during theannouncementinRooseveltRoomofWhiteHouse.—AP WASHINGTON: PresidentBarackObamasharesalaughwithAshtonCarter,hisnomineefordefensesecretaryyesterday, ends instyle Competition Entrepreneurs INJAZ Al-Arab’s

press statement. Khaled AbdullahA Provisions ImplementationMaj Gen of theCorrectionalInstitutes and on therise,”AssistantUndersecretary the reasonswhyphenomenon is organized todiagnosethecauses and meetings andworkshopswillbe behavior, committeeswillbeformed; terday. “Inordertocountersuch the society,aseniorofficialsaidyes- the phenomenonposesathreatto behavior, especiallyamongyouth,as arrangements totackleaggressive en preventivemeasuresandmade KUWAIT: SUBSCRIPTION MoI tacklesaggressive The Ministryis takingpartinthe behavior and violence The InteriorMinistryhastak- 4 150 Fils AUDY EEBR6 04 AA 4 46A No:16364 SATURDAY, 1436 AH SAFAR DECEMBER6,2014 14, Obama picksCarteras l-Deen, saidina new Pentagonchief Hagel shunsceremony;Ex-DefenseSecretariesblastWhiteHouse ‘Non-Violence Week’ plans tocounter it. phenomenon anddrawingup security Ministry personnelonidentifying the grams andtrainingcourses for the National SecurityCollege,which setpro- Academy forSecuritySciences and the efforts bytheSaadAl-Abdullah state institutions.Hereferredtothe sive behaviorisaresponsibilityofall Sabah. ForAl-Deen,counteringaggres- Mohammad Al-KhaledAl-HamadAl- Minister andInteriorMinister,Sheikh and sponsoredbyDeputyPrime of SocialSciencesatinKuwaitUniversity tomorrow. ItisorganizedbytheFaculty “Non-Violence Week”thatkicksoff The “Non-Violence Week”coincides killings inUS over police vent anger Race protests 7 good citizens.— KUNA them soashelp thembeoncemore inmates intheirlaterlife,andcaring for spreading thecultureofcontaining Implementation Department,aiming at Correctional InstitutesandProvisions grams andapplicationsprepared bythe Inmates’ Weekcomprisesvarious pro- human rightsorganizations.TheGCC attended byGCCdelegationsand General SulaimanAl-Fahad.Theeventis Ministry UndersecretaryLieutenant better tomorrow”,isfollowedupby under thetheme“Takemyhandtoa the InteriorMinister.Theevent,held Unified Inmates’Week,atthebehestof with theGulfCooperationCouncil(GCC) on the faculty of the Kennedy School of Government. — AP on thefacultyof the KennedySchoolofGovernment. —AP biographical sketch publishedbyHarvardUniversity whenhewas ondary historical literature,especiallyLatin,”hewrote a2007auto- learning allthelanguagesnecessary toreadtheprimaryandsec- archives, learningtodeciphermanuscripts inmedievalscript,and edge oftheinnerworkings USnucleararsenal.“Ilikedusty Laboratories andtheDraperLaboratory. Hehasextensiveknowl- University, wherehewasaRhodes Scholar. received hisdoctorateintheoreticalphysicsfromOxford degrees inphysicsandmedievalhistoryfromYaleUniversity known forhisstellaracademiccredentials.Hehasbachelor’s tional securitypolicy.BeyondhisPentagonexperience,Carteris Bill Clinton,Carterwasassistantsecretaryofdefenseforinterna- of Obama’spresidency.DuringtheadministrationPresident technology andweapons-buyingchiefduringtheopeningyears December 2013andalsoservedastheDefenseDepartment’s in thenationalsecurityarena. and theDepartmentofDefense.”Carterhasextensiveexperience bears significantresponsibilityforwhathappensatthePentagon Obama spokesmanJoshEarnestsaid.“Thatmeansthepresident mander inchiefandsitsatthetopofchaincommand,” Department. “ThepresidentoftheUnitedStatesiscom- Obama hadnoplanstoloosenhisreinsontheDefense fered withthePentagon,officialsmadeclearthisweekthat did strategicadvice,”hesaidtoObama. new role.“Ifconfirmedinthisjob,Ipledgetoyoumymostcan- signaled thathewouldnotshyfromexpressinghisopinionin meddling inPentagonaffairs.Inbriefremarksyesterday,Carter about whattheysawasWhiteHousemicromanagementand Robert GatesandLeonPanettahavebothspokenextensively agency’s topjobbeforeCarter.FormerDefenseSecretaries Pentagon inparticularhasrankledthosewhohaveheldthe sion-making. McDonough, whoplaysasignificantroleinforeignpolicydeci- al securityadviserSusanRiceorWhiteHousechiefofstaffDenis other changes,Obamaappearshighlyunlikelytoreplacenation- second term.WhileWhiteHouseofficialshaven’tfullyruledout change Obamahasmadetohisnationalsecurityteamduring to distractfromCarter’snomination. event. Adefenseofficialsaidtheoutgoingsecretarydidnotwant last weekafterabumpytenure.Hageldidnotattendyesterday’s Carter wouldreplaceChuckHagel,whoresignedunderpressure Republicans, suggestinghe’llfaceasmoothSenateconfirmation. ed physicistandacademic,haswonpraisefromsome there aresomanychallengesoutthere.”Carter,awidelyrespect- emphasized theneed“tomakesmartchoices,preciselybecause flict intheMiddleEastevenasitgrappleswithbudgetcuts. him atthehelmofadepartmentmovingbackintomilitarycon- Carter isexpectedtobeeasilyconfirmedbytheSenate,putting the WhiteHouse.APentagonveteranwhoisseenasacentrist, Obama announcedCarter’snominationduringaceremonyat nominee asonethenation’s“foremostnationalsecurityleaders.” sprawling DefenseDepartmentyesterday,heraldinghisnew Barack ObamatappedpolicywonkAshtonCartertooverseethe WASHINGTON: step’ toMars off on‘first capsule blasts NASA’s Orion 30 He hasservedontheadvisory boardsofMIT’sLincoln He heldtheNo2jobatPentagonfromOctober2011to While theWhiteHousehasdeniedthatitnegativelyinter- The levelofcontroltheWhiteHousehasexertedover The leadershipshakeupatthePentagonmarksonlymajor In discussingthePentagonpostwithCarter,Obamasaidhe Shaking uphisPentagonleadership,President Max Min 25º 09º LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Afghanistan security impacts Mideast: Kuwait Ambassador Kuwait, Turkey on track of boosting security cooperation

LONDON: Kuwait Ambassador to the United Kingdom Khaled Al- Duwaisan said the security of Afghanistan is an integral part of the Middle East security. Speaking to KUNA after leading Kuwait delegation to the London Conference on Afghanistan, he said the conference gathered representatives of more than 80 donor countries and organizations which are keen on supporting the new government of Afghanistan. “The international community is unanimous on support to the new government for two reasons, first to get rid of the extremist elements who destabilize the region and, second, to help build a modern democratic country that ensures equal rights for all sects in Afghanistan,” he noted. Al-Duwaisan, dean of the Arab diplomatic corps in London, said that Kuwait is taking part in the conference as one of the first Ambassador of Kuwait to the Republic of South Korea Jassem and biggest donors for Afghanistan. “Kuwait Fund for Arab Al-Budaiwi Economic Development (KFAED) donated $30 million to the rebuilding process of Afghanistan in 2001 in three grants while Kuwait calls for Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) offered assistance amounting to eight million dollars, not to mention the contributions of the civil society fund-raising agencies,” he remarked. nuclear weapons His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah donated eight million dollars during the Fourth World disarmament Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), hosted by Kuwait in late April, 2008. Kuwait has inked an agreement with the UN in November, KUWAIT: “Kuwait is against the usage of nuclear weapons 2010, to launch a technical backup office for the United Nations and the international community should find means to disarm Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kuwait, Al- Weapons of Mass Destruction,” Ambassador of Kuwait to the Duwaisan went on. He expressed hope that current conference Republic of South Korea Jassem Al-Budaiwi said yesterday. Al- will help harness the international community work in harness to Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Lieutenant General Budaiwi’s statement came during Kuwait’s participation in achieve the targets, outlined by Tokyo conference in 2012, and Sulaiman Al-Fahad 13th Republic of Korea-United Nations Joint Conference on support the stabilize the administration of Afghan President Disarmament and Non-proliferation Issues on Jeju Island, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and CEO Abdullah Abdullah. Kuwait, Turkey boost cooperation South Korea. Halting the spread of nuclear weapons is very Also, Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Lieutenant General Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations important for global security and peace, said the Kuwaiti Sulaiman Al-Fahad, who just returned from Turkey, said his talks diplomat who called for measures to clear the Middle East In another development, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Iraq with Turkish officials resulted in boosting mutual cooperation at region from such weapons. Ghassan Al-Zawawi said the Kuwaiti-Iraqi relations and cooper- the security level. In remarks to KUNA upon his comeback, late on The Korean-UN joint conference, held on December 4-5, ation will see some prominent development in the near future. Thursday, the undersecretary labeled as ‘significant and construc- focused its agenda on encouraging frank, open, and interac- The Ambassador’s remarks came during his meeting with Iraqi tive’ the talks he had held in Turkey during his five-day mission tive discussion of relevant issues of disarmament and security Minister of Interior Mohammed Salem Al-Ghabban, who had there. Agreements were reached on specific steps to bolster the by bringing together stakeholders from different sectors of met with several Arab and foreign Ambassadors to discuss security cooperation, he affirmed, adding that his discussions the disarmament and non-proliferation community, particu- bilateral relations on Thursday. Al-Zawawi told Kuwait News with the Turkish officials touched on regional issues. The Kuwaiti larly governments, inter-governmental organizations, policy Agency (KUNA) that he and Al-Ghassan had discussed cooper- and Turkish sides share a common perspective, that regional ter- institutes, academia and other civil society organizations. The ating on all levels. Meanwhile, the Iraqi Minister said he was rorism and security negatively affect security of states and peo- conference was held under the theme “Looking Ahead: pleased to work on developing relations with other countries, ples of the region, he said, calling for “intensifying the joint efforts Opportunities and Challenges in Disarmament and Non-pro- adding that it is a chance to share the international experience to combat terrorism and organized crime as well as dealing in liferation”. — KUNA in the field of security. drugs.” — Agencies

Kuwait seeks easier Inventions fair: Kuwaitis contacts between sample their inventions students in the US KUWAIT: The seventh international year’s fair in Kuwait, the bureau will WASHINGTON: A visiting delegation of fair for Middle East inventions, cur- award 50,000 Saudi Riyals to three of Kuwaiti Ministry of Education and Higher rently ongoing here, affords Kuwaiti the best GCC inventors, he said while Education has discussed with officials of the youth an apt platform to show off noting that the bureau receives appli- Kuwaiti Cultural Office in Washington on the their acumen at coming up with use- cations for patents routinely through- means of facilitating communications between ful inventions, said a Kuwaiti official out the year, mainly from GCC young Kuwaiti students studying in the US with the yesterday. In a press statement on inventors. cultural offices of the Gulf State. The head of the sideline of the fair, board chair- A sample of inventions at the fair the bureau, Dr Abdulwahab Al-Dhafiri, said in a man of the Kuwait Scientific Center includes a device to measure the lev- statement that the talks focused on a host of issues that concern the students, such as Mijbil Al-Mutawa’a lavished praise on el of cholesterol in the blood by Saudi choosing specializations that conform with some of the nation’s establishments inventor Dr Mohammad Al-Jamal. A modern developments in relevant fields. and foundations for sponsoring of robot that can clean solar panels Dr Al-Dhafiri underscored necessity of and contributing to this important used for generating electric power is preparing the Kuwaiti students well before scientific gala in Kuwait. Among them the work of Qatari inventor Hassan being enrolled in the American universities, he mentioned the Scientific Center, Al-Mohammadi. The female Bahraini hinting at the need for special English lan- the Kuwait Foundation for the inventor Zainab Al-Ansari has come guage courses and education about the local Advancement of Sciences, and the up with a wheel chair for the disabled laws during the preparatory phase. The stu- Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Creativity that is operable by voice commands. dents can get such guidance from non-profit and Giftedness. Other useful inventions at the fair institutes that aim to build cooperation bridges at this level. The discussions dealt with diverse In a similar statement, representa- were the products of inventors from technical topics, possibility of moving head- tive of the GCC patent bureau, Egypt, Iraq, Palestine, and Tunisia. quarters of the Kuwaiti Cultural Office in attending the fair, said the bureau, The fair started last Wednesday and Washington to a larger building due to need founded in the 1990s, has always ends today with the participation of for more offices and enrollment of more been keen on participating in this sci- 150 inventors from Arab and foreign The head of the bureau, Dr Abdulwahab Al-Dhafiri. staff.—KUNA ence-based fair for inventors from countries, in addition to 21 from the Arab world and beyond. In this Kuwait.— KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Zain celebrates International Day of People with Disability

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications Corporate Social Responsibility strategy towards this being of the entire nation. For this reason, the com- company in Kuwait, announced yesterday that it cherished community. pany has maintained its support of numerous initia- organized a special event to highlight its participa- During the event, Zain distributed gifts as part of tives that spread awareness and help make a differ- tion in the International Day of People with Disability the annual celebration to people with special needs ence to people’s everyday lives. Notably, Zain on December 3rd at the Social Care Centers of the and share their joy on this very special day. The recently concluded its sponsorship of the Journey of Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor. Zain keenly par- company invited its customers and the public to Hope, which sheds light on people with special ticipates in the United Nations sanctioned day every join the celebrations of this special occasion. Zain’s needs. The initiative attracted worldwide attention year to highlight its support to people with disabili- solid Corporate Social Responsibility and on topics relevant to people living with special ties, which comes in line with the company’s Sustainability strategies primarily focus on the well- needs.

2 police officers fired for supporting Islamic State

KUWAIT: Two police officers were recently dismissed from service for not going to work for over 45 days with- postpaid lines and mobiles from the telecom out due excuse and for belonging to and supporting company. Total value of the suspect’s transactions Islamic State. amounted to KD75,000.

Drug dealer nabbed Asian, girlfriend rob sponsor A suspected drug dealer has been arrested for An Asian was recently arrested for stealing watches and the possession of 20 kilograms of Hashish. jewelries (worth KD17,000) from a citizen’s house in Sabah Narcotics detectives stormed his house in Jahra Al-Salem. Case papers indicate that the suspect used his after they received a tip-off concerning the sus- girlfriend (the housemaid) to get access to the Kuwaiti pect’s activity. A secret agent was sent to make a house. The suspect also helped his girlfriend to leave the deal with him - and he was eventually arrested country by stealing her passport and escorting her to the after he delivered the hashish. airport after she gave him four of the valuable watches.

2 policemen, soldier arrested Indian forges 29 visas Two policemen and a former soldier have been An Indian was recently arrested for forging 29 visas for a arrested for forming a gang to rob Asians. The sus- number of Asians. Security sources said that the suspect pects intimidated their victims with their uniforms - had collected KD31,900 for the fake documents - using drove them to ATMs and forced them to withdraw fake official stamps and forms. Case papers indicate that money in order to secure their release. In another detectives had been tipped off concerning an Asian who development, an Indian reported that an unidenti- collects KD1100 per visa. The suspect was ambushed and fied man stole his vehicle in Jahra. Security sources arrested in Sharq as he tried to escape. said the robber drove off while the man kept hold- ing tight to the car window. Dubious sales A telecommunications company representative Girl kidnapped, assaulted was recently arrested for using dubious ways to Three citizens have been arrested for kidnapping and increase his sales in order to achieve a certain tar- assaulting a girl. Case papers indicate that a police patrol KUWAIT: An Egyptian construction worker died yesterday morning after get needed to get promoted, said security suspected a vehicle with three young men and a girl falling from a 9-storey building in Salmiya. The expat worker, who reportedly sources. Case papers indicate that the suspect along Wafra highway. When they were asked to pull died on the spot, fell from a high floor while working on the staircase of the sought the help of two Filipinas who used their over, the driver tried to escape but was forced to stop. building which was under construction in Block 10 area of Salmiya. Police charms to steal IDs, which they used to purchase The girl told the policemen that the trio had beaten her moved the body to hospital for further formalities. up and kidnapped her from Roudha. LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

INJAZ Al-Arab announces conclusion of Young Entrepreneurs Competition

KUWAIT: Under the patronage of HH the Amir, Candle Company from Tunisia for the same award people from across the region that participated in their continuous support and for sharing the same Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, and in for universities category, Sunlight Company from INJAZ programs this year. passion and vision as that of INJAZ Al - Arab.” the presence of the guests of honor, His Palestine for the Remarkable Customer Service Every year we strive to make a difference in the Omar Alghanim, CEO of Alghanim Industries, Excellency, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- Award funded by Citi Foundation and last but not lives of our young students, to prepare them for Founder and Chairman of INJAZ-Kuwait and Mubarak Al-Sabah Minister of State for Cabinet least, Dawayer Studio from Egypt for the 2014 what’s to come and equip them with the skills and Regional Board Member of INJAZ Al-Arab said, Affairs, INJAZ Al Arab announced the successful Fedex Access Award. “INJAZ can be summed up in a few words; conclusion of the 8th annual Young Entrepreneurs The competition was judged by two judging Empowering Youth and Inventing the Future. 2014 Regional Competition. The event was con- panels. The University Student Companies panel of These two key concepts, in combination, cut to the cluded with a prestigious awards ceremony held judges were Sconaid McGeachin, President & CEO, heart of why INJAZ is such an important organiza- at the Kuwait Regency Hotel, where winning Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Africa, Middle East & tion and cause. Not just for the future of Kuwait, teams were awarded for their outstanding Turkey; Michel Fattal, Senior Vice President, Fattal but for the future of the entire Gulf region. Thanks achievements. Holding; Ahmad AlShugairi , TV Presenter, CEO, to INJAZ, we aren’t just dreaming about a better The INJAZ Al-Arab Young Arab Entrepreneurs ARAM ALIHSAN Co; Sheikha Hanadi Al Thani, Board future for the Middle East, we are actually invent- Competition was launched in 2007 and is attend- member Injaz Al Arab- Founder & Chairperson of ing it, one entrepreneur at a time. And that’s why ed yearly by national competition winners from Amwal; Abdul Kareem Abu Al-Nasr Vice Chairman we’re all gathered here today: To celebrate entre- countries across the region. This year’s competi- of the Board, INJAZ Al-Arab. The High School preneurial Arabia at its best as we honor, for the tion was the culmination of 18 teams from 13 dif- Student Companies panel of judges were Salma Al- 8th consecutive year, the most innovative and ferent countries; namely Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Hajjaj General Manager, Human Resources, Gulf dynamic student companies in the region. Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Bank; Ramzi Abdel Jaber, Managing Director & Rana Al-Nibari, CEO of INJAZ-Kuwait said: “For Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen. The Corporate Development Head, Investcorp; Taha the second consecutive year, INJAZ Kuwait had the winning teams of the 8th annual Young Khalifa, Regional General Director, Intel, MENA. honor of hosting the annual Young Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs 2014 Regional Competition includ- Student companies were assessed on their Competition ceremony, one of the key activities ed, Nobogh is Genius Company from KSA for Best ability to demonstrate sound business insight, conducted by INJAZ Al-Arab on a regional scale. I’d Student Company of the Year for schools category financial knowledge, marketing support and feasi- like to congratulate all the winning teams and all and Dawayer Studio from Egypt won the same bility studies. In addition, competing students HE Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al- the students that benefited from INJAZ program. award for universities category; award is spon- were required to spend one day showcasing their Mubarak Al-Sabah Minister of State INJAZ Al A-Arab’s programs are truly a privilege for sored by Gulf Bank. products, presenting to the public, and holding a for Cabinet Affairs. those who realize their value and benefit and we Recycle Coffee Company from Morocco for private question and answer session with the do hope to continue to reach more and more stu- Product of the Year for school categories and judging panel in order to present their business in knowledge that will help them become the true dents across the region each year.” Over the past Jothor Company from Oman won the same award its entirety. Soraya Salti, INJAZ Al-Arab Regional leaders of the future and to successful careers and decade, INJAZ Al Arab has reached more than for universities category; award was sponsored by Director said, “It’s a privilege to be among you all ultimately, successful lives. Today, we get to witness 2,000,000 students through the generous contribu- Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC). Go Kids here today and to be part of this celebration, that this difference and to see our students’ ideas and tions of more than 22,000 volunteers, and will con- from Kuwait for Student Company with the Best not only honors the outstanding achievements of hard work come to life. I would like to thank our tinue to play an active role in educating and equip- Social Impact Award for schools category, Yelena our students, but also all the young and ambitious partners and the sponsors of this year’s event, for ping youth across the region. LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Iran minister 4-party meeting explores commends ‘wise policy’ of Kuwait oil investments in Egypt TEHRAN: Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance GCC must prepare for oil, gas ‘post era’ Ali Jannati said the wise policy of Kuwait under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- CAIRO: Kuwaiti Minister of Oil and in its oil sector, he pointed out. “We requires an overall change in the pat- Sabah helped enhance the role of Kuwait in Arab, regional Minister of State for National Assembly asked the Egyptian side to present the tern of thinking from all GCC coun- and international affairs. During his meeting with Affairs Dr Ali Al-Omair said his meeting feasibility studies of the planned proj- tries.” Assistant Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of on Thursday with the oil ministers of ects as a prelude to developing them,” GCC chief stressed importance of Information for External Media Affairs Faisal Al-Mitlagim Egypt, Algeria and the United Arab he said, adding that he will convey the starting to shift from “passive to on the sidelines of the 10th meeting of the OIC informa- Emirates was meant to explore hori- outcome of the meeting to the cabinet active dependence” on innovation tion ministers, Jannati said the two countries maintain zons for more investments in Egypt’s and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and prepare young people for com- close relations and fruitful cooperation in all fields. He said energy sector. Kuwait maintains a fruit- (KPC). mitments they will face in the future; he was looking forward to meeting Minister of ful and long-standing cooperation commitments that require a range of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh with Egypt in oil exploration and pro- Oil, gas ‘post era’ skills, calling on youths to strive for Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah to continue consulta- duction, he told KUNA following the In another development, Gulf the spirit of leadership so they can tions on issues of common concern. meeting. “The four countries, repre- Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary compete globally. Al-Zayani also point- On his part, Al-Mitlagim expressed desire to further sented at the meeting, have common General Abdullatif Al-Zayani said that ed out to the importance of benefiting enhance the bilateral ties particularly in the cultural and interest in cooperation in the energy the main challenge facing GCC coun- from the British experience in the areas media domains. He highlighted the need for the Muslim sector since they are oil producers and tries is to prepare for an oil and gas of business, research, and high-tech countries to join forces in the face of common threats members in the Organization of the “post era”. In a speech during the open- industry. The GCC chief noted that the such as the growth of extremist and terrorist ideology. The Petroleum Exporting Countries ing of British-Gulf Economic Forum, Al- future of GCC countries is subject to a two sides also discussed topics on the agenda of the (OPEC),” Dr Al-Omair said. Zayani said that GCC wealth is derived critical change, which opens up meeting of the OIC information ministers with emphasis The meeting focused on Egypt’s from the abundance of natural prospects for talents and people with on the Palestinian question, the Israeli crimes and viola- needs of oil by-products as well as the resources, however, “these resources as imagination and critical thinking in the tions against the Palestinians, and joint efforts to combat promising opportunities of investment you know are declining and this private sector. —Agencies extremism and Islamophobia. Al-Mitlagim delivered a speech to the OIC meeting on behalf of Sheikh Salman yesterday. The meeting is being held under the theme of “Information cooperation for peace and stability in the Islamic world.”

Kuwait hails UNRWA’s role In another development, Kuwait expressed apprecia- tion for efforts exerted by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in area of operations and support to Palestinian refugees who suffer from difficult living conditions. The remarks were made in a speech by Deputy Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN Abdulaziz Saud Al-Jarallah, during a discussion in front of a special political panel of the decolonization committee, and topics on UNRWA work in general in the Near East. Al- Jarallah noted that Gaza Strip witnessed last July an Israeli brutal aggression that killed more than 2,000 people and injured more than 11,000, most of which women and chil- dren, in addition to the destruction of houses and vital infrastructure. The diplomat said Israeli aggression also caused the displacement of more than 200,000 Palestinians, most of which now reside as refugees in UNRWA schools, which was also a part of the targeted attacks by Israeli forces, shedding light on a report by UNRWA which said that 118 UN-affiliated facilities were targeted. The Kuwaiti diplomat also called on the international community to assume its responsibility and to swiftly intervene and force Israel to comply with international resolutions, including Security Council Resolution 1860 of 2009. Al-Jarallah reiterated Kuwait’s stance on continuing to support the work of UNRWA through its annual contribution. —Agencies Kuwaitis ranked 3rd among GCC Kuwait ‘No 2’ in issuing licenses for GCC citizens tourists lured by Swiss tourism RIYADH: The number of business licenses issued by Gulf DUBAI: Kuwaitis rank third among GCC Cooperation Council member (GCC) governments to member tourists lured by Swiss tourism during sum- states nationals have ballooned to 40,753 by the end of 2013, mer and winter times, according to the rep- compared to 11,095 in 2004, a growth of 267 percent, said a resentative of the Swiss tourism in the Gulf. report by the GCC General Secretariat yesterday. The United Tawfic Melli, Switzerland Representative for Arab Emirates have topped the list of the license issuers with 35,005 licenses in 2013; followed by Kuwait with 3,453; the GCC, said in remarks to KUNA that the Bahrain with 1, 118; Saudi Arabia with 494; Oman with 426 number of tourists from the Gulf region and Qatar with 256, the report added. reached some 221,000 in September 2014 - According to the report, Saudis topped the list of license 22 percent higher than same period of 2013. receivers with 46 percent share, then came Kuwaitis with 17 The largest number of the GCC tourists percent share, Omanis with 17 percent, Bahrainis with 14 per- came from Saudi Arabia, followed by the cent, Qataris with six percent share and Emiratis with two per- UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and lastly Bahrain. cent shares. It noted that the number of Gulf commercial Switzerland has launched diverse entertain- banks’ branches opened in the GCC countries mounted in the ment programs on the 150th winter tourism last ten years to 25 by 2013 vis-a-vis 7 by 2000 and 11 by 2004. anniversary, making the nation on top of The UAE came first with seven branches followed by Bahrain winter tourism attractions worldwide and with five, Qatar and Kuwait with four branches each, accord- luring millions of recreation seekers during ing to statistics. —KUNA the winter. —KUNA LOCAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Doha decorates streets ahead of GCC Summit Inter-GCC trade volume hits $121.2 billion

DOHA: Qatar has decorated streets across the country with Inter-GCC trade volume national flags of the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Meanwhile, an economic report showed that the value of Council (GCC) in preparation for their December 9-10 summit. trade exchanges among the GCC member states rose by 14 per- The entrances of hotels and conference halls in which the sum- cent to $121.3 billion in 2013 from $106.5 billion in the previous mit will be held were adorned with photos of their Majesties year. The bilateral trade exchanges among the GCC member and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries. Signs of wel- states have grown remarkably and steadily since the inception come were posted at main places and Qatar International of the GCC Customs Union in January, 2003, according to the Airport. report, issued by the GCC Secretariat’s information sector on An advanced media center was prepared to be at the dis- Thursday. posal of local, Arab Gulf, Arab and International media repre- The inter-GCC trade volume went up from $15 billion in 2002 sentatives who are taking part in the coverage of the event. to $23 billion the following year when the customs union took The center was equipped with the state-of-the-art tele- force, reflecting a 25 percent increase. Similarly, the GCC com- phone, fax, and internet transmit devices. Officials are keen mon market, which was launched in January, 2008, contributed on following up details regarding preparations including to the growth of the trade volume from $29 billion in 2004 to main tables, seats designed for VIPs and other guests and all the current $121.2 billion, according to the report. The GCC requirements that should be prepared at such regional common market turned to be one of the world’s largest eco- forums. All halls where the summit will be held are being nomic blocs with a total population of 47 million, an aggregate prepared well and officials put finishing touches for the GDP of $1.6 trillion and total foreign trade of $1.4 trillion, it event. added. — Agencies Kuwait and Bosnia Arabs urged to revise promote relations auditing regulations SARAJEVO: President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zivko Budimir yesterday praised the relations between his country and Kuwait, refer- KUWAIT: Laws regulating the profession of account- tional development department needs to be created ring to the high-level ties between the two countries. “The next government in ants and auditors in the Arab world ought to be with specific and clear-cut goals so as to cope with Bosnia and Herzegovina will give special attention to amending domestic leg- revised, and relevant bodies should work together to the requirements of the labor market, they request- islations to serve the economic relations with friendly countries, namely improve the quality of financial data in order to fend ed. Kuwait,” Budimir said during his meeting with the Kuwait’s Ambassador to off relevant contradictions, according to recommen- Furthermore, pieces of legislation bearing on cor- Bosnia and Herzegovina Nasser Al-Mutairi at the headquarters of the federal dations produced by conferees on Thursday. Just a la porate governance should be enacted in the Arab presidency in Sarajevo. Budimir explained that the modification of domestic the US SOX Law, a fresh law pertinent to the internal world with the goal of improving the quality and legislations will help to overcome the obstacles that may face Kuwaiti control system should be adopted by Arab countries safety of financial data, the conferees recommended. investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, praising the growing interest in their part with a view to cutting accounting and auditing mis- Organized by Kuwait Association of Accountants and to launch businesses in the country. takes, the participants in an international conference Auditors (KWAAA), the two-day international confer- On his part, Ambassador Al-Mutairi, in remarks to KUNA, renewed Kuwait’s on accounting and auditing said in a final commu- ence on accounting and auditing, which is the fourth supportive stance for peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing nique. of its kind in Kuwait, concluded yesterday. Specialists that Kuwait will participate in the country’s economic renaissance. Kuwait will The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (often shortened of accounting and auditing taking part in the sessions maintain unwavering support for Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said, stressing to SOX) is a piece of legislation passed by the US of the conference discussed major issues like trans- that the leadership of the State of Kuwait and its people will stand alongside Congress to protect shareholders and the general parency, disclosure, corruption, accounting educa- the nation to support Bosnian sovereignty and territorial sanctity. Al-Mutairi public from accounting errors and fraudulent prac- tion, corporate governance, needs of the labor mar- praised the good results achieved by the economic cooperation between the tices in the enterprise, as well as improve the accura- ket and the international criteria of financial reports two countries, highlighting the positive results achieved by the Kuwaiti invest- cy of corporate disclosures. Also, a university educa- and their application. — KUNA ments, especially in the real estate sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. — KUNA SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Bahraini court jails Shiite Dying to escape German man linked to IS activist for insulting king 8 crisis-hit Greece 10 jailed for almost 4 years 10

NEW YORK: New York City police block demonstrators on Times Square following the decision by a Staten Island grand jury not to indict a police officer who used a chokehold on Eric Garner, who subsequently died. The grand jury declined to indict New York City Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo over the death of Garner in July.— AFP Race protests vent anger over police killings Thousands clog US streets to condemn police killings

NEW YORK: Thousands of protesters clogged streets in New York sealed off the Holland Tunnel, the key road link into New Jersey as ‘Black Lives Matter’ and other major US cities for a second straight night Thursday to US media reported that thousands streamed up the west side of Protests in New York have been overwhelmingly peaceful but condemn police killings of young black suspects. The largely peace- Manhattan, clogging streets in downtown Manhattan and shutting police arrested 83 people following Wednesday’s decision not to ful demonstrations came as details emerged of another racially traffic on the Manhattan Bridge heading to Brooklyn. Another group press charges in Garner’s death. At the Manhattan ferry terminal to tinged death. America’s largest city of 8.4 million again saw bursts of marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, with a black banner that said Staten Island, the New York borough where Garner died, protesters outrage after a grand jury on Wednesday decided not to indict a “this stops today” and 10 black coffins inscribed with names of peo- briefly tried to break apart metal barriers erected by police. “Here white officer for the death by chokehold of an unarmed black ple killed by police in different city boroughs. Hundreds then contin- you can beg for your life but the police will not care,” said protester father-of-six. Demonstrators blocked roads, tunnels and bridges, ued the march through Brooklyn, followed by police but an AFP Margarita Rosario, whose 18-year-old son Anthony and nephew with many of them shouting “I can’t breathe”-the words that heavy- reporter saw no incidents of unrest. were killed by New York police in 1995. “Nothing will change here set asthma sufferer Eric Garner, 43, gasped repeatedly as police until people will react like in Ferguson,” said Rosario, who lives in the wrestled and held him to the ground during his arrest in July for sell- Another controversy Bronx. ing un-taxed cigarettes. National controversy over Garner’s death and a series of other Video of the arrest has been aired repeatedly on TV. Garner, a incidents were fanned further Thursday by a damning US federal ‘Systemic deficiencies’ father of six, died of what was called a heart attack. Dozens of peo- investigation which concluded that police in Cleveland routinely The federal investigation into policing in Cleveland began 18 ple were arrested in Thursday’s rallies, the New York Times reported, employ “excessive force.” In Arizona meanwhile, police said a white months ago and was not linked specifically to the killing on quoting police. Demonstrations were also held in Chicago, Boston, officer shot dead a 34-year-old black man during a confrontation November 22 of black 12-year-old Tamir Rice in a city playground by Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC, where they snarled outside a convenience store. Phoenix police said the officer involved police. Officers responded to a report that a youth was brandishing traffic near the White House as President Barack Obama lit the shot dead Rumain Brisbon after mistakenly believing he was reach- a gun, but Rice was later found to be carrying a toy, and a video of national Christmas tree. As helicopters hovered above, thousands ing for a gun inside his jacket. In fact he was unarmed. The killing is the incident showed police opening fire within seconds of their of activists massed in New York’s Foley Square, near the city police the latest of several cases since the death of Garner which have trig- arrival. “We have determined that there is reasonable cause to headquarters shouting “Shut it down” and carrying placards saying gered a national debate about how minorities are treated by police believe that the Cleveland Division of Police engages in a pattern or “Black Lives Matter” and “Racism Kills.” and the American criminal justice system. Police shot dead a 12- practice of using excessive force,” US Attorney General Eric Holder “We cannot tolerate police impunity. The government has to do year-old boy in Cleveland last month while another grand jury last said. He blamed this on “systemic deficiencies, including insufficient something. They have a video showing what happened,” said a 40- week decided not to prosecute a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri accountability, inadequate training and equipment, ineffective poli- year-old demonstrator who gave his name only as Jonathan. Police who killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown in August. cies and inadequate engagement with the community.”—AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Bahraini court jails Shiite activist for insulting king

