US Says Allies to Send 1,500 Troops to Iraq

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SAFAR 17, 1436 AH www.kuwaittimes.net Landlords Millionaire Erdogan to Donovan goes ignore rent law, Dewani cleared impose ‘Arabic’ out on top while harises of honeymoon Ottoman as Galaxy harass tenants murder lessons in schools win MLS Cup 4US says7 allies10 to send17 Min 10º Max 27º 1,500 troops to Iraq High Tide 00:18 & 14.40 Low Tide Hagel meets Amir, tours US camp in Kuwait 08:07 & 19:50 40 PAGES NO: 16367 150 FILS

KUWAIT: US allies have committed to send about 1,500 forces to Iraq to help advise and UK visa waiver for train Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers battling the Islamic State, in a substantial boost on the ground, the top US commander guiding the Kuwaitis in 2015 coalition effort said yesterday. Lieutenant General James Terry, who commands all coalition efforts against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, said the forces would come on top of the up to 3,100 troops US President Barack Obama has authorized to deploy to Iraq. The allies’ commitments were made during a conference among coalition members on Dec 2-3. “When you start now to balance the different capabilities out across the coalition, I think we’re doing pretty well in terms of boots on the ground,” Terry told reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Kuwait. Terry declined to say which countries were con- tributing but said the troops would represent a broad mix from a coalition that, on the military side, now included nearly 40 countries. Hagel said with US help, Iraqi security KUWAIT: (From left) Matthew Lodge, Edward Oakden and Walid Al-Khobaizi forces have achieved a “new momentum” in KUWAIT: US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel meets HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah are seen at the new UK visa center yesterday. — Photo by Joseph Shagra their battle to regain territory lost this year to Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah at Seif Palace yesterday. — AP (See Page 3) Islamic State. Speaking to reporters at Camp new momentum,” he said. Hagel earlier met ernment’s policy of not coordinating military By Faten Omar and Agencies application system, due to be intro- Buehring in northern Kuwait, which serves as HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber action in Iraq with Iran, but he also suggested duced in the first half of 2015, the a staging and logistics hub for US military Al-Sabah at Seif Palace. that Iran has reason to be concerned about KUWAIT: Kuwaitis intending to travel Foreign Office said yesterday. The waiv- operations in the Middle East, Hagel offered Hagel said that the Islamic State group the long-term ambitions of the Islamic State. to the United Kingdom will need to er will allow a single entry to the UK of an upbeat assessment of progress in Iraq remains a formidable threat, not only to Iraq “They are threatened by ISIL, just like every apply at least 48 hours before travel to up to six months, and if more visits are since the US began launching airstrikes but also to neighboring Iran and other coun- government in the Middle East is clearly benefit from the Internet visa waiver Continued on Page 13 against IS in August. “It’s given them some tries in the region. He repeated the US gov- Continued on Page 13 KPC sees oil at $65; output at 2.9m bpd Heavy oil production to cost $4.2bn

KUWAIT: Oil prices are likely to remain around $65 a barrel $67.53, which was its weakest since Oct 2009. At the meet- for the next six to seven months, the head of Kuwait’s state ing in Vienna OPEC stuck to its output target of 30 million oil company said yesterday. “I think oil prices will remain at bpd, despite its own forecasts of a surplus and calls from these levels for six to seven months, around $65 a barrel, members including Iran for output cuts. Adsani said OPEC until world economic recovery is clear or if there were any member Kuwait’s oil production is around 2.9 million bar- political crises or OPEC changed its production policy,” rels a day (bpd) of crude. He also said it was “unknown” Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Chief Executive Nizar Al- when crude production from the Khafji oilfield, jointly run Adsani told reporters. by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, would go back online. The off- At a meeting last month, the Organization of Petroleum shore field, which has an output of between 280,000 and Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided against cutting pro- 300,000 bpd, was halted temporarily in October to comply duction to support prices, a departure from its policy of with environmental rules. Current total production from adjusting output to keep crude around $100 a barrel. the neutral zone divided equally between the two OPEC Prices have fallen more than 40 percent since June and members is 200,000 bpd, all from the Wafra onshore field, Brent crude for January delivery hit an intraday low of Adsani said. Wafra is operated by US oil major Chevron. $67.73 a barrel on Monday, near last week’s trough of Continued on Page 13 Ugandan maid pleads guilty to child torture

KAMPALA: A Ugandan maid pleaded guilty yesterday to torturing a toddler in a case that shocked the country after a graphic video of her abusing the girl was made public. The 22-year-old maid, Jolly Tumuhiirwe, faces up to 15 years in prison for the assault, which the local press brand- ed “spine-chilling”. Worried parents, who installed a hidden camera to film when they were at work, were shocked to see the footage showing the maid throwing their 18-month-old daughter to the floor. Tumuhiirwe, who the parents told Ugandan newspapers had worked for them for only two weeks, is seen apparently trying to force feed the child, before slapping her hard. After the girl vom- ABU DHABI: A photo taken on Nov 27, 2014 its, the maid throws her shows an Emirati man looking on as a falcon face down on to a hard takes off on Sir Bani Yas Island. — AFP floor, then hits her with a torch on the bottom. She Falcons to go jet then kicks the child’s face and stomach before put- set on Lufthansa Jolly Tumuhiirwe ting her entire weight on the girl’s back, and then drags her out of the room, apparently unconscious. BERLIN: They may not get their favourite mice and The child, named in Ugandan media as Arnella, was left small birds on a tray, but falcons - the raptor beloved bruised and shaken. The video, shot by the parents who by rich Middle Eastern hunting enthusiasts - are soon were worried at how their daughter was being treated to be allowed in the cabin on Lufthansa flights. The while they were out at work, has been seen or shared hun- German airline said yesterday that passengers would dreds of thousands of times on social media. Ugandan from late next year be able to take their hunting birds newspapers called the footage “spine-chilling” and “very onboard in a newly-designed device called the “Falcon disturbing”. After her arrest, police said Tumuhiirwe would Master” tray, which can be fitted with a cage. “Falconry be charged with attempted murder, but in court in the is very popular in many countries of the Middle East, Ugandan capital Kampala yesterday, she faced torture and the ‘Falcon Master’ developed by VIP & Executive charges alone. Jet Solutions allows the owner to take their falcons Continued on Page 13 Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 LOCAL Amir leaves for Qatar for GCC Summit Leaders discuss major challenges on agenda

KUWAIT/DOHA/CAIRO: His Highness the Amir Sheikh problems facing these countries such as unemployment, to elevate the status of the General Secretariat of the GCC Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al-Araby Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by an Gulf joint ventures, railway networks between the GCC to become a Commission to be tasked with considering official delegation, leaves for Doha today to head the countries as well as the opening of the borders to facili- projects that benefit everyone and submit them to the State of Kuwait’s delegation taking part in the 35th ses- tate movement between their nationals. leaders for discussion and approval. sion of the GCC Supreme Council (the GCC Summit) due in He added that the youth of the Gulf have great ambi- the Qatari capital. tion from such a summit to build a promising future for Serious developments them, pointing to the need for the Gulf peoples to have an Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Arab League Nabil Great hopes active role to participate in strengthening their Al-Araby stressed the importance of the summit which Meanwhile, a number of Kuwaiti academics asserted economies. comes amid ‘serious’ developments and challenges in the that the people of Gulf countries bear great hopes and For his part, head of the Department of History at the region. Araby appreciated in a press statement ongoing aspirations for the GCC summit. They said in separate Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University Dr Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi efforts exerted by the GCC member states in order to “heal interviews with KUNA that the summit this year is conven- said that the beginning of the Gulf Council was based on rifts, create consensus and regain Arab solidarity”. ing under significant developments facing the Gulf coun- The chief of the Arab League is set to leave for the tries at the regional and international levels as well as the Qatari capital later today in order to attend the GCC sum- geo-political and economic difficulties that require con- mit at the invitation of Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Al- solidated efforts to overcome them. Attiyah. Head of the Political Sciences Department at Kuwait Deputy Secretary-General of the Arab League Dr Abdullah Al-Shayji University, Dr Abdullah Al-Shayji said that the GCC summit Ambassador Ahmad bin Helli said earlier on Sunday that is being held after matters returned to normalcy and rec- the GCC has a key role in the promotion of pan-Arab onciliation where Kuwait had had a great role in, repre- cooperation and coordination, calling for capitalizing on sented by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber this “successful experiment” to serve the interest of the Al-Sabah. Arab League. He added that the Summit will be held under serious Bin Helli voiced hope that the GCC summit in Doha threats and difficult circumstances that are always repeat- could come up with recommendations and outcomes that ed but this time these challenges are becoming more dif- would be conducive to better pan-Arab relations. ficult than their predecessors since the Kuwait summit, where important developments had taken place which Good progress will be the focus of discussion at this summit. On Sunday, the drafting committee of senior GCC offi- He said the first challenge is the emergence of the IS, cials reviewed topics on the summit’s agenda. Director of the announcement of succession as well as the interna- the department of GCC in the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry tional coalition formed with the participation of 60 coun- Ambassador Nasser Hajji Al-Muzayyen told KUNA after the Dr Shamlan Al-Essa tries against the IS, in which a number of Gulf states were meeting that the drafted agenda would be forwarded to strongly taking part in military operations in Syria. Their Highnesses during their summit. He noted that the second development is the Iranian The Ambassador added that matters were progressing nuclear file and its repercussions, in addition to the US well, adding that the participants reviewed the achieve- and Iranian rapprochement and lack of decisiveness in the ments that have been accomplished at the level of the Iranian file a matter that would have a negative impact on GCC joint action, besides addressing some of the obsta- the atmosphere in the region and on security and stabili- cles that impede the implementation of some of the deci- ty. sions. He said that there is relative satisfaction for what He said the third development is the collapse in oil has so far been achieved, expressing hope that the sum- prices and their descent to the half since the Kuwait summit in Qatar would be as a continuation of the achieve- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber mit saying that this constitutes a very serious financial sit- Al-Sabah ments in the GCC countries. uation against state budgets, as well as the ability to deal Among the important topics that were discussed were with the financial requirements and challenges of these the perception of cooperation, and it is natural that such the completion of what has been implemented in the pre- Dr Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi countries. aspirations and perceptions would grow for this bloc vious summit, which was chaired by the State of Kuwait, Shayjy pointed out that the fourth development is the which is acceptable by the Gulf peoples. chiefly projects and decisions concerning water link obvious US downturn in playing a stronger role especially He said there was general satisfaction by the GCC indi- between the GCC countries. He pointed out that the under the administration of President Barak Obama to viduals over the reconciliation issue, noting to the role meeting also tackled following up on the implementation address issues and files especially in light of the US cover played by Kuwait headed by HH the Amir, a matter that of the railway linkage between the GCC countries, power for the Iranian role in the region. “have made us very happy”. grid and customs. For his part, Professor of Political Sociology at Kuwait He said that the senior officials also probed the Significant challenges University Dr Mohammed Al-Rumaihi said that the elites announcement of the GCC states to establish a Human For his part, Political Sciences Professor at Kuwait in the Gulf societies carry aspirations and business proj- Rights Council, a paper that has been prepared and stud- University Dr Shamlan Al-Essa said in a similar statement ects who seek to have them achieved, where they held ied in depth to respond to what is being said in some to KUNA that the GCC summit will be facing very signifi- their hopes on such important summit to achieve those Western and international arenas about the human rights cant challenges chiefly the drastic drop of oil prices which aspirations. situation in the GCC countries as well as decisions relating negatively affect economies of the GCC states. He called for the creation of community institutions to political affairs at the level of the Gulf relations region- He called for a GCC political unity in the face of many that are supportive to the structure of the GCC as well as ally, regionally and internationally. — KUNA Dr Mohammed Al-Rumaihi Ministry announces voluntary work plan International Volunteer Day celebrated

By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: Information Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al- KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and his deputies during Humoud Al-Sabah announced that the Ministry yesterday’s cabinet meeting. — KUNA of Youth Affairs has completed a study for the first phase of the national voluntary work plan. Cabinet OKs 6-month In a speech at a function held by the ministry on Sunday at Regency Hotel to mark International Volunteer Day, Sheikh Salman said that the benefit to laid-off workers study and the plan would be endorsed soon to give more backing to Kuwaiti voluntary activi- Pensions to some military officers revoked ties. “The recent UN honoring and proclamation KUWAIT: The Cabinet has agreed to continue the Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al- payment of unemployment benefits to laid-off outcomes of his recent visit to Sudan to attend the Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as a Humanitarian workers of the private sector for another six Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum. Leader and of Kuwait as a Humanitarian Center months. Sheikh Sabah, in his briefing, elaborated on the is a clear evidence of Kuwait’s leading role in The agreement was announced by Minister of outcomes of his recent visit to Somalia where he voluntary action,” he said. He noted that volun- State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad led an Arab ministerial delegation to this Arab tary work has remarkably expanded and diver- KUWAIT: Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al- Sheikha Zain Al-Sabah in attendance. Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah following a routine country to assess ongoing efforts to maintain secu- sified in Kuwait in the past years. Sabah delivers his speech at the event. weekly cabinet meeting held at Seif Palace yester- rity and stability there. Youth Affairs Ministry Undersecretary day under chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Afterwards, the ministers were apprised of the Sheikha Zain Al-Sabah said that the ministry Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al- findings of a recent visit paid by IAEA Director- seeks to embrace and offer all support to volun- KCCI chief optimistic about Sabah. General Yukiya Amano, which coincided with the tary initiatives, particularly those of the youth by organizing awareness campaigns to pro- But the Cabinet stipulated that unemployment 50th anniversary of Kuwait’s IAEA membership. Gulf’s economic power mote voluntary work and educate people benefit applicants should submit job applications Furthermore, the Cabinet consented to a draft about the values of social responsibility. DOHA: President of the Kuwait Chamber of pendence in the presence of all heads of to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) within the decree to promote 58 army officers from the rank Director of volunteer work at the ministry six-month period, he said, adding that benefits of colonel to brigadier upon a recommendation Commerce and Industry Ali Mohammed GCC Chambers of Commerce. Fouad Boushahri called on young people to Thunayan Al-Ghanem expressed optimism He noted to an earlier meeting today would be stopped once they were chosen to work from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of participate in volunteer work through the min- that the Gulf Cooperation Council would with the Qatari Prime Minister and Interior at state bodies. Defense Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. istry’s website in order to build the Kuwaiti soci- advance to a higher level to reflect the Gulf Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Naser Al Thani, The Cabinet also agreed to create a high-level The Cabinet also approved draft decrees on ety and provide successful community service countries’ economic power, similar to other describing the meeting as “successful and committee for structural planning and major con- cooperation between the State of Kuwait and and positive initiatives. major economic entities such as the EU. frank on many subjects”. struction projects, with HH the Prime Minister as Japan, Turkey and Jordan in various fields involving The International Volunteer Day (IVD) was Ghanem said in a statement to Kuwait He said the meeting dealt with the obsta- head and five ministers as members, Sheikh education, scientific research, achieves, vocational established by the United Nations (UN) General News Agency (KUNA) after the 45th meeting cles hampering Gulf economic integration, Mohammad Abdullah added. training. Assembly through Resolution 40/212 on Dec of the Board of Directors of the GCC especially with regard to the opening of Other members are to be selected from the The Cabinet revoked its earlier decree No 17, 1985. Since then, governments, the UN and Chambers Federation that the prospective offices and granting of commercial licenses Supreme Council for Planning and Development; 495/2008 on granting exceptional pensions to civil society organizations have successfully 35th GCC summit is very important for for the Gulf nationals within the State of mending fences and purification of the Qatar, stressing responsiveness and under- along with two experts and officials of concerned some military officers, and asked Deputy Prime joined volunteers around the world to celebrate the Day on December 5. atmosphere among the GCC states. standing of the Qatari side which promised state agencies, he said, noting that the committee Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khaled Al- He expressed hope that the GCC states to solve them all. International Volunteer Day is a chance for would undertake the compilation and implemen- Jarrah Al-Sabah to introduce amendments to “begin a new journey for the future for the Ghanem pointed out that today’s meet- tation of the state structural plan. Article 22 of the Ministerial Decree No 3623/2004 individual volunteers, communities and organi- sake of its peoples’ welfare”. He explained ing also touched on ways of activating deci- At the onset of the cabinet meeting, the minis- in order to ensure stability at security bodies zations to promote their contributions to devel- that the importance of the Doha summit sions of the previous GCC summits which ters were briefed on the fact that His Highness the through revising rewards, especially regarding opment at the local, national and international comes following the resolving of some Gulf have not been completed or not yet activat- Amir and his accompanying delegation will leave non-commissioned army officers as per Article 49 levels. By combining UN support with a grass- differences, thanking His Highness the Amir ed. He explained that the heads of the GCC roots mandate, International Volunteer Day is a for Doha to attend the 35th GCC Summit, hoping of the Army Law No 23/19678. for his noble efforts in this regard. chambers had held a meeting with Secretary unique opportunity for people and volunteer- Ghanem added that the annual meeting General of the Gulf Cooperation Council that it will contribute to bolstering and cementing The ministers finally discussed the agenda of involving organizations to work with govern- cooperation and integration. the National Assembly (parliament) and political of the GCC Chambers Federation is an Abdullatif Al-Zayani to discuss a number of ment agencies, non-profit institutions, commu- important gathering to solve a lot of prob- obstacles and he promised to convey them The Cabinet then listened to a briefing from reports on the latest Arab and international devel- nity groups, academia and the private sector. lems that hinder the Gulf economic interde- to the Gulf leaders.—KUNA First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister opments. — KUNA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 LOCAL

KUWAIT: A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from Bravo Co 2/147th AVN Renegades flies support for US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel esterdayy over Kuwait. Hagel flew out to Camp Buehring to visit troops stationed there. — AP/AFP

Kuwait’s support to No ‘official’ dress IOM efforts commended code in public sector

KUWAIT: A senior International Organization of Migration It is the third biggest and most dangerous global crime By Nawara Fattahova and Acting Director of the Security Media (IOM) official highlighted yesterday the ‘distinguished’ sup- after arms and drugs trafficking, incurring billions of dollars Department noted that the Ministry of Interior is not port they receive from the State of Kuwait and the partner- to traffickers, Erekat said. However, it cannot be denied KUWAIT: Some institutions in the private sector enforcing any special dress code for its employees. ship with official bodies in the country. that much progress has been achieved in countering the apply a dress code, which has to be respected by “Apart from those wearing official uniforms, there is Head of the IOM Kuwait office Eman Erekat made the phenomenon. their employees. If this rule is violated by an employ- no special dress code for employees to follow. Also, statement at the opening of a regional training course She underlined the role of media in the war against organized in cooperation with the Dutch embassy on the human trafficking for its wide impact on the masses that ee, he or she may be fired. In the public sector, there the ministry hasn’t issued any dress code for people role of the media to reveal victims of human trafficking, as must be used to disseminate awareness and change nega- are no official dress codes for employees, according visiting police stations. Maybe it was an individual well as to enhance social awareness on the phenomenon. tive thoughts and behavior. Sessions of the IOM course will to officials from various institutions and ministries. A act by the head of a police station to issue a state- Erekat thanked the Dutch embassy for constant cooper- focus on definitions of human trafficking; difference few days ago, the Director of the Capital Health Area ment for people not to come in shorts,” he explained. ation with the IOM in implementing major humanitarian between human smuggling and human trafficking; illegal Dr Tareq Al-Jassar issued a ministry decree forcing all Kuwait University also issued a decree last year for projects that have good direct effects on the society. migration and political asylum. staff working in the hospitals and polyclinics to wear students to respect wearing decent outfits, banning The two-day course is one of the top recommendations decent dress. The decree was addressed to women, short and tight outfits for both genders. According to of the First Arab Media Forum held last January at the UN Eindhoven’s example banning them from wearing very tight or short out- Mona, a 20-year-old student at the Faculty of Kuwait office on the role of the media to counter human For his part, the Dutch ambassador in Kuwait Nicholas fits that doesn’t suit local traditions, in addition to Literature at the Kuwait University, students are not trafficking, she told the opening session. Beets referred to a similar successful event organized ear- not wearing heavy makeup and high heels. respecting this decree. “Many students wear really “A question that rises since the announcement of the lier this year with the IOM. Beets addressed the experi- 2002 protocol on countering human trafficking is: have the ence of the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven to counter According to Faisal Al-Dosari, Head of the PR vulgar dresses that don’t suit the place, and some relevant parties exerted adequate efforts to fight the phe- human trafficking. He said that the city decided to spend department at the Ministry of Health, there is no offi- look like they are going to the beach,” she noted. nomenon?” Erekat asked. The answer is not an easy one, $2 million over the coming two years in projects to curb cial rule or decree from the government or the min- An administrative staff at Kuwait University con- due to the cancerous spread of modern communication the phenomenon. He said that it was found out last week istry forcing employees to wear decent outfits. “The firmed that there is no decree enforcing a dress code technologies used by traffickers to lure victims and trap that victims of human trafficking refrain from reporting to ministry hasn’t issued any decree regarding outfits. for the academic or administrative staff of the univer- them, she noted. the police, which makes it hard to identify the volume of But it’s known that doctors, nurses and some other sity, and said that such a decree may limit personal According to the head of the IOM mission in Kuwait, no the crime. The Dutch ambassador emphasized the role of employees wear uniforms. What they wear under it is freedom. “I believe it’s unacceptable to set a rule accurate figures are available on the volume of human traf- the media to fight human trafficking. Media covering their personal choice, and I’m sure they respect local telling me how to dress and not to use makeup, as I ficking worldwide. She thinks there is no reason to believe does not only boost public awareness on the phenome- customs,” he told Kuwait Times. think such order may be given to student in the ele- it is less than the time when the IOM started efforts to non and its nature but also assists the authorities to fight Brig Adel Al-Hashash, Director of Interior Ministry mentary grade,” stressed Tahani, a staff member at counter it nearly two decades before. it, he said. — KUNA Public Relations and Moral Guidance Department the administrative department. Zain main sponsor of 7th International Invention Fair Supporting Kuwaiti inventors in bringing positive changes KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications compa- Zain was presented with a token of appreciation dur- ny in Kuwait, announced the conclusion of its sponsoring the conclusion ceremony for its efforts in support- ship of the 7th International Invention Fair Middle East, ing the fair for the number of years that it has. Local and organized by the Kuwait Science Club. The event was international inventors displayed their cutting-edge held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir inventions during the fair, which drew the participation Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and this of the largest number of Kuwaiti and Arab inventors. year’s event marked the fifth year of Zain’s sponsorship. Zain will continue to foster young talent, believing Constantly looking to encourage Kuwaiti and fellow that the current generation of youngsters holds to the Arab nationals’ endeavors in the fields of science and keys to the future development of Kuwait and need to creativity, Zain Kuwait wholeheartedly supports such be well supported by private and governmental enti- areas as it believes the opportunity for young Kuwaiti ties. and Arab inventors to exchange knowledge and experi- The 7th International Invention Fair is one of the ence with international inventors is a powerful and most significant and largest specialized exhibitions fruitful experience. of inventions in the Middle East, and is considered as His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al- the second largest such international exhibition in Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, and Eyad Al the world. The fair is part of the International Eman Erekat Dutch Ambassador Nicholas Beets Kharafi, Chairman of Kuwait Science Club, along with Exhibition of Geneva, and offers an opportunity for Faisal Abul, Zain Kuwait’s Chief Regulatory, Legal Affairs inventions from different cultures to be exhibited and Roaming Officer were present at the opening cere- and the strengthening of relationships among inven- Kuwait promoted to a country mony of this year’s event. tors and corporations. ‘serious in combating human trafficking’

According to statistics, 600,000 people missing in Kuwait

KUWAIT: Following a meeting held last week in On a separate issue, statistics issued by the residen- Brussels in which the International Organization for cy affairs department show the total number of expa- Migration (IOM)’s Middle East human trafficking triates living in Kuwait is 2,433,559, including 1,612,699 fighting program coordinator approved of Kuwait’s males and 820,550 females. According to the statistics, efforts in this regard, Kuwait was recently promoted a majority - 1,192,105 - work for the private sector and to a ‘country that fights human trafficking’, said hold article 18 residency visas. Statistics also showed informed sources at the labor authority, attributing that 99,940 of them work for the government and hold the new classification to the measures recently tak- article 17 residency visas, 619,895 work as domestic en by Kuwait in this regard. workers holding article 20 residency visas, 518,377 are The sources explained that these measures dependants holding article 22 residency visas and that included passing law number 91/2013 on human 665 reside in Kuwait for study and hold article 23 resi- trafficking and migrants’ smuggling, which stiffened dency visas. the penalties to up to 15 years or lifetime imprison- Contradictorily, statistics issued by PACI showed that ment for violators. The sources added that the meas- the total number of expatriates residing in Kuwait as ures also included building a special shelter to 2,777,000, while the planning ministry said they number house domestic laborers having problems with their 2,110,000, which makes the difference between the sponsors as well the measures taken against violat- three ‘totals’ 600,000, though they were all issued in the ing companies. same month! — Al-Jarida, Al-Anbaa Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah visiting Zain’s pavilion at the fair. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 LOCAL Crime Report Landlords ignore rent law Duo held for while harises harass tenants drug possession By Ben Garcia am no longer willing to pay any additional complaining against illicit practices by to Raju, the court has told them to file for- KUWAIT: Fahaheel police arrested a Syrian and a bedoon amount, but they still cut the supply of landlords and harises increasing rents and mal complaints. “Tomorrow we are going under the influence of drugs. Several drugs and drug para- KUWAIT: Thousands of expatriates in electricity,” Raju, an Indian expat, told mistreating renters. “Early this month the back to the court with the rest of the ten- phernalia were found with them. Police received a call from Kuwait are being bullied by harises (build- Kuwait Times. haris came to our house and spoke with my ants - we want to settle this issue once and a resident of the building where the two had parked their ing caretakers) or threatened with eviction He showed the three consecutive con- wife and threatened her that if we don’t for all,” he added. car, telling about their condition, so police went to the area if they do not accept unlawful rent increas- tracts he signed. The most recent was dat- pay an additional KD 20 a month, they’ll Jonie, another Indian tenant, said the and found them. Both were sent to the Drugs Control es. The problem has reached epic propor- ed Aug 1, 2014, but the haris has informed cut our electricity. I told my wife we won’t haris won’t cooperate. “We told the haris General Department for further action. Separately, Hawally tions, with court cases filed on a regular them that the landlord is increasing the pay, and we’ll report them to the police,” that we don’t want to sign the building police arrested two drunks after a chase from Nugra to basis and renters across the country facing rent and wants a new contract signed for Raju said. contract anymore, but he said if we don’t Rumaithiya, and found drugs on them. Police noticed the harassment including having their electrici- December. “Despite the fact that we “When I went to the police station, the sign the contract, they’ll throw us out of two in a car, but when they approached, they took off, so ty cut off, elevators put out of service, car already had three contracts, they want officers at Mahboula police station were the building and that they’ll cut our elec- they were chased all the way to Rumaithiya where they parking blocked, rental receipts not provid- another KD 20 increase and they’ll stop very professional and helpful. They imme- tricity and water,” he said. were arrested. The two will be sent to concerned authori- ed, families harassed and other unsavory only if the rent reaches KD 350,” Raju said. diately called our haris and he came to the Another tenant Sunil is looking for a ties. tactics. In one recent case, several families In Kuwait, according to the rental law, station. The police told him to stop harass- new place to live. “I don’t want to argue living in the same apartment building in building owners are prohibited from ing us and that increasing the rent must be with the haris. Firstly, I don’t understand Mahboula filed a court case against their increasing apartment rent for five years in accordance with the law. They told us if Arabic and secondly it’s useless to argue Transgender arrested landlord over unfair rent increases and after signing a rental contract. But despite the haris insists on the increase, we should because none of us understand each other. Hawally police sent a transgender man to criminal harassment from their haris. According to the law, enforcement is only through the let them know so they could take neces- But just like others, I want the legal way. As detectives after he was arrested at a checkpoint in several of the renters, they have been court which can take months. In this case, sary action,” he said. much as possible, I want to understand Salmiya and objected and insulted policemen. Police forced to sign three new rental contracts - tenants may face hours, days or weeks with “The haris then became kinder towards what is written in the contract. In 2014 I at the check point thought they stopped a woman, each time with an increment in rent - with- electricity and water cut off or other subtle me, but I didn’t rest there. I told some of my signed three contracts which bear the rent only to discover it was a man in women’s clothes, so he in the past year. harassments. fellow tenants to take the matter to the and the increases,” he said. Sunil is reflect- was arrested and sent to concerned authorities. “At first we didn’t complain. We just paid The case in Mahboula is one of thou- court, so yesterday I went there so I could ing to shift to a new building instead because we don’t want any problems. But sands around the country. Every day ask the court on what to do,” Raju because he does not want to be stressed they are always threatening us. If we don’t aggrieved tenants either submit to illegal explained. “We want to know the law and out anymore. “I want to go home free from Kidnap foiled pay or sign the contract with the increase rent increases or face harassment. Court what else we can do to stop harassment harassment because we already have a An Egyptian rescued a Filipina from being kidnapped by in rent, they cut our electricity. They did it cases by tenants are now common. Kuwait and protect ourselves from intimidation by headache at work - at least at home we a driver of a sports car in Fintas, but the culprit escaped again this month. I informed the haris that I Times receives a regular stream of visitors the haris and the owner,” he said. According want to be at peace,” he said. after the two exchanged blows. The victim wrote down the license plate number of the car, and the man was charged with attempted kidnapping. Ahmadi detectives are working on the case. TEC organizes fishing competition Forgery charges The Health Ministry informed the public prosecutor at Messila Beach that an employee forged a sick leave that she got undeservedly. The female employee who works at the KUWAIT: Within the activi- ministry received a sick leave, but it was discovered ties the Touristic Enterprises that the employee had forged the signatures and seals Co (TEC) holds for its visitors, of doctors on it. A charge of forgery was registered at namely fishing lovers, TEC’s Hadiya police station and investigations are underway. PR and Media Manager Sager Al-Bader announced that the company would Scam hold a fishing competition at A citizen was told that he had won KD 20,000, and all he the Messila beach in collabo- had to do was send prepaid phone cards worth KD 120 to ration with the Fahaheel receive the reward. But he doubted the matter and Marine Club fishing compe- informed police, who are investigating. —Al-Rai tition organizing committee. Bader added that the competition would be held on December 26 from 1:00- Prison smuggling foiled Sager Al-Bader 10:00 pm and that interested By Hanan Al-Saadoun competitors’ registration would be available in the period of December 7-22 at the Messila Beach, the Yachts Club KUWAIT: Prison authorities foiled the attempt of a visitor and Al-Shaab harbor. to smuggle narcotic tablets to an inmate during a routine Further, Bader said that a special exhibition would be inspection. The suspect was referred to the proper authori- held at the competition’s sidelines for marine equipment ties for further action. companies sponsoring the event. “A special briefing will be held on Wednesday, December 24 to enlighten competi- MPs reject tors about the competition conditions”, he concluded.

e-media bill Corporate Communication team at VIVA with Safwan Medical Services company representatives. Wafra field KUWAIT: The draft of the e-media bill currently being production studied by the Cabinet was strongly rejected by law- VIVA launches Health makers because they saw it as restricting liberties and against freedom of expression as described by a num- dropped ber of MPs, who also stressed that the bill’s articles were unclear. MP Rakan Al-Nisf stressed that the new bill Awareness Campaign KUWAIT: High ranking oil sources said reduction in needs many amendments to ensure the freedom of the joint Wafra production has dropped since the start of e-press and publication. “This bill is a repetition of the In Collaboration with Safwan Medical Services Co last week. Documents and internal correspondence same mistakes committed with the audiovisual law,” he indicate that the acting operations director at joint said, noting that the information minster seems to be Wafra who represents Arab Saudi Chevron gave instruc- dealing with the media with a military mentality. “The KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest- good eating habits. for its employees. The company tions to reduce production in the area at a rate of law sent to the information ministry does not organize growing telecom operator, organ- VIVA’s employees turned out in will continue to perform its social 15,000 barrels a day. The sources found it strange for e-media. It rather places a knife at the necks of e-news ized a health awareness campaign large numbers to participate in the duty as a main contributor to the Kuwaiti directors to not object to the reduction deci- websites,” he added, warning that the new law would in collaboration with Safwan health awareness campaign. They development of society, and sion, although Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) hold Internet or social media users who express their Medical Services Co. VIVA held a acknowledged the importance of ensure the welfare and better life warned against the reduction of production in Wafra opinions legally accountable. medical clinic with Safwan health having regular medical checkups for members of society and because that will harm Kuwait’s interests. Member of the parliamentary educational affairs professionals at its headquarters to prevent chronic diseases, encourage them to improve their The same sources said that after some engineers committee MP Humoud Al-Hamdan stressed that he located at Olympia Tower on whether related to diabetes, blood lives at various levels. contacted the Wafra operations manager to find out supports the government in issuing a law to hold vio- Sunday, 7 December 2014. pressure, or any other illness. To learn more about VIVA’s more on the reduction, he claimed that he received the lators accountable, but he remarked that he was total- The health campaign offered This campaign is in line with Corporate Social Responsibility ini- required approvals from Gulf Oil Company officials. ly against repressing freedom of expression. MP diabetes, blood pressure and cho- VIVA’s commitment towards its tiative, please visit the company’s They said if his claims are true, then this calls for the for- Ahmed Lari stressed the same, noting that he was also lesterol tests and compared results employees, the underlying founda- CSR focused portal https://www.vi- mation of an investigative committee to stop this non- against repressing freedom of expression and impos- against healthy levels. It also pro- tion for delivering the company’s va.com.kw/csr. It offers a descrip- sense and hold those officials to account for violating ing strict penalties on e-media. — Al-Jarida vided health tips to employees aspirations and objectives. VIVA is tion of each CSR initiative that VIVA the instructions of KPC and causing great financial loss- that highlighted the importance of also dedicated to providing a has supported, or taken on since es to the state. following a healthy lifestyle and healthy and suitable environment its inception. The sources said in case the director returns on a permanent basis, will the reduction decision be stopped? And what are the motives behind this decision that University of Massachusetts to causes losses to both sides? And is there a political decision related to evacuating Al-Zour port? Does the moth- open branch campus in Kuwait er company Chevron know about these decisions that cause it financial losses? They said the scenario of ceasing production in By Sara Ahmed Muhailan. The Kuwaiti government has purchased bil- Khafji is being repeated again, because it began as a lions of dollars worth of Raytheon products, including reduction, then stopped completely. Wafra is under KUWAIT: A major US defense contractor, Raytheon Co. Patriot antimissile systems and radars. In March, the the management of Gulf Oil Company and the Arab will invest about KD 14.6 million to establish a campus government reached a $655 million deal with the Saudi Chevron, and Kuwait’s share from this area is branch for the University of Massachusetts - Lowell in company’s Integrated Air Defense Systems Division. nearly 110,000 barrels a day. — Al-Qabas Kuwait. The UMass Lowell branch will offer undergrad- It is making the investment as part of the offset uate and graduate degrees in engineering, business, investment requirements for foreign companies doing education and science in cooperation with Gulf business here. Kuwait suspended the offset program in University for Science and Technology (GUST) at its September in order to review the program. “It has campus in Mishref. Classes for as many as 1200 stu- been frozen temporarily. We need to revise it,” Finance Unhealthy food dents will begin in January 2015 and a new engineer- Minister Anas al-Saleh told Reuters at the time, adding ing college will also be created. that many international businesses firms had been sold at schools Local governments or universities partnering with critical of the scheme. He said that new rules could be major US or European universities is common across ready in about six months. KUWAIT: The shady practices of school canteens seem the Gulf. Qatar has partnered with several major US The offset program was set up in 1992 to help to be endless, as at the start of each school day, stu- universities including Texas A & M, Weill Cornell Kuwait with knowledge transfer and the acquisition of dents go to the canteen to buy soda drinks, potato Medical College, Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown to new technologies. It has long been criticized for its chips, chocolates and other items, and the Health create an education city focused on providing US failure to show demonstrable positive impacts on Ministry warns against this all the time. In a new higher educational opportunities to regional students. Kuwait’s non-oil sector economy. method to attract students while increasing profits, sev- In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has partnered Offset obligations apply to military contracts of a eral schools have increased the products sold in can- with New York University and the Sorbonne for similar value equal to or above KD 3 million ($10.5 million), teens, such as pizza for example. satellite campuses. civil/government contracts of a value equal to or A health official, who wanted to remain anonymous, In Kuwait, the UMass Lowell campus will be partially above KD 10 million and downstream oil/gas con- said several schools bring in various types of pizza from funded by Raytheon though students will still be tracts. Foreign suppliers must invest 35 per cent of the restaurants and sell them for the highest of prices. A required to pay tuition and fees. “It is a milestone,” contract value in an approved offset business venture, pizza costs KD 1.750, said a student, and if they want to KUWAIT: The Interior Ministry participated in the first Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan, chairman of the board of according to the website of the Kuwait Direct buy the pizza with fries, then this will be considered a social forum of social services activities organized by trustees at the Gulf University for Science and Investment Promotion Authority. Unlike offset meal and the price jumps to KD 2.500. The official said Farwaniya educational zone under the patronage of Technology, which was established 12 years ago, told arrangements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab pizzas are not allowed in schools to start with, adding zone director Badriya Al-Khalidy under the slogan the Boston Globe. “We want [to partner with] one of Emirates (UAE), which have tended to be limited to that pizzas cause obesity, which is wide spread in the (with forgiveness we build and with violence we the best schools. That is how we came to talk to UMass military contracts, Kuwait’s program applies also to country. A school director said she wanted to increase destroy) at Abu Mousa Al-Ashari intermediate boys Lowell. It is a benefit for us but for the whole region to civilian contracts signed with Kuwaiti government canteen revenues to organize various activities for stu- school. — By Hanan Al-Saadoun have such a quality, prestigious school in Kuwait,” said entities. dents, most of which are limited to trips. — Al-Qabas TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 LOCAL

Ooredoo Kuwait participates in ITU Telecom World in Doha 165 countries participating in the conference DOHA: Ooredoo in Kuwait participated in the ITU Telecom World conference which takes place in Doha, the capital of Qatar from the 7th to the 10th of December. The conference, which is attended by dele- gates of more than 165 countries, is organized and sponsored mainly by Ooredoo Telecom Group and Ooredoo Qatar. The event was attended by Ooredoo Group Chairman Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani and Ooredoo Kuwait General Manager and CEO Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani, as well as leaders and general managers of Ooredoo companies. Commenting on the event, Ooredoo General Manager and CEO Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al Thani said: “We are honored to take part in such a key event that is important to telecommunications around the globe. As part of an international group, we always care to be knowledgeable about the latest trends and technologies in order to provide our clients with world- class services.” Attending the conference will be dele- gates of 165 counties, as well as representatives of telecommunication and information technology companies from around the world. The conference aims to discuss the implications of the latest trends in telecommunications technology on businesses and societies. Throughout its discussion panels and presentations, it aims to examine the key trends and developments in technology, regulatory and policy issues, business models, services and applications. 1,000 housing units distributed in one week

KUWAIT: The Public Institution for Housing Care distributed more than 1,000 housing units to citizens in only one week, recording one of its extraordinary accom- plishments, Minister of State for Housing Affairs Yasser Abul said yesterday. KUWAIT: Minister Yaqoub Al-Sanea delivers his speech He said in remarks to yesterday. — KUNA the media following his inauguration of the “Building and Kuwait leading Construction Exhibition,” that there is no delay in the distribution of new in women’s housing units in the new residential areas, and the care: Minister ministry is capable of offering more than 12,000 KUWAIT: Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and houses during the coming Islamic Affairs Yaqoub Al-Sanea said yesterday that Kuwait’s year. political leadership is interested in women’s affairs by In 2015, a number of ensuring their political rights and involving them in gov- Housing Minister housing units will be giv- ernmental posts. Yasser Abul en in Al-Metla’ area, as the In his opening speech at a development conference on Institution is working women, Minister Sanea said that His Highness the Amir according to a schedule, he affirmed. He indicated that Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah spares no effort the exhibition was organized, amid increasing construc- to create a health atmosphere to develop women’s capabil- tion and building projects in the country. ities. The executive manager of Kuwait International Fair The minister voiced his hope that the conference could company Abdurrahman Al-Nassar said that this exhibi- make a success, saying it has a host of important topics tion offers the opportunity to sell construction materials aimed at building women in the Arab and Gulf countries at the end of year prices, with the participation of 35 and protecting them from distorted ideological trends. top construction companies. The fair, due to end by For his part, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf December 13, offers various materials needed in the and Islamic Affairs Dr Adel Al-Falah said that women have a field. — KUNA significant and constructive role in all domains. He pointed out that the ministry provided woman with Islamic culture to help her understand rights, duties and and shoulder responsibilities to participate in progressing the society. For her part, professor of School of Sociology and Social Policy at Umm Al- Qura University Talha Fadaak said that the conference comes in the social, economic, intellectual and cultural contexts that form social building, especially in this historical phase that the Arab and Islamic countries face. These contexts, she added, need an analysis and their components should be reconsidered according to advance and development of society economically and techno- logically. A galaxy of local and regional researchers from Kuwait and other countries are participating in the conference. — KUNA A tion! —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa channels istheonlysolutionto getoutofthissitua- and proposing itthrough theproper constitutional elections running for thecoming parliamentary focused’ and ‘acoustic’. the Kuwaiti peopleasnothingmore than ‘Twitter- refuse because thelastthingwe needisto describe greater goodissomethingwe absolutely and reject sition thattakessidesattheexpenseofnation’s have aclearlydefinedreform Biasedoppo- project. public interests any good. True opposition should sake ofopposing’, whichdoesnot dothenation’s adopts theprincipleof ‘opposing merely for the would anacoustic onlyreflect oppositionasifit but criticizing, questioning, orsometimesimplying elections. seatsinthecoming manage to winparliamentary of billsitsmembersintend to propose once they time, launchitsreform program through apackage in thelaw andtheconstitution, whileatthesame thatitdecidesgoingbackto work with- and frankly get outofthisdilemma,ithasto announce clearly is mosthated by thepublic. For theoppositionto opposition fallinthetrapofboringrepetition that lighting attitudesthatare alreadymakesthe known statements callingfor reforms andtweets high- with asetstrategy and names. To settlefor making reform projects. They musthave one awell-defined seeking. views onthereforms ithasbeenclaimingto be defined agendafor thatwould aproject its reflect and statements madehere andthere. hasno It ing, ithassofaroffered nothingbutafew attitudes courage to offer tangible reforms. Honestlyspeak- acoustic phenomenonwithouthaving enough tunately, likeamere theoppositionhasbeenacting tioning theopposition’s intentions here, butunfor- gram theflaws to ithighlights. tackle Iamnotques- as anucleusofreal comprehensive reform pro- ments withoutoffering real alternatives to beused T unable. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan whenthegovernment becomesof privatizingservices trophes, becausenooneunderstandstheimportance government. may leadto economic It andsocialcatas- by the andthelackofadmissioninability inability and how to face thedrop inoilprices? There isan diversifying sources ofincome, modernize education can itdealwithmajordevelopment issuessuchas water andphonebillsto citizens sotheycanpay, how that ifthegovernment isunableto deliver electricity, ismissingallyearand phone, long. theservice deliver letters to citizens, butasfor electricity, water whichisnotpost office for service, working years, to the Third World, our governmentthe insistsontaking and 365days ayear. We countries inthebackward in isavailablewelcomed for becausetheservice 24hours afinemustbepaid-allthisisacceptedservice, and warned, theninterruption takesplace, thento restore hewill be meet theircommitments ontime, otherwise thecitizen orexpatintheUnited States.it hurt company ifitislate ormaliciousif canface legalaction quickly, very andthe the oneswhopresent theservice water, phoneandothers-specialized companies are ofelectricity,ernment thatpresents alltheseservices PhD degrees, andpay allwhatIowe. There isnogov- States where Istudiedfor my bachelor, masters and committed to dates to avoid intheUnited legalaction pay them. past, receive billsandrushedto water andelectricity bills to citizens sotheypay theirdues. Iusedto, inthe inflated government system isunable to deliver the all billssoIcanpay. What canthecitizen doifthe and itscorrupt andsterile system is to sendmeby mail but whatisrequired ofthegovernment andtheduty orphonebillsandothers, ments includingtheelectric and allmy useisto sendmy column to thenewspaper. things, andnooneusesthephoneduringweek, of rain,lackmaintenance, sandstorms andother mostoftheyear’sbeen outofservice monthsbecause 150. Idecidednotto restore thelinebecauseithas told meIhave to buyanewlinewhichwillcost meKD and paidthebillsinhopesofrestoring they service, of nomore thanKD50. When Iwent to theministry because Ididnotpay thebillwhichisatrivialamount and afew monthsearlierthephonelinewascut power cutisdueto notpaying thechaletrent ontime, my duebillsto theministry. answer His wasthatthe Government beaurcracy Finally, through settingaclearlydefinedproject On theotherhand, sittingbackdoingnothing Attitudes andstatements alonedonotmake What disturbsandscares meatthesametimeis The citizen andexpatinadvanced countries should As acitizen whostudiedinthe West, Ilearnedto be I am,asacitizen, committed to pay allmy commit- repetition traps Opposition and well-defined onewithaset well-defined projects. They must have a been usingasrepeated boringpoliticalstate- opposition stillraisesthesameissuesithas here isabsolutely nothingnew. The Kuwaiti alone donotmake reform er, andmy wasthatIhave first reaction paidall cutthepow- ofelectricity me thattheministry bdelrahman, thechaletguard, calledmeto tell Attitudes andstatements strategy andnames. By DrShamlanAl-Essa By Thaar Al-Rasheedi By Thaar kuwait digest kuwait digest T Arabs are beingdestroyed now, pendingdestroying the areas whilebuildingsintheareas inhabited by Sunni others live buildingsandurban peacefully inintact while inhabited by SunniArabsto theeastandnorth rel bombsare especiallyused in regions anddeserts building. the ultimate result thatitwillnolongerhave astanding planes rightunderthenosesofwholeworld with armies, armedmilitiaslikeISandfighter blood-thirsty now. They are beingattackedby foreign andArab incessant war, anddisplacement for destruction years displacement orotherdevastation! through somepoliticaldisturbances, civilwars, violence, orregionthat your would country soonerorlater go would beifyou are aSunniArabMuslim,whichmeans real problem, thathasbeenrepeatedly experienced, being anon-Sunniornon-MuslimArabnowadays. The for Turkey andMalaysia. Similarly, there isnoproblem in T worse,” hesaid. things ontheground ,for thepeople, it’s going to the state,non-member observer butthat doesnotchange to exaggerate, aboutPalestine try beingvoted“They asa the 2012decisionPA cannotclaim any achievements. politically,” hesaid. show thePalestinians heisachievingsomethingfor them have that.Heismaneuvering ontheinternational stageto step for itto beimplemented ontheground. Abbasdoesn’t over Israel, therefore, you needtheUSto buyinto any UN UN willbeonlysymbolic. UShastremendous leverage “The AbbassecuresElsalameen says atthe thatwhatever victory state,as anon-memberobserver similarto the Vatican. But nize Palestine, following the2012decisionto seePalestine intends to council asktheUnited to Nationssecurity recog- has expired, whileFatah officials say itisstillinplace. Hamas saying thatthesix-month-term ofthegovernment The current statusofthegovernment isnotclear, with Palestinian HamdallahdidvisitGaza. Prime Rami Minister ment to travel from to the Gaza West although Bank, effectively.act Israeldidnotallow membersofthegovern- ment, announced monthsofnegotiations, after failedto Project, a Security Washington said. DCthinktank, Fadi seniorfellow Elsalameen, adjunct attheAmerican could be directed atthePA before itisdirected atIsrael,” waveunhappy withthestatusquoandnext ofviolence Israel andHamas. “Unfortunately, thePalestinians are very duringlastsummer’sof homesinGaza fightingbetween Israeli airstrikescausedwidespread damageto thousands has beendoneto rebuild Strip, theGaza hundreds after of independent state seemsto bestagnating. addition,little In March, Palestinians thattheirdrive are toward angry an Israel’s in announcement thatitwillholdnewelections attacks againstIsraelishardening attitudes, aswell as tion. Hamas, whichtheUSandIsraelseeasaterrorist organiza- any dealIsraelstrikeswithFatah would notbehonored by ment thatthere isnoneedto resume peace talksbecause present aunified Palestinian front, anddispelIsrael’s argu- expired, say Hamasleaders. That government wasmeantto the Fatah movement, incharge inthe West has Bank, Heading west to Syria, displacement killing, andbar- Sunni governorates have inIraq beenexperiencing Elsalameen fears thatthePalestinians are headed Palestinian Muslehsays journalistMaath thatdespite Palestinian Authority President Abbassays Mahmoud he govern-Gaza, theunity Partly becauseofthefightingin With Israeli-Palestinian peace talksfrozen andawave of Islamist Hamasmovement, whichcontrols and Gaza, between the put anendto thelong-timerivalry he Palestinian government unity thatwasmeantto Indonesia leadsapeaceful life.Indonesia The sameapplies nowadays whenthelargest SunniMuslimcountry here isnoproblem withbeing aSunniMuslim Tensions could threaten Palestinian Authority No achievements Being aSunni Muslim Arab LOCAL and Sudan,where theSunniArabsgotpreoccupied non isfound inSomalia, Yemen, Libya, Algeria,Egypt Strip.the SunniArabsinGaza The samephenome- Palestinian areas, repeated warshave beenwagedon 1975. The sameappliesto Palestine, where unlikeother have beenplaguedby ofcivilwarssince theaftermath Beirut, Tripoli, Sidonandeven thePalestinian camps stances? ever havethey ortheircountry undersuchcircum- because theyare refugees. ofafuture will What kind depriving children inthoseareas from education inhabitants themselves inthefuture intheform of Elsalameen said. steal it.Butwhoispaying theprice? The people,” to sendmoneyto HamasbutnoonetrustsFatah notto oftheFatahcasualty -Hamas disagreements. Noonewants damaged ordestroyed. isa reconstruction ofGaza “The ernment isbadnews for whosehomes were thoseinGaza lawyer, asked. political strategy?” Dabed, alsoapoliticalscientistand have government anationalunity withouthaving aunited jeopardizes thesereconstruction efforts. “How can you a listandIsraelhasveto power.” where applyingforand surveillance everyone ahouseison mechanism gave Israel “a dangerous power very ofcontrol Nations. Dabedsays thedesign ofthereconstruction to receive themoneyto rebuild alongwiththeUnited Gaza Palestinian Prime Hamdallah,wassupposed minister Rami national consensus government of technocrats, ledby Strip.the reconstruction oftheGaza The formation ofa was heldinCairo where 5billiondollarswasraisedtowards States, viewHamasasaterrorist organization. Much oftheInternationalcommunity, includingtheUnited Quds Bard Honors CollegeandSciencesaid. for LiberalArts of theinternational law andhumanrightsprogram atAl selves to theinternational boycott,” EmilioDabed, thehead them- withHamas, thatbyknows unity theywillsubject incentive to create government anationalunity becauseit the international community. “Fatah doesn’t have any governmentty would make himbeseenasillegitimate by and Abbaswillhave to face reality then,” hesaid. waveThe next ofviolence willbedueto alloftheabove education, andproper for security thePalestinians,” hesaid. to provideIsraelis andinability jobs, proper healthcare, to beaweak leader. towards violentfuture andthatPalestinians consider Abbas In Lebanon,In theArabSunni-inhabited areas in West Elsameen agrees gov- thatthedissolutionofunity The recent break-up ofthetwo Palestinian factions October,In aNorwegian-sponsored donorconference PalestinianOther analysts say thatAbbasfeared theuni- coordination includessecurity weakness with “This have beenexperiencinginces- sant war, anddis- destruction ernment, announced after ing in Gaza, the unity gov-ing inGaza,theunity Partly becausePartly ofthefight- placement foryears now. months ofnegotiations, Sunni governorates inIraq failed to act effectively.failed toact

