’s pledged to build 100 “smart” cities as proposal draws much-needed attention part of an ambitious agenda of reform to India’s chronic urbanisation problems and economic development. including shoddy infrastructure, lack of Tens of millions have flocked from services and scarcity of land for hous- the countryside in search of jobs during ing. India’s years of economic growth, And Mistelbacher, a senior fellow stretching some cities to near breaking with the Delhi-based Observer point and pushing the poor further into Research Foundation think-tank, said the outskirts. he hoped the plan would lead to an With the urban influx showing few influx of investment in cities through signs of slowing, experts are sceptical of public-private partnerships. Modi’s plans for high-tech, environmen- “But my fear is that some other tally friendly cities, saying he should much-needed (already existing) urban focus on the basics. development projects (such as boost- “I think we need to revisit the defini- ing public housing) will be put in the tion of what is smart,” said Rutul Joshi, a bottom drawer while this takes priority.” planning professor in Modi’s home Even if the cities were successful, state of Gujarat. 100 was not nearly enough, with some “When we provide adequate shelter 4,000 major centres needing an over- for everybody, a toilet in every home, a haul, Mistelbacher said. footpath on every street and a bus Both experts said the government route on every major road, then that’s a should focus on strengthening local smart city,” said Joshi from CEPT councils, by handing them additional University, which specialises in environ- powers and resources to reduce corrup- mental planning and technology. tion and improve infrastructure and India, the second most populated basic services in existing cities. country on the planet, is projected to Kumar’s slum was built near a fash- add another 404 million urban dwellers ionable, middle-class neighbourhood by 2050, the largest addition in the where many of his neighbours worked world, followed by China with 292 mil- as maids, cooks and drivers. The forest lion, a UN report this year said. department has defended the demoli- Delhi, already the world’s second tion as routine, aimed at curbing largest city after Tokyo, where many live increased encroachment on protected in slums or on streets and building sites land. But Kumar, who had lived in the where they labour, is expected to rise slum for 17 years after arriving from his swiftly to 36 million by 2030. native Uttar Pradesh state, said he was given five minutes’ notice to grab what- Hopeless situation ever he could before the bulldozers Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has moved in. told parliament the “smart” cities are One of his neighbours, Maya Devi, needed to accommodate the rising described the situation as hopeless. numbers, pointing to a burgeoning Two of her children have exams this middle class with “aspirations of better month but their school books were lost living standards”. in the rubble and the family now has Several days after Kumar’s long- nowhere to live. “Why does the govern- standing slum was demolished late last ment do this to poor people like us?” month, the government released pre- she asked. — AFP

NEW DELHI: This photo taken on December 12, 2014 shows a passenger aircraft flying above a squatter settlement built over encroached forest land, which was earlier demolished by Delhi government officials and rebuilt by its illegal inhabitants, in New Delhi. After storming to power at elections in May, Modi’s right-wing government pledged to build 100 “smart” cities as part of an ambitious agenda of reform and economic development. — AFP Uber targeted by Belgium tax probe BRUSSELS: Belgian authorities allows non-professional drivers to ordered a probe yesterday into the tax become chauffeurs-for-hire at rates far affairs of Web-based taxi app Uber in lower than normal taxi rides. the latest legal challenge the fast-grow- In March, a business court in ing company faces around the world Brussels ordered Uber to stop the serv- amid fierce resistance from cab drivers. ice or risk a 10,000 euro ($12,400) fine. Uber, which operates in about 250 At the time, Uber said it was outraged cities in 50 countries, has become an by the decision and continued devel- object of scorn from traditional taxi oping its business. companies fighting for survival against Founded in California, Uber has the rise of the Silicon Valley challenger, become a popular transportation alter- founded in 2009. native to traditional taxis, especially to With Belgian taxi operators already web-savvy and well-heeled travellers. up in arms, tax auditors will probe Uber charges a commission for each whether Uber obeys current legislation, ride, but fees charged by the service’s said Elke Sleurs, the junior minister on drivers are generally lower than normal tax fraud issues. “If there are indications taxis. Despite its meteoric rise, legal that Uber is committing or enabling tax clashes and controversy have started to infractions, we will investigate and we challenge Uber’s success. will act,” the minister said. It has been banned from operating Uber is already targeted on several in Spain and received a partial ban in legal fronts in Belgium, including an Thailand. Meanwhile the city govern- effort by authorities in the capital ment in New Delhi banned it from Brussels to ban the service outright. operating in the Indian capital after a In Belgium, the service exists only as passenger accused one of its drivers of UberPop, the ridesharing app that rape.—AFP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 BUSINESS

Morocco revives $4.6 bln LNG import plan: Energy minister RABAT: Morocco has launched a nation- Dhabi’s TAQA have facilities. It is also planning a regasification unit “The first step in early 2015 will be Algerian pipeline exporting to Spain and al plan to boost imports of liquefied nat- Morocco, a net energy importer, aims in Jorf Lasfar port, while Morocco’s state negotiations of supplies with gas passing by the north of the country. ural gas (LNG), including the construc- to diversify energy supplies and reduce power utility ONEE wants to build four exporters to get the best deals. If they Morocco also gets royalties for the same tion of a terminal at the industrial hub of dependence on oil and coal imports. It is gas-fired power plants of 600 MW of fail (negotiations), we will launch ten- pipeline and for the same period. Jorf Lasfar, worth up to $4.6 billion, its also developing a plan to build 4 each in the same area and near the ders directly in the international mar- It is unclear if Morocco and Algeria energy minister said yesterday. gigawatts of renewable energy. northern city of Tangier. kets,” the minister added. The North would renegotiate the gas deal in 2021 The idea to build a LNG terminal was The plan will allow Morocco to Pipelines will also feed up industries African kingdom is already burning 1 as the two have many disputes, mainly announced a few years ago but the gov- import up to 7 billion cubic meters in Jorf Lasfar and the most developed bcm of gas, including around 70 million over Western Sahara, a former Spanish ernment has given no reasons for the (bcm) of gas by 2025, the minister said. It regions, Casablanca and Tangier. “All the produced locally, but gas is still hovering colony, most of which Morocco annexed delay. Jorf Lasfar is an industrial hub on includes a jetty, terminal and pipelines, projects will be awarded via internation- at only 5 percent of the country’s energy in 1975. Algeria supports and hosts the the Atlantic coast near El Jadida city with estimated investments of $600 mil- al tenders in total transparency,” bill. It still has a 10-year contract signed Western Saharan independence move- where, among others, the state-run lion, $800 million and $600 million Abdelkader Amara, Moroccan energy in 2011 with Algeria’s Sonatrach to ment Polis, a stance that angers phosphate company OCP and Abu respectively. minister told reporters. import 640 mcm of gas through the Morocco. —Reuters

China’s Li cements new export corridor into Europe BELGRADE: Chinese Prime Minister euros) this year, up $4.9 billion on Li Keqiang met 16 central and east- last year. ern European leaders yesterday in a However, Chinese investment summit to cement Beijing’s plans remained below targets set during for a new transport network to fun- two previous summits-in Warsaw in nel exports into Europe. 2012, when China pledged loans of The two-day meeting in Belgrade 10 billion euros, and last year in gathered prime ministers from 16 Bucharest. central and eastern European coun- China has invested billions of tries, with infrastructure and trans- euros in Hungary and Serbia, but port top of the agenda. much less so in the Czech Republic, Beijing hopes to turn the Greek Slovakia, Slovenia and the Baltic port of Piraeus-where the Chinese states. shipping giant Cosco has a 35-year However, some countries includ- concession to hugely expand its ing Poland hope to increase exports two container terminals-into a new to China, in particular of food, after hub for trade with Europe. Russia slapped a ban on food Despite being hit hard by the imports in retaliation for European economic crisis, Greece still has the Union sanctions over Moscow’s role world’s largest merchant marine in the Ukrainian conflict. fleet, with China one of its key cus- tomers. Roads and power stations Li discussed huge investment in “We hope to sell a lot of Polish Greece’s crumbling railways during food to China because we have a visit to Athens in August, includ- problems with Russia right now and ing a high-speed rail project. Russia was rather a huge market for “We will propose construction of Polish fruit, vegetables and meat,” ZOUPING: Workers assemble automobiles in a factory in Zouping, east China’s Shandong province yesterday. China’s manufacturing activity a rapid land and maritime route Professor Bogdan Goralczyk of the worsened in December with HSBC’s closely watched purchasing managers’ index (PMI) hitting a seven-month low, the bank said yesterday, sig- based on the Budapest-Belgrade Central & Eastern Europe nalling more weakness in the world’s second-largest economy. — AFP railroad and the Greek port of Development Institute (CEED) said. Piraeus to improve regional connec- In Poland, Chinese money tivity,” Li told Serbian media ahead amounted to only 0.2 percent of China industrial activity of the summit in Belgrade. inward investment in 2013, accord- ing to the National Bank of Poland, Bullet train and even less in Romania. The signing of a deal for a high- China has so far concentrated on shrinks in December speed bullet train link between transport infrastructure and the Budapest and Belgrade, to be built energy sector in the Balkans. by 2017, with Li’s Hungarian and In Serbia, China has already Calls for more stimulus measures Serbian counterparts, Viktor Orban signed a $1.25-billion deal to over- and Aleksandar Vucic, is the centre- haul the main power plant while in BEIJING: Activity in China’s factory sector con- rebound in growth next year will be disappoint- major role, will respond to a liquidity injection, piece of the gathering. neighbouring Bosnia, Chinese firms tracted in December for the first time in seven ed.” Economists have noted that a surprise inter- or whether the cash will simply flow into low- “We will set a mid-term agenda have been involved in two power months, the latest in a string of weak economic est rate cut by the central bank on Nov. 21 has yielding infrastructure projects, speculative ven- to define our future cooperation plants projects worth over one bil- indicators that will intensify calls for more stimu- yet to result in lower financing costs, although tures in real estate or into a stock market that and present financial measures that lion euros. They also signed a pre- lus measures to head off a hard landing. the cut, combined with a quiet relaxation of loan has rallied heavily on borrowed money. will facilitate it,” Li said ahead of the liminary 600-million-euro deal on The flash HSBC/Markit manufacturing pur- restrictions beginning in October, did appear to summit, the third of its kind. Beijing construction of 62 kilometres (38 chasing managers’ index(PMI) fell to 49.5 in have translated into a surge in loans in Revising targets said it was interested in investing in miles) of a highway leading to December from November’s final reading of 50.0 November. China’s top leaders said last week that they and below the 50.0 forecast by analysts. will try to sustain reasonable growth in 2015 energy, agriculture and industry as Croatia’s Adriatic coast. The new orders sub-index fell to 49.6, the first Two-speed economy? even though the economy faces “relatively big well as infrastructure projects in the During his stay in Belgrade, Li, contraction since April. A reading below 50 indi- While manufacturing has been weak, downward pressure”. 16 countries. the first Chinese prime minister to cates contraction, while one above 50 points to weighed down by a cooling property market, They are preparing to revise their estimate of Trade between China and the visit Serbia in almost 30 years, will expansion on a monthly basis. tight credit conditions and erratic exports, 2013 gross domestic product (GDP) growth after region, which has expanded five- open a 1.5-kilometre (one-mile) “The manufacturing slowdown continues in China’s services sector has proved more resilient. adjusting the way the figure is measured. The fold since 2003, was also on the bridge over the Danube river. December and points to a weak ending for Other data released on Tuesday showed head of the National Bureau of Statistics said agenda. The $170 million project was 2014,” Hongbin Qu, chief economist for China at cumulative foreign direct investment posted a yesterday that the new methodology would Chinese Commerce Minister Gao China’s biggest infrastructure HSBC, said after the survey was released yester- mild recovery in November after four straight revise up the size of the economy in 2013 by Hucheng said trade with the region investment in Europe when it was day. “The rising disinflationary pressures, which months of decline, with investment in services around 3 percent, without giving details. The could exceed $60 billion (48 billion first announced. — AFP fundamentally reflect weak demand, warrant growing even as investment in manufacturing new number will be published on Dec. 19. further monetary easing in the coming months.” declined. The transition to services is a key policy However, the rise in historical measurement is However, while economists have continued goal, which would help restructure China’s econ- not seen as providing a basis for more optimism to call for more easing, others question whether omy toward a more labour-intensive and less about present conditions. another round of easy credit is what China investment-intensive model that is seen as more “I don’t think they will change the main needs, given the country is still struggling to sustainable and more in line with other assessment of the current economic situation,” work off a mountain of bad debt and manufac- advanced economies. said Zhu Haibin, chief China economist at turing overcapacity engendered by the last But for the same reason, service industries are JPMorgan in Hong Kong. “If they revise up, that round of policy easing in 2009. less responsive to credit easing than manufac- means growth in the past several years will also “We expect policymakers to respond to the turers; firms don’t hire more lawyers or program- be higher and the slowdown trend is still there.” continued weakness with further rate cuts and mers just because interest rates are low. The economy is expected to grow 7.4 percent liquidity injections,” wrote Julian Evans-Pritchard Thus some economists question whether the this year, its slowest pace in nearly a quarter of a at Capital Economics in Singapore. “That said, we China’s deepening economic malaise, in which century, and cool further to 7.1 percent in 2015, think that those expecting a policy-driven weak customer demand is seen as playing a according to a Reuters poll. — Reuters Japan PM presses for wage rise after ‘Abenomics’ poll win

TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday Abenomics-a blend of money printing, gov- fattened by the plunging currency and others stepped up pressure on business leaders to hike ernment spending and economic reforms-has who are sitting on huge piles of cash have been wages as he embarked on a renewed push to sent the yen sharply lower and boosted stocks. reluctant to boost pay. reinvigorate Japan’s economy after his weekend But the failure to implement some of the Commentators say executives are wary of NEW DELHI: This photograph taken on August 11, 2014, shows the logos of TATA and election triumph. tough changes economists say are needed-re- lumbering themselves with higher wage bills Singapore Airlines on view at a press conference during the launch of the new airline Stagnant salaries are one of the main missing imagining the labour market and tackling an after a number of false dawns in the last two “Vistara” in New Delhi. India’s newest airline said yesterday, that it has received an links in the “virtuous circle” of growth that the inefficient agricultural sector-has left the pre- decades of economic lassitude. Many are wait- air permit to begin flying in the country. Vistara, jointly owned by Singapore Airlines premier’s signature “Abenomics” plan envisages. mier open to charges of style over substance. ing to see if Abe’s promised recovery will really and the Mumbai-based Tata conglomerate, said it would soon make an announce- While prices in deflation-plagued Japan have Companies whose bottom lines have been take root. —AFP ment on the start of sales, routes and schedules. — AFP finally begun to rise, take-home pay-especially when measured by spending power-has shown itself stubbornly resistant. That has left many India’s newest airline people worse off. Complaints over the uneven effects of Abenomics were a common refrain in the run up to Sunday’s poll, in which Abe’s ruling gets permit to fly coalition trounced the opposition. His meeting Tuesday with Sadayuki MUMBAI: India’s newest airline said is 51 percent-an arrangement Sakakibara, head of the influential Japan yesterday that it has received an air allowed after India’s previous govern- Business Federation, and other business execu- permit to begin flying in the country. ment said foreign airlines could buy tives, as well as representatives of labour unions, Vistara, jointly owned by Singapore up to 49 percent stakes in Indian car- was a key piece of symbolism. Airlines and the Mumbai-based Tata riers. “I would like you to continue wage increases conglomerate, said it would soon India’s air passenger market has next year and the year after next so that the make an announcement on the start rapidly expanded, but many compa- impact of Abenomics can spread all over the of sales, routes and schedules. nies are struggling with debts and country,” Abe told the meeting. “Vistara has received the Air cut-throat fare wars, high fuel costs Participants adopted a statement urging “the Operator Permit (AOP) from the regu- and poor infrastructure. The SpiceJet business circle to make its utmost effort toward latory authority,” airline spokes- airline, which announced the cancel- a wage increase,” officials from the prime minis- ter’s office said. woman Bhakti Arora said in an email. lation of nearly 1,900 domestic flights The gathering was the first significant action Vistara, whose name means “limitless last week, sought “urgent relief” from since Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party-led coali- expanse” in Sanskrit, will be head- the government on Monday as its tion swept the ballot on Sunday, winning a two- quartered in New Delhi. The airline financial woes mounted. thirds majority in the lower house election. had earlier said it hoped to start fly- Tata also holds a stake in an Indian Abe, 60, had billed the election as a referen- TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) smiles alongside Finance Minister Taro Aso (R) ing passengers in October this year. low-cost carrier which started flying dum on Abenomics, and pledged to continue and Economic Revitalization Minister Akira Amari (L) at a cabinet meeting at Abe’s office in Singapore Airlines holds a 49 per- in June, operated by Asia’s biggest his focus on the economy, which he said would Tokyo yesterday. Abe stepped up pressure on business leaders to hike wages as he embarked cent stake in the venture, while Tata’s budget airline AirAsia. —AFP remain his “top priority”. on a renewed push to reinvigorate Japan’s economy after his weekend election triumph. —AFP BUSINESS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Ooredoo Kuwait appoints new Chairman of Board of Directors

KUWAIT: Ooredoo Kuwait announced the appointment of Ooredoo Qatar. He joined Ooredoo in 1990. Since then, he establishment, such as Vice Chairman of Ooredoo Oman’s Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani as Chairman of Board of has gained a wide range of experience in internal rela- board of directors and board member in Arabsat. He has a Directors. He will succeed Sheikh Abdullah Bin tions, personnel administration, human resources and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from Western Mohammad Bin Saud Al Thani, who was recently appoint- policies and procedures. He has handled key projects like International University, Phoenix, Arizona. ed as Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Investment the restructuring of the organization and job evaluation Ooredoo also appointed Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo as Authority. and compensation review. Vice Chairman of Board of Directors, and Ahmed Ali Al- Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Sheikh Saud is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sheikh Saud holds several key positions in reputable Mohannadi as board member. Al Thani

