RI PT IO N BS C SU THE LEADING INDEPENDENT DAILY IN THE ARABIAN GULF
40 PAGES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2010
Al-Qaeda turncoat alerted Saudis to plot
Relations between Kuwait, UK stand test of time PAGE 2
conspiracy theories
Bon appetit, kids! By Badr ya Dar wish
I
t was nice to see the Minister of Education Moudhi Al-Humoud sharing breakfast with students the other day. Honestly, I did not know that our schools offer breakfast. It seems like I am not familiar with what is happening around until things happen and get published in the newspapers. Some 136,000 meals will be distributed to elementary schools daily. The project promises to extend to secondary school students. What is this sudden interest in feeding students? As far as I remember, Kuwait used to offer meals and uniforms in the past to all students in government schools until a decision was made in the late 80s to stop it. It was considered a waste after a thorough study was conducted by the Ministry of Education. It found that the students were not using the uniforms as their parents were buying them similar outfits of better quality. As far as the food was concerned, the students did not enjoy the ministry meals as their families used to provide them a lunchbox of their liking. So no more catering. What has changed in 20 years that made the ministry reverse their decision about food? Was another study made that showed students are different nowadays and they will enjoy the ministry of education meals and it won’t be wastage thrown in the school bins or left at the canteen tables? If that is the reason, I do not agree - because kids in 20 years have changed their eating habits drastically. They hardly even eat the food their mothers cook at home. They opt for junk food, fries and chocolate and abundance of ice-creams and sweets. Could there be another reason - that the ministry has surplus in its budgets and they do not know what to do with it? In all of this, the ministry did not inform us about the proper budget for these meals. I do not know if such a project should pass through parliament or not. I can imagine that there is a big bill here. We are talking millions. Some sources say that these meals will cost around KD 56 million. This is for elementary school alone. If this extends to secondary school, as Al-Humoud promised, then the bill would double. I am not saying that our kids do not deserve breakfast from the government. But the ministry itself is contradicting itself. First they cancel the meals system and now they bring it back. What has changed? May we know? Which companies are supplying these meals? What is the criteria for selecting these companies? Has the Ministry of Education created its own catering establishment now? I think the ministry of education could spend that money on education itself and on changing and updating the curricula, developing recreation schools, building more labs, bringing more professional teachers and feeding the minds of our children. It would have served the nation far better. Enjoy your breakfast, guys!
THULQIDA 25, 1431 AH
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NO: 14898
150 FILS
Halloween horror show for Super Bowl hopefuls
Brazil fetes first female prez-elect Rousseff PAGE 9
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Non-oil income eyed to diversify economy Weaker dollar ‘may force Gulf to appreciate currency’
KUWAIT: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Sheikh Ahmad Fahd AlSabah speaks at the Kuwait Financial Forum yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat
KUWAIT: Kuwait plans to boost its non-oil income fourfold by the end of a four-year development plan to diversify an economy heavily dependent on oil, a senior government minister said yesterday. “The four-year plan stipulates that non-oil revenues in its final year will rise to between KD 3.8-4.0 billion ($13.5$14.2 billion),” from its current level of around $3.5 billion, deputy premier for economic affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Fahd Al-Sabah, said. The minister, who was addressing the Kuwait Financial Forum, stressed that the plan envisages expanding the role of the private sector in the government-dominated economy. Its ultimate goal is to turn Kuwait into a regional trade and financial centre, he said. The $104-billion development plan, which was approved by parliament earlier this year, was launched this fiscal year which began on April 1 and is the first of its kind adopted by Kuwait in a quarter of a century. Sheikh Continued on Page 14
Amiri Diwan denies plane claims Controversy over human rights panel elections By B Izzak KUWAIT: The Amiri Diwan yesterday categorically denied that it was involved in a plan to purchase two transport planes after liberal MP Saleh Al-Mulla made the claim, saying the deal was worth $500 million. Mulla said in a statement that he and other colleagues were following with concern news that the Amiri Diwan planned to purchase the planes from a local influential businessman whose attempts to sell the planes to the defense ministry have failed. The lawmaker said that the influential businessman who is accused of stealing public funds and linked to one of the ministers had
some time ago purchased two transport planes for his company and when his project failed, he tried to sell the planes to the defense ministry. He said that the defense ministry rejected to buy the two planes for a variety of reasons and after applying rigid standards. The businessman did not like the ministry’s decision and has been trying to sell the two planes through the Amiri Diwan. Mulla claimed that orders have been issued from high-ranking government officials for a delegation from Kuwait Airways Corp (KAC) to travel to the United States, where the planes are grounded, in order to inspect the planes in a prelude to purchase them.
The lawmaker warned Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah from relenting to pressures from the businessman who is in cahoots with other civilian and military officials. Mulla warned that he will continue to monitor the issue and he will not hesitate to use constitutional tools. But the Amiri Diwan categorically denied the alleged purchase plan. In another development, MP Waleed AlTabtabaei yesterday sent a letter to National Assembly speaker Jassem Al-Khorafi demanding that elections of the human rights committee should be repeated. Continued on Page 14
KUWAIT: Oil and Information Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah gives a speech on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of OPEC yesterday. — AP
Gulf happy with current oil price SINGAPORE: Core Gulf OPEC members are happy with crude oil prices and top exporter Saudi Arabia said yesterday any additional demand for crude would be met. Gulf Arab producers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar pump nearly half of OPEC’s output and form a powerful bloc within the producer group. “We hope the price stays where it is now,” Saudi Oil Minister Ali AlNaimi told reporters in Singapore, where he is attending an industry conference. Producers would pump more oil if they saw demand for it, Naimi said. “Demand is driven by need and if there is need for additional supplies, it
will be provided.” Saudi Arabia is OPEC’s top oil producer and the only member with significant spare capacity to boost supplies. The kingdom has more than 4 million barrels per day of idle capacity. US crude traded near $82 yesterday, slightly above the $70 to $80 range that Naimi has said was ideal for producers and consumers. Prices at that level are high enough to encourage investment and low enough to spur growth, OPEC ministers have said. The $70 to $80 range was “very comfortable for consumers and producers for the time being,” Qatar’s Oil Minister Abdulla Al-Attiyah said yesterday. Continued on Page 14
In Beirut, a crash course in Arabic and Mideast politics
BAGHDAD: An Iraqi man mourns yesterday the death of his wife who was killed the night before at the Syrian Catholic Church. — AFP
Iraq Christians mourning after church siege kills 58 BAGHDAD: Iraq’s dwindling Christian community was grieving and afraid yesterday after militants seized a Baghdad church during evening Mass, held the congregation hostage and triggered a raid by Iraqi security forces. The bloodbath left at least 58 people killed and 78 wounded - nearly everyone inside. The attack, claimed by an Al-Qaeda-linked organization, was the deadliest ever recorded against Iraq’s Christians, whose numbers have plum-
meted since the 2003 US-led invasion as the community has fled to other countries. Outside Our Lady of Deliverance church, Raed Hadi leaned against the car carrying his cousin’s coffin, waiting for the police to let him bury him on church grounds. “It was a massacre in there and now they are cleaning it up,” he said yesterday morning. “We Christians don’t have enough protection. ... Continued on Page 14
BEIRUT: When Amtissal signed up to learn Arabic in Beirut, she was in for a bonus: class trips to the offices of Hezbollah and Hamas, both classified as terrorist organisations by her native America. “It was an amazing experience,” the US media studies graduate told AFP. “We saw the difference between television and reality.” Dozens of students from around the globe have joined the Beirut Exchange, a two-week program that offers a crash course in the Arabic language and brings participants face-to-face with prominent political, academic and economic leaders in the Middle East. “Some students coming from Denver, Colorado have never been to the Middle East,” said project coordinator Nicholas Noe. “They are studying Middle East security issues, get off a plane in Beir ut and Damascus, and within a day they get to meet some of the people they have been studying, some of whom are considered the worst people in the world.” The program, launched in 2008, is hosted twice annually by mideastwire.com, a website that specialises in translating articles in regional newspapers from Arabic to English. In addition to the Beirut Exchange, the Damascus Exchange and the Istanbul-Ankara Exchange, hosted in nearby Syria and Turkey, are rapidly gaining popularity. Noe has also begun talks with the University of Tehran to launch a similar program in Iran. In Lebanon, the program offers students the chance to meet Oussama Hamdan, the Lebanon representative of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, and Ammar
Mussawi, international relations officer of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. US law prohibits its citizens from providing material support to both movements but not from meeting members of the two radical groups. For 21-year-old Andrew Waller, the Beirut Exchange was a golden opportunity to hear the voices of groups he had only read about. “Meeting Hezbollah was an experience I really treasure,” said Waller, an economics student at the University of Exeter in Britain. “I have long been interested in the Middle East, but up until the exchange my contact with the region had been purely academic,” he told AFP by email. “I felt incredibly lucky. The access we had was unbelievable.” The program spans the Lebanese political spectrum, and while Hezbollah and Hamas members remain the uncontested stars, students also meet some of Lebanon’s proWestern politicians, such as Christian leader Samir Geagea, as well as US embassy officials. “The propaganda aspect is taken care of by having different voices” represented, Noe told AFP. But he is fully aware his project tips the balance towards parties with explicitly antiAmerican policies. “If one thing is going to be misleading, or a lie, or propaganda, it is still interesting for sophisticated students who come from top universities around the world,” Noe said. “They come very well-informed, so they avoid polemic questions like ‘Why do you hate Jews?’,” Noe added. “Instead, we get questions such as ‘What is Hamas’ economic program?’ and ‘How does your movement relate to non-Islamic peoples?’” Continued on Page 14
RIYADH: A picture dated March 24, 2008 shows a Saudi woman working on a little rug inside a tent at the Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market (STTIM) fair in the capital. — AFP
Saudi fatwa bars women from tills RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top clerics have challenged the government’s policy to expand jobs for women with a fatwa ruling that they should not work as cashiers in markets, in a statement obtained yesterday. In the statement obtained by AFP the official fatwa issuing body said that “it is not permissible for a
woman to work in a place where they mix with men”. “It is necessary to keep away from places where men congregate. Women should look for decent work that does not make it possible for them to attract men or be attracted by men,” said the statement dated Sunday. Continued on Page 14
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NATIONAL
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kuwait-UK ties stand test of time Britain to celebrate with Kuwait its 50th year of independence with next year’s festivities. I think both countries will have to come up with a certain system to do so.
KUWAIT: The British Ambassador to Kuwait Frank Baker held a meeting with editors-in-chief of local dailies at his residence on Sunday, where he spoke on Kuwait-UK ties, investments, visa issues, Kuwait’s development plan and a host of other issues.
A : I agree with you. The chances are already there to work together over the coming years. But we need to highlight that our companies will come to help. They will not take contracts they won’t be able to execute on schedule and to the agreed standards of quality.
Q: Talking about the celebrations of Kuwait’s 50th anniversary of independence, Kuwait is preparing for huge events throughout the year in different ways. What is your scenario for the next year as an embassy or representative of the British government in Kuwait? A: Of course the next year is going to be very interesting and fascinating as the 50th anniversary of the independence and the twentieth anniversary of the liberation. As it seems to me through my discussions with lots of friends here that in addition to celebrating the national anniversaries, we should also celebrate bilateral relations with the UK. Of course the UK has a unique position here in Kuwait. The UK was a major part of the coalition forces liberating Kuwait in 1991, the decision to go to the UN to make the liberation resolution, the decision to liberate Kuwait came out from Margaret Thatcher who stood up first amongst the world’s leaders and made it clear that the Iraqi aggression could not be accepted and that the international community would have to expel Iraq from Kuwait. So obviously, that was of a major significance from a political perspective. UK troops took part with the coalition forces fighting the liberating war in 1991 and seven tenths of British soldiers lost their lives in that mission. There were other countries involved in that war as well. The significance of BritishKuwaiti relations is that next year’s celebration of independence will be unique, and of course we remember the years 1961-1964 after independence, British troops remained in Kuwait to protect Kuwait from the aggression of Iraq in the north. So, we see that those troops were 100 percent British and that this came after nearly a 100 years of cooperation between both countries. I think that is a huge and significant part of Kuwait’s history. Therefore, we are having a whole year of celebrations that will focus mainly on four periods; one around the liberation day in February when we will have a senior British and political and military personnel from the 1990-1991 coming to Kuwait to take part in the celebrations, then we’ll be having a week of celebrations around the Queen’s Birthday in April, then there will be another week of celebrations around the independence day in June and then finally we’re going to have a Britain in Kuwait week in October, so there will be four pillars. Of course there will be many other occasions to be celebrated as we have political, defense and economic relations
Q: What happened to British Airways that once led the world’s carriers? A: I think that it is the only national carrier that announced making £170 million in profits before the first tax was imposed two years ago.
British Ambassador to Kuwait HE Frank Baker is seen with editors-in-chief of local dailies at his residence on Sunday. — Photos by Joseph Shagra
Q: What do you think of the development plan? Will it change Kuwait for the better? What are elements that might hinder its success? (An editorin-chief commented: There is no development without political stability. The country is undergoing a state of turmoil that hinders executing the development plan. We have to make the plan work to revive companies and create more job opportunities. Kuwait has taken its share of conflict and has been standing still since the 1980s. But I think it will now do so with strong backing unless a change takes place in parliament and the government. A: I agree with both views. The main thing is to combine them both. What you really need is international advisors and banks and I believe they will come to you. Q: What do you think, Mr Ambassador of this plan? A: I think it is a good start. Kuwait needs a leap forward and the development plan is a very good chance to do so.
Kuwait Times’ Editor-in-Chief Abd Al-Rahman Alyan greets HE Baker. with Kuwait. But it’s much more than that; it is a matter of friendship between both countries and the fact that so many Kuwaitis see London as their second home. It is the fact that many British personnel are working in the Kuwaiti health and education sectors. So we have a lot in common and our relations go way beyond politics and defense. I’m sure no other country outside the Gulf have such relationships. Q: Recently, you had new regulations in the UK concerning investment, taxes and budgets. How would this influence Kuwaitis and others investments in Britain? Another question, as a Kuwaiti, when I visited Britain in the past, I used to get a renewable 6month visa to stay in UK. Now, things are different and Kuwaitis, particularly those having investments in Britain,
wonder about the whole situation. A: There is still nothing to stop you. You can still go to the UK for 6 months then you leave for a day or two and get back. It’s just the way it used to be. The important part of immigration officers is to make sure that you are not going, in any way, to depend on the British state. We’re now issuing 10-year visas to go to UK and they are issuable in 24-48 hours. We obviously encourage Kuwaitis to come to their second home. There is no problem in that. Q: Are these 10-year visas for Kuwaitis only or for all Arabs? A: They are for our allies in the GCC, however people from other countries can apply to get them with no guarantees of getting the visa. More and
more Kuwaitis are now getting the 10-year visas that would save them a lot of trouble. One of the biggest questions I’m always asked about is visas given to domestic helpers. We can’t give the 10-year visa to them as they are not Kuwaitis. Q: Is it issuable for everybody or only for certain people? A: It’s for all Kuwaitis. Q: Can a taxi driver get it, then? A: Well, if he is a Kuwaiti citizen. That’s the main thing. We only do this to our friends and to countries with no immigration risk. Citizens of countries like India and Pakistan, for instance, come to the UK and break immigration rules. Q: In Switzerland, Schengen visas held by GCC citizens are accepted. Will the UK join the Schengen treaty? A: No we won’t join Schengen. Q: May we know why, your Excellency. UK is a member of the EU. A : That’s because we have specific immigration rules. We would sign up for Schengen if we know that anyone going through would go through the same strict rules we have in the UK. Anyway, we are not the only country in EU who are not members in the Schengen. There are other EU members who are not part of it such as Germany and France. Being an island, the UK is different. But it’s absolutely better as we give visas a lot quicker than Schengen and we give 10-year ones and I don’t think Schengen gives such too. Q: You are not even members in the EU currency. A: No, we’re not. Q: Is that better for your economy?
Baker touched on a raft of topics that involve Kuwait and Britain and longstanding ties between the two nations. A: I think that’s a very good question. I think that this was one of the reasons why the UK managed to quickly recover from the recent economic crisis; because we have our own currency which we devalued against other currencies and thus it made our exports much more attractive, so where we sit now relies on the British economy and the British economy only without being affected by problems affecting other countries because we are not in the eurozone. Q: What about speculations in the real estate sector? Do you think that some owners who had bought their real estate properties 20 years back should now sell it and run away from London? A : That’s a very good question. The British real estate market has been having its ups and downs like other ones. In recent years, the property market has witnessed some increase followed by a fall that was, compared to the property falls of the 1970s and the early 1990s, not so big. But I think that there are signs already that the market is beginning to recover, so the answer to your question is that this is a good time to stay in British real estate. So I would strongly argue that you should maintain your investment. Q : I t h in k p e o p l e w o u ld w ant to make sure that the n e w c h a n g e s i n B r it is h rules would not affect their investments in the future. A: I think the changes the new government is making are actually for the better. It has certainly stabilized the financial market in the past six months it has been in power. I think we have no need to fear. The British government is really beginning to solve the economic crisis it had inherited. I would like here to talk about the new British government and its new initiative for
the Gulf. You know that we had a general election in May this year and the results could have been suspended unless the Conservative and the Liberal Democrats formed a two-party coalition that gave it a very comforting majority in parliament. This is the first time Britain is governed by a two-party coalition since 1931. The new government is handling the economic crisis more seriously and believes that, for some reason or another, the previous government had ignored some of our oldest friends and allies in the world. Therefore, many initiatives have been taken to set this right including in the Gulf that focuses on enhancing BritishGCC relations, including those with Kuwait of course, over the coming five years. That’s why this period will witness may visits like the recent one of Lord Sassoon, the secretary of treasury in September. There was also a successful three-day visit of secretary of state for international development, Andrew Mitchell. Four or five more cordial visits are scheduled over the next few months to hold talks with Kuwaiti counterparts, citizens and the media. We are looking forward to build on that locally for the sake of independence and liberation celebrations. It’s going to go in the other direction, as well. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah has already met with our FM, Haig, three times over the past five months; your defense minister, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak visited London and met his counterpart, Liam Fox and your interior minister met with our security secretary, which are all very important in enhancing our bilateral bonds. Q: The Qatari Emir has recently been warmly welcomed in London and I think that the Qataris are the largest investors in Britain first it was Kuwait, then UAE and now Qatar. The question is why Qatar is investing in
Britain? A: I think that must be asked to the Qatari government. Q: I mean, what was it that attracted Qatar to invest in Britain? A : Just like any other GCC state, Qatar has intelligent businessmen who have been investing in London because it is a good place for investment. But let’s not forget that Kuwaitis were the first investors in Britain since 1953 who still have the largest investment portfolios in Britain. Q: I came across information that since the late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed was a finance minister in 1959, he had a bureau for investing in Britain that functioned through the Amiri Diwan. I think investments will increase with the new development plan. A: As you know, we have good investment laws in Britain and most importantly, the British people welcome those purchasing property and investing in its country. It is important that investments in our country continue but we’d also like to invest abroad in a country like Kuwait where there are humongous opportunities. Some major British companies are already investing here and Britain can provide Kuwait with enough expertise in this regard. Within two weeks, London’s mayor is visiting Kuwait escorted by a large team of business and finance men to promote the idea of building and maintaining hospitals and schools to be leased to the public sector in a bid to combine both private and public sectors. The Duke of York often visits Kuwait to discuss business, finance and investments. Q: This needs to be enhanced by both sides and by both the private and public sector in both countries, particularly
Q: Politically speaking, do you think the plan is on the right track as far as the government and the parliament are concerned? A : I’ve been here for eight months during which so many things took place; even more than what happened in the past eight years. Everybody has to work together. In Britain, the opposition has its role in straightening the government’s track. It’s not opposition for the sake of opposition. Great politicians and party leaders realize that. The new Labour party leader, Ed Miliband, opposes the government in some issues and supports it in others. This was the way with Conservatives amongst the opposition when they supported liberating Iraq in 2003 and the war in Afghanistan. It is politically important for people to realize this - anyone can criticize and it takes great people to support others. I do agree with calls to give the private sector a larger role to play. This is why we wish to help Kuwait in creating a partnership between private and public sectors. The development plan is a great opportunity to launch private sector investments in Kuwait, and you do have a good, young, strong and dynamic one. Some major Kuwaiti companies have expanded over the past few years such as Al-Shaya Group and Al-Kharafi. Q: It is important that the government conveys its message. Some people are shouting accusations constantly without being responded to regardless of their validity. This makes people tend to believe them. A: The British press has affiliations. The Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail are Conservative while the Daily Mirror and the Guardian are for the Labor and the Independent is Liberal Democratic. Nevertheless, they criticize and write editorials whenever mistakes are detected. So, if you feel somebody is making trouble for the sake of only making trouble, don’t you think that it is worth being published in your press? You have a free press, except for a few exceptions.
NATIONAL
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Czech president seeks to bolster ties with Kuwait Klaus meets business chiefs at KCCI
Ibrahim Al-Dashti and Amani Al-Bloushi
Al-Dashti, Al-Bloushi to host 2nd Red Bull Flugtag KUWAIT: On Friday, November 5, Ibrahim AlDashti and Amani Al-Bloushi will host the 2nd Red Bull Flugtag in Kuwait. The fun-filled event will take place at the Marina Crescent at 1:00 pm and will feature the competition of more than 30 teams and 120 athletes from all over Kuwait for the prestigious award. The event is free and open to the general public. Al-Dashti and Al-Bloushi have presented several events as well as live TV shows. They bring a natural interest, energy and enthusiasm to any event they participate in. “Being assigned the role of master of ceremony at an event such as the 2nd Red Bull Flugtag is really a big responsi-
bility,” Al-Dashti said after visiting the location. “The success of the event is your responsibility and you have to guarantee that all the spectators are entertained.” “Humour is the key to hosting any event. We will do our best to keep everyone amused,” AlBloushi added. “We will also try to provide spectators with background information about the event, its different stages and interact with the judges and athletes on the ramp. It’s going to be a great show.” Flugtag, which means flying day in German, gives competitors the chance to be heroes for a day when they launch their homemade human powered flying machines off a six meter high flight deck.
KD 250 laptop grant for each KU student KUWAIT: Kuwait University students will each receive a KD250 grant as part of the university’s plans to integrate technology into the learning process. This strategy was selected over the previously suggested option of providing each student with a laptop computer. The decision which was unanimously approved by the KU management board, was announced on Sunday by Secretary General Anwar AlYatama, adding that the allowance will be paid annually and is available only to new stu-
dents. High-tech educational aids are being introduced as part of the comprehensive technology integration system that is being implemented as one component of the country’s wideranging educational development plan, which will see similar advanced technology being introduced into the learning process at all the country’s schools and higher education institutions. It was initially proposed that each KU student would be provided with a laptop computer to use in their studies, reported Al-Qabas, but this was later
amended to giving each student a grant so that they could decide which equipment they deemed most beneficial. Meanwhile, the KU staff union has announced that it has suspended planned industrial action over delayed salary payments which was scheduled to take place today. In a press statement released on Sunday, union head Haitham Al-Hajri said that the union took the decision to suspend the strike action after the KU Secretariat was able to pay the salaries in full before the Sunday night deadline set by the union.
KUWAIT: The visiting Czech President Vaclav Klaus called yesterday for enhancing bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between his country and Kuwait, particularly in the business sector. Addressing a meeting of representatives of Kuwaiti and Czech companies, held at headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry the president said the Kuwaiti-Czech relations have been fruitful. The Czech Republic considers Kuwait as a state of special weight in the Middle East, Klaus said, alluding to the diverse potentials available in Kuwait that could constitute the basis for a higher level of cooperation between the two sides. He also noted that his country had taken part in the liberation of the Gulf country in 1991. Shedding further light on the historic ties, the president noted that Czech companies had built water fountains at public spots in the Gulf country in 70s. He urged the attending Kuwaiti businessmen to be present in his country as investors, tourists, merchants and partners. For his part, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al-Sager, who headed the Kuwaiti side during the deliberations at the chamber main offices, said the volume of commercial exchanges between the two countries has remained below the aspired level. He called for organizing visits by Kuwaiti and Czech businessmen to the two countries to push the level of the commercial cooperation to a higher status. It is high time for the Czech companies to enter the domestic market in shadow of implementation of the state development scheme that envisages overhauling the infrastructure at a projected cost of $100 billion, AlSager said. Volume of the Kuwaiti-Czech trade exchanges amounted to $40 million in the end of last year. — KUNA
kuwait digest Democracy, in theory By Dr Bader Al-Daihani
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KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah receives Czech President Vaclav Klaus during a banquet dinner that was hosted in honor of the visiting dignitary. — KUNA
n theory, we have a constitution that organizes our public life, a relative democracy, and an OK amount of freedom. In practice however, the constitution only provides the minimum to establish a modern democratic and constitutional state. Despite that it is not fully implemented, it’s clear that the meaning of our constitution is side stepped every day. Our democracy meanwhile, is not complete because there is no exchange of power, an overlapping of authority, and the government, while represented in parliament, is not elected. Additionally, there is the backwardness of the elections law. Its undemocratic, unconstitutional, and does not allow MPs to represent the entire nation. Elections are nothing more than a superficial bidding on positions of power that reflects the public’s ignorance. The outcome of general elections is not determined by the quality of the programs presented by candidates but rather by the individual capabilities and financial status of the candidates. The opportunistic nature of politics as a whole is demonstrated by the dialogue between National Assembly (NA) members, and the style of their aggressive and adversarial press statements. The majority of NA members do not know anything about the nature of parliamentary action, its requirements or its pressures. Additionally, the government’s structure is determined by the personal relations many have with cabinet members. Many of them do not have previous political experience, or any sort of experience in public affairs, before becoming ministers. Some of them even lack the required political sense to know the nature of their constitutional and political roles. — Al-Ja rida
NATIONAL
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The Afghan Ambassador
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The new Japanese Ambassador presents his credentials
The French Ambassador presents her credentials
Ambassadors present credentials The Jamaican Ambassador
The Indonesian Ambassador
Mail service firms adopt high-tech security system Kuwait courier companies on guard By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: There are a variety of logistics and freight forwarding companies that transfer goods and documents across Kuwait and beyond. They deliver mail all over the w orld and are part of the global transportation and distrib-
ution industry. In the w ake of the terrorist alert w ith parcels containing explosive devices some companies have adopted new procedures and hightech equipment to make sure that their services are as safe and secure as possible. “We have become even more strict in our monitoring procedures but rely mostly on the airport,” Rijo from TNT told the Kuwait Times.