Electro n

a l a w both locallyandregionally.” —The Line Media Palestinian peoplehasastrong mandate andissupported more thanever sothat “whomever comes into rulethe backed by theinternational community, are needednow but willnotrepeat theincidentsofJuly2007,” hesaid. protest violently. They may criticize andpeacefully protest, fought for control Strip. oftheGaza didin2007,whenFatahbloodshed asGaza andHamas the territories willnotwitnessPalestinian-Palestinian there willbenoviolence againstthePalestinian Authority. increase inauthoritarianism,” Dabedadded. andincreaseand popularity indissentandtherefore an dynamics isaprogressive decrease inFatah’s legitimacy ing amore quietrole. from you these canexpect “What occupation” whileAbbaswasviewed by thepeopleastak- the Islamistswent upastheywere seenas “fighting the Hamas following thissummer’s warinGaza. The ratingsof the division(between Fatah andHamas),” hesaid. political disaster andamistakebecauseitwould legitimize terms, practical yes,“In itcantakeplace butitwillbea 2006. willonlybeheldinthe “Elections West Bank,” hesaid butnottheway in thatwasconducted will beelections theirown after interests,”looking hesaid. Hethinksthere will never bePalestinian unity. are only two parties “The legislative,” hesaid. better.” deserve peopleofGaza “The plete reconciliation andto gofor presidential elections, and alone.”cannot beleft but that “whatever thedisagreements thepeopleofGaza and believes that itwilltakealongtimeto establishtrust, that theagreement wasnotspecificenoughfrom thestart obstacles intheway ofreconciliation. says SaadiAlKrunz Trade have andLaboragrees put thatthetwo parties Line’sMedia requests for acomment. loyalists,” hesaid. Hamasdidnotrespond to any ofthe The secondly, it’s aboutHamasandFatah to empower trying ofthe(Israeli)siege -numberoneand andthelifting Gaza public. “It’s aboutgettingcredit for thereconstruction of says thereconstruction process isaboutwhowinsover the Hamas triumphedover Fatah in2006legislative elections, by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa reason, itwillbeeasyto solve theproblem. —Translated they have committed onothers. So, ifwethereal know spiracy’ attention andblamethecrimes justto divert same oneswhocommit thosecrimesandshout ‘con- ularists, liberals,orMarxists. leftists They are thevery disfigure theimageofSunniArabMuslims, are notsec- regimes, fellow-citizens andinternational powers and cloaks. greed for moneyandpower whiledisguisedinclerical blood would nothave beenshedifitwere notfor its wars. inalltheafore-mentioned much So mon factor Sunni Islamto dominate thescene. hasbeenthecom- It these sufferings liesinallowing extreme, political, Arab, many peoplehave beenclaiming. The real reason for religions againstSunniArabMuslimsas ordoctrines oronefrom fellowconspiracy citizens following other onemainreason thatIdonottakeasaforeignin fact cidence becauseithasbeencausedby many reasons, or to become aseparate state whilemore are yet to follow. with decades-longwarsthatledto separatingitssouth Meanwhile, Elsalameensays Palestinian elections, “People are butwillnot frustrated atbothparties, analyst HaniAlBasoosagrees basedsecurity Gaza- that Musleh says aslongthePA continues to pay salaries, He says Fatah isworried thatitwould losevotes to Dabed says itcould happenbutFatah would notriskit. Abu Disresidentconfidently says OsamaIbrahim there “We have nochoice butto continue inthispathto com- Fatah member andformer PA ofEconomy, Minister Musleh, whohascovered theinternal situationsince Those waging allthesecriminalwarsthatantagonize Such aphenomenoncanever beconsidered acoin- Obstacles intheway USA,DCME 9,2014 TUESDAY, DECEMBER By Abdullah Erakat By Sami Al-NisfBy Sami kuwait digest in my view

Al-Jarida TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

New Delhi bans Uber Syria, Iran condemn Israeli airstrikes after alleged rape

Page 8 Page 11 Dewani cleared of honeymoon murder British millionaire to leave S Africa as soon as possible

CAPE TOWN: Millionaire British businessman Shrien Dewani Prosecutors never got the chance to cross-examine dled by his top-class hotel. A small but vocal protest group family. South Africans have been outraged by the idea that walked free yesterday after a South African judge cleared Dewani on why he was willing to pay an unknown taxi driver chanted “Justice for Anni” as her weeping family left, accusing Dewani believed he could get away with murdering his wife him of murdering his Swedish bride after a sensational trial so much in cash to organise a trip that could have been han- the judge of favouring lawyers hired by the wealthy Dewani because of the country’s notoriously high crime rate. — AFP where his sexuality played a key role. The shock judgement in what became known as the “honeymoon murder” case left Dewani’s mother weeping with relief in court while his late wife’s family wept bitter tears. Prosecutors said Dewani hired hitmen to kill 28-year-old Anni in a staged hijacking in Cape Town during their honeymoon in November 2010, because he is gay and felt trapped into marriage by family pressures. Dewani says he is bisexual and loved Anni. Both families are of Indian origin and had sat across the courtroom from each other since the trial began in October with graphic video of Anni’s body in a short black evening dress sprawled across the seat of a taxi. She had been killed with a single shot, execution style, prosecutors said, after the hijackers allowed Dewani out of the vehicle and drove off with her. Judge Jeannette Traverso said the state’s evidence had “fallen far below” the level needed to secure a conviction and it would be unjust to force Dewani to testify in his own defence in the hope that he would incriminate himself. The judge conceded there were “a number of unanswered

This undated file photo issued on Monday Oct. 6, 2014 by the Bristol Evening Post shows Shrien Dewani and Anni Dewani. A South African judge acquitted Briton Shrien Dewani yesterday of murdering wife Anni Dewani during 2010 honeymoon. — AP questions” about the murder and acknowledged “strong public opinion” that Dewani should take the stand. Traverso also noted a plea by the murdered woman’s family that Dewani should not be allowed to walk free without testifying, but said her ruling was based on law and could not be influenced by emotion. Prosecutors told AFP they cannot appeal, and Dewani was expected to leave South Africa as soon as possible. Dressed in an immaculate suit and tie, with his greying hair cropped short, 34-year-old Dewani often appeared nervous in the dock, with his head snapping around at any sudden sound, but he looked unemotional as he left the court.

‘Justice failed us’ Ami Denborg, who is Anni’s sister and was speaking on behalf of the Hindocha family, told an international media scrum on the steps of the high court: “Justice has failed us. She said the Hindocha family were sad that Dewani had not given them the full story about his lifestyle. “We just wish Shrien had been honest with us and especially Anni,” she said. The family has said Anni would not have married Dewani if she had known of his sexuality. In a written statement to the court on the first day of his trial-in an apparent effort to pre-empt the argument that he killed his wife because he was gay-Dewani admitted to sex with male prostitutes but said he considered himself to be bisexual. The judge later rejected as irrelevant testimony from a major state witness, sado-masochism “master” and gay prostitute Leopold Leisser, who reportedly told British police that Dewani had said he was getting married to a “lovely girl” but needed “to find a way out of it”. The court did, however, hear that Anni sent Dewani des- perate emails just days after their lavish wedding ceremony in Mumbai questioning his “feelings” for her. “I don’t want an insecure man or a man whose feelings doesn’t come naturally that you have to force yourself,” Anni Dewani, 28, wrote on November 5, 2010. She was killed eight days later. The ruling is a blow to the reputation of South Africa’s state prosecutors, coming after a lengthy and costly battle to extradite Dewani from Britain after the murder in November 2010. It also follows their failure to secure a murder conviction against Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius at his equally sensational trial earlier this year for shooting dead his girfriend. The judge said evidence given by taxi driver Zola Tongo that implicated Dewani in a murder plot was “highly improbable,” while another prosecution witness was described as a “self- confessed liar”. Tongo and one of the hijackers-both serving long jail terms for the murder-told the court that Dewani hired them for 15,000 rand ($1,300) to kill his new wife. Dewani said in his statement that he had offered 15,000 rand to the taxi driver to arrange a private helicopter tour of Cape Town as a surprise for his bride. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Syrian Jewish bibles could spark ownership dispute

JERUSALEM: Two decades after Israeli spies Known as the Crowns of Damascus, the In the early 1990s, Syria lifted travel restric- Israel, would oversee them. The Damascus demic director. “It cannot be transferred to helped Syrian Jews whisk ancient Hebrew nine leather-bound parchment books - some tions on Jews and many emigrated, but they Jewry Organization in Israel, the main group anybody.” bibles from Damascus to Jerusalem, Israel’s featuring microscopic calligraphy and gold- were not permitted to take their sacred man- representing Damascus immigrants, supports Shammai said he is not worried about national library asked an Israeli court yester- leaf illumination - were written mostly in uscripts. the library’s initiative. possible Syrian demands to return the bibles day to grant it custodianship over the manu- Spain and Italy between 700 and 1,000 years So, in a covert operation by Israel’s Mossad But Hamra, who is not connected to that to Damascus, since they were never Syrian scripts - a move that could spark an owner- ago. For hundreds of years, they were guard- spy agency, eight ancient bibles were spirited organization, opposes the library’s proposal government property but belonged to Syria’s ship battle over some of the Syrian Jewish ed inside synagogues in the Syrian capital, to Israel between 1993 and 1995. The ninth and says he may challenge it in court. He Jewish community. The war-engulfed country community’s most important treasures. presented only on special occasions. was smuggled out of Syria in 1993 with the argues the bibles are Syrian Jewish cultural is not a safe place for the manuscripts any- help of a Canadian Jewish activist. property, and that the library had promised way, he added. Once in Israel, the manuscripts were to transfer them to a Syrian Jewish heritage There was no immediate comment entrusted to the national library for restora- center in Israel he plans to build. Monday from authorities in Damascus, where tion and storage. Their existence there was That promise, Hamra says, appears in a few Jews remain today. The battle over the kept secret for a decade, presumably so as catalogue from the 2000 exhibition co-spon- bibles mirrors a famous tug-of-war over not to draw the ire of Syria, Israel’s longtime sored by the library. another important Jewish manuscript from foe. The library already had two other Syria: the 10th-century Aleppo Codex, consid- Damascus bibles in its collection, purchased Ancient manuscripts ered the most ancient authoritative copy of in the 1960s and 70s in private sales. The catalogue calls the manuscripts the the Hebrew Bible. Details of the Mossad operation remain “religious and spiritual treasure of the Syrian Like the Crowns of Damascus, the Aleppo classified, but the man who helped organize Jewish community” and says the Israeli library Codex was safeguarded in a Syrian syna- it was Rabbi Avraham Hamra, the then-leader would safeguard them “until the establish- gogue for ages. A Syrian Jew fleeing persecu- of the Damascus Jewish community who ment of a Syrian Jewish heritage center in tion smuggled it out of Aleppo to Israel, now lives in Israel. Shabtai Shavit, the Mossad Israel.” where it landed in the hands of the Israeli director at the time, confirmed Hamra’s But Hamra has not yet built the center, president in the 1950s. involvement, without giving details. and the library denies it ever promised him Aleppo Jews in Israel took the Israeli gov- The existence of the bibles was revealed in the manuscripts. It asked Hamra to be a ernment to court, saying the bible was meant 2000 when they were exhibited at the Israeli member of the proposed steering commit- to reach their community. A trial lasted years president’s residence. And on Monday, the tee, but he declined. and ended in compromise - a trusteeship led National Library of Israel went to court to for- “It is not my property, but it is the property by an Israeli chief rabbi was established to mally ask the Justice Ministry to establish a of my community,” Hamra said. The library, oversee the Aleppo Codex. kind of public charitable trust for the nine which houses many other ancient Jewish Meir Heller, a lawyer for the national Crowns of Damascus. manuscripts, says it has the expertise to pre- library, said the library is prepared to adver- ISRAEL: In this Oct. 5, 2014 file photo, a library official shows a Jewish According to the proposal, the manu- serve the brittle bibles. tise its proposal for the Crowns of Damascus manuscript smuggled into Israel from Damascus in a Mossad spy opera- scripts would remain in the library’s climate- The proposed trust would enshrine the in newspapers in Syria, Europe and the US to tion in the early 1990s, in Jerusalem. The manuscript is one of the earli- controlled coffers and a steering committee, manuscripts as “owned by the Jewish people,” allow objectors to challenge the move in est existing complete manuscripts of the Hebrew bible. —AP including Damascus Jewish immigrants in said Haggai Ben Shammai, the library’s aca- court. —AP Syria, Iran condemn Israeli airstrikes Damascus vows to retaliate

BEIRUT: Russia yesterday demanded an airstrikes near Damascus in May 2013. Appearing on Israel Radio yesterday, extremist groups in Syria at the hands of explanation for Israeli airstrikes on two Those strikes, according to Israeli officials, Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz would the Syrian army. He did not elaborate. areas near Damascus, while the Syrian targeted shipments of Iranian-made neither confirm nor deny the news, but He spoke yesterday at a joint news and Iranian foreign ministers called it an Fateh-110 missiles bound for Israel’s arch offered a subtle hint about what might conference in Tehran with his Iranian act of aggression that proves Israel was foe - the Lebanese Hezbollah militant have been involved. counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif. “in the same trench” with extremist group. “We have a very potent defense poli- Since Syria’s conflict began in March groups fighting the Syrian government. Syria’s reaction has been relatively cy that is oriented toward safeguarding 2011, Israel has carried out several Israeli warplanes struck near mute; in previous cases, Damascus has the country and wherever possible pre- airstrikes in Syria that have targeted Damascus’ international airport on vowed to retaliate without carrying out venting the upgrading of weaponry that sophisticated weapons systems, includ- Sunday, as well as outside a town close to any such action. The Syrian government gives terrorist organizations game- ing Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (C), Turkey’s Minister the Lebanese border. The attacks are said Sunday’s attacks caused only materi- changers or unusually sophisticated and Iranian-made missiles, believed to be of European Union Affairs and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir (2R), High unlikely to have a big impact. Israel has al damage. Israel has not confirmed the means of attack,” he said. destined for Hezbollah. Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security already struck inside Syria on several strikes, and it was not immediately clear Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al- Policy Federica Mogherini (2L), Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos occasions in the course of the country’s what they targeted, although activists Moallem claimed Israel was trying to Dangerous Stylianides (L) hold a joint press conference after their meeting at the chaotic civil war, including a series of said they hit weapons depots. compensate for losses incurred by Islamic Although Israel has never confirmed Ankara Palace yesterday. New European Union foreign policy chief Federica any airstrikes in Syria, it has laid out “red lines” that define various types of Mogherini was to meet Turkish leaders for talks expected to focus partly on weapons it says Hezbollah cannot be the war against the Islamic State insurgency in neighbouring Syria. —AFP allowed to acquire, including sophisticated guided missiles, anti-aircraft systems and missiles that can strike Israeli war- Blamed for strikes, ships or other naval targets. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Moscow “is deeply con- Israel vows to stop cerned about this dangerous development which requires a detailed investigation.” In a statement, he said that the use of arms to ‘terrorists’ force is “unacceptable in international relations and deserves an outright con- JERUSALEM: Israel said yesterday it will which has launched numerous attacks demnation.” not allow “sophisticated weapons” to fall against Israeli forces and in 2006 fought a Russia, along with Iran, is the Syrian into the hands of its enemies, after furious month-long war with the country. government’s chief international ally, and claims from Syria that Israeli warplanes car- The movement has fought alongside has been trying to convene a conference ried out air strikes near Damascus. the forces of Syrian President Bashar al- bringing Syria’s warring sides together in The Jewish state refused to confirm or Assad, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Moscow for a dialogue. deny the strikes, but its forces have previ- Shia Islam, against the mainly Sunni fight- Al-Moallem also said that Syria, along with its Russian and Iranian allies, is work- ously targeted weapons allegedly destined ers opposing his regime. ing on a political solution for the Syrian for arch-foe Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Damascus has accused Israel of carrying conflict “based on dialogue between The two strikes on Sunday, including out several air raids on its territory since the Syrians and without any outside interven- one on the country’s main international air- beginning of 2013, including one in the tion.” port, were fiercely condemned by Quneitra region of the disputed Golan in Russian deputy foreign minister Damascus, which called for UN sanctions March that killed a soldier. Mikhail Bogdanov, who visited Lebanon against Israel. Israeli media said the latest raid had tar- TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, right, speaks in a joint press confer- last week, said his country is trying to Asked about the strikes on public radio, geted weapons such as anti-tank rockets ence with his Syrian counterpart Walid Al-Moallem in Tehran, Iran, yesterday. Russia yesterday arrange a meeting between Syria’s war- Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz refused and surface-to-air missiles meant to be ring sides without preconditions. He then demanded an explanation for Israeli airstrikes on two areas near Damascus, while the Syrian to comment directly but stressed Israel’s delivered to Hezbollah. flew to Turkey to meet with the head of policy of preventing arms transfers to mili- There was little doubt among Israeli and Iranian foreign ministers called it an act of aggression that proves Israel was “in the same Syria’s Western-backed opposition group, tant groups. commentators on Monday that the country trench” with extremist groups fighting the Syrian government. —AP Hadi Bahra. —AP “We have a firm policy of preventing all had carried out the strikes. possible transfers of sophisticated weapons “There must have been a brief window to terrorist organisations,” Steinitz said, in a of opportunity yesterday and the decision Iran pilgrims flock to Iraq clear reference to the Shiite militant group to strike was taken,” Israeli army radio said. Hezbollah. Some Israeli opposition figures raised Israel has launched a series of air strikes questions about the timing of the strikes, inside Syria since the outbreak of the coun- which came after Prime Minister Benjamin with message for jihadists try’s armed uprising in 2011, including Netanyahu called early elections. raids reportedly targeting Iranian rockets Netanyahu is looking to shore up his bound for Hezbollah. support on the right ahead of primaries for ZURBATTIYAH: Iranian pilgrims are pouring world’s largest religious gatherings. lions of Shiite faithful trekking across the coun- The Syrian army said Sunday’s strikes by his Likud party and the snap vote in March. across the border into Iraq in unprecedented In addition to the millions of Shiite devotees try on open roads as a red flag to the Sunni “the Israeli enemy” had targeted two areas “I hope this isn’t the opening salvo of numbers for a huge annual religious gathering who flock to Karbala, some of them on foot, extremist IS and its seemingly endless supply of near the capital, including Damascus the campaign for the Likud primaries and but also to flex Shiite muscle in the face of the from across Iraq, a large contingent of Iranians suicide bombers. International Airport, which is used by both the next elections,” Ilan Gilon of the left- Islamic State group. traditionally make the trip. However, recent battlefield victories against civilian and military aircraft. wing Meretz party said. Scrapped visa fees and an appeal by Buses usually ferry them across eastern Iraq the jihadists, notably in the Jurf al-Sakhr area Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, to Karbala. This year the number of Iranians on south of Baghdad, have helped clear a corridor It said the strikes caused damage but Steinitz dismissed claims of any political unleashed a million-strong human tide that their way to the place where Hussein was killed for the pilgrims. that nobody was hurt. “This direct aggres- motive. bemused Iraqi border guards have struggled to in battle and beheaded in 680 AD has doubled. Wearing a green headband inscribed with sion by Israel was carried out to help the “Those who accuse Netanyahu of hav- control. The fact that Iraq waived visa requirements the words “Labaik ya Hussein” (We are here at terrorists in Syria,” the army said, using the ing ordered a bombing in Syria as a politi- General Ali Tamuz, the top Iraqi security offi- for the duration of the religious event, which your service, Hussein), pilgrim Ali Akbar Ridhaie regime’s collective term to refer to peaceful cal strategy are ridiculous and harmful,” he cial at Zurbattiyah border crossing, about 160 culminates on December 13, has made the pil- put in simply: opponents, armed rebels and jihadists said. kilometres (100 miles) east of Baghdad, has grimage more affordable. “We came to show our presence here in fighting in Syria. Some commentators said a possible many bruises and a couple of cracked ribs to Iraq.” Iran’s involvement in Iraq was once some- There was no threat of retaliation, but response from Damascus or Hezbollah to show for it. ‘We are here’ what of a taboo but in recent weeks, the key the Syrian foreign ministry said it had asked the strikes could set the tone for the elec- On Saturday, the handful of translators But more than the 80-dollar saving, role played by Tehran in the anti-jihadist mili- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the tion. employed at the desert border had long been Khamenei’s call to take part in the commemo- tary effort has become more open. Security Council to impose sanctions on “We have finally given a ‘serious person’- swallowed by the crowd and Tamuz only knew ration as a means of defying the Islamic State Said Ohadi, who heads Iran’s body in charge Israel, describing the strikes as “a heinous Bashar al-Assad-the job of deciding what one word of Farsi to manage the flow: “beshin” (IS) group appears to have been the main trig- of organising pilgrimages, said on the country’s (sit down). ger. official IRNA news agency that “so far more crime against Syria’s sovereignty”. the agenda of the coming elections will be,” “That achieved pretty good results until a Hussein Rahimi, a resident of Iran’s Kerman than 750,000 Iranian pilgrims have entered According to the Britain-based Syrian Alex Fishman wrote in Yediot Aharonot colleague from the police came over to help,” province who had just crossed the border into Iraq.” Observatory for Human Rights, which mon- newspaper. he told AFP, laughing. “He tried another word Iraq, had no visa in his passport but a Khamenei The deputy governor of Iraq’s border itors the conflict, both of the targeted sites “The Syrians’ response... will dictate the he thought he knew but it means ‘come’. When sticker on the back cover. province of Wasit, Adel al-Zargani, said he were used for military purposes. headlines and the public focus in the com- the pilgrims heard that, they all stood up, the “We came here on his orders,” said the man expected the total to reach one million this “Both were military sites, and weapons ing weeks and months.” fence was broken and things got crazy.” of 40. “We want to convey the message that we year. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were being stored there,” Observatory The Syrian conflict, which evolved from The annual pilgrimage to Karbala for will always obey the marjaiya (Shiite religious said after a meeting in Tehran with his Iraqi director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. a pro-democracy movement into a full- Arbaeen, which marks the end of the 40-day leadership) and that we are ready to fight the counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari: “These pilgrims’ blown civil war, is estimated to have killed period of mourning for the revered Shiite figure terrorists right here and right now,” Rahimi said. entry... is a symbol of the cooperation and ‘Opening salvo’ of election? more than 200,000 people and forced half of Imam Hussein, is consistently one of the Iraqi security chiefs see the presence of mil- union between our two countries.” —AFP Syria’s regime is a close ally of Hezbollah, the population to flee their homes. —AP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Mexico leader hosts summit amid security crisis

VERACRUZ: Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto The identification by an Austrian medical univer- consolidate the rule of law,” said Arlene Ramirez summit since taking office in 2006. hosts Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese lead- sity bolstered suspicions that the students were Uresti, foreign relations professor at the Monterrey King Felipe called for the Ibero-American com- ers yesterday, as he comes under attack at home slaughtered by a drug gang after they were deliv- Institute of Technology. munity to tighten its bonds in order to battle eco- over his country’s latest descent into violent crisis. ered to the hitmen by corrupt police. Uruguay’s President Jose Mujica, who is attend- nomic problems. The two-day Ibero-American summit in Veracruz Pena Nieto could not escape the issue, already ing, caused waves last week when he said the case Despite Latin America’s economic slowdown, the comes as Mexico’s image has taken a hit over a the biggest challenge of his two-year-old presiden- showed that Mexico was a “kind of failed state”- king told business leaders Sunday, “this region will security nightmare stemming from the September cy, when he addressed business leaders on the eve words he quickly retracted after Mexico protested. clearly be an engine of the world economic recov- disappearance and probable massacre of 43 stu- of the summit alongside Spain’s king. Pena Nieto, however, said the summit would ery.” Adam Isacson, a regional security expert at the dents. And the guest list is not as impressive as in “I’m thankful for the displays of solidarity toward focus on promoting innovation, culture and educa- Washington Office on Latin America think tank, said previous years. It will be the first summit for Spain’s Mexico shown by the Ibero-American community, tion in the region. Latin American nations have formed so many King Felipe VI since he ascended to the throne in which has been with us in this moment in which Fading forum groups that the Ibero-American summit ranks low June, but the presidents of regional heavyweights Mexico is immersed,” he said late Sunday. But the meeting has lost its luster in recent years, in their priorities. Brazil and Argentina are not coming. Several other Analysts say the summit could help Pena Nieto with fewer and fewer leaders attending the gather- “Judging from the rank of people going it clearly leaders have yet to confirm their attendance. gain international backing amid protests over his ing as various trade and diplomatic blocs have has less influence on the region than it used to,” he As the leaders began to arrive in Mexico over the handling of the case, which has angered Mexicans formed in the region. said. “Maybe one reason too is that the opportunity weekend, prosecutors confirmed that one of the 43 fed up with a drug war that has left 100,000 people Cuban President Raul Castro has yet to indicate with Spain and Portugal is less of a priority since the students was among charred remains found in a dead or missing since 2006. whether he will come despite being asked by economies of both of those countries tanked in landfill and nearby river in Guerrero state. Ibero-American leaders could “back his efforts to Madrid to finally attend his first Ibero-American 2008 and 2009.” — AFP

Berkeley protests Chokehold case stirs debate turn violent again BERKELEY: Raucous demonstrations hit the streets of California for a second straight night as protesters angered by police killings on special prosecutors in Missouri and New York clashed with officers, vandalized businesses and even fought with each other, officials said. The demonstrations were the latest of several in the area Lawmakers pressing for special state prosecutors around San Francisco - including in Oakland where activism is strong - to protest recent grand jury decisions in Missouri and NEW YORK: After a police officer wasn’t But DAs bristle at the implication that New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of two indicted in a fatal chokehold caught on video, they’re too close to police for public comfort. black men. Sunday’s protest began peacefully on the University some officials are reviving calls to entrust “Why would the people’s choice to be their of California, Berkeley, campus but eventually grew rowdy and such cases to special prosecutors, rather than elected law enforcement officer be disquali- spilled into Oakland. Activists made their way onto a freeway and local district attorneys. fied in favor of some political appointment?” blocked traffic. The California Highway Patrol said officers fired The city’s elected public advocate and said Onondaga County District Attorney tear gas after protesters targeted them with rocks and bottles and some state lawmakers are pressing for William Fitzpatrick, the Syracuse prosecutor tried to light a patrol vehicle on fire. Police also said explosives appointing special state prosecutors for who is president-elect of the National District were thrown at officers, but there was no information immediate- police killings, saying Eric Garner’s death has Attorneys Association. ly available on how potent they were. bared problems with having DAs lead investi- Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth As hundreds of protesters began marching through down- gations and prosecutions of the police who Thompson said Friday he expects to take a town Berkeley, the unrest that marked protests Saturday night help them build cases. Similar legislation has recent deadly police shooting of an unarmed was touched off again as someone smashed the window of a been proposed in Missouri since the police man in a public housing stairwell to a grand Radio Shack. When a protester tried to stop growing vandalism, shooting of an unarmed 18-year-old in jury, rejecting suggestions that a special pros- he was hit with a hammer, Officer Jennifer Coats said. Ferguson. “This is a watershed moment,” New ecutor take over. Police said groups of protesters late Sunday began roaming York Public Advocate Letitia James said by “I was elected by the people of Brooklyn through the downtown area, throwing trash cans into streets and phone. “It’s clear that the system is broken to do this job without fear or favor, and that is lighting garbage on fire, smashing windows on buildings, and and an independent prosecutor is needed.” exactly what I intend to do,” Thompson said. damaging and looting businesses. There also were reports of van- She’s advocating appointing such prosecutors Special prosecutors sometimes have been dalism at City Hall. whenever police kill or seriously injure some- tapped for cases involving police, including Television footage showed protesters smashing door windows one. Assemblymen Karim Camara and Marcos allegations that a former Chicago police com- and breaking into buildings and setting rubbish piles ablaze. Crespo are proposing special prosecutors for mander oversaw the torture of dozens of sus- NEW YORK: Protestors Nyla Bass, 7, center, and Grace Houston-Carr, right, join Coats said police made five arrests in connection with the police killings of unarmed people. Gov. pects to coerce confessions. hands in prayer at the First Unitarian Society in Newton after a silent protest demonstrations. She said two officers sustained minor injuries Andrew Cuomo said last week on CNN’s “The He was never charged with abuse but was march over a New York City grand jury’s decision not to indict a white police offi- Sunday night. Coats said in a statement that there was “significant Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” that the convicted of perjury. Some states have estab- cer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man. — AP damage” to several Berkeley businesses and that many had win- state should examine whether DAs should lished permanent special prosecutors’ offices dows smashed and several stores were looted. bring such cases and “potential roles for spe- maneuver banned by police policy caused over whether special prosecutors would build for various types of cases. Maryland’s handles She said the demonstrations had concluded by about 3:30 am. cial prosecutors,” as part of a broad look at the Garner’s death. Officer Daniel Pantaleo’s public trust or undermine a system set up to everything from election law violations to Meanwhile, seven people were arrested in Seattle Saturday night criminal justice system. After Garner died July lawyer argued the officer used a permissible put tough decisions in elected prosecutors’ misconduct by public employees, including after protesters threw rocks at police and attempted to block a 17, the Staten Island district attorney’s office takedown. Grand jurors decided Wednesday hands. police. But the idea of a special prosecutor highway. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have been calling took the case to a grand jury that spent two that no criminal charges were warranted. “There has to be a permanent special specifically for police has a particular history for calm while activists push for police reforms. National months hearing from 50 witnesses and scruti- prosecutor for police misconduct because of in New York. The state created a state special Association for the Adavancement of Colored People’s president nizing evidence including police policy man- Tough decisions the inherent conflict” in tasking local prosecu- prosecutor’s office in 1972 to explore police Cornell William Brooks, appearing on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” called uals, medical records and four videos, accord- The decision spurred protests and ques- tors with exploring allegations against the corruption in New York City, responding to for outfitting police with body-worn cameras and changing law ing to the few details released. Medical exam- tions about how prosecutors conducted the police who are often their partners, said civil the allegations later chronicled in the 1973 enforcement policy. — AP iners had found that a police chokehold - a secret process. And it has prompted debate rights lawyer Norman Siegel. film “Serpico.” —AP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 INTERNATIONAL

DR Congo’s Kabila brings opposition into long-delayed govt

KINSHASA: Democratic Republic of backing rival sides, Bemba turned his head of state by Kinshasa politicians in weight politicians from the presidential A deputy prime minister from the Congo President Joseph Kabila yesterday movement into a political party. He made wartime after his father was assassinated majority back into the new government. opposition is the secretary-general of named a government that includes several an unsuccessful challenge to Kabila at the in January 2001, rules over a nation two- Prime Minister Ponyo’s team includes the MLC, Thomas Luhaka, who has been opposition members, more than a year polls in 2006, which led to violence. thirds the size of Western Europe. three deputy prime ministers, two minis- entrusted with the postal service, after promising to appoint a cabinet of Today Bemba is on trial before the The DRC has vast, widely coveted ters of state, 32 ministers and 10 deputy telecommunications and new informa- national unity. International Criminal Court in The Hague mineral resources, but years of neglect ministers. Leading the big guns from tion technology. The new team, which will be headed by for alleged war crimes and crimes against dating from Mobutu’s era have left infra- Kabila’s People’s Party for Reconstruction Kengo, an advocate of free-market incumbent Prime Minister Augustin humanity by the MLC army in Central structure and basic services in ruins, and Democracy (PPRD) is Evariste economics who several times served as Matata Ponyo and include 47 other mem- African Republic. Despite being in custody, while serious unrest prevails in the east. Boshab, a former speaker of the national prime minister under Mobutu, obtained bers, will still be dominated by the ruling Bemba participated in consultations to Business sources have complained assembly and PPRD secretary-general. the key budget portfolio for Michel party. But it also includes figures from the form the new government, along with that economic activity has been stalled Boshab has been made minister of the Bongongo of the opposition Union of political opposition, notably the Senate President Leon Kengo wa Dondo, a by a lame-duck cabinet since Kabila first interior and a deputy prime minister. Forces for Change (UFC). Movement for the Liberation of Congo bitter foe of the president’s rebel father pledged in October 2013 to name a uni- Former foreign minister Alexis The new government includes one (MLC) founded as a rebel force by busi- Laurent-Desire Kabila, who took power ty government, following talks with the Thambwe Mwamba has been appointed job for a member of parliament from the nessman Jean-Pierre Bemba to fight the after ousting kleptocratic dictator Mobutu opposition and leaders of civil society. justice minister, while Olivier Kamitatu Union for Democracy and Social Kinshasa regime and its troops during the Sese Seko in 1997. Kabila, who has himself come under retains the national planning portfolio. Progress (UDPS), the foremost opposi- Second Congo War (1998-2003). fire for plans to tamper with the consti- Henri Yav Mulang, the deputy director tion party first created to contest After a peace deal was cut among the Basic services in ruins tution so that he can run for a third term of Kabila’s personal cabinet, has been Mobutu’s rule, but today riven with inter- Congolese foes and foreign countries Joseph Kabila, a soldier hastily made in 2016, has brought several heavy- placed in charge of the finance ministry. nal dissent. —AFP Tunisia to hold second presidential runoff Campaigning will begin today

TUNIS: Moncef Marzouki and Beji 19, Sarsar said, urging the two candi- percent. The election in the North Challenges Caid Essebsi are to face off on dates and the media to respect elec- African nation is the first time its The country’s leaders pride December 21 in Tunisia’s second toral campaign rules given “the people have been able to vote themselves on the fact that Tunisia round of presidential voting to importance of this historic moment”. freely for their head of state since has been largely spared the blood- decide who leads the nation that Neither incumbent Marzouki independence from France in 1956. shed that has hit other Arab Spring sparked the Arab Spring. nor 88-year-old political veteran Twenty-seven candidates stood states such as Egypt, Libya and “Voting will take place on Essebsi won an overall majority in in the first round of the milestone Yemen. But it faces significant chal- December 21,” the head of the ISIE the first round of polling on election in Tunisia, where the lenges, including a jihadist threat, a electoral organising body, Chafik November 23. ouster in 2011 of longtime strong- weak economy and social unrest. Sarsar, told a news conference yes- The final results from the first man Zine El Abidine Ben Ali set off Anti-Islamist party Nidaa Tounes, terday. round, released yesterday, showed a chain of revolts that saw several which is headed by Essebsi, won 86 Campaigning will begin today Essebsi ahead with 39.46 percent of Arab dictators toppled by citizens seats in parliamentary polls in and last until midnight on December votes cast and Marzouki on 33.43 demanding democratic reform. October, beating moderate Islamist ANKARA: A file photo taken on December 1, 2014 shows Turkish President movement Ennahda, dominant Recep Tayyip Erdogan listening to his Russian counterpart during a joint since Ben Ali’s ouster, into second news conference at the new Presidential Palace in Ankara. Erdogan vowed place with 69 seats. The presidential runoff is set to yesterday to make lessons in the Arabic-alphabet Ottoman language com- be polarising, with Marzouki’s camp pulsory in high schools — a highly symbolic move which enraged secularists portraying him as the last line of who claim he is persuing an increasingly Islamist agenda. Mustafa Kemal defence against a return to the Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey, abolished the Ottoman language in autocratic ways of the old regime, 1928, replacing its Arabic alphabet with a Latin one. — AFP and Essebsi deriding him as an Islamist pawn. Erdogan vows to impose ‘Arabic’ Marzouki, 69, was an exiled dis- sident during Ben Ali’s rule and was Ottoman lessons in schools elected president at the end of 2011 by an interim assembly under a coalition deal with the then-rul- ISTANBUL: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip there be a bigger weakness than not know- ing Ennahda. Erdogan vowed yesterday to make lessons ing this? This (departure from the Ottoman Essebsi held key positions under in the Arabic-alphabet Ottoman language language) was equal to the severing of our Habib Bourguiba, the father of compulsory in high schools-a highly sym- jugular veins,” Erdogan said. Tunisia’s independence, and under bolic move which enraged secularists who Ottoman Turkish evolved as the admin- Ben Ali. To prevent another dicta- claim he is persuing an increasingly Islamist istrative language of the 600-year-old mul- torship, presidential powers have agenda. ti-ethnic Ottoman empire, on whose ruins been restricted under a new consti- Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of Ataturk created Turkey’s modern republic. tution, with executive prerogatives modern Turkey, abolished the Ottoman lan- But even at the time of the empire’s col- transferred to a premier. guage in 1928, replacing its Arabic alphabet lapse after WWI, it was mostly unintelligible The electoral system calls for with a Latin one. He also purged the lan- to all but a tiny ruling elite. the party with the most votes to guage of many of its Arabic, Persian and “Hans in Germany can learn it and study TUNIS: Members of the Tunisian ISIE elections body hold a press conference to announce the form a coalition government. Greek words to create a new “pure” Turkish the works (in the Ottoman language),” final results of the first round of the presidential election yesterday. Moncef Marzouki (portrait- Nidaa Tounes has said the process closer to the language people spoke. Erdogan said, citing a typical German male L) and Beji Caid Essebsi are to face off on December 21 in Tunisia’s second round of presidential will start after the presidential Critics claimed Erdogan’s vow to reintro- name. “But unfortunately this isn’t the case voting to decide who leads the nation that sparked the Arab Spring. —AFP runoff. —AFP duce teaching of the language “no matter here.” what they say” was another bid to roll back And in comments which will give Ataturk’s secular reforms, which were based ammunition to critics who claim he is on a strict separation between religion and becoming more overtly Islamist, Erdogan US, UK face nuclear disarmament pressure state. added, “This religion has a guardian. And Turkey’s National Education Council, this guardian will protect this religion till largely made up of members backed by the end.” VIENNA: The United States and arsenal. Explaining its decision to pledged not to pursue them. A treaty for arms control. Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted government, voted Supporters of compulsory Ottoman lan- Britain took part for the first time yes- come to Vienna, the United States said review conference is scheduled for UN disarmament chief Angela over the weekend to make classes compul- guage lessons say they are necessary so terday in an international conference last month it had decided “there were 2015. Kane said countries without nuclear sory at religious high schools and an option Turks can maintain their links to the past on the humanitarian impact of nuclear real prospects for constructive bombs were “becoming increasingly at regular high schools. The council also vot- after the brutal cleavage of Ataturk’s radical weapons and were expected to face engagement with conference partici- ‘Still too many’ exasperated” that disarmament nego- ed to ban bartending classes at tourism reforms. The council voted on several other pressure to do more to eliminate their pants”, but added it would not engage Critics say there has been more tiations were not happening. It seems training high schools. controversial proposals, which include atomic arsenals. The three other offi- in disarmament negotiations at the emphasis on meeting the non-prolifer- the weapon states “don’t really see that But Erdogan argued the lessons were introducing “values” classes in pre-school cially recognised nuclear weapon meeting. ation goal than getting the five major the NPT is an obligation to disarm”, she necessary to restore Turks’ severed ties with childcare and compulsory religious culture states Russia, France and China- Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian powers to fulfil their part of the deal. told Reuters. “our roots”, with most unable to read the classes from the first grade, instead of the shunned the Dec. 8-9 meeting. Many Kurz said the attendance of two of the The five argue that much progress has Pakistan and India, which both tombstones of their ancestors. fourth. The decisions need the approval of of the 157 states taking part are critical five permanent U.N. Security Council already been made, with stocks much have nuclear weapons, have not “There are those who do not want this to the education ministry to take effect, but of what they see as too slow headway members was a “first success” of the lower than at any time in the past half signed the NPT. They attended the be taught. This is a great danger. Whether the ministry has in the past implemented on nuclear disarmament. conference, adding: “It is high time to century. Vienna talks, as did Iran, which rejects they like it or not, the Ottoman language the majority of them. The conference, the third in a series move from words to real action.” The US atomic arsenal has been cut Western accusations it too wants to will be learnt and taught in this country,” Erdogan, who took over Turkey’s presi- which began in 2013, comes amid talk Under the 1970 nuclear Non- by 85 percent from its Cold War build a bomb. Erdogan told a religious council meeting in dency in August after serving as prime min- of a new Cold War between the West Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the five heights to 4,800 weapons, a US official Israel, which is believed to have Ankara. “It’s not a foreign language. It’s a ister for more than a decade, has long been and Russia over the Ukraine crisis, dur- recognised atomic bomb “haves” said last week. But, “that is still too the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal form of Turkish that will never age. Therefore accused of seeking to impose religion on ing which President Vladimir Putin has agreed to work towards eliminating many and we know it”, said Rose and is also outside the NPT, did not it will be taught no matter what they say,” he Turkey’s mainly Muslim but officially secular pointedly stressed Moscow’s nuclear their bombs, while the “have-nots” Gottemoeller, under-secretary of state attend. —Reuters added. society, as well as Islamising the education system. Ataturk ‘cut our jugular’ In September, the government allowed Ex-Guantanamo inmates And in one particularly emotive phrase, girls in state high schools to wear the Erdogan compared Ataturk’s abolition of Muslim headscarf while banning pupils the language to cutting Turkey’s “jugular”. from wearing make-up, dyeing their hair or to leave Uruguay hospital “History rests in those gravestones. Can having tattoos or body piercings. —AFP

MONTEVIDEO: Six Guantanamo inmates being reset- tary prison, underwent medical exams at a military spent more than a decade at the detention center set War-torn Ukraine to test tled in Uruguay will leave hospital “in a matter of hospital on arrival. “That’s the only reason they’re not up in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. They had been hours” and begin new lives as free men in the South walking around the streets of Montevideo today like cleared for release but the US ruled they could not be sweeping new ceasefire American country, the defense minister said yesterday. any neighbor’s son,” Defense Minister Fernandez sent to their home countries for security reasons. The men, who arrived in Uruguay early Sunday in a Huidobro told local radio station Carve. The six former One of the men described his experience in a letter KIEV: Ukraine and pro-Russian insurgents jostling for position has intensified as the deal aimed at helping the United States close the mili- inmates-four Syrians, a Palestinian and a Tunisian- published in a Uruguayan newspaper yesterday. “My prepared to put to the test a comprehensive prospect of new Ukrainian peace talks nears. name is Abdelhadi Omar Faraj. For the past 12 years truce today aimed at calming an upsurge of “The desire to rip (ex-Soviet republics) away I’ve also been known as prisoner number 329 at violence that has further eroded trust from Russia has always been one of Guantanamo. And I am one of the men who recently between Moscow and the West. Local America’s top foreign policy priorities,” authorities on Monday reported the deaths Russian Deputy Foreign Sergei Ryabkov told arrived as refugees in Uruguay from that horrible of at least 12 civilians over a bloody weekend a session of parliament. “But since the start prison,” the Syrian man wrote in a letter sent to the in which government forces and organised of the year, this desire has surfaced with Spanish newspaper El Pais by his lawyer in New York. militias exchanged volleys of Grad rocket fire renewed strength and in an especially Faraj described leaving home at 19 years old to across the devastated industrial east. German aggressive manner,” the RIA Novosti news seek work in Iran and avoid mandatory military service Chancellor Angela Merkel-once one of agency quoted Ryabkov as saying. in Syria, eventually moving on to Afghanistan. “When Europe’s more moderate voices on Russian the war in Afghanistan broke out in 2001, I feared that affairs-blamed the unrest on attempts by an ‘Day of silence’ one of the warring parties, the Northern Alliance, increasingly isolated Kremlin to halt eastern Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is would kill me for being an Arab. I fled overland to Europeans in their drive toward the EU. hoping that a calm in the east can help him Pakistan,” he said. Russia’s violation of “the territorial integri- focus on pushing through long-delayed eco- He said he was arrested at the border by Pakistani ty and sovereignty of Ukraine must not be nomic legislation that could dig the country soldiers, handed over to the US army and detained in allowed to stand,” Merkel told Germany’s Die out of effective bankruptcy and open the “sub-human conditions” in Kandahar. In June 2002, he Welt newspaper. way for more global aid. He has proclaimed was flown to Guantanamo. In 2009, a military, FBI and She also defended the sanctions that Tuesday to be a “day of silence” across the war CIA team cleared him for release, he said. But he was Brussels and Washington have slapped on zone that will be followed by a withdrawal of unable to be sent to Syria, by then in the grips of civil Russia for its alleged attempts to splinter its heavy weapons from the front line-should war. “If it hadn’t been for Uruguay, I would still be in western neighbour in reprisal for the the separatists also put down their guns. February ouster of a Moscow-backed presi- Guerrilla commanders have promised to MONTEVIDEO: Picture taken at the entrace of the Military Hospital in Montevideo, that black hole in Cuba,” he said, thanking the country and President Jose Mujica for accepting him as a dent. Russia has struck back by banning respect the ceasefire. But confusion has Western food imports and imposing other emerged over the fate of vital peace talks in yesterday from where six Guantanamo inmates transferred to Uruguay are expected refugee. “I want to assure you and all Uruguayans, restrictions that have hurt European farmers the Belarussian capital Minsk that to leave in freedom after more than a decade in what one called the “black hole” of including the Uruguayan government, that we bear the US military prison. The men, who arrived in Uruguay early Sunday on refugee and provoked a minor rebellion from busi- Poroshenko hopes to convene on the same only good will and positive contributions for Uruguay nesses in countries such as France and day in the presence of Russian and European status after 12 years of detention without charge, underwent medical exams at a mil- while we learn Spanish and remake our lives here,” he Germany. The diplomatic war of words and envoys. —AFP itary hospital on arrival. —AFP said. —AFP INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 One dead as Pakistan opposition party workers clash with police FAISALABAD: An opposition party worker was shot baton-charged them as parts of Faisalabad came to told reporters outside his home in Islamabad. Qadri in the eastern city of Lahore, leaving 14 pro- dead in Pakistan yesterday as hundreds of protest- a standstill. Nabeela Ghazanfar, a spokeswoman for “Our workers were being shot at in the presence testers dead in an incident condemned by rights ers clashed with riot police armed with water can- police in Punjab province, told AFP: “One protester of the police,” he continued, adding he would groups. Followers of Khan and Qadri also clashed non and batons in the central city of Faisalabad. has been killed and five others injured including address supporters in Faisalabad later yesterday with police in late August after they united to The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Pakistan two policemen. “The Punjab police chief has issued evening.Information Minister Pervez Rashid howev- protest in the capital in an attempt to force Sharif’s Movement for Justice or PTI) party led by Imran strict orders not to let anybody take the law into er blamed Khan for “inciting the people to violence”, ousting. Three demonstrators were killed and hun- Khan had vowed to paralyse the city as part of its their hands.” A doctor in a Faisalabad hospital con- as smaller anti-government demonstrations broke dreds injured on both sides when the protesters efforts to topple the government of Prime Minister firmed the death from bullet wounds and said five out in Islamabad and the central city of Multan. tried to storm the prime minister’s residence. Nawaz Sharif, whom it accuses of poll-rigging. wounded were being treated. A PTI official on the The clashes came as an election tribunal judge in Both groups allege that Sharif rigged the 2013 The death could spark further violence and rein- ground who asked that his name be withheld also the eastern city of Lahore accepted Khan’s plea for a general election, though local and foreign vigorate the opposition movement. It received a said the worker had been shot. TV channels showed vote audit in the constituency of the speaker of the observers rated the polls as credible. boost Monday when a judge ordered a vote audit in a man in civilian clothes wielding a pistol at the rally national parliament. On September 1 the opposition groups briefly a key constituency, a longstanding demand of and blamed him for the killing. occupied the state broadcaster. Though Khan has Khan. He has said it will highlight systemic flaws in Khan said supporters of Sharif’s party carried out Rising political violence so far failed in his aims to topple the government, the 2013 general election which brought Sharif’s the attack and lashed out at police. “Peaceful Political violence is relatively rare in Pakistan’s his party has continued to stage major rallies party to power. protest is our right and it’s the duty of the state to peaceful and prosperous Punjab province, though it around the country. He has warned that he and his TV footage showed PTI workers clashing with provide security but the government tried to pro- has been on the rise this year. In June police clashed supporters will paralyse the country on December supporters of Sharif as well as with riot police, who voke our protesters,” the cricketer turned politician with followers of populist Canadian cleric Tahir-ul- 18 if their demands are not met. — AFP