MANAMA: A Bahraini court has sentenced a prominent opposi- tion activist to three years in prison for insulting the king after she tore up the monarch’s photo, her lawyer said. The activist, Zainab Al-Khawaja, gave birth only a few weeks earlier. Al-Khawaja was also fined the equivalent of around $8,000, lawyer Mohammed Al-Wasti said. Al-Khawaja is part of the Gulf island monarchy’s most prominent opposition family. Her father Abdulhadi Al- Khawaja is serving a life sentence for his role in 2011 protests by Shiites demanding greater rights from the Sunni-led govern- ment. Her sister Maryam was sentenced this week in absentia to a year in prison on charges of assaulting police. Maryam is current- ly in exile in Denmark. Zainab Al-Khawaja was detained in October after she tore up a photo of King Hamad while in court facing charges for two previous incidents of tearing up the king’s photo. She was eight months pregnant at the time of her deten- tion, but was released from custody in November and gave birth to a boy named Abdulhadi. Also Thursday, a senior US diplomat returned to Bahrain after being ordered to leave in July. Tom Malinowski, assistant secre- tary of state for democracy, human rights and labor, was abruptly asked to leave Bahrain after he met representatives of Al-Wifaq, the country’s most prominent Shiite opposition group. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry at the time labeled the meeting an intervention in the country’s domestic affairs. “As everyone knows, my last visit did not end in a way that served anyone well. I’m very happy that we are now looking and KOBANI: Children stand in a trench built for mortar attacks by Islamic State group fighters against the civilians in the buffer moving forward,” Malinowski said Thursday. “I have many friends zone near the Turkish border in Kobani, Syria.— AP here and I truly believe that the country has the capacity to over- come its recent difficulties and to succeed.” Malinowski was accompanied by Anne Patterson, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs. The two diplomats met with senior members Facing IS, US-trained of the Bahraini government, including the king and crown prince, as well as representatives from al-Wifaq and other members of the Bahraini opposition.— AP rebels seek more help Rebels outgunned by Syrian troops and jihadists Netanyahu ‘weak, GAZIANTEP: Syrian rebel commander Abdulaziz says US military groups left in northern Syria. It says it has 6,000 personnel. rightwing strong’ training helped his men kill at least 15 Islamic State fighters in a Northeast of Aleppo, its fighters are helping to hold a front recent battle near Aleppo. Three months earlier, a similar engage- line at the western edge of Islamic State’s self-declared JERUSALEM: A poll conducted ahead of Israel’s March ment had gone the other way, with two of his men killed. But his “caliphate”. Islamic State advanced west towards Aleppo this elections and published yesterday indicates strong group, the Mujahideen Army, does not know if more of its men summer before halting in September to attack the Kurdish support for the country’s rightwing bloc but also will be sent for training, such is the uncertainty surrounding plans town of Kobani. for expanding aid to the “moderate” rebels who the United States The risk of Islamic State resuming its westward march doubts over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hopes will fight Islamic State in Syria. makes the need for more support all the more acute. But more leadership. Netanyahu fired two ministers from cen- The 50 fighters were the first from their group to attend the than two months since the US-led alliance began air strikes trist coalition partners earlier this week, forcing the training in Qatar, part of an ostensibly covert CIA program to offer against Islamic State in Syria, such moderate groups do not election, which is expected to be fought over Israel’s military support to vetted factions in opposition to President know how or if they will fit into the new training plans being stagnant economy and its tenuous security situation, Bashar Al-Assad. “We felt the difference. Even the (Islamic State set up by the Pentagon. The US military says an opposition including its tense relations with the United States. fighters) felt the difference. I knew this because this time they force of 12,000 to 15,000 is needed to retake the east from If re-elected as prime minister, Netanyahu has indi- withdrew,” said Abdulaziz, 32, describing the day-long battle in Islamic State. A Pentagon spokesman said on Nov 4 there had cated he would like to cobble together a coalition of October and giving only his first name. “There has been an been progress in setting up the curriculum, readying the sites right wing and religious parties which could be improvement in those 50.” and securing trainers from the United States and other expected to push Jewish settlement in the West Bank Their month-long course in September included training on nations. and promote Israel’s identity as a Jewish state. The how to fire mortar bombs, heavy machine guns and American- But the vetting process has yet to begin, suggesting it may new poll, published in the Maariv newspaper, shows made anti-tank missiles, in addition to battlefield tactics, and take several more months to start. that together, five rightwing and religious parties interviews aimed partly at assessing any radical leanings. “We The new program is separate from the CIA-run one that has would receive 63 seats in the 120-seat parliament, returned as one unit,” said Abdulaziz, speaking at the Mujahideen already vetted and offered training to a number of groups. The enough to form a government. While the bloc is an Army’s office in the southeastern Turkish city of Gaziantep, a short CIA has declined to comment on this program. Western and unofficial one, it represents parties whose ideas are drive from the Syrian border. “The guys feel they are fighters at Arab states that oppose Assad have already been channeling more or less in line with those of Netanyahu himself. least. Their morale is higher.” But while the support has been use- what rebels describe as small amounts of military and financial Its largest component -and the overall leader in the ful, it falls short of what his group says they need to advance on aid to non-jihadist groups. These groups say they have already poll - is Netanyahu’s own Likud Party. the battlefield where they are outgunned by the government and been through a vetting process. “They asked about the lives of The bloc would swell to 74 seats in the Knesset if Islamic State. the fighters, where they worked before, everything about their His men returned with anti-tank TOW missiles, the hallmark of lives,” said Abdulaziz, describing conversations with the former Likud lawmaker Moshe Kahlon’s newly formed rebels vetted in the year-old CIA program. But like others, it says American trainers in Qatar. party joined in. But the poll also shows that 60 percent the support is insufficient. “My message is: support the fighters “From these questions, they understand the mindset of this of Israelis want to replace Netanyahu as prime minister, properly, with ammunition and salaries. If they support us proper- young man,” he said. “We told them: ‘You look at Islam as if it is with Kahlon and former Likud minister Gideon Saar ly, they would not need to send the warplanes,” Abdulaziz said, only (Islamic State). We told them (Islamic State) is not Islam both emerging as preferable alternatives. The poll referring to US-led air strikes against Islamic State. Mainstream otherwise we wouldn’t be fighting them. They are not Muslims shows Labor Party leader Issac Herzog lagging behind rebels say the failure of the United States and its allies to support to begin with’.” For the rebels, the big questions now are the prime minister by only a single percentage point. them adequately has allowed groups such as Islamic State to whether they will be part of the new program and whether they Labor is one of the kingpins of the left-center bloc that dominate after 3-1/2 years of war. Loosely defined as the “Free will still receive support through the already established chan- seeks to replace Netanyahu, and re-ignite Israel’s Syrian Army”, these groups have suffered heavy losses fighting nels. “We are completely in the dark,” said a member of the stalled peace process with the Palestinians. The poll both government and jihadist forces. Mujahideen Army’s political office, who declined to be identi- was conducted Wednesday by telephone among 500 fied. “Are they going to finish the vetting of the Mujahideen respondents. It has a 4.3 percent margin of error. — AP Front line Army or not? Are they going to be creating a new vetting pro- The Mujahideen Army is one of the biggest mainstream gram? There is a lot of ambiguity,” he said.— Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

KIROVSKIY: People wait at a tramway stop near a shell that landed in the district of Kirovskiy in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, controlled by Pro-Russian rebels. — AFP Soldiers still dying as Ukraine creeps towards ceasefire

KIEV: Ukraine said yesterday it had lost another six soldiers in the that 108 troops and many more volunteer fighters had been Petro Poroshenko said Ukraine would begin withdrawing heavy past day as reports continued of intense battles for control of a killed in a failed attempt to take back the town-and only after weapons from the eastern frontline the following day-as long as flashpoint eastern airport despite tentative steps towards a com- information had started emerging from unofficial sources. the separatists also observed the ceasefire. The head of the prehensive ceasefire. Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said six Although the September ceasefire-overseen by Russia and rebel government in Donetsk, Alexander Zakharchenko, said troops had been killed and 13 injured in the past day but did not European monitors-reduced fighting along the frontline, daily yesterday he was “ready to comply with the truce”. But events specify the location. clashes have continued in certain areas and it remains unclear if on the frontline in east Ukraine are only a part of the bigger Local media and social networks however have been reporting the latest peace efforts will be any more effective. geopolitical game between the East and West that they helped devastating clashes at the airport on the outskirts of rebel-held set in train. city Donetsk despite a ceasefire being declared there earlier this ‘A ceasefire in name’ In a defiant state-of-the-nation address on Thursday, Russian week. A besieged group of government soldiers has been cling- Speaking in Basel, Switzerland where foreign ministers from 53 President Vladimir Putin accused the West of exploiting the ing on to the airport against waves of attacks by pro-Russian sep- OSCE countries have been meeting for two days, Ukrainian Ukrainian crisis to undermine an increasingly confident Moscow. aratist forces-but little information on the fighting is being Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that so far, “we don’t have a The Kremlin has dismissed a wealth of evidence indicating it has released by either side. Both sides appear keen to curb the vio- real ceasefire, it’s just a ceasefire in name”. “What we need is to sent troops and military equipment into eastern Ukraine. Putin lence, announcing on Thursday that a fresh truce would come achieve real ceasefire, to set up real control for the Russian- said the resulting sanctions imposed by the United States and into force across the entire frontline on December 9. Ukrainian border, and of course to get a breakthrough on European Union were an attempt to force the “collapse and dis- Throughout the eight-month conflict, both sides have been hostages,” he said, saying the rebels are holding some 500 memberment” of Russia as happened in the former Yugoslavia. reluctant to admit the full scale of carnage. An earlier ceasefire in hostages. Even without the Ukraine crisis, the West “would have thought up September was agreed in the wake of a bruising battle for the city The ceasefire is due to begin on December 9, which has been some other excuse to contain Russia’s growing possibilities”, he of Ilovaisk. It was weeks before the Ukrainian military admitted labeled the “Day of Silence”. A source in the office of President said. — AFP Poland counts the cost of losing millions of workers 1.2 million Poles have left since joining the EU

OPOLE: “I’m staying here!,” reads a grime-covered slogan on the cannot find construction workers, carers, security guards, sales- side of a train in Opole, south-west Poland. It’s a legacy of a local people and cleaners. campaign aimed at discouraging young people from moving One solution would be to welcome immigrants from else- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov abroad. The campaign didn’t work. After 1.2 million of its citizens where, perhaps from neighboring Ukraine - so far immigrants migrated in the ten years since Poland joined the European Union, make up less than 1 percent of the population. But despite the the country is counting the economic and social cost. Though its difficulty companies have in finding workers, unemployment is France ‘must fulfill workers may have eased demographic difficulties in ageing coun- still high, at 11.3 percent, because the jobs on offer are low-skilled tries like Britain and Germany, Poland now has a population crisis and low-paid. And that makes encouraging more immigrants obligations’ over of its own. politically risky, says Marta Jaroszewicz, analyst at the Centre for Those who left were predominantly the young and economi- Eastern Studies, a Warsaw-based think tank. “Politicians don’t warship delivery cally active. For a while the billions of euros they sent back helped want to talk about this, as voters think we can’t afford immi- the economy - remittances were worth 2 percent of the country’s grants,” she said. Similar patterns and problems are occurring all BASEL: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday warned GDP in 2009 alone - and enabled it to avoid recession but that across ex-Communist countries of eastern Europe which are now France its reputation was on the line over the delivery of a con- money is drying up as they choose to settle permanently abroad. EU members. In particular, Bulgaria’s population is projected to troversial warship to Russia, which has been delayed due to the As a result Poland’s social security system is creaking badly. The shrink by a quarter come 2060. There too, migration is a major conflict in eastern Ukraine. “I am a little fed up with this question. country will spend almost a third of its budget in 2015 subsidizing factor. It is not our problem anymore, it is a problem of France’s reputa- pensions - a ratio only likely to increase as the population ages and tion. They have to fulfill all the obligations under the contract,” he grandchildren are born abroad. “To put it very simply, millions of Euro-orphans told journalists on the sidelines of the OSCE conference in workers emigrating and not paying anything in means no pen- Poland’s dwindling population has brought social problems as Switzerland. sions for millions of retirees,” said Janusz Kobeszko, analyst at the well, says Aleksandra Walas, head of a social research centre in French President Francois Hollande last week again delayed Sobieski Institute, a Warsaw-based think tank. Opole, whose office is wedged in between a tax company for emi- the delivery of the first of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers that Demographic projections show Poland will lose nearly 3 million grants and a counter issuing documents for claiming child bene- France has built for Russia “until further notice”. He said the “cur- people in the next 25 years, partly through migration and partly fits abroad. In 2013, there were over 10,000 of what she describes rent situation in eastern Ukraine still does not allow for the deliv- because women who leave Poland are more likely to have children as “euro-orphans” in the region - children with one or more parent ery of the first” warship. The final date for delivery has not been than those who stay, official data shows. While Poland’s pensions working abroad. That number has risen 8 percent since 2008. announced, but Hollande has insisted he will not give in to pres- crisis looms, a more immediate migration-related problem is pre- Walas’s team has also identified around 1,000 elderly people in the sure, and the contract had not yet been broken. Russia previously senting itself: shortages of labour at home. In the Opole region, region who have been abandoned by their emigrating families, threatened to “lodge serious claims” if the first ship did not arrive which has lost an estimated 10 to 15 percent of its population due something she warns will become more of an issue as the coun- on time.—AFP to migration - the highest rate in the country - local businesses try’s remaining population gets older.—Reuters INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 German man linked to IS jailed for almost 4 years 550 Germans are believed to have joined IS

FRANKFURT: A 20-year-old German man was sentenced to three hoped to be a martyr. His family had informed authorities as years and nine months in prison yesterday after he admitted join- soon as he disappeared. ing Islamic State militants in Syria, in the first trial in Germany of a “The accused realized there were tensions between IS and oth- home-grown jihadi accused of membership of the insurgent er groups, also Islamists, and that opponents of the regime of group. Judges decided to treat the man, known as Kreshnik B., Bashar Al-Assad were fighting one another. This, as well as the who was born in Germany to Kosovan parents and spent six pleas of his family ... was why he returned,” the court said. IS mili- months in Syria last year, as a juvenile because of his lack of matu- tants have captured large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq, rity. They said there was no evidence he had fought directly. beheaded Western prisoners, killed many non-Sunni Muslims and “As a youth, he was not able to resist the influence of his declared a caliphate governed by sharia law in the heart of the Islamist friends,” said chief judge Thomas Sagebiel. Although he Middle East. Thousands of Western volunteers have travelled to still displayed the attitudes of a radical Islamist, the judge Syria and Iraq to join militant groups, raising fears in Europe and expressed hope that a youth sentence would have the necessary the United States of attacks by returning fighters. educational effect. In Germany, people aged 18-21 can be treated About 550 German citizens have joined Islamic State and according to youth law if they are judged to lack maturity. about 60 have been killed. Some 180 are believed to have The sentence was six months less than prosecutors had returned. Prosecutors are investigating about 300 suspects. sought but more than the three years and three months sought French judges last month sentenced a returning jihadi, aged 27, by his defense lawyer, after Kreshnik B., in exchange for more who spent only days in Syria to seven years in prison. Britain has lenient treatment, admitted joining IS and receiving weapons also imprisoned people for training in Syria. Some politicians and FRANKFURT: Kreshnik Berisha, 20, a jihadist militant arrives training. He looked relaxed as he entered the court and looked legal experts argue tough sentences only build resentment and at the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main (Hessen). down at his hands as the verdict was read. He was dressed casual- more de-radicalization programs are essential. Authorities have A German court yesterday jailed a jihadist militant for three ly and wore a full beard. During his brief trial, the court heard also stressed how important it is to hear from disillusioned jihadis years and nine months in the country’s first trial of a member recordings of phone calls with his sister in which he said he able to counter propaganda.— Reuters of the Islamic State group fighting in Syria and Iraq. — AFP

Germany’s far-left makes a historic debut at state helm

BERLIN: Germany’s far-left took the helm of a state assembly unionist who hails from western Germany, was confirmed as quite hard to accept this”. yesterday for the first time since the Berlin Wall fell, heading a premier with an absolute majority of 46 votes and immediately On the eve of the vote, around 2,000 people protested coalition that will be closely watched for signs of the party’s sworn in. against the Linke-led alliance outside the regional parliament, future national role. Regional lawmakers approved Bodo The Linke, which translates as The Left, traditionally fares well some shouting “Stasi out”, referring to the communist East’s Ramelow, 58, of the Linke party, which is a successor to the for- in the former east and has already regularly participated in feared secret police. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative mer communist East’s ruling party, in a second-round vote as regional governments there as a junior partner. But in a country Christian Democrats had ruled Thuringia since Germany’s reuni- premier of eastern Thuringia state. with painful memories of the former communist dictatorship in fication in 1990 and won the largest share of the vote in regional The outcome of the secret ballot had been uncertain as the the East, Ramelow’s rise to power has fuelled heated debate elections in September. But their Social Democratic Party coali- Linke and its left-leaning coalition partners, the Social about his anti-capitalist and staunchly pacifist party, set up in tion allies opted to throw in their lot with the Linke and the envi- Democrats and Greens, together have just one seat more than 2007. German President Joachim Gauck, a former dissident ronmentalist Greens after the ballot to form a “red-red-green” the conservatives and anti-euro AfD. Applause erupted in the Lutheran pastor from the East, broke the neutrality of his office alliance, as it is known in the color-coded shorthand of German regional parliament in the city of Erfurt when Ramelow, a trade to say recently that people who lived under communism “find it politics.— AFP Dying to escape crisis-hit Greece

IDOMENI: Strapped to the underbelly of a train, in Germany,” he said. Four years of economic crisis, 23-year-old Ali Arzin from Afghanistan had hoped soaring unemployment and mounting xenopho- to cross the border of crisis-hit Greece into bia have made Greece an unwelcome, and fre- Macedonia and eventually reach another EU coun- quently hostile environment for undocumented try. But the wooden platform he had rigged in migrants seeking a better future in Europe. November beneath the train carriage fell apart, and Ali met a gruesome death on the tracks. Migrants keep coming Hundreds of migrants have perished trying to Last week 200 Syrian refugees protested in reach Greece, but Ali is one of the first known to Athens demanding to be allowed to leave the have died trying to escape the limbo in which tens country. Yet other migrants, fleeing war and of thousands find themselves there. In recent poverty, keep coming. Nearly 65,000 have been months, hundreds of refugees from impoverished held or stopped by the police since January-an 82 and war-torn countries in Africa, the Middle East percent rise compared to same period in 2013 — and central Asia have been attempting to leave some 28,000 of them Syrians fleeing the war-rav- Greece via its northern border with Albania but aged homeland. Since 2006, nearly 900,000 particularly Macedonia. The same border the migrants have been arrested in Greece for illegal Greek government has spent years and millions of entry or residence. “I lived in Greece for eight years, euros trying to stop migrants getting into Greece. mostly working as a farm laborer,” says a 22-year- Now they are trying to stop them leave. old Afghan. “I used to be able to live on my salary The refugees huddle in makeshift camps near of 30 euros ($37) a day. But now it is very difficult the train tracks at the border post of Idomeni, 65 to live in Greece because of the crisis,” he said. kilometers north of Thessaloniki, waiting for their Next to him, a young woman from Cameroon chance. Some try to sneak on board passing trains breaks down in tears. “I left Cameroon because from Thessaloniki to Skopje, while others hope to Islamists killed my husband. I am a Christian,” she enlist the help of Macedonian smugglers. “I’ve says, shivering inside a sleeping bag. According been here for 20 days,” says a man from to the latest report of EU border agency Frontex, Afghanistan who declined to give his name. “I Macedonian smugglers charge between 120 and IDOMENI: Photo shows immigrants at the border post of Idomeni, some 600 km North of want to cross into Macedonia and head on to 200 euros for passage as far as the Serbian bor- Athens, on the border Greece-Macedonia. — AFP Europe. There are no jobs in Greece, I want to live der. —AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Modi named ‘Asian of the Year’ by Singapore daily

SINGAPORE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was named “Asian of the Year” yester- day by a Singapore press group to mark the significant impact his landslide election victo- ry has had on the region. “Mr Modi has got India and the world excited about his coun- try’s prospects again,” Straits Times editor Warren Fernandez said in a press statement. The charismatic nationalist politician won India’s biggest electoral victory in three decades in the April-May polls and has been received like a pop star in visits to the United States and Australia. Modi, 64, has vowed to reform the economy of the nation of 1.2 bil- lion people by slashing red tape, attracting foreign investment and harnessing the potential of its youthful population. AMRITSAR: Indian patients (left — right) Pritam Singh, Jaswant Singh, Charan Kaur, Sulakhan Last year, the award was shared by Singh and Balwant Singh, who lost their sights after undergoing surgery at an eye camp, show President Xi Jinping of China and Prime their damaged eyes at a government hospital in Amritsar yesterday. — AFP Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan. The inaugural award, in 2012, went to Prime Minister Thein Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi 15 Indians blinded after Sein of Myanmar. — AFP cataract surgery: Report 17 security men die as militants ‘Doctor used infected equipment’ storm Kashmir army camp

NEW DELHI: Fifteen Indians lost their sight after ing to the World Health Organization. Last URI, India: Militants hurling grenades stormed an to boycott the state elections. a doctor used suspected infected equipment to month, at least 13 women died after treatment army camp yesterday in Indian Kashmir and killed The militants entered the high-walled Uri camp, remove cataracts at a free eye surgery camp, the at an unhygienic mass sterilisation camp in cen- 11 security officials, police said, ratcheting up vio- tossing grenades and firing, police said. “Eight army latest incident to highlight the dangers of shod- tral India. An independent investigation found lence in the region which is voting in state elec- men, including two officers, three policemen and dy medical treatment in the country. the doctor used the same needle on each tions. Six of the attackers also died in the shootout six militants died in the firing” at the army base, the A criminal investigation has been launched patient and staff never changed their gloves. at the sprawling army camp in Uri, near the heavily senior police officer said on condition of anonymity against the non-governmental organization and The mishandled surgeries at the eye camp militarized Line of Control (LoC) dividing the dis- as he was not authorized to speak to reporters. the doctors who carried out the operations, were discovered when the 15 patients came to a puted Himalayan territory between India and By mid-afternoon, shooting had ceased and mainly on elderly women, without consulting government office on Wednesday asking for Pakistan, an Indian police official told AFP. security forces were “defusing unexploded health authorities. The government is trying to medicine and financial help. The operations The raid, one of the deadliest in years on an grenades,” the police officer said. NN Joshi, the check the condition of 45 other patients operat- took place in a village outside Amritsar in early Indian Kashir army camp, was one of several attacks army spokesman in Srinagar, said only that the ed on at the camp in Punjab state in northern November. in the restive region Friday and came days before security “operation (at Uri) is on”, without divulging India, according to Rajiv Bhalla, a senior govern- “They were very upset and helpless,” said the state votes in the third of five phases of state details. The strongly fortified army camp, home to ment surgeon in the city of Amritsar, where the Ravi Bhagat, the deputy commissioner of elections. A separate gunbattle erupted in the resi- several hundred soldiers, lies 100 kilometers (60 patients are being treated. Amritsar. “It took them a while to come to see us dential outskirts of Srinagar, the flashpoint region’s miles) northwest of Srinagar. In the separate vio- “The cause was probably using unsterilized because they never knew it was going to be main city, ahead of a campaign visit Monday by lence that broke out near the city, “a police party instruments - that can be the only reason for the such a serious issue.” India has the world’s India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. intercepted two militants near a checkpoint and infection in the eye,” said Bhalla. “There are no largest number of blind people and cataracts Two rebels died in the Srinagar gunfight, the militants fired,” Kashmir inspector-general of chances of them having their vision restored.” are one of the leading causes of people losing police said. Modi is slated to address a campaign police Abdul Gani Mir told AFP. Both were killed. Calls to the organization that organized the their sight, according to Sightsavers, a British rally to be held in the city by Bharatiya Janata And in Tral, south of Srinagar, suspected rebels camp and the hospital where it took place went charity. In order to combat the problem, mass Party (BJP), which is making a bold bid for power. lobbed a grenade at an election campaign vehicle unanswered. The botched operations draw cataract camps are organised. Thousands of extra paramilitary troops have been but missed its target and killed an elderly bystander attention to the poor state of healthcare in “It is just a minor surgery, the results are nor- deployed in Kashmir to protect voters from at a bus-stop, injuring six others, a senior police India, which has one of the lowest rates of pub- mally very good,” said Bhalla. “This should never attacks by militants who have called on residents officer said.—AFP lic spending on medical care anywhere, accord- have happened.” — Reuters US ties with Pakistan wary but improving

WASHINGTON: The US has carried out a strike also killed three armed militants in series of airstrikes in recent days against some Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. The oper- of Pakistan’s most wanted militants hiding in a ation was one of a recent series along the remote border area, the latest sign of improv- Afghanistan-Pakistan border aimed at the ing relations between the two reluctant allies group known as the Tehrik-i-Taleban after years of recrimination following the 2011 Pakistan, according to US officials who were raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden. not authorized to be quoted by name dis- On Nov 24, an American airstrike in eastern cussing the strikes. While the State Afghanistan narrowly missed Pakistani Taliban Department considers that group a terrorist leader Mullah Fazlullah, a top target for organization, it poses a far greater threat to Pakistan’s military and the leader believed to Pakistan than to the United States, having have ordered the attack on schoolgirl Malala killed thousands of Pakistanis. The US Yousafzai, a children’s rights activist who sur- airstrikes are the latest indication that the US- vived and won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, a Pakistan counterterrorism alliance has recov- US official said. The official was not authorized ered from the serious breach it suffered after to be quoted by name discussing the clandes- Al-Qaeda leader bin Laden was found hiding tine operation. in Pakistan in 2011 and the US launched a Col Brian Tribus, spokesman for the inter- secret operation to kill him without telling URI: An Indian soldier takes position by a road overlooking army barracks following an attack national coalition in Afghanistan, said the Pakistan in advance.—AP by militants on the camp in Gingal Uri, some 90 km north of Srinagar near the Line of Control (LoC), yesterday. — AFP INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

‘Black widow’ pot plants show traces of cyanide

TOKYO: Japanese police investigating a so-called “Black December last year. deliberately targeting unattached wealthy men as part Widow” who could be behind the deaths of six partners Investigators who tested plant pots she had taken to of a plan to get insurance payouts or to inherit their have found traces of cyanide in soil from her pot plants, a recycling centre about six months after her husband assets. reports said yesterday. died discovered a bag at the bottom of a planter. Lab Kakehi has denied murder.Cyanide was found in the Chisako Kakehi, 68, who was arrested last month on results showed the presence of cyanide compounds, body of at least one of the men she was involved with suspicion of murdering her 75-year-old spouse, received Kyodo News and other media reported. Since the death before her recent marriage. Police who earlier raided her one billion yen ($8.5 million) in insurance and other pay- from illness of her first husband in 1994, Kakehi had home in Kyoto found traces of cyanide in the rubbish, outs over 10 years following the deaths of husbands and reportedly been involved with more than 10 men, of media said. They also found paraphernalia for adminis- lovers, media have said. Police believe she killed Isao-her whom six had perished. tering drugs and medical books at an apartment she fourth and most recent husband-with cyanide in Reports say that most were elderly or ill and she was kept south of Kyoto. — AFP China presents US with list of alleged fugitives campaign to track down corrupt officials

BEIJING: China has provided the US with a list of Rather than the return of fugitives, the US alleged fugitives amid a campaign to track down government’s chief concern is getting China to corrupt officials and others who have fled take back more than 39,000 of its citizens current- abroad, the State Department’s representative to ly in the United States who are at some point in recent law enforcement talks said yesterday. the process of being deported, Brownfield said. William Brownfield, the assistant secretary for The semi-annual dialogue, called the US- international narcotics and law Enforcement China Joint Liason Group on Law Enforcement, affairs, said the sides identified a “finite number also dealt with cybercrime, intellectual property of individuals and agreed to develop a strategy to rights, corruption and other issues. The talks address each of those.” From there, the sides involved more than 100 officials from both sides would “see if we could build from that to a larger hailing from a wide range of government depart- solution to the problem,” Brownfield said. ments. Despite China’s suspension of a dialogue China and the US have no extradition agree- with the US on hacking and cyber spying, Beijing ment, although the law offers alternatives. responded by making arrests after the US tracked Wanted persons can be dealt with through pros- a computer crime gang to China, the official said. ecution in the country to which they fled or be The official said the US understands prosecutions expelled for immigration violations. Their assets are likely to follow, but declined to give further HONG KONG: A protester addresses the crowd in front of the government headquarters dur- can also be seized if determined to have been details about the case since it had not yet been ing a march of university lecturers, from the high court in Admiralty to the government head- illegally acquired, leaving them little option but made public. — AP quarters in support of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP to return home. An American official speaking on condition of anonymity said China provided more than 100 names, but offered little informa- Malaysia says 18 HK protest leader says tion about their identities, alleged offenses or possible whereabouts in the US. deaths could block govt, not roads The move appears to be part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s push to extend an ongoing be linked to crackdown on corruption to those officials who HONG KONG: A founder of Hong Kong’s pro- said yesterday. have fled abroad with their ill-gotten gains. Myanmar unrest democracy movement branded the occupa- Around 100 academics, with some in full Beijing has estimated that since the mid-1990s, tion of the city’s main roads as “high-risk” yes- ceremonial gowns, held a rally in support of 16,000 to 18,000 corrupt officials and employees KUALA LUMPUR: Police have detained 17 terday, urging protesters to turn to new students and marched towards the Admiralty of state-owned enterprises have fled China or people from Myanmar over a string of grue- methods of civil disobedience to push for protest site Friday, where they were greeted gone into hiding with pilfered assets totaling some murders in a popular Malaysian tourist electoral reform. with applause. more than 800 billion yuan ($135 billion). destination, and believe the killings are Benny Tai, one of the three founders of the Some scholars held signs saying “I want While China has expressed interest in negoti- linked to ethnic unrest in their native coun- Occupy Central with Love and Peace move- true universal suffrage” and held yellow ating an extradition treaty, its failure to provide try, reports said yesterday. ment, said the movement has now run its umbrellas, a symbol of the democracy move- reciprocity by agreeing to extradite Chinese citi- Public anxiety has risen in Malaysia’s his- course and warned that protesters now risk ment. “They are our students and they are zens accused of crimes in the US was preventing toric state of Penang over the past few further violent clashes with police if they stay pursuing something that is not just for them- that from happening, the official said. months as mutilated corpses or severed in their camps. selves but is for the whole society,” Esther Ho, The official also said it was unlikely that the body parts have turned up-with at least 18 “Occupation is now a high-risk, low-return professor of educational policy and adminis- necessary two-thirds of the Senate would provide mysterious and unexplained murders of business,” he said in an editorial in the New tration at the Chinese University of Hong the necessary approval to ratify an extradition Myanmar nationals. Authorities had made York Times, arguing that campaigners should Kong, said. treaty. Even if a treaty was ratified, an American little comment until now but the state’s instead turn to “acts of noncooperation” such Tai and two other founding fathers of the judge would still have to rule that the offense for police chief was quoted yesterday saying as refusing to pay taxes. “The occupation has movement-Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming- which the person is wanted is also a criminal they now believe the killings are linked to won over as many Hong Kongers as it ever handed themselves in to police on offense in the US and that the person would violent clashes between Muslims and will, and we should consider new ways to Wednesday in a symbolic move to end the receive a trial that would comply with “at least Buddhists in Myanmar. “We can tell that convince the public that fighting for full occupation, but the different groups behind basic legal standards in the United States,” the these are the work of Myanmar nationals. democracy is in their interest.” the movement remain split on how to pro- official said. They bring their hatred here from their Campaigners have camped out on Hong ceed. “So at the end of the day, at least at this country of origin,” Abdul Rahim Hanafi was Kong’s streets for more than two months to Student protest leaders have until now moment, an extradition treaty does not seem to quoted as saying by the Malay Mail. demand fully free elections for the southern remained adamant that staying on the streets be in the cards, but there are other ways to “It was revenge they brought here from Chinese city’s leadership. The rallies drew tens is their only option to force reform. But a accomplish the desired objective of denying safe their country.” He said police were still inves- of thousands at their height, but numbers prominent leader from the Hong Kong haven to criminals and we are quite willing to tigating. The report provided little further have dwindled as public support for the Federation of Students, the group which led work with the government of China on those detail and Penang police were not immedi- movement has waned and dozens have been the mass rallies, said Thursday that students alternative ways,” the official said. The US current- ately reachable for comment. Fifteen people injured in clashes with police as authorities would decide “within a week” whether to ly has no pending requests for China to send from Myanmar were arrested earlier over have tried to clear the camps. leave the two remaining camps. wanted persons to the United States, although it the murders, while two more were held late So far one of three camps established by Tai added that using methods such as tried and failed to have former National Security Thursday, according to police. Violent clash- the movement has been dismantled, and refusing to pay taxes or rents for public hous- Agency contractor Edward Snowden handed es between majority Buddhists and Muslim Hong Kong authorities are gearing up for ing, and filibustering in the city’s mini-parlia- over while he was hiding last year in the semi- Rohingya-who the United Nations calls one more clearances next week. Police could clear ment may prove to be more effective than autonomous region of Hong Kong. Wanted for of the most persecuted minorities in the part of the main Admiralty protest site as ear- blocking roads. “Blocking government may leaking the NSA’s cyber spying secrets, Snowden world-erupted in 2012 in western ly as Wednesday after the city’s High Court be even more powerful than blocking roads,” is currently in hiding in Moscow, which has Myanmar’s Rakhine state.—AFP rejected a bid to halt the injunction, reports he said. — AFP refused to turn him over to the US. US monthly job gains, Yemen CB not to repay More than $150bn of oil trade deficit drops $1bn Saudi loan early Business16 projects face axe in 2015 17 18 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 India govt kicks off privatization drive 15 Canary Wharf owner rebuffs $4bn bid from Qatar Songbird says new offer does not reflect value in firm

The financial district of London’s Canary Wharf

LONDON: The owner of London’s Canary Wharf yesterday rebuffed a raised 2.6 billion pound ($4.1 billion) bid for the financial district from Qatar and a North American investor saying it was too low. Songbird Estates said the 350 pence per share offer from Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Brookfield Property Partners LP “does not reflect the full value of the company, its unique position and future growth poten- tial”. The Canary Wharf financial zone was established about 25 years ago on former docks and is in a Songbird portfolio that includes part owner- ship of the landmark “Walkie Talkie” skyscraper in the City, London’s tra- ditional business area. A revival in London’s office property market and Canary Wharf’s expansion plans have stirred interest in Songbird. Canary Wharf is preparing to start work on two major developments: a 60-storey tower with the first residential property on the estate and a 20-acre waterside site with 3,100 homes and office buildings, as well as a school and more shops. However, Canary Wharf’s complex ownership structure with two lay- ers of shareholders, one in Songbird and another in Canary Wharf Group, has tended to leave Songbird shares trading at a discount to their net asset value. Songbird owns 69.4 percent of Canary Wharf Group while US-listed Brookfield, which operates and invests in office and industrial property, is the second largest shareholder in the unlisted company with 22.1 per- cent. Meanwhile, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund owns 28.6 percent of Songbird. New York-based investor Simon Glick has almost 26 percent and China’s sovereign wealth fund owns 15.8 percent. QIA and Brookfield made a 2.2 billion pound approach for Songbird in November sending its shares soaring as much as 22 percent to 320 pence, but it was rejected.

