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Local Spotlight LETTER TO THE EDITOR Why is women’s Let’s give them back their childhood rights still an issue?
By Maimoona Firos
[email protected] By Muna Al-Fuzai here is no system in the world or schools as cheerful and innocent tod- lot about saving trees, saving animals, any school in any country that is dlers soon turn into dull and inactive or saving the planet - what about ‘sav- Tbetter than its teachers. Teachers kids. It is like snatching childhood away ing children’? Aren’t we responsible for [email protected] are the lifeblood of the success of from them. Due to these pressures, their right upbringing? Will just sending schools. But what can the teachers do if playschool teachers also compel 2- and them to any school, pushing them the whole system is defective. 3-year-olds to write before entering towards rote learning make them bet- There are growing concerns among schools. To make matters worse, the ter human beings? Isn’t it our duty to omen’s rights is still an issue, and there’s the parents of children studying in lower kindergarten has adopted cursive instill in them a sense of responsibility no better example than the recent debate Indian schools in Kuwait. Even though letters instead of the normal uppercase and help them find their true purpose Wover Saudi women and their right to they are all CBSE affiliated, there are no letters (ABDC). in life? drive. Argument is an art that Arabs love to prac- proper inspections from the board. The They are even supposed to write As they grow older, emphasis is giv- tice, especially if it is about women’s rights. I came schools follow their own outdated cur- without a single flaw on a four-line en to rote learning. Competitions are up with this opinion by being forced to deal with riculum, giving preference to academics paper. If the child after a lot of effort considered healthy and they are alone. Sports and arts are totally doesn’t write perfectly (the teachers emphasized. Comparisons are made the same topics, discussions and ideas every single ignored and even discouraged. Because themselves are not perfect on five (when the whole world is echoing ‘each day since I was young. of low pay, most of the teachers rarely lines), then remarks are sent to the par- child is unique and special’). When they In the Arab world, women’s rights is a big issue show interest in the overall upbringing ents. Outdoor games are completely reach the secondary level of school, that nearly all men love to speak on their behalf. of a child. And the pressures of finishing stopped - these children are either sent they are strictly told not to participate in Haven’t we heard and learned enough about this the portions are so high that they forget for tuitions or forced by the parents any extracurricular activities or sports the true purpose of a teacher. themselves. They now develop the feel- (due to board exams). topic? For example, when it comes to a woman’s Three and four year olds are inter- ing of hate. The children who once It is high time we do something right to choose her favorite field of work and edu- viewed for admission in the lower loved books and pencils and who about this - either the Embassy of India cation, men still think they have the right to choose kindergarten. They are labeled ‘smart’ eagerly wanted to go to school now or the Ministry of Education has to and give an opinion, which they assume that the or “dumb’ based on this 5-minute inter- start hating the same things they once intervene and take appropriate steps to woman should follow. Some fathers or brothers view. If they do not answer to the loved. stop this. Education doesn’t need to be stranger (as the child sees the teacher) Our concern is: “Why is writing given reformed. It needs to be transformed. may not have a high school certificate, and yet they are declared unfit to attend the so much importance in the early The key to this transformation is not to think that their blood relation makes them entitled school or as in some teachers’ words, stages?” The children are never told the standardize education but to personal- to choose the right work for their “Your child is suffering from some men- true use of letters or are never told that ize it, to build achievement or discover- daughter/sister/wife, and that’s when the struggle tal disorder.” The ashamed and frustrat- they are actually sounds. The child will ing the individual talents of each child, begins. ed parents (who fail to recognize their definitely write on his/her own by the to put students in an environment own child) take all possible measures to age of 5 or 6. They don’t have to be where they want to learn and where I know some may think this is old-fashioned and pressure the child. compelled at such a young age when they can naturally discover their true men today have changed. This is not true, as there And those children who are labeled they have to be taught what is needed passions. are some conservative families who put themselves ‘smart’ and find entry into school have at that age. Did the ‘great minds’ in his- “Come - let’s give them back their in the shoes of their girls and decide everything for another great challenge - ‘writing’. The tory have excellent handwriting? If we childhood,” as Sir Ken Robinson said. them, even marriage. When a woman agrees to first year of the school means “writing, waste a child’s blossoming years in forc- NOTE: Firos is a qualified academician this, her rights become a topic for only men to writing and only writing!” And if the ing him/her to read and write, can we and a preschool teacher with over 15 child can’t write - he or she is alleged to bring out his/her inner talent? years’ experience in Kuwait. She runs an speak about. suffer from ADHD. The child is ridiculed, Instead of producing great minds, institution for preparing preschool chil- Recently, the Saudi social media had a heated punished and even slapped in front of we are busy making machines. Aren’t dren for kindergarten. She holds a degree debate over women’s right to drive. It is not an the child’s classmates. we responsible for our children, who in political science and a master’s in soci- issue anywhere in the world or even in this region, The children who entered the are the future of this planet? We talk a ology. except in Saudi Arabia where women are not allowed to drive. I logged onto one of the Saudi blogs and was amazed over the different com- ments that mostly opposed the right of women to drive, while only a few supported it. Unsurprisingly, most comments were made by men and only one or two were by women. Those who deny this right used religion, as they claim it denies women this right because of the consequences while driving. Some tried to justify their view by saying that what would a woman do if her car broke down in the middle of the road, or who would change the oil for her. And some even wondered who would give her the ticket if she violates traffic laws. Few supported women’s right to drive as it is better than hiring a male driver. And some others saw no harm to society for women to drive. So far, this issue is still under discussion and not over yet. Her right to drive is still in men’s hands. Some claim it’s societal rejection, while others say it is only a matter of time. There is a need to discuss why women’s rights is still an issue in our societies. Why most of her rights are being associated with denial by religious men. There are many questions but few answers and the latest Saudi debate is a living example. I think it is time to call intellectuals and media writers to add a new topic to their agenda, which is to free women’s KUWAIT: After years of lagging, Kuwait’s construction sector has started to pick up as the government begins to imple- rights from conservative thinking. ment several new mega-projects and tenders that have been shelved for years are finally being issued. Photo shows the construction of a highway overpass in Kuwait. Local FRIDAY, NOVEMEBER 14, 2014
Conspiracy Theories Crab mentality
By Badrya Darwish
s it only in Kuwait or all over the world? People are the the ants’ or bees’ organizational and cooperation skills. same. Not in their looks or nationalities or language. But our friend the crab is totally on the other side. IThe world is diverse and it’s the creation of God that Crabs in a bucket will always pull each other down, people don’t look the same and don’t speak the same diminish their success and ultimately none of them will language and adopt differing ways of life. But I think we make it. But it looks like humans also have this crab men- are all one in heart. In how we feel towards humanity and tality. They hate success for each other. I don’t know if it’s towards each other - our basic reactions and instincts are from envy, selfishness, competitiveness or total igno- mainly the same, though there is some variation of atti- rance and stupidity. Because at the end of the day, if you tudes. Attitudes are the difference between people. This stop someone from advancing and succeeding, you also is what can make you bad or good or even worse. limit your own opportunities for chances and success. For instance, a friend set up a small business and some Imagine if the entire society was a crab society - then of us encouraged her, but I noticed that most were none of us will be able to accomplish or take a step for- demoralizing and mocking her. Instead of giving tips or ward or build something bigger or improve the situation. constructive criticism or even encouragement, they are Then life becomes really very dull and very limited and all mocking her and gossiping about her. And you feel it’s there will be no advancements and no accomplishments envy. in life, even in the scientific realm. KUWAIT: Temperatures in the mid 20s, clear skies and I was reminded of this American saying about ‘crabs in So a piece of advice to the crab society - look at the pleasant breezes heralded the start of Kuwait’s short but a bucket’. I’m sure you all know what I mean. The idea is longer term and the overall picture. And think what are much-enjoyed winter. People all across the country are that crabs will never work together to build something, they getting out of this hatred and envy and discourage- spending time outdoors at parks, beaches, outdoor unlike ants or bees that are incredibly orderly and work as ment of others. events, marathons, walkathons and other activities to a team as if they are a disciplined army to build their soci- take advantage of the rare and enjoyable weather. Photo eties. Even a computerized system will fail in the face of BadryaD shows bicyclists during the recent walkathon organized by Landmark in Salmiya. — Photo by Yasser Al Zayyat Subhan: Dynamic and secluded
By Ben Garcia
ave you ever been to Subhan Industrial Area? Kuwait Times visited this remote but dynamic place and spoke to workers who’ve been there for years. Antonio Consuelo has worked in a chemical factory in Subhan for over 10 years. He said he lives and breathes the place and likes it more Hthan any other place in Kuwait. “I like the serenity and cleanliness of the surroundings, probably because this was the first place I got to know when I came to Kuwait. Given the fact that it’s an industrial zone, the place is really serene with few people walking around and unlike other places in Kuwait, here we don’t experience traffic jams at all,” he said. Subhan: Dynamic and secluded
By Ben Garcia
ave you ever been to Subhan Industrial Area? Kuwait Times visited this remote but dynamic place and spoke to workers who’ve been there for years. Antonio Consuelo has worked in a chemical factory in Subhan for over 10 years. He said he lives and breathes the place and likes it more Hthan any other place in Kuwait. “I like the serenity and cleanliness of the surroundings, probably because this was the first place I got to know when I came to Kuwait. Given the fact that it’s an industrial zone, the place is really serene with few people walking around and unlike other places in Kuwait, here we don’t experience traffic jams at all,” he said. Local5
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Subhan can be reached by car and public transport (via KPTC buses 40 and 41 that ply from 5 am to 10:30 pm). It is located right across Kuwait International Airport and opposite the 360 Mall off the Sixth Ring Road in South Surra. The place is somehow close, so why do people called it secluded? Because Subhan is the only area right in the middle of the desert, separate from commercial and residential areas. It is hardly visited by people who are not working or somehow connected to activities there. The industrial area comprises of 11 blocks that divided according to the nature of business- es there. Some of the multinational companies in Subhan include Pepsi Cola Bottling Com- pany, Coca Cola Bottling Plant, Kuwait Danish Dairy (KDD), ABC, Al-Yasrah Company, Khazan and the noticeably huge facilities of Kuwait Food Company (Americana). There are many other chemical factories manufacturing paints, shampoos and cosmetic products. Kuwait Flour Mills also has a gigantic factory there, evidenced by the aroma of bakery products emanating from their huge kitchen facilities. The Kuwait Flour Mills has been a major distributor of daily supplies of pita bread, sliced bread and buns in Kuwait for many years. However, many supermarkets, co-ops and hypermarkets are now outsourcing their other bak- ery products to newer but smaller bakeries. In addition, the largest storage facility and laboratory of medical supplies and equipment in Kuwait (for private and public clinics and hospitals) are also situated in Subhan. These are being maintained by the Ministry of Health.
All Needs are Met Consuelo said Subhan houses a small cooperative society, two Indian restaurants, one pub- lic clinic and several mosques. Ambulances and 24-hour standby firefighters are also ready to respond in case of emergency and fire. Many banks also have branches in Subhan. Not far from the entrance to the area, a gasoline station serves customers 24/7. A few years back, Subhan had a few scattered camps to accommodate workers, but a real estate company recently built a residential compound in the middle of the area. The residential compound comprises of more than 20 buildings constructed uniformly. “The compound is rented to various companies and some of their workers are now staying here instead of going out of the zone. Those who have families are the only ones who are coming and going out of the area, but those who are ‘bachelors’ stay here and do not even bother going out of Subhan,” Consuelo said. Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 7 High prices hit Kuwait middle class
A growing number of Kuwait’s residents are seeking deals and dis- counts to alleviate the effects of the rising cost of living
By Faten Omar means of most of the middle class-locals and on Instagram said. expatriates. According to a recent study, the Others, however, feel that prices are KUWAIT: Few months ago, Shaimaa cost of living in Kuwait is the highest in the uncontrolled and that some businesses are Mohamed, a housewife in Kuwait decided to Gulf and the purchasing power has increased taking advantage of the situation. “There are buy new home furniture. She searched for the rates significantly. The study showed that many Instagram accounts that sell dresses sometimes, but was shocked to find the price some commodity prices are twice those in imported from the US for thousands of of furniture in many shops has skyrocketed. the Gulf markets. For instance, a gallon of Kuwaiti dinars - but in US, some of those In order to save money, she decided to buy a cooking oil sold for KD1.370 costs only 714 dresses cost only $400 each,” said Noor Ashi, bedroom set after she found an advert that fils in Bahrain. a 28 year old who travels frequently to US. was posted on the Facebook’s classified At the same time, a growing online-based Not only online accounts have raised page. But she was disappointed when she business trend has opened a new avenue of prices in recent months. Restaurants now realized the entire sets were bug-infested. “I competition for traditional brick and mortar charge more for bottled water and a main bought the sets from a woman I met on businesses. The catch, however, seems to be course can run as high as KD 10 in some Facebook. She seemed polite and kind. At that few of the products sold online are restaurants. “You may order a pasta dish at a first, I liked the sets, but two days later, I cheaper. “I’m one of those people who have price of KD 6. I know that the same pasta may found the bed bugs. I had to throw all the an account on Facebook. My passion is food. only cost KD 2 in other restaurants. But you furniture away and when I tried to contact I am skilled and creative in cooking. The meal pay for the luxury decor and great view. This the lady again, she never responded,” doesn’t cost me a lot because I buy in whole- makes me look good and rich in front my Shaimaa said. sale. I sell each meal KD 6,” explained Anod friends, so I don’t mind spending more,” said A growing number of Kuwait’s residents Ghamdi, a 26 year old Saudi national living in Fadi Alshazly, a Jordanian living and working are seeking deals and discounts to alleviate Kuwait. “When you price it, you must keep in in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti dinar remains one of the effects of the rising cost of living. mind the cost and effort that goes into the the strongest currencies in the world - giving Kuwait’s inflation rate rose to 3.2 percent work” she added. residents an advantage when they travel year-on-year in September - its highest level Another online business owner agrees abroad. But at home, the high cost of living is since April 2012, according to the Gulf state’s that prices are higher but argued that they also fueling growing dissatisfaction that Central Statistical Bureau. Prices of basic reflect the handmade, artisanal nature of the could result in a brain drain as more skilled commodities like food and beverages rose to products. “Yes, we do make normal things workers are now seeking higher salaries and 2.7 percent on an annual basis and 0.8 per- that you can buy from any store at a lower lower living costs elsewhere. cent from the previous month. Housing price. But we make it special and put our costs, which account for nearly 29 percent of touch to it and the profit is only 20 percent,” consumer expenses, also rose to 4.4 percent. 22 year old Latifa Al Shamri, a young Kuwaiti The cost of living has risen far beyond the entrepreneur who sells handmade necklaces Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Dow Chemical to reduce stake in Kuwait joint ventures KUWAIT: Dow Chemical has decided to centage stake inside and outside Kuwait. diethylene glycol. Established in July Greater Equate joint ventures to further reduce its stake in two multi-billion dollar It provided no further details. Dow and 2004, MEGlobal currently markets over enhance their already demonstrated petrochemicals joint ventures with PIC each hold 42.5 percent stakes in 2.5 million tons a year globally. strong value and performance,” it said. Kuwait, the US firm and its Kuwaiti part- Equate, with the rest held by private Dow said the move, expected to be “This strategic action allows us to rede- ner said yesterday. “Dow will reconfigure Kuwaiti firms Boubyan Petrochemical Co finalised in mid-2015, is a purely invest- ploy capital to more strategic purposes,” and reduce its equity base in the and Al-Qurain Petrochemicals. Equate, ment decision. “While Dow will retain a said Andrew Liveris, Dow’s chairman and MEGlobal and Greater Equate joint ven- which began operations in 1997, has a substantial stake in these long-term part- chief executive officer. Last year, Kuwait tures,” with Kuwait’s state-owned total annual production capacity of 5.0 nerships, this effort will open opportuni- paid a $2.2 billion penalty to Dow after Petrochemicals Industries Co. (PIC), the million tons, mainly of polyethylene, eth- ties for new investment in these success- unilaterally pulling out of a signed con- US firm said in a statement on its website. ylene glycol and styrene. MEGlobal, ful and growing enterprises. “Dow tract for a $17.4 billion joint venture. PIC said it has been informed by its headquartered in Dubai, manufactures remains committed to maximizing the Kuwaiti lawmakers criticized the deal and partner that it intends to reduce its per- and markets monoethylene glycol and overall value of both MEGlobal and the set up a commission of inquiry. — AFP News New Security Forces command in Brief center launched in Sulaibiya Kuwait backs UNSC reforms
NEW YORK: Kuwait hopes for progress in the efforts to enhance Minister highlights support to security, stability and reform the UN Security Council, said a Kuwaiti diplomat. Second secretary at the Kuwaiti mission to the UN, Hassan Shakr KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Abulhassan, said that his country was eager to see some improve- Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al- ments within the UNSC, Hamad Al-Sabah yesterday said the state affirming the necessity of offers security bodies and personnel all reaching an agreement forms of support. Opening the new Security regarding the expansion Forces command center and camp in and reforming the coun- Sulaibiya, Sheikh Mohammad said that the cil. He was addressing a giant project reflects the limitless backing by UN General Assembly’s His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- session debating the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness issue of “fair representa- the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- tion” in the council. Any Jaber Al-Sabah, to national security. plans for progression Sheikh Mohammad was joined by Second secretary at the Kuwaiti should stem from the Minister of Public Works and Minister of mission to the UN, Hassan Shakr idea of increasing the Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim in Abulhassan. number of states at the opening one of the biggest construction UNSC for better perform- projects of the Interior Ministry. Senior offi- ance and justice, said the diplomat, adding that the council should cials from the two ministries attended the also look into procedures like veto which should be refined and opening ceremony. He underlined the role improve to better handle international situations. He said that by the security bodies to preserve stability of Kuwait welcomes proposals like the one from France, a member of the country, which is necessary for invest- KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al- the UNSC, which called for nullifying the veto in cases involving ment and development. He added that the Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Minister of Public Works and Minister of human rights violations. new building is one of several projects within the framework of a policy for developing and Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim inaugurate the new Security Forces modernizing the Ministry’s infrastructure, in command center and camp in Sulaibiya. — KUNA close cooperation with the Ministry of Public Ibrahim, noting that they had exerted Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled who supports Works. He expressed hope, that the rest of utmost efforts to abolish all obstacles facing all efforts to provide security personnel with development plans of all the security proj- work on it. a favorable environment to perform their ects would be completed soon. The project is Preparedness and readiness of the securi- mission, Al-Fahad added. Interior Ministry’s “an integrated entity of utilities and services”, ty forces and upgrading their efficiency and Assistant Undersecretary for Special Forces Minister of Public Works and Minister of performance constitute the major concern of Affairs Major General Mahmoud Al-Doseri Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim all the officials of the Interior Ministry, the said that the project includes several facilities said. It is a huge project Kuwaiti people are ministry’s Undersecretary Lt General for education, training and sports in addition bound to be proud of. Total costs of the proj- Sulaiman Al-Fahad, said. Plans for develop- to dormitories, shooting ranges, a mosque, ect, built on an area of 630,000 square ing and streamlining the national security an Olympic size swimming pool, and clinic, meters, have hit KD 57 million, said Al- system is closely watched by Interior Minister besides other buildings. — KUNA EFG Hermes and KIG sign a Kuwait Minister Hind Al-Sabeeh visits the GCC MoU for projects in Egypt Producing Families Exhibition. CAIRO: The EFG Hermes Foundation yesterday signed a ‘Productive Gulf families’ Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kuwaiti Initiative Group DOHA: The visiting Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs and Labor (KIG) for financing a development project in the village of Al- Hind Sabeeh Al-Sabeeh has praised the qualitative and metic- Makhzan, in Qena governorate. The agreement is part of the contin- ulously-made products and services offered by “productive ued joint efforts towards sustainable development. The deal stipu- families” in member countries of the Gulf Cooperation lates that the KIG supports the Egyptian people - under the umbrella Council. The minister, in remarks to KUNA after she inaugurat- of Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society - by rebuilding and restoring about ed, late on Wednesday, “the fair of productive Gulf families,” 362 houses, as a first phase, in the village and the old school by pro- held as part of the affiliated activities of the Fourth GCC viding it with scientific equipment. It also aims to build another new The EFG Hermes Foundation and Kuwaiti Initiative Group school and an automatic bakery there. Festival for Social Work, said she was deeply impressed with The signing ceremony, which took place at the Four Seasons Nile (KIG) officials. the innovated products, namely Kuwaiti-made handicraft Plaza Hotel, was attended by Dr. Ghada Wali, Minister of Social Hanaa Helmy. El-Sayer told KUNA in a statement that the initiative items, displayed at the pavilions. Elaborating, she noted that Solidarity and other senior officials from the two sides. In a statement aims at providing cash money to the poor families across Egypt espe- the ministry has recently inaugurated “the boutique-33 exhi- to KUNA, Ghali thanked the KIG’s president and Kuwaiti society for cially as the country has been experiencing political and economic bition for supporting the productive families” in Kuwait, their support and effort aimed at developing Egyptian villages. She events for three years. affirming that it also regularly trains, educate and supply these highlighted the importance of the project as a model case of cooper- She added that the initiative also seeks to provide food to the families with raw materials. The Kuwaiti pavilion at the fair ation between the two nations. Attending the signing ceremony, she poor in collaboration with Egypt’s Food Bank. El-Sayer noted that includes some of the products, fabricated by these Kuwaiti said, reflects that the two peoples have historical and warm relations. Egypt supported many Arab countries many years ago when they families. A national project, themed “min kasb yadi (earned The minister promised to provide all required support to this initiative faced difficult conditions. “We came here to do a favor to Egypt which and others aimed at carrying out development projects in Egypt, supported us a lot,” she said. She pointed out that Kuwaitis can never with my bare hands), aims to train these citizens. Musallam Al- which have proven their success over the past years. forget Egypt’s support in 1990, saying Egypt is in the heart of the Sebaiee, in charge of the family care department at the She also underlined the importance of such an initiative as it could Arab nation. “This is a volunteering action and has no political or sec- Kuwaiti ministry, said this program includes year-long techni- improve services to the village’s residents and be an attractive way to tarian consideration.” This development project represents an exten- cal, handicraft and academic courses for the female citizens the residents who left their houses due to poor conditions. The deal sion of the vision of EFG Hermes Foundation for Social Development that benefit from the ministry’s support. was signed by Head of the Kuwaiti Initiative Group Adla Mussaed El- that aims at combating poverty by carrying out sustained develop- Sayer and Chief Executive Officer of the EFG Hermes Foundation ment in Egyptian villages and the rural areas. — KUNA Local FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Crime Fifth Nuqat Creative Report Accidents kill Conference kicks off one, injure many By Nawara Fattahova
KUWAIT: The fifth Nuqat Creative Conference was launched yesterday at the Amricani Cultural Center. The conference - themed ‘The Missing Link; Practicing the Collective Approach’ is scheduled to hold on November 13 - to 19. It is sponsored by IKEA-Al-Homaizi ltd, Gatehouse Bank and Elevation Burger in cooperation with Al- Amricani Cultural Center and Bait Al Sadu. This year’s conference tackles Arab cultur- al exchange. In the hopes of achieving the ultimate goal of being a cultural crossroad By Hanan Al-Saadoun that connects Arab thinkers and creators, Nuqat is using this opportunity to facilitate KUWAIT: A citizen was seriously injured in a collision along communication and creative exchange. King Fahad highway. Security sources said that fire fighters The Conference features various work- were dispatched to the scene. They cut open the wreckage in shops and activities focusing on group Some participants pictured during the opening ceremony. — Photos by order to take the driver out. He was later rushed to Adan hos- work and creative collaboration. It Joseph Shagra pital. In another development, an Asian was killed and 16 oth- includes activities such as lectures, work- ers were injured when a bus carrying a number of Asian work- shops and cultural entertainment. Cultural “Collaboration is something the Middle ers collided with a truck along Fahaheel expressway, said secu- pioneers and innovative leaders will gath- East has been known for historically, mak- rity sources, noting that some of the bus passengers had been er from around the Gulf region and the ing it a prominent arena for cultural trapped in the wreckage. Middle East to exchange ideas. exchange and shared knowledge. Nuqat “Our aim is to rebuild collaboration and has selected the forerunners in a number Egyptian fraudster nabbed creative exchange in the Middle East. We of cultural fields to share their work and hope that this project will help to develop An Egyptian was recently collaborative experiences. Participants in the documentation of Gulf and Arab cul- arrested for fraud. According ‘The missing link: practicing the collective tural identity, as well as reflect our deter- to security sources, the sus- approach’ were invited to embrace the mination to enact change in the region,”, pect used to fill empty smart opportunity to learn new skills,” Al Hussa Al Humaidhi, a founding member of mobile boxes with some Humaidhi further added. Nuqat said during the inaugural event. metallic objects after which Nuqat aims to establish Nuqat insti- The conference presents the experiences he will seal and sell them as tutes in different cities across the Middle and experiments of pioneers in variety of brand new mobile phones. East and to develop a specialized educa- cultural arenas, in addition to providing a Case papers indicate that sev- tional curriculum, in addition to organiz- range of fun and educational activities eral mobile phone vendors ing the ongoing annual Nuqat confer- including: creative teaching methods, made the same complaints that someone had sold mobile ences for tackling a variety of pressing script writing, art management, filmmak- Nuqat presents award to one of the phones to them but on opening the boxes they only found topics in the creative realm. Since 2009, ing, product design, psychology, music sponsors of the conference. some metal objects. The suspect was arrested in possession Nuqat has been hosting conferences composition and improvisation. concepts; and most importantly, to work of several boxes he was about to sell. and a wide range of activities including Participants at the “Missing Link” con- with others. Nuqat hopes to implement workshops, exhibitions and design com- ference were invited to join Nuqat in this vision by identifying, addressing and petitions. Those who are interested in Copper cables stolen spreading the importance of “Practicing solving creative issues in order to educate joining the workshops and activities can MEW’s legal representative recently filed a complaint report- the Collective Approach” and sharing the the public and gather a diverse cast of register on line http://nuqat.me for a ing that unidentified robbers had damaged 130 light posts cultural visions, which are: to invest in qualified actors to play an active role in symbolic onetime fee valid for the whole along Subbiya highway and stolen copper cables worth of learning new skills; develop new ideas and bringing change in Middle East. conference. KD117,000. Diabetes - Kuwait ranked 9th globally
