25 Jan by Kuwait Times

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Hezb-backed tycoon set to be next Lebanon PM

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SAFAR 21, 1432 AH

North Korean leader meets Egyptian telecom tycoon

Weighty mission for scientists: Redefining the kilogram

No sweat as Rafa roars into last eight at Aussie Open

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Quiz request details litany of charges • Probe panel delays report

Jassem walks free after jail term scrapped

Budget projects $64bn spending $16bn deficit seen

By Nawara Fattahova & Agencies KUWAIT: The supreme court yesterday scrapped a three-month jail term slapped on a prominent Kuwaiti writer for allegedly slandering the prime minister, his lawyer said. “The supreme court overturned the jail term,” Abdullah Al-Ahmad said. Mohammed Abdulqader Al-Jassem was freed later in the day. The supreme court, whose rulings are ﬁnal, ordered a lower court to open a fresh trial because it had not followed the procedures laid down by Kuwaiti law, the lawyer said. The writer’s sister, Wafa Al-Jassem, expressed satisfaction at yesterday’s verdict while condemning her brother’s treatment. “Jassem was detained for more than a month in this case until the sentence was pronounced,” she told Kuwait Times. “We are glad of this [yesterday’s] verdict, which is clear Continued on Page 14

KUWAIT: (From left) MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei, Shuaiab Al-Muwaizri and Salem Al-Namlan are seen at a press conference after filing a request to grill the interior minister at the National Assembly yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat By B Izzak & A Saleh

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti writer Mohammed Abdulqader Al-Jassem meets his family after he was freed yesterday. — Photo by Fouad Al-Shaikh

KUWAIT: Three opposition lawmakers yesterday ﬁled a request to grill Interior Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khaled Al-Sabah on his political responsibility over the death of a Kuwaiti citizen at a police station allegedly because of excessive police torture. In their request, MPs Waleed AlTabtabaei, Shuaiab Al-Muwaizri and Salem Al-Namlan said the grilling was submitted because of the “death of a citizen under police torture, misleading the public by providing false information and misuse of authority”. The grilling, the third against the interior minister since June 2009, is expected to be debated on Feb 8

Secret files expose ‘offers’ by Palestinians to Israel JERUSALEM: The Palestinians offered Israel major concessions on the thorny issues of annexed east Jerusalem and refugees in 2008 peace talks, in leaked documents angrily dismissed as “distortions” yesterday. Details of the proposals emerged as Al-Jazeera news channel began late Sunday to release the first of some 1,600 documents known as the “Palestine Papers” on more than 10 years of secret US-brokered Middle East peace talks. The files, shared with Britain’s Guardian newspaper, caused surprise and anger among Palestinian leaders, with chief negotiator Saeb Erakat saying they contained “lies” and president Mahmoud Abbas saying they distorted the issue.

and is expected to lead to a no-conﬁdence motion if the Cabinet does not accept the resignation that the minister submitted on Jan 13. Although the main focus is on the death of Mohammad Ghazzai Al-Maimouni AlMutairi at Ahmadi police station on Jan 11, the grilling also tackles torture in general at police stations and dubious appointments by the minister in the form of political favours. The three lawmakers said that they were forced to ﬁle the quiz request because of the crime “that shocked the Kuwaiti people and that it was established that torture was practiced against other cases”. Continued on Page 14

KUWAIT: The Cabinet yesterday approved the 2011/2012 budget, projecting a $16 billion deficit and a 10 percent rise in spending, Finance Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali said. The draft budget, which requires the approval of the National Assembly, also projects revenue at KD 13.45 billion ($48 billion), a substantial 38 percent increase from the current fiscal year estimates, the minister said. The sharp rise in revenue is attributed to the fact that the price of oil in the draft budget was raised to $60 a barrel from $43 in this fiscal year ending March 31. Spending is projected at KD 17.93 billion ($64 billion), up 10 percent on the 2010/2011 estimates, Shamali was cited by the official KUNA news agency as saying following an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet. OPEC’s fifth largest producer has projected a shortfall in each of the past 11 fiscal years but ended up with healthy surpluses, mainly from underestimating oil income. The state ended the first nine months of the current fiscal year with a preliminary budget surplus of $25 billion, compared with a projected shortfall of $23.5 billion for the whole year. This will be Kuwait’s 12th year of budget surplus after having accumulated more than $140 billion of budget surpluses in the past 11 years. Under Kuwaiti law, 10 percent of revenues are deducted every year in favour of the state’s sovereign wealth fund, the assets of which are estimated at around $300 billion. Returns on the fund are not included in the budget. Kuwait says that it holds 10 percent of global crude reserves and is pumping about 2.3 million barrels per day. — AFP

MOSCOW: Investigators work near the lifeless body of a man killed in an explosion at Domodedovo airport yesterday. — AP

Described by Al-Jazeera and the Guardian as “the most important leak in the history of the conflict”, the papers include hundreds of official Palestinian transcripts from private meetings with the Israelis. Central to the revelations is a series of far-reaching Palestinian offers regarding Jewish settlements in occupied east Jerusalem, the scope of which have never been made public. “What is in that paper gives them the biggest Yerushalaim in Jewish history,” Erakat said in one of the documents, using the Hebrew name for the Holy City. He was talking about a Palestinian offer in 2008 which would allow Israel to keep all but one of its settlements Continued on Page 14

Iran executes two activists

HAMBURG, Germany: A man protests against the execution of government critics Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei at the Iran Embassy yesterday. — AFP

TEHRAN: Iran yesterday reportedly carried out the first executions of activists detained in street protests after the disputed 2009 presidential poll, hanging two men it said were from an outlawed group. The executions of two activists from the Iranian exiled opposition group, People’s Mujahedeen of Iran (PMOI) came despite a plea by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that they be freed. The Tehran prosecutor’s office named the executed pair as Jafar Kazemi and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei. It did not say where they were hanged. “Two elements of the monafeghin (hypocrites) group named Jafar Kazemi... and Mohammad Ali Hajaghaei ... were executed early today,” the prosecutor’s office said on its website, referring to PMOI, which once ran an armed group in Iran. On Aug 10, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had urged the Iranian authorities to release the two activists, despite the PMOI being on Washington’s list of foreign terrorist organisations. The prosecutor’s office said “these two hypocrites were members of an active network of the said group and were involved in the (post-election) riots under the guidance of their ringleader in England”. “The convicts had resorted to distributing pictures and banners related to the Continued on Page 14

Suicide bomber kills 35 at Moscow airport MOSCOW: A suicide bomber killed at least 35 and wounded dozens yesterday when he blew himself up in the packed arrivals hall of Moscow’s largest airport in an attack slammed by the Kremlin as an act of terror. There were scenes of carnage at Domodedovo airport in southern Moscow as corpses were stretchered out of the smoke-ﬁlled arrivals area after the blast, the latest deadly attack to hit the capital after the metro bombings in March. Describing the attack as an act of terror, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chaired an emergency meeting of top oﬃcials and ordered a special security regime across the country’s main airports and railway stations. Russia’s Western partners strongly condemned the blast, with US President Barack Obama describing the attack as “outrageous” and German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying she was dismayed by the “cowardly” act.

“Today at 4:32 pm (1332 GMT) an explosion went off in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport,” the Russian investigative committee said in a statement. Airport spokeswoman Elena Galanova said that the blast had gone off in a freely accessible public area of the airport where passengers meet relatives after passing customs. At least 35 people were killed, she said. At least 130 were wounded, the health ministry said in a statement. It said that of the wounded, 20 were in a serious condition. “All of a sudden I heard a huge bang, as if something had fallen. No-one understood what had happened,” Yelena Zatserkovnaya, a Lufthansa stewardess, told an AFP correspondent at the airport. “There was lots of blood, severed legs flying around.” Airport workers were using baggage trolleys to cart out the injured, she said. Continued on Page 14

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

LOCAL In my VIEW

The importance of fairness

By Abdellatif Sharaa

asharaa2002@yahoo.com

he government of one regional country without many natural resources, including fossil fuels, in recent years passed an annual budget that contained a significant deficit; later that same year the government needed some funds to complete a vital project and did not know how to collect the money. This led to intense discussion among the cabinet members of ways and means of borrowing the necessary funds...etc, until finally the Prime Minister came up with the brilliant but simple idea of raising the price of revenue stamps by only five fils each; within a matter of days most of the money was collected and there were no demonstrations against the fees rise, with everything working out well. A few years later the same country was feeling the burden of subsidizing certain products, including wheat, and being worried about people’s anger if prices were raised, its government decided to reduce the weight of each Ragheef (circular bread) by 10 grams, which again saved the government a massive amount of money with nobody apparently worrying about or even noticing the change. People are naturally tolerant and will easily accept sensible changes as long as these are rational and do not hit them too hard in their pockets. They realize that change must happen and in many cases it requires more money and extra costs, but when prices go up and up while their salaries remain the same leaving them unable to afford what they were able to previously, frustration sets in, to be followed by all sorts of actions, which may ultimately lead to demonstrations and street protests, with the situation escalating from there. I believe that there are many alternatives that governments could resort to in collecting revenues, which at the end of the day go towards serving the people, without heavily burdening the population; problems arise, however, when governments isolate themselves from the people while corruption is rampant, political scandals are being discovered left and right and the political leaders offer a total lack of transparency and provide often-contradictory explanations of the same issue. This leads to these officials losing their credibility, which is when problems begin to snowball, and demands increase and increase. Let us - both governments and peoples alike - be realistic, frank, transparent, straight to the point, proactive and upfront, and let’s leave our personal disputes and grudges at home because people do not deserve to suffer while two public figures struggle over their personal issues!! (God bless Kuwait)

KUWAIT: Editor-in-Chief of Al-Anba Daily Newspaper, Yousuf Al-Marzouq invited the editors-in-chief of various local dailies to the newspaper’s headquarters. The meeting focused on several media related issues including proposed amendments to the audio-video and press laws.In addition to Al-Marzouq, the meeting was attended by Chairman of the Kuwait Journalists Association Ahmad Behbehani and editors-in-chief of Al-Qabas’ Waleed Al-Nisf, Al-Watan’s Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al-Sabah and his deputy Waleed Al-Jassem, Al-Rai’s Majid Al-Ali,Al-Seyassah and Arab Times’ Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, Al-Anba’s deputy editor-in-chief, Adnan Al-Rashid, Kuwait Times’ Abd Al-Rahman Alyan, Al-Jarida’s Nasser Al-Otaibi, Annahar’s Emad BuKhamseen, Alam Al-Youm’s Abdulhamid Al-Daas, Al-Dar’s Abdulmuhsin Al-Sultan, Al-Mustaqbal’s Dr Zuhair Al-Abbad and Al-Hurriya’s Muthanna Al-Furaij.

Mideast telecom sector witnessed 24% growth in last 15 years Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Award Forum By Nisreen Zahreddine KUWAIT: The third workshop for the Salem Al-Ali Award Forum was held on Sunday night under the title ‘Telecommunications in Kuwait and the Arab World: Reality and Ambitions.’ The workshop was hosted by Saad Al-Barrak, CEO and Managing Director of Zain in Saudi Arabia (KSA). The forum’s opening speech, made by IT Award Forum Coordinator Ahmed Idriss Al-Dossari, started with a biography of AlBarrak’s career. He also spoke about Al-Barrak’s prizes and activities in the field of telecommunications in Kuwait while he worked as Zain Kuwait CEO. Al-Barrak thanked the forum and Sheikh Salem Al-Ali for his unlimited support, for the award and for all those that serve the development goals of Kuwait and the Arab World. He spoke about the current situation of telecommunications in Kuwait, in the Middle East and its future. He pointed out that the telecommunications sector in the Middle East witnessed a remarkable 24 percent growth of participants annually during the last 15 years, especially in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The gross revenues witnessed in the Middle East, an increase of 15 percent annually, is the highest in the world. Focusing on Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) countries, Al-Barrak mentioned that the average revenue of every user in the region is the highest in the Middle East. He said that it is expected that the number of cell phone users will reach 7.2 billion in 2015, 324 million of which will be in the Middle East. He pointed out that the telecommunications sector has reached a saturation point and that it is now time for legislative authorities to protect consumers and lead competition between different telecommunication companies. He added that competition amongst telecommunications companies is important for offering additional services for consumers.

Kuwait Digest

The minister’s responsibility By Mohammad Al-Muqatea

he Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah made the right decision when he submitted his resignation following the murder of citizen Mohammad Al-Mutairi as a result of police torture. What was regarded at the time as a brave political step was later subjected to speculations suggesting that his resignation was merely a tactic to absorb the public’s reaction towards this crime so that the minister could remain in office. The minister’s resignation is the least that can be done following the tragic death of a citizen at the hands of his ministry’s personnel. It’s unacceptable to stall the resignation subject and have it turn into a political discussion of whether the resignation should be accepted or not. If the minister is serious about accepting full responsibility for this case he should leave his office and set a strong example. The minister announced that his resignation is a reflection of his dissatisfaction with the irresponsible activities carried out by some of his ministry’s personnel. Meanwhile, it’s important to note that the minister bears full responsibility for this case whether he knew about the offenses or not. The fact that torture and other violations of human rights were committed by police officers is a sufficient enough reason for the minister, as well as other senior ministry personnel, to step out of office. MPs must question this subject or else they are failing to commit to their constitutional duties. —Al-Qabas

KUWAIT: The third workshop for the Salem Al-Ali Award Forum in progress.

NCCAL secretary general opens artifacts exhibition KUWAIT: The Secretary General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) Bader Al-Rifaei inaugurated an exhibition yesterday displaying artifacts dating to different periods and produced by different civilizations in Kuwait, as part of the activities of the annual Qurain Cultural Festival. The items on display were discovered by NCCAL teams in cooperation with Gulf and international expeditions which covered several areas of Kuwait between 1958 and 2010. The findings prove Kuwait was an inhabited region since the modern Stone Age and till the Islamic Period. The artifacts are product of the Bronze Age, Hellenic Period, Islamic Period, and the time of the establishment of modern Kuwait. The items include dolls and statuettes of different sizes and material, hand-made and made with help of casts, and these are considered highly-

indicative of the concerned time and culture’s social, economic, and political life. The exhibition also displays different types of rocks used in the region, at different times, and tools made from rock used in different aspects of life and different professions, such as milling and baking and construction of houses. The areas covered by the expeditions include AlSabiyyah, Burqan, Um Al-Aysh, Tal Al-Slaibikhat (Slaibikhat hill), Bheitah, Kadhmah, Warah, AlQurain, Wadi Al-Baten, and the Islands of Um AlNamel and Failaka. Researches interested in study of artifacts discovered in Kuwait and region indicate the coastal area as a hot-spot for discovering such material. They therefore deuced that most of the cultures and civilizations in Kuwait throughout the ages were very sea-active and engaged in sea trade and seafaring and related professions. — KUNA

Bad wiring main cause of campsite fires KUWAIT: According to the Kuwati Fire Service Department (KFSD) unsafe wire extensions are the main cause of campsite fires, repor ted Al-Qabas. KFSD recently announced safety measures to further protect campsites from accidents that occur as a result of careless-

ness. Head of the KFSD’s awareness division, Captain Majid Al-Otaibi, made his comments following a tour of campsites in Jlaiah. He added that the tour was part of KFSD’s campaign to spread awareness amongst campers regarding the impor-

tance of remaining committed to safety conditions while camping. “Statistics reveal an alarming increase in the number of unfortunate accidents that took place during this year’s camping season”, Al-Otaibi said. He explained that fire accidents are the most com-

mon form of injury while camping, following ATV and car accidents respectively. While he noted that the rate of fire accidents are declining, Al-Otaibi noted that fires as a result of electric short circuits still take place in many camps across the country.

e niv rsar n

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

LOCAL Local Spotlight

The KD 1,000 festival!

By Muna Al-Fuzai

muna@kuwaittimes.net

estivals are important because they occupy a place in the life of the people of Kuwait, regardless of their nationality. The National Day Festival is Kuwait’s most important festival because it reﬂects the true patriotic feelings of Kuwaitis and expatriates. It is a great occasion for all Kuwaitis but we need to talk about how important it is to invest in this occasion correctly. A recent report showed that that the Kuwaiti hovernment is willing to spend 1 million Kuwaiti dinars on a show called ‘ela al-watan,’ meaning anything but the country. I guess this kind of saying is in fashion now following the ‘ela al-destoor’ MP group, meaning anything but the constitution. Now, there are things that have to sound reasonable and I honestly cannot digest the amount of money the government is willing to spend on one concert. Well, I love Kuwait and am sure there are many people who love Kuwait, both Kuwaitis and expats, but I am not sure about this expensive concert. I cannot see the connection between loving your country and spending a million Kuwaiti dinars on just one show. Now, I wonder why this seems to be the only way we as a nation practice our love for Kuwait? Why can’t we use this money in diﬀerent ways, such as to promote awareness amongst the public on how they can be of better service to their country. Why can’t we spend money on promoting themes such as keeping Kuwait clean or other environmental initiatives? Another suggestion would be to fund projects that encourage young people to interact with those of older generations. Here in Kuwait we have special houses that take care of the elderly. What if we

ﬁnancially compensated youths for spending time with the elderly, or for volunteer work in general? Why can’t we be more creative and add value to our country instead of just hosting another expensive singing festival? Loving your nation is about more than just singing, it’s about honoring what people of this land can do in one year, not just a one day celebration. I believe a decision has already been made and that the lucky ones will be attending this singing festival. I wish all of you a joyful celebration. Letters to Muna Alfuzai Hello Muna, I read your article (Al-mowaten) today in the Kuwait Times and as a Kuwaiti citizen I would just like to say keep it up sister. You have amazing ideas and great ﬁngers capable of transferring your ideas to paper. Thank you so much. Mousad Assalam wa alakum Muna, After His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah announced that he will give every citizen 1,000 KD on the occasion of Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day, many expatriates hoped that at least government sector employees would be granted 50 or 100 KD each. It is generally believed that when the father of a home gives gifts to his sons and daughters during times of joy and happiness that he gives small gifts to his servants as well. Would you please write on this topic? Perhaps something will happen because this is a time of great joy and happiness for us all. Thanks, One expatriate government employee

MoI report focuses on Al-Mutairi liquor case only: Ministry insider No mention about ‘arguments’ KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) committee established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the torture and death in police custody of Kuwaiti man Mohammed Al-Mutairi has been condemned by an MoI insider for focusing almost wholly on the alcohol possession charges which led to the 23-year-old’s initial arrest in its report on the case, which was scheduled to be released to parliament yesterday. Speaking to Al-Rai on condition of anonymity, the interior ministry insider said that from his understanding, the report focuses solely on the alleged discover y of a box of bottles of alcohol in AlMutairi’s possession which led to his arrest, failing to mention the reported earlier arguments between the young man and one of the MoI officers accused of overseeing his torture. The insider said that the report is likely to discuss a limited range of subjects, centering

on the discovery by police of a box of bottles of spirits during a routine search at a local campsite. The campsite owner reportedly claimed during questioning to have purchased the alcohol from Al-Mutairi. Following this admission, police persuaded the detainee to call Al-Mutairi’s phone, which was answered by his friend, Siyah AlRushaidi, the principal witness in the case, who was subsequently tortured alongside him. According to the MoI insider’s information, Al-Rushaidi immediately hung up on receiving the phone call realizing that the individual calling him had already been arrested. Shortly after this, a warrant was issued to search Al-Mutairi’s apartment in Jleeb AlShuyoukh, but he was not found there. Security officials later arrested him at an undisclosed location and he gave them details of Al-Rushaidi’s whereabouts. Al-

Rushaidi was subsequently arrested at his own apartment, along with another man, identified as Anwar Al-Azmi. The insider quoted witnesses as stating that Al-Mutairi was subjected to brutal torture during his interrogation, with one MoI officer who is a martial arts expert reportedly using his ‘skills’ to inflict further suffering on the prisoner. Al-Mutairi eventually told them that he had hidden a quantity of bottles at a jakhour (livestock farm) in the Kabad area), but on taking him and Al-Rushaidi to the location in question the officers found nothing, subjecting both men to further savage torture there before Al-Rushaidi was taken to Andalus police station and Al-Mutairi to Ahmadi police station, where he later died. After Al-Mutairi’s death, senior detectives involved in the case repor tedly attempted to cover up the incident by logging Al-Rushaidi’s arrest, but not Al-Mutairi’s.

Kuwait hosts ‘halal’ industry conference KUWAIT: Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Rashed Al-Hammad said yesterday the ‘halal’ industry is unique one and most compliant with the Islamic sharia (law). “All products of this industry are fully compliant to the provisions of Islamic sharia,” Justice Al-Hammad said. The term halal refers the meat of livestock permissible to eat and slaughtered in a way compliant to the Islamic sharia.” The minister made the remarks in the inaugural address to the first Gulf conference on halal industry being organized here by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in collaboration with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and the food inspection commission of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “The conference is being held under a generous initiative by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah who is always keen on the moral and physical safety of all Muslims,” Al-Hammad pointed out. Since its inception, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has been striving to provide sound and permissible foods and medicines to the Muslim citizens, he added. Meanwhile, KISR Director-General Dr Naji Al-Mutairi said the halal industry grew fast in the recent year with its sales worldwide hitting $587 billion in 2004. —KUNA

KUWAIT: At his office in the Ahmadi Governorate’s public diwan, the area governor Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah yesterday welcomed the Kuwaiti ArabicSpanish translator Ahmad Khalifa Al-Shemmari, who recently gained a Master’s degree for his thesis on a comparative study of the civil laws in Kuwait and Spain. During the meeting, the governor acknowledged efforts by local experts in the field of translation-related research.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

LOCAL Kuwait Digest

The simplest achievements! By Dina Al-Essa

es, indeed, we have started searching for even the smallest fragment of an achievement, such as opening our eyes in the morning to see clean streets, beaches and the outside of our houses without piles of black trash or rub-

bish. Have you taken a walk down Salem Al-Mubarak street - a street that used to be described as the Champs ElysEes in the 1980s - and seen the stacks of garbage there? Have we become incapable of even making the simplest kinds of accomplishment or achievement in our country? I wonder how the demolition committee managed to wipe out everything, be it green or dry, ugly or beautiful, right or wrong, public property violation or not. They even removed one single tree in the doorway of a family residence while leaving another tree in the doorway of a house inhabited by bachelors on the same alley where tiling public property and using it as a court and garden by the bachelors was not considered a violation, unlike the poor single tree that had nobody to protect it. The bottom line is: Why doesn’t this mighty committee also take care of cleaning operations and ﬁne those that commit pollution related felonies. Why don’t they ﬁne those who litter while driving and follow through on those cleaning companies that are getting paid without doing their jobs properly?! —Al-Watan

Kuwait Digest

Demanding Premier’s resignation an interference in Amir’s authority Govt intends to consult Constitutional Court KUWAIT: Recent demands that His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah resign from his position are absolute attempts to intervene in the authority of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, said a minister on Sunday. In an interview on Al-Watan TV satellite channel, communications minister Dr. Mohammed Al-Busairi added pointedly, “Some Prime Ministers in various democratically developed countries have come to power with only one vote’s difference.” Al-Busairi, who is also the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, also revealed that the government intends to consult the Constitutional Court for details on the exact constitutional definitions of the premier’s prime ministerial duties, as well as the official constitutional stance on state policy.

It is doing so, he said, in a bid to prevent ministers from facing unconstitutional interpellations “like the one ﬁled against the Prime Minister, who nevertheless decided to accept it in order to avoid accusations that he was trying to escape the motion or seek ways out of it.” Al-Busairi said that the country’s three governing powers, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, should work closely together, provided that each does not concede or yield its power to the others. “This is what’s happening nowadays as legislators violate and trespass on the executive’s duties and powers,” he asserted. On calls from anti-government MPs urging the public to take to the streets and mobilize public opinion in support of them, Al-Busairi suggested that these are wholly unnecessary since MPs can freely and fully exercise their

powers in parliament, adding that “their opinions should not necessarily match those of the government.” The minister described the relationship between the government and parliament as one consisting of “ups and downs,” urging anti-government MPs to stop creating tensions between the two powers and warning them that citizens are already fed up with these tensions. In another development, ﬁve parliament members submitted a proposal to amend an article of the penal code by which changing a minimum jail sentence to community service would be more organized, reported Al-Rai Last week the Ministry of Interior made a decision by which a three-month jail sentence made against former MP Badi Al-Dousary for physically assaulting head of the Migration General Department Major General Kamel Al-

Awadhi, was changed to community service. The major general submitted his resignation in protest of the change and the decision earned lots of criticism both politically and publically. The recent proposal, forwarded by MPs Abdullah Al-Roumi, Marzouq Al-Ghanim, Adel Al-Saraawi, Aseel Al-Awadhi and Abdurrahman Al-Anjari suggests that the ministry would refer the case to the same court that makes maximum jail sentences for permission before changing the order to community service. The proposal also suggests that the amount of time required for public service be identical to that of the jail sentence. Furthermore, the proposal indicates that if oﬀenders fail to obey the terms of their community service the prosecutor would have the right to ask the court to order the oﬀender to serve the remaining period of their sentence in jail.

The real reason behind the grilling? By Meshaal Al-Thufairi KUWAIT: The interior minister, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, had no involvement in any shape or form with the arrest and subsequent torture of Kuwaiti man Mohammed Al-Mutairi which led to his tragic death. The minister was not present at any of the crime scenes, nor did he give any direct or indirect instructions concerning Al-Mutairi’s case. In fact, Lt. Gen. Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid had no knowledge of the horrific crime until he received the initial report on it. His non-involvement was, if anything, further proved by his statement to parliament based on that report, which was subsequently discovered to contain a number of falsehoods about the case. The most important question here, however, is whether or not Lt. Gen. Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid is politically responsible concerning the actions taking place at the Ministry of Interior under his command. Is it even possible for MP Musallam AlBarrak to file a grilling against another senior minister? Of course, the answer to both these questions is no. Given these facts, it’s outrageous to consider that the longstanding feud between the anti-government MPs and the minister is the principal reason for the planned grilling motion against him. Let’s ask ourselves this question, however: would anyone accept any of their family members being subjected to humiliation at a police station, let alone being brutally tortured? While investigators have found certain individual interior ministry personnel guilty of Al-Mutairi’s torture, this still doesn’t mean that the minister shouldn’t share some responsibility from a political standpoint. Personally, I can’t understand why Lt. Gen. Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid would remain committed to his post which has brought him countless woes. On another subject, the interior ministry nowadays collects millions of dinars from speeding violations detected via roadside radar cameras. If our ministries focused the same level of effort on reorganizing Kuwait’s chaotic traffic system and completing other long-delayed construction-related projects, all the country’s traffic problems would be quickly resolved. — Al-Rai

KUWAIT: Australians celebrated their country’s National Day at Radisson Blu’s AlHashemi II on Sunday. Guests enjoyed a taste of Australian culture and indigenous music. Hosted by Ambassador Glenn Miles, Australians and distinguished guests celebrated the National Day which is tomorrow (Jan 26). Picture shows Ambassador Glenn Miles and Director of Europe and the Americas department for Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Ali Abdullah Al-Sabah cutting the commemorative cake.

KUWAIT: Carl Boardman plays traditional indigenous musical instrument the Didgeridoo.

Juvenile crime rates drop By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The Juvenile Protection Department (JPD) said there was a signiﬁcant drop in the rate of juvenile crimes in 2010. The JPD, which belongs to the Directorate General of Criminal Detectives, noted that the drop is the largest of its kind since the department was established in 1983. Annual statistics for 2010 reveal that the total number of crimes committed by juveniles was 1,510, a drop of 1,212 cases compared to 2001’s 2,722 recorded cases. Compared to 2007, 2010 saw a drop of 1,019 cases as 2,529 crimes committed by juveniles were recorded that year. In 2009 the number of cases was 1,733, a drop of 223 cases compared to 2010. The trend reﬂects a continuous drop of juvenile crimes in Kuwait and proves the success of

the security and prevention strategies that were adopted by the department during the past few years. The JPD launched several security campaigns with an emphasis on juvenile groups, giving schools special attention as they are considered the second most important social institution after the family. The campaigns were carried out in coordination and cooperation with educational and social institutions, such as the Juvenile Care Department and the Juvenile Care Authority. Serious eﬀorts were made to accommodate complaints coming from parents of juveniles they felt they could not control. Eﬀorts were made by the various authorities to address and mend family relations. Children in families or situations that seemed unsolvable were sent to Juvenile Care Department homes to keep them from deviating or endangering others.

Dr Yergin to speak at NBK symposium KUWAIT: Energy is the key driver of economic development for Kuwait and the region and understanding the changes that will impact the industry as a whole is critical. To that end, National Bank of Kuwait, the leading bank in Kuwait and the highest rated in the Middle East, has invited world renowned energy expert Dr Daniel Yergin to give a lecture on the New Energy Future. Dr Yergin won the 1992 Pulitzer Prize for his bestselling book, The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money and Power. He is Chairman of IHS-Cambridge Energy Research Associates and a leading energy authority in the United States and around the globe, serving on a number of energyrelated boards and committees including the power ful US National Petroleum Council and the US Energy Association. He is also the Global Energy Expert for USbased cable news channel CNBC. In his address, Dr Yergin will speak about the future of the hydrocarbon industry in the Middle East, the energy and geopolitics intersect and what he sees as the underlying factors driving development. He will also take questions from the audience. NBK is a leader in bringing to Kuwait

high proﬁle, internationally-recognized authorities to speak on energy, economics and politics. Past symposium speakers have included former US Presidents George HW Bush and Bill Clinton, former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew and former US Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. The symposium will be held Wednesday, 2 February 2011 at the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development headquarters in Shuwaikh. The premier event will be by invitation only.

KUWAIT: Some of the dignitaries who attended the celebrations. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

One million internet subscribers in Kuwait KUWAIT: According to the latest as-yet unconfirmed Ministry of Communications (MoC) statistics, there were almost a million registered internet subscribers in Kuwait as of the end of 2010. From once being seen as a luxury extra, internet access has now come to be viewed as an essential in almost every household in Kuwait, with youngsters in particular dependent on the worldwide web in every aspect of life. One can barely imagine a gathering of young people nowadays at which the terms email, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook, amongst others, weren’t mentioned at least once. Kuwait ’s rates of internet use are apparently amongst the highest in the region, which is all the more remarkable given the fact that it would have been unusual only a few years ago to find more than two local homes with a DSL internet connection. Rapid technological advances have played a central role in this steep rise in internet usage in Kuwait, of course, with the ubiquit y of iPhones and BlackBerries demonstrating just how fast such trends can spread and how much greater the variety of internet options is for users to connect to the global network. Another factor helping in increasing internet use locally has been the steady fall in prices, with the current cost for subscribers being a massive 95 percent lower than it was when the service was first introduced to Kuwait.

News

in brief

Birth registration process KUWAIT: Kuwaitis who’ve recently become parents are rushing to finalize the registration of their children’s birth to be in time for the Feb 1 deadline, after which the babies will not be eligible for the recently announced KD 1,000 Amiri grant marking the upcoming national celebrations. Staff at the births and deaths registry were apparently officially instructed by a senior Ministry of Health (MoH) official to expedite work in order to complete registration of all new births as quickly as possible, with the new system apparently resulting in far shorter waiting times for parents carrying out these procedures. Speaking to AlQabas on condition of anonymity, one department employee explained that the official directive from Assistant MoH Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Abdulkarim Jaafar instructed staff to expedite the processing of birth registrations in order to ensure that parents are issued with all the necessary paperwork as quickly as possible. Hawally cleaning campaign KUWAIT: The municipal branch of the Hawally Governorate launched a cleaning campaign in the area, reported Al-Rai. The cleaning campaign comes in preparation for the national holiday celebrations and will feature the contribution of more than 170 cleaning workers and 50 vehicles. The

municipality ’s public sanitation department set a schedule that lasts until January 27 and covers ten areas of the governorate, including Salmiya, Salwa, Mishref, Maidan Hawally, Jabriya and Shaab. In a statement to the press, head of the department Badr Al-Qattan explained that cleanup activities will take place on a block by block basis. New postal stamps KUWAIT: The Ministry of Communication said yesterday it would issue new postal stamps to commemorate Kuwait’s 50th Independence Day, 20th Liberation Day and the 5th anniversary of assumption of power by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah. “The ministry will use the thermal press technology to issue the new stamps and commemorative publications,” said Bushra Al-Herz, chairperson of the ministry’s post stamp collector division. “The stamps marking the 50th Independence Day will be golden color while the those marking the 20th Liberation Day will be in silver one,” she said. Stamps carrying photos of HH the Amir and the number 50 and other ones carrying HH the Crown Prince’s photo and the number 20 will be available to collectors at Al-Safat post oﬃce soon and other post oﬃces soon after the national celebrations, she added.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

local

Palestinians express gratitude Kuwait an example in progress, development and democracy RAMALLAH: As Kuwait prepares to mark the 50th anniversary of its independence and the 20th anniversary of liberation, as well as the fifth anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlSabah’s investiture, the state continues to focus on its own continuing development, whilst supporting development around the world, and instilling the values and practice of democracy. In interviews to mark the upcoming major celebrations, two senior Palestinian officials hailed Kuwait as an example in these areas and noted the state’s non-wavering support of all just causes around the world, including the Palestinian cause. This, they said, is a strong factor in bringing Palestine the status it enjoys today. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh Al-Maliki said that Kuwait is among the leading countries globally in many areas, most particularly in the field of supporting developing states and development initiatives. “As an independent sovereign country, the state

also maintains an ambition to develop and progress further in all areas,” said Al-Maliki. Specifically regarding the Kuwaiti stance on the Palestinian cause, the official noted that, “His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is always the first to defend Palestinian rights, and he never fails to support the cause at all international conferences and venues, and this honorable stance is most appreciated by all Palestinians.” The recent visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to Kuwait reflects the Palestinian leadership’s appreciation and gratitude for Kuwait’s moral, political, as well as financial support, he continued. The senior added that coordination is ongoing to prepare for the opening of an official Palestinian Embassy in Kuwait, “and we are hoping to open our embassy soon.” Al-Maliki’s colleague Nemer Hammad, the Political Advisor to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), meanwhile, said that

since its independence Kuwait has succeeded in presenting a good example in the ﬁelds of democracy and development, adding that after the “insane and idiotic Saddam occupation,” Kuwait “managed to pull itself together, rebuild, and stand tall and proud...and rose to the challenge.” He continued, “I believe that the majority of those in power and those of inﬂuence in the state and those who maintained moderation succeeded in overcoming this crisis and the tension it caused in Palestinian-Kuwaiti relations.” Hammad stressed, “Kuwaitis by now know the true stance of the majority of the Palestinian leaders and people, including President Abbas, which was against the Iraqi aggression on its neighbor,” adding, “We Palestinians shall never forget a statement by the Kuwaiti Ambassador in Rome after the liberation of Kuwait, that Kuwaitis’ joy shall not be complete till Palestinian territories are liberated and an Independent Palestinian State is declared.” Returning to the present day, he said, “We have to

look forward, not back, and Kuwait, which was the first country to host a representative bureau for the Palestinian people in the past, will soon host a Palestinian Embassy, we hope.” He further praised Kuwait’s support for the Palestinian cause, saying, “We shall never forget that well-known figures and even members of the Sabah family stood in support of the Palestinian cause from its earliest days, and that the leaders of the first Intifada were hosted by Kuwait, and that a large number of Palestinians worked and lived in Kuwait for many years.” As the state prepares to celebrate its national days, said Hammad, “Palestinians fondly remember the late Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad, who stood besides his brethren and shed his blood alongside them in Al-Karame and Al-Aghwar time and time again.” He concluded by saying, “We are confident this honorable stance shall never fail us, and extend our warmest greetings and congratulations to the Kuwaiti people on their national days.” — KUNA

MoI distributes one million copies of national anthem lyrics KUWAIT: The Ministry of Information announced yesterday that it will be printing and distributing one million copies of the lyrics to Kuwait’s national anthem, Al Nasheed Al Watani, to all the states’ ministries, government bodies and embassies in time for the upcoming major national celebrations. Next month sees the country celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence, the 20th anniversary of its liberation from the Iraq occupation and the ﬁfth anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah’s investiture. The head of the ministry’s print media department, Lulwa Al-Salem, who is also a member of the national celebrations committee, said that the ministry will distribute copies of the National Anthem to all civilians and residents in all ministries, government bodies, cooperative societies, malls and private sector institutes. Al-Salem also noted that the print and online editions of the country’s daily newspapers will publish the lyrics to the

anthem on Tuesday and Wednesday. The anthem will also be broadcast on local television channels and radio stations on Wednesday, she added. On Wednesday the national celebrations will be marked in style on Garouh Island, the first Kuwaiti location to be liberated from the 1990-91 Iraqi occupation, she pointed out. Also on Wednesday, HH the Amir will participate in a special flag-hoisting ceremony to officially mark the beginning of this year’s national celebrations, she added. The national celebration permanent committee has called on all Kuwaitis in and outside the country to participate in singing of the National Anthem at 10:00 AM on Wednesday to coincide with HH the Amir’s ceremonial raising of the Kuwaiti flag. The lyrics to Al Nasheed Al Watani, which itself translates as ‘National Anthem,’ was written by Kuwaiti poet Ahmad Meshari Al-Adwani, with the music composed by Ibrahim Al-Soula. It was first broadcast on Feb 25, 1978. — KUNA

KUWAIT: UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahayan and his accompanying delegation arrived in Kuwait yesterday. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed was received by Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah.

Al-Taqaddum magazine focuses on ‘time’ KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Al-Taqaddum Al-Ilmi (The Scientiﬁc Advancement) Magazine allocated its latest issue to the subject of “Time”. The issue’s main story would be titled “Time... a journey through ages”. A galaxy of the renowned writers and researchers specialized in this issue will also contribute to this issue. The magazine’s Chief Editor Dr Adel Al-Abd Al-Jadr wrote in the publication’s opening article that deﬁning the real meaning of time is not

easy, noting that the development of the meaning of words is one of the main characteristics of the Arabic language. The issue’s articles would touch upon ideas such as the philosophical dimensions of time, time gauging tools through ages, relations between time and place, traveling through time, time and language and the importance of time in the diﬀerent aspects of life. The magazine will also include a number of

articles about different scientific issues. Al-Taqaddum Al-Ilmi magazine is a periodical magazine published by the Kuwaiti “Scientific Culture Department” every three months. It aims at introducing those concerned with the scientific movement in Kuwait and abroad to the efforts exerted by nationals in different scientific fields, and the publication of scientific and cultural information in a simple form. —KUNA

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

local

Garouh Island kick starts its national celebrations KUWAIT: Kuwaiti island, Garouh, will kick start today its national celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Independence Day, the 20th anniversary of Liberation Day and the 5th anniversar y of His Highness the Amir’s assumption of power. Garouh Island was the ﬁrst Kuwaiti land that was liberated from the Iraqi occupying forces who invaded Kuwait during the period of Aug 2, 1990 to Feb 26, 1991. The National Celebrations High Committee had conducted in Jan 18 an initial military rehearsal to re-enact the island’s liberation and the rise of the Kuwaiti ﬂag on it. Garouh Island was liberated in Jan 25,

1991 after ﬁve hours of battle between coalition forces and Iraqi troops in which the latter were captured and driven away from this Kuwaiti land that raised its ﬂag as a declaration of the return of its legitimacy. The island is the smallest of the nine islands and also the furthest from the Kuwaiti mainland. It is located 37.5 kilometers away from the mainland and 17 kilometers away from Umm Al-Maradim. It is roughly 275 meters long, 175 meters wide. It was named “Garouh” due to the large amounts of petroleum sediments in the area. It is also the natural habitat of various marine birds. — KUNA

Only 56% of 1st Ring Road project completed

Citizen arrested for death threat KUWAIT: A citizen was arrested after a family living in Mubarak Al-Kabeer reported that he threatened to kill their son over a previous dispute, reported Al-Watan. The oﬀender was held for questioning. Bootleggers held Ahmadi police arrested two bootleggers for planning to sell homemade liquor to workers of a company located in the Abdullah Port area, reported Al-Watan. The suspects, of Bangladeshi and Korean nationalities, were arrested with 140 liquor bottles in their possession. They were apprehended while on their way to the company’s headquarters. Scam A citizen reported that an Egyptian he planned to enter into a business deal with disappeared with KD 10,000 of his money, reported Al-Watan. The citizen explained that he gave the Egyptian the money shortly after they agreed on a business deal and that the Egyptian could not be reached shortly after he took the money. Car theft An American man informed authorities that a woman wearing a veil broke into his parked car while it was parked in front of a

ministry complex, reported Al-Rai. He reported that his laptop, cell phone and flash drive memory sticks with classified information on it were stolen. He informed authorities that a cleaning worker told him that a woman wearing a niqab used a steel pipe to break into his car before fleeing the scene in a taxi. Burglar in custody A Filipina woman was placed under arrest for stealing KD 1,000 from her employer’s credit card, reported Al-Rai. The citizen filed a report with police after making a transaction at a bank and realizing that KD 1,000 was withdrawn from his account at one of the bank’s branches in Salhiya. Upon reviewing the bank’s surveillance footage, the citizen was able to identify the thief as his maid who takes weekly trips to Salhiya. After being questioned and confronted with the evidence the maid admitted to her crime and explained that she gave half the money to her boyfriend who she meets weekly in the area. She was held for further questioning. Suspect flees A young man escaped from police in Mangaf while they tried to pull him over for driving without a license, reported Al-Anba. The suspect was forced to stop at a check-

point, at which point he identified himself as a Kuwaiti national. Instead of pulling over when police asked him to, the young man sped away from the checkpoint and nearly hit a police officer. Indian fight An Indian man was admitted to the intensive care unit of a hospital after sustaining serious injuries during a fight with a compatriot, reported Al-Anba. He informed authorities that he confronted the man for not paying him back the KD 400 he lent him and that he was injured after their argument turned violent. Porn vendor Police arrested a worker in a Mahbola grocery store for using his place to sell pornographic CDs to nearby residents. Authorities became suspicious of the grocery store employee when they noticed that a large amount of teenagers gathered at the store daily. A warrant was issued to search the store after police received information regarding the illegal sale of pornographic material. During the investigation, police confiscated nearly 90 pornographic CDs and the store employee admitted to selling the illicit materials.

KUWAIT: Only 56 percent of the work being carried out by the Ministry of Public Work (MPW) on the KD 29 million First Ring Road project has been completed since the project contract was signed ﬁve years ago, revealed a senior MPW oﬃcial on Sunday. During a tour of the areas where work on the major construction project is taking place, project supervisor Mohammad Abadine told Al-Qabas that whilst the completion date had originally been scheduled for the middle of 2011, a number of problems, including the limited experience of Arab laborers working on the project, means that this may be delayed. Abadine revealed that the total

cost of the work completed to date has come to KD 16 million, further revealing that two more pedestrian bridges, the fourth and fifth to be built as part of the project, will be completed and opened for use shortly, both near the Sheraton Roundabout. The senior official also revealed that upgrading the rainwater drainage network in the vicinity of the First Ring Road had also been incorporated into the work to be performed as part of the project. He stressed that the project team had avoided open excavation work wherever possible in order to prevent the obstruction of traffic.

Kuwait plans accreditation of Malaysian universities KUALA LUMPUR: The Academic Accreditation Committee at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education is considering accreditation of a number of leading Malaysian universities which enjoy high international standards and repute, the Kuwaiti Cultural Bureau in Australia said yesterday. Chief and advisor of the bureau Ahmad Al-Athari said he recently visited Malaysia to get more information on the academic system and the many universities there, and speciﬁcally focused on the universities selected for possible accreditation. These, he said, were chosen based on their performance levels and international accreditation. He added that the bureau ﬁnished an

11-month study, conducted in cooperation with the ministry’s accreditation committee, headed by Dr Ayedh AlMerri. The list of universities considered in this regard includes “Universiti Putra Malaysia”, “Universiti Sains Malaysia”, “Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia”, “Universiti Teknologi Petronas”, “Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia”, “Multimedia University ”, and “Management and Science University”, among others. Al-Athari praised this gesture by the accreditation committee and said, “Malaysia enjoys an educational environment conducive to high achievement. — KUNA

Municipality reports bust of spoilt food at airport 410 kg of spoilt fish found KUWAIT: Municipality of Kuwait yesterday reported the discovery of 410 kg of spoilt fish at an entry point at Kuwait airport. Food imports official at the municipality, Istiqlal Al-Msallam, told the press this shipment was discovered due to recently increased effort to monitor traders’ imports and attempts to bring items into the market which are not fit for human consumption, without the least regard for public health. This increased effort and diligence is encouraged through directives of Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Dr Fadhil Safar, she said. The ultimate objective is to bring consumers a sense of safety.