Hostile move In a hostile move, QIA and Brookfield took their new joint all-cash bid directly to shareholders on Thursday. Announced less than two hours before a deadline to submit a revised bid, it represented a 33.6 percent premium to Songbird’s closing share price on Nov 5, the day before the first approach. Songbird said in a brief response its pro forma adjusted net asset val- ue was 381p per share as of Nov. 27 and there were other areas of value within the company not reflected in that valuation. It said it would write to shareholders with its detailed view of the offer in due course. Songbird’s shares were down 3 percent at 313p by 0950 GMT, after an early rise to 335p fizzled out. “Whilst we believe 350p is still too low and doesn’t attribute any value to the future prospects or management, ulti- mately the shareholders have to decide whether they want to take the liquidity now or continue to invest in the longer-term outlook of what is arguably a unique estate at Canary Wharf,” Miranda Cockburn, analyst at Oriel Securities, said in a note. A successful bid would add to Qatar’s significant presence in London. The Shard, western Europe’s tallest skyscraper, and department store Harrods, are among its high-profile properties. —Reuters

BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Aer Lingus CEO picked to helm Malaysia Airlines

KUALA LUMPUR: Troubled Malaysia Airlines has picked the head of Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, Christoph Mueller, as its future CEO as the airline strug- gles to recover from its two devastating disasters this year, it was announced yesterday. Mueller will take over by mid-2015, said an announcement by Khazanah Nasional, the Malaysia state investment fund that con- trols the ailing airline. German citizen Mueller took the helm of Aer Lingus in 2009 and initiated a turnaround strategy that involved hefty job cuts. He previously occupied top positions at German flag carrier Lufthansa and the for- mer Belgian carrier Sabena. “Mr Mueller has a strong record of transformation and turnarounds in the avia- tion industry,” Khazanah said. “Among his key accom- plishments, Mr Mueller has demonstrated particular strength in strategic and financial planning, as well as structural repositioning of companies in difficulties.” Khazanah has launched a rescue plan to save the national airline after the losses of flights MH370 and MH17 threatened to send it into bankruptcy. The disasters compounded huge financial losses in AHMEDABAD: An Indian worker uses equipment in the heavy fabrication department of a factory near recent years, which analysts have blamed on poor Ahmedabad. India government kicked off its troubled privatization drive yesterday offering a five-percent-stake management, unwise business decisions, government in state-controlled Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) to generate revenue and plug a gaping budget deficit. — AFP meddling and a failure to meet the challenge of low- cost upstarts like Malaysia’s successful AirAsia. The car- rier’s poor business standing has left it ill-equipped to India govt kicks off face the impact of the air disasters, which have severely dented passenger bookings. Khazanah, which owns around 70 percent of the carrier, plans to acquire all remaining shares and take the carrier private in a bid to privatization drive resuscitate it. Khazanah has already announced restructuring plans including pumping 6 billion ringgit ($1.73 billion) into the airline, slashing 6,000 jobs-or 30 5% stake in SAIL on sale to plug budget gap percent of its workforce-and trimming its route net- work. NEW DELHI: India’s new right-wing government kicked off the financial year ending March 2015. Replacing its chief executive was also announced as its troubled privatization drive yesterday, selling a five-per- But the government is likely to fall badly short of that tar- a key priority. Khazanah has been criticized in the past cent stake in the state-controlled Steel Authority of India Ltd get, partly due to strong resistance to divestment by for picking CEOs who lacked aviation industry experi- (SAIL) to generate revenue and plug a gaping budget deficit. employees of some state-run firms. ence. Current boss Ahmad Jauhari Yahya came from an The offer of shares in the country’s biggest domestic steel Coal India’s 350,000 unionized employees, for instance, energy background. producer is the first in a string of asset disposals planned by are heavily against the sale of shares in the mining giant to His stock plummeted in the aftermath of MH370, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. private investors. Modi led his Bharatiya Janata Party to a when the airline’s response to the disaster was severely Analysts originally expected the sale to take place in July but massive election victory in May on pledges of reviving India’s criticized by passengers’ families as chaotic, secretive the divestment program has been slow to get off the stumbling economy. and insensitive. Malaysia Airlines said Thursday that its ground. The government has said it wanted to accelerate divest- shares would be suspended from the country’s stock The SAIL offer that was set at a minimum price of 83- ment to raise badly needed funds to stick to the previous exchange on December 15 as part of the rescue plan. rupees-a-share, represented a two-and-a-half percent dis- Congress government’s ambitious goal of capping the deficit MH370 disappeared in March after inexplicably count to Thursday’s closing price. at 4.1 percent of gross domestic product, down from 4.5 per- diverting from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing course. The air- The government has said the SAIL sale, which will reduce cent a year earlier. liner, carrying 239 people, is believed to have crashed the state’s holding in the company to 75 percent, is expected “India looks set to miss its fiscal target this year, even in in the Indian Ocean, but no trace has been found. to raise up to 17 billion rupees ($275 million). The sale was 27 the optimistic case that the government fully delivers on its MH17 went down in July in rebellion-torn eastern percent oversubscribed by the afternoon, according to stock plans to sell stakes in state-owned companies,” research Ukraine-believed hit by a surface-to-air missile-killing exchange figures. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said in house Capital Economics analyst Shilan Shah said in a note. all 298 aboard. Malaysia Airlines previously had a solid his budget that the government aimed to collect a hefty The failure of the economy to generate more in tax revenues, safety record. — AFP 584.43 billion rupees ($9.5 billion) from the sale of holdings despite a slight pick-up in growth, has made it even tougher in state-run companies and non-government firms during to meet the deficit target, analysts say. — AFP Europe shakes off ECB doubts before US data

LONDON: Worries over spluttering growth Marey, a US-focused Rabobank economist. halved its 2015 growth forecast for Europe’s than a billion dollars was sold in a few min- and a downturn in commodity markets put “So the Fed will want to see ‘underemploy- largest economy yesterday. The pan- utes,” said a dealer of a major Russian bank. global stock markets on course for their first ment’ rate fall further and they want the European FTSEurofirst 300 was up 1 percent “No one else is in a position to trade such weekly decline in a month yesterday, hourly earnings growth to rebound to 3-4 after a 1.4 percent flop on Thursday, but volumes now.” Brent crude was back below although European shares reclaimed some percent. That is what is becoming increas- MSCI’s 45-country All World index was limp- $70 a barrel and heading for a 10th weekly of the ground they had lost on Thursday. ingly important.” ing towards its first weekly drop in four. loss out of the past 11. Top oil exporter After another frenetic week for financial The dollar hit a seven-year high of The Russian ruble dropped again this Saudi Arabia cut prices again on Thursday, in markets, investors were trying to catch their 120.335 yen in early European trading, week following more aggressive rhetoric another sign of the escalating price war in breath before U.S. jobs data at 1330 GMT. helped by a Wall Street Journal report that over Ukraine and a further decline in oil the market. Economists polled by Reuters expected it to simulations by Federal Reserve economists prices. But it firmed against both the dollar In contrast, gold was heading for its show 230,000 new jobs were added last suggest it would be best to raise interest and the euro on Friday, probably on inter- biggest weekly gain in 10 months as the month and the unemployment rate was rates promptly. Expectations the Fed will ventions from the central bank. It was up as prospect of central bank stimulus in the euro unchanged at 5.8 percent. move some time next year are fuelling the much as 3.3 percent on the day against the zone, China and Japan boosted demand for “We know the employment growth has dollar’s rally. Unlike the United States, dollar in early trade, then drifted back down. the metal as an inflation hedge. Spot gold been decent for a couple of months now, so Europe, China and Japan are all losing It was up 1.3 percent at 53.7 against the dol- was little changed at $1,205.60 an ounce, if we get close to the consensus, that just momentum, slowdowns that are weighing lar by 0930 GMT. but there was also caution ahead of the confirms what we already know,” said Philip on stock markets. Germany’s Bundesbank “It’s undoubtedly the central bank - more upcoming US jobs data. — Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Afghan laborers work at a brick factory on the outskirts of Mazar-i-Sharif. Afghanistan’s economy is largely agriculture-based, though the country is endowed with a wealth of natural resources and mineral deposits. —AFP US monthly job gains Brent retreats largest in three years to $69 as price rout extends Trade deficit drops to $43.4bn LONDON: Brent crude slipped towards $69 a barrel yesterday, on track to finish the week below $70 a barrel for the first time since 2010, as cuts to WASHINGTON: US employers added the largest number of unemployment rate held steady at a six-year low of 5.8 percent. official selling prices from Saudi Arabia helped hold oil near five-year lows. workers in nearly three years in October and wages increased, Data for September and October were revised to show Prices have tumbled by roughly 40 percent since June, hitting their low- which could bring the Federal Reserve closer to raising interest 44,000 more jobs created than previously reported. Economists est in five years earlier this week, as the market grapples with oversupply as a rates. polled by Reuters had forecast payrolls increasing by only result of the US shale boom and the recent decision by the Organization of Nonfarm payrolls surged by 321,000 last month, the most 230,000 last month. Petroleum Exporting Countries not to cut production. Some analysts said since January 2012, the Labor Department said yesterday. The November marked the 10th straight month that job growth the Saudi cuts to monthly prices for crude it sells to the United States and has exceeded 200,000, the longest stretch since 1994, and fur- Asia show it is stepping up its battle for market share. “It’s been weighing on ther confirmed the economy is weathering slowdowns in China the market, showing that OPEC is not ready to end its price war,” said and the euro-zone, as well as a recession in Japan. There are Commerzbank analyst Eugen Weinberg. “The lower the better seems to signs the strengthening labor market conditions are starting to be the new paradigm for OPEC.” The January Brent crude contract fell by spur faster wage growth, a key factor that will determine the 64 cents to $69 a barrel by 1146 GMT, on track for the ninth weekly loss in timing of the US central bank’s first rate hike. Average hourly 10 weeks. US crude was down 54 cents at $66.27. Investors are looking earnings rose by 9 cents in November, which left them up 2.1 ahead to the US government’s non-farm payrolls report for November, percent from a year ago - still well below the increase of 3 per- due at 1330 GMT. Expectations are that the US economy created 230,000 cent or more that economists say would make the Fed comfort- jobs last month. US strength contrasts with the euro-zone, where able lifting benchmark overnight rates from near zero, where Germany’s Bundesbank this week halved its 2015 growth forecasts for they have been since December 2008. Europe’s largest economy to 1 percent. Meanwhile, the US trade deficit fell slightly in October as At the same time, oversupply could rise next year when Iraq starts to exports rebounded while oil imports dipped to the lowest level export more oil as a result of an agreement between Baghdad and the in five years. The Commerce Department says the deficit edged Kurdish regional government. Libya is also set to restart its largest oil- down 0.4 percent to $43.4 billion, down from a revised $43.6 bil- field, El Sharara, once a pipeline blockage is cleared. The combined pres- lion in September. sure is preventing Brent from rebounding from a near 13-percent Exports climbed 1.2 percent to $197.5 billion, recovering plunge last week. The fall may put global oil and gas exploration projects after a September dip. Imports were up as well, rising 0.9 per- worth more than $150 billion on hold next year, potentially curbing sup- cent to $241 billion but that increase was held back by a 0.6 per- ply by the end of the decade. Fatih Birol, chief economist with the cent fall in imports of petroleum, which dropped to the lowest International Energy Agency, said yesterday he sees oil prices rising to level since November 2009. The average price of a barrel of oil near $100 a barrel in the coming years. Analysts also expect oil prices to dipped to $88.47, the lowest point since February 2011. rebound in the next two years, averaging $82.50 a barrel in 2015, a Through October, the deficit is running 4.8 percent below Reuters poll showed. But some said OPEC’s recent decision not to cut the same period in 2013. A lower deficit provides a boost to production was still filtering through the market. “If you look at prices economic growth. over the last few days, oil is on a downward trajectory, it’s almost a Many economists expect the Fed to wait until mid-2015 straight line,” said Gareth Lewis-Davies, senior energy strategist at BNP before hiking rates. Details of November’s employment report Paribas, adding that the market is “still trying to get to grips with OPEC’s were upbeat. Most of the measures Fed Chair Janet Yellen tracks decision not to cut oil production.” —Reuters to gauge the amount of slack in the labor market are seen show- ing further improvement. A broad measure of joblessness that includes people who OPEC’s basket want to work but have given up searching and those working part-time because they cannot find full-time employment fell to a fresh six-year low of 11.4 percent from 11.5 percent in October. at $66.27pb The ranks of the long-term unemployed are also shrinking. The labor force participation rate, or the share of working-age GENEVA: OPEC daily basket price stood at $66.27 a barrel on Americans who are employed or at least looking for a job, was Thursday, compared with $67.31 the previous day, said the steady at 62.8 percent. Job gains were broad-based, with OPEC bulletin yesterday. The new OPEC Reference Basket of employment in professional and businesses services jumping Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend 68,000. Retail payrolls increased by 50,200 as employers stepped (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy up hiring in anticipation of a strong holiday shopping season. (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export MIAMI: Job seekers fill out job applications at a job fair Manufacturing and construction employment acceler- (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine in Miami Lakes, Florida. The Labor Department releas- ated from October. Government payrolls increased by (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey es employment data for November on Friday. —AP 7,000. —Agencies (Venezuela). —KUNA BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Sukuk for vaccine fund ushers Islamic finance into ethical sphere

LONDON: The latest entrant into Islamic finance is adapt sukuk for use in a variety of ethical pursuits, majority countries. leading the industry in the new direction of socially including advising the Dubai government on a funding The sukuk could encourage other non-profits to responsible investment - which could even include the strategy for the emirate’s green investment program. consider this funding tool, while Gulf countries could fight against Ebola. IFFIm, backed by nine sovereign donors including be inclined to become GAVI donors themselves, said Last week an immunization program secured a Britain and France, will use the proceeds of its sukuk to Paris-based Karsenti, who is also president of the $500 million issuance of Islamic bonds, or sukuk, in the finance projects for the Global Alliance for Vaccines International Capital Market Association. Founded in largest debut issue ever by a global non-profit organi- and Immunization (GAVI) and is open to using the for- 2000, GAVI has financed immunization efforts in 73 zation, under a broader trend to use bond markets to mat again. “It’s a natural market for us. These kind of countries, with half of its investment directed to 33 fund development and humanitarian projects. socially responsible investments are very much aligned Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, Mali and The sukuk from the International Finance Facility for with the core principles of Islamic finance,” IFFIm Board Indonesia. Immunization Co (IFFIm), for which the World Bank Chair Rene Karsenti told Reuters. “Sukuk is not new but what is new here is that it is acts as treasury manager, is a break from the predomi- The sukuk helped IFFIm diversify its investor base associated with a socially responsible vehicle. We hope nantly commercial nature of most Islamic finance and secure competitive pricing, but also helped we can lead the way for other similar institutions to use transactions. The deal is part of World Bank efforts to raise the profile of GAVI activities among Muslim- the market.” —Reuters Unease as Chinese firms win bid for big French airport stake PARIS: The planned sale to a Chinese consortium of a 49.99 per- cent government stake in a major French airport where Airbus tests and assembles planes has sparked a wave of unease. Paris announced Thursday that it had decided to sell the 308- million-euro ($381-million) stake in the company that manages Toulouse airport to the Symbiose consortium that is made up of Chinese state-owned group Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Hong Kong-based investment firm Friedmann Pacific Asset Management. In an interview with local daily La Depeche du Midi, Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron insisted that the airport was not being privatized, pointing out that the state-which retains a 10.01 percent stake-along with local authorities would still be majority owners. But officials on both sides of the political spectrum expressed their reservations on the planned sale, pointing out that French players had also been in the running to snap up the stake. “Airports must remain public,” tweeted Marie-Noelle Lienemann, a Socialist senator. “Macron believes he is in Greece where the government sold ports to the Chinese to reduce deficits which continued to increase,” she added. Lienemann was referring to the 2008 sig- nature by Chinese shipping giant COSCO of a 35-year conces- sion to expand container terminals at the Greek port of Piraeus, TOULOSE: Toulouse’s mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc (L) answers journalists questions, yesterday in Toulouse, as the country plunged into a devastating debt crisis. Far-right one day after France’s Economy ministry announced that the French government is selling a 49.99 percent leader Marine Le Pen also slammed the planned sale, as did stake in the Toulouse Blagnac airport to a Chinese-led consortium. —AFP Jean-Louis Chauzy, head of the local economic, social and envi- ronmental council, which has an advisory role for the elected regional assembly. “We are selling off the country’s general interest,” he told More than $150bn of oil France Info radio. “It was supposed to stay under the authority of the French state, with local authorities and French investors.” The finance ministry said that the Chinese consortium had projects face axe in 2015 put forward “an ambitious development project” for the airport that targets an increase in jobs linked to a rise in traffic. Toulouse-Blagnac airport, the fourth largest in France, is used by Canadian oil sands, LNG projects at high risk of delays European aerospace giant Airbus-which is headquartered near- by-to test and assemble planes. —AFP LONDON: Global oil and gas exploration projects volume, is unlikely to be approved, head of analy- projects around the world were in doubt as devel- worth more than $150 billion are likely to be put on sis at Rystad Energy Per Magnus Nysveen said. “At opment costs soared in recent years. Chevron’s hold next year as plunging oil prices render them $70 a barrel, half of the overall volumes are at risk,” Rosebank project has already been delayed for uneconomic, data shows, potentially curbing sup- he said. Around one third of the projects sched- several years. plies by the end of the decade. As big oil fields that uled for FID in 2015 are so-called unconventional, In response to a question from Reuters, the were discovered decades ago begin to deplete, oil where oil and gas are extracted using horizontal company said “the Rosebank project is in the companies are trying to access more complex and drilling, in what is known as fracking, or mining. Of Front End Engineering and Design phase. The hard to reach fields located in some cases deep those 20 billion barrels, around half are located in review of the economics and the additional engi- under sea level. But at the same time, the cost of Canada’s oil sands and Venezuela’s tar sands, neering work is progressing... It is premature to production has risen sharply given the rising cost of according to Nysveen. make any statements on an FID date.” HodÈe said raw materials and the need for expensive new Geographically, the projects on the balance any offshore project with a development cost technology to reach the oil. are widespread. Chevron’s North Sea Rosebank above $30 a barrel would most likely be put on Now the outlook for onshore and offshore project is among those with a shaky future and a hold in current oil prices. Norway’s Statoil this developments - from the Barents Sea to the Gulf decision on whether to go ahead with it will likely week said it had postponed until next October-a or Mexico - looks as uncertain as the price of oil, be pushed late into 2015 as the company assesses six-month delay-a decision to invest $5.74 billion which has plunged by 40 percent in the last five its economics, analysts said. in the Snorre field in the Norwegian Sea as its prof- months to around $70 a barrel. Next year compa- “This project was not deemed economic at itability was under threat. nies will make final investment decisions (FIDs) on $100 a barrel so at current levels it is clearly a no- New oil fields typically require four to five a total of 800 oil and gas projects worth $500 bil- go,” said Bertrand HodÈe, research analyst at Paris- years to be developed and billions before the first SANTIAGO: International Monetary Fund Managing lion and totalling nearly 60 billion barrels of oil Based Raymond James. He estimates a develop- drop of oil is produced. Any cutbacks in oil pro- Director Christine Lagarde (left) posing with equivalent, according to data from Norwegian ment cost of $10 billion for Rosebank, with poten- duction bodes ill for international oil companies Minister of Finance of Chile Alberto Arenas de Mesa consultancy Rystad Energy. But with analysts fore- tial reserves of 300 million barrels - meaning the that are already struggling to replace depleting (right) after their meeting at the Ministry of Finance casting oil to average $82.50 a barrel next year, Chevron would only recoup $33 a barrel. Even reserves as exploration becomes harder and dis- Building on Thursday in Santiago. —AFP around one third of the spending, or a fifth of the with oil at $120 a barrel, the economics of some coveries smaller. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Power, gas shortages hit Libya’s biggest steel plant MISRATA: The Libyan Iron and Steel Company (Lisco), one of North Africa’s biggest steelmakers, has seen output slump this year as the turmoil in the country hit power supplies but hopes better security will lift output in 2015, its chairman said. Chairman Mohamed Abdelmalik al-Faqih also told Reuters Lisco had partly offset weak demand from its European mar- kets by attracting more business from China while meeting output targets for finished products such as reinforced bars (rebars). Faqih said Lisco, one of Libya’s biggest companies, has been hit by power shortages as armed factions fought over the capital in summer. The closure of oilfields in the east by pro- testers also temporarily shut a gas pipeline to the plant. “Of course we are still producing, all the plants are working, how- ever we are much behind our schedule, our annual targets,” Faqih said in an interview in his office overlooking the plant in Misrata, Libya’s third-largest city. “We were facing a lot of problems related to electricity and natural gas,” he said. Lisco would produce around 570,000 tons of liquid steel from its two melt-shops this year, he said. It had targeted around million tons like in 2013. The direct reduction at iron plants would achieve around half of the annual target of 1.6 BUSAN: Workers queue to enter an under-construction Maersk triple-E class container ship at the Daewoo DSME million tons, he added. This included around 250,000 tons of shipyard in Okpo, 60km south of Busan. At some 400 metres long and capable of carrying over 18,000 containers, hot briquetted iron, a steel making ingredient, half its original triple-E class ships are the largest currently in operation. Danish shipping company Maersk has ordered 20 of the target. However, the bar mill will meet its target of 400,000 vessels across two contracts totalling some 3.8 billion US dollars, with deliveries to be completed in 2015. —AFP tons of rebars this year, he said. The hot-strip mill would pro- duce a 187,000 tons, down from the target of 400,000 tons. He hoped output would improve in 2015 if security and power supply improved. Yemen CB not to repay Boost from China Lisco aims to continue a 3 billion Libyan dinar ($2.44 billion) expansion plan but the fighting in Tripoli led to the pullout of $1bn Saudi loan early workers from Italian firm Danieli and others. This delayed the launch of a new bar mill with an annual capacity of 800,000 tons. “Maybe we need four or five months and we are ready (after the foreign firms’ return),” he said, adding an Austrian Houthi fighters occupying CB not interfering in operations firm on another project had just returned. Faqih said Lisco had been also affected by weak European SANAA/DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has not asked Yemen for an early repay- Overall donor loan disbursements, including project funding, were fore- markets in Italy and Spain as well as lower demand from Egypt. ment of a $1 billion loan and Houthi fighters occupying Yemen’s central cast at $615 million, with Saudi Arabia expected to play a substantial role. But it had managed to boost sales from China to 20 percent of bank are not interfering in its operations, Yemeni central bank governor Under the law governing the central bank, it may provide temporary overall volumes, up from 5 percent, he said. Another problem was Mohammed Bin Humam told Reuters. Riyadh has suspended most of its emergency financing to the government in exceptional circumstances if the reluctance of some foreign business partners to send ships to financial aid to the impoverished nation, sources told Reuters this week, that is consistent with its monetary policy. indicating its unease with the growing political power of Shiite Houthi In 2012, the central bank exceeded the legal limit on how much it Libya due to turmoil and higher insurance premiums despite fighters friendly with Saudi Arabia’s Shiite regional rival, Iran. With public may lend to the government by 347.9 billion rials. Yemen’s annual infla- much better security in Misrata than in the rest of the country. finances squeezed by fighting al Qaeda militants and frequent tribal tion, which hit a one-year high of 10 percent in August, is likely to retreat Since its restart, Lisco is relying on Brazil’s Vale and Samarco for iron attacks on oil pipelines, Sanaa has relied on its wealthy northern neigh- again, Humam also said, as the impact of severe fuel shortages seen in ore pellets since Sweden’s LKAB, its long time supplier, stopped bor for fuel imports and funding of government salaries and welfare pay- the first seven months of the year has faded away. “Now, that the market contracting with the Libyan firm, he said. —Reuters ments. has calmed down we expect CPI (the consumer price index) to soften But soon after Houthi fighters took over the capital Sanaa in and inflation rate for the whole year to be at around 8-9 percent,” he London Metal Exchange September, Sunni Saudi Arabia suspended much of that aid, throwing in said. —Reuters doubt the $1 billion loan it deposited in the Yemen central bank in 2012 trims fee increase to shore up dwindling reserves. “Our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have not asked for early repayment and we believe they will not,” ABF’s Primark sales LONDON: The London Metal Exchange (LME) yesterday trimmed a pro- Humam said in an e-mailed answer to Reuters’ questions. “Our strong posed average increase in transaction fees to 31 percent from 34 per- brotherly ties are above all agreements!” growth held back cent after complaints by members. The LME said that it made the Riyadh boosted the central bank’s reserves with a 12-year loan in changes following feedback from members and because of its commit- September 2012 with the repayment to start after four years. Hurt by oil by warm weather ment to open-outcry trading and to support the price discovery pipeline bombings, Yemen’s gross foreign assets slipped to $5.1 billion in process. September, or 4.8 months of imports, their lowest level since July. LONDON: Associated British Foods said underlying sales The 137-year-old LME had announced the fee increase in “Our current level of foreign reserves is still sufficient and in line with at its Primark discount fashion chain were below expecta- September as its owner moved to boost profit from the world’s biggest our program with the IMF (International Monetary Fund),” Humam said tions in the first two months of its 2014-15 year due to industrial metals market after a costly takeover. The LME’s owner, Hong in a rare interview. He also said that the Houthi fighters have no influ- unseasonably warm weather, though it maintained earn- Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx) , had splashed out $2.2 billion ence on the central bank’s operations: “We reiterate, there is no interven- ings guidance for the group. In a statement issued to to buy the exchange, a price that analysts said was very expensive. But tion in our business and all parties respect neutrality and independence coincide with its annual shareholders’ meeting yesterday some LME members objected to the fee increase, saying it would be of the Central Bank of Yemen.” Despite an agreement that Houthi fight- the firm said total sales at Primark were more than 10 likely to force brokers and banks to ditch some commission-free terms ers would withdraw from Sanaa after a new government is formed, they percent ahead of last year, driven by new store openings. and review their business models. still man checkpoints around the city and guard many state institutions Sales at stores open over a year were below its expec- The tariff structure included a significant discount on “ring” trading in the capital, including the central bank. tations, however, although the firm said Primark’s full- after the LME said in June it would keep open-outcry trading, bucking a The cash-strapped government has also not approached the central year profit estimate remained unchanged as it had bud- trend by most other markets to shift to all-electronic operations. bank to directly borrow funds from it to finance its budget needs, geted for a higher level of mark-downs this year. Shares Yesterday’s revision will extend that ring discount to other trades, such Humam said: “So far the government has not asked for that knowing the in AB Foods were down 3.2 percent at 3,099 pence at as telephone transactions, that are based on trades in the ring, LME negative effects of that.” 1138 GMT. spokeswoman Miriam Heywood said. The revised average increase of With the most Saudi aid halted, the government finds itself in a tight All of the group’s other guidance was unchanged transaction costs at 31 percent includes clearing fees. Looking at only spot although recent fuel subsidy cuts helped make the budget more from its Nov. 4 statement. The firm expects “further trading fees, the increase will come down to 60 percent from 65 percent, sustainable. It can also fall back next year on funding from the IMF, which progress” from its grocery, ingredients and agriculture Heywood said. The new fees will still take effect from Jan. 1 and there agreed in July to provide a three-year, $553 million loan based on the divisions, but with the continuing fall in EU sugar prices would be no further revisions before then, it said. Before the LME’s sale government’s economic reform pledges. The IMF predicted in and volatility in the world sugar price, anticipates a fur- in December 2012, it was owned by the banks and brokers that used it September that Yemen was likely to get 114 billion rials ($530.9 million) ther large reduction in profit from AB Sugar. —Reuters and therefore trading fees were kept very low for members. —Reuters in budget support next year, with $250 million coming from its program. BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 New coins to help Sanctions, oil, recession: ease Zimbabwe cash crunch Russia firms feel the pain HARARE: Zimbabwe’s central bank unveiled special coins Hard currency bonds tumble to new lows yesterday to ease a shortage of low denomination cash, which has forced shoppers to accept sweets or pens in lieu of change. “The bond coins are going to be issued in denomina- LONDON: Ruble depreciation, Western sanc- tions of one cent, five cents, ten cents, 25 cents and 50 cents,” tions and collapsing commodity prices have Zimbabwe’s Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya said at a sent Russian companies’ hard currency news conference in the capital Harare. He said the coins bonds tumbling to multi-year lows and there would be equal in value to US cents, “trading one for one”. is very likely more stress ahead. With around Zimbabwe switched to a multi-currency system in 2009 $650 billion in external debt, more than $100 after hyperinflation rendered the local dollar worthless. The billion due for repayments in the coming country now uses the US dollar, British pound, South African year and global capital markets effectively rand, Botswana pula, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan, Indian shut to Russia, companies, both private and rupee and the euro, among other currencies. state-run, are suffering. Eighty percent of the transactions in the economy are Russian yield spreads on the CEMBI cor- made using the US dollar, according to the central bank. porate debt index have almost doubled this The adoption of multiple currencies helped Zimbabwe year to around 788 basis points over US stem hyperinflation-which struck 231 million percent in 2008, Treasuries, though the index itself has barely before the government stopped counting. budged. Since end-November a ruble rout Mangudya said the introduction of the coins would lower has seen the spreads widen by more than 100 bps, astonishing levels for mostly invest- prices, as most businesses had rounded up to the next dollar ment-grade credits. during the change shortage. “You know that in the shops you However, a spate of corporate defaults were getting sweets, you were getting pens as change and looks unlikely because Russian authorities, that we cannot have. We want to bring decency in with $400 billion in their coffers, will proba- Zimbabwe.” MOSCOW: Customers walk at an Apple Premium reseller inside the Moscow bly bail out most who run into trouble. GUM State Department store in Moscow. Russia’s economy has been battered The central bank chief said the special coins would be Analysts also reckon most firms, especially this year by uncertainty over the conflict in Ukraine, the falling price of oil, introduced on December 18 and could be exchanged for US exporters, are sitting on enough cash to dollars, but they could only be used in the southern African meet short-term debt payments. Western sanctions and retaliatory Russian import bans which have poor and nation. He said the country could not import US coins to Yet there are few takers for the bonds, middle-class Russians feeling the pinch. — AP solve the shortage due to exorbitant costs, but refuted specu- even among those who think defaults are ly stops the process is large funds coming in bond fall 12 cents from mid-year levels. lation the new coins were a way of introducing the discarded unlikely. “Is there a significant increase in to buy. But at the moment, on top of oil State-run Rosneft’s 2022 bond is trading at Zimbabwean dollar. credit risk and default risk? We think - not prices, you also have political risk which is 76 cents in the dollar, having fallen more “We can never be so careless to bring back the local cur- yet,” said Sergei Strigo, head of emerging very hard to assess,” he added, referring to a than 15 cents since June. But signs are that rency,” he said. “We have no appetite to do so, and we can’t debt at Amundi. “But the uncertainty is so potential tightening of sanctions imposed by banks will be at the sharp end of the crisis. be careless to do so and we won’t do that.” Zimbabwe’s high that credit metrics don’t matter any- the West over the Ukraine crisis. Accounting for around half of outstanding economy has been on a downturn for over a decade, charac- more.” Strigo predicts firms will slash capital Russian corporate Eurobonds, according to terised by high unemployment. A liquidity crunch has forced expenditure and put new oil exploration BANKS Commerzbank estimates, banks are facing a companies to shut down, downsize or migrate to neighbour- projects on ice but sees no real risk to debt For now, all sectors and companies, rise in bad loans at home due to economic ing countries, while an indigenisation law which forced for- repayments. But he is neutral on Russian including those not subject to sanctions, are recession and this year’s sharp rise in interest eign companies to cede majority shares to locals scared off company bonds, meaning his holding does under the cosh. Energy exporter Lukoil for rates. Bonds from big state-run lenders foreign investors. — AFP not exceed their weight in indexes. instance, not sanctioned and benefiting from Sberbank, VEB and Russian Agricultural Bank “In these distressed situations what usual- rouble weakness - has seen its 2017 dollar are down five-10 cents since June. —Reuters BUSINESS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Property tax changes could Berkeley slow top-end sales