The all-new Honda CITY named ‘Best Small Sedan’ at 2014 MECOTY awards

KUWAIT: The all-new Honda CITY won the able ride. Available in three grades, the all- “Best Small Sedan” Award at the 2014 new CITY is powered by a1.5L i-VTEC 4- Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) cylinder engine with 115HP, coupled with Awards held at Meydan Beach JBR in a Continuously Variable Transmission Dubai, UAE. The CITY outshone its seg- (CVT) for optimal performance and fuel ment rivals, adding more success and rep- economy. The all-new CITY sets a high utation to its name. The nominated cars standard in occupant safety, with standard were evaluated over a period of 7 months driver and front passenger SRS airbags, by a 14-member jury, hailing from the best active headrests, and Anti-lock Braking car journalists and critics in the Middle System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force East. Distribution (EBD). The MECOTY is organized by Middle Following its launch, the all-new Honda East Car, a renowned organization known CITY sales are up by 157% up in compari- for its transparency and score-rating evalu- son to the same period last year YTD ation. The MECOTY is one of the most October in the GCC and Near East markets. prestigious independent awards for car Honda expects CITY sales to continue as it manufacturers. For more information on continues to cater for the youthful practi- the nomination process and categories, cal users, whether they are commuting please visit: http://www.mecoty.com daily to work or running personal errands, /index.html as the CITY offers the needed comfort and Jurors scored the final nominated cars fuel efficiency. on the following scoring parameters: Honda Alghanim encourages cus- Design & Quality (Exterior & Interior), tomers to test-drive a Honda vehicle of Emotional Bond and Driver’s Satisfaction, their choice. Customers are welcome to Handling and Drivability, Safety & visit Honda showroom in Safat Alghanim Durability, Performance & Capability, from 8:30 AM until 10:00 PM, Saturday to Environmental Friendly Features, Thursday, and from 9:30 AM until 10:00 PM Technological Innovation, Value for Money on Fridays, and the Honda showroom in (New Purchase & Resale) Comfort & Shuwaikh, from 8:30 AM until 12:30 PM BEIJING: A construction site is seen in Beijing yesterday. Foreign investment into China accelerated in November, government data showed yes- Practicality, and Regional Compatibility. and 4:30 PM until 8:30PM, from Saturday terday, despite a worsening slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy and concerns over business risks. — AFP The all-new 2014 CITY earned this to Thursday. award thanks to its most advanced fea- Alghanim Motors, the sole distributor tures that add a touch of elegance and lux- of Honda automobiles, motorcycles, pow- ury. Such features include the standard er products, and marine products in Chinese November FDI cruise control system, Bluetooth Hands- Kuwait, is committed to providing cus- Free Telephone system (HFT), and the 7” tomers with flexible payment solutions Display Audio Touch Screen. On the out- and efficient and cost-effective services. side, the all-new CITY boasts sleek body The cars service center waiting lounge jumps 22.2%: Government lines that conceal a spacious interior with offers entertainment and comfort for cus- segment-leading rear legroom that is also tomers with gaming consoles, digital satel- BEIJING: Foreign investment into China acceler- from other Southeast Asian countries such as ODI had fallen 12.2 percent in October to air-conditioned thanks to the rear AC lite TV, free wireless internet and relaxing ated in November, government data showed yes- Vietnam. Officials have also blamed source coun- $6.92 billion after soaring 90.5 percent in vents, ensuring all passengers an enjoy- massage chairs. terday, despite a worsening slowdown in the try factors, such as Washington’s drive to move September to $9.79 billion. world’s second-largest economy and concerns industrial production back to the United States. China has been actively acquiring foreign over business risks. China’s economy expanded 7.3 percent in the assets, particularly energy and resources, to pow- Foreign direct investment (FDI) — which July-September quarter, slower than the 7.5 per- er its economy, with firms encouraged to “go out” excludes financial sectors-rose 22.2 percent year- cent expansion in the previous three months and and make overseas acquisitions to gain market on-year, the commerce ministry said, totalling the worst result since 2009 at the height of the access and international experience. $10.36 billion. global financial crisis. Officials have said outward investment could The figure compares with an increase of 1.3 In the first 11 months, FDI fell 39.7 percent exceed FDI this year, though with just one month percent in October to $8.53 billion. FDI had hit a from Japan to $4.08 billion, 22.2 percent from the to go that looks increasingly unlikely given the four-year-low in August of $7.20 billion. For the US to $2.46 billion, 9.8 percent from the current position and trends. first 11 months of 2014, FDI amounted to European Union (EU) to $6.17 billion, and 23.6 “After analysis, we think FDI and ODI will be $106.24 billion, the ministry said, an increase of percent from the ASEAN group of Southeast close this year,” Shen said at a regular briefing, 0.7 percent year-on-year. Asian countries to $5.87 billion. adding monthly figures are “volatile” and that “Investment from major countries and regions British investment, meanwhile, jumped 28 China “does not seek to become a capital was generally stable,” commerce ministry percent to $1.25 billion, while that from South exporter”. spokesman Shen Danyang said. Chinese authori- Korea increased 22.9 percent to $3.59 billion. Over the 11-month period, Chinese invest- ties have this year launched anti-monopoly, pric- ment into the US rose 27.1 percent to $4.64 bil- ing and other inquiries into foreign firms in sec- ‘Volatile’ figures lion, the ministry said. tors ranging from auto manufacturing and phar- Investment by Chinese companies overseas, Without providing total amounts, the ministry maceuticals to baby milk, fuelling fears Beijing is meanwhile, fell in November for the second con- also said that investment to the EU nearly tripled, targeting them, a charge the commerce ministry secutive month, the ministry said. that to Japan rose 80 percent, while to Hong repeatedly denies. Overseas direct investment (ODI) was down Kong it increased 13.3 percent. It added that China’s appeal as an investment destination 26.1 percent year-on-year in November at $7.92 investment to Australia fell 29.8 percent during has also been declining in recent years owing to billion and stood at $89.8 billion for the first 11 the period, while to Russia it dropped 76.7 per- rising labour and land costs and competition months, up 11.9 percent. cent and to ASEAN 3.8 percent. — AFP

Low-cost carmakers US housing starts fall, but shine in fragile European recovery trend points to recovery WASHINGTON: US housing starts and ple, into the housing market, providing a PARIS: Budget brands like Dacia and Seat provided the permits fell in November, but remained at tailwind for the economy. Housing has bright spot as European car sales rose 1.2 percent last month, Repsol to buy Canada’s with mid-market manufacturers squeezed by consumer con- levels consistent with a gradually improv- been a mild boost to gross domestic prod- cerns over the economy. Sales advanced to 989,457 cars in ing housing market. Groundbreaking uct so far this year. November, the Association of European Carmakers said yes- declined 1.6 percent to a seasonally adjust- “With labor market conditions continu- Talisman for $8.3 billion terday, marking a 15th consecutive monthly gain and a 5.5 ed annual pace of 1.028 million units, the ing to be favorable ... we believe that it will percent advance over the first 11 months of the year. Commerce Department said yesterday. be only a matter of time before the hous- MADRID: Spanish oil giant Repsol said Repsol said the acquisition of Talisman Renault’s no-frills Dacia brand posted an 11 percent October’s starts were revised up to a pace ing recovery shifts up a gear or two and yesterday it has agreed to buy its strug- would incorporate “reserves and produc- increase, thanks to models such as the Duster SUV, helping the group’s deliveries to rise 3.9 percent and raising its market of 1.045 million units. provides a crucial second wind to the eco- gling Canadian rival Talisman for $8.3 bil- tion in politically stable countries”. Economists polled by Reuters had fore- nomic recovery,” said Millan Mulraine, lion (6.6 billion euros), a deal that will “Talisman will contribute first-class produc- share to 9.5 percent. European leader Volkswagen’s sales rose 2.5 percent after a similar 10 percent boost from Seat, its cast starts rising to a rate of 1.04 million deputy chief economist at TD Securities in extend its global reach. ing and exploration assets in North budget Spanish marque, lifting the group market share to units from October’s previously reported New York. Under the deal, which was approved by America (Canada and US), Southeast Asia 26.7 percent. A Spanish market rebound and strong UK car Repsol’s board, the Spanish firm will also (Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam) as well pace of 1.01 million units. Last month’s drop in groundbreaking sales are helping to offset faltering demand in Germany and Yields for US Treasuries held at lower was concentrated in the single-family assume Talisman’s debt of $4.7 billion, as Colombia and Norway, amongst others,” a renewed downturn in France where high unemployment Repsol said in a statement. it added. and weak consumer confidence are keeping customers out levels, while the dollar was little changed homes segment, the largest part of the Repsol said it will increase its output by Repsol will pay $8.0 (6.42 euros) per of dealerships. against a basket of currencies. US stock market, which fell 5.4 percent to a 677,000- 76 percent to 680,000 barrels of oil equiva- Talisman share, a 24 percent premium over “For as long as unemployment rates in Europe remain futures were pointing to a lower open also unit rate. Single-family starts had posted lent per day with the acquisition of the average share price of the last three high and consumer confidence muted, we are not expecting as crude oil prices continued to drift lower. two straight months of hefty gains. Talisman, one of Canada’s largest inde- months. “Once the transaction is complete, growth in the European market to accelerate,” Evercore ISI Housing continues to be stymied by Starts for the volatile multi-family pendent oil and gas producers. North America’s weight in the resulting said in a note. “We do expect the market to remain tepid wage growth, which has been far homes segment increased 6.7 percent to a flat/improve slightly going forward assisted by growth in The new firm that emerges will be company will increase to almost 50 percent outpaced by home price increases. Higher 351,000-unit pace. The increase unwound “among the 15 largest privately owned oil of capital employed in exploration. Latin Germany next year.” European sales of competitively priced Hyundais rose 5.7 percent, while mid-market rivals struggled. mortgage rates are also a constraint, some of October’s 9.9 percent drop. and gas companies in the world”, Repsol America will represent 22 percent,” Repsol although they have declined from a peak Multi-family starts continue to be driven added. “This is an extraordinary operation said. Ford sales sagged 5.5 percent, General Motors’ Opel was down 12 percent and PSA Peugeot Citroen 2.9 percent lower. reached in September 2013. by demand for rental units as many finan- for Repsol, for the hydrocarbon sector and Talisman said in July that it had been Romano Valente, head of Italy’s foreign carmakers’ associ- for the Spanish economy,” Spain’s Industry approached by Repsol but the Spanish firm The housing recovery also is being chal- cially-strapped Americans shun home ation UNRAE, said the negative signs from Germany and lenged by a very slow pace of household ownership. Last month, permits dropped Minister Jose Manuel Soria told reporters. reportedly pulled out because the price for France only showed that the market has yet to stabilise and formation, as high unemployment among 5.2 percent to a pace of 1.035 million units Repsol is flush with cash after Argentina the company was too high. Since then its recovery was choppy at best. But there were some bright earlier this year paid it $6.3 billion in com- Talisman’s shares have dropped. spots. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles benefited from buoyant young adults is forcing many to either con- after two straight months of gains. That pensation for seizing control of YPF, the The Standard and Poor’s ratings agency sales of Jeep’s new Renegade compact SUV and healthy tinue living at home with their parents or was the biggest drop since January. Spanish firm’s subsidiary in the Latin in October cut Talisman’s credit rating to demand for its Cherokee and Grand Cherokee models as the share quarters with friends or relatives. Permits, which lead starts by three to American country. triple-B-minus, one notch above junk, cit- brand expands in Europe. Jeep deliveries were up a healthy Household formation is currently run- four months, have been above a pace of 1 The company said in November it had ing concerns about the company’s limited 57 percent to almost 35,000 vehicles so far this year. ning at about 500,000 a year, far below the million units since July. Permits for single- around $10 billion to make acquisitions to ability to generate enough cash flow to off- Further still from the low-cost end of the market, premi- more than 1 million that would signal a family homes fell 1.2 percent to a 639,000- build up its presence in member states of set high operating costs. Talisman loaded um brands also continued to defy the economic gloom. BMW sales rose 9.4 percent and Daimler advanced 4.8 per- strong housing market recovery. unit pace in November. Permits for multi- the Organization for Economic Cooperation up on debt as it aggressively pursued over- But with job growth accelerating, wages family housing tumbled 11 percent to a and Development rather then exposing seas expansion. It is now struggling to cent, with Mercedes deliveries surging almost twice as much. are expected to pick up next year and pull 396,000-unit pace. That followed two itself to the greater political risks typical of reduce its debt load amid a slump in oil Audi-another VW division-rose 3.7 percent, while Geely- owned Volvo Car posted an 8.7 percent gain. — Reuters emerging economies. and gas prices. — AFP in first-time buyers, especially young peo- months of big increases. — Reuters WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 technology

‘Intelligent bicycle’ that warns of danger

THE HAGUE: The Netherlands on Monday computer with a vibrating warning system “The onboard system utilises technology cycling,” she said. launched its first-ever “intelligent bicycle”, fitted installed in the bicycle’s saddle and handlebars to already at work in the automotive industry,” he In the Netherlands, bicycles outnumber the with an array of electronic devices to help bring alert cyclists to impending danger. said. Kwakkernaat said the devices would be use- population of 17 million by at least one million down the high accident rate among elderly The saddle vibrates when other cyclists ful for cyclists propelled along by the bicycle’s and there are some 25,000 kilometres of bicycle cyclists in the bicycle-mad country. approach from behind, while the handlebars do electrical motor, which can reach a top speed of path in the country. Developed for the government by the the same when obstacles appear ahead. 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph). Those statistics are set to grow as more and Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific It also has a cradle in which a computer tablet more people take to two-wheeled transport, Research (TNO), the intelligent bicycle prototype can be inserted, to wirelessly connect and “talk” ELDERLY AT RISK ON BIKES leading to congestion and an increased risk of runs on electricity, and sports a forward-looking to the bicycle through a dedicated application. “More and more elderly people are using a injury. radar mounted below the handlebars and a cam- The mounted tablet also flashes a bright sig- bicycle, not only for short distances, but also for Last year, 184 cyclists died in the country, of era in the rear mudguard. nal if there is an approaching obstacle in the longer distances,” Dutch Environment and which 124, or 67.0 percent, were older than 65, A commercial-available bicycle is expected to bicycle’s path, like a lamppost, or if another Infrastructure Minister Melanie Schultz van according to the Centrals Statistics Office (CBS). be on the market in the next two years and cyclist comes up from behind intending to pass. Haegen told AFP. The year before, 200 cyclists died, the over- should sell for between 1,700 euros ($1,800) to “Accidents often happen when cyclists look “This type of bicycle is truly needed in the whelming majority of victims also being elderly. 3,200 euros per bicycle. behind them or get a fright when they are passed Netherlands because it will help us down bring The current prototype weighs a hefty 25 kilo- The forward and rearward detection devices at high speed,” said Maurice Kwakkernaat, one of the number of elderly people who are injured grammes (55 pounds) but researchers are working on the test bike are linked through an onboard TNO’s research scientists involved in the project. every year and allow them to continue enjoy on making the on-board systems smaller. — AFP Google News vanishes amid ‘Google Tax’ spat