KUWAIT: Top Kuwaiti security officials meet to review security and safety measures in the country following parcel bomb scares in Dubai and Britain. — KUNA
Banks outline project funding conditions KUWAIT: Local banks have reportedly agreed to cooperate with the government over funding the projects contained in the development plan on the condition their capital is increased depending on the funding requirements presented by the companies executing the projects. The banks have also proposed a bonds issue to help defray the development projects’ funding costs, suggesting that between 30 and 50 percent of the funds could be raised through an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the government providing the remaining 50 to 70 percent of the funds through state bodies such as the Kuwait Investment Authority or the Public Institution For Social Security. According to Al-Watan, the banks have also made their support conditional on their rights being protected should the government decide to cancel any of the development plan-related contracts.
Al-Barrak wins slander appeal KUWAIT: The Appeals Court has overruled a previous court order finding a local daily and a columnist employed there not guilty of slandering MP Musallam Al-Barrak. The Appeals Court also ruled in Barrak’s favor in another case filed against him by a local firm alleging defamation. In his first statement after the verdict, Al-Barrak praised the Kuwaiti judicial system, which he said “has always been a safe haven for citizens seeking justice in this country.” The MP’s attorney, Tamer AlJadei, said that the verdict refuted the accusations against his client, which the lawyer said had been made solely out of spite, reported Al-Rai. On a separate issue, MP Dr. Walid
Al-Tabtabae has submitted a number of parliamentary questions to Dr. Fadhil Safar, the Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipality Affairs, enquiring about “conflicting information” concerning the costs of the Jaber Hospital project and the amount of work already done on it. Meanwhile, MP Mubarak AlWaalan has submitted a number of questions to health minister Dr. Helal Al-Sayer on accusations of misuse of public funds in contracts retaining international experts to provide medical consultation services for children with cancer. The MP suggested that the contracts had been signed with an apparent lack of public transparency over their content.
“New scan machines were installed at the airports with high detection rates, even for small envelops. If they found anything suspicious they would stop the outgoing shipment. They take the same security procedures for incoming mail as well.” “We have a list of forbidden items that can’t be sent through our office,” he continued. “For instance, we don’t accept liquids of any amount. We also only allow medicine to be shipped in small quantities and with a doctor’s prescription. We don’t accept sprays of any kind, including deodorants or insect killers.” Outgoing mail is checked in a series of different stages. “All the employees are trained for this job,” Rijo added. “They receive awareness training for potentially dangerous items such as liquids or chemicals. In the second phase, the mail is collected by couriers who check the mail again with an additional scan.” Some shipping companies were unaffected by the increased precautions taken at airpor ts recently. Annie, an employee with UPS, said that their company’s policies are already pretty strict. “We have a list of forbidden items and depend on the customs department to check incoming and outgoing mail. We don’t accept liquids, medicines, powder or any other forbidden items,” she said. Other mail delivery companies agree on the importance of having strict security measures. “Any package that a customer wants shipped must be subjected to a screening, whether it is boxed or wrapped,” said Rana from Fedex. If we receive mail from a customer with forbidden materials we have them collect the package the next day.” “There are international laws and rules that all couriers must follow,” added Jumma Abu Najm, an employee with Aramex. “We are very careful about how we monitor the mail.”
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah yesterday received a number of ambassadors who presented credentials to His Highness on assuming their diplomatic duties in Kuwait. — KUNA photos
Kuwaiti fugitive arrested; fatal accidents claim 2 KUWAIT: A Ministry of Interior employee was killed in a car accident in Thahar, reported AlWatan. The accident occurred when the 30-year-old citizen lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a light post. Paramedics responded to the incident and pronounced the man dead upon their arrival. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. Meanwhile, an Egyptian girl was killed in Mahboulah when she was accidentally struck by a bus, reported Al-Rai. Paramedics pronounced the woman dead upon their arrival and authorities gathered information on the bus driver who fled the scene after the incident. Public shooting A Ministry of Defense employee reported that the driver of a pickup truck fired shots into the air in Mina Abdullah, reported Al-Watan. A case was opened. Impersonator uncovered Police are currently looking for a man who attempted to rob a baqala in Salmiya while impersonating a police officer, reported Al-Watan. The storekeeper realized that the man was trying to scam him when the impersonator demanded payment for carrying out an investigation. Authorities were able to identify the man after investigating his license plate number and a search for the suspect is ongoing.
Fugitive in custody Mubarak Al-Kabeer officials arrested a Kuwaiti fugitive wanted for several previous offenses, including failing to pay a KD 50,000 charge, reported Al-Watan. The arrest occurred in Sabah Al-Salem when officials approached the suspect for parking suspiciously near a baqala in the area. When police investigated his identity they discovered that he was wanted and referred him to the proper authorities. Explosives found A hand grenade was found near Abdaly Road and was successfully deactivated, reported Al-Watan. Police called in bomb squad experts after discovering the object while setting up a checkpoint on the road. It was identified as a hand grenade that was left over from the 1990 Iraqi Invasion. Wife disappeared An Arab woman disappeared with her daughter shortly after a failed suicide attempt, reported Al-Rai. The woman was first admitted to the hospital by her husband after she consumed a large amount of medication in an attempt to end her life. When her treatment was finished, the husband took his wife to the police station in order to file the proper legal procedures but discovered that his wife, whom he left inside the car with their daughter, had disappeared. He informed police and a search was launched.
Robbery Three people stole a number of sheep and a machine worth KD 500 from an animal farm in Rahiya after assaulting the farm’s owner and janitor, reported Al-Anba. The owner realized his farm was being robbed when he noticed a suspicious looking SUV parked outside of his property with its license plate painted black. Upon entering the farm he discovered three masked people beating up the janitor and was handcuffed at knifepoint. When the thieves escaped the citizen reported the incident at the Taima police station. An investigation was launched. Domestic disturba nce A citizen was admitted to Adan Hospital after his wife threw acid on his face in an act of revenge, reported Al-Anba. The maid called the victim’s brother when she heard screams come from the living room and saw his wife flee the house. Upon reaching the scene the man found his brother in pain on the floor with a severe facial injury. He was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit where it was determined that he suffered burns to his face as a result of an acid wound. When the wife was arrested and questioned about the assault she admitted to carrying out the attack and explained that she got the acid from her car mechanic.
KU, Armenian University ink deal KUWAIT: Kuwait University (KU) yesterday signed an academic cooperation agreement with Armenia’s Yerevan State University (YSU). Kuwait University said in a press statement today that the cooperation agreement was signed after KU’s Acting Rector Dr. Mohammed Behbehani received YSU President Aram Simonian, as well as the head of YSU’s International Affairs Department, Alexander Marcarov, and Armenian Ambassador Fadi Harshoglia. Discussions during the meeting focused on ways of establishing academic cooperation between the two bodies. — KUNA
Dear citizens and residents, Cooperation helps achieve a school year free of traffic accidents With complements from the Interior Ministry’s Security Media Department
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Saudi King’s Iraq initiative reflects sincere concerns Kuwait supports call for reconciliation talks
Zain CEO Khalid Al-Omar
Zain offers local charges to customers during haj Offer applies to eeZee, post paid, Internet and BB lines KUWAIT: Zain, the leading mobile telecommunications company in Kuwait announced launching special distinguished offers for its customers traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform pilgrimage this year. In a press release, the company stated that Zain Kuwait customers shall be able to make phone calls pursuant to the local charges in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage period starting from the 1st of November till the first of December. Zain affirmed that its customers will enjoy local Saudi Arabia charges when making phone calls, sending SMS, and using BB or Internet services as long as they are performing such services within Zain network in Saudi Arabia. Zain Chief Executive Officer Khalid Al-Omar said on this occasion: “Zain is always keen to be close to visitors of the Holy Kaaba every year, and this initiative comes out of its keenness to share such faithful feelings of pilgrimage.” He explained, “This initiative shall play a part in keeping Zain customers traveling to the holy land in contact with their relatives and families” referring that the company would not miss such blessed occasion without sharing such feelings with its customers. Al-Omar added: “Zain always seeks the best solutions and applications via a group of vital initiations that meet the ambitions and desires of its customers” explaining that Zain considers itself a main partner of the society through active participation and providing value added services. Al-Omar stated: “With the actual application of this service, all Zain EZ and post-paid customers shall benefit from locally charged communication services in Saudi Arabia, and will not be charged regular roaming charges as long as they are on Zain network.” It is worth mentioning that the Zain offer during the pilgrimage season is a service that allows Zain Kuwait customers to roam in Saudi Arabia without paying the usual roaming charge. All the customer needs to do is to connect to the Zain network in Saudi Arabia to benefit from local charges for making voice calls, sending SMS, and using the Internet and BB services. For more information about pilgrimage offers, Zain customers may call 107, or visit the website www.zain.com
KUWAIT: The cabinet yesterday reaffirmed Kuwait’s support for the call issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, to Iraqi leaders to hold reconciliation talks in Riyadh under the umbrella of the Arab League. The State of Kuwait renewed its support for what the cabinet called the “generous initiative that demonstrated the concern of the sisterly kingdom toward the repercussions from the conditions in Iraq,” said an official statement issued after yesterday’s regular weekly cabinet meeting, alluding to King Abdullah’s call to Iraq’s leaders to sit at the negotiating table in the Kingdom in an attempt to resolve the ongoing Iraqi government formation crisis. The cabinet praised the Saudi leadership for its sincere eagerness to ensure the solidarity of the Iraqi people, along with Iraq’s territorial sanctity and national stability, as well as for its diligent bids to restore security and stability to Iraq. In the statement, the cabinet also expressed hope that this initiative would be successful, urging “our Iraqi brethren to seize this great opportunity to reach satisfactory solutions that meet the aspirations of the brotherly people of Iraq to live in a unified, secure and stable homeland.” The Saudi monarch’s historic initiative adds to his distinguished record and further emphasizes the conscientious role played by the kingdom in the service of fellow Arab and Muslim nations, said the statement, read by Roudhan Abdulaziz Al-Roudhan, Kuwait’s Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, following the session.
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah presiding over the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.— KUNA Abbas vis it Also at the Arab level, the Cabinet welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is due to start an official visit to Kuwait today. It also welcomed the current visit of the Czech President. The session began with a briefing on the contents of a message addressed to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah from Yemeni Prime Minister Ali Mohammad Major, concerning the preparations for the upcoming 20th session of the
Arab Gulf Cup Soccer Tournament, to be hosted by Sanaa. Con dole nce s The ministers also expressed their condolences to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed AlNahyan, the President of the UAE, on the demise of a member of the Higher Council of the UAE and the ruler of Ras Al-Khima, Sheikh Sager Bin Mohammad Al-Qassemi, praising the deceased leader for his profound efforts and achievements in support of the UAE’s development. Also during the meeting,
the cabinet tasked the Ministerial Committee for Economic Affairs with presenting “a practical plan” to ensure the flawless implementation of the state development strategy. The official statement released after the session indicated that the Commission’s resulting plans or proposals should put forward practical mechanisms for the effective auditing and supervision of the performance of those involved in implementing the development plan. Moreover, the Cabinet also looked into a number of issues concerning the parliament.
Dev elop me nt st ra te gy His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser AlMohammed Al-Sabah has repeatedly affirmed his determination to ensure the proper implementation of the development strategy, on the basis of complying with international standards and meeting the primary national objective as articulated by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlSabah, which is to transform Kuwait into a lucrative regional and international business hub. Also during yesterday’s meeting, the cabinet approved a draft decree appointing
Ahmad Yacoub Baqer as member of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development. The appointment was announced by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Minister of State for Development Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Sabah. Speaking after the meeting, Sheikh Ahmad said that Baqer would be replacing Dr. Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf after the latter was appointed to the board of commissioners of the country’s financial market authority.—KUNA
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kuwait should adopt flexible employment practices: Survey 86% men and 51% women employed in Kuwait By Nisreen Zahreddine
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah receives Head of the Royal Consultative Council of Bhutan yesterday. —KUNA
kuwait digest
Let soldiers vote By Salah Al-Elaj
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n Kuwait, soldiers were prevented from voting in the 1960s, a period of great political turbulence and revolution in Arabia which saw a number of military coups and subsequent immense social instability in the region. I believe that this was the only justification during that period for preventing soldiers from becoming involved in politics. When the National Guards was founded in Kuwait after that period and things across the region were calmer, members of the military voting was no longer issue due to the lack of any security concerns related to the matter. One favorite allegory in Kuwait recounts the tale of three male cousins who decide to join the military; the first is accepted into the army through using wasta, the second becomes an officer by the same means and the third, whose wasta is the greatest becomes a National Guards officer. Since only 15
or so cadets are accepted annually into the National Guards, they are trained alongside the army officers, so two of the fictitious cousins in this tale receive the same training, as well as eating and training together, before graduating and taking their oaths together. I won’t discuss salary differences, bonuses or the speed of promotion for those serving in different branches of the Kuwaiti military; it’s enough to say that the army and Ministry of Interior officers protect the state and are required, along with their colleagues in the National Guards, to remain constantly vigilant and devote their lives to protecting the state. Unfortunately, however, no matter how great the wasta required to get into the various branches of the military, it’s still insufficient for non-National Guard officers to win the right to vote and thus be treated like their more fortunate ‘cousins.’ I believe that all members of the military should be allowed to vote, just as
women have recently been empowered to do, just as their brothers and cousins in other branches of the military can. Otherwise, I would suggest that the government construct separate military towns for army personnel and police equipped with separate homes, streets, hospitals, mosques, parks, shops, malls and media solely for Ministry of Interior security personnel and army staff. Such places are, perhaps, the only places where these neglected citizens can be convinced that what happens in their nation or the decisions taken by the National Assembly don’t concern them and their families as they do their ‘cousins.’ Until such a time as these new areas are constructed, however, it is my belief that these citizens should be allowed, even temporarily to vote, since they live among us and they are part of Kuwaiti society and share the same concerns as the rest of us. —Alam Al-Yaum
GDDC hosts 8th anti-drug symposium By Hanan Al-S aadoun KUWAIT: The activities of the Eighth Symposium Against Drugs continued in cooperation with Ministry of Education with a tour of several intermediate and secondary schools in the Ahmadi and Jahra educational areas. The conference was conducted under the instruction of the head of the General Department for Drug Control (GDDC), Major General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdallah Al-Khalifa. A lecture was given by Captain Thamer Al-Hajiri who praised the efforts of the symposium and spoke on the importance of allowing students to understand the various efforts taken by authorities to fight against drugs. He said that drugs are a disease and that everyone must cooperate with the GDDC to curb the presence of drugs and drug dealers in the country. He added that it is important for young people to inform authorities about those who try to promote the use of drugs. Meanwhile, international expert on drugs, Dr Ayed AlHumaidan said that the awareness department at the GDDC prepares programs and spreads awareness amongst youth in order to protect them from the perils of drug abuse.
Wanted criminal flees country KUWAIT: Several creditors expressed their displeasure upon learning that former Ministry of Communications Undersecretary Hamid Khaja escaped from the country, reported Al-Aan. It was reported that eye witnesses spotted him in Iran a few days ago despite the fact that a travel ban was imposed against him. He was ordered to serve a 12-year jail sentence for issuing a bad KD 10 million check. Official sources said that Khaja’s escape, despite the ban, will open a new wave of criticism against the Minister of Interior in an attempt to hold him accountable. The source mentioned that the case is similar to a case against former MP Jamal Al-Kandary, who was able to flee the country after bouncing a KD 5 million check and avoid a jail sentence of two years.
KUWAIT: The GCC region suffers from a lack of flexible employment practices. The available employment opportunities with flexible conditions in terms of working hours, qualification, and other criteria are less common. A survey prepared by Booz & Company entitled, “The case of flexible employment in the GCC countries” focused on GCC countries that enumerated the pitfalls present in the employment environment. It also focuses on the situation especially after the global economic crisis which strongly affected GCC countries. The critical role of not only healthy economic and financial regulations, but also labor market rules and practices were made clear. Flexible employment is required to notch an increase in labor participation as it is low especially in terms of youth and fresh graduates, reduction in unemployment, and a boost in overall business agility. The survey specified three segments of population that are affected by this inflexible employment situation. They are stay-at-home nationals, spouses of expats, and students and retired nationals. In Kuwait, 86 percentage of men are employed while only 51 percent of the women are working, the survey findings show. Even though the female workforce in the GCC as a whole and in Kuwait in particular is the lowest, women are more educated than men. This is despite the fact that out
Brothel raided, 50 arrested By Hanan Al-S aadoun KUWAIT: Authorities were informed about a 60-year-old Iraqi and two Kuwaitis in their 40s selling liquor. The three were caught selling 23 cartons of liquor behind a Rumainthiya police station. They were also found to be in possession of 120 additional cartons of liquor, weapons and KD 50,000 cash. It was discovered that some of the money was forged. A further investigation revealed that the two Kuwaiti criminals are related to an influential former MP.
Criminal investigators raided a number of brothels in the Farwaniya and Hawally governorates. The raid, which was supervised by the Director of the Administration of Criminal Detectives, resulted in the arrest of more than 50 expatriate male and females, most of which were Asians. Official sources said that the raid was conducted by 25 detectives with the help of
Education minister rejects accusations KUWAIT: Education minister Dr. Moudhi Al-Humoud has responded disdainfully to the threat of an interpellation proposed by the Reform and Development Bloc against her concerning the appointment of senior Ministry of Education (MoE) officials. Responding to questions from reporters about the bloc’s grilling motion during a tour of local schools, the minister said that she had been “honest with Allah and my conscience” in selecting the officials for these posts, asserting that the threat of interpellation from certain MPs would not be allowed to obstruct the education ministry’s completion of its development plan-related objectives. MoE officials are working with absolute transparency and putting Kuwait’s interests at the forefront of their work, as well as being scrupulously honest, she said. Whilst no MoE official can prevent elected representatives from performing their constitutional role, she went on, the ministry has to perform its own duties. Dr. Al-Humoud said that the essential thing now is to evaluate educational officials’ experience and assess how students benefit from it, identifying both the positive and negative elements of all staff members’ experience and working on
improving these in all aspects. The minister said that the media would be provided with a full and detailed report on the cost of the project to introduce school meals to all local schools, adding that the ministry works in a wholly transparent manner and emphasizing that the Ministry of Health (MoH) directly supervises this project and ensures that all the meals offered are suitable for the students. Meanwhile, one of the MPs submitting the grilling motion against the education minister, Faisal Al-Mislem, has accused the cabinet of supporting or opposing MPs’ membership of parliamentary committees based on the cabinet members’ subjective feelings about them rather than the MPs’ qualifications for these posts. AlMislem expressed concern that the government’s negative intervention in the committee selection process could reflect negatively on parliamentary performance and on its cooperation with the government. The Reform and Development Bloc MP, who is a member of the parliamentary public facilities committee, said that the recent Amiri speech delivered during the opening session of the new parliamentary term had been addressed to MPs and cabinet members
alike. He added that the committee of which he is a member is one of the best in the National Assembly (parliament), given its excellent record in performance and cooperation with government. Al-Mislem said that the issue of education is the Reform and Development Bloc’s main priority at this point, adding that the bloc’s members are currently in the process of drawing up the final outline of the grilling motion against Dr. Al-Humoud. He indicated that another priority for the bloc is finding out more about interior minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid AlSabah’s decision to release two Iranian drug dealers, as well as about a number of violations perpetrated by security officials. The MP criticized the cabinet for “claiming to support transparency while simultaneously failing to take steps such as enforcing the anticorruption laws or establishing an anticorruption authority.” Al-Mislem also voiced skepticism over the cabinet’s strategy concerning the funding of the projects included in the development plan, while warning that national unity could be adversely affected by the government’s failure to enforce the country’s laws. —Agencies
ment opportunities can be provided, he asserted. On the other hand, he pointed out that small and mid-sized organizations need to be encouraged so that fresh graduates and students that need part time jobs will be able to find them. Expatriates cannot set up their own businesses as well, as Kuwaiti sponsorship is a must. This practice also obstructs new job opportunities that could be more flexible. Sally, an HR Manager at a FMCG company mentioned that Kuwait still needs to put in more efforts to develop its labor law and environment by encouraging a new culture that allows flexible employment. She added that many problems prevent the company from hiring qualified women because of the working hours, or the type of work that requires mixing with male employees a lot. This situation has not been favored by female employees’ spouses or families. Employment qualification are getting higher not only in the company she works for in Kuwait, but also in many others too, “We might sometimes hire somebody to perform a job just because they can comply with working hours for instance.” At the same time, she said that they lose qualified candidates who do not accept the terms and conditions of work for certain reasons. The survey presents many solutions to make employment in the GCC more flexible. It states that the efficiency of labor markets can be improved and helps reduce unemployment in the region.
Liquor racket busted
Brothel raided, 50 arrested
KUWAIT: First Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah received the Director General of the Organization for Banning Chemical Weapons yesterday.
of a 8 to 9 million of GCC female nationals of employable age, no more than a third hold a regular professional position. Another segment was included by the survey is the spouses of expatriates, or inactive expatriates. Those who are sponsored by their husbands are technically forbidden from salaried activities unless they transfer their work permits to be on a full time employer. As for the students, most of them cannot combine their studies with full-time employment. This is in addition for high standards that cannot match with the fresh graduates’ qualifications. Regulations in the GCC countries also prevent retired nationals from working after their retirement. Maher, an HR Manager with one of the construction companies in Kuwait said that the problem about inflexible unemployment is a mix of society culture, working environment and government policies. He explained that work regulations and the environment do not encourage Kuwaitis to work. “This is because many facilities are provided to them. Also certain jobs cannot be performed by women as they are demanding,” he said elaborating that the society views women’s role in the labor market as being minor. “Women are not viewed as a breadwinner,” he said. Maher feels that the labor law should be more flexible, though it had actually undergone some serious amendments but still needs some flexibility in terms of working hours, with the imposition of a training system for fresh graduates. This way more employ-
Asian informants. All those arrested are expected to be deported.
Arrests While carrying out a campaign in the area, Fahaheel authorities arrested a bedoon man for smoking hashish and being in possession of a bottle of imported liquor. Meanwhile, Jahra police arrested two citizen for driving recklessly on Kabd Road. After pulling the two citizens over, they discovered that the two were intoxicated and in possession of a bottle of liquor. They were referred to the proper authorities. In an unrelated incident, a 43-year-old Kuwaiti citizen reported that his grocery store was robbed by two people who broke into the store. He told Wafra police that the thieves threatened the Asian clerk and stole KD 190 from the store. A description of the thieves and their car was taken by authorities. In another incident, a 27-
year-old citizen was stabbed in the right shoulder and suffered a head injury after getting in a fight with three citizens in Ferdous. A case was registered at the local police station. Meanwhile, a local bus driver suffered a head injury when children threw stones at his bus in Ferdous. In Mubarak Al-Kabeer, detectives arrested a Bengali expat after being informed that he was selling drugs. A search of his belongings revealed he was in possession of illegal drugs.
Accidental deaths A 26-year-old Afghani was accidentally electrocuted to death in his home in Sulaibiya. Meanwhile, a 40-year-old Egyptian suffered fatal head and chest injuries when a water reservoir fell on him in Mahboula.
Injury A 20-year-old Lebanese dislocated his shoulder while playing soccer. He was brought to Mubarak Hospital.
in the news 3 0 butcher s ho ps cl o s ed KUWAIT: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has ordered the closure of thirty butcher shops. Also, charges were pressed against the owners in connection with commercial fraud. This announcement was made recently by AbdulAziz Al-Khaldi, Assistant Undersecretary for Commercial Supervision and Customer Protection Affairs. He indicated that the operations were made as part of the ministry’s commitment to combat similar cases. Sudden price increase and manipulation in the quality of products will be curbed, he said, reported Al-Rai. Merchants who are found guilty of commercial fraud will be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison including a KD 5,000 fine, Al-Khaldi added.
MEW pl aces tender KUWAIT: The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) will place tenders for annual maintenance procedures to be carried out across the country’s power generating and water desalination plants. The ministry aims to reinforce the efficiency of plants and make them fully prepared to increase consumption rates next summer, reported Al-Rai. Meanwhile, the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) announced that bidding has ended for a project to build a main transformation plant in AlZour. Five local and internation-
al companies have made bids for the project, which will take five years to complete. This project will help boost power generated from power plants located across the southern part of the country.
Q8 to take o v er 3 9 l o cal g as s tati o ns by nex t y ear KUWAIT: Following the privatization of 80 petrol stations formerly owned by Kuwait’s state oil company, whose management will now come under either the Al-Sour or Al-Oula companies, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and one of its subsidiaries the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) have agreed to sell the remaining 39 local state-owned stations to the Q8 company, an affiliate of Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI), another KPC subsidiary. A working team of senior officials from KNPC and from Q8’s European gas station branch has already begun working on a study into how best to manage the changeover from the system currently in place at KNPC’s gas stations, reported Al-Watan. The study is expected to be presented to KPC’s management by the first quarter of 2011, with the management then expected to formulate the new procedures required, including the modification of collection and accounting systems to bring them into line with those used in Q8’s European outlets.
Public drunkenness A drunk 26-year-old Jordanian was apprehended by police between Adeliyah and Qurtuba.
Car accidents A 47-year-old Saudi sustained various injuries when his truck flipped over in Sulaibikhat. He was brought to Sabah Hospital.
Brothel busted Farwaniya police arrested six Asian prostitutes and two expatriate men in a brothel in Farwaniya. They are all in the process of being deported.
Fugitive found A citizen wanted for several drug related cases and to serve a 12-year jail sentence was arrested by authorities.
Attempted suicide A Syrian woman was brought to Adan Hospital after she attempted to kill herself by ingesting several prescription pills.