US, NATO end Afghan combat command after 13 years

KABUL: The US and NATO closed their combat against both Taliban and al-Qaeda militants, command in Afghanistan yesterday, more broadening the mission of the US forces that than 13 years after invading the country in the will remain in the country. They also will be wake of the Sept 11 terror attacks to target al- permitted to provide combat and air support Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. as necessary, while Afghan President Ashraf Though quickly routing the Taleban-led Ghani also considers resuming controversial government that sheltered the militants, the night raids that could see Americans take part. US-led coalition soon found itself spending Up to 10,800 US troops will remain in billions of dollars rebuilding a country devas- Afghanistan for the first three months of next tated by almost 30 years of war while an insur- year, 1,000 more than previously planned, said gency grew as the invasion and occupation of a NATO official who spoke on condition of Iraq quickly took America’s attention. anonymity to discuss troop deployments. As a As NATO’s International Security Assistance result, there will be little, if any, net drop in U.S. Force’s Joint Command, which was in charge troop numbers between now and Dec. 31, of combat operations, lowered its flag yester- when the international combat mission for- day and formally ended its deployment, resur- mally ends. By the end of 2015, however, gent Taleban militants launched yet another American officials say the US troop total will bloody attack in the country. And with US shrink to 5,500, and to near zero by the end of President Barack Obama allowing American 2016. Ghani, elected to replace President troops to go after both al-Qaeda and Taliban Hamid Karzai, has embarked on a top-to-bot- militants in the country into next year, the tom overhaul of Afghanistan’s military and the fighting likely won’t be over anytime soon. “I security apparatus. He has begun replacing don’t think the war will slow or stop during the provincial governors in volatile areas and his winter, as attacks on cities are not contingent office said military leaders will be replaced. His on the weather,” Afghan political analyst Wahid National Security Council also is working on a Muzhdah said. “I believe attacks in the cities manual that will set down for the first time in will increase - they attract media attention.” the post-Taleban era rules of engagement and Yesterday’s ceremony saw the NATO flag of battlefield practices for Afghan security forces. the command folded and put away amid the Yet Obama’s decision to allow American foreign troop withdrawal. From Jan 1, the forces to remain behind in a more active role coalition will maintain a force of 13,000 troops suggests the US remains considered about in Afghanistan, down from a peak around the Afghan government’s ability to fight. 140,000 in 2011. As of Dec 1, there were some Chances of Ghani restarting peace talks with NEW DELHI: Indian police escort Uber taxi driver and accused rapist Shiv Kumar Yadav (C) following his court appearance in New Delhi yester- 13, 300 NATO troops in the country. US Gen the Taleban also appear to slimming as he day. Delhi’s government yesterday banned Uber from operating in the Indian capital after a passenger accused one of its drivers of rape, deal- John F. Campbell, commander of NATO and signed agreements with NATO and the US to ing a fresh blow to the reputation of online taxi service. — AFP US forces, said foreign troops now will focus allow the foreign troops to remain behind, a on training and supporting local Afghan red line for the militants. forces, which have led the fight against the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid Taleban insurgents since mid-2013. “The told the AP that the group would continue to New Delhi bans Uber Afghan security forces are capable,” Campbell fight “until all foreign troops have left told The Associated Press. “They have to make Afghanistan.” “The Americans want to extend some changes in the leadership which they’re their mission in Afghanistan, the motive doing, and they have to hold people account- being to keep the war going for as long as after alleged rape able.” possible,” Mujahid said. “And for as long as But as local troops stepped up, they now they do, the Taleban will continue their fight face record-high casualty figures that have against the foreign and (Afghan) government risen 6.5 percent this year, to 4,634 killed in forces.” A sudden uptick in attacks reflects a action, compared to 4,350 in 2013. By compar- splintering of the insurgent group to margin- Company will be blacklisted ison, some 3,500 foreign forces, including at alize leaders who had favored peace talks, least 2,210 American soldiers, have been killed said Muzhdah, the Afghan political analyst. In NEW DELHI: Delhi’s government yesterday which lets customers hail and pay for taxis or pri- Delhi police said it appeared that Uber had since the war began in 2001. recent weeks, the insurgency has hit foreign banned Uber from operating in the Indian capi- vate vehicles via a smartphone app, has expand- not followed the standard procedures for private US President Barack Obama recently targets including military, diplomatic and tal after a passenger accused one of its drivers of ed at breakneck speed since it launched in 2009 cab services in the city. Special commissioner allowed American forces to launch operations civilian installations. —AP rape, dealing a fresh blow to the online taxi com- and is now present in more than 200 cities Deepak Mishra said Sunday that early investiga- pany’s public image. across 45 countries. But its rapid growth has tions showed GPS had not been installed in the The popular but controversial service has caused deep tensions, especially in Europe, taxi and police background checks were not come in for heavy criticism in India since a where rival taxi companies have protested that conducted on the driver. young company executive said she had been Uber cars are not subject to the same stringent However Uber said it had complied with city raped by an Uber driver, who had previously regulations as they are. regulations. Background checks are “currently been accused of assault. absent in (Delhi’s) commercial transportation Local media reports say Uber failed to carry ‘Despicable crime’ licensing programmes,” chief executive Travis out a background check on the 32-year-old man, The alleged attack has again raised the issue Kalanick said in a statement. who had spent several months in jail on a sepa- of women’s safety in India, days before the sec- “What happened over the weekend in New rate rape charge before being acquitted in 2012. ond anniversary of a fatal gang-rape of a Delhi Delhi is horrific. Our entire team’s hearts go out Uber is banned from operating in Delhi with student that unleashed widespread outrage. to the victim of this despicable crime,” the state- immediate effect and the company will be “on a “It is really sad because this was one app you ment said. “We will do everything... to help bring blacklist” regarding the provision of transport thought you could trust,” said Delhi housewife this perpetrator to justice and to support the vic- services in the future, a government statement Anu Chadha. “This incident has shocked every- tim and her family in her recovery.” said. “(The) Transport Department has banned one.” The victim, an executive at a finance com- The latest incident comes as Uber tries to all activities relating to providing any transport pany who is in her mid-20s, dozed off in the taxi undo damage to its public image from a series service by the www.Uber.com with immediate as she was returning home from dinner with a of embarrassing incidents, including negative effect,” said the city government in a statement. friend. She told police she woke to find the taxi comments about the media from a top execu- It also said it had cancelled the licence and parked in a secluded place where the driver tive who proposed setting up a team to dig up registration certificate of the driver, Shiv Kumar assaulted and raped her, before dumping her dirt on critical reporters. That controversy Yadav, who was remanded in custody for three near her home in north Delhi. widened when a BuzzFeed report indicated that days yesterday while police investigate. Although the driver threatened to kill her if executives at Uber had taken liberties with Police arrested him on Sunday after tracking she reported the crime to police, the woman access to an internal company tool called “God him down to his native Uttar Pradesh state, took a photo of the car’s number plate before View” that showed where riders and their drivers where he had fled. San Francisco-based Uber, alerting the authorities. were located at any given time. — AFP COLOMBO: In this photograph released by the Sri Lankan Presidential Office yesterday, Sri Lanka’s main opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena (R) hands his nomination papers to Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya (L) at Modi takes political campaign to Kashmir the Election Commission office in Colombo yesterday. — AFP SRINAGAR: Indian Prime Minister Narendra summer capital, which is at the heart of the 25- century. He said he had turned Kutch in his Modi yesterday took his political campaign to year revolt against Indian rule. Modi promised to native western state of Gujarat into India’s 19 candidates vie for the troubled northern state of Jammu and help rebuild Srinagar and nearby areas that suf- fastest growing district after a devastating earth- Kashmir, promising jobs and water supplies to fered the worst flooding this year in more than a quake in 2001. — Reuters win support in a region at the heart of nearly S Lankan presidency seven decades of hostility with Pakistan. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is making a COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda United National Party. Sirisena has vowed bold attempt to win power in a state election Rajapaksa and his former health minister to abolish the president’s executive powers under way in Muslim-majority Kashmir and were among 19 people who submitted and strengthen Parliament and the judici- bring it closer to the Indian mainstream, a long- candidacy papers yesterday to contest next ary. “I will be committed to bring about the running goal of the right-wing party. month’s presidential election. changes the country needs,” Sirisena said. But the BJP’s “Mission Kashmir” has already Rajapaksa, who was first elected in 2005 “We will wipe out family rule, strengthen raised tension, with political rivals and sepa- and won re-election in 2009, called the freedom and democracy and build up a ratists accusing the party of fomenting divisions election two years early to seek an country free of corruption and fear.” in the region, which includes Hindu-dominated unprecedented third term amid growing Elections Commissioner Mahinda Jammu and Buddhist Ladakh. international and local criticism. His admin- Deshapriya rejected objections raised Militants have also stepped up violence coin- istration has been accused of corruption, against the candidacies of both Rajapaksa ciding with the election, killing 11 soldiers and nepotism and autocratic leadership, and and Sirisena, saying their applications were policemen in an attack on an Indian army camp faces a United Nations inquiry into alleged within the rules. But he expressed concern on Friday, the worst losses for security forces in war crimes during the closing months of a over election violence that has broken out, six years, and inflaming sentiment across India. 25-year separatist war. and advised candidates and supporters to Strong voter turnout in early poll rounds “I will win, I know the people are with respect election laws. He urged the news showed people had rejected violence and seek me, it’s very clear,” Rajapaksa told reporters media and government officials to act development, Modi told a huge campaign rally outside the elections office. Three of impartially, and said his office will monitor in Jammu. Rajapaksa’s brothers hold top positions in coverage of the election. Several opposi- “The power that you have is greater than his government - one as defense secretary, tion supporters and their homes have been those holding the AK-47 (assault rifle),” he said. another as parliamentary speaker and the attacked since Sirisena defected from “He can only kill, while you can change the for- third as a Cabinet minister. Rajapaksa’s eld- Rajapaksa’s government and announced tunes of a country with your vote.” er son and a niece are lawmakers and other his candidacy last month. The election is on Tens of thousands of people applauded Modi relatives are in the government bureaucra- Jan. 8, just five days before Pope Francis is as he promised greater development if his party SRINAGAR: Kashmiri supporters of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi look on as he speaks cy and diplomatic positions. to begin a three-day visit. The closeness won. “People want jobs for the youth, water for during an election rally at a stadium in Srinagar yesterday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit Rajapaksa’s former health minister and between the election and the papal visit the farms, medicines for the elders,” he said. the campaign trail for regional elections in Indian Kashmir just days after a militant attack left his party’s No. 2 official, Maithripala and the possibility of violence has prompt- “Even those who have strayed and taken up the 11 soldiers and police dead. Hundreds of extra troops have been deployed in the main city Sirisena, has become his main challenger ed some Roman Catholic clergy to seek a gun are feeling burdened by it.” Srinagar where Modi has been speaking at a public rally to boost his Hindu nationalist party’s and is backed by the main opposition postponement of the visit. — AP Modi’s harder test was in Srinagar, the state’s bold bid to seize power in the troubled Muslim-majority region. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 INTERNATIONAL Bali completes probe into US pair accused of murder

DENPASAR: Indonesian police have reporters in the Balinese capital Denpasar completed their probe into an American that police had finished their investiga- man and his girlfriend accused of killing tion and handed responsibility to the the woman’s mother in Bali and stuffing prosecution service. her body in a suitcase, a prosecutor said “We have received the case file from yesterday, adding the pair was expected the police,” he said. Prosecutors have an to go on trial next month. initial 20 days to draw up charges and He also said 19-year-old Heather Mack, Wijaya said he hoped the pair would face who is pregnant, and her boyfriend trial in January. Tommy Schaefer were being transferred If the case does proceed to court, from police cells to the resort island’s Mack and Schaefer will be formally notorious Kerobokan jail, where prisoners charged at their first appearance, which is live in cramped, filthy conditions and the usual procedure in the Indonesian drug abuse is widespread. legal system. The battered body of Sheila von Wiese They had been in police holding cells Mack, 62, was found in a suitcase in the during the police investigation. But now boot of a taxi in front of an exclusive hotel that probe had wrapped up they would in the upscale Nusa Dua resort area in be moved later yesterday to Kerobokan, August. Wijaya said. Mack and Schaefer, 21, had been stay- Mack’s lawyer, Raja Nasution, insisted ing with her but fled to another part of that “she will be more comfortable there the island after the killing. They were as it’s bigger”. He added that she would caught the following day and police have go to hospital every month to check on BALI: American Heather Mack looks out from a cell at the Indonesian prosecutor’s office as the police handed her said they could face the death penalty if the progress of her pregnancy. murder case to the prosecutor in Bali, Indonesia, yesterday. Mack and her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer are accused found guilty of premeditated murder. The victim and the suspects are all of murdering Sheila von Wiese-Mack, her mother, who was found stuffed inside a suitcase last August. —AP Prosecutor Eddy Artha Wijaya told from the Chicago area. —AFP Philippine storm weakens after leaving 21 dead Over 2,800 villagers moved to emergency shelters

SAN JUAN: Typhoon Hagupit weak- were asking people to stay away still barreling across the southern tip shantytown on the edge of Manila ened into a tropical storm yesterday from a promenade beside Manila Bay of the main northern island of Luzon, Bay have been evacuated due to after leaving at least 21 people dead for safety reasons. where Manila is located. The storm possible storm surges. Sandbags and forcing more than a million into More than 2,800 villagers moved was expected to blow away today were stacked along a portion of a shelters, while sparing most of a cen- to emergency shelters in San Juan, a into the South China Sea. seawall to prevent possible storm tral Philippine region still reeling low-lying and flood-prone town Hagupit (pronounced HA’-goo- surges in Manila Bay from spilling from last year’s monster Typhoon popular for its beach resorts, includ- pit), which first made landfall in into a scenic boulevard and a tourist Haiyan. ing 220 people huddled inside a Eastern Samar late Saturday, was belt of restaurants and hotels. Hagupit made landfall shortly gymnasium as torrential rains moving slowly at 10 kph (6 mph) “We’ve prepared and trained for before nightfall in the resort town of pounded. and could dump heavy rain that this,” Estrada told The Associated San Juan in Batangas province, about “It’s really scary if you’ve watched could possibly trigger landslides and Press, adding that his greatest fear 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of what happened during Haiyan,” said flash floods, according to forecasters. was widespread flooding. Metropolitan Manila has a popula- HONG KONG: Erwiana Sulistyaningsih arrives at the Wanchai Law Courts to tion of more than 12 million people. begin giving evidence against her former employer who is accused of abuse Like villagers in the central and toture in Hong Kong yesterday. —AFP Philippines, Estrada said Manila residents were readily moving to safety because of haunting memories of Former maid tells HK court Haiyan. The strongest typhoon on record of ‘torture’ by employer to hit land, Haiyan’s tsunami-like storm surges leveled entire villages and left more than 7,300 people HONG KONG: An Indonesian former maid Myanmar suspended a seven-month-old dead or missing in November last yesterday told a court for the first time how scheme in September and Indonesia has year. she was starved, beaten and ritually humili- pledged to stop sending domestic workers Hagupit left at least 21 people ated by her Hong Kong employers in a case abroad from 2017. dead, including 16 villagers who that has sparked international outrage. Pictures of Sulistyaningsih, who was drowned in Eastern Samar province, Erwiana Sulistyaningsih described in admitted to a hospital in Indonesia in where the typhoon made its first vivid detail how for months she lived on January emaciated and in a critical condi- landfall, according to the Philippine nothing but bread and rice, slept only four tion, sparked widespread anger in her home Red Cross. The government disas- hours a day and was beaten so badly by her country and even drew comment from the ter-response agency has reported former employer Law Wan-tung that she president. only five other deaths, including was knocked unconscious. But yesterday the 23-year-old remained three people who died of hypother- “I was tortured,” she told the packed calm as she described in graphic detail her mia, saying it was still verifying oth- courtroom through a translator on the alleged abuse, including one incident where er reported casualties. opening day of the trial. she was stripped naked, sprayed with water Displaced villagers have been “She often hit me... sometimes she would and made to stand in front of a fan in the asked to return home from emer- hit me from behind, sometimes she hit me middle of winter. gency shelters in provinces where in the front. I was hit so often sometimes I the danger posed by the typhoon got a headache... She hit me in my mouth ‘Slavery-like’ conditions had waned, including Albay (so) I had difficulty breathing.” Law faces 21 charges-also pertaining to province, where more than half a Opening the prosecution, solicitor Louisa two other former domestic helpers-includ- DOLORES: A family try to salvage recyclable roof materials made of nipa leaves from their million people were advised to Lai detailed the harrowing litany of abuse ing grievous bodily harm with intent, crimi- destroyed house in Dolores town, in Eastern samar province central Philippines yesterday, a day leave evacuation sites. the former maid allegedly suffered including nal intimidation and failure to pay wages. after typhoon Hagupit hit the province. Millions of people in the Philippine capital hunkered Nearly 12,000 villagers, however, how she was told to wrap her sore-covered The most serious carry a maximum sentence down yesterday as a major storm churned towards the megacity, after killing at least 23 people will remain in government shelters feet in plastic bags “because of the smell”. of life in prison. and destroying thousands of homes on remote islands. —AFP in Albay because their homes lie Law denies all charges of abuse. Prosecutors also allege Law used house- near a restive volcano. Sulistyaningsih’s case has shone a spot- hold items such as a mop and vacuum Manila, the capital, with maximum Amy de Guzman, a 34-year-old Evacuated President Benigno Aquino III has light on the plight of migrant domestic cleaner as “weapons” against her employee, sustained winds of 85 kilometers (53 mother of three who sought refuge Many of those in eastern areas decided to cancel a trip to South helpers in Asia and the Middle East after whom she turned into a virtual prisoner. miles) per hour and gusts of 100 kph in the gymnasium. “I hope the storm who evacuated to shelters started Korea, where he and other reports of torture and even killings. In The 44-year-old mother-of-two was (62 mph). But a few hours later, blows away from here as far as possi- to troop back home after the Southeast Asian heads of state were March, a Malaysian couple was sentenced to arrested in January as she tried to board a Manila still was experiencing only ble.” typhoon had blown past their to attend a diplomatic summit later hang for starving their Indonesian maid to flight to Thailand but was released on bail slight winds and light rain. While officials expressed relief provinces, Philippine Red Cross this week, so he can deal with death, while in the same week a pending the trial. Forecasters, however, said that the typhoon had not caused Secretary-General Gwendolyn Pang storm’s aftermath. He will send two Singaporean couple pleaded guilty to abuse Dressed in a light brown coat and thick- Hagupit could still generate storm major damage in Tacloban and other said. Cabinet members to represent him after their helper lost 20 kilos in seven rimmed glasses, Law kept her head down as surges that could overwhelm coastal central cities that were devastated Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at the event, presidential spokes- months. her former maid described the “torture” she villages. In the capital, police officers by Haiyan, they warned that it was said more than 5,000 residents of a woman Abigail Valte said. —AP Such cases have prompted a clampdown allegedly suffered, only occasionally shoot- on domestic worker visas in some countries- ing her a glance.—AFP

Philippines stands China sentences eight to death for attacks in Xinjiang firm on sea dispute BEIJING: A Chinese court yester- ing investments into the region to CCTV said on Monday that six peo- Congress, said the harsh sentences crackdown on violence in Xinjiang, day sentenced eight people to help it grow. Most attacks have ple were sentenced to death on were politically motivated and the where security was already tight death on charges of leading terror been mounted against state tar- charges of terrorism, use of explo- defendants had no chance of a fair following riots in Urumqi in 2009 MANILA: The Philippines shrugged off criticism from China groups and setting off explosives gets, such as police stations, mili- sives and endangering public safe- trial. “China will never seek the root that left nearly 200 people dead, yesterday after Beijing slammed the nation for challenging its in two attacks that left 46 people tary checkpoints and government ty. It did not explain why the num- causes in its extreme (ethnic) poli- according to official count. territorial claims in international courts, in a dispute over dead in the far western region of buildings, but assailants also have ber of suspects grew. cies,” he said in a statement. Among those sentenced in the resource-rich waters. Xinjiang, home of the Muslim struck at civilians in several recent Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Authorities responded to the clampdown is Ilham Tohti, a former Philippine foreign ministry spokesman Charles Jose denied Uighur minority, state media said. incidents, slashing at crowds with Munich-based World Uyghur attacks by launching a one-year economics professor at Minzu Manila was taking its complaint to a UN tribunal as a way to The Urumqi Intermediate knives or setting off bombs at train University of China in Beijing. put China under foreign pressure. People’s Court in the capital of stations and commercial areas. Known for his candid criticisms of “Our position is that arbitration is the durable solution,” Xinjiang also handed out suspend- On April 30, as Chinese Chinese ethnic policies in his home Jose told AFP. The Philippines infuriated China when it filed a ed death sentences to five others, President Xi Jinping was wrapping region of Xinjiang, he was found formal complaint to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The guilty of separatism and sentenced Hague in March asking it to rule on China’s claims over most of China Central Television said, with- up a tour to the ethnic region, an the South China Sea. China refused to recognise the process out mentioning when the trials explosion shook a train station in to life imprisonment in September. and has until next week to reply to the Philippines’ complaint. were held. the regional capital, killing three Authorities accused him of fanning Jose said China’s decision not to participate would not affect In a separate case, the same people, including two attackers. ethnic hatred, advocating violence proceedings and the tribunal may decide the case by “early court jailed seven minority stu- CCTV said two men were sen- and instigating terror through his 2016”. “We take note that China has officially stated its position dents of a prominent Uighur schol- tenced to death in the train attack. classroom teaching and a website on the matter of arbitration... We also note the points raised in ar for three to eight years after The defendants said on national on Uighur issues. the (Chinese) paper,” he said. “Its underlying goal is not... to convicting them of separatism, television that they were instruct- Seven of his students - six seek peaceful settlement of the South China Sea issue, but rights lawyer Li Fangping said yes- ed by a man outside China to carry Uighurs and one ethnic Yi - who rather, by resorting to arbitration, to put political pressure on terday. out the attack. CCTV said the man helped him run the website were China,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in the paper pub- Violence linked to Xinjiang has was connected to the East accused of being part of a criminal lished by the official Xinhua news agency Sunday. China’s killed about 400 people in and Turkestan Islamic Movement, a gang led by him. At least three had claims over the South China Sea conflict with the territorial outside the region over the past 20 group that China has designated a testified against Ilham Tohti on claims of the Philippines as well as Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan months. Beijing has blamed the terrorist organization. national television. and Vietnam. Just before the UN complaint was filed, Chinese attacks on radical separatists with About three weeks later, on While Beijing insists there are no ships tried to chase away a Philippine ship on a resupply mission foreign ties, although critics and May 22, four men drove two SUVs flaws in its ethnic policies, the top to Filipino soldiers stationed on a marooned ship serving as an human rights advocates say through a crowded market in cen- leadership has made some adjust- outpost in the disputed waters. Uighurs have chafed under the tral Urumqi and tossed explosives URUMQI: This May 22, 2014 file photo shows the damage ments. It has agreed to provide free The South China Sea, a major sea lane and fishing ground, repressive rule of the Han Chinese- out of the car windows, killing high school education in southern which is believed to hold vast mineral resources, has become a from an explosion in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang dominated government. themselves and 39 others. Xinjiang, which has the highest flashpoint for maritime territorial tensions. region. Chinese state media say eight people have been sen- In recent years, the Philippines has filed repeated diplo- Uighurs also complain of eco- Initial state media reports said concentration of Uighurs, and nomic disenfranchisement with that attack was the work of a five- tenced to death for involvement in two attacks that left 46 promised employment for at least matic protests over what it sees as Chinese attempts to people dead earlier this year in the far western region of strengthen its claim to the disputed waters. — AFP the inflow of Han Chinese to their member terror group, including one member of each household in homeland. Beijing says it is pump- the assailants who died. However, Xinjiang. —AP the poverty-stricken region. —AP NEWS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

Two men walk a dog on the Rennsteig ridge walk near Oberhof in central Germany yesterday. The Rennsteig hiking trail leads through the Thuringian Forest, the Thuringian Highland and the Franconian Forest. — AFP UK visa waiver for Kuwaitis in 2015 US says allies to send 1,500 troops to Iraq

Continued from Page 1 required to apply for the application. A statement by Continued from Page 1 On this date in 2004, Camp Buehring was the site of a former Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker reads, “there memorable visit by one of Hagel’s predecessors, Donald H intended, then further applications should be made, is no requirement to go to an application centre or sub- threatened by ISIL,” Hagel said, using an alternative Rumsfeld. In a similar setting, but in a far different circum- Director of Middle East and North Africa at Britain’s mit biometrics. The online form has an account system acronym for the extremist group. US officials said last week stance, Rumsfeld was asked by a US National Guard soldier Foreign Office Edward Oakden said in a joint press con- which means you only have to submit personal infor- that Iran had recently conducted airstrikes in the eastern from Tennessee why troops were being sent into battle in ference with Kuwait Foreign Ministry Director of Europe mation once (name, date of birth, passport number etc). Iraqi province of Diyala. Hagel spent a short time touring a Iraq with vehicles equipped with inadequate armor and Affairs Walid Al-Khobaizi. “You will also have to give travel details. You will then maintenance bay at Camp Buehring operated by soldiers other protection. Rumsfeld replied, “You go to the war with The e-application will not be made available for be sent a visa waiver which you need to print out and of the 1st Armored Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division. The the Army you have, ... not the Army you might want or Kuwaitis intending to travel to the UK for healthcare, take to the airport. Each visa waiver is only valid for a brigade is on a nine-month deployment in Kuwait as the wish to have at a later time.” At that juncture, nearly two study, business purposes or long-term stays, and for single trip. But, you are able to have as many as you rotating US ground force that is on call for emergency duty years after the March 2003 US invasion, the exchange with non-Kuwaiti travelers, and they will need to go through need simultaneously and can apply in advance. So if anywhere in the Middle East. Hagel then fielded questions Rumsfeld suggested how ill-prepared the US was to wage the regular application process. The system will be put you went to Brussels for the day you could print out two from several soldiers. a long ground war in Iraq. — Agencies in place in Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates in separate visa waivers, one for when you arrive in the UK, Jan 2015, and Oakden said that the delay in Kuwait is the second for your return trip from Brussels. Getting a because “the computer program that underpins it had visa waiver is completely free.” KPC sees oil at $65, output at 2.9m bpd some problems when we introduced it (the system) in Khobaizi said during a tour of the visa application the three other countries. It relates to, in particular, how centre that that he was impressed with the facilities Continued from Page 1 production project will cost $4.2 billion, with contracts to people put in their name and the spelling of their available at the office in Al-Tijaria Tower in downtown be awarded by the end of this year. He noted that KOC names in Arabic and English, such that when people Kuwait City. He also praised the newly-introduced VIP Adsani was speaking during the second edition of the plans to pump 60,000 barrels a day by 2018 in the project’s were using it for the first time, 40 percent of the applica- application system at the centre, which he said can get Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Heavy Oil Conference first phase. Moreover, Hashim added that KOC is going tions were getting thrown out.” you a visa in a short time. On the forthcoming e-system, and Exhibition. He said that KPC will continue its long term through with executing the second phase of natural gas “We have amazing relations with Kuwait and Khobaizi said he had a sensed “a strong attempt” from project in heavy oil exploration and highlighted the impor- development to reach its target goal of producing 500 mil- Kuwaitis in particular who always visit the UK,” Oakden British officials, “which we really appreciate”, to make tance of starting the first stages of heavy oil production lion cu ft a day by 2020. Similarly, Well Surveillance said, noting 120,000 visas are issued per year. As the the process possible in the soonest time possible. He soon in order to see its positive results in the future. He Manager at KOC Saeed Al-Shaheen emphasized that KOC number of Kuwaitis who travel to the UK is as great as also said he was “very satisfied” with bilateral talks on added that heavy oil has become a major strategic goal of will increase its heavy oil production gradually until it those from the UAE, Qatar and Oman combined, it is the matter. any international oil company, hence Kuwait’s increasing reaches its target output of 270,000 barrels a day by 2030. taking longer as amendments are currently being made Addressing diplomatic relations, Khobaizi described interest in delving into this realm. He noted that the well surveillance department is respon- to the software. “The e-visa will be free for those wish- these as “historic”, describing the UK as the “guardian” of Meanwhile, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) Chief Executive sible for providing the project’s operational equipment, ing to travel once for a period of 6 months for tourism Kuwait since a long time. He also referred to the thou- Officer Hashim Hashim said the first phase of the heavy oil hardware and other services. — Agencies to Britain,” said British ambassador to Kuwait Matthew sands of Kuwaitis who travel to the UK each year as stu- Lodge, noting that the electronic visa is linked to the dents, tourists, businessmen or healthcare patients as Falcons to go jet set on Lufthansa hotel reservation date and the date of the ticket, and in facets of this relationship. “This is due to the secure case of any changes, travelers will have to reapply. environment they experience when going there,” he Continued from Page 1 The hunting birds wear hoods and are usually tethered to On its website, the British Foreign and said, and these “elements make Britain a preferred desti- the passenger’s glove, not free to flap around the cabin. Abu Commonwealth Office clearly outlines the steps nation for Kuwaitis.” — KUNA or other birds in the cabin with them,” said the airline’s Dhabi-based Etihad airline says on its website that “we accept technology division, Lufthansa Technik. The device is now in the carriage of falcons in the main aircraft cabin provided that Ugandan maid pleads guilty to child... the design phase, and the certification process would likely all the necessary documents have been obtained. We also take six to nine months before it is ready for use, a Lufthansa accept falcons as checked baggage”. Royal Jordanian also Continued from Page 1 lence against children is completely unacceptable.” The case spokeswoman told AFP. The special stand is adjustable in states that “falcons may be carried in the cabin” on many flights, provided they are “properly hooded”, adding that “a has gathered wide attention in Uganda, where many middle height, width and depth and can be installed on a seat of all of chain or rope must be securely attached to the aircraft seat State prosecutor Joyce Tushabe said the maid, who had class parents hire maids to look after their children. Maids in Lufthansa’s Airbus, Boeing and other aircraft types. Falconry has a long tradition in Arab culture. The United Arab Emirates and the leg of each bird”. no lawyer, “was remorseful” in court. She appeared smartly Uganda are often poorly paid, and regularly live in the hous- runs wild falcon conservation projects as well as breeding Now the German airline with the crane logo - which has dressed in a floral shirt, coming face to face in court with the es where they work. While the assault shocked the nation, farms and veterinary hospitals for the animals. For centuries struggled with tough competition from several Gulf-based air- baby’s father Eric Kamanzi, who reportedly broke down as some commentators said the abuse reflected wider issues of hunting with falcons was a major source of meat in the harsh lines on long-haul flights - is also planning to open its cabins she apologised for her actions. “She said she was sorry for hidden violence in Ugandan society. “Even at schools, chil- desert region, and the birds remain a national emblem, found to the passengers’ feathered friends. It said it had designed the act,” Tushabe said. “She asked for forgiveness from the dren get beaten for very little - not getting a question right, on everything from corporate logos to banknotes. But with the bird-transport devices “in close cooperation with falcon parents of the child, the nation, and those she said were not having hair combed, or nails cleaned,” a comment piece wildlife under pressure, hunting has been restricted, and experts from the Middle East”. The developers had taken spe- affected by her acts.” Tumuhiirwe was remanded in custody in the country’s Observer newspaper read. “Ugandan chil- many affluent Emiratis now travel abroad to locations as far as cial care to ensure that not just the falcons, but also their and will be sentenced tomorrow. dren grow up numbed to pain, and end up inflicting pain Morocco, Pakistan and Central Asia. Air passengers on many human owners and other passengers have a good flight, UN children’s agency chief in Uganda has condemned the without regard.” The case has prompted the country’s Human Middle Eastern airlines have been surprised to come face-to- promising that “the ‘Falcon Master’ ensures maximum hygien- abuse. “The video of this baby being beaten is shocking,” Rights Commission to call on the labour ministry to draw up face with the birds of prey majestically spreading their wings ic protection of the cabin walls, seats and carpets from soiling UNICEF head Aida Girma said. “Any such act of abuse and vio- regulations for domestic workers. — AFP while sitting next to Arab sheiks. by the birds”. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 ANALYSIS

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Issues CAR’s fragile peace a year after killings

By Christian Panika and Michel Cariou

n Central African Republic’s capital Bangui, what people remember most about the hatred that Ibubbled over into a killing frenzy a year ago this week is the smell. As bloody clashes between the country’s Christian majority and Muslim minority escalated into full-scale civil war, hundreds of bodies littered the streets. “Residents living near the local hospital could barely breathe because of the stench of rotting corpses from the morgue. It was really hell,” Euloge Kendzia, a computer scientist, recalls. Fuel exports soar under Obama On Dec 5, 2013, after receiving the green light from the United Nations, former colonial power France announced it was launching a military inter- By Dina Cappiello would like to keep hidden,” said Kevin Book, a Islands at Risk billion fewer gallons of gasoline and diesel, according vention to try break the spiral of violence. Twelve Washington, DC-based energy analyst. Since 2012, Perhaps no one stands to lose more in Panama to Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle of the months after the deployment of the Operation olar panels glisten from every thatched hut on he has been a member of the National Petroleum than the Guna, who have fiercely protected their University of Michigan. But to meet rising demand in primitive way of life on this low-lying archipelago on Latin America and elsewhere, the US exported nearly Sangaris force the massacres have ceased but CAR, this crowded island, one of the largest in this Council, an advisory group selected by the US energy remote chain off the Panamanian coast. But secretary. “It has done a lot to improve our balance of the Caribbean coast. In 2012, Guna leaders passed a seven times that amount, according to US Energy which was already one of the world’s least devel- S the tiny emblems of green energy offer no hope trade standing, but it is not the most climate friendly resolution supporting plans to move the tribe to the Department data. The White House said the exports oped nations, is still reeling from the unrest. The against climate change. They have helped the way to do it. There is no way to avoid that there is a mainland. The plans are controversial within the tribe do not add more carbon to the atmosphere because poor landlocked country has suffered numerous island’s Guna people reduce what was already a bigger emissions impact when you have more to and any move is several years away. “It’s our responsi- they replace fuel that would come from someplace coups and bouts of instability since independence minuscule carbon footprint. The Guna cook with combust,” Book said. There is no clear accounting of bility to prevent a catastrophe,” the resolution said. else. Sivak agreed that “we are doing the world a net from France in 1960, but the March 2013 toppling of clean-burning gas. They use a small amount of diesel what America’s growth as a fossil-fuel powerhouse is “Climate change will sooner or later affect the good” by reducing US consumption. Francois Bozize’s regime by the Seleka rebel coalition fuel to power fishing boats and a generator that doing to the global warming picture. The administra- islands.” Other experts dispute that. They note that when triggered the worst emergency to date. lights bare bulbs dangling above dirt floors after sun- tion has chosen not to get to the bottom of that. US Population growth already has. The school on a source of energy is plentiful and reasonably priced, Relentless attacks by the mainly Muslim rebels on set. They own one of the most pristine stretches of projects that increase energy exports could be con- the island of Gardi Sugdup sacrificed its playground as is the case with US oil, it tends to increase demand, tropical rainforest in Panama, cleansing the atmos- sidered in such an analysis, such as huge terminals in an expansion to hold more kids. Houses, or pens making other potentially cleaner energy sources less the majority Christian population spurred the forma- phere of carbon dioxide naturally. planned for the West Coast to send more coal abroad for chickens and pigs, are built right to the edge of competitive. It’s a cycle the US is doing little to break tion of vigilante groups, who in turn began exacting But larger forces threaten to uproot them, stem- for power plants. Trade agreements could factor in the island, often on fill made from trash and coral in the world market. Obama has called for an end to revenge on Muslim civilians, driving them out of ming from the failure by the rest of the world to rein the implications of energy trade on global warming. used to make more land. Except for the Coca-Cola fossil fuel subsidies in the US but has gotten little most parts of the country. Several thousand people in carbon emissions. Pollution linked to global warm- But not one trade pact negotiated by the Obama bottles and empty snack bags that litter the dirt support in Congress. were killed in the tit-for-tat attacks, which plunged ing keep rising even though the world’s two largest White House mentions global warming. paths, the modern world seems far away. the population of 4.8 million into an unprecedented carbon polluters have pledged to combat climate “They have the responsibility of analyzing Women wear traditional dress, proudly display- Panama’s Pollution humanitarian crisis. change, with the US committing to deeper cuts and America’s exports on fossil fuel demand and con- ing the colorful embroidery known as a mola across The energy-efficiency push that has helped China saying its emissions will stop growing by 2030. sumption and climate,” said Lorne Stockman of Oil their chests, their forearms and shins covered with restrain demand in the US is all but absent in French Mission ‘Like Zorro’ It’s a dangerous trajectory the US is stoking with Change International, an advocacy group dedicated tightly packed strands of beads. Police carry elabo- Panama, where gasoline sells for about $1 a gallon. record exports of dirty fuels, even as it reduces the to moving away from fossil fuels. “There has to be a rately carved wooden canes and walk bare foot. The country has the lowest fuel taxes in Central These days, three international forces - France’s pollution responsible for global warming at home. holistic analysis of what those exports are and what Bathrooms without plumbing empty into the open America. It has no refineries, so it imports all fuel but Sangaris troops, the UN’s MINUSCA mission and the The carbon embedded in those exports helps the role they are going to play in keeping the world with- sea. But the effects of carbon dioxide have no charges no tariffs on it. The government discounts European Union’s EUROF-RCA - are helping keep the US meet its political goals by taking it off its pollution in the climate limits.” boundaries, the Guna are finding out. A 2008 storm the price because the fuel is dirtier than what foreign peace. The killing has ended in Bangui but the capi- balance sheet. But it doesn’t necessarily help the The White House said it is working to strengthen split apart one island and sank two others, which refiners charge for cleaner blends of US gasoline. It tal, which is awash with weapons and where many planet. That’s because the US is sending more dirty environmental provisions in trade agreements and were uninhabited, according to Jorge Andreve, a requires a blend with 5 percent sugarcane ethanol fight grinding poverty, is still plagued by high crime fuel than ever to other parts of the world, where lower tariffs on technologies that ultimately will reduce Guna who is the regional director for Panama’s envi- and has tree-planting programs to counter defor- rates. In outlying regions, meanwhile, armed gangs efforts to address the resulting pollution are just get- emissions abroad. The chief US climate negotiator, ronmental agency. Flooding on another island estation. continue to sow terror, abetted by the complete ting underway, if advancing at all. While the exported Todd Stern, said in a recent speech that the “core imper- soaked the wood, so people couldn’t cook with it. Panama’s national environmental authority can- fuel has gotten cleaner, in the case of diesel, about 20 not say whether rising imports of US gasoline have breakdown of law and order brought on by decades percent of the exports are too dirty to burn here. increased emissions. Fewer than a dozen people at of neglect by successive governments in Bangui. For the Guna, as carbon rises, so will the seas that the agency work on global warming matters. “To Despite the mixed results on the security front, imperil them. Several communities have plans to manage all the things that involve climate change, many people in CAR feel a debt of gratitude towards relocate to the mainland, fleeing severe floods and that takes more people than just the few of us,” said the French soldiers for helping pull the country back storms that have drowned some islands and divided Daysi Vargas, a climate change analyst with the from the brink. “The Sangaris force shouldered the others in half. “We conserve. Others consume,” said agency. Among the things they are not enforcing are bulk of the security work,” an officer from CAR’s own Guillermo Archibold, an agronomist and former dele- tailpipe tests aimed at making sure cars are running army, who did not wish to be named, told AFP, gate to the Guna tribal congress. Under President efficiently and releasing the least amount of pollu- describing the national force as virtually “inexistent”. Barack Obama, the US has reduced more carbon pol- tion. The AP visited one testing facility in Panama City lution from energy than any other nation, about 475 and it appeared abandoned. The workers and own- “For me the Sangaris force is Zorro,” shopkeeper million tons between 2008 and 2013, according to ers said no one comes for the $16 test. Suzanne Nguelendo told AFP. “We were dying like US Energy Department data. Less than one-fifth of Panama last year was the largest recipient of flies. We were being massacred by the former Seleka that amount came from burning less gasoline and some of the dirtiest diesel fuel - grades no longer (rebels). Sangaris made their heads spin like Zorro diesel, primarily in vehicles. But an Associated Press allowed in US engines. In the past five years, the does with bandits.” analysis of the data shows that US exports of gaso- country’s gasoline and diesel imports from the US The French and EU troops are also credited with line and diesel more than made up for the savings at have more than tripled, based on the AP’s analysis of providing a safe haven for Muslims in PK5, the only home in pollution abroad, releasing roughly more Energy Department data. Embedded in those Bangui neighbourhood not to have been emptied of than 1 billion tons of carbon pollution into the imports were roughly 48 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, off the US climate books and put on the religious minority. But while life in Bangui atmosphere elsewhere during the same period. “It’s a false image,” said Onel Masardule of the Panama’s, or about 10 percent of the country’s esti- regains a semblance of normality, the task of silenc- Indigenous People’s Biocultural Climate Change mated emissions from all energy. The government is ing the guns remains unfinished. “French forces have Assessment Initiative, a Peru-based environmental In this Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 photo, Guna indigenous men sit on a dock in the still working to figure out just how much carbon pol- unfortunately failed to restore peace in CAR,” Joseph group that recently studied the Guna and climate lution Panamanians contribute to global warming. Bendouga, leader of the opposition Democratic change. “In reality, the US is still contaminating.” Llano Gardi community at Cardi Sugdup island, Panama. —AP Panama says it is not obligated to reduce emissions Movement for the Renaissance and Development of Among the recipients is Panama, where imports of because it is a developing nation. the Central African Republic (MDREC), said. diesel and gasoline from the US have nearly quadru- ative has to be to break the link between growth and “Everything’s changed,” said Jose Davis, who CAR is also relying on the international communi- pled since 2008. Panama is the largest recipient of fossil fuels.” That link prevails in part because the US spoke on behalf of eight leaders, representing 26 Money Grows on these Trees ty for help to rebuild tattered state institutions and diesel fuel that is dirtier and more carbon-laden than supplies a growing demand for fuel. But the adminis- communities, meeting here on a recent Sunday. “We Deforestation is by far the biggest source of car- would be allowed in engines in the US, but the fuel tration contends that America’s energy exports have are not complying to the universal world and how we bon pollution in Panama, and the government is organise elections expected by mid-2015. That ends up in cars and trucks that don’t have the same not increased global demand or global emissions. The should live with nature.” Davis said he would confer working to ensure that it plants trees or protects reliance has in turn led to criticism of interim efficiency standards and are not regularly inspected US is the largest oil consumer in the world and imports with the gods on how better to live in harmony with forests so its carbon balance sheet remains positive. President Catherine Samba-Panza, who was hailed and maintained, an AP investigation has found. twice as much crude oil as it exports in oil-derived nature. Science has documented what the Guna It also is preparing for the potential sale of carbon as a unifying figure at her inauguration 11 months Panama’s requirement that drivers test emissions, products. speak about spiritually. A paper by researchers at the credits from its preserved forests, to help other coun- ago but is now dismissed by detractors as a lame- including for carbon dioxide, are almost completely Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in 2003 found tries or companies reduce their own carbon foot- duck leader. For Thierry Vircoulon of the ignored. Panama’s Shell Game that the sea surrounding the archipelago was rising 2 prints - an idea that the nation’s indigenous people International Crisis Group, the continuing insecurity This fossil fuel trade has soared under Obama as Panama has long been an important player in the millimeters per year. Using satellite photos, they cal- initially rejected. A truce was reached last December, is holding back the process of national reconcilia- he has overseen a domestic boom in oil and natural global energy trade because of the Panama Canal. It is culated how much land had already gone underwa- jumpstarting the $5.8 million UN program in Panama tion. “As long as there isn’t a minimum level of secu- gas production and ordered the biggest increases in positioning itself to be an even bigger conduit for US ter from 1966 to 2001. It was about the size of 12 foot- after it was suspended because of objections by fuel economy in history. In 2010, the US still imported energy exports when a $5.2 billion, third set of locks is ball fields. The paper also said that the tribe’s practice indigenous groups. rity the political process will remain blocked,” he pre- more products refined from oil than it exported. A completed next year. This will enable tankers full of US of harvesting coral to fill in islands and make space for The Guna are still skeptical. “They are willing to dicted. —AFP year later, it was a bigger exporter than importer, the liquefied natural gas and potentially crude oil to transit. more people exacerbated the problem. give us money, but they are still going to contami- first time that happened since 1949. In 2012, these Panama also is expanding its network of trade zones, nate,” said Hernaclio Herrera, a biologist with the products were the single largest US export, worth which allow for duty-free imports and export of gaso- America’s Energy Path National Association for the Conservation of Nature. $117 billion, according to US Commerce Department line and diesel. In recent years, hydraulic fracturing technology “It’s a license to pollute.” The Canal Authority has prof- All articles appearing on these figures. The boom has helped the US reduce oil The country plays its own shell game with pollu- has underpinned an American energy revolution, ited from selling credits from some of the trees it pages are the personal opinion of imports and create jobs in oil fields and ports. tion. It says it contributes no carbon dioxide to the allowing companies to extract oil and natural gas owns. A private broker failed to make a deal with the the writers. Kuwait Times takes no Without it, the Obama administration would be atmosphere because its sizable forests absorb more from shale formations where it was once inaccessi- Guna to pay them to preserve their forests in order to much further from a goal to double US exports. The than what is released from vehicle tailpipes and defor- ble. That in turn has led to cheaper natural gas prices, sell the credits to a German insurance company that responsibility for views expressed trade deficit would be wider. estation, the biggest sources of climate-altering pollu- a feedstock for refiners, and has depressed domestic wanted to neutralize some of its carbon pollution. therein. Kuwait Times invites read- But for global warming, it means that, at the very tion in the country. Its accounting includes forests oil prices because of a 1970s ban on exporting crude The Guna refused the offer, even though the ers to voice their opinions. Please least, the US is making a smaller dent than it claims owned independently by the Guna people on the plus oil. At the same time, policies to address climate money could have helped pay for their escape from on global warming. In the case of gasoline and diesel, side of the ledger, but it excludes pollution released change have slackened demand, along with gasoline climate change. Forests, according to the Guna, are send submissions via email to: opin- the US is exporting far more abroad than it has from three dozen or more oceangoing vessels that prices that, until recently, were high. Fuel economy sacred sanctuaries that should not come with a price. [email protected] or via snail reduced in domestic consumption in recent years pass through the Panama Canal each day, paying standards put in place by the Obama administration “When we speak about trees, we talk about our mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. through steps such as efficiency standards and about $250,000 per trip. Ship pollution, which accounts are leveling off gasoline consumption for the first brothers and sisters,” said Jorge Andreve, director for blending gasoline with ethanol. for about 3 percent of global carbon emissions, is not time. A requirement to add corn-based ethanol to Panama’s environmental agency in the Guna Yala The editor reserves the right to edit on any country’s balance sheet. It is controlled by the gasoline also has cut into oil’s share of the gasoline region and a Guna himself. “You can’t put a T-shirt any submission as necessary. ‘Hidden Success Story’ International Maritime Organization, which has taken market. with a dollar sign on a tree, when you don’t own that “This is their hidden success story that they steps to make modern ships more efficient. Since Oct 2007, US automobiles have used 15.1 tree.” —AP p15_Layout 1 12/8/14 8:43 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SPORTS

