200fils www.dt.bh Miley to throw ВЈ6000 party for homeless 8P 18-19 Affleck praises GarnerГs effort to promote child education Speaks for you Saturday, November 22, 2014 Issue No. 6477 Islamic State deserters face death Ukraine declares NATO ambition Global oil market climbs on hopes 8P 9 8P 12 TERRORISTS GET 10 YEARS IN jAIL 8P 32 Hamilton tops 8P 24 8P 5 BAHRAIN GOES TO POLLS TODAY Elections Abdulla bin Hassan Al Buainain met many he wait has ended, and ambassadors of friendly the time is here again as countries to brief them on the nation is all set to cast its the electoral process and the KingdomвЂ™s keenness on franchise today. All preparations have been transparency and honesty. Authorities concerned completed by the elections also took the necessary executive committee measures to ensure to ensure a smooth Related success of the polling. The voters STORY on elections and further project BahrainвЂ™s will cast their page 2-3 civilisational image franchise under worldwide. the supervision Among them was the of 56 judges and 300 monitors from eight non- state-of-the-art media centre government organisations set up by the Information Affairs Authority to facilitate (NGOs). Executive Director of 2014 coverage of the elections DT News Network T Elections at a glance 40 Voting centres 56 Judges 300 Monitors 349,713 Eligible voters 39 Parliamentary seats 266 Parliament candidates 29 Municipal seats 153 Municipal candidates 1667 Overseas votes House to fight against Obama Washington DC .S. House Speaker John Boehner yesterday said that President Barack ObamaвЂ™s executive action on immigration has sabotaged chances for bipartisan legislation. Boehner said House of Republicans intend to fight the presidentвЂ™s action, which was announced on Thursday, but did not detail a course of action. He indicated ObamaвЂ™s decision U to use his executive authority and bypass the U.S. Congress, where immigration legislation has stalled, could taint future efforts. вЂњAll year long I have warned the president that by ... threatening action repeatedly on immigration, he was making it impossible to build the trust necessary to work together,вЂќ Boehner told reporters. вЂњWith this action, the president has chosen to deliberately sabotage any chance of ... bipartisan reform that he claims to seek.вЂќ Obama, in a televised speech from the White House on Thursday night, said he intended to sign an order that would ease the threat of deportation for some 4.7 million undocumented immigrants, setting up a clash with congressional Republicans who opposed the move. Full report on page 24 Obama for local and foreign media personnel and journalists. Al Wefaq claims rebuffed Meanwhile, Integrity Coalition for Election Observation has denied Al Wefaq claims that 300,000 Bahrainis are boycotting elections. The coalition has termed the statement as a blatant lie. The statement is just an attention seeking bluff, said Integrity Coalition for Election Observation(ICEO) General Coordinator Faisal Fulad. He said that the figure is neither backed up by evidence nor logic. 2 All roAds Saturday, November 22, 2014 Elections today UN adopts resolution to prevent child marriage United Nations The United Nations yesterday adopted the first-ever resolution calling on governments to stop child marriages, despite misgivings from countries, which had hoped to include sex education as key to preventing the practice. About 15 million girls worldwide become child brides each year and globally, more than 700mn women were married before the age of 18. Unless action is taken, some 1.2 billion girls will be married by 2050, says the Girls Not Brides coalition of non-governmental organisations. DT News Network C itizens aged 20 and above will head to the polling centres across Bahrain today to take part in the KingdomвЂ™s fourth parliamentary and municipal elections since the launch of the pioneering reform project by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. As many as 349,713 eligible Bahraini voters will have to choose 39 members for the Representatives Council from 266 candidates and 29 municipal councillors from 153 candidates. Two candidates have already won their parliamentary and municipal seats unopposed. This yearвЂ™s elections witnessed an unparalleled number of candidates, compared to the previous Biden arrives in Turkey Istanbul US Vice President Joe Biden yesterday arrived in Turkey for a three-day visit aimed at persuading Turkish leaders to play a bigger role in the coalition against Islamic State (IS) militants. Biden is expected to seek to soothe tensions that have emerged between the two NATO members, traditionally strong allies, over TurkeyвЂ™s reluctance to play a major role in the fight against the jihadists who have captured swathes of Iraq and Syria. The US number two evening landed at Istanbul airport and immediately went into dinner talks with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.В Karachi attack injures fifteen Karachi At least 15 people including three parliamentarians were injured when gunmen opened fire on a political party camp in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, officials said yesterday. The incident occured in the cityвЂ™s restive eastern district Orangi Town when the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) membership drive meeting came under gun and grenade attack. вЂњAt least 15 people including three parliamentarians of the Sindh provincial assembly were injured when gunmen riding on motorbikes hurled hand grenades at the camp and started indiscriminate firing,вЂќ senior police official Irfan Baluch said. He said the injured were moved to the government-run Abbasi Shaheed hospital adding that all were in a stable condition. Necessary steps taken to ensure smooth polls DT News Network T heВ Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Al Hassan yesterday announced the completion of security preparations for the Parliamentary and municipal elections. He said this included aВ heightened security presenceВ in all areas and villages. The Chief statedВ that the police had takenВ appropriate measures after receiving complaints from a number of citizens who received threat calls asking to stay away from elections. В The Interior Ministry calls upon those effected to report violations to the police hotline at 80008008, he stated. вЂњThe General Directorate of Anticorruption and Economic and Electronic Security has taken legal stepsВ against suspects before referring them to the Public Prosecution. A number of illegal gatherings were dealt in accordance with the law and seven individuals were arrested,вЂќ he pointed out. В The Chief asserted thatВ all necessary steps were in place to ensure aВ smooth voting process. [email protected] A l WefaqвЂ™s statement, which claims that 300,000 Bahrainis are boycotting elections is a blatant lie, stated Integrity Coalition for Election Observation yesterday. The statement is just an attention seeking bluff, said Integrity Coalition for Election Observation(ICEO) General Coordinator Faisal Fulad. He said that the figure is neither backed up by evidence nor logic. Speaking to DT News, Mr. Fulad said, вЂњFrom what we can see, not more than 1,000 people attend their gatherings. How can they claim such a higher number when there are no substantive evidences.вЂќ He stressed that Al WefaqвЂ™s figure was a mere bluff. вЂњItвЂ™s a lie and this exaggerated figure does not make any sense. If they are Mr. Fulad insistent on making the claim, let them bring the proof.вЂќ В He said that anti-nationals would try their best to disrupt the electoral process. Cyber attack against candidates reported Mohammed Zafran / DTNN [email protected] A Maj. Gen. Al Hassan вЂ�Statement lacks proofвЂ™ Mohammed Zafran / DTNN ones of 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2011 by-elections. An overall of 490 candidates entered the fray last October but with the withdrawal of 11 and the ineligibility of other candidates, the number settled at 419 in the final list. Twenty nine Bahraini diplomatic missions, consulates and embassies abroad witnessed a massive turnout of voters whose number has topped 1667, thus marking an increase of 1195 compared to 2010. Registered voters can cast their ballots at 40 sub-polling stations across the country, which will be open from 8am to 8pm. Previously polling in the municipal elections used to end at 6pm. The elections Executive Committee has completed вЂњIn many areas including Sitra and Bani Jamra, they will try their best to prevent voters from exercising their civil right,вЂќ he pointed out. However, Mr. Fulad said that elections would run smoothly regardless of disruptive attempts. вЂњICEO will monitor and document the election process. Apart from monitoring the elections we also have a media team including social media experts to keep the international community aware of the events here.вЂќ part from burning vehicles and attacking their houses, anti-nationals have even explored cyber route to intimidate candidates, it was learnt. According to the Interior Ministry General Director of Anti-Corruption, Economic and Electronic Security, many Parliamentary and Municipal election candidates received abusive messages. вЂњThese messages were sent from certain websites and we are further investigating into the incident,вЂќ the General Director stated. Meanwhile, Integrity Coalition for Election Observation General Coordinator and Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS) Founder Faisal Fulad said that cyber bullies were hackers who sought to disturb the electoral process. вЂњThey operate from different countries including United Kingdom, Iran and Iraq under various names. WeвЂ™ve also experienced the same issue with BHRWS website,вЂќ he added. to booths Saturday, November 22, 2014 all preparations to ensure readiness of the polling centres to receive the voters and monitors under the supervision of The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged all Bahrainis to exercise their constitutional right and take part positively in the electoral process to choose their Parliamentary and municipal representatives. 56 judges and 300 monitors from eight non-government organisations (NGOs). Executive Director of 2014 Elections Abdulla bin Hassan Al Buainain met many ambassadors of brotherly and friendly countries to brief them on the electoral process and keenness on transparency and honesty. Relevant authorities also took the necessary measures to ensure success of the elections and further project BahrainвЂ™s civilisational image worldwide. Among them was the state-of-the-art media centre set up by the Information Affairs Authority to facilitate coverage of the elections for local and foreign media personnel and journalists. Minister of State for Information Affairs and official Government spokesperson Sameera Rajab, while inaugurating the media centre on Friday, 3 Voting centres had pointed out the presence of a large number of journalists from across the world. A contingency plan has also been put in place by the Interior Ministry to prevent any attempt to impede the elections or jeopardise citizensвЂ™ safety. The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged all Bahrainis to exercise their constitutional right and take part positively in the electoral process to choose their Parliamentary and municipal representatives. long wait ends for candidates and voters People attend an election campaign rally for Adel Al Thawadi who is a candidate from Hamad Town. 4 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Three sTripped of ciTizenship Terrorism Man cleared of assault charges DT News Network Manama A Left, a file photo of rioters throwing rocks during a riot in Al Aker and right, policemen arriving at the scene to restore peace and order in the area. DT News Network Manama T he High Criminal Court, under a new anti-terror law, has stripped three accused men of their citizenship for taking part in terror-related activities. The defendants have also been jailed for 10 years after being convicted of possession of explosives, as well as receiving training to manufacture bombs. The trio was arrested in connection with a blast that occurred in the village of Al Aker on August 14, 2013, targeting police officers. The explosion happened amid a riot, which broke out in the area, and investigations unearthed the involvement of the first defendant. He later revealed the identities of his co-accomplices, admitting that they had taught him how to use explosives. вЂњThe third defendant made a pipe bomb and he gave it to me to plant it to an area where rioters were planning to lure policemen to go to that place,вЂќ the first defendant told prosecutors in his statement. вЂњMy role in the riot was to plant the bombs, but the third defendant proposed to teach me how to make bombs,вЂќ he added.В The first defendant is already The trio was arrested in connection with a blast that occurred in the village of Al Aker on August 14, 2013, targeting police officers. The explosion happened amid a riot, which broke out in the area. serving one year behind bars on rioting charges, while the second and third defendants were earlier sentenced to 7 and 15 years in prison, respectively on similar accusations.В HOOKED ON FASHION PIC BY SANTHOSH RAJENDRAN Fashion has always captivated people from all walks of life. WhatвЂ™s new and whatвЂ™s in each season and the top fashion trends now are very hard to resist as seen in this photo, which DT News snapped at around 7:45pm yesterday, in front of a fashion house located along Salmaniya Avenue in Manama. The two ladies seemed to be contemplating which dress they should pick and why. 35-year-old Bangladeshi man, has been acquitted of sexual abuse charges before the High Criminal Court due to lack of proof. The defendant, who is working as a cashier, was accused of sexually assaulting a 30-year-old Filipino domestic servant when she went to the cold store, where he is working, to buy some items. He was claimed to have touched the woman inappropriately in the broad daylight, taking advantage of the fact that she was alone with him. The Bangladeshi denied the accusations against him and also pleaded not guilty before the court. Judges explained their decision to clear the defendant by stating that the Public Prosecution was unable to provide sufficient evidence to hold him guilty of such a crime.В The 35-yearold defendant, who is working as a cashier, was accused of sexually assaulting a 30-yearold Filipino domestic servant when she went to the cold store, where he is working, to buy some items. TerrorisTs geT 10 years in jail Saturday, November 22, 2014 DT News Network Manama E ight men, including two brothers, were sentenced to ten years in prison for arson and carrying out sabotage acts. A ninth co-defendant was given three years behind bars for the same charge, because he is below 18 years old. The accused men reportedly set tyres ablaze onВ Shaikh Salman Avenue before pouring oil on the street, causing serious damages to a bus, as well as a police patrol jeep. Moreover, a police officer, who was inside theВ jeep was severely injured as a result of the attack. A medical report conducted A file photo of rioters burning tyres during a riot in Manama. long time, owing to the injuries he sustained on his back, foot and pelvis.В В Two of the defendants were arrested while hiding in a house. They had admitted to their involvement in the crime and they also gave the names of their other accomplices to the authorities later. The third defendant told prosecutors that he had received BD20 in return for participating in the sabotage. All the men were convicted of setting tyres ablaze, possessing firebombs and arson, as well as causing damages to two cars. The accused men reportedly set tyres ablaze onВ Shaikh Salman Avenue before pouring oil on the street, causing serious damages to a bus, as well as a police patrol jeep. A police officer, who was inside theВ jeep was severely injured as a result of the attack. on his condition showed that the victimВ couldnвЂ™t standВ for a Three years for assaulting cop DT News Network A Bahraini teenager accused of attacking an on duty policeman was sentenced to three years behind bars by the High Criminal Court. В It was alleged that the defendant physically assaulted his victim while the latter was serving an arrest warrant against him.В The incident happened at the Driver Training School in AвЂ™ali, when police discovered that the defendant is a wanted fugitive, as he was taking a driving test.В He was suspected of having links to riots, which broke out at Al Jabriya Secondary Technical Boys The incident happened at the Driver Training School in AвЂ™ali, when police discovered that the defendant is a wanted fugitive, as he was taking a driving test.В He was suspected of having links to riots, which broke out at Al Jabriya Secondary Technical Boys School. School. The 18-year-old Bahraini was told that he would be detained and handed to the competent authorities, pending his legal status.В вЂњWe kept him in custody and I was guarding him, awaiting the arrival of police to transport him from the driving school,вЂќ the victim told prosecutors earlier. вЂњHe later told me that he needed to go to the toilet and we allowed him. I was ordered to accompany him,вЂќ he added.В It was said that the defendant escaped from the toiletвЂ™s window, prompting the officer to pursue him.В вЂњHe fled the driving school and when I went outside to look for him, I didnвЂ™t find him. Suddenly, he appeared from nowhere and punched me on the face. I fell down but I got hold of his trousers so I managed to arrest him,вЂќ the officer concluded in his statement. Great rates on worldwide money transfers and 0% commission on over 40 foreign currencies! Visit your nearest branch today /BFCBahrain /BFCBahrain Care. Trust. Efficiency. 5 6 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Mr. John (sixth from left) along with panel members at the Press conference. Incumbents brush aside allegations DT News Network D ismissing all allegations raised by the Progressive Parents Alliance (PPA) - the major opposition group at the Indian School Bahrain (ISB), the sitting administration has stated that the audit account for the year reflected the schoolвЂ™s healthy and sound financial condition. The panel, during a Media conference held yesterday stated that the financial condition remained stable even after the unprecedented payments of BD32,500 towards work permit procedures and BD58,500 as rent for Sitra school campus. The panel members during the conference also said that the annual general body meeting is scheduled for December 5 and seven members among the parents shall be nominated to the new executive committee. вЂњFour prominent members from the Indian community have been appointed as returning officers to conduct the election procedures,вЂќ said Abraham John, Chairman of ISB during the Press meet. According to the managing committee, the school has received 750 more new applications for admissions for the next academic year. вЂњThe fact that the present managing committee of the school stands for the interests of the Indian Community is evident in the growth of the school strength from 6,700 to 12,100,вЂќ the Chairman added. He further said that the PPA was creating baseless allegations and many of its members were mere pawns in the hands of ISB competitors who were envious about the schoolвЂ™s achievements.В Audit reports revealed by the panel. OverflOwing sewage trOubles pedestrians Elayath Pragit Parameswaran/ DTNN [email protected] S tinking sewage that has been overflowing from at least three manholes is making lives difficult for passers-by at Salmaniya and Bengali Galli in Manama. Residents of these localities as well as pedestrians in the area are worried as overflowing sewage could trigger infectious diseases. Speaking to DT News, Overflowing sewage is causing difficulties to passers-by. Abdul Nabi, a cold-store owner in Bengali Galli, said, вЂњI can see children jumping and splashing water, overflowing from manholes. They can get infected as sewage is the number one carrier of infectious diseases. вЂњMaking our lives miserable, it seems the Galli will soon become marshy if authorities donвЂ™t take action.вЂќ Moreover, he said that the health risks were aplenty with the Most often vehicles splash drainage water on pedestrians. area hosting a fruits Earlier DT News had pedestrian who doesnвЂ™t want to and vegetable market. photographs вЂњIвЂ™ve many times seen fruits, be named told DT News, вЂњWe published vegetables falling into dirty have to be very careful while of overflowing sewage in water when vendors move walking along the footpath here Gudaibiya. Subsequently, the their handcarts over the slabs. as the vehicles splash the drainage Ministry of Works responded They pick them up and sell water. The administration should explaining that the sewage to innocent customers,вЂќ he take immediate steps to seal these flood was occurring due to manholes before the rains start restaurants dumping oil into explained. the sewage network. Perturbed with вЂњfloodsвЂќ, a pouring.