MADRID: Google yesterday followed through with a pledge to shut down Google News in Spain in reaction to a Spanish law requiring news publishers to receive payment for content even if they are willing to give it away. The company’s Spanish Google News page, normally full of aggregated news content, van- ished and was replaced by a message saying Google was “incredibly sad” to announce the clo- sure plus a lockout of Spanish publishers from its more than 70 other Google News sites around the world. Spain’s law takes effect Jan. 1 and Google said it wasn’t worth it to consider paying the publishers for linking their content because its popular news aggregator makes no money. The law, nicknamed the “Google Tax,” was ALAMOGORDO: This undated photo provided by the Smithsonian’s National pushed through by Spain’s AEDE association Museum of American History shows one of the decades-old Atari ‘ET the Extra- representing large news organizations. Terrestrial’ game that was found in a dumpsite in Alamogordo. — AP People who use Google’s standard search in Spain and anywhere else around the world will still be able to find articles on their own from Spanish publications, because the law applies Atari’s ‘ET’ game joins only to aggregators and not to individuals who Smithsonian collection do their own searches outside of Google News. But the lost access to Google News will likely SPAIN: Picture of the Google Spain home page in Madrid. US online giant Googleplunged into a ALBUQUERQUE: One of the “ET” Atari video game industry crashed. make it more difficult for people to keep abreast fresh battle in Europe today, scrapping its popular online news service in Spain in protest at game cartridges unearthed this year from a He describes the “ET” cartridge as a on what it is happening in Spain because they being made to pay for content. —AFP will have to know what to look for instead of heap of garbage buried deep in the New defining artifact, saying it tells a story having the top stories sorted for them. only a direct link to El Pais and content produced yesterday. A Google spokesman declined com- Mexico desert has been added to the video about the challenges of adapting block- A search of the Google News page in the no later than Monday. But the same search for ment on how long the effort to block Spanish game history collection at the Smithsonian. buster movies to video games and the end United States late Tuesday morning for news Spain’s No. 2 newspaper El Mundo turned up news content from all Google News sites would Museum specialist Drew Robarge made the of an era in video game manufacturing. from Spain’s leading newspaper El Pais showed results for stories produced by that newspaper take. — AP announcement Monday in a blog post. He “All of these possible interpretations included a photograph of the crinkled car- make for a rich and complicated object,” he tridge along with the official serial number said. “As they say, one man’s trash is anoth- assigned to the game by the city of er man’s treasure.” Alamogordo, New Mexico. Members of the film crew that sparked Apple antitrust case over The game was one of hundreds recov- the dig at the Alamogordo landfill said they ered at the city’s landfill last spring as a were excited to get the call from the muse- team of documentary filmmakers investi- um. iPods nears deliberations gated a decades-old urban legend that “Just saying the name Smithsonian res- centered on Atari secretly dumping the car- onates throughout the world, and to be tridges. The “ET” game had the reputation part this dig and an iconic museum like the OAKLAND: A software update for “We now have a plaintiff and a of being the worst game ever, and it con- Smithsonian with something that we creat- Apple Inc’s iPod music player was not case asking you to hold Apple liable tributed to the demise of the company. ed and researched and actually had come Ex-Google employees a product improvement, but was for innovating,” Isaacson said. The jury Robarge said the Smithsonian has some to fruition is pretty amazing,” said Gerhard intended to improperly raise costs for will deliberate first on the sole issue amazing artifacts that represent big Runken of Fuel Entertainment. launch app on fitness consumers who wanted to switch to of whether the update had benefits moments in video game history, including The documentary debuted on Xbox last SAN FRANCISCO: A group of former more people engaged in their health newer devices, an attorney for Apple for customers. If it agrees with Apple, Ralph Baer’s “Brown Box” prototype for the month, but it’s too soon to say when the Google employees are betting they on a daily basis should be “quantified customers said in court. the company will prevail in the case. first video game console and a Pong arcade “ET” cartridge might go on display or be can boost the world’s medical knowl- knowledge.” Closing arguments were delivered If the eight-member jury disagrees, cabinet. However, missing was something worked into an exhibit at the Smithsonian. edge with a mobile IQ test. Hi.Q, a “Wearables are ending up in a on Monday in an Oakland, California, they will deliberate on other antitrust that represented what he called “the dark- The museum also has hard hats and a vest free app for the Apple Inc iPhone and drawer, I believe that’s because most federal courtroom in an antitrust trial issues, and damages. est days” of the early 1980s when the US from the historic dig. — AP iPad launching on Monday, includes people fundamentally lack the practi- that has cast fresh scrutiny on Apple’s At the time the software update 10,000 questions across 300 topics, cal knowledge to stay healthy in the onetime virtual domination of the was rolled out, Apple faced a chal- such as food allergies, childhood modern world,” he added. The com- digital music market. lenge in the online music market health, and portion control. After tak- pany said 250,000 people have The plaintiffs, a group of individu- from Real Networks, which devel- Sony Pictures warns ing the test, users are given a break- already used the app in its trial phase. als and businesses who purchased oped RealPlayer, its own digital song down of their expertise across certain According to Shah, 84 percent of iPods from 2006 to 2009, are seeking manager, the plaintiffs claimed. It staff on fraudsters health areas. those who opted to take the test about $350 million in damages from included software that allowed music Founder and Chief Executive were female. The most engaged users Apple for unfairly blocking compet- purchased there to be playable on ing device makers. That amount iPods as well as competing devices. NEW YORK: Sony Pictures Entertainment for the cyber attack that shut down most of Officer Munjal Shah, who sold his pri- are mothers between the ages of 30 or company Like.com to Google Inc in and 60. Shah told Reuters he started would automatically triple under Apple’s 2006 update restricted the advised its current and former employees the studio’s network for more than a week. antitrust law. Plaintiff attorney Patrick iPod to music bought on its iTunes to be on the alert for fraudsters looking to Sony, in a memo to staff seen by Reuters 2010, said early data show a strong kicking around ideas for a health correlation between health literacy startup after some first-hand experi- Coughlin told jurors the 2006 soft- website. The plaintiffs in the case said use their stolen data, which included on Dec. 2, acknowledged that a large ware update was a “one, two punch” that step discouraged iPod owners detailed personal information. amount of data was stolen by the hackers and obesity. Shah’s team is also track- ence with the current US health sys- ing whether a person’s health knowl- tem. After settling on health literacy, designed to restrict the iPod to music from buying a competing device In what is Sony’s most detailed descrip- but had declined to confirm specific docu- purchased on iTunes. when it came time to upgrade. The tion on the types of data stolen, the com- ments. edge correlates with the rate of hos- he recruited some fellow Google pitalizations. The Hi.Q team believes employees to join the team. “This is all about competition,” trial included emails and video depo- pany listed information such as social secu- The company is in the process of investi- Coughlin said. However, Apple attor- sition testimony given by Apple co- rity numbers, credit card details, bank gating the scope of the cyber attack and is that Silicon Valley jumped too quickly The app’s founders are primarily into developing wearable devices to drawn from the tech sector, rather ney William Isaacson said the evi- founder Steve Jobs shortly before he account information, healthcare informa- notifying employees that it would be pro- dence is “overwhelming” that the died in 2011. On Monday, Isaacson tion and compensation and other employ- viding identity theft protection services, track fitness and wellbeing. A recent than the medical field. To ensure study from research firm Endeavour accuracy, Shah said the questions software update was meant to cited a Jobs email to demonstrate ment-related information. Sony Pictures said on late Monday. Sony improve consumers’ experience and how concerned Apple was about Hackers attacked Sony’s computer net- Pictures also provided a toll-free number Partners found that one-third of peo- have been carefully vetted by subject ple who owned a wearable stopped matter experts, such as a former protect against music theft. The new security. “We need to take a bright, work last month and released sensitive for potentially affected individuals to call to software contained many desirable hard line on theft,” Jobs wrote to data over the Internet. A group calling itself receive information about the identity pro- using it after six months. orthopedic surgeon for the US Shah believes the first step to get Olympic team. — Reuters features, Isaacson said, including Apple colleagues. “There is no gray Guardians of Peace claimed responsibility tection services. movies and auto-synchronization. area on theft.” —Reuters US study: All-electric car may not be so green WASHINGTON: People who own all- The study examines environmental The study finds all-electric vehicles electric cars where coal generates the costs for cars’ entire life cycle, includ- cause 86 percent more deaths from air power may think they are helping the ing where power comes from and the pollution than do cars powered by environment. But a new U.S. study environmental effects of building bat- regular gasoline. Coal produces 39 finds their vehicles actually make the teries. percent of the country’s electricity, air dirtier, worsening global warming. “Unfortunately, when a wire is con- according to the Department of Ethanol isn’t so green, either. “It’s nected to an electric vehicle at one Energy. kind of hard to beat gasoline” for pub- end and a coal-fired power plant at But if the power supply comes lic and environmental health, said the other end, the environmental con- from natural gas, the all-electric car study co-author Julian Marshall, an sequences are worse than driving a produces half as many air pollution engineering professor at the normal gasoline-powered car,” said health problems as gas-powered cars University of Minnesota. “A lot of the Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie do. And if the power comes from technologies that we think of as being Institution for Science, who wasn’t wind, water or wave energy, it pro- clean ... are not better than gasoline.” part of the study but praised it. The duces about one-quarter of the air The key is where the source of the states with the highest percentage of pollution deaths. electricity all-electric cars. If it comes electricity coming from coal, accord- Hybrids and diesel engines are from coal, the electric cars produce ing to the Department of Energy, are cleaner than gas, causing fewer air 3.6 times more soot and smog deaths West Virginia, Wyoming, Ohio, North pollution deaths and spewing less than gas, because of the pollution Dakota, and Illinois. heat-trapping gas. made in generating the electricity, Still, there’s something to be said But ethanol isn’t, with 80 percent according to the study that is pub- for the idea of helping foster a cleaner more air pollution mortality, accord- lished Monday by the Proceedings of technology that will be better once it ing to the study. “If we’re using the National Academy of Sciences. is connected to a cleaner grid, said ethanol for environmental benefits, URUGUAY: A Formula E Mahindra Racing driver Bruno Senna powers his car during the qualifying session in Punta del They also are significantly worse at study co-author Jason Hill, another for air quality and climate change, Este of the inaugural Formula-E electric car race championship. — AFP heat-trapping carbon dioxide that University of Minnesota engineering we’re going down the wrong path,” worsens global warming, it found. professor. Hill said. — AP HEALTH & SCIENCE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

JAPAN: This handout picture taken by Miyazaki prefecture government yesterday shows health officers slaughter- JAPAN: Health officers slaughtering chickens at a poultry farm in Nobeoka city. — AFP photos ing chickens at a poultry farm in Nobeoka city in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. Japan confirms bird flu case, culls 4,000 chickens

TOKYO: Japan’s Agricultural Ministry There is believed to be no risk of the yesterday confirmed a case of a highly virus spreading to humans through con- pathogenic H5 strain of avian influenza sumption of chicken eggs or meat, he at a poultry farm in Miyazaki prefecture said. Miyazaki Prefecture is Japan’s top in southwestern Japan. Three chickens producer of broiler chickens, raising tested positive at the farm and all of the about 28 million birds as of Feb 1, or roughly 4,000 chickens there have been around 20 percent of all chickens in culled, an official at the Miyazaki pre- Japan, according to an official at the fectural government said. The local Agricultural Ministry. In April, Japan con- government also asked nearby poultry firmed its first bird flu case in livestock farms to restrict movements of live- since 2011 at a farm in Kumamoto pre- stock, he said. fecture, southwestern Japan. — AP JAPAN: Health officers disinfecting a poultry farm in Nobeoka city in Miyazaki prefecture. Italy reports Drug-resistant Malaria: The outbreak of H5N8 bird flu in Venice world’s next big health crisis? region - OIE ‘We need to act fast to avoid a big catastrophe’ PARIS: Italy has reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu virus on a turkey farm in the MIN SAW, MYANMAR: Ka Lar Nar caught malaria for in containing malaria and there is nothing yet to replace 1.5 million people remain uncovered because they are northeastern part of the country near Venice, the World the sixth time when he was working away from home it,” said Nyan Sint, an epidemiologist and regional in hard-to-reach areas, sometimes still controlled by Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said yesterday. The on his small farm in the jungle of south-eastern malaria officer working with the government’s national armed ethnic groups restricting access for government strain, which has never been detected in humans, is the Myanmar but this time it was a lot harder to get rid of it. malaria control program. health workers. same as in other cases found in Germany, the After testing positive for malaria he got a three-day Before being identified in Myanmar in 2008, signs of Mistrust following five decades of military rule in Netherlands and Britain since early November and course of drugs from a community health volunteer in resistance were found in Cambodia and since have also Myanmar still runs deep in Kayin state as its people which devastated bird flocks in Asia - mainly South his village but even though his fever subsided, he con- been confirmed in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, accord- recover from shelling, land mines explosions and forced Korea - earlier this year. tinued to be plagued by headaches and another test ing to the WHO. Why parasites become resistant to displacement. The situation is also complicated by fake More than 1,200 birds were found dead from the still showed positive results. drugs is not entirely clear but prolonged civil conflict, or low-quality anti-malaria medicines dispensed at vil- virus at a fattening turkey farm in Porto Viro, the Paris- Experts say his case could be an indication of drug dense jungles, migration and poor quality drugs are all lage shops, which instead of killing the parasites only based OIE reported on its website, citing the Italian resistance to the mosquito-borne disease, which has believed to play a part. The human and economic cost make them stronger. health ministry. “High mortality was reported during the been spreading in Myanmar and other countries in the of failing to stop the spread would be huge, according “This is a big problem,” said Kayin State Health last two days. Control measures will be applied in the Mekong River basin in what threatens to become the to a model published in the Malaria Journal last month. Minister Aung Kyaw Htwe. “We’re trying to educate restriction zones established,” the ministry said in the next big global health emergency if it marches on to The study estimated an extra 116,000 deaths per year if shopkeepers not to sell these drugs and people not to report. Culling on the farm of more than 30,000 birds started yesterday, it said. It was the first outbreak of a India and Africa. “This was a missed opportunity,” said artemisinin resistance is not stopped. Medical costs take them.” In Min Saw, where a package a colourful highly pathogenic bird flu virus in Italy since September Eisa Hamid, an epidemiologist working with the United could exceed $32 million per year, while productivity tablets purportedly containing anti-malaria drugs sells 2013, it said. — Reuters Nations in Myanmar, who specializes in monitoring and losses from a rise in cases and deaths are estimated at for as little as 10 cents, villagers like Ka Lar Nar say evaluating malaria programs. $385 million. sometimes it is easier to buy medication from the “vil- Normally, after three days of treatment the farmer’s lage quack” than to see a health worker. blood should have been clear of malaria-transmitting Worse than Ebola? parasites. “With any patient showing positive test results Francois Nosten, a French malaria expert who has All-out assault after three days of treatment, we have to suspect drug been studying the disease along the Myanmar-Thai bor- Under a $100 million, three-year initiative in the resistance, and more sophisticated blood testing should der for about three decades, said drug-resistance is a Greater Mekong region, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, have been done as he could still carry the parasites that quiet menace that is at risk of being overlooked as Tuberculosis and Malaria has allocated $40 million to cause malaria in his blood.” world attention focuses on the Ebola outbreak in West Myanmar to fight artemisinin resistance. Part of the plan Africa. “You don’t see people dying in the streets, like is an all-out assault to eliminate plasmodium falci- Malaria’s new ground zero with Ebola, but the consequences of it spreading fur- parum, the deadliest malaria parasite, as containment Malaria death rates dropped by 47 percent ther could be a lot worse,” he said. In Myanmar the part- through bed nets, insecticides and treating only those between 2000 and 2014 worldwide but it still killed ner drugs in ACTs are still working, but they are already who test positive no longer works. some 584,000 people in 2013, most of them in sub- failing in western Cambodia, a sign that the clock is tick- Villages with a high number of infected people will Saharan Africa, according to the World Health ing fast in the fight against drug-resistance. be flooded with drugs to be taken by everybody, well Organization (WHO). Much of the success in fighting Some 60 percent of Myanmar’s 51 million people live and sick, to eliminate falciparum before treatments fail DENVER: In this Dec 9, 2014 photo, made available by the disease is due to the use of combination therapies in malaria-endemic areas, many of them migrants and completely. The plan has received ethical clearance The Denver Dumb Friends League, DDFL, a rescued kit- (ACTs) based on artemisinin, a Chinese herb deriva- people in hard-to-reach rural areas. The number of peo- from the Myanmar government. Nosten, whose team is ten named Elsa is held by Jim Slater, DDFL Volunteer of tive, which is now under threat as malaria parasites ple dying from the disease fell sharply after ACTs mapping 800 villages on the Thai-Myanmar border for the Year, following a surgery at the Dumb Friends have been building up resistance to the drugs. became more widely available but the country still potential mass treatment, says elimination is a chal- League. — AP Experts say Myanmar, which has the largest malaria recorded 333,871 malaria cases in 2013 and 236 deaths, lenge, in particular as malaria is worst in remote rural burden in the region, is the next frontier in the spread WHO data shows. areas and because of a large number of migrants in the Elsa, kitten found of resistance to artemisinin. In Kayin state, formerly known as Karen state, much region. Positioned between the Andaman Sea and the progress has been made since a January 2012 ceasefire “Some of these villages are five days’ walk from the in frigid Denver, Himalayas and bordering India and China - home to 40 between the government and the Karen National Union nearest road,” said Nosten, director of the Shoklo percent of the world’s population - Myanmar is in a (KNU), halting one of the world’s longest-running civil Malaria Research Unit in the Thai border town of Mae finds a home unique position to halt the spread of resistance to India wars. Villages like Min Saw used to have lots of malaria Sot. “But if we don’t do it quickly, it will be too late and and Africa. “We need to act fast to avoid a big catastro- cases but better access to health care workers since the millions of people will die.” Mass drug treatments have DENVER: The story of a kitten found in sub-zero weather in phe,” said Pascal Ringwald of the WHO’s Global Malaria ceasefire, ACTs, rapid diagnosis tests and mass distribu- been tried before with varying success. If the parasites Denver and named after Elsa from “Frozen” has a happy end- Program. “The consequences could be disastrous.” tion of insecticide-treated bed nets led to a sharp drop. are only cleared from half the population, the plan ing. The Dumb Friends League said Monday that the orange If the problem spreads beyond the region, history “We used to have much higher incidence rates,” said could backfire and boost resistance rather than elimi- tabby has been adopted by the volunteer who helped nurse would repeat itself for a third time, as resistance to oth- Saw Ohn Myint, a community health worker. “But we nate it. It also requires consent of the population but her back to health. er malaria drugs developed in the area before and need more training and more equipment to continue to Nosten is confident that most villagers will participate. Elsa was found tangled in some electric wires on a porch spread to Africa to claim the lives of millions, especially make progress.” International aid organizations have Screening points have also been set up at key locations during last month’s arctic blast. Her temperature was so low it children. But the urgency is far greater this time as new been working with ethnic groups and the government frequented by migrant workers where everyone can be didn’t register on a thermometer and shelter workers used drugs to replace ACTs are not yet available. “Artemisinin to set up a network of 1,500 village health volunteers tested, no matter whether they show malaria symp- heating pads, blankets and hair dryers to warm her up.—AP resistance could wipe out a lot of the gains we’ve made that can dispense ACTs. But thousands of Kayin’s state toms. — Reuters Stronger start for Obama’s health law this year

