27 Dec

RI PT IO N BS C SU THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF

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Kuwaiti journalists visit historical Hebron PAGE 4

MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2010

MOHARRAM 21, 1432 AH

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Turmoil as oppn bids to oust PM KUWAIT: Kuwait has plunged into fresh political turmoil after opposition MPs unleashed a serious bid to unseat the premier, a senior member of the ruling family.

The state has been rocked by almost non-stop disputes since 2006 when HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah was appointed prime minister. “This crisis is a part of the old and still ongoing conflict between a party that does not accept democracy in Kuwait and the pro-democracy camp,” political analyst Anwar Al-Rasheed told AFP. “But what makes it unique and dangerous is the fact that this time the government has a majority in parliament and thus can pass any legislation even if it contradicts the constitution. The conflict is raging around government attempts to neutralise the constitution by withdrawing key legislative and supervisory powers enjoyed by MPs,” said Rasheed. The crisis was sparked by a police crackdown on a Dec 8 public gathering held by the opposition to protest an alleged government-backed plot to amend the 1962 constitution with the aim of suppressing public freedoms. Forces used batons to beat up demonstrators, injuring at least four MPs and a dozen citizens. “The unprecedented assault on the MPs was an attack on the Kuwaiti people (which) triggered a confrontation between the people and the government,” said Nasser AlAbdali, head of the Kuwait Society for the Advancement of Democracy.

Gamal vows bold reforms CAIRO: The son of Egypt’s president, Gamal Mubarak, said yesterday he will press ahead with bold new economic reforms that will be “more ambitious and more daring” than those that have come before, while still vowing to protect the nation’s poor from any fallout. The younger of President Hosni Mubarak’s two sons, Gamal Mubarak is widely expected to succeed his father and is a senior leader in the ruling National Democratic Party, which swept recent parliamentary elections in a vote rights groups say was marred by fraud.

Gamal Mubarak is one of the main architects of a far reaching package of economic reform that helped Egypt post impressive economic growth rates over the past few years. But the reform seems to only have widened the gap between the rich and poor and has failed to trickle down to most people, sparking a growing number of street protests over higher food prices and demands for better pay. “We need to immediately start a second wave of reforms ... that are more ambitious and more daring. Much has been achieved but the goals are far greater,” he said in an address at the party’s annual conference.

Mubarak junior, a bankerturned-politician, has been closely associated with a clique of rich businessmen since his ascent through the ranks of the ruling party began a decade ago, giving many Egyptians the impression of him as a “rich boy” with little understanding of the hardships endured by the poor. Yesterday’s speech sought to dispel that notion.

Continued on Page 14

Surplus jumps to KD 6bn

Grilling showdown nears Opposition appeals to undecided MPs, demands open session

By B Izzak

ISTANBUL: People wave Palestinian and Turkish flags as they welcome the Mavi Marmara ship at the Sarayburnu port yesterday. — AFP

Turks greet aid ship Lieberman vows no Israel apology ISTANBUL: Thousands of pro-Palestinian activists yesterday welcomed back to Istanbul the ship that was the scene of bloodshed during an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in May. Activists meanwhile, promised to send more ships in an effort to break the Gaza blockade. Hundreds of balloons were released as the ship, Mavi Marmara, sailed into Istanbul’s Sarayburnu port, following repairs at a port on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. The activists, mostly members of pro-Islamic groups, waved Palestinian and Turkish flags and chanted “down with Israel” and “Allah is great” as they greeted the vessel. Protesters also boarded

boats to welcome the approaching ship, which was adorned with a poster of the nine activists from Turkey who were killed during the raid.

“We promise that we will go again and again to Gaza, until Gaza and Palestine are free,” Israeli-Swedish activist Dror Elimelech Feiler told the crowd. The ship was part of an international flotilla carrying supplies to Gaza in a campaign to breach the blockade on Gaza when Israeli troops intercepted the convoy. Eight Turks and an American-Turkish teenager were killed in the violence that erupted on board the Mavi Marmara.

Continued on Page 14

ASWAN, Egypt: An Egyptian man observes the remains of a bus that was carrying US tourists after it collided with a truck near this city yesterday. — AFP

8 Americans killed in Egypt bus crash CAIRO: A tour bus slammed into a truck in southern Egypt yesterday, killing eight Americans and injuring 21 others in the latest fatal crash involving tourists, the state news agency said. The bus was taking a tour group on the 185-km journey from Aswan to the ancient temples of Abu Simbel along Lake Nasser, when it ran into the truck carrying sand parked on the side of a single lane desert road, killing six women and two men. The Egyptian driver and a guide were also injured in the accident. Egyptian security officials said the hurt

Americans were first transferred to a military hospital for treatment and then 10 of the injured, including two Egyptians, were airlifted to a hospital in Cairo. An official of Misr Sinai Tours, which was running the bus service, said the accident occurred around dawn while it was still dark about 22 km outside of Aswan. The official said the bus, containing 37 passengers, was part of a larger tour of 116 American tourists traveling in three buses.

Continued on Page 14 Continued from Page 1

KUWAIT: As preparations were being finalized for tomorrow’s major showdown over the grilling of the prime minister, the opposition demanded an open session and launched a passionate appeal to more MPs to join its camp. MPs Musallam AlBarrak and Faisal Al-Mislem both called for holding an open session to debate the prime minister’s grilling so that the people of Kuwait can listen to the government’s reasons for ordering police to beat MPs and citizens at a public gathering on Dec 8.

Describing it as the grilling of the people’s “will Continued on Page 14

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s budget surplus widened to KD 6.04 billion ($21.38 billion) in the first eight months of the 2010 fiscal year on higher than forecast oil revenues and lower spending, data showed yesterday. Revenue in the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter recorded an 18 percent jump to 13.22 billion dinars at the end of November from a year ago, data at the finance ministry website www.mof.gov.kw showed. The fiscal year in Kuwait starts in April.

The OPEC member’s oil revenue accounted for 93 percent of the total income, while spending in the first eight months reached KD 7.18 billion, 44 percent of the full year plan.

The surplus reached KD 5.59 billion in the first seven months of the same fiscal year. The state’s 2010/11 budget forecast a deficit of KD 6.58 billion, assuming its crude would fetch $43 a barrel. Analysts have said Kuwait is likely to register the biggest budget surplus in the Gulf Arab region by the financial year-end as the oil price estimate on which it is based is well below current market prices.

Benchmark US crude last traded at $91.5 a barrel. Analysts polled by Reuters expected a fiscal surplus of 18.9 percent of gross domestic product for the current fiscal year. — Reuters

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Inspection Department to look into grievances

Reprieve for wrongful parking victims

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Every motorist has paid different kinds of traffic fines throughout the year. Some drivers are wrongly penalized.

What should the victimized motorist do in this case? Some drivers are lazy or do not like to lodge a complaint, especially if the fine is a trivial sum. So if an unsuspecting motorist has received a KD 5 traffic ticket for wrongful parking, even though no sign exists, they simply pay it along with other fines while renewing car license. Any motorist that wishes to launch a complaint can do so with the Inspection and Checking Department of the Ministry of Interior, located in Kuwait City near the Kuwait Stock Exchange. Here they can contest the unjustly imposed fine.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receiving at Seif Palace yesterday Deputy Prime Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of State for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Um Al-Haiman still suffering from pollution KUWAIT: Residents of Um AlHaiman reiterated their demands regarding their area's current pollution crisis, reported Al-Qabas. They accused the government of ignoring their case and failing to find a radical solution to their problem and temporarily close a number of the pollution emitting factories.

A statement published recently indicates that residents believe the government is using the Ahmadi gas leak crisis as an excuse to not address the Um Al-Haiman situation. Head of the area's voluntary environmental committee, Ahmad Al-Shuraia, warned that the pollution is getting worse and that tons of toxic chemicals are being sent into the air on a daily basis.

Al-Shuraia urged the government to activate Article 41 of the Industrial Public Authority law which allows the government to cancel the license of a factory cited for violating environmental laws.

In order to cancel the penalty from their traffic record, it will be investigated. A grievance should be filed with the Traffic Department. The investigator will writedown his objection regarding the fine, and will then summon the policeman who has issued this wrong fine. The investigator may either solve the case if the policeman admits his mistake and cancels the fine, or cancel one and keep the other (if more than one fine has been imposed). If a solution has not been arrived at, the case may be transferred to the court, where a judge issues a verdict.

Some types of traffic fines include more exhaustive procedures. For instance, if a

motorist was penalized for a loud-sounding exhaust pipe, the vehicle needs to be taken to the Traffic Department in Shuwaikh. Of course, this measure needs to be resorted to only be if a wrongful fine has been slapped on the driver at helm of the vehicle. Other fines may also need technical checking, such as stickers plastered on the vehicle or others.

Earlier this year, The Kuwait Times published an article about the wrongful traffic fines that became common practice in different locations in Salmiya. Drivers were penalized for wrong parking, behind the Fanar Mall, and outside the Cesars

Restaurant.

Policemen have also invented other ways of penalizing these motorists, by registering that they deliberately blocked traffic on roads, which was placed at a higher value.

The best option is to photograph the vehicle from all its positions the original place it was parked before a ticket is obtained. The photograph can then be produced as an evidence while registering a complaint.

If the case is sub judice, and the driver is found innocent after a verdict is passed, he is required under law, to approach the Traffic Department.

KUWAIT: Students should be encouraged to get involved in voluntary relief works as such contribution is quite useful for both the individuals and the whole society, said Kuwait Red Crescent Society Public Relations Director Abdul Rahman Al-Aoun yesterday. In a press release, issued after receiving students from Sabah Al-Salem Intermediate School, Al-Aoun called on the media to play a role in encouraging young citizens get involved in such activities.

Health Ministry hired 450 doctors this year KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) has hired more than 450 doctors this year, through the local hiring system in order to cover the issue of staff shortage that public hospitals suffer from.

This was announced by the ministry's Public Relations Manager Faisal Al-Dousari.

He said that the ministry has hired 66 anesthetists this year, as well as more than 650 nurses from India, 200 nurses from Arab countries, and 400 nurses and paramedical staff members from the Philippines.

Moreover, the statement relayed achievements from the ministry's Public Relations Department notes that 318 international medical consultants were

invited to take part in treatment and diagnoses operations.

Furthermore, Al-Dousari indicated that the department took follow up action with 137 complaints that were made, regarding medical services and facilities, in addition to providing facilitations to 52 media outlets, reported AlQabas. He announced at the same time that the ministry's official website will start posting updates regarding the ministry's activities on the middle of next month. In addition, Al-Dousari said that the department was able to come up with a mechanism for the procedure of appointing nurses, which helped reduce the time which the procedure takes from three months to 21 days.

'Administrative violations' KUWAIT: A lawmaker will present a draft law to establish a Prosecution Department to address cases that are filed under the category of administrative violations committed by personnel who are part of government bodies.

Speaking to reporters, MP Saleh Al-Mullah indicated that this draft law aims to "fill the legislative void that is responsible for the spread of corruption in public bodies," explaining that the department would supervise staff members at ministries and other governmental directorates "in order to detect violators and hold them account-

able."

"Wasta, favoritism and bribery have been spreading at ministries and their affiliated departments for long, which has affected the psyche and subsequently the performance of employees," Al-Mullah reiterated, indicating that the draft law will help reinforce the law against corruption, reported AlRai. Meanwhile, Al-Mullah also addressed the amendments that the government proposed on the audio-visual law, saying that they are 'defective,' asserting on the importance of protecting freedoms.

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Monday, December 27, 2010

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Cost of living climbs higher

Expats ‘unworried’ about possible new policy

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: A recent proposal to reduce the number of expats by applying a higher salary cap for dependents was described by expats as an anti-expat policy that holds no ground. The The proposal, which some consider ‘anti-expat,’ is seen as a move by the government to discourage expats from seeking employment in Kuwait. “Not allowing residency to qualified expats is one way to discourage expats from coming to Kuwait,” a long term Palestinian resident told the Kuwait Times. “It’s an indirect way to restrict the number of expatriates in the country.

Reducing expatriate numbers should not be taken so seriously, he observed, saying that the

government can easily resolve the issue of expatriates living in the country.

An expatriate Filipino couple adds another layer to the discussion on restricting expatriates. Parents of three, the couple believes that the skyhigh cost of living in the country is a silent way of restricting expats in the country. Last year the couple decided to send their three children to the Philippines, which they described as a prudent decision that has helped them.

Three Filipinos hurt in Kuwait street fight

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A 36-year-old Filipino suffered from a case of hypertension while two others in their mid twenties sustained cuts on various parts of their bodies during a street fight in downtown Kuwait. They were brought to Amiri Hospital.

Vehicular accidents A 30-year-old Kuwaiti suffered internal bleeding, scalp lacerations and a broken left arm during a motorcycle accident on Arabian Gulf Road. He was brought to Amiri Hospital.

Meanwhile, a 32-year-old Indian broke his left foot after he was struck by a car in Salwa. He was brought to Mubarak Hospital. In an unrelated accident, a 56year-old Kuwaiti suffered scalp lacerations while a 45-year-old

Egyptian fractured his left arm and leg during a car accident on Fifth Ring Road. They were taken to Mubarak Hospital.

Fingerprint system Next month the Ministry of Interior will start operating an electronic fingerprinting system at border checkpoints, sea ports and airports.The installation will be an attempt to detect deported expatriates attempting to reenter the country using forged documents and false information.

The ministry signed a contract with a company who installed the system and provided training to criminal investigators. Expats will have their fingerprints scanned following their entrance procedures and those banned from entering the country will be denied access.

KUWAIT: The General Department of Drug Control arrested the secretary to a mayor, a GCC national and a former army personnel in connection with possession of 700 grams of hashish and a pistol. The ex-army personnel was arrested in Ferdous with possession of a quantity of hashish.

He divulged, more details to police about the citizen who lives in Jahra, where the other drugs and the pistol were found.

kuwait digest

The tweeting MPs

By Saud Al-Asfour erhaps as a result of the government’s media restraints against antigovernment MPs, lawmakers have resorted to using modern technology as a way to keep in touch with their supporters and the public. Many MPs have joined social networking websites such as Facebook and so far 10 MPs have signed up on twitter Among the ‘tweeting’ MPs are Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi, notably the most active, followed by Dr Faisal Al-Mislem and Saleh AlMullah. Other MPs who have accounts on twitter are Ahmad AlSaadoun, Dr Jamaan Al-Harbash, Ali Al-Rashid, Marzouq AlGhanim, Abdullah Al-Roumi, Khalid Al-Tahous, and Dr Salwa AlJassar.

Hopefully the number of MPs with twitter accounts will increase and we will eventually see a minister join the website.

A quick review of these twitter accounts reveals that AlAwadhi’s account has the most followers and is the most active.

She makes it a point to reply to each tweet directed to her. MP Saleh Al-Mullah, meanwhile, dedicates two hours a week to answering questions directed to him by those that subscribe to his tweets.

Dr Al-Mislem’s tweets contain texts identical to his usual statements, often filled with emotion over the current political situation of the country. MP Al-Harbash’s tweets are simple, brief and straight to the point, similar to his calm approach to politics. Pro-cabinet MPs, such as Ali Al-Rashid and Salwa Al-Jassar, are facing a reaction on twitter as a result of their political stance.

The majority of the replies to their tweets reflect the public’s dissatisfaction with their approach. MPs Al-Saadoun, Al-Ghanim and Al-Tahous still have yet to be active on twitter. Hopefully they will be soon.

Opening official accounts on Twitter and Facebook proves that MPs are using technology to reach out to as many voters as possible. —Al-Rai

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proposed move, which may have an adverse effect on the country’s security and economy, was put forward by a group for government consideration. According to one expat, such a proposal has been discussed by the government for a long time but has remained largely unnoticed.

“The cost of living here is really high and the situation we are facing reminds us of a handto-mouth existence,” the couple conveyed. “Our kids are growing, they deserve something more, especially now that they are older and pursuing higher education. If I don’t have enough savings because of the high cost of living here how can I secure my children’s future,” said one of the parents.

“It was a hard decision but we needed to do that for the sake of my family’s future.”

A western female expat said that Kuwaitis are not ready to reduce the number of expatriates in the country. “If a Kuwaiti’s car stops in the middle of the road who will refuel it or make it work?” she pointed out. “Who will take care of their children? Who will keep their houses clean, sweep their roads and streets and serve them coffee or tea? I say that they still need expats and they

cannot deny that fact.”

A male Arab expat agreed with this observation.

According to him, Kuwait needs expatriates’ help badly, especially when it comes to carrying out the development program for the country’s future.

“If you are talking about development programs, Kuwait surely needs expatriate expertise. Kuwaitis cannot execute the plan alone for the obvious reason that they are insufficient in number,” he claimed.

One of the many reasons why the group proposed reducing the number of expatriates in the country was connected to job security for the locals - a notion that has made some expats sympathetic with the group’s proposal. “Judging by Kuwait’s demographic imbalance I think it’s about time, after all, they have the right to secure jobs for their own people,” said one expat.

KUWAIT: Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah is pictured here with Arab oil ministers following the OAPEC meeting.

PM insists on national development KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad AlAhmad Al-Sabah said here yesterday his government is determined to go ahead with its national development out of commitment to national responsibility and to fulfill His Highness the Amir’s vision to transform Kuwait into a regional financial and trade hub.

Speaking at a meeting on a report bearing on the following-up on a middle-term development blueprint and an annual drive for the first half of 2010, the premier said: “We confirm our resolve to go ahead with this plan.”

He went on to say: “Despite occasional altercations in our political life, we always have to focus on what is more important.”

He even called on all parties involved to exert concerted efforts to put the country’s national development plans into place.

He hailed the report in question as a good opportunity for state agencies charged with planning to develop their experience, tools and methods in order to treat defects, rectify tracks and diagnose obstacles facing the development drive. — KUNA

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Hebron Governor Kamel Hamid is pictured with the KJA delegation.

Kuwaiti journalists visit historical Palestinian city

Al-Rashid and Editor-in-chief of Al-Anbaa newspaper Yousuf Khalid AlMarzouq in an old market area. — Photos by Khaled Maarafi

The KJA delegation poses for a group photo.

By Nojoud Al-Qassem

Delegation leader Al-Rashid is escorted inside the Ibrahimi mosque.

Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Alyan and delegation leader Adnan Al-Rashid are seen praying inside the Ibrahimi mosque.

Leader of the Kuwaiti delegation and Director of the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) Adnan Al-Rashid is taken on a tour around the city by Hebron Governor Kamel Hamid.

HEBRON: Current visit by renowned Kuwaiti media figures to the West Bank is a bold mission that defied occupation and demonstrated sincere desire to express solidarity with “their brothers under occupation,” said the governor of this city yesterday.

Kamel Hamid, during a meeting with the journalists and eminent personalities in this ancient city, praised the genuinely faithful Kuwaiti people for being keen on maintaining the cordial ties with their Palestinian brethren “even under bleakest circumstances.”

Addressing a board meeting that included local officials and media personnel, the governor hailed the eminent guests “for choosing to be with their families under occupation for sake of backing them up.”

What links up the Kuwaiti and Palestinian people is greater than what may divide them, he said, emphasizing the common desire for closer ties and cooperation.

The Kuwaiti journalists had crossed to the West Bank, met with top leaders namely President Mahmoud Abbas, along with religious figures, and attended the mid-night Christmas mass at the Church of Nativity that draws large numbers of Christians who flock from various corners of the world for the spiritual celebration marking the birth of Jesus. Members of the delegation noted that their attendance of the services reflected Kuwait’s deep advocacy of religious tolerance.

Shedding light on hardships of

the natives of the ancient city, Hamid said Hebron is surrounded by 217 Israeli checkpoints and the compound of Al-Ibrahimi mosque is also encircled by 102 Israelimanned roadblocks. Worshippers entering the sacred site are subjected to humiliating search by the troops stationed around it, he said.

Adnan Al-Rashid, the head of the delegation, expressed particular satisfaction for having the opportunity to be in Palestine, noting that many Kuwaiti journalists look forward to visit the country.

Relationship between the Palestinian and Kuwaiti peoples effectively cements the ties between HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, he said.

The governor presented the visitors with a picture of AlIbrahimi mosque and accompanied them during a tour of the ancient sector of the historic city and the holy mosque. During the tour, the Kuwaiti journalists spoke with Arab residents of the city who spoke about their suffering due to the stringent Israeli security precautions, frequent forced and unjustified closure of their stores.

They also watched closely how the Israeli soldiers frisk the Muslims entering Al-Ibrahimi mosque.

The delegation toured sectors of the ancient half of the city and visited offices of a local committee in charge of securing housing for the natives, rebuilding and renovating old houses and buildings, vis-a-vis schemes by expansionoriented Jewish settlers to take over Arabs’ properties.

Ali Al-Qawasmi, the head of the Palestinian commission, said a number of houses had been repaired with financial support, offered by a number of states, including Kuwait. The journalists, during their historic visit to the ancient city, toured snaky alleys and visited the offices of two radio stations, where they were honored with memorial shields and awards.

The delegation, during the ongoing mission, attended a luncheon, held at the Franciscan monastery, with presence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, his prime minister, Salam Fayyad, Patriarch Fouad Twal, archbishop of Jerusalem, many bishops, priests, Arab and foreign diplomats, along with a large number of other eminent political and religious figures.

Al-Tayyeb Abdel Raheem, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Presidency, warmly welcomed, “these brothers who represent the Kuwaiti public.

“These brothers are of significant weight; their words and opinions are well heard across the Arab world and everywhere,” he said.

Abdel-Raheem praised the “bold visit to the imprisoned,” alluding to the Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Such a visit depicted “the attachment to the Arab world.”

Kuwait has been supporting the Palestinian people since the launch of their struggle, around the middle of the last century, for sake of establishing an independent state, said Abdel-Raheem, drawing resounding applause from the large number of attendees.

For his part, President Abbas expressed his great happiness over the visit. He hailed upon his reception of the media delegation at the presidential palace in Bethlehem this step which “aims at getting acquainted with the Palestinian conditions and the suffering resulted from the continuance of the Israeli occupation.”

The delegation is led by Director of the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) Adnan AlRashid and includes editor-in-chief of Al-Anbaa newspaper Yousuf Khalid Al-Marzouq, editor-in-chief of Kuwait Times Abd Al-Rahman Alyan, Al-Bait Al-Mithali magazine’s deputy chief editor Eqbal Al-Ahmad and Fatma Hussein of the KJA. The delegation also includes a number of journalists like Khalid Maarfi, Mubarak Al-Qenaei, Bader Al-Mashari and the media consultant Jehad Mahmoud Abduljalil and it is accompanied by representative of the Palestinian embassy in Oman Abdulhakim AlZoraiqi. — KUNA

Monday, December 27, 2010

Seven-year-old girl sexually assaulted

kuwait digest

What Dr Al-Awadhi failed to address

By S alah Al-Othman

I

would like to praise MP Dr Aseel AlAwadhi for the rousing speech she delivered at the Parliament on Dec 15, 2010, which was directed towards His Highness the Amir, addressing the right person at the right time, from the right place in a clear, strong and sophisticated manner.

While MP Dr Al-Awadhi successfully criticized the situation of the executive authority, but did not take the legislative authority into account. In her speech, Al-Awadhi addressed the situation in the Parliament in a brief and general manner, but failed to mention some aspects that MPs are responsible for, such as lack of co-operation and failure to alleviate tensions.

Instead, Al-Awadhi mentioned that some of her co-parliamentarians have contributed toward weakening the legislative authority by focusing on marginal issues.

In her statement, Dr Al-Awadhi said that

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the current unfavorable situation is a result of cumulative aspects; the responsibility which everyone shares.

The MP is absolutely right. This is the responsibility of cumulative subjects that have resulted in the current tension - it does not solely rest on executive authority. In fact, the legislative authority perhaps shares a bigger responsibility due to various violations committed such as by-elections, vote buying, mediating for voters as well as interfering in the work of other authorities such as when an MP that interferes with the release of a prisoner at a police station, not to mention the use of foul language.

Meanwhile, MPs’ overuse and abuse of the right to file interpellation motions have resulted in the considerable loss of this constitutional tool’s efficacy against the government, and has become more like a threatening option rather than a tool that can hold an official accountable, which ultimately affects the process of development. — Al-Qabas

Three-member ‘criminal investigators’ rape two KUWAIT: A Leba nese w oman informed police in Rumaithiya that her sevenyea r-old daughter w as sexually a ssa ulted w hile a ttending her elementa ry school, reported Al-Watan. A ca se wa s opened by authorities in search of the suspect. Mea nwhile, a case wa s filed by tw o women, informing authorities tha t they w ere raped by three assailants in their apa rtment, reported Al-Rai. One of the victims, a bea uty salon employee, sa id tha t the incident occurred Pedes tri ans ki l l ed A Bangladeshi man was killed after he was run over by a car while trying to cross Kabad Road, reported AlWatan. Following the incident the car that struck the man was hit by three more cars after stopping suddenly on the road. Meanwhile, another pedestrian, a Syrian, was killed on Kabad Road while trying to cross the street. An investigation was launched by authorities.

Sui ci de An Asian woman committed suicide in Khaitan after getting into an argument with her father, reported AlWatan. After getting into the argument, the 20-year-old jumped from a fifth floor apartment where she worked as a housemaid.

Attempted s ui ci de An Asian man attempted to kill himself in his sponsor’s house in Al-Jahra, reported Al-Qabas. The 22year-old was saved by medical staff after being admitted

w hile her husband and one of her friends w ere at home. She a dded that three men forced their wa y into the apartment w hile cla iming to be crimina l investigators a nd handcuffed her husband. She reported that the assailants then ra ped the two w omen and took va luable items before fleeing their apartment.

Police gathered informa tion about the assa ilants and an investigation w as la unched in sea rch of the suspects.

to a medical facility in the area.

Thi ev es bus ted Jahra police arrested five thieves for being in possession of stolen power cables, reported Al-Watan.

The arrest occurred at a camp site in Rahiya when authorities spotted two half lorries loaded with copper cables while on a routine patrol. Soon after pulling them over, police discovered that the five Asians stole the power cables from construction sites and power transformers. They were referred to the proper authorities.

Drug deal er nabbed Authorities arrested an Arab man working at a cell phone shop in Farwaniya for selling drugs. He was arrested by police after unknowingly selling hashish to an undercover police informant for KD 150. When questioned, he informed police that his accomplice is currently out of the country.

Al co ho l po s s es s i o n A passenger was arrested at the Kuwait International Airport soon after arriving to the country following a short visit to a neighboring Gulf state, reported Al-Rai. Authorities found the passenger with 12 bottles of imported liquor in his suitcase. When questioned, the man explained that he brought the alcohol for personal use during the New Year holiday.

Fai l ed abo rti o n Police are waiting for the medical condition of an Asian woman to stabilize before questioning her about her illegal relationship. The woman, who works for a Kuwaiti family, was brought to Adan Hospital by her sponsors after she was found bleeding. While at the hospital, doctors discovered that she was pregnant and that she attempted to perform an abortion. The sponsor filed a case with authorities and informed them that she must have gotten pregnant as a result of an illegal relationship.

MOE yet to supervise school cafeterias DOHA: Kuwaiti Ambassador Ali Salman Al-Heifi pictured with Shibeeb AlZoubi yesterday.

Charitable work defines Kuwait’s history DOHA: Charitable work is a defining aspect of the State of Kuwait, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar Ali Salman Al-Heifi said yesterday.

After meeting Secretary General of Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Humanitarian Society, Shibeeb Al-Zoubi, the Ambassador said that Kuwaiti charitable work displayed Kuwait’s humanitarian contributions worldwide.

Al-Heifi noted the importance of acknowledging exceptional efforts and contributions made by the personnel involved in this domain.

Meanwhile, Al-Zuobi said that the meeting with Kuwaiti ambassador fell in line with the organization’s policy in cooperating with embassies abroad to execute humanitarian projects.

The meeting touched on the organization’s major development projects, alongside Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad International Charity Work Award which would be held under the patronage of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah next January. — KUNA

KUWAIT: About three months have passed since the start of the 2010/2011 school year and the Ministry of Education (MOE) still has yet to develop a method to ensure that school cafeterias are monitored, reported Al-Qabas.

Official sources within the ministry questioned the reason behind such a delay and a supervisory committee has been formed to follow up on cafeteria safety.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that such a committee should have been formed before the start of the school year and that it should feature representatives from the health and public affairs min-

istry.

The main committee should have sub committees that would conduct periodic tours of public schools throughout the country to ensure that cafeterias commit to the required nutrition and hygiene standards.

Meanwhile, a report was issued that features conversations between the MOE and the Ministry of Health (MOH), explaining that the committee has been delayed because they are still waiting on who exactly will participate from the municipality in addition to other obligations.

The report however also indicates that the municipality sent a list of potential candidates to the MOE and

that they are waiting on them to form the committee.

As a result of the current situation, the MOH hasn’t received any report regarding the level of nutrition or hygiene from schools participating in the ministry’s cafeteria program since the start of the school year.

“At this point we have no idea what’s going on in public school cafeterias,” the sources reiterated. The source warned that schools are not necessarily protected against the recent wave of expired and spoiled food that has been found throughout the country.

Schools of all levels throughout Kuwait have cafeterias participating in

the ministry’s program, which doesn’t include lunch servings like public schools in other developed countries.

The importance of keeping an eye on what is being sold to students there stems from the duty to guarantee that students can enjoy as healthy a diet as possible.

The same source also indicated that the ministry is required to supervise the program on a daily basis to measure how successful the experience has been for students.

The source mentioned that the Ministry of Health has expressed an interest to measure the appeal of the program to students and determine which items are the most popular.

6

NATIONAL

Monday, December 27, 2010

Negative effect on children

'Society heavily dependent on domestic workers' KUWAIT: Hiring housemaids has become a dominant social trend in the Gulf region, to the point where families who do not hire domestic workers feel like they are outcasts in society. Moreover, a recent study conducted by expert Abbas Sabty indicates that around 22 percent of families in Kuwait and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries hire housemaids as prestige symbols, compared to 13.7 percent who actually hire domestic workers to help families with both working parents, and a 20 percentage usually hire a crew of domestic helpers to reflect their high financial status.

At the same time, the study warns that a heavy dependence on domestic helpers leave a negative effect on children who are raised by maids. Among the negative effects that the study mentions are criminal behavior, as well as detrimental first language influence.

The study mentions that 80 percentage of children struggle to read Arabic because they spend considerable amount of time with housemaids. Meanwhile, expert Sabty also asked that regulations to protect the rights of housemaids be put in place because of rising tense situations in the region. Speaking of the problems that domestic workers face, a team of reporters from Al-Qabas carried out a tour around a number of recruitment agencies, during which they stumbled upon situations that

Time is right to grill PM: Al-Awadhi KUWAIT: A liberal antigovernment MP explained that remaining committed to her personal principles is the guideline by which she makes her political stances, reported Al-Rai. She criticized those who accused her of being a hypocrite for standing beside those MPs who she previously disagreed with.

"I'm willing to sacrifice my seat in the parliament as long as I remain committed to my principles," MP Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi said during an interview with Al-Rai TV. She asserted that the interpellation filed against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah - in which her National Action Bloc is taking part - is happening at the right time. Additionally, she refused claims hinting that the intention behind the grilling is to oust HH the Prime Minister from his position.

Dr Al-Awadhi added that it is impractical to talk about a noncooperation motion at this time and that what should be focused on the most is the interpellation's contents. The lawmaker accused the Cabinet of deliberately obstructing parliamentary sessions.

"Ever since we reached the parliament we have tried to create a suitable environment to work with the Cabinet and are shocked to

find that a year and a half later the Cabinet is still obstructing sessions. This is against the law and disobeys the instructions of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah."

Regarding the accusations made against her by MP Hussain Al-Qallaf, columnist Nabil Al-Fadhl and others, Dr Al-Awadhi said that she has no problem responding to her critics as long as her critics remain within the boundaries of morality. She added that she has no interest in debating with her critics if they personally attack her.

While the fate of the interpellation motion initiated against the premier hinges on some MPs' decisions, the most likely outcome of the situation is that all stances in support of the grilling motion will be materialized following the debate.

In a related development, anti-government MP Dr Waleed Al-Tabtabae hinted that the interpellation motion's presenters are aware that tomorrow's discussions are likely to take place during a confidential session.

In a recent comment, he said that the Cabinet will not face the problem of corralling enough votes to discuss the debate behind closed doors.

The Development and Reform

Bloc(DRB) member, however, insisted that the non-cooperation motion is the government's 'real test'.

This comes while MPs are placed under pressure, as a crowd of 40 citizens gathered outside the diwaniya of MP Dulaihi Al-Hajri and urged him to support the grilling motion before leaving 15 minutes later, reported AlQabas.

Anti-MP Dr Faisal Al-Mislem asked the Cabinet to resign "in order to save the country from continuing through the dark tunnel," while MP Naji Al-Abdulhadi expressed concern about talking to reporters during the inauguration of the disabled citizens club that "Tuesday might be a day of setback."

Also, MP Ali Al-Deqbasi accused the Ministry of Information of "failing to commit to their role in protecting the country from tension," referring to TV stations which he said are "backed by hidden agendas." The Popular Action Bloc (PAB) member further issued a threat while speaking during a seminar held by the 11/11 movement to discuss the Audio-Visual law, to file an interpellation motion against Minister Sheikh Ahmad AlAbdullah, accusing him of taking a 'double standards approach' while handling violations.

Inspection discovers more expired food

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The Precautionary Inspection Team from the Municipality's Imported Food Department confiscated expired food items.

Part of the confiscated lot included items whose labels have been tampered with. Some of the shops that were fined during the inspection did not comply with general hygiene rules as sewage pipes were overflowing under the foodstuff. According to a news report prepared by the public relations department at Kuwait municipality said that

six bags (25kg each) of citrus salt were found not to include production and expiry dates; another 200 cartons of Tooti fruiti were confiscated with manipulated dates. The inspection team called inspectors from The Ministry of Commerce and Industry who came and took action towards the forgery.

Some 13 bags (25kg each) of sweet lupine were found with an expiry date of November 2009 in addition to 39 boxes of toast, whose expiry date was changed from 5/11/2010 to 20/03/2011. All necessary measures were taken and citations were issued.

in the news

'MPW projects disregard environment' KUWAIT: The Ministry of Public Works completely disregards environmental standards while implementing projects, a top Environment Public Authority (EPA) official said.

He stated that that one of their planned projects has been designed near a dumpster.

Samira Al-Kandari, the Planning and Environmental Output Department Manager at the EPA urged the MPW in a recent press statement to maintain commitment to environmental conditions to prevent risks.

She also demanded that more information be divulged on the project to construct new roads that connect the Sixth and Seventh Ring roads, noting that they pass by the Jleeb AlShuyoukh's land fill, reported Al-Qabas.

Al-Kandari asserted that the project must be moved at least 300 meters away from the land fill in order to avoid the possible leak of methane while conducting drilling operations.

shed light on a serious cases of human trafficking.

The undercover operation that included agencies in Salmiya and other areas, uncovered cases in which absconding maids are lodged in a very poor condition, until they are hired by a new employer in an act that qualifies as human trafficking.

One maid is quoted in the news report as explaining how a taxi driver offered her a place where she would be provided with free food and accommodation when she escaped from her sponsor's home, only to be taken to an apartment that belongs to maid recruitment agencies.

She then explains that the place was operated by Asian and Arab men who provide jobs to maids, in exchange of large amounts of money that are levied on the

new sponsor, or in other words 'sells them to a new sponsor. ' Moreover, the maid said that they live in dire straits with little food and worn out clothes.

Another maid, named Rita from Ethiopia, narrated her experience after she fell victim to kidnap and sexual assault by two police officials. She was hired by a maids agency that locked her inside an apartment and 'sold' her to people seeking to hire a worker for a short-term period, reported Al-Qabas. Meanwhile, an official said that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is aware of the problems that maids face at recruitment agencies, but cannot cover all the 300 agencies in the country with a team of four officials that were assigned by the ministry. The official indicated that 50 agencies have been shut down so far.

kuwait digest

Day after tomorrow!

By Saleh Al-Ghannam

B

efore the interpellation of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlMuhammad Al-Sabah over the Um AlHaiman pollution issue I wrote an article titled 'Withdrawal.' In that article I predicted how Popular Action Bloc (PAB) members would react to the session and everything happened exactly as I had written it except for one detail; PAB members stayed in the assembly hall until the secret discussion was voted on.

The following day, I decided to embarrass the PAB and wrote an article titled 'Secrecy without principle.' I ridiculed their decision to remain in the assembly hall, indicating their acceptance of confidential grilling sessions. The funny thing is that PAB member MP Ahmed AlSadoun commented on his late withdrawal, saying that the PAB decided to withdraw from the session long before it was held behind closed doors. He described the confidential grilling as "a dangerous violation of all political and constitutional tools."

Dear readers, I beg you to bear with me and read Sadoun's statement once more. He said: "Let's leave bygones be bygones. Let's stick to the present. It is clear that minister Al-Bosairi will call for holding the grilling session behind

closed doors, which will be controversial. The question is will PAB members withdraw from the session." Logically, and according to AlSadoun statement above, do you, dear readers, think they will withdraw?

Personally speaking I'm sure they will not find it hard to come up with some excuse, some way to claim that since they were not the only ones filing the motion that they cannot withdraw alone. So, despite rejecting the decision to hold the session behind closed doors they are expected to take part for the sake of nonsense slogans such as 'freedom, the nation and the constitution'.

Generally speaking, if MPs do withdraw from this session on Tuesday this would reflect how committed they are to their principles. If they follow the same old pattern it will surely call more attention to the fact that they have ulterior motives. They have to be decisive about their decision without feeling any kind of embarrassment because of fellowship.

Tuesday's session will not be held to discuss a simple grilling motion it will be a call for mutiny, after which mobs of people will take to the streets. I know I should have published this article after Tuesday but I'm publishing it today, hoping that the PAB will prove me wrong and come up with a different scenario!—Al-Rai

MP criticism KUWAIT: MP Adel Al-Sarawi criticized the Deputy Premier for Economic Affairs and State Minister for Housing and Development, Sheikh Ahmad AlFahed Al-Sabah, for saying that "all must understand His Highness the Amir's Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah's messages." "HH The Amir's speech asked Al-Fahed to study and deal with national unity and implement laws to improve national information that serves national causes," Al-Sarawi said. “What has Al-Fahed done following those messages? Kuwait did not have problems with national unity until he was asked to deal with it.

There was no problem with information until Al-Fahed got involved with it and even our relations with other countries has worsened.�

AMF loan to Yemen ABU DHABI: Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) signed yesterday a $200 million loan agreement with Yemen to help it regain its financial balance and economic stability. AMF said in a statement that the agreement was signed at the fund's headquarters in Abu Dhabi

by Yemeni Minister of Finance Numan Salih Al-Suhaibi and AMF Director General Dr. Jassim AlMunae. The statement noted that by offering this loan, the fund would have provided Yemen with 22 loans worth $808 million. It added that this loan would help out in supporting a new Yemeni economic reform program until 2012. The program would aim at regaining internal and external financial balance, establishing elements for economic stability, enhancing venues, rationalizing spending, strengthening financial management as well as stimulating growth in non-oil industry sectors.

KUWAIT: The Ministry of Interior concluded recently a training course for the mass destruction weapons detection teams, which was organized by the civil protection unit of the Civil Defense Department in cooperation with the anti-chemical weapons unit of the National Guard. The event was concluded under the patronage of Assistant Undersecretary, Maj Gen Dr Mustafa Al-Zaabi, who explained the goals of the seminar in training security forces to become more efficient in handling different cases.

Onion prices reach new highs KUWAIT: Following on the heels of the recent tomato price crisis, onion prices are shooting up along a similar trajectory. This has raised questions over the results of a recent disagreement between the farmer's union and the Municipality over the relocation the Shuwaikh vegetable market to Sulaibiya. Farmers are still objecting to the new relocation, and local onions have disappeared from the market for several days, reported AlWatan.

According to retail salesmen, onion prices have doubled, with the Egyptian variety dominating the local ones. The Indian variety has disappeared and Iranian and Saudi onions have became scarce.

They added that a ten kilogram Egyptian

onion sacks were being sold for KD 3; when their previous prices did not exceed KD 1.5. "A four kilogram Iranian onion sacks was sold for 800 fils, but are now sold for KD 2.25," said the vendors.

He attributes the price increase to hikes in their countries of origin because production has suffered as a result of prevailing bad weather conditions. "India has banned onion exports owing to a severe drop in its production," he said. Notably, the Kuwaiti Farmers Union Chairman, Soud AlAradah had previously warned that onion prices would register a steep rise to touch as much as KD 9. Meanwhile, after skyrocketing to as much as five Kuwaiti dinars per kilogram, prices of tomatoes have dropped to 750 fils per kilogram at the Forda market in Sulaibiya, which also saw

prices of vegetables drop to 65 percent, with spectators expecting them to continue dropping to as much as 80 percent.

On the other hand, the prices of meat products have risen to high levels, while butchers still blame the Kuwait Livestock Transport and Trading company by explaining that they sell them the imported Australian sheep with KD 33 per sheep, reported Al-Rai. Likewise, poultry traders blamed the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) for the increase of poultry price from 450 fils per kilogram to 650 fils per kilogram, due to failure in providing enough supply of fodder which has led many to buy their supply from the black market.

Wataniya organizes training course for students KUWAIT: As part of its social responsibility program, Wataniya aims to provide training opportunities to students belonging to all ages.

Wataniya Telecom recently organized an exclusive training course for three students from the Vocational Department of Dasman Model School from Dec 6 to 16 at its headquarters.

Ahmed Gaith, Ali Adel Dehrab and Yousef Al-Adwani are the three students who were chosen for training with Wataniya. These students study in the Vocational Department and are currently developing their skills in Business Administration and Retail. Training at Wataniya will give them first-hand experience and it will help them learn and explore the telecom industry. Plus it will better equip

them to face the challenges of professional life.

Commenting on this training program, Abdulaziz Al-Balool, PR Manager said, "We at Wataniya believe success is a combination of business and compassion. Students were given exposure to a healthy business environment, and that provided them with a boost of confidence and a feeling of accomplishment."

Welcoming and appreciating their initiative, Dasman Model School's Vocational Senior Coordinator Les O' Leary thanked Wataniya and stated, "We greatly appreciate Wataniya's support in helping our students' find placements in its company. Through this practice, we hope to initiate a successful alliance that fulfills our core values, and most importantly it will help our students gain prac-

tical experience in the professional world."

Wataniya has gone beyond the usual with its awareness programs and initiatives to make a positive impact on society. Its extensive support has helped raise awareness on a variety of different important topics, and along the way, it has enriched the lives of many people. Wataniya Telecom was commercially launched in 1999 as the first privately owned operator in Kuwait. The National Mobile Telecommunications Company (NMTC) trading under the brand name Wataniya Telecom is listed in the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) and has operations in six countries including Maldives, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Algeria and Palestine. Qatar Telecom (Qtel) owns 52.5 percent of Wataniya Telecom.

Wataniya is a customer-driven company that aims to provide product and service excellence. Over the past 10 years, Wataniya has risen to be the second largest operator in one of the most competitive markets, and continues offering a wide range of prepaid and postpaid mobile voice and internet services to both individual and corporate customers.

Wataniya has built its reputation on offering innovative services, maintaining excellent network quality and delivering outstanding customer experience. These three pillars remain the basis of Wataniya's strategy as it continues to solidify its strong market position. Qatar Telecom (Qtel) provides both fixed and mobile telecommunications services in the state of Qatar.

Monday, December 27, 2010

internAtiOnAL

7

Both sides prepared for another round of bloodletting

Militants killed, violence surges on Gaza border LAKLOUK: A Lebanese boy puts a hat on his snowman as he spends the Christmas holiday in the village of Laklouk at 2,000 meters above sea level in the Lebanese mountains north of Beirut yesterday. —AFP

Iran passes death sentence on spy TEHRAN: Iran has imposed a death sentence on a man suspected of spying for Israel, local media reported yesterday. The semiofficial Mehr news agency quoted Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, Tehran's chief prosecutor, as saying, "The spy has been sentenced to death ... (His) identity will be announced after approval of the verdict" by Iran's Supreme Court. He did not say when that would be. Dowlatabadi said three more cases of espionage were under review by the Iranian judiciary. He did not elaborate. Israel had no immediate comment.

Iran and Israel have been enemies since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, and Tehran periodically announces arrest of people suspected of spying for Israel. In 2008, Iran executed Ali Ashtari, an electronics salesman convicted of relaying information on the country's nuclear program and other sensitive data to Israel's Mossad intelligence agency.

A court in 2000 convicted 10 Iranian Jews of

spying for Israel in a closed-door trial and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from four to 13 years. All were released before serving out their full sentences after international pressure.

The report on the latest death sentence came as Israel continued to press for curtailment of Iran's nuclear program.

Israel, the United States and many Western countries contend that Iran's nuclear program is intended to produce nuclear weapons. Iran denies that, saying its program is for peaceful purposes, such as generating power. Israel considers Iran a strategic threat because of its nuclear program and missiles. Israel has said it prefers to resolve the issue through diplomatic means but has not taken a military operation off the table. In 1981, an Israeli air attack destroyed an unfinished nuclear reactor in Iraq. Israel is also assumed responsible for an air strike on a suspected nuclear facility in Syria in September 2007. — AP

Iran hangs rapist, drug traffickers TEHRAN: Iran has hanged a convicted rapist and five men who were found guilty of drug trafficking, newspapers reported yesterday. Hardline Kayhan newspaper identified the convicted rapist only as Gh.F. and said he was found guilty of "acting against virtue"-the charge brought against rapists in the Islamic republic.

The newspaper also reported execution of three drug traffickers who were also identified only by their initials -- A.A., H.M. and J.J. These four were executed on Saturday in the prison of the southwestern city of Ahvaz, the newspaper said citing the provincial judiciary.

Hardline Javan newspaper reported two more hangings in the central city of Saveh on Saturday.

Ahmad Amini Sangar and Hassan Davtalab, 50, were hanged in the city's prison, the newspaper quoted city police chief Mostafa Veismehie as saying. The latest hangings bring the number of executions in Iran to at least 169 so far this year, according to an AFP count based on media reports. At least 270 people were executed in 2009. Along with China, Saudi Arabia and the United States, Iran has one of the highest numbers of executions each year. The Islamic republic says the death penalty is essential to maintain law and order and is applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in Iran. — AFP

GAZA CITY: Israel and Palestinian militants traded threats yesterday amid fresh skirmishes along the tense Gaza Strip border in which two Islamic Jihad fighters were killed.The escalation of violence comes on the eve of the second anniversary of Israel's devastating Operation Cast Lead assault on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, and follows weeks of rocket fire from Gaza and retaliatory Israeli air raids.

Turning up the rhetoric, both sides said they were prepared for another round of bloodletting. "I hope there is no need for another operation like 'Cast Lead,'" Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom told public radio ahead of a cabinet meeting. "But if this situation continues-if missiles keep being smuggled in without hindrance, if they continue shooting into Israel, trying to hit innocent civilians-then, obviously we will have to respond and respond with all our force," he said.

And at the funeral for two members of Islamic Jihad killed in an early morning exchange of fire with Israeli troops, mourners called on the military wings of Islamic Jihad and Hamas to take revenge on Israel. Abu Ahmed, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad's military wing, said the group was prepared. "The occupation will pay the price if they even think of carrying out an escalation in the Gaza Strip," he told mourners.

Yesterday, Hamas's military wing also reiterated their readiness to fight Israel. "There is a truce in effect in the field. It is real if Israel stops its aggression and ends its siege. But if there is any Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip we will respond strongly," said a masked spokesman for the group, who identified himself as Abu Obeideh.

"We are completely ready to answer any Israeli aggression," he said. Yesterday morning,

GAZA CITY: A Palestinian woman supporter of the Islamist Hamas movement holds up a Quran, Islam's holy book, during a demonstration in Gaza City yesterday calling for Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists to be freed from Palestinian Authority prisons in the West Bank. — AFP Israeli forces, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships,killed two Islamic Jihad militants, who were apparently trying to place a bomb along the Gaza border, the army and the militant group said.

"Soldiers opened fire on members of a terrorist cell which was trying to place an explosive charge in the immediate vicinity of the security barrier," an Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP. The barrier separates Israel from the Gaza Strip. "The incident happened in the south of the Gaza Strip and helicopters backed up the fire of the soldiers," she added. She said "soldiers received instructions not to hesitate to

open fire whenthey saw terrorists placing booby-trap devices near the barrier." Witnesses also said Israeli tanks fired at least 10 shells towards Khan Yunis, damaging three homes, but causing no casualties.

Late yesterday morning, the Israeli military said two rockets fired from Gaza landed in the Eshkol region in the southern Negev desert, causing no injuries. Tension has been rising on the Gaza border, where armed Islamist groups have fired dozens of mortars and rockets into southern Israel. In response, Israel has launched a series of air raids that it said targeted training facilities

and smuggling tunnels. It has also launched targeted assassinations of several top members of the Army of Islam, a jihadist group accused by Israel of planning new attacks. Israel's military said this week that one of its tanks patrolling the Gaza border had been hit by a Russian-made Kornet anti-tank rocket, the first time such a weapon had been encountered there. On Saturday Hamas hinted that it possessed a secret weapon. "Our weapons are few compared to those of the Israeli occupation, but wehave something that will worry the occupation," Abu Obeideh said.

At least 23 mortars and six

rockets have been launched at Israel from Gaza in the past week, the army said, including a Qassam rocket that struck near a kindergarten in a southern Israeli kibbutz, wounding a teenage girl.

While most of the rockets have been fired by other groups, Israel says it holds Hamas responsible for maintaining calm in Gaza. On December 27, 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in response to hundreds of rockets fired into the Jewish state.

The war, which ended in a ceasefire on January 18, 2009, killed 1,400 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 13 Israelis, 10 of them soldiers. — AFP

international

8

Monday, December 27, 2010

Clashes in Nigerian city after deadly Christmas bombings Authorities seek to keep violence from spreading

JOS: Clashes left at least one person dead and a number of houses burned in the Nigerian city of Jos yesterday amid tensions following a series of Christmas Eve bomb attacks that killed dozens. Soldiers patrolled the Previous outbreaks of violence between Christian and Muslim ethnic groups have killed hundreds, and the bombs added a worrying new dimension to the unrest ahead of April elections. “There were some skirmishes between the two groups and it’s under control now,” state police commissioner Abdulrahman Akano told AFP. “One or two houses were burnt.”

Asked about deaths, he said, “we have seen only one-one person.” An AFP correspondent said at least two houses burned and heavy smoke was coming from another area of the city. He also said crowds ran through the streets earlier in the day, with some claiming people had been killed. The commissioner said the two groups involved in the clashes were “the locals and the so-called settlers.”