вЂќ Aleppo t dawn Syrian civil servants Abu Asaad and Abu Abdo each begin their commutes across the wartorn city of Aleppo, a onceshort journey that now takes 10 hours. A frontline slices through the former economic hub from north to south, with rebels in control of more than half of the devastated city. People like 45-year-old Abu Asaad, who works as a driver for the state, must travel for more than 400 kilometres (250 miles) by bus just to get from one side to the other. They face grave danger as they detour through an area under the control of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, which has seized large areas in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Until a year ago, residents could cross from one side of Aleppo to the other through a checkpoint at Bustan Al Qasr. But because of snipers, it was closed. After working for 10 days straight in a regime-held neighbourhood, Abu Asaad waits for the bus at a station in the New Aleppo district to go home to Shaar, a rebel area just five kilometres (three miles) away. To get there the bus must first cross an area that is under army control, before reaching a desert zone that has become a no-manвЂ™s land over the course of the more than three-year-old war. He and other passengers then risk their lives as their bus drives through Al Bab, an area of Aleppo province that is controlled by IS. From there, the bus travels back into Aleppo city. вЂњBefore we reach the IS checkpoint, women climb into the back of the bus and veil their faces completely,вЂќ said bus driver Mohammad, who makes the risky journey three times a month. вЂњThey are not allowed to travel alone, according to the laws imposed by the jihadists. So we must make sure they are accompanied by their husband or brother. I check carefully, because I will pay the price if anything goes wrong,вЂќ he told AFP. For Abu Asaad, each journey is now a dive into the unknown. вЂњA jihadist from Daesh gets on the bus, armed with a sword rather than a Kalashnikov,вЂќ he said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. вЂњHe checks everyoneвЂ™s A MIDDLE EAST 7 BUSES BRAVE ROAD OF FEAR Saturday, November 22, 2014 Syrian bus commuters face grave danger as they detour through an area under the control of the IS, which has seized large areas in Syria and neighbouring Iraq, to travel from one side to another. documents, and forces suspects to get off the bus, threatening them with his weapon. I always say I am a tailor, because if I admit I am a civil servant, they will throw me in jail,вЂќ Abu Asaad said. But all of the forces on the ground - loyalists, the IS and the rebels - have their databases. вЂњOne mistake, and you disappear,вЂќ he said. Extreme danger -В Abu Abdo lives in the rebel district of Sakhur. He too crosses the frontline to get to the ministry where he works. вЂњOur journey from one side of Aleppo to the other is filled with danger. It used to take 10 minutes, but now it takes 10 hours because of a big detour,вЂќ he told AFP. вЂњThere are many checkpoints and dangers along the way, but I must make the journey because I am a civil servant and I have no other source of income. Sometimes, I make the journey twice or three times a week. God have mercy on us,вЂќ he said. The bus ticket price has shot up because of the war. It used to cost just 20 Syrian pounds to get from one neighbourhood to the other. Now it costs 2,500 pounds ($12.5) from the government to the rebel sides. About 800 people make the journey each day from the regime side, while roughly the same number leave from the rebel area, said Munir, who runs the bus station. People living on both sides say loyalists and rebels demand bribes to let them through their checkpoints, but IS poses the biggest danger for drivers. One told AFP he received 30 lashes because the jihadists thought his beard was too short. Another said he was lashed because he forgot to switch off the radio before he reached the IS checkpoint. A third driver said he spent 48 hours in an IS jail, and that he was only set free when he could recite a prayer correctly. Many passengers make sure to have one last cigarette before climbing on board, because IS forbids smoking. вЂњThis is the road of fear. It is absurd to have to drive for hours through the desert to get from one side of the city to the other,вЂќ said Abu Ahmad, who travelled to the regime-held side of Aleppo to see his doctor.В вЂњThis division of Aleppo is absurd.вЂќ 8 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Speak a вЂњ H R H Premier receives call from Kuwaiti Crown Prince вЂњ @bna_en #Obama offers a deal to millions of illegal immigrants: вЂњThey are a part of American lifeвЂќ вЂњ @BBCBreaking Democrats prepare strategy aimed at helping Hillary Rodham Clinton if she runs for president, @KThomasDC reports @AP вЂњ Democratic Republic of Congo is free of Ebola after an outbreak there, World Health Organization says. вЂњ @cnnbrk U.S. Vice President Biden denounces PutinвЂ™s action in Ukraine @ReutersWorld вЂњ P o p e Francis says greed will вЂ�destroy the worldвЂ™ вЂњ @Independent London balcony collapse kills two вЂњ @guardian The success of the #post2015 agenda depends on how much we make use of The Power of 1.8 Billion youth! #SWOP2014 вЂњ @UN_Women Modi races to give 1.2B Indians biometric IDs to save about $12B a year in corruption @BloombergNews вЂњ Illegal immig r a n t s see hope and change in #Obama action. @WashTimes ReadersвЂ™ VIEW No one likes taxes Dear editor,В When the headline вЂњEconomy at CrossroadsвЂќ struck on the front page ofВ the November 16 issue of DT News, I felt as if somebody was hitting my back. My late mother had always warned usВ to remember that whether we are locals or foreigners, we should be acquainted with theВ governmentвЂ™s budget, that we live in, whether it is running on a surplus or on a deficit. ItвЂ™s just like a mother having a sufficient cash to feed her children and and to run the household expenses.В В Economics isВ intricate to comprehend and you will not be able to speculate about where the trend leads to, unless you are well-taught. So, we had neglected to ponder about it.В If you are not taught, instead of making a self research, - you will see the interview between Tahir Haneef and the managing partner of KPMG Bahrain and the First Vice President of the Shura Council Jamal Fahko on the November 16 issue of DT News valuable. Top minds have big ideasВ and solutions and they had hit the right chord. It was concise, precise, interesting to comprehend and relevant В to the issue. The last resort of the government to have the revenue is a wish to fillВ the oil wellsВ or to impose taxes. No citizen would like to have taxes imposed, so letвЂ™s pray to Allah to fill all oil wells right up to the brim, InshaAllah. May May Nu Do you feel strongly about commenting on any issue of social relevance or on any report we carried? Be it bouquets or bricks, you can explore this space by airing your views, opinions or comments. The best letter, selected once in a week, will receive five tickets for watching a blockbuster at Dana Cinema. Letters can be sent at letters @dt.bh Elected leaders must Rest in peace beautiful angels! be accountable Dear sir, This may seem like a perennial question but it is one that needs to be asked again and again and again, especially now that elections are taking place today in the country. What should we expect of our newly elected officials? Should we expect them to be the perfect man or woman for the position? Should we expect them to obey the laws of the country? Or should we look the other way, when their actions result in fines and penalties and if they do not live up to our expectations? Should we expect them to honour their word with neighbouring municipalities and the Parliament? Or are we willing to take the consequences of our wrong choices of candidates? Can we say that this is a small issue when it will affect the future of our children and country in general? Perhaps, some of us wonвЂ™t care whatever happens in todayвЂ™s elections and they might think that this would not affect them in any way! Think again! Next time, it could be something that you truly care about that is destroyed by those unworthy officials, who will be elected by the people in todayвЂ™s elections. One thing is certain, elected leaders must be accountable to the people. Whatever they do, while in office, will be recorded before the eyes of the public and they will be made to answer for it in the end. Remember, no politician or government official would stay forever in office. Better shape up or quit if you cannot handle the job given to you by the people. Ali Mohammed Dear sir, It broke my heart when I read your report about Honduran Miss World contestant , 19-yearold Maria Jose Alvarado, who was found shot dead, along with her sister Sofia, 23, in what police now have said to be a вЂ�crime of passion.вЂ™ The bodies of the sisters were buried near a river in the mountainous region of Santa Barbara according to the Head of Criminal Investigation, Leandro Osorio. The sisters went missing on November 13, when they were last seen leaving a party. Reports revealed that SofiaвЂ™s boyfriend Plutarco Ruiz, shot her first, in a fit of jealousy because she вЂ�danced with another man.вЂ™ Poor Maria, who happened to be at the wrong time and at the wrong place, was only a victim of circumstances. It was said that Maria tried to run when she saw Ruiz shoot her sister and she was shot twice in the back. Jealousy cut short the life of the beautiful and promising Maria, who was scheduled to fly to Maria, right, with her sister Sofia. London on Thursday, to take part in the Miss World pageant. Now, Honduras announced that it would no longer take part in Miss World pageant this year, because of the death of Maria. I feel sad that a bullet and an insane and jealous man ended the life of Maria, who could have done a lot more for her family and country, if only this tragedy did not happen. My prayers are with the family of Maria and Sofia. Rest in peace beautiful angels! Our love and prayers are with you and your family! Fareeda Mohammed Saturday, November 22, 2014 IS DESERTERS FACE DEATH Barbaric would-be defectors kept IS ranks secure for the most part. вЂњFleeing is extremely difficult,вЂќ said Furat Al Wafaa, adding that those who get caught are вЂњslaughtered, of courseвЂќ. Beirut S everal foreign jihadists who joined the Islamic State in Syria but then tried to desert have faced arrest and execution at the hands of the radicalВ group, activists said yesterday. Those who have tried to flee are usually young and mostly non-Arabs who regretted joining the IS once they saw the reality on the ground, several activists told AFP via the Internet. The reports came a day after the IS arrested a 17-year-old jihadist in the groupвЂ™s selfproclaimed capital of Raqa in northern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for HumanRights. вЂњHe was probably Russian or Chechen,вЂќ said Observatory directorRamiAbdelRahman. Two killed for joining hands with Iraq forces IS militants stand just before explosion of an air strike on Tilsehir hill near Turkish border on October 23, 2014, at Yumurtalik village, in Sanliurfa province. The young man was arrested at a call centre in Raqa, after contacting his family.В вЂњHis (jihadist) friends attacked him and beat him up,вЂќ said the Observatory, adding that he was then taken to an unknown location. An IS translator understood the teenager had been telling his family вЂњabout how he wanted to go home,вЂќ the Observatory said. Activists in Raqa said the case was by no means isolated, but that the dangers faced by Jihadists launch attack on Ramadi Baghdad T he Islamic State (IS) jihadist group launched a major attack yesterday on the Iraqi city of Ramadi, capital of the troubled western province of Anbar, security officials said. IS fighters pounded the city centre with mortar rounds, while clashes broke out all around Ramadi, one of the last urban areas partly under government control in Anbar. вЂњIS launched a surprise attack from four directions - north, west, east and south of Ramadi,вЂќ a police first lieutenant in the city told AFP by phone. He said the jihadists had also detonated car bombs targeting Iraqi security forces. вЂњClashes are ongoing around the city. A series of mortar attacks have targeted areas inside the city, including provincial council buildings and a police post,вЂќ the officer said. He said it was too early to estimate the number of casualties from the fightinginandaroundRamadi,which lies 100 kilometres (60 miles) west of Baghdad. вЂњThe mortar fire has been continuous since midnight,вЂќ police captain Qusay al-Dulaimi said. Parts oftherestiveprovince-whichborders Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and the Baghdad governorate - have been out of government control since January. Kirkuk unmen from the Islamic State jihadist group yesterday publicly executed two young men for allegedly cooperating with Iraqi security forces, officials and witnesses said. The killings were carried out in the middle of the crowded main market in the Zab area of Kirkuk province. G вЂ�Real cooperation needed to crush ISвЂ™ Damascus S yrian President Bashar Al-Assad said on Thursday that вЂњinternational cooperationвЂќ was necessary to crush the Islamic State group, which is the target of a US-ledcampaign. вЂњThe region is going through decisive timesвЂќ and the most important factor in determining the outcome is whether there is вЂњreal and sincere international cooperationвЂќ against the jihadists, Assad said. вЂњTerrorist groups, led by IS, did not emerge from nothing but are the fruit of the mistaken and aggressive policies of those who have waged war on Syria,вЂќ state news agency SANA quoted him as saying. Assad was speaking to members of his ruling Baath party, just days after US President Barack Obama rejected any alliance with the Syrian president against the jihadists. Qaeda vows onslaught Dubai he Al-Qaeda military chief in Yemen has vowed to launch fierce attacks against Shia Huthi militiamen sweeping across the country, in an audio message posted yesterday on jihadist websites. вЂњTo the Huthis we say: brace yourselves for horrors that will make the hair of children turn white,вЂќ said Qassem Al Rimi, the military chief of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. AQAP, which is considered T by Washington as the most dangerous arm of the jihadist organisation, said several attacks targeting Huthis and claimed by the group were only aвЂњwarm-upвЂќ. вЂњToday you are our target... and donвЂ™t even think that your crimes will go unpunished,вЂќ addedRimi. Huthi rebels overran the capital in September and then began taking territory east and south towards areas where the Al-Qaedamilitantsareactive. Students demonstrate against the deployment, at Sanaa University campus, of armed Yemani militia from the Shia Huthi movement in the capital Sanaa in this November 12, 2014 file picture. MIDDLE EAST 9 Thinking green SICK BUILDING SYNDROME S ick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a combination of ailments associated with an individualвЂ™s place of work, office building or a residence. With new technological developments and energy efficient attitudes, buildings are becoming airtight cesspools of germs and toxins whereby building occupants may experience symptoms of acute discomfort and health problems. SBS usually occurs in the airtight operational buildings containing many people who are working close together with poor ventilation increasing the risk of getting any illness that others may have in the same building. SBS occurs mostly in office buildings and in other communal buildings such as schools, residential and apartment buildings. A World Health Organization report has suggested that around 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS. SBS is frequently caused by flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOC), airborne pollutants (dust, carpet fibres or fungal spores), indoor allergens (dust mites, plant products, fungal products), moulds (Stachybotrys), chemical pollutants (cleaning materials), design of the built environment, ozone (produced by office machinery), tobacco smoke and toxins common to the interior environment (benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene). Although we may not be able to see, smell, or feel the molecules of dirty air infiltrating our lungs and body, sick buildings harbor dangerous pathogens that we are inhaling with every breath and clinging to our skin. SBS is a broad label that covers a range of symptoms thought to be triggered when the sufferer spends time in a particular building with no specific cause or illness can be identified. The symptoms of SBS are watery eyes and nose, burning in trachea, increased nervousness, depression, headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty in concentrating, dry and itchy skin, rashes, dry coughs, sore throat, exhaustion after normal activity, fatigue, heart palpitations, increased irritability, nosebleeds, sensitivity to odors, shortness of breath, tremors etc. In SBS, building occupants often complain of the above mentioned symptoms. These complaints vary from individuals based on age, sensitivity and health status. The allergic people tend to be more susceptible as well as people with hyper tensions. In hot and humid climate like in Bahrain, moisture is the primary culprit of SBS. The trapped moisture within the cavities reaches to saturation favouring thriving of moulds producing generally toxic substances that create unhealthy environment for bacteria and insects. In hot and humid climates, the worst months for mould are from October till March when air conditioners rarely operate and moisture saturation increases most rapidly. In USA, the EPA has reported that sick buildings cause an estimated loss of $61 billion a year in employee absenteeism, medical costs, reduced productivity and lower earnings. To make sick buildings livable and reduce the impacts, following is recommended: вЂў Monitoringofairquality. вЂў Improvedplanningofbuildingventilation. вЂў Restrictingsmoking. вЂў Increasethenumberofliveplantsinbuildings. вЂў Replacementofwater-stainedceilingtilesandcarpeting. вЂў Improveentryofnaturalsunlight. вЂў Usepaints,adhesives,solvents,andinsecticidesinwell- ventilatedareasandduringperiodsofnon-occupancy. вЂў ProperandfrequentmaintenanceofHVACsystems. вЂў Openingwindowsperiodicallyforventilationwithfreshair. *Head, Waste Disposal Unit, Supreme Council for Environment, Bahrain (Email: [email protected]) (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this newspaper.) 10 Saturday, November 22, 2014 CINECO (20) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part-1 (PG-15) (Adventure/Action) New Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 10.45 Am + 12.30 + 1.30 + 3.15 + 4.15 + 6.00 + 7.00 + 8.45 + 9.45 + 11.30 Pm + (12.30 Mn Thurs/Fri) Daily At (ViP i): 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 Pm + 12.00 Mn Daily At (ViP ii): 12.00 + 2.45 + 5.30 + 8.15 + 11.00 Pm 2 The Babadook (15+) (Horror/Thriller) New Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Noah Wiseman Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 Pm 3 The Signal (PG-15) (Thriller) New Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke, Larence Fishburne Daily At: 11.45 Am + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 Pm 4 Happy Ending (PG-15) (Hindi/Romantic/Comedy) New Saif Ali Khan, ileana D Cruz, Govinda, Kalki Koechin Daily At: 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 Pm 5 Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn + (1.00 Am Thurs/ Fri) 6 Intersteller (PG-13) (Adventure/Action/ScienceFiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: 10.30 Am +1.45 + 5.00 + 8.15 + 11.30 Pm + (12.30 Mn Thurs/Fri) 7 Big Hero 6 (PG) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At (3D): 11.00 Am + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 + 8.00 + 10.15 Pm 8 John Wick (15+) (Action/ Thriller) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyquist, Alfie Allen Daily At: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 Pm 9 Fury (15+) (Action/War) Brad Pitt, Shia Labeouf, Logan Lerman Daily At: 10.30 Am + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 Pm + 12.00 Mn 10 Jessablle (15+) (Horror/ Thriller) Sarah Snook, Mark Webber, Joelle Carter Daily At: 12.00 + 4.00 + 8.00 Pm + 12.00 Mn 11 Ouija (15+) (Horror/Thriller) Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff 12 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Daily At: 8.00 + 10.00 Pm + 12.00 Mn The Equalizer (PG-15) (Action/Thriller/Crime) Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloe Grace Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 Pm The Drop (PG-15) (Thriller/ Crime) Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini Daily At: 10.30 Am + 4.00 + 9.30 Pm Boxtrolls (PG) (Animation/ Comedy/Adventure) Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost Daily At (3D): 12.00 + 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 Pm Beauty And The Beast (PG15) (Romantic/Thriller) Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydoux, Andre Dussollier Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 Pm Al Jazeera 2 (15+) (Arabic/ Action/Thriller) Ahmad Al Saah, Hind Sabry, Khalid Salih, Khalid Alsawee Daily At: 12.30 + 6.00 + 11.30 Pm The Maze Runner (PG-15) (Action/Adventure/Thriller) Dylan OвЂ™brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter Daily At: 10.45 Am + 4.00 + 9.15 Pm Soni-A- Fi Misr (PG) (Comedy) Ahmed Helmy, Yasmin Rais, Dalal Abdulaziz Daily At: 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn Gone Girl (15+) (Thriller) Ben Affleck, Roamund Pike, Neil Patrick Haris Daily At: 1.00 + 6.15 + 11.30 Pm Dracula Untold (PG-15) (Action/Thriller/Adventure) Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Samantha Barks Daily At: 2.00 + 6.00 + 10.00 Pm Lets Be Cops (15+) (Comedy/Action) Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle Daily At: 3.45 + 9.15 Pm Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG-13) (Action/ Adventure/Comedy) Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner Daily At: 1.00 + 5.30 + 10.00 Pm Happy New Year (PG-15) (Hindi/Action/Comedy) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan Daily At: 12.45 + 6.15 + 11.45 Pm 24 Kill Dil (PG-15) (Hindi/ Action/Crime/Comedy/ Romantic) Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar, Parineeti Chopra, Govinda Daily At: 10.30 Am + 3.00 + 7.30 Pm + 12.00 Mn 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn SEEF (I) 1 SEEF (II) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The Babadook (15+) (Horror/Thriller) New Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Noah Wiseman Daily At: 11.30 Am + 1.30 + 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 + 9.30 + 11.30 Pm Happy Ending (Pg-15) (Hindi/Romantic/Comedy) New Saif Ali Khan, ileana D Cruz, Govinda, Kalki Koechin Daily At: 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 Pm 71 (15+) (Thriller/Crime) New Jack OвЂ™connell, Sam Reid, Sean Harris Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.15 + 3.15 + 5.15 + 7.15 + 9.15 + 11.15 Pm Hasalina Al Rouab (15+) (Arabic/Horro/Comedy) New Abdulla Meshreff, Mohamed Sharaf, Sara Salama Daily At: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 Pm Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 + (1.00 Am Thurs/Fri) Intersteller (Pg-13) (Adventure/Action/ScienceFiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: (12.45 Mn Thurs/Fri) Big Hero 6 (PG) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At: 11.30 Am + 1.45 + 4.00 + 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 Pm John Wick (15+) (Action/ Thriller) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyquist, Alfie Allen Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.45 + 6 2 3 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part-1 (PG-15) (Adventure/Action) New Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 11.15 Am + 12.15 + 1.45 + 2.45 + 4.15 + 5.15 + 6.45 + 7.45 + 9.15 + 10.15 + 11.45 Pm + (12.45 Mn Thurs/ Fri) Intersteller (PG-13) (Adventure/Action/ScienceFiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: 10.45 Am + 2.00 + 5.15 + 8.30 + 11.45 Pm Happy New Year (PG-15) (Hindi/Action/Comedy) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan Daily At: 11.00 Am + 2.15 + 5.30 + 8.45 + 12.00 Mn SAAR CINEPLEX 1 2 3 4 5 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part-1 (PG-15) (Adventure/Action) New Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + (11.30 Pm Thurs/Fri) Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 + 9.00 + (11.00 Pm Thurs/Fri) Intersteller (PG-13) (Adventure/Action/ScienceFiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: 8.00 + (11.15 Pm Thurs/Fri) Big Hero 6 (PG) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.15 + 3.30 + 5.45 Pm John Wick (15+) (Action/ Thriller) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyquist, Alfie Allen Daily At: 1.30 + 5.30 + 9.30 Pm Jessablle (15+) (Horror/ Thriller) Sarah Snook, Mark Webber, Joelle Carter Daily At: 11.30 Am + 3.30 + 7.30 + (11.30 Pm Thurs/Fri) 3 3 AL JAZEERA CINEPLEX 1 2 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part-1 (PG15) (Adventure/Action) New Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 2.00 + 4.00 + 6.00 + 8.00 + 10.00 Pm + (12.00 AWAL CINEMA 1 Mn Thurs/Fri) Happy Ending (PG15) (Hindi/Romantic/ Comedy) New Saif Ali Khan, ileana D Cruz, Govinda, Kalki Koechin Daily At: 12.00 + 3.00 + 6.00 + 9.00 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) 4 5 6 6 7 8 AL HAMRA CINEMA 1 Vellimoonga (Malayalam) Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Nikki Galrani Daily At: 12.00 + 3.00 + 6.00 + 9.00 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) DANA CINEMA 1 2 The Drop ( Crime / Drama ) Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00, 01:00 Kamel Al Awsaf ( Arabic / Romance / Comedy ) Amer Monib, Hala Shieha, Ola Ghanem 10:30, 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45, 00:00 9 10 11 11 12 Roar ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Nora Fatehi, Achint Kaur, Aaran Chaudhary 10:30, 14:45, 19:00, 23:15 Reaper ( Crime / Horror / Sci-Fi / Thriller ) Danny Trejo, Vinnie Jones, Jake Busey 12:45, 17:00, 21:15 The Maze Runner ( Action / Mystery / Sci-Fi ) Dylan OвЂ™brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter 10:30, 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45, 00:00 Bang Bang ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Ron Smoorenburg 10:30, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30, 22:30, 01:15 How To Train Your Dragon 2 вЂ“ 2D ( Animation/Action/ Adventure ) Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrera 12:15, 16:00, 19:45, 23:30 Pudsey The Dog: The Movie ( Comedy / Family ) David Walliams, Pudsey, izzy Meikle-Small 10:30, 14:15, 18:00, 21:45 El Hobb Keda ( Arabic / Comedy ) Hamada Helal, Dorrah, Mennah Arafah 11:30, 13:45, 16:00, 18:15, 20:30, 22:45 Bang Bang ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Ron Smoorenburg 11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00, 23:00 Gone Girl ( Drama / Mysterry / Thriller ) Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris 10:30, 13:15, 16:00, 18:45, 21:30, 00:30 Gone Girl ( Drama / Mystery / Thriller ) Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris 11:00, 13:45, 16:30, 19:15, 22:00, 01:00 Finding Fanny ( Comedy / Romance ) Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor 10:30, 14:45, 19:00, 23:15 Deliver Us From Evil ( Crime / Horror / Thriller ) : Eric Bana, Г‰dgar RamГrez, Olivia Munn 12:30, 16:45, 21:00, 01:00 The Equalizer ( Action / Crime / Thriller ) Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, ChloГ« Grace Moretz 10:30, 13:00,15:30, 18:00, 20:30, 23:00, 01:15 All ShowS After Midnight only on thurSdAyS, fridAyS And holidAyS TOURISM Saturday, November 22, 2014 Sunday, November 25, 2012 CURRENCIES CURRENCIES BUSINESS NEWS Currency SELLDraft CASH Sell Dollar 2.6483 Dollar 2.6483 2.6455 Euro 2.1066 Euro 2.0141 2.0243 Pound 1.6692 Pound 1.6300 1.6367 Riyal 9.9384 Saudi Riyal Saudi 9.9423 9.9354 Yen 297.6190 Yen 211.4165 214.5923 Indian Rupee 160.7717 Indian Rupee 137.9310 144.5087 WORLD ECONOMEY MEY INTER REST RATE DEFLATION EF TI ELECTRONICS INSURANCE INTERNET SOFTWARE VEHICLE MARKET STOCK EXCHNGE COMPUTER TAX MONEY EXCHANGE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS WEB NETWORK INFLATION CURRENCIES Sell Cash SELLMarket DRAFT BUSINESS GOLD GOLD 11 7 Rate BD151.00 00 Bahrain (10gm) Bahrain BD 212. 2.6455 $1,193.25 London (1 ounce)London $ 1,730.00 2.1177 $1,729.50 US $1,203.00 New York (1 ounce) 1.6798 9.9354 London 303.9514 New York 160.5136 OILOIL NEW POLICY FRAME WORK ECB ready to act вЂ�without undue delayвЂ™: Draghi London $110.55 $79.33 US $75.58 $87.15 BIZ BITES BAHRAIN MOST FREEST ECONOMY IN ARAB WORLD with Bahrain after ranking second overall in 2011 with a score of 7.9. Jordan moved into ahrain and the United Arab the third spot from eighth Emirates (UAE) are home to overall, improving its score to the highest levels of economic 7.9 from 7.4 last year, showed freedom among Arab nations, a the report. Theshould Economic specialised the Freedom situationof Simon Morgan international eco- moves theit.Arab World comnomic report has unveiled. need Among the report additional Frankfurt pares andbeing ranksconsidered Arab nationsisin The annual Economic measures uropean Central five areasquantitative of economic freedom: Freedom of the Bank ArabPresWorld so-called easing ident is Mario Draghi said or size of government, including report compiled by German QE, the large-scale purchase yesterday that the ECB is ready government bonds, a policy taxes, and enterFriedrich Naumann Foundation of expenditures, to roll new policy(FNF), measuresthe hitherto by other and central prises; used commercial ecofor out Liberty to ward off deflation in theResearch euro banks around world but nomic law andthe security of propInternational area вЂњwithout any undue delay.вЂќ viewed sceptically in Europe. Foundation (IRF) of Oman and erty rights; access to sound вЂњWe will use all means availcritics, including the money; freedom to trade interFraser Institute, Canada's The ablethe to us, within our mandate, central bank orof nationally; and regulation leadinginflation public policy thinkour tank. German to return towards Bundesbank, believe such meacredit, labour, and business. The Bahrain, which ranked objective -вЂ“ and without anyfirst sures would report overstep thebeECBвЂ™s complete may downlast year, improved its overall undue delay,вЂќ Draghi told a mandate by effectively printing score congress to 8.1 outinofFrankfurt. 10 from 8.0. loaded as a PDF, free of charge, banking to finance a countryвЂ™s at www.freetheworld.com. UAE alsoupscored 8.1, tying money вЂњWeThe would step the pressure debt. Until now, the ECB has and broaden even more the focused on buying packages of channels through which we in- loans known as asset-backed tervene, by altering accordingly securities (ABS) and so-called the size, pace and composition covered bonds to pump cash of our purchases.вЂќ into the economy. It has also In a bid to ward off defla- launched a series of targeted tion -- a dangerous downward longer-term refinancing operaspiral of falling prices -- in the tions or TLTROs -- cheap fundeuro area, the ECB has not only ing made available to banks cut its interest rates to new all- on condition they lend it on to time lows, but also embarked businesses. on a series of asset purchase вЂњWith our monetary policy programmes to pump liquid- decisions in June and in parity into the financial system.On ticular in September, we have top of this, the ECB has said it transitioned from a monetary is actively preparing additional policy framework based preDT Business Desk [email protected] B E Economic freedom is based on the cornerstones of personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom to compete, and security of private property. Research shows that individuals living in countries with high levels of economic freedom enjoy higher levels of prosperity, greater individual freedoms, and longer life spans. The report is based on data from 2010 (the most recent year available) but also examines more recent data to mark out trends for individual nations. This is crucial since the key question in future years will be whether the changes underway result in greater economic freedom or whether economies in the region continue to stagnate. The report measures available data on economic freedom in 22 nations of the League of Arab States, but due to data limitations, calculations of the overall level of economic freedom are only available for 16 jurisdic- tions: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and UAE. The rankings are entirely based on third-party data. The full data sets are available at www.freetheworld.com. U that it is now changes in the size and composition of our balance sheet that determine our monetary policy stance вЂ“- or to be more specific, the markets in on Thursday, is currently finalising its acquisition of another French mobile phone operator SFR. вЂњAt this time, we are in the process of integrating SFR, but if we receive a call from Bouygues yesterday, well why not?вЂќ said Altice CEO Dexter Goei, quoted by Dow Jones Newswires. The company owned by French-Israeli billionaire Patrick Drahi beat Bouygues in the race for SFR in April, of- S MANAGEMENT THOUGHTS A New York S stocks followed global equity markets higher yesterday, powering to new intra-session records in opening trade after ChinaвЂ™s surprise interest-rate cut. Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 17,871.75, up 152.75 points (0.86 percent). The broad-based S&P 500 gained 16.16 (0.79 pc) to 2,068.91, while the techrich Nasdaq Composite Index rose 43.76 (0.93 pc) to 4,745.62. which we intervene, and the magnitude and pace of our purchases. We expect such interventions to affect output and inflation,вЂќ Draghi said.(AFP) Bouygues shares soar on Altice telecoms interest Paris hares of French group Bouygues rose yesterday after Altice, the parent company of cable operator Numericable, showed interest in its telecoms subsidiary, signalling another possible tie-up in FranceвЂ™s mobile phone market. In morning trade in Paris, the stock climbed 3.66 percent to 29.89 euros in a market up 0.94 pc. Altice, signalled An aerial viewwhich of the Bahrain Bay. its interest in Bouygues Telecoms Manila Japan-bound All Nippon Airways jet returned to Manila airport and made an emergency landing yesterday after pilots reported smoke in the cockpit, Philippine authorities said. There were which no reported inThe report, has been juries and all 175 passengers presented since 2005, is one of a and 10of crew safelyreports disemnumber regional barked from the Boeing 767, based in part or in whole on the said Manila International Fraser AirportInstitute's Authority annual public Economic Freedom the affairs officer Ariel ofArcilla. World Report, which ranks вЂњThe plane safely landed the and economic freedom levels ofIt144 there was no panic. apcountries. pears the pilot just followed safety protocols,вЂќ Arcilla told AFP. US stocks at new records after China rate cut Draghi dominantly on passive provision of liquidity to a more active and controlled management of our balance sheet,вЂќ Draghi explained. вЂњThis means Japanese plane makes emergency landing in Philippines fering Vivendi 13.5 billion euros in cash as well as an eventual additional sum of 750 million euros. If the Bouygues group, which also includes construction and media units, exits the telecommunications business, вЂњit can only be positive for shareholders while the fundamentals of the sector and those of Bouygues Telecom in particular are expected to remain under pressure,вЂќ a Parisian trader said requesting anonymity. (AFP) Training is expensive impart as wellsense as torather receive. вЂњMost business problemsto require common than legal reference.вЂќ Alibaba raises $8 billion in bond deal New York hinese e-commerce giant Alibaba raised $8 billion in a bond offering, the Wall Street Journal said. The company announced one week ago that it planned to make the sale, with the intention to repay an $8 billion loan owed to banks. Maturities ranged from three to 20 years in the six-part deal, the Journal reported. It called the transaction one of the largest corporate bond deals of the year. Alibaba completed the worldвЂ™s largest stock offering with its listing on the New York Stock Exchange in September, with an offer price of $68. C 12 BUSINESS GLOBAL OIL MARKET CLIMBS ON HOPES Saturday, November 22, 2014 London lobal oil prices rallied yesterday on fresh hopes that the OPEC cartel will overcome internal resistance to trim output, while upbeat US economic data also provided support, analysts said. Nearing midday, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in January jumped $1.27 to $80.60 a barrel. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January advanced 93 cents to $76.78 per barrel. вЂњBrent ... rose to $80 a barrel on Friday on speculation that OPEC could agree to output cuts at its meeting next week, with strong G CURRENCIES EXCHANGE RATE COUNTRY COUNTRY/CURRENCIES SELL CASH SELL SELL DRAFT REMITTANCE US DOLLARS 2.6483 2.6455 BRITISH POUND 1.6692 1.6798 EURO 2.1066 2.1177 INDIAN RUPEE 160.7717 160.5136 PHILIPPINE PESO 116.5501 118.9061 BANGLADESH TAKA 194.8558 205.3810 PAKISTAN RUPEE 257.8509 268.3404 SRI LANKAN RUPEE 311.6187 347.0078 SWISS FRANC 2.5164 2.5355 CANADIAN DOLLAR 2.9070 2.9412 QATAR RIYAL 9.6348 9.6395 UAE DIRHAMS 9.7276 9.7276 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 2.9842 3.0111 CHINESE YUAN 15.7480 15.7480 EGYPTIAN POUND 18.5874 18.7970 HONG KONG DOLLAR 20.0723 20.2347 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 29,638.4114 31,505.9861 KUWAITI DINAR 0.7680 0.7680 JAPANESE YEN 297.6190 303.9514 JORDANIAN DINAR 1.8636 1.8692 LEBANESE POUND 3,816.3569 3,816.3569 MALAYSIAN RINGGIT 8.6806 8.7032 MOROCCAN DIRHAMS 20.8768 22.1729 NEPALESE RUPEE 247.5143 258.3352 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 3.3080 3.3190 OMANI RIYAL 1.0204 1.0173 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4014 3.4130 SAUDI RIYAL 9.9384 9.9354 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 27.4725 27.5482 SYRIAN POUND 420.1681 418.4100 THAI BAHT 85.3971 85.4701 TURKISH LIRA 5.6638 -YEMENI RIYAL 542.0348 542.0348 GULF INTERBANK RATES 1US$ 1UK Stg 1SFR Bahrain BAHRAIN 0.3770 0.5900 0.3921 0.3266 KUWAIT Kuwait 0.2855 32.9581 0.2970 0.2473 QATAR Qatar 0.3849 0.3700 0.4004 0.3334 3.6420 3.5014 3.7882 3.1549 OMAN Oman UAE 100 Yen UAE 3.6730 3.5312 3.8205 3.1817 Saudi 3.7500 3.6052 3.9006 3.2484 SAUDI US economic data also bolstering oil prices,вЂќ said ETX Capital analyst David Papier. Prices recovered slightly after three days of losses owing to вЂњchanging expectationsвЂќ Prices recovered slightly after three days of losses. on the outcome of an OPEC production meeting on November 27, added analysts at SingaporeвЂ™s United Overseas Bank (UOB).вЂќInvestors are now speculating that OPEC will be able to agree to a small cut or a stronger commitment to rein in ex- cess oil production and keep to its 30-million barrels per day quota,вЂќ UOB said in a commentary. Despite a drop of more than 25 percent in prices since June, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has been divided on whether to reduce output and prevent further falls. Cartel kingpin Saudi Arabia has so far resisted calls for a cut, in contrast to Ecuador and Venezuela. Venezuela is ready to cut its own oil production as a way to boost falling prices if OPEC agrees to curb output, Foreign Minister Rafael Ramirez said Thursday. Ramirez, who served as oil minister for 12 years until September and as longtime president of the state oil firm PDVSA, said the fair price for a barrel of oil is $100. He said his country would make the proposal for cuts when OPEC holds talks in Vienna next week. But Gulf members of OPEC, led by Riyadh, are poised to reject production cuts unless they are guaranteed market share in a highly competitive market, according to analysts. The kingdom, which is the worldвЂ™s top producer, earlier this month slashed prices on exports in order to maintain market share. Crude futures had risen on Thursday following strong economic reports from the United States -the worldвЂ™s biggest oil consumer -- which offset disappointing data from China and the eurozone. A regional manufacturing index from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia surged unexpectedly, while the Conference BoardвЂ™s Leading Economic Index also improved. (AFP) India targets reforms in Skymark Airlines new parliament session shares soar S Arun Jaitley New Delhi ndiaвЂ™s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley promised yesterday to make progress during the upcoming parliamentary session on a string of economic reforms, including a national tax to create a single internal market. The right-wing government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was elected in May with the biggest parliamentary mandate in three decades on a pledge to take tough action to revive IndiaвЂ™s stumbling economy. Jaitley has declared the government wants to pass the goods-and-services tax (GST) by next April, one of the reforms cited by economists as key to cutting the cost of doing business and boosting IndiaвЂ™s sluggish growth. Jaitley said he was вЂњalmost readyвЂќ with the GST proposal to end IndiaвЂ™s patchwork of state taxes and confident a constitutional amendment bill to change the tax law will be introduced I Tokyo hares in Skymark Airlines soared 25.6 percent yesterday on a report that the troubled Japanese carrier was in tie-up talks with Japan Airlines (JAL). The Tokyo-listed stock skyrocketed 50 yen to at 245 yen ($2) after the leading Nikkei business dailyвЂ™s online edition said the firm was negotiating code-sharing with JAL on some routes. The deal would broaden SkymarkвЂ™s sales channels, as it now mainly sell tickets through its website, the Nikkei said. A spokeswoman for Skymark, JapanвЂ™s number-three airline declined to comment on the report. The news came as Skymark negotiates with Airbus to reduce a breach-ofcontract penalty tied to the collapse of a $2.2 billion jet order. Airbus had previously called on Skymark to merge with a bigger airline after the cancelled order, in the next session starting Monday. The tax change is one of the most complicated reforms to achieve, requiring a constitutional amendment involving consent of a majority of IndiaвЂ™s states -- some of which object to ceding their right to levy taxes -- as well as approval by both houses. While the government holds a majority in the lower house, it is still in a minority in the upper house. But Jaitley said he did not expect legislators to hold back the GST once he wins state approval for the tax change. вЂњI am quite sure once the state governments across political parties agree, we should be able to push this (GST),вЂќ he said. Jaitley also said the government is aiming for passage of a long-pending insurance bill that involves hiking the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 49 percent from 26 percent.(AFP) a proposal the Japanese firmвЂ™s top executive flatly rejected. The Nikkei report said JAL was вЂњunlikelyвЂќ to inject capital into Skymark as part of any deal, but could benefit from the bigger airlineвЂ™s strong relationship with Airbus. However, the report added that the transport ministry was reluctant to allow the reported deal with JAL, whose 2010 collapse was one of JapanвЂ™s worstever corporate failures and required a massive state bailout. JALвЂ™s management remains under the ministryвЂ™s supervision until early 2017 as part of its restructuring, with the government reviewing any fresh investments or acquisitions by the airline, the Nikkei said. The government was, instead, pushing for rival All Nippon Airways (ANA) to help Skymark, either on its own or together with JAL, according to the report.(AFP) Saturday, November 22, 2014 BUSINESS 13 BRIDGING ASIA AND EUROPE Turkey to bridge the Dardanelles in new mega project Fulya Ozerkan Istanbul T urkey is planning to build a bridge across the famed Dardanelles strait to help ease traffic congestion in Istanbul, a minister said, revealing the latest in a string of mega projects under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The straits, which separate Europe and Asia, were last bridged by Xerxes the Great, the The Dardanelles lead into the Sea of Marmara which then goes into the Bosphorus in Istanbul. Persian вЂњking of kingsвЂќ in 480 BC on his way to defeat the Greeks at Thermopylae. вЂњWe are planning to construct a new bridge across the Dardanelles strait,вЂќ Transport Minister Lutfi Elvan said in an interview with Turkish television the other day. The Dardanelles lead into the Sea of Marmara which then goes into the Bosphorus in Istanbul itself. The waterway is one of the worldвЂ™s busiest shipping lanes, and is 1.2 kilometres (0.75 miles) wide at its narrowest point. So far the Dardanelles strait can only be crossed by ferry. вЂњWe will turn the entire Marmara region into a ring road, so this ring system will ease the Istanbul traffic to a great extent,вЂќ Elvan added. The Dardanelles, which played a key role in the great sea battles of ancient history, were also the site of one of the most famous battles of World War I when Ottoman troops resisted an invading Allied force. It was also where the founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal, the man who would later become known as Ataturk, made his name as a heroic military leader. TurkeyвЂ™s Islamic-rooted government is under fire for its ambitious construction projects for the mega city of 16 million people, which critics have condemned as wildly excessive and damaging to the environment. The projects include a massive new Istanbul airport, a third road bridge across the Bosphorus, and a canal parallel to the waterway to ease the permanent bottleneck of tankers and freighters waiting to pass through it. Elvan said the government was keen on the third airport project, which is expected to cost over 10 billion euros ($12.5 billion), but declined to provide an exact time for the start of construction. The gigantic new hub could be named after Erdogan, he said in August. Erdogan, who once served as mayor of his home city of Istanbul, has proudly dubbed the pharaonic Canal Istanbul a вЂњcrazy projectвЂќ, boasting it could not even be compared to the Panama or Suez canals. Feasibility studies are still continuing for the project -- which will be between 45 and 50 kilometres (28 to 31 miles) long -- aimed at reducing shipping traffic in the Bosphorus, which has been the scene of several accidents and oil spills, said the minister. Nor is the sky any longer the limit for the governmentвЂ™s ambitions, with Turkey also working to create a homegrown space industry overseen by its own space agency, Elvan said. вЂњWith the creation of a space agency, we will very rapidly activate the activities in this sphere,вЂќ he said. The president has said the projects are needed to create a fast-developing and prosperous вЂњnew TurkeyвЂќ that will be one of the worldвЂ™s top 10 economies by 2023. The building industry has boomed in recent years, but while Erdogan was prime minister his government was shaken by a now-stalled corruption probe into allegations of high-level bribery linked to some construction projects. Elvan vowed that the government would move ahead with mega projects, saying the government was planning a 17 billion Turkish lira ($7.6 billion/6 billion euros) investment in Istanbul. Among the new projects is a direct metro line from Kadikoy to the Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side of Istanbul, he added. Last year amid great fanfare the government opened the first ever undersea metro link beneath the Bosphorus connecting the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. This year it opened the first high-speed train link between Istanbul and the capital Ankara.