WASHINGTON: Sign-up season for President new year. Open enrollment actually runs for Des Moines, Iowa, Cheryl James said she and two said James, who’s in her late 40s. “It took a couple Insurance markets Barack Obama’s health care law is off to a another two months, until Feb 15. People of her adult nieces helped each other and man- of tries, but we weren’t frustrated. It wasn’t diffi- As Monday’s deadline for Jan 1 coverage stronger start this year. But it’s not perfect, and enrolling by that date will get coverage starting aged to sign up without too much trouble. cult.” Like Iowa, Tennessee has a Republican gov- approached, HealthCare.gov and state health Americans remain skeptical that the govern- March 1. Current customers can still make plan James, who is studying early childhood educa- ernor. On Monday it became the 28th state to insurance websites saw a jump in traffic. Wait ment’s newest social program is right for the changes through Feb 15. tion, found out she qualified for almost no-cost accept the health care law’s Medicaid expansion. times at the federal call center stretched to 20 country. As one major enrollment deadline insurance under Iowa’s Medicaid expansion, Even as congressional Republicans are still vow- minutes and longer. The federal government is loomed Monday, officials granted a last-minute Select a plan financed through the health care law. ing to overturn the law, 10 GOP governors have running the insurance markets in 37 states. Also extension for some consumers facing long tele- As recently as last week, administration offi- “We are pretty satisfied with the coverage,” initiated expansions in their states. known as exchanges, the markets offer subsi- phone hold times at the federal call center. They cials were saying there was no plan to extend dized private plans to people who don’t have were being asked to leave a number to get called Monday’s deadline. But late in the day, coverage on the job. back starting today. spokesman Aaron Albright said that because of Health insurance companies can no longer Public attitudes toward Obama’s signature long wait times at the call center, some callers turn people away because of health problems, law are only slightly less chilly than before the were being asked to leave a number. “We will call but picking a plan still is daunting for many. congressional midterm elections that saw them back at a convenient time starting tomor- Consumers also have to navigate the process of Republicans, still clamoring for its repeal, win row, and if they select a plan, their coverage will applying for or updating federal subsidies, which both chambers of Congress. An Associated Press- still begin on Jan 1,” Albright said in a statement. can be complex. Many returning customers are GfK poll earlier this month found an uptick for Despite the deadline jam, the administration contending with premium increases generally in the Affordable Care Act, with 29 percent saying seems to be on the way to reaching its self- the mid-to-high single digits, but much more in they support it, compared with 25 percent in imposed target of 9.1 million people enrolled for some cases. Last year’s open enrollment season October. Opposition to “Obamacare” was stable 2015. turned into a race to salvage the reputation of at 41 percent, while the rest were on the fence. Based on early numbers, it’s looking like the the White House by fixing numerous technical In most states, midnight Monday, Pacific time, majority of the 6.7 million current customers bugs that crippled HealthCare.gov from its first was the deadline for new customers to pick a have opted to stay in their current plans and be day. With the website now working fairly well, health plan to take effect Jan 1. It was also the automatically renewed on Jan 1. Making sure sign-up season this year is a test of whether the deadline for current enrollees to make changes that happens as smoothly as it’s been advertised program itself is practical for the people it is that could reduce premium increases before the is the administration’s next major challenge. In intended to serve. —AP HEALTH & SCIENCE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Cambodia village reports mass HIV/AIDS infection

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian health authorities yester- of 82 having been confirmed as being infected. evidence.” A further 10 people were found to be seen. Some of them are women aged in their 70s and day said more than 80 people-including children and “Of 556 people tested, 72 of them came back posi- infected with the virus yesterday when more villagers 80s,” Hei Sik added. the elderly-who tested positive for HIV/AIDS in a sin- tive for HIV/AIDS,” Teng Kunthy, Secretary General of arrived at the health centre, also in Battambang Cambodia has been widely hailed for its efforts in gle remote village may have been infected by contam- the National AIDS Authority, told AFP, adding that 14 province, Hei Sik, a local HIV/AIDS program director, tackling HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Authority says inated needles. Hundreds of panicked residents of the of the people infected were children. “This is a higher told AFP by telephone. “According to villagers, they the rate of HIV infection among people aged 15 to 49 village in Battambang province in the country’s west rate than usual... It may be caused by the use of the suspected the infection may have been caused by has declined from 0.6 percent in 2013 to 0.4 percent in have flocked to a health centre for testing since news same tools such as needles,” he said. “This is our pre- injections from private local medics,” he said. “This is a 2014. Currently, Cambodia estimates more than of the mass infection emerged last week, with a total liminary conclusion... we are working to collect more surprisingly high rate, the highest that I have ever 73,000 people live with the disease. — AFP

Survey: E-cigs surpass regular cigs in teen use

WASHINGTON: Electronic cigarettes have surpassed traditional smoking in popularity among teens, the government’s annual drug use survey finds. Even as tobacco smoking by teens dropped to new lows, use of e-cigarettes reached levels that sur- prised researchers. The findings marked the survey’s first attempt to measure the use of e-cigarettes by people that young. Nearly 9 percent of eighth-graders said they’d used an e-cigarette in the previous month, while just 4 percent reported smoking a tradi- tional cigarette, said the report being released yesterday by the National Institutes of Health. Use increased with age: Some 16 percent of 10th-graders had tried an e-cigarette in the past month, and 17 percent of high school seniors. Regular smoking continued inching down, to 7 percent of 10th-graders and 14 percent of 12th-graders. “I worry that the tremendous progress that we’ve made over the last PARIS: Creator of the ‘Kanavape’ electronic cannabis cigarette speaks during a press conference in yesterday. — AFP photos almost two decades in smoking could be reversed on us by the introduction of e-cigarettes,” said University of Michigan profes- sor Lloyd Johnston, who leads the annual Monitoring the Future France seeks to ban e-joint survey of more than 41,000 students. E-cigarettes often are described as a less dangerous alterna- PARIS: France sought to stamp out a new dreds of YouTube how-to’s on the subject- tive for regular smokers who can’t or don’t want to kick the habit. electronic cigarette containing cannabis, Kanavape claims their product is 100 percent The battery-powered devices produce vapor infused with poten- launched yesterday with the claim it pro- legal. The company extracts Cannabidiol-a tially addictive nicotine but without the same chemicals and tar vides all of the relaxation but none of the compound in cannabis that does not contain of tobacco cigarettes. mind-altering effects of marijuana. Health the mind-altering THC ingredient-from The survey didn’t ask about repeat use, or whether teens were Minister Marisol Touraine said the product hemp, a variety of cannabis grown for fibre just experimenting with something new. But between 4 percent would “incite the consumption of cannabis” and seeds. and 7 percent of students who tried e-cigarettes said they’d nev- and that she intended approaching the The hemp is grown on farms in France, er smoked a tobacco cigarette, noted University of Michigan pro- courts to ban it. “I am opposed to such a Spain and the Czech Republic without chem- fessor Richard Miech, a study senior investigator. “They must product being commercialized in France,” icals or fertilizer, the company claims on its think that e-cigarettes are fundamentally different,” he said. she said on RTL radio. The product was website. “Kanavape provides you with a E-cigarettes began to appear in the US in 2006 but this was launched by a French-Czech company called unique experience. Cannabidiol is a non-psy- the first year that the Monitoring the Future survey asked teens Kanavape which says it hopes to offer “mil- chotic component of hemp, it does not have about them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lions of people a legal and flavorful way to euphoric effects but helps you feel more estimated that during 2013, 4.5 percent of high school students consume cannabis.” relaxed,” Kanavape’s website claims. had tried e-cigarettes during the prior month, a tripling since Smoking e-cigarettes, or “vaping”, is ultra- Recreational use of marijuana is still strictly 2011. The CDC reported last week that 10 states permit the sale UNITED STATES: This November 4, 2014 file photo shows a man fashionable in France, and while people have illegal in France, however the country now of e-cigarettes to minors. The Food and Drug Administration has as he holds up a sign for Ballot Initiative #71, the legalization of long since figured out how to doctor them allows the drug’s active ingredients to be proposed regulating e-cigarettes, including banning sales to marijuana in Washington, DC. — AFP to smoke marijuana-as evidenced by hun- used for medical purposes. — AFP minors; there is no timetable for final rules. Other findings from the survey, funded by NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse: Marijuana use appeared to level off after recent increases, Indoor tanning injuries with 6.5 percent of eighth-graders reporting past-month use, 17 percent of 10th-graders and 21 percent of 12th-graders. Nearly 6 can require ER treatment percent of 12th-graders reported daily use. Fewer teens are try- ing synthetic marijuana, highly dangerous drugs known by such CHICAGO: Indoor tanning injuries most frequent users; according to names as K2 and Spice. About 6 percent of seniors said they had have declined but still sent more CDC data, that includes more than used fake pot this year, down from 8 percent last year and 11 per- than 1,000 people to emergency one in four 12th grade girls. A tan- cent in 2012. rooms in recent years. Here’s a look ning industry spokesman said that Abuse of prescription painkillers is dropping. Six percent of at what’s billed as the first national given the popularity of indoor tan- high school seniors reported using the narcotics without medical estimate on these injuries, from the ning, the study suggests an injury supervision in the past year, down from 9.5 percent in 2004. federal Centers for Disease Control incidence rate of a tiny fraction of 1 Nearly 1 in 5 12th-graders reported binge drinking, defined as and Prevention: percent. “That is a safety record all five or more drinks in a row in the previous two weeks. That’s industries should strive to achieve,” down from 1 in 4 high school seniors in 2009. — AP The trend said John Overstreet, head of the The CDC analyzed 10 years of Indoor Tanning Association. national injury data and counted more than 6,000 indoor tanning The dangers injuries treated in emergency The CDC says burns severe departments in 2003. The number enough to require ER treatment indi- fell pretty steadily after that, to cate overexposure to UV radiation. about 2,000 in 2012. Most injuries Manufacturers are required to install were burns, but they also included timers to limit exposure, but the CDC fainting and eye injuries. Most study found some patients had fall- occurred in tanning salons and most en asleep while tanning. The CDC people didn’t require hospitalization. and others caution that just like tan- ning outside, indoor tanning is The context linked with skin cancer, including the Millions of Americans use indoor deadliest kind. The CDC’s new study tanning devices or salons each year. appears in Monday’s JAMA Internal Young adults and teen girls are the Medicine. — AP WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Healthy Eating for a Better Life

KUWAIT: In great celebration AlShaya Catering Company hosted a lunch for the press and media in La Salad Gourmet at The Avenues, located in the Gold Section known for its fine quality dishes. Champion Abdullah AlSairafi, body- builder at the National Kuwaiti Team, who oversees the meals for bodybuilders and athletes was also there to celebrate La Salad Gourmet and look over the food for a healthy and right start in the world of fitness. The ceremony also included the announcement of “De Brand Cafe’s” new breakfast menu launch, starting beginning of January. The attendees included directors and officials of AlShaya Catering Company and their restaurant “La Salad Gourmet”, headed by CEO Ola Eid and bodybuilder champ Abdullah AlSairafi, in addition to a number of social figures as well as press and media representatives.—photos by Joseph Shagra

Dr Christian Robin during the lecture New milestones in the history of ancient Arabia

KUWAIT: Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah’s hosted Dr Christian Julien Robin Monday evening, as he gave a lecture titled ‘New milestones in the history of ancient Arabia.’ The seminar focused on the history of pre-Islamic Arabia. Dr Robin indicated that this era ‘presents astonish- ing features, one of which being the texts inscribed on a permanent support.’ ‘In recent years, the proliferation of regular surveys and excavations, as well as the looting of antiquities in Yemen, revealed a large number of important Sheikh Sabah Center for Giftedness and Creativity hosted a workshop on visual thinking, presented by Dr Faiza Al-Shemmari at Abdullatif Al-Nisf school in Yarmouk in coop- texts,’ he said. eration with the Ministry of Education. ‘For the most part, the new data revolves around long- distance trade by land (Gerrha) or by sea (Suqura); the development of Arabic script (now attested in Najran circa YMCA Kuwait House to House Carol visits begin 150 years before the Hijrah); Judaism and Christianity; and the reign of Abraha (which spread over much of northern Arabia in 552-553),’ he said. KUWAIT: House to House Carol under the leader- ship of YMC Kuwait started with the prayer and blessings from Rev Fr Reji C Varghese (Associate Vicar of St Gregorios Orthodox Maha Edavaka Greetings Kuwait). Children and elders participating in the carol team to share the joy of Christmas by singing songs and wishing the families. Santa Clause is distributing chocolates and gifts to all the houses we are visiting. Amount that was col- lected last year from Carol rounds was given to support ëSanjo Balabhavaní, Karnataka and Karuthal. This yearís Carol rounds is being †coordinated under the leadership of Deacon Santhosh Mathew and Mathews Mammen (General Conveners) and the area conveners Johnkutty Oommen, Parimanam Manoj,† Dr A T Varghese, Mathew Eapen, Koshy Alexander, Mathew Varkey, Sunu Oommen and Benoy M John along with other YMCA members. Carlin Philip received greetings from family The Carol Finale will be held on Thursday 8th and friends for publishing her first book ‘The January 2015 at Indian Community Senior Girls Evoloquian Race.’ School, Salmiya. Different Christian Choir groups will perform carol songs. WHAT’S ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Abou El Sid greets media in thousand nights and night ambiance

KUWAIT: In an ambiance inspired from the authentic Commenting on the event: Hussein Al Sayed said: ‘It’s Egyptian culinary art, The Sultan Group of Restaurants our utmost pleasure to host Kuwait media at Abou El Sid hosted Kuwait Media at Abou El Sid Restaurant, the in recognition to their continuous effort in supporting us’. world renowned and unsurpassed Egyptian restaurant. ‘At Abou El Sid, we wanted to share with media represen- The event took place in presence of Sultan management tatives, the true Egyptian generosity spirit and the fine headed by Group Marketing Director, Stevens Reynolds food exclusive aroma which are an exclusivity for Abou and Restaurants Marketing Manager Hussein Al Sayed, in El Sid as the best destination for food lovers and savvy addition of H E Rami Tahboub, Palestine Ambassador in from all nationalities’. Kuwait and representatives of the British Embassy in Landed in Kuwait after a successful journey around Kuwait . The media spent an unforgettable get together the world since its inception in 1999, Abou El Sid made dinner under the theme of: ‘Media Appreciation Night’ at the difference with its rich mouthwatering offerings the restaurant located at the Arabian Gulf Road, nearby including a wide array of diversified appetizers, soups, the Green Island. Salads and main courses catering to different tastes with Gathered at the landmark of Egypt in Kuwait, media topnotch ingredients’ quality. representatives savored each moment at the restaurant Today, Abou El Sid is well positioned in the Kuwaiti while experiencing an unprecedented food garnished market and the perfect destination for food Savvy look- with the touches of Abou El Sid, the courageous cook ing to indulge themselves with the original aromas who have defied the Sultan and kept the secret of his reflecting the spirit of gourmet innovation by all means own recipes. In a thousand nights and a night spirit, the Abou El Sid greets its visitors with a pure Egyptian media lived for few hours the Egyptian tradition includ- atmosphere; from the Egyptian authentic music to the ing the traditional folkloric skirt dance, music oldies and decoration featuring the pioneers Egyptian artists, the the famous ‘Erk Sous’ bartender. The event came to be an restaurant takes its guests in a virtual trip to the oldies of attribution to the Egyptian culture in a venue that fea- Egypt mixed with a contemporary classiness. tures the Egyptian authenticity, tradition and culture.

KUWAIT: Malankara Marthoma Sabha Trustee Adv Prakash P Thomas was welcomed in National evangelical church of Kuwait by NECK chairman Rev Ammanuel Ghareeb, NECK executive administrator K P Koshy, Vice-President Rev Waren Reeve, Secretary Roy K Yohannan, and Sabha Council member Abey Varikkad. He will participate in prayer meetings and carol service in different Marthoma congregations . Pandalam friends forum had given reception on December 13th in United Indian school. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 TV PROGRAMS