Christians from the Berom ethnic group are typically referred to as the indigenes in the region, while Hausa-Fulani Muslims are seen as the more recent arrivals. Many attribute unrest in the region to the struggle for political and economic power between the groups. A spokesman for the governor of Plateau state, where Jos is the capital, said authorities were deployed to control youths earlier yesterday, but he could not say what had occurred.

“There was tension in certain parts of the town where the bombs exploded,” said the spokesman, James Mannok.

“What I heard was that the youths there are still agitated.

The security agencies are controlling them.” Mannok said the governor, Jonah David Jang, had encouraged youths to assist authorities in spotting suspicious activity. He stressed that the governor was not encouraging them to use violence.

Nigerian Vice President Namadi Sambo was due to visit the city yesterday, but later cancelled.

Mannok could not say why.

A deputy chief for the national police arrived from the capital

streets of the central Nigerian city and authorities sought to keep the violence from further spreading after Friday’s bombs that claimed at least 32 lives.

JOS: A man lies on a bed at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) after he was injured in a series of Christmas Eve bomb blasts and attacks on churches, on December 25, 2010, in Jos. —AFP and said four units of reinforcements would be dispatched to the area from other states, according to Mannok. The US embassy issued a statement condemning the violence, call-

ing on the government to bring the perpetrators to justice and saying its citizens in affected areas should remain vigilant. At least 32 people were killed and 74 wounded when seven explo-

sions went off in two different areas of Jos on Friday evening, with many of the victims doing their Christmas shopping at the time. A church was also targeted, the governor has said.

On the same night, suspected members of an Islamist sect that launched an uprising last year attacked three churches in northern Nigeria, leaving six people dead and one of the churches burnt. There was no immediate indication the incidents in the vast country’s north and central regions were linked.

Army Chief of Staff Azubuike Ihejirika told reporters in the southern oil city of Port Harcourt that the bomb blasts amounted to “terrorism.”

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged that those behind the bombings would be hunted down and brought to justice. A heavy deployment of soldiers could be seen in the streets of Jos yesterday, and troops were stopping and searching cars.

The city is in the so-called middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south and has long been a hotspot of ethnic and religious friction in Nigeria. Local rights groups say 1,500 people have died in inter-communal violence in the Jos region this year alone.

Some observers say tensions have been exploited and violence has been instigated for political aims. Poverty, unemployment and deeply rooted corruption have ensured a restless population of youths. “The aim of the mastermind is to pit Christians against Muslims and spark off another round of violence that will eventually culminate in the scuttling of the ongoing electioneering activities,” the state governor said.

Observers have warned of an increase in violence in the run up to the elections in Africa’s most populous nation, also one of the world’s largest oil producers.

Pope Benedict XVI deplored the “absurd violence” against Christians after the attacks on churches in Nigeria and in the Philippines over the Christmas holiday.— AFP

Gbagbo faces threat from neighbors ABIDJAN: West African leaders are giving the man who refuses to leave Ivory Coast’s presidency a final chance to hand over power and are threatening to remove him by force if needed, though doubts exist about whether the operation could be carried out. Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency said at least 14,000 people have fled the violence and political chaos in Ivory Coast, some walking for up to four days with little food to reach neighboring Liberia.

At least one child drowned while trying to cross a river.

The UN has said at least 173 people have died in violence over the disputed presidential runoff election held nearly one month ago. The toll is believed to be much higher, though, as the UN mission has been blocked from investigating other reports including an allegation of a mass grave.

West African leaders from the regional bloc ECOWAS late Friday threatened a military intervention if Laurent Gbagbo does not step down from Ivory Coast’s presidency. Yesterday, Sierra Leone’s information ministry said that three leaders from the region would pay him a visit. “In the spirit of brotherliness in Africa, three presidents have been nominated by their colleagues to confront Mr Gbagbo in Abidjan to encourage him to leave office without delay,” the ministry said. “The three presidents can fly back with Mr Gbagbo, as all ECOWAS countries are prepared to grant him asylum.” Gbagbo has shown few signs that he plans to go, though, and his security forces have been accused of being behind hundreds of arrests, and dozens of cases of disappearance and torture in recent weeks. A Gbagbo adviser has said he does not believe their supporters are behind the attacks.

ECOWAS has not stated a deadline for

ABIDJAN: Ivory Coast’s incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo’s Interior Minister Emile Guirieoulou gives a press conference yesterday in Abidjan.—AFP Gbagbo to hand over power to Alassane Ouattara, whose victory has been acknowledged by the UN, US, the African Union and the European Union.

While the threat of a military intervention creates pressure on Gbagbo, Africa security analyst Peter Pham said there are “serious doubts that ECOWAS has the wherewithal to carry it out.” “None of the ECOWAS countries has the type of special operations forces capable of a ‘decapitation strike’ to remove the regime leadership,”

said Pham, who is the senior vice president of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy in New York. “That leaves the rather unpalatable option of mounting a full-scale invasion of the sort that would inevitably involve urban fighting and civilian casualties.” Pham also said there is “little chance” that the UN would allow its peacekeepers to get involved in such an effort. “The precedent would make it very difficult to get future agreement for deployment of such missions by host countries,” he said.

Diplomatic pressure and sanctions have left Gbagbo increasingly isolated, though he has been able to maintain his rule for nearly a month since the disputed vote because he still has the loyalty of security forces and the country’s military. Even that, though, may disappear if he runs out of money to pay them. Gbagbo’s access to the state funds used to pay soldiers and civil servants has been cut off and only Ouattara’s representatives now have access to the state coffers.

Senior diplomatic sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, say that Gbagbo only has enough reserves to run the country for three months.

Gbagbo’s spokesman Ahoua Don Mello on Saturday denounced the decision by West Africa’s economic and monetary union to give Ouattara’s government signing privileges on state accounts. He called the move “illegal and manifestly beyond their competence.” The meeting of regional finance ministers that issued the freeze “overstepped its stated prerogatives by interfering in the internal affairs of a member state of the union,” Mello said.

Gbagbo’s government has denied

rumors that state salaries wouldn’t be paid, and in spite of the financial freeze, civil servants received their paychecks the day before Christmas Eve. While Ouattara now has access to government funds, he is struggling to assert his legitimacy despite widespread international support. Troops loyal to his political rival continue to encircle the hotel where he has taken refuge under the protection of some 800 UN peacekeepers since the election.

“After these long years of crisis, the Ivorian people deserved to rejoice in our democratic advancement,” Ouattara said in a Christmas Eve address. “But former president Laurent Gbagbo has decided to turn a new page of violence and uncertainty, aggravating every day a little more the suffering of Ivorians.” In recent days, the United Nations has expressed alarm about the actions of men who are believed to be Gbagbo loyalists. The world body reported Thursday that heavily armed forces allied with Gbagbo, who were joined by masked men with rocket launchers, were preventing people from getting to the village of N’Dotre, where the global body said “allegations point to the existence of a mass grave.” The UN did not elaborate on the possible victims, though it has expressed concerns about reports of being abducted from their homes at night.

Ivory Coast was once an economic hub because of its role as the world’s top cocoa producer. A 2002-2003 civil war split the country into a rebel-controlled north and a loyalist south. While the country officially reunited in a 2007 peace deal, Ouattara draws his support from the northern half of the country, where he was born, while Gbagbo’s power base is in the south.— AP

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by an unknown man at the Paul VI hall of the Vatican yesterday. —AFP

Pope lunches with poor, denounces church attacks VATICAN CITY: Lasagna, veal and cake were on the menu yesterday as Pope Benedict XVI invited about 250 poor people to join him for a postChristmas lunch and denounced as “absurd” new attacks on the faithful around the globe. Also joining the pope and his guests were 250 nuns, seminarians and priests of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity order, which runs soup kitchens around Rome. Last year, Benedict traveled to a Rome soup kitchen to join the poor for lunch after Christmas. This year he wanted to invite them to his home and to pay homage to Mother Teresa, whose birth centenary is being celebrated this year.

During the lunch, held inside the Vatican’s main audience hall, Benedict told his guests about the virtues of Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the sick and poor. “To those who ask why Mother Teresa was famous, the answer is easy: she lived her life in a humble and hidden way, for the love of God and in love with God,” Benedict said.

The feast included lasagna with homemade Bolognese sauce, veal chunks with roasted potatoes, traditional yellow Christmas cake with chocolate bits and Chantilly cream, and coffee.

Before the meal, Benedict delivered his traditional yesterday blessing from his studio window, denouncing Christmas Day attacks on the faithful in the Philippines and Nigeria and a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed 45 people at an aid center.

“Once again, the earth is stained by blood,” he lamented. A bomb exploded during Christmas Mass at a police camp chapel in the southern Philippines, wounding a priest and 10 churchgoers. Also Saturday, six people died in attacks by Muslim sect members on two churches in northern Nigeria. “I express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of this absurd violence and once again repeat my appeal to abandon ways of hatred and find peaceful solutions to conflicts” so that people can live in peace and security, he said.

Benedict noted that the Sunday after Christmas traditionally celebrates the family, taking the birth of Jesus as its cue. Underlining his rejection of gay marriage and abortion, the pope stressed that every child deserves a mother and a father who will love them and welcome them as a gift. “This is what gives children security and, as they grow, lets them discover the sense of life,” he said.—AP

Icy rain shuts down Moscow’s airport MOSCOW: Icy rain yesterday shut down Moscow’s largest airport for nearly 15 hours, coated roads with ice and left more than 300,000 people and 14 hospitals without electricity in winter. The rain struck the city Saturday night.

Workers are scrambling to restore the power supply after heavy ice snapped power lines, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said.

Moscow’s Domodedovo airport closed yesterday morning after it lost power. No planes were allowed to land or take off for 15 hours until the airport opened for outbound flights to several domestic destinations. The airport’s full power supply has not been restored yet. At least 13 flights had already taken off, civil aviation chief Alexander Neradko said on state-run Rossiya 24 TV. Moscow’s other two major airports, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, remained open but experienced severe delays. Moscow motorists woke up to find their cars covered with an inch of ice. Power lines across the region, loaded down with ice, snapped at the slightest touch, disrupting public transport and suburban trains.

Health officials urged Moscow residents to stay indoors and not to risk walking on the city’s icy streets. Unlike the rest of Europe, Moscow had no airport delays last week due to winter weather. In Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, polar swimmers took part yesterday in

the traditional Christmas swim in the Vltava River.

Several European airports were hit by weather problems in the eastern United States. London’s Heathrow Airport was open yesterday, but warned on its website of flight cancellations and delays due to bad weather in the US. Fifteen British Airways flights out of Heathrow to the US were canceled, including ones to New York’s JFK airport, Newark, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington Dulles airport.

In Paris, five flights leaving for JFK from Charles de Gaulle airport were canceled yesterday, along with three flights to Newark and one bound for Philadelphia, The cancellations came as the Paris airport was finally getting back to normal yesterday after a snowstorm and severe shortages of deicing fluid left thousands of people stranded. Hundreds of people spent Christmas Eve sleeping on airport floors in Paris and Brussels. Tour boat operators halted cruises on the Seine River in Paris because of unusually high waters following heavy snowfall.

Flight to the eastern US were also canceled from Stockholm and Oslo. Frankfurt airport, continental Europe’s second biggest hub, yesterday reported only two cancelations, flights to JFK and Newark. Munich reported only one cancellation, a Lufthansa flight to Newark. —AP

MOSCOW: Passengers queue in front of ticket and information counters at Moscow’s Domodedovo airport yesterday. Icy rain yesterday shut down Moscow’s largest airport for nearly 15 hours. —AP

Britain mulls law to fine Heathrow after chaos LONDON: British ministers said yesterday they wanted to introduce new laws to allow regulators to fine airports for travel disruption, after a pre-Christmas cold snap all but shut down Heathrow Airport last week. Transport Minister Philip Hammond told the Sunday Times that regulators should have tougher powers to punish airports who fail passengers, after thousands were forced to sleep at Heathrow when heavy snow grounded flights.

“There should be an economic penalty for service failure,” he said. “Greater weight needs to be given to performance and passenger satisfaction.” Hammond said it was unacceptable that BAA, the Spanish-owned operator of Heathrow, which is the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, would face no punishment from the regulator under the current system.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has con-

firmed that there will be no fines, the paper said. Terminals at Heathrow Airport were turned into dormitories for several days in the run-up to Christmas as angry passengers unable to fly were forced to spend the night on luggage trays used as makeshift beds. Most flights are now operating normally but the shutdown caused outrage, with Prime Minister David Cameron at one point stepping in to offer military assistance to the operator, which BAA

declined. The Department for Transport confirmed it was looking at options for new legislation, and junior transport minister Theresa Villiers said this would give regulators powers to intervene between regular five-year reviews. “The regulator would have the chance to get involved to work out whether the airport is performing well enough in the face of winter resilience, whether it has prepared well enough, and whether it has let passengers

down or not,” she told BBC News.

“It (the legislation) would give the regulator the power to fine an airport where it does let passengers down and doesn’t prepare properly for severe weather conditions.” At the moment, the CAA can only impose fines in specific categories, such as for how long passengers queue at security, seating availability and cleanliness. The regulator could also be given powers to step in when an airport is not work-

ing effectively, the Sunday Times reported.

“Because airports are ultimately strategic infrastructure, we probably need to have as a very last resort some powers to intervene in the way we don’t have at the moment, except where safety and security are concerned,” Hammond said. BAA has launched an inquiry into the Heathrow snow chaos and chief executive Colin Matthews has said he is not be taking his bonus this year. — AFP

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Monday, December 27, 2010

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Panama president denies alleged phone tap request PANAMA CITY: Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli on Saturday denied information from a leaked US diplomatic cable suggesting he asked the United States to help install phone taps on his political opponents, but he acknowledged a request for help against criminals and organized crime figures. A leaked US diplomatic cable from Aug 22, 2009 quotes then-US ambassador Barbara Stephenson as saying the newly elected conservative president asked for help with wiretaps soon after he took office on July 1.

“He clearly made no distinction between legitimate security targets and political enemies,” the cable states, adding

Martinelli acknowledged request for help against criminals Stephenson said “we will not be party to any effort to expand wiretaps to domestic political targets.” In a statement, Martinelli’s office said “help in tapping the telephones of politicians was never requested,” adding that “any such interpretation of that request is completely mistaken.” The government called it “a mistaken interpretation by US authorities of the request made for assistance in combatting drug trafficking, crime and organized crime.” One of Martinelli’s top officials, Jimmy Papadimitriu, purportedly told a US Drug Enforcement Administration official

at the time that the taps would be aimed at possible attempts by leftist governments in the region to interfere in Panamanian politics, and people targeted by anti-corruption or anti-drug campaigns.

Papadimitriu “laughed and said that Panama’s security problems were far too serious to waste limited investigative capacity on political enemies,” according to a copy of the cable published by several media outlets. According to the cable, Stephenson thought Martinelli was making an implicit threat to cut back on anti-drug cooperation if he didn’t get US help with the

wiretaps. “The Ambassador promptly countered that she would readily inform Washington and we would all see Panama’s reputation as a reliable partner plummet dramatically,” according to the cable.

“Martinelli immediately backed off, and said he did not want to endanger cooperation.”

The statement released Saturday by Martinelli’s office said his administration “maintains excellent relations with the United States” and would continue to explore areas of cooperation in the fight against organized crime. DEA spokesman Lawrence Payne said Saturday the agency

cannot comment about the WikiLeaks cable, because such cables are considered classified.

Panama’s opposition reacted harshly to the leaked cable. “This affair leaves the president looking very bad,” said Francisco Sanchez Cardenas, the leader of the main opposition group, the Democratic Revolutionary Party. “This goes outside the bounds of democratic practices.”

Sanchez Cardenas said Martinelli, a businessman who owns a supermarket chain, “has not understood that democracy is something quite different from the way he

Venezuelan ex-president Carlos Andres Perez dies MIAMI: Former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez, whose popularity soared with his country’s oil-based economy but who later faced riots, a severe economic downturn and impeachment in his homeland, has died in Miami, his family said Saturday.

The 88-year-old Perez’s daughter, Maria Francia Perez, said her father had died in a Miami area hospital. “He was happy and well when he awoke this morning.

Suddenly he had difficulty breathing,” she told The Associated Press by telephone.

She said her father was rushed by the family to the hospital, where he died Saturday afternoon.

Venezuelan TV channel Globovision had quoted the daughter initially in reporting Perez had suffered a heart attack but she denied that to AP, citing “respiratory failure.” In the final years of his life, Perez came to personify the old guard Venezuelan political establishment bitterly opposed by current President Hugo Chavez.

Perez survived two coup attempts in 1992, the first led by Chavez, who was then a young army lieutenant colonel. In recent years, Perez lived in Miami while the Venezuelan government demanded he be turned over to stand trial for his role in quelling bloody 1989 riots. Perez - who governed Venezuela from 1974-79 and again from 1989-93 - denied wrongdoing.

His other daughter, Cecilia Victoria Perez, told AP late

Saturday that a funeral service and burial are being planned in South Florida and details would be disclosed once arrangements were complete. She said the family would not return the remains to Venezuela at this time.

“Everything is going to be here in Miami,” she said of the planned funeral and burial. “His desire was to go back to Venezuela, but this is not going to happen at least until there’s a change of government.”

In his first term, Perez won praise by nationalizing Venezuela’s oil industry, paying off foreign oil companies and then capitalizing on a period of prosperity that allowed his government to build subway lines, bankroll new social programs and set up state-run companies in areas from steel to electricity.

He became one of Latin America’s most prominent political leaders, popularly known after his initials as “CAP” Venezuelans elected him for a second time in 1988, hoping for a return to good times after a decade of economic decline. But his popularity plunged when he tried to push through an economic austerity program including increasing the subsidized prices of gasoline.

Anger among the poor boiled over in the 1989 riots and more than 300 people were killed in the unrest known as the “Caracazo.”

Some activists put the death toll much higher.

In 2010, Venezuela’s Supreme Court cleared the way for Chavez’s

government to request Perez’s extradition from the United States.

Prosecutors accused Perez of ordering a harsh crackdown during the unrest, when rights activists say many were shot indiscriminately by security forces. Perez stopped speaking in public after a 2003 stroke, but he maintained he was innocent. And his office issued a statement accusing the Supreme Court of doing Chavez’s bidding after it approved plans for the extradition request.

The former president’s supporters called the charges politically motivated. Members of his party Democratic Action announced in 2008 that Perez hoped to return to Venezuela and held talks with judicial officials on that possibility.

Party leader Henry Ramos Allup said the former president’s condition was “extremely delicate” and that he hoped to “live out his last days in the country.” But that possibility faded as government authorities called for his extradition.

While he was in office, Perez’s popularity as a leader rose and fell with the country’s economic situation, and he eventually came to be despised by many Venezuelans who resented his elegant suits and his affinity for jetting around Latin America. Venezuela’s Congress impeached Perez on corruption charges in 1993 and he was placed under house arrest. Its Supreme Court convicted him in May 1996 of misspending $17 million in pub-

is used to managing his supermarkets.

The leaked cable quotes Stephenson as making a similar assessment, saying “his penchant for bullying and blackmail may have led him to supermarket stardom but is hardly statesmanlike.” She wrote that Martinelli assumed the US was indebted to him for acting as a counterweight in the region to leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. She wrote “our challenge is to convince him (Martinelli) and others in his government that the 1980s are over in Central America,” referring to the decade when the United States actively supported conservative governments against leftist insurgencies. — AP

Obama to name new economic adviser in Jan

CARACAS: Former Venezuelan President (1974-1979 and 1989-1983) Carlos Andres Perez shows a caricature he received for his 73rd birthday, on October 27, 1995 in his house in Caracas where he is serving house arrest for embezzlement and misappropriation of funds. —AFP lic funds _ a charge he always denied. “I would have preferred another death,” Perez said in his last speech as president, saying the accusations were politically motivated.

Part of the funds had been used to help bankroll the security detail of Violeta Chamorro before she was elected Nicaragua’s president in 1990 over leftist incumbent Daniel Ortega. Perez defended that spending as legitimate to help ensure stability after years of conflict in Central America, where he had helped mediate in peace talks.

Perez spent more than two years

under house arrest, then was released in September 1996. Still admired by many Venezuelans, Perez was elected senator in 1998 for his home state of Tachira in the Venezuelan Andes.

After Chavez closed the nation’s congress in 1999 to elect a new one under a new constitution, Perez left Venezuela. Starting in 2000, he spent his time in Miami, New York and the Dominican Republic, where he often condemned Chavez. The Dominican government denied a request by Chavez in 2002 for Perez to be extradited to face more corruption

charges.

Chavez frequently accused Perez of coup plotting and in 2003 he temporarily cut oil supplies to the Dominican Republic.

Both Perez and Dominican officials denied Chavez’s charges.

On July 9, 2001, Perez left the Dominican Republic for cardiac tests in Miami. Even on his stretcher, he declared: “I promise the Venezuelan people that I am fighting to return total democracy.” He was hospitalized in October 2003 in New York after suffering a stroke. After that, he largely dropped out of the public eye. — AP

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Barack Obama likely will announce a replacement for key economic adviser Lawrence Summers by mid-January, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said yesterday.

Gibbs, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” program, also said there were no expectations for major changes in Obama’s cabinet. Summers announced his resignation as head of the National Economic Council in September but has continued in the job.

“I expect the president will make a new announcement on a new NEC director probably the first week or two weeks after Congress comes back into session,” Gibbs said.

Members of the new Congress, which will have a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and a smaller Democratic majority in the Senate, will be sworn in on Jan. 5. Summers, who served as treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and is a former president of Harvard University, was known for his blunt style and was seen by some liberal Democrats as being too close to Wall Street.

When Summers’ resignation was announced, Obama praised him for helping guide the economy “from the depths of the worst recession since the 1930s to renewed growth.” Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner remains the only original member of Obama’s economic team still in his original job.

Gibbs told CNN he did not expect a major reshuffling of the Obama cabinet. “I don’t expect, quite honestly, big changes,” he said.

“I think we’ve had a very capable and good cabinet that has helped move the president’s agenda forward.” Gibbs added, “There’s obviously a lot that has to be done at Treasury to implement financial reform and at HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) to implement healthcare reform and I think we have a very talented team.” — Reuters

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InternAtIOnAL

Monday, December 27, 2010

North said fired after hit by South shells

N Korea troops boast of artillery attacks on South SEOUL: North Korean soldiers boasted on state television they bombarded a front-line South Korean island with artillery last month as immediate retaliation after the South fired first. The two Koreas have ramped up their rhetoric since the Nov 23 attack killed four South Koreans on Yeonpyeong Island near their tense western sea border.

North Korea has said it fired after South Korean shells landed in its

waters, while the South has said its routine firing drill aimed away from the sea frontier and should not have provoked an attack. North Korea's war of words intensified around Saturday's 19th anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il's appointment as the North's supreme military commander.

Kim's military chief threatened last week to launch a "sacred" nuclear war against the South.

PYONGYANG: This undated photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) yesterday shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (front R) and heir-apparent Kim Jong-Un (front L) photographed with members of the State Merited Chorus after the "Concert Celebrating December Holiday" in Pyongyang.

S.Korea and China military chiefs to hold talks in Beijing SEOUL: Defence ministers of South Korea and China will hold a meeting in Beijing in February, a report said yesterday, amid high military tension following North Korea's deadly attack on a border island. Kim KwanJin and his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie will discuss regional security issues including the North's military provocations, Yonhap news agency reported, quoting a defense ministry official. "The two will largely discuss how to further revitalize military cooperation between the two countries, but they will also discuss regional security issues like the North's attack on the Cheonan warship and bombing on Yeonpyeong island," Yonhap quoted the official as saying.

The official was referring to the sinking of a South Korean warship and deaths of 46 sailors in March which Seoul has blamed on

Singapore tourists drown as Malaysia boat sinks KUALA LUMPUR: Three Singaporean tourists drowned and two others were missing yesterday after an overloaded passenger boat capsized near a Malaysian resort island, police said.

The wooden vessel was transporting nearly 30 people to a mainland port after leaving Malaysia's southern Sibu island, one of the diving zones closest to neighboring Singapore, district police chief Mohamad Nor Rashid said. The boat was carrying more than double its recommended capacity and capsized after being struck by strong waves, Mohamad Nor said. The passengers were not wearing life jackets.

Rescuers recovered the bodies of two Singaporean men and a woman and were looking for two missing passengers, also Singaporeans, Mohamad Nor said. He added that police had detained the boat's Malaysian captain for questioning.

It was Malaysia's second major transportation accident involving foreigners in less than a week. A bus crashed on a winding road while returning from a central hill resort on Dec. 20, killing 28 people, mostly from Thailand. — AP

the North and the deadly shelling of a frontier island that left four South Koreansincluding two civilians-dead in November.

Seoul's defense ministry declined to comment. Kim took office earlier this month after his predecessor Kim Tae-Young quit to take responsibility for the military's perceived feeble response to the shelling.

Pyongyang said it was retaliating for a South Korean firing drill that dropped shells into waters that it claims are North Korean territory. The bombardment, the first attack on a civilian area since the 1950-1953 Korean War, sparked a regional crisis, prompting a flurry of diplomatic attempts in the region and Washington to defuse tension. China, the North's major ally and economic lifeblood, has faced mounting pressure to step up efforts to restrain its unruly ally. Beijing's refusal to directly criticize

Pyongyang for the attack drew angry comments from South Korean media and prompted several protests by activists.

Kim, during the talks, will likely urge his Chinese counterpart to work harder to curb Pyongyang's belligerence, Yonhap reported.The South, in a show of force against the North, has also staged a series of military drills, including a massive joint exercise with the US on the Yellow Sea despite nearby China's discomfort.

The North threatened last Thursday that it was ready for a "sacred war" using its nuclear weapons, as the South held its second live-fire drill in a week.

Pyongyang's armed forces minister Kim Yong-Chun said the South's firing drill on December 20, on Yeonpyeong island near the Yellow Sea border, was preparation for a new Korean war. — AFP

Quake hits New Zealand, causing minor damage WELLINGTON: Masonry and glass rained down near postChristmas shoppers as a magnitude 4.9 earthquake rocked Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island yesterday. No one was injured, but at least 20 buildings in the city's center were damaged by the temblor, which scientists said was the latest of hundreds of aftershocks since a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on Sept. 4. That quake caused extensive damage and a handful of injuries, but no deaths.

Yesterday's temblor also came a few hours after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck under the sea near Vanuatu.

There were no reports of damage or injuries from that quake, though it generated a small tsunami wave.

New Zealand and Vanuatu are situated on the Pacific "ring of fire" — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones stretching from Chile in South America through Alaska and down through the South Pacific.

The quake struck Christchurch in the late morning as shoppers thronged central city streets to take advantage of traditional Boxing Day sales. Although masonry and glass fell across sidewalks, no one was hurt, according to police.

Large parts of the central business district were cordoned off after the quake and power was cut temporarily.

Monitoring agency GNS Science said the quake occurred at 10:30 a.m. within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of Christchurch at a depth of 8 miles (12 kilome-

WELLINGTON: Fallen bricks lay on the ground at the Community of the Sacred Name on Madras Street in central Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday, following a series of aftershocks. — AP ters). It was the largest of more than a dozen aftershocks that rattled Christchurch throughout yesterday. Scientists said the temblors were related to the September quake and could continue for some time.

Earlier yesterday, a 5.9 magnitude quake was felt across New Zealand's North Island, but no damage or injuries were

reported. The quake was centered north of volcanic White Island off New Zealand's east coast. New Zealand sits above an area where two tectonic plates collide. The country records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year — but only about 150 are felt by residents, and fewer than 10 a year do any damage. — AP

On Friday, North Korean soldiers appeared on a state TV program marking Kim's appointment anniversary and bragged of participating in the artillery barrage. "Our eyes were full of fire right after we saw the enemy's shells being fired into our sacred waters," soldier Kim Moon Chol said, clinching his fists and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with three uniformed colleagues.

Their ranks were unknown. "At the order of 'fire,' we poured our merciless thunderbolt of fire at the enemy," he said in a loud, oratory-style speech.

A soldier whose uniform was full of military decorations expressed his loyalty to Kim Jong Il. "Facing the enemy's provocation, we shouted, 'Let's dedicate our lives to fighting the enemy and giving them a merciless death for our dear leader and supreme military commander,"' Kim Kyong Su said. Their speeches constantly drew applause from the audience — mostly uniformed soldiers who spoke separately and vowed to get tougher with South Korea. They all later sang a military song together.

South Korea has staged a series of military drills _ including one on Yeonpyeong Island _ in a show of force against the North. The South's President Lee Myung-bak, during a visit to front-line troops Thursday, said that South Korea must make "unsparing" retaliation if it suffers another surprise attack.

South Korea plans new routine naval firing exercises starting Monday but not on Yeonpyeong and other border islands, according to the Defense Ministry. The staterun Institute for National Security Strategy in Seoul said in a report issued yesterday that North may even directly invade Yeonpyeong and other Yellow Sea border islands next year, Yonhap news agency reported. Yonhap said the assessment linked the North's belligerence to leader Kim's moves to transfer power to his youngest son but the report didn't elaborate.

Calls to the institute were unanswered yesterday.

A report released last Thursday by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group said that Koreas' disputed maritime boundary and the volatility of North Korea's internal politics have "created a serious risk that any further provocation might turn into a wider conflict."

South Korea's Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security also said in a report last week that Pyongyang could be planning its third nuclear test next year. Despite high tension, analyst Paik Hak-soon at the private Sejong Institute think tank near Seoul said North Korea probably won't provoke the South again ahead of a planned summit between President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on Jan. 19.

Defense chiefs of South Korea and China are to meet in Beijing in February to discuss regional security issues. South Korea, meanwhile, has decided not to resume calling North Korea its "main enemy" in a defense white paper to be issued in coming weeks, a Defense Ministry official said yesterday requesting anonymity citing department rules. He said South Korea will use a different description clearly showing North Korea is the enemy but gave no further details.

Conservatives have called on the Defense Ministry to restore the "main enemy" reference it had stopped using in 2004 amid then-warming ties with the North. The two Koreas are still technically at war because their conflict in the early 1950s ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. In recent years, several bloody naval skirmishes occurred near their disputed western sea border, drawn by the UN at the close of the Korean War.—AP

MT DIWATA: Communist New People Army march in unison in front of local residents and supporters during the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines yesterday at Mt Diwata in southern Philippines. —AP

Philippine rebels threaten mining MOUNT DIWATA: Maoist rebels in the Philippines are demanding that miners compensate communities and protect the environment and are threatening to attack and stop operations, a rebel spokesman said yesterday. The Philippines has mineral deposits throughout the archipelago, estimated to be worth $1 trillion, but output has been small.

The sector was opened to full foreign ownership under a 1995 law and the government has been trying to attract foreign investment but rebel attacks and opposition from the Catholic church, also worried about exploitation of communities, have stalled development.

"If we would only have our way, we will stop all mining operations in the country," Jorge Madlos, a spokesman of the rebels' political arm, the National Democratic Front, told reporters at a ceremony marking the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The communist rebels are active in nearly all of the country's 80 provinces, and they often attack farms, mines,mobile phone relay towers and similar establishments as part of efforts to raise funds for their fight.

Madlos, a frail-looking 62-year-old who has been a guerrilla for more than 30 years, said the rebels were open to compromise with big mining companies if they would abide by their rules to protect the environment and take care of farmers, workers and communities.

"Compromise and accommodation means we

can tax them, but we will stop their operations once we have sufficient capability to enforce our own rules," said Madlos, who is also known as Ka (Comrade) Oris, at the ceremony in rice fields in Surigao del Sur province on the southern island of Mindanao.

The rebels raided and torched equipment at a copper and gold mine on a troubled southern island two weeks ago, ahead of a 19-day Christmas ceasefire until Jan. 3.

If the ceasefire holds it would be the longest in 10 years.

The rebels have several times attacked the $5.2 billion Tampakan mine on Mindanao, a project by Xstrata Plc , considered the biggest undeveloped copper-gold prospect in Southeast Asia and the country's largest foreign investment.

The rebels and the government have agreed to resume talks early next year to find a solution to end more than 40 years of conflict that has killed 40,000 people and stunted growth in rural areas of the poor but resource-rich country. The talks will be held in Norway.

Thousands of rebel supporters gathered for the first time in nearly three decades to mark the anniversary, with the ceasefire allowing them to move freely.

An 80-member armed guerrilla unit marched as members of the crowd waved rebel flags and placards that read "Support the peace talks" and "Long live the revolution". Revolutionarysongs blared out over speakers set up in the dried-out ricefield.—Reuters

Philippines pushes for peace with Marxist rebels DAVAO: Promises by the Philippines' popular new president to tackle poverty and corruption could boost upcoming peace talks with rebels and make irrelevant the country's communist insurgency, which turned 42 yesterday, the government's negotiator said. Guerrillas of the New People's Army, one of Asia's most resilient Maoist forces, enduring decades of military crackdowns, celebrated the anniversary in their jungle camps with a vow to intensify attacks. But behind the scenes, negotiators on both sides have already agreed to resume talks after six years , fruits of the political goodwill and optimism that followed the May election of reformist President Benigno Aquino III. Aquino represents "the new dynamics" of the Philippines, chief government negotiator Alexander Padilla told The Associated Press this week.

Padilla said that Aquino, who enjoys support across the political spectrum as the son of revered democracy icons, would inject honesty, good faith and a strong advocacy for reforms and human rights into peace talks that have often been undermined by mistrust and weak public support. "This could be the best opportunity for the other side to really come up with a political settlement," Padilla said of the talks, scheduled for February. Engendered by the Cold War in the late 1960s, the rural-based insurrection led by the underground Communist Party of the Philippines has emerged as this Southeast Asian nation's most serious security menace, stoked by decades of poverty, agrarian unrest, government corruption and misrule. Five presidents have failed to crush the Maoist rebellion, which has killed at least 120,000 combatants and civilians.

Washington has blacklisted the Communist Party and its armed wing, the 5,000-strong New People's Army, as terrorist organizations, blaming them for separate attacks that killed four American military personnel in the 1980s.

The rebels walked away from peace talks brokered by Norway in 2004, suspecting thenPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government of instigating their inclusion on US and EU terrorist lists.

Since assuming office, Aquino has begun tackling pervasive government corruption and human rights violations blamed on state security forces that have helped breed the insurgency.

Padilla said the president understands the rebels' concerns. His mother, former President Corazon Aquino, led a 1986 "people power" protest that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whose martial law declaration in 1972 provided the fodder for the rebel movement as students, farmers and the middle-class swelled its ranks

to some 25,000.

After restoring democracy, Corazon Aquino opened talks with the rebels, but they soon broke down. Battle setbacks, factionalism and surrenders have sapped their strength, but they still claim a presence in each of the Philippines' 81 provinces.

The NPA operates a shadow government in areas under its influence, conducting trials , and sometimes executions , of policemen and village officials accused of harming people. The rebels also collect "revolutionary taxes" , and punish business establishments refusing to pay.

Aquino won rare praise from the rebels when he recently ordered the dropping of charges against 43 health workers who claimed they were abused in military custody after being arrested as suspected insurgents 10 months ago. Padilla said the rebels, faced with the collapse of many communist states that supported and inspired them, and with a popular new national leader seen as addressing social inequities, may soon fade to irrelevance if they persist on waging a protracted war.

He noted that even hardline leftists have been elected into Congress after abandoning their armed struggle. Rebel spokesman George Madlos said oppressive conditions in the country that have fostered poverty, corruption and rights abuses had remained under Aquino. "We will continue to wage the revolution because it's right and we're in a position to intensify attacks," Madlos said in a statement this week, ahead of yesterday's anniversary.

Despite sporadic fighting, including the killing of 10 army soldiers in a Dec 14 rebel ambush, both sides have agreed to resume formal talks Feb 15-21 in Norway's capital, Oslo.

They also agreed to a Christmas truce through Jan 3.

The military, meanwhile, has softened its counterinsurgency strategy, which has been linked to extrajudicial killings of hundreds of left-wing activists and suspected rebel sympathizers. The new six-year program unveiled last week seeks to wean away civilian communities from the rebels and includes support of advocacy groups from outside the government in addressing human rights concerns.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple said it showed that a part of the 120,000-strong military has agreed to adhere to human rights safeguards. "It's no longer the body count approach.

This is a war for hearts and mind," Casiple said.

"The rebels should realize that the ground is shifting." The Communist Party has criticized the new plan. In a statement this week, it said it "will keep on engendering the revolution until the entire rotten, puppet, reactionary system is brought down". — AP

INTERNATIONAL

Monday, December 27, 2010

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Afghan official: NATO violated security agreement KABUL: The US-led coalition violated a security agreement in Kabul when its troops raided a private security company in the capital and killed two guards, the Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Spokesman Zemarai Bashary said the police general who helped them has been suspended and an investigation was under way into why coalition forces on Friday raided the compound of Tiger International, an Afghan private security company, killing two guards and wounding two others. Afghan security

forces have for the past two years had control of Kabul and all NATO operations in the city must be cleared with the government.

“That was a very tragic and unfortunate incident which occurred in Kabul two nights ago. The forces which were involved in that operation didn’t pay any attention to the rules and regulations which we were agreed upon earlier regarding such operations in Kabul,” he said. “For the past two years we have agreed that the security of Kabul is the responsibility of the Afghan forces, or

Afghan forces must be in the lead of any operation in Kabul.” NATO said after the raid that it had received a “credible threat to attack” the US Embassy, after which a joint Afghan-NATO force moved into the area where intelligence reports had located two vehicles thought to be loaded with explosives.

The coalition forces were fired on after they had announced their arrival, and they returned fire, killing two of the shooters, a NATO statement said. Two others were

wounded, it said, and 15 people were detained in the operation.

The detained men were subsequently released after a senior Afghan army official arrived at the scene and “personally vouched” for them, NATO said. A large amount of weapons was also seized but no vehicles loaded with explosives were found.

Bashary said that an Afghan police general had been suspended and was being questioned. Another Afghan police officer who was in charge of a unit responsible for intel-

ligence gathering at the Interior Ministry was also suspended, he said.

“The international forces acted against the agreement,” he said. “An Afghan police unit who were not involved in the operation but were supporting it, also acted against the agreement.” The incident follows two others this week in which NATO forces killed Afghan civilians, either during a battle with insurgents or after acting on intelligence relating to suspected militants.

President Hamid Karzai has ordered pri-

vate security companies in Afghanistan to be disbanded, although some will be exempt, such as those protecting diplomatic missions or aid and development projects. Earlier this week, the Interior Ministry official in charge of the process, Gen. Abdul Manan Farahi, said 57 such firms had already been shut down. “We are working very hard to prevent from such incident in the future and once again we want to say that in any operation in Kabul Afghan forces must be in the lead of the operation,” Bashary said. — AP

Pakistan food centers shut after bombing Regional govt orders temporary closure of four relief centers KHAR: Authorities have tempora rily closed food a id distribution centers in northwest Pa kistan, an official said yesterda y, a da y a fter a fema le suicide bomber killed 45 people and w ounded scores more outside a World Food Program depot in the region. Shafiq Khan, an officia l with the WFP food distribution project, sa id the regiona l government ordered the temporary closure of a ll four food relief centers in the Ba jur district following Saturday’s bombing in the a rea ’s ma in tow n of Khar.

FARAH: This handout picture taken and received on December 25, 2010 from the US Army shows commander of international forces in Afghanistan, US General David Petraeus (L), during a visit to an Italian base in Farah province.

NATO’s Petraeus commends Pakistan’s counterinsurgency AFGHANISTAN: The top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan said there will be more coordinated military operations on either side of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, and commended Pakistan on its “impressive” counterinsurgency efforts. The Taleban in Afghanistan and other extremist groups use safe havens across the border in Pakistan, and the US has been pushing Islamabad to clear the lawless tribal belt that runs along the frontier. The pressure has often strained USPakistani relations, with Islamabad bristling at suggestions it should do more.

Gen David Petraeus, who took over command of coalition troops in Afghanistan in July, told The Associated Press there had already been coordinated operations on both sides of the border, with Pakistani forces on one side and NATO and Afghan troops on the other.

“We want to do more hammer and anvil operations,” Petraeus said late Saturday, in an interview aboard a military transport aircraft as he flew around the country on Christmas visits to bases and combat outposts dotted across north, west, south and east Afghanistan. Pakistan recognized “the need to do more to solidify their gains in (Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas), and we are going to coordinate with them to help their operations,” he said.

But the general insisted that Pakistan’s efforts at combating the various militant groups active in the country must be commended. “We have to be very clear in recognizing what Pakistan has done over the course of the last 22 months, which is quite considerable.

They’ve conducted impressive counterinsurgency operations” in several regions, including the Swat Valley, the North West Frontier Province and the tribal regions, Petraeus said. “And they have sustained significant military losses and civilian loss-

es during the course of that time.” In the latest militant strike against the Pakistani authorities’ control over a key northwest tribal region bordering Afghanistan, a female suicide bomber killed 45 people and wounded scores more outside a World Food Program depot on Saturday.

Petraeus insisted that gains already made must be solidified before Pakistan expands its operations to other areas _ such as troubled North Waziristan.

“They are the first to recognize that there are groups in there that have to be dealt with over time,” the general said, sitting at the desk of an office set up inside the military plane, laptops keeping him connected to operations across the country.

“But ... they’ve got quite a few short sticks and hornets’ nests already, and rule Number 1 of a military operation is don’t start something you can’t finish.

And they recognize the need to finish some of the operations they’ve already conducted before launching significant new ones.” The Pakistani military has stepped up operations against Islamic extremist groups it considers a threat to its own security - notably the Pakistani Taleban. But it has resisted pressure to move against extremists in North Waziristan, which is also home to the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network.

The Haqqanis, who control vast stretches of territory in North Waziristan and the bordering Afghan province of Khost, carry out attacks in Afghanistan. Forces in Pakistan and Afghanistan “have conducted very close coordination in the past two months in particular,” the general said, adding that he meets regularly with Pakistani army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, with two meetings held already this month, one in Kabul and the other in Islamabad.

“All participants recognize the need to do more against some of those elements that are

undermining security in Afghanistan. And again, over time, as earlier gains are solidified we think there will be opportunities for coordinated activities,” he said.

Much of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan has been concentrated in the Taleban’s traditional southern strongholds. An internal review of President Barack Obama’s year-old war strategy released recently noted progress against the Taleban in the south, where the US deployed an additional 30,000 American troops this year. But the Taleban have been showing their reach, increasing attacks in other parts of the country through the year.

Residents say parts of the north that were once quiet are now under Taleban control, with Afghan security forces often confined to their compounds, especially at night.

“Over the last two years there has been an increase in Taleban activity up in the north,” Petraeus acknowledged, but said there were plans by the Interior Ministry, the Afghan army and NATO “to reverse the momentum that the Taleban achieved in the north.”

Asked how this would be done, the general pointed to recent operations in the northern province of Kunduz, where combined operations involving the Afghan army, police, border police and coalition forces were pushing further into territory where the Taleban operate.

The US had also sent an infantry brigade, an aviation brigade and additional special forces to the north over the past six to 10 months, Petraeus said, adding that Germany - which commands NATO troops in the north - had also conducted “impressive counterinsurgency operations, actually the first in their postWorld War II history.” The general also praised German special forces, saying they were “doing superb work in partnering with Afghan provincial response governance.” — AP

The WFP project in Bajur feeds thousands of people who have been displaced since early 2009 by fighting between the Pakistan military and insurgents in the country’s rugged tribal regions along the Afghan border. It was not immediately clear how long the food distribution points would be closed.

The decision to temporarily shut down the program’s food depots over security concerns was prompted by Saturday’s attack, when a burqa-clad bomber lobbed two hand grenades before detonating her explosive belt among a crowd of some 300 people outside the United Nations agency’s aid center in Khar. It was the latest militant strike against the Pakistani authorities’ control over the key tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Khar administrator Sohail Khan said yesterday authorities have yet to identify the bomber.

The bombing, which the Pakistani Taleban has claimed responsibility for, drew swift condemnation from around the world, including President Barack Obama. In a statement released in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he was spending Christmas, Obama said that “killing innocent civilians outside a World Food Program distribution point is an affront to the people of Pakistan, and to all humanity.” Britain, a staunch US ally in Afghanistan and a former colonial ruler of Pakistan, also condemned the attack, while Afghan President Hamid Karzai described the perpetrators as enemies of Islam and humanity. — AP

TANK: A Pakistani employee registers internally displaced persons at the World Food Program distribution point in Tank yesterday.

Afghan VP: Iran agrees to release fuel tankers TEHRAN: Afghan Vice President Mohammad Qasim Fahim said yesterday that Iran has agreed to lift a ban on fuel tankers crossing into Afghanistan that has left hundreds of trucks stranded at the border. “We discussed the fuel tankers which have been stopped at the border and agreements were reached (to allow them) to enter Afghanistan, so that the fuel problem is resolved,” ISNA news agency quoted Qasim Fahim as saying at a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart in Tehran.

Iran has in the past three weeks

prevented around 1,600 trucks from crossing the border, believing that they are being used to supply US-led NATO troops fighting the Taleban in Afghanistan. Kabul says the tankers are bringing fuel to meet the increased demand by ordinary Afghans during the winter months.

The halting of the tankers had threatened to push up already-skyrocketing fuel prices in Afghanistan at the start of winter. Around 30 percent of Afghanistan’s fuel is thought to come through transport routes from Iran, with much of the rest coming through

the central Asian republics which border Afghanistan.

Qasim Fahim arrived in Tehran on Saturday on an unannounced visit. In a separate report, state news agency IRNA said that Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi had promised military cooperation with Afghanistan. “We are prepared to offer our experience and capabilities to strengthen the Afghan army,” Vahidi was quoted as telling Qasim Fahim.

Iran has regularly called for the exit of US-led foreign troops from Afghanistan, citing their presence as

Bus, van collide in India killing 35, injuring 14

Turks abducted in Afghanistan KABUL: Four Turkish engineers working on a road construction project have been kidnapped by gunmen in eastern Afghanistan, a government official said yesterday.

Kidnapping has become a lucrative business in Afghanistan in recent years, as part of the Taleban-led insurgency and also by criminal groups with largely financial motives.

The latest incident involving the four Turks and their driver occurred in the Dande Patan district of Paktia province, bordering Pakistan, said district chief Niyaz Mohammad Khalil.

“They were involved in road construction and were kidnapped by unknown armed men from a vehicle,” Khalil told Reuters. No other details were immediately available. Paktia is a hotbed of the insurgency, with the Taleban and militants of the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network, as well as criminal gangs, active there.

Violence is at its highest level in Afghanistan since the Taleban were ousted

by US -backed Afghan forces in late 2001, with military and civilian casualties at record levels. Yesterday, the German government said a German aid worker was killed in an attack in the north a day earlier. Germany’s Development Ministry said the worker was coordinating road construction.

In the past, criminal gangs and the Taleban have freed some hostages after ransoms were paid or as part of prisoner swap, but they have also killed foreign and Afghan captives when their demands were not met. Two French television journalists were kidnapped by the Taleban in Kapisa, northeast of Kabul almost a year ago.

French Foreign Minister Michele AlliotMarie said last week she hoped the pair would be freed soon after the release of video footage that showed them in relatively good health. A Dutch aid worker and his Afghan driver, abducted in northern Afghanistan in October, were freed earlier in December. — Reuters

the cause of violence in its eastern neighbor.

Relations between Afghanistan, Iran and the United States-whose troops make up roughly two-thirds of the coalition force-are highly complex and sensitive. Kabul insists that Iran, as a neighboring country, has a legitimate concern in helping the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. But some in the US are concerned that Tehran could be funding insurgents or trying to play on anti-Western sentiment in Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government. — AFP

BADAUN: A picture taken yesterday shows the wreckage of a bus in Badaun town in Uttar Pradesh state, around 200 kilometers southeast of Delhi. —AFP

LUCKNOW: A bus collided head-on with a van that was carrying mourners returning from a funeral in northern India, killing 35 people, police and a news report said yesterday.

State police official DYS Chauhan said another 14 people in the two vehicles were injured in the accident Saturday near Badaun, a town in Uttar Pradesh state. The bus driver was among those killed, he said. The Press Trust of India news agency, citing unnamed official sources, said one of five seriously injured people died in hospital yesterday.

Chauhan said that the van’s driver lost control of the vehicle as it went through a mound of sand.

It then crashed into the bus. Badaun is 175 miles (280 kilometers) southwest of Lucknow, the state capital.

India, with the world’s second-largest population, has the highest annual road death toll in the world, according to the World Health Organization. More than 110,000 people die each year in India in road accidents caused by speeding, bad roads, overcrowding and poor vehicle maintenance, according to police. — AP

opinion

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Monday, December 27, 2010

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issues

Nuke treaty goes easy on Russia

By Dmitry Zaks

T

he new Russia-US nuclear arms pact may have been hailed as historic but analysts said that all Moscow really has to do is phase out Soviet-era missiles and warheads that are already out of date. The new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) was ratified by the US Senate on Wednesday after a passionate months-long debate and given initial approval by Russia's State Duma lower house of parliament two days later. It will face two more hearings in Russia and almost certainly come into force within the next few months.

The first nuclear pact in two decades has been feted as vital to global security because it reduces old warhead ceilings by an impressive 30 percent and sets a streamlined new inspection procedure designed to eliminate cheating. The new START limits each side to 1,550 deployed warheads and 700 deployed longrange missiles - including those fired from submarines - and heavy bombers. The two sides may also have up to 800 deployed and nondeployed launchers and bombers.

But analysts said that Russia's real problem was that even these lower missile and launcher ceilings were too high for the country to keep pace with the United States. Sovietera missiles such as the Saber SS-22 are rapidly approaching their expiry date and technical specifications mean the weapon has no purpose if its nuclear warheads are taken out of commission.

"START is not the problem here," said the respected military commentator Alexander Golts.

"The problem is that Russia has to retire more delivery vehicles because of 'old age' than it has the funds to produce."

The United States had 2,019 more warheads deployed on its launchers and bombers than Russia under START data reported by the US State Department in July 2009.

Independent estimates from the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists said that in late 2009 the United States in fact had 2,200 "operational" nuclear warheads and 2,500 more warheads in reserve that could be activated if necessary. Russia on the other hand was believed to have had a total of 2,600 operational long-range warheads covered by START. But the required phaseout of old missiles is not the only thing working in

Russia's favour. New counting rules will also allow it to attribute just one warhead per bomber even if it carries more - a point insisted on by Moscow during the treaty negotiations.

National Defence magazine editor Igor Korotchenko told the RIA Novosti news agency that Russia was now likely to keep just 390 missiles and bombers as it looks to save money ahead of a new round of strategic reductions in 2020.

And Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov saw nothing but the treaty's advantages as he defended it parliament Friday. "We will not have to make any cuts to our strategic offensive weapons," Serdyukov told sceptical lawmakers from the Communist opposition.

"But the Americans - they will indeed have to make some cuts."

"Serdyukov is right," said Moscow's Centre for Disarmament Director Anatoly Dyakov.