(AFP) Turkey poised for growth 14 BUSINESS REGULATING TAXI BOOKING APPS Singapore ingapore yesterday announced new rules for mobile taxi booking apps, including US-based Uber, in the latest move by governments around the world to regulate the increasingly popular services. Taxi-booking and ridesharing apps like Uber, Hailo and Lyft have spread rapidly in recent years, drawing protests from cabbies in cities from S Apps operating in Singapore will need to agree to despatch only licensed taxis and drivers. London to San Francisco who say it has led to soaring competition from unlicensed drivers. SingaporeвЂ™s Land Transport Authority said the apps will have to apply for a three-yearly вЂњcertificate of registrationвЂќ starting from the second quarter of next year. вЂњThird-party Saturday, November 22, 2014 taxi booking services facilitate more efficient matching of taxis with commuters and have become increasingly popular,вЂќ the LTA said, adding the new rules are designed to вЂњsafeguard commuter safety and interestsвЂќ. Apps operating in Singapore will need to agree to despatch only licensed taxis and drivers, while information on fare rates and other fees payable for a ride must be disclosed to passengers.The apps will be barred from requiring passengers to disclose their destinations when they make bookings due to concerns some taxi drivers may try to avoid certain routes, the LTA said. Operators are also required to provide вЂњbasic customer supportвЂќ, including lost and found services and a platform for customers to file complaints. Passengers in Singapore can only use Uber to connect to registered taxis and limousines, unlike in some other cities around the world where the app is used to hire private cars and ride-share to cut fares. Other similar apps operating in Singapore include BritainвЂ™s Hailo, regional player Easy Taxi and Malaysia-based GrabTaxi. At present, these apps already comply with SingaporeвЂ™s new requirement for the taxis to be licensed. Michael Brown, UberвЂ™s Southeast Asia general manager based in Singapore, on Friday welcomed the new rules. вЂњWe appreciate that the LTA has acknowledged the benefits our technology brings, and like Uber, is putting the interest and safety of consumers and drivers first,вЂќ Brown said in a statement to AFP. Uber has been battling scandal in recent days, scrambling to allay fears that its employees have spied on passengers through a вЂњGod ViewвЂќ feature that shows where riders are lo- R cated at any given time. Emil Michael, UberвЂ™s executive vice president of business, also sparked anger by outlining a vision of spending $1 million on digging up dirt on journalists critical of the start-up. Michael apologised for the comments and stressed neither he nor Uber would ever actually resort to the kind of tactic he suggested.(AFP) Nicaragua to build $50 bn canal Managua icaragua said a Hong Kongbased company will start building a $50 billion waterway next month, despite opposition from farmers and environmentalists against the mega-project aimed at rivaling the Panama Canal. Hong Kong Nicaragua Development won the contract to build the waterway -- which will link the Caribbean and the Pacific. Presidential adviser Paul Oquist said initial groundwork will begin December 22. He said environmental impact reports paid for by HKND would be completed before the start of construction. The canal was designed to limit environmental and social effects, and construction will be staggered to minimise impact. Water levels, fishing activity and biodiversity in Lake Cocibolca вЂњwill not be affected,вЂќ said HKND deputy construction manager Pang Kwok Wai. But environmentalists are worried about the effects of ship traffic on the health of Lake Cocibolca, the largest freshwater body in Central America. Farmers have demonstrated against the canal, fearing it will strip them of valuable land. N tion figure of 525 million tonnes of oil for 2015 вЂњhad not been revised.вЂќ President Vladimir Putin said at the G20 Summit in Brisbane on Sunday that вЂњthe fall in oil prices does not affect RussiaвЂ™s budget.вЂќ вЂњI am sure that for the year as a whole, the prices (for oil) will be the same as we calculated in our budget,вЂќ Putin said. RussiaвЂ™s budget for next year, passed by the lower house BITES Yen recovers from multi-year lows Tokyo he yen clawed back some losses in Asia after a steep slide over the past week left it at multiyear lows against the dollar and euro, but analysts said another fall could be in store. In Tokyo, the greenback slipped to 117.85 yen, against 118.22 yen in New York, where it almost broke the 119 yen level for the first time since August 2007. The euro bought 147.23 yen compared with 148.25 yen, a six-year high, while it weakened to $1.2492 against $1.2540. Comments from Japanese finance minister Taro Aso appeared to briefly cap the yenвЂ™s losses after he told a regular news briefing that the pace of the decline in the past week has been вЂњtoo fastвЂќ. T Hong Kong shares end higher Russia considers cutting oil production Moscow ussia is considering cutting its oil production in a bid to revive prices, energy minister Alexander Novak said yesterday as the falling price of crude along with Western sanctions over Ukraine have led to the ruble plunging in value. вЂњIs Russia ready to lower production to support prices? This question needs to be looked into carefully since the budget is strongly dependent on the price of oil,вЂќ Novak was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. вЂњThere is no final decision,вЂќ Novak said. вЂњWe are discussing the question. We are working inside the government on the expediency of such methods.вЂќ He said all oil exporting nations are concerned about the slump in oil prices. вЂњThis calls for careful analysis and possibly the development of some coordinated actions,вЂќ Novak said. Russia gets around half of its revenues from oil profits and its non-diversified economy has been badly hit as global oil prices have fallen by more than 25 percent since June, coming at the same time as the West imposed economic sanctions over Ukraine. Novak said however that RussiaвЂ™s planned produc- BIZ of parliament on Friday, is based on an oil price of $96 per barrel. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that if oil suppliers вЂњsee supply or demand is being artificially distorted... of course they have the right to take measures that will correct these nonobjective factors.вЂќ вЂњWe take this as our basis, so do many of our partners,вЂќ Lavrov said, after being asked to comment on NovakвЂ™s statement. RussiaвЂ™s oil extraction has exceeded 10 million barrels per day since 2010, rivalling top producer Saudi Arabia. However it has been predicted that its surge of production will fall next year due to factors including the depletion of key oil fields in West Siberia. Western sanctions against Russia are now making it harder to gain financing and buy technology for exploration. (AFP) Hong Kong ong Kong stocks ended 0.37 percent higher yesterday, snapping a fourday losing streak, following a record close on Wall Street, although a muchvaunted trading link-up with ShanghaiвЂ™s exchange suffered a disappointing first week. The Hang Seng Index added 87.48 points to 23,437.12 on turnover of HK$71.09 billion ($9.17 billion). It was down 2.7 pc for the week. US shares provided another recordbreaking lead Thursday on the back of more positive economic indicators. A regional manufacturing index from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia surged unexpectedly. H WorldвЂ™s ultra-rich getting much richer Washington bare 0.004 percent of the worldвЂ™s adult population controls nearly $30 trillion in assets, 13 percent of the worldвЂ™s total wealth, according to a new study released the other day. And perhaps unsurprisingly, the study by the Swiss bank UBS and luxury industry consultant Wealth-X said the concentration of money in the hands of the ultrarich is growing. The report said 211,275 people qualify as вЂњultra-high net worthвЂќ (UHNW) -- those with assets above $30 million. Of them, 2,325 have more than $1 billion. Their numbers grew 6 percent over the past year, but their wealth grew 7 percent, as asset markets like stocks and property soared in many places around the world. A BUSINESS INVESTORS CAUTIOUS OVER DOWNTURN Saturday, November 22, 2014 Tokyo okyo investors are likely to be cautious next week about a possible market downturn, analysts said yesterday, while political developments in Japan will be a focus ahead of an election next month. вЂњThe market continues to show all the signs of being technically overbought and potentially ready for a pullback,вЂќ said Masayuki Doshida, senior market analyst at Rakuten Securities. T Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament yesterday. Yesterday the Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange reversed early losses to end 0.33 percent, or 56.65 points, higher at 17,357.51. The Nikkei lost 0.76 percent over the week. The Topix index of all firstsection shares edged up 0.18 percent, or 2.54 points, to 1,400.18. It eased 0.02 percent over the week. The Nikkei hit a seven-year high last week after the Bank of Japan expanded its monetary easing programme on October 31, sending the yen into a freefall. A weak yen is generally positive for Japanese exporters, but the unit won back some ground yesterday. вЂњThe dollar had been bid so high so quickly that a sudden, deep selloff would be totally logical,вЂќ said Daisuke Uno, strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. вЂњStill, the longer-term direction of the dollar remains higher, perhaps to the 120-125 yen range. Investors see the current recession, the delay in next yearвЂ™s sales tax, and particularly the Bank of JapanвЂ™s stalwart stance for aggressive monetary easing as simply too powerful to bet heavily against.вЂќ On forex markets, the dollar bought 117.87 yen, down from 118.22 yen in New York, where it nearly broke 119 yen for the first time since August 2007. Japanese finance minister Taro Aso said Friday that the yenвЂ™s steep slide over the past week had been вЂњtoo fastвЂќ. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house of parliament yesterday as he prepares for an election he called for next month after JapanвЂ™s economy sank into recession in July-September and he decided to delay a sales tax hike. вЂњPlayers are seeing the latest political development as a positive factor,вЂќ said Toshikazu Horiuchi, a broker at IwaiCosmo Securities. вЂњ(They) expect Abe will win and push for his policies against deflation, which is good for Japanese stocks. But if he fails to win considerable support from voters, it will be a different story.вЂќ In share trading, Toyota fell 0.12 percent to 7,089.0 yen, Canon rose 0.96 percent to 3,711.5 yen and air bag maker Takata jumped 9.15 percent to 1,252.0 yen. On Thursday, a senior Takata executive defended the auto parts firm before a US Senate panel investigating faulty airbags tied to several deaths and hundreds of injuries. Hi- roshi Shimizu, TakataвЂ™s senior vice president for global quality assurance, said his company took responsibility for three US deaths related to what he labelled вЂњanomaliesвЂќ in its airbags. But he did not expand that acceptance of responsibility to a broader series of airbags installed for at least a decade in millions of cars from 10 major manufacturers.(AFP) Blue diamond sells for record $32.6m New York magnificent blue diamond has fetched $32.6 million in New York, breaking the world auction record for any diamond of its colour, auction house SothebyвЂ™s announced. The stunning 9.75 carat, pearshaped diamond was bought A by a Hong Kong private collector after 20 minutes of competitive bidding on Thursday evening, SothebyвЂ™s said. The price also set a new world auction record for price-per-carat for any diamond, the auctioneers said. The jewel had been owned by Rachel Lambert otherwise known as Bunny Mellon, the art collector wife of the late philanthropist and racehorse breeder Paul Mellon. She died in March aged 103. вЂњMrs. MellonвЂ™s diamond absolutely deserves the place in the record books that it achieved,вЂќ said Gary Schuler, head of SothebyвЂ™s jewelry department in New York. It was the highlight of a collection of MellonвЂ™s jewels and objects of vertu that SothebyвЂ™s sold for more than $42 million in New York on Thursday, well above the pre-sale estimate of $19.2 million.(AFP) T extensive cost and distraction of defending drawn-out litigation in several courts,вЂќ the company said in a statement. AereoвЂ™s case became a highprofile test of technology that could have dealt a major blow to cable and satellite television by delivering over-theair programs via the Internet through individual antennas, for a fee. The Supreme Court in June ruled 6-3 that Aereo violated US copyright laws, opening it up to massive liability from the major broadcast networks. AereoвЂ™s chief executive Chet Kanojia said the court ruling вЂњeffectively changed the laws that had governed AereoвЂ™s technology, creating regulatory and legal uncertainty,вЂќ and added that following the decision, вЂњthe challenges have proven too difficult to The Zoe Diamond, property from the collection of Mrs. Paul Mellon. overcome.вЂќ Aereo, backed by media mogul Barry Diller, launched in early 2012 in the New York area and was immediately sued by the major over-the-air television broadcast networks -- ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox -- for copyright infringement. Even though consumers may watch broadcast television for free with their own antennas, a cable or satellite firm which retransmits to a larger group must pay fees to broadcasters. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in the Supreme CourtвЂ™s majority opinion that Aereo effectively operates like a cable company and must therefore pay for broadcast rights. A decision for Aereo could have disrupted the business model for broadcasters and their partners in cable and satellite.(AFP) its services in the country.вЂќ In France, being placed under formal investigation is the nearest equivalent to being charged, and occurs when an examining magistrate decides there is a case to be answered. The bank said it had been asked to deposit a bail bond of 50 million euros ($62 million), and would вЂњcontinue to cooperate with the French authorities to the fullest extent possibleвЂќ. HSBC says target of French tax fraud probe Paris H SBC Private Bank, the Swiss subsidiary of British banking group HSBC, said yesterday that it had been placed under formal investigation as part of a French tax fraud probe. The bank said magistrates were вЂњexamining whether the bank acted appropriately between 2006-07 in relation to certain clients of the bank who had French tax reporting requirements, as well as in relation to the way the bank offered BITES European space plane set for February launch Paris uropeвЂ™s first-ever вЂњspace planeвЂќ will be launched on February 11 next year, rocket firm Arianespace said yesterday that after a three-month delay to finetune the mission flight plan. The unmanned, car-sized vessel will be sent into low orbit by EuropeвЂ™s Vega light rocket, on a 100-minute fact-finding flight to inform plans to build a shuttlelike, reusable space vehicle. Dubbed IXV, for Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, the plane will be boosted from EuropeвЂ™s space pad in Kourou, French Guiana, and separate from its launcher at an altitude of 320 kilometres (200 miles). According to the European Space Agency website, вЂњit will attain an altitude of around 450 km, allowing it to reach a speed of 7.5 km/s (4.7 miles/s) when reentering the atmosphere at an altitude of 120 km -- fully representative of any return mission from low orbit.вЂќ The vessel is expected to collect data on its hypersonic and supersonic flight phases, before plunging into the Pacific Ocean with a parachute. The initial launch had been scheduled for November 18, but Arianespace in October announced a postponement вЂњto carry out additional flight trajectory analysesвЂќ. E Juncker to unveil giant investment plan TV startup Aereo in bankruptcy after US court defeat Washington elevision startup Aereo, which lost a US Supreme Court test of its system to bypass cable with tiny, personalised antennas, announced yesterday it was filing for bankruptcy protection. The filing in New York federal court вЂњwill permit Aereo to maximize the value of its business and assets without the BIZ 15 Brussels uropean Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker will next Wednesday unveil his long awaited 300-billion-euro investment plan to boost jobs and growth in the EUвЂ™s flagging economy, officials said. Juncker will present details of the ambitious plan to a session of the European Parliament, which is sitting in Strasbourg, France, at 9am, the official parliamentary schedule said. ParliamentвЂ™s political groups will be able to respond afterwards. The plan is the centrepiece of a wide-ranging reform agenda by the former Luxembourg premier, who took charge of the Commission, the 28-nation European UnionвЂ™s executive branch, on November 1. But it has been overshadowed by a row over revelations about huge tax breaks for international firms that Luxembourg handed out during JunckerвЂ™s 19 years as premier. E 16 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Fakhro visited the Seef Mall yesterday. On the occasion, the minister expressed GovernmentвЂ™s keenness in providing all facilities and praised the initiatives of the private, commercial and industrial sector in revitalising the economy of the country. Minister of State for Electricity and Water Affairs Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza, receives Eyad Ali Sabt on the occasion of him receiving a MasterвЂ™s Degree in Accounting from AMA University. Mr. Eyad Ali is a specialist accountant in the Directorate of Financial Affairs and the minister praised the efforts of Mr. Eyad Ali in improving his professional development. Ministry of Industry and Commerce, represented by the Small and Hand Crafts Directorate and the International Financial Corporation, organised a training workshop on вЂ�Electronic Portal for Tools Assisting Small and Medium EnterprisesвЂ™. During the workshop, employees from the ministry, Tamkeen, Bahrain Development Bank and the BCCI, were given training on the use of the electronic system. Sheraton Bahrain Hotel organised a Family Fun Day for children with cancer. The event was organised in association with Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS). Saturday, November 22, 2014 British Ambassador to Bahrain Iain Lindsay opened the International Family Fair at the British School of Bahrain (BSB) yesterday. The one-day event started at 10am and lasted till 3pm. 17 18 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Ce leb s Gere and Lowell Los Angeles ollywood star Ryan Gosling has obtained a restraining order against a woman who allegedly has been stalking him for the past three months. The 34-year-old actor alleged in court documents that Grace Marie Del Villar has been sending harassing emails and packages, reported TMZ. Del Villar has claimed to be GoslingвЂ™s вЂ�twin flameвЂ™ and sent him a torn magazine page featuring his 40-yearold partner Eva Mendes with contact information stapled to the page, according to court documents. The actor also claimed that Del Villar has been bombarding his older sister Mandi with email messages, including one that read: вЂ�I am kicking your brotherвЂ™s head.вЂ™ H Lowell wants fare share in GereвЂ™s fortune Los Angeles ichard GereвЂ™s estranged wife, Carey Lowell is said to want more than $100 million of the actorвЂ™s $250 million fortune in their divorce settlement. вЂњThey are not getting along and they are very far apart on how much money she will get in their divorce,вЂќ nypost.com quoted a source as saying. вЂњShe can claim she gave up her career for him and for their son Homer, and that she deserves half of all his earnings since they got married in 2002,вЂќ the source added. Gere reportedly earned $82 million in 2013. LowellвЂ™s lawyer Robert Cohen said it was too early to discuss finances. R Acting passe, Jolie to go behind camera Sydney ollywood A-lister Angelina Jolie says she plans to give up acting after a вЂњfew moreвЂќ films and switch her focus to directing. Jolie walked the red carpet in Sydney with husband Brad Pitt this week at the premiere of her new movie, World War II epic вЂњUnbrokenвЂќ, which was filmed in Australia. It was her second foray behind the camera after the critically-acclaimed 2011 вЂњIn the Land of Blood and HoneyвЂќ and she said directing was now her passion and where she saw the future. вЂњIвЂ™ll do a few more, but IвЂ™ll be happy to let that all go at some point,вЂќ she told the Sydney Morning Herald of acting, in comments published online on Thursday. вЂњI love directing and IвЂ™m much happier directing,вЂќ added Jolie. вЂњI like following a project all the way through. I like spending two years on something and learning about it. I like being pushed mentally to have to learn so much and be a part of every single aspect of a production.вЂќ She separately told The Australian newspaper that вЂњunless IвЂ™m sure thereвЂ™s a role or something I should do or (that) really means something to me, IвЂ™d rather be spending my time telling stories from behind the camera.