Kuwaiti women still victims of sexism in education, work KUWAIT: The remnants of Kuwait’s historical patriarchal system are reportedly still affecting the educational and professional opportunities available to the country’s women, despite the constitutional equality accorded to both male and female citizens. According to recent reports, female Kuwaiti graduates face gender-related prejudice in both the further education and labor markets, while their male peers, often with lesser skills and academic qualifications, do not face similar obstacles. Meanwhile, despite Kuwaiti female students consistently attaining the top marks among school graduates in both scientific and arts-related subjects, with only one male student making it into the top 50 for arts subjects in 2009, the country’s female population continues to face discrimination in the field of further education, as well as in the workplace. It’s also been reported that female applicants applying for places at Kuwait University’s medical faculty must demonstrate a minimum cumulative high school average of 87.15 across subjects, while male applicants need only have achieved 79.1 percent to attain the same places. Similar double standards appear to be in place at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), with female applicants for all courses expected to provide grade averages at least five percent greater than those of their male peers. These injustices have not prevented female students from outshining their male classmates, however, with females reportedly consistently achieving better results than their male colleagues. The discrimination also extends to the labor market, reported Al-Qabas, with the latest statistics indicating that the number of unemployed Kuwaiti women seeking work outnumbers their male compatriots by more than four to one, with 12,000 Kuwaiti women registered with the Civil Service Commission compared to 2,800 men.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Palestinian children face increasing settler violence JERUSALEM: Palestinian children are coming under increasing attack by a handful of violent, extremist Jewish settlers, a rights group said yesterday in a report on the human cost of settlement expansion. The study, compiled over two years by Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI), investigated 38 separate incidents of settler violence towards minors that resulted in the deaths of three children and injuries to 42 others. Details of the attacks were set out in sworn affidavits and compiled in the report: “Under Attack: Settler violence against Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territory.” Such attacks are usually carried out in groups and tend to be characterized by verbal harassment, intimidation, physical assault and the destruction of property, the study found. In 13 of the cases, settlers opened fire, killing three children and injuring another 10. Physical assault and intimidation was also reported in 15 cases, and stone throwing in another nine incidents. Cursing and verbal abuse was documented in almost every case. “Continued settlement expansion and a growing settler population in the occupied territory have severely impacted the security of the Palestinian population, particularly children, whose lives are increasingly threatened by wilful attacks perpetrated by extremist settlers,” the report said. In eight cases, soldiers colluded with the attack by either joining in, turning a blind eye or punishing the victims rather than the perpetrators, it found. Incidents of violence tended to be concentrated in certain areas, with 21 attacks carried out in and around the southern city of Hebron, and another seven near Nablus in the north, close to the Yitzhar and Bracha settlements-”areas where settlers adhere to extremist and violent ideologies,” the report said. Data compiled by the UN humanitarian agency OCHA also appear to show that violent attacks are most frequent in the Hebron area. Casualty figures from the same two-year period, March 2008 to July 2010,
show there were 222 reports of settler attacks on Palestinians that left 364 people wounded — 93 of them children. Exactly half of those attacks took place in the Hebron area. The DCI study also found that Israel’s failure to enforce the law and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions had “created an atmosphere in which settlers enjoy impunity and Palestinians live in fear.” Veronica Naranjo, one of the DCI researchers involved in compiling the report, said that none of the settlers involved in the 38 incidents of violence had been prosecuted. “Not one single settler was prosecuted in any of these cases,” she told AFP, while indicating that some families had refused to lodge a complaint “for fear of retaliation.” “These attacks are carried out with impunity. Children need protection against these attacks, but that cannot happen without accountability,” she said. Annual figures compiled by Israeli rights group Yesh Din about complaints of settler offences against Palestinians have repeatedly shown that nine out of 10 police investigations fail to lead to a prosecution. In response to the allegations in the report, Naftali Bennett, the Yesha Council of settlers head, said the two populations lived most of the time “in peaceful coexistence.” When violence did erupt, it was started by the Palestinians. “Despite the tone of this report, it is important to acknowledge that most events of violence against residents of this area in fact originate from the Arab side, including several shooting attacks in recent weeks,” he told AFP. The council, he said, was “strongly opposed to all acts of violence from any party as these actions are contrary to the sense of peaceful coexistence that we are working to preserve.” Israeli police, who are responsible for all settler-related affairs, had no immediate response to the report, and the military said it was weighing a response to allegations that its troops had colluded with the settler violence. — AFP
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INTERNATIONAL Lawmakers worked about 20 minutes this year
Iraqi MPs get big pay for little work BAGHDAD: Ira qi lawmakers have collected their $90,000 stipend, they’re ra king in $22,500 a month in salaries and allowa nces, and they’re spending free nights in Baghdad’s finest hotel, and they’ve only w orked a bout 20 minutes this yea r, w ithout pa ssing a single law . As the parliament prepares to hold wha t w ill be only its second session since the inconclusive election in March, law makers’ la vish sa laries and priv-
ileges are deepening resentment among Iraqis struggling to make ends meet a nd frustrated w ith the political deadlock. The Shiite religious leadership, always tuned into sentiment among the Ira qi religious majority, has w arned politicia ns aga inst living the high life w hile ordinary people la ck basic services, such a s electricity and wa ter. In contra st, a mid-level government employee makes around $600 a month.
In a mosque sermon Friday, an aide to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric urged parliament to lower their salaries when they next meet. “It’s reasonable to request the lawmakers’ salaries do not reach a lavish level,” Ahmed al-Safi said. “This is a very important issue ... I do not know why they keep turning a blind eye to it.” Since June, when the lawmakers first met for 20 minutes, Iraq’s parliament has failed to convene. Sharp divisions among political blocs have prevented the formation of a new government, and not a single law has been debated, much less passed. Still, the 325 lawmakers collect their cash and perks. “Iraqi politics has turned into business,” said Wael Abdul-Latif, an independent Shiite politician and former lawmaker from Iraq’s second largest city of Basra. “Many of the lawmakers would not even have bothered to run for the parliament” if salaries were not so high, he said. The lawmakers’ June meeting consisted of a Quranic reading, the playing of the national anthem and the swearing-in of new members. It produced one decision: to leave the session open but unattended , a technicality to allow more time to choose a new leadership since the election failed to give any party a ruling majority. After the session, lawmakers collected the $90,000 stipend they are allotted for their four-year term to cover personal expenses. Lawmakers are preparing to hold a second session, likely in the coming week, only because the Supreme Court last week ordered them to return to work. Meanwhile, Iraqis who voted in large numbers in hope of strengthening their nascent democracy after years of authoritarian rule, war and sectarian violence have grown bitter at the politicians they chose to represent their interests. The current parliament is the second full legislature elected since Saddam Hussein’s fall in 2003, following a transitional parliament elected in January 2005. “Instead of working hard and doing a good job, they are enjoying a paid vacation,” said Jalal Mohammed, a retired clerk for the administrative council in the southern city of Basra. “I think the parliament members should only be paid if they do something useful for their country.” An Iraqi lawmaker’s basic monthly salary is $10,000 , just $4,500 short of that of rank-and-file members of the U.S. Congress. In addition, Iraqi MPs get a $12,500 monthly allowance for housing and security arrangements, for a combined total
exposed to violent incidents in our houses, on the streets, and even in the parliament,” said Sheik Haidar al-Jorani, a Basra lawmaker with the prime minister’s State of Law party. He said he had to repair his family home in Basra after it was damaged by a nearby bomb blast. Moving around the country safely and frequent trips abroad cost money, as do the formal receptions and parties lawmakers are expected to hold, he added. But many Iraqis feel parliament members just want their posts out of greed, not an urge to serve the country. The disconnect in pay makes lower-level government employees feel justified in taking bribes, said Judge Raheem Hassan al-Uqailee, president of the independent Commission of Integrity, which fights government corruption. The absence of a law regulating salaries leaves lawmakers to determine their own paychecks, he said. “We consider this legal-
BAGHDAD: In this June 14, 2010 file photo, a member of the Iraqi parliament makes a phone call before a session of Iraqi parliament. — AP of $22,500. Lawmakers pay only six percent of their $10,000 base salary in taxes. They also get to spend nights free at Baghdad’s Rasheed Hotel in the relatively safe environment of the Green Zone, regardless of whether parliament is in session. They collect a $600 per diem when traveling inside or out of Iraq. Once out of office, they get 80 percent of their salary monthly for life, and for eight years they can keep the diplomatic passports that they, and often their families, are issued. In contrast, a high school teacher or a doctor in a public hospital each earns about $650 a month. A Baghdad taxi driver can make up to $700 in a good month. In the government , Iraq’s biggest employer, a midlevel employee’s basic salary rarely exceeds $600. Lawmakers justify high salaries and benefits saying they risk their lives participating in the political process. “We are
ized corruption.” Aliyah Nisayef, an MP who sits on the legislature’s 13-member AntiCorruption Committee, said she and a group of other lawmakers tried several times during the previous parliament to pass a law cutting salaries and perks. Resistance was so fierce that not only did the bill fail to pass, but lawmakers who supported it received death threats, Nisayef said. “Corruption is an epidemic,” Nisayef said. “We are no match for them.” She would not detail her own salary, but noted some lawmakers give large amounts to charity. Recently, the Iraqi press reported that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki awarded cabinet ministers with plots of land in prime Baghdad districts. Far from criticizing him for the blatant patronage, lawmakers publicly demanded the premier put them on the distribution list. “How can we hold others accountable if we as legislators have no integrity?” Nisayef said. — AP
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kurdish rebels deny attack, extend truce ISTANBUL: Turkey’s main Kurdish rebel group yesterday extended a truce until elections next summer, denying responsibility for a suicide attack in Istanbul thought to have been the work of its own hardliners. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leadership said it was prolonging the unilateral truce, first declared on August 13, in a bid to push for a peaceful settlement of the 26-year Kurdish conflict. “Our movement... has decided to extend the non-action process until the 2011 general elections in order to impose a democratic solution process (on Ankara) and ensure that the parliamentary elections... take place in a healthy environment,” said the statement, carried by the pro-PKK Firat news agency. The elections have not been formally scheduled yet but the government has earmarked the first week of June 2011. The PKK leadership also denied responsibility for Sunday’s suicide attack in Istanbul’s landmark Taksim Square
which wounded 32 people. “It is not possible for us to carry out such an action at a time when our movement has decided to extend a truce process ... We are in no way involved in this attack,” it said, according to Firat. The bomber blew himself up at a police patrol at Taksim Square as he tried to get into a police bus, wounding 15 officers and 17 civilians. No one was in life-threatening condition. Interior Minister Besir Atalay said investigators had obtained clues, but more time was needed to name the group behind the attack. No one has been detained so far over the incident, he said, as police released a picture of the bomber-a young man with a dark complexion. Newspapers said the PKK had emerged as a primary suspect in the probe. A senior security official, quoted by the Radikal daily, said the evidence was ruling out far-left groups, which have also targeted the police in the past. “The actual suspicion has focused on the obvious organization or
some of its elements who are out of control or have split up from the group,” the unnamed official said, referring to the PKK. Some commentators suggested the attack could be the work of PKK hardliners opposed to dialogue and might point at discord in PKK ranks. A top PKK commander said last week the group would no longer target civilians and wanted to extend the truce indefinitely if Ankara makes reciprocal gestures. Boosted by its victory in a September 12 referendum on constitutional reform, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has launched a cautious bid for a dialogue with the Kurds, seeking to cajole the PKK into laying down arms. Ankara appears to have included jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in the effort, with his lawyers acting as intermediaries and holding meetings with him on the prison island of Imrali. In its statement yesterday, the PKK insisted on regional autonomy for the
Kurds. The fledgling dialogue with Ocalan, it said, should be turned into serious negotiations as part of confidence-building steps by Ankara, which should include the release of dozens of jailed Kurdish activists. The group also warned it would respond to military operations, saying: “Our forces will position themselves accordingly in the face of annihilation attacks and use their right to retaliation.” Ankara has already ruled out demands for a constitutional recognition of the Kurds and Kurdish-language education in public schools. Resolving the conflict is an uphill task for the government in a country where many see the PKK as public enemy number one and fiercely oppose reconciliation moves as concessions to violence. The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms for self-rule in the Kurdish-majority southeast in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed about 45,000 lives. — AFP
Mogadishu fighting kills 12 TAKSIM: Police forensic officers inspect the scene after an explosion close to Taksim square where riot police were stationed in case of demonstrations in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday. — AP
New PM sworn in MOGADISHU: Fresh fighting killed 12 people in Mogadishu, in a reminder of the daunting task awaiting Somalia’s new prime minister, who was officially sworn in yesterday. A Somali official claimed government forces repelled an attack launched late Sunday by the Shebab, an extremist group that has led a deadly insurgency aimed at toppling the Western-backed transitional government. “The terrorists tried to penetrate our positions near Kilometre Zero but we taught them a lesson they will never forget. They were defeated and we killed many of their fighters,” Mudiddin Ahmed told AFP. He said three government soldiers were also killed and six wounded. The Shebab attacked several positions held by government forces as well as by the African Union force (AMISOM) that has kept the government alive for more than two years. Witnesses said the fighting also killed civilians. “The fighting was at its worst around Shibis and Bondhere districts. They exchanged heavy artillery and machinegun fire that left 12 dead, including civilians,” Mohamed Bashir, a local resident, said. He said he saw at least eight dead bodies, including three which he identified as Shebab. Other residents gave similar or higher death tolls. Ali Hussein, another resident, told AFP that a stray shell struck a home,
MOGADISHU: Somali Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed addresses officials after his swearing in ceremony at the Presidential residence in Mogadishu, Somalia yesterday. — AP killing four members of the same family. “A father and his wife, as well as two of their children, were killed in a house near Suqbacad last night when artillery fire destroyed their house,” he said. “Their bodies were completely charred and could barely be identified,” said
Halimo Adan, another witness. Thousands of people, many of them civilians, have been killed in more two years of almost daily fighting in Mogadishu. Rights groups have accused all sides of not doing enough to spare civilians.
Pro-government forces have failed to pin back the Shebab, who have also failed to punch their way to the presidency and take full control of the capital. AMISOM has more than 7,000 Ugandan and Burundian forces deployed in Mogadishu and has asked for a more robust mandate to go after the Shebab and help the transitional government establish its authority on the city. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed was confirmed as prime minister by parliament on Sunday following a protracted dispute between President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who appointed him and the parliament speaker. Speaking at a ceremony in Mogadishu yesterday, the new premier admitted that he had his work cut out to succeed where his predecessors failed and restore stability to the war-torn country. “I thank the president for handing me this job, which I believe is very challenging. I ask you all to help me fulfill my commitments,” Mohamed said. “We have assigned a difficult task to our brother who took the oath of office today,” the president said at the ceremony, attended by members of the cabinet and parliament. “I ask everyone of you to assist him towards accomplishing his duties and I also ask the prime minister to establish a government soon.” — AFP
Poll: Ukraine president’s party sweeps local vote KIEV: The party headed by Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych swept elections to regional councils throughout the country, an exit poll said yesterday, in a landmark vote that the opposition and some observers claim was not fair. Sunday’s vote, the first election overseen by Yanukovych since he came to power in February, is viewed as a test of his commitment to democracy after his first fraud-marred grab at the presidency sparked the 2004 Orange Revolution that temporarily swept in the opposition. Critics say he is seeking to build an authoritarian state. Those concerns led US Vice President Joe Biden to stress the importance of democratic
institutions and urge Yanukovych to conduct a clean vote in a phone call last month. The exit poll, conducted by the Ukrainian arm of GfK, an international market research firm, said that Yanukovych’s Party of Regions received 36.2 percent of votes in local councils, while the main opposition party headed by the heroine of the Orange Revolution, exPrime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, got 13.1 percent. The study polled some 44,000 respondents across the country and had a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points. Official results were trickling in slowly from faraway vote-tallying commissions and a full count was expected by Friday.
Tymoshenko, who was defeated by Yanukovych in the February vote and later lost her job as premier, said the vote was fraudulent. “These local elections are the dirtiest elections in Ukraine since independence,” Hrihoriy Nemyria, Tymoshenko’s top aide told The Associated Press, referring to the 1991 Soviet breakup. Tymoshenko’s office said she would not recognize results in three key provinces including the Kiev region because her party was denied representation there. Yanukovych’s office said it would comment on the vote once official results are known. Western governments and
Roma activist sues Bosnia for discrimination in EU court SARAJEVO: A Roma activist said yesterday he has sued Bosnia at the European Court of Human Rights because the country never implemented that court’s previous ruling: to allow him to run for president although he is of Roma ethnicity. The court in Strasbourg, France, ruled in December that Bosnia’s constitution must be changed because it discriminates against minorities by not allowing them to run for parliament or president. Dervo Sejdic, along with Bosnian Jew activist Jakob Finci, sued their country last year for human rights violations and won the case. Sejdic said Bosnian leaders never implemented the court’s order and is suing again, demanding compensation. The constitution says a president has to be a member of one of the three dominant ethnic groups in the country: a Muslim Bosniak, a Croat or a Serb. Internationally mediated talks to change the constitution and give the country a chance to join the European Union were delayed for after the October elections when it became clear that Bosnia’s leaders were not able to agree on how to change it and how to implement the court’s ruling. According to the Peace Agreement and the Constitution from 1995, Bosnia is divided into two ministates _ the Bosnian Serb republic and a federation of Bosniaks and Croats. The two are linked by weak central institutions whose authority sometimes overlaps with the influence of the ministates. The EU has demanded that the constitution be changed so it gives more power to the
central government. It wasn’t immediately clear when the new parliament will be inaugurated and when it would get started on changing the constitution because of internal divisions between Bosnian Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks that have engulfed the country for nearly two decades. The Serbs vehemently oppose the plan to amend the constitution because they fear a change of the current political setup would dilute the autonomy of their ministate. Bosniaks, on the other hand, agree with the EU request. Croats also agree with the concept, but say if the country remains divided, then they want their own ministate too, instead of sharing one with the Bosniaks. “Of course, the court won’t discuss the discrimination issue again, so this time I’m requesting compensation, implementation of the ruling and ... I want them to put pressure on the Bosnian authorities to implement it,” Sejdic told The Associated Press. Finci and Sejdic filed a complaint in June 2009 and added to the lawsuit a letter Finci received from the Bosnian election commission saying he is ineligible to run for the presidency or parliament because he is Jewish. Before this year’s elections on Oct 3, Sejdic wrote to Bosnia’s election commission saying the constitution had still not been changed despite the court’s ruling and the discriminatory rule has not been removed. “I asked them if I as a Roma can run for the presidency ... and they replied to me that only” a Muslim Bosniak, a Croat or a Serb “can run for that post,” Sejdic said. — AP
monitoring organizations did not deploy full-fledged observing missions in Sunday’s vote. Opora, a Western-funded local election monitoring group that had 1500 observers in place, concluded that the vote was not democratic. The group said the opposition was not fairly represented in vote-counting bodies, that many candidates had been unlawfully excluded from election lists and that the balloting took place in a general atmosphere of mistrust. “There were so many violations that we cannot say that it was democratic, fair and open,” said Opora spokesman Dmitry Gnap. Pawel Kowal, a European parliamentarian, expressed concern that elec-
tion legislation had been changed shortly before the vote. The changes included limiting the opposition’s participation in vote-counting and introducing a law that effectively forced Tymoshenko to change her party name to a less recognizable one. Since he came to power, Yanukovych has eroded major democratic achievements of the Orange Revolution, moving to restrict anti-government rallies, to probe civil society groups, to limit media freedoms and to tinker with the constitution to boost his powers. Yanukovych calls himself a democrat and says he needs the extra powers to implement painful economic reforms. — AP
Woman who stabbed UK lawmaker in court LONDON: A 21-year-old woman stabbed a British lawmaker in the stomach with a kitchen knife as revenge for his support of the Iraq war, police and prosecutors said yesterday. Legislator Stephen Timms said Roshonara Choudhry appeared to be smiling before she attacked him during an open-house session for constituents at a London community center in May. Choudhry is charged with attempting to murder Timms, who was a Treasury minister in the previous Labour government. Detective Inspector Simon Dobinson told a jury at London’s Central Criminal Court that when questioned by police Choudhry said: “I was trying to kill him because he wanted to invade Iraq.” “I was not going to stop until someone made me. I wanted to kill him. ... I was going to get revenge for the people of Iraq,” Dobinson quoted her as saying. Prosecutor William Boyce said Choudhry was not mentally ill and had made “very full admissions” to police about what she had done. Choudhry, who has been in jail since the May 14 incident, was not in court for the start of her trial. Defense lawyer Jeremy Dein said she did not recognize the court’s authority and had ordered her legal team not to contest the evidence against her. Judge Jeremy Cooke told jurors they should not assume she was guilty just because she was not in court. Timms, 55, told the jury that he thought Choudhry, who was dressed in black and wearing a headscarf, was about to shake hands when she lunged at him. “She looked friendly. She was smiling, if I remember rightly,” said Timms, who has made a full recovery. “I was a little puzzled because a Muslim woman dressed in that way wouldn’t normally be willing to shake a man’s hand, still less to take the initiative to do so, but that is what she was doing.” Timms said he didn’t see a knife and was initially unsure what had happened. “I retreated into the gents’ toilet and lifted up my jumper and realized there was quite a lot of blood there so I realized I had been stabbed,” he said. — AP
Man jailed for Rwandan church bulldozer massacre ARUSHA, Tanzania: A UN court sentenced a businessman to 30 years in prison yesterday for his role in the bulldozing of a church which left some 2,000 ethnic Tutsis dead during the Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. “The chamber sentences Gaspard Kanyarukiga to a single sentence of 30 years in prison,” presiding judge Taghrid Hikmet said at the hearing International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in the Tanzanian town of Arusha. Kanyarukiga, an ethnic Hutu, is the second person to be sentenced by the court in connection with the massacre at Nyange church on April 16, 1994, one of the most notorious episodes of the 100-day genocide. The court found that Kanyarukiga announced at a meeting on the day of the massacre that the church had to be demolished and said he would have a new one built in its place. Some 2,000 Tutsi who had been encouraged to
take shelter in the church were crushed under the rubble when bulldozers moved onto the site. The judges found Kanyarukiga guilty of genocide and extermination on the grounds he was aware the destruction of the building would result in the death of the people inside it. “The chamber considers, beyond all reasonable doubt, that the accused and others planned the destruction of Nyange church and the massacre of those who were inside,” the court said. The ICTR, based in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha, was set up to try the masterminds of the 1994 genocide that left some 800,000 people, mainly minority Tutsis, dead. The same court sentenced a priest, Athanse Seromba, to 15 years in December 2006 for acting as one of the instigators of the massacre, before increasing the term to life after in March 2008. — AFP
Ivory Coast awaits results of first vote since war ABIDJAN: Electoral workers in Ivory Coast counted ballots yesterday from the country’s first election since civil war split the world’s biggest cocoa producer in half nearly a decade ago. The United Nations special envoy, meanwhile, praised Sunday’s vote for being held peacefully and said he had received assurances from the top candidates they would respect the result. The vote is seen as a critical turning point in the West African nation’s history. Many hope it will restore stability and reunify the country, but some also fear it could spark more violence if political rivals fail to accept the outcome. Electoral commission spokesman Bamba Yacouba said authorities at electoral headquarters in Abidjan were “studying and compiling” results from the poll, which are being delivered to the office in the county’s largest city from 20,000 polling stations nationwide. The commission had been expected to issue some results late Sunday, but logistic problems have delayed the task. Another electoral official, Auguste Mirmont said heavy rains in some parts of the country were also to blame. The UN
is helping transport certified results. The ballot pits 65-yearold President Laurent Gbagbo against 13 challengers, including 68-year-old opposition leader Alassane Ouattara, who is wildly popular in the pro-rebel north, and 76-year-old ex-president Henri Konan Bedie, who was toppled in 1999 when the nation’s first coup. If no candidate wins a simple majority, the top two finishers will face off in a second round Nov. 28. The vote had been delayed for five years because of disputes over voter rolls. Gbagbo, whose five-year mandate officially expired in 2005, stayed in office claiming elections were impossible because of a 2002-2003 war that left rebels in control of the north. Young-jin Choi, the UN’s special representative to Ivory Coast, told reporters yesterday that the candidates had all given him personal “guarantees they would respect the results” _ some of them as recently as yesterday morning. “I’m confident that the result will be respected and there will be no violence,” said Choi, who oversees a 9,000-strong peacekeeping force. Ivory Coast has been strug-
gling to hold the vote since a 2007 peace deal broke years of political stalemate, leading to the dismantlement of a UNpatrolled buffer zone that had marked the divide between the rebel-held north and the loyalist south. One major issue at the heart of the crisis took three years to tackle: deciding who could legitimately vote. More than a quarter of the country’s 20 million people are foreign immigrants who came to work on cocoa and coffee plantations in the south. Differentiating them from native Ivorians with roots and names common in neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Mali has taken years. Gbagbo’s party believes countless foreigners have falsified documents to vote in an oppositionand rebel-fueled plot to skew the poll. Even Ouattara, they say, is not really from Ivory Coast. Ouattara and his supporters vehemently deny the allegations, and contend the process has merely helped cement legitimate rights to citizenship. Despite perceived imperfections, though, all parties have accepted the 5.7-million-strong voter roll and the UN deemed it credible. — AP
ABIDJAN: Children look at newspapers in Abidjan yesterday following presidential elections ballot closures. — AFP
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
INTERNATIONAL
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Big task ahead for Brazil’s new leader Rousseff first woman to direct Latin America’s biggest nation
BRASILIA: In this photo provided by Brazil’s Presidency, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and Brazil’s newly elected leader Dilma Rousseff, make a sign of victory, at the Alvorada palace, in Brasilia, Brazil yesterday. — AP
Venezuelan steel maker to challenge state takeover CARACAS: Venezuela’s largest privately owned steel producer is vowing to challenge President Hugo Chavez’s order to expropriate its assets. Sidetur’s board of directors issued a statement yesterday saying that it will take legal action to protect its “employees, clients, suppliers and shareholders.” Chavez ordered the expropriation of Sidetur on Sunday, saying it is part of his strategy to transform Venezuela into a socialist state. He said the company has been selling products such as rebar at inflated prices on the domestic market, though the company said its prices have been frozen since 2006 despite rampant inflation in the overall economy. The company statement said that under Venezuelan law, only a judge can order the takeover of a company, and only after payment of an assessed price for the assets. Sidetur - Siderurgica del Turbio SA - also exports products including steel beams, angles and flats to Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. The company’s statement said it sold 350,000 metric tons of steel-made products on the domestic markets last year and that it is “committed to the development of the country.” It suggested that the takeover could damage the government’s own infrastruc-
ture and construction plans. Sidetur also said its 1,857 workers “will be affected, along with their families, by the expropriation measure.” The company is a subsidiary of Siderurgica de Venezuela SA. Chavez ordered the National Guard to safeguard the company’s plants as his government proceeds with the expropriation and he urged the company’s employees to cooperate with government officials rather than protest the takeover. Chavez has ordered the expropriation of dozens of privately owned companies since taking office in 1999. Last week, Chavez ordered the expropriation of US-based glass container manufacturer Owens-Illinois Inc.’s subsidiary in the South American country. He announced plans to expropriate Agroislena CA, a leading farm supply business, earlier this month. Chavez has said the government will pay a fair price for the expropriated companies. The leader of Venezuela’s largest business chamber, Fedecamaras President Noel Alvarez, urged the Supreme Court to uphold private property rights, saying a wave of government-ordered expropriations have violated the legal rights of businessmen. — AP
CLEVELAND: President Barack Obama makes a final get-out-the-vote push for Democratic candidates during a rally at Cleveland State University, in Cleveland, Sunday. — AP
Obama’s Dems brace for US elections rout WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama’s Democrats braced yesterday for an elections rout, as a wave of 11thhour polls showed Republicans on course for big gains in Congress amid deep voter anger at the sour economy. Obama, fearing a ballot-box repudiation just two years into his campaign for change, planned a wave of radio interviews and telephone calls to Democratic volunteers key to boosting party turnout today, the White House said. Feeding Democratic worries, the respected Gallup polling organization’s final pre-vote survey of likely voters nationwide found Republicans held the most commanding mid-term lead either US party has held in a generation. Republicans led Democrats by a 55-40 percent margin, the widest such gap since the 1974 contest, when Democrats romped to victory amid public outrage at the Watergate scandal that forced disgraced president Richard Nixon from office. The poll lent weight to analyst predictions that Republicans would retake the House of Representatives and slice deep into the Democratic’ Senate majority, though experts forecast the upper chamber would not change hands. The election for 37 Senate slots, 37 governorships and all 435 House
seats, came as the euphoric hope Obama stirred in the 2008 White House race seemed an age away and with America’s trademark brash optimism drained by a narrative of national decline. Republicans, electrified by the ultra-conservative Tea Party movement, vowed to reverse Obama’s sweeping health care reforms and promise a budget crunch and tax cuts they said would reduce the deficit, ignite growth, and reduce nearly ten percent unemployment. “We just can’t afford another two years like the past two,” Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner, who would all but certainly replace Democrat Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker, said in an op-ed in USA Today yesterday. In a sign of Democratic angst, party chairman Tim Kaine told ABC television that Obama would set about making “some adjustments and corrections” over the next few weeks in the face of a reenergized Republican opposition. Top Republicans, however, have vowed “no compromise” with the White House on key issues and the party’s leader in the Senate candidly declared last week that their number one goal would be to defeat Obama in 2012. — AFP
SAO PAULO: From three years in a dictatorship’s jail cell to just two months away from the presidential palace, the journey has been long for Brazil’s newly elected leader Dilma Rousseff, who will be the first woman to direct Latin America’s biggest nation. She is a career civil servant who has never held elected office, but Rousseff easily won Sunday’s presidential runoff election. That was thanks to the wholehearted backing of outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who for decades has been a presence on Brazil’s political scene and will leave office as its most popular leader. Now, the difficult part begins. Rousseff must make good on her campaign promises to continue Silva’s programs that have led Brazil to new international economic and political heights. She acknowledged the challenge in her victory speech late Sunday after overcoming centrist rival Jose Serra by winning 56 percent of the vote against his 44 percent. “It’s a challenging and difficult task to succeed him, but I will know how to honor his legacy,” she said of Silva. “I will know how to advance and consolidate his work.” This is exactly what her supporters and most of the base of the governing Workers Party expect. “Now we are certain that the country will continue in the right direction,” 26-year-old teacher Hobert dos Santos said while waving Rousseff campaign flags at a celebration on a main avenue in Sao Paulo. “Dilma will be able to continue working for the people, to continue improving many of the things that Lula started and didn’t have time to finish.”