KUWAIT: Kuwait ranks ninth globally with respect of number of citizens suffering from diabetes in the 20-70 age category, said Dr Faisal Hamed Al-Rifaee of the Dasman Diabetes Institute. Proportion of the diabetics’ cases in the country has reached 23.1 percent of the population, with a proportion of one individual per four, as compared to the sixth rank last year, when it reached 23.9 percent, said the doctor in a statement to KUNA, one day before the UN planned to mark the World Diabetes Day-indicat- ing success of the national educational programs and activities against this serious disease. A large segment of the society are prone to become diabetic, Director General of the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training Dr Ahmad Al-Athari with GCC officials. — KUNA he said, adding that they constitute 18 percent of the Kuwaiti people, and this places Kuwait second globally in relation to this particularly proportion. He also affirmed that the Kuwaitis who PAAET underlines significance suffer from the disease and those expected to develop it consti- tute up to 40 percent of the populace. Nevertheless, the Kuwaiti authorities seek to stay abreast of latest treatments and innova- of the inter-GCC cooperation tions to cure the disease and supply treatments, he said. The UN General Assembly, in December 2006, announced that diabetes KUWAIT: Director General of the Public Authority for Applied Education affirmed that regular reciprocal visits by officials in this domain in the is a chronic and costly to treat disease, where the patient may and Training Dr Ahmad Al-Athari yesterday affirmed the need of swap- GCC are intended for that particular purpose. Osama Al-Duaij, also a develop hazardous complications. It declared November 14 as ping educational experience among the GCC countries. Dr Al-Athari, in deputy director general and organizer of the GCC delegation’s mis- the World Diabetes Day, effective 2007. remarks to KUNA on fringes of a meeting with GCC officials in charge of sion in the country, indicated that the Kuwaiti and GCC officials Dr Al-Rifaee, in the remarks to KUNA, turned to the Kuwaiti technical teaching and vocational training, affirmed that pooling the reached recommendations, such as “twinning all technical and voca- Institute’s activities, saying it cooperates with renowned interna- expertise in this vital sector among the GCC member states is of maxi- tional institutions in the Gulf States and unifying some technical tional institutes, academies and university, such as Harvard, mum benefit to these countries. Using educational experience of a GCC expressions and terms.” The GCC delegation has paid a two-day visit Oxford and Cambridge. —KUNA state is better than seeking those of other nations, he opined. to the country, examining PAAET’s experience in applied education Hajraf Al-Hajraf, PAAET’s Deputy Director General for Training, and training. — KUNA FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Kerry meets Bombs hit near Syrian rebels in Abbas as Mideast shuttered Egypt, south emerge as tensions11 soar UAE12 embassies West’s13 last hope
QALAMUN: A Syrian rebel fighting group climbs down the side of a mountain on the Syrian side of the Qalamun hills close to the Lebanese borders. — AFP Lebanon politics paralyzed by regional conflict Iran and Saudi direct Lebanese political decisions
BEIRUT: With Lebanon’s most powerful political said in an commentary published this week. Lebanon has prevented hegemony by one party ers are so entrenched to their positions that they parties funded and often directed by regional Lebanese rivalries mirror competition and allowed a vocal civil society to flourish. But are unable to reach agreement.” Tourism and powers, the country has for decades been affect- between regional states, notably Shiite Muslim aspiring politicians and activists say they are now investment have dropped. The stalemate has ed by events in the Middle East. But extraordinary Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, which wield decisive unable to push through any change. Mark Daou, hampered efforts to tackle public debt, exploit chaos is exploding around the tiny influence over Lebanese politics. Powerful Shiite a 35-year-old independent candidate, was can- potential off-shore gas reserves and improve Mediterranean state and Lebanon’s leaders have Hezbollah leads one bloc while Sunnis under for- vassing in his district of 120,000 voters in early crumbling infrastructure. tried to isolate themselves as best they can. The mer prime minister Saad Al-Hariri lead the other. 2013 to run for parliament. Now he’ll wait until result has been a near complete shutdown of Christians, guaranteed the presidency, are divid- 2017. “The extension is a disaster ... The entire Presidential vacuum Lebanese political life. The stalemate is choking a ed. With Iran and Saudi Arabia supporting oppos- existence of the state is being delegitimized sim- A government formed in February with Saudi- democracy that appears imperfect but has ing sides of the Syrian civil war, the past three ply by not allowing citizens of Lebanon to Iranian blessing has spared Lebanon from com- allowed for a civil society that thrives in a way not years have seen regional enmity rise followed by express their opinions in the poll,” he said. His plete vacuum. But it has struggled to take even seen in other Arab countries. Citing fears that the a crisis in Lebanese politics 25 years after an frustration was matched by protesters who threw basic decisions and politicians say the two pow- security situation in Lebanon is too fragile to hold agreement to end its own 15-year civil war. tomatoes at convoys of MPs as they arrived at ers are unwilling to forge a similar consensus for elections, parliamentarians last week decided to parliament to vote to extend their rule. “No the presidency. Fifteen parliamentary sessions extend their term for a second time, effectively Politics frozen extension” is graffitied across Beirut. called since May to appoint a president have doubling their constitutionally decreed four years Without regional rapprochement, politics in With many political leaders former militia failed. Breaking the political deadlock will likely in parliament. Lebanon has frozen with parties unable to make leaders from the civil war, Daou says his goal is to require regional states to broker an agreement Meanwhile, the presidency-which is elected agreements beyond keeping the country run- use a grassroots movement to “break the monop- similar to one concluded in Qatar in 2008 that by MPs-has been vacant for five months, and for ning, just about. “Everything is connected. If we oly of the traditional sectarian religious parties.” resulted in parliament electing former army com- most of last year there was also no cabinet. “The are looking towards a solution for our presidency Sami Baroudi, a political analyst at the Lebanese mander Michel Suleiman as head of state. The extension of the parliament mandate pushes situation in Lebanon, we would also be looking American University in Beirut, says that the influ- country is experiencing some of its worst sectari- Lebanon one step further away from reform, for other solutions for the whole region,” Prime ence of regional players on Lebanese politicians an violence in years. On-off fighting rages in the while also exposing the bankruptcy and paralysis Minister Tammam Salam said on Wednesday. “At is marginalizing the state. “We have a very, very coastal city of Tripoli and Sunni Muslim gunmen of our political system,” Sami Atallah, executive the moment, unfortunately, there is nothing in volatile mix. A region on fire, a civil war raging on briefly took over the north eastern town of Arsal director of the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies light yet.” The sectarian balance of power in your borders and at the same time the local play- this summer. —Reuters International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Russia on the spot
DONETSK: International pressure on Russia was mounting yes- round of fighting after seeing “increased activity” by Russia and “return to full-scale fighting”; a continuation of the current situ- terday over claims it is sending fresh military hardware into pro-Moscow rebels in the east. Observers from the Organization ation “for months” with low level battles punctuated by periods eastern Ukraine which could fuel a return to all-out conflict. for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have reported of increased hostility”; or a “frozen” conflict which could draw After NATO accused Russia of deploying tanks, troops and mili- sighting a number of unmarked military convoys heading out the current situation for decades. The Ukraine crisis has sent tary hardware to the region, Ukraine said four of its soldiers had towards rebel strongholds in recent days. relations between Russia and the West plummeting to their been killed in the past 24 hours and 18 wounded. There were a The West is watching anxiously to see how the situation in lowest point since the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir string of explosions late Wednesday in the rebel stronghold of eastern Ukraine will develop as the former Soviet state’s harsh Putin is likely to face fresh pressure over Ukraine at a G20 sum- Donetsk but the situation was calm yesterday, an AFP reporter winter kicks in. Toyberg-Frandzen outlined three scenarios-a mit in Brisbane from Saturday. — AFP said, with only occasional exchanges of fire. Rebels said three people were injured in shelling in Donetsk Wednesday. The skirmishes on the ground played out against a backdrop of rising Western concern over claims that Russia is dispatching reinforcements to the east of the former Soviet state. NATO’s commander in Europe, US General Philip Breedlove, said Wednesday that “columns of Russian equip- ment, primarily Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defense systems and Russian combat troops” were entering Ukraine. His comments came shortly before an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council at which Assistant Secretary-General Jens Anders Toyberg-Frandzen said it “deeply concerned” by a possible return to full-scale fighting. The US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, said Russia “talks peace but it keeps fuel- ing war” and accused it of working to undermine September’s Minsk agreement, which included a ceasefire. But Russia’s Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Alexander Pankin, described NATO claims of a Russian military buildup in east Ukraine as a “foray into propaganda”.
Uncertainty Pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine have been fighting Ukrainian forces since April in a war which has claimed more than 4,000 lives and driven hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Moscow has repeatedly denied involvement in the fighting but openly gives political backing to the self- declared separatist statelets in the east. A shaky ceasefire has been in place for two months and has stopped much frontline fighting although shelling at strategic flashpoints continues. Kiev warned Wednesday it was preparing for a possible new Kerry meets Abbas as Mideast tensions soar
AMMAN: US Secretary of State John Kerry met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Jordan yesterday for talks aimed at calming a wave of violence gripping Israel and the occu- pied territories. The meeting in Amman came hours after fresh clashes broke out in east Jerusalem where Israeli police fired tear gas, percussion bombs and rubber bullets to disperse Palestinian demonstrators. Months-long unrest in annexed east Jerusalem has in recent days spread to the occupied West Bank and Arab communities across Israel, raising fears of a new Palestinian uprising. The meeting between Abbas and Kerry, who arrived in Jordan late on Wednesday, came a day after Israel approved plans for another 200 settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem-a move sharply criticized by Washington. Kerry and a sombre-looking Abbas embraced and had a brief whispered exchange as they met at the Palestinian leader’s hillside home in Amman where the US and Palestinian flags hung in front of a large night-time photo of Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque. Much of the unrest in Jerusalem has been fuelled by Israeli moves to step up settle- ment activity in the city’s eastern sector and by religious ten- sions at the Al-Aqsa compound, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews. Earlier, a tense confrontation erupted in the city’s Issawiya neighborhood as about 100 residents, including schoolchildren, tried to block a main road after police closed off several neighborhood entrances with concrete blocks. A local activist denounced the blocks as “collective punish- ment” against Palestinians in Jerusalem. The Palestinians have also been infuriated by a far-right Jewish campaign for prayer rights at the Al-Aqsa compound, although Israel insists it has no plans to change the decades-old status quo. Israel’s Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said the authorities were on alert for more unrest, after several attacks in recent weeks by Palestinians wielding knives or ploughing cars into pedestrians. “I believe there will still be terror attacks and oth- er incidents in the near future,” he said. — AFP International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Bombs hit near shuttered Egypt and UAE embassies TRIPOLI: Twin car bombs struck near the lessness in the Tripoli area,” the official said, shuttered Egyptian and United Arab speaking on condition of anonymity. He Emirates embassy buildings in the militia- said the blast showed the need for greater controlled Libyan capital yesterday, an AFP support for Libya’s internationally recog- correspondent and a UAE official said. Two nized government, which took refuge in the guards posted outside the empty Egyptian remote east of the country after the militia embassy compound were wounded in the takeover of the capital. “The unruly condi- first blast, Libya’s LANA news agency report- tion that we are seeing will deteriorate fur- ed. Three more posted outside the empty ther if the extremist militia continue to con- UAE compound were wounded in the sec- trol the Libyan capital,” he said. ond, a senior official told AFP in Abu Dhabi. Washington confirmed that Abu Dhabi Both governments are considered hos- launched air strikes against militia fighters tile by the Islamist-led militias which seized from an Egyptian base in August in an Tripoli in August in an offensive during abortive attempt to prevent their capture of which UAE warplanes carried out strikes Tripoli airport. Egypt has denied participat- against them from neighboring Egypt. The ing in the raids. Egypt closed its embassy in first bomb went off in a car park close to the Tripoli in January and the UAE followed suit Egyptian embassy building, shattering sev- in May as security conditions in the capital eral of its windows, the AFP correspondent deteriorated. CAIRO: Egyptian security forces and rescue workers carry an injured person on a stretcher reported. The second went off minutes later Three years after dictator Muammar after a small bomb exploded in a metro train yesterday in the capital Cairo. — AFP just outside the UAE mission compound, Gaddafi was toppled and killed in a NATO- wounding the three guards, who were not backed revolt, Libya is awash with weapons Emiratis, the Abu Dhabi official said. and powerful militias, and run by rival gov- Militants kill 5 Egypt’s “This is an indication of the state of law- ernments and parliaments. — AFP troops in restive Sinai 16 hurt in crush after Cairo metro bomb
EL-ARISH: Islamic militants set up roadblocks and and that 32 attackers were arrested. Five troops were killed five policemen and soldiers yesterday in Egypt’s wounded in the attack. Earlier, the official MENA news restive northern Sinai, where authorities declared a agency said gunmen from three boats fired at the state of emergency after a major attack last month, naval patrol Wednesday north of Damietta, prompting officials said. The officials said that in two separate an exchange of fire. No further details were available. attacks, masked militants blocked roads with their pickup trucks and stopped vehicles with troops or Cairo metro bomb policemen. In another development, sixteen people were In one attack, near town of Sheikh Zuweyid, mili- injured yesterday in a panicked crush on a Cairo metro tants dragged three soldiers out of their car and killed train after a small bomb exploded during rush hour, them. In the other attack, two policemen were officials said. Egypt has been hit by a wave of attacks snatched from their vehicle near the border town of since the military overthrew Islamist president Rafah and shot to death. The officials said those killed Mohamed Morsi last year, infuriating his supporters. in both attacks were off-duty and wearing civilian Health ministry official Ahmad Al-Ansari said that all 16 clothes. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity were lightly injured in a “stampede” caused by yester- because they were not authorized to speak to media. day’s explosion, adding that nobody was struck by The northern part of the Sinai Peninsula has been shrapnel. Metro authority spokesman Ahmed Abdel under a state of emergency since a militant attack on Hady said the “sound bomb” had been placed inside a an army checkpoint last month killed 31 soldiers. bag, leading to panic on the train. The blast came after Egyptian security forces have increasingly come under the Egyptian military said one of its navy vessels came attack since the ouster of Islamist President under “terrorist” attack on Wednesday in the Mohammed Morsi last year. Authorities have ordered Mediterranean, leaving five servicemen injured and residents living along the border between northern eight others missing at sea. Last week a bomb on a Sinai and the Gaza Strip to relocate in order demolish train north of the capital killed four people, including more than 800 houses and create a buffer zone to pre- two policemen, while blasts in the Cairo metro and vent the movement of weapons and fighters through near a presidential palace wounded several others. underground tunnels. Egypt is fighting an Islamist militant insurgency that The attacks in Sinai came hours after the Egyptian has killed scores of policemen and soldiers, but a mar- army announced eight naval forces went missing dur- itime attack is unprecedented. Many of the previous ing an assault by “terrorist elements” on a navy patrol attacks have been claimed by the Sinai-based jihadist boat off the Mediterranean port city of Damietta. Brig group Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, which on Monday Gen Mohammed Samir said in on his official Facebook pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State group in Iraq page yesterday that four assault boats were destroyed and Syria. — Agencies Turkey’s role in Libya adds to pro-Islamist perception
ANKARA: Turkey’s effort to play a role in resolving But the move has bolstered the perception of Libya’s deepening conflict risks further damaging President Tayyip Erdogan as determined to press its strained relations with Western allies, by on with a policy of backing Islamist movements fuelling suspicions that it is doubling down on a since the 2011 “Arab Spring” revolts, hurting pro-Islamist regional agenda. Libya has descended Ankara’s reputation in the West as a regional bro- into chaos three years after the toppling of strong- ker. Erdogan’s criticism of the internationally-rec- man Muammar Gaddafi, with warring factions bat- ognized Libyan government’s move to the eastern tling for control and the capital Tripoli currently city of Tobruk has done little to help, according to run by an alternative government partly backed by H A Hellyer, non-resident fellow for the Centre for Islamist groups. Middle East Policy at the Washington-based Turkey’s appointment last month of a special Brookings Institution. “There’s an opportunity for representative to Libya, who became the first Turkey to be perceived as having a much more envoy publicly to meet with the internationally ethical foreign policy than other nations. The prob- unrecognized authorities in Tripoli, is part of lem is that instead it’s coming across as being as Ankara’s efforts to promote UN-backed peace partisan as everyone else, just in different direc- negotiations, according to senior Turkish officials. tions,” he said. —Reuters International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Syria rebels in south emerge as West’s last hope ‘Moderate’ rebels routed by Al-Qaeda in the north BEIRUT: With moderate rebels facing defeat by Al- Qaeda in Syria’s north, groups holding a corner of the south are seeking a higher profile and more help, as the last Western-backed forces holding out against both President Bashar Al-Assad and the jihadists. The southern rebels, described by Western officials as the best organized of the main- stream opposition, say they are the last hope for a revolution hijacked by jihadists. In recent days they have laid out a transition plan for a Syria without Assad, taking on a political role that in the past they left to others. Washington says backing “moderate” rebels is central to its new strategy to defeat the jihadists without helping Assad, put in place since the United States began bombing Sunni Islamist fight- ers from Islamic State in Syria in September. But since the US bombing began, many Western- CAYKARA: Kurds stand in line flashing victory signs during a solidarity rally with the Syrian city of Kobani in the village of backed rebel groups have been hammered by Caykara, Turkey, on the Turkey-Syria border. Hundreds of volunteers, predominantly Kurdish Turks, who have traveled from all both the government and jihadists. Last week, Al- over southeastern Turkey and even from Istanbul, keep watch on the border with Syria, looking out for potential fighters of the Qaeda’s Syria branch, the Nusra Front, routed pro- extremist Islamic State group attempting to cross into Kobani, besieged since mid-September by IS and defended by Kurdish Western rebels in one of their final strongholds in Syrian fighters known as the People’s Protection Units. — AP the north. where. reassuring Assad’s Alawite sect and Christians who or political process needs people on the ground to Assad’s forces control Damascus, the In the past, rebels on the ground have mainly fear the alternative to him is a radical Islamist gov- safeguard it.” Mediterranean coast and much of the area in steered clear of politics, a subject left to umbrella ernment. It could be in line with thinking in The effort presents a challenge to the Western- between. Islamic State, an Al-Qaeda offshoot, con- groups like the largely exile-based National Washington, where CNN reported Obama wants a backed opposition coalition based in Turkey, which trols the east, while Nusra controls much of the Coalition, which meets in Turkey. But leaders of the policy review, realizing Islamic State may not be has little sway on the ground but claims political northwest and is expanding at the expense of Southern Front say they have decided to take polit- defeated without a transition and Assad’s removal. authority over the “Free Syrian Army” (FSA) uniting moderates. The southern provinces near the ical issues into their own hands. “We did not get mainstream rebel fighters. The southern rebels Jordanian border are an exception, where rebels involved in these matters before. We left them to Challenge “want to present themselves as a viable alternative calling themselves the “Southern Front” still control others. But now it is time. We can no longer risk Abu Hamza Al-Qabouni, a rebel leader from to the Free Syrian Army in the north and the coali- territory and have managed to resist Assad while squandering Syria,” defected army officer Abu Damascus and part of the Southern Front, said the tion, which was stillborn,” said Fayez al-Dweiri, a avoiding direct clashes with the Nusra Front. Osama Al-Jolani, 37, southern commander of the group had decided to move ahead with a political retired Jordanian general who follows the Syrian Syria Revolutionaries’ Front, told Reuters in an inter- plan because there was no longer any point wait- war closely. Now is the time view over the Internet. ing for the war to be resolved countrywide. “The Apart from in the south and pockets in Aleppo, Last week, 15 groups in the Southern Front Their plan, still unpublished but disclosed to problem of the north is very complicated. If we wait “the FSA has been effectively decimated and no drew up a political program, a step which separates Reuters, calls for turning the Southern Front rebels for a solution to it, years could go by without us longer effectively exists,” Dweiri said. A short drive them from the exile-led opposition widely seen into a civilian security force. National institutions solving the Syrian crisis.” The movement could later from Damascus and bordering Jordan and Israel, the across Syria as a failure. As the rare non-jihadist including the military would be safeguarded, and a grow to include other groups that also hold real south is strategically important. Countries that movement which still controls territory, they hope technocratic interim authority would be set up to power on the ground, said Bashar Al-Zoubi, whose oppose Assad could increase pressure on him by to receive more aid from the West to avoid suffer- be followed by elections. The plan emphasizes pro- Yarmouk Army is one of the strongest groups in the arming rebels there. But foreign support has so far ing the same fate as Western allies who have been tection for all Syrians regardless of religious, cultural south. “The factions mentioned are some of the been limited, helping the rebels hold ground but not crushed by jihadists and government forces else- or ethnic affiliations - language apparently aimed at biggest, and this alliance will expand. Any transition allowing a major advance northwards. —Reuters
International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 15 House, Senate to vote on Keystone pipeline
WASHINGTON: A political gambit by an Obama has delayed a decision on the islative efforts to force action on the proj- pressed for a speedy vote on Keystone. endangered Senate Democrat broke loose pipeline, which environmentalists main- ect. Earnest reiterated Obama’s preference Echoing Landrieu’s plea were moder- long-stalled legislation to force approval of tain would have a negative impact and for evaluating the pipeline through a long- ate Democrats from Republican states, the Keystone XL pipeline as Congress contribute to climate change. stalled State Department review. who argued for the project that would returned to a Capitol where results of last Republicans and several moderate It was unclear what impact the votes carry oil from Canada south to the Gulf week’s Republican blowout are still sinking in. Democrats insist that construction of the would have on Louisiana’s Senate race. Coast. The southern leg of the pipeline Sen. Mary Landrieu of energy-rich pipeline would create tens of thousands of Republicans swept the midterm congres- between Oklahoma and Texas is already Louisiana, facing an uphill fight to hold her jobs. The pipeline is critical to Canada, sional elections, wresting control of the operational. seat in a Dec. 6 runoff, called for the vote which needs infrastructure in place to Senate and expanding their majority in the The Republican sponsor of the bill, Sen. on approving the long-stalled pipeline export its growing oil sands production, House. The Republicans are assured of 53 John Hoeven of North Dakota, said the project. and the Obama administration’s delays of the 100 Senate seats when the new measure has the support of all 45 Senate passage of the bill as early as have caused friction between the two Congress takes office in January. Louisiana Republicans and 11 Democrats in the still next Tuesday would force President Barack countries. The White House stopped short would make it 54. Democratic-controlled Senate. It will be Obama to either sign it into law or veto the of directly threatening a veto, but In a speech on the Senate floor, incumbent upon Landrieu to persuade measure just weeks after devastating spokesman Josh Earnest said President Landrieu spoke of bipartisanship and her four more Democrats to back the measure Democratic losses in the Nov. 4 elections. Barack Obama takes a “dim view” of leg- willingness to work with Republicans. She to reach the 60-vote threshold. — AP
Dangling workers rescued from World Trade Center
NEW YORK: Two window washers were trapped on a dangling scaffold nearly 70 stories up the new 1 World Trade Center tower for nearly two hours on Wednesday before firefighters sawed through a thick double-layered window to reach them. The dramatic rescue, coming a little more than a week after the nation’s tallest building officially opened, was followed by throngs of New Yorkers on the ground and many more around the world watching on live TV. The window washers, Juan Lizama and Juan Lopez, were working on the lower Manhattan building’s south side when one of the platform’s four cables abruptly developed slack, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. The open-topped platform tilt- ed sharply and swayed slightly between the 68th and 69th floors, he said. “It suddenly went from horizontal to nearly vertical,” he said. A fire department photo shot from inside the building shows the scaffold platform hanging precipitously, with the Statue of Liberty appearing tiny in the distance. About 100 firefighters rushed to the skyscraper, some of them lowering ropes from the roof so the workers could secure them- selves and a two-way radio for them to communicate, Nigro said. The workers, who have more than 20 years of experience WASHINGTON: US Representative Juan Vargas, Democrat from California, speaks as US military veterans, service mem- between them, also were harnessed to the platform, and the bers and immigration reform advocates look on, during a press conference urging US President Barack Obama to move building’s owner said they had all the requisite safety gear and forward with immigration reform at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. — AFP training. Firefighters used diamond cutters to saw through part of a two-layered, inch-thick glass window on the 68th floor, which is still under construction. They shattered the glass in US Conservatives threaten place, then carefully pulled the broken pieces into the building.