Pietersen hopes to return Decline of men’s tennis No budging on DRS stand MELBOURNE: Kevin Pietersen has not given up hope of a return to test NEW DELHI: American legend Pete Sampras lamented yesterday the ADELAIDE: Stand-in India captain Virat Kohli has stuck to the party line on cricket and the chance to avenge the humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of decline of US men’s tennis, saying he didn’t know anyone capable of break- cricket’s decision review system (DRS), saying his team would only endorse Australia in the last Ashes series, the former England batsman said yester- ing into the top ranks for his home country. its use if it were 100 percent accurate. India’s four-test series against day. The South African-born maverick was sacked by England in the wake of Fourteen-time Grand Slam winner Sampras blamed the increasingly Australia will go ahead without the use of the sometimes controversial DRS, that tour and made reconciliation unlikely by releasing a book in October global and competitive nature of top-level tennis, saying it would “take with the tourists rejecting it in every bilateral tournament they play. “The which contained attacks on the national cricket board time” before American men were dominant again. only point we maintain is that it’s not 100 percent,” he told and several of his former team mates. “We haven’t had anyone at the top for a long time now,” Sampras told reporters at Adelaide Oval yesterday. “And we see incidents In Australia to play for the Melbourne Stars in the reporters at the International Premier Tennis League in New Delhi. “It takes happen where DRS has been taken and some people feel Big Bash Twenty20 league, however, Pietersen time to get American tennis back to where it was,” said Sampras who domi- that it’s clearly a not-out decision and they’ve been given said he foresaw “a lot of changes” in the nated the game, along with compatriot Andre Agassi, before retiring in out. “Or it seems like it’s out and guys have been given not England set-up over the next six months which 2002. “The game has become so international. Players are playing all out and (there’s) more than half a ball hitting the stumps. could just offer him a route back to test cricket. “I around the world. The world is getting hungrier and we (the US) are just “It just doesn’t make sense to us sometimes. Unless it’s have 8,300 runs, I’d love to get 10,000 test runs,” the not producing young kids with potential.” 100 percent accurate I don’t think it can be a thing that 34-year-old told reporters. “I’d love to beat Australia “Hopefully it’s just a phase and doesn’t last too long (to return to the will change our take on it. “If it gets 100 percent accurate again... last time, we got hammered. That doesn’t sit top).” Sampras, who retired at the age of 32, predicted the three big names and consistent, then, who knows.” Kohli confirmed he well. I’m not a player who likes being hammered, I’m of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would continue to would lead the side in the first test in Adelaide start- a player who plays to win.” Pietersen’s final test was dominate next season. ing on Tuesday in the absence of the injured the 281-run defeat in Sydney in January and he has “Novak Djokovic is the obvious choice. Roger is very motivated to get to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and he has promised largely been restricted to playing Twenty20 matches number one. Rafa is uncertain with his health but I feel like once he’s to bring a more aggressive approach to his since then.—Reuters healthy he’ll be in the mix,” he said.—AFP team’s sometimes pedestrian play.—Reuters Improved swing gives Woods optimism

WINDERMERE: Tiger Woods flubbed chip He chunked chips with alarming regu- shots and suffered glitches on short pitch- larity, sometimes moving them only a cou- es that would rile a 20-handicapper, yet ple of feet. Other times he bladed the ball, the 14-times major winner and colleagues sending it scurrying way beyond the cup. rated his return to competition this week a Woods judged that his woeful short success. game was simply part of the swing- The 38-year-old Woods finished tied for change process and will soon be fixed. “It’s last in the 18-player Hero World Challenge a different motion. It’s a different release that benefits his foundation, but believes pattern,” the former world number one the back problems that sidelined him the said of what he called his “old/new” swing. past four months have been fixed as has “Whether it’s the putting stroke or your his golf swing. driver, they’re just mini swings. So it has to New swing consultant Chris Como and be the same pattern. “All it is is practice. I Woods have studied videotape of the free- just need to work.” Stricker said he wheeling swing of Woods’s amateur days believed the problems can be fixed. “Obviously his short game, his chipping that generated so much power and have and putting, is not up to snuff with what gotten him back to that, abandoning he’s expecting out of himself or an any- some of the technical adjustments he body else for that matter. adopted along the way. “He’s always been one that his long “I think it looks better,” said old friend swing gets into his putting and his short Steve Stricker, who was paired with Woods game. It’s what he does. So he’s fighting in Sunday’s final round at Isleworth. “I some of those things in his chipping tech- think he’s going through it a little bit freer. nique that he’s trying to do in his big “He looks a lot better going through swing. But he’ll be fine.” the ball. He’s taking a rip at it. He drove it The most important aspect to Woods pretty darn good today.” Hank Haney, who was his physical condition. “To come out coached Woods for six years before a shift here and not play in any kind of pain is to Sean Foley, who was dismissed when great progress,” he said. Woods shut down his season in August, That is a crucial component in any also gave a thumbs up to the new swing return to glory for the slimmed-down action. Woods, who throughout his dominating “Am I crazy or is Tiger’s swing 10x bet- period was one of golf’s hardest working ter than it’s been the last few years? players. “I hadn’t been able to practice Despite his poor score,” Haney said on and dedicate myself as much as I used to Twitter. “I don’t care what Tiger shot today, just because my body just wasn’t there,” some of his swings were his best in five he said. “I had so many different times EDMONTON: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins No. 93 of the Edmonton Oilers chases Tommy Wingels No. 57 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game at years. Got to get that chipping fixed where I’ve had ball counts. I just couldn’t Rexall Place. —AFP though, not good.” Woods, however. can- hit beyond a certain amount of golf balls. not expect a return to the winner’s circle if “I’ve got my speed back now. Look how he gives away shots as he did at Isleworth. far I’m hitting it.”—Reuters Oilers slip past Sharks Spieth wins by 10 strokes EDMONTON: David Perron scored the game WINDERMERE: Young Jordan Spieth later pronounced his return to competition winner midway through the third period as the NHL results/standings capped off a second consecutive runaway after a long absence from back injuries as Edmonton Oilers beat the San Jose Sharks and victory with a six-under 66 on Sunday to an overall success. snapped an 11-game losing streak on Sunday. Anaheim 4, Winnipeg 3 (OT); Detroit 3, Carolina 1; Ottawa 4, Vancouver 3 (OT); Edmonton 2, San Jose 1. win the Hero World Challenge by a massive “I made some progress,” said Woods, Nail Yakupov also scored for the Oilers (7-15- Western Conference Eastern Conference 10 strokes at Isleworth. who is also working on a swing change. “I 5), who won at home for the first time in nine Pacific Division Atlantic Division Tampa Bay 18 7 3 98 72 39 The 21-year-old Spieth, who closed with hadn’t played in four months and I’m in games. Edmonton got its first win against a W L OTL GF GA PTS Detroit 17 6 5 88 70 39 an eight-under 63 to win last week’s absolutely no pain, which is nice. “To be Western Conference opponent- moving to 1-12- Anaheim 18 6 5 85 79 41 Australian Open by six shots for his first win able to go all out on some of these drives 4 in the conference. Tye McGinn scored the lone Montreal 17 10 2 74 76 36 Vancouver 18 8 2 87 78 38 Toronto 14 9 3 89 79 31 of the year, collected a $1 million prize and like I did this week really enforces that what goal for the Sharks (14-11-4), who had a four- Calgary 17 9 2 89 72 36 Boston 15 12 1 72 72 31 satisfied a goal by winning his second title I’m doing is the right thing for my body.” game winning streak halted. There was no scor- Los Angeles 14 8 5 72 59 33 Florida 11 7 7 56 64 29 of 2014. Henrik Stenson of Sweden finished a ing in the first period, but Edmonton was the Ottawa 11 11 5 70 74 27 San Jose 14 11 4 81 79 32 It was a bravura performance by the distant second, 10 shots behind Spieth better team, putting 11 shots on Sharks goalie Buffalo 9 16 2 47 85 20 precocious Texan, who finished on 26- after shooting a 69 for 272. Another shot Alex Stalock, while San Jose only had two shots Arizona 10 15 3 66 90 23 Metropolitan Division under-par 262 to shatter the tournament back were Patrick Reed and fellow on Oilers starter Ben Scrivens. Edmonton 7 15 5 60 91 19 Pittsburgh 18 6 2 85 60 38 record of 22-under 266 set by host Tiger American Keegan Bradley, who exchanged Central Division NY Islanders 19 8 0 86 74 38 Washington 12 10 4 74 71 28 Woods in 2007. his belly putter for a conventional one this Chicago 18 8 1 85 53 37 RED WINGS 3, HURRICANES 1 NY Rangers 11 10 4 73 73 26 “I think last week was a big boost of con- week ahead of the 2016 ban on anchored Tomas Tatar scored two goals and Pavel Nashville 17 7 2 70 54 36 fidence,” said Spieth, who will move up to putters. New Jersey 10 13 4 64 79 24 Datsyuk added a goal and two assists, leading St. Louis 17 8 2 76 63 36 Philadelphia 9 13 4 68 82 22 ninth in the world rankings from 11th. “I’m The brilliant Spieth ended a stretch of Detroit over Carolina. Petr Mrazek made 34 saves Winnipeg 14 9 5 64 64 33 Columbus 9 15 2 61 88 20 very, very pleased with the year and how it 43 holes without a bogey with a double for the Red Wings, who have won three in a row Minnesota 14 10 1 71 61 29 Carolina 8 15 3 58 74 19 came to a close.” bogey at the par-four 14th, the only and seven of eight. Jay McClement scored for Dallas 10 12 5 79 95 25 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the Woods, meanwhile, failed on his modest blemish on a card that featured six Carolina, which has lost three of four. Cam Ward Colorado 9 12 6 72 89 24 standings and are not included in the loss column (L). goal of escaping last place in the 18-man birdies and an eagle. “This is the best that stopped 19 shots. event when he suffered another embar- I’ve played in my life,” said Spieth, who It was Hurricanes coach Bill Peters’ first game rassing chipping display, taking a triple- won a college tournament at Isleworth against his former boss and mentor Mike bogey at the par-five 13th. three years ago by eight strokes. “And I Babcock. Peters was an assistant to Babcock for got to say the same thing last week in a He posted a 72 for even-par 288 to tie three seasons in Detroit. Hunter Mahan for bottom of the table, but media tent in Australia.” —Reuters SENATORS 4, CANUCKS 3 Erik Karlsson scored 1:21 into overtime to give Ottawa a victory over Vancouver Canucks. Mike Zibanejad had two goals and two assists, David Legwand also scored and Craig Anderson stopped 30 shots for the Senators. Ottawa rallied from three goals down to snap a five-game losing streak (0-4-1). Radim Vrbata, Kevin Bieksa and Brad Richardson scored for Vancouver, and Eddie Lack had 41 saves. The Senators’ comeback bid started midway through the second as Legwand scored a power-play goal with 9:07 remaining in the period. Zibanejad made it 3-2 with 5:48 left as he picked up his own rebound and banked it in off Yannick Weber, and then tied with 1:02 left in the period with a backhand past Lack.

DUCKS 4, JETS 3 Kyle Palmieri scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift Anaheim over Winnipeg Jets 4-3. Ryan Getzlaf added three assists for Anaheim (18-6-5), including the assist on Palmieri’s winner and extended his point streak to five games. Getzlaf has two goals and eight assists during his current streak. Rene Bourque scored his first goal of the year for the Ducks and Jakob Silfverberg and Ryan Kesler also scored goals. Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd replied for Winnipeg (14-9-5). Both Jets’ goals came on the power play. Ondrej Pavelec made 21 saves. Anaheim has won four straight. The loss snaps the Jets’ two-game win streak. Winnipeg earned points in its last six games, going 4-0-2 dating back to Oct. 26. Goalie Frederik Andersen WINDERMERE: Jordan Spieth holds the championship trophy after winning the Hero made 27 saves in his 15th consecutive start for OTTAWA: Kyle Turris No. 7 of the Ottawa Senators skates with the puck against Chris Tanev No. World Challenge golf tournament. —AP the Ducks. —AP 8 and Henrik Sedin No. 33 of the Vancouver Canucks during an NHL game. —AFP p16_Layout 1 12/8/14 9:43 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SPORTS Kohli: Expect the unexpected

ADELAIDE: Virat Kohli is determined to a both a blessing and a curse in pressure make his mark as captain of India, if only for situations. one Test as regular skipper Mahendra Singh After India crumbled to a 3-1 series loss Dhoni recovers from a thumb injury on the in England, Dhoni’s captaincy is under the sidelines. microscope in Australia, where his team Kohli, long regarded heir apparent to were whitewashed 4-0 on the last tour in 33-year-old Dhoni, confirmed he would 2011-12. lead India into the first Test against India have never won a test series in Australia in Adelaide starting today and Australia but Kohli proved in his rookie sea- wasted little time in differentiating himself son in the side that he had the tempera- from the under-pressure wicketkeeper. ment to thrive on the fast and bouncy “I am personally going to go with what- wickets Down Under, scoring 75 on a fero- ever my gut feel is,” Kohli told reporters at cious WACA deck in Perth followed by a Adelaide Oval yesterday. “I’m going to set defiant 116 in Adelaide. fields according to what I feel. “So you Kohli also found himself on the wrong might see things quite different from what side of fans on that tour and was fined for you usually see. “I’m someone who usually making an offensive hand gesture at them goes with what I feel, so it might look fun- at the Sydney Cricket Ground. ny-but as long as it’s effective. “I don’t mind a fight. I don’t mind a bit of “The intent is going to be aggressive chat on the field. A bit of banter. I don’t and that’s something that I play my cricket mind all that,” said Kohli, who is likely to be with and that’s certainly something I’m targeted by Australia’s rowdier supporters. going to try and use in my captaincy as “It probably makes me more deter- well.” mined. “I’m pretty focused all the time, but A steely-eyed batsman, the Delhi-born that’s an added spice that I like. Last time 26-year-old wears heart on his sleeve and around I enjoyed it. “It was too aggressive presents a stark contrast to the more meas- for me initially... but after a few incidents I ured Dhoni, whose outwardly tranquil figured out there’s no other way of playing nature has been seen by Indian pundits as in Australia, so I’ll just be myself.”—Reuters O’Sullivan triumphs over Trump

LONDON: Ronnie O’Sullivan joked “I feel “I’m trying to make the most of however like retiring” after edging Judd Trump 10-9 long this lasts. I’m going to enjoy this in a nail-biting final to claim his fifth UK moment. I’ve won the Champion of Championship title. Champions title and now the UK O’Sullivan led 9-4 at one stage of Championship. Sunday’s contest at York’s Barbican Centre, “I’m delighted to have had a great few only for Trump to reel off five frames in suc- weeks and I can start to think about cession, taking the match to a deciding defending the Masters in January.” Victory frame. crowned a glorious year for O’Sullivan, with But O’Sullivan, who broke his ankle the only dark spot being a loss to Mark while jogging shortly before the tourna- Selby in the World Championship final in BOSTON: Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (right) tangles as he positions for a rebound in this file photo. —AP ment, produced a break of 51 to claim vic- May. tory. “I can’t believe I’ve won it. I don’t want His triumph against Trump earned him to be playing him in every final. I feel like £150,000 ($234,000) in prize money, to go Pelicans end losing streak retiring,” said the 39-year-old, who has also with the £44,000 he was awarded for a 147 won five World Championships and five break against Matt Selt earlier in the tour- Masters titles. nament. LOS ANGELES: Anthony Davis scored 23 points match the franchise’s best start since 1968-69. lead in the fourth quarter, recording its fourth “He’s a tough opponent, he’s very Trump, 25, said: “I left it too late and fair as the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Paul Pierce, who played for the Celtics for 15 straight victory. dynamic and very explosive. He’s fearless, play to Ronnie-he took them well in the last Angeles Lakers 104-87 on Sunday. Jrue Holiday seasons and was a member of their 2008 cham- Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, but the and he’s in your face the whole time, and if frame and overall he was more of a deserv- had 22 points and eight assists, helping the pionship team before being traded to Brooklyn Knicks lost their eighth straight and 12th in their you go off the boil, he’s on you. ing winner.” —AFP Pelicans end a four-game road losing streak that prior to last season, scored 16 points for last 13. J.R. Smith scored 20 points and Amare included a 27-point drubbing by the Warriors on Washington. Wizards star John Wall had 17 Stoudemire added 16 for New York, whose 4-18 Thursday and a 20-point loss to the Clippers on points, 14 assists and eight rebounds. start is a franchise worst. The Trail Blazers have Saturday night. won five straight games over New York. Bryant had 14 points in 31 minutes for the MAVERICKS 125, BUCKS 102 Wesley Matthews had 17 points for the Trail Lakers (5-16). Bryant and Davis entered Sunday Chandler Parsons scored 28 points, helping Blazers, who led 89-79 with 8:04 left in the 1-2 in the league in scoring average at 25.8 Dallas roll to the win. The Mavericks built a big fourth before New York stormed back with a 16- points and 25.3, respectively. lead with a 12-0 run in the first quarter and 5 run. didn’t trail again in their second victory in five GRIZZLIES 103, HEAT 87 days over the Bucks. Parsons had nine in the THUNDER 96, PISTONS 84 Jon Leuer scored a season-high 20 points and opening period. Kevin Durant scored 28 points, Russell matched his career best with 12 rebounds, lead- Dirk Nowitzki, who was rested for the game Westbrook added 22 points and 11 rebounds, ing the Grizzlies to the win. Mike Conley added at Milwaukee on Wednesday and scored a sea- and Oklahoma City beat lowly Detroit. 18 points for Memphis, connecting on all eight son-low 10 points Friday, bounced back with 21 The Pistons have lost 12 straight, two short of of his shots, and Zach Randolph and Courtney and Monta Ellis added 19. All five Bucks starters the franchise record. Detroit’s last win came on Lee finished with 17 points apiece. Memphis scored in double figures, led by Giannis Nov. 14 in overtime at Oklahoma City, a game went 8 for 13 from 3-point range and shot 59 Antetokounmpo’s 18 points. that both Durant and Westbrook missed due to percent from the field overall. Dwyane Wade injury. scored 25 points in Miami’s fourth straight loss. TRAIL BLAZERS 103, KNICKS 99 Serge Ibaka added 13 points and 13 Josh McRoberts added 14 points. LaMarcus Aldridge scored 24 points and rebounds for the Thunder, while Kentavious Portland regrouped after blowing a 10-point Caldwell-Pope led Detroit with 19 points. —AP HAWKS 96, NUGGETS 84 Paul Millsap scored 23 points, Kyle Korver had 15 and Atlanta earned its sixth straight win. The NBA results/standings Hawks got off to a fast start, bolting to a 57-36 halftime lead. Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll Boston 101, Washington 93; Atlanta 96, Denver 84; Memphis 103, Miami 87; Oklahoma City 96, Detroit 94; Dallas each had 11 points and combined for 17 Atlanta 125, Milwaukee 102; Portland 103, NY Knicks 99; New Orleans 104, LA Lakers 87. rebounds. Eastern Conference Western Conference Wilson Chandler finished with a season-high Atlantic Division Northwest Division 29 points for the Nuggets, and Timofey Mozgov W L PCT GB Portland 16 4 .800 - had 14 points. Chandler and Mozgov combined MONACO: A woman walks in front of a board showing Olympics rings at the 127th Toronto 15 5 .750 - Denver 9 11 .450 7 for 21 rebounds. Brooklyn 8 10 .444 6 International Olympic Committee session. —AP Oklahoma City 7 13 .350 9 Denver began the season with a win over Boston 7 11 .389 7 Utah 5 15 .250 11 Detroit before losing seven of eight. A Nov. 17 NY Knicks 4 18 .182 12 Minnesota 4 15 .211 11.5 victory at Cleveland started a 7-1 stretch, but the Philadelphia 2 18 .100 13 Pacific Division IOC green light for Nuggets have dropped their last three. Central Division Golden State 17 2 .895 - Cleveland 11 7 .611 - LA Clippers 14 5 .737 3 Chicago 12 8 .600 - Phoenix 12 9 .571 6 CELTICS 101, WIZARDS 93 Milwaukee 11 11 .500 2 Sacramento 10 10 .500 7.5 joint Olympic bids Jeff Green scored 25 points for Boston, and Indiana 7 13 .350 5 LA Lakers 5 16 .238 13 reserve Marcus Thornton had 21. Rajon Rondo Detroit 3 18 .143 9.5 Southwest Division had a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds Southeast Division MONACO: The International Olympic facilities. It calls on candidate cities “to pres- Houston 16 4 .800 - and 11 assists for the Celtics, who won their third Atlanta 13 6 .684 - Committee yesterday voted to allow ent a project that fits their sporting, eco- Memphis 16 4 .800 - straight after a season-high five-game losing Washington 13 6 .684 - Olympic Games to be hosted by two coun- nomic, social and environmental long-term San Antonio 15 5 .750 1 streak. Miami 9 11 .450 4.5 tries as it started passing sweeping planning needs” putting a new emphasis Dallas 16 6 .727 1 Rasual Butler scored 14 of his 22 points in the Orlando 9 14 .391 6 changes to the world’s biggest sporting on sustainability. New Orleans 9 10 .474 6.5 final quarter for the Wizards (13-6), who failed to Charlotte 5 15 .250 8.5 event. The meeting in Monaco will also vote on Unamimous votes to allow split hosting a proposal to allow an increase in the num- and reducing the cost of bidding for the ber of Olympic sports from the current 28 summer and winter Olympics started two while capping the number of athletes and days of debate on 40 reforms proposed by individual disciplines. IOC president Thomas Bach. Bach will announce the launch of an Bach warned ahead of the opening of Olympic television channel yesterday. Bach, the special IOC session that the body had an Olympic gold medal winning fencer, has to transform itself in order to bolster its pursued a reform agenda since becoming credibility. Bach said there had to be president in September 2013. “important and far-reaching changes in the All 40 proposals are expected to be Olympic movement” because of a major passed, though questions were asked in shift in public attitudes and the world the debate about how the Olympic leader- economy and politics. ship would preserve the Games “atmos- “If we do not address these challenges phere” if events are split. here and now we will be hit by them very Bach has said that once the votes are soon,” the IOC chief said. “If we do not drive over, the organisers of the 2018 Winter these changes ourselves others will drive Olympics in Pyeonchang, South Korea and us to them.” 2020 summer Games in Tokyo could be the The first votes of the special session first allowed to make changes to to save allowed Olympic Games events to be money and make them more attractive. staged outside the host city, or country, Japan wants baseball and softball “notably for reasons of sustainability” or brought into the sports list, while “geography”. Pyeongchang is looking for ways to save While sports such as football have tradi- money. The 2012 London Olympics was tionally been spread across several venues, widely hailed as a success and the summer these have been exceptional cases. Bach Games remains a huge money earner with sought the change to the Olympic charter US channel NBC paying $7.75 billion for the to reduce the cost of the Games and to broadcasting rights to the next six Games. allow smaller countries to make a bid. Bach said the IOC had signed $10 billion of sponsorship and television deals in 10 COST-CUTTING months this year. But the Winter Olympics The session also voted to reduce the is slumbering. cost of bidding by cutting the number of Russia spent more than $50 billion on presentations to be made and making the the Sochi Games this year and there are IOC pay for more of the costs. only two candidates-Beijing and the The IOC says it wants bidding to be Kazakh city of Almaty-for the 2022 Games. more of an “invitation” with more talks with Several key European cities pulled out candidate cities on how the event can be either because the public voted against made more sustainable. There will be a new their candidatures in referenda or fears NEW DELHI: Manila Mavericks player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays against DBS Singapore Slammers’s Tomas Berdych, during the International emphasis on using existing and temporary over the costs. —AFP Premier Tennis League yesterday.—AP p17 2_Layout 1 12/8/14 9:44 PM Page 1

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SPORTS Russia is athletics’ Lance Armstrong case

NEW YORK: What should be a cherished, “We all knew it,” she said. “All athletes well, you’ll probably get the gold medal, of Russia to ARD’s accusations was dis- progress.” career-best memory for Netherlands run- talked about it.” If even half of what ARD after all, in a while,” Hak said. “That is just couraging. But the Russian Anti-Doping The Moscow anti-doping laboratory ner Yvonne Hak - winning a silver medal alleged is true, then this is a Lance how people think about Russian athlet- Agency did then announce Friday the “remains the weak link in the chain” and at the 2010 European Championships - Armstrong moment, potentially make- ics in general, I think.” To stop that, Russia launch of an investigation. A bit of “must be monitored very, very carefully now just feels “strange and frustrating.” or-break, for Russian sports and for the must do what the US Anti-Doping patience will provide a better yardstick and be restructured,” he said in a tele- That’s because of the expose broad- wider sports world’s anti-doping system Agency did with Armstrong: impress the of whether that is a genuine search for phone interview. But Schamasch expects cast on German television this week that built up over 15 years to try to keep it world with action. In nailing Armstrong the truth or a whitewash, and whether Russia to cooperate with IAAF and WADA appears to have blown a lid off systemat- clean and credible. for what it called the “most sophisticated, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the investigative efforts because its reputa- ic doping and corruption in Russian Just as rampant drug use and lying in professionalized and successful doping governing body of athletics, the IAAF, tion is at stake. sports. The ARD documentary, largely the Armstrong era destroyed the credi- program that sport has ever seen,” USA- actually have leverage in Moscow. “If I was in RUSADA’s shoes, I would based on testimony from Russian bility of cycling, ARD’s claims of wide- DA helped restore trust in a policing sys- “If these allegations are true and they want the World Anti-Doping Agency to whistleblowers and seemingly meticu- spread doping in an array of Russian tem which the cyclist, his accomplices are left unanswered, so to speak, I would be over here on a plane straight away, lously researched, included blurry sports, of anti-doping officials paid to and teammates had made a mockery of. say we are, as a sport, in danger of moral and able to show them all the audit trails images of a woman saying on hidden look the other way and of the extortion The single-minded thoroughness of bankruptcy,” Jakob Larsen, director gen- that we have and all the scrutiny that we camera that she takes the banned of a three-time Chicago Marathon win- USADA’s investigation and its life-time eral of Denmark’s athletics federation, have, to put these allegations to bed,” steroid oxandrolone, that coaches “cover ner to hush up a positive test could poi- ban from sports for Armstrong showed said in a phone interview. Andy Parkinson, the chief executive of up the tests” and “my husband has very son everything the 2018 host of the foot- that even someone who rubbed shoul- “This is a defining moment.” It should- UK Anti-Doping, the British agency, said good contacts to the doping control lab- ball World Cup does in sport for years to ders with ex-U.S. presidents isn’t too big n’t be forgotten that before this scandal, in a separate interview. oratory.” come. Russia’s previous successes, to fall. Likewise, Russia must now outside experts who have been working “It is going to take time,” he added. ARD identified the woman as reigning including topping the medals tables at demonstrate not only the will to punish with Russia to improve its anti-doping For Hak, it’s too late. Even if investigators Olympic 800-meter champion Maria the 2014 Winter Olympics it hosted in everyone exposed by ARD but also to controls and agency, RUSADA, were say- confirm it is Savinova talking in the ARD Savinova - the same runner who beat Sochi, would be tarnished by association, take a broom to the corruption and ing it has made great strides. This fol- report about steroid use, Hak knows that Hak in 2010. too. Even back in 2010, people involved opaque system they appear to have lowed a very dark period of one Russian cannot change their race in 2010. The Yet, in a telephone interview, there is in her sport were telling Hak it was surely been exploiting. doping disgrace after another and a photo Hak posted on Twitter this week barely a note of surprise in Hak’s soft and only a matter of time before Russia But these things take time. Arms will tongue-lashing from Jacques Rogge, will always show her finishing second even voice. Athletes long harbored mis- would be unmasked and justice done, need twisting. Whistleblowers will need then head of the International Olympic behind the Russian, not winning gold. givings about “shady” Russian competi- she recalled. to be carefully questioned and, if neces- Committee. Even now, former IOC med- “It’s about the moment, of course, and tors and their “really closed world,” she “Lots of people told me like: ‘Ah, you sary, protected. Some of the initial, skep- ical director Patrick Schamasch main- they took that way from me,” she said. “I said. got second behind the Russian girl, so, tical and dismissive reaction coming out tains RUSADA “has made enormous cannot get it back.” —AP Marseille reclaim top spot

PARIS: Marseille reclaimed top spot in Ligue Ligue 1’s leading scorer Alexandre Lacazette 1 from Paris Saint-Germain with a hard- allowed Lyon to win 3-2 at Evian and move earned 3-1 victory over Metz at the Stade back into third place. Velodrome on Sunday evening. Lyon twice trailed in Annecy to goals from Andre Ayew, making his first appearance the veteran Cedric Barbosa, but Lacazette in more than a month after injury, and Dimitri equalised with nine minutes left before ham- Payet scored to secure the win after Andre- mering home from the spot four minutes into Pierre Gignac’s first-half opener had been injury time. A second hard-earned win in the cancelled out by Florent Malouda. An eighth space of 72 hours ensured that Hubert consecutive home win for Marcelo Bielsa’s Fournier’s side are now back on track after side means they end the weekend one point their humbling 3-0 loss at bitter rivals Saint- clear of defending champions PSG, who beat Etienne last weekend and allowed them to Nantes 2-1 on Saturday. climb back above Les Verts and Bordeaux, Marseille have not lost at home to Metz who triumphed on Saturday. since 2004, when Franck Ribery was in the Evian were dealt a blow before kick-off away side, but they endured an uncomfort- when talented Danish winger Daniel Wass able first half, creating little and requiring was forced to withdraw from the side due to Steve Mandanda to make two fine saves from illness. Wass had scored stunning free-kicks in Malouda. A Payet shot that flashed over on 34 each of his side’s last two matches, but minutes was the hosts’ first chance, and their Barbosa came into the starting XI and pro- first attempt on target, two minutes prior to duced a memorable dead-ball strike of his the interval, brought the opening goal. own. Now 38, Barbosa gave the hosts the lead Payet whipped in a cross from the left for just before the half-hour mark with a curling the unmarked Gignac to head home his 12th free-kick from 30 yards into the top left-hand of the season, and 50th Ligue 1 goal for corner of the net. Marseille, from close range. And after Yassine Benzia, in his first start in Metz were back level just 18 seconds into a year, tapped in when Lacazette’s free-kick the second half as Juan Falcon teed up was blocked by goalkeeper Jesper Hansen, CARSON: Los Angeles Galaxy’s Robbie Keane (center) of Ireland, coach Bruce Arena and teammates celebrate after winning the MLS Cup cham- Malouda, whose shot from the edge of the Barbosa restored Evian’s lead seconds later by pionship soccer match against the New England Revolution. —AP area beat Mandanda thanks to a deflection finishing at the end of a quick counter-attack. off Nicolas Nkoulou. However, France international Lacazette However, Marseille were not to be denied, controlled a Nabil Fekir corner at the far post Galaxy win MLS Cup as Ayew marked his first appearance since and volleyed in to restore parity, and then picking up an injury on international duty last slammed home from the spot after a hand- month by following up to score after Alaixys ball by substitute Adrien Thomasson to take LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Galaxy gave weren’t at our best today we know that. But in 2003. He ends his playing career with 57 interna- Romao’s shot had hit the post on 59 minutes. his tally for the season to 13. Northern rivals Landon Donovan a fairytale ending to a storied those moments you have to find a way to stay in it. tional goals and 144 in MLS play. “I’m in a little bit Gignac and Ayew both had chances to Lens and Lille drew 1-1 at the Stade de France career Sunday, beating the New England “We stayed in it, we waited for the play that we of a daze to be honest,” Donovan said of playing his score again but it was the in-form Payet who while Guingamp won 3-2 at Reims. On Revolution 2-1 after extra time in the MLS Cup final. needed and we made the play.” last game. “There is a lot going on. A lot of excite- wrapped up the points in injury time with a Saturday, PSG temporarily went top and Ireland international Robbie Keane scored the In becoming the first club to win five MLS Cup ment, some sadness. There is uncertainty. And, just cool finish after being set up by Rod Fanni. maintained their record as the only unbeaten winning goal in the 111th minute as the Galaxy titles, the Galaxy made the Revolution the first pure joy for this team and for what we did.” “It was tough, honestly. But that shows we team left in Europe’s leading leagues this sea- claimed a record fifth Major League Soccer title. team to lose five MLS Cup championship matches. However, the 32-year-old Donovan said he had have character,” Payet told Canal Plus. “We son by coming from behind to beat Nantes 2- Donovan, the all-time leading scorer for both Three of those defeats came at the hands of the no second thoughts. “As much excitement as there need to improve. Things smiled for us tonight 1 at the Parc des Princes with Zlatan the United States and in Major League Soccer, Galaxy. Donovan became the first player to win six is about the game, there is excitement that tomor- but we could have a tricky time against other Ibrahimovic scoring twice, including the win- announced he would retire at the end of the sea- MLS Cup titles-four with Los Angeles in 2005, 2011, row I don’t have to train anymore,” he said. “It feels teams if we play like that.” ner from a ferocious free-kick. There were also son in August-after he was left off Jurgen 2012 and 2014 and two with San Jose in 2001 and good to go out like this.”—AFP wins for Nice and Montpellier, while Dimitar Klinsmann’s World Cup squad. LACAZETTE RESCUES LYON Berbatov scored twice as Monaco won 2-0 at Keane, the newly named Most Valuable Player Earlier, a stoppage-time penalty from Toulouse on Friday. —AFP of the MLS regular season, endured a difficult afternoon at the StubHub Center in the Los Angeles Vietnam defeat Malaysia suburb of Carson, but came through when it mat- KUALA LUMPUR: Vietnam have one foot in Huy Hung had handled in his box. tered the most. He slipped in behind the defense- the AFF Suzuki Cup final after goals by Vo Huy But the pace of the Vietnamese attack thanks to superb ball from Marcelo Sarvas-to slide a shot into the bottom right corner. “It was a tough Toan and Nguyen Van Quyet secured the 2008 caused problems all evening for a Malaysia game,” Keane said. “I think there was a lot of nerves champions a 2-1 away win over Malaysia in defence missing the suspended Shukor Adan, there, I think by both teams. “I think we didn’t play the first leg of their semi-final on Sunday. and the visitors got back on level terms just as well as we know we can at home, but it doesn’t The home side were ahead with a Safiq after the half-hour when Van Quyet’s low drive really matter. At the end of the day, we won, and Rahim penalty but Huy Toan levelled in the was parried by Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul we’re the champions again.” The Galaxy had seized 32nd minute before Van Quyet fired home the Fahmi Che Mat to an unmarked Huy Toan, the lead in the 52nd minute as Gyasi Zardes got on winner on the hour to reward a fine perform- who fired the ball home. the end of a cross from Stefan Ishizaki and fired a ance at a rain-soaked Shah Alam Stadium. Vietnam continued to look dangerous on left-footed shot past New England keeper Bobby With the away goals rule in effect, Malaysia the counter-attack in the second half and Shuttleworth. The Revolution equalized in the 79th will need to score at least twice in the return they notched a crucial second goal in the as rookie substitute Patrick Mullins got free on the match in Hanoi on Thursday to advance to the 60th minute after Van Quyet received the ball left flank and got the ball to Chris Tierney, who final with either the Philippines or Thailand, on the right of the Malaysian box from Mac took one touch and slotted a shot past Galaxy who drew 0-0 in the first leg of their semi-final Hong Quan and cut inside defender Zubir goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. in Manila on Saturday. Azmi before bending the ball past Khairul Malaysia had beaten Vietnam 2-0 on aggre- Fahmi. Vietnam nearly added a third when ‘WE STAYED IN IT’ gate in the semi-finals in 2010 en route to Huy Tuan just failed to make contact with “A lot of credit to New England,” Donovan said. “In a lot of ways they played better than we did winning the title and a repeat of that result Van Quyet’s cross, but Malaysia could have today. They were terrific. looked to be on the cards when Safiq sent levelled right at the end as substitute Indra “There’s games that you play during the year goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh the wrong way Putra Mahayuddin headed wide in stoppage FRANCE: Marseille’s French forward Andre-Pierre Gignac (left) challenges for the ball with where you’re not at your best,” he added. “We from the spot in the 14th minute after Nguyen time. —AFP Metz’s French defender Jeremy Choplin, during their League One soccer match. —AP Over 200 Alghanim Industries Employees in RUN Q8

KUWAIT: Alghanim Industries sponsored over 200 commitment to supporting initiatives and pro- Alghanim Automotive, Alghanim Engineering, George Lambros, Chief Human Resources community together as well as providing addi- of its employees to run in RunQ8, the annual 10K grams which enhance the wellbeing of Kuwait’s Alghanim Motors, ATLAS, Enaya Insurance, GTRC, Officer, who participated in the event said: “RunQ8 tional resources to support the important work of race which was held in Kuwait on 29 November to community. KIMMCO, Kirby, Safat Home and X-cite by is an important fund raiser for FSRI and Alghanim FSRI.” Organized by the Fawzia Sultan raise money for the treatment of children at the The company, which paid the race entry fees Alghanim Electronics. During the awards ceremo- Industries was proud to encourage its employees Rehabilitation Institute (FSRI), the funds raised by Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center for any employee taking part in RunQ8, spon- ny, Alghanim Industries was recognized by the to take part. The company is committed to sup- the RunQ8 10K race will be used to support FSRI’s (CERC). sored employees from its corporate headquarters race organizers as having the largest corporate- porting projects which contribute to the commu- initiatives, including providing free or low-cost The sponsorship forms part of the company’s as well as from many of its core businesses such as sponsored team at the event. nal wellbeing of Kuwait and this event brings the rehabilitation services to vulnerable children. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SPORTS Reds seek Gerrard spark against Basel

LONDON: Ten years on from a dra- will start against Basel, but matic comeback in the Champions Rodgers has urged fans not to pin League, Liverpool will again look to their hopes on another Steven Gerrard for inspiration when Olympiakos moment, saying: “We they face Basel in a must-win match can’t always rely on Stevie.” today. Liverpool were pegged back by an On December 8, 2004, Liverpool 88th-minute goal in their last welcomed Greek side Olympiakos Group B outing, which saw them to Anfield needing to win by two draw 2-2 at Ludogorets Razgrad, goals to reach the last 16. but it did not alter the permuta- They were leading 2-1 with four tions for Tuesday’s game. minutes remaining when the ball Beat Basel, and Liverpool will fell to Gerrard on the edge of the join group winners Real Madrid in penalty area and he bludgeoned a the last 16, where they have not ferocious shot past Antonis set foot since 2009. Fail to win, and Nikopolidis to send The Kop into a they are out. state of delirium. ITALY: Juventus’ Paul Pogba eyes the ball during a soccer match in this file photo. —AP Gerrard, then 24, ended the ‘I RESPECT BRENDAN’ season by hoisting the European “We are still very much alive Cup into the Istanbul night and we can’t wait for the game Juve confident beneath a shower of red tickertape against Basel at home, which will after a famous comeback against be another very special European AC Milan in the final. night for sure,” said Gerrard’s mid- of Atletico win Given Liverpool’s poor recent fielder partner Lucas Leiva. form, the chances of a similar con- “If we win, we get through, so if clusion to the current campaign you look at the positives, we have MILAN: Juventus defender Leonardo Diego Simeone’s visitors have a three- appear remote, but that 2004 it in our hands.” Basel won 1-0 Bonucci insists the Italian champions can point lead on Juventus and are already encounter with Olympiakos pro- when the teams met in pull off a Champions League shock and qualified for the last 16, but midfielder Raul vides a positive omen. Switzerland in October and with a snatch first place in Group A from Atletico Garcia says the Spanish champions won’t Liverpool’s 0-0 draw at home to two-point advantage and a superi- Madrid on their way to qualifying for the be taking the game lightly. Sunderland on Saturday left them or head-to-head record over both last 16 today. The Turin giants host the Garcia told Tuttojuve.com: “We’re going 15 points below leaders Chelsea in Liverpool and Ludogorets, a point reigning Spanish champions requiring just through a really good period, we’ve won the Premier League. Prior to the is all they need. a draw to claim their place in the knockout our last five games, scored 15 goals and Olympiakos game, they also found Basel coach Paulo Sousa admits phase of the competition for the first time conceded one. themselves 15 points off the pace, regretting his decision to leave since 2012 when they were knocked out in “We’re working really well and want to and the leaders on that occasion Swansea City in 2010, which paved the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich. keep that good run going. Against Juve we were also a Chelsea team led by the way for Rodgers to guide the But Bonucci has echoed coach we’ll play with our usual objective and that Jose Mourinho. Welsh club into the Premier Massimiliano Allegri’s demands by calling means we’re going to Turin to win.” Gerrard had spent the previous League a year later, but he says he for Juve to win with the two-goal cushion While a draw for Juve would see them close season mulling over an offer would derive no extra satisfaction that would secure top spot. qualify in second place, an Atletico victory from Mourinho to join him at from knocking the Northern “We’re a team that has been designed to as well as an Olympiakos win at home to Stamford Bridge, but if the sport- Irishman out of the Champions attack, not to contain. On Tuesday we’ll be Malmo would end Juve’s run in the compe- ing context surrounding Basel’s League. LONDON: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers gestures in this file going out to win and to finish top of the tition. visit is familiar, Gerrard’s personal “If we can make it through, we photo. —AP group,” said Bonucci after Friday’s scoreless Olympiakos, who sit three points behind circumstances are now very differ- will be delighted,” the former draw away to Fiorentina. in third, would secure second spot because ent. He has yet to accept the offer Portugal midfielder, a Champions “I respect Brendan, and the job back problem, but fellow striker Bonucci has had to adapt in recent of their better head-to-head record having of a new, short-term contract from League winner with Juventus and he has done for Swansea and Giovanni Sio has been sidelined by weeks as Allegri has leaned towards a more scored twice in a 3-2 defeat in Turin. Liverpool and has found himself Borussia Dortmund as a player, told Liverpool, but on Tuesday we will a knee injury. Striker Daniel attack-minded 4-3-1-2 formation. In Juve’s Juventus lost 1-0 in Athens. moved in and out of Brendan the Fanbookz website. focus on getting what we need to Sturridge remains out of action for last Champions League outing away to Juve’s determination to claim all three Rodgers’s starting line-up amid “That was the target for us in the qualify.” Ivorian midfielder Serey Die Liverpool with a thigh problem, Malmo the 47-year-old Italian adopted the points against Atletico was clear from concerns about his waning powers first place, and we knew how diffi- returns from suspension for Swiss while Mario Balotelli is a doubt latter, with a crucial 2-0 win the result of his Allegri’s team selection on Friday. He left of endurance. Having started on cult that would be, but we are just Super League leaders Basel. after missing five games due to a decision to move the Italians away from the Carlos Tevez, Claudio Marchisio and Alvaro the bench against Sunderland, he one game from making it a reality. Marco Streller is fit again after a groin injury. —AFP 3-5-2 instilled by former coach Antonio Morata on the bench with only Tevez (61) Conte. and Marchisio (79) making late appear- Allegri adopted a 3-5-2 for Friday’s trip anecs. to Fiorentina where, a year after a 4-2 After a poor start to their group cam- defeat at the Artemio Franchi stadium, Juve paign, Juve’s recent revival has only had expected another tough game from strengthened belief they can beat Atletico. Vincenzo Montella’s men. French teenager Kingsley Coman, who Allegri is expected to return to a four- partnered Fernando Llorente up front in man defence for today. “When we play with Florence, told Juventus tv: “It will be a great three at the back, we manage to read the game, and an open one at that. We can’t game better, but even in a four-man aim for the draw, we have to try and attack defence I’ve shown I can play to the highest and grab first spot by winning the match. level,” said Bonucci. “We struggled a bit at the start of the Whether that will be enough to contain competition. We dropped the odd impor- an Atletico side that has won their past five tant point, but in our last two games we’ve games, scoring 15 and conceding just once been more efficient, as we also hope to be in the process, remains to be seen. against Atletico.” —AFP Dortmund look to top group

BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund have already called for another workmanlike display qualified for the Champions League last 16 against the Belgians to further boost fragile but they need at least a draw in their final confidence. “We won’t be suffessful for that MONACO: Dimitar Berbatov (left) of Monaco runs with his teammates during a training session. AS Monaco will play Zenit St. Petersburg, in a game at home to Anderlecht today to one if we only play nice football,” said the Champions League Group C, soccer match. —AP progress as Group D winners. 34-year-old. “We shouldn’t leave the path Jurgen Klopp’s side made sure of their we are on now. We were in the relegation place in the knockout phase with a 4-1 places in the league, we’ve burst out of away win at Galatasaray at the start of them, but now we have to take care. Solid Monaco poised November, but a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal a “We have learnt that just playing nice fortnight ago means they are not yet cer- football in the middle doesn’t mean suc- tain of top spot and the easier draw in the cess,” added Kehl, the former Dortmund next round that is likely to come with it. skipper who was asked to fire up the side for CL knockout spot Indeed, should they suffer what would with the pre-match team-talk by current be a surprise defeat against the Belgian captain Mats Hummels, with Klopp later champions at the Signal Iduna Park, admitting the speech was delivered in PARIS: Monaco are full of confidence ahead of win over Krasnodar on Saturday and his side will goalscorer has not made an appearance since Arsenal would be in a position to leapfrog “unprintable” language. their decisive Champions League clash at home need to replicate that as they sit third in the Nov. 18 due to a foot injury. However, Xavi them with a win at Galatasaray. Hummels will captain Dortmund after against Zenit St Petersburg today, hoping their group and need a victory to progress. Garcia is back to full fitness after overcoming Besnik Hasi’s Anderlecht, who lost 3-0 at returning against Hoffenheim from a five- watertight defence will again prove hard to Veteran striker Alexander Kerzhakov is a a thigh injury and will be available for the home to Dortmund in October when game absence due to a sprained ankle, breach as they seek a last 16 place. doubt for the match. Zenit’s all-time leading clash. —Reuters Adrian Ramos scored twice, have only pride while Klopp says he is yet to decide Monaco need to avoid defeat against the left to play for as they are certain to finish whether Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Russians if they are to qualify, a task that does third and parachute into the knockout Langerak will keep his place between the not seem too daunting as they have conceded Wenger looks for Euro boost stage of the Europa League. posts after being prefered to Roman only one goal in their five matches. Dortmund warmed up for Tuesday’s Weidenfeller against Hoffenheim. They will finish top of Group C if they draw ISTANBUL: Arsene Wenger has vowed to field field most of his key players against already clash with a 1-0 win at home to Hoffenheim Anderlecht are second in the Belgian Pro and Bayer Leverkusen lose away at Benfica or a strong team against Galatasaray today as the eliminated Galatasaray in Istanbul. on Friday that saw them climb off the bot- League, but slumped to a 4-2 defeat at mid- if the German side draw and they prevail at under-fire Arsenal manager bids to silence the “We’ll go with a strong team of course, we tom of the table in the Bundesliga. table Mouscron-Peruwelz on Saturday with Louis II. critics by snatching top spot in Champions want to win the game,” Wenger said. “Since the Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan Congo defender Chancel Mbemba, who “It’s important for our confidence,” coach League Group D. Wenger’s side have already start of this season we have played seven scored the only goal in a 1-0 win with a also netted an own goal, and Ivory Coast Leonardo Jardim said on Friday after Monaco qualified for the knockout stages of Europe’s games in the Champions League, including first-half header and veteran Sebastian Kehl striker Cyriac scoring their goals.—AFP beat Toulouse 2-0 away, their second consecu- elite club competition, but they would prefer the qualifiers, and we have won four. I would tive 2-0 win in Ligue 1. to finish the group stage in first place to avoid like to win five. “It was the ideal preparation for the Zenit a potentially tricky last 16 clash. Even more “Galatasaray cannot even get Europa game. We only need one point but we will go importantly, Wenger desperately needs some League. It’s a massive surprise because I there to win,” added midfielder Jeremy Toulalan. good news after a chastening trip to Stoke on thought they would be one of the contenders Monaco got off to a stuttering start this sea- Saturday ended with the Gunners boss look- to go through. “Turkish people are very proud son after losing key players James Rodriguez ing a beleaguered figure as he was abused by and they will try to finish well this campaign and Radamel Falcao to Real Madrid and angry Arsenal fans while waiting to board the with a convincing performance, but we play Manchester United respectively. club’s train home after their dismal 3-2 defeat. many games and some players are close to But they have been learning to live without An online video shows the Frenchman getting an injury, so I’ll have to assess that.” the pair. “We are a young team who have been being subjected to foul-mouthed taunts from learning fast. We are on a good run and the year- fans who were clearly unhappy with their GROWING PRESSURE end could be nice,” said Toulalan, who could play team’s latest capitulation in a frustrating With their Premier League title challenge as centre back today to make up for possible domestic campaign which sees them lan- already in tatters, Arsenal are fighting to sal- absences. guishing 13 points behind Premier League vage a season which seemed to promise great “Toulalan in defence is a solution for me. We leaders Chelsea. things after their FA Cup final victory last term will see who is fit for the game against Zenit,” A section of Arsenal’s fans unveiled a ban- ended a nine-year trophy drought. said Jardim, who is already sure to be without ner asking Wenger to quit after the recent 1-0 A long run in the Champions League after a influential midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, ruled win at West Bromwich Albion and on Saturday series of last 16 exits would ease the growing out for at least another five weeks with a thigh he was told to “f**k off and leave” by some pressure on Wenger, who has already had to injury. fans as he tried to get on the train back to deal with criticism from Alisher Usmanov, the Russian league leaders Zenit are in good spir- London. club’s second largest shareholder in recent its following victories over Rubin Kazan and FC In the circumstances, Wenger would clearly weeks. Krasnodar and they go into the domestic winter love to snatch top spot from Borussia Should Dortmund lose to Anderlecht and break with a seven point lead over nearest rivals Dortmund, who sit two points ahead of Arsenal beat the Turks, who are already con- Arsenal and host Anderlecht in their final signed to finishing bottom of the group, then GERMANY: Dortmund’s head coach Juergen Klopp shouts to his team in this file CSKA Moscow. Head coach Andre Villas-Boas group match on Tuesday, and so he plans to the north Londoners will take first place.—AFP photo. —AP said Zenit played “fantastic” football in the 4-0 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 SPORTS Rio late final plans under fire