A former Marxist guerrilla who was jailed and tortured for three years in the early 1970s for fighting against Brazil’s dictatorship, Rousseff is known as a demanding and skilled manager. She first served as Silva’s energy minister and from 2005 until earlier this year was his chief of staff, running the dayto-day operations of the administration. Despite her tough exterior, she betrayed emotion when speaking about Silva after the election results were announced. “The joy I feel with this victory today is mixed with the emotion of his farewell. I know that a leader like Lula will never be away from his people,” she said, her eyes welling with tears and voice cracking. “I will always be able to knock on his door and I’m sure that it will always be open.” In his concession speech, Serra said he respected the voters’ decision and wished the president-elect good luck. Beginning Jan. 1, Rousseff, 62, will lead a nation on the rise, a country that will host the 2014 World Cup and that is expected to be the globe’s fifth-largest economy by the time it hosts the 2016 Summer Olympics. It has also recently discovered huge oil reserves off its coast. Silva used his 80 percent approval ratings to campaign incessantly for Rousseff, who lacks the charisma that transformed Silva from a one-time shoeshine boy into one of the globe’s most popular leaders. Barred by the constitution from running for a third consecutive four-year term, Silva has batted down chatter in Brazil’s media that he plans a new run at the presidency in 2014, which would be allowed under the law.
Many Brazilians don’t want “Lula,” as he is popularly known, to go away. “If Lula ran for president 10 times, I would vote for him 10 times,” said Marisa Santos, a 43-year-old selling her homemade jewelry on a Sao Paulo street. “I’m voting for Dilma, of course, but the truth is it will still be Lula who will lead us.” Silva, 65, entered office with a background as a leftist labor leader, but he governed from a moderate perspective. Under his leadership, the economy grew strongly and Brazil weathered the global financial crisis better than most nations. He is loved within Brazil by the legions of poor, who consider the nation’s first workingclass president one of their own. His social programs and orthodox economic policies have helped lift 20 million people out of poverty and thrust another 29 million into the middle class. “I voted for Dilma because she is a fighter,” said Estevam Sanches, a 43-year-old pizza parlor owner in Sao Paulo. “What we need is a fighter in the presidency to continue, as she says she will, with Lula’s efforts to eradicate poverty and strengthen the economy.” Rousseff is the daughter of a Bulgarian immigrant father, a lawyer who died when she was 14, and a Brazilian mother who was a schoolteacher. Her past points to an early political awakening. In 1967, as a 19-year-old economics student, she joined a militant political group opposing the dictatorship. For three years she helped lead guerrilla organizations, instructed comrades on Marxist theory and wrote for an underground newspaper. Rousseff denies carrying out
any acts of violence during this period, says she opposed such action and notes she was never accused by the military regime of violent acts. After three years underground, Rousseff was captured in 1970 by Brazil’s military police and was considered a big enough catch that a military prosecutor labeled her the “Joan of Arc” of the guerrilla movement. It’s that image of a strong
woman that Rousseff projected Sunday, saying that her first promise as president elect was “to honor the women” of Brazil, adding that she hoped her win would allow “fathers and mothers to look their daughters in the eyes and say, ‘Yes, a woman can.”‘ Associated Press reporters Stan Lehman and Tales Azzoni in Sao Paulo and Marco Sibaja in Brasilia contributed to this story.— AP
INTERNATIONAL
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Indonesia volcano shoots new blast; 21 more rumble New casualties reported MOUNT MERAPI: Evacuees cringed and fled for cover yesterday as an erupting volcano, one of 22 showing increased activity in Indonesia, let loose booming explosions of hot gas and debris, the latest blast in a deadly week. No new casualties were reported. The new blast from Mount Merapi came as Indonesia also struggles to respond to an earthquake-
generated tsunami that devastated remote islands. The twin disasters, unfolding simultaneously on opposite ends of the seismically volatile country, have killed nearly 500 people and severely tested the government’s emergency response network. In both events, the military has been called in to help.
YOGYAKARTA: Students wear masks to protect their respiration from the volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Merapi at a junior high school in Hargobinangun, Yogyakarta, Indonesia yesterday. —AP
Japan in diplomatic row after Russian isle visit KUNASHIR: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited an island outpost seized by Russia from Japan at the end of World War Two stirring a diplomatic row with Tokyo, which demands their return. Medvedev’s visit to the island, one of four known as the Southern Kuriles in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, was likely to sour relations ahead of an Asia-Pacific leaders summit that Japan will host in mid-November. It also spells more bad news from Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, whose support ratings have sunk to around 40 percent after five months in office, partly due to his handling of a row with China over another set of islands that both nations claim. “Japan’s stance is that those four northern islands are part of our country’s territory, so the president’s visit is very regrettable,” Kan told a parliamentary panel about Medvedev’s visit, the first by a Russian leader, to the island called Kunashir in Russian and Kunashiri in Japanese. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the Japanese reaction “unacceptable”. “It is our land and the Russian president visited Russian land,” Lavrov told a news conference. The island chain, eight time zones from Moscow, stretches northeast from Japan’s main northern island of Hokkaido to Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The island Medvedev visited lies some 10 miles from Hokkaido. The dispute is a highly emotional issue in Japan and, among more nationalist circles, in Russia. But unlike the dispute with China over
islands in the East China Sea, which are near potentially vast maritime oil and gas reserves, this feud with Russia has more to do with the legacy of World War Two than hydrocarbon deposits. The Soviet Union occupied the four islands at the end of the war and the territorial row has weighed on relations between Tokyo and Moscow ever since, precluding a formal peace treaty. Politicians in both countries have used tough talk on the dispute to bolster their credentials as patriots. Analysts said the visit appeared intended to bolster Medvedev’s image at home. Medvedev, speaking to journalists on the island, promised more government investment. “It is important that there is development here, we will definitely be investing here.” “Life will be better here, like it is in central Russia. State TV showed Medvedev tasting caviar on the islands at afish plant and speaking to locals at shops. Russia has a broader problem with the undeveloped areas of its far eastern regions, close to China and Japan. Their physical distance thousands of miles from Moscow has contributed to neglect of infrastructure and investment. Medvedev’s trip comes ahead of a Nov. 13-14 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Japan that he will attend with leaders of the 21-member group. The islands are close to oil and gas production regions of Russia, but most people there live off fishing and Japan, a major fish consumer, would gain rich fishing grounds if the islands were returned.
Japan’s dispute with China over the East China Sea islands is also decades-old, but flared in September when Japan detained a Chinese trawler captain whose boat collided with Japanese patrol ships near the isles, known as Senkaku and Diaoyu. Hopes that relations between Asia’s two biggest economies were on the mend were dashed on the weekend, when China abruptly cancelled a planned meeting between Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Hanoi. China became Japan’s biggest trade partner last year, replacing the United States. Trade flows with Russia, however, are tiny by comparison. Japan’s exports to Russia totalled 306.5 billion yen ($3.8 billion) in 2009, about 2 percent of its exports to China and its imports from Russia came to 825.5 billion yen in 2009, accounting for 1.6 percent of Japan’s total imports. Kan’s Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has been plagued in diplomatic disputes since sweeping to power last year. Kan, who took office in June as Japan’s fifth premier in three years, has seen his own popularity slide partly due to the perception that he mishandled the row with China. In addition to row with China and now Russia, Japan has also seen ties with ally the United States frayed by a row over a US airbase on southern Okinawa island, although concerns about China have helped relations with Washington improve recently. —Reuters
American seeks to stop ‘milkshake murder’ retrial HONG KONG: Lawyers for an American housewife accused of drugging then bashing her banker husband to death in a luxury Hong Kong apartment seven years ago
urged a judge yesterday to stop her retrial. Nancy Kissel was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in September 2005, but Hong Kong’s Court of Final
Appeal overturned the decision in February. The court found prosecutors improperly cross-examined the 46-year-old native of Adrian, Michigan, and the trial
HONG KONG: In this Jan 13, 2010 file, American expatriate Nancy Kissel is escorted in a van from Hong Kong Correctional Services at the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. —AP
judge wrongly allowed hearsay evidence. Lawyer’s for Kissel, who has remained in custody while she awaits the new trial, argued yesterday that the court should grant an application to have the case thrown out altogether. The hearing is expected to last five days. Kissel’s first trial grabbed headlines around the world with its juicy detail on the breakdown of a wealthy expatriate marriage in this southern Chinese financial hub. It spawned two books and a TV special. Prosecutors alleged that Kissel carefully plotted her husband Robert’s murder in November 2003, first drugging him with a milkshake laced with sedatives and then bludgeoning his head with a metal ornament. Kissel said she killed her husband in self-defense after he attacked her with a baseball bat and tried to rape her. While prosecutors portrayed Robert as a loving father, his wife said the former investment banker for Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch was a heavy drinker and cocaine user who was frequently sexually abusive.—AP
One of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia, Merapi has killed 38 people since it started erupting a week ago. Even in the crowded government camps miles (kilometers) away, people still instinctively ran for shelter at the power of yesterday’s eruption, which was accompanied by several deafening explosions, said Subrandrio, an official in charge of monitoring Merapi’s activity. About 69,000 people villagers have been evacuated from the area around its once-fertile slopes, now blanketed by gray ash, in central Java, 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of Jakarta, the capital. As massive clouds spilled from the glowing cauldron and billowed into the air, sending debris and ash cascaded nearly four miles (six kilometers) down the southeastern slopes, Subrandrio said. Local officials and witnesses initially described it as the biggest since the initial blast a week ago, but Surono, chief of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, said an explosion on Saturday was actually more powerful. Merapi has erupted many times in the last two centuries, often with deadly results. In 1994, 60 people were killed, while in 1930, more than a dozen villages were incinerated, leaving up to 1,300 dead. More than 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) to the west, meanwhile, a C-130 transport plane, six helicopters and four motorized boats were ferrying aid to the most distant corners of the Mentawai Islands, where last week’s tsunami destroyed hundreds of homes, schools, churches and mosques. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said relief efforts must be sped up, expressing dismay it took days for aid to reach the isolated islands, though he acknowledged that violent storms have previously prevented most planes, helicopters and boats from operating. The tsunami death toll stood at 431 yesterday after initially being raised to 450. The National Disaster Management Agency said on its website that the number dropped as officials double-checked reports to verify them. The number of missing was 88. Indonesia, a vast archipelago of 235 million people, straddles a series of fault lines and volcanoes known as the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” The fault line that caused last week’s 7.7-magnitude earthquake and killer wave that followed , and also the 2004 tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries , is the meeting point of the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates that have been pushing against and under each other for millions of years, causing huge stresses to build up. It runs the length of the west coast of Sumatra island. Both earthquakes and volcanos can be related to movements in the overlapping plates that form the earth’s crust. As plates slide against or under each other, molten rock from the layer of mantle can break the surface via a volcano, or create energy released in an earthquake. The government has raised alert levels of 21 other volcanoes to the secondand third- highest levels in the last two months because they have shown an increase in activity, said Syamsul Rizal, a state volcanologist, said yesterday. Many of those are already rumbling and belching out heavy black ash. Indonesia has several volcanos smoldering at any given time, but another government volcanologist Gede Swantika said there are normally only five to 10 on the third-highest alert level, indicating an increase in seismic activity and visible changes in the crater, and none at the second-highest, signifying an eruption is possible within two weeks. He said monitors noticed more volcanos were exhibiting seismic activity starting Sept 2. “We can say this is quite extraordinary, about 20 at the same time,” Swantika said. —AP
KUALA LUMPUR: US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, left, speaks to Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, right, as US Ambassador to Malaysia Paul W. Jones smiles at SkyPark Subang Terminal in Subang, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. —AP
Clinton arrives in Malaysia for talks with top officials KUALA LUMPUR: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived yesterday for talks with top officials in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation which the Obama administration sees as a force for moderation. The chief US diplomat is due to hold talks today in the capital Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is standing in for a sick Prime Minister Najib Razak. She is also scheduled to meet opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. As part of her bid to reach out to Muslims, Clinton will also visit the International Institute for Islamic Thought and Civilisation to field questions about US foreign policy in a program broadcast on Malaysian television. Such events are part of so-called public diplomacy, where she strives to make America’s case before a larger audience than the usual leaders and diplo-
mats she meets. Malaysia is the fifth stop on an Asia tour that has taken Clinton to Guam, Vietnam, China and Cambodia. She is still to visit Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia and American Samoa. “Few countries have come as far in terms of our bilateral relationship as the one between the United States and Malaysia,” Clinton’s top diplomat for Asia, Kurt Campbell, said before the tour began last Wednesday. He cited “enormous progress on a range of issues — (nuclear) proliferation issues, political coordination, and strategic dialogue.”Political relations were rocky when Malaysia was led by Mahathir Mohamad, who was known for his strident criticism of the West. The United States sometimes riled Malaysia with past calls to expand democratic freedoms.—AFP
China goes door-to-door for world’s biggest census BEIJING: China kicked off a once-a-decade census yesterday, a whirlwind 10-day head count that sees 6 million census takers scrutinize apartment blocks, scour migrant areas and scan rural villages to document massive demographic changes in the world’s most populous country. And they aim to count every person. The 2000 tally put China’s official population at 1.295 billion people, but missed migrant workers living in cities for less than six months. In the 10 years since, there has been an extensive shift in the population base as tens of millions of migrant workers have poured into urban areas looking for work. “Wherever you are living from Nov 1 to Nov 10, you will be counted,” said Zhang Xueyuan, director of the publicity for the Beijing census committee. It is the sixth time China has carried out a national census, but the first time it will count people where they live and not where their resident certificate, or hukou, is legally registered. The change will better track the demographic changes and find the true size of China’s giant cities, the populations of which up to now have been only estimates. China has gone to great lengths to promote the census this year. In Beijing, giant, colorful banners flying across neighborhood gates have slogans such as: “The census is for the nation and each citizen,” and “Everyone participates in the census.” Unlike the US census, where residents are asked to fill out and mail in forms in a yearlong undertaking, Chinese census-takers plan to speed up the process by going door-to-door asking people questions about their education level, family history, employment situation, and resident status. One of the first to be counted yesterday in Beijing was retiree Ren Shuanggeng, who flashed a big smile to welcome census takers into his apartment in central Beijing. Two neighborhood surveyors decked out in census vests with identification badges spared no time in reeling off questions. “How many years have you lived here? How many people live here? Where do your children live? How old are they? How long have you been retired?” Ren is one of more than 1.3 billion Chinese whom officials aim to question - a mammoth task considering the almost constant swirl of undocumented migrant workers on the hunt for better jobs. Every census-taker covers about 80 to 100 households, where about 90 percent have to answer
18 questions about home ownership, jobs and family members, said Cai Jun, an official with the Beijing census committee. The other 10 percent, randomly selected, take an extended 45-question survey that seeks further information on reasons for moving, unemployment and other personal details. “Going door-to-door allows us to be thorough so that we can survey migrant workers and others who may not have a permanent address in Beijing,” said Cai. This is the first year foreigners, plus people from Hong Kong and Macau, will be counted, said Cai. They will be required to answer only eight questions. One of the biggest challenges is to document China’s migrant or “floating population,” which will show the government a better picture of the numbers in its giant cities. About 140 million migrant workers work outside of their hometowns, according to a 2009 National Bureau of Statistics report, many of whom remain unregistered. Under China’s hukou household registration system, citizens are designated urban or rural. This means many migrant workers registered in their hometowns are denied access to government services in cities, including health care and education. Census-takes could face difficulties getting migrant workers to share personal information if they are working in cities illegally or have given birth while residing in a city without proper documents. Families with unregistered children may also be reluctant to provide information. China has a onechild policy and parents with children born in violation of the rule are required to pay a hefty fine. To encourage people to come forward, those penalties will be reduced for families if they register their extra children in the census. This year, census takers vow to reach everyone. Census-takers are expected to visit universities, factories and construction sites where migrant workers are living in temporary housing - with the goal of surveying millions of people who have migrated into China’s urban centers and are often unaccounted for. “We will go to factories, remote areas and universities to hold mass events so no one will be missed,” Cai said. “It is our goal to cover everyone regardless of the challenges.” Preliminary work began in August with millions of census-takers knocking on doors to get basic information on residents and landlords, including names and telephone numbers. —AP
BEIJING: Zhao Chunxiang, center, and Wang Qingcheng, left, talk to a census worker at their home in Beijing yesterday.—AP
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Attacks against militants seeking sanctuary in the region
US missile attack kills 5 in Pakistan
HERAT: Former Taliban fighters walk before surrendering their weapons to Afghan authorities in Herat, west of Afghanistan, Sunday. —AP
Taleban briefly overrun east Afghanistan district KABUL: The Taleban briefly overran a district seat in eastern Afghanistan and torched government buildings there, officials said yesterday. Government forces who regained control of Ghazni province’s Khogyani district headquarters a few hours later discovered that the 16 Afghan policemen stationed there were missing. The assailants burned three rooms in the headquarters and damaged a vehicle, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said. He did not have information on any casualties. “The district has been back under government control since 8:00 this morning,” Ghazni Governor Musa Khan Ahmadzai told AP Television News. “For around one or two hours, there was a problem ... but our people are back inside (the district seat).” The sixteen policemen were not yet accounted for, said Mohammed Ismail Jahanger, a spokesman for the provincial governor. It was unclear whether
they ran away, were captured or voluntarily joined the Taleban, he said. Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said all the police guarding the headquarters were either killed or taken prisoner and their weapons and vehicles were confiscated. He put out a press release later saying the Taleban had left the district after damaging the headquarters. A NATO spokesman said he did not have any details of the incident. In recent months, Ghazni has become one of the most unstable provinces in Afghanistan. Insecurity around the country shot up after NATO and Afghan troops began pushing into the Taleban heartland of the south in July. Analysts say the Taleban use such hit-and-run attacks on government institutions to prove they are still a potent force despite an intensive NATO-led campaign to kill or capture their leaders. Many government offices have weakened defenses because of a high rate of desertion among the
armed forces. Parliamentary elections held in September did not take place in most of Ghazni because of the insurgent threat. Afghanistan has more than 350 districts. Around 10 are under direct Taleban control but they have a presence in many more. In an unrelated incident in southern Helmand province, NATO and Afghan troops killed 15 insurgents in a two-day battle over a bomb-making factory in Reg-iKhan Nishin district that ended Sunday, the coalition said. NATO troops eventually seized and destroyed a stockpile of explosives that would have been enough to build more than 2,000 bombs, yesterday’s statement said. Also in Helmand, two Afghan women were found shot to death, said provincial government spokesman Daud Ahmadi. They had been running a small organization helping other women set up businesses before their bodies were found in Naway-e-Barakzayi district. —AP
Afghan, NATO troops seize 24 tons of bomb material KABUL: Afghan and foreign troops have seized nearly 24 tons of ammonium nitrate, a key ingredient in homemade bombs used by insurgents against government and international forces, the NATO-led force said yesterday. While the discovery of caches of materials used to make bombs is not unusual, this was the largest such find since the chemical was banned earlier this year. In August, Afghan police uncovered 17 tons of ammonium nitrate. Homemade roadside bombs are among the most effective weapons used by the Taleban and other insurgents. According to iCasualties.org, an independent website that monitors foreign troop casualties, roadside bombs, or improvised explosive devices, have accounted for about 60 percent of fatalities among foreign troops over the past three years. The total number of foreign troops killed in Afghanistan since the Taleban were overthrown in 2001 stands at 2,180. This year has been by far the deadliest with 620 deaths, more than half of those as a result of homemade bomb attacks. The cache was uncovered in a bomb factory by Afghan and NATOled International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops as they cleared a bazaar used by insurgents as a logistics hub in southern Helmand province at the weekend, ISAF said. More than 15 insurgents were killed during gun battles that lasted throughout
Saturday night and into Sunday in the town of Khan Neshin in Helmand’s Reg district. Along with the ammonium nitrate, which would have been enough to make up to 2,000 bombs, ISAF said, troops also discovered 40 kg of opium and 2,000 kg of precursor chemicals used to process opium into heroin. Afghanistan produces around 90 percent of the world’s opium, around two-thirds of which comes from Helmand alone. The caches were all destroyed on site, ISAF said. President Hamid Karzai’s government banned the use, production, storage or sale of ammonium nitrate-commonly used as fertiliser-early this year. The use of ammonium nitrate in roadside bombs has spread as a resurgent Taleban moved out of the strongholds in the south and east in recent years, especially into the once-calm north where pockets of resistance have sprung up. Finding and clearing such bombs is one of the most painstaking and time-consuming tasks for foreign and Afghan troops, with bombs often cleverly hidden on dirt tracks, dry river beds or even under tarmac roads. Civilians are also often victims of such bombs. A mid-year UN report said civilian casualties had risen 31 percent in the first six months of this year compared with same period last year, including 1,271 killed. Of those, the Taleban and other insurgents were blamed for 76 percent of casualties. —Reuters
Bangladesh implements wage hike for garment workers DHAKA: A controversial 80 percent minimum wage hike for Bangladesh’s three million garment workers came into force yesterday with the government vowing to prosecute factories that fail to comply. All of the country’s 4,500 garment factories, which produce clothes for top Western brands, must pay workers at least 3,000 taka (43 dollars) a month, up from the 1,662 taka minimum wage set in 2006. Unions had asked for an even bigger increase and tens of thousands of workers staged violent strikes and protests in late July and August which shut factories manufacturing for groups such as Wal-Mart, H & M and Tesco. The turmoil was brought under control when the government launched a crackdown, arresting five union leaders, at least one of whom remains in jail, and filing charges against hundreds
of workers involved in the protests. “Legal action will be taken if any employer fails to implement the new pay scale,” Labour and Manpower Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain promised on Sunday, adding that factory owners should also pay bonuses. The new wage rates were fixed by a government-appointed wage board on July 27 following consultation with factory owners and union leaders. Some pro-government unions have welcomed the new scale, but independent labour groups have slammed the hikes, saying the new rates will not ensure decent living standards for workers and do not keep up with inflation. Union leaders say the new pay scale is unfair as while it raises the minimum wage 80 percent, which benefits entry level workers, it
has raised the pay of experienced employees by only 20 percent on average. “Our biggest worry is that factory owners are not sincere about implementing the new wages,” said Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, head of the Bangladesh Textile Garment Workers’ Federation. “If factories don’t implement it, the government can’t blame the unions if the workers are on the streets protesting again.” The government has also launched a new industrial police unit designed to prevent a repeat of this summer’s violence and maintain security in major export-orientated manufacturing zones. Garments accounted for 80 percent of Bangladesh’s 16.20 billion dollars of annual exports last year. The country’s factories employ more than three million workers, about 85 percent of them women. —AFP
PARACHINAR: A US drone attack killed five people in northwest Pakistan yesterday, local intelligence officials said, the latest in a barrage of such strikes against Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants seeking sanctuary in the region. Also in the northwest, four militants stormed a police complex, killing two officers, and gunmen attacked tankers carrying fuel for NATO and US troops just across the border in Afghanistan, wounding a driver and his assistant, police said. Four American missiles were fired at a house in North Waziristan, the area that has seen the overwhelming majority of attacks over the last two months, said the officials, who did not give their names because the agency they work for does not allow its operatives to be identified. The identities of those killed were not immediately known. North Waziristan is too dangerous for outsiders to visit and independently confirm the attacks, and US officials do not acknowledge firing the missiles, much less discuss who they are targeting. Some locals say many of those killed are often civilians; others say nearly all the victims are militants or those actively harboring them. There were at least 20 suspected US missile strikes in Pakistan last month. There were 21 such attacks in September, nearly double the previous monthly record. The attacks are carried out by unmanned drones that fly over the region for hours and equipped with extremely highpowered video cameras. North Waziristan is home to hundreds of Pakistani and foreign militants, many belonging to or allied with Al-Qaeda and the Taleban. The region also hosts the Haqqani network, a powerful insurgent group that US officials say is behind many of the attacks on US and NATO forces just across the border in Afghanistan. The militants attacked the police complex in the town of Swabi, said officer Abdullah Khan. The attack triggered a gunbattle in which two officers and two insurgents were killed, he said, adding that one of the attackers was wearing a suicide belt. Gunmen opened fire on the tankers carrying fuel for NATO and US troops in Afghanistan, wounding a driver and his assistant, said police officer Nisar Khan. The attack happened close to the main northwestern city of Peshawar, he said. Several hundred trucks carrying fuel and non-lethal supplies to foreign forces in Afghanistan everyday, with between 2,500 and 3,000 on Pakistani roads at any one time. Militants occasionally attack them, but the vast majority travel through unhampered. Last month, Islamabad closed one of the supply routes in protest at incursions by NATO helicopters into Pakistani airspace. —AP
More than 50 dead after boat capsizes off east India KOLKATA: Rescuers have recovered 54 bodies from the Bay of Bengal after a boat capsized off the east coast of India and said yesterday they feared more people could be dead. Authorities said 73 people were still missing and 93 had been rescued from the 220 pilgrims who were aboard the boat when it sank near Ghoramara island, West Bengal state, on Saturday and that the chances of more survivors were increasingly slim. “The search operation for the day is over due to very bad weather and rough seas. We will continue our search operations early morning,” G D Gautama, West Bengal’s top bureaucrat, said. The boat was overcrowded and capsized after it hit a sand bar in the rough sea. —Reuters
SWABI: Pakistani policemen carry the coffin of a comrade killed in a suicide attack in the northwestern town of Swabi yesterday. —AFP
Pakistani Taleban publicly flog men for drug dealing KALAYA: Pakistan’s Taleban have flogged 65 men in public after accusing them of using and selling drugs in a tribal region the military says has largely been cleared of militants, the group said yesterday. The men were given 10 lashes each in an open area used by children to play football and for religious sermons in the town of Mamozai in the tribal northwestern Orakzai region, said Taleban spokesman Hafiz Saeed. The floggings illustrate how Pakistan’s AlQaeda-linked Taleban is still able to impose its harsh brand of Islam at will in some parts of the northwest despite government assertions that several military offensives severely
weakened the group. “They were found guilty of using and selling drugs after which our Islamic court sentenced them to punishment that was carried out in public,” said Saeed. In March, Pakistani troops launched an offensive in Orakzai, which officials described as the nerve centre for Pakistan’s Taleban, which included training camps. Military officials said last week the assault broke the back of the militants in 90 percent of Orakzai. Mamozai is still held by the Taleban. Attacks continue in areas the army has captured. Defeating homegrown militants in the northwest is critical for stabilizing Pakistan. Islamabad is also under pressure from ally
Washington to root out Afghan Taleban militants who cross the border from sanctuaries to attack Western and Afghan troops. An Orakzai tribesman said about 600 people watched the lashings after the Taleban made announcements through mosques urging people to attend. People often comply with the Taleban out of fear, although the group does have supporters. “The men were brought in groups of five and were lashed 10 times each before being released,” said the tribesmen, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. The vast majority of Pakistanis are opposed to the Taleban’s interpretation of Islam. —Reuters