"Russia has already met its launcher obligations. It only has 560 of those. We have more warheads. But if you take the old SS-20s out of commission - they each have 10 warheads and have been in service 10 years past their expiry - then you really do not need to take any additional measures," said Dyakov.

The feared SS-20 was eliminated under a landmark 1987 disarmament agreement but the Centre for Defence Information said that Russia now had 120 modified SS-N-20 missiles deployed on its submarines.

The maths also works in Russia's favour because START focuses exclusively on "strategic" nuclear weapons that are designed to destroy large populations or damage the enemy's ability to wage war.

These missiles are for the most part fired over great distances and have been the US weapon of choice during the Cold War. The United States thus has a strategic superiority over Russia - which in turn enjoys an advantage in "tactical" weapons used in smaller campaigns around its periphery. A White House spokesman told Sunday's New York Times that Washington was now "seeking to initiate negotiations" with Moscow on tactical weapons and Russian lawmakers agreed that those talks would probably happen next.

"I am afraid that this is something Russia will not be able to avoid," the upper house of parliament's foreign affairs committee chairman Mikhail Margelov told Moscow Echo radio. But he added: "We should definitely support START." — AFP

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Xmas in Bethlehem: Then and now

By Dr James J Zogby

T

he Christmas story as it is told in the West, in scripture and tradition, contains timeless elements that have shaped our culture in significant ways. As we tell it, year in and year out, the story conveys to those who listen powerful themes evoking deep feelings. It is, at its core, a tale of a helpless child, born as an outcast, whose role became transformative in human history.

Unrecognized, at first, the importance of this birth was initially only understood by the lowly of the earth, "the shepherds of the field". Later, "kings from the East" came to pay homage, bringing gifts. Their appearance raised the ire of the local rulers forcing the baby's parents to flee in order to save the life of their newborn child.

I want to take a moment to reflect on the elements and themes of this story, seeing contemporary realities through its prism.Two thousand years ago, Palestine was subject to a harsh occupation, much as it is today. In some ways, though, the conditions back then allowed the residents of occupied Palestine greater mobility than the current inhabitants of that

land. As we are told, Joseph had to take his expectant wife from Nazareth, where they were living, to Bethlehem in order to fulfill a requirement, imposed by the authorities, to register in their ancestral village as part of a nationwide census.

Today, of course, all this would be impossible. In the first place no Palestinian originally from Bethlehem could ever have moved to Nazareth.

The occupation and closure of the West Bank makes that sort of movement impossible. Furthermore, Israeli law now prohibits an Arab from Nazareth from marrying a Bethlehemite and bringing their spouse across the Green Line to reside in Israel.

Additionally, while thousands of Palestinians in Bethlehem, both Muslim and Christian, can see Jerusalem from their homes, they cannot go to the Holy City to pray. And Arab Christians from Jerusalem, likewise, cannot easily go the Christmas services in Bethlehem to pray alongside their European and American coreligionists who dominate at the seasonal event.

Bethlehem of old was overcrowded and under siege. Today, as well, the

city itself is being strangled, hemmed in by settlements that have confiscated the town's ancestral lands to make way for a 30 foot barrier wall and massive Jewish-only housing cutting the Arab residents off from nearby Jerusalem. The constriction of growth and the lack of economic opportunity have forced Bethlehemites to flee in search of jobs and freedom, with tens of thousands of them and their descendants now living in the US and the Americas. They can return to visit with difficulty, but are not permitted by the occupation authorities to take up permanent residency in the town of their origins. While the kings of old, we are told, were able to travel from afar bearing gifts to honor the newborn child, one can only imagine the difficulties they would encounter today dealing with Israeli soldiers at the Allenby Bridge. Having endured their interrogations myself, I can hear the kings answering hours of questions, such as "Where are you from?"

"Who are your parents, grandparents?"

"Why are you here?" Who are you visiting?" "What are these gifts for?" And on and on. In the end, it is doubtful whether those hapless "kings from the East" would have gained entry.

That Joseph and Mary and Jesus were able to flee to Egypt to escape Herod's vengeful wrath was possible back then. Today, that option is unlikely. The barrier/wall that encapsulates the West Bank and the closure of Gaza would make such a trip impossible.Finally, as I reflect on the birth of Jesus, I cannot help but think of the nearly 400 babies who will be born, this very day, to Palestinian parents in the West Bank and Gaza. I think as well of the number of those who will perish at birth because of inadequate medical services (some babies have been put at fatal risk at checkpoints, because Israeli soldiers would not permit their delivering mothers to pass).

And I think of Mary, 2000 years ago, and am grateful that, despite all she endured, there were no checkpoints blocking her way to Bethlehem.

Our traditions tell us that Mary's joy at the birth of her son was tempered by foresight. She knew her child would grow and endure great suffering. Likewise, the joy that Palestinian parents experience when greeting new life these days must, no doubt, be accompanied by concern. Not only must they question how they will provide for their new child, but they must

face down their fears of bringing up a son or daughter under occupation, with its dangers and hardships. From the pressures and humiliations encountered daily by Palestinians in the West Bank, to the grinding poverty and despair facing those trapped in Gaza, life under hostile foreign rule can drain joy out of even the most blessed events. There is a traditional Christmas carol that asks the question "What child is this?" - the answer, of course, being "Jesus, the son of Mary".

But given the universal message conveyed by the Christmas story we also understand that the child is for us, a reminder of our responsibility to care for the helpless and the unrecognized.

And so when we think of the vulnerable children born today not only in Palestine, but those born anywhere where life is at risk, we are not to ask "What child is this?" - because we know that they are ours - to acknowledge and protect, like the shepherds and kings, enabling all of these children to grow and to help change our world.

NOTE: Dr James J Zogby is the President of the Arab American Institute

US needs to get tough with Israel

By Yousef Munayyer

W

hen diplomatic sources revealed that the United States was abandoning efforts for an Israeli settlement freeze, many surely did not know whether to laugh or cry. The first two years of USIsraeli relations under the Obama administration has been a debacle. For the next two, what is learned from that failure, and how it’s applied, will be of utmost importance.

The failure to get a freeze is not only about the settlements - a colonial enterprise expanding on occupied Palestinian territory that a new Human Rights Watch report called a "two-tier system" that is both "separate and unequal"- but also a test of America's commitment to evenhanded mediation. So-called core issues, including the return of Palestinian refugees and the disposition of Jerusalem, are every bit as difficult as the settlements, maybe more. But obtaining the freeze was a tone-setter, one that would have shown that the US could fairly enforce obligations by both parties.

This didn't happen. Instead, during the earlier, temporary 10month freeze, the Israeli settlements were still being expanded only new-home construction was frozen - and settlements around Jerusalem were accelerated.

When the Oslo peace process began - a process that was based on the principle of a two-state solution - there were 200,000 settlers in occupied Palestinian territory. Over the years, as Israel has claimed it sought peace, it increased the number of colonists to well over 500,000 today, according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. No legitimate Palestinian leader can nego-

Palestinian children peek through the door of their home in the East Jerusalem Silwan neighbourhood yesterday as Israeli police increased security in the area to avoid clashes following a municipality order to evict a Palestinian family from their house. – AFP tiate with Israel while it continues to colonize Palestinian land. The US strategy began to fail when it expected the Israelis to freeze settlements upon request. What the Obama administration apparently didn't realize was that Israel would not change its behavior without an incentive. When that finally became clear, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made an offer that amounted to a bribe.

Generally, the incentive to rectify bad behavior in the international community - behavior like expanding settlements despite road map obligations and

international law - is delivered by sticks, not carrots. But the deal offered to Israel, which included billions of dollars worth of advanced F-35s in exchange for a 90-day freeze, was all carrot and no stick. And it didn't work.

Despite American prostrations, the Israelis continued with settlement expansion, and provocative announcements about settlements around Jerusalem were made just as the offer was reported. All hope for a freeze disintegrated.

The message this sent to Palestinians was that the United States was simply incapable of

being an evenhanded broker. The US never misses an opportunity to reward bad Israeli behavior, and Israel never misses an opportunity to squeeze its principal world ally. Ultimately, we discovered that Israel's near-insatiable desire for American carrots is outweighed only by its insatiable desire to colonize Palestinian land. Will Washington learn from this and apply the lessons in the next stage of mediating this conflict? The Obama administration should not expect the Israelis to do anything without pressure, and this pressure - economic, diplomatic - has to be real, tangible and

biting. A brazen Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, undoubtedly emboldened by what he and his rightwing coalition view as a victory in a standoff with President Barack Obama, needs to be presented with a decisive and harsh response to Israel's bad behavior.

Some suggest that abandoning a freeze gives the United States an opportunity to put forward its own plan. But if Washington couldn't muster the strength or the will to press Netanyahu on settlements, can anyone believe it can press the Israelis to accept a deal on the rest of the core

issues? It's highly unlikely. The biggest mistake the United States has made in the last two years was not its focus on settlements but its failure to use leverage to get the Israelis to stop building them.

Has Washington learned the lesson? Perhaps the answer came earlier this month when Clinton delivered a major policy speech at the Brookings Institution.

Though she expressed her frustration with the peace process, she didn't signal any change in the US approach. Clinton's message can be summed up succinctly: We will keep doing what we have done and hope for a better outcome. At a moment when the world needed to hear a change in direction, we instead were told that the United States is committed to repeating the same failed policies of the past. This is precisely why Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil recently determined they wouldn't wait for the bankrupt American-led process and recognized the state of Palestine.

America's political response?

Rep Howard L Berman rushed a resolution to the House floor expressing opposition to such declarations of Palestinian statehood. The resolution, which passed, is a timely reminder of the increasing gap between Washington and the international community on this issue. If there is no change in the US approach to Israeli violations, no one will take this administration seriously: not the Israelis, certainly not the Palestinians, and presumably not the international community.

Who can blame them?

NOTE: Yousef Munayyer is the executive director of the Palestine Center in Washington.

He wrote this for the Los Angeles Times — MCT

analysis

Monday, December 27, 2010

13

Korea threat seen rhetoric but risk still watched

By Peter Apps

P

olitical analysts and local markets may largely write off North Korea's threat of a nuclear "sacred war" as rhetoric, but the risk of conflict on the peninsula has clearly reached the radar of global investors.

North Korea's minister of armed forces accused South Korea of trying to start a war by conducting live fire drills on Thursday, saying Pyongyang was prepared to wage war against its neighbour "at any moment necessary". While local Korean and Japanese markets have tended to shrug off repeated threats from Pyongyang, partly because of a perceived very low risk of war already priced into assets, wider global investors have begun to take much more notice.

"In terms of rhetoric, this is the sort of thing we've heard before," said Alastair Newton, a former British diplomat and senior Cabinet Office official who is now political analyst for Japanese bank Nomura. "But there's no doubt we are... in the most dangerous situation on the Korean peninsula in decades." Tensions have risen steadily after the sinking of a South Korean corvette in March and the shelling last month of an island. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said earlier on Thursday its military should launch a "merciless counter-attack" if the North attacked again.

While most agree war is a remote possibility, events on the peninsula now figure in research notes from major banks such as Bank of New York Mellon, Royal Bank of Canada and

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il visits a construction site of the Huichon power station in Chagang Province in this Dec 22, 2010 photo. – AFP Sweden's SEB, to name but three.

The Nov 23 artillery exchange hit markets around the globe already made nervous by Ireland's economic woes. It helped push gold to a one-week high, US Treasuries up 0.4 percent and US and European stock futures down between 0.4 and 0.9 percent. The Korean won and Japanese yen also suf-

fered. Investors and analysts shrugged off the latest statements, which had no impact on thin pre-Christmas trade.

Experts said the threat was not in itself a huge departure from previous rhetoric - but warned the secretive North Korean regime remained all but impossible to predict.

"Of course you would always

assume that they are bluffing but with these guys you never know," said Oliver Thraenert, senior fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. For now, the situation may have plateaued. The South has demonstrated a degree of strength after the shelling last month, while the North has held back from its threats to

retaliate militarily for the live firing.

But it would not take much to stoke the fire further. The South's government will come under growing domestic political pressure to retaliate if the North attacks again.

"If we do get more shelling or other major provocations, I think you could see a stronger retaliation from the South," said Control Risks' North Asia analyst Andrew Gilholm. "I don't think it would be a ... widespread attack on Pyongyang or anything like that.

I think it would simply be targeting the border area facilities that had fired.

That would obviously be worrying but I still think it would be contained short of a war." Even so, markets would be shaken in quiet holiday trade - leaving investors even more cautious than usual as they leave their trading positions over the long end-of-year break.

"It means you trim back on your riskiest assets, build safe haven positions like U.S. Treasuries," said Nigel Rendell, foreign exchange strategist at Royal Bank of Canada. "Some guys are going away for 10 days and you don't want to be caught out."

The nightmare scenario - very unlikely but still a question mark in the minds of investors especially in faraway places - would be a return to allout war, with devastating human and economic consequences. "That would bring with it a considerable danger to the existence of the North Korean regime - and our base case scenario is that the regime is logical and still wants to ensure its own survival," said Nomura's Newton, who visited Pyongyang earlier this year.— Reuters

N Korea enrichment to complicate any nuke talks

By Sylvia Westall

N

orth Korea's uranium enrichment work could complicate any future international talks on dismantling its nuclear program, especially if ally China backs Pyongyang in saying that it is for peaceful purposes only. North Korea revealed the previously undetected uranium facility in Yongbyon to a US expert last month who said he was "stunned" at how modern it appeared. The advance could give impoverished North Korea a second route to producing nuclear weapons and a bargaining chip for aid as it pushes to restart diplomatic talks. The reclusive state, which carried out nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009, has had a separate plutonium program for decades.

North Korea could use its uranium enrichment to try to redefine "denuclearisation" and divide those involved in talks.

"The enrichment plant certainly presents a complication," said Mark Fitzpatrick at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. He said its implications for denuclearisation and how it fits into a 2005 nuclear-disarmament-for-aid deal with five regional powers would need to be negotiated "which is precisely Pyongyang's objective". "Their obligation to denuclearize means no uranium enrichment, a Western diplomat versed in nuclear issues said, pointing out that Pyongyang had previously denied it was pursuing enrichment. "Enrichment definitely muddies the waters."

South Korean and US officials suspect the North has similar facilities hidden at other locations where it could more easily raise the enrichment level from those used for nuclear power station fuel to the higher-grade suitable for atomic arms.

Seoul, Washington, Tokyo and Moscow, involved in the so-called six-party talks with North Korea and China, are likely to insist enrichment be included in any denuclearisation talks. "Few want to accept a North Korean enrichment plant,

regardless of North Korea's statement on its declared purpose," said David Albright, a former UN arms inspector and head of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington.

"North Korea's gamble is that some, such as China and various NGOs, will accept an enrichment plant under International Atomic Energy Agency (monitoring) and declared as dedicated to producing only low-enriched uranium."

This is similar to the problem the West has faced with Iran over technology that is difficult for UN inspectors to monitor to ensure there is no diversion for military purposes. "You can't outright disallow (North Korea) the right to civilian nuclear activities, so they're creating a new issue to complicate things," said Shen Dingli, Director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai.

"Like Iran, they're using this right to uranium enrichment as leverage." Iran says it wants a civilian power program, but the West suspects it is seeking atomic weapons capability.

China said on Tuesday that North Korea has the right to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes, but that it must allow IAEA inspectors back into the country to help ease tensions. Pyongyang expelled the IAEA in April 2009 when it exited the six-party talks, but has recently suggested they could come back.

Albright said partial declarations and limited IAEA access would "doom" any verification effort and warned Pyongyang could offer its equipment and know-how to proliferation-prone states. South Korea and its allies have refused to restart talks until Pyongyang gives a firm commitment on nuclear disarmament. Seoul is determined to push through with a "Grand Bargain" in which the North will give up the entirety of its atomic work.

"The next six-party talks will be the grand bargain. That means we would need to agree on the target year (for the North's dismantlement) and the whole

picture, not partial elements such as Yongbyon," said a South Korean government official who is close to nuclear negotiations with the North. Russia has expressed "deep concern" over North Korea's uranium enrichment work and has urged it to abide by the 2005 pledge to abandon its atomic program. Brian Myers at South Korea's Dongseo University said the North could not take enrichment off the table for talks as it would show it had

no desire to return to them. It would use it to demand greater compensation for denuclearisation instead.

"Needless to say, I don't believe they are interested in negotiating disarmament in good faith. North Korea can no sooner give up its nuclear potential than the Vatican can give up Catholicism," he said, explaining that the atomic capacity protected the North and gave it a reason to exist. Siegfried Hecker, the US nuclear

expert who was shown the uranium enrichment facility said earlier this month North Korea had already redefined what is meant by "denuclearisation". "Shutting down the plutonium program was within reach, but the same is not likely for the uranium program, because the justification for its peaceful nature is more credible than for the plutonium program, even though it is no less problematic." — Reuters

Another N Korea strike almost certain

By Daniel Rook

N

orth Korea may have backed down in its latest brinkmanship, but experts see another military strike on South Korea as almost inevitable as Pyongyang seeks to bolster a dynastic succession and secure aid. A series of acts of aggression by the North - including the alleged torpedoing of a South Korean warship in March and the shelling of a disputed island last month - have raised tensions on the peninsula to boiling point. But, faced with a conservative government in Seoul emboldened by a public outcry over the first bombardment of a civilian area since the 1950-53 Korean War, Pyongyang has recently showed signs of softening its bellicose stance.

It reportedly offered nuclear concessions to visiting US politician Bill Richardson, leaving the door open to the return of nuclear inspectors. The North also failed to carry out its threat of "merciless punishment" for a live-fire drill by the South on Monday. But that only suggests a "strategic pause" in its well-honed tactics of testing the limits of Seoul's patience, analysts said. "It's not a question of whether there will be another provocation, but when," said Peter Beck, a North Korea expert with the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations.

The North's belligerence, including missile and nuclear tests last year, "are all tied to efforts to ensure a stable succession, which makes it that much harder to find a viable solution", he told AFP. The North's ailing dictator Kim Jong-Il is believed to see such shows of military strength as necessary to ensure a smooth power transfer to his youngest son and heir apparent Kim Jong-Un. "The aim is to portray Jong-Un as a strong, tough leader and rally the people behind the regime by creating a fear of war," Beck said.

Acts of aggression - including the 1987 bombing of a Korean airliner and a 1983 assassination attempt against a South Korean president visiting Myanmar - were staged when Kim Jong-Il was being groomed to succeed his own father. For Andrei Lankov, a professor at Seoul's Kookmin University, North Korea's sabre-rattling is aimed at securing a resumption of much-needed economic aid from the South.

The South has drastically cut its assistance to the North since a conservative government took office in early 2008.

"Since the current Seoul government shows no sign of giving in ... we can be almost sure that in the next few months (the) North Koreans will strike again," Lankov wrote in a commentary in the Financial Times. "They will do it not as a reaction to some South Korean drills, but rather at a time and place of their choice," he said.

Experts warned hostilities could flare up again in early 2011. Some believe that China - the North's sole major ally ordered Pyongyang to show restraint until President Hu Jintao visits the United States next month. "I don't believe there will be any fresh provocations by North Korea for a while, although they will never stop," said Lee Sang-Hyun, an analyst at the South's Sejong Institute. "Unexpected provocations could come early next year when South Korea is relaxed," he said.

The South was to hold its largest ground-air joint fire drill this year on Thursday, involving artillery fire, missiles and fighter planes near the tense land border with the North.

Experts said such exercises were necessary as recent events have exposed weaknesses in Seoul's defence planning. "Not to conduct military exercises would be irresponsible, ill-advised and counterproductive," said Daniel Pinkston, an expert at the International Crisis Group think-tank in Seoul. "Some unexpected attack (by the North) remains possible and you have to remain alert for that. It's not going away."—AFP

France caught in Ivory Coast political dilemma

By John Irish

F

rance is backing sanctions to resolve the crisis in Ivory Coast, having ruled out a messy military intervention that would jeopardise thousands of French citizens living in the former colony. As a major business partner with 600 companies and 13,000 of its nationals in the country, France wants to retain political and economic influence without appearing to interfere. Aside from urging Laurent Gbagbo to quit, Paris initially took a back seat after the Nov 28 election in which the incumbent is refusing to accept defeat.

But President Nicolas Sarkozy lost his patience on Friday, denouncing Gbagbo's stand as scandalous and demanding he resign fast or face sanctions. Fears are growing that the dispute between Gbagbo and rival Alassane Ouattara - internationally recognized as the election winner could bring about a return to civil war. "The French position is coordinated with the international community," government spokesman Francois Baroin said. "France is expressing itself because we are a Security Council member and have 13,000 people on the ground."

After weeks of diplomatic

View taken on Dec 24, 2010 from a helicopter shows the Plateau business district in central Abidjan. – AFP efforts to persuade Gbagbo to go, European Union countries have agreed to impose a travel ban on Gbagbo, his wife and several close allies. Further international financial sanctions are likely. Sanctions aside, however, France is limited in what it can do openly. Gbagbo blames Paris for supporting the north in the 2002-03 civil war that split Ivory Coast in two. He has

played the anti-French card, labelling Ouattara the West's man and himself as a defender against foreign interference.

"International organisations are working on the directives of France," Gbagbo spokesman Alain Toussaint told Reuters this week. "France has a gripe with Gbagbo and will do what it can to get him out. French policy is causing the problem."

With so many expatriates in Ivory Coast, Paris cannot appear too bellicose. It is anxious to avoid French people becoming targets as in 2004 when militiamen hunted down its citizens, forcing the French army to evacuate them from rooftops.

On Wednesday, Paris told its nationals to leave Ivory Coast, where 50 people have been killed in street violence. France

has about 950 troops stationed in Ivory Coast supporting a UN peacekeeping force, but involvement by its army would be a public relations disaster and has been completely ruled out in the short-term.

"Gbagbo is a man who is holding to power by using the military and armed militia against public will," said Josselin de Rohan, who heads the senate's foreign affairs committee.

"We can't accept this state, but we are no longer in an era where we can send two paratroop regiments to restore order.That's not what we will do," he told Reuters. Neither side shows any sign of backing down in the world's top cocoa grower, with Ouattara's claim of victory backed by the UN Security Council and the outside world, and Gbagbo supported by the army.

After meeting Sarkozy on Wednesday, World Bank chief Robert Zoellick added pressure by announcing the bank had frozen loans to Ivory Coast and saying he was talking to African leaders about doing the same.

"Gbagbo doesn't have an endless treasury and relies financially on the outside," said de Rohan.

"The sanctions that are adapted to the situation will hopefully lead to a peaceful departure of Gbagbo. It depends on him, but

if he sheds blood he will be responsible ... If he attacks the French then there will be retaliation."

Sarkozy's Africa policy has put him in a difficult position.

Prior to his election in 2007, he made it clear he wanted to break with France's old way of doing business in Africa - a blend of post-colonial corruption and patronage known as "Francafrique" that suited dictators and Paris alike. As part of that call he advocated better governance and transparency, but as crises escalated in Chad, Gabon and Guinea, old ways have resurfaced. "At a practical level what can they do? It's perceived that Sarkozy has trashed the credibility of his FrenchAfrican policy, making it hard for him to be considered an honest broker," a Paris-based Africa expert said this week.

"Sarkozy made a point of saying he spoke to Gbagbo and Ouattara," he added. "He might try to broker a deal, but the French could find it more convenient to shelter behind the European Union and United Nations." Economically, France can ill afford to let the situation get out of hand. It is Ivory Coast's No. 2 economic partner and it accounts for quarter of all foreign investment in the country. — Reuters

focus

Laggards in lab get serious about science

By David Rosenberg

T

he four young finalists are lined up on stage, standing stiffly and exchanging nervous smiles with the audience and with each other, as the votes of the jury and then television viewers are tallied to the breathless commentary of an emcee and dramatic music. Farouk ElBaz, the head juror comes up on stage and to applause declares, "This proves that we Arabs, given the opportunities, can reach the highest heights."

The emcee opens the sealed envelope. Ahmad AlGhazi, a Saudi, places fourth, taking home a $50,000 cash prize. Hind Hobeika, from Lebanon and the only female finalist, takes third and a $100,000 cheque. Now, the music reaches a dramatic crescendo as the emcees skips directly to the winner. It's 26year-old Kuwaiti Sadek Qassim, who pumps his arm in a clenched fist of victory as friends and family surround him with hugs and kisses.

Qassim, Hobeika and AlGhazi didn't do a cover of a popular hit or a successful turn with a celebrity on the dance floor. Nor is El-Baz a musicindustry executive or a celebrity chef. He's an Egyptian-American scientist, widely known for his work at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Qassim took home a cool $300,000 for inventing an automated multi-functional oil samples lab tester. And, Stars of Science, the competitive reality show that concluded its second season at the end of November, is television with a mission. Produced and funded

by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science, and Community Development and broadcast across the Middle East, its aim is to make science sexy for young Arabs.

"The program was very successful. Applications more than doubled for the second season," Ali Hariri, the show's Beirut-based production supervisor told The Media Line. "Young people are very interested in this type of show.

Many of them have scientific potential, especially in the Gulf states. You can see the enthusiastic reactions in the talkbacks on the website."

The foundation has its work cut out for it. As the US and Europe transition into post-industrial knowledgebased economies, with Asia following closely behind, the Arab world is way behind by every measure of science and innovation. It lacks scientists and top-notch universities and devotes little money or attention to research and development. The best minds emigrate to greener pastures in the West.

The Arab world spent just 0.2 percent of its gross domestic product on research and development in 2007, the same level as in 2002 and half the rate in Africa, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) 2010 Science Report. By comparison, Europe spent 1.6 percent of GDP on R&D in 2007 and China 1.4 percent.

There are some 123,000 scientists and researchers in the Arab world, but there are fewer per million of the population than in the developing world as a whole. Even with huge amounts of money being pumped into projects like Saudi Arabia's King Abdul Aziz University for Science and Technology, the amount spent per researcher was a paltry $38,400 in 2007. China spent almost twice that and Europe almost four times as much, even after taking account differences in costs, UNESCO estimates. Only one of the world's top 100 most frequently cited scientists comes from the Arab world, while the region has produced a single Nobel laureate - Egyptian Ahmed Zewail, who won the chemistry prize in 1999 while working at California Institute of Technology.

"Arab leaders and policy makers don't believe in science as the way to development. They think we can own the technology by buying it," Wasim Maziak, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at University of Memphis, told The Media Line by email. "The

social environment lacks democratic institutions and the free atmosphere needed for scientific inquiry to flourish and be protected." Born and raised in Syria, Maziak said he was determined to practice science in his home country.

In 2002, he founded the Syria Center for Tobacco Studies.

But four years later, at age 46, he gave up and relocated in the US. "I couldn't combine the two components of my dream, so I had to leave," he said.

Indeed, one of the objectives of Stars of Science is to fight brain drain, Tariq AlSada, an official with the Qatar Foundation, told The Media Line. "We don't want people to come up with inventions and then emigrate," he said. "The Sudanese inventor who won second place last season returned to work in a scientific center in Sudan." The Arab world can't afford to ignore science and technology. While the oil-rich states of the Gulf are living off energy for now, their leaders are preparing for the day when reserves run out. More immediately, they need to create high-paying, rewarding jobs for their rapidly growing populations, said Ranjit Rajan, a Dubai-based research director for International Data Corporation (IDC), a technology-market intelligence firm. That means developing high technology and other knowledge-intensive industries, he said.

Nor can poorer economies afford to ignore science, Rajan said. Saudi Arabia, for instance, isn't producing enough graduates with information technology (IT) skills to supply the domestic market - he estimates that the kingdom's IT industry will be short some 30,000 professionals by 2014 - and the shortfall will have to be filled by expatriates from places like Egypt, he said. Most governments in the Arab world have no national policy for science or technology, but in the Gulf, oil billions are being used to jump start world-class research institutes and lure elite universities and scientists from the US and Europe.

Qatar, which hosts Stars of Science, launched a five-year program in 2006 to increase R&D spending to 2.8 percent of GDFP from 0.33 percent. Its 14-sq-km Education City hosts engineering programs from Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon. Abu Dhabi has slated $1.3 billion in funds for research and development through 2018 under a strategic plan for higher education announced last June. The Sorbonne and New York University have set up branches in the emirate, with the hope that they will evolve from teaching undergraduates to full-fledged research universities. But the most ambitious plans are being pursued by Saudi Arabia. The government has stepped up science and technology spending in the last two years, with annual allocations set to grow to more than $1.6 billion annual over the next few years from $530 million in 2008 and $160 million a year on average in the two decades before that. The King Abdullah University for Science and Technology opened in Sept 2009 with a $10 billion endowment and English as the language of instruction.

The government has a letter of intent with Georgia Institute of Technology of the US to build the first institution to offer foreign-accredited, postgraduate research degrees inside the kingdom. The King Abdullah Foreign Scholarships Program has sent about 85,000 Saudi students to study at leading overseas universities.

But scientific excellence requires more than deep pockets, warned Maziak of the University of Memphis. In any case, said IDC's Rajan, it will take time for improved educational systems to begin producing the quantity and quality of graduates needed by knowledge-intensive industries. It will take even longer to change attitudes that hinder innovate thinking, he added. "Besides all the technical skills, there's also a problem with soft skills," Rajan, told The Media Line.

"There's a problem with English language, there's a problem in gaps in problem solving, so it's not just a matter of quantity but quality as well."—Media Line

NEWS

14

Monday, December 27, 2010

PARIS: A bright Eiffel tower is reflected in the still water of a basin late on Saturday. — AFP

Gamal vows bold reforms

Turmoil as oppn bids to oust PM Con tinued on Page 14 Con tinu ed f rom Page 1 “Any actions within the framework of the constitution are acceptable but moves outside the constitution are totally rejected. This explains the intensity of the current crisis,” said Abdali.

Opposition MPs representing the three main groupings in parliament filed a motion to quiz the premier over the clashes in a session scheduled for today. “The parliament session... will be the most dangerous session to be seen in Kuwait,” Ahmad alKhateeb, a respected veteran politician, wrote in the weekly Al-Taleea. “During the session, the future of Kuwait, democracy and the constitution will be determined,” said Khateeb, who was on the committee that wrote the 1962 constitution. Liberal MP Aseel Al-Awadhi described the opposition campaign as an “intifada (uprising) to safeguard the constitution against attempts to undermine it.”

Opposition figures stress they aim to

bring down the government, which they accuse of suppressing public freedoms and plotting to cut powers the constitution gives parliament. “We will not coexist with this government under one roof,” said opposition MP Musallam Al-Barrak, declaring they are backed by 21 MPs in the 50member parliament. Barrak and several opposition MPs said that after the premier had been quizzed, they would file a motion of non-cooperation with him. If passed, the issue would be referred to HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who can either dismiss the premier or dissolve parliament for fresh elections.

Since May 2006, the Amir has dissolved parliament three times and fresh polls have been held while six different governments have been formed by the same prime minister. The latest escalation comes despite a stern warning from Sheikh Sabah who took responsibility for the police crackdown, absolving his premier. Pro-government MPs have in turn accused the opposition of challenging the Kuwaiti ruler’s authority. “I

believe this question (session) is not directed against the prime minister but the Amir,” Shiite MP Hussein al-Qallaf said last week. Another, Salwa Al-Jassar, went as far as saying the “opposition was instigating civil war” by encouraging people to take to the streets.

The political upheaval has coincided with a clampdown on the media and government critics. Two leading critics are behind bars, while Kuwait has closed the office of Qatar’s Al-Jazeera television network for covering the police’s use of force in the Dec 8 gathering. The government has also sent to parliament proposals to toughen laws on punishments for the media, which MPs are to discuss at a later date. Few believe today’s parliament session will end political strife in Kuwait, which sits on 10 percent of the world’s crude oil reserves. “Political crises will continue in this country as long as the ruling family does not change its mentality to cope with modern-day developments and expand democracy,” Rasheed said. —AFP

“The concerns, problems Con tin ued f rom Page 1 Con tin ued f rom Page 1 of Egyptians and the need to raise their standard of living will remain and continue to be our main preoccupation and the pivotal part of our party’s endeavors,” he said.

In the five years ahead of the next parliamentary election in 2015, he said, the party needs to create more jobs, increase non-oil exports, nearly double the number of tourists coming every year and lift a million families out of poverty. “They are huge challenges, but we have the confidence to tackle them,” he said. Gamal Mubarak has frequently sought to debunk talk of him being groomed to succeed his 82-year-old father, but has never categorically denied it. The older Mubarak, who had

The other buses did not continue on to Abu Simbel, and instead returned to Aswan, he said, declining to be identified.

The US embassy in Cairo confirmed that the injured are being moved by military transport to Cairo, but said in a statement that it didn’t have any further information on the accident or those involved.

The Great Temple at Abu Simbel, known for its four colossal statues, was built during the reign of Ramses II and was dedicated to the god Amun. It is considered

one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in Egypt. Road accidents are common in Egypt because of bad roads and poor enforcement of traffic rules, and crashes involving tour groups are not uncommon. Last month, eight foreign tourists were killed when their tour bus lost control and flipped over several times on a winding mountain road near a resort on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, while in October six Belgian tourists were killed in a crash in the south. Following last month’s accident authorities closed several travel oper-

ators after complaints of inadequate safety measures and bad driving. Misr Tours is a joint stock investment company and one of Egypt’s leading full service ground operators. An estimated 8,000 people die in car accidents annually in Egypt. The 3,000 year-old granite Abu Simbel temples are a popular tourist attraction. They were relocated to their present location, about 300 km from Aswan, in the 1960s to prevent them from being submerged by rising waters from the Aswan Dam which was under construction. — Agencies

Grilling showdown nears Continued from Page 1 and integrity that have been humiliated at the gathering in Sulaibikhat”, Barrak harshly criticized the government saying it did not care for the Kuwaiti people. “They have beaten MPs, university professors, the people and even journalists”, and this did not cause any regret on the part of the government, Barrak said.

“Tuesday is the day of accountability for the government and the prime minister for the heinous act they committed by beating people and humiliating their integrity,” said Barrak, adding that any MP who does not join in holding the government accountable “is in fact a partner in the crime”.

Barrak said that undecided MPs still have sufficient time to revise and change their position to support the grilling, adding that “if MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Abdulrahman Al-Anjari were beaten

up, tomorrow others will be beaten up, including those who support the government”. The lawmaker reiterated that it is impossible to believe that HH the Amir had ordered police to beat up his people as the government has been saying, adding that the government issued statements supporting the interior minister and special forces immediately after the attack.

“As a result, the prime minister should stand to defend his government’s decision in an open session and demanding a secret session is an attempt to escape,” said Barrak, who added that the government will not be able to defend its decisions. Barrak also appealed to the people to attend the Assembly session in large numbers today and if the session is held behind closed doors, he called on them to assemble just the Assembly building.

The lawmaker also called on four to

five MPs to change their mind and join in the defense of the integrity of the Kuwaiti people. Barrak named MP Hussein Mizyed and hoped he will soon announce his decision to support the grilling and the non-cooperation motion. Other MPs whom Barrak did not name are believed to include Khaled Al-Adwah, Saadoun Hammad, Saad Znaifer, Mohammad AlHuwailah and Dulaihi Al-Hajeri.

Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi called yesterday for a civilized debate and mutual respect between the grilling MPs and the government. Khorafi also said that the Assembly’s internal charter does not permit the prime minister to assign someone else to speak on his behalf. Regarding the grilling, he said that it is supposed to be debated today in accordance with the internal charter unless the prime minister asks for a delay which must be studied and approved by the Assembly.

accepted poverty line of $2 a day.

Gamal Mubarak has routinely used the party annual conference to raise his profile in a nation ruled by men with military backgrounds since the monarchy was toppled by a coup nearly 60 years ago. His photographs have been splashed across the country’s stateowned newspapers this week and the speech was broadcast live by a popular, privately owned television channel.

The younger Mubarak, however, lacks the charisma enjoyed by his father, who often departs from prepared comments to banter with lawmakers in his genial, folksy style. In contrast, Gamal Mubarak’s speech was dry and delivered in a monotone that lacked the passion and conviction - and humor - Egyptians have come to expect from their leaders.

The applause of the party faithful was lukewarm at best. — AP

gising, and said Ankara should be making amends. “I think the matter of an apology borders on chutzpah or beyond,” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli diplomats in a speech attended by international media. “If anything, we are waiting for an apology from the Turkish government, and not the other way around.” Lieberman was responding to the Turkish demand, reiterated by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday. The incident, following months of Turkish censure of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, damaged relations between the Jewish state and its once-stalwart Muslim ally and NATO power.

In Geneva this month. Israeli officials say they broached a deal that would entail them expressing “regret” for the ship violence and paying damages to those bereaved or hurt, in return for a Turkish commitment to indemnify navy personnel against lawsuits. A formal Israeli apology would only serve to fuel such legal actions, Lieberman’s deputy, Danny Ayalon, has said. Lieberman and Ayalon hail from an ultranationalist party that is the often fractious junior coalition partner to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud.

Political sources say Netanyahu sometimes excludes Lieberman from more sensitive policymaking and sent one of his confidants to team up with the Israeli diplomat handling the Geneva talks.

Turkish media quoted Davutoglu, a leading figure in Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted AK party, as casting doubt on the credibility of Israel’s government on Saturday. “The fact that we have the will to make peace does not mean that others also have that will.

Then this creates difficulty. It is very difficult to establish political will in Israel,” Davutoglu said. He noted Turkey’s quick dispatch of planes to help Israel battle the forest fire this month, and suggested that, had the situation been reversed, it would have taken “days” for the Israelis to behave likewise.

Lieberman denounced those remarks as “lies”, recalling Israel’s aid airlift to Turkey after its 1999 earthquake. But he did acknowledge an Israeli contribution to the deadlock in US-sponsored negotiations with the Palestinians. “When you look at all of the components in the coalition, are we capable today of presenting a (peace) plan?” Lieberman asked rhetorically, citing sharp differences among the parties over how and if to meet Palestinian demands for statehood. He proposed a “Plan B”, a long-term interim accord with the Palestinians, which he said he would be prepared to finalise and present “any time”. He gave no further details.

Lieberman accused the Erdogan gover nment of abetting the Turkish Islamist charity IHH, which sponsored the Mavi Marmara and other ships that tried to breach the blockade. Ankara wants Gaza’s borders opened but distanced itself from the IHH mission. “If anyone should apologise, it should be the Turkish government to Israel over cooperation with terrorist elements, support for terrorism, support for the IHH, Hamas and (Lebanese) Hezbollah.

There will be no (Israeli) apology,” Lieberman said. IHH has said the Mavi Marmara will be part of a new flotilla which will leave for Gaza on May 31, 2011, exactly one year on from the deadly raid. — Agencies

Turks greet aid ship Con tin ued f rom Page 1

8 Americans killed in Egypt bus crash

surgery this year to remove his gallbladder, rarely speaks in public on the issue of succession.

Yesterday’s address in many ways resembled the kinds of speeches the president often gives, including one at the conference just a day before. The message was identical too - pushing ahead with reform while taking care of the poor.

Under the influence of Gamal Mubarak’s reform plan, Egypt’s economy grew by an annual average of 7 percent for three years until the global financial meltdown in 2008 slowed growth, but it is still expected to increase by about 6 percent in the fiscal year ending in June 2011. That rate, however, is still short of what is required to meet the demands of the nation’s 80 million people, of whom around 40 percent live on or near the internationally

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Ahmet Dogan, the father of the American-Turkish teenager who died, Furkan Dogan, said the victims’ families wanted more than an apology and compensation from Israel. “If they want to ease the pain of the families of the martyrs, the embargo and blockade (of Gaza) must be lifted,” Dogan said. “All those in the Israeli (military) command chain involved in the incident must be punished.” After the raid, Israel significantly eased import restrictions over land, and announced it would permit increased exports from Gaza.

The incident aggravated relations between former allies Turkey and Israel that were already tense over Turkish criticism of Israel’s conflict with Palestinians. Turkey recalled its ambassador and pushed for international condemnation of Israel. Turkey has since said it wants improved ties with Israel, but is not backtracking from its demands that Israel apologize for the raid and compensate victims before relations can return to normal. High-level Turkish and Israeli officials met in Geneva earlier this month to try to mend fences, af ter Turkey sent aircraft and firefighters to help Israel battle a wildfire. But they failed to agree on terms. Israel insists commandos opened fire in self-defense after meeting what they called unexpected resistance when they boarded the Mavi Marmara. Israel wants Turkey to return its ambassador to Tel Aviv and to drop the flotilla incident from the international agenda.

Yesterday, Israel poured scorn on the Turkish call to restore relations by apolo-

SPORTS

Monday, December 27, 2010

15

Wild Oats XI leads yacht race SYDNEY: Favorite Wild Oats XI, winner of line honors four of the past five years, led a fleet of 87 yachts out of Sydney Harbour and opened up a healthy lead in the annual Sydney to Hobart race yesterday.

The supermaxi sailed between Sydney Heads and into open ocean, facing favorable light winds as it made its way down the New South Wales coast. The fleet was expected to be hit by a southerly change later yesterday that would slow the boats and make a race record unlikely.

More than six hours into the race, Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards, led Australian yacht Investec Loyal by five nautical miles, with Wild Thing in third. Wild Thing collided with a media boat while still in the harbor, with some apparent damage done to the bow of the racing yacht.

Wild Oats XI holds the race record of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes, set in 2005. The 628-nautical-mile (723-mile, 1,163-kilometer) race is being held for the 66th time.

Alfa Romeo, which beat Wild Oats XI last year, is not competing this year. The yacht was sold to Russian interests which decided to keep the boat in Europe instead of attempting to defend its race title. —AP

SYDNEY: This handout photo taken and released by Rolex shows the start of the 66th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Race favorite ‘Wild Oats XI’ hopes to take its fifth line honors in the annual 628-nautical-mile blue water classic. —AFP

Big-name sports follow the money to the Gulf

DUBAI: It was hardly a marquee moment in the history of world sports. Curious crowds on a Middle Eastern beach watched events that included horse riders slicing a lemon with a sword and a cousin of croquet called woodball.

Yet there was the president of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, looking on from the VIP seats and then coming down to present some medals at the Asian Beach Games in Oman earlier this month.

If Rogge seemed out of place, he wasn’t. The scene was just a sign of the times. Fans can expect more — perhaps many more — such courtesy calls to the Gulf by the stewards of international sports as the moneysoaked region that once begged for attention from the IOC and others is now bursting with eager suitors.

They are emissaries along the new silk road of sports. In little more than a decade, the Gulf’s wealth and boundless ambitions have lured bigname events and A-list athletes, while the region’s leaders have developed a reputation as deep-pocket hosts — who are still hungry for more.

“We go to new lands,” FIFA President Seth Blatter said Dec. 2 after announcing tiny Qatar’s surprise selection for the 2022 World Cup. So new that sports fans in some places had to consult a map.

Searches for Qatar on Google instantly spiked. Announcers outside the Middle East tried to wrap their tongues around the correct pronunciation: KAT-tar or GUH-tur but definitely not Cutter.

Then critics got busy. A running theme, particularly in the runner-up bidder America, was a shrill retort: How does Qatar merit one of crown jewels of international sports? Such comments just mean the questioner hasn’t been paying attention.

The sports migration to the Gulf has been going on for years _ part of a new world landscape of sports in which economic clout has shifted from Europe and North America to markets where authorities see Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods and roaring F-1 races as something more. In the Gulf, it’s a way to matter beyond just being

the world’s fuel pump.

“The old thinking in the Gulf was to try to stay out of sight,” said Patrick Nikolas Theros, a former US ambassador to Qatar and currently president of the US-Qatar business council. “Now they see sports as an effective way to make Qatar and other Gulf countries important and important to other people.”

The Gulf strategy to buy respectability takes other forms, such as bringing in annexes of top schools including New York University and Georgetown, and museums such as the planned Louvre and Guggenheim in Abu Dhabi and architect I.M. Pei’s Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. But sports adds some of the Gulf’s favorite currencies: celebrity and splash.

The Gulf states — led by Qatar and the United Arab Emirates — have elevated sports to something akin to a national cause. Their treasuries are thrown open to bankroll first-class facilities such as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix circuit (complete with Ferrari theme park), Dubai’s airport-size Meydan horse racing complex and the array of air-conditioned stadiums planned for the World Cup. Sports councils and federations — even the most modest — hire high-priced Western PR talent to champion their cause. The latest drive: Qatar’s quest for the 2015 men’s handball championships.

Dubai, meanwhile, is mulling a run at a far bigger prize _ the 2020 Olympics. But if not Dubai, certainly another pitch for the games will come someday from the Gulf if the current momentum remains.

Even Rogge gave a personal nudge while in Oman, saying the IOC would welcome another Olympic bid from the Middle East after Qatar’s failed effort for the 2016 games.

“The geography of sports is changing,” said Ahmad Mohammed Al Rahoomi, international spokesman for the Dubai Sports Council, during the SportAccord gathering in April that brought together sports officials from around the world.

“When people used to think of this region it was only oil. Now they

are starting to think of sports.” In reality, one feeds off the other. The Gulf’s staggering oil and gas wealth powers the sports boom. And the more the events shift to the booming region, the more money that’s set aside to try to get more.

How’s this for an expected guest list: Nadal, Roger Federer and other top men’s tennis players in Abu Dhabi and Qatar’s capital Doha; Asia’s top soccer teams in Doha for a continentwide tournament; Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson at the Abu Dhabi golf championships; Colin Montgomerie and Europe’s other Ryder Cup champions in Bahrain; rising Kenyan marathon star Eliud Kiptanui in Dubai.

That’s just the calendar for January. A veteran sports marketer, Donal Kilalea, said the initial push to bring competitions to the region began with companies such as Emirates airline looking to raise their profile.

“They saw it as a way for branding,” said Kilalea, head of Promoseven in Dubai. “Later, the region’s leaders began to pay attention. Now, it has coalesced into a priority on all sides.” But the sports parade also drags the region in some uncomfortable directions.

Opening to the sporting world also means open to Israel, which has no diplomatic ties with Gulf states and whose presence gives Arab security forces the jitters.

Last year, the UAE suffered a serious image blow when it denied a visa to Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer for the Dubai championships.

This year, Peer was allowed to play, but was limited to her hotel and the courts. A special security squad also was assigned for Israel’s delegation at this month’s FINA short-course swimming championships in Dubai.

Being in the world spotlight also leaves deeper social issues exposed. Among them: Is local Gulf Arab culture being steamrolled in the quest for sports prestige? It’s not a new question.

The Gulf’s staggering growth is built on importing cheap laborers and expensive white-collar talent, creating lopsided demographics

In little more than a decade, the Gulf’s wealth and boundless ambitions have lured big-name events and A-list athletes

DUBAI: In this Feb. 3, 2008 photo, Tiger Woods of the United States poses with the trophy next to Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohmmad Al-Maktoum after he won the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai. —AP

ABU DHABI: In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany passes the Yas Marina hotel during a qualifying session at the Yas Marina racetrack for the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix auto race. —AP

such as five foreigners for every local-born Emirati in Dubai. But in Doha, the questions were being tossed around with new urgency even before the last bleat of the vuvuzelas to celebrate the World Cup selection.

Some conservative Muslim clerics called it a sellout of Islamic values to invite the World Cup party, including the prospect of boozy “fan zones” in a capital once so sleepy that, a generation ago, the big nightspot was a Dairy Queen.

One cleric suggested Qataris consider an Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia to escape the Cup. Then, too, there is the sensitive issue of who actually builds the sports palaces, including the $4 billion in new World Cup arenas. Gulf nations have been under considerable pressure from rights groups to improve conditions in the labor camps housing the mostly South Asian workers who have raised the towering cities of Dubai, Doha and

elsewhere.

Earlier this month, the International Labor Organization urged Gulf countries to boost protections for hard-hat workers, including establishing a minimum wage. In many countries, the workers receive less than $300 a month and have their passports held by companies to ensure they don’t seek other jobs.

None of these messier questions, however, got in the way of Gulf leaders toasting Qatar. At a summit of Gulf sheiks and monarchs in Abu Dhabi this month, a joint statement called the World Cup award a “source of pride” for the entire Muslim world. It also sets the bar high.

The UAE quickly funneled an extra $3.8 million to its Olympic teams to boost homegrown competitors in a region that embraced passport-for-play policies. Qatar, for example, began shopping for Bulgarian weightlifters in the 1990s

with international medals in mind.

Swimmers, runners and others have also been recruited and often given freshly minted Arab names to go with their new Gulf passports. In Oman, the world track and field governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, is “99 percent” ready to approve its first Olympic-standard training center in the Middle East, IAAF official Elio Locatelli told the Muscat Daily.

The facility will give Gulf athletes a chance for world-class training and coaching. Even the NBA is now eyeing the Gulf. The league held its first event in Abu Dhabi this month with slam dunk exhibitions, clinics and former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon as the ambassador.

Aly El Hamamsy, managing director of the NBA’s Middle East operations, noted: “We are continually working to promote the game across the Middle East.”—AP

SPORTS

16

Monday, December 27, 2010

NBA results/standings NBA results and standings on Saturday.

NY Knicks 103, Chicago 95; Orlando 86, Boston 78; Miami 96, LA Lakers 80; Oklahoma City 114, Denver 106; Golden State 109, Portland 102.

Boston NY Knicks Philadelphia Toronto New Jersey

Chicago Indiana Milwaukee Detroit Cleveland

Eastern Conference Atlantic Divis ion W L PCT 23 5 .821 18 12 .600 11 18 .379 10 19 .345 9 21 .300 Central Division 18 10 13 14 12 16 10 19 8 21

GB 6 12.5 13.5 15

.643 .481 .429 .345 .276

4.5 6 8.5 10.5

Southeast Division 23 9 .719 19 12 .613 18 12 .600 9 19 .321 7 20 .259

3.5 4 12 13.5

Western Conference Northwest Division Utah 21 9 .700 Oklahoma City 21 10 .677 Denver 16 12 .571 Portland 15 15 .500 Minnesota 6 24 .200

0.5 4 6 15

Miami Atlanta Orlando Charlotte Washington

LA Lakers Phoenix Golden State LA Clippers Sacramento

San Antonio Dallas New Orleans Houston Memphis

Pacific Division 21 9 13 15 11 18 8 22 5 22

.700 .464 .379 .267 .185

7 9.5 13 14.5

Southwest Division 25 4 .862 23 5 .821 17 12 .586 14 15 .483 12 17 .414

1.5 8 11 13

LOS ANGELES: Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (right) puts up a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom defends during the second half of their NBA basketball game.—AP

Heat beat Lakers in Christmas clash LOS ANGELES: The Miami Heat thrived on the NBA’s Christmas Day stage in a convincing 96-80 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, with LeBron James getting 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while hitting a season-high five 3-pointers.

Chris Bosh had 24 points and 13 rebounds as the Heat won for the 14th time in 15 games while flustering the defending champions into a terrible offensive performance. Although both teams called this game a television curiosity rather than a

potential NBA finals preview, it clearly meant something to James, who outplayed Kobe Bryant again in his second straight Christmas win at Staples Center. Bryant and Pau Gasol scored 17 points apiece for the Lakers.