LONDON: Plans to hold late night swim- finals start as late as 2200 local time to disrespectful to the event and what the sulted and were the swimmers’ perform- get the right environment to maybe pro- ming finals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro maximise audiences in the United Olympics means,” he told website ances thought about in that decision duce the performances you’d hope Olympics are “outrageous”, says England States, have already drawn criticism from swimvortex.com. Rudd, who also men- then, no,” Rudd said. “Now we’ll get on they’d produce,” he added. swimming’s head coach Jon Rudd, join- Australia Olympic Committee President tors Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte, the with it but it’s a shame that that is the This is not the first time the timing of ing a growing campaign opposing the John Coates, who said it would place an Olympic 100 metres breaststroke cham- decision we’ve come to as a sport. “It’s a the swimming finals at the Olympics has plan. A final competition schedule has “unreasonable demand” on athletes. pion, said there would be serious issues really disappointing outcome. There also been criticised, with the Beijing 2008 yet to be officially approved by the Rudd has now added his voice to the caused by the late night finals because seems to be a lot of smoke and mirrors: Games switching finals to the morning International Olympic Committee but ‘Say No to Night Swimming’ campaign swimmers would not finish until the ear- IOC saying it’s FINA, FINA saying it’s IOC to coincide with prime-time viewing in they said on Friday that a proposal to that is gathering pace among competi- ly hours of the morning after they had and then both saying the athletes are the U.S. despite some complaints from hold later medal races to fit mainly with tors and coaches across the world. warmed down and faced the media. fine with it when they are clearly not. It’s athletes. Medal races at the 2012 Games American television had been accepted. “It’s outrageous. The best way to “If you are asking me is it the right a shame. “For a lot of guys it will be the in London started no later than 2100 The plans, which would see some describe it is disrespectful to athletes, decision and were the swimmers con- pinnacle of their careers and they don’t local time.—Reuters Udinese shock Inter

MILAN: Roberto Mancini was still waiting for his first Serie A win since returning to Inter Milan after they slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by Udinese at San Siro on Sunday. Unheralded Genoa continued their remarkable season by beating AC Milan 1-0 to go third and Napoli stuttered again as they fell two goals behind at home to Empoli before hitting back to draw 2-2. Leaders Juventus drew 0-0 at Fiorentina on Friday When Inter won the Scudetto in the 2006- 07 season under Mancini, they lost only one league game all season, but they have lost two out of three since he returned for a second stint at the club to replace Walter Mazzarri Inter dominated the opening half of play against Udinese, whose coach Andrea Stramaccioni was facing his former club for the first time, but had only a Mauro Icardi goal to show for it. Bruno Fernandes levelled with a superb strike from just outside the box in the 60th minute and Cyril Thereau scored the winner 11 minutes later. The French forward took advantage of a mis- judged backward pass by Rodrigo Palacio, rounded Samir Handanovic and easily scored into the empty net. “I’m not sure what happened in between halves,” Mancini, whose side are languishing in 12th place with 17 points, told Sky Sports Italia. “I haven’t had enough time to reflect on it. After Udinese tied the score we stopped being a team. I’m extremely disappointed.” Genoa coach Gian Piero Gasperini said he could hardly believe the Serie A table after Luca Antonelli ‘s first-half header gave his side their seventh win in 14 Serie A games this season. “When I look at the table, I’m in disbelief,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia. “However, we’ve earned and deserve every point.” Genoa, who have 26 points, won the last of their eight Italian titles in 1924 and finished 14th MANCHESTER: Members of a youth team play a game at Manchester City’s new City last term having narrowly avoided relegation in Football Academy. Built alongside the club’s Etihad Stadium, the academy which has the two seasons before that. taken six years to build cost a reputed £150 million and boasts a range of facilities Napoli dropped two points behind Genoa in including a training and player-development centre. —AP fourth, with Empoli taking a 2-0 lead with goals from Simone Verdi and Daniele Rugani. Napoli replied with two goals in five minutes as Duvan Zapata headed in from a corner and Jonathan De Guzman scored with a low shot after America, Tigres Christian Maggio’s centre was deflected into his path. Lazio sent table-propping Parma to their fourth straight loss, and their 12th in 14 games, in Mexican final as they won 2-1 at the Tardini stadium. Atalanta, who had only mustered five goals in their first 13 MEXICO CITY: Two goalless draws were phase where they were second behind matches, scored three in eight minutes either side of halftime as they came from behind to ITALY: Inter Milan’s Fredy Guarin (right) fights for the ball with Udinese’s Danilo Larangeira enough to send America and UANL America. Toluca’s coach, former during a Serie A soccer match. —AP Tigres into this week’s two-leg Mexican Paraguay striker Jose Saturnino beat Cesena 3-2. —Reuters Apertura championship final. Cardozo, said Tigres benefited from his America, looking for a record 12th team’s desperation at needing a victory league title, held Monterrey 0-0 at the to qualify. “It was a very tight match, we Azteca in the second leg of their semi- knew it would be like that given that Spanish League targets final on Sunday to go through 3-0 on your opponents often play on your des- aggregate after their victory in the first peration (since) a 0-0 draw gave them leg at the Tecnologico. “It would be the the possibility of playing the final. We biggest achievement of my career,” said lacked creativity to generate chances abusive Real Madrid fans the Eagles’ coach, former Argentina and put them away,” he told reporters. striker Antonio Mohamed. “It would be Tigres reached the final without win- MADRID: Spain’s professional league (LFP) has um late last month. “Our qualitative step forward come under scrutiny, they added. to touch the sky with my hands.” ning any of their four matches in the moved to show it is serious about tackling vio- or new commitment is that if the referee does Real coach Carlo Ancelotti called for an end Mohamed, who has already lifted the knockout rounds after 1-1 draws in the lence and abuse by vowing to report Real not hear it we will draw attention to it,” Tebas to abuse in stadiums when asked about the inci- Mexican league trophy with Tijuana in two legs of their quarter-final tie with Madrid fans who sang insulting chants about told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser. “There dents yesterday. “We all have to understand that 2012, told reporters. Tigres finished 0-0 Pachuca and qualifying because of their Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and the Catalan were insults and unacceptable chants at the an insult is a violence for everyone,” Ancelotti on aggregate with Toluca after being league position. America are away to club. Bernabeu, so I gave the order to report them,” he told a news conference. “I would like supporters held goalless by Toluca at El Volcan on Tigres at the Universitario in the final, The referee did not mention the chants in his added. Real, who along with Barca and Espanyol who back us the whole match singing for the report on Real’s La Liga game at home to Celta are among the few clubs who have tried to ban- team and the club and nothing else,” added the Sunday and went through thanks to first leg on Thursday and host the sec- Vigo on Saturday but Javier Tebas, the LFP presi- ish ultras from their stadium, were not immedi- Italian. their higher position in the league ond at the Azteca on Sunday. —Reuters dent, said the league would report the fans to ately available to comment. Tebas said more should have been done the Spanish federation’s (RFEF) competition The European champions had identified 17 sooner to banish ultras from stadiums and their committee. fans who took part in the abusive chanting, surroundings. “I made a mistake in not seeing Clubs, soccer authorities and the government which also targeted the region of Catalonia, and this as a problem in football and I won’t make it Universidad de Chile have pledged to crack down on violent and abu- they had been banned for life, local media again,” he told Cadena Ser. “We have fattened up sive fans known as “ultras” after a Deportivo La reported. Several other matches, including a monster which must be banished. We have Coruna supporter was killed in apparently Atletico’s game at Elche, Malaga’s at Deportivo taken this decision and we will continue down crowned champions organised fighting near Atletico Madrid’s stadi- and Rayo Vallecano’s at home to Sevilla may also the same path.” —Reuters CHILE: A last minute Gustavo Canales the 2014/15 Apertura championship penalty handed Universidad de Chile with three matches to spare, finished their 17th Chilean league crown in a nail- with 14 wins in 15 matches, 10 points biting finish to the 2014/15 Apertura ahead of second placed Racing Club championship at the weekend. Montevideo. “La U” began the final round level on Veteran striker Ivan Alonso gave them points with Colo Colo but behind on goal a 1-0 win at bottom team Tacuarembo in difference and both sides were drawing their last match and finished as top scor- their last matches 0-0 as full time er with 15 goals. approached. Nacional will meet the winners of the But Universidad de Chile snatched a Clausura in the first half of next year for 1-0 win over Union La Calera in Santiago the title of champions of the 2014/15 when their Argentine striker converted season. —Reuters the last-minute penalty. Colo Colo, playing away to Santiago Wanderers who had also begun the day with a chance of the title, conceded two Matches on TV goals in added time and lost 2-0 with Wanderers finishing second. (Local Timings) Universidad de Chile go into next year’s South American Libertadores Cup UEFA Champions League with 2013/14 Clausura championship winners Colo Colo, while Wanderers will Juventus v Atletico 22:45 vie for a third Chilean place in playoffs. Libertad were crowned with their beIN SPORTS 1 HD 18th title in Paraguay, adding the Real Madrid v Razgrad 22:45 Clausura to the Apertura they won in beIN SPORTS 2 HD mid-year. Uruguayan striker Rodrigo Galatasaray v Arsenal 22:45 Lopez scored the only goal, his 19th of the season, for a 1-0 win at Nacional in beIN SPORTS 4 HD Asuncion that clinched the title, finishing Liverpool v Basel 22:45 two points ahead of Cerro Porteno. beIN SPORTS 11 HD Uruguay’s Nacional, who had clinched SPAIN: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (second left) controls the ball in this file photo. —AFP Galaxy Reds seek win MLS Cup Gerrard spark against Basel

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9,17 2014 18 Solid Monaco poised for CL knockout spot Page 18

SAN DIEGO: Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is brought down for a sack by New England Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich as Chargers guard Johnnie Troutman falls during the second half in an NFL football game. —AP Seahawks stifle Eagles, Patriots win

PHILADELPHIA: Russell Wilson threw two touchdown a 63-yard run and 18-yard pass from Alex Smith, but playoff hopes in the Battle of the Bay. rolling. Newton’s scoring passes went to Kelvin fered a neck injury on the sixth sack just before the passes, ran for another score and the Seattle Seahawks the Chiefs (7-6) were shut out in the second half. Carr completed 22 of 28 passes for 254 yards and Benjamin, Greg Olsen and Fozzy Whitaker. New two-minute warning, so Robert Griffin III finished the stifled Philadelphia’s high-powered offense in a 24-14 Arizona won a crucial call reversal when it chal- completely outplayed counterpart Colin Kaepernick as Orleans (5-8) lost its fourth straight home game to drop game in his first appearance since getting benched victory over the Eagles on Sunday. lenged that tight end Travis Kelce fumbled deep in the Raiders (2-11) won their second straight home a half-game behind Atlanta. two weeks ago. Griffin was sacked once during his brief Wilson had 263 yards passing and ran for 48 to help Cardinals territory late in the fourth quarter. game surrounding last week’s 52-0 loss at St. Louis. stint. St. Louis blanked Oakland 52-0 last Sunday. The the Seahawks (9-4) win their third straight. The defend- With a second straight loss the 49ers (7-6) are in danger LIONS 34, BUCCANEERS 17 Redskins (3-10) dropped their fifth straight. ing Super Bowl champions have victories over NFC COLTS 25, BROWNS 24 of missing the playoffs for the first time in coach Jim Matthew Stafford threw for 311 yards and three West-leading Arizona (10-3), San Francisco (7-6) and Andrew Luck threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to T.Y. Harbaugh’s four-year tenure. touchdowns - including one off a fluky deflection late TEXANS 27, JAGUARS 13 Philadelphia (9-4) in the last three weeks. Hilton with 32 seconds left, rallying Indianapolis. San Francisco is two games out of the second wild- in the game. The Lions (9-4) trail first-place Green Bay Arian Foster ran for 127 yards and a touchdown, The Eagles host Dallas (9-4) with first place in the Cleveland contained the Colts quarterback until the card spot with three games remaining after making by a half-game in the NFC North, with the Packers host- and the Texans won consecutive games for the first NFC East at stake next week. Richard Sherman and Co. final minute, but couldn’t finish him off. three straight NFC title games. ing Atlanta on Monday night. time since Week 2. Foster’s 1-yard run on the second held the Eagles to 139 total yards, the fewest under Before Luck connected with Hilton, Colts running Tampa Bay (2-11) was finally eliminated from play- play of the fourth quarter gave Houston (7-6) a com- Chip Kelly. Pete Carroll was the winner in his first NFL back Daniel Herron picked up 2 yards on fourth down PANTHERS 41, SAINTS 10 off contention - the NFC South’s mediocrity could only fortable cushion in what had been a back-and-forth matchup against Kelly. In the coaches’ only other meet- to keep the drive alive. Luck, who threw two intercep- Cam Newton passed for three touchdowns, keep the Bucs in it for so long. They turned over the ball game. After quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got stuffed ing, Kelly’s Oregon Ducks beat Carroll and USC 47-20 tions and spent the day being harassed by an ener- appeared to incite a scuffle with frustrated New three times in the second quarter against Detroit and on third down, the Texans lined up for a field goal on Oct. 31, 2009. gized Browns defense, then fired his second TD pass to Orleans after he went over the pile for another score, never led. Calvin Johnson had eight catches for 158 before calling time out and deciding to go. Foster start- Hilton. The Colts (9-4) trailed 21-7 in the third quarter, and the Panthers ended a six-game skid. yards and a touchdown for Detroit, which snapped a ed right and looked like he would be stopped for a loss, PATRIOTS 23, CHARGERS 14 but stormed back behind Luck, who finished 24 of 53 Jonathan Stewart added a 69-yard touchdown as nine-game losing streak in December. but he eluded a tackle, cut back the other way and Tom Brady threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to for 294 yards. The Browns (7-6) got two defensive the Panthers (4-8-1) pulled closer to NFC South leader high-stepped into the end zone. The Jaguars (2-11) led Julian Edelman midway through the fourth quarter as touchdowns, but Cleveland’s offense, led by struggling Atlanta (5-7), which plays at Green Bay on Monday RAMS 24, REDSKINS 0 13-10 at halftime, but did little after the break. the Patriots (10-3) won for the eighth time in nine quarterback Brian Hoyer, couldn’t do enough to keep night. Newton’s jawing and “Superman” celebration of The Rams have back-to-back shutouts for the first games. It clinched their 12th straight 10-win season for the team’s playoff hopes from fading. his 2-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter drew time since 1945, giving them their first winning streak VIKINGS 30, JETS 24 the second-longest such streak in NFL history. a shove from linebacker Curtis Lofton. That ignited a of the season. Jared Cook caught two touchdown pass- Jarius Wright’s 87-yard touchdown reception from The Patriots spent the week in San Diego following STEELERS 42, BENGALS 21 scrum that eventually went into a tunnel beyond the es, Tavon Austin returned a punt 78 yards for a score, Teddy Bridgewater in overtime gave the Vikings the a loss at Green Bay in order to cut down on late-season Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdown passes, end zone. Panthers tight end Brandon Williams was and the defense allowed 206 total yards. win. After forcing the Jets to punt to start the extra travel. It certainly seemed to pay off for the defense: including a 94-yarder to rookie Martavis Bryant in the ejected for punching Cam Jordan, but Carolina kept The Rams (6-7) sacked Colt McCoy six times. He suf- period, the Vikings faced third-and-5. Bridgewater was San Diego (8-5) was shut out in the second half. New fourth quarter that was the longest play from scrim- blitzed and threw high on a bubble screen to his right. England went ahead 16-14 on Stephen Gostkowski’s mage this season. Wright jumped, made an off-balance grab, slipped by 38-yard field goal with 10:34 left. Brady faked a handoff The win turned the AFC North into a wide-open NFL results/standings Jaiquawn Jarrett and outran defensive tackle Sheldon and hit Edelman on a slant at about the 45 on the race. In a game they had to win, the Steelers (8-5) Richardson the rest of the way. Former Vikings receiver touchdown. Edelman broke two tackles and was gone. caught up and ran away with 25 points in the fourth Percy Harvin had a 35-yard touchdown reception and a Pittsburgh 42, Cincinnati 21; Indianapolis 25, Cleveland 24; Detroit 34, Tampa Bay 17; Baltimore 28, 47-yard kickoff return while finishing with 124 yards on Brady completed 28 of 44 passes for 317 yards and two quarter. For Cincinnati (8-4-1), it was a second straight Miami 13; Carolina 41, New Orleans 10; Houston 27, Jacksonville 13; Minnesota 30, NY Jets 24 (OT); NY touchdowns. lopsided at home loss to a division rival. The Bengals six catches. But he hurt his ankle on a hard hit by Josh Giants 36, Tennessee 7; St. Louis 24, Washington 0; Arizona 17, Kansas City 14; Denver 24, Buffalo 17; fell to Cleveland 24-3 before going on the road and Robinson late in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. BRONCOS 24, BILLS 17 winning three straight to take control of the division. Oakland 24, San Francisco 13; Seattle 24, Philadelphia 14; New England 23, San Diego 14. This was his first game in Minnesota in more than two CJ Anderson ran for three touchdowns and the Now, it’s anyone’s title. Le’Veon Bell had another big American Football Conference National Football Conference years after playing his first 3 1/2 seasons with the Broncos overcame a rare unsteady outing by Peyton all-around game, running for 185 yards, catching six AFC East NFC East Vikings (6-7), who beat the Jets for the first time in Manning. Manning’s streak of 51 straight games with a passes for 50 yards, and scoring three touchdowns. W L T OTL PF PA PCT Philadelphia 9 4 0 0 389 309 .692 eight matchups since 1975. Gerald Hodges returned an touchdown throw - three shy of Drew Brees’ NFL record New England 10 3 0 0 401 267 .769 interception of Geno Smith for a touchdown on the Dallas 9 4 0 1 343 301 .692 first play from scrimmage, but the much-maligned sec- - ended on a sun-splashed, almost still afternoon in RAVENS 28, DOLPHINS 13 Miami 7 6 0 0 314 260 .538 NY Giants 4 9 0 0 293 326 .308 ond-year quarterback bounced back for the Jets (2-11) Denver, where the game-time temperature was a The Baltimore Ravens played more than 17 minutes Buffalo 7 6 0 0 281 241.538 Washington 3 10 0 0 244 346 .231 balmy 63 degrees. Despite three turnovers, the before picking up a first down, then overcame a 10- by going 18 for 29 for 254 yards and gaining 33 yards NY Jets 2 11 0 1 214 349 .154 NFC North rushing on six attempts. Smith was just 7 of 13 for 49 Broncos (10-3) won their third straight game since point deficit to win. The Ravens rallied with consecutive AFC North changing from a pass-oriented attack to a run-heavy touchdown drives of 97 and 75 yards, and added the Green Bay 9 3 0 0 380 267 .750 yards against Miami in the last game. Cincinnati 8 4 1 0 281 289 .654 Detroit 9 4 0 0 265 224 .692 approach. Manning finished 14 of 20 for 173 yards with clinching score after a favorable replay reversal. Pittsburgh 8 5 0 0 362 319 .615 two interceptions. His top receiver, Demaryius Thomas, A gamble by coach John Harbaugh in the third Minnesota 6 7 0 0 263 281 .462 GIANTS 36, TITANS 7 Baltimore 8 5 0 0 356 255 .615 was held to two catches for 11 yards, and tight end quarter helped. The Ravens made a first down on Chicago 5 8 0 1 281 378 .385 Eli Manning threw for 260 yards and a touchdown, Cleveland 7 6 0 0 276 270 .538 Julius Thomas (ankle) was active but didn’t play for the fourth-and-1 in their territory, jump-starting the TD NFC South and the Giants snapped a seven-game skid. The Giants AFC South (4-9) won for the first time since Oct. 5 with two rookies third straight week. Buffalo is 7-6. drive that put them ahead. Atlanta 5 7 0 0 291 299 .417 The victory gave Baltimore (8-5) a significant edge Indianapolis 9 4 0 0 407 307 .692 having big games. Odell Beckham Jr. set a team rookie New Orleans 5 8 0 2 333 359 .385 record with his fourth game with 100 yards receiving CARDINALS 17, CHIEFS 14 over Miami (7-6) in the AFC’s scramble for a wild-card Houston 7 6 0 1 314 260 .538 Carolina 4 8 1 0 269 341 .346 this season: 11 catches for 130 yards and a TD. Andre Kerwynn Williams rushed for 100 yards two days playoff berth. The Dolphins, who haven’t been to the Tennessee 2 11 0 0 220 374 .154 Tampa Bay 2 11 0 2 237 348 .154 Williams ran for a season-high 131 yards, including a after being elevated from the Arizona practice squad postseason since 2008, are now a long shot with three Jacksonville 2 11 0 0 199 356 .154 50-yard TD. Tennessee (2-11) lost its seventh straight and the Cardinals rallied. games to go. AFC West NFC West and for the 11th time in 12 games with a performance The NFC West-leading Cardinals (10-3) took the Denver 10 3 0 1 385 293 .769 Arizona 10 3 0 0 275 238 .769 that had fans booing and even a handful wearing lead when Drew Stanton threw a 26-yard touchdown RAIDERS 24, 49ERS 13 San Diego 8 5 0 0 293 272 .615 Seattle 9 4 0 0 322 235 .692 paper bags over their heads. This is the franchise’s pass to Jaron Brown in the third quarter. Derek Carr threw three touchdown passes and the Kansas City 7 6 0 0 291 241 .538 San Francisco 7 6 0 0 244 268 .538 longest skid since losing 11 straight in 1994 as the Jamaal Charles scored two first-half touchdowns on Raiders put a major dent into San Francisco’s dwindling Oakland 2 11 0 0 200 350 .154 St. Louis 6 7 0 0 285 285 .462 then-Houston Oilers. — AP Global salary rises up in big pay turnaround: Hay GroupStudy Page 23

British Airways launches Business a sch-amazing virtual reality experience TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Page 26 Al Barari introduces Kuwait credit growth tops $7.7% high-end properties to Kuwaiti clients Page 22 Page 25

BEIJING: A man walks on a sidewalk near buildings in Beijing’s central business district yesterday. China’s trade surplus hit a record $54.47 billion in November, soaring 61.4 percent on-year as imports to the world’s second-largest economy surprisingly fell, the government said yesterday. — AFP China faces pressure as imports shrink Export growth slumps amid slowdown fears

BEIJING: China’s imports shrank unexpectedly ture with slower export growth and a contrac- “This means that pressure will rise on the ratios (RRR). Hopes of more stimulus have undershoot the government’s 7.5 percent tar- in November while export growth slowed, tion in commodity imports in volume terms,” government to do more to stimulate growth,” pushed China’s benchmark stock indexes to get and mark the weakest expansion in 24 fueling concerns the world’s second-largest said Andy Ji, senior currency strategist at he said. “We expect a reserve requirement their highest in more than three years. years. The slowdown is expected to persist economy could be facing a sharper slowdown Commonwealth Bank of Australia in ratio cut in December, introduction of reverse Sources familiar with China’s policy-making well into next year. and adding pressure on policymakers to ramp Singapore. repos this week, and another rate cut in the said leaders are prepared to lower rates again China’s leaders are reluctant to repeat up stimulus measures. Exports rose 4.7 per- Exports have been the lone bright spot for first quarter. The yuan should rise further on and loosen lending curbs on concerns that strong stimulus similar to the one implement- cent from a year earlier, while imports China’s economy in the last few months, per- the data.” falling prices could cause a spike in bad loans, ed during the height of the global crisis, which dropped 6.7 percent, the biggest drop since haps helping to offset soft domestic demand, After saying for months that China does business failures and job losses. “We expect at resulted in piles of debt, but they are mindful March, data released by the General but there have been doubts about the accura- not need any big economic stimulus, the least one more policy rate cut, 2-3 RRR cuts of the risk that a sharper growth slowdown Administration of Customs showed yesterday. cy of the official numbers amid signs of a People’s Bank of China (PBOC) surprised finan- and targeted measures (to inject more liquidi- could undermine reforms. That left the country with a record trade sur- resurgence of speculative currency flows cial markets by lowering rates on Nov 21 to ty into the banking system) throughout 2015,” The leadership is due to open a key meet- plus of $54.5 billion, which analysts say could through inflated trade receipts. shore up growth and help firms pay off moun- said Haibin Zhu at J P Morgan. ing on Tuesday to map out economic and increase upward pressure on the yuan even as Dariusz Kowalczyk at Credit Agricole CIB in tains of debt. The government is due to reform plans for 2015, including economic tar- exporters are struggling. Hong Kong said over-reporting in exports may release data on factory output, fixed-asset 2015 GROWTH TARGET COULD BE CUT gets which will be unveiled in parliament next Economists polled by Reuters had expect- have been curbed in November, which con- investment and retail sales later this week. Annual economic growth slowed to 7.3 March, sources at top government think-tanks ed exports to grow 8.2 percent, a 3.9 percent tributed to a weaker reading. But he added Analysts see more policy support in coming percent in the third quarter, the weakest since said. Government think-tanks, which make rise in imports and a trade surplus of $43.5 bil- that the import contraction was “shocking”, months if the economy continues to stumble, the global financial crisis, weighed down by a policy proposals, have urged Beijing to cut its lion, all slowing from October. “Despite anoth- reflecting not only lower commodity prices with many expecting both more rate cuts and sagging housing market and tighter credit economic growth target next year, probably to er record surplus, the details paint a grim pic- but poor domestic demand. reductions in banks’ reserve requirement conditions. Full-year growth is on track to around 7 percent. — Reuters Airports, stations provide captive market for retailers Dubai leads losses as BERLIN: Airports and train stations are home train stations. “Nearly 50 percent intend to to ever increasing numbers of retail outlets, purchase while waiting to take a plane or a oil drags Gulf down serving travellers who want to buy goods on train. Those people are international, they are the go and brands targeting a global and captive, they have two or three hours to kill,” mobile audience. Despite a recent downturn said Laurence Anne Parent, managing partner in the luxury industry, high-profile deals in at Advancy strategy consultants. MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS travel retail have underlined buoyant long- Even supermarkets are joining in, opening term growth prospects for a sector driven by convenience stores and pick-up locations in DUBAI: Most stock markets in the Gulf fell yester- With fuel making up a significant part of Air percent and its subsidiary Yanbu National emerging market jet setters and the trend stations as customers shift from weekly shops day after oil prices sank to new lows and Dubai’s Arabia’s costs, the company stands to benefit from Petrochemical Co (Yansab), which last week pro- towards convenience shopping. at out-of-town stores to smaller, more fre- index dropped as investors dumped shares in cheaper oil. Abu Dhabi’s bourse was mixed and its posed a dividend cut and announced plans to shut “There is a switch from destination retail to quent buys. Tesco, Amazon and others are tri- Emaar Properties , which had gone ex-dividend. main index fell 0.9 percent. First Gulf Bank and down a plant for maintenance, fell 1.3 percent. shopping on the way to doing something else: alling pick-up lockers and vans for online Dubai’s bourse fell 3.3 percent to 4,031 points Union National Bank fell 1.1 and 3.8 percent Brent crude oil fell more than $2 a barrel yesterday work, holiday, business trip. It’s about squeez- orders at 42 London Underground stations, and Emaar tumbled 7.0 percent late in the session respectively, while National Bank of Abu Dhabi to a new five-year low on predictions that over- ing it in to our hectic lifestyles,” said Ben while John Lewis’ grocery arm Waitrose also to 8.32 dirhams; both hit five-month lows. While rose 1.6 percent. Oman’s bourse stabilized and supply would keep building until next year after Perkins, consumer expert at consultants offers the service at Gatwick airport so return- there was no fundamental reason for such a steep inched up 0.1 percent after tumbling 4.2 percent OPEC decided not to cut output. Cheaper oil may Deloitte. The sector is enjoying 10 percent ing holidaymakers don’t have to go home to drop by Dubai’s biggest listed property firm, the in the previous session. Banking stocks, which had eat into the margins of Gulf petrochemical produc- annual growth and should nearly double by an empty fridge. most likely explanation was a sell-off by investors dropped when rating agency Standard & Poor’s ers, which have previously enjoyed cost advan- 2020 from 60 billion euros ($73.60 billion) in who had held it for a dividend payout, said cut its outlook for Oman’s credit rating to negative, tages thanks to subsidized feedstock. Oil importer 2013, according to travel data firm Generation Asian growth Shakeel Sarwar, head of asset management at rebounded with HSBC Oman and Ahli Bank up 4.5 Egypt’s stock market rose for a fourth straight ses- Research. Although falling demand from Chinese and Securities & Investment Co in Bahrain. The record and 2.0 percent respectively. sion, adding 0.5 percent. Carpet maker Oriental While airports have long been the preserve Russian travellers, currency volatility and a date for Emaar’s special 1.257 dirham dividend However, Raysut Cement, which had fallen its Weavers surged 6.1 percent to 60.00 pounds, its of luxury brands, mid-tier names like Spanish weak European economy has led to the luxury was Nov 30 and the stock has since plunged 21.5 daily 10 percent limit on Sunday, dropped a fur- highest level since early 2006. The company said percent. It has major technical support at 7.95 ther 3.2 percent. The firm said on Sunday that the last week it would launch two new carpet manu- fashion chain Desigual and British department sector’s worst slump in five years, the travel dirhams, the June low. price it paid for gas supplies would double next facturing plants and one plant to produce threads. store John Lewis are now snapping up prime retail sector continues to power ahead. Much Most other Dubai stocks also fell, with the year, as the government responded to the oil price The Daily News Egypt newspaper also quoted its locations to raise their profile among trav- of the growth is coming from Asia, where exception of low-cost carrier Air Arabia, which drop by cutting subsidies. founder Mohamed Farid Khamis as saying sales ellers. “Be in travel if you want to be a global more than 350 new airports are set to be built jumped 2.0 percent to 1.56 dirhams. The stock has would grow 5.5 percent this year. Shares in proper- brand,” said Manel Jadraque, managing direc- in the next eight years, while the number of gained 18.2 percent since the end of October, SAUDI, EGYPT ty developer Heliopolis Housing jumped 4.8 per- tor of Desigual, which has helped its colourful outbound Chinese tourists is expected to dou- becoming a safe haven in an otherwise bearish Saudi Arabia’s index fell 1.7 percent as nearly all cent after its annual meeting approved a dividend garments gain a wider following by opening ble by 2020 from 100 million last year, broker- market; it faces strong chart resistance at 1.65-1.68 stocks in the key petrochemical and banking sec- of 1.0 pound per share, up from last year’s 0.85 stores in top airports, hotels, resorts, ports and age CLSA predicts. —Reuters dirhams, this year’s peaks. tors declined. Saudi Basic Industries dropped 3.0 pound, according to Reuters data. — Reuters TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 BUSINESS Kuwait credit growth tops $7.7%

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

KUWAIT: Total credit saw a relatively has seen credit shrink by 9.2percent y/y. decline in foreign currency deposits large monthly gain in September, though Deleveraging over the last 12 months has (KD 138 million). growth rose to 7.7percent y/y on a KD been less aggressive than prior years. A big part of the weakness in deposit 418 million net gain in lending. Gains in Growth in non-financial business growth has come from time deposits, September were led by household credit credit remained steady at 7.0percent y/y which are down thus far in 2014. and lending for the purchase of securi- with a strong gain of KD 223 million, Historically low interest rates have made ties. Money supply (M2) growth dropped though most of it stemmed from lend- time deposits relatively less attractive. to its slowest pace in over two years, as ing for the purchase of securities. September further confirmed this trend M2 shrank in September on declines in Securities lending gained by KD 144 mil- with a large KD 481 million drop in KD KD time and FX deposits. lion with growth rising to 7.2percent y/y. time deposits, most of it offset by an Household debt (personal facilities ex- Other sources of growth were trade, real increase in KD sight deposits. Average securities) was up a strong KD 138 mil- estate and industry, while some weak- customer deposit rates on dinar time lion, though growth continued to ease to ness came from a decline in the con- deposits were mostly unchanged. The 12.7percent y/y. Adjusting growth for the struction sector. average rates on the 1-month, 3-month, Family Fund settlements reveals that the Private deposit growth thus far in and 6-month time deposits changed by sector continues to grow at a far healthier 2014 has been largely absent, with 1 to 2 basis points (bps) to 0.61percent, pace, with growth accelerating since the September further affirming this 0.78percent, 1.01percent. The 12-month start of 2014. trend. As a result, money supply (M2) time deposit rate remained unchanged Credit to non-bank financials saw its growth eased further in September to at 1.21percent. KD interbank rates largest monthly increase in five years as it 4.3percent y/y, its slowest pace in over edged higher on the month, with the 1- gained by KD 57 million. The sector, two years. Private deposits declined by month KIBOR offer rate rising by 3 bps which has been deleveraging since 2009, KD 187 million, most of it from a to 1.13percent. News Small Australia banks to gain as in brief

Saudi Oct non-oil bigger rivals face capital hikes exports drop 12.4% RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s imports fell an annual SYDNEY: Australia’s smaller banks stand to ben- 6.0 percent in October, while non-oil exports efit from a government-backed financial sector dropped 12.4 percent, the steepest fall since review that has recommended the nation’s big August 2012, data from the Central Department lenders set aside more capital for their main of Statistics and Information showed yesterday. business of mortgages, in a move towards a level Non-oil exports account for around 12 percent playing field. The recommendation, if imple- of the overall exports of Saudi Arabia. The mented, could help the smaller banks grab mar- world’s largest oil exporter does not release ket share from the country’s ‘Big Four’ major complete trade data on a monthly basis. Trade lenders for whom mortgages account for 40-60 data are often revised by the statistics office. percent of total loans. Percentage changes are Reuters calculations It will also help make them more competi- based on the official data. Analysts polled by tive by narrowing the gap between the majors Reuters in September forecast Saudi Arabia’s and their smaller peers on the capital set aside current account surplus would be 15.2 percent against potential losses on mortgages. of gross domestic product in 2014 and 11.5 per- Australia’s major banks will need as much as cent in 2015. A$48 billion ($39.68 billion) after the financial system inquiry (FSI) on Sunday called for stronger capital for them to become among CBQ names Macdonald the world’s safest lenders. Major banks current- as deputy CEO ly, on average, keep aside 18 percent capital DUBAI: Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ), the against potential losses on home loans com- Gulf Arab state’s second-largest lender by pared with 39 percent for smaller peers, help- assets, has appointed Colin Macdonald as ing the big banks produce better shareholder deputy chief executive, the company said returns. Under the proposed rules, though, the yesterday. Macdonald has been an advisor to majors will have to set aside 25 percent to 30 CBQ’s chief executive since February, accord- percent capital. ing to his LinkedIn profile. He was formerly “It is pleasing the inquiry has acknowledged CEO of Dubai investment bank Shuaa Capital the competitive gap enjoyed by the majors and worked for the Netherlands’ ABN Amro needs to be closed and would like to see action for more than a decade, his profile states. taken quickly to address this issue, before the dominance of the Big Four is further entrenched. If that happens, Australian consumers will ulti- Dubai Parks and Resorts mately be the losers,” Jon Sutton, acting CEO of IPO oversubscribed Bank of Queensland, said in a statement. SYDNEY: People are reflected in the window as they walk past the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) boards showing the Australian DUBAI: Dubai Parks and Resorts’ 2.5 billion Recommendations by the inquiry, chaired by dollar has fallen to a four-and-a-half-year low after the release of very strong US employment growth figures, in Sydney yesterday. At dirham ($689 million) initial public offer was many David Murray, former head of Commonwealth 0700 AEDT on Monday, the local unit was trading at 82.96 US cents, down from 83.76 cents on Friday. — AFP times oversubscribed, the entertainment and Bank of Australia, is open to consultation with leisure company, which is building a $2.9 billion regulators and industry until March 31. amusement park complex in the emirate, said yes- Following the FSI report, brokerages including terday. The institutional tranche, which comprised Credit Suisse and Bell Potter upgraded ratings 60 percent of the offer, was 65 times oversub- on regional banks. Smaller banks Suncorp, UAE aircraft parts maker scribed at the close, Dubai Parks and Resorts said Bendigo & Adelaide Bank and MEBank praised in an emailed statement. Interested investors the inquiry’s effort to try and level the playing included sovereign wealth funds Kuwait field. Big banks have already warned that raising Strata sees revenue jump Investment Authority and Qatar Investment capital requirements and mortgage risk weight- Authority, it said. The remaining 40 percent of ings will lead to higher costs to consumers and shares were reserved for United Arab Emirates smaller dividends for shareholders. Credit Suisse ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi aircraft parts business Strata expects vice-president of Mubadala Aerospace, told reporters on the investors and this part was 10 times oversub- downgraded Australia and New Zealand revenue from existing operations to more than triple by 2020 sidelines of a conference. That forecast is based on Strata’s orders scribed. The UAE tranche comprised 10 percent Banking Group while Morgan Stanley noted that and plans to open a second factory in the United Arab Emirates and aircraft sales, Olama said. Strata builds components, includ- allocated to retail investors, which was 1.63 times ANZ and National Australia Bank, with the lowest in 2017, its chief executive said yesterday. Strata, the manufac- ing fuselages, for leading planemakers Airbus and Boeing among oversubscribed; 25 percent for wealthy individu- tier-I ratios among the big banks, were the “most turing arm of Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Aerospace, is the Gulf’s sole others. Strata’s second factory will be located near its existing als and institutions, nearly 14 times oversub- vulnerable.” aircraft parts maker and is aiming to join the ranks of the leading plant in the desert oasis town of Al Ain but will be more automat- scribed; and 5 percent for the UAE government’s “What Murray is trying to do is take away the global players with its planned expansion. ed and produce at least two or three product lines, Olama said. Emirates Investment Authority. Dubai Parks and lopsided nature of allocation of capital from the Revenue at Strata will top 300 million dirhams ($81.7 million) The company is in talks with Boeing and Airbus to set up a facility Resorts is to list its shares on the Dubai Financial Big Four to the balance of the banking commu- this year, CEO Badr al-Olama said, adding that the company will in either America or Europe, Olama added, pointing out that it it Market on Wednesday. The company is part of nity,” said Mark Bouris, executive chairman of create at least 600 jobs when the second plant opens, nearly dou- needs to achieve netween $1 billion and $2 billion in annual sales Meraas Holding, owned by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Yellow Brick Road, a mortgage provider part- bling its current workforce. “We will see revenues of 1 billion to be counted among the top three parts makers. “We are aiming Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. owned by Macquarie Group Ltd. — Reuters dirhams by 2020 from plant one only,” Olama, who is also a senior to achieve that after 2023,” he said. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES

Malaysian Ringgit 91.005 South African Rand 0.020703 0.029203 Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. UAE Exchange Centre WLL Chinese Yuan Renminbi 46.750 Thai Bhat 9.910 Sri Lankan Rupee 0.001904 0.002484 Turkish Lira 131.285 Taiwan 0.009434 0.009614 ASIAN COUNTRIES COUNTRY SELL DRAFT SELL CASH Thai Baht 0.008631 0.009181 Japanese Yen 2.741 Australian Dollar 243.04 240.04 Canadian Dollar 266.74 267.74 Indian Rupees 4.712 Arab Pakistani Rupees 2.822 Swiss Franc 316.40 314.40 Bahrain Exchange Company Euro 378.88 379.88 Bahraini Dinar 0.751103 0.759103 Srilankan Rupees 2.187 Egyptian Pound 0.037536 0.040636 Nepali Rupees 2.958 US Dollar 284.65 287.65 COUNTRY SELL CASH SELLDRAFT Sterling Pound 476.10 479.10 Iranian Riyal 0.000079 0.000080 Singapore Dollar 229.950 Europe Japanese Yen 2.79 2.81 Iraqi Dinar 0.000181 0.000241 Hongkong Dollar 36.806 Belgian Franc 0.007427 0.008427 Bangladesh Taka 3.678 Bangladesh Taka 3.678 3.944 Jordanian Dinar 0.398703 0.406203 Indian Rupee 4.711 5.011 British Pound 0.467076 0.476076 Kuwaiti Dinar 1.000000 1.000000 Philippine Peso 6.536 Czech Korune 0.005494 0.017494 Thai Baht 8.944 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.186 2.621 Lebanese Pound 0.000138 0.000238 Irani Riyal transfer 0.271 Nepali Rupee 2.942 3.477 Danish Krone 0.046258 0.051258 Moroccan Dirhams 0.023086 0.047086 Irani Riyal cash 0.273 Pakistani Rupee 2.796 2.790 Euro 0.369387 0.377387 Nigerian Naira 0.001156 0.017891 UAE Dirhams 77.57 77.03 Norwegian Krone 0.041981 0.047181 Omani Riyal 0.735788 0.741468 GCC COUNTRIES Bahraini Dinar 757.62 759.69 Romanian Leu 0.085007 0.085007 Qatar Riyal 0.077737 0.078950 Saudi Riyal 76.097 Egyptian Pound 39.81 40.41 Slovakia 0.008227 0.018227 Saudi Riyal 0.075523 0.076223 Jordanian Dinar 405.12 410.77 Qatari Riyal 78.408 Swedish Krona 0.036756 0.041756 Syrian Pound 0.001772 0.001992 Omani Riyal 741.290 Omani Riyal 740.27 747.57 Swiss Franc 0.304349 0.314549 Qatari Riyal 78.60 79.15 Tunisian Dinar 0.161608 0.169608 Bahraini Dinar 757.940 Turkish Lira 0.131887 0.138887 Turkish Lira 0.131887 0.138887 UAE Dirham 77.714 Saudi Riyal 76.04 UAE Dirhams 0.076777 0.077926 Australasia Yemeni Riyal 0.001288 0.001368 ARAB COUNTRIES Australian Dollar 0.258211 0.269711 Egyptian Pound - Cash 41.400 Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd New Zealand Dollar 0.232233 0.241733 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 39.810 America Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.332 Rate for Transfer Selling Rate Canadian Dollar 0.257001 0.265501 Tunisian Dinar 164.980 Al Mulla Exchange US Dollar 285.000 Jordanian Dinar 402.980 US Dollars 0.281500 0.286200 Canadian Dollar 263.455 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.914 US Dollars Mint 0.282000 0.286200 Sterling Pound 473.415 CurrencyTransfer Rate (Per 1000) Syrian Lira 2.034 Euro 379.460 Morocco Dirham 33.958 Asia US Dollar 281.450 Swiss Frank 312.305 Bangladesh Taka 0.003311 0.003911 Euro 391.650 Bahrain Dinar 758.565 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES Chinese Yuan 0.044976 0.048476 Pound Sterling 474.850 UAE Dirhams 78.020 US Dollar Transfer 285.250 Canadian Dollar 257.050 Qatari Riyals 79.160 Hong Kong Dollar 0.034761 0.037511 Euro 377.390 Saudi Riyals 76.265 Indian Rupee 0.004515 0.004916 Indian Rupee 4.643 Sterling Pound 475.800 Jordanian Dinar 402.555 Indonesian Rupiah 0.000020 0.000026 Egyptian Pound 39.640 Canadian dollar 264.120 Egyptian Pound 39.805 Japanese Yen 0.002658 0.002838 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.154 Turkish lira 131.860 Sri Lankan Rupees 2.190 Kenyan Shilling 0.003223 0.003223 Bangladesh Taka 3.618 Swiss Franc 313.460 Indian Rupees 4.718 Korean Won 0.000271 0.000286 Australian Dollar 268.140 Philippines Peso 6.302 Pakistani Rupees 2.815 Malaysian Ringgit 0.087314 0.093314 US Dollar Buying 284.050 Pakistan Rupee 2.874 Bangladesh Taka 3.678 Nepalese Rupee 0.002945 0.003116 Bahraini Dinar 749.550 Philippines Pesso 6.511 GOLD Pakistan Rupee 0.002719 0.002999 UAE Dirham 76.650 Cyprus pound 700.020 20 Gram 245.000 Philippine Peso 0.006424 0.006704 Japanese Yen 3.740 Saudi Riyal 75.175 10 Gram 124.000 Sierra Leone 0.000062 0.000068 Syrian Pound 2.860 *Rates are subject to change 5 Gram 64.000 Singapore Dollar 0.225066 0.231066 Nepalese Rupees 3.895 Lifestyle FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014

(Left) Tattoo artists Tiplo Tsotetsi, 28, and Dawid Smith work on tattoos representing Nelson Tattoo artist Tiplo Tsotetsi starts a sketch representing Nelson Mandela and a bridge prior to start Mandela on Mpumelelo Masinga, 27 and Macel Bosthumus, 21, at the Black and White Tattoo stu- the tattoo on the upper back of Mpumelelo Masinga. dio on November 27, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. — AFP photos South Africans keep Mandela’s memory alive with tattoos pumelelo Masinga takes a deep drag from his cigarette, his hand trembling with apprehension. MMasinga is preparing to spend three hours at Black and White Tattoo Studio in Johannesburg getting Nelson Mandela’s face tattooed on the centre of his back. “I’m very, very nervous,” he explains with a sheepish smile. “It’s a big Dawid Smith cleans the leg of South African student Marcel piece and I’m starting on a new canvas, my back.” A year ago Bosthumus after he tattooed a portrait of Nelson Mandela. when Mandela died, Masinga decided he would pay tribute by getting a tattoo of the anti-apartheid hero. “It’s art and a memory that stays with me forever,” said the sinewy 27-year- old, who wore Nike trainers and a black beanie embroidered with the word “DOPE” in capital letters. “One day I’ll explain it to my kids.” He isn’t the only one getting inked for Mandela. As South Africa prepares to commemorate the first anniversary of the statesman’s death on December 5, tattoo studios in the country are reporting an ever-growing demand for Mandela- inspired tattoos. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, portraits of Mandela and famous quotes from the great man-most of them lifted from his best-selling autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom-are in demand. “It’s really becoming popular nowadays,” said Chris De Villiers, a tattoo artist at The Body Architects Tattoo Studio in Cape Town. “It’s not something that just happened overnight, it slowly but surely got popu- South African tattoo artist Dawid Smith starts to work on a tattoo lar.” Nadia Smith, an assistant at Jaded Ink, another studio in representing Nelson Mandela on the leg of South African student Johannesburg, said the big fashion is for clients to request an Marcel Bosthumus. “abstract, graffiti-style” tattoo of Mandela. “The graffiti one is a little bit more rustic,” said Smith, who estimates her studio has done more than five tattoos of Mandela since his death. Those with a Mandela marking use it as a reminder to follow his example of forgiveness. Leeshan Ramasamy said his tattoo, a portrait of Mandela in a suit with his trademark benevolent smile, could not be better.