08:15 Chopped 06:00 Dino Time 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 08:00 The Happets Basics 10:00 Blue Elephant 09:30 Chopped Canada 00:00 Kill ‘em All 11:30 Ploddy Police Car 10:20 Recipes That Rock 02:00 Guns, Girls And Gambling 00:20 Deadly Islands 13:00 Garfield’s Fun Fest 10:45 All You Can Meat 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 04:00 The Possession 14:30 Top Cat: The Movie 01:10 Manhunt 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin Stewart 06:00 One Good Cop 16:00 Eleanor’s Secret 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 01:00 The Colbert Report 02:50 Storage Hunters 08:00 Fast & Furious 6 18:00 Blue Elephant 12:00 Chopped 01:30 Eastbound & Down 20:00 Blue Elephant 2 03:15 Container Wars 12:50 Siba’s Table 10:15 The Call 02:00 Ja’mie: Private School Girl 22:00 Top Cat: The Movie 03:40 Garage Gold 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The 12:00 The Cold Light Of Day 04:05 How It’s Made 02:30 Wilfred 23:30 Eleanor’s Secret Riviera 03:00 Raising Hope 14:00 American Warships 04:30 How It’s Made 13:40 Mystery Diners 15:45 Fast & Furious 6 05:00 Treehouse Masters 03:30 About A Boy 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 04:00 Growing Up Fisher 18:00 Clear And Present Danger 06:00 Wheeler Dealers 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 20:30 The Cold Light Of Day 06:50 Extreme Fishing 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 07:40 Fast N’ Loud Jimmy Fallon 22:15 Flightplan 15:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes 00:00 The Details-18 08:30 Storage Hunters 16:35 Chopped 05:30 Better Off Ted 08:55 Container Wars 06:00 Til Death 02:00 Peace, Love & 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The Misunderstanding-PG15 09:20 Garage Gold Riviera 06:30 My Name Is Earl 09:45 How It’s Made 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:00 Mirror Mirror-PG15 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 06:00 Frozen-PG 10:10 How It’s Made 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 08:00 Growing Up Fisher 00:00 Guns, Girls And Gambling 08:00 The Expatriate-PG15 10:35 Get Out Alive With Bear 18:40 Siba’s Table 08:30 Better Off Ted Grylls 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 09:00 Raising Hope 02:00 The Possession-PG15 10:00 The Great Ghost Rescue-PG 11:25 Deadly Islands 19:30 Mystery Diners 09:30 The Simpsons 04:00 One Good Cop-PG15 11:45 Peace, Love & 12:15 Manhunt 19:55 Burger Land 10:00 Baby Daddy 06:00 Fast & Furious 6-PG15 Misunderstanding-PG15 13:05 Storage Hunters 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games 10:30 My Name Is Earl 08:15 The Call-PG15 13:30 The Great Gatsby-PG15 13:30 Container Wars 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 10:00 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 16:00 The Expatriate-PG15 13:55 Garage Gold 22:00 Chopped SA Jimmy Fallon 12:00 American Warships-PG15 18:00 Phantom-PG15 14:20 Extreme Fishing 22:50 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 12:00 Til Death 13:45 Fast & Furious 6-PG15 20:00 Parker-PG15 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 23:15 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 12:30 Growing Up Fisher 16:00 Clear And Present Danger 22:00 2 Guns-18 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 23:40 Burger Land 18:30 The Cold Light Of Day-PG15 16:50 How It’s Made 13:00 Better Off Ted 13:30 My Name Is Earl 20:15 Flightplan-PG15 17:15 How It’s Made 22:00 Sunshine-18 17:40 Treehouse Masters 14:00 About A Boy 18:30 Troy 14:30 The Simpsons 00:30 PGA European Highlights 19:20 Magic Of Science 15:00 Baby Daddy 01:30 Challenge Series Golf 19:45 Magic Of Science 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Highlights 20:10 Container Wars Stewart 01:30 Along Came Polly-PG15 02:00 HSBC Sevens World Series 20:35 Garage Gold 00:40 The Hungry Sailors 16:00 The Colbert Report 05:00 Hero Indian Super League 01:30 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 03:30 Mystery, Alaska-PG15 21:00 Troy 16:30 Til Death Highlights 21:50 Magic Of Science Tour 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 05:45 Keeping The Faith-PG15 02:00 Emmerdale 05:30 Hero Indian Super League 22:15 Magic Of Science 18:00 Raising Hope 08:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 Highlights 22:40 Close-Up Kings 02:55 Coronation Street 18:30 About A Boy 10:00 Dr Seuss’ Cat In The Hat-PG 03:25 Murdoch Mysteries 06:00 Trans world Sport 23:30 Troy 19:00 Melissa & Joey 11:45 Standing Ovation-PG15 04:20 Murdoch Mysteries 07:00 Golfing World 05:15 May The Best House Win 19:30 Baby Daddy 14:00 So I Married An Axe 08:00 World Match Racing Tour Abroad 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring Murderer-PG15 09:00 Hero Indian Super League 06:10 The Chase Jimmy Fallon 16:00 Held Up (1999)-PG15 Highlights 07:05 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 18:00 Night At The Museum-PG 09:30 Hero Indian Super League Tour Stewart 20:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 Highlights 07:30 Murdoch Mysteries 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Jason Manford Live 2011 10:00 Hero Indian Super League 00:00 Escape Club 08:25 Murdoch Mysteries 22:00 Family Guy Highlights 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 09:20 Big Star’s Little Star 22:30 Family Guy 10:30 Challenge Series Golf 01:25 Keeping Up With The 10:15 May The Best House Win 23:00 Legit Highlights Kardashians Abroad 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 11:00 Champions Tour Highlights 02:20 Keeping Up With The 11:10 Emmerdale 12:00 Golfing World Kardashians 12:00 Coronation Street 01:00 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 13:00 PGA Tour Highlights 03:15 Eric And Jessie: Game On 12:30 The Hungry Sailors 03:00 Age Of Heroes-PG15 14:00 PGA European Highlights 03:40 Eric And Jessie: Game On 13:25 The Chase 05:00 Grand Piano-PG15 15:00 Hero Indian Super League 04:10 E!ES 14:20 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 00:00 Suits 06:45 Mud-PG15 05:05 THS Highlights Tour 01:00 Switched At Birth 09:00 The Woman In The Fifth- 06:00 Kourtney & Kim Take New 15:30 Hero Indian Super League 14:45 May The Best House Win 02:00 State Of Affairs 11:00 Grand Piano-PG15 York Abroad Highlights 03:00 Supernatural 12:45 Mud-PG15 16:00 Hero Indian Super League 06:55 Kourtney & Kim Take New 15:35 Breathless 15:00 Heaven’s Door-PG York 04:00 The Voice Highlights 16:30 Derren Brown - An Evening 17:00 The Woman In The Fifth- 07:50 Style Star 06:00 Suits 16:30 Live Hero Indian Super Of Wonders 19:00 Hateship Loveship-PG15 08:20 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 07:00 Sleepy Hollow League Football 18:00 Paul O’grady For The Love 21:00 McCanick-PG15 08:45 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Of Dogs 08:00 C.S.I. 19:00 Golfing World 23:00 Broken City-18 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 18:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 09:00 Switched At Birth 20:00 Trans world Sport 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:10 Coronation Street 10:00 The Voice 21:00 Sevens World Series 2 Guns OSN MOVIES PREMIERE HD 11:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take 12:00 Emmerdale 19:35 Breathless Highlights 08:55 Singin’ In The Rain-FAM The Hamptons 12:30 Coronation Street 09:00 LG ICC Awards 2014 20:30 Derren Brown - An Evening 21:30 NHL 10:40 San Antonio-PG 12:05 House Of DVF Of Wonders 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 10:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 23:30 NFL Gameday 12:30 The Searchers-FAM 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 21:50 Paul O’grady For The Love 14:00 C.S.I. 01:15 Carrie (1976)-18 11:00 ICC Cricket 360 14:25 Pat And Mike-FAM 13:35 E!ES Of Dogs 15:00 Suits 03:00 Red Lights-PG15 11:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 00:00 According To Jim 16:00 Little Women-FAM 14:30 Style Star 22:20 Coronation Street 16:00 Emmerdale 05:00 Emperor-PG15 Highlights 00:30 Castle 18:00 Presenting Lily Mars-FAM 15:00 Keeping Up With The 22:50 Emmerdale 16:30 Coronation Street 12:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 06:45 The Past-PG15 01:30 Grey’s Anatomy 19:45 Some Came Running-PG Kardashians 23:45 May The Best House Win 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 00:00 World Match Racing Tour Highlights 09:30 Eastwood Directs: The 02:30 Army Wives 22:00 Alice Doesn’t Live Here 16:00 Keeping Up With The Abroad 18:00 C.S.I. 01:00 NHL 13:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 Untold Story-PG15 03:30 MasterChef Australia Anymore-18 Kardashians 19:00 Switched At Birth 03:00 Champions Tour Highlights 15:00 ICC Cricket 360 11:00 My Last Day Without You 04:30 Switched At Birth 23:55 The Wreck Of The Mary 17:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 20:00 Marvel’s Agents Of 04:00 PGA Tour Highlights 15:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 17:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 12:45 Escape From Polygamy 05:30 According To Jim Deare-PG S.H.I.E.L.D. 05:00 PGA European Highlights 16:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 18:00 E! News 14:30 Annapolis-PG15 05:55 According To Jim 21:00 The Voice 06:00 Australian PGA 17:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 19:00 Live From E! 16:30 Eastwood Directs: The Championship Highlights 17:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 06:30 Detroit 1-8-7 19:30 Fashion Bloggers 00:00 Knights Of Mayhem 23:00 Supernatural 07:30 The Walking Dead 01:00 Family Guns Untold Story-PG15 07:00 International Rugby Union 18:00 ICC Cricket 360 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 09:00 Golfing World 18:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 08:30 Castle 02:00 Witness Disaster 18:00 A Cool Dry Place-PG15 21:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take 10:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 09:30 According To Jim 03:00 The Known Universe 20:00 The Best Man-PG15 00:00 Shipping Wars The Hamptons 13:00 International Rugby Union 19:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 22:00 E! News 22:00 Another Happy Day-18 00:30 Shipping Wars 04:00 The Next Mega Tsunami 15:00 Golfing World Highlights 11:00 Army Wives 23:00 Live From E! 01:00 Pawn Stars 05:00 Salvage Code Red 16:00 WWE Raw 20:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 12:00 MasterChef Australia 23:30 The Soup 02:00 Storage Wars 06:00 Master Of Disaster 00:00 Witches Of East End 19:00 WWE Vintage 22:00 ICC Cricket 360 13:00 Switched At Birth 07:00 Megacities 14:00 According To Jim 02:30 Storage Wars 01:00 Good Morning America 20:00 NFL Gameday 22:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 03:00 Shipping Wars 08:00 Knights Of Mayhem 14:30 According To Jim 03:00 Grimm 01:15 The Numbers Station-PG15 20:30 WWE This Week 23:30 Australia v South Africa T20I 03:30 Shipping Wars 09:00 Family Guns 04:00 Boardwalk Empire 03:00 The Company You Keep- 21:00 WWE Vintage Highlights 15:00 Detroit 1-8-7 16:00 The Walking Dead 04:00 Storage Wars 10:00 Witness Disaster 05:00 Good Morning America 05:00 Free Birds-PG 23:00 Trans world Sport 04:30 Storage Wars 11:00 The Truth Behind 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy 00:05 Chopped 07:00 Emmerdale 06:45 Beautiful Creatures-PG15 05:00 Pawn Stars 12:00 Cosmos: A Spacetime 07:30 Coronation Street 09:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 18:00 Army Wives 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes 19:00 MasterChef Australia 05:30 Pawn Stars 01:45 Reza’s African Kitchen Odyssey 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 11:00 A Christmas Kiss-PG15 06:00 Pawn Stars 09:00 24 13:00 Struck By Lightning-PG15 00:00 Picture Claire-FAM 20:00 Bones 02:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:00 The Known Universe 21:00 How I Met Your Mother 07:00 Storage Wars: New York 02:35 Ching’s Restaurant 14:00 Mega Factories: Supercars 10:00 Emmerdale 15:00 Salmon Fishing In The 00:00 ICC Cricket 360 01:30 Hollywood Homicide 07:30 Counting Cars 10:30 Coronation Street Yemen-PG15 00:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 21:25 How I Met Your Mother Redemption 15:00 Diggers 03:30 Owning Mahowny-U 22:00 Dirty Sexy Money 08:00 Storage Wars 03:00 Ching’s Restaurant 15:30 Diggers 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 02:00 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe 05:15 Tears Of The Sun 08:30 Storage Wars 12:00 Castle 19:00 Promised Land-PG15 ODI Highlights 23:00 The Walking Dead Redemption 16:00 Doomsday Preppers 07:15 Love Potion No.9-U 09:00 American Restoration 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:00 Witches Of East End 21:00 Devil’s Knot-18 03:00 Australia v South Africa ODI 17:00 Beyond Magic With Dmc 09:30 Pawn Stars UK 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes 14:00 24 23:00 Insidious: Chapter 2-PG15 Highlights 09:00 People Like Us-PG 18:00 Naked Science 2.5 10:00 Storage Wars: New York 04:40 All You Can Meat 15:00 Live Good Morning America 04:00 Australia v South Africa ODI 11:00 Brave-PG 19:00 Diggers 10:30 Counting Cars 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 17:00 Castle Highlights 12:45 Welcome To The Sticks-PG 11:00 Pawn Stars 19:30 Diggers 00:00 Operation Crossbow-PG 05:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 18:00 Witches Of East End 05:00 Australia v South Africa ODI 14:45 Scary Movie 4 11:30 Pawn Stars 01:55 The Night Of The Iguana 05:50 Siba’s Table 20:00 Doomsday Preppers 19:00 24 Highlights 16:15 Picture Claire-FAM 12:00 Storage Wars 03:55 Operation Crossbow-PG 06:10 Sweet Genius 21:00 Beyond Magic With Dmc 20:00 Castle 01:00 The Great Bear 06:00 Australia v South Africa ODI 12:30 Storage Wars 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 17:45 Face Off 05:50 TCM Presents Under 22:00 Naked Science 2.5 21:00 Witches Of East End 02:45 Garfield’s Fun Fest Highlights 13:00 Storage Wars 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 20:00 The Patriot The...07:00 The Last Time I Saw 23:00 The Truth Behind 22:00 Grimm 04:30 Barbie And The Diamond 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 13:30 Storage Wars 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:00 Boardwalk Empire Castle 07:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 22:45 The Prince Of Tides Paris-PG

SUNSHINE ON OSN MOVIES ACTION Classifieds

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

ACCOMMODATION Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (11/12/2014 TO 17/12/2014) Room for rent in C-A/C flat from 25 Dec 2014 for cou- ple, airport road Khaitan. Contact: 66253647. SHARQIA-1 THE HUNTED 5:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 11:00 PM (C 4889) KILL THE MESSENGER 11:30 AM THE HUNTED 7:45 PM 17-12-2014 THE HUNTED 1:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 9:45 PM AVENUES-4 KILL THE MESSENGER 3:30 PM THE HUNTED 12:30 AM KILL THE MESSENGER 12:30 PM Looking for room within an KILL THE MESSENGER 5:45 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 3:00 PM apartment for a couple, THE HUNTED 8:15 PM FANAR-4 GET SANTA 5:30 PM preferably A/C with KILL THE MESSENGER 10:15 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:00 PM Special Show “DUMB AND DUMBER TO” 6:00 PM attached bathroom in the THE HUNTED 12:30 AM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 3:00 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 8:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 6:00 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 10:30 PM vicinity of Hawally. Contact: 99745402. (C 4881) SHARQIA-2 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 8:45 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 1:00 AM SITUATION WANTED THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 11:45 PM 13-12-2014 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 3:00 PM AVENUES-5 M.Com fifteen years experi- THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 6:00 PM FANAR-5 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 1:15 PM FOR SALE THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 9:00 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 12:30 PM Special Show “GET SANTA “ 1:45 PM ence in independently han- THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:05 AM Digital(2D) 2:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 4:15 PM dling accounts of medium ACTION JACKSON-HINDI 6:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 7:15 PM Mazda CX9 - 2008, run sized companies up to final- SHARQIA-3 LINGAA - TAMIL 2:30 PM Special Show “NIGHTCRAWLER “ 7:15 PM 86,000 km only, registered ization level familiar with GET SANTA 12:45 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 6:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 10:15 PM up to Nov 2015 & Hyundai, computerized accounting PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 3:15 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 9:30 PM THE PYRAMID 1:15 AM Tucson 2012, registered up systems seeking suitable GET SANTA 3:15 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:45 AM 6:30 PM to Dec 2015. Both vehicles position. Mobile # GET SANTA 5:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (DOLBY ATMOS) 9:30 PM are in excellent condition 66019422. GET SANTA 7:45 PM MARINA-1 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES (DOLBY ATMOS) 12:30 AM (C 4886) and services are maintained 15-12-2014 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 10:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:15 PM by the dealer. Interested KILL THE MESSENGER 12:45 AM KILL THE MESSENGER 3:30 PM 360º- 1 person please call THE HUNTED 5:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 11:30 AM MUHALAB-1 KILL THE MESSENGER 7:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 2:30 PM 97894854. (C 4890) SITUATION VACANT GET SANTA 11:45 AM THE HUNTED 10:15 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 5:30 PM 17-12-2014 GET SANTA 1:45 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 12:15 AM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 8:30 PM Full time live in home KILL THE MESSENGER 3:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 11:30 PM Mitsubishi Lancer Ex mod- nurse/nanny to look after THE PYRAMID 6:00 PM MARINA-2 el 2010, km 55,000, golden an 87 year old women who KILL THE MESSENGER 8:00 PM GET SANTA 12:00 PM 360º- 2 color, good condition, KD requires assistance with all THE PYRAMID 10:15 PM GET SANTA 2:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:00 PM 1850. Contact: 97800987. daily activities (hygiene, KILL THE MESSENGER 12:15 AM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 4:15 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3:30 PM (C 4887) meals, dressing etc.) Salary GET SANTA 6:15 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 7:00 PM 16-12-2014 KD 180 + determined on MUHALAB-2 GET SANTA 8:30 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 12:00 PM experience and qualifica- THE HUNTED 11:30 AM GET SANTA 10:45 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 3:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 1:15 PM THU+FRI+SAT LINGAA - TAMIL 7:00 PM Mitsubishi Galant 2009, tions. Benefits include own THE HUNTED 2:00 PM THE PYRAMID 10:45 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 10:30 PM blue color, (4 clr) full room with bathroom, GET SANTA 4:00 PM THE PYRAMID 12:45 AM options, KD 1450. Tel: meals, one day off per GET SANTA 6:15 PM 360º- 3 50994848. 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(C 4882) THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 9:30 PM AVENUES-1 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 2:24 PM Tel: 99019450. (4888) 14-12-2014 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:30 AM THE HUNTED 1:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 3:00 PM 16-12-2014 THE HUNTED 3:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 6:00 PM FANAR-1 THE HUNTED 5:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 9:00 PM GET SANTA 1:00 PM THE HUNTED 7:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:05 AM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR GET SANTA 3:15 PM THE HUNTED 9:00 PM CIVIL INFORMATION GET SANTA 5:30 PM THE HUNTED 11:00 PM AL-KOUT.2 THE PYRAMID 8:00 PM THE HUNTED 1:15 AM GET SANTA 11:30 AM Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is GET SANTA 10:00 PM GET SANTA 1:45 PM THE PYRAMID 12:15 AM AVENUES-2 GET SANTA 4:00 PM 1889988 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 11:30 AM GET SANTA 6:15 PM FANAR-2 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 2:30 PM THE PYRAMID 8:30 PM KILL THE MESSENGER 11:30 AM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 6:00 PM GET SANTA 10:30 PM Prayer timings KILL THE MESSENGER 2:00 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 2:30 PM THE PYRAMID 12:45 AM KILL THE MESSENGER 4:30 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 6:00 PM Fajr: 05:11 KILL THE MESSENGER 7:00 PM LINGAA - TAMIL 9:30 PM AL-KOUT.3 KILL THE MESSENGER 9:30 PM THE PYRAMID 1:00 AM THE HUNTED 11:45 AM Shorook 06:36 KILL THE MESSENGER 12:05 AM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 2:00 PM AVENUES-3 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 5:00 PM Duhr: 11:44 FANAR-3 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 11:45 AM THE HUNTED 8:00 PM Asr: 14:34 THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 12:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 2:00 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 10:00 PM THE HUNTED 1:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES 5:00 PM THE HUNTED 1:00 AM Maghrib: 16:52 THE HUNTED 3:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES -3D 8:00 PM Isha: 18:15