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Militant mix of experts, novices blurs picture By William Maclean lotters in Yemen conceal bombs inside office equipment and mail the packaged items air freight to America. Only a tipoff alerts authorities that planes are en route with a deadly cargo. A European scare erupts when militants from Germany are reported to be plotting attacks from hideouts in Pakistan. Most subsequently turn out to be incompetent fantasists. Which conspiracy poses the greater threat? The answer may not be that simple. In the space of one month the West has faced both starkly divergent scenarios, underlining the complexity of the challenge for counter-terrorism agencies seeking to identify threats, assessing their menace and formulate an effective response. Al-Qaeda is desperate to attack the West five years after its last successful strike, using simpler methods than the kind of complex, team-based operations of Sept 11 2001. But forging a common response is difficult, for there is no unanimity among Western experts on whether the diverse tactics it is using, and the emergence of inept novices in its ranks, amount to signs of weakness, or of adaptability. Bruce Hoffman, a counterterrorism expert and director of Georgetown University’s security studies program, sees no evidence that Al-Qaeda’s energies are fading despite punishing drone attacks on its leaders in the Afghan-Pakistan border area. “I don’t think it’s either ebbing or necessarily in retreat,” said, pointing to the growth of a globally scattered network of like-minded groups in places like Yemen and Somalia. AlQaeda’s Yemen network, AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), is the top suspect in a global security alert triggered by the discovery of explosives on two cargo planes bound for the United States. Fawaz Gerges, Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics, said AQAP had the same kind of drive, focus and seasoned leadership as an earlier generation of militants who staged Al-Qaeda’s most prominent attacks including 9/11. “Their clear message is an intense determination to strike any target, use any method to get at the West,” he said. In contrast, veteran researcher Marc Sageman sees Al-Qaeda’s senior generation “fading away” under pressure from drones, now so bereft of experienced lieutenants that it is forced to use hopefuls who come out to Pakistan to volunteer for duty. He points to the community of militants in Europe that was at the centre of a European security
P
scare in early October. The group of 11 radicals left Germany in March 2009 to fight against the United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan. A group member held by US troops in Afghanistan in July 2010 revealed details of planned attacks on targets in Europe, possibly involving simultaneous gun raids in European cities. To date, the group’s performance has been unimpressive. Of the 11, only eight ever made it to Pakistan. Two, including the ringleader, a Frenchman of Algerian origin, Naamen Meziche, are believed to have been killed in a drone attack. The others are variously detained in Afghanistan, detained in Germany, living at liberty but under surveillance by the authorities in Germany, or have disappeared from view. “These are very amateurish groups lacking the sophistication, skills and training of the previous generation that we saw at work in 9/11,” Gerges said. “This trend of homegrown militants is alarming and given the number of plots, an attack might get though. But we need to be precise about the nature of the threats: Can Al-Qaeda carry out spectacular earthshaking operations anymore? No, it can’t.” The plot, reportedly hatched in militant hideouts in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region, did not appear to have gone beyond brainstorming, security experts say, although there may be other strands of this conspiracy that continue to unfold. “They lived in a dreamland, dreaming of jihad,” a European intelligence source said of the group. “They travelled to Pakistan with pink-tinted sunglasses, so to speak, looking at a wonderful world. When they arrived in Waziristan they met reality. They had to travel about the mountains, and two of the guys were overweight. It was very strenuous. There were no showers, no meat on the table.” The group’s lack of toughness and guile are typical of other radicals who headed to Pakistan from Europe, experts say. But there is no room for complacency, for when novices rub shoulders with seasoned veterans, they can learn deadly skills. There have been reports that some of the Hamburg group met Ilyas Kashmiri, a veteran Pakistani Islamist radical. Another contact for European militants is Adnan Al-Shukrijumah, an experienced Saudi-born Guyanese Al-Qaeda operative. And there are unconfirmed reports that Saif al-Adel, an experienced former AlQaeda security chief, has resurfaced in northwest Pakistan after years of house arrest in Iran. — Reuters
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Al-Qaeda thriving despite US efforts By Roland Lloyd Parry ith bombings, kidnappings and suicide attacks, the Al-Qaeda network is thriving on several fronts in Asia, the Middle East and Africa despite huge US and allied efforts to stamp it out, experts said yesterday. Nearly a decade after the United States launched its “war on terror” after the Al-Qaeda attacks of September 11, 2001, with the invasion of Afghanistan, the battlefield has widened, as headlines in recent days have shown. “Despite hundreds of billions of dollars which have been spent to fight them, Al Qaeda is still there and continues to increase its capacity to cause harm,” said Antoine Basbous, head of the Observatory of Arab Countries, a Paris-based thinktank. Sunday saw a deadly hostage-taking at a church in Baghdad claimed by AlQaeda’s Iraq branch, showing its killing power has not faded despite a relative return to calm in the country since the height of the war. Last week intelligence services foiled an aeroplane bomb plot originating in Yemen, home to AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which emerged last year as one of the network’s most dangerous new branches. Beyond the Middle East meanwhile, the network has pushed to new frontiers, with armed groups based in impoverished Niger and Mali kidnapping and killing European hostages. “There are now six fronts: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and the Sahel,” Basbous told AFP, referring lastly to the desert region of northwestern Africa which has emerged as a base for Al Qaeda-linked militants. “These drain the resources of the states that are fighting against this enemy, which is not always visible. And the war is continuing,” he said. Al-Qaeda took root in Africa in 2006
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when Algerian militants joined. They have drawn recruits from Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Niger, Mali and Mauritania, “aiming to attack Europe from the south Mediterranean”, Basbous said. “Now they want to make the link with Nigeria,” he added. This would give the movement a further west African base, while on the east coast, Basbous says, it thrives on piracy in lawless Somalia. While fierce US missile strikes on his Pakistan mountain hideout keep Al-Qaeda leader bin Laden’s head down, the ideological power of his movement is enough to draw new
recruits even without his direct involvement, experts say. “Al-Qaeda is operating on multiple fronts without a huge amount of central support,” said Ben Wilkinson, a counterterrorism expert at the RUSI security think-tank in London. “The power of the network is in its ideology. The reason missile strikes in Pakistan have no effect on Yemen is because the organisations are virtually separate.” Ideological coherence “gives the impression they are all linked and that the threat is rising,” said Jean-Charles Brisard, a French terrorism expert. He
called AQAP “the most innovative terrorist group in terms of technology”, capable of building sophisticated miniature bombs, and skilled at propaganda. AQAP backed Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the so-called “underpants bomber” who carried explosives in his underwear on a bomb attempt on a US plane in 2009. Like another attempted bombing in New York’s Times Square in May, that plot failed, and no large-scale Al-Qaeda atrocities have struck western countries since bombings in London in July 2005. But a USbound bomb parcel from Yemen found
last week on a Qatar Airways plane had PETN explosives - the same type used by Abdulmutallab - hidden inside a computer printer. “The US efforts in Pakistan have kept AQ there under fairly tight wraps,” said Wilkinson, but this did not stop recruits elsewhere, such as the Nigerian Abdulmutallab, from trying to attack the United States. “The globalisation of the organisation makes it so nebulous,” Wilkinson said. “You wouldn’t expect missile strikes in Pakistan to affect the other Al-Qaeda franchises.” —AFP
Saudi fugitives key AQAP players By Paul Handley he identification of Saudi militant Ibrahim Hassan Al-Asiri as the leading suspect in a plot to send parcel bombs to the US highlights the key role that Saudis play in Al-Qaeda’s Yemen-based branch. Alleged Al-Qaeda bombmaker Asiri is just one of dozens of hardcore Saudis who fled a crackdown on Islamic militants in their own country in 2005-2006 and joined up with the Al-Qaeda cause in Yemen. They were joined by 11 former detainees from the US Guantanamo military prison who were repatriated to Saudi Arabia but then fled after passing through the country’s militant rehabilitation program. The exodus of the Saudi militants, many with field-tested fighting and technical skills, led directly to the announcement of the unification of the Saudi and Yemen Al-Qaeda branches into Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in January 2009, according to analysts. “Yemen became a destination
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for Saudi jihadis and AQAP was born as a coalition of Saudi and Yemeni jihadis,” said Islamist movements expert Murad Batal Al-Shishani in a March paper for the US-based Jamestown Foundation. AQAP’s leader is a Yemeni, former Osama bin Laden secretary Nasser AlWahayshi, but his number two is one of the Guantanamo returnees, Al-Shihari said. The Saudi crackdown came after Al-Qaeda launched a campaign of assassinations and bombings across the country from 2003 to 2006, shocking the Saudi leadership. They jailed thousands of suspected militants, but possibly hundreds escaped abroad. “The success of the Saudi counterterrorism program up to 2006 ensured that the AlQaeda threat was displaced to Yemen,” Alistair Harris of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wrote in a report on AQAP in May. After the merger, the group declared the Saudi royal family a primary target, and has followed up on that threat. Asiri’s own brother carried out a failed suicide bombing targeting Saudi
counter-terror chief Prince Mohammed bin Nayef in August 2009. That bomb was believed to have been a precursor to the “underwear bomb” a Nigerian militant tried to set off on a passenger jet flying into Detroit, Michigan on Dec 25 last year - an attempt claimed by AQAP. In Oct 2009, two Saudis from AQAP were killed inside Saudi Arabia after smuggling a carload of weapons, ammunition and suicide bomb vests over the border. And on March 25 this year, Saudi authorities arrested 113 suspected Al-Qaeda militants inside the country and said they had links to AQAP. Pinning down AQAP’s size and the extent of the role of Saudis is difficult. Harris estimated there are 300 to 500 core AQAP members. Shishani estimated that Yemenis constituted 56 percent of the group’s members, while Saudis made up 37 percent. In another way to gauge the Saudi contingency’s strength, the Yemen interior ministry has listed 104 Yemenis and 91 Saudis as wanted
AQAP members. On Saudi Arabia’s February 2009 list of 85 most-wanted militant suspects, at least 26 were believed to be in Yemen at the time. Like Asiri with his bomb-making acumen, the Saudis bring to AQAP skills used in various types of attack and, for a number of them, field training in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Carnegie endowment expert Chris Boucek said that a number of the 26 who went to Yemen had experience plotting attacks against crucial oil installations. Shishani points out that the large number of Saudis in AQAP who come from along the Yemeni border strengthens AQAP’s ability to operate around and across the border, because the southern Saudis maintain often strong clan and fraternal ties with northern Yemenis. But the same web of family and other traditional ties also help Saudi security services spy on AQAP and produce tips like the one that exposed the parcel bombs this week before they did any damage. — AFP
Bomb plot could raise costs, but who pays? By Tim Hepher ecurity fears triggered by the air freight bomb plot could increase the costs of global trade and fuel debate over the technology needed to screen packages and who should pay for it, transport officials said yesterday. Two air packages containing bombs - both sent from Yemen and addressed to synagogues in Chicago - were intercepted in Britain and Dubai on Friday. One of the packages was found on a United Parcel Service cargo plane at East Midlands Airport, north of London. The other was discovered in a computer printer cartridge in a parcel at a FedEx facility in Dubai. The plot could speed up calls for wider use of sophisticated imaging technology designed to detect explosives, which is not standard, but freight firms are reluctant to bear the full cost. “The technology used for screening of cargo, typically by X-ray, ... doesn’t have explosive detection capacity, but it does enable them to find most things,” said Norman Shanks, a former head of security at the British airports operator BAA. “But cleverly concealed devices like this might suggest that there will have to be an ability for an explosive detection capacity such as CT (computed tomography),” said Shanks, who now works as a specialist aviation security consultant. Tomography is a medical scanning technology designed to display sectional images. Its attraction for security firms was highlighted when France’s Safran paid $580 million a year ago for 81 percent of GE Homeland Protection, which supplies the technology. British Home Secretary (interior minister) Theresa May said security around air cargo arriving in Britain was being reviewed, but
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A lorry leaves US parcel delivery firm FedEx’s regional hub at Dubai airport on Sunday. — AFP stopped short of saying a tighter system was being planned. Marco Sorgetti, director-general of CLECAT, a European association of freight-forwarding companies, said there were fears of a knee-jerk reaction to the security scare. “Although this is a clear example where targeted investigation pays, some will say this is why we need 100 percent scanning. What happened doesn’t make it (100 percent scanning) one inch better in terms of risk analysis, but emotionally people will say we have to do this.” Freight firms clashed with US and European policymakers last year over
calls for 100 percent scanning of sea containers. Plans to introduce full scanning from 2012 were postponed. Shippers say targeted intelligence work is more effective than faith in a blanket technological approach with no guarantee of success, given the minute quantities needed to pose a threat. They say the intelligence tip-offs linked to Friday’s discovery demonstrate that existing systems work. But some analysts say the cargo industry has for long enough escaped the stringent attention given to passenger security, or freight carried in the cargo holds of passenger airliners. “Although
there has been a lot of talk about the air cargo security regulations, most of these regulations affect the cargo that is placed on commercial passenger aircraft, not allcargo operators,” said Jeff Price, lead author of “Practical Aviation Security: Predicting and Preventing Future Threats”. The World Customs Organization distinguishes between screening - risk assessment based on the origin and other information; scanning - which involves Xray or gamma-ray machines scanning closed packages; and full physical inspection. Shanks said introducing full scanning
globally would be unaffordable - but authorities may toughen a two-tier approach: “I think it will have to be affordable for packages of cargo coming out of countries that are known in the past to have caused problems. This will have to be a cost that is either picked up by the state itself or added onto the shipment.” FedEx and UPS, respectively the world’s largest and second largest carriers of air freight by volume, are just the tip of a multi-billion-dollar logistics industry responsible for keeping global supply chains running smoothly. “In the past five or six years we saw logistics costs go up due to the movement of production plants to other areas in the world. A big security focus might put the costs up further,” said Nicole Geerkens, top executive at the European Logistics Association. “Now there is a trend where people are considering whether to in-source,” or repatriate production, she added. Analysts say logistics represent up to 15 percent of the value of goods, depending on the type of business and economy. “Depending on how you look at it, logistics probably cover about 10 percent of everyone’s lifestyle,” Sorgetti said. The plot puts worldwide attention on security just as cargo companies struggle to maintain a recovery in air shipments seen over the past year. Any lasting economic damage may be felt more widely. “It’s our response that achieves the true outcomes of the attack, not the attack itself,” said Price. “Recall the after-effects of 9/11. Economic recession, airline bailouts, the largest governmental bureaucracy created since World War Two. We now spend billions of dollars a year on homeland security, and the attacks have forever changed the way in which we travel.” — Reuters
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Qaeda turncoat alerted Saudis to mail bomb plot
SCHMALKALDEN, Germany: In this aerial photo, a giant sinkhole under a residential street which claimed a car and left another car hanging over the edge is seen yesterday. The cause of the landslide is yet unclear. Residents were evacuated from 23 buildings. Nobody was injured. — AP
Non-oil income eyed to diversify economy Continued from Page 1 Ahmad, who is tasked with implementing the plan, said 25 percent of projects outlined in the first year have been completed and that 40-50 percent more should be done before the end of the fiscal year in March. “We have already committed to 3.2 billion dollars worth of projects out of the planned 17.7 billion dollars,” he said. “Out of 14 mega-projects outlined, we have awarded eight so far and the rest will be inked soon,” Sheikh Ahmad added. Mega-projects outlined in the plan include a 25-km causeway, two power stations, four housing cities, a modern container harbour and a huge hospital, the minister said. Sheikh Ahmad said his ministry has already received requests from other ministries and government institutions for 1,100 projects worth $25 billion for the second year of the plan. The Kuwaiti development plan also includes parts of a new business hub called Silk City, which is to be built in Subbiya, north of Kuwait City, for an estimated $77 billion. And it also includes a railway and metro system, new cities and additional spending on infrastructure, particularly in the health and education sectors. The plan also stipulates increased spending in the oil sector, the country’s lifeline, to raise crude oil production capacity and modernise oil facilities. Political bickering
that has rocked Kuwait over the past few years has delayed many development projects. Kuwait has amassed huge foreign assets in the past decade - estimated at about $270 billion and mostly located abroad - on the back of high oil prices. Kuwait, which says it holds 10 percent of global crude reserves, pumps about 2.3 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, a top Arab monetary official yesterday said a weaker dollar, to which most of the currencies of the Gulf are pegged, may force the region’s states to appreciate their currencies. “Our region is not shielded against the impact of the currency war because our currencies are pegged to the dollar,” Jassem AlMannai, director general of the UAEbased Arab Monetary Fund told the forum. “This (currency war) will impact the Arab economies, especially with regard to (higher) inflation and other problems,” said Mannai. “If the (US) dollar continues to slide, it may force countries in the (Gulf) region to appreciate their currencies.” The forum, in its second year, is a twoday meeting of regional banking and finance leaders, which is this year focusing on the impact of the global financial crisis on oil-rich Gulf countries. Mannai later told reporters that if a currency war flares, “I believe the GCC states will certainly start discussing and evaluating the impact on their currencies.” Five of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) states have their currency pegged to the dollar, while Kuwait pegs its dinar to a basket of currencies in which the dollar is believed to constitute between 7080 percent. The GCC consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, together responsible for supplying just under a fifth of the world’s crude needs. The issue of GCC dollar peg was debated during the boom years of 2007 and 2008 when the heating Gulf economy and sliding US economy went in opposing directions. Gulf states needed to raise interest rates in a bid to halt soaring inflation which hit double digits in most of Gulf states, but were forced to maintain low interest rates because of the dollar peg. The issue also attracted attention after wild speculations on GCC currencies, especially from foreign money, under the assumption that GCC states were going to appreciate their currencies. But the GCC states, spearheaded by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries kingpin Saudi Arabia, rejected pressures for de-pegging. Mannai and senior advisor at the International Monetary Fund Alfred Kammer also warned of rising inflation in Gulf states because of high food prices. Four GCC states - Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia - have signed a monetary council pact and set up a monetary council in the Saudi capital Riyadh, while the remaining two states pulled out. — AFP
Iraq Christians mourning after church siege kills 58 Continued from Page 1 What shall I do now? Leave and ask for asylum?” “Now they make a show,” said Jamal Jaju, who watched as Iraqi forces set up a chain link fence around the church and pushed back observers. “What can I say? I lost at least 20 friends in there.” Pope Benedict XVI denounced the assault as “ferocious” and called for renewed international efforts to broker peace in the region. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki also condemned the siege, saying it was an attempt to drive more Christians out of the country. Islamist militants have systematically attacked Christians in Iraq since the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Catholics made up 2.89 percent of Iraq’s population in 1980; by 2008 they were merely 0.89 percent. Sunday’s bloodbath began at dusk, when a car bomb went off in the area and then militants wearing suicide vests and armed with grenades attacked the Iraqi stock exchange. The car bombing and the attack on the stock exchange, in which only two guards were injured, may have been an attempt by the militants to divert attention from their real target - the nearby church in an upscale Baghdad neighborhood. That attack soon followed. The gunmen went inside the church and took about 120 Christians hostage. At least 58 people were killed, including 12 policemen as well as five bystanders thought to have been killed by the car bombing and blasts outside the church before the attackers stormed inside. Forty-one Christians inside the church also died, including two priests. It was unclear whether most hostages died before or during the rescue. An Iraqi official who was on the scene as the hostage drama unfolded said he talked on a cell phone with one of the hostages during the siege. He said the hostage described how insurgents began shooting wildly when they went into the church and said he could see about 40 wounded people lying around him on the floor. The Iraqi official said he then spoke on the phone to one of the militants. During the four-minute conversation, the militant demanded that Iraqi authorities
release its Al-Qaeda prisoners and stressed that all female prisoners should be released immediately. The official said he judged by the militant’s accent and speech that he was not Iraqi. When Iraqi special forces joined police and other officials already on the scene, they heard gunshots and decided to enter the church “to prevent the further loss of innocent lives”, said Lt Col Terry L Conder, a spokesman for US special forces. When the Iraqis stormed the building, the militants were shooting at the hostages, the Iraqi official said. According to two security officials, most of the deaths took place in the basement where a gunman killed about 30 hostages when Iraqi forces began to storm the building. One official said the gunman set off an explosives vest he was wearing, but the other said the gunman threw two grenades at his hostages. Video footage from an American drone showed a black plume of smoke pouring out of the church followed by flashes before security forces charged inside. US forces often supply air support to Iraqi forces conducting operations on the ground, feeding them video footage from their aircraft. Conder said Iraqi forces rescued 70 hostages, and Baghdad military spokesman Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi said they arrested five suspects, some of whom were not Iraqi. Others, however, questioned whether the raid was wise. Younadem Kana, a Christian member of the Iraqi parliament, condemned the operation as “hasty” and “not professional.” “We have no clear picture yet whether the worshippers were killed by the security forces’ bullets or by terrorists, but what we know is that most of them were killed when the security forces started to storm the church,” Kana said. About 41/4 hours passed between the car bombing and the end of the siege shortly after 10 pm, said an American military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter. A cryptically worded statement posted late Sunday on a militant website allegedly by the Islamic State of Iraq appeared to claim responsibility for the attack. The group,
which is linked to Al-Qaeda in Iraq, said it would “exterminate Iraqi Christians” if Muslim women in Egypt were not freed. It specifically mentioned two women that extremists maintain have converted to Islam and are being held against their will in Egypt. The two are wives of priests. Some believe they converted to Islam to leave their husbands since divorce is banned by Egypt’s Coptic Church. One woman disappeared in 2004 and the other this past July. Egypt’s Christians had originally maintained they were kidnapped and staged rallies for their release. In both cases, police subsequently recovered the two women, who denied they had converted. They were then spirited away to distant monasteries. Iraqi authorities yesterday took extra measures to protect Christian neighborhoods and churches in Mosul, Kirkuk and Baghdad. Additional police cars and checkpoints were seen near many churches, and authorities were conducting extensive searches on cars and pedestrians heading to churches. “This is more than a tragedy,” said Iraq’s Human Rights minister, Wijdan Mikheil, who is a Christian. Choking back tears as she spoke with reporters outside Our Lady of Deliverance church, she said: “What is happening to Iraqis in general and Christians in particular is an attempt to push them out of the country, but we hope Iraqis remain united.” Our Lady of Deliverance is a Syrian Catholic church. Karim Khalil, a 49-year-old Iraqi Christian, said he moved to Syria with his family last year because he felt his religion made him a target in Baghdad. “Iraqi militias threatened me, saying I was on the side of the Americans because I am Christian,” Karim told the AP. “They said I would be killed if I stayed in Iraq.” Now he lives in Damascus with his wife and five children. “I have left behind my house and everything to escape with my family,” he said. Many other Iraqi Christians living in Syria refused to speak to the AP. They said they fear militias may exact revenge on their families in Iraq. — AP
SANAA: A leading Al-Qaeda militant in Yemen who surrendered to Saudi Arabia provided information that helped thwart the mail bomb plot, Yemeni security officials said yesterday. The officials said Jabir AlFayfi, a Saudi militant who had joined AlQaeda in Yemen but handed himself over in late September, told Saudi officials about the plan. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Several tribal leaders in Yemen with knowledge of the situation, who similarly spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed Al-Fayfi’s role. US officials have said an alert from Saudi Arabia led to the interception on Friday of two explosive devices, hidden in packages addressed to Chicago-area synagogues, on planes transiting in Britain and Dubai. AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the terror group’s affiliate in Yemen, is suspected in the attempted bombing. US officials have said the tip that came in just before the plot unraveled on Friday and was specific enough that it identified the tracking numbers of the packages. The Saudi newspaper Al-Watan yesterday cited Saudi security officials saying that the kingdom gave US investigators the tracking numbers. It was not immediately known how Saudi Arabia obtained the numbers. But AlFayfi surrendered in Yemen to Saudi authorities before the packages were mailed and would not likely have known the specific tracking numbers. Saudi intelligence has for years aggressively worked to infiltrate the terror group in its southern neighbor. Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia announced that Al-Fayfi had turned himself in. Al-Fayfi, who is in mid-30s, had been captured by US forces in Afghanistan following the 2001 toppling of the Taleban there. He was held at the US prison at
Jabir Al-Fayfi Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, until early 2007, when he was released to Saudi Arabia. There, he was put through the kingdom’s rehabilitation program for militants. But soon after his release from the program, he fled to neighboring Yemen and joined Al-Qaeda there, according to the Saudi Interior Ministry. In September, he contacted Saudi authorities saying he wanted to turn himself in. A private jet was sent to the Yemeni capital Sanaa to retrieve him, Saudi security officials told the Saudiowned daily Al-Hayat at the time. The Yemeni security officials said they suspect that the Saudis planted Al-Fayfi in Al-Qaeda in Yemen as a double agent. Saudi security officials could not immediately be reached for comment whether
Al-Fayfi had a role in tipping them off to the mail bomb plot. But Al-Fayfi’s surrender may have revealed other plots as well. In mid-October, Saudi Arabia warned European authorities of a new terror threat from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, saying the group’s operatives were active on the continent, particularly in France. Saudi Arabia has for years been working to infiltrate Al-Qaeda in its unstable neighbor to the south, Yemen. Saudi intelligence has recruited hundreds of informers in Yemen, gives powerful tribal chiefs generous stipends to ensure their loyalty and even passes out money within Yemen’s security forces. The Saudis, who have fought a brutal war against Al-Qaeda militants at home over the past decade, have been unhappy about how President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government in Yemen has handled the growing threat from Al-Qaeda in the poor Arab nation in their backyard. The kingdom sees Yemen’s security forces as incompetent and their intelligence gathering inadequate. The frustration with the Yemenis climaxed last year when AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula came close to killing Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, a royal who runs the Saudi counterterrorism program. A suicide bomber posing as a reformed jihadist detonated a bomb hidden inside his body, cutting himself to shreds but only lightly injuring the prince. “That was the thing that infuriated the Saudis and made them step up their intelligence operations in Yemen and almost completely sidestep the Yemenis,” said a Yemeni security official familiar with the kingdom’s activity in his country. “They recruited hundreds of informers and began to spend even more lavishly on their allies,” said the official, who agreed to share the information in exchange for anonymity. — AP
Amiri Diwan denies plane claims Continued from Page 1 Tabtabaei, who has been chairman of the committee in previous terms, said in his letter that three members of the committee held the election without waiting for him although they knew he was in the Assembly building and that he intended to contest for the head of the panel. The panel however unanimously elected MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan as its chairman. Later, MP Adnan Abdulsamad said that it was Tabtabaei’s fault for failing to attend the meeting on time “although he was remind-
ed and we were told he was in the bathroom”. Meanwhile, MP Ahmad Al-Saadoun categorically denied a report in the local press which quoted him as saying that he was unhappy about the behaviour of his colleague in the Popular Action Bloc, MP Mussallam Al-Barrak, in the case of the two Iranian brothers who were released from detention by the interior minister. Saadoun said that the issue was raised by Barrak in the Assembly in the previous term and the Assembly asked the interior and defense committee to probe the matter
and it submitted its report to the Assembly, which will decide the further course of action. The committee has already convicted the interior minister and held him responsible of releasing the two Iranians who are facing drug charges and practicing medicine without a license. Meanwhile, Khorafi has ordered an investigation into claims by an interior ministry official who said that his testimony in the probe has been changed. The new head of the committee MP Shuwaib Al-Muwaizri welcomed the decision and said he will cooperate with the Assembly office in the matter.