‘He lives on, on my skin’ “It’s a real ice breaker,” said Ramasamy, a gregarious, 42- year-old businessman from Johannesburg, who fought Marcel Bosthumus looks at his tattoo representing Nelson against the apartheid regime as a student. “The most impor- Mandela. tant lesson he has given me is you have to forgive to move for- on my skin.” In a testament to the former president’s power to ward.” Ramasamy believes that by tattooing the human rights transcend race, blacks and whites alike are lining up to go icon on his body he is immortalizing Mandela. “You grow old under the needle. and he is still there,” he said, taking a long look at his tattoo. “I Tattoo artist Tiplo Tsotetsi puts the final touch to a tattoo repre- Back at the tattoo studio, Masinga was joined by his friend can carry him around and give him life, basically he’s still living senting Nelson Mandela and a bridge . Marcel Bosthumus, a 21-year-old Afrikaner from Randfontein, a mining town about 40 minutes west of Johannesburg by car. Bosthumus chose a portrait in the style of an oil painting on his leg, with Mandela wearing one of his colorful shirts. “I’ve always been a fan of him,” said Bosthumus. “He went through a hard time, and after going through that hard time he kept going.” Three gruelling hours later, each man has Mandela tattooed into his skin. Masinga looks over his shoulder at his back in a full-length mirror, rubbing his goatee as he appraises the work. Then he gives his tattoo artist a high-five. “It’s exactly the way I wanted it,” he says. “It was worth it.”— AFP

South African businessman Leesha Ramasamy (42) shows off his South African Mpumelelo Masinga, 27, grimaces for the pain as tattoo representing Nelson Mandela. tattoo artist Tiplo Tsotetsi, 28, starts to work on a tattoo representing Nelson Mandela and a bridge. BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Stocks, bonds dip on Italy downgrade

LONDON: European stocks and government bonds dipped yes- rating of the euro zone’s third largest economy to just one notch Japan slipped 0.3 percent. Tokyo’s Nikkei edged up 0.1 percent ber and we have to assume that poor domestic demand has terday as weak data from Asia, a rating downgrade for Italy and above junk on Friday, underscoring the limited progress made with the downward revision to Japan’s GDP neutralising much of played a part. This means that pressure will rise on the govern- the slump in oil prices stoked concerns about global growth. The by Italy’s prime minister Matteo Renzi. Italian government bond the positive impact from a weaker yen. South Korea’s Kospi lost ment to do more to stimulate growth,” he said. US dollar bucked the trend, extending gains after a surprisingly yields, which move in the opposite direction to prices, shot high- 0.2 percent while Singaporean and Malaysian shares also The Australian and the New Zealand dollars , sensitive to the strong US labor data on Friday, and adding further pressure on er, pulling up borrowing costs across the bloc. dipped. The Shanghai composite index gained 2.9 percent after economic fortunes of China, were the main losers among major the Russian rouble which has been hurt as oil prices fall back “The euphoria from Friday’s US payrolls is dissipating, we’re the downbeat Chinese data added to hopes that China will currencies, touching new 4-1/2 year and 2-1/2 year lows, respec- towards five-year lows. seeing a bit of profit taking,” said Pierre Martin, a trader at Saxo implement more stimulus to shore up its economy. tively. The disappointing Chinese and Japanese data contrasted Europe’s index of top shares, the FTSEurofirst, opened down Bank. “Italy’s downgrade is a good reminder that Europe is far “Shockingly, (China’s) imports contracted by 6.7 percent year- sharply with Friday’s US non-farm payrolls that showed employ- 0.4 percent, mirroring a move in Asia after China’s trade perform- from being out of the woods.” One of ECB’s longest standing pol- on-year - their weakest performance since the Lehman crisis ment in November surged by 321,000, easily topping forecasts ance in November was much weaker than expected while icymakers said the was euro-zone economy was “experiencing a (except the volatile Lunar New Year-related period), said Dariusz for 230,000 new jobs. Brent crude fell around 1.5 percent to Japan’s economy in the third quarter shrank even more than ini- massive weakening”, a development that has pushed the central Kowalczyk, economist at Credit Agricole in Hong Kong. “This is $68.07 a barrel, approaching a five-year low of $67.53 hit last tially reported. The Italian bourse started the day as the worst to look closer at sovereign bond purchases. partly a reflection of lower commodity prices and base effects, week, with a forecast cut by Morgan Stanley exacerbating the performer before recovering, after S&P downgraded the credit In Asia, MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside but these two factors cannot fully explain the weak import num- fall. — Reuters Oil drops to 5-year low on oversupply forecasts LONDON: Brent crude oil fell almost $2 a barrel Countries to reduce production, fuelling a fur- yesterday to a new five-year low on predictions ther slide in prices, which have lost more than 40 that oversupply would keep building until next percent since June. year after OPEC decided not to cut output. Signs that the US shale industry has yet to be “Without OPEC intervention, markets risk hit by the slump in crude prices, adding three becoming unbalanced, with peak oversupply new oil-drilling rigs in the last week, further likely in the second quarter of 2015,” Morgan depressed the market. “It was just a small Stanley analyst Adam Longson said. increase, but nevertheless it was an increase In a report dated Dec 5, the US investment despite the sharp price drop,” said Carsten bank said oil prices could fall as low as $43 a bar- Fritsch, senior oil and commodities analyst at rel next year. The bank cut its average 2015 Brent Commerzbank in Frankfurt. base-case outlook by $28 to $70 per barrel, and “Given continued oversupply and still no sign by $14 to $88 a barrel for 2016. Brent crude for yet that US oil production starts to show any January was down $1.45 at $67.62 a barrel by reaction, perhaps prices will continue to head 1030 GMT, having fallen $1.72 to $67.35 — its lower,” he added. Mixed Chinese trade data also lowest since October 2009. unsettled prices. China’s imports shrank unex- US crude was down $1.16 at $64.68 a barrel, pectedly in November, falling 6.7 percent, while after hitting a session low of $64.63. The US con- export growth slowed, fuelling concerns the tract, also known as West Texas Intermediate, world’s second-largest economy could be facing touched $63.72 last week, its lowest since July a sharp slowdown. China’s crude oil imports rose 2009. At a meeting last month, top oil exporter 9 percent in November from October to 6.18 Saudi Arabia resisted calls from poorer members million barrels per day, suggesting the country of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting may be boosting its reserves.—Reuters BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Small investors add Al Barari introduces high-end fuel to China’s big stock boom properties to Kuwaiti clients BEIJING: Gong Bin, a marketing employee in Shanghai, watched Chinese stock prices gallop upward for months before he finally gave in and put the equivalent of 21/2 months’ salary into the surging UAE firm offers unparalleled luxury living in Dubai market. In two months, Gong made a 10 percent return on his 20,000 yuan ($3,300) investment. “My colleagues were always talking about the By Sajeev K Peter money they made from the market, so I thought, why not?” said Gong, 27. “It turned out to be the right deci- KUWAIT: Al Barari, the flagship development of the UAE’s sion.” Even as a downturn in the world’s second- family-run Zaal Group, is introducing its high-end proper- largest economy deepens, Gong and a growing army ties to high net-worth clients in Kuwait, said Dereck of other small investors are riding a boom in China’s Alexander Jon Hoogenkamp, Sales and Marketing Director volatile stock markets. Buoyed by hopes for an eco- for Al Barari yesterday. Al Barari was established in 2005 by nomic rebound combined with outright cheerleading Zaal Mohammed Zaal, chairman and founder of Zaal Group of Companies. It is a $3.2 billion development with by the state press, the market benchmark has soared Phase 1 completed and most of the villas handed over to 49 percent since June, including 8 percent last week their owners. alone. Economic growth fell to a five-year low of 7.3 “Al Barari has succeeded in its vision to create one of percent last quarter but investor sentiment was the most desirable developments in the UAE with a recharged by Beijing’s surprise interest rate cut Nov. strong environmental conscience. At Al Barari, you will 22 that is expected to put a floor under the slump. see unparalleled luxury living in the heart of Dubai,” “Investors anticipate the economy will bottom out Hoogenkamp said in an interview with Kuwait Times at sometime in the spring, and they are buying equities to take advantage of that,” said economist Dariusz Kowalczyk at Credit Agricole CIB. Still, he cautioned, “I think the prospects for the economy are just not good enough to take the equity market significantly higher.” In a new sign of economic weakness, customs data yesterday showed China’s imports fell 6.7 percent in November compared with a year earlier instead of recording the small gain forecasters expected. Exports grew by an unexpectedly weak 4.7 percent, down from The Ashjar collection of elegant apartments from Al Barari. October’s 10.6 percent rate. ical garden than a residential community. Located in New before joining Al Barari. Despite that, the Shanghai benchmark ended the Dubai, Al Barari overlooks a protected wildlife reserve. “Al The Ashjar collection totals 300 elegant apartments day up another 2.8 percent. Small investors have Barari’s architecture, landscaping and infrastructure active- spread amongst 21 low-rise buildings arranged in small repeatedly been burned by booms and busts in ly embrace good environmental practice and demonstrate clusters of 3-5, sprawled over an impressive 107,870 m�. It Chinese stock markets that are rife with complaints of our commitment to sustainability and responsible eco- is segmented into three distinct categories. Each category fraud and insider trading. But with interest paid on conscience development,” he said. is crafted differently, allowing buyers to choose a home savings accounts low, Chinese investors appear will- Phase I has seen the handover of the majority of the 189 that ideally suits their personality and lifestyle. The seg- ing to make big bets on stocks and real estate. Zhao villas to residents with six themed gardens completed. It ments are separated by dense forested areas, creating Shizhong, who works in finance for a chain of restau- boasts the region’s largest privately-owned plant nursery secluded natural havens. rants, said he has 600,000 to 700,000 yuan ($100,000- covering 1,937,503 square feet with 1,800 plant varieties in “Ashjar has generated a lot of interest among potential $110,000) invested. He said his biggest trade lately ‘Greenworks’, unique concept restaurant ‘The Farm’ and customers including Kuwaitis. We don’t have any competi- was 60,000 to 70,000 yuan ($10,000 to $11,000) - the Health Club ‘Body Language’. “In Phase II, we plan to intro- tors and we are targeting only high-end and really specific equivalent of a year’s salary. duce Al Barari to a wider audience. It will see the creation clients. Because we are talking about a price starting at “This past week, I did more trading than usual, KUWAIT: Dereck Alexander Jon Hoogenkamp answers a of a 6-star boutique hotel, day spa, retail offerings and fur- $900,000 per unit,” he said. “Last year, we won four interna- bought some and sold some,” said Zhao. “I won’t trade question during the interview in Sheraton Hotel Kuwait ther residential development,” Hoogenkamp said. tional property awards while this year, we bagged eight more in the near future. I feel it is time to control risk.” yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat With Phase II planned to be completed in the next five international awards at IPA in almost all categories such as State media and China’s securities regulator have years, Barari is poised to usher in a new way of living in interior design, residential, condominium, mixed use, etc, warned investors not to act recklessly. But in a system the Sheraton Hotel. Giving an overview of the Al Barari’s Dubai. Al Barari also introduced 189 state-of-the-art, grand as we offer a true living space where residents and visitors in which the stock market is heavily influenced by philosophy, Hoogenkamp said, “located in the royal luxury villas for elite families with prices starting from AED can experience life without boundaries,” he said. government policy changes and often has little to do enclave of Nad Al-Sheba, accessible by the Emirates 13 million. Interestingly, Al Barari introduces its unique develop- with economic performance, those mildly worded Road, Al Barari literally means ‘wilderness’ as it was ments to Kuwaiti clients as Cityscape Kuwait, the country’s cautions are drowned out by a drumbeat of official designed to be a true desert oasis.” Ashjar residences premier real estate exhibition, is underway. “This year we calls for them to pile into stocks. Eighty percent of the development’s 14.2 million square Ashjar is a collection of residences that is surrounded by are not officially participating in Cityscape Kuwait though “China needs a magnificent bull market,” said the feet is made up of green, lush space that envelops the 189 a lush forest landscape and unparalleled refinement. “The our agents are present at the exhibition,” he said. “I believe China Securities Journal yesterday. It said robust stock palatial-villas. Beautifully themed gardens with over 16.4 Ashjar homes are low-rise and low density, with very few Cityscape Kuwait is better than Cityscape Doha. I compare markets are required as part of the Communist Party’s kilometers of naturally landscaped lakes, freshwater apartments per cluster. Each is set into the natural tree its size similar to Cityscape Riyadh. It offers similar opportu- plans to make the economy more market-oriented streams, cascades and waterways make Al Barari the lowest canopy with landscaped gardens and beautiful skyline nities. Though it is slightly smaller than Cityscape Jeddah,” and efficient. China’s communist-era stock market density development in the UAE and more akin to a botan- views,” said Hoogenkamp, who was with Kingdom Holding he added. dates to 1990, when the Shanghai Stock Exchange began trading shares of a handful of state-owned companies in a crowded hotel room. Rise in Italy’s borrowing costs Despite their free-market image, the Shanghai exchange and a smaller second exchange in Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, have so far been used mostly to raise money for state industry. limited by ECB stimulus moves Private companies have been allowed to join the exchanges in recent years, but the majority of shares traded are those of government companies such as LONDON: Italy’s borrowing costs rose slightly yesterday pace of growth in the euro-zone because S&P’s also raised RENZI WOES PetroChina Ltd., China Mobile Ltd and Bank of China after its credit rating was cut nearly to junk though Ireland’s rating to A from A-, rewarding the former bailout Some analysts, however, said Italy could face further Ltd. And buying shares in state companies gives out- prospects of stimulus from Europe’s central bank tempered recipient for what it said was solid economic growth, downgrades once the decision on ECB QE is out of the way side investors no voice in management, which is the increase. improving employment and a debt reduction path that if growth fails to pick up and Renzi does not pursue more appointed by the Communist Party. Cash-rich state Standard & Poor’s downgraded Italy’s rating to BBB- stands out in the euro-zone. forceful reforms. Renzi’s woes were exacerbated by calls on companies also pay little in dividends despite repeat- from BBB late on Friday, saying weak growth and poor ECB policymaker Ewald Nowotny emboldened those Saturday from German Chancellor Angela Merkel for ed promises by the ruling party to make them share competitiveness undermined the sustainability of its huge betting on QE, saying yesterday such a scheme could play France and Italy, the bloc’s second and third biggest more of their wealth with the public. That means prof- public debt. For many in the market the decision highlight- a valuable role in addressing economic weakness. As economies, to enact additional measures ahead of a March its for investors have to come from other traders buy- ed the need for the European Central Bank to move ahead recently as June, Italy’s BBB rating had been affirmed. The ruling by the European Commission on whether their ing their shares at a premium, which adds to incentive with sovereign bond purchases, or quantitative easing, downgrade is a setback for Renzi, who came into office in budgets conform with the bloc’s deficit and debt rules. for schemes to inflate share prices. which it has said it would consider next year, so the dam- February promising an ambitious reform agenda to lift Italy Italian bonds also underperformed Spanish and “We note that price manipulation and other illegal age to Italy’s bonds was limited. “The resilience (of) Italian out of recession but has seen the economy shrink further. Portuguese peers, whose yields were pinned near record activities are on the rise in the stock market,” a bonds clearly shows underlying demand remains pretty A rating of BB or lower is considered junk and makes it lows. Rabobank analysts said the S&P move underlined the spokesman for the securities regulator, Deng Ge, said firm and the market is putting more emphasis on what the harder for some investors to hold the debt. underperformance against Spain. Friday. The frenzy accelerated last week, when the val- ECB is going to do rather than what S&P said,” said Nick Italian 10-year yields, a proxy for borrowing costs, rose “S&P’s downgrade likely simply validates the (yield) ue of shares changing hands each day soared on Stamenkovic, an interest rate strategist at RIA Capital as much as 8 basis points to 2.03 percent before retreating spread differential between Spain and Italy rather than Friday to 1 trillion yuan ($160 billion), up from 715 bil- Markets. “Essentially the market is betting that the ECB will to trade at 1.96 percent, underperforming Ireland whose provide any additional widening impetus,” Rabobank lion yuan ($115 billion) from late November until do sovereign QED early next year.” 10-year yields hit a record low. Italy’s yields had also fallen strategists said in a note. “Going forward, with the ECB then, according to the China Securities Regulatory to an all-time low, 1.915 percent, on Friday as the market looking set to wade into the euro-zone government debt Commission. Also Friday, the number of new trading Uneven growth focused on the possibility of further ECB policy easing. The market, playing an underperformance of Italy versus Spain The rating cut highlighted the anaemic and uneven S&P statement came after European markets had closed. looks set to be something of a pain trade.” — Reuters accounts opened soared to 179,700, up from a daily average of 97,000 from Nov. 24 through Thursday. Earlier this year, that daily average was 29,000, or one- sixth of Friday’s level. Retirees’ target date funds The takeoff in prices began after state media said during the summer that stocks were cheap. “This seems to have convinced many that the government was determined to see the market rise,” said making hedge fund style bets Mark Williams, chief Asian economist for Capital Economics, in a report. “Resulting enthusiasm has to some extent now become self-reinforcing.” — AP NEW YORK: A fast-growing segment of US fund strategies, up from 10.5 percent three ers who serve them worry that these addi- have grown in popularity since the financial retirement plans is using hedge-fund type years ago, according to retirement plan con- tions mean more complexity. “How are we crisis and had $158 billion in assets as of strategies to bet a small but increasing slice of sultant Callan Associates. The median target supposed to evaluate and monitor these October, up from $37.6 billion at year-end Turkey’s lira at their assets. BlackRock Inc, the world’s largest date fund allocation to hedge fund strategies investments?” said Don Stone, director of 2008, according to Morningstar. When aver- asset manager, and Manning & Napier are rose to 5 percent in 2013, from 1.86 percent in defined contribution strategy and product age investors assess how risky their target weakest since Oct 16 among the managers that use strategies such 2011. Many target date funds saw their per- development for Pavilion Advisory Group, date funds are, however, most just look at the as shorting stocks and trading derivatives in formance plummet during the financial crisis which advises 401(k) plans. “The fact is it is allocation to equity versus fixed income, said against dollar some 401(k) retirement plans, including target because they were too heavily exposed to hard and there has to be a certain level of Jim Lauder, portfolio manager of Wells Fargo’s date funds. J P Morgan Asset Management stocks and are turning to hedge strategies to trust in the managers.” Advantage Dow Jones Target Date Funds, ISTANBUL: Turkey’s lira weakened yesterday in line with and Voya Investment Management are consid- prevent that from happening again, said Lori Mutual funds using hedge fund strategies which are index-based. —Reuters the dollar’s gains globally, which came after Friday’s US ering adding similar strategies, executives told Lucas, defined contribution practice leader for jobs figures bolstered the case for a rise in US interest Reuters. A hedge-fund style can be more retirement plan for Callan. rates next year. Turkey would be especially vulnerable expensive and riskier than just buying stocks Meanwhile, these funds’ expenses have to a rate increase in the world’s largest economy, and bonds, and workers may not fully realize risen. A 2050 target date fund with a 5 percent because it depends on foreign capital inflows to finance their exposure, retirement consultants said. On allocation to hedge funds carries a 60 basis a mammoth current account deficit, its main economic the other hand, they can act as a shock point expense ratio, nine basis higher than an handicap. absorber to events like the 2008 financial crisis. average target date fund, according to Callan. The lira weakened as far as 2.2809 against the dollar Target-date funds, where some of these That would add about $450 a year in fees to a in afternoon trade from 2.2609 late on Friday. It subse- strategies are being used, have more than retirement account containing $500,000. doubled their assets to $701 billion since Asset managers say the true value of adding quently rebounded to 2.2730 by 1344 GMT. The central 2010, according to Morningstar. US legislation alternative strategies, which are designed to bank said it would increase the volume of its daily for- in 2006 allowed employers to automatically protect investors from downside risk, will not eign exchange auctions to $40 million from Tuesday, cit- enroll employees into these funds, a default prove itself fully until equity markets stumble. ing a rise in foreign exchange rate volatility in recent feature that has spurred asset growth. “These strategies have not helped in the days. Istanbul’s main share index was down 0.42 per- In a target-date fund, retirement savers bull market but tough times will be the litmus cent at 84,920.89 points, slightly outpacing the main choose or are placed in a fund based on their test,” said Jeff Coons, president and co-direc- emerging markets index, which was down 0.53 percent. expected retirement year and the portfolio tor of research at Manning & Napier, which Banking stocks fell broadly in line with the rest of the adjusts its mix of assets, which traditionally manages about $50 billion, including about index, shrugging off a warning from Finance Minister were stocks and bonds, to become less risky $768 million in target date funds. Mehmet Simsek to three unnamed Turkish banks to over time. Last summer, Rochester, New York-based “cooperate” in fighting terrorism, reported on Sunday. About 41 percent of 401(k) plan partici- Manning & Napier’s target date funds began Data out yesterday showed Turkey’s calendar-adjust- pants invest in target-date funds, compared trading fixed income futures contracts to ed industrial production expanded 2.4 percent year-on- with 20 percent five years ago, according to hedge against interest rate risk, as well as the SPARK Institute, a Washington DC-based stock option calls and puts on stocks it holds year in October, less than the forecast in a Reuters poll TOKYO: A Shinkansen bullet train passes over a road in Tokyo yesterday. Japan’s retirement plan lobbyist. in its portfolios to hedge against equity mar- of a 3.7 percent rise. The benchmark 10-year govern- economy contracted more than initially thought in the July-September quarter, As of December 2013, 14 percent of target ket volatility. ment bond yield rose to 8.23 percent from 8.11 on revised official data revealed, showing the world’s third largest economy sank deep- date fund managers had allocations to hedge Employers with 401(k) plans and the advis- Friday. — Reuters er into recession. — AFP BUSINESS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 CBK affirms commitment to CMA rules

KUWAIT: The official spokesman of Commercial Bank of Kuwait Yacoub Al- Ibrahim commented on the trading that took place on Boubyan Bank shares during the past few days, as well as what was said by some people about the role of CBK in the sale operations of that share. The bank affirms its total commitment to the rules of Chapter 10 of the executive list of law 7/2010 with regards to Capital Market Authority and regulation of stock market activities. The rules of Article 385 speak about informing the stock market authority, the bourse and the entity on issuing Nicole Scherzinger helps British Airways launch the ‘Oculus Rift’ reality headsets. share and any change in the ownership of the share that exceeds half per cent of the issuing capital. British Airways launches a sch-amazing virtual reality experience

KUWAIT: Nicole Scherzinger, former PussycatDolls lead singer and US experiences! As a frequent traveller this new technology is super the next step to let the customer actually experience destinations in multi-platinum selling solo artist helped British Airways launch the exciting. I would use it to get inspiration for a holiday and check out the virtual world.” latest innovation, which allows customers to experience destinations somewhere new before I arrive. Being able to step into a destination To create the sensation that customers have been transported to in a virtual world before booking. The carrier is using ‘Oculus Rift’ vir- before I actually get there issch-amazing! the US,BA’s three virtual reality experiences have been created using tual reality headsets to bring three iconic US experiences to life The virtual reality experiences are part of an investigation real life footage filmed on location by six cameras on a specially through high grade, 360 degree video - riding a bucking bronco in designed to trial how technology could be used by the next genera- designed rig. The six individual videos were then stitched together to Texas, roller skating down the boardwalk on a California beach tion of travellers. Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Regional create a 360 degree experience, which transports users across the and ice skating overlooking New York’s famous skyline. Commercial Manager, Middle East and Central Asia, said, “This is just Atlantic in stunning virtual reality. Residents of Kuwait are very keen to use technology while trav- the start of what could be a huge breakthrough for future travellers. Paolo De Renzis concludes, “Virtual reality technology is develop- elling with 55percent of those recently surveyed by British Airways Imagine being able to walk around the hotel that you are about to ing fast and will be a game changer for the travel sector. It is taking using online check-in before they fly and 58 percent of those asked book, or look around Time Square to see what attractions are near- researching a business trip or holiday to the next level and soon, book their tickets online. Nicole Scherzinger said “The videos that by. It is the ultimate try before you fly. Today’s travellers are checking customers will be able to view their travel destinations from their British Airways has created transport me to some of my favorite out their destinations on TripAdvisor, street view and maps and this is homes as never before.” Ford joins initiative to help reduce youth traffic fatalities in Saudi

JEDDAH: Ford and Al-Jazirah Vehicles want to make driving in cent accidents occur because of excess speed, drivers disobey- Ford vehicles. The instructors will teach students the necessary initiative, and are looking forward to contribute, together with Saudi Arabia Safer. Ford Middle East and Al-Jazirah Vehicles ing traffic signals or use of cell phone while driving. skills for driving safely, brief them on the main hazards that our local partners, the Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co, towards Agencies Co, the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in Saudi Ford’s Driving Skills for Life program was established in they may face, and tell them how to handle some of the chal- one of key issues touching the Saudi communities by bringing Arabia, are partnering with theKing Abdulaziz University, to 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, the Governors Highway lenging situations on the road. safe driving awareness to the Saudi youth in a hands-on way.” bring Ford’s global Driving Skills for Life (DSFL)program to the Safety Association and a panel of safety experts with the mis- “Ford is proud of its rich heritage in safety leadership,” said Dr.Abdulmonem Al Hayani, dean of Student Affairs at the Kingdom. The free educational program is designed to impart sion of teaching newly licensed teens the necessary skills for Kalyana Sivagnanam, Marketing, Sales & Service director for King Abdulaziz University said: “Bringing social values to our safe driving practices to students early in their driving stages safer driving, and the importance of making good decisions Ford Middle East & North Africa.”As one of the company’s main students, including safe responsible driving skills, is a key pillar to help improve their road safety record. while driving. pillars, safety is just as reflected across the designs of Ford vehi- of our curriculum, and hosting Driving Skills for Life fits per- According to the World Health Organization’s Global Status In its first 10 years, Ford Driving Skills for Life has directly cles and their unique technologies, and our Corporate Social fectly with our goals towards shaping a cognitive and behav- Report on Road Safety 2013, Saudi Arabia has the highest road trained more than 30,000 teens in nearly 900 school districts in Responsibility activities such as Ford Driving Skills for Life, ioral student.” accident toll in the world, which now makes up the country’s 39 states, plus 15 international markets across Europe, Asia and which is designed to make a profound impact among youth Dr Essam Kawthar, executive director of the KAU Research principal cause of death in adult males aged 16 to 36. In Saudi North America. In 2013, the program made its Middle Eastern and help make them safer drivers. Endowment Fund praised the efforts of Ford and Al-Jazirah Arabia from 1971 to 1997, 564,762 persons died or were debut in the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia for this year. “Inexperience and recklessness are some of the leading Vehicles Agencies Co in promoting ‘Driving Skills For Life’ in the injured in road traffic accidents, a figure equivalent to 3.5per- The Ford Driving Skills for Life program will visit the King causes of crashes with young drivers, and this program delivers Kingdom. He commented:”As its name suggests, the informa- cent of total population of Saudi Arabia. During this period Abdulaziz University in Jeddah (December 7-11),where pro- the key skill sets that will help increase their knowledge and tion to be acquired in this program is going to be indispensa- 66,914 people died on the roads due to accidents, amounting fessional instructors will share and demonstrate special skills confidence,” Sivagnanam continued.”We are very pleased with ble and necessary for driving and road conduct to our stu- to one person killed and four injured every hour. Over 65per- and give tips on safe driving practices using specially equipped our tie-up with the King Abdulaziz University on this important dents.”

ATCO signs fiber optic network Kipco Asset Management Co contract worth KD5.877m with MoI modifies commercial to KUWAIT: ATCO company, a subsidiary of The said that this contract is owed the company’s Sultan Center signed a Contract with the efforts in participating in projects that are cus- ‘KAMCO Investment Co’ Ministry of Interior for the supply, installation, tomized to develop and modernize the overall Operation and maintenance of fiber optics net- infrastructure for the telecommunications net- KUWAIT: The shareholders at KAMCO’s clearly identifying the brand as a leading work linking the Different site of MOI (TETRA works, whether public or private sectors in the Extraordinary General Assembly have asset management and investment bank- System - Provincial Security Directorates & and state of Kuwait, and providing the latest tech- approved all resolutions on the agenda for ing player in the local and regional mar- Ministry’s general public Administrations), as nologies. KAMCO which include modification of kets. one of the Strategic back bone projects to mod- ATCO is today the leading in its domain in item (2) in the articles of association and Al-Suwaidi added, “In line with ernize Ministry of Interior’s Communications local and regional markets and positioned item (1) in the memorandum of incorpora- KAMCO’s strategy to grow its activities in network and makes it up to international stan- through state-of-the-art projects perfectly tai- tion relating to the commercial name of Kuwait and the MENA region in the fields dards marked with convenience and flexibility. lored to boost the telecom industry and enrich the company. of asset management and investment Sultan Telecom Director Mamoun Sweis Sultan Telecom Director, Mamoun Sweis also it. The shareholders of the company have banking, shareholders and management agreed to change the name of the compa- believe that this change will further ny from KIPCO Asset Management strengthen the KAMCO brand in tune with Company (Kuwaiti Shareholding Closed the strategic growth initiatives of the com- Company) to KAMCO Investment pany. KAMCO has obtained official Qalaa Holdings reports 11% Company (Kuwaiti Public Shareholding approvals from the related authorities and Company). regulators such as the Capital Markets KAMCO’s Vice chairman Entisar Abdul Authority to convene its Extraordinary rise in revenues in Q3 2014 Raheem Al-Suwaidi, emphasized that the General Assembly and to seek authoriza- objective of modifying the company tions from the shareholders of the compa- CAIRO: Qalaa Holdings (formerly Citadel EGP 45.7 million in 3Q14 from EGP 4.3 mil- to sales even as we recognize that as eco- name is part of the company’s efforts in ny for this change. Capital), an African leader in infrastructure lion the previous quarter. Expenses in the nomic conditions improve and market con- and industry, released yesterday its consoli- third quarter include EGP 17.6 million in ditions change, we will have to be some- dated financial results for the three months advisory fees related to the sale of Sphinx what more aggressive in spending - in ending 30 September 2014, reporting rev- Glass; a further EGP 24 million represents absolute terms - to capture new opportuni- ABK launches guaranteed term enues of EGP 1,726.6 million, up 11percent the group’s consolidated contribution to ties after several years of austerity.” compared with EGP 1,560.7 million in 2Q14. corporate social responsibility initiatives. Qalaa is now implementing an enter- deposit with monthly returns The company reported a net loss after Notably, Qalaa Holdings recognized in prise resource planning (ERP) system at the minority interest of EGP 59.6 million in 3Q14 its gains on the sale the previous group level. The information provided by KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait launches noting that the customer receives a certificate 3Q14. quarter of Sphinx Glass (EGP 85 million), a MIS systems has brought to light a number “Guaranteed Term Deposit” that provides its of guarantee when opening the account, For the nine months ending 30 subsidiary of Glassworks (a non-core plat- of potential cost-cutting initiatives that customers with the highest rates of monthly Furthermore customers will be able to get a September 2014, Qalaa Holdings accord- form company of Qalaa Holdings). management is presently studying. paid interest. Customers can enjoy monthly loan that is equivalent to 90percent of the payments of the interest once they open a deposited amount.” Lockie pointed out that ingly reports revenues of EGP 4,654.1 mil- Although Qalaa booked foreign exchange “As we continue to emphasize opera- deposit amount of KD 20,000, minimum for a customer satisfaction is essential for ABK and lion, a 34percent y-o-y rise compared to the losses (EGP 38.2 million) arising primarily tional performance and bring greenfields period of one year or more. said: “We are working on different levels to 9M13 pro forma figure of EGP 3,465.2 mil- from the devaluation of the Sudanese into production, our target is simple: To Stewart Lockie, ABK’s GM of Retail Banking provide them with added value solutions that lion. pound, the contribution from discontinued return to profitability in 2016 as we seize stated, “While guaranteed term deposits con- meet their financial requirements.” In the third quarter, EBITDA (before one- operations continued to improve, with a the opportunity to grow and make a lasting tribute to ease and encourage saving, cus- off charges) came in at EGP 257.9 million in strong contribution from improving results contribution to the economic development tomers are reluctant to participate in such 3Q14, a 39percent improvement q-o-q. at subsidiary ASEC Holding’s Algerian of our home market of Egypt,” concluded plans due to Long waiting periods. However Meanwhile, EBIT rose two-fold to EGP 120.6 cement producer Zahana Cement Co. Heikal. “We expect to report FY14 EBITDA of this service will enable us to fulfill our cus- million on the back of top-line improve- “Our efforts to dispose of non-core com- some EGP 600-650 million and will look to tomers’ needs where they receive monthly ments as well as decreased Depreciation panies - both discontinued and operational see that figure grow significantly in the payments. and Amortization expenses. - are ongoing. To that end, Qalaa is next fiscal year. In conjunction with our Lockie added, “ABK’s management reviews “Our financials reflect a clear improve- engaged in negotiations on multiple fronts. efforts to return to profitability, we are dili- interest rates every six months, In case of fluc- ment in operational performance both Our expectation is thus that the gently working to reduce debt at every lev- tuating interest rates, the customer will bene- quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year owing Discontinued Operations line item will no el of the organization.” fit by receiving higher rates if the rates go up, to both strong management of the busi- longer be a component of our income By year-end 2014, it is expected that and if it declines, we guarantee the agreed nesses across our core industries as well as statement by the end of 1Q15,” said Qalaa total debt at the Qalaa Holdings level will rate at the time of depositing as stated in the an improving macro climate, particularly in Holdings Managing Director and Co- decrease to US$ c. 260 million from US$ 300 Guarantee Certificate furthermore, in case Egypt,” said Qalaa Holdings Chairman and Founder Hisham El-Khazindar million in FY13. The company continues to there was a raise in interest rates the cus- Founder Ahmed Heikal. Meanwhile, said El-Khazindar, “We will push forward with reducing debt carried on tomer will automatically get the new rates, in Non-recurring SG&A expenses rose to continue to target a declining ratio of SG&A the operational company levels. case of decline the management guarantees the agreed price when depositing, and thus the client guarantees the low interest rates technology TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 E-cigarette tech takes off as regulation looms

RICHMOND, Virginia: Just a few years “I think it’s fair to say that there will lar cigarettes. Some, known as “cig-a- ago, early adopters of e-cigarettes got always be some degree of a gap between likes,” look like traditional cigarettes and their fix by clumsily screwing together a (data) and the latest innovations,” Mitch use sealed cartridges that hold liquid small battery and a plastic cartridge con- Zeller, director of the US Food and Drug nicotine. Others have empty compart- taining cotton soaked with nicotine. Administration’s Center for Tobacco ments or tanks that users can fill their Now, the battery-powered contrap- Products, said in a recent interview with own liquid. Users also can buy different tions have computer chips to regulate the AP. “But that’s the beauty of regula- batteries and pieces to build their own puffs and temperature, track usage, talk tion because over time, regulation closes e-cigarette. to other electronic devices and even blink that gap. ... We will get to a point where Ultimately the FDA hopes to require e- when “vapers” are near each other. new products have to come through us cigarette makers to apply for approval for US officials say the technology race first.” It’s unclear how quickly regulation their products before they can be sold. could make creating standards the will proceed, but the FDA seems to be The nation’s biggest tobacco companies, devices, which heat a liquid to create taking a deliberate approach. which have also started selling e-ciga- vapor rather than burning tobacco, more In April, the FDA for the first time pro- rettes, boast their own technology. difficult in the future. Unlike traditional posed a set of regulations for e-cigarettes, Reynolds American Inc.’s Vuse-brand elec- smokes that are simply chopped tobacco including banning sales to minors and tronic cigarette contains a microprocessor rolled in paper with a filter, e-cigarettes requiring health warning labels, as well as and memory chip that regulate the power come in many shapes and sizes and the approving new products. The agency has to heat the liquid nicotine for what the technological changes only make regulat- said its proposal sets a foundation for reg- company calls the “perfect puff.” Altria ing them more of a headache. ulating the products but the rules would- Group Inc.’s MarkTen has four holes on the At the same time, a rapidly growing n’t immediately ban the wide array of fla- mouthpiece that that make the puffs market for e-cigarettes and the possibility vors or styles of e-cigarettes or curb mar- more closely resemble a traditional ciga- that the devices could be safer than regu- keting on places like TV. rette. Lorillard Inc.’s Blu e-cig brand offers RICHMOND: A smoker poses for photos while taking a puff on a Smokio, an electronic lar cigarettes have some in the industry Smokers like e-cigarettes because a special carrying case that lights up cigarette or vaporizer that connects to an iPhone and other smartphones via worried that regulation that’s too heavy- the nicotine-infused vapor looks like when near another vaper or alerts the Bluetooth to track puffs, tally the cost-savings and possible health benefits from handed would stifle the technological smoke but doesn’t contain the thou- user when near a store that sells replace- switching from regular cigarettes, in Richmond, Virginia. — AP innovation - and their businesses. sands of chemicals, tar or odor of regu- ment cartridges. — AP

M&S shoppers face longer wait for online orders

LONDON: Marks & Spencer, Britain’s biggest options,” M&S said in a statement yesterday. “The clothing retailer by sales, admitted yesterday it vast majority of orders are delivered on time. If had been forced to extend delivery times for we do miss a delivery date, we will do all we can online orders as a new distribution centre has to rectify it for the customer.” struggled to cope with heavy Christmas Shares in M&S were down 3.3 percent at 481 demand. Improving its online offer is a central pence at 1121 GMT, valuing the company at 7.9 plank of M&S’s strategy to reverse nearly a billion pounds ($12.3 billion). The retailer’s fully decade of market share decline in its clothing automated 900,000 square foot, e-commerce business. Its stock was the second-biggest faller distribution centre in Castle Donington, central on Britain’s FTSE 100 index of blue-chips yester- England, opened in April last year and was day. scheduled to reach full capacity in the run-up to The retailer had attracted a jump in orders Christmas this year. during its four-day promotion, which started on “It’s the first Christmas of having all M&S.com Nov. 28 to coincide with “Black Friday” events there. With an operation of that scale, you are across the industry. To ensure delivery options always going to get some onsite challenges,” an offered to customers were accurate, M&S M&S spokesman said. M&S’s new website went extended slots on its website for standard deliv- live in April this year but has also been beset by ery from three to five days to as many as 10 days teething problems. M&S.com sales fell 6.3 per- and withdrew next-day delivery, prompting cent in the first half to Sept. 27, though the firm some complaints on social media. Next-day said last month it was on track to return to delivery to homes has since been switched back growth ahead of the peak trading period. A glim- on, but deliveries to stores are still taking two to mer of improvement in women’s clothing helped three days. M&S post its first rise in first-half profit for four “Our customer is always our top priority and years in November, though analysts said it was that is why we’ve extended some of our delivery too soon to declare a turnaround. — Reuters HuffPost launches in LAS VEGAS: An attendee plays Fruit Ninja at the Panasonic booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. More than a year after federal India, eyes China edition regulators issued new privacy rules for kids’ mobile apps, online stores remain flooded with cute and silly software programs that quietly collect vast amounts of data on the youngest consumers, including a person’s location and even recordings of their voice, according to privacy NEW DELHI: The Huffington Post launched an The Greek-born editor said India held “special researchers and consumer advocates. — AP Indian version of its news website yesterday, significance” as she studied in the country in her seeking to tap the country’s exploding number late teens. The Indian edition led with a story of Internet users, and announced its next big headlined “Uber and Out”-about the US-based Mobile apps still collect goal was a Chinese edition. The AOL-owned cab service being banned in New Delhi over the website featuring, news, entertainment, health alleged rape of a female customer by a driver and blogs, has allied with The Times of India booked through the company. The Huffington Group to launch HuffPost India, its 13th edition Post, which began launching international edi- information on US kids worldwide. tions three years ago, has been using a format It hopes to gain new readers in the world’s abroad in which it teams up with a local media second most populous nation of 1.25 billion, firm. It is planning launches in coming months Online stores flooded with cute software programs where smartphones and other Internet-enabled of an Arabic-language edition and an Australian devices are proliferating. But it faces fierce com- Huffington Post and said its next big project petition in India’s crowded online media scene, could be China. WASHINGTON: More than a year after US regula- blacks and Hispanics. They also warn that data from rate charges that their companies knowingly col- competing with a host of local newspaper sites “We’d like to put China on the roadmap, we tors issued new privacy rules for kids’ mobile apps, phones can be combined with offline information lected information on young children through their and international offerings such as Buzzfeed and hope we can do business there,” said The online stores are flooded with cute software pro- like home prices, race or income in ways that could mobile apps. Quartz. “This is a wonderful chance for us,” said Huffington Post chief executive Jimmy grams that quietly collect vast amounts of data on violate fair lending laws. And a new site, “ According to PrivacyGrade.org, which is run by editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington, who found- Maymann. “China is really pushing the bound- the youngest consumers, including their location PrivacyGrade.org, found that many popular kids’ computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, ed the website in 2005, adding she wanted aries in (online) innovation. We know the and even recordings of their voice, according to pri- apps like Talking Tom and Fruit Ninja collect infor- scores of apps that collect information are still HuffPost India to “tell the stories that matter (media) restrictions” but “We’re really bullish on vacy researchers. mation in ways parents wouldn’t necessarily aimed at kids. most” to the country. China,” he said.—AFP Whether they pass that information on to retail- expect. For example, Fruit Ninja collects a phone’s loca- ers or seek parental consent first - as required by Concerned in particular about industries’ focus tion, which could be passed on to advertisers. And law - isn’t entirely clear. But US parents who don’t on kids online, the Federal Trade Commission in Talking Tom, where kids can talk to and “tickle” an want their family tracked online by fast food chains, July 2013 now requires app developers to get alley cat using the touch screen, collects a child’s toy stores or other retailers have limited choices: parental consent before collecting personal data on audio recordings. Outfit7, the developer behind Stick the phone in “airplane mode” to shut off the anyone younger than 13. “It’s upped the ante for Talking Tom, said in a statement that personal infor- wireless connection and risk losing functionality, or companies deciding whether they are going to mation and recordings are never shared with wade through a developer’s privacy policy to make market to kids,” said Michelle De Mooy of the advertisers and the app complies with regulations sure you’re OK with it. “Kids are such a lucrative mar- Center for Democracy and Technology. “And that’s a “to distinguish adults from minors and restrict shar- ket, especially for apps,” said Jeff Chester, executive good thing.” ing on social media.” director of the Center for Digital Democracy. But with the number of smartphones expected Halfbrick Studios, which developed Fruit Ninja, “Unfortunately, there are still companies out there to reach 3.5 billion in the next five years, according said in a statement that it planned to release that are more concerned about generating revenue to Forrester Research, the mobile app and advertis- updates to Fruit Ninja and other apps to increase than protecting the privacy of kids.” ing industry has exploded. Regulators don’t have privacy protections. Jason Hong, who runs Americans have traded vast amounts of person- an easy, automated way of analyzing the hundreds PrivacyGrade.org, says it’s hard to know exactly al data in exchange for the ease and functionality of of mobile apps popping up each day. what developers are doing with the information fun mobile applications on their phones. But how is Since the updated regulation went into effect, they collect. Hong said he thinks the government TOKYO: US founder of The Huffington Post Arianna Huffington delivers a speech during a industry using that information? the FTC has brought about only two enforcement should devote more resources to evaluating popu- press conference in Tokyo. The Huffington Post launched an Indian version of its news Chester and other consumer advocates allege actions against mobile apps. In September, the lar apps and working with developers to promote website yesterday, seeking to tap the country’s exploding number of Internet users, and that fast food chains are increasingly focusing commission announced that Yelp Inc. agreed to basic privacy standards. “It’s part of a long conversa- announced its next big goal was a Chinese edition. — AFP advertising dollars on digital media, targeting pay $450,000 and TinyCo. $300,000 to settle sepa- tion about what is privacy,” he said. — AP Internet giants wage war Amazon hit by on pop-up ad blockers pre-Christmas PARIS: Imagine being able to surf the web Depending on the website, the percent- season strike and watch videos online without having to age of viewers equipped with ad-blocking swat away pesky pop-up ads? These days software ranges from 10 to 60 percent you can, thanks to small programs like Internet users may dream about ad-free in Germany Adblock Plus that are available free for surfing, but for advertisers and web publish- download and that arm your browser to ers, who rely on ads to fund content, ad- BERLIN: Workers went on strike at a German site of defend against ads. Flashing banner ads, blocking applications are the stuff of night- Amazon yesterday, aiming to hit the US online “pre-roll” ads (short ads that play before a mares. retail giant in the busy pre-Christmas season amid video), pop-up notices that cover the whole “This is no small matter; it affects all pub- a long-running pay dispute. Services sector union screen-few of them make it past ad blocking lishers. Our members have lost an estimated Verdi said workers had walked out at midnight software. In the beginning, the applications 20 to 40 per cent of their advertising rev- local time (2300 GMT) at one of the company’s nine acted under the radar, and were known enue,” Laure de Lataillade, CEO of GESTE, an distribution centres in Germany, in the central city mainly only to young people or the really association of web publishers in gaming, of Bad Hersfeld in Hesse state. tech-savvy. But now they’re catching on. media, music and other domains, said. The Verdi said it wanted to “raise the pressure on Amazon in the Christmas sales season” while Adblock Plus has nearly five million active growing popularity of ad blockers comes as Amazon was offering a special discounts campaign users in France, with a further two million in companies plough more and more money and volume was up sharply. The union wants the United Kingdom and 1.5 million in into internet advertising. Amazon to bring the pay of its some 9,000 workers Spain. A quarter of the $545 billion spent on in Germany in line with wages in the mail order and Worldwide, they have amassed about global advertising this year went on digital retail industry. Amazon has argued that its centers 144 million active users, up 69 per cent in a ads. To protect that investment, a group of are logistics sites and that it pays its staff according- year, according to a September report from publishers in France, including Google, ly. Verdi will keep up the pressure in the dispute, Adobe software developer and PageFair, a Microsoft and Le Figaro newspaper, have now entering its second year, “as long as Amazon BAD HERSFELD: Employees of internet retail giant Amazon staging a strike in front of the compa- company that helps publishers see which threatened legal action against the devel- denies workers respect and protection through col- ny’s logistics center in Bad Hersfeld, central Germany. Workers went on strike at the site of Amazon ads are being blocked. opers of ad blocking software. —AFP lective agreements”, said the union’s Stefanie yesterday aiming to hit the US online retail giant in the busy pre-Christmas season amid a long-run- Nutzenberger. — AFP ning pay dispute. — AFP TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE Malaria deaths halved since 2000, Ebola risks gains

GENEVA: The number of people dying 3.9 million children’s deaths averted. The billion euros) in 2013 against a $5.1 billion said WHO director-general Margaret Chan. fight against Ebola because the two have from malaria has almost halved since 2000, number of infections in the region at any international target. And as a result, major Health workers had been increasingly similar symptoms, making it difficult to although progress in west Africa risks one time fell 26 percent during the same gaps remain. While access to insecticide- using simple tests to diagnose malaria on diagnose the deadly virus, the WHO has being reversed by the Ebola outbreak, the 13-year period. Meanwhile 13 of the 97 treated bed nets has improved, 278 million the spot, to better target treatments. But said. World Health Organization said yesterday. malarial countries reported no cases of the of the 840 million people at risk in sub- these have been suspended in Ebola UNICEF last week launched a campaign The UN agency also warned of major gaps disease last year, including two, Azerbaijan Saharan Africa still live in households with- areas. to provide anti-malarial drugs to 2.4 mil- in access to mosquito nets and anti-malar- and Sri Lanka, which recorded their first out one. As many as 15 million pregnant Many people with malaria are also stay- lion people in Sierra Leone, while global ia treatments, as well as the worrying ever zero result. “These are truly unprece- women do not receive any preventative ing away from clinics, and if “they are not aid agency Doctors Without Borders is emergence of resistance to the most com- dented results and phenomenal news in treatment, while 437,000 African children getting treated, you can be sure that mor- conducting a smaller scale effort in monly used insecticides. Worldwide, terms of global health,” said Pedro Alonso, are still dying from the disease each year. tality is going to increase”, said Richard Liberia. Another issue threatening malaria deaths were down 47 percent director of the WHO’s global malaria pro- Cibulskis, lead author of the malaria progress on malaria across the world is the between 2000 and 2013 and decreased 53 gram. Ebola threatens gains report. The total death toll from malaria rise of insecticide resistance, which has percent in children under the age of five, He attributed the progress in large part Any gains can be fragile. In Sierra across the three countries was expected been reported in 49 countries since 2010 the WHO said in its annual report on the to increasing financial and political com- Leone, Guinea and Liberia, the Ebola out- to be about 20,000 a year before the out- 39 of which reported resistance to two or disease. mitment, in particular regional efforts to break has halted malaria programs in break. Cibulskis would not predict a figure more insecticide classes. “Emerging drug- In sub-Saharan Africa, where 90 percent work together to eliminate malaria. some areas and put huge strain on health now. More than 6,100 people have died and insecticide-resistance continues to of all malaria deaths occur, the mortality However, despite a threefold increase in services. “The collapse of health systems from Ebola in the region in the past year. pose a major threat, and if left unad- rate decreased by 54 percent — 58 per- investment since 2005, malaria programs has affected all core malaria interventions Aside from the direct consequences, the dressed, could trigger an upsurge in cent in under fives, the equivalent of about are still underfunded — $2.7 billion (2.2 and is threatening to reverse recent gains,” resurgence of malaria could also harm the deaths,” Chan said. —AFP US FDA prices ‘lost pleasure’ of junk food into calorie count rule