Magic 86, Celtics 78

the new-look Magic got into its stride in the second half after Boston had taken a 12-point lead. Brandon Bass scored 21 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 16 for the Magic, who took a measure of revenge for last season’s defeat by Boston in the Eastern Conference finals. Kevin Garnett had 22 points for the Celtics in their first loss in over a month.

In Orlando, the hosts ended yet another long winning run, beating Boston to snap the Celtics’ 14-game streak. Having halted San Antonio’s 10-game run in the previous game,

In New York, the home team limited Chicago to just two baskets in the first 10

Knicks 103, Bulls 95

minutes of the fourth quarter, setting up a victory over the Bulls. Amare Stoudemire and Raymond Felton each scored 20 points for the Knicks, the NBA’s highest-scoring team but 28th in defense. Stoudemire anchored the defensive effort, grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking six shots Carlos Boozer had 26 points and 19 rebounds for the Bulls.

Thunder 114, Nuggets 106 In Oklahoma City, NBA scoring leader

Australian Open to precede Presidents Cup in Melbourne BRISBANE: The Australian Open will precede the Presidents Cup in Melbourne next year, a decision that will almost certainly see Tiger Woods missing from the Australian Masters in 2011.

The PGA of Australia announced Sunday that the Open, to be held at a Sydney-area course, will be held from Nov. 10-13. The Australian PGA at Coolum, Queensland will be held from Nov. 24-27, a week after the Presidents Cup between the United States and International team members is held at Royal Melbourne from Nov. 17-20.

The PGA also said that the Australian Masters was tentatively scheduled for Dec. 1-4, but that date was still to be confirmed.

Woods has played the Masters the last two years, winning it in 2009, and had said he’d prefer to see it played the week before the Presidents Cup. The Masters is scheduled to be played at Kingston Heath, another sandbelt course near Royal Melbourne and one which would have given Woods and other Presidents Cup players an ideal preparation for the team event.

IMG, which manages Woods, also runs the Australian Masters and had hoped to get the prime week-before date to get players from the Presidents Cup in its field. The Australian Open in Sydney will now have that opportunity, although the likely course, The Lakes, does not have as much in common with Royal Melbourne as Kingston Heath does.

“We would like this date. It’s critical to us,” Mark Steinberg, head of IMG’s global golf division, said in November during the Masters.

“We feel like we took on the risk by moving to this date a few years ago, going up against some big events, and we made it successful. We feel we deserve to keep the date, now that it’s a coveted date for next year.”

Woods received a $3 million appearance fee-half of that paid by the Victorian state government-but in his first year, a government study showed the economic return was more than $30 million.

Max Garske, the chief executive of the PGA of Australia, said Sunday that the decision “was made in the best interest of both Australian golf and the PGA Tour of Australasia.”

“There were a number of factors that needed to be carefully considered

in finalizing the scheduling for 2011, including the timing of a number of international events, the availability of certain venues and the domestic schedule that best serves the Australian golfing public,” Garske said.

“With the focus of the golfing world set to be firmly on Melbourne come mid-November 2011, it is a given that the Presidents Cup will offer up a number of benefits to events falling on either side. So with these factors in mind we feel we have made the decision in the best interest of the game.”

Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble Co. will not renew its endorsement deal with Tiger Woods after this year, adding another name to the list of companies that cut ties with the golfer following revelations of marital infidelities.

The company used Woods, Roger Federer, Lionel Messi and dozens of other athletes as part of its three-year “Gillette Champions” marketing campaign. Gillette said it was phasing out that program and not renewing the contract with Woods and other athletes. It stopped using Woods months ago.

He was once the most sought-after pitchman in sports and was the first athlete to earn $1 billion from endorsement agreements. However, many corporations cut ties or distanced themselves from Woods after the scandal that broke just over a year ago dominated headlines for months.

Accenture LLP, AT&T Inc. and Gatorade all dropped Woods as an endorser. Companies such as Gillette and Tag Heuer didn’t end their relationships outright but stopped featuring him in advertisements.

Nike Inc. and Electronic Arts, which had more invested in his skills as a golfer rather than a more general symbol of excellence, stuck with him.

Woods is rebuilding his golf reputation after his first year as a pro golfer without a tournament victory and losing his ranking as the top player in the world. Gillette was also letting its contracts with other athletes, including footballers Messi, Thierry Henry and Kaka end as part of the conclusion of the marketing program.

Gillette, however, was keeping some of the athletes-such as Federer, NHL star Alex Ovechkin and New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter-for new local marketing campaigns.—AP

Kevin Durant had a season-high 44 points — 21 in the third quarter — for Oklahoma City in the win over Denver.

In the Thunder’s first Christmas game, Durant was 14 of 20 from the field and raised his scoring average to 28.1.

James Harden added 21 points for the hosts. Denver played for the second straight game without star Carmelo Anthony following his sister’s death Wednesday. Chauncey Billups led the Nuggets with 30 points.

Warriors 109, T Blazers 102 In Oakland, Golden State scored 11 straight points to erase a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter and beat Portland. in its first Christmas home game.

Monta Ellis scored 39 points and David Lee added 21 points for the Warriors, who posted rare back-to-back wins in the team’s first Christmas home game. Wesley Matthews led Portland with 25 points.—AP

McCoy looks to cap year with star performance

Tiger Woods plays a shot in this file photo

LONDON: Tony McCoy has had a year most people would kill for having won the world’s most challenging and best known race the Grand National and become the first jockey to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

However, the 36-year-old Ulsterman can round it off in proper style should he guide Kauto Star to a record fifth King George VI Chase at Kempton Park today after the race was rescheduled from yesterday because of the freezing weather.

Kauto Star, who is the only horse to have regained the Cheltenham Gold Cup, already holds the record for winning the race four times in a row — legend Desert Orchid won it four times but over a five year stretch 1986-91.

McCoy, 15-times champion jockey, got the ride as Noel Fehily was ruled unfit with a recurrence of a wrist injury — he in turn had got the ride because trainer Paul Nicholls’ stable jockey Ruby Walsh broke his leg in November.

McCoy, though, has contacted Walsh and asked him about what is the best manner in which to ride the even money favorite, while he has also ridden him over showjumping fences at Nicholls’s stables and is really looking forward to the task ahead.

The humble Northern Irishman — who rode Don’t Push It to Grand National glory in April — was so keen to ride him that he asked close friend and retainer Jonjo O’Neill if he could opt out of riding Alberta’s Run in the King George so he could take the ride on the French-bred 10-year-old gelding.

“Like most other people in racing I have followed Kauto Star throughout his career and it is a huge thrill now to be riding such a horse, the best chaser in years, for the first time,” he wrote in his column

for the Daily Telegraph.

“He did have a heavy fall in the Gold Cup (at Cheltenham in March), one of those which you are glad they get up from, but he appeared to show no ill effects when winning at Down Royal earlier this season.

“He is a long way clear on the ratings and it is very hard to see him being beaten.”

With Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander and another Nicholls star Denman not participating because of injury and stable strategy respectively, Kauto Star faces a field of honest but not top class opponents.

Ironically his main rival may come from Alberta’s Run, who was second behind him in the King George two years ago but his form has shown a decline and took a heavy fall last time out at Ascot, though, he has the class to bounce back.

Other than him the highlyrated fellow French bred Long Run, yet another Nicholl’s prospect seven-year-old The Nightingale and Sizing Europe, three relative unknown quantities may freshen up the run-in.

The Nightingale has recorded three wins in four over fences including an impressive last outing at Down Royal while two-time French Grade One victor Long Run - trained by Nicky Henderson - made an impression when winning the Grade One Feltham Chase here last year.

Sizing Europe, trained in Ireland by Harry de Bromhead, has four lengths to make up on Kauto Star from their race at Down Royal but there is no question of his ability having won the Arkle Chase at ther Cheltenham Festival - his trainer has risked the wrath of his family by travelling over with him and another stablemate on December 23 thereby missing Christmas.—AFP

SPORTS

Monday, December 27, 2010

The sporting year in quotes WORLD CUP SOCCER “We feel like a small footballing nation and it hurts. There’s nothing to say other than it’s a catastrophe” - France captain Patrice Evra sums up an embarrassing campaign in which the team finished bottom of their group and created an unseemly sideshow with their protests at the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka.

“They don’t want to train, it’s a scandal. I’m resigning, I’m leaving the Federation. I have nothing more to do here. I’m going back to Paris” - France team director and French Federation managing director Jean-Louis Valentin who kept his word after the players boycotted training over the Anelka affair.

“This is not the normal way we deal with our sea creatures. But Paul was one of the most extraordinary animals we ever had. It seems appropriate to build a monument for him because he achieved such fame during his lifetime” - the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre pay tribute to Paul the ‘Psychic’ Octopus who hit the headlines with his accurate World Cup score predictions.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES “We make a lot of confusion, we love the confusion and we muddle through somehow. If today’s show is any indication, the Commonwealth Games will be great” - V.K. Sikund, a retired railway worker, after the opening ceremony got underway in Delhi despite countless problems in the build-up.

WINTER OLYMPICS “The International Federation said what happened yesterday was human error. With all due respect...one thing I know for sure is that no sports mistake is supposed to lead to death” Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili after luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died hours before the Vancouver Games opening ceremony in an horrific training crash.

17

Spot fixing row mars 2010, Tendulkar shines NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar set a slew of records and England, who gave the game to the world, finally won a World Cup but spot-fixing may well be the lasting cricketing memory of a tumultuous year.

Tranquillity is a rare thing in Pakistan cricket and there was considerable bad blood in the team that returned after a shambolic tour of Australia where they lost all three test matches, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game.

As part of its house-cleaning process, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned three former captainsYounus Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malikand fined several players including Shahid Afridi, who featured in a bizarre ball-biting incident in Perth.

The team reached even lower depths when a British media report alleged that some players had been bribed to bowl pre-determined no-balls during a test match in England in August.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently suspended the then test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

The ICC probed the suspect scoring pattern of a Pakistan-England one-day international as well but found no “compelling evidence” against any player.

The PCB, however, could not breathe easy.

In November, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider disappeared in Dubai, where the team were playing South Africa, and resurfaced in London, seeking asylum and saying his life was under threat from match-fixers.

“Cricket in Pakistan faces its biggest crisis and so does the country. We are in a mess,” said Imran Khan, arguably the best captain Pakistan ever had.

Across the border in India, things were rosier and the seemingly ageless Tendulkar was very much in the thick of things.

The 37-year-old batsman brought up the first double century in one-day cricket’s history against South

India’s Sachin Tendulkar Africa in February and completed 14,000 test runs against Australia in October.

He rounded off the year by becoming the first cricketer to score 50 test hundreds, while on tour against South Africa as India warmed up for the World Cup which they will host with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Feb. 19.

Recognition of Tendulkar’s achievements came in

the form of the ICC Cricketer of the Year award. The Indian Air Force also named him its honorary group captain.

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi was suspended after allegations of corruption in cricket’s richest event ensnared top politicians and Bollywood stars.

The IPL, however, remained a hot property and

two new franchises-Kochi and Pune-were sold for $703 million, more than the worth of the eight original franchises put together.

In the Twenty20 World Cup, Paul Collingwood’s England comprehensively beat Australia in the final in Barbados to win the country’s first global trophy in limited-overs cricket.

Australia’s decline was evident in other formats as well as they slumped to fifth place in the ICC test rankings after a 2-0 whitewash in India.

England’s hopes of beating them in the Ashes series rose when they took a 1-0 lead after the first two tests but Australia stormed back to level at 1-1 with a win in Perth.

Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dropped the curtain on his illustrious test career, taking his 800th test wicket off his last delivery amid intense drama.

Chris Gayle scored the lone test triple century of the year, for West Indies against Sri Lanka, Vangipurappu Laxman braved a bad back to lead India to a one-wicket victory over Australia in a Mohali test and Peter Siddle sizzled with an Ashes hat-trick in the Brisbane test.

Australia’s Brett Lee announced his test retirement, while England’s talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and New Zealand’s tearaway pacer Shane Bond quit the game altogether.

Cricket made its Asian Games debut in Guangzhou where Bangladesh won gold but India did not deem it necessary to send a team.

The game also underwent experiments. Splitinnings one-dayers were trialled in England and Australia, the ICC announced new test and one-day championships, while the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) tried out a pink ball and advocated day-night tests. — Reuters

NFL standings NFL standings on Saturday.

Amer ican Foot ball Conference AFC East W L T PF PA PCT New England 12 2 0 446 303 .857 NY Jets 10 4 0 295 259 .714 Miami 7 7 0 239 261 .500 Buffalo 4 10 0 273 353 .286 AFC North Pittsburgh 11 4 0 334 223 .733 Baltimore 10 4 0 324 253 .714 Cleveland 5 9 0 252 271 .357 Cincinnati 3 11 0 281 362 .214 AFC Sout h Indianapolis 8 6 0 381 342 .571 Jacksonville 8 6 0 319 365 .571 Tennessee 6 8 0 322 282 .429 Houston 5 9 0 333 386 .357 AFC West Kansas City 9 5 0 322 281 .643 San Diego 8 6 0 388 260 .571 Oakland 7 7 0 353 330 .500 Denver 3 11 0 292 415 .214

SOCCER “It was an unstoppable hug. More than words it was the hug. It was an incredible wedding between us. He (Inter Milan chairman Massimo Moratti) wanted me a few years ago when I was at Chelsea. He tried again and I went and maybe he had a feeling I could give him his dream” — Jose Mourinho after completing a treble with Inter Milan by winning the Champions League.

“To be denying rumors ever day is tough.

Boca is like making love with the window open, you don’t have any intimacy” - outgoing Boca Juniors coach Claudio Borghi.

“We were machine-gunned, like dogs.

There was blood pouring down the bus” - Togo striker Thomas Dossevi after three people died when separatist rebels in Angola attacked the team bus in January, before the start of the African Nations Cup. CRICKET “These players have let us and the country down. We are already facing so many problems because of the floods and terrorism and they took away our one source of happiness” - a Pakistani cricket fan after spot-fixing allegations against Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir emerged in August.

“It’s just another number but it’s nice” Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar after rounding off a record-breaking year by becoming the first man to score 50 test centuries.

GOLF “I was unfaithful, I had affairs, I cheated.

What I did was not acceptable and I am the only person to blame” - Tiger Woods in his first public appearance since revelations of repeated infidelity caused his spectacular fall from grace late last year. “I brought this shame on myself.”

“To 12 special guys,. I asked them to play with their hearts and with passion and by God they did” - Europe’s Ryder Cup winning captain Colin Montgomerie.

TENNIS “Nothing like this will ever happen againever... It stinks someone had to lose” American John Isner on his 11-hour-five-minute Wimbledon win over Nicolas Mahut which ended 70-68 in the fifth set.

NBA “I am going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat” - LeBron James, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the past two seasons, announces in a special live national television broadcast his move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat.

FORMULA ONE “Not bad for a number two (driver)” Australian Mark Webber after winning the British Grand Prix having been forced to hand over his car’s new front wing to Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel the day before.

“If Michael wants to go to heaven-in the event that he is going to heaven-then I don’t really care. But I don’t want to go before him” Brazilian Rubens Barrichello reacts angrily after former Ferrari team mate Michael Schumacher tried to drive him off the track at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

GLENDALE: Dallas Cowboys runningback Marion Barber (24) leaps past Arizona Cardinals defenders Kerry Rhodes (25) and Gerald Hayes (right) on his way to the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game. — AP

Cardinals trounce Cowboys GLENDALE: A missed Dallas conversion was followed by Jay Feely’s 48-yard field goal winner with five seconds to play, as the Arizona Cardinals won 27-26 win against the Cowboys on Saturday’s NFL Christmas Day game between two lowly teams.

Third-string quarterbacks when the season began, John Skelton and Stephen McGee had lead parts in a game between two teams that would be looking forward to next week’s season-closing game to put disappointing campaigns behind them.

“Really, nothing’s bigger than beating the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day right now,” Cardinals rookie Skelton said. “Whiz (coach Ken Whisenhunt) was shaking my hand before the game and I said, ‘We have one last gift to unwrap.’

Sure enough, it took the last minute, but we got it.”

Dallas (5-10) rallied from 18 points down to take a 26-24 lead when McGee, in his first NFL game, threw 45 yards to Miles Austin for a touchdown with 1:46 to play.

But David Buehler’s attempted conversion went wide left, opening the door for Arizona to clinch the game with a field goal. “I’m not feeling too good,” Buehler said. “I feel bad for Stephen. He drove the team down there and got the touchdown. PATs are something that is something automatic.

You have to put them through the uprights. I just rushed it a little bit.” Arizona (5-10) was in deep trouble after the kickoff, but Skelton, on fourth-and-15 from the Cardinals 19, threw 26 yards to fellow rookie Max Komar. Then the Cardinals slipped into kicking range. Feely, who had a 49-

yarder earlier, had missed only three kicks all season and duly slotted the winner.

Dallas fell behind 14-0 when quarterback Jon Kitna had interceptions returned for touchdowns on the Cowboys’ first two possessions. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned the first 32 yards, and Greg Toler the second 66.

It was the first time since 1999 a team had returned two interceptions for scores in the first quarter. Under clear skies with the stadium roof open and at least half the capacity crowd cheering for Dallas, the Cardinals took a 21-3 lead.

Skelton, in his third NFL start, connected with wide-open rookie Andre Roberts on a 74-yard play for the young quarterback’s first NFL touchdown pass.

Kitna, the starter since Tony Romo went down with a broken collarbone, got Dallas in the end zone before halftime.

The 38-year-old quarterback scrambled 7 yards up the middle to the Arizona 2-yard line, and on fourth down threw to Jason Witten for the score. He left the field and immediately went to the locker room with a hip injury and didn’t play again.McGee stepped in, repeatedly connecting on thirddown passes. He finished 11 of 17 for 111 yards with no interceptions. The Cowboys dominated the third quarter, holding Arizona to 23 yards and no first downs, outscoring the Cardinals 10-0 to cut the lead to 21-20.

Feely kicked a 49-yarder that boosted Arizona’s lead to 24-20, forcing the Cowboys to go for a touchdown. They got it on a perfect pass by McGee onto Austin’s fingertips. The best Arizona could hope for was overtime, everyone thought. Then Buehler missed a conversion kick for the second time in 40 tries. — AP

Kameda stops Munoz

RUGBY “We can’t explain how we collapsed mentally and physically, individually and collectively in the last 30 minutes of the game. I think it’s just impossible to explain the inexplicable” - shellshocked France coach Marc Lievremont after a 59-16 hammering by Australia.

CYCLING “It’s a case of food poisoning, in which I am the victim. Whether people believe me or not, I know I can hold my head high and I’m not going to hide” - three-times Tour de France winner Alberto Contador on his provisional suspension after a positive doping test.

ATHLETICS “It was crazy. It was like I didn’t even exist until I beat the world record holder” former world double sprint champion Tyson Gay, the world’s second fastest man, on public reaction to his 100 metres victory over Usain Bolt. —Reuters

Nat ional Football Conference NFC East Philadelphia 10 4 0 412 339 .714 NY Giants 9 5 0 360 288 .643 Washington 5 9 0 268 343 .357 Dallas 5 10 0 380 423 .333 NFC North Chicago 10 4 0 293 242 .714 Green Bay 8 6 0 333 220 .571 Minnesota 5 9 0 244 314 .357 Detroit 4 10 0 308 329 .286 NFC South Atlanta 12 2 0 369 261 .857 New Orleans 10 4 0 354 270 .714 Tampa Bay 8 6 0 280 290 .571 Carolina 2 13 0 186 377 .133 NFC West St. Louis 6 8 0 258 295 .429 Seattle 6 8 0 279 363 .429 San Francisco 5 9 0 250 314 .357 Arizona 5 10 0 282 396 .333

JAPAN: Alexander Munoz of Venezuela (right) lands a right at Koki Kameda of Japan during their 12round WBA bantamweight world title boxing bout in Saitama. — AP

SAITAMA: Koki Kameda of Japan defeated Alexander Munoz of Venezuela by unanimous decision yesterday to claim the vacant WBA bantamweight title. Kameda, who knocked Munoz to the canvas in the final round of the bout, improved to 24-1 with 15 knockouts. Munoz dropped to 35-4 with 27 KOs. Daiki Kameda, Koki’s younger brother, retained his WBA flyweight belt with a split decision over Silvio Olteanu of Romania. Two judges favored Daiki by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, with the other judge scoring it 118-110 for Olteanu. Kameda improved to 19-2 with 11 KOs. Oltenanu fell to 11-3.

Meanwhile, Ukraine brothers Vladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who hold four out of five world heavyweight title crowns, promised on Saturday a muchanticipated fight with WBA champion David Haye would take place next year.

“We promise that a fight with David will take place in 2011, the brothers told German Bild newspaper. “He can

choose who of the two of us he will fight and will lose his world title to,” they said.

Vladimir, who holds the WBO, IBF and IBO belts, pulled out of his bout against Briton Dereck Chisora on Dec. 11 with a stomach muscle injury. Vitali retained his WBC world heavyweight title by beating American Shannon Briggs on points in October.

Haye easily defended his WBA title against fellow Briton Audley Harrison in Manchester, England, on Nov. 13. He had been due to fight Vladimir, the younger of the brothers, in June last year but withdrew citing an injury.

A Haye-Klitschko fight would certainly generate major media attention, especially now that many of the Klitschko world title defences get no or hardly any live coverage in North America.

It is also the only fight that would give the Klitschkos the title of undisputed heavyweight champions of the world, given they will not fight each other. — Reuters

18

SPORTS

Monday, December 27, 2010

England seize control of fourth Ashes Test

MELBOURNE: Australia’s Brad Haddin (left) watches England’s Alastair Cook avoid a run out during the first day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test match. —AP

Scoreboard MELBOURNE: Scoreboard after the first day of the fourth Ashes test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on yesterday: England won the toss and chose to bowl first Australia first innings S. Watson c Pietersen b Tremlett P. Hughes c Pietersen b Bresnan R. Ponting c Swann b Tremlett M. Clarke c Prior b Anderson M. Hussey c Prior b Anderson S. Smith c Prior b Anderson B. Haddin c Strauss b Bresnan M. Johnson c Prior b Anderson R. Harris not out P. Siddle c Prior b Tremlett B. Hilfenhaus c Prior b Tremlett Extras (lb-2, nb-5) Total (all out, 42.5 overs)

5 16 10 20 8 6 5 0 10 11 0 7 98

Fall of wickets: 1-15 2-37 3-37 4-58 5-66 6-77 7-77 8-77 9-92 Bowling: Anderson 16-4-44-4, Tremlett 11.5-26-4 (nb-1), Bresnan 13-6-25-2, Swann 2-1-1-0.

England first innings A. Strauss not out 64 A. Cook not out 80 Extras (b-10, nb-2, w-1) 13 Total (without loss, 47 overs) 157 To bat: J. Trott, K. Pietersen, P. Collingwood, I. Bell, M. Prior, G. Swann, J. Anderson, T. Bresnan, C. Tremlett.

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 9-3-26-0, Harris 10-3-30-0, Johnson 7-0-42-0 (w-1, nb-1), Siddle 10-4-13-0 (nb1), Watson 5-1-14-0, Smith 6-1-22-0.

Southee heroics see Kiwis edge Pakistan AUCKLAND: Pace bowler Tim Southee bagged a fivewicket haul including a hat-trick as New Zealand comprehensively beat Pakistan by five wickets in their opening Twenty20 cricket match yesterday.

It was only the third hat-trick in the history of Twenty20 internationals as a withering Southee spell put the brakes on a brisk Pakistan start from which the tourists never recovered.

Their 143 for nine was knocked off by New Zealand with 17 balls to spare and five wickets in hand, giving the Black Caps a much-needed victory after a string of 11 one-day defeats.

“After the way we’ve played in the last three-four months it’s a great start” to the Pakistan series, said stand-in captain Ross Taylor as he congratulated manof-the-match Southee. “Tim was outstanding.”

It was also a morale-boosting performance for new coach John Wright who was only brought in to guide the team in a major shake-up last week and was immediately confronted with the news his most senior players Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum were out injured.

New Zealand’s poor run appeared to be continuing when Pakistan raced to 62 for two in a rollicking first seven overs before Southee turned the game around in a whirlwind nine-ball spell in which he took five wickets for no runs.

It began with the last ball of his opening over when he had Ahmed Shehzad caught by wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan for 14.

With the second ball of his next over he seduced Younis Khan (two) with a widish delivery that was top

edged to debutant Dean Brownlie in the deep.

As the ball was skied, opener Mohammad Hafeez was left to regret racing to the other end as his innings of 24 off 19 deliveries ended on the next ball which he nicked to McGlashan.

Umar Akmal was unfortunate to complete the hattrick when given out leg before wicket on the first ball he faced as television replays indicated a thick inside edge before the ball hit the pads.

Southee rounded off his wicket-taking exploits with the second ball of his third over which Abdul Razzaq (one) steered to McGlashan and he ended his four-over spell with the impressive figures of five for 17.

Kyle Mills, who finished with three for 37 continued to keep the pressure on Pakistan who were in danger of not batting through their innings before the tail-end pair Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Akhtar piled on an unbeaten 31 in the last two overs.

But 143 was never going to be enough on an easy surface and New Zealand openers Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill took control from the start.

They had 27 runs on the board inside two overs before Ryder (six) departed as the first of Akhtar’s three wickets.

Brownlie (five) and Scott Styris (seven) also fell cheaply to the express bowler but New Zealand always had the run rate under control.

Guptill blasted 54 from 29 balls, including four sixes and four fours, before he was run out while Taylor was 39 not out from 31 balls at the end. New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 with the second match in Hamilton on Tuesday. —AFP

AUCKLAND: New Zealand’s Scott Styris is bowled by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar (left) in their International T20 cricket match at the Eden Park. —AP

Scoreboard AUCKLAND: Scoreboard at the end of the first Twenty20 international between New Zealand and Pakistan at Eden Park yesterday.

New Zealand won the toss and chose to field.

Pakistan innings M. Hafeez c McGlashan b Southee 24 S. Afridi c Southee by Mills 20 A. Shehzad c McGlashan b Southee 14 Y. Khan c Brownlie b Southee 2 F. Alam c Franklin b Styris 9 U. Akmal lbw b Southee 0 A. Razzaq c McGlashan b Southee 1 U. Gul lbw b Mills 30 W. Riaz not out 30 S. Ajmal lbw b Mills 1 S. Akhtar not out 8 Extras: (w-3, lb-1) 4 Total (for nine wickets, 20 overs) 143 Fall of wickets: 1-37 2-58 3-62 4-62 5-62 6-68 7-84 8-110 9-112 Bowling: Franklin 2-0-12-0 (w-1), Mills 4-0-37-3, Milne 4-0-46-0, Southee 4-1-18-5 (w-1), Styris 4-0-

18-1 (w-1), McCullum 2-0-11-0 New Zealand innings J. Ryder c Younis b Akhtar 6 M. Guptill run out 54 D. Brownlie c Akmal by Akhtar 5 S. Styris b Akhtar 7 R. Taylor not out 39 J. Franklin lbw b Hafeez 19 P. McGlashan not out 5 Extras: (b-4, lb-1, w-6) 11 Total (for five wickets, 17.1 overs) 146 Did not bat: Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Adam Milne Fall of wickets: 1-27 2-45 3-55 4-94 5-115 Bowling: Razzaq 1-0-15-0, Akhtar 4-0-38-3 (w-3), Gul 2-0-16-0, Ajmal 3.1-0-14-0, Riaz 1-0-10-0, Afridi 3-0-19-0, Hafeez 3-0-29-1 (w-3) New Zealand won by five wickets.

MELBOURNE: England seized control of the fourth Ashes test by skittling Australia for a record low of 98 yesterday then compounded the hosts’ misery by building a lead of 59 runs without loss at the close of the first day.

With the series tied 1-1, victory in Melbourne would ensure England retained the Ashes they regained at home last year.

The England pace attack scythed through Australia’s top order before lunch then rattled through their last six wickets for the loss of only 40 runs before tea to stun the crowd of more than 84,000.

Australia’s paltry first innings total was their lowest against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since the inaugural match of England’s first test tour in 1876-77.

England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook rubbed salt in the hosts’ wounds by surviving more than three hours to take the tourists to 157 at the close, profiting from sunny afternoon conditions which tamed a pitch that earlier proved a handful for Australia’s batsmen. Captain Strauss was on 64 and Cook 80 at the close.

Chris Tremlett and James Anderson each finished with four wickets, while Tim Bresnan, who replaced Steve Finn, took two for 25. Strauss won the toss and sent Australia into bat on a moist, grassy pitch that offered swing and varying bounce from the first ball on an overcast morning.

The hosts’ top order has been brittle throughout the series and they surrendered their first four wickets for just 58 runs.

Tremlett and Bresnan removed openers Shane Watson (five) and the struggling Phillip Hughes (16) respectively, the latter gifting his wicket with a miscued drive that flew straight to Kevin Pietersen at gully.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s woeful series with the bat continued as he was out for 10, edging Tremlett to Graeme Swann in the slips.

The prolific Mike Hussey, forced into the role of rescuer throughout the series, edged Anderson just before lunch to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and was out for eight.

A rain shower that brought lunch five minutes early and delayed the second session by 45 minutes compounded Australia’s misery as the ball continued to skid and lift in the early afternoon.

Anderson struck twice shortly after lunch, removing Steve Smith for six and Michael Clarke for 20, both caught behind by Prior with similar deliveries that swung late. Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin then flashed at Tim Bresnan, his flat-footed drive flying straight to Strauss at first slip and sparking England’s ecstatic Barmy Army into renditions of “God Save the Queen”.

Anderson’s dismissal of Mitchell Johnson for a duck was England’s third without a run conceded after lunch, as Australia crashed from 77-5 to 77-8.

Australia’s tail added another 21 runs, with Peter Siddle’s 11 finishing the third-highest score of the innings. With the afternoon sunshine drying out the pitch, Cook and Strauss were rarely tested by Australia’s seamers.

Cook, who scored a matchsaving double-century in Brisbane but failed twice in Perth, raised his half-century by cutting a loose delivery from Johnson for four in the 32nd over.

Strauss reached his half-century five overs later, tucking a single off leg-spinner Smith to deep mid-on. Johnson had sparked Australia’s 267-run win in Perth with a match-winning six-wicket haul in the first innings but was hit for 11 runs off his first over and finished with unflattering figures of 0-42 off seven overs.

With Australia’s batsmen embarrassed and their pace attack thwarted, spectators deserted the 100,000-capacity stadium in droves, leaving their bowlers to toil fruitlessly in front of rows of empty seats for the last hour. “At no point did we get carried away, even when they were six down, seven down,” Anderson told reporters. “We just kept going and did what we were trying to do, create pressure.

“There was definitely some movement. The grass that was on the pitch did help and the overcast conditions helped it swing as well. We’ve had one good day, one great day, but there’s still four days of hard work left. —Reuters

DURBAN: India’s batsman Harbhajan Singh takes evasive action against a bouncer from South Africa’s bowler Jacques Kallis, on the first day of the second cricket Test match. —AP

India upbeat despite battering DURBAN: Fast bowler Dale Steyn struck four times but India remained optimistic after a rain-hit first day of the second Test against South at Kingsmead yesterday.

Steyn took four for 36 as India struggled to 183 for six before bad light stopped play 16 minutes after tea. Indian top scorer VVS Laxman felt India were still in with a chance.

“Anything over 250 will be a good score if conditions remain the same,” said Laxman, who made 38 before falling to a sensational diving catch by Lonwabo Tsotsobe off Steyn.

Laxman said it was unlikely conditions would change as much as they did in the first Test at Centurion, where India lost by an innings and 25 runs after being bowled out for 136 in the first innings. “The wicket is much quicker and the bounce is more,” he said.

“The Centurion wicket was soft and slow and when it got hot the conditions really eased up for the batsmen.” Laxman said it was unfortunate that he was out soon after Rahul Dravid fell for a patient 25, caught behind off Steyn after the pair had crafted a solid fourth wicket partnership of 38 in 77 minutes.

“It would have been ideal if one of the batsmen had remained on and been unbeaten on 60 or 70 at the end of the day. All of us got starts but were unable to convert it into

Scoreboard DURBAN, South Africa: Scoreboard at the close on the first day of the second test between South Africa and India at Kingsmead on yesterday:

India first innings V. Sehwag c Kallis b Steyn M. Vijay c Boucher b Steyn R. Dravid c Boucher b Steyn S. Tendulkar c Kallis b Tsotsobe V. Laxman c Tsotsobe b Steyn C. Pujara c Boucher b Tsotsobe M. Dhoni not out Harbhajan Singh not out Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-4, nb-2) big scores.”

Steyn took advantage of overcast conditions and a bouncy pitch after India, for the second successive match, were sent in after rain delayed the start of play.

Steyn gave South African supporters a scare when he pulled up with a left groin injury while running in for his first ball after tea.

He had to leave the field but he was back minutes later and was set to bowl again when the umpires took the players off for the day. “I’ll be fine,” said Steyn.

“I got a bit of cramp. For the first time the physio told me I was over-hydrated instead of dehydrated. I had to go off the field and stretch a bit.”

Needing a victory to keep alive hopes of overall success in the three-match series, the visitors showed more fight than

25 19 25 13 38 19 20 15 9

Total (six wickets, 56 overs) 183 Fall of wickets: 1-43 2-48 3-79 4-117 5-130 6-156.

To bat: Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, S. Sreesanth.

Bowling (to date): Steyn 14-3-36-4, Morkel 152-60-0 (2nb), Tsotsobe 11-3-40-2 (1w), Kallis 8-218-0 (1w), Harris 8-1-26-0.

South Africa - G. Smith, A. Petersen, H. Amla, J. Kallis, A. de Villiers, A. Prince, M. Boucher, D. Steyn, M. Morkel, P. Harris, L. Tsotsobe.

they did in the first innings of the first Test at Centurion.

Although the host nation finished the day in a strong position only Steyn took full advantage of helpful conditions. Steyn posed a consistent threat, bowling at a lively pace and swinging the ball away from the batsmen.

He dismissed both openers, Virender Sehwag (25) and Murali Vijay (19), in a spell of two for 19 in eight overs before lunch and added the wickets of Dravid and Laxman during the afternoon.

Left-armer Tsotsobe claimed the key wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, who was caught at second slip for 13 in the first over after lunch.

Tsotsobe struck again shortly before tea, again in the first over of a spell, when Cheteshwar Pujara (19) topedged an attempted hook to give wicketkeeper Mark

Boucher an easy catch.

Tsotsobe also held a sensational catch to dismiss Laxman, the most impressive of the Indian batsmen. Laxman, who had greeted Steyn at the start of his afternoon spell with a sumptuous straight drive for four and an effortless hook for six, pulled a short ball from Steyn.

It seemed destined for the boundary at wide mid-on but Tsotsobe dived to his right and held the ball one-handed to the obvious astonishment of the batsman.” It was incredible,” said Steyn. “I only got three wickets today and he got a great catch.” While South Africa kept faith in the victorious first Test team, India made three changes with Vijay, Pujara and Zaheer Khan coming in for Gautam Gambhir, who had a hand injury, Suresh Raina and Jaidev Unadkat. —AFP

Pakistan targeting more international cricket KARACHI: Pakistan will continue to push for more international tours while toplevel cricket on its soil is suspended over security fears, an official said Saturday.

“We are in negotiations with Sri Lankan and England boards for our Future Tour Programme series about the itinerary, venues, and other conditions,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed told reporters.

“The United Arab Emirates is one of the options as neutral venue,” Ahmed said.

International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since March last year when terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, killing eight people and injuring seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.

The attack forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to strip Pakistan of its share of 2011 World Cup matches, leaving India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh as the hosts of the February to April box office event.

Even before the attack international

teams had expressed reservations over touring the cricket-mad nation because of the ongoing battle with militants in Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan.

As a result Pakistan had to play home matches in the UAE, New Zealand and England. Ahmed said England is committed to playing Pakistan in 2012.

“Yes it is a full tour in January 2012, of three Tests, five one-day matches and one Twenty20, and we haven’t decided on a venue yet, but UAE is one of the options,” said Ahmed. Cricket officials in the UAE has already offered to host two series against Sri Lanka and England.

Ahmed expressed hope for the PCB’s efforts to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, but conceded it will take some time to win the confidence of touring sides.

“This is an ongoing process of negotiation with a number of boards we are in touch with, but this process will be gradual.

“To change perceptions about security we will have to start with junior tours

which will give confidence to other boards and then fully-fledged tours can begin. But this process will be slow and a lot will depend on the security situation in Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s cricketers are currently touring New Zealand for three Twenty20, two Tests and six one-dayers before taking part in next year’s World Cup. They also tour the West Indies and Zimbabwe between April and August next year before their series against Sri Lanka and England.

Ahmed said the board is also looking for a window to play arch rivals India. “Both India and Pakistan are busy so it won’t be possible to have a full series but if there is a small slot there can be a short tour,” he said.

India stalled bilateral series with Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, which they blamed on militants based in Pakistan. Ahmed said Zimbabwe is also committed to touring Pakistan for a one-day series. —AFP

SPORTS

Monday, December 27, 2010

19 Wigan grab priceless three points

Soccer results/standings English Premier League results

Sheffield Wednesday; Yeovil v Brentford.

Aston Villa 1 (Albrighton 82) Tottenham 2 (Van der Vaart 23, 67); Blackburn 0 Stoke 2 (Huth 51, Wilson 90); Bolton 2 (Taylor 40, Elmander 86) West Brom 0; Fulham 1 (Hughes 11) West Ham 3 (Cole 37, 73, Piquionne 45); Man Utd 2 (Berbatov 5, 57) Sunderland 0; Newcastle 1 (Carroll 72) Man City 3 (Barry 2, Tevez 5, 81); Wolves 1 (Fletcher 87) Wigan 2 (Rodallega 9, Cleverley 20).

Division Two Wycombe 2 Hereford 1

Wolves 1

Postponed Accrington v Crewe; Bradford v Chesterfield; Macclesfield v Morecambe; Northampton v Burton; Port Vale v Lincoln; Shrewsbury v Bury; Southend v Barnet; Stevenage v Oxford; Stockport v Rotherham; Torquay v Cheltenham.

Wigan 2

Postponed Blackpool v Liverpool; Everton v Birmingham.

Scottish Premier League results

Playing Monda y Arsenal v Chelsea.

English Football League results Championship Barnsley 1 Burnley 2; Cardiff 2 Coventry 0; Leicester 2 Leeds 2; Portsmouth 1 Millwall 1; QPR 4 Swansea 0; Reading 4 Bristol City 1; Sheffield United 2 Hull 3.

Celtic 2 (Cha 90+1, Ki 90+3) St Johnstone 0; Hibernian 1 (Riordan 45) Aberdeen 2 (Folly 36, Vernon 62); Inverness CT 1 (Cox 8) St Mirren 2 (Thomson 44, 85); Motherwell 1 (Sutton 46) Rangers 4 (Miller 26, 61, Saunders 34-og, Weiss 51).

Postponed Dundee Utd v Hamilton; Kilmarnock v Hearts.

Postponed Crystal Palace v Norwich; Derby v Doncaster; Ipswich v Watford; Middlesbrough v Nottingham Forest; Scunthorpe v Preston.

Scottish Football League results

Division One

Postponed Dunfermline v Falkirk; Queen of South v Dundee; Stirling v Morton.

Huddersfield 0 Hartlepool 1.

Postponed Bournemouth v Plymouth; Bristol Rovers v Walsall; Charlton v Southampton; Dagenham and Redbridge v Brighton; Exeter v Swindon; Leyton Orient v Milton Keynes Dons; Notts County v Rochdale; Oldham v Carlisle; Peterborough v Colchester; Tranmere v

First Division Partick 0 Raith 0.

Second Division Alloa 2 Livingston 2.

Postponed Airdrie v East Fife; Brechin v Ayr; Dumbarton v Forfar; Peterhead v Stenhousemuir.

English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): English Premier League table Man Utd Man City Arsenal Chelsea Tottenham Bolton Sunderland Stoke Newcastle Liverpool Blackpool West Brom Blackburn Everton Aston Villa Wigan Birmingham Fulham West Ham W’hampton

17 19 17 17 18 19 19 18 18 17 16 18 19 18 18 18 17 18 19 18

10 10 10 9 8 7 6 7 6 6 6 6 6 4 5 4 3 2 3 4

7 5 2 4 6 8 9 3 4 4 4 4 4 9 5 7 9 10 7 3

0 4 5 4 4 4 4 8 8 7 6 8 9 5 8 7 5 6 9 11

38 28 34 31 27 32 21 23 28 21 24 24 23 20 20 15 17 17 19 19

16 16 19 12 23 25 20 22 29 22 29 31 30 21 30 29 20 23 32 32

37 35 32 31 30 29 27 24 22 22 22 22 22 21 20 19 18 16 16 15

English Football League tables Cha mpionship QPR 22 Cardiff 22 Leeds 23 Swansea 23 Norwich 22 Coventry 23 Reading 22 Burnley 21 Nottingham 20 Derby 22 Watford 21 Doncaster 21 Millwall 22 Portsmouth 21 Hull 22 Barnsley 21 Leicester 23 Ipswich 22 Bristol City 22 Sheffield Utd 22 Middlesbrough 22 Crystal Palace 22 Scunthorpe 20 Preston 21

12 12 11 11 10 10 8 8 7 9 8 8 7 8 7 8 8 8 7 7 6 6 6 5

8 4 6 4 6 4 9 8 9 3 6 6 8 5 8 5 5 3 5 4 3 3 2 4

2 6 6 8 6 9 5 5 4 10 7 7 7 8 7 8 10 11 10 11 13 13 12 12

40 37 41 28 35 29 34 34 24 35 38 33 26 29 22 26 33 25 25 19 21 24 23 25

14 22 37 23 30 27 24 27 17 29 33 35 23 28 25 31 40 30 34 31 32 40 35 39

44 40 39 37 36 34 33 32 30 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 29 27 26 25 21 21 20 19

Division One Brighton Sheffield Huddersfield Charlton Bournemouth Colchester Oldham Peterborough Exeter Hartlepool Southampton Brentford Carlisle Milton Plymouth Leyton Orient Swindon Rochdale Notts County Tranmere Bristol Dagenham Walsall Yeovil

10 10 10 9 8 7 7 9 8 8 8 8 7 8 7 6 6 5 7 6 5 4 5 4

6 3 2 5 6 9 8 2 5 5 4 4 6 2 4 6 6 7 1 4 7 6 2 4

3 8 8 5 5 3 3 8 7 6 7 7 6 9 8 7 7 7 10 9 7 9 12 11

31 34 31 31 36 25 27 38 32 22 26 23 26 25 25 27 30 27 23 20 23 21 18 20

15 21 22 25 21 23 21 40 34 24 18 21 20 32 29 26 33 26 28 28 34 32 32 36

36 33 32 32 30 30 29 29 29 29 28 28 27 26 25 24 24 22 22 22 22 18 17 16

19 21 20 19 19 19 18 19 20 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 18 19 19 19 19 19

Division Two Chesterfield Port Vale Bury Rotherham Wycombe Shrewsbury Torquay Cheltenham Crewe Macclesfield Stevenage Burton Albion Gillingham Bradford Northampton Oxford Utd Southend Aldershot Accrington Morecambe Stockport Lincoln City Barnet Hereford

19 19 19 19 20 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 20 19 19 19 19 19 20 18 20 20

11 10 10 9 9 9 7 7 6 7 5 6 6 7 6 6 6 5 4 5 4 5 5 3

5 6 4 7 7 6 7 6 8 4 9 6 6 3 6 5 5 7 9 6 8 4 4 6

3 3 5 3 4 4 5 6 5 8 5 7 7 9 8 8 8 7 6 8 8 9 11 11

39 26 36 32 30 32 29 26 40 23 20 26 25 17 23 21 21 16 26 23 19 14 24 20

23 10 22 23 22 19 21 29 28 28 16 23 28 20 29 23 23 23 29 29 39 26 37 38

38 36 34 34 34 33 28 27 26 25 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 22 21 21 20 19 19 15

39 38 30 29 27 24 15 12 17 19 17 11

17 13 15 22 20 22 20 25 29 29 37 29

41 39 33 27 24 23 19 18 16 15 13 10

Scottish Premier League table Rangers Celtic Hearts Inverness CT Kilmarnock Motherwell Dundee Utd St Johnstone St Mirren Hibernian Aberdeen Hamilton

16 17 17 18 17 16 14 17 17 17 17 15

13 12 10 7 7 7 5 5 4 4 4 2

2 3 3 6 3 2 4 3 4 3 1 4

1 2 4 5 7 7 5 9 9 10 12 9

Scottish Football League tables First Division Dunfermline 15 Dundee 16 Raith 14 Falkirk 13 Q of South 14 Cowdenbeath 14 Partick 16 Ross County 15 Morton 15 Stirling 14 Second Division Livingston 14 Brechin 14 Ayr 13 Alloa 16 Forfar 13 Airdrie Utd 15 East Fife 14 Peterhead 16 Stenhousemuir14 Dumbarton 13

9 8 8 7 6 5 4 3 3 3

8 7 7 6 6 5 4 3 3 3

3 5 4 1 2 1 4 6 5 3

4 6 2 5 3 4 4 6 3 1

3 3 2 5 6 8 8 6 7 8

2 1 4 5 4 6 6 7 8 9

27 24 18 28 18 20 12 12 13 13

24 28 23 27 22 23 34 22 13 12

15 14 8 14 18 28 21 18 16 33

14 13 22 27 18 26 28 30 21 29

30 29 28 22 20 16 16 15 14 12

28 27 23 23 21 19 16 15 12 10

Matches on TV (local timings) English Premier League Arsenal v Chelsea Abu Dhabi Sports HD 3 Abu Dhabi Sports HD 5

23:00

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s Rafael Van Der Vaart (centre) celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during their English Premier League soccer against Aston Villa. —AP

Van der Vaart shines for Spurs Tottenham 2

Aston Villa 1

BIRMINGHAM: Rafael van der Vaart returned from injury to score twice for 10-man Tottenham in a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa in the Premier League yesterday.

The Netherlands playmaker opened the scoring by finishing off a flowing move in the 23rd minute before Spurs had England striker Jermain Defoe

sent off four minutes later for elbowing Villa defender James Collins.

The visitors belied their numerical inferiority by dominating possession and going further in front in the 67th when Van der Vaart ran onto Aaron Lennon’s cross to shoot low into the corner.

Marc Albrighton set up a tense finish when his 82ndminute cross avoided everyone in the box and curled into the corner, but fifth-place Spurs held on. Harry Redknapp’s team is now just a point behind fourth-place Chelsea, which has a game in hand — at Arsenal on Monday.

Defoe was denied by Villa

goalkeeper Brad Friedel and Spurs center back Younes Kaboul had a goal disallowed because the ball had gone out of play before Van der Vaart scored his seventh of the season.

Some intricate passing helped send fullback Alan Hutton away down the right and his cross was neatly sidefooted home by Van der Vaart.

The red card shown to Defoe by referee Martin Atkinson — after consultation with his linesman — came after the striker caught Collins in going up for a header. But it was difficult to tell which team had 10 men given the way the visitors controlled possession

and continued to create openings. A shot by Wilson Palacios was deflected just wide minutes before halftime but Van der Vaart, back in the team after a hamstring injury, doubled the lead midway through the second half.

The Dutch midfielder began the counterattack with a pass to Gareth Bale and when he passed to Lennon, the England winger’s cut-back was met with a fine finish by Van der Vaart.

Villa, which is now just four points off the relegation zone, finished strongly as Spurs tired and Albrighton’s fortuitous goal gave the hosts some hope. —AP

BIRMINGHAM: First-half goals

by Colombian international Hugo Rodallega and on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley saw Wigan to a 21 victory over fellow English Premier League strugglers Wolves yesterday and a priceless three away points.

Although Steven Fletcher grabbed a late consolation goal for the hosts it was not enough to dampen the celebrations of Roberto Martinez’ players who were registering only their third away win of the year and just their second in 11 league matches.

Victory kept them above the bottom three - three points clear of Fulham who lost 3-1 at home earlier to second from bottom West Ham — while defeat for Wolves sees them drop to bottom and make it a miserable way for Mick McCarthy to remember his 500th Premier League match as a manager.

Rodallega struck in the ninth minute as he turned and volleyed past Wolves Welsh international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey after the home defence failed to clear a corner for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Rodallega, who has been with Wigan since joining from Mexican outfit Necaxa last year, turned provider for the visitors second as his incisive pass found Cleverley and the midfielder, who is on-loan from Manchester United, made no mistake shooting past Hennessey in the 20th minute.

Referee Mike Dean became the villain of the piece for the Wolves fans when five minutes later he rejected the players appeals for a penalty as Stephen Ward went down under a clumsy challenge from Steve Gohouri.

Ward was the hosts’ most impressive performer in the opening half and the defender came close to reducing the deficit but goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi managed to keep it out with an instinctive save with his feet. —AFP

Koreans strike late for Celtic GLASGOW: Injury-time goals

by Korean duo Cha Du-Ri and Ki Sung-Yeung grabbed title chasing Celtic a vital three points here yesterday with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone.

The victory keeps them two points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League - but it could have been four points had not the Koreans struck when the visitors were thinking they had earned a valuable point.

Rangers ran out easy 4-1 winners away at Motherwell.

However Cha scored a wonder goal to claim his first goal for Celtic before fellow South Korean international Ki scored a break away goal three minutes into injury time as the Hoops ended a run of three successive draws at home in the league.

“It was a very frustrating day up until the first goal went in.

We had to wait a long, long time for that but I’m delighted for them,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon said.

“It could have been a more disappointing day really but two great goals to end up what was a very happy finish for us.” His St Johnstone counterpart Derek McInnes didn’t see a goal coming for Celtic.

“I felt we defended with a confidence and discipline about us. I thought we certainly frustrated Celtic,” he said. “Any late goal against you is a hard one to take but when they come against good teams like Celtic it’s even harder and that’s why we are very disappointed.”

The Celtic defence had failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous three matches and in a nervy start a mistake from Daniel Majstorovic presented St Johnstone with a chance within 30 seconds.

The Swede’s misplaced header allowed in Colin Samuel but his first touch was heavy and under pressure from Fraser Forster fired wide.

The hosts failed to make an

impression on the match until the 17th minute when Peter Enckelman punched Ki’s cutback only as far as Giorgios Samaras but the Greek saw his volley bounce high over before Paddy McCourt’s downward header from Niall McGinn’s cross went just wide.

McCourt’s trickery was causing St Johnstone problems and immediately after the break the Northern Ireland international went on a mazy run but when faced with the outrushing Enckelman he clipped his shot wide.

The ineffectual Samaras was replaced on the hour mark by Anthony Stokes, the Greek’s last contribution being a freekick which he won on the edge of the box that Ki sent straight into the wall.