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

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 17/12/2014 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 Departure Flights on Wednesday 17/12/2014 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 Airlines Flt Route Time MSC 407 HRG 14:20 Airlines Flt Route Time IYE 827 Mukalla/Sanaa 14:30 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 AIC 982 Ahmedabad/Hyderabad/Chennai 00:05 CLX 792 Hanoi 14:45 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 SYR 341 Latakia/KAC 14:30 UAL 981 IAD 00:55 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 DHX 173 Bahrain 01:55 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 DHX 172 Bahrain 00:55 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 KAC 203 Lahore 02:00 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 KAC 284 Dhaka 15:15 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 MSC 408 HRG 15:20 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 KAC 283 Dhaka 02:25 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 SYR 342 Damascus/Latakia 15:30 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 SVA 503 Jeddah/Madinah 15:45 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 KAC 381 Delhi 03:40 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 IAW 1158 Al Najaf 16:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 KAC 501 Beirut 16:15 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 JZR 787 Riyadh 16:25 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 CEB 7694 Manila 03:10 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 CEB 7695 Manila 04:40 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 JZR 560 Sohag 05:10 KAC 545 Alexandria 17:30 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:35 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 GFA 944 LCA 17:50 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 TZS 170 Bahrain 05:40 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 GFA 944 Bahrain 18:35 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 JZR 483 Istanbul 18:40 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 BAW 156 London 08:45 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:45 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 ABY 121 Sharjah 19:20 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 JZR 552 Alexandria 19:30 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 JZR 482 Istanbul 10:00 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 KAC 102 New York/London 19:55 KAC 117 New York 10:05 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 GFA 943 Bahrain 10:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 IRM 1186 Tehran 10:20 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 IRA 665 Shiraz 10:40 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 ETD 919 Abu Dhabi 20:30 KAC 175 Frankfurt/Geneva 10:40 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 MSR 606 Luxor 20:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 AXB 889 Mangalore/Bahrain 11:15 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 GFA 943 LCA 11:00 MSR 619 Alexandria 21:45 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 KAC 204 Lahore 11:25 TZS 171 Bahrain 21:50 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 IRM 1181 Mashhad 11:30 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 IRA 664 Shiraz 11:40 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 JZR 561 Sohag 11:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 AXB 890 Mangalore 12:15 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 ETD 920 Dubai 22:25 IAW 157 Al Najaf 12:20 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 KAC 103 London 12:20 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 CLX 792 Luxembourg 13:15 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 IYE 826 Sanaa/Mukalla 13:30 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 KAC 382 Delhi 13:45 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 JZR 786 Riyadh 13:10 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 JZR 502 Luxor 23:05 IAW 1157 Al Najaf 14:00 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 IAW 158 Al Najaf 13:20 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 KAC 415 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 23:25 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 CROSSWORD 757 STAR TRACK

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

Your smart shopping is to be envied. Of course, with your ability to social- Working in a place where you often interact with children and their parents ize, you can be a very good salesperson. Importer, exporter or buyer for a department is exciting, although loud upon occasion. There is always something to learn as well as store would not be an unusual option as a profession for you. There may be much something to teach. It may seem to you that a little breeze has blown that same energy responsibility at this time but much of your work is recognized by people that may not of communication with others throughout your neighborhood. You talk with neighbors express appreciation. Perseverance, however, is crucial to your own sense of accomplish- and discover the travel or the entertainment that they plan to enjoy in the next few days. ment–you will be glad you finished what you set out to accomplish. You may take on an It would be good if we could enjoy the friendly interactions and polite expressions all easygoing manner to friends and family just now. The need to relax and enjoy the home year. This afternoon you could be viewed as the perfect person to put in charge of some setting is great. You may decide to do some sort of creative work that will add to the project requiring a conservative mind. Expect some new and fresh approaches in your atmosphere or comfort of your surroundings. This is a good time to return a favor. habit patterns. Nighttime hours seem to be made for having fun.

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

Something may spell out your need to reorganize and be more conserva- This could be a time of challenge from a career standpoint. Some of the tive. Later today, you may find your friends calling on your talent in some special way. requests coming to you at this time may be stressful. You must know you are ready, will- This should all work out well. Your more reserved side will be what others see. You will ing and able to extend your energies and your time to learn and accomplish what is set soon be playing the part of the listener and that is something that most people appreci- before you. It is a compliment to be asked and eventually, you will be the one doing the ate. There are far too many talkers and just not enough real listeners! Listening is how you asking of others. It is your response to requests from higher-ups at this time that will help learn. If there is any disagreement today you know how to agree to disagree, in a very influence and guide others. Your primary goal will be to do things that make you proud diplomatic way. Those around you appreciate your kindness and helpful behavior; you of yourself and the way that you get things done. Diet, exercise and work all will some- can always present new ideas when your listener is ready. You enjoy your friends–they how mean more to you at this time. Finding a place for all of your interests is a good are a great source of strength and encouragement. thing. Organization will probably be the number one key.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You are happy to be with others and to have work. On top of your regular You may feel a sense of satisfaction and completeness from the choices you job, you may be sought after as just the person for a particular job. You are make today. Religion, philosophy, law and education are some of the con- ready to dive in and accomplish what you can. Your attitude is positive and many co- ACROSS DOWN siderations lately. Sympathy for others is an emotional quality that takes on a greater workers have discovered that about you. The attitude that you have when you have times 1. A mature blood cell that contains hemo- 1. A training program to prepare college importance now. It is common sense, not just information that counts now. Your taste in of doubt determines the time you stay in a quandary and you are determined to get in students to be commissioned officers. art and appreciation of the artist is keen. You may not want to purchase too many things and get out of whatever difficulty you find. Your directional abilities are in high focus. It is globin to carry oxygen to the bodily tis- just now but you will enjoy having a list of items that you would like to eventually add to sues. 2. Pompous or pretentious talk or writing. important during this time to stay focused and discourage co-workers from too much your possession as investments and conversation pieces for your home. Your sense of val- chatting on the job. You want to accomplish your work and be recognized for the quality 4. Hard outer covering or case of certain 3. A stick that people can lean on to help ue is strong. This is also a super time to just sit back and enjoy what you have. A sense of of work that you provide. Obstacles are about to disappear. organisms such as arthropods and turtles. them walk. support and harmony makes this a relaxed time. 12. The sign language used in the United 4. A high-crowned black cap (usually made States. of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in 15. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus. palm used in India for writing paper. 5. (informal) Of the highest quality. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. A genus of herbs and shrubs belonging 6. An intensely radioactive metallic ele- This is a positive day to sign contracts, conclude business deals or make future plans. to the family Euphorbiaceae. ment that occurs in minute amounts in You should experience all the benefits of this most powerful planet. You will proba- The things that will pique your interest and stir your heartstrings are adventures that 17. Aircraft landing in bad weather in uranium ores. bly be in a talkative and quick-witted mood. Ideas are clear and accessible. This could be a good which the pilot is talked down by ground 7. American prizefighter who won the time for designing, planning, creating the best advertisement or toy, etc. You may have a conversa- take you completely out of your realm of thinking. You will need to travel, possibly internationally, to control using precision approach radar. tion with an older person or someone in authority and learn about past interests that could fit in achieve a particular goal. There are new worlds, new cultures and new and different approaches to world heavyweight championship three things. This is a time of romantic crusades, a universal love that could conceivably steal your heart 18. A twisted and tangled mass that is times (born in 1942). with new invention developments. Your creative output is strong and you are enthusiastic to apply highly interwoven. your talent to the work at hand. If you give your best effort now, considerable success will follow. away. This could even be the love of a place, versus an individual. These are very deep and powerful 8. Of or relating to or exhibiting pyknosis. longings. Expect pleasant conversations with others and be like a sponge–absorb new ideas and 20. (Greek mythology) The rarified fluid 9. Loss of the ability to swallow. There may be a tendency to want to socialize later this evening. Family members seem to like your idea and want the same thing. A favorite pizza place rings with laughter tonight. thoughts. You will have a lot to offer and can be quite pleased with the results. said to flow in the veins of the Gods. 10. The music of Chopin. 21. Thigh of a hog (usually smoked). 11. The sense organ for hearing and equi- 22. Relatively low in price or charging low librium. prices. 12. Title for a civil or military leader (espe- Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 24. A period of time spent sleeping. cially in Turkey). 26. A Chadic language spoken south of 13. A fraudulent business scheme. You have a natural sense for communicating with others, especially those There are new concepts that you are aware of and may find yourself talking about them with co-workers. It is an excellent time to solicit the help of others, though it’s Lake Chad. 14. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of younger than yourself. Today you may be asked to branch out a bit and show off your 28. Front consisting of the conical head of skills for another department, business or trade fair. Your mind is exceptionally sharp, with important that you truly know the needs of your company or business before asking. Your Lamaism. sharp mind will see all aspects from all angles. Any high-level mental pursuits should be a missile or rocket that protects the pay- 19. Large family of important mostly the result that you may be able to work out the most difficult problems. There is little time load from heat during its passage through to do your regular volunteer service this year but you will find plenty of ways to help peo- rewarding and stimulating. Your ability to make good common sense decisions both for marine food fishes. yourself and others is an admirable trait just now. Expect to make some clear-cut decisions the atmosphere. ple as you go about your next few days. The lights are so pretty this evening that you may 23. A metric unit of volume or capacity that will affect others. Something you are doing or something that you own could spur 30. (used of opinions and actions) Far decide to experiment a little with a camera and its settings for night pictures, light, video, equal to 10 liters. etc. A fun distraction from the work of your day will help you relax and reset the energies compliments from others. It’s always nice to receive flattery as it usually indicates that you beyond the norm. are doing something right. 33. The property of being very small in 25. Fiber from an East Indian plant Hibiscus that will prepare you for another full day. size. cannabinus. 37. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 27. A small cake leavened with yeast. 29. Denoting a quantity consisting of six 39. Small buffalo of the Celebes having Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) small straight horns. items or units. 31. (of tempo) Leisurely n. 40. The dialect of Malay used as the nation- You could find yourself representing or speaking for your company or Welcome all new ideas. You should take every opportunity to get outside al language of the Republic of Indonesia or 32. Tropical woody herb with showy yel- communicating about your skills. Positive energies are in your corner. You may even feel and enjoy the natural world as well. Work will seem easier and your creative side will of Malaysia. low flowers and flat pods. that all your hard work this year has been worth the effort. Doubts are no longer part of become more expressive. You should feel more relaxed as well. If ever there was a day to 42. A radioactive element of the actinide 34. The Uralic language spoken by the your daily thinking. You are sure of yourself and know that you make good decisions and work with groups, this is it! Your acute sensitivity to other people’s moods will help you series. Yeniseian people. your co-workers can depend on you as well as you can depend on them. Your motto may tame and reshape the most frustrated attitude as one would play a violin. You enjoy good 45. Metal or plastic sheath over the end of 35. Wet through and through. be to move full speed ahead. You are ambitious and your supervisors detect the high relations with family members and the financial position is on the upswing. You must be practical in personal decisions about finances. You could be feeling a particular closeness to a shoelace or ribbon. 36. Normal or sound powers of mind. achievement status. You are practical and will continue to be successful for yourself and 38. A genus of Pyralidae. your company. You should find this an exceptionally good day for anything job related. lovers, children and other people that are near and dear to your heart. Being well-thought- 48. Narrow wood or metal or plastic run- You may find new methods of working that will help simplify the process. of for your gifts and talents is a wonderful feeling. ners used for gliding over snow. 41. Declared as fact. 49. A light strong gray lustrous corrosion- 43. A specific piece of work required to be resistant metallic element used in strong done as a duty or for a specific fee. light-weight alloys (as for airplane parts). 44. A federation of North American labor WORD SEARCH PUZZLE Yesterday’s Solution 50. South American armadillo with three unions that merged with the Congress of bands of bony plates. Industrial Organizations in 1955. 52. French explorer (with Jacques 46. A soft silvery metallic element of the Marquette) of the upper Mississippi River alkali earth group. valley (1645-1700). 47. The act of expelling or projecting or 54. A female gametocyte that develops ejecting. into an ovum after two meiotic divisions. 51. Either of two large muscles of the 56. Type genus of the Aceraceae. chest. 58. A trivalent metallic element of the rare 53. English film actress (1913-1967). earth group. 55. Used by southerners for an inhabitant 59. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) of a northern state in the United States that was responsible for research into (especially a Union soldier). atomic energy and its peacetime uses in 57. The sound made by a hen after laying the United States. an egg. 60. Apathy and inactivity in the practice of 61. An official prosecutor for a judicial dis- virtue (personified as one of the deadly trict. sins). 62. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions 63. A stock or supply of foods. of the Old World. 67. (informal British usage) Aggravation or 64. A republic in the Middle East in west- aggression. ern Asia. 70. Any of various strong liquors distilled 65. A river in north central Switzerland that from the fermented sap of toddy palms or runs northeast into the Rhine. from fermented molasses. 66. Relating to only part of a whole. 73. The act of drawing or hauling some- 68. The state of being decayed or thing. destroyed. 74. Not widely known. 69. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot 77. A unit of length equal to one thou- palm used in India for writing paper. sandth of an inch. 71. Extinct flightless bird of New Zealand. 78. Widely cultivated in tropical and sub- 72. Government agency created in 1974 to tropical regions for its fragrant flowers and colorful fruits. license and regulate nuclear power plants. 79. (computer science) The time it takes for 75. A state in southeastern United States a specific block of data on a data track to between the Atlantic and the Gulf of rotate around to the read/write head. Mexico. 80. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 76. A Mid-Atlantic state.

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 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: 7XHVGD\  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 %<'$< 3DUWO\FORXG\WRFORXG\ZLWKYDULDEOHZLQGFKDQJLQJWROLJKWWRPRGHUDWHQRUWKZHVWHUO\ZLQGZLWKVSHHGRI Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 NPKZLWKDFKDQFHIRUVFDWWHUHGUDLQWKDWPLJKWEHWKXQGHU\DWWLPHV Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Qadsiya 22515088 %<1,*+7 3DUWO\FORXG\ZLWKOLJKWWRPRGHUDWHQRUWKZHVWHUO\ZLQGZLWKVSHHGRINPK Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Dasmah 22532265 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 WARNING Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 1R&XUUHQW:DUQLQJV China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Shaab 22518752 STATION 0$;(;3 0,15(& 6)&&+$57 87& Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Qibla 22459381 .8:$,7&,7< ƒ& ƒ& Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 .8:$,7$,53257 ƒ& ƒ& Ayoun Al-Qibla 22451082 Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 Mirqab 22456536 $%'$/< ƒ& ƒ& Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Sharq 22465401 %8%<$1 ƒ& ƒ& Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 -$+5$ ƒ& ƒ& Salmiya 25746401 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 )$,/$.$,6/$1' ƒ& ƒ& Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 Jabriya 25316254 6$/0,<$+ ƒ& ƒ& Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 $+0$', ƒ& ƒ& Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 Bayan 25388462 -8/8,$+3257 ƒ& ƒ& Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 Mishref 25381200 4$52+,6/$1' ƒ& ƒ& Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 W Hawally 22630786 800$/0$5$'(0 ƒ& ƒ& 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 :HGQHVGD\  0RVWO\VXQQ\ ƒ& ƒ& 1: NPK Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 7KXUVGD\  6XQQ\ƒ& ƒ& 1: NPK Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 South Jahra 24775066 )ULGD\  3DUWO\FORXG\ ƒ& ƒ& 95%6( NPK Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 North Jahra 24775992 6DWXUGD\  3DUWO\FORXG\ ƒ& ƒ& 6(1: 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  6(  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 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Awards Bryan, Florida Georgia Line lead 2014 American Country Countdown Awards winners

ts nominees were unexpected, but its winners were told in advance. Audience members were encouraged to drink Iand tweet from the on-set “Twitter bar.” And the hosts didn’t crack any Taylor Swift jokes.... In a musical genre of awards show after yet another awards show, the inaugural American Country Countdown Awards certainly made a unique mark. Luke Bryan and show hosts Florida Georgia Line were the night’s top winners, taking home three bronzed microphone trophies each - two of them shared, for their double platinum- selling “This Is How We Roll” collaboration. Bryan, who per- formed “Roller Coaster” alongside one of its songwriters, Breakthrough Artist nominee Cole Swindell, was the first vic- tor on the live broadcast, taking home Male Vocalist of the Year and using his mic time to acknowledge the show’s name- sake radio program and its convivial host. “I want to thank Kix Brooks for delivering an amazing countdown every week,” said the Georgia native, also express- Recording artist Jason Aldean accepts the Artist of the Year award onstage. — AP photos ing gratitude for the outpouring of support in the wake of his Jason Aldean performs on stage. brother-in-law’s death last month. “I want to thank all of the stripped-down “Hey Pretty Girl” performance, Album of the fans for keeping my family in your prayers. And I want to also Year winner Eric Church’s similarly raw rendition of “Talladega” recognize the country music community, all of the artists.... and Lady Antebellum’s playful “Freestyle.” Fans, let me explain something to you: you support wonderful See the full list of 2014 American Country Countdown artists, because they have rallied around me and helped me nominees and winners below. and my family through the past couple of weeks. It’s nice to Artist of the Year feel loved.” Jason Aldean Male Vocalist of the Year Top honor Luke Bryan The night’s top honor, Artist of the Year went to Jason Female Vocalist of the Year Aldean. It, along with every category except the fan-voted Miranda Lambert Breakthrough Artist of the Year, was determined by a furtive Group/Duo of the Year mathematical equation involving radio airplay, touring and Florida Georgia Line sales. Like his friend and fellow Georgian Bryan, Aldean paid Song of the Year tribute to the show that helped boosted the radio part of the “Beat of the Music,” Brett Eldredge formula. Album of the Year “When I was growing up in Macon, Georgia, the American *The Outsiders, Eric Church Country Countdown was my one avenue to Nashville, to keep Digital Song of the Year up with what was going on. I listened to it every Sunday, and “This Is How We Roll,” Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke never in a million years did I think I’d be making my career in Bryan music,” said the singer who’s logged hugely impressive sales Breakthrough Artist of the Year Presented by Samsung and airplay numbers this year. “The fans and everybody at Galaxy country radio, you guys have helped to make that happen... Kip Moore and that’s a pretty unbelievable feeling.” Miranda Lambert accepts the award for Female Vocalist of the Year. Nash Icon Award: Reba McEntire Country crasher Vince Vaughn was on hand to present Groundbreaker Award: Kenny Chesney Kenny Chesney with the Groundbreaker Award, given for not — www.rollingstone.com only his record-setting tours but also for his creative feats and connection to his bottomless sea of fans. Reba McEntire was honored with the Nash Icon Award for her four decade-long catalog filled with hits we know by heart. “This is a very special honor and it sure means the world to me to be thought of as a valued member of our country music family,” said the music legend. “Standing here tonight in Nashville, I think back to what it was like being one of the new kids in town, trying to make my name in country music. So as I look around this room at all of the talented young men and women doing such great work in country music today, I pray you have the chance to have a whole beautiful life making music for the people who give us the greatest job in the world: our fans.” Female Vocalist of the Year winner Miranda Lambert teamed with McEntire’s stepdaughter-in-law, pop powerhouse Kelly Clarkson, in a pitch-perfect musical tribute to the icon, singing a medley of her hits. Their collaboration was the high- light of a night full of performances that were more about vocals and lyrics than smoke and mirrors. Carrie Underwood kicked off the show with a medley of her own hits, ranging from her 2006 Grammy-winning “Before He Cheats” to her Recording artists Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line accept the 2015 Grammy-nominated “Something in the Water.” Other Recording artists Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood, and Charles Kelley of music group Lady Group/Duo of the Year award. standouts included Breakthrough Artist winner Kip Moore’s Antebellum perform onstage.

