CR IP TI ON BS SU TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 Second e-government forum underway Suicide bomber kills 47 in Nigeria school massacre NO: 16339 150 FILS 3 40 PAGES MUHARRAM 18, 1436 AH 7 Pakistan’s new weapon of mass seduction 29 www.kuwaittimes.net Suns hand Warriors first defeat of season 20 Why aren’t laid-off nurses being hired? Vacancies exist, but recruiters want new вЂ�fees’ Min 07Вє Max 27Вє High Tide 01:14 & 15:35 Low Tide 08:53 & 20:46 By Sajeev K Peter conspiracy theories Overnight you are Comorian! By Badrya Darwish [email protected] C ongratulations bedoons! Now you can be Comoros Island nationals. Hurray! But you will be Comoros islanders still living in Kuwait, where you have been living, some of you for 30, 40, 50, 60 years, maybe more - it varies. It doesn’t matter. But you’ve been living on this land a long time. But don’t bother - with the fast transportation nowadays and modern airports, you can be in your new homeland in a few hours by air. Really, is this a solution to the bedoon problem in Kuwait? I’m wondering why did the Comoros government agree to such an unprecedented deal. I have never heard of such a thing in my life. Do we buy and sell citizenship nowadays openly? Was it a money deal? Is it easy for countries to accept such proposals and to accept so many people who have never set foot or even heard of the islands before? I’m sure if I conduct a survey tomorrow of bedoons and even others in Kuwait, most wouldn’t know where the Comoros Islands are located. I only know about it because I work in a newspaper, excuse my ignorance. OK, whatever deal took place and it was agreed. But what’s the use if the bedoons are going to remain in Kuwait? Why force on them a different nationality? Or is the idea just to stop this notion of stateless because it is a shame for Kuwait? Will this stop international human rights organizations from criticizing us? Or stop the bedoons from protesting and demonstrating and some of their activists outside Kuwait writing about us? Will this stop them and stop all that activity? And on a serious note, once they are given Comorian nationality, can they go live there if they wish? What jobs, homes, land, schools, etc will be available for them? And if they stay in Kuwait, will they be treated differently from other expatriates here? For instance, will they be exempted from the requirement of having a Kuwaiti sponsor and residency and bitaqa and etc? And for how long will the residency be? Unlimited, or like other expats depending on the company? Renewable or with conditions? Transferrable? And what about their children will they adopt the nationality of their parents and become Comorians? Will they be allowed to stay in Kuwait, study in schools and universities and work in any place, be it the government or private sector? There are a hundred questions to be asked over such an absurd proposal. KUWAIT: Kuwaiti youth with disabilities attend a special annual parliament session at the National Assembly yesterday to discuss and provide solutions for the problems facing people with disabilities. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat (See Page 2) Govt mulling petrol subsidy, spending cuts S&P issues warning KUWAIT: Kuwait’s government is looking at adjusting its petrol subsidies in order to reduce waste, a senior Kuwaiti official said yesterday in a fresh sign that authorities are using this year’s oil price plunge to push economic reforms. For years, the government refrained from cutting lavish and growing energy subsidies because of political sensitivities. But last month, it said it planned to raise domestic prices of diesel fuel and kerosene. Ali Sabt bin Sabt, acting undersecretary at Kuwait’s oil ministry, told Reuters yesterday that the government was now also looking at petrol subsidies. A petrol price hike would probably have a much bigger impact on consumers than the diesel and kerosene changes. “You need to do something about subsidies. Maybe a producing country can turn into a consumer country,” Sabt said on the sidelines of an energy conference in Abu Dhabi, referring to concern that ultra-low domestic prices are encouraging Kuwait’s petrol consumption to balloon as its population grows, potentially eating into its oil exports. “We need to put policy on it. We need to put an order to it so we can do something regarding consumption.” Sabt added, “Yes, we are looking at petrol specifically. It is subsidized and...that is increasing. As population is more and more, we have to do something in this regard.” Asked whether the government might double petrol prices in the future, he said: “Not doubling, but it is under study...It is not yet decided.” A decision may come in the near future, Sabt said without elaborating. Later yesterday, the government ordered Cabinet ministers to “rationalize spending” after considering measures to counter the sharp decline in oil prices, an official statement said. “The government asked ministers to control expenditure and rationalize spending in such a way to serve citizens and achieve the country’s higher interests,” said a statement following the weekly Cabinet meeting. Continued on Page 13 Comoros offer highlights plight of Kuwait bedoons KUWAIT: Kuwait’s announcement that tens of thousands of stateless people will be offered citizenship of the impoverished African nation of Comoros has highlighted their decades-old plight. But a representative of the community whose members demand Kuwaiti citizenship rejected the government’s offer as “totally impractical”. The stateless people, known as bedoons, insist they were born and raised in Kuwait and thus have full rights to claim citizenship. Kuwait says a majority of the bedoons belong to other countries and that only 34,000 of them qualify for consideration of citizenship after meeting a set of stringent conditions. The state insists it has documented evidence to prove its claims, saying the bedoons are mainly from neighbouring Iraq and Saudi Arabia, as well as a few thousand from Iran, Jordan and Syria. Rights watchdog Amnesty International slammed the move, saying in a statement it is “a shameless betrayal of Kuwait’s international human rights obligations”. “It is shocking that authorities in Kuwait would try to resolve the long-standing issue of the bedoons’ statelessness and discrimination by mass purchasing another country’s вЂ�economic citizenship’,” said Amnesty’s Said Boumedouha. The bedoons numbered 106,000 in 2011, according a Human Rights Watch report based on Kuwaiti government statistics. The figures show that while 34,000 bedoons qualify for consideration of citizenship, 42,000 are Iraqis, 26,000 are of other nationalities, mainly Saudi, and the status of 4,000 is unknown. The government based its findings on secret information which it refuses to share, HRW said. Kuwait says apart from those eligible to apply for citizenship, other bedoons or their ancestors crossed into the country illegally and destroyed their passports in order to gain access to generous welfare programs, including free housing. Continued on Page 13 KUWAIT: Around 446 nursing staff who lost their job last month after the Ministry of Health cancelled the license of the company that recruited them are seeking the government’s help to get jobs in MoH hospitals or clinics. “We lost our jobs for no fault of ours,” one of the nurses who did not want to give her name told Kuwait Times. According to her, they all are qualified and have experience in working in Kuwaiti hospitals and clinics. “We know that there are vacancies in MoH hospitals and clinics here. Our request to the government is that the MoH consider our plight and take us back into the system,” she said. Nurses from developing countries often pay as much as KD 3,000 to KD 5,000 to recruiters - both in their home country and in Kuwait - for the privilege of a job. And with growing demand in Kuwait (as the country builds several new hospitals and polyclinics), there is a projected rising demand for nurses. But so far, many of the laid-off nurses have not been able to land a new position. The reason why may have little to do with their qualification and experience. Instead, some speculate that recruiters would prefer to seek new recruits from abroad in order to earn the вЂ�fees’ typically paid by foreign nurses. The difficulty for the jobless nurses in Kuwait is that they have already paid their recruitment fees - often leaving massive debts back home. “Our contracts came to an end on October 26. We are in deep crisis because many of us are here with our families. Continued on Page 13 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LOCAL Al-Ghanim and senior officials with members of the Kuwait Disabled Club. A child takes an MPs seat in the parliament. A man makes a statement using sign language at the session. Speaker promises exerted efforts for disabled KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim promised yesterday to exert all possible efforts to hear and meet the demands of the disabled community. In a special session dedicated to the citizens of special challenges, Ghanim stressed that people with disabilities have the right to be heard by the government, the various institutions and the public. He urged them to take matters into their hands and apply hard and persistent work in order to solve the problems and attend to the needs of this special segment of the society. KUWAIT: Two members of the Kuwait Disabled Club attend yesterday’s session. Good hands Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Subaih stressed that people with disabilities are in “good hands” and the government will open their doors to help their community. Subaih, who is also Minister of State for Speaker Al-Ghanim listens to a contribution during the sessionЛ�— KUNA Human Development Forum kicks off KUWAIT: Human resources development, in particular building effective human capital, acquires special importance in Kuwait, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Subaih AlSubaih said yesterday. Subaih made the statement at the opening of the “Human Development Forum 2014” organized by the Supreme Council for Planning and Development in cooperation with the Arab Planning Institute and the World Bank, under the auspices of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The two-day Forum embodies close strategic cooperation among the three organizing bodies and touches on one of the vital development issues gaining growing interest worldwide, Subaih said. In Kuwait this is translated into efforts to build effective human resources capable of implementing the devel- opment plans as aspired. She added that Kuwait’s first mid-term Development Plan (2010/2011-2013/2014) established planning as an effective method for managing development as well as directing national resources toward achieving strategic goals, the minister said. It has also set social and human resources development as the country’s top priority. Through implementation phases, various challenges emerged for decision makers, planners and policy makers, topped with imbalance of population structure, housing care and the weak public services, especially in education and health care, Subaih noted. However, the second mid-term Development Plan has several advantages and opportunities that must be seized and built on, she said. This plan comes amid challenges that force decision makers to work harder to realize tangible economic and social achievements that reflect the country’s actual capabilities and fulfill citizens’ expectations. Kuwait’s second mid-term Development Plan (2015/20162019/2020) focuses on human resources development as the base for any activity, Director of Arab Planning Institute Dr Bader Mallah told the opening session of the Forum. The Plan has 11 pivots, covering fields like population structure, social care, youth and housing care, he added. The World Bank has launched the Forum with the participation of 10 government institutions and civil society organizations, in support of the economic and social development in Kuwait, Bassam Ramadan, WB Country Manager in Kuwait told the event. He stressed that the WB is a strategic partner for Kuwait, supporting the country’s efforts for realizing social and economic development. Strategic partnership between both dates back to 30 years before. —KUNA GCC citizenship workshop kicks off KUWAIT: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizenship workshop kicked off yesterday with participation of a large delegation from the member states. The two-day event is organized by Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with the GCC General Secretariat. “The workshop aims to strengthen the bonds of love and kinship among people of GCC states,” Minister of Education and Higher Education Bader Al-Issa said in the opening speech of the workshop. He pointed out the workshop is organized in implementation of a recommendation by the GCC ministers of higher education and scientific research in their recent meeting in Riyadh. Al-Issa welcomed all Gulf delegations partaking in the workshop. “Enhancing the concept of GCC citizenship among Gulf people, particularly youth, is the main objective of the workshop,” Al-Issa said. For his part, GCC Assistant Secretary General for Human and Environment Affairs Abdullah Al-Hashim said that the GCC leaders are keen on forging ahead with the efforts that aims to promote Gulf unity and integration. — KUNA Development, further assured during the special session that “we will do our best to fulfill the requirements of people living with disabilities” because they are still an integral part of the society. The minister pointed out that the ministry will exert all efforts to eliminate hard- ships that are facing this segment; however, she emphasized that it will take “time, finances and human resources.” Subaih expressed appreciation to all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have been on daily contact with the ministry regarding their affairs. — KUNA Young men in attendance react during the session. Cabinet discusses 2015/2016 state budget KUWAIT: The cabinet discussed in its weekly meeting at Seif Palace yesterday the proposed state budget for the fiscal year 2015/2016. Finance Minister Anas Al-Khaled made a presentation about the main features of the new budget, said Minister of Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak AlSabah in a press briefing following the cabinet meeting, headed by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. He added Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Mohammad AlHashel, Finance Ministry Undersecretary Khalifa Hamada and several senior Finance Ministry officials briefed the cabinet about the value of the expected state income and expenditure. They also presented to the cabinet a number of proposals and recommendations to deal with the repercussions of the recent drop in oil prices without affecting spending on investment and development projects. Following the deliberations, the cabinet expressed appreciation of the efforts exerted by the Finance Ministry and other relevant state bodies to prepare the budget and urged all state bodies to make the best use of budget allocations to achieve the state interests and meet people’s needs. Then, the cabinet was briefed about Central Bank of Kuwait’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) of 2013 which analytically examines key developments in all three areas of the financial system; institutions, markets and infrastructure, with an aim to identify the risks to the stability of the financial system. The CBK report covers in significant detail the performance of the banking system, assessing their role as financial intermediaries, their management of various risks and their ability to withstand major shocks. It evaluates the functioning of key domestic markets, including the money market, the foreign exchange market, the Kuwait Stock Exchange and the real estate market, as well as their implications for the banking system. Finally, the FSR also highlights the trends in the payment and settlement system. Deep relations Earlier, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah apprised the cabinet of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah’s recent visits to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. Sheikh Sabah Khaled pointed out that His Highness the Amir’s Gulf tour has reflected the depth of Kuwaiti relations with three brotherly countries. He added that the talks held during the tour tackled the prospects of joint GCC action to achieve common goals as well as the latest regional and international development of common concern. The ministers reviewed a letter addressed to His Highness the Amir from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz KUWAIT: HH Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak chairs the cabinet meeting yesterday. — KUNA about means to boost bilateral relations. They were also informed about a letter addressed to His Highness the Amir from Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe. In his letter, Gnassingbe congratulated His Highness the Amir on the UN honoring and its proclamation of him a Humanitarian Leader of Kuwait a Humanitarian Center. The letter also included an invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit the Republic of Togo. Later, the ministers discussed the main issues on the agenda of the coming National Assembly sessions. They also debated the latest regional and international political developments. — KUNA Municipal Council rebuffs Dasman Palace possession KUWAIT: Minister Al-Issa is honored at the workshop yesterday. —KUNA K U WA I T: K u w a i t M u n i c i p a l Council yesterday turned down a proposal presented by its Chairman Mahlhal Al-Khaled to p o s s e s s D a s m a n Pa l a c e a n d rebuild it under the supervision of premiership or Kuwait Municipality. Twelve out of sixteen council members voted against the p ro p o s a l a n d t h e re m a i n i n g four members abstained. “The proposal was meant to pre ser ve an historic building of great importance as one of the m a i n l a n d m a r k s o f K u w a i t ,” Khaled said during the council meeting. He highlighted the efforts to preserve historic sites and main landmarks of the state. — KUNA KUWAIT: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia Long Kem hosted a reception at Crowne Plaza hotel on the occasion of his country’s 61st Independence Day anniversary. Senior officials, diplomats and media personalities attended the reception. —Photos by Joseph Shagra TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LOCAL KUWAIT: Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah addresses the forum. —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat (From left) Abdullateef Al-Suraie, Yousef Al-Marzook and Dr Thalay Al-Fozan speak at the event. 2nd E-Government Forum underway Participants present solutions to achieve the desired system By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Latest IT solutions, modern technology and future trends of government datacenters can be found at the Second E-Government Forum being held from November 9-11, 2014 at the Arraya Ballroom. The forum is organized by Nouf Expo and sponsored by various institutions. Participating companies and institutions are presenting various solutions for ministries and government institutions to achieve the desired e-government including security of data and government systems. The launch ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah AlMubarak Al-Sabah, State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), who said that the government datacenters play an important role to keep up with latest technology trends. “HH the Amir issued Amiri Decree number 266/2006 that resulted in establishing CAIT to lead the efforts of developing the e-government program for Kuwait in cooperation with all other government agencies. This forum will present the latest datacenter technologies, and we request that all government datacenters set their plans to acquire and develop their human resource professionals at the same pace at which they upgrade technologies according to their e-government plans,” said Sheikh Mohammed. Abdullateef Al-Suraie, Director General of CAIT, noted that the development of the IT sector in Kuwait including government datacenters is a priority for CAIT. “This priority is part of CAIT’s ongoing plans to endorse new technologies that pave the way for improved e-government programs and services. We believe that improved electronic services help build a more transparent government that in turn helps achieve the ultimate strategic goal represented by e-Kuwait, where all can enjoy quality e-services at all times wherever they are,” he pointed out. The United Nations E-Government Development Index reflects the readiness and progress of countries’ e-government programs. “An important aspect of this readiness is represented by the efficiency of government datacenters. Therefore, I believe that this forum comes at the right time, and we look forward to recommendations that develop and improve the capabilities of government datacenters in Kuwait. Also, the topics of this forum are in line with CAIT’s plans that are carried out in coordination and cooperation with all other government agencies,” stated Suraie. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah is honored at the event. Shaping government datacenters According to Yousef Al-Marzook, GM Nouf Expo, this year the forum is focusing on technological and operational trends that are continuously shaping current and future government datacenters. “These are considered the main production workshops of the government’s electronic services. Therefore, they should be undergoing continuous development to endorse new technologies that help them meet their mission,” he noted. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Abdullah tours the exhibition “We are confident that the 2nd EGovernment Forum will achieve its objectives through the various researches, studies, products and services that are showcased by industry specialists and global companies,” added Marzook. Dr Thalay Al-Fozan, Head of the Scientific Committee, said that government institutions are in the process of executing their e-government plans in cooperation with CAIT. “They mainly target the development of government electronic services in order to deploy them for serving citizens, expats and visitors to Kuwait. Accessibility to these services is available through various channels, namely the official electronic portal of Kuwait (www.e.gov.kw) and via smartphone applications,” he explained. Various workshops were held at the forum on related issues such as cloud transformation, mobility in government, CRM solutions for a dynamic government, transformation to a smart government, datacenter trends and others. Today, the workshops will focus on issues including technologies for incident response, secure, governmentgrade mobility and network access solutions, information and cyber security strategy, managing information security risks in government datacenters, IBM green data centers and others. Also, the forum includes an exhibition where participating companies and institutions are displaying their services and products. Linden Summer and Boarding Schools Education Fair KUWAIT: On November 12, 2014, the Regency Hotel will host the Linden Boarding Schools fair from 4:00-8:00 pm. With representatives from 12 US boarding schools, the fair will provide students with information on summer camps, full-time programs, bridge programs, and specialized support for children with learning disabilities and learning differences. The fair is organized by The Linden Educational Tours in conjunction with the US Embassy. Education USA advisers will be present at the fair to answer questions about education in the US. US Embassy consular staff will also be on hand to answer questions about the student visa process. The fair will give students a chance to learn more about a preparatory, or “bridge,” year available at US boarding schools, which gives students the opportunity to adjust to life in the US in a structured setting while also allowing them to improve their English language skills through the study of core subjects. Additional information about the fair can be found at hhtps://www.facebook.com/eve nts/288598097982754/. More information about studying in the United States can be found at http://www.educationusa.state.gov/ Correction W e regret our mistake identifying Lulu AlRodaini as the leader of Human Line Organization, where in fact she is a member. On the other hand, she’s a member of the steering committee that founded Taqabbal. The article appeared in Kuwait Times yesterday entitled “One in every five people in Kuwait mentally ill”. Abdulrazzaq Al-Essa receives the E-Government trophy on behalf of VIVA VIVA sponsors E-Government Forum Initiative to teach French language in primary schools KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Issa announced yesterday an initiative aiming to teach French language in primar y schools in a plan expected to apply in the upcoming years. In a statement to reporters on the sidelines of a celebration on “French language as an international language of communica- tion”, Dr Al-Issa added that the initiative was launched in coordination with the French Embassy in Kuwait. He pointed out that this orientation is supported by the National Center for Education Development (NCED) in cooperation with the French Institute and French Foreign Ministry. That celebration, attended by Al-Issa and French Ambassador in Kuwait Christian Nakhle, marks the 50th anniversary of establishing Kuwait-France diplomatic ties. The t wo - day event includes discussions on French language, the possibility of developing it in university and technology used in the learning process as well as other activities related to the language. —KUNA KUWAIT: VIVA, Kuwait’s fastest-growing and most developed telecom operator, announced taking part in the E-Government Forum as the platinum sponsor, demonstrating its supporting role to political leadership and national information and communication security. The E-Government Forum II: Recent Trends in Government Information Centers is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait and attended by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al- Mubarak Al-Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs at Arraya Ballroom, from 9 to 11 November 2014. Commenting on this sponsorship, Abdulrazzaq Al Essa, Director of Corporate Communications at VIVA said: “Our sponsorship and participation stems from our deep understanding of the rapid development of technology surrounding information and communication security, in addition to the vital role we, as a communications service provider, play in addressing related challenges. This year’s forum will cover several important topics such as вЂ�Modern trends for information centers’ and вЂ�cloud computing in governmental data centers’, вЂ�governance in the management of information centers’, and “communica- tions systems in future data centers’, The annual E-government forum has become an annual event where officials of the centers of government information can meet specialized companies and researchers in Kuwait and other GCC countries, to learn about the latest technologies, products and methods of work, management and governance, which contribute to the development of the system of e-government and building a society of information. VIVA will continue to support and aid the development and progress of Kuwait’s communications industry and will play an active role wherever possible. NBK celebrates NBK Academy graduates KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) celebrated the graduation of the tenth batch of newly hired young Kuwaitis from NBK Academy. NBK Academy aims to train and develop the professional skills of young Kuwaitis as part of NBK’s strategy to attract and develop national human resources. NBK organized a special ceremony for the graduation of the newly hired young Kuwaitis. The ceremony was attended by Emad Ahmad Al-Ablani, NBK General Manager, Human Resources Group, along with other NBK officials. NBK Academy is the first initiative of its kind in Emad Al-Ablani and NBK officials in a group picture with NBK Academy new graduates the private sector in Kuwait and is part of NBK’s strategy to attract young Kuwaitis by offering them a range of career and professional development opportunities. NBK Academy programs run for five months and are specially tailored to provide trainees with theoretical and practical skills covering the different aspects of the banking industry. NBK maintains its leading position as one of the country’s largest employers in the private sector and is committed to supporting Kuwaiti nationals and empowering them to realize their potentials. Annually, NBK offers many training programs for employees including Shabab program, and the first of its kind NBK High Fliers Program. NBK also organizes executive training programs in line with the bank’s commitment to developing and investing in its key resource and human capital. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LOCAL EPA monitors red tide off kuwait coast Crime Crime R e p o r t R e p o r t Helper arrested for вЂ�smothering’ student Teacher accused of raping boy KUWAIT: An Arabic teacher was detained by the prosecutor after being accused by a Jordanian of raping his son. The kids’ father told police in Fahaheel that his 12-year-old son was sexually abused by the Arabic teacher in a football ground. The father confronted the teacher and the two exchanged blows. Police are investigating the case. By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: An Ethiopian helper was held at Hadiya police station for questioning over a complaint by a parent against the education ministry. The parent said his first grade son and was late to school since he was sick. The boy kept crying, so his father requested the worker to stay beside him until he calms down. The father said he went back to the school in 30 minutes to check on his son, and was told by the worker that he was sent to the classroom. On hearing the cries of his son from the school clinic, the father went there and found the Ethiopian placing a small pillow on his son’s face that almost suffocated him. The father went with his son to the school administration to complain against the helper. A police patrol was dispatched to the school premises and the principal was asked to bring the Ethiopian helper, but she refused to do so as there was no written order. The police informed the principal that a phone call enables them to enter the school. The helper was finally brought before the police, who discovered the woman had nothing to do with the school and had violated her residency. The helper was arrested and a complaint was filed against the education ministry. Child rapist caught Fintas police arrested an Egyptian man suspected of raping a child in Fintas. A security source said only a day after a complaint was lodged by the father about the rape of his five-year-old daughter by an unidentified person, police managed to identify a building haris who was seen by some people at the time of the crime. The suspect denied committing the crime, and a sample was taken to test his DNA. Kidnap and rape A citizen accused a man of kidnapping her at gunpoint in Nuzha, as she was forced in his car and taken to Salmiya, where he allegedly had sex with her without her consent. She was later dropped back to Nuzha. The woman gave police details of the man, his car plate number and location of the crime. Drunk man calls police A man who was highly intoxicated called police complaining about another person drunk in a Hawally park. Police patrol went to the area and found that the caller himself was under the influence of alcohol. Public indecency Police in Salmiya received a call about a couple committing an indecent act inside a car parked at a mall. Police went to the area and put an end to the act and charged them with public indecency. Husband charged with theft’ In an interesting development, an activist asked her husband for divorce, after he along with another person stormed her villa. In her complaint, she told police that her husband called and said that her villa in Surra was robbed and the thieves had stolen the safe and her luxury car. On checking the security cameras, police discovered the husband along with another person committed the theft, and he was arrested immediately. —Al-Rai Firefighters tackle the blaze. KUWAIT: The Environment Public Authority (EPA) is monitoring status of the recently-formed red tide spots off the Kuwaiti coast, EPA said yesterday. Mohammad Al-Enezi, EPA’s acting director general, told KUNA the authority has been following up on this renewed phenomenon since last Saturday, when the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources, filed reports confirming location of red spots floating at various locations in the territorial sea waters. Special teams have scooped up some samples for analysis, he said, affirming capacity to “cope with such emergency situations.” The red tide is a common name for a phenomenon known as an algal bloom (large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms) when it is caused by a few species of dinoflagellates and the bloom takes on a red or brown color. Red tides are events in which estuarine, marine, or fresh water algae accumulate rapidly in the water column, resulting in coloration of the surface water. It is usually found in coastal areas. —KUNA Growing interest to preserve Kuwait’s biodiversity: KISR KUWAIT: Kuwait has been paying growing attention to preserving biodiversity and wildlife in the country which is habitat to some 374 seasonal and durable plants, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) said yesterday. Addressing the opening session of an international symposium on wildlife plants organized by KISR for four days, the institute’s Director General Naji Al-Mutairi stressed support by Kuwaiti leaders to research and development institutions as well as environment and agricultural authorities. Researches and specialists from 35 Arab and foreign countries are taking part in the international gathering. Thanks to directives by the country’s leaders, Kuwait now has four natural reserves, topped with Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, established on a total area of 331 square kilometers, with a wide variety of plants, Mutairi told the session. Kuwait is posed to establish five new nature reserves over the coming ten years that will cover of 1,680 square kilometers. Al Mutairi also referred to the new law for the protection of the environment that came into effect last October, comprising 181 articles in five chapters, the fifth of which is devoted to biodiversity. In line with the law, the Interior Ministry will form KUWAIT: Dr Naji Al-Mutairi speaks at the opening session. —KUNA an environment police department to follow up the application of provisions. The KISR director highlighted Kuwait’s achievement on the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), moving up by 84 ranks, from 126 to 42, among total 178 countries. The EPI is a joint project between the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University. Vital projects Separately, Mutairi said that KISR accomplishments of vital projects in oil, water, environment and energy fields contributed to the progress and excellence of the country’s sustainable development. His remarks came through his participation of a regional meeting Sunday by the Global Research Council, hosted by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), which highlighted the importance of having a national plan approved for scientific research and financed by the state. The meeting also reviewed projects and scientific research papers. Mutairi told KUNA that the meeting also reviewed KISR’s past experiences, achievements and future plans, as well as its human resources, which seeks to achieve the ambitious goals and visions of the Institute in various areas. KISR was established to devote all energies to serve scientific research since its inception in 1967 and until now, he said, noting that all achievements, projects and patents are a source of pride for the Institute and for Kuwait, the Arabian Gulf and the Middle. Recently, the world marked the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, which for Kuwaitis was a reminder of the disastrous oil well fires of 1990, Mutairi said. Marking the occasion in a speech, Mutairi said the UN launched celebrating this international day in 2011 in a reminder of what befell Kuwait environmentally during the Iraqi invasion in 1990 when hundreds of oil wells were set ablaze, creating one of the world’s worst environmental disasters. He commended international efforts at that time in eventually putting out the fires in a record time, saying that Kuwaiti ecology and environment still reeled from the effects of that disaster. —KUNA KRCS distributes winter supplies to Syrian refugees TRIPOLI: The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) continued yesterday its relief campaign to distribute relief aid to Syrian families that have taken up refuge in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli. Head of the field team Abdulrahman Al-Saleh said in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that some 2,000 Syrian families received today food supplies, blankets and winter clothing. Saleh added that this campaign was an extension of the relief aid campaign launched by the KRCS, referring that the KCRS was keen to distribute such relief aid in this period especially as the severe winter is approaching where the displaced people are always having difficulty in this season. For her part, member of the Social Committee in the KRCS Zahra Al-Shatti expressed hope these supplies would help alleviate some of the suffering of the refugees during the upcoming harsh winter conditions. She added that some food parcels were distributed to some 500 Syrian families, in addition to blankets and bread. —KUNA Sharq restaurant on fire Fire broke out in a restaurant in Al-Tijariya tower in Sharq. Fire-fighters from Hilali and Madina centers rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control. No injuries were reported. Worker injured A man who fell from the roof of a house in Sabah AlNasser was rushed to the hospital. A case was filed for investigations. The fire drill in progress. Fire drill The Sea Fire Department and Coast Guards held a joint training session in Salmiya on sea rescue operations for coastguards and non-commissioned officers from Kuwait and Qatar. The training was for using safety equipment, fire extinguishers and their use aboard a vessel. Camps safety Deputy director general for the prevention unit Brig Khalid Al-Zaid met the director of another unit and stressed that camps must meet prevention conditions in both the private and public sector. He said that companies and establishments must obtain approval from the KFSD. Kuwaiti-French agreement to excavate for antiquities in Failaka KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah received yesterday ten newly-graduated officers. The ceremony saw officers take the oath before him. KUWAIT: Ambassador of Algeria to Kuwait Khemissi Arif hosted a reception at Salwa Al-Sabah Hall recently to commemorate his country’s national day. Government officials, diplomats and media representatives attended the event.—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat KUWAIT: The Department of Museums and Antiquities at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) signed a partnership agreement with French Total Company and French Institute for the Near East for the excavation of monuments in Failaka Island, 20 kilometers off the coast of Kuwait City. As per the agreement, the excavation works will concentrate on the areas of Hellenistic castle and Al-Qusor in the Island. In a press statement, the NCCAL Secretary General Ali Al-Yuha underscored the importance of the 35year-long Kuwaiti-French cooperation in the archeological domain. This is not the first Kuwaiti-French agreement for cooperation to excavate for monuments and antiquities in Kuwait, he said. He clarified that the Kuwaiti-French archeological team has been working in Kuwait for a long time and presents regular reports on the activities to the NCCAL. Al-Yuha noted that Kuwait attaches great importance to Failaka Island which includes monuments that date back to the beginning of the second millennium BC - from the Bronze Age - extending through the Hellenistic civilization to the Modern Age. He unveiled that arrangements are made in cooperation with the UNESCO to add Failaka Island’s historical sites to the World Heritage Sites List. For his part, the General Manager of Total-Kuwait Company Lionel Levha said the French company supports the Kuwaiti-French archeological mission that works in Failaka Island. This support comes within the framework of the company’s support scientific activities, he said. He explained that the company also supports a variety of projects in the fields of training, education, culture and environment conservation. —KUNA TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LOCAL SPECIAL REPORT Kuwait suspends offset program in investment drive KUWAIT: Ambassador of Hungary to Kuwait Mihaly Bayer visited Kuwait Times recently and discussed matters of mutual concern with Editor-in-Chief Abd AlRahman Al-Alyan. — Photo by Joseph Shagra Minister inaugurates children festival KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs and Labor and Minister of State for Planning and Development Hind Al-Subaih yesterday opened the Third Children Festival, which runs until November 13, in the International Exhibitions Grounds at Mishref. Minister Al-Subaih expressed her happiness for holding such event, which strengthens cooperation among governmental bodies, the private sector, volunteering institutions and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In her remarks to reporters during an inspection tour of the festival, she said that the event aims at underlining the importance of childhood and how to deal with children. “The festival also focuses on developing the capabilities of children and raising awareness in the society toward their needs to build their characters,“ she added. The minister said a law on volunteering is completed and it would be referred to the cabinet for final approval. She added that the law aims at protecting and organizing the volunteering groups which have no entities, commending the activities of these groups which provide support to the society in different fields. Abdulmohsen Al-Sanea, who represents the organizing institution in cooperation with others, said that the festival seeks to convey a message and to achieve educational objectives to the society’s members, including children. “The event is held for the third year in a row. It means that it is successful,” he said, indicating that there are several proceedings and activities used as cultural and religious forums as well as campaigns of awareness. There are campaigns for blood donation, first aid, good nutrition as well as competitions and workshops. Several companies interested in children, some ministries and NGOs are participating in the festival. — KUNA KUWAIT: Minister Al-Subaih during her tour at the exhibition. — KUNA KUWAIT: The decision to temporarily halt and revise the Kuwait Offset Program (KOP), before reintroducing it next year, is widely seen as a sign of the government’s commitment to enhancing the business climate amidst fierce regional competition and following regulatory reforms. The KOP is a program which obliges foreign companies bidding on largescale contracts in Kuwait to participate in local business ventures. “The move should entice contractors back to Kuwait and help the country regain some of the ground lost in the projects market to Kuwait’s neighbors in the region,” said the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) in its latest economic research, published mid-October. According to NBK, increased activity in Kuwait’s projects market and new measures introduced by the government have buoyed hopes of renewed interest from investors. By the end of August, the government had awarded more than $20.7bn worth of contracts, almost twice as much as last year’s total, with at least an estimated $17bn in contracts to be awarded before the end of the year. Fulfilling obligations Since its launch in 1992, the KOP has been at the heart of efforts to promote growth among local industries, particularly in the defense and education sectors. Under the program, foreign firms awarded government contracts are required to set up a separate, in-country business to promote growth across value-added industries. Offset obligations were applied to military contracts worth more than KD3m ($10.5m), government contracts greater than KD10m ($34.8m), and downstream oil and gas contracts. The local initiative needs to be approved by the government and be worth at least 35% of the value of the contract. Under the KOP, investors taking on a project must fulfill one of three primary objectives by helping to advance education and training, transferring advanced technologies and integrating them into the local economy, or creating highly-skilled professional jobs for Kuwaiti nationals. When making a deal, contractors are required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state-run National Offset Company (NOC) acknowledging their obligations and submit plans indicating how the business venture will be implemented over an eight-year period. Investors must also agree that a Kuwaiti national will play a key role, either in a joint venture or as an equity partner, and show how this fits into the plan. Amendments on the way The government said in September that it aimed to have a draft of the programme in amended form completed by Q2 2015. “We need to revise it and then, later on, implement it in a more moderate way, which we believe will help (when) inviting those international firms,” the foreign minister, Anas Al Saleh, told Reuters. In the past, the offset program has been criticized for disadvantaging smaller exporters, who Gulf Bank inaugurates student lounges at KU KUWAIT: Gulf Bank inaugurated its red(tm) student lounges at Kuwait University ’s (KU) Business Administration College at Shuwaikh campus. The ceremony took place on Sunday 2 November 2014 in the presence of KU’s Dean of the College Business Administration, Dr Jasem AlMudhaf, along with Gulf Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Cesar Gonzalez Bueno, General Manager, Human Resources Salma Al-Hajjaj and the Bank’s management. Gulf Bank’s new red(tm) rooms at the Business and Administration College, one provided for male students and the other for female students, will serve as study lounges as well as helping them to become familiar with the Bank’s red(tm) account and other banking products and services. Gulf Bank is committed to reach out to youth, whether through ongoing support to their educational path, or by providing superior services and attractive promotions which are tailored specifically for the younger generation. Gulf Bank’s red(tm) program is designed for university and college students aged 17 to 24 years old. Opening the account requires no deposit and it can be used as a savings account earning interest. Red customers can benefit from the many discounts the account offers such as a 50 percent discount on movie tickets during the weekends. To join Gulf Bank’s red(tm) program or to find out more of its benefits, visit one of the Bank’s 58 branches, contact the Customer Contact Centre on 1805805 for assistance and guidance or log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website. Cesar Gonzalez Bueno along with Dr Jasem Al-Mudhaf during the inauguration ceremony of the red(tm) student lounges. Cesar Gonzalez Bueno, Salma Al-Hajjaj and Dr Jasem Al-Mudhaf touring the red(tm) student lounges. вЂ�Bayt Abdullah’ experience showcased at Harvard BOSTON: President of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Dr Hilal AlSayer reviewed yesterday the experience of вЂ�Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospital’ with officials of Harvard University. Sayer, who heads the Board of Directors of Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospital said in his speech during a ceremony marking the вЂ�Arab week of Harvard University’, that this project is unique in the Middle East Project. The Bayt Abdullah Children’s Hospice (BACH) in Sulaibikhat, Kuwait, is the only palliative care center in the Middle East, and one of the largest in the world, dedicated exclusively to children with life-threatening or life-limiting illness. He pointed out that the facility seeks to ease tension, emotion and fear associated with the admission of the sick child to the hospital because of the distance and separation from Dr Hilal Al-Sayer home, family and friends and to ensure that the sick child feel at home as doctors and nurses are dressed casually. Sayer said that the idea behind the facility is to make it a substitute for the sick children’s original home and their families who need support to live a decent and virile life, as the facility includes games, recreational and residential facilities for comfort and advanced emergency health care. He pointed out that Bayt Abdullah is a project which offers its services to all free of charge, noting that the aim of the project is to provide support for those who are expected to die when they were children, as well as to provide support for their families in an intimate atmosphere. Al-Sayer said that the project has received peerless praise and admiration from participants from different countries of the world. — KUNA find it more difficult than their larger counterparts to offset costs through economies of scale. Acknowledging the criticism when announcing plans to suspend the program, Al Saleh added “This is why we have frozen it to make sure it is not an obstacle for those firms to come in.” Kuwait has introduced a raft of legislation in the past year aimed at attracting foreign funding for projects. The Direct Investment Promotion Law, which was passed in August 2013, has proved to be a key component, paving the way for a new public authority tasked with licensing and setting out tax breaks for investors and Customs exemptions to be established. Addressing the challenges However, Kuwait still faces obstacles in its bid to drive up investment, including delays for business start-ups caused by bureaucratic processes, complex laws concerning ownership, family dominated set-ups, sponsorship requirements and regulations restricting foreign enterprises from direct involvement in key sectors, according to the US Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. According to a Central Statistical Bureau survey, some of the largest constraints listed by companies were the procedures related to land sale, leases and mortgages as well as procedures with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, while the low price of fuel was one of the key motivating factors of investing in Kuwait. The situation has been compounded by deadlocks in the Kuwaiti parliament, which have delayed liberalization initiatives and made it difficult for the country to conclude large projects involving foreign firms. Several reshuffles involving senior staff have also impeded progress. A report by ratings agency Moody’s in October noted that the contentious relationship between Kuwait’s government and parliament has hindered the country’s development and diversification plans. It does not, however, pose a risk to overall political stability, said Moody’s, which maintained its вЂ�Aa2’ sovereign ratings and stable outlook, a view supported by “very high levels of economic and fiscal strength”. — Oxford Business Group Vietnam poised for Middle East investment T he potentials of 90 million-citizen Vietnam, as other Southeast Asian markets for Middle East investment have become ever more evident in recent years. For decade, with the growth rate registered from 5 to 7% annually, Vietnam ranks among Asia country having high and stable growth rate thanks to its proper management policies. The country’s GDP growth rate in the first 10 months of 2014 has attained 5.62 % while inflation has been effectively curbed. Production and export have both increased, foreign exchange rate remained stable while the country’s foreign reserve has reached the record high level of 35 billion USD, FDI registered at 12 billion USD. The real estate market is also regaining pace. Foreign investors increasingly eye the country’s abundant natural resources and human force as great potentials for growth. Persistent with administrative reforms, the business environment in Vietnam has greatly improved to become ever more attractive to world investors. The US Chamber of Commerce in Singapore has recently ranked Vietnam the second most attractive destination for American investors. The country’s non-guarantee government bonds have climbed up one level from B2 to B1 on Moody’s ratings owing to prospects of stable growth. Fitch Ratings agency also plans to raise Vietnam from B+ to BB- as sign of economic recovery and risks mitigation. The country’s achievements after years of renovation has created a new vision and reputation among world investors as yet another Asian economy with ample potentials for growth. Being WTO member since 2007, Vietnam is signing with EU freetrade agreement as well as negotiating with major partners like United States, Japan in order to sign the TransPacific-Partnership agreement in the near future. From the perspectives of Middle East investors, Vietnam is also gaining popularity as the two-way political, economic and trade relationship expands. Special interests have been paid to the country’s real estate and oil & gas markets by renowned ME corporations over the past decade. Investment projects worth billions of US dollars were sketched up by Dubai-based Nakheel, Dubai ICD and Qatar-based United Development Company PSC to develop housing, real estate and road infrastructure in provinces of Vietnam. The 3.5 billion USD-worth investment project by Kuwait’s International Oil Corporation to build Nghi Son petrochemical refinery complex has been on steady progress. The common perception of Vietnam in the eyes of entrepreneurs from the Gulf has been a favorable business environment and promising ample profits. As the Vietnamese economy is expected to grow steadily and further improve its business environment, the country is having a lot to offer Middle East investors. LOCAL TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 In my view Brainwash Mediator for peace By Labeed Abdal [email protected] K uwait recently called on Iran to continue cooperating transparently with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to allay fears and skepticisms regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. The call, which came from Kuwait’s permanent delegation at the United Nations, reflects Kuwait’s original stance that demands and encourages peace. The recent call was the latest of Kuwait’s constant steps to encourage Tehran to resolve pending issues pertaining with the IAEA’s demands and the related international resolutions. Furthermore, these calls provide a bridge for cooperation in the international community and reject voices that encourage division and create conflicts between neighboring countries. The call also came as Kuwait celebrates the 50th These calls provide a bridge for cooperation in the international community and reject voices that encourage division anniversary of joining the IAEA, further solidifying Kuwait’s limitless cooperation with the agency and support for all of its programs and activities pertaining with the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Kuwait announced support for establishing a repository for uranium fuel in order to provide fuel for IAEA member states. In this regard, Kuwait paid $10 million and is looking to increase efforts to activate the repository’s role as soon as possible. This reflects the Kuwaiti leadership’s understanding of the repository’s importance and of the requirements of global security and peace. Despite all the risks endangering the Gulf region, Kuwait remains a mediator for peace that serves international peace and security. kuwait digest No to drugs By Nermin Al-Hoti T he rate of drug use increased lately, in particularly among youths, who have become untreatable from the substance that is called “shabu” or “crystal”. We will not get into the details of use, because we went into its analysis and danger in a previous column, and it was not me alone who did this, as many columnists and media programs dealt with the issue and warned against the danger which is ringing the death bells of the future of our society, and despite these warnings, we find a notable rise in the amount of drugs used among youths, to a point where we are standing helpless towards it, as if it became similar to plague. No to drugs - this is the title of our column which should become the slogan of everyone so we can attack and preserve whatever is left from the next generations. Our message today is not limited to the interior and education ministries and other responsible authorities that were lax in deterring tragedies that killed and are still killing many of our children. The issue today wants a decisive solution to this epidemic We ask [MPs] to have this issue on top of the agenda to find deep-rooted solutions quickly from its roots and treat those affected with it. With the start of a new term of our esteemed Assembly, we ask its members to have this issue on top of the agenda to find deep-rooted solutions quickly to rescue our youths and treat others for addiction. The issue is not limited to having families supervise their children as a National Assembly member claimed; rather then we must look for the reason and who caused it. For instance, where is the health supervision over some doctors who manufacture such drugs for quick gains, without any consideration for the well being of Kuwaiti youth? Where is the law, and why not change its articles to make the punishment of those who attempt to murder children death? Where is the role of the health ministry, by opening more centers? Currently, it cannot accommodate the growing numbers of addicts in fact we are demanding a center in every hospital or governorate to treat addiction. Where is the role of the media? Where is the role of education in punishing and supervising our children? The issue is not limited to three-day suspensions as some schools do. How are we going to put forth those in authority to fight domestic dangers threatening the country’s internal security, or is it forgotten? Our youths are the future of the country - are you bearing the responsibility of Kuwaiti people in your hands? In conclusion, no to drugs. It was said by our elders that “one hand does not clap”. — Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Anbaa Al-Jarida in my view Why Gulf women join jihadi groups By Shamlan Al-Essa G ulf local papers publish every now and then news about Saudi and Kuwaiti women jihadists joining the Islamic State (Daesh) organization. Al-Watan published on Oct 30 a news item about Kuwaiti women fighting with Daesh. The paper said that there are 200 women in AlKhansa brigade of Daesh in the Syrian Raqqa province, which includes three Kuwaitis. The women’s job besides fighting is to provide logistic support and transferring arms and ammunition. Why does the Gulf woman accept joining jihadi action and join her husband and does not think about her and her children’s lives, and exposing her country and society to danger? There are many reasons that push women to jihadi action, most important of which is that all jihadi group members do not have a real wish for life to continue, and the reasons may be psychological, social or cultural, but they have a firm conviction that jihadi action, killing oneself and killing innocent people will lead them to heaven. They are convinced that life on earth in transient and the immortal life is in heaven, and this applies for men and women alike. Second: The Gulf woman in general, especially women involved in jihadist political Islam groups, do not have independent thinking away from the strict partisan orders forced upon them by their partisan leaderships, because the pyramidal partisan discipline requires execution without argument or discussion. Third: The commitment of the Gulf woman to voluntary work, particularly Islamic charity, because the charity work instills the permanent view of the woman as a mother and a source of giving, warmth and care, and this means expanding her family role and expanding it to serve the society. So, charity work formed an accepted link between the field related to the woman and the general field without any threat to the dominant Finally, we believe that the Gulf governments neglected the improvement of woman’s status in general and allowed her to work in Islamic charity committees, which work for politicized movements under the charity cover. societal environment that instills the woman’s inferiority. Fourth: The dominance of political Islam factions over most of the civil society establishments in the past years prepared the societal grounds for women to accept the dominance of these factions, because traditions do not separate between what is sacred and what is cultural, so it was easy for most society groups to respond to these groups, especially that these political Islam movements do not demand the change of the woman’s social status, and this helped in their alliance with governments and lack of woman’s awareness, and women’s acceptance of men’s dominance and wishes. Finally, we believe that the Gulf governments neglected the improvement of woman’s status in general and allowed her to work in Islamic charity committees, which work for politicized movements under the charity cover. The problem is that nobody knows where the money of these women societies go, and how it is spent, and in which field. Can the jihadi action for Gulf women or men be stopped? The Arab Gulf states, along with the countries allied to internationally fight terrorism, concentrated on the security and military aspect, and neglected the cultural and education aspect in fighting terrorism in general. We will not make any achievement eradicating terrorism without civilized openness towards the world and instilling the principle of the civil state instead of insisting on appeasing political Islam factions in hopes of containing them. The issue of liberating the woman and regaining her human dignity as a Gulf citizen is only the first step in fighting extremism and terrorism, because treatment of the woman as a citizen that has a role in society is the first step in getting away from extremism and terrorism. —Translated by Kuwait Times from Al-Watan in my view Growing tensions in Jerusalem By Abdullah Erakat A Palestinian member of the Islamist Hamas movement rammed a white van into a crowd of border police officers near a Jerusalem light rail stop, killing a Druze border police captain and wounding 14 others. The attacker was killed soon afterwards. An Israeli police spokesman said the attacker rammed into the group of police officers, then got out of his car and tried to attack bystanders with a metal bar, before he was shot and killed. Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri praised the attacker and said it was in revenge “for al-Aqsa and for the blood of those who guard al-Aqsa,” referring to the Jerusalem site that is holy to Muslims and Jews. Earlier in the day, Israel briefly closed the site after clashes between stone-throwing Palestinians and police who dispersed them using rubber bullets and tear gas. Palestinians said several people were wounded. It was the second attack at a Jerusalem light rail station in two weeks, and raised tensions in the city even further. The first attack killed a three-monthold Israeli infant, and a young woman from Ecuador. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu blamed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The attack was the “direct consequence of Abu Mazen’s [Abbas’s] incitement and that of his Hamas partners,” Netanyahu declared, speaking at a memorial ceremony marking 19 years since Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. It also came days after Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington amid speculation that the US would lay out new guidelines for an Israeli- Palestinian peace deal. “It is our hope that the two sides can return to direct negotiations, but it is up to the Israelis and Palestinians to make the difficult decisions to do so,” a US Administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. time limit for Israel to leave the West Bank. “Now that the relationship is pretty sour between Obama and (Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin) Netanyahu, I can’t see how any progress can be made,” Bilbassy said. Growing frustration Palestinians have grown increasingly frustrated with the Obama Administration, which they see as pro-Israel, and have decided to turn to the international community for recognition. Sweden last week recognized Palestine, and other states are expected to follow suit. Washington based political commentator Said Arikat says that the US has never been an honest broker. The US has put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the back burner while it deals with the rise of Islamic State (IS), but Arikat warns it will not go away. “The Palestinian issue will continue to be a priority for any American administration. President Obama may as a last act before leaving office recognize a Palestinian state like Sweden did, but the Middle East at large presents the U.S with daunting challenges that will garner much of its focused efforts and energies,” he said. Arab journalist Nadia Bilbassy who has covered the White House for 12 years says she expects little from Erekat’s meeting with Kerry because the Obama administration has not showed any sign that they were willing to exert pressure on Israel. The Americans have been trying to get the Palestinian Authority to abandon its plans to go to the UN to present an outline which would set a Framework agreement Beginning last year, Kerry spent nine months shuttling between the Israelis and Palestinians in an attempt to reach a framework agreement by April, which ultimately failed. Afterwards, Abbas finalized a unity deal between his Fatah faction and Hamas after seven years of bitter rivalry. In 2007, Hamas ousted Fatah and took control of Gaza. But Israel refuses to recognize the new government because it, along with the US, says that Hamas is a terrorist organization. Another reason that US peace efforts will be put on hold is the Republican takeover of the Senate which will put Congress at odds with President Obama. Meanwhile, some PA officials have threatened to cut off security coordination with Israel if the US vetoes a Security Council resolution calling for an end date for Israel’s control over the West Bank and east Jerusalem. They also say they will join UN agencies, and go to the International Criminal Court to charge Israel with war crimes. However, analyst Arikat believes Abbas will not go through with it because the Palestinians are the “weaker party and it would be difficult for them to cross the United States, its largest benefactor.” —The Media Line TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 New WWII book details story of вЂ�First SEALS’ Egypt jihadists pledge loyalty to Islamic State Page 8 Page 9 BEIJING: Leaders pose for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) вЂ�family photo’ at the Beijing National Aquatics Center in the Chinese capital yesterday. (Inset) China’s President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Great Hall of the People on the sidelines of APEC Summit. — AFP Rivalries take APEC centre-stage Xi, Abe meet in icy icebreaker • US wants China вЂ�to do well’, announces visa deal BEIJING: The leaders of China and Japan held an ice-breaking summit yesterday after two years of dangerous animosity, as world leaders including Barack Obama gathered for an AsiaPacific meeting spotlighting intensifying bigpower rivalries. Xi Jinping and Shinzo Abe met in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People in what the Japanese prime minister said was a “first step” towards repairing the fractured relationship between the world’s second- and third-largest economies. US President Obama flew in still wounded by the Democrats’ defeat in the US mid-term elections and with relations between Washington and Moscow in deep freeze, while his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin arrived a day earlier and quickly signalled his desire for ever-warmer ties with an increasingly assertive China. The gathering is the biggest event yet hosted by the Chinese president, who took office last year and emphasised his country’s expanding world profile on Sunday by declaring a bright future for the vibrant Pacific Rim, with a confident China at its heart. The annual two-day summit of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) bloc which saw China stage a spectacular welcoming ceremony on Monday evening - typically sees pledges of amity and trade convergence, often balanced by tense sideline exchanges on festering geopolitical problems. Beijing and Tokyo’s historically frosty relations have plunged to their lowest in decades over competing claims to Japanese-controlled islets in the East China Sea. Abe told Japanese media that he asked Xi to establish a hotline to prevent clashes at sea, adding: “I think we will start working on concrete steps toward it.” The islands, however, were not specifically mentioned during the 30 minutes of talks, Kyodo news agency quoted a Japanese official as saying. The meeting appeared strained, with footage of the two leaders’ initial handshake showing them looking deadpan and Xi not responding to Abe’s greetings. “Severe difficulties have emerged in Sino-Japanese relations in recent two years and the rights and wrongs behind them are crystal-clear,” China’s official news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying. China’s Rise Welcomed APEC brings into focus the developing bigpower rivalry involving Washington, Beijing and Moscow. Obama said in a speech the United States “welcomes the rise of a prosperous, peaceful and stable China”, while announcing a reciprocal deal to extend visitor visa validities to as much as 10 years. But Obama also reiterated US calls for China to ease trade tensions by opening its markets and loosening controls on its currency, and to respect human rights. “We suggest that China do these things for the sake of sustainable growth in China and the stability of the AsiaPacific region,” he said. Under the visa deal, which will take effect on Nov 12, both countries would extend the terms of multiple entry short-term tourist and business visas to 10 years from one year, the White House said in a statement accompanying Obama’s announcement. Student visas would be extended to five years from one year. “As a result of this arrangement, the United States hopes to welcome a growing share of eligible Chinese travellers, inject billions (of dollars) in the US economy and create enough demand to support hundreds of thousands of additional US jobs,” the White House statement said. The extension of some visas for Chinese nationals to 10 years matches what is currently allowed for citizens of nations with close relations with the United States, such as European countries and Brazil. A senior US official said the visa agreement would allow the United States to tap into the fast-growing market of Chinese tourists travelling abroad. The United States now attracts only 2 percent of Chinese tourism. “We see this as a really big win,” the official said, estimating that the United States could gain 440,000 jobs by 2021 and receive an $85 billion annual infusion into the American economy as a result of the new policy. It will also make it easier for Chinese businesses and investors to get involved in US projects. Russia is under Western economic sanctions over its seizure of Ukraine’s Crimea region and role in that country’s separatist war. No ObamaPutin meeting is known to be scheduled, but Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has vowed to confront Putin over Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The West has accused pro-Russian rebels of blasting the plane out of the sky - 38 Australians were among the 298 dead - nin July with a missile supplied by Moscow. Russia denies the accusations. Russia and China express impatience with a perceived American domination of world affairs, often vetoing or abstaining from US-led initiatives on the UN Security Council. The often blunt-spoken Putin told APEC delegates the two sides would seek to increase use of their yuan and ruble currencies, saying the dollar’s influence would “objectively decline”. вЂ�Candid’ Conversations China and the United States have already jousted in Beijing over differing visions of AsiaPacific trade integration, adding to discord over Bomber kills 47 at Nigeria school KANO, Nigeria: A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber disguised in school uniform killed 47 students in northeast Nigeria yesterday, in one of the worst attacks against schools teaching a so-called Western curriculum. The explosion ripped through an all-boys school in Potiskum just as students gathered for morning assembly before classes began, causing panic and chaos. The massacre, described by President Goodluck Jonathan as a “dastardly attack”, came just a day after the release of a new Boko Haram video in which the Islamist group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, again rejected Nigerian government claims of a ceasefire and peace talks. Students at the Government Comprehensive Senior Science Secondary School were waiting to hear the principal’s daily address when the explosion happened at 7:50 am (0650 GMT). Several witnesses described the blast as “thunderous” and the bloody aftermath as a scene of abandoned footwear, charred school books, bags and body parts. “There was an explosion detonated by a suicide bomber. We have 47 dead and 79 injured,” national police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said, adding that Boko Haram was believed to be responsible. Ojukwu also confirmed local media reports that the bomber was disguised as a student at the school, which has more than 1,000 pupils aged 15 to 20. Yobe state governor Ibrahim Gaidam ordered the immediate closure of all public schools in the Potiskum area and slammed the government in Abuja for failing to tackle the insurgency. “Urgent action must be taken right now to restore a fast-waning public confidence by doing whatever it takes to stop the escalating violence,” he said in a statement. Jonathan promised those affected that his government would find the culprits, “no matter how long it takes.” Blood-stained Uniforms Student Adamu Abdullahi said those at the centre of the blast near the principal’s office were flung in all directions and others were knocked off their feet. “I found myself under the weight of another student, who fell over me. I’m certain he was dead. I was dazed and disorientated for a moment,” he told AFP. “When I realised what had happened, I managed to push the body on top of me and started running like everyone else. It was confusion all over. Everybody was hysterical. “I saw many people on the ground. Human flesh and blood were splattered all over the place... I ran out of the school and went home. When my father saw me he was terrified. I didn’t realise my white school uniform was stained with human blood and bits of flesh.” The dead and injured were taken to the Potiskum General Hospital just 100 m away. Boko Haram, which wants to create a hardline Islamic state in northern Nigeria, has previously carried out deadly attacks on schools teaching a curriculum it deems to be Western. In February, gunmen killed at least 40 students after throwing explosives into the dormitory of a government boarding school in Buni Yadi, also in Yobe state. In July last year, 42 students were killed when Boko Haram stormed dormitories in a gun and bomb attack on a government boarding school in the village of Mamudo, near Potiskum. Boko Haram’s most high-profile attack on a school came in April, when fighters kidnapped 276 girls from the town of Chibok in Borno state, also in northeast Nigeria. More than six months later, 219 of the girls are still being held. Relentless Violence Potiskum has been repeatedly targeted in deadly attacks blamed on Boko Haram, including last Monday, when a suicide bombing killed at least 15 at a Shiite religious ceremony. Yobe is one of three northeastern states that has been under a state of emergency since May last year. But violence has continued unabated and Boko Haram has seized at least two dozen towns and villages in recent months, raising doubts about the government’s ability to control the region. Governor Gaidam said President Jonathan “has a very urgent responsibility to explain... why murderous and callous insurgent and criminal attacks are still on the rise”. Boko Haram fighters were seen in a new video obtained by AFP on Sunday parading a tank in an unidentified town that they apparently now control and Shekau preaching to locals. The message in the 44-minute video appeared to be aimed at reinforcing Shekau’s claim that he has created a caliphate within Nigeria. Jonathan vowed that the country would “overcome the current security challenges imposed by domestic terrorists and their foreign allies.” — AFP rights, cyber-espionage, and territorial disputes. The White House has said it expects “candid and in-depth conversations” between Obama and Xi. As well as the row with Japan - a US security ally which Washington is bound by treaty to defend if attacked -Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea has also rankled rival claimants to its waters. Another likely topic between Xi and Obama is North Korea, following the surprise weekend release of two Americans imprisoned by the secretive state. Beijing is Pyongyang’s closest ally. China put on a dazzling welcome for the APEC leaders, lighting up the capital’s huge Olympic park as they arrived for an opening banquet in high-collared traditional Chinese tunics with a sleek modern design. The event culminates today with a formal leaders’ summit. APEC kicks off a week of high-level summitry that will see Obama and other top leaders travel next to Myanmar for the East Asia Summit, followed by G20 talks in Brisbane, Australia. China is hosting APEC for the first time since 2001, when it was still re-emerging as a world economic power. But in a speech Sunday, Xi underlined how much has changed by offering his vision of an “Asia-Pacific dream”, in which China’s continued rise offers “infinite promise” to all. — Agencies TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 I N T E R N AT I O N A L Unrest spreads as woman killed in knife attacks JERUSALEM: An Israeli woman was killed and three others wounded yesterday in two separate Palestinian knife attacks as months of unrest in Jerusalem spread across Israel and the occupied West Bank. Yesterday’s violence began in Tel Aviv where a Palestinian teenager from the northern West Bank stabbed a 20-year-old soldier, leaving him in critical condition. The assailant fled but was arrested. Hours later, another Palestinian attacked three Israelis outside Alon Shvut settlement in the southern West Bank, killing a young woman and wounding two other people before he was shot dead by a security guard. The bloodshed took place after months of clashes and unrest in and around annexed east Jerusalem which spread to Arab areas of Israel at the weekend after police shot dead a young Arab-Israeli during a routine arrest operation. Since the summer, Israel has significantly increased police presence on the streets in a bid to rein in the unrest, but has been unable to stop a growing number of attacks by lone Palestinians, most of them in Jerusalem. But yesterday’s violence was further afield. “A car stopped at the hitchhiking stop at the entrance to Alon Shvut, the driver got out of the car and stabbed three civilians who were standing there,” police spokeswoman Luba Samri said of the incident in the southern West Bank. A woman of about 25 was killed and two men were lightly to moderately wounded, medics said. Police said all three were Jewish settlers. Their attacker, who was identified as Maher Hamdi AlHashlamon, was shot and seriously wounded by the settlement’s security guard. He was taken to a Jerusalem hospital for treatment but died of his wounds shortly afterwards, police said. Palestinian security sources said Hashlamon was from the southern city of Hebron. Tensions reach Tel Aviv Earlier, a Palestinian teenager from a refugee camp in the northern West Bank stabbed an Israeli soldier outside a Tel Aviv train station before fleeing the scene. He was later arrested. The soldier was critically wounded in the attack, which marked the first time Israel’s hedonistic commercial capital has been affected by the current wave of violence. “It was apparently an attack with nationalist motives. The suspect is a resident of the Nablus area,” police spokeswoman Samri said. The attacker was identified as 17-year-old Nureddine Abu Hashiyeh from Askar refugee camp near Nablus. His father, Khaled, said he was a painter and decorator by trade and had left for Tel Aviv on TEL AVIV: Paramedics treat an Israeli soldier after he was stabbed yesterday. — AP Sunday. The attacks came as Israel struggles to contain a growing wave of violence which has gripped annexed east Jerusalem for the past four months, but which has recently spread to Arab towns and villages inside the country. Anger initially erupted in Jerusalem in early July over the murder of a Palestinian teenager by young Jewish extremists. It has been fuelled by religious tensions at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, as well as by moves to expand settler presence in the occupied eastern sector of the holy city. Since August, there have been four deadly Palestinian attacks in Jerusalem - three of which were “hit-and-run terror attacks” which killed five Israelis - and one attempted drive-by shooting. All four perpetrators, who acted alone and came from east Jerusalem, were shot dead, sparking further unrest. Since July, police have arrested some 900 Palestinians for public order offences in east Jerusalem and indicted around a third of them. But at the weekend, the unrest spread after police shot dead a 22-yearold Arab-Israeli in Kufr Kana near the northern city of Nazareth, triggering a wave of rioting in Arab areas, some of which continued until early yesterday. Police claim the officers fired warning shots before shooting directly at him. But relatives say Kheir Hamdan was killed “in cold blood”, with CCTV images apparently contradicting the official version and showing an officer shooting at him as he was backing away from the scene. Following two days of clashes, 24 Arab-Israelis - 10 of them minors - were in court yesterday on charges of stone-throwing and other public order offences, police said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Sunday that anyone breaking the law would be “punished severely”. — AFP Egypt jihadists pledge loyalty to Islamic State Iraq probes leader’s fate MUSCAT: US Secretary of State John Kerry visits the Mattrah souk yesterday. — AFP Nuclear deal in balance at US-Iran talks in Oman MUSCAT: A hard-fought nuclear deal was at stake as Iran and the United States pushed yesterday to overcome deep differences at talks in Oman, with warnings that a final agreement may prove elusive. With a Nov 24 deadline hanging over the negotiations, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif were laying out their nations’ competing demands, but with no clear signs of a breakthrough. In their first comments since talks started Sunday in the Gulf sultanate, the top diplomats gave nothing away moments before an evening meeting began. Asked if they were making progress, as they appeared briefly for photographers, Zarif replied: “We will eventually.” “We are working hard. We are working hard,” Kerry said. US President Barack Obama said Sunday that a “big gap” remained on how the West can have “verifiable, lock-tight assurances” that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon. “We may not be able to get there,” Obama told CBS News. The Iranian delegation is under pressure to deliver a total lifting of US, UN and European sanctions under a final deal, something they want immediately but which Obama said would only be “slowly reduced” if Tehran meets its obligations. After more than five hours of talks on Sunday, Kerry and Zarif spoke for three hours starting yesterday morning. After an afternoon break, their negotiations resumed just after 6:30 pm (1830 GMT). Only one day of talks had been originally scheduled. The key sticking point is thought to be the number and type of uranium-enriching centrifuges Iran should be allowed to keep spinning in exchange for sanctions relief and rigorous inspections of its nuclear sites. Deal Already Out of Reach? Iran denies it is seeking a bomb and says its nuclear program aims to produce atomic energy to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels, requiring a massive increase in its ability to enrich uranium in coming years. The duration of a final settlement plan between Iran and the P5+1 group - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany - also remains contested, with Iran speaking of five years and world powers suggesting at least double that. Some analysts have said a deal may already be out of reach. “A full-fledged agreement is no longer possible before the deadline. What is still achievable is a breakthrough that could justify adding more time to the clock,” Ali Vaez, senior Iran analyst at the International Crisis Group, told AFP yesterday. “What is needed is a courageous political decision that neither side appears compelled to take until the 11th hour,” he said. The talks have already been extended once - when a July 20 deadline was missed. Despite the logjam, neither side has indicated that it would walk away from the table. The meetings in Muscat follow the revelation that Obama reportedly wrote to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to push for a deal, arguing that the Islamic republic and the West have shared regional interests. This apparent reference to the fight against Islamic State group militants in Syria and Iraq was played down by Kerry, however, with the US diplomat saying “there is no linkage whatsoever” with the nuclear talks. Domestic politics are also a factor, given the loss in midterm elections of the Senate by Obama’s Democrats to the Republican party, members of which have consistently bridled at the White House’s negotiations with Iran. If talks go sour in the coming weeks it is thought the US Congress may respond with fresh sanctions on Iran. Obama has the power to veto them, but the prospect of new penalties could push already protracted dealmaking towards being untenable for the Iranian government. Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani are under fire from lawmakers sceptical of the interim deal, which came into force in January, who have also said that a bigger, final agreement must be ratified by parliament. As if to drive that message home on Sunday, 200 Iranian MPs signed a statement demanding that Zarif’s negotiating team “vigorously defend” the country’s nuclear rights and ensure a “total lifting of sanctions”. — AFP Iran touts successful test of drone replica TEHRAN: Iran said yesterday that it has successfully tested its own version of a US-made drone based on one it captured in 2011. State TV quoted Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the aerospace division of the elite Revolutionary Guard, as saying the test was carried out earlier yesterday. “As we promised earlier this year, a test flight of the Iranian version of the RQ-170 was carried out and a video will be released soon,” he said. Iran had displayed the drone earlier this year. Iran has said it managed to reverse-engineer the RQ-170 Sentinel, seized in Dec 2011 after it entered Iranian airspace from neighboring Afghanistan, and that it’s capable of launching its own production line for the unmanned aircraft. Iran says it has captured several American drones in recent years, including a Boeing-designed ScanEagle drone - a less sophisticated aircraft - after it entered Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf. Tehran says it is also copying the ScanEagle and plans to put its version into service. Iran has accused the US of using drones to spy on the country’s nuclear program. The US and other Western nations have long suspected Iran is secretly pursuing a nuclear weapons capability alongside its civilian program. Tehran insists its nuclear program is entirely focused on peaceful applications like power generation and the production of medical isotopes. —AP BAGHDAD: The leader of the Islamic State organisation won the allegiance of Egypt’s deadliest militant group yesterday as Iraqi authorities investigated reports he had been killed or wounded in a US air strike. Egypt’s Ansar Beit alMaqdis, which has carried out a string of deadly attacks from its stronghold in the Sinai Peninsula, said it was pledging its loyalty to the selfdeclared IS “caliph”, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Speculation has swirled that Baghdadi, whose group has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, was killed or wounded in a US strike Friday on jihadist leaders in northern Iraq, but there has been no confirmation. “There is no accurate information and we are investigating,” a senior intelligence official told AFP on Monday when asked about Baghdadi’s fate. In a recording posted on its Twitter account, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis promised its loyalty to IS and urged other Muslims to do the same. “We announce our pledge of allegiance to the caliph Ibrahim Ibn Awad... to listen and obey,” the audio recording said, using another name for Baghdadi. “We call on all Muslims everywhere to pledge allegiance to the caliph and support him.” It was the most significant vow of support for IS in the region outside Iraq and Syria, suggesting its influence over militant groups is overshadowing its once dominant Al-Qaeda rivals. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, which means “Partisans of Jerusalem”, has killed scores of police and soldiers since the Egyptian army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July last year. The unknown speaker in the recording released said Ansar Beit al-Maqdis decided to join the Islamic State group, “whose emergence resembles a new dawn raising the banner of monotheism”. The speaker said Baghdadi was “chosen by God” to establish a new caliphate after “Muslims suffered decades of humiliation”. The speaker went on to urge Egyptians to rise up against what he called “the tyrant”, apparently referring to President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, who was elected earlier this year after leading the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 amid massive protests demanding his resignation. “What are you waiting for, after your honor has been aggressed upon and your sons’ blood has been shed at the hands of this tyrant and his soldiers?” the audio statement said. In a separate statement posted on its Twitter account, the group said the Egyptian army was bent on emptying the border town of Rafah. “A whole town is removed from the map and no one stands in the face of this aggression or asks about the fate of its children, women and elderly ones,” the statement said. It said the plan is to CAIRO: Egyptian policewomen chat during a graduation ceremony for a training course on security that included participants from several African and Commonwealth countries at the Police Academy yesterday. The course was organized jointly by the Egyptian Agency for Development Partnership and the Police Academy with the goal of developing capacity-building in the participating countries. — AP turn the border area into army barracks to “protect their masters, the Jews, from the blows of the mujahideen, and to blockade Gaza”. It went on to refer to Sisi by name as a “loyal guard dog” for Israel. Neither statement referred to the earlier denial that the group had pledged allegiance to Baghdadi. Egypt has long sought to link the radical Sinai group with Morsi’s now-banned Muslim Brotherhood, accusing both of being behind the wave of violence since his ouster. But the Ansar Beit al-Maqdis statement took a veiled shot at the Brotherhood, saying “peaceful means and infidel democracy are not of any benefit to you”. The Brotherhood, which publicly renounced violence decades ago and has condemned the recent attacks, won a series of elections following the 2011 uprising that toppled long-ruling autocrat Hosni Mubarak. But the Islamist group later alienated many Egyptians, who accused it of monopolizing power. Strike Hit IS Gathering IS declared a “caliphate” in areas under its control in June, imposing its harsh interpretation of Islamic law and committing widespread atrocities. Concerned after it overran large parts of Iraq from its previous base in Syria, Washington forged a coalition of Western and Arab allies to launch air raids against the group in both countries. The US military said yesterday that the coalition had carried out 23 strikes in Syria and 18 in Iraq between Nov 7 and Nov 10. The Pentagon said earlier that strikes late on Friday hit a gathering of IS leaders in areas of the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, sparking reports that Baghdadi may have been killed or wounded there, or in a separate strike in western Anbar province. The death of the elusive IS leader would be a major victory for the coalition, but US and Iraqi officials have so far been unable to confirm he was targeted. It is unclear whether officials even know if he was at the gathering, given the dearth of intelligence from IS-held areas of Iraq and Syria. US President Barack Obama said Sunday that the battle against IS was entering a “new phase” after months of air strikes, with the focus moving to tackling the jihadists on the ground. “Rather than just try to halt (IS’) momentum, we’re now in a position to start going on some offence,” Obama said, after earlier unveiling plans to send up to 1,500 more American troops to Iraq to advise and train its forces. Obama, who pulled US forces from Iraq in 2011, again vowed they would not be engaged in combat under the new mission. — Agencies Assad ready to study UN plan DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad said yesterday he was ready to study a UN plan to “freeze” fighting in the northern city of Aleppo, a statement from his office said. “President Assad has been informed by (UN envoy Staffan) de Mistura of the main points of his initiative,” said the statement issued after the two men held talks in Damascus. “(Assad) said it was worthy of study and that work on it is needed... in order to re-establish security in Aleppo,” it added. It is De Mistura’s second visit to Syria since he was appointed peace envoy in July. On Oct 30, De Mistura put forward an “action plan” for Syria that proposed to “freeze” fighting in local areas to allow for aid deliveries and to lay the groundwork for peace talks. According to the Syrian presidency Facebook page, Assad emphasised “the importance of Aleppo”, which rebels and the army have been fighting over since July 2012. State news agency SANA, meanwhile, quoted De Mistura as saying he was determined to ensure that his mission succeeds. The envoy had previously said Aleppo would be a “good candidate” to become a “freeze” zone. The city has been split into rebel- and armyheld areas since a major insurgent offensive began there. Since Dec 2013, regime warplanes have carried out near daily air raids targeting rebel-held districts of what was once Syria’s economic capital, reportedly killing mostly civilians, defying a UN Security Council ban on such strikes. Waddah Abd Rabbo, editor of pro-regime AlWatan newspaper, said Damascus supports any “plan that can save lives, but such a plan should not be accepted by one side and rejected by the other”. Abd Rabbo told AFP: “The ball is in De Mistura’s court. He must convince the rebels, and above all the countries that support them.” He singled out Turkey, “which allows weapons and terrorists into Aleppo” across its border with Syria. Since the start of the anti-Assad revolt in 2011, the regime has branded all of its opponents - both peaceful and armed - as “terrorists”, and has blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey for the violence that has engulfed the country. De Mistura’s predecessors Lakhdar Brahimi and Kofi Annan tried several times but failed to implement a ceasefire in Syria. Two rounds of talks between the regime and the exiled opposition earlier this year brought no result. Syria’s war has killed more than 195,000 people and forced upwards of half the population to flee their homes. — AFP DAMASCUS: United Nations special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura (left) speaks with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad yesterday. — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 I N T E R N AT I O N A L New WWII book details story of вЂ�First SEALS’ ALBANY, New York: Before there were heavily armed Navy SEALs conducting nighttime helicopter raids, there were guys like Frank Monteleone landing on beaches in the dark on two-man motorized rafts dubbed “flying mattresses”. The Brooklyn-born Monteleone was a member of an elite commando force within the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA. Created after the United States entered World War II, the OSS pioneered many of the intelligencegathering techniques and commandostyle tactics used by today’s US special forces. The spy agency’s Maritime Unit, formed in 1943, shares the credit for setting the foundation for what would In this undated photo taken during World War II, Frank Monteleone (center) is seen with other members of the Maritime Unit of the Office of Strategic Services while serving in the Mediterranean theater attached to the British Eighth Army. — AP become the Navy SEALs, created in 1962 during the Kennedy administration. Often only armed with knives and wearing nothing more than swim trunks and flippers, the Maritime Unit’s combat swimmers and other operatives carried out seaborne clandestine missions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean theaters of World War II. Their story is told in a new book published last month, “First SEALS: The Untold Story of the Forging of America’s Most Elite Unit.” The book’s release comes as two members of the SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011 are making headlines and drawing criticism from US military authorities for going public about their roles in taking down the terrorist leader inside his compound in Pakistan. “I’ve always wanted to do a book on these (World War II) guys,” said author Patrick K O’Donnell. “ The bin Laden raid was sort of the culmination of what all these men had built from 1943 to 1945.” O’Donnell, the author of eight previous books on WWII military and intelligence history, had met Monteleone 15 years ago while researching a book on the OSS, which was led by Gen William “Wild Bill” Donovan, a Buffalo-born Wall Street lawyer. For the Maritime Unit, Donovan’s OSS recruiters sought out yachtsmen, Olympic-caliber swimmers and California “beach rats” - lifeguards and surfers. Monteleone, the son of Italian immigrants, was recruited by the OSS because he spoke fluent Italian and was trained as a Navy radio operator. “The radio operator was the key to the mission,” O’Donnell said. “If you could not send and receive information on missions behind the lines, you were dead.” Monteleone, 89, said he went through “all kinds of training” with the OSS, including demolition and hand-to-hand combat, but had missed out on parachute training, a must for any OSS operator. Once in the Mediterranean Theater, his detachment was assigned to the British Eighth Army. “When they sent me to the British, they wanted to know if I had jump training,” Monteleone, a retired tailor living in Staten Island, told The Associated Press in telephone interview. “I said no, and they gave it to me right then and there.” Monteleone said he conducted dangerous missions nearly the entire length of Italy, from the beaches at Anzio to the Alps, often working with Italian partisans behind the lines. Some of the missions entailed landing on beaches at night using the inflated craft that resembled mattresses and were powered by silent electrical motors. Monteleone and his Italian comrades had another name for the teardrop-shaped vessel - “tartuga”, Italian for turtle. Approximately 13,000 people served in the OSS during the war, but only a few hundred were in the Maritime Unit. O’Donnell believes Monteleone may be one of the last still living. Another member included in the book is Gordon Soltau, a combat swimmer considered one of the Navy’s first “frogmen.” Soltau, who starred for the San Francisco 49ers during the 1950s, died in California at 89 on Oct 26, just days before “First SEALs” was published. — AP For Obama, some relief in Democratic losses US president feels liberated WASHINGTON: The morning after Democrats’ thrashing in the midterm elections, President Barack Obama unexpectedly dropped by his senior staff’s daily meeting to buck up his exhausted and defeated team. Rather than bemoan his party’s loss of control in the Senate, Obama made an impassioned case for what he saw as the opportunities ahead and argued that his team still ran the most powerful institution in the world. He would echo those sentiments hours later in a post-election news conference, displaying a sunny outlook that ran counter to the electorate’s gloomy mood. White House officials say Obama’s optimism reflects a president who feels liberated by even the limited prospects for striking deals with a Republican Congress and relieved about shedding the narrow Democratic majority that would have guaranteed Washington stayed locked in a stalemate. Aides also have concluded that the political landscape leaves Obama with little ability to help Democrats regain Senate control in 2016, freeing the president to concentrate on finding areas of compromise with the GOP rather than on stacking his agenda with items his party can run on in the next election. Some Democrats expect heightened tensions between the president and his party, which doesn’t want to give Republicans any veneer of competency or effectiveness as the next election cycle lurches forward. “To the extent that the president wants to cooperate, depending on the issue, that’s likely to tick off a good portion of the Democratic caucus,” said Patrick Griffin, a Democratic lobbyist who handled legislative affairs in President Bill Clinton’s White House. Whether Obama and Republicans can actually find common ground is deeply uncertain. Both sides have talked about their desire to work on issues like tax reform, infrastructure and trade. But Republicans have warned that it may be impossible to start talks on those matters if the president proceeds with plans to issue immigration executive orders before the end the year, a pledge Obama insists he intends to keep. “I don’t know why he would want to sabotage his last two years as president by doing something this provocative,” Sen John Cornyn said Friday following a White House meeting between the president and lawmakers. Immigration aside, even where both sides share policy goals they still would have to work through significant differences. Obama says his governing failures stem less from a lack of compromise and more from an inability to be a good enough salesman for his ideas. It’s a view that Republicans flatly reject but that Obama reiterat- BEIJING: US President Barack Obama waves from Air Force One as he arrives for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit at Beijing Capital International Airport yesterday. — AP ed in an interview that aired Sunday on CBS’s some Obama advisers quietly questioned that “Face the Nation”. “One thing that I do need to strategy, arguing that the president still had the constantly remind myself and my team of,” he ability to turn out his supporters - many of whom said, “is it’s not enough just to build a better ultimately stayed home on Election Day. And in a stunning break with Washington mousetrap. We’ve got to sell it. We’ve got to reach out to the other side and, where possible, decorum, Reid’s chief of staff used an interview with The Washington Post to sharply criticize the persuade.” president as a drag on the party. One congressional official described the comments from Reid Presidential Life-cycle White House officials cast any growing chasm aide David Krone as a “venting” that reflected between Obama and fellow Democrats as simply frustration that had been building up since the part of the life-cycle of a presidency, particularly White House’s botched rollout of the enrollment when the sitting president’s party is in the con- website for Obama’s health care law. White House officials were furious, calling gressional minority heading into the next campaign. Officials say they’re also well aware that Krone’s behavior “unprofessional”. To some Democrats are starting to look for a new leader Democrats, the notion that the president may to rally around and expect potential Democratic now use his final two years in office seeking legapresidential candidates like Hillary Rodham cy-building compromises with Republicans Clinton to break with Obama at times as they try rather than helping the party position itself for to build the party’s next chapter. “The fact of the 2016 comes as little surprise and fits with their matter is this is the time in any president’s tenure long-held belief that Obama is a political figure where their congressional allies on the Hill and who operates in isolation. But White House officials argue that Democrats their interests begin to diverge more than ever,” said Jim Manley, a former top adviser to current would also benefit from successful compromise Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is soon legislation. The officials, who insisted on anonymity in order to discuss the administration’s thinking to be relegated to minority status. Yet the midterm election season underscored following the election, say Obama has no plans to that there already were fissures in the relation- fold to every Republican demand or compromise ship between the president and Democrats. Wary his principles to reach a deal. If that positioning of the president’s paltry approval ratings, nearly results in agreements on issues like tax reform and all Democratic candidates in tough races tried to infrastructure investments, they say Democrats distance themselves from him and refused to be could - and should - be able to run on those victoseen with Obama on the campaign trail. In turn, ries two years from now. — AP p10 2_Layout 1 11/10/14 9:36 PM Page 1 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 I N T E R N AT I O N A L Cameron: Britain should not stay in EU вЂ�come what may’ LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron said yesterday that Britain should not be willing to stay in the European Union “come what may”, as his main political rival said the promise of a referendum on membership of the bloc was creating uncertainty for businesses. In a bid to quell dissent among his own lawmakers and win back voters who have defected to the anti-EU UK Independence Par ty, Cameron has pledged to renegotiate Britain’s EU ties before offering a membership referendum in 2017 if he is re-elected next year. Opposition Labor leader Ed Miliband told business leaders that those who “flirt” with pulling Britain out of the EU were putting millions of jobs at risk by generating uncertainty. But, speaking at the same event, Cameron said ignoring that there was a debate over Europe would be the “worst thing to do”. “Britain’s future in Europe matters to our country and it isn’t working properly for us at the moment, and that is why we need to make changes,” Cameron said. “Simply standing here and just saying: вЂ�I will stay in Europe, I will stick with whatever we have, come what may’ ... that is not a plan and that won’t work.” He said the level of investment into Britain under his Conservative-led government showed that the issue was not a deterrent. Miliband, hoping to cash in on fears among some business groups that a Conservative election win could cost them unfettered access to the EU’s single market of 500 million people, said Britain’s national interest was being damaged. “Every nod and wink to those who want to leave sends a message to potential investors that we are not open for business, that our country is a dangerous bet,” he said. “Trying to use exit as a threat has actually weakened our influence in Europe, not strengthened it ... I will not be part of it. If I am prime minister I will never risk British businesses, British jobs, British prosperity by playing political games with our membership of the European Union.” Cameron has in recent months battled other EU countries over the leadership of the EU executive, the Commission, and the EU budget, and has provoked warnings from other EU leaders with talk of trying to limit immigration from within the EU. Some of Cameron’s Eurosceptic lawmakers were set to rebel yesterday in a vote on whether to continue honoring EU laws allowing the arrest of criminal suspects in other member states. The government plans to include the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) in a package of EU justice and policing measures it wants to keep after Dec. 1, when it will drop other EU justice rules. A number of Cameron’s Conservatives believe the EAW to be an unnecessary level of integration. The vote is still set to pass easily, with the back ing of Labor and the Liberal Democrats.—Reuters Scandinavian jet вЂ�nearly crashed into Russian warplane’ LONDON: A Scandinavian airliner carrying 132 passengers nearly crashed earlier this year into a Russian warplane that was flying covertly, a study of Russia-West military incidents said yesterday. Swedish media reported that the two planes came within 90 metres (300 feet) of each other in the air some 50 miles (80 kilometres) southeast of the Swedish city of Malmo on March 3. “A collision was apparently avoided thanks only to good visibility and the alertness of the passenger plane pilots,” the European Leadership Network (ELN) think-tank’s report said. The Scandinavian Airlines Boeing 737 was on its way from Copenhagen to Rome. The Russian reconnaissance plane “did not transmit its position”, said the report “Dangerous Brinkmanship: Close Military Encounters Between Russia and the West in 2014”. The narrowly avoided incident would have been “comparable to the tragedy of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine”, it said, referring to the downing of the Malaysia Airlines plane on July 17 in which 298 people died. The report listed a total of 45 incidents so far this year-almost all of them linked to air and naval war games in different parts of the world including the Pacific. The SAS incident was classified as “high risk”, along with two others: the alleged abduction of an Estonian security service operative by Russian agents from an Estonian border post on September 5 and the reports of “foreign underwater activity” off the Swedish coast last month. The study also counted 11 “serious incidents with escalation risk” including four cases of “harassment” of US and Swedish planes in international airspace by armed Russian fighter jets. Among the 11 were also two cases of Russian aircraft conducting close overflights over Canadian and US ships in the Black Sea and Russian aircraft violating Swedish airspace on a mock “bombing raid” mission and Russian planes conducting a mock attack on the heavily populated Danish island of Bornholm. The Soviet Union’s last leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Saturday warned that the world was on the “brink of a new Cold War” at an event to mark 25 years since the Berlin Wall’s fall. The crisis in Ukraine has escalated tensions between Russia and the West to their highest level since the end of the Cold War and increased Russian air activity over Europe during the past year has rattled the nerves of NATO alliance members. —AFP AMSTERDAM: Grieving family members and friends of victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 disaster gathered around 298 candles representing the victims during a national commemoration ceremony in Amsterdam yesterday. — AP Tanks move to Donetsk as fears of all-out war grow in Ukraine MH17 families mourn at somber Amsterdam event DONETSK: The leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko (second left), is surrounded by armed men yesterday as he heads to take part in Police Day celebrations of the republic in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. — AFP Romanian minister resigns to protest vote pressure BUCHAREST: Romania’s foreign minister resigned yesterday amid complaints that Romanians living abroad were unable to vote in the country’s presidential election. Romanians in Paris, London, Munich and elsewhere said they had to stand in line for hours and were unable to vote in the Nov. 2 election. In Romania, thousands of people protested against the government this weekend, saying it prevented expats - most of whom oppose the government - from voting. Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean stepped down, saying he was being pressured ahead of the Nov. 16 presidential runoff to allow extra polling booths, which he claims would break the country’s voting rules. Commentator Cristian Tudor Popescu said Prime Minister Victor Ponta had made a mistake by making it difficult for Romanians to vote for a new leader - something now perceived as a fundamental right gained after the country’s bloody 1989 anti-communist revolt. The ministr y announced Sunday it would send 800 officials to embassies and consular offices to help speed up expat voting but protests have continued. Ponta replaced the foreign minister with ally Teodor Melescanu, the 73-year-old former head of Romania’s foreign intelligence service, who also ran for president in the first round. “We will ensure all the necessary conditions so that (people) can vote in and outside the country,” Ponta said. Ponta faces Klaus Iohannis, mayor of the central city of Sibiu, in the Nov. 16 runoff, which Ponta is expected to win. — AP African Union chief in Burkina Faso for transition talks OUAGADOUGOU: The chief of the African Union yesterday arrived in Burkina Faso for urgent talks on the west African country’s political transition following the ouster of veteran president Blaise Compaore. “We have come to participate in a solution,” Mauritania’s president and current AU head Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz said after talks with Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac Zida, the officer the army installed to lead the nation after Compaore fled. Abdel Aziz’s visit came a day after the opposition and civil society groups agreed on a blueprint for transition that provides for new elections in a year. The deal now has to be negotiated with the military, which is under international pressure to stand down. After publicly embracing Zida, the AU head went straight into private talks with the soldier in a lounge at Ouagadougou airport. No details emerged from their discussion, which preceded talks in the city itself between Abdel Aziz and other parties to the political process. “The African Union has not come to sanction Burkina Faso,” Abdel Aziz stated on emerging from the talks with Zida, adding that a settlement would come from “the Burkinabe people”. The AU chief then travelled to a luxury hotel in the capital for meetings with opposition politicians and leaders of civil society, as well as loyalists who had backed the increasingly unpopular Compaore in office. “The African Union is there to accompany them (parties to transition). They have already taken the essential steps for more democracy in their country,” Abdel Aziz said. Though Zida’s regime rejected a recent ultimatum from the AU to stand down within a fortnight, Abdel Aziz said he wanted “to congratulate” all parties to the succession crisis and urged them to go on working together “in tranquility, security and social peace”.Compaore first seized power in a 1987 coup that killed his predecessor and former comrade-in-arms Thomas Sankara, a widely popular Marxist and reformer under whom the name of the country was changed from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Upright People”.— AFP SHAKHTARSK, Ukraine: New unidentified armored columns rumbled toward the proMoscow rebel stronghold of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine yesterday as fears grew of a return to allout fighting in the war-torn region. The Netherlands meanwhile held an emotional ceremony for the 298 victims of flight MH17 shot down over the separatist-held eastern Ukraine in July, in a tragedy that brought the conflict in the ex-Soviet state to the international fore. Some 1,600 relatives and friends of the dead from 18 countries gathered alongside members of the Dutch royal family for the somber event in Amsterdam where the names and ages of those who perished were read out. Ukraine and the West blame Russia for supplying the pro-Kremlin separatists with the missile that shot down the plane, while Moscow and the rebels have pointed the finger at Kiev’s forces. On the ground in Ukraine, intense weekend shelling around Donetsk and more armoured columns seen heading to the city ratcheted up concerns the rebels could be gearing up for an offensive after weeks of localized skirmishes. An AFP journalist saw a total of 28 trucks, six tanks and 14 howitzer cannons driving through rebel territory around Donetsk yesterday. The White House followed Europe by expressing grave concern at reports of Russian military reinforcements, warning that any separatist efforts to seize more territory would be a “blatant violation” of a September ceasefire agreement that had halted full-scale fighting but failed to stop shelling at key flashpoints. Ukraine’s military on Monday repeated allegations that Moscow is sending columns of heavy armour and men across the frontier, saying there was “no doubt” that the deployments were being commanded by the Russian army. Russia has repeatedly denied that it is involved in the fighting in the east. However, it openly gives the rebels political and humanitarian backing and it is not clear how the insurgents could otherwise have access to so much sophisticated and well-maintained weaponry. AFP journalists reported sporadic shelling in Donetsk overnight, some 24 hours after heavy bombardments rocked the rebel bastion in some of the fiercest fighting there since the September 5 truce deal. Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five wounded as government positions came under artillery fire around the region, the military said. Some 4,000 people have died in the war since April, according to UN figures. MH17 memorial At the MH17 ceremony in Amsterdam, large candles burned in memory of the victims, 193 of whom were Dutch citizens. “They will not be forgotten, the beautiful warm and touching memories are forever,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. Anton Kotte, who lost three relatives in the crash, said for the bereaved the time since the disaster had been like being stuck together on a train that never stopped. “We didn’t know each other but we are partners in misfortune,” said Kotte. The remains of 289 of the victims have so far been identified but the Dutch foreign minister has admitted that the remaining dead may never be recovered as the security situation around the crash site remains volatile. Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that shelling at the location by Ukrainian forces was preventing an international probe at a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing. Dutch investigators have made four visits to the site since the signing of the ceasefire in September, but The Hague says it does not know when they will be able to recover the wreckage of the plane. Putin on tour The conflict in Ukraine has sent relations between Western backers of Ukraine and Russia to their lowest levels since the end of the Cold War. Russian President Vladimir Putin embarked on a fraught week of diplomacy at the APEC summit in Beijing and Group of 20 meeting in Brisbane, Australia, where he looks likely to face a hostile reception from Western leaders. Russia’s economy is suffering from European Union and US sanctions imposed in response to Moscow’s support for the separatists, with the ruble losing some 25 percent of its value this year. But Putin sounded a confident note as he shrugged off concerns over the ruble’s collapse, putting it down to short-term speculation as the national currency rallied yesterday. “I think it will stop soon given the actions taken by the central bank in response to speculators,” Putin said in a speech in Beijing. —AFP In France, a WWI soldier’s bedroom frozen in time BELABRE, France: The dust and cobwebs lie thick after nearly a century, but the memory of the French soldier who grew up in this bedroom-and who died in Belgium in World War I-is today as vivid as the sunlight streaming through the window. Dragoons officer Hubert Rochereau’s presence permeates the place. It emanates from photos and from the second lieutenant’s various possessions-uniforms, riding trophies, books-frozen in time on the top floor of a large home in Belabre, a small village in central France. The vivid vestiges of Rochereau’s short life are a testament to the grief his parents felt upon learning of the death of their only son on April 26, 1918, at the age of just 21. So deep was their bereavement, in fact, that they sought to have his memory live on when they sold the house, stipulating in the deed of sale that their beloved son’s bedroom must go untouched for 500 years. The current owner, Daniel Fabre, has observed their wishes. “It’s not an act of devotion but of historic preservation,” he said. But the clause itself “has no legal basis,” he notes. “You can’t keep something preserved that way for 500 years under French law.” Fabre, a 72-year-old retired civil servant, took over the large house after the death a decade ago of his wife, who had inherited it from her grandfather. He proudly shows off the small and tidy room where Rochereau was born, timeworn but remarkably intact. Cobwebs stretch between a moth-eaten uniform jacket and a wooden desk upon which lies the bric-a-brac that Rochereau collected, including an antique pistol, military manuals, a pipe and a tin of tobacco. Dust hangs in the air. Yet the small single bed-covered by a lace spread, the soldier’s military academy cap and his posthumous medals-looks as if it were just made. Above it hangs a big sepia portrait of young Rocherau in military dress, with a moustache, his gaze direct. A memory of the man who died in a British field hospital the day after being wounded when Germans overran his unit’s position in Kimmelberg, a hill in West Flanders. Never to be open to the public On the walls of the bedroom are artefacts from Rochereau’s interest in things military, notably swords and bayonets. “I believe this is a German bayonet from the First World War,” Fabre says, touching one blade. “The rest must date from Napoleon’s time, or I don’t know when.” Fabre, while respectful of the place, is not sentimental. He has not sought publicity for the bedroom, nor does he feel any attachment to the spectral occupant whose belongings he watches over. His main concern is that his spacious residence not be overrun by tourists or World War I buffs. He has no plans to open the private memorial to the public, and even asks journalists not to provide images or details that could identify his property from the outside. “I especially don’t want to be invaded,” he says. “Certainly not. After all, this is my home.”—AFP LONDON: A picture shows ceramic poppies from the “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red” installation by ceramic artist Paul Cummins and theatre stage designer Tom Piper, marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, in the moat area of the Tower of London yesterday.—AFP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 I N T E R N AT I O N A L Pakistani schools network observes anti-Malala day ISLAMABAD: An association of Pakistani schools held an “I am not Malala” day yesterday, condemning young Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai for what it called her support for controversial novelist Salman Rushdie. Education campaigner Malala was shot in the head by the Taleban in October 2012 but recovered and went on to win this year’s Nobel peace prize. The 17-year-old has been hailed around the world for standing up for girls’ rights to education, but the response to her in Pakistan has not been universally positive, with some seeing her as a “Western agent” on a mission to shame her country. The All Pakistan Private Schools Federation last year barred its members from buying Malala’s memoir “I am Malala” because of what the group said was its “anti-Pakistan and anti-Islam content.” It said the book, written with British journalist Christina Lamb, was too sympathetic to British novelist Rushdie. Rushdie in 1989 became the target of an Iranian fatwa. Mirza Kashif Ali, the presi- dent of the schools’ federation, said in a statement it was “clear that Malala has nexus with Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasrin, and also has alignment with Salman Rushdie’s ideological club”. “We severely condemned the chapter of the book in which Salman Rushdie’s book has been mentioned as freedom of expression by Malala while referring to father’s views,” Ali said. He said walks, seminars and press conferences were held to highlight the “I am not Malala” day. Bangladeshi author Nasrin was forced to flee her homeland in 1994 after radical Muslims accused her of blasphemy over her novel “Lajja” (Shame), in which a Hindu family is persecuted by Muslims. Blasphemy is a sensitive issue in Pakistan also, where it can carry the death penalty. Malala’s book describes her life under the Taleban’s brutal rule in northwest Pakistan’s Swat valley in the mid-2000s, hints at her ambition to enter Pakistani politics and even describes her father’s brief flirtation with Islamic fundamental- ism as a youngster. The book describes public floggings by the Taleban, their ban on television, dancing and music, and the family’s decision to flee Swat along with nearly one million others in 2009 amid heavy fighting between the militants and Pakistani troops. Malala, who lives in Britain where she went for treatment after being shot, was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October alongside India’s 60year-old Kailash Satyarthi for their championing of children’s rights. — AFP India’s Modi names yoga minister in major shakeup 21 new faces in pro-reform cabinet NEW DELHI: Indian children pose with placards during a protest against sexual violence organized by the Communist party of India (Marxist) in New Delhi. A study released by the UN World Population Fund and the Washington-based International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) yesterday said that six out of 10 Indian men admit they have acted violently against their wives or girlfriends, with those facing financial difficulties more likely to carry out abuse. —AFP Six in 10 Indian men admit violence against partner: Study NEW DELHI: Six out of 10 Indian men admit they have acted violently against their wives or girlfriends, with those facing financial difficulties more likely to carry out abuse, a study released yesterday said. Some 52 percent of women surveyed across the country reported suffering some form of physical, emotional or sexual violence in their lifetime, including being kicked, hit, choked and burned, the study said. The report by the UN World Population Fund and the Washingtonbased International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) underscores the high rates of abuse facing women in the deeply patriarchal country. “The study puts a spotlight on the high prevalence of intimate partner violence in India,” the study said. “Regardless of age, men who experience economic stress were more likely to have perpetrated violence ever or in the past 12 months,” according to the study called “Masculinity, Intimate Par tner Violence and Son Preference”. “Educated men and women who were 35 years old or more were less likely to perpetrate or experience vio- lence,” it also said. India has faced intense scrutiny in recent years in the wake of a series of high-profile rapes that have unleashed a wave of public anger against its violent treatment of women. The fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old student on a bus in Delhi in December 2012 sparked massive street protests and led to tougher laws for sexual offenders. Despite the laws, horrific violence against women continues to hit the headlines on a daily basis, with experts stressing the need to better educate young men about the importance of sexual equality and respect. The study is based on interviews with more than 9,000 men and 3,000 women aged 18 to 49 and conducted across seven Indian states. “ We need a holistic approach to tackling violence and deeply ingrained harmful norms,” ICRW regional director Ravi Verma said in a blog post on the centre’s website. “It is imperative that we reach boys at the early stages of childhood to teach them healthy and non-violent forms of masculinity while their identities are being formed.” — AFP NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appointed a yoga minister as part of a major revamp of his government after storming to power in May. Modi, a vegetarian who practices yoga daily, strengthened his right-wing government on Sunday by appointing 21 new ministers as he tries to speed up reform of the faltering economy. Among the portfolios designated late Sunday was that of AAYUSH, whose minister will be charged with promoting the traditional medicines and practices of Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy. Modi asked the United Nations in September to consider an international yoga day and also discussed the ancient Indian discipline with President Barack Obama during his visit to the United States. “Congratulations to all colleagues who have taken oath today. Looking forward to working with them to accelerate India’s development journey,” Modi said in a tweet late Sunday. Modi added four new ministers to his cabinet and 17 junior ministers for a 66-strong government. AAYUSH was previously part of the health minister’s responsibility, but has become a separate portfolio under former tourism minister Shripad Yesso Naik after Sunday’s reshuffle. Among other changes, suave regional leader Manohar Parrikar was handed the defence ministry and charged with modernising the ageing armed forces. Parrikar’s appointment will ease the burden on Arun Jaitley, who had been juggling both the defence and finance ministries since the government took office in May, while battling ill-health. Focus on economy Jaitley also takes information and broadcasting under the revamp, but will be mostly free to focus on steering through difficult reforms pledged during the election campaign to revive the faltering economy. Parrikar, with a reputation for clean government during his time as chief minister of tourism state Goa, will be expected to speed up long-delayed defence orders and overhaul the country’s Soviet-era military hardware. A series of corruption scandals under the previous Congress government had brought defence procurement to a near-standstill. Jayant Sinha, the Harvard-educated son of a former finance minister, was named junior minister for finance, underlining Modi’s priority to boost business and attract foreign investment. In recent days Modi has unleashed a series of reforms, scrapping fuel subsidies, simplifying labour rules and pledging to open coal mining to private players. But the government has so far steered clear of “big bang” initiatives that economists say are needed to boost investment and manufacturing. Sinha said his priorities would be to create jobs and keep inflation in check. “First and foremost, creating jobs is very important for us and for the economy,” Sinha told reporters in Delhi after taking charge. “The second (priority) area is obviously managing inflation... this year we are expecting growth to pick up and then to be on the NEW DELHI: Newly appointed Indian Yoga Minister Shripad Yesso Naik speaks on a telephone at his residence in New Delhi yesterday.—AFP accelerating growth trajectory.” The economy last year grew by 4.7 percent, the weakest pace in nearly a decade, while steep interest rates aimed at fighting stubborn inflation and a fall in the rupee have eaten into corporate profits. The railways portfolio was given to Suresh Prabhu, a veteran leader of the Hindu hardline regional Shiv Sena par ty who switched allegiance to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony. — AFP India top court lifts ban on female makeup artists NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court yesterday ordered the lifting of a ban on women working as makeup artists in the movie industry, ending a decades-long discriminatory practice. India’s film industry is among the most prolific in the world with nearly 1,500 films produced annually, most of them in Bollywood, as the Mumbai Hindi film industry is called. The Cine Costume Makeup Artists and Hair Dressers Association had an unofficial ban on women as makeup artists, though they could work as hairdressers to the stars. Judge Dipak Misra also struck down a regulation that people had to live in a particular city or town for five years to become a member of the association. The court order came on a petition by makeup artist Charu Khurana, whose case was supported by the National Commission for Women, a state organization that protects women’s rights. Khurana trained at the Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles but said she found it impossible to get work as a makeup artist in Bollywood. When film producers wanted to hire her, the CCMAA objected, saying she could not flout the nearly 6-decade-old tra- dition. Khurana told reporters that the CCMAA rejected her application for a makeup artist identification card because she was a woman. “I wanted to fight back. I wanted to earn a livelihood in the field that I have been trained,” Khurana said. “The film fraternity knew about this unconstitutional practice for so many years, but no one resisted it.” Misra heard arguments from both sides last week and was outspoken in his criticism. “How can it be said that only men can be makeup artists and women can be hairdressers? We don’t see a reason to prohibit a woman from becoming a makeup artist if she is qualified,” Misra said. In telling the association to remove the gender clause, the judge said: “We are in 2014, not in 1935. Such things cannot continue even for a day.” The association said it was only trying to ensure that male makeup artists were not deprived of work in the film industry. Film stars welcomed the ruling, saying male makeup artists should not feel threatened with the court’s order. “If makeup artists are good at their job, they will be hired, no matter whether they are male or female,” actress Sonam Kapoor said. —AP KABUL: An Afghan policeman keeps watch at the scene of the roadside bomb blast in Kabul yesterday.—AFP Taleban bombs kill 10 Afghanistan police KABUL: Bombs exploded in three cities in Afghanistan yesterday k illing at least 10 policemen, officials said, a day after a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself in Kabul’s police headquarters killing one person. The Taliban were ousted from power in 2001 by US-led forces and they have been fighting ever since to oust foreign troops and the US-backed government, even as most foreign forces are pulling out by the end of this year. The militants claimed responsibility for two of the attacks, which killed the policemen, seven of them in the eastern province of Logar province when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the provincial police headquarters. In Nangarhar province, also in the east, three policemen were killed in the city of Jalalabad by a bomb planted in a rickshaw, officials said. It was not clear who was behind the third blast, in Kabul, caused by a bomb planted in a flower bed near a university. It wounded three people. Taliban violence has increased as foreign troops have withdrawn, leaving Afghan security forces to fight alone or with limited air support. The police and army have suffered heavy losses as a result. A top US commander in Afghanistan recently said the casualty rate among Afghan government forces was “not sustainable”. The Taleban also claimed responsibility for the Sunday suicide bomb attack on police headquarters in the capital. —Reuters Pakistani court remands 4 in lynching of Christians LAHORE: A Pak istani cour t yesterday remanded in custody four people accused of burning to death a Christian couple for alleged blasphemy-k illings which have sparked nationwide anger. Bonded laborer Shehzad Masih and his pregnant wife Shama Bibi were beaten by a mob of 1,500 people then thrown on top of a lit furnace last week. The horrific incident on November 4 has sparked outrage and protests across Pakistan. Police have arrested more than 40 suspects. Politicians, ordinary citizens, religious scholars and rights activists from different schools of thought have voiced anger at the brutal crime-a rare reaction in mainly Muslim Pakistan to the killing of people from a minority faith. “The police produced four suspects in anti-terrorism court and the judge remanded them into police custody for further interro- gation till November 19,” a prosecution official said. He said 39 more suspects were already in jail, out of a total of some 60 suspects named in the lynching of the Christian couple. Some 900 students from Lahore’s missionar y schools staged a demonstration outside Lahore Press Club against the murders. “ We want justice!” and “Stop k illing minorities!” protesters shouted. “Death penalty for the k illers of Shehzad and Shama,” read one banner. The couple were lynched in the tiny hamlet of Chak 59 ( Village 59) near the town of Kot Radha Kishan, 60 kilometres (40 miles) southwest of Lahore. Sirajul Haq, the leader of Pakistan’s largest religious party Jamaat-I-Islami, visited Kot Radha Kishan yesterday and met the family of the victims. Haq “strongly condemned” the killings, demanded a high-level inquiry into them and urged the government to ensure severe punishment for the perpetrators, a party official told AFP. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Pakistan, with even unproven allegations often prompting mob violence. Those who take part in the violence are rarely if ever prosecuted-a fact not lost upon the relatives of the deceased. —AFP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 I N T E R N AT I O N A L Obama tempers hopes for thaw with N Korea BEIJING: President Barack Obama is tempering expectations for a thaw in relations between the United States and North Korea, saying the secret talks to free two American prisoners were not the precursor to nuclear negotiations. Asked yesterday whether the prisoner negotiations helped him gain any insight into North Korea’s mercurial young leader Kim Jong Un and his approach to dealing with the US, Obama said curtly, “No.” The president’s first extensive public comments on the release of Kenneth Bae and Matthew Miller came as he opened a three day visit to China, North Korea’s chief benefactor. US officials said the timing of Obama’s decision to pursue their release was not related to his trip, though they wouldn’t speculate on Pyongyang’s motivations. Obama said he dispatched James Clapper, his director of national intelligence, to North Korea for negotiations after receiving “an indication that there was the possibility of the release.” He did not elaborate on what kind of signals the US received from North Korea or how messages were conveyed. Bae and Miller arrived in the US Saturday night, accompanied by Clapper. Their release was the latest twist in the strained relationship between the Obama administration and the young North Korean leader, who has been both provocative and conciliatory toward the US since taking the helm of the impoverished and isolated nation. The Obama administration has kept quiet about the details of Clapper’s discussions, though the president said yesterday that they were “not high-level policy discussions” and did not touch on Pyongyang’s nuclear provocations. He added that “when and if” North Korea agrees to pursue denuclearization, the US will be “very open” to having discussions. However, Obama said that would require more than “small gestures” like the release of the Americans. “Until that time, there’s going to be a core problem between us,” he added. US officials have said there was no quid pro quo that led to the release of the Americans. Bae had been held since 2012 and was serving a 15-year sentence for alleged anti-government activities. Miller was arrested after entering the country in April. Authorities accused him of planning to infiltrate a North Korea prison. Their release came three weeks after a third American, Jeffrey Fowle of Miamisburg, Ohio, was set free by North Korea and put on a US government plane. Obama’s comments came following a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the sidelines of a broader Asia-Pacific summit. — AP UK banker on double murder charge grins leaving HK court Case adjourned for psychiatric evaluation PAJU: North Korean soldiers watch the south side with cameras at the border village of Panmunjom, which has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War, in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea. Seoul defense officials said South Korean troops have fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers approached too close to the border separating the rival countries. — AP South Korea fires warning shots near N Korea border SEOUL: South Korean troops fired warning shots yesterday after North Korean soldiers approached too close to the border separating the rival countries, Seoul defense officials said. The firing heightens animosities between the rival Koreas, even as North Korea’s tensions with the United States seem to have eased after the announced release of two detained Americans a day earlier. About 10 North Korean soldiers retreated without returning fire after South Korean troops fired 20 rounds of warning shots, the officials said on condition of anonymity because of office policy. There were no reports of casualties. South Korean troops have detected North Korean soldiers approaching the border several times this year, but this was only the second time that the South fired warning shots, the officials said. The incident happened inside the 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) -wide Demilitarized Zone that was created when the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice. Tensions between the Koreas remain high following two incidents last month involving exchanges of gunfire, although no casualties were reported in either one. In the first incident, troops from the two countries traded gunfire over propaganda leaflets South Korean activists sent across the border by balloon. In the second, North Korean soldiers were seen too close to the border, triggering a gunfire exchange. North Korea said its soldiers were engaging in routine patrol missions. At the center of the recent animosities is North Korea’s demand that South Korea prevent activists from launching the anti-North leaflets. South Korea has said it cannot do so, citing freedom of speech. The conflict over the leafleting appears to have derailed talks on a high-level meeting between the two Koreas, which had been offered by North Korea during the September Asian Games and had been discussed for October or November. Over the weekend, North Korea released the last two Americans it has been detaining - Matthew Miller of Bakersfield, California, and Kenneth Bae of Lynnwood, Washington - in a move widely seen as an attempt to break a long deadlock with the US over talks on the North’s nuclear program. The Korean Peninsula remains in a technical state of war because the Korean War armistice has never been replaced with a peace treaty. — AP Abe headache as anti-US base figure has edge in Japan poll TOKYO: Opinion polls in Japan’s far southern Okinawa islands have given an anti-US base candidate the edge in next weekend’s gubernatorial election, a potential setback for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The November 16 poll will be the first chance for voters in Okinawa to deliver their verdict on a deal struck last year between Abe and incumbent governor Hirokazu Nakaima, 75. In what critics said amounted to a bribe, Abe pledged a huge cash injection to the island chain if Nakaima reversed years of opposition to a plan to move the US Marines’ Futenma Air Station from a crowded urban area to a sparsely populated coastal district. Okinawa is home to more than half of the 47,000 US service personnel stationed in Japan, and strategically key to the US-Japan security alliance at a time of simmering tensions in East Asia. But there is widespread local hostility to the military presence, with complaints over noise, the risk of accident and a perception that the presence of so many young servicemen is a source of crime. The move of Futenma to Nago on the northeast coast was first agreed between Tokyo and Washington in the 1990s, but has been stalled by local opponents ever since. The deadlock has frustrated the Americans and proved a thorn in the side of successive Japanese governments. But in an abrupt about-face in December, Nakaima decided to approve the start of landfill work at Nago, sparking criticism at home that the one-time stalwart opponent of the relocation had caved in. Opinion polls published over the weekend put Takeshi Onaga, 64, a former mayor of Okinawa’s capital Naha City, in the lead. He is one of three candidates opposing the relocation plan, although all have slightly different stances on it. Nakaima is in second place, the polls by the Yomiuri Shimbun and Kyodo News said, although both noted around 20 percent of voters were undecided. A win for the anti-base Onaga would be a significant blow to the central government, said Hideki Uemura, professor of international politics at Ryutsu Keizai University in Tokyo. —AFP BEIJING: A man rides on a tricycle past banners with the words “Ensure APEC summit’s safety, open burning is prohibited” on display at a main road entrance to the Upper Beitai, the village closest to the venue for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in the Huairou district of Beijing. — AP HONG KONG: A British banker charged with the grisly murder of two young women flashed a smile as he left a Hong Kong court yesterday, after his case was adjourned for psychiatric evaluation. The 29-year-old securities trader, who until recently worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, is accused of killing two young Indonesian women whose mutilated bodies were found at his upmarket apartment in the southern Chinese city. As the bodies of the victims were due to be flown home to Indonesia, Rurik Jutting shot a grin from the back of a prison van following the hearing. The case was “adjourned... for two psychiatric reports on the defendant’s fitness to plead”, said principal magistrate Bina Chainrai. Reports by two different doctors are required under Hong Kong law, prosecutor Louise Wong said. Jutting is being held at Hong Kong’s maximum-security Siu Lam psychiatric centre, Wong confirmed. He will next appear on November 24. Jutting, bearded and wearing black-rimmed glasses, remained impassive during the brief hearing at the Eastern Magistrate’s court-his second appearance after being charged with the murders a week ago. вЂ�No consent’ to reconstruction He spoke only once to say “I do” when the magistrate asked him whether he understood the arrangements. Prosecutor Wong told the court that a reconstruction of the crime “has not yet been conducted because the defendant did not give consent”. Defense lawyer Tim Parker said that Jutting had not agreed to a reconstruction yet but may do in future. Parker also applied to obtain video recordings of interviews police had conducted with Jutting. Following the hearing, Hong Kong solicitor Michael Vidler, who is also acting in Jutting’s defence, said it could be months before a plea is entered.“Can’t give definite answer on thatcould be 3-5 months time,” Vidler told AFP in an email. The bodies of Seneng Mujiasih and Sumarti Ningsih, both in their 20s, are due to be flown home Tuesday morning, Indonesian consulate HONG KONG: British banker Rurik Jutting, charged with the grisly murders of two women, smiles as he sits in a prison van leaving the eastern court in Hong Kong yesterday. — AFP Facebook page that he was embarking on a “new officials in Hong Kong said. They were discovered after Jutting called journey”. “Stepping down from the ledge. Burden police to his flat in the city’s Wanchai district in lifted; new journey begins. Scared and anxious the early hours of November 1. Seneng was but also excited. The first step is always the hardfound naked in the living room, with knife est,” he wrote. On that same date his license from the Hong wounds to her neck and buttocks. Sumarti’s decaying body was found hours later by police, Kong Monetary Authority for dealing in and stuffed into a suitcase on the apartment’s bal- advising on securities was cancelled, according to cony. According to court documents, she was its website. Jutting’s three licenses for dealing in killed on October 27. Police are investigating securities and futures contracts with the city’s whether the victims were sex workers. Wanchai is Securities and Futures Commission also ended on known for its late-night drinking holes popular October 28, according to its website. The Siu Lam with expatriates, and is home to a thriving red centre where Jutting is being held is on the outskirts of the city and run by Hong Kong’s correclight district. High-flyer Jutting was a pupil at the exclusive tional services department. At the end of September, 268 prisoners were English boarding school Winchester College before studying history and law at Cambridge being held there-convicted or on remand-its University. On October 27 he posted on his website said. — AFP Malaysia’s Sharia law costs non-Muslims their kids IPOH, Malaysia: It was the last round of a recurring argument: M Indira Gandhi’s husband wanted her to convert to Islam. A committed Hindu, she refused. He threatened divorce. Both started shouting. Neighbors came looking. Suddenly, he snatched their 11-month-old daughter from the arms of an older child, tucked her under one arm and sped off on his motorbike. That was more than five years ago. Gandhi hasn’t seen her child since, even though a Malaysian civil court awarded her custody. Her husband - who converted to Islam shortly before taking his daughter away - won custody in an Islamic court. Because Gandhi is not a Muslim, she was not even called to appear. Police have been unwilling to enforce the civil court’s decision. “I am pining to see my daughter. No mother should ever have to endure this pain,” said Gandhi, a kindergarten teacher, in her small rented home in Ipoh city in Perak state, about 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur, the capital. “Give us a chance. We are all Malaysians. We should have equal rights.” Gandhi’s case and others highlight perils of Malaysia’s divided legal system, where majority Muslims use Shariah courts for religious and family issues such as conversion, divorce and death. The other 40 percent of the country - mainly Christians, Buddhists and Hindus - use a secular legal system inherited from the Southeast Asian country’s British colonial rulers. Critics accuse the ethnic Malay Muslim-dominated government of doing too little to resolve problems when those legal systems collide. The government has become increasingly reliant on support from Islamist and right-wing pressure groups as other constituencies flock to the opposition. M Kulasegaran, an opposition lawmaker who is also Gandhi’s lawyer, said there are many similar cases, including several he plans to file once Gandhi’s case is resolved. Some earlier cases have turned out even worse for non-Muslims than Gandhi’s case has so far: In 2007, the top civil court ruled that a Muslim spouse had the right to convert his children without the mother’s consent. Some lawyers and legal experts say spouses in especially bitter custody battles sometimes convert to Islam to gain an upper hand. A Muslim with a non-Muslim spouse who seeks custody from the Shariah court is almost certain to win because the spouse has no standing. The government has long pledged to tackle legal ambiguities related to religious conversions. But a Cabinet decision in 2009 to allow minors to be converted only with both parents’ consent has yet to be made legally binding. In southern Negeri Sembilan state, Deepa Subramaniam’s Hindu husband quietly embraced Islam in 2012 and formally converted both their children without her consent. He was then granted custody of the children by a Shariah court. Deepa turned to the civil court, which annulled her marriage on grounds of domestic violence and granted her custody of the children. Two days later, her exhusband abducted their 5-year-old son. National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has refused to act on court orders to return either Deepa’s son or Gandhi’s daughter to their mothers. He has been cited for contempt but is waiting for a higher civil court to weigh in. He was quoted as saying by local media that police were “sandwiched” between legal systems and proposed that children caught in custody tussles be placed in welfare homes. Khalid did not return text messages from The Associated Press seeking comment. The abduction of Gandhi’s daughter, Prasana Diksa, came days before her first birthday. Her mother had bought her a Minnie Mouse blouse and jeans, and had planned to take her to the temple for ear piercing, a traditional Hindu practice when a child turns 1. IPOH: M Indira Gandhi pauses during an interview at her house in Ipoh, Perak state, Malaysia. — AP Gandhi repeatedly called her husband and begged him to return Diksa, who was still on breast milk, in the hours and days after she was taken. Her husband, an odd-job worker now called Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, initially told her again to convert to Islam, then stopped replying to any of her requests. Gandhi found out that he had officially converted to Islam when she went to a police station to report the abduction. There she learned that he had also changed the birth certificates of the couples’ other two children to state they were Muslims. Fearing that Islamic authorities may seize them as well, Gandhi went into hiding. The Shariah court granted Riduan temporary custody of all three children days after he abducted Diksa, and granted him permanent custody a few months later. No grounds were given by the Islamic court. In Perak and some other states, Shariah allows one parent to convert children to Islam without the consent of the other. Jurisdiction Gandhi turned to the civil court, which in 2010 awarded her custody of all three children and ruled that the Shariah court had exceeded its jurisdic- tion. Last year, a civil court quashed the children’s conversion to Islam in a landmark ruling. Civil courts had in the past said they had no jurisdiction in such cases. Riduan appealed the civil court’s custody decision but lost. His appeal of the ruling on his children’s conversions has yet to be heard. In May this year, the court ordered police to arrest Riduan for contempt of court and return Diksa, now 6, to her mother. Yet with police refusing to act, she is no closer to her daughter. The case continues to go through the civil court system, where it may take years to resolve. Riduan declined to speak to a reporter. His lawyer, Anas Fauzi, said in an email that Riduan refused to comply with the civil court ruling because he was bound by the Shariah order. Prime Minister Najib Razak has urged parents to resolve their disputes in the Federal Court, the nation’s highest civil court, but has not condemned the abductions. An aide to Najib declined to comment further on the cases. Many Islamic clerics view the prospect of a Muslim child being brought up in a non-Muslim household as unacceptable. Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, who heads the Islamic right-wing group Isma, defended the Shariah courts’ actions, saying the Muslim fathers are in a better position to raise the children as Muslims. He said the law should be changed to allow Shariah courts to hear petitions from nonMuslims, and added that “its decision must be final.” But Muhammad Asri Zainal Abidin, an Islamic scholar and a former state mufti, said children caught in such custody battles should be able to live with non-Muslim mothers as long as they care for them well. Community “There is no compulsion in Islam. Nobody can force others to embrace a religion, not even their parents. Leave the matter to the children to decide when they are old enough,” he said. Diksa, now called Ummu Habibah Muhammad Riduan, lives with her father in a Muslim community in northeastern Kelantan state. His lawyer, Anas, said she has adjusted well and that “both the father and the daughter receive moral and physical support from the local society.” Riduan does not provide financial support for his other two children, now 16 and 17, who have remained with Gandhi throughout the dispute. Anas said that since his client converted, “the conditions and the circumstances do not even allow both disputed parties to have any relationship.” Gandhi did, however, finally receive recent pictures of her youngest child this year. In one, a smiling Diksa is clad in a black Islamic headscarf, posing with her father. Every day, at an altar in her home, Gandhi lights a candle for Diksa and prays that she comes home. “Whether she is a Muslim or not, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “She is still my daughter. All I want is to hold and embrace her. I have missed many precious moments with her. I will fight until I get my child back.” — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 NEWS The Muslim holy site of the Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City is seen through barbed wire yesterday. — AFP Govt mulling petrol subsidy, spending cuts Continued from Page 1 The statement said the Cabinet had studied proposals presented by the finance ministry about the slide in oil prices and “emphasized it will continue with capital spending and projects under the development plan”. Oil income makes up around 94 percent of public revenues in the stste which pumps around 3.0 million barrels per day. Oil prices have lost around 30 percent of their value since June, amid a surplus in supplies and a weak global economy, hitting the state coffers of energy-dependent countries like Kuwait. The head of parliament’s budget committee, lawmaker Adnan Abdulsamad, has said if oil prices continue at the current level, the budget surplus would shrink to just $3.1 billion from $45 billion last year. The government decided to end subsidies on diesel, kerosene and aviation fuel as a first step in revising heavily-subsidised electricity, water and petrol. Local media said Kuwait’s fiscal reserves grew to $548 billion as of June 30. Kuwait has a native population of 1.25 million and is also home to about 2.8 million foreigners. Meanwhile, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services warned yesterday a prolonged decline in oil prices will likely slow the economies of the energy-rich Gulf states and impact their massive infrastructure projects. “The recent drop in hydrocarbon prices, if sustained, could have a significant impact on the region’s economic and financial indicators... and dampen economic growth,” S&P said in a report. On average, energy revenues for the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states constitute 46 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) and three quarters of their exports, the report said. Total GDP of the GCC states - Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - hit $1.64 trillion last year, according to the International Monetary Fund. S&P viewed Bahrain and Oman as most vulnerable to a decline in the hydrocarbon market, and Qatar and UAE as the least vulnerable. “While the Gulf countries’ significant oil and gas reserves are key supports for their sovereign credit ratings, their economies’ concentration in the hydrocarbon sector is also a significant vulnerability,” it said. It said the decline will hurt infrastructure projects and the private sector. The agency revised Brent oil price at $85 a barrel for the rest of the year and $90 a barrel for 2015 and beyond. The assumption is very close to most of the GCC’s budget price for oil. Lower government revenues may also result in more efforts to tackle energy subsidy reform, but this is likely to hurt industries reliant on feedstock subsidies, such as petrochemicals. A top World Bank official said last week that the GCC states, which pump a fifth of the world’s crude oil, spend more than $160 billion on energy subsidies annually, and called for immediate cuts. IMF chief Christine Lagarde warned last month that GCC states will face budget shortfalls if the recent decline in oil prices persists. Oil prices have lost about 30 percent since it started to decline in June. The total revenue of the GCC states - 90 percent of which come from oil - more than doubled from $317 billion in 2008 to $756 billion in 2012. It declined slightly to $729 billion last year, according to IMF estimates. IMF has said that GCC states will not be greatly affected in the short-term as they can tap into their massive fiscal reserves estimated at $2.45 trillion. — Agencies Comoros offer highlights plight of Kuwait... Why aren’t laid-off nurses being hired? Continued from Page 1 The secretary general of the Kuwaiti Bedoons Committee, Nawaf Al-Bader, said none of the 34,000 identified as eligible three years ago have been granted citizenship. “Government claims that bedoons belong to other countries are false and unsubstantiated. If these claims were true, why has the government not deported them,” said Bader, a bedoon himself. The actual number of bedoons was much higher than official figures, he said, with between 40,000 and 50,000 of them unregistered. A few years ago, the government established a special agency to resolve the bedoon problem and named it the Central Agency for Illegal Residents, the official name of bedoons in Kuwait. After years of depriving them of basic rights, the government recently started offering bedoons some services. It has started appointing them as public school teachers and allowing some to seek private sector employment. It has been paying school fees for thousands of bedoon children whose fathers are registered, as well as issuing them birth, marriage and death certificates. But Bader insists the services have not been offered to all bedoons as many remain deprived and live in “misery”. Parliament has repeatedly passed legislation allowing the government to naturalise 4,000 bedoons each year, but most of the laws have not been implemented. Authorities have given no indication of the potential cost of the Comoros deal, but activists on social networks claim it would amount to billions of dollars. But Bader said offering bedoons Comoros citizenship was “totally impractical” and that Sunday’s announcement was met with “anger and rejection” by his community. Comoros is an archipelago state located off eastern Africa and is a member of the Arab League. A member of parliament’s human rights committee, MP Faisal AlDuwaisan, described the move as “very grave” and vowed to question the prime minister if the government implements the decision. For the past three years, police have broken up with force bedoon protests calling for citizenship and other basic rights. Hundreds have been arrested and put on trial accused of illegal demonstrations and assaulting police. Lawmaker Nabil Al-Fadhl in April proposed sending to a desert camp stateless people convicted of breaching public security and protesting. In an unprecedented move in 2012, Refugees International, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International jointly wrote a letter to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, highlighting the plight of bedoons and urging an end to their alleged abuse. “All bedoons born in Kuwait should be recognised as citizens, and those who have resided in the country for a reasonable amount of time should be eligible to apply for citizenship and acquire citizenship,” they said. — AFP Continued from Page 1 Our children are studying here,” said a nurse on the condition of anonymity. Most of the nurses had been working in Adan Hospital while others had been with other clinics under the MoH. The license of the company is reported to have been cancelled after the ministry awarded a contract to another company, rendering hundreds of the nurses jobless. “We plead help from the authorities because we are in a miserable predicament now. At the hostel, the company stopped serving food on October 31,” said another nurse, who has been working in Kuwait for the last 10 years. “Many of us were working here for more than five to six years. But a few had been recruited quite recently,” she said. Humanitarian issue Indian Ambassador Sunil Jain agreed yesterday that this is a humanitarian issue, adding the embassy has written to the Foreign Ministry on the matter after a group of nurses called on him last month requesting the embassy’s help. However, the embassy has not received any reply from the ministry yet. The nurses have also submitted a memorandum to Kerala’s Chief Minister Oommen Chandy seeking his help in alleviating their plight. Kerala’s Social Justice Minister M K Muneer, who visited Kuwait last week, discussed the matter with Indian embassy officials here. On top of the job loss, many of the laid off nurses have yet to receive their indemnities. “The company is not willing to pay their indemnity too. This is not right, especially since many of them have worked here for more than 10 years,” said Varghese Puthukulangara, Direc tor of the Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) depar tment ’s welfare board. Asked about the stoppage of food at the hostel, Puthukulangara said, “We are talking to company officials and persuading them to provide food until a final settlement is reached,” he said. According to Puthukulangara, 12 of the newly-recruited nurses have been employed in the private sector. While 80 more nurses may soon find employment in the private sector, others may either have to fend for themselves or return to their home countries. “We cannot insist that the MoH absorb them. But cons i d e r i n g t h e i r e x p e r i e n ce a n d q u a l i f i c a t i o n i n Kuwait, the ministry could positively consider their case,” added Puthukulangara. Around 400 of the nurses are from India, while the rest are from the Philippines and Egypt. Around 240 of them are currently accommodated i n t h e i r c o m p a n y ’s h o s t e l i n M a h b o u l a . Compounding their problems, they have been asked to vacate by Nov 20. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 ANALYSIS THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF ESTABLISHED 1961 Founder and Publisher YOUSUF S. AL-ALYAN Editor-in-Chief ABD AL-RAHMAN AL-ALYAN EDITORIAL : 24833199-24833358-24833432 ADVERTISING : 24835616/7 FAX : 24835620/1 CIRCULATION : 24833199 Extn. 163 ACCOUNTS : 24835619 COMMERCIAL : 24835618 P.O.Box 1301 Safat,13014 Kuwait. E MAIL :[email protected] Website: www.kuwaittimes.net Issues Egypt jihadists seek reinforcements with IS allegiance By Ammanuel Giroud U nder increasing pressure from the military, Egypt’s deadliest jihadist group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State organisation in a bid to boost recruitment and bolster its fight against the army, analysts say. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis (Partisans of Jerusalem) has waged an insurgency from its Sinai Peninsula stronghold that has killed scores of Egyptian police and soldiers since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last year. In response, the army has launched a huge operation in Sinai targeting jihadists and last month began building a buffer zone on the border with Gaza to stem the flow of militants and weapons from the strip. The military announces the arrest or killing of alleged militants in Sinai on a near-daily basis, in claims which are not independently verified. “(Ansar Beit al-Maqdis) seems to be looking to internationalise their position, perhaps in response to increasing pressure on the ground from the Egyptian security forces,” said Hisham Hellyer, senior fellow in International Security Studies at the Royal United Services Institute in London. The group’s announcement is the most significant show of support for IS in the region outside Iraq and Syria, suggesting its influence now rivals that of its once-dominant Al-Qaeda rivals. “They (Ansar Beit al-Maqdis) are suffering from lack of resources as Egyptian security forces besiege Sinai,” said Eman Ragab, an expert on regional security at the Cairo-based Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies. “Pledging allegiance to IS would help gain the sympathy of youths who could be recruited from other groups, or help get logistical support from IS itself.” Recruitment Drive Unlike its jihadist rivals, the Islamic State group has a straightforward message that is also a selling point for Ansar Beit al-Maqdis recruiters, according to a Cairo-based expert on terrorism in the Middle East speaking on condition of anonymity. “Its message is much more simple than Al-Qaeda and is aimed at the masses who have limited knowledge of religion, and they get influenced by calls to kill Americans, Shiites or others.” Ismail Al-Iskandrani, a researcher at the Paris-based Arab Reform Initiative, agrees that the new allegiance will help recruit fighters to Ansar Beit al-Maqdis. “Pledging allegiance in itself is an attempt to recruit IS supporters and sympathisers... especially since Ansar Beit alMaqdis has suffered losses in recent operations,” he said. “They are attempting to create a sanctuary for young jihadists who want to join IS in Egypt.” But unlike IS, which claims to want to establish a “caliphate” across the region, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis harbours more local ambitions, targeting mainly Egyptian soldiers and policemen. The group has so far focused its attacks on security forces, and once bombed a tourist bus on the border with Israel, killing three South Koreans. It has also urged Egyptians to fight Morsi’s ouster. IS Threat Rises Iskandrani said the “real concern” was that Ansar Beit al-Maqdis could target supporters of the Egyptian army “like Christians or embassies of countries participating in the coalition against IS”. The new allegiance “makes the threat (of IS) even more obvious,” said Karim Bittar, research director at Paris’s Institute of International and Strategic Relations. “Its ability to strike Middle Eastern or international targets is also multiplying,” Bittar said. “There is a ripple effect and as long as Daesh momentum is unstopped, many will want to join the bandwagon,” he said, referring to IS’s Arabic acronym. —AFP All articles appearing on these pages are the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for views expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites readers to voice their opinions. Please send submissions via email to: [email protected] or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait. The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary. US agencies struggle vs cyberattacks By Martha Mendoza A $10 billion-a-year effort to protect sensitive government data, from military secrets to Social Security numbers, is struggling to keep pace with an increasing number of cyberattacks and is unwittingly being undermined by federal employees and contractors. Workers scattered across more than a dozen agencies, from the Defense and Education departments to the National Weather Service, are responsible for at least half of the federal cyberincidents reported each year since 2010, according to an AP analysis of records. They have clicked links in bogus phishing emails, opened malware-laden websites and been tricked by scammers into sharing information. One was redirected to a hostile site after connecting to a video of tennis star Serena Williams. A few act intentionally, most famously former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, who downloaded and leaked documents revealing the government’s collection of phone and email records. Then there was the contract worker who lost equipment containing the confidential information of millions of Americans, including Robert Curtis, of Monument, Colorado. “I was angry, because we as citizens trust the government to act on our behalf,” he said. Curtis, according to court records, was besieged by identity thieves after someone stole data tapes that the contractor left in a car, exposing the health records of about 5 million current and former Pentagon employees and their families. At a time when intelligence officials say cybersecurity trumps terrorism as the No. 1 threat to the US - and when breaches at businesses such as Home Depot and Target focus attention on data security - the federal government isn’t required to publicize its own data losses. Yesterday, the US Postal Service said it was the victim of a cyberattack and that information about its employees, including Social Security numbers, may have been compromised. And last month, a breach of unclassified White House computers by hackers thought to be working for Russia was reported not by officials but The Washington Post. Congressional Republicans complained even they weren’t alerted to the hack. To determine the extent of federal cyberincidents, the AP filed dozens of Freedom of Information Act requests, interviewed hackers, cybersecurity experts and government officials, and obtained documents describing digital cracks in the system. That review shows that 40 years and more than $100 billion after the first federal data protection law was enacted, the government is struggling to close holes without the knowledge, staff or systems to outwit an ever-evolving foe. Breaches Fears about breaches have been around since the late 1960s, when the federal government began shifting its operations onto computers. Officials responded with software designed to sniff out malicious programs and raise alarms about intruders. And yet, attackers have always found a way in, exposing tens of millions of sensitive and private records that include employee usernames and passwords and veterans’ medical files. From 2009 to 2013, the number of reported breaches just on federal computer networks - the .gov and .mils - rose from 26,942 to 46,605, according to the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team. Last year, USCERT responded to a total of 228,700 cyberincidents involving federal agencies, companies that run critical infrastructure and contract partners. That’s more than double the incidents in 2009. And employees are to blame for at least half of the problems. Last year, for example, about 21 percent of all federal breaches were traced to government workers who violated policies; 16 percent who lost devices or had them stolen; 12 percent who improperly handled sensitive information printed from computers; at least 8 percent who ran or installed malicious software; and 6 percent who were enticed to share private information, according to an annual White House review. Documents released to the AP show how workers were lured in. In one incident around Christmas 2011, Education Department employees received an email purportedly from Amazon.com that asked them to click on a link. Officials quickly warned staff that it could be malicious. The department did not release information to the AP about any resulting damage. Reports from the Defense Department’s Defense Security Service, tasked with protecting classified information and technologies in the hands of federal contractors, show how easy it is for hackers to get into DOD networks. One military user received messages that his computer was infected when he visited a website about schools. Officials tracked the attacker to what appeared to be a Germanybased server. Vulnerable “No matter what we do with the technology ... we’ll always be vulnerable to the phishing attack and ... human-factor attacks unless we educate the overall workforce,” said Eric Rosenbach, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Global Security. Although the government is projected to spend $65 billion on cybersecurity contracts between 2015 and 2020, many experts believe the effort is not enough to counter a growing pool of hackers whose motives vary. Russia, Iran and China have been named as suspects in some attacks, while thieves seek out other valuable data. Only a small fraction of attackers are caught. For every thief or hostile state, there are tens of thousands of victims like Robert Curtis. He declined to talk about specifics of his case. According to court records, a thief in Sept 2011 broke into a car in a San Antonio garage and stole unencrypted computer tapes containing the Pentagon workers’ information. The car belonged to an employee of a federal contractor tasked with securing those records. Criminals have tried to get cash, loans, credit - even establish businesses - in Curtis’ name, according to court records. He and his wife have frozen bank and credit accounts. A lawsuit brought by victims was dismissed. “It is very ironic,” said Curtis, himself a cybersecurity expert who worked to provide secure networks at the Pentagon. “I was the person who had paper shredders in my house. I was a consummate data protection guy.” —AP Escaping wealth gap means fleeing hometowns By Tammy Webber T his Illinois city already was struggling when Tara Holycross and her friends were kids riding their bikes to Custard Cup, swimming at the park district pool and hanging out in the Wendy’s parking lot. Manufacturers that provided thousands of well-paying, middle class jobs - General Motors, General Electric, Hyster - were closing. Neighborhoods were crumbling. By the time Holycross graduated from high school in 2004, a city best known for its massive downtown grain elevator and as the hometown of actors Dick and Jerry Van Dyke was scrambling to create new opportunities. Ten years later, this city of 32,500 still is struggling. But Holycross and some of her classmates are doing just fine because they moved. They’re doctors and athletic trainers, software specialists and financial advisers. They’re living all over the country - from Chicago to Charleston, South Carolina, to Boulder, Colorado - where they found solid jobs that reward the kind of education they have. Though still early in their careers, they’ve surpassed Danville’s median household income of $35,000 and expect to do much better. Holycross and four classmates interviewed said about half of their class of fewer than 50 left town, and those they’re in touch with landed good positions. “I knew there wasn’t an opportunity for me to have my career” in Danville, said Holycross, 28, a third-generation native who now works as an athletic trainer for a hospital system in Beloit, Wisconsin, about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. Their experience is a counterpoint to the desperation gripping so many rural and manufacturing communities in the Midwest that have been hard hit by global economic changes. The flow of educated workers from struggling communities to areas with brighter job opportunities might, to some extent, help shore up the US middle class, which has been squeezed by a widening gap between the richest Americans and everyone else. Since roughly 1980, income has grown most for the top earners and dropped for the poorest 20 percent. Incomes for the highest-earning 1 percent of Americans soared 31 percent from 2009 through 2012, after adjusting for inflation, according to data compiled by Emmanuel Saez, an economist at University of California, Berkeley. For everyone else, it barely budged, rising an average of 0.4 percent. While Wall Street traders and software CEOs soared to enormous affluence, waves of people fell out of the middle class as manufacturing’s share of the economy shrank. Following the downside arc of the wealth gap was inevitable for many who stayed in stricken factory towns where jobs disappeared. For others, though, escaping meant separating their own fate from that of their hometowns. Mobility Between 2012 and 2013, more than 26.7 million people age 18 and over moved - 17.3 million of them to a different county. Those in their 20s and 30s with a college degree were most likely to move for job reasons and to move the farthest. In that period, people poured out of declining cities like Detroit, whose population dropped by almost 10,000, and into economic hotspots like San Antonio, which grew by 25,378, according to census data. The trend of more-educated people moving and less-educated staying began to emerge several years ago. A Census Bureau study found that more than half of highly educated workers who moved between 2005 and 2010 left their counties. By contrast, 70 percent of people without high school diplomas who moved did so within the same county. Decades ago, many unskilled workers were able to migrate to capitalize on better conditions elsewhere, as when field workers moved from the South to the Midwest for factory jobs after World War II. But good blue-collar jobs are now harder to find anywhere - one factor that may help explain why mobility overall has been declining for several decades and why it dropped sharply during the recession. “If we pushed someone who’s stayed in Detroit to suddenly hit the road and move to Chicago, would that person suddenly do better? Or has that person stayed behind exactly because he or she can’t find a good-paying job in Chicago?” said Danny Yagan, a University of California economist who studies mobility. There’s no comprehensive data contrasting the financial fortunes of those who have stayed in place and those who have left. But the partial glimpses available are revealing. A survey of nearly 3,000 2012 graduates of 15 public universities in Michigan - a state especially afflicted by manufacturing’s decline - found that 37 percent were living in another state a year later. That was down from 49 percent in a similar 2007 survey. But those who did move were far more likely to have a full-time job: 86 percent compared with 68 percent of those who stayed put. And they tended to earn significantly more. Those who moved from Michigan to Illinois upgraded from a state median income below $47,000 to one over $55,000 in 2012. Research indicates that people who moved to places with stronger economies often do about as well as the workers already there. Less clear is whether such a move translates into more overall wealth or a better lifestyle. “There’s a lot more to learn,” Yagan said. Living Costs Differences in living costs can make moving chancy. But they aren’t always a negative factor. People who left California during the recession for bustling San Antonio, riding an oil boom and technology expansion, often accepted pay decreases but were better off overall because of Texas’ lower costs, said Asa Sphar, managing partner of the CSI Executive Search firm. The median value of a home in California is nearly $384,000; in Texas, it’s $128,000. In Danville’s case, the low cost of living wasn’t enough reason for many to stay. Holyfield said she and her husband, an electrician who grew up near Danville, found better job prospects around the Chicago exurbs and hope to buy a house soon. Also, “there is just way more to do up here - whether it’s concerts or restaurants or shopping,” Holyfield said. Danville’s population has dipped by about 1,000 residents in the past 20 years. Whatever influx it has had has come mainly from lowerincome people seeking cheap housing. The poverty rate has reached 29 percent, compared with 18.1 percent in 2000. Warehousing and distribution centers have replaced some of the manufacturing jobs. Local businesses are funding scholarships for students who agree to stay home after graduation. But vacant and dilapidated homes scar big chunks of neighborhoods, the historic downtown still has scores of vacant buildings and unemployment is almost 10 percent. City officials are hoping legislators allow the city to build a casino to bring in more jobs. “It’s taken a long time to stabilize, and it will take years before we start moving in the next direction,” said Mayor Scott Eisenhauer. The situation is much the same in Flint, Michigan, where about 80,000 once worked in GM factories, but where the population has dropped from 200,000 to below 100,000 since most of those jobs dried up. Mayor Dayne Walling said his town’s master plan now includes razing entire neighborhoods. Struggling towns are emphasizing college and trade school to many young people, hoping that a higher-quality workforce will attract employers yet also aware that education makes it easier for young people to leave. For Stephanie Shinn Gaydos, a 2004 high school graduate from Danville who now practices medicine in Charleston, South Carolina, moving back to Danville isn’t an option. “That’s a shame because I’m close to my family,” she said, “but I am so happy with the opportunities (in Charleston). It doesn’t really compare.” —AP p15_Layout 1 11/10/14 10:11 PM Page 1 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 S P ORTS Pakistan gears up for women’s tournament Benaud fighting skin cancer SYDNEY: Legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud revealed yesterday he is battling skin cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy, but said he was coping well. The 84-year-old former Australian captain made his illness public at the Nine Network’s launch for its Australian summer cricket coverage, saying he was receiving treatment for skin cancers on his forehead and the top of his head. “I’m coping with it very well-the doctors are pleased,” he said. “I’m going along slowly. The cancers need to be treated.” Benaud, a much-loved figure in Australian cricket, urged people to take precautions to protect themselves from the sun. “I recommend to everyone they wear protection on their heads,” he said. “Eighty-four-year olds don’t seem to mend as well as they used to. “When I was a kid, we never ever wore a cap. I wish I had. You live and learn as you go along,” he added. Benaud attended the Nine Network launch at the Sydney Cricket Ground with its broadcast team, including former cricketers Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell, Mark Nicholas, Brett Lee and Shane Warne. Benaud, who has worked in the commentary box since retiring from Test cricket in 1964, has been out of action since suffering chest and shoulder injuries during a car crash in Sydney late last year.