Celtic were screaming for a penalty in the 76th minute when Murphy went down under pressure in the box but referee Calum Murray waved away their protests.

In the first minute of injury time Celtic made the break through when Cha lifted an angled shot from 25 yards into the top corner before Ki raced clear on a quick counter attack to fire the ball into the roof of the net to seal the three points.

Elsewhere, veteran Kenny Miller scored a double in Rangers win over Motherwell.

Miller opened the scoring midway through the first-half before a Steven Saunders own goal doubled their advantage at the break.

Substitute John Sutton pulled one back immediately after the break but further goals from Vladimir Weiss and Miller sealed the win.

Aberdeen ended their seven-match losing streak and moved off the bottom with a 21 away win over Hibernian in Craig Brown’s first match in charge. Inverness stay fourth despite losing 2-1 to St Mirren. —AFP

SCOTLAND: Glasgow Rangers’ Kenny Miller in embraced by teammates, as he celebrates scoring against Motherwell, during the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League match. —AP

QPR cement top spot with four-goal romp LONDON: QPR cemented their position on top of the Championship with a 4-0 rout of promotion rivals Swansea at Loftus Road yesterday.

Neil Warnock’s side made the perfect start to the frenetic festive period as two goals from Adel Taarabt and strikes from Jamie Mackie and Heidar Helguson opened up a four-point lead at the top.

Even the first half dismissal of Clint Hill, sent off along with Swansea’s Alan Tate following an off-the-ball clash, couldn’t disrupt QPR’s rhythm.

The hosts went ahead in the 16th minute as Taarabt danced past a succession of Swansea challenges before squaring the ball for Mackie, who drilled a first-time shot past Dorus de Vries to end a 15-game goal drought.

The match exploded into controversy two minutes later when Kyle Walker’s run was clumsily halted by Tate’s foul. As players from both sides squared up, Tate and Hill got a little too heated for referee Phil Crossley’s liking and both left-backs were sent packing.

In the 62nd minute Taarabt charged into the

area and drew a clumsy foul from Ashley Williams, allowing Helguson to dispatch the penalty for his eighth goal of the season.

Then Taarabt collected Helguson’s knockdown and hit a fierce drive under De Vries for the third goal in the 70th minute.

And 10 minutes later, Taarabt completed the victory with a fine solo finish. Cardiff moved above Leeds into second place with a 20 home victory over play-off challengers Coventry.

Dave Jones’ side clinched their second victory in eight matches through Seyi Olofinjana’s cool first half finish and Craig Bellamy’s deflected second half effort.Leeds slipped to third place after squandering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Sven Goran Eriksson’s Leicester at the Walkers Stadium.

Max Gradel’s header and a fine finish from Robert Snodgrass had put Simon Grayson’s men on course for all three points, before Paul Gallagher’s penalty and an Andy King strike in the space of four minutes in the second half earned a draw for the hosts. — AFP

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Berbatov scores brace to keep Man United on top Man United 2

Sunderland 0

LONDON: West Ham’s English defender Matthew Upson (left) vies with Fulham’s US striker Eddie Johnson during the English Premier League football match.—AFP

Cole double sinks Fulham Fulham 1

West Ham 3 LONDON: Carlton Cole scored his first ever Premier League double as West Ham eased the pressure on boss Avram Grant with a crucial 3-1 win at Fulham yesterday.

Grant has been edging closer to the sack in recent weeks as West Ham struggled to climb off the bottom of the Premier League, but the former Chelsea manager earned a stay of execution thanks to Cole’s heroics.

The England striker, recalled as one of Grant’s five changes for the crunch clash, cancelled out an early goal from Fulham defender Aaron Hughes and then struck again with the decisive third goal after Frederic Piquionne put the Hammers in front.

Cole’s double, which sealed

the Hammers’ first win in four league games - and their first away success in 27 attempts, moved Grant’s team off the bottom of the table and level on points with fourth bottom Fulham. With West Ham’s coowners David Sullivan and David Gold in attendance at Craven Cottage, defeat could have spelled the end for Grant.

Instead it is Fulham boss Mark Hughes who will start to feel the heat as his struggling side’s under-whelming run continues.

Grant said: “It was a good game for us - we came back which was amazing. Fulham had a lot of possession and they were controlling it without creating chances. I didn’t like the goal we conceded but we scored three and we could have scored more so I’m happy. The players are happy with the win and they want to taste it again.”

Grant took a gamble by handing Freddie Sears his first Premier League start since March 2009 after recalling the young striker from a loan spell

at Championship club Scunthorpe but was amply rewarded as he picked up man of the match honors.

West Ham made the short trip across London knowing only one club in Premier League history has avoided relegation having been bottom at the start of Boxing Day. Cole had two chances in the early stages as he headed wide and dragged an effort off-target from a tight angle.

But it was Fulham who took the lead in the 11th minute as West Ham failed to clear a corner, allowing Simon Davies to cross for the unmarked Hughes to head home his first goal for more than six years.

Andy Johnson tested Green from distance two minutes later and should have doubled Fulham’s lead in the 18th minute when he failed to connect properly with Davies’ cross from six yards.

After that lacklustre opening, West Ham snatched a lifeline as Cole equalised against the run of play in the 37th minute. Sears’ cross was inter-

cepted by Dickson Etuhu but the midfielder could only send the ball straight to Cole, who stretched to shoot past Mark Schwarzer from six yards.

Suddenly West Ham were playing with more verve and Piquionne put the visitors ahead in stoppage time when he arrived completely unmarked to volley in Scott Parker’s cross.

Hughes withdrew Clint Dempsey and Etuhu for Damien Duff and Eddie Johnson, a change greeted with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” from Fulham fans.

Brede Hangeland played a defence-splitting pass to Johnson but West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green was off his line in a flash to block the forward’s finish.

Any Fulham thoughts of a comeback were ended in the 73rd minute when Hughes tried to cut out a long ball forward but only succeeded in nodding straight to Cole, who fired a superb angled drive past Schwarzer.—AFP

Tevez keeps City’s title bid on track Newcastle 1

Man City 3 NEWCASTLE: Carlos Tevez was Manchester City’s inspiration once again as they moved up into second place in the Premier League table with a 31 win away to Newcastle at St James’ Park yesterday.

Tevez scored twice and set up another for Gareth Barry as Roberto Mancini’s team chalked up their sixth away success of the season.

Newcastle did briefly threaten to upset City when Andy Carroll scored in the secondhalf, but their fate was effectively sealed within the opening five minutes as City scored twice, with Tevez involved on both occasions.

The Argentina international, who only recently rescinded a transfer request that threatened to throw City into turmoil, created the first when he beat former City player Joey Barton to goalkeeper Tim Krul’s misjudged clearance and then set up Barry for a crisp finish into the far corner.

City’s opener came after just 72 seconds and the next goal arrived with a little over four minutes gone as Tevez stetched to divert a cross from James Milner - a sweet moment for the England international against his former club, whose fans gave him a rough reception.

LONDON: Manchester City’s captain Carlos Tevez (left) vies for the ball with Newcastle United’s Steven Taylor (right) during their English Premier League soccer match.—AP Newcastle’s defence was opened up twice in quick succession after manager Alan Pardew was confronted with his first difficult decision since taking over from Chris Hughton.

Centre-halves Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini were both available again after suspensions, but only Colccini regained his place as Pardew preferred to keep Steven Taylor alongside the Argentine international.

City, unbeaten in their last eight league games against Newcastle, could afford to leave out players such as Adam Johnson, Mario Balotelli, Jo and Pablo Zabaleta, who have played crucial roles in recent weeks.

So it was a satisfying start for for Mancini, although he

soon discovered that even two early goals were not sufficient to destroy the spirit of this Newcastle team.

The Magpies should have pulled a goal back after only six minutes when Carroll rose well to meet a cross from Wayne Routledge, but powered it straight at England goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Carroll’s strength in the air also created a first-half opportunity for skipper Kevin Nolan, but he was unable to get a decisive touch when only 10 yards out in the 16th minute.

The chances soon dried up, though, as City showed why they went into the game with the best away record in the Premier League. Their midfield was industrious, a reshaped defence settled down and Tevez

was always a threat.

It was an indication of Newcastle’s resolve that they matched City for the rest of the first half after a dreadful start, although City almost added a third goal when Aleksander Kolarov drove just over the bar.

City looked to be on their way to a routine win until Carroll was left unmarked and headed in Barton’s corner in the 72nd minute.

City were rocking and almost conceded another when Hart failed to reach a cross and Nile Ranger’s header drifted wide.

Then Nolan should have scored just a minute before Tevez had the final word with an 81st minute goal that went in after his shot was deflected off Coloccini.—AFP

MANCHESTER: Dimitar Berbatov’s double allowed Manchester United to stay unbeaten and keep a tight grip on the Premier League with a convincing 2-0 victory yesterday over a depleted Sunderland.

The Bulgaria striker nodded Wayne Rooney’s lofted cross into the net after five minutes and also hit the post during a first-half onslaught.

Berbatov took his tally for the season to 13 — slightly fortuitously — when a 57th-minute strike deflected off Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand past goalkeeper Craig Gordon. goal of season “It was a comfortable performance,” United manager Alex Ferguson said.

“In the first half we were absolutely fantastic and it could have been any score.” Still to be beaten in the league after 17 games, United holds a two-point lead — with two games in hand — over crosstown rival Manchester City, which won 3-1 at Newcastle.

“We are coming into good form,” Ferguson said after a third straight win. “We were solid at the back which is a good sign for us.” Arsenal is five points behind United in third having played the same number of matches as the leaders, but the north London club hosts fourth-place Chelsea on Monday night.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce’s hopes of beating Ferguson - his former boss at United - at his 16th attempt were stymied by the absence of seven key players, including Danny Welbeck due to the terms of striker’s loan agreement with United and suspended captain Lee Cattermole.

While seventh-place Sunderland had lost only once in its last eight matches, the team was ripped apart by a speedy counterattack that saw United race into the lead. Ryan Giggs released Wayne Rooney on the edge of the penalty area, and the England striker chipped the ball to Berbatov at the far post.

With Anton Ferdinand, lining up against brother Rio was in the United defense, presenting little resistance, Berbatov squeezed a downward header past Gordon at the far post.

From then, the visitors, who have beaten Chelsea and Manchester City already this season, were battered by a United side given the freedom to roam the Old Trafford turf largely unchallenged.

Rooney came close to scoring his first goal from open play since March after 10 minutes, when his chipped shot appeared to have beaten Gordon but crept wide of the post. He forced Gordon into making two saves before the break, but still couldn’t find the target.

The goal-frame twice denied United from extending its lead in the first half: Berbatov hit the post and Anderson rattled the crossbar.

“We were too open and a bit too easy for them,” Bruce said.

“But it’s hard enough coming here with a full strength team let alone a patched-up one. Maybe I was a bit naive (with the selection) ... but there wasn’t much we could do about it.”

Two days after Ferguson said Edwin van der Sar is set to retire at the end of the season, the Dutch goalkeeper had a quiet first half. But he had to remain alert immediately after the break, with Asamoah Gyan volleying over from an acute angle.

Twelve minutes into the second half, though, the second goal finally arrived. Anderson slipped the ball through to Berbatov after the Brazil midfielder’s initial strike had rebounded back to him.

From the right of the penalty area, Berbatov casually unleashed a shot that Ferdinand, whose own-goal here last season gifted United a draw, inadvertently diverted the ball into the net.

He could have claimed his third hat trick of the season in the 70th, but Gordon blocked a volley struck on the turn. Sunderland did hit the target with 12 minutes to go, with Boudewijn Zenden’s shot causing little trouble for Van der Sar. —AP

LONDON: Sunderland’s Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden (right) vies with Manchester Unitedís French defender Patrice Evra (left) during the English Premier League football match. —AFP

Stoke flying high after victory over Blackburn Blackburn 0

Stoke 2 BLACKBURN: Stoke City moved up into eighth in the Premier League after a 2-0 victory away to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park here yesterday.

Robert Huth’s early second-half header and Marc Wilson’s last minute strike sealed victory against a Rovers side who rarely threatened a goal in the first half.

Matthew Etherington should have given Stoke an early lead after a trademark long throw from Rory Delap was flicked-on by Ryan Shawcross.

But the winger’s left-foot volley at the back post from barely a yard out went past Paul Robinson’s left-hand upright. A fiery first half saw bookings for Blackburn’s Nikola Kalinic and the Stoke duo of Andy Wilkinson and Shawcross but the quality of the match improved after halftime. Stoke took the lead when former Chelsea defender Huth met Etherington’s 51st minute corner with a powerful near-

post header. Blackburn were almost on level terms when Morten Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick went narrowly wide with goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten in the flight.

But Stoke carved out chances too, with Robinson saving headers from both Dean Whitehead and Kenwyne Jones.

Rovers spent much of the final quarter pressing for an equaliser but were made to pay for their wasted chances when former Portsmouth star Wilson scored his first Stoke goal with a neat turn and shot after Ricardo Fuller found him in the penalty area.—AFP

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion’s Scottish midfielder James Morrison (left) vies with Bolton Wanderers’ English defender Zat Knight (right) during the English Premier League football match.—AP

Bolton see off Albion challenge Bolton 2

West Brom 0 BOLTON: Bolton’s unlikely challenge for a place in Europe remains on course after goals from Matt Taylor and Johan Elmander secured a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

Owen Coyle’s side moved into fifth place in the Premier League thanks to a combination of clinical finishing by Taylor and Elmander and some wayward shooting from Albion at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton can be passed by Tottenham if the north London club win at Aston Villa later on Sunday but regardless of that result, Wanderers will be firmly in the running for a Europa League spot if they maintain this form.

They have now won four of their last seven league matches after riding their luck against the

Baggies. Albion’s top scorer Peter Odemwingie was fit to start after recovering from a calf injury, while midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu returned from suspension.

Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans had an early sight of goal when he fired straight at Jussi Jaaskelainen. Bolton responded and Elmander drove over the bar from a good position.

But West Brom were looking more dangerous and Somen Tchoyi sent another effort wide before Odemwingie beat the offside trap, collected James Morrison’s pass and shot wide.

Those missed chances proved costly as Taylor gave Bolton the lead in the 40th minute.

Taylor’s pass found Lee Chung-Yong and the South Korean went round Albion keeper Scott Carson before playing in Taylor, who calmly slotted home his first goal of the season.

West Brom sought an immediate leveller and Gonzalo Jara forced Jaaskelainen to tip a shot over his crossbar. Roberto Di

Matteo’s side launched a sustained assault on the Bolton goal in the second half and Tchoyi led the way as he tested Jaaskelainen from a tight angle.

Tchoyi was involved again as he whipped in a cross that Chris Brunt got to ahead of Jaaskelainen, only for his header to cannon back off the post before being hacked away.

Odemwingie should have equalised when he found himself with only Jaaskelainen to beat but his effort was just wide of the post. Di Matteo sent Ishmael Miller on for Morrison, and the striker almost had an immediate impact only for Gary Cahill to somehow get in the way of his goalbound shot.

But Bolton finished strongly and Scott Carson had to make a fine stop to keep out Stuart Holden’s free-kick. Coyle’s men finally wrapped up the points in the 86th minute. Elmander tried to play in Ivan Klasnic and, when the ball came back to him, the Swede slotted under Carson from the tightest of angles.—AFP

Sadeq Qassim source of pride to Kuwaitis: CFC

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Memac Ogilvy holds managers’ meet in Beirut

Goldman ties bonuses to long-term profit

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Saudi 2011 budget seen in $20bn surplus KHOBAR: Top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, which projected a budget deficit in 2011, is likely to post a 77 billion riyal ($20.5 billion) surplus based on an oil price of $80 a barrel, according to a research note yesterday.

State-owned National Commercial Bank predicted the kingdom would also surpass its spending and revenues forecasts, saying both were “understated.” Last week, Saudi Arabia said it would spend 580 billion riyals next year in a push to create jobs for a fast growing population. It projected revenues of 540 billion riyals, resulting in a 40-billion-riyal deficit.

Gulf Arab states typically base their budgets on a very conservative oil price, which they do not reveal. NCB forecast revenues of 753 billion riyals and expenditures of 677 billion riyals, based on an average oil price of $80 a barrel for the Arabian light crude and an oil output of 8.5 million barrels per day (bpd) on average.

“This would lead in turn to a budget surplus of SAR77 billion, or 4.2 percent of estimated GDP in 2011,” the bank said. Global benchmark US crude futures, which hit a 26month high of $91.63 on Thursday, did not trade on Friday with the NYMEX floor closed for the Christmas holiday while OPEC’s reference crude basket, which includes Saudi’s Arab light, was at $90.02 a bar rel on Wednesday.

OPEC’s most influential oil minister, Saudi Arabia’s Ali Al-Naimi said on Friday he was still happy with an oil price of $70-80 a barrel.

The Saudi economy is heavily dependent on oil-it accounted for about 85 percent of its budgetary revenue in 2009 and around 31 percent of its GDP-leaving the kingdom exposed to price volatility.

The kingdom, the biggest Arab economy, has accumulated huge reserves during a sixyear oil price boom and is planning to spend more than $400 billion over the five years to 2013 to upgrade infrastructure, including airports and roads.

Net foreign reserves held by the Saudi central bank rose to $429 billion in the first 10 months of this year, from $405 billion at the end of 2009, leaving official foreign reserves able to cover more than 59 months of imports. NCB forecast the central bank’s net foreign assets will grow based on higher oil revenues in 2011.

“These assets will continue to provide an important buffer to protect the Saudi economy from volatility of oil prices or external financing difficulties.” The bank also said non-oil revenues may 83 billion riyals, 25 percent above actual levels in 2010. — Reuters

Revenues and spending may be higher than forecasts New claims may add to Nakheel’s legal woes

BEIJING: A delivery worker cycles past a closed bank branch in Beijing yesterday. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao tried to reassure the public about the government’s ability to control inflation, a day after China raised interest rates amid worries that rising prices could hurt social stability. — AP

China’s Wen seeks to assure public on prices BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao tried yesterday to reassure the public about the government’s ability to control inflation, a day after China raised interest rates amid worries that rising prices could hurt social stability.

Wen’s remarks underscore the government’s concerns about anger over inflation — an especially sensitive topic in a society where poor families spend up to half their incomes on food. Rising incomes have helped offset price hikes, but inflation undercuts economic gains that help support the ruling Communist Party’s claim to power. “I can tell everybody, the government has complete confidence in tiding over this difficult stage together with the masses,” Wen said while taking questions from callers during a visit to China National Radio’s offices, according to a report on the station’s website. The callers were not identified by name.

Wen expressed confidence in the government’s ability to control price increases, pointing to large grain reserves as well as moves to support production by reducing and waiving taxes.

He also mentioned the government’s twice raising interest rates and hiking the banks’ reserve requirement ratio — meaning they have to hold more deposit funds in reserve rather than lending them out — six times this year to curb lending.

Wen also pledged to focus more efforts on easing home prices, acknowledging that measures taken this year had not been well implemented. The government will work to increase the supply of affordable housing and will strictly control speculation in property, he said.

“I believe after a period of efforts, housing prices will be back to reasonable levels. I have such confidence,” he said. Wen, the leadership’s most popular figure, also sought to demonstrate that the government recognizes the problem. Responding to a listener’s laments about rising prices, Wen said: “Your words hurt my heart. Indeed, in recent times prices have risen across the nation, and under these circumstances, the lives of middle- and low-income earners are evidently more difficult.” The State Council, China’s Cabinet, has been trying to rein in

food prices by launching efforts to increase production of vegetables and other basic goods. Authorities are cracking down on hoarding and speculation they say are partly to blame for the price rises. Inflation jumped to 5.1 percent in November, a 28-month high, despite a crackdown on speculation and repeated moves to curb a flood of money circulating in the economy from massive stimulus spending and bank lending. On Saturday, the government announced that the benchmark one-year lending rate will climb 25 basis points to 5.81 percent, while the one-year deposit rate will go up the same amount, to 2.75 percent — effective Sunday. Chinese banks lent a total of 7.45 trillion yuan ($1.1 trillion) in JanuaryNovember and are certain to overshoot the government’s official 2010 lending target of 7.5 trillion yuan.

A frenzy of lending over the past two years has helped China rebound quickly from the global crisis but, combined with bad weather and rising global commodity prices, has also complicated efforts to cool inflation. — AP

Qatar index jumps on oil, Dubai drops MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

MUMBAI: Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata posing with a Nano car during the vehicle’s launch in Mumbai. India’s launch of the world’s cheapest car, the Nano,was expected to create a vast new market segment in the nation of 1.2 billion people, but reality has fallen short of expectations. — AFP

Dubai’s DFM unveils new steps to boost liquidity DUBAI: Bourse operator Dubai Financial Market (DFM) will cut the weight of single stocks in the index and adopt a unified price band as part of fresh steps to boost liquidity and better mirror market activity.

DFM, the Arab world’s only publicly listed exchange, said in a statement yesterday that the maximum weight of a single stock will be lowered to 20 percent from 25 percent currently and it will also limit the percentage of free float shares at 20 percent of the less traded stocks.

The bourse will remove the current 5 percent up and down limit for non-active stocks, like lender Emirates NBD and investment bank Shuaa Capital, to enhance trading activity.

Effective Jan 2, 2011, all listed securities in the bourse will be grouped under one category and trade at a 15 percent upside limit and 10 percent

downside limit for a single trading session.

Builder Emaar Properties holds a 20 percent weightage in the index and is the most actively traded stock in the index, while Dubai Islamic Bank has a 12.6 percent weightage according to the bourse. In September, DFM said it will switch to a “delivery versus payment” (DVP) system by the first-quarter of 2011, in a bid to get emerging market status from index compiler MSCI. Last year, DFM bought Nasdaq OMX’s one-third stake in sister bourse, Nasdaq Dubai, with the two markets switching to a single trading platform and synchronized opening hours in a bid to bolster declining turnover.

Dubai’s index is down about 9.6 percent so far this year and slumping volumes in the emirate has forced many brokerages to close operations amid slumping revenues. — Reuters

DUBAI: Industries Qatar (IQ) rose yesterday, buoyed by rising oil prices, lifting Doha’s index to a two-week high, while other regional markets were muted. IQ gained 4.5 percent to its highest value in at least two years.

“Qatar is already in focus following the euphoria of the 2022 World Cup announcement,” said Saad al-Chalabi, a technical analyst for institutional equities at Al-Ramz Securities in Abu Dhabi.

“Oil is a catalyst for the whole region and Qatar is a preferred choice for investors due to its strong fundamentals.” Oil surpassed the $90 a barrel mark, hovering around its highest levels in more than two years late last week, supported by cold weather across the globe and signals from OPEC it would not arrest the rally.

The rally helped recover most of last week’s losses when traders consolidated on the surge seen after the announcement that Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup. “The index is seeing some catching up today,” said an analyst from CapitalTA, who did not want to be named. “Any buying we saw was in the banking and industries sector.”

The index added 1.3 percent to 8,737 points, its high-

est value in nearly two weeks.

In the United Arab Emirates, property stocks weighed on Dubai’s index as it closed at a 15-week low, with poor volumes and lack of liquidity affecting trading.

Heavyweight Emaar Properties dropped 1.4 percent and Dubai builder Arabtec lost 1 percent.

“We are seeing the lowest volumes for the UAE markets in months and there is a lack of liquidity,” said Chalabi.

The Dubai Financial Market said it would cut the weight of single stocks in the index and adopt a unified price band as part of fresh steps to boost liquidity and better mirror market activity.

“These are the kind of things that will help the market,” said Chalabi.

“However, this is just one piece of the puzzle and a there are lot of other structural issues that need to be addressed and transparency needs to be increased.”

D ub a i I s la mic B a nk slipped 1.8 percent. The Dubai index dropped 0.7 percent to 1,619 points, its low e s t le v e l s in c e September 7. Egypt’s main index closed 0.3 percent lower in slow holiday trading as investors wrapped up their year-end portfolios. — Reuters

DUBAI: Property developer Nakheel’s restructuring plan is being complicated by new claims from trade creditors that could lead to more legal headaches, two sources familiar with the matter said.

Unlike parent firm Dubai World, which secured unanimous support from lenders within a year for its $25 billion debt restructuring plan, Nakheel is struggling to negotiate terms with a mass of contractors that hold the keys to its many delayed projects.

“Nakheel is a much more complicated restructuring than even Dubai World,” said one source with direct knowledge of Nakheel’s restructuring plans.

“Dubai puts a lot of importance on the trade creditors for the sake of the economy so there has to be a lot more room for negotiation.”

Nakheel was at the centre of Dubai’s real estate boom with projects such as islands in the shape of palms and a map of the world. Under the terms of its $10.9 billion restructuring proposal, trade creditors will receive 40 percent in cash and 60 percent repayment through an Islamic bond with a 10 percent return.

Nakheel, which began making cash payments in June, had predicted an overall agreement within weeks. But the ongoing battle with trade creditors over claims has delayed the sukuk’s issuance. It is now slated for the first quarter next year.

While more than 80 percent of trade creditors have agreed to the deal-still shy of the 95 percent needed to finalize the restructuring-some of those creditors are presenting additional claims for damages, such as lost business or damaged equipment. Contractors often come back with additional fees and expenses related to unex-

pected occurrences during a project - add-on costs that developers are accustomed to dealing with.

But additional claims can become a cumbersome problem for a company in distress, adding to its legal costs and potentially creating more delays. “There will be some back and forth between Nakheel and the trade creditors for a while,” said the other source with direct knowledge of the restructuring.

“Contractors tend to exaggerate the amount and it’s going to take time for the two parties to reach the settlement amount that is reasonable.”The company declined to say how much in additional claims it has received but said any such claims once settled will also be paid through 40 percent in cash and 60 percent sukuk.

“Nakheel has retained accredited cost consultants to assist in the claims evaluation process,” a Nakheel spokesman said in an email statement to Reuters recently in response to questions on claims. The spokesman added that “sufficient provision has been made for all claims in the restructuring.”Trade creditors are eagerly awaiting any offers from Nakheel to settle additional claims but are also keeping their options open if they are unhappy with how the company is handling the negotiations, said Mark Blanksby, partner at law firm Clyde & Co. Blanksby, who represents some contractors, said creditors may look to a third-party adjudicator if negotiations stall. Dubai created a special tribunal to hear cases related to the Dubai World restructuring last year and early rulings have been seen as favorable towards trade creditors, which could encourage more legal action down the road, lawyers said.—Reuters

BUSINESS

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Company to be rebranded as Global Hill & Knowlton

Hill & Knowlton to buy majority stake in Turkey’s Global Tanitim

KUWAIT: (From right) Winner Lolwa Al-Sharah with Burgan Bank PR manager Fahad Al-Reshaid and winner’s father.

Al Mass winners, overcoming the challenges Burgan Bank honors special needs individuals KUWAIT: At its 9th annual Al Mass Awards Burgan Bank honored 10 special needs individuals for their accomplishments. The gala awards ceremony which was held at the Discovery Center, reiterates Burgan Bank’s commitment towards its corporate social responsibility through empowering the community of special needs.

Commenting on the winners’ accomplishment Acting Chief Marketing Officer Bashir Jaber said, “These winners are an inspiration and an example to the society that nothing is impossible to achieve. Despite their disabilities they have achieved so much success.”

Burgan Bank’s Al Mass Awards which is held every year in the month of December, honors outstanding individuals for their success and achievements despite their disabilities. For the first time this year, Burgan Bank also honored two organizations for producing the highest number of winners for the past three years.

Ten outstanding individuals were presented awards in three categories - the Blue diamond award for those with a cognitive or mental disability; the Yellow diamond award for those with physical disabilities; and the White diamond award, for those with a sensory disability such as deaf, mute and blind individuals.

This year’s winners in the Blue Diamond

category were: Jawaher Ibrahim Mubarak AlArfaj, Abdullah Kahled Haroon Al-Saleh and Lulwa Mohammed Abdullah Al-Sharrah.

Jawaher works as a supervisor in a production unit dedicated for girls, She was given the Al Mass Award for her dedication and excellence in hand embroidery and handcrafted works and painting on the glass. Abdullah who is an autistic has a gifted memory. Despite his disabilities he reads, writes, does science and math and is also very artistic. He is credited for memorizing 40 Japanese words and has won the first place in memorizing the Holy Quran at the annual His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah Contest. Lulwa is an artist as well who draws and paints. Despite suffering from Downs Syndrome, Lulwa has won awards for memorizing the Holy Quran and recently won at the 1st Annual Child Conference 2010 held under the motto “I am little young, but my achievement is big”. She studies at the Dasman Model School and has participated at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

There were four winners in the Yellow Diamond category. Nouf Dhae’n Essa is a talented accessories maker and also plays tennis, while, Fahad Raja Ebniyan Al Muwaizery is a talented in poetry writing. The yellow diamond category winners are well known for their sports

contribution despite their disabilities. The other two winners, Abdullah Saad Abdulwahab Saad Al-Saleh and Nizar Ramadan Ahmed Mohammed have both been brilliant in sports.

Nizar works for the Public Authority for Youth & Sport and was awarded the Al Mass Award for his overall achievement in sports. He continues to be a player in the basketball team on wheel chairs. He also delivers lectures about the people with special needs.

Meanwhile, the three winners in the White Diamond category were Meshal Fahd Ghali AlAazmi, Meteb Hamed Marzouk Al-Fadhli and Mohammed Walid Alteeq Al Majed. Meshal, visually impaired works as a teacher and can recite the Holy Quran. While both Meteb and Mohammed who are also visually impaired are talented keyboard players.

The two associations honored this year were: Kuwait Handicapped Sports Club and Kuwait Blind Association. Al Mass; the diamond, signifies qualities of brilliance, purity and endurance. The Al Mass Awards recognizes the special needs of individuals through their patience, strength and determination to overcome life’s challenges. The Al Mass Awards continues to support and reflect upon their outstanding achievements and has been doing so for the last 8 years.

Mustafa Omar Mahmoud wins Zain’s $30,000 weekly cash prize KUWAIT: Zain is happy to announce that Mustafa Omar Mahmoud is the winner of the $30,000.00 cash prize in the weekly draw of its recentlylaunched promotional campaign, aimed at both its prepaid eeZee and postpaid voice and data customers.

The campaign, which ends December 31st 2010, allows every Zain customer recharging or settling an invoice of KD5 or more to be part of the

draw, which offers weekly cash prizes worth $30,000.00 and the chance to win the grand prize of a Ferrari California.

Zain congratulates the winner and urges all its customers to participate in the campaign by simply recharging or setting their bills on time. Zain launched this campaign to create a totally new dimension in its devoted relationship with customers.

ISTANBUL: International communications firm Hill & Knowlton has yesterday agreed to acquire a majority stake in the Turkish public relations consultancy Global Tanitim Halkla Iliskiler AS (Global Tanitim).

The company will be rebranded as Global Hill & Knowlton and will continue to serve the Turkish market in terms of both domestic bluechip clients and multinationals. Turkish clients will benefit from access to Hill & Knowlton’s global footprint and extensive network experience while multinational clients of Hill & Knowlton will benefit from expert advice in the local marketplace provided by the country’s leading professionals.

Dave Robinson, CEO Middle East, Turkey & Africa for Hill & Knowlton, commented: “Turkey represents an increasingly strategic market for us and for our clients.

The time is right to make this step into a country which is certain to play an important role in the region’s wider economic development and which has shown impressive growth over the last years. Global Tanitim has a very impressive reputation in the market and represented a very good fit with the Hill & Knowlton ethos and approach. We are very confident this partnership will provide significant value to our clients both current and future.”

Ceyda Aydede, Founder and President of Global Tanitim, commented: “We are delighted to take this important step forward with such a strong partner as Hill & Knowlton. They understand the dynamics of the Turkish market as well as the opportunities for growth and our cultures are a good fit from which to develop our services and deepen our offer to both domestic and international clients.”

George Flessas, CEO of CIVITAS SA (a strategic shareholder in Global Tanitim) commented: “Turkey is a market which is rapidly internationalizing and realizing its potential on a global stage. For Global Tanitim to continue to provide value to our clients and continue to exploit growth opportunities, it is important that we internationalize too. As the world’s most international and longest established PR consultancy we are very confident that our partnership with Hill & Knowlton will significantly enhance our offer to the market and enable substantial growth in the coming years.”

CFC executives honoring Sadeq Qassim.

Sadeq Qassim a source of pride to all Kuwaitis: CFC CFC congratulates Qassim on winning Arab Inventor Award KUWAIT: “Sadeq Qassim is a real pride to all Kuwaitis and Arabs; we are honored to welcome and support a mastermind behind a genius invention that saw light in our country,” by this Nasser Al-Mannai, Assistant Managing DirectorMarketing of the Commercial Facilities Company (CFC), spoke of the grand achievement of Kuwait’s newly-born inventor Sadeq Qassem, who bagged the Arab Inventor Award of the Year 2010.

The young Kuwaiti creator was selected out of 7,000 participants across the Middle East to add to his country’s long-record of achievements and make 2010 an extraordinary year for every Kuwaiti. As a result, CFC is honoring Qassim as a role model for all young talents to follow, and support Kuwait in generating further smart leaders and pioneers.

CFC welcomed Qassim and Ali Jumah, Marketing Manager of the Kuwait Science Club (KSC), to its premises for a sit-down and a reiteration of the events which Qassim went through to achieve such victory. In addition to Al Mannai, the CFC team also included Khaled Al Ali, Assistant Managing Director-Finance and Administration, Mohammed Abu Hawilli, Manager of the Services Support Department, and Abdullah Al Hilal, Marketing Coordinator.

While expressing the several obstacles which he faced within the past couple of years as to build his invention, Qassim explained that yet many

people stood by his side and gave him a great hand in every possible way.

“Qassim is a source of pride and motivation to every Kuwaiti. Having to witness great minds like his, Kuwait would guarantee a challenging spot between a generation of scientists, pioneers and successors, and that’s on a global level,” remarked Al-Mannai in appreciation to Qassim’s remarkable initiative. “By Qassim’s invention, we are proving to the whole world that Kuwait is not merely a consuming country, but actually rich with technologies and innovators. We are glad to see young Kuwaiti minds honoring our country with such great victory.”

As a gesture of pride and further appreciation, CFC awarded Qassim a shield of honor and a memorial gift, with promises to nurture young creators and pioneers in Kuwait with all kinds of support. CFC wished Qassim further success, while proved to young potentials that great success is never impossible.

Commercial Facilities Company (CFC) was established in 1977 as the first Kuwaiti closed shareholding company specialized in providing installment credit facilities to finance consumer and commercial products. It is one of the leading companies in offering installment credit facilities, car financing, and personal cash loans. Moreover CFC’s online service, http://www.cfc-kw.com, provides customers with a convenient portal to manage their accounts.

Company executives with the inventor Sadeq Qassim.

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 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

.2775000 .4350000 .3660000 .2790000 .2740000 .2680000 .0045000 .002000 .0763380 .7437430 .3940000 .0730000 .7291070 .0045000 .0490000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES .2817500 .4377550 .3688950 .2815250 .2760090 .0494970 .0402710 .2708320 .0362860 .2135280 .0033510 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0000000 .0767290 .7475460 .0000000 .0751630 .7323890 .0000000

Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees

ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.501 6.334

.2875000 .4460000 .3750000 .2850000 .2820000 .2770000 .0075000 .0035000 .0771060 .7512180 .4140000 .0780000 .7364350 .0072000 .0560000 .2838500 .4410180 .3716450 .2836230 .2780660 .0498660 .0405710 .2728510 .0365560 .2151190 .0033760 .0062380 .0025570 .0033200 .0040550 .0773010 .7531180 .4014850 .0757240 .7378480 .0064880

Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash

3.270 2.508 3.968 218.810 36.220 3.975 6.622 9.458 0.267 0.310 GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 74.865 Qatari Riyal 77.139 Omani Riyal 729.380 Bahraini Dinar 745.660 UAE Dirham 76.451 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 51.550 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 48.948 Yemen Riyal 1.317 Tunisian Dinar 204.170 Jordanian Dinar 396.450 Lebanese Lira 187.700 Syrian Lier 6.140 Morocco Dirham 35.749 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 280.630 Euro 401.020 Sterling Pound 455.460 Canadian dollar 280.350 Turkish lire 200.450 Swiss Franc 292.020 Australian dollar 282.170 US Dollar Buying 279.895 GOLD 20 Gram 259.000 10 Gram 131.000 5 Gram 67.500

Hongkong dollar Indian rupees 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 10 Tola Sterling Pound US Dollar

SELL CASH 287.500 750.090 4.230 283.500 553.900 14.100 50.600 167.800 51.420 374.300

36.810 6.250 0.032

398.660 0.190 93.400 3.930 213.400

SELL DRAFT 286.000 750.000 3.993 282.000

218.000 48.596 372.800

US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Cyprus Pound Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees

282.900 280.970 441.425 372.805 282.504 693.380 748.776 76.999 77.682 75.409 399.196 49.005 6.159 3.304

Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees

2.535 4.027 6.400 3.362 9.332 6.171 3.836

Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency

732.450 3.300 6.410 77.590 75.310 218.040 44.450 2.536 438.500 295.200 6.200 9.540 76.860 282.000

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd

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

36.960 6.520 0.033 0.263 0.252 3.500 400.540 0.191 93.400 46.300 4.420 214.900 1.918 48.400 732.630 3.390 6.700 78.020 75.310 218.040 44.450 2.686 440.500 42.200 296.700 6.200 9.720 198.263 76.960 282.400 1.360 GOLD 1,459.810 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 438.500 282.000

Rate per 1000 (Tran)

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 Candaian Dollars

282.950 3.305 6.155 2.545 4.020 6.440 77.110 75.650 752.100 49.000 445.200 0.00003280 4.025 1.550 401.900 5.750 376.400 282.800

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Japanese Yen Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer rate 281.650 371.500 436.500 279.900 3.420 6.245 48.580 2.533 3.987 6.380 3.285 749.800 76.750 75.200

business

Monday, December 27, 2010

23

TV commercials impact online search terms: Duke study Viewer multi-tasking means more online searches for TV advertisers DUBAI: Browsing the Internet while watching TV is a great way to kill time during commercial breaks, but are advertisers losing out if consumers surf while the commercials roll?

Not according to a researcher at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, who found commercials influence the terms people use to search on websites like Google and Bing. “Advertising on television changes what people search for. We use more branded keywords and fewer generic keywords,” said Ken Wilbur, a marketing professor at Duke.

If a viewer is looking for a financial planner and sees a TV advertisement for Fidelity, he or she is more likely to search for a branded term such as “Fidelity” than for a generic term such as “financial planning.”

However, advertising doesn’t increase the number of searches in a product category, nor does it make people more likely to click through on the results.

These findings come from a new mining-query technique developed by researchers to identify a set of branded and generic financial services.

Brand names in this category are relatively unique, such as eTrade or

Merrill Lynch. The team devised a method to sift through 35 million searches and identify those that included generic financial services keywords, as opposed to simply brand names.

“This study provides an interesting link between television & digital media. Clearly, it further reinforces the value of TV advertising in spite of the growing influence of the online space. While TV will still remain the primary influencer, the digital platform will engage audiences” said Satish Maya, COO of one the region’s largest media agency, BPG MAXUS According to a recent study by

Nielsen and Yahoo!, three out of four Americans surf the web while they watch television and half of those do so every day.

“The news regarding consumers is that we have this general inclination to search on a brand name whose TV ad we’ve seen recently,” Wilbur said. “That limits our options.

Generic search terms give us more information in the results.

“On the other hand, the biggest implication for marketers is they need to account for these effects when setting TV and search advertising budgets. Otherwise, companies will miss out. They will spend too much on

search, and too little on TV.” The findings highlight the need for companies to integrate television and search advertising campaigns.

“Right now, most marketers have one agency for TV, and a different agency for online searches. They should seriously consider integrating those two functions,” said Wilbur. “In elasticity terms, the effect of TV advertising on consumers’ choice of branded keywords is about as large as its effect on sales.”

Depending on the campaign, marketers could target their advertising budgets to the times when television advertisements appear. Wilbur even

‘Tomorrow Starts Now’

part of Memac Ogilvy’s ongoing efforts to secure its prime position in the communications business in the Arab world. The conference was attended by the managing directors of Memac Ogilvy offices in UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, KSA, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Tunisia, Morocco and Algiers.

Bank partners with Platinum Health Club

Gulf Bank extends award winning loyalty program KUWAIT: Gulf Bank announced a partnership with Platinum Health Club whereby Gulf Bank customers, who pay with a Gulf Bank card, will receive special offers on packages.

These offers are applicable in all the health club’s locations. The special packages will include squash sessions, massage sessions in addition to martial art sessions, amongst numerous other benefits.

Gulf Bank has won the ‘Best Loyalty Program’ from the Banker Middle East Magazine for its extensive Rewards Program.

Gulf Bank’s Rewards Program provides customers with a broad range of great offers, great discounts and vouchers, now from over 158 merchants at more than 300 outlets across Kuwait. The Program has been designed to provide customers with a range of rewards,

depending on the kind of account they hold.

To find out more about Gulf Bank’s latest promotions and about Gulf Rewards, customers can visit http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/gulfRewards/index.jsp.

Customers can also get details by vis-

iting one of Gulf Bank’s 52 branches or call the Tele-banking service 1805805 for assistance and guidance.

They can also log on to www.e-gulfbank.com, Gulf Bank’s bilingual website, to find all the information about the Bank’s promotions, products and services.

Experts see strong Wall Street recovery in 2011 WASHINGTON: The recovery could be in full swing on Wall Street next year. With the recession officially over for almost a year-and-a-half and the stock market coming off double-digit gains this year, local investment advisers are optimistic that the good times on Wall Street will continue through 2011.

“We see good things. We’re reasonably optimistic,” said Stephen Robshaw, the president of Robshaw & Julian Associates, an Amherst money management firm. If those local investment advisers are rightand predicting the course of the stock market is a risky business even in the most stable of timesthen the stock market could be on a path for more double-digit gains in 2011, extending the market’s rally well into its third year. On average, the panel of nine local advisers expect the Dow Jones Industrial Average to have a slightly betterthan-average year, with a 9 percent gain, while the more growth-oriented Nasdaq Composite index is forecast to jump by an even stronger 12 percent.

“I think next year will be an exceptional year for the market,”

said David Hartzell, the president of Cornell Capital Management, a Clarence money management firm, and one of the most bullish local advisers. Hartzell predicts a fast start for stocks in 2011 that could see the Dow Jones industrial average top its record high of 14,165 before falling back a bit in the second half.

“There are a lot of positives for the market and not many negatives,” said Hartzell, who is predicting a 13 percent jump by the Dow and an 17 percent surge by the Nasdaq. While the advisers generally aren’t expecting the economy to hit full stride next year, they think it will gain a little more strength, which should provide a nice boost to profits at companies that aggressively cut costs and took taken steps to become more productive since the recession hit in 2007.

“We’ve seen the worst, and I think there are reasonable prospects for continued growth,” said Lawrence V. Whistler, the chief investment officer at Nottingham Advisors, an Amherst money management firm. “We’re still in kind of a very moderate growth mode,” said Gerald T. Cole, the managing part-

ner at Arbor Capital Management, another Amherst money management firm, who is predicting an 8 percent rise in the Dow and a 13 percent jump by the Nasdaq.

“The hope is that industrial production and the consumer gradually comes back and pulls up the economy and rights some of the wobblykneed banks,” Cole said.

Fits and starts Overall, the advisers think interest rates will remain at close to their current historic lows, although they could start to inch higher. They think the economy will grow in fits and starts, not rapidly enough to significantly reduce an unemployment rate that now stands at 9.5 percent, but still enough to instill more confidence in the recovery among consumers and executives.

They think the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts will keep more money in consumers’ pockets and will encourage cash-laden companies to invest in capital improvements, further bolstering the economy.

And the Federal Reserve’s stimulative monetary policies give stocks a nice tail wind heading into 2011, said Whistler, who expects a 10 per-

cent jump by the Dow and a 12 percent rise by the Nasdaq.

Another boost for stocks could come from investors who flocked to bonds as stock prices tanked. Now those same investors may be tempted to move that money back into the market in search of higher dividend yields and the potential for bigger returns, as well as the greater growth potential that stocks traditionally offer. “That’s a very attractive combination,” Cole said. “Stocks right now are just much more attractive than bonds.” Not only that, but the third year of a presidential term historically is good for stock prices.

“While increasing confidence will be a key element going forward, continued revenue and earnings growth will be the requisite catalyst for a more confident investor to emerge,” said Bruce Kaz, the president of Courier Capital Corp., a Buffalo money management firm.

That kind of widespread optimism makes Anthony J. Ogorek nervous. “The thing that concerns me is that everyone seems to be bullish,” said Ogorek, who runs Ogorek Wealth Management in Amherst. —MCT

most financial services advertising is done at night.

The report, presented in December 2010 at the Cross-platform and Multi-channel Consumer Behavior conference at the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, is available on the Social Sciences Research Network at http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf m?abstract_id=1720713. Co-authors are Mingyu Joo, a doctoral student at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, and Yi Zhu, a doctoral student at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.

ABK’s SMS banking is ‘Best in Class’

Memac Ogilvy holds annual managers’ meeting in Beirut BEIRUT: Under the theme “Tomorrow Starts Now” Memac Ogilvy gathered under one roof its tier one and tier two managers from across its Middle East and North Africa network for a combined management and creative conference. The gathering was held at the Massabki Hotel in Chtaura, Lebanon, as

advises companies competing with a brand with extensive television advertising to buy search ads on the competing brand’s keywords.

Additionally, television campaigns can be adjusted to maximize when advertising searches take place, the researchers say. This could include selecting networks, programs, markets and times of day to maximize impact on web usage. “TV ads should be scheduled during or shortly before consumers search,” Wilbur said.

“This effect tends to dissipate in hours, not days.” For example, people tend to search for financial services during standard business hours, but

The regional heads of Activation, Ogilvy Public Relations, OgilvyOne, planning, finance, HR and the advertising senior account management executives in all offices spoke at the conference and discussed future plans for their areas of responsibility.

Memac Ogilvy MENA Chairman and CEO Edmond Moutran opened the conference with a recap on this year’s results and the outlook for 2011 as well as revealing the 5 year plan.

His address was broadcast via Webex to the whole network.

Ogilvy’s Chairman for Europe, Africa & Middle East Daniel Sicouri, Ogilvy’s EAME General Manager Ralph Clementson; Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Action EAME Howard Smiedt; made special appearance at the conference.

Edmond Moutran, Memac Ogilvy MENA CEO and Chairman discussed future expansion plans geographically and within practices.

“Our commitment is to provide Memac Ogilvy’s clients with a 360 degree communication solution. Every one of our clients has the right to feel he/she are the only client of the agency.” He said.

Memac Ogilvy Chief Creative Officer Ossama elKaoukji, stressed the importance of partnership between the creative teams and management across all disciplines. “Our aim is to become the number one creative agency in the region in the next three years,” he said.

The regional heads of PR, Action, and One discussed plans for the upcoming year and gave participants a glimpse of the future looking at latest trends worldwide and recent developments in the region. The conference was focused on guiding all offices into operating as one network.

Daniel Sicouri, Chief Executive Officer of Ogilvy & Mather Europe, Africa and Middle East, discussed globalization and centralization as the new tendencies, especially for international clients in a context where saving costs and staying consistent is a must. He shed light on the new global trends, regionally and how business is changing, stressing on the digital revolution that is affecting the media scene and individuals alike.

“What will make us succeed or not is our capacity to be creative and inject creativity across all disciplines whether in strategies or in angles. The twin peaks we consider as benchmark are effectiveness and creativity,” he said.

A number of external speakers and trainers kept the conference participants energized and challenged throughout the duration of the conference.

KUWAIT: Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait has enhanced its SMS Banking service to a level that it delivers unrivalled benefit to its customers. ABK customers can feel special as we were the first bank to introduce “Push” as well as “Pull” Services. This allows the customer to either receive information or request information about their account or credit card transactions.

ABK is also the first to give the customer an option to subscribe to an unlimited or limited service, an option that is unique to ABK. SMS Banking was introduced in ABK at a very early stage, when the technology had just surfaced, and ever since it has been continually enhanced with new features and services with the goal to offering our customers additional channels to assess their bank accounts.

Othman Al-Tawfiqi, Head of Alternate Delivery Channels remarked “This service provides ABK customers with the

Othman Al-Tawfiqi facility to access their accounts 24-hours per day remotely by using the ‘Pull’ facility.

Equally, with the ‘Push’ functionality, customers can receive ‘Real-time’ transaction messages whenever there is movement in their accounts, or

they use their Credit or Debit cards locally or abroad. All this comes at an affordable fee, delivering peace of mind to our ABK customers’ To subscribe please call Ahlan Ahli on 1 899 899 or visit your nearest branch.

BUSINESS

24

KSE advances marginally GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT

Market indices Global General Index (GGI) closed higher by 1.05 points (+0.48 percent), at 222.65 points as the Market capitalization increased reaching KD36.10bn. On the other hand, Kuwait Stock Exchange Price Index increased by 24.10 points (+0.35 percent) and closed at 6,906.00 points.

Lease & Financial Co followed with 21.56mn shares traded.

The scrip also topped the value list, with a total traded value of KD6.22mn. Al-Safat Energy Holding, came in third volume rank with 20mn shares traded.

On the other hand, three banks showed up in the value list with National Bank of Kuwait being on the second place in the list with KD5.07mn traded on its share. Gulf Bank and Kuwait International Bank followed with KD2.02mn and KD1.33mn traded, respectively on their shares.

In terms of top gainers, IFA Hotels & Resorts was the biggest gainer for the day,

adding 9.62 percent to its share value, which closed at KD0.570.

On the other side, Gulf Insurance Company was the biggest decliner, dropping by 7.69 percent and closed at KD0.600.

Sector-wise By the end of the trading the session, Global indices had mixed performance, where five indices went up, against three being down. The biggest gainer for the day was Global Banking Sector Index, which gained 0.75 percent pushed up by Kuwait Finance House & National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) who added 1.69 percent and 1.47 percent,

respectively to their share prices. Global Industrial Index came second, adding 0.60 percent to its value. Newly listed Boubyan International Industries Holding Company increased by 8.06 percent to close at KD0.134 helping the Industrial index to go up. Hilal Cement Company also helped the index rise further, by adding 3.66 percent to its share value.

On the Other hand the top decliner for the day was Global Insurance Sector Index, which lost 2.53 percent of its value, pulled down soly by Gulf Insurance Company which was the biggest decliner in the market for the day with a decrease

UAE non-oil foreign trade rises 11% in nine months DUBAI: Non-oil foreign trade in the United Arab Emirates rose 11 percent year-on-year in the first nine months, data showed yesterday, hinting at a pickup in economic activity on higher global oil demand and Asian growth.

The OPEC member’s non-oil foreign trade rose to 540.5 billion dirhams ($147.2 billion) from January to September from 486.4 billion in the same period a year ago, data from the UAE Federal Customs Authority showed.