LONDON: A tax increase on the purchase of high-end prop- erties imposed by British finance minister George Osborne could deter people from buying the most expensive homes, London-focused housebuilder Berkeley warned yesterday. Announcing an 80 percent first-half profit rise that helped send its shares to their highest in nine months, Berkeley nonetheless cautioned over stamp duty changes set out on Wednesday which mean it costs more to buy a house worth more than 937,000 pounds ($1.5 million). The housebuilder has benefited from the strength of the housing market in London, where it has four-fifths of its busi- ness, but said the duty changes could mean less activity at the top end. Around 15 percent of Berkeley’s turnover is on homes worth more than 2 million pounds and Managing Director Rob Perrins told Reuters the higher tax on top-end buyers, the latest change to the system, could make them think twice before purchasing. “The buyer will absorb the price but if he thinks he’s going to get taxed more, he’ll put off the decision to buy at all ... so you’ll get lower sales rates out of it,” he said, HANOI: A woman leaves a crowded motorcycle parking area in the old quarter of Hanoi yesterday. Located in the adding that overall the change would not significantly affect very heart of the city, the old quarter is amongst the most attractive places for tourists when they visit the the firm. Housing is set to be a key issue in an election due by Vietnamese capital. — AFP May 2015, with Britain’s opposition Labor party proposing an annual “mansion tax” on properties worth more than 2 mil- lion pounds, whereas stamp duty is a one-off payment on every sale. “If a mansion tax comes in at a reasonable level, Light at end of tunnel London homebuilding can drop by a third,” Perrins said. The stamp duty changes meant the top rate rose to 12 percent on properties worth over 1.5 million pounds. The previous high- est level was 7 percent on homes over 2 million pounds. for German economy The government said nearly all buyers would see a tax cut, whereas homes over 937,000 pounds would face a steeper levy. Berkeley however was happy enough with the market to raise its own full-year guidance thanks to strong demand and Factory orders rise unexpectedly in October new developments, saying it expected to meet market expectations. The developer, which built 3,742 homes last FRANKFURT: An unexpectedly strong my, too, is in good shape.” Analysts also months. “For this reason it is likely that year, is expected to post a full-year underlying pretax profit of rise in factory orders added to the signs took heart from the apparent turnaround the overall economy will also expand 455 million pounds, according to a Thomson Reuters poll of that the German economy, Europe’s in factory orders and other data. somewhat more rapidly than in third 13 analysts, up from 380 million last year. biggest, may be putting its recent phase “Overall, it suggests that the German quarter,” he said. It said its pretax profit had risen to 305 million pounds in of weakness behind it, analysts said yes- economy has stabilized following the UniCredit economist Andreas Rees the six months through October, including a one-off asset terday. According to regular data com- weakness seen in the summer,” said was more cautious. “It is too early to push sale of 85 million. Shares in the housebuilder, which said it piled by the economy ministry, German BayernLB economist Stefan Kipar. “The the all-clear button for take-off in the would pay an interim dividend of 90 pence per share, industrial orders rose by 2.5 percent in signs are favorable that negative growth industrial sector. However, looking at the unchanged on last year, were up 4.4 percent at 2,617 pence October compared with the previous GDP rates will be successfully avoided in details of today’s data signals a promising by 1049 GMT. — Reuters month, after already rising by 1.1 percent the winter. The lower euro will provide start into the fourth quarter,” he said. in September. support,” Kipar said. Bundesbank president Weidmann said “This was a good start to the fourth German gross domestic product (GDP) falling oil prices should help the economy EU may ditch plan quarter. Alongside a brightening of senti- contracted by 0.1 percent in the second overall by providing relief to households ment indicators, the signals are looking quarter, but returned to growth again in and companies. “If the low crude oil to separate bank increasingly positive,” the ministry said in the third quarter, meaning Europe’s prices were to endure, projected inflation a statement. “Even if the economic risks biggest economy escaped a new reces- for 2015 would need to be lowered by 0.4 trading activities continue to exist, this suggests that the sion. percentage point. The repercussions for German economy could be gradually Commerzbank economist Marco the real economy are more difficult to LONDON: The European Union may ditch plans to force beginning to recover from its period of Wagner said the latest factory orders data quantify. However, economic growth banks to keep high-risk trading activities separate from their weakness.” Other recent German data, “suggest that the manufacturing sector could consequently be 0.1 to 0.2 percent- main businesses because of opposition from some member including key sentiment indicators such has turned around and that production age point higher in the two coming states. European commissioner Jonathan Hill said in a letter to as the Ifo business climate index, have will tend to rise again in the coming years,” Weidmann said. — AFP senior commissioner Frans Timmermans there was a need to also surprised to the upside. And while see how much progress could be made on the plan to force the German central bank or Bundesbank banks to separate out risky trading to avoid contagion and slashed its growth forecasts for 2014, shield customer deposits if things go wrong. 2015 and 2016 on Friday, it too said the The controversial measure has become bogged down economy remains in “remarkably good amid concerns among some member states and the European shape.” “Whether the German economy Central Bank that it could harm market-making in securities can grow more dynamically over the that help raise funds for the economy. Britain, Germany and course of 2015 primarily depends on the France, which represent much of the bloc’s banking assets, international setting,” the Bundesbank are already introducing similar, national measures to mitigate said in its half-yearly projections. bank trading risks. “If the economic recovery in the euro Scrapping the EU plan “could be an option next year if area picks up as expected and world trade member state support does not pick up”, Hill said in the letter gains renewed momentum, additional seen by Reuters. A revision of occupational pensions rules, expansion will be possible.” German which has also languished, could also be scrapped. enterprises were predominantly well “I have concluded that it would be premature to with- positioned, with low debt and balanced draw either proposal now,” Hill said. The European price-cost ratios, and “should be able to Parliament, which has joint say with EU states on draft laws, take advantage of the opportunities that has often taken a harder line on banks and would likely may arise,” the central bank wrote. oppose scrapping the draft law outright. Hill would face ‘In good shape’ accusations that as a Briton he was siding with banks in MAGDEBURG: Gerhard Krossing, manager of the VAKOMA company, speaks “Given the extremely favorable fund- London, which say the measure would harm markets. during an an interview in Magdeburg, Germany. VAKOMA produces heavy ing conditions, this is likely to extend to Nevertheless, a draft law on investor compensation schemes gear drives and drive systems for turbo compressors as well as mills and kilns investment as well. The domestic econo- should be scrapped, Hill said. —Reuters for the cement industry. —AP 2014 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 6, DECEMBER SATURDAY,

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WillWill PharrellPharrell havehave ‘Happy’‘Happy’ yearyear atat GrammysGrammys again?again? SEE PAGE 27

Actress Malin Akerman arrives for the GQ Men of the Year Party, at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California, on Thursday. — AFP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Khloe Kardashian, French Montana split again he 30-year-old reality star is said to have called time on her on/off Tromance with the rapper, who she split from in September after eight months of dating before reuniting in November, because she felt their rela- tionship was getting “too serious” and it was too soon after her failed mar- riage with Lamar Odom. A source told Us Weekly: “Khloe just wasn’t ready after Lamar [Odom] and it was getting too serious. “She respects and cares for him but just wasn’t ready.” The pair’s Alec Baldwin’s wife latest split comes after Khloe - who filed for divorce from Lamar in wants another baby December 2013 amid allegations he had cheated on her and took drugs - and 30-year-old musician’s September he former ‘30 Rock’ star, who has 15-month-old daugh- separation occurred for very similar ter Carmen with Hilaria Baldwin, admits she is eager for reasons. A source said at the time: Tthem to expand their family in the near future. Asked if “They are on a break. The relationship they are planning to have more children, the 56-year-old actor got too heavy and Khloe needed to said: “We’ll see. Hilaria definitely thinks we should have one take a step back.” Another insider more, but we’ll see what happens.” The ‘Departed’ star, who added: “It grated on her that he also has daughter Ireland, 19, with ex-wife Kim Basinger, says became so dependent on her.” But ed. Posting a picture of herself and has come too soon for Khloe following he has become a homebody since Carmen was born last year. they were thought to have reunited French on a beach in partial silhouette, her split from Lamar last year, and she He said: “I choose to stay home with my wife and daughter. just last month as the pair were seen she wrote added the caption: “Happy sparked speculation she still holds a Going out - there’s not a whole lot of that anymore.” But Alec getting close again at his 30th birthday birthday baby boy! In only a short torch for the basketball player by misses having romantic dates with Hilaria, 30, which he says party in Los Angeles. An onlooker said: amount of time we have created time- appearing to reach out to her “have become tricky”. He added to Life & Style magazine: “Khloe and French are clearly together less memories, “Happy birthday to a estranged husband by posting a heart- “Everything’s about the baby.” The actor married the yoga - they were hugging, holding hands, man who genuinely lives life to its felt quote about closure on his birth- instructor in June 2012 after meeting her in February 2011. and being openly affectionate.” Earlier fullest. ‘What’s understood doesn’t day last month. The quote read: They moved in together in New York City after just six months in the day, Khloe had taken to her need to be explained’ @frenchmon- “Closure: Like time suspended, a of dating, but Hilaria previously admitted: “He didn’t kiss me Instagram account to gush about her tana I can’t wait to celebrate life with wound unmended - you and I. We had for six weeks! He shook my hand for six weeks. We’d have the “baby boy” French and recall the you tonight! You deserve it!! (sic)”. no ending, said no good-bye. For all most romantic dinner date, and afterward he’d drop me off at “timeless memories” they have creat- However, it is thought the relationship my life, I’ll wonder why.” my house and shake my hand.” Boyzone turned to alcohol after Stephen Gately died

he ‘Love Me For a Reason’ hitmakers whole drinking problem and I gave up were left distraught when their band- drinking for the whole of 2011. Saying your Tmate died suddenly from an undiag- problems out loud helps you resolve your nosed heart condition five years ago aged issues.” Mikey said: “I read a lot of self-help 33, and they subsequently underwent their books but I don’t think it cured me.” Shane “worst” ever tour. Mikey Graham said: Lynch added to OK! magazine: “I fixed “When he died we were contractually myself. My mind is very strong but everyone obliged to go on tour. We were grieving is different.” Ronan admitted: “I’ve had The Script pulled hugely and unfortunately the therapy we counselling over the years and it’s been a woman from turned to on that tour was alcohol which wonderful.” was totally the wrong thing to do.” Ronan a car wreckage added: “It’s the worst tour we’ve ever done. Alcohol stayed with us for quite he band were on their way to Key 103’s “But we managed to un-jam the door and get some time even after the Christmas Live Show in Manchester, her out.” Despite the trio of hunks coming to tour. It became a habit.” Tnorth west England, when they sprung the woman’s rescue, the band admitted they Thankfully the quartet into action to help a female who was stuck in found it funny she didn’t recognise them eventually found her vehicle after it hit a roadside barrier and until after the incident. Once the lads had healthier ways to flipped over on the M40 motorway. Phoning taken her back to their van to wait for the cope and adjust to local radio station Key 103 later in the day, emergency services to arrive, she realised their loss. Keith the driver praised the group, saying: “I was who her saviours were and couldn’t contain Duffy said: “We hit on the side and it kept spinning round her excitement. Danny added: “We were sat were using alcohol and round. Then they got me out of the car. there and suddenly she said, ‘Oh my God, to numb the pain. I “I gave them a cuddle before I left but never you’re The Script!’ “Then she jumped out of was drinking way said thank you.” The band - made up of the van. I was like, ‘Sit down!’ She’s a big fan too much, upsetting Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen which is amazing.” Speaking to a fan on the people I love Power - later explained they ran to help the Twitter later in the day, the band explained most and having trapped motorist after ringing the emer- the woman escaped unharmed but the same awful nightmares so I gency services, and branded the incident as couldn’t be said for her car. They added: “we went for bereavement “scary.” Danny said: “We called 911 then ran had to do it or it could have been v v bad. counselling. “I talked over to the car. “She was trapped and saying She’s ok now and that’s the main thing. Her about my grief and the she couldn’t feel her legs, which was scary. car is totalled. “ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Kendra Wilkinson earned $500,000 as a stripper before joining Playboy he 29-year-old star has confessed she began taking her clothes off for mon- Tey at just 18-years-old after becoming bored of her jobs as a dental assistant and pizza delivery girl. She said: “I’m a free spirit, I wanted to see how much I could earn. I like to party and I like to have fun. “It was easy, I just walked around the pole, took my clothes off and then the money just came flying at me.” The blonde beauty - who has four-year-old song Hank Baskett IV and sev- en-month-old daughter Alijah with her for- mer American football player husband Hank Baskett - claims it was easy money and revealed it was just a matter of months until Playboy magnate Hugh Hefner invited her to become one of his “girlfriends”. Speaking on British reality TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! about how she phoned the nearest strip club to find out about getting a job, Kendra said: “How do I become a stripper? They’re just, ‘Come allowed to go and a stripper licence so I in and we’ll talk to you’. “I go in and I’m big- went and did that and it took off. And all my eyed and these girls are on the poles doing clothes took off to! “My first night I made Miley Cyrus, Patrick the stuff. In the US when you turn 18 you’re $4,000 just by sitting with a guy.” Mariah Carey slams production Schwarzenegger staff for leaking recording ariah Carey has reportedly slammed partied until 6 am in Miami production staff for leaking a record- ing of her vocals from her perform- he ‘Wrecking Ball’ singer and her new Shriver, is “very worried” about how her son is M ance at the switching on of the Rockefeller beau, who is the son of Hollywood leg- being influenced by his new girlfriend. It is Center Christmas tree lights. The ‘We Belong Tend Arnold Schwarzenegger, were spot- thought Maria became concerned after view- Together’ hitmaker performed live at the ted enjoying a wild night out at E11even - a 24 ing some photos of Miley on a bucking bronco event on Wednesday (03.12.14) after failing to hour adult show club - following her gig at The shaped like a manhood at the beauty’s 22nd show up to pre-record the day before and it’s Raleigh hotel in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday birthday party last month. A source explained: now been claimed she’s blaming NBC night (03.12.14). According to the New York “The birthday party with all the penis pictures employees for leaking a recording of her less Post newspaper’s Page Six column, the couple disgusted her. That was the worst thing Miley than impressive vocals. A source told the New - who are thought to have been dating since could have done. “Maria is very, very worried York Daily News newspaper’s Confidenti@l October - joined the club’s Michael Jackson about the influence Miley’s having on Patrick. column: “It’s really hard to leak ‘just’ audio. impersonator on the stage and only left “when She fully believes that you become who you Mariah is blaming producers for leaking her the sun was coming up on Thursday morning”. surround yourself with and she’s always been audio track. She believes they did it to punish The 22-year-old singer arrived at the club so happy with the friends Patrick chooses, she her for not showing up to taping the day sporting the silver wig she had worn in her never saw this coming.” However, Patrick is before the live event!” The 44-year-old star - show just hours earlier and was joined at the reportedly “falling hard” for his new beau and who recently split from husband Nick Is You’. However, a representative for the nightspot by actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who is hoping their relationship will develop into Cannon, with whom she has three-year-old blonde beauty insists she has no issue with spent the night at the club’s owner Dennis more. An insider said: “He is definitely falling twins Moroccan and Monroe - left NBC staff the network’s employees because, as she DeGori’s table. While Patrick is clearly enjoying hard for her and she really is liking all the atten- and the audience waiting for three hours used a wireless microphone, anyone could spending time with the former Disney star, it tion he is giving her. “This is something that is before failing to show up to the pre-record of jave recorded the isolated track. They added: was recently reported his mother, Maria going to last.” her performance of ‘All I Want For Christmas “She performed beautifully.” Simon Cowell planning to move back to America

he music mogul is said to be “open” to returning ent show in a bid to revive it Stateside and boost his to Los Angeles with “homesick” girlfriend Lauren own profile. The source added to Closer magazine: TSilverman and their nine-month-old son Eric and “Simon’s keen for a new concept for the American ver- plans to re-launch ‘The X Factor’ in the US. A source sion. It will be much more about bands and older acts said: “Lauren regularly flies to and from the US and UK rather than younger novelty singers. “Lauren is behind and she’s admitted to Simon she’s still homesick for him and would love to be based in the US with him. America and wants to move back. “She says she’s strug- “He’s already in informal talks to make a pilot of the gled to make new friends and misses her old life. She show in the States and get the whole idea up and run- wants them to go back to LA once ‘X Factor’ is finished. ning. “He wants to blow America away and get back his “Simon is open to the idea. He’s frustrated at how ‘X crown as the King of Entertainment. “Lauren thinks Eric Factor’ has fared in the UK ratings this year and is con- can still have the best of both worlds if they have a templating trying to re-launch the show in the US main base in LA and pop back to London when they again.” Insiders claim Simon, 55, plans to rework the tal- need to.” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Bike riders along a section of the Centennial Trail, a 60-mile (97-kilometer) paved biking Riverfront Park, the crown jewel of Spokane, Washington’s extensive parks system. and hiking trail that connects Spokane. 5 free things to do in Spokane, Washington pokane is Washington’s second- and the chance to pick through clothing that along the Spokane River, and users are able to largest city, with its 210,000 residents runners discard as the temperature rises. The enjoy nature without having to worry about Sliving about 270 miles (435 kilome- Bloomsday race is named in honor of author getting hit by cars. Trail lovers can also try out ters) east of bigger, richer and better-known James Joyce, whose novel “Ulysses” depicts a the nearby Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a spec- Seattle. The Lilac City is the largest communi- day in the life of Leopold Bloom. The next tacular 77-mile (124-kilometer) paved railroad ty between Seattle and Minneapolis across Bloomsday race is May 3, 2015. bed that runs from Mullan, Idaho, to the northern tier of the United States. Each June, the largest 3-on-3 basketball Plummer, Idaho. Located in the foothills of the Selkirk tournament in the nation draws about 28,000 Mountains, it has interesting architecture, players and more than 200,000 spectators to Home of Father’s day leafy neighborhoods filled with Victorian the downtown streets for a weekend of hoops Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane conceived homes, and an extensive parks system that heaven. Teams play on more than 450 tempo- was partially designed by the Olmsted broth- rary courts. The next Hoopfest is June 27-28, ers. It’s also an outdoor paradise, surrounded 2015. by ski areas, dozens of lakes, rivers, bike trails, and mountains, and a river with roaring Riverfront Park waterfalls raging through the middle of town. The crown jewel of Spokane’s extensive These days the city is best-known for the stel- parks system was the site of the 1974 World’s lar Gonzaga University basketball team. Fair, which focused on the theme of saving Gonzaga tickets are expensive, but here are the environment. Now it is a heavily-used five free things a person can enjoy in the urban park that is bisected by the Spokane greater Spokane region. River and the waterfalls that first drew white settlers to the region. The park features walk- Bloomsday and hoopfest ing trails, footbridges and cable car rides over Spokane has a couple of big public events the falls. There is a historic carousel, an ice- where you pay to participate, but attending skating rink and many other attractions. as a spectator is free. Every May about 50,000 people run a 12-kilometer course through the The centennial trail streets of downtown Spokane in one of the The Centennial Trail is a 60-mile (97-kilo- Photo shows singer and actor Bing largest timed road races in the nation. meter) paved biking and hiking trail that con- Crosby’s childhood home. Spectators who line the course are treated to nects Spokane with Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and runners in colorful costumes, free concerts Lake Coeur d’Alene. Much of the trail is built

A Bing Crosby statue near the Crosby Student Center on the Gonzaga University campus, in Spokane. the idea of Father’s Day in 1909, and the first celebration of the holiday occurred in the city Photo shows the sign outside the home in 1910. Dodd’s home on Spokane’s lower where Sonora Smart Dodd lived in South Hill remains, and there is a big stone in Spokane, Washington, in the early 20th front telling the story of the so-called “Mother century. — AP photos of Father’s Day.” The Craftsman-style house at ated with Der Bingle. The university owns 603 S Arthur St is privately owned and occu- Crosby’s childhood home, which has some pied, but the stone can be seen in the front memorabilia and Crosby artifacts, including yard. his Oscar for “Going My Way.” The Craftsman- style home at 508 E. Sharp Ave. is free to visit Bing Crosby and open to the public weekdays 9 am -4:30 Crooner and actor Bing Crosby was raised pm and Saturdays 1 pm-4 pm. There is also a in Spokane and attended Gonzaga University, larger-than-life statue of Crosby outside the Riverfront Park, the crown jewel of Spokane, Washington’s extensive parks system. which serves as a repository of things associ- Crosby Student Center. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

A file photo taken on June 14, 2010 shows a photo of the Milky Way taken over Balgowan, South Africa. —AFP Star-gazing tourists flock to Africa’s darkest place

ot many tourist spots boast of being particular “taking off”. ulae are all visible with the naked eye. “The ments like the Bortle scale. An inner city is dark and difficult to get to, but the “Most people come here for the other sky is particularly good to look at here, level nine, meaning you can see very little. NNamib desert is one of a number of activities, visiting the dunes or the nature because the Milky Way, which is the main Bright constellations like Orion may be faint remote “Dark Sky Reserves” drawing in reserve where you see all the wildlife. This is part of our galaxy, is usually very high over- or even invisible. stargazers for a celestial safari. kind of a bonus,” said Misha Vickas, formerly a head,” meaning light refraction is at a mini- At the other end of the scale, in a first-class In the cool night air, an urbane Austrian guide at a public observatory in Sydney, but mum, Vickas said.”There is a lot to look at.” sky like the Namib, Venus and Jupiter shine tourist climbs rocky steps behind a chic hotel now resident at the AndBeyond Sossusvlei bright, a white swathe of zodiacal light lodge and peers into a matt-black metal cylin- Desert Lodge.”Most people have never Darkest places on earth smears the sky. Like parts of Chile, the der containing a spine of mirrors and lenses looked through a telescope and a lot of them In 2012, a sliver of the central Namib the Namib’s good weather and ultra-dry atmos- that reveal the universe. have just never looked up.” size of Mauritius — the NamibRand-was phere make for clear nights and particularly “My mum wanted to set him on fire yester- Vickas operates a “go-to” telescope, a named Africa’s first “Dark Sky Reserve,” in transparent air all the way to the horizon. “A day when he said, ‘We are looking ten million device which, once calibrated, pivots on recognition of the sky’s special allure here. visitor to NamibRand has a statistically high years in the past!’” he joked, pointing at the demand to any star or planet with little more A handful of similar sites exist across the probability of experiencing that exceptionally resident astronomer. Not everyone is ready than a mechanical hum and whir. Not that a world, including Aoraki dark sky on any given night,” Barentine said. to face the enormity of the universe laid out telescope is really needed in the Namib. Mackenzie on New Zealand’s South Island Namibia has just over two million people so starkly by powerful magnification and the Across as much as 50 percent of the Earth and the Iveragh Peninsula on Ireland’s south- spread over an area roughly the size of crisp desert sky.But across the starkly beauti- the starry firmament is obscured by an west coast. Pakistan or Nigeria, making it one of the most ful Namib, hotels and lodges are betting that orange glow of man-made light pollution. Hawaii and Chile have also become sparsely populated countries in the world. the stars will lead to more business rather During the day, the Namib’s sea of copper renowned as astro-tourism hot spots. “The “NamibRand is located in one of the darkest than a spike in Galileo-esque witch hunts. red and ecru yellow dunes and mountains darkest places are almost inevitably distant accessible places that remain on Earth,” said Many lodges have bought research-grade glow blindingly, befitting the world’s oldest from populated places,” said John Barentine Barentine. or “prosumer” telescopes and hired live-in desert. But in the inky night sky, the Milky of the Arizona-based International Dark-Sky “It is as close as you get to the way the astronomers as they try to lure tourists who Way seems much closer than Windhoek, a Association, which awards the designation. world was long ago, before the invention and want to gaze deeper into space and time. half day’s drive away across dirt track and “The glow of cities can often be seen sever- proliferation of artificial lights.” According to consultancy Euromonitor, sun-rippled single-lane carriageway. Mars’s al hundred kilometres away under good con- That may be the only thing this remote astro-tourism holidays are growing in line red glow, Magellanic clouds-dwarf galaxies ditions.” region is close to-thankfully for stargazing with increased urbanisation, with Africa in outside our own-and assorted gaseous neb- To rank sky quality, scientists use measure- tourists. —AFP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Bosnian steam train tourist attraction

A steam engine arrives at a station inside the coal mine of Oskova in the Bosnian Bosnian worker Sefik Salihovic prepares the steam engine for driving at the coal town of Banovici, 140 kms (86.9 miles) north of Sarajevo. Every day, steam engines mine of Oskova in the Bosnian town of Banovici. —AP over 60 years old, defy their age and still pull wagons of coal from Banovici’s coal mine to clients in nearby towns. But in the summer some of them turn into the only tourist attraction this impoverished north Bosnian town has to offer. —AP ou can’t board in London and “About a thousand steam train fans get off at Hogwarts but the come here every year,” said Dzevad Yengine looks pretty much the Hodzic, the coal mine’s technical direc- same as in Harry Potter - and if you’re tor. Aside from those built in 1948 and a steam train enthusiast, the ride is still hauling coal, the most popular almost as magical. engine is one built in the Every day, steam engines more Czech Republic in 1925 that stood than 60 years old defy their age and for 35 years as an exhibit on a side pull wagons of coal from Banovici’s track, until management decided coal mine to nearby towns. In the sum- to restore it to service. The little mer they become the only tourist train carries up to 50 tourists in its two attraction this impoverished north carriages, winding 10 kilometers Part of the mechanics inside Bosnian town has to offer, as the mine (6 miles) through Bosnian moun- the driver’s cab of a steam allows visitors to take a ride on the tains at a maximum speed of 50 kilo- engine at the coal mine of narrow-gauge (760mm or 30 inches) meters per hour. A ticket costs about Oskova in the Bosnian town line. 10 euros ($12.40). of Banovici. —AP The coal mine planned to replace The engine is the only one of its the old engines after Bosnia’s 1992-95 type still running in the world, war, but the sudden arrival of steam Hodzic said. He hopes the tourism train enthusiasts inspired a change of business will expand so the Banovici plans. The company began servicing coal mine can put several more refur- Bosnian worker Sefik Salihovic drives the steam engine at the coal the steam engines and putting them bished steam engines to work next back to work. year. —AP mine of Oskova. —AP HBO leads TV field with 16 Writers Guild Awards nominations