The engineer also reported the discovery of 186 kg of expired meat products, and noted that there was an attempt to mislead the officials. While the outer packaging stated the goods were fit for consumption throughout Feb 2011, the interior clearly indicated expiry date as December 2010. This specific quantity was part of a shipment of 2.33 tons, she said. Airport food imports department director at the municipality Ibrahim Al-Ansari meanwhile said this latest shipment reminds inspectors of the vital need to maintain and even increase diligence and care to foil attempts to make profit at the cost of consumer health. — KUNA

International TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Thousands rally in Tunis

Watchdog slams UN, EU’s human rights ‘cowardice’ Page 8

France promises aid to Tunisia TUNIS: Thousands of protesters rallied in the main government quarter in Tunis yesterday calling for Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to resign after the fall of veteran leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Security forces fired tear gas and sealed off the area with barbed wire as some protesters threw stones, charged police lines and smashed up a police car at the start of a make-or-break week for Tunisia’s new transition government. “Resign scum!” the protesters chanted after hundreds spent the night staking out the prime minister’s offices in defiance of a curfew that has been kept in place in a bit to restore order amid continuing turmoil in the country. Many of the protesters had made their way to the capital from the impoverished rural parts of Tunisia where the uprising began and held up pictures of victims of Ben Ali’s bloody crackdown in recent weeks. “We will stay a day, two days, a month, two months, as long as it takes for this government to quit,” Ali Abassi, an unemployed man from the town of Menzel Bouzaiane, who said he was the brother of one of the victims, told AFP. Many primary schools also remained shut despite a government order to re-open after teachers called an “unlimited” strike in protest against the national unity government installed after the end of Ben Ali’s 23-year rule. “This strike is irresponsible. Our children are being held hostage,” complained Lamia Bouassida, one of dozens of concerned parents who had come to a school in the centre of the capital to see if it was open or not. Teenagers in their final year of school returned to classes as expected. The General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), which called the strike, has refused to recognize the new government because it keeps in place key figures from the ousted regime including Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi. The UGTT said more than 90 percent of teachers were on strike. “We support the demands of the people. The UGTT will never abandon the people in their struggle to demolish the old regime,” said Nabil Haouachi, a representative of the teachers’ union within the UGTT. Many Tunisians feel the same way and have kept up daily protests since the government was announced last Monday, calling also for the destruc-

tion of Ben Ali’s powerful RCD party, which has dominated Tunisia for decades. Others say the revolution has gone far enough and it is time for calm. “We have to make the democratic process real and irreversible and at the same time guard against the violence and anarchy that threaten our country,” Rachid Sfar, a former prime minister, wrote in an editorial in La Presse daily. Ghannouchi, who has been in place since 1999, has resisted pressure to quit and says he will resign from politics only after the north African state’s first democratic elections since independence from France in 1956. He said the vote could be held within six months but has not set a date. France has been heavily criticized for offering support to Ben Ali during the violent crackdown by his security forces and President Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday said it had “underestimated” the anger of the Tunisian people. A European Union official said there were also plans to boost economic aid to Tunisia from the 240 million euros currently budgeted for 2011-2013. The Tunisian government has unveiled unprecedented democratic reforms including allowing full media freedoms, releasing political prisoners and registering political parties that were banned under Ben Ali. The authoritarian strongman resigned and fled in disgrace to Saudi Arabia on January 14 under pressure from a wave of social protests against his regime. The movement began after a 26-year-old fruit vendor, Mohammed Bouazizi, set fire to himself to protest police abuses in the farming town of Sidi Bouzid. The Arab world’s first popular revolt in recent history has inspired copycat self-immolations in Algeria, Egypt, Mauritania and Morocco. There have also been calls for Tunisia-style protests in Sudan and Yemen. The Tunisian government has sought to re-impose order and start up regular economic activity in the country following weeks of dramatic upheaval. It has moved quickly against Ben Ali’s relatives and loyalists. On Sunday, the TAP state news agency said three key Ben Ali allies including Senate leader Abdallah Kallal were under house arrest while the head of the private Hannibal TV network was arrested for “high treason”.— AFP

Triple attacks on Shiite pilgrims in Iraq kill 12 KARBALA: Three car bombs ripped through crowds near Iraq’s shrine city of Karbala yesterday, killing 12 people and wounding dozens in fresh attacks on pilgrims arriving for religious rituals. “There were three car bomb explosions, two at 8:30 AM (05:30 GMT) and another 30 minutes later,” said Nusayef Jassem, the provincial vice chief. “Twelve people were killed and 150 wounded in the attacks,” he said. Dr Laith Sharifi, an official of the provincial health department, said earlier that 10 people were killed and 50 wounded, with women and children among the victims. Another doctor said that of the wounded, 10 were in serious condition. In other attacks across Iraq yesterday, gunmen killed two anti-Qaeda militiamen in the northern city of Kirkuk, while a roadside bomb in Baghdad killed a military officer. An intelligence official, two guards and eight civilians were wounded in explosions. The two first car bombs targeting pilgrims exploded at a bus terminal at the Al-Ibrahimi area, 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) east of Karbala, Jassem said. Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims are descending on the city

for Arbaeen ceremonies, held to mark 40 days since the anniversary of the death of the revered seventh century Imam Hussein, which climax today. Three car bombs last Thursday went oﬀ around 20 minutes apart on the outskirts of Karbala, killing 45 people and wounding 150. One of the pilgrims, Jassem Al-Zahra, 24, said that since cars were not allowed to enter inside Karbala for Arbaeen, he had parked his car on the outskirts to walk to the city on foot. “I was in the parking lot, waiting for my friends and relatives with dozens of other pilgrims, among them women and children, when the explosion happened,” he said. “I was wounded in the arm, and saw many victims killed and wounded who were thrown to the ground,” he said from his hospital bed. Abdul Al-Hor, 24, said he was on his way to the city on foot at about 9:00 am (0600 GMT) when an explosion threw him to the ground. “I was near a car that exploded among a crowd of people, and only remember being thrown to the ground,” he said at Karbala’s AlHindiya hospital, where he was being treated for head wounds. The attacks come amid a surge of violence in Iraq,

with blasts in the past week, which included suicide bombs, killing at around 130 people and wounding scores more. By comparison, a total of 151 people were killed throughout December. In Baghdad yesterday, a home-made bomb killed Brigadier General Thamer Hassan Saleh, who worked for services linked to the prime minister’s office, an interior ministry official said. The bomb, detonated close to the general’s home in the Ghazaliyah district in western Baghdad, also wounded a member of the intelligence services. In the Al-Shuala neighborhood in northwestern Baghdad, eight people were wounded by an improvised bomb that exploded near a petrol station, the official said. Another improvised bomb targeted a convoy transporting the governor of northern Salaheddin province Ahmed Abdullah Abid to work, the official said. He was unharmed, but two guards were wounded. In the northern city of Kirkuk, meanwhile, gunmen killed two militiamen of the Sahwa (Awakening) forces that turned against Al-Qaeda and sided with the US military from late 2006, a police official said. — AFP

BEIJING: In this photo, an armed police officer flies into his teammates’ arms during a team building exercise yesterday. The exercise aims at boosting mutual trust and keeping mental health in participators. —AP

TUNIS: A schoolgirl holding a rose she wanted to offer her teacher, cries outside her school yesterday. — AP

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

I N T E R N AT I O N A L

Watchdog slams UN, EU’s human rights ‘cowardice’ Saudi Arabia suppresses rights of millions

BANGUI: People count the ballots of the Central African Republic’s presidential and parliamentary elections at a polling station in a school. — AFP

Central African Republic holds presidential vote BANGUI: Voters cast ballots for president on Sunday though the vote was likely to keep the nation’s strongman leader in power in Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest nations that is being destabilized by an array of rebel groups. President Francois Bozize, who seized control in a coup nearly eight years ago, is now facing off against the man he overthrew and several other candidates. Few believe the vote will bring much change to this forgotten backwater in the heart of Africa, a desperately poor nation that’s suffered five coups since independence from France a half century ago. In the capital, more than 5,000 people stood patiently in line at one polling station on Sunday. Election officials said polls had opened late in some areas and that some people had not found their names on the list, but added that polling stations would stay open later so that everyone could vote. Voting was mostly calm, though chaos broke out in one polling station in eastern Bangui when a legislative candidate brandished a weapon and threatened his challenger. The two men fought in front of voters, journalists and observers. The electoral commission had not released an official statement specifically addressing the melee, but spokesman Rigobert Vondo referred to “minor incidents that we are trying to calm down.” Opposition leader Martin Ziguele, a 52year-old former prime minister who is considered Bozize’s strongest challenger, expressed concerns about the reported voting irregularities. “The start of these elections was problematic, notably the omission of names of certain voters,” Ziguele said. “I informed the electoral commission of these major incidents for a credible ballot.” The election was supposed to have taken place here last year, but the vote was delayed several times because opposition leaders had complained that preparations were incomplete. As a result, Bozize’s constitutional five-yearterm expired and was extended. “I am very happy to vote today to re-establish a state of rights in this country,” said 67year-old voter Pierrette Montaigne. Mangaya Yves, a 22-year-old high school student said that he was hoping for change. “I’ve had enough of the social programs created by the government. The president must create more work opportunities and work harder to fight unemployment,” he said. Despite the nation’s wealth of gold, diamonds, timber and uranium, Bozize’s corruptionaddled government remains perpetually cash-strapped. Its authority is mostly lim-

ited to the capital, while armed bandits and insurgents roam the anarchic countryside. Today, Central African Republic is among the poorest of countries in Africa, ranking 159 of 169 nations on the UN’s 2010 Human Development Index, and only about half the population is literate. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hoped the election would improve the country’s chance at stability. The nation’s woes have been compounded by its proximity to other conflict-ridden states. The northeast borders Sudan’s war-wracked Darfur region, and rebels and refugees have crossed both sides of the porous frontier. Uganda’s notorious rebel Lord’s Resistance Army has also taken advantage of the weak state to take refuge here - attacking and abducting civilians with near-impunity. “It is important that these elections are credible, transparent and inclusive and that the results are respected by all candidates and parties in accordance with the code of conduct,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesman. Bozize, 65, came to power at the head of a rebel army that seized the capital amid volleys of machine-gun and mortar-fire in 2003, ousting Ange -Felix Patasse from the presidency. Patasse, 74, is running as an independent and is not believed to have enough support to mount a serious threat. He only returned from exile in Togo late last year after Bozize granted him amnesty. That Patasse is even being allowed to run is a measure of Bozize’s confidence in victory. The strongest challenger is the opposition leader Ziguele, who once served under Patasse. Ziguele won about 36 percent of the vote in 2005, though, and may get even less this time around. Also running are Jean Jacques Demafouth, 52, a former Patasse defense minister who went on to lead a northern rebel group, and opposition figure Emile Nakombo, 55. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff between the top two finishers is scheduled March 20. Bozize managed to win elections in 2005, held two years after he seized power. But the opposition cried foul and in the years since, he has faced multiple low-level rebellions that have shattered security in the north. Government forces hunting rebels have ruthlessly destroyed and burned mud huts across the north, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. In 2008, most of the rebel groups made peace with the government. But one - the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace - still haunts the northeast. — AP

BRUSSELS: The UN and EU stand accused of “cowardice” for claiming to tackle human rights abuses in places like China through soft diplomacy, Human Rights Watch said in its annual report yesterday. Highlighting its claim, the report on global human rights violations was issued in Brussels the same day the European Union hosted controversial Uzbek President Islam Karimov amid protests. The New York-based NGO’s executive director Kenneth Roth lambasted “the failure of the expected champions of human rights to respond” to violations in 100-plus regimes. In his eyes, the fundamental error made by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and others is to place the focus on discreet cooperation, a euphemism for “other interests at stake.” Roth cites a “tepid” response to repression in Myanmar, noting that the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in November 23 was not matched on 2,100 other political prisoners. The UN was criticized for adopting a “deferential” attitude towards Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sudan leader Omar Al-Bashir, with Ban said to have placed “undue faith” in his gentle approach. The EU’s top diplomat, muchcriticized English baroness Catherine Ashton, is said to hide behind an “obsequious approach to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan” where energy interests dominate trade and political ties. There is “absolutely no question of trading oﬀ one interest in exchange for the other,” said a spokeswoman for EU commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, who met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov although neither faced questions. “Near-universal cowardice” marked challenges to China’s “deepening crackdown on basic lib-

BRUSSELS: Human Rights Watch (HRW) Executive Director Kenneth Roth talks during the World Reporters 2011 press briefing yesterday. — AFP erties,” with huge investmentswhether in African natural resources or western public debtensuring silence is preferred. The EU cancelled a press conference after a summit with China last year, and the report noted that the Obama administration “seemed determined to downplay any issue

such as human rights that might raise tensions.” Ashton’s “quiet dialogue and cooperation often look like acquiescence” leading rights defenders to “sense indiﬀerence rather than solidarity,” Roth wrote in the International Herald Tribune. Britain, France and Germany were

each all cited as appeasing Beijing. As the report only covers the period up to the end of November 2010, France’s controversial diplomatic stand over events leading up to Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution this month do not ﬁgure. But Roth told a Brussels press conference that it was not until former president Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali “was basically out the door” that France took sides. “The EU, the US and others learned a lesson,” he added. HRW says it is only when a government’s behavior is so outrageous that it overshadows other interests, as in Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Zimbabwe, that leaders step in, noting the eﬀect of “their own counterterrorism abuses.” Roth highlights US President Barack Obama’s “misplaced faith in rubbing shoulders with abusive forces,” extending military aid to governments that use child soldiers-in Chad, Sudan, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo. From the North Korean gulags, where some 200,000 people are said to be held in appalling conditions, to the Congo, which tops the charts for impunity in crimes of rape (some 8,000 in six months), HRW details abuses round the globe. They examine Colombia’s paramilitary, drug-backed terror groups, Russia’s “deeply negative” climate or oil-rich Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, particularly well insulated given their large oil reserves. Saudi Arabia was accused of neglecting the rights of millions of women, foreign workers and Shiites, with Egypt practicing “widespread discrimination” against its Christian and other religious minorities. Meanwhile the United States, already guilty of racial discrimination, HRW said, set a dubious world record with 2,574 minors serving life sentences at the time the report was written. — AFP

Nigeria calls for UN backing in Ivory Coast LAGOS: Nigeria wants UN backing for military intervention in Ivory Coast to prevent it slipping into a civil war that could destabilize the West African region, Foreign Minister Odein Ajumogobia said yesterday. West African bloc ECOWAS, which has threatened the use of force in Ivory Coast to push incumbent Laurent Gbagbo from power, needs “unequivocal international support” through a UN Security Council resolution, Ajumogobia said. Gbagbo is locked in a power-struggle with rival Alassane Ouattara, who was declared winner of a Nov 28 election by United Nations-certified results before they were overturned by a pro-Gbagbo legal body, which alleged fraud. “It is clear that Gbagbo is determined to defy and treat the entire international community with absolute disdain ... He cannot, he must not be allowed to prevail,” Ajumogobia wrote in a strongly-worded column in Nigeria’s This Day newspaper. “Gbagbo must be made to understand that there is a very real prospect of overwhelming military capability bearing down on him and his cohorts,” he wrote. The United States and

the European Union have imposed travel bans and other sanctions on Gbagbo and his inner circle but fellow West African nations will need to take a lead if there is to be any attempt to remove him by force, diplomats say. Britain has said it would give support at the United Nations for the use of force if West African nations wanted it. Universal support Regional powerhouse Nigeria, whose President Goodluck Jonathan is the chairman of ECOWAS, would be key to any West African intervention as it would be likely to provide the troops and logistical backbone for an ECOWAS force. Ajumogobia said force did not necessarily mean an incursion into the former French colony, which supplies around a third of the world’s cocoa through its main ports. “Legitimate force can include, for example, a naval blockade to enforce sanctions which might be imposed against Gbagbo,” he wrote in the full-page column. He acknowledged there was not universal support for force. “Already Russia, at the level of

the UN Security Council, and Ghana, at the ECOWAS regional level, have shown inclinations not to support a military incursion of any kind in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast),” he said. “This is unfortunate ... We cannot leave Ouattara to enforce the legitimate and internationally recognized mandate given to him by the people of Cote d’Ivoire. That would be to sanction civil war, against the very ethos of the UN,” he said. He described as “helpful” offers of amnesty made by several world leaders to Gbagbo, as well as suggestions of prestigious international roles and pledges to safeguard his financial assets should he surrender, but noted Gbagbo had so far “scoffed at these generous proposals for a dignified exit”. “The political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire is likely to disrupt the trend towards democracy in the sub region and create a dangerous precedent for a continent in which 20 presidential elections are to hold within the next 18 months,” he wrote. “Consequently, the impunity of Gbagbo must be regarded as a challenge to the entire international community.” — AFP

Second Algerian dies from self-immolation ALGIERS: A second Algerian man has died after setting himself on fire, hospital staff said yesterday, amid a string of self-immolations apparently inspired by one that sparked a popular revolt in neighboring Tunisia. Mohcin Bouterfif, 37, died earlier in the day from his burns, said Mohamed Salah Boudjelakh, a hospital staff in Annaba where Bouterfif was admitted a week ago. Bouterfif had set himself on fire in front of the townhall of Boukhadra, near Tebessa, near the border with Tunisia, to protest the mayor ’s refusal to meet him over jobs and housing, according to residents. He wanted to “denounce the town leaders’ scornful attitude towards him”, they said. His death came a day after that of 35-year-old Karim Bendim, who suffered from mental illness. But local officials said his act was apparently unrelated to the recent string of suicides. Growing public anger over unemployment and rising costs have sparked protests and a string of

attempted public suicides in Algeria. Eight Algerians in total have set themselves on ﬁre since January 12, apparently inspired by the selfimmolation in Tunisia of 26-year-old Mohammed Bouazizi, whose protest suicide against unemployment unleashed a wave of violent protests that led to the ouster of strongman Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali. Saturday, Algerian police clashed with pro-democracy protesters in the capital, leaving multiple casualties, as they blocked a march on parliament. The opposition said at least 42 people had been injured during the clashes, including two seriously. The interior ministry put the number of injured at 19, including 11 protesters or passers-by, and eight police. Earlier this month violent protests in Algeria resulted in ﬁve people dead and more than 800 injured. In a bid to calm public anger, the government ordered a drop in basic food prices and pledged to continue subsidizing wheat, milk and electricity. — AFP

HALIFAX: A ferry and tug boat cross the harbor through Arctic sea smoke yesterday. The evaporation fog occurs when very cold air drifts across relatively warm water. Wind chill warnings are in effect across much of Eastern and Central Canada. — AP

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Portugal picks conservative president Debt crisis overshadows political scene LISBON: Portugal elected its conservative president to a second term in a landslide Sunday, delivering a harsh political setback to the minority Socialist government which is struggling to contain an acute economic crisis. Anibal Cavaco Silva, who is supported by the main opposition Social Democratic Party, collected 53 percent of the vote compared with 20 percent for second-placed Socialist Party candidate Manuel Alegre, official figures showed with more than 99 percent of districts returning. Four other candidates picked up the remaining votes. The government risked a backlash by enacting deeply unpopular austerity measures amid fears that the financial crisis spells economic disaster for Portugal. The president possesses the power - known as his “atomic bomb” - to call a general election if he feels the government is on the wrong path. The emphatic win for Cavaco Silva added to political pressure on the embattled center-left government as Prime Minister Jose Socrates scrambles to restore international confidence in Portugal’s ailing economy. Portugal’s political and economic fortunes are important for the rest of Europe because its government’s collapse would add fresh momentum to the continent’s debt crisis. Many analysts

predict Portugal’s economic woes will sooner or later force it to accept a bailout like the ones provided to Greece and Ireland last year. The government doesn’t face a general election until 2013. Though the president can dissolve parliament and call an early election, such an extreme measure is uncommon. A key role of the head of state, which Cavaco Silva has said he will respect, is to ensure political stability, though presidents serving their second - and, by law, ﬁnal - term are usually more outspoken. Portugal “is going through great diﬃculties,” Cavaco Silva said, adding that he would seek to keep the country on an even keel, “but without surrendering any of the powers conferred on me by the Constitution.” “I will continue to speak the truth about the country’s true circumstances,” he said. Socrates pledged cooperation with the re-elected president to ensure political stability and rejected any link between the ballot result and his government’s record as “misguided.” The government has insisted it doesn’t need a bailout. Instead, it has cut public sector pay and welfare entitlements and hiked taxes to reduce a huge debt load that threatens to wreck the economy. The austerity measures prompted dozens of strikes last year, including a 24-hour general

strike that shut down many public services. Public transport and mail services are due to be hit again in strikes next month. “Voters will take this opportunity to punish the ruling Socialist Party for the country’s economic difficulties,” Antonio Barroso, an analyst with Eurasia Group in New York, predicted before Sunday’s ballot. Cavaco Silva has backed the government’s belt-tightening program, saying it must be observed to the letter, and has said he doesn’t want to worsen the country’s plight by provoking conflicts with the ruling party. However, he has already spoken out against government plans to jolt the economy through costly public works projects, including a high-speed rail link to neighboring Spain, because he says the country can’t afford them. He has also indicated the government should have spared the less well-off from tax hikes. Right-of-center opposition parties have warned they may call for a vote of no-confidence in Parliament if the government’s policies fail and it resorts to a bailout. However, Social Democrat leader Pedro Passos Coelho said he did not intend to use the presidential election as a cue to trigger a political crisis. Years of feeble growth have made Portugal one of

the 17-nation euro zone’s weakest members and deepened Portuguese fears about their country’s economic future. Unemployment has surged to more than 10 percent over the past year. The heavy defeat for his presidential candidate may persuade Socrates, the prime minister, to fire members of his government perceived as weak and replace them with new names in a bid to bolster public support. Further difficulties lie ahead. The European Commission and the International Monetary Fund forecast Portugal will enter recession in 2011 for the second time in three years. During the two-week campaign many comments on phone-in programs and news websites expressed voter anger at how politicians - both the Socialists and the Social Democrats - have managed the economy over the past decade. Manuel Vasques, a retired engineer voting in Lisbon, said he blamed politicians for leading Portugal into crisis, “but Cavaco (Silva) is the least bad choice” because he understands international financial issues. Disaffection with political leaders appeared to translate into a high abstention rate. Figures showed that just over half of the country’s 9.6 million registered voters didn’t turn out. — AP

LISBON: Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva flashes a v-sign after winning Portugal’s presidential election for a second term Sunday, Jan 23, 2011. — AP

Woman who raised stolen NY baby arrested in US: FBI

NEW YORK: In this file photo, Angelica, a fire eater, performs at Sideshows by the Seashore at Coney Island. — AP

As edgy NYC disappears, does its spirit go too? NEW YORK: CBGB, the birthplace of punk rock, is gone. No longer can visitors to Coney Island plunk down a few coins to play the unsettling attraction called “Shoot the Freak.” And seedy, edgy, anything-mighthappen Times Square? These days, it’s a family destination. It continues: That diner on the corner for decades - closed. The block once home to clusters of independent businesses thriving as a super store. And last month, another piece of the old New York slipped away with the demise of the city’s Off-Track Betting parlors. It’s enough to make old-school New Yorkers bristle. Around countless corners, the weird, unexpected, edgy, grimy New York the town that so many looked to for so long as a relief from cookie-cutter America - has evolved into something else entirely: tamed, prepackaged, even predictable. “What draws people to New York is its uniqueness. So when something goes, people feel sad about it,” says Suzanne Wasserman, director of the Gotham Center for New York City History at the City University of New York. “I think that’s also part of the New York character,” she says, “that ‘ Things were better when ...”‘ Change is constant, and few cities change faster than New York. But at what cost? Where is the line between progress and lost distinctiveness? Raul Alvarado, a 70-year-old retired accountant, recently lost a piece of what made New York City special to him when the Off-Track Betting parlors closed. No more smoke-filled entryways. No more Racing Forms blowing around the sidewalk. No more eruptions of cheers to make passers-by jump. Launched in 1971, OTB was meant to undercut illegal bookies. It became the nation’s largest betting operation, but was derided as dingy and seedy and drew loitering and littering complaints. The management

gained a reputation for loose oversight and political patronage, and OTB was shut down last month after years of financial troubles. “I’ve been playing horses for what, 30 years, maybe? It’s part of your day,” Alvarado said, closing out his account at a Manhattan parlor. “It’s a little piece of the Apple.” The debate, of course, is a legitimate and basic one - edgy vs safe, energizing vs prepackaged. For every argument about New York’s lost pizazz, there’s another about how now you can take your toddler’s stroller around most of Manhattan and not be afraid of what might happen. Still, many say there’s just something about the energy of New York City - about more than 8 million people crowded into a few cramped patches of land that will always make it something special. “There’s a pace that exists here,” says Paul Birkett, a tourist from Darby, England, visiting the city with his wife. For him, it’s about the people: “You can change the surroundings, the infrastructure, but what I’ve always liked about New York is the New Yorker, and that’s always pretty much going to be the same.” The couple was standing amid the hustle and bustle of Times Square, the most visible example of how New York City has changed in the recent past - particularly under Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the 1990s. Now filled with massive signs of backlit plastic, big-name stores and casual dining, Times Square has come a long way from its days as a “GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!” haven for peep shows, dealers and squeegee men. So has the once dank home of defunct rock club CBGB, closed after the owner lost a rent fight with his landlord. Last year, a men’s fashion boutique opened there. Some may long for that edgier atmosphere, but it hasn’t disappeared entirely, says Kenneth T Jackson, a Columbia

University historian and editor of The Encyclopedia of New York City. “ The people looking for strip shows can always ﬁnd it,” he says. In comparison to other places, Jackson says, New York City has changed less and managed to hold onto more of what makes it unique - like small mom-and-pop stores that can’t be found anywhere else. “New York City has done a good job of saving some of its treasures and holding on to its character and allowing change,” Jackson says. If there’s one thing that doesn’t change in New York City, it’s nostalgia. Consider Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. After his election in 1934, he worked to remove the pushcart peddlers clogging the streets of the Lower East Side, viewed by many as a problem. Once they were gone, people missed them. “It drove him crazy that people were just bemoaning the loss of the peddlers,” Wasserman says. Anthony Berlingieri understands that sentiment. The man who brought Shoot the Freak to the Coney Island boardwalk was outraged when he was told to leave by the new developers - and even more so when his attraction was taken down. Zamperla USA, Coney Island’s new developer, has lofty plans - new rides and roller coasters, a yearround sit-down restaurant and a sports bar. Berlingieri doesn’t deny the need to improve Coney Island but laments the demise of its wild and wacky ﬂavor. “The things that Coney Island presented, no other amusement park in the world presented that,” he says. “The reason we were able to compete was our uniqueness.” Wasserman is hopeful New York will remain unique even as the places of the world start looking more alike. “New York,” she says, “will have a kind of individuality that isn’t going to completely replicate anywhere else.” —AP

HARTFORD: A North Carolina woman who raised a child kidnapped 23 years ago from a New York hospital surrendered to authorities on a probation violation charge Sunday, days after a widely publicized reunion between the biological mother and the daughter taken from her as a baby. Ann Pettway surrendered Sunday morning to the FBI and Bridgeport police on a warrant from North Carolina, where she’s on probation because of a conviction for attempted embezzlement, FBI supervisory special agent William Reiner said. Pettway received two years of probation last June after she took items from a store where she worked, which is considered embezzlement under North Carolina law, state correction spokeswoman Pamela Walker said. Under terms of her probation, she wasn’t allowed to leave the state. Department of Correction officials there tried repeatedly to contact her after finding out investigators wanted to question her in the 1987 abduction of Carlina White. North Carolina officials said Friday they believed Pettway was on the run from authorities. They said Sunday they would seek her extradition. Carlina was just 19 days old when her parents took her to

Harlem Hospital in the middle of the night with a high fever. Joy White and Carl Tyson said a woman who looked like a nurse had comforted them. The couple left the hospital to rest, but their baby was missing when they went back. No suspects were identified. Carlina is now 23 and has been living under the name Nejdra Nance in Connecticut and in the Atlanta area. She said she had long suspected Pettway wasn’t her biological mother because she could never provide her with a birth certificate and because she didn’t look like anyone else in Pettway’s family. She periodically checked the website of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and while looking through New York photos early this month found one that looked nearly identical to her own baby picture. She contacted Joy White through the center. White and Nance met in New York before DNA tests were complete, confident they were mother and daughter. After the test results confirmed it Wednesday, Nance returned from Atlanta to be with White again. Pettway remained in custody Sunday and couldn’t be reached for comment. Nobody answered when a reporter on Friday knocked on

the door of a house where Pettway lived in Raleigh, North Carolina. A woman who answered the phone at a Pettway relative’s home in Bridgeport refused to comment on her surrender. Nance told the New York Post in an interview posted Thursday that reuniting with her family was like a dream. “I’m so happy,” she said. “At the same time, it’s a funny feeling because everything’s brand new. It’s like being born again.” Authorities are considering whether federal investigators should take the case because the statute of limitations may have expired in New York, New York Police Department chief spokesman Paul Browne said. There is no limitation in federal missing-children cases. A woman who lives near Pettway in North Carolina, Sonova Smith, said Pettway mentioned that she had a daughter in Connecticut but had moved to Raleigh with her son. Smith and Pettway both had teenage sons who would often play together, and Smith said her neighbor seemed to be a good mother. “She was friendly. She was kind. She loved her son,” Smith said. “We talked about our boys often. She talked about family. So, it’s just really been surprising.” — AP

Mexico arrests hitmen blamed for slayings

PORT-AU-PRINCE: A demonstrator holds up a sign that reads in Creole “We won’t wait 25 years to lodge a complaint” referring to the Haiti’s Former dictator JeanClaude “Baby Doc” Duvalier’s return during a protest against the election, Sunday Jan 23, 2011. — AP

MEXICO CITY: Mexican federal police have arrested seven drug gang members in the Pacific port of Acapulco, including the man behind the murders of 22 people in the resort this month, the government said on Sunday. The group is a splinter faction of the Beltran Leyva cartel, which has fragmented since Mexican marines killed its leader, Arturo Beltran Leyva, in December 2009, the federal police said in a statement. Police said the group’s leader, Jose Lozano, was behind the 22 Acapulco murders. The police did not provide other details or explain why the arrests, which occurred on Thursday, were not announced until Sunday. Clashes between rival gangs seeking to control the flow of drugs through Acapulco have alarmed business leaders who worry the escalating violence will strangle the tourism industry. Acapulco mainly caters to Mexican tourists, while resorts like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta are popular with foreign visitors. But the gory headlines have prompted fears foreigners will shy away from Mexico. Fifteen bodies, some of which were decapitated, were dumped throughout Acapulco earlier this month. Lozano’s gang is also believed to be linked to the September murders of 20 Mexican mechanics visiting from the state of Michoacan, the police said. More than 34,000 people have died in drug-related violence across Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched an army-led crackdown on the cartels upon taking office in December 2006. Several cruise lines recently discontinued some service to Mexico, but the government has been anxious to highlight the continued popularity of the country as a tourist destination. The number of visitors arriving by air in the first 11 months of 2010 rose 16.2 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to the tourism ministry. — Reuters

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5 Americans missing in Pacific land in Philippines MANILA: Two coast guards armed with ships, planes and helicopters searched the Pacific for a group of Americans whose sailboat ran into bad weather and was reported missing last week, but a cell phone call from the boat finally brought the adventurers to shore yesterday. Relief greeted the five when they arrived in the central Philippines but also censure: The US Coast Guard commander in Guam - whose force scoured the high seas along with their Philippine counterparts - chided the sailors for not adequately preparing for the voyage. The Americans’ catamaran, called the Pineapple, ran into bad weather after departing from Guam on Jan 6 on a journey to the central Philippine island of Cebu and relatives of the crew - four men and a woman - reported them missing Jan 18. Guam, a US territory, is about 1,400 miles (2,290 kilometers) east of Cebu. A Philippine coast guard ship reached the 38-foot (11-meter) catamaran on Sunday after it was spotted by plane the previous day. The plane was not immediately able to confirm the boat’s identity, however, Philippine coast guard chief Adm Wilfredo Tamayo said. A woman aboard the boat was able to contact her husband by cell phone Sunday afternoon apparently once she came within range of cell phone service - and he called rescuers in Guam to give them the boat’s coordinates, the US Coast Guard said in a statement. “The husband confirmed the vessel ran into bad weather and suffered a rudder and radio casualty. This delayed the Pineapple’s voyage but it was never in danger of sinking,” the statement said. Rescuers escorted the vessel - one of its rudders damaged - to a port on Leyte Island, where the crew refueled, got their passports stamped and treated themselves to a meal, the coast guard said. The US Coast Guard, which said it had spent 63 hours searching for the sailboat, expressed relief that the boat was found but faulted the crew for failing to carry long-distance communication or emergency distress equipment and not filing a comprehensive float plan. “I’m elated for the family and friends of the Pineapple, but compelled to point out that this voyage was made without taking basic, commonsense precautions,” said Capt Thomas Sparks, US Coast Guard Guam commander. The group did appear to have packed enough food for the trip that it didn’t become a problem, Philippine coast guard Capt Anelito Gabisan said. The Americans were lucky, Tamayo said, pointing out that they drifted into the Philippines when its seas were roiling from weeks of stormy weather that caused nearly a dozen boats to sink, overturn or run into trouble. “It’s an experience they will always remember,” Tamayo said, referring to the American sailors. “They’re lucky. They met a challenge and it’s good that it did not turn into something worse.” Tamayo said the American crew, including a Filipino-American in the US Air Force, were fine. The US Embassy in Manila has declined to release their identities and hometowns. The US Coast Guard had deployed a HC-130 Hercules aircraft, two Navy P-3 Orion planes, two Air Force C-12s and a patrol ship to search an area of 122,600 square nautical miles (317,530 square kilometers) for more than 63 hours, the agency said. A video taken from a search plane showed four of the Americans on top of the white-hulled catamaran, one apparently waving, as a rubber boat with coast guard personnel approached. — AP

JINHUA: In this photo, a festive decoration seller holds out a set of Spring Festival couplets at an open market. Chinese will celebrate the New Year in the Chinese lunar calendar early February. The couplet held by the seller reads: “All would be well.” — AP

Indonesian soldiers jailed for torture Indonesian prez calls abuse ‘small incident’ JAYAPURA: A court martial yesterday jailed three Indonesian soldiers for up to 10 months for abuse and insubordination after graphic video footage showed them torturing civilians in restive Papua. The relatively light sentences prompted anger among campaigners, who accuse the Indonesian military of acting with brutal impunity against the indigenous Melanesian majority in the far-eastern province of Papua. The military tribunal found the trio guilty of abuse and disobeying orders and sentenced Second Sergeant Ir wan Rizkiyanto to 10 months in jail, First Private Yakson Agu to nine months and First Private Tamrin Mahan Giri to eight months. In footage posted on YouTube last year, the soldiers were seen applying a burning stick to the genitals of an unarmed man and threatening another with a knife as they interrogated them about the location of a weapons cache. In a videoed statement, victim Tunaliwor Kiwo said he

China orders decorum classes BEIJING: China has mandated that all schoolchildren undergo lessons on etiquette-the latest expression of concern over uncultured manners in one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Teachers will be required to instruct primary school students in the intricacies of basic decorum, respecting elders and proper table manners, according to guidelines posted on the education ministry’s website. Middle-schoolers meanwhile will learn how to hold polite conversations, be courteous to others, dress properly, and how to observe etiquette in telephone, email, text-messaging and other correspondence. In high school, the basics of

polite one-on-one conversation, adequate grooming and standing in orderly queues will be among the subjects stressed. Many of China’s down-to-earth citizens are notorious for practices such as queue-jumping, spitting and littering, which are seen as obnoxious in the countr y itself as well as abroad. Beijing authorities launched a range of civic improvement campaigns aimed at such social scourges in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, fearing the capital’s citizens would embarrass the city in the eyes of the world. However, such behavior remains common both in Beijing and elsewhere. — AFP

DONGYANG: Chinese children holding various traffic signs undergo a class for traffic security and manners at a school. — AFP

thought he was going to die during two days of torture in which he was repeatedly beaten, suffocated, burned with cigarettes and cut with a razor. “They caught two men who had no identification documents and took them to a military post. The men suffered torture there,” chief judge Lieutenant-Colonel Adil Karokaro told the tribunal in Papua’s provincial capital, Jayapura. “The victims had their hands and legs bound and their faces stepped on. One victim had his genitals burnt with a burning stick and he was also suffocated with a plastic bag,” Karokaro said. The soldiers, who had previously confessed to the crimes and expressed remorse, appeared solemn at their separate tribunals. The United States has said it was “monitoring” the court martial after human rights activists criticized President Barack Obama’s decision last year to re-open military links with Indonesia’s notorious special forces. — AFP

Philippine mayor snubs HK hostage inquiry MANILA: A Philippine politician blamed for his inept handling of a bus hijacking that left eight tourists dead said yesterday he would not attend an inquest in Hong Kong for fear of being arrested. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, reprimanded by his own government for his handling of last year ’s fiasco, said he had declined a request by Hong Kong authorities to give evidence at the inquest, which begins on February 14. “What if the coroner woke up one day and decided we would not be allowed to go home? Who should prevail?” Lim told reporters. He also said the Philippine government had already investigated the case thoroughly. “What else is there to investigate? Does it mean the previous (Philippine) investigation is being set aside?” Lim said. “Is that not an infringement of our sovereignty or an encroachment and mockery of the authority and official functions of our government?” A disgraced Manila policeman hijacked a busload of Hong Kong

tourists last August in a bizarre bid to get himself reinstated. A botched police rescue after a day-long standoff led to the shooting death of the hostage-taker and eight Hong Kong hostages, and a Philippine government inquir y blamed Lim and the Manila police’s handling of the crisis. However Lim controversially escaped any criminal prosecution after President Benigno Aquino over-ruled his justice secretary’s recommendations and said there was not enough evidence to charge him. The Hong Kong government has requested 116 Filipinos give evidence at the inquest. Justice Minister Leila de Lima, the principal author of the inquir y report, had earlier said she would testify, but emphasized that no Filipino was compelled to go to Hong Kong and give evidence. Manila’s vice mayor, Isko Moreno, also said yesterday he would not attend. “The invitation was just a request. We could refuse,” Moreno said. — AFP

Filipino broadcaster shot dead MANILA: A gunman yesterday fatally shot a radio broadcaster who had been critical of corrupt officials in the southern Philippines, and police captured the fleeing assailant with the help of passing firemen and bystanders. Jerry Ortega, a hard-hitting anchor of a morning radio show on DWAR station in Palawan, was buying clothes at a store in Palawan’s Puerto Princesa city after his radio work when a man approached and shot him once in the back of the head, killing him instantly, police Superintendent Rolando Amurao said. Firefighters aboard a passing truck heard the gunfire then saw a man run from the scene and drop a pistol into a trash can. Using the firetruck’s loudspeakers, the firemen alerted pedestrians and a police officer, who grabbed the fleeing man and recovered the .45 caliber gun, Amurao said. The arrested man, who witnesses identified as the gunman, was being investigated, he said. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines says Ortega was the 142nd journalist killed in the country since democracy was restored in 1986. The Philippines is considered one of the most dangerous places for reporters. In the single worst killing of media workers in the world, 32 journalists and their staff were gunned down with 25 other people in what is believed to be an elections-related attack in southern Maguindanao province in 2009. Ortega, who also had worked as a veterinarian and head of a crocodile-breeding farm, strongly criticized provincial officials linked to corruption and opposed the operation of mining companies in resource-rich Palawan, about 220 miles (350 kilometers) southwest of Manila, according to media colleagues. Amurao said Or tega had received death threats from unknown people before the attack. — AP

MANILA: This file photo shows Philippine Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim (front left) and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim as they place flowers after a mass for peace and nonviolence at the site of the deadly hostage-taking. — AFP

e niv rsar n

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

i n t e r n at i o n a l

Taleban mentor dies in captivity in Pakistan ‘Colonel Imam’ had CIA ties ISLAMABAD: A former Pakistani spy who helped the Taleban rise to power in Afghanistan has died in militant captivity 10 months after he was seized in northwest Pakistan, a top official said yesterday. Sultan Amir Tarar, who as an American ally against Soviet rule in Afghanistan in the 1980s trained at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died of a heart attack while in custody, said Tariq Hayat, the most senior government representative in the tribal regions. Tarar was kidnapped along with a British TV journalist who was released in September and another former spy, Khalid Khawaja, who was executed by his captors in April. It is unclear why the two men traveled to the northwest, but they may have been acting as guides to the reporter. Tarar’s life personified some of the deep complexities of U.S. and Pakistani policies toward insurgents in the region. His death in militant captivity was also shrouded in uncertainty, but appeared to indicate the extent to which some insurgents in the northwest had abandoned any loyalties to Pakistani intelligence agencies that nurtured an earlier generation of fighters. Tarar, who was better known as Col. Imam and usually seen wearing a white turban and army camouflage jacket, played a major role in funneling Pakistani support and training to Afghans fighting Soviet rule in the 1980s, a push in large part financed by the CIA. STANFORD TRAINING AREA: In this picture, a British soldier from 1 Rifles takes cover as his team is ambushed during a training session. — AP

British soldiers train in mock Afghan village STANFORD TRAINING AREA: Deep in the countryside of eastern England, British troops train in a mock Afghan village designed to look, feel, and sound like the real thing. The Associated Press was shown around the 12,000-hectare (30,000-acre) training complex this month, as troops who will deploy to Helmand province in the real Afghanistan this spring trained alongside dozens of Afghan exiles. The facility, built in 2008, is meant to replicate a typical village in Helmand, with houses, shops and open markets, and the exiles playing the role of villagers. Soldiers patrol the bazaar, where plastic fruit ﬁlls the crates. An Afghan “villager” tries to get a soldier to trade him his gun for a bicycle. Oﬃcers say the site provides critical training for troops, most of whom have never been to Afghanistan. Maj Marcus Luckyn-Malone said the exercises help “soldiers of all ranks understand what it is to operate in Helmand.” Central to the training is soldiers’ interactions with the “locals.” Afghans in traditional dress loiter in the bazaar, while the unit’s commander meets with “village elders.” They com-

plain; he apologizes. The village is staffed by some 120 exiles. They say they are here to help British forces navigate the culture of southern Afghanistan. “When British troops go to Afghanistan, they will learn something from us,” says Amanullah Darwish, an Afghan former police officer who came to Britain in 1999. “That’s why so many of our people are here.” There is military training too. A helicopter hovering over purple smoke practiced evacuating a wounded soldier. When soldiers trudging through the woodland came under simulated automatic weapons fire, they ran, took cover, and fired back. “Having a village like this, having Afghans portray Afghan policemen and Afghan soldiers and local nationals, it just adds to that realism,” said Maj Gen John Lorimer, who commanded British forces in Helmand in 2007 and was here to watch the exercise. How long the village exists remains to be seen. Britain’s role in Afghanistan divides public opinion, and Prime Minister David Cameron has promised that all British combat troops will be pulled out by the end of 2014. — AP

After the Soviets withdrew, he continued to be Pakistan’s point man with the Taleban, which were seen by Islamabad as allies. He provided the movement with arms, funding and training and was known to be close to Mullah Omar. He and Khawaja remained publicly sympathetic to the Afghan Taleban and Omar since the movement’s downfall in 2001 in the US-led invasion. Some media reports have said Tarar maintained operational ties with the Afghan insurgents in recent years, which he denied. In interviews before his kidnapping, he had spoken of the need to negotiate with the Afghan Taleban to end the almost 10-year war. They two presumably felt their background and Islamist views offered some protection while traveling there. The region is now home to groups battling the Pakistan state and its intelligence agencies, al-Qaida and also Afghan Taleban factions fighting in Afghanistan. A previously unknown militant group calling itself the “Asian Tigers” initially said it had seized the men. Analysts speculated the captors were a new breed of militants who had turned against their former protectors. In July, Tarar appeared on a video saying he was being held by another group and that it was demanding the release of prisoners held by the government in exchange for his release. Tarar’s death was first reported Sunday, but

Doubt lingers over Afghan parliament KABUL: Afghanistan’s Supreme Court will rule yesterday on whether a deal to open parliament tomorrow, brokered between President Hamid Karzai and new members of the assembly, can go ahead, a senior minister said. Afghanistan has been plunged into political turmoil by a standoff between members of parliament and Karzai over when the new assembly should open, after he last week ordered another month’s delay to allow more time for fraud investigations. That would have seen members of parliament take their seats more than five months after a parliamentary poll, and the members rebelled, condemning Karzai’s decision as unconstitutional and threatening to take their seats with or without him. Karzai is believed to be unhappy about the poll results, which have left the assembly with a larger, more vocal and coherent opposition bloc than in the last parliament. The wrangling is the latest crisis to distract Karzai to the dismay of the United States and Afghanistan’s other allies who want to see the government focus on improving security and governance in the face of an expanding Taliban insurgency. After long talks on Saturday, Karzai made a tentative deal to inaugurate the session tomorrow, but the two sides argued about details of the process. Yesterday, Karzai firmly committed himself to going ahead with the opening, but referred the move to the Supreme Court for approval, Humayoun Azizi, minister of parliamentary affairs, told reporters after meeting MPs. The president is seeking judicial approval because the month’s delay was granted at the request of a Supreme Court subsidiary-a special election court that Karzai himself set up-which sought more time to chase poll corruption

HERAT: An Afghan man and his son sell fuel packed in water bottles yesterday. A spokesman for the Herat governor confirmed that the border between Iran and Afghanistan is open and more than 100 fuel tankers have entered Afghanistan since January 23.— AFP

cases. “The president delayed the inauguration of parliament based on the request from the special court, so the issue has been referred to the Supreme Court once again,” said Azizi. The Supreme Court will announce its decision yesterday, he added. Assembly members originally demanded the abolition of the special court before parliament’s inauguration, while Karzai wanted a written guarantee that the MPs would still submit to the judicial system if found guilty once installed.