вЂќ H Miley Jolie Los Angeles eality TV star Kourtney Kardashian, who is set to welcome her third baby in December, says she wonвЂ™t get a nurse to help her after the birth of her baby. The 34-year-old will not be turning to a nanny to help with the new arrival. Instead, Kourtney plans on taking a few months off from work and concentrate on her baby. вЂњI love doing everything myself at the beginning. IвЂ™m not getting a baby nurse. I take two months off and no one is allowed to bother me or talk to me about anything work-related, R Los Angeles inger Miley Cyrus is throwing a 6,000 pound Christmas party for homeless people. The 21-year-old is determined to show her вЂ�вЂ™caring and sensitiveвЂ™вЂ™ side by employing a chef to cook a three-course dinner for her guests and enlisting waiters and waitresses to wine and dine them reports dailystar.co.uk. вЂњMost people only see the Miley who puts on a show. But sheвЂ™s really caring and sensitive and wants to make a difference to the lives of homeless people,вЂќ said a source. вЂњSheвЂ™s putting a lot of effort into this party, there will be waitresses to serve them. The whole thing will cost her around 6,000 pounds but she feels that itвЂ™s the least she can do,вЂќ the source added. The hitmaker is also set to put on some entertaining games for her guests and she is said to b e planning to perform at the festive bash. вЂњThere will be fun and games after the food too, and Miley is bound to put on a little show for them to get the party started,вЂќ said the source. S or maybe three months this time,вЂќ said Kourtney. Kourtney, whose deliveries were filmed for the familyвЂ™s reality show on hand-held cameras, is hoping for a quick recovery from childbirth like her past pregnancies. вЂњBoth were really easy. I actually pulled both babies out of me. I was out of the hospital so fast both times because I just wanted to get home. I stayed in my pajamas for 30 days and kept the house really quiet,вЂќ she said. вЂњItвЂ™s the only time I feel I have that excuse to shut everyone out and shut everything off. Kourtney Saturday, November 22, 2014 Affleck 19 Nadine Los Angeles rish singer Nadine Coyle says she is psychic. The singer says that she has had visions and also has the gift to peer into the future and to see what will happen in her life and the lives of her friends and family. вЂњI am psychic. I had a vision when I was nine about being in a dressing room and getting angry at a person banging on the door. Some years later, on a tour, it happened,вЂќ dailymirror. co.uk quoted her as saying. I Los Angeles Actor Ben Affleck praised wife Jennifer Garner for her dedication to philanthrophy at Save the Children Illumination gala. The annual event helps support Save the ChildrenвЂ™s objectives to work to eliminate preventable childhood deaths worldwide and ensure every US child has access to high-quality early childhood education. This year, it was hosted by Jennifer Garner, who was honoured at last yearвЂ™s gala. The actress also brought her daughter, Violet to the event, on Thursday. This year, her husband, Affleck, was honoured along with others whoвЂ™ve done exemplary work to help children around the world, reports hollywoodreporter. com. вЂњLook, I know a lot of celebrities. IвЂ™ve seen a lot of celebrities do good work, philanthropic work, show up, take a picture, raise a little money, go to a hospital, shake a kidвЂ™s hand, get a picture taken, you know, do their part, be it a minimal one. The 29-year-old, who released her debut solo album, вЂњInsatiableвЂќ, in 2010 , talked about another example of a situation when she used her sixth sense to warn a pal about subsequent events. Los Angeles ctress Anna Faris and husband Chris Pratt say that they were devasted when informed about the premature birth of their son. However, their faith in God was restored when they saw the child. The couple welcomed their first son Jack into the world in August 2012, nine weeks before the actual day. They were warned that challenging times are ahead because he was so early, reports femalefirst.co.uk. вЂњHe was born at three pounds. And we were told, вЂ�Okay, you need to be prepared for raising a specialneeds childвЂ™,вЂќ Faris said. вЂњIt also felt like, you know, вЂ�We can do thisвЂ™,вЂќ she added. Now the couple are happy to know their little boy has no development problems aside from wearing glasses, and Pratt says his faith was вЂњrestoredвЂќ in God following the experiences. вЂњIt restored my faith in A Keira feared being fired from вЂ�PiratesвЂ™ Los Angeles K eira Knightley said she learned to work hard and keep her head down after bad press over her weight and acting in her early career. вЂњBeing a teenager thatвЂ™s come out of sort of big blockbuster films, there was a lot of criticism,вЂќ she said at a BAFTA event at the Standard, High Line. вЂњPeople saying, вЂ�SheвЂ™s s - - t, she canвЂ™t act, she canвЂ™t do it. WhatвЂ™s the point? SheвЂ™s pouty, sheвЂ™s thin.вЂ™ Being a teenager, you do read it all . . . you go, вЂ�Oh, my God, IвЂ™m that awful.вЂ™вЂќ Keira Garner God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it. The baby was so beautiful to us, and I look back at the photos of him and it must have been jarring for other people to come in and see him, but to us he was so beautiful and perfect,вЂќ the actor said. Kim and North Los Angeles eality TV star Kim Kardashian says she will support her daughter North West in whatever she wants do in her life. Kim, who is married to rapper Kanye West, would have no problem if her daughter decided to follow in her momвЂ™s modeling footsteps, reports eonline.com. вЂњI would support anything she wants to do. I donвЂ™t do anything with the intention to promote anyone else doing it, thatвЂ™s not even what IвЂ™m trying to do. вЂњI do it because IвЂ™m proud of it. And it empowered me to feel good about myself after I had gained 500 pounds and looked like a huge slob for so long,вЂќ said Kim. R Pratt and Faris 20 RipleyвЂ™s Saturday, November 22 , 2014 by John Graziano DT e l i m S A TRAVEL BY RAIL wife was very fond of travelling by air, even against the wishes of her husband. One day, she read a news in the newspaper, regarding a rail accident in which several people died and the Govt announced an immediate payment of $ 1 million to the next of kin in each case of death. She showed this news item to her husband , who said, вЂњ Look, this is the reason why I have all along been telling you to travel by rail !вЂќ YOUR STARS TODAY ARIES: 20th March 20th April If the conversation turns to raging and ranting, itвЂ™s in your best interests to stop it right away. DonвЂ™t be afraid to step up and take a leadership role. LEO: 20th July - 20th Aug Your mood should be quite good today, Leo, although there may be some strong forces at work trying to subvert this positive attitude. Try not to let other peopleвЂ™s disagreements bring you down. Take the high ground and you will certainly prevail. TAURUS : 20th April - 20th May You might feel like youвЂ™re getting worked up from all angles today, Taurus. Find comfort in knowing that things will definitely improve by tomorrow. You might get the feeling that somehow youвЂ™re all alone despite the circle of friends that surrounds and loves you. VIRGO : 20th Aug - 20th Sept There will be no shortage of energy to work with or opinions coming from you. Realize that your words have a greater potency about them as people become more intent on uncovering the truth. SAGITTARIUS : 20th Nov - 20th Dec Take an active role to get involved. Say your peace, but donвЂ™t get so attached to the results that you get upset and discouraged if things donвЂ™t exactly work out according to plan. Independence is an important virtue to hold onto today. GEMINI : 20th May - 20th June Try to rise above the potential tension and rough spots of the day, Gemini. Do yourself a favor and donвЂ™t feel like you have to stoop to anotherвЂ™s level. Take pride in your actions and do things with confidence. LIBRA : 20th Sep - 20th Oct Hold onto your hat, Libra, and make sure you have your actions well aligned with your soul or else you could be thrown into a battle that has nothing to do with you. CAPRICORN: 20th Dec - 20th Jan Make sure your opinion doesnвЂ™t get lost in the frenzy of the day, Capricorn. Your words may not quite fit with the things that people want to hear. Try not to take this personally. CANCER: 20th June - 20th July You might want to escape the frenzy of the day by going shopping, Cancer. Align yourself with partners and allies who share your views. Try to keep the disagreements to a minimum. SCORPIO : 20th Oct - 20th Nov These consequences might rear their ugly heads on a day like this. Use your incredible perception and intuition to hone in on the best solution possible and work toward that goal before things get out of hand. AQUARIUS: 20th Jan - 20th Feb You have two choices today. Either jump into the thick of the mess with both feet or stay out of it altogether. There are definitely two distinct camps setting up their arsenals for battle. PISCES : 20th Feb - 20th Mar You may end up being the peaceful savior that calms everyone down today, Pisces. Use your artistic nature and love of beauty and harmony to inspire others to put away their differences and concentrate on the positive aspects. 21 Saturday, November 22, 2014 CROSSWORD Across 1- Card game also called sevens; 7- DDEвЂ™s predecessor; 10- P.M. times; 14- English Channel swimmer Gertrude; 15- Eureka!; 16- Internet writing system that popularized вЂњpwn3dвЂќ and вЂњn00bвЂќ; 17- No kidding!; 18- Bandleader Brown; 19- ___ boy!; 20- Capital of Utah; 23- Unordered; 26- That girl; 27- King with a golden touch; 28- To ___ (perfectly); 29- Lubricate; 30Ocean; 31- Cheese; 33- Not вЂ�neath; 34- RockerвЂ™s show; 37- One circuit; 38- Surgery sites, briefly; 39- Fall back; 40- Memorable time; 41- Naval rank, briefly; 42- Got together; 43- Endless; 45- Pot top; 46- Small batteries; 47- ___ kleine Nachtmusik; 48- Series of metal rings; 51- Court fig.; 52- ___ the hole; 53Cornucopia; 56- вЂњ___ quam videriвЂќ (North CarolinaвЂ™s motto); 57- Country bordered by Canada and Mexico; 58- Secret stuff; 62- Agitate; 63- Hi-___; 64- Satan; 65- Soviet news service; 66Fast flier; 67- Boil; YesterdayвЂ™s solution Down 1- Gave grub; 2- Foofaraw; 3- Can be used to catch fish or surf!; 4- Braided; 5- Put to rest; 6- 1994 Jodie Foster film; 7- Hebrew liturgical prayer; 8- Clip wool; 9- Assignment; 10- Actress Silverstone; 11- Stinking; 12- Seed covering; 13Remains; 21- Need for liquid; 22- Come out; 23- Twinned crystal; 24- Patriot Allen; 25- Oozes; 29- Paddled; 30Chairs; 32- Gaming tile; 33- Soap ingredient; 34- Bottled spirit; 35- Teheran native; 36- Ancient physician; 44- Adapt for new use; 45- Passenger ships; 46- Finally; 48- Thorax; 49Plantain lily; 50- Upbeat, in music; 51- Church areas; 52- Up ___ (trapped); 54- Animal pelts; 55- Apprehends; 59- Small island; 60- Slangy denial; 61- Malt beverage; BEETLE BAILEY IN HISTORY S U D O KU R LAUGH @ LIFE Just for the camera S Hoy en la Historia November 22, 2005 Angela Merkel formally became GermanyвЂ™s first female Chancellor. She is now the longest-serving incumbent head of government in the European Union 1975: King Juan Carlos was sworn in as SpainвЂ™s first monarch for 44 years 1989: LebanonвЂ™s newly elected president, Rene Muawad, was assassinated in west Beirut as his motorcade passed through the city 2001: Pope John Paul II sent the first official papal e-mail from a laptop in his office in the Vatican 2010: A stampede during the Khmer Water Festival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, killed over 450 people Picture: Associated Press В© GRAPHIC NEWS ticking out his tongue and licking his lips these are the hilarious portraits showing a dog enjoying a treat of peanut butter. The images of eight-year-old Doberman Arnaque, which appeared in Daily Mail, were snapped by his owner Catherin Arsenault and show him lapping up the attention in front of the camera. The pet photographer from Quebec in Canada has been taking pictures of Arnaque since he was just a 10-week-old puppy. And now she is determined to show off her petвЂ™s wild side to the rest of the world. Ms Arsenault said: вЂ�I received a new backdrop that I wanted to test in my studio and IвЂ™ve been doing tests with my dog since he was 10-weeks-old. вЂ�When he sees my camera he knows he will have a lots of treats and he starts to salivate. вЂ�To get those licking pictures I gave him peanut butter and just shot plenty of images. вЂ�It was a surprise each time I looked at the picture on my camera - I couldnвЂ™t stop laughing. вЂ�When people look at those pictures they are surprised at first - they arenвЂ™t pictures you see every day.В How to play: Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. YesterdayвЂ™s solution She added: вЂ�I have a lots of ideas and trying new things gives me more ideas for new shoots. вЂ�A year before I graduated I got my first dog and I bought a better camera and started practising with him - I havenвЂ™t stopped since. вЂ�Eight years on and he still loves to play the model and patiently wait for his treats.В вЂ�ItвЂ™s been a great experience and IвЂ™m hoping to carry on for many years to come.вЂ™ 22 WORLD Saturday, November 22, 2014 Immigration plan riles Republicans Sri Lanka minister defects to challenge president in polls MINISTER DEFECTS Amal Jayasinghe Colombo A senior minister quit Sri LankaвЂ™s ruling party yesterday to stand as the main oppositionвЂ™s candidate in January elections, accusing President Mahinda Rajapakse of leading a corrupt вЂњdictatorshipвЂќ. As organisers confirmed the election would be held on January 8, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said he was confident of toppling his boss in an announcement that resulted in his dismissal from his other post as general secretary of the presidentвЂ™s Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The defection by Sirisena to the main opposition United National Party (UNP) appears to have taken Rajapakse by surprise and represents a major challenge to the authority of the regionвЂ™s longest-serving ruler. вЂњI thank the UNP for choosing me as the common opposition candidate,вЂќ Sirisena told reporters in Colombo. вЂњWe will definitely win.вЂќ Sirisena was joined in his defection announcement by former president Chandrika Kumaratunga Sirisena was joined in his defection announcement by former president Chandrika Kumaratunga. Sri LankaвЂ™s former health minister Maithripala Sirisena (right) addresses journalists while former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga gestures during a Press conference. who declared she fully supported his move. Three other ministers, including the fisheries minister, and a backbencher appeared alongside Sirisena to declare they were also defecting. Rajapakse said on Thursday that he will seek an unprecedented third term as president -- a move only made possible after he pushed through changes to the constitution. While Rajapakse remains generally popular with majority Sinhalese voters after overseeing the end of a 37-year war against Tamil separatists in 2009, critics say he has become increasingly authoritarian. вЂњHe projects himself as virtuous, but he leads a dictatorial regime,вЂќ said 63-year-old Sirisena, who also accused the president of nepotism and corruption. вЂњThe entire economy and every aspect of society is controlled by one family.вЂќ The presidentвЂ™s brothers include the speaker of parliament Chamal Rajapakse, the economic development minister Basil Rajapakse and the powerful defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. His eldest son, Namal, is a lawmaker and heads the SLFPвЂ™s youth wing. вЂњCorruption is rampant, there is no rule of law,вЂќ added Sirisena, who promised to reverse the constitutional People wave Second Spanish Republic and Catalonia independence flags during an anti-monarchy demonstration in central Valencia(file photo). S Jakarta 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesian islands yesterday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS), but no tsunami alert was issued. The undersea quake, at a depth of 38 kilometres (24 miles), struck the Molucca Sea between Sulawesi and the Maluku chain of islands. вЂњThe quake was felt strongly for five seconds, causing people to run from their homes,вЂќ the National Disaster Management Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. The quake was initially measured at 6.9-magnitude and 48 kilometres in depth but was later revised by the USGS A amendments brought in under Rajapakse that have increased the powers of the president. вЂњI urge you to support me to scrap the executive presidency. I will scrap this executive within 100 days.вЂќ His endorsement by the former president Kumaratunga, who is the daughter of two former prime ministers, is seen as a major boost to SirisenaвЂ™s electoral fortunes. вЂњAfter nine years I am ending my silence. I have decided to re-enter active politics to help bring down a corrupt regime,вЂќ said Kumaratunga, who has kept a low profile since handing over the leadership of the SLFP to Rajapakse in 2005. (AFP) Legal action against Catalan president Barcelona panish prosecutors launched a legal case yesterday against Catalan president Artur Mas for going ahead with a symbolic independence referendum in defiance of a court injunction. Mas, along with his deputy Joana Ortega and the Catalan governmentвЂ™s education minister, Irene Rigau, will be prosecuted 6.5-magnitude quake hits eastern Indonesia for civil disobedience, abuse of power, usurpation of duties and embezzlement of public funds, the public prosecutorвЂ™s office said in a statement. Prosecutors said on Wednesday that they would take legal action against the three but did not specify for what crimes. If Mas is found guilty of civil disobedience or abuse of power it could eventually mean that he would be banned from standing for public office for several years. A sentence for embezzlement of public funds could lead to a jail term of between three and six years. Mas has said it is вЂњvery disappointingвЂќ that prosecutors will take legal action against him over the referendum which was run by grassroots pro-independence organisations. вЂњIt is sad to see that when the Catalan people want to express their opinion... the reaction of the state comes from the courts and prosecutors,вЂќ he said during a news conference on Thursday. The Catalan government says 2.3 million people took part in the vote on November 9 which Mas held after a legal block from the central government on his plans to hold an official, nonbinding referendum on the issue that day. Roughly 80 percent of those who took part in the vote, or 1.86 million, favoured independence. A total of 5.4 million voters aged over 16 were authorised to cast ballots. Mas hailed the ballot as a вЂњtotal successвЂќ, but Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy dismissed it as a вЂњdeep failureвЂќ since вЂњtwo out of three Catalans paid no attentionвЂќ.(AFP) to 6.5 in strength and 10 kilometres shallower than earlier reported.В In West Halmahera, an area close to the epicentre, panicked people took refuge to higher grounds for fear a tsunami might hit, a local disaster management official told. A 7.3-magnitude quake struck in the same area last weekend, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami alert, although it only generated small waves. Officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from yesterdayвЂ™s quake. Indonesia sits on the Pacific вЂњRing of FireвЂќ where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Togo police fire teargas at opposition Lome olice in TogoвЂ™s capital Lome yesterday fired teargas at protesters defying a government ban on marching to the countryвЂ™s parliament, an AFP reporter said. The police resorted to the gas to push back thousands of demonstrators, most of them from the main opposition, as they approached to within 400 metres (yards) of the National Assembly. The government of President Faure Gnassingbe had previously ordered the marchers away from the parliament building and told all schools in the capital to close in case of civil unrest. вЂњWe have come out to put pressure on the P government and the powers that be to ensure that political reform is implemented,вЂќ said Jean-Pierre Fabre, the head of the National Alliance for Change. вЂњWe are going to keep up the pressure to have all these reforms before the presidential elections in 2015,вЂќ Fabre, who was this month chosen to stand at the vote, told AFP. A meeting between Fabre and Gnassingbe has been scheduled for today. The stand-off led to tensions with the protesters, some of whom brandished banners proclaiming вЂњTwo terms is enough!вЂќ, вЂњ50 years in power. ThatвЂ™s enough!вЂќ and вЂњWe want institutional and constitutional reformsвЂќ. Niger to elect new parliament speaker Niamey iger will elect a new parliament speaker on Monday to replace the incumbent who fled to France after being named in a baby trafficking scandal. A parliamentary source said the decision was taken at a meeting yesterday, a day after the west African countryвЂ™s top court declared the post vacant. The constitutional court on Thursday also asked lawmakers to elect a new head within 15 days, in line with the constitution. The parliament began its budget session on October 4. The former speaker, Hama Amadou, who had N been seen as a leading challenger to President Mahamadou Issoufou in 2016 elections, left Niger on August 27 after lawmakers approved his questioning in the scandal. He went to Burkina Faso and then to Belgium and is currently in France. Niger issued an arrest warrant for Amadou at the end of September. Seventeen people, 12 of them women -- including one of AmadouвЂ™s wives -were arrested in late June for their suspected involvement in a baby-trafficking ring between Nigeria, Benin and Niger. Amadou says the charges are politically motivated. WORLD Putin supporters march in Kremlin IMMIGRATION PLAN RILES REPUBLICANS Washington arack ObamaвЂ™s Republican rivals yesterday heaped scorn on his plans to offer up to five million undocumented migrants protection from deportation, as the US president went on the road to defend the bold measures.The controversial overhaul provides three-year relief for millions of undocumented people who have lived in the country for more than five years and have children that are US citizens or legal residents. According to the president, it also channels more resources to the US border with Mexico and shifts deportation priorities toward expelling felons. But critics blasted the action as вЂњillegalвЂќ and вЂњunconstitutionalвЂќ as soon as Obama unveiled Thursday night, bringing tensions with Republicans to a boil. Already emboldened by their sweeping midterm election victory, Republicans vowed to thwart ObamaвЂ™s plans. вЂњWith this action the president has chosen to deliberately sabotage any chance of enacting bipartisan reforms he claims to seek,вЂќ House Speaker John Boehner declared yesterday. вЂњWe are working with our members and looking at the options that are available to us,вЂќ he told reporters. вЂњBut I will say to you: the House will in fact act.вЂќ In a prime-time address, Obama said nearly a dozen commanders-in-chief before him have acted unilaterally over the past half century on some facet of B Speaker of the House John Boehner talks with reporters in his office in the U.S. Capitol. immigration reform. вЂњThere are actions I have the legal authority to take as president -- the same kinds of actions taken by Democratic and Republican presidents before me -- that will help make our immigration system more fair and more just,вЂќ Obama said in his speech. Republicans were not buying it. вЂњThe constitution does not grant the president the power to act as a one-man legislature by appealing to вЂ�tradition,вЂ™вЂќ Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus fumed on Twitter. The RNC also urged opponents of the reform to contribute money to the party to help fight the said. Obama was travelling order. Obama was quick to stress Friday to Las Vegas, Nevada to that the sweeping order вЂњdoes further explain his immigranot grant citizenship, or the tion orders. The state is home right to stay here permanently, to many undocumented Laor offer the same benefits that tinos. вЂњThe president is going to undertake a citizens receive. very aggressive вЂњOnly Congress RNC also urged sales job on the can do that,вЂќ he added. вЂњAll opponents of the actions he anweвЂ™re saying is reform to contrib- nounced last вЂќ White weвЂ™re not going ute money to the night, House senior to deport you.