BO led all television networks with 16 ent take on modern urban life, “Louie” on FX, politi- Good Wife” and SundanceTV’s Southern Gothic Writers Guild Awards nominations on cal satire “Veep” as well as Netflix’s jailhouse series series “Rectify” each earned nominations for the HThursday, as its series “Game of Thrones,” “Orange Is the New Black” and Amazon’s transgen- scripts of individual episodes for a drama series. “Silicon Valley” and “True Detective” each earned der family show “Transparent.” HBO’s Prohibition drama “Boardwalk Empire” multiple nods for honors writers bestow on their The Writers Guild of America will hand out its received two nods in the category despite missing peers. awards at ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles out on the top drama prize. Medieval fantasy “Game of Thrones,” murder- on Feb. 14. The WGA’s film writing awards nomina- The nominees for best comedy episode include mystery “True Detective,” CBS’s political drama “The tions will be announced on Jan. 7. two episodes of ABC’s “ Modern Family,” Fox’s “New Good Wife,” Netflix’s political thriller “House of The next closest network to premium cable’s Girl,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Louie” and Cards” and AMC’s period portrait of the advertising HBO was broadcaster Fox, with eight nominations. “Transparent.” world, “Mad Men,” will each vie for the top award of The network swept the animation category as “The Online streaming services Netflix and Amazon best drama series. Simpsons” earned four nods, the most of any show, each earned three total nominations, while net- Top comedy series nominees include tech world and “Bob’s Burgers” two. works ABC and CBS each had six nominations. NBC satire “Silicon Valley,” comedian Louis CK’s irrever- Writers for “Mad Men,” “Game of Thrones,” “The earned four nods. —Reuters SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Ryan Reynolds to return as ‘Deadpool’ in X-Men spinoff

yan Reynolds is closing a deal to “It’s chimichanga time” is a reference Wolverine,” has been expected to star Liefeld and co-writer Fabian Nicieza. He star in Fox-Marvel’s “Deadpool,” to Deadpool’s favorite food. Mike Oncley for many years. first appeared in print in 1991. Rtheir long-in-development “X- created the rendition of the character’s Tim Miller is directing the superhero Deadpool’s primary power is the abil- Men” spinoff. Reynolds announced the head made up of spent bullet cartridges. film from a script by Rhett Reese and ity to heal quickly. With Reynolds repris- news by posting an image Thursday of Fox announced several months ago Paul Wernick. Lauren Shuler Donner is ing his role in the film, it will mark his the Deadpool character on his Twitter that it had slotted “Deadpool” for Feb. producing. The talkative mercenary first superhero project since “Green account.https://twitter.com/VancityRey 12, 2016. Reynolds, who portrayed the character, also known as Wade Wilson, Lantern,” which floundered at the box nolds/status/540594148097916928 character in 2009’s “X-Men Origins: was created by artist and writer Rob office in 2011. Will Pharrell have ‘Happy’ French film industry still has ‘power’ says year at Grammys again? Oscar winner Binoche he French film industry remains relevant in the face of Hollywood dominance as it provides space for creative he producer-rapper-singer Tprojects that are not commercially viable, Oscar winner could be nominated for a Juliette Binoche said yesterday. “The power of our films is Tnumber of Grammys on the variety of the films we have in France,” said Binoche, who Friday, when The Recording picked up an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Academy announces the nominees her 1996 turn as a World War II nurse in The English Patient. for its 57th annual awards. Pharrell “While it doesn’t work always as a commercial industry com- had an epic year, thanks to his pared to America... the creative side is very alive and that’s Oscar-nominated hit, “Happy,” and why a lot of directors from different countries can come to his album, “G I R L,” as well as pro- France to shoot films,” the veteran French actress told ducing songs on albums from reporters in Singapore. Beyonce and Ed Sheeran, which “The content of the film, through the script, the talent of could earn the hitmaker additional nominations. “Happy” was released before Grammy eligibility, but Pharrell submitted a live version of the song. Pharrell, 41, won four Grammys earlier this year, including non- classical producer of the year and album of the year for his work on Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories.” Four categories will be announced on CBS at 8:30 a.m. Other nominees will be announced French Oscar winner Juliette Binoche poses for pho- on Twitter throughout the day. The tographers before a press conference on the sidelines top award, album of the year, will of the Singapore International Film Festival in be announced when the TV special Singapore yesterday. — AFP “A Very GRAMMY Christmas” airs at the director, and the actors attached, it counts a lot,” she 9 p.m. on CBS. added. “There is always a way to put films together (in Along with Pharrell, Beyonce In this Sunday, Nov 23, 2014, file pho- France) even though you have a very low budget.” and Sam Smith have a chance at to, Iggy Azalea performs on stage at Binoche, 50, is in the Southeast Asian city-state as part of winning Grammy gold. Smith, a the 42nd annual American Music the Singapore International Film Festival. British newcomer whose hits In this Nov. 23, 2014, file photo, Ariana Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in “Clouds of Sils Maria”, directed by France’s Olivier Assayas and in which Binoche stars with Kristen Stewart, is being include “Stay With Me” and “I’m Grande performs on stage at the 42nd Los Angeles. The Recording Academy screened at the festival. Binoche plays Maria, a “grande Not the Only One,” said in an inter- annual American Music Awards at Nokia will announce the nominees for the Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles. 57th annual Grammy Awards. — AP dame” international film star with a complex, sexually view Thursday night that he was charged relationship with her personal assistant (Stewart). nervous about the nominations. They hole up in a chalet in the Swiss Alps so Maria can pre- “I’m scared. It’s like Christmas pare for a new theatre role which has strong parallels to her Eve right now for me,” Smith said. own life and career, leading to a fateful confrontation “I’d love my album to get that plat- between the two women. It was one of the contenders for form so I don’t know. Fingers this year’s top prize at the Cannes Film Festival, which was crossed.” eventually handed to the Turkish film Winter Sleep. Binoche Smith’s debut, “In the Lonely said Stewart, the megastar of the Twilight films, surprised her Hour,” is one of the year’s top-sell- with her ability to perform with little rehearsal. “I could really ing albums. Other big efforts this feel it was not her cup of tea. She doesn’t like rehearsing, it year include the “Frozen” sound- isn’t her method,” said Binoche. “She would read the lines in track, Beyonce’s self-titled fifth the morning, and she would know it. I am not like that.” album, Coldplay’s “Ghost Stories” The prolific stage and screen actress said she had no and Sheeran’s “x,” the most intentions of slowing down even as age catches up with her. streamed album on Spotify this Binoche returns to the London stage next March, taking a year. starring role in a new adaptation of the Greek tragedy The Grammy Awards will air live Antigone at the Barbican centre. Her character, Antigone, Feb. 8 from the Staples Center in the daughter of mythical Greek king Oedipus, is 18 years old in the play, the mother-of-two said. “I don’t feel time when I Los Angeles. “A Very GRAMMY work... actors have to forget themselves when they are in Christmas,” a taped special, will In this March 2, 2014 file photo, Pharrell Williams performs “Happy” during the front of the camera,” Binoche said. feature performances from “It’s not about them, it’s about what they have to give Pharrell, Smith, Ariana Grande, Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Spotify announced its top streaming artists, albums and songs of 2014 on Wednesday. Pharrell’s ubiquitous “Happy” beyond themselves, what’s invisible.” — AFP Maroon 5 and more. — AP was the most streamed song of the year globally. — AP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Actors Joel Edgerton, Golshifteh Farahani, Maria Valverde and Christian Bale pose for photog- This image released by 20th Century Fox shows Goldshifteh Farahani, left, as Nefertari, and raphers upon arrival at the World premiere of the film Exodus: Gods and Kings in London, Joel Edgerton as Ramses, in a scene from the film, “Exodus: Gods and Kings.” The movie opens Wednesday. — AP photos in US theaters on Dec 12. White cast of ‘Exodus’ reflects cinema tradition ut “ancient Egyptian people” into a Google image search, and Casting actors grossing films of 2012, almost 11 percent of speaking characters none of the resulting photos resemble Christian Bale or Joel For example, he said, Hollywood wouldn’t make a movie about were black, five percent were Asian and just over four percent were PEdgerton, stars of Ridley Scott’s biblical epic “Exodus: Gods Princess Diana with Kerry Washington in the lead role. Hispanic. Do these statistics mean non-white stars aren’t making and Kings.” The director inflamed calls for a boycott of the film with “That’s basically the equivalent of what’s going on, but in money at the box office? Or do they reflect a lack of opportunities his comments last week that he couldn’t have made such a big- reverse,” he said. “They would never neglect to cast a white actor as in big-budget projects for actors of color? budget movie if “my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such- a (white) historical figure just because there were box office con- and-such.” cerns.” Profitability “I’m just not going to get it financed,” he told the trade paper As Chris Rock wrote in his recent essay in The Hollywood Actor and producer Harry Lennix, who appeared in last year’s Variety. “So the question doesn’t even come up.” The question, per- Reporter, Hollywood’s reputation as a liberal place doesn’t seem to “Man of Steel” and now stars on NBC’s “The Blacklist,” believes the haps, being: Should Hollywood be concerned about casting white extend to casting actors of color in leading roles. casting of “Exodus” had everything to do with profitability. actors to portray people who were definitely not white? “We’re never ‘in the mix,’” he said. “When there’s a hot part in “In their minds, they have the best shot at making the most It’s an institutional problem, said professor Todd Boyd, chair for town and the guys are reading for it, that’s just what happens. It money if they have white actors,” he said. the Study of Race and Popular Culture at the University of Southern was never like, ‘Is it going to be Ryan Gosling or Chiwetel Ejiofor for Lennix has started making his own movies - including one that California. Hollywood is a place where profit is king, he said, and it ‘Fifty Shades of Grey?’” features a black Jesus - and advocates for artists to create and fans rarely takes big-budget risks on casts of color. While Will Smith and Denzel Washington are as bankable as to support the kind of movies they’d like to see, where quality tran- “The way movies get financed, and the overall ignorance in this Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, Hollywood has been historically reluctant scends color. country about Africa, explains why you’d have a big budget film to cast minority stars in tentpole leading roles. While “Hercules,” “There’s an untapped, underserved market of highly cultured with a very well-known director backed by a well-known studio starring Dwayne Johnson, failed to recoup its budget earlier this people of color and other marginalized people that have a golden mogul and get this problematic representation in 2014,” he said. year (as did “The Legend of Hercules,” which featured Kellan Lutz in opportunity to take advantage in this digital age of ours to create The financial argument doesn’t hold up. What might make a the title role), Washington’s “The Equalizer” was a $190 million this content,” he said. “There’s little hope that all of a sudden, a movie successful is speculative, and those with diverse casts are international hit. Kevin Hart has also proven to be box-office gold, business like show is going to start doing the right thing by under- just as likely to become global box-office hits. Consider the “Hunger scoring successes this year with “Ride Along” and “Think Like A Man served markets.” — AP Games” and “Fast & Furious” franchises. The latter has made more Too.” than $2 billion worldwide. A recent USC study of race and ethnicity in film found that while non-Caucasians make up 44 percent of moviegoers, they’re repre- Criticism sented less than half that much on screen. Among the 100 top- “Exodus,” opening next week, stars Bale as Moses, Edgerton as pharaoh-to-be Ramses, John Turturro as the Egyptian leader and Sigourney Weaver as his queen. Actors of color occupy minor, mostly non-speaking roles. There’s a long history of such casting in Hollywood. Moses - who the Bible and historians would say came from the north African nation of Egypt - was only brown-skinned on the big screen as an animated character in 1998’s “The Prince of Egypt.” Otherwise, Hollywood’s version of the biblical hero has been white, played by actors such as Charlton Heston in 1956, and Christian Slater more than 50 years later. Rupert Murdoch, who owns the studio that produced “Exodus,” defended its casting on Twitter. “Since when are Egyptians not white?” he wrote. He followed up with, “Of course Egyptians are Middle Eastern, but far from black. They treated blacks as slaves.” Representatives from 20th Century Fox declined comment and Scott was not available for an interview for this story. Another biblical epic, “Noah,” also faced criticism for its all-white cast led by Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. At the time of its release earlier this year, screenwriter Ari Handel said the filmmakers opted for an Anglo cast so as to avoid calling attention to issues of race. “They’re supposed to be stand-ins for all people,” he said. “Either you end up with a Bennetton ad or the crew of the Starship Enterprise.” It’s not unusual for some ethnicities to play others on screen. Mexican actor Gael Garcia Bernal portrays the real Iranian journalist at the center of “Rosewater” and Japanese actor Ken Watanabe played the fictional Arabic villain in 2005’s “Batman Begins.” Yet Boyd notes that actors of color are rarely, if ever, cast as white fig- This image released by 20th Century Fox shows Joel Edgerton, center left, as Ramses, and Christian Bale, center right, as ures. Moses, in a scene from the film, “Exodus: Gods and Kings.” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

The “Hot Wheels” Monster Truck, shown in this ultra wide angle lens photo, is ready Coty Saucier, far right, covers his ears as the Monster Truck “Grave Digger” gets it’s for it’s next competition Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, in Ellenton, Fla. Feld Entertainment engine started Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, at Feld Entertainment in Ellenton, Fla. Feld is trying to bring American-style Monster Truck entertainment to other parts of the Entertainment is trying to bring American-style Monster Truck entertainment to oth- world. — AP photos er parts of the world. Monster trucks take American culture on the road

rind those gears and ready the mud pit: sense of excitement visually, the vibrations Bob Chandler, videotaped himself crushing ing repairs. It costs about $600,000 a year to America’s latest entertainment export and the sounds. It appeals to all senses. It cars in a field with the truck. A star was born, build, tour and maintain each 10,000-pound Gis monster trucks. seems to have a broad appeal to broad demo- and Bigfoot appeared in the 1981 film “Take truck. The vehicles are sent overseas via cargo “We’re monster trucking the world,” said graphics. It crosses all cultures.” Nigel Morris, this Job and Shove It.” ship and there are multiple identical versions Kenneth Feld, CEO of Feld Entertainment, the the recently retired United Kingdom-based Garza’s group was contacted by a monster of each truck circulating around the globe at company that owns the giant vehicles and the driver of Bigfoot #17, said: “The things that truck promoter in China to help with a series any given time. trademark Monster Jam events. “We’re build- people love about monster trucks in America of racing events there. Morris said folks in the Some countries have even started their ing the business globally. It’s got a lot of trac- are the things they love in other countries. It’s Netherlands “probably have the most enthusi- own knock-off monster truck competitions - tion.” a dramatic show. Lots of action. Lots of horse- astic fans,” while people in Eastern Europe also Monster Mania last spring in Moscow attract- Monster Jam had its first international power.” The sport has its roots in rural mud- adore monster trucks. ed more than 15,000 fans. “Absolutely every- show in 2004. By 2012, it had one large, inter- bogging and truck pulling in the U.S. The origi- “It’s an entertainment package that needs body gets Monster trucks. It is just big, loud national tour; in 2013, two simultaneous inter- nal monster truck is believed to be Bigfoot, a no voice-over,” he said. At the Feld and abusive,” Tony Dixon, a British driver of national tours; in 2014, three. About 55,000 1974 Ford F-250 four-wheel-drive pickup from Entertainment headquarters in southwest the truck called “Swamp Thing,” told the people packed a stadium in Sydney in Missouri, whose owner, Florida, several monster trucks were undergo- Moscow Times.— AP October. The trucks have made a splash from Abu Dhabi to Prague to Zurich. “Going on to 2015, we’ll have four parallel tours to cope with the demand in the market,” said. Magnus Danielsson, international vice president of Feld Motor Sports. “I would expect us to almost double the international business next year.” Florida-based Feld Entertainment, which owns the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, bought the Monster Jam brand in 2008. In 2015, the company will embark on a 10-city Monster Jam tour in Brazil, as well as a three- city tour in Spain and plans for Asia and South America. The Monster Jam shows feature enormous trucks that race and rev at ear-splitting deci- bels. They crush numerous old cars with satis- fying regularity and leap into the air. The tires are often 66 inches (168 centimeters) tall and the trucks stand about 12 feet (3.7 meters) President Barack high. Obama dances on The trucks themselves have different stage with Santa, themes. The black-and-neon green “Grave members of Fifth Digger” is probably the most popular, while Harmony, left, Nico the “Zombie” is frightening and the “Monster & Vinz and The Mutt Rottweiler,” a dog-themed truck, is kind Tenors, of cute. background, While Feld isn’t the only monster truck during the event promoter in the world, it is the largest. National Christmas Other, smaller promoters worldwide are get- Tree lighting ting in on the act. ceremony at the “There is a global appeal,” said Marty Garza, Ellipse near the spokesman for the Monster Truck Racing White House in Association, a US-based group that establishes Washington, safety guidelines. “It’s the unpredictability. The Thursday. — AP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Taser or electric eel? Both use same mechanism

WASHINGTON: The electric eel, the scaleless Amazonian tem running at 1,000 frames per second. He also carried fish than true eels, have electrocytes inside their bodies- fish capable of producing 600 volts of electricity which out a series of experiments to study the fish’s mechanism which are electric cells derived from muscle tissue. can knock over a horse, uses a electroshock mechanism in action. The eel’s electric discharges act on motor neu- These biological batteries are found only in few animal similar to a Taser, scientists said Thursday. The eel’s elec- rons and cause strong muscle contractions that allow the species. trical impulses briefly paralyze prey by causing muscle eel to control its target prey from a distance. “It’s amaz- Eels and other electric fish have intrigued humans for contractions, not unlike the electric stun guns used by ing. The eel can totally inactivate its prey in just three mil- centuries. Ancient Egyptians used electric marine rays to police. “I was struck by the similarity between the eel’s liseconds. The fish are completely paralyzed,” Catania treat epilepsy, and English scientist Michael Faraday volley and a Taser discharge,” said Kenneth Catania, biol- said. studied eels to understand the nature of electricity. The ogy professor at Vanderbilt University and lead author of However the contractions are brief and the eel must eel’s anatomy was also a source of inspiration for the study which appeared in the journal Science. quickly swallow its prey-usually a fish-before it can Alessandro Volta’s invention of the battery. Researchers “A Taser delivers 19 high-voltage pulses per second escape. The researchers also found that the eels, which at the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced sev- while the electric eel produces 400 pulses per second,” see poorly and hunt in muddy waters but are highly eral months prior that they had sequenced the electric he said. To film the fish’s rapid action — the electric eel sensitive to water movement, sense the location of their eel’s genome. Electric eels measure up to eight feet long can strike and swallow small prey in approximately a prey from the twitching induced by muscle contrac- (2.5 meters) and weigh up to 4.5 pounds (two kilo- tenth of a second-Catania set up a high-speed video sys- tions. Electric eels, which are more closely related to cat- grams).— AFP

Probe finds 12 smartphone brands violate privacy rules

TAIPEI: Taiwan has identified 12 smart- phone brands that do not conform with privacy standards, and the handset mak- ers could face fines or a ban unless they address the breaches, an official at the telecoms regulator said yesterday. Taiwan’s government began to review privacy standards two months ago after media reports said smartphones made by Chinese firm Xiaomi Technology Co Ltd could be sending user data to its home servers in mainland China without users’ permission. Hsiao-Cheng Yu, vice chairman of Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC), did not name any of the 12 brands, but said the investigation found that some of the FLORIDA: The United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket carrying NASA’s first Orion deep space exploration craft takes off from its unchpadla yes- smartphones could allow manufacturers terday in Cape Canaveral, Florida. — AFP to collect users’ data without permission. Others contained “imperfections” which do not conform with the law, Yu Orion capsule blasts off on ‘first step’ to Mars said, without elaborating. The NCC’s find- ings will be released within weeks, he Dawn of Orion: NASA launch opens new era in space added. Smartphones from Apple Inc, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and HTC CAPE CANAVERAL: NASA’s new Orion spacecraft streaked into orbit yesterday Houston, NASA’s Mission Control took over the entire operation once Orion Corp were among the top 5 bestselling on a high-stakes test flight meant to usher in a new era of human exploration was aloft. The flight program was loaded into Orion’s computers well in handsets in Taiwan during the third- leading ultimately to Mars. The unmanned journey began with a sunrise liftoff advance, allowing the spacecraft to fly essentially on autopilot. Flight con- quarter, according to industry data firm witnessed by thousands of NASA guests. Parts of the spacecraft peeled away trollers - all shuttle veterans - could intervene in the event of an emergency IDC. Xiaomi said its phones were also exactly as planned, falling back toward Earth as onboard cameras provided breakdown. And in the Pacific off the Mexican Baja coast, Navy ships waited for among the 12 most popular in Taiwan. stunning views of our blue, cloud-covered planet. Orion’s return. The spacecraft is rigged with 1,200 sensors to gauge everything Yu said the government would ask the Orion’s debut will be brief - just 41/2 hours from launch to splashdown, with from heat to vibration to radiation. At 11 feet tall with a 16.5-foot base, Orion is offending brands to modify their hand- two orbits of Earth. But for the first time in 42 years, NASA is sending a space- bigger than the old-time Apollo capsules and, obviously, more advanced. sets. If they refused, the NCC could fine craft built for humans farther than a couple hundred miles from Earth. The pre- NASA deliberately kept astronauts off this first Orion. Managers want to test the the companies up to T$200 million ($6.43 vious time was the Apollo 17 moon shot. And it’s NASA’s first new vehicle for riskiest parts of the spacecraft - the heat shield, parachutes, various jettisoning million) or ban their handsets from being space travel since the shuttle. “Very exciting,” NASA’s Orion program manager, components - before committing to a crew. In addition, on-board computers sold in Taiwan. Mark Geyer, said early in the flight. “We still have a bunch to go.” were going to endure the high-radiation Van Allen belts; engineers wondered The Taiwanese probe underscores NASA is now “one step closer” to putting humans aboard Orion, said NASA whether they might falter. Lockheed Martin Corp. already has begun work on a global concerns about data security and Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. He called it “Day One of the Mars era.” Sluggish second Orion, and plans to eventually build a fleet of the capsules. The earliest the scrutiny Chinese tech firms are sub- rocket valves and wind halted the launch Thursday, but everything went that astronauts might fly on an Orion is 2021. An asteroid redirected to lunar ject to as governments become increas- NASA’s way yesterday as the Delta IV rocket carried Orion into orbit. The first- orbit is intended for the first stop in the 2020s, followed by Mars in the 2030s. ingly wary of potential cyber security stage boosters detached and fell away into the Atlantic as the spacecraft The company handled the $370 million test flight for NASA from the Cape threats from the world’s second-largest soared from Florida to South Africa and beyond. NASA launch commentator Canaveral Air Force Station, opting for the Delta IV rocket this time given its economy. Asked about the Taiwan Mike Curie fed the enthusiasm in the gathered crowds, calling it “the dawn of heft. It’s the most powerful unmanned rocket in the US right now. The entire probe, Xiaomi said its devices “never Orion in a new era of American space exploration!” rocket and capsule, topped by a launch abort tower, stretched 242 feet and actively send any private user informa- NASA was aiming for a peak altitude of 3,600 miles on Orion’s second lap weighed 1.6 million pounds - an “incredible monster,” according to Bolden. To tion without the users’ approval”. around the planet, in order to give the capsule the necessary momentum for a push Orion farther out on future flights, NASA is developing a megarocket Taiwan-based HTC said it was working scorchingly high-speed re-entry over the Pacific. Engineers want to see how known as Space Launch System or SLS. The first Orion-SLS combo will fly with the Taiwanese regulators to the heat shield - the largest of its kind ever built - holds up when Orion comes around 2018, again without a crew to shake out the rocket. improve compliance with the required back through the atmosphere traveling 20,000 mph and enduring 4,000 NASA’s last trip beyond low-Earth orbit in a vessel built for people was the security standards. Samsung said in an degrees. The atmosphere at Kennedy Space Center was reminiscent of the three-man Apollo 17 in December 1972. Orion will be capable of carrying four emailed statement that it “considers the shuttle-flying days. After more than three years since the last shuttle flight, astronauts on long hauls and as many as six on three-week hikes. Dozens of privacy and security of consumers’ data NASA reveled in all the attention. Roads appeared to be less jammed before astronauts, present and past, gathered at Kennedy for the historic send-off. a top priority”. Apple did not immedi- dawn for try two, and NASA was uncertain how many of the estimated 27,000 One of them - Bolden - now leads NASA. He called Mars “the ultimate destina- ately respond to requests for com- invited guests returned. Nonetheless, the press site remained jammed, the tion of this generation,” but said his three young granddaughters think other- ment.— Reuters hotels packed and the excitement level high. “It’s a big day for the world, for wise, telling him, “Don’t get hung up on Mars because there are other places to people who know and like space,” Bolden said, observing the crowds. In go once we get there.”— AFP TECHNOLOGY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Apple says plaintiffs’ iPods not covered by suit

SAN FRANCISCO: For want of an iPod, a billion-dol- third day of testimony in Oakland, California. Apple time frame or, in one instance, purchased a model lar lawsuit may be in jeopardy. Apple attorneys have stopped using the software in 2009 and, after a that didn’t have the specific version of software at raised an eleventh-hour challenge that could derail a series of pretrial rulings narrowed the case, the law- issue in the case. long-running, class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit is suit only covers iPod models purchased between Isaacson, who suggested the lawsuit can’t pro- over Apple’s use of restrictive software that kept September 2006 and March 2009. Plaintiffs are ceed without a plaintiff, said he’s asked for proof iPods from playing digital music sold by competitors claiming that Apple’s restrictive software froze out that either woman had purchased an iPod covered to its iTunes store. The case went to trial this week, competitors and allowed Apple to sell iPods at inflat- by the case. Plaintiffs’ attorney Bonny Sweeney but Apple said new evidence shows the two women ed prices. said her side is checking for other receipts. She named as plaintiffs may not have purchased iPod They are seeking $350 million damages, which conceded that Wilson’s iPods may not be covered, models covered by the lawsuit. could be tripled if the jury finds Apple violated feder- but she also noted that an estimated 8 million con- Opposing lawyers are not ready to give up the al antitrust law. After plaintiff Marianna Rosen testi- sumers are believed to have been purchased the case. But US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers fied on Wednesday, Apple attorneys said they affected iPods. The judge appeared irked at the told both sides to file written arguments on whether checked the serial number on her iPod Touch and last-minute snarl in a case that was originally filed the trial should proceed, because she wants to begin found it was purchased in July 2009. In a letter sent almost 10 years ago. She said she was not ready to considering the issue. “I am concerned that I don’t to the court late Wednesday night, Apple lawyer decide without further briefing. But she indicated have a plaintiff. That’s a problem,” the judge said in William Isaacson said it appears the other plaintiff, she did not want to leave the issue unresolved court Thursday afternoon at the end of the trial’s Melanie Wilson, bought iPods outside the relevant indefinitely.— AP

Uber raises $1.2 billion

NEW YORK: Uber raised $1.2 billion in its latest round of funding from venture capitalists, a sign investors were little fazed by the ride-hailing app’s recent spate of bad publicity over privacy violations and its corporate cul- ture. The latest investment put a value on Uber at $40 billion. That’s bigger than the stock market values of companies such as American Airlines and Twitter, or the combined value of car-rental veterans Hertz and Avis Budget Group. At the same time, it is not a guarantee that Uber would receive the same valuation as a publicly traded company that it does as a venture-backed busi- ness. San Francisco-based Uber triggered a wave of online criticism recently after a top executive suggested spending $1 million to dig up dirt on a journalist critical of the driver-on-demand company. It was not the first time Uber has been called out for A handout photo released by the European Southern Observatory shows an artist impression of the European Extremely Large actions by its drivers or its corporate culture. It is investi- Telescope (E-ELT) in its enclosure. The E-ELT will be a 39-metre aperture optical and infrared telescope sited on Cerro gating one of its employees for tracking another journal- Armazones in the Chilean Atacama Desert, 20 kilometers from ESO’s Very Large Telescope on Cerro Paranal. It will be the ist’s ride, which has raised fears that Uber is misusing world’s largest ‘eye on the sky’.— AFP customers’ private location information. In a blog post Thursday, CEO Travis Kalanick acknowledged the com- pany’s “significant growing pains.” “The events of the Europe okays construction recent weeks have shown us that we also need to invest in internal growth and change,” he wrote. “Acknowledging mistakes and learning from them are of world largest telescope the first steps.” He said the latest financing round will help the com- PARIS: The European Southern Observatory (ESO) said Thursday be the world’s largest ‘eye on the sky’,” ESO said in a press release. pany make “substantial investments,” particularly in Asia. it would go ahead with construction of the world’s most powerful “It will enable tremendous scientific discoveries in the fields of Uber’s previous funding round also raised $1.2 billion. land-based telescope, a behemoth designed to locate planets in exoplanets, the stellar composition of nearby galaxies and the The company operates in more than 250 cities in 50 other solar systems. Building work on the European Extremely deep Universe,” it said. ESO’s governing council approved the E- countries, although it faces regulatory hurdles and push- Large Telescope (E-ELT) has been authorized by ESO’s governing ELT in June 2012 but attached conditions to launching major back from traditional taxis in many cities. Also on body after funding pledges exceeded 90 percent of the roughly work in order to ensure budget discipline. It said contracts with a Thursday, smaller rival Lyft, which has a decidedly more one-billion-euro ($1.25-billion) cost, the organization said. The E- value larger than two million euros could only be awarded once friendly corporate image - complete with pink mous- ELT will be a 39-metre (1,535-inch) -aperture optical and infrared the total cost of the telescope — 1.083 billion euros at 2012 taches on its cars - announced that it has hired a chief telescope sited on Cerro Armazones in Chile’s Atacama desert, prices-was funded to a 90-percent level. An exception was made financial officer, Brian Roberts, and a chief marketing one of the most arid places in the world. It will be located 20 kilo- for ground-clearing work, which began with a ceremony in June officer, Kira Wampler. Roberts, who joined the company meters (12 miles) from ESO’s highly successful Very Large this year. Poland’s accession to the ESO means that current fund- in October, was previously at Walmart. — AP Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal. ing commitments to the E-ELT have now exceeded the 90-per- Intended to start operations 10 years from now, the E-ELT “will cent threshold, the 15-member organization said. — AFP In North Korea, hackers are handpicked, pampered elite

SEOUL: Despite its poverty and isolation, North Korea has poured software security experts have said. Much of it is targeted at the One of his friends works in an overseas team of the unit, and is resources into a sophisticated cyber-warfare cell called Bureau 121, South, technically still in a state of war with North Korea. But ostensibly an employee of a North Korean trading firm, Jang said. defectors from the secretive state said as Pyongyang came under Pyongyang has made no secret of its hatred of the United States, Back home, the friend and his family have been given a large state- the microscope for a crippling hack into computers at Sony Pictures which was on the South’s side in the 1950-53 Korean War. allocated apartment in an upscale part of Pyongyang, Jang said. Entertainment. A North Korean diplomat has denied Pyongyang Military hackers are among the most talented, and rewarded, “No one knows ... his company runs business as usual. That’s why was behind the attack that was launched last month but a US people in North Korea, handpicked and trained from as young as 17, what he does is scarier,” Jang said. “My friend, who belongs to a national security source said it was a suspect. said Jang Se-yul, who studied with them at North Korea’s military rural area, could bring all of his family to Pyongyang. Incentives for Defectors from the North have said Bureau 121, staffed by some college for computer science, or the University of Automation, North Korea’s cyber experts are very strong ... they are rich people of the most talented computer experts in the insular state, is part of before defecting to the South six years ago. Speaking to Reuters in in Pyongyang.” He said the hackers in Bureau 121 were among the the General Bureau of Reconnaissance, an elite spy agency run by Seoul, he said the Bureau 121 unit comprises about 1,800 cyber-war- 100 students who graduate from the University of Automation the military. They have said it is involved in state-sponsored hacking, riors, and is considered the elite of the military. “For them, the each year after five years of study. Over 2,500 apply for places at the used by the Pyongyang government to spy on or sabotage its ene- strongest weapon is cyber. In North Korea, it’s called the Secret War,” university, which has a campus in Pyongyang, behind barbed mies. Pyongyang has active cyber-warfare capabilities, military and Jang said. wire.—Reuters TV listings SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

04:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 23:00 All You Can Meat 18:20 Paddock To Plate 18:00 America The Wild 04:50 Chopped 23:25 All You Can Meat 19:10 Coronation Street 19:00 Mega Factories 05:40 All You Can Meat 23:50 Pizza Cuz 19:35 Tales From Northumberland 20:00 Engineering Connections 06:05 Roadtrip With G. Garvin With Robson Green 21:00 Animal Mega Moves 06:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 20:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of 22:00 America The Wild 00:20 American Guns 06:50 Siba’s Table Here! 23:00 Great Migrations 00:00 Necessary Roughness 01:10 The Fighters 07:10 Sweet Genius 21:50 Tales From Northumberland 01:00 Good Morning America 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 08:00 Roadtrip With G. Garvin With Robson Green 03:00 The Client List 02:50 Storage Hunters 08:25 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 22:20 Coronation Street 04:00 Strike Back 00:40 Ade In Britain 03:15 Game Of Pawns 08:50 Guy’s Big Bite 22:50 Emmerdale 05:00 Good Morning America 01:30 Brendan’s Magical Mystery Tour 03:40 Storage Wars Canada 09:15 Chopped 23:45 The Jonathan Ross Show 07:00 Emmerdale 02:00 Emmerdale 04:05 How It’s Made 10:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To 08:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 02:55 Coronation Street 04:30 How It’s Made Basics 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon 09:00 24 03:50 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of 05:00 Treehouse Masters 10:30 Chopped Canada Stewart 10:00 Emmerdale Here! 06:00 Wheeler Dealers 11:20 Recipes That Rock 01:00 The Colbert Report 11:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 05:15 May The Best House Win Abroad 06:50 Extreme Fishing 11:45 Chopped SA 01:30 Louie 12:00 Castle 06:10 Paddock To Plate 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 12:35 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 02:00 It’s Always Sunny In 13:00 Necessary Roughness 07:05 Brendan’s Magical Mystery Tour 08:30 Storage Hunters 13:00 Chopped Philadelphia 14:00 24 07:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of 00:00 Adventure Wanted 08:55 Game Of Pawns 13:50 Siba’s Table 02:30 Hello Ladies 15:00 Live Good Morning America Here! 01:00 Jurassic C.S.I. 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 14:15 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 03:00 The Neighbors 17:00 Castle 08:50 Tales From Northumberland 02:00 Helicopter Wars 09:45 How It’s Made 14:40 Sandwich King 03:30 Last Man Standing 18:00 Necessary Roughness With Robson Green 03:00 Situation Critical 10:10 How It’s Made 15:05 Chopped Canada 04:00 Back In The Game 19:00 24 09:20 The Jonathan Ross Show 04:00 Megastructures 10:35 Airplane Repo 15:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 04:30 The Tonight Show Starring 20:00 Castle 10:15 May The Best House Win Abroad 05:00 Knights Of Mayhem 11:25 American Guns 16:20 Guy’s Big Bite 21:00 Necessary Roughness 11:10 Emmerdale 06:00 Hard Time Jimmy Fallon 12:15 Surviving The Cut 16:45 Chopped SA 22:00 The Client List 12:00 Coronation Street 07:00 America The Wild 05:30 Better Off Ted 13:05 Storage Hunters 17:35 Chopped 23:00 Strike Back 12:30 Ade In Britain 08:00 Adventure Wanted 06:00 Til Death 13:30 Game Of Pawns 18:25 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:25 Paddock To Plate 09:00 Jurassic C.S.I. 06:30 My Name Is Earl 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 18:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:20 Brendan’s Magical Mystery Tour 10:00 Helicopter Wars 07:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 14:20 Extreme Fishing 19:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:45 May The Best House Win Abroad 11:00 Great Migrations 08:00 Back In The Game 15:10 Wheeler Dealers 19:40 Siba’s Table 00:00 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded 15:35 Tales From Northumberland 12:00 Battleground Brothers 08:30 Better Off Ted 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 20:05 Grandma’s Secret Cookbook 02:00 Dead In Tombstone With Robson Green 13:00 Armageddon Outfitters 09:00 The Neighbors 16:50 How It’s Made 20:30 Sandwich King 04:00 Escape From L.A. 16:30 I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of 14:00 Crash Science 09:30 Mystery Girls 17:15 How It’s Made 20:55 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 06:00 American Warships Here! 15:00 Mega Factories 10:00 New Girl 17:40 Treehouse Masters 21:20 Chopped Canada 08:00 Chain Reaction 18:00 Tales From Northumberland 16:00 Engineering Connections 10:30 My Name Is Earl 18:30 Fast N’ Loud 22:10 Chopped SA 10:00 The Last Stand With Robson Green 17:00 Animal Mega Moves 11:00 The Tonight Show Starring 19:20 Extreme Car Hoarders 12:00 Escape From L.A. 20:10 Game Of Pawns Jimmy Fallon 13:45 Live Free Or Die Hard 20:35 Garage Gold 12:00 Til Death 16:00 Avengers Confidential: Black 21:00 Fast N’ Loud 12:30 Back In The Game Widow & Punisher 21:50 Philly Throttle 13:00 Better Off Ted 18:00 The Call 22:40 Classic Car Rescue 13:30 My Name Is Earl 20:00 The Last Stand 23:30 Fast N’ Loud 14:00 Last Man Standing 22:00 Safe 14:30 Mystery Girls 15:00 New Girl 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 00:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 00:00 Dead Silence-18 16:30 Til Death Hamptons 02:00 ATM-PG15 17:00 Late Night With Seth Meyers 00:55 Extreme Close-Up 04:00 Avengers Confidential: Black 18:00 The Neighbors 01:25 Keeping Up With The Widow & Punisher-PG15 18:30 Last Man Standing Kardashians 06:00 Safe-PG15 02:20 E! News 19:00 The Goodwin Games 07:45 Star Trek Into Darkness-PG15 03:15 Giuliana & Bill 19:30 New Girl 10:00 The Call-PG15 04:10 E!ES 20:00 The Tonight Show Starring 12:00 Red Dawn-PG15 05:05 The E! True Hollywood Story Jimmy Fallon 14:00 Safe-PG15 06:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon 16:00 The Scorpion King-PG15 06:55 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami Stewart 17:45 Star Trek Into Darkness-PG15 07:50 Style Star 21:30 The Colbert Report 20:00 Clear And Present Danger-PG15 08:20 E! News 22:00 Married 22:00 Company Of Heroes-PG15 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 22:30 It’s Always Sunny In 23:45 Inside Man-PG15 10:15 THS Philadelphia 11:10 Beyond Candid With Giuliana 23:00 Legit 12:05 E! News 23:30 Late Night With Seth Meyers 13:05 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 00:00 Barbershop-PG15 13:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 01:45 Timer-PG15 14:05 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 03:45 Keeping The Faith-PG15 14:30 Fashion Bloggers 06:00 Undercover Brother-PG15 15:00 House Of DVF 00:00 Royal Pains 08:00 Teen Wolf Too-PG15 16:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 01:00 Top Gear (US) 10:00 Barbershop-PG15 Hamptons 02:00 Survivor: San Juan Del Sur 12:00 Dr Seuss’ Cat In The Hat-PG 17:00 Kourtney And Khloe Take The 13:30 The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Hamptons 03:00 Supernatural 04:00 Switched At Birth Galaxy-PG15 18:00 E! News 15:30 Teen Wolf Too-PG15 05:00 The Flash 19:00 Live From E! 17:30 Life Happens-PG15 06:00 Royal Pains 19:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 19:30 Identity Thief-PG15 07:00 Made In Jersey 20:00 Giuliana & Bill 22:00 Kissing Jessica Stein-18 21:00 Giuliana & Bill 08:00 C.S.I. 22:00 E! News 09:00 Switched At Birth 23:00 Live From E! 10:00 The Flash 23:30 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 11:00 Top Gear (US) 12:00 Emmerdale 13:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 01:00 Inescapable-PG15 14:00 C.S.I. 03:00 Collaborator-PG15 15:00 Royal Pains 04:45 The Next Three Days-PG15 16:00 Emmerdale 07:00 Almost Christmas-PG15 00:15 Siba’s Table 17:00 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 09:00 The Runway-PG15 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:00 C.S.I. 10:45 The Next Three Days-PG15 01:05 Chopped 19:00 Switched At Birth 13:00 Everything Must Go-PG15 01:55 Marion’s Thailand 15:00 Robot & Frank-PG15 02:20 Recipes That Rock 20:00 Grey’s Anatomy 17:00 The Runway-PG15 02:45 Marion’s Thailand 21:00 Devious Maids 18:45 The Butler-PG15 03:10 Marion’s Thailand 22:00 American Horror Story: Freak 03:35 Siba’s Table Show 21:00 The English Teacher-PG15 04:00 Siba’s Table THE CALL ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 23:00 Supernatural 23:00 The Paperboy-18 TV listings SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