Saudi fatwa bars women from tills Continued from Page 1 The ruling came from the Committee on Scholarly Work and Ifta, the official issuer of fatwas, or Islamic religious rulings, under the Council of Senior Scholars, the top authority for Islamic issues in the kingdom. The fatwa was in response to a question - published with the ruling - asking specifically if women should work as cashiers in markets. It mentioned several retailers by name: Saudi-owned Panda supermarkets, the supermarket chain Marhaba and the Los Angeles-based Red Tag Clothing chain. Another retail clothing chain, UAE-controlled Centrepoint, has also begun trying female cashiers. The ruling was signed by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, the head of the Council of Senior Scholars, and six other members of the fatwa committee. The fatwa came some four months after the labour ministry quietly authorised stores in the western city of Jeddah to employ women as cashiers, in an attempt to open up opportunities for women who are forcibly segregated from men under
the strict Saudi version of Islam. The first to test the policy was the Saudi-owned Panda chain, which started by putting 16 Saudi women to work at one store in the Red Sea city. While there were grumbles from clerics, there were no concerted challenges, and Marhaba and Centrepoint both announced they would also try employing women at their checkout registers. Panda set up separate checkout lines for families and women, but not for single men, in the way that Saudi restaurants are separated into sections for men and for women and families. However, that apparently has not satisfied the conservative clerics - even though shoppers themselves in supermarkets around the kingdom are not segregated. The fatwa’s impact was yet to be seen. Panda and labour officials could not be reached for comment. But in the Saudi context, in which court judges are all clerics and the law is Islamic sharia, it would be hard to challenge. Moreover, King Abdullah in August decreed that only the highest-ranked clerics are permitted to issue fatwas - placing
more power in the hands of the Council of Senior Scholars. The fatwa could be a substantial barrier to the labour ministry’s mission to increase jobs for Saudi women. According to figures reported in April, unemployment among Saudi women was 28.4 percent in 2009, up from 26.9 percent in 2008. Thousands of women graduate from Saudi universities every year with few prospects for employment. In Jeddah, which is relatively liberal compared to the rest of the country, the gender separation rules are more frequently ignored and offices have been permitted to mix male and female staff for over a year. In Riyadh and elsewhere, the same happens surreptitiously in banks, law offices and other types of firms, though separation is still by far the rule. In places like hospitals, where employees are predominantly foreigners and because they provide a crucial service, the religious hardliners look aside. Still, women themselves are divided over the issue. One conservative women’s group called in October for the creation of women-only hospitals. — AFP
Gulf happy with current oil price Continued from Page 1 Naimi did not comment on what he expected OPEC ministers to decide at their next meeting to discuss supply policy in Ecuador in December, but fellow Gulf producer Kuwait said on Sunday it expected no change in policy at that meeting. “I don’t expect anything,” said Kuwait’s Oil Minister Sheikh Ahmad AlAbdullah Al-Sabah. If OPEC leaves supply unchanged in December, it would mark two years of steady policy. OPEC announced record cuts of 4.2 million bpd in Dec 2008 as the world economy slowed and burned less oil, and members have adjusted supply only informally
since then. Attiyah said it was tough to predict the producer group’s supply policy for 2011 due to uncertainty around the global economy. OPEC has for a long time side-stepped a potentially difficult debate on how to realign output targets. Iraq is the group’s only member outside the quota system after years of sanctions and war, but with big plans for expansion, OPEC would probably need to bring Baghdad back into the fold. Iraq expected any discussion with OPEC on an output quota would come only after it was producing around 4 million to 5 million barrels per day (bpd), Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani said in an interview on Sunday.
The country could reach 4 million bpd in 3 years, Shahristani said. Iraq pumps around 2.4 million bpd, but has signed deals with international oil firms that would take output to more than 12 million bpd in just six to seven years. If that is achieved, Baghdad could challenge Riyadh for the title of holder of the world’s largest oil production capacity. Angola’s oil minister reiterated on Sunday that it was looking for a higher OPEC quota. As in Iraq, oil is the source of funding for redevelopment from decades of war. “We need resources to recover,” Angola’s Oil Minister Jose Botelho de Vasconcelos said on Sunday. — Reuters
In Beirut, a crash course in Arabic and Mideast politics Continued from Page 1 For student Sajjad Dewji, a political science major at the University of British Columbia in Canada, the most memorable experience was a visit to a rundown Palestinian refugee camp. “While the subject ... has been one that many of us would have discussed academically ... visiting the Palestinian camps was a very emotional and eye-opening experience,” said the 21-year-old Vancouver resident. Lebanon is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who are crammed into a dozen destitute camps across the country. “Interacting with the refugees and hearing their stories tied
us to the Palestinian cause and we began to understand first-hand the feelings and sentiments of the Palestinians,” Dewji said. “You don’t know how they really live until you are there,” added Amtissal. In addition to daily Arabic classes and visits to local policymakers, students can also take a trip down to the LebaneseIsraeli border, where they can chat with officials of a UN peacekeeping force and visit Hezbollah’s “jihadi tourism” park. And while many remain far from won over by the anti-Americanism of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, some Beirut Exchange students say the chance to hear their arguments has opened their
eyes to the bias of mainstream Western media. “Often what is portrayed in the media is a very narrow, simplistic and restricted narrative that fails to capture the complexity and context of political happenings in Lebanon and the Middle East in general,” said Dewji. Waller agreed: “The image projected in the West is certainly not balanced and the focus is very much on the militant side, not the welfare position.” Hezbollah, the most powerful military and political force in Lebanon, commands popular support among the local Shiite Muslim community not least through its generous social programs. — AFP
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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ARLINGTON: San Francisco Giants’ Freddy Sanchez tags out Texas Rangers’ Michael Young on a fielder’s choice by Josh Hamilton during the fourth inning of Game 4 of baseball’s World Series.—AP
Giants on the brink of World Series crown
ARLINGTON: Madison Bumgarner allowed three hits over eight innings, and Aubrey Huff and Buster Posey homered as San Francisco beat the Texas Rangers 4-0 on Sunday to move within one win of the Giants’ first World Series title since 1954. Bumgarner, San Francisco’s 21-year-old No. 4 starter, didn’t allow a runner past second base as the Giants took a 3-1 lead in the best of seven series. “I can’t say enough about what he did,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. The 21-year-old Bumgarner and closer Brian Wilson helped the Giants become the first team to post two shutouts in a World Series since Baltimore threw three straight to close out the Dodgers in 1966. “It’s certainly been pitching as advertised,” Texas manager Ron Washington said. “They’ve got good stuff. They’ve got velocity. They can spin the baseball. They
can change speeds and they keep their defense engaged.” Huff’s two-run homer in the third inning gave Bumgarner all the support he needed. Posey added a solo shot in the eighth — Bumgarner and Posey became the first rookie pair to start in the World Series since Spec Shea and Yogi Berra for the Yankees in 1947. Ace Tim Lincecum will try late yesterday to deliver the Giants’ first championship since they moved to San Francisco in 1958. Now it’s up to Cliff Lee to save the Rangers’ season in Game 5. “With a win, I usually sleep pretty good in the playoffs, with a loss pretty shaky. Hopefully we sleep good tonight. We’ve got a big challenge tomorrow with Cliff Lee,” Huff said. “We got him last game, but you know he’s going to come out and really want to get us.”
Even though Bumgarner got relief help, it was a complete game for the Giants. Andres Torres doubled twice, singled and drove in a run and Edgar Renteria also got three hits. Left fielder Cody Ross came up with a shoestring catch, second baseman Freddy Sanchez made a leaping grab and Posey threw out Josh Hamilton trying to steal. Bumgarner helped himself, too, knocking down Hamilton’s scorcher up the middle. Coming off a 4-2 win Saturday night, the Rangers and their fans were ready to level this Series. Earlier in the day at nearby Cowboys Stadium, two little boys held up signs at the Cowboys NFL game that read: “Hurry Up Cowboys ... I Have a Rangers Game to go to.” The father-and-son team of George HW Bush and George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first ball in what Major League
Baseball said was the first time two former presidents attended a World Series game. Bumgarner didn’t permit a runner past first base until the seventh. Facing his only jam, he retired Ian Kinsler on a fly ball to strand two runners and preserve a 3-0 lead. Bumgarner struck out Vladimir Guerrero three times, the first time the star Texas designated hitter had done that this season. The Giants’ fourth starter, Bumgarner went 7-6 in 18 starts this season. He began this game with a four-pitch walk to Elvis Andrus and ran into little trouble after that. He struck six, walked two and improved to 2-0 in three postseason starts. “I try to tell myself all the time just to relax and take deep breaths, control the breathing. It helps me relax and stay calm and act like it’s not a big deal. Obviously it is, it’s the World Series. Just tried to go out
there and relax, and it’s worked out,” he said. Wilson closed with a hitless ninth. The Giants tweaked their lineup, benching Pat Burrell and making Huff the designated hitter for the first time this season. Bochy put Nate Schierholtz in right field and Travis Ishikawa at first base - fine fielders, not great hitters. That’s more the NL way, where spare bats rarely grow on the bench. Washington came off his bench twice to discuss calls with first base umpire Jeff Kellogg. Replays seemed to show both were misses that went against the Rangers. Thwarted early, the Giants took a 2-0 lead in the third on Huff’s homer. Torres led off with a grounder that hit the first-base bag, kicked up and rolled into the corner for a double. Sanchez failed to advance him and was still shouting at himself down in the dugout tunnel when Huff hit a long drive to right.
Monfils clinches Montpellier title MONTPELLIER: France’s Gael Monfils won his third career title on Sunday, beating Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic 62, 5-7, 6-1 in the final of the inaugural Montpellier ATP tournament. It was third time lucky for the world number 15, who had to pull out of the Stuttgart final earlier this year and was beaten in Tokyo. “I am so happy about this title, and it’s even more special because it’s in France and in front of my crowd,” said the 24year-old Monfils. “Since the US Open I’ve been returning serve better and better. I feel I have been working on many things on and off the court and the results are now showing. “It’s a wonderful experience for me here, but we’re all thinking about the Davis Cup, so I’m hoping to see you all in Belgrade,” added Monfils, in reference to France’s Davis Cup final against Serbia on December 3-5. The Parisian adds to his previous titles in Sopot (2005) and Metz (2009). Monfils has often been accused of lacking concentration at key moments of his career but he showed true grit and determination on his way to the final in an allFrench semi-final against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Saturday. Ljubicic said after his semi-final win on Saturday that he still felt fresh, mainly because he needed only two sets to dispose of Spain’s Albert Montanes 6-3,
7-6 (7/4). The Croat, however, looked anything but sprightly as an inspired Monfils used a combination of aggression and precision to race to a commanding first set win. Ljubicic lifted his game to pull level in a closer second set, however that gave the 31-year-old only brief hope before he was totally outclassed in a decider in which his normally formidable serve failed to show. “I didn’t win many points on my service game,” admitted Ljubicic, who was quick to pay tribute to the “consistency” of his French opponent. “But I kind of expected that because Gael has a very strong return of serve. “The first set was key. I had break points on practically all the games at the beginning but I wasn’t able to turn them in my favour. He played incredible tennis for the rest of the first set and got off to a good start in the second. “I tried to come back but I didn’t have the energy in the third to turn things around.” World number 17 Ljubicic had been bidding to win his second title of the year, having beaten Andy Roddick to claim the Indian Wells trophy in March. In the past four weeks, he has reached three ATP semi-finals. Monfils becomes the fourth French player to win an ATP title this year, joining Michael Llodra, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon.—AFP
Huff homered on the 62nd pitch overall from Hunter, who tossed strikes but couldn’t throw the ball past anyone. Alexi Ogando began warming up in the Texas bullpen in the third and replaced Hunter in the fifth. Ogando set down five straight batters, then bounced a breaking ball to the sixth and immediately grabbed his left side. A trainer went to the mound, Ogando came out and Darren Oliver relieved. The Giants took an aggressive approach from the get-go. After Torres led off the game with an infield single, Bochy ordered up a bunt, hit-and-run and a steal — all with Sanchez at the plate. Hamilton kept things scoreless in the Giants second. The All-Star center fielder charged hard to make a diving, backhanded catch on a blooper by Schierholtz that stranded runners at the corners.—AP
WTA Championships sign off from Doha in style
FRANCE: Gael Monfils of France holds his trophy after defeating Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia, during their final match at the Open Sud de France tennis tournament. —AP
Ivanovic part ways with coach LONDON: Former world number one Ana Ivanovic has parted ways with Steffi Graf’s former coach Heinz Gunthardt after enduring a topsy-turvy season. The 2008 French Open champion’s ranking plummeted to 65th in July this year after hooking up with Gunthardt in February but appeared to turn a corner when she ended a two-year title drought by capturing the Linz Open trophy last month. While that run of form helped her to
climb back to 24th in the world, the Serbian felt she needed a coach who could give her undivided attention. Gunthardt, who helped Germany’s Graf to win 12 of her 22 grand slam titles in the 1990s, combined his role as coach with that of a television commentator. “I’m very grateful to Heinz for all his hard work, and for sharing his knowledge with me,” Ivanovic said in a statement. —Reuters
DOHA: With a car crash, coronation and stunning on-court retirement, there was no shortage of talking points from the WTA Championships’ final appearance in Doha. As the dust settled on Sunday’s scintillating final between Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki, tennis chiefs in Istanbul will be licking their lips at the prospect of hosting the prestigious season-ending tournament for the next three years. Tour chief Stacey Allaster believes Doha’s last hurrah will be a hard act to follow but is confident the future of the tournament, and the game, are bright. “We’ve had a great final year in Doha, we could not have asked for a better week,” Allaster told Reuters in an interview. “This has been part of the journey of building women’s tennis in the Middle East. We could not have asked for a better week. “I’m excited about the Championships in Istanbul. It’s great for our brand to go to a new market and have an opportunity to build women’s tennis in Turkey.” There was plenty of action on an off the court before Sunday’s final, which Clijsters eventually won in three sets. The Belgian narrowly escaped injury from a car crash on the way to her semi-final, Wozniacki was crowned the year-end world number one and Russian veteran Elena Dementieva stunned the crowd by announcing her retirement shortly after her final group game. Allaster said women’s tennis was flourishing because it bridged the gap
between sport and entertainment, which had attracted more sponsors despite difficult economic times. “These are the very best female athletes in the world, and there’s a duality of sport and entertainment,” she added. “So if you are a brand that wants sport in the classical sense you are probably going to invest in men’s sport. “But if you are a brand that wants sport, power, athleticism and inspiration crossing over to lifestyle, women’s tennis is a great brand to align with.” The absence of injured Williams sisters Serena and Venus has been a major talking point throughout the Championships, and Allaster acknowledged the void was keenly felt. “There’s no doubt we would have loved to have Serena and Venus here with us this week. They were our finalists last year and they are two of the finest female tennis players our sport has ever had,” she said. There were seven different nationalities represented at the season-ending tournament, which Allaster said boded well for the game’s global growth. “There’s a complete correlation between the more stars we have from different nations and the more exposure the WTA receives,” she said. “We’ve had a 20 percent increase in Championships coverage, so it’s counterbalanced. We are a global tour and there will be moments when we have certain markets that don’t have a star.” —Reuters
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
No retirement talk from the great Gebrselassie ADDIS ABABA: Fortunately for the New York City Marathon, Haile Gebrselassie won’t even talk about retirement. The 37-year-old Ethiopian — widely considered the greatest distance runner ever — has set a host of world records, won two Olympics golds and captured eight world titles in events ranging from the 1,500 meters right up to the marathon. Now, for the first time, he is running in the New York marathon. Seventeen years after his first world title, he says he’s in no mood to wind down his incredible career. “Why should I retire? Why should I say I will retire in three or four years? You retire the very moment you utter those words,” Gebrselassie told The Associated Press at his office in the Ethiopian capital. “I still think about doing more.” Gebrselassie clearly likes to keep busy. That’s evident in his office on the eighth floor of his Alem Building, which is named after his wife. He has a string of business interests, including a car dealership, a cinema, real estate and a newly opened hotel to watch over. He smiles a lot. He makes jokes. People leave his presence laughing. He likes to dress casually — he’s wearing a short sleeve black shirt — and always appears at ease. Yet, you know every second counts here, as it does when he’s
running. His cell phone doesn’t stop ringing. Aides constantly walk in with papers for him to sign. And there’s still time to train in his gym down on the ground floor, to run, and to set new marks. Instead of considering retirement, Gebrselassie is targeting another world record in the marathon at the 2012 London Olympics. He will be 39. The desire to keep going, to keep winning, is what has Gebrselassie finally working New York into his race schedule. This time, he’s happy to set aside his record chasing. “Since I started the marathon I was focused on time,” said the current world-record holder and only human to break 2 hours, 4 minutes for the 42.2-kilometer (26.2-mile) distance. “I always looked for where is the best marathon to break the record. ... Berlin, it was a good course, and Amsterdam is a good course. London and Dubai as well. (But) since I started the marathon, New York was the marathon I wanted to run. “New York is a place to win, and you don’t need to break a record. In New York, winning is enough.” Getting Gebrselassie, who is famous for carefully picking his events, to run the streets of the five boroughs has been a long journey for race organizer Mary Wittenberg. “It’s been a more than 10-year recruiting effort,” the New York
LONDON: In this Sunday Feb. 14, 1999 file photo Haile Gebrselassie, of Ethiopia, holds his arms aloft as he crosses the finish line to break the world indoor record for 5000 meters at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. —AP Road Runners CEO and president said. “We have always wanted the greatest ever in our event. And, in this case, Haile is the greatest ever.” Wittenberg said that she and two of
her colleagues from the NYRR traveled to Ethiopia in April this year to spend some time with Gebrselassie in his home country and continue their campaign. It finally paid off.
Gebrselassie was won over. She pointed to a five-hour road trip in Gebrselassie’s car as helpful in gradually persuading him to run. “There was no one final ‘pitch’ or
‘hard sell,”‘ Wittenberg said, “just a constant drumbeat: ‘Come run New York!”‘ Now that he has decided to go, Gebrselassie wants to win, not just run, on Sunday. “If you go there and you think about losing, why should you go there?” Gebrselassie said. “I have to think about winning. I have to plan for a win.” Road running has been Gebrselassie’s new challenge since the two-time Olympic 10,000-meter champion left the track following the 2004 Athens Games. He left with another four world titles in the 10,000, three indoor world titles in the 3,000 and one in the 1,500, along with a bunch of world records. There also was a bronze medal at the world crosscountry championships and a gold in the world half-marathon championships. All proof of a unique ability to simply run fast, whatever the distance or the course. He remembers sometimes running too fast. “In 1998, when I broke the 10,000-meter record, I was in top shape. During the race I was flying and my manager, he said to me, ‘Slowly, slowly,’ because by the 8-kilometer mark the finish time was going to be 10 to 15 seconds faster than the record I broke,” Gebrselassie said. “That is very difficult for the next record.” He turned to the marathon, the epitome of distance running, and
won four straight Berlin marathons from 2006-09, breaking the world record in 2007 and again in 2008. He’s also won the last three Dubai marathons. He won the Great North Run in Newcastle, England, on his first appearance this September and is now set for his New York debut. Wittenberg won’t predict the outcome of the 2010 race. The field is competitive and in New York anything can happen. “What I do know is that Haile is the greatest marathoner that has ever run on these streets of New York,” she said. “Haile is an amazing athlete. He is one of those people whose positive energy lifts everyone and everything around him.” Behind his desk, sitting in his high-backed cream leather chair, Gebrselassie smiles again as talk turns to part of his influence on his country. His favored training ground in the forests just north of the city is now full of young Ethiopian runners hoping to follow his lead. “Sometimes it is very difficult to train in the forests,” he said. “It looks like we need traffic officers to coordinate the training sessions and all the runners. Still, I would like to tell the youngsters to never give up ... to keep running. “If you think, ‘This is enough,’ it means you stop living,” Gebrselassie said. “That is why I am still thinking about doing more.”—AP
Bowyer wins NASCAR race
TALLADEGA: Clint Bowyer, driver of the No. 33 BB&T Chevrolet, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Realtree/Shell/Pennzoil Chevrolet, draft beside another group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. —AFP
Britons to the fore at rowing championships CAMBRIDGE: Eight British crews won heats and four progressed directly to finals on the second day of the world rowing championships on Lake Karapiro. The cancellation of racing because of high winds on Sunday created a packed schedule late yesterday and Britain provided some of the day’s most impressive winners, among them Olympic champions Mark Hunter and Zac Purchase in the lightweight double sculls. Hunter and Purchase’s first day heat was underway when championships organizers called off racing because of strong winds. The pair dominated their heat Monday to progress to the semifinals. The men’s pair of Andy Hodge and Pete Reed, members of the champion British
four at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, moved through to their semifinals as did double scullers Matthew Wells and Marcus Bateman. The quadruple scull of Debbie Flood, Beth Rodford, Fran Houghton and Annie Vernon beat a German crew by one-tenth of a second in the opening race of the day to progress directly to the final. Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins, who have dominated the World Cup season, led from start to finish to win impressively in the women’s double sculls. Britain’s only reigning world champions, Alex Partridge, Ric Egington, Alex Gregory and Matt Langridge, began the defense of their men’s four title with an emphatic win. The men’s single sculls
lived up to its billing as the most competitive race at the championships with Britain’s Alan Campbell, New Zealand’s four-time world champion Mahe Drysdale, Olympic champion Olaf Tufte and Czech Ondrej Synek all winning heats. Synek posted the fastest time. Drysdale had been battling a back injury and came into his heat lacking recent racing. “It was a pretty solid effort,” he said. “It was a tough race but that was exactly what I was after first up. “It was my first race since July, so it was good to blow out my lungs and legs and remember what it feels like to be out there racing at international level.” Katie Solesbury in the women’s single sculls and Peter Chambers in the lightweight men’s single
sculls continued Britain’s strong performance, advancing to the semifinals. Sweden’s Frida Svensson was impressive in winning her heat of the women’s singles sculls from New Zealand’s Emma Twigg while Poland’s Magdalena Fularczyk and Julia Michalska set a fast time in their heat of the women’s double scull. The world champion pair of Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown were among a number of New Zealand crews to excel Monday. New Zealand’s world champion men’s pair of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray won their heat by more than 10 seconds while lightweight double sculls world champions Peter Taylor and Storm Uru of New Zealand were also dominant. —AP
WAIKATO: New Zealand’s Mahe Drysdale competes in the Men’s Single Sculls heat 3 race at the World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand. —AP
TALLADEGA: In a typically wild ending at Talladega Superspeedway, Clint Bowyer edged teammate Kevin Harvick for the victory Sunday, but all three contenders stayed neckand-neck in the frantic race for NASCAR’s championship. Bowyer, winner of the opening race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, earned a bit of redemption. He had been stripped of 150 points because NASCAR said his winning car at New Hampshire was illegal. This victory came under chaotic circumstances. A wreck way behind the leaders sent AJ Allmendinger’s car flipping across the track, but the front pack maintained its furious push to the flag. Nobody had any idea who was leading when NASCAR called the caution that froze the field. Richard Childress Racing knew at the very least, one of its drivers had won, and Bowyer celebrated with burnouts while Harvick sat in his parked car waiting for the call. NASCAR needed several minutes to review the finish, and Bowyer stuck his hand out his window for a congratulatory highfive with Harvick as they waited. Bowyer got the call, Harvick settled for second and the championship race remained the closest in Chase history as contenders Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin all finished inside the top-10. “It’s going to be an awesome championship battle all the way to Homestead, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Johnson, the four-time defending champion. While Bowyer celebrated in Victory Lane, the title contenders tried to make sense of the day. Johnson hovered around a TV monitor in the infield media center to watch replays of the final two laps, while a wide-eyed Harvick was later distracted by another view. “Oh, I didn’t know somebody flipped,” he said. That’s how it usually goes at Talladega, which every driver considered the wild card of the 10 Chase races. The goal was to set a strategy that would prevent mayhem at Talladega. For Johnson and Hamlin, it was riding around the back most of the day then hooking up with a teammate for help for a final push. Only Hamlin lost the draft and fell behind the pack and dropped a lap down. He needed to wait for the field to catch him, then slid inside a promised hole from fellow Toyota driver David Reutimann to stop the bleeding. From there, Hamlin needed cautions to get back on the lead lap and into position to keep his title chances alive. One of the cautions that helped Hamlin hurt Harvick. He raced hard all day but damaged the nose of his Chevrolet midway through the race in a multicar accident on the backstretch. A quick pit-road job put him back in contention, and he continued his hard push. A caution for debris set up a restart with four laps remaining, and Harvick received unusual help from Reutimann, who as a Toyota driver probably shouldn’t have pushed Hamlin’s competition to the front. “If you had your preference of helping a Toyota, if you have a choice, I think we would try to pick a Toyota,” explained Reutimann, who wound up fourth behind the RCR drivers and Juan Pablo Montoya. —AP
AUSTRALIA: Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle (center) holds the cup during the Melbourne Cup parade through the centre of Melbourne. —AFP
So You Think poised for Cup win for Cummings MELBOURNE: So You Think is poised to start as the shortest-priced favorite in decades to give legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings a record 13th Melbourne Cup victory at Flemington today. The Malaysian-owned four-year old is all the rage and is unbeaten in five starts this spring, including four Group One wins, among them the Cox Plate and the Mackinnon Stakes weightfor-age races. Timeform rates So You Think above all the record nine international runners in the field and the horse is at 11-5 with the bookmakers on the eve of Australia’s famous 3200m (two miles) handicap race. Most of the rival stables believe So You Think, to carry 56kgs (123 pounds), is the horse to beat and can deliver “Cups King” Cummings his 13th winner. Irish jockey Patrick Smullen, who will be on board Dermot Weld’s mare Profound Beauty, fears So You Think will be too good for his rivals. “He’s probably one of the best horses running in the world at the moment,” Smullen said. “He’s an amazing horse and if he stays the distance, which I fearfully think he will, then he’s going to be extremely hard to beat.” So dominant has Cummings been in
Melbourne Cup folklore since his first success with Light Fingers in 1965 that the next most successful Cup trainers are Etienne De Mestre and Lee Freedman, each with a mere five winners. So You Think could also become Malaysian property tycoon Dato Tan Chin Nam’s fifth Melbourne Cup winner after his previous successes with Think Big (1974, 1975) Saintly (1996) and Viewed (2008), all in association with Cummings. The only doubt surrounding So You Think’s chances is his ability to stay the entire two-mile distance, given that he has yet to race beyond 2040m (10 furlongs). “I was a little bit concerned and probably still am but today was a real positive, he relaxed so well,” race jockey Steven Arnold said after last Saturday’s explosive Mackinnnon Stakes win. There were fears that Cummings, 82, may not not be well enough to attend the Cup meeting after he was admitted to hospital last week with a recurrence of a respiratory condition, but he was released from care over the weekend. French stayer Americain (10-1) is rated the best of the large overseas contingent in this year’s race. Six-year-old Americain gives trainer Alain de Royer Dupre, a two-time winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, a chance to land
his first Melbourne Cup. The global Godolphin stable will be looking to end their Melbourne Cup heartbreak with their two runners, Holberg (25-1) and Campanologist (70-1). Godolphin has finished second in the race three times after Crime Scene was pipped by Shocking in last year’s event to join Central Park (1999) and Give The Slip (2001) as the stable’s runners-up. Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani has also had his Cup disappointments, finishing runner-up with Bauer by a nose two years ago after Purple Moon’s second in 2007. Cumani will saddle up Bauer (60-1) again along with the more-fancied Manighar (16-1), who will be ridden by two-time Australian Cupwinning jockey Damien Oliver. Smullen believes Profound Beauty (22-1) is a better horse than when she finished fifth behind Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup. “She seems to be in the form of her life at the moment. Her last run in the Irish St Leger was probably her best run and I think she will get the two miles,” Smullen said. The other overseas raiders are English galloper Illustrious Blue (401), Hong Kong’s Mr Medici (40-1) and Japan’s Tokai Trick (60-1). —AFP
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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SPORTS
Question is not if Tiger will win, but when NEW YORK: Considering all the other indignities he’s endured these past 11 months, losing the top spot in the world golf rankings will barely get Tiger Woods’ attention. It’s not as though he’s going to miss it. Being No. 1 doesn’t come with a trophy to wrap your hands around, a jacket to slip into or deposit so much as a dime in the bank — just a computer printout that lists, in descending order, who’s played the best golf over the previous two-year period. Besides, Woods hardly needed confirmation of the direction his game has taken since last November. That was the beginning of a sex scandal which led to his shocking downfall from global sporting icon to late-night TV punchline, and turned him — for the better part of five months — into a hermit. Those of us who believed all that ridicule would fuel an almost-instant return to the
dominating Tiger of old turned out to be dead wrong. That prediction wasn’t based solely on the fire in Woods’ competitive gut or even his burning ambition to overtake Jack Nicklaus as the game’s career major championship winner. With three of this season’s four majors staged at courses where Woods won multiple times, we thought familiarity would be on his side, too. There were moments of brilliance, to be sure, but moments are all they turned out to be. Woods never looked entirely comfortable on the course, even after his divorce was finalized and some semblance of normality was restored to his routine away from it. When he announced his return, Woods was prepared for a rocky start, expecting to find his groove as he played more and more — and then, finally, to start winning again.