вЂќ party to help fight advisor DanPeople living iel Pfeiffer said and working the order. at a reportersвЂ™ illegally in the breakfast, addcountry and who meet the criteria can apply ing that Obama saw immigrafor deferred deportation from tion as an вЂњincredibly impornext spring, the White House tantвЂќ priority.(AFP) HK democracy activists protest outside British consulate Pro-democracy protesters(file photo) Hong Kong ozens of protesters gathered outside Hong KongвЂ™s British consulate yesterday, accusing the former colonial power of failing to pressure China to grant free elections in the city and protect freedoms guaranteed in a joint treaty. The demonstration comes after the last UK governor of the territo- D ry Chris Patten urged Britain to emulate the United States in offering more strident support to democracy protests that erupted nearly two months ago. Up to 100 people assembled outside the embassy, some waving the yellow umbrellas that have become the symbol of pro-democracy occupations that have paralysed parts of the city. вЂњThe UK is obligated to solve the problem... Britain bears half of the responsibility as it signed the joint declaration,вЂќ 21-year-old student organiser Daniel Ma told reporters. Britain and China are signatories of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, an agreement that enshrines rights and freedoms unavailable on the mainland. It also asserts that вЂњthe current social and economic systems in Hong Kong will remain unchangedвЂќ for the 50 years following the 1997 handover. Pro-democracy groups say Beijing has breached the agreement and its legal embodiment, a mini-constitution called the вЂњBasic LawвЂќ, after it declared in August that candidates for Hong KongвЂ™s 2017 leadership election would be screened by a loyalist committee. The announcement was the spark for the occupations, which have seen support wane in recent days due to an attempted breakin at parliament and frustrations over traffic disruption and sporadic street clashes. вЂњDemocracy should be based on HongkongersвЂ™ will,вЂќ Ma said. вЂњIt was a promise that for 50 years we have would have a high level of autonomy.вЂќ вЂњThe UK cannot stay silent. If you are silent you are part of the same evil,вЂќ he added. After handing over a petition to consulate officials, Ma said the group would camp outside until Britain officially condemns China for breaching the declaration. The group also wants to meet a delegation of British MPs when they visit Hong Kong in the coming weeks. Hong KongвЂ™s last governor Patten on Thursday told a US Congressional advisory committee that Britain had been вЂњrestrainedвЂќ in commenting during the weeks of protests. (AFP) 23 Saturday, November 22, 2014 Obama to visit India in January Washington S President Barack Obama will travel to India in January for its Republic Day celebrations, and talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House said yesterday. His trip follows up on ModiвЂ™s debut visit to Washington as IndiaвЂ™s leader in September. The charismatic Hindu nationalist prime minister has been courted by the United States as a key partner in its attempt to rebalance US diplomatic weight toward Asia. вЂњThe president will meet with the prime minister and Indian officials to strengthen and expand the US-India strategic partnership,вЂќ White House press secretary Josh U Earnest said. Earnest did not give precise dates for the trip, but Republic Day commemorates the adoption of IndiaвЂ™s constitution on January 26, 1950. The White House said Obama would be the first US president to attend IndiaвЂ™s Republic Day celebration. In November, the two countries reached a breakthrough agreement in a bitter row over food subsidies that for months had been blocking a landmark global agreement to reduce trade barriers. The deal marked a crucial step towards the full implementation of a World Trade Organization agreement reached in December 2013 in Bali, which would streamline global customs procedures. Chile jails colonels for torturing presidentвЂ™s father Santiago Chilean judge jailed two retired colonels yesterday for torturing President Michelle BacheletвЂ™s father, who was arrested for opposing the countryвЂ™s 1973 coup and died after repeated beatings and electrocutions. Ramon Caceres Jorqueda, 80, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in General Alberto BacheletвЂ™s death, while Edgar Cevallos Jones, 83, was sentenced to two years. Judge Mario Carroza said in his sentence that the two former air force colonels had вЂњrepeatedly committed the crime of applying tortureвЂќ on their one-time superior. A General Bachelet, who opposed his army colleague Augusto PinochetвЂ™s overthrow of socialist president Salvador Allende, was jailed at ChileвЂ™s War Academy in the aftermath of the coup. After being beaten, tortured with electric shocks and forced to stand for long periods with a hood over his head, he had to be hospitalised. He died in 1974 under house arrest of a heart attack that the courts ruled was caused by his torture. His daughter Michelle, who was herself jailed and tortured under the dictatorship, served as ChileвЂ™s first woman president from 2006 to 2010. All victims identified in Air Algeria crash Paris he identification of victims from a mysterious Air Algeria crash in Mali in July has been completed, allowing the remains to be returned to their families, the French foreign ministry said yesterday. вЂњThis identification allows the return to their families of the mortal remains of those who disappeared in this catastrophe and bring an end to a painful wait,вЂќ the foreign ministry said in a statement. Flight AH5017, a McDonnell Douglas 83 jet that had taken off on July 24 from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso bound for Algiers, crashed in the Mali desert after its pilots asked to turn back as bad weather struck. All 116 passengers and crew killed. The T cause of the crash is still not known. An initial report said the crew was experienced, not hampered by fatigue, and prepared to deal with difficult weather. France bore the brunt of the tragedy with 54 of its citizens on board. Other passengers came from Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Algeria, Spain, Canada, Germany and Luxembourg. For a week after the crash, international experts combed the site near the town of Gossi to collect human remains. They later processed some 1,000 DNA samples to identify the victims. The identification was officially completed on Wednesday with a presentation of findings by the team of French and Algerian experts at the Criminal Research Institute in Paris. 24 WORLD Snow storm Saturday, November 22, 2014 Protests Anniversary UKRAINE DECLARES NATO AMBITION A woman lays flowers next to portraits of dead people at the Monument of Heavenly Hundred during a memorial ceremony in Kiev yesterday. Katherine Haddon Kiev U kraineвЂ™s new coalition government made joining NATO a priority yesterday in a move likely to provoke fresh Russian anger as thousands gathered in Kiev to mark the first anniversary of protests which unleashed a year of turmoil. A crowd of several thousand gathered in KievвЂ™s Independence Square, known as Maidan, late yesterday to remember the more than 100 protestors who died in demonstrations that started on November 21 last year. Many mourners were draped in Ukrainian flags, while some cried and laid flowers in memory of the dead. On a hectic day of politicking, UkraineвЂ™s leaders announced a new coalition following October elections which affirmed that joining the NATO military alliance would be a priority. It agreed to pass a law by the end of the year confirming this intention. Such a move threatens to further provoke Russia, which denies Western accusations that it is providing military support to proMoscow separatists in eastern Ukraine as part of a strategy to thwart the countryвЂ™s pro-Western course. The five-party parliamentary coalition -- which will have a big enough majority to make constitutional changes -- features the groupings of President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk and former premier Yulia Tymoshenko. Poroshenko confirmed that pro-Western Yatsenyuk will keep his post to head the coalition government, which faces a mammoth task dealing with the gravest crisis in UkraineвЂ™s post-Soviet history.В During a visit to Kiev yesterday, US Vice President Joe Biden told Russia it faced paying an ever-higher price over its policies in its western neighbour. Biden described as вЂњunacceptableвЂќ the KremlinвЂ™s role in the crisis in eastern Ukraine, but stopped short of offering lethal military supplies to Kiev forces battling rebels in a sevenmonth conflict which has killed 4,300 people.В Hinting at possible new sanctions, he warned Russia had failed to fulfil its commitments under a September peace plan, adding: вЂњSo long as that continues, Russia will face rising costs, greater isolation.вЂќ As Biden met Poroshenko and Yatsenyuk, Kiev claimed that shelling was taking place from across the Russian border for the first time since a tattered ceasefire was signed in September.В (AFP) Thousands gathered in Kiev to mark the first anniversary of protests which unleashed a year of turmoil US House Republicans sue over вЂ�ObamacareвЂ™ Washington S House Republicans filed a lawsuit against President Barack ObamaвЂ™s administration yesterday over his signature health care law and unilateral actions they say amount to an abuse of executive authority. The suit, which Republicans have threatened for months, was filed in US District Court in Washington against the secretaries of the Treasury and the Health and Human Services Department and focuses on the administrationвЂ™s вЂњunconstitutional and unlawfulвЂќ rewriting of segments of the law commonly referred to as Obamacare. The legal action addresses presidentвЂ™s unilateral move last year to defer the Affordable Care ActвЂ™s employer mandate, which requires that employers with 50 or more workers offer health coverage to their full-time staff or pay fines, until 2015. It also challenges U what Republicans described as illegally transferring about $175 billion to insurance companies under Obamacare over the next 10 years. Congress has not appropriated funds for the program. While the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported that the administration will repay the costsharing subsidies, the lawsuit charges that the administration is unconstitutionally using funds from a separate Treasury account to pay the insurance companies. вЂњTime after time, the president has chosen to ignore the will of the American people and re-write federal law on his own without a vote of Congress,вЂќ House Speaker John Boehner said in announcing the lawsuit. вЂњThe House has an obligation to stand up for the Constitution, and that is exactly why we are pursuing this course of action.вЂќ Republicans framed Germany sends motorbikes to speed Ebola testing Geneva ermany has sent 400 motorbikes to the areas of west Africa worst hit by the Ebola epidemic to speed up testing for the virus. The specially adapted fleet of bikes will be able to rush test samples to laboratories from remote areas, where patients can often wait nine days or more for results. The UNвЂ™s World Food Programme (WFP) said the motorbikes should cut transport delays to a day. Experts say faster test results could help slow the spread of the epidemic, which has so far claimed more than 5,400 lives, ac- G Pakistan detains 60 Indian fishermen Karachi akistani marine forces have arrested more than 60 Indian fishermen for violating territorial waters in Arabian Sea, police said yesterday. The fishermen strayed into Pakistani waters yesterday and PakistanвЂ™s Maritime Security Agency (MSA) arrested them and handed over to the police. вЂњMSA has handed over 61 Indian fishermen to us and 11 of their boats,вЂќ senior police officer Sheeraz Nazir told AFP. The fishermen were handed over to the police for further legal proceedings that generally mean months or even years in prison. P the lawsuit as a broader challenge to what they see is systematic executive overreach by the president. Top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi dismissed the вЂњmeritless lawsuitвЂќ and said it marks Republican leadership bowing to вЂњimpeachment-hungry extremists.вЂќ (AFP) Such arrests are frequently carried out by both countries, as the maritime border in the Arabian Sea is poorly defined and many fishing boats lack the technology needed to be certain of their precise location.The fishermen often languish in jail even after serving their term, as poor diplomatic ties between the two arch-rivals mean fulfilling official requirements can take a long time. Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours have taken a turn for the worse in recent months, with some of the worst shelling in years on the disputed border in Kashmir. Uganda jails five for genital mutilation Kampala ive men and women in Uganda have been jailed for mutilating the genitals of girls, a rare conviction in the country which is trying to stamp out the often deadly practice. The five, including those who carried out the mutilation -- which can range from hacking off the clitoris to the removal of the entire female genitalia -- were arrested in eastern UgandaвЂ™s Kapchorwa district last week. All pleaded guilty to aiding or procuring female genital mutilation (FGM), which was outlawed in 2010. They were jailed for four years, according to the Daily Monitor newspaper. UgandaвЂ™s law makes it a crime F Barack Obama cording to the UN. вЂњThe samples coming from 53 districts in the three worstaffected countries -- Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia -will be able to be taken to the closest laboratory in less than 24 hours,вЂќ said WFP spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs. The announcement comes as a new airlift by the agency, the fifth since September, landed in the Liberian capital Monrovia carrying water kits and generators. The WFP estimates that 1.7 million people in the three countries are threatened by hunger, 200,000 of them directly because of the Ebola outbreak. to not only carry out FGM or participate in any event leading to its practice, but also to discriminate against a woman who hasnвЂ™t had it done. While dozens of arrests have been made since the lawвЂ™s introduction, there have been few prosecutions. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said although the practice was вЂњdying outвЂќ in some regions, it was still considered вЂњa traditionвЂќ in Kapchorwa district and many continued to practise in secret. вЂњThe law has created fear within communities, you wonвЂ™t find them having these cultural days where families bring out their girls,вЂќ he told AFP. вЂњIt is no longer a cultural event like male circumcision.вЂќ WORLD 25 SNOW STORM Saturday, November 22, 2014 Toll rises to 13 in NewYork state Jennie Matthew New York T This aerial photo obtained courtesy of the Erie County SheriffвЂ™s Office shows the snowbound Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. China building possible airfield Washington hina is building a massive island in the South China Sea that could host an airfield in an area where Beijing is locked in bitter territorial disputes with neighbouring states, a US military spokesman said yesterday. The vast land reclamation project on the Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands is one of several pursued by China but the first that could accommodate an airstrip, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Poole said.There is also a harbor on the east side of the reef that appears large enough for tankers and naval warships, he added. In the past three months, China has used dredgers to construct an island about 3,000 yards long and 200-300 meters wide on the reef, which was previously under water, according to a report yesterday by IHS JaneвЂ™s Defence. The results of the dredging are captured in satellite pictures obtained by IHS JaneвЂ™s that cover a period between August 8 and November 14. вЂњThe land reclamation at Fiery Cross is the fourth such project undertaken by China in the Spratly Islands in the last 12-18 months and by far C Philippine militaryвЂ™s Western Command (WESTCOM) shows Chinese fishing vessels anchored at Fiery Cross Reef (Kagitingan) on the disputed Spratly islands. the largest in scope,вЂќ the report said. Before the latest dredging work, the Chinese navy had used a concrete platform and no artificial island had been created. China already has built islands at Johnson South Reef, Cuateron Reef, and Gaven Reefs, it said. Beijing claims nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have asserted their own claims by building structures on reefs or occupying islands. The other Southeast Asian countries already had airfields in the area and ChinaвЂ™s latest efforts could put it in a stronger position as Beijing pursues its claims. The United States has urged China and other states to settle the territorial disputes peacefully and without coercion while urging Beijing to support a regional, multilateral maritime вЂњcode of conductвЂќ to defuse confrontations at sea. But Beijing has tended to prefer bilateral talks with its smaller neighbours, which are heavily dependent on Chinese trade. (AFP) he death toll rose to 13 yesterday from a killer snowstorm in western New York state where rising temperatures and heavy rain will compound misery by causing severe flooding into next week. Blizzards dumped a yearвЂ™s supply of snow in just days south of Buffalo city, bringing down 30 buildings, imperiling mobile homes and paralyzing communities. Erie County chief executive Mark Poloncarz said 13 people had died and warned that further deaths could not be ruled out as rescue workers continue to dig out vehicles trapped in the snow. The latest fatalities were two elderly people who died during and immediately after being evacuated from a nursing home, and a 50-year-old man found dead in his vehicle. The National Weather Service says вЂњlake effect snow,вЂќ created when frigid air moves over warm lake waters, remains a risk until noon but that only a few more inches are expected to fall Friday. New York state Governor worst he could remember and Andrew Cuomo announced said the worst-hit areas had the state thruway would re- been affected more than duropen in parts to essential travel ing the deadly blizzard of 1977. The flood risk will remain from 3:00 pm but warned against unnecessary journeys until Tuesday with some areas as conditions remain perilous. set to receive five to six feet The improving weather would (1.5 to 1.8 meters) of water in a very short also allow for period of time, the massive he warned. snow removal Blizzards Buffalo Mayor effort to quicken pace, with dumped a yearвЂ™s Byron Brown 1,600 the National supply of snow said trucks have alGuard bringing in just days ready carted in extra people and the arrival south of Buffalo 32,000 tons of out of of additional city, bringing snow south Buffalo. equipment. Cuomo, who down 30 build- The National Serhas declared a ings, imperiling Weather vice warned of state of emermobile homes severe winter gency, said he condihad spoken and paralyzing driving tions with very to the White communities low visibility House on and deep snow Thursday and cover on roads. said President Barack Obama sent his best The state of emergency has wishes and that a full damages forced the National Football assessment could yet prompt League to relocate SundayвЂ™s a federal disaster declaration. game between the local BufPoloncarz described вЂњWin- falo Bills and the New York Jets ter Storm KnifeвЂќ as one of the from Buffalo to Detroit. (AFP) Prisoner on death row freed after 39 years Washington 57-year-old US prisoner who was sentenced to death for a murder he didnвЂ™t commit walked free from court yesterday after spending 39 years behind bars, prosecutors said. Ricky Jackson was only 18 in 1975, when he was convicted of murder in Cleveland, Ohio. His prosecution was based largely on testimony of a 12-year-old witness who later admitted he had not seen the crime and had given a false statement. A beaming Jackson left a court hearing a free man yesterday, even telling reporters he was prepared to forgive the witness whose evidence had put him behind bars.В вЂњI guess a lot of people will want A me to hate that person and carry animosity towards them but I donвЂ™t,вЂќ Jackson said. вЂњPeople see him as a grown man today, but in 1975 he was a 12-yearold kid and he was manipulated and coerced by the police and they used him to get us in prison. вЂњAs far as that young man is concerned, I wish him the best. I donвЂ™t hate him, I just wish he has a good life.вЂќ According to the National Registry of Exonerations, a University of Michigan project which tracks wrongful convictions, JacksonвЂ™s 39 years in prison make him the longest serving exoneree in history. вЂњItвЂ™s extraordinary. IвЂ™m glad to be out ... It has been an emotional roller coaster. The Eng- lish language doesnвЂ™t have the words to express how IвЂ™m feeling right now,вЂќ Jackson said.В He had been convicted with two other men of shooting dead a businessman outside a store in Cleveland in 1974. His death sentence had been commuted to life in prison in 1977. One of JacksonвЂ™s coaccused was released in 2003. The other remained in custody but will now be freed after prosecutors in Cuyahoga County dropped all charges against the men. Joe Frolik, a spokesman for the prosecutors office told вЂњall charges were dropped and he was free to go.В The decision was taken after the recanting of the witness who was 12.вЂќ (AFP) Man shot by police was вЂ�total innocentвЂ™ New York n unarmed 28-year-old man shot dead in a dark New York stairwell by a rookie police officer was a вЂњtotal innocentвЂќ killed accidentally, police commissioner Bill Bratton said yesterday. Akai Gurley just entered the stairwell at the A Louis H. Pink Houses, a housing project in Brooklyn, with his girlfriend when he was shot once in the chest at around 11:15 pm Thursday. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital and pronounced dead. Bratton told a news conference yesterday that the victim appeared to have been a вЂњtotal innocentвЂќ engaged in no criminal activity. Gurley was shot as a pair of rookie officers were conducting a routine interior patrol of the apartment building, which has been a scene of crime and homicides in the recent past. (AFP) 26 Saturday, November 22, 2014 SITUATION VACANT JOB OPPORTUNITY Embassy of India, PO Box 26106, Manama, invites applications from interested candidates (with residence permit of Bahrain) for a temporary post of CLERK. The candidate should be a graduate, fluent in English & Hindi, have good working knowledge of computer and medically fit. Signed applications, with bio-data, a passportsize photograph & contact details may be submitted within 10 days of publication of this advertisement. Nader & EBRAHIM group looking for a FEMALE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY. Minimum 4 years experience in the same role, dependable, efficient in handling the day-today operations of the office. Send your CV to [email protected]. ................................................... We Require a full time Restaurant ACCOUNTING CLERK. Candidate should have the following experience and qualifications: Attention to detail; Interpersonal Skills; Analyze daily/ weekly/ monthly sales and store area/ transfer and inventory posting. Email CV to: [email protected] ................................................... Newly Opened Block Factory requires experienced Personnel for QA/ QC, PRODUCTION, OPERATOR and OTHER POSITIONS. Email CV: apply@ tmsbahrain.com and [email protected] ................................................... Required For a Grade A construction company: 1. CIVIL ENGINEER- Diploma with 8 to 10 years Buildings Experience, should have valid Bahrain DriverвЂ™s License, knowledge of AutoCAD preferred. 2. CIVIL FOREMAN experienced in road projects. Please send your CV to [email protected] ................................................... Urgently Required SITE ENGINEER for high rise building project with 5 - 10 years experience. Please send CV to Email: [email protected] ................................................... URGENTLY REQUIRED Urgently required experienced SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE, preferably experienced in speciality commodity & Water treatment chemicals in the relevant industry with valid driving licence. Send your resume to: [email protected] Urgently Required FEMALE BEAUTICIAN for ladies Salon. Preference given to candidates experienced in hair treatment, hair cutting & facial. Visa available. Send CV with latest photograph to salonad.14@gmail. com ................................................... Interior Design Company offers two positions: (1) ARCHITECT/ INTERIOR DRAFTSMAN expert in AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Revit. Minimum 6 years experience. (2) VISUALIZER expert in photorealistic 3D renderings. Email CV to bahdintjob@gmail. com ................................................... Alsaleh Manpower agency looking for: NAIL TECHNICIAN, SPA THERAPIST, BARBERS, HAIRSTYLIST, ACCOUNTANT AND SALESLADIES. Candidates with minimum 2 years GCC experience, send CVs to: [email protected] ................................................... Restaurant is urgently looking for SECURITY OFFICERS, Valet Parkers and Receptionist (Bahrainis only). Email us your CV at management@tradervics. com.bh ................................................... NUTRITIONIST Required with BachelorsвЂ™ qualification and 5 years experience for a well reputed centre. Email CV: [email protected] ................................................... PROJECT MANAGER, CIVIL ENGINEER, QUANTITY SURVEYORS urgently required for Grade вЂ�AвЂ™ Contracting Company. Email: constjobs12@gmail. com ................................................... Experienced DRIVER required for family. Salary BD125/- + visa + accommodation. Tel. 39464542, email: [email protected] ................................................... PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR AND HEAVY / LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS for reputed mineral water company. Young, presentable with good communication skills & valid driving license may forward their CV to job. Urgently required PROJECT MANAGER, COORDINATOR, should have aviation background with 5-7 years of experience. Email CV to:[email protected] [email protected] ................................................... Urgently Required for reputed Auto Service Centre: (1) PETROL MECHANIC. (2) AUTO ELECTRICIAN. (3) DENTER/ PAINTER. Must have experience in German, Japan & American cars. (4) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER. Salary negotiable. Sponsorship available. Email: [email protected] ................................................... Altoufic Recruitment Company needs urgently for Qatar SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Indian Nationality) with perfect Salary / Email: altoufic@ live.com ................................................... Reputed Company is looking for experienced SALESMAN, & Bahraini Receptionist. Send resume to [email protected] ................................................... Urgently required TEACHER ASSISTANCE for nursery, visa available, transport, salary BD 140. send email: lkpschool@ yahoo.com ................................................... Pizza Chain urgently needs Staff for local transfer: ITALIAN FOOD CHEFS, COOKS, BAKERS, PIZZA MAKERS, DELIVERYMEN (motorbike/ car). Send your CV and information on [email protected] ................................................... Freelance REAL ESTATE AGENTS required for a property management company on commission basis. Those who have good knowledge of Bahrain real estate market send resume to: [email protected] ................................................... An Industrial Company is looking for WORKSHOP MANAGER with minimum 10 years GCC experience (Electrical/ Mechanical Engineer). Good salary + company accommodation for right candidates. Send your CV to [email protected] ................................................... RESTAURANT SUPERVISOR, MOTORCYCLE DELIVERY BOY, WAITRESSES & CASHIERS required. Experience in Casual Dining is preferable. Candidates may apply to email: [email protected] ................................................... FLAT FOR RENT EAST RIFFA a brand new commercial offices for rent, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, prices start from BD 250 - BD 260 - BD 270. Contact: 3345 1108 .................................................. GAFUL flat for rent, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1 kitchen hall with AC. Rent: BD 250. Contact: 39711001 .................................................. 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Rollupthepastryfromeachlongsidetomeetin the middle, brushing with a little egg to help it stick.Usingaverysharpknife,cutintothinslices. Place slices a little apart on a baking sheet lined withbakingparchment.Chillforatleast30mins, orcoverwithclingfilmandchillforupto24hrs. 3. Heatovento200C/180Cfan/gas6.Bakefor12-15 minsuntilthepastryiscrispandgolden. NISSAN SUNNY, 2003 model for sale. KM 200000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,400. Contact: 38181284 ................................................... GMC ACADIA, 2008 model for sale. KM 115000, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 5,500. Contact: 35580622 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2012 model for sale. KM 44000, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 5,000. Contact: 39541177 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2005 model for sale. Engine Size 20013000CC. Price BD 1,500. Contact: 34064033 ................................................... 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Price BD 5,900. Contact: 39909915 38444695 17579869 17256470 [email protected] Reaching the right audience 28 SPORTS ATHLETES OPEN MEDAL ACCOUNT Saturday, November 22, 2014 DT News Network ahrain yesterday opened its medal account at the Fourth Asian Beach Games, being held in Thailand. With only two day remaining for the Games, the Bahrainis stamped its authority in the cross country event and clinched six medals вЂ“ including four gold and two silver вЂ“ on the inaugural day of athletics events at Naiyang. Billsuma Gelassa opened BahrainвЂ™s medal account in the menвЂ™s 8,000m cross country race, where he clocked 28 minutes and 41 seconds to clinch the competitionвЂ™s gold medal. Another Bahraini Aweke Yimer followed in second place in 29:01, edging Qatari Abubaker Kamal who rounded off the podium in 29:13. BahrainвЂ™s Dejenee B Billsuma Gelassa, centre, along with Aweke Yimer and Abubaker Kamal. Mootumaa missed the podium after coming fourth in 29:14. Other Bahrainis in the fray were sixth-placer Julius Kalekem (30:00) and Zelalem RRgasa, who was unable to complete the race. Overall, Bahrain won the menвЂ™s team gold, with Iran taking the silver and Qatar claiming the bronze. Athletes from Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam were also in the fray. There was even more joy for Bahrain in womenвЂ™s 6,000m cross country race Bahrainis clinched six medals including four gold and two silver as Tejitu Chalchissa (23:39) and compatriot Ghladys Kibiwot (24:04) sealed a remarkable 1-2 finish for the Kingdom. Jemila Robele, also of Bahrain, narrowly missed the bronze as she finished the race in 25:23, just before third-placer Kit Chin Yiu (24.48) of Hong Kong. The results saw Bahrain win the overall gold medal and ahead of silver medalist Indonesia, while Thailand took the bronze medal. Vietnam was the other country battling for podium in this closely-contested race. Meanwhile, three of BahrainвЂ™s best bodybuilders qualified for the final show in the bodybuilding championship, set to take place today вЂ“ the penultimate day of the Games вЂ“ at Karon South Beach. The prejudging of six bodybuilding weight categories were held yesterday. They were under-60kg, under-65kg, under-70kg, under-75kg, under-80kg and under-85kg. Ali Abdrasool (fly weight), Yaseen Husain (welter weight) and Khaled Abdulaziz (open weight) all qualified for todayвЂ™s medal final show, which gets underway at 1pm (Bahrain time). Mohamed Seroor was the only Bahraini bodybuilder failing to qualify and is out of the competition. Bahrain also sent six more sports disciplines for the 10-day Games. They were beach football, beach volleyball, sailing, swimming and triathlon. Winners of Police Sports Association triathlon honoured DT News Network upreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with members of the Bahraini triathlon team, participated in an Olympic triathlon race that was organised by the Police Sports Association yesterday. The event was part of BahrainвЂ™s preparations to host the вЂњChallenge BahrainвЂќ international triathlon championship, which will be held on December 6 within the KingdomвЂ™s celebrations of National Day. The race was attended by Ministry of Interior Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Al Hassan and a number of senior officers in the ministry. The race began from Bahrain Bay with S a 1.5km swim, followed by a 40km cycle from Bahrain Bay to the first tunnel to Hamad Town Highway, then return. The race ended with a 10km run near Bahrain Bay. On the occasion, Shaikh Nasser expressed full appreciation with Lt. General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior, for his support for the race, praising at the same time the pursuit of Major General Al-Hassan for the race. He stressed that participation in this tournament with a group of Bahraini triathletes came with the aim to gear up forВ вЂњChallenge BahrainвЂќ, in addition to the opportunity for everyone to participate. Shaikh Nasser added that such events will continue for different age-categories and in cooperation with various parties in order to spread the triathlon sport among young people. He said of Bahrain that the presence of young people in the race is a good indicator of the interest for the sport. He also praised all the facilities that are available and the efforts made by the organising committee. On his part, Major General Al-Hassan, expressed his thanks and appreciations to Lt. General Shaikh Rashid on his support and wise direction in the interest of the triathlon sport and its athletes, noting that this backing helped the Ministry of the Interior organise such competitions. He also thanked Shaikh Nasser for his participation in this race where he is considered as a supporter of youth and sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain. ARABCO Saudi in finals DT News Network RABCO Saudi were last night playing Indian Club at press time in the final of the Kerala Catholic Association (KCA)-Zayani Motors International Volleyball Tournament 2014 supported by Lulu and UAE Exchange at its premises in Segaiya. Pool B winner ARABCO reached the final after coming from two sets down to defeat Pool A runners-up Ruby KCA 2025, 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-11. The other finalist was Pool B runner-up Indian Club who defeated Pool A winner Khobar Brothers after coming from a set down to win 1925, 28-26, 25-21, 25-20. This A Winners on the podium Table Tennis Tournament begins skar Hall at its premises in Gudaibiya. Matches will be in the singles/doubles formats for men and mixed doubles. Total prizemoney of $1,250 is up for grabs and players wishing to participate can register for BD5 by November 28 which entitles them to a commemorative Indian Club Bahrain Centenary polo shirt. Ashour wins third World Open title a display of extravagant emotion with victory coming at the end of a frustrating six-month injury absence.В First he tried to walk up the front wall, did a little dance, and eventually lay coiled up in a ball on the floor.В It earned him his third world title and certainly his most memorable, though there were moments when it seemed he might fall foul of the referee, and that, in a match decided by such narrow margins, this might cost him.(AFP) DT News Network s part of the Indian Club Centenary Celebrations an Expatriate Table Tennis Tournament will be held on December 1 at the clubвЂ™s San- A Doha amy Ashour clinched his third World Open title yesterday when he saved a match point in a marathon 13-11, 7-11, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12 triumph against Egyptian compatriot Mohamed El Shorbagy. Shorbagy, who became world number one for the first time only this month, proved a hero himself, saving five match points in R The ARABCO Saudi and Ruby KCA teams. tournament began over two weeks ago with 10 teams split into two pools of preliminary round-robin matches with the top two in each qualifying for the knockout semi-finals. The final was followed by a prize distribution for the winning teams and best individual performances. a row from 5-10 down in the final game, and six altogether. After 90 minutes of sensational ups and downs, contentious incidents, and a wonderful contrast in styles AshourвЂ™s brilliant creativity prevailed by the narrowest margins over El ShorbagyвЂ™s power and strength. When AshourвЂ™s final backhand drop shot slipped like a quiet dagger into an empty space at the death, he erupted into Saturday, November 22, 2014 SPORTS 29 LIVERPOOL WOES IN FOCUS Aidan Payne [email protected] F ormer Liverpool and Republic of Ireland international stars striker John Aldridge and midfielder Jason McAteer believe Liverpool will have to take some drastic action if they are to turn around their season very quickly. The pair were here in Bahrain last night to give an after dinner speech organised by Sports Speaker MENA who served up yet another great evening of entertainment with the вЂ�Irish AffairвЂ™ featuring the two footballing legends at the Radisson Diplomat Hotel starting at 8pm. Both players spoke about their careers at both club and international levels as well as the highs and the low points. Liverpoolborn Aldridge now 56 years represented his country at two world cups and was capped 69 times scoring on 19 occasions. Asked whatвЂ™s wrong with Liverpool he said, вЂњWhen you had two strikers last season in Luis Suarez and Jason Daniel Sturridge notching up 50 or more goals, it was obviously going to be difficult to replace one or the other, but with Suarez leaving and Sturridge injured, it is up to the other strikers to step up and try to fill the gap.вЂќ Aldridge suggests that Belgian striker Divock Origi on loan at Lille in France should be brought back in January. вЂњLiverpool desperately need a proven striker or even two as Mario Balotelli doesnвЂ™t appear to be the answer. I would give Liverpool-born local lad Rickie Lambert an extended run along with Fabio Borini who works hard.вЂќ With Sturridge again injured Aldridge concedes he is one of those injury prone players, вЂњDaniel is a great player when fit but Brendan Rodgers wlll be feeling the pressure even more if his strikers donвЂ™t start scoring soon.вЂќ Aldridge who works for Radio City in Liverpool as an analyst said playing in two world cups and signing for Liverpool were the highlights of his career. вЂњIt is a great feeling signing and playing for your hometown club.вЂќ Referring to the Hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989 when 96 supporters were crushed to death, вЂњThat was the low point in my career and the grieving with the families and attending funerals was tough, itвЂ™s taking a long time for justice but slowly but surely we are getting there,вЂќ said Aldridge. The former Liverpool striker played 673 league matches during his career scoring 363 times after being discovered playing for non-league South Liverpool, then joining Newport County before moving on to Oxford United, Liverpool, Real Sociedad in Spain and Tranmere Rovers who he later managed. His honours include a Welsh Cup win with Newport County, Division two and three titles and a League Cup with Oxford United, Division one title and a FA Cup win with Liverpool and managing Tranmere Rovers to a League Cup final before losing to Leicester City. Birkenheadborn McAteer now 43 and capped 52 times for his country said the highlights of his career were joining Liverpool and getting the chance to play twice in the world cup finals. Commenting on LiverpoolвЂ™s defence, вЂњLast season they were banging in the goals and the defensive frailties were plastered over, but losing their two potent strikers for various reasons has proved LiverpoolвЂ™s downfall this season so far.вЂќ McAteer said the two biggest disappointments of his career were losing as a Bolton Wanderers player to Liverpool in the 1995 League Cup Final, and to Manchester United at the 1996 FA Cup Final. вЂњItвЂ™s a horrible feeling reaching Wembley and then losing out winning the big occasion,вЂќ said Mc Ateer. He represented Mr. Aldridge, left, and Mr. McAteer. his country 52 times scoring three times and playing in two the world cup finals in a career playing 420 league games scoring 24 goals after beginning with non-league Marine before moving on to Bolton Wanderers then Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers. Both player also reflected on the present plight Interior Ministry, Contax Partners lead DT News Network he Independent 3 team of the ministry of the Interior (51.3 points) stayed on top of T Hospital Island Classic Charity Golf Tournament at His Majesty the KingвЂ™s private golf course at Al Safriya. This popu- An action from the Tournament. the Championship category after the second day of the threeday 17th American Mission lar annual event is being played under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Yesterday a further 15 teams were in action playing in both Championship and Premiere categories with more than 40 in the fray. Moving into second place in the Championship is Saffriya 1 (53.8) with Bahrain Confidential (54.6) droppingdown to third. In Premiere category action, Contax Partners (55.3) remain on top, followed ib second by Lexus 2 (56.2) with RCSI (57.4) in third. The tournament format is the ever popular Texas Scramble on the nine-hold course which provides every team a chance to win the prizes with side contests adding to the excitement along with a HoleIn-One Competition being held on the second hole with the first player achieving the feat winning a JAC J5 вЂ“ Luxury 1.81 Sedan. The three-day tournament is a high-profile charity tournament organised by the American Mission Hospital to raise funds for the HospitalвЂ™s Community Outreach program, new clinics and equipment fund, to ensure that the hospital can continue to provide quality healthcare at reasonable prices to the people of Bahrain.вЂќ Today the final day of competition tees off at 7.30am. The culmination of the event will be a luncheon held in Al Khayma at the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spa where sponsoring companies will be honoured and the golfers from the winning teams will be awarded their prizes. Simeone treating game like final London tletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has warned his side there is вЂњno room for errorвЂќ against an improving Malaga on Saturday. Malaga won five games in a row before the international break, climbing to sixth in the table only two points behind Atletico in fourth вЂњWe have no room for error, we must treat the game like a final,вЂќ Sime- A one said in his pre-game press conference. вЂњThey have been doing well for a while. We can see their results and we also know they stopped Barcelona playing well (in September). They have a very strong offensive unit, much technical ability and experience on the pitch.вЂќ Atletico will be without defender Miranda, who suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Brazil. Simeone has tasked Jose Gimenez with the job of replacing him in central defence. вЂњHe has been biding his time since December,вЂќ Simeone said of Gimenez. вЂњHe has had opportunities at the World Cup and for his country. We know he is ready.вЂќ Malaga coach Javi Gracia recognises the challenge of playing away to the defending champions, but does not wish to curb the attacking tendencies which have served his team well in recent weeks. вЂњWe want to be an ambitious team, to create as many goal-scoring opportunities as we can while maintaining a strong defence,вЂќ he said. вЂњThey have a lot of power with set-pieces, they are strong in the air, and have very good strikers upfront. of former club Tranmere Rovers, вЂњIts sad as they are now under tremendous financial constraints and the only way forward is for them to go back up.