02:45 Los Campeones De LA Lucha 07:30 Live HSBC Sevens World Series 15:00 Story of the World Cup 1992 Libre 20:00 Golfing World 16:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 04:30 Sleeping Beauty 21:00 NFL Gameday 17:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 00:30 Jennifer Eight-18 06:00 Barbie In The Nutcracker 21:30 This is PGA Tour 18:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 02:45 Lincoln-PG15 08:00 The Happy Cricket 22:00 Live PGA Tour 18:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 05:30 Timer-PG15 10:00 Soccer Dog: European Cup 19:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 07:15 Bully-PG15 11:45 Fred 2: Night Of The Living Fred 19:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 09:00 Before And After-PG15 13:15 Los Campeones De LA Lucha 20:00 ICC Cricket 360 Libre 20:30 LG ICC Awards 2014 11:00 Cheerful Weather For The 03:00 Snooker UK Championship 15:00 Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The 21:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe ODI Wedding-PG15 07:00 Golfing World Mystery Map! Highlights 13:00 Deadly Spa-PG15 08:00 Ryder Cup Official Film 16:00 Planet 51 22:30 Bangladesh v Zimbabwe ODI 14:45 Blackfish-PG15 09:30 ICC Cricket 360 18:00 Soccer Dog: European Cup Highlights 16:30 Before And After-PG15 10:00 Volvo Ocean Race Highlights 20:00 Dudley Do Right 23:30 ICC Cricket 360 18:30 Things We Lost In The Fire-PG15 10:30 European Tour Weekly 22:00 Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The 21:00 In The Name Of The Father- 11:00 Live Nedbank Golf Challenge Mystery Map! PG15 18:00 Golfing World 23:15 Planet 51 23:30 Kramer vs. Kramer-PG15 19:00 WWE Superstars 20:00 WWE Smackdown! 22:00 Live Snooker Champion of Champions 01:00 City Slickers II 00:00 Vehicle 19-PG15 03:00 The Village 00:45 Pacific Rim-PG15 02:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit-PG15 05:00 Simon Sez 03:00 The Chateau Meroux-PG15 04:00 Asterix And Obelix-PG15 06:30 Chimpanzee-FAM 05:00 Vamps-PG15 06:00 Monsters University-PG 08:00 Bolt-PG 07:00 Peace, Love & 08:00 The 7:39-PG15 09:45 Garage Sale Mystery-U Misunderstanding-PG15 10:00 Marvel’s Ultimate Avengers I-PG 00:30 ICC Cricket 360 11:15 The Village 09:00 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 12:00 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit-PG15 01:00 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 13:15 Casanova 11:00 Madagascar-PG 14:00 Skyline-PG15 01:30 ICC Cricket World Cup Tales 15:15 Armageddon 13:00 Marvel’s The Invincible Iron 16:00 The 7:39-PG15 02:00 LG ICC Awards 2014 17:45 Thorne: Sleepyhead-FAM Man-PG 18:00 Dark Tide-PG15 03:00 Live Australia v India 20:00 Scream 4 14:45 Pacific Rim-PG15 20:00 Lay The Favorite-PG15 International Test 22:00 Reign Of Fire 17:00 Chasing Mavericks-PG15 22:00 Take This Waltz-18 19:00 The Internship-PG15 11:00 ICC Cricket 360 23:45 The Rookie-PG 21:00 Good Deeds-PG15 11:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 23:00 2 Guns-18 Highlights 12:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 01:00 International Rugby Union Highlights 03:00 Pool Mosconi Cup 13:30 Australia v South Africa ODI 07:00 Hero Indian Super League Highlights 01:00 Ploddy Police Car Highlights 14:30 ICC Cricket 360 00:00 According To Jim 00:30 Castle 01:30 Grey’s Anatomy 02:30 Army Wives 03:30 MasterChef Australia 04:30 Private Practice 05:30 According To Jim 05:55 According To Jim 06:30 No Ordinary Family TIMER ON OSN MOVIES FESTIVAL 07:30 No Ordinary Family 08:30 Castle 02:30 Counting Cars 02:50 Family Fat Surgeons 09:30 According To Jim 03:00 Ice Road Truckers 03:40 Long Island Medium 10:00 Grey’s Anatomy 04:00 Storage Wars 04:05 Say Yes To The Dress 11:00 Army Wives 04:30 Storage Wars 04:30 Say Yes To The Dress 12:00 MasterChef Australia 05:00 Pawn Stars 05:00 Toddlers & Tiaras 13:00 Private Practice 05:30 Pawn Stars 06:00 Something Borrowed, 14:00 According To Jim 06:00 Ax Men Something New 14:30 According To Jim 07:00 Storage Wars: New York 06:25 Cake Boss 15:00 No Ordinary Family 07:30 Counting Cars 06:50 Cake Boss 16:00 No Ordinary Family 08:00 Counting Cars 07:15 Cake Boss 17:00 According To Jim 08:30 Counting Cars 07:40 Cake Boss 19:30 Fit For Fashion 09:00 American Restoration 08:05 Your Style In His Hands 20:30 The Walking Dead 09:30 Pawn Stars UK 08:55 Your Style In His Hands 21:30 Happy Endings 10:00 Storage Wars: New York 09:45 Randy To The Rescue 21:55 Happy Endings 10:30 Counting Cars 10:35 Say Yes To The Dress – 22:30 Melissa & Joey 11:00 Pawn Stars Bridesmaids 22:55 Melissa & Joey 11:30 Pawn Stars 11:00 Say Yes To The Dress – 23:30 According To Jim 12:00 Storage Wars Bridesmaids 12:30 Storage Wars 11:25 Something Borrowed, 13:00 Counting Cars Something New 13:30 Counting Cars 11:50 Something Borrowed, 14:00 Mountain Men Something New 15:00 Ice Road Truckers 12:15 Something Borrowed, 01:20 Shaft 16:00 Counting Cars Something New 03:05 Lone Star-FAM 16:30 Counting Cars 12:40 Something Borrowed, 04:40 Reunion In France-FAM 17:00 Counting Cars Something New 07:00 The Prisoner Of Zenda-FAM 17:30 Counting Cars 13:05 Something Borrowed, 08:40 King Solomon’s Mines-FAM 18:00 Pawn Stars Something New 10:25 Captain Sindbad-FAM 18:30 Pawn Stars 13:30 Oprah’s Next Chapter 11:50 Bad Day At Black Rock-PG 19:00 Storage Wars 14:20 Oprah’s Master Class 13:10 42nd Street-FAM 19:30 Storage Wars 15:10 Little People, Big World 14:40 The Oklahoma Kid-FAM 20:00 Counting Cars 15:35 Little People, Big World 16:00 Lassie Come Home-FAM 20:30 Counting Cars 16:00 Little People, Big World 17:30 Designing Woman-FAM 21:00 Ice Road Truckers 16:25 Little People, Big World 19:25 Cheyenne Autumn-FAM 22:00 Pawn Stars 16:50 Little People, Big World 22:00 Splendor In The Grass-PG 22:30 Storage Wars 17:15 The Next Great Baker 23:00 American Pickers 18:05 Cake Boss 18:30 Secret Eaters 19:20 Secret Eaters 20:10 Ultimate Shopper 21:00 Here Comes Honey Boo Boo 21:25 Here Comes Honey Boo Boo 00:00 Ice Road Truckers 21:50 World’s Worst Mum 01:00 Storage Wars 00:45 Oprah’s Next Chapter 22:40 Long Island Medium 01:30 Pawn Stars 01:35 Oprah’s Master Class 23:05 Mob Wives ATM ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION 02:00 Counting Cars 02:25 I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant 23:55 Family Fat Surgeons WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Dr D Mohan to visit Kuwait

thmamari 2014 conventions will be hosted by AG Kuwait at the NECK, on December 11 from 7 Apm to 9:30 pm & on 12 December 9:45 am to 12:15 noon in the Hall of Peace NECK, Kuwait city. Dr D. Mohan will be the guest speaker, he is the founder of New Life Assembly in Chennai, India, whose life and ministry is touching by thousands of lives. For more information visit [email protected], www.agchurchkuwait.com

Australia Embassy

ustralian Visa Application Centre, Level 25, Al Tijaria Building Al Soor Street, Opp. Al Shuhada Garden ASharq, Kuwait City. Working hours and days: 09.30 - 17.30 Sunday - Thursday. Submissions of new applications can be made until 16.30 each day. The last hour of opening is for decision letter collection only. Website Address: www.vfs-au-gcc.com. Information email ID: [email protected] Telephone: +971 4 2055900. Contacts page on VFS website for Kuwait: (including map) Swaranjali - a musical dream of ICSK http://vfs-au-gcc.com/contactus_KBOQ.html. Visa options for lodgement with VFS: (to download forms, checklists, fee list) http://vfs-au-gcc.com/allaboutvisa.html ovember 29, 2014 saw a long hospital also graced the occasion. talented singers, orchestra members and cherished dream of the Indian Honorary Vice-Chairman of the ICSK chorus, marvelously anchored by Master Pravasi Bhartiya Divas NCommunity School Kuwait turn Board of Trustees Bobby Mathew, Vishnuduttan Suresh and Miss Rushali into reality - the blooming of Honorary Secretary Vijay Karayil, hon- Mahesh of ICSK Senior. A colorful pletho- he Government of India has decided to hold ‘Swaranjali’- the ICSK musical band. orary Joint-Secretary George Mathew, ra of songs entertained the huge audi- ‘Swaranjali’ was officially inaugurated at AISES members, Parent Advisory Council ence of music lovers reminding the audi- the next Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD-2015) at the ICSK auditorium by Dr Ahmad members, principals and vice-principals ence of the famous quote of William TMahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat in Abotaiban, Chairman of faculty of anes- of all the branches, staff, parents and stu- Shakespeare - ‘If music be the food of January 2015. The effort would be to have more thesia at Kuwait institute of medical spe- dents were present for the grand inau- love, then play on’. The entire team of meaningful and interactive sessions that would cialization, Consultant of anesthesia and guration. Swaranjali was honored with a token of address the issues and concerns of the overseas chronic pain management, Al Amiri A warm and hearty welcome speech recognition and encouragement by the Hospital, Kuwait and head of anesthesia was delivered by Principal of ICSK Senior Honorary Vice-Chairman Bobby Mathew Indian community effectively. Since 2015 marks the department at Kuwait Cancer Care Dr V. Binumon which was followed by and Honorary Secretary Vijay Karayil. To hundredth anniversary of the return of the greatest Centre. lighting of the ceremonial lamp and an conclude the evening, M U Mathew, the “Pravasi”of all, Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa, it Mubarak Al Rashid, a well-known inaugural speech by the chief guest. As a music club coordinator of ICSK and the is desired that PBD-2015 would be celebrated in a playback singer, nicknamed ‘Kishore token of love and appreciation, ICSK pre- godfather of ‘Swaranjali’ expressed his Kumar’ of Kuwait mesmerized the audi- sented the chief guest with a beautiful heartfelt gratitude to the entire ICSK grand way. ence with popular Hindi melodies. Dr. portrait painted by an ICSK student. family. The musical nite marked its end The detailed programe of PBD-2015 is being pre- Krishna Galhotra, Chief consultant of What followed was a musical extrava- with the ‘morning song of India’- the pared and will be uploaded on the Embassy’s anesthesia department & ICU at Al Amiri ganza by ‘Swaranjali’ band comprising Indian national anthem. Website in due course. More detailed information on Pravasi Bhartiya AWARE December Events Calendar Divas (PBD-2015) can be accessed at the Ministry of Overseas India Affairs’ website Camel races This is an adult only tour for 8 partic- the Kuwaiti Human Rights (http://www.moia.gov.in). December 6, 2014 ipants Very Limited Seats! Foundation, the Kuwait Join AWARE for a day out at the Email registration required through Transparency Society, a founder of a Camel Races! This outing involves [email protected] Book Reading Club (as part of lunch at a Kuwaiti farm. Departure AlJalees project), & the Assistant from AWARE: 11:00 am. Return History of Kuwait democracy Manager for the Kuwait Memorial Departure: 4:30 pm. December 9 at 7 pm Museum. What’s On - Submission Guidelines The past years have been remark- AWARE Guided Tours able. They have included some of Guided Tour: The Grand Mosque All photos submitted for What’s On December 8 @ 5:00 pm the major protests in the history of December 13 @ 9:15 am The House of Mirrors is home to the the Country, an unprecedented inci- For a rewarding, spiritual & informa- should be minimum 200dpi. family of the late renowned artist, dent where a Kuwaiti lady was jailed tive experience. This is a 11/2 tour of Articles must be in plain text and Khalifa Al-Qattan. His wife has spent for expressing her opinion, & lots one of Kuwait’s most famous land- should include name and phone vast amounts of time creating more. The root of it all goes back marks. Ladies are required to cover - numbers. Articles and photos that scenes on the walls, the floors & many years. This diwaniya will shed long sleeves and long ankle length even the ceilings to showcase what light on the History of Democracy in skirt, otherwise the mosque will pro- fail to meet these requirements will can be done with broken pieces of Kuwait, & how the country reached vide a cloak. If you have your own not be published. mirror & glass when accompanied by its current status. Al Bara AlWuhaib scarf you’re welcome to bring it. an artists’ touch. Enjoy a cup of tea, is an activist, who served several Cameras are allowed. Children are Please send them to an artful snack & a guided tour to organizations. He volunteered in the welcome. This tour meets directly at [email protected] view the splendors of this ‘bedaz- Kuwaiti Red Crescent during the Iraq the Grand Mosque. This tour does zled’ home. Cameras are welcome. war in 2003. He’s also a member in not require registration. WHAT’S ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Sunday School golden jubilee celebrations inaugurated

he Golden Jubilee celebrations of St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church Sunday School, Kuwait - the largest TSunday School of Malankara Orthodox Church - was inaugurated by Sunil Jain, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait in a glittering ceremony at Al Jeel Al-Jadeed school. The one year celebrations will mark as well the golden jubilee of Sunday School OKR (Outside Kerala Region) besides the formation of OSSAE (Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East) 350 years ago. A specially designed Golden Jubilee flag, brought in pro- cession by the students and handed over to PC George (General convener) & Kurien Varghese (Headmaster) was hoist- ed at the venue by HG. Mathews Mar Theodosius, Metropolitan of Idukki Diocese, while the Sunday school junior choir recited the melodious golden Jubilee theme song com- posed by MU Mathews. Golden Jubilee logo was released by Sunil Jain, the Indian Ambassador and the Golden Jubilee Medallion was released by H.G. Mathews Mar Theodosius. The occasion was witnessed by socio-cultural-religious leaders, community representatives, priests from various parishes and multitude of Sunday school students, teachers and parish members. The Sunday school of St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church in Kuwait had a meek start in 1964, and has grown to be the largest Sunday school in Malankara church with 1350 students and 135 teachers in fifty years. Programs planned during the one year celebrations are scholarship to students, financial assistance to needy children in & outside Kuwait, other charity projects, teachers training, workshops, seminars, family meet, inter-Sunday school com- petitions, Alumni meet of students from Kuwait and other GCC countries, honoring teachers serving above 25 years and so stones and main events of Kuwait Sunday school in last fifty be held in Nov. 2015 will be HH. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, on. A web portal to enhance Sunday school studies will be years will be published. A Golden jubilee supplement also will the supreme head of Indian Orthodox Church. launched shortly, open to all throughout the world. be published. There are 15 committees constituted for the successful The golden jubilee medallion will be given to all parish OSSAE president HG. (Dr.) Yakoob Mar Irenius, OSSAE-OKR implementation of various programs, under the leadership of members as a souvenir. A ‘Reference Book’ with particular president HG. (Dr.) Joseph Mar Dionysious, experts from vari- Rev. Fr. Raju Thomas (Vicar), Rev. Fr. Reji C. Varghese emphasis to the history of 350 years of Sunday school in ous fields are expected to lead various programs during the (Associate Vicar), P.C. George (General Convener), Lalu Jacob Indian Orthodox Church (Malankara Sabha) and the mile- celebration period. The chief guest of the closing ceremony to (Jt. Gen. Convener) and Kurien Varghese (Headmaster).

or the first time in Kuwait and the Arab World, The Life Principles Organization (LPO) recently organized a four-day training course on balanced life elements. LPO’s president Dr Ahmed Sameer said that 7 accredited trainers lectured at the course that mainly aims at training participant on how to plan and lead a bal- Fanced life. HEALTH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Belgium seeks to have potato fries declared cultural heritage

BRUSSELS: There are few things people agree on in region of Flanders recognised Belgian fries as an Maison Antoine. linguistically divided Belgium, but an effort to get integral part of national culture this year, and the “Before I came here, one of the only things I Belgian potato fries recognised as global cultural French- and German-speaking communities are knew about Belgium was that they liked their fries, heritage and put it on a par with Peking opera and expected to debate the issue next year. so I think they are pretty much there already,” said the Argentinian tango may get unequivocal sup- UNAFRI, the national association of fritkot own- Rachael Webb, a visitor from Ottawa, Canada, hold- port. ers, which started the drive, says the unpolished ing a cone of fries. Belgian fries are traditionally sold, in a paper establishments are uniquely Belgian, combining the UNESCO has a list of 314 items of intangible cul- cone, in a “fritkot”, generally a shack or trailer. There country’s embrace of chaos with a dislike of corpo- tural heritage worthy of preservation, ranging from are some 5,000 of these in Belgium, making them 10 rate uniformity. Turkish coffee to the polyphonic singing of the Aka times more common, per capita, than McDonald’s “A cone of potato chips is Belgium in miniature. pygmies of the Central African Republic. restaurants in the United States. What’s astounding is that this way of thinking is the Potatoes reached Belgium in the 16th century, To become recognised by the United Nations’ same, notwithstanding the different communities but it was not until the 19th century that they were cultural arm UNESCO, they need to be endorsed by and regions,” said spokesman Bernard Lefevre. widely sold chipped and fried as a meal in them- a minister of culture, and Belgium has three of Many tourists join the locals in the long queues selves. UNAFRI says 95 percent of Belgians visit a them. The government of the Dutch speaking at popular Brussels fritkots such as Frit Flagey and fritkot at least once a year. —Reuters

China vows to stop using executed prisoner organs BEIJING: China will stop its controversial practice of using executed prisoners as a source of transplant organs from next month, a Chinese newspaper reported yesterday, a promise it has made repeatedly in the past. High demand for organs in China and a chronic shortage of donations mean that death row inmates have been a key source for years, generating heated controversy. International human rights groups have accused Chinese authorities of harvesting organs from executed prisoners without their consent or that of their families-alle- gations the government has denied. The country will “comprehensively terminate” the use of executed prisoners as a source of organs for transplants from January 1, the Southern Metropolis Daily quoted Huang Jiefu, head of the China Organ Donation Committee, as saying. Voluntary donation will become the only source for organ transplants, Huang, a former vice health minister, said at a meeting on Wednesday. Beijing has made similar pledges before and Huang in November 2012 said that China would end its reliance on organs from executed prisoners within two years. China banned trading in human organs in 2007, but demand for transplants far exceeds supply in the country of 1.3 billion people, opening the door to forced donations and illegal sales. Huang said around 300,000 patients in China are in “urgent need” of organ transplants every year, but only about 10,000 operations are carried out, Thursday’s report said. Only 0.6 out of every million people in ALAMOSA: This image provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado shows Mia Yasmin Garcia shortly after birth China donate their organs, compared with 37 in Spain, he said. Dec 2, 2014 she was born by cesarean section in Alamosa, Colorado Monday, weighing 13 pounds, 13 Organ donations are not widespread as many Chinese believe they ounces. Mia’s father, Francisco Garcia, says the newborn’s size shocked everyone, including hospital staff. will be reincarnated after death and therefore feel the need to keep a complete body. —AFP He says “they were like whoa! They opened their eyes like they’ve never seen a baby like that.” —AP Obesity clips up to WHO makes cervical cancer 8 years off your life protection easier, cheaper PARIS: Obesity and extreme obesity can reduce life expectancy by up to eight years and deprive people of as much as 19 years of good Vaccine prevents infection with human papillomavirus health, according to a study published yesterday. The research-a mathematical model based on US health data-should be a useful MELBOURNE: The World Health Organization introduced new ets, especially in low-income countries.” She added that this tool for doctors advising patients who are worryingly overweight, its cervical cancer guidelines yesterday, making it easier and could contribute “drastically to the elimination of cervical can- authors said. The biggest area of concern is for people who become cheaper to protect women against one of the deadliest, but cer”. The WHO also recommended that once a woman had obese while they are young. “The pattern is clear,” said Steven most preventable, diseases. An estimated 270,000 people die returned a negative result in a cervical Pap test, she did not Grover, a professor of epidemiology at McGill University in Montreal, each year from the cancer, of which 85 percent are in the have to be rescreened for at least five years, which would be a Canada. developing world where many have limited access to health- major cost saving for health systems. “The more an individual weighs and the younger their age, the care and struggle to afford the vaccine. In launching new Pap tests in many countries are currently recommended for greater the effect on their health. “(...) They have many years ahead guidance at the World Cancer Congress in Melbourne, the women every two years once they are 18. An estimated one of them, during which the increased health risks associated with health agency said it now recommended nine to 13-year-old million-plus women worldwide are currently living with cervi- obesity can negatively impact their lives.” Grover’s team used data girls should receive two doses of the HPV vaccine, rather than cal cancer, many of whom have no access to health services from a big US project, the National Health and Nutrition the previous three. for prevention, curative treatment or palliative care. While cer- Examination Survey, which monitored thousands of people over The vaccine prevents infection with the human papillo- vical cancer rates have fallen in much of the developed world years, to analyse the risk of early death and ill health among adults mavirus, the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, over the past 30 years, largely due to screening and treatment of different body weight. They compared overweight and obese and studies had shown that reducing to two doses was as effec- programs, rates in many developing countries have risen, people against people of normal weight in terms of life expectancy. tive as three. The WHO said the change would make it easier to often due to limited access to health services. They also calculated the number of years of good health that each administer the vaccine and cut costs. “WHO’s updated cervical Marleen Temmerman, director of WHO’s department of individual could-statistically-expect. This was defined as being free cancer guidance can be the difference between life and death reproductive health and research, said gender discrimination of cardiovascular disease or diabetes-two diseases that are closely for girls and women worldwide,” said Nathalie Broutet, a lead- and other social inequities, such as wealth, class, education linked with excessive weight. ing WHO expert on cervical cancer prevention and control. and religion, were the problems. “Unless we address gender The estimates applied to people aged between 20 and 79. The “There are no magic bullets, but the combination of more inequality and ensure women’s right to health, the number of outcome was dramatic, according to the paper, which appears in effective and affordable tools to prevent and treat cervical women dying from cervical cancer will continue to rise,” she the journal Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. —AFP cancer will help release the strain on stretched health budg- warned. —AFP HEALTH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Prepare for severe Central America’s new coffee flu season: US buzz: Renewable energy health chiefs

WASHINGTON: This year’s flu season could be especially MATAGALPA: That morning cup of coffee gives many of four children ran around barefoot on the dirt floor of their severe, US health authorities warned Thursday, adding that us a needed boost, but Central American coffee farmers house about an hour north of San Ramon. genetic mutations mean the vaccine won’t be as effective have found a new source of energy in their beans: turning against some of the most prevalent flu strains. agricultural wastewater into biogas. ‘Hit the jackpot’ So far this season, most flu patients in the United States An often-overlooked byproduct of the world’s favorite Blandon said he was skeptical when a team of exten- have contracted seasonal influenza A H3N2 viruses. This stimulant, the water used to process raw coffee beans is sion workers first tried to sign him up for the project in group of viruses was also the most common in the three usually dumped back into the environment untreated. 2010. deadliest flu seasons over the past decade, said officials at the In Central America, locals call it “honey water” because “But they were so insistent.... Less than a month later, it Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. of its sweet taste and yellowish color. was up and running,” he said. Perhaps more worrying, the officials said, was that ana- Extremely polluting, it is high in methane gas-a leading “Now the neighbors who visit say ‘Wow, you hit the lysts have found genetic mutations in around half the H3N2 viruses analyzed this season. contributor to global warming produced, in this case, by jackpot!’” said his wife, Fatima Valenzuela Altamiro, 35. The mutations mean the viruses no longer resemble the the fermentation of the coffee tree’s berries. She used to cook with wood that filled her kitchen with one used to develop this season’s flu shot-which means even Across Nicaragua, the 1.3 million sacks of coffee pro- noxious smoke. Her husband had to cut down about five vaccinated people will have limited protection. duced annually generate pollution equivalent to about trees every season. The first time biogas came out of the However, they noted it was still important to get flu shots- 20,000 cars. tube in her kitchen, “it was amazing,” she said. “What a emphasizing it could still help lessen the severity of symp- Now a pilot project at 19 farms in Nicaragua, Guatemala surprise when that flame appeared!” toms, even if it doesn’t block the virus entirely. and Honduras is treating that water, separating out the The apparatus to extract the gas costs several thousand “We are still strongly recommending vaccination,” said methane and using it to fuel electric generators. dollars. It was 75 percent funded by the Dutch govern- Joseph Bresee, chief of the Influenza Epidemiology and “Look how high that flame is,” said Sarahi Pastran as ment, 25 percent by local cooperatives. “We’ve had very Prevention Branch at CDC. “Vaccination has been found to she cooked bananas in her kitchen at the La Hermandad good results,” said Vera Espindola Rafael, Latin America provide some protection against drifted viruses in past sea- sons,” he added. “Also, vaccination will offer protection coffee cooperative in San Ramon de Matagalpa in coordinator for UTZ Certified, which also runs a labelling against other flu viruses that may become more common lat- Nicaragua. program to guarantee that coffee is produced with sus- er in the season.” Her stove was connected to a pipe that ran across her tainable practices and fair labor conditions. In the 2007-2008 flu season-seasons typically peak lush yard and connected to a biogas generator fueled by “We’ve achieved all the goals we set: producing biogas, between December and February-the predominant flu varia- coffee byproducts that used to pollute local rivers. reducing pollution and using less water.” tion was a mutated H3N2 virus, the CDC said, but the vaccine The project was launched in 2010 by Dutch sustainable Water use at the La Hermandad farm has fallen by more still had an overall efficacy of 37 percent and 42 percent farming group UTZ Certified, seeking to use less water in than 80 percent, said technical manager Marvin Mairena. against H3N2 viruses. The vaccine must be created months in coffee growing and use it more creatively. Different farms need different mechanisms to extract advance in order to be ready for the upcoming flu season, “It used to cause a lot of pollution... and it smelled,” said methane gas, depending on their size. and there is always the possibility the viruses will “drift” Francisco Blandon of the wastewater that his family farm Some produce biogas only during the harvest season, genetically in the meantime. Currently, flu cases are still quite low in the United States. “It’s too early to say for sure that this used to produce. others produce it year-round by replacing coffee with ani- will be a severe flu season, but Americans should be pre- “A lot of families live by the river. They bathe there, mal waste. UTZ has started rolling out the project in pared,” said CDC director Tom Frieden, reiterating calls for wash their laundry. It gave them rashes and intestinal par- Colombia, Peru and Brazil. It is looking for funds to do the everyone to get vaccinated.—AFP asites when they drank it,” said Blandon, 39, as two of his same in Kenya and Vietnam. — AFP SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

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In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers use seats