Exports without crude jumped 39 percent to 61.8 billion dirhams in the first nine months, compared to 44.4 billion dirhams a year earlier, while re-exports increased 19 percent and imports 5 percent.

“2011 export and re-export growth may be more modest relative to 2010 growth which is flattered by a low baseline effect from the global economic slowdown in 2009,” said Giyas Gokkent, group chief economist at National Bank of Abu Dhabi, adding he expected imports to rise in 2011 on economic recovery.

“I would assume automotives, electronics, precious metals and jewelry, and capital goods to remain amongst top

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Stock Exchange ended the trading session positively as the KSE index rose by 0.35 percent.

Investor are still waiting on definite news on the Zain deal.

Also, the political field is playing a major role in the market as most investors waiting for the Tuesday December 28, 2010 parliamentary session. Global General Index (weighted) increased by 0.48 percent.

Market breadth During the session, 117 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 48 advanced versus 25 that ended on a lower note. Volume of shares traded on the exchange increased by 32.84 percent to reach 222.82mn shares. On the other hand, the value of shares traded decreased by 22.98 percent to stand at KD20.38mn.

The Services sector was the volume leader, accounting for 47.00 percent of total shares traded while the Banking sector was the value leader, with 49.91 percent of total market traded value. Company-wise, three of the Services companies topped the highest volume list for the day, which explains the sectors’ high volume share. Al-Safwa Holding Company was the volume leader, with a total traded volume of 28.88mn shares changing hands. Alafco Aviation

Monday, December 27, 2010

of 7.69 percent as previously mentioned.

Corporate new s Kuwait’s budget surplus widened to KD6.04bn ($21.38bn) in the first eight months of the 2010 fiscal year on higher than forecast oil revenues and lower spending.

Revenue recorded an 18 percent jump to KD13.22bn at the end of November from a year ago. Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) announced that Real Estate Trade Centers Company (Marakez) will be listed on the regular market as of December 28, under the Real Estate sector.

trade categories.”

The authority does not provide figures for oil trade. Abu Dhabi accounts for almost all oil production of the world’s third largest crude exporter.

Dubai is a major trade hub in the Gulf region with a nearly 81 percent share of UAE non-oil trade.

In a Reuters poll last week, analysts forecast a 2.3 percent economic growth this year and 3.6 percent in 2011. In September, India, China, and the United States were the key exporters to the UAE. Re-exports-the bulk of the UAE trade economy-were led by India, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Kuwait, Belgium and Saudi Arabia, making up 11.9 billion dirhams or 76 percent of UAE re-exports.

Analysts expect higher exports and re-exports in 2011 due to recovering global oil demand stemming from Asia.

“Re-export growth is due to higher demand in the wider region, especially Saudi Arabia,” said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Riyadh-based Banque Saudi Fransi. Diamonds topped the list of re-exports in September with 5.7 billion dirhams, followed by motor vehicles and telephone sets, while gold was the top imported and exported good. — Reuters

Marakez to be listed on KSE KUWAIT: Chairman and Managing Director of the Real Estate Trade Centers Company (Marakez) Adublhameed Abbas Dashti announced yesterday that his company would be listed in the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) tomorrow within the real estate sector.

In an introductory seminar held at the KSE headquarters to inform shareholders of the company’s latest develop-

ment, Dashti said that “investment in general, specifically real estate investment, inside or outside Kuwait has witnessed deterioration since late 2008, and reflections are still looming.”

However, he said his company was able to endure the ramifications of global recession and was able to achieve expected profits as well as meet the shareholders’ goals and expectations. He added

that the company’s ambitions to achieve growth and profits for its shareholders are great, pointing out that 2011 will be brighter and exceptional in a more positive and stable market. Marakez, incepted in 1999, is engaged in buying and selling securities and real estate companies in and outside Kuwait, owning, renting and marketing real estate as well as owning shares and corporate bonds. —KUNA

BUSINESS

Monday, December 27 2010

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Dollar flat, euro volatile in quiet week KUWAIT: In a very quiet preChristmas week, the dollar index finished flattish on Friday at 80.474.

Euro range traded between 1.3202 1.3055 levels, while euro crosses continue selling off into year-end as investors have been fleeing the currency. EURCHF reached a historical low of 1.2440 on Wednesday as capital has been parking mostly in Switzerland for its safe haven status.

Despite the unlimited supply of negative news on Europe out of every rating agency, China’s Vice Premier attempted to calm markets on Wednesday by saying China has taken “Concrete action” to help the European Union with its debt problem. The ECB on the other hand in cooperation with the Bank of Greece decided not to carry out “haircuts” on Greek bonds held as collateral, in the event of further sovereign-rating downgrades.

Sterling pound remains at the mercy of the European problems.

After reaching a high of 1.5577 by the beginning of the week, GBP reached a low of 1.5356 on Wednesday as Consumer Confidence stayed at its lowest level since July and the UK GDP was revised lower.

The Japanese Yen has been trading in a range the entire week from 84.00 to the low 82.60 on lack of news. Bank of Japan provided a support to the market by stating it will “steadily” provide liquidity as short-term borrowing costs posed a risk to the nation’s expansion. Finally, the Swiss Franc opened the week at 0.97 levels and closed the week stronger at 0.9623 level.

Q3 growth revised Economic growth was a touch higher than previously estimated in the third quarter, but below expectations as a rise in the pace of inventory accumulation was offset by downward revisions to consumer spending.

Gross Domestic Product growth was revised up to an annualized rate of 2.6% from 2.5%.

Housing sector Sales of Existing and New Homes rose less than expected in November as the industry that triggered the worst US recession in seven decades struggled to recover after a government tax credit lapsed. Purchases of Existing Home Sales increased 5.6% from the prior month to a 4.68 million

annual rate, while New Homes Purchases increased 5.5% to a 290,000 annual rate from a 275,000 pace in October.

Economic indicators New Orders for US Manufactured Goods excluding transportation increased 2.4%, the largest increase since March, after a 1.9 % drop in October. However, overall Orders dropped by a larger than expected 1.3%, dragged down by a plunge in bookings for civilian aircraft and motor vehicles. Consumer Spending rose at a 2.4% pace, the fastest since the first quarter of 2007. The revision in purchases reflected less spending on health-care and financial services.

Weekly claims for Jobless Benefits declined by 3,000 to 420,000 in the week ended December 18. Finally, the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment climbed in December to a six-month high of 74.5.

Europe German Consumer Confidence came close to the highest level printed in more than three years as unemployment declined in Europe’s largest

NBK WEEKLY MONEY MARKETS REPORT

economy. The consumer sentiment index, based on a survey of about 2,000 people, slipped to 5.4 from 5.5 in December.

The UK economy slowed more than initially estimated in the third quarter as the outlook for growth and inflation con-

tinued to split policy makers at the Bank of England. Gross Domestic Product rose 0.7% from the previous three months. The revision was due to production, construction, and business services. Second-quarter growth was lowered to 1.1% from 1.2%.

BOE meeting The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee retained its threeway split at December’s policy meeting, but a growing number of policymakers are worried about rising medium-term inflation risks. The break-

down of votes at the BOE’s Dec 8-9 meeting was the same as the previous two months’ meetings.

The minutes said that “most” of those MPC members who thought the current policy stance appropriate “considered that the accumulation of news over recent months had probably shifted the balance of risks to inflation in the medium term upwards”. This marks a subtle shift from November’s minutes, in which only some MPC members thought risks to inflation expectations had risen.

Japan The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy on hold at a range of 0.0% to 0.1%, but noted weakening factory output and business sentiment could represent risks to growth, and would require more easing. BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa, apparently seeking to soothe jittery bond markets, said he would carefully examine how recent rises in Japanese yields could affect the economy.

Dinar at 0.28135 The USDKWD opened 0.28135 yesterday morning.

at

Goldman ties bonuses to long-term earnings Plan applies to unspecified ‘key employees’ WASHINGTON: Goldman Sachs Group Inc w ill tie the bonuses of top executives more closely to the company’s financial performance. The investment ba nk, based in New York, sa id in a regula tory filing this w eek that bonuses w ill be linked to financial benchmarks tha t might include return on equity, earnings, or the price of Goldma n’s stock or other securities issued by the company.

BARKOT: Pakistani farmers pack oranges at a shop in Barkot, a village of Swat valley. —AFP

Malawi seeks bidders for 300 MW coal-fired plant LILONGWE: Malawi will in the coming months invite bids from investors willing to build a 300 megawatts coal-fired power plant to meet its rising demand for electricity, Energy Minister Grain Malunga said yesterday.

Malawi has estimated coal reserves of 22 billion tons, according to the government, mainly located in the northern and southern parts of the country.

The reserves are largely unexploited, unlike in some of the other countries in the south-

ern African region where coal is a major feedstock for power generation.

“We are looking at constructing a coal fired plant to generate 300 MW of electricity...this is an alternative power source that would go a long way to generating more power to meet the growing demand in the country,” Malunga told Reuters.

Malawi generates most of its electricity from hydro sources.

Its current installed capacity is 282.5 MW, below a demand of 344 MW.

Only seven percent of Malawians have access to electricity, while the remaining 93 percent depend on firewood and charcoal for energy requirements.

The Economists Association of Malawi said that lack of reliable power supply is costing Malawi $215.6 million per year in lost industrial production.

Last year alone, Malawi had 63 days of power outages, the most out of 24 sub-Saharan countries, the energy ministry said. — Reuters

The plan applies to unspecified “key employees” starting this year. It gives Goldman the ability to take back bonuses from employees who violate company rules. “The plan is a tool the compensation committee may use to further align incentive compensation with long-term performance,” Goldman spokesman Michael DuVally said. The financial overhaul law passed this summer allows regulators to block pay plans that encourage excessive risk. Such pay practices contributed to the financial crisis by pushing traders to make deals that yielded quick profits but later upended the market.

Goldman has been a lightning rod for public criticism of Wall Street since the financial crisis that peaked in late 2008. The bank was among those that created mortgage-backed investments that turned out to be toxic. Goldman later bet against some of those investments and made billions when the housing market collapsed.

Goldman took $10 billion from the taxpayer bailout that Congress authorized to unclog frozen credit markets. It then awarded 953 executives bonuses worth $1 million or more for their work in 2008. — AP

New York-based Goldman Sachs Group said in a regulatory filing this week that bonuses will be linked to financial benchmarks that might include return on equity, earnings, or the price of Goldmanís stock or other securities issued by the company.

Strong franc tests Swiss nerves and rude economic health

ANHUI: A Chinese seafood seller waits for customers at a market in Hefei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. Recent food price surges in China have underscored the supply challenges the country faces, as decreasing arable land is making it harder to maintain farm output, Olivier De Schutter, the UN special rapporteur on the right to food, said as he wrapped up a visit to China. — AFP

Japan Inc less concerned about ‘double-dip slump’ TOKYO: Fewer executives of major Japanese firms are concerned about a “double-dip recession,” while a majority of them forecast a full recovery late next year, according to a survey released yesterday.

The Nikkei business daily carried out the survey covering presidents and other top managers of 143 companies, including

Panasonic, Sony, Toyota, Mizuho Financial Group. The poll showed that 32 percent of the respondents said they were concerned about a “double-dip recession”-another sizable slump before full recovery-in Japan, down from 50 percent in its previous survey in October.

Nearly 70 percent of them said the brighter outlook was mainly due to strong

growth in emerging economies, while some 40 percent noted the recent depreciation of the yen.

More than half of those polled predicted that a full-fledged recovery would be seen in the second half of next year, and nearly half said their earnings would improve for the next fiscal year starting on April 1, the poll showed. — AFP

GENEVA: Switzerland’s strong currency is a boon for travelling Swiss bargain hunters or those surfing online shops abroad while its healthy economic indicators would be the envy of debt-plagued major economies. Yet although the local business community is well worn to the refuge currency’s lure in times of crisis, its nerve was being tested as the franc rose to new highs against the euro, pound and dollar at the end of 2010.

“It’s not a nightmare but it’s a risk factor for the dynamics of the Swiss economy,” the head of economic policy at the Economy Ministry, Aymo Brunetti, told AFP. The British pound has lost 40 percent of its value against the Swiss franc in the space of three years, while the euro touched new lows of 1.25 Swiss francs over the Christmas period after plunging nearly 15 percent in 2010.

Meanwhile the dollar has fallen by about 20 percent in a helter skelter ride since the financial crisis bit in 2008. By late December, the US currency was changing hands for less than one Swiss franc, compared to peaks of 1.80 in 2001.

The Swiss government’s advisory panel of leading economists in December heralded a slowdown in ever more costly exports over the coming year, helping to pare down Switzerland’s economic growth from a 2.7 percent in 2010 to 1.5 percent in 2011.

Even cattle farmers are suffering from the strong franc.

Now deprived of subsidies, just 313 cattle were exported in 2010 compared with 5,779 last year, according to the Swiss farmers union (USP).

The 14.4-billion-Swissfranc tourism industry is also casting an anxious eye on foreign exchange markets as it heads into its hallmark winter holiday season.

After wooing more Indian and Chinese tourists to Alpine pastures over the summer, tourism operators in Switzerland are pinning their hopes on heavy snowfall to temper the discouraging impact of the overheating currency on skiers from neighboring countries.

“From the snow point of view we’re off to an excellent start to the season, and that has a psychological impact,” explained Veronique Kanel, a

spokeswoman for the country’s tourist authority Swiss Tourism.

But “in winter we’re much more dependent on European tourists,” she explained, pointing to a “euro effect.”

Forecasting group BAK Basel predicted that foreign demand for overnight stays in Switzerland would drop by 2.2 percent this winter and by five percent on average for tourists from the euro-zone. Cable car operators have already suffered a 5.2 percent drop in revenue this year.

Kanel said the number of British tourists heading for Swiss slopes fell by 18 percent in 2009 as the crisis dug deep.

And those who did come were spending less. With interest rates wedged at record lows and little leeway, the central bank has been watching for signs of deflation for more than a year.

“The fact that the current Swiss franc strength is proving particularly burdensome for the Swiss economy is due partly to the speed of the appreciation but also due to the uncertain economic climate,” said Swiss National Bank governor Jean-Pierre Danthine.

Brunetti argued that some currency strength was normal with strong economic indicators and would benefit Swiss “well-being” in the longer term. But consumer associations complain there has been little sign that local shoppers in the import-dependent economy can benefit from the flipside of the coin, lower prices.

Food and cars were among the goods where importers clung on to high margins, according to Michel Juvet of private bank Bordier. “It’s a pity because that’s how you liven up an economy, by allowing consumers to supply themselves at less cost,” Juvet said on Swiss radio RSR. “Consumers must be encouraged to use Internet to push for price liberalisation,” he added. A return to calmer times is widely forecast in 2012. But the weekly Weltwoche newspaper reported that the central bank chief had warned ministers that a worst case scenario in Europe’s sovereign debt crisis could bring the euro down to 0.5 Swiss francs.

One factory owner described that as “apocalyptic”. — AFP

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Spanish auto sector wraps up bleak year MADRID: Spain’s auto sector, a key source of jobs, is wrapping up a disastrous year due to a slump in demand from the rest of Europe and the end of a government trade-in bonus scheme at home.

Sales of new cars in the country plunged 25.5 percent in November over the same period last year to 64,515 units, the fifth monthly decline in a row, according to figures from manufacturers’ association Anfac. While total sales in the first 11 months of the year are up 5.9 percent to 913,073 units, this is due to strong sales during the beginning of the year before the government pulled the plug on the subsidies program in June.

Under the trade-in scheme introduced in May 2009, the government offered subsidies of up to 2,000 euros to help boost car sales. The program

expired when the money set aside for it was exhausted.

For all of 2010 Anfac expects sales to total sales of around 950,000 units, levels last seen in the early 1990s. It said sales should average between 1.3 and 1.4 million units per year.

The auto manufacturing sector has fared no better, with a 6.5 percent drop in the number of vehicles made in October, its fourth monthly decline.

Spain’s auto manufacturing sector is the thirdbiggest in Europe and ranks eighth worldwide, although it has no national auto maker besides Seat, which is now owned by Germany’s Volkswagen. It built 2.2 million vehicles last year. With 90 percent of its production destined for export, the sector is a good reflection of the state of the European market,

which is also struggling.

Sales of new cars in the crisis-hit European Union fell by 7.1 percent in November, its eighth monthly decline, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.

The slump in auto sales at home and abroad threatens jobs in the sector.

“The auto sector employs 500,000 workers along the entire value chain. But if we add up all the jobs generated on other sectors, like marketing and banking, we arrive at a figure of two million jobs,” said Pedro Nueno, a professor at the IESE business school of Madrid.

Spain is already struggling with a jobless rate of around 20 percent, the highest level in the 27-nation European Union, caused in large part by the collapse

of a labor-intensive property boom at the end of 2008.

“It is important that the government declare the auto sector as a strategic sector since it employs 8.7 percent of the active population,” said the president of the Spanish branch of Ford, Jose Manuel Machado.

Spain’s auto dealers’ federation Faconauto said it was necessary to “revive the only sector that is well positioned to improve the economy of our country.”

The auto sector accounts for around six percent of Spain’s gross domestic product and the jobs it offers in manufacturing as high paying.

But the government is under pressure to rein in spending to soothe financial market fears that it may need a costly bailout similar to those given fellow EU member states Greece and Ireland earlier this year.

So it is in no position to continue to pay incentives for

car purchases.

Anfac has warned that Spain will no longer be able to maintain current production levels if its domestic market does not recover. Spain has 18 auto factories belonging to ten different car makers, including Nissan and Peugeot, and most have already made layoffs or reduced working hours.

Renault Spain Chairman Jean Pierre Laurent said recently that he was “pessimistic” about the future of the sector in Spain.

“The majority of factories in Spain have lost their competitive advantage over the past ten years because of the lack of labour rule flexibility, weak productivity and high logistical costs due to Spain geographic position,” he told business daily Cinco Dias. — AFP

Leaders mobilize money and rhetoric to fight debt crisis

The euro-zone challenge: A policy overhaul in 2010 PARIS: Euro-zone leaders have mobilized money a nd rhetoric to fight a debt crisis, but the fate of the alliance could now depend on a w illingness to tra nsform speeches a nd stopga p mea sures into a deep policy overha ul. There is a grow ing conviction in European fina ncia l circles that the malaise afflicting the euro-zone lies beyond the reach of multi-billion-euro bailouts, of

the sort a ccorded Greece and Ireland a nd for w hich Portugal a nd Spain ma y yet ha ve to apply.

But euro-zone a uthorities have ha rdly been idle in the fa ce of the turmoil. In fact, in the last year they ha ve taken steps tha t could radically a lter the euro-zone’s underlying fina ncia l architecture.

FRANKFURT: There is a growing conviction in European financial circles that the malaise afflicting the euro-zone lies beyond the reach of multi-billion-euro bailouts.

45% of Swiss companies fear impact of weak euro: Study GENEVA: A survey by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) says that almost half of the Swiss companies are afraid of the negative impact of the strong Swiss franc against the euro.

Between October and December 45 percent of the companies showed such fears, which was significantly higher than in summer as only some 28 percent of the companies expressed their worries.

The National Bank reported, especially exportoriented companies in the manufacturing industry will suffer from the impact of the Strong Swiss Franc. In addition to lower margins, the companies also suffer from lost sales, as the SNB wrote.

Only 20 percent were able to offset the currency losses due to charge higher prices. In addition to

hedging strategies, the company also reduced production costs, but rarely present job cuts.

On the other hand, there are no clear picture with tourism and trade sectors but for the banks, the impact of a strong Swiss franc will change from neutral to slightly negative. Hardly actions give it to transport companies, insurance companies, employment agencies, dealers and trust in the healthcare industry.

The strong franc has no significant impact on the business 42 percent of Swiss companies, almost the same size as those whose course of business is suffering from the currency situation.

For 13 percent of the companies the consequences of the strong franc are even positive. These

companies take advantage of the weakness of foreign currencies to build liquidity and to reduce prices.

The Swiss franc has become Strong since the early summer, especially against the floundering of the Euro drastically. Last week, the Euro fell temporarily below the value of CHF 1.25.

More than 50 percent of the Swiss economy depends on the export with the EU. The SNB had decided last week to maintain in force since March 2009 monetary policy framework. That way the desired target range for the authoritative the SNB’s monetary policy interest rate three-month Libor market at 0 to 0.75 percent and the target value at 0.25 percent. — KUNA

SYDNEY: A man walks past a shop offering huge discounts in the downtown section of Sydney. Australian retailers were hoping for an 11th-hour Christmas rush, after a series of rate hikes have forced shoppers to tighten their belts at the most important time of year for stores. — AFP

Three potential routes to economic stability have emerged: a permanent rescue fund for troubled euro nations; a common euro-zone bond that would allow financially weak members to pool their credit standing with stronger nations; and the creation of a federal, fiscal transfer union.

The latter approach would imply a degree of federal tax management and the transfer of funds from the strong to the weak in what would resemble the federal structure of the United States.

What is striking to many observers, however, is that initiatives such as emergency bailouts, spurned a year ago, have now become institutionalized. A European Union summit earlier this month decided to create a permanent financial rescue mechanism for ailing euro nations starting in mid2013.

That arrangement would replace a 750-billion-euro (onetrillion-dollar) emergency fund established by the EU and the International Monetary Fund in May. The European Central Bank, known as the guardian of the euro, has meanwhile broken with its preferred practice and since mid-May has been stepping in to buy euro-zone government bonds worth 72.5 billion euros.

That has helped ensure that debt markets keep functioning, but it has also stoked controversy, with critics insisting that the ECB should not be in the business of financing deficits run up by improvident euro governments.

In another groundbreaking step, euro-zone leaders have overcome their sovereign sensitivities and agreed to submit their draft budgets to the European Union for review.

Greece and Ireland are having their economic policies and finances vetted and approved by the IMF. While many analysts are dismissive of the measures, euro-zone officials insist they contain the seeds of far-reaching operational reform that could at last impose the discipline the bloc needs if it is to survive future recessions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at the recent EU summit, said that while “it is important to have stable budgets and stable finances” in the euro-zone, “it is important to develop, step by step, ... a common economic policy.”

French President Nicholas Sarkozy, speaking at the same summit, said “it is now necessary to go further and to make clear in the euro-zone the need for the convergence of economic policies.”

The priority in the new year would be “the establishment of an economic government” for the zone, he said.

Sarkozy’s finance minister, Christine Lagarde, last week appeared to fine-tune the president’s comments, telling a German newspaper that “an economic government means seeking the approval of other states” before taking action.

But her remarks drew an immediate and negative response from German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle, which suggests that the euro-zone’s two leading powers remain at odds over precisely what common economic governance entails.

Bruedele described the idea as “not a good plan,” calling instead for a “permanent protection mechanism for the single currency” and sanctions against euro-zone members who failed to exercise budget restraint.

For many analysts however, there is a more serious split in the euro-zone. This one divides nations such as Germany, with productive economies powered by substantial savings and trade surpluses, from those considered to be on the “periphery”-Portugal, Spain, Ireland and Greece-that are less disciplined and have run up massive debts and deficits.

It is this divergence that has given rise to disputes over economic management. “What we have now is a fierce debate about the shape of European policy,” said Goldman Sachs chief European economist Erik Nielsen. On the one side, “Germany and other net savers are calling for policy adjustments in the periphery, aided by official financing as necessary,” he said.

Those on the other side however “are arguing for various forms of fiscal federalism ... which prospective net contributors oppose.”

Either way, according to Commerzbank analyst Christophe Weil, the peripheral countries cannot escape the need to implement domestic reform, which in many cases means lower public sector wages, higher taxes and reduced pension payments.

“The crisis countries will have to implement fundamental reform in the goods and labor markets and social security schemes to restore their competitiveness and boost economic growth,” he said.

While harsh austerity steps have been taken in Greece, Ireland, Spain and Portugal, “it will take several years for the full effect of these measures to unfold,” he warned.

And then there is a clear potential for a damaging political rift, according to a recent study by the American Enterprise Institute and the Legatum Institute of Britain. In this scenario, the strong refuse to rescue the weak and the public in weak countries rebel against austerity.

“It would seem unreasonable to expect that voters in the euro-zone north, and especially in Germany, will indefinitely acquiesce to the transfer of large amounts of bailout money to the euro-zone south in an effort to keep those countries afloat,” wrote economist Desmond Lachman in the study. “And it would seem even more unreasonable to expect voters in the south to indefinitely endure the severe economic and social pain associated with austerity measures attached to the financing they receive from the north.” — AFP

ATHENS: Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou speaks during a budget debate at the parliament in Athens. — AFP

Euro-zone reform moves: Deep revamp or just tinkering?

PARIS: The euro-zone debt crisis has shaken the foundations of the single currency alliance. Its leaders are now weighing measures that could either herald a far-reaching operational re-vamp or simply a modest tinkering.

Emergency or temporary bailouts for euro states struggling with huge debts and gaping public deficits have given way to a permanent rescue mechanism.

At the same time, euro-zone leaders have begun to talk about giving the bloc greater cohesion with the creation of an “economic government,” perhaps through a federal arrangement similar to that of the United States. There have also been suggestions that euro-zone nations jointly issue debt bonds, allowing financially troubled euro-zone nations to pool their credit standing with stronger partners.

In an initial gesture, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund joined forces last May to make 110 billion euros available to Greece-but only after much debate over whether EU sovereignty could be compromised by calling in the IMF. Then it became clear that Greece was not the only euro-zone member under threat. So the EU and IMF went a step further and launched a broader temporary fund that would provide a 750-billion-euro backstop for countries in difficulty.

The fund was called the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), financed by the 16 eurozone members, and is due to expire in mid-2013. But EU leaders understood that the euro-zone’s debt crisis could not be made to disappear with temporary measures. So at a Brussels summit December 16-17 it approved a permanent rescue scheme-the European Stability Mechanism-to replace the EFSF in 2013. And in what would be another significant development, private sector banks and investment funds that buy government-issued bonds may for the first time have to absorb some of the losses should states require financial help.

The ESM, as is the case with the current arrangement, allows for financial assistance to countries provided they adopt budgetary measures drafted by the EU’s executive commission and the IMF. The engagement of private investors, however, would not be automatic, as Germany had initially wanted: it would be determined on a case-by-case basis. Private investor contributions would depend on the seriousness of the crisis, as measured by the European Commission and the IMF in conjunction with the European Central Bank. The commission, the IMF and the ECB would determine if the country concerned merely faced a cash shortage or was in fact facing insolvency.

In the case of a liquidity squeeze private creditors would simply be encouraged to hold on to their investment. But if a government was deemed to be insolvent, European aid would come with an obligation not only to implement budget reforms but to restructure the debt. The government concerned would then negotiate with its private creditors. Debt payments could be rescheduled, interest rates lowered or the amounts to be repaid reduced.

The proposal for joint euro-zone bonds, advocated most prominently by Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, has sparked considerable controversy in recent months, but it remains a live talking point. Guaranteed jointly by all the eurozone members, the interest rates for such bonds would be averaged out on rates practized by countries joining the scheme.

That would shield countries facing financial difficulties from speculation and panicked markets demanding exorbitant rates. But Germany, proud of the low interest it pays due to its strong economic performance and management, has rejected the proposal: it would increase the rates it has to pay to borrow. Berlin has also argued that the arrangement would make it easier for countries to avoid adopting difficult but necessary fiscal adjustments.

Throughout the debt crisis analysts have contended that bailouts alone are not sufficient-that what the euro-zone really needs is a thorough overhaul of its operating procedures. French President Nicholas Sarkozy has lobbied for a form of economic governance that would reduce divergences among member states. His finance minister, Christine Lagarde, last week told a German newspaper that “an economic government means seeking the approval of other states” before taking action. But her remarks drew a negative response from German Economy Minister Rainer Bruederle. Bruedele described the idea as “not a good plan,” calling instead for a “permanent protection mechanism for the single currency” and sanctions against euro-zone members who fail to exercise budget restraint.—AFP

TECHNOLOGY

Monday, December 27, 2010

27

Bring Hollywood a little closer by editing films at home HANOVER: The cameraman isn’t the only person critical to a successful film, the editor also plays a vital role in filmmaking. A lot of patience and a powerful computer are essential for video production, especially when working in the HD format. A video can be filmed quickly but it takes a lot longer until it is ready to be shown in private circles or put up on a video platform on the Internet. The developments in technology mean the demands are greater than ever and anyone working with High Definition (HD), using high resolution images of 720p or 1080p, needs a computer with a powerful processing chip and a large memory.

The SD (Secure Digital) non-volatile memory card format used in portable devices such as camcorders has overtaken AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition). An MPEG 4 codec is needed to encode the data stream or signal for transmission, storage or encryption, or to decode it for playback or editing. “A codec needs an awful lot of computing power and equipment with plenty of disc space and memory,” explains Ulrich Hilgefort of German the computer magazine c’t.

The editing of an HD video also takes time with a film 30 minutes in length possibly taking a whole night, depending on the

video format. When working with a lower HD resolution of 720p (1280x720), which is common in mini-camcorders, a Pentium 4 Dual Core or Core 2 Duo processor with 2 to 4 gigabyte memory and a 500GB hard drive is sufficient. Full HD resolution of 1920p (1920x1080) needs a quad 4 processor, between 4 GB and 8 GB of memory and a Windows Vista or Windows 7 operating system as the Windows XP 32-bit version has no more than 3 GB of memory. “If you are working creatively, then it is better to do so with a computer that has a quad 4 processor that runs at least 2.8 Gigahertz,” recommends Hilgefort.

The clips should be saved in one go onto disc to save time and avoid any loss of quality. Importing a 45-minute-long 720p video onto a Mac with the Apple iMovie software - which costs in the region of €49 ($64) as part of the iLife package - takes up to an hour. An integral part of any editing suite is the timeline. Depending on the performance capabilities of the software being used, video can be dragged and dropped simply into the timeline while footage can be imported from virtually any device.

With Adobe Premier Elements (€99), it is also possible to work simultaneously with SD and HD soundtrack video and audio.

“We found in our tests that Magix software excels because of its detailed user guide and ease of use,” says Hilgefort. “There are alternatives, though, such as Cyberlink’s Power Director or Pinnacle Studio.” The possibilities for working with effects are quite impressive, even in the range of €50 to €100 with Magix Video Deluxe and Power Director both costing around €70.

Pinnacle Studio costs in the region of €60 with Sony Vegas available from €35.

The best technology available is of no use, however, if the user is lacking in creative talent when it comes to scene-setting.

“This has to begin before filming,” says

Stefan Holzleitner, CEO of the Hamburg film production firm Cut4U. “The first question to be asked is ‘What do I want to have in my scene’?” he says. “When editing, it is important that the scenes introduce variety.” Apart from editing, a film can be improved by working on contrast settings or introducing soundtracks or clips with effects. Adobe Premier Elements allows the user to add soundtracks that automatically adjust to the movie length. Finished films need to be saved in a certain format such as avi, mov, mpeg or MP4. Alternatively, a movie can be burned in AVCHD format or on to DVD or Blu-ray. — dpa

Failed launch threatens India’s space ambitions

SRIHARIKOTA, India: The Indian GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), carrying the GSAT-5P satellite as payload, is seen moments after exploding during its launch above Sriharikota on Saturday. — AFP

BANGALORE: The explosion of an Indian space rocket is likely to hit the country’s efforts to push further into the global market for launching commercial satellites, experts warned yesterday. The unmanned Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) blew up live on television Saturday less than one minute after launch, at the start of a mission to put a communications satellite into orbit. The accident was the second setback for India this year following the crash in April of a rocket that was meant to showcase domestically built booster technology, from the same site in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Yesterday, scientists at the Indian space project began their search into the cause of the latest failure. “Teams are looking at the data to find out the reason for what happened,” Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spokesman S. Satish said. “A failure analysis committee is likely to be constituted in the next one or two days.”

The GSLV veered from its intended flight path and was intentionally blown up 47 seconds after take-off at a height of about eight kilometres over the Bay of Bengal.

Experts called on the ISRO to go back to drawing board with the 1.75-billion-rupee ($39-million) GSLV before attempting to offer the rocket as a platform for international satellite launches. They also warned that India’s ambitions to send its first manned space flight in 2016 were under threat. “Saturday’s failure will certainly produce delays,” space scientist M N Vahia told the Times of India. “If my payload was being flown on this mission using a GSLV, I would certainly want this rocket to be tested and evaluated more thoroughly. What happened is unnerving as India’s reputation as a reliable space launching country has taken a serious dent.”

India first staked its claim for a share of the lucrative commercial satellite-launch market by sending an Italian satellite into orbit in 2007. In 2008, it launched an Israeli spy satellite and separately put a probe on the moon’s surface in an event that the ISRO hoped would give the country international recognition in the space business. U R Rao, a former ISRO chairman, urged India not to be put off by the recent setbacks. “There’s always a general worry and unhappiness when a launch fails. But we can’t allow that to bog us down,” he said. “We have to zero in on the problem and work out an appropriate solution.” India sees its space exploration program as an achievement that underlines its emergence as a major world economy, and many Indians take great patriotic pride in its development. — AFP

Cookies: Internet commerce’s eyes and ears BERLIN: It’s not unusual for a person who uses the internet to look up diet recipes to suddenly find themselves on the receiving end of weight loss products. Nor is it particularly strange if that same person does a web search about the island of Mallorca and suddenly is confronted with internet ads offering last-minute trips to the vacation destination during their regular surfing. Web-based companies are keeping an ever closer eye on their customers to find out more about them - and then to send them targeted ads. For those who don’t like that reality, there are some ways around it. But absolute secrecy is generally a thing of the past.

Knowledge about the hobbies, income or health problems of potential consumers is worth its weight in gold to the advertising industry. Optimized ads boost the

chances of making a sale and mean bigger profits. That’s why a host of website operators, search engines, marketers and data processors are keeping an ever closer eye on what people do online. It’s called tracking. This tracking is markedly more invasive and thorough than most users imagine, warned the Wall Street Journal last summer after investigating 50 of the most popular US websites.

A lot of providers are engaged in the practice. One of the more well-known ones is Analytics, one of Google’s tracking services. If website operators use this software, they receive statistics about visits to their portal. In return, data is fed back to Google. But there are more aggressive, and less well-known, data providers that, according to the Wall Street Journal, pull together detailed profiles and sell them on.

“Most people don’t know that tracking services exist,” says Markus Hansen of the independent centre for data protection of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

“That means they don’t look at what kind of data trail they leave behind themselves.”

The Federation of German Consumer Organizations has demanded that internet companies should have to request “active, informed permission from users” before collecting data. Generally, this data is harmless.

Cookies are small text files stored on a person’s computer which allow website operators to recognize repeat visitors.

“Online stores use this to make a note of shoppers’ shopping carts,” says Norbert Pohlmann, a German professor. Users turned off by the snooping technology need to help themselves. For example, users

can block their browser from accepting cookies from third parties - the kind of data that follows people’s online surfing habits.

Websites show how this can be done with the Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera browsers. A browser’s privacy mode also allows some protection. That function erases cookies after every session, as well as the history of sites visited.

But there are some snooper programs that try to get around those functions.

Flash cookies aren’t managed by browsers, but by multimedia software like Adobe. To combat those, check out the Firefox add-on Better Privacy. There’s also the Ghostery add-on - available for all major browsers besides Opera - which targets tracking services like Google Analytics. And experienced users can use “no script” functions to block the snoopers. — dpa

SAN FRANCISCO: This Jan 27, 2010 file photo shows Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs announcing the new iPad as he speaks during an Apple Special Event at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. — AFP

Apple, Steve Jobs hit new heights in 2010 NEW YORK: Apple dethroned Microsoft as the world’s most valuable technology company in 2010 as its co-founder Steve Jobs soared to new heights with the touchscreen iPad tablet computer and the latest iPhone.

Britain’s Financial Times last week named Jobs its “Person of the Year” and even US President Barack Obama joined in the plaudits to the 55-yearold chief executive of the Cupertino, California-based gadget-maker. Jobs’ appearance on a San Francisco stage in January to unveil the iPad capped what the FT called “the most remarkable comeback in modern business history”.

“It wasn’t simply a matter of the illness that had sidelined him for half the year before, leaving him severely emaciated and eventually requiring a liver transplant,” the newspaper said. “Little more than a decade earlier, both Mr. Jobs’ career and Apple, the company he had co-founded, were widely considered washed up, their relevance to the future of technology written off,” it said.

Obama, at a White House news conference on Wednesday, held up Jobs as an example of the virtues of the “free market”. “We celebrate somebody like a Steve Jobs, who has created two or three different revolutionary prod-

ucts,” Obama said. “We expect that person to be rich, and that’s a good thing.” The iPad hit stores in the United States in April and Apple reported sales at the end of September of more than eight million of the devices that the FT said offer a glimpse into a world without a computer mouse or Windows.

Other technology firms are trying to match Apple’s success with tablets of their own, including South Korea’s Samsung, Canada’s Research In Motion, maker of the Blackberry, and US computer giants Hewlett-Packard and Dell. But none has yet to prove capable of preventing Apple from establishing the same dominance over the tablet computer market that it exercises over the MP3 music player scene with the ubiquitous iPod, introduced in 2001. Goldman Sachs said it expects Apple to ship 37.2 million iPads in 2011 “which could potentially make Apple one of the largest vendors in the global personal computing market” -tablets plus personal computers.

The iPad wasn’t Apple’s only hit product in 2010. The iPhone 4, the latest version of the touchscreen smartphone introduced by Apple in 2007, sold 14.1 million units in the quarter which ended in September, up 91 percent over

the same quarter a year earlier.

Even Apple TV, a product Jobs once dismissed as a “hobby”, is notching up strong sales. Apple said last week that sales of the latest model of the set-top box that can stream content from the Web had topped one million units.

The rare blemishes on Apple’s record in 2010 were its continuing inability to come out with a promised white model of the iPhone 4 and complaints of lost reception due to the radical antenna design on the device.

Apple shares, worth $10 at the end of 2003, gained around 60 percent this year, closing at more than $320 on Wall Street on Thursday. In May, Apple surpassed Microsoft as the largest US technology company in terms of market value. The only companies with larger market capitalization than Apple’s nearly $300 billion are ExxonMobil and Petrochina.

Meeschaert New York analyst Gregori Volokhine described Apple’s rise as “absolutely extraordinary” and said “every analyst has an even higher target price for next year, between 360 dollars and 430 dollars”. “Apple’s more than just a company,” Volokhine told AFP. “It’s become a cultural phenomenon.

The hard part now will be not to disappoint.” — AFP

AyoWorld launches blog DUBAI: AyoWorld, an online BlackBerry(r) appstore, was launched in October this year.

Nov 2010 witnessed the unveiling of its blog: blog.ayoworld.com. The blog was introduced with the goal of keeping BlackBerry smartphone owners aware of the upcoming applications on the AyoWorld website: www.ayoworld.com. New BlackBerry smartphone applications and the ones which are popular, are at a higher edge to be discussed in AyoWorld blog posts. Blog readers can subscribe to the blog feed to catch up with the happenings at AyoWorld.

AyoWorld blog also has links to AyoWorld’s Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn and Twitter pages to ensure maximum interaction with its users. All posts on the blog bear tags, which allow easy search of relevant content related to particular apps. The AyoWorld website has onboard several BlackBerry smartphone apps

that are categorized by their functionality. Some categories include News and Sports, Themes, Ringtones and many more. The blog also has categorization of posts to ensure easy access. A search box increases the accessibility.

The blog also features the most downloaded apps. This is aimed at allowing BlackBerry smartphone users make informed decisions about the selective AyoWorld BlackBerry app they would want to grace their individual smartphone with.

AyoWorld was launched with the aim to allow an interactive virtual platform that would enable BlackBerry smartphone owners buy mobile content. Working towards that aim AyoWorld has initiated several measures. The blog’s launch in November was an extension of these efforts.

The AyoWorld website can be accessed at: www.ayoworld.com. BlackBerry smartphone owners can visit the blog at: blog.ayoworld.com.

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Diabetes care raises alarm Outbreak of hepatitis B in NC highlights fatal healthcare flaws This year’s fatal outbreak of hepatitis B in a North Carolina assisted-living home unfolded like a singular nightmare, but state and national experts predict such events will grow more common in years to come.

State public health officials say poorly trained staff-who weren’t required to have high school diplomasand unsafe diabetes care led to six fatal cases of the disease at Glen Care Mount Olive, a Wayne County assisted-living center, between June and late November. By the time the presence of hepatitis B brought state investigators to the facility in October, the transmission of infection via reuse of glucometers and other devices had likely been going on for more than four months, their report said.

“What we saw were people who were not trained in fighting infection,” said Julie Henry, spokeswoman for the state Division of Public Health. “It’s not even sloppiness; it’s really ignorance.”

Glenn Kornegay, the facility’s administrator, has denied the state’s conclusions and says the infections could have originated elsewhere. “We strongly disagree to the findings related to this deficiency,” he wrote to the state Division of Health Service Regulation.

A Dec. 14 reinspection by state inspectors found no additional violations, but the facility still faces fines of $20,000 or more for a type A, or highest level, violation found during a first round of investigation in October, said officials of the state Division of Health Service Regulation. Efforts to reach Kornegay last week were unsuccessful. The deaths at Glen Care fueled concerns about the training and supervision required of assisted-living staffers, the subject of a long-running debate in North Carolina.

Under state and federal law, only highly trained professionals such as registered and licensed practical nurses can administer insulin at nursing homes, designed for residents with higher levels of medical needs. But the state-overseen assisted-living centers, once known as rest homes, have much looser guidelines. At these facilities, “med techs,” who are unlicensed and may get only one-on-one training from a nurse on diabetes care, are allowed to take blood glucose sam-

College student Laura Fitzgerald, a Type 1 diabetic, injects insulin in Chicago, Illinois. —MCT ples and inject insulin for people with diabetes.

“We see this over and over again, where a staff member is providing care to multiple residents,” said Nicola Thompson, an epidemiologist at the federal Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. “We know that the majority of staff in assisted living are paraprofessionals that don’t have a degree in health care.

“With more people with diabetes and more people in long-term care, the situation is unlikely to get any better.”

State and national public health experts say they have tried for years to change this seeming contradiction in standards.

“There is a disconnect there,” said Polly Johnson, former executive direc-

tor of the state Board of Nursing and now CEO of the nonprofit Foundation for Nursing Excellence.

“Part of that disconnect is related to the way assisted living was set upnot as a health-focused system.”

Assisted-living centers are an industry that grew out of county rest homes. They are cheaper than nursing homes, in part, because health care is supposedly incidental to helping residents with activities such as bathing and eating.

“The reality is that there are more people in assisted living with major health care needs,” Johnson said.

Thompson said 29 million people, most older than 65, will have diabetes by 2050. In North Carolina today, about 1 in 5 people older than 65 has diabetes.

The average age of the victims in the Glen Care outbreak of hepatitis B was about 70. Their caregivers had not taken a state-approved infection control course, and there was no staff member named to coordinate infection control, investigators from the state Division of Public Health said.

Violations often found Outbreaks of hepatitis B have been identified as a public health problem for at least 20 years, Thompson said. With the first examples seen in hospitals, a notable shift followed in which the outbreaks occurred in nursing homes, and beginning in 2004, more often in assisted-living centers.

In North Carolina, state investigators often find violations of safe practice involving diabetes care; between

Parkside Middle teacher sees future without breast cancer Missing her hair? That’s what wigs are for. Missing days of school?

That was not an option for Parkside Middle School sixth-grade teacher Ashleigh Burnette.

The 41-year-old language arts teacher has been successfully battling breast cancer for the last yearplus and is counting down the days until February when her final chemotherapy treatments come to an end.

During her most intense chemo sessions, the energetic and witty Burnette managed to make it every day, thanks to understanding from her students, colleagues and administration and a little determination on her part-although she wouldn’t admit to that.

“For me, she’s an inspiration,” said Parkside sixth-grade teacher Denise Curry. “She made it seem really easy.”

“I was able to make it every day through treatment only through [the] grace [of God], and I have colleagues that supported me in every way,” said Burnette, a child of a church music minister.

Part of her support system included eighth-grade teachers opting out of their planning periods each Friday to cover for Burnette during the day’s final half-hour. And when she returned from treatment the following Mondays, Burnette said, the children knew to cut her some slack. When she left during lunchtime for her radiation treatment, her students called it “going to get microwaved.”

In fact, the children were so aware of her situation that some even knew which of her four wigs matched with which days.

One day, Burnette happened to wear her “Friday hair” on Thursday. A student pointed that out to her, who at first thought the student was simply trying to tell her the day of the week.

Spend five minutes with Burnette in the classroom and it’s abundantly clear she enjoys her time with the children. But she also can lay down the law.

There are no ‘ya’s’ in her classroom, only ‘yes,’ ‘yes ma’am’ and

Dr Katherine H Rak Tkaczuk, professor of medicine and director of the Maryland cancer center’s breast evaluation and treatment program. Drug trials can be lengthy, Tkaczuk said. “There’s no telling how soon some of the new drugs can make it to market,” she said. —MCT occasionally ‘yes, Goddess,’ if the student is feeling brave.

Throughout her “sick” time, the children have shown Burnette support through simple gestures and notes. But seeing them get it, seeing them achieve and even surpass their goals is what makes Burnette happy that she switched from shin splints to spelling tests.

Burnette’s language arts group had a finishing 100,000 pages worth of outside reading before winter break. They have already hit 300,000 and now the goal is 500,000 by the end of the school year.

Burnette’s sense of humorwhich Livington called “positive sarcasm”-helped get her through the last year. Experiences Burnette had before she became a teacher may have helped, as well.

The wife of a Secret Service

Sharon Stewart, 47, right, poses for photograph in Baltimore, Maryland, with her oncologist, Dr Saranya Chumsri, who was part of the team at the University of Medicine Greenebaum Cancer Center who treated her after her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive type of cancer. —MCT agent, Burnette moved with her husband and-at the time-two children to the DC area nine years ago.

She was a sports medicine major and had spent her adult life nursing high school athletes back to health.

However, she needed a more flexible job given her husband’s new schedule and two young children at home.

“If I can handle a football team, a room full of sixth-graders is nothing,” joked Burnette.

Having confidence in her new “team” of fellow sixth-grade teachers also made her recovery easier.

Burnette, Curry, Jim Livingston and Rick Knudson have taught together for the past four years and shared many a bonding experience.

Everyone knows their strengths, said Burnette, and things always get done. That didn’t change when cancer suddenly visited someone without a family history or bad habits like smoking. After one “crying session,” it was back to business for Burnette and her buddies.

“It was like, ‘this sucks,’ but it’s Tuesday, let’s do what we need to do,” Burnette said. —MCT

November 2006 and this year, the state Division of Health Service Regulation fined 42 adult care homes a total of more than $238,000 for infractions involving insulin.

“Diabetes is an epidemic in this country,” said Bob Konrad a member of the policy committee at the advocacy group Friends of Residents in Long Term Care. “This is probably going to happen again and again and again as we have all these challenges in assisted living.”

Beginning in the 1990s, the state’s Board of Nursing proposed a uniform set of standards for medical technicians in skilled nursing homes, assisted living and other settings.

“We had hoped that this would be a requirement across all settings where medications were given,” said Polly

Johnson, the former Board of Nursing executive director. “In the political process, it was only passed in connection with nursing homes.”

Lou Wilson, executive director of an assisted-living trade group, said she sees no problem with unlicensed staff administering insulin. A longtime lobbyist for the industry, she said the state, county and federal funds that adult care homes receive don’t include enough money to pay for higher levels of training.

“It’s something that has gone on for a long, long time,” Wilson said.

“North Carolina just does not seem willing to put the money out for people to be better trained. That’s been my experience.”

Both Wilson and Dr. John Buse, a UNC-Chapel Hill physician and former president of the American Diabetes Association, point out that many people with diabetes test their own blood sugar and administer insulin daily.

However, Buse also noted that insulin is a powerful drug that has to be administered with care.

“It is the drug that is most commonly associated with serious medical errors in medical facilities,” Buse said. “Hopefully the people that own these facilities, that run these facilities, understand that insulin is a drug where the margin for error is very small.”

A difference in care In May 2009, the N.C. Board of Nursing issued a position paper that gathered information about the requirements for medication aides in skilled-nursing and assisted-living homes. The board has no authority over the unlicensed techs in assisted living, but it wanted to make clear the distinctions between the levels and care and scope of practice in the two settings.

“In this case, we’re not really setting out what the folks can and can’t do,” said Eileen Kugler, manager of practice at the Board of Nursing.

“We’re providing information that comes out of other laws and rules.”

The group representing nursing, long-term care, state officials and advocates for residents of these facilities decided against recommending the uniform standards for people handling medication that the board

and the state had initially proposed.

State Rep. Jennifer Weiss, a Cary Democrat who has frequently advocated for older people, noted that the state Institute of Medicine is examining the problems of assisted-living homes that house people with mental illness alongside frail elderly residents.

The presence of the mentally ill residents, some of whom have been released from former state mental hospitals, is one factor in the mix that makes dispensing insulin to people with diabetes a difficult and sometimes deadly event.

Chronic short-staffing, in settings where one aide can be responsible for 30 residents during night shifts, can also make it hard to dispense meds properly.

“Clearly if people are administering medicine or dealing with bodily fluids, they need to know how to do it carefully and safely to make sure people don’t get sick,” Weiss said, adding that the state’s Commission on Aging should look at the issue for possible recommendations to the legislature.

As part of the national health-care reform legislation, the US Department of Health and Human Services is presenting more than $300 million in grants to training and career-development programs-from skilled nursing to front-line aides.

The North Carolina health and human services department is getting more than $578,000 to train, provide career paths for and create certification for personal care aides, both in-home and in facilities.

If society wants qualified people dispensing medication and performing other personal care, institutions will have to offer quality jobs, said Deane Beebe, the Washingtonbased director of public education for PHInational, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for direct-care workers.

“This includes not only training but decent wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities,” Beebe said. “Without adequate compensation, experienced aides will move onto retail sales jobs which pay more. Are we as a nation prepared to care for elders and people with disabilities?” —MCT

How to make patients feel at home Your doctor’s office will call you to ask if you’ve cut back on how many helpings of potatoes you’re eating per week. If you didn’t, you’ll be given tips and encouragement.

This type of reminding, or even gently badgering, patients to improve their health is the future of health care in America. The concept turns doctors’ offices into so-called patient-centered medical homes, or practices where patients are made to feel at home and frequently have conversations with the staff.

The idea is to save money for insurers and the entire health care system by improving preventive care and, as a result, long-term health, particularly for high-risk patients.

It’s already happening in some Berks County medical offices.

An inevitable change A greater move toward this type of medicine is inevitable, said Dr. Jorge J. Scheirer, who specializes in general internal medicine with RPS Internal Medicine, a Reading Hospital-affiliated practice in West Reading. “We aren’t going to get anywhere in the United States unless we manage our patients this way,” Scheirer said.