Nothing, though, went according to plan. He came back at the Masters and finished a very respectable fourth, then matched it at the US Open in June at Pebble Beach. His reception from the galleries was almost as surprising. Planes towing banners in the skies above Augusta National taunted Woods during his first round back — “Tiger: Did you mean Bootyism?” read one, referring to Woods’ interest in Buddhism. But the galleries on the ground there and everywhere else welcomed him back, tentatively at first, then with more enthusiasm as the season wore on. Yet right around the time he figured to peak, Woods went into another tailspin. At St. Andrews, where he’d won the British Open the last two times it was played over the Old Course, he finished tied for 23rd. Soon after, he hit rock-bottom. At Firestone, where Woods had won the
PGA tour event seven times in nine starts, he turned in the worst 72 holes he’s ever registered as a pro by nearly every statistical measure. He had another dispiriting performance at the PGA Championship only to exceed expectations by posting a 3-1 record as a member of the losing US team at the Ryder Cup. When last glimpsed in his singles match there, Woods beat Italy’s Francesco Molinari by shooting 9 under in the 15 holes they played, including 7 under over the last seven. But earlier in the team matches, Woods was handed his worst defeat ever at the Ryder Cup. Lee Westwood, who learned he’d supplanted Woods as the world’s No. 1 while sitting on the couch at home Sunday, teamed with fellow Englishman Luke Donald to administer the beating of Woods and U.S. teammate Steve Stricker in the
alternate-shot match. “When you’re playing Tiger, you just seem to up your game a little bit,” Westwood said at the time. “I suppose he’s got nothing to win, apart from the point, but he’s got a big reputation,” he added, “and it seems like you go out with nothing to lose.” Officially, at least, Woods is now the pursuer at No. 2. Everyone who ever played alongside him came back with tales to tell about how cold-blooded Woods could be in moments big and small. No more. Even he doesn’t dare tell those stories about himself. Every time this season Woods’ game hit a peak or skidded toward a valley, it unleashed another round of analysis about where his head or his swing — or both — were at. Not long after the Ryder Cup, Woods himself sounded like a guy who’d spent a lot of time on the couch. “I learned a lot about myself, and I
learned how things went wrong, why they went wrong, and had to take a pretty deep and introspective look at myself,” Woods said two weeks ago during a video conference call for his Chevron World Challenge, scheduled for December. “And there wasn’t a lot of things I like about it. But I had to do it, and I did it, and grateful that I did,” he added. With this week’s HSBC Champions event in Shanghai providing one final chance to grab a PGA Tour win this season, no one but Woods knows what’s going on between his ears. Yet it’s hardly speculation to say some of the tension percolating there leaked into his golf game. He wasn’t the first guy whose job performance went south in the middle of a divorce, and he wouldn’t be the last to get his bearings back, either. The only question left to answer is when, not if.—AP
Heat end Nets’ unbeaten start
NEWARK: LeBron James scored 20 points, and Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade were close behind as the Miami Heat ended the New Jersey Nets’ two-game unbeaten start with a 101-78 victory Sunday. Bosh finished with 18 points and Wade added 17, both getting most of them in Miami’s dominant first half before sitting out the fourth quarter. James played a little of the final period and added seven rebounds and seven assists. It was the most impressive offensive performance yet for the Heat, who have won three straight since beginning their new era with a loss in Boston on opening night. Miami shot 68 percent in the first half, when its Big Three combined for 41 points — one fewer than New Jersey — and the stats only lowered when the reserves took over toward the end.
SAN ANTONIO: Rod Spittle poses with the champions trophy after the final round of the AT&T Championship at Oak Hills Country Club.—AFP
Spittle defeats Sluman in Champions Tour playoff
SAN ANTONIO: Qualifier Rod Spittle won the AT&T Championship on Sunday for his first Champions Tour victory, beating Jeff Sluman with a par on the first hole of a playoff. Spittle, a 55-year-old Canadian, and Sluman closed with 4-under 67s to finish at 12 under on the Oak Hills Country Club course. Spittle earned $262,500. Spittle birdied the 15th, 16th and 17th holes, hitting a wedge shot to 2 feet on the 17th, and parred the 18th, while Sluman birdied 15 and 16 and finished with two pars. Sluman bogeyed the playoff hole — the par-3 18th — when he hit his tee shot into the front bunker. Spittle won with a 4-foot par putt. “Not to sound corny, but to say this is a dream come true literally is the case,” said Spittle, the former Ohio State player who sold insurance until turning pro six years ago. “These are great players out here, and to come and tip-toe in that company is truly amazing.” He’s the 11th player to win on the
Champions Tour after qualifying Monday and the first since Pete Oakley won the Senior British Open six years ago. Two-time Oak Hills winner John Cook (68), second-round leader Larry Nelson (70) and Chien Soon Lu (69) tied for third at 11 under. Nelson, the 63-year-old Hall of Famer who was looking for his first win in six years, fell out of the lead with a double bogey and bogey on consecutive front-nine holes. Cook missed an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole. Cook, Spittle’s teammate at Ohio State, led by two strokes after he birdied No. 8, but he had bogeys on 11 and 13. Corey Pavin (66), Steve Haskins (67) and Jay Don Blake (70) tied for sixth at 10 under, and Charles Schwab Cup points leader Bernhard Langer (69) was another stroke back along with Jay Haas (67). Spittle’s playoff par was set up by a chip with an awkward stance when he had to stand on the lip of a bunker behind the green. Once on the green, after moving the
coin to mark his ball to get clear of Sluman’s par putt, he had to be reminded by several people surrounding the green — including Sluman — to move the mark back before replacing his ball on the green. He would have lost the playoff if he putted before returning the ball to its spot, which he admitted he almost did. “It sounded like the posse was coming to get me,” he said. “Fortunately it didn’t end on a terrible note like that,” Sluman said. “It would have been awful.” The tournament was the final full-field event of the year. The top 30 on the money list earned spots next week in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco. Next year, the AT&T Championship will move from A.W. Tillinghast-designed Oak Hills to a TPC course across town designed by Pete Dye. Oak Hills, opened in 1922, was the tournament site since 2002 and was the site of the PGA Tour’s Texas Open for 24 years until 1995.—AP
Butt, Amir: ICC did not properly consider appeals ISLAMABAD: Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir yesterday accused the ICC of not really listening to their appeals against provisional bans for an alleged involvement in spot-fixing. The ICC’s code of conduct commission upheld the suspensions of Butt, Amir and teammate Mohammad Asif, who withdrew his appeal last week, on Sunday after a twoday hearing in Dubai. The trio were suspended in September after a British tabloid sting alleged money was paid for bowling no-balls at prearranged times in a test against England at Lord’s in August to fix spot-betting markets. Butt and the 18-year-old Amir returned to Pakistan yesterday and expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the hearing, which was overseen by code of conduct commission chief Michael Beloff. “They heard us but (it was) as if ‘say whatever you want to say, we have come with a decision,”‘ Butt said. “Their decision was not based on a single piece of evidence against us. “We requested from them the next date of the hearing but they didn’t give us (it).” Amir said he felt the ICC had made up its mind before the hearing that the suspension
would remain in place. “(Before leaving for Dubai) we felt the case will be in our favor, but when he gave the decision it looked as if he had written the decision before.” Amir also requested that the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan’s government come forward to help resolve the case. Pakistan is due to send its 30-member list of probable players for next year’s World Cup to the International Cricket Council by Nov. 30 and PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said the three could only be included if they were exonerated by the ongoing investigation. “If they get exonerated then we can (ask) permission from the ICC to include them,” Butt said. “Suspended players could not be included, that is very loud and clear.” The ICC has not provided an estimate of how long the investigation will take. Ijaz Butt also said yesterday that the national team only needs bowling and fielding coaches and that batsmen should be responsible for preparing themselves before selection. “When a player (batsman) comes to test cricket ... if he needs coaching he should not have been selected,” the PCB chairman said. Former test legspinner Abdul Qadir
wanted the PCB to hire a batting coach in the wake of poor performances against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan lost both its Twenty20s in Abu Dhabi and was facing defeat at 136-5 in the second one-day international before a stunning unbeaten 109 off 72 balls by Abdul Razzaq lifted them to one-wicket win and leveled the five-match series 1-1. Former fast bowler Waqar Younis is Pakistan’s head coach with Aqib Javed — also an ex-test fast bowler — his assistant. “I am not an expert,” Butt said when asked why Pakistan’s top order batsmen were struggling against South Africa. “Ask the chairman of selectors. When our captain (Shahid Afridi) returns ask him, he is an expert, ask our coach he is an expert.” “What I do believe is that bowling and fielding are the areas in which you need help all the time.” Butt added that former Pakistan internationals were not willing to help support the current side. Butt asked several senior Pakistan cricketers “to guide young players, like Mohammad Amir,” but nobody was willing to do so. “In other countries senior players help youngsters, here nobody comes forward,” Butt said. —AP
LOS ANGELES: Lakers power forward Lamar Odom (left) and Golden State Warriors point guard Jeremy Lin (7) battle for the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game.—AP
Mavericks 99, Clippers 83 At Los Angeles, Jason Kidd ended the first half with a 65foot shot-put heave from inside the 3-point arc at the opposite end, and Caron Butler scored 17 points and Shawn Marion had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Dallas beat the Los Angeles Clippers. Dirk Nowitzki added 16 points and seven rebounds for the defending Southwest Division champions in their first road game of the season. Kidd finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Rookie Blake Griffin had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who fell to 0-3 on the season under new coach Vinny Del Negro. None of the starters reached double digits until Griffin converted a slam dunk with 5:32 left in the third quarter.
Jazz 120, Thunder 99 At Oklahoma City, Paul Millsap had 30 points and 16 rebounds, and Deron Williams added 16 points and 15 assists as Utah beat Oklahoma to avoid matching its worst start in 31 years. Al Jefferson notched his first double-double since joining the Jazz in an offseason trading, putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Jazz haven’t started 03 since the 1979-80 season, the franchise’s first in Utah. Kevin Durant led Oklahoma City with 28 points and Russell Westbrook scored 22.
Lakers 107, Warriors 83 At Los Angeles, Pau Gasol had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant added 20 points as the Los Angeles Lakers kept up their unbeaten start with a win over Golden State. Lamar Odom had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who easily improved to 3-0 with their 10th consecutive win over their upstate rivals. Monta Ellis scored 20 points for the Warriors, whose first loss ended their first 2-0 start in 16 years. Golden State played without guard Stephen Curry, who aggravated his sprained right ankle Friday.—AP
OKLAHOMA: Utah Jazz forward Paul Millsap (left) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game.—AP
NBA results/standings NBA results and standings on Sunday. Miami 101, New Jersey 78; Dallas 99, LA Clippers 83; Utah 120, Oklahoma City 99; LA Lakers 107, Golden State 83.
Boston New Jersey Toronto NY Knicks Philadelphia Indiana Chicago Milwaukee Cleveland Detroit Atlanta Miami Orlando Washington Charlotte
Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT 2 1 .667 2 1 .667 1 1 .500 1 2 .333 0 3 .000 Central Division 2 1 .667 1 1 .500 1 2 .333 1 2 .333 0 3 .000 Southeast Division 3 0 1.000 3 1 .750 1 1 .500 0 2 .000 0 3 .000
GB .5 1 2 .5 1 1 2 .5 1.5 2.5 3
Western Conference Northwest Divis ion Portland 3 0 1.000 Denver 2 1 .667 Oklahoma City 2 1 .667 Utah 1 2 .333 Minnesota 1 2 .333 Pacific Division LA Lakers 3 0 1.000 Golden State 2 1 .667 Sacramento 2 1 .667 Phoenix 1 2 .333 LA Clippers 0 3 .000 Southwest Division New Orleans 3 0 1.000 Memphis 2 1 .667 Dallas 2 1 .667 San Antonio 1 1 .500 Houston 0 3 .000
1 1 2 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 1.5 3
SPORTS
18
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Man United wary of struggling Bursaspor
TURKEY: Manchester United players warm up during a training session at Ataturk Stadium in Bursa, a day before their Group C Champions League soccer match against Bursaspor. — AP
Lyon eye last 16 spot PARIS: Lyon can forget its domestic troubles and seal a place in the knockout round of the Champions League with a fourth straight win when it faces Benfica in Lisbon yesterday. Lyon coach Claude Puel was again barracked by fans after Saturday’s laborious 2-1 win against Sochaux. That forced club president Jean-Michel Aulas to intervene yet again and issue an ultimatum as he urged more respect for Puel. Last week, Aulas gave his backing to Puel for the rest of the season, but that did not stop the vitriolic chants. “From the moment I took the decision, you’re either with the club or against it,” Aulas said. “When we have to hear insults aimed at the coach, those insults are also going straight to my heart, whatever decisions I have taken.” The Champions League has been a welcome relief after home wins against Schalke 04 and Benfica, and a win at Hapoel Tel Aviv. Third-place Benfica has three points and must beat Lyon to keep the pressure on Schalke. Schalke, with six points, travels to last-place Hapoel for today’s other Group B game. Lyon is ninth in the French league and amid the clamor for Puel’s departure, fans seemed to have missed the fact that he is bringing young players into the team. Midfielder Clement Grenier and forward Alexandre Lacazette both won the Under 19 European Championship with France and Lacazette scored the winner against Sochaux. “The youth team set-up works well,” Lacazette said. “We all want to follow in the footsteps of (Real Madrid striker) Karim Benzema, who was also here.” But Puel will be without his main striker Lisandro Lopez due to a calf injury, and is sweating on the fitness of midfielders Jean II Makoun and Miralem Pjanic, as well as star Brazil winger Michel Bastos. “Lisandro will be out for three weeks,” Puel said. “We will see how it goes with Jean to see if he’s available against Benfica. Pjanic has a groin problem and Michel took a knock (against Sochaux).” Benfica’s third straight win helped it into second place in the Portuguese league, with midfielder Pablo Aimar and striker Alan Kardec both on
PORTUGAL: Lyon’s midfielder Yoann Gourcuff juggles with a ball during a training session at the Luz Stadium on the eve of the Champions League Group B football match against Benfica.—AFP
target against Pacos Ferreira. It was Kardec’s first league goal for the club. After beating Hapoel, Benfica lost away to both Schalke and Lyon without scoring. Schalke’s league form is increasingly worrying coach Felix Magath after Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen left it second from bottom of the Bundesliga. “The defeat is a bitter pill to swallow,” he said. “In the Champions League and in the DFB Cup it’s going well for us, but not in the Bundesliga for some unknown reason.” Magath appeared to be more concerned with reversing the team’s domestic slide. “I am not really happy about this trip in the middle of the week and I consider the match on Friday against St. Pauli to be more important,” Magath said. Germany defender Christoph Metzelder is mystified by the lack of form and fears “it’s getting worse.” Schalke is without midfielders Jermaine Jones (ankle) and Hao Junmin (appendectomy) and defender Lukas Schmitz (hip), in addition to longterm injured Alexander Baumjohann and Nicolas Plestan. Magath also has problems in attack. Although Raul scored twice in the 3-1 home win against Hapoel, the 33-year-old former Spain striker has found it harder going in the Bundesliga with only one goal in 10 games. After scoring in eight consecutive games for club and country, Netherlands forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s goals have dried up completely in the last four games. Hapoel, meanwhile, will be without star striker Etey Shechter, who has a torn hamstring. The Israeli champions will be looking to forward Toto Tamuz for goals, following an impressive performance in a victory over Hapoel Beersheba on Saturday. Tamuz scored twice as Hapoel won 3-2 for a fourth straight league triumph and moved up to third in the standings. Midfielder Avihai Yadin thinks Hapoel must defend better to stand a chance of beating Schalke. “More disciplined and stronger in defense, because we will pay a heavy price for every small mistake,” he said. — AP
ISTANBUL: Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick insists there will be no complacency when his injuryravaged team take on bottom side Bursaspor in Group C of the Champions League today. Making its debut in Europe’s elite competition, the Turkish club is without a point from three group matches and has yet to score a goal. United, which will be missing Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney among a host of other players, will virtually qualify for the knockout stage by winning for the third match in a row in the competition but Carrick is not underestimating Bursaspor. “We’ve got to go to Turkey — it’s a long journey, it’s a different atmosphere and we’ll be playing against players we don’t see week in, week out. That brings its own challenges,” the England international said. “We’re well prepared but some of the games are new to us and it’s an experience. It’s not going to be easy, but we’re in a great position overall in the group and hopefully we can build on that.” United manager Alex Ferguson said at the weekend that Rooney would be out for a further five weeks with the ankle injury he sustained in training before the 1-0 win over Bursaspor in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago. Ferdinand was not part of the 20-man United squad that flew to Turkey on Monday but no reason was initially given for his absence. The England captain joins Jonny Evans, Federico Macheda, Anderson, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen on the sidelines, with Chris Smalling now likely to partner Nemanja Vidic at center back. Bursaspor coach Ertugrul Saglam said his team has struggled to manage the big step up from domestic football to the Champions League. “There is a huge difference in quality between the rest of the group and our squad,” Saglam said. “In Turkey, we became successful in a very short period of time and all of a sudden we found ourselves competing in the Champions League. It is difficult to challenge the opponents we have.” Bursaspor can at least take some comfort from its domestic form. The team nicknamed ‘The Crocodiles,’ which last season became the first club outside Turkey’s ‘big four’ to win the domestic title, is undefeated this campaign and tops the Turkish league with 24 points from 10 games. Saglam will have a full squad at his disposal against United. Ferguson believes moving onto 10 points with a victory will guarantee United qualification even though they could still be caught by Valencia and Rangers, who meet in the other group match today. Portugal winger Nani has been United’s most creative outlet this season, having found a cutting edge to his play since taking on a more prominent role in the team following the sale of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo last year. He scored the winner against Bursaspor two weeks ago and also netted a controversial goal in the 2-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday. It was Nani’s fourth goal in United’s last eight matches. Rangers and Valencia will be hoping for a United slip-up when they meet at the Mestalla for the second leg of their double-header. They drew 1-1 at Ibrox, with Rangers’ United States midfielder Maurice Edu scoring at both ends. The Scottish champions are two points behind United and a point ahead of Valencia, whose goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez could miss out with a leg injury. Unai Emery’s team hasn’t won any of its last three matches in the Spanish league. “We are not going through our best spell but I believe this will change soon,” said Valencia forward Juanma Mata. Rangers manager Walter Smith said all the pressure was on Valencia. “I think they will be looking at this game as a must-win, having lost at home (to United) and also to justify their tag as one of the favorites to qualify,” Smith said. — AP
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale (centre) adjusts his boots as Rafael van der Vaart (left) and Niko Kranjcar (right) warm up during a training session. — AP
Bale in the spotlight as Inter eye progress
LONDON: Having seen a 4-0 lead cut back to a 4-3 win by 10-man Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago, holders Inter Milan go into today’s Champions League return with renewed respect for the London side’s attacking threat. Group A leaders Inter have seven points from three matches and can seal qualification with two games to spare with victory at White Hart Lane. However, a draw would probably be an acceptable result for them against second-placed Spurs (four points) with a home game against Twente Enschede next up. One thing Inter coach Rafa Benitez will have been working on is how to stop Gareth Bale after the Spurs wide man scored a marauding hat-trick to almost bring his side level despite playing most of the match with 10 men after the sending off of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. His threat should not have come as a surprise as Benitez had seen plenty of the Welshman when in charge of Liverpool while the Italians have long had him on their shopping list of potential buys.