Pakistan, Russia in talks on militancy, nuke proliferation

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri students perform a dance during the final full dress rehearsal for the Indian Republic Day parade yesterday. India will celebrate its 62nd Republic Day tomorrow. — AFP

officials could not confirm it. He was believed held in North Waziristan, a region bordering Afghanistan that is under effective militant control. Hayat, the government official, said authorities were “sure that he is dead” but that militants still had Tarar’s body. He said the captors, whom he did not identify, were demanding $200,000 for its return. Tarar had very close ties with the US during the Soviet occupation. He trained at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and gave personal tours of the border region to several Congressmen, including Charlie Wilson, who drove American financial support to Afghan militiamen then regarded by Washington as freedom fighters, said Roy Gutman in his book “How We Missed the Story: Osama bin Laden, the Taleban and the Hijacking of Afghanistan.” According to Gutman, the Reagan administration presented Imam with a plaque mounted with a piece of the Berlin Wall that read: “Dedicated to Colonel Imam. With deepest respect to one who helped deliver the first blow.” Tarar developed a close rapport with Taleban leader Mullah Omar in the mid-1990s as he rose to power in Afghanistan, said Zahid Hussain in his book “Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle With Militant Islam.” He was posted as Pakistan’s consul general in several Afghan cities, including Kandahar, and helped funnel arms and money to the Taleban, said Hussain. — AP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia were looking for ways to tackle Islamist militancy and nuclear proliferation at talks yesterday aimed at overcoming decades of distrust between the two countries on opposite sides of the Cold War. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov is leading the Russian side for the two-day dialogue that is also expected to touch on Afghanistan, where both nations have concerns as the United States prepares to withdraw. “ There has b een a lo t o f mis tru s t between the two countries which has actually ruined their relationship in the past,” said Talat M asood, a retired Pakistan army general and a security analyst. “They are trying to get over their past and start a new beginning.” During the Cold War, Pakistan was allied with the United States and the Soviet Union backed Pakistan’s main rival, India. The two were bitter enemies in the 1980s when Pakistan supported mujahideen g u e r r i l l a s b a t t l i n g S ov i e t t ro o p s i n Afghanistan and also during the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Pakistan backed Taliban while Russia, along with Iran and India, supported the Northern Alliance opposition. But ties have warmed since a 2003 visit by Pakistan’s then military president, Pervez Musharraf-the first by a Pakistani leader in 30 years. “The main issues to be discussed at the talks will be non-pro-

liferation, counter-terrorism as well as regional and global security,” a Pakistani foreign ministry official said. Threat of Islamist militancy, extremism and drug trafficking emanating from the Afghan-Pakistan border region are the main Russian concerns. Moscow suspects that Muslim extremists in Pakistani sanctuaries have links with militants from the Nor th Cau cas u s a nd other Muslim Russian regions. Officials said that Pakistan and Russia could cooperate in tracking down militants from Central Asia living in Pakistan’s tribal areas on the Afghan border. The two sides may also share ideas on how to tighten command and control of nuclear weapons. Pakistan’s top concern is to revive an ailing economy that has compounded the civilian government’s problems as it battles a deadly Islamist militancy that has spread from the northwest region to t h e h e a r t l a n d p ro v i n c e o f Pu n j a b. I s l a m a b a d i s i n t e re s t e d i n R u s s i a n investment in its oil and gas sectors as well as in heavy industries, officials said. “These are preliminary and exploratory talks and we will see how can we move forward from here,” he said. Economic t i e s h a ve b e e n s p o r a d i c o ve r t h e decades, with the one major project being the construction of a major steel mill in Karachi in the 1970s with the help of the Soviets.— Reuters

The two sides have now agreed to set those issues aside. “MPs will discuss the special court once the parliament is opened but would never accept any rulings it makes,” said Mohammad Sarwar Usmani, an unoﬃcial leader of the group. It was set up by Karzai, ostensibly to ensure a speedy ﬁnal check of complaints from the fraud-riddled Sept 18 election. But critics say it is designed to serve his political agenda rather than the interests of justice, and raises wider questions about his respect for rule of law. —Reuters

News

in brief

Bangladesh official ‘held taking bribe’ DHAKA: A top anti-corruption official in Bangladesh was arrested as he accepted a bribe during a sting operation in the port city of Chittagong, a police commander said yesterday. Sabbir Hassan, a deputy director of Bangladesh’s anti-graft commission, was filmed taking a one million taka ($14,000) bribe at his office Sunday night, Colonel Sazzad Hossain of the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) police told AFP. “He demanded five million taka from the owner of (garment export company) 4H Group, threatening to prosecute him under the country’s money laundering law after the group’s container went missing in the port,” Hossain said. The businessman agreed to pay one-fifth of the amount but then alerted RAB to the corruption and they arranged to secretly film the meeting at which the bribe would be handed over, Hossain said. “We have a video of him accepting the bribe,” he said, adding the official had been arrested. Graft is widespread in impoverished Bangladesh with the country the worst on Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International’s (TI) global list of most corrupt nations for five years from 2001 to 2005. Bangladesh had improved 12 places by 2010, but a recent study by the local chapter of TI showed the country’s government officials, judiciary and police are still widely seen as being corrupt. 2 Taleban leaders killed KABUL: NATO says its air strikes have killed two key local Taleban leaders in eastern Afghanistan. The international military alliance says in a statement issued yesterday that its forces killed the Taleban shadow administrator for Nangarhar province’s Hisarak district in a strike last Friday. NATO had previously announced the strike but said they were unsure if Maulawi Anwar had been killed. NATO also says that it killed a Taleban operative in Logar province’s Pul-e-Alam district in a strike on Sunday. The coalition says the man, Abdul Bari, helped Taleban leaders get weapons and vehicles.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

OPINION

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Issues

Model for mosques in Canada today? By Daood Hamdani isitors to the history park in Edmonton, Canada often pause in front of a small, red brick building wondering about its identity. Its long and narrow rectangular shape and onion-like domes suggest that it might be an Eastern Orthodox church. While the minarets rising from either side of the front entrance and crescent moons atop the domes betray its Middle Eastern roots. Inside, there are no pews, only 70-year-old carpets, faded and worn thin at spots. It is Al-Rashid, Canada’s oldest mosque. Built in 1938, it was relocated to Fort Edmonton Park, set up to preserve and celebrate the history and heritage of the city of Edmonton, after controversy over its credentials for a berth among the historical landmarks. Its age was an issue because it was relatively young vis-a-vis the other buildings there, but its unique architectural design and significance in Canadian religious history won it a place of distinction. Mosques with exteriors looking like churches are found in other Canadian cities as well. These were originally churches or parish halls that Muslims purchased and renovated. Toronto’s Jami Mosque, for example, used to be a Presbyterian church. Unlike these church buildings remodelled to look like mosques, however, Al-Rashid is the only structure originally built as a mosque that resembles a church. The design of a place of worship is the public expression of the identity and vision of the people who built it. Most of the mosques in Canada are typical of Middle Eastern and South Asian architecture, reflecting the regions of origin of a vast majority of Muslim Canadians. But the Al-Rashid is unique. It blends in with the local landscape like its builders who celebrated similarities with mainstream society while recognising differences. The first Muslim settlers on the Canadian prairies came from Syria and Lebanon with the opening up of Alberta and Saskatchewan for development at the turn of the last century. Excited by the promise of the new land, they wasted little time putting down roots. They embarked upon a new beginning in the new country, preserving the fundamentals of their faith and adopting what was good in the local tradition, as their ancestors had over the centuries when they migrated to new lands. A mosque synthesising elements of the local culture with the essentials of their faith was only their first step towards forging a Canadian Muslim identity. Patriarchal practices that excluded women from a fulfilling role in the mosque were also discarded. In a rare move, six of the 32 founders of the Al-Rashid were women. Inside the mosque, male and female worshippers shared the same space. Everyone worshipped in the main hall, with women standing behind the men, separated only by the distance between them. Gender did not determine who could enter the house of God from the front door. None of this would have been possible without a vibrant religious leadership because the pulpit was, and is, the revered source of authority. For more than half of its active life as a place of worship, the AlRashid was guided by two dynamic imams who were more accepting of change than a newly imported imam would have been, because their background had prepared them to relate 7th century teachings of Islam to the contemporary world of their congregation. Imam Nejib Ailley (Aly) grew up in Canada after immigrating as a teenager. While the second imam Dr Abd Al-Ati - was imported from Egypt, he was not new to Canada, having previously spent three years in Montreal as a graduate student at McGill University. The fellowship kindled by a respectful etiquette, meaningful sermons and dynamic leaders moulded scattered individuals into a well-knit community whose descendents have produced a stream of devoted public servants and caring citizens. The list of the Al-Rashid mosque’s alumni reads like a “who’s who” of Muslim Canadians. Elsewhere in the country, mosques continue to be embroiled in the same old issues of identity, women’s place in the mosque and the disconnect between imported imams and their Canadian congregations. Al-Rashid gave us a model to meet these challenges seven decades ago. NOTE: Daood Hamdani is the author of The AlRashid: Canada’s First Mosque —CGNews

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Tunisia, a game changer in the Mideast By Radwan Masmoudi here has been a democratic revolution in Tunisia over the past four weeks. This is a new and exciting era in Tunisian history, and an example for other countries of the Arab world. Unfortunately, however, it all started when a 26-year-old university graduate set himself on fire on 17 December in a public town square in Sidi-Bouzid, in the south of Tunisia. He died a few days later. Daily demonstrations and clashes with the police ensued and quickly spread to other cities. The demands initially focused on economic issues, such as employment and poverty alleviations, but quickly became political: denouncing corruption and demanding accountability, freedom of expression and a representative government. The overwhelming majority of the demonstrations have been peaceful, ranging in size from a few hundred to over 40,000 people. The government, the opposition and experts on Tunisia were caught off-guard by the magnitude and the strength of these spontaneous demonstrations, and by the veracity of their political demands. Tunisia has often been cited as a

“good student” of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. It has enjoyed sustained economic growth in the past 20 years - extraordinary by Arab standards - posting an average of five per cent annual growth. However, the “spoils” of development have not been shared equally between all sectors or regions of the country. Corruption is rampant, with a few families and individuals controlling an increasing proportion of the economy. Tunisians speak daily about how the “Trabelsi clan” the family of the president’s wife - is above the law and forcibly stealing private and public lands and properties. Officially, unemployment is at 14 per cent, however, among recent university graduates (85,000 students graduate every year), it is estimated to be between 34 per cent and 36 per cent. A restive youth decided to take matters into its own hand. The half of the Tunisian population under 25 years of age declared “enough is enough” and took to the streets to demand immediate changes. Promises by Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of creating 300,000 jobs over the next two years and guaranteeing a job for every graduate within two years of

entering the job market did not appear to satisfy popular thirst for major reforms, especially at the political level. On 12 January, Ben Ali indefinitely closed all schools and universities, called in the army, announced the release of all prisoners and an investigation looking into charges of corruption. But it was too little too late. On 14 January Ben Ali stepped down. The opposition has now been galvanised and united like never before. In the past, the government played on the divisions between Islamic and secular forces to keep the opposition weak and divided, but Tunisians abhor violence and extremism, and do not want a theocratic government. What they do want and deserve is a democratic system of government that is based on their Islamic values and identity. It appears that opposition leaders have finally overcome their fears of the regime, and mistrust of each other, and are willing to work together for political and economic reforms. Tunisians, across the board, realise that prosperity for the majority of people or economic development that benefits everyone will not be possible without political reforms, a major clampdown on corruption, and a representative

and accountable government that listens to the people, and protects their rights and interests. The rules of the game are changing. The interim government, or any future government, must pay close attention to public opinion and sentiments. They promise to legalise all political parties, and organise free and fair elections with international observers within six months. They also promise to reform the political system to allow greater transparency and accountability. Government officials have been reminded that they are public servants. Let’s see if they can act the part. Having seen the success of people’s power in Tunisia, it is probable that other Arab populations will demand similar rights and reforms in the coming months and years. Already there are reports of selfimmolation by people in Algeria, Egypt and Mauritania, hoping to be heard and to set their countries upon the same path as Tunisia. Arab leaders must reform or face their people. The genie of democratic change is out of the bottle. NOTE: Radwan A Masmoudi is President of the Washington-based Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy —CGNews

South Sudan secession a risky precedent By Hamza Hendawi outhern Sudan’s nearly certain secession from the Arabdominated north is likely to set a dangerous precedent in an Arab world looking increasingly fractured along sectarian and ethnic lines. Southern Sudanese voted this month in a referendum on whether to break away from Africa’s largest country. Final results are expected within weeks but preliminary returns show more than 98 percent supported independence. The vote is part of a 2005 peace deal that ended 22 years of civil war between the Christian and animist south and the Muslim and Arabized north. Already, there are growing secessionist sentiments, exclusive enclaves and intensifying calls for autonomy in some Arab nations such as Iraq and Yemen. In countries like Lebanon and Egypt, the fault lines are widening between ethnic and religious groups, threatening to split loyalties. “The lesson we must all learn is that secession, as in the case of Sudan, can be the road to safety when union becomes a heavy and unbearable burden on people,” prominent columnist Salama Ahmed Salama recently wrote in Cairo’s independent newspaper Al-Shorouk. In an Arab world traditionally suspicious of what it sees as Western “plots” to fragment and weaken it, secession, federalism and autonomy are taboos often rejected out of hand regardless of their validity. Strong central governments, many contend, are the best defense against Israel, the Arabs’ archenemy. The Sudan vote has sparked soul-searching about how the predominantly Arab and Sunni Muslim nations of the

region have dealt with ethnic and religious minorities since independence from colonial rule in the 1950s and 1960s. The intense discussion of the Sudanese vote, played out in the media across the region, touched on such relevant issues as the validity of international borders drawn by the area’s European colonizers after World War I, the supremacy of citizenship over sec-

ing with crises continues to be done at times through denying and ignoring them or, as is the case most of the time, blaming them on foreign conspiracies,” columnist Elias Harfoush wrote last week in the respected panArab newspaper Al-Hayat. Next to his column, a cartoon depicted an electric saw splitting the ground in two as it moves in the direction of an arrow pointing to “the

existing in the Arab world have grown deeper. In Iraq, leaders of the embattled Christian minority, citing the failure of security forces to protect them, are calling on the government to establish a new province they can claim as their own to escape attacks by Muslim militants who have killed hundreds of Christians and forced tens of thousands to flee the country since the 2003 US-led

In this photo taken Jan 11, 2011, Sudanese walk past an electoral banner that reads in Arabic “Together for peace and unity, our strength in our unity” at a street in Khartoum. —AP tarian and religious affiliation and how big a part regional, non-Arab powers like Israel and Iran play in allegedly fueling dissent among minorities in the Middle East. “Parts of our region will face the threat of breaking up if deal-

region”, meaning the Arab world. In the background, two flags, each emblazoned with half of the word “Sudan” are fluttering from a mast cut in two. Apart from the Sudanese vote, some of the fractures already

invasion. Khadum Al-Muqdadi, an Iraqi political analyst, warns against creating an exclusively Christian province, arguing it would only be a matter of time before some in the West demand its independ-

ence. “I think moves to create a Christian province are packed with risks and do not benefit the Iraqi Christians who have been living in peace and under tight protections by all governments,” he said. In northern Iraq, the seven years since the US-led invasion have seen the autonomous Kurdish region become all but independent from the rest of the country, with calls now growing for the right to self determination. In Yemen, a secessionist movement is gaining strength in the south of the country, once an independent state that became part of a unified state in 1990. The south sought secession again in 1994, staging a revolt that was ruthlessly put down by the government in northern Yemen. In Lebanon, whose survival on a delicate power-sharing formula filters down to the army and most government departments, haunting memories persist from the 1975-1990 civil war when Christians and Muslims turned against each other. Entire swaths of southern Lebanon and Beirut are exclusively Shiite. The boundary once known as the “Green Line” that separated Lebanon’s capital into a Christian east and a Muslim west still serves as a potent symbol of Lebanon’s history of division. “I think there is a common issue, which is that the modern Arab state is fraying at the edges for different reasons,” said Rami Khouri, director of the Issam Fares Institute of Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut. “The question that Sudan raises is: ‘Is there a structural problem with other Arab countries? And are there other Arab countries that are possibly vulnerable to secessionist movements?’” —AP

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

ANALYSIS

Abbas seen weathering storm over leaks By Tom Perry l Jazeera’s publication of concessions offered in secret by the Palestinians to Israel embarrasses President Mahmoud Abbas but appears less harmful than other disclosures he has weathered in recent years. Leading Palestinian officials accused the Qatar-based TV channel of campaigning against Abbas and hyping up the papers which showed his negotiators willing to give ground on major issues at the heart of the Middle East conflict. Many of the ideas outlined in the papers had already filtered their way into the public domain, Palestinian experts said. “It will do minor damage to Abbas’ credibility but will not deliver a killer blow,” commentator Bassem Zubaidi said. In Ramallah, the seat of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, there was no sign of the public outcry that Abbas faced in 2009 when he decided to postpone action over a UN report that criticised Israel’s Gaza offensive. “At the end of the day, it wasn’t a signed agreement, just negotiations,” said Fikri Suleiman, as he made his way to work on Monday in Ramallah, where Abbas has his administration. Though possibly embarrassing to Abbas, the most interesting aspect of the documents was the chasm they revealed between the sides, said George Giacaman, another Palestinian commentator: “The documents show they will never be able to agree,” he said. The material released focused mainly on negotiations over Jerusalem. They showed Palestinians willing to make con-

cessions that included letting Israel annex all but one of the large settlements built since Israel occupied the Arab east in

1967. Yet no agreement was signed and the talks ended when Ehud Olmert, Israeli prime minister at the time, was forced to step down over corruption allegations in 2009. Olmert had believed “a comprehensive proposal for solving the conflict” had been put forward during the talks, Jacob

Galanti, his spokesman, said. Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior aide to Abbas, said the Palestinians would not debate the authenticity of the documents. He condemned Al Jazeera and accused the Emir of Qatar of giving “a green light” for a campaign against Palestinian leaders. The Palestinian Authority briefly banned Al Jazeera from the West Bank in 2009 after it aired allegations that Abbas had plotted with Israel to kill his late predecessor Yasser Arafat. Abed Rabbo said quotes had been taken out of context or presented incompletely during a primetime broadcast he described as “a contrived, dramatic film” accompanied by “a horror movie” soundtrack. The channel was working for a “certain political trend” - a reference to the Hamas group which governs Gaza. Al Jazeera says it will release a total of 1,600 documents related to the Middle East peace process, now at a standstill, notably over a dispute about Israel building Jewish settlements on land the Palestinians seek for a state. Further afield, Abbas must tread warily in negotiating about Jerusalem and the future of millions of Palestinian refugees living in Arab states because other Muslim and Arab leaders who back the Palestinians have their own positions to defend. “On these two issues, no Palestinian leadership can give concessions,” said Mustafa Alani of the Gulf Research Centre. However, Ezzedin ChoukriFishere at the American University in Cairo, said many Arabs who criticised Abbas overlooked how far he may have to compromise to get any deal at all: “If there is going to be a Palestinian peace agreement, it is not going to fall far from the mark that appears in those

leaks,” he said. So the leaks might prove “an opportunity for the official line and the public awareness to come a little bit closer”. Abbas’ standing has been in decline since he took office in 2005, replacing Arafat in the last presidential election held by the Palestinians. Under his leadership, the long dominant Fatah movement lost legislative elections to Hamas in 2006. Some 18 months later, Hamas used force to take full control of the Gaza Strip, splitting the Palestinian territories and creating a political chasm that has derailed further elections. A vocal opponent of political violence by the Palestinians, Abbas has struggled to outline an alternative strategy to the peace process which US President Barack Obama’s administration has tried but failed to revive since it came to office. Under US pressure, Abbas agreed to resume negotiations with Israel in September, only to pull out a few weeks later when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government refused to impose new curbs on Jewish settlement building. Abbas’ opposition to more talks before a settlement freeze has restored some of his credibility among Palestinians. His campaign to gain wider international recognition for Palestinian statehood is having the same effect, Giacaman said. The Palestinians and their international allies have tabled a draft resolution at the UN Security Council condemning Jewish settlement building. They have also mooted the idea of seeking full membership of the United Nations later this year talk that has alarmed Israel and drawn US criticism. After the leaks, Giacaman said, “They will receive a lot of criticism, but in any case there are no negotiations and now they are proceeding on a different course which might let them regain some credibility, which is diplomatic resist-

S Africa’s Zuma back in the driving seat By Peroshni Govender fter a rocky start, South African President Jacob Zuma enters his third year in office with a firm grip on power and grand plans to transform Africa’s largest economy. Investors worry that the government’s call to end corruption will be given lip service, with Zuma doing little to end deals that critics say benefit his allies in the ANC and in business. But through compromises, Zuma appears to have defused tensions between the ANC and governing partner COSATU, the country’s largest labour federation which can use its two million members as a powerful vote-gathering machine and has been demanding a greater say in forming economic policies. “Under Zuma, the ANC has gone closer to COSATU in terms of macro-economic policy but it does not mean that the left has captured the ANC and the country,” said independent political analyst Nic Borain. COSATU has labelled the New Growth Plan, which aims to create 5 million jobs by 2020, “incoherent and vague” but analysts say the criticism is unjustified as the blueprints were drawn up by former unionist Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel and are sim-

ilar to COSATU’s own growth strategies. “Zuma has played this brilliantly. The NGP is infinitely closer to COSATU’s own growth strategies. It proposes looser monetary policy but calls for tighter fiscal controls mean that COSATU has not won the day,” Borain said. Zuma’s economic team helped steer the world’s 26th biggest economy out of its first recession in nearly two decades and expects growth of 3.5 percent this year, up from an estimated 3.0 percent in 2010. That however, pales in comparison to major African oil producers Nigeria and Angola. The growth plan may eventually fall by the wayside but Zuma’s biggest challenge now is to keep rivals in check as his ruling African National Congress elects new leaders in 2012. Since taking office in 2009, Zuma’s polygamous personal life, failure to rein in unions who launched damaging wage strikes last year and a lack of leadership led analysts to doubt if he would complete his term ending 2014. His fortunes began to change at a major ANC policy making conference in September when he suppressed a leadership challenge fronted by youth league leader Julius Malema and backed by more senior members. A major cabinet overhaul in October, when seven ministers were fired in one of the country’s

largest reshuffles, served notice that Zuma would throw allies overboard if they underperformed or became too much of a political liability. Economists have been reassured by Zuma’s decision to leave keep his core economic team intact while fending off calls from COSATU and in the ruling party to back left-leaning policies. Zuma has also done well internationally, serving as the gracious host of the well-received soccer World Cup last year and more recently winning an invitation from China to join a summit of the BRIC grouping of major emerging economies. Many other emerging economies with stronger numbers have tried to join the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India and China. But Zuma’s lobbying of his country’s No. 1 trade partner, Beijing, proved successful with South Africa punching above its weight with arguments the group would benefit politically from having Africa’s biggest economy as a member, analysts said. Zuma’s next major tests will be municipal polls planned for the first half of 2011 and keeping his personal life in order. The ANC has faced violent protests from poor blacks for failing to provide them with running water, electricity, basic schools and healthcare 17 years after the

end of apartheid and white minority rule. The ANC will win the bulk of the elections due to its dominant political power but any gains by minor opposition parties could embarrass Zuma and fuel the hopes of his rivals in the ANC and at COSATU. “Part of Zuma’s new approach has been to question inefficiencies and the role of ANC office bearers at local government. Calling his own party to account will go down well with the rank and file,” said political analyst Daniel Silke. Despite threats from COSATU that its workers will not be used “as voting cattle” or “sign a blank cheque” and endorse ANC candidates who are perceived as corrupt in the upcoming elections, it is unlikely that the labour federation will take away its traditional support for the ruling party. One ANC insider described Zuma as the “glue” that holds the diverse factions of the ANC together who will most likely receive a second term if he can avoid scandals. “It will not come without a fight. Embarrassing details of his personal life, business deals by his family members and cronyism by those closest could ruin his chances. It’s just a matter of how dirty his rivals are willing to play,” said the insider who did not want to be named. —Reuters

Obama to push faster recovery, more jobs By Steven R Hurst olitical engines are revving up for the 2012 presidential election and the sound of one of those, President Barack Obama’s, will be heard above all others Tuesday night in his nationally televised State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress. The Obama message: his prescription for a more robust economic recovery that cuts persistently high unemployment, now at 9.4 percent. Obama’s prospects for winning a second term probably depend largely on a robust upswing, a return to substantial growth and better employment prospects that finally seal off the worst economic downturn since the 1930s Great Depression. The president will step to the rostrum with polls showing his overall approval rating at 53 percent, 6 points higher than after the November congressional election - a drubbing for Democrats and loss of their majority in the House of Representatives. The uptick in Obama’s standing coincides with his decision - post election - to negotiate with Republicans on a tax package and to build bridges to the business community. Obama is also being helped by a stronger economy. A new survey from the National Association for Business Economics was more positive than at any time since the start of the Great Recession. The survey released yesterday showed that all major industry groups were seeing more demand for their products and services - a precursor to job growth. Obama’s mission in the State of the Union address is to build on

those improved numbers by proving to ordinary Americans, especially independent voters, and his fellow politicians that he has a hard and fast plan for creating jobs and spurring the economy. Otherwise he is in danger of handing Republicans ammunition for their already-potent rhetorical weaponry. The party’s success in November was largely built on a message that Obama was a big-spending, deficit-expanding socialist, determined to extend federal government control over the lives of voters. Republicans have taken particular aim at the administration’s health care reform, already voting in the first session in the House to repeal the measure. That will die or be killed in the Senate where Democrats still hold the majority. Obama has promised to veto any such legislation should it reach his desk. Another Republican message - the huge government debt threatens the future of the country - also resonates with voters. Yet, cuts in any or all federal programs - especially among the elderly who benefit from Medicare health insurance and Social Security pension payments - are a political mine field that politicians would rather not, and perhaps won’t, enter with the next election so near. That will not, however, mean an end to political posturing. While Obama told supporters in a video released Saturday that he will focus on economic issues, particularly jobs, he also spoke of investing in educating workers and in research and technology. That set off alarms among Republicans. “Any time they want to spend, they call it investment, so I think you will hear the president talk about investing a lot Tuesday night,” said

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “We’ll take a look at his recommendations. We always do. But this is not a time to be looking at pumping up government spending in very many areas.” The secondranking House Republican, Rep. Eric Cantor, closed ranks with McConnell. “We want America to be competitive, but then he talks about investing,” Cantor said. “When we hear ‘invest’ from anyone in Washington, to me that means more spending. ... The investment needs to occur in the private sector.” One huge place to find savings is in the $700 billion the US spends for its military. Both parties suggest a willingness to have a look at cuts there, but neither side has laid out a framework for serious cutbacks. That is difficult in a country still conducting two wars, the one being wound down in Iraq and the ongoing and brutal fighting in Afghanistan. Those conflicts - while opposed by some members of the Republican’s tea party wing and leftist Democrats - likely won’t find much space in Obama’s speech. There are two reasons: Obama knows he has no opportunity to gain support among tea partners; and left-wing Democrats likely will vote his re-election in 2012 regardless. Thus, with the economy and unemployment still the first worry for Americans, Obama has been blitzing the business community, setting a significantly warmer tone and shaking up his staff with the addition of centrist advisers. His Tuesday night address will fit snugly with those atmospheric and personnel shifts as Obama pivots from the solidly left-leaning legislative agenda of his first two years, to a more centrist and pliable economic boosterism and readiness to compromise with the opposition. —AP

focus

Yemen’s hidden alcohol problem By Judith Spiegel t’s nine o’clock at night on a busy road on the outskirts of Sana’a and a man is waiting in the shadows. Samir, a 22-year-old university student, has been cruising in his car with his mates and has been engaged in a constant mobile phone negotiation with this man until finally, a location for the deal is made. Samir halts his car. The man emerges from the shadows and quickly passes him a plastic bag containing two bottles of Stolichnaya vodka, wrapped in local newspapers and asks for the money. Samir gives him 12,000 Rials ($60) for both bottles. In an Islamist country where alcohol is largely forbidden, just a simple transaction for a couple bottles of vodka has a sinister nature of black alley contraband and fear. As much as alcohol is taboo, treating alcoholism is even more challenging since it exposes its sufferers to stigmas. Samir, who spoke on condition his last name not be revealed, says he does not consider himself to be an alcoholic. He just has “to drink a few beers in the evening to be able to sleep”. A student at one of the Yemeni capital’s prestigious universities, Samir says he often skips classes to drink and was “stressed out” because of his father’s high expectations from him to get high marks and take over his family business. He both adores and fears his father and says his fear of not living up to his expectations makes him seek daily solace in alcohol. He is not alone. According to Dr Hisham Alnabhani, a psychiatrist at Al Amal psychiatric hospital, about six cases like Samir’s cross his door every month seeking treatment for alcohol abuse. “They usually come after drinking for three of four years,” Alnabhani told The Media Line. “Most of them have high economic status, are the sons of military officers or businessmen have money and therefore access to alcohol.” Alnabhani said most of them had lived in Saudi Arabia for extended periods. “This is where they picked up the habit of using alcohol. I know it is even more forbidden there than in Yemen but people tend to hunt after forbidden things,” he added. Yemeni law prohibits drinking alcohol in public or being drunk in public. If caught, violators are sent to prison and not to treatment centers like the Al Amal hospital. What happens in private homes, however, is another matter and police do not as a rule search houses for alcohol. Unlike in Saudi Arabia, there are no religious police enforcing Islamic ban on alcohol. “If people drink at home, this is between them and Allah, not between them and the Yemeni law,” Dr Hisham says. Ironically, alcohol is relatively easy to obtain in Yemen. There is a locally brewed vodka, called Balladi, named after the Arabic word ‘bilad’ which means country. Vodka, whisky, beer and gin is also smuggled in from Ethiopia or Djibouti and then sold through dealers. There are even towns such as Haima and Amran where whole streets are lined with little shops selling booze behind their iron doors. At first glance the shops appear like the average Yemeni grocery with cans of beans, washing powder and cigarettes lining the walls. But they have a clandestine side room where crates of Heineken beer and bottles of whisky of assorted brands can be found. The shops are known by many, including government officials. A recent Wikileaks report quoted President Ali Abdullah Saleh joking with US Gen David Petraeus that he loathed drugs and weapons coming from Djibouti, but whiskey, on the other hand was fine, as long as it was good whiskey. Curiously, the report did not receive much media attention in Yemen despite fears in the foreign press that it could lead to a “Whiskey Controversy.” Yemen denied the quotes were made and the governmentcontrolled newspapers and television channels ignored it. Samir recalls how he and others seeking an alcoholic drink had ventured to the Russian Club, a nightclub in Saana playing outdated music but where alcohol flows freely, provided one is a foreigner. The club denied Samir and his mates entry since they were Yemenis. “This is not up to the guy at the gate, it is up to us, for heaven’s sake,” Samir says angrily, recalling they went home and ordered a bottle of gin from a dealer. Dr Alnabhani believes that the ones coming to his clinic with an alcohol problem are only the tip of the iceberg and that the phenomenon is much more wide spread than the Yemeni public wants to admit. “We only see the complicated issues where families bring the man to our hospital,” he says. “It is always men. I have never seen a woman here. They usually are brought after he starts beating up his wife, his sons, his neighbours and the family was desperate for treatment. It is there so why deny it? The first step to treatment is acknowledgement but in our society this is taboo. Furthermore, everyone in Yemen who seeks psychological or psychiatric help is considered insane, so this does not motivate people to go to a psychiatric hospital either,” he says. Al Amal hospital checks in alcoholics for a twoweek treatment, during which they receive medication, group and behavioural therapy. After they leave, they continue to receive medication and psychological treatment. “But it only works with people who come voluntarily,” Dr Alnabhani laments. “Those who are forced here by their families usually fall back again.” The Al Amal hospital is funded by the Charitable Society for Social Welfare, a Yemeni charity founded by Sheikh Abdul Majeed Al-Zindani, an influential Yemeni religious leader who is also on the United States lists of terrorists. This doesn’t bother Dr Alnabhani or his colleagues since their goal is to deal with alcoholism, and stay away from religious politics. Because officially there is no alcohol, there are no campaigns or any other public awareness programs. People only know about treatment programs such as the one at Al Amal hospital due to word of mouth. For years, Dr Alnabhani and his colleagues have tried to publicise their care, but they are not supported by the government. “So we can only sit here and wait for people to come to us,” he says, adding sardonically that knocking behind the closed doors of Sanaa would likely lead to a seven-fold increase in alcoholism patients. Meanwhile, young men like Samir continue to titter on alcoholism which raises the question: Would it not be better to legalize it and just sell it in the supermarkets so things can be controlled? Dr Alnabhani is not so sure. “First of all, access would be easier so we will have more drinkers,” Dr Alnabhani says. “Secondly, people think that if this were the case then Yemen would no longer be an Islamic country. As long as it is hidden, they simply think the problem does not exist.” —Media Line

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Hezb-backed Mikati set to lead Lebanon govt BEIRUT: Lebanese telecoms tycoon Najib Mikati, who is backed by Hezbollah and its allies, moved into position yesterday to lead a new government after winning support from Druze leader Walid Jumblatt. But caretaker Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri said he and his Future Movement would not take part in a government where the Shiite militant group has the upper hand. Lebanon was plunged into political crisis after Hezbollah and its allies walked out of Hariri’s unity government on Jan 12 in a dispute over still-confidential indictments by a UN-backed tribunal which is investigating the 2005 killing of statesman Rafiq AlHariri, the premier’s father. Hariri has stayed on in the interim and hoped to form a new coalition. But support from Jumblatt and six members of his parliamentary bloc - added to the 57 members of Hezbollah and their allies, plus Mikati himself - will give Mikati 65 votes in the 128-member parliament. Hariri, a Sunni Muslim who has support from the United States and Saudi Arabia, said his supporters would not serve under a premier chosen by

the Iranian-backed Shiite group. “ The Future Movement ... rejects taking part in any government headed by a March 8 candidate,” his office said in a statement yesterday. The March 8 bloc includes Shiite movements Hezbollah and Amal, along with Christian leader Michel Aoun. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has offered to accept any group within a cabinet led by Mikati, a Sunni businessman and politician - a post reserved under Lebanon’s constitution for a member of the Sunni community. The collapse of Hariri’s government and political deadlock since then has deepened sectarian divisions in Lebanon, and the prospect of a government formed by Hezbollah will alarm Israel, which fought a month-long war with the militant group in 2006. Israeli Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said at the weekend there was a danger that an “Iranian government ” will be established in Lebanon. He said Hezbollah “would no longer be merely a terrorist group operating with Iran’s backing, but a terrorist

Suicide bomber kills 35 at Moscow airport Continued from Page 1 “Everyone was in shock.” Russian investigators yesterday found a head of “Arab appearance” that is presumed to have belonged to the suicide bomber responsible for setting off the blast, Interfax said. According to preliminary information, the bomber was a resident of the overwhelmingly Muslim Northern Caucasus region, Interfax said. “A blast went off at Domodedovo that, according to preliminary information, was an act of terror,” Medvedev said in televised remarks. “It is necessary to introduce a special regime in all airports and transportation hubs.” Medvedev said the incident showed that Russia’s security regulations were not being followed properly. “What happened indicates that far from all the laws that need to be working are being used correctly,” said Medvedev. Russian security services had received warnings that an act of terror would be carried out at one of the Moscow airports and three suspects had even been identified, the RIA Novosti news agency said. The LifeNews.ru website said many victims had metal fragments embedded in their bodies and the explosive device was packed with bolts, nuts, nails and ball bearings. “Burned people are running about.. they are carrying pieces of flesh on stretchers,” one eyewitness, named as Andrei, told Russian City FM radio. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been informed of the incident, his

spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax. Amateur video posted on YouTube showed a pile of bodies on the floor, and other bodies scattered around. Luggage lay strewn across the ground and several small fires burned. A dazed man in a suit pushed a baggage cart through the carnage. The blast also represented a major setback for Russia’s international image and confidence in its security as it gears up to hold two major sporting events, the Winter Olympics in 2014 and the 2018 World Cup. Medvedev has postponed his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos, planned for this week, as a result of the blast, Kremlin spokeswoman Natalya Timakova said. Moscow police yesterday stepped up security across the city after the blast, Interfax quoted law enforcement officials as saying. Car rental agent Alexei Spiridonov, 25, was at his desk when the blast struck about 100 m away. “The explosion was so strong that it threw me against the wall,” he told AP outside the airport. “People were panicking, rushing out of the hall or looking for their relatives. There were people just lying in blood.” Sergei Lavochkin, who was waiting in the arrivals hall for a friend to arrive from Cuba, said emergency teams carried bloodied people out of the terminal. “I heard a loud bang, saw plastic panels falling down from the ceiling and heard people screaming. Then people started run-

ning away,” Lavochkin told Rossiya 24 television. Mark Green, a British Airways passenger who had just arrived, told BBC television he heard the huge explosion as he left the terminal. “Literally, it shook you,” he said. “As we were putting the bags in the car a lot of alarms ... were going off and people started flowing out of the terminal, some of whom were covered in blood.” “One gentleman had a pair of jeans on that was ripped and his thigh from his groin to his knee was covered in blood,” he added. Green said thousands of people were in the terminal at the time of the blast. Domodedovo Airport is Russia’s largest airport in terms of passenger numbers and takes flights from top international companies including British Airways, Lufthansa and Swiss. The Russian capital has been repeatedly rocked by attacks over the last years blamed on militants from the Northern Caucasus region, where Russia has for years been battling an Islamist insurgency. Double bombings carried out by two female suicide bombers on the Moscow metro on March 29, 2010, killed 40 and wounded more than 100. The Kremlin fought two wars against separatist rebels in Chechnya in the 1990s but the insurgency has now become more Islamist in tone and has spread to neighbouring Ingushetia and Dagestan. However officials have repeatedly warned of the risk of attacks in Russia’s heartland. — Agencies

MPs file to grill Sheikh Jaber on torture... Continued from Page 1 They said that the “Kuwaiti people were shocked when they heard the news about the death of a Kuwaiti citizen under torture by a handful of oﬃcers and policemen who lost all their human feelings and exhibited total disrespect for the constitution and law”. The grilling said that Mutairi was arrested on Jan 6 and was detained at the police station until he died of torture, and cited the medical report which provided a graphic description of his death under torture. The report said the man was dead when he arrived at the hospital on Jan 11 and there were bruises all over his body and his legs were tied. A forensic report later established that he died as a result of torture, the three MPs said in their quiz request. They insisted that the interior ministry agencies have deliberately tried to mislead the people in an attempt to cover up the crime and it continued in the Assembly chamber through a statement delivered by the interior minister. They recalled the statement issued by the interior ministry on the evening of Jan 11 which was full of false information in a clear attempt to cover up the case. The interior minister repeated the same statement the following day in the Assembly claiming that Mutairi was arrested because he was trading in whisky and that he was caught red-handed with 24 bottles of liquor. The minister also claimed that there was no need to torture the man since he was caught red-handed and that he had resisted police during the arrest and hurt a number of them, the grilling said. The minister also reiterated claims by the interior ministry that the man died after feeling pain in his chest and that he only died at the hospital. The minister also claimed that Mutairi had a criminal record and that he was arrested for drugs abuse, bootlegging and other crimes and that he was jailed in 2005, the grilling said. The grilling said that the minister was surprised that MPs had the medical report and when MP Musallam Al-Barrak

showed it during the debate, the minister did not immediately retract his false statement. The MPs said that this practice amounted to a deliberate attempt of hiding information and providing false information to the Assembly. The MPs said that the following day, the minister acknowledged criminal suspicion behind the death of Mutairi and submitted his resignation, which they said was a bid merely to remain in office. The MPs said that the death of Mutairi recalled reports about widespread torture by police which indicates that the use of torture to extract confessions became systematic and a culture being practiced by the interior ministry despite repeated warnings by international and local human rights bodies. They also recalled an attempt by interior ministry officials to deport an Egyptian man who was the guard of the building where Mutairi was arrested and saw part of his torture. They tried to deport the guard to prevent him from testifying. The lawmakers said that the interior minister also misused his authority by appointing a brother of MP Saadoun Hammad as a local mayor one day after Hammad was elected as a member in the parliamentary panel probing the case. The grilling is expected to be debated on Feb 8 because under the constitution, the grilling cannot be debated before the lapse of eight days from the day it was submitted and has to take place in a regular session. The next regular Assembly session is today and the one after it is on Feb 8. The grilling can lead to a motion of noconfidence, which if approved by 25 MPs, will automatically lead to the dismissal of the minister. A number of MPs called on the minister after the grilling was submitted to implement key reforms in the ministry to eradicate wide spread corruption, with MPs Yousuf Al-Zalzalah saying that a Cabinet reshuffle has become inevitable and must include at least five new ministers. MP Muwaizri meanwhile proposed the establishment of the human rights department in the interior ministry with extensive

powers to investigate abuse cases by police. He said the proposed department should be under the interior minister directly and headed by a high-ranking officer and should have sufficient powers to search police stations and investigate complaints. “There is somebody who killed a citizen deliberately,” MP Mohammad Hayef said. “If the interior minister does not have a direct connection with the crime, as the majority of the National Assembly members believe, he is still not relieved from his political responsibilities, which stipulates that no problems or defects should be present in his administration, especially if it amounts to forming gangs or rather militias armed with interior ministry weapons, wear its uniform, use its vehicles and receive salaries from it,” he said. “This group is criminal and committed the most heinous crime and violated shariah and human principles. And what is more dangerous is that this group has committed other crimes”. Hayef said human rights organizations should carry out surprise visits to prisons and holding cells in police stations without prior permission to uncover behaviors that encourage misuse of authority. Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee formed to probe the death of Mutairi delayed submitting its report until today, rapporteur of the panel MP Marzouk Al-Ghanem said. He said the report consists of 60 pages and includes a classified attachment. MP Jamaan Al-Harbash meanwhile said the file of torture at police stations will not be closed even after grilling the interior minister, adding MPs plan to ask the Assembly’s interior and defense committee to expand its investigation of the issue. In another development, the interior minister appointed Lt Gen Abdulhameed Al-Awadhi as assistant undersecretary for criminal investigation affairs moving him from the passport and immigration affairs department. The move is seen as an indication to utilize Awadhi’s long experience in the criminal investigation field.

group in control of the country”. Regional powers Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar and Turkey have failed to convince Lebanese leaders to agree to a compromise, and Hezbollah and its allies say no amount of international pressure would force them to accept Hariri’s leadership again. Mikati served briefly as caretaker prime minister between April and July 2005, after Rafiq Al-Hariri’s death forced Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon. In Lebanon’s power-sharing political system, the post of prime minister is reserved for a Sunni, the president a Maronite Christian and the speaker of parliament a Shiite. The tension has pushed up the cost of insuring Lebanon’s debt against restructuring or default to an 18-month high of 367 points. But Lebanese stocks rallied yesterday, rising 2.0 percent, led by gains in real estate firm Solidere which has led the reconstruction of Beirut since Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war. The indictments at the heart of the latest dispute between Hezbollah and Hariri were filed secretly this

month at a UN-backed court in The Hague. They are expected to accuse members of Hezbollah, which denies any role in the killing and says the tribunal is serving U.S. and Israeli interests. Politicians allied to Hezbollah have said the first priority of a government they form would be to cut links with the court. After meeting President Michel Suleiman yesterday, Mikati said that he would reach out to all parties in Lebanon if he were chosen. “I tell Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, we are all one hand for the sake of Lebanon,” he told reporters. Analysts say Hariri’s exclusion from government would cause resentment in Lebanon’s Sunni population, who see him as their main leader, and possibly spark violence. Another threat could come from violent Sunni factions, close to Al-Qaeda’s thinking, who regard Hezbollah as an arm of Shiite Iran. Hundreds of Hariri supporters blocked some streets yesterday in Tripoli, a mainly Sunni Muslim city in Lebanon’s north, calling on Mikati to withdraw his nomination. — Reuters

Secret files expose ‘offers’ by Palestinians... Continued from Page 1 in east Jerusalem as well as the walled Old City’s Jewish Quarter and part of the Armenian Quarter. The offer was made during talks between Condoleezza Rice who was US secretary of state at the time, Israel’s then foreign minister Tzipi Livni, former Palestinian premier Ahmad Qorei and Erakat, according to the documents. “We proposed that Israel annexes all settlements in Jerusalem except Jabal Abu Ghneim (Har Homa),” Qorei is quoted as saying. But Israel turned down the offer, refusing “to even place Jerusalem on the agenda, let alone offer the PA (Palestinian Authority) concessions in return for its historic offer,” the papers show. In other papers to be released in the days ahead, Erakat was also said to have offered to accept the return of only 100,000 refugees who fled or were forced out when Israel was founded in 1948. They now number - with their descendants - almost five million. Other documents will reportedly show the Palestinian leadership had been “privately tipped off” ahead of Israel’s 20082009 devastating war against Hamas-ruled Gaza. In a heated exchange on Al-Jazeera, Erekat was

confronted by critics including Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of the London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper, who asked him who had authorised him or the Palestinian leadership “to give up Islamic holy sites”. The report comes as world powers seek ways to haul Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table after direct peace talks broke down last September in a dispute over Jewish settlements. The revelations prompted a furious reaction, with Erakat accusing Al-Jazeera of a smear campaign. “Al-Jazeera’s information is full of distortions and fraud,” he told AFP from Cairo where he was accompanying Abbas, saying the revelations were taken “out of context and contain lies”. Erakat, who was widely quoted in the papers, later issued a statement that the two sides had discussed “many ideas ... including some we could never agree to” as part of the negotiation process. He reiterated the leadership’s stance that any proposed agreement would have to be put to a national referendum. Speaking after meeting Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak, Abbas accused the Doha-based satellite channel of deliberately mixing up the Palestinian and Israeli positions.

“Their goal is to mix things up,” he charged, suggesting the channel had attributed Israeli positions to the Palestinians. Robert Serry, the UN’s Middle East envoy, said he had full faith in the Palestinian leadership’s commitment to reaching the best possible deal for their people. “At this crucial time, I would urge both parties to show their readiness for a negotiated peace based on a two-state solution, and to deliver on the ground,” he said. But Gaza’s Hamas rulers said the revelations revealed “the ugly face” of Abbas’s leadership, with spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri saying it was “cooperating with the occupation”. Israel oﬀered no oﬃcial reaction, and Livni, now the opposition leader, said only she would “continue to maintain discretion of the talks, in order to protect Israeli interests”. Elsewhere, Israel’s outspoken Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told public radio the revelations proved it was necessary for an interim accord. “If (former premier Ehud) Olmert and Tzipi Livni did not manage to reach an agreement with the Palestinians, then it is a sign that they all reached the conclusion in the end that the only solution is a long-term interim agreement.” — Agencies

Iran executes two activists Continued from Page 1 monafeghin, taking photos and ﬁlms of the clashes as well as chanting slogans in favour of the group.” The 2009 presidential election result triggered widespread antigovernment demonstrations in Tehran. Dozens of protesters were killed, scores wounded and thousands jailed when security forces clashed with them after the announcement of the election result, which Ahmadinejad’s rivals claim was rigged in his favour. Clinton had urged that those rounded up, including Kazemi and Hajaghaei, be freed. “We are also concerned about the fate of Iranians who are in danger of imminent execution for exercising their right to free expression after the June 2009 elections,” Clinton said on Aug 10 in a statement, naming Kazemi and Hajaghaei. Her plea for the release of the two activists came despite Washington retaining the PMOI on its list of foreign terrorist organisations, even as the European Union took it oﬀ its own similar list in 2009.

In a statement released in France, Maryam Rajavi, head of National Council of Resistance of Iran of which PMOI is a wing, condemned what she said were “barbaric executions” of the activists, adding the international community must “suspend economic and diplomatic ties with the ruling medieval regime” of Iran. The Tehran prosecutor’s office said Hajaghaei had a history of travelling to Iraq, where the PMOI’s main camp is based. “While staying there for a few months, he received 3,000 dollars and training sessions from the monafeghin in Camp Ashraf,” the office said, referring to the PMOI camp located in the Iraqi province of Diyala. It said the other condemned man, Kazemi, had confessed to his activities during the post-election unrest.”Kazemi admitted putting up pictures supporting members of the terrorist monafeghin group as well as filming the street protests in Azadi (Freedom) Square and Enqelab (Revolution) Street” in Tehran, it said, referring to venues where bulk of brutal post-election unrest occurred.

Two weeks ago, Kazemi’s wife Roudabeh Akbari told opposition website, Rahesabz that her husband’s imminent execution “was unfair”, adding he had simply visited Camp Ashraf to see his son. Iran has sentenced around a dozen activists to death for their role in the post-poll unrest. Six of the sentences have been upheld, according to Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafar Dolatabadi, with the hangings on Monday reportedly the first to be carried out. Dolatabadi said in May that Kazemi and Hajaghaei were arrested in Sept 2009. The other four on the death row are also said by the authorities to be members of PMOI. The PMOI is responsible for several acts of violence against Iranian civilians and government officials. It was set up with an aim of replacing firstly the shah and then the Islamic clerical regime of Iran. PMOI is known to have participated with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s forces during their war with Iran in the 80s. The members of Camp Ashraf were disarmed after the 2003 invasion of Iraq by US-led forces. — AFP

Jassem walks free after jail term scrapped Continued from Page 1 proof that the judiciary is independent. This verdict also represents the victory of truth and rightness.” Al-Jassem’s family members have consistently remained proud of his ethical stance, she added, although they suﬀered great sorrow at his imprisonment. His sister asserted that her sibling’s actions would in the future be vindicated and celebrated, saying, “history will remember Jassem for his principles and beliefs. He sacriﬁced his freedom for the freedom of opinion. My brother is an example to the young generation of today by defending his principles. All his articles express his opinion aiming for reforms and he didn’t hesitate to face imprisonment for his work.” The lower court in November sentenced Jassem to one year in prison for allegedly slandering Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser AlMohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. In December, the appeals court

already cut the jail term to three months. But Jassem, who also faces other similar court cases and whose imprisonment has drawn ﬁre from rights group, was immediately taken into prison after the initial court verdict and has so far served 62 days of his sentence. “This is clear proof that the judiciary is independent,” said lawyer Ahmad, who urged Kuwait’s lower courts to take this ruling as an important example in future cases. Human Rights Watch said in its world report released yesterday that freedom of expression had markedly deteriorated in 2010 in Kuwait as the government continued to prosecute individuals based on non-violent political speech. It singled out the prosecution of Jassem over his writings in his blog, besides a Kuwaiti government crackdown on public gatherings. Jassem, 54, who has undergone several heart operations with the latest in December while behind bars, had been detained twice before for a total of 61 days on cases ﬁled by the prime

minister and the government. The lower court’s sentence was issued over an article Jassem posted on his website in Nov 2009 deemed oﬀensive to the prime minister. The article charged that Iranian intelligence was interfering in Kuwait’s aﬀairs through a leading businessman close to Sheikh Nasser. Jassem denied having accused the premier of collaborating with Iranian intelligence, although he called in the article for the prime minister to step down as he was no longer capable of running the state. In a case scheduled for Jan 31, the writer faces state security charges including undermining the status of HH the Amir and circulating false news about Kuwait. International and local human rights bodies have criticised Kuwait for pressing charges against dissident voices. In October, Kuwait dropped 27 positions in the Reporters Without Borders world press rankings, mainly because of its harsh treatment of Jassem, according to the media watchdog.

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Flanker Williams axed by Wales CARDIFF: Welsh flanker Martyn Williams, who has won 98 caps and featured on three British and Irish Lions tours, faced the end of his international career on Sunday after being axed for the Six Nations. The 35-year-old made his debut in 1996 and was just two matches shy of becoming only the second Welsh player, after former skipper Gareth Thomas, to reach the magical 100-cap mark. But with coach Warren Gatland keen to give youth a chance, and with one eye on the World Cup later this year, Williams was a shock absentee from the 28-man squad which kicks-off the Six Nations on February 4 at the Millennium Stadium. Williams’ Cardiff Blues teammate Sam Warburton and 20year-old Scarlets forward Josh Turnbull are Gatland’s preferred openside options. Turnbull is one of five uncapped players in the squad along with Scarlets back Rhys Priestland, front-row forwards Ryan Bevington and Scott Andrews, plus backrower Toby Faletau. — AFP

India’s F1 GP organiser quits NEW DELHI: One of the chief organisers of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix has resigned barely nine months before the country hosts the Formula One race, the promoters said yesterday. Mark Hughes, a former number two at the Bahrain circuit, who was a key ﬁgure in building the Indian facility over the past 12 months, left his post a month ago “due to personal reasons”, the promoters said. “Mark Hughes is no longer working with us. He left due to his own personal reasons,” Sameer Kumar, a spokesman for the promoters, the Jaypee group, told AFP. Kumar did not elaborate on the

departure of Hughes, vice-president of operations, but said operations at the circuit were now being handled by Azhar Rahman, a former race organiser in Sepang, Malaysia. India is due to hold the race on October 30 at a $350 million 5.14kilometre (3.2-mile) circuit designed by renowned German architect Hermann Tilke in Greater Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi. The under-construction circuit is part of an ambitious 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) sports complex being built by the Jaypee group that will include an internationalstandard cricket stadium. — AFP

Inzamam blasts PCB KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq Monday accused the sport’s authorities of creating factions within the national side by delaying the naming of a captain for next month’s World Cup. Pakistan is the only one of 14 competing teams to have failed to name a captain for the tournament, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from February 19 to April 2. Inzamam, who played 120 Test matches for Pakistan scoring 25 centuries, said the delay had disrupted the team’s preparations for the showpiece event and stoked divisions among the squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last week named a 15-man squad for the tournament but did not name a captain, fanning speculation that current one-day captain Shahid Afridi could be replaced with Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq. — AFP

SUNRISE: Tampa Bay Lightning’s Dan Ellis (33) makes a save during an NHL hockey game in this file photo. —AP

Flyers down Blackhawks as Lightning strike CHICAGO: The Philadelphia Flyers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 on Sunday in the only regular-season rematch of last year’s Stanley Cup finals combatants. Jeff Carter had two goals and an assist, rookie Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves, while Nikolay Zherdev and Scott Hartnell also scored for Chicago. Bobrovsky lost a bid for his first career shutout in the third period when Marian Hossa scored on a penalty shot. Philadelphia improved to a league-leading 69 points and is 9-2-0 in its past 11. Defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago lost in regulation for the first time since Jan. 5. Lightning 7, Thrashers 1 In Tampa, Steven Stamkos notched his NHL-best 38th goal to take over sole possession of the league scoring lead and help Tampa Bay rout Atlanta. The Southeast leaders beat the Thrashers for the 11th straight time, completing a six-game sweep of the season series between the division rivals. Martin St. Louis, Nate Thompson, Dana Tyrell and Simon Gagne joined Stamkos in scoring during a fivegoal second period that quickly got away from Atlanta. The Thrashers have dropped seven of their past eight games. Stamkos hiked it to 3-0 when he redirected St. Louis’ shot past Pavelec to move ahead of injured Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby for sole possession of the league points lead with 67. The first-time All-Star has seven goals in his past six games and has been especially tough on Atlanta with nine goals and three assists this season. Crosby has missed eight straight games because of a concussion. Gagne had a second goal in the third period, and Pavel Kubina also scored for Tampa Bay. Rich Peverley got Atlanta’s sole goal with just over 4 minutes remaining. Predators 3, Oilers 2 In Edmonton, Cody Franson scored the lone shootout goal and Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne turned aside all three Edmonton shooters. Rinne got a huge break in overtime after losing his stick on a wild scramble on an Edmonton power play. Shawn Horcoff beat Rinne with a diving backhander, but the puck struck the unattended stick on the goal line and deflected out. A video review confirmed the puck didn’t fully cross the line. The Predators have won three straight, all on the road. The Oilers, last in the conference, have dropped five in a row. Nashville defenseman Alexander Sulzer opened the scoring midway through the first period, which held until Andrew Cogliano tied it early in the third. Joel Ward gave Nashville a 2-1 lead on a power-play with 5:55 left, but Oilers rookie Taylor Hall tied it with 3:47 remaining in regulation. — AP

Don Bosco lift PNO hockey title KUWAIT: Don Bosco Oratory defeated KOC—Green (Unity) 2-1 in the Pakistan National Organisation (PNO) sponsored Hockey Tournament for the first time in Kuwait on Jan 7, 2011 at the Al Ahmadi ground. The Chief Patron of PNO Mohammad Riazul Haque and President Rana Munir Ahmad with its executive team members decided to achieve another milestone in expansion of its scope of entertainment activities titled as “PNO Sports Wing”. In order to make this magnificent event happen, PNO sought the suppor t of KOC Blue (Hubara). Mohammad Riazul Haque was the Chief Guest of the event. The teams that participated in this tournament were KOC-Green (Unity), KOC-Blue (Hubara), Kuwait Independent Hockey - Gold, Kuwait Independent Hockey — Black, Red International and Don Bosco Oratory (DBO). The first match was played between, Hubara and KIH- Black, for the 3rd & 4th place. Blacks paid heavily for their over-ambitious strategy by attacking their opponent’s goal from the start, conveniently leaving the defense line widely open. Shoukat, captain of Hubara, who happens to be “exPakistan Junior Nationals” took the ball from the centre, with none close to him and moved easily into the Blacks “D” with a through pass on to the left to Waheed Ahmed who made no mistake beating the rushing keeper Kanishka Rajapaksha. With a goal down Blacks continued attacking the opponent’s goal and missing opportunities to equalize.