Backup rescue paln Firefighters also began inching another scaffold down the immigration showdown building as a backup rescue plan, but they were able to bring the workers to safety through the roughly 4-by-8-foot window hole. “It was a fairly straightforward operation,” said Battalion Chief WASHINGTON: Some conservative language to block Obama on immigration. the midterms. It’s unclear how widespread Joseph Jardin, who oversees the fire department’s special opera- Republicans want to drag must-pass Republicans took control of the Senate the support is for trying to use spending tions. Officials stressed that firefighters had trained for various spending bills into their fight with and expanded their House majority in legislation that must come to a vote dur- emergencies at the tower, the centerpiece of the rebuilt World President Barack Obama over his planned Nov. 4 elections. The new Congress takes ing the session of the outgoing Congress Trade Center. Firefighters generally seek to cut out windows to executive action on immigration, inviting office in January. A temporary spending to stop Obama from acting. At least a few make such rescues, but Nigro noted the trade center’s thick glass: comparisons to a government shutdown measure expires Dec. 11 and a partial gov- high-ranking Republicans sounded open A double-paned inner layer and an outer pane. “And, of course, fight last year over the health care law. ernment shutdown would occur if to the idea. A spokeswoman for House they were 68 stories up,” he said. “That presented a little bit more In the Senate, Jeff Sessions of Alabama Congress doesn’t act by then. Sessions Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob of a challenge.” Lizama and Lopez were checked out at a hospital and Mike Lee of Utah are among those said he’d rather have Congress pass Goodlatte said he supports “employing and were released. Their union, Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, said it makes sure workers follow rigorous safe- arguing to use an upcoming must-pass another short-term spending bill so that every tool afforded to Congress by the ty protocols. The building’s owner, the Port Authority of New spending bill - either in December or next the new Republican Senate could be in Constitution to stop President Obama’s York and New Jersey, said it was suspending window cleaning year - to try to block Obama from taking place to tackle the issue. unconstitutional actions.” there while investigating what happened. The window washing unilateral action to protect millions of The sentiment appears to be growing company would only say the window washers were “doing well” immigrants here illegally from deporta- Shutdown in the wake of defiant comments by after their release from the hospital. The rig’s supplier, which tion. Obama, under intense pressure from Any attempt by conservatives to use Obama in support of executive action. The built and repaired scaffolds involved in two other high-profile Latino advocates to act, argues executive must-pass spending legislation to block plans could present problems for House accidents in recent years, didn’t immediately return a call seeking action is necessary because the Obama raises the specter of a government Speaker John Boehner and Incoming comment. Officials haven’t determined what caused the cable Republican-led House never acted on a shutdown similar to last year when con- Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell as problem Wednesday. The cables are controlled from the scaffold sweeping, bipartisan immigration bill servatives insisted on trying to use a they try to navigate a controversy-free ses- vehicle, the fire commissioner said. passed last year by the Senate. spending bill to defund the president’s sion before the new year. It was unclear whether anything about the design of the 1,776-foot, 104-story skyscraper complicates working the win- Republican Party leaders appear cool signature health care law. That was a tem- Rep. Matt Salmon said he had more dow washing scaffolds, which went into service in June. to the spending bill route since it could porary political blow to the Republicans, than 50 Republican lawmakers’ signatures The window washers were working for Upgrade Services lead to a confrontation with Obama that, if and party leaders have vowed to avoid a on a letter to the chairman of the Window Cleaning, which services other prominent New York sky- taken too far, could spark another govern- repeat, especially when they’re deter- Appropriations Committee, urging that scrapers, including 4 World Trade Center. The scaffold supplier, ment shutdown. They have given the mined to show voters they can deliver on any spending bill include language saying the Tractel Group, was fined $21,000 in 2008 after a scaffold it Appropriations Committee the green light a positive agenda. nothing in it could be used to implement had repaired the year before gave way with two window washers to negotiate a catch-all omnibus spending And it’s a fight that Democrats might an executive immigration policy. aboard while they worked on the 47th floor of an upper bill for the budget year that began last welcome as they look to 2016 presidential But he stopped short of threatening to Manhattan building; one worker died. —AP month. Any deal with Democrats still in elections in which the power of Latino vot- withhold his vote for any spending bill control of the Senate would not include ers is expected to be greater than it was in that omits such language. — AP International16 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Indian soldiers get life in jail for Kashmir killings
NEW DELHI: An Indian military court has money, before staging the “fake should be investigated and prosecuted by sentenced seven soldiers to life in prison encounter”. independent civilian authorities,” Amnesty for killing three Kashmiri youths in a rare The killings in Machil sector sparked India programmes director Shailesh Rai ruling against the army, the tense region’s widespread protests in Kashmir at the said. top official said yesterday. time, leading to 120 deaths in battles Under an emergency military law Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah between demonstrators and security known as the Armed Forces Special said the soldiers shot dead the youths in forces, according to the Press Trust of Powers Act, soldiers deployed in Kashmir 2010 after staging a gun battle and claim- India news agency. cannot stand trial in civilian courts without ing they were trying to sneak across the “I hope that we never see such Machil express permission of the federal govern- disputed border from arch rival Pakistan. fake encounter type of incidents ever ment in New Delhi. “This is a watershed moment. No one in again and let this serve as a warning to In January, a military court exonerated Kashmir ever believed that justice would those tempted to try,” Abdullah said. five army officers over the killing of five be done in such cases. Faith in institutions The army declined to confirm when the civilians 14 years ago, sparking clashes disappeared,” Abdullah said in a Tweet. military court’s ruling was handed down. between angry Kashmiris and police and Rights groups have long accused the According to local media, court martial the closure of shops and schools in thousands of Indian soldiers deployed in proceedings began in January this year protest. Kashmir of acting with impunity, as they against the seven and ended in About a dozen rebel groups have been search for militants fighting against Indian September. fighting Indian forces since 1989 for rule for independence or merger of the Amnesty International applauded the Kashmir’s independence or for its merger region with Pakistan. sentences, but called for allegations of with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of Families of the victims claimed the human rights abuses to be probed by civil- thousands of people, mostly civilians, army lured the three close to the de-facto ian courts instead of the army itself. “For dead. India and Pakistan have fought two border that divides Kashmir between India justice to be the rule and not the excep- of their three wars over the picturesque and Pakisan, on the promise of jobs and tion, all cases of human rights violations Himalayan region of Kashmir. — AFP
ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court has issued non-bail- able arrest warrants for cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri for storming state television, parliament and clashing with police, officials said yesterday. — AFP Pakistan court issues arrest warrant for Khan over protest clashes
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has issued arrest warrants for cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan and populist cleric Tahir-ul-Qadri over violence during anti-gov- ernment protests, officials said yesterday. Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi issued the orders for Khan, Qadri and 26 other people at Islamabad’s Special Anti- Terrorism Court on Wednesday, a court official told AFP. Weeks of protests led by Khan and Qadri seeking the resig- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. nation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif descended into several days of violence at the end of August. Demonstrators clashed with police, attempted to storm With new team in place parliament and briefly took over state broadcaster Pakistan Television (PTV), taking its news channel off-air for a while. Modi tightens grip on power A police spokesman told AFP no arrests had been made so far, but cases had been registered under anti-terrorism laws for attacking PTV, parliament and other official buildings, and Changes designed to streamline govt clashing with police. NEW DELHI: Anil Swarup is just the kind of responsibility handed to him had come at (Prime Minister’s Office) does not issue Qadri called off his protest last month and has left for man Prime Minister Narendra Modi is rely- the expense of ministers. direction to the ministries,” Environment Canada, where he is normally based, but Khan continues to ing on to fix India - a high-flying civil ser- Such moves, along with disciplinary Minister Prakash Javadekar said. address supporters from the top of a shipping container out- vant with a taste for complex policy and innovations such as finger scanners to side parliament most evenings. swift decisions. track attendance, have helped break a log- ‘Midnight massacres’ The protests destabilised Sharif’s government for a while Modi has drawn trusted bureaucrats jam in decision-making that undermined The shakeup started as soon as Modi but have so far failed in their stated aim of bringing down his into a tight embrace. Interviews with two the last government, spawned corruption took office six months ago, when he administration. Khan has announced a fresh protest rally in dozen sources, including close aides, scandals and soured the investment cli- declared “all important policy issues” part Islamabad on November 30. Shireen Mazari, spokeswoman reveal that key decisions are now thrashed mate. Modi’s style also lessens dissent of his portfolio. He quickly took control of for Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party, dismissed the out between his office and civil servants, from potential rivals, helping him capture bureaucratic appointments, cutting minis- warrants as an act of desperation by the government. “The often at the expense of ministerial authori- power to a degree not seen since Indira ters out of the loop. government has totally lost it and they are merely hastening ty. Swarup sees a golden era for those will- Gandhi ruled India with an iron fist 30 Since September, there have been their own downfall. Arrest warrants will not stop Imran Khan ing to rise to the challenge. In his case that years ago. three major reshuffles in the civil service, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf,” she said. means ending coal shortages that keep Critics call it authoritarian and say he is all closely overseen by Modi and his core On the day PTV was stormed, September 1, an AFP reporter much of India in the dark, a top priority for weakening India’s collegiate cabinet sys- team. Top officials have woken to find saw more than 300 protesters, many armed with wooden Modi. In a series of meetings with civil ser- tem. Some in government caution that in themselves thrust into the limelight, or clubs, enter the building shouting anti-government slogans. vants, often without the ministers they a country as complex as India, over-cen- shunted into administrative backwaters. Television footage showed some of them beating a photo nominally report to, Modi has urged bold tralization can lead to new bottlenecks. A cabinet expansion on Sunday and a of Sharif with sticks and spitting on it. decisions and promised all the help they The government denies there is inter- new finance ministry team advised by Several people at the scene were wearing PTI scarves and need. “He has given a virtual carte ference in the ministries, saying Modi’s leading economist Arvind Subramanian t-shirts, and Khan apologised, saying his party workers had blanche. Go and do it,” Swarup told role is to facilitate policy. should boost the capacity and intellectual “become emotional”.— AFP Reuters. However, he did not say the “There is one misconception - the PMO heft of the government.—Reuters International FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 17
Vietnam confidence vote offers more than political theatre
HANOI: When lawmakers casting ballots are Vietnam is changing fast and rumours are Vietnam over corruption, land grabs and an The vote comes just over a year before a nearly all Communist Party members and rife of fissures within the secretive party over inefficient state-centred economy - problems five-yearly congress, when the party chooses “no confidence” is not among the options, a how to address that change while preserving economists say became entrenched during a who will lead a manufacturing dynamo with parliamentary censure vote on Vietnam’s top the status quo. Experts the rifts say broadly period of boom growth and are now fester- high-tech ambitions as it pursues deeper leadership might seem like a pointless exer- pit conservative idealogues against the more ing due to the scope and pace of measures Western engagement and a slew of trade cise. liberal, capitalist apparatchiks of a party tra- to fix them. pacts - potential game-changers requiring Though heads are unlikely to roll, ditionally ruled by consensus. Experts see no challenge to the party’s concessions that may test lucrative patron- Saturday’s ballot on the performances of “This vote provides a show of openness to grip on power in the foreseeable future and age networks. about 50 top officials will provide a degree of try to calm tensions, but what it’s done is say the trajectory of the $178 billion econo- “I don’t think there’s any disagreement accountability, and the possibility of a rare showed there’s infighting between different my, and whether it realises its much-touted about pursing the big trade deals,” Quang A glimpse into the dynamics of a party under- factions,” said prominent political analyst potential as an emerging market star, said. “It’s more about how this affects the going a period of soul searching after nearly Nguyen Quang A. depend on which faction gains the upper interests of powerful individuals and four decades of tight control. Discontent has been simmering in hand. groups.”— Reuters
‘Show of force’ as Australia tracks Russian navy ships
BRISBANE: Australia said yesterday it is tracking four Russian navy ships off its north coast, a move Prime Minister Tony Abbott said was a sign of Moscow’s military assertiveness with relations strained after the downing of Flight MH17 in Ukraine. The appearance of the fleet coincides with Vladimir Putin’s arrival at the G20 summit in Brisbane this weekend and follows a highly anticipated exchange between the Russian leader and Australian premier Tony Abbott in Beijing. Putin’s presence in Brisbane was questioned given Australia’s anger at the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July, in NAYPYIDAW: Myanmar opposition leader Aung Saan Suu Kyi (2nd L) and others take part in a roundtable meeting with which 298 people died in rebel-held eastern Ukraine, including US President Barack Obama (R) at the Parliamentary Resource Center in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw yesterday on the 38 Australian citizens and residents. sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia summits. — AFP But the G20’s consensus was that he should attend despite Kiev and the West claiming the plane was blown out of the sky with a missile supplied by Russia, an allegation Moscow denies. Obama voices alarm “Defence is monitoring Russian naval vessels that are currently transiting through international waters to the north of Australia,” the Australian Defence Force said in a statement. over Myanmar reforms Australian media reports said they include a “heavily armed” cruiser and destroyer, a tug boat and a refuelling vessel. Australia said the Russian navy has previously been deployed in conjunc- tion with major international summits. A warship from Russia’s Meets democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi Pacific Fleet accompanied former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to San Francisco in 2010. John Blaxland, an NAYPYIDAW: US President Barack and economic fronts, in other areas there oners and loosened draconian press cen- international security expert at the Australian National University, Obama met with Myanmar democracy has been a slowdown and backsliding in sorship, allowing a flurry of investor inter- said having ships off Australian waters was “huff and puff” by heroine Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday after reforms,” Obama said. est in the country seen as an exciting Putin designed to reinforce his “tough, he-man image”. voicing alarm the Southeast Asian nation’s “In addition to restrictions on freedom untapped market. But, with the military “This is a show of force, a stage-managed event and is all for much celebrated political reforms were of the press, we continue to see violations still holding dominant positions and eth- show,” he told AFP. “People don’t go around doing this unless backsliding. The meeting took place in of basic human rights and abuses in the nic tensions flaring, questions have been they feel insecure and need to assert themselves. It’s consistent Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, as Obama country’s ethnic areas, including reports of raised around the world over whether the with Putin’s chest-out, posturing behaviour. It bolsters his took time out from a summit that had extrajudicial killings, rape and forced democratic process can be completed. domestic credentials.” been meant to heap praise on the coun- labour.” Obama planned to speak out on Activists have complained about the try’s shift from army rule, but instead has behalf of the nation’s Muslim Rohingya prosecutions of protesters and journalists, Russia ‘sending message’ highlighted growing concerns over the minority in “all of his engagements” in and the military shot dead one reporter Abbott famously vowed to “shirtfront” Putin-an Australian transition. Myanmar, his deputy national security last month in a volatile border area-a Rules football term in which a player charges an opponent-in Obama met Suu Kyi, a fellow Nobel lau- adviser, Ben Rhodes, told reporters on killing referenced by Obama in his Brisbane over the downing of MH17. The pair met on the side- reate, along with other Myanmar lawmak- Thursday. Around 140,000 Rohingya lan- Irrawaddy interview. Suu Kyi is also barred lines of the APEC summit in Beijing this week without incident. ers to discuss the reforms, which began in guish in fetid displacement camps in west- from the presidency due to a clause in the “It’s not unusual for Russians to deploy in the vicinity of major 2011 when the military relinquished ern Rakhine State after religious violence constitution that is widely regarded as conferences and let’s not forget that Russia has been much more decades of rule that had made the nation flared two years ago, leaving scores of the having been written for her-it rules out militarily assertive in recent times,” Abbott said Thursday in a pariah state. “It was an excellent discus- minority dead and casting a dark cloud people with foreign spouses or whose Myanmar on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit. “We’re seeing- sion about this transition process that’s over the nation’s path to democracy. children are foreign citizens. Suu Kyi’s regrettably-a great deal of Russian assertiveness right now in taking place here in Myanmar around con- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki- husband, who died in 1999, was British Ukraine. solidating some of the gains that have moon on Wednesday also raised the “seri- and they have two sons. Suu Kyi is cam- “So, it’s not really surprising and we are doing what you’d been made but also pushing the group ous humanitarian” condition of the paigning to change the constitution expect us to do. We are carefully monitoring the movements of (on democracy and human rights),” Rohingya. ahead of elections next year, and a debate these ships when they are in Australia’s approaches.” Obama said. Obama was then set to raise on the issue began in parliament yester- Former Australian army chief Peter Leahy, now director of the a series of powderkeg rights issues in a Optimism wanes day. National Security Institute at the University of Canberra, said the meeting with his Myanmar counterpart Obama has framed Myanmar’s reform Obama will hold more in-depth discus- naval deployment was a “less than subtle demonstration of pow- Thein Sein-a former general who has led process as an example of the positive sions with Suu Kyi today in the commercial er”. “I rather think it’s likely to be pre-planned and it’s more asso- the reforms-late yesterday after the East effects of US engagement. His administra- hub of Yangon, followed by a joint press ciated with the G20 meeting in Brisbane rather than the com- Asia Summit closed. The US leader set the tion has in recent years made a major for- conference. International concerns have ments from the prime minister,” he told national radio. “But I tone for his three-day trip to Myanmar eign policy “pivot” towards Asia and-until overshadowed what Myanmar’s govern- think Russia is sending us a message. And as I’ve said, it’s less with hard-hitting comments on the pace now-Myanmar’s baby-steps towards ment had hoped would be a celebration than subtle, but it’s saying it’s a maritime power, it’s got global of reforms in an interview with news web- democracy have been trumpeted as a suc- of the nation’s democratic achievements reach, it’s got interests in this part of the world.” site The Irrawaddy published just before cess for that strategy. this week, as it welcomed its biggest gath- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Russia was enti- he arrived on Wednesday. “Even as there Most Western sanctions on Myanmar ering of world leaders since the reforms tled to have ships in international waters.—AFP has been some progress on the political were dropped as it released political pris- began.—AFP International FRIDAY, NOVEMER 14, 2014 18
Indonesia to create new coastguard, boost defence
JAKARTA: Indonesia will launch a new coast- “We will bring it all under one coastguard to independent in a year, Purdijatno said, declin- and under the previous government remained guard next month to crack down on piracy and make sure businesses that use sea transporta- ing to give details about the size of the force. neutral, could play a greater role if requested. smuggling which can disrupt commerce in tion are not harmed.” Indonesia relies on a Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago, is set to “If asked, we are ready to be mediators in the Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, the chief loose grouping of police and navy personnel to beef up its defence, especially its navy and air with the spirit of maintaining security,” security minister told Reuters yesterday. safeguard its shipping lanes but smuggling of force. The government aims to boost defence Purdijatno said. The former navy chief said The force is part of President Joko Widodo’s natural resources is rife. spending from 0.8 percent to 1.5 percent of defence spending would be focused on push to reassure investors at a time when the The Malacca Strait in western Indonesia, a gross domestic product over the next five weapons and technical know-how, from coun- economy is growing at its slowest in five years regional and global trade corridor, has among years, putting it on par with neighbours such as tries like South Korea and China, to domestically and is strained by twin trade and current the highest number of piracy attacks in the Malaysia, Purdijatno said. manufacture and eventually export equipment account deficits. world. The coastguard, to be launched in mid- The spending comes as competing territorial like submarines and missiles. “For example, after “There are too many overlapping agencies December, will also secure maritime borders claims in the South China Sea between China the first two ships or fighter jets are built out- that are not effective in securing the seas,” and tackle illegal fishing and human trafficking. and four Southeast Asian countries stoke ten- side, number three we can build in Indonesia,” Tedjo Edy Purdijatno said in his first interview It will initially borrow personnel and vessels sion. Purdijatno raised the possibility that he said. “But it has to be for the domestic mar- to foreign media as chief security minister. from the military with the aim of being fully Indonesia, which is not involved in the disputes ket first and then we export.” — Reuters
MAS steward fired for assaulting passenger KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines has sacked a crew member without a hearing for allegedly sexually assaulting a passenger he was comforting for being scared of flying with the disaster-prone airline, a union body said yesterday. The steward has been stuck in a detention centre at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport since August, after the passenger told French authorities that he had assaulted her on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to the French capital. The case is the latest setback for the struggling national carrier, which was struck by twin tragedies this year when one of its passenger jets went missing and another was shot down over conflict-torn east Ukraine. Ismail Nasaruddin, president of the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia, said the 57-year-old steward was sacked by a letter on August 22 just two weeks after the purported incident took place. “What Malaysia Airlines (MAS) did is a clear violation of natural justice. There has not been any hearing so far for the crew who is being held in Paris,” Ismail told AFP. “MAS fired the crew based on the allegation,” he said. “They judged him guilty before the trial. This is injust.” The Australian passenger com- plained to authorities about the incident after touchdown at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, saying she had told crew at the beginning of the flight about her apprehension of flying with the airline in the wake of the two disasters. The steward sat beside her and sexually assaulted her under the pretext of “comforting” her, she said, according to a source close to the French probe. Ismail urged French authorities to allow the MAS crew mem- ber to return home immediately if there was insufficient evidence since his wife and three children are under severe emotional and HONG KONG: Pro-democracy protesters hold a public debate in the Mongkok district of Hong Kong yesterday. More financial stress. “We have to ensure this crew gets some justice. than month after tens of thousands of Hong Kongers took to the streets demanding free leadership elections for the Why punish the crew when he is not found guilty?” he said. semi-autonomous Chinese city, weary demonstrators remain encamped across several major roads. — AFP The airline confirmed in a statement that the crew member was no longer an employee but declined further comment. “Malaysia Airlines is not at liberty to comment on the matter as it is currently under the judicial purview of the authorities,” it China to lift aid to Pacific, sees said. Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared mysteriously in March with 239 people aboard, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. No trace has been found and the airline was widely criti- cooperation with Taiwan allies cised for its handling of the crisis.—AFP Beijing to sign business agreements