Arrival Flights on Saturday 6/12/2014 UAL 982 IAD 17:55 KAC 561 Amman 10:25 Airlines Flt Route Time SVA 500 Jeddah 18:00 JZR 356 Mashhad 10:30 PIA 205 Lahore 00:10 UAE 875 Dubai 18:00 FDB 056 Dubai 10:35 JAI 574 Mumbai 00:10 JZR 177 Dubai 18:20 IRM 1181 Mashhad 10:50 JZR 239 Amman 00:25 KAC 542 Cairo 18:25 QTR 1071 Doha 11:00 JZR 267 Beirut 00:30 KAC 118 New York 18:30 KAC 541 Cairo 11:05 JZR 539 Cairo 00:40 FDB 063 Dubai 18:40 IAW 1160 Al Najaf 11:10 KLM 413 Amsterdam/Dammam 00:40 ABY 121 Sharjah 18:40 KAC 165 Rome/Paris 11:15 THY 772 Istanbul 00:45 CLX 856 Luxembourg 18:50 GFA 214 Bahrain 11:25 FDB 069 Dubai 00:55 QTR 1080 Doha 18:50 KAC 741 Dammam 11:45 QTR 1084 Doha 01:00 KAC 618 Doha 19:15 RBG 554 Alexandria 11:55 RJA 642 Amman 01:05 KAC 774 Riyadh 19:15 KAC 501 Beirut 12:00 DLH 637 Dammam 01:15 KAC 674 Dubai 19:25 JZR 776 Jeddah 12:20 SAI 441 Lahore 01:30 GFA 217 Bahrain 19:30 MSC 402 Alexandria 12:25 PGT 858 Istanbul 01:35 KAC 176 Geneva/Frankfurt 19:45 UAE 874 Dubai 12:30 GFA 211 Bahrain 02:30 KAC 502 Beirut 19:50 SYR 342 Damascus 13:00 UAE 853 Dubai 02:35 IRA 669 Mashhad 19:50 IRM 1189 Mashhad 13:10 JZR 553 Alexandria 02:45 KAC 104 London 19:55 JZR 176 Dubai 13:45 JAI 526 Chennai/Abu Dhabi 02:50 KAC 614 Bahrain 20:00 SVA 9603 Jeddah 13:55 FDB 067 Dubai 02:55 JAI 572 Mumbai 20:00 MSR 611 Cairo 14:00 MSR 612 Cairo 03:10 MSR 618 Alexandria 20:05 UAE 872 Dubai 14:15 ETD 305 Abu Dhabi 03:10 JZR 189 Dubai 20:15 IAW 158 Al Najaf 14:20 KKK 6507 Istanbul 03:20 OMA 647 Muscat 20:20 AGY 685 Sohag 14:40 OMA 643 Muscat 03:25 FDB 061 Dubai 20:20 MSR 576 Sharm el-Sheikh 15:00 QTR 1076 Doha 03:45 KNE 474 Jeddah 20:25 KAC 785 Jeddah 15:00 MSC 401 Alexandria 04:05 ABY 123 Sharjah 20:35 KAC 673 Dubai 15:00 KAC 546 Alexandria 04:10 DLH 634 Frankfurt 20:50 QTR 1079 Doha 15:05 IAW 1157 Baghdad 05:00 KAC 786 Jeddah 21:05 FDB 058 Dubai 15:10 JZR 503 Luxor 05:25 ALK 229 Colombo 21:10 KAC 617 Doha 15:15 THY 770 Istanbul 05:35 MEA 402 Beirut 21:20 TBZ 5484 Mashhad 15:20 DHX 170 Bahrain 05:40 ETD 307 Abu Dhabi 21:30 KNE 473 Jeddah 15:20 BAW 157 London 06:40 JZR 188 Dubai 15:40 JZR 563 Sohag 06:45 FDB 073 Dubai 21:35 GFA 222 Bahrain 15:45 KAC 416 Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta 06:45 UAE 859 Dubai 21:40 KNE 471 Jeddah 15:50 KAC 412 Manila/Bangkok 07:10 GFA 219 Bahrain 21:45 KAC 773 Riyadh 15:50 KAC 204 Lahore 07:45 QTR 1074 Doha 21:55 RJD 136 Abu Dhabi 16:05 FDB 053 Dubai 07:45 KNE 480 Taif 22:00 KAC 613 Bahrain 16:10 QTR 1086 Doha 07:50 JZR 135 Bahrain 22:05 ABY 128 Sharjah 16:25 KAC 352 Kochi 08:10 KLM 415 Amsterdam 22:15 KNE 463 Madinah 16:30 KAC 382 Delhi 08:15 ETD 309 Abu Dhabi 22:15 KNE 481 Taif 16:50 KAC 302 Mumbai 08:20 FDB 059 Dubai 22:30 FDB 052 Dubai 17:00 KAC 206 Islamabad 08:25 AIC 975 Chennai/Goa 22:30 JZR 266 Beirut 17:05 UAE 855 Dubai 08:40 MSC 403 Sohag 22:45 NIA 252 Alexandria 17:15 KAC 344 Chennai 08:45 JZR 157 Dubai 23:05 QTR 1073 Doha 17:40 KAC 362 Colombo 08:45 UAL 981 Bahrain 23:10 UAE 858 Dubai 17:45 KAC 284 Dhaka 08:50 JZR 185 Dubai 23:15 JZR 538 Cairo 17:45 ABY 125 Sharjah 09:00 AGY 684 Sohag 23:15 ETD 304 Abu Dhabi 17:50 IAW 1159 Al Najaf 09:10 THY 764 Istanbul 23:35 RJA 641 Amman 17:55 ETD 301 Abu Dhabi 09:20 FDB 071 Dubai 23:45 IRM 1187 Tehran 18:15 IRM 1186 Tehran 09:40 SVA 511 Riyadh 18:15 FDB 055 Dubai 09:40 Departure Flights on Saturday 6/12/2014 GFA 216 Bahrain 18:20 QTR 1070 Doha 10:00 JZR 156 Dubai 18:30 GFA 213 Bahrain 10:40 Airlines Flt Route Time JZR 184 Dubai 18:40 UAE 873 Dubai 11:00 AIC 976 Goa/Chennai 00:05 IZG 4162 Mashhad 18:45 RBG 553 Alexandria 11:15 JZR 562 Sohag 00:05 JZR 238 Amman 18:50 MSC 405 Sohag 11:25 FDB 072 Dubai 00:45 JZR 134 Bahrain 19:10 JZR 165 Dubai 11:30 JAI 573 Mumbai 01:10 UAL 982 Bahrain 19:15 IRM 1188 Mashhad 11:45 PIA 206 Lahore 01:40 ABY 121 Sharjah 19:20 SYR 341 Damascus 12:00 KLM 413 Amsterdam 01:55 SVA 505 Jeddah 19:30 UAE 871 Dubai 12:50 DLH 637 Frankfurt 02:15 UAE 876 Dubai 19:40 JZR 241 Amman 12:55 SAI 442 Lahore 02:30 QTR 1081 Doha 19:50 SVA 3504 Jeddah 12:55 THY 773 Istanbul 02:55 FDB 064 Dubai 19:55 MSR 610 Cairo 13:00 PGT 859 Istanbul 03:25 GFA 218 Bahrain 20:15 IAW 157 Al Najaf 13:20 UAE 854 Dubai 03:50 CLX 856 Hong Kong 20:20 JZR 779 Jeddah 13:35 FDB 068 Dubai 03:55 KAC 283 Dhaka 20:30 AGY 680 Alexandria 13:40 ETD 306 Abu Dhabi 04:05 IRA 666 Esfahan 20:50 KAC 672 Dubai 13:55 MSR 613 Cairo 04:10 KAC 361 Colombo 20:50 QTR 1078 Doha 14:05 KKK 6508 Istanbul 04:10 JAI 571 Mumbai 21:00 MSR 575 Sharm el-Sheikh 14:15 OMA 644 Muscat 04:15 MSR 607 Luxor 21:05 TBZ 5483 Mashhad 14:20 QTR 1085 Doha 04:30 JZR 554 Alexandria 21:05 KNE 472 Jeddah 14:25 MSC 406 Sohag 05:05 KNE 475 Jeddah 21:10 FDB 057 Dubai 14:30 QTR 1077 Doha 05:15 KAC 331 Trivandrum 21:10 JZR 175 Dubai 14:45 THY 765 Istanbul 05:40 ABY 124 Sharjah 21:15 KAC 742 Dammam 14:45 KAC 351 Kochi 21:15 KNE 470 Jeddah 14:55 IAW 1158 Al Najaf 06:00 FDB 062 Dubai 21:20 RJD 135 Abu Dhabi 14:55 FDB 070 Dubai 06:30 OMA 648 Muscat 21:20 GFA 221 Bahrain 15:00 JAI 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 06:35 DHX 171 Bahrain 21:50 KAC 788 Jeddah 15:40 JZR 164 Dubai 06:55 KAC 381 Delhi 22:00 KNE 462 Madinah 15:45 RJA 643 Amman 07:05 ALK 230 Colombo 22:10 ABY 127 Sharjah 15:45 GFA 212 Bahrain 07:15 ETD 308 Abu Dhabi 22:15 UAE 857 Dubai 15:45 JZR 240 Amman 07:15 KAC 302 Mumbai 22:15 FDB 051 Dubai 16:00 THY 771 Istanbul 07:30 MEA 403 Beirut 22:20 KNE 460 Riyadh 16:00 JZR 778 Jeddah 07:55 FDB 074 Dubai 22:30 JZR 535 Cairo 16:10 FDB 054 Dubai 08:25 GFA 220 Bahrain 22:30 NIA 251 Alexandria 16:15 BAW 156 London 08:45 UAE 860 Dubai 22:50 KAC 562 Amman 16:20 QTR 1087 Doha 08:50 KNE 461 Riyadh 22:50 JZR 357 Mashhad 16:30 JZR 534 Cairo 09:15 KAC 205 Islamabad 22:55 QTR 1072 Doha 16:40 KAC 671 Dubai 09:25 ETD 310 Abu Dhabi 23:00 ETD 303 Abu Dhabi 16:55 ABY 126 Sharjah 09:40 QTR 1075 Doha 23:05 RJA 640 Amman 16:55 KAC 787 Jeddah 09:50 KLM 415 Dammam/Amsterdam 23:15 IRM 1180 Mashhad 17:00 KAC 101 London/New York 09:50 KAC 543 Cairo 23:20 SVA 510 Riyadh 17:15 UAE 856 Dubai 09:55 KAC 411 Bangkok/Manila 23:30 GFA 215 Bahrain 17:30 JZR 174 Dubai 10:10 MSC 404 Sohag 23:45 IZG 4161 Mashhad 17:45 ETD 302 Abu Dhabi 10:20 FDB 060 Dubai 23:55 JZR 777 Jeddah 17:55 Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

channels. 4. English potter who started a pottery famous for its bone china (1754-1827). CROSSWORD746 5. A heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposi- tion of organic substances. 6. Measuring instrument in which the echo of a pulse of microwave radiation is used to detect and locate distant objects. 7. Water frozen in the solid state. 8. The short weak cry of a young bird. 9. Any of numerous small slender long-tailed parrots. 10. A plaything that is ridden up and down by children at either end. 11. A high-crowned black cap (usually made of felt or sheepskin) worn by men in Turkey and Iran and the Caucasus. 12. A genus of Indriidae. 13. A Russian river. 14. Able to act at will. 23. A soft gray ductile metallic element used in alloys. 25. A state in the Rocky Mountains. 27. A tube with a small bowl at one end. 28. Of southern Europe. 31. (Greek mythology) The goddess of youth and spring. 32. (Arthurian legend) The battlefield where King Arthur was mortally wounded. 33. Afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement. 35. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984). 36. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River. 37. The biblical name for ancient Syria. 38. The 7th letter of the Greek alphabet. 39. Wild or domesticated South American cud-chewing animal related to camels but smaller and lacking a hump. 41. A member of the Siouan people formerly living in the Missouri river valley in NE Nebraska. 43. A monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles. 44. A tablet placed horizontally on top of the capital of a column as an aid in support- ing the architrave. ACROSS 48. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms. 1. A mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tis- 50. Small buffalo of the Celebes having small straight horns. sues. 51. A mountainous island in the central Philippines. 4. United States newspaper publisher who founded an important press association. 54. (Zen Buddhism) A state of sudden spiritual enlightenment. 11. Young of domestic cattle. 55. A male child (a familiar term of address to a boy). 15. A period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event. 58. Make a splashing sound. 16. The grasses. 61. Type genus of the Anatidae. 17. Report or maintain. 62. A quantity of no importance. 18. The highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music. 64. Affording unobstructed entrance and exit. 19. United States industrialist who manufactured plows suitable for working the 66. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). prairie soil (1804-1886). 67. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic 20. A narrow way or road. peoples. 21. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 68. Primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking 22. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix. true stems and roots and leaves. 24. (Greek mythology) Daughter of Helios and mother of Ariadne. 71. An accountant certified by the state. 26. Either of two folds of skin that can be moved to cover or open the eye. 72. A woolen cap of Scottish origin. 29. A family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in southeastern Asia. 73. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 30. Establish the validity of something. 34. (Babylonian) A demigod or first man. 40. French philosopher who was a leading figure of the Enlightenment in France. 42. A unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water Yesterdayʼs Solution one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure. 45. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma. 46. Affect with wonder. 47. An esoteric or occult matter that is traditionally secret. 49. The capital of Bahrain. Yesterday’s Solution 52. Large ornamental tropical American tree with bipinnate leaves and globose clus- ters of flowers with crimson stamens and sweet-pulp seed pods eaten by cattle. 53. The act of scanning. 56. A stick that people can lean on to help them walk. 57. Port city on southern Honshu on Osaka Bay. 59. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools. 60. Obvious and dull. 63. Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907). 65. A island in the Netherlands Antilles that is the top of an extinct volcano. 69. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods. 70. Octopuses and paper nautilus. 74. United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters. 75. Having undesirable or negative qualities. 76. A cut of pork ribs with much of the meat trimmed off. 77. An ugly evil-looking old woman. 78. North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean. 79. Common genus of marine bubble shells of the Pacific coast of North America. 80. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

DOWN 1. A summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion. 2. An ancient city in northern Portugal. 3. (astronomy) An indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of

Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Predators see off Blues

NASHVILLE: Mike Ribeiro scored a goal and beat goalie Jussi Rynnas 7:39 into the third peri- had two assists, and the Nashville Predators od and gave Detroit a 4-2 lead. The Red Wings spoiled goalie Martin Brodeur’s debut with the have won five of six. Darren Helm scored twice Blues by beating St. Louis 4-3 on Thursday night. the Red Wings. The 42-year-old Brodeur made 20 saves in his first start for a team other than the New Jersey BLUE JACKETS 4, PANTHERS 3 Devils. The Blues signed the four-time Vezina Ryan Johansen scored the winning goal in a Trophy winner on Tuesday, tapping the NHL’s shootout to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets over goalie leader in games, wins and shutouts to Florida. Boone Jenner, Cam Atkinson and Nick help while Brian Elliott sidelined by a knee Foligno scored in regulation for Columbus and injury. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 52 shots. Rookie Filip Forsberg had a goal and an Nick Bjugstad had two goals and an assist for assist, and Eric Nystrom and Colin Wilson each the Panthers. Tomas Fleischmann had a goal had a goal as Nashville improved to 11-1-1 at and had an assist and Roberto Luongo made 17 home. The Predators snapped a six-game skid to saves. the Blues in Nashville and took the Central Division lead. DEVILS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 3 Mike Cammalleri and Eric Gelinas scored ISLANDERS 2, SENATORS 1 power-play goals and the New Jersey Devils Jaroslav Halak made 20 saves in his fran- defeated Toronto. The Maple Leafs had earned chise-record 11th straight victory, and the New points in five straight games. They hadn’t lost in York Islanders held off Ottawa. Halak, 13-4 in his regulation since a 9-2 rout by Nashville on Nov. first season with the Islanders, broke the record 18. Stephen Gionta, Steve Bernier and Adam held by Hall of Fame goalie Billy Smith, set in Henrique had the other goals for New Jersey. 1982. Halak has allowed only 14 goals during his streak. New York has won eight of nine and 13 KINGS 4, COYOTES 0 of 15. Mika Zibanejad scored the lone goal for Dustin Brown had two goals and an assist, Ottawa, which has lost four straight. Martin Jones stopped 26 shots, and Los Angeles Former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson, beat Arizona Coyotes for its second straight who announced his retirement Thursday morn- shutout and third in four games. ing, took part in the pregame warmup and bid Two nights after Jonathan Quick stopped 31 his final farewell to a sold-out crowd of 20,511. shots against Boston, Jones extended the Kings’ defensive mastery in his first start since blanking CANUCKS 3, PENGUINS 0 Minnesota on Nov. 26. Brad Richardson scored two goals and added Alec Martinez had a goal and an assist a day an assist, and Eddie Lack posted his fifth NHL after agreeing to a contract extension, and Jared shutout to lift Vancouver to another road win. Stoll added a power-play goal late in the second The Canucks, in the midst of a season-high, period. Arizona goalie Mike Smith was yanked in seven-game trip, won their league-best 11th another lackluster performance. The Coyotes road game. Vancouver, which has won five of six have lost six straight home games for the first overall, beat the Penguins in Pittsburgh for the time since early 2009. The Coyotes gave up 42 first time since Nov. 22, 2008. shots and were shut out at home for the second Richardson scored his fifth and sixth goals, straight game. Arizona has dropped seven of and Shawn Matthias also netted his sixth and nine. added an assist for the Canucks, who hadn’t defeated Pittsburgh anywhere in four years. SHARKS 7, BRUINS 4 Lack stopped 21 shots for his first shutout Tyler Kennedy, fresh off the injured list, and second win of the season. Thomas Greiss scored two goals - including the winner - and made 28 saves and took the loss in his first San Jose beat Boston for its third straight victo- home start. ry. NASHVILLE: Predators center Mike Fisher (12) collides with St. Louis Blues right wing Tommy Wingels and Joe Pavelski also scored CAPITALS 2, HURRICANES 1 Vladimir Tarasenko (91), of Russia, in the third period of an NHL hockey game. The twice for the Sharks, who snapped a three-game Eric Fehr scored with 4:02 remaining to lift Predators won 4-3. — AP losing streak to the Bruins. Tomas Hertl added a Washington over Carolina. Jay Beagle scored an late goal. The Sharks scored twice on the power early goal and Braden Holtby stopped 29 shots play, giving them seven man-advantage goals in for the Capitals. Washington, which had lost two seven games after being shut out in their previ- in a row and four of five, moved back over .500 NHL RESULTS/STANDINGS ous four. Reilly Smith scored twice for the Bruins, at 11-10-4. Alexander Semin scored his first goal who ended a scoring drought but extended of the season for the Hurricanes, who were try- Vancouver 3, Pittsburgh 0; Washington 2, Carolina 1; New Jersey 5, Toronto 3; NY Islanders their losing streak to three. Gregory Campbell ing to win two in a row for the first time since 2, Ottawa 1; Detroit 5, Dallas 2; Tampa Bay 5, Buffalo 0; Columbus 4, Florida 3 (SO); Nashville and Torey Krug also scored. Antti Niemi made 20 early November. Fehr made the game-winning 4, St. Louis 3; Calgary 4, Colorado 3 (OT); Los Angeles 4, Arizona 0; San Jose 7, Boston 4. saves in winning his third straight. Tuukka Rask play by himself. He stole the puck from Riley Western Conference Eastern Conference stopped 37 shots in losing to the Sharks for the Nash just inside the blue line, charged between Pacific Division Atlantic Division first time in four games. the circles and snapped a shot past Anton W L OTL GF GA PTS Tampa Bay 18 6 3 97 69 39 Khudobin. Khudobin made 26 saves for Carolina. Vancouver 18 7 1 82 69 37 Montreal 17 8 2 70 68 36 FLAMES 4, AVALANCHE 3 Anaheim 16 6 5 76 72 37 Detroit 15 6 5 82 67 35 Sean Monahan scored 1:47 into overtime to LIGHTNING 5, SABRES 0 Calgary 17 8 2 87 69 36 Toronto 13 9 3 84 77 29 lead Calgary over Colorado. Monahan picked up Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist dur- Los Angeles 14 7 5 71 57 33 Boston 14 12 1 67 70 29 a rebound in front and lifted it over fallen goalie ing Tampa Bay’s three-goal second period, Ben San Jose 13 10 4 77 75 30 Florida 10 7 7 53 62 27 Semyon Varlamov to give the Flames their Bishop made 13 saves and the Lightning beat Arizona 10 14 3 64 85 23 Ottawa 10 10 5 64 68 25 fourth straight win. Dennis Wideman had a pair Buffalo. Radko Gudas, Brenden Morrow, Jason Edmonton 6 15 5 58 90 17 Buffalo 9 15 2 45 82 20 of goals for the Flames, Curtis Glencross also Garrison and Brett Connolly had the other Central Division Metropolitan Division scored, and Kris Russell had three assists. NY Islanders 19 7 0 82 68 38 Tampa Bay goals. The Eastern Conference-lead- Nashville 17 6 2 69 51 36 Karri Ramo made his fourth straight start, and ing Lightning improved to 5-0-1 in the last six Pittsburgh 17 6 2 82 58 36 stopped 26 shots to improve to 8-2-1. Calgary St. Louis 16 8 2 70 59 34 NY Rangers 11 9 4 71 70 26 games. Buffalo, which had won six of seven, Chicago 16 8 1 78 49 33 coach Bob Hartley earned his 400th NHL win, went 22 1/2 minutes without a shot during one Washington 11 10 4 70 70 26 and he did it against his former team. Hartley Winnipeg 13 9 4 55 58 30 New Jersey 10 12 4 63 75 24 stretch. earned 193 wins with Colorado from the 1998-99 Minnesota 14 9 1 67 56 29 Philadelphia 8 13 4 66 81 20 Colorado 9 11 6 70 83 24 Carolina 8 14 3 57 71 19 season until he was let go 31 games into the RED WINGS 5, STARS 2 Dallas 9 12 5 75 94 23 Columbus 8 15 2 58 87 18 2002-03 campaign.Matt Duchene, Nick Holden Kyle Quincey fired in a long slap shot for his and Alex Tanguay scored for the Avalanche. first goal of the season, and the Detroit Red Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the Varlamov, who missed the previous six games Wings went on to beat Dallas. Quincey’s drive loss column (L). because of a groin injury, made 26 saves. — AP SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Rusada to investigate German TV doping claims

MOSCOW: Russia’s anti-doping agency Rusada tions by 800m runner Yulia Stepanova, who is The International Athletics Federation (IAAF) also announced Friday they are to open an investigation banned until January for a doping violation, and her released a statement, saying: “An investigation by the into doping accusations made in a German television husband Vitaly Stepanov, who worked for RUSADA IAAF Ethics Commission is already ongoing with documentary. between 2008 and 2011. respect to some of the allegations made in the docu- “To check the validity of the facts that were In a statement published on their website, the mentary. “With regard to matters revealed in the doc- shown in the German documentary film, which was World’s Anti-Doping Agency WADA promised to umentary related to anti-doping and, therefore out- broadcasted by ARD channel, RUSADA is opening its “ensure that all matters raised are fully investigated.” side the scope of the Ethics Commission, these will own investigation concerning the persons presented The statement added: “WADA has in fact already be studied carefully and dealt with according to the in the film and the information which they gave,” the received some information and evidence of the type relevant IAAF rules and in full co-operation with agency statement said. exposed in the documentary. All of that information WADA.” “At the end of the investigation Rusada will pub- has been passed to the appropriate independent The International Olympic Committee (IOC) mean- lish its findings on the agency’s official site.” The 60- body within the international federation, the IAAF. while issued a statement saying they had been in minute documentary “Secret Doping Dossier: How We will await the outcome of that independent contact with the IAAF and is ready to act if necessary. Russia produces its Winners” was aired by state body’s deliberations. “These are very serious allegations and the IOC broadcaster ARD on Wednesday and pointed the fin- “Insofar as the particular allegations against will not hesitate to take all necessary steps,” said the ger at Russian Athletics Federation president and Russian authorities and others are concerned, these statement. “The IOC Ethics Commission has asked to IAAF treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev amongst oth- will all be carefully scrutinised and if action is war- be kept fully informed of any issues that could fall ers. ranted, WADA will take any necessary and appropri- under its jurisdiction and for which future action may The documentary featured hard-hitting accusa- ate steps under the (World Anti-Doping) Code.” be necessary.” —AFP

Harrington grabs share lead at Indonesia Open

JAKARTA: Triple major winner Padraig Harrington raced into a share of the lead at the Indonesia Open on Friday before his sec- ond round charge at the Asian Tour event was halted by bad weather. The Irishman was five-under-par through 12 holes of his second round at the Damai Indah Golf course near Jakarta when play was called off. His 12-under total left him tied with Thanyakon Khrongpha after the talented Thai compiled a brilliant eight-under-par 63 before the weather delay. Harrington and 66 other players will return early on Saturday to finish their sec- ond rounds at the $750,000 event. The Irishman, whose last win came on the Asian Tour at the 2010 Johor Open, will be hoping for a repeat of Friday’s fast start when he completes his second round. “I hit a nice drive and a five iron to about 15 feet for eagle. I birdied the next two as WINDERMERE: Tiger Woods takes a long look at his ball on the 18th hole during the first round of the Hero World well. It was nice to be four-under after three Challenge golf tournament. —AP holes,” said the 43-year-old, who has slumped to number 385 in the world rank- Woods struggles, Spieth leads ings. “I didn’t play quite solid after that but we’ll have to see if I can finish strongly WINDERMERE: Tiger Woods fizzled out in his return to competi- ing five-under 31, and had two birdies and a bogey on the home- tomorrow. “The course is playing nicely. tive golf as a slew of miscues left him in last place after the open- ward half for six-under-par 66. There was a bit of wind in the afternoon ing round of the Hero World Challenge on Thursday, well back of He was chased by high-powered posse just one stroke behind. which made it trickier. As I play more rounds, leader Jordan Spieth. Woods, who had not played competitive Tied on 67 were Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, 2007 Masters winner I get to know the course a little better. I have golf since the PGA Championship in August due to back troubles, Zach Johnson and American’s Rickie Fowler and Steve Stricker. struggled with all facets of his game en route to a five-over-par 77 Another stroke back on a warm, sunny day at the exclusive an early wake-up call tomorrow so hopefully that left him 11 shots back of rising American talent Spieth. enclave near Orlando, were Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, I can continue to do well.” The 21-year-old American, fresh off his victory on Sunday at the Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and American Jimmy Walker. By con- Thanyakon, who has two top-five finishes Australian Open, and a host of others showed that low scores trast, Woods made his lone birdie at the par-four 12th where he were available in the 18-man event that Woods is hosting. nearly holed out from the fairway. over the last three weeks, made the most of “I’m excited about the start to this week,” said Spieth. “I’m Woods was flummoxed by his performance but said he took the easier scoring conditions in the morning excited about how last week went and kind of riding the momen- some positives out of his first round back. “My shot patterns were to record nine birdies before dropping his tum.” fantastic. And I got my power back, my speed back. That’s a very Woods, meanwhile, was at a loss to explain his struggles. The good sign,” said Woods, who hit all seven fairways on the back only shot of the day at the last. “Everything former world number one hit wayward drives and irons to the nine. “I have zero pain. I haven’t said that in a long time.” Playing in my game was good especially my ball wrong side of the greens, flubbed chips and botched putts on his partner Jason Day, who shot 71, said he was surprised by Woods’s striking. I hit a lot of shots for close range former home course, Isleworth Golf and Country Club, which he performance. birdies,” said the 24-year-old, who is looking said he has played about 500 times before. “It was just one of “There’s a lot of pressure on him to play well,” said the those days where there was nothing went my way,” he said. Australian, who noted Woods played very well in their Monday for his first Asian Tour title. —Reuters Spieth birdied the last four holes of the front nine to post a blaz- practice. “It was surprising today to see him stumble.” —Reuters SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Kohli, Vijay score half-tons as India draw tour game

ADELAIDE: India’s batsmen gained valu- able match practice as their two-day tour match against a Cricket Australia XI end- ed in a draw in Adelaide yesterday. The tourists compiled 375 off 90 overs with stand-in captain Virat Kohli (66), Murali Vijay (60), Ajinkya Rahane (56) and Wriddhiman Saha (51) all scoring half- centuries. The local selection finished the match at 83 for five off 21 overs with Test pace- man Ishant Sharma taking two for eight off five overs in an encouraging lead in to Tuesday’s opening Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Vijay and Kohli both retired before lunch after reaching their half-centuries and to enable some of the other batsmen to get valuable batting practice ahead of the opening Test. The CA XI were made to pay for drop- ping Kohli on Thursday’s opening day, when the stand-in skipper edged his first delivery to Ashton Turner at the first slip. Vijay and Kohli shared a 123-run stand, steadying India’s innings after the tourists slumped to 36 for two on the opening day. DUBAI: Pakistani batsmen Sarfraz Ahmed (right) and Umar Akmal run between the wickets during the first International T20 cricket In the corresponding fixture at the match at Dubai International Stadium. — AFP same venue last week, the opener and No.4 batsman also looked a class above most of their teammates. Tasmania paceman Evan Gulbis tested Pakistan hold firm the duo with a series of short-pitched deliveries. Vijay wore one bouncer on the body that flicked up and hit the hel- met, but composed himself quickly. to draw second Test Varun Aaron and Umesh Yadav shared the new ball in CA XI’s second innings with Aaron following up his first DUBAI: Opener Sarfraz Ahmed made a best 37-ball 48 by Corey Anderson after Taylor for just four. Pakistan’s two left-arm innings haul of four for 41 with one for career best 76 not out to guide Pakistan to they were put into bat on a flat Dubai sta- pacemen Sohail Tanvir (2-24) and 28 off six overs, while Yadav claimed one a comfortable seven wicket win over New dium pitch. Mohammad Irfan (2-27) shared the bowl- for 30 off five overs. “Players will proba- Zealand in the first of two Twenty20 inter- Anderson lifted his team from a precari- ing honours. bly be talking about what they saw and nationals in Dubai on Thursday. ous 15-3 with a 46-run stand for the fourth Afridi, Raza Hasan and Anwar Ali also did, which will be passed onto other Chasing a modest 136-run target, wicket with opener Martin Guptill (32) and took a wicket each.New Zealand were (Test) players,” CA XI coach Troy Cooley Pakistan were lifted by Ahmed’s 64-ball another 51 for the fifth wicket with Luke without their regular skipper Brendon said. “It’s a great little network of infor- innings which had eight fours and two six- Ronchi who made 33. McCullum who along with paceman Trent mation being transferred. We’ll make es as they completed the win in 19.1 overs Anderson hit four towering sixes and a Boult and Tim Southee left for home after sure the most up to date information is for a 1-0 lead. boundary, bettering his previous highest the drawn 1-1 Test series. Both teams also given to our big brother.” The second and final Twenty20 will also of 20 not out against the Netherlands in play a five-match one-day series, the first Assistant coach Ali de Winter attend- be played in Dubai late yesterday. Ahmed Chittagong earlier this year. New Zealand of which will be played in Dubai on ed India’s tour game last week, when added a quick 51 for the first wicket with lost Williamson for first-ball duck and Ross Monday. — AFP express paceman Aaron sent down some Awaiz Zia who made 20 with two bound- impressive spells. aries and then continued the good work “He’s got some notes for Boof (Test with a dominating 43-run stand for the SCOREBOARD coach Darren Lehmann) to take away,” fourth wicket with Umar Akmal who made Cooley said. “There’s plenty of informa- a 24-ball 27 not out. Akmal finished the DUBAI: Scoreboard of the first Twenty20 international between Pakistan and New tion for the boys, obviously India’s series match with a huge six off Jimmy Neesham. Zealand played at Dubai international cricket stadium on Thursday: in England earlier this year. “We’ll just In between Pakistan lost Mohammad New Zealand 2-0-15-0, Afridi 4-0-27-1 top it up with a little bit of stuff from Hafeez (two) and Haris Sohail (11) but M. Guptill b Afridi 32 Pakistan there.” Sarfraz kept one end intact and bettered K. Williamson lbw b Ali 0 Sarfraz Ahmed not out 76 Injured India captain MS Dhoni was his previous best of just five in his previous Awaiz Zia run out 20 expected to join the tourists today. An four Twenty20s. A. Devcich lbw b Tanvir 1 Mohammad Hafeez run out 2 India spokesperson said it was too early “It was a positive and aggressive deci- R. Taylor c Akmal b Irfan 4 H Sohail c McCullum b McClenaghan 11 to say what Dhoni’s chances of playing sion to field first. The bowlers did well and C. Anderson c Nasim b Hasan 48 Umar Akmal not out 27 the first Test are, but the wicketkeeper is then Sarfraz was outstanding,” said L. Ronchi b Tanvir 33 Extras: (b1, lb1, w2) 4 expected to miss the game as he recov- Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi of his team’s J. Neesham c Akmal b Irfan 6 Total: (for three wkts; 19.1 overs) 140 ers from a wrist injury. 50th win in 84 Twenty20 matches. New N. McCullum not out 1 Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Zia), 2-60 (Hafeez), 3-97 India have won just three and lost 14 Zealand’s stand-in skipper Kane A. Milne not out 2 (Sohail) of their 23 Tests away from the sub-con- Williamson blamed the loss of early wick- Extras: (b2, lb1, nb1, w4) 8 Bowling: Henry 4-0-31-0 (1w), McClenaghan 4- tinent in the last four years, enduring 4- ets for a below-par total. Total: (for seven wkts; 20 overs) 135 0-21-1, Milne 4-0-18-0, Devcich 0 routs in England and Australia in 2011 “There were things that went wrong, Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Williamson), 2-10 (Devcich), 2-0-19-0, McCullum 4-0-26-0 (1w), Anderson 1- and a 3-1 drubbing in England earlier we lost early wickets and then couldn’t 3-15 (Taylor), 4-61 (Guptill), 5-112 (Anderson), 0-17-0, Neesham 0.1-0-6-0 this year. The series opener in Adelaide pick up wickets with the ball. But it’s great 6-128 (Neesham), 7-130 (Ronchi) Result: Pakistan win by seven wickets. will be followed by Tests in Brisbane, to have a look at all the players with so Bowling: Ali 2-0-15-1, Tanvir 4-0-24-2 (1w), Irfan Melbourne and Sydney. — AFP much cricket to come,” said Williamson. 4-0-27-2 (1nb, 2w), Hasan 4-0-24-1 (1w), Hafeez New Zealand owed their total to a career SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Unrealistic boycott could splinter sport, experts say