Another defense lapse gave Hubara a walk through the door and this time Shoukat ensured that his team was set on a comfortable zone by goals scored in quick succession. Hubara didn’t give up and kept the pressure on Blacks “D” and achieved a short corner which was converted into a third goal by Naveed Iqbal just before the lemon break. In the second half Blacks continued their game plan of attacking the opponent’s goal, but this time the coach made adjustment in the field which turned out to be a favorable move. Either Blues who were in their comfort zone with 3 goal lead thought it not possible for Blacks to catch up. Should Blacks have converted the misses into goals, then Blues were surely in for a surprise. In the 14th minute Blacks managed to find the net through Basil Medeira, but that was not enough. Missing out 5 penalty corners could have changed the game altogether. At the finial hooter, the score was 3-1 in favor of KOC-Blue (Hubara). KOC-Green (Unity) who were amongst the favorites, drew blood early in the game as they scored in the 8th minute courtesy of Mushtaq Dar’s field goal. Don Bosco kept the pressure and played at a very fast pace with both teams playing attacking game plan. Don Bosco maintained their consistent fighting qualities and dominated the tournament. DBO’s most dynamics forward Dr. Pushpinder S Khera, who has always been there to bail the team out of trouble, maintained his style and standard. In the final three minutes of the first half Dr. Pushpinder, managed to find the net

from a zero angle and caught the keeper on the wrong foot. Both teams had couple of good moves initiated by their forward line. Greens mostly spearheaded by their most active playmaker centre half Zahid Butt, but their forwards missed some golden chances. Both team made some aggressive moves and suddenly Don Bosco Oratory substituting in for Seby, Christopher who managed to place the ball towards the right of the rushing goalkeeper Asif Raza. The coordination of Leo and Terence managed to take the entire defence of Green towards the right leaving Christopher un-marked. DBO defense stood tall and strong, making the opponent forward diﬃcult to enter the “D”. At the ﬁnal whistle the Don Bosco Oratory beat KOC-Green (Unity) 2-1. This tournament was witnessed by Pakistani and Indian communities’ distinguished guests, large crowd and families. The supporters continued cheering their teams throughout the tournament. Both Pakistan and India, being the veterans in hockey have been keen to uplift the game the game in Kuwait. During the prize distribution ceremony the Chief Guest thanked all the team players, guests and other participants for their involvement in the tournament and expressed his thanks to KOC management, especially Naseer Ahmed and Khaled Arshed for providing the facilities and their continued support in conducting this colossal event. He also thanked PNO’s team members. He assured all hockey lovers that PNO would do its best to sponsor and hold such tournaments in future to support and promote hockey.

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TACK organises Cricket Festival in Kuwait

The Ambassador of India Ajai Malhotra awarding the TACK Winners trophy to the Captain of Al Pacific Cricket Club

KUWAIT: After a compelling and a thrilling four months of competitive cricket, the finals of the TACK TDL CUP were played on Friday, Jan 14, 2011. The finals were witnessed by a massive turn out that only built up as the day progressed and included former cricketers to the present ones, families and friends, a sight that has become increasingly common during TACK tournaments. The highlight of the day, however, was the presence of Chief Guests, the Ambassador of India Ajai Malhotra and the Ambassador of Pakistan Iftikhar Aziz, along with the ever passionate and true promoter of the game of cricket, the platinum sponsor of the entire TDL CUP, Mahmoud Abdullah. The three dignitaries were extremely excited and overwhelmed to see the preparations of the TACK committee that managed to conduct one of the finest cricket finales ever to be witnessed in Kuwait. The honorable guests appreciated the efforts and hard work of TACK which was evident throughout the day as there was a professional seating plan for a large number of spectators along with refreshments that were distributed. The significant impact, however, was made by the technology, adopted and implemented by the TACK committee, as it included professional cameramen scattered on five different and yet important angles in order to ensure that the live broadcast on the website of TACK www.tackuwait.com was as close as to that of international standards. The technology also allowed the introduction of the TV third umpire for the very first time in the history of domestic and international cricket in Kuwait, and the live broadcast through a LCD monitor inside the VIP tents. This made the festival of cricket look professional and the finale will remain in the memory of all those present and all those who heard what happened, as TACK managed to achieve many milestones in a matter of four months that few have witnessed over the past four decades in Kuwait. The TACK TDL Cup tournament attracted the top 33 cricket teams in Kuwait who were divided into A, B, and C divisions depending on their previous year’s performance and their overall ranking in various tournaments in Kuwait. A total of 200 matches were played in as less as four months that had prize money for each and every man of the match. Importantly, with the immense support of Mahmoud Abdullah, it was the School Cricket tournament organized by TACK that attracted many families and friends as it included the participation of as many as ten teams from various schools in Kuwait who competed courageously to get hold of the two trophies on offer. The idea behind organizing a school tournament of this magnitude was to ensure TACK continues to promote, expand, and develop the game of cricket by improving standards in all areas of the game. However, the highlight of the season so

far has been the consistent and the professional management of TACK that enabled a regular update of all the scores and analysis on its highly viewed attractive website. The dedicated website has all the team profiles along with player’s individual profiles and statistics, latest scores, report on every match and the ongoing team standings. Finally, the entire finale wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of many sponsors who came forward to support the honest efforts of TACK to promote the game of cricket in Kuwait. Apart from the Platinum Sponsor Mahmoud Abdullah, Esselte Leitz, the Gold Sponsor of the TDL CUP and Silver Sponsor Alam AlTassameem Advertising Company and other sponsors DHL, Food Inn, Pizza Inn, Landmark group, Pro-Sports, Ashraf & Co, and IMEX International are some of the committed organizations who came forward wholeheartedly to support TACK, cricket and the local community. Results of TACK TDL Cup Finals Sept. 2010-January 2011 1. (Division A): Al Pacific Cricket Club defeated Aroma Cricket Club by 75 Runs Aroma Cricket Club won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision went in Al Pacific’s favor as the two openers Irfan Bhatti, and Aamir, went berserk and scored as many as 120 runs in as less as 10 overs for the opening stand. The thundering batting of Al Pacific continued with Abid coming in at one down and scoring a 50 of 22 bowls after Aamir finally got out for a match winning 80 and Irfan Bhatti for a crucial 50 respectively. Al Pacific managed to put up a massive total of 245 in 20 overs leaving Aroma to chase down the highest score of the tournament. Aroma started well in terms of run rate but kept losing crucial wickets and were 97 for four in 8 overs at one stage. With Azmat looking dangerous at 33 off 16 balls, anything could have happened, however, Al Pacific got the crucial breakthrough that lead to a collapse leaving Aroma at 125 for

The Ambassador of Pakistan Iftikhar Aziz awarding the TACK Runners-up trophy to the Captain of Aroma Cricket Club

8. Sajid 27 not out and Bilal 22 not out ensured Aroma played its full quota of overs and ended the score at 175. For Al Pacific, Murad took 2 wickets. 2. (Division B): Trend Micro Cricket Club defeated Diamond Cricket Club by 10 Wickets Trend Micro’s cricket team completed a thumping 10-wicket victory in the Finals of the TACK B Division League over DCC after they had bowled them out for just 114. DCC after winning the toss and electing to bat, got off to a good start. Both their openers played well, however they crumbled against the strong bowling attack of Trend Micro’s cricket team, regularly losing wickets and the last six wickets went for 20 runs. Trend Micro had been given a victory target of just 115 runs in 20 overs as right arm fast bowler Qaiser took four important wickets without giving anything. Qaiser, who was named Man of the match, also combined magnificently with right arm spin bowling of Nisar and Habib who took 2 wickets each while Imran Subhani & Imran Hameed grabbed a wicket each to end DCC’s innings. Asif Mirza and Umar Salahuddin of Trend Micro batted sensibly and help their team to victory in just 11.2 overs and clinch the title. 3. (Division C): TKS Cricket Club defeated KCPC Cricket Club by 7 Wickets KCPC won the toss and elected to bat first. The openers of KCPC initially batted well against some quality bowling from TKS bowlers. The openers quickly added 35 runs in 3 overs. Unfortunately the remaining KCPC batsmen could not utilize the solid start provided by the openers finished the innings at 143. Chasing a moderate score of 143 the TKS batsmen did not panic and saw their team through safely. Mastan from TKS with his terrific bowling performance claimed 4 wickets and was declared Man of the finals.

Winners of The TACK Division A - Al Pacific Cricket Club

Winners of the TACK Division B - Trend Micro Cricket Club

School Cricket Tournament endorsed by TACK (U19 School Cricket) Cup Finals 1. Winners: Indian Central School, Jleeb 2. Runners-Up: DPS, Ahmadi Plate Finals 1. Winners: Carmel School 2. Runners-Up: FAIPS, Falcons Individual Awards Best Batsman (Division A) : Amir ( Al Paciﬁc) with 409 runs Best Bowler ( Division A) : Kashif ( Aroma) with 27 wickets at an economy of 4.09 Best All Rounder ( Division A) : Khaled Butt ( Rising Stars) with 343 runs and 12 wkts in 9 matches Best Batsman ( Division B ) : Zagar ( Trendmicro) with 341 runs Best Bowler ( Division B) : Habeb ( Trendmicro) with 20 wkts at an economy rate of 5.5 Best All Rounder ( Division B) : Nikhil ( D.C.C) with 252 runs and 17 wkts Best Batsman ( Division C ) : Mehboob ( TKS) with 257 runs Best Bowler ( Division C) : Mastan ( TKS) with 24 wickets Best All Rounder ( Division C) : Razzak ( TKS) with 265 and 20 wickets Man of the Finals ( Division A) : Amir ( Al Paciﬁc) - 80 runs Man of the Finals ( Division B ) : Kaiser ( Trendmicro) - 4 wickets

Man of the Finals ( Division C) : Mastan ( TKS) - 4 wickets

Dhoni: Batting must improve CENTURION: India needs to improve its batting performances and start playing consistent cricket if it is to have a chance at a second World Cup title, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Sunday. Following a 3-2 series loss in South Africa after having led 2-1, Dhoni nominated his team’s traditionally strong batting as the area that needs the most improvement ahead of the Feb. 19 start of the World Cup. “I think our batting department didn’t do well in the ODIs,” Dhoni said. “That was the main reason why we lost the ODI series. Throughout the series, our batting department did not really score a lot of runs.” The 22-year-old Virat Kohli and big-hitting middle order batsman Yusuf Pathan were India’s standout players, Dhoni said, but the skipper stressed that the batsmen need to “perform as a unit” at the World Cup. Newcomer Kohli scored two half-centuries in ﬁve matches in the absence due to injury of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir for the entire limitedovers series and Sachin Tendulkar for the last three games. Pathan was even more impressive with a half-century and a brutal century _ which nearly stole victory for India in Sunday’s series-decider in Centurion _ in his

three matches. But India’s other batsmen underperformed, with the experienced Yuvraj Singh recording only one 50 and Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma _ who is not in India’s World Cup squad _ and Dhoni all failing. World Cup success is “about playing consistent cricket,” the skipper said, adding that India would be boosted by the return of the experienced Sehwag, Gambhir and Tendulkar for the start of the limited-overs showpiece. Dhoni was also buoyed by India’s fielding in South Africa, an area where the team normally struggles, and India’s bowlers matched South Africa’s fast bowling attack — with seamers Munaf Patel and Zaheer Khan leading the way. “The younger guys who are fresh and have come in here have fielded really well throughout the series, so that’s a big positive,” Dhoni said. “That’s the kind of standard we now have (in the field). “The bowlers have done well with their variation. We don’t have express bowlers but we have got bowlers who have got skill, and that’s what they rely on. If we bowl like this in the World Cup, I will be really pleased.” The six-week World Cup will be co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. —AP

Winners of the TACK Division C - TKS Cricket Club

India sacks Games chief as graft rows rumble on NEW DELHI: India’s new sports minister sacked the chief organiser of last year’s scandal-ridden Delhi Commonwealth Games yesterday as the coalition government caught in a web of corruption cases seeks to repair its public image. Ajay Maken said he took the decision to ﬁre Games chief Suresh Kalmadi and Secretary General Lalit Bhanot to ensure a fair investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the $6 billion event held in October. Intended to be India’s answer to China’s near-ﬂawless staging of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Delhi Games descended into a complete chaos, salvaged only after a last-minute mad scramble by the red-faced government. “... the move comes in light of the ongoing investigation by the (federal investigating agency) Central Bureau of Investigation over allegations of corruption and irregularities in organisation and conduct of Commonwealth Games 2010,” Maken’s

ministry said in a statement. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is already under pressure from an opposition demand for a joint parliamentary probe into a $39 billion telecoms scam involving former Minister Andimuthu Raja. The telecoms row, which shut down parliament for its December session and virtually deadlocked governmance in Asia’s third-largest economy, epitomises a slew of challenges facing the government. In November, Kalmadi, a powerful lawmaker from Singh’s Congress party, was fired from a party post following the allegations of graft and mismanagement of the games. His political influence is seen as a reason why he had managed to stay on as the chief of the Games organising panel. Maken, who replaced Manohar Singh Gill as the new Sports and Youth Affairs Minister after Wednesday’s cabinet reshuffle, said Kalmadi and Bhanot have been sacked with immediate effect. —Reuters

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Armstrong era ‘corrupt’ says ex-mechanic ADELAIDE: A former mechanic with Lance Armstrong’s team believes the seven-time Tour de France champion risks becoming a “symbol for decades of corruption”. “Whatever happens, happens,” Mike Anderson said in an interview with New Zealand broadsheet the Sunday Star-Times when asked about the launching of a federal investigation into Armstrong. “But what he may become is a symbol for decades of corruption in professional cycling.” Anderson is one of several employees or teammates to speak out against Armstrong, who is the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) probe in the United States following allegations of doping levelled by former teammate Floyd Landis. Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title for doping. The FDA is probing whether Armstrong and his US Postal team, with whom he won six of his seven yellow jerseys in 19992004, misused public funds to cheat their way to success. The US Postal company is government-funded. Armstrong, who has vehemently denied ever using banned drugs and never tested positive, ended his international cycling career in Adelaide on Sunday when he completed the Tour Down Under stage race. Anderson already given evidence to

FDA special agent Jeff Novitzky, an investigator who has a feared reputation since leading a successful probe into disgraced athlete Marion Jones. Key to Anderson’s evidence is a claim that he discovered a cardboard box labelled ‘Andro’ in Armstrong’s bathroom cabinet in Spain and that he was involved in an attempt to fool random drug testers who turned up at the cyclist’s ranch. Reports claim ‘Andro’ could be Androstenedione, a banned steroid. Armstrong denies ever having taken it and, through his lawyers, denies any involvement in any attempt to fool drug testers. Anderson said he found the box after Armstrong asked him to clear the apartment of all traces of his former wife Kristin before he arrived there with his then partner, singer Sheryl Crowe. The former mechanic, who moved to New Zealand after an earlier fallingout with Armstrong, said he fears the worst for the Texan in the light of Novitzky’s reputation. “I’ve spoken to Novitzky on the phone at length last year. The guy is described by people as the Elliott Ness of his area of law enforcement and if you’ve got him on your tail you’re in big trouble,” Anderson added. “He doesn’t undertake things he isn’t going to win. Those guys have a

ridiculously high ratio of convictionsthey don’t undertake superfluous investigations and I don’t think this is going to be a good outcome if you’re Lance Armstrong.” Earlier this week 39-year-old Armstrong refused to respond to a Sports Illustrated website report which claimed to offer fresh allegations he had doped, telling AFP: “I don’t have anything to say.” Anderson, who says he has no personal vendetta against Armstrong, added: “We hear the same lies over and over again and they become truths. “One of the comparisons I’ve made about Armstrong... is the kind of stuff that came out of the mouth of George W Bush about weapons of mass destruction and the war in Iraq. “It was a bunch of made-up stuff and I think it’s pretty funny that the media advisers to George Bush and Lance Armstrong are in the same building in Austin, Texas. “It’s the same group of guys who craft these nonsensical half-truths and the public laps it up because if you’re a cancer survivor or a family member of someone who has gone through cancer you’re far more apt to latch on to these stories because you need that hope. “That’s the irony really, that’s the sadness behind all this in my view.” —AFP

LA QUINTA: Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela, holds the trophy after his victory on the second playoff hole of Bob Hope Classic PGA golf tournament. —AP

Vegas wins Hope Classic LOS ANGELES: Jhonattan Vegas won his first PGA Tour title in only his fifth start, beating Americans Bill Haas and Gary Woodland in a nerve-jangling playoff for the Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta, California on Sunday. Rookie Vegas, who learned golf playing with a broomstick and a rock in his native Venezuela, sealed victory at the second extra hole on the Palmer Private course at PGA West when he remarkably salvaged par after driving into water. After taking a penalty drop, he hit his third shot from 157 yards to 12 feet and calmly sank the putt for a stunning breakthrough win in fading light. The happy-go-lucky 26-year-old from Maturin pumped his right fist several times in celebration before being embraced on the green by his parents. “Oh man, I am as happy as you can be in life and I’ve got to thank God first for the oppor tunity,” Vegas, a graduate from the 2010 Nationwide Tour, said in a television interview after securing the winner’s cheque for $900,000. “This is a dream come true. It’s something you dream about but just making it happen is something else.” Woodland had been in prime position off the tee on the second extra hole, the par-four 10th, but he bogeyed after pushing his approach into a greenside bunker,

splashing out well past the cup and missing the par putt coming back. “It’s tough to lose,” Woodland, who considered a career in basketball before switching to golf at college, told reporters. “I came here expecting to win. I didn’t. But credit to him he made a great four there. It was pretty cool.” Defending champion Haas exited the playoff at the first extra hole, the par-five 18th, where his par was trumped by birdies from Woodland and Vegas. The trio had finished the 90 regulation holes on 27-under-par 333, Vegas bogeying the last for a threeunder 69, Haas carding a six-birdie 66 and Woodland closing with a 69. For much of a glorious sundrenched afternoon in the California desert, it seemed Vegas was on track for victory before he faltered at the final hole of regulation. Tied for the lead overnight with Woodland, Vegas made a fast start when he drained a 30-footer to birdie the par-four first and move one stroke clear. He then struck a superb five-iron from 231 yards to 11 feet at the parfive sixth and calmly rolled in the eagle putt to forge three ahead, pumping his right fist in delight. Vegas overshot the green with a booming drive of 330 yards at the par-four eighth before chipping back from greenside rough to five

feet and coolly knocking in the birdie putt. That left him two ahead of playing partner Woodland who had birdied the sixth, seventh and eighth. The long-hitting Woodland narrowly missed a seven-foot birdie opportunity at the par-four ninth and remained two strokes off the pace after reaching the turn in twounder 34. At the 11th, Woodland squandered another chance to trim the lead when his five-foot birdie slid past the right edge, Vegas having parred the hole after failing to reach the green in two. Clearly suffering from nerves on the back nine and not playing at his best from tee to green, Vegas did well to record eight successive pars with clutch putt after clutch putt. The most challenging came at the par-four 16th where he missed the green to the right with his approach and hit a lob wedge eight feet past the hole before sinking the putt. Needing to par the last to seal victory by one shot, Vegas recorded his only bogey of the day after finding the right rough off the tee and ending up three-putting from long range. His final miss from seven feet took the tournament into a playoff and two more holes of desert drama before he emerged triumphant. —Reuters

Cook wins season opener

DENVER: Indian Pacers guard Darren Collision drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game. —AP

Nuggets pound Pacers DENVER: Carmelo Anthony gave the home crowd nothing to boo about Sunday, scoring 36 points in the Denver Nuggets’ 121-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers, who lost their fifth straight NBA game. Anthony had been subjected to jeers by the home crowd as trade talk intensified last week, but on this night, the Denver fans showed him plenty of love, especially when he was raining 3s from all over the court as he put on a spectacular 23-point show in the third quarter. Anthony’s career-best six 3-pointers all came in the third period as the Nuggets turned a close game into a comfortable victory — a reversal of their game in November when the Pacers made their first 20 shots of the third quarter and rolled to a 144-113 win in Indianapolis. —AP

NBA results/standings NBA result and standings on Sunday. Denver 121, Indiana 107. Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT Boston 33 10 .767 NY Knicks 22 21 .512 Philadelphia 18 25 .419 Toronto 13 31 .295 New Jersey 12 32 .273

Chicago Milwaukee Indiana Detroit Cleveland

Central Division 30 14 .682 16 25 .390 16 25 .390 16 28 .364 8 35 .186

Southeast Division Miami 31 13 .705 Orlando 29 15 .659 Atlanta 29 16 .644 Charlotte 17 25 .405 Washington 13 29 .310

GB 11 15 20.5 21.5

Western Conference Northwest Division Oklahoma City 28 15 .651 Utah 27 17 .614 Denver 25 18 .581 Portland 25 20 .556 Minnesota 10 33 .233

1.5 3 4 18

12.5 12.5 14 21.5

Pacific Division LA Lakers 32 13 .711 Phoenix 20 22 .476 Golden State 19 24 .442 LA Clippers 17 26 .395 Sacramento 9 32 .220

10.5 12 14 21

2 2.5 13 17

Southwest Division San Antonio 37 7 .841 Dallas 28 15 .651 New Orleans 29 16 .644 Memphis 21 23 .477 Houston 20 25 .444

8.5 8.5 16 17.5

HAWAII: John Cook birdied five straight holes after the turn to win the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship on Sunday, shooting a second straight 8-under 64 for a two-stroke victory over Tom Lehman. The 53-year-old Cook had eight birdies in his bogey-free round for a 22-under 194 total and his second straight victory. He finished last season with a successful title defense in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The last player to win the last and first events on the Champions Tour was Gil Morgan in 1997-98. After two birdies on the front side, Cook scorched the back nine, dropping putt after putt. He birdied six holes during a seven-hole stretch to take home $305,000 and the hookshaped trophy. The win was Cook’s sixth on the 50-and-over circuit and his first in the islands since the 1992 Hawaiian Open. Cook began the day three strokes behind second-roundleader Russ Cochran and surged to the top of the leaderboard with his five birdies after making the turn by aggressively firing for the pins. The run was capped by a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 14th. After going up-and-down for a rare par on No. 15, he got back to the birdie clinic by sticking his 7-iron shot to 3 feet to reach 22 under at 16. He tapped in for par on 17 and missed a 10-foot birdie try on the final hole. Lehman, who closed with a 64, had an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys. Defending champion Tom Watson couldn’t overcome his three bogeys on the front nine and shot a 68 to finish third at 19 under, two strokes ahead of Cochran (72) and Jeff Sluman (68). At 61, Watson was vying to become the seventh oldest winner on the Champions Tour. Every one anticipated a showdown between Watson and Cochran. But it was Cook taking control.

HAWAII: John Cook poses with the trophy after winning the Mitsubishi Electric Championship golf tournament. —AP Cook took the outright lead for the first time by bending in a left-toright putt from about 30 feet on the par-4 11th where he nearly tumbled into the bunker. He had an ugly, downslope lie a few inches of the bunker on his second shot. But his sweet putting came to the rescue. Standing in the shadow of the palm tree, Cook holed a 31/2-foot birdie putt to open up a three stroke lead on 13. Lehman made a move early with four birdies in the first seven to reach 16 under. He

made back-to-back bogeys before the turn, but went birdie-par-birdieeagle starting on No. 11 to put him back near Cook. Lehman birdied the final two holes to slip into second place. Players had a third day of lowscoring conditions with just a gentle tradewind to contend with. Hualalai, surrounded by lava rock fields, $5 million homes and humpback whales in the ocean, has historically been the easiest course on the Champions Tour. —AP

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Years

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

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English football pundits red carded in sexism row LONDON: A row has broken out about the role of women in English football after two of the country’s leading TV commentators were recorded off-microphone making sexist remarks about two female officials and West Ham executive Karren Brady. Andy Gray and Richard Keys came under fire from all angles yesterday for their derogatory comments about the appointment of Sian Massey as a lineswoman for the Premier League match between Wolverhampton and Liverpool, a game they were presenting for Sky Sports on Saturday. The pair, respected voices in football for the past 20 years, also criticized the ability of female former Premier League official Wendy Toms as well as a column written by Brady in the Sun newspaper that day. The comments were leaked to a British newspaper, leaving Gray and Keys — who have privately apologized to their

employers — open to heavy abuse from social commentators, discrimination groups and football players among others. Piara Powar, executive director of Football Against Racism in Europe, a group working with European governing body UEFA to end discrimination in football, said the remarks were “medieval in tone” and demonstrated the “appalling and damaging sexist attitudes” that still existed in the sport. The English Football Association gave its “wholehearted and continuing support” to female referees while England defender Rio Ferdinand was one of the many Twitter users to register his displeasure with Gray and Keys. “What’s wrong with a woman being an official in a football game? I’m cool with it,” Ferdinand posted. Gray and Keys, sitting in a gantry in Wolves’ Molineux Stadium before and during the WolvesLiverpool game, thought their micro-

phones were switched off when they questioned whether Massey knew the offside rule. Keys, who has worked for Sky since 1990, said he could “guarantee” Massey was going to make a big mistake in the match. In fact, the 25-year-old Massey got arguably the biggest call of the game correct, adjudging Raul Meireles to be marginally onside when the Liverpool midfielder ran onto a deep pass before squaring the ball for Fernando Torres to open the scoring in the 36th minute. Liverpool won the game 3-0. Massey is one of 853 females officiating in English football, from grass-roots level up to the Premier League (levels 18). Amy Fearn last year became the first woman to referee a second-tier League Championship match. Keys added that the game had “gone mad” by allowing a woman to run the line and Gray, a former Scotland striker who is Sky’s leading com-

Preview

mentator and pundit, made an abusive reference to Toms, saying she had been “hopeless”. Toms was the first female to officiate in the Premier League, as a lineswoman. Keys then directed his criticism toward Brady, who in her column had written about her experiences of sexual discrimination in the football media. “See charming Karren Brady this morning complaining about sexism? Yeah. Do me a favor, love,” Keys said. Brady said Monday in the Guardian it was “absolutely abhorrent that gender is the only consideration when talking about female officials.” In a statement released by Sky Sports, the broadcast said the comments made by Gray and Keys were “not acceptable.” “They were not made on air but we have spoken to Richard and Andy and told them our views and they have apologized and expressed their regret,” the statement read. The FA said all its female

officials were “fantastic ambassadors” for football, adding the organization “will continue to offer every encouragement to all officials within the football family to progress to the highest levels possible.” Powar urged Sky to take action against Gray and Keys. “It is unacceptable that two of British football’s biggest names are heard espousing views, whether intended for broadcast or not, that undermine and disparage the efforts of women in the game,” he said in a statement. The Sky Sports pair are not the first commentators to be caught making inappropriate remarks thinking they were off-camera. In 2004, former Manchester United manager Ron Atkinson racially insulted Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly when commentating on a Champions League match in 2004. Atkinson was later forced to resign, acknowledging his comments were “obviously unacceptable.”—AP

Preview

Japan, South Korea set for an explosive match DOHA: Powerhouses Japan and South Korea play for a place in the Asian Cup final today, with both sides predicting their similarities will make for an explosive game of football. Both teams have caught the eye with the quality of their game at the tournament, with each adopting an enterprising, highoctane approach that has yielded 11 goals for the Japanese and eight for the Koreans. The two squads are also dotted with talented youngsters and Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni believes they are pursuing similar long-term objectives. “For today’s match, there will be

ourselves as the competition progresses.” Cho Kwang-Rae, the South Korea coach, said the blend of youthful endeavor and attacking intent on show should make for one of the most engaging contests of the tournament. “ The way we approach the game is quite similar and both teams focus on controlling the game in midfield and building the game from the midfield area,” he said. “ When we attack, just like Japan, we go forward and create chances at a high tempo. It will be a very exciting match for football fans to watch.”

DOHA: Japan’s players stretch during a training session at AlWahda Sports Club stadium. Japan will face South Korea in their AFC Asian Cup semifinal soccer match today. —AP two similar teams on the pitch,” said the Italian. “In terms of systems, we have similar features to each other and we both play with young players. Our concept is the same: improvement and development. “The only difference I can think of is that Korea played well before the competition whereas we are lacking in preparation. “But now we are improving and developing

For all the attractiveness of their play, however, neither side enjoyed an easy ride in the quarter-finals. Three-time champions Japan needed a 90th-minute goal from defender Masahiko Inoha to see off hosts Qatar 3-2, after twice coming from behind. South Korea, meanwhile, had to wait until the 15th minute of extra-time for substitute Yoon Bit-

Garam to claim the only goal of their tie with Iran. Cho said the fact Japan had secured victory in 90 minutes could give them an edge at the Al Gharafa Stadium. “Physically the players are more tired than the Japanese team as we had a very tough match against Iran,” he said. “But with the strong passion and willingness to sacrifice themselves that the players have, it won’t be a problem for us.” Both teams will be missing key defenders through suspension, with Japanese centre-back Mayo Yoshida sidelined following his dismissal against Qatar and Lee JungSoo unavailable for South Korea. Zaccheroni said the JapanSouth Korea rivalry could be compared to Brazil and Argentina, but South Korea star Koo Ja-Cheol downplayed the game’s cultural and political context. “I don’t want to focus too much on the background between the countries,” said the 21-year-old, the competition’s joint-top scorer with four goals. “It’s just a game we have to go through. Of course there is a special rivalry between Japan and Korea, but we will focus on the game and try to play as usual.” South Korea have won the last two times they met at the Asian Cup — 2-0 in the group phase in 1988 and 6-5 on penalties in the third-place play-off in 2007 The teams drew 0-0 when they last met, in a friendly in Seoul last October, and Zaccheroni said little had changed since. “Since that game, Korea have been playing with a diamond shape in midfield and they have not changed players a lot,” he said. “But even though the system is the same, the content of the matches changes a lot. If you pay more attention to the small things in the match than your opponents, that’s the decisive thing.” —AFP

Could the next Messi be from North Korea? DOHA: North Korea may have tumbled out of the Asian Cup with just one point and having failed to score, but they have the hottest youth sides in the region and according to one scout the world’s best new talents. Representatives from top European clubs have flocked to the continental showpiece in the hope of picking out the next Hidetoshi Nakata, Park Ji-Sung or even a Lionel Messi. Hedna Mustapha, a scout for top French side Monaco, says the isolated communist state of North Korea is a goldmine. “North Korea have many talented players,” he said. “I saw some of their youngsters at several international competitions but the biggest problem has always been inaccessibility to their officials. “Even in Doha, there were quite a few players I would have liked to meet, but I couldn’t,” he was quoted as saying by Qatari media. “They’re still largely an unknown quantity and I feel they’re the next big thing in world football.” In the face of severe financial constraints and crippling food shortages, the impoverished and secretive country has somehow managed to regularly churn out highly promising youth teams. In October, Jong Il-Gwan, of North Korean side Rimyongsu, netted a hat-trick to inspire his country to a 3-2 victory over Australia in the under-19 version of the Asian Cup. It was the North’s second regional title in

four years. A month later, their under-16 team emulated the feat, defeating hosts Uzbekistan 2-0 to take the regional title at that age group as well. “North Korea have again proved that they are taking the development of youth teams very seriously, as they are becoming regular contenders for the titles of these championships,” Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam said at the time. After their capitulation at the Asian Cup-six months after the North made their first World Cup appearance since 1966 — coach Jo Tong-Sop said it was time to start bringing through the younger talent. “Our under-20 team has good players technically and also in defence and midfield so we will try to combine the young players with the national team players,” Jo said, also pledging to make the side more attacking in future. Despite harsh restrictions on movements of its nationals, several of the current members of North Korea’s senior team play abroad, including in Germany, Russia, Switzerland and Japan, though not for any top sides. Experienced midfielder An Yong-Hak, who plays in Japan and was an ever-present at the World Cup, cautioned it might be too early to rely on the young players to carry the burden of expectation in football-mad North Korea. —AFP

DOHA: Australia’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in action during a training session in Doha. Australia will face Uzbekistan in their AFC Asian Cup semifinal soccer match today. —AP

Australia confident ahead of Uzbek test DOHA: Australia go into their Asian Cup semi-final against Uzbekistan today relaxed and confident that they can give themselves a shot at lifting the first silverware in their history. Both teams will be treading new ground at the Al Khalifa Stadium. Neither has got this far at the continental showpiece before, with the prospect of a final against either Japan or South Korea awaiting the winner. Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is certain his team will be in that match on January 29. “We are pretty happy to be where we are today. We have two more matches to go and this is the first of them,” said the German. “That means we are in the latter stages of the tournament and that is good for us and I’m pretty sure we will still be here on the 29th of January.” Although key midfielder Jason Culina has had to head home for treatment on a knee injury, Australia were boosted on M onday by news that Everton star Tim Cahill is fit after picking up a knock in their quarter-final win over Iraq. Holger said he would definitely play and said he was thankful that he has the services of a man with plenty of bigmatch experience. Asked if Australia were feel-

ing the pressure ahead of facing an Uzbek side that has been impressive in Doha despite their lowly world rank ing of 108, Olger said it wasn’t an issue. “We don’t really feel pressure, instead there’s always a kind of excitement,” he said. “It will be an interesting and challenging game but I don’t think there is real pressure because we know what we can do. “ We have our plans and I know our boys have the ability to transfer that to the pitch. “Of course it helps that some players have played major tournaments and big games with their club sides.” His captain Lucas Neill said there had never been a better time for Australia to win a major title. “This is a great opportunity to win a title, a trophy, and I don’t think we ever been able to say that as a nation before,” he said. “We have had enough experience now in tournaments that we concentrate on one game at a time so we get a shot at the title. “We have won the right to host the 2015 Asian Cup and it would be great to do that as defending champions.” Nothing, though, is guaranteed against Uzbekistan, who beat hosts Qatar and then Kuwait before drawing with China in the group stage.

A battling 2-1 win over Jordan in the last eight put them into the semi-finals for the first time in their history, and coach Vadim Abramov said they can go all the way. “Before we came to this tournament I said we could win and there is no change to that,” he said. “I hope my players concentrate, it’s their chance. We can win, why not? Before we start the game, all teams are the same. I f Japan can beat Argentina then why can’t we beat Australia?” Abramov was referring to Japan upsetting a full-strength Argentina 1-0 in a friendly in October, a match that marked the debut of Alberto Zaccheroni as the East Asian powerhouse’s new coach. Uzbek istan have no injur y worries going into today ’s make-or-break encounter and centre -back Odil Ak hmedov said the team would only be happy if they win the tournament. “We are happy we got to the semi-finals, but we are not going to stop here,” he said. “ We’re going to go to the final and get the cup.” The two sides have played each other twice before, in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, with Australia coming out on top both times. —AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings) Asian Nations Cup Japan v South Korea ....... 16:25 Aljazeera Sport 1 Aljazeera Sport +5 Uzbekistan v Australia .... 19:25 Aljazeera Sport 2 Aljazeera Sport +4

PANAMA CITY: Honduras’ soccer player celebrate their UNCAF Nations Cup championship soccer victory in Panama City. Honduras defeated Costa Rica 2-1. —AP

English Premier League Blackpool v Man United .... 22:30 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

sports

Dortmund’s young guns too good for Ballack BERLIN: According to Germany captain Michael Ballack, the race for the Bundesliga title is already over as Borussia Dortmund show little sign of loosening their stranglehold on the German league. “Top place is gone for everyone else, Dortmund are too far ahead,” sighed Ballack, who made his comeback on Sunday following a four-month layoff from a broken leg. His Leverkusen team are second in the German league, but 11 points behind the leaders and Ballack could only watch from the bench as Dortmund demolished his team 3-1 at home 10 days ago. Although the leaders were held 1-1 at home by strugglers Stuttgart on Saturday, Dortmund are on course for their first league title since 2002. Having hand-picked his team since his arrival in 2008, coach Jurgen Klopp has nurtered several of his young stars up to the national team. Mats Hummels and Kevin Grosskreutz made their debuts for Germany just before the World Cup, while Marcel Schmelzer and teenager Mario

Goetze wore the Germany shirt for the first time last November. “Dortmund have a young, success-hungry team with a good team spirit,” enthused Germany coach Joachim Loew, who picked the quartet for the goalless draw with Sweden last November. “Above all others, the way the Dortmund team plays has really impressed me. After their win in Leverkusen, they have the best chance of winning the German title.” As Bayern Munich announced their return to the title race with a 5-1 win at home to Kaiserslautern on Saturday, Klopp knows the Bavarian giants will not give up their title as German champions without a fight. “If Bayern had our lead, it would probably all be over,” said Klopp, whose team face Bayern in Munich on February 26. “Nevertheless, we know that a lot can still happen and we have to just stay on our path.” The facts speak for themselves. Dortmund have 15 wins from 19 matches, a goal difference of 31 and have only conceded 12

goals all season. They have been beaten just twice: a 2-0 defeat at home to Leverkusen on the opening day of the season and a shock 1-0 slump at Eintracht Frankfurt in December. Schmelzer, Goetze, the son of a professor at Dortmund’s Technical University, and Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin all came up from the youth team. Neven Subotic, the towering centre half, came with Klopp from Mainz, while Grosskreutz, the fleet-footed winger, was found playing for RotWeiss Ahlen in the second division. The joint top-scorers, Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa and Paraguay striker Lucas Barrios have bagged sixteen goals between them and were plucked from Asia and South America respectively. Hummels, who has been ear-marked as a Germany star of the future, was signed from Bayern Munich in July 2009 for 4.2 million euros, Klopp’s most expensive purchase so far, and has forged a strong partnership alongside Subotic. Using their considerable pace, Dortmund are

more than capable of flooring the Bundesliga’s top sides with lightning counter-attacks or creating chances either down the flanks or through the middle. Ballack has been the most prominent voice to question Dortmund’s temperament if they are put under pressure, but his side’s 3-1 defeat to the leaders settled that debate. Likewise, Bayern were beaten 2-0 in Dortmund when the sides met in October and Munich are now 14 points behind the leaders. Klopp, who was overlooked for Jurgen Klinsmann in 2008 as Bayern coach, has an easy media-friendly persona and showed his talent for comedy in a spoof interview last November. In the interview for main German broadcaster ZDF, Klopp fielded questions as though his side were bottom of the league, not four points clear at the top of the table and fresh from hammering Hanover 4-0 at home. “I don’t know if I am the right man for the job,” he sighed, tongue-planted firmly in cheek. — AFP

Arsenal looks to overturn 1-0 deficit in League Cup

MEXICO: Pumas’ Juan Carlos Cacho (right) and Cruz Azul’s Waldo Ponce, from Chile, fight for the ball at a Mexican soccer league match. Pumas and Cruz Azul tied 3-3. — AP

Tigres edge America in Mexico MEXICO CITY: Hector Mancilla scored a stoppage-time winner to give UANL Tigres a 2-1 win at America on Sunday in the third round of the Mexican Clausura championship. Lucas Lobos gave Tigres the lead after escaping in the box and shooting past Guillermo Ochoa in the 37th minute, but Montenegro equalized five minutes after halftime. Mancilla stole the points with almost the game’s last kick. “I’m very happy and I’d like to thank my teammates for putting in a great effort to earn this important achievement,” said Mancilla, who scored his second goal for Tigres since joining from Toluca in the midseason break. A minute before Mancilla’s goal, Angel Reyna had an opportunity to put America ahead but was bundled off the ball amid appeals for a penalty. Replays suggested the contact was minimal. Elsewhere, Puebla won 2-0 at home against Estudiantes Tecos, while Toluca had a 2-0 home win against Chiapas. In Friday and Saturday results, it was: Necaxa 0, Atlas 1; Cruz Azul 3, UNAM Pumas 3; Monterrey 1, Atlante 0; Queretaro 0, Morelia 3; Guadalajara 1, San Luis 1; and Santos 1, Pachuca 1. San Luis is currently the only team with maximum points. In

Toluca, Nestor Calderon opened the scoring against Chiapas with a dipping shot from 30 yards (meters) that flew over goalkeeper Jorge Villalpando and into the top corner in the 61st minute. A minute later, Jaime Ayovi advanced into the box, cut inside his marker and hit a diagonal shot into the corner to make it 2-0. Also Sunday, Puebla took the lead against Estudiantes Tecos when Edgar Lugo fired into the roof of the net in the 57th minute. Felix Borja added a second after racing onto a long ball and heading past Christian Martinez in the third minute of stoppage time. After three matches, the Primera Division is still taking shape. In Mexico, the 18 clubs are split into three groups as well as a general table. At the end of the tournament, the top two teams in each group along with the two best-placed teams in the general table that haven’t qualified directly contest end-of-season playoffs to decide the champion. Reigning title holder Monterrey registered its first win of the new tournament with Saturday’s 1-0 home win against Atlante. So far in the Clausura standings, Tigres leads Group 1 with seven points, Atlas tops Group 2 with nine, while Pumas heads Group 3 with five points. — AP

LONDON: Arsenal will look to in-form striker Robin van Persie to help the London club overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in the League Cup semifinals against second-tier Ipswich. The Netherlands international has scored six goals in his last three games — including a hat trick against Wigan in the Premier League on Saturday — and appears rejuvenated after finally returning to full fitness following an ankle injury. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slowly integrated Van Persie back into the first team since the striker’s comeback in November, rotating him with close-season signing Marouane Chamakh and Denmark international Nicklas Bendtner for the cup competitions. But there is no doubt Van Persie is Wenger’s No. 1 choice up front and he may be asked by the French coach to start at the Emirates Stadium for a second game in four days as the Gunners attempt to turn the two-legged match on its head. “Robin is now completely sharp and fit and strong. He looks strong mentally,” Wenger said. “Robin is an important player in our squad. He can finish, provide and the understanding with our offensive players is very good so, of course, he will be very important. “Some players have played many games, but Van Persie has been out for a long time. Him and (Spain midfielder Cesc) Fabregas had a long breather and we hope he can benefit from that.” Arsenal, trophyless for over five years, slipped to a surprise defeat at Portman Road in the first leg two weeks ago, with Hungary striker Tamas Priskin scoring the only goal. Wenger’s side will still be favorite to progress, however, with Ipswich languishing in 19th place in the 24-team League Championship. “If we beat Ipswich we will have one game to play to have a trophy and if we have that one, then it’s out of the way,” Van Persie said of Arsenal’s silverware drought. “I believe that can give us a lot of confidence as well, just to lift that trophy and get that feeling together.” In an all-Premier League meeting in the other semifinal, West Ham holds a 2-1 lead over Birmingham ahead of the second leg, which takes place at St. Andrews on

LONDON: Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger watches his team play against Wigan in this file photo. — AP Wednesday. The Hammers, two-time runners-up in the competition, are bottom of England’s top division but their form has improved in recent weeks. They have lost just two of their last nine games in all competitions. The League Cup has proved to be a welcome distraction for West Ham manager Avram Grant, who last week was given a vote of confidence by the club’s board despite widespread reports saying he was on the verge of being fired. “I treat every match as my first game and my last game,” Grant said. “Wednesday represents a good chance to get to Wembley. It would be a nice feeling to get there and we have a small advantage but it will be a tough game because it would be a big achievement for Birmingham too.” Birmingham is coming into the game on the back

of a 5-0 thrashing at Premier League leader Manchester United on Saturday. United is in action at midtable Blackpool today in one of three league matches to be rearranged for this week. Wigan hosts Aston Villa on Tuesday and Liverpool is at home to Fulham on Wednesday. United, which remains unbeaten in the league after 22 games, is two points ahead of Arsenal having played a game less. “The players are in the mood now and they’re ready for the run-in,” assistant manager Mike Phelan said. United manager Alex Ferguson has Brazilian right back Rafael available after suspension but there are fitness concerns over center back Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Michael Carrick. — AP

Nice triumph over Lyon PARIS: Francois Clerc produced a nasty shock for his former club as Nice knocked Olympique Lyon out of the French Cup with a 1-0 extra time win as most top-flight teams advanced to the last 16 on Sunday. While Saturday was a day of upsets with fifth division amateurs Chambery knocking out Ligue 1 Brest and Angers (Ligue 2) eliminating Girondins Bordeaux, the elite teams generally enjoyed better fortunes. French international defender Clerc, who joined Nice last year, fired home from close range in the sixth minute of extra time to give Nice a deserved win over Lyon. The hosts dominated possession but lacked penetration while Lyon missed two clear

chances through Kim Kallstrom. Lyon finished the game with 10 men after defender Dejan Lovren was sent off in extra time for a second bookable offence. Tulio de Melo’s goal in the 40th minute was enough for Ligue 1 leaders Lille to beat neighbours Wasquehal of the fifth division 10. Stade Rennes initially struggled at minor league (sixth division) Vaulx en Velin but prevailed 2-0 with second-half goals by midfielders Alexander Tettey and Yacine Brahimi. Holders Paris St Germain looked on course for a routine win at fifth division Agen when Mathieu Bodmer opened the scoring in the 13th minute but the amateurs did not give up without a fight. — Reuters

FRANCE: Caen goalkeeper Alexis Thebaux (left) looks dejected after Lens’French forward Toifilou Maoulida scored during the French League football match Lens against Caen. — AFP

Elano helps Santos to victory in Brazil SAO PAULO: Midfielder Elano scored two first-half goals as Santos won 4-2 over Prudente in the Sao Paulo state championship on Sunday, picking up its third straight victory to begin the season. In Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Cup, Brazilian champion Fluminense routed Olaria 6-2 after two goals by striker Fred, while Botafogo beat Cabofriense 5-0 thanks in part to two own goals scored by the same defender. The goals were Elano’s first since returning to Santos after six seasons in European football. He opened the scoring with a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 13th minute at Prudentao stadium, and added to the lead by converting a penalty kick in the 23rd. Santos, the defending champion in the Sao Paulo tournament, also had goals from former Barcelona

striker Keirrison in the 55th and forward Maikon Leite in the 61st. Striker Romulo netted for Prudente in the 74th and 84th. Elano, a starter for Brazil at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, returned to Santos this year after playing for Shaktar Donetsk, Manchester City and Galatasaray. It was his second match since coming back. He started Santos’ 3-0 win over Mirassol on Wednesday. Santos and Americana are the only teams to start the tournament with three straight wins. Santos is thriving even though it remains without young striker Neymar, who is with Brazil’s under-20 team, and missing playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso, who is recovering from knee surgery. At Pacaembu stadium, striker Ronaldo again failed to score and Corinthians drew 1-1 with visiting Noroeste. Striker Dentinho put Corinthians on the

board in the 40th, but midfielder Thiago Marin equalized after a defensive mistake by veteran left back Roberto Carlos in the 57th. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Palmeiras won its second match in a row after a 1-0 victory against Oeste in Itapolis, while Sao Paulo — which has just signed former Brazil and Barcelona star Rivaldo — lost 1-0 to Ponte Preta at Morumbi stadium on Saturday. In Rio, Fluminense had a pair of goals from Fred and others from striker Rodriguinho and midfielder Marquinho in its 6-2 rout of Olaria at Engenhao stadium. Rodriguinho’s goals came after replacing former Chelsea playmaker Deco, who injured his left thigh in the first half. Botafogo beat Cabofriense 5-0 in Cabo Frio thanks to two own goals by Cabofriense defender Goeber six minutes apart in the first half. Goeber, the team’s captain, was replaced at halftime.