Saudi women have $100 BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping attend, Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng exchanges and cooperation continue to will offer a broad aid package to Pacific Zeguang told a news briefing. increase,” Zheng said. billion as bank deposits island nations at a summit in Fiji next Xi, who visits the region after trips to He also held out the chance of more RIYADH: Disposable cash belonging to Saudi women in commer- week, a foreign ministry official said yes- Australia and New Zealand, will give an benefits for countries of the region once cial banks has exceeded the 375 billion Saudi Riyals (about $100 terday, adding that there was also room “important policy speech” at the meet- they recognise China, rather than billion or Dh367 billion) mark, government statistics show. to work with six island states not invited ing, and announce “important steps” to Taiwan. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s official sta- because of ties to Taiwan. help development, Zheng said. “Under the framework of one China, tistics published on Wednesday, though their deposits are high, The tiny states of the Pacific Ocean “During the visit, China will sign a relations in the future will develop even women only account for 7.3 per cent of commercial registrations have been a source of diplomatic series of cooperative documents with better. There is a lot of space for cooper- issued by the ministry, Saudi media reported. The Council of intrigue between China and Taiwan for the leaders, as well as business agree- ation.” A spokeswoman for Taiwan’s Saudi Chambers’ women division will organize a number of work- decades, with each accusing the other ments. They will be in the areas of Foreign Ministry said that they will be shops this month in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah to promote of using “dollar diplomacy” to win financing, education, training, infra- paying close attention to Xi’s visit. women’s participation in economic and trade activities. recognition. structure and such other broad areas,” China and Taiwan have been ruled These workshops will carry the theme of ways and means of China views Taiwan as a renegade Zheng said, without elaborating. separately since defeated Nationalist further promoting investments by women in the Saudi Kingdom. province with no right to have diplo- While Taiwan’s friends in the region - forces fled to the island at the end of a A number of businessmen, businesswomen, and lawyers will par- matic relations of its own, and the num- Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, civil war with the Communists in 1949. ticipate in the workshops on various topics of concern, including ber of states with ties to Taipei has Palau, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu - However, China and Taiwan have how to provide women in business with support to boost their dwindled to just 22, six of which are in have not been invited, this does not engaged in an unofficial diplomatic ventures. The workshops will also discuss hurdles facing Saudi the Pacific. mean that China ignores then, he truce since signing a series of landmark businesswomen with a view to finding solutions to them. Xi will host the meeting of its allies added. trade and economic pacts in 2008, as According to the statistics, about 5.1 per cent of manpower in the on Fiji. The leaders of Fiji, Micronesia, “China has all along had friendly China tries to convince Taiwan of its labor market are women, accounting for about 49.6 per cent of Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, interactions with the peoples of all the friendly intentions after years of hostili- the total population. — Agencies the Cook Islands, Tonga and Niue will islands in the Pacific Ocean, and ty. —Reuters FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Fashion contest ‘Admiralty needle’ Page 22
A model presents a creation by “The philosophy of the cells” during the Admiralty Needle International Fashion Contest for young designers in St Petersburg, on November 12, 2014. The mission of the contest is to give young talented designers the opportunity to become known in the field and to show their vision to fashion experts.—AFP Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
From left, actors Jason Bateman, Charlie Day Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis pose for photographers at the World Premiere of Horrible Bosses 2 at a central London cinema, London. — AP ‘Horrible Bosses 2’ Film Review
t the risk of suggesting that “Horrible homicide didn’t entirely come off. In the new bar where their old friend Dean Jones (an Bosses 2” has a compelling reason to movie, helmed by Sean Anders from a script endearing Jamie Foxx) gives them advice on Aexist, it’s worth noting that the movie he wrote with John Morris, our heroes have how to be all disreputable. They also stop by does function, on one level, as an anti-capi- liberated themselves from their day-job the local prison to get tips from Nick’s former talist revenge fantasy aimed at the excesses drudgery and formed their own company, horrible boss-or rather, his still-horrible for- of the One Percent. Mainly, however, this centered around a home-ablution aid called mer boss, happily played once again by Kevin Rihanna holds the pregnant belly of Spc Ariel Evans inane and incredibly tasteless sequel quali- the Shower Buddy. Spacey, snarling as only Kevin Spacey can. during an event promoting her Rogue Man cologne at fies as an excuse to bring back those hard- Various complications, double-crosses working funnymen Jason Bateman, Charlie Business sense and chase sequences ensue, as well as one Ft Belvoir Exchange on Wednesday. — AP photos Day and Jason Sudeikis for another round of After trying to publicize their new inven- genuinely startling act of violence. amateur-criminal hijinks and semi-impro- tion, during which they manage to drop a Kidnapping Rex turns out to be more of a vised vulgarity, jabbing away repeatedly at racist epithet and an onanistic sight gag on handful than anyone anticipated, and Pine’s some elusive comic sweet spot where bla- live TV, they realize they need a wealthy energetic turn as a billionaire playboy with tant nastiness and egregious stupidity col- investor to help them manufacture and dis- some serious daddy issues gives the pro- Rihanna lide-and very occasionally hitting the mark. tribute their product. Enter Bert Hanson ceedings an unexpected shot of adrenaline. teases new music Warners’ Thanksgiving-weekend release (Christoph Waltz), the smarmy CEO of a retail In the most appalling subplot-the one so should rack up solid numbers in line with its giant, who offers to bankroll their first thoroughly unnecessary that it winds up at Virginia military base 2011 predecessor’s $117 million domestic 100,000 units for a cool $3 million, which they feeling almost essential-our heroes once haul; if you laughed at the word “rack,” you happily accept-only to find themselves royal- again find themselves tangling with Dale’s ihanna won’t say when she plans to release new should get in line now. ly screwed over when Hanson reneges on ex-superior, Dr Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston, music but she is confident about what it sounds Predicated on a sentiment best articulat- their deal, determined to put them out of game as ever), a sexually rapacious dentist like. “I can’t give you any hints of when it will drop. ed by Homer Simpson (“Kill my boss? Do I business and then buy up what remains at who has no qualms about drilling anyone in R dare live out the American dream?”), the super-low auction prices. her path. (There is clearly something about It’s going to be great, that’s all I’m going to tell you and Seth Gordon-directed “Horrible Bosses” was With no legal recourse, Nick, Kurt and Dale oral hygiene that excites and inspires the I’m excited about it,” said the singer at a meet-and-greet a sloppily entertaining action-comedy that decide to kidnap Hanson’s handsome, preen- makers of this franchise; this isn’t the first Wednesday with fans at ended with sensible Nick (Bateman), horny ing son, Rex (Chris Pine), and demand a “Horrible Bosses” movie where we’ve seen a Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Kurt (Sudeikis) and anxiety-prone Dale (Day) $500,000 ransom. Naturally, their criminal character introduce a toothbrush into their The critic she is worried successfully escaping the clutches of their instincts prove no sharper than their business nether-regions.) In an extra-kinky twist, the about is herself. “I try to awful employers, even if their planned triple sense, prompting a return visit to the seedy plot requires Nick to join. —Reuters battle myself and out- do everything I’ve done and that’s been the hardest thing to do. Benedict Cumberbatch to You start overthinking things at times,” she confessed. receive variety award at BIFAs The 26-year-old typi- cally has released albums in November in enedict Cumberbatch is to receive the this year’s nominations, a film I am very proud the past but wouldn’t Variety Award at the Moet British to be a part of.” comment on that. She BIndependent Film Awards on Dec 7 at Cumberbatch is best known for playing the just said, “I can’t wait Old Billingsgate, London. The award recog- title role of Sherlock Holmes in “Sherlock,” for everybody to hear nizes a director, actor, writer or producer who Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ adaption of the (the music) little by lit- has helped to put the international spotlight Arthur Conan Doyle books. The role won him Rihanna is hugged by CW2 tle. ... little by little. I on the UK Paul Greengrass was given the an Emmy this year. So far this year, award last year. Previous recipients include Cumberbatch has been filming “Black Mass,” William Fearrington during can’t wait.” Rihanna the event. Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, playing Bill Bulger alongside Johnny Depp, also brought along her Daniel Craig and Helen Mirren. Cumberbatch’s and Shere Khan in Andy Serkis’ “Jungle Book.” new men’s fragrance, latest film, “The Imitation Game,” has been He is also part of the voicecast in DreamWorks “Rogue Man,” her first for guys. “I feel like what better way nominated in four categories at the British Animation’s “Penguins of Madagascar,” which to get these people excited than to get them something Independent Film Awards: British inde- is released later this year. nice, to smell good. They’re running around all day work- pendent film; screenplay for Graham Moore; ing hard. And, you know, the guys are sexy. They need to actress for Keira Knightley; and actor for Breakthrough role smell sexy.” She also joked about not having a “rogue Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch commented: “I He is currently shooting “The Hollow Benedict Cumberbatch attends a spe- man” of her own, saying with a wink, “hopefully I’ll find am delighted to receive this prestigious award, Crown” for the BBC and Neal Street cial screening of “The Imitation one here today on the base.” Rihanna performed at the and would like to thank Variety and the Moet Productions, in which he plays Richard III for Game” at the DGA Theater. — AP Concert For Valor: Saluting America’s Veterans in British Independent Film Awards for this director Dominic Cooper, and alongside Judi James Gray, where he will play British explorer Washington, DC, on Tuesday. — AP incredible honor. It is made even more special Dench. Next he will shoot “Lost City of Z,” Percy Fawcett, who set out to discover the City by the recognition of ‘The Imitation Game’ in based on David Grann’s novel for director of Z in the Amazon in the 1920s. —Reuters
Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Nyong’o, Cox, Clinton honored by Glamour magazine
n a night that was all about empowerment, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. actresses Lupita Nyong’o and Laverne Cox, Clinton was honored for her work with the Bill, Ifashion designer Sarah Burton, UN Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation. Glamour Ambassador Samantha Power and Chelsea also cited her work on a partnership between the Clinton were among those awarded Women of Clinton Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates the Year awards by Glamour magazine. The Foundation to encourage achievement among awards were presented in a star-studded cere- women and girls across the world. That commit- mony at Carnegie Hall. ment, Clinton said, was only strengthened by Hillary Clinton joined daughter Chelsea for becoming a mother. “I want Charlotte to grow her first evening out since the birth of daughter up to be whatever she dreams to be, wherever Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky on Sept she dreams to be it,” Clinton 26. “I had sort of wondered if I’d get said. Nyong’o, whose mother to wear a fancy dress and high- offered congratulations on a heeled shoes again,” Clinton said, pre-taped video, won a support- ing-actress Oscar for her per- formance in “Twelve Years a Slave,” capping her swift rise to the top rungs of Hollywood and the fashion world. She was also named a new face of Lancome and appeared on the cover of People magazine’s Most Sarah Burton accepts the Visionary Award Beautiful issue. She will be at the 2014 Glamour Women of the Year appearing in the new “Star Awards. Wars” movie. Other Glamour winners ‘Orange Is the New Black’ In this March 2, 2014 file photo, actress 1. Robin Roberts, the “Good Morning “The truth is, I don’t really Lupita Nyong’o arrives at the Oscars in Los America” host who has survived breast cancer know what’s next,” Nyong’o Angeles. — AP photos and a public struggle with myelodysplastic syn- said, through tears. “Though drome, a rare blood and bone marrow disease, inevitable historic moment where the woman- what has happened to me so far cited for her success and influence in broadcast- hood of transgender women is not in question,” is incredible, I am still a work in ing. Cox said. Burton is best known for designing progress and I hope to always 2. Actress Mindy Kaling, creator and star of Kate Middleton’s wedding gown. She became be.” Cox, from “Orange Is the the Fox comedy “The Mindy Project.” “Millions of creative director of Alexander McQueen in 2010, New Black,” was the first openly women feel like Kaling is their BFF,” Glamour following the designer’s death, and has been transgender person to be nomi- said. credited, Glamour noted, with boosting the nated for an Emmy Award. In a 3. Natalia Vodianova, supermodel and British fashion industry. press release, Glamour called her founder of the Naked Heart Foundation, which This June 10, 2014 file Power, the US ambassador to the United “the face of one of the biggest helps children with special needs. photo shows transgen- Nations, was cited for her work in diplomacy equality stories of 2014.” 4. Sylvia Earle, a noted oceanographer who der actress Laverne “during a year when the UN Security Council “I love being a woman, and I “even as her eightieth birthday approaches ... Cox at amfAR’s fifth held more emergency sessions than it had in the am so honored to be the vessel continues to spend three months a year on expe- Samantha Power receives The annual Inspiration Gala entire 10 years prior.” Ambassador Award. in New York. tonight for what I believe is this ditions.” — AP
Models present pieces from the “Innovation collection” of young designers during the international fashion contest “Admiralty needle” Fashion contest in St Petersburg on ‘Admiralty needle’ November 12, 2014. — AFP Lifestyle FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
(Left) Belarusian designer Apti Eziev acknowledges the crowd during his runway show at Belarus Fashion Week in Minsk. — AFP photos Belarus Fashion Week 24 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Turn turkey leftovers into a healthy dinner salad By MELISSA D’ARABIAN
hen I was a child, my grandmother used to roast up two enormous tur- keys at the holidays. And of course that was on top of all the usual gravies Wand sauces, sides and pies. For days after, the entire family would eat Grandma’s famous “blue plate special,” which was our euphemism for leftovers. Thanksgiving Fast forward to today, and I think turkey actually has a bit of an identity crisis. On one hand it is associated with a day reserved for feasting with abandon. On the other, turkey is a lean protein whose versatility should be celebrated. Just one serving of skinless turkey meat has over half the protein you need for an entire day (and less than one gram of fat!). Plus, turkey is a good source of vitamin B and se- lenium. turkey Not only is turkey a healthy choice, but it’s a versatile one, too. And its versatility is the key to avoiding leftover fatigue. So instead of ladling out leftover gravy on yet another open-faced turkey sandwich with stuffing, trick your palate into think- ing it’s getting something altogether different. In this turkey and napa cabbage salad with lime-ginger vinaigrette, I take the taste buds someplace decidedly un-Thanksgiving-y in a couple of ways. I lean toward the anti-feast by making a fresh dinner salad with crunchy veggies and a bright citrusy dressing. Also, I completely change the flavor profile by bring- ing in ginger and lime, which feel more Asian than Pilgrim. Also consider using leftover turkey to go Mexican (try tacos and a chunky salsa), or Vietnamese (how about a bahn mi?) or Thai (add turkey cubes to a pad Thai or a coconut curry). However you decide to give new life to your protein-packed leftovers, here is a tip: It’s always easier to remove the meat from the turkey bones the same day it’s roasted. The meat comes away more easily, it won’t dry out (because it’s easier to wrap than a whole bird), and it’s fast and simple to grab just what you need. Turkey and napa cabbage salad with lime-ginger vinaigrette: Ingredients For the salad: ½ head napa cabbage, thinly sliced 2 scallions, chopped 1 medium carrot, grated (about ¾ cup) 2 cups cubed cooked turkey (or chicken) ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 ounce low-fat baked tortilla chips, lightly crushed ¼ cup chopped peanuts For the dressing: 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar Juice of ½ lime (about 1 tablespoon) 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Sriracha) 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Preparation In a large serving bowl, layer the cabbage, scallions, carrot, turkey, cilantro, tortilla chips and peanuts. Set aside. To make the dressing, in a small bowl whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and hot sauce until smooth. Add a tablespoon or 2 of water if too thick. Slowly whisk in the oil until well-blended and the dressing is uniform. Add the ginger and whisk until incorporated. When ready to serve, drizzle the dressing over the salad, then toss well.—AP 25
Fresh take on an herb-roasted Thanksgiving turkey
here is something splendid about an herb-roasted Thanksgiving turkey, not the least of which is the way it Tfills the home with rich, savory aromas. So with this recipe, we didn’t want to stray too far from that ideal. But we did want to mix things up just a bit. We drew our inspiration from Argentina’s chimichurri sauce, which is made by blending both fresh and dried herbs, garlic and vinegar. It’s a classic accompaniment to roasted meat. So we made two variations of the sauce, a thicker butter- based one that is slathered under the skin of the turkey before roasting, and a thinner olive oil version that is served alongside the finished bird in place of gravy. Chimichurri roast turkey: Ingredient 3 bunches fresh cilantro, divided 3 bunches fresh parsley, divided 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, room temperature Kosher salt and ground black pepper 12- to 14-pound turkey, giblets and neck removed ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup red vinegar 3 cloves garlic ½ cup loose fresh oregano leaves ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Preparation Heat the oven to 350 F. Place a rack in a large roasting pan and fit the turkey onto the rack. Pat the turkey dry all over with paper towels. In a food processor, blend together 1 bunch of cilantro, 1 punch of parsley, the butter and 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Rub the mixture under the skin and inside the cavity of the bird. Roast the turkey for 2 to 2 ½ hours, covering it with foil if the skin starts to darken too much. The temperature of the breast should reach 160 F and the thigh should reach 170 F. Transfer the turkey to a serving platter. Cover with foil, then several layers of kitchen towels to allow the meat to rest but keep warm. While the turkey rests (or beforehand, if desired) make the sauce. In the food processor, combine the remaining 2 bunches of cilantro and 2 bunches of parsley with the olive oil, red vinegar, garlic cloves, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Puree until everything is finely chopped. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve the sauce at room temperature along- side the turkey.—AP 26
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Tokyo Azusa Miyahara sits in her woodworking and neighborhoods’ bath-building shop, Ito Furoten, in Tokyo. small shops keep crafts alive
he Japanese capital is home to many modern creations: high tech, anima- tion, youth fashion. But in the small crafts shops crowding the area known Tas Yanasen, you can watch artisans preserving traditional crafts, or updat- ing them. Yanesen (a combination of three neighborhood names, Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi) is in Tokyo’s old downtown. Some of its shops go back generations, while others are new. On the Yanaka Ginza shopping street, Midori-ya, in business since 1908, sells items handmade from bamboo, include chopsticks and baskets, as well as more modern cell-phone charms, earrings and figurines. Farther down the street, a tiny storefront houses the young artists of Ito Manufacturing, who hand-print T-shirts with their own illustrations and make custom hanko. A hanko is a personal seal traditionally used instead of a signature; Ito gives it an up-to-date twist with cute illustrations of animals, including pandas, a French bulldog and a cat drinking beer. In many of the neighborhood shops you can see the craftspeople at work. At Shibata Shoten, look past the display of paper lanterns and you’ll see lantern painter Keiichi Shibata at his work table. The shop, started by his great grandfa-
Paper lanterns are displayed at Shibata Shoten. 27
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
ther, has been in business for about a hundred years in various locations around the neighborhood. It used to make paper umbrellas, for which there’s little demand nowadays. The lanterns can be painted with a customer’s name and family crest, and while Shoten says the samples on display are his mistakes, you’d never know it to look at them. Then there’s the woodworking shop Ito Furoten, which started out making wooden baths around 1925 (furo-ten means “bath shop”). Azusa Miyahara, the fifth-generation owner, says not many women do this kind of work, but her father had only This 2014 photo shows souvenirs from Midori-ya bamboo shop.—AP photos daughters, so he passed the business on to her 10 years ago. Candy figures The tradition of soaking in a bath is still strong in Japan, but tubs now are often made of other materials. So while Miyahara still makes wooden ones on order, the shop has branched out to include trays, vases, stools and other items. Passers-by can watch her at work, surrounded by tools and materials. Other neighborhood shops feature items made of fabric or paper; perhaps the best show is one that uses sugar. Amezaiku — the craft of making elaborate candy figures individually by hand — used to be a common traditional entertainment. Now, it’s a rare skill. At candy-maker Amezaiku Yoshihara, you can buy a ready-
Candies are on display at Amezaiku Yoshihara.
made item, including variations on the shop’s rabbit mascot, or pick a creature from a catalog to be custom-made on the spot. The craftsperson takes a glob of sugar syrup, adds a drop of coloring and — using only fingers and a small pair of steel scissors — quickly works it into a detailed little creature. He has only a few minutes before the sugar hardens. “Children who watch the magical event of the candy be- ing made stare open-mouthed,” says the shop’s English flyer, but when I watched Takahiro Yoshihara pull the sugar into the legs and horns of a Japanese rhinoceros beetle, the kids weren’t the only ones gaping.—AP
Photo shows chopsticks and chopstick rests from Midori-ya bamboo shop. 28
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Travel Solvan, Cali: Danish sweets and fine drinks Travel29 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art.
s a Southern California native with a Danish dad and the tongue-twisting Danish name “Solvej,” I’ve always been asked, somewhat cheekily, “Hey! Do you know the town ASolvang?” I do, of course. Yet, as an adult, I only passed through the touristy enclave of roughly 5,000 people about 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, in the Santa Ynez Valley. Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, Solvang now boasts Danish bakeries, a Hans Christian Andersen Museum and four windmills. Boutique inns and lodges have peaked Photo shows the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. roofs and spiffy monikers such as Svendsgaard’s Lodge and the Hamlet Inn, along with bed- spreads emblazoned with the red-and-white Danish flag. Curious about this Danish-American village so similar to my name and such a long way from Northern Europe, I finally headed to Solvang recently for an overnight stay and 24-hour binge of Danish pastries and conversations in English and Danish with residents whose businesses add layers of history and heart to the town’s Nordic shtick. Here are four things to do and see in Solvang, which I found to be a warm, fun and funky getaway that, appropriately, translates to mean “sunny field.”