вЂќ The evening package also included Irish comedian Rory OвЂ™Hanlon, Irish вЂ�shin dig bandвЂ™ The B Side, a gourmet dinner, prize raffles and signed memorabilia. Previous personalities who have graced these shores and evenings in the past year have been former Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton and Liverpool вЂ�hard manвЂ™ Neil Ruddock, ex Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson and in June, former internationals, Chris Waddle of England, Gary McAllister of Scotland and Dietmar Hamann of Germany. Shaheen Group beat Star Eleven DT News Network haheen Group crushed Star Eleven by 130 runs in the latest match in the Bahrain Cricket BTC T20 League played at the Busaiteen Grounds in Muharraq. Batting first, Shaheen Group scored 130 for five in 20 overs with opener Thilini (105 off deliveries, 1x4, 1x5, 10x6) the stat performer, with the wickets claimed by Anurjana Kirthi (two for 34) in four overs, Arun Kushanath (two for 35) in four overs and Joby Abraham (one for 34) in four overs. Star Eleven in reply were dismissed for just 30 in nine overs with the only batsmen scoring being Sanil Kumar (8), Joby Abraham (8), Mathews Ninan (7 not out), Rony Abraham (4) and Bijumons Mohan S Thilini (2), with the pick of the bowlers being Majid Razaq (four for seven) in four overs and Saranga Mahesh (four for 10) in three overs. Diego Simeone. SMITH STARS 30 SPORTS Saturday, November 22, 2014 Australia down South Africa to take series Melbourne teve Smith hit a thrilling century to propel Australia to a three-wicket victory over South Africa to clinch the five-game one-day international series in Melbourne yesterday. Man-of-the-match Smith cracked 104 off 112 balls as Australia stormed home to overhaul South AfricaвЂ™s 267 for eight to win with an over to spare. The victory wrapped up the ODI series 3-1 over the Proteas ahead of SundayвЂ™s final game in Sydney. The Proteas looked in control for most of AustraliaвЂ™s innings, reducing the home side to 98 for five in the 25th over, before Smith turned S Australia win by three wickets the tide with a ground record 121-run sixth-wicket stand with wicketkeeper Matt Wade. As Smith and Wade accelerated the scoring rate the South African bowling and fielding became ragged under pressure and in the end the Australians were an irresistible force surging to victory. When Wade was brilliantly caught in the outfield by a diving Ryan McLaren for 52 off 94 balls, James Faulkner came in and took up where Wade left off slamming an unbeaten 34 off 31 balls with six fours. Smith has proved the thorn for the Proteas in this series, hitting an unbeaten 73 to help the Australians win in the third ODI in Canberra on Wednesday. He was annoyed to be bowled by Robin Peterson as he attempted to go after the winning run, but the damage had Melbourne ustraliaвЂ™s Michael Wright consolidated his lead at the halfway stage of the Australian Masters as Adam Scott failed to make much headway at MelbourneвЂ™s Metropolitan yesterday. Starting the day tied for the lead, Wright carded a four-under 68 to be two shots clear of the field on nine-under 135. World number two Scott, chasing his third straight Masters title, trailed Wright by six shots in joint 11th spot. The 2013 Augusta Masters champion posted a four-under 68 to lie three-under 141 heading into the weekend rounds. вЂњI felt, certainly, on the front nine, there was a low round out there,вЂќ Scott said.В вЂњIf itвЂ™s A SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS Q. DE KOCKВ C AND B MAXWELL В В В В В В В В В 17 H. AMLA C CUMMINS B COULTER-NILE В В В 18 A.B. DE VILLIERS C SMITH B CUMMINS В 91В D. MILLER C SMITH B FAULKNER В В В В В В 45 F. BEHARDIEN RUN OUT (WARNER) В В В В В В 22 R. MCLAREN C WADE B STARC В В В В В В В В В 13 В В R. PETERSONВ B FAULKNER В В В В В В В В В В В В 11 W. PARNELL NOT OUT В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В D. STEYN NOT OUT В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В TOTAL (8 WICKETS; 50В OVERS) В В В В В В В 0 267 В В В AUSTRALIA INNINGS been doneLBW forB ABBOTT SouthВ В В В В В В В В В В В В В Africa.В 4вЂњI D. WARNER was lucky enough to have some S. WATSON C DE KOCK B MCLAREN В В В В В В 19 good partners out there,вЂќ Smith S. SMITH PETERSON В В В В В В В В В В В В В 104 said, in В В Bpraising the contribuG. BAILEY KOCK Band STEYN Faulkner. В В В В В В В 16 tions ofВ C DE Wade The matchВ В Cfinished onВ В В В В В В В В a video G. MAXWELL AMLA B STEYN 2 umpireвЂ™s adjudication after M. WADE В C MCLAREN B PARNELL В В В В В В В 52 Pat Cummins appeared to be J. FAULKNER OUT В В В В В В В В В В В В В В 34 caught by В В NOT a diving David MillP. CUMMINS В NOTthe OUT decision В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В В er, only for to 1be reversed when49В OVERS) replaysВ В В В В В В showed TOTAL (7 WICKETS; 268 Steven Smith bats. the ball had bounced before MillerвЂ™s hands. That proved to be the winning run as Cummins and Faulkner crossed for the Australians to celebrate a psychological series victory ahead of next yearвЂ™s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Compounding South AfricaвЂ™s woes was an apparent rib injury for skipper AB de Villiers, who S Wawrinka returns a backhand. a big smash that appeared to loosen some of his nerves. A Chittagong hakib Al Hasan starred with bat and ball to lead Bangladesh to a crushing 87-run victory in their first one-day international against Zimbabwe in Chittagong yesterday. Shakib scored 101 off 99 balls to lead the team to 281-7 and then grabbed 4-41 as the home side dismissed Zimbabwe for 194 in 42.1 overs to take 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Shakib shared 148-runs in a record fifth-wicket partnership with Mushfiqur Rahim to help Bangladesh recover from 4-70 to a competitive score after they were put in to bat first. В Shakib, who also had a hand in BangladeshвЂ™s previous highest fifth-wicket stand of 119 runs, against South S 3 A. FINCH В A DU PLESSIS B PARNELL В В В 22 similar conditions tomorrow, with three par-5s on the front nine, someone is going to turn low, itвЂ™s possible.вЂќВ вЂњBut, I still have to hit a lot of good shots and make a lot of putts to do it.вЂќ Scott is using the Masters as preparation for next weekвЂ™s showdown with world number one Rory McIlroy in the Australian Open in Sydney. Wright was a model of consistency, backing up his fiveunder 67 in the first round to capture the outright lead after he was one of four players to lead after the opening 18 holes. Australian Paul Spargo went around in five under to be two shots behind Wright, local professional Richard Green also produced a 67 to move to six under. Shakib leads Bangladesh to crushing win F. DU PLESSISВ C WADE B CUMMINS В В В В 28 suffered the injury while fielding and looked in discomfort. De Villiers hit a masterful 91 before South AfricaвЂ™s innings stalled and finished at 267 for eight batting first after winning the toss. International one-day cricketвЂ™s leading batsman was in typical free-flowing form, hitting six fours in his 88-ball knock. (AFP) Wawrinka gives Switzerland 1-0 lead Lille tan Wawrinka gave Switzerland the perfect start to the Davis Cup against France yesterday by defeating French number one JoWilfried Tsonga 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. With Roger Federer to follow against Gael Monfils in the second singles clash, the Swiss, who have never won the premier tennis team trophy, hoped for a 2-0 first day lead. Watched by an all-time Davis Cup record crowd of 27,432, crammed into one half of a roofed Lille football stadium, Tsonga looked and played tight from the start. World number four Wawrinka converted his third break point of the match to lead 3-1 with his superb one-handed backhand drive regularly leaving Tsonga for dead. The Frenchman saved a break-point in the opening game of the second set with Wright leads Australian Masters Wawrinka double fault in the fourth game gave Tsonga his first break of the match to lead 3-1. He held onto to that lead to level the rubber and the two went head-to-head in a tightly contested third set. The turning point came in the sixth game when TsongaвЂ™s big first serve deserted him and a sloppy forehand drive wide put Wawrinka 4-2 and eventually 5-2 ahead. The fan support had been muted to that point, but Tsonga got them going as he saved two set points with a thumping forehand winner and a blistering ace. Wawrinka was at 0-30 on his following serve, but worked his way out of that hole and took a two set to one lead after a long rally that tested both men. Tsonga had his back to the wall and the tightness he had shown in the first set returned as he dropped serve to open the fourth set. (AFP) Africa in Dhaka in 2008, struck 10 fours. В Rahim made 65 off 72 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes. Debutant Sabbir Rahman provided a late sparkle hitting an unbeaten 44 off 25 balls, which included three fours and three sixes. Tinashe Panyangara claimed highest three wickets for Zimbabwe at the expense of 66 runs.В Zimbabwe started their chase positively, reaching 46 runs in the first seven overs, before Shakib put a brake on their innings with two wickets in his second over. Fellow spinners Arafat Sunny (2-22) and Mahmudullah (2-40) and paceman Mashrafe Mortaza (2-33) gave him ample support making regular breakthroughs. Mourinho backs Costa to play key role Cobham ose Mourinho believes Diego Costa has recovered from his long-standing injury problems and is now ready to play a full part in ChelseaвЂ™s testing run of fixtures to the turn of the year. Chelsea manager Mourinho has maintained the Spain striker has required careful handling after suffering injuries while away on international duty this season. But after criticising the way Costa has been used by his country, Mourinho is convinced the player has benefitted from J being left out of Spain squad for the recent round of international matches. Despite a lingering hamstring complaint, Costa has struck ten goals in his first nine Premier League games since a ВЈ32 million move from Atletico Madrid. And with Chelsea facing a gruelling run of 12 matches in 41 days between SaturdayвЂ™s clash with West Bromwich Albion and the January 1 visit to London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Mourinho is satisfied Costa is fully prepared for the demanding programme. Henrik Stenson leads at midway stage in Dubai Saturday, November 22, 2014 STENSON SHINES 25-under par, made just one DubaГЇ enrik Stenson continued mistake early in his round, his amazing dominance when he dropped a shot on the at the Earth course of Jumei- long par-3 fourth hole, but puttrah Golf Estates as his 11th ed beautifully to make amends consecutive round in the 60s with seven birdies, includgave him a two-shot lead half- ing a brilliant two-putt birdie way through the $8 million DP from 80-feet on the final hole. World Tour Championship yes- The 38-year-old has played 18 terday. The Swede, who is also rounds in the tournament so a brand ambassador for the golf far (he did not qualify in 2011) course, shot a six-under par and has 17 sub-par rounds. His 66 round in the second round worst score is a 73 in the fiand is now 10-under par af- nal round of the 2010 edition. ter 36 holes. Overnight joint And Stenson said: вЂњI just came leader and world number one in knowing that I have got a Rory McIlroy was among three good gameplan to play this golf players at eight-under par 136.В course and IвЂ™m trying to stick to The Northern Irishman strug- that one.В So far, so good. I am not gled a bit and then hit his tee shot into the water hazard on making any changes really and hopefully the 18th hole I keep on proin his round of two-under par Stenson shot a ducing birdies. вЂњI was hitting 70. Also at 136 were ScotlandвЂ™s six-under par 66 it all right, but Rishi Ramsay round in the sec- I was good the greens (69) and Engond round and on today. Made landвЂ™s Danny some nice putts Willett (67). is now 10-unday long SpainвЂ™s Rafael der par after 36 all and that really Cabrera-Bello helps. The one I shot the lowholes made on 16 and est round of the one on 18, the day вЂ“ an eight-under par 64 вЂ“ to join were nine. It was a pretty solid IrelandвЂ™s Shane Lowry (71), round of golf, but more than the overnight leader alongside anything, it was made up on the McIlroy, EnglandвЂ™s Justin Rose greens.вЂќ McIlroy started with a (66), SwedenвЂ™s Kristoffer Brob- birdie, but then did not make erg (67) and DenmarkвЂ™s Olesen another until the 14th hole. In between, on the par-5 seventh (70) at tied fifth place at 137. Defending champion Sten- hole, he hit an embarrassing son, who won the tournament second shot with a five-wood вЂ“ last year with a record tally of a fat, ugly duckhook. (AFP) H Manille ardan Mamat of Singapore and South Korean Wang Jeung-hun jointly held a two-shot lead after two rounds at the PhilippinesвЂ™ Resorts World Manila Masters golf tournament yesterday. Opening round co-leader Mardan, 47, was one over par through 12 holes before brilliantly sinking five birdies over his six closing holes to score a four-under-par 68 M G for the day. Both Mardan and Wang are at 11-under-par 133 over two rounds at the million-dollar golf tournament, the countryвЂ™s richest pot so far for the sport. вЂњI couldnвЂ™t get my momentum right on my front nine. I told myself to stay patient and I managed to finish well,вЂќ Mardan said. Wang kept pace with nine birdies to go with two bogeys for a seven-under 65 yesterday. facing Manchester City away on Tuesday in the Champions League with the Germans already in the last 16. Guardiola warned that Schweinsteiger is вЂњnot 100 percent fit and will need time to find his old formвЂќ. SchweinsteigerвЂ™s return is welcome news after Bayern lost captain Philipp Lahm on Wednesday for the next three months with a fractured ankle. Guardiola is having to use his full squad with defender David Alaba joining the long-term injury list alongside Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara and Holger Badstuber. Olympic hopes boost world champs ambience Henrik Stenson of Sweden plays his second shot of the 16th hole Pakistani batsman Asad Shafiq (right) plays a shot as New Zealand wicketerkeeper BJ Watling (left) and teammate Tom Latham (centre) look on P Mardan, Wang lead Philippines Manila Masters Berlin ermany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to make his first Bundesliga appearance since the World Cup final today, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola said. Schweinsteiger, who last played in GermanyвЂ™s extratime win over Argentina at Rio de JaneiroвЂ™s Maracana stadium, should play at lease part of the home game against Hoffenheim. Schweinsteiger, 30, has been out for 132 days after an ankle injury, then a strained knee ligament. SaturdayвЂ™s match at the Allianz Arena is BayernвЂ™s last before the tempo with Shafiq hitting two boundaries off Mark Craig but the off-spinner derailed the chase when he dismissed Younis with a turning, rising delivery that took the edge and was well held at slip by Taylor. Younis hit three sixes and two boundaries in his 84-ball knock. Boult finished with miserly figures figures of two for 12 in 10 overs while Craig took two for 66 in 17. (AFP) SCOREBOARD beaten 24 as Pakistan finished on 196 for five, with the draw preserving their 1-0 lead in the three-match series following last weekвЂ™s 248-run win Abu Dhabi. It was an exciting finish before an 8,000 holiday crowd who anticipated a Pakistan win after New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum had sportingly declared his sideвЂ™s second innings on 250 for nine. That was made possible after Taylor notched a brilliant 104 for his 12th Test century. McCullum praised New Zea- 31 Schweinsteiger poised for Bayern return Pakistan salvage draw DubaГЇ akistan salvaged a draw in the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai yesterday after being set a challenging target of 261 off 72 overs on the back of a brilliant hundred by Ross Taylor.В The early loss of four Pakistani wickets meant all results were possible come tea but in the end Pakistan finished 65 runs short of victory when bad light ended play five overs before the scheduled close. Asad Shafiq scored 41 not out and Sarfraz Ahmed an un- SPORTS landвЂ™s resolve, saying: вЂњObviously it was a very very good Test match. t was a great effort and I think the toss was really important and we managed to put on a good total (403 after he elected to bat) and that really lifted us. I am proud of the boys.вЂќ Younis (44) and Shafiq lifted Pakistan from a precarious 75 for four after Trent Boult had dismissed Shan Masood (40) and skipper Misbah-ul Haq (nought) in his successive overs. Pakistan, needing 130 in the last 20 overs, picked up New Zealand 2nd innings: (overnight 167-6) T. Latham c Shafiq b Shah 9, B. McCullum lbw b Babar 45, K. Williamson c Umar b Babar 11, R. Taylor st Ahmed b Shah 104, C. Anderson b Shah 0, J. Neesham b Babar 11, BJ Watling cВ Shafiq b Shah 11, M. Craig c Rahat b Shah 34, T. Southee c Ali b Babar 20, I. Sodhi not out 2 Total: (for nine wkts dec; 64.5 overs) 250 Pakistan 2nd innings: Shan Masood lbw b Boult 40, Taufeeq Umar c Watling b Southee 4, Azhar Ali c Neesham b Craig 24, Younis Khan c Watling b Craig 44, Misbah-ul Haq c Watling b Boult 0, Asad Shafiq not out 41, Sarfraz Ahmed not out 24 Total: (for five wkts; 67 overs)196 Doha quashвЂ™s reignited hopes of a place in the Olympic Games has transformed the climax of a World Open championship whose final was taking place Friday amidst a dramatic new mood of optimism. That is because an extraordinary session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at Monte Carlo next month looks likely to approve a change in entry regulations which would greatly improve squashвЂ™s chances of becoming part of the Olympic programme at Tokyo in 2020. S The change involves capping the number of athletes instead of the number of sports, and it makes World Squash Federation (WSF) officials believe a door has been opened for their sport whose footprint is light and whose presentation last year was well received by the IOC. This is the first time that squash officials have made a public statement about their sportвЂ™s change of circumstances since wrestling was bizarrely ejected and quickly reinstated for the 2020 Games by a ballot at Buenos Aires in September. Zidane wins appeal against coaching ban Madrid Spanish sports court yesterday backed Zinedine ZidaneвЂ™s appeal against a three month ban from coaching Real MadridвЂ™s reserve team over his disputed qualifications. SpainвЂ™s football federation imposed the ban at the end of October, arguing the former France midfielder did not have the right licence to coach in Spain. Real appealed and the three-time World Footballer of the Year was allowed to continue coaching while the Court of Arbitration for Sport considered A the case. ZidaneвЂ™s assistant Santiago Sanchez, who was also sanctioned by the Spanish federation, the RFEF, was also cleared to continue his duties while the case was considered. Real Madrid initially initially went to the RFEF appeal committee but when that was rejected, the 10-time European champions turned to the Court of Arbitration. Real insist that Zidane has the proper qualifications to coach their reserve team, although he needs a UEFA вЂ�AвЂ™ licence level three badge to do so and he only holds a level two. P31 Stenson shines 32 32 Saturday, November 22, 2014 SPORTS HAMILTON TOPS Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Abu Dhabi orld championship leader Lewis Hamilton struck the first blow over his Mercedes team-mate and only title rival Nico Rosberg in yesterdayвЂ™s opening free practice ahead of SundayвЂ™s decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On a hot day of blue skies and a track temperature of 44 degrees, with an air temperature of 28 degrees at the Yas Marina circuit, the two Mercedes men were a class apart from the rest of the field as they began preparations for their вЂ�double jeopardyвЂ™ duel in the desert. Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 43.476 seconds to finish quickest by 0.133 seconds ahead of Rosberg, the pair finishing the session more than 1.7 seconds clear of the Ferrari of Fernando W Result 1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes 1:42.113, 2. Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 1:42.196, 3. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) McLaren 1:42.895, 4. Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 1:42.959, 5. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Williams 1:43.070, 6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Red Bull 1:43.183, 7. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari 1:43.489, 8. Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 1:43.503, 9. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) Toro Rosso 1:43.546, 10. Felipe Massa (BRA) Williams 1:43.558, 11. Sergio Perez (MEX) Force India 1:43.746, 12. Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Lotus 1:44.005, 13. Nico HГјlkenberg (GER) Force India 1:44.068, 14. Jean-Eric Vergne (FRA) Toro Rosso 1:44.157, 15. Esteban Gutierrez (MEX) Sauber 1:44.316, 16. Adrian Sutil (GER) Sauber 1:44.763, 17. Romain Grosjean (FRA) Lotus 1:44.986, 18. Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Caterham 1:45.505, 20. Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari. Alonso, in his last race weekend with the Italian team. With just SundayвЂ™s race remaining, Hamilton holds a 17 points lead in the title race and must finish second, if Rosberg wins, for him be certain to take the title. Rosberg, in turn, must finish 18 points ahead of his teammate to take his first title, a situation that requires him to win or finish second and then hope for Hamilton to suffer a setback. AlonsoвЂ™s successor at Ferrari, four-time champion Sebastian Vettel was fourth quickest as he began his final Grand Prix with Red Bull, back at the track where they began their cycle of success in 2010. Behind the outgoing champion, his current Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo was fifth fastest ahead of Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne and his Toro Rosso team-mate Daniil Kvyat, Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 43.476 seconds to finish quickest by 0.133 seconds ahead of Rosberg who will join Ricciardo at Red Bull next year. Valtteri Bottas was eight fastest for Williams, his team unable to produce their expected pace due to bodywork problems that left them busy with alterations and repairs throughout the session. His team-mate Felipe Massa managed only seven laps to BottasвЂ™ eight and was down in 13th. Sergio Perez was ninth ahead of his Force India team-mate Nico Hulkenberg. The two McLarens of Jenson Button, whose future is the subject of much speculation, and Kevin Magnussen, were 17th and 11th respectively on a day when 20 cars were involved with Caterham rejoining the fray after missing the races in the United States and Brazil. That meant Briton Will Stevens made his Formula One debut, in a Caterham, winding up in 20th place behind teammate Kamui Kobayashi, who was 18th and Adderley Fong, of Hong Kong, driving for Sauber. (AFP) Sebastian Vettel leaves the pits during the first practice session. Lewis Hamilton drives. 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