Vasco da Gama rallied from two goals down in the first half against Nova Iguacu, but lost the match in Volta Redonda after allowing a 78th-minute goal. It was the team’s second straight defeat to begin the season. Flamengo, still without recently signed playmaker Ronaldinho, defeated America 3-1 at Edson Passos on Saturday for its second win in a row. The Guanabara Cup is the first stage of the Rio championship, and its winner will play for the state title against the Rio Cup champion later in the tournament. The Brazilian football season does not follow the European calendar and starts in the beginning of the year. Regional championships in the 26 states take place in the first few months, with the Brazilian league running from May until December. — AP

Vegas wins playoff to clinch Hope Classic

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Asian Cup set for explosive semi matches

English football pundits red carded Page 18

CHICAGO: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) has a pass broken up by Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game.—AP

Packers see off Bears, Steelers ground Jets CHICAGO: The Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl after both held off hard-finishing opponents to win their respective NFL conference championship games on Sunday. Green Bay led 14-0 and hung on for a 21-14 win over the Chicago Bears in the NFC decider while Pittsburgh had a 21-7 advantage but was forced into a late goalline stand before clinching a 24-19 win over the New York Jets in the AFC title game. In Dallas on Feb. 6, the Packers will be making their first Super Bowl since back-toback appearances in 1997 and 1998. The Steelers, who have won a record six Super Bowls, are back for their third in six years, having won both the previous in 2006 and 2009. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran for a touchdown and made a saving tackle, B.J. Raji returned an interception for a score and Sam Shields had two interceptions in the Packers win. Chicago almost staged an unlikely comeback thanks to third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie after starter Jay Cutler was injured and No.2 Todd Collins was pulled after an ineffective showing. Rodgers threw passes of 22 and 26 yards to Tim Jennings to open an 84-yard drive on the opening series of the game. He later hit Jordy Nelson with a 22-yarder at the Bears 2-yard line, then ran in after withstanding a hard hit from Chicago safety Danieal Manning. And just like that, the Packers were ahead 7-0 inside four minutes. The Packers moved in again early in the second. Rodgers got off a pass under pressure to Brandon Jackson and the running back made a fake to go past Urlacher and gain 16 yards. James Starks then broke off a 12-yard run before Rodgers found Nelson for a 15-yard gain to the 4. The rookie Starks carried right and weaved his way over the goal line, putting the Packers ahead 14-0 with 11:13 left in the half. In the third quarter, Rodgers went back to work, connecting with Jordy Nelson for 21 yards and Greg Jennings for 20. After a pass interference call on Chicago’s Tim Jennings, the Packers had a first down at the 8 and looked like putting the game to bed. But on third-and-6, Bears’ linebacker Brian Urlacher intercepted a pass by Rodgers and had just the QB to beat for a long TD return. But Rodgers got in Urlacher’s way and grabbed just enough of his legs to pull him down at the Bears 45. Still, it kept the game at 14-0 and Chicago cut that to 14-7 early in the fourth quarter after third-stringer Hanie came into the game, setting up Chester Taylor’s run from the 1-yard line. Hanie had a chance to tie the game but

threw a pass straight to Packers defensive lineman Raji, who lumbered 18 yards into the end zone for a touchdown to give the Packers a 21-7 lead. But Hanie wasn’t finished. He threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett to again cut the lead to seven points with 4:43 left. The Bears forced a punt and got the ball back with under 3 minutes left. Hanie drove the Bears to the Green Bay 29-yard line, but then threw a fourth-down interception to Shields — the rookie’s second of the game. The Packers hung on for victory in this 182nd meeting of the NFL’s most played rivalry and will be playing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy — named for their former coach — in their fifth Super Bowl. In the later game, Pittsburgh had to withstand an even more determined comeback bid, leaving the Jets still looking for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1969. Pittsburgh set the early tone with a 66yard march that took up the first nine minutes, with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger displaying his scrambling skills on several plays, including a key 12-yard run on thirdand-12. Rashard Mendenhall reached the ball over the goal line from the 1, the final of a 15-play drive. But Pittsburgh also lost rookie center Maurkice Pouncey with an ankle injury, leaving it with just one backup offensive lineman. It was the Jets who were struggling to block, though. And catch, with the usually sure-handed Jerricho Cotchery making a key third-down drop. Or tackle. Mendenhall found seams to the left, right or up the middle. His 35-yard sprint in the second quarter led to Shaun Suisham’s 20-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead. It became 17-0 as Roethlisberger scooted into the end zone from the 2. Just 47 seconds later, Ike Taylor sacked Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, forcing a fumble that William Gay ran 22 yards for a 24-0 lead. A New York field goal made it 24-3 at halftime, and that deficit proved too big for the Jets to make up, even though they made it interesting. A 45-yard TD pass from Mark Sanchez to Santonio Holmes — the hero of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl victory two years ago — made it 24-10 in the third quarter and breathed life into the game. In the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger fumbled and was tackled in the end zone for a safety that made it 24-12, and on the next drive, Sanchez found Cotchery on a short pass, making it 24-19. However the Jets never got the ball back, with Roethlisberger twice passing for first down — the second time to Antonio Brown to seal the game. —AP

MELBOURNE: Belgium’s Kim Clijsters reaches out for a return to Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova during their fourth round match at the Australian Open.—AP

Nadal storms into Aussie Open quarters MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal stormed past Croatia’s Marin Cilic into the Australian Open quarterﬁnals yesterday in his bid to unite the Grand Slam titles, as Kim Clijsters and Andy Murray also went through. World number one Nadal was in devastating touch against the 15th seed, who struggled throughout and double-faulted on match-point to go down 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 after 2hr 31min on a cool evening at Rod Laver Arena. Nadal, who caught a virus this month and sweated buckets in Saturday night’s encounter with Australian teen Bernard Tomic, said he was now feeling “perfect” just three matches away from a non-calendar year Grand Slam. “I didn’t sweat as much tonight,” he smiled. “ Two days ago I was sweating like crazy and I felt tired, but today is the ﬁrst day that I felt perfect physically.” With the win, Nadal moves to 25 consecutive Grand Slam match victories, equalling runs by Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras in the 1970s and 1990s. Only Rod Laver

(29) and Roger Federer (27, twice) have longer streaks. Nadal will meet David Ferrer on Wednesday in the Australian Open’s first all-Spanish quarter-final in 14 years. The French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion can become the first man to hold all four major titles since 1969. Earlier Murray barely gave Austria’s Jurgen Melzer a look in his 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 win which maintained British hopes of ending a men’s Slam drought dating back to Fred Perry’s 1936 US Open victory. The world number five, beaten by Federer in last year’s final, said he was surprised by the easy win over the 11th seed which, like Nadal, puts him into the last eight without dropping a set. “I’ve played Jurgen in the Slams a few times, including here two years ago, and I was expecting a tough match and I was surprised by beating him in three sets,” Murray said. “I hit the ball well from the start of the match and I played some of my best tennis (here) last year. I don’t want to get carried away as I haven’t won this kind of

MELBOURNE: Spain’s Rafael Nadal makes a forehand return to Croatia’s Marin Cilic during their fourth round match at the Australian Open.—AP thing (major) before.” Murray avoided a quarter-final with Soderling when the in-form Swede was on the receiving end of the men’s draw’s biggest upset, falling in four sets to Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov. Dolgopolov fought back from a set down to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 62 in what he called the performance of his life. Two-time Slam finalist Soderling was unbeaten this year and considered a contender for his first major title. While world number 46 Dolgopolov extends a giantkilling run which also includes the scalp of 2008 finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Soderling was left to rue an Australian Open jinx which also includes three first-round failures. “I’ve struggled many times in

this tournament,” Soderling said. “And I think, I never had a good first month (of the year) in my career.” Meanwhile Canada’s Milos Raonic, 20, was stopped by Ferrer, ending a career-breakthrough streak in which he beat seeds Michael Llodra and Mikhail Youzhny and delivered the tournament’s fastest serve. US Open champion Kim Clijsters remained firm favourite for the women’s title after battling past Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova 7-6 (7/3), 6-2, setting up a quarter-final date with Pole Agnieszka Radwanska. “I started the tournament off well (against Dinara Safina) but from then on it has been tough because I have been playing players I’ve never played before,” she said, adding that she was “not

Air Arabia sees traffic rising, eyes new routes

Business

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Etisalat eyes takeover of Pakistan’s Nayatel Page 23

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

ASEAN road trip reflects China trade potential

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Japan’s PM pushes for reform as society ages Page 26

RIYADH: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair (centre) and Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien (center left) are seen surrounded by Saudi security at the start of a panel on Global Risk theme of the 5th Global Competitiveness Forum held in Riyadh. —AFP

Saudi no to de-peg from dollar: CB Saudis to cut fossil fuel use • Oil speculation a worry RIYADH: The head of Saudi Arabia’s central bank says the kingdom has no plans to de-peg its currency from the US dollar. Mohammed Al Jasser also said yesterday that there was still no fixed date for setting up the Gulf monetary union, a repeatedly delayed plan to set up a unified regional currency and bring the Gulf Arab states’ economies closer together. Most of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six member states link their currencies to the dollar. But questions had surfaced last year and before as the dollar depreciated amid a battering by the global financial meltdown. The lack of a fixed timeline for the finalizing of the Gulf monetary union appears to reflect the political challenges confronting the GCC nations. Al Jasser was speaking in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi gives a speech. — AFP

Kuwait oil exports rise to 1.5m bpd 225,000 bpd being sold to China KUWAIT: OPEC-member Kuwait exports about 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to China, and expects that to double when an $8.7 billion joint venture refinery project in China between Sinopec and Kuwait begins production. “We sell about 225,000 bpd in China compared to 20,000 bpd in 2007,” Abdullatif Al-Houti, managing director for international marketing at Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) told the state news agency KUNA yesterday. Houti said the shipments to China could reach 500,000 bpd once production starts in the refinery project. But he did not say when the new refinery

would come online. He added that Kuwait exports up to 1.5 million bpd of its crude production. The world’s fourthlargest oil exporter pumped 2.3 million bpd in December, according to a Reuters survey. In September, China granted environmental clearance and okayed a technical review of an $8.7 billion refinery and petrochemical joint venture between Sinopec and Kuwait, paving the way for final state approval. The venture, to be built in southern coastal city Zhanjiang, includes a 300,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery and a one million tons-per-year ethylene complex. — Reuters

This year could mark a turning point for oil demand as use in emerging countries catches up with the developed world, top exporter Saudi Arabia said yesterday, while voicing concern speculation could push prices higher. “Global oil demand is expected to rise between 1.5 million to 1.8 million barrels per day this year,” Ali al-Naimi told an industry conference in Riyadh. The figure is higher than the forecast of the International Energy Agency, which represents consumers. This increase would mainly be driven by Asia-particularly China and India-as well as the Middle East and Latin America. “The year 2011 might mark an important turning point in this direction as the level of oil demand in the emerging economies and developing countries is nearing demand in OECD countries and will even exceed demand in OECD by 2013,” he added. Already China is the world’s second biggest oil user after the United States and Asia is Saudi Arabia’s main export market, taking around 60 percent of its shipments. “(This is) a percentage that is expected to rise during the coming years,” Naimi said. Even with strong Asian demand, Naimi said he expected oil prices to stabilize this year. Saudi Arabia wants to cut fossil fuel use within the next several decades, it said at an industry event where nuclear reactor maker Areva is set to sign a major deal with a Saudi partner. Although it sits on the world’s largest oil and gas reserves, Saudi Arabia is struggling to keep up with rapidly rising power demand as petrodollars have fueled a Gulf-wide economic boom

as well as a rapid population growth. Anne Lauvergeon, chief executive of the French nuclear reactor company, told reporters that Areva will sign a partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Binladin Group for nuclear and solar energy. She gave no specific figure. “We think that on solar thermal in Saudi Arabia there’s an important market and we are partnering with Saudi Binladin Group to develop this,” Lauvergeon said. The agreement with Areva, which is 90 percent-controlled by the French government through direct and indirect holdings, was due to be signed on Sunday. Saudi Arabia wants to cut domestic oil consumption within the next several decades as it diversifies its energy mix including nuclear, Hashim Yamani, president of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewables Energy, told reporters. “You want to have an energy mix to save oil, and this oil we can leverage prices so we can sell it abroad to build these facilities,” Yamani said. “Nuclear would be adequate for the base load, we’ll use renewables to add more capacity, there are some variationsgas and oil will have to continue to help,” he said. Total Saudi power demand is expected to triple to 120 gigawatts (GW) by 2050 from around 40 GW in 2010, said Yamani. “Nuclear and renewable energy will reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2050,” Yamani said, adding that nuclear and renewable energy would free up more oil for exports. “Saudi will need to invest upfront in nuclear energy, but the oil saved will contribute significantly to the costs.” — Agencies

Optimism lifts Kuwait banks; KFH at 2-yr high DUBAI: Kuwait Finance House hit a two-year high yesterday as some traders bet the Islamic lender may announce a capital increase priced at a big discount to its current share price and other local banks also advanced. KFH rose 1.6 percent to its highest close since Dec. 24, 2008. “Many people expect KFH to make a capital increase and that this will be cheap,” said Essa Al-Hassawi, assistant manager at Zumorroda Investment Co in Kuwait. He said market talk was for a KFH capital increase to be priced at 0.4 to 0.5 dinars per share. In February, KFH said it was not considering a capital increase “for the time being”, while in October, rival National Bank of Kuwait completed a 10 percent rights issue that was priced at 0.500 dinar per share. At the time, NBK stock was trading around 1.500 dinar, so local banks have a precedent for steep discounts on rights issues, even allowing for subsequent dilution. Other banks also prospered. NBK climbed 1.4 percent and Gulf Bank added 1.8 percent. “People are positive on the banking sector because they think provisions will go down and boost earnings in 2011 -

MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS most banks took good coverage for NPLs (non-performing loans) in 2010,” added Hassawi. In Doha, Commercial Bank of Qatar (CBQ) rose 1.7 percent, despite reporting below-forecast fourthquarter earnings, with the stock seen as cheap compared to market leader Qatar National Bank. “Net income was a bit weak and fee income was disappointing as well, but the dividend was good and asset quality improved, so valuations are still attractive,” said a Doha-based analyst who asked not to be identified. Commercial is trading at a price-toearnings ratio of 11.9, according to Reuters data, while QNB has a p-e of 13.7. The latter edged up 0.2 percent. Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties fell 3.5 percent, equalling Sunday’s five-year low and further declines are forecast to reflect the company’s restructuring plan, which is seen as detrimental to equity holders. “I don’t foresee a turnaround in UAE property prices in 2011 more supply, absence of encouraging

mortgages and the shortcomings of the existing visa law mean higher vacancy rates and further declines in asset values,” said Roy Cherry, SHUAA Capital senior vice-president for research. He said Aldar remained expensive compared to Dubai rival Emaar Properties, despite its shares dropping 15 percent unveiling its restructuring plan on Jan 13. Abu Dhabi’s index fell 0.3 percent to a 16week low. In Dubai, contractor Drake & Scull climbed 4.6 percent after it won a $126.6 million contract in Egypt. Nomura upgraded Drake to “buy” from “neutral”. Emaar rose 2.1 percent and builder Arabtec added 2.8 percent. “UAE contractors’ earnings should improve in 2011 after they successfully diversified across the region,” added SHUAA’s Cherry. “Emaar’s attractiveness will rely on the strong and sustainable cash flows from its investment properties.” Dubai’s index rose 1.6 percent to a two-week high. — Reuters

North Sudan plans to quadruple oil output KHARTOUM: Sudan’s oil minister said yesterday that north Sudan could nearly quadruple its crude production within three years and that French oil firm Total was set to start drilling in the south in April. “(Oil production in the north) will be higher than in the south. They can get 500,000 barrels per day in three to four years, if they double their effor ts,” Lual Deng told reporters in Khartoum. There are serious concerns in Khartoum that the looming separation of the oil-producing south, following this month’s landmark independence referendum, will deprive the north of a vital source of income. Deng, who is a member of the south’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, said the north was currently responsible for 25 to 30 percent, or around 130,000 bpd, of the country’s

total average output of 470,000 bpd, but that new discoveries and enhanced oil recover y would boost production. “We think the production in the north will start increasing... It will take time to develop those reserves, but the oil is there.” He added that most of the new production would come from Block 6, a block in South Kordofan that borders Darfur and currently produces around 70,000 bpd, and where there had been “very positive indications” on finding new reserves. Deng also said that Qatar Petroleum International was in the final stage of talks with French firm Total and the other partners in the consortium that operates south Sudan’s giant Block B, and that drilling could start in April. Since the early 1980s, the French oil major has

held the rights to Block B, a concession in Jonglei state northeast of the regional capital Juba that covers 120,000 square kilometres. But so far it has carried out only very limited exploration due to the ravages of the devastating north-south civil war and the sanctions imposed by Washington in 1997 against dealings with Khartoum, four years after its blacklisting as a state sponsor of terrorism. The US-based Marathon Oil Corporation sold its stake in Block B in 2008. “The government of southern Sudan allowed Total to bring up some proposals and they have suggested Qatar Petroleum International,” Deng explained. “Our target is to start drilling by the beginning of April,” he said, adding that an agreement that saw QPI joining the consortium had to be reached before work could start.—AFP

KHARTOUM: Azhar Abdul Qadir, general manager for exploration and production, speaks to the press as Sudanese Oil Minister Luwal Ashweil Deng (right) listens on in Khartoum yesterday. Ashweil announced that the Qatar Petroleum company has been recommended by the French giant Total to acquire the shares available in its vast oil concession in southern Sudan, a region that voted overwhelmingly for independence. — AFP

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

business

Air Arabia sees traffic rising, eyes new routes New hub in Jordan will open in June this year DUBAI: UAE-based low cost carrier Air Arabia expects its passenger traffic to increase as much as 15 percent in the next four years and plans to add eight more routes by the end of the year, its chief executive said. “With the growth of fleet, seats and passenger numbers, hopefully the revenues will also grow,” Adel Ali told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Dubai yesterday. The Arab world’s largest listed airline expects to increase the number of routes to 75 by the end of the year. Air Arabia currently

services 67 routes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The airline, set up in 2003 in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, also plans to open its new Jordan hub in June this year. It has a hub in Morocco and launched operations in its third hub in Egypt last year. “We have four hubs at the moment including Jordan. We will look to expand our business through these hubs in the next 12-18 months,” Ali said. The airline is under pressure from rivals including Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways and Dubai-

owned FlyDubai, but also from bigger carriers such as Emirates trying to cope with a drop in international passenger travel. In November, Air Arabia said third-quarter net profit declined 5.6 percent but the results still beat analysts’ expectations. Analysts polled by Reuters on average expect the company to post fourth quarter net profit of 97.4 million dirhams. Shares of the company were trading up 1 percent at 0945 GMT on the Dubai bourse yesterday. —Reuters

Not all 3D glasses have to be uncomfortable and unsightly LG and ALAIN MIKLI show the way

KUWAIT: LG Electronics (LG) yesterday announced it will introduce 3D glasses designed in conjunction with Alain Mikli, a world-renowned French eyewear maker. By combining its expertise in 3D TVs with Alain Mikli’s know-how in eyewear design, LG is delivering the best quality in every aspect of 3D technology. With over 30 years of history and tradition, French designer Alain Mikli has gained an international reputation by providing unbeatably comfortable and stylish glasses. The company operates a collection of flagship boutiques around the world in cities such as New York, Paris and Milan, attracting fashion-conscious consumers. “Numerous studies have shown that of all the challenges facing 3D technology acceptance, the glasses always rank near the top,” said H S Paik, President of LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “The fact is, 3D viewing glasses don’t have to be ugly and uncomfortable. We’ve just proven that with Monsieur Mikli’s help in creating what are probably the best, most

Aujan Industries awards media buying account to Mindshare

stylish 3D glasses in the world.” The new glasses raise the bar for 3D eyewear in terms of design, fit, and user comfort. Unlike the current 3D glasses made of plastic, LG and Mikli opted to make their 3D glasses from select metals, while also sticking to the French designer’s signature streamlined design. In addition, the glasses are ergonomically designed to offer the utmost comfort. The optimum weight ratio on the front and back of the glasses means viewers will feel less fatigue when wearing them over longer periods. A special nose pad, which Mikli and LG have copatented, provides a snug fit around the bridge of the nose. Also, spring-hinged arms with extra-long tips ensure the glasses will fit perfectly around the sides of the viewer’s head for viewer’s ultimate comfort. The new premium 3D glasses will be available worldwide after being showcased at CES 2011, which recently took place in Las Vegas. These will be provided with LG’s 2011 new premium 3D TVs.

Following a thorough review and evaluation process which started last November, Aujan Industries has awarded its media planning & buying account to Mindshare for the coming three years. The account for which five leading media agencies in the region were bidding for- comprises of online and offline media planning and buying and will cover Aujan industries’ Powerhouse brands namely Barbican, Vimto and Rani across GCC, Levant, North Africa, Iraq, and Iran. Commenting on the win, Kadir Gunduz, President and CEO of Aujan Industries, said: “We adopted a very transparent process for the pitch with clearly identified selection criteria. The submissions were of top quality and very competitive, which made it hard to make the call, but a decision had to be taken based on overall parameters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the media agencies who took part in this process for their hard work, passion, and dedication; and wish to congratulate Mindshare for the win”. Samir Ayoub, CEO of Mindshare in the MENA region, said: “ We are delighted to win Aujan Industries media business within our group; we are passionate about their brands and committed to contribute to the continuous success of Aujan Industries business” Aujan Industries - established in 1905- is the largest privately owned, independent soft drink company in the Middle East. It has more than 2,500 employees and a turnover of over $800 million and ranked amongst the top 100 companies in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mindshare MENA has over 260 employees operating in 16 offices across 10 countries. Mindshare team are very well aware of what’s happening in the region and have extensive and wealthy expertise to deliver innovation, creativity and superior results for their business partners and their stakeholders.

Volkswagen Behbehani launches official page on facebook Volkswagen Behbehani Kuwait KUWAIT: Volkswagen Behbehani announced the official launch of their facebook page to create online interaction with its customers through one of the most popular social networking media around the world. By becoming a member on the page customers can get Volkswagen Behbehani’s latest news, learn about special offers & promotions, watch the latest video of their favorite VW models & take part in competitions & win valuable prizes. Members can also get information about launches of new VW vehicles while sharing their opinions & experiences. Volkswagen Behbehani’s new approach on e-marketing will be a significant factor in the company’s marketing plan this year to reach IT savvy individu-

als who use the internet and specific blogs as their main source of information. “Online marketing is becoming very popular locally and is allowing companies to reach new prospects and potential customers who do not use newspapers as their main source of information, times are changing and there is no longer the need for customers to search anywhere, we come to them they no longer have to come to us” said Firas Mufti - Marketing Manager of VW Behbehani. Other initiatives include BlackBerry messenger which will be accessed by a pin code, company banners on specific blogs and a segmented SMS system tailored to specific people with specific profiles.

EXCHANGE RATES Commercial Bank of Kuwait US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian Dollar Australian DLR Indian rupees Sri Lanka Rupee UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi riyals Omani riyals Philippine peso Egyptian pounds

.2745000 .4430000 .3770000 .2880000 .2780000 .2730000 .0045000 .002000 .0756480 .7370130 .3900000 .0730000 .7225090 .0045000 .0480000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2787500 .4449130 .3790160 .291530 .2803900 .0508530 .0421980 .2754190 .0357520 .2171290 .0033680 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0759120 .7395860 .0000000 .0743530 .7242140 .0000000

US Dollar/KD GB Pound/KD Euro Swiss francs Canadian dollars Danish Kroner Swedish Kroner Australian dlr Hong Kong dlr Singapore dlr Japanese yen Indian Rs/KD Sri Lanka rupee Pakistan rupee Bangladesh taka UAE dirhams Bahraini dinars Jordanian dinar Saudi Riyal/KD Omani riyals Philippine Peso

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.401 6.141 3.254 2.518 3.851 218.540 35.936 3.916

.2845000 .4520000 .3840000 .2970000 .2870000 .2820000 .0075000 .0035000 .0764080 .7444200 .4100000 .0780000 .7297700 .0072000 .0560000 .2808500 .4482650 .3818720 .2923390 .2825030 .0512360 .0425160 .2774940 .0360220 .2187650 .0033930 .0062070 .0025420 .0032940 .0039840 .0764540 .7451580 .3972420 .0749130 .7296700 .0063830

Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

6.303 9.146 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 74.718 76.987 727.950 744.200 76.302

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham

ARAB COUNTRIES 52.100 48.227 1.314 198.640 395.680 186.100 6.088 34.578

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 280.080 Euro 382.170 Sterling Pound 448.410 Canadian dollar 283.200 Turkish lire 177.960 Swiss Franc 293.430 Australian dollar 276.750 US Dollar Buying 279.045

Sterling Pound US Dollar

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound Euro Cash Hongkong dollar Indian rupees

SELL CASH 280.700 744.850 4.260 285.800 549.900 14.100 51.800 167.800 51.750 384.600 36.680 6.500

SELL DRAFT 279.200 744.650 3.920 284.300

219.400 48.243 383.100 36.540 6.145

0.032 0.262 0.252 3.480 397.360 0.189 94.530 46.200 4.390 215.300 1.904 49.300 727.310 3.360 6.610 77.450 74.750 219.390 42.140 2.716 451.100 43.100 295.500 6.100 9.550 198.263 76.400 280.400 1.350

0.032

395.760 0.188 94.530 3.880 213.800

726.130 3.280 6.310 77.020 74.760 219.390 42.140 2.519 449.100 294.000 6.100 9.320 76.300 280.000

GOLD 1,417.810

10 Tola

GOLD 258.000 130.000 67.000

20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

Indonesia Iranian tuman Iraqi dinar Japanese yen Jordanian dinar Lebanese pound Malaysian ringgit Morocco dirham Nepalese Rupees New Zealand dollar Nigeria Norwegian krone Omani Riyal Pakistani rupees Philippine peso Qatari riyal Saudi riyal Singapore dollar South Africa Sri Lankan rupees Sterling pound Swedish krona Swiss franc Syrian pound Thai bhat Tunisian dollar UAE dirham U.S. dollars Yemeni Riyal

TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 449.100 280.000

6.146 3.265 3.934 6.306 686.588 3.480 9.177 6.204 3.922

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Canadian Dollars

Rate per 1000 (Tran) 279.900 3.270 6.150 2.530 3.925 6.345 76.295 74.845 744.100 48.225 452.500 0.00003280 3.910 1.550 397.600 5.750 386.200 287.300

Al Mulla Exchange

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees

Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees

Selling Rate 279.900 283.725 448.125 383.965 291.567 740.825 76.184 76.859 74.610 395.392 48.213 2.522

Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 279.500 Euro 382.200 Pound Sterling 448.600 Canadian Dollar 283.500 Japanese Yen 3.400 Indian Rupee 6.135 Egyptian Pound 48.200 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.520 Bangladesh Taka 3.885 Philippines Peso 6.300 Pakistan Rupee 3.259 Bahraini Dinar 744.350 UAE Dirham 76.175 Saudi Riyal 74.610 *Rates are subject to change

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business

Etisalat eyes takeover of Pakistan’s Nayatel Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on agenda

ISLAMABAD: Telecoms operator Etisalat is in takeover talks with internet provider Nayatel, one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing companies. “They want to totally buy us out,” Nayatel chairman Rashid Khan told Reuters in an interview, adding talks had slowed over the potential cost of a deal. “Ultimately it comes down to price,” said Khan, adding he also expected interest from Chinese and Norwegian companies. No one from Etisalat was immediately available for comment. Gulf-based Etisalat, the Arab world’s second-biggest telecoms firm, has faced tough competition at home after its monopoly was broken in 2007 by Dubai-based du and operates in 18 countries. Nayatel made its name by investing early in a fibre-optic network for direct connections to homes and businesses to allow for heavier

Realty India 2011 Hiranandani Group’s new era of Living The Hiranandani Group, a leading real estate group with a pan - India as well as international presence is known for creating landmark residential townships and commercial complexes that epitomize the highest standards of living and global lifestyles. The group has continually pioneered newer technologies, bold design and precision engineering to create integrated community projects that reﬂect the changing tastes and aspirations of modern India’s educated and urbane middle class. Hiranandani Estate, Thane Hiranandani Estate is Thane’s biggest and grandest township that exudes endless charm, elegance and unmatchable class. Housing over 4000 families, the development oﬀers a 360 degree lifestyle with great amenities, world-class infrastructure, diverse and the best-in-class retail and leisure opportunities. Hiranandani Heritage, Kandivali Great Connectivity, close proximity to the elements of nature superb planning, great infrastructure, amenities, leisure and community facilities are the highlights of this development that make living here a joyful experience.

Hiranandani Meadows, Thane Bringing tranquil luxury to calm down the city ’s hectic pace, Hiranandani Meadows aims to offer an elite lifestyle through its spacious homes, prime location, carefully designed green environs and contemporary facilities. Raffles Enclave at Hiranandani Estate , Thane It is colossal. It is elite. It is grand. It is breathtaking. Raffles enclave is the harbinger of a new era of living and lifestyle in Thane. Raffles Enclave will give the concept of spacious living a formidable shape and new dimension While all the towers will be built on podium garden, the apartments will be larger in size and the range of choice begins from 2 BHK to 5 BHK. Manicured gardens, soft and paved jogging track, soothing water cascades, senior citizen’s lounge, children’s play area and a multi-purpose sports court add to other amenities. Clubhouse amenities include a fully Equipped gymnasium, swimming pools, spa, yoga and meditation center, billiards room etc. A separate area for private parties, a restaurant and party lounge and barbeque area liven up the community further.

data downloads. The internet, telephone and cable TV service provider has paid-up capital of about $5 million. Annual sales among its 7,000 customers top $12 million, said Khan, with revenue growth of 40-50 percent a year. Nayatel is hoping to expand its domestic business beyond Islamabad and Rawalpindi to Lahore and Pakistan’s biggest city, Karachi, which has an estimated population of 18 million. It also has ambitions to penetrate overseas markets by lending its fibre-optic expertise. “I am talking to someone who wants us to invest in Afghanistan, someone who wants us to work in Saudi Arabia and someone who wants us to work in Turkey,” said Khan in Nayatel’s modest Islamabad office. Between 2004 and 2009, 34 percent of the $19 billion in foreign direct investment in Pakistan flowed to the telecom sector, according to the Pakistan

Telecommunications Authority. Major investors included the UAE, United States, Norway and China. Getting foreign companies to invest in Pakistan isn’t easy, with the country’s image hurt by a Taliban campaign of suicide bombings to destabilise the US-backed government. Khan, however, is more troubled by a government that he perceives has failed on all fronts, and holds out few hopes that it will try to attract investment from overseas or at home. “They are a disaster in everything, whether it’s law and order, governance, financial management, you name it. They have made a mess of things,” he said. “This government is fighting for survival every day. They are not interested in helping anyone else out.” — Reuters

Jade Garden marks Chinese New Year KUWAIT: Starting Sunday 23rd January Jade Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant opens its doors to all of Kuwait in celebration of Chinese New Year (officially celebrated 6th February 2011). Jade Garden’s master Chinese Chefs will be preparing a delicious range of original dishes of various prices, bringing the unique taste of China direct to your plate in the traditional far-eastern style. Now you can experience the true feeling of fine dining as if you were in downtown Shanghai. At Jade Garden they use only authentic Chinese ingredients; have genuine Mandarin Chinese decoration, atmosphere and music. Every element of the sumptuous surroundings has been hand selected to enhance your experience; from spectacular silk paintings to antique sculptures. Experience first class Chinese New Year dining fit for an Emperor; all of this while enjoying one of Kuwait’s largest private salt water aquariums. Jade Garden is vaulted 12 stores above the Gulf Hotel offering expansive views of

Kuwait’s picturesque coastline. To maintain standards Jade Garden chefs hail from all over Asia (Sichuan, Guangdong, Hunan, Jiangxi, northeastern China, as well as the Philippines, Nepal and India). Their passion is to serve you the best Eastern Cuisine in fabulous and relaxing surroundings. Celebrate with Jade Garden and immerse yourself in their local Chinese tradition. Your satisfaction is their goal. About Jade Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant: As well as in Kuwait, with a second location in The Boulevard in building stages, the Jade Garden brand is expanding across the world with restaurants in Bahrain, the US and a new restaurant opening this month in Bur Dubai, showing you do not have to be in China to experience the true Chinese dining experience. Jade Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant, Kuwait, is situated on the 12th Floor of the Gulf Hotel, Baghdad Street, Salmiya, opposite La Baguette. For reservations phone 2572-1040.

ETIHAD LAUNCHES ‘ESSENTIAL ABU DHABI’ CAMPAIGN Etihad Airways has designated 2011 as “the year of Abu Dhabi” with the launch of its “essential abu dhabi” destination marketing campaign. Designed to enhance Abu Dhabi’s place as a top tourist and MICE destination, the campaign will see Etihad unveil a number of exciting promotional activities across the globe. For the first time, all the major tourism operators in the emirate of Abu Dhabi have come together under one showcase umbrella to promote the very best UAE’s capital has to offer. Hotels, tour operators, dining outlets, shops, adventure parks, cultural attractions and sports facilities are providing a range of offers, to entice tourists and business travellers alike, to spend time in Abu Dhabi with a wide range of fantastic discount offers and deals. All are accessible with the Etihad Airways Boarding Pass, using the tagline “the pass to the magic”. Visitors flying into Abu Dhabi on Etihad simply present their Etihad boarding card at participating outlets to redeem the offers within seven days of arriving in Abu Dhabi. Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “Etihad plays a hugely important role in bringing visitors to Abu Dhabi, and ‘Essential Abu Dhabi’ will give extra momentum to our efforts to promote the capital as one of the world’s best destinations. “We have had a fantastic response from Abu Dhabi’s hotels and attractions, and are excited to be working in tandem with people who are as passionate about promoting our home base as we are. “We will be promoting essential Abu Dhabi in all of our overseas destinations,

as well as online and in-flight, and refreshing the program’s special offers regularly so that frequent visitors will always have something new to look forward to.” A dedicated website, essentialabudahbi.com, launches today, backed with brochures on board all Etihad aircraft featuring the exclusive offers. The program will be also supported with an international marketing campaign co-funded by all the partners; as well as being promoted through all partner outlets and sales channels. In addition, a new Etihad Airbus A330 aircraft will be painted in a striking “Visit Abu Dhabi in 2011” livery, which will carry the message to many international destinations around the world. The campaign is being supported by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority as a major partner and demonstrates the commitment of the entire local tourism industry to work effectively together to promote Abu Dhabi as a major global destination. As well as appealing to visitors planning a trip to the UAE, the program is also targeting the millions of passengers transiting through the Abu Dhabi hub, to entice them to stopover in the city for a few nights. Free stopover room nights will be made available to such passengers in the near future. Offers will be updated every two to three months, and the number of participating outlets is expected to grow from the initial 36 to over 100 by the end of the year. Anyone considering visiting the UAE will want to make essentialabudhabi.com an essential read before they travel.

BURGAN BANK ANNOUNCES NAMES OF YAWMI WINNERS KUWAIT: Burgan Bank’s Yawmi account the only account in Kuwait to give away KD 5000 cash prize everyday (except weekends and public holidays) announced the names of last week’s winners at the bank’s head office. The lucky winners for the five daily draws took home a handsome cash-prize of KD 5000 each. The lucky winners are: 1- Salem Faleh Salem Al-Ajmi 2- Ahmad Saleh Ali Faras 3- Zaki Ahmed Salem Al-Sabaya 4- Fatmah Mahmood Abdulatif Qoloom 5- Abdulaleem Anwar Azaz Amer

Congratulating the winners, Burgan Bank Chief Retail Banking Officer- GM Muneera Al-Mukhaizeem said: “I extend my warm w i s h e s t o t h e w i n n e r s o f l a s t w e e k ’s Yawmi draw. Yawmi today is a well understood product, the popularity of which can be seen from the number of increasing account holders. We invite customers to opt for this incentive to make the most from their savings and deposits.” Last year, Burgan Bank introduced a first- of-its k ind draw account - Yawmi Account - which entitles customers who deposit KD 500 for a period of 30 days to

be eligible for a daily draw to win KD 5000 every single day (except weekends and public holidays). For ever y KD 50 deposited in your Yawmi Account you receive an additional entry into the draw, which means the more you deposit, the more chances you will have of winning. Opening a Yawmi account is simple, just visit your nearest Burgan Bank branch and get all the details. Or simply call our Call Center 1804080 and our executive will be more than happy to assist you. For further information visit www.burgan.com

Gulf Bank announces winners of Third Al-Danah Draw KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its third Al D a n a h we e k l y d r aw i n 2 0 1 1 o n January 23, 2011, announcing a total number of ten Al Danah weekly prize draw winners, each awarded with prizes of KD 1,000. The ten winners are: Musaeed Rebh Manhel AlEnezi, M ohammed Abdulmohsin Maki Jomah, Mohammed Gulzar Nawab Khan, Yaser Husain Eid Al-

Bader, Nashida Fyath Kheleif Ghadir Al-Enezi, Nabil Moahmmed Ahmed, Lafi Mohammed Ajeel Al-Enezim Bader Issa Mohammed Ali AlK h a t t a n , As e e l Ya q o u b G h k o u m Hajiya and Sana Ala-eddin Juma. Gulf Bank encourages everyone i n Ku w a i t to o p e n a n A l D a n a h a cco u n t a n d / o r i n c re a s e t h e i r deposits to maximize their chances

of becoming a winner in the upcoming weekly, quar terly and annual draws. Gulf Bank’s Al Danah allows customers to win and encourages t h e m to s ave m o n e y. C h a n ce s increase the more money is maintained and the longer it is kept in the account. Al Danah also offers a number of unique ser vices including the Al

Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the Al Danah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an Al Danah winner. To be part of the Al Danah draws, c u s to m e r s c a n v i s i t o n e o f G u l f Bank’s 52 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center

on 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information regarding Al Danah or any of the Bank’s products and servi ce s or log on w w w. e gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al Danah and who the winners are.

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Kuwait stocks buoyant GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwaiti equities ended yesterday’s session on a positive note, on the back of a smart rally staged by banks’ stocks. The broadbased advance drove Global General Index to its highest level in two years. This index reported over 2.19 percent in gains so far this year, and further gains are expected, as investors anticipate robust corporate performance. Market Indices Global General Index (GGI) closed 2.00 points up (0.88 percent), at 228.42 point as the Market capitalization increased reaching KD37.13mn. On the other hand, Kuwait Stock Exchange Price Index closed in the green zone adding 19.80 points (0.29 percent) from its value and closed at 6,959.9 point. From technical over view, the medium-term outlook of the KSE price index has improved, but still needs a firm close above the strong resistance level at around 7,000 point to confirm the bullish picture. Market breadth During the session, 122 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 50 equities advanced versus 30 that retreated. The advance was accompanied by growing trading activity. Volume of shares traded on the exchange increased by 17.65 percent to reach 360.46mn shares, the value of shares traded increased by a 99.23 percent to stand at KD71.28mn. The Services Sector was the volume leader yesterday, accounting for 38.37 percent of total shares and the Banking Sector was the value leader, with 60.84 percent of total traded value. Company-wise, National Ranges Company was the most actively traded stock, with 115.20mn shares exchanged, , accounting for 50.99 percent of total shares. In terms of top gainers, Gulf Investment House was the biggest gainer for the day, adding 9.62 per-

cent and closed at KD0.057. On the other hand, Real Estate Trafe Center Co came in as the biggest decliner, dropping by 14.49 percent and closed at KD0.295. Sector-wise By sector, banks stocks spearheaded advancers with a 1.15 percent improvement. Ahli United Bank was the biggest percentage gainer in the sector, edging 2.47 percent higher. Kuwait Finance House (KFH) too climbed 1.56 percent. Investors looking positive to banks sector because traders think provisions will go down and boost earnings in 2011. Global Ser vices Sector advanced by 0.91 percent on the back of the sector’s heavyweights such as Mobile

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Telecommunication Company (ZAIN) which added 1.35 percent. In the same sector, Alafco Aviation Lease & Finance Co. and Alrai Media Group Company added 2.56 percent and 1.82 percent respectively. On telecom news, Kuwait Telecom Co ( VIVA), the Kuwaitbased affiliate of Saudi Telecom (STC ), has submitted all the required documents to Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) in preparation for being listed this year. On other news, Kuwait Project Co (Holding), or Kipco, doesn’t currently intend to sell par t of its stake in Orbit Showtime Network, or OSN, in a public offering, ViceChairman Faisal Al Ayyar said.The scrip closed down by 1.08 percent.

Corporate news The annual statistical report of the Department of Real Estate Registration and Authentication at the Ministry of Justice showed a 47 percent-increase in the number of real estate deals registered in 2010 compared with those of 2009. Kuwait has successfully diversified the market portfolio of its crude oil and petroleum products, maintaining the current level of its shipping volume to Japan, while China and India are becoming new key markets, an executive at the state -run Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said. Price of OPEC basket of twelve crudes stood at $92.90 a barrel on Friday, compared with $92.95 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

Brent crude near $98, Saudi sees demand LONDON: Brent crude oil held near $98 a barrel yesterday on renewed confidence that developed economies are recovering and as Saudi Arabia’s oil minister predicted strong oil demand in 2011. Saudi Arabia’s Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said he expected global oil demand to rise between 1.5 million and 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) this year-more than forecast by the International Energy Agency. Brent crude for March rose 27 cents to $97.87 a barrel by 1203 GMT. It reached $99.20 on Jan. 14, the highest since October 2008. US crude for March lost 71 cents to $88.40. “Market sentiment is still positive, economic optimism has gathered the upper hand and as long as this is the case, prices should move up further,” said Carsten Fritsch, analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. Euro-zone industrial new orders rose more than expected in November, data showed yesterday, confirming the strength of euro-zone recovery in industry but pointing to weakness in demand for consumer goods. Saudi Arabia is by far the largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and holder of the bulk of the world’s unused oil production capacity. Speaking at an industry conference, Naimi said he was worried about the impact of speculation on prices. “I expect prices to continue to be stable at last year’s rates (levels),” he

said. “The only thing that I’m concerned about is the pressure exerted by speculators, analysts and some investors in the futures market on prices to push them up or down away from market fundamentals.” Naimi declined to say whether Saudi Arabia’s production was in line with its OPEC target of 8.05 million bpd. The IEA said in a report last week that the OPEC leader was making more crude available to the market. Naimi said Saudi Arabia was set to hold about 4 million bpd of spare crude oil capacity in 2011. The kingdom has capacity of 12 million bpd, or 12.5 million bpd including the neutral zone. Brent’s premium to US crude, also known as West Texas Intermediate or WTI, reached $9.57 yesterday, its highest since February 2009, on tight North Sea supplies and strong emerging market demand. “There are bearish factors on the WTI side and bullish factors on the Brent side,” said Mike Wittner, analyst at Societe Generale. “Put the two together and you have the basis for a wide spread.” Royal Dutch Shell said on Friday four North Sea Brent oil and gas platforms, which shut down on Jan. 15, were expected to remain closed for several weeks. Near-record crude inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for US crude futures contracts, depressed nearby US futures and widened the gap against Brent. — Reuters

Halliburton more than doubles Q4 profit NEW YORK: Halliburton Co said yesterday its fourth-quarter income more than doubled as the oil services company benefited from an increase in drilling activity around the globe. The Houston company reported net income of $605 million, or 66 cents per share, for the three-month period that ended Dec 31. That compares with $243 million, or 27 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue increased 40 percent to $5.2 billion.