Bakeries and sweets I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, but even I couldn’t escape the sugary appeal of Solvang’s multiple family-owned Danish bakeries, including Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Coffee Shop and the Solvang Bakery. At Mortensen’s, owned by 83-year-old Danish-American Solvang architect Earl C. Petersen and his wife Dorothy, and run by their three sociable, vibrant daughters, I joined the morning crowd to chomp on the bakery’s signature butter ring, a traditional Danish coffee cake. “There are more bakers here than probably in the whole world,” said Olsen’s owner Bent
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery and Coffee Shop. Travel30 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
The Solvang Visitors Bureau in Solvang, Calif.—AP photos Olsen, 70. A tall, burly man with a smooth Danish accent, Olsen moved to California from Denmark in 1965 and opened the bakery in 1970. “After dinner, I’m always looking forward to dessert,” he blissfully added, as I sat next to him Bent Olsen, in the airy cafe, nibbling on a slice of Danish kringle, rolled in the shop and 70, owner of stuffed with almond paste, custard cream and raisins. For chocolate aficiona- Olsen’s Danish dos, 54-year-old Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolates is a town favorite, displaying Village Bakery marzipan pigs and Danish chocolate covered handmade marshmallows called and Coffee “flodeboller” the size of golf balls. Shop.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum As a kid, I owned two stocky volumes of fairy tales by 19th century Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen that I coveted like, well, chocolate. I inhaled those stories, from “The Little Mermaid” to “The Ugly Duckling.” So visiting Solvang’s Hans Christian Andersen Museum, a modest room upstairs from bookstore The Book Loft, was a treat. The museum is packed with hundreds of volumes of Andersen’s books, including first editions, as well as a model of his childhood home. Owner Katheryn Mullins, 80, opened the museum with her late husband in 1990. “Andersen is for children from 8 to 108,” she told me, before settling into reading quietly at her desk by the entrance. The museum is free to visitors.
Elverhoj Museum Traditional The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, a few blocks south of Solvang’s Danish choc- center, dives into the town’s history. With an intricately carved wooden front olate-covered door, and built in 1950 to resemble a Danish 18th century farmhouse, the build- marshmal- ing itself is actually the former home of late Danish painter and sculptor Viggo lows called Brandt-Erichsen and his American artist wife Martha. It opened as a museum “flodeboller” in 1988 after her death. Exhibits include the recreation of an old-style Danish at Ingeborg’s kitchen, complete with green hand-painted walls and porcelain Danish Easter Chocolates. plaques. “One Danish tourist told me, ‘With Solvang, it’s like they took the best parts of Denmark and put them onto two streets,’” said visitor services museum staffer Kimberly Davis.—AP
The Hans Christian Ander- sen Museum. Leisure FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
DOWN 1. Causing fear or dread or terror. CROSSWORD724 2. The feeling of being bored by something tedious. 3. (Norse mythology) God of light and peace and noted for his beauty and sweet nature. 4. The quality of a substance that is able to rebound. 5. A score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely. 6. (of securities) Not quoted on a stock exchange. 7. Of extreme importance. 8. A town in southeastern New Mexico on the Pecos River near the Mexican border. 9. A member of the Siouan people formerly inhabiting the Black Hills of western South Dakota. 10. A chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints). 11. An agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank. 12. Israeli statesman (born in Russia) (1898-1978). 13. (Scotland) A slope or hillside. 14. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. 21. A genus of Ploceidae. 23. Worn or shabby from overuse or (of pages) from having corners turned down. 25. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code. 28. One thousandth of a second. 32. Combined or joined to increase in size or quantity or scope. 33. (comparative of `near') Being the one of two that is less distant in space. 34. Untie the lashing of. 36. The United Nations agency concerned with atomic energy. 37. A small amount of residue. 38. Either of the club-like rudimentary hind wings of dipterous insects. 39. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects. 41. Made agreeably cold (especially by ice). 43. Strike with disgust or revulsion. 44. Material used to daub walls. 48. Half the width of an em. ACROSS 50. The capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the Congo river 1. A young woman making her debut into society. opposite Brazzaville. 4. Plant with dense clusters of tight green flower buds. 52. A woody climbing usually tropical plant. 12. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by behavioral and learning disor- 54. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. ders. 57. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens. 15. A nucleic acid that transmits genetic information from DNA to the cyto- 59. A former agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into plasm. atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States. 16. Angered at something unjust or wrong. 62. Wheelwork consisting of a connected set of rotating gears by which force is 17. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or transmitted or motion or torque is changed. event. 63. The production of young from an egg. 18. An inflammatory complication of leprosy that results in painful skin lesions 67. Type genus of the Percidae. on the arms and legs and face. 69. King of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England with 19. Move out of a curled position. him. 20. Relating to or having the characteristics of bees. 70. A member of the Pueblo people living in western New Mexico. 22. American poet (born in England) (1907-1973). 71. The capital and largest city of Yemen. 24. Wearing or provided with clothing. 72. A flat-bottomed volcanic crater that was formed by an explosion. 26. A particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving 73. A French abbot. some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography). 75. A conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures. 27. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum 76. A rapid bustling commotion. mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902- 77. (British) A waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric. 1984). 81. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element. 29. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemi- cally and is used in some alloys. 30. A region of Malaysia in northeastern Borneo. Yesterdayʼs Solution 31. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann. 35. An officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer. 40. Of or relating to the heart. 42. An informal term for a father. 45. A metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters. 46. (meaning literally `born') Used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman. 47. Being ten more than one hundred forty. 49. Genus of American of east Asian perennial herbs with yellow to orange or red flower rays. 51. A young eagle. 53. Chevrotain somewhat larger than the kanchil. 55. In the Roman calendar. 56. The content of cognition. 58. Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958). 60. A blood group antigen possessed by Rh-positive people. 61. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 64. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali metal group. 65. A silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite. 66. Apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses. 68. A meeting of spiritualists. 74. (Judeo-Christian religion) Chief spirit of evil and adversary of God. 78. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa. 79. Electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field. 80. Of or relating to or characteristic of Uganda or its people. 82. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike. 83. A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that controls the degree of pigmentation in melanocytes. 84. Granular preparation of cassava starch used to thicken especially puddings. 85. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.
Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TV listings FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Scandinavia 21:30 Come Dine With Me 14:20 Robson’s New Extreme Fishing 04:20 Jungle Junction 02:00 Emmerdale 01:25 The Little Paris Kitchen 22:20 Come Dine With Me Challenge 04:35 Jungle Junction 02:55 Coronation Street 01:50 Cash In The Attic 15:10 Rods N’ Wheels 04:45 Jungle Junction 03:25 Shetland 00:50 I Was Bitten 04:05 Rick Stein’s Taste Of Italian 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 05:00 Art Attack 04:20 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 01:45 Untamed & Uncut Opera 16:50 How It’s Made 05:25 Art Attack 05:15 Real Life: The Musical 02:40 Animal Cops Houston 04:55 Marbella Mansions 17:40 Treehouse Masters 05:50 Mouk 06:10 May The Best House Win 03:35 Lion Man: One World African 05:40 Valentine Warner Eats 18:30 Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up 06:00 Dog With A Blog 07:05 Come Dine With Me Ireland Scandinavia Safari 00:20 American Guns 19:20 Extreme Car Hoarders 06:25 Liv And Maddie 07:30 Shetland 06:05 The Little Paris Kitchen 04:25 Call Of The Wildman 01:10 Saint Hoods 20:10 Thrift Hunters 06:50 I Didn’t Do It 08:25 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 06:30 Cash In The Attic 05:15 Gator Boys 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 07:15 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 09:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 08:45 Rick Stein’s Taste Of Italian 06:02 I Was Bitten 02:50 Storage Hunters 21:00 Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up Witch 10:15 Real Life: The Musical Opera 06:49 Untamed & Uncut 03:15 Thrift Hunters 21:50 Extreme Car Hoarders 07:40 Jessie 11:10 Emmerdale 09:40 Marbella Mansions 07:36 Animal Airport 03:40 Storage Wars Canada 22:40 Fat N’ Furious: Rolling Thunder 08:05 Win, Lose Or Draw 12:00 Coronation Street 10:25 Valentine Warner Eats 08:00 Call Of The Wildman 04:05 How It’s Made 23:30 Wheeler Dealers: Trading Up 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 12:30 Ade In Britain Scandinavia 08:25 Dogs 101 04:30 How It’s Made 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 13:25 May The Best House Win 10:50 The Little Paris Kitchen 09:15 My Pet’s Gone Viral 05:00 Treehouse Masters: View From 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland 11:20 Cash In The Attic 09:40 My Pet’s Gone Viral Above 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 14:45 Real Life: The Musical 13:35 Rick Stein’s Taste Of Italian 10:10 Treehouse Masters 06:00 Rods N’ Wheels 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 15:35 Love/Hate Opera 11:05 Biggest And Baddest 06:50 Robson’s New Extreme Fishing 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 16:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 14:30 Marbella Mansions 11:00 That’s So Raven 18:20 May The Best House Win 12:00 Animal Precinct Challenge 00:00 Violetta 15:15 Valentine Warner Eats 11:25 That’s So Raven 19:10 Coronation Street 12:55 Call Of The Wildman 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 00:40 The Hive Scandinavia 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 19:35 Love/Hate 13:20 Animal Airport 08:30 Storage Hunters 00:50 Art Attack 15:40 Cash In The Attic 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 20:30 Agatha Christie’s Marple 13:50 Call Of The Wildman 08:55 Thrift Hunters 01:15 Art Attack 18:00 Valentine Warner Eats 12:40 Good Luck Charlie 22:20 Coronation Street 14:45 Gator Boys 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 01:40 Jungle Junction Scandinavia 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 22:50 Emmerdale 15:40 Lion Man: One World African 09:45 How It’s Made 01:50 Jungle Junction 18:25 Rick Stein’s Taste Of Italian 13:30 Jessie 23:45 The Jonathan Ross Show Safari 10:10 How It’s Made 02:05 Jungle Junction Opera 13:55 Jessie 16:35 Treehouse Masters 10:35 Rattlesnake Republic 02:15 Jungle Junction 19:20 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 14:20 Austin & Ally 17:30 Dogs 101 11:25 American Guns 02:30 Violetta 20:10 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And Easy 15:00 I Didn’t Do It 18:25 Extreme Animals 12:15 American Guns 03:10 The Hive Food 15:20 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage 19:20 Biggest And Baddest 13:05 Storage Hunters 03:20 Art Attack 20:40 Come Dine With Me: South Witch 20:15 The Pool Master 13:30 Thrift Hunters 03:45 Art Attack 21:10 Tanked Africa 15:45 Liv And Maddie 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 04:10 Jungle Junction 00:00 Adventure Wanted 22:05 Lion Man: One World African 16:10 Violetta 01:00 Alaska Wing Men Safari 17:00 The Mighty Ducks 02:00 Helicopter Wars 22:30 Lion Man: One World African 18:40 Win, Lose Or Draw 03:00 Situation Critical Safari 19:05 Liv And Maddie 04:00 Megastructures 19:30 Violetta 05:00 Rescue Ink 20:20 Mako Mermaids 06:00 Hard Time 20:45 Spooksville 07:00 America The Wild 21:10 Wolfblood 08:00 Adventure Wanted 00:20 Absolutely Fabulous 21:35 Suite Life On Deck 09:00 Alaska Wing Men 00:50 Eastenders 22:00 Good Luck Charlie 10:00 Helicopter Wars 01:20 Doctors 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 11:00 Great Migrations 01:50 Alone In The Wild 22:50 Shake It Up 12:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 02:40 Whitechapel 13:00 The Border 03:30 Bedlam 14:00 Animal Intervention 04:15 The Weakest Link 15:00 Mega Factories 05:00 Charlie And Lola 16:00 Engineering Connections 05:15 Woolly & Tig 17:00 Animal Mega Moves 05:20 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 00:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 18:00 America The Wild 05:40 Bobinogs Hamptons 19:00 Mega Factories 05:50 Little Prairie Dogs 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 20:00 Engineering Connections 06:00 Gigglebiz 01:25 Keeping Up With The 21:00 Animal Mega Moves 06:15 Charlie And Lola Kardashians 22:00 America The Wild 06:30 Woolly & Tig 02:20 E! News 23:00 Great Migrations 06:35 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 03:15 Giuliana & Bill 06:55 Bobinogs 04:10 E!ES 07:05 Little Prairie Dogs 05:05 THS 07:15 The Weakest Link 06:00 Keeping Up With The 08:00 Only Fools And Horses Kardashians 08:30 Absolutely Fabulous 06:55 Keeping Up With The 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 09:00 Eastenders Kardashians Stewart 09:30 Doctors 07:50 Style Star 01:00 The Colbert Report 10:00 Alone In The Wild 08:20 E! News 01:30 Louie 10:50 The Diamond Queen 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 02:00 Sean Saves The World 11:40 Hebburn 10:15 E!ES 02:30 Veep 12:10 Only Fools And Horses 11:10 E!ES 03:00 Parks And Recreation 12:40 Absolutely Fabulous 12:05 E! News 03:30 Last Man Standing 13:10 Eastenders 13:05 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 13:40 Doctors 15:00 House Of Dvf Jimmy Fallon 14:10 Alone In The Wild 16:00 Keeping Up With The 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 15:00 The Diamond Queen Kardashians 09:00 Parks And Recreation 15:55 Only Fools And Horses 17:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 09:30 Mystery Girls 16:25 The Weakest Link Hamptons 10:00 New Girl 17:10 My Family 18:00 E! News 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 17:40 Doctors 19:00 E!ES Jimmy Fallon 18:10 Casualty 20:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 14:00 Last Man Standing 19:00 Friday Night Dinner 20:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 14:30 Mystery Girls 19:30 Hebburn 21:00 Giuliana & Bill 15:00 New Girl 20:00 Crime And Punishment 22:00 E! News 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 21:30 Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Stewart Roadshow 16:00 The Colbert Report 22:15 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 18:00 Parks And Recreation 18:30 Last Man Standing 19:00 The Goodwin Games 19:30 New Girl 00:15 Marbella Mansions 00:40 Ade In Britain 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 01:00 Valentine Warner Eats THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 01:30 Come Dine With Me Ireland Jimmy Fallon TV listings FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
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Bahamas 001242 Madagascar 00261 Bahrain 00973 Majorca 0034 Bangladesh 00880 Malawi 00265 Barbados 001246 Malaysia 0060 Belarus 00375 Maldives 00960 Taurus (April 20-May 20) Belgium 0032 Mali 00223 Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Belize 00501 Malta 00356 You have an inner urge for order and organization and a Benin 00229 Marshall Islands 00692 great sense of responsibility. You are competent, ambitious and cool. This This may be a workday for you but you have discovered a Bermuda 001441 Martinique 00596 marks the coming of a good time as far as career and social life are con- good piece of information about two or three of your co-worker friends Bhutan 00975 Mauritania 00222 who are planning a particular party theme. They ask you to get together Bolivia 00591 Mauritius 00230 cerned. If you have not discovered this already, it seems your time of pay- Bosnia 00387 Mayotte 00269 ing dues is over; real accomplishment and focus are possible now. You are with them. 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You may reason and analyze and think about the next project. Take some Cyprus 00357 Norway 0047 You may find yourself looking for a little romance this evening. time out and exercise your body through some form of dancing or other Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Oman 00968 type of exercise. Perhaps a friend will join you. Czech Republic 00420 Pakistan 0092 Denmark 0045 Palau 00680 Diego Garcia 00246 Panama 00507 Djibouti 00253 Papua New Guinea 00675 Dominica 001767 Paraguay 00595 Dominican Republic 001809 Peru 0051 Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Ecuador 00593 Philippines 0063 Egypt 0020 Poland 0048 Big changes affecting your career, status and reputation are You may find yourself working closely with someone that El Salvador 00503 Portugal 00351 likely at this time. Daring to be different gets you noticed and could get you you always thought you would like to mirror. Your work growth seems to England (UK) 0044 Puerto Rico 001787 ahead in ways you never expected. Today is a time of reaping the rewards take on the same route that this person has set out for his or her own Equatorial Guinea 00240 Qatar 00974 for your hard work. Regardless of how differently you may have attempted progress-you are happy to follow. Concentrating on pleasing this person is Eritrea 00291 Romania 0040 to accomplish some project, the end results of your work have successful not your goal but learning and asking questions is bringing you forward. Estonia 00372 Russian Federation 007 vibrations. A high tech or idealistic approach sets you apart. You are at your You may wonder if you will ever learn enough to set the example for Ethiopia 00251 Rwanda 00250 mental best with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. You seem to have devel- someone else and you most certainly will. Getting down to the essential Falkland Islands 00500 Saint Helena 00290 oped a knack for being in the right place at the right time-and that can win work process is most important now. 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Following the trends of business and investments in the do a professional job for the customer and the customer recommends you to another customer. This is a perfect time to move forward in whatever Greece 0030 Sierra Leone 00232 world, you may have some interesting ideas for your own business. You are Greenland 00299 Singapore 0065 wise to save a bit of time to follow up on facts and confirm costs. You will you want to accomplish. Respect is earned for your way of handling new ideas or practical solutions. Your career could assume a much more deter- Grenada 001473 Slovakia 00421 prosper through an independent point of view. Ridding yourself of excess Guadeloupe 00590 Slovenia 00386 and what is nonessential may also be a key move to better working oppor- mined and solid form. Wonderful results are possible from your positive Guam 001671 Solomon Islands 00677 tunities. Some interest in a subject that is fascinating to you may have you choices. 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Holland (Netherlands)0031 Sri Lanka 0094 Honduras 00504 Sudan 00249 Hong Kong 00852 Suriname 00597 Hungary 0036 Swaziland 00268 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Sweden 0046 Iceland 00354 Switzerland 0041 Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) India 0091 Syria 00963 Indian Ocean 00873 Taiwan 00886 The power of organization on a social scale, such as business You may have to abandon your own ideas today but it is a Indonesia 0062 Tanzania 00255 or political affairs, seems to take on a larger than life feeling now. It’s as if commendable move that you take. Do not worry-your actions have not Iran 0098 Thailand 0066 ambition and authority are answers in themselves, rather than means to an gone unnoticed. Your self-confidence gets a boost today. Use this cycle to Iraq 00964 Toga 00228 objective. This can lead to ambitious schemes that tend to become lost get ahead professionally. Have no fear of the future challenges you see Ireland 00353 Tonga 00676 along the way. 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You also may cultural event involving friends and associates is quite helpful this Kazakhstan 007 Uganda 00256 evening. There is new information to absorb. Kenya 00254 Ukraine 00380 find yourself dealing with community affairs. Kiribati 00686 United Arab Emirates00976 Health FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Indian police arrest surgeon over botched sterilizations
RAIPUR: An Indian doctor who conducted mass terday ordered a judicial inquiry into the deaths, sterilizations that killed 13 women has been telling reporters “I assure you that no culprit will arrested, after saying he was being made a be spared”. Neelu Bai said her mother Meera scapegoat for a controversial family planning died after opting to have the surgery 10 months scheme. R.K. Gupta was taken into custody as after giving birth to her fourth child. “She started anger mounted over the botched operations in vomiting after she came back home. The doctor central Chhattisgarh state, where women were said she was vomiting because it was hot. He paid to undergo a procedure that also left asked her to take another medicine (to stop the dozens in hospital, police said yesterday. vomiting),” the 16-year-old told NDTV. Gupta operated on 83 women in just five Human Rights Watch said India had a long hours-spending an average of less than four history of sterilization-related deaths, in part minutes on each patient-at a state-run camp in because health workers were under pressure to Bilaspur district at the weekend. The impover- meet “informal” monthly targets. Health workers ished women were paid 1,400 rupees ($23) to faced salary cuts or dismissal in at least one undergo the surgery. “After the arrest, he was Indian state if they failed to meet their quotas, produced before the jail of the court today and HRW senior researcher Aruna Kashyap said on has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 the group’s website. days,” police inspector general Pawan Deo said “Access to information, informed consent, from Bilaspur, adding that medical equipment and quality of services are often sacrificed by used at the camp would be seized. this target-driven approach,” Kashyap said. Gupta said the government was wrongly “Women may not find out about the range of accusing him and blamed the drugs that were contraceptive methods available or the irre- used during the surgery, as activists called for versibility or potential medical complications of India’s family planning scheme to be over- RAIPUR: Indian Congress party activists argue with police as they demonstrate against sterilization.” Another group, the National hauled. “I have done so many operations before the deaths of women who were sterilized in a government-run program. — AFP Alliance for People’s Movement, said family planning programs unfairly targeted women, this and there have never been any problems. drugs, adding that “further investigation is straightforward procedure. Although the sur- whose rights were often ignored. They (administration) are putting the blame on needed to determine the supplier’s role in the gery is voluntary, rights groups say the target- “(This) is yet another instance of serious vio- me,” he told NDTV as he was being taken into incident”. Although no cause of death has offi- driven nature of the program has led to women custody on Wednesday night. lations of medical guidelines and brutal repres- cially been given, authorities speculated that the being coerced into being sterilized, often in sion of reproductive rights and health of “This is all because of the drugs, the drugs women had died of septic shock. The state gov- inadequate medical facilities. given to the patients. The symptoms developed women in India,” the Mumbai-based rights ernment has banned five drugs used at the In all 336 people have died as a result of ster- group said in a statement. India’s programs only after they were given the drugs,” said camp pending investigations, including an anes- ilizations in India in the three years since 2010, Gupta, who reportedly received an award from have traditionally focused on women, and thetic and a pain killer. according to national government figures. The experts say that male sterilization is still not the government for the thousands of steriliza- victims had suffered vomiting and a dramatic tions he has performed. “Almost all the patients accepted socially. Long history of deaths fall in blood pressure on Monday after undergo- The government has suspended four health are complaining now of how they started vomit- Sterilization is one of the most popular meth- ing laparoscopic sterilization, a process in which ing within 10 to 15 minutes of having the officials over the deaths, while angry protesters ods of family planning in India, and many state the fallopian tubes are tied. Some 14 women took to the streets in state capital Raipur on drugs.” Inspector Deo said police had conducted governments organize mass camps where main- remain in hospital in a serious condition. a thorough search at the store that supplied the Wednesday demanding the chief minister’s res- ly poor, rural women can undergo the usually Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh yes- ignation. — AFP FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
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Eurostar bets on new trains Abu Dhabi to raise power, water tariffs and destinations to grow PAGE 38 PAGE 39
AMRITSAR: In this photograph taken on May 16, 2013, Indian daily-wage labourers load 50 kilo sacks of wheat onto a truck at a grain distribution point on the outskirts of Amritsar. India and the United States said yesterday, they have resolved a row over food subsidies that has been blocking a landmark global trade agreement. — AFP India, US resolve food row stalling WTO pact Victory for PM Modi ahead of first G20 summit
NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON: India won US support would now win quick ratification. lated at his first G20 summit of world leaders in clause’ to protect its food stockpiling scheme, sub- for a massive domestic food stockpiling scheme Yet, at a conference call to brief reporters on the Brisbane, Australia, this weekend. ject to certain conditions, until a permanent solu- yestreday, rescuing the biggest global trade deal in deal, Froman declined to answer questions on But India, home to a sixth of the world’s popula- tion on the issue was found at the WTO. Under the two decades and giving new Prime Minister what concessions India had given in return. tion, is one of the few bright spots in a flagging Bali accord, the peace clause would have expired Narendra Modi a victory without major conces- In talks to break the deadlock, India stressed the global economy and Modi was vindicated in his after four years. sions. Under the pact with Washington, India will importance of ensuring that its 1.25 billion people, conviction that its promising market for cars, India refused to bow to calls to scale back its lift a veto on a global agreement on streamlining many of them poor, have enough to eat. It won an mobile phones and medicines would not be cut scheme to buy wheat and rice from its farmers, customs rules that is likely to add $1 trillion to the open-ended commitment from Washington to pro- adrift. “This is a huge plus for the world trading sys- despite criticism that this encouraged overproduc- world economy as well as 21 million jobs - 18 mil- tect its food purchase and distribution scheme tem - it uncorks TFA and potentially other deals,” tion. A food security law passed by the last govern- lion of them in developing countries. from any challenge under WTO disputes proce- said Frederic Neumann, co-head of Asian ment actually expanded the number who were Modi, elected in May, had pulled the plug on dures. Without the clause, India could have been Economics Research at HSBC in Singapore. entitled to receive cheap food grains to 850 million. the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement vulnerable to attack by trade partners over exports “From Modi’s perspective, it’s a major victory to In a recent disclosure to the WTO, India said its four months ago because he objected to a related of any surplus grain stocks accumulated in govern- say we’ve got an indefinite stay of execution on our state food procurement cost $13.8 billion in 2010- deal on food security. ment warehouses. New Delhi’s blockade had food subsidy scheme.” 11, part of the total of $56.1 billion it spends on Washington, which was the principal opponent plunged the WTO into its worst crisis in two farm support. Wheat stocks, at 30 million tonnes, of India’s food scheme on the grounds that it dis- decades, leading Director General Roberto Quiet confidence are more than double official target levels. torted trade, hailed yesterday’s deal. Trade Azevedo to float the idea of abandoning the con- Modi instructed aides early last week to strike a The India-United States compromise should Representative Michael Froman said it would “give sensus principle on which the 160-member group deal. Throughout the impasse, Indian officials now go before a Dec. 11-12 meeting of the WTO’s new momentum to multilateral efforts at the WTO” operates. Modi’s tough line jarred with the ‘Make in expressed quiet confidence that Azevedo would General Council, its highest decision-making body, and predicted the Trade Facilitation Agreement India’ pitch he has taken to investors abroad in his not win enough backing to follow through on his for ratification, Indian trade minister Nirmala (TFA) struck by the WTO last year in Bali, Indonesia, first five months in charge. He could have been iso- threat. India had called for a permanent ‘peace Sitharaman said. — Reuters Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Gold slips for second day, US dollar, data in focus
SINGAPORE: Gold eased for a second straight session yes- since recovered modestly on short-covering. strong. Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest terday as investors awaited U.S. jobless claims data for pos- “I think the market will consolidate at this level, we gold-backed exchange-traded fund, fell 0.25 percent to sible cues, and sentiment remained fragile as optimism could go up a bit but not far,” said a trader in Shanghai. 722.67 tonnes on Wednesday - the seventh straight day of over an economic recovery and a strong dollar dented bul- “The support at $1,180 has become a key resistance level. It declines. The holdings are also the lowest in six years. The lion’s appeal as a hedge. has been a quiet week on the data side, but today’s US data ETF is seen as a good reflection of market sentiment due to More outflows from bullion-backed exchange-traded could provide some trigger.” US weekly jobless claims are its size. Global gold demand fell to its lowest in nearly five funds indicated that investors anticipate further price falls expected later in the day, and could provide clues about years in the third quarter, the World Gold Council said yes- as the dollar stays close to a four-year peak against a basket the strength of the economy. The recovery is being closely terday. India’s jewellery purchases for weddings and festi- of major currencies. Spot gold slipped 0.2 percent to tracked as it would influence the US Federal Reserve’s deci- vals sparked a 39 percent jump in gold demand, but $1,157.73 an ounce at 0735 GMT, after easing 0.3 percent sion to increase interest rates. Higher rates could hurt non- China’s consumption tumbled. The industry body lowered the session before. The metal has seen an intense sell-off interest-bearing gold and boost the dollar. Bullion, seen as its forecast for China’s annual demand for a second time in since Oct. 31, sliding below the key technical level of $1,180 an alternative investment to riskier assets during economic three months, adding to recent worries over sluggish and then plumbing a 4-1/2-year low at $1,131.85. It has uncertainty, tends to fall when the dollar and equities are demand in the country. — Reuters Abu Dhabi to raise power, water tariffs
DUBAI: The emirate of Abu Dhabi will raise electricity and water tariffs to fight waste and limit rapid consumption growth, in a fresh sign that plunging oil prices are prompting Gulf governments to economise. Electricity tariffs for residential consumers will be hiked by between 10 and 40 percent from Jan. 1, state news agency WAM quoted the body regulating utilities as saying yesterday. Mindful of the risk of political discontent, Abu Dhabi and other Gulf economies have hesitated to reduce the lavish state subsidies they pay to keep electricity and water prices among the lowest in the world. But the plunge in global oil prices to four-year lows in recent months has reduced the huge surpluses that the gov- ernments earn from oil exports, and prompted them to look again at ways of saving money and reducing waste. For households of United Arab Emirates citizens, electricity tariffs for consumption above a threshold will rise 10 percent from the current 5 fils (1.4 US cents) per kilowatt hour. For for- eigners, who make up most of Abu Dhabi’s population, elec- tricity will rise 40 percent from the current 15 fils. Major industrial users will have to pay twice as much for electricity during peak summer months. Abu Dhabi will start DUBAI: In this Sunday, Feb 8, 2009 file photo, a cargo ship docks to off load its containers at the Jebel Ali port terminal 2 charging UAE citizens for water consumption, while foreign- in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Port operator DP World said Thursday it has reached a deal to buy the Dubai govern- ers will have to pay 170 percent more for water. ment-linked operator of free-trade zones in the Middle Eastern commercial hub for $2.6 billion. — AP Utility costs in Abu Dhabi will still be very low by global standards; in Britain, for example, electricity costs around 15 US cents per kWh. Oil falls to 4-year low The finances of most Gulf oil exporters remain strong despite oil’s slide. Abu Dhabi is believed to be running a budget surplus even at current prices, while it has huge fiscal reserves. But Gulf governments are preparing for the possibili- below $80, awaits OPEC ty of at least several years of tougher revenue conditions. Kuwait’s government said last month it planned to cut sub- sidies for diesel fuel and kerosene, and Oman’s financial affairs minister told Reuters his government was likely to start reduc- Qatar cuts oil output due to oversupply ing some subsidies next year. — Reuters LONDON: Brent crude oil fell to a four-year low below $80 a barrel as $75 a barrel before acting to stabilise the market. US crude stocks yesterday after Chinese data showed a further slowdown in activity in fell by 1.5 million barrels last week to 373 million, against analysts’ the world’s biggest energy consumer and Saudi Arabia remained expectations of an 800,000 barrel increase, data from the American silent about a possible cut in production. China’s economy lost Petroleum Institute showed. Weekly data from the US Energy momentum in October, with factory growth dipping and investment Information Administration (EIA) will be published at 1600 GMT. growth hitting a near 13-year low, reinforcing expectations of a slower increase in fuel demand from emerging nations. Maintenance Developing economies had been a major support for oil over the OPEC member Qatar expects to lower oil output to about 500,000 past decade, but demand is now failing to keep up with increasing barrels per day (bpd) by the end of November, down from 650,000 at supply from North American shale production. the end of last month and from 800,000 a month earlier, an industry Brent crude for December, which expired yesterday, fell $1.03 a source familiar with the matter said. barrel to $79.35, its lowest since September 2010, before recovering The reduction to 650,000 was decided because of market over- slightly to around $79.50 by 1200 GMT. US light crude was down 40 supply, with the second to 500,000 made necessary by refinery main- cents at $76.78 a barrel. “There are not many bullish factors,” said tenance, the source said. Qatar’s maximum production capacity is Avtar Sandu, senior manager for commodities at Phillip Futures. 800,000. “The market is oversupplied and this is why we cut down in Demand for oil from members of the Organization of the October. We found that there’s generally less demand,” the source Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will drop to 29.2 million barrels said. With maintenance due at Qatar’s Mesaieed refinery, production per day (bpd) next year, almost 1 million bpd less than current output, is expected to drop to around 500,000 bpd. Despite rising world the cartel said this week. demand, OPEC expects demand for its oil to fall in 2015 as higher OPEC members meet in Vienna on Nov. 27, when they will consider supply outside the group, particularly in the United States due to its how to respond to a 30 percent fall in oil prices over the past five shale energy production, squeezes OPEC’s market share. Qatar months. Some have said they want a cut in output, but the most pow- appears to be the only Gulf OPEC state that has started to informally erful member, Saudi Arabia, has refrained from backing that view, cut output. In a speech on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali prompting speculation that it is more concerned with keeping market al-Naimi broke months of silence to reaffirm the kingdom’s long- share than supporting prices. “We do not set the oil price. The market standing policy of seeking stable global markets, dismissing talk of a sets the prices,” Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said on Wednesday. “price war” but offering no insight on his response to tumbling crude Commerzbank oil and commodities analyst Carsten Fritsch said some prices, or what OPEC will decide later this month. OPEC members FLORIDA: In this photo taken Wednesday, job seekers fill traders understood that comment to mean that Saudi Arabia would including Kuwait have said a cut in output at an OPEC meeting set for out a job applications at a job fair in Miami Lakes, Fla. The let prices fall further. “That is sort of benign neglect - at least that is Nov. 27 is unlikely, but privately delegates are starting to talk of the Labor Department releases job openings and labor what the market thinks,” Fritsch said. Swiss oil market consultant need for some action, although they warn an agreement will not be turnover survey for September yesterday. — AP Olivier Jakob said Saudi Arabia might be willing to let prices fall as low easy to reach. — Agencies Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 39 Gov’t tells US drivers to get used to cheap gas
NEW YORK: Those low gas prices on station gasoline consumption, that’s a savings of age gasoline price in the US is $2.92, the low- strong in recent years. A boom in the US has signs aren’t going away soon, the govern- $60.9 billion. est since December of 2010, according to pushed domestic production up 70 percent ment says. In a dramatic shift from previous That may not seem like a lot in the con- AAA. That was also the last full year when the since 2008. At the same time, demand for forecasts, the Energy Department predicted text of a $17.5 trillion US economy, but econ- average came in below $3 a gallon. fuels is growing more slowly than expected Wednesday that the average price of gaso- omists say it matters because it immediately While it’s not unusual for gas to hit its low in Asia and Europe because of weak econom- line in the US will be below $2.94 a gallon in gives consumers more money to spend on for the year in late fall, the government is ic growth. The US economy is faring relative- 2015. That a 44-cent drop from an outlook other things. Consumer spending accounts now saying that these prices aren’t just a low ly well, but more fuel-efficient cars and issued just a month ago. for 70 percent of the US economy. point, but instead will be the norm next year. changing driving habits are keeping domes- If the sharply lower estimate holds true, “It would be a reversal of the trend over Adam Sieminski, administrator of the Energy tic gasoline demand low. The EIA expects US consumers will save $61 billion on gas the last few years where consumers can’t Information Administration, the Energy demand to fall slightly next year despite the compared with this year. Rising oil produc- stretch a dollar far enough,” says Tim Department’s statistical arm, attributed the lower pump prices. tion, particularly in the US, and weak spots in Quinlan, an economist at Wells Fargo. lower pump prices to lower prices for crude The EIA also slightly lowered its prediction the global economy have led to a sharp oil and weak fuel demand. The EIA did hedge for growth in US oil production because low- reduction in oil prices over the past four Consumer confidence its bet on lower oil prices though, as it cau- er prices will force some drillers to cut back. months. Not seeing much of a change ahead, Quinlan says the price of gasoline is one tioned that OPEC could cut production in Production is expected to reach 9.4 million the government cut its forecast for global oil of the three big drivers of consumer confi- order to push prices higher. barrels a day in 2015, down from a previous prices next year by $18 a barrel to $83. dence, along with stock prices and the The global price of crude has fallen by $35 estimate of 9.5 million barrels per day. Still, As a result, US drivers will pay on average unemployment rate. “Lately all three are a barrel, or 30 percent, since late June and that would be an increase of 4 percent over 45 cents less for a gallon of gas next year moving in the right direction,” he says. closed at $80.38 Wednesday. this year and the highest domestic crude compared to this year. Based on expected After falling for 48 straight days, the aver- Oil production around the world has been production since 1972. — AP Global banks entering phase of forex probes
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: The $4.3 billion in civil settlements struck Wednesday between six global banks and US and UK authorities over foreign exchange market manipulation sets the stage for negotiations over related ongoing probes that could bear much more severe consequences. Citigroup, UBS, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America agreed to make the payment to settle civil claims they failed to stop traders from trying to rig the for- eign exchange market. But the deal did not resolve an advanced criminal probe from the US Justice Department nor an investigation from New York’s powerful banking regulator, Benjamin Lawsky, who has a reputa- tion of helping extract record monetary settlements from global banks. Sources familiar with the matter say the Justice Department could bring its first criminal charges early next year, and that Lawsky could take action against banks under his juris- diction ahead of his expected departure, which may come in ear- ly 2015. Wednesday’s deal appears to be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to further legal action, said Josh Rosner, managing director of Graham Fisher & Co, a New York research consultancy. “Did they let anyone off of criminal liability? What was settled?” he said. Former prosecutors also said criminal authorities have extensive evidence, based upon transcripts released by UK’s LONDON: Eurostar staff take part in a run through of their presentation prior to the launch of the new Eurostar e320 Financial Conduct Authority and US civil authorities of traders train at St Pancras station in London, yesterday. The new e320 trains are scheduled to enter service in late 2015, with a brazenly discussing attempts to manipulate foreign exchange total of 17 new trains on order, to take passengers beyond the Paris and Brussels. —AP rates. New York probe Eurostar bets on new trains “Recordings are typically the strongest evidence you can have,” one former prosecutor said. Another former prosecutor familiar with the probes said he expected that the publicity and destinations to grow around the first round of settlements would add momentum to the outstanding investigations. LONDON: Eurostar is spending about those destinations,” Eurostar chief exec- October. It is unclear how much higher the settlement amounts will go 300 million pounds ($473 million) on utive Nicolas Petrovic said in an inter- But the jury is out on whether the beyond the $4.3 billion, and which banks will move first in set- seven new trains to reach more distant view. Over the next two years, the dis- new trains and routes can deliver. tling, especially with the U.S. Justice Department. destinations in an effort to lure more tinctive flashes of Eurostar’s yellow liv- “I’ve been sceptical about longer Earlier this month JPMorgan said it was “currently engaged in passengers from aeroplanes to the ery will be seen hurtling through coun- routes because I don’t believe the train discussions with DOJ” to resolve its investigation, one of the Channel tunnel. tryside beyond northern France and can offer a sustainable price advantage, strongest such disclosures, suggesting it could be one of the first Exactly 20 years after it first connect- Belgium, going as far as Marseille, in and fundamentally, the airlines are still to settle criminal charges. ed London and Paris and London and southern France, and Amsterdam in the materially faster on those routes,” Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said the agency’s Brussels by rail, Eurostar on Thursday Netherlands. Liberum analyst Gerald Khoo said. investigation is ongoing. Caitlin Ferrell, a spokeswoman for showcased the new-look train as part of “We need to convince passengers to When a train journey goes over two Lawsky, declined to comment on the investigation. a fleet expansion and refurbishment try us and switch from air to rail. We and a half hours, which the Marseille The banks also face a criminal probe from Britain’s Serious project costing 1 billion pounds. have to create new markets that didn’t and Amsterdam routes will, passengers Fraud Office (SFO), and interest from the European Commission, The link has transformed transport exist before,” Petrovic said. tend to favour air travel, analysts said. which has not yet opened a formal investigation. between the three capitals and Eurostar Slimline seats on the new, bigger Eurostar, whose other shareholders Lawsky, the head of New York’s Department of Financial now has around an 80 percent share of Siemens trains will offer passengers are French state-owned rail operator Services, has in recent months helped land record settlements the city-to-city market (including air more leg room than before, and there SNCF and Belgium, hopes the new trains from banks on sanctions and tax-related violations, and could sig- travel) which it says has doubled in size will be wi-fi throughout. can help it counter any future competi- nificantly drive up the ultimate price tag on the forex probes. since it launched. Infrastructure funds and pension tion. Germany’s Deutsche Bahn is plan- Not only can he threaten some of the banks’ licenses, but he “I don’t think we can go much higher funds have the chance to buy into the ning a rival channel-tunnel service from also has been known to demand firings of employees and claw- than that. The growth for us is no longer growth story after Britain put up its 40 Frankfurt to London via Brussels, though backs of their bonuses.—Reuters on Paris or Brussels, it’s to go beyond percent stake in Eurostar for sale in the launch is on ice. —Reuters Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Hong Kong stock regulators struggle to spot fraud
WASHINGTON: Few American investors have rebuttals by the company and a decision by America Merrill Lynch and UBS AG, all of During the same period, other stock ever visited Hong Kong’s stock exchange, a Hong Kong Exchange officials to let Tianhe’s whom were underwriters of Tianhe’s IPO. The exchanges and regulators - including the New cavernous trading hall at the base of a sky- stock resume trading after a five-week halt, firms’ standard due diligence involves scruti- York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ - were also scraper in the city’s central district. Their mon- investors may “just no longer want to be nizing a potential IPO client’s financial records, blindsided by a wave of fraudulent mainland ey, however, is far more likely to be acquainted involved,” Morgan Stanley’s own stock ana- visiting its facilities, interviewing its customers listings. For Hong Kong, however, an inability with the Hong Kong Market. lysts wrote in a research report last month. and checking that its legal affairs are in order. to prevent fishy listings posed a more serious As a primary venue for Chinese companies A two-month investigation by The The effort should catch all but the most threat: Despite efforts to broaden the geo- listing their stocks overseas, Hong Kong’s stock Associated Press uncovered discrepancies in sophisticated frauds. But according to Hong graphic base for Hong Kong listings, mainland market thrived over the past decade as the the story that Tianhe told investors. The AP Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission - Chinese stock issuers still dominate. matchmaker between mainland Chinese com- largely confirmed some claims by Anonymous which plays a role similar to the US Securities Hong Kong created new rules in 2012 that panies and global capital. US investors - largely Analytics, the mysterious group that targeted and Exchange Commission - investment banks tightened requirements for investment banks’ pension and mutual funds - now account for Tianhe, and uncovered new information the have historically done poor work. due diligence and gave regulators the ability more than 10 percent of trading, making over- group did not. But beyond the specifics of In 2011, the regulator’s outgoing chief to hold IPO sponsors criminally liable for stock seas Chinese equities a part of millions of Tianhe, the controversy highlights questions executive lambasted banks for lacking “rea- issuers’ misstatements. Espinasse said the Americans’ stock portfolios. about the credibility of due-diligence work by sonable professional skepticism” about their changes have had a positive effect. At least in Hong Kong, that exposure has the stock exchanges and investment banks clients’ financials records. That same year, the Hong Kong regulators may have further to been unrewarding of late. Hong Kong’s bench- that serve as the Chinese financial market’s commission reported that out of 100 prospec- go, especially in regard to forcing companies mark Hang Seng index has vastly underper- gatekeepers. tive public offerings submitted for approval, to disclose their past and present ties with the formed the US stock market over the past five 82 had defects. Chinese government, said Paul Gillis, an years, and regulators have grappled with how Misleading Later, in 2012, the commission again fault- accounting professor at Peking University’s to address recurring instances of misrepresen- Because of China’s political and legal envi- ed banks for shoddy work, declaring that some Guanghua School of Management. Given con- tation and fraud by mainland Chinese compa- ronment, holding executives of mainland IPO proposals included assumptions “that cerns about corruption in China’s transition to nies. That history weighs on Tianhe Chemicals companies accountable for misleading foreign were apparently at odds with observable a market economy, he said, investors should Group Ltd., a company partially owned by a investors can be difficult or impossible. facts.” “Everyone competes against everyone, know how and when ownership of companies Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC private equity fund, Protecting investors is largely a matter of keep- and the only way you’re going to get paid is to passed into private hands. after Tianhe’s initial public offering in June. ing rotten stock offerings from reaching the get a lot of deals,” said Philippe Espinasse, a “I’ve never seen that story told properly in a After a shadowy investment research group market. former investment banker for UBS and Hong Kong prospectus,” Gillis said. “That’s one alleged that Tianhe (pronounced TYEN-ha) In Hong Kong and elsewhere, primary Nomura Holdings Inc. who has written guides of the reasons these companies tend to list in overstated the size of its business, the $7.9 bil- responsibility for this task often falls to invest- about IPOs. “A lot of these things are staffed by Hong Kong instead of the US, because I don’t lion company’s stock fell dramatically. Despite ment banks like Morgan Stanley, Bank of people who don’t have a lot of experience.” think the SEC would tolerate this.” — AP New protections for prepaid cards
Over 2 million households without bank accounts
WASHINGTON: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is extending many of the BRISBANE: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Salman bin financial protections of bank accounts to Abdulaziz (C) is greeted by dignitaries after arriving at the prepaid cards. G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brisbane yesterday. — AFP New rules proposed yesterday by the fed- eral regulator would require that prepaid G20 host Australia slams card users be protected against fraudulent charges and provided with free monthly corporate tax ‘theft’ billing statements. The rules come as more Americans are using “reloadable” prepaid BRISBANE: Australia said corporate tax breaks amounted to theft yes- cards as a substitute for checking accounts. terday, throwing a spotlight on the issue ahead of European Consumers have gone from loading less than Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker’s arrival in the country for the $1 billion onto their cards in 2003 to nearly G20 summit. Juncker, who took office on November 1, is under $100 billion through 2014. intense pressure over generous tax concessions offered to top global More than 2 million households without companies when he was prime minister of Luxembourg from 1995 to bank accounts relied on prepaid cards last 2013. The allegations are politically explosive at a time when many EU year, according to a survey by the Federal countries are still struggling with the impact of austerity, particularly Deposit Insurance Corp. The cards can be since Juncker is spearheading a call for tax reform in his new role. The used to make payments, store funds, make Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is currently investigating several ATM withdrawals and receive direct deposits. member states over allegations they offered corporate giants such as The market has also expanded to include Apple, Starbucks and Amazon state aid in the form of sweetheart tax electronic services such as PayPal and NEW YORK: This Feb. 15, 2010 file photo shows Visa prepaid cards at a Duane deals. Australia has enthusiastically backed calls to close corporate tax GoogleWallet, CFPB director Richard Cordray loopholes in its role as host of this weekend’s G20 summit in Brisbane, Reade drug store in New York. New rules unveiled yesterday, by the Consumer noted in a speech to be delivered Thursday Financial Protection Bureau would protect prepaid card users against unau- making it a primary focus of the meeting. in Delaware. thorized charges and provide them with monthly billing statements. — AP Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey said the practice of corporations “Many of these prepaid consumers are shifting profits from one nation to another to minimise their tax was living paycheck to paycheck, and are card was NetSpend’s “Pay As You Go Plan,” the CFPB currently charge a fee to view state- robbing countries of much-needed revenue and had to stop. “It is engaged in a constant battle to make ends which charges a fee of $1 to $2 for a retail ments. hugely important for the globe that companies pay tax where they meet,” Cordray says in a prepared text of the purchase. Chuck Harris, president of the Only slightly over 2 percent of cards earn profits,” he told reporters. “It is theft when someone does not speech. Not all cards are created equal, Austin, Texas-based NetSpend, said that par- charged traditional overdraft fees. People pay the tax that is due to a nation and it undermines the ability of that according to a new analysis of 23 popular ticular card was designed for consumers who use their prepaid cards as credit cards nation to be able to deliver the sorts of services that are essential to cards by Consumer Reports. Some cards con- who used their cards infrequently and pre- would have 21 days to repay any debts alleviate poverty, to reduce inequality.” tain fees for calling customer service or for ferred not to pay a standard monthly fee. before being charged a late fee. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made similar comments not using the cards frequently enough, the “We listen to what our customers tell us,” If the new regulations prove to be too this week, arguing that G20 members needed to work together to analysis said. Some have overdraft fees when Harris said, adding that any regulations costly, it’s possible that some financial com- ensure its members did not facilitate tax minimisation schemes. the charges are greater than the amount of should preserve choices for consumers and panies will stop issuing prepaid cards, said Leaked documents made public last week by the US-based money on the card, a practice that the pro- not stifle innovation. Nessa Feddis, senior vice president of con- International Consortium of Investigative Journalists showed posed CFPB rules would end. The proposed CFPB rules would limit the sumer protection and payments at the Luxembourg gave hundreds of global firms huge tax breaks. Consumer Reports identified the Bluebird consumer’s responsibility for unauthorized American Bankers Association. The “Luxleaks” papers showed that billions were funnelled card as the best bank account substitute charges to $50. They would also require that But Feddis said the popularity of the through the tiny duchy using complex financial structures that because it has no monthly fees and a bill- free statements of transactions be made cards will ultimately be determined by con- allowed more than 340 companies to slash their tax liabilities. paying feature. It ranked the American available to users and that potential fees be sumers, instead of the proposed rules. “It’s Companies named in the documents include household names such Express for Target as the worst because it disclosed in “easy-to-understand” forms. going to be consumers who drive the mar- as IKEA, Pepsi, Amazon and AIG. —AFP lacks FDIC insurance. Another lowly rated More than half of prepaid cards analyzed by ket,” she said. — AP Business FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