Medical staff can help patients meet specific goals. “Maybe they want to lose weight and cut back on how many servings of potatoes they eat, since this is Berks County,” Scheirer said. “Then they’ll get a call in a week or two to check up on their progress.”

RPS Internal Medicine is one of several Berks practices recently recognized as a medical home.

The recognition comes from the National Committee on Quality Assurance, a Washington-based nonprofit, and is based on standards set by several large national health-care groups.

“You’ll reach a day when you’re not able to participate in insurance plans unless you’re a medical home; we’re five to 10 years away from that,” said Dr. Samuel L. Alfano, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at St. Joseph Medical Center.

Some medical home strategies, such as offering dietitians’ services, have been used for years at St. Joseph’s downtown Reading clinic, Alfano said.

Care managers A lot of contact with patients is crucial to the concept, Scheirer said.

“That’s why it’s called a home: A place you go back to frequently,” he said.

Much of the additional hand holding comes from a new type of employee known as a care manager.

“She’s the troubleshooter, she’s the enforcer,” said Dr Mark A Buczewski, a physician at designated medical home Family Medicine Associates of Birdsboro, a member of the Reading Hospital Medical Group.

As care manager at Family Medicine Associates, Melissa Dagon meets with targeted patients face to face in her office and calls or e-mails those patients every two weeks to once a month.

She plans to start meeting in January with groups of eight or so diabetic patients for a discussion about their conditions using a conversation map-a large educational board intended to spark dialogue and learning.

“The hope is for them to learn from each other rather than have me preaching to them,” Dagon said.

Nancy Martinez-King is the care manager at the Family Health Care Center, a Reading Hospital-based practice that’s achieved recognition as a medical home.

“I assess how the patients are doing,” she said. “The highest-risk people get the most contact.”

High-risk patients include those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions or those who are underinsured or have financial issues, Martinez-King said.

Some patients at medical homes aren’t yet used to the concept, Buczewski said. Patient satisfaction in one study wasn’t as high as doctors had hoped, he said. “Patients were confused and didn’t know why they were getting called all the time,” he said. “Some patients thought they were being badgered and didn’t see it as being helpful or better care.”

But some studies have shown it is better care that costs less by improving patients’ health and reducing emergency room visits and hospital admissions.

Lower costs “Unfortunately, a lot of the time and energy it takes to provide this care in our current system is not reimbursed,” said Dr. Lee J. Radosh, a physician at the Family Health Care Center.

That’s changing as insurers see the cost-saving benefits of medical homes, he said.

“When a patient of ours is in the emergency room and gets sent home,

our full-time care manager will call the patient the next day and make sure they understand what medicines they should be on,” Radosh said. “In a traditional medical system, offices don’t get paid for phone calls like that.

“By and large, you aren’t paid for quality, but evidence shows if you put money up front in this type of work that it saves a lot of money down the road.”

Electronic records aid care Many practices now designated as medical homes began making changes two years ago or so, shortly after standards for the designation were adopted nationally.

Among the strategies that had to be implemented was tracking referrals to other doctors.

“In the pre-medical-home era, you’d send a patient to a cardiologist and you’d find out what happened by either getting a letter from the cardiologist or you’d see the patient six months later and the patient might say they never went to the cardiologist,” Scheirer said.

But now staff can track whether referrals are used. With electronic records, it’s easy to track high-risk patients and ensure they get proper care. For instance, it can quickly be determined who should have had a colonoscopy but has not, Scheirer said. “There’s no question that if you had to do this on paper, it would be much more difficult,” Scheirer said.

At the St. Joseph medical clinic, prescriptions are being done electronically, and other records will be changed to electronic, Alfano said. “If you have 1,000 charts in a rack, you can’t look through them all to see who didn’t refill a medication,” Alfano said. “But you can do that electronically in a minute.”

This will eliminate money-wasting duplicate tests and services for patients and help them remember to follow up, Alfano said.

“It appears that it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “People end up in the emergency room less. They get sick less.” Eventually, this will be commonplace, Radosh said. “In the beginning, it will be in pilot programs, but as people and employers see the value and cost savings, they are going to demand this model because most of our society is fed up with the amount of dollars put into health care,” Radosh said. —MCT

Monday, December 27, 2010

health & science

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Assisted living facility opens new area onsider a cottage getaway, relaxing and tranquil. The Cottage, a new facility at Spring Arbor Assisted Living, is aimed at making life more comfortable for people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The facility will have the capabilities to house 17 people in secure rooms with individual bathrooms and a secure courtyard. Staff is always on hand to take care of whatever needs arise.

Having a loved one with Alzheimer’s is not easy, but considering an assisted care facility may become necessary, said Spring Arbor Executive Director Randy Jackson.

“Mainly it starts with a stop by to say I need to talk to you about my parent,” Jackson said of meeting with relatives of Alzheimer’s patients. “From there, we have an assessment to find out what they can and cannot do, and if everything checks out with the physician, we can take them in.”

The new facility at Spring Arbor

C

Alzheimer’s patient Richard Wales (left) and wife Loretta Wales read from LIFE magazine’s “100 People Who Have Changed The World” issue at the Greengables Villa elderly care home, in Union City, California.—MCT

assists with ADLs, or activities of daily living, but encourages the residents to be as independent as possible with the tasks they can still complete.

“We do not focus on ‘Mom cannot feed herself anymore or drive anymore,’ “ Jackson said. “There are still some things Mom is capable of doing, and even if those things are very basic, they are important.”

In addition to the everyday actions, the new facility will host themed activity nights once or twice a month. Group activities are important for uplifting spirits, Jackson said.

Another focus of the new facility will be on art. Studies have shown people with Alzheimer’s taking to art as a means of expression and communication, Jackson said. “Sometimes they cannot speak, but they can draw what they are thinking,” Jackson said. “Their lines might be all straight or they might be in circles and they are not just dabs of paintthey mean something to them.” —MCT

WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT

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Monday, December 27, 2010

GUST Student Union makes it snow! n December 20th and 21st, GUST’s Student O Union held its annual 2010

GUST wins first student debate vs. Kuwait University n Wednesday December 22nd, the Gulf University O for Science and Technology (GUST) Debate Club won its very first debate in a competition against Kuwait University.

Students from both universities attended the event to cheer for their respective teams as the debaters argued for and against two controversial subjects: globalization and censorship in the media. Both teams presented clear and well-structured arguments for their sides.

The debate took place at the GUST campus in Mishref and was organized

by Dr Husain Al-Sharoufi and Dr Mohammed Hasenen from GUST in coordination with Dr Mohammed Ali and

Dr Lamees Al-Bustan from Kuwait University.

The jury consisted of faculty from Kuwait University, GUST as well as the American University of Kuwait. Dr Godwin moderated the debate and gave each team four minutes to present their opening and closing statements. After each side presented their opening statements, each team was given the time to present their rebuttals, with GUST arguing for globalization and the Kuwait University team arguing against it.

The GUST debate team’s opening and closing statements won the applause of the audience and the approval of the jury as they became the first team to win the very first official debate.

Leisure activities in winter Kuwait Zoo The Kuwait Zoo is located in Omariya on the Airport Road. It is open everyday except on Saturdays. The timings during winter are 8am to 8pm. For more information contact: 24733389.

Let’s start respecting humanity, Ramzan Chhipa’s message on Christmas eople across the globe have different physical features and looks but P the color of blood is red, which indicates that all people are human.

Therefore, it is imperative that people from different tribes, races, culture and religious affiliations should stop dividing people as per their selective race or religion but they should respect each other as human, which is the only guarantee for the survival and sanctity of the humanity across the universe.

Social worker Founder and Chairman of Chhipa Welfare Association’s Ramzan Chhipa said this.

He was talking to the “Reverend

father Edward Joseph” at the “Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Church” on the occasion of the Holy Christmas. “He also presented a Christmas cake and a bouquet to Father Joseph.”

He said that all the Prophets including Jesus Christ had only preached for peace, brotherhood and respect for others but unfortunately people have ignored their teachings today.

Consequent upon the result, the world has been engulfed in wars, terrorism and extremism. “If we follow their teachings, this would end corruption, injustice and terrorism from the world.”

Friends of Kannur distribute student aid riends of Kannur Expatriate Association (FOKE) distributed financial help to economically backward students from Kannur district in Kerala.

Around 50 students were selected by the district educational officer and the Panchayath in the district for the financial aid by the association. In a function held at Kannur Police club, Kannur University pro vice chancellor Dr A P Kutty Krishnan distributed the aid to students. He commended various charity activities conducted by FOKE Kuwait in the district. FOKE president Sri B P Surendran presided the function. Prominent members from

F

Carnival. This year’s theme was “Let it Snow” and did it ever! Small snow-like material filled the air the whole night and with the chilly night breeze, it really made it feel like it was snowing.

The Carnival was a hit event which was enjoyed by not only GUST students, staff and faculty but by their families, children and other guests from outside the university. The carnival incorporated many activities for all ages. It had numerous booths organized by both students and external vendors that wanted to display their foods or crafts for everyone to enjoy. Some booths offered delightful chocolates, Kuwaiti sweets, accessories, mobile accessories, small pets, and winter sweaters.

Also among the booths was a photography studio set especially with the theme of the event to capture the moments of such a great day spent there.

One of the carnival’s main - and most popular attractions - was the “Haunted House” maze - the long line outside the maze showed you the anxious faces of people who couldn’t wait to get horrified!

Children took part in magic shows, danced to musical demonstrations and showed their tough side in competitions at the Roman Theater while their older siblings were at the Haunted House and their parents were socializing over snacks near the GUST fountain area.

The crowd’s laughs, claps and screams echoed in the halls of the university for a night they would cherish for a while to come.

Technical presentation seminar to be held Institution of Engineers (India) Kuwait TonheChapter is pleased to announce a seminar 27th December 2010 at 6.30pm at Holiday Inn, Downtown (Sharq) on the following topics: Evolution of Voice over Internet Protocol (Voice over IP, VoIP) telephony and conver-

gence of network. The speaker of this topic is Engr. Mohan Paranjpe. The welcome address and introduction of seminar presenter’s - ExOfficio Chairman, Engr. Joseph Panicker The vote of thanks will be presented by Engr.

Rishabh Nath Jain Ex Treasurer, IEI Kuwait Chapter.

The entry is free but prior registration is necessary. Presentation will be followed by dinner. Registration starts at 6.30pm followed by seminar. (For more information contact: Ex-Officio Chairman Eng. Joseph Panicker at Tel: 99413729 and General Secretary Engr.

Mohammed Fareed at Tel: 66538061.

Amusements Parks Aqua Park Aqua Park will be open from 1st April 2011 from 10am-10pm everyday. For information contact: 22431960/1/3 or visit: www.aquaparkkuwait.com.

Entertainment City Entertainment City is open from Sunday to Wednesday from 3pm to 11pm during winter. It is also open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 10pm. For more information contact: 24879455.

The Scientific Centre The Scientific Centre is located on the Gulf road in Salmiya. It is open from Saturdays to Thursdays from 9am to 10.30pm and on Fridays from 2pm to 10.30pm. For more information contact: 22240025 or visit their website at: www.tsck.org.kw.

Art galleries and artifacts Sultan Art Gallery The Sultan Art Gallery is located on Street no: 105, building no: 168, Subhan, Kuwait city.

Boshehri Gallery Boshehri Gallery is located on the AlMobarak street, Salmiya, Kuwait. For more information on their collection please contact: 25714883/25724883.

the Kannur district including Sri KKR Vengara Artist KK Marar, Sri P P Shasheendran, T P Bhaskara Pothuval, K Balakrishnan, Manoj Bharathi etc gave felicitation speeches. Large number of people from various parts of the district witnessed the event.

Tariq Rajab Museum This museum is open from Saturdays to Thursdays at 9am to 12pm and 4pm to 7pm. On Fridays it is open from 9am to 12pm. For more information on their location etc contact: 25317358 or visit their website: www.trmkt.com.

National Cultural Congress, Kuwait paid homage to the Indian Congress party leader K Karunakaran who died last week.

Monday, December 27, 2010

WHATʼS ON IN KUWAIT

31

—Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Famous author presented at the Girls’ Campus for reading week eading Week at the Girls’ Campus was on December 19th to December 23rd, 2010. The theme was, “It’s SNOW Secret, Reading is COOL!” The activities ranged from morning gatherings to answer Trivia questions about English and

RArabic Books, Guest Readers, DEAR Time (Drop Everything and Read), Reading Buddies, Build a Snowman Challenge for the grade level that reads the most books, to the culmination activity, which was a presentation by Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, the famous author of The 99 Superheroes. He described how stories are written, how animation comes alive, and allowed the students in the elementary and the middle school a sneak preview of his new animated series that will be released in 2011. The students were inspired by his work. Watch THE 99 Animation Trailer at http://www.the99.org.

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 submitted by hand, by email or by fax (number 24913204).

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait will remain closed on Thursday, December 16, 2010 on the occasion of Victory Day 2010.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Canadian Embassy will be closed today and tomorrow on the occasion of Christmas and Boxing Day. The Embassy will resume its duties on Tuesday 28 December 2010. 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, AlMutawakel 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 invited to visit the website of the Canadian Embassy to the UAE at www.uae.gc.ca.

EMBASSY OF INDIA 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) contracts are accepted at Kuwait Union of Domestic Labor Offices (KUDLO), Hawally, Al-Othman Street, Kurd Roundabout, Al-Abraj Complex, Office No 9, Mezzanine Floor; 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday to Thursday; 5 PM to 9 PM on Friday.

Embassy of India would like to inform that application forms for passport/visa services and labor contracts that are on its website, www.indembkwt.org, have been upgraded to include the facility for online data entry. Affidavit forms on the embassy website have had this facility since May 6, 2009.

EMBASSY OF THE US 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 petitionbased 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 fiance(e)s of US citizens will be $350.

The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty-investors will be $390.

EMBASSY OF GERMANY The German Embassy wishes to extend and update its information base on German business in Kuwait. Therefore all Kuwaiti companies representing German companies are invited to register at the embassy. For more information on the registration, please visit www.kuwait.diplo.de.

EMBASSY OF UK The British Embassy will be closed on the following days: today, tomorrow and Tuesday 28 Dec 2010 on the occasion of Christmas and will re-open on Wednesday 29 Dec 2010. The Embassy will also be closed on Sunday 2 Jan 2011 on the occasion of the New Year and will re-open on Monday 3 Jan 2011.

The Consular Section will be closed on the same dates above. The opening hours of the Visa Application Centre are from 0930 to 1630 hrs. Application forms remain available online from the UKBA www.ukvisas.gov.uk: or from the Visa Application Centreís website: www.vfs-ukkw.com. And also, from the UK Visa Application Centre located at: 4W First Floor, Al Banwan Building, (Burgan Bank Branch Office Building) Al Qibla area, opposite Central Bank of Kuwait Kuwait City For any further inquiries, please contact the Visa Application Centre: Website: www.vfsuk-kw.com ; E-mail: info@vfs-uk-kw.com; Telephone: 22971170. For information On

the British Embassy services, visit the British Embassy website: www.ukinkuwait.fco.gov.uk EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA On the occasion of the Day of Good Will, the South African Embassy will be closed today. The Embassy will resume it’s normal working hours on Monday, 27 Dec 2010, from Sunday to Thursday. Please note that the working hours will be from 0800 to 1600 and the Consular Section operation hours will from 0830 to 1230. The South African Embassy wishes its South African citizens a very Merry Christmas!

EMBASSY OF KENYA Kenya Embassy notice The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform the general public that the Embassy will be closed today and tomorrow as well as the 2nd of January for Christmas and New Year respectively.

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Embassy wishes all readers a happy and safe Christmas and New Year holiday, and advises that it will be closed on the following days over the holiday season: today, tomorrow and 2 Jan 2011 (Sunday).

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

TV PROGRAMS

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Monday, December 27, 2010

Orbit / Showtime Listings

00:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 01:00 My Own Worst Enemy 02:00 Live Good Morning America 03:00 Momma’s Boys 04:00 Cold Case 05:00 Smallville 06:00 Live Good Morning America 07:00 Private Practice 08:00 Eureka 09:00 Criminal Minds 10:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 11:00 Smallville 12:00 Cold Case 13:00 Momma’s Boys 14:00 Eureka 15:00 Live Good Morning America 17:00 Criminal Minds 18:00 The Ellen Degeneres Show 19:00 Law And Order 20:00 Parenthood 21:00 Rescue Me 22:00 Sons Of Anarchy 23:00 The Tudors

00:50 Whale Wars 01:45 Untamed And Uncut 02:40 The Most Extreme 03:35 Untamed And Uncut 04:30 Human Prey 05:25 Animal Cops Philadelphia 06:20 Untamed And Uncut 07:10 Wildlife SOS 07:35 Sspca: On The Wildside 08:00 Corwin’s Quest 08:50 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 09:40 Groomer Has It 10:35 Planet Wild 11:00 Planet Earth 21:10 Planet Earth 22:05 Max’s Big Tracks 23:00 Incredible Journeys With Steve Leonard 23:55 Whale Wars

01:00 Life On Mars 01:50 The Jonathan Ross Show 02:40 After You’ve Gone 03:10 After You’ve Gone 03:40 Sahara 04:30 Me Too 04:50 Forget Me Not Farm 05:05 Fimbles 05:25 Teletubbies 05:50 Gigglebiz 06:05 Me Too 06:25 Forget Me Not Farm 06:40 Fimbles 07:00 Teletubbies 07:25 Gigglebiz 07:40 Me Too 08:00 Forget Me Not Farm 08:15 Fimbles 08:35 Teletubbies 09:00 Gigglebiz 09:15 Me Too 09:35 Forget Me Not Farm 09:50 Fimbles 10:10 Teletubbies 10:35 The Weakest Link Classic Sitcom Stars 11:20 After You’ve Gone 11:50 After You’ve Gone 12:20 Heart And Soul 13:10 Doctors 13:40 Mastermind 2006 14:10 Sahara 15:00 Big Top 15:30 After You’ve Gone 16:00 After You’ve Gone 16:30 Heart And Soul 17:20 The Weakest Link Classic Sitcom Stars 18:05 Doctors 18:35 Mastermind 2006 19:05 Sahara 19:55 Heart And Soul 20:45 My Family 21:15 My Family 21:45 Doctors 22:15 Eastenders 22:45 Holby City 23:45 Conviction

00:40 Come Dine With Me 08:10 Antiques Roadshow 14:05 Superhomes 19:00 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 23:10 Cash In The Attic USA

00:00 The Garfield Show 00:25 The Scooby Doo Show 00:50 Wacky Races 01:15 Dastardly And Muttley 01:40 Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch 02:05 Popeye 02:30 The Perils Of Penelope Pitstop 02:55 Scooby-Doo And Scrappy-Doo 03:20 Looney Tunes 03:45 The Flintstones 04:10 The Jetsons 04:35 Top Cat 05:00 Tom And Jerry 05:25 Popeye Classics 05:50 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 06:15 Tom And Jerry Kids 06:40 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 07:05 Yogi’s Treasure Hunt 07:30 Droopy And Dripple 08:00 Tom And Jerry 08:25 Looney Tunes 08:55 The Flintstones 09:20 The Jetsons 09:45 Tom And Jerry Kids 10:10 The Garfield Show 10:35 Duck Dodgers 11:00 The Scooby Doo Show 11:30 Wacky Races 12:00 Dastardly And Muttley 12:25 King Arthur’s Disasters 12:50 Help! It’s The Hair Bear Bunch 13:15 A Pup Named Scooby-Doo 13:40 Popeye 14:00 Looneynoons 17:00 Tom And Jerry 17:20 Top Cat 17:45 Wacky Races 18:00 Dastardly And Muttley 18:30 The Scooby Doo Show 19:00 Johnny Bravo 19:30 Dexter’s Laboratory 20:00 Looney Tunes 20:20 Duck Dodgers 20:45 The Garfield Show 21:10 The Flintstones 21:35 The Jetsons 22:00 Yogi’s Treasure Hunt 22:25 Tom And Jerry 22:50 The Scooby Doo Show 23:15 Droopy And Dripple 23:40 Top Cat

00:15 Out Of Jimmy’s Head 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 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 04:40 The Secret Saturdays 05:05 Codename: Kids Next Door 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 Skunk Fu! 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 Lee 11:55 Ben 10 12:20 Samurai Jack 12:45 Megas Xlr 13:10 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 13:35 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 14:00 Laughternoons 19:00 Hero 108 19:30 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 20:00 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 20:25 The Secret Saturdays 20:50 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 21:05 Ben 10 21:30 Best Ed 21:45 Skunk Fu! 22:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 22:35 Codename: Kids Next Door 23:00 Ben 10: Alien Force 23:25 Samurai Jack 23:50 Megas Xlr

01:00 Survivre Avec Les Loups-18 03:00 Trainspotting-R 05:00 Shallow Grave-18 07:00 December Boys-PG15 09:00 Edward Scissorhands-PG 11:00 Kit Kittredge: An American Girl-PG 13:00 Cutting Edge 3-PG15 15:00 Fireproof-PG 17:00 Gracie-PG15 19:00 The Madness Of King George-PG 21:00 Deux Jours A Tuer-PG15 23:00 Self Medicated-18

B B C WORLD 00:00 BBC World News 00:30 Pick Of The Year 01:00 BBC World News 01:10 Pick Of The Year 02:00 BBC World News 02:10 World Features 02:30 Fast Track 03:00 BBC World News 03:10 World Features 03:30 India Business Report 04:00 BBC World News 05:30 Middle East Business Report 06:00 BBC World News 06:30 Talking Movies 07:00 BBC World News 07:30 Hardtalk 08:00 BBC World News 08:30 World Business Report 08:45 BBC World News 09:00 BBC World News 09:30 World Business Report 09:45 BBC World News 11:30 Russia Business Report 12:00 BBC World News 12:30 Hardtalk 13:00 BBC World News 13:30 World Business Report 13:45 Sport Today 14:00 BBC World News 14:30 World Business Report 14:45 Sport Today 15:00 BBC World News 15:30 BBC World News 16:30 Click 17:00 BBC World News 17:30 World Business Report 17:45 Sport Today 18:00 BBC World News 18:30 Hardtalk 19:00 BBC World News 19:30 Fast Track 20:00 BBC World News 20:30 World Business Report 20:45 Sport Today 21:00 BBC World News 21:30 World Business Report 21:45 Sport Today 22:00 BBC World News

00:00 Fareed Zakaria Gps 01:00 The Best Of Backstory 01:30 World Sport 02:00 World Report 04:00 World Business Today 04:45 CNN Marketplace Middle East 05:00 World View 05:30 Icon 06:00 World’s Untold Stories 06:30 News Special 07:00 World Sport 07:30 Earth’s Frontiers 08:00 World Report 08:30 The Best Of Backstory 09:00 World Report 11:00 World Business Today 12:00 World Report 12:30 World View 13:00 Larry King Live 14:00 World Report 14:30 World Sport 15:00 World Report 15:30 African Voices 16:00 World Report 17:00 World Business Today 18:00 International Desk 19:00 The Brief 19:30 World Sport 20:00 Prism 20:30 African Voices 21:00 International Desk 22:00 Quest Means Business 23:00 World One

00:40 Destroyed In Seconds 01:10 Destroyed In Seconds 01:35 Motor City Motors 02:30 Wheeler Dealers

Man About Town on Show Movies

03:25 I Could Do That 04:20 How Do They Do It? 05:15 Destroyed In Seconds 06:05 Extreme Engineering 07:00 Fifth Gear 07:25 Extreme Engineering 08:15 American Chopper 09:10 Mythbusters 10:05 Ultimate Survival 10:55 Overhaulin’ 11:50 The Gadget Show 12:20 How Do They Do It? 13:15 Mythbusters 14:10 Miami Ink 15:05 Ultimate Survival 16:00 Dirty Jobs 16:55 Overhaulin’ 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 Do They Do It? 21:00 Ultimate Survival 21:55 Scariest Moments At Sea 22:50 Swamp Loggers 23:45 Serial Killers

00:40 The Future Of...

01:30 What’s That About?

02:20 How The Universe Works 03:10 Space Pioneer 04:00 Colony 04:50 Colony 05:45 Weird Or What?

06:40 How Stuff’s Made 07:10 The Future Of...

08:00 Junkyard Wars 09:00 Alien Storms 10:00 The Future Of...

19:40 World’s Biggest Airliner 20:30 Superships 21:20 How It’s Made 21:45 The Gadget Show 22:10 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 23:00 World’s Biggest Airliner 23:50 Superships

00:20 Replacements 00:45 Replacements 01:10 Fairly Odd Parents 01:35 Fairly Odd Parents 02:00 A Kind Of Magic 02:20 A Kind Of Magic 02:45 Stitch 03:10 Stitch 03:35 Kim Possible 04:00 Kim Possible 04:25 Emperors New School 04:50 Emperors New School 05:15 Stitch 05:35 Stitch 06:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 06:20 Handy Manny 06:45 Jungle Junction 07:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 07:30 Sonny With A Chance 07:50 Sonny With A Chance 08:15 Stitch 08:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 09:00 Fairly Odd Parents 09:20 Cheetah Girls: One World 10:50 Phineas And Ferb 11:15 Sonny With A Chance 11:35 Sonny With A Chance 12:00 Stitch 12:25 Hannah Montana 12:45 Hannah Montana 13:10 Kim Possible 13:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 13:55 Wizards Of Waverly Place 14:20 Jake And Blake 14:50 A Kind Of Magic 15:15 Jonas 15:40 Jonas 16:00 Hannah Montana 16:30 Wizards Of Waverly Place 17:45 Phineas And Ferb 18:00 Thirteenth Year 19:35 Hannah Montana 20:00 Sonny With A Chance 20:25 Sonny With A Chance 20:50 Phineas And Ferb 21:15 Fairly Odd Parents 21:35 Fairly Odd Parents 22:00 Hannah Montana 22:25 Hannah Montana 22:50 Wizards Of Waverly Place 23:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 23:35 Jonas

00:40 Dr 90210 01:30 E!es 02:20 E!es 03:15 Extreme Hollywood 04:10 Sexiest 05:05 Battle Of The Hollywood Hotties 05:30 Streets Of Hollywood 06:00 Ths 07:45 Behind The Scenes 08:10 Behind The Scenes 08:35 E!es 09:25 Giuliana And Bill 09:50 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 10:15 20 Best And Worst Celebrity Plastic...

12:00 E!es 12:50 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:35 E! News 23:00 E! News 23:25 Kendra 23:50 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami

00:00 Dr Danger 00:25 Dr Danger 00:50 Breitling Airsports 2009 01:15 Breitling Airsports 2009 01:40 FIA European Drag Racing Championships 02:05 FIA European Drag Racing Championships 02:30 Fantasy Factory 02:55 Fantasy Factory 03:20 Untracked Series 1 03:45 Untracked Series 1 04:10 Alpine Adventurer 05:00 Alpine Adventurer 05:50 Lucas Oil Ama Motocross Championships 20 06:40 Lucas Oil Ama Motocross Championships 20 07:30 I-Ex 08:00 I-Ex 08:30 I-Ex 09:00 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 09:50 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 10:40 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 11:30 Rebel Tv 17 11:55 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 12:45 Tread Bmx 13:10 Tread Bmx 13:35 Mantracker Series 2 14:25 Eds Up 14:50 Eds Up 15:15 World Combat League 16:05 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 16:55 Tread Bmx 17:20 Tread Bmx 17:45 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 18:35 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 19:25 Winter Dew Tour 09/10 20:15 Rebel Tv 17 20:40 Mantracker Series 2

21:30 Tread Bmx 21:55 Tread Bmx 22:20 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 23:10 World Combat League

07:25 Phineas & Ferb 09:05 Kick Buttowski 09:30 American Dragon 09:55 Have A Laugh 10:00 The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes 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 Aaron Stone 12:55 Cars Toons 13:00 Motocrossed 14:30 Kid Vs Kat 14:55 Have A Laugh 15:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 15:25 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 15:50 Zeke And Luther 16:15 Phineas & Ferb 16:50 Phineas & Ferb 17:10 Cars Toons 17:15 I’m In The Band 17:40 Suite Life On Deck 18:05 Zeke And Luther 18:30 Zeke And Luther 18:55 Phineas & Ferb 19:20 Phineas & Ferb 19:45 Kick Buttowski 20:10 Pokemon 20:35 American Dragon 21:00 Aaron Stone 21:25 Cars Toons 21:30 Kid Vs Kat 22:00 Phineas & Ferb 22:25 I’m In The Band 22:50 Have A Laugh 22:55 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 23:20 The Super Hero Squad Show

00:00 Good Eats 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:00 Food Network Challenge 02:00 30 Minute Meals 02:30 Tyler’s Ultimate 03:00 Food Network Challenge 04:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back to Basics 04:30 Unwrapped 05:00 Iron Chef America 06:00 Good Eats 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 - Back to Basics 09:40 Everyday Italian 10:05 30 Minute Meals 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 Guys Big Bite 14:00 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 14:30 Paula’s Best Dishes 15:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back to Basics 15:30 Everyday Italian 16:00 30 Minute Meals 16:30 Good Eats 17:00 Iron Chef America 18:00 Barefoot Contessa 18:30 Unwrapped 19:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 19:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 20:30 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 21:00 Food Network Challenge 22:00 Barefoot Contessa 22:30 Everyday Italian 23:00 Iron Chef America

00:05 NFL TBA at TBA 03:30 Golf Channel - TBA 06:30 Big Ten Icons Jack Nicklaus 07:00 PGA Tour: Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge Day 1 09:00 PGA Tour: Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge Day 2 11:00 NFL TBA at TBA 14:00 PGA Tour: Year in Review 15:00 Champions Tour Year in Review 16:00 NFL TBA at TBA 19:00 NFL TBA at TBA 22:00 The Big Ten’s Greatest Games: Football 2001 Citrus Bowl: Michigan v Auburn

00:40 Couples Who Kill 01:30 Serial Killers 02:20 True Crime With Aphrodite Jones 03:10 On The Case With Paula Zahn 04:05 Couples Who Kill 05:00 Serial Killers 05:55 Ghosthunters 06:20 Ghost Lab 07:10 Real Emergency Calls 07:35 Real Emergency Calls 08:00 Mystery Diagnosis 08:50 Real Emergency Calls 09:15 Real Emergency Calls 09:40 Forensic Detectives 10:30 Impossible Heists 11:20 Murder Shift 12:10 FBI Files 13:00 Ghost Lab 13:50 Disappeared 14:40 Mystery Diagnosis 15:30 Real Emergency Calls 15:55 Real Emergency Calls 16:20 Murder Shift 17:10 Forensic Detectives 18:00 Impossible Heists 18:50 FBI Files 19:40 Mystery Diagnosis 20:30 Real Emergency Calls 20:55 Real Emergency Calls 21:20 Ghost Lab 22:10 Disappeared 23:00 Serial Killers 23:50 FBI Case Files

00:40 Santa Claus Brothers 01:25 Wallace And Gromit: A Close Shave 02:00 Sabrina The Animated Series Marathon 07:00 New Adventures Of Madeline 07:25 Rupert 07:45 Babar 08:00 Programmes Start At 8:00pm KSA 13:00 Programmes Start At 8:00pm KSA 20:00 Cosmic Christmas 20:25 Jingle Bell Rock 20:45 The Future Is Wild 21:10 Rescue Heroes 21:30 Ace Lightning 22:00 Even Stevens 22:25 Sabrina The Animated Series 22:50 Tales From The Cryptkeeper 23:10 Rescue Heroes 23:35 Ace Lightning

Case 39 on Super Movies

00:05 Trip With Anita 01:45 Eureka 03:50 Romeo Is Bleeding 05:40 Teachers 07:25 Woman In Red 08:50 Curse Of The Pink Panther 10:40 It Runs In The Family 12:05 Rich Kids 13:40 Real Men 15:05 Brannigan 16:55 The 60’s 19:00 Maxie 20:35 Haunted Honeymoon 22:00 Paper Lion 23:45 Khartoum

00:00 Two And A Half Men 00:30 The Simpsons 01:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:30 The Colbert Report 02:00 Entourage 02:30 Curb Your Enthusiasm 03:00 Saturday Night Live (Uncut) 04:30 Entourage 05:00 Curb Your Enthusiasm 05:30 Dharma And Greg 06:00 Hope And Faith 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 The Simpsons 08:30 Dharma And Greg 09:00 Hope And Faith 09:30 The Drew Carey Show 10:00 Rita Rocks 10:30 Better Off Ted 11:00 Dharma And Greg 11:30 Hope And Faith 12:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 13:00 The Simpsons 13:30 Dharma And Greg 14:00 Hope And Faith 14:30 Two And A Half Men 15:00 Better Off Ted 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 The Drew Carey Show 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Til Death 18:30 Rita Rocks 19:00 How I Met Your Mother 19:30 Two And A Half Men 20:00 How To Make It In America 20:30 How To Make It In America 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 The Colbert Report Global Edition 22:00 Comedy Central Presents 22:30 Comedy Central Presents 23:00 The Cleveland Show 23:30 How I Met Your Mother

00:15 Boarding Gate-18 02:00 Prisoner-PG15 04:00 Little Nicholas-PG 06:00 Up-FAM 08:00 Open Season 2-FAM 10:00 Nurse.Fighter.Boy-PG15 12:00 The Life Before Her Eyes-PG15 14:00 Under The Mountain-PG 16:00 Open Season 2-FAM 18:00 45 R.P.M.-PG15 20:00 Man About Town-18 22:00 Orphan-18

06:00 The Coneheads-PG15 08:00 National Security-PG15 10:00 Splinterheads-PG15 12:00 As Good As It Gets-PG15 14:30 Who’s Your Caddy?-PG15 16:00 Killer Bean Forever-PG15 18:00 Semi-Pro-PG15 20:00 American Pie 7: The Book Of Love-18 22:00 Undead Or Alive-18

00:00 Franklin And The Green KnightFAM 02:00 Hotel For Dogs-FAM 04:00 Superman/Batman: Public EnemiesPG 06:00 Barbie In The 12 Dancing Princesses-FAM 08:00 Scruff And The Legend Of Saint George-FAM 10:00 Scooby-Doo And The Reluctant Werewolf-FAM 12:00 Rolie, Polie, Olie: The Movie-FAM 14:00 Hotel For Dogs-FAM 16:00 Igor-PG 18:00 Gladiator Academy: The MovieFAM 20:00 The Thief Of Baghdad-PG 22:00 Rolie, Polie, Olie: The Movie-FAM

00:00 C.S.I. New York 01:00 Kings 02:00 The Martha Stewart Show 03:00 Heroes 04:00 The View 05:00 Downsize Me 06:00 Emmerdale 06:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Heroes 08:00 The Martha Stewart Show 09:00 Downsize Me 10:00 Heroes 11:00 The View 12:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 The Martha Stewart Show 14:00 C.S.I. New York 15:00 Kings 16:00 What’s Good For You 17:00 The View 18:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Coronation Street 19:00 C.S.I. Miami 20:00 Desperate Housewives 21:00 Heroes 22:00 The View 23:00 What’s Good For You

00:30 Scottish Premier League 02:30 Live Ashes Test Cricket 09:30 Scottish Premier League 11:30 Aviva Premiership 13:30 Asia Pacific Ironman Championship 14:30 The Ryder Cup Official Film 16:00 Live PDC Darts World Championship 20:00 Futbol Mundial 20:30 Live Goals On Monday 21:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 22:00 Aviva Premiership 23:30 Goals On Monday

01:00 The Marine 2-PG15 03:00 Stag Night-18 05:00 Anaconda: Trail Of Blood-R 07:00 Serbian Scars-PG15 09:00 Lost Junction-PG15 11:00 Messengers-PG15 13:00 Captain Drake-PG 15:00 Lost Junction-PG15 17:00 The Blackout-PG15 19:00 Goal III-18 21:00 Casualties Of War-18 23:00 The Tattooist-18

00:00 Masters Football 03:00 The Ryder Cup Official Film 04:30 Euro Tour Weekly Review of the Year 2010 05:30 European Tour Weekly 06:30 Asia Pacific Ironman Championship Highlights 07:00 PDC World Darts Championsip 12:00 Euro Tour Weekly Review of the Year 2010 13:00 The All Sports Show 15:00 Cricket Test Match 22:00 Live PDC World Darts Championsip

00:00 Killer Bean Forever-PG15 02:00 Run Fatboy Run-PG15 04:00 Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel-PG15

02:00 WWE Vintage Collection 03:00 WWE NXT 04:00 UFC 119 07:00 WWE Bottom Line 08:00 FIM World Cup

08:30 Full Throttle 09:00 UAE National Race Day 10:00 Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge 11:00 V8 Supercars Championship 12:00 V8 Supercars Championship 13:00 FIA GT1 World Championship 14:30 Full Throttle 15:00 WWE Smackdown 17:00 Live Aviva Premiership 19:00 World Sport 19:30 Live Aviva Premiership 21:30 WWE Bottom Line 22:30 UFC All Access 23:00 UFC 120

01:00 One Last Breath-PG15 03:00 Race To Witch Mountain-PG15 05:00 The Other Man-PG15 07:00 Adam-PG15 09:00 Creation-PG15 11:00 2012: Startling New Secret-PG 13:00 Witness: The Kidnapping Of Patty Hearst-PG15 14:45 Capitalism: A Love Story-PG15 17:00 Creation-PG15 19:00 Case 39-18 21:00 Cadillac Records-18 23:00 Where The Wild Things Are-PG

00:55 Sam Whiskey 02:30 The Screening Room 02:55 The Night Of The Iguana 05:00 The Screening Room - Film Restoration 05:30 Clash Of The Titans 07:30 The Screening Room 08:00 My Favorite Year 09:30 The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn 11:15 Adam’s Rib 12:55 Viva Las Vegas 14:20 Sam Whiskey 15:55 Bachelor In Paradise 17:45 The Big Sleep 19:35 Butterfield 8 21:20 California Suite 23:00 North By Northwest

00:15 Pawn Stars 00:40 MysteryQuest 01:30 Nostradamus Effect 02:20 Ice Road Truckers 3 04:00 America: The Story of the US 04:55 How the Earth Was Made 05:50 Pawn Stars 06:15 Pawn Stars 06:40 MysteryQuest 07:30 Nostradamus Effect 08:20 Ice Road Truckers 3 10:00 America: The Story of the US 10:55 How the Earth Was Made 11:50 Pawn Stars 12:15 Pawn Stars 12:40 Declassified 13:30 Nostradamus Effect 14:20 Ice Road Truckers 3 16:00 America: The Story of the US 16:55 How the Earth Was Made 17:50 Pawn Stars 18:15 Pawn Stars 18:40 Declassified 19:30 Nostradamus Effect 20:20 Ice Road Truckers 3 22:00 Sliced 22:55 Hubble, 15 Years of Discovery

00:00 VH1 Rocks 00:30 Smells Like The 90s 01:00 Music For The Masses 02:00 VH1 Music 06:00 Chill Out 08:00 VH1 Hits 10:00 Aerobic 11:00 VH1 Hits 12:00 Music For The Masses 13:00 Top 10 14:00 Music For The Masses 15:00 VH1 Pop Chart 16:00 VH1 Hits 18:00 Music For The Masses 19:00 VH1 Loves 20:00 Guess The Year 21:00 Music For The Masses 22:00 Taylor Momsem’s ¬†top 50 Style

Monday, December 27, 2010

33

ACCOMMODATION Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya for married couple with fully furnished C-A/C new flat with car parking with Keralite family. Contact: 66013882. (C 2933) Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya near Shai Tandoori Rest. With Mangaloren family. For couples or two working ladies or one exec bachelor. Rent KD 75, C-A/C building. Contact: 66087713 / 66722853.

(C 2934) 27-12-2010 Sharing accommodation available for executive bachelor in a furnished flat near Behbehani Complex. Contact: 65627272.

(C 2927) Room for rent in Mahaboula in a 2 bedroom flat with two bathrooms near Mahaboula Complex. Preference will be given to couples, bachelor, working lady. Contact: 66216713 / 65135094.

(C 2928) 23-12-2010 Sharing accommodation in Farwaniya at the back of big Jamiya, available now for couples or ladies (Filipino only). Contact: 66826412.

C-A/C room available for executive bachelor with small Goan Hindu family, Amman street Salmiya. Please call 99408202.

(C 2924)

FOR SALE Pajero 2002 full option, sunroof, wooden, 4x4, cruise control, new tires, original black color paint, excellent condition, lady driven, price KD 2,600. Contact: 60613078. (C 2932) 26-12-2010 Pajero 2002 full option, sunroof, wooden, 4x4, cruise control, new tires, original black color paint, excellent condition, lady driven, price KD 2,600. Contact: 60613078. (C 2932) 25-12-2010 Laptop (new) HP Elite Book 8440p Intel Corei7-620M (2.66Ghz) 4GB DDR3, 500GB, 14.0 HD+AG LED SVA, NVIDIA Graphics 512MB dedicated, 2.0MP Webcam, DVDRW LS, WLAN, Bluetooth, Fingerprint, Windows 7 Pofessional 32-bit, 3 yrs warranty, Send All IT Inquiries Warranty 1 year. Call: 66158602. Email: info@ficcoq8.com (C 2925)

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

Laptop Toshiba Satellite PRO S300-15N, Intel Core2Duo 2.53 GHz, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB, DVD RW, 15.4 LCD, Wifi, Blth, Webcam, Fingerprint, Serial Port, Windows 7 Ro & XP Pro Recovery. (Send All IT Inquiries Also) Warranty 1 year. Call: 66158602. Email: info@ficcoq8.com (C 2926) Toyota Camry GLi 2006, white color sunroof, 73000km, excellent condition, seriously interested persons please call: 99948618. (C 2930) Central AC Flat with furniture for sale, 3 bedroom, 2 bath room & big hall. Salmiya, Amman Street. Contact: 99948618.

(C 2931) 23-12-2010 Toyota Camry 2002, V4, Gold color, run 240,000 km, good condition, KD 1850. Contact: 99881982.

(C 2921) Toyota Corolla 2008 XLi, silver color, run 55,000 km, excellent condition, KD 3300.

Contact: 99881982.

(C 2923)

26-12-2010

MATRIMONIAL Proposal invited for Pak. Muslim daughter, Dr. of Pharmacy, on job in Kwt, good height, smart, from reasonable qualified match through parents. Contact.

PO. Box. 1329, 83001, Khaitan, Email: Continental867@gmail.com (C 2920) 22-12-2010 Marthomite parents living in Kuwait invite proposals for their son 27/168 BE Bio Medical Engineer, from B Sc Ministry nurse in Kuwait.

E-mail: phlipblessen.b@gmail.com 21-12-2010 SITUATION WANTED

Finance and Accounts manager having 21 years experience in Kuwait, seeks suitable position with sound organization. Please contact: financemanagerq8@hotmail.com

(C 2929)

Need full time job as sales executive. B.com + MBA, have license & car. join immediately, currently working as sales & recovery coordinator.

Contact: 55355954, E-mail: prince9616166@yahoo.com (C 2919) 21-12-2010

CHANGE OF NAME

516115, shall henceforth be known as Daruru Lavanya.

25-12010 Blesson Philip, holder of Indian Passport No. F3975917, hereby change my name to Blessen Philip.

(C 2914) Benney Philip, holder of Indian Passport No. F0929875, hereby change my name to Benny Philip.

(C 2915) 21-12-2010

I Basineni Prathima D/o Basineni Siddeswara Naidu born on 16.09.1979, holding Passport No: H1117699 residing at YBN Palli, Rajampet, Kadpah Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India 516115, shall henceforth be known as Daruru Lavanya.

26-12-2010

Required housemaid in Abbassiya to take care of new born baby. Preference Mangaloren or Goan. Call: 66722853 / 66087713.

(C 2935)

I Basineni Prathima D/o Basineni Siddeswara Naidu born on 16.09.1979, holding Passport No: H1117699 residing at YBN Palli, Rajampet, Kadpah Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India -

Required cook for house, good experience, all kinds of food, good salary + accommodation, part time or full time. Call: 23901053 / 66519719. (C 2936) 27-12-2010

SITUATION VACANT

FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161

In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines KLM WAN JZR WAN GFA ETH THY UAE QTR DHX ETD JZR FCX JZR BAW KAC JZR KAC FDB KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD GFA KAC JZR KAC WAN JZR MEA MSR IRC KAC MSR KAC FDB UAL OMA KAC SVA KAC KNE

Arrival Flights on Monday 27/12/2010 Flt Route 447 AMSTERDAM / BAHRAIN 306 CAIRO 205 DAMASCUS 646 VIENNA / BEIRUT 211 BAHRAIN 620 ADDIS ABABA 772 ISTANBUL 853 DUBAI 138 DOHA 370 BAHRAIN 305 ABU DHABI 503 LUXOR 201 DOHA 531 ASSIUT 157 LONDON 412 MANILA / BANGKOK 555 ALEXANDRIA 352 COCHIN 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 676 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 123 SHARJAH 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI 213 BAHRAIN 344 CHENNAI 151 DOHA 204 LAHORE 102 DUBAI 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 623 SOHAG 6521 LAMERD 382 DELHI 610 CAIRO 672 DUBAI 57 DUBAI 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 645 MUSCAT 618 DOHA 500 JEDDAH 552 DAMASCUS 745 JEDDAH

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

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

284 257 134 546 550 3555 303 857 118 215 510 213 777 800 239 127 227 304 542 106 786 614 744 674 575 104 774 61 647 572 179 402 372 81 217 402 136 859 445 502 612 135 981 327 636 802 239

DHAKA BEIRUT DOHA ALEXANDRIA SOHAG ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI DUBAI NEW YORK BAHRAIN RIYADH DEIREZZOR JEDDAH AMMAN AMMAN SHARJAH COLOMBO / DUBAI CAIRO CAIRO DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN DAMMAM DUBAI CHENNAI / GOA LONDON RIYADH DUBAI MUSCAT MUMBAI DUBAI BEIRUT BAHRAIN BAGHDAD BAHRAIN BEIRUT DOHA DUBAI AMSTERDAM BEIRUT CAIRO BAHRAIN BAHRAIN TUNIS FRANKFURT AMMAN SIALKOT

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

WAN

108

DUBAI

Airlines AFG UAL AXB IAC PIA KLM DLH KAC ETH KAC THY KAC DHX UAE ETD QTR VOS JZR JZR GFA FDB KAC BAW JZR KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD GFA KAC JZR KAC WAN JZR KAC JZR KAC MEA MSR IRC

Departure Flights on Monday 27/12/2010 Flt Route 406 DUBAI / KABUL 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 390 MANGALORE / KOZHIKODE 982 AHMEDABAD / CHENNAI 206 PESHAWER / LAHORE 447 AMSTERDAM 637 FRANKFURT 203 LAHORE 620 BAHRAIN / ADDIS ABABA 283 DHAKA 773 ISTANBUL 381 DELHI 371 BAHRAIN 854 DUBAI 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 98 DUBAI / KANDAHAR 164 DUBAI 150 DOHA 212 BAHRAIN 54 DUBAI 545 ALEXANDRIA 156 LONDON 256 BEIRUT 671 DUBAI 551 DAMASCUS 549 SOHAG 856 DUBAI 124 SHARJAH 133 DOHA 302 ABU DHABI 214 BAHRAIN 617 DOHA 212 DEIREZZOR 165 ROME / PARIS 303 CAIRO 776 JEDDAH 541 CAIRO 238 AMMAN 103 LONDON 405 BEIRUT 624 SOHAG 6522 LAMERD

23:55

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

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

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

785 611 58 673 646 982 746 501 501 613 773 135 743 3556 304 82 305 216 858 801 128 511 266 228 285 134 62 528 331 648 571 543 373 675 218 403 206 102 137 445 301 860 205 502 554 613 411

JEDDAH CAIRO DUBAI DUBAI MUSCAT BAHRAIN JEDDAH JEDDAH BEIRUT BAHRAIN RIYADH DOHA DAMMAM ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI BAGHDAD CAIRO BAHRAIN DUBAI AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BEIRUT DUBAI / COLOMBO CHITTAGONG BAHRAIN DUBAI ASSIUT TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT MUMBAI CAIRO BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN BEIRUT DAMASCUS BAHRAIN DOHA BAHRAIN / AMSTERDAM MUMBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD LUXOR ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BANGKOK / MANILA

13:40 13:55 14:35 15:10 15:15 15:25 15:40 15:45 16:15 16:20 16:25 16:30 16:40 17:15 17:40 18:00 18:05 18:05 18:10 18:15 18:25 18:35 18:40 19:10 19:15 20:05 20:50 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:55 22:00 22:10 22:15 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 22:50 22:55 23:00 23:45 23:45 23:55

34

SPECTRUM

Monday, December 27, 2010

Calvin

CROSSWORD 181

Aries (March 21-April 19) You may find yourself marching to the beat of a different drummer today.

Ambitious schemes and the pursuit of success and status take on a high priority in your life at this time.

This could bring into focus the practical, the successful and the pragmatic--whatever it takes to get you ahead in the end. The meek may inherit the earth, but the shrewd will collect the rent. Wanting and needing to feel good about yourself and the way that you get things done could be instrumental in pushing you into more activities centered on diet, exercise and organizational habits. Your ambition will increase and you will take a more serious approach in taking better care of yourself. You encourage everyone in your household to make long and short-term goals.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You are just where you need to be today. Professionally, you are pleased with your progress. Today you work to end or complete some personal project before the new budget you planned comes into effect. Your family, children or the things that you hold near and dear to your heart are of great value to you. Knowing that you are loved and appreciated and not taken for granted is a powerful feeling. You enjoy admiration for the things you have accomplished. You, in turn, give that appreciation to those around you. Taking risks can bring big rewards. You are an entrepreneur at heart.

In order for your efforts to gain recognition, it is essential that you allow your creative and intuitive nature to prevail. You enjoy life and so do all who follow.

Pooch Cafe

ACROSS 1. The compass point midway between south and southeast.

4. Small terrestrial lizard of warm regions of the Old World.

9. An amino acid that is found in the central nervous system.

13. A drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache remedies (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine).

14. (neurology) Of or relating to the vagus nerve.

15. A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause).

16. Similar to the striped mullet and takes its place in the Caribbean region.

18. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

19. A member of an American Indian people of Yucatan and Belize and Guatemala who once had a culture characterized by outstanding architecture and pottery and astronomy.

20. Any organic compound formed by adding alcohol molecules to aldehyde molecules.

22. The ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye.

24. The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function.

25. The occurrence of a change for the worse.

26. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

27. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

32. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

34. Any of several plants of the genus Camassia.

38. Open-heart surgery in which the rib cage is opened and a section of a blood vessel is grafted from the aorta to the coronary artery to bypass the blocked section of the coronary artery and improve the blood supply to the heart.

40. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

41. Derived from or containing calcium or lime.

43. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily.

46. (computer science) A system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that is generated at the recipient's terminal when he logs in.

50. The lowest molding of an architectural base or of a baseboard.

55. An inflammatory disease of connective tissue with variable features including fever and weakness and fatigability and joint pains and skin lesions on the face or neck or arms.