Excluding a charge, earnings were 68 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had expected earnings of 63 cents per share on revenue of $4.9 billion. Halliburton provides a variety of equipment and services for the petroleum industry. Those services were in high demand in 2010 as crude prices increased. Oil prices crossed the $90-perbarrel mark and hit a two-year high in December. — AP

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GM’s China sales pass US for first time DETROIT: General Motors Co sold more cars and trucks in China last year than it did in the US, for the first time in the company’s 102-year history. Despite GM’s growth in China, Toyota Motor Corp held onto the title of world’s largest automaker. The Japanese company reported 8.42 million sales worldwide last year. That’s 30,000 more than GM’s 8.39 million. GM said yesterday that it sold 2.35 million vehicles in fast-growing China, about 136,000 more than it sold in the US, with China sales surging 29 percent as an expanding middle class gained wealth. Sales in the US, including heavy-duty vehicles, rose 6.3 percent as GM continued to rebound from its 2009 stay in bankruptcy protection. GM expects its sales growth to continue, and industry analysts say it may once again dethrone Toyota as the global sales leader this year. GM will announce that it’s adding a third shift to a pickup truck assembly plant in Flint, Michigan, to meet an expected increase in demand as the US economic recovery continues. Pickup truck sales in the US were up 16 percent last year to 1.6 million vehicles, and they’re still among the top-selling vehicles in the country. GM says small businesses are beginning to buy pickups again after staying out of the market for nearly two years. The company will bring back 650 laid-off workers to staff the Flint plant, which has been operating on two shifts per day, according to a person briefed on a scheduled announcement. The last time the plant worked around the clock was in the second quarter of 2008. Pickup truck sales rose 16 percent

in the U.S. last year, and GM expects sales to continue to go up. General Motors achieved double-digit jumps in five of its top 10 markets, including the 29 percent increase in China. Toyota, in contrast, sold just 846,000 vehicles in China. GM also marked a 12.4 percent sales rise in Russia and a 10.4 percent rise in Brazil. GM and Toyota tied for the global sales lead in 2007, ending GM’s 76-year string of global dominance. Toyota took the title in 2008 and has held it ever since, but last year’s string of embarrassing safety recalls and a resurgent GM combined to make the race close again. Toyota sold 8.42 million vehicles globally in 2010, narrowly remaining the world’s top automaker ahead of General Motors, which sold 8.39 million cars and trucks. GM’s figure was a dramatic 12 percent increase from 2009, a year in which it closed factories and was forced to take aid from the US government to survive. The race between the two giants appears to be getting close, with the chance the tables could be turned, seeing GM once again rising to the top. “General Motors is going strong, and it’s a sure sign of its re-emergence,” said Yasuaki Iwamoto, auto analyst with Okasan Securities Co in Tokyo. GM spokesman Tom Henderson said the company isn’t focusing on the race with Toyota. “A financially healthy and sustainable business that benefits our customers, stakeholders and employees takes precedence over any ranking. Our motivation is to be the best global company and let the numbers speak for themselves,” he said. —AP

N Korea’s Kim meets Orascom CEO Sawiris SEOUL: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il held talks with an Egyptian telecoms magnate whose company set up and operates an advanced mobile phone network in the impoverished communist nation in a rare meeting with a foreign business executive. Cairo-based Orascom Telecom launched a third-generation mobile network in North Korea in late 2008. The project drew attention as it brought a symbol of economic progress and individual freedom, the mobile phone, to one of the world’s most harshly ruled societies. The North’s state news agency reported Monday that Kim met Orascom Telecom Executive Chairman Naguib Sawiris on Sunday and received an unspecified gift from him. Kim “warmly welcomed” Sawiris’ visit “taking place at a time when Orascom’s investment is making successful progress in different fields,” the Korean Central News Agency said in a brief dispatch from Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. They “had a cordial talk” and Kim hosted a dinner, the report said. KCNA reported Sawiris’s arrival in a one-sentence report Friday. It is rare for Kim Jong Il to meet foreigners and especially so when it comes to business executives, though Sawiris has previously held discussions with other high-ranking North Koreans, such as Kim Yong Nam, who often greets foreign dignitaries and sometimes represents the country abroad. North Korea, which has carried out two underground nuclear explosions, struggles to feed its population of about 24 million people as two decades of government mismanagement, frequent nat-

ural disasters and international sanctions over its atomic ambitions have left its economy in a shambles. Orascom said in November that subscribers to its 3G telephone service network known as koryolink and jointly run with the North’s state-owned telecommunications company increased to 301,199 by the end of the third quarter last year, up sharply from 69,000 at the end of September 2009. The network was launched in December 2008. North Korea granted an Orascom subsidiary a 25-year-license to operate in the country in a partnership with state -owned Korea Post and Telecommunications Corp. Orascom also operates networks in several African nations, as well as in Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh, according to its website. Sawiris has visited the North before. In September 2009, KCNA reported he was given a friendship award for “positive contributions” to North Korean-Egyptian relations and for “his boundless respect and reverence for leader Kim Jong Il.” Though mobile phones are available in North Korea, their use is restricted. Phones do not allow contact with the outside world, or with the special telephone networks that foreigners are normally permitted to use inside North Korea. A previous short-lived mobile service for North Koreans was suspended without explanation in 2004. North Koreans, however, can make mobile calls illicitly, sometimes using networks in neighboring China. North Korean defectors and human rights groups in South Korea say they can contact North Koreans via mobile phone.—AP

DAVOS: A worker using a ladder in the main hall of the Congress Center where the World Economic Forum annual meeting will take place is pictured yesterday in Davos. Switzerland has mobilized up to 5,000 soldiers to secure the areas surrounding the alpine village of Davos, where world political and economic leaders are to gather this week. — AFP

ASEAN road trip reflects China trade potential Beijing leads drive to link Southeast Asia’s economies BANGKOK: Southeast Asia’s foreign ministers embarked on an unconventional land, sea and air trip to China yesterday to push ambitious plans to fully connect the region’s frontier markets with Asia’s biggest economic power. The day-long trip from Thailand to China, organized by the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), showcases an infrastructure plan to increase trade, investment and tourism, underscoring strengthening ties between the 11 countries involved with a combined GDP of nearly $6 trillion. The “connectivity masterplan” to link new and existing rail, road and sea routes and allow seamless travel within a free trade area of 1.9 billion people is complex and ambitious. But analysts say there is huge trade potential between ASEAN and China and better links could encourage powers like Japan and South Korea to forge a closer relationship with 10member ASEAN. “With ASEAN in general, all roads are going to China. It’s a good logistical move that might stimulate other regional players to step up,” said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a strategic studies specialist at Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. “ASEAN needs to make a strong economic commitment and by moving towards China, it’s definitely doing that. It’s taken a big and decisive step.” The ministers started their trip in Chiang Rai on the Thai side of the “Golden Triangle”, before crossing the Mekong River by

barge to Houey Xay in Laos. They travel by coach to Jinghong in China’s Southwest Yunnan province and will then fly to Kunming for a meeting today. “We are now passing through a deep valley making our way to the city of Luang Nam Tha, in less than one hour, that’s our lunch and we’re hungry!” said ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan in one of dozens of excited tweets, that one from Laos. In a statement issued earlier, Surin said ASEAN and China were now loosely connected but urgent improvements would be made before 2015, the year when ASEAN wants to become an integrated community in a model similar to the European Union. He said the trip aimed “to demonstrate to the world that we are effectively connected and this connection will certainly improve by the time ASEAN becomes one community”. Central to the plan is linking a system of high-speed rail lines, a move spearheaded and financed largely by China, which will provide loans and technology to Laos and Thailand and develop networks that allow rail travel all the way to Singapore. Last October, Cambodia reopened a stretch of railway that was destroyed during the country’s civil war, part of a $141 million project to repair 650 km (400 miles) of track, with an $84 million investment from the Asian Development Bank. That will connect the capital, Phnom Penh,

with Vietnam to the east and Thailand to the west, and it aims to transform Cambodia into a regional transport hub. Studies are under way to link Phnom Penh to Vietnam’s economic hub, Ho Chi Minh City. Japan insists it is not being left out and sees benefits from improved transport links that would allow goods to move between Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and cut costs for Japanese firms with manufacturing bases in Thailand. Kimihiro Ishikane, deputy director-general of Asian and Oceanian affairs at the Japanese foreign ministry, said it was in Japan’s interests to have better connections and uniform customs, visa and cargo procedures in all the countries. “ The region is a favored destination of investment for Japan, so many Japanese are focusing on this area and we see huge potential,” he told Reuters in a recent interview. “Connectivity must be enhanced and infrastructure has to be both physical and institutional. We’re positive, but we’re not expecting too much too soon,” he added. Pavin of ISEAS said ASEAN needed to pay close attention to problems that could arise from improved links, such as transnational crime, illegal migration and drug smuggling. “There will be side-effects and we have to be realistic because 2015 may be too soon,” he said. “ASEAN is good at form, but it still lacks substance, but this is step forward.” —Reuters

Joyalukkas Showroom opens at Global Village DUBAI: Joyalukkas showroom at the Indian Pavilion, one of the most popular destinations in the Global Village during Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), has opened to bring the best of jewellery shopping to visitors. Joy Alukkas, Chairman, Joyalukkas Group, said “The Joyalukkas showroom will complement the spirit of the Global Village and offer exciting initiatives for jewellery shoppers. Our showroom will feature incredible offers on gold, diamond and pearl jewellery to make the visitors trip a truly memorable one.” Elaborating on the concept of ‘Joyalukkas Global Village showroom’ the chairman added, “Spread over an area of 2,000 square feet, the Global Village showroom is set to be one of the biggest jeweller y showrooms within Global Village. This showroom will feature an extensive range of gold, diamond and pearl jewellery collections. The launch offers at the Global Village includes an incredible 70% discount on diamond jewellery, 50% on Masaaki Pearls, plus no making charges on gold jeweller y on

Noora Al-Mansoori, Head of Govt. Relations, Global Village, Joy Alukkas, Chairman, Joyalukkas Group, Jolly Joy Alukkas, Director, Joyalukkas Group, Sunil Bhatia, CEO, Indian Pavilion and Satish Kumar, General Manager, Joyalukkas Group. selected items. In addition to this, customers also stand the chance to win big during the DSF period.” The Joyalukkas Global Village showroom was inaugurated by

Noora Al-Mansoori, Head of Govt. Relations, at Global Village. This showroom, like all the other Joyalukkas showrooms during the DSF period, will offer customers

the chance to win 1/2 Kilo of gold everyday plus a grand prize of 5 Kilos gold at the end of DSF. In addition to this, they will also get the opportunity to ‘scratch & win’ instant cash prizes of up to AED 3 million on purchase of diamond and pearl jewellery. Joyalukkas has created several exclusive collections in gold, diamond and pearl for its Global Village showroom. Customers with different budgets will be able to find something that suits their needs, taste and style at the Global village showroom. The best of the Joyaluk k as staff will also be deployed at this showroom to ensure customers get the best of service. Joyalukkas is one of the first ISO certified jewellery retailers in the Middle East and has also recently won the status of Super Brand in the UAE. In addition to this, Joyalukkas has been recognized with the Dubai Quality Appreciation Program certificate for its best practices in all aspects of jewellery retailing and has also been awarded with the status of Middle East’s retailer of the year by Retail ME.

US to sell final Citigroup holding

TOKYO: North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il, from right, poses with Naguib Sawiris, executive chairman of Cairo-based Orascom Telecom, at an undisclosed place in North Korea. — AP

WASHINGTON: The US government plans to sell its last holding in rescued banking giant Citigroup, the Treasury Department said yesterday. The Treasury said it would hold a one-day public auction Tuesday of its remaining 465 million warrants in the bank. “The proceeds of this sale will provide an additional return to the American taxpayer from Treasury’s investment in the company beyond the dividend payments it received on the related preferred stock and the proﬁt received from the sale of shares of

common stock and trust preferred securities,” the department said in a statement. Treasury received the warrants, which give the right to buy underlying securities, as part of its $45 billion rescue of Citigroup to help it weather the 2008 ﬁnancial crisis. The government says it has not only recovered its initial investment in Citi, once the world’s largest bank, but an additional $12 billion in dividends and interest. The department said that yesterday’s oﬀerings were expected to be priced through a modi-

fied Dutch auction. Such an auction sets a market price by allowing investors to submit bids at certain increments above a minimum price specified for each auction. Warrants for two groups of common shares will be offered for sale at a minimum price of 60 cents for 255 million “A” warrants and 15 cents for 210 million “B” warrants , the Treasury said. The operation is to be handled by Deutsche Bank Securities, a unit of the big German bank. — AFP

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Years

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

business

Japan’s PM pushes for reform as society ages Kan says nation faces inevitable tax hike

MADRID: A woman walks past a branch of Chinese Bank ICBC yesterday in Madrid. —AFP

Agreements, strikes loom for IAG after BA-Iberia tie-up LONDON: International Airlines Group, formed from British Airways and Iberia, began its first day of trading yesterday with unresolved issues, such as industrial unrest, facing it. Deal-hungry IAG, Europe’s second biggest airline group by value behind Lufthansa, was, however, seen as a major player in any further industry consolidation and well-placed to benefit from global economic recovery. UBS has rated IAG shares, which trade in London and Madrid, a ‘buy ’ with a price target of 360 pence. The stock was little change at 286.4 pence in London by 1015 GMT, valuing the group at 5.3 billion pounds ($8.4 billion). Bank of America Merrill Lynch also said it saw upside potential, valuing the stock at 315-350 pence or 3.8-4.2 euros. IAG traded 0.5 percent higher at 3.367 euros in Madrid. “The macroeconomic backdrop and new capacity growth will be key drivers of revenue p e r fo r m a n ce t h i s ye a r,” B a n k o f America Merrill Lynch analysts said in a research note. “On the cost side, we see fuel as a greater potential risk in 2011. Labor and merger execution are also potential risks.” IAG, which will continue to operate the British Airways and Iberia brands, aims to shave 400 million euros ($559 million) off annual costs within five years. Analysts noted potential for adding new routes because while prime longhaul slots are like gold dust at Heathrow, Madrid airport suffers fewer capacity constraints. Also, an anti-trust immunity (ATI) trans-Atlantic joint venture agreed with American Airlines in September should ensure flights are as full as possible. “ We think IAG represents an interesting play on traffic recovery,

synergies from the merger as well as ATI and potentially a vehicle for further airline consolidation,” UBS analysts said. IAG, with 419 aircraft flying to 205 destinations, was also seen as a key player in industry consolidation and has drawn up a list of 12 airlines it is interested in buying. Asia was likely to be the focus for any deal, complementing strength on routes to North and South America. Indian carrier Kingfisher Airlines, with whom BA signed a codesharing agreement last year, was seen as a prime target along with Australian group Qantas while a number of Chinese carriers may also be open to investment.. “British Airways and Iberia are the first two airlines in IAG but they won’t be the last,” chief executive Willie Walsh said yesterday. “Our goal is for more airlines but, impor tantly, the right airlines to join the group.” The carrier still has a list of longstanding issues to deal with, including repeated industrial action by BA cabin crew and a big pension deficit. BA staff voted on Friday to strike again in a long-running battle over proposed job and pay cuts. The companies highlighted employee harmony as a key risk in merger documents published earlier this month, noting a protracted dispute could drive customers to rival carriers. Iberia chairman Antonio Vazquez Romero will chair the new company with BA chairman Martin Broughton serving as his deputy. Top investors in the company include Spanish savings bank Caja de Ahorros y M onte de Piedad de Madrid and investment and pension funds such as BlackRock, Standard Life, Janus Capital and Lloyds Bank’s Scottish Widows. —Reuters

PARIS: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy speaks during a press conference at the presidential Elysee palace yesterday in Paris, focusing on the G8 and G20 preparation as France holds the presidency of the G8 and the G20 for 2011. Sarkozy said he wanted France to broaden the International Monetary Fund’s role in world finance. —AFP

Sarkozy to meet Hu on G20 reform PARIS: France’s President N icolas Sarkoz y said yesterday he plans to meet his Chinese counterpar t Hu Jintao in China in March for talks on his ambition to reform the global financial system. France holds the rotating presidency of the G20 group of the world’s most powerful economies, and Sarkozy has vowed to work with his fellow leaders to correc t imbalances in global exchange rates. “I will have the opportunity to meet President Hu Jintao for a first seminar on reforming the international monetar y system in China at the end of March,” the French leader said, in a tele-

vised speech. Western leaders criticize China for holding the value of its currency at too low a level, favoring its own expor ts while holding down Chinese domestic demand for foreign products. Sarkozy said it “hadn’t been easy” to convince China to host the meeting, and insisted he would not lecture Beijing on its own exchange rate policy. But he noted that inflationary pressure was mounting in China and suggested that allowing the yuan to appreciate would be in Beijing’s own interest. “ What ’s happening is ver y interesting,” he told reporters. —AFP

TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan yesterday said the nation faces “inevitable” tax increases to help offset the cost of a rapidly ageing society and its impact on the levels of public debt. In a speech mark ing the opening of a 150-day parliament session, Kan said his government was working towards drafting a basic proposal by the end of June on overhauling the nation’s tax and social security systems. Kan faces what analysts say is a make or break battle over the issue, which has proved divisive with voters. “Our country faces the need to reform the social security system drastically” as the social and economic assumptions on which it was built have changed, he said. “It is inevitable to ask the people to bear burdens to some extent,” he said. Japan can no longer “secure financial resources for ballooning social security costs” solely through cutbacks in public works and other government projects, said Kan. The government will reveal its basic policies on reforming the social security and tax systems, including the five-percent consumption tax, by June this year, he said. It will also make a decision by then on whether to enter into discussions on joining a trans-Pacific free trade pact that would require Japan to tear down the trade barriers surrounding its faltering economy. The government had earlier deferred the decision amid opposition from the agricultural sector concerned that cheap imports would hurt a farming industry that its critics say is badly in need of revitalization. Japan’s public debt is the industrialized world’s biggest at twice the size of the $5 trillion economy, with the welfare costs and revenue shortfall associated with a rapidly graying population adding further pressure.

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (right) and Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara (left) bow in front of members at the lower house of the parliament in Tokyo yesterday. Kan suggested the nation faces “inevitable” tax increases in the future as a rapidly ageing society pushes social security costs and public debt higher. —AFP The government has been able to fund its growing fiscal gap by raising debt in the domestic market, with around 95 percent of the country’s huge debt held domestically via banks and pension schemes. Japan’s ability to finance its debt is therefore seen as sustainable for now, but analysts warn that this perception may change as the population ages and dips into these savings to spend in retirement. Raising consumption tax and cutting social spending is seen as one solution, say analysts. In a prepared speech on Monday, fiscal policy minister Kaoru Yosano,

a vocal supporter of a consumption tax hike, noted how Japan’s debt issuance continued to exceed tax revenue. “If we don’t address the issue, international confidence in Japan could be lost,” he said. “Not leaving the burden to the future generations is my most important task as a politician.” Since coming to power last year, Kan has joined a chorus of economists and lawmakers in urging discussion over raising consumption tax as a way of boosting revenue and ordered his ministers to draft reform plans. A heavy election defeat in the upper house of parliament

Rio Tinto wins full board support for $3.9bn bid MELBOURNE/SYDNEY: Rio Tinto’s $3.9 billion bid for Africa-focused coal miner Riversdale gained steam yesterday after a representative of Riversdale’s top shareholder Tata Steel backed the offer. The full board of Riversdale, coveted for its coal projects in Mozambique, recommended the bid saying it was unaware of any other offers in the works, even as an Indian consortium said it planned to decide on Jan. 27 whether to bid. Riversdale Managing Director Steve Mallyon said his company “had not had one call” from the consortium, called ICVL and made up of an Indian steel maker, iron ore miner and a utility, which may be interested in the coal for its own use. “I’ve met a couple of the companies in ICVL (in the past) and I am at a loss to understand the interest,” Mallyon said. Mallyon said negotiations were already underway to sell a large portion of the company’s future coking coal to steelmakers in Brazil, Europe and possibly China and talks were in a late stage to tie up the company’s thermal coal output with a major commodities trading house, leaving little for Indian buyers. “So we’ve only got about 10 million tons of coking coal to play with for a number of years and that’s not a lot to play with,” Mallyon said. “This does not seem to be the type of tons the Indians would be seeking.” Tata Steel has already signed a supply agreement for 40 percent of the production from Riversdale’s main Benga mine, scheduled to start up this year. As of yesterday, no superior proposal to Rio Tinto’s offer had been received, Riversdale

said in a statement after releasing its official response to Rio Tinto’s bid, adding the company was not aware of any party having an intention to make such a proposal. While Tata Steel’s representative on Riversdale’s board, N K Misra, recommended Rio Tinto’s offer, Mallyon said his support was not a sign of Tata Steel’s intent for its Riversdale stake. “I’m not privy how they ( Tata) are going to handle this, with our Tata director we’ve been focused on the Riversdale board recommendation versus what Tata wants to do,” Mallyon said. “I think as Tata gets to know Rio Tinto as well as we do, they will then make a decision, but I don’t think they are at that point yet,” Mallyon said. Given that Misra is Tata’s head of mergers and acquisitions, his recommendation of Rio Tinto’s bid at least makes it clear that Tata Steel itself is not planning to trump Rio Tinto. Riversdale’s shares rose 1.2 percent to A$16.50, only a 3 percent premium to Rio’s A$16 a share offer, indicating investors are not expecting a higher offer to emerge. “If no one else comes in, I suspect this deal is going to get done as it is,” said Hayden Bairstow, resources analyst at CLSA, adding that any new bidder would probably have to pay A$18-A$20 a share. Rio Tinto declined to comment on Riversdale’s formal recommendation of the offer. When the deal was first announced in December, Misra abstained from voting on the offer. Riversdale said he now backed the offer in his capacity as a Riversdale board member. —Reuters

last year was blamed partly on Kan’s earlier ambiguity on the issue, and the government has since struggled to pass key legislation due to a resulting lack of a majority. This month Kan reshuffled his cabinet amid pressure from the conservative opposition as he sought the passage of crucial budget bills to energize an economy mired in deflation. Analysts warn that policymakers will have to walk a political tightrope to reconcile Japan’s dire fiscal situation with the potential negative impact of tax hikes on fragile economic growth. —AFP

Copper up on China demand outlook LONDON: Copper prices rose yesterday as concerns about Chinese demand abated, while tin prices hit a record high with supply constraints supporting the outlook for both metals. Benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange was at $9,495 a ton at 1018 GMT, versus $9,441 at the close on Friday. The metal used in power and construction hit a record high of $9,781 a ton on January 19. Tin edged up earlier to hit a record high of $27,800 a ton, later turning negative. “Tin and copper are very supply constrained metals, that’s not going to be resolved for many months, if not years,” Robin Bhar, an analyst at Credit Agricole, said. Analysts broadly expected a large deficit for the copper market in 2011, while tin prices have been underpinned by supply complications in Indonesia. Investors fretted about Chinese demand last week, after strong economic growth data there raised concerns about further monetary tightening in the world’s top base metals consumer and fanned worries about its demand outlook. But these fears eased, with analysts broadly confident Chinese demand would remain robust even in the case of monetary tightening. “With the data coming in strong last week for economic growth there is always the scope for them to raise rates,” Bhar said, but he added that the market was not going to turn tail. “The market’s resting easy for the moment,” he added. Stocks of copper at LME warehouses resumed a recent rise which has caused some caution among investors. Stocks last rose 200 tons to 381,500 tons. Lead stocks rose 2,600 tons to 266,775 tons, lingering around the highest levels since May 1995. Meanwhile, investors kept an eye on a dominant position controlling 80-90 percent of lead stock warrants and cash contracts on the LME. Barclays Capital declined to comment on Friday on market talk it was the holder of the position. —Reuters

Philips profit rises in Q4 but sales weak AMSTERDAM: Royal Philips Electronics NV, the world’s biggest lighting maker, yesterday reported net profit rose 79 percent in the fourth quarter, less than analysts had expected, as cost-cutting and shifts in currency values made up for weak sales. The company reported net profit of 465 million euros ($632 million) or 0.49 euros per share, up from 260 million euros. Sales rose 1.6 percent to 7.39 billion euros from a year ago — but they would have fallen by 4 percent stripping out the impact of currency effects. “We rebounded strongly ... within the constraints of an economy that remained weak, with fragile consumer confidence in most mature mar-

kets,” Chief Executive Gerard Kleisterlee said in a statement. “Television profitability, however, remained a major issue that we are committed to resolve.” Sales at Philips’ consumer products division fell by 7.2 percent and operating profit fell 47 percent to §137 million, due mostly to ongoing weakness at its television-making arm. The division also makes a wide range of consumer products including electric shavers, toothbrushes, and coffee machines, among others. Philips said TV sales remain weak and a licensing deal with TPV Technology to manage Philips-branded television sales in China was delayed. It also cited falling sales of audio and video equipment. Shares fell 4.9 percent to §23.36 in early

Amsterdam trading. “We are clearly disappointed by fourth quarter results,” said ING bank analyst Sjoerd Ummels in a note, saying sales growth outside of acquisitions was worse than he expected. “Philips’ outlook is supportive as far as lighting and health care are concerned, yet the firm warns for continued suppressed consumer confidence.” ING rates Philips shares a Buy. Philips said its lighting sales, which were about flat from a year ago, benefited from strong Asian and modest US growth, countered by poor demand in Western Europe. Philips has been one of the key beneficiaries of demand for energy-saving bulbs, including the now fast-growing market for LED lights. —AP

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

TECHNOLOGY

Smart phones foster dumb habits among pedestrians NEW YORK: It was a miserable morning in New York, rain falling heavily and a 30 mph (48 kph) wind that made holding an umbrella difficult. Yet a man walked briskly up Fifth Avenue, balancing his umbrella and dodging pedestrians as he texted from his smart phone. As a sheer physical act, it was almost Olympian in the strength, dexterity and concentration required. It was also completely ridiculous. It was RAINING. And cold. The man was, let us presume, minutes from some destination. At any moment, he could spear a fellow pedestrian with his umbrella because he was only marginally paying attention to where he was going. What message could possibly be so important that it couldn’t wait? While smart phones and other electronic devices changed popular culture by offering an ability always to stay connected, they have so swiftly turned into such a compelling need that a simple walk down the street is considered wasted time. One too many times stepping around a shuffling pedestrian immersed in e-mail led me to conduct a social experiment. I decided to count the number of people I saw distracted by their electronic devices during my 25-minute morning walk to work from New York’s Grand Central Station to the far West Side. Some ground rules: Cell-phone conversations count, along with texting and looking at the devices. I did not consider listening to music to be a distraction — that, um, would require counting myself — but people who looked at their iPods while walking made the list. Pulling over to the side to use an electronic device did not count, because that is what a courteous pedestrian should be doing. So those three construction workers who stood together talking on their phones off Fifth Avenue were safe from wrath. Same for the woman who frequently asks for spare change next to St. Michael’s Church on 33rd Street when she is on her cell. She usually is sitting. In 15 mornings of counting in late November

and December, the average was 48.6 people. The most was 67. The fewest was 28, on the rainy day our Fifth Avenue textlete felt he had room to maneuver. Generally speaking, it was about one in 10 pedestrians. In that time, I saw a woman nearly flattened by a taxi when she stepped off a curb into traffic while looking into her cell phone. A bicycle messenger rode and talked on his phone at the same time. One gabber pushed a baby stroller. One morning two police officers were on the phone. A man nearly bumped into me after swiveling his head midstep from his screen to watch the backside of a woman passing by. Even people not using their smart phones kept them in their hands, like drawn weapons. It has become an accepted part of urban posture. Mind you, this is winter in the Northeast; the temperature was finger-numbing on many mornings. No problem: I pass by a bus shelter with an advertisement for gloves specially equipped to work touch-screens. There also are smart phone apps that encourage texting while walking, using the device’s camera to show a picture on the screen of where a person is walking, visible as a backdrop behind what they’re typing. Smart phones have replaced tourists as New York pedestrians’ biggest headache. We used to disdain people from out of town when they wandered slowly on the sidewalks, looking skyward at tall buildings and muttering as we walked by with purpose. Now we are the menace. We also used to walk with a certain amount of hyperawareness. Remember muggers creeping from dark corners? Pickpockets who worked the crowds? Now many people walk down the street oblivious to their surroundings, fiddling with an electronic device worth hundreds of dollars. One New Yorker who followed my daily Facebook count of distracted pedestrians admits she is one of them. In fact, she often

walks down city streets with her husband, both engrossed not in each other, but in their smart phones. “I ﬁnd that my walk to the subway or home at night is the only time I can actually focus on myself,” said the woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of looking silly. “All of the other times of the day I’m surrounded by people who are constantly grabbing for my attention. I am the classic multitasker.” While she walks, her mind usually is racing with things she needs to remind co-workers or contacts, things she must tell the baby sitter. Why not do it in the moment? “I get a lot of dirty looks on the street, from people who are frustrated that I’m not looking where I’m going,” she said. “I try hard to be respectful of the other pedestrians and look up and down very frequently.” A clip posted on YouTube last week of a woman who fell into a fountain while walking and texting at the Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, near Reading, has been seen by more than 3 million people. The Pennsylvania woman, Cathy Cruz Marrero, appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday with a lawyer and said they were looking into who was responsible for spreading the video. What was so important that she had to text right away? Someone she knew from church had e-mailed to ask when was Marrero’s birthday. It could be the permanent state of things; smart phone use is growing fast. The Nielsen Co. said 95 percent of American adults have cell phones. Nearly a third of those are smart phones. I will confess that the devices have driven me to a few minor episodes of sidewalk rage. I’ve lightly bumped into distracted pedestrians on purpose a couple of times. Not to cause harm, just to snap them from their virtual worlds and make them aware of the real one. I have been to parties where clumps of people stared into devices, or texted, instead of actually conversing with humans around them. I

always marvel upon landing on a redeye ﬂight from the West Coast at how many people immediately take out their phones and begin dialing. It is 5:30 a.m. — 2:30 in the city they have left. Whom are they calling? William Powers once saw two women in New York crashing baby strollers into one another because they were both concentrating on phones. Powers, a former Washington Post reporter, wrote the book “Hamlet’s BlackBerry,” about how an addiction to technology prevents people from doing their best work or forging healthy relationships. “We’re hard-wired from our primitive ancestors to pay attention to novelty,” he said. It happens whenever there are major technological shifts, like the establishment of printing presses, he said. American Author Henry David Thoreau, famed for writing about a life in solitude around Walden Pond, once observed in the 1850s that people had become addicted to going to the post oﬃce. “Didn’t we say the same thing a while back about boom boxes and Walkmen?” noted Lizabeth Cohen, professor of American Studies in Harvard University’s history department. “Maybe the constant is change.” Powers believes things will calm down as people become more accustomed to the technology. Knowing you can check your e-mail at any time may become as satisfying as actually doing it, and more phones will stay in the pocket. Society, in its natural course, may impose a new set of behaviors. When cell phones were new, he noted, many people did not think twice about answering a call while sitting in a theater. Now that is much more rare. Changes are noticeable in another part of my journey to work, too. Cell phone conversations used to be fairly commonplace on the commuter train. Now they are widely frowned upon, a new social order set informally by fellow passengers. So there is hope. In the meantime, look out for yourself on the street. No one else is. — AP

Pope warns of alienation risk in social networks Says virtual friends can’t replace real ones

TEHRAN: An Iranian woman surfs the internet at a cafe in hold Tehran yesterday, a day after Iran officially launched its cyber police unit to confront Internet crimes and counter social networks that spread “espionage and riots,” police chief Esmaeil Ahmadi Moghaddam said. —AFP

Google awards $100m to Eric Schmidt NEW YORK: Google Inc. says it has awarded $100 million worth of equity to Eric Schmidt, who is stepping aside as CEO but will stay with the company as executive chairman. Google said in a regulatory ﬁling yesterday the stock and stock options will be granted on Feb. 2 and will vest over four years. Schmidt, 55, is being replaced as Google’s CEO by co-founder Larry Page. Both men, along with Google’s other cofounder Sergey Brin, have limited their salaries to $1 for years. But the three are Google’s controlling shareholders.

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict gave a qualified blessing to social networking yesterday, praising its potential but warning that online friendships are no substitute for real human contact. The 83-year-old pontiff, who does not have his own Facebook account, set out his views in a message with a weighty title that would easily fit into a tweet: “Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age”. He said the possibilities of new media and social networks offered “a great opportunity”, but warned of the risks of depersonalisation, alienation, self-indulgence, and the dangers of having more virtual friends than real ones. “It is important always to remember that virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives,” Benedict said in the message for the Catholic Church’s World Day of Communications.

He urged users of social networks to ask themselves “Who is my ‘neighbour’ in this new world?” and avoid the danger of always being available online but being “less present to those whom we encounter in our everyday life”. The vast horizons of new media “urgently demand a serious reflection on the significance of communication in the digital age,” he said. The pope did not mention any specific social networking site or application by name, but sprinkled his message with terms such as “sharing,” “friends,” and “profiles”. He said social networking can help “dialogue, exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations” but he also offered a list of warnings. “Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to

avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposure to the virtual world,” he said. “In the search for sharing, for ‘friends’, there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructing an artificial public profile for oneself.” The pope is known to write most of his speeches by hand while his aides manage his forays into cyberspace. In 2009, a new Vatican website, www.pope2you.net, went live, offering an application called “The pope meets you on Facebook”, and another allowing the faithful to see the Pope’s speeches and messages on their iPhones or iPods. The Vatican famously got egg on its face in 2009 when it was forced to admit that, if it had surfed the web more, it might have known that a traditionalist bishop whose excommunication was lifted had for years been a Holocaust denier. — Reuters

Page, 37, takes over the CEO role in April. Schmidt held about 9.2 million of Google’s shares as of Dec. 31, 2010, according to a separate ﬁling from last week. This amounts to about 2.9 percent of Google’s outstanding shares and about 9.6 percent of the voting power. He plans to sell about 534,000 Class A shares as part of a pre-arranged trading plan. If he does, he will then hold about 9.1 percent of Google’s voting power, the company said. Shares of Google rose $1.32 to $613.15 in pre-market trading. — AP

Facebook reaches German privacy deal

GUANGZHOU: Handout photo taken and released by Zhong Jizhang on January 17, 2011 shows Guangzhou resident Zhong Jizhang, who became a celebrity in China after he used the Internet to expose safety flaws in the subway of Guangzhou, south China’s Guangzhou province. — AFP

BERLIN: Facebook said yesterday it had reached a deal with German data protection officials in a dispute over unsolicited invitations sent to nonmembers of the social networking site through its “Friend Finder” feature. The feature, which allows Facebook to send e-mail invitations to potential users through current members’ address books, has come under fire in Germany for violating privacy laws by allowing unauthorized access to the information of third parties. The Hamburg-based data protection authority said yesterday it agreed with Facebook to a 14-point plan that would give members more control over the e -mail address books they choose to share with the site — including allowing Facebook users to choose who should receive an invitation to join the site and adding an additional warning message before it can be sent. Johannes Caspar, the data protection offi-

cial in Hamburg who negotiated the deal for the Germans, told The Associated Press the changes are aimed at protecting nonmembers whose information was being used without their consent for purposes beyond connecting them with friends. “The use of e-mail addresses by third parties is only possible under certain regulations and only for the purpose of ﬁnding friends — that was the most heavily disputed point,” Caspar said. “Facebook agreed that in the future it will not use these addresses for something that has nothing to do with ﬁnding friends.” Facebook said in a statement the company welcomed the deal, but declined to give any further information, including whether the changes were limited to Germany. “We are pleased that we have come to a solution with the Hamburg Data Protection Authority regarding concerns about Friend-

Finder and look forward to continue our constructive discussions and dialogue in the future,” it said in an e-mailed statement to the AP. Last year Caspar opened legal proceedings against Facebook over concerns it was misusing private information of third parties. He said the lawsuit remains open, but indicated authorities could be willing to drop it depending upon how well the points are implemented. Facebook has jumped in popularity among Germans in recent years. The company says it now has 15 million active users in the country. Caspar did not rule out the need for more discussions with Facebook in the future. “Facebook is a large social network that consequently raises many questions about data security,” Caspar said. “We will certainly have one application or another that we will need to discuss.” — AP

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Years

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

health & science

Cholera takes a breather in Haiti, but could surge Some 40 patients a day are still coming for treatment SAINT-MARC: The cholera epidemic that has raged across this country is claiming fewer victims, with a sharp drop in new cases everywhere from the shimmering rice fields of the Artibonite Valley to the crowded urban slums. It is a welcome development, but tinged with doubt: It’s not yet known whether the epidemic that has killed nearly 4,000 people is fading or merely taking a break, only to surge again perhaps with the onset of the next rainy season. “The general situation is improving. It’s clear,” Stefano Zannini, chief of mission for the aid group Doctors Without Borders, said Sunday. “The problem is that the possible development of the epidemic is unpredictable. It is impossible to say whether the situation will continue stabilizing.” Any progress on controlling disease would be rare bit of good news for Haiti, which is passing

interview with The Associated Press at his Port-au-Prince office. For the moment, at least, the statistics are moving in the right direction. The number of new cases has dropped to about 4,700 per week, down from more than 12,000 per week in November, and the trend is downward in all 10 of Haiti’s departments, or regions, according to the Health Ministry’s latest bulletin, released Thursday. The only places it appears to be still rising are in a few isolated spots in the northwest and south. Some 40 patients a day are still coming to the Doctors Without Borders treatment center in Saint Marc, where the disease first exploded, but that’s a third of what it was in December and there hasn’t been a death in six weeks, said field coordinator Oscar Sanchez Rey. “Is this is the end? Nobody really knows, but the situation is better,” Sanchez

SAINT-MARC: Louissaint Meteluz receives treatment for cholera at a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) cholera clinic in Saint-Marc, Haiti, Jan 22. The cholera epidemic that killed nearly 4,000 people, is claiming fewer victims, with a sharp drop in new cases everywhere from the Artibonite Valley to the crowded urban slums. —AP through a particularly gloomy period. The country is on edge amid a political crisis over a disputed presidential election, and could see more of the violent protests that paralyzed cities and hampered cholera treatment in December. Meanwhile hundreds of thousands are still homeless from last year’s earthquake, and a much-reviled former dictator suddenly returned and took up residence in the past week. Zannini, whose group is contemplating scaling back its more than 40 cholera treatment centers, was unable to muster even cautious optimism regarding the disease. The best he could say was that he was happy new cases and deaths are decreasing to levels not seen since soon after the disease emerged in October. “I would not be optimistic,” he said in an

said as he took a break from treating patients, including a family of six that all came down with the disease together. He cautioned that even though fewer people are getting sick, the center’s work is still critical: “If no one is treating patients, they are going to die, because it’s a lethal disease.” Lilane Estime, 42, tried to sleep on a wooden bench as doctors attended to three of her children. She said all four had piled onto a motorcycle taxi and traveled an hour along a dusty coastal road to reach the clinic. Seemingly healthy, she said she could feel cholera inside her, though she hadn’t gotten sick yet. “If there’s a disease going around killing people, you’re going to be scared,” Estime said. In Cite Soleil, the dense slum at the northern edge of Port-au-Prince, the number

of new cases is now about 15 per week, down from a high of 700, and there are similar reports from nearby neighborhoods. In the hard-hit Artibonite Valley, the weekly new caseload is about 700, compared with more than 4,800 in November. “We don’t want to say, ‘OK, cholera is finished,’ because it’s not,” said Cinta Pluma, a spokeswoman for the aid group Oxfam. “But it does seem to be going down.” Caused by a bacteria that spreads through contaminated water, the disease so far has sickened more than 194,000 people and killed about 3,890 nationwide. It can lead to a rapid, painful death through complete dehydration, but is easily treatable if caught in time. In December, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon warned the outbreak could affect as many as 650,000 people over six months, but that seems less likely now. The Pan-American Health Organization still projects cholera will sicken about 400,000 people over a year. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned in December that cholera would also worsen hunger in the impoverished nation. Surveys showed workers in the Artibonite, Haiti’s main agriculture zone, were afraid to wade into rice fields and the public was shunning the region’s produce, causing steep price drops in the local street markets. Jackson Dorgil, an FAO agricultural technician in the area, said prices for staple crops such as onions, tomatoes and melons plummeted — and much couldn’t be sold at all. But that too seems to have improved. At the region’s main market in Pont-Sonde on Saturday, prices and sales were back to normal, with hundreds of women selling produce, fish and other products in neat little pyramids spread over burlap sacks. “Life is starting to be normal again,” Dorgil said during a tour of the region. Rice fields there were filled with barefoot workers up to their ankles in muddy water believed to be contaminated with the cholera bacteria, planting the crop under a blistering sun. Most earn about $2.50 for a six-hour workday. Fresnel Louis, the president of a worker’s association in the area, said radio commentators were warning people not to go into the water at the start of the outbreak, but there were few options. “If you tell people in the Artibonite not to touch the water, you are telling them not to work — because that’s what we have here,” Louis said. Those rice fields could lead to a resurgence of the disease. There were no latrines in sight, nor any supplies of potable water — the same conditions that helped spread cholera so rapidly in the first place. Zannini said any immunity typically lasts six to eight weeks, so people will be prone to catching it again when the rainy season starts in the spring, sending the bacteria coursing through rivers and streams. “Lack of immunization, lack of access to clean water and a difficult hygienic situation still keep the population exposed to a new outbreak,” he said. —AP

PARIS: An undated picture released June 3, 2003 by the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) in Sevres on the western outskirts of Paris shows the international prototype of a kilogram. Yesterday, scientists said they were moving closer to coming up with a non-physical definition of the kilo after discovering the metal artefact used as the international standard had shed a little weight. —AFP

Weighty mission for scientists: Redefine the kilo LONDON: Scientists said yesterday they were moving closer to coming up with a non-physical definition of the kilo after discovering the metal artefact used as the international standard had shed a little weight. Researchers caution there is still some way to go before their mission is complete, but if successful it would lead to the end of the useful life of the last manufactured object on which fundamental units of measure depend. At the moment, the international standard for the kilo-the equivalent of around 2.2 pounds-is a chunk of metal, under triple lock-and-key in France since 1889. But scientists became concerned about the cylinder of platinum and iridium housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Sevres, near Paris, after discovering it had mysteriously lost a tiny amount of weight. Experts at the institute revealed in 2007 that the metal chunk is 50 micrograms — 0.0000017 ounces-lighter than the average of several dozen copies, meaning it had lost the equivalent of a

For fitness success, stick to a plan NEW YORK: Before January’s determination to shape up in 2011 fades into February’s remorse, fitness experts warn about the most common mistakes than can impede success. Without a plan, they say, many a New Year’s fitness resolution is lost. “It’s bigger than saying ‘every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I’m going to work out,” said Kerri O’Brien of Life Fitness, the Illinoisbased exercise equipment company. Without an overarching strategy, O’Brien contends, good intentions won’t go far. “There’s no plan for the goals, there’s no plan for the schedule, there’s no plan for the nutrition, there’s no plan for the reward system,” she said. “And there’s no plan for when you fall off the wagon.” A personal trainer can help you create and adhere to a program, according to O’Brien, so can websites and books. “Accountability is a big umbrella,” she said. Success is a matter of selecting one thing, sticking to it and not overdoing it. Joy Bauer, a New York-based nutritionist and creator of the Slimdown Workout DVD, thinks too many beginners bite off more fitness than they can comfortably chew. “Especially during New Year’s resolution season, I see people jump into a rigorous, intense fitness program from the get-go,” she said. “If the workouts are so challenging that you start to dread them like the plague, you’ll probably jump ship.” O’Brien said Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), a common side effect of plunging into a new workout, can sidetrack a beginner’s routine for days. Warm-up exercises can help avoid, or ease, the aches. “DOMS is a good thing. It means you have broken down some muscles,” she said. “But you have to give yourself enough rest time to repair it.” Another common mistake, she said, is thinking that if you can’t give fitness the full hour that many guidelines recommend, it’s no use working out at all. “We’ll take 20 minutes,” O’Brien said. “Twenty minutes of high-intensity training will help you lose weight and impact your heart muscle. —Reuters

small grain of sand. They are now searching for a nonphysical way of defining the kilo, which would bring it in line with the six other base units that make up the International System of Units (SI). The other units are the metre, the second, the ampere, the kelvin, the mole and the candela, and none of them are now based on a physical reference object. Experiments are focused on establishing a link between mass and the Planck constant, the fundamental unit of measurement in quantum physics, to provide a new definition of the kilo. Michael Stock, a BIPM scientist who was due yesterday discuss the proposed change in London, said the metal chunk, known as the “international prototype”, was coming to the end of its useful life. “Measurements get more and more precise, and precise measurements require well-defined measurement units to express their results,” he said. He added that “our experiments are moving forward, however, it is too early to implement the new definition of the kilogram just yet.” —AFP

Brain cooling could aid stroke recovery

SHINTOMI: Health workers prepare containers to be used for culled birds disposal at a farm where an official says bird flu has been detected, in Shintomi town, southern Japan yesterday. Miyazaki agricultural official said five dead birds on the farm were confirmed infected with the H5 strain of bird flu late Sunday. —AP

Memories take hold better during sleep PARIS: The best way to not forget a newly learned poem, card trick or algebra equation may be to take a quick nap, scientists surprised by their own findings reported yesterday. In experiments, researchers in Germany showed that the brain is better during sleep than during wakefulness at resisting attempts to scramble or corrupt a recent memory. Their study, published in Nature Neuroscience, provides new insights into the hugely complex process by which we store and retrieve deliberately acquired information-learning, in short. Earlier research showed that fresh memories, stored temporarily in a region of the brain called the hippocampus, do not gel immediately. It was also known that reactivation of those memories soon after learning plays a crucial role in their transfer to more permanent storage in the brain’s “hard drive,” the neocortex. During wakefulness, however, this period of reactivation renders the memories more fragile. Learning a second poem at this juncture, for example, will likely make it harder to commit

the first one to deep memory. Bjorn Rasch of the University of Lubeck in Germany and three colleagues assumed that the same thing happens when we sleep, and designed an experiment to find out if they were right. Twenty-four volunteers were asked to memorise 15 pairs of cards showing pictures of animals and everyday objects. While performing the exercise, they were exposed to a slightly unpleasant odour. Forty minutes later, half the subjects who had stayed awake were asked to learn a second, slightly different pattern of cards. Just before starting, they were again made to smell the same odour, designed to trigger their memory of the first exercise. The 12 other subjects, meanwhile, did the second exercise after a brief snooze, during which they were exposed to the odour while in a state called slow-wave sleep. Both groups were then tested on the original task. Much to the surprise of the researchers, the sleep group performed significantly better, retaining on average 85 percent of the patterns, compared to 60 percent for those who had remained awake. —AFP

LONDON: Cooling the brain of patients who have suffered a stroke could dramatically improve their recovery, a group of Scottish doctors has said. They are joining others from across Europe who believe that inducing hypothermia in some patients can boost survival rates and reduce brain damage, the BBC revealed yesterday. Similar techniques have already been tried successfully on heart attack patients and those with birth injuries. Scientists are in Brussels today to discuss a Europe-wide trial of the technique. To date, studies have involved the body of patients being cooled using ice cold intravenous drips and cooling pads applied to the skin. This lowers the body temperature to about 35oC, just a couple of degrees below its normal level. The technique puts the body into a state of artificial hibernation, where the brain can survive with less blood supply, giving doctors vital time to treat blocked or burst blood vessels. Dr Malcolm Macleod, head of experimental neuroscience at the Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, said “Every day 1,000 Europeans die from stroke that’s one every 90 seconds - and about twice that number survive but are disabled. “Our estimates are that hypothermia might improve the outcome for more than 40,000 Europeans every year.” Dr Macleod and his Scottish team are joining a consortium of clinicians from across Europe to seek funding for a trial involving 1,500 stroke patients. Speaking for European Stroke Research Network for Hypothermia (EuroHYP), a group of European researchers from more than 20 countries, Dr Macleod added: “The preliminary evidence is all there - now it is time for Europe to act.” The European research project, which will also include hospitals in Germany, Italy and France, is being led by Professor Dr Stefan Schwab. Dr Schwab said: “We know the financial situation is difficult, but based on current evidence, the personal and economic benefits of avoiding stroke related death and disability means that the trial would pay for itself in less than a year. “As the population ages, this trial will become even more important, and a benefit of cooling demonstrated in the proposed study will set the stage for future studies with hypothermia, extending the eligibility of the treatment to even greater number of patients.” The progress of the clinicians is also reportedly being watched by those from the European Space Agency because of its possible application for the future of long distance space travel. —KUNA

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health & science

Australia clean-needle program keeping HIV at bay NEW YORK: Australia’s early and widespread use of clean-needle programs seems to have kept HIV rates among injection-drug users in check over the long term, according to a study. In 1986, several years after HIV and AIDS came to widespread attention, Australia set up publicly funded programs to provide injectiondrug users with clean needles and syringes, an attempt to prevent needle sharing and head off an epidemic of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, among drug users. In many countries, needle exchange programs allow drug users to trade in used needles for new ones, but in Australia users are simply given new ones. Libby Topp, at the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research in Darlinghurst, Australia, and other researchers found that between 1995 and 2009, the rate of HIV among participants in Australia’s needle programs held steady at around 1 percent. According to the study, reported in the journal AIDS, the pattern of infections also mirrored what is seen in the general Australian population-that is, the majority were among gay and bisexual men. “There has never been a significant, generalized outbreak of HIV among people who inject drugs in this country,” Topp said. “What our results show is that in a country where needle and syringe programs were introduced early and on a widespread basis, HIV transmission never became a problem among injectors.” Topp told Reuters Health in an email that, based on other research, the 1 percent HIV rate is true of all injection-drug users in Australia, and not only those who use the needle and syringe programs. By contrast, an estimated 16 percent of injection-drug users in the United States are living with HIV, while in Russia that figure is 37 percent. Clean-needle and needleexchange programs have always been controversial, with opponents arguing that they sustain people’s additions and sent the wrong message about drug use. Advocates of the programs, including many public-health and HIV experts, point to studies showing that needle and syringe programs can cut HIV transmission-such as

GE Healthcare Highlights Innovative Breast Cancer Imaging Technology Arab Health 2011

DANGBO: This is a Wednesday Jan. 27, 2010 file photo of French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy as she talks with a nun doctor at the hospital “Auberge de l’Amour Redempteur” in Dangbo, Benin. Carla BruniSarkozy was on a two-day visit to Benin as ambassador of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. —AP a 2004 review by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that concluded there is “compelling evidence” the programs reduce HIV infection. In 2009, the United States repealed a ban on federal funding for needle programs, though some cities have long had their own programs. “Every time an injector infected with HIV shares contaminated equipment with another person, there is a chance that they will pass on their infection,” Topp said. “Clearly then, every injection undertaken with clean equipment completely prevents that transmission risk. So it is never too late to establish needle and syringe programs. In the United States, people infected with HIV through injection-drug use accounted for 19 percent of the 1.1 million US citizens liing with HIV in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). —Reuters

KUWAIT: GE Healthcare, a pioneer in digital mammography, highlights an innovative technology to aid in breast cancer diagnosis, at Arab Health 2011, the world’s second largest healthcare exhibition being held until January 27 at the Dubai International Convention Center. GE Healthcare’s new SenoBright1 Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) technology is designed to allow a physician to image blood flow through angiography of the breast using a contrast agent and a dual energy acquisition technique. Contrast agents can be used to highlight angiogenesis, the growth of small blood vessel resulting in unusually high blood flow, and potentially related to the presence of cancer. In addition to typical mammography images that show breast tissue density, CESM technology is designed to provide doctors with images of contrast uptake, which may indicate angiogenesis. Working like the multiple-flash, red-eye reduction function in a digital camera, SenoBright uses X-rays at multiple energies to create two separate exposures. These resulting images specifically illuminate and highlight areas where there is contrast uptake and potentially angiogenesis. “CESM presents two images, one that looks like mammography images and a second with additional functional information. As the images are familiar, it can therefore be easily reviewed by surgeons and oncologists. Moreover in terms of workflow, a CESM exam takes from 5 to 10 minutes,” said Dr. Clarisse Dromain, Gustave Roussy Cancer Institute, France. The diagnostic challenge Standard mammography images only tissue densities, while SenoBright has been designed to produce an image that also maps contrast uptake, adding the functional information to the conventional standard tissue density information of mammography. Results often are inconclusive, requiring follow-up examinations. If a SenoBright exam is the preferred follow-up, the patient receives an intravenous injection of standard iodine contrast agent, and after two minutes for the contrast agent to circulate through the bloodstream will undergoes a five-

minute digital mammography exam. CESM images are acquired in familiar mammography views so that that they can be correlated with standard results, facilitating interpretation by radiologists, and easing communication with other specialists like surgeons or oncologists. “Worldwide, more than 1.2 million people annually are diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 1965, GE Healthcare has made significant progress in providing solutions for breast cancer detection and diagnosis that really bring a change to people’s lives. Today through ‘healthymagination’, we continuously develop innovations to reduce costs, increase access and improve quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery around the globe,” said Aziz Koleilat, General Manager, GE Healthcare for the Middle East region. “GE Healthcare is pleased to highlight such advanced breast imaging technologies like SenoBright, the result of over 10 years and $12 million investment of research and clinical collaborations.” The CESM product development was carried out in collaboration between GE Healthcare and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). The goal of the joint research program is to develop new and innovative technologies for aiding in the diagnosis of breast cancer using the latest developments in digital mammography. Dr. Tidu Maini, Science and Technology Advisor to Her Highness, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned, and Executive Chairman of Qatar Science & Technology Park, said: “Our collaboration with GE Healthcare is a step towards making Qatar a global medical innovator while delivering real health benefits for the local community.” Same staff, same equipment - same day SenoBright is intended to allow for a procedure to be conducted by the same staff, using the same mammography equipment, potentially on the same day as the exam, thereby enabling medical professionals to cut the critical time patients often have to wait from detection to diagnosis. “Given our proven history of breast imaging innovations, GE is proud to showcase another innovative technology, designed to be compati-

ble with our digital installed base. We are one of the only companies today to engineer and manufacture the entire mammography imaging chain from tube, and detector to review workstation, coupled with integration of the comprehensive local requirements for each customer,” said David Caumartin, GE Healthcare’s General Manager Mammography. “SenoBright is likely to be a key enabler of accelerated patient workflow from diagnostics to treatment planning. It is enhancing the widely accepted technology of digital mammography by adding the functional information in order to detect angiogenesis.” Clarity of results Digital mammography is considered a relevant means of breast cancer screening, delivering proven clinical outcomes. The sensitivity and specificity of images can, however, be affected by a range of factors. Dense breast tissue can overlap with lesions, which are not always visible on an X-ray, and radiologists’ interpretation of images can vary. Inconclusive digital mammography presents a range of challenges to healthcare professionals and patients. Ambiguity can result in diagnostic error. “The addition of intravenous contrast to mammography gives us the possibility to obtain information that was not previously provided by a conventional mammogram,” said Dr. David Dershaw, Attending Radiologist and Emertus Director, Breast Imaging at Memorial SloanKettering Cancer Center, USA. “CESM can provide additional functional information which benefits patient workflow, especially where accessibility is an issue.” CESM technology is intended to work as an upgrade to GE Healthcare’s Senographe DS and Senographe Essential digital mammography equipment and will be compatible with 3,700 systems worldwide. GE’s Senographe platforms are full-field digital mammography systems designed to meet clinical needs, from screening to diagnostic and interventional procedures and are designed for future advanced applications. GE Healthcare, a Platinum Sponsor of Arab Health 2011, is showcasing its innovative technologies, services and solutions at its pavilion, in Hall No 4, G30.