Recording artist Carrie Underwood performs onstage. Kip Moore (2nd L) performs onstage. Honoree Kenny Chesney accepts the Groundbreaker Award.

Recording artist Luke Bryan accepts the Male Vocalist Country Artist Brett Eldredge poses with his award for Recording artist Eric Church accepts the Album of the Recording artist Kip Moore accepts the Breakthrough of the Year award. Song of the Year. Year award for ‘The Outsiders’. Artist of the Year award.

Recording artist Miranda Lambert and honoree Reba McEntire perform Co-hosts Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line speak Honoree Reba McEntire accepts the NASH Icon Award from recording artist onstage. onstage. Kix Brooks onstage. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Music & Movies Green Day marks rock’s new generation in Hall of Fame

atter-generation punks Green Day won spots in the Rock Blackhearts in 1982 scored a global hit with “I Love Rock ‘n’ and Roll Hall of Fame yesterday, joining older legends in Roll”-a song that will presumably feature prominently at the Lthe band’s first year of eligibility. Other 2015 inductees induction ceremony-as she helped carve out a role for women into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Bill Withers, the in the male-dominated world of hard rock. soul singer best known for his 1972 song “Lean on Me,” and Vaughan won wide acclaim after playing the Montreux fes- hard rockers Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Three deceased tival in 1982, with some calling the Dallas-bred blues guitarist artists round out the new entrants: the avant-garde Lou Reed one of the instrument’s all-time masters, but his career was whose Velvet Underground was already inducted as a group- short as he died in a plane wreck in 1990. Withers also had a along with electric blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and relatively brief career. He did not perform professionally until blues singer Paul Butterfield. he was in his 30s and out of the Navy and left the industry The winners mark the 30th round of artists to be inducted after major hits including “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The artists, or suitable Sunshine.” substitutes, will perform at a ceremony on April 18 in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are decided by a Cleveland. Green Day was nominated for the first time. Artists vote of more than 700 music experts including artists and his- are eligible once 25 years have passed since the release of torians. Fans also played a small role through a public vote their first single or album. A decade after punk rock’s heyday, that counted as one ballot. Artists who were passed over this Green Day released its first album in 1990 featuring the band’s year for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included Kraftwerk, the combination of energetic guitar chords and raw lyrics that This photo combination of file images shows musicians from left Lou Reed, Joan Jett and Billie Joe Armstrong, of German pioneers of electronic music, and The Smiths, who often reflected frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s social anxi- Greenday. — AFP won an impassioned fan base drawn to Morrissey’s brooding, eties. introspective lyrics. Other artists that missed the cut included The Northern California band scored a worldwide commer- and called being a rock performer “the most liberating thing took turns on vocals in place of the late Kurt Cobain. politically-charged gangsta rappers N.W.A. and perennial cial breakthrough four years later with “Dookie” despite the in the world.” nominees Chic, the disco outfit whose song “Le Freak” was a album’s personal subject matter in which Armstrong reflected “For me, rock and roll is not an outdated term. To me, it Major figures in rock history global sensation in 1978. — AFP on mental illness, and his bisexuality. A decade later, means freedom,” he told Rolling Stone magazine in an inter- The Paul Butterfield Blues Band is probably the new Armstrong won wider artistic acclaim and controversy with view timed for the Hall of Fame announcement. The honor inductee that is least-known today, but the racially-integrated “American Idiot,” a searing indictment of then president comes a year after another newly eligible band, Nirvana, was Chicago group had a major influence by combining rock and George W. Bush that the Green Day frontman turned into a inducted into the Hall of Fame. The ceremony led to an unan- blues influences. The band played back-up during Bob Dylan’s rock opera. Armstrong, 42, said that the honor was “incredible” nounced, one-off reunion show as celebrated rock singers legendary first electric performance in 1965. Joan Jett and the Minaj’s ‘Pinkprint’ delivers grown-up complexity

aybe we knew - even in 2010 - when Nicki Minaj released her name-dropping everyone from designer Donna Karan to actor her debut set,that beneath the fluorescent wigs and zany Shia LaBeouf. She’s bold on “Favorite” featuring Jeremih, and cocky Maccents, there resided a real-life grown-up. On some level, on “Feelin’ Myself” featuring Beyonce, but it’s Minaj’s aching that is we surely understood that the now 32-year-old rapper had com- endearing. She laments changing family ties and the death of a rel- plex emotions and a past, and all the things that make stars more ative on “All Things Go,” adding “my child with Aaron, would’ve like regular people and less like characters. But not until now, with been 16” in what, for most listeners, is a surprising revelation. her third release, “The Pinkprint” - which includes production from Minaj also refers to a decade-ago marriage proposal on the Boi-1da, Zaytoven and Dr Luke, among others - has Minaj con- song - a tidbit that lines up with rumors that the rapper’s hypeman veyed that message so clearly. The set’s first single “Pills N Potions” Safareee Samuels had for many years been her romantic partner, captures the heart and soul of the album, even with songs like the and is now the subject of songs alluding to hurt and betrayal, Drake and Lil Wayne-assisted “Only” and “Anaconda” (along with its including “The Crying Game,” featuring UK singer Jessie Ware and bootylicious music video) drumming up considerable buzz. the pop-friendly “Bed of Lies.” It seems as though the gap is closing Throughout her latest set, Minaj oscillates between boss and between Minaj’s on and offstage personas, and so far, that’s a good This CD cover image released by Young broken. “Who had Kanye (West) saying ‘she’s a problem’?” Minaj thing. — AP Money/Cash Money/Republic Records boasts on “Want Some More.” She lives up to the compliment with shows “The Pinkprint,” by Nicki Minaj.— AP sharp storytelling on the sinister “Four Door Aventador,” which has

In this April 11, 2000 file photo, singer D’Angelo walks backstage at the VH1 special concert “Men Strike Back” Lawyer: Free speech at Madison Square Garden in New York. — AP stake in anti-Muslim film D’Angelo challenges lawyer for Google told a federal appeals court Monday that free speech is in jeopardy if a ruling stands forcing ‘Black Messiah’ Ait to keep an anti-Muslim film that sparked violence in with the Middle East and death threats to the actors involved off fter a wait of nearly 15 years, D’Angelo is making a its YouTube service. Attorney Neal Katyal argued that if a rul- Second Coming of sorts with “Black Messiah,” a hard- ing stands allowing a bit player in “Innocence of Muslims” charging attack on racial injustice that challenges lis- copyright privileges, it could extend to minor characters in A teners both musically and lyrically. Released as a surprise blockbusters such as “Titanic” and “The Lord of the Rings,” Monday, the long-anticipated album moves D’Angelo shatter copyright law and ultimately restrict free speech because anyone unhappy with their performance could have beyond his R&B roots to embrace the passions of protest it removed from the Internet. rock at a time that demonstrations have swept the United “The ultimate effect is to harm the marketplace of States over police killings of unarmed African Americans in speech,” Katyal told a 10-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit New York and Ferguson, Missouri. Court of Appeals. Chief Judge Sidney Thomas said the court D’Angelo, whose career was launched as a teenager dur- would rule later on Google’s request to reverse a decision ing an amateur night at New York’s famed Apollo Theater, won acclaim for his funk-infused R&B and soul on his two forcing YouTube to take down the film that inspired rioting In this March 10, 2014 file photo, rapper Lil’ Boosie, whose A$AP Rocky poses backstage at the MTV Video Music by those who considered it blasphemous to the Prophet previous albums, 1995’s “Brown Sugar” and 2000’s “Voodoo,” real name is Torence Hatch, appears at a news conference Awards in the Brooklyn borough of New York. but he retreated from public view after a global tour. Muhammad. A divided three-judge panel of the court ruled in New Orleans. — AP in February that actress Cindy Lee Garcia had a copyright “Black Messiah” defies easy categorization but shows claim to the 2012 video because she believed she was acting clear similarities to his sometime mentor Prince, with the in a much different production than the one that appeared. now 40-year-old D’Angelo powering his funk beats with a Cris Armenta, a lawyer for Garcia, said the extraordinary Buku 2015 music fest lineup released strong dose of electric guitar and an impressive falsetto. circumstances justified the extreme action of a court injunc- Bringing into focus the album’s messianic overtones, tion against YouTube. “She is under threat of death if she is D’Angelo starts the song “1,000 Deaths” with a snippet from rban radio hit-maker A$AP Rocky and national elec- to Boosie Badazz after being released from prison this year a fiery African American preacher who rails against white not successful in removing it,” Armenta said. Judges pep- tronic music stars Passion Pit, Bassnectar and Porter on a 2009 drug conviction. Buku will be his first major post- pered the lawyers with questions mostly focused on copy- presentations of Jesus Christ-a blond-haired, blue-eyed URobinson are scheduled to take the stage in New prison performance in New Orleans, where he has a strong “cracker Jesus,” in the pastor’s words, using a derogatory right law and how Garcia’s performance compared to those Orleans for the Buku music festival in March. The fourth fan base. More than 30 acts are slated to perform at Mardi of other actors and musicians. —AFP term for unrefined white person. annual Buku Music + Art Project lineup was announced Gras World March 13-14. Tickets go on sale Friday. — AP D’Angelo builds off the sample with a heavy beat and a yesterday. guitar solo. His lyrics deliver a message of stridency, with Also on the roster is Louisiana native Torence Hatch, the the chorus, “A coward dies 1,000 times / But a soldier only rapper who went by the name Lil Boosie until changing it dies just once.” In a song co-written with the producer and DJ Questlove, D’Angelo again questions the nature of strug- gle on “The Charade,” singing, “All we wanted was a chance to talk / ‘Stead we’ve only got outlined in chalk.” D’Angelo New ‘Annie’ movie less about ‘Tomorrow’ and all about today stays experimental musically throughout the album even orget the curly red hair and Depression-era orphans. The actor Bobby Cannavale adds a topical, satirical edge as his Wallis made a big splash as an enigmatic child survivalist in when the subject matter turns from politics to romance. On hit musical “Annie” moves firmly into the 21st century in scheming political campaign adviser. the 2012 independent movie “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” “Really Love,” D’Angelo starts off gently with flamenco gui- Fa new film version where the star is a street-smart The musical’s famous songs get a pop music makeover, But like much of the rest of the “Annie” cast, she had little pre- tar before the funk beat breaks through. African-American foster kid who rides New York buses, and sprinkled with the sounds of street jackhammers and trash vious experience as a singer and dancer and said she had not Releasing a statement at a listening party for the album her savior is a black cell phone billionaire who will stop at can lids, and Annie’s fake parents are found in mass reality TV- seen the stage musical or any of its many TV or film remakes. “I in New York, D’Angelo acknowledged that he was courting nothing to become mayor. “Tomorrow” is still the signature style auditions. Cannavale said the updates bring the beloved saw the musical after (filming) because they didn’t want it to controversy with the title “Black Messiah” but insisted he song, but the “Annie,” produced by a team that includes rapper musical “to a contemporary American audience which is one interfere with the way I filmed it,” Wallis explained. The way was not portraying himself as some R&B Jesus. “It can easily Jay-Z and actor Will Smith, is all about today. of many different colors, shapes, sizes and ethnicities.” director Will Gluck filmed it, however, has won scant approval be misunderstood. Many will think it’s about religion. Some Quvenzhane Wallis, 11, who two years ago became the “It is really exciting that kids can go and see themselves from US movie critics. The Hollywood Reporter called the film will jump to the conclusion that I’m calling myself a Black youngest person to win a Best Actress Oscar nomination, now in this movie in a way they were not able to before,” a “toxic mess,” while Variety deemed it “overblown and under- Messiah,” he wrote. “For me, the title is about all of us. It’s plays the foster kid living a hard-knock life in the multiethnic Cannavale told Reuters Cameron Diaz plays mean foster nourished.” — Reuters about the world. It’s about an idea we can all aspire to. We version of the Tony-winning 1977 Broadway musical that mother Miss Hannigan, as a pill-popping, failed pop star. “This should all aspire to be a Black Messiah,” he wrote. “It’s about opens in US movie theaters on Friday. Oliver “Daddy” is a woman who thinks that to be loved she has to be famous, people rising up in Ferguson and in Egypt and in Occupy Warbucks is transformed from a 1930s industrialist into the which is kind of an epidemic in our society right now,” Diaz Wall Street and in every place where a community has had workaholic telecoms tycoon Will Stacks, (Jamie Foxx), while said. enough and decides to make change happen.”

Return to roots for Nicki Minaj The surprise release by D’Angelo came on the same day as a much more expected album by hip hop star Nicki Minaj. “The Pinkprint” marks a return to the roots of one of the most successful female rappers, whose career has soared in the past several years through more mainstream pop songs and collaborations with superstars such as Justin Bieber. Minaj, 32, goes intensely personal on her third stu- dio album. On “All Things Go,” Minaj speaks of coping with the violent death of a cousin and hints at coming to terms with a past abortion, rapping: “My child with Aaron would have been 16 any minute.” The Trinidadian-born New Yorker also defends her rise to fame, rapping: “Let me make this clear / I’m not difficult / I’m just about my business / I’m not into fake industry parties, and fake agendas / Rock with people for how they make me feel, not what they give me.” Despite the introspection on the album, Minaj initially made headlines for a very differ- ent reason-what critics saw as Nazi overtones on the video for her single “Only.” On the video, Minaj appears as a dicta- tor on a throne with red-and-white banners bearing the let- ters of her Young Money label. Minaj apologized, saying she Director Will Gluck, far left, poses with the cast of “Annie”, from left, This photo released by Colombia Pictures - Sony shows, from left, Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks, Quvenzhane had not intended the slightest Nazi association. — AFP Bobby Cannavale, Quvenzhane Wallis, Marty the dog, Cameron Diaz and Wallis, as Annie, and Rose Byrne as Grace, singing “I Don’t Need Anything But You” in a scene from Jamie Foxx during a photo call at the Crosby Hotel. — AP photos Columbia Pictures’ “Annie.” lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014

Features

In this image released by Warner Bros Pictures, Luke Evans appears in a scene from “The Hobbit The Battle of the Five Armies.” — AP photos In this image released by Warner Bros Pictures, Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen appear in a scene from ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.’ No plans to go back again to Middle-earth on film

he final installment of “The Hobbit” doesn’t just mark the have any plans, as far as I know, to tackle another Middle earth rights entail when it comes to merchandising. “The Tolkien feel to me like what MGM and the Brocollis have so brilliantly conclusion of Bilbo Baggins’ journey on the big screen. movie.” estate is very protective, as they should be, and I don’t done with Bond and Ian Fleming. From where I sit now, it real- TIt’s also the end of a massively successful film franchise “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” filmmaker Peter begrudge them that at all,” said Jackson, who has expressed ly does feel like this is it.” Emmerich noted it’s unlikely the stu- that’s earned New Line and Warner Bros. nearly $5 billion, Jackson, who crafted all six of the films in his native New interest in creating a “Lord of the Rings” museum in New dio would consider spin-off projects, say, a film centered on going all the way back to the 2001 release of “The Lord of the Zealand, was similarly adamant that he was finished adapting Zealand. “They are very protective and I don’t think there’s a Evangeline Lilly’s elf quarreler Tauriel, who was a new creation Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” “I don’t know what to com- J.R.R. Tolkien, though he would “never say never” to a Middle- lot of room for Warner Bros to move, particularly.” for “The Hobbit” films. Other than a possible “Shadow of pare it to because I’ve never been involved in a project that’s earth homecoming. “If we wanted to - and I don’t know Is it possible New Line could take a cue from the producers Mordor” game follow-up, he insisted no return trips to Middle- gone on for so long or been such a huge success,” said Toby whether I would want to or not - it’s not a question I need to of the James Bond film series, or from their very own col- earth have been booked - much to his own personal dismay. Emmerich, president and CEO of New Line, the unit of Warner worry about,” Jackson said in an interview in London to pro- leagues at Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment, and use “I’ve been to New Zealand like 25 or 30 times,” said Emmerich. Bros responsible for releasing “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of mote his final “Hobbit.” “Warner Bros has the rights to ‘The Lord Tolkien’s fantasy world as a backdrop for new stories? It “I was saying to my wife that I really hope we figure out anoth- the Rings” films over the past 13 years. of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit,’ and they don’t have the rights to recently proved both critically and financially successful for er movie to shoot there with Peter and (special effects studio) The marketing campaign for “The Hobbit: The Battle of the anything else,” said the director, who will next work on an the video-game division. After recasting Tolkien tales in virtual Weta because I really can’t imagine not having a reason to go Five Armies” promises moviegoers “one last” trip to Middle- extended cut of “The Battle of the Five Armies.” worlds, the interactive arm at Warner Bros ventured into most- there. It’s one of my favorite places in the world and not going earth when it debuts in wide release today. Will it really be the ly uncharted territory earlier this year with Monolith anymore would make me sad.”— AP final outing for all those dwarfs, elves, hobbits and orcs? After Very protective Productions’ “Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor,” a game set all, “The Hobbit” was originally envisioned as two, not three The fate of Middle-earth continuing in other realms between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” centered on films. “I wish I could say differently,” said Emmerich. “There is beyond literature could be decided in a courtroom. The characters not depicted in the books. nothing at New Line or Warner Bros I think there could be Tolkien estate and Warner Bros, which doesn’t have permis- “I think we’d be wary about taking too much creative another video game, and Middle-earth will probably live on in sion to adapt Tolkien’s later work “The Silmarillion,” have been license with Tolkien and making up stories ourselves that licensing and merchandising a while longer, but we do not legally sparring since 2012 over exactly what the studio’s film weren’t based on what he wrote,” said Emmerich. “It doesn’t