—AFP ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hosts the third South Asian women’s football championship this week, with organisers promising tight security after a recent spate of terror attacks. The third edition of South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), featuring eight teams including Pakistan’s arch-rivals India and neighbour Afghanistan, will run in Islamabad from November 11-20, the first time a highprofile regional women’s event has been held in Pakistan. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) promised tight security for the teams, after a suicide attack at a border post with India last week killed nearly 60 people. The blast at Wagah had raised doubts over the tournament but PFF secretary Ahmed Yar Lodhi said the event will go ahead. “We have high level security in place and hope that the event will remove all doubts over our hosting a top event like this,” Lodhi told reporters. Two time champions India are expected to arrive early today while Afghanistan team arrived on Sunday. The Afghanistan Football Federation said their team includes nine players from Iran, United States and Europe. Afghanistan managed to draw one of their three games, losing the other two, in the inaugural event held in Bangladesh in 2010. They reached the semi-final in the second edition held in Sri Lanka in 2012 but were thrashed 11-0 by champions India.—AFP Oscar extends Chelsea stay LONDON: Brazilian international Oscar has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2019, the English Premier League leaders announced yesterday. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder joined the London club from Internacional in 2012 and has since scored 27 goals in 126 appearances, including 92 starts, for the Blues. “I am so happy because I love playing for Chelsea and living in England,” Oscar told the club’s website. “I have enjoyed playing here for two years, and now I have five more, so I am very happy.” Signed originally for a fee of close to ВЈ20 million ($32 million, 25.5 million euros) when Roberto di Matteo was Chelsea manager, Oscar has become an increasingly influential figure since Jose Mourinho returned for his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. Indeed, the Portuguese boss’s decision to deploy Oscar in the number 10 role was widely regarded as a major factor in Juan Mata’s decision to leave Chelsea for Manchester United.—AFP ABK main sponsor at Al Arabi vs Egypt’s Al Ahli Football Match KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is delighted to sponsor the football match between Kuwait’s Al Arabi team and Egypt’s Al Ahli, taking place on the 12th of November at Sabah Al Salem Stadium. Prior to the game a press conference was held, attended by Othman Al Tawfiqi, AGM, Retail Banking and Ali Al Sammak, Senior Manager, Ser vice Quality at ABK. At the press conference, Othman Al Tawfiqi said, “Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait has the pleasure to participate as the main sponsor of the much awaited match between Kuwait’s Al Arabi and Egypt’s Al Ahli teams. The sponsorship is signifi- cant in light of the importance and viewership the two teams command, at local, regional and international levels. Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is reputed to support youth initiatives and sporting events in particular, in a bid to encourage sportsmanship and healthy competition amongst the young enthusiasts.” Ali Al Sammak stated that Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait is considered the Main Sponsor of the Al Arabi football team, for the current and past seasons and “ABK was encouraged to sponsor this big sports event, owing to the history of both clubs in achieving championships, as well as the huge fan base enjoyed by both teams”. AVONDALE: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, speaks to the media after failing to advance to race for the championship in the season finale after the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday in Avondale, Arizona. — AFP Rosberg needs help from friends in finale SAO PAULO: Nico Rosberg may need some help from his friends, but he is utterly convinced he can win the season-ending “double jeopardy” Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and claim the drivers’ world title. After ending championship leader and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s run of five straight wins, the 29-year-old German shrugged aside concerns over the much-criticised and controversial introduction of double points at the finale. “I find it artificial and I don’t like it in general,” said Rosberg. “Of course, it’s great for me at the moment, but you know that’s just because of the situation.... “ There are other sports which have tried the same sort of thing, like Nascar, and they’ve done this very successfully. We need to keep on reviewing it. It’s good to try something and we’ll see how it goes this year.” Rosberg’s cheery demeanour under pressure and his flawless concentration on keeping his title dream alive, earned him much respect as he won Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Hamilton, but it has also left the sport facing another dilemma. Just as Formula One’s veteran commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone, 84, struggles to control a potential financial crisis, with three more teams threatened by collapse following the demise of Caterham and Marussia, the Abu Dhabi showdown presents a stark contrast. Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, who has toiled all season to control his embattled drivers as their scrap for glory became increasingly fraught and sometimes acrimonious, said the wrong kind of result would leave Formula One under a dark cloud. Big shadow “Hopefully double points will not make a difference,” said Wolff, fearing that the exaggerated ruling at one race could decide the title. “It would put a big shadow over the championship if it was turned by a technical issue.” After Sunday’s race, in which Rosberg resisted Hamilton’s pressure for 71 laps, the Briton holds a 17-point lead, having won compared to Rosberg’s five. Wolff, however, believes that whatever the outcome, the man with most points will deserve to take the title. “Whoever has most points at the end the season is the worthy champion,” he said. “Even though if it really comes down to that situation, some of us might have a different feeling about it, it is what it is. “Whoever wins the championship is going to have his name in the record books and that’s it.” Given that the Mercedes pair delivered a record 11th one-two finish on Sunday, another win is in prospect. If it is for Hamilton, he will take the title, whatever Rosberg does - but if Rosberg wins, Hamilton must finish second to be champion. If the race was being run under “normal” points-scoring, Hamilton could finish as low as sixth and take the title. Wolff said he hoped the system, introduced by Ecclestone, would be dropped next year. “Nobody likes the double points,” he said. “We are going to discuss it next time around. I don’t think Bernie likes it, so it is probably something we should be getting rid of for next season.” Rosberg, whose father Keke Rosberg took the title in 1982 after winning only one race in the season, said: “We now have a great finale to look forward to in Abu Dhabi and I’m still believing 100 per cent I can make it. “But, I know, of course, that I will need some help from Felipe (Massa) or Valtteri (Bottas) or maybe Lewis himself.....” — AFP Gordon leaves the desert disappointed AVONDALE: Jeff Gordon’s bid for a fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup championship was wrecked twice. The first, in Texas last week, involved him directly and led to a melee with Brad Keselowski. The second, at Phoenix on Sunday, came in the pack behind him, and turned out to be just as devastating for one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers. Racing for a spot in the season finale next week at Homestead, Gordon had his hopes dashed when Ryan Newman knocked Ryan Larson into the wall on a last-lap pass.Gordon finished second to race winner Kevin Harvick, but came up a point short of the playoff race because of Newman’s last-gasp move. “We come home second and I just was hoping that it was going to be enough,” Gordon said. “When you hear those words that it wasn’t, it’s disappointing.” Gordon was in solid position in NASCAR’s new knockout playoff system after finishing second at Martinsville two weeks ago. Still, he was a bit disappointed that he couldn’t overtake Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for a victory that would have earned an automatic berth into the finale. Gordon was in position for that automatic berth last week at Texas, racing for the lead on a late restart. His chances ended when Keselowski tried to squeeze between him and Jimmie Johnson, creating contact that sent Gordon spinning into the wall with a flat tire.Gordon finished 29th and confronted Keselowski in the pits, leading to a melee between their two teams and Harvick. Victories Gordon left Texas bloodied - as did Keselowski - but still had a shot at the finale, heading to Phoenix fourth in playoff points. He had a good weekend in the desert, too, qualifying seventh and racing near the front throughout Sunday’s race. Running second, Gordon had the final playoff in his grasp when Larson passed Newman with 12 laps left. His luck changed on the last lap, when Newman gave Larson a nudge into the wall and raced past him to finish 11th. That gave Newman 4,103 points, one ahead of Gordon and Harvick, who earned the automatic spot in the finale by winning the race. “It makes last week that much even tougher to swallow, but that’s all right, we put in a great effort at Martinsville, great effort here and it just wasn’t enough,” Gordon said. It was a disappointing finish to what was one of Gordon’s best seasons. The 43-year-old Hendrick Motorsports driver won four times, including at Dover during the Chase - for his most victories since he had six in 2007. Gordon also finished in the top 10 in 22 of his 35 starts, including 14 top-fives, proving he’s still one of Sprint Cup’s top drivers after 23 years of racing. And Gordon has done it by continuing to be one of NASCAR’s most conscientious drivers. Yes, he will race people hard, occasionally bump someone out of the way if it means a chance to win. But Gordon also will own up to his misdeeds, something he felt Keselowski didn’t do last week, which led to the confrontation. A week later, another wreck knocked Gordon out of the Chase, a fact that wasn’t lost on him. “I hope we taught people that you can race clean and still give it your best, that you don’t have to wreck people to make it in the Chase,” he said, adding this about the season finale: “If it was that ugly the past few weeks, it’s going to be real ugly next week.” — AP Group picture before the friendly match. Torino defeat KHSC in handicapped basketball tourney By Abdellatif Sharaa SAO PAULO: Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, flanked by his teammate Lewis Hamilton (L) and Brazil’s Williams’ driver Felipe Massa, celebrates on the podium after winning the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo Brazil on Sunday. — AFP KUWAIT: Torino handicapped basketball team defeated Kuwait Handicapped Sports Club counterpart with the score of 65-43 during the friendly match that was held in preparation for the third international forum to start today in Kuwait, at the invitation of KHSC. The match was competitive and exciting from the start, but Torino was able to take control at the end and won. KHSC President Shafi Al-Hajiri expressed pleasure at holding the forum here in Kuwait, and lauded the good spirit expressed by athletes on wheel chairs, adding that Torino is one of Italy’s outstanding teams. AlHajiri thanked all who contributed to the success of the Third International Forum, particularly the Public Authority for Youth and Sports and Kuwait Basketball Association. Table tennis team members. p16_Layout 1 11/10/14 10:13 PM Page 1 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 S P ORTS Mallya says Force India will race on SAO PAULO: Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya has rejected speculation about his Formula One team’s finances, saying they will be racing for years to come. Speaking at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where only nine teams competed on Sunday, Mallya said Force India would not be following Marussia and Caterham onto the sporting scrapheap. “All this speculation I think needs to stop,” the liquor baron told Reuters. “It’s not doing anybody any good...the bottom line is we’re OK.” Mallya said the team’s 2015 car was almost ready. Asked whether Force India would be definitely racing in 2015 and beyond, he replied: “Of course. Absolutely.” Since last month’s Russian Grand Prix, Marussia have folded and Caterham gone into administration. Force India, Lotus and Sauber, whose finances have also caused concern, want a more equal distribution of the sport’s revenues but their request for a вЂ�base payment’ appeared to have fallen on deaf ears in Brazil. Commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone told reporters on Sunday that the teams as a whole shared $900 million in revenues and ruled out extra payments. However, Mallya said Ecclestone had told him he was meeting Donald Mackenzie, co-chairman of rights holders CVC, to discuss the matter on Tuesday. “If I don’t hear by the end of the week I’ll send him a gentle reminder,” he added. Force India is co-owned by Mallya and the Sahara Group run by Subrata Roy, one of India’s best known tycoons, who is in a Delhi jail over the conglomerate’s failure to refund billions of dollars raised in outlawed bonds. “Sahara is by no means financially weak or bankrupt,” said Mallya. “On the contrary Sahara has a huge amount of financial resources. It is just that they have been asked to refund money to investors and there’s a dispute there.” Mallya also has troubles of his own, with United Bank of India in September declaring him and his grounded carrier Kingfisher Airlines “wilful defaulters”, although a court has halted execution of the decision. Debt-laden Kingfisher has not flown for two years for want of cash. A report in Britain’s Sunday Telegraph said Force India had reported a net annual loss of 38.5 million pounds ($61.21 million) to Dec. 31, 2013. That was up from a previous 33.4 million. The team are currently sixth in the championship. — Reuters Kuwait wins two gold in Asian Clay Target Shooting tournament By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: Two gold medals and one silver were won by Kuwait skeet shooters on the final day of the Fourth Asian Clay Target Shooting Tournament in Al-Ain, UAE. Head of Kuwait team, Secretary General of Arab and Kuwait Shooting Federations Obaid Al-Osaimi expressed satisfaction at the results the Kuwait shooters obtained in the skeet event as the team of Zaid Al-Mutairi, Saud Habib and Mansour Al-Rashidi won the gold medal with the score of 287-375, while Abdelaziz Al-Saad won first place in the junior event with the score of 118-125, while Zaid Dakhil Al-Mutairi won the men’s silver. Al-Osaimi said the event witnessed fierce competition as UAE men’s team took second place with 285 and the Kazakh team took third with 282-375. In the junior event Indian shooter Ananth Singh was second with a score of 114, and his compatriot Karam Singh was third with 113-125. The tally of Kuwait medals in the championship now stands at four gold, two silver and two bronze. Al-Osaimi thanked chairman and board members of Kuwait Shooting Club for their support and congratulated them for the achievements they made. Al-Osaimi dedicated the achievements to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince, HH the Prime Minister and Kuwait people. Al-Osaimi thanked President of the Asian Shooting Confederation, Vice-president of International Shooting Federation, Honorary President of Kuwait Shooting Sport Federation Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud AlSabah for his efforts and encouragement of the shooters. Kuwait skeet team with their medals. Peyron wins transatlantic Route du Rhum POINTE-A-PITRE: Frenchman Loick Peyron won the single -handed transatlantic Route du Rhum race in a record time yesterday cementing his reputation as one of his country’s best ever yachtsmen. Peyron who stepped in at the last minute to take control of the trimaran Banque Populaire VII and at one stage considered abandoning, dominated the race, aided in his quest when rival Thomas Coville crashed into a freighter soon after the competition began in France. He set a new record for the journey of 3,542 nautical miles (6,560 k m), crossing the finish line off Guadeloupe in seven days, 15 hours and eight minutes, more than two hours faster than the previous mark set by Lionel Lemonchois in 2006.Peyron, three time winner of the British single-handed transatlantic race, stepped in to skipper Banque Populair VII six weeks ahead of the Route du Rhum after Armel Le Cleac’h injured himself. He has taken part six times before but never won. Confronting heavy seas throughout the race, Peyron revealed he contemplated abandoning the race at one point. “The last day was especially difficult,” Peyron said. “I was really afraid all the time and at one point the trimaran almost turned over after I fell asleep at the helm.” He had also thought about making a stopover in Madeira for repairs after spotting a crack developing in one of the hulls of his trimaran. But he quickly sent photos of the damage to the team’s spor ting director Ronan Lucas, as well as the designers of the massive 31.5m trimaran, and perservered after being reassured here was no structural damage.The problem was due to the bad weather over the first two days of the race, he said. “I was shaken about like never before in this boat.” Asked if it was safe to sail across the Atlantic in a 30-metre multi-hull yacht, Peyron snapped: “Yes,” and insisted the boat was an ideal size for the race. “But I don’t like it when people ask me вЂ�is it safe?’” Peyron, 54, took the lead just six hours out of the French port of Saint Malo on November 2, after a fierce storm took out Coville and several others. Former Olympic pole vault champion Jean Galfione was also among those who crashed out of the race from St Malo in western France to Guadeloupe, which is held every four years. He managed to stay ahead of the 91-strong field all the way through to the finish line. The renowned French sailor came third in the last Route du Rhum in 2010. — AFP NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Saints center Jonathan Goodwin (55) and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Justin Smith (94) dive for a Drew Brees fumble in overtime of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday. The 49ers recovered the fumble on the way to 27-24 win. — AP 49ers edge Saints in OT, Cardinals lose quarterback NEW ORLEANS: Colin Kaepernick completed a 51-yard pass on fourth down to sustain a tying drive, Ahmad Brooks sacked and stripped Drew Brees in overtime, and Phil Dawson kicked a 35yard field goal to cap San Francisco’s stirring 2724 victory over New Orleans on Sunday. The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Niners (5-4) and marked the first home loss for the Saints (4-5) in more than a season. The Saints had won their past 11 at home overall, and the past 20 at home including the playoffs, when coached by Sean Payton, who was suspended in 2012. Brooks’ decisive blow on a sack of Brees had to feel like poetic justice to the Niners linebacker. His unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a vicious sack and strip in the Superdome a year ago allowed the Saints to pull out a late comeback victory in these teams’ previous meeting. Brees was intercepted twice, but also passed for three scores, the last to Jimmy Graham to give the Saints a 24-21 lead with 1:52 left in regulation. Graham also caught a desperation pass in the end zone at the end of regulation, but was called for offensive interference. Broncos 41, Raiders 17 Peyton Manning threw five touchdown passes in less than 17 minutes and the Broncos handed the Raiders their 15th straight loss. Manning threw a pair of early interceptions that put Denver (7-2) in a hole against the NFL’s only winless team. That all changed with a short pass that C.J. Anderson turned into a spectacular 51yard catch and run. The touchdowns didn’t stop until Manning’s day was done after three quarters. Manning added two TD passes to Julius Thomas and two more to Emmanuel Sanders as the Broncos rebounded from last week’s loss at New England by beating up on the Raiders (0-9). Manning went 31 for 44 for 340 yards. He extended his record with at least two touchdown passes in 15 straight games and his streak of 48 games with at least one TD pass is third longest, breaking a tie with Johnny Unitas. There was almost nothing positive from the Raiders in their first blowout loss since interim coach Tony Sparano replaced the fired Dennis Allen after four games. Cardinals 31, Rams 14 The Cardinals put together another dominant fourth quarter, but the victory was dampened by an injury to quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer went down in the final period, then backup Drew Stanton and the Arizona defense rallied the Cardinals with three touchdowns over a span of 3 minutes, 48 seconds. Rookie John Brown’s diving grab of Stanton’s 48-yard touchdown pass put the Cardinals (8-1) up 17-14 with 7:40 to play. The pass came on the first series after Palmer hurt his left knee while trying to avoid the rush. Palmer was able to walk off the field but a short time later was taken to the locker room on a cart. Patrick Peterson got his first two interceptions of the season, returning the second 30 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-14. Moments later, Austin Davis fumbled and Antonio Cromartie returned it 14 yards for a score as Arizona outscored the Rams 21-0 in the fourth quarter. St. Louis (3-6) was shut out in the second half. At 8-1, the Cardinals have the best record in the NFL and their best after nine games since going 11-1 as the Chicago Cardinals in 1948. Packers 55, Bears 14 Aaron Rodgers threw six touchdown passes to tie the Green Bay game record and match the NFL record for a half. Rodgers was 18 of 27 for 315 yards, throwing scoring passes of 73 and 40 yards to Jordy Nelson. The Packers led by four touchdowns early in the second quarter, and Rodgers watched most of the second half from the sideline. The 190th meeting of the NFL’s oldest rivalry quickly turned into a blowout. The 55 points tied a Packers record at Lambeau Field. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had another night to forget in Green Bay. He threw two interceptions, giving him 12 in four games in Titletown. The Bears have lost five of their last six. They’ve given up at least 51 points in two consecutive games. Seahawks 38, Giants 17 Marshawn Lynch rushed for a season-high 140 yards and career-best four touchdowns. Russell Wilson threw two interceptions, the Seahawks committed three total turnovers, and Eli Manning picked apart Seattle’s secondary for the first half. It all didn’t matter because of Lynch leading Seattle’s unstoppable run game. The 350 total yards rushing by Seattle (6-3) were a franchise record and the most by any NFL team since Kansas City had 352 in 2012. Lynch carried 21 times, but there was plenty of running to go around. Wilson added 107 yards on 14 carries and a 1-yard TD run with 5:19 left. Most of Wilson’s runs were designed as New York (3-6) failed to keep contain. Jets 20, Steelers 13 Michael Vick threw two touchdown passes and the Jets forced four turnovers while shutting down Ben Roethlisberger to end an eight-game losing streak. Roethlisberger threw six touchdown passes in each of his last two games, and was playing in front of a MetLife Stadium crowd that appeared nearly half-filled with Terrible Towel-waving Steelers fans. But the Jets (2-8) wouldn’t allow Roethlisberger to get into much of a rhythm. Roethlisberger finished 30 of 43 for 343 yards and connected with Martavis Bryant for an 80yard TD with 1:16 left. The Steelers (6-4) attempted an onside kick, but Eric Decker recovered to seal it for the Jets - who avoided setting a franchise mark for consecutive losses. Jaiquawn Jarrett had two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery for the Jets, who hadn’t won since beating Oakland in Week 1. Vick, who became the first quarterback in NFL history to run for 6,000 career yards, threw touchdown passes to T.J. Graham and Jace Amaro. Vick was 10 of 18 for 132 yards and ran eight times for 39 yards. Lions 20, Dolphins 16 Matthew Stafford led Detroit to another thrilling victory in the final minutes, throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Theo Riddick with 29 seconds remaining. Calvin Johnson had seven catches for 113 yards and a touchdown in his first game back from an ankle injury, and the Lions (7-2) won their fourth straight game. Their past three victories have been by a combined six points, all with fourth-quarter comebacks. The Dolphins (5-4) managed one touchdown - after they blocked a Detroit field goal attempt and Dion Jordan returned it deep into Lions territory. Miami’s Ryan Tannehill threw for 201 yards, but it was Stafford who made the final big play, snapping a sidearm pass to a sliding Riddick in the back left corner of the end zone. Chiefs 17, Bills 13 Anthony Sherman recovered a fumble to set up Alex Smith’s 8 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Jamaal Charles also scored on a 39-yard run as the Chiefs (6-3) scored twice in span of 4:31 to overcome a 13-3 deficit. The Chiefs’ defense then made a stand at its 15 by forcing Kyle Orton to throw four consecutive incompletions and turn the ball over on downs. Kansas City improved to 6-1 since opening the season with two losses. Charles finished with 98 yards rushing, while Smith went 17 of 29 for 177 yards. Smith scored two plays after Sherman punched the ball out of the hands of Bills punt returner Leodis McKelvin and then pounced on the loose ball at Buffalo’s 26. That wasn’t the only Bills miscue in a game Buffalo settled for two field goals on four trips inside the Chiefs 20. Marcell Dareus had three of Buffalo’s six sacks. Cowboys 31, Jaguars 17 Tony Romo returned after missing last week because of a back injur y and helped the Cowboys snap a two-game losing streak by throwing three touchdown passes. Originally hurt two weeks ago, Romo started for Dallas (7-3) and completed 20 of 27 passes for 246 yards against the Jaguars (1-9) at Wembley Stadium. This was the last of three regular-season NFL games this year in the British capital. Romo threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten in the first quarter and then hit Dez Bryant for a pair of TDs in the second, the first from 35 yards and the second from 68. Romo finished with a season-high passer rating of 138.8. DeMarco Murray ended up with 100 yards rushing on 19 carries and 31 yards receiving for Dallas. He had his record streak of eight straight 100-yard games to start a season snapped by the Cardinals last week. Bryant gained all of his 158 yards in the second quarter, and did it by breaking several tackles on each touchdown catch. Ravens 21, Titans 7 Justin Forsett ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns to back a strong performance by the Baltimore defense. The Ravens (6-4) bottled up rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger, who went 16 for 27 for 179 yards and an interception in his first road start. He was sacked five times and rarely got the chance to comfortably plant both feet in the pocket. Tennessee didn’t get its initial first down of the second half until 4:37 was left in the game. Soon after that, newcomer Danny Gorrer intercepted a pass to clinch the victory. The Titans (2-7) have lost seven of eight. It was 7-7 at halftime, but Tennessee had three three-and-outs in the third quarter while the Ravens took control. Falcons 27, Buccaneers 17 Matt Ryan threw for 219 yards and one touchdown, helping the Falcons stop a five-game losing streak that left the Bucs with a five-game skid of their own. The Falcons (3-6) won for the first time since embarrassing their NFC South rivals 56-14 on Sept. 18, a game in which the Bucs (1-8) lost quarterback Josh McCown to a thumb injury. McCown returned to Tampa Bay’s starting lineup for the first time since loss, throwing for 301 yards and two TDs. His 1-yard pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins put the Bucs ahead 17-16 early in the fourth quarter. But Ryan drove the Falcons down the field, throwing a 5yard touchdown pass to Roddy White and a 2point conversion to Harry Douglas. Steven Jackson scored on a 1-yard run and Matt Bryant kicked four field goals for the Falcons. — AP NFL standings Baltimore 21, Tennessee 7; Kansas City 17, Buffalo 13; Detroit 20, Miami 16; San Francisco 27, New Orleans 24 (OT); Dallas 31, Jacksonville 17; NY Jets 20, Pittsburgh 13; Atlanta 27, Tampa Bay 17; Denver 41, Oakland 17; Arizona 31, St. Louis 14; Seattle 38, NY Giants 17; Green Bay 55, Chicago 14. American Football Conference AFC East W L T OTL PF PA New England 7 2 0 0 281 198 Buffalo 5 4 0 0 191 182 Miami 5 4 0 0 227 171 NY Jets 2 8 0 0 174 265 AFC North Cleveland 6 3 0 0 209 172 Cincinnati 5 3 1 0 197 211 Pittsburgh 6 4 0 0 261 239 Baltimore 6 4 0 0 261 181 AFC South Indianapolis 6 3 0 0 290 211 Houston 4 5 0 1 206 197 Tennessee 2 7 0 0 144 223 Jacksonville 1 9 0 0 158 282 AFC West Denver 7 2 0 1 286 202 Kansas City 6 3 0 0 217 151 San Diego 5 4 0 0 205 186 Oakland 0 9 0 0 146 252 PCT .778 .556 .556 .200 .667 .611 .600 .600 .667 .444 .222 .100 .778 .667 .556 0 National Football Conference NFC East Philadelphia 6 2 0 0 234 177 Dallas 7 3 0 1 261 212 NY Giants 3 6 0 0 195 247 Washington 3 6 0 0 197 229 NFC North Detroit 7 2 0 0 182 142 Green Bay 6 3 0 0 277 205 Minnesota 4 5 0 0 168 199 Chicago 3 6 0 1 194 277 NFC South New Orleans 4 5 0 2 251 225 Carolina 3 5 1 0 177 236 Atlanta 3 6 0 0 219 238 Tampa Bay 1 8 0 2 167 272 NFC West Arizona 8 1 0 0 223 170 Seattle 6 3 0 0 240 191 San Francisco 5 4 0 0 195 202 St. Louis 3 6 0 0 163 251 .750 .700 .333 .333 .778 .667 .444 .333 .444 .389 .333 .111 .889 .667 .556 .333 p17 2_Layout 1 11/10/14 10:41 PM Page 1 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 S P ORTS Warne backs misfiring Clarke to regain form SYDNEY: Shane Warne yesterday said he was concerned about Australia’s batting but backed struggling skipper Michael Clarke to score heavily this summer season. The spin great said the congested home season looms as an opportunity for Australia to win some big trophies and regain the status of the top team in world cricket. Australia begin a five-game one-day series against South Africa this week before a four-Test series against India and tri-series of one-dayers against India and England this domestic season. The World Cup then starts in Australia and New Zealand on Februar y 14. Warne, the second highest Test wicket taker (708) behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), said Australia had enough match-winners to win the World Cup, if the right team was selected. While he likes the look of the country’s pace and spin bowling options, he is concerned about the batting after the poor efforts in their recent 2-0 Test series drubbing by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. “I thought as a collective group they didn’t bat very well against Pakistan,” he said. “They played pretty poorly, so I’d like to see the batsmen start making some runs. If they do that, I’m sure the bowlers will be able to knock them over. “But watch out for Michael Clarke, I think he’ll make a few big hundreds soon.” Clarke has averaged just 27.46 in his last 16 innings and managed just 2, 3, 47 and 5 in his four innings during Australia’s series loss to Pakistan, but Warne believes the captain is poised to start another golden run. “I think they can win the World Cup, they’ve got enough match winners, we’ve got the best captain in the world in Michael Clarke,” Warne said. “I’m sure he’ll find some form ... I think he’s in pretty good touch. I think he’s cleared up his mind a little bit and I think he’ll do pretty good.” —AFP Kohli to lead India in first test of Australia tour NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli will lead India in the opening test of an upcoming fourmatch series in Australia after regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was diagnosed with a wrist injury. “MS Dhoni has been rested for the first test as a prophylactic measure to ensure optimum recovery,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement yesterday. “He will join the team from the second test onwards and will lead the team for the rest of the test series.” The 19-man squad includes two other wicketkeepers, Wriddhiman Saha and Naman Ojha, but it is expected that Ojha will return to India once Dhoni has recovered. That is likely to be for the second test. The selection committee, which met in Mumbai, named rookie batsman Lokesh Rahul as the third opener, after Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, and included leg spinner Karn Sharma for the first time. The 22-year-old Rahul, who toured Australia earlier this year with the India A side, was picked ahead of more experienced openers like Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag because of his superb recent form. He scored a century in each innings in the Duleep Trophy final this month playing for South Zone against Central Zone. The Duleep Trophy is considered to be a class above the national Ranji Trophy tournament because it involves the best players from each of the five zones. Left-hand batsman Suresh Raina was recalled to the test squad after more than two years while Gambhir was one of four players dropped from the side that toured England in July-August. India will play test matches at Brisbane (Dec. 4-8), Adelaide (Dec. 12-16), Melbourne (Dec. 26-30) and Sydney (Jan. 37). The tests will be followed by a one-day tri-series, also featuring England, before the World Cup is co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from Feb. 14-Mar. 29. Recent series for the Gavaskar-Border trophy have been lop-sided affairs. Australia beat India 4-0 during the 201112 series Down Under, but was itself humiliated by the same margin when it visited India for a similar four-test series in 2013. India has struggled to perform in away series in recent years with its most recent loss being a 3-1 defeat in England this JulyAugust. India was due to play three home tests against the West Indies this season, but the games were cancelled when the visitors withdrew, after playing four one-day internationals, because of a pay dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board. The India squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Wriddhiman Saha, Naman Ojha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Karn Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron. — AP ABU DHABI: Pakistani cricket captain Misbah-ul Haq (R) plays a reverse sweep shot as New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling looks on during the second day of the first Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. — AFP NZ under pressure after Pakistan’s 566-3 declared Zain main sponsor of racing champion Zaid Ashkanani KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced yesterday its main sponsorship of the Kuwaiti car racing champion Zaid Ashkanani for the upcoming 20142015 season, following his multiple successes in winning the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East title in March. I n a press statement, Zain explained that its latest sponsorship comes in line with its endless confidence in the competencies of Kuwaiti athletes like Ashkanani, who displayed unmatchable determination and dedication in his previous participations, in which he achieved the first place title at the age of 18. Zain further mentioned that Ashkanani is excitingly preparing for his next season, which will see him participate in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East that will take place in various Gulf countries including Bahrain International Circuit, Dubai Autodrome, and Losail International Circuit, Doha. The young champion displayed superior motorsport skills during his previous participations, which led him to becoming the overall champion and allowed him to raise the Kuwaiti flag high in victory. In just two years of professional racing driving, Ashkanani has been able to beat the odds and enjoy incredible success. ABU DHABI: Captain Misbah-ul-Haq hit a third successive century and Younis Khan smashed his fourth hundred in five innings as Pakistan made record progress to declare at 566-3 against New Zealand on the second day of the first test yesterday. Misbah, dropped twice early in his innings, was not out on 102 while Younis scored another superb 100 as both batsmen put on 193 runs for the fourth wicket. Pakistan also set a record as its top five batsmen all scored more than 80 runs, the first time such a feat has been achieved in test cricket, on a day when opener Ahmed Shehzad cracked his skull. New Zealand’s openers survived the last half hour to reach 15-0 at stumps with captain Brendon McCullum not out on nine and Tom Latham unbeaten on five. Resuming overnight at 269-1, Pakistan lost Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali, but not before they had shared 169 runs for the second wicket.Shehzad scored a career-best 176 before he was out hit wicket after being struck on the right side of his head by Corey Anderson (2-68). Ali was bowled by Ish Sodhi for 87. Team manager Moin Khan said scans showed Shehzad had a minor skull fracture and that “the specialist surgeon has advised 48 hours of close monitoring.” Moin added that if the pain did not subside, “the surgeon may opt for decompression.” Misbah, dropped on 17 and 20, went on completed his century off 162 balls with nine fours and a six. The Pakistan captain had scored centuries in each innings at the same venue during his team’s 356-run victory against Australia last week for a 2-0 series victory. Flawless century Younis also continued his fine form in a flawless century off 141 balls, with 10 fours, to add to his centuries in both innings of the first test against Australia at Dubai last month and a double century at the same Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Misbah and Younis accelerated the scoring rate once Ali departed in the second session and were unruffled by the bowling. The New Zealand attack toiled on a slow wicket and had little help from their fielders, Mark Craig and James Neesham both dropping the Pakistan captain off leg spinner Sodhi (1-162). Ali, who also scored centuries in each innings against Australia in the last test here in Abu Dhabi, was the only player out in the second session which yielded Pakistan 124 runs.He played to the wrong line of Sodhi’s sharp turning deliver y which pitched outside leg stump and knocked back the off stump. Ali hit four boundaries in his 215-ball knock. Shehzad’s careerbest eight-hour innings off 371 balls ended violently, just before lunch, after he had hit 17 fours and a six. Shehzad also became the youngest Pakistani opening batsman to score more than 150 runs at the age of 22 years and 352 days when he drove Southee through the covers for three before he was dismissed. His innings improved on his previous test-best of 147 made against Sri Lanka at Sharjah in January. — AP SCOREBOARD ABU DHABI: Scoreboard at stumps yesterday on the second day of the first test between Pakistan and New Zealand at Sheikh Zayed Stadium: Pakistan 1st Innings (Overnight: 269-1) Mohammad Hafeez c and b Anderson 96 Ahmed Shehzad hit wicket b Anderson 176 Azhar Ali b Sodhi 87 Younis Khan not 100 Misbah-ul-Haq not out 102 Extras: (4lb, 1nb) 5 Total: (for 3 wickets decl.) 566 Overs: 170.5. Fall of wickets: 1-178, 2-347, 3-373 Still to bat: Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan. Bowling: Trent Boult 26-7-62-0, Tim Southee 23-5-62-0 (1nb), Mark Craig 33-1-126-0, Ish Sodhi 43-6-162-1, Corey Anderson 19-3-68-2, James Neesham 16-0-50-0, Brendon McCullum 10.5-1-32-0. New Zealand 1st Innings Tom Latham not out 5 Brendon McCullum not out 9 Extras: (1nb) 1 TOTAL: (Without loss) 15 Overs: 7. Still to bat: Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, James Neesham, BJ Watling, Tim Southee, Mark Craig, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult. Bowling: Rahat Ali 3-2-1-0 (1nb), Imran Khan 1-0-4-0, Zulfiqar Babar 2-0-6-0, Mohammad Hafeez 1-0-4-0. ICC approves revised anti-corruption code ABU DHABI: Pakistani batsman Ahmed Shahzad (L) reacts as he leaves the ground with a physio after hitting his wicket and being dismissed for 176 runs on the second day of the first Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. — AFP DUBAI: The International Cricket Council approved its revised anti-corruption code yesterday but left it up to home boards to allow banned players to return early to domestic competition. For a player to return to domestic competition before the expiry of his ban would need the agreement of the chairman of the anti-corruption board, Sir Ronnie Flannagan, and the relevant National Cricket Federation, with the approval of the ICC Board, an ICC release explained. The revised code will specifically help Pakistan seamer Mohammad Aamer’s early return to domestic cricket, likely in February next year. Last year, the Pakistan Cricket Board had demanded the ICC relax certain conditions of Aamer’s ban after he pleaded guilty to a spotfixing crime and then completed the rehabilitation process. Aamer, now 22, was banned along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in a spotfixing scandal on Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. Aamer was banned for five years, Butt for ten (with five suspended) and Asif for seven (two suspended). The trio, also jailed in Britain, were charged with orchestrating deliberate no-balls during the Lord’s Test against England in return for money. The ICC said the revised code would close certain loopholes and address the issue of who has jurisdiction in a particular case. The code would also allow a player charged with an offence but who has not been provisionally suspended, to agree to voluntarily suspend him/herself, the ICC said. ICC chairman Naryanaswami Srinivasan, himself suspended in India over a fixing scandal in a Twenty20 league, said: “The process for the revision of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code was exhaustive and has been based on our learning and experiences over the past few years. “This code is now even more robust and comprehensive and it provides clarity on jurisdictional issues, gives options to the charged Participant and offers more choices to the Anti-Corruption Tribunal.” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson admitted the fight against corruption was still a priority. “The battle against corruption remains one of cricket’s biggest challenges and we remain committed to eliminating this menace from our sport,” he said. Aamer last week told AFP that he was anxiously awaiting the revision of the code and would apply to the Pakistan Board to be allowed to play in domestic matches. “I am waiting for the ICC decision and once it comes I will apply with the PCB to resume my domestic career and then international matches,” said Aamer. The ICC Board also accepted the PCB’s nomination of its former chairman, Najam Sethi, for the ICC Presidency. The presidency is now merely an honorific position with all the power in the hands of the chairman, following a reorganisation in June. The Board also reiterated its support for the no-tolerance approach in dealing with suspected illegal bowling actions. Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal was one of five bowlers suspended over an illegal action following an ICC crackdown in June. — AFP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 S P ORTS Farrell eager to see Otani on MLB trip to Japan OSAKA: Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell is looking forward to seeing Japanese pitching sensation Shohei Otani during Major League Baseball’s all-star postseason tour of Japan. Farrell and 29 major league players arrived in Osak a on Sunday night ahead of their five-game series against Japan starting Wednesday. The MLB allstars will also play two exhibition games during their tour. Farrell, who is managing the MLB squad, singled out Otani as the player he is most interested in. The 20-year- old right-hander went 11-4 with 179 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA this season for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Otani also plays the outfield for the Fighters and posted a respectable .274 batting average with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 87 games. He is expected to pitch Game 5 in front of his home crowd at Sapporo Dome. “We know the players on this roster are all going to be talented,” Farrell said at a media conference Monday. “Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing Otani pitch. A young guy who has got a tremendous arm, very good stuff.” Before turning pro in 2013, O tani announced in 2012 that he would pursue a career in Major League Baseball but he was drafted by the Fighters and eventually convinced to stay in Japan. Listed at 193 centimeters (6-foot-4) and 86 kilograms (190 pounds), Otani has a fastball that has been clocked as high as 160 kph (99 mph). Farrell has had plenty of exposure to Japanese pitchers over the years as pitching coach and manager of the Red Sox. “I’ve come to know the (Japanese) culture through players on our roster, whether it is Daisuke (Matsuzaka) or Hideki Okajima,” said Farrell, who also came here in 2008 when the Red Sox opened the season against the Oakland A’s at Tokyo Dome. “The more we have Japanese players come to the States, we learn more and more about (their culture) with each and every exposure we have to the players that come to us,” he added. Farrell said Matt Shoemaker of the Los Angeles Angels will start Game 1 in Osaka while Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners will pitch the first game in Tokyo Dome on Friday. Jeremy Guthrie of the Kansas City Royals will start Game 3 and Chris Capuano of the New York Yankees will start Game 4. Among the MLB players on the roster who were announced previously are Houston’s Jose Altuve and Colorado’s Justin Morneau - the two league batting champions - and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig. Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols, Washington outfielder Bryce Harper and Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones withdrew because of personal and family commitments, the Major League Baseball Players Association said. — AP Nishikori overcomes fright at Tour Finals LONDON: Japan’s Kei Nishikori admitted he had to overcome a case of severe stagefright before marking his ATP Tour Finals with an impressive 6-4, 6-4 victory over Andy Murray. Nishikori is the first Asian singles player to qualify for the prestigious season-ending tournament and he had the honour of playing in the opening match against former Wimbledon champion Murray on Sunday. It was a proud moment for Nishikori but his emotions got the better of him when he walked on court in front of a capacity 17,500-crowd at London’s O2 Arena. After a tense start as he came to terms with his new surroundings, Nishikori eventually rose to the occasion and delivered a dominant display to defeat home favourite Murray. “The stadium is huge and I tried not to look up too much because there were so many people on the top tier. I just tried to stay focused,” Nishikori said. “Maybe when I walked into the stadium I was nervous, but at the same time I was really excited to play with this crowd. “I was thinking, I’m very honoured to be here for the first time as a top-eight player. “I was a little bit tight in the beginning, so I was really happy that I played good tennis in this situation. I tried to stay calm when he was playing a little better. I got tight again honestly but I managed to play pretty solid at the end.” With matches against Roger Federer and Milos Raonic still to come, Nishikori has more work to do to reach the semi-finals but he sees no reason why he can’t extend his stay in London beyond the group stage. “I hope so. There is still a long way to going to the final and to win it, but that’s what I’m trying to aim for,” he said. “I was little bit surprised at how I played, very confident. Now I’m very much looking forward to the next match.” On the rise Although he had lost his previous three meetings with Murray, Nishikori had no reason to fear the Scot after enjoying the best season of his career. He reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open in September and became the first Asian man to finish in the world’s top 10 since 1973 thanks to a personal best 52 match wins this season. Although he lost the final in New York to Marin Cilic, Nishikori has continued to shine, winning tournaments in Kuala Lumper and Tokyo to climb to fifth in the world. He puts his success down to finally persuading himself that he has no reason to feel inferior to the top stars. “Yeah, I was struggling with that actually, because when I was junior, I wasn’t thinking too much, so I was able to play good tennis with anyone. But after turning pro, I was feeling a lot of respect to everybody, especially top players,” Nishikori said. “The first time I played Roger I couldn’t do anything because I respected him too much. I wasn’t going for the win, I was just playing against my idol. That was one of the problems I had. “But after a couple years, I got mentally strong. You have to believe in yourself to beat these top players. “I was looking up to people like (Chinese former Grand Slam winner) Li Na. I felt a lot of motivation from them.” — AFP ANAHEIM: Shawn Matthias #27 of the Vancouver Canucks falls to the ice in front of Frederik Andersen #31, Clayton Stoner #3 and Hampus Lindholm #47 of the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center on Sunday in Anaheim, California. —AFP Canucks beat Ducks 2-1 in shootout UNITED KINGDOM: Japan’s Kei Nishikori returns to Britain’s Andy Murray during the singles group B match on the first day of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament in London on Sunday. — AFP Judiciary denies British-Iranian volleyball woman jailed TEHRAN: A top Iranian judiciary official yesterday denied that a British-Iranian woman, arrested in June after trying to attend a men’s volleyball match, had been sentenced to jail, media reported. The lawyer for Ghoncheh Ghavami said earlier this month that the 25-year-old law graduate from London had been sentenced to a year in prison. “According to the verdict she was sentenced to one year in jail,” lawyer Alizadeh Tabatabaie was quoted as saying on November 2 by Iranian media. Tabatabaie said at the time he had not received official notification of the verdict but that the judge had showed him a copy of it after Ghavami’s trial for spreading “propaganda against the regime”-a broad TEHRAN: Mohammad Reza Davarzani, the president of Iran’s Volleyball Federation, speaks during interview with AFP in Tehran yesterday. The international volleyball federation FIVB said it will not allow Iran to host international events as long as women are banned from attending the game. — AFP charge often used by the judiciary. But deputy judiciar y head Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejeie dismissed this claim, saying that no sentence had been pronounced because the trial was still ongoing. “We have not finished examining the case. The court must still give a ruling on another charge” against Ghavami, Mohseni-Ejeie told reporters during his weekly news conference. “The verdict has not been issued,” he said. Asked by AFP for an explanation, Tabatabaie declined to comment. Ghavami was detained on June 20 at Azadi (“Freedom” in Farsi) Stadium where Iran’s national volleyball team was to play Italy, after female fans and even women journalists were told they would not be allowed to attend, leading to a brief demonstration. She was released within hours but was rearrested days later at a police station she had visited to reclaim items confiscated from her near the stadium. Mohseni-Ejeie, who is also chief spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, said after Ghavami’s second arrest: “She is being investigated and is currently in prison awaiting the end of the investigation”. He did not elaborate. Ghavami’s trial began behind closed doors in October. Her case has drawn considerable attention because of her dual nationality and time spent in prison before the trial, and because her arrest was linked to sport-a claim dismissed by the authorities. On Sunday, the international volleyball federation FIVB said it will not allow Iran to host international events for as long as women are barred from attending the game. Women are also banned from football matches in the Islamic republic, with officials saying this is to protect them from lewd behaviour among male fans. — AFP ANAHEIM: Nick Bonino assisted on the tying goal by Alexandre Burrows in the second period and got the only goal in the shootout in his return to Anaheim, helping the Vancouver Canucks beat the Ducks 2-1 on Sunday night. I t was the first meeting between the teams since the June 27 trade that brought Ryan Kesler to the Ducks and sent Bonino and defenseman Luca Sbisa to Vancouver. Kesler spent his first 11 NHL seasons with the Canucks, helping them get to the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 with 41 goals and winning the Frank Selke Trophy that season as the NHL’s best defensive forward. It was the Ducks’ second loss in three nights at home against a club they won all five meetings against last season. The Arizona Coyotes beat them 3-2 in a shootout on Friday. The Ducks, who led the league in goals last season en route to their second straight Pacific Division title, have just 11 in regulation over their last eight games. Defenseman Sami Vatanen had Anaheim’s only goal against Eddie Lack, who finished with 28 saves and got lucky twice in the tiebreaker as Jakob Silfverberg hit the crossbar and Kesler rang one off the left post. Frederik Anderson stopped 34 shots for the Ducks. The loss snapped their six-game winning streak against Vancouver, which included a five-game sweep last season that ended with a 3-0 victory in goalie John Gibson’s NHL debut. Gibson is sidelined at least six weeks because of a groin injury. Corey Perry, who leads Anaheim with 11 goals, missed his third straight game because of the flu. Francois Beauchemin also was out with the flu, and fellow defenseman Cam Fowler was scratched for the first time this season due to a lower body injury that occurred on Friday against Arizona. Just 3 seconds after Dan Hamhuis was sent off for hook ing William K arlsson, Vatanen opened the scoring at 2:37 of the second period with a 35-foot wrist shot that beat Lack to the stick side after Kesler won a faceoff from Bonino deep in the zone. The goal came on Anaheim’s only power play against a penalty-killing unit that had yielded just two goals in 26 short-handed situations over the Canucks’ previous eight games. Burrows tied it at 11:49 of the second on a deflection after Hamhuis one-timed a carom off the boards at the left point. Lightning 4, Red Wings 3 (SO) Right winger Ryan Callahan scored in the shootout to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Center Steven Stamkos scored twice and center Tyler Johnson got the goals for Tampa Bay in regulation. Callahan also had two assists and goalie Ben Bishop stopped 17 shots in regulation and overtime. Right winger Johan Franzen and left winger Gustav Nyquist had a goal and an assist each and center Darren Helm scored for Detroit. Defenseman Niklas Kronwall had two assists and goaltender Jimmy Howard made 27 saves in the first 65 minutes. Oilers 3, Rangers 1 Left winger Benoit Pouliot scored a goal and made an assist as Edmonton defeated the New York Rangers. Center Ryan NugentHopkins scored his fifth of the season for Edmonton, while right winger Teddy Purcell scored his second of the season into an empty net with 1:27 remaining to seal the win. Goaltender Viktor Fasth made 20 saves for the victory. Carl Hagelin scored the lone goal for the Rangers (6-6-2), who have lost four of five. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped 30 shots and took the loss. Maple Leafs 5, Senators 3 Toronto goalie James Reimer made 38 saves to top Ottawa at Canadian Tire Centre. Toronto winger David Clarkson scored the lone goal of the third period after center Peter Holland had a goal and an assist, and wingers James van Riemsdyk and Josh Leivo and center Mike Santorelli scored goals. Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner stopped just 25 shots while center Kyle Turris and wingers Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone scored goals. Blackhawks 5, Sharks 2 Chicago scored three goals in a span of 2 minutes, 34 seconds in the second period to beat San Jose. Defensemen Trevor Van R iemsdyk , Brent S eabrook and N ik las Hjalmarsson, left winger Bryan Bickell and center Jonathan Toews scored goals for Chicago and goaltender Corey Crawford turned aside 32 of 34 shots for the win. Center Joe Pavelski scored both goals for San Jose while goaltender Antti Niemi stopped 32 of 36 shots. — Agencies NHL results/standings Toronto 5, Ottawa 3; Tampa Bay 4, Detroit 3 (SO); Edmonton 3, NY Rangers 1; Chicago 5, San Jose 2; Vancouver 2, Anaheim 1 (SO). Anaheim Vancouver Calgary Los Angeles San Jose Arizona Edmonton Nashville St. Louis Winnipeg Chicago Minnesota Colorado Dallas Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF 10 3 3 41 11 5 0 49 9 5 2 49 8 4 3 37 8 6 2 50 6 7 1 34 6 8 1 38 Central Division 9 3 2 35 9 4 1 35 8 5 2 30 8 6 1 41 7 6 0 37 4 7 5 40 4 6 4 40 GA PTS 32 23 44 22 41 20 30 19 46 18 47 13 51 13 28 28 32 28 29 50 50 20 19 18 17 14 13 12 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Tampa Bay 11 3 1 58 41 23 Montreal 10 4 1 37 42 21 Detroit 7 3 5 40 37 19 Boston 9 6 0 43 35 18 Toronto 8 5 2 47 42 18 Ottawa 7 4 3 38 34 17 Florida 4 4 4 20 30 12 Buffalo 3 11 2 20 54 8 Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 10 2 1 55 27 21 NY Islanders 9 5 0 42 42 18 Philadelphia 7 5 2 45 43 16 Washington 6 5 3 45 42 15 New Jersey 6 6 2 38 45 14 NY Rangers 6 6 2 39 46 14 Carolina 4 6 3 31 43 11 Columbus 4 9 1 36 51 9 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L). TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 S P ORTS Spurs fans’ booing makes us want to play away: Adebayor LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor says negativity from home fans has damaged the team’s confidence and means they might be better off playing away from White Hart Lane. The north London club endured their fourth defeat in six home league games this season when they lost 2-1 to Stoke City on Sunday. Spurs fans were quick to voice their unhappiness during a lacklustre display, with a chorus of boos only drowned out by conveniently timed music blasted from the stadium’s speakers at the final whistle. Adebayor, a second-half substi- tute against Stoke, claims fans are making it hard for the team to perform and the atmosphere is causing some players to go missing in home matches. “I think it might be better to play away from home at the moment because at least we know beforehand we are guaranteed to be booed because they want their home club to win,” the Togo international told reporters. “But when you are playing at home and your own fans start booing you after a few minutes then it is harder. “When you are playing in front of your own crowd you want them to support you. But now it is like going through a sad moment and your family not welcoming you home. That’s the worst thing ever because you have nowhere to go. “I was on the bench against Stoke and, though I could not see everything as clear as night, I could see that nobody wanted the ball. Right now, to tell you the truth, I think a lot of players when they put on the shirt and go out on to the pitch are finding it hard in the head.” Adebayor has scored twice in 12 appearances for Spurs this season and has come in for criticism from fans and pundits. The striker says he is working hard to overcome his poor form and that people should not confuse his languid playing style for laziness. He also called for more respect from fans after a career that has seen him play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs. “I think in football too many people forget so quickly what you have done,” said Adebayor, whose former clubs include Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid. “So instead of booing people, which will make it even worse, I think it is sometimes better to support them and give them what they need to perform on the pitch. Obviously I have been through a lot in life so I am used to it. “It’s hard for the players. It’s not their fault and it’s not the fans’ fault either because the fans want to see a result, the fans want to see a response and things are not going our way at the moment. We just have to fight as a team and as a club to find a solution. The quicker the better.” Spurs are 12th in the table with 14 points from their opening 11 games, and visit Hull City next after the two-week international break. —Reuters Martinez says points alone no guide to Everton progress LONDON: Roberto Martinez has said Everton shouldn’t be judged solely on their Premier League points tally as they take stock during the international break. Leighton Baines’s penalty earned a 1-1 draw at Sunderland to leave the Merseyside club in 10th place with 14 points from their first 11 games. Despite being out of the League Cup, Everton are unbeaten in their last six matches and well-placed to reach the second phase of the Europa League. “I wouldn’t assess our season purely on points taken in the league,” said Everton manager Martinez after Sunday’s draw at the Stadium of Light. “I think you also need to look at the consistency in our performances, both in the Premier League and in Europe. We’ve got a very strong squad, with 23 outfield players who can come in and contribute to the team. “I feel we’ve got good competition for places and the right mentality to cope with the demands of domestic and European football. “We had been guilty of being a bit soft defensively, but we’ve ironed that out. We’ve shown we have the ingredients of a winning team.” Martinez also said he was “holding his breath” on Gareth Barry, who was taken to hospital with his right leg in a protective cast during the first half. The Everton boss absolves his compatriot Jordi Gomez of any blame. The Sunderland man, booked for the 13thminute challenge on Barry, was fortunate to escape a second caution for simulation before the break. “Barry’s had an X-ray, and we’re happy to confirm it’s not the broken leg we were worried about,” Martinez said. “There’s ankle ligament damage that we must assess. “It (the challenge) came early in the game and there’s no intention to hurt him whatsoever.” Martinez was less charitable, however, when it came to Gomez’s escape from censure for diving. Big calls Indeed the Everton boss felt Sunderland should have ended the contest with nine men, with Connor Wickham fortunate to avoid a straight red for tripping Seamus Coleman in the area, although Baines did score from the ensuing spot-kick. “I was surprised Wickham didn’t get sent off, because once you give a penalty it’s a red card,” said Martinez. “I don’t agree with the rule, but that’s not the issue. It would have been a major moment in the game had he got a red. “Likewise, I don’t want to see a player sent off, but Gomez was caught simulating. The referee was going to blow, but decided against it. They were two big calls that didn’t go our way.” This result saw Sunderland go three points clear of the relegation zone, Seb Larsson’s free-kick helping earn a sixth draw of the season for the Black Cats. Sunderland boss Gus Poyet professed himself satisfied with a draw, but the result was tinged with disappointing injury news, as the head coach confirmed defender Patrick van Aanholt was set to be out until February following surgery on a dislocated shoulder suffered in the victory at Crystal Palace. “It’s not good news on Patrick, who needs an operation and is going to be out for two -and-a-half months. Hopefully, we should have most of our other injured players back training before the end of the international break,” the Uruguayan added. —AFP Deila praises Celtic spirit GLASGOW: Celtic manager Ronny Deila hailed his side’s team spirit as they came from behind to seal a 2-1 victory away to Aberdeen that sent the Hoops top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season. Adam Rooney fired the Dons in front in the 27th minute before Stefan Johansen sneaked in an equaliser from a difficult angle 11 minutes later. Aberdeen had the better of the second half chances and their hopes of a win appeared to be boosted when Celtic skipper Scott Brown was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the match in the 82nd minute. However, it was the Hoops who conjured up a winner of their own in the 90th minute when Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk flicked home a Johansen corner to send the Hoops top of the table on goal difference from Inverness Caledonian Thistle. “It was a fantastic win and I am so proud of the team,” Deila said. “It’s been a very hard programme and we were playing away in Europe and only came home on Friday afternoon. It left us with very little time to get prepared for a very difficult match. We got the three points and the way we did it is what I call team spirit and togetherness. “It was unbelievable and to celebrate that with the fans was fantastic. “We have talked about losing leaders when Scott Brown is out but there were a lot of leader out there. “Of course I would have been happy with a point after I lost a man but I felt we were a physical threat and something could happen in the end. “We kept our discipline and we got the chance and the goal. It was a very good victory and a very important win as well.” Deila endured a turbulent start to his Celtic career, suffering heavy European defeats in Champions League qualification while dropping points domestically to Inverness, Dundee, Mother well and Hamilton. Togetherness However, he has now lost just once in his past 14 matches and after leading his side to the summit of the table with a match in hand the Hoops boss hopes to stay there for the rest of the campaign. “Taking over the champions is always hard as they have been successful and new people are then coming in,” the Norwegian said. “We need to get more and more togetherness and we agree on things. Today was a fantastic achievement and I feel more and more together with the players.” The tensions between the sides have been stoked ahead of the match after Celtic announced they were to appeal winger Aleksandar Tonev’s seven match ban from the Scottish FA for racially abusing Dons defender Shay Logan. There was no place for the on-loan Aston Villa player in the Celtic line-up but Logan played the full 90 minutes before being sent off in the tunnel after the game for foul and abusive language. However, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes revealed the ordering off was not connected with the bad feeling between the clubs. “It was something Shay had said in frustration to the assistant linesman in the tunnel. They took offence to it and they have red-carded him,” McInnes said. “I know what is alleged to have happened and what he is alleged to have said. Shay should have kept his cool but there was a lot of frustration, but only about today’s game. His performance was fine as you saw. “Shay, like the rest of my players, was a bit aggrieved at a couple of decisions in the build-up to their goals and that was basically it.” — AFP LOS ANGELES: Alvaro Saborio #15 of Real Salt Lake battles for a corner kick with Juninho #19 of Los Angeles Galaxy in front of the Galaxy’s Leonardo #22 during Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals at StubHub Center on Sunday in Los Angeles, California. The Galaxy won 5-0 to advance to the conference finals. — AFP BERLIN: Germany’s football national team’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (2ndL) poses with German President Joachim Gauck (L), German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2ndR) and German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (R) after receiving the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany’s top award for sports success, at the Schloss Bellevue Presidential Palace yesterday in Berlin. — AFP German World Cup team given national honor BERLIN: The president of Germany has decorated the World Cup-winning squad with the country’s highest honor for sports, rewarding what he called a “convincing performance that is recognized ungrudgingly by all its opponents.” President Joachim Gauck, joined by Chancellor Angela Merkel, presented the players with the Silver Laurel Leaf in a ceremony at the head of state’s Bellevue Palace. Speaking a day after the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Gauck noted that Germany’s fourth World Cup is its first as a reunited nation. West Germany won the title shortly before reunification in 1990. World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm, who retired from the national team after the tournament, thanked Gauck and Merkel for their support. Both traveled to the World Cup and visited the Germany dressing room. Meanwhile, Dortmund’s Reus, Sokratis out for two weeks (Releads with Reus out for two weeks) BERLIN, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund will be without winger Marco Reus and central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos for two weeks after the pair were injured in Sunday ’s 1-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach, the Bundesliga club said yesterday. Germany international Reus, in sensational form this season and one of only a few bright spots in their bad domestic run this season, stretched ankle ligaments in the game and isexpected to return in two weeks, the club said on Twitter. He is set to miss Germany’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar this week as well as their friendly against Spain on Nov. 18. Greece international Papastathopoulos broke the fibula in his right leg in a tackle against Gladbach’s Andre Hahn in the 82nd minute of Dortmund’s first win after five straight defeats that saw last season’s Bundesliga runners-up move out of bottom place. “The Greek is expected to be out for only two weeks and should be fit again for the Champions League game on Nov. 26 in London (against Arsenal),” the club said in a statement. He will, however, miss Greece’s Euro 2016 qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Friday and the friendly against Serbia four days later. The absences are painful for Dortmund as they look to bounce back from their bad start and quickly climb up the table until the winter break next month. Struggling Dortmund have been far more successful in Europe’s premier club competition having already advanced to the knockout stage with two games to spare. —Agencies FLORENCE: Italian national soccer team’s Mario Balotelli, center, runs with his teammates during a training session with the team at the Coverciano Training Center, near Florence, central Italy, yesterday. Italy will play Croatia in Milan on Sunday in a Euro2016, Group H, qualifying round soccer match. — AP France has little to play for until Euro 2016 PARIS: With more meaningless games coming up for France’s national team, at least the appearance of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a Sweden jersey will spark some interest. France has not lost since being eliminated by Germany in the World Cup quarterfinals, looking sharp in home wins over Spain and Portugal and breezing to a 3-0 victory at Armenia. But because France is an automatic qualifier for the 2016 European Championship it will host, those results count for very little. So until France kicks off the enlarged 24-team tournament on June 10, 2016, the problem coach Didier Deschamps faces is a long list of friendlies with absolutely no pressure to get results. A relaxed position to be in, perhaps, but possibly a double-edged sword. France is taking part in qualifying Group I, but doesn’t get any points for wins or draws because of the national team’s status as host. So while Spain and England rebuild after poor World Cup campaigns, France has a fully settled side but one that won’t be tested in a pressure environment. The players must find a way to motivate themselves despite knowing there isn’t much at stake with regards to their place in the team. First up is Albania at home in Rennes on Friday, then a swing south to take on Sweden and Ibrahimovic in Marseille. Deschamps already has the nucleus of his side in place. He isn’t looking for a spine to his team because he already found it at the World Cup, where Les Bleus looked impressive until facing a wiser and more experienced Germany. Unless Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery comes out international retirement, Deschamps pretty much knows his best XI. There are one or two positions in defense up for grabs, but those are between players already in the World Cup squad. There seems to be little room for newcomers, as there would be if France - like Spain and England - needed to increase competition for places. A midfield comprising of Juventus star Paul Pogba alongside Paris Saint-Germain pair Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye is very well settled, while Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is the leader in attack, flanked by Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Dynamo Moscow’s Mathieu Valbuena. In defense, Deschamps has a rock at center half in Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane - fast developing into one of the most assured defenders in European football. Even if he still needs to test his defense, the problem for Deschamps is that this is unlikely to happen much over the next calendar year. With the exception of a match against Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates next September, France’s other opponents in Group I - Denmark, Albania, Serbia and Armenia - do not pose a major attacking threat. Deschamps could well go into Euro 2016 with confidence high, yet with nagging doubts about how good his team will be when it counts. —AP NZ under pressure after Pakistan’s 566-3 declared Kuwait wins two gold in Asian Clay Target Shooting tournament TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 17 16 Canucks beat Ducks 2-1 in shootout Page 18 LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, left, puts up a shot as Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 107-92. — AP Lakers notch first win of season LOS ANGELES: Kobe Bryant and Jeremy Lin each scored 21 points as Los Angeles rallied to beat Charlotte 107-92 for their first victory of the season after five straight losses. Carlos Boozer added 16 points in Byron Scott’s first win as Lakers coach. Their victory left Philadelphia as the NBA’s only winless team at 0-7. Lin and Boozer’s offense dominated the third, when the Lakers were down by seven before a 25-6 run sent them into the fourth leading 76-64. It was a lead they never gave up. Al Jefferson scored 23 points and Kemba Walker added 17 for the Hornets, whose twogame winning streak ended. Gary Neal added 14 off the bench and Lance Stephenson had 10 rebounds. Phoenix 107 Golden State 95 Isaiah Thomas scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Phoenix Suns to a come-from-behind 107-95 victory Sunday over the Golden State Warriors, leaving the NBA with no unbeaten teams. Fellow reserve Gerald Green added 16 of his 19 points in the final quarter, when the Suns surged ahead after trailing by eight through three. Stephen Curry scored 28 points but just six in the second half, when he was plagued by missed shots and foul trouble. Curry, who entered tied for the NBA scoring lead, added 10 assists for his fourth double-double of the season. Draymond Green added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors (5-1), who played without Klay Thompson (sprained right hand). Heat 105, Mavericks 96 Luol Deng scored a season-high 30 points, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade added 20 apiece as Miami stayed perfect against Dallas since the 2011 NBA Finals. The Heat have won seven straight regular-season games against the Mavericks since Dallas took three in a row in the finals to capture its first championship. Miami was without LeBron James in this rematch, while the Mavericks faced the Heat for the first time since the return of two important pieces from their title team, Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea. But Deng was the key offseason acquisition that mattered most, going 13 of 19 from the field with five rebounds and four assists as the ball-moving Heat shot 55 percent to 42 percent for Dallas. Monta Ellis led the Mavericks with 23 points. Raptors 120, 76ers 88 DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, Terrence Ross had 17 and Toronto routed winless Philadelphia for its sixth victory in seven games. Lou Williams added 16 against his former team and Kyle Lowry had 14 as the Raptors, who are alone atop the Eastern Conference for the first time in their 20-year history. They were tied for first in November 2004. Toronto set a season high in points against the 76ers, who were even worse defensively than when they allowed 118 points against Chicago on Friday. Tony Wroten scored 18 points and Chris Johnson had 16 for the 76ers, who lost for the 70th time in their past 86 regular-season games. Thunder 101, Kings 93 Reggie Jackson scored 11 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter to help Oklahoma City beat Sacramento. Jackson scored eight points in the final 2:17, going 6 of 7 from the free throw line. Jeremy Lamb scored 17 points, Serge Ibaka had 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, and Sebastian Telfair added 14 points for the Thunder (2-5). Though struggling without injured stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, they improved to 2-1 at home. Rudy Gay had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and DeMarcus Cousins and Ben McLemore each added 16 points for the Kings (5-2). Jazz 97, Pistons 96 Gordon Hayward scored 17 points, including four in the final 2 minutes, Derrick Favors added a double-double and Utah overcame a doubledigit, second-half deficit to beat Detroit. Brandon Jennings, who had 23 points, missed a floater from the free-throw line that could have given the Pistons the victory. Favors finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Utah, while Enes Kanter had 14 points and 11 boards. Monroe had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, and Andre Drummond added 11 points and 18 rebounds. NBA results/standings Brooklyn 104, Orlando 96; Utah 97, Detroit 96; Oklahoma City 101, Sacramento 93; Toronto 120, Philadelphia 88; Miami 105, Dallas 96; Phoenix 107, Golden State 95; Portland 116, Denver 100. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Toronto 6 1 .857 Brooklyn 4 2 .667 1.5 Boston 3 3 .500 2.5 NY Knicks 2 5 .286 4 Philadelphia 0 7 0 6 Central Division Chicago 5 2 .714 Milwaukee 3 4 .429 2 Cleveland 2 3 .400 2 Detroit 2 4 .333 2.5 Indiana 1 6 .143 4 Southeast Division Miami 5 2 .714 Washington 5 2 .714 Charlotte 3 4 .429 2 Atlanta 2 3 .400 2 Orlando 2 5 .286 3 Western Conference Northwest Division Portland 4 3 .571 Utah 3 4 .429 1 Minnesota 2 4 .333 1.5 Oklahoma City 2 5 .286 2 Denver 1 5 .167 2.5 Pacific Division Golden State 5 1 .833 Sacramento 5 2 .714 0.5 LA Clippers 4 2 .667 1 Phoenix 4 3 .571 1.5 LA Lakers 1 5 .167 4 Southwest Division Memphis 6 1 .857 Houston 6 1 .857 New Orleans 3 2 .600 2 Dallas 4 3 .571 2 San Antonio 2 3 .400 3 Nets 104, Magic 96 Bojan Bogdanovic scored a season-high 22 points to lift Brooklyn over Orlando. Mason Plumlee added 12 points and 10 rebounds while Deron Williams and Kevin Garnett each had seven assists for Brooklyn (4-2). Nikola Vucevic led the Magic with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Vucevic scored 17 of Orlando’s 25 points in the third quarter as the Magic trailed 81-77 entering the fourth quarter. Evan Fournier scored 19 points.— AP Former NBA player Ernie Vandeweghe dead at 86 Ernie Vandeweghe LOS ANGELES: Ernie Vandeweghe, a New York Knicks player in the post-World War II era and father of former NBA star Kiki Vandeweghe and three other top athletes, has died. He was 86. The death was confirmed Sunday night by Kiki Vandeweghe, who said his father died of natural causes at his home in Newport Beach. Vandeweghe averaged 9.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 224 regular-season games for the Knicks from 1949-56. In college, he averaged 19.1 points in four seasons at Colgate. “I am so lucky to have spent so many years with him learning and growing,” granddaughter CoCo Vandeweghe, a pro tennis player ranked 40th in the world, said in a Facebook post Saturday. “He is now in a better place with his beloved wife. He will be missed dearly. Love you Pal.” Ernie Vandeweghe’s wife, Colleen, died in 2010. She won the 1952 Miss America pageant. Born in Montreal, Vandeweghe went to medical school while in the NBA and was a physician in the US Air Force. He was chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and served on the Olympic Sports Commission. He also was the Lakers’ team physician when the team moved to Los Angeles from Minneapolis. “He’s never really gone because the lessons are still there,” said Kiki Vandeweghe, who as a 5year-old didn’t understand why his physician father would often be gone on weekends.”He used to take care of the athletes and their kids. I found out he never charged any of those people. When you can afford to give back, you do.” Kiki Vandeweghe played 13 seasons in the NBA and was a two-time All-Star who averaged 19.7 points for his career. Daughter Tauna won a US swimming championship in the backstroke and competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Son Bruk was a beach volleyball player, and daughter Heather captained the US women’s polo team. Coco is Tauna’s daughter. Ernie Vandeweghe grew up in New York on Long Island and played football, basketball and baseball in high school. — AP PHOENIX: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns in the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, in Phoenix. — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 Kuwait consumer inflation edges up In shift, Russia lets ruble float free in markets Page 22 Page 23 BEIJING: The fireworks show takes place during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Beijing yesterday. Leaders of more than half the world’s economy gather in Beijing over the next week for the annual APEC forum, with China and the US pushing rival trade agreements as the week-long series of international summits gets under way. -- AFP Kuwait sees no output cut at OPEC meeting No cause for panic over price drop: Al-Badri KUWAIT: OPEC is not likely to cut crude output when it meets later this month amid hopes that the market will absorb surplus supplies, the Kuwaiti oil minister said yesterday. “I do not expect OPEC to make any production cut. A decision like this will be very difficult,” Ali Al-Omair said in Abu Dhabi, cited by the official KUNA news agency. The 12-member Organization for the Petroleum Exporting Countries is due to hold its next scheduled meeting on November 27 amid calls by some members to reduce production to stop a slide in oil prices. OPEC supplies around 40 percent of global crude output. Omair, who was attending an oil conference in the UAE capital, expressed hope that the oil market will soon absorb surplus production, adding that “the size of the surplus is unknown”. KUNA quoted OPEC Secretary General Abdullah Al-Badri as saying that “there was no cause for panic in the markets as a result of the sharp decline in oil prices because the situation will improve.” OPEC is currently pumping just under 31 million barrels per day, around one million bpd higher than its ceiling. industry conference in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed Al-Mazroui, also on the panel, delivered a similar opinion: “We are not seeing the price issue as a major issue that we need to panic about.” Badri indicated that both producers and consumers would be happy with oil prices in a broad range around $100 per barrel. “In the last five to six years we don’t see any nagging by consumers or producers...$100, $110, $95, they are happy with these prices.” He also said, “A high price is not preferable by OPEC, a low price is not preferable by OPEC” because high prices would mean less demand while low prices would reduce investment in oil supply. World oil prices rose yesterday, gaining strength from solid economic data in key consumer China, with extra support from the weaker US dollar, dealers Markets recover as Arabtec lifts Dubai MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Most stock markets in the Middle East gained yesterday, led by Dubai, where construction firm Arabtec Holding rose sharply after a key shareholder bought a stake in a major Egyptian property developer. Dubai’s index jumped 2.8 percent, its biggest daily gain in three weeks, as Arabtec, which dominated trading volumes, surged 8.8 percent. Abu Dhabi state fund Aabar Investments, a major shareholder in Arabtec, bought a 5.1 percent stake in Egypt’s second-largest listed real estate developer Palm Hills on Sunday. “It shows there is a strong commitment (by the United Arab Emirates) to support the Egyptian economy, especially in the real estate sector,” said Sebastien Henin, head of asset management at The National Investor in Abu Dhabi. “We could imagine it might sooner or later benefit Arabtec, for example with a new project.” Arabtec is already involved in a $40 billion project to build a million housing units in Egypt, the company’s largest project to date. Abu Dhabi’s benchmark rose 1.1 percent on the back of blue chips Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and Aldar Properties, up 3.8 and 5.1 percent respectively. Shares in investment firm Waha Capital, which posted strong third-quarter results on Sunday, jumped 5.5 percent to 3.08 dirhams and were the most heavily traded stock in the market. Waha made a net profit of 301.2 million dirhams ($82 million) in the quarter, up from 107.1 million dirhams in the year-ago period. On Sunday, the stock surged 7.0 percent, breaking technical resistance at 2.85 dirhams, the late October peak. This triggered a bullish right triangle formed by the highs and lows since mid-October and pointing up to 3.16 dirhams. It faces strong resistance at 3.20-3.28 dirhams, the September and July peaks. Qatar’s index gained 0.7 percent and Qatar National Bank, which at the end of last week secured a weighting increase in MSCI’s emerging markets index, was the main support, climbing 1.4 percent. Saudi, Egypt Saudi Arabia’s index rose 1.1 percent, largely on the back of the banking sector. Al Rajhi Bank, the country’s largest listed lender, rose 1.2 percent and Samba Financial Group, the third-largest bank by assets, jumped 3.1 percent. Weak oil prices are keeping investors away from petrochemicals, and a shock restatement of 18 months of earnings by Mobily last week dampened demand for all telecommunications firms, making banks the most attractive Saudi sector for now, said Henin from The National Investor. “A lot of cash came back to the market after the end of National Commercial Bank IPO and I guess they are looking for investment opportunities,” he said.– Reuters said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in December increased $1.45 to trade at $84.84 a barrel around midday in London. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for December rallied $1.06 to $79.71 a barrel compared with Friday’s closing level. Meanwhile, OPEC daily basket price went up by 40 cents to $78.67 a barrel on Friday, compared with $78.27 the previous day, the cartel said in a statement here yesterday. The monthly rate of the OPEC basket price for October hit $85.06 a barrel compared to $95.98 a barrel in September, it said. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). —Agencies Cameron defends EU plan as business leaders speak out LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday defended his plans for EU reforms in front of Britain’s business leaders, as a top executive warned against “shutting ourselves off from the world”. Cameron also used a speech to the annual conference of the CBI business lobby group to reject suggestions that his promise of an in-or-out referendum in 2017 was causing uncertainty that could hurt the economy. “Britain’s future in Europe matters to our country and it isn’t working properly at the moment and that is why we need to make changes,” he said. Four out of five British businesses are in favor of staying in the European Union, according to the Confederation of British Industry, which estimates the net benefits of EU membership to the UK as between four and five percent of GDP. But Cameron’s Conservativeled government is becoming increasingly hawkish in its dealings with Brussels, raising concerns that Britain could be heading towards the exit. CBI president Mike Rake, who is also chairman of telecoms giant BT, told delegates in London that membership of the EU was “overwhelmingly in our national interest”. And he warned Britain faced a choice between two futures. “One, in which we risk looking inward, shutting ourselves off from the world in the face of inevitable global change and where we reject the power of free and competitive markets to drive progress,” he said. “The other, in which we embrace the openness which has always been the foundation LONDON: British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg addresses delegates at the annual Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference in central London yesterday. —AFP of Britain’s success—to trade, to people, to investment and to ideas from abroad, and of competitive markets at home.” Delegates at the conference expressed frustration with the tone of the political debate, particularly its focus on immigration from other parts of Europe. While politicians increasingly vie to promise curbs on new arrivals, many businesses see immigration as a vital way of filling a skills gap in Britain. Opposition Labor leader Ed Miliband, who has refused to match Cameron’s referendum promise, warned that leaving the EU would be a “disaster” and put profits and jobs at risk. In his address to the conference, Miliband accused those who “flirt” with the idea of an exit of weakening Britain’s influence in Brussels. “Making ever-more incoherent demands, ever-more isolated from its partners all this puts us on the conveyor belt towards exit with no idea how to get off,” he said. Hamish Macleod, the director of public affairs at BSW Timber, the largest sawmilling business in Britain, told AFP that leaving the EU would “concern us greatly”.—AFP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 BUSINESS Kuwait consumer inflation edges up NBK ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: Inflation in the consumer price index (CPI) rose to 3.2 percent year-on-year (y/y) in September, on the back of higher inflation in most components. Core inflation continued to exceed the overall inflation rate, climbing from 2.9 percent y/y in August to 3.3 percent y/y in September. The headline inflation rate was mainly driven higher by stronger food price growth as well as a jump in inflation in the furnishings & household, leisure, hospitality and education components. The upward pressures from most of these components are unlikely to be sustained in the coming months and headline inflation is expected to ease to an annual average of 3.0 percent by the end of 2014. Inflation in the food price index reversed its downward trend in September, rising from 1.8 percent y/y in August to 2.7 percent y/y. This follows the recent acceleration in international food prices which could continue to put mild upward pressure on domestic prices in the coming months. However, with international food price inflation already easing, the pressure on Kuwaiti inflation is likely to remain limited, and could begin to see local food price growth easing by the end of this year. Inflation in housing services, mostly housing rent, remained steady at 4.4 per- i n b r i e f Aramco commitments not impacted by oil: Exec ABU DHABI: A senior official at state oil giant Saudi Aramco said yesterday that the recent fluctuations in oil prices would not threaten the company’s long-term supply commitments. “The recent volatility is not news, (it is) in large (part) due to a weak global economy,” Amin Nasser, senior vice president for upstream operations at Saudi Aramco, told an energy conference in Abu Dhabi, adding that there was a “significant amount of oil” in the market. “However, long-term fundamentals remain robust...Fluctuating oil prices don’t overshadow Saudi Aramco’s long-term commitment.” component could be a result of increases in the cost of hiring household workers. Inflation in the leisure and hospitality segments also witnessed rises. Inflation in the leisure component rose from 0.5 percent y/y in August to 1.2 percent y/y in September, while inflation in the “hotels” segment rose from 2.5 percent y/y in August to 3.5 percent y/y in September. The relatively strong price growth in these segments could be mainly attributed to seasonal factors, or the local and regional public holidays that took place in September, during which demand for these services sees a significant increase. cent y/y in September. This component reports changes in its inflation rate once every quarter. As a result of its rather stable inflation rate for the most part of this year, amid moderate housing activity, housing services is expected to post an annual inflation rate average of just under 4.5 percent y/y for 2014. Inflation in the furnishings & household maintenance sector jumped in September, from 4.9 percent y/y in August to 5.6 percent y/y. Inflation in this component was mainly led higher by an increase in maintenance and domestic services & household services costs. The jump in the costs of the latter sub- Moody’s sees financial, political risks in Bahrain SINGAPORE: High income levels, a reasonably welldiversified economy and a strong external balance sheet continue to support Bahrain’s (Baa2 negative) sovereign credit profile, but deteriorating government finances and a very high reliance on oil revenues-against limited oil reserves-together with political risks are key credit weaknesses, says Moody’s Investors Service in a report published yesterday. Moody’s conclusions were contained in its justreleased credit analysis “Bahrain, Government of ”, which looks at the country’s credit profile in terms of Economic Strength (assessed as “moderate (+)”); Institutional Strength (“high (-)”); Fiscal Strength (“moderate”); and Susceptibility to Event Risk (“high (+)”). These represent the four main analytic factors in Moody’s Sovereign Bond Rating Methodology. The analysis constitutes an annual update to investors and is not a rating action. Bahrain is rated Baa2 with a negative outlook. Bahrain’s high per capita income of nearly $50,000 on purchasing power parity basis in 2013 and a strong non-oil sector continue to underpin the country’s economy. According to Moody’s, Bahrain’s vulnerability to external economic and financial shocks is cushioned by its strong external position as reflected in a solid net international investment position of 77 percent of GDP in 2013, and current account surpluses have averaged 7.8 percent of GDP over the last 10 years. Bahrain’s relatively low external breakeven oil price, which the IMF projects to be $65.5 per barrel in 2015, also suppor ts its external position and Moody’s expects a sustained period of low oil prices to have a manageable impact. Moody’s forecasts 3.5 percent real GDP growth for 2015, down from an estimated 4 percent in 2014. Several large, multi-year investment projects are likely to support growth in the coming years. Bahrain’s oil production has only limited scope for increases, and the authorities are planning refinery upgrades, an aluminum smelter capacity extension, and the construction of power plants. Social housing projects, which have been funded through t h e G u l f Co o p e r a t i o n Co u n c i l D e ve l o p m e n t Program, are also set to launch in the coming years. However, a prolonged period of low oil prices could negatively affec t public investment spending, because oil and gas revenues account for more than News Dollar steady against dinar at KD 0.290 KUWAIT: The US dollar exchange rate was stable against the Kuwait dinar yesterday trading at KD 0.290, while the euro moved up to KD 0.362, compared with rates the day before. The Sterling Pound exchange rate went up to KD0.462. The Swiss franc also increased to KD0.301. The Japanese yen remained the same at KD 0.003, said the daily bulletin of the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK). Egypt’s consumer inflation rises CAIRO: Egypt’s annual urban consumer inflation quickened to 11.8 percent in October from 11.1 percent in September, the official statistics agency CAPMAS said yesterday, while the less volatile core measure fell. Inflation had fallen in September after a rise this summer triggered by the government’s introduction of fuel price increases. Mohamed Abu Basha, an economist at EFG-Hermes, said he had predicted a smaller increase. “It came above expectations and that’s solely due to the jump in the category of education”, he said, noting that the back-to-school period usually spurs a price hike but not the 25 percent registered by CAPMAS for October. He said other items across the consumer basket saw mild increases, such as 0.9 percent month-on-month for food prices. Egypt’s annual core inflation, which strips out subsidized goods and volatile items such as fruit and vegetables, declined to 8.47 percent in October from 9.15 percent in September, the central bank said. Total can withstand oil at $80, to continue projects ABU DHABI: Big oil companies such as Total can withstand oil prices at $80 a barrel and the French firm will continue its current investment projects, Total’s president for exploration and production said yesterday. “$100 was a good level to ensure continuous supply of projects for the future,” Arnaud Breuillac told a news conference at a major energy industry conference in Abu Dhabi. But he added, “Large companies like Total have financial capability to weather a bit of time when the oil price is lower,” and said Total did not want to cut back its investment budget. “We will continue with our capital discipline. We have a strong roadmap for the next few years with a lot of projects, and all of them will continue.” Breuillac also said Total did not think oil prices would stay as low as $80 for long. Dubai’s financial free zone to double in size SHANDONG: Customers choose vegetables in a market in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong province yesterday. Chinese inflation was unchanged at a near five-year low of 1.6 percent in October, the government said, with analysts warning the world’s number two economy is facing deflationary risks. —AFP 86 percent of total government revenues. Moody’s also notes that Bahrain faces continued pressures to further increase government spending. Current spending has increased largely due to higher spending on welfare, social security and subsidies. As a result, Bahrain has the highest fiscal breakeven oil price in the GCC, at $125.4 in 2014, according to the IMF. Bahrain’s fiscal deficit will likely remain relatively high at 4.2 percent in 2014, after reaching 4.3 percent of GDP in 2013, says Moody’s. As a result of these recurrent fiscal deficits, the stock of government debt increased to 43.5 percent of GDP in 2013 from 21.4 percent in 2009. Moreover, the government is increasingly relying on external sources to finance its deficits through international bond issuances. In addition, the country remains vulnerable to domestic political tensions and contagion from regional geopolitical instability. DUBAI: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is on track to double in size over the next decade with companies from China and South-east Asia set to fuel its next phase of growth, the governor of the financial free zone said yesterday. The zone’s expansion illustrates the shift away from traditional financial centers such as London and New York due to the increasing wealth of emerging market economies, and the increasing importance of the Middle East as a hub. DIFC has its own labor laws and court system separate from the wider United Arab Emirates. Since opening a decade ago, it has risen to become the most prominent financial hub in the Middle East, with many international banks, law and advisory firms and insurance companies using it as their regional base of operations. “We’ve been growing very fast, in terms of the number of companies and people that are working in the DIFC, and if you extrapolate that, we’ll manage to double everything in the next 10 years,” DIFC governor Essa Kazim told reporters at a media event. “Chinese and South-east Asian companies are showing a strong interest in the region so we are working with them to capitalize on Dubai and the DIFC as a hub for their businesses to expand. That is where I feel the growth will happen.” The doubling in size would be in terms of floor space, the number of people working in the centre and the number of companies there, Kazim added. —Reuters EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.526 4.743 2.847 2.221 2.963 226.560 37.581 3.759 6.467 8.870 59.250 117.500 GCC COUNTRIES 77.724 80.074 757.340 774.150 79.376 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.762 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.663 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.360 Tunisian Dinar 159.910 Jordanian Dinar 411.340 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.955 Syrian Lira 2.077 Morocco Dirham 33.297 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 291.350 Euro 364.770 Sterling Pound 464.120 Canadian dollar 258.290 Turkish lira 128.800 Swiss Franc 303.020 Australian Dollar 252.310 US Dollar Buying 290.150 20 gram 10 gram 5 gram GOLD 229.000 117.500 59.250 UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal SELL DRAFT 230.42 261.08 306.15 366.02 291.55 465.34 2.58 3.759 4.737 2.221 2.957 2.853 79.23 773.84 40.66 413.78 756.12 80.29 77.67 SELL CASH 227.42 262.08 304.15 367.02 294.55 468.34 2.60 4.029 5.037 2.656 3.492 2.790 79.69 775.91 41.26 419.43 763.42 80.84 78.07 2.765 3.905 88.300 47.950 9.980 130.750 Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht 0.000064 0.223011 0.019914 0.001912 0.009414 0.008559 0.000070 0.229011 0.028414 0.002492 0.009594 0.009109 Bahrain Exchange Company Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar Turkish Lira UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal Arab 0.766353 0.038632 0.000081 0.000188 0.406851 1.000000 0.000144 0.023794 0.001179 0.750729 0.079316 0.077057 0.001727 0.155580 0.130217 0.078342 0.001315 0.774353 0.041732 0.000082 0.000248 0.414351 1.000000 0.000244 0.047794 0.001814 0.756409 0.080529 0.077757 0.001947 0.163580 0.137217 0.079491 0.001395 Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi Thai Bhat Turkish Lira COUNTRY Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Selling Rate 291.150 259.205 466.000 366.615 302.465 774.160 79.165 80.770 77.815 410.810 40.623 2.222 4.740 2.828 3.756 6.472 714.395 3.560 Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar America Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso SELL CASH 0.007585 0.457005 0.005086 0.044737 0.358313 0.038713 0.083568 0.008494 0.035269 0.295661 0.130217 SELLDRAFT 0.008585 0.466005 0.017066 0.049737 0.366313 0.043913 0.083568 0.018494 0.040289 0.305861 0.137217 Australasia 0.243703 0.220271 0.255203 0.229771 0.252099 0.287250 0.287750 0.260599 0.291950 0.291950 Asia 0.003351 0.046031 0.035479 0.004481 0.000020 0.002464 0.003323 0.000257 0.084748 0.002977 0.002749 0.006383 0.003951 0.049531 0.038229 0.004882 0.000026 0.002644 0.003323 0.000272 0.090748 0.003147 0.003029 0.006663 Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterlng Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 290.300 365.200 464.000 255.700 4.740 40.615 2.217 3.750 6.472 2.825 773.550 79.100 77.600 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 BUSINESS Wrong place, small size, ailing industry kill Welsh refinery LONDON: US company Murphy Oil tried for more than four years to sell its Milford Haven refinery in Wales. The plant was finally doomed last week when a deal with entrepreneur Gary Klesch fell through because he could not secure financing. Banks were not convinced Klesch’s plans to buy Britain’s smallest and least sophisticated plant were viable, sources familiar with the transaction said. The 135,000 barrel-per-day plant has already been shut and will be dismantled in coming months, putting most of its 450 staff out of work. “It was at a smaller scale than other UK refineries, in a relatively remote location, and with a product slate skewed to gasoline at a time when Northwest Europe is surplus gasoline,” said Stephen George, chief economist at KBC Advanced Technology. The frail state of the European refining industry also means that all but the strongest plants are vulnerable. Competition is increasing from the Middle East and United States, and industry executives say around 1 million bpd of capacity needs to close in the next few years to bring the market into balance. “There’s not a lot of reason for hope (of improvement),” said Bryan Kelly, vice president for UK operations at Murphy Oil. “Everybody thought 2009 was the worst year for refining until 2011. Then for 2013, cash margins were negative for the whole year.” Klesch declined to com- ment on the closure. The resurrection of the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland the previous year helped foster a view that ailing British plants could be saved. Scotland’s only refinery, owned jointly by Ineos and PetroChina, received a 285 million euro ($357 million) loan guarantee from the British Treasury and a 9 million pound ($14.3 million) grant from the Scottish government. The threat to Grangemouth came just months before a referendum on Scottish independence, and both governments were keen to be seen as protecting Scottish jobs and supporting a vital industry. Grangemouth also has strategic importance because it powers the Kinneil terminal, which processes North Sea crude coming ashore via the Forties Pipeline System, a grade that helps set the Brent benchmark for global oil prices. By comparison, Milford Haven’s significance to British politics was much less. Its closure creates a headache for the Conservative-led coalition government in the run-up to elections next May. The Welsh government pledged a loan guarantee of 100 million pounds to keep it afloat. But Milford Haven is the smaller of two refineries in Wales and the smallest of the seven plants in the United Kingdom. “Grangemouth has a crude cost advantage and is better located from a market perspective,” said Colin Birch, a vice president at IHS Global. — Reuters In shift, Russia lets ruble float free in markets CB ready to step in to maintain stability LONDON: Sweden’s former prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt addresses delegates at the annual Confederation of British Industry (CBI) conference in central London yesterday. — AFP Russians buy dollars and hoard cash on ruble fears MOSCOW: Many Russians are buying dollars and hoarding cash, increasingly concerned by a slide in the ruble and wary of possible restrictions on bank withdrawals as President Vladimir Putin blames currency woes on speculators and the West. While there is little panic on the streets of Moscow and other major cities, some Russians are taking no chances with their money, with many hardened by a financial crisis in 1998 which wiped out the savings of millions of people. The ruble has fallen more than 25 percent against the dollar in 2014, with especially heavy losses in the past month when the currency repeatedly hit all-time lows despite the central bank spending around $30 billion to defend the currency. Financial officials and the Kremlin have united in calling for calm, suggesting that speculators were to blame for the falling ruble, rather than tumbling oil prices or Western sanctions that have weakened the economy. Putin has hinted that the global oil price has been deliberately manipulated to hurt Russia. Russian search engine Yandex said queries such as “what to do with roubles in 2015?” hit a record high of over 1.2 million on one day last week. Viktoria Openko, deputy head of currency conversion operations at mid-sized Russian lender B&N Bank, said demand for dollars had risen more than four times in Moscow from Oct. 9 compared with the preceding two months and the bank had to increase the number of times it restocked its branches. “We first noticed increased demand in Moscow on Oct. 8-9, when the dollar repeatedly started to trade above 40 rubles,” she said. “In the regions, the rise in demand started later, from Oct. 13, and on a lesser scale.” Representatives from VTB 24, the retail-banking arm of Russia’s secondlargest lender VTB, and Rosbank, part of Societe Generale Group, have seen a similar increase in forex demand. Another mid-sized Russian lender, Soyuz, said it sold $2.3 million to customers in October, compared with $890,000 in September. So far there are few signs large banks are running short of dollars, but media have reported foreign currency shortages at smaller lenders in the past week. Four large banks were able to sell up to $10,000 to a Reuters reporter on Friday, while an office of sanctioned SMP Bank had large amounts of dollars but had run out of euros. At a currency exchange booth in Moscow, an employee who did not wish to be named said customer behavior had changed. “We have the same customers ringing up in the morning to check the rate. People are worried,” the employee said. Bella Zlatkis, deputy chief executive of top lender Sberbank , said late last month that demand for safety deposit boxes was the most noticeable change in customer behavior. “ We can’t buy safes quickly enough, the largest demand we have is for safes. I understand when people want to put dollars in safes, but at the moment there is another trend, to take out rubles and put them in a safe,” Zlatkis said. She suggested demand for safes was linked to fears that authorities could restrict bank withdrawals. “The No. 1 motivation is to save so they can’t take it from you.” Yesterday, the ruble firmed sharply after Putin said he hoped speculative trading on the ruble would stop soon. By mid-afternoon it was trading more than 2 percent higher than the previous close after the central bank said it could intervene at any time to punish speculators after letting the currency float freely. “That Russian officials from the president down are trying to talk up the ruble speaks volumes about the extent of the deterioration in sentiment towards the currency,” said Nicholas Spiro, managing director of Spiro Sovereign Strategy. “While there has been no widespread dollarization of retail deposits, this is now a much bigger risk than it was as recently as a couple of weeks ago,” Spiro said. “Today’s recovery in the ruble looks and feels like a temporary respite.” — Reuters MOSCOW: With the Russian ruble in a nosedive under the pressure of Western sanctions and slumping oil prices, the country’s central bank decided yesterday to freely float the currency in markets and stop regularly spending billions in a vain attempt to stem its fall. The bank has been burning through its $400 billion in reserves to soften the drop in the ruble, which has lost about half its value since the start of the year as investors pulled money out of Russia and the economy headed toward recession. It spent $30 billion last month alone - an unsustainable rate. Yesterday, the central bank said it would let the market decide what value to give the ruble, which touched a record low of above 48 to the dollar on Friday. It also warned, however, that it would be ready to intervene if necessary to maintain financial stability. A free float could see the ruble depreciate further in the longer term, stoking inflation and other economic problems for Russians. But investors welcomed the central bank’s move as a necessary step protect the nation’s hard currency reserves and curb market speculation. As a result, the ruble strengthened sharply on the news, trading up 3.6 percent at around 45 rubles a dollar in midday trading. The central bank will stop setting daily limits for the ruble’s fluctuations and will not have any obligation to intervene regularly in markets to support the currency. However, Central Bank Chief Elvira Nabiullina said the regulator will “intervene in the market at any moment in the amount necessary to counter speculative demand.” Speaking in Beijing, where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced confidence that the central bank’s move will help stabilize the ruble. “We have seen speculative fluctuations of the rate, but I think it will end soon in the face of action taken by the central bank in response to action by speculators,” he said. The central bank has been eating through its hard currency reserves to prop up the ruble, spending $30 billion last month alone. It also has steadily raised its base interest rate from 5.5 percent to 9.5 percent last month to entice investors with higher returns. The ruble kept MOSCOW: People pass by a display with exchange rates in downtown Moscow yesterday. Russia’s Central Bank yesterday scrapped its daily controls on the value of the ruble, allowing the battered currency to float freely in financial markets earlier than planned. — AP falling. Observers said Russian banks were able to earn easy profits by taking loans from the central bank and buying dollars in the currency markets, a strategy that helped drive the ruble down further. Nabiullina said the central bank will introduce restrictions on the amount of loans offered to financial institutions to ease pressure on the ruble. “We will temporary limit liquidity in rubles, because it’s being used not only for financing the economy but also for currency market speculations,” she said. Market watchers said the ruble’s trading band encouraged investors to test the limits set by the central bank. “It became quite clear that corridor was no longer helping prevent the ruble’s plunge,” MDM bank chairman Oleg Vyugin, a former deputy central bank chief, said in comments carried by the Tass news agency. “Its predictabili- ty made a lot of harm.” Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the regulator should have made the move earlier. “The decision is a bit belated,” he said, according to the Interfax news agency. “When the ruble came under pressure, it was unnecessary to maintain the currency corridor and sell hard currency reserves,” he said. Siluanov argued that the ruble had been driven down by speculators, adding that market forces will help it rebound. However, slumping oil prices and uncertainty over when the US and European Union sanctions for Russia’s action in Ukraine will likely keep pressure on the ruble. The central bank on Monday revised up its estimates for how much money will be pulled out of Russia this year, from $90 billion to $128 billion. It predicted zero economic growth next year. — AP With dollar on a tear, gold and silver rout far from over NEW YORK: Gold’s rout may be far from over, with many analysts and traders surveyed by Reuters predicting prices could fall to $1,000 per ounce by the end of the year, the first time at that level since 2009, even after Friday’s 3-percent short-covering rally. A rush of physical buying in the past week - from jewelry in Shanghai to coins in Germany - may prove to be a dead-cat bounce that is too feeble to offset a broader trend of selling by investors betting on further gains in the dollar, U.S. equities and an improving U.S. economy, according to the survey of more than two dozen analysts and traders. Half of the 27 respondents surveyed on Wednesday and Thursday predicted gold prices will breach a critical support at $1,100 per ounce by the end of this year. A significant portion even had $1,000 in their sights, which would be a five-year low and a level considered critical for miners. Only two saw prices recovering above the $1,200 mark. Silver’s fortunes may be even bleaker most of those polled expect prices to fall another 10 percent to as low as $14 per ounce, which would be its lowest in over five years. “US dollar strength should impact gold on a short-term basis,” said John Meyer, analyst at brokerage SP Angel. The survey was carried out before spot gold rallied on Friday after hitting fresh 4-1/2-year lows around $1,130 an ounce as investors covered bearish bets after weaker-thanexpected October US jobs growth. Prices may remain volatile and prone to rallies on spurts of short-covering, and weak prices have unleashed a flurry of physical demand for coins in Europe and the United States. But with the dollar on a tear against global currencies and institutional cash being pulled from the market, any recovery may be short-lived for now. “The drivers of a sustained rally in gold are ephemeral at best,” said Tai Wong, director, metals trading at BMO Capital Markets in New York. A strong dollar makes it more expensive for foreign buyers to own dollarbased gold. Holdings in the world’s No. 1 gold-backed exchange traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust, which proved popular with investors during the financial crisis that followed the collapse of Lehman Brothers, sank to their lowest in six years on Friday. The poll highlighted how far gold has fallen out of favor with the end of the Federal Reserve’s years-long bond-buying stimulus program. At $1,000, gold would be off almost 50 percent from the all-time highs of $1,920 an ounce hit in 2011 when investors were piling in to protect against inflation and geopolitical and economic uncertainty. “The mood of investors could not be more bearish for precious metals,” said Thorsten Proettel, commodity analyst at LBBW. — Reuters Soldiers and police clear barricades set on fire by demonstrators on the main road of Makassar, South Sulawesi province yesterday as protest continues in Makassar against government plans to increase fuel prices. The new Indonesian President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, is expected to announce a large increase in the price of petrol and diesel in the coming weeks to cut government subsidies that are a drain on Southeast Asia’s biggest economy. — AFP Middle-schooler gets Intel funding for Braille printer HUNTINGTON BEACH: If Shubham Banerjee cannot lay claim to being the world’s youngest venture capital-backed entrepreneur, he comes very close. Banerjee was 12 years old when he closed an early-stage funding round with Intel Capital, the company’s venture capital arm, last month for his prototype for a low-cost Braille printer. Since then, the San Jose, California middle-schooler has turned 13. That’s young, even by the standards of Silicon Valley, where many venture capitalists unapologetically prefer to fund youth over experience. Young entrepreneurs usually have reached at least their mid-teens when they hit it big. Nick D’Aloisio, founder of online news aggregator Summly, was 17 when Yahoo bought his company last year for $30 million. Brothers John and Patrick Collison, behind payments service Stripe, were 16 and 19 when they sold an earlier business to a Canadian company for $5 million. After reading a fundraising flyer about the blind, Banerjee felt inspired to turn a hightech version of Legos, the toy building blocks, into a device that could print in Braille. One day, he wants to mass-produce the printers and sell them for about $350, far less than Braille printers cost now. This past summer, he worked on incorporating an Intel Edison chip, a processor aimed at hobbyists, into the printer. In September, Intel invited him to a conference in San Francisco to highlight uses for Edison. There, he got a big surprise. Intel executive Mike Bell announced from the conference stage that the giant chipmaker would invest in his company, Braigo Labs. Until then, his funding consisted of the $35,000 his parents gave him. —Reuters Avivasa float values insurer at $746m ISTANBUL: British insurer Aviva Plc and Turkey’s Sabanci Holding completed the flotation of a 19.7 percent stake in their Turkish joint venture pension unit Avivasa yesterday, valuing the firm at 1.68 billion lira ($746 million). The company is expected to be listed as AVISA on the Istanbul stock exchange from Nov. 13 and will trade at 47 lira per share, Aviva and brokerage Ak Yatirim, which managed the sale, said in statements. The offering was almost three times oversubscribed, with 7.04 million shares sold against demand of 19.8 million, Ak Yatirim said in a stock exchange filing. “Turkey is an extremely attractive market to Aviva, with excellent growth prospects. We have a strong position in life and pensions and a long successful relationship with Sabanci,” David McMillan, chief executive of Aviva Europe, said. Aviva is part way through a group-wide restructuring led by Chief Executive Mark Wilson, selling off non-core businesses, cutting costs and improving profitability, but has said it is committed to Avivasa, one of Turkey’s largest private pensions providers and one of the group’s growth businesses. —Reuters TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 BUSINESS European equities kick off week with gains LONDON: European stock markets rose steadily yesterday with trading quiet in the absence of any major data releases, analysts said. London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.29 percent to stand at 6,586.10 points approaching midday in the British capital, lifted by firmer mining share prices. Frankfurt’s DAX 30 gained 0.14 percent to 9,304.71 points and in Paris, the CAC 40 won 0.17 percent to 4,197.21. Miners and oil majors were higher as commodity prices rebounded from recent heavy falls. “It’s been a quiet start to the European session yesterday, as a lack of economic data combined with little direction from the Asian session overnight leave the markets lacking any significant catalysts,” said Craig Erlam, market analyst at Alpari trading group. Europe’s main markets had closed mixed on Friday following broadly upbeat US jobs data. In the United States, the Dow and S&P 500 stocks indices ended Friday with record high closes after the Labor Department said the economy added 214,000 jobs last month. While that figure was weaker than forecast, the previous two months’ job gains were revised upward and the US unemployment rate slipped to a six-year low. In yesterday’s foreign exchange deals, the single European currency climbed to $1.2498 from $1.2456 late in New York on Friday. The euro advanced to 78.60 British pence from 78.48 pence, while the British pound grew to $1.5901 from $1.5869 on Friday. On the London Bullion Market, the price of gold increased to $1,172 an ounce from a $1,154.50 on Friday. In company news, Cairn Energy said it had unearthed another oil find off the coast of Senegal. It comes after the British energy explorer last month said it made its first oil find in a field off the coast of Senegal, prompting the west African country to say that it aimed to begin pumping its own oil in about five years’ time. Cairn Energy chief executive Simon Thomson described the latest find as “significant” for the company and Senegal. The new discovery was made at Cairn’s SNE-1 well, situated about 100 kilometers (60 miles) off the country’s coast. Cairn’s share price surged 11.26 percent to stand at 175.68 pence in London deals. In mining shares, Anglo American rose 0.99 percent to 1,378 pence in early trading. — AFP Brent climbs above $84 on Libya disruptions LONDON: Brent crude rose by $1 to above $84 a barrel yesterday, climbing for a second straight session as protests in Libya disrupted supply and the US dollar fell away from four-year highs. Exports at the Hariga oil port in eastern Libya were halted on Saturday when state security guards began a sit-in protest over unpaid wages. The El Feel oil field in the south-west, also known as the Elephant field, was shut down on Sunday due to a power outage, while the El Sharara field, which was halted last week due to political violence, remains closed. “These developments highlight the ongoing chaos in Libya, and we should see a production level of 600,000 to 700,000 barrels a day as the new normal,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. Brent crude for December was up $1 at $84.39 per barrel by 0925 GMT. US crude was up 70 cents to $79.35 per barrel. The dollar fell 0.3 percent against a basket of currencies yesterday, supporting oil prices. The dollar’s recent strength has made oil and other commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies, suppressing demand. Ukrainian forces shelled the pro-Moscow stronghold of Donetsk on Sunday, putting a fragile cease-fire under pressure. An escalation of tensions in Ukraine could disrupt Europe’s gas supplies from Russia, potentially increasing demand for oil. But weak economic data from China provided resistance to oil prices. Consumer inflation in the world’s second-largest economy remained at a near five-year low in October amid sluggish demand, the National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries has given no clear indication that it will cut its output at a meeting on Nov 27. It has previously reduced output at times of oversupply. Kuwait’s oil minister Ali Al-Omair said yesterday that OPEC was unlikely to cut. “It’s too early to decide, but I don’t think so,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Abu Dhabi. — Reuters TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 BUSINESS China, S Korea secure вЂ�effective’ free trade deal SEOUL: South Korea and China said yesterday they had effectively secured a free trade agreement to remove tariffs on over 90 percent of goods, although some details remained under negotiation. The announcement came after South Korean President Park Geun-Hye met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Beijing. Park’s office said the two countries had “effectively reached” a deal, which Xi described as one of “landmark importance.” A South Korean government statement made it clear that differences remained over a few unspecified “details” that would have to be bridged before the FTA could be signed. Any final document would require the approval of both national legislatures. South Korea’s deputy trade minister Woo Tae-Hee said there was little possibility of changes to any major clauses in the current agreement. “A substantial conclusion of negotiations can be seen as a complete conclusion,” Woo was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. The statement said the FTA would remove tariffs on 92 percent of Chinese goods imported to the South and 91 percent of the South’s goods imported to China within 20 years. China is currently South Korea’s biggest trading partner and export market, and two-way trade stood at around $228.8 billion last year. Exports to China-the world’s secondlargest economy-totalled $145.8 billion in 2013, more than a quarter of the South’s total overseas shipments. The two neighbors started trade negotiations in 2012 but progress has been delayed by differences on the extent of market-opening. There have also been protests from Korean farmers who fear an influx of cheap Chinese imports. The South Korean statement said the FTA would exclude a number of farm products like rice, beef, pork and pepper-which account for 30 percent by value of agricultural imports from China. —AFP Sweden grapples with massive household debt STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s new centre-left government and its financial authorities are under huge pressure when they meet today to tackle a mountain of household debt that is casting a long shadow over one of Europe’s few economic bright spots. Having slashed rates to zero to fight the risk of deflation, top Swedish officials are now in a quandary over how to rein in borrowing and house price rises without sending the real estate market into a downward spiral. The country’s AAA-rated economy is still one of Europe’s strongest, with low public debt, sound state finances and banks among the best capitalised and most profitable in Europe. But consumers, barely touched by the financial crisis, have loaded up on cheap mortgages and caused Swedish property prices to triple over the last 20 years, prompting a warning from the IMF that the market is 20 percent overvalued. Adding to the problem: Sweden has built too few houses for the last 20 years and its capital Stockholm is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. Critics say the former centre-right government added fuel to the fire by slashing real estate taxes and leaving 30 percent mortgage tax relief untouched. Meanwhile, Sweden’s household debt-toincome ratio has risen to above 170 percent - among Europe’s highest. The worry is that private consumption, nearly half of GDP, would suffer if rates rose or property prices fell. “The longer we wait, the bigger the imbalances are,” said Bengt Hansson, analyst at the Swedish National Board of Housing Planning and Building. “We already have a bubble, but we will avoid an even bigger bubble.” Consumers bullish It will be hard to dissuade bullish Swedish consumers. In Stockholm’s frenzied housing market, buyers make multimillion crown offers to snap up flats they may only have seen in photographs. And cranes and scaffolding are common sights in suburbia as householders take advantage of generous tax breaks for home improvements. “We don’t think it will crash badly,” said Peter, a 47 year-old investment advisor, who with his wife Maria has just bought a house in Stockholm for around 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.62 million). “It might stop going up for a while, but over the longer term we expect it to go up,” he added, suggesting the lack of housing and population growth in Stockholm would support prices. Attempts by regulators so far to slow credit growth - squeezing banks by making them put aside more capital and draw up voluntary mortgage pay-down plans - have not worked because interest rates have continued to fall. Last week the central bank cut rates to zero in an attempt to answer criticism that it is not doing enough to tackle another economic risk - deflation - even while it acknowledged the problem that would create in containing household debt. “There is a fairly large consensus that household debt is a concern,” Swedish central bank chairman Stefan Ingves said after the cut. “If households continue to borrow, we could end up with very big problems later on, and this is what we want to avoid.” What to do? Sweden knows all too well the damage that a property bubble can do when it bursts: Deregulation in the 1980s led to a commercial property boom that bust in 1992 after which those properties lost nearly two-thirds of their value and Sweden had to nationalise two banks. But since then borrowing has swelled again. By 2013, mortgages comprised 47 per cent of the Swedish banks’ total lending from 30 percent in 2001. Another risk: those banks are largely financed with international market funding rather than deposits. Many economists say the obvious action to take - lowering mortgage tax relief or reimposing real estate taxes - is politically difficult. “We are not prepared to take measures that make it difficult for households to meet their housing costs or, in a worst case scenario, be forced to move out of their homes,” Financial Markets Minister Per Bolund said. Central bank governor Ingves favours tightening rules on mortgage repayments because currently only four in ten mortgage borrowers pay off their debt compared to nine in ten in the mid1990s. Lowering the borrowing ceiling of 85 percent of the value of a property is another option, but would hit first-time buyers. The Swedish Bankers’ Association has suggested voluntary rules to make Swedes pay down the first 50 percent of loans in order that “households pay off debts when interest rates are extremely low in order to be better prepared when...we have higher interest rates,” Annika Falkengren, chairman of the association and CEO of Swedish bank SEB, said. But Sweden’s competition authority has said this could limit competition and is yet to give its okay. Looking at other countries’ examples suggests that however Sweden’s government, central bank and regulators decide to act, engineering a soft landing will be hard. A drop in Danish and Dutch house prices for example triggered a fall in consumer confidence and spending, deepening the slump after the downturn of 2008-2009. And in the Netherlands, regulators made things worse by tightening mortgage rules as house prices were falling. Sweden’s neighbour Norway, where mortgage-linked debt stands at around 200 percent of disposable income, was forced to do a U-turn on tighter lending rules after house prices began falling late in 2013. “We have to do enough, but not too much,” Swedish central bank member Martin Floden said. “We cannot continue with this rapid rise in house prices and debt for ever, we need to in some way stabilize the development.” — Reuters HONG KONG: A trader sits at the stock exchange in the financial district of Hong Kong yesterday. A trading link between Hong Kong and Shanghai’s stock exchanges will start on November 17 after weeks of delays. — AFP вЂ�Milestone’ HK, Shanghai stock link set to launch Announcement lifts both markets HONG KONG: A trading link between Hong Kong and Shanghai’s stock exchanges will start on November 17 after weeks of delays, the Hong Kong exchange announced yesterday, in a move that lifted both markets and is expected to lead to billions of dollars in daily transactions. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority described the “Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect”, which is seen as a key step towards greater financial liberalisation in China’s economy, as a “milestone”. “The SFC and the CSRC jointly announced today that the launch of Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect on 17 November 2014 ... has been approved,” a statement issued by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) said yeserday. The exchange said it “welcomes today’s announcement”. The SFC is Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the CSRC is the China Securities Regulatory Commission. Hong Kong shares ended yesterday 0.83 percent higher while Shanghai added 2.3 percent. Charles Li, chief executive of HKEx, said that market rallies showed the scheme was “very strongly endorsed”. “We have seen a very strong rally at the Asia market today we haven’t seen for a long time,” he said. “It’s something very new and it’s never been tried before. It’s going to work but there might be glitches along the way,” he added. A half-day trial would be conducted on Saturday before the official launch, Li said. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying thanked “state leaders and Central Government”, adding that he thought Hong Kong could “make greater contribution to the reform and opening up of the country”. The platform-which was expected to be launched last month before being delayed-will allow international investors to trade selected stocks on Shanghai’s tightly restricted exchange and let mainland investors buy shares in Hong Kong. It is thought up to $3.8 billion in crossborder trades will be carried out each day. “This marks an important milestone in the liberalization of the mainland’s capital account,” said Norman Chan, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The venture is expected to see volumes on both exchanges rise significantly, particularly Shanghai, but is subject to strict limits in order to preserve capital controls in China, where authorities keep a tight grip on the yuan currency. вЂ�Big step’ Sam Lau, chairman of investment firm HeungKong Financial, said he expected the move to lead to his company’s profits doubling. “For our company, we do both Hong Kong onshore and offshore equities investment,” he said, speaking on the sidelines of an AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business meeting in Beijing. “There are many stocks that you can buy in Hong Kong-they’re really great companies but they’re not listed in China, they’re listed in Hong Kong. “For example like Tencent, like Galaxy, those kind of gambling, entertainment stocks. So I think the money will go into those kind of stocks. “In China those big stocks will be securities firms, those will be benefitting as well.” Analysts said the link-up would boost market confidence and was a “big step” in the opening up China’s yuan-denominated domestic market - known is the A-share market. “Despite the limited degree of opening-up, it still means a great deal to the domestic capital markets and the whole financial system,” said Shen Jun, a Shanghai-based analyst with BOC International. “It also involves direct cross-border renminbi flows, and it’s a trial for the opening-up of the domestic capital markets and the capital account,” he added. The connection had been pencilled in to kick off last month but was unexpectedly cancelled. However claims it had been delayed because of prodemocracy protests in Hong Kong were denied by exchange president Chow Chung-kong, who told AFP last month that the city’s authorities have “no control over the proceedings”. Media reports last month said the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, representing some of the world’s biggest banks and asset managers, had written to Hong Kong regulators asking for a delay because of uncertainty over the scheme’s rules. Chinese authorities would likely issue detailed policies before the launch to clarify technical issues including on capital gains tax, Shen said. — AFP China inflation unchanged at 1.6% BEIJING: Chinese inflation was unchanged at a near five-year low of 1.6 percent in October, the government said yesterday, with analysts warning the world’s number two economy is facing deflationary risks. The consumer price index (CPI) figure released by the National Bureau of Statistics is the weakest since January 2010 and matched the median prediction of 1.6 percent in a Wall Street Journal poll. In the first 10 months of the year, the CPI came in at 2.1 percent year on year, well short of the 3.5 percent annual target set by the government in March. The producer price index (PPI) — a measure of costs for goods at the factory gate and a leading indicator of the trend for CPI-fell 2.2 percent year on year and was the weakest since March’s fall of 2.3 percent, the bureau said. The figures add to worries about deflation in the Asian giant and ANZ analysts Liu Ligang and Zhou Hao said in a research note that risks will likely increase with the economy expected to slow further in the coming quarters. “This is a significant risk facing China’s economy, which requires China’s policymakers to monitor the situation closely and take actions swiftly,” they said. The data will give the central People’s Bank of China some room to fine-tune monetary policy to kickstart economic growth, which stood at 7.7 percent last year, maintaining its slowest pace in more than a decade. Adding to economic woes were figures released Saturday that showed growth in exports and imports slowing further last month. Exports expanded 11.6 percent year-on-year, compared with 15.3 percent in September, while imports rose 4.6 percent, down from 7.0 percent. Officials are targeting economic growth of JIANGSU: Customers choose dried dates in a market in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu province yesterday. Chinese inflation was unchanged at a near five-year low of 1.6 percent in October, the government said, with analysts warning the world’s number two economy is facing deflationary risks. — AFP “about 7.5 percent” this year, the same as last year’s 2012, when it rose marginally by 0.7 percent. objective. Moderate inflation can be a boon to con- Tightened government spending amid President Xi sumption as it encourages consumers to buy before Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign, an economic prices go up, while falling prices encourage shop- slowdown led by property weakness, and falling pers to delay purchases and companies to put off commodity prices combined with a strong Chinese currency will “only exacerbate China’s PPI deflation”, investment, both of which can hurt growth. China’s PPI has remained in negative territory for said Liu and Zhou. China’s vast and crucial property 32 straight months. The last increase was in January sector is struggling in the face of oversupply. — AFP New Algerian plant rolls out its first Renault A general view of a British branch of German food retailer Aldi. German-owned discount retailer Aldi said yesterday it will create 35,000 jobs in Britain by 2022, more than doubling its workforce and store network to meet booming demand. — AFP ORAN: French motor manufacturer Renault inaugurated a multi-million-euro plant in Algeria yesterday, Paris’s former colony owning 51 percent of the factory with an initial production capacity of 25,000 cars annually. The factory is to produce the Symbol, a saloon based on Renault’s Clio compact sold mainly in markets where hatchbacks are not traditionally favored. Initial capacity of 25,000 cars is expected to rise to a maximum yearly output of 75,000. Production is destined for the Algerian market, Africa’s second largest in terms of sales, with more than 400,000 vehicles imported every year. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron were on hand with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal as the first new car rolled off the assembly lines in the country’s second city Oran. Sellal called the new plant “the fruit of a win-win situation”, while Fabius described it as “the symbol of an exemplary Franco-Algerian partnership”. An agreement for the joint venture was signed in December 2012 during a visit by French President Francois Hollande. —AFP ORAN: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius delivers a speech during the inauguration of the Renault plant in Oran, western Algeria yesterday. The plant is due to produce the Renault Symbol especially for the Algerian domestic market. — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 BUSINESS KAMCO announces Q3 financial results Net profits rose 11 percent to reach KD 2.286 million KUWAIT: KAMCO -KIPCO Asset Management Company yesterday reported its third quarter financial results for the period ending 30 September 2014. The Company recorded a net profit of KD 2.286 million for the 9 months ending September 2014 compared to KD 2.068 million reported during the same period last year, reflecting an 11 percent growth. EPS rose from 8.66 to reach 9.58 fils during this period. AUM grew by 24 percent to reach KD 3.584 billion as at the end ofQ3 2014 against KD 2.879 billion at the end of Q3 2013. The new AUMs represented over 39 percent of the increase during 2014. Among its investment funds, the KAMCO GCC Opportunistic Fund out of Bahrain achieved returns of over 40 percent during the year and the newly launched KAMCO Real Estate Yield Fund started its operations creditably with an AUM of approximately $28 million. During the quarter, KAMCO also obtained approvals from the Capital Markets Authority - Kuwait (CMA) for its KAMCO MENAPlus Fixed Income Fund which will be launched shortly. Faisal M Sarkhou, CEO of KAMCO, said, “We are pleased to achieve the growth in net profit and AUM during 2014, despite the volatility across equity markets during the last two quarters. To diversify our asset management activity beyond equity markets, KAMCO has forayed into new asset classes for its managed funds such as with the real estate and fixed income funds.” “We continue to improve performance across all segments of the business, while increasing our efforts to provide diverse investment opportunities to our clients through our existing and new multiasset-class funds. With our progressively resourced team, KAMCO is on the right track to position itself as a key AMIB player in the region.” Established in 1998 with the mission to become a leading local and regional player, KAMCO is today one of the leading Kuwait based Investment Companies. A subsidiary of United Gulf Bank (UGB) the investment banking subsidiary of Kuwait Projects (Holding) Company (KIPCO) - KAMCO was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in 2003. Over many years of conducting business in Kuwait’s dynamic investment industry, KAMCO has established a robust reputation for performance, characterized by its prudent and conservative investment philosophy which has consistently commanded the goodwill of a wide client base. KAMCO’s main activities are in Asset Management and Investment Banking. Its Investments Division specializes in providing its clients with unique investment opportunities, financial and advisory services, supported by investment research which tracks the latest directions and trends across local and regional economies and capital markets. The Asset Management Division concentrates on providing its clients with customized portfolio management, access to IPOs, local and international fund management with risk adjusted return maximization, mitigating risks, and maintaining capital appreciation for individual and institutional clients. The Commercial Real Estate Co wins вЂ�Excellence in Governance’ Award V-KOOL Kuwait launches a new combo offer for car window films KUWAIT: V-KOOL Kuwait, the leading provider of automotive window tinting films is now offering its customers a combo offer of car window film, paint protection film and two car interior detailing vouchers worth KD100 for KD200 only for a limited period. The offer is valid till 26th November 2014. The combo offer will cater to all kind of vehicles. It is available in V-KOOL Kuwait (AUTO1) outlets; in Canada Dry Street, Shuwaikh (24824213) and Al-Ahmadi Industry Area, Street 201, behind KNPC, opposite Al-Sayer Showroom (23981450). “We are thrilled to offer our car care range of products to all our customers. And we encourage every vehicle owner to avail this offer simply because it helps to protect and improve their vehicle esthetics and maintain the residual value. We will always strive to bring the best emerging global car care trends to our customers at competitive prices,” said Edwin Joseph, General Manager of V-KOOL Kuwait. V-KOOL is the first of its kind in the material science arena as it enables maximum amount of daylight transmittance (73 percent) while selectively cutting off 94 percent of infra-red (heat source) and 99 percent of ultra-violet rays. V-KOOL technology has been incorporated by the top international car manufacturers, such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Toyota among the others as their chosen automotive interior cooling solution. Burgan Bank announces names of the daily lucky winners of Yawmi account KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday the names of the winners of its Yawmi account draw, each taking home a prize of KD 5,000. The lucky winners for the daily draws took home a cash-prize of KD 5,000 each, and they are: 1. Anthony Bernard Jones 2. Zainab Sami Almotawa 3. Emad Aldeen Almasri 4. Adel Hamad Alghaith 5. Katabjiwala Salma Saifaldein To further add to the anticipation of Yawmi account customers, Burgan Bank now offers a Quarterly Draw with more chances to win higher rewards, entitling one lucky customer to win KD 125,000 every three months. The Yawmi Account now offers Daily and quarterly Draws, the Quarterly Draw requires customers to maintain a minimum amount of KD 500 in their account for 2 months prior to draw date. Additionally, every KD 10 in the account, will entitle customers to one chance of winning. If the account balance is KD 500 and above, the account holder will be qualified for both the quarterly and daily draws. Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their chances to becoming a winner. The more customers deposit, the higher the chances they receive of winning. For more information on opening a Yawmi account or about the new quarterly draw, customers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch and receive all the details, or simply call the bank’s Call Center at 1804080 where customer service representatives will be delighted to assist with any questions on the Yawmi account or any of the bank’s products and services. Customers can also log on to Burgan Bank’s www.burgan.com for further information. New bank rules proposed to end вЂ�too big to fail’ BASEL/LONDON: Banks may have to scrap dividends and rein in bonuses if they breach new rules designed to ensure that creditors rather than taxpayers pick up the bill when big lenders collapse. Mark Carney, chairman of the Financial Stability Board and Bank of England governor, said the rules, proposed yesterday, marked a watershed in putting an end to taxpayer bailouts of banks considered too big to fail. “Once implemented, these agreements will play important roles in enabling globally systemic banks to be resolved (wound down) without recourse to public subsidy and without disruption to the wider financial system,” Carney said in a statement. After the financial crisis in 2007-2009, governments had to spend billions of dollars of taxpayer money to rescue banks that ran into trouble and could have threatened the global financial system if allowed to go under. Since then, regulators from the Group of 20 economies have been trying to find ways to prevent this happening again. The plans envisage that global banks like Goldman Sachs and HSBC should have a buffer of bonds or equity equivalent to at least 16 to 20 percent of their risk-weighted assets, such as loans, from January 2019. These bonds would be converted to equity to help shore up a stricken bank. The banks’ total buffer would include the minimum mandatory core capital requirements banks must already hold to bolster their defences against future crises. The new rule will apply to 30 banks the regulators have deemed to be globally “systemically important,” though initially three from China on that list of 30 would be exempt. G2O leaders are expected to back the proposal later this week in Australia. It is being put out to public consultation until Feb. 2, 2015. David Ereira, a partner at law firm Linklaters, said that on its own the new rule as proposed would not end “too big to fail” banks and that politically tricky details still had to be settled. Basel tower Carney was confident the new rule would be applied as central banks and governments had a hand in drafting them. “This isn’t something that we cooked up in Basel tower and are just presenting to everybody,” he told a news conference, referring to the FSB’s headquarters in Switzerland. Most of the banks would need to sell more bonds to comply with the new rules, the FSB said. Some bonds, known as “senior debt” that banks have already sold to investors, would need restructuring. Senior debt was largely protected during the financial crisis, which meant investors did not lose their money. But Carney said it in future these bonds might have to bear losses if allowed under national rules and if investors were warned in advance. The new buffer, formally known as total loss absorbing capacity or TLAC, must be at least twice a bank’s leverage ratio, a separate measure of capital to total assets regardless of the level of risk. Globally, the leverage ratio has been set provisionally at 3 percent but it could be higher when finalized in 2015. Some of the buffer must be held at major overseas subsidiaries to reassure regulators outside a bank’s home country. Banks may have to hold more than the minimum because of “add-ons” due to specific business models, Carney said. Elke Koenig, president of German regulator Bafin, said supervisors should orient themselves more toward the upper end of the 16-20 percent range, though banks may be given more time to comply. Fitch ratings agency said banks might end up with a buffer equivalent to as much as a quarter of their risk-weighted assets once other capital requirements were included. Analysts have estimated this could run to billions of dollars. —Reuters KUWAIT: AbdulFatah Marafie, Chairman of The Commercial Real Estate Co, has announced that the company has won the First Position of “The Excellence in Governance” Award among 50 other companies applied for the Award And that through the GCC Governance Conference that was held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah on 3-5 November 2014. Marafie stated that The Commercial Real Estate Company is considered the first company in the State of Kuwait to adopt the concept of corporate governance with a comprehensive Ehab Baklawa, Head of Risk & Compliance Unit receiving the award. AbdulFatah Marafie, Chairman of The Commercial Real Estate Co and professional methodology through formulating and applying the corporate governance manual and polices in accordance with the best international standards and practices in this regard. Say further This award reflects the transparency, integrity, accountability and commitment which privilege the company, and consider as one of its main principles, in addition to the sufficiency and efficiency of control and organizational policies and procedures followed by the company, which determine and organize the roles, functions, commitments, responsibilities and authorities on different levels. Abdul Fatah Marafie also added that the corporate governance is not only a regulatory framework of the management process, which is easy for everyone to prepare and adopt the formal and procedural aspect of it. But the implementation of governance depends on the essence of the process, which is mainly based on the commitment of business ethics and professional conscience that guarantees adequacy and efficiency of the performance in all work domains and works on developing the responsibility, accountability and transparency spirit that is urged by our Islamic religion. Thus Governance is a culture and principles to be constantly developed and promoted which is what we believe in and adopt in AlTijaria Company. In conclusion, Abdul Fatah Marafie has com- plemented the role of the Governance Conference in GCC that was held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah in a serious initiative to develop and increase the social and professional awareness in the importance of applying Corporate Governance. He also complemented the organizing committee, chaired by Dr Amani Bourisli and her leading role in this field and the transparency of the committee in disclosing the evaluation criteria of the companies applying for the Award of “Excellence in Governance”. He also empathized on the importance of organizing these conferences regularly to increase the awareness of working companies in Kuwait and GCC markets of the importance to adopt the governance standards and its positive effects on the companies and the economy in general. Kuwait’s Talabat.com receives global award for mobile content and creativity KUWAIT: Talabat.com, the leading online food delivery service provider across the GCC region, has received global accolade for its mobile business and commerce platform by being presented the World Summit Award Mobile content (WSA-Mobile content). The United Nations funded award recognizes Talabat.com for its mobile content and creativity. Kuwait is the home of Talabat.com it was established in 2004, and the company is keen to maintain its market leader position with a targeted strategy for the country, while simultaneously increasing users and the number of partner restaurants. With 1,200 different restaurants on its portal and applications, to date, Talabat.com exceeded the7.5 million orders. The company’s app is currently top ranked in the GCC for the IOS food and drink category and has a 4.6 rating on Android, exceeding 1,000,000 downloads. “We are honored to have received recognition for our mobile business and commerce services from such an esteemed organization. This global award is a testament to our success and growth across the Gulf region, which we hope to continue to build upon. At Talabat.com, we strive to become the primary digital food delivery service in each of the markets we operate in, and especially to build upon our success in Kuwait. Currently, we represent 99 percent of the market share in the country, and are the number one regionally,” commented Mohammed Nabil Jaffar, CEO at Talabat.com. In addition, Talabat.com has been supporting local restaurants in Kuwait. The user-friendly app and website have played a great role in empowering small and medium business in the food industry by allowing them to reach a wider market than would be possible for them on their own. In 2014, Talabat.com has achieved 125 percent growth in restaurant sales through its portals& applications for partner restaurants. “We are very pleased that we are set to exceed our targets for 2014 by achieving 140 percent growth in orders, and 128 percent growth of new registrations. With online commerce in the MENA region set to grow to $15 billion by 20151, we see this as a huge opportunity for our business model to achieve greater success next year and for us to extend our support to local restaurants in the markets in which we operate,” added Mohammad. In the past, Talabat.com has also received awards such as the Best Internet Company by Mohammed Nabil Jaffar Arabian Business in 2014, and the “Kuwait eAward” in 2009 and 2012 in the e-business category from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS). US stocks little changed, cable companies slump NEW YORK: US stocks were little changed in morning trading yesterday, holding near all-time highs, as investors waited for more signs about the strength of the economy and corporate earnings. Cable companies were among the biggest movers, slumping after President Barack Obama said regulators should reclassify the Internet as a public utility. KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was little changed at 2,032 as of 10:39 a.m. Eastern time. The Dow Jones industrial average fell eight points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,565. The Nasdaq composite rose seven points, or 0.2 percent, to 4,640. NET NEUTRALITY: Cable companies dropped after Obama said Internet providers shouldn’t be allowed to cut deals with online services like Netflix, Amazon or YouTube to prioritize their content. In a statement released by the White House Monday, the president called for an “explicit ban” on such deals. Time Warner Cable fell $5.55, or 3.8 percent, to $138.06. Comcast fell $1.88, or 3.4 percent, to $53.28. MILKING IT: Dean Foods, a milk distributor, jumped $2.02, or 14 percent, to $16.44, after the company reported a third-quarter loss that wasn’t as bad as investors had anticipated. RETAIL EARNINGS: This week investors will be taking stock of retail company earnings to gain insight into how much American shoppers are spending ahead of the holiday season. Macy’s, Nordstrom and Wal-Mart will report their earnings. HOLDING AT THE HIGHS: Stocks are trading at record levels, having rebounded following a sharp slump at the beginning of October. Despite worries about flagging growth overseas, investors are focusing on a strengthening US economy and improving company earnings. RUBLE FLOATS: The biggest development in Europe was news that Russia’s central bank has decided to allow the ruble to trade freely. The move had been planned for next year. The ruble has come under sustained pressure in the face of Western sanctions over Ukraine and plummeting oil prices. The ruble has lost nearly half its value against the dollar this year. The move appears to have eased the pressure on the ruble, which strengthened sharply on the news, trading up 3.6 percent at around 45 rubles a dollar. Russia’s benchmark RTS stock index rose 3.8 percent. EUROPEAN STOCKS: European stock markets edged higher. Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.3 percent and Germany’s DAX rose 0.1 percent. The CAC-40 in France also gained, climbing 0.3 percent. ENERGY: Oil prices fell back after starting the day higher. Benchmark US crude fell 22 cents to $78.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude rose 33 cents to $83.73 a barrel. BONDS AND CURRENCIES: Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged up to 2.32 percent from 2.30 percent. The dollar drifted lower in the wake of last Friday’s slightly weaker than anticipated U.S. jobs data for October. It was down 0.2 percent against the Japanese yen to 114.49 yen. Against the euro, the US currency was little changed at $1.2460. — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 technology NEC rolls out counterfeitspotting technology TOKYO: Japan’s NEC unveiled yesterday a technology that sniffs out even the most convincing counterfeits by reading microscopic patterns on everything from a luxury purse to a metal bolt. The technology can be also be used to trace the origin of mass-produced offerings by reading so-called “object fingerprints”, or three-dimensional surface irregularities, the firm said. “You can identify offspring that come from the same parental mold,” said Toshihiko Hiroaki, assistant general manager at NEC’s Information and Media Processing Laboratories. “If you take a close look, you can tell one child from another.” The technology could let a customs official, for example, snap a smartphone picture of a specific spot on an object which is then instantly matched-or not-to a manufacturers’ pre-registered image. A genuine article can be matched with the time and location where it was produced, NEC said. Hiroaki noted that the trade in counterfeit goods is estimated to reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars a year, and that a fake or defective part could have serious consequences for finished products. The technology is currently in the testing phase and the firm plans to release a commercial version next year. —AFP Health law faces higher bar in 2nd sign-up season NEW YORK: In this Tuesday, October 21, 2014 photo, people pass an AT&T store on New York’s Madison Avenue. —AP AT&T to buy Mexico’s Iusacell for $1.8bn NEW YORK: AT&T is buying Mexican wireless company Iusacell for $1.8 billion and plans to grow in Mexico. The Dallas company said Friday that Iusacell has 8.6 million subscribers under the Iusacell and Unef?n brand names. AT&T had 116.6 million subscribers as of June 30. AT&T values the deal at $2.5 billion when debt is included. The company sees potential for growth in Mexico because of its rising population and middle class, even as the proportion of Mexican people with wireless service lags other Latin American countries, according to AT&T. “Mexico is still in the early stages of mobile Internet capabilities and adoption, but customer demand for it is growing rapidly,” said AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson in a statement. The acquisition could potentially lead to plans that include free or reduced rates for Americans traveling in or calling to Mexico, or the other way around. The need to dial a country code for Mexico likely wouldn’t change, as Mexico doesn’t participate in the North American system of dialing 1 plus the area code. AT&T also said that reforms pushed by Mexico’s president, Enrique Pena Nieto, were a factor in its decision to buy the company. Nieto’s reforms were meant to bring higher standards and more competition to areas that included the telecommunications industry. Grupo Salinas owns 50 percent of Iusacell and announced Friday that it will buy the other half. AT&T will buy Iusacell after that deal closes and expects that to happen during the first quarter, following a review by Mexican regulators. AT&T Inc shares rose 19 cents to $34.91 on Friday and gained 9 cents to $35 in aftermarket trading. —AP Agency may halt risky democracy work WASHINGTON: The US global development agency is preparing internal rules that would effectively end risky undercover work in hostile countries, such as the once-secret “Cuban Twitter” program it orchestrated, The Associated Press has learned. The new policy follows an AP investigation this year into work by the US Agency for International Development, which established a Twitter-like social network in Cuba and secretly sought to recruit a new generation of dissidents there while hiding ties to the US government. The AP found USAID and its contractor concealed their involvement in the Cuban programs, setting up a front company, Dr Rajiv Shah routing money through Cayman Islands bank transactions and fashioning elaborate cover stories. That subterfuge put at risk the agency’s cooperation with foreign governments to deliver aid to the world’s poor. USAID’s proposed policy closely mirrors a Senate bill this summer, according to government officials familiar with the discussions who were not authorized to talk about the matter publicly. That bill would prohibit USAID from spending money on democracy programs in countries that reject the agency’s assistance, where staff wasn’t directly hired and where USAID would have to go to “excessive lengths to protect program beneficiaries and participants.” The officials said USAID’s high-risk democracy efforts would likely be moved under the aegis of another arm of the State Department and the National Endowment for Democracy, a nonprofit group that receives money from the US government. Such a change would have effectively made it impossible for USAID to run programs such as the “Cuban Twitter” project, known as ZunZuneo. In a statement late Sunday, USAID said it would continue to carry out democracy programs in “politically restrictive environments” and aim to be transparent. But it said the new rules would balance safety and security risks, which aligns with proposed legislation that would stop USAID’s democracy work in hostile countries that outright reject the agency’s help and where USAID’s role had to be minimized. The statement said that the rules have not been finalized. “We will also examine risks that might constrain effective implementation of the projects or undermine the safety of our partners, such as programmatic, legal, financial, physical and digital securityrelated risks,” it said. The officials said USAID acknowledged changing its democracy-promotion policy after being questioned by Sens. Patrick Leahy and Jeff Flake, who wrote the agency following the AP’s report in April. Leahy called the program “cockamamie” in a subcommittee hearing. Both ZunZuneo and a second program to recruit Cuban dissidents were part of a larger, multimillion-dollar effort by USAID to effect change in politically volatile countries. But the officials said they were told USAID had concluded some democracy programs in hostile countries were not effective. In April, the AP reported that ZunZuneo evaded Cuba’s Internet restrictions by creating a text-messaging service that could be used to organize political demonstrations. It drew tens of thousands of subscribers who were unaware it was backed by the US government. US officials said it ended in late 2012 because funding ran out. In August, the AP reported that the agency secretly dispatched young Latin Americans to Cuba using the cover of health and civic initiatives to provoke political change. That program sent Latin youth - often posing as tourists - around the island for as low as $5.41 an hour to scout for people they could turn into political activists. Shortly after the AP revealed the existence of the social media project this year, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asked USAID to turn over all records about the program as part of a broader review of the agency’s civil-society efforts. And this summer, the agency’s inspector general confirmed it was examining the ZunZuneo program. It is illegal in Cuba to work with foreign democracy-building programs. Nevertheless, one USAID contract was signed days after American contractor Alan Gross was arrested in December 2009 for smuggling sensitive technology into the country. Cuba’s highest court denied his appeal, and he remains imprisoned there. The USAID programs were also launched around the time newly inaugurated President Barack Obama talked about a “new beginning” with Cuba after decades of mistrust, raising questions about whether the White House had a coherent policy toward the island nation. —AP WASHINGTON: With a bright look to its rebuilt website, version 2.0 of President Barack Obama’s health insurance overhaul represents another chance to win over a skeptical public. But more than possible computer woes lurk as HealthCare.gov’s second open enrollment season begins November 15. The risks include an unproven system for those renewing coverage and a tax hit that could sting millions of people. Those tax issues are the result of complications between the health care law and income taxes, and they will emerge during next year’s filing season. “Things will not be perfect,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M Burwell, trying to set expectations. “We are aiming for a strong consumer experience, and it will be better.” The Obama administration cannot afford to repeat last year ’s online meltdown. Congress will be entirely in Republican hands in 2015, and GOP lawmakers will be itching to build the case for repeal. The Supreme Cour t ’s decision Friday to hear another challenge to the law is also casting a shadow. The health insurance exchanges offer taxpayer-subsidized private coverage to people who do not have access on the job. HealthCare.gov will serve 37 states, while the rest run their own markets. This new sign-up period will be the first time that renewal has been tried for current customers, and also overlaps with the first tax-filing season that the law’s requirements are in effect. On the plus side, premium increases are expected to be modest in many, though not all, states. New insurers have come into the market, promoting competition, and regulators now take a close look at anything above a 10 percent increase. The online application for most new customers is down to 16 screens from 76. Website security is better, thanks to aggressive monitoring. The government and insurers have added call center staff. The administration had said last week that consumers would be able to get an early peek at 2015 plans and premiums this weekend. It looked like that early goal was slipping. Window shopping for the plans appeared to be available on the website early Monday. Raising the bar This year, the bar will be higher. The Congressional Budget Office has projected that 13 million people will be covered through federal and state insurance markets in 2015. That means retaining most of the 7 million people now covered and adding 6 million more. Many are skeptics who sat out last year’s campaign. One potential motivator: The law’s tax penalty for remaining uninsured is rising, to a minimum of $325 for 2015. “We have some momentum built up,” said Rachel Klein, enrollment strategist for Families USA, an don’t dally. You have until December 15 to update your income information or change plans if you want to have everything in place by January 1. New customers, be advised: The November 15-February 15 open enrollment is half as long as last time, and it overlaps with the holidays. Try to get familiar with some of the basic health insurance tradeoffs. A lowpremium silver or bronze plan may not make sense if you’ll wind up with high out-of-pocket costs for the deducted from your tax refund. It starts at $95 for those uninsured all year. Millions of people may qualify for penalty waivers, but getting exemptions could be an ordeal. Some appear simple, but for others you’ll have to mail in an application and supporting documents. Melissa Dresler of Lexington, Kentucky, said she’s lucky that she got covered, but she also learned some lessons that should make her a better shopper this year. The climate change researcher unexpectedly WASHINGTON: In this March 28, 2012 file photo, supporters of health care reform rally in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on the final day of arguments regarding the health care law signed by President Barack Obama. —AP advocacy group supporting the law. “We can build on that, but it is a somewhat higher bar to find all the people we need to help, because by definition, they are harder to reach.” An Associated Press-GfK poll found that 31 percent of those questioned expect the health insurance exchanges to work better, while 49 percent think they will work about the same. Also, 18 percent expect version 2.0 to be worse. Some of the potential enrollment pitfalls: For those already signed up, coverage will renew automatically if you do nothing. Sounds good, but maybe not. You could miss out on lower premium options and get stuck with an outdated and possibly incorrect subsidy. Shop around, but deductible and copayments. In that case, you might be better off going for the gold. Some of the tax complications lurking: Most current customers are getting a tax credit to help with premiums. Those subsidies are tied to income, so you’ll have to file new forms with your 2014 taxes to prove you got the right amount. Too much subsidy and your tax refund will get dinged. Too little, and the government owes you. It’s bound to cause anxiety because many people depend on their tax refunds to pay bills. Penalty waivers If you remained uninsured in 2014, you risk a penalty that will be found herself in need of a delicate operation. She woke up one day and something was wrong with her right eye. It turned out to be a detached retina. Her surgery cost well into five figures, and she paid about $1,000. The problem came when she had to go out-of-network because of a complication. To keep premiums in check, many plans restrict a patient’s choice. The follow-up corrective surgery cost her about $6,000. “I may gripe once in a while, but I am so happy with Obamacare,” said Dresler. “I feel so lucky I was covered.” She adds: “If I had known that I was going to have a major emergency then I would have certainly invested more in a better plan.” —AP Tech leaders share latest insights at E-Gov Forum in Kuwait Microsoft works with Kuwaiti Gov to provide latest tech solutions KUWAIT: For the second year in a row, Microsoft Kuwait was a key participant at the EGovernment Forum, held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. During the Forum, senior executives from Microsoft and Diyar United Company, a Microsoft partner, showcased the benefits of technology and how it can help enhance processes and performance within the government sector. Particularly within the framework of Kuwait’s eGovernment vision, this would ultimately lead to improved governance practices. Microsoft’s presence at the forum covered topics such as вЂ�Solutions for Dynamic Governments’, which featured the technology solutions for better and more efficient service delivery, and вЂ�Journey to the Cloud’, which introduced Microsoft’s offerings in the private and hybrid cloud areas, as well as Azure. Microsoft Solutions are focused on empowering more sustainable, prosperous, and economically competitive cities-with a citizen-centric approach that puts people first Diyar’s session focused on вЂ�eGovernment in the Cloud Era’, and how the cloud can create unmatched computing resources for government agencies and ministries, thereby broadening their scope with ease. Charles Nahas, Microsoft Kuwait General Manager, “Technology can help local and regional governments increase efficiency levels and offer modernized services. At Microsoft, we are committed to working with governments to drive innovation and growth through technology solutions and partnerships that create economic and social opportunity.” “The Kuwait Government has been visionary in the development of the nation’s technology infrastructure. We have established a trusted partnership with the government of Kuwait to work together towards to realizing the vision of Kuwait’s leadership. The workshop held for the IT executives from the Kuwaiti Government will Charles Nahas empower them to use technology more efficiently in the delivery of enhanced e-services. We are honoured to have had the opportunity to demonstrate the power of Microsoft technologies to the Kuwait government sector”, Nahas added. Bashar Atout, CEO Diyar United Company said: “Along with Microsoft, we are deeply committed to working with governments to use the power of IT to deliver technology, services and programs that provide anytime, anywhere services for all. This will help empower the government officials for quicker decision-making process, make information more easily available and in turn offer more value-added services to citizens. Today, people are increasingly becoming more tech-savvy, especially with the use of Internet, Facebook and social networking, and this creates a perfect climate for government to adopt relevant technology solutions.” Microsoft has constantly invested and contributed towards the ongoing development of the education, healthcare and entrepreneurial sectors within Kuwait, and has also engaged with various government agencies within the State of Kuwait. Through special training programs and workshops, Microsoft remains committed to the development of a knowledgebased economy in Kuwait, by equipping nationals with the ICT based skills they need to compete in today’s global economy. The 2nd e-Government Forum addressed key issues that face the government today, including privacy, security, information management and client uptake. Group discussions took place during the event to discuss the future direction of eGovernment and the provision of timely and accurate eGovernment services to citizens. EGOV2 is a technology event that brings together many Government datacenter leaders from Kuwait and abroad as well as world-class technology companies to showcase their services, products, policies, and researches for future datacenters. EGOV2 focuses on government datacenters for their role in developing national e-government programs. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 H E A LT H & S C I E N C E Pediatric ophthalmology main theme of 16th Kuwait Int’l conf KUWAIT: Kuwait’s 16th International Conference on Ophthalmology kicked off on Sunday with children’s eye diseases as the major topic. Opening the event on behalf of Health Minister Ali Saad Al-Obaidi, Secretary General of Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization (KIMS) Ibrahim Hadi said that ophthalmology is a top issue for the ministry, adding that participants, both locals and foreigners, will discuss several papers. Addressing the opening ceremony, Hadi stressed the ministry’s support to such scientific and specialized activities which offer opportunities to exchange expertise and treatment methods. He also emphasized the significance of exhibitions held on the sidelines of the scientific gatherings, displaying latest diagnosing and treatment technology. Focusing on pediatric ophthalmology reflects awareness and responsi- Mansour Al-Shemmari bility for protecting right of the young in enjoying good health, he said. Meanwhile, Hadi said that KIMS organizes up to 31 programs, both locals and fellowships, covering all specializations. He added that up to 96 doctors from the Kuwait Board passed the final test, and would be honored in a ceremony to be held on November 30, under auspices of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The annual event focuses on an ophthalmology issue every year, leading ophthalmologist Adnan Al-Wael, president of the conference said. This year, participants will discuss pediatric squint, aiming at providing children suffering from it with treatment in time and at early age. —KUNA Kuwait uses Ga-68 in PET imaging of prostate cancer SIERRA LEONE: People wash their hands on a no hands improvised device as others queue to have the temperature checked at a sanitary check point 70 km from Freetown on the road to Port Loko. —AFP In Ebola-hit Sierra Leone, places of worship the only places to gather FREETOWN: With Ebola rampaging through Sierra Leone, most ordinary outings are off limits-for fear of contracting the virus that has killed more than 1,000 of their compatriots, people cannot go to school or the movies, a football game or a concert. But they can go to the mosque or to a church. On Sunday, several hundred people headed to the Freetown branch of the Winners Chapel megachurch, where a revivalist minister presided over services like a rock star. Wearing a purple suit and mauve shirt, microphone in hand, Olatunji Oseni stood on a raised platform in the centre of this building in a relatively affluent part of the capital, angrily punching the air with his clenched fist. “We will overcome Ebola through the blood of Christ, with his help, and with prayer,” he shouted, bringing the crowd to their feet. They threw their arms into the air, clapped their hands, and begged God to forgive them for their sins and the wretchedness of their souls. Outside the gates to the church, as at all public venues, large buckets of chlorinated water are available for people to wash their hands in. Often there are also officials who check people’s temperatures as they go into a venue. Preventive measures “ We have no case of Ebola in this church,” the deacon, who would give his name only as Jim, told AFP. He added that the church had followed all preventive measures-including a ban on physical contact-ordered since the start of the outbreak early this year. “We used to shake hands, to hug, but we don’t do it anymore,” he said, noting how the rows of chairs were arranged so that worshippers could not touch. “We have nowhere to go, we find our salvation in God,” Jim said. Leaving the service, a buxom 19-year-old named Princess jokes with a crowd of youths gathered around her: “We have to stay home, we can’t go out, I can’t see my girlfriends or my boyfriend. Going to church is the only way we can see each other. It’s really boring.” Some 1,130 people in the impoverished west African country have died from the virus out of 4,862 cases in the current outbreak, declared a state of emergency on July 31. The combined death toll with Guinea and Liberia, the two other countries where the current epidemic is centered, is near 5,000, the UN agency said on Friday. —AFP After hepatitis C cure, companies target next big liver disease market NEW YORK: Now that new medicines promise to cure millions of hepatitis C patients in coming years, drugmakers including Gilead Sciences Inc are turning their attention to other liver diseases, with a potential market that could rival the success of statins, which generated more than $30 billion a year in sales at their peak. Several companies are working on treatments for hepatitis B, which can be controlled but not yet cured, and for fatty liver conditions caused by rising obesity, which without treatment could affect half of all Americans by 2030, according to the American Liver Foundation (ALF). Some of the drugs will address advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, which are the scarring that virtually all liver diseases cause without effective treatments. Each of these drugs, once approved, could reach annual sales of as much as $10 billion, industry analysts said. Most of the treatments are now in early Phase I or Phase II clinical trials, with more informative interim data on several expected over the course of the next year. Gilead, which was first to market with its hepatitis C cure Sovaldi late last year and has been racking up about $3 billion in sales each quarter, is a solid bet to be among the leaders in the next wave of liver therapies, experts said. “The Gilead program is encouraging,” said Dr Naga Chalasani, director of gastroenterology and hepatology at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, who is participating in clinical trials of promising drugs from Gilead and others. Drugmakers are working to address the fatty liver disease known as NASH, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Without treatment, NASH can progress to liverdestroying cirrhosis and potentially cancer. ALF estimates that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, including NASH, affects up to 30 percent of people in the United States. It can be caused by bad diets and alcohol abuse, and has also been tied to diabetes. “We have no treatment for that condition other than tell a patient they need to lose weight,” said Dr Mauricio Lisker-Melman, director of the hepatology program at Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis. Intercept Pharmaceuticals has attracted the most attention. Just released final data from a mid-stage clinical trial showed its obeticholic acid halted NASH progression and improved liver scarring in primarily moderately ill patients. “For now, no one else has demonstrated an antifibrotic effect in this population, and I believe we are ahead of the pack in that sense,” said Intercept Chief Executive Mark Pruzanski. Intercept plans to begin a Phase III trial with at least 1,000 more seriously ill patients next year. Dr Scott Friedman, dean for therapeutic discovery at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York, who has worked with virtually all the companies in the field, said most were first testing drugs in patients whose liver damage is not advanced. —Reuters KUWAIT: Kuwait has become one of the world’s first ten countries to use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to detect prostate cancer. The new technology has been introduced to patients in Kuwait at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Kuwait Cancer Control Center (KCCC). “The PET imaging helps precisely locate the sites and activity of prostate cancer,” PET expert at the KCCC and Head of Kuwait Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) Dr Fahad Marafi told KUNA Sunday. He stated that Kuwait is using one of the most novel PET radiotracer inhibitor, known as gallium 68, to detect prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) which is a cell surface protein with high expression in prostate carcinoma (PC) cells. “Arab, Middle Eastern and even most of the world countries do not have access to this isotope (gallium 68),” Marafi noted. He explained that PET is a nuclear medicine, functional imaging technique that produces a multi-dimensional image of functional processes in the body. The patient is injected by gallium 68 before PET imaging, he said, noting that the Ga68/PET imaging has provided high detection rates to the lesions. For his part, PET expert Dr Abdulreda Abbas said that the new detection technique would lead to great improvement in the treatment and care given the patients. “This kind of imaging would give patients a chance to be treated by radiotherapy techniques,” he told KUNA. Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men and continues to be a major health problem. Imaging plays an essential role in the clinical management of patients. An important goal for prostate cancer imaging is more accurate disease characterization through the synthesis of anatomic, functional, and molecular imaging information.—KUNA Ebola nurse to be advocate for health workers PORTLAND: A Maine nurse who battled politicians over her quarantine after she returned from treating Ebola patients in West Africa said she will continue speaking out on behalf of public health workers. Yesterday marked the 21st day since Kaci Hickox’s last exposure to an Ebola patient, a 10-year old girl who suffered seizures before dying alone without family. Today Hickox will no longer require daily monitoring for Ebola symptoms, and said she looks forward to stepping out her front door “like normal people.” But the Texas native said she won’t back away from the debate over treatment of health care workers. “In the past, a quarantine was something that was considered very extreme. I’m concerned about how lightly we’re taking this concept today,” said Hickox, who defied state-ordered quarantine attempts in New Jersey and Maine. “I’m concerned that the wrong people are leading the debate and making the decisions.” She said the US needs a public education campaign to better explain the virus that has killed nearly 5,000 in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. However, Hickox said she wouldn’t let her experience prevent her from returning to West Africa. “Something like quarantine is not going to scare me from doing the work that I love,” she said from her home in Fort Kent in northern Maine. “I would return to Sierra Leone in a heartbeat.” Hickox said she plans to have dinner with her boyfriend to mark the end of the deadly disease’s incubation period, but she’s not sure what kind of reception she’ll get. She has been hailed by some and vilified by others for refusing to be quarantined. Most people have been supportive, she said, but others have been hateful. She received a letter from one person who said he hoped she would catch Ebola and die. Other side “We’re still thankful we’ve had a the Ebola patients who needed help. It was so hot that volunteers could only spend about an hour at a time treating patients in their protective suits. They were drenched in sweat when they finished their shifts, she said. On the morning she left Sierra Leone, the weary nurse learned that the girl she’d treated hours earlier had died. She was debriefed MAINE: In a Friday, Oct 31, 2014 file photo, Kaci Hickox comes out of her house to speak to reporters, in Fort Kent. —AP lot of great support in this community but I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t make me a little bit nervous thinking about people from the other side of the debate and how they might react to me,” Hickox said. A volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, she spent a month at a hospital where there were never enough beds for all of by Doctors Without Borders in Brussels before flying to the US. It was after three hours of questioning at the Newark Liberty International Airport that she resolved that she’d have to make a stand on behalf of all returning health care workers. “I said I’m going to have to do something about this because I can’t possibly let my colleagues go through this. This is completely unacceptable,” she said. Hickox was sequestered in a medical tent for days because New Jersey announced new Ebola regulations the day she arrived. Degrees in nursing She eventually was allowed to travel to Maine, where the state sought to impose a “voluntary quarantine” before trying and failing to create a buffer between her and others. A state judge rejected attempts to restrict her movements, saying she posed no threat as long as she wasn’t demonstrating any symptoms of Ebola. Hickox said health care professionals like those at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - not politicians like New Jersey Gov Chris Christie and Maine Gov Paul LePage - should be in charge of making decisions that are grounded in science, not fear. Hickox said she’s considering her options as she looks for work. Her boyfriend, Ted Wilbur, contends he was told to stay away from the University of Maine at Fort Kent while she was in the news. He formally withdrew from the school Friday. The couple said they’d be leaving town soon. Hickox, who holds a nursing degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and master’s degrees in nursing and public health from Johns Hopkins University, said she may opt to go back to school. “I have been over the last couple of days been toying with the idea of maybe getting a doctorate degree and focusing on quarantine law,” she said.—AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 H E A LT H & S C I E N C E Laundry soap pods dangerous for young kids WASHINGTON: Laundry detergent pods could be dangerous for young children, researchers warned yesterday, as reports grow of kids under six swallowing the capsules in the United States. The detergent pods-on US shelves since 2010 — are just the right size for a single load of laundry, eliminating the need to measure out a liquid or powder. More than 17,000 incidents from 2012 and 2013 were reported to US poison control cen- ters of children under six being exposed to the detergent chemicals equivalent to one child every hour-according to the new study. “Laundry detergent pods are small, colorful, and may look like candy or juice to a young child,” said co-author Marcel Casavant, toxicology chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center. “It can take just a few seconds for children to grab them, break them open, and swallow the toxic chemicals they contain, or get the chemicals in their eyes.” In one case, the child died, while some 769 children were hospitalized, a rate of more than one a day. Two-thirds of the cases were among toddlers-children just one or two years old. Children who put the capsules in their mouths can quickly swallow a large quantity of concentrated chemicals, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital researchers warned. Nearly half the children, 48 percent, vomited after ingesting the detergent, the study found. Other effects included coughing or choking, eye pain, drowsiness and pinkeye. Most of the detergent capsules are sold in clear, easy-to-open containers. One manufacturer last year switched to an opaque package with an additional latch and a warning label, but the study authors said this was not enough.”It is not clear that any laundry detergent pods currently available are truly child resistant; a national safety standard is needed to make sure that all pod makers adopt safer packaging and labeling,” said senior author Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He urged households with young children to use traditional detergent. —AFP This photograph taken on October 16, 2014, shows a Pakistani man entering a hair transplants clinic in Peshawar. —AFP photos Pakistani men waiting their turn at a hair transplants clinic. Hair transplants: Pakistan’s new weapon of mass seduction A Pakistani doctor Humayun Mohmand, a pioneer in hair transplants in the country, busy at his clinic in Islamabad. Pakistani doctors treating a patient for hair transplants. PESHAWAR: Mohammad Shahid’s eyes lit up when he saw his once bald cousin come home one day with a head full of hair and a strutting gait to match. A handsome but follically-challenged young man, he decided the time was ripe to restore his honor, battered by years of taunts that follow the barren-headed and the beardless in Pakistan. In the northwestern city of Peshawar, home to underground Taliban hideouts and a gateway for trade to Afghanistan, men go about their business in the crowded dusty streets, their faces covered by bushy black beards that would make Captain Haddock proud. The city’s roads are filled with giant billboards of celebrities once bald but now all smiles. They extol the virtues of manhood restored surgically with a few well-placed tufts of hair. “When I saw my cousin return from his procedure, I was in shock. I said to myself: I have to have it too,” said the thirty something excitedly as he prepared to have the procedure at a local hair transplant clinic. “Hair is like our weapon against society.” In Pakistan, hair is synonymous with virility to the point that even some Taliban fighters buy ointments to give their long locks and beards a lustrous finish. Woe to those without: they are labelled “ganjas”, a deeply derogatory term. “Here, calling someone a вЂ�ganja’ is a stigma but over there (in the West), saying вЂ�bald’ is not that bad,” explained Dr Humayun Mohmand, one of the first doctors to offer the treatment in Pakistan. The вЂ�Nawaz effect’ Mohmand opened his practice in the early 2000s, but transplants, done under local anesthetic, did not take off immediately. The breakthrough moment came at the end of 2007, when Nawaz Sharif, who was balding when he was deposed as prime minister by General Pervez Musharraf eight years earlier, returned from exile with a full head of hair. “After the hair transplant... by Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif (his brother, the chief minister of Punjab province) this has become very popular,” said Doctor Fawad Aamir at his Peshawar clinic, among a group of patients seeking new manes. “(Before) they were very afraid of this, that something is going to happen, that cancer will develop, that infection will lead to the brain.” Among them was the son of Farid Khan Khattak, a big man who fills the room with hearty laughter. “My son had some kind of inferiority complex because he had some gaps in his hair,” he said. “One of my friends told me that instead of a hair transplant I should buy a motorbike for my son. But my son insisted: вЂ�Instead of a motorbike I want a transplant’, so it’s for his happiness.” Since 2006, Mohmand has conducted 8,000 operations compared with 1,000 during the previous five years. In Pakistan’s conservative society where arranged marriages remain the norm, surgeons recall the anguish of patients whose engagements have been scuppered by baldness. “One of my clients had lost a lot of hair and two or three marriage proposals did not mature,” said the doc- tor of a female patient. “After that, she came to give me the invitation to her wedding. That day, she had tears in her eyes. She said, вЂ�You are the person who has made my life’.” Hair tourism Today, there are nearly 120 hair transplant clinics in Pakistan, according to official figures, with a dozen in Peshawar. The operation generally costs from $400-$1,000, with some top clinics charging up to $6,000 — a fraction of what it costs in the West, but still well out of reach for most Pakistanis. Many clients come from abroad, in particular the Pakistani-Afghan diaspora who come to see their friends and family-and return more hirsute. Maihan, a cook from Denmark, finds himself in one such clinic in Peshawar. The young Afghan knows that the shaven-headed Bruce Willis look isn’t displeasing to the fairer sex in the West. “In Europe, in Canada, in Australia and in the United States, the girls don’t care, but here guys must have long hair,” he said. Hairless heads aren’t the only worry. Doctor Asif Shah says he has also performed a number of beard transplants on patients keen to show their piety with a healthy growth. Fawad Aamir recalls with pleasure the visit of a Taliban commander’s son who had grown frustrated with his patchy beard while fellow Islamist rebels proudly sported bushy specimens. “A doctor tried to convince the man that вЂ�you don’t grow beard because this is the beard given to you by God’,” he said. “And he said вЂ�No, I want to have this like Mohammed, peace be upon him.’ “So we went ahead and six months later he had a very big beard and he was very happy.”—AFP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 W H AT ’ S O N Embassy of France O n the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and Kuwait, the French Embassy in Kuwait, the Institut francais du Koweit, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MAEDI), with the support of the National Center For Education Development (Kuwait), present a seminar entitled “French, a language for world trade - learn, communicate and work in French in the Gulf region” which will be held today at Gulf University for Science and Technology in Mishref - Kuwait. This event invites participants from 5 countries of the Gulf (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates) to reflect upon the position and the prospects of the French language within the region. During this 2-day seminar, presentations and workshops will focus on the 3 following themes: “learn” (teaching in French, the development of French as second foreign language and at university), “communicate” (technologies for communication and cultural exchange in French) and “work” (areas of excellence for French-speaking professionals, company profiles and research fields, i.e. degenerative medicine). The Chamber of commerce and Industry of Paris, the Institut francais- Paris and the Centre International d’Etudes Pedagogiques (CIEP) will also present their digital and training tools for teachers. — Photos by Joseph Shagra Australia Embassy A ustralian Visa Application Centre, Level 25, Al Tijaria Building Al Soor Street, Opp. Al Shuhada Garden Sharq, 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) 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 Kuwait Times Calendar of Events November 13 Dasman Diabetes Institute will celebrate the World Diabetes Day 2014 on Thursday Nov 13, 2014. The event will include clinical consultations, activities for kids, first aid techniques, complimentary medical testing and screening, healthy cooking sessions nutritional and pharmaceutical counseling. The public is invited to join and be part of promoting awareness, education and prevention diabetes from 4 - 9 pm. 14 Arpan Kuwait is presenting Raag вЂ�n’ Rachna, a combination of musical and artistic program where the audience gets to enjoy a mandolin concert by UP Raju and a cartoon show by Jithesh on November 14 at Indian embassy auditorium at 6pm. 14 - The English School Winter Wonderland Bazaar. Held at the school premises in Salmiya. 14 - Punjab International Cultural Society presents Punjabi Sabhyacharak nite 2014 on November 14, at 4 pm onwards in Indian Model School - Salmiya. 14 - Kala (Art) Kuwait NIRAM-2014 Children’s Day painting competition at Indian Community School, Khaitan, on Friday, 14 November. Clay modeling competition also will be conducted for 7 - 11 standard students. Visit www.kalakuwait.net, or by e-mail at [email protected] 15 - Arpan cartoon - caricature competition, workshop with speed cartoonist Jitheshji at Indian Community School, Khaitan on Saturday, 15th November. Caricature competition for 5- 12th Std and adults at 9 am, workshop at 11.15 am. Students can register through https://www.facebook.com/arpankwt or http://goo.gl/forms/u0CQcedoxT. [email protected] 28 Friends of CRY Club (FOCC), announces plans for 2014 Chess Tournament for children of all ages upto high-school. “CRYchess 2014” will be held at the Salmiya Indian Model School (SIMS), Salmiya, Kuwait,on Friday, 28th November 2014, from 0930 - 1630 hrs. The players will be allocated groups by their age, to play in the Swiss pairing format. For more details, registration forms, Rules of CRYChess 2014, visit www.focckwt.org or contact FOCC members. 15 - Day Out Fiesta to be held at Wahran Park in Shamiya. Interested in participating from 4-9pm or email [email protected]. 22 - Kuwait Textile Association Bazaar - Held at Sadu House on November 22. 22 - Kuwait English School Annual Bazaar - At KES in Salwa, block 11 on November 22. Tables are KD 20. 28 - British Ladies Society Bazaar - At BSK on November 28. 28-29 - Street Fest 2014 will be held at a parking lot in AlShaab AlKhaled area on Friday and Saturday from 3pm to 10pm. Instagram @streetfestkuwait Website: http://www.streetfestkuwait.com/ 29 - 10K Charity Run organized by FSRI at the Marina Crescent. Register at www.runq8.org Email: [email protected] IWG holds monthly meeting By Nawara Fattahova T he International Women’s Group (IWG) held its monthly meeting, on Sunday morning at the Radisson Blu Hotel. This meeting was attended by most of the IWG’s members. The group awarded Sheikha Anwar Al-Faisal Al-Sabah, for inviting them last week to Becarre Gallery, who thanked the members and invited those who didn’t visit the gallery to do so. During the meeting also Dr Nawal Al-Hamad presented a lecture on the Non Communicable Diseases (NCD). During this lecture she explained that in the MENA region the rate of these diseases is high comparing to other regions. She mentioned the risk factors for these diseases that include other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and factors such as smoking and others. She also mentioned the rates of some factors. “For instance for diabetes its 1-4 for every 10 people, 1-4 for hypertension, 1-2 for obesity, and 1-3 for smoking. These are high rates. Also these factors are related to life expectancy and combining of some factors may multiple the risk factors,” said Dr Al-Hamad. There are some recommendations that people should follow to decrease the risk. “We aim to reach better health condition and prevent against the NCD diseases. People should eat more vegetables, whole-grain foods, high-fiber foods, and fish. They should avoid using palm oil for cooking which is wildly used in the restaurants here in Kuwait. I also recommend people to increase physical activity,” she pointed out. According to her salt and sugar cause great problems. “people should cut salt or at lease reduce it from their food. It’s not only direct salt, it’s also other food containing salt such as mayonnaise, ketchup, soya sauce, and others. Also some food uses the word sodium which is salt as well. The pizza for instance includes salt in 60 percent of its ingredients. In 2003 in the UK they succeeded to reduced salt in bread, and later in most kinds of cheese. They are now working on reducing sugar, and we should do the same,” explained Dr. Al-Hamad. Healthy nutrition is the key for prevention against most diseases. “We aim to make people live in healthy lifestyle and to live long life. And all of the government, public, and food industry are responsible for providing healthy food. Medical nutrition is better than medicines and medical treatments,” she concluded. Josephine Cole, the spouse of the Maltese ambassador to Kuwait, and the President of IWG for this year addressed a welcome speech, where she expressed her happiness of the successful cultural and social activities of the group. “These meeting are important especially that useful activities and programs are presented, such as the health lectures are excellent and I enjoy attending it. It’s also a great opportunity to meet friends and new members,” she stated. The members meet regularly and hold different events and activities. “These activities include different celebrations and events such as visiting traditional places. In addition it includes other cultural activities such as those presented by the diplomat women from their country. This month will be related to the issue of nutrition,” Narjis AlShatti, Member of IWG and the PR and Media told the Kuwait Times. The IWG Kuwait chapter is a branch of the International Women’s Association residing in Denmark and has branches all over the world, where they organize similar programs and activities. Here in Kuwait the new wives of ambassadors meet with the other members to exchange information about their country, tradition, food, culture and others. TIES Center social hub schedules Punjabi Sabhya Charak Nite P unjab International Cultural Society - Kuwait in associate with Fankaar Arts presents Punjabi Cultural Show with singers from Punjab (India) On 14-112014 at Salmiyah Indian Model School - Salmiya at 5 pm. What’s On - Submission Guidelines All photos submitted for What’s On should be minimum 200dpi. Articles must be in plain text and should include name and phone numbers. Articles and photos that fail to meet these requirements will not be published. Please send them to [email protected] Susanna Graziano IES Center cordially invites you to its wonderful lecture entitled, “Italy’s Ancient Foods Reach Kuwait’s Shakshooka Market,” by Susanna Graziano after today, at 7 pm. An evening dedicated to Italy’s culinary roots presented by Susanna Graziano, highlighting lesser-known, Italian regional specialties and their history, and the growing demand for a return to honest food in Kuwait, represented by Shakshooka Market, Kuwait’s first farmers’ market, presented by its founder, local chef Maryam al Nusif. Susanna is so generous that she will provide samples on each kind of food for everyone to taste. Susanna invites you into her virtual Italian family kitchen, where you will discover some of Italy’s staple traditional dishes and learn how to prepare them and enjoy them with friends and family, while Maryam tells the serendipitous story of the birth of Shakshooka Market, and why cultivating a loving relationship between the food, its maker and consumer, is not only necessary but rewarding. Susanna Graziano is an instructor, a foodie, and a radio speaker. She organizes tasting sessions, gourmet catering events and loves to spread the word about taste education, no waste, farmers markets and local, good quality food. She also thoroughly enjoys feeding people. T Maryam Al Nusif Growing up in a home with an appreciation for quality dining helped develop Maryam Al Nusif’s love of food at an early age. While completing her MBA in the UK in 2007, Maryam Al Nusif, following her childhood love of food, enrolled in Cordon Bleu to fulfill her dream of becoming a chef. Upon her return to Kuwait, with the intention of settling and starting her own business, fate had a different plan - A casual request from a former Sharq Organic customer, (an organic family farm business that closed its doors in 2003), for organic produce gave birth to Shakshooka Market. While organizing and taking part in Shakshooka Market is Maryam’s full-time job, she is also co-founder of Two Chefs and a Waitress, collaborating with fellow chef, Danna Al Tourah and different local chefs, on a monthly basis, offering unique dining experiences and menus to like-minded foodies across Kuwait. Maryam also initiated The Secret Garden Project; an urban gardening project aimed at reviving a neglected public park in Salmiya, where individuals from the community can come to volunteer their time and contribute to this grassroots initiative, demonstrating that living as a happy community is more effective than living as a happy individual. Come along with your friends to enjoy the evening that will feed your mind and stomach. Outbreak: Plagues that changed history By Bryn Barnard The presentation will focus on how modern society has been shaped by infectious diseases including bubonic plague, smallpox, yellow fever, influenza, cholera, tuberculosis and toxoplasma. Bryn’s talk isnГt so much about the diseases, though he will describe them, but how they changed the way we treat illness, improve sanitation, provide drinking water, and invented antibiotics. Bryn Barnard is an author and illustrator with twenty five years of experience creating images for clients that include NASA, National Geographic and Scientific American. He has illustrated twenty-five books for children and is the author and illustrator of three books, all published by Random House, New York: Dangerous Planet: Natural Disasters That Changed History, Outbreak: Plagues That Changed History, and The Genius of Islam. Bryn Barnard has had solo exhibitions of his illustrations in Asia, Europe and the United States. In 2009 the Global Health Odyssey Museum at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia exhibited the art from his book Outbreak. The National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, DC showed Outbreak in 2010 and will do so again in the spring of 2013 at their new campus in Annapolis, Maryland. Bryn Barnard teaches art at the American International School of Kuwait. Tuesday, November 18 @ 7:00pm The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net. The TIES Center is the social and educational hub for English Speaking Muslims in Kuwait. For more information, please call 25231015 or e-mail [email protected] or visit www.tiescenter.net. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 W H AT ’ S O N NBK Capital co-organizes blood donation day to support Kuwait’s Central Blood Bank I n partnership with Kuwait Central Blood Bank, NBK Capital organized Blood Donation Day at its offices in Arraya Tower II. This initiative is part of the investment firm’s corporate commitment to support community initiatives to help save lives and endorse good health practices among its staff. NBK Capital employees gathered at the special donation center, set up by Kuwait Central Blood Bank professional medical team and staff, to donate blood and help save the lives of others. Blood donations during the day were added to the blood bank’s reserves to support its blood drive initiatives. The medical team also communicated important messages to donors about the importance of regular blood donation and its safe process. “NBK Capital believes in the importance of not only being part of the business community, but also giving back to Kuwait’s society whenever possible”, said Salah Al-Fulaij, CEO of NBK Capital. He added, “We strive to make positive contributions in communities and markets where we operate by sowing this culture amid our staff.” The blood donation initiative is part of a CSR program and activities at NBK Capital, which encompasses impartial and transparent deeds that ensure synergy and reinforce the cohesion of the community. Dr Marcia Denny represents KILAW in International Law Weekend 2014 D FIMA donates to Kashmir relief fund F ederation of Indian Muslims Associations (FIMA), the coordination council of Indian Muslim associations working in Kuwait, donated a sum of three hundred and twenty five thousand rupees (Rs. 3,25,000/) to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund in support of the relief operations in Jammu & Kashmir for those affected by the recent devastating floods in the valley. The fund was handed over to the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Sunil Jain, by the FIMA delegation led by President Siddeeque Valiyakath. The other members of the delegation included FIMA’s Vice President Sayed Ifthekhar Ahmed, Secretary General Hidayathullah, Joint Secretary Abdulrazak Alwane, Treasurer Salim Desai and Joint Treasurer Mohammed Manshauddin. The delegation also discussed important issues pertaining to the Indian community with the ambassador including the condition of domestic workers in the state and the problems of NRI students among others. The ambassador expressed knowledge of these problems and noted that he is trying his best to seek remedies. Towards that end he had raised the issues with the Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Faisal Humoud Al Sabah during their recent meeting. Further, the ambassador evinced keen interest regarding the issue of NRI students’ fees and asked for details in order to take the matter to the concerned authorities in the central government r Marcia Denny, Assistant Professor of International Law at Kuwait International Law School, attended the International Law Weekend 2014 held October 24th and 25th at Fordham Law School in New York City. The conference was jointly sponsored by the International Law Students’ Association and the American Branch of the International Law Association of which Ms Denny is a member. The overall theme was “International Law in a Time of Chaos.” Among the sessions Ms Denny attended, were expert discussions of the application and extraterritorial reach of the United States’ new Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, FATCA, and an update on the application of corruption and bribery regulations both international (UN Convention Against Corruption) and national (US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act). In addition, Ms Denny, a coach for the KILAW Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Team, attended sessions both relevant to current issues in international law and to this Dr Marcia Denny year’s Jessup competition problem involving self-determination, secession and non-intervention in the time of Crimea and Kosovo and balancing territorial integrity and self-determination under international law. Presenters included expert practitioners in international law and United Nations officials as well as practicing lawyers and esteemed professors. JMBH & Spa appoints new director of business development and marketing J umeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa, Kuwait’s idyllic resort, has promoted Ahmed Ibrahim Jarkass to the role of Director of Business Development and Marketing. An Egyptian national, Ahmed Jarkass was a key member of the hotel’s pre-opening executive team when he joined in November 2009 as Director of Sales. He successfully supported the hotel’s planning, sales strategies and activities to build and maintain strong relationships with customers and stakeholders. He has also been a main contributor in hiring the Sales and Marketing team from the local and international markets. Ahmed Jarkass brings with him 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, covering senior sales positions across several prestigious hotel brands in Egypt and Kuwait. A graduate from the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels with specialisation in Hotel Management from the Helwan University in Cairo, he also completed a programme in Marketing Strategy for Business Leaders from the Cornell University. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the Sales, Public Relations and Marketing, Revenue and Conference and Events teams with a strategy to strengthen the positioning of Kuwait’s idyllic resort as the first choice hotel for corporate and leisure markets in Kuwait and internationally. Souhridavedi Kuwait conducts Kudumbasangamom S ouhridavedhi Kuwait conducted Kudumbasangamom with various cultural programs. The function began with the national anthem followed by welcome speech by Parimanam Manoj (General Secretary). The programme was inaugurated by Samkutty George (President) by lighting the traditional lamp. Felicitation speech was given by Mathew C. Abraham (Vice President), Manoj Menon (Treasurer) proposed the vote of thanks. The second part of the function was the cultural programs, which began with magic show by magician Jewel & team which attracted kids and elders equally. Another attraction was Ganamela which was led by Master Mossess Tobin, Roney John, Hanna & Ruth. The launching ceremony (neetilirackal) of Souhridavedhi Chundan which was led by captain Kochiyil Thomas & other members including Rajesh Parakkoth, Biju Thomas, Roy T. Sam, Bibu T. Babu, Sunil K.V. & Rajan Abraham was mind blowing. A variety of games and other activities were also conducted. A sumptuous “OnaSadhya” was served to all attendees. Arpan Kuwait presents Raag вЂ�n’ Rachna A rpan Kuwait is presenting a unique blend of art and music this Friday at the Indian embassy auditorium. The program, titled Raag вЂ�n’ Rachna will feature mandolin Maestro UP Raju and the inimitable speed cartoonist Jitheshji with his stage show. The program starts at 6pm and gate opens at 5 pm. This program will be inaugurated by Sunil Jain, Ambassador of India to Kuwait. MANDOLIN ARTIST UP RAJU: A freelance mandolin maestro, UP Raju has been performing in various sabhas of Chennai and other major cities of India for different festivals for more than two decades. He is also training many students in mandolin, which includes online classes for the students in Canada, USA, and Switzerland. Raju has extensively performed around the globe. He has also achieved name and fame through his solo/ duo audio cds and cassettes. Raju and his wife Nagamani together form a formidable mandolin duo. CARTOONIST - Adv S Jithesh: On the occasion of Children’s day, Arpan Kuwait is happy to present the speed cartoonist Jitheshji. Infotainment - education through entertainment is the buzz word of Jiteshji. His cartoon stage show is a blend of poetry, anecdotes and sociopolitical satire with high speed drawing. As a performing Jithesh has initiated and developed this art genre. The mode of presentation of this one hour show is very captivating and enchanting while drawing hundreds of celebrity caricatures on stage with a lightning pace and satirical commentary in order to create a new sensibility. Now, this art genre is onto 2,000 stages since its launching in 2008. Jitheshji has also performed a record speed of sketching 50 celebrities within 5 minutes in 2008. Arpan has formed an organizing Committee for smooth conduction of two days events (Raag n Rachana and Cartoon caricature competition and workshop), K Mahadevan as program convener and Suresh K P as co-convener, according to Krishna Iyer Mohan, President Arpan Kuwait and Anil Attuva, General Secretary, Arpan Kuwait. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 TV PROGRAMS 00:50 01:45 02:40 03:35 04:00 04:25 04:50 05:15 06:02 06:25 06:49 07:36 08:00 08:25 09:15 10:10 11:05 12:00 12:55 13:20 13:50 14:20 14:45 15:40 16:05 16:35 17:30 18:25 19:20 20:15 21:10 22:05 22:30 Great Animal Escapes Untamed & Uncut Animal Cops Houston Safari Sisters Safari Sisters Secret Life Of Pets Secret Life Of Pets Bad Dog! Great Animal Escapes Great Animal Escapes Untamed & Uncut Animal Airport Call Of The Wildman Dogs 101 Bad Dog Treehouse Masters Animal Maternity Ward Animal Precinct Call Of The Wildman Animal Airport Secret Life Of Pets Secret Life Of Pets Bad Dog! Safari Sisters Safari Sisters Treehouse Masters Dogs 101 Must Love Cats Biggest And Baddest Bondi Vet Animal Clinic Safari Sisters Safari Sisters 00:40 Life On Mars 01:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 02:00 Eastenders 02:30 Doctors 03:00 New Tricks 03:50 The Cafe 04:15 The Weakest Link 05:00 Charlie And Lola 05:15 Woolly & Tig 05:20 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 05:40 Bobinogs 05:50 Little Prairie Dogs 06:00 Gigglebiz 06:15 Charlie And Lola 06:30 Woolly & Tig 06:35 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 06:55 Bobinogs 07:05 Little Prairie Dogs 07:15 The Weakest Link 08:00 The Cafe 08:25 Moone Boy 08:50 Eastenders 09:20 Doctors 09:50 New Tricks 10:40 The Paradise 11:30 The Cafe 11:55 Moone Boy 12:20 The Impressions Show With Culshaw... 12:50 Eastenders 13:20 Doctors 13:50 New Tricks 14:40 The Paradise 15:30 The Cafe 15:55 Moone Boy 16:20 The Weakest Link 17:05 Eastenders 17:35 Doctors 18:05 New Tricks 18:55 One Foot In The Grave 19:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 20:00 The Paradise 20:55 Stella 00:00 Homes Under The Hammer 00:50 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmo Cook 01:15 Come Dine With Me 02:05 Antiques Roadshow 03:00 Antiques Roadshow 03:50 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 04:35 Homes Under The Hammer 05:25 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmo Cook 05:50 Come Dine With Me 06:40 The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook 07:05 Antiques Roadshow 08:00 Antiques Roadshow 08:55 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 09:40 Homes Under The Hammer 10:30 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmo Cook 10:55 Come Dine With Me 11:45 Antiques Roadshow 12:35 Antiques Roadshow 13:30 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 14:15 Homes Under The Hammer 15:05 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmo Cook 15:30 Come Dine With Me 16:20 Antiques Roadshow 17:10 Antiques Roadshow 18:05 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 18:30 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 20:10 Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook: Cosmo Cook 20:35 Masterchef: The Professionals 21:00 Paul Hollywood’s Bread 21:25 Rachel’s Favourite Food For Living 21:50 Hairy Dieters 22:40 The Roux Legacy 23:15 Bargain Hunt 00:20 Railroad Alaska 01:10 Railroad Alaska 02:00 Fast N’ Loud 02:50 Storage Hunters 03:15 Thrift Hunters 03:40 Storage Wars Canada 04:05 How It’s Made 04:30 How It’s Made 05:00 Treehouse Masters 06:00 Rods N’ Wheels 06:50 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 07:40 Fast N’ Loud 08:30 Storage Hunters 08:55 Thrift Hunters 09:20 Storage Wars Canada 09:45 How It’s Made 10:10 How It’s Made 10:35 Siberian Cut 11:25 Railroad Alaska 12:15 Railroad Alaska 13:05 Storage Hunters 13:30 Thrift Hunters 13:55 Storage Wars Canada 14:20 Robson Green’s Extreme Fishing Challenge 15:10 Rods N’ Wheels 16:00 Fast N’ Loud 16:50 How It’s Made 17:15 How It’s Made 17:40 Treehouse Masters 18:30 Tethered 19:20 Dual Survival 20:10 Thrift Hunters 20:35 Storage Wars Canada 21:00 Marooned With Ed Stafford 21:50 Tethered 22:40 Dual Survival 23:30 Marooned With Ed Stafford 00:00 00:40 00:50 01:15 Violetta The Hive Art Attack Art Attack 01:40 Jungle Junction 01:50 Jungle Junction 02:05 Jungle Junction 02:15 Jungle Junction 02:30 Violetta 03:10 The Hive 03:20 Art Attack 03:45 Art Attack 04:10 Jungle Junction 04:20 Jungle Junction 04:35 Jungle Junction 04:45 Jungle Junction 05:00 Art Attack 05:25 Art Attack 05:50 Mouk 06:00 Dog With A Blog 06:25 Liv And Maddie 06:50 Good Luck Charlie 07:15 Good Luck Charlie 07:40 Jessie 08:05 Win, Lose Or Draw 08:30 Good Luck Charlie 08:55 Good Luck Charlie 09:20 Sonny With A Chance 09:45 Sonny With A Chance 10:10 Suite Life On Deck 10:35 Suite Life On Deck 11:00 That’s So Raven 11:25 That’s So Raven 11:50 A.N.T. Farm 12:15 A.N.T. Farm 12:40 Good Luck Charlie 13:05 Good Luck Charlie 13:30 Jessie 13:55 Jessie 14:20 Austin & Ally 15:00 Good Luck Charlie 15:20 Good Luck Charlie 15:45 Liv And Maddie 16:10 Violetta 17:00 I Didn’t Do It 17:25 Jessie 17:50 Sabrina: Secrets Of A Teenage Witch 18:15 Dog With A Blog 18:40 Win, Lose Or Draw 19:05 Liv And Maddie 19:30 Violetta 20:20 Mako Mermaids 20:45 Spooksville 21:10 Wolfblood 21:35 Suite Life On Deck 22:00 Good Luck Charlie 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 22:50 Shake It Up 23:10 Wolfblood 00:00 Giuliana & Bill 00:55 The Soup 01:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 02:20 E! News 03:15 Escape Club 04:10 THS 05:05 The E! True Hollywood Story 06:00 Kourtney & Kim Take New York 06:55 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 07:50 Style Star 08:20 E! News 09:15 Giuliana & Bill 10:15 Giuliana & Bill 11:10 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 11:35 #RichKids Of Beverly Hills 12:05 E! News 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 13:35 E!ES 14:30 Style Star 15:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 16:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 17:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 17:30 Eric And Jessie: Game On 18:00 The Drama Queen 19:00 Ryan Seacrest With The Kardashians: An E!... 19:00 NFL 22:00 Live Grand Slam of Darts 00:45 Beyond Borders-18 03:00 Hoosiers-PG 05:00 Great Expectations-PG15 07:00 Not Without My DaughterPG15 09:00 Beasts Of The Southern WildPG15 10:45 Eastwood Directs: The Untold Story-PG15 12:15 Veronica Guerin-PG15 14:00 The Past-PG15 16:30 Beasts Of The Southern WildPG15 18:30 Mud-PG15 21:00 Raging Bull-18 23:30 The Place Beyond The Pines 01:00 A Haunted House-PG15 03:00 Playing For Keeps-PG15 04:45 Salmon Fishing In The Yemen-PG15 06:45 Star Trek Into Darkness-PG15 09:00 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2-PG 11:00 The Magic Of Belle Isle-PG15 13:00 Lovestruck: The MusicalPG15 14:30 The Lone Ranger-PG15 17:00 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2-PG 19:00 R.I.P.D.-PG15 21:00 Seven Days In Utopia-PG15 OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN ON OSN MOVIES ACTION 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 Giuliana & Bill Giuliana & Bill E! News House Of Dvf 00:40 Ade In Britain 01:30 Come Dine With Me Ireland 02:00 Emmerdale 02:55 Coronation Street 03:25 Celebrity Exposed:richard Young’s Photography 04:20 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 05:15 Real Life: The Musical 06:10 May The Best House Win 07:05 Come Dine With Me Ireland 07:30 Celebrity Exposed:richard Young’s Photography 08:25 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 09:20 Lewis 10:15 Real Life: The Musical 11:10 Emmerdale 12:00 Coronation Street 12:30 Ade In Britain 13:25 May The Best House Win 14:20 Come Dine With Me Ireland 14:45 Real Life: The Musical 15:35 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 16:30 Murdoch Mysteries 17:25 Murdoch Mysteries 18:20 May The Best House Win 19:10 Coronation Street 19:35 Autopsy: The Last Hour Of... 20:30 Murdoch Mysteries 21:25 Murdoch Mysteries 22:20 Coronation Street 22:50 Emmerdale 23:45 Real Life: The Musical 00:00 Dogtown 01:00 Engineering Connections 02:00 Situation Critical 03:00 World’s Deadliest Animals 04:00 Adventure Wanted 05:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 06:00 Wwii’s Greatest Raids 07:00 Wild Thailand 08:00 Dogtown 09:00 Engineering Connections 10:00 Situation Critical 11:00 Inside 12:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 13:00 Animal Intervention 14:00 Wild Russia 15:00 Crimes Against Nature 16:00 Comet Catcher: The Rosetta Landing 17:00 Salvage Code Red 18:00 Alaska Wing Men 19:00 Crimes Against Nature 20:00 Comet Catcher: The Rosetta Landing 21:00 Salvage Code Red 22:00 Alaska Wing Men 23:00 Inside A HAUNTED HOUSE ON OSN MOVIES HD 00:00 Wilfred 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver 01:35 Saturday Night Live 02:30 Veep 03:30 The Goldbergs 09:30 Growing Up Fisher 10:00 The Michael J. 