56. The main city of ancient Phoenicia.

60. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

61. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

62. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

63. Edible tuber of any of several yams.

64. Jordan's port.

65. By bad luck.

DOWN 1. Food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing.

2. The brightest star in Virgo.

3. Generic term for inflammatory conditions of the skin.

4. The eleventh month of the civil year.

5. The vertical triangular wall between the sloping ends of gable roof.

6. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

7. A Powhatan Indian woman (the daughter of Powhatan) who befriended the English at Jamestown and is said to have saved Captain John Smith's life (1595-1617).

8. Fear resulting from the awareness of danger.

9. A crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry.

10. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

11. Common Indian weaverbird.

12. Type genus of the Anatidae.

17. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers.

21. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

23. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

28. A benevolent aspect of Devi.

29. Either of two large muscles of the chest.

30. Of or relating to near the ear.

31. A city in east central Texas.

33. A soft silvery metallic element of the alkali earth group.

35. A public promotion of some product or service.

36. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

37. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue.

39. Marked by lack of intellectual depth.

42. (usually followed by `to') Having the necessary means or skill or knowhow or authority to do something.

44. A state in northwestern North America.

45. A hard gray lustrous metallic element that is highly corrosion-resistant.

47. A Muslim trained in the doctrine and law of Islam.

48. At right angles to the length of a ship or airplane.

49. Tropical American trees with palmately compound leaves and showy bell-shaped flowers.

51. A branch of the Tai languages.

52. The food served and eaten at one time.

53. A small cake leavened with yeast.

54. A river that rises in northeastern Turkey (near the source of the Euphrates) and flows generally eastward through Armenia to the Caspian Sea. 57. A light touch or stroke.

58. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

59. A federal agency established to regulate the release of new foods and health-related products.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Romantic wistfulness characterizes your approach to life. This could mean a longing for a soul mate or a yearning to save the world.

This could mean carrying a torch, as well. As your day unfolds, your good energy stays but your concentration is more toward accomplishing the chores set out before you. Higher education, publishing, broadcasting or advertising is a subject of interest at the gathering for lunch. You may be giving some serious thought about one or two of these subjects. This afternoon your friends find you most gracious. You seem to appreciate inspiring and spiritual ideas and you have the talent for presenting them to others as well. This would be a good time for you and your friends to have a horoscope forecast reading.

Non Sequitur

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Fame, money and happiness are all possible in your lifetime. You will undoubtedly leave a lasting image. It requires an authority or a leader to help you organize grand-scale activities and to build cautiously for the future. Your tact, diplomacy and friendliness add to a positive business arrangement. You are the power behind the throne and bring the flies to the honey; so to speak.

You are a perfectionist and have aristocratic tastes. Today, a friend asks you for money and you lend it, but not without some sort of paper that creates an agreed upon process of repayment. You expect to pay your debts and to have others live up to agreements and expectations. The way you handle this transaction is tactful, kind and appreciated as honest.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Freedom, as well as anything unusual or different, is what you value most at this time.

You may find a great deal of pleasure in getting away from the routine and doing something completely different for a change. If you find yourself at home today, you may create some time to vegetate and plan the future. You will find phone conversations the order of the afternoon and you may want to offer some options to your loved ones tonight about entertainment on New Yearís Eve. You find yourself understanding those around you and perhaps enjoying a special time with someone you love this evening. A bicycle ride or walk after dinner will give you and a loved one time to communicate. Getting fit and feeling well is in the future for this coming year.

Zits

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Although this is a busy day, you still find time to do some personal correspondence during the day--perhaps only one or two pieces of mail, but important. Being well thought of is important to you and you want others to feel just as important so expressions of gratefulness are important for you to articulate at this time.

You might decide to continue this expression of appreciation throughout the rest of the week. You enjoy getting out-of-doors for a bit of sunshine today. Things that are dear to your heart, as well as lovers, children and other people are emphasized now. Getting things taken care of in an orderly way and establishing some sort of an organized system could keep you very busy at this time.

Communications continue to improve.

Mother Goose and Grimm

Libra (September 23-October 22) Bigger and better is the theme when it comes to creativity, romance and self-expression. This is a time when taking chances in these areas of your life often pays off beyond your wildest imagination. This is a splendid time to plan, read, research or just relax and enjoy these last few days of the year. Your emotions in particular, or the feelings of those around you, could be very clear. Others should find it easy to understand how you feel and will be empathetic to your needs today. You could find others appreciating or valuing you for your ability to take the lead in difficult situations. One thing people notice about you is that if you do not know an answer, you will search to find it. Young people bring laughter your way this evening.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Communicating with groups and society in general is a natural for you now, as you can demonstrate such a wonderful understanding and sensitivity to other peopleís needs. Your emotional livelihood and feeling of security comes from your good friends, principles and social commitment. You may feel that something needs to change in your life and perhaps severing the old antiquated patterns from the past would be a good step in the right direction. You want to try new, different and unique things. Others may think you are very charismatic in speech and communication; you just naturally know what to say and when to say it. You will probably find a good conversation ensuing this evening, with someone you love or care for a great deal.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Mentally, you are very perceptive, with sharp ideas and clear thoughts. It should be an excellent time to make decisions and to take care of any mental task. Great practical thoughts and ideas will be yours today. The ability to communicate with difficult people or the ability to describe what you see is a definite asset today. It may come as a big surprise for you to receive some extra support or recognition, perhaps in relation to your talent. Some kind of little boost will definitely be yours.

You should be feeling that those around you are in touch and in harmony with you at this time. You will not want for support, as it will be there when you need it.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yester

Yesterday’s Solution

To

INTERNATIONAL CALLS Kuwait Qatar Abu Dhabi Dubai Raas Al Khayma Al-Shareqa Muscat Jordan Bahrain Riyadh Makkah - Jeddah Cairo Alexandria Beirut

00965 00974 009712 009714 009717 009716 00968 009626 00973 009661 009662 00202 00203 009611

Damascus Allepo Tunisia Rabat Washington New York Paris London Madrid Zurich Geneva Monaco Rome Bangkok

0096311 0096321 0021610 002127 001212 001718 00331 004471 00341 00411 004122 0033 00396 00662

Word Sleuth Solution

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) A very powerful need for nurturing is a larger than life issue just now. You could be feeling the need to care for other people or to have them care for you. This could mean you may have overextended your energies this last week and are just now feeling the stress.

Exercise and movement keeps the energy flowing and positive. Enjoy your own, personal quiet time this afternoon by doing a bit of writing on the accomplishments of this year and what it has meant to you. Getting your message across to others is at a high point in the home and may need to be readjusted. Your timing, however, should be just about as good as it can get; those around you should find you most natural and vibrant.

It is time to celebrate a new year--are you ready?

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Something could happen now that will help you understand that you need to make some important changes in your life-fortunately, not all in one day. Perhaps there is a need to break away from some of the old-fashioned ideas you are carrying from your past. You do long to try new and different things. Your emotional nourishment and feeling of protection comes from your friends, principles and social involvement now. Those around you will be appreciative of your understanding and sensitivity to their needs. This puts you in a win-win position to communicate concerning groups and society as well. If you find yourself invited to a party or festive gathering of some kind, you will want to know why more weekends are not this pleasant.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Celebrate your triumphs and focus your energy on using your influence to inspire growth in yourself and in others. This is a great time to consolidate and organize your private affairs. If you are working, others may see you as the perfect candidate to have charge over some project that requires a conservative mind. This may not be the most advantageous time to make career or vocational decisions or to give rational advice to others. You may prefer to be more private and stay at home with your family or loved ones. If you do have, or attend, a get-together for some end-of-the-year celebration, it will be with close friends or family. Look for ways to make another personís life easier now, toward the end of this year--perhaps a meal for the elderly.

INFORMATION

Monday, December 27, 2010

35 FIRE BRIGADE Operation Room 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 Al-Jahra 25610011 Al-Salmiya 25616368

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SPECTRUM

36

Monday, December 27, 2010

Minogue in no rush to start a family ylie Minogue’s boyfriend insists they’re in no rush to K start a family. Spanish model

Lovato has reached settlement with dancer

Andres Velencoso has been dating the 42-year-old singer for the past two years and while he says they want to be together forever, they are yet to set a wedding date or start trying for a bay. He said: “Kylie is so generous and positive and she gets the best out of people, including her family and friends. She’s an amazing human being with a huge heart. It’s just wonderful being around her. “But right now, we’re fine just the way we are. We have, of course, discussed marriage and having a family but we’re in no rush. We’ll let our future take its own course and go step by step.” Andres also revealed how he was taken with the ‘All The Lovers’ hitmaker as soon as they met on a photo shoot. He told LOOK magazine: “I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight but there was something right then. I can’t describe it with words. I guess we just clicked. And from that moment, we were chatting over the phone and started hanging out together.”

emi Lovato has reached a settlement with the D dancer she has been accused of punching. Lawyers acting for the troubled star - who is currently in rehab receiving treatment for “emotional and physical issues” - held a series of discussions with Alex Welch’s attorneys and have now reached a satisfactory conclusion.

Alex’s lawyer Donald Karpel said: “The parties are satisfied and the dispute has been resolved amicably and completely.” He added the issue has “been resolved amicably and completely,” although he refused to reveal the amount of the settlement. Alex, 21, had been planning to give an interview about the incident, which left her with a black eye, but was asked

by Demi’s representatives to hold off until the case was negotiated. Recalling the alleged attack, Alex

Swank to launch own fashion line ilary Swank is to launch her own fashion collection. The H Oscar-winning actress has teamed up with the DMA Designers Management Agency to develop a concept for an apparel range with an athletic bend. According to WWD, DMA co-founder Marc Beckman said Hilary and originally thought about a T-shirt line that “provided motivation and inspiration” but because of her background as a gymnast, she wanted it to have a more sporty feel. He added: “Our platform is a contemporary, outdoor, ath-leisure brand.” Hilary and the agency will be interviewing fashion designers to work with the star on the collection. While she is set to design her own fashion range, earlier this year Hilary admitted to being on a mission to find lots of dresses to wear to the premieres of her film ‘Conviction’. Speaking in July, she said: “I have a movie opening called ‘Conviction’ next month so I have a lot of dresses I need to find. I’ve just been introduced to Pamella Roland and I’m excited to always learn about new designers.”

Heidi Montag feels like ‘Edward Scissor hands’ he reality TV star underwent 10 cosmetic surgery proceTlooksdures in one day in November 2009 and she now feels she worse than she did before the operations, likening her scarring to that of the disfigured man-made robot creature depicted by Johnny Depp. She said: “Parts of my body definitely look worse than they did pre-surgery. This is not what I signed up for. “I would love to not be ‘plastic girl’ or whatever they call me. Surgery ruined my career and my personal life and just brought a lot of negativity into my world. I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back.

Instead, I’m always going to feel like Edward Scissor hands.” The procedures - including lip injections, a brow lift, breast enlargement and liposuction - have left the blonde star with a number of physical defects, including scars under her chin, two small bald spots, a jagged mark from having her ears pinned and lumps on her legs, butt and lower back after having fat removed. She added to Life & Style magazine: “The big dark mark from my chin reduction is probably the most noticeable. But the absolute worst is on my breasts, and the scariest is below my butt cheek. “People have fewer scars from car accidents than I have on my body.”

Bieber getting close with Gomez ustin Bieber has been spotted getting close with Selena JedlyGomez.

The Canadian teen heartthrob - who has repeatdenied he is dating the Disney star - was spotted enjoying a romantic walk with Selena in Miami. When the pair were realized they had been seen, the ‘Baby’ hitmaker reportedly tried to walk away from the 18-year-old singerand-actress, who started nervously played with her hair. An onlooker said: “They seemed to know they had been caught out and were quick to run off.” The rumored couple were then spotted hanging out on Justin’s tour bus and he was pictured gently resting his hand on her back. Meanwhile, the 16-year-old pop sensation was forced to stop a concert last week after a fight broke out over a sweaty towel he had thrown to the crowd. The audience of mostly teenage girls were watching Justin in Pittsburgh but became rowdy during his hit ‘Baby’ after the towel was caught by one fan, who soon discovered she faced stiff competition to keep the smelly memento The situation got so bad Justin had to stop his track and address his fans. He told them: “You can’t fight over it, don’t fight over it. Someone’s gonna get hurt. Let it go, let it go, let it go!” Justin then took the matter into his own hands, pointing at one of the girls who had been wrestling for the towel, saying “Give it to her.” He then attempted to restart ‘Baby’, but had to stop singing again because he was laughing so hard. Starting the track for a third time, Justin let the crowd help him through the first verse.

Campbell misses McQueen’s advice aomi Campbell misses having Alexander McQueen’s advice, because he was “always right”. The supermodel has paid further tribute to the late fashion designer and her friend, who sadly took his own life in February, reflecting on the great tips he gave her during their friendship. Naomi said: “While we worked together many times, ours was a true friendship. He was very sincere and supportive. He would always call me up and offer advice. And, you know what, he was always right.” She also spoke of the support she received from other models, in particular Kate Moss, in the wake of Alexander’s death when she put together a series of his designs for her Fashion For Relief show, which raised money for the victims of this year’s devastating Haiti earthquake.

She added to Britain’s Grazia magazine: “I knew he would have wanted to do something for Haiti and there was no way that, just a few weeks after his death, I could not do a tribute to Alex. “Kate had never walked for one of my shows before but I didn’t even get to finish the sentence before she was like, ‘I’m there’.

We all felt the same way.” She also added her memories of the designer were: “Small and personal, of private dinners together.”

N

recently revealed it happened after Demi had been reprimanded about her behaviour while on The Jonas Brothers tour and, believing one of the dancers had complained about her, the teenage singer-and-actress took them into a room and threatened them, saying: “If I find out who told on me ...” However, Alex insisted she had no idea what the 18-year-old star was referring to and was stunned when the ‘Sonny With a Chance’ star approached her on a plane the following day and punched her. Demi left the tour immediately after the incident and checked into a treatment facility.

Momsen dropped from modeling agency Momsen has been dropped by her modeling agency. The actress-and-singer was signed Tbyaylor IMG at the age of 14 but bosses have reportedly tired of her rebellious antics - which led to her extended hiatus from TV show ‘Gossip Girl’ and taken her off their books. The agency confirmed to Hollywoodlife.com: We do not represent her [Taylor].” Meanwhile a source at Nylon magazine spotted Dakota Fanning on the company’s modeling board although she is not yet attached to any major campaigns. Taylor was signed to IMG - which also represents supermodels Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen - in 2008 after being spotted on ‘Gossip Girl’. The star’s most recent high profile modeling job was the campaign for Madonna’s clothing label Material Girl, which she designed with her 13-year-old daughter Lourdes and she has also been the face of British clothes chain New Look. Taylor previously revealed she thinks of her style as “high class hooker and doesn’t care if it makes some people feel uncomfortable. She said: “I dress for myself. Clearly, it’s provocative, but it makes me feel good. And if the only reason it makes someone uncomfortable is because I’m 17, then that person’s a scumbag because it shouldn’t matter.

“I really just put on what’s clean. The easiest thing to find in the morning because I’m usually running late. It’s just turned into style - I just don’t bother, I’m just too lazy.”

Cowell’s US ‘X Factor’ signs $55m Pepsi deal imon Cowell’s US ‘X Factor’ has signed $55 million sponsorship deal with Pepsi. The S51-year-old star and his fellow judges will be seen drinking the beverage during the show and backstage in behind-the-scenes footage, with the music mogul is said to be delighted to have landed such a huge promotional deal. A source said: “The deal is ostensibly between broadcaster Fox and Freemantle who make the show, not between Simon and his company Syco. “But it’s a massive coup for him - and shows how the big brands are all desperate to be associated with a man deemed to have the midas touch.” The sponsorship deal is a huge boost for the music mogul as he prepares to launch the Stateside show next year, with main rival, Simon’s former show ‘American Idol’, enjoying a similar yet smaller deal with CocoCola worth $35 million. The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “The icing on the cake is that American Idol - which Simon used to be a judge on - is sponsored by Pepsi’s biggest rival. Simon is absolutely thrilled.”

Details of the show are still being kept under wraps with Simon set to announce the panel of judges - rumored to include Cheryl Cole, Nicole Scherzinger, Noel Gallagher and George Michael - early next year . —Bang Showbiz

SPECTRUM

Monday, December 27, 2010

37

Music and Movies

Juanes touches on personal struggles in new CD uanes’ new album is called “P.A.R.C.E.,” which translates to friend or pal in English. But while friendship is its main theme, it also includes songs that reflect his social activism and a few others that reference his own problems, including his once frayed relationship with his wife. It’s the fifth studio album from the 38-year-old Colombian creator of Spanish hits such as “La camisa negra” and “A Dios le pido.” Juanes spoke to The Associated Press about the honesty of his lyrics, his family and those whom he still regards as his “true friends,” despite his fame and fortune.

AP: “P.A.R.C.E” includes a few love songs in which you talk about things as personal as an infidelity that almost ended your marriage, such as in “Lo nuestro.” Are all your songs autobiographical?

Juanes: Most of the songs are personal stories, things I’ve been through, or maybe lived by someone close to me. I draw from everything around me, in my

J

home, my children, my friends, the street.

A P : In such a celebrityobsessed world, have you ever thought twice before releasing a song like this?

J u a n e s : No, because I feel music is the most honest, beautiful way to tell a personal story like the one in “Lo nuestro,” that speaks about my years of relationship with Karen, my wife, the problems we’ve been through, the beautiful things we have lived together, and above all to celebrate that reunion, that we are there. ... When I write a song I am not thinking about what is going to happen, but sometimes when I finish I say, “Whoa, did I go too far with my honesty?”

But it has to be that way. If you’re not going to be honest then why bother making music.

A P: In “Quimera,” you touch issues including the violence in Mexico, the killing of dolphins, the political situation in Venezuela and the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.

As an activist, what sociopolitical

Juanes

issues move you the most right now?

Juanes: I would say that right now, just what’s going with the winter in Colombia and Venezuela (where heavy rains have killed more that 200 people and left thousands homeless). ... But at a social level, inequality is what captures my attention the most. ... Our countries are too unequal: A very few people have too much while too many people have almost nothing. Social injustice is something that’s going on everyday in front of our eyes.

A P : In “Amigos,” you sing there are few real friends in life.

Who are your true friends?

Juanes: True friends ... are that ring of people that surround you from childhood, since kindergarten, those that went with you to school.

Then there are those you make in high school, in college, at work ... I have my great lifelong friends ... and also friends like (fellow singers) Juan Luis Guerra, Miguel Bose, (Alejandro) Sanz, Antonio

Teen star shows new ʻGritʼ in debut role ohn Wayne’s original “True Grit” was a vehicle for a worldly wise actor in his 60s in another gruff Old West role he long since had perfected. The new take on “True Grit” is a star-making showcase for Hailee Steinfeld in her screen debut as Mattie Ross, the 14year-old who sets the violent story of retribution in motion. Wayne’s main trail buddy was Kim Darby, who was in her early 20s when she played Mattie in 1969’s “True Grit,” based on Charles Portis’ novel. Joel and Ethan Coen’s version, opening Wednesday, more faithfully adapts Portis’ story, with Steinfeld’s Mattie pulling a chain of people in her wake, including actors Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and Barry Pepper.

Steinfeld, who just turned 14, earned a supporting-actress nomination for the Screen Actors Guild Awards for “True Grit,” and she has buzz for the same honor at the Academy Awards. Is she practicing her Oscar speech? “No-o-o-o, not yet. I mean, honestly, just to be a part of it, that’s the biggest award I could get right now,” she said in an interview. “It is so surreal. Recently, when I saw the film for the first time, just as the credits started rolling, I thought back immediately to the day I was sitting on the floor in my bedroom just waiting for the phone to ring, thinking to myself ... whoever gets this job, it’s like winning the lottery. And now I see this film put together, and it’s just so incredible. I’m so proud of it.” Her character is a force of nature, a 19th-century pioneer teen with a fierce puritanical streak who hires ornery lawman Rooster Cogburn (Bridges) to hunt down her

J

father’s murderer (Brolin), with Damon a preening Texas Ranger joining the search.

The flowery rhythms of Portis’ dialogue, delivered with almost Shakespearean flourish, were tough enough for the seasoned actors, let alone a newcomer who had acted only in student films, commercials and a couple of small TV roles. Casting directors traveled the country for months, looking at thousands of girls, and the Coens met with a handful of the best. “They’re all 14-year-old girls, and predictably, they’re all terrible. Not all, but 99-pointwhatever percent,” Ethan Coen said.

Mattie was an especially hard role, requiring an inexperienced actress to convey her “very adult, very self-possessed, very stiff-necked Protestant sensibility,” Ethan Coen said. “You think, boy, that whole adult self-possession and the acting chops, maybe that doesn’t exist in a real 14-year-old girl.” A few weeks before shooting started, they found Steinfeld, who lived in Los Angeles. The Coens auditioned her opposite Bridges and Pepper, who plays another outlaw Mattie encounters.

Just as Mattie was fully formed at 14, they found Steinfeld had maturity and instincts beyond her years. “She’s totally unintimidated coming into this room with Jeff Bridges and Barry Pepper and doing these scenes,” Joel Coen said. “It’s not a question of experience or training or any of the rest of it. Either you’ve got it or you don’t, sort of genetically, naturally, whatever it happens to be.” Bridges spends almost the entire movie in

A scene from the movie “True Grit” Steinfeld’s company, but any worries he had about his young co-star quickly vanished. “I was concerned right up to the first day we shot a big dialogue scene, and then I saw how invested she was in the character, how much talent and skill she had as an actress,” Bridges said. “I was so thrilled and relieved.” Brolin, whose breakout role came in the Coens’ “No Country for Old Men,” said his own daughter auditioned to play Mattie. But there were no hard feelings when she got a look at who had won the role. “I remember when my daughter came on the set and met Hailee, and she goes, ‘Oh my God! She’s perfect!”‘ Brolin said.

Steinfeld decided at age 8 she wanted

to try acting, inspired by a cousin who was doing commercials and a friend who was in a stage play. She raised the idea with her father, a personal fitness trainer, and mother, an interior designer. Her parents insisted that she study acting for a full year to make sure she was serious.

Then she got an agent and started trying out for roles. Like many actors, child or adult, she spent years auditioning with little to show for it. “The most frustrating part was, I would get very close to booking things, and the biggest thing that was held against me was I was always too green,” Steinfeld said. “I would be up against girls who had been acting since they could speak.

“That was frustrating, because I was thinking to myself, ‘I must not be that bad if I’m getting that close, but I’m not getting it.’ So I hit that point where I definitely became a little bit more serious about it. ... And then, after that, things started to change.” Once Steinfeld landed the “True Grit” role, the Coens treated her the same way they did the rest of the cast, making no note of her precocious talent, Damon said. “It was almost like, don’t talk about the fact that this person next to you is levitating. Don’t make a big deal out of it. We’re not even going to acknowledge that it’s happening. Then at the end, you go ..., ‘That girl was flying!”‘ Damon said.

Pepper marveled at Steinfeld’s stamina as they shot in the cold mountains near Santa Fe, New Mexico, “and she’s being dragged through rivers, and she’s got my cold leather boot on her neck, and she’s getting tossed around and shot at. I just thought, ‘This is remarkable, the poise and the professionalism of this young woman.’ She’s just off to the races.

She showed true grit in a lot of different ways, because she took everything the brothers threw at her,” Pepper said.

Steinfeld is looking for her next film role.

The acclaim she’s earning for “True Grit” should help, but she’s not fretting too much about where her career is headed. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t take this too seriously. I have fun with it,” Steinfeld said. “My parents always tell me, ‘If you’re not having fun, you’re not in the right place.’ And there’s not a moment in this, in everything, that I’m not having fun.”—AP

Orozco ... very special people.

AP: Do your childhood friends keep treating you the same way?

J u a n e s : That’s the best thing about those friends! They always treat me like Juan Esteban Aristizabal, the one they have met at home. ... It’s a way of being always connected with reality, with your essence. ... True friends are like angels: They’re there not to let you fall completely or to help you get back up if you have had a problem.

AP: You are a globetrotter with a full agenda. How do you balance work and family?

J u a n e s : As the Bible says, there’s always a moment for everything in life. Obviously, it is hard to leave home. When I go my kids ask me when I’m coming back and, oh, my heart aches a lot. But I talk to them a lot and I explain to them that daddy is going to work for them. ...

They see me happy singing, playing my guitar, and they understand it is part of my nature. We try to manage it the best we can.—AP

Film producer sues over ‘Black Swan’

By Daniel Trotta New York film production company has sued its former president, claiming “gross lapses in judgment” cost the company millions of dollars in lost revenue and a producer credit on the movie “Black Swan.” The defendant, Aaron Kaufman, called the claims baseless and said he would countersue for libel. “Black Swan,” starring Natalie Portman, was released for the holiday season and has gained early Oscar buzz after being nominated for four Golden Globe awards, including best drama.

Overnight LLC, led by producer Rick Schwartz, accuses Kaufman of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of corporate opportunity in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court. “Among other things, Kaufman misrepresented his knowledge, skill and experience (and) pretended to be knowledgeable about the financing of motion pictures when he was not,” the suit said.

The suit further claims that Kaufman misrepresented himself when he sought to make a deal with director Robert Rodriguez for his movie “Machete,” which came out in September, a move that interfered with Overnight’s obligations on other film projects, the suit said. Schwartz, who received a credit as executive producer on “Black Swan,” has helped produce movies such as “Machete,” “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator” and “The Others,” the suit said.

Kaufman, reached at his home in New Jersey, called the claims in the lawsuit baseless, said he would sue Schwartz for libel and attributed the dispute to Schwartz’s “erratic” performance. Kaufman said Schwartz ran a dysfunctional company and had failed to help produce any films on his own until Kaufman joined the company and helped secure a part in the production of “Machete” and “Black Swan.” “Literally every point is either baseless or shaded to the point of being a lie,” Kaufman said. “Literally there is not almost a single factual thing in the lawsuit, and he goes after me personally, which is libelous.”—Reuters

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‘Spartacus,’ ‘Treme’ and ‘Dead’ among TV’s 10 Best

By Frazier Moore ay up there: Betty White. Way down: The audience for “Parker Spitzer.” Down and out: “Law & Order,” abruptly axed after 20 seasons. Out and back: Conan O’Brien, quitting NBC, then resurrected by TBS. Programs sank pretty low (“Bridalplasty”) and fell flat (“The Hasselhoffs,” canned after a single airing). But this year, TV also had ascendant moments. Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 top examples of when TV soared: • “Carlos” (Sundance Channel).

For six gripping hours, viewers witnessed a legendary terrorist on an epic scale from up-close-and-personal proximity. Edgar Ramirez is haunting as Carlos the Jackal in this nationhopping, multi-lingual bio-odyssey that spans a breathless quarter-century.

• “God in America” (PBS). In this six-hour documentary, “Frontline” and “American Experience” joined forces to tell the story of America with religious faith as its narrative thread. Religious liberty was a founding principle that helped shape America’s identity, and this film, spanning 400 years, surveys the roughand-tumble competition of the religious free market that resulted.

• “The Good Wife” (CBS). In its second season, this courtroom-andfamily drama has been even better and more surprising than before. It stars Julianna Margulies as a wife and

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A scene from the show ‘The walking dead’. mother forced to resume her long-ago career as an attorney in the wake of betrayal when her politician hubby, played by Chris Noth, was jailed for corruption and infidelity. Now he’s on the campaign trail. Meanwhile, her law firm is hurting for business and ready to deal. Enhanced by smart writing and a brilliant cast, nearly everyone on this show is likable, flawed and engagingly compromised.

• “Luther” (BBC America). A topflight psychological crime thriller, this British miniseries pits a London police detective against a beautiful, crafty murderer-and, increasingly, it puts him in cahoots with her, too, as he uses the murderer to solve other

crimes and salvage his job. Idris Elba (“The Wire”) stars as the charismatic, tormented Luther.

• “Mad Men” (AMC). This series’ fourth season resumed in November 1964 with magnetic ad man Don Draper (series star Jon Hamm) divorced and struggling at his startup agency. The season ended a year later as Draper found love-or so he thought-with his beautiful young secretary. For Draper, like many of the other “Mad Men” characters, it was an emotion-charged season, meticulously told. Maybe the series’ best year yet.

• “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” (Starz). With all the bloody violence,

you felt the urge to take a shower.

With all the hard bodies and hankypanky, you wanted to take a cold shower. An orgiastic blend of hyperrealism and epic fantasy, with an outstanding cast including Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”), this show is a wicked treat unlike anything else on TV. • Super Bowl Ad with Dave, Jay and Oprah (CBS). It was 15 seconds of ironic bliss. And such a surprise! Here were CBS late-night host David Letterman and his longtime NBC archrival Jay Leno, plus Oprah Winfrey-planted side by side on a couch for what, Dave grumbled, was the “worst Super Bowl party ever.”

Produced on the sly and aired just once, during last February’s Super Bowl telecast, this promo for “Late Show With David Letterman” glowed with miniaturist cleverness.

• “30 Rock” (NBC). By now, its fifth season, this wildly celebrated comedy should either be feeling its age or larded with self-satisfaction.

Instead, it’s as zany, fresh and inspired as ever. Meanwhile, the pending takeover of NBC Universal by Comcast-while otherwise no favor to the average viewer-has been a comic boon for “30 Rock” fans. Its send-up of big business, with a conglomerate called Kabletown devouring GE Sheinhardt NBC Universal, has represented “30 Rock” at its wackiest.

• “Treme” (HBO). Set in the months after Hurricane Katrina, this drama is a sometimes joyful, sometimes painful homage to New Orleans.

There is plenty of evident rage over the preventable disaster that resulted from Katrina. But there’s also music, soul and cultural zest propelling this saga of a city determined to get back on its feet, and dance.

• “The Walking Dead” (AMC). A tattered band of survivors faced a zombie invasion in Atlanta (and who knows how far beyond) in a drama that proved macabre, suspenseful, poignant and horribly funny. Its alltoo-fleeting six-episode first season left the audience as ravenous as zombies to feast on the monstrous twists surely lurking next year.—AP

Ciara looks to show doubters she is still relevant hen Ciara was churning out chart-topping singles like “One, Two Step” and “Like a Boy,” she appeared to be on the verge of superstardom, drawing some comparisons to Janet Jackson and the late Aaliyah. But since the initial platinum-sellers “Goodies” and “Ciara: The Evolution,” she has hasn’t lived up to the hype: She failed to sell more than 250,000 copies of her third album, last year’s “Fantasy Ride.” Ciara says she received the “most negative energy” as a result of her lackluster sales,

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with bloggers and other critics declaring her music career over. Now the 25-year-old singer, who released her fourth album, “Basic Instinct,” this month, says she’s learned not to be concerned about selling millions of records anymore. In a recent phone interview, she talked about how she’s still making waves in the entertainment realm.

The Associated Press: On the opening track of “Basic Instinct (U Got Me),” you lashed out at bloggers and critics. How important was

it for you to get those things off your chest?

Ciara: I wanted to speak to all the haters. I just wanted to scream out and show how I felt.

People are so easy to write you off. I live for energy like that.

The harder they hate, the harder I go. I do believe I will be here for a while. I’m claiming it and no one ... make me think differently.

AP: How do you feel when people say that your star as singer has fallen?

Ciara: Even though my last album didn’t do

as well as my previous ones, I was still able to go out and make money and tour. Every day is not always the perfect day. Artists that I have loved and admired, who have had a long career, have not had every record or song or video that was always the right choice.

AP: With your previous album not selling well, are you concerned about what type of numbers you put up for “Basic Instinct”?

Ciara: Selling records are becoming smaller fraction of branding and building a long-last-

ing career. You can sell a lot of records, but can you tour. You can sell records, but where does it go beyond that? That’s a part of building a brand for yourself. AP: So at this point of your career, going on tour has bigger precedence over album sales?

Ciara: Absolutely. If you can walk away from your career and are successful touring, you’ll always be straight. Artists like Madonna have been doing it for years. She may put out one single, do a tour and gross over $200 million.

AP: You are in the blogs almost every other day. Was there anything you read that rubbed you the wrong way?

Ciara: It used to be funny to me when people would say, “Oh, Ciara is going Hollywood.”

And you know what, I have gone Hollywood. I do want to make Hollywood money. But it doesn’t mean that I’ve changed who I am as a person. I haven’t changed because of the people who I hang out with now. I’m still the same person as I was before.—AP

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SPECTRUM

Monday, December 27, 2010

Edinburgh Castle can be seen looking up from the Grassmarket neighborhood of Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Royal Mail post box is seen in Grassmarket area of Edinburgh, Scotland.— MCT photos

By Ellen Creager n the land of plaid, the Kilt Wars are raging.

Hanging in front of Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers shop is a mannequin wearing a competitor’s kilt with a sign posted on it: “THIS IS NOT A REAL KILT.” “I’m not on a crusade, but kilts are part of Scottish heritage and history,” says Nicolson, who said his genuine kilts have 7.6 meters of fabric, are handstitched in Scotland and are the standard for what a Scottish kilt should be _ and cost about $700.

He charges that skimpy kilts sold next door at Prestige Scotland and other gift shops in Edinburgh for about $50 are made in Pakistan, don’t have enough material to close correctly and are giving Scottish kilts a bad name. “They aren’t proper kilts,” he says. In fact, the only two fine kiltmakers left in Edinburgh are his shop and Geoffrey Tailor, he adds.

Meanwhile, next door at Prestige Scotland, managing director Sam Singh has retaliated.

He put up his own sign on the $50 acrylic kilts hanging in front of his store, advertising “unreal kilts at unreal prices.” He says a kilt is a kilt is a kilt.

“Once upon a time, kilts were only supposed to be Scottish. Now they are worn all over the world. What we are doing is a budget kilt, a disposable kilt. It’s still a kilt,” he says.

“If you buy a pair of Armani jeans, then buy jeans at Walmart, you still call them jeans.”

Singh, who like Nicolson is a Scotland native, says his kilts aren’t meant to be for weddings or fine occasions. “They are meant for stag parties, football matches, protests,” he says. “A foreign tourist will not buy a real kilt. They will buy by price.”

That’s what worries Nicolson, who has sent one of the cheap kilts out for lab testing to see if dyes used in them violate Scottish safety standards. He also says some “tartan tat” stores (what people in Edinburgh call the budget tourist shops that line the streets) also have violated copyrighted tartan patterns.

Singh says cheap kilts are here to stay.

Although he also carries a line of more expensive Scottish-made kilts, in August, he says, he sold 200 real kilts and 1,000 budget kilts. But what will happen to traditional Scottish kiltmakers if budget kilts take over?

“What is going to happen is the ones who call themselves real kiltmakers will have to cut their prices. They mark them up 500 percent,” Singh says. Nicolson, for his part, plans to keep his controversial mannequin outside. It attracts a lot of attention from tourists and should make people stop and think about the authenticity of kilts they see in Scotland, he says. — MCT

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Choir rehearsal takes place inside St Giles Cathedral, the Presbyterian mother church in Edinburgh.

Sam Singh, manager of the Prestige Scotland shop on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, defends selling cheap kilts and says they still can be called kilts, even if not made in Scotland.

The Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland is steep; so many people who don’t want to walk take tour buses.

Here, a street performer on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh - who knew a kilt could look so good?

Forever plaid, tartan fabric is for sale all over the city. But only some of it is made in Scotland.

Drummers march along the Royal Mile in a parade of Protestant unity on a Saturday in September in Edinburgh.

Parts of Edinburgh Castle from the 12th Century.

Monday, December 27, 2010

39

SPECTRUM

By Ellen Creager

n this city, some things are best done in advance. Obviously, hotel and airline reservations are good to have ahead of time. But what about train tickets and rides on the London Eye? What about Buckingham Palace or a show? What about tube tickets? In London, it’s possible to book almost anything ahead of time.

But is it worth it? I wanted to find out. (For this story, I’ve changed British pounds into US dollar equivalents.)

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A motionless horse guard is seen at the Household Cavalry Museum.

— MCT photos

A Travel card on the London Tube has its good and bad points.

Getting around London and seeing its sights is expensive, even the cabs.

Self-serve train ticket kiosks are featured at London’s King’s Cross Station.

Heathrow Express What: Fast train (15 minutes) between Heathrow Airport and London’s Paddington Station. Buy when you get there: Buy ticket from an airport kiosk ($25) or on the train ($25 plus $7.50 surcharge).

In advance: One day before my trip to England, I bought a one-way ticket with a credit card at www.heathrowexpress.com. Cost was $25, same price as the kiosk. I printed the ticket at home, a single sheet of paper with a UPC code on it.

Result: At Heathrow, I bypassed long lines at ticket kiosks and hopped aboard the train. The conductor accepted my home-printed ticket without a problem.

Worth it? Yes. And if your flight or trip is delayed, a ticket bought online is good for six months.

Train to Scotland What: Long-distance train from London’s King’s Cross Station to Edinburgh, Scotland, on the East Coast Line. Buy when you get there: You can buy train tickets when you get to London.

However, since UK rail was privatized, each company has its own trains, schedules and prices-and like airlines, cheap advance tickets.

In advance: Four weeks ahead, I ordered a oneway ticket ($57) to Edinburgh through www.thetrainline.com. I received an immediate email voucher with a code on it. The code would let me print my ticket at Kings Cross Station.

Result: I’d heard that US credit cards did not always work at train kiosks in the UK, so I stopped

by Kings Cross a day early to make sure. No problem tickets printed. If they don’t, don’t panic. A human at the ticket counter can also give you the tickets.

At the station, I also checked how much the ticket would have cost if I had waited and bought it that day. It was $209.

Worth it? Definitely. I saved $152.

The London Eye What: London’s top tourist attraction, a giant revolving wheel with fantastic views.

Buy when you get there: At the ticket office next to the ride ($28 standard or $43 fast track ticket with a shorter line).

In advance: The last time I was in London I booked a fast-track ticket one day ahead at www.londoneye.com-and it helped me avoid a long line. This time I booked a fast-track ticket through Expedia.com ($34) two months ahead and got a voucher.

Result: The voucher required me to call the London Eye ticket office 48 hours ahead (in my case, that meant long distance from the US) to reserve an exact ticket time. And when I arrived, only six people were in line-no need for fast-tracking, and no wait.

Worth it? No. But it might be worth it in midsummer when crowds are heavier.

Theater tickets What: London’s many fantastic West End theaters are a must-do for tourists. Buy when you get there: At the theater box office in person or by phone.

In advance: If you absolutely cannot miss a certain show, buy tickets in advance at www.visitlondon.com. Or try the TKTS, the half-price ticket booth, in Leicester Square the day of the performance.

Result: I went to the TKTS booth and was surprised to see that many shows were nowhere near half-price and the line was slow and long. I walked away. Instead, I chose a well-reviewed show, “Oliver,” that was on its final days and showed up at the theater 20 minutes before show time.

Someone had just returned tickets and I got a $98 main-floor ticket for $58.

Worth it? No. Buying in advance does not guarantee a low price. Buy ahead only if there’s a show you can’t miss.

Tube tickets What: Passes for the London Underground.

Passes are cheaper than buying individual tickets.

They come in two flavors-Travelcards and Oystercards. A Travelcard is a one-, three- or seven-day card that allows unlimited rides, but only for the exact dates printed on the card. An Oystercard is a prepaid card that lets you ride anytime until the card value runs out, at which time you can add more value. It does not expire.

Buy when you get there: Can do. However, many tourists are confused about which pass to get and are intimidated by kiosks.

In advance: A month before my trip, I went to www.visitbritain.com, bought one three-day Travelcard and one preloaded Oystercard, each costing $35 (three-day Travelcards are no longer sold in London but they are still available through Visit Britain).

My plan was to have my husband use the Oystercard and I’d use the Travelcard, and we’d see which was a better value. The cards were supposed to be mailed to my house, but when they didn’t arrive after three weeks, I e-mailed VisitBritain and was overnighted the cards without charge.

Result: The best laid plans ... a Tube strike the first day of my trip meant that one of my three days on the Travelcard was of no value. I took 10 separate rides ($3.50) on the Travelcard over the next two days. Compared with the Oyster card ($2.80 per ride), it ended up costing about the same. Both cards were cheaper than buying single tickets ($7 each).

Worth it? No. Wait to buy an Oystercard at a Tube station your first day in London. — MCT

The London Eye sometimes has long lines - but is it worth buying tickets ahead?

Buckingham Palace What: The royal residence is open for tours only in August and September.

Buy when you get there: At the Buckingham Palace ticket office, but you risk its being sold out.

In advance: Buy from www.royalcollection.org.uk ($26) — they’ll mail you tickets if it’s at least two weeks ahead or hold them for pickup. I booked a combo Buckingham Palace/high tea ticket through www.expedia.com ($53).

Result: The voucher required me to show up at the Grosvenor Hotel near the palace at 1:30 p.m. on tour day. From there, a guide walked our small group of four to the palace group entrance for a 2 pm admission. In 5 minutes we were through the gates and on the tour. Later, the tea back at the hotel was classic.

Worth it? Yes, mainly because we had access to the faster group entrance, and the tea was a nice perk.

Buying a pass for riding the London tube makes trips cheaper.

Tourists pose with accommodating guards on the terrace in the back of Buckingham Palace, which is only seen on tours in August and September.

The back of Buckingham Palace is seen only on tours in August and September. It’s wise to get tickets in advance.

www.kuwaittimes.net

By Mariam Harutunian hen police officers arrived at 13-year-old Masha’s home, searched her room and inspected her computer, it was not because they suspected her of any crime. Her offence was simply to be a devoted follower of the angst-ridden punk-rock subculture known as ‘emo’, in an exSoviet state where pressures to conform remain strong. “It was offensive and frightening at the same time,” said Masha, a schoolgirl in the Armenian capital, clearly upset by the experience. Police in Yerevan have been conducting a campaign against the capital’s small but controversial emo community since the recent suicides of two teenagers who were rumored to have been emo fans.

They claim that the subculture represents a threat to young people’s welfare. Officers have visited schools, searched pupils whose distinctive clothing marks them out as possible ‘emos’, and mounted surveillance on public places where young people gather. Several fans have been detained for questioning, despite the lack of any specific legislation against the musical genre or its followers. In a recent newspaper interview, Armenia’s Chief of Police, Alik Sarkisian, claimed that emo could “damage our gene pool”. “We should fight against such phenomena because they are morally harmful to our people,” he said. Emo-an abbreviation of ‘emotional’is a more melodic and melancholy form of punk rock. It has origins in the United States but has become a well-established global subculture in recent years.

Masha and her friend Ani, also 13, say they started dressing in the unconventional emo style in an attempt to stand out from what they call “the grey masses”. But they now feel that they have to disguise themselves in ordinary clothes for fear of detention or harassment by other youths. “They point and laugh at us. Or even worse, they sometimes beat up our boys,” Ani said. Sensationalist media reports in Europe have suggested that the gloomy lyrics of some emo songs can influence teenagers to harm themselves or attempt suicide, although fans have consistently rejected the accusation.

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Armenian followers of angst-ridden punk-rock subculture known as ‘emo’ hug in Yerevan on December 15, 2010.

Armenian followers ‘emo’ sit near a tunnel in Yerevan.

f only there were more Kanye Wests in the world. No waitlemme finish!! Yes, West proved he was a complete jerk when he jumped onstage and interrupted Taylor Swift’s glory moment at the MTV Video Music Awards. It was a moment audiences live to see. But what if the rapper could have interrupted those other moments we didn’t want to see? Then we wouldn’t be nursing scarred brains caused by 2009’s worst moments, such as: a smiling Joe Jackson hawking his record label for cameras a few days after his son Michael’s death; octo-dad Jon Goesslin’s creepy transformation from hen-

political commentary from a beauty contestant, you’ve got a problem (see Sarah Palin). But it’s bizarre that Carrie Prejean’s anti-gay marriage stance at a Miss USA pageant seemed to set off more fury than when the same sentiments were uttered by any of America’s elected officials (including the president). Still, it’s hard to feel sorry for Prejean, who latched on to the family values contingent, but then it was revealed that she had breast implants, nude photos and a solo sex tape. The only thing she wasn’t accused of being was one of Tiger’s mistresses. But give it time: The list is still growing.

Kanye West and Taylor Swift

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Like Communist-era witch hunt Emo devotees in Britain and Russia staged protests two years ago against what they saw as negative stereotyping. Some people in Yerevan not only believe that emo can cause suicidal depression, but also see it as a degenerate Western influence on traditional Armenian values. Members of the youth wing of a local police association held a march against the subculture in the capital this month, carrying banners that read “No to foreign perversions!”

One teacher in a Yerevan suburb, who asked not to be named, said the directors of some schools supported the police action, and had even been actively encouraging officers to search pupils who dressed unusually and check them for signs of self-harm.

“We suspected one female pupil of being an emo. We invited our district policeman and the pupil’s parents to come in, and explained how dangerous the consequences of this could be,” the teacher said.

A local human rights activist compared the police’s behavior to a Communist-era witch-hunt. “It

pecked husband to sleazy bachelor; any of Chris Brown’s halfhearted apologies; Tiger Woods’ transgressions of the heart. A sampling of more Wacky & Tacky: TIGER’S SWING: Did you ever think we’d be handicapping Tiger’s mistresses instead of his golf game? Sports’ ultimate boy scout became the tabloid gift that kept on giving when a bizarre car accident outside his home started a chain that revealed he had more side dishes than an all-you-can-eat buffet. From porn stars to waitresses, the married father-oftwo may showed that his conquests included more than the world of golf.

THIS IS WHY THEY INVENTED THE TERM “NO COMMENT”: Let’s be honest-when you expect sage social and

MAYBE CHINA WAS RIGHT: Sure, a one-child policy might seem a little extreme, but after watching the questionable to downright scary parenting skills of “Octomom” Nadya Suleman and Jon and Kate Gosselin of “Jon & Kate Plus 8” fame, maybe the United States needs to follow China’s lead.

All three used the celebrity of their multiple-birth children to stay in the limelight. But karma will soon catch up-in the form of multiple teenagers.

REALITY SHOW FAIL-BALLOON BOY: It’s hard to blame Richard and Mayumi Heene-the parents in the infamous balloon boy hoax-for making up the ludicrous plot that their 6year-old son was floating away in a balloon to garner attention from the press in hopes of getting a reality show. After all, if

Armenian followers of angstridden punkrock subculture known as “emo” walk in a tunnel in Yerevan on December 17, 2010.

— AFP photos

Armenian followers of “emo” walk in a tunnel in Yerevan on December 17, 2010.

An Armenian follower of ‘emo’ walks past a graffiti in Yerevan. is like the repression in Soviet times, when law enforcement agencies were chasing hippies, punks and rockers-all those who refused to live within society’s limits and be like everyone else,” said Mikael Danielian, chairman of the Helsinki Committee of Armenia.

But the police say they are only intervening to protect vulnerable youngsters. “We are simply

they watched “Real Housewives,” “For the Love of Ray J,” “The Hills” or just about any other reality show, there is so much fiction they probably thought their hoax was an appropriate audition. Instead it might get them jail time. But they’re so entertaining, let’s hope whatever prison they land in allows for cell cameras.

FATHER OF THE YEAR: Even Joe Jackson would shake his head at the shenanigans of this year’s winner, Jon Gosselin.

The father of eight declared he was standing up for himself by breaking free from his bullying wife Kate-and then proceeded to act so shamelessly we jumped on the Team Kate bandwagon. He was linked to a young teacher BEFORE they announced their split, took up with a hard-partying twentysomething and then cheated on HER-with a tabloid reporter.

He also made the most of his newfound bachelorhood by partying in Vegas (with college girls and his mom), all while trying to defend his honor as a good dad.

APOLOGY FAIL: When you’ve done something as heinous as attack your girlfriend, you’d better have your “I’m sorry” game on point. Singer Chris Brown was woefully offmessage with his apologies for beating Rihanna — you could almost see the “let me tell you what REALLY happened” look in his eyes. Tweeting that he still loved the woman he attacked also didn’t endear him to fans. Even Ike knew when to leave Tina alone.

“YES I’M ON THE LIST” REALLY DOES WORK: Tareq and Michelle Salahi shocked the society world-and the White House-when they managed to crash the first state dinner by President Obama, despite a guest list that required security clearance and Secret Service screening. All we can say is-big deal. White House security has nothing on entertainment’s clipboard-carrying publicists. If they manage to crash a Diddy party, then that’s worth talking about.

AT LEAST WE HAVE JERMAJESTY: We all mourned the loss this year of one of the world’s most gifted artists, Michael Jackson, and his loss resonates as well-the man provided us with a wealth of material every year. Jackson’s death showed us that along with his music, the craziness will also live on. The Jackson family kept his body on ice for more than two months so they could have another memorial that cost more than $1 million, Jermaine Jackson tried to mount a tribute show to his brother that fizzled, LaToya mugged for camera time, Jackson’s dermatologist dished on his former patients and the remaining four of the five living Jackson brothers had a reality show by year’s end. Can anyone say, “Off the Wall”?

CELEBRITY OF THE YEAR: In an age where celebrities detail their bikini waxes in interviews and debut their new implants at premieres, it was refreshing to see an ungroomed, portly woman from across the Atlantic become the year’s biggest sensation. Susan Boyle proved to anyone worried that talentless opportunists were taking over our entertainment world that sometimes, talent does trump looks, substance can rise above style and a voice can win out over auto-tune. But even she wasn’t immune to celebrity pitfalls-she had the prerequisite nervous breakdown at the height of her success.

Welcome to the club, Susan! You are now official. — AP

doing our job,” said the police colonel responsible for youth affairs, Nelli Durian.”We are conducting explanatory, preventative work among teenagers and their parents to prevent children from becoming hooligans and from thoughts of suicide.” However, she said that she could not blame emo music for the reported rise in teenage suicide attempts in Armenia this year.

layboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner says he’s gotten engaged again. Hefner said in a Twitter message early yesterday that he’d given a ring to girlfriend and Playmate Crystal Harris, saying she burst into tears. “This is the happiest Christmas weekend in memory,” he wrote.

To clear up confusion over whether the ring was simply a Christmas gift, Hefner later tweeted: “Yes, the ring I

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Young fans like Masha and Ani have been worried by the anti-emo campaign, but they insist that they will not be pressured into abandoning the subculture that they love. “It is impossible to ban youth movements using repressive methods,” Ani said defiantly. “We will not stop listening to our music and dressing how we like. This is my choice.”— AFP

gave Crystal is an engagement ring. I didn’t mean to make a mystery out of it. A very merry Christmas to all.”

This would be the third marriage for the 84-year-old, star of E! reality series “The Girls Next Door,” which chronicles Hefner’s life at the Playboy Mansion. He divorced Playmate Kimberly Conrad last year. Harris is 23, according to her online biography

by E!—AP

Hugh Hefner,left, and Crystal Harris arrive at the premiere of ‘Iron Man 2’ at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles in this April 26, 2010 file photo.—AP