NEW YORK: US health regulators estimate that con- Congress to change the rule, but declined to say whether But some leading economists say there is no justifica- sumers will suffer up to $5.27 billion in “lost pleasure” over they would cite the lost pleasure factor. tion for the FDA’s application of consumer surplus to calo- 20 years when calorie counts on restaurant menus dis- The FDA said the analysis balances the benefits to con- rie counts, since the government is not banning a product courage people from ordering french fries, brownies and sumers when calorie information leads them to eat but just making information available. other high-calorie favorites. The lost-pleasure analysis, healthier with the sense of deprivation people may feel Consumers who eat healthier as a result “are presum- which is criticized by some leading economists and public when they give up foods they enjoy. The new rule takes ably doing so because they are now better informed,” said health groups, was tucked into new regulations published effect in a year. “It increases the quality and objectivity of Kenneth Warner of the University of Michigan, one of the last month by the US Food and Drug Administration the analysis of estimated benefits,” said FDA spokes- nation’s leading experts on cost-benefit analysis. Anything which require chain restaurants, grocery store chains sell- woman Jennifer Corbett Dooren. a consumer freely chooses should not be treated as a forced loss of pleasure, he argued. According to FDA documents, for the lost-pleasure analysis the agency relied almost solely on a 2011 paper by then-graduate student Jason Abaluck. In an interview, he defended the FDA’s decision to reduce its estimate of the health benefits from labeling in part because “healthier foods are worse off on other dimensions such as taste, price, and convenience.” A revised version of the paper will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal soon, said Abaluck, who now teaches at the Yale University School of Management. Brownie or apple? In May, Reuters reported that the FDA had applied the lost-pleasure factor when analyzing its proposed rules on electronic cigarettes. Agency economists said factoring in the sense of deprivation smokers would suffer reduced the benefits of tighter regulation by 70 percent. In a public AUSTRALIA: A handout photo shows people standing around one of six comment on the proposed rule sent in August, nine lead- sperm whales washed up dead in a rare mass stranding on the South ing economists including Jonathan Gruber of MIT and Australia coast. —AFP Thomas Schelling of the University of Maryland, said there was no economic basis for using consumer surplus in that case, partly because smoking is addictive rather than vol- Six sperm whales die in rare untary. In its analysis of calorie counts on menus, the FDA pro- mass beaching in Australia jected that the rule would lead to fewer cases of obesity, Type-2 diabetes and heart disease, fewer medical costs to SYDNEY: A pod of six sperm whales welfare manager Deborah Kelly said it was treat those diseases, and less suffering as a result of devel- washed up dead yesterday in a rare mass rare to see whales beach in the area. “I oping those conditions. It estimates the total economic stranding on the South Australia coast, haven’t seen a marine event like this in value of those benefits at $5.3 billion to $15.8 billion over with animal welfare officials struggling over South Australia since the mass stranding of ing prepared food, large vending machine operators, The agency does not believe its use has weakened the 20 years. The range reflects the uncertainty in how much the logistics of handling the huge carcass- 58 dolphins at Nepean Bay in the 1990s,” movie theaters and amusement parks to display calorie menu regulation, since the projected benefits still out- calorie counts on menus will change people’s behavior. es. The whales, which can weigh up to 50 she told the Adelaide Advertiser. The counts. weigh the expected industry costs and any lost pleasure The agency also put a dollar value on the lost enjoy- tons, were found at low tide by residents department official said police and the Public health advocates alerted Reuters to the inclu- combined, she said. At the low end of its estimates, FDA ment consumers might feel if the calorie figures made on Parara beach, about 150 kilometers (93 council were considering their options on sion of the analysis, which they say makes such regula- projects that the menu rule will bring net benefits of them avoid certain foods, such as an 800-calorie miles) northwest of Adelaide. “We’re not how to handle the carcasses, which were tions more vulnerable to challenges by industry because about 10 cents per person per day. brownie, in favor of, say, a 100-calorie apple. The calcu- sure why they beached,” a Department of now in shallow waters and could attract it narrows the gap between the government’s projections The FDA did not name or make available the staff lation does not include any gain in immediate pleasure Environment official told AFP. sharks. “It’s a very big logistical task,” the of a regulation’s benefits and costs. Amit Narang, an attor- economists who conducted the analysis. Their work is if the consumer enjoys the apple more than the brown- “A theory is that one was ill and moved official said. Sperm whales is the largest of ney at Public Citizen, said the lost pleasure calculation based on a concept called “consumer surplus” long ie or feels virtuous for healthier eating. The agency’s to shallow waters and then called out to the toothed whale species and can grow could help companies or trade groups to challenge the employed by economists to calculate benefits people get economists estimated the lost pleasure at $2.2 billion fellow pod members who followed it in.” A up 16 meters (52 feet). It has the largest menu rule in court. Peter Larkin, chief executive of the from various goods and services which may not be fully to $5.27 billion over 20 years. That range reflects the local fisherman suggested they could have brain of any known animal currently in exis- National Grocers Association, warned last week the calorie captured by market prices. For example, if a government imprecise science of assigning dollar values to lost been chasing a school of salmon. Animal tence. —AFP count regulation would impose “a large and costly regula- turned a playground into an industrial park, or banned enjoyment, they explained. They then subtracted those tory burden.” Laura Strange, a spokeswoman for the pizza, the pleasure people lose from not having the park sums from the rule’s estimated benefits, cutting them group, said the grocers would work with supporters in or eating a slice counts as a “cost” of the action. significantly. —Reuters Saudi names new health minister to combat MERS virus

Religious nonprofits challenge health law RIYADH: King Abdullah named a new ture and information portfolio after DENVER: Faith-based nonprofit organiza- dozen nursing homes for impoverished The rule “does not require nonprofit wants such coverage to come through health minister yesterday to lead the fight Abdulaziz Khoja was sacked in November. A tions that object to covering birth control seniors. Last year the US Supreme Court religious organizations with religious the institutions’ own plans. against the MERS virus that has cost more royal decree fired Khoja after militants killed in their employee health plans are in fed- offered the nuns a short-term reprieve on objections to contract, arrange, pay, or than 350 lives in Saudi Arabia, after his pred- eight members of the minority Shiite com- eral court yesterday to challenge a birth- the exemption pending their appeal. refer for that coverage,” lawyers for the Reaching Souls International ecessor was sacked. Mohammed bin Ali bin munity in an unprecedented attack in control compromise they say still compels The government argued yesterday federal government wrote in a 2013 fil- “It’s our plan, that’s what they want to Hayazaa Al-Hayazaa replaces Abdullah Al- Eastern Province. The decree said Khoja left them to violate their religious beliefs. The that its 2013 rule on religious groups and ing. The nuns’ lawyer, Mark Rienzi of the control,” Rienzi said. “Millions of people Rabiah who was dismissed in April as con- the job “at his request”. His dismissal fol- plaintiffs include a group of Colorado contraceptives, which requires only that a Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, said the around the world get contraceptives with cerns grew over the kingdom’s handling of lowed Shiite calls for action against hate nuns and four Christian colleges in religious group sign “a self-certification government is free to provide contracep- no nuns involved. It’s almost laughable.” the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coro- speech in the media. Major posts including Oklahoma. They are already exempt from form stating that it is an eligible organization coverage on its own without need- Under the health care law, most health navirus (MERS-CoV). defence, foreign affairs and oil were covering contraceptives under the federal tion,” does not make that religious group ing any action at all by the religious insti- insurance plans have to cover all Food Before Hayazaa’s appointment as part of unchanged in yesteraday’s shuffle which health care law. complicit in providing contraceptives. tutions. The government, he said, simply and Drug Administration-approved con- a cabinet reshuffle, Labor Minister Adel also made changes to the following min- But they say the exemption doesn’t go traceptives as preventive care for women, Fakieh had been serving as acting health istries: far enough because they must sign away free of cost to the patient. minister. During the tenure of Fakieh, who At higher education, Khalid bin Abdullah the coverage to another party, making Churches and other houses of wor- promised “transparency” over MERS, the Al-Sabti replaces Khalid bin Mohammed Al- them feel complicit in providing the con- ship are exempt from the birth control World Health Organization said a surge in Angari. traceptives. The groups are appealing to requirement, but affiliated institutions MERS cases had receded but urged contin- At Islamic affairs and endowments, the 10th Circuit in Denver, the court that that serve the general public are not. That ued vigilance. Suleiman bin Abdullah Aba Al- Khail replaces ruled last year that for-profit companies includes charitable organizations, univer- In October the ministry said MERS Sheikh Salih bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh. can join the exempted religious organiza- sities and hospitals. In addition to the remained a significant threat to Saudi At communications and information tions and not provide the contraceptives. Denver nuns, the 10th Circuit is hearing Arabia, after a series of cases in the western technology, Fahad bin Mutad bin Shafaq Al- The US Supreme Court later agreed challenges from Southern Nazarene city of Taif. Research by Saudi scientists indi- Hamad replaces Mohammed Jameel bin with the 10th Circuit in the case brought University, Oklahoma Baptist University, cates that camels play a role in the transmis- Ahmed Mala. by the Hobby Lobby arts-and-crafts chain. Mid-America University and Oklahoma sion of the virus to humans. MERS has sur- At social affairs, Salman bin Saad Al- The birth-control rule has been among Wesleyan University. Also challenging the faced in about 20 countries but hit the Gulf Hameed replaces Yousif bin Ahmed Al- the most divisive aspects of the health waiver process is a group called Reaching kingdom hardest, with 818 cases and 352 Othaimain. care overhaul. Some advocates for Souls International, an evangelist deaths since 2012. The health minister and At agriculture, Waleed bin Abdul Kareem women praise the mandate, but some DENVER: File photo shows Mother Patricia Mary, top right, Oklahoma organization that does other new cabinet members were appoint- Al-Khuraiji replaces Fahad bin Abdul Rahman ed through royal decrees published by the Balghunaim. religious groups have decried it as an watches as volunteer coordinator Lindsey Graveley, center, Christian mission work overseas. The attack on religious freedom. three-judge panel hearing arguments official Saudi Press Agency. At transport, Abdullah bin helps residents work on art projects at the Mullen Home for In another key replacement, Abdul Aziz Abdulrahman al-Muqbel replaces Jabara The Denver nuns, called the Little the Aged, run by Little Sisters of the Poor. —AP yesterday includes one who also ruled in Sisters of the Poor, run more than two the Hobby Lobby decision. —AP bin Abdullah Al-Khudairi takes over the cul- bin Eid Al-Siresri. —AFP Al-Sayer Medical Company launch advanced equipment from Thera Trainer

KUWAIT: Al-Sayer Medical Company, the company’s eagerness to provide everything exclusive distributor of Thera Trainer, con- new from medical equipment to support ducted an event in Regency Hotel to launch physiotherapists in Kuwait in line with the a new collection of rehabilitation and physio- objectives of the Ministry of Health to pro- therapy equipment from Thera Trainer from vide remarkable medical services, also in line Germany, which is one of the most impor- with the Al-Sayer Group Holding strategy of tant worldwide companies manufacturing offering the latest of quality products of medical equipment in this field. The event major international companies in all areas was attended by a large number of physio- and give attention to strengthening the therapy specialists from the government and commitment to the community. private sectors, and they showed interest in Moreover, Anna Busiri Regional Director the new technologies introduced by Thera of Sales for the company Thera Trainer was Trainer equipment and that help in raising pleased to launch the new range of equip- the efficiency of medical services provided to ment from Thera Trainer in Kuwait, and its patients. Also, it was an opportunity for them strong partnership with Al-Sayer Medical to experience the equipment in practical Company in order to provide the latest tech- way during the event. nology in the field of rehabilitation and phys- Dr HossamAfify, General Manager of Al- iotherapy and put it in reach of physiothera- Sayer Medical Company, stressed on the py doctors in Kuwait. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 HEALTH & SCIENCE

For Chobani founder, American dream made of Greek yogurt

NEW YORK: It only took Turkish immi- student job at a farm in a yogurt-produc- Manhattan’s trendy SoHo neighborhood. 2013 seems to have left the company rel- Germany and France, according to the grant Hamdi Ulukaya’s yogurt seven ing region of New York state, and the But, he emphasized, it’s the yogurt that atively unscathed. US Department of Agriculture. years to sweep American grocery isles, rest, of course, was history. The blossom- “will close the deal.” Meanwhile the yogurt market has Ulukaya would like to encourage where Chobani now competes with ing entrepreneur signed up for a busi- In October 2007 Chobani-named been totally recast: Greek yogurt now yogurt consumption for other US meals some of the biggest brands like Danone ness program at the University of Albany after the Turkish word for shepherd-was accounts for 40 percent of the $8 billion besides breakfast. He envisions yogurt and Yoplait. “I love winning, I hate failure,” in New York state. officially born. It contained no fat, twice US yogurt industry. And Chobani, which with oats, a sour cream rival, and a mues- said the 42-year-old, whose story epito- the protein of its peers and no artificial employs 2,000 people, boasts 40 percent li-infused product. He invested $450 mil- mizes the American dream. When Self-made man flavors. At the time, Danone and Yoplait of that market share. lion in a plant in Twin Falls, Idaho, consid- Ulukaya arrived in the United States, he During a visit to the United States, his accounted for 71 percent of the ered to be the biggest production facility had $3,000 in his pocket. Today, he’s at father complained about the quality of American yogurt market, according to The future of Chobani for fresh products in the world. Medium- the helm of the trendy Greek yogurt feta-a traditional soft, Greek cheese-and AllianceBernstein. Greek yogurt account- With his medium build and sporty term plans could see Chobani traded on industry. suggested his son make his own. ed for only two percent. In 2009, things look, Ulukaya, who dresses in casual the stock market and making strategic Creamy, rich in protein and low in fat, Ulukaya founded Euphrates, a feta com- really took off when the ShopRite gro- attire, lives with his two German partnerships. “Greek yogurt” made from cow’s milk is pany that supplied local restaurants and cery chain began selling Chobani. Shepherds in the town of New Berlin, This year Ulukaya received a $750 mil- increasingly prized by health-conscious retailers. Then in 2004, he came across an Other large retailers such as Trader New York. He seems unfazed by his new- lion investment from TPG Capital, which consumers, and it has benefited from the advertisement for a dairy specializing in Joe’s, Costco and Whole Foods, jumped found wealth and is not one to flock to gives the firm a less than 20 percent growing popularity of the Mediterranean fresh products for $700,000. on board-and sales followed. Whole posh social scenes. He calls himself sin- equity stake if performance targets are diet in the Western world. Ulukaya, who Thanks to $1 million provided in large Foods stopped selling Chobani in 2013, gle rather than divorced. His ex-wife, met. The transaction sets the company’s was born into a nomadic family in the part by a small-business loan program, saying it wanted to sell more niche who is suing him, is asking for $1 billion, value at roughly $4 billion. Despite some town of Ilic sometime in late October Ulukaya became the owner in August yogurts. Last year, Chobani sales exceed- which she says accounts for almost a trial runs in Asia and Europe, Ulukaya 1972 and landed in New York in 1994 to 2005. And after 18 months of testing, his ed $1 billion, and they are estimated to third of the company that she claims she shelved international expansion plans study English, sensed an opportunity. recipe-which he packaged in larger con- come in at around $1.5 billion this year. helped finance. In the United States, and will soon open cafes where Chobani Like many immigrants, he was home- tainers than competitors-was ready. “It Even a mold outbreak that caused a average yogurt consumption lies at 14 products will be sold. “I am focused on sick for his country, which he left for was all about the package. It will catch recall of certain products with “best by” pounds (6.36 kilograms) per person per the American market. Yogurt is underde- political reasons. But he took solace in a your eye,” he said, seated at a table in dates between September and October year compared with 60 pounds in veloped in America,” he said. —AFP China farmers washed away as Beijing taps water from south ‘We made a sacrifice for the country’

NANYANG: Before their villages were submerged Huang Jianchao, 50, said that transport was better in In the 1950s, more 400,000 people were forced to beneath a gargantuan scheme to move water hundreds their new home, “but there’s no work to do, and we have relocate to make way for the Sanmenxia dam in north- of kilometers to China’s arid north, government officials less land than before”-a regularly echoed complaint. “My ern China. A senior official later described the dam as “a promised farmers better lives far from their ancestral income was higher before we moved”. The relocation stupid mistake” after it clogged with silt. Those forced to homes. Water is due to start flowing this month along office of Nanyang city, where the four villages are locat- move for the latest megaproject are victims of China’s the central route of the South-North Water Diversion ed, told AFP that all migrants received at least 700 square centralized politics, said academics who have studied it. project, a monumental $81 billion design to salve the meters of “productive” land, and a 600 yuan annual pay- “The cities and communities around the Danjiangkou thirst of Beijing and surrounding regions. But many of ment for 20 years. It admitted that “embezzlement” of reservoir are politically and economically less important the more than 300,000 people who made way for it have relocation funds was a problem but said the number of than China’s capital region,” said Britt-Crow Miller, assis- been left unemployed in leaking, shoddy houses, while few say they have been given the compensation they CHINA: Visitors on top of the Danjiangkou dam, at Danjiankou in China’s central were pledged. Hubei province. The grand scheme was suggested by Communist China’s founding father Mao Zedong more than 60 years ago, and analysts say the migrants’ plight shows how little megaproject management has changed since his era. Jia Xinlong remembers pounding rain soaking the ground as an entire village loaded their possessions- generations’ worth of furniture and agricultural tools- onto lorries which would take them more than 300 kilometers away. When they arrived three years ago at their new home-a clump of dozens of identical white houses rising out of surrounding fields called Yaojia New Migrant Village-some burst into tears. “We felt uneasy. The houses were badly built, the ceilings were already cracking,” Jia said, pointing out gaps in the plastered roofing of a shop. “We made a sacrifice for the country,” said his friend Jia Zhangjun, “and we lost out.”

‘The country asked us’ The Chinese government says the project will solve a CHINA: villagers, who were relocated to make way for the expansion of the chronic shortage in the cities of the country’s north, sup- Danjiangkou reservoir. CHINA: This photo shows a factory partly submerged below the Danjiangkou reser- plying Beijing with a billion cubic meters of water every voir near Jianying village. —AFP photos year. Northern China supports nearly half the country’s population and economy but has just a fifth of the cases “was not too many to be checked”. Nonetheless tant professor of geography at the University of national water supply, according to the World Bank. more than a dozen migrants interviewed by AFP said California, adding the migrants were left “without choice Recent statistics show that Beijing’s water levels have fall- that they had not received their payments, blaming cor- in the matter”. en to just 120 cubic meters per person-less than Algeria ruption. “We haven’t received anything,” said Liang Scott Moore at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and roughly on par with Yemen and Israel, all three of Qingfeng, 40, in Liangzhuangdong. “The central policies of Government said the project planning showed that them largely desert. are good, but they aren’t enforced.” “not much has changed since Mao in terms of public The South-North Water Diversion project is an consultation”. But despite their disappointments, some attempt to address the shortfall by reshaping the very ‘Satisfaction doesn’t matter’ migrants spoke with pride of “making a contribution” to geography of China, and according to state media its The displaced are among millions of Chinese relocat- China’s development. middle route has required at least 330,000 people in the ed in recent decades by vast engineering experiments In a rare migrant village constructed within sight of central provinces of Henan and Hubei to move. Migrants that have fuelled the country’s economic boom. More its original location, a 71-year-old woman surnamed Liu in four villages visited by AFP had their homes sub- than a million people were moved to make way for the pointed towards her house, now submerged under an merged under the newly expanded Danjiangkou reser- massive Three Gorges dam-the world’s largest by gener- enormous blue reservoir. “We all miss home because our voir, from where water flows to the capital through 1,264 ating capacity-before it opened around a decade ago. ancestors are buried there. On important festivals we kilometers of pipes. “The country asked us to move. So Thousands remain in poverty, and China’s government need to return there to burn offerings,” she said. we had no choice,” said Xu Zhenyan, an elderly man who in 2012 made a rare admission that the treatment of “Whether we are satisfied doesn’t matter. It’s a national CHINA: Villagers chatting near rows of apartments built for villagers relocated to was transplanted 150 kilometers to Liangzhuangdong migrants relocated for the dam was still an “urgent prob- policy. When we are called, satisfaction doesn’t come make way for the expansion of the Danjiangkou reservoir. New Village. lem”. into it.” —AFP WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

LuLu Exchange opens branch in Salmiya Opens 15th branch in Kuwait

uLu Exchange, one of the leading global remittance and foreign the service of our valued customers, with a commitment to bring exchange brand, commenced the operations of its 15th outlet them only the best, be it service offerings, accessibility, and technolo- Lyesterday. The new branch located at Salmiya area will further gy or customer experience in the bargain.” Adeeb mentioned. strengthen LuLu Exchange’s strong network of branches across the “This branch is dedicated to the service of our valued customers, State of Kuwait. Colonel Bader Shuker Al Mutairi, a senior official in with a commitment to bring them only the best, be it service offer- the Kuwaiti police force inaugurated the new branch situated at Easa ings, accessibility, and technology or customer experience in the bar- Al Qatami Street, Salmiya in the presence of the senior management gain.” Adeeb stated. of LuLu Exchange and other dignitaries. The new branch has been strategically located to provide easy On the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Adeeb Ahamed, access for LuLu Exchange’s wide and growing customer base in vari- Director - LuLu Exchange said, “We are pleased to open this new out- ous areas. It has been outfitted with state-of-the-art technologies let in Salmiya area. By opening up more branches in both commercial enabling it to provide even more efficient and effective services to the and residential areas, LuLu Exchange is able to serve people who do exchange house’s customers. The branch in Salmiya will grant cus- not have easy access to these facilities. LuLu Exchange is keen on tomers access to all of the competitive and innovative products and building a strategic network across Kuwait, considering the needs of services that the exchange house has to offer. customers as well as by reacting immediately to changing market It is the company’s ongoing commitment to enhance the cus- dynamics. Our expansion is based on extensive market research, and tomer experience by identifying customer requirements. The compa- our confidence in long- and short-term economic indicators in the ny’s corporate slogan, “Valuing Your Trust” is the reflection of the com- State of Kuwait.” pany itself. LuLu Exchange has been successful in tirelessly delivering “At LuLu Exchange, we facilitate financial transaction services that the best of service excellence to its customers earning their complete are secure, instant and compliant through state-of-the-art systems satisfaction and trust in the bargain. that deliver flexibility, reliability, and transparency. With the opening The exchange house currently has 15 branches across the State of of this new branch, LuLu Exchange will cater to a large number of the Kuwait, each in Al Rai, Mangaf, Mirgab, Dajeej and Khaitan while two expatriates of this fast growing country. We dedicate this branch to branches in Fahaheel, Farwaniya, Mahaboula, and Abbasiya regions. Jumeirah Group reveals latest updates at GCC roadshow

umeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a 22 properties around the world. member of Dubai Holding, successfully held its annual During the presentations, Jumeirah Group showcased JGCC roadshow across key markets in the region includ- recent developments, including the re-designed rooms, ing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait and suites and lobby lounge at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the refur- the UAE. bished Sinbad’s Kids Club at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the In Kuwait, members of the top travel trade, tour opera- refurbished rooms at Mina A’Salam at Madinat Jumeirah, tors, travel agencies and clients were updated with the the newly refurbished suites at Jumeirah Emirates Towers most recent developments and offerings across Jumeirah’s and the enhanced facilities for kids at Burj Al Arab

Jumeirah, completed in conjunction with the hotel’s 15th shared at the roadshow include the ultimate ‘Romantic anniversary celebrations. Getaway’ package at Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the The two-bedroom villas at Jumeirah Vittavelli in the Maldives for couples looking to reconnect and relax this Maldives were also unveiled at the roadshow. This new villa winter. In London, Grosvenor House Apartments by category offers convenient luxury accommodation for fam- Jumeirah Living is offering guests the chance to shake off ilies or couples seeking additional space. The sleek and the winter blues with the launch of the ‘Stay 7, Pay 5 Winter contemporary new look of Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in Escapes’ offer. This is an exclusive seven-night stay in a one- London was also unveiled, as was the completely or two-bedroom residence, for the price of five nights, revamped lobby, Kubbeli Saloon tea lounge and library at which includes a complimentary £100 Harrods or Hamleys Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul. gift voucher. Jumeirah Group’s expansion plans were announced and Further updates from the Jumeirah Group included guests at the roadshow were briefed about the 430-room details of its new contemporary lifestyle brand Venu - a extension of Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, which will repre- bold, ambitious, and cosmopolitan brand reflective of the sent the completion of one of the most luxurious and suc- spirit of Dubai. With the first Venu hotel to be located on cessful resorts in the world. It was further revealed that Bluewaters Island in Dubai, it was also disclosed that the within the next five years, Jumeirah Group will be opening Jumeirah Group is in discussions with developers and additional hotels in St. Petersburg, Dubai, Jordan, China, investors on more projects in the Middle East, Asia and Bali and Oman. Upcoming winter and summer promotions Europe.

‘History of Kuwait’s democracy’ ur monthly diwaniya will be held today, December 9 at 7 pm entitled “History of Kuwait’s Democracy”. The past Oyears have been remarkable. They have included some of the major protests in the history of the Country, an unprecedented incident where a Kuwaiti lady was jailed for expressing her opinion, & lots more. The root of it all goes back many years. This diwaniya will shed light on the History of Democracy in Kuwait, & how the country reached its current status. Al Bara Al Wuhaib is an activist, who served several organizations. He vol- unteered in the Kuwaiti Red Crescent during the Iraq war in 2003. He’s also a member in the Kuwaiti Human Rights Foundation, the Kuwait Transparency Society, a founder of a Book Reading Club (as part of Al Jalees project), & the Assistant Manager for the Kuwait Memorial Museum.

What’s On - Submission Guidelines

All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. TSC Wholesale Center, Dajeej hosts Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone students from Iqra’a Bilingual School numbers. Articles and photos that

fail to meet these requirements will n alliance with its leading social responsibility program ments and products including items from the various food the organic and gluten free products TSC offers and the not be published. and its commitment towards the educational sector; groups that can be found within the store. healthy habits people should be following in order to con- IThe Sultan Center hosted students from Iqra’a Bilingual Amelia Jansen - teacher at Iqra’a Bilingual School- said: duct a healthy lifestyle”. Please send them to School at TSC Wholesale Center in Dajeej to learn about “Through our visit to TSC Wholesale Center and the tour According to Darwish, “TSC is committed to supporting healthy foods and store operations.During the visit, stu- we took, we’ve learned about the different sections of the these educational opportunities across its countries of [email protected] dents were given a personal tour by Sultan Darwish - TSC store. The tour was also equipped with plenty of useful and operation and encourage schools and students to visit the Store Manager - where he explained the different depart- educational information about the various food groups, stores to learn about TSC retail operations.” WHAT’S ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

—Photos by Joseph Shagra IWS holds annual seasonal dinner evening

By Nawara Fattahova to thank the ladies here for their hard work “On Wednesday, IWG members are invit- during the whole year, and for their advice ed to visit the recycling eco-park in he International Women’s Group and help. It’s been a fantastic year, and Yarmouk. Any member who wishes to plant (IWG) held its annual seasonal dinner they made my stay special as I felt like a tree in honor of the country is welcome Ton Sunday evening at the Radisson home,” she pointed out. to do so, and can bring her own tree to Blu Hotel. This event was attended by most Narjis Al-Shatti, member of IWG and the plant on this day. It will be a nice opportu- of IWG’s members and prominent ladies of PR and media department, said that these nity to enjoy the day out in the park. The the community. The audience enjoyed the meetings are important, since various use- mayor of Yarmouk and his team will also be colorful dances of India presented by ful activities and programs are presented providing gifts to everyone attending,” not- artistes set to Hindustani classical music during it, such as health lectures, field vis- ed Shatti. and old Hindi songs. The program was fol- its to different places and many others. It’s The IWG Kuwait chapter is a branch of lowed by a buffet dinner in the theme of also a great opportunity to meet friends the International Women’s Association Christmas, and the attendees were also and new members. The members are meet- based in Denmark and has branches all given gifts. ing regularly and hold various events and over the world, where they organize similar Gargi Jain, the spouse of the Indian activities. “These activities include visiting programs and activities. Here in Kuwait the Ambassador to Kuwait, addressed a wel- traditional places and others, and other wives of new ambassadors will meet with come speech where she expressed her cultural activities such as those presented the other members to exchange informa- happiness of the successful cultural and by diplomatic women from their countries,” tion about their country, tradition, food, social activities of the group. “I would like she stated. culture, etc.

Sushi - Courtyard by Marriott Hotel now open

he Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait City by an extensive photography session along for individuals who are seeking a relaxed to its customers with its distinctive style the experience, while also satisfying their tastes for Hotel recently announced the opening of with the Cluster General Manager for Kuwait atmosphere combined with the exclusive and chef brings to this restaurant. The guests in one of the world’s fastest growing cuisines.” Tits Sushi Japanese restaurant available for Marriott Hotels, Mr. George Aoun. attentive Marriott hospitality. Kuwait have shown keen interest in this cuisine The Sushi Japanese restaurant is the latest lunch and dinner. The much awaited inaugura- The restaurant, located on the 2nd floor of The guests can hand pick from a variety of in the recent past and Sushi Japanese restau- addition to the Courtyard restaurant family tion for the restaurant was held earlier last Courtyard by Marriott Kuwait Hotel gives its freshly prepared sushi and sashimi at the sushi rant commits itself to provide unsurpassable along with the famous Atrium Restaurant serv- month and a media lunch event was held yes- guest the opportunity to have conversations bar along with other meat items. The menu has service and satisfy guest needs by delivering ing international cuisine and the trendy Soul & terday. Journalists and photographers from the and enjoy their meal in a modern and welcom- been designed for guests to enjoy from a vari- top quality and authentic Japanese cuisine. Spice Indian Restaurant. Courtyard by Marriott industry were invited to foresee this occasion. ing ambience while providing them with the ety of choices including fresh house salads, George Aoun, the cluster GM also stated, Kuwait City offers great discounts to its loyal Guests had an opportunity to dine in a relaxing authentic flavors of Japan. The restaurant also tempuras for starters to sushi, teriyaki and tep- “We are delighted to have Sushi Japanese customers facilitated through the Marriott and welcoming ambience and were served an fits perfectly with the lifestyle of business pan-yaki for main course. Restaurant introduced to the local public. It is a Executive Card. The Marriott Executive Card exclusive lunch specially prepared by our guests who are time constrained and look at The Sushi Japanese Restaurant is all set to pleasure to see our local and international members can enjoy discounts, complimentary Executive Chef. The lunch event was followed quick and easy lunch/dinner options or ideal deliver a unique blend of taste and ambience guests enjoying Sushi’s memorable dining vouchers and much more. TV PROGRAMS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

16:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! 07:00 Golfing World 23:15 The Recruit-PG 18:00 Paul O’grady For The Love Of 08:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Dogs 11:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 11:30 Hero Indian Super League 00:05 Chopped 18:20 The Jonathan Ross Show DISCOVERY CHANNEL HD Highlights 00:55 Amazing Wedding Cakes 19:10 Coronation Street 00:20 Gold Rush 12:00 Golfing World 01:45 Guy’s Big Bite 20:00 Paul O’grady For The Love Of 01:10 Alaskan Bush People 13:00 Hero Indian Super League 00:00 According To Jim 02:10 Guy’s Big Bite Dogs 02:00 Fast N’ Loud Highlights 00:30 Castle 02:35 Jenny Morris Cooks The 20:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out 02:50 Storage Hunters 13:30 Hero Indian Super League 01:30 Grey’s Anatomy Riviera Of Here! 03:15 Game Of Pawns Highlights 02:30 According To Jim 03:00 Jenny Morris Cooks The 22:00 Coronation Street 14:00 Live Hero Indian Super 03:00 The Listener 03:40 Garage Gold Riviera 22:50 Emmerdale League Football 04:00 The Listener 04:05 How It’s Made 03:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 23:45 May The Best House Win 16:30 Live Hero Indian Super 05:00 According To Jim 04:30 How It’s Made 03:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes Abroad League Football 05:30 Melissa & Joey 05:00 Treehouse Masters 04:40 All You Can Meat 19:00 Futbol Mundial 05:55 Melissa & Joey 06:00 Wheeler Dealers 05:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 19:30 NFL 06:30 Dirt 06:50 Extreme Fishing 05:30 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 22:00 NHL 07:30 The Walking Dead 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 05:50 Siba’s Table 08:30 Castle 08:30 Storage Hunters 06:10 Sweet Genius 09:30 According To Jim 08:55 Game Of Pawns 07:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 00:00 Evolutions 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 09:20 Garage Gold 07:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 01:00 Engineering Connections 11:00 According To Jim 09:45 How It’s Made 07:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:00 Situation Critical 02:30 PGA Tour Year in Review 11:30 The Listener 10:10 How It’s Made 08:15 Chopped 03:00 Battleground Brothers 03:30 WWE This Week 12:30 The Listener 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 04:00 Live WWE Raw 10:35 Gold Rush 04:00 Adventure Wanted 13:30 According To Jim Basics 07:00 International Rugby Union 11:25 Gold Rush 05:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 14:00 Melissa & Joey 09:30 Chopped Canada 09:00 Golfing World 12:15 Alaskan Bush People 06:00 WWII’s Greatest Raids 14:30 Melissa & Joey 10:20 Recipes That Rock 10:00 PGA Tour Highlights 13:05 Storage Hunters 07:00 Murder, Mayhem & Meerkats 15:00 Dirt 10:45 All You Can Meat 11:00 Trans world Sport 16:00 The Walking Dead 13:30 Game Of Pawns 08:00 Evolutions 11:10 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 09:00 Engineering Connections 12:00 UIM Class 1 Powerboat 17:00 Grey’s Anatomy 13:55 Garage Gold 11:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 10:00 Situation Critical Highlights 18:00 Army Wives 14:20 Extreme Fishing 12:00 Chopped 11:00 Egypt Underworld 12:30 UIM F1 Nations Cup 19:00 MasterChef Australia 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 12:50 Siba’s Table 12:00 Knights Of Mayhem Highlights 20:00 Switched At Birth 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 13:15 Jenny Morris Cooks The 13:00 Family Guns 13:00 Top 14 Highlights 21:00 According To Jim 16:50 How It’s Made Riviera 14:00 Great Migrations 13:30 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 21:25 According To Jim 17:15 How It’s Made 13:40 Mystery Diners 15:00 The Known Universe 14:00 Golfing World 22:00 Detroit 1-8-7 17:40 Treehouse Masters 14:05 Guy’s Grocery Games 16:00 Tsunami: The Day The Wave 15:00 WWE Raw 23:00 The Walking Dead 18:30 Deadly Islands 14:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin Struck 18:00 WWE Experience 19:20 Dual Survival 15:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 17:00 Salvage Code Red 19:00 WWE Afterburn 15:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes 20:00 WWE Raw 20:10 Container Wars 18:00 Master Of Disaster 16:35 Chopped 23:00 Golfing World 20:35 Garage Gold 19:00 The Known Universe 17:25 Jenny Morris Cooks The 21:00 Get Out Alive With Bear 20:00 Tsunami: The Day The Wave Riviera 00:10 The Philadelphia Story-FAM Grylls Struck 17:50 Guy’s Big Bite 02:05 Wild Rovers 21:50 Deadly Islands 21:00 Salvage Code Red 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 22:00 Master Of Disaster 04:15 Seven Days In May 22:40 Dual Survival 18:40 Siba’s Table 23:00 Egypt Underworld 07:00 The Fighting 69th-PG 23:30 Get Out Alive With Bear 19:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 00:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe ODI 08:25 Show Boat-FAM Grylls 19:30 Mystery Diners Highlights 10:15 April In Paris-PG 19:55 Burger Land 01:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe ODI 11:55 The Dirty Dozen 20:20 Guy’s Grocery Games Highlights 14:20 Julie-PG 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 02:30 ICC Cricket 360 16:00 Two Weeks In Another Town- 22:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 00:00 Enlisted 03:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 PG 22:25 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 04:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 17:45 The Arrangement-PG 22:50 Ching’s Restaurant Stewart IRON MAN 3 ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 05:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 19:50 The Hill-PG Redemption 00:00 Giuliana & Bill 01:00 The Colbert Report 07:00 ICC Cricket 360 22:00 The Split 23:40 Burger Land 00:55 The Soup 01:30 Saturday Night Live 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 14:15 The Expendables 2-PG15 14:15 Luke And Lucy: The Texas 07:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 23:30 Young Bess-FAM 01:25 Keeping Up With The 02:30 Wilfred Stewart 16:00 The Grandmaster-PG15 Rangers 09:00 New Zealand v South Africa Kardashians 03:00 Raising Hope 21:30 The Colbert Report 18:00 The Philly Kid-PG15 16:00 Barbie And The Magic Of ODI Highlights 02:20 E! News 03:30 The Goldbergs 22:00 Eastbound & Down 20:00 2 Fast 2 Furious-PG15 Pegasus 10:00 New Zealand v South Africa 03:15 Escape Club 04:00 Men At Work 22:30 South Park 22:00 Recoil-PG15 17:30 Happily N’Ever After 2: Snow ODI Highlights 04:10 THS 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 23:00 Legit White 11:00 ICC Cricket 360 05:05 E!ES Jimmy Fallon 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 19:00 Speed Racer 11:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 00:00 Pawn Stars UK 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take 00:40 Ade In Britain 05:30 Better Off Ted 21:15 Tad, The Lost Explorer 12:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 01:00 Storage Wars 01:30 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 23:00 Barbie And The Magic Of 14:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 01:30 Pawn Stars Miami 06:00 Til Death 00:00 3 Geezers!-18 Tour Pegasus 14:30 Story of the World Cup 1992 03:00 Pawn Stars UK 06:55 Keeping Up With The 06:30 My Name Is Earl 02:00 Chalet Girl-PG15 02:00 Emmerdale 16:00 ICC Cricket 360 04:00 Storage Wars Kardashians 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 04:00 Addams Family Values-PG 02:55 Coronation Street 00:00 Suits 16:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 04:30 Storage Wars 07:50 Style Star 08:00 Men At Work 06:00 So I Married An Axe 03:25 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out 01:00 Homeland Highlights 05:00 Pawn Stars 08:30 Better Off Ted Murderer-PG15 08:20 E! News Of Here! 02:00 The Newsroom 17:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 05:30 Pawn Stars 09:00 Raising Hope 08:00 What About Bob?-PG 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 04:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 03:00 Supernatural Highlights 06:00 Duck Dynasty 09:30 Dads 10:00 Mr. 3000-PG 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 05:15 May The Best House Win 04:00 Revenge 18:30 India v Sri Lanka ODI 06:30 Duck Dynasty 10:00 Baby Daddy 12:00 Big Trouble-PG15 00:00 World War Z-PG15 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Abroad 05:00 Once Upon A Time Highlights 07:00 Storage Wars: New York 10:30 My Name Is Earl 14:00 Old Stock-PG15 02:00 Ender’s Game-PG15 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 06:10 Paddock To Plate 06:00 Suits 19:30 ICC Cricket 360 07:30 Counting Cars 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 16:00 What About Bob?-PG 04:00 Chinese Zodiac-PG15 12:05 E! News 07:05 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 07:00 Sleepy Hollow 20:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 08:00 Pawn Stars Jimmy Fallon 18:00 The Guilt Trip-PG15 06:15 Despicable Me 2-PG 13:05 Extreme Close-Up Tour 08:00 C.S.I. 21:30 ICC Cricket 360 09:00 American Restoration 12:00 Til Death 20:00 Seeking A Friend For The End 08:00 42-PG15 13:35 The E! True Hollywood Story 07:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out 09:00 Once Upon A Time 22:00 LG ICC Awards 2014 09:30 Pawn Stars UK 12:30 Men At Work Of The World-PG15 10:15 Lego Batman: The Movie - DC 14:30 Style Star Of Here! 11:00 Revenge 23:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 10:00 Storage Wars: New York 13:00 Better Off Ted 22:00 A Haunted House-18 Super Heroes Unite-PG 08:25 The Jonathan Ross Show 12:00 Emmerdale 23:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 10:30 Counting Cars 15:00 Keeping Up With The 13:30 My Name Is Earl 12:00 A Good Day To Die Hard- 09:20 Billy Connolly: Journey To 12:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Pawn Stars Kardashians 14:00 The Goldbergs PG15 The Edge... 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 12:00 Storage Wars 16:00 Keeping Up With The 14:30 Dads 13:45 Salmon Fishing In The 10:15 May The Best House Win 14:00 C.S.I. 12:30 Storage Wars Kardashians 15:00 Baby Daddy Yemen-PG15 Abroad 15:00 Suits 13:00 Pawn Stars 17:00 Giuliana & Bill 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon 15:45 42-PG15 11:10 Emmerdale 16:00 Emmerdale 14:00 Ice Road Truckers 18:00 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills Stewart 18:00 47 Ronin-PG15 12:00 Coronation Street 16:30 Coronation Street 01:15 25th Hour 15:00 Pawn Stars UK 18:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 16:00 The Colbert Report 01:15 Beasts Of The Southern Wild- 20:00 Friends With Kids-PG15 12:55 Paul O’grady For The Love Of 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 03:30 Inferno-PG 15:30 Pawn Stars UK 19:00 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 16:30 Til Death PG15 22:00 About Time-PG15 Dogs 18:00 C.S.I. 05:15 Air Force One 16:00 Pawn Stars 20:00 Fashion Bloggers 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 03:00 Empire State-PG15 13:25 Paddock To Plate 19:00 Switched At Birth 05:00 The Words-PG15 07:30 The Rookie-PG 19:00 Storage Wars 20:30 Fashion Bloggers 18:00 Raising Hope 14:20 Brendan’s Magical Mystery 20:00 State Of Affairs 07:00 The Impossible-PG15 09:45 Bolt-PG 19:30 Storage Wars 21:00 House Of DVF 18:30 Welcome To The Family Tour 21:00 The Voice 09:00 Struck By Lightning-PG15 11:30 I Am Number Four 20:00 Pawn Stars 22:00 E! News 19:00 The Simpsons 14:45 May The Best House Win 23:00 Supernatural 11:00 The Words-PG15 01:30 Golfing World 13:30 Shanghai Noon 21:00 Pawn Stars UK 23:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 19:30 Baby Daddy Abroad 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 13:00 The Impossible-PG15 02:30 Trans world Sport 15:30 10 Items Or Less 21:30 Pawn Stars UK Hamptons 15:35 Harry At 30 Jimmy Fallon 15:00 Knife Fight-PG15 03:30 Snooker Champion of 17:00 Pirates Of The Caribbean: At 22:00 Pawn Stars 17:00 Struck By Lightning-PG15 Champions World’s End 22:30 Storage Wars 19:00 There Be Dragons-PG15 06:30 Hero Indian Super League 20:00 Unbreakable 23:00 Storage Wars 21:00 The Letter-PG15 Highlights 21:45 The Replacement Killers 23:30 Storage Wars 00:00 Necessary Roughness 23:00 Lovelace-18 01:00 Good Morning America 03:00 The Client List 04:00 Strike Back 05:00 Good Morning America 07:00 Emmerdale 00:30 Drive-18 07:30 Coronation Street 02:30 Internal Affairs-18 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 04:30 Citizen Gangster-PG15 09:00 24 06:45 Hold Fast-PG15 10:00 Emmerdale 09:00 Spiderwick Chronicles-PG 10:30 Coronation Street 11:00 Atlas Shrugged-PG15 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 13:00 Alfie Boe: The Bring Him 12:00 Castle Home Tour-PG15 13:00 Necessary Roughness 15:00 The Greatest Movie Ever 14:00 24 Sold-PG15 15:00 Live Good Morning America 16:30 Spiderwick Chronicles-PG 17:00 Castle 18:30 Prisoners-PG15 18:00 Necessary Roughness 21:00 The Great Gatsby-PG15 19:00 24 23:30 Beyond Borders-18 20:00 Castle 21:00 Necessary Roughness 22:00 The Client List 23:00 Strike Back 01:00 McCanick-PG15 03:00 Austenland-PG15 05:00 A Christmas Wish-PG15 06:45 The Fifth Estate-PG15 09:00 Madea’s Witness Protection- 00:00 The Expendables 2 PG15 02:00 April Rain 11:00 A Christmas Wish-PG15 04:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms 13:00 One Direction: This Is Us-PG 06:00 Money Kills 15:00 The Sapphires-PG15 08:00 The Expendables 2 17:00 Madea’s Witness Protection- 09:45 Waterworld PG15 12:00 Iron Man 3 19:00 Parker-PG15 14:15 Bad Company 21:00 Killer Joe-18 16:15 The Expendables 2 22:45 Rush-18 18:00 The Grandmaster 20:00 The Philly Kid 22:00 2 Fast 2 Furious

01:00 The Apple & The Worm 02:30 Home Alone 04:15 The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle 00:00 April Rain-PG15 06:00 Arthur’s Missing Pal 02:00 Hellboy: Sword Of Storms-PG 07:45 Luke And Lucy: The Texas 04:00 Money Kills-PG15 Rangers 06:00 The Expendables 2-PG15 09:30 Happily N’Ever After 2: Snow 07:45 Waterworld-PG15 White 10:00 Iron Man 3-PG15 11:00 Jelly T WATERWORLD ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 12:15 Bad Company-PG15 12:30 Tad, The Lost Explorer BIG TROUBLE ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY HD Classifieds

TUES DAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

SITUATION WANTED CHANGE OF NAME Kuwait Well-experienced Indian accountant, currently work- I, Anil Raun ing as accounting consult- Kanakkattusseril, holder of ant, looking for the post of Indian Passport No. senior accountant or chief Z2110755 issued in Kuwait accountant with transfer- hereby change my name to able visa. Contact: read as Anil KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO 97934610. (C 4872) Kanakkattusseril Raun. 7-11-2014 Address: Kanakkattusseril House, Cherai P.O. 683514, WEDNESDAY (04/12/2014 TO 10/12/2014) Looking for job, driver, Ernakulam District, Kerala, knowledge of all Kuwaiti India. SHARQIA-1 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 5:00 PM areas. Contact: 55748362. (C 4873) NIGHTCRAWLER 11:45 AM NIGHTCRAWLER 7:00 PM (C 4874) 8-12-2014 NIGHTCRAWLER 2:30 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 9:30 PM 6-12-2014 NIGHTCRAWLER 5:00 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 12:05 AM I, Imtiaz Ali Ahadar, holder NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 7:15 PM of Indian Passport No. NIGHTCRAWLER 9:45 PM FANAR-3 H3125342 issued at Kuwait NIGHTCRAWLER 12:15 AM HELLION (Retribution) 12:00 PM FOR SALE on 03/06/2009 to change CAMP X-RAY 2:00 PM my name as Imthiyaz Ali. SHARQIA-2 HELLION (Retribution) 4:15 PM RECLAIM 11:30 AM CAMP X-RAY 6:15 PM Address: Balarama Nagar RECLAIM 2:00 PM HELLION (Retribution) 8:45 PM Pajero 1996 model, color Vada Thadeshwara, RECLAIM 4:00 PM CAMP X-RAY 10:45 PM red, used by a lady, good Kodavoor Malpe, Udupi, RECLAIM 6:00 PM HELLION (Retribution) 1:00 AM condition, passing till Aug 576118. RECLAIM 8:00 PM 2015. Tel: 66152130. (C 4876) RECLAIM 10:00 PM FANAR-4 8-12-2014 RECLAIM 12:05 AM RECLAIM 11:45 AM I, Jyoti Aka Jyotikaben RECLAIM 1:45 PM Sanjaykumar Mistory hold- For sale two coats, long SHARQIA-3 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 4:00 PM er of Indian Passport THE PYRAMID 12:00 PM RECLAIM 6:00 PM black leather coat from G2949178 presently resid- THE PYRAMID 2:15 PM RECLAIM 8:00 PM Turkey, size M. price: 65 KD. ing in Kuwait, notify chang- No: 16365 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 4:15 PM RECLAIM 10:00 PM White artificial fur under- PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 6:15 PM RECLAIM 12:05 AM ing my name to read as THE PYRAMID 8:15 PM knee length coat size M. Jyoti Sanjaykumar Mistry THE PYRAMID 10:15 PM FANAR-5 price 50 KD. Please contact (C 4873) THE PYRAMID 12:30 AM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 11:30 AM 66293005 6-12-2014 NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 1:30 PM 7-12-2014 MUHALAB-1 ACTION JACKSON-HINDI 3:30 PM THE PYRAMID 11:45 AM ACTION JACKSON-HINDI 6:45 PM THE PYRAMID 1:45 PM ACTION JACKSON-HINDI 9:45 PM Honda CRV 2009 (regis- SITUATION VACANT THE PYRAMID 3:45 PM NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 12:45 AM tered in 2010) low mileage, NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 5:45 PM 45000 kms, silver color, Required a chef for a THE PYRAMID 7:45 PM MARINA-1 excellent condition, lady THE PYRAMID 9:45 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 12:15 PM respected family, who THE PYRAMID 11:45 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 3:00 PM driven, full option, sunroof cooks Arab and Asian cui- NORTHMEN - A VIKING SAGA 5:30 PM & reverse sensor, new tyres sine. Call: 99006777. MUHALAB-2 NIGHTCRAWLER 7:30 PM etc. KD 4500. Serious buy- RECLAIM 11:30 AM NIGHTCRAWLER 10:00 PM ers only contact mobile No. Required driver for Kuwaiti RECLAIM 1:30 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 12:30 AM 99048938. (C 4875) family. Tel: 66600625. RECLAIM 3:30 PM (C4867) ACTION JACKSON-HINDI 5:30 PM MARINA-2 6-12-2014 RECLAIM 8:30 PM THE PYRAMID 11:45 AM RECLAIM 10:30 PM THE PYRAMID 1:45 PM RECLAIM 12:30 AM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 3:45 PM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR 5:45 PM MUHALAB-3 THE PYRAMID 7:45 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 12:00 PM THE PYRAMID 9:45 PM 112 NIGHTCRAWLER 2:30 PM THE PYRAMID 12:05 AM PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR-3D 5:00 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 7:00 PM MARINA-3 NIGHTCRAWLER 9:30 PM RECLAIM 12:45 PM NIGHTCRAWLER 12:05 AM HELLION (Retribution) 2:45 PM Prayer timings RECLAIM 4:45 PM THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FANAR-1 HELLION (Retribution) 6:45 PM Fajr: 05:05 THE PYRAMID 12:15 PM RECLAIM 8:45 PM FORCIVIL INFORMATION THE PYRAMID 2:30 PM RECLAIM 10:45 PM Shorook 06:30 THE PYRAMID 4:30 PM RECLAIM 12:45 AM Automated enquiry THE PYRAMID 6:30 PM Duhr: 11:40 THE PYRAMID 8:30 PM AVENUES-1 about the Civil ID card is THE PYRAMID 10:30 PM CAMP X-RAY 12:15 PM THE PYRAMID 12:30 AM FALCON RISING 2:30 PM Asr: 14:31 CAMP X-RAY 4:45 PM FANAR-2 FALCON RISING 7:00 PM Maghrib: 16:50 NIGHTCRAWLER 11:45 AM CAMP X-RAY 9:15 PM 1889988 NIGHTCRAWLER 2:30 PM CAMP X-RAY 11:30 PM Isha: 18:12

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

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 9/12/2014 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 Departure Flights on Tuesday 9/12/2014 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 14:30 Airlines Flt Route Time MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 JZR 335 Al Najaf 14:50 BBC 044 Dhaka 00:20 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 PIA 206 Lahore 00:40 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 KLM 411 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:10 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 KLM 411 Amsterdam 01:55 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 DLH 635 Frankfurt 02:15 SVA 501 Jeddah 15:45 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 ETH 621 Addis Ababa 02:45 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 ETH 620 Addis Ababa 01:45 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 KAC 741 Dammam 17:00 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 RJA 648 Amman 03:05 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 KAC 786 Jeddah 18:45 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 THY 6776 Istanbul 05:05 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 THY 6776 Dubai 06:35 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 SYR 341 Damascus 18:55 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 AXB 393 Kozhikode 19:15 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 ABY 121 Sharjah 19:20 TSY 170 Bahrain 05:40 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 IAW 1160 Al Najaf 07:00 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 IAW 1159 Baghdad 06:00 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 RJA 649 Amman 07:05 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 BAW 157 London 06:40 KAC 678 Muscat/Abu Dhabi 19:25 JZR 560 Sohag 07:10 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 KAC 542 Cairo 19:25 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 SYR 342 Damascus 19:55 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 AXB 393 Kozhikode 20:15 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 SVA 512 Riyadh 07:55 KAC 166 Paris/Rome 19:40 JZR 330 Al Najaf 08:30 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KAC 104 London 19:55 BAW 156 London 08:45 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 KAC 382 Delhi 08:15 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 KAC 343 Chennai 20:55 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 KAC 742 Dammam 20:00 KAC 513 Tehran 08:55 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 SVA 513 Riyadh 08:55 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 KAC 332 Trivandrum 08:30 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:25 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 DLH 636 Frankfurt 20:50 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 KAC 282 Dhaka 09:20 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 DLH 636 Dammam 21:35 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 TSY 171 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 381 Delhi 22:00 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 JZR 332 Al Najaf 10:40 KAC 301 Mumbai 22:15 IRA 675 Lar 10:40 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 JZR 334 Al Najaf 11:10 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 DHX 172 Bahrain 22:10 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 MEA 404 Beirut 11:55 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 IRA 674 Lar 11:40 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 JZR 331 Al Najaf 12:10 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 KAC 541 Cairo 12:05 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 AIC 981 Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad 22:30 KAC 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 12:20 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 PIA 239 Sialkot 22:35 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 DHX 173 Bahrain 23:10 KAC 514 Tehran 13:10 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 JZR 561 Sohag 13:45 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 MEA 405 Beirut 12:55 PIA 240 Sialkot 23:35 JZR 333 Al Najaf 14:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 KAC 785 Jeddah 13:00 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION stars34 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

CROSSWORD 749 STAR TRACK

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

Your horizons are opening up and you are on the right path as far as Freedom, as well as anything unusual or different, is what interests your professional life is concerned. You will accomplish a lot before you now. You may enjoy opportunities to get away from the regular noon. This could be a banner day for those of you working in sales; almost all the routine-a change of pace. You have a clear perception into your own inner sense things sold this morning seem to be big-ticket items. There is a positive accent on of values, how you acknowledge and love. It should be a good time to examine matters in the afternoon but progress is slow. Someone that you are close to is going and give thought as to what is really important and of lasting value. Ideas will be to need your help and guidance concerning important personal issues. Tensions calm flowing to you easily-you will have a lot to talk about. Your mind is quite clear and as the day moves along. Looking for new ways to bring the old traditions back into natural. Taking a different approach to things, assessing new ideas and a break- your life keeps you busy this afternoon; perhaps a little shopping is in order. You plan through in thinking are right up your alley at this time. Don’t take an important the details of the next family get-together. Company may drop by unexpectedly this relationship for granted this evening. Show your appreciation to this person . . . evening. Results are positive.