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Al-Sharq Weekly holds annual commemoration ceremony

l-Sharq weekly held its annual ceremony to commemorate artists for eﬀorts they made locally throughout the previous year, which was attended by various activists, public personalities and other dignitaries. The event was sponsored by Sheikh Mubarak Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, who asserted in a speech on the importance of acknowledging the eﬀorts and of local activists in order to support their creative approach and for it to set an example that can be followed by more people which eventually would contribute to the nation’s development process.

Meanwhile, Fawaz AlShemmary, editor-in-chief of AlSharq weekly reiterated that acknowledging the eﬀorts of the commemorated artists is the “least that can be done for the great contribution they gave to the country”. Dr. Hind Al-Shoumar spoke on behalf of the commemorated artists, by expressing gratitude for this “generous gesture”, acknowledging at the same time the role of this annual event in “reﬂecting appreciation to improving human development that forms the most essential aspect of a nation’s development process”.

British Academy of Sport soccer course

he British Academy of Sport NISSAN Soccer Course is taking place every Saturday morning from 0900-1100 at the superb new astroturf football centre in Salwa 1. Children as young as three years of age are accepted into the programme, where specialist coaches from the P.G.A./Everton F.C. provide structured, fun ﬁlled activities to develop techniques and teamplay. All the children receive individual attention, praise and encouragement. The course is kindly sponsored by NISSAN and certiﬁcates of achievement and medals are presented to all participants on completion of the course. For further details contact BAS Administrator, Aisha, on 25623604 ext.131 or Mike on 55117261

British ambassador visits ESF

he British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker and Mrs Baker recently visited The English School Fahaheel. The English School Fahaheel was founded in 1968 by a group of expatriate parents under the guidance of the incumbent British Consul. ESF has been providing an excellent standard of education to expats in Kuwait for over 40 years. Ambassador Baker and Mrs Baker were received by the Chairman and owner of ESF Ibrahim Shuhaiber, Vice Chairman Jasmin Shuhaiber, Heads of Departments and Senior management at the school. Baker, Mrs Baker and Chairman of the British Business Forum Paul Mc Kay accompanied by ESF Chairman and Heads attended the morning assembly during which the British National anthem and the Kuwait National Anthem were played. Students were honoured by the presence of Baker at the school. The Chairman accompanied by Vice Chairman, Head of Marketing and PR Adeeb Shuhaiber and heads then invited Ambassador Baker, Mrs Baker and Mc Kay on a tour of the modern premises during which the rich history of ESF since 1968 was introduced to the guests. Baker and Mrs Baker enjoyed visiting the school and spoke to staff and students dur-

ing the course of their tour. A special Upper school Art Exhibit was inaugurated to mark this special visit at The ESF Gallery. At the end of the tour Baker, Mrs Baker and Mc Kay were invited for refreshments along with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Senior Management and Department Heads.

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

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Embassy Information EMBASSY OF BANGLADESH The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait has taken up an initiative to update the database of Bangladesh nationals residing in the State of Kuwait. For inclusion in the database all the Bangladesh nationals are requested to collect the Registration Form from the Labour Wing of the Embassy. The forms can also be collected sending request to bdoot@kems.net e-mail address. The filled-in forms can also be submit-

Crowne Plaza hosts gala dinner

ambassadors, the members and the guests of the Chaine Des Rotisseurs had a great gala dinner, where Japanese and Italian dishes alternated through the very delicious and innovative 7 course menu. The kitchen artist and winner of 7 gold

ultaqa Al Shaab’s Viaggio and Sakura restaurants under the management of the Crowne Plaza Kuwait hosted the Chaine Des Rotisseurs for a gala dinner on 15 January 2011. In the presence of the Indian and Romanian

medals created the most beautiful and eye catching arrangements out of chocolate on tables and dishes. It was a true gourmet dinner that impressed all the attendees. Viaggio Italian restaurant is now open to the public for dining.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakel St., Block 4 in Daíaiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. Canada offers a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that Consular Officials can contact and assist Canadians in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform Canadians of a family emergency at home. The Embassy of Canada encourages all Canadian Citizens to register online through the Government of Canada Travel Website at www.voyage.gc.ca. The Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi provides visa and immigration services to residents of Kuwait. Individuals who are interested in visiting, working or immigrating to Canada are EMBASSY OF INDIA On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, a flag hoisting ceremony will be held at the Embassy of India premises at 9 am on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. This will be followed by the reading of the message of the President of India by the ambassador, singing of patriotic songs by Indian school children, and an Open House reception. All Indian nationals in Kuwait are cordially invited to attend the ceremony. ●●●

J.C. Butler & Sim Whatley

Dubizzle.com now in Kuwait

s part of its regional expansion Dubizzle is now available in Kuwait; The site and listings are available in Arabic, French and English. Dubizzle the UAE’s largest free classifieds and community website, is now available in Kuwait. In its recent expansion, totaling 14 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, Dubizzle recognized Kuwait as a key market to provide users with a portal to buy, sell, or find anything quickly and easily. The site contains an extensive classifieds section, property for rent/sale, job opportunities, a wide range of automotive listings and a variety of other useful and interactive pages. Dubizzle is free for the end-user and employs rigorous processes to help protect users from fraud. Launched in August 2005, Dubizzle became the UAE’s leading online classifieds and community portal. Today there are over 1 million unique visitors and more than 45 million page views on a monthly basis and increasing. With continued user-based improvements, the site is easy to navigate with simple steps to list or search for ads. Dubizzle is also available in Arabic, English and French giving each listing three times more viewing opportunity within the Kuwaiti community. “We’re very proud of the way Dubizzle has grown in the last few years and Kuwait is a great new market for us. It is a country with a lot of opportunities and we will be reaching out to the Kuwaiti community through our site,” explained Sim Whatley, co-Founder of Dubizzle. An idea that sparked out of necessity, Dubizzle was created by entrepreneurs J.C Butler and Sim Whatley. They ventured to the UAE looking for great jobs, instead they decided to create something on their own, and made Dubizzle a household name. With the expansion of Dubizzle in size and geography, the team which started out with two, has grown to 40 and continues to grow in 2011. J.C. Butler, co-Founder of Dubizzle.com said, “One of the key components to Dubizzle’s success is its people. We pride ourselves on the brilliant and eclectic team that we have assembled and the impassioned new members we continue to attract”.

Tulukoota Kuwait management committee meets Indian ambassador

ulukoota Kuwait Managing Committee 2011 had its ﬁrst meeting with Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra on Thursday 13th January 2011. The visiting committee members expressed sincere gratitude to Ajai Malhotra for his great leadership and support to the Indian community and also acknowledged the overwhelming support received by Tulukoota Kuwait during its

Decennial celebrations. The committee members also presented to Ajai Malhotra Tulukoota Kuwait calendar of events and plans for 2011. The Indian Ambassador congratulated the committee members on their new position, and also expressed great appreciation towards the community welfare activities being carried out by Tulukoota Kuwait. Tulukoota Kuwait Calendar of

Events for 2011 Family picnic - March 4th 2011 Rasamanjari April - 29th 2011 Tuluparba Competitions October 14th 2011 Tuluparba - October 28th 2011 TKK AGM - December 16th 2011 For TKK membership renewals and new memberships contact P.R.0 Mr. Chandrahasa Shetty -55941955

EMBASSY OF THE US

Arpan elects office-bearers for 2011

Birthday Greetings

o dear Nixon. Wish you many many happy returns of the day. From Joby, Riyas and Vejesh.

The Embassy of India has further revamped and improved its Legal Advice Clinic at the Indian Workers Welfare Center, and made the free service available to Indian nationals on all five working days, i.e. from Sunday to Thursday every week. Kuwaiti lawyers would be available at the Legal Advice Clinic daily from Monday to Thursday, while Indian lawyers would be available on Sundays. Following are the free welfare services provided at the Indian Workers Welfare Center located at the Embassy of India: [i] 24x7 Helpline for Domestic Workers: Accessible by toll free telephone no. 25674163 from anywhere in Kuwait, it provides information and advice exclusively to Indian domestic sector workers (Visa No. 20) as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters. [ii] Help Desk: It offers guidance to Indian nationals on routine immigration, employment, legal, and other issues (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iii) Labour Complaints Desk: It registers labor complaints and provides grievance redressal service to Indian workers (Embassy premises; 9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4.30 PM, Sunday to Thursday); (iv) Shelters: For female and male domestic workers in distress; (v) Legal Advice Clinic: Provides free legal advice to Indian nationals (Embassy premises; Kuwaiti lawyers 3 PM to 5 PM, Monday to Thursday; Indian lawyers 2 PM to 4 PM on Sunday); and (vi) Attestation of Work Contracts: Private sector worker (Visa No. 18) contracts are accepted at the Embassy; 9 AM to 1 PM; Sunday to Thursday; Domestic sector worker (Visa No. 20) con-

rpan Kuwait, a socio-cultural organization of Indian expatriates, held its annual general body meeting recently and elected office-bearers for the year 2011. The meeting also reviewed the activities of the year 2010 and approved the annual report and financial report pending final auditing. The outgoing president Dr Radhakrishna Panikker in his farewell speech outlined the achievements of Arpan in the last 12 years. The newly-elected office-bearers: President -Krishnan K Pillai, Vice President-Mohandas Edappal, General Secretary-Sajeev K Peter, Treasurer Venkatakrishnan N S, Joint Treasurer Raghav P V V, Joint Secretary Ramamoorthi Ramaswami, Joint Secretary-Satheesh Prabhakaran, PRO K. Nagarajan and cultural secretarySam C Vilanilam. Executive members: A R Subbaraman, K Mahadevan, Anil Kumar Das, Krishna Iyer Mohan, Anil Viruvil, Anil Attuva, Siddhartan Kuttath, M.R. Sreenath, Sajeevan Chengara, Subbaramanian KV and Milan Nair. Advisory

board: P A Menon(chairman)and members Dr Radhakrishna Panicker and Suresh K Priyadarsan. Ladies wing: Rajeshwari subbaraman - Convener, Kala Mohan - Joint convener and Sowmya Venkat -joint convener. Members: Laskhmi Anildas, Preetha Satheesh, Sreeja Sajeevan, Vidhya Raghav, Manju Sreenath, Latha Mahadevan, Sheela Suresh and Sandhya Anil.

The United States Department of State announces the increase in various visa fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the increasing cost of processing nonimmigrant visas (NIVs). US law requires the Department to recover the cost of processing non-immigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. The increased fees are to take effect June 4, 2010. Under the new rule, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150, as each of the below categories requires a review of extensive documentation and a more in-depth interview of the applicant than other categories, such as tourists. These categories include: H visa for temporary workers and trainees L visa for intra-company transferees O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors R visa for religious occupations The application fee for K visas for EMBASSY OF VIETNAM The Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the State of Kuwait has the honor to inform that the Embassy remains close from Monday 31st January to Monday 7th February, 2011 for its Tet Holidays ( Traditional Lunar New Year Holidays). The Embassy will resume its normal work on Tuesday 8th February, 2011.

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Years

00:00 01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

The Ellen Degeneres Show Good Morning America Alias Dollhouse The Closer Good Morning America Parenthood Survivor: Nicaragua The Ellen Degeneres Show My Generation Survivor: Nicaragua The Closer Parenthood Live Good Morning America My Generation The Ellen Degeneres Show The Closer In Plain Sight Lie To Me Alias Dollhouse

00:50 Untamed & Uncut 01:45 Air Jaws 2 02:40 Dogs 101 03:35 Incredible Journeys with Steve Leonard 04:30 I’m Alive 05:25 Human Prey 06:20 Untamed & Uncut 07:10 Cats of Claw Hill 07:35 Cats of Claw Hill 08:00 Meerkat Manor 08:25 Night 08:50 Corwin’s Quest 09:40 Breed All About It 10:10 Project Puppy 10:35 Project Puppy 11:05 Almost Human with Jane Goodall 12:00 Animal Precinct 12:55 Wildlife SOS 13:20 Wildlife SOS 13:50 Animal Cops Houston 14:45 SSPCA: On the Wildside 15:10 Vet on the Loose 15:40 Chimp Family Fortunes 16:30 Breed All About It 17:00 Night 17:30 Baby Planet 18:25 Animal Crackers 18:50 Animal Crackers 19:20 Incredible Journeys with Steve Leonard 20:15 Escape to Chimp Eden 20:40 The Snake Buster 21:10 Dogs 101 22:05 Weird Creatures with Nick Baker 23:00 K9 Cops 23:55 Sharkbite Summer

00:30 01:15 01:45 02:30 03:20 03:50 04:25 04:40 05:00 05:20 05:40 05:55 06:10 06:30 06:50 07:10 07:20 07:25 07:40 08:00 08:20 08:40 08:50 08:55 09:10 09:30 09:50 10:10 10:20

Live At The Apollo Dinnerladies The Weakest Link Holby City Eastenders Dinnerladies Gigglebiz Balamory Tweenies Fimbles The Large Family Gigglebiz Balamory Tweenies Fimbles The Large Family The Adventures Of Spot Gigglebiz Balamory Tweenies Fimbles The Large Family The Adventures Of Spot Gigglebiz Balamory Tweenies Fimbles The Large Family The Adventures Of Spot

10:25 10:40 11:10 11:40 12:25 13:15 13:45 14:15 15:10 15:40 16:10 16:40 17:30 18:15 18:45 19:15 20:10 21:00 21:45 22:15 22:45 23:40

00:05 00:30 01:20 01:40 02:30 03:20 04:10 04:55 05:40 06:05 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:05 08:40 09:25 10:10 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:50 13:35 14:20 14:45 15:10 15:40 16:10 16:30 17:20 18:05 18:50 19:15 19:40 20:30 21:20 22:10 22:55 23:40

Gigglebiz Dinnerladies Dinnerladies The Weakest Link Bleak House Doctors Eastenders Holby City Dinnerladies Dinnerladies Dinnerladies Bleak House The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Bleak House The Weakest Link Doctors Eastenders Holby City Desperate Romantics

New Scandinavian Cooking Celebrity Masterchef Cash In The Attic USA Come Dine With Me Come Dine With Me The Home Show Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt New Scandinavian Cooking New Scandinavian Cooking Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge 10 Years Younger Daily Cooks Challenge 10 Years Younger Cash In The Attic Antiques Roadshow Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge The Home Show Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt New Scandinavian Cooking New Scandinavian Cooking Daily Cooks Challenge Daily Cooks Challenge Cash In The Attic USA The Home Show Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt New Scandinavian Cooking New Scandinavian Cooking Come Dine With Me Come Dine With Me The Home Show Cash In The Attic Bargain Hunt Beachcomber Cottage

00:15 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 00:40 Chowder 01:05 Cow And Chicken 01:30 Cramp Twins 01:55 George Of The Jungle 02:20 Adrenalini Brothers 02:45 Eliot Kid 03:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 03:35 Ben 10: Alien Force 04:00 The Powerpuﬀ Girls 04:15 Camp Lazlo 04:40 The Secret Saturdays 05:05 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 05:30 Ben 10 05:55 Best Ed 06:20 Samurai Jack 06:45 Cramp Twins 07:10 Eliot Kid 07:35 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 08:00 Codename: Kids Next Door 08:25 Cow And Chicken 08:50 Best Ed 09:15 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 09:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 10:05 The Secret Saturdays 10:30 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 10:55 The Powerpuﬀ Girls 11:20 Robotboy 11:30 The Life And Times Of Juniper

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

TV PROGRAMS Lee 11:55 Ben 10 12:20 Chowder 12:45 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 13:10 Camp Lazlo 13:35 George Of The Jungle 14:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 14:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 14:50 Ben 10 15:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 15:40 Squirrel Boy 16:05 Eliot Kid 16:35 Casper’s Scare School 17:00 Cow And Chicken 17:25 Chop Socky Chooks 17:50 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 18:15 The Secret Saturdays 18:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:05 Hero 108 19:30 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 20:00 Batman: The Brave And The Bold 20:25 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 20:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 21:05 The Powerpuﬀ Girls 21:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 21:45 Ben 10: Alien Force 22:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 22:35 Robotboy 23:00 Camp Lazlo 23:25 Samurai Jack

01:00 Fascination-18 03:00 Che Part One: The ArgentinePG15 05:15 Mrs Brown-PG15 07:15 Sins Of The Mother-PG15 09:00 Escape To Victory-PG15 11:00 45 R.P.M.-PG15 13:00 Meet Bill-PG15 14:30 Shadows In The Sun-PG15 16:00 Eva-PG15 18:00 The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button-PG15 21:00 Husbands And Wives-18 23:00 Female Agents-18

00:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson 01:00 Backstory 01:30 World Sport 02:00 World Report 04:00 World Business Today 05:00 The Situation Room 06:00 Anderson Cooper 360 07:00 World Sport 07:30 World View 08:00 World Report 08:30 Backstory 09:00 World Report 11:00 World Sport 11:30 Inside Africa 12:00 World Business Today 13:00 Larry King Live 14:00 World Report 14:30 World Sport 15:00 World Report 15:30 News Special 16:00 News Stream 17:00 World Business Today 18:00 International Desk 19:00 The Brief 19:30 World Sport 20:00 Prism 21:00 International Desk 21:30 News Special 22:00 Quest Means Business 23:00 World One

00:40 01:35 02:30 03:25 04:20 05:15 05:40

Everybodyʼs Fine on Show Movies

Overhaulin’ Dirty Jobs River Monsters Extreme Explosions Mythbusters How Do They Do It? How It’s Made

06:05 Dirty Jobs 07:00 Extreme Explosions 07:50 American Chopper 08:45 How Do They Do It? 09:10 How It’s Made 09:40 Mythbusters 10:30 Cake Boss 10:55 Border Security 11:25 Overhaulin’ 12:20 Ultimate Survival 13:15 Mythbusters 14:10 Miami Ink 15:05 Dirty Jobs 16:00 Overhaulin’ 16:55 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Mythbusters 18:45 Cake Boss 19:10 Border Security 19:40 The Gadget Show 20:05 How Do They Do It? 20:35 How It’s Made 21:00 Miami Ink 21:55 La Ink 22:50 Police Women Of Maricopa County 23:45 Ross Kemp On Gangs

00:40 Nyc: Inside Out 01:30 The Gadget Show 01:55 The Future Of... 02:45 Mighty Ships 03:35 Kings Of Construction 04:25 How Does That Work? 04:50 Junkyard Mega-Wars 05:45 Robotica 06:40 Weird Connections 07:10 Nextworld 08:00 Scrapheap Challenge 08:55 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 09:50 Mighty Ships 10:45 Stuntdawgs 11:10 The Gadget Show 11:40 Nextworld 12:30 How Stuﬀ’s Made 12:55 Scrapheap Challenge 13:45 Weird Connections 14:15 Mighty Ships 15:05 Kings Of Construction 15:55 Savage Planet 16:20 The Future Of... 17:10 Nyc: Inside Out 18:00 The Gadget Show 18:25 How Does That Work? 18:50 Brainiac 19:40 Ecopolis 20:30 Discovery Project Earth 21:20 How It’s Made 21:45 The Gadget Show 22:10 Perfect Disaster 23:00 Ecopolis 23:50 Discovery Project Earth

00:00 Jonas 00:20 Wizards Of Waverly Place 00:45 Suite Life On Deck 01:10 Fairly Odd Parents 01:35 Replacements 02:00 Phineas & Ferb 02:25 Little Einsteins 02:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Y1 (Cema) 03:10 Handy Manny 03:35 Lazytown 04:00 Jonas 04:25 Suite Life On Deck 04:50 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:15 Hannah Montana 05:40 Sonny With A Chance 06:00 Higglytown Heroes 06:10 My Friends Tigger And Pooh 06:35 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:20 Lazytown 07:45 Lazytown 08:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:00 Handy Manny 09:25 Special Agent Oso 09:45 Brandy & Mr Whiskers 10:10 Fairly Odd Parents 10:35 Hannah Montana 11:00 I Got A Rocket 11:25 Wizards Of Waverly Place 11:45 Phineas & Ferb 12:10 Suite Life On Deck 12:35 Replacements 12:55 American Dragon 13:20 Kim Possible 13:40 Famous Five 14:05 Fairly Odd Parents 14:30 Phineas & Ferb 14:55 Replacements 15:15 I Got A Rocket 15:40 Wizards Of Waverly Place 16:00 Hannah Montana 16:25 Sonny With A Chance 16:45 Fairly Odd Parents 17:10 Phineas & Ferb 17:35 Suite Life On Deck 18:00 Wizards Of Waverly Place 18:25 Hannah Montana 18:45 The Replacements Splits 19:00 Jonas 19:25 Suite Life On Deck 19:50 Wizards Of Waverly Place 20:15 Sonny With A Chance 20:40 Hannah Montana 21:05 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 21:30 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 21:50 The Replacements Splits 22:00 American Dragon 22:25 Kim Possible 22:50 Famous Five 23:15 Fairly Odd Parents 23:35 Phineas & Ferb

07:00 Kid Vs Kat 07:25 Kick Buttowski 07:50 Pokemon 08:15 Phineas & Ferb 08:40 Phineas & Ferb 09:05 Kick Buttowski 09:30 American Dragon 09:55 Have A Laugh 10:00 Zeke & Luther 10:25 Zeke & Luther 10:50 I’m In The Band 11:15 The Super Hero Squad Show 11:40 Suite Life On Deck 12:05 Suite Life On Deck 12:30 Escape From Scorpion Island (Cema) 13:00 Phineas & Ferb 13:30 Phineas & Ferb 13:55 Have A Laugh 14:00 Kid Vs Kat 14:30 Kid Vs Kat 15:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 15:25 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody

15:50 Zeke & Luther 16:15 Suite Life On Deck 16:40 Have A Laugh 16:45 Kick Buttowski 17:15 I’m In The Band 17:40 Suite Life On Deck 18:05 Zeke & Luther 18:30 Zeke & Luther 18:55 Phineas & Ferb 19:20 Phineas & Ferb 19:45 Escape From Scorpion Island (Cema) 20:10 Pokemon 20:35 American Dragon 21:00 Aaron Stone 21:30 Kid Vs Kat 22:00 Phineas & Ferb 22:25 I’m In The Band 22:55 Suite Life On Deck 23:20 The Super Hero Squad Show

00:15 Kendra 00:40 The Soup 01:05 Chelsea Lately 01:30 15 Remarkable Celebrity Body Bouncebacks 03:15 Extreme Hollywood 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties 05:30 Streets Of Hollywood 06:00 15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies 07:45 Behind The Scenes 08:10 Behind The Scenes 08:35 E! News 09:25 Giuliana And Bill 10:15 Ths 11:05 Ths 12:00 E! News 12:50 Extreme Close-Up 13:15 Extreme Close-Up 13:40 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami 14:05 Kendra 14:30 Ths 15:25 101 Favorite Stars Way Back When 16:15 Behind The Scenes 16:40 Behind The Scenes 17:10 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami 17:35 Fashion Police 18:00 E! News 18:50 Extreme Close-Up 19:15 Extreme Close-Up 19:40 E!es 20:30 Style Star 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:20 Then And Now 21:45 Then And Now 22:10 E! News 23:00 Chelsea Lately 23:25 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 23:50 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami

00:00 00:25 00:50 01:15 01:40 02:30 03:20 03:45 04:10 04:35 05:00 05:50 06:40 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:25 Race 09:50 10:15 11:05 11:55 12:20 12:45 13:10 13:35 14:00 14:25 15:15 16:05 16:30 16:55 17:20 17:45 18:10 Race 18:35 19:00 19:50 20:40 21:05 21:30 21:55 22:20 23:10

Glutton For Punishment Glutton For Punishment Sports Jobs Sports Jobs Fight Girls World Combat League Sports Jobs Sports Jobs Glutton For Punishment Glutton For Punishment Carpocalypse Fight Girls World Combat League IEX 2009 IEX 2009 IEX 2009 Kenny Belaey’s Big Time Saab Salomon Mountain XBMX Masters 2010 Light The Wick X Games 16 2010 Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Untracked Untracked Sports Jobs Sports Jobs Fight Girls World Combat League Fantasy Factory Fantasy Factory Untracked Untracked Kenny Belaey’s Big Time Saab Salomon Mountain XBMX Masters 2010 Light The Wick X Games 16 2010 Untracked Untracked Sports Jobs Sports Jobs Carpocalypse World Combat League

00:00 Throwdown with Bobby Flay 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:00 Chopped 02:00 Ten Dollar Dinners 02:30 Tyler’s Ultimate 03:00 Ultimate Recipe Showdown 04:00 Barefoot Contessa 04:30 Unwrapped 05:00 Iron Chef America 06:00 Good Eats - Special 06:30 Guys Big Bite 07:00 Chopped 08:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 08:25 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 08:50 Guys Big Bite 09:15 Barefoot Contessa 09:40 Everyday Italian 10:05 Ten Dollar Dinners 10:30 Tyler’s Ultimate 11:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 11:30 Barefoot Contessa 12:00 Unwrapped 12:30 Paula’s Party 13:30 Good Eats - Special 14:00 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 14:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 15:00 Barefoot Contessa 15:30 Everyday Italian 16:00 Ten Dollar Dinners 16:30 Guys Big Bite 17:00 Chopped 18:00 Barefoot Contessa

Love Happens on Super Movies 18:30 Unwrapped 19:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 Good Eats - Special 20:30 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 21:00 Iron Chef America 22:00 Barefoot Contessa 22:30 Everyday Italian 23:00 Chopped

00:00 Dolan’s Cadillac-PG15 02:00 Everybody’s Fine-PG15 04:00 Morning Light-PG 05:45 The Express-PG 08:00 Up-FAM 10:00 It Might Get Loud-PG15 12:00 Everybody’s Fine-PG15 14:00 Cairo Time-PG15 16:00 Up-FAM 18:00 My Life In Ruins-PG15 20:00 Man On Wire-PG15 22:00 Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time-PG15

01:00 03:15 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 PG15 23:00

Se7en-18 Rec-R It’s Alive-R Serbian Scars-PG15 Dragonball: Evolution-PG Gran Torino-PG15 The Snow Walker-PG15 Dragonball: Evolution-PG Gone In Sixty Seconds-PG15 Tears Of The Sun-18 The Fast And The Furious-

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Swing Vote-PG15 Patch Adams-PG15 Imagine That-PG Cop And A Half-PG15 My Fake Fiance-PG15 America’s Sweethearts-PG15 The Wedding Singer-PG15 Exterminators-PG15 Swing Vote-PG15 New York City Serenade-PG15 Mean Girls-PG15 Undead Or Alive-18

Dark Island-PG15

00:00 Scruﬀ Cinderella’s CarnivalFAM 02:00 Madagascar 2-PG 04:00 Dark Crystal-PG 06:00 Au Pair 3: Adventure In Paradise-PG 08:00 Elias And The Royal Yacht-FAM 10:00 Dark Crystal-PG 12:00 The Thief Of Baghdad-PG 14:00 Madagascar 2-PG 16:00 Hotel For Dogs-FAM 18:00 Hua Mulan-PG 20:00 Legend Of Sleeping BeautyPG 22:00 The Thief Of Baghdad-PG

00:40 01:30 02:20 03:10 04:00 04:50 05:45 06:15 07:10 08:00 08:50 09:40 10:30 10:55 11:20 12:10 13:00

Dr G: Medical Examiner The Haunted A Haunting Ripped From The Headlines FBI Case Files Dr G: Medical Examiner Crime Scene Psychics The Haunted Mystery Diagnosis Forensic Detectives Solved Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Disappeared FBI Files On The Case With Paula Zahn

13:50 14:40 15:30 15:55 16:20 17:10 18:00 18:50 19:40 20:30 20:55 21:20 22:10 23:00 Jones 23:50

Undercover Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls Disappeared Forensic Detectives Solved FBI Files Mystery Diagnosis Real Emergency Calls Real Emergency Calls On The Case With Paula Zahn Undercover True Crime With Aphrodite Solved

00:00 Goals On Monday 01:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 02:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 02:30 Spirit of a Champion 03:00 Spirit of a Champion 03:30 Spirit of a Champion 04:00 Spirit of a Champion 04:30 European Challenge Cup 06:30 Brazil League Highlights 07:00 Goals On Monday 08:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 08:30 Futbol Mundial 09:00 ICC Cricket World 09:30 Scottish Premier League 11:30 Extreme Sailing Series 12:00 Goals On Monday 13:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 13:30 European Challenge Cup 15:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 16:30 Scottish Premier League 18:30 Pool World Cup 19:30 Goals On Monday 20:30 Brazil League Highlights 21:00 Futbol Mundial 21:30 Extreme Sailing Series 22:00 ICC Cricket World 22:30 European Challenge Cup

00:30 World Hockey 01:00 ICC Cricket World 01:30 Squash PSA Super Series 03:00 Goals On Monday 04:00 Scottish Premier League Highlights 04:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 05:30 ICC Cricket World 06:00 Pool World Cup 07:00 PGA European Tour Highlights 08:00 Extreme Sailing Series 08:30 European Challenge Cup 10:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 11:00 World Hockey 11:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 12:30 Pool World Cup 13:30 Dubai Int’l Horse Racing Carnival 17:30 PGA European Tour Highlights 18:30 European Challenge Cup 20:30 Spirit of A Champion 22:00 Spirit of A Champion 22:30 Brazil League Highlights 23:00 Futbol Mundial 23:30 PGA European Tour Highlights

00:00 UFC Fight For The Troops 03:00 FIA GT1 World Championship 04:30 FIM World Cup 05:00 UFC Unleashed 06:00 UFC Unleashed 07:00 WWE NXT 08:00 WWE SmackDown 10:00 Full Throttle 10:30 FIA GT1 World Championship 12:00 WWE Bottom Line 13:00 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge

14:00 15:00 16:00 17:30 18:00 19:00 21:00

Red Bull X-Fighters UAE National Race Day FIA GT1 World Championship FIM World Cup WWE Bottom Line WWE Smackdown UFC Fight For The Troops

01:00 Franklyn-PG15 03:00 The Damned United-PG15 05:00 Witness: The Kidnapping Of Patty Hearst-PG15 07:00 One Last Breath-PG15 09:00 Shorts-PG 11:00 When In Rome-PG15 13:00 It’s A Free World-PG15 15:00 April Showers-PG15 17:00 Love Happens-PG15 19:00 17 Again-PG15 21:00 Girl, Positive-PG15 23:00 Assassination Of A High School President-18

00:00 Globe Trekker 01:00 The Blue Continent 02:00 Food and Wine Special-Varun Sharma 03:00 Planet Food 04:00 Inside Luxury Travel with Varun Sharma 05:00 Globe Trekker 06:00 The Blue Continent 07:00 Great Scenic Railways-US & Canada 07:30 The Big Fish 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Inside Luxury Travel with Varun Sharma 10:00 Food and Wine Special-Varun Sharma 11:00 Culinary Asia 12:00 The Blue Continent 13:00 Globe Trekker 14:00 Culinary Asia 15:00 Taste Takes Oﬀ 15:30 Inside Luxury Travel-Varun Sharma 16:30 Flavours of Scotland 17:00 Globe Trekker 18:00 Chef Abroad 18:30 Flavours of Chile 19:00 Culinary Asia 20:00 Globe Trekker 21:00 Essential 21:30 Great Scenic Railways - 175 Years 22:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 23:00 Travel 360

00:30 MonsterQuest 01:20 Ancient Discoveries 02:10 Dogfights 03:00 Sliced 03:30 Sliced 03:55 Deep Sea Salvage 04:50 Tales of the Gun 05:40 Man Moment Machine 06:30 MonsterQuest 07:20 Ancient Discoveries 08:10 Dogfights 09:00 Sliced 09:30 Sliced 09:55 Deep Sea Salvage 10:50 Tales of the Gun 11:40 Man Moment Machine 12:30 MonsterQuest 13:20 Ancient Discoveries 14:10 Dogfights 15:00 Sliced 15:30 Sliced 15:55 Deep Sea Salvage 16:50 Tales of the Gun 17:40 Man Moment Machine 18:30 MonsterQuest 19:20 Ancient Discoveries 20:10 Dogfights 21:00 Secret Russian Aircraft of World War II 21:55 Ax Men 2 22:50 Surviving History 23:40 Life After People

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Classifieds TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available for single bachelor 1+1 basis, Salmiya, Amman street, near Community school. Please contact: 99813483. (C 3063) 25-1-2011 Sharing accommodation available at new Riggae in two bed room, two bathroom flat for singles or couples with Keralite family. Contact: 99471680. (C 3060) To let, behind Safir Intl hotel, one big room together with a small adjoining room consisting of a toilet from a 3 bedroom flat. 1 to 2 persons only. Contact: 60046720. (C 3061) 24-1-2011 Accommodation available for a bachelor with a Goan family in a C-A/C flat in Farwaniya behind Arbed buildings. Contact: 97245851. (C 3057) Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya for couple or 2 working ladies in fully furnished new CA/C bath attached spe cious room and car parking with Keralite family from March 1. Contact: 66013882. (C 3058) 23-1-2011 Required Indian bachelor to share with another bachelor in a 2 BHK with a Goan family in Kuwait city. Call 22425878 after 5 pm. (C 3056) 22-1-2011

SITUATION WANTED

FOR SALE Laptop DELL Inspiron 2.53 GHz Corei3, 8GB RAM DDR3, 320GB, HD shared graphics, 15.6” LED, DVDRW, WiFi, BT, Camera, Windows 7 Professional, Warranty 1 year. (Send all IT inquires also) warranty 1 year. Call: 66158602. Email: info@ficcoq8.com (C 3062)

25-1-2011

M.Com qualified senior Accountant with 15 years experience in Travel Industry, capable of independently finalizing Accounts, seeks suitable placement. Call: 66019422, E-mail: alamuriravikanth@yahoo.com (C 3037) 17-1-2011 CHANGE OF NAME

Household furniture like double cot, kitchen table, shelf, table, etc, and various household appliances for immediate sale at throwaway prices, expat leaving Kuwait. Contact: 66807117. (C 3055) 22-1-2011

Sri Lankan male having 20 years experience well versed in bookkeeping up to Final Accounts with all financial and banking work, computer literacy, seeks a suitable position. Please call: 66216353. (C 3021) 15-1-2011

Toyota Corolla 1.8 model 2009, color silver, km done 28000, excellent condition, cash price 3,650. Contact: 66211779. (C 3051)

Abdul Aslam Alias Ateeq, Hyderabad, India and holding Passport Z1848428 place of issue Kuwait, hereby change my name as (sir name) Ali name (Mohd Ateeq Uddin Mohammed Hussain). (C 3054) 20-1-2011

MATRIMONIAL A Pakistani Muslim well educated, wife expired, age 55, monthly income KD 400, seeking a suitable Muslim alliance widow w/o kids or unmarried educated age 30 to 40. Email: alnajah_asp@yahoo.com (C 3059) 24-1-2011

No: 14980

LOST Policy No.633003319-6 issued by the state life insurance corporation of Pakistan Gulf Zone on the life Mr. Azhar Bilal is reported to have been lost. Anyone finding the same or claiming any interest in it should communicate with the manager (PHS) state life P.O. Box No. 11278, Dubai, U.A.E within one month from this date after which no claim will be entertained.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161 In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines JZR GFA WAN THY UAE QTR DHX FDB ETD ETH JZR JZR KAC AFR JZR KAC BAW KAC FCX JZR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE KAC QTR ABY ETD GFA IRA IRA JZR MHK JZR KAC MSR JZR KAC FDB UAL SVA KAC KAC JZR QTR

Flt 267 211 306 772 853 138 370 67 305 620 529 207 544 6700 503 416 157 412 201 555 206 53 302 332 676 855 286 132 123 301 213 605 619 121 711 165 382 610 549 672 57 982 500 562 284 257 134

Arrival Flights on Tuesday 25/1/2011 Route BEIRUT BAHRAIN CAIRO ISTANBUL DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI ABU DHABI ADDIS ABABA / BAHRAIN ASSIUT DAMASCUS CAIRO PARIS LUXOR JAKARTA / KUALA LUMPUR LONDON MANILA / BANGKOK BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA ISLAMABAD DUBAI MUMBAI TRIVANDRUM DUBAI DUBAI CHITTAGONG DOHA SHARJAH ABU DHABI BAHRAIN ISFAHAN LAR BAHRAIN BAGHDAD / NAJAF DUBAI DELHI CAIRO ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DUBAI WASHINGTON DC DULLES JEDDAH AMMAN DHAKA BEIRUT DOHA

Time 0:45 1:40 1:50 2:15 2:35 2:45 2:55 3:05 3:10 3:40 3:45 3:50 4:40 4:45 5:20 6:25 6:40 6:45 7:00 7:00 7:40 7:45 7:55 8:05 8:10 8:30 8:35 9:05 9:05 9:30 9:35 9:45 10:35 11:10 11:15 11:20 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:25 13:50 14:10 14:30 14:40 14:55 15:00 15:00

KAC KAC WAN MLR ETD UAE GFA WAN SVA KAC JZR RJA JZR ABY ALK JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC WAN SIA VOS FDB OMA WAN JAI SYR MSR KAC DHX GFA WAN MEA QTR UAE KLM IAC JZR MSR RBG JZR UAL DLH

746 546 304 403 303 857 215 402 510 80 213 800 239 127 227 177 542 618 786 614 674 166 104 774 552 642 458 93 61 647 612 572 341 618 512 372 217 104 402 136 859 443 981 157 612 3553 135 981 636

ABU DHABI / DAMMAM ALEXANDRIA CAIRO COLOMBO / DUBAI ABU DHABI DUBAI BAHRAIN BEIRUT RIYADH AL AIN DEIREZZOR AMMAN AMMAN SHARJAH COLOMBO / DUBAI DUBAI CAIRO DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI PARIS / ROME LONDON RIYADH DAMASCUS VIENNA SINGAPORE / ABU DHABI KANDAHAR / DUBAI DUBAI MUSCAT ISTANBUL MUMBAI DAMASCUS ALEXANDRIA TEHRAN BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT DOHA DUBAI AMSTERDAM CHENNAI / AHMEDABAD / HYDERABAD DOHA CAIRO ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN BAHRAIN FRANKFURT

15:05 15:30 16:20 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:25 17:30 17:40 17:45 18:10 18:15 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:20 19:25 19:30 19:35 19:40 19:45 19:50 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:20 20:35 20:55 21:00 21:15 21:15 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:40 22:05 22:10 22:45 22:50 22:55 23:00 23:35

PIA

205

LAHORE / PESHAWER

Airlines TAR UAL IAC PIA DLH KAC THY KAC FDB UAE ETD ETH QTR DHX JZR AFR JZR RJA GFA JZR FDB KAC BAW JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD GFA IRA IRA JZR KAC KAC JZR MHK KAC KAC JZR MSR

Depatrure Flights on Tuesday 25/1/2011 Flt Route 328 DUBAI / TUNIS 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 576 GOA / CHENNAI 240 SIALKOT 637 FRANKFURT 283 DHAKA 773 ISTANBUL 381 DELHI 68 DUBAI 854 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 620 ADDIS ABABA 139 DOHA 371 BAHRAIN 548 ALEXANDRIA 6700 DUBAI / HONG KONG 164 DUBAI 803 AMMAN 212 BAHRAIN 120 BAHRAIN 54 DUBAI 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 256 BEIRUT 671 DUBAI 745 DAMMAM / ABU DHABI 561 AMMAN 101 LONDON / NEW YORK 856 DUBAI 124 SHARJAH 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 214 BAHRAIN 604 ISFAHAN 618 LAR 212 DEIREZZOR 165 ROME / PARIS 541 CAIRO 238 AMMAN 712 NAJAF / BAGHDAD 80 AL AIN 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 611 CAIRO

23:55

Time 0:25 0:45 0:50 1:10 1:30 2:40 3:15 3:30 3:45 3:50 4:00 4:25 4:55 5:45 5:45 6:30 6:55 7:00 7:15 8:20 8:25 8:50 8:55 9:00 9:00 9:05 9:20 9:35 9:40 9:45 10:00 10:20 10:20 10:45 11:35 11:45 11:45 12:00 12:10 12:30 13:30 13:40 13:50 13:55

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

KAC FDB KAC UAL KAC SVA KAC KAC KAC QTR WAN MLR ETD VOS GFA UAE RJA ABY JZR SVA ALK WAN JZR KAC FDB KAC JZR KAC OMA JAI SYR SIA MSR KAC DHX KAC GFA MEA JZR FCX QTR KLM KAC UAE JZR RBG MSR JZR KAC

551 58 673 982 617 501 613 773 511 135 103 404 304 82 216 858 801 128 156 511 228 305 134 361 62 351 528 343 648 571 342 457 619 543 373 677 218 403 206 102 137 443 301 860 502 3554 613 554 411

DAMASCUS DUBAI DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN RIYADH TEHRAN DOHA DUBAI DUBAI / COLOMBO ABU DHABI BAGHDAD BAHRAIN DUBAI AMMAN SHARJAH DOHA RIYADH DUBAI / COLOMBO CAIRO BAHRAIN COLOMBO DUBAI COCHIN ASSIUT CHENNAI MUSCAT MUMBAI DAMASCUS ABU DHABI / SINGAPORE ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BAHRAIN DUBAI / MUSCAT BAHRAIN BEIRUT DAMASCUS BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN / AMSTERDAM MUMBAI DUBAI LUXOR ALEXANDRIA CAIRO ALEXANDRIA BANGKOK / MANILA

14:20 14:35 15:10 15:25 15:35 15:45 16:20 16:25 16:25 16:30 17:05 17:40 17:40 18:00 18:05 18:10 18:15 18:25 18:30 18:35 19:10 19:15 20:05 20:20 20:50 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:35 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:15 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:50 23:00 23:35 23:45 23:45 23:55

s ta rs CROSSWORD 209

CALVIN & HOBBES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) You have the ability to create a positive from a negative and can have a constructive influence within group meetings or with authority figures. Your emotional strength today may come from your constant positive outlook as well as the positive people you enjoy having around you. Compose your thoughts and then keep moving forward. When a loved one comes to you with a problem later today, ask them first what they consider is the smart thing to do. You will be preventing an emotional overload and they will talk and find their own answer. You may find that your creative side is at a high this evening. This, along with the ability to put your thoughts into words, allows you to bewitch and transport. Good news is nearby.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

POOCH CAFE ACROSS 1. Electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field. 4. Relating to or near the radius. 10. Of southern Europe. 13. Nonresinous wood of a fir tree. 14. United States swimmer who in 1926 became the first woman to swim the English Channel (1903- ). 15. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar. 16. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 17. An outstanding Spanish cellist noted for his interpretation of Bach's cello suites (1876-1973). 18. Someone (especially a woman) who annoys people by constantly finding fault. 19. A motley assortment of things. 21. Of or relating to the songbirds n. 23. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum. 25. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members. 26. An official language of the Republic of South Africa. 29. (usually followed by `to') Having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something. 35. Verse in the meter used in Greek and Latin poetry consisting of strophes of 4 tetrametric lines. 37. A rare heavy polyvalent metallic element that resembles manganese chemically and is used in some alloys. 38. Plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery. 39. Flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes. 41. A graphical record of electrical activity of the brain. 42. Give over. 46. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind. 50. The Oceanic language spoken by the Maori people in New Zealand. 57. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments. 58. The sport of engaging in contests of speed. 61. The cry made by sheep. 62. (Irish) The sea personified. 63. Used improperly or excessively especially drugs. 64. A run that is the result of the batter's performance. 65. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism. 66. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice. 67. Of a dull grayish brown to brownish gray color. DOWN 1. (old-fashioned) At or from or to a great distance. 2. Port city that is the capital and largest city of Latvia. 3. A steep rugged rock or cliff. 4. A summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion. 5. A condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people. 6. A potent estrogen used in medicine and in feed for livestock and poultry. 7. A self-funded retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement. 8. (prefix) Indicating difference or variation. 9. A tenant who holds a lease. 10. God of fire. 11. The act of scanning. 12. Especially one side of a leaf. 20. A cord fastened around the neck with an ornamental clasp and worn as a necktie. 22. Being ten more than one hundred ninety. 24. A white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light. 27. On or toward the lee. 28. Harsh or corrosive in tone. 30. (informal) Exceptionally good. 31. A unit of length of thread or yarn. 32. A unit of weight used in east Asia approximately equal to 1.3 ounces. 33. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work. 34. An narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family. 36. A state in the Rocky Mountains. 40. Having undesirable or negative qualities. 43. The sense organ for hearing and equilibrium. 44. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group. 45. The sign language used in the United States. 47. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984). 48. The brightest star in Cygnus. 49. (Irish) Chief god of the Tuatha De Danann. 51. Fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelopes the seed. 52. Long green edible beaked pods of the okra plant. 53. Any orchid of the genus Disa. 54. A United Nations agency created to assist developing nations by loans guaranteed by member governments. 55. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools. 56. A quantity that is added. 59. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 60. A passage with access only at one end.

Yesterday’s Solution

Today you keep your positive frame of mind—consistent. You proceed through the workday with great vigor and enthusiasm. You look forward to the upcoming time when you will be able to enjoy a retreat or a weekend fling. This may be a real break away from one type of surrounding to another. You are witty, logical and reasonable and people love to gather around you. Perhaps a camping or a fishing trip can be planned soon. You look forward to listening to the birds, building a campfire and just generally hanging out. If you are married, your mate will enjoy some quiet time as well and may even come with you. Identify some common goals that you and your mate would enjoy this year and start making your plans for future trips.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) You look forward to a lecture today; however, you may not stay too long. The program teaches how to learn a new organizing system along with some time management discussions. You get some good ideas—later, you are off to meet a friend, perhaps have a late night dinner. New foods, new stores, you never saw the town this way before. All it takes is someone very charming to open those beautiful eyes of yours. There is talk of how one would survive if lost and away from civilization. Each of you has special ideas of how you would manage and much laughter, as well as thought, will go into your conversation. This is kind of like the conversation of what you would like to have with you if you were stranded on an island.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

NON SEQUITUR

You have a great deal of understanding and sensitivity to the needs of others. Your communication abilities are understood and accurate. You are on the mark when it comes to solving problems. The only negative part about today is that sometime in the afternoon you may feel blocked or frustrated by someone. Give the situation some thought and then let it go. Where you have been and what you have acquired comes into play today as you think about your future and where it may lead. Your thoughts are clear and you may even have some psychic insights for yourself and your loved ones. Stay in the moment and avoid the traps of worry, especially about things you cannot control. Make plans with your sweetheart to spend some fun time together.

Leo (July 23-August 22)

ZITS

Taking care of business is a major theme where your emotional orientation is concerned this morning. You crave organization and practicality and you want to get things accomplished. There just does not seem to be enough time in the day to do everything you set out to accomplish. You feel a love of order and law and you have an appreciation for responsibilities and duty. When there is an imbalance in the daily work, you do tend to become a bit frustrated. Not to worry, the powers that be seem to have created just enough time for you to do your fair share of the work. Any extra work and you will need to put in for overtime. When you are not busy with your head to the grindstone you are most pleasant, grateful and you love to praise others.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) If you know that your job will lead to the success you had planned for yourself, you will work long and hard. You are a smart businessperson and others look to you for answers. Today, however, you may find some sort of delay in production. An interruption could be a communication concerns. With your help, work will be productive once again. This afternoon you may want to set aside some time to find a weak link so that you can adjust, change or perform whatever duties are needed to eradicate any problems. Later you will find time to relax a bit. You could be running a newspaper or a paint shop or any other type of business where lots of people depend on your evaluation results. Energies are building for some positive changes soon.