Land Rover celebrates Middle East achievers in next instalment of MYLAND campaign

ot on the heels of the launch of its new MENA cre- Mutaz Essa Barshim - Olympic Track & steps) upa Lebanese mountain with a cedar tree on his Bader Al Lawati ative communications platform MYLAND,luxury Field Athlete (Qatar) back, surviving all manner of natural obstacles, sometimes HSUV manufacturer Land Rover has revealed a col- Qatari-born track and field athlete Mutaz Essa Barshim in sub-zero temperatures. His journey started from Bchara laboration with some of the region’smost inspiring achiev- was inspired by his father to pursue athletics from a young Mountain, and continued all the way through Dahr el ers to tell their unique and awe-inspiring stories via a age, regularly competing in race-walking, endurance run- Kadib, Jroud Baakafra, Kniset el Rrab, Wadi Harisa, finally series of films entitled ‘My Journey, My Inspiration’. ning and long jumping events before focusing on high reaching the Tannourine cedar reserve. The achievers, from Oman, Qatar, Lebanon and the jumping. Mutaz found international success in 2010 when In June 2014, Michael set his second world record by UAE, come from different walks of life, but all share one he set an indoor Qatari record with a jump of 2.25m, and climbing Beirut’s most famous landmark, the Pigeon sea thing in common: inspired by the culture and heritage of went on to win a gold medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics rock in Rauche on World Oceans Day, and now spends his the land, they have succeeded in truly going above and Championships and later that year became the World time giving empowerment talks to people of all race, gen- beyond in their accomplishments; epitomising the senti- Junior Champion. Mutaz continues to progress at a very der and age. ment behind Land Rover’s new MYLAND campaign fast rate. Since his World Junior title, Mutaz has won an Produced by Emirati film director, and friend of the Olympic Bronze, as well as World Gold and Silver Medals. Ali Mostafa- Emirati Film Director (UAE) Land Rover brand, Ali Mostafa, and directed by Emirati In 2014 Mutaz became the second highest jumper in his- Acclaimed Emirati Film Director and Producer Ali filmmaker Ahmed Abdulqader, the ‘My Journey, My tory when he cleared 2.43m to win the Diamond League Mostafa is widely known as the director of the first Emirati Mutaz Essa Barshim Inspiration’ films will be hosted on MYLANDMENA.com, trophy in Brussels. Most recently he was nominated as a featurefilm City of Life, and is a long-standing Land Rover The filmscapture the achievers’inspirational stories of suc- finalist for athlete of the year and supported Qatar’s suc- Brand Ambassador. Growing up in the UAE, Ali had a pas- cess through challenging times, driven by their entrepre- cessful bid to host the IAAF World Championship in 2019. sion for film from an early age, going on to obtain an M.A. neurial spirit and unwavering determination to achieve of practical training in film technique fromthe London adventurous pursuits. Nizar Fakhoury - Adventurer and Entrepreneur and Film School. Ali set up his own production company AFM The videos are currently being shot on location across Founder of Climb For Cancer and Urban Peak Films in 2006, and in 2009, his debut feature film City of the region, and will be revealed on the (Lebanon) Life became the first Emirati film to be given a gala screen- MYLANDMENA.com site, which also hosts Land Rover sto- Lebanese Nizar Fakhoury is a passionate adventurer ing at Dubai International Film Festival, going on to break ries, competitions, activities and initiatives along with and entrepreneur. In 2009 Nizar founded Climb For box office records for an Emirati film. Ali has since been regional user generated content.Land Rover hopes the’My Cancer, a Dubai-based charitable initiative that encour- credited as a champion of the Emirati film industry and Journey, My Inspiration’ series will inspire audiences across ages volunteers to climb mountains in order to support has been instrumental in its success, so much so that his the region to strive to go above and beyond in their own the treatment of children suffering from cancer. To date, latest feature film From A to Bbecame the first Emirati film accomplishments, whatever they may be. Climb For Cancer has taken 22 volunteers to Mt. to open the Abu Dhabi Film Festival in October of this Nizar Fakhoury Commenting on the collaboration, Chris Wilde, Brand Kilimanjaro in Africa, Island Peak and Everest Base Camp in year. The film was highly praised by audience and critics Director for Jaguar Land Rover MENA said: “Our intention Nepal, Mt. Elbrus in Russia, and Mont Blanc in France. The alike, and is set to premiere in cinemas across the Middle with ‘My Journey, My Inspiration’ was to recognise and cel- initiative has raised over 550,000 USD towards the fight East on January 1 2015. ebrate the people who have been inspired by their land, against paediatric cancer, which has helped treat eight The ‘My Journey, My Inspiration’ videos will be available heritage or country to go above and beyond in their children suffering from cancer, and was granted an hon- on MYLANDMENA.com in early 2015, with a series of chal- achievements. From trekking to the Antarctic to setting orary award from HRH Prince Talal Bin Muhammad of lenging Land Rover expeditions also currently underway, world athletic records or climbing mountains to raise Jordan for the “Best Volunteer Fundraiser Organization” in following expert teams as they cross harsh and inhos- money for cancer patients, these achievers are a true inspi- 2010 and 2011. Nizar also launched an adventure-gear pitable territories in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE. ration for us all, and I hope people share the same sense of business in Dubai called Urban Peak to support trekkers The planned expeditions follow in the footsteps of the pride we feel in their accomplishments.” and climbers in sourcing the right equipment for their ground-breaking Empty Quarter Challenge - one of the adventures. He continues to challenge himself and has harshest and most challenging desert environments on The My Journey, My Inspiration stars: plans to take part in the 777 Race with Omni Athletes, by the planet - during which the Range Rover Sport set the fastest recorded time for a vehicle crossing in 10 hours and Michael Haddad Bader Al Lawati-Communications Professional, running 7 marathons in 7 continents in 7 days, in order to Adventurer and Photographer (Oman) raise funds for cancer patients in the Middle East. 22 minutes at an average speed of 81.87 km/h (51.87 28 year-old Bader Al-Lawati grew up in Oman, and mph), covering a distance of over 849km. joined environmental NGO ‘2041’, founded by the first per- Michael Haddad - Professional Athlete MYLANDMENA.com will also feature an exciting mix of son in history to walk to the North and South Poles, Robert and Social Entrepreneur (Lebanon) driver-focused elements such as the Land Rover ‘Own Your Swan. Bader has since become one of the first five Omanis Michael Haddad’sstory has inspired many, paving the Land’ mobile app which will provide a great opportunity in history to have been to the most remote and coldest way for physically challenged people to dream big and to for off-road drivers to go where no one has gone before place on earth - The Antarctic. A communications profes- strive to achieve these dreams. At the age of six, Lebanese and allows explorers to save off-road trails, store and share sional by trade and photographer since the age of 12, national Michael suffered from a spinal cord injury which their adventures. The app is expected to be launched in Bader also devotes his time to raising awareness about tragically left him paralyzed from the chest down follow- early 2015 and will be available for both IOS and Android environmental issues. His other passions include scuba ing a Jet Ski accident.”Walking” in Michael’s case means users. diving, diving with sharks in Australia, paragliding in carrying his body one step at a time while strapped into Switzerland, eating ghost Chili (the world’s spiciest chili) 15 kg of steel which was originally designed to help him and cliff diving into cold water. stand upright for short periods of time. Michael broke his Ali Mostafa first world record in 2013 by walking 19kms (60,0000

La Boutique launches exclusive collection of original fur a Boutique owned by Hessa Al-Thuwaikh launched its latest winter 2014-2015 collection of natural fur Limported from Europe in a stylish fashion show held at De Brand Chocolate at the Avenues Mall in the presence of a crowd of prominent Kuwaiti figures and representa- tives from the media and press. The show launched various types of jackets, coats and shawls made of foreign high-quality luxury fur. The audi- ence praised the quality and the elegance of the designs that mixed classic and luxury styles. Thuwaikh said La Boutique caters to lovers of luxury fashion in Kuwait. “I am working diligently on a new choice in the global fashion world through fur where ladies can wear fur at all occasions,” she said, adding that the acquisi- tion of original fur pieces is like the acquisition of precious pieces of jewelry and gemstones. lifestyle WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 Travel

Sharm El-Sheikh:City of beauty and peace

Karnak invites Kuwaiti travel agencies, media to Sharm El-Sheikh

iving and snorkeling, windsurfing and oth- Kuwait was covered with because of the smoke Sharm El-Sheikh, namely those from Kuwait. He er water sports, horse and camel riding, resulting from the burning oilfields. “We could not noted that special tours were made for the dele- Ddesert safaris and great nearby historic tell day from night by looking at the sky...it was gation members to introduce various resorts in and religious attractions await you in Sharm El- blackened with black smog and smoke,” said Sharm El-Sheikh and explore security situations Sheikh! Karnak Tourism Company, a subsidiary of Foudah, noting that ever since he left Kuwait on there. Namshan Al-Namshan, the owner of Gulf Egyptair Tourism, and its exclusive agent in July 23, 1991, he has been longing to come back, Travel Agency, stressed that Kuwait fully supports Kuwait, Meir Travel Agency, recently organized a especially, since his brother is a doctor who works Egypt and that Kuwaitis will always support trip to this charming city, to which it invited 22 in Kuwait. tourism in Egypt. representatives of Kuwaiti travel agencies and the Talking about South Sinai, Foudah stressed media. The delegation was received by South that it occupies over 6 percent of Egyptian soil, Sinai Governor Maj Gen Khaled Foudah, who wel- with 34 percent of its total area of 31,000 sq km comed them and reminisced about his memories being reservations and sanctuaries. “South Sinai is on liberating Kuwait from the Iraqi aggression in full of fascinating, picturesque nature and 1991. “I am an Egyptian with a great passion for includes five international reservations at Ras Kuwait,” he stated, noting that as an armored Mohammed (Mohammed Cape), Saint Catherine, corps lieutenant colonel and commander of a Nabq, Abu Galloum and Taba. He also noted that division that was stationed in Hafr Al-Baten in work was in progress to develop the Nuwaibe Saudi Arabia, he was one of the first Egyptian offi- Port at a total cost of 300 million Egyptian pounds cers to enter Kuwait after destroying the Iraqi bar- because it was very significant in linking the East racks in Khafji and liberating Kuwait from the and West. invading Iraqi troops. “My tank was the first to Foudah underlined that as part of his gover- enter Kuwaiti soil at 2:00 pm on Feb 25, 1991,” he norate, Taba was the favorite destination for Jews recalled, noting that he had been honored by for- and ‘the 1948 Arabs’ because it was close to Israel mer Egyptian president Hosni Muabrak for the and much cheaper, where a hotel room costs only role he played in liberating Kuwait. $100 while it costs $300 in Tel Aviv. Speaking about religious tourism, Foudah said Full of fascinating that South Sinai includes one of the most sacred Foudah talked sadly about the darkness spots on Earth - the Sacred Valley where almighty Allah appeared to Prophet Moses (PBUH) and The Kuwaiti delegation visited a number of talked to him. He added that it also includes the hotels and resorts in Sharm El-Sheikh and stayed Saint Catherine Monastery and the Sacred Tree. at the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa, which is “This sacred tree is unique and evergreen all year Rotana’s 5-star property in Sharm El-Sheikh, offer- long. The Israelis tried taking parts of it to be ing a unique coastline embraced by the spectacu- planted in Israel in the same type of soil, but it did lar land and seascapes of Mother Nature. not grow,” he underlined, noting that many visi- Organizing your launches, conferences and tors also visit the governorate for medical tourism events will now be an unforgettable experience. at Oyun Musa (Moses Springs) and the Pharaoh’s The resort is located on the shores of Shark Bay 8 Bath with its healing sulphuric water. km from Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, 7 km away from Na’ama Bay and only 1.5 km away Fully supports from Sharm El-Sheikh International Congress Moving to Sharm El-Sheikh, Foudah said that Centre. with its largest conference hall in the Middle East, Notably, responding to governor Foudah’s it was known as the world’s city of peace. He also wish to visit Kuwait and in appreciation of the role highlighted that the city was secure with com- he played along with the Egyptian troops in liber- plete CCTV security systems that cost 33 million ating Kuwait in 1991, Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Egyptian pounds and that this justifies the over Faisal Al-Humoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah invited him 70 percent hotel occupation rates so far. to visit Kuwait. Karnak president Adel Saleh said that the invi- tation was meant to revive Arab tourist flows to Bryan, Florida Georgia Line lead 2014 American Country Countdown Awards winners

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2014 36

People dressed as Santa Claus run in Tokyo Santa Run at Kasai Rinkai Park in Tokyo, Saturday. Over 400 people participated in the 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) run. — AP China’s mountain hermits seek a highway to heaven ZHONGNAN MOUNTAINS: His unheated hut is half way up a hermits’ political connections. the US, leaving Porter living on government food stamps. But its ground for aspiring hermits, albeit outfitted with electricity and a mountain with no electricity, and his diet consists mostly of cab- Anti-religious campaigns reached fever pitch during the 2006 Chinese translation became a hit, selling more than 100,000 DVD player. bage. But Master Hou says he has found a recipe for joy. “There is decade of upheaval beginning in 1966 known as the Cultural copies. Liu Jingchong, 38, moved in after quitting a lucrative job in the no happier way for a person to live on this earth,” he declared, bal- Revolution, when many of the temples and shrines in the “In the 1980s no one paid the hermits any attention, because southern city of Guangzhou this year, and plans to live completely ancing on a hard wooden stool outside his primitive mud brick Zhongnan Mountains were destroyed and their denizens dis- everyone had a chance to make a buck and improve their lives alone. “I felt life was an endless circle: finding a better car, better dwelling. Hundreds of millions have moved to China’s urban persed. Nonetheless experts estimate several hundred hermits materially,” said the shaggy-bearded author. “People thought it job, a better girlfriend, but not going anywhere,” he said, sitting areas during a decades-long economic boom, but some are turn- survived the period unscathed deep in the hills, with some even absurd to go in the opposite direction.”Now he notes more well- cross-legged on a cushion. ing their backs on the bright lights and big cities to live as isolated said to be unaware the Communists had taken power. educated former professionals among the denizens of what he “When I’m alone on the mountain, I will just need shelter, a hermits. Their numbers have risen since the government relaxed reli- calls “hermit heaven”, and one who did not want to be named told pot, and seeds from the pine trees.” More than half the hermits in Their choice puts them in touch with an ancient tradition gious controls in the 1980s. “Twenty years ago, there were just a AFP he was a government official on sabbatical. “You get a much the range are said to be women, and Li Yunqi, 26, spent several undergoing a surprising modern-day revival. Hundreds of small few hundred people living in the Zhongnan Mountains. But in the wider mix, people who are jaded or disillusioned in the current weeks at the cottages. “I like the life of a hermit, living on a moun- huts dot the jagged peaks of the remote Zhongnan mountains in last few years, the number has increased very quickly,” said Zhang. economy and are seeking something more,” said Porter. tain. I came here for inner peace and to escape the noise of the central China, where followers of Buddhism and local Taoist tradi- “Now perhaps there are too many people blindly moving to city,” she said, wearing a puffy pink coat and fiddling with a smart- tions have for centuries sought to live far from the madding the mountains,” he added. “There are incidents every year, people ‘Inner peace’ phone as an off-road vehicle carried her down a muddy path to crowds.”The Zhongnan mountains have a special aura,” said Hou, eating poisonous mushrooms, or freezing to death... some people China’s decades of breakneck economic growth have created a civilization. — AFP who moved to the hills almost a decade ago and wrapped himself lack common sense.”Much of the hermit revival can be attributed substantial middle class, but a few of them now openly question in a long black robe, smiling as the wind rustled the surrounding to American writer Bill Porter, who in the 1993 published the first materialist values. Around a dozen young people from across woods. book about the mountain dwellers. It was a commercial failure in China live in a clump of wooden huts which acts as a testing Hou grew up in the bustling coastal city of Zhuhai, next to the gambling Mecca of Macau, but now his days consist almost entirely of meditation, with pauses to chop firewood and vegeta- bles. “Cities are places of restless life. Here is where you can find inner joy,” he said. “Now I’m happy to be alone.” Winter temperatures can drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius and deadly snakes lurk under rocks, but the mountaintops are growing increasingly crowded amid rising dissatisfaction with materialism. Hou-who looks in his 40s but says Taoists do not reveal their age-was recently joined by two apprentices. Wang Gaofeng, 26, has a wispier beard than his master, and said he had quit a management-level job in China’s vast railway system a year ago. “Watching TV and playing video games are just temporary excitement, like opium. That kind of pleasure is quickly gone,” he said, chomping on some freshly boiled cabbage.

Poisonous mushrooms It is a radically individualistic contrast to the collectivist mantras of past decades. But today’s hermits are following a well- beaten historical path, and experts say quiet types have preferred to live alone in the mountains of China for more than 3,000 years. Taoism-loosely based on the writings of a mythical figure named Laozi who lived some 2,500 years ago-calls for an adherence to “the way”, which practitioners have long interpreted as a return to the natural world. Unlike their Western equivalents, religiously inspired outsiders who often shunned society completely, China’s mountain dwellers have historically been sought out by politi- cians. “Hermits played a political role, they pushed society forward and maintained ancient ideas,” said Zhang Jianfeng, part-time Gao Ming chanting prayers in her cottage in the Zhongnan Mountains. — AFP photos Gao Ming, a hermit in the Zhongnan Mountains, standing mountain dweller and founder of a Taoism magazine. But the offi- by the gate of her cottage in the Zhongnan Mountains, cially atheist Communist Party came to power in 1949, cutting the north China’s Shaanxi province.

Master Hou working in a field outside his cottage. Master Hou standing outside his cottage in the Zhongnan Mountains. Gao Ming eating noodles outside her cottage.