China Oct data shows economy cooling further BEIJING: China’s economy lost further reduce air pollution as Asia-Pacific leaders and 8.0 percent, while fixed asset investment debt. Growth in real estate investment, momentum in October, with factory growth met in Beijing. “All three activity indicators was seen up 15.9 percent. which affects about 40 other industries in dipping and investment growth hitting a weakened moderately, suggesting the China, cooled to 12.4 percent in the first 10 near 13-year low, testing the government’s downward trend in GDP growth has not Room for policy easing months of 2014 from a year earlier. resolve to avoid stronger stimulus measures. been arrested yet. I would expect growth to Other data this week showed inflation New construction continued to fall, but a The soft performance cemented the view be lower in the fourth quarter than in the remained near a five-year low, highlighting slump in property sales showing signs of that China is on track to grow at its weakest third quarter,” said Shuang Ding, an econo- sluggish domestic demand but leaving room easing as banks quickened mortgage pace in 24 years. But leaders remain reluc- mist at Citi in Hong Kong. He said industrial for more policy support measures. approvals and offered better rates to some tant to use full-blown policy easing, such as production of 7.7 percent roughly corre- “The easing bias remains. The People’s buyers. Still, analysts doubted whether gov- cutting interest rates. sponded to economic growth of 7.1 percent. Bank of China may roll over the MLF (medi- ernment moves in September to lower mort- Fixed-asset investment, an important Despite a raft of stimulus measures, China’s um-term lending facility) in coming months gage rates would stem the slide as a glut of driver of growth, grew 15.9 percent in the growth slowed to 7.3 percent in the third to ensure a stable supply of money, but I unsold units hangs over the market. Many first 10 months of the year from a year ago, quarter, the weakest since the global finan- don’t think there will be a big stimulus,” said see the sector remaining weak well into the National Bureau of Statistics said on cial crisis. October retail sales growth eased Zhou Hao at ANZ in Shanghai. Analysts 2015. The central bank, which pumped 769.5 Thursday. That was the weakest pace since to 11.5 percent, the slowest pace since early believe more support may be needed to off- billion yuan ($125 billion) worth of three- December 2001. October factory output rose 2006. The anti-corruption drive spearheaded set the drag from the cooling housing mar- month loans into banks in September and 7.7 percent, which was higher that August’s by President Xi Jinping has hit sales of luxury ket, but are divided over whether Beijing will October, has pledged to keep its policy 6.9 percent but below forecasts and the sec- goods and expensive dining and also cooled take more forceful action such as cutting stance accommodative but stressed it will ond weakest pace since the height of the down a craze among local governments to interest rates unless there is a risk of a sharp- not flood markets with cash. Chinese leaders global financial crisis. November’s reading launch new investment projects. Economists er slowdown. A massive stimulus pro- have repeatedly flagged they tolerate slower could be weaker still, as many factories in polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales gramme during the global financial crisis left economic growth as long as the job market northern China shut early in the month to and industrial output to rise 11.6 percent a legacy of inflationary pressures and heavy remains strong. — Reuters Asian stocks mixed after Wall St dip Japanese shares extend their run upwards
HONG KONG: Asian markets were mixed yesterday after a record-breaking rally on Wall Street finally came to an end, while China released another batch of disappoint- ing data indicating a slowdown in the eco- PHILADELPHIA: Drivers with the Taxi Workers Alliance of nomic giant. Pennsylvania protest on near Love Park in Philadelphia Japanese shares extended their run Oct. 8, 2014, as Uber and Lyft are making a concerted upwards thanks to the weaker yen, with push to bring their ride-share services to Philadelphia. attention turning to Prime Minister Shinzo The state’s Public Utility Commission is expected to vote Abe as speculation swirls that he may put off today on Uber X’s application to operate in many other a planned sales tax hike and call a snap gen- parts of Pennsylvania. — AP eral election. Tokyo jumped percent 1.14 percent, or ‘Virtual wallets’ keep 195.74 points, to 17,392.79 and Hong Kong added 0.34 percent, or 81.76 points to Uber driving in India 24,019.94. But Sydney slipped 0.37 percent, or 20.35 points, to close at 5,442.7, while MUMBAI: The taxi-hailing app Uber has changed its payment Seoul gave up 0.36 percent, or 7.24 points, to 1,960.30. Shanghai fell 0.35 percent, or 8.87 method for Indian customers after new central bank regula- points, to 2,485.61. China’s National Bureau tions threatened its operations in the country. of Statistics said growth in industrial output Passengers using an Uber taxi in India will now need to slipped to 7.7 percent year-on-year in pre-pay for their rides through a virtual wallet linked to their October, from 8.0 percent the previous bank cards, according to an official blog from the popular month and below forecasts of 8.0 percent. In startup. “Once you link your debit card or bank account via a the same month retail sales, a key indicator TOKYO: People are reflected on the electronic board of a securities firm in Paytm wallet to your Uber account, you’ll easily be able to top of consumer spending, increased a less-than- Tokyo, yesterday. Asian stocks were subdued yesterday after all Street retreat- up your wallet using multiple payment options,” said the San expected 11.5 percent. Fixed asset invest- ed following five days of record gains but Tokyo gained after a surprise rise in Francisco-based firm, which began operations in India last ment, a measure of government spending Japan’s machinery orders. — AP year. Paytm is an Indian mobile commerce platform that is on infrastructure, expanded 15.9 percent in The Dow edged down 0.02 percent and the the poll, which would be greeted positively used to pay bills and recharge pre-paid mobile phones. the first 10 months, below the 16.0 percent S&P 500 fell 0.07 percent. However, the by the market and trigger fresh yen-selling, In most countries where Uber operates, passengers simply tipped. The figures are the latest showing the Nasdaq added 0.31 percent to sit at highs analysts said. On oil markets US benchmark need to register their debit or credit cards in the firm’s mobile world’s number two economy and key driver not seen since March 2000. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for December application, which are then debited after each ride. of global and regional growth is slowing The Nikkei continued a rally from the end delivery fell 23 cents to $76.95 while Brent But the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in August expressed despite easing measures from Beijing. of last month that has been fuelled by the crude was down 52 cents at $79.86 in after- concern that Indian bank cards were being used for services Bank of Japan’s widened stimulus pro- noon trade. Gold was at $1,158.06 an ounce, that were linked to banks overseas. It therefore called for a China headwinds gramme, which in effect prints money, send- compared with $1,163.87 late Wednesday. two-step authentication process for all card transactions, with Nomura economists said the figures sug- ing the yen tumbling against the dollar. businesses given until the end of October to comply. gest “headwinds from the property market Yesterday the greenback bought 115.62 yen, In other markets: correction, severe overcapacity in many compared with 115.52 yen in New York. The Taipei rose 0.69 percent, or 61.72 points, Customers hail a cab on the Uber smartphone app, which upstream industries and an overleveraged US unit on Tuesday touched above 116 yen to 8,980.67. Hon Hai added 2.08 percent to uses GPS to put the user in contact with the nearest local driv- corporate sector are very strong”. They for the first time since 2007. The euro bought Tw$98.0 while Taiwan Semiconductor er. Uber charges a commission for each ride. Its initial pay- added: “The efficacy of policy easing may $1.2463 and 144.12 yen against $1.2438 and Manufacturing Co. was 1.52 percent higher ment method raised questions over its tax liabilities in India have lessened.” Wall Street’s Dow and S&P 143.70 yen. Traders are keeping tabs on any at Tw$134.0. Wellington eased 0.46 percent, since a Netherlands-based arm of the firm was handling the 500 dipped on profit-taking and after US, comments from Abe following reports that or 25.14 points, to 5,462.74. Spark was down payments, but local drivers were charging a tax for their serv- British and Swiss regulators levied more than he is considering delaying next October’s 1.54 percent at NZ$3.19 and Contact Energy ices. An end to Indian operations would have been a blow for $4.0 billion in fines on six of the world’s sales tax hike after a similar increase in April slipped 1.41 percent to NZ$6.28. the startup founded in 2009, since India is reported to be largest banks-including three US lenders-for put the brakes on a nascent economic recov- Manila was 0.47 percent lower, easing Uber’s biggest market outside the United States. According to manipulation of the foreign exchange mar- ery. Major newspapers in Japan reported that 34.24 points to 7,198.63. Philippine Long a report in The Wall Street Journal this week, Uber is in talks to ket. But analysts said the losses were not too he may also call a snap election next month Distance Telephone Co. was unchanged at raise as much as $2 billion from a new round of funding, bad, highlighting the general strength of if he decides to put off the second tax 2,996 pesos while Ayala Land fell 0.99 per- which could take its valuation above $30 billion. —AFP confidence in US markets at the moment. increase. His ruling coalition would likely win cent to 35 pesos. — AFP Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 42 Garcia: McIlroy deserves top spot BELEK: Chile Sergio Garcia can mathematically still end the year as European number one he believes, after Rory McIlroy’s superb season, he is more deserving of the Race to Dubai victory crown. It is a view also shared by former double European Tour Number One Lee Westwood who stated also the European Tour should not copy the PGA Tour and alter the Race to Dubai points scoring system. For a third week in succession McIlroy is not con- testing the Tour’s Final Four Series at this week’s Turkish Airlines Open at Belek. In his absence the four-time major winner is currently 2,943,563 euros ahead of second placed Jamie Donaldson of Wales and a further 93,821 euros clear of the third placed Garcia while the Spaniard is 131,919 euros in front of Germany’s Marcel Siem. Donaldson, Garcia and Siem can still deny McIlroy the European Number one crown but only with victory this week and then success also in next week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship. And while Garcia, who is competing in this week’s 78-player Turkish event for a first time, remains determined to win for a second time this season, he says McIlroy is deserving of the title. “I’m a big believer if you have done something extraor- dinary to be able to achieve that, and to win the Race to Dubai before the last tournament is played, why shouldn’t you be the winner?” he said. “Rory has done something quite extraordinary this season and this summer, and he deserves to be the Race to Dubai Champion, even before we play the Dubai World Championship next week.” It’s a view shared by Westwood, who was crowned European Number One in 2000 and 2009. “If you look at Rory’s season, he’s won two major champi- onships, a World Golf Championship, and our Flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, which is a phenomenal year,” said Westwood. “If you put that up in somebody’s career, those four tournaments that would a good career, and Rory’s achieved that in six months, basically. “I’ve also looked over the last few years and it just seems that whoever wins the PGA Tour’s Tour Championship wins the FedEx ANAHEIM: Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (bottom) blocks a shot by Anaheim Ducks center William Cup, and if we go down that path we are into copying the PGA Karlsson during the second period of an NHL hockey game. —AP Tour again and copying the FedEx Cup. “So I have no problems with the Race to Dubai being over before the final event, given this year with what Rory has done.” Defending champion Victor Dubuisson’s defence preparations Ducks roll past Kings got off to a poor start when The Frenchman’s luggage and clubs were late arriving from Paris. —AFP ANAHEIM: Ryan Kesler netted two blew a two-goal lead in the final six min- Toronto tallied four goals during a third-period goals and scored again in utes of regulation. Jakob Silfverberg nine-minute stretch to chase Vezina the shootout, leading the Anaheim scored his first goal of the season before Trophy-winner Tuukka Rask and rout Sattaya, Ducks past the Los Angeles Kings 6-5 on putting a shootout goal past Jonathan Boston. Wednesday night in the first Freeway Quick, who stopped 44 shots for Los Kessel now has 10 goals this season. Faceoff of the season. Ryan Getzlaf Angeles. Anze Kopitar scored his first Morgan Rielly, Tyler Bozak, James van Gandranata scored the tying goal with 1:39 left in penalty-shot goal and matched Drew Riemsdyk and Peter Holland also regulation as Anaheim survived a dra- Doughty with a goal and an assist scored for the Maple Leafs. Jonathan matic finish to the Southern California apiece for the Kings. Jason LaBarbera Bernier made 25 saves despite not share lead rivals’ first meeting since the Kings beat made 14 saves for Anaheim after reliev- being tested much. the Ducks in seven grueling second- ing Frederik Andersen, stopping Jeff Rask allowed four goals on 16 round playoff games last spring. Carter and Kopitar in the shootout. shots before being replaced by back- BANGKOK: Thailand’s Sattaya Supupramai and George Marian Gaborik and Justin Williams up Niklas Svedberg in the second Gandranata of Indonesia took an unexpected lead at the scored third-period goals for the MAPLE LEAFS 6, BRUINS 1 period. Dennis Seidenberg scored Chiangmai Golf Classic yesterday, striking a six-under-par 66 defending Stanley Cup champions, who Phil Kessel scored twice, and Boston’s only goal. —AP in the opening round. The pair overshadowed major winner Jason Dufner of the United States, who finished with 69 and a share of 11th place in the $750,000 Asian Tour event. NHL results/standings Meanwhile 2011 Masters Tournament winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa slipped to a 77. Boston 3, Detroit 2 (SO); Calgary 2, Chicago 1 (OT); Arizona 7, Edmonton 4. Sattaya said he was “playing with a lot of confidence” after Western Conference Eastern Conference winning on the Asian Development Tour last week. “We have Atlantic Division a strong field here this week but I’m only focused on every Pacific Division W L OTL GF GA PTS Tampa Bay 11 3 2 60 44 24 shot and not the players who are here,” said the 30-year-old Montreal 11 4 1 40 42 23 Anaheim 11 3 3 47 37 25 in a statement released by organisers. Toronto 9 5 2 53 43 20 Gandranata, who tied him for the lead after closing with a Vancouver 12 5 0 53 47 24 Boston 10 7 0 48 43 20 pair of birdies, has never been ahead in an Asian Tour tourna- Los Angeles 8 4 4 42 36 20 Detroit 7 3 5 40 37 19 ment before. Calgary 9 6 2 50 45 20 Ottawa 7 4 4 41 38 18 “There are still three more rounds to go. I have to focus on San Jose 8 7 2 51 50 18 Florida 5 4 4 24 31 14 Buffalo 3 12 2 21 60 8 Arizona 6 8 1 37 51 13 every shot and see how it goes,” said Gandranata, who has Metropolitan Division won four titles on the local circuit this year. Edmonton 6 9 1 40 54 13 Pittsburgh 10 3 1 55 32 21 Singapore’s Mardan Mamat took solo second at the Alpine Central Division NY Islanders 10 5 0 48 42 20 Golf Resort, while title holder Scott Hend of Australia birdied Nashville 10 3 2 38 30 22 Washington 7 5 3 49 44 17 the last hole to finish on 72. St. Louis 10 4 1 41 29 21 Philadelphia 7 5 2 45 43 16 NY Rangers 7 6 2 44 46 16 The 2013 PGA Championship winner Dufner ended the Chicago 9 6 1 44 30 19 New Jersey 7 7 2 43 50 16 round within striking distance of the leading duo. “My front Winnipeg 8 6 2 30 35 18 nine was a little slow to start but I played better on the back. Carolina 5 6 3 35 44 13 Minnesota 7 7 0 38 32 14 Columbus 4 10 1 38 55 9 It was pretty good all day. I’m glad to finish under-par,” he Dallas 5 6 4 44 53 14 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are said. Leading scores after the first round at the par-72 Alpine Colorado 4 8 5 40 56 13 not included in the loss column (L). Golf Resort course. —AFP Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 43
Kiwis test Aussie Pogorilaya carries Russian hopes MOSCOW: Anna Pogorilaya will be car- supremacy rying Russian hopes in the absence of Olympic champion Adelina Sotnikova, WELLINGTON: Australia’s stranglehold on world rugby while Spaniard Javier Fernandez head- league will be tested when they face a highly motivat- lines the men’s event as the ISU figure ed New Zealand side seeking rare back-to-back wins skating Grand Prix series heads to against their neighbors in tomoprrow’s Four Nations Moscow starting today. final. The defending champions know they have a Sotnikova will miss the fourth in the mountain to climb after being thrashed 30-12 in the six-leg Grand Prix calendar and also the first round by the unbeaten Kiwis, and then being NHK Trophy in Japan later this month unable to train earlier this week when a virus swept with a torn ankle ligament. through the team. The 18-year-old Sotnikova has not competed in top-level international Kangaroos back-rower Greg Bird described their competition since winning a surprise build-up to the final as “a shambles” and sensed every- gold in Sochi. In her absence, thing was leaning New Zealand’s way. Pogorilaya, 16, will be looking to seal her “It’s been a long time since we’ve been going into berth in the Grand Prix final in Barcelona games as underdogs,” he said of a side who have next month, after taking gold in her first reached the final of every tournament they have con- assignment at Skate Canada. tested in the past 60 years. The Australian trophy cabi- European champion Fernandez, a net boasts five of seven Tri and Four Nations titles, and two-time world bronze medallist, is also 10 of 14 World Cups. hoping to make the elite six-skater “I don’t know what the odds are, but we definitely Grand Prix final in his home country are the underdogs,” Bird said yesterday as the after finishing second in Skate Canada. Kangaroos mustered a full squad for training for the “I’m looking forward to a Grand Prix first time this week. home stage,” said Pogorilaya, who made The Kiwis, who last achieved consecutive wins over her senior debut by winning the Cup of the Kangaroos in 1953, have been buoyed by the ease China last season ahead of Sotnikova. with which they thumped the defending champions “I have not set myself any special on their own turf four weeks ago. objectives for this event. I just want to give my home public some joy with my Australia, who are also the reigning World Cup performance.” holders, bounced back from that shock loss to beat Her challengers will include England and Samoa. American Mirai Nagasu, Japan’s Rika But their preparations then took a step backwards Hongo, South Korea’s So-Youn Park and with the virus forcing the cancellation of training on Canada’s Alaine Chartrand. Tuesday and Wednesday, notably laying low key play- Fernandez, a bronze medallist in makers Daly Cherry-Evans and Cooper Cronk. Moscow last year, faces a challenge from “You might have one player go down but not five or Americans Jason Brown and Max Aaron, six. It’s something different to deal with but the doc- medallists at Skate America and Skate tors, physio and the coaching staff are on top of it,” Canada respectively. Bird said. “It’s been a bit of a shambles.” Australia were Other challengers include 2011 world already down on manpower with a host of senior play- silver medallist Takahiko Kozuka of ers, including stars Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Japan, Czech Michal Brezina and Russia’s Sergei Voronov. Brett Morris unavailable for the tournament. In the pairs, Russian duo Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov, Sochi ‘DEFENCE IS KEY’ Games gold medallists in the team But lock Corey Parker remained upbeat, saying the event, look favourites after the Olympic Anna Pogorilaya in action in this file photo. Kangaroos were working on the defensive patterns champions Tatiana Volosozhar and that let them down when they first played New Maxim Trankov pulled out due to injury. for a second win after Skate America. Trophee Bompard in France, and the Zealand. They will be joined by compatriots Chock and Bates, fifth at last year’s NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan. “From where we were in game one to where we are Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, world championship, will battle two All skaters must compete in two now, we’ve improved in a lot of areas and we’ll tweak third at Skate Canada, and US pair Russian pairs-Victoria Sinitsina and events with the top six in each of the that this week,” he said as they trained Thursday. Haven Denney and Brandon Frazier, Nikita Katsalapov, and Elena Ilinykh and four disciplines-men’s, women’s, “I’m not going to give too much away, but when a Skate America runners-up. Ruslan Zhiganshin. pairs and ice dance-qualifying for Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan team scores 30 points on you, defence is certainly a After the Cup of Russia the six-leg ISU the Barcelona finale from December Bates of the United States are looking series moves to Bordeaux for the 11-14. —AFP key.” New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney preferred to focus on his own preparations and an injury to Shaun Johnson rather than concern himself with dis- ruptions in the Australian camp. Thailand eyes tourist boon “Our focus right from the start has been on making sure that our preparation is right and that’s no differ- from Asian Beach Games ent this week, last week, the week before,” Kearney said, downplaying the abdominal injury to Johnson. BANGKOK: The Thai resort of Phuket jump, high jump and cross country. Phuket “can not stand on the same “He just had a little bit of a tweak which those prime will host the Asian Beach Games this Jet-skiing, water polo, body building, spot” amid fierce competition for tourist athletes do sometimes but he’s fine.” Injured hooker week, an event organisers hope will pro- Russian martial art sambo and the cro- dollars across the region. Thomas Leuluai is the notable absentee from the Kiwis vide a shot-in-the-arm for the kingdom’s quet-style woodball are also among a Nearly 50 hotels are fully booked to who now boast the top-class pairing of Johnson and troubled tourism industry. varied programme to be contested over host 6,000 officials and athletes expect- Kieran Foran in the halves to guide a side that has con- The fourth Beach Games are also 10 days in the Thai resort. ed for the Games, he added, while tens centrated on developing off-load opportunities. “And expected to draw extra interest this year Thailand’s tourism sector is desperate of thousands of spectators are also likely if we’re not doing that then it is difficult,” Kearney said. coming just days after the Association of for good news after the murder of two to visit. Months of political turmoil New Zealand’s most successful run against Australia National Olympic Committees decided British holidaymakers on a normally which ended in a military coup-and the to create the inaugural world beach tranquil island in September com- imposition of martial law-frightened off was in 1952-53 when they won four Tests in a row. The games, which could begin in 2017. pounded the damage done by protests tourists and decimated the nation’s Kiwis have won back-to-back Tests only two other The biannual Asian Beach Games that led to a May coup on the kingdom’s international sporting calendar. times in the 136-Test history between the two teams, were started by the Olympic Council of reputation as a tourist paradise. The $1 million Thailand Golf Open claiming the first two internationals in 1908 and then Asia in 2008 and have taken place in “The games are good for any host was cancelled while a glamourous annu- winning Tests on either side of World War Two in 1937 Indonesia’s Bali, Muscat in Oman and country,” Virat Patee, director of the al motorsport exhibition event in and 1948. Haiyang in China. Sports Authority of Thailand in Phuket, Bangkok was also axed as protests raged Head-to-head, the ledger is heavily weighted in Starting on Friday, Phuket will be the told AFP. “In the coming years tourist in the first part of the year. Thailand is favour of Australia who in 106 years have won 93, first edition of the event to see competi- numbers will probably increase as we holding its breath to see if tourists flock drawn three and lost 30 of their encounters. —AFP tion in beach track and field, which fea- can use the Beach Games as a selling back for the peak season which is just tures 60-metre sprints, shot put, long point,” he said, adding resorts such as starting. —AFP Sports44 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Pelicans beat Lakers, Rockets roll
NEW ORLEANS: Anthony Davis had 25 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots, and the New Orleans Pelicans pulled away from the reeling Los Angeles Lakers for a 109-102 victory Wednesday night. Tyreke Evans had 19 points and 11 assists for New Orleans. Ryan Anderson and Jrue Holiday each added 17 points. Kobe Bryant scored 33 on 10-of-28 shooting, one night after setting the NBA record for most missed field goals in a career. Carlos Boozer had 16 points and Jeremy Lin 15 for the Lakers, who dropped to 1-7. The Lakers were as close as 63-60 in the mid- dle of the third quarter, but the Pelicans closed the period on a 22-12 run that included nine points from Holiday. New Orleans outscored Los Angeles 60-34 in the paint and shot 54.9 percent compared to 41.7 percent for the Lakers.