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NOVEMBER 11, 2014 SITUATION WANTED Kuwait SHARQIA-1 KBIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 71 (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) 71 (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-1 JOHN WICK (DIG) 71 (DIG) BROTHER OF BOMMALI (DIG) (Telugu) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) MUHALAB-2 BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) BROTHER OF BOMMALI (DIG) (Telugu) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) MUHALAB-3 INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) FANAR-1 71 (DIG) FURY (DIG) HAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) HAPPY NEW YEAR (DIG)(HINDI) FURY (DIG) FANAR-2 BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) 2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM 1:45 PM 5:00 PM 8:15 PM 11:30 PM 11:30 PM 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:45 AM 2:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:05 AM 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:00 PM 1:00 AM 12:30 AM 12:30 PM 3:45 PM 7:00 PM 10:15 PM 1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:45 AM 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (06/11/2014 TO 12/11/2014) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) FANAR-4 INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED JOHN WICK (DIG) 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM WOLVES (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM 1:15 PM 4:30 PM 7:45 PM 11:00 PM 360Вє- 1 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM 11:15 PM 360Вє- 2 JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) THE EQUALIZER (DIG) 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM 1:00 AM 10:45 PM 360Вє- 3 JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) 1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM 2:00 PM 5:15 PM 8:30 PM 11:45 PM AL-KOUT.1 INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED 11:00 PM MARINA-1 JOHN WICK (DIG) 71 (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) NO THU+FRI BIG HERO 6 (DIG) THU+FRI INTERSTELLAR (DIG) THU+FRI JOHN WICK (DIG) THU+FRI INTERSTELLAR (DIG) SAT+MON JOHN WICK (DIG) SUN+TUE+WED MARINA-2 INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED MARINA-3 BIG HERO 6 (DIG-3D) BIG HERO 6 (DIG-3D) BIG HERO 6 (DIG-3D) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 1:15 AM 10:45 PM 12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM AVENUES-1 FURY (DIG) FURY (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) FURY (DIG) FURY (DIG) 1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM AVENUES-2 JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) NO SUN+TUE+WED WOLVES (DIG) SUN+TUE+WED AVENUES-3 JOHN WICK (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) 2:15 PM 5:15 PM 8:15 PM 11:15 PM 11:15 PM 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 1:30 PM 4:45 PM 8:00 PM 11:15 PM AL-KOUT.2 BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) BIG HERO 6 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 71 (DIG) 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM AL-KOUT.3 BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) JOHN WICK (DIG) 1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 9:00 PM 12:30 AM AL-KOUT.4 FURY (DIG) FURY (DIG) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) JAZEERA 2 (DIG) (Arabic) FURY (DIG) 1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 9:15 PM 12:15 AM BAIRAQ-1 BIG HERO 6 (DIG-3D) BIG HERO 6 (DIG-3D) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) INTERSTELLAR (DIG) 1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 9:00 PM 12:15 AM 12 years experienced professional looking for senior position in accounts/finance. Qualification: CFA: CFA Level 1, CMA (IMA-USA), ICWA, BCOM, Oracle financials, Microsoft dynamic. Contact: 50616410. (C 4856) 11-11-2014 Quality & HSE manager with 27 years experience in Middle East. B.E civil, MBA (UK) ISO G001, 14001 & OHSAS 18001 qualified. Mob: 94472654. (C 4853) 10-11-2014 SITUATIN VACANT Required driver with Kuwait driving license, knowledgeable of Kuwait areas, for a Kuwaiti family. Tel: 99854312. (C 4857) 11-11-2014 without down payment. Cash price KD 2,600. Tel: 99194874. (C 4854) 10-11-2014 FOR SALE 112 Prayer timings CHANGE OF NAME Chevy Optra, Model 2004, very good condition. Tel: 66133616. Nissan Sunny model 2013 silver color, 38,000 km done, dealer maintain, excellent condition, installment possible with or I, Gurtej Singh Kingra S/o Harbans Singh R/o Bhodipura (Bathinda) have changed my name to Gurtej Singh. (C 4855) 11-11-2014 Fajr: 04:47 Shorook 06:08 Duhr: 11:32 Asr: 14:34 Maghrib: 16:55 Isha: 18:15 No: 16339 Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw) Airlines JAI JZR JZR KLM JZR THY FDB QTR PGT ETH THY GFA UAE JAI FDB RJA MSR ETD KKK OMA QTR MSC JZR THY DHX BAW KAC KAC FDB QTR SVA KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY ETD KAC FDB QTR GFA IRA MSC MEA UAE MSR KAC JZR QTR Flt 574 239 267 411 539 772 069 1084 858 620 764 211 853 526 067 648 612 305 6507 643 1076 401 503 770 170 157 416 412 053 1086 512 352 382 302 206 332 855 125 301 282 055 1070 213 675 405 404 871 610 514 561 1078 Arrival Flights on Tuesday 11/11/2014 Route Mumbai Amman Beirut Amsterdam/Dammam Cairo Istanbul Dubai Doha Istanbul Addis Ababa Istanbul Bahrain Dubai Chennai/Abu Dhabi Dubai Amman Cairo Abu Dhabi Istanbul Muscat Doha Alexandria Luxor Istanbul Bahrain London Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta Manila/Bangkok Dubai Doha Riyadh Kochi Delhi Mumbai Islamabad Trivandrum Dubai Sharjah Abu Dhabi Dhaka Dubai Doha Bahrain Lar Sohag Beirut Dubai Cairo Tehran Sohag Doha Time 00:10 00:25 00:30 00:40 00:40 00:45 00:55 01:00 01:35 01:45 02:15 02:30 02:35 02:50 02:55 03:05 03:10 03:10 03:20 03:25 03:45 04:05 05:25 05:35 05:40 06:40 06:45 07:10 07:45 07:50 07:55 08:10 08:15 08:20 08:25 08:30 08:40 09:00 09:20 09:20 09:40 10:00 10:40 10:40 11:25 11:55 12:50 13:00 13:10 13:45 14:05 KNE SVA FDB GFA KAC ABY UAE FDB NIA KAC QTR RJA ETD SVA GFA FDB UAL UAE TAR JZR FDB ABY KAC QTR KAC AXB KAC KAC KAC KAC GFA KAC KAC KAC JAI MSR SYR OMA FDB DLH ALK MEA ETD FDB UAE GFA QTR KLM ETD FDB AIC PIA UAL FDB 472 500 057 221 788 127 857 051 251 562 1072 640 303 510 215 075 982 875 328 177 063 121 786 1080 774 393 618 674 542 678 217 166 104 742 572 618 341 647 061 636 229 402 307 073 859 219 1074 415 309 059 981 239 981 071 Jeddah Jeddah Dubai Bahrain Jeddah Sharjah Dubai Dubai Alexandria Amman Doha Amman Abu Dhabi Riyadh Bahrain Dubai IAD Dubai Tunis/Dubai Dubai Dubai Sharjah Jeddah Doha Riyadh Kozhikode Doha Dubai Cairo Muscat/Abu Dhabi Bahrain Paris/Rome London Dammam Mumbai Alexandria Damascus Muscat Dubai Frankfurt Colombo Beirut Abu Dhabi Dubai Dubai Bahrain Doha Amsterdam Abu Dhabi Dubai Chennai/Hyderabad/Ahmedabad Sialkot Bahrain Dubai 14:25 14:30 14:30 15:00 15:10 15:45 15:45 16:00 16:15 16:20 16:40 16:55 16:55 17:15 17:30 17:45 17:55 18:00 18:05 18:20 18:40 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:15 19:15 19:15 19:25 19:25 19:25 19:30 19:40 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:05 20:10 20:20 20:20 20:50 21:10 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:40 21:45 21:55 22:15 22:15 22:30 22:30 22:35 23:10 23:45 Airlines AIC BBC PIA FDB JAI KLM DLH ETH THY PGT UAE FDB ETD MSR KKK OMA QTR MSC QTR FDB JAI THY RJA JZR GFA THY FDB BAW QTR SVA KAC KAC ABY KAC UAE ETD KAC FDB QTR KAC GFA IRA KAC KAC MSC MEA KAC JZR MSR UAE KAC Departure Flights on Tuesday 11/11/2014 Flt Route 976 Goa/Chennai 044 Dhaka 206 Lahore 072 Dubai 573 Mumbai 411 Amsterdam 635 Frankfurt 621 Addis Ababa 773 Istanbul 859 Istanbul 854 Dubai 068 Dubai 306 Abu Dhabi 613 Cairo 6508 Istanbul 644 Muscat 1085 Doha 406 Sohag 1077 Doha 070 Dubai 525 Abu Dhabi/Chennai 765 Istanbul 649 Amman 560 Sohag 212 Bahrain 771 Istanbul 054 Dubai 156 London 1087 Doha 513 Riyadh 513 Tehran 787 Jeddah 126 Sharjah 101 London/New York 856 Dubai 302 Abu Dhabi 561 Amman 056 Dubai 1071 Doha 165 Rome/Paris 214 Bahrain 674 Lar 541 Cairo 677 Abu Dhabi/Muscat 402 Alexandria 405 Beirut 785 Jeddah 176 Dubai 611 Cairo 872 Dubai 673 Dubai DIAL161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION Time 00:05 00:20 00:40 00:45 01:10 01:55 02:15 02:45 02:55 03:25 03:50 03:55 04:05 04:10 04:10 04:15 04:30 05:05 05:15 06:30 06:35 06:55 07:05 07:10 07:15 07:30 08:25 08:45 08:50 08:55 08:55 09:25 09:40 09:50 09:55 10:20 10:25 10:35 11:00 11:15 11:25 11:40 12:05 12:20 12:25 12:55 13:00 13:45 14:00 14:15 15:00 QTR FDB KAC KNE SVA GFA KAC ABY FDB KAC JZR NIA QTR UAE JZR ETD RJA SVA GFA FDB JZR TAR UAL ABY UAE QTR FDB AXB GFA KAC KAC KAC MSR JAI SYR KAC FDB OMA DLH DHX KAC ALK ETD KAC MEA KAC FDB GFA UAE KAC ETD QTR KLM 1079 058 617 473 501 222 773 128 052 741 266 252 1073 858 538 304 641 511 216 076 238 328 982 121 876 1081 064 393 218 283 361 343 607 571 342 351 062 648 636 171 381 230 308 301 403 203 074 220 860 205 310 1075 415 Doha Dubai Doha Jeddah Jeddah Bahrain Riyadh Sharjah Dubai Dammam Beirut Alexandria Doha Dubai Cairo Abu Dhabi Amman Riyadh Bahrain Dubai Amman Tunis Bahrain Sharjah Dubai Doha Dubai Kozhikode Bahrain Dhaka Colombo Chennai Luxor Mumbai Damascus Kochi Dubai Muscat Dammam Bahrain Delhi Colombo Abu Dhabi Mumbai Beirut Lahore Dubai Bahrain Dubai Islamabad Abu Dhabi Doha Dammam/Amsterdam 15:05 15:10 15:15 15:20 15:45 15:45 15:50 16:25 17:00 17:00 17:05 17:15 17:40 17:45 17:45 17:50 17:55 18:15 18:20 18:25 18:50 18:55 19:15 19:20 19:40 19:50 19:55 20:15 20:15 20:30 20:50 20:55 21:05 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:20 21:20 21:35 21:50 22:00 22:10 22:15 22:15 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:30 22:50 22:55 23:00 23:05 23:15 34 s ta rs CROSSWORD 721 STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) This is a period when you take your work more seriously than usual. There is a lot of energy available and you are determined to get things scheduled and organized. The nail that sticks up is hammered down now. Law, politics, education, travel and religion are some of the areas where an emotionally charged drama may be played. Seeing both sides of an issue and figuring out resolutions to opposing views take on a greater importance. You can really use your mind to make clear choices and think through situations. Some negotiations may be in order. A new cycle also begins that helps you with the progress of your work. This cycle involves relationships, social connections and the artsin a more leading role than in the past. Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are relentless about cutting through appearances and finding the essential in situations. This could involve legal or financial matters. A heightened interest in getting things organized into a rational system is a part of this. There is much mental busywork. A time of good fortune will begin to open up in a very natural way. It will become easy to see the path you will take. Because of new opportunities, you may find yourself energized and ready to participate. With your determination to succeed, the time will soon be right to take the lead. You may be able to enjoy and value your own life situation or feel especially kind towards a friend or loved one this evening. If the weather is good, you might enjoy a walk with a loved one after the evening meal. Gemini (May 21-June 20) ACROSS 1. Any of various aromatic resinous substances used for healing and soothing. 5. A name for the Old Testament God as transliterated from the Hebrew YHVH. 11. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers. 15. The capital of Western Samoa. 16. To or from every one of two or more (considered individually). 17. The basic monetary unit of most members of the European Union (introduced in 1999). 18. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work. 19. A nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries). 20. An onerous or difficult concern. 21. A heavy brittle metallic element of the platinum group. 22. A Loloish language. 24. Foot pain. 26. Express strong disapproval of. 27. Deciduous round-headed Asiatic tree widely grown in mild climates as an ornamental for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant yellow-green flowers followed by hanging clusters of fleshy orange-red berries. 28. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 29. The deep vascular inner layer of the skin. 32. A member of the Algonquian people formerly inhabiting the Maritime Provinces of Canada. 36. (Jungian psychology) The inner self (not the external persona) that is in touch with the unconscious. 38. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 40. A broad flat muscle on either side of the back. 41. A white crystalline double sulfate of aluminum. 43. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium. 46. Subject to a ruling authority. 48. United States tennis player who was the first Black to win United States and English singles championships (1943-1993). 50. A primeval personification of air and breath. 51. A white mineral consisting of magnesium sulphate and potassium chloride. 53. A large fleet. 55. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms. 57. Being six more than fifty. 58. (anatomy) A natural hollow or sinus within the body. 60. A sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue separating or binding together muscles and organs etc. 63. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 67. A flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea. 70. A ravine or gully in southern Asia. 72. A plant hormone promoting elongation of stems and roots. 75. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 76. Being one more than eighteen. 77. Segmented worms. 78. A young woman making her debut into society. DOWN 1. Pertaining to or constituting a base or basis. 2. (British abbreviation) "he accepted it on appro". 3. A statement that deviates from or perverts the truth. 4. Covered with paving material. 5. The face veil worn by Muslim women. 6. Relating to or having the characteristics of bees. 7. Step on it. 8. An arthropod family of the order Hymenoptera including. 9. The outer germ layer that develops into skin and nervous tissue. 10. Horizontal beam used as a finishing piece over a door or window. 11. Relating to or caused by wind. 12. A genus of Siphonaptera. 13. Wild sheep of northern Africa. 14. Large genus of erect or climbing prickly shrubs including roses. 23. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 25. The capital of Eritrea. 30. Filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock. 31. A chain of connected ideas or passages or objects so arranged that each member is closely related to the preceding and following members (especially a series of patristic comments elucidating Christian dogma). 33. An Eskimo hut. 34. Seal with caulking. 35. A unit of weight for precious stones = 200 mg. 37. Tropical American tree grown in southern United States having a whitish pink-tinged fruit. 39. (astronomy) The angular distance of a celestial point measured westward along the celestial equator from the zenith crossing. 42. (South African) An ear of corn. 44. Made light by aerating, as with yeast or baking powder. 45. Any warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin more or less covered with hair. 47. A distinguished female operatic singer. 49. Barbiturate that is a white odorless slightly bitter powder (trade name Seconal) used as a sodium salt for sedation and to treat convulsions. 52. A hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion. 54. A rare polyvalent metallic element of the platinum group. 56. East Indian tree yielding a resin used medicinally and burned as incense. 59. A public promotion of some product or service. 61. A transmission line for high-frequency signals. 62. Soft creamy white cheese. 64. Showing or causing joy and pleasure. 65. Exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health. 66. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC). 68. Small rounded bread either plain or sweet. 69. The compass point that is one point north of due east. 71. 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. 73. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores. 74. Being one more than fifty. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 This is a challenging day in that there is much to be accomplished. You may be especially dynamic and assertive just now. You are helpful with co-workers and, if asked, can give plenty of suggestions or ideas to others. Right now, the key to career moves involves tending to nagging details-whatever you have neglected and put off before today. Take a deep breath and dig in to the work at hand. A good work ethic is rewarded. Do your share to ensure smooth sailing on the job. Attention to matters of efficiency is important. There is a lot of energy available to push forward with your personal plans this afternoon. Close relationships offer a lot of potential for growth this evening. You are able to create many healings with your input. Cancer (June 21-July 22) You should find everything running in a smooth manner today. Ideas and interaction with authority figures may be in the forecast. Working with rather than against the flow should be easy to do. Outer circumstances and the flow of events make it easy for you to make clear decisions-see the road ahead and move forward. Things seem to fall into place-progress is easy. Be careful not to overextend. Sometimes you say yes too quickly and may hastily try to get too many things accomplished at once. Give yourself time to consider the long-term consequences. Partnerships, personal relationships or the social scene in general can have a very decided influence on your career and workplace. You will gain from networking. Leo (July 23-August 22) You have an urge to strike out on your own in a new direction, to take on new challenges no matter what the risks. You can be bold, perhaps headstrong and impatient. This is a period emphasizing an enhanced sense of personal possibility and potential. There is tremendous psychological growth, which can lead to great personal success, if you follow through with it. You might also find that you will put on the pounds if you are not careful. There is a bout of philosophy or even a little religion now that could have an enormous effect on your career during this time. Lasting values can guide you now; you are opening up avenues that have remained blocked. There is support all around you for whatever you want to accomplish today. Virgo (August 23-September 22) Keep a positive outlook through a challenging dilemma in the workplace today. You may not have all the facts at this time so make sure you remove any judgments. Give yourself time and you will have the answers you need. Your intuition is strong and can guide you accurately in making forecasts or decisions. Hard work and going beyond the call of duty are par for the course today. Friendships and involvement in group activities play a more important part for you this afternoon. Friends are our only true riches and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing things in cooperation with others is something no one can take away from you. A good conversation with those you love is possible this evening. Word Search Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a good time to concentrate on your career goals. Your organizational abilities and sense of responsibility will be what guides you and proves successful. Your career could assume a more determined and solid form. There is certainly an abundance of paperwork to wade through today. You may think that few people recognize your efforts or accomplishments but instead, there are people that know and appreciate your work. You should, however, throw your efforts into work you really love doing. A majority of planets in the past have pointed to some sort of comfort zone for you. Now, you will find yourself seeking more challenging and outgoing projects. You enjoy sharing quality time with a loved one this evening. Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Most certainly, this is a day for work. Take an opportunity to complete whatever projects or work has been left undone from last week’s projects. There are good results from your work today, no matter what the agenda. Any problems that are customer-relations problems are easily solved today. There are some letters that need to be written this afternoon, including some type of greeting cards. Any personal project you want to start now will have a good liftoff. Mixing business with pleasure is usually not a good idea but for you, at this particular time in your life, everything seems to work toward good results. Make sure this group, family or friend sort of business will be a contract of no more than two or three years. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) The support you need for whatever you want to accomplish is now available. This is the time to make your request. You could gain attention with superiors or in relation to your work. As you work to enhance the value of your service, you will enhance your job potential. You may find that you enjoy your job or the responsibility it entails more than usual. Circumstances may stimulate the pleasure of your life situation now. Your ethics deepen, providing you with a better sense of discrimination. That purchasing eye of yours is fine-tuned; others may find you selecting the best buys. This is the time of year you enjoy shopping and a view in several shop windows will give you an idea of where you want to shop in the near future. Lists are good. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Someone important or in authority may put a damper on your ideas. Since you are good at creative thinking, there are many more ideas where these came from. Take this as an opportunity to reassess and revamp your thinking. Listen carefully, there may or may not be important points to ponder. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. Your work environment is usually the most practical of environments. You can manipulate every situation and put it to good use. Emotions are seldom a priority and you are always very practical and ambitious. Your career is central to everything you do. Farsighted and traditional, you enjoy success and the successful. Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more emotional significance for you now. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This is a great time to work and be with others. An authority figure may seek you out as just the person for a particular job. This is a busy but rewarding workday. Fondness and appreciation for the past and for your roots in life take on a greater importance. A co-worker friend may have recently done research on his or her family history and is willing to give you suggestions of how to go about this research. You could make plans to meet at a library this weekend or some day after work to gain that information. Making your home situation more attractive plays a part in this and the sale or purchase of real estate could bring you much gain before this cycle ends. There is a chance to have a special time with someone you love. This is a positive time. Pisces (February 19-March 20) The opposition and blockage you may be experiencing this morning are temporary-really. Cool it and let this one pass. Jot down inventive ideas that come to your mind today as you will have an opportunity to discuss the ideas with a trusted friend later today. The convention center, a lecture hall or some other place for a presentation could be in order today and you, along with several other work partners, want to hear the message. Follow your instincts and you will not go wrong today. When you notice a need for assisting another, you are quick to either give help or find help. This is a good time to teach and advertise your favorite charity. You throw yourself into helping other people grow and prosper. Good luck surrounds you this evening. Yesterday Solution Yesterday’s Solution Daily SuDoku Yesterday’s Solution TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 INTERNATIONAL CALLS GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital 24812000 Amiri Hospital 22450005 Maternity Hospital 24843100 Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital 25312700 Chest Hospital 24849400 Farwaniya Hospital 24892010 Adan Hospital 23940620 Ibn Sina Hospital 24840300 PHARMACY Ahmadi Jahra Capital Al-Razi Hospital Physiotherapy Hospital Farwaniya Hawally 24846000 24874330/9 Kaizen center 25716707 Rawda 22517733 ADDRESS PHONE Afghanistan 0093 Luxembourg 00352 Albania 00355 Macau 00853 Algeria 00213 Macedonia 00389 Andorra 00376 Madagascar 00261 Angola 00244 Majorca 0034 Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd 23915883 23715414 23726558 Anguilla 001264 Malawi 00265 Modern Jahra Madina Munawara Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92 24575518 24566622 Antiga 001268 Malaysia 0060 Argentina 0054 Maldives 00960 Armenia 00374 Mali 00223 Australia 0061 Malta 00356 Austria 0043 Marshall Islands 00692 Bahamas 001242 Martinique 00596 Bahrain 00973 Mauritania 00222 Bangladesh 00880 Mauritius 00230 Barbados 001246 Mayotte 00269 Belarus 00375 Mexico 0052 Belgium 0032 Micronesia 00691 Belize 00501 Moldova 00373 Benin 00229 Monaco 00377 Bermuda 001441 Mongolia 00976 Bhutan 00975 Montserrat 001664 Bolivia 00591 Morocco 00212 Bosnia 00387 Mozambique 00258 Ahlam Khaldiya Coop Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop 22436184 24833967 New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11 24734000 24881201 24726638 Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop 25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241 Adaliya 22517144 Botswana 00267 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Khaldiya 24848075 Brazil 0055 Namibia 00264 Brunei 00673 Nepal 00977 Kaifan 24849807 Bulgaria 00359 Netherlands 0031 Shamiya 24848913 Burkina 00226 Netherlands Antilles 00599 Burundi 00257 New Caledonia Cambodia 00855 New Zealand 0064 Cameroon 00237 Nicaragua 00505 Canada 001 Nigar 00227 Cape Verde 00238 Nigeria 00234 Cayman Islands 001345 Niue 00683 Central African 00236 Norfolk Island 00672 Chad 00235 N. Ireland (UK) 0044 Chile 0056 North Korea 00850 China 0086 Norway 0047 Colombia 0057 Oman 00968 Comoros 00269 Pakistan 0092 Congo 00242 Palau 00680 Cook Islands 00682 Panama 00507 Shuwaikh 24814507 Abdullah Salem 22549134 Nuzha 22526804 Industrial Shuwaikh 24814764 Qadsiya 22515088 Dasmah 22532265 Expected Weather for the Next 24 Hours %<'$< 6XQQ\ZLWKOLJKWYDULDEOHZLQGFKDQJLQJWROLJKWWRPRGHUDWHQRUWKZHVWHUO\ZLQGZLWKVSHHGRINP K %<1,*+7 &ROGZLWKOLJKWYDULDEOHZLQGZLWKVSHHGRINPK WARNING 1R&XUUHQW:DUQLQJV Bneid Al-Gar 22531908 Shaab 22518752 STATION 0$;(;3 0,15(& Qibla 22459381 .8:$,7&,7< Вѓ& Вѓ& Ayoun Al-Qibla Mirqab 87& .8:$,7$,53257 Вѓ& Вѓ& Costa Rica 00506 Papua New Guinea 00675 22456536 $%'$/< Вѓ& Вѓ& Croatia 00385 Paraguay 00595 Cuba 0053 Peru 0051 Cyprus 00357 Philippines 0063 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Poland 0048 22465401 Salmiya 25746401 Jabriya 25316254 Maidan Hawally 25623444 Bayan 25388462 Mishref 25381200 Sabah 6)&&+$57 22630786 %8%<$1 Вѓ& Вѓ& -$+5$ Вѓ& Вѓ& )$,/$.$,6/$1' Вѓ& Вѓ& Czech Republic 00420 Portugal 00351 6$/0,<$+ Вѓ& Вѓ& Denmark 0045 Puerto Rico 001787 $+0$', Вѓ& Вѓ& Diego Garcia 00246 Qatar 00974 Djibouti 00253 Romania 0040 -8/8,$+3257 Вѓ& Вѓ& Dominica 001767 Russian Federation 007 4$52+,6/$1' Вѓ& Вѓ& Dominican Republic 001809 Rwanda 00250 Ecuador 00593 Saint Helena 00290 Egypt 0020 Saint Kitts 001869 El Salvador 00503 Saint Lucia 001758 England (UK) 0044 Saint Pierre 00508 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Saint Vincent 001784 800$/0$5$'(0 Вѓ& Вѓ& 24810221 4 DAYS FORECAST Jahra 24770319 New Jahra 24575755 West Jahra 24772608 South Jahra 24775066 North Jahra 24775992 North Jleeb 24311795 Ardhiya 24884079 Firdous Temperatures DAY DATE WEATHER MAX. MIN. Wind Direction Wind Speed 7XHVGD\ Eritrea 00291 Samoa US 00684 6XQQ\ Вѓ& Вѓ& 95% NPK Estonia 00372 Samoa West 00685 :HGQHVGD\ 6XQQ\VFDWWHUHGFORXGV Вѓ& Вѓ& 95% NPK Ethiopia 00251 San Marino 00378 7KXUVGD\ 6XQQ\ Вѓ& Вѓ& 95% NPK Falkland Islands 00500 Sao Tone 00239 )ULGD\ 3DUWO\FORXG\ Вѓ& Вѓ& 95%6( NPK Faroe Islands 00298 Saudi Arabia 00966 Fiji 00679 Scotland (UK) 0044 Finland 00358 Senegal 00221 PRAYER TIMES 24892674 Omariya 24719048 N Khaitan 24710044 Fintas RECORDED YESTERDAY AT KUWAIT AIRPORT Fajr MAX. Temp. В°C France 0033 Seychelles 00284 Sunrise MIN. Temp. French Guiana 00594 Sierra Leone 00232 Zuhr MAX. RH В°C % French Polynesia 00689 Singapore 0065 % km/h Gabon 00241 Slovakia 00421 Gambia 00220 Slovenia 00386 mm Georgia 00995 Solomon Islands 00677 Germany 0049 Somalia 00252 Ghana 00233 South Africa 0027 Gibraltar 00350 South Korea 0082 Greece 0030 Spain 0034 Greenland 00299 Sri Lanka 0094 Grenada 001473 Sudan 00249 Guadeloupe 00590 Suriname 00597 Guam 001671 Swaziland 00268 Guatemala 00502 Sweden 0046 Guinea 00224 Switzerland 0041 Guyana 00592 Syria 00963 Haiti 00509 Serbia 00381 Asr Sunset Isha 23900322 MIN. RH ( MAX. Wind TOTAL RAINFALL IN 24 HR. All times are local time unless otherwise stated. 83 UTC 9 ЕµЕ¤ЕљЖЂ 7 PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists 00687 22451082 Sharq W Hawally Issue Time DAY: 0RQGD\ Paediatricians Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272 Dr. Khaled Hamadi Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari 22617700 Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed Dr. Abdel Quttainah 25625030/60 Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581 Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan Dr. Zahra Qabazard DrAdrian arbe 23729596/23729581 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 25340300 25710444 Dr. Sohail Qamar 22621099 Dr. Snaa Maaroof 25713514 Dr. Pradip Gujare 23713100 Dr. Zacharias Mathew 24334282 Dermatology 22613623/0 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians Endocrinologist 25665898 Dr. Mohammed Salam Bern University 23845955 Dentists Dr Anil Thomas Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Shamah Al-Matar 22641071/2 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed 22562226 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer 22561444 Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan 22619557 Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash 22525888 Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan 25653755 Dr. Bader Al-Ansari 25620111 Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148 Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25728004 25355515 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3 Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 [email protected] www.soorcenter.com Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 22666288 Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 22655539 25339330 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan General Surgeons Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25330060 3729596/3729581 Neurologists Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan 25345875 Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman 22636464 Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali 22633135 Kaizen center 25716707 Noor Clinic 23845955 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital 25339667 Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123 2611555-2622555 William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Taiwan 00886 Honduras 00504 Tanzania 00255 Hong Kong 00852 Thailand 0066 Hungary 0036 Toga 00228 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Tonga 00676 Iceland 00354 Tokelau 00690 India 0091 Trinidad 001868 Indian Ocean 00873 Tunisia 00216 Indonesia 0062 Turkey 0090 Iran 0098 Tuvalu 00688 Iraq 00964 Uganda 00256 Ireland 00353 Ukraine 00380 Italy 0039 United Arab Emirates 00976 Ivory Coast 00225 United Kingdom 0044 Jamaica 001876 Uruguay 00598 Japan 0081 USA 001 Jordan 00962 Uzbekistan 00998 Kazakhstan 007 Vanuatu 00678 Kenya 00254 Venezuela 00582 Kiribati 00686 Vietnam 0084 Kuwait 00965 Virgin Islands UK 001284 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Virgin Islands US 001340 Laos 00856 Wales (UK) 0044 Latvia 00371 Yemen 00967 Lebanon 00961 Yugoslavia 00381 Liberia 00231 Zambia 00260 Libya 00218 Zimbabwe 00263 Lithuania 00370 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 lifestyle M U S I C Cairo & M O V I E S The 36th International Film Festival German film director Volker Schlondorff receives an honorary award from Egyptian actress Leila Alawi during the opening ceremony of the 36th Cairo International Film Festival in the Egyptian capital on November 9, 2014. — AFP photos Egyptian actress Yousra, head of the Jury of the 36th Cairo International Film Festival, arrives for the opening ceremony. Moroccan film director Nour Eddine Sail receives an honorary award from Egyptian actress Sameha Ayoub. Lennon вЂ�Paperback Writer’ guitar tops auction offerings A Gretsch guitar that John Lennon played for the recording of the Beatles’ hit song “Paperback Writer” and then gave to his cousin is expected to fetch up to $1 million (630,000 GBP) at auction in Britain this week. Auction house TracksAuction.com said the Gretsch 6120 instrument was one of the most significant Lennon guitars to come on the market in the last 30 years. “It’s come directly from John Lennon’s cousin, who was given it by John Lennon in 1967 and he’s had it ever since, so for collectors of Beatles memorabilia to have a provenance like that is exceptional,” the auction house said. Lennon gave the guitar to his cousin David Birch a year after the hit single was produced at London’s Abbey Road studio. Birch, who grew up with Lennon in Liverpool, said he had received the instrument after asking his older cousin if he had a guitar he no In this file photo, Jack Sussman, left, executive vice president of specials, music and live events for CBS Entertainment, and Hollywood Film Awards executive producer R.A. — AP udging by the cluster of Emmys in his office, CBS executive Jack Sussman knows something about making successful television, and he’s betting on a new awards-show broadcast. The Hollywood Film Awards, which has been held off-camera since 1997, will make its TV debut Friday as a two-hour special on CBS. But does television really need another Hollywood award show? “I don’t know,” says Sussman, “but it can use a show that has credibility and kicks off the awards season.” Hollywood’s awards season is almost year-round, but it shifts into high gear in the first months of the New Year, when the Golden Globes, Grammys, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Oscars are traditionally held. The Hollywood Film Awards recognizes outstanding film work from the full calendar year, even though not all the contenders will have hit theaters before the ceremony at the Hollywood Palladium. “There’s nothing in... the middle of November that gets the ball rolling” for awards season, Sussman said, characterizing the fall ceremony as a “television tutorial of what the movie season is and what you have to look forward to.” Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon, Eddie Redmayne, Jared Leto, Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum, Michael Keaton and Robert Downey Jr are among the stars set to appear on the Hollywood Film Awards, which will be hosted by Queen Latifah. Janelle Monae is set to perform with her band during the show, produced by dick clark productions, which also handles the Golden Globes. J There are no nominees Latifah said she expects the evening to be “a cool and relaxed celebration” of the year’s films. Producer R.A. Clark said his challenge is condensing what used to be a four-hour, camera-free dinner into a tight, twohour, TV-ready program. Prizes will be presented in 18 categories, including breakthrough director, acting ensemble, blockbuster of the year and comedy of the year. The show announced its first winners last week in categories such as cinematography (“Birdman”) and production design (“Maleficent”). Clark said the year’s films help determine awards categories. There are no nominees. Winners are chosen by a top-secret committee of 12 industry insiders, headed by show founder Carlos de Abreu. Though members change each year, the voting body has a good track record, Sussman said, adding that “well over 90 percent” of Hollywood Film Awards recipients have gone on to earn Oscar nods. CBS is dedicating its prime-time programming that night to the inaugural telecast. The Hollywood Film Awards will be preceded by a 30minute red carpet show and followed by an hour-long recap. Sussman hopes the November show becomes an annual event. “You have to go into these kinds of shows thinking that you’re in it for the long haul,” he said. “So you hope to launch it in a way that you stay in business with it.” Viewers will decide Friday. — AP around with it.” After leaving the Gretsch factory in New York, the guitar has had only two documented owners - Lennon and Birch. This week’s auction of rock and pop memorabilia also includes a copy of the LP “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” signed by all four Beatles in red ballpoint pen. It is expected to sell for up to 150,000 pounds ($240,000). Also for sale are three school detention sheets relating to Lennon retrieved from a clear-out of a room at Liverpool’s Quarry Bank High School in the 1970s. Lennon attended the school between 1952 and 1957 and one of the sheets shows he received a detention for “singing at the top of (his) voice in the corridor”. They are each expected to sell for up to 6,000 GBP each. The auction opens for online bidding on Friday. — Reuters Pink Floyd say goodbye with вЂ�The Endless River’ Hollywood Film awards make TV debut as CBS special longer wanted. “I was just cheeky enough to ask him for a guitar and he gave me the Gretsch and of course I was very pleased, simple as that, really. Sounds a bit cheeky but it didn’t seem cheeky at the time,” Birch, 66, told Reuters. Asked why he had decided to sell the guitar after so long, Birch said: “Well, I’m not getting any younger, I’ve had it 47 years. And it was just in the bedroom, you know, and I used to pick it up every now and then and play N ever was an album more aptly named than “The Endless River,” the new - and seemingly final - release from Pink Floyd. It flows unstoppably, and while some listeners may feel it meanders on too long, it’s very easy to get swept along by it. Though this is the band’s first studio album in two decades, much of the material was recorded in 1993 and 1994, during sessions for “The Division Bell.” For years, it seemed that album would be Pink Floyd’s swansong. But now the material has been tweaked and shaped under into a new release, partly in tribute to keyboard player Rick Wright, who died in 2008. Guitarist David Gilmour has called “The Endless River” a series of musical conversations; the band members’ musical rapport was always more eloquent than their spoken communications. There are not many words on this mostly instrumental album, although physicist Stephen Hawking lends his distinctive voice to “Talkin’ Hawkin’.” Both the compositions and their titles allude to all the water that has passed under the bridge in the course of Pink Floyd’s long career. The opening track, “Things Left Unsaid,” sets the tone: It’s a woozy wash of Wright’s keyboards, haunting horn sounds and Gilmour’s guitar that feels elegiac. On it rolls from there, sometimes a tranquil wash, sometimes churned into rapids by Gilmour’s piercing guitar and Nick Mason’s thundering drums, for 18 tracks - four sides of vinyl if you opt for the old-fashioned format. What’s on display is not so much songwriting as chemistry. This band had something, a magic, and you can hear it throughout “The Endless River.” The band members know it, too. The closing track is “Louder Than Words,” and finally there are lyrics: “We bitch and we fight, diss each other on sight,” it begins, a fond but weary tribute to creative spark and strife. “The sum of our parts, the beat of our hearts, is louder than words.”— AP This CD cover image released by Columbia Records shows “The Endless River,” a new album by Pink Floyd released on Nov 10. —AP Damon confirms his return to Bourne franchise M att Damon will be back as Bourne. After Variety reported in September that Universal was in the early stages of bringing Damon and Jason Bourne director Paul Greengrass back for Matt Damon, left, and Ben Affleck are seen at the HBO Project Greenlight Filmmaker Showcase on Friday in Hollywood, Calif. — AP another installment, Damon confirmed to E! News his return to the role while celebrating the return of Ben Affleck and his “Project Greenlight” Friday night. “Well, [Damon’s] going to be doing a Bourne movie next fall when I’ve just completely lost any semblance of physical fitness,” Affleck told E! News. “Yes, next year,” Damon said when asked for clarification. “It’ll be in 2016 when the movie will actually come out. Paul Greengrass is going to do another one and that’s all I ever said. I just needed him to say yes.” The next film will mark Damon and Greengrass’ third collaboration, and the fifth film in the series. Doubt sprouted over the return of Damon and Greengrass during the summer, with Greengrass telling Deadline that he didn’t believe he could make another Jason Bourne film that would be as good as his last two. Universal, though, is currently developing an untitled film set in the Bourne world with Jeremy Renner returning to play Aaron Cross and Justin Lin to direct. That movie is currently slated for July 2016, though it’s unclear if that film will stay there or if the other Bourne movie will take its place. Damon’s Bourne movies grossed nearly $1 billion at the box office in between 2002 and 2007. Variety broke the news the news last month that Greengrass, who last directed “Captain Phillips,” will direct Berlin Wall drama “The Tunnels.” — Reuters Foo Fighters latest a worthwhile trip This CD cover image released by RCA shows “Sonic Highways,” by the Foo Fighters. — AP T Rice’s вЂ�Fantasy’ is a lovely reality I rish rish singer-songwriter Damien Rice says the creative process behind his third studio album “My Favorite Faded Fantasy” was so good that he occasionally didn’t want it to end. Thankfully it did, because now we get to enjoy a well-crafted work with few holes. Rice’s emotive voice and signature solid guitar work are a known quantity. Those talents are coupled here with carefully optimistic songs about life and love. There’s a touch of humor thrown in the mix, but not so much as to detract from pressing matters of the heart. The best moments come with back-to-back tearjerkers “I Don’t Want To Change You” and “Color Me In.” They’re beautiful tracks with winsome guitar that is eventually swallowed up by a massive string section. The songs are long, with the lovely “Trusty And True” weighing in at eight minutes, nine seconds. Savor every second because talents as pure as Damien Rice don’t come along every other Tuesday. His musical aim on “My Favorite Faded Fantasy” is true and the songwriting is some of the year’s best. —AP This CD cover image released by Warner Bros. shows вЂ�My Favorite Faded Fantasy,’ by Damien Rice. — AP wenty years into their career as one of the leading rock bands in the world, Foo Fighters continue to find ways to challenge both themselves and their listeners. On “Sonic Highways,” a companion to the similarly named HBO television series, the Dave Grohl-fronted band, with assistance from producer Butch Vig, tasked itself with touching down in eight US cities, exploring the town’s formidable music history, and then writing and recording a song in that city influenced by what they discovered, often accompanied by a native son or daughter. To its credit, the band avoids gimmickry. For example, in New Orleans, it recorded the mid-tempo “In The Clear” with the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band, but no one will mistake the tune for a typical Crescent City brass band parade. Instead, each city’s elements are incorporated into the Foo Fighters’ sound. That’s not to say they didn’t find inventive ways to salute each locale. On the album’s best track, the thoughtful, driving “Congregation,” which features Zac Brown and was recorded at his Southern Ground studio in Nashville, the lyrics include “singing like a bluebird in the round,” a reference to famous songwriter venue, Bluebird Cafe. On the aggressive power pop of “What Did I Do/God As My Witness,” recorded in Austin, Grohl brings up the 13th floor, an insider reference to The 13th Floor Elevators, the influential-ye- obscure Roky Erickson-led psychedelic вЂ�60s band from the Texas town. Such little treats exist in almost every song. What has always made Foo Fighters’ music so appealing is that for all the metal bombast and thrash-and the lads really go to town on first single, “Something From Nothing,” recorded in Chicago with Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen- the noise rarely comes at the sacrifice of melody. That remains truer than ever on this very worthwhile trip through America’s musical wonderland. — AP TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 lifestyle F E A T U R E S Brilliant artist Al-Marri presents his second exhibition K uwait Times newspaper gladly invites all to attend the second personal exhibition of 12-yearold grade seven student Mohammed Rashid Al-Marri at the Formative Arts Gallery in Abdullah Al-Salem under auspices of National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters Secretary General Ali Hussein Al-Yohah on Nov 17-18, 2014. Entitled вЂ�Tell Me Why”, the 15 oil paintings to be displayed at the exhibition are a cry to the world to provide aid and support to children displaced and distressed by wars, famines and natural disasters. Due to tragedies children have been going through lately because of poverty, wars and civil and international conflicts, half of the world’s refugees are children, who are the most fragile people in such times. Fortunately, this exhibition coincides with the happy occasion of the UN honoring Kuwait’s leader, Amir and father HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlSabah as a вЂ�Humanitarian Leader’. It also highlights Kuwait’s effective role in sending aid to distressed peoples and countries. Notably, the money due to be raised from selling the displayed paintings will be dedicated to helping needy children in distressed countries. Biography Marri started developing a passion for art since early childhood by cropping photos from local dailies and trying to draw them, namely caricatures. Whenever he felt angry, he used to put his feelings in drawings that he usually pasted on the outside of his room door. His talent was only discovered in grade one when his art teacher noticed his outstanding imagination and drawing skills as he had drawn the figure 5 shaped like a human face. This drew the teacher’s attention and made her call Mohammed’s mother, informing her about her son’s talent. The student also liked strange and complicated designs and building games. He sometimes made figures and shapes using various household objects. The student got proper nurturing by the arts department at Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed School, especially by the head of department Rabee’a AlHadiya, who helped develop his talent and encouraged him to be more creative in formative arts. On May 9, 2013, Marri held his first personal exhibition with full support from the ministry of education. It was the first time in MoE’s history to hold a personal art exhibition for a ten-yearold student, an exhibition that attracted a great deal of attention and care as it was held under the auspices of minister Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf and was attended by undersecretary Mariam AlWetaid, former assistant undersecretary Mohammed Al-Kandari, educational zone directors, school directors and lots of visitors and parents. Everyone praised the first exhibition and the sponsors demanded extending it for a full week. It was then that some visitors named Mohammed as the вЂ�Little da Vinci’. Mohammed received a special invitation from Kuwait Times, the sponsor of Chevron’s Children Painting Ceremony held under the title of вЂ�Kuwait, Beautiful and Green’ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on May 6, 2013. The young artist had a special corner displaying his works that highly appealed to everybody. Despite his young age, Marri marveled at following Leonardo da Vinci’s painting techniques by drawing portraits, caricatures, Kuwait’s environment, heritage and imaginary children’s drawings using various painting and drawing materials such as pencils, charcoal, water, acrylic and oil colors. Marri also attracted the information ministry’s attention and care as he was interviewed by many TV programs such as вЂ�Shabbat Talk’ and вЂ�Good Morning Kuwait’. He was also interviewed by Kuwait Radio. Among his hobbies, Marri likes reading and making portraits of outstanding historic figures. He has paint- ed portraits of the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed, the Indian leader Gandhi, US president Lincoln, American movie star George Clooney, Walt Disney and many other leaders, celebrities and artists. Learning about the death of human rights activist and African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela on Dec 7, 2013, he read the story of his struggle against apartheid and decided to make a portrait of him. He presented the portrait to South Africa’s ambassador to Kuwait Delarey Van Tonder as a token of condolences honoring such a great person. The ambassador liked the painting very much, thanked the artist and promised to keep it at his own office. Driven by admiration of the story of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) founder Henry Dunant’s struggle and sufferings while helping wounded soldiers during the war of Solferino, which made him consider founding an international organization to take care of the helpless, wounded and POWs during wars and armed conflicts, the young artist drew a portrait of him and sent a photo of it to the ICRC office in Kuwait where the mission’s media manager Fuad Bawabeh appreciated the young artist’s initiative, encouraged him and promised to publish the painting and some information about him in the ICRC magazine published in Switzerland. Previous activities 1. Took part in Sheikha Dr Suad AlSabah’s free painting competition held at Kuwait Formative Arts Society on April 29, 2013. 2. Took part in the children’s painting competition organized by Kuwait Times and sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Chevron Co on May 6, 2013 which focused on protecting Al-Jothen launches YO Coloring System by KEMON Kuwait’s environment with the motto of вЂ�Kuwait, Beautiful and Green’. Mohammed’s painting was selected amongst the top 25 paintings out of 10,000 entries. 3. Took part in the children’s paintings competition held at the City Art Gallery Museum, Leeds, UK in the summer of 2011. His painting was among the winning ones and was later displayed at the museum. 4. Took part in the children’s painting competition held at the Straiton Retail Park in Edinburgh, Scotland in the summer of 2011. 5. Held his first personal exhibition under the title of вЂ�Al-Marri’s Creativity’ that was held by MoE (under the auspices of minister Nayef Al-Hajraf) from May 2-9, 2013 at Khaled Ibn Al-Waleed primary school. 6. Upon a special invitation from the “Talents 4 Group”, Marri displayed a large number of his paintings at the вЂ�Proud To be Kuwaiti’ exhibition held at the Mishref Fairgrounds on Feb, 16, 2014. 7. Marri also displayed five mediumsized paintings at the вЂ�Future Generations 25’ exhibition held under auspices of NCCAL from March 9-15, 2014. 8. Under the patronage of the NCCAL, Marri participated in the exhibition of “Sami Mohammed Al-Durrah’s collection”, which was held at the end of March till the 4th of April, 2014 at Meajeb Al-Dousary’s gallery in Mishref. 9. Under the patronage of Minister of Information Sheikh Salman AlHmoud Al-Sabah; Marri participated in Kuwait Times’ competition (Kuwait, Beautiful and Green) which was sponsored by Chevron that took place at Jumairah Beach Hotel on April 12, 2014 . Madonna’s clothes from films, wedding auctioned T A l-Jothen, one of the top distributors of world-leading professional beauty brands across the Middle East, recently unveiled Kemon’s YO Coloring System the unique TRILOGY of products at VOX Cinema on October 27, in the UAE. Today, clients are increasingly more demanding and attentive to the latest market trends. They have become more health conscious even in beauty products. They are looking for a color that gives them everything from hair protection to perfect results.Since its inception, Kemon has been dedicated to technically excellent products, with an emphasis on hair color and specific care treatments.The all-new YO Color System is a yogurt-based color and is made of organically-grown ingredients across a range of brilliant and super productive shades. Yogurt, which is rich in vitamins, calcium and minerals, provides significant benefits for the scalp and hair. It maintains the color and protects the hair structure. The complex in this coloring system delivers a high level of protection and maximum hair health. After coloring, the hair is visibly shinier and conditioned, with a healthier appearance.Yogurt extract as one of its key ingredients protects hair fibre in a gentle way, while Calendula guarantees a calming and soothing effect. Flax provides the hydration, shine and silkiness. The guests were welcomed with yogurt for starters and enjoyed a fresh theme of greenery and nature. They also participated in a fun game which gave them the chance to win exciting prizes, along with Kemon goodie bags for every attendee. Some of the region’s top models were present to showcase the exciting new range with their hair colored using the products. This system consists of three products. First, Nayo the gentle permanent color which Covers grey hair 100%, lightening up to 4/5 levels thanks to the super-lighteners and it is Fragrance free. Nayo is to be applied on the hair base, it swells the cuticle and perfectly colors thenatural base. Second, YO Green the TONE-ON-TONE coloring, to be applied on the base, mid-shafts and ends. It is fragrance, Paraben, SLES/SLS and Silicone free. Finally YO Cond, the direct conditioning color glaze which is applied on the base, mid-shaftsand ends to maintain the service and nourishes the hair in one step. The range’s primary product is the NaYo Permanent Hair Color Cream. Its inviting, velvety cream texture, guarantees maximum comfort during application and the entire processing time. With NaYo, the coloring service becomes an opportunity for clients to take care of their hair, nourishing it and respecting its structure with the utmost gentleness. It is completely ammonia and PPD free. Nayo is to be mixed withNayo Cream Activator formulated to act synergistically with NaYo texture. The cream has an innovative, eco-friendly packaging that oozes style while ensuring ease-of-use. The new flip top with drip protector offersperfect dispensing without accidental product leakage. The YO system takes professionalism in the salon to the next level. It is a unique system that professionals can reply on for excellent results on the hair while ensuring simple quick usage in salon. With YO Color, hair is healthy with brilliant long lasting uniformed color. Kemon believes in maintaining and developing the best professional hair products inspired by fashion and nature. The Italian brand will continue to research and develop new products that aspire and improve people’s lives in the UAE and YO Color is just the beginning. he Material Girl has still got it. Julien’s Auctions said Saturday that bidders worldwide sought items from Madonna’s professional and personal life during the two-day Icons & Idols: Rock n’ Roll auction in Beverly Hills that started Friday. The auction house says the gown and stole from her “Material Girl” video sold for $73,125, while the wedding dress the pop icon wore when she married Sean Penn in 1985 brought in $81,250. Her jacket from “Desperately Seeking Susan” sold for a record $252,000 and one earring worn in the film fetched $34,375. Other highlights include the gown from the film “Evita” - which sold for $15,000 and her “A League of Their Own” baseball uniform which sold for $31,250. — AP Photo shows a jacket worn by Madonna in the 1985 comedy “Desperately Seeking Susan”. Photo shows the wedding dress pop icon Madonna wore when she married Sean Penn in 1985. This undated photo provided by Julien’s Auctions shows portrait of Madonna by famed photographer Herb Ritts. —AP photos Photo shows the gown and stole worn by pop icon Madonna in her “Material Girl” video. 38 Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj LIFESTYLE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 A w a r d s shine at MTV awards in Scotland NickiВ MinajВ poses for pictures after being awarded the title вЂ�Best Hip Hop’. Host Nicki Minaj is lowered into the auditorium held by wires during the 2014 MTV European Music Awards in Glasgow, Sunday.—AP/AFP photos P op stars Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj sparkled at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday, held in the Scottish city of Glasgow for the first time. After opening the show with a thumping performance dressed in a futuristic silver leotard, Grande won best female artist and best song for her hit “Problem”. “I’m excited, I’m very very grateful and very happy,” the Florida-born 21-yearold said backstage at the event. Pop star and rapper Nicki Minaj was praised for her slick hosting of the awards, which included a nod to the host city with a rap about shortbread and drink. Dressed in a sheer black catsuit, Minaj danced under a cascade of sparks before performing a debut of a new song, “Bed Of Lies”, then breaking into her raunchy hit “Anaconda”. English-Irish superstar boy band One Direction scored a hat-trick of awards, picking up the best pop, best live act and biggest fans awards, which are the result of votes by fans themselves. “Our fans really are amazing! Thank you so much for your amazing support! 3 EMA’s!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” singer Louis Tomlinson wrote on Twitter. Though they won the most awards, they band were unable to attend to collect them in person. The absence of member Zayn Malik in their video message left fans questioning his whereabouts. Canada’s Justin Bieber was awarded best male, pop star Katy Perry won best look and best video, and singer Enrique Iglesias won best world stage performance. Beyonce, though rumored to be a surprise guest, did not attend, but was awarded best song with a social message for her song “Pretty Hurts”. The theme of the awards was time travel to mark 20 years since the first one was held, and clips of the previous award shows were played. Actor and singer David Hasselhoff was applauded as he walked on stage in a kilt, telling the crowd cheekily “I am a true Scotsman but I’m not going to show you.” Irish band U2 returned to perform in their fourth appearance at the EMAs, playing “Every Breaking Wave”. And rock musician Ozzy Osbourne took to the stage to accept a global icon award, remarking “I can’t believe it, it’s just incredible.” Guitar legend Slash appeared on stage to pay tribute to Osbourne, telling the audience “He scares the hell out of most people and all bats. But to me is a gentle man and a gentleman.”—AFP US singer ArianaВ GrandeВ poses for pictures. Singer ArianaВ Grande performs during the 2014 MTV European Music Awards OneВ Direction performs on stage. Spanish singer Enrique Iglesias poses for pictures backstage after he was awarded the title of вЂ�Best World Stage’. Enrique Iglesias performs on stage. British singer OzzyВ OsbourneВ and his wife Sharon British singer Ozzy Osbourne poses for pictures backstage after he was awarded the title of вЂ�Global Icon’. Chinese singer Bibi Zhou poses for pictures backstage after she was awarded the title of вЂ�Best Worldwide Act’. Canadian singer and songwriter Kiesza Dinah Hansen of Fifth Harmony performs on stage. В Beyoncé Knowles 39 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 LIFESTYLE A w a r d s Winners at the 2014 MTV EMA Best Song Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea - Problem Best Pop One Direction Best Female Ariana Grande Best Male Justin Bieber Best Live One Direction Best New 5 Seconds Of Summer Best Video Katy Perry feat. Juicy J - Dark Horse Best Rock Linkin Park Simon Neil (third right) from British rock band Biffy Clyro, poses for pictures with British guitarist Slash (second right) and Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators during the 2014В MTVВ Europe Music Awards (EMA) in Glasgow. Nick Jonas performs on stage. Best Alternative Thirty Seconds To Mars Best Hip-Hop Nicki Minaj Best Electronic Calvin Harris Biggest Fans One Direction? Best Look Katy Perry Best Song With A Message BeyoncГ© - Pretty Hurts Best Push 5 Seconds Of Summer? Best World Stage Enrique Iglesias - MTV World Stage Isle of MTV Malta Best Worldwide Act Bibi Zhou - SE Asia, Mainland China & Hong Kong, Taiwan Global Icon Ozzy Osbourne British singer Charli XCX poses for pictures backstage. Fifth Harmony and Nick Cannon perform on stage during the 2014В MTVВ EMA Kick Off. US singer Skylar Grey poses for pictures backstage. US actor David Hasslehoff and Hayley Roberts.В US singer RedfooВ Singer Bono, right, and The Edge, left, from the band U2 perform on stage. British singer Ed SheeranВ Singer Kiesza performs on stage. В Dutch rock band Kensington TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2014 The Catharina church in Eindhoven is lit inВ arty colors during the GLOW lightartВ festival in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.—AFPВ Records fall at $19.7 mn Patek Philippe anniversary auction The Henry Graves Super complication timepiece made by Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe in 1932 is photographed during a press preview by Sotheby’s auction house. R ecords tumbled at a special auction in Geneva Sunday to mark 175 years of Patek Philippe watches, with a rare pink gold item going for $2.67 million, auctioneers Christie’s said. The auction of 100 wrist and pocket watches brought in a total of $19,731,099, double the original estimate, and set nine world records in the process. Christie’s said in a statement after the three-hour bidding battle. The top lot of the evening was the pink gold watch, manufactured in 1951 by the Geneva-based maker, and one of only four of its kind known to the market. “This sale has exceeded our expectations in every way,” said John Reardon, international head of Christie’s watch department. “(It) sets a new benchmark for thematic sales and shows the amazing strength of the Patek Philippe market,” he added. All 125 seats in the sale room had been reserved 48 hours ahead of the auction, and over 300 collectors and watch enthusiasts attended the event. The sale continued today. The following day Sotheby’s will auction off what is billed as the most famous, and expensive, watch in the world, another Patek Philippe creation. The celebrated timepiece known as the “Henry Graves Supercomplication” after its original owner, a New York banker, was made in the 1930s and estimates say it will sell for $15 million.—AFP A file picture shows visitors seen in silhouette next to a giant screen at the stand of Swiss watchmaker Patek Philippe during the media day of 42nd edition of Baselworld watch fair.—AFP Sotheby’s head of International Watch Division Daryn Schnipper holds the Henry Graves Supercomplication timepiece.
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