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

This is a very good time to organize the company party or to bring Being included on a special outing with co-workers is gratifying. Being together and organize your affairs or to restructure your work schedule. Professional sensitive to and understanding the needs of others gives you insight associations and associates push you to be the best you can be. Rise to the occasion into how you communicate regarding group activities and brotherhood in general. and meet the challenge. Barriers or obstacles that might have been keeping you Your unique and unusual capabilities are trying to evolve. It’s a good probability that from realizing your full potential will become less meaningful. You make friends eas- someone close to you will understand and be supportive of your ideas. Allowing the ily and may find yourself with plenty of co-workers to help you. A positive attitude creative and intuitive parts of your personality to come forth could surprise you. benefits you greatly. Let optimism lead you to a happy outcome in this endeavor. Home-based activities are a focus this evening. Before going to sleep this night you You may see value or love for an older person or someone in authority. There is a lot may decide to listen to one of the hypnotic relaxation tapes. You will absorb into your- of energy and drive available to accomplish just about anything that you feel is nec- self positive thoughts. Consider a nutritional consultation . . . Balancing out your phys- essary. ical needs.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Feeling in touch or in harmony with those around you helps you to real- Everybody needs a day like this day. Look around and be grateful for the ize that all lines of communication are wide open for you. It’s a time calm and the balance because some birthdays are just destined to be when you should not be surprised at some sort of extra support or recognition. You rowdy. There is a lot of business to tend to today but you are willing and able to take should expect a little added boost. This afternoon you may find enjoyment in reading on your full share and then some. This birthday is one that you can look back on and smile. Have a camera ready because there will be some fun, unique, special and unfor- ACROSS tivity theory to quantum mechanics and a romantic book or taking in a movie or video. Ideas and thoughts just seem to hold more meaning and form at this time. Others may find you quite charismatic or com- gettable moments to share. Take a little time to consider the parts of your life where 1. A condition (mostly in boys) characterized by predicted the existence of antimatter and manding in speech. People will have no problem in understanding just what you you are most thankful. Concentrate on the physical and mental feelings so that you behavioral and learning disorders. the positron (1902-1984). mean. Your optimism and faith will be strong and carry you through to many success- can pull them up from your memory in future times of needing a bit of positive think- 4. The northernmost islands are part of Papua 4. Something clearly established. es. Expect a whirlwind of fun at a social gathering this evening. Consider hanging ing. You set an example for others. There are many joy-filled times ahead. New Guinea. 5. Used of a single unit or thing. mistletoe in strategic places. 12. Wild and domestic cattle. 6. Make lively. 15. American prizefighter who won the world 7. A convex molding having a cross section in heavyweight championship three times the form of a quarter of a circle or of an (born in 1942). ellipse. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Capricorn (December 22-January 19) 16. Admitting of no doubt or misunderstand- 8. Invertebrate having a soft unsegmented ing. You may feel a need to broaden your range of vision. The sort of thing that It’s important that you think about what you are going to say before you body usually enclosed in a shell. say it, or you may find circumstances going against your own best interests 17. (Babylonian) The sky god. 9. The month following September and preced- motivates you into action now might be politics, law, education, travel or religion. You long for new challenges and experiences. Metaphysical or philosophical today. You could find a situation that is difficult when it comes to an older person or one 18. Any of various dark heavy viscid substances ing November. in authority. This will pass and you will benefit from your patience. Choose your words as obtained as a residue. musings could capture your attention as well. This should be a really super day for get- 10. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the ting things accomplished-just about any task runs smoothly. You may even feel like exer- though you may have to eat each one, and try to avoid choking or bringing on heart- 19. Organized opposition to authority. alkali metal group. cising and getting out and about this afternoon. Good news about a financial investment burn in the process. A clear-minded insight into your own plans is available to you now. 20. Excessively fat. 11. Wild plum of northeastern United States makes you want to splurge on some item you have had your eye on for some time. It It’s a good time to help others to understand some quandary in the technical field. It is 22. A feudal lord or baron in Scotland. having dark purple fruits with yellow flesh. would be better to wait on the financial investment to mature but the energies are work- also a good time to conclude the decision making and move forward. Look carefully at 24. An extension at the end and at right angles 12. English monk and scholar (672-735). ing in your favor. Show your appreciation to a loved one this evening. some type of reorganization that will allow you more freedom. Relax this evening. to the main building. 13. The beginning or early stages. 26. Chief port of Benin on the Bight of Benin. 14. Leather with a napped surface. 28. Amount of a charge or payment relative to 21. Unhappy in love. some basis. 23. A member of a people who have no perma- Leo (July 23-August 22) Aquarius (January 20- February 18) 29. A note appended to a letter after the signa- nent home but move about according to You should find it a rather fortunate day for making plans or decisions ture. You should find this a nearly perfect time to be assertive and to move the seasons. forward in your career determinations. You have all of the drive and and finding your way through just about any problem that you may 31. Type genus of the family Myacidae. 25. A name under which Ninkhursag was wor- discover. You should be feeling successful and have no problem in solving any diffi- 32. A general conscious awareness. energy that you could possibly want and it should not be too hard to channel. The shipped. path is wide-open and clear. The chances are very good for understanding those culties that should come up today. Good advice from a guide or older person may 35. The United Nations agency concerned with 27. An awkward stupid person. around you and having a special time with someone you love or care for a great deal. be forthcoming. Expect a good day. Anything of a domestic nature or having to do atomic energy. 30. A river that rises in central Germany and General harmonious feelings from those around you make this a very productive and with things from the past helps you recognize your need for security and a feeling of 37. The syllable naming the fourth (subdomi- happy time. Appreciating things of value and even the idea of value itself is in order. having attachments. The family, home, relatives and real property all could be play- flows north to join the Elbe River. ing a larger part in your life now. It is essential to your wellbeing to know that you nant) note of the diatonic scale in solmiza- 33. United States designer noted for an innova- This is possibly a time of great material gain-most assuredly a time when material things have a great deal of importance for you. Make an honest attempt to budget. belong on a private, intimate, personal level, to be needed and to feel that it is okay tion. tive series of chairs (1907-1978). to have needs. 39. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug 34. A framework that holds the panes of a win- (trade name Cataflam). dow in the window frame. 43. A genus of Ploceidae. 36. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls. 45. A person forced to flee from home or coun- 38. A public promotion of some product or Virgo (August 23-September 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) try. service. 47. Type genus of the family Mustelidae. 40. An accidental hole that allows something This should be remembered as a time of great mental activity and You discover that you are good at using your own mind to make good 48. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape. heightened communication with others. Knowledge, the exchange of ideas and the choices and to think through things clearly. Career decisions are con- of an organism. idea of being smart as a fox are the kind of things that have special importance and stant and easy to make. You see your way through ideas and concepts. You can com- 41. (botany) Of or relating to the axil. appeal for you now. Figuring out new ways to communicate or an easy manner is municate and express these ideas to others. Mental work is especially favored this 49. 1,000,000,000 periods per second. 42. God of death. 50. (informal) Of the highest quality. what makes conversations and interactions go well. Being able to sympathize and afternoon. You get into the flow of work and enjoy the progress that you make. You 44. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in understand others takes on greater importance. You appreciate knowledge, but do are encouraged and you encourage others. Most of the places where you have 52. A river in north central Switzerland that runs Turkey). worked have not given you this much of a feeling of accomplishment. This is a gen- northeast into the Rhine. realize that it is wisdom that really counts the most. Accepting things from the past or 46. Large burrowing rodent of South and putting yourself in touch with anything mysterious or spiritual is the thing that gives uinely nice time. Later today you take time to purchase what you need in order to get 53. A subsidiary proposition that is assumed to Central America. you a great deal of satisfaction. Your investment choices are wise ones at this time. your camera ready for a workout; tonight will bring you some fun photo opportuni- be true in order to prove another proposi- 51. An alliance made up of states that had been ties. tion. Soviet Socialist Republics in the Soviet 55. (computer science) A kind of computer Union prior to its dissolution in Dec 1991. architecture that has a large number of 54. Joint capital (with Riyadh) of Saudi Arabia. Word Search Yesterday’s Solution instructions hard coded into the cpu chip. 60. The elementary stages of any subject (usual- 56. Genus of tall smooth herbs of forested ly plural). mountains of Europe and Asia minor. 61. A member of the Caddo people who for- 57. The cardinal number that is the sum of sev- merly lived in the Dakotas west of the en and one. Missouri river. 58. A colorless and odorless inert gas. 66. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh. 59. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes 70. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single readily. ovary having one or many seeds within a 62. The relative magnitudes of two quantities fleshy wall or pericarp. (usually expressed as a quotient). 73. Advanced in years. 63. (Greek mythology) The rarified fluid said to 74. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flow- flow in the veins of the Gods. ers. 64. American professional baseball player who 76. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake hit more home runs than Babe Ruth (born in Chad. 1934). 77. A federation of North American industrial 65. Having winglike extensions. unions that merged with the American 67. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of Federation of Labor in 1955. the Old World. 78. Of or relating to or characteristic of opera. 68. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a 81. An adult male person (as opposed to a skewer usually with vegetables. woman). 69. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan 82. An ancient Hebrew unit of capacity equal to River. 10 baths or 10 ephahs. 71. A loose and crumbling earthy deposit con- 83. Something resembling the head of a nail sisting mainly of calcite or dolomite. that is used an an ornamental device. 72. Large elliptical brightly colored deep-sea 84. A loose sleeveless outer garment made fish of Atlantic and Pacific and from aba cloth. Mediterranean. 75. United States architect (born in China in DOWN 1917). 1. Not reflecting light. 79. An informal term for a father. 2. Pompous or pretentious talk or writing. 80. Being one hundred more than three hun- 3. English theoretical physicist who applied rela- dred. Yesterday’s Solution

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The 2014 Kennedy Center Honors Honorees, singer Al Green, from left, actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, ballerina Patricia McBride, singer-songwriter Sting, and comedienne Lily Tomlin, are introduced by President Barack Obama speaks, during a reception. Hanks, Sting and Tomlin bask at Kennedy Center Honors

President Barack Obama, right, and first lady Michelle Obama, center, and Kennedy Center Honors recipient actor and filmmaker Tom Hanks, stand during the Kennedy Center Honors Gala.

(From left) Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, David Rubenstein, 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree Tom Hanks, State Department Sec John Kerry, 2014 Kennedy Center Honorees Patricia McBride, Sting, Al Green, Lily Tomlin, Michael Stevens, Teresa Heinz Kerry and George Stevens Jr pose for a photo following the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors on Saturday at the State Department in Washington.—AP photos

ollywood stars, ballet with joy and wonder,î she told dancers, and soul singers on reporters before the show. Hanks HSunday celebrated Kennedy represented the top Hollywood Center Honors winners actor Tom draw of the night. Hanks, singer-songwriter Sting and The actor who won Oscars for comedienne Lily Tomlin during his roles in the films ìPhiladelphiaî Washingtonís high-profile tribute and ìForrest Gump,î joked that he to excellence in the arts. Ballerina didnít belong among the list of Patricia McBride and singer Al awardees. ìI couldnít believe it Green completed the group of when I was notified that it was (From left)Truman Hanks, Elizabeth Hanks, 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree Tom artists who sported the prestigious going to happen,î he told Reuters. ìI Hanks, Rita Wilson, Chet Hanks, Samantha Bryant, and Colin Hanks pose for photos prize on a night of dance and song. feel like, you know, thereís an on the red carpet at the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors. The evening began with a trib- anomaly in the vote-taking ute to Green, whose hit tune ìLetís process.î Film director Steven Stay Togetherî drew political as well Spielberg and actor Martin Short as artistic attention when President paid tribute to Hanks after a mon- Barack Obama publicly crooned a tage of his top roles played on a Filmmaker Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw few of its lines earlier in his presi- large screen. dency. ìIíve been keeping his tradi- Actresses Jane Lynch and Jane tions alive,î the president joked at a Fonda feted Tomlin, renowned for White House ceremony. her performances of telephone ìHe did a great job. He sounded operator ìErnestineî on television better than me,î Green told show ìLaugh-Inî and roles in movies reporters ahead of the show, which such as ìNashvilleî and ì9 to 5.î Then featured spirited performances of came the musical surprises: Lady his soulful music by singers Usher, Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, and Jennifer Hudson, and Earth Wind & Bruno Mars rocked the stage with Fire. McBride, who worked for 28 highlights from Stingís varied years as a principal dancer with the career. ì(To) have other people sing New York City Ballet, watched as my songs and have to do virtually some of her protÈgÈes glided nothing but smile is quite some- across the stage in her honor. thing,î Sting told Reuters. 2014 Kennedy Center Honoree Patricia McBride, third from left, and her family pose ìWhen I hung up the toe shoes I Comedian Stephen Colbert hosted for photos on the red carpet at the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center didnít look back, but I went for- the show, which will be broadcast Whoopi Goldberg talks to Kate Capshaw, left, wife of filmaker Steven Honors. ward. And I remember all my years on CBS on Dec 30.—Reuters Spielberg. AAW launches Kadus Professional in Kuwait market

li Abdul wahab Al-Mutawa expand our market footprint for Professionals, characterized as the excited in our partnership with AAW Commercial Co (AAW) household consumer goods products worldís most innovative brands.î and look forward to inspiring stylists in Aannounced an expanded agree- for the benefit of communities, espe- Kadus Professional products Kuwait.î ment with Procter & Gamble (P&G) to cially with P&G where we carry more includes a range of hair care products AAW is the largest distributor of start distributing Kadus, one of its than 20 of their products alone. Today, from permanent coloring technologies fast-moving consumer goods in leading Salon Professional brands, in we are very excited to start distribut- and all the way to volumizing and Kuwait, and the sole distributor of the Kuwait market. ing Kadus Professionals products in sculpting, including salon favorites like Procter & Gamble products since the Starting today, AAW will supply Kuwait, making us the owner of the the Anti-dandruff line, repair treat- 1950s. AAW distributes over 800 P&G individuals and salons with all four largest market share in the beauty and ments and the latest color trends products to the Kuwaiti market on a ranges of hair and beauty products salon industry. We aspire to advance across all seasons. daily basis with a portfolio that from Kadus Professional including col- this industry by inspiring and supply- P&G Middle East and Gulf Customer includes Pampers, Tide, Ariel, Always, or, care, styling and perm in addition ing Kuwait-based stylists and con- Business Development Manager, Pantene, and Wella. to its ongoing product distribution of sumers with a range of world- Saygin Sun said: ìP&G Salon P&G Salon Professional and world renowned hair and beauty products Professional offers a portfolio of iconic brand, Wella. and technologies. We aim to provide brands and services that help stylists, AAW Country Manager for P&G them with both the quality and variety beauty professionals, and customers Shaher Furani said: ìWe strived to they need from both Kadus and Wella improve beauty results. We are very LIFESTYLE37 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Music & Movies Morocco court upholds rapper’s 4-month jail term n appeals court in the Moroccan city his release in September after serving the of Casablanca yesterday upheld a full term, the 26-year-old known as Lhaqed- Afour-month jail sentence imposed on The Rancorous One in Arabic-said he pro-reform rapper Mouad Belghawat for planned to appeal to prove his innocence assaulting police, a judicial source said. On and that he had been the victim of assault. The judicial source said the prosecution also appealed the initial sentence against the rapper, who has now served three prison terms. Belghawat was arrested at a football match in May and accused of drunkenness in public, assaulting security agents and touting tickets on the black market. He was also ordered to pay 15,000 dirhams ($1,720, 1,400 euros) to the two policemen he allegedly assaulted as well as a 500-dirham fine. Human Rights Watch at the time warned of political motives behind his jailing and demanded that any appeals trial admit key evidence the judge had rejected in convicting him on July 1. The musician was a public face of the February 20 movement in 2011 born out of the Arab Spring protests sweeping the region and demanding extensive reforms in Morocco. Authorities contend that most of their demands were met in a new consti- tution adopted later that year at the initiative of King Mohamed VI. Lhaqed in 2012- 2013 served a one-year jail term for a A file picture taken on March 29, 2013 YouTube video of a song he wrote called shows Mouad Belghouat, aka “Al- “Dogs of the State,” which denounced Haqed”, a young Moroccan rapper police corruption and was deemed an A file photo taken on July 16, 2011 shows French DJ David Guetta performing during the 27th edition of the Francofolies de La Rochelle music known for his anti-monarchy lyrics, giv- affront to Morocco’s entire police force. The festival in La Rochelle, western France. —AFP photos ing a press conference after he was video showed a policeman with the head released from jail in Casablanca on of a donkey.—AFP March 29, 2013.—AFP Riding high, DJ Guetta looks inside and overseas e has sold eight million albums and packs dance floors across the world but on HDavid Guetta’s latest album, the leading international DJ is slowing down a notch and becoming more introspective. His new album, “Listen,” follows the blockbuster success of 2011’s “Nothing but the Beat” that produced a string of major club hits including “Without You,” which featured Usher on vocals, and “Where Them Girls At?” with Nicki Minaj. “Listen” does not represent a break from his previous work, with Guetta still producing fes- tive dance anthems. But the French DJ turns down the tempo slightly at times on “Listen” and he acknowledges a touch of “melancholy” in the sound. “This album was made at a difficult time in my life on a personal level and that definitely influences the words and the music,” Guetta told AFP. In this November 15, 2012 file photo, musician Carlos Santana performs during the Guetta recently separated from his wife 13th Annual Latin Grammy awards show in Las Vegas, Nevada.—AFP Cathy, a manager of Parisian nightclubs, setting off messy divorce proceedings. The two spent 25 years together as an emblematic international clubbing couple, flying to dance floors around Santana extends tour the world. “Up until now, my life has been pretty much non-stop partying. Here I’m at a point David Guetta arriving to present his “The World Need More” video at the United Nations head- where I’ve asked myself plenty of questions and quarters in New York. to Europe, Mexico that can be felt,” he said. also my responsibility as a producer to get peo- he will DJ in Mexico for New Year’s Eve. ple discovered and to come up with a new Guetta said he hopes to plan a “real tour of More star collaborators atin rock superstars Santana have Santana toured across North America in sound,” Guetta said. Africa” once he has more time. The DJ has also Guetta composed “Listen” initially as an announced a tour through Europe, the 2014 and also played shows in South Africa worked last year with the United Nations to raise acoustic production, writing the songs with a US South and Mexico, where the band and the United Arab Emirates. Santana reg- A rare tour of India funds for people displaced by war in Syria and L piano and guitar. He then brought in electronic will play with fellow arena-fillers Journey. ularly plays in Las Vegas, where the band Guetta, adept not only as a DJ but as a busi- disasters in the Philippines. Guetta, 47, has sounds and the heavy drums which are his hall- The extended tour come after a busy year has a residency at the House of Blues. nessman, is planning with his new album to homes in London, Los Angeles, Ibiza and Dubai. mark. Guetta-who describes his sound as “a com- for the band, which released the Latin pop- Carlos Santana was born in Mexico and move beyond traditional club circuits. He will He often composes from his computer in hotels bination of funk, soul, new wave and house infused album “Corazon,” and the publica- moved as a child to California, where he soon tour India, which has an active trance or airplanes. “I don’t really have a set place where music”-has in the past five years emerged as one tion of an autobiography by the band’s developed his style that merges Latin influ- scene in Goa but is otherwise rarely on the cir- I spend my life and I can’t really say, ‘I’m going to of the biggest forces in dance music. Detractors leader, 67-year-old guitar legend Carlos ences with rock and the blues. The band cuit for major global DJs. “Some DJs have decid- get up and go to bed every day at the same say that he has settled for a mainstream style Santana. scored a breakthrough by playing the ed to bet everything on the United States time,’” he said. “There are plenty of high points to that relies on contributions from pop celebrities. The band yesterday announced three Woodstock festival in 1969, introducing the because that’s the big market right now, while my profession, but a routine is not one of them.” Guetta-who has worked in the past with dates in March in Santana’s native Mexico- music to a new crowd and winning a record others are really invested in Ibiza,” he said, refer- Despite his globe-trotting lifestyle, Guetta Madonna, Rihanna and the Black Eyed Peas- Monterrey, Guadalajara and Mexico City, deal. ring to the Spanish resort island famous for its said he still feels an attachment to France, which brings another all-star set to “Listen.” Minaj is with Journey joining in the second two After a period of commercial decline, club scene. in recent years has become a major hub for elec- back, with John Legend and Sia also taking turns shows. Santana will then head to Europe Santana came back triumphantly with the “For me, I’m also there but I also want to go to tronic music with artists including Daft Punk, singing. But Guetta also offered vocal duties on for a June-July tour that will include five album “Supernatural” which took home places where not everyone else is,” he said. “I’m Martin Solveig and Bob Sinclar. “I have a very two of the album’s early singles, “Lovers on the dates in France before culminating at eight Grammys in 2000, tying the band going, for example, on a tour of India. It’s a coun- international life, but culturally I still feel com- Sun” and “Dangerous,” to the comparatively London’s 02 arena. The band also with Michael Jackson for the most awards try where there’s little in terms of album sales, pletely French,” he said.—AFP obscure US singer Sam Martin whom the DJ ran announced a swing through the US South won on a single night.—AFP but I want to take advantage of this opportunity into at a studio in Los Angeles. in March, starting in Saint Petersburg, to discover countries and cultures,” he said. “People always talk about me with regard to Florida, and closing in Corpus Christi, Texas. Guetta will play New Delhi, Bangalore and Pune collaborations with big American artists, but it’s between December 19 and 21. Soon afterward,

‘Excuse me’: Italian star Mango bows out on stage ango, an Italian singer-songwriter who was one of the country’s biggest stars in the 1980s, has died Maged 60, after having a heart attack on stage. Giuseppe “Pino” Mango, who blended Mediterranean pop with world music and folk influences and recorded three of his 23 albums in Spanish, was performing at Policoro in his native southern Italy when he was taken ill on Sunday evening. He had just struck the opening bars of his hit song “Oro” when he raised an arm and said “excuse me” to the crowd ‘Happy,’ ‘Frozen’ top before collapsing. He died later in hospital. Italian news agency ANSA described it as the “perfect stage exit for an Annalise Bishop, left, and Jamie Foxx present the award for favorite rap/hip-hop artist.” Mango was married to another singer, Laura Valente, album at the 42nd annual American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre LA Live on iTunes end of year list and the couple had two children together. His funeral will Sunday, Nov 23, 2014, in Los Angeles.—AP take place on Wednesday.—AFP he soundtrack for “Frozen” and The top paid and free apps for the Pharrell’s viral “Happy” are the year’s iPhone are Heads Up! and Facebook Foxx: Tough dialogue needed Ttop-selling album and song on iTunes. Messenger. The top paid and free apps for Apple announced yesterday that Taylor the iPad are Minecraft - Pocket Edition and Swift’s “1989,” just released in October, is YouTube. John Green’s 2012 novel, “The on killings by police behind “Frozen.” Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories,” Fault in Our Stars” - which had a film adap- Sam Smith’s “In the Lonely Hour” and the tion this year - is the top fiction book. “Flash amie Foxx is calling for a tough dia- New York not to indict white police officers “Guardians of the Galaxy” soundtrack Boys: A Wall Street Revolt” and “Private” are logue in the wake of killings by police in the deaths of two unarmed black men. round out the Top 5 albums. No. 1 for non-fiction and free books, Jand recent protests over them. The Foxx made the remarks Sunday at the New John Legend’s “All of Me,” Katy Perry’s respectively. actor says, “We’ll probably have to have a York premiere of “Annie.” Foxx stars with 11- “Dark Horse,” “Talk Dirty” by Jason Derulo Apple also released an editorial list, few uncomfortable conversations to sort of year-old Quvenzhane (kweh-VEHN’-zhah- and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” follow “Happy” on naming Swift’s “1989” best album of the get things right, so everybody can walk and nay) Wallis and Cameron Diaz in the musi- the songs list. “Frozen” is the year’s best- year. Beyonce earned top overall artist and enjoy America like it’s supposed to be cal comedy, whose producers include Will selling movie and season three of “Game of Azalea’s “Fancy” best song.—AP enjoyed.” and Jada Pinkett Smith and Shawn “Jay Z” Thrones” is the top TV show. Foxx spoke in the wake of protests fol- Carter. The movie opens in theaters Dec Giuseppe “Pino” Mango lowing grand jury decisions in Missouri and 19.—AP lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014

Music & Movies

Hayek takes ‘Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet’ to Middle East alma Hayek and a delegation from the passion project she produced, animation pic “Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet,” Spranced down the red carpet of the second Ajyal Youth Film Festival in Doha, as the event, where 450 youths are the jurors, wrapped on a high note. “The Prophet” was partly financed by the Doha Film Institute. “I have to say that the first support that I got was from Doha,” Hayek said during a presser. “For us it was very important to have in the project someone who was also from the region,” she added. “As international as this film is, it does have the Middle East at its core, and this was important for us.” The out-of-competition Doha gala screening of “The Prophet” was preceded by the first live performance of themes from the film by composer Gabriel Yared, who conducted a 20-member orchestra on stage, which also performed two of his pieces from “The English Patient” and “The Talented Mr Ripley.” Also on hand were writer-director Roger Allers, co-directors Mohammed Saeed Harib and Joan Gratz, and producers Clark Peterson and Jose Tamez. The Doha Film Experience competition winners, picked by the 450 young jurors between the ages of 8 and 21, included US director Damien Chazelle’s darkly comic “Whiplash,” a portrait of an obsessive 19-year-old drummer who clashes with his ferocious instructor at a cutthroat music academy. “Whiplash” won in the young adults category, voted by jurors aged 18 to 21. Feature film winner in the category voted by jurors between 13 and 17 was Canadian director Allan Harmon’s coming-of-age pic “If I Had Wings,” about a blind teenage track runner. The second edition of Ajyal ran December 1-6. — Reuters

These photos taken from a scene of the 1954 film “Godzilla” and provided by Toho Co. Ltd., shows Godzilla.— AP photos Japan’s Godzilla to roar back in 2016 he original Godzilla is set to stomp through Tokyo again But the King of Monsters-originally a man in a latex suit- Toho released “Gojira”-a Japanese portmanteau of “gorilla” in 2016, a Japanese movie production company said has not been sighted on Japanese shores since 2004, leaving and “kujira” (whale) — directed by Ishiro Honda, in November Tyesterday, in what will be the creature’s first return to its legions of fans crying out for more fire-breathing destruc- 1954, a few months after Akira Kurosawa’s classic “Seven home turf in a decade. Since the giant lizard first tore through tion, film studio Toho Co. said. “Receiving earnest requests Samurai”. The monster movie was a mega-hit, drawing 9.6 mil- Japan’s capital in 1954, there have been dozens of home- from Godzilla fans for its revival, we will start production of a lion viewers in the days before television sets were common- made follow-ups and a few efforts from Hollywood, including brand-new Godzilla, which will hit screens in 2016,” Toho said place in Japanese households.—AFP Warner Bros’ $160 million incarnation this year. in a statement.

JK Rowling to release Harry Potter short stories beginning next week

t’s going to be a magical Christmas, after all. J.K. Rowling will release 12 Harry Potter short stories Ithis month in celebration of the 12 days of Christmas, the Telegraph reports. At least one of the stories will reportedly focus on Harry’s nemesis Draco Malfoy. The author made the announcement in a newslet- ter to Harry Potter publishing website Pottermore members on Friday. The installments will be posted online daily beginning on Friday, December 12, at 5 am. PT and continuing until Christmas Eve. Pottermore teased “wonderful writing by J.K. Rowling in Moments from ‘Half-Blood Prince,’ shiny gold Galleons and even a new potion or two.”Rowling wrote 5,000 words for Pottermore on Halloween about another character, Dolores Umbridge a teacher at Hogwarts.—Reuters

Australian actress Nicole Kidman talks with children before a special screening of her new film “Paddington” for children being treated at Sydney Children’s Hospital yesterday. — AFP photos ‘Boyhood’ sweeps LA Film Critics Awards oyhood” is on a roll. The Los Angeles Film Critics Kidman admits ‘toughest Association named Richard Linklater’s 12-year “Bexperiment their best picture of 2014 on Sunday. Linklater also earned a best director honor for his film, while Patricia Arquette picked up best actress. Julianne Moore, who year’ after father’s death is largely considered an Oscar front runner for her portrayal of an Alzheimer’s patient in “Still Alice,” was awarded runner-up ustralian film star Nicole Kidman has described 2014 as Kidman has also had a bumpy year on-screen, with the in that category. In the past week, “Boyhood” has become the her toughest ever year, saying the sudden death of her thriller “Before I Go to Sleep” last month her worst ever large consensus choice for critics groups. The Boston Society of Film Afather in Singapore had left her family in “so much scale opening, taking just over US$2 million after a wide Critics, the New York Film Critics Circle, and the New York Film pain”. In Sydney for the premiere of her new movie release across 1,935 theatres. In that movie, Kidman plays a Critics online have all picked chosen the film as the year’s best. “Paddington”, the Oscar winner said her close-knit family were woman suffering from chronic amnesia who wakes up every The only outlier is the National Board of Review, which “hunkering down for Christmas” without her father Antony morning with no recollection of her life from her early 20s gave that prize to “A Most Violent Year.” The LA Film Critics Kidman. “You know, I will look back at this year as one of the onwards. Its weak opening marked another disappointing Awards often overlap with eventual Oscar nominees, and toughest years our family’s ever gone through-I mean, the flop for Kidman after “Grace of Monaco,” which was booed at sometimes winners, but are also known for some quirky choic- toughest ever,” she told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph yesterday. the Cannes festival earlier this year and savaged by critics. es. Just take best actor recipient Tom Hardy, whose nearly solo Antony Kidman, a doctor, died in Singapore in September Kidman said she chose to make the movie “Paddington” performance in the little-seen thriller “Locke” earned him criti- best foreign language film and best supporting actress for from a heart attack as he was visiting daughter Antonia and because she wanted something her daughters with singer cal raves, but is notably absent from any serious awards con- Agata Kulesza, and Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest her family.”I talk about it because I like to keep him alive, in a Keith Urban-Sunday, six, and Faith, three-could enjoy. “There’s versation. Hotel” for screenplay and production design.—AP way,” his famous older daughter said. “Even though you talk nothing like sitting in the premiere of a kids’ film, where you J.K. Simmons, who is very much in the Oscar conversation, about it, you’re still in so much pain so, yeah, as a family we’re hear them all laughing,” she said. — AFP was awarded with best supporting actor for his portrayal of a still in a lot of pain. “As any family knows when you’ve had a sadistic jazz instructor in the indie “Whiplash.” Beyond huge loss, it makes you tighter, you have to also protect each “Boyhood’s” four wins, including film editing, only two other other,” she added. films were multi-honorees: The Polish drama “Ida” which won Jeremy Irons receives Career Tribute at Marrakech

n the second day of the 14th edition of the Marrakech Finally she referred to the many social causes that Irons film festival, Jeremy Irons received a career tribute, pre- defends, including the fact that he produced and starred in Osented by French actress Laetitia Casta. The ceremony the environmental documentary “Trashed,” by Candida was followed by a gala dinner, with Irons seated next to his Brady. —Reuters Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, the president of the Marrakech film festival foundation. “Dear Jeremy Irons,” Casta began during the tribute: “You follow in the great tradition of British acting, of talent without frontiers. They say that the British are the best actors in the world, and you follow in the footsteps of great British actors such as Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Cary Grant, who conquered Hollywood.” Casta emphasized the fact that Irons has brought his talent to auteur films and blockbusters, and has also brought stage plays by the Royal Shakespeare Company to Broadway. She then named some of the many great directors with whom he has worked including Barbet Schroeder, Steven Soderbergh, Bille August, David Lynch, Bernardo Bertolucci, Louis Malle, Ridley Scott and John McTiernan. She also referred to how Irons brings dark and disturbing introspection to morally ambivalent British actor Jeremy Irons poses with Laetitia Casta, left, characters, such as Humbert Humbert in Adrian Lyne’s “Lolita” British actor Jeremy Irons poses with his trophy in tribute Jury member Melanie Laurent arrives for a tribute to after receiving a trophy in tribute to his lifetime career. and Claus Von Bulow in Barbet Schroeder’s “Reversal of to his lifetime career during the 2nd day of the 14th British actor Jeremy Irons. Fortune,” for which Irons received an Academy Award for Best Marrakech International Film Festival in Marrakech, Actor in 1991. Saturday. — AP photos lifestyle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Music & Movies

Warchus’ ‘Pride’ wins top prize at British Independent Film Awards ay rights drama “Pride” won the award for British Independent Film, beating “‘71,” “Calvary,” “Mr Turner” and G“The Imitation Game,” at the 17th Moet British Independent Film Awards Sunday at Old Billingsgate in London. 17th Moet British Independent Film Awards - winners and nominees The award for director went to Yann Demange for Northern Ireland-set thriller “‘71,” outflanking John Michael McDonagh for “Calvary,” Lenny Abrahamson for “Frank,” Matthew Warchus for British Independent Film Screenplay Michael Fassbender - Documentary “Pride” and Mike Leigh for “Mr Turner.” The victor in the actor cat- Winner: Pride Winner: Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan - Frank Frank Winner: Next Goal Wins egory was Brendan Gleeson for “Calvary,” about a tough-minded ‘71 Graham Moore - The Imitation Game Rafe Spall - X+Y 20,000 Days on Earth Irish priest marked for death by one of his parishioners. He was Calvary Gregory Burke - ‘71 Sean Harris - ‘71 Night Will Fall competing with Asa Butterfield for “X+Y,” Benedict Cumberbatch Mr Turner John Michael McDonagh - Calvary The Possibilities for “The Imitation Game,” Jack O’Connell for “‘71” and Timothy The Imitation Game Stephen Beresford - Pride Most promising newcomer Are Endless Spall for “Mr Turner.” Winner: Sameena Jabeen Ahmed - Catch Me Virunga Gleeson paid tribute to the producers “who have to try to International Independent Film Actress Daddy make independent film when it is almost impossible for people Winner: Boyhood Winner: Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Belle Ben The Raindance award to risk commercially what is required artistically.” Cumberbatch Blue Ruin Alicia Vikander - Testament of Youth Schnetzer - Pride Winner: Luna was the recipient of the Variety Award, which recognizes an Fruitvale Station Cheng Pei Pei Cara Delevingne - The Face of An Angel Flim: The Movie... actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the Ida Lilting Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game Gugu Mbatha-Raw - Belle Gregor international spotlight on the UK Keira Knightley, a best actress The Sameena Jabeen Ahmed - Catch Me Daddy Liam Walpole Keeping Rosy nominee for “The Imitation Game,” handed him his award. Babadook The Goob The Beat In his speech, Cumberbatch said the award was premature Actor Beneath My Feet Winner: Brendan Gleeson - Calvary “given the output and standard of previous recipients,” but Director Achievement in production Winner: Yann Demange - ‘71 Asa Butterfield - X+Y British short added that it would inspire him “to work harder to feel like I’ve Winner: The Goob John Michael McDonagh - Calvary Benedict Cumberbatch - The Winner: The Karman Line deserved it, and that won’t really be difficult because I love my ‘71 job, I love my industry, I love the people I get to work with, a lot Lenny Abrahamson - Imitation Game Crocodile Jack O’Connell - ‘71 20,000 Days on Earth of whom are in this room.” Emma Thompson picked up the Frank Emotional Fusebox Matthew Warchus - Pride Timothy Spall - Mr Turner Catch Me Keeping Up With The Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to Daddy British film. She said she had met Harris once and found they Mike Leigh - Mr Turner Joneses Supporting actress Lilting shared a devotion and commitment to alcohol. She jokingly Slap Winner: Imelda Staunton - Pride confessed: “I have been with studios. I haven’t enjoyed it. I have The Douglas Hickox Award for Dorothy Atkinson - Mr Turner Technical achievement tried not to get sucked in... I have done many things for money debut director The Richard Harris Award (for outstanding Maggie and I am sorry.” Winner: Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard - 20,000 Winner: Stephen Rennicks - Music - Frank contribution by an actor to British Film) Gyllenhaal - Frank The winner of the actress honor was Gugu Mbatha-Raw for Days on Earth Chris Wyatt - Editing - ‘71 Emma Thompson Sally Hawkins - X+Y Amma Asante’s “Belle,” which is inspired by the true story of a Daniel Wolfe, Matthew Wolfe - Catch Me Dick Pope - Cinematography - Mr Turner Sienna Guillory - The Goob mixed-race girl raised as an aristocratic lady in England around Daddy Robbie Ryan - Cinematography - Catch Me The variety award Hong Khaou - Lilting Benedict Cumberbatch the time of the abolition of slavery. Other nominees were Alicia Supporting actor Daddy Vikander for “Testament of Youth,” Cheng Pei Pei for “Lilting,” Morgan Matthews - X+Y Winner: Andrew Scott - Pride Tat The special jury prize Knightley for “The Imitation Game” and Sameena Jabeen Ahmed Ben Schnetzer - Pride Radcliffe - Cinematography - ‘71 for “Catch Me Daddy.” Yann Demange - ‘71 John Boorman Mbatha-Raw said: “It has just been such a special experience this job, this story showing a period of history that we have seen so frequently on the screen, but to be able to see it from the per- join forces with striking coal miners. The supporting actor award Sameena Jabeen Ahmed, the star of Daniel Wolfe’s thriller “Catch Karman Line” won the prize for British Short. Guests who attend- spective of a woman of color in the 1780s, in the Jane Austen went to the film’s Andrew Scott. Me Daddy,” which tracks the doomed attempts of a British Asian ed included acting nominees Vikander and Spall; Mark Strong era, which is part of our cultural heritage.” The winner of the teen runaway to escape the long arm of her violently protective and Charles Dance, who both appear in “The Imitation Game”; award for international independent film went to Richard Other nominees family. Helen Mirren, who presented the award, said the BIFAs Maxine Peake, who appears in “The Theory of Everything”; Mike Linklater’s Oscar contender “Boyhood.” Picking up his trophy, The Douglas Hickox Award for debut director was picked up were the “beating heart” of the British film industry. The Special Leigh, a nominee for director for “Mr Turner”; Stanley Tucci, a Linklater devoted the award to the memory of the late Lindsay by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard for Nick Cave documentary Jury Prize went to “Deliverance” and “Hope and Glory” director BIFA jury member and a thesp in “The Hunger Games”; John Anderson, director of “If” and “O Lucky Man!” “20,000 Days on Earth.” The other nominees were Daniel Wolfe John Boorman. The jury also paid tribute to producer Chris Boorman; and actor Jared Harris. “The Inbetweeners” star Simon “Frank” writers Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan took the and Matthew Wolfe for “Catch Me Daddy,” Hong Khaou for Collins. Technical achievement winner was Stephen Rennicks for Bird hosted the event.— Reuters screenplay prize, ahead of Graham Moore for “The Imitation “Lilting,” Morgan Matthews for “X+Y” and Yann Demange for “ the music for Lenny Abrahamson’s musical comedy “Frank,” Game,” Gregory Burke for “‘71,” John Michael McDonagh for ‘71.” The documentary award went to “Next Goal Wins,” a crowd- which stars Michael Fassbender. “Calvary” and Stephen Beresford for “Pride.” Imelda Staunton pleaser about the world’s worst international soccer team, The honor for achievement in production was picked up by won the supporting actress contest for Matthew Warchus’ directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. Guy Myhill’s coming-of-age drama “The Goob,” which played at “Pride,” a feel-good, ‘80s set drama about gay rights activists who The award for most promising newcomer went to actress Venice. The Raindance Award was taken by “Luna,” and “The

British actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw poses on Sameena Jabeen Ahmed Actress Sophie Turner British actress Keira Knightley and husband Actor Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter the red carpet arriving for the British British musician James Righton Independent Film Awards in London.

Yann Demange —AFP photos Actress Emma Thompson Actress Gemma Chan Actress Helen Mirren Actors Timothy Spall, left, and actor Rafe Spall Warchus’ ‘Pride’ wins top prize at British Independent Film Awards

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 39

A picture shows Ras Beirut’s landmark Rose House, an Ottoman villa overlooking the Mediterranean in the heart of the Lebanese capital that is a lonely reminder of Beirut’s romantic past. — AFP photos

A woman looks at a display by British artist Tom Young during an exhibition in A woman looks at a painting by British artist Tom Young. A woman looks at a painting by British artist Tom Young. Ras Beirut’s landmark Rose House. Beirut’s ‘fairytale’ villa comes back to life ike a mirage in the middle of Beirut’s high-rise wisdom about them which really needs to be protected,” seafront, the exquisite mansion is a lonely reminder he said as he sat on a balcony overlooking a lush garden. Lof this city’s romantic past. Rose House is an architec- Activists have long lamented the disappearance of tural gem, an Ottoman villa perched rather bizarrely next Beirut’s beautiful traditional homes. From 1995 to 2010, to an equally elegant lighthouse overlooking the the number of traditional villas around downtown Beirut Mediterranean. alone plummeted from 1,200 to 400. As newly built apartment blocks crowd in on its palm trees and delicate ochre-pink arches, it has become a sym- ‘Heaven and hell’ bol to Beirutis of the lightness and beauty their city seems Young’s link with Lebanon dates back to 2006, when a to be losing. A rare survivor not just of the 15-year civil Lebanese car mechanic in London commissioned him to war that claimed so many of its historic mansions, but the paint scenes from home because “he missed it so much”. building boom that came with peace from 1990, it is even Since then, Young has been in love with the country. Its said to haunt some of their dreams. complex and painful history and civil war remind him of a The villa that once hosted French president Charles de tragedy in his own life, when he was only 10 years old. “My Gaulle and American abstract artist John Ferren-a friend mother took her own life, and this has had a seminal A painting by British artist Tom Young is displayed during an exhibition in of Picasso-also inspired a film, “Around the Pink House”. effect on everything I have done since,” Young said. I was Ras Beirut’s landmark Rose House. Yet its fortunes declined over the years. But a chance visit fascinated by the contradictions of Lebanon,” Young said. by British painter Tom Young and his wife as they strolled “How can a place be the ultimate hell and also such a par- along the seafront, together with the enthusiasm of a adise?” Lebanese property developer, has brought hope that the Now, he dreams of turning Beirut’s remaining old villas villa will be restored and revived. British artist Tom Young speaks during an inter- into art centers. “I try to use art as a way to save these view. places,” Young said. One of his paintings, entitled “Years”, ‘A fairytale’ shows piles of rubbish on a beach. To Young, it is “symbol- The couple found their way into the villa, where they “It will be renovated and turned into a museum where ic of the dysfunction of the state”. Another canvas shows met its tenant, Fayza al-Khazen. She told them that her Beirut’s history can be preserved,” he told AFP. Young can Rose House being crushed by monstrous towers. brother Farid, himself a painter, had used it as a meeting barely contain his excitement at being able to use the site “I think these wonderful places should be enjoyed by place for other artists during Lebanon’s golden age of the as an art centre until the end of this year. “This place is like all people, of all classes, all ages and all religions,” said 1960s and 1970s. When 71-year-old Khazen offered Young a fairytale!” he told AFP. Tiles and stained glass windows Young. He also said children have visited Rose House, the chance to paint at La Maison Rose, as it’s known in the give color to the villa’s interior. Black-and-white photo- some of who come from “very disadvantaged back- city’s francophone community, he jumped at the chance. graphs of the Ardati family, who lived there in the early grounds... Children come to learn and dream.” During But her lease was up at the end of the summer and 20th century, and the works of now-deceased Farid Young’s show, a video interview with Fayza al-Khazen Khazen had to leave. “I was quite concerned about what Khazen, haunt the villa from across the years. delivers a message of hope for visitors. “I hope that if this was going to happen to the building,” said Young. “These places embody a culture and identity which house is renovated it will be a sign that Lebanon is also Fortunately, villa owner and real estate developer Hisham must be preserved,” said Young, a 41-year-old from being renewed,” she said. — AFP Jaroudi was happy to let Young exhibit his work there, and Northamptonshire who studied Islamic architecture in to open it to the public for a time. “This house will live on,” Istanbul. “Buildings like this are so unique to Lebanon; said Jaroudi, who bought Rose House several years ago. they are very important for its cultural identity... There is a Visitors look at paintings by British artist Tom Young.

A visitor takes a picture of a painting by British artist Tom Young. A woman looks at a painting by British artist Tom Young. Paintings by British artist Tom Young are displayed.