ROCKETS 113, TIMBERWOLVES 101 Dwight Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds, James Harden scored 23 points and added 10 assists, and Houston beat Minnesota in the NBA’s first regular-season game played south of the border since 1997. Howard, who missed the Rockets’ only loss of the season Saturday against Golden State, came back strong. He was 9 of 16 from the field and blocked four shots in 33 min- utes. Trevor Ariza had 19 points and Kostas Papanikolau scored a career-high 14 for the Rockets (7-1), who tied Memphis for the best record in the Western Conference. With point guard Ricky Rubio sidelined indefinitely after spraining his left ankle last Friday, the Timberwolves lost their third in a row. Corey Brewer scored 18 points for Minnesota. The teams played without a problem nearly a year after a game between the San Antonio Spurs and Timberwolves was canceled because a short circuit in a generator room sent smoke and fumes inside the Mexico City Arena during warmups.
PACERS 81, HEAT 75 Chris Copeland scored 17 points and put Indiana ahead to stay on a layup with 43 seconds left, and Roy Hibbert had 16 points and 15 rebounds to help the undermanned Pacers beat Miami. NEW ORLEANS: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) is stopped as he drives to the basket between New Orleans Donald Sloan added 15 points for Indiana, which has won two Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (right) and forward Ryan Anderson, during the second half of an NBA basketball game. straight after a 1-6 start. Dwyane Wade scored 20 for Miami, The Pelicans won 109-102. —AP which trailed by seven in the fourth quarter before tying the game twice but never recapturing the lead. posted his big game a night after scoring a career-high 29 in a The Pacers outrebounded Miami 53-28, and the Heat missed loss at Milwaukee. Rajon Rondo just missed his second triple-dou- NBA results/standings 10 of 18 free throws. Chris Bosh was held to a season-low nine ble of the season with 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. points on 3-for-13 shooting. Miami had three late shots at the Avery Bradley added 17 points for Boston, which had won its last Eastern Conference two. The Celtics went 9 for 33 from beyond the 3-point line. Atlantic Division lead, but a jumper by Luol Deng missed, Hibbert blocked a dunk W L PCT GB attempt by Deng, and Bosh airballed a 3-pointer. Toronto 7 1 .875 - Indiana was missing six players, including four-fifths of its MAGIC 97, KNICKS 95 Brooklyn 4 3 .571 2.5 starting lineup from the last Pacers-Heat meeting - that being Evan Fournier scored a career-high 28 points and Orlando Boston 3 4 .429 3.5 Game 6 of last season’s Eastern Conference finals. Hibbert was the bounced back from a poor finish with a good one, handing New NY Knicks 2 7 .222 5.5 lone returning first-stringer from that rivalry. York its sixth straight loss. Philadelphia 0 7 0 6.5 Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic, who led by 11 after three quarters in Toronto a night earli- Central Division TRAIL BLAZERS 130, NUGGETS 113 Chicago 6 2 .750 - Damian Lillard had 27 points and a season-high nine assists as er, only to lose 104-100. This time, they trailed 85-84 midway Milwaukee 4 4 .500 2 Portland used a huge first half to hand skidding Denver its sixth through the final period before taking control. Cleveland 3 3 .500 2 straight defeat. The Trail Blazers led 84-50 at halftime, one basket Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points for the Knicks, who were Indiana 3 6 .333 3.5 from matching the team record for points in a half (86) set against held to 19 in the fourth quarter and still haven’t reached 100 this Detroit 2 6 .250 4 Golden State on Jan. 5, 1986. season. New York had a chance at the end, but J.R. Smith was Portland showed no signs of fatigue, despite expending plenty nowhere close on a potential winning 3-pointer. Smith finished Southeast Division of energy the night before in coming back from a 23-point deficit with 19 points. Orlando snapped a four-game losing streak in Washington 6 2 .750 - Miami 5 3 .625 1 to hold off Charlotte at the buzzer. Robin Lopez scored 15 of his New York. Atlanta 4 3 .571 1.5 19 points in the decisive first half. LaMarcus Aldridge finished Charlotte 3 5 .375 3 with 12. Ty Lawson had 32 points for the Nuggets, who went on a HAWKS 100, JAZZ 97 Orlando 3 6 .333 3.5 15-0 run in the third quarter and still trailed by 21. Paul Millsap had 30 points and 17 rebounds, and Jeff Teague added 17 points to help Atlanta beat Utah. Kyle Korver’s 3-pointer Western Conference WIZARDS 107, PISTONS 103 from the left wing with 58 seconds to play put the Hawks up 100- Northwest Division John Wall had 27 points and 11 assists as Washington held off 97 and marked the game’s 18th lead change. Portland 6 3 .667 - Alec Burks finished with 22 points and Derrick Favors scored Oklahoma City 3 6 .333 3 Detroit. The teams traded the lead on five consecutive baskets Utah 3 6 .333 3 before Wall’s jumper with 1:11 to play put the Wizards ahead 101- 20 for the Jazz. Utah led by eight with 4:34 remaining, but the Minnesota 2 5 .286 3 100. Marcin Gortat, who had 13 points and 14 rebounds, dunked Jazz failed to score again, missing their final seven shots. Denver 1 6 .143 4 with 38 seconds to play, giving Washington a three point lead. Korver had 17 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, which has Rasual Butler had 18 points for the Wizards. His two free won three straight. The only other points scored in the final Pacific Division throws with 4 seconds to play put Washington ahead 107-103. minute were a pair of free throws from Teague with 5.7 seconds Golden State 5 2 .714 - Butler made seven of his eight field goal attempts. remaining. Sacramento 5 3 .625 0.5 Phoenix 5 3 .625 0.5 Detroit lost for the third straight time and fell to 2-6. Brandon LA Clippers 4 3 .571 1 Jennings scored 16 of his 32 points in the first quarter. SUNS 112, NETS 104 LA Lakers 1 7 .125 4.5 Gerald Green came off the bench to score 28 points and THUNDER 109, CELTICS 94 Phoenix erased a 19-point deficit to beat Brooklyn. Isaiah Thomas Southwest Division Reggie Jackson had 28 points and eight assists, and Anthony added 17 points in a reserve role for the Suns. Memphis 7 1 .875 - Morrow scored 28 to lift injury-riddled Oklahoma City over In addition to his scoring, Green came up with a steal that led Houston 7 1 .875 - Boston. It was the second win in six games for the Thunder, who to a fast break layup and three-point play by Goran Dragic for a Dallas 5 3 .625 2 are missing stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. 106-99 lead. Joe Johnson had 21 points for the Nets, who led 63- New Orleans 4 3 .571 2.5 San Antonio 4 3 .571 2.5 Jackson, a standout at nearby Boston College from 2008-11, 49 at halftime. —AP Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 45 Neymar lauded as Brazil flay Turks
RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil’s media yester- day hailed the national team as leaving their World Cup heartache far behind them after Wednesday’s 4-0 friendly romp in Turkey. It was their fifth straight win after their humiliating semi-final exit to Germany. Neymar, who netted all four goals in last month’s four-goal thrashing of Japan, bagged two more as the Selecao kept up their hot streak under new coach Dunga, back for a second spell at the helm after replacing Luiz Felipe Scolari. Newspapers highlighted the reaction of sporting Turkish fans at a packed Sukru Saracoglu stadium as they applauded Neymar off at the end and chanted his name. “Neymar given standing ovation by Turks,” said Estado de Sao Paulo, while Rio daily O Dia noted that “everybody hailed him” for his two goal showing. “Neymar double wins Turkish ovation as Brazil see off hosts,” was Globo’s head- line. Folha de Sao Paulo said despite the win Brazil “are still in a period of conva- lescence after their Cup humiliation” while also highlighting the Turkish fans’ response to their side’s defeat. Correio Braziliense focused on Dunga keeping up his perfect record as Brazil added to wins over Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Japan-all without conceding a goal-in recent weeks. “Brazil whip Turkey and maintain Dunga’s 100 percent record,” the Brasilia-based paper said. Dunga called up several new faces for the match but tinkered little, notably giving Hoffenheim striker Roberto Firmino barely 20 minutes as he replaced fellow- debutant Luiz Adriano of Shakhtar ISTANBUL: Brazil’s Neymar JR (right) and Bekir Irtegun of Turkey fight for the ball during their friendly soccer match at SukruSaracoglu Donetsk.—AFP Stadium. —AP
Win against Irish not crucial to Scotland’s chances - Whittaker
GLASGOW: Steven Whittaker has played down the Scotland has made in the 22 months since Gordon significance of Scotland’s Euro 2016 qualifying match Strachan took charge. One of the players the manag- with Ireland today. Whittaker’s Scotland side, who sit er introduced to the national set-up, Wolves winger in fourth spot, are just three points behind their Ikechi Anya, feels the confidence Strachan has Egypt cancels two Group D rivals in the chase for one of the two auto- imbued in the side means they now fear no one. matic qualification spots. “The gaffer has given all the attacking players free- The assumption that Germany would run away dom to express themselves,” Anya said. “When you friendly handball with the group has already come undone with the have that confidence from the manager, the players World Cup winners suffering a slow start to their are only going to develop. “The attacking prowess we matches with Qatar campaign. have within the team is very good and we know we Group D has become cluttered with only four can go and win games. “Not taking anything away points separating the top five sides, leaving minnows from the defence, but I think the attack is the CAIRO: Egypt’s national handball team pulled out on Thursday from two Gibraltar cut adrift at the foot of the table. strongest part of the team. “We have players with real friendly matches with Qatar this month, after two Arab teams boycotted It means the match in Glasgow could be crucial to strength in depth there now. It is so positive on all the world championships amid strains with Doha. Scotland’s hopes of reaching their first major tourna- fronts.” The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain withdrew last week from the ment since 1998 but Norwich defender Whittaker, The match at Parkhead will see Strachan up tournament scheduled to take place in Qatar on January 15. who may feature at right-back due to injuries to regu- against the man he replaced in the Celtic dug-out in Egyptian Handball Federation chairman Khalid Hamouda told AFP lars Alan Hutton and Phil Bardsley, insists qualifica- 2005, Martin O’Neill. that his board had decided to cancel the friendly matches scheduled for tion won’t depend on the Scots defeating the Irish. O’Neill and assistant Roy Keane have enjoyed a Doha, but confirmed that Egypt will participate in the world champi- “It’s not going to stop you getting to where you want successful start to their time in charge of Ireland, hav- onships. “We need to be wise, amid the pressures that the handball fed- to go if you don’t get the result,” said Whittaker. “It’s ing yet to taste defeat in their three competitive going to be right up there, with all the hype that’s matches since being unveiled last November. eration is currently facing,” said Hamouda, in reference to the withdrawal coming with this game. It’s massive and we want a And the former Celtic, Sunderland and Aston Villa of the two Gulf teams. positive outcome in the end. manager is delighted with the progress of his side. Hamouda indicated that withdrawing could lead to sanctions against “We don’t tend to concentrate too much on the “We have played three games, three competitive Egypt, that “could jeopardise the future of the sport”. opposition, the manager’s got us thinking about matches - the rest has been a build-up to it. There The International Handball Federation said that the issue of the with- what we’re doing and how we’re going to create have been a lot of friendly games. “We have changed drawals will be “dealt with” in its next meeting on November 21. Qatar’s danger for the opposition. It’s a home game, so we’re the side around almost every single game that we relations with a number of Arab countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, looking to be the more positive side. “We’re fairly have played to have a look at players, but really the the UAE, and Bahrain have been strained lately, over the Gulf state’s sup- evenly matched at the moment, they’re ahead of us three competitive games are the only things that port for the Muslim Brotherhood-outlawed in Egypt, UAE, and Saudi but they’ve probably had slightly easier fixtures. count. “We have got some points on the board at this “It’s a big game and the result is going to be mas- minute, seven out of nine, so I am absolutely delight- Arabia. sive, but we feel at home with the crowd and we’re ed with the way things have been going.” The Irish Egypt on Tuesday announced it was boycotting December’s world very positive going into the game.” are still sweating on the fitness of Everton’s James short-course swimming championships in Doha in protest against hosts The positivity that surrounds the Scottish national McCarthy while Stoke City defender Marc Wilson has Qatar.—AFP side at the moment is due to the steady progress been ruled out through injury. —AFP 46 Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014 Kuwait eyes Gulf Cup title
RIYADH: The coach of Kuwait National Football Team Jorvan Vieira yesterday said that his squad aims at snatching the title of the 22nd Arabian Gulf Cup tournament. In a press conference held at the media center, the Brazilian coach affirmed that the team is in good shape for tomorrow’s opener against Iraq in the Group B, saying the team is ready for performing will. “Iraqi team is strong, but efforts on the pitch decide the result,” he added. The final line-up of Kuwaiti team has not yet been announced as it has some injuries. Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al- Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah yesterday arrived to participate in the opening ceremony of the 22nd Arabian Gulf Cup tournament, which kicked off lat- er in the day. The delegation, headed by Sheikh Salman, includes Director General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports Sheikh Ahmad Al- Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and oth- er senior officials of the authority. The Minister and the delegation were received by Prince Abdullah bin Musaad boin Abdulaziz Al Saud, gen- eral president of Saudi youth welfare, and Kuwaiti diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia led by Ambassador Sheikh Thamer Jaberl Al-Ahmmad. Ambassador Thamer held a dinner banquet in honor of Sheikh Salman Sabah, the delegation, soccer national team players and some other senior officials. In a press statement, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Mansour affirmed his trust Saudi officials tasked with organizing the event would contribute to making a “successful tournament” that reflects a shining image of Saudi and Gulf sport. He said that such Gulf tournament is highly appreciated by the Gulf peo- ple as it has competitive atmospheres in the framework of close relations between the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) countries. Sheikh Ahmad expressed his thanks to Prince Abdullah bin Mussaad for the warm reception and generous hospitality that the Kuwaiti delegation and par- RIYADH: Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah arrives in ticipating squads found. — Agencies Riyadh. — KUNA
Germany out to revive Euro campaign against Gibraltar
BERLIN: World champions Germany are chasing a big win Stadium to boost their goal difference. “What is important is to have a good game and if we win 5- over minnows Gibraltar in Nuremberg today as they bid to Germany are missing injured midfielders Marco Reus, Julian 0 or 6-0 and the boys play well, that’s ok for us. “There is no turn around the rocky start to their Euro 2016 qualifying cam- Draxler and captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, but the world reason for us to be careless. We want to get the three points to paign. champions want to make sure of the win. put our qualification back on track.” Germany were brought crashing down to earth following “We’ll go into the game against Gibraltar with full concen- Gibraltar only played their first international in September their Brazil 2014 triumph by slumping to a 2-0 defeat to tration and all seriousness,” promised head coach Joachim after finally being accepted as a UEFA member and the tiny Poland, then conceded a last-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw Loew. “We know we’re clear favourites and that is exactly how British overseas territory on the southern tip of Spain only has with Ireland last month to leave them third in Group D. we want to step out against them.” a tiny pool of amateur players from which to choose. The Germans lag three points behind the Poles and Irish in Even with key players injured, and Loew looking to rebuild Manager Allen Bula would be happy with a low-scoring the table and a big win is expected by the hosts against his defence after the retirements of Philipp Lahm and Per defeat, but says it is not his side who are under pressure. Gibraltar before the world champions’ friendly against Spain in Mertesacker, tiny Gibraltar, who have lost all three games so “We’re playing against the world champions, so for me this is Vigo next Tuesday. far, should not present any problems. already a dream come true,” admitted Bula. “I told the boys, Poland and Ireland have already both posted 7-0 wins over “We take our opponents very seriously even if their last they should just enjoy the match. “Germany have not yet the group’s bottom side Gibraltar in their qualifiers and the games have not been so successful,” said Germany assistant been convincing in their qualification campaign, so the pres- hosts need a similarly big score at Nuremberg’s Grundig coach Thomas Schneider. sure is on our opponents, not us.”—AFP Sports FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
ZURICH: A file picture shows FIFA President Sepp Blatter holding up the name of Qatar during the official announcement of the 2022 World Cup host country at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich. Football’s world gov- erning body FIFA yesterday cleared the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar of corruption and ruled out a re-vote to decide the host of the competition despite widespread allegations of wrongdoing. — AFP
FIFA clears Qatar, Russia World Cups Investigator slams ‘incomplete and erroneous’ report
LONDON: FIFA cleared Russia and Qatar yesterday of Russia was awarded the 2018 cup on the same day in a England’s own bid came under criticism from Eckert for wrongdoing in their bids to host the World Cup, but the dual bidding process that ended in 2010. Garcia was hired “an apparent violation of bidding rules” in its relations former US prosecutor who led the investigation by soc- by FIFA and spent more than a year combing through with FIFA power broker Jack Warner, then the head of cer’s governing body said it had misrepresented his find- allegations of bribes paid and favours given to the inter- soccer in North America and the Caribbean. Eckert also ings. A German judge who ruled on behalf of the soccer national soccer officials who made the decisions, not just raised questions over people connected with the bids of body’s ethics committee said he found no grounds suffi- by the winning countries but by other bidders as well. Qatar, Australia and South Korea. In the case of Qatar, the cient to re-open the bidding process for the 2018 cup in But instead of issuing his own report, he presented his statement said “there are certain indications of potential- Russia and the 2022 cup in Qatar. findings to FIFA, which issued its own ruling. Garcia did ly problematic conduct of specific individuals in the light But former US attorney Michael Garcia, hired by FIFA to not give any further details about the errors he said had of relevant FIFA Ethics rules”. head an investigation into the bids that lasted more than been made in the summary of his findings, delivered by However, it said that the Qatar bidding team had only a year, said he would appeal against the committee’s con- ethics committee chief adjudicator Hans-Joachim Eckert. a “distant” relationship to former Asian Football clusion. Eckert, for his part, ruled that any improprieties uncov- Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam, a “Today’s decision by the chairman of the adjudicatory ered by Garcia were too minor to require new bidding. Qatari who has since been banned for life from football chamber contains numerous materially incomplete and “The effects of these occurrences on the bidding process by FIFA, which accused him of paying bribes, charges he erroneous representations of the facts and conclusions as a whole were far from reaching any threshold that denied. detailed in the investigatory chamber’s report,” said would require returning to the bidding process, let alone Qatar has always maintained that bin Hammam played Garcia, who will take his case to another FIFA department, reopening it,” Eckert’s statement said. no part in its bid. Eckert’s report said that it could not find the appeals committee. FIFA and Qatar World Cup organ- “The assessment of the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cups any evidence of misconduct from the Russian bid, isers have been fending off allegations of corruption ever bidding process is therefore closed for the FIFA Ethics although it added that not all records had been available. since the tiny Gulf state was awarded the 2022 tourna- Committee.” The statement added that Garcia intended to open formal ment. Qatar has little domestic soccer tradition and its FIFA welcomed Eckert’s report and said it was looking investigations against individuals who were not named. desert climate is widely seen as too hot for the game to forward to continuing the preparations for Russia 2018 Eckert’s statement praised FIFA’s president, Sepp be played in summer when the cup is normally staged. and Qatar 2022, “which are already well underway”. Blatter, for implementing “critical” reforms “including Qatar has also been criticised over its treatment of those that made this inquiry possible”. migrant workers in the construction industry. It denies CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS It concluded that “the line between a bid team’s con- any wrongdoing and says it would be good for the Accusations of corruption at FIFA have been wide- duct... and improper conduct is a very fine one. From world’s most popular sporting event to have it staged in spread, notably in media in Britain after England was one which point on lobbyism must be considered as improper the soccer-mad Middle East. of the countries to lose the 2018 bid to Russia. conduct is, for example, not always clear.” — Reuters FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2014
Neymar lauded as Brazil flay Turks Page 45
ISTANBUL; Brazil’s Luiz Gustavo (rear) and Umut Bulut, of Turkey fight for the ball dur- ing their friendly soccer match at Sukru Saraco- glu Stadium. AP