Libra (September 23-October 22)

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM

Secondary jobs are as much a part of your life as a regular job routine. You will find some extra monetary reward or a loosening of the budget where this second job is concerned. Taking chances with your creativeness can bring big rewards for you now. You could be lecturing or writing today and you will find it easy to be creative with your words. Young people play a big part in today’s agenda. You are appreciated and admired for your thoughtful ways. You will be rewarded for your volunteer work and you may want to volunteer to help run errands or do chores for the handicapped or nursing homes. This work is satisfying and a real boost to the self-esteem. New ways to communicate will bring a lift to your physical energies. Listen to suggestions.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) If you work for a large company, you may want to influence the executives to put in an exercise room for employees. Perhaps the employees could make part of the contribution. You will be thinking along improvements in your health as much as you would be thinking about how exercise can be invigorating and a good stress relief. This is a good workday with lots of problem-solving successes. Insights and ideas come easily but may not find expression just yet. Writing out your ideas is a good way to gain a focus. There is a need to complete a task that has been long overdue for completion. After some research, you will find the answers you need. A science fiction movie could prove enjoyable tonight.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) A day of feeling blocked may spur an inventive mood—others could learn a great deal from watching your progress. For example, what if you were given a project that was beyond your expertise and you and your coworkers felt lost? Perhaps you and your co-workers could ask for some time with the appropriate instructor and achieve what is needed. After some research, perhaps in the library or by consulting with a parent company, you will find the needed information to accomplish a project. Authority figures are watching and are sure they gave the project to the right person. Do not forget your sense of humor—you can put a smile on other people’s faces. Avoid a late night party or work; young people may need your presence.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Business partnerships need work; conferences, reviews, encouraging news and plans are on the agenda now. You may wonder about the motives of someone today—you, however, could be on the right track with your thinking. Long-range and long-distance matters will be in focus. Any plans can be calibrated now. This afternoon you have time to update some personal business. You may have been thinking about the purchase of a new painting, perhaps for an investment. The cost of an appraisal is a wise choice before making a valuable and important purchase. You will have an occasion to show off your living quarters later this evening and you set aside a little time to straighten up a little and perhaps add a few candles into the mix for good smells.

Yesterday’s Solution Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Think through decisions today and you will do very well. Work, achievement and ambition mean a lot to you. You know, however, that if you stay serious for too long you could miss the funny side of life. Consider a shopping trip this afternoon. Perhaps a friend would like to accompany you. Compare prices and you will be pleased with the outcome. Progressive people and idealistic groups or concepts play a more important role in your life, as a new time begins. There is a concern for something bigger than any one person—the good of the many outweigh the needs of the few. You are coming into a time of experimenting with new concepts and putting aside the old. Perhaps, in the process of shedding the old we find the original.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)

Word Sleuth Solution

You may be extremely eloquent or forceful in talking or communicating. People will have no problem in knowing exactly what you mean when you speak. You have a deep appreciation for feelings and movement just now. You may just want to get out and about and walk or exercise. You should be clearing away old debts, resentments and paper work at this time. Anything that slows you from your goals may need adjustments. Clear thoughts about the past may take up your time today. This afternoon you can be clear in thought and communication. You will have support from your family or loved one today. Show people your lighter side. Laugh and make it a point to get others to laugh. Your general health and energies are very good today.

e niv rsar n

Years

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

i n f o r m at i o n

FIRE BRIGADE

112

Al-Madena

22418714

Al-Shohada’a

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Fayhaa

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

24812000

Al-Jahra

25610011

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128

Hospitals Sabah Hospital

POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station

Clinics Rabiya

4732263

Roudha

22517733

Adhaliya

22517144

Khaldiya

24848075

Keifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salim

22549134

Al-Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Al-Khadissiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Ghar

22531908

Al-Shaab

22518752

Al-Kibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Kibla

22451082

Al-Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W.Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Al-Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Al-Omariya

24719048

N.Kheitan

24710044

Fintas

3900322

22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988

PHARMACIES

AIRLINES

ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Hawally

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Kuwait Airways Wataniya Airways Jazeera Airways Jet Airways Qatar Airways KLM Air Slovakia Olympic Airways Royal Jordanian Reservation British Airways Air France Emirates Air India Sri Lanka Airlines Egypt Air Swiss Air Saudia Middle East Airlines Lufthansa PIA Alitalia Balkan Airlines Bangladesh Airlines Czech Airlines Indian Airlines Oman Air Turkish Airlines Aeroflot

22433377 24379900 177 22924455 22423888 22425747 22434940 22420002/9 22418064/5/6 22433388 22425635 22430224 22425566 22438184 22424444 22421578 22421516 22426306 22423073 22422493 22421044 22414427 22416474 22452977/8 22417901/ 2433141 22456700 22412284/5 22453820/1 22404838/9

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120

Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist 25340300

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

Dr Anil Thomas

3729596/3729581 22641071/2

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Salem soso

22618787

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

Neurologists

Dr. Adnan Ebil

22639939

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Mousa Khadada

22666300

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists

25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291 22666288

Rheumatologists:

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

Dentists

Internists, Chest & Heart

25339330

25655535

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

General Surgeons

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677

Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands

0093 00355 00213 00376 00244 001264 001268 0054 00374 0061 0043 001242 00973 00880 001246 00375 0032 00501 00229 001441 00975 00591 00387 00267 0055 00673 00359 00226 00257 00855 00237 001 00238 001345

Central African Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK) Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia

00236 00235 0056 0086 0057 00269 00242 00682 00506 00385 0053 00357 0090392 00420 0045 00246 00253 001767 001809 00593 0020 00503 0044 00240 00291 00372 00251 00500 00298 00679 00358 0033 00594 00689

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

lifestyle M u s i c

2. Beady Eye/”Different Gear, Still Speeding” • Expected release date Feb 28/Beady Eye Records • Is there life after Oasis? The answer may lie in Beady Eye’s debut album, with Liam Gallagher, lead singer of the chart-topping 1990s group, parting ways with his songwriter brother Noel after an acrimonious split. The record’s reception is likely to be bigger news in Britain than elsewhere, however. 3. Coldplay/(title to be announced) • Release date to be announced/EMI • Britain’s Coldplay have been among the world’s biggest acts in recent years, and they are working on their fifth studio album expected to be released in the first half of the year. “We still don’t believe we’ve delivered our masterpiece, so we’re still trying to do it,” lead singer Chris Martin told the NME recently. “As long as we feel like that and we’re hungry ... that’s all that matters.” 4. Foo Fighters/(title to be announced) • Expected release date in spring/RCA Records (Sony) • The US band have released a short teaser from a new song online, and its next studio album is expected in the spring. Dave Grohl, formerly of Nirvana, cries out the line: “These are my famous last words!” 5. Lady Gaga/”Born This Way” • Expected release date May 23, 2011/Interscope Records (Universal) • Arguably the most eagerly-awaited album of the year in terms of media hype and potential record sales, Born This Way is the follow-up to the flamboyant US singer’s “The Fame” (2008) and “The Fame Monster” (2009). According to some listings, The Fame Monster was the world’s top-selling album in 2010. The 24-year-old is tipped to be one of the richest musicians of 2011 with earnings of around $100 million. The risk appears to be public fatigue at her attempts to remain in the headlines. 6. Avril Lavigne/Goodbye Lullaby • Expected release date March 8/RCA Records (Sony) • The Canadian singer releases her fourth studio album this year, and first since 2007. Reports of long delays have surfaced, but the lead single, “What the Hell” finally hit the shelves earlier this month. Reviews were generally positive.

hen even Lady Gaga can’t lift the gloom, you know the music industry is in the doldrums. Despite a release schedule that includes the reigning queen of pop, Britney Spears, R.E.M., U2 and Coldplay, record labels are bracing themselves for another tough year. Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI-the market leaders-struggled in 2010 as they have for a decade, hampered by online piracy, shrinking retail space and an inability to adapt to technological change. Global recorded music sales overall slumped by nine percent last year, and ﬁgures out last week estimated that some 19 of 20 tracks downloaded from the Internet were illegal. The scale of piracy and other challenges suggest that no matter which artists are competing for chart supremacy, 2011 sales are virtually guaranteed to extend their long slide. “I don’t see any indication that record sales are going to improve, because it’s got nothing to do with the quality of the music,” said US music critic Robert Christgau in a blunt assessment of the business prospects. That does not make release schedules irrelevant, with companies still hopeful their artists will rise to the top and repay their time and investment. Top of the pile is widely tipped to be “pop provocateur” Lady Gaga with “Born This Way”, due out on May 23. Not one to shy away from the hype, the singer has called it “my absolute greatest work I’ve ever done”. Combined sales of her “The Fame”, “The Fame Monster” and a remix album have reached 15 million, a hefty ﬁgure even in pre-crisis days, and with more touring planned, Forbes predicts the 24-year-old could earn over $100 million this year. “She’s just hitting her stride artistically and commercially now,” entertainment attorney Bernie Resnick told Forbes.

9. The Strokes/Angles (provisional title) • Expected release date March 22/Rough Trade • The New York rockers have not released an album since 2006’s First Impressions of Earth, so there is plenty of pent up demand for their fourth. The members went their separate ways in the interim, although they never formally split. Among The Strokes’ cheerleaders is Britain’s NME magazine, which calls them “one if the greatest indie bands of the last decade.” If the new record bombs, it “could shatter the reputation of a band who, with 2001’s classic ‘Is This It’ changed the face of modern rock music.”“ 10. U2/Songs of Ascent (provisional title) • Possibly by late May/Mercury Records (Universal) • The Irish rock band is one of the biggest around today, both in terms of record sales and live concert revenues, so any album release is an event. Their last outing in 2009, “No Line on the Horizon,” sold around five million copies, an impressive tally for most but modest for U2. Its 2004 predecessor “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” sold twice that number, according to The Irish Times. 11. Kanye West and Jay-Z/Watch the Throne • Release date to be announced • The hip-hop titans are collaborating on a venture that many doubted would result in a full album, but hopes have been raised by the release this month of their first single “H.A.M.” 12. Amy Winehouse/(title to be announced) • Possible release date in 2011/Universal • The on-again, off-again followup to Winehouse’s seminal “Back to Black” album of 2006 could well be on again. The last few years have been overshadowed by her wellpublicised personal problems and battles with addiction, but recent sightings of the 27-year-old looking healthy after a trip to Brazil have raised hopes of a new release this year. Following the release of Back to Black, Winehouse scooped five Grammy awards. It has sold more than 10 million copies, according to media estimates.—Reuters

“We’re only seeing the beginning.” Rock’s shot in the arm Other established solo female artists vying for attention include 29-year-old Spears, who releases a new album in March. Lead single “Hold It Against Me” has just debuted atop the US singles chart with impressive sales. Canada’s Avril Lavigne is back on March 8 with “Goodbye Lullaby”, and there are hopes of new material at last from Amy Winehouse, whose troubled personal life has overshadowed the success of Grammy-winning 2006 hit “Back to Black”. The struggling rock genre is set to get a welcome shot in the arm in 2011 with the first album from The Strokes since 2006’s “First Impressions of Earth”. The acclaimed New Yorkers tentatively titled “Angles” is due to hit stores on March 22, and, according to NME magazine’s Jamie Fullerton “it’s almost make or break time for Julian (Casablancas) and co. with album four” after so long away. Also falling into the broad rock category are two of the biggest bands in the world-Coldplay and U2 — who both expect to release records in 2011. Foo Fighters and R.E.M. are back, and, in Britain at least, Beady Eye, formed from the now disbanded Oasis, will generate plenty of buzz with debut album “Different Gear, Still Speeding” due out on Feb 28. As well as promoting talent, record bosses will be seeking more deals with mobile firms and music websites. Digital sales actually rose six percent to $4.6 billion last year, taking their share of record label trade revenues to 29 percent. The labels are keen to see the launch of a Google Inc download store in 2011 to rival Apple Inc’s dominant iTunes, which would help them wrest some control back over pricing and draw new users to the digital market.

Kanye West and Jay-Z The record company landscape could be in for big changes over the next 12 months, with EMI facing a debt deadline with Citigroup that raises the prospect of the group’s assets being sold oﬀ. Shares in Warner also rose nearly 30 percent at the end of last week on news that it was looking for potential buyers. —Reuters

Tax inspectors target top Bollywood stars I

ndian income tax officials said yesterday that they had raided the homes and offices of two of Bollywood’s most bankable female stars as part of an investigation into suspected tax evasion. Income tax department director-general DP Gaur told AFP that the residences and offices of actresses Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif were “being searched and whatever materials are procured will be recorded for further action”. Gaur declined to say why the probe had been launched into the financial dealings of the actresses, who have become two of the hugely popular Hindi-language film industry’s biggest stars in the last few years. “We don’t discuss these things but all I can say is that raids are on,” said Gaur, who heads tax investigations in India’s financial and entertainment hub, Mumbai. There was no immediate comment from publicists for either actress. Chopra, 28, is a former Miss World who like many Indian models turned to acting. She has starred in a number of high profile movies, including “Fashion” “Dostana” (Friendship) and “Kaminey” (Scoundrels). She played 12 differ-

7. R.E.M./Collapse Into Now • Expected release date March 8/Warner Bros Records • The US band’s 15th album features guest appearances from Patti Smith, Lenny Kaye, Peaches and Eddie Vedder. Guitarist Peter Buck has been quoted as saying he believes “every song all the way through is great” and the album “sounds really classic.” 8. Britney Spears/(title to be announced) • Expected release date March/Jive Records (Sony) • Spears, 29, releases her seventh studio album in the spring, and some reports have pitted her against compatriot Lady Gaga in a battle for 2011 chart supremacy. Comparisons may be overblown, however. Spears has staying power on her side-she released her ﬁrst album 12 years ago and has estimated global album sales of around 100 million. Industry experts would be surprised to see her top Lady Gaga in the near term, however.

M o v i e s

Music mood muted despite Lady Gaga, more big albums

Katrina Kaif

1. Lady Antebellum/(title to be announced) • Release date to be announced/EMI • The country music group was one of the top-selling acts in the United States last year, their “Need You Now” shifting more than three million copies in that country alone. The band has told Entertainment Weekly that they have returned to the studio to begin recording their third album.

ent characters in the 2009 film “What’s Your Raashee?” (What’s Your Zodiac Sign?). Chopra also endorses a number of products, including cosmetics. Kaif, 26, was born in Hong Kong to a British mother and a father of Indian Kashmiri origin. Another former model, her first major hit was the 2007 movie “Namastey London” (Hello London). She also starred in “Singh is Kinng”, “New York”, “Blue” and “Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani” (An Amazing Story of Strange Love), and a much talked about song and dance sequence in last year’s “Tees Maar Khan” (Wiseguy). Weekly news magazine India Today claimed in its latest issue that Kaif—who did not even speak Hindi when she got her first break in Bollywood—earns 30 million rupees ($670,000) per film and 25 million rupees a year for product endorsements. Kaif is now among the most searched for Bollywood stars on the Internet search engine Google.—AFP

Indian classical singer Pandit Bhimsen Joshi dies

ocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, a leading ﬁgure of Indian classical music, has died after a prolonged illness. He was 89.Joshi was hospitalized three weeks ago in the western city of Pune complaining of shortness of breath, a Sahyadri hospital oﬃcial said. He later underwent dialysis following kidney failure. He died yesterday. The son of a school teacher in the southern state of Karnataka, Joshi moved to the entertainment capital Mumbai in 1943 to work as a radio singer and released his debut album by age 22. He received India’s higest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 2008. Pandit Jasraj, another top vocalist, said: “His death is a great loss to Indian classical music.” Joshi is survived by three sons and a daughter.—AP

This file handout image from January 17, 2007 shows Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam meeting with renowned vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in Pune.—AFP

Stones, Wilco inspired Rapaport’s hip-hop documentary

early two decades after making his film debut at Sundance in the indie drama “Zebrahead”-and returning subsequently in countless indie filmsactor Michael Rapaport is back in Park City with his first effort as a documentary film director. In “Beats, Rhymes & Life,” the Bronx-born multihyphenate chronicles the public and private dramas of the hip-group group A Tribe Called Quest. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Rapaport comes clean about the pain of realizing his passion project, what he remembers about his first Sundance, and the “bloodbath” that is independent filmmaking.

How did beats, rhymes & life come about? Rapaport: I’ve been a huge fan of A Tribe Called Quest since they started. In 2006 they performed at the Wiltern Theater in L.A. and I went backstage and said to somebody ‘I want to do a documentary about these guys.’ Two years later, they were the headliners of the Rock the Bells tour, so I approached them about doing it and they gave me the green light. Why is tribe a good documentary subject? Rapaport: Well, first, there’s never been a formal, proper independently-made documentary about a hip-hop group. They were one of the first acts to seamlessly use elements of jazz- taking the records that were in their parents’ record collection and putting them in hip-hop. There was a consciousness without being overbearing and fun and innocence, at the same time Public Enemy was out. Tribe’s music had inclusiveness. It was definitely soulful, black music, but it was for everybody. You’ve said this process caused you a lot of anxiety. What was the scariest part? Rapaport: (Laughs) When I had the green light and all the elements were laid out I thought, ‘Oh s—-, I have to really make this happen.’ I have such respect for Tribe and so do the fans. I really didn’t want to f—- this up.

Were there specific music documentaries you turned to for inspiration? Rapaport: Absolutely. Gimme Shelter. The documentary, Jimi Hendrix. The concert footage in Dave Chapelle’s “Block Party” was amazing. Anvil was one I liked and Wilco’s “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.” To whom did you have to pitch the project initially? Rapaport: I personally financed this movie out of my own pocket, so the only people I had to pitch was the group. I approached Q-Tip first because I knew him. Last December q-tip went public with his concerns about the film. what was he most worried about? Rapaport: It’s hard for me to say. He cares a lot about the film and I know he cares a lot about the legacy of Tribe. I think it kind of became a reality like, ‘Oh s—-, this is coming out.’ But we’ve gotten past that. They do have a lot of opinions though, trust me. My big question to answer as a director was: Will a Tribe Called Quest make more music? That was sort of my mission statement throughout the film. Are you able to answer that question in the movie? Rapaport: Yeah, we are able to answer it. You got to see it though. I got to leave some cliffhangers. You’ve had a long relationship with Sundance.

how does it feel to be back here in your film-directing debut? Rapaport: The first time I ever saw myself in a movie was at the premiere screening of “Zebrahead” in 1992 at Sundance. It changed the course of my life. So to be here as a director 19 years later is truly an honor. My personal goal for “Beats” was we had to premiere at Sundance. I have a very sentimental connection to the festival. What do you remember about your first Sundance? Rapaport: I met Quentin Tarantino at the “Reservoir Dogs” premiere. I was also at a midnight screening of “Kids,” sitting right in front of Harvey Weinstein. It was a big year for independent film. Sitting in the movie theater and listening to all these filmmakers talk about how they were paying for things with their credit card, “I made this movie for $7,000” and “I quit my job for this movie” or “I mortgaged my house to make this movie.” That was the way to me that you had to get a movie made. You had to sacrifice personal things. You had to fight. You had to believe. It had to be a f—-ing war to get a movie made, and to me that is what Sundance is all about. And almost two decades later, it’s just as bloody a war. Rapaport: I think it’s even gotten harder now. Who the f—- is going to buy one of these rinky-dink little movies? If you are going to make a passion project, it’s going to be a bloodbath. There is no way around it.—AP

e niv rsar n

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

Years

lifestyle Music and Movies

‘Twilight,’ ‘Airbender’ lead Razzies with 9 nods

In this file publicity image released by Summit Entertainment, Kristen Stewart and James Pattinson are shown in a scene from “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”—AP

In this file publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Dev Patel plays Prince Zuko in a scene from M Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender.”—AP

ampires, werewolves and airbenders lead the pack at the Razzies, an Academy Awards spoof that hands out prizes for the year’s worst ﬁlms. The blockbuster supernatural tale “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” and the action fantasy “The Last Airbender” tied for the most nominations Monday with nine each, including worst picture. Also nominated for worst picture are Jennifer Aniston’s action comedy “The Bounty Hunter,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s romantic romp “Sex and the City 2” and the “Twilight” parody “Vampires Suck.” “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart had a worst-actress nomination for her role as a teen caught in a love triangle involving her vampire boyfriend (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf pal (Taylor Lautner). Pattinson and Lautner both were nominated for worst actor. Razzies founder John Wilson said that though “Vampires Suck” was a “Twilight” spoof, “Eclipse” actually was funnier to watch. “I know people who are into ‘Twilight’ who take it totally seriously and they’re very vociferous,” Wilson said. “Those of us who are not ‘Twi-hards’, we don’t get it. I don’t actually know any teenage girls who have had to make the choice between a werewolf and a vampire.” “The Last

Airbender” was adapted from the animated TV series about a young hero with the power to reunite feuding nations of people who can control air, water, fire and earth. “Last Airbender” filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan received Razzie nominations for worst director and screenplay. “All of this gobbledygook language about airbenders and fire benders and water benders,” Wilson said. “You feel like you’re on a bender watching the movie. It’s completely illogical.” The Razzies lineup was announced a day before Oscar nominations come out. Razzie winners, chosen by the group’s roughly 600 voters, will be announced Feb. 26, the night before the Oscars. Three Oscar-winning divas are among nominees for worst supporting actress _ Cher for the songand-dance tale “Burlesque,” Liza Minnelli for “Sex and the City 2” and Barbra Streisand for the comedy sequel “Little Fockers.” Jackson Rathbone had a supporting-actor nomination for roles in both “The Last Airbender” and “Eclipse.” Dev Patel and Nicola Peltz also had supporting nominations for “Last Airbender.” The entire casts of “Eclipse” and “Last Airbender” were among nominees for worst screen couple or ensemble. “Last Airbender” also was chosen for worst

eye-gouging misuse of 3-D, a special category to mark Hollywood’s current craze for shooting in three dimensions or converting 2-D movies to 3-D. The other 3-D nominees are “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,” “Clash of the Titans,” “The Nutcracker in 3-D” and “Saw 3D.” Along with worst-actress contenders Stewart and Aniston, the four “gal pals” in “Sex and the City 2” — Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon-shared a nomination. Also up for worst-actress are Miley Cyrus for the teen drama “The Last Song” and Megan Fox for the action ﬂop “Jonah Hex.” Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus, had a supporting-actor nomination for “”The Spy Next Door.” Joining Pattinson and Lautner in the worst-actor category are Jack Black for the fantasy comedy “Gulliver’s Travels,” Gerard Butler for “The Bounty Hunter” and Ashton Kutcher for the action comedy “Killers” and the romance “Valentine’s Day.”—AP

Egyptian actress Hanan Turk meets with fans in a coffee shop in Gaza City, Sunday.—AP

Stunning debut lifts the veil on life in Iran ircumstance” is an amazingly accomplished and complex first feature from cto r Iran ian -Am eric an wri ter- dire g on win Dra . arz hav Kes m rya Ma s, she some of her own experience k at a loo s der insi an d ate cre has see. world few of us will ever get to gious reli and ual sex l, itica pol The once labyrinth of Iran today feels at ign. fore rly utte and ary por tem con and thm rhy n der Tol d wit h a mo compropulsive soundtrack, it’s a both act attr uld sho pelling story that culof e ienc aud r olde and ng you a ers. iego turally curious mov Kevin Smith faces protests, unleashes Keshavarz’s looking glass is a liband eral, well-to-do family in Tehran, feh Ata ld r-o yea 16lar ticu par in ipriv less her and ri) (Nikohl Booshe emy), Kaz ah (Sar een Shir d frien d lege cuted whose parents were likely exe ilm director Kevin Smith has unveiled a plan to self-release his new “Red age, ir the girls any As ts. iden diss as State” at the Sundance Film Festival, after facing down protesters that dfrien of ds bon the they are testing brought him publicity money can’t buy. Invoking the name of movie kingfor on acti attr ual sex ir the and ship pin Harvey Weinstein and the hockey stick of Wayne Gretzky, Smith said that plieach other, made even more com after 17 years of making movies, he could not think of anything worse than crehas that ety soci ve essi repr a by d cate ating a film and turning it over to a studio to market. out little regard for women. They act The way Smith figured the movie business, after the studio spent tens of miland gs dru ng taki by n ellio reb ir the lions of dollars on promotion to lure fans to Red State, he and his investors ound partying in hip-looking undergr would never see a profit. So he is going back to a time when moviemakers took ape is esc real y onl ir the but s, club films to theaters themselves, one theater at a time. They kept more of the prois so through their imagination. Life ceeds for themselves and reinvested in more films. “Indie film isn’t dead. It just themure pict they that Iran in ing stifl grew up,” he told the Sundance audience following the premiere of Red State. freeselves running off to the relative “This is Indie 2.0.” Smith launched his career at Sundance with black-and-white ai. Dub of dom feature “Clerks,” made for just $27,575. It was acquired by Weinstein who at the n All of Atafeh’s family has bee time ran Miramax Films and was considered a master marketer of low-budget ime. reg ian litar tota the by cted affe movies. Since then, the business of making low-budget movies outside -eduHer once progressive, Berkeley Hollywood’s mainstream studios has changed. Now, costly stars often are cast in a) is Pars eil (Soh uz Firo er fath d cate “indie” movies, and production and marketing expenses rise into the millions, le whi s day ry glo his nostalgic for which prohibits filmmakers from being able to exercise their voice. As a result, t. Her sen pre the in ing mis pro com some players think indie filmmakers are a dying breed. a sucmother Azar (Nasrin Pakkho) is The indie future? ele ss eth non but n geo sur l sfu ces Smith said he and his producing partner learned from Weinstein that when have we that er ght reminds her dau you felt like you had a “sure thing” to never give it up. He thinks “Red State,” the ity we live in. Most real the pt acce to violent tale of a hate-filled religious sect and the federal agents ordered to take ran damaged of all is her brother Meh it down, is a sure bet with his loyal fans. He came to Sundance with Gretzky’s ai). A cra ck add ict Saf Sixo za (Re stick, he said, because the hockey great’s father coached him never to go where desrecently released from jail, he is others had already been but to go where for a way to fit in to ing look tely pera they will be in the future. Smith believes s to society and not surprisingly turn his plan is the future. ion. relig So he is taking Red State on a road ss His twi ste d sen se of hol ine show, starting March 5 at New York’s become a member of to him s lead Radio City Music Hall and hitting major lofty the morality police and from his US cities throughout March before endwhole family under his s put ch per ing on April 4 in Seattle. He hopes to and sur veil lan ce. Ata feh’s vita lity open Red State widely across the United life-affirming relationher lly ecia esp States on Oct 19, the same date Clerks n he ship with Shireen is more tha debuted. By that time the publicity garhe sets out to crush it and d, stan can nered from his tour and from his use of bly in a series of actions that irrevoca social networking websites like Twitter e and loving ties that clos the rs alte could help sell tickets in other theaters s as once bound the family member with no cost for advertising.—Reuters hin allie s, not adversa ries. It’s wit t tha ces stan um circ g these crushin do people like Atafeh and Shireen of the ir bes t to find a mo dic um work Director Kevin Smith and other supporters face off with propeace and hope, but it doesn’t testors from the Westboro Baptist Church as he arrives at the premiere of for all of them. -—Reuters his movie “Red State” during the 2011 Sundance Film Festival—AP

“C

‘Indie 2.0’

“T

he Green Wave,” a documentary about the “Green” explosion following the 2009 presidential election in Iran and the government’s violent response, is intriguing but for the wrong reasons. The film’s Iranian writerdirector Ali Samadi Ahadi lives in Germany and the Western media have been tossed out by Iran’s hard-line Islamic regime so the film is constructed not out of the news footage and on-the-spot reporting but rather through animation, video posts, Facebook and Twitter messages. It’s a scrappy, highly adventurous approach that for the most part works well. What is disappointing is how little new information there is here for anyone who has followed news reports and, yes, various social networks in 2009. The movie is more an illustration of what you already knew about the groundswell of support garnered by presidential candidate Mir-Hossein Mousaviand the increasingly repressive dictatorship of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The film is certain to get considerable festival play, especially now that festival directors realize there is little risk in offending the Iranian government, which has severely cracked down on its own once thriving cinema. “The Green Wave” may then see minor exposure in European specialty venues but is most likely to play on European cable. Indeed toward the end, the film directly addresses Western European countries that while protesting Iran’s nuclear program have turned a blind eye to its appalling abuse of its own citizens. A number of Iranian dissidents interviewed here accuse those nations of signing treaty after treaty with the blood-drenched regime to safeguard their own business interests. Ahadi used a thousand entries in Iranian blogs two create two fictional students, whose hopes, fears and experiences with terror at the hands of government security thugs filter through the movie. Poor quality videos from YouTube and the like give the movie its crowd scenes and sequences of brutal violence. Then interviews with the likes of Nobel laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Shiite cleric Dr. Mohsen and former UN war crimes prosecutor Dr. Payam Akhavan

fill in the political details and lay out a range of charges against a regime that had to steal an election to retain power. Both old and new media have already transformed much if not all of these details into the public domain. The creation of fictional characters through blogs brings you super-charged experiences but without any sense of a real person undergoing these ordeals. And the animation, while exceedingly well drawn, is cheaply put together giving the film a stilted feeling. Increasingly, animation has proven an effective means of conveying war and social unrest especially where cameras cannot go in films such as Persepolis, also about Iran, and Waltz With Bashir, also about the Middle East. What is best about The Green Wave is how it offers yet another avenue for animators to take where even intrepid documentarians cannot tread.—Reuters

ma a r d p i r t d a o r Armenian ide ‘HERE’ a bumpy r

he subtle calibrations of Ben Foster’s performance give “HERE” an intriguing center. But Braden King’s meandering semi-experimental road movie about two travelers whose paths briefly converge is too enraptured by its own dusty exoticism. Hatched out of a non-narrative multimedia piece that screened in Sundance’s 2008 New Frontier section and was subsequently developed through the festival’s feature lab, the film bumps into some interesting ideas. It explores the process by which experience becomes memory, how the physical becomes intangible, how land-be it home or terra incognita-can yield both truth and deception. Ultimately, however, these reflections never acquire the weight to be much more than artsy embellishment on a two-dimensional story of fleeting romance between underwritten characters. Those protagonists are Will (Foster), an American satellite-mapping engineer under contract in Armenia, and Gadarine (Lubna Azabal), an expatriate photographer back in her homeland on an arts grant and faced

with her family’s ambivalence toward her ﬂedgling success abroad. After parallel glimpses of these solitary outsiders, they meet in a restaurant. A second chance encounter cements the bond, and Gadarine suggests she accompany Will to the remote borders and to a disputed territory within Azerbaijan where she has always wanted to shoot. King and his co-writer Dani Valent appear to be aiming for a dreamy “Lost in Translation” vibe, but they neglect to anchor the mood piece by giving substance or depth to their central characters. Despite the humor and heart Foster breathes into the role, Will’s function is too heavyhandedly symbolic-a mapmaking wanderer in search of deﬁnition. Azabal has a nice naturalistic ease in front of the camera, and some lovely interludes with Gadarine’s parents. But the character is more or less Will’s schematic opposite-a woman who has distanced herself from her roots and is now rediscovering them.—Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

lifestyle F a s h i o n

he City of Light’s five-day-long fall-winter 2011-2012 menswear displays wrapped up Sunday with hard-edged romance at Lanvin, hills alive with the sound of Austrian music at Yves Saint Laurent and the dinner party from hell, hosted by New York Based designer Thom Browne. Rumor has it that Browne’s banquet-featuring models in period dress and knit wig caps and others with Howard Stern wigs and sweatbands-was supposed to represent America’s first Thanksgiving dinner, but the message was clearly lost on the audience of fashion editors, journalists and stylists. They were busy making dinner plans on their cell phones while the models shuffled around the table-the performance art version of a runway show. The audience chalked up the whole plodding thing up to a bizarre reenactment of some obscure (and boring) episode of the French revolution. Another New York-based designer is now showing in the French capital. Yigal Azrouel made his Paris debut with a collection that was completely on-trend with the top looks on Paris’ runways. Chunky knitwear? Check. Slim trousers? Check. Shearling jackets? Check. Cozy layers? Check. Standout pieces from Azrouel’s collection included an upscale tracksuit in gray sweatpant material and a fitted coat in colorblock gray and black. For its debut runway show on the Paris calendar, Arnys put on a mini-concert, complete with a Nick Cave-style crooner. The Parisbased label has been confectioning classic menswear fit for a premierthe house dresses French Prime Minister Francois Fillon-for three generations, and it showed-in a good way. Models in hunt-ready, landed gentry garb-jackets in Hermes orange corduroy with leather elbow patches-struck dignified poses on the catwalk-cum-stage they shared with the band as the group jammed. Capping the grueling week of Paris menswear displays, the jazzy show was a welcome relief, and the clothes beautiful, in their ultra-traditional, bourgeois way. Before the fashion world makes a break for it, the city’s rarified made-to-measure haute couture displays start on Monday, with the perennially pompfilled show by Christian Dior. THOM BROWNE The setting was sumptuous and the spread was plentiful, but Browne’s menswear banquet Sunday wasn’t a dinner party you’d want to attend. The New York-based designer followed up on his enthralling, over-the-top Paris debut last season with a display that had all the trappings of a blockbuster show-with fashion and theatrics in equal doses. But ultimately it fell flat, lacking life and drained of all spontaneity. Fashion insiders filed into a gilded salon, taking their seats around a banquet table laden with a cornucopia of fruits and pies, roasted turkeys and wine. But the banquet’s 42 guests-models decked out in caps knit in the shape of colonial powdered wigs and oversized John Lennon sunglasses-nibbled only kernels of corn and lima beans, spearing and consuming them one by one, like lifeless automatons. Up till there, fine, but then the models began to change seats. All 42 of them. One by one, walking around the mile-long table at what can only be described as a geriatric shuffle. As the minutes dragged on and the audience began to sweat under the cinematic spot lights, you just wanted to shout at them to get a move on, already. True, the laborious musical chairs gave the fashion journalists, editors and stylists ample time to inspect the garments, but by then they’d already seen them close up. A departure from the shrunken suits that have become Browne’s trademark, the collection was full of volume. Fitted 18th century-style jackets had tails that were as full as antebellum ladies’ skirts, and for once Browne’s models didn’t look as if they’d been vacuum-packed into the tweed and plaid pants. A brilliant idea on paper, show ended up being a tedious ordeal, like that dinner party you’d long looked forward to attending but couldn’t wait to escape. LANVIN The soundtrack-which veered from Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted To You” to thumping techno beats-pretty much summed up the label’s romantic-witha-hard-edge collection. Wearing turtlenecks beneath their button-down shirts, with double-breasted blazers, billowing silk trenches and wide-brimmed hats, the models looked like gangsters in love, or hit men who are poets in their spare time-men quivering with emotion beneath their slightly menacing facades. Lucas Ossendrijver, who designs menswear under the label’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, said the collection was an attempt to bring together the different currents of seasons past. “We started out the menswear line with this really romantic spirit and then for a while we got pretty edgy, and now this is an attempt to bring both those strands together,” Ossendrijver told The Associated Press in a post-show interview. Classic menswear staples were tweaked and paired with pieces borrowed from the outdoorsman’s wardrobe, like a gray greatcoat cinched at the waist with a climbers’ cord, or the heavy hiking boots worn with a suit in fluttering teal silk. The extra-wide brims of the felt hats curved low over the models’ eyes, making them look like men with something to hide. It was yet another outstanding collection from a label that sets the bar high-and regularly outdoes itself. PAUL SMITH It was what Pink Floyd would wear for a trip to the dark side of the moon. Dressed in puffer coats in space-suit silver and leopard print skinny pants, models at Smith’s show were like rock stars counting down for takeoff. Star pieces in the outerwear-heavy collection included an aviator jacket in shearling printed with silver lame and rocker

Models present creations by US designer Thom Browne, as part of his Men’s fall-winter 2011/2012 collection presented in Paris, Sunday.—AP photos

coats in bulky black shag. Models-all with a bad case of bed head-wore necklaces hung with what looked like pointy scientific instruments, and stomped the catwalk in high-top hiking boots. Dominated by metallic and khakis, the collection was a departure from the rich jewel tones and eye-popping primary colors Smith usually mixes and matches with unmatched fearlessness. YVES SAINT LAURENT The snug-fitting collar-less blazers in loden wool and houndstooth felt like slicker, urban takes on “trachenjacke,” classic men’s jackets in Austria and southern Germany. They were paired with clingy turtlenecks-a major winner across Paris’ menswear catwalks-and narrow trousers that buttoned at the ankle. While the suits were slim, the outerwear was bulky. A driving coat in gray wool dwarfed the featherweight model hidden somewhere beneath its voluminous folds. Equal parts poncho and zip-front hoodie, a sweater in deep Bordeaux held its bubble shape. Sunday’s show was held in a sprawling town house in Paris’ chic eighth district, and the models ambled through salons, tracing circles on the wooden parquet. Many of them walked stiffly as they struggled to negotiate the thick, camouflagecovered soles on their boots and brogues. Yves Saint Laurent’s Italian-born designer, Stefano Pilati, is known for his cutting edge, sometimes difficult, menswear but Sunday’s collection was more classic and consensual than in seasons past and seemed to elicit an enthusiastic response from many of the men in the audience. — AP

Model wears creations by Moroccan-born

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

lifestyle F a s h i o n

Models wears creations by Moroccan-born Israeli designer Alber Elbaz for French fashion house Lanvin men’s fall-winter 2011/2012 collection. — AP/AFP photos

In a file picture taken on January 22, 2011 Nadia Petrova of Russia reacts to a point against Ekaterina Makarova of Russia during their round three women’s singles match . — AFP

“N

ude” underwear and black knee-socks have led a parade of women’s fashion disasters at the Australian Open, in a welcome distraction from some humdrum tennis. Fashion police were alerted when aspiring designer Venus Williams took the court in her “Alice in Wonderland” creation, a yellow criss-cross number showing large amounts of flesh. The ensemble was completed with a tiny patterned skirt and Venus’s famous “nude” shorts, which give the impression she has forgotten to put on knickers. “The outfit is inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Don’t laugh,” she said, to guffaws. “It’s kind of about a surprise, because when Alice goes down the hole, the rabbit hole, she finds all these things that are so surprising.” Fellow competitors were certainly taken aback, and did not temper their comments about the unusual attire, which one wag said looked like a garden trellis. “It looks a little uncomfortable,” said Russia’s Nadia Petrova. “I hope she doesn’t have a tan like a chess board afterwards.” However Petrova could hardly talk after appearing in a frilly purple and blue outfit which she frankly admitted was not really her. “It wasn’t my design... it doesn’t really flatter my physique,” she told the Herald-Sun newspaper. “I think that outfit would look cute on someone like Maria Kirilenko, who’s a little bit smaller and has this really petite figure.” Williams also caught the eye in a shimmering blue dress in her opening match, and a black studded number with a barely visible skirt in her brief appearance in the third round, before pulling out injured. “It’s all about the dress because it has a mesh and a satin kind of material,” she enthused about the blue dress. “Of course, it’s all sports gear, and it’s all about that zipper, too. A lot of the focus of the dress is the zipper. So, of course, always I have fun designing my dresses.” World number one Caroline Wozniacki has looked below-par in a pleated dress over red pants, and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone did herself no favors with one that ties across her chest, topped with a Tarzan headband. Meanwhile American Bethanie Mattek-Sands burnished her reputation for trashy on-court attire with some unfetching black knee-socks and tiger-striped top. Kim Clijsters managed a classier look with a simple

Fashion police on alert at Aussie Open green dress that drew on past outﬁts worn by Australian great Evonne Goolagong Cawley. Williams has stolen the show in the absence of sister Serena, whose outrageous outﬁts have included black leather jackets and knee-high boots, and a constantly evolving hairdo. “I think maybe we’re confused on our iden-

tity, because we can’t keep one hairstyle for more than a few months,” Venus said. “But life is fun when you can change it up and have fun with it.” The oddball fashions have provided excellent cover for some poor performances with a number of former women’s number ones, including Ana Ivanovic,

Dinara Saﬁna and Jelena Jankovic, crashing in the early rounds. Williams and Justine Henin are also out, but both are suﬀering from injury. — AFP

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Pandit Bhimsen Joshi dies

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

gypt’s antiquities chief said yesterday that Cairo has demanded that Germany return the 3,400 year-old bust of fabled Queen Nefertiti, 98 years after it was uncovered on the banks of the Nile. Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities head, Zahi Hawass, announced an “official request” backed by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif and Culture Minister Faruq Hosni for the relic to be handed back. The demand was sent in a letter to Hermann Parzinger, president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, the governing body of the Neues Museum in Berlin where the piece has pride of place, he said. But the German government, which has always refused to return the bust, unearthed in 1912 by German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt, was unmoved. “This is not an official request. An official request is a request from one government to another,” foreign ministry spokesman Andreas Peschke told a regular government briefing in Berlin. He added that the position of the German government was “unchanged and not new.” The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation confirmed that Parzinger had received a letter from Hawass, but said that it was not signed by the prime minister and was not “an official demand from the Egyptian

File photo shows the 3,300-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti is seen at the “Neues Museum”, New Museum, on the so-called Museum Island during a media preview in Berlin, Germany.—AP

state.” It added that under a 1912 agreement, artefacts found in the dig were properly listed and photographed, showing clearly their “beauty and quality”, and then divided up between the two sides. “Moreover, the objects were in open crates so that they could be inspected. There can be no talk of anyone being fooled,” the foundation said in a statement. According to Egypt, Borchardt immediately realized “the unique nature and artistic quality of this piece, as well as its historical importance,” and transported the bust to Germany illegally. Cairo began to demand the restitution of the Pharaonicera statue back in the 1930s, but successive German governments have insisted the piece was bought legally by the Prussian state, and that there are documents to prove it. Nefertiti, renowned as one of history’s great beauties, was the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaton, remembered for having converted his kingdom to monotheism with the worship of one sun god, Aton. The bust is at the top of a “wish list” of five major artifacts exhibited abroad that Egypt wants returned as part of its cultural heritage. “Egypt recognizes and appreciates the care and effort undertaken by the government of Germany to preserve and display the painted limestone bust of Queen Nefertiti,” Hawass said in a statement. But he asked that “this unique treasure be returned to the possession of its rightful owners, the Egyptian people.” In December 2009, Friederike Seyfried, a German Egyptologist at the Neues Museum, said Cairo had often aired its demand through the media but never made an official request. — AFP

Half of new Emily Carr work found in Canada

rt historians are abuzz over the discovery of one half of a previously unknown painting by artist Emily Carr, who captured Canada’s West Coast in bold, impressionistic works depicting its forests and lost aboriginal villages. But what became of the other half of the new painting remains a mystery. The original painting appears to have been cut in two, with each half likely painted over. The new find was made as curators removed one of Carr’s celebrated later works, “Bear Totem,” from its frame. Paint that didn’t match the colors of the work could be seen stretching from the image’s border to the cut edge of the canvas, said Kathryn Bridge, manager of collections at the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria, the provincial capital. “It looks as though Carr had re-purposed a larger canvas, cut it in half and painted smaller works on each half,” said Bridge. “You can see beneath the surface that there is something there.” “Bear Totem” dates from 1937 and depicts a scene from the aboriginal Haida Gwaii village of Massett, 870 kilometers (540 miles) north of Victoria, but it’s not clear what the newly-discovered painting beneath shows and when it was painted. An X-ray examination has confirmed the find, but discerning the hidden image will require infra-red imaging, yet to be completed. “It was just a wonderful thing to find,” said Bridge. “Of course you can never separate the two (layers of paint on the canvas), but it makes you speculate. Was it something she didn’t like, or was she so hard up at one point in her career that she needed to re-use the canvas?” The search is now on for the other half of the re-used canvas. Curators and art historians have examined other works by Carr in the museum’s collection, as well as collections in Vancouver, but have yet to find one with similar telltale paint along the edge. Since her death in 1945, Carr’s reputation has been cemented as one of Canada’s pre-eminent painters, buoyed by interest from international collectors who pushed the price of her later paintings into the millions of dollars. Two major presentations on Carr will be running in Victoria, Carr’s birthplace, this summer: the Royal British Columbia Museum exhibit on Carr’s early life, ‘The Other Emily;’ and a career retrospective that is already open at the Victoria art gallery through 2013. The museum exhibit matches her paintings with all of Carr’s known letters, manuscripts and sketchbooks to complete a portrait of the young artist, and to show a side of Carr often lost beneath the image of the stern, aloof and eccentric image the artist projected in later life. It also throws a spotlight on another mystery: the identity of a young man seen gazing amorously at the young Carr in a pair of photographs taken after a tennis match on her parents’ Victoria lawn in 1895. Carr famously remained unmarried throughout her life. Bridge speculates the man may be the one who broke the young artist’s heart. The scene seems to match one described in one of Carr’s autobiographical short stories, where a suitor steals a kiss from Carr’s character after a tennis game. “Soon I found out the young man was only flirting with me, but too late, my heart was lost,” Carr wrote. “It took 15 years to pull myself out.” Bridge hopes someone who sees the photo might be able to help historians unlock the secret of the young man’s identity. — AFP

Neil Granger, stamp specialist from auctioneers Spink, holds a block of four Hong Kong Queen Victoria stamps in Hong Kong. —AFP

block of 19th-century Hong Kong postage stamps featuring Queen Victoria’s head sold for a record $820,000 at a weekend auction in the former British colony, organizers said yesterday. The olive-colored set of four stamps was described as “extremely rare” with organizers chalking up its unusual color to a printing error, although the pre-sale estimate had been as high as $1.5 million. It is the highest price ever paid in the southern Chinese territory for a single lot of Hong Kong stamps, which went to an anonymous buyer. The face value of each of the stamps was 96 Hong Kong cents (12 US cents at current conversion rates). The stamp and banknote sale by auction house Spink on Sunday capped oﬀ a busy weekend of auctions in Hong Kong, with British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wine collection fetching a higher-than-expected $5.6 million at Sotheby’s. Another wine auction raised about $10.8 million, well above the $9 million organizers had predicted. “We are excited to see strong participation by Hong Kong, mainland Chinese and our Asian clients, along with numerous bidders back in America participating as well,” said John Kapon, chief executive of auctioneer Acker Merrall & Condit, which organized that sale. Hong Kong has emerged as the world’s third-largest auction centre after New York and London, thanks in large part to China’s rapidly growing number of millionaires. Mainland Chinese are regular buyers of the top lots at sales of art, jewellery and wine and Hong Kong has positioned itself as a wine hub for Asia as well as the gateway to China’s vast market. The city was returned to Beijing by colonial power Britain in 1997, but maintains a semi-autonomous status within China.—AFP

Collections, research and access services manager for the Royal British Columbia Museum, Kathryn Bridge, shows off an unframed Bear Totem at the BC Archives . — AFP

alent got them to the finals of the World Cuisine Contest, but three Latin American chefs still face formidable obstacles obtaining ingredients and bringing with them local foods to compete in the Bocuse d’Or in Lyons. It is not the first time that Argentina and Uruguay have reached the final round of the competition, created 23 years ago by the celebrated French chef Paul Bocuse, but it is for Guatemala, which will be represented by the youngest of the 24 finalists. The rules of the January 25-26 competition are the same for everyone, but not the challenges. The ingredients they are given to work with-monkfish, crabs, king prawns and lamb-are not always easy to find at home, particularly in the form specified by the competition. “It’s been a big challenge,” said Nicolas Palomo of Guatemala. “I traveled to London and Edinburgh to get familiar with monkfish with its head on, because you can’t find it whole in Guatemala. Lamb we have, but to work with the same cuts (as in the competition) we had to bring it from the United States.” Palomo is just 27, and was trained in Guatemala and Canada, where he worked in the kitchens of big restaurants like Sooke Harbour House and Toque. Today, after various culinary ventures of his own, he works 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Guatemala City in the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua, which is backing his quest for the prize. Uruguayan chef Alvaro Verderosa, 39, who is taking part in the competition for a second time, also had trouble finding the right ingredients. “We drove our fish suppliers crazy,” he said. “In Uruguay, we get whole monkfish, I found two boxes, I froze them and practiced until they ran out. Now I’m praying that some fishing boat will bring back more on its next voyage.”—AFP

Dong Man Choi, member of the South Korean team, works on an ice sculpture during the World Pastry Cup in Lyon, central France yesterday. Nineteen countries are participating in the contest, as part of the Sirha, the International Hotel Catering and Food trade Exhibition. — AP