ZURICH: A European-led boycott of FIFA or FIFA,” said Simon Chadwick, professor of Colombians paid top players directly to quit but there would be reconciliation, and if the the World Cup is unrealistic in the foreseeable sport business strategy and marketing at their clubs and join their outlawed league, Europeans don’t get their act together, there future and, even if a breakaway were to even- Coventry University in central England. football has managed to remain largely free will be no reform.” tually take place, experts say it could leave “Longer term, it is a possibility... but it’s a of breakaways. A boycott could easily backfire, Chadwick soccer’s administration hopelessly splintered. big call for the dissenting nations as it would FIFA has expanded significantly since the warned, pointing to boxing which is now FIFA has been plagued by a wave of scan- create a multitude of political and organisa- 1960s and early ‘70s when only one World governed by four world bodies. dals and controversy, ranging from allega- tional problems for domestic and continental Cup slot was on offer to all Asian and African “The divisive way in which boxing has tions of corruption in the 2018/2022 World associations.” countries combined, leading to a boycott of developed is an object lesson in how not to Cup bidding process to a row over $25,000 the 1966 competition by many countries in effectively address the importance of organi- watches gifted to executive committee mem- LITTLE APPETITE those two confederations. sation, governance and commercial change,” bers at the World Cup in Brazil. Kevin Carpenter, a sports lawyer specialis- Brazilian Joao Havelange, who became he said. “Football faces intense competition Anger mounted last month when a FIFA’s ing in governance and integrity, said a boy- president in 1974, opened the doors to those from many other sports around the world ethics report identified inappropriate and cott was unlikely to gather much support out- nations previously marginalised by the pow- and the last thing the sport needs is for a “problematic” conduct by people involved in side Europe, and that there was little appetite erful Europeans and South Americans and fragmentation of power, agreements and a number of bids involved in the race to host for change in much of the globe. “It is only a offered one nation one vote at Congresses, markets.”FIFA can ill-afford to lose credibility the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by small handful of European nations plus leading to the modern organisation which at a time when the power and wealth of Russia and Qatar respectively, but found Australia and maybe the United States who now boasts 209 national associations. European clubs continues to grow and some insufficient grounds to recommend a re-vote. feel aggrieved. The rest of the world finds the critics see international football as being With soccer’s governing body seemingly system works for them.” COULD BACKFIRE over-shadowed by competitions like the oblivious to criticism and its president Sepp FIFA presidential candidate Jerome But the positive work is seemingly over- Champions League and England’s Premier Blatter favourite to be elected for a fifth term Champagne, who himself has proposed shadowed by continuing scandals. Although League. in May, there have been calls for co-ordinated sweeping changes to the way FIFA is run, said Blatter says FIFA’s reformed ethics committee Champagne has warned that soccer could action to force change. Two former English a boycott was the wrong approach. is an example to other sports, other recom- follow basketball and end up with all its top FA chairmen, David Bernstein and David “It’s not possible to boycott FIFA, the play- mendations such as an age limit for leading players concentrated in one or two leagues, Triesman, have called for European teams to ers want to play the World Cup, public opin- directors, or a restricting of the number of completely detached from the rest of the boycott the 2018 World Cup, while German ion wants to play the World Cup,” he said. “Mr mandates they can serve, have not been sport, if the trend towards elitism is not con- Football League president Reinhard Rauball Bernstein and Mr Rauball should join the adopted. Jens Sejer Andersen, international tained. pondered the idea of UEFA’s member associ- effort of making the necessary changes. director of Danish sports governance watch- “If we want to continue that way, we don’t ations pulling away from FIFA. Boycotts never function. I’m more worried dog Play the Game, said he was not advocat- need a strong FIFA,” he said. “We can make “In the short to medium-term this is a about the image of FIFA and its capacity to ing a boycott, but that the Europeans must do with a vague structure which organises completely unrealistic option, and state- govern, to be credible.” “get their act together”. the World Cup every four years... where one ments coming out of the likes of England are Apart from a short-lived Colombian exper- “If a number of major football countries country, or one league or a few clubs would Germany are simply shots across the bows of iment from 1949 to 1954, where the decided on a boycott then it would be a risk have the deciding power.” —Reuters

Stramaccioni Marseille and PSG in race for back for revenge Christmas bragging rights MILAN: Former Inter Milan handler Andrea Stramaccioni PARIS: With three matches until the Ligue has admitted the challenge of toppling his former club 1 winter break, the enthralling battle won’t be easy when he returns to the San Siro for the first between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain time since his sacking last year. promises more twists in the race to be top Stramaccioni became the youngest coach in Serie A of the table at Christmas. two years ago when he replaced Claudio Ranieri in March Marcelo Bielsa’s Marseille pacesetters 2012, but was sacked by the end of the following season cling to their one point lead over Laurent when Inter struggled to a ninth place finish. After a solid Blanc’s unbeaten PSG side after both sides start, his Udinese side have taken only two points from were held to a draw on the road in mid- their last five games and have dropped to ninth, 16 points week. behind leaders Juventus. The two-time defending champions A trip to Inter would always be a tough prospect for the blew a chance to return to the summit on northerners, but they face a side that is beginning to find Wednesday when they were held 1-1 at its feet under new coach Roberto Mancini. struggling Lille while Marseille also wasted Stramaccioni, 38, believes Inter, who drew 1-1 with two points after settling for the same Milan in the city derby two weeks ago, showed plenty of scoreline at Lorient. improvement even in a 4-2 defeat away to Roma last PSG host Nantes at the Parc des Princes week. “It will be a tough game because from the derby to today with a chance to at least take tempo- Roma last week, Inter have shown they have improved,” rary possession of top spot before Stramaccioni told reporters. “But we’ll be going to the San Marseille entertain Metz at the Velodrome Siro to play our game and with our heads held high.” 24 hours later. On what is his second spell at the club, Mancini suf- PSG then travel to Guingamp before fered his first defeat at the Olympic Stadium last week FRANCE: Marseille’s Moroccan midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada controls the ball hosting Montpellier in their final match where he was sent off for dissent. in this file photo. — AFP before the break, while Marseille are in The defeat dropped Inter to 11th, 17 points behind Monaco on the penultimate weekend and December we have a series of five match- over arch rivals Lyon last Sunday, and a no- leaders Juventus but only six behind Napoli in the third then finish with a home tie against Lille. es. We decided early on he would not nonsense 2-0 win at 2012 champions and last Champions League spot. Blanc said there were few regrets about make the trip to Lille.” continued the for- Montpellier in midweek. Christophe However the Italian, who won seven trophies including the stalemate at Lille during a match in mer centre-half. Marseille, who held a sev- Galtier’s exciting side can keep the pres- three consecutive scudetti with the club in 2004-2008, has which he gave last season’s Ligue 1 top en point lead over PSG after 10 of 16 sure on the top three when they host base- been welcomed with open arms by a team desperate to scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic the night off. matches this season, can look no further ment dwellers Bastia on Saturday. finish third this season. “I’m satisfied with the draw because I than their away form and a drop in goals Brittany club and French Cup finalists Defender Andrea Ranocchia believes Mancini’s arrival saw phases of play that I haven’t seen with from top scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac for Rennes, who host Montpellier the same has brought fresh energy and ambition to the club. PSG for a long time,” said Blanc. “In my their stuttering results of late. evening, and Bordeaux, who await Lorient “Mancini is a believer right to the end, he believes in all of opinion our play was much more fluid that at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, are both in us and in the Champions League,” Ranocchia told in previous weeks but of course we’re dis- Gignac continues to lead the scoring the mix just a point behind Saint-Etienne. Gazzetta dello Sport. appointed not to go top. charts on 11 alongside Lyon’s Alexandre Lyon stayed third, a point above Saint- “You can see in in the way he talks to us-together in a “I rested Zlatan because of our sched- Lacazette, but the French international has Etienne, after Lacazette’s injury-time win- group, individually, when he’s talking tactics and the rest, ule. You can’t just come back from this only found the target once in his last six ner over Reims on Thursday and they travel he conveys serenity and confidence. type of injury after seven weeks out,” matches. “We’ve been creating chances to Evian on Sunday. “He also has a history of success, and that matters a added the former France and Bordeaux and playing well but our problem has not Last season’s runners-up Monaco open lot.” Champions and leaders Juventus are away to coach on the Swede’s return from a heel been playing away from home, it has been the weekend slate on Friday when they Fiorentina late yesterday. Roma, who sit three points problem. “November was a tough month a lack of efficiency in front of goal,” make the short trip to Toulouse, Lens have adrift in second, would be forgiven for hoping the cham- and I have to manage the squad. We want- explained Bielsa. a chance to escape the relegation zone at pions suffer a repeat of last season and drop precious NO NONSENSE ed to rest Ibra (Ibrahimovic) because he home to Lille while Reims entertain points. —AFP just played three matches in a row and in Elsewhere, Saint-Etienne are six points Guingamp and Caen meet Nice in off top after their first home win in 20 years Normandy. — AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014

Turf war rumbles on ahead of Women’s World Cup draw

OTTAWA: The first-round fate of 24 qualified teams isn’t FIFA, who approved the plastic pitch plans when it this week with a dramatic victory over Trinidad and the only issue to be ironed out as the 2015 Women’s accepted Canada’s bid, have insisted the dangers of arti- Tobago. Like Ecuador, Ivory Coast and the Netherlands World Cup draw sets the stage for next year’s global ficial turf are minimal, but Valcke said in an article on will be playing in the Women’s World Cup for the first showcase today. FIFA.com in October “We will again welcome open dia- time. The United States and Germany are the only two- FIFA have promised that secretary-general Jerome logue at the official draw on December 6 in Ottawa.” time winners of the tournament first played in 1991, Valcke will take the occasion of the draw in Ottawa to Hampton Dellinger, a lawyer representing the players, while Norway and defending champion Japan have talk to players protesting the planned use of plastic noted this week that even if Valcke makes himself avail- earned a title each. Japan lifted the trophy in Germany in pitches for the event, which kicks off on June 6 and after able in Ottawa, many top players won’t be at the cere- 2011 with a dramatic win over the United States in the group and knockout stages across Canada concludes mony as they fulfill other commitments. final. It was a morale-boosting win for a country still reel- with the championship match on July 5 in Vancouver. He has proposed a conference call to accommodate ing from the earthquake and tsunami in March of that Elite female footballers who believe artificial turf poses all interested parties. “Can FIFA refuse to get on the year that sparked the crisis at the Fukushima nuclear more injury dangers have taken their case to the Human phone with the world’s best soccer players?” Dellinger power plant and left thousands dead. This year’s 24 Rights Tribunal in Ontario charging FIFA and the said on Monday, adding that in addition to discussing teams are eight more than played in the 2011 World Cup. Canadian Soccer Association of discrimination, since the playing surfaces FIFA could clarify questions about They will be drawn into six groups of four, with first- men’s World Cup matches must be played on natural the use of goal-line technology and prize money. round matches to be played in Vancouver, Edmonton, turf. Ecuador grabbed the last ticket to the tournament just Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton. — AFP

Celtic target unbeatable run

GLASGOW: Celtic defender Adam Matthews is aim- ing to increase his side’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership by going on an unbeaten run between now and the end of the season. The Hoops moved three points clear in the race for the title after a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on Wednesday. The Glasgow giants have won their last six matches in the league as they look to claim their fourth championship in a row. And Matthews, who was part of the side who only lost once in the league during their last campaign, wants to go on a similar run to give Celtic some breathing space at the top. “It’s going to be tough, given the amount of games we play and the fact that everyone raises their game when they play us,” admitted Matthews. “If we could do it from now until the end of the season that would be great but we know it will be dif- ficult. “Hopefully in the weeks to come we’ll keep building that gap and look to keep the good run going because we’re starting to show what we can do now. “In the last few weeks we’ve shown what a good team we are. It was always going to take time but MADRID: Real Madrid’s Chicharito controls the ball during a Spanish King’s Cup soccer match in this file photo. — AP now we’re showing what we can do under manager Ronny Deila.” Next up for Celtic is a trip to Fir Park to take on Real eye new record territory Motherwell today. Celtic will be looking for revenge after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by MADRID: La Liga leaders Real Madrid will look to continue their Barcelona host Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Sunday as Motherwell back in September. It was a rare point for sparkling form with a record-equalling 18th consecutive victory in they look to keep pace at the top of the table and build on their the Steelmen who sit in tenth spot, just two points off all competitions as they host Celta Vigo today. run of six successive victories. Andres Iniesta, who had not fea- the bottom. The European champions surpassed their previous club record tured since limping off in the 3-1 Clasico reverse in October, The Fir Park side, still without a manager since of 15 straight wins with victory over Malaga last weekend and, made his comeback as the Blaugrana swept aside Huesca 4-0 on Stuart McCall resigned in October, have lost six of following a 5-0 Copa del Rey thrashing of Cornella in midweek, Wednesday evening in the Copa del Rey, scoring his first goal in Los Blancos now have Barcelona’s Spanish record stretch of 18 eight months in the process. “It’s never easy to come back after their past seven matches but Matthews still expects a victories from the 2005/06 season in their sights. so long, but I felt fine and that’s the most important thing. I was testing contest. Madrid have now scored 64 goals on their winning streak, con- able to play without feeling any trouble and that’s calmed me “It’s always tough when you go away to ceding only nine, but they know they will face a stern test against down a lot,” said the Spain midfielder. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Motherwell,” the Welsh defender said. “They’ve been a Celta side that took all three points at the Camp Nou last month Neymar, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will all return having sat a top side in the past couple of season and we know and secured a draw away to Atletico Madrid in September. out the trip to Aragon, while Claudio Bravo is expected to start in what to expect, so we’ll have to be at the top of our James Rodriguez’s double against third-tier outfit Cornella goal. game if we want to take all three points. meant that he is the only Madrid player to score in four competi- Champions Atletico Madrid can, temporarily at least, leapfrog “They’ll take confidence from the last time they tions this season and his impressive start to life in the Spanish Barcelona as they travel to struggling Elche today. Back-to-back played us but we’re a different team now. “We’ve capital has not been lost on manager Carlo Ancelotti. home wins over Malaga and Deportivo have seen the champions played more games than anyone else this season, so “He is demonstrating his quality and showing great attitude remain in contention to retain their title, four points behind city it is tough, but hopefully now we can concentrate on during this period. We are delighted with him and he’ll definitely rivals Real, but their indifferent away form this season will be put the league and create that gap we want.” improve,” the Italian said. to the test at the Martinez Valero. Elsewhere today, second place Inverness “I really like his attitude because he is humble and that is After struggling to break down a resilient L’Hospitalet side in Caledonian Thistle will try to keep the pressure up on important. Having a humble player with his quality is a perfect the first half in Cup action on Wednesday, the introduction of the Hoops by aiming for a win away to Dundee at ingredient for the team.” Cristiano Ronaldo was given a rare night Antoine Griezmann at the break provided the spark that Diego Dens Park. off on Tuesday, but the World Player of the Year will return look- Simeone’s side needed as they went on to seal a comfortable 3-0 Partick Thistle take on a Kilmarnock side that, after ing to continue his lethal form in front of goal, having netted 20 victory and almost certainly set up a Madrid derby in the last 16. goals in just 12 league appearances thus far. Simeone, who was shortlisted for the World Coach of the Year a promising start to the season, have lost their previ- Jese Rodriguez, who made his comeback from a nine-month award earlier this week, used the opportunity to give some of his ous four matches, Aberdeen host Hamilton at injury layoff in midweek, could also feature in La Liga for the first fringe players a run out, and the performances of both Griezmann Pittodrie and St Mirren take on St Johnstone. —AFP time this season, while Sami Khedira, who was forced off with and Alessio Cerci will give the Argentine food for thought regard- concussion, should also be fit. ing his team selection. —AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Sanchez gives Arsenal killer instinct LONDON: Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says Alexis Sanchez’s fierce competitive streak has transformed the mentality of the Arsenal squad. Arsene Wenger’s side travel to face Stoke on Saturday seeking a fourth successive win after Sanchez continued his superb form with the late strike that secured a 1-0 victory over Southampton in midweek. The Chile international’s goal was his eighth in his last eight appearances and ensured the north London club did not lose any more ground on Premier League leaders Chelsea, who they trail by 13 points. Sanchez has wasted little time making his mark following his £30 million ($47 million) arrival from Barcelona during the last transfer window and Oxlade- Chamberlain claims his tenacity and will to win has been felt throughout the squad. “There is no rest for him. On recovery days he wants to be playing and he is not happy if he is not allowed to play the game at the end of training,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “He has brought that winning mentality to the side and it definitely rubs off on a lot of players. “It has been an eye- opener for me. To make it to the top and to be able perform like he does week in, week out, you have got to be an absolute winner and you never want to lose at all. “He is not happy when he does not score. If I had scored as many goals as he has at this stage, I would be over the moon. “He has been brilliant for us and a breath of fresh air, so hope- fully he can stay in the form that he is in and we can help him out to keep producing goals like he has been.” The gap between sixth-placed Arsenal and the top of the table means the Gunners hopes of being crowned champions for the first time in 11 years are extremely slim. And England international Oxlade-Chamberlain admits the target now is to build on the progress of the last two weeks before turning their sights on the leaders. LONDON: Chelsea’s Loic Remy (centre) celebrates after scoring in this file photo. —AP “I am not concentrating too much on Chelsea. You never know, they might drop off,” Oxlade-Chamberlain. “If they do, we need to make sure we are back in, following them closely with getting results and trying to climb up the table.” Squad depth gives Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and right-back Mathieu Debuchy could be back in contention after injury lay- offs, but Theo Walcott is unlikely to return to the squad, while Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil are long-term absentees. Chelsea the edge Meanwhile, Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross has warned Arsenal to expect their usual hostile reception from City fans. There has been an edge to matches between the pair ever since the controversial challenge by Shawcross which left Arsenal NEWCASTLE: Chelsea striker Loic Remy believes his side’s play-that is why I work hard during training sessions. midfielder Aaron Ramsey with a broken leg in 2010. —AFP convincing midweek victory over Tottenham Hotspur illus- “We have good strikers and the others are very profes- trated why the Stamford Bridge club are already clear sional. But every time the manager wants to use me, I try to favourites to land the Premier League title. Jose Mourinho’s do my best.” side travel to face Newcastle United on Saturday having Chelsea return to the north-east seven days after drop- Reds ready consolidated their six-point lead at the head of the table ping two points in a scoreless stalemate with Newcastle’s with a 3-0 win over Spurs on Wednesday. near neighbours Sunderland. Remy, who made a goal-scoring appearance as a substi- Manchester City’s win at Southampton 24 hours later for revival tute against Mauricio Pochettino’s side, feels Chelsea are allowed the champions to move to within six points of the dominating the title race because of the squad’s strength in leaders and Manuel Pellegrini’s side will draw hope from the LIVERPOOL: Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool hit rock depth. fact Mourinho has never won at St James’ Park. bottom last month but the Reds manager is confident sur- The win against Spurs was achieved without leading However, despite Sunderland’s dogged performance viving such a tumultuous period will be the making of his scorer Diego Costa, who was forced to sit out the game against Chelsea, Newcastle captain Steven Taylor says that players. while he served a one-game suspension. Alan Pardew’s side will not adopt the same stifling tactics. Rodgers’ side lost three successive Premier League With the Spain international sidelined, Didier Drogba “I watched the game between Sunderland and Chelsea, matches for the first time in his two-and-a-half-year reign stepped in to lead the attack and found the target before but this is going to be a totally different match,” said the for- as a nightmare run threatened to ruin Liverpool’s season. making way for Remy in the second half. mer England Under-21 defender, whose side have lost only The former Swansea boss found himself under pressure And with Kurt Zouma deputising impressively for Gary once in nine matches. as a result, with questions from fans and media over Cahill after the England centre-back was forced off through “We’re at home, and we’ll be going out to play our own whether he was the right man to lead Liverpool out of the injury, Remy believes the game highlighted the quality of game. We’re not really set up to be defensive and to put a lot crisis. Mourinho’s fringe players. of players behind the ball, and I’m not sure we’d want to do But the Reds responded positively to end November “We know the quality of Diego-he can score and is a real- that anyway. “We’ll be playing our natural game and looking with a battling 2-2 Champions League draw against ly good striker. We like the way he’s playing. But this was a to be positive, because that’s the way we play.” Having Bulgarian side Ludogorets and then a 1-0 league win over real opportunity for Didier and for me, to show we can win impressed as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 midweek Stoke last weekend. without Diego,” said the Frenchman. “We need everybody. draw at Burnley on his return from a three-week injury lay- Liverpool followed that with a more convincing 3-1 vic- The squad is really strong and that makes the difference off, Taylor could partner Fabricio Coloccini at centre-back. tory at Leicester in midweek and Rodgers says morale at between us and the other teams. Winger Sammy Ameobi is struggling with a thigh prob- Anfield has improved significantly ahead of Saturday’s “We will keep going to try and keep the distance from lem, and Rolando Aarons is another week away from making home clash with Sunderland. our closest opponent. It’s six points and that’s really good. his comeback following hamstring trouble. “We were at a low as everyone saw,” Rodgers said. “We We try to continue in this way.”Costa is expected to return But manager Pardew will be boosted by the availability had set such high standards here over the past couple of against Newcastle, but Remy says he will be ready if of influential midfield duo Moussa Sissoko and Jack Colback years and we had fallen way below that. “I felt the per- Mourinho opts to field the France international against his after suspension. formance levels weren’t quite right. But I felt the change former club. “We’ve got one or two players coming back and it gives after that. I felt that could be the making of us. —AFP “For me it’s important I took my chance,” he said. us further options,” said Pardew, whose side have prevailed “Mourinho can count on me any time he wants. I want to in their last two home games against Chelsea. —AFP SPORTS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 Zabaleta: Red hot Aguero best on the planet

MANCHESTER: Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has warned Everton they will face the best player on the planet in their Premier League clash at Eastlands today. Spanish coach Zabaleta believes City forward Sergio Aguero is currently the most dynamic force in world football after the Argentine took his goal tally Garrido eyes CAF to 19 in 16 starts this season with a brace in a 4-1 win at Sunderland on Wednesday. That victory ensured Manuel Pellegrini’s side kept the pressure on unbeaten Premier League leaders Chelsea. club history But without Aguero’s impressive form, champions City would be struggling to retain the title and his compatriot Zabaleta is more than JOHANNESBURG: Juan Carlos Garrido hopes to create history willing to declare him better than Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and today by becoming the first Spanish coach of an African Barcelona’s Lionel Messi. Football Confederation (CAF) title-winning club. “I think, on current form, Sergio is the best player in the world,” The 45-year-old former Real Betis and Villarreal manager Zabaleta said ahead of this weekend’s visit from Everton. guides Egyptians Al Ahly, who trail Ivorians Sewe Sport 2-1 “I’ve known him a long time and at the moment he’s showing the after the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final. finest form of his career. Long may it continue. “Everything he does, Ahly have home advantage in the return match and a 1-0 he makes it look so easy. He’s sharp, clinical but he also works really win will give the Cairo Red Devils overall victory on the hard for the team off the ball. That’s something you have to appreci- ate from Sergio. “Normally strikers want to play with the ball but he away-goal rule and a $660,000 prize in the second-tier works ever so hard for the team, he’s been great. “He’s the best striker African competition. A solitary goal separated Ahly and visit- in the world at the moment and we’re very lucky to have him in our ing Sewe in the group stage last July with Walid Soliman team.” Zabaleta also hailed Aguero’s contribution in helping him converting an early penalty. The narrow win marked the CAF score his first goal since April against Sunderland at the Stadium of debut of Garrido, the third coach Ahly have used in 11 Light as second placed City stayed within six points of Chelsea thanks Confederation Cup games. to a fourth straight win. “I’ve taken a few lessons in finishing off Mohamed Youssef quit after a last-gasp play-off victory Sergio,” he added. “I told him not to be worried about me scoring my over Moroccans Difaa El Jadida and caretaker Fathy Mabrouk first of the season-I’m only goals 18 behind him! took charge for three group matches. “We are not giving up on the title. We are six behind Chelsea and Garrido arrived and three wins, one draw and two losses it’s going to be difficult but nothing is done yet. We still have belief.” later, Ahly are on the verge of a record-extending 19th CAF title against rivals playing their first African final. KEY PERFORMER The Red Devils have won the African Champions Aguero came off against Sunderland, but it is understood to only Cup/CAF Champions League eight times, the CAF Super Cup have been as a precaution, and there are no injury concerns over six times and the now defunct African Cup Winners Cup four City’s leading scorer. City captain Vincent Kompany remains on the times. But neither Ahly nor any other Egyptian outfit has sidelines with a hamstring injury and will miss the visit of Roberto claimed the Confederation Cup-the African equivalent of the Martinez’s side. But the Belgium centre-back has an outside chance of Europa League. being fit for City’s decisive Champions League match away to Roma Garrido hopes to change that before a Cairo Stadium next week. Everton defender Sylvain Distin believes team-mate Muhamed Besic can become a key performer for the Toffees in the crowd that will probably be restricted to 20,000 because of remainder of the campaign. Bosnia international Besic joined Everton ongoing post-Arab Spring security concerns. “It would be a from Hungarian club Ferencvaros in the close season but has had to great honour for me to win a CAF competition in my first bide his time at Goodison Park. However, recent injuries to midfielders year at the club,” Garrido told reporters. James McCarthy and Gareth Barry have given tough-tackling Besic his “I came to Cairo to win trophies and the Confederation chance. And Distin believes the 22-year-old has grabbed it with some Cup is an important one as no Egyptian club has lifted it. impressive performances which should see him keep his spot for the trip to City. “Muhamed’s a really good prospect for the club,” Distin SUSPENDED said.”He is doing great and brings a lot of energy; with the amount of “The chance to create more history at this great club is a games we have it’s always good to have a fresh player coming in. wonderful motivation for the players and the coaches.” Ahly “He is motivated, young and he’s still learning.” However, French have already surpassed the previous best showing by an centre-back Distin admits Everton need a positive result at City to Egyptian side ENPPI making a semi-final exit five seasons ago. remain in touch with the Champions League places. LONDON: Everton’s Romelu Lukaku (right) celebrates in Garrido has been hampered by injuries, transfers and suspen- “We have had a lot of games and that’s going to continue for this file photo. —AP sions during his six Confederation Cup matches. Star goal- another month,” Distin added. “But we have to move on because it is a keeper Sherif Ekramy and leading scorer Amr Gamal missed big game against City this weekend, then next week, then the follow- the final, and first-leg scorer Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan is ing weekend. “That is the Premier League and we want to keep fight- suspended for the return match. He was yellow-carded by the ing to make the top four.” Everton boss Martinez should have midfield- Gabonese referee in Abidjan last weekend for time wasting at er McCarthy and striker Steven Naismith available after hamstring Matches on TV a throw-in and the decision infuriated Garrido. injuries, but midfielder Darron Gibson (knee) is absent along with cen- (Local Timings) tre-backs Antolin Alcaraz (shoulder) and John Stones (ankle). — AFP “The match official intentionally cautioned ‘Trezeguet’ to prevent him taking part in the second leg,” alleged the English Premier Italian Calcio League Spaniard. A disallowed goal by midfielder and captain League Roma V Sassuolo 20:00 Hossam Ghaly also angered the Spaniard, who claiming it Kuwait to appoint beIN SPORTS 3 HD was “legitimate”. But Ahly were fortunate to escape with Newcastle V Chelsea 15:45 beIN SPORTS 2 HD only a one-goal loss as they played second fiddle for long Tunisian Maaloul beIN SPORTS 1 HD Torino V Citta 22:45 periods against Sewe, who want to become the first Ivorian Tottenham v Crystal 18:00 beIN SPORTS 3 HD winners of a CAF club competition in 15 years. as new coach beIN SPORTS 6 HD Ace striker Roger Assale,who joins Democratic Republic Stoke City V Arsenal 18:00 German Bundesliga of Congo and African giants TP Mazembe after the final, beIN SPORTS 1 HD Liverpool V Sunderland Monchengladbach gave an outstanding display capped with a late match-win- KUWAIT: Asian Cup finalists Kuwait are closing in on the ner. “Mazembe is not among my thoughts now-I am focus- managerial appointment of Nabil Maaloul after dispensing 18:00 V Hertha 17:30 beIN SPORTS 1 HD beIN SPORTS 4 HD ing solely on winning the Confederation Cup with Sewe,” he with the services of Brazilian Jorvan Vieira following a disap- assured reporters. pointing Gulf Cup of Nations campaign. Hull City V Bromwich 18:00 Stuttgart V Schalke 17:30 beIN SPORTS 7 HD “Defeating Ahly in the final will be a farewell gift to my Former Tunisian international Maaloul had been identified beIN SPORTS 3 HD Man City V Everton 20:30 Bayern Munich V Bayer 20:30 team-mates, my coaches, the officials and all those wonder- as the number one target after a wave of interest in the posi- beIN SPORTS 1 HD beIN SPORTS 4 HD ful Sewe supporters.” Coach Rigo Gervais shares the opti- tion, Kuwait FA president Sheikh Talal Al-Fahad said in a mism of 21-year-old Assale, whose five goals have played a statement. Terms and a release were being negotiated with Spanish League French League key role in Sewe reaching the final. Maaloul and his current employers, Qatar Stars League side El Elche V Atletico 18:00 “I was hoping for a bigger first-leg lead, but our destiny PSG V Nantes 19:00 Jaish, with the Kuwaitis wanting him in place before they beIN SPORTS 2 HD is in our hands,” said a coach little known outside his West beIN SPORTS 2 HD beIN SPORTS 5 HD begin their Asian Cup campaign in Australia next month. African homeland. “Playing away holds no fears for us- Kuwait, Asian champions in 1980, have been drawn in Bilbao V Cordoba 20:00 Bordeaux V Lorient 22:00 beIN SPORTS 6 HD remember we defeated Bayelsa in Nigeria and Etoile Sahel Group A along with the hosts, South Korea and Oman. They beIN SPORTS 6 HD in Tunisia and held Leopards in Congo.” Ahly and Sewe opened last month’s Gulf Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Real Madrid V Celta 22:00 Caen V OGC Nice 22 :00 beIN SPORTS 2 HD started this year in the far richer, more prestigious Iraq but were eliminated in the group stage after a 5-0 ham- beIN SPORTS 8 HD Champions League only to drop to the Confederation Cup mering by Oman. That result proved the end of the line for beIN SPORTS 2 HD Sunday Rennes V Montpellier 22:00 after final qualifying round losses. Whoever succeeds will be Vieira, who coached Iraq to the 2007 Asian Cup title, with the Deportivo V Malaga 0:00 beIN SPORTS 9 HD the first Champions League ‘drop-outs’ to raise the trophy much travelled Brazilian mutually agreeing to resign, Al- beIN SPORTS 6 HD Etienne V Bastia 22:00 since Etoile Sahel eight years ago. —AFP Fahad said. — Reuters beIN SPORTS 2 HD FR beIN SPORTS 5 HD Predators see off Blues SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014 SATURDAY, SportsSports 41

OAKLAND: Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Bogut hangs on the rim after scoring against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of an NBA basketball game. — AP Warriors down Pelicans Cavs roll

OAKLAND: Stephen Curry had 19 points and a sea- including a layup with 10 seconds left after a time- the Blazers. Rodney Stuckey had 16 points for the home, he slammed her against the wall and choked son-high 11 assists, Klay Thompson scored 23 out he didn’t seem to want, and Cleveland got its Pacers, who have lost three straight to open a four- her. The charges were dropped in August because of points, and the Golden State Warriors beat the New season-high fifth straight victory. game road trip. The Pacers tied the score at 64 early inconsistencies in the woman’s story. “Dante was Orleans Pelicans 112-85 on Thursday night for their Irving carried the Cavs most of the game before in the fourth quarter, but Portland built a 75-66 lead charged with some serious allegations and he’s 11th consecutive win. Harrison Barnes added 17 LeBron James had five straight points late that after Nicolas Batum’s 3-pointer and Lillard’s jumper. been adamant in his stance for his innocence,” points and 10 rebounds while Draymond Green had helped Cleveland pull it out. James finished with 19 Stuckey hit a jumper that pulled the Pacers within Pelicans general manager Dell Demps told the 14 points and 14 rebounds for Golden State, which points and 12 assists. Carmelo Anthony ended a 4- 83-80 with 53 second left, but they couldn’t get any Times-Picayune newspaper in an article published improved to an NBA best 16-2. The winning streak for-19 night by missing a 3-pointer in the final sec- closer. on its NOLA.com website. “Through our investiga- matches the longest in Warriors history. The 1971 72 onds as the Knicks dropped their sixth straight and Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans Thursday tions, we didn’t find anything contrary to his state- team also won 11 straight. Golden State needed a fell to 4-16. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 20 points and inked veteran NBA forward Dante Cunningham, ments,” Demps said. Cunningham, 27, worked out late burst to hold off Orlando and keep the streak Amare Stoudemire had 18 points and nine rebounds who had been in search of a team since August with the Pelicans last week and took part in their going earlier this week. The Warriors also got off a for the Knicks, who were trying to surprise the Cavs when domestic violence charges against him were shoot-around Thursday morning prior to their game slow start against New Orleans before pulling away for the second time this season. dropped. Cunningham owns career averages of 6.2 against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday behind a 20-4 run in the second quarter for their points and 3.9 rebounds over five NBA seasons, the night. After the shoot-around, Cunningham spoke eighth consecutive win over the Pelicans. Anthony TRAIL BLAZERS 88, PACERS 82 last two with the Minnesota Timberwolves. to reporters in Oakland, acknowledging it had been Davis had his 12th double-double for New Orleans PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - LaMarcus Aldridge had 18 He was an unrestricted free agent in the off-sea- “a rough couple of months.” “But at this time it’s def- with 30 points and 15 rebounds. points and 13 rebounds for this fourth straight dou- son but didn’t draw any offers after he was arrested initely behind me,” he said, according to the Times- ble-double to help Portland win its third straight and in April on domestic assault charges. Picayune. “I’ve learned. I’ve grown. I’m a stronger CAVALIERS 90, KNICKS 87 12th in its last 13. In that complaint, a woman told police that dur- person for it. Being back where I love to be ... is defi- Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 37 points, Damian Lillard led all scorers with 23 points for ing an argument at Cunningham’s Minneapolis nitely a weight off my shoulders.” — AFP