“Bale played a great game,” Inter president Massimo Moratti said after his stunning treble. “In the past we have tracked him but now he’s worth an awful lot more. We were a bit shocked by that Tottenham comeback.” Bale’s travelling interest remains a little closer to home at the moment as, when the 21-year-old Wales international was given a few days off last week, he chose to spend them visiting his family in Cardiff. His attacking flair was on the back burner on Saturday as he was forced on to the defensive for much of the time by winger Nani in a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United. Midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, suspended for the San Siro game and probably his team’s most influential player this season, went off with what looked like a hamstring injury late in that match and could be doubtful for today. With Gomes suspended, Carlo Cudicini is the likely starter in goal while Tom Huddlestone, who missed the Old Trafford trip with an ankle injury, could be fit to
return. Inter will also probably be fielding their second-choice keeper as Julio Cesar suffered a thigh strain in Friday’s battling 1-0 win at Genoa. Luca Castellazzi is the likely deputy with Sulley Muntari expected to come in for midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, who also injured a thigh in the match. The Genoa game was also a very rare occasion this season where red-hot Samuel Eto’o has not netted but he is likely to carry the goalscoring burden again on Tuesday given Diego Milito and Goran Pandev were only fit enough for the bench on Friday. The pair may be hoping to start against Tottenham but Benitez has showed extreme caution in his short time at Inter and has hardly ever tinkered with a winning team-in stark contrast to his six years at Liverpool. “I’ve said the team can improve by 30 percent but determination and character are the base for any improvement. We’ve got to be a bit more incisive,” said the Spaniard. — Reuters
PARKEN: Coach Staale Solbakken (rear right) looks on as FC Copenhagen hold a training session in Parken, Copenhagen. The team will meet Barcelona in Champions League match today. — AP
Xavi gives Barcelona boost MADRID: Barcelona’s quest to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League received encouragement when playmaker Xavi said he would be close to 100 per cent fitness for today’s trip to FC Copenhagen. The Spain international featured in only the last 20 minutes of Barca’s 2-0 win over Copenhagen at the Nou Camp last month, and has been suffering from Achilles tendon trouble. But the 30-year-old started in Saturday’s 5-0 La Liga rout of Sevilla, and told reporters on Sunday: “I felt almost 100 percent again. “It’s not the same as before, which was unbearable. I am optimistic I’ll be able to carry on taking part in each match but the pain will dictate.” A win in the Danish capital for Barcelona, the 2009 Champions League winners and Group D leaders, would give them 10 points from four matches and put them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout round. Copenhagen are in second place with six points, with Russian side Rubin Kazan on two and Panathinaikos of Greece on one. There was more good news on the injury front for Barca coach Pep Guardiola on Sunday, when Gabriel Milito was declared fit and included in the 19-man squad for the trip to Denmark. The Argentina central defender had been out for several weeks with a thigh strain. Forward Jeffren, who has a shoulder injury, and suspended second-choice goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto are the only squad members unavailable. The youth team players Thiago Alcantara and Ruben Mino have been brought in as cover, Barca said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.cat). Copenhagen came from behind to beat FC Lyngby 3-2 at the weekend, with substitute Solvi Ottesen scoring the winner in the
91st minute. The victory leaves the Danish champions 14 points ahead of nearest rivals FC Midtjylland after 14 games. Coach Stale Solbakken believes that having to battle for the victory will be of benefit to his players. “The guys had an opportunity to find out what it’s like to fight hard for the win in the final minutes,” he told reporters. “We haven’t had to do it too
often this season, so this is something we can take with us.” Free-scoring forward Cesar Santin, who missed Saturday’s win, told Denmark’s TV2 that he expects to be fully fit for the Barca game. “By today I’ll be 100 percent ready,” said Santin, who injured his ankle against Silkeborg and has 10 Danish league goals this season. — AP
Montpellier and PSG draw PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain missed the opportunity to go level on points with its fierce rival Marseille after being held to a 11 draw at Montpellier in the French league on Sunday. PSG, which will host third-placed and defending champion Marseille next weekend, wasted several chances as Montpellier rallied from a one-goal deficit to stretch its unbeaten run in all competitions to four games. “We can have regrets even if the most important thing was not to lose,” PSG midfielder Claude Makelele said. “With a bit more self-confidence we should win this kind of games. We also need to do things more carefully if we want to succeed.” On a pitch made heavy by the rain, Ludovic Giuly opened PSG’s account in the 37th minute and struck his first league goal of the season just four days after scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory at Lyon in the League Cup. The former Barcelona winger made the most of some scrappy play in the box after Montpellier defenders failed to clear the ball and slotted home from close range with a
left-foot powerful shot in the 37th minute. Montpellier reacted quickly and striker Olivier Giroud went close with a left-foot shot which hit the left post. Rene Girard’s team kept attacking and was rewarded three minutes before half time when playmaker Marco Estrada fired an first-time, low shot from outside the box which beat PSG goalkeeper Apoula Edel on his left. PSG dominated possession after the interval but lacked the finishing touches. Antoine Kombouare’s team should have scored when Montpellier defender Cyril Jeunechamp cleared France striker Guillaume Hoarau’s precise header off his line in the 56th with goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren beaten. Following a swift counterattack, Hoarau then sent a header against the post from Giuly’s cross in the 67th and Nene blazed his shot over the bar from the rebound. Montpellier remained sixth in the standings with 18 points, two more than PSG. The showcase match between Marseille and Rennes originally scheduled for Saturday was again postponed after torrential rain left the pitch flooded at the Stade Velodrome.—AP
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
SPORTS
19
Real Madrid looking to make it into last 16 LONDON: Real Madrid will qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League if it can maintain its supreme form and complete a Group G double over AC Milan in the standout match of the tournament this week. Madrid and Milan, who have won Europe’s biggest prize 16 times between them, met two weeks ago when early goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Oezil earned the Spanish club a 2-0 win. The result kept up Madrid’s perfect record in the competition, lifting it onto nine points. A victory at the San Siro tomorrow
will guarantee Jose Mourinho’s side a toptwo group finish and allow it to relax in its final two matches. “Our objective is to secure the top place in the group as quickly as possible,” Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho said. “At the Bernabeu stadium, we were better than they were and now they will want to show that they can beat us.” Madrid beat Hercules 3-1 on the weekend to preserve its unbeaten start to the season in all competitions and leave it top of the Primera Liga, a point clear of Barcelona. Milan, which is level on four points with
four-time European champion Ajax, lost 2-1 at home to Juventus in Serie A on Saturday but is likely to have Brazil pair Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva back from injury against Madrid. The match will see Mourinho return to Italy for the first time as a coach since leading Inter Milan to the Champions League title in May. Ajax is away at Auxerre in the group’s other match. Inter took control of Group A with a 4-3 victory over Tottenham two weeks ago and will also qualify for the last 16 by winning the return match at White Hart Lane. Inter coach Rafael Benitez is
awaiting fitness updates on two of his key players — midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and goalkeeper Julio Cesar — after both came off during Friday’s 1-0 win over Genoa with strained hamstrings. Benitez, who could partner fit-again striker Diego Milito with Samuel Eto’o up front, will know all about Spurs from his six years in England in charge of Liverpool and will be wary of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale, who scored a fabulous second-half hat trick in vain at the San Siro in matchday three. Aside from Madrid, four other teams
head into this week looking to defend perfect records in their groups. English champion Chelsea, which stayed five points clear at the top of the Premier League after grinding out a gritty 2-1 win over Blackburn on Saturday, will aim to make it four wins from four when it hosts Spartak Moscow in Group F. Fellow English side Arsenal has a maximum nine points ahead if its match at Shakhtar Donetsk in Group H, while Bayern Munich and Lyon, who play Cluj and Benfica respectively, also have 100 percent records after three games. Group D leader
Barcelona, which has won the European Cup three times, will put one foot in the last 16 if it completes the double over FC Copenhagen, which lost 2-0 at the Camp Nou a fortnight ago after two goals by Lionel Messi. Barca’s 5-0 win over Sevilla made it six wins from seven in the Primera Liga. “We are playing at a very high level, like we have for the past few years,” said Barcelona midfielder Xavi. Defender Gabriel Milito may be available for the Spanish champions after recovering from injury, but goalkeeper Jose Pinto is suspended. — AP
Frings slams Bremen ahead of Twente clash
Rangers look to end Spanish misery
BREMEN: Werder Bremen captain Torsten Frings has slammed his side for their lack of “killer instinct” ahead of today’s crunch Champions League clash with FC Twente. Bremen need to beat the Dutch league winners at their Weserstadion ground if they are to keep alive their hope of reaching the Round of 16. But Frings’s side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Nuremberg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, despite taking an early lead. After just ten games, it was Bremen’s fourth defeat of the season and former Germany midfielder Frings was unimpressed with what he saw. “Some of the team just do not know what it means to play for Werder Bremen,” fumed the 33-year-old. “They need to realise the obvious: our situation is serious. “There are too many people who are too careless in this team. “Everyone needs to ask themselves if he gives everything for the club, week after week.” Frings also launched a thinly-veiled attack on Bremen’s former Twente striker and Austrian international Marko Arnautovic, who has scored just two German league goals this season. “We do not have the killer instinct,” said Frings, as Arnautovic missed a string of chances against Nuremberg and also in the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the German Cup last week. Frings is also furious with French defender Mickael Silvestre, the former Manchester United and Arsenal star, who was brought into stabilise the Bremen defence at the start of the season, but has made a string of errors. Out of the German Cup and 11th in the league, Bremen are third in Group A with two points behind leaders Inter Milan and second-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Fourth-placed Twente are also on two points and the two sides drew 1-1 when they met in Holland on October 20. In contrast to Bremen’s faltering fortunes, Twente are on a roll. The Dutch champions warmed up for their trip to Germany in fine style at the weekend with a 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven, who famously thrashed Feyenoord 10-0 last week. Twente are unbeaten at the top of the table with 28 points from a possible 36 and enjoyed their first win at Eindhoven for 37 years against 10-man PSV to go top of the league. Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz set up Nacer Chadli on the hour to seal victory for unbeaten Twente who were thrashed 4-1 at Tottenham in their last Champions League game. The Dutch team started the group phase by drawing 2-2 at home with holders Inter Milan and coach Michel Preud’homme wants points from the trip to Bremen. “We played quite well in the first match against Inter and didn’t play badly in the second, but we lost that one,” said Preud’homme. “Now we want to get some points.” Emir Bajrami and Bart Buysse are injured for Twente, but Denny Landzaat and Luuk de Jong are fit to take their places in the squad. Bremen boss Thomas Schaaf knows three points will bring his team closer to their dream of reaching the last 16. Schaaf said: “Twente are a very good team and are always strong at home. They played very well against Inter and we have seen how difficult it is to do that.” — AFP
MADRID: Valencia and Rangers lock horns at the Mestalla Stadium today in a crucial Champions League Group C match as both sides fight for second place and a spot in the knockout phase of the competition. Rangers lie second sitting a point above Valencia after a tense 1-1 draw in Glasgow last time out and the stakes are high for the return match in Spain as the loser would have an uphill task to qualify for the last 16 stage. Manchester United lead group C on seven points, two points ahead of Rangers and three ahead of Valencia leaving the duo tussling for second. “It looks like it is between us and Rangers for second place so this game could be decisive,” said Valencia coach Unai Emery. “We are not thinking about who are the favourites to go through, however, we are looking forward to the second match with optimism because we know Rangers better after the first game.” Scottish champions Rangers drew 1-1 with Inverness Caledonian Thistle to see their 100 percent league start come to an end although their nine wins and a draw keep them top of the Scottish Premier League a point ahead of city rivals Celtic. Rangers have never won in Spain with two draws and eight defeats from their 10 visits but manager Walter Smith believes his side, unbeaten in this season’s competition, can pull something out of the bag against Valencia. “This second game against Valencia is going to be big for us but if we play as we’ve done in the first three games we’ve got a chance,” said Smith. Former Scotland national coach Smith also played down fears over fatigue saying his team were delighted to be playing on all fronts. “We have a lot of games and it will be difficult,” admitted Smith. “If you want to use that as an excuse on our behalf, fine. But I’d rather be involved in the Champions League.” Valencia, Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, lost their last home group match 1-0 to Manchester United and have dipped of late with one point from the last nine in the league. A 1-1 home draw against winless Real Zaragoza, who were also reduced to ten men, saw Valencia jeered off by their fans after the final whistle with the club now lying six points behind league leaders Real Madrid. “The fans are aware of the role they have to play today and that is to support us to the death like the Rangers fans did in Scotland,” said Spanish international winger Juan Mata. “We are not having the best time at the moment but I am sure it will turn around quickly.” Veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, 39, missed Valencia’s draw with Zaragoza through illness but is expected to replace Miguel Angel Moya between the sticks. Rangers have worries over 20-year-old Slovakian winger Vladimir Weiss, on loan from Manchester City, and US international midfielder Maurice Edu who were substituted after picking up knocks against Iverness Caledonian Thistle. Valencia’s next match is at bottom side Bursaspor, who have to win a point in the group, on November 24 while Rangers host Manchester United at Ibrox Stadium. — AFP
San Luis close in on knockout phase
Matches on TV (Local Timings) UEFA Champions League Rubin v Pana thinaikos Aljazeera Sport + 10
20:30
Werder Bremen v FC Twente Aljazeera Sport + 6
22:45
Hapoel v Schalke Aljazeera Sport + 10
22:45
Tottenham v Inter Aljazeera Sport + 3 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport + 4
22:45
Benfica v Lyon Aljazeera Sport + 1
22:45
Valencia v Rangers Aljazeera Sport + 9
22:45
Bursa spor v Man United Aljazeera Sport + 5 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD
22:45
Copenhagen v Barcelona Aljazeera Sport + 2
22:45
GERMANY: Werder Bremen’s Brazilian midfielder Wesley (left) and striker Sandro Wagner take part in a training session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group A football match against FC Twente. — AFP
Messi, Ronaldo locked in scoring duel MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s exploits are quickly turning the Spanish league title chase into a shootout between Europe’s most prolific goalscorers. Ronaldo’s 11 goals have guided Real Madrid to the top of the standings after nine games while Barcelona trails by one point thanks in part to Messi’s seven strikes. The two forwards, who are also the top two scorers in the Spanish league, appear to be locked in an increasingly personal duel, too. Ronaldo scored four in response to Messi’s brace last week, while the Argentina forward added another double in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Sevilla
— right after Ronaldo scored two in the last eight minutes of a 3-1 win at Hercules. “I feel phenomenal,” Ronaldo said. “I am in great form. I have scored and I am happy that we are still leaders.” In a duel between the last two World Player of Year winners, Ronaldo has 12 goals in 13 games overall compared to Messi’s 14 from 12. Ronaldo has scored a Madrid record 10 goals in his last four league matches, while Messi has notched braces in his last three domestic appearances. Madrid’s press is already talking up Ronaldo’s chances of breaking the league’s all-time record of 38 goals in a season.
Monday’s cover of sports daily AS read “Cristiano, going after Zarra and Hugo,” in reference to Athletic Bilbao legend Telmo Zarra and Real Madrid’s Hugo Sanchez, the Pichichi holders from the 1950-51 and 1989-90 seasons, respectively. Messi, meanwhile, has his sights on improving last season’s overall total of 47 goals in all competitions, when he helped the Spanish champion to a record six major trophies in one campaign. “A player like him only comes around once every 50 years,” teammate Xavi Hernandez was quoted as saying on FIFA.com on Monday. “Leo is now even better than (Diego)
Maradona was.” And the pair’s heroics couldn’t have come at a better time as the highly anticipated “clasico” match between the Spanish giants approaches. Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, one of the few coaches to get the better of Barcelona over his career, has already begun the war of words ahead of the Nov. 28 match at the Camp Nou. “That just bounces off of us,” said Messi, who has been key to the Catalan club winning four straight over Madrid. “He’s looking to get under our skin so we play his game, but we won’t. We shouldn’t give importance to what Mourinho says.” — AP
MEXICO CITY: San Luis upset Toluca 2-1 away on Sunday to enhance their chances of a place in the Mexican championship’s eight-team playoffs while putting the title holders in danger of not making the cut. Ecuadorean midfielder Michael Arroyo scored both San Luis goals before Brazilian-born former Mexico midfielder Zinha pulled one back. San Luis lead Group Two with 25 points, one more than America, who crushed Estudiantes UAG 4-1 at the Azteca in the capital with two goals from striker Daniel Marquez. Toluca are third three points behind America, while CONCACAF Champions League winners Pachuca, who will play in the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in December, are fourth with 19 points and in danger of not reaching the playoffs. The two teams that finish top of the three groups plus the next two best-placed teams overall at the end of the 17-match round-robin phase qualify for the knockout rounds. There are two matches to go. Guadalajara, who only three months ago reached South America’s Libertadores Cup final, virtually lost all chance of a place in the last eight with a 1-1 draw away to Santos Laguna on Saturday. The Chivas are fourth in Group One with 18 points, 14 adrift of leaders Monterrey, who won 2-0 away to Morelia to secure their place in the last eight, and eight behind Santos. Ecuadorean striker Cristian Benitez, who opened the scoring for Santos three minutes from time, is the championship’s leading marksman with 13 goals. Omar Arellano earned a point for the visiting Chivas when he equalised two minutes later. — Reuters
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Patriots top Vikings
KANSAS: Kansas City wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) leaps over Buffalo safety Donte Whitner (20) as he is chased by cornerback Drayton Florence (29) during the second quarter of an NFL football game.—AP
NFL results/standings NFL results and standings on Sunday. Miami 22, Cincinnati 14; Jacksonville 35, Dallas 17; Detroit 37, Washington 25; Kansas City 13, Buffalo 10 (OT); St. Louis 20, Carolina 10; Green Bay 9, NY Jets 0; San Francisco 24, Denver 16; San Diego 33, Tennessee 25; Tampa Bay 38, Arizona 35; New England 28, Minnesota 18; Oakland 33, Seattle 3; New Orleans 20, Pittsburgh 10. (OT denotes overtime win) National Footba ll Conference American Football Conference AFC East NFC Eas t W L T PF PA PCT NY Giants 5 2 0 175 153 .714 154 .857 New England 6 1 0 205 Philadelphia 4 3 0 172 157 .571 NY Jets 5 2 0 159 110 .714 Washington 4 4 0 155 170 .500 Miami 4 3 0 133 149 .571 Dallas 1 6 0 154 187 .143 Buffalo 0 7 0 131 211 .000 NF C North AFC North Green Bay 5 3 0 176 136 .625 Baltimore 5 2 0 149 129 .714 Chicago 4 3 0 126 114 .571 Pittsburgh 5 2 0 147 102 .714 Minnesota 2 5 0 129 144 .286 Cleveland 2 5 0 118 142 .286 Detroit 2 5 165 .286 0 183 Cincinnati 2 5 0 146 163 .286 NFC South AFC South Tampa Bay 5 2 0 136 163 .714 Houston 4 2 0 153 167 .667 Atlanta 5 2 0 169 133 .714 Indianapolis 4 2 0 163 125 .667 New Orleans 5 3 0 167 148 .625 Tennessee 5 3 0 224 150 .625 Carolina 1 6 150 .143 0 85 Jacksonville 4 4 0 165 226 .500 NF C We st AFC West Seattle 4 3 0 123 140 .571 Kansas City 5 2 0 163 122 .714 0 140 141 .500 Oakland 4 4 0 212 168 .500 St Louis 4 4 San Diego 3 5 0 210 174 .375 Arizona 3 4 0 133 198 .429 Denver 2 6 0 154 223 .250 San Francisco 2 6 0 137 178 .250
FOXBOROUGH: Tom Brady outscrambled Brett Favre, then kept the ball away from Tarvaris Jackson when Favre was knocked out of the game as the New England Patriots held on to beat the Minnesota Vikings 28-18 on Sunday. Brady scrambled free to find Brandon Tate breaking free behind the defense for a 65yard touchdown to give the Patriots the lead in the third quarter. BenJarvus GreenEllis’ first touchdown, a 13yard run, made it 21-10. Favre drove Minnesota to the New England 3 yard-line before he was flattened by defensive lineman Myron Pryor. Jackson relieved him and threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Naufahu Tahi on the first play, then hit Percy Harvin for the 2-point conversion that made it 21-18. Favre, who started in his 292nd straight game despite two fractures in his left ankle, was carted off the field midway in the fourth quarter with a cut to his chin that he said required eight stitches.
Saints 20, Steelers 10 At New Orleans, Drew Brees passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns as New Orleans downed Pittsburgh. Brees was 20 of 22 for 191 yards in the second half, breaking open a defensive struggle in which neither team scored a touchdown through the first three quarters. Brees’ first TD went to Marques Colston for 16 yards and the second went for 8 yards to Lance Moore with 2:37 left.
Packers 9, Jets 0 At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Mason Crosby kicked
Ben Roethlisberger’s touchdown was ruled a fumble on review, but the Steelers kept the ball and kicked a field goal for a 23-22 win, offsetting Carpenter’s five field goals.
three field goals for Green Bay, and that was all the Packers needed to beat the rested but sloppy Jets. Mark Sanchez and the Jets’ offense couldn’t get much of anything going as New York, which entered tied for the league’s best record, had its five-game winning streak end. The Jets (5-2) were shut out for the first time since a 10-0 loss to Chicago on Nov. 19, 2006, at home.
Jaguars 35, Cowboys 17 At Arlington, Texas, David Garrard and the Jaguars became the latest to take advantage of the crumbling Cowboys. Garrard tied a club record with four touchdown passes and ran for another while narrowly missing a perfect quarterback rating, leading the Jaguars to a 35-17 victory over Dallas.
49ers 24, Broncos 16 At Wembley, England, backup Troy Smith found his range in the fourth quarter to lead San Francisco in the NFL’s fourth regular-season game in London. In his first start as a 49er, Smith had a 28-yard touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree with 7:23 left to help San Francisco (2-6) take a 1710 lead. Frank Gore scored another with 3:47 to go, running in from the 3.
Chargers 33, Titans 25 At San Diego, Philip Rivers threw a go-ahead, 48-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates midway through the third quarter to lead San Diego over Tennessee, which lost quarterback Vince Young to another injury. San Diego (3-5) snapped a three-game losing streak and won its eighth straight game against the Titans dating to 1993.
Buccaneers 38, Cardinals 35 At Glendale, Arizona, Aqib Talib intercepted two passes, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown and saving the game with the other, as Tampa Bay rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit for the fourth time this season. The Bucs (5-2) won their
Chiefs 13, Bills 10
NEW ORLEANS: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward (86) bobbles a pass as he is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma during an NFL football game.—AP fifth straight on the road dating to last season and moved into a tie with idle Atlanta for first in the NFC South.
Raiders 33, Seahawks 3 At Oakland, California, Jason Campbell threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns as Oakland’s defense delivered one of its best performance in years to help the Raiders even their record at the midpoint of the season. Darren McFadden ran for 111 yards as the Raiders (4-4) reached the .500 mark this late in the season for the first time since 2002.
Rams 20, Panthers 10 At St. Louis, Sam Bradford
threw two touchdown passes as the St. Louis defense forced four Carolina turnovers. Bradford threw a 2-yard scoring pass to Danny Amendola in the second quarter and a 23yard touchdown pass to Daniel Fells in the fourth as the Rams - an NFL-worst 1-15 last season _ reached the midway point at 4-4.
Dolphins 22, Bengals 14 At Cincinnati, Dan Carpenter kicked five field goals for the second straight game as the Miami Dolphins made them stand up in keeping its record perfect on the road. Last week, the Dolphins (4-3) lost after a disputed play.
At Kansas City, Missouri, Ryan Succop kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift Kansas City over winless Buffalo. Succop had a chance to win the game with 3:38 to go in OT, but his 39-yard attempt with 3:38 to go hooked left at the last instant.
Lions 37, Redskins 25 At Detroit, Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, including a 10-yarder to Calvin Johnson with 3:12 left, and the Lions (2-5) went on to score nine points in a 14second span for their second win of the season. The Redskins (4-4) turned the ball over on downs after Johnson’s career-high third score. Washington coach Mike Shanahan then put Rex Grossman in for an apparently healthy Donovan McNabb, and he fumbled on his first play with Ndamukong Suh returning it for a TD.—AP
Al-Maha Desert Resort joins Starwood Hotels
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Aston Martin icon meets most famous car in world
China, India lead way in Asia, UK perks up
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Qatar sees 2013 end to gas glut, IEA differs Shell sees China trebling LNG demand from 2010 to 2020 SINGAPORE: Qatar, the top exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), expects a glut of the fuel to end in three years, putting it at odds with the energy watchdog to major consumers which says the oversupply could last a decade. Qatar Oil Minister Abdulla Al-Attiyah said yesterday the Gulf producer is on track to reach a targeted capacity of 77 million tons per year (tpy) by Dec 30. The new capacity comes online as the world struggles to absorb new supplies with many economies still in recovery mode, while the International Energy Agency (IEA) had said spare capacity could hit 200 billion cubic meters a year in 2015 from around 60 billion cubic meters now. “We are at the end of completion of the last two LNG trains,” Attiyah said on the sidelines of the Singapore Energy Summit. Gas prices slumped worldwide in late 2008, as recession damped industrial fuel consumption in Europe and new technology slashed production costs for alternative supplies in North America, just as new LNG plants built to supply the United States neared completion. Demand in Asia rose sharply in early 2010 and the IEA also expects global consumption to rise by up to 2 percent this year, after falling by an estimated 3 percent in 2009, offering some relief to gas sellers. “Today we are seeing some glut in the market, but I’m con-
fident that in more than three years, we will see the gas balance again,” Attiyah said. Strong demand growth in India and China could absorb most of the production, he said, adding Qatar will send an additional 7 million tons of LNG a year to China and another 5 million to India. Royal Dutch Shell is also confident about demand. “If you look at the potential demand from China and India it’s huge, China could treble LNG demand from 2010 to 2020, and double it again by 2030,” said Malcolm Brinded, executive director at Shell Upstream International told Reuters. He said LNG is the cheapest way Asian countries can meet their CO2 targets, adding he also sees demand ramping up from Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. China’s LNG imports are set to surge this decade to reach 46 million tons by 2020, but rising domestic gas output will probably dampen its import appetite af ter that, consultant Wood Mackenzie said in July. Attiyah said he was confident conventional gas would stay relevant in markets, even in the United States, where unconventional shale gas supplies are increasing. “We’re seeing new markets there. New customers there. Customers even if you talked about five years ago no one would believe you,” he said, referring to North and Latin
Emirates ready to invest in growth as H1 profit goes up Passenger load factor at 81.2% DUBAI: Emirates Airline, the Arab world’s largest carrier, said it is well placed to expand its business further after its first-half net profit more than quadrupled as passenger traffic and cargo volumes surged. The Dubai government-owned operator has been relatively unscathed by the economic downturn in the emirate which forced some stateowned conglomerates like Dubai World to restructure debt and consider asset sales. “We continue to invest our profits in growing the business and our healthy financial position enables us to successfully meet all of our financial commitments and raise financing for future aircraft deliveries,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed AlMaktoum, the carrier’s chairman and chief executive, said in a statement. Emirates, a major customer to Airbus and Boeing, said it took delivery of six new aircrafts in the first-half, including five A380s and one Boeing 777. The airline expects to take deliveries of two new aircrafts before the end of the financial year, it said, without elaborating. Emirates said it ordered 62 aircraft in the first six months of the year and launched six new destinations since April. The rapid expansion of Emirates-as well as Gulf majors Etihad of Abu Dhabi and Qatar Airways-has unnerved older airlines and fuelled mutual accusations of protectionism. Many carriers fear Gulf-based superjumbos will drain their own hubs. In October, Emirates heaped pressure on European carriers in an escalating airlines trade dispute, dismissing its rivals’ subsidy claims and voicing plans to expand its fleet to include 120 Airbus A380 superjumbos. Emirates, which boosted its A380 orders to 90 planes in June, is only constrained by a shortage of space to
park the world’s largest aircraft, its President Tim Clark said in a challenge to the market power of older, recession-hit carriers. The carrier, which started in 1985 with two planes, has grown to rival airlines such as Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines for passenger traffic between Europe and East Asia. Soari ng profi ts An Emirates flight was escorted by fighter jets to New York’s John F Kennedy airport on Friday after parcel bombs sent from Yemen and bound for the US were intercepted in Britain and Dubai. Security fears triggered by last week’s air cargo bomb alerts have raised the prospect of increased global trade costs and fueled debate over the technology needed to screen packages and who should pay for it. In the meantime, Emirates posted net profit for the first half of the year of 3.4 billion dirhams ($925.9 million) up from 752 million dirhams for the same period last year. Emirates said revenue, including other operating income, for the first half was 26.4 billion dirhams ($7.19 billion), a 35.5 percent increase over the 19.5 billion dirhams it reported in the year-ago period. The airline, the largest customer for the Airbus A380 super jumbo, said it carried 15.5 million passengers in the first half of the year and its passenger load factor stood at 81.2 percent for the period, its highest ever for a six month reporting period. Cargo tonnage for the first half rose 23.7 percent to 897,000 tons. The airline said cash balances grew to 12.5 billion dirhams at end of Sept, an increase of 18.5 percent when compared to March 31. Operating costs for the first six months of the year rose 22.6 percent to 23 billion dirhams hurt by higher fuel prices, Emirates said. —Reuters
hold enough natural gas to sate US demand for a decade. The sector has lured a slew of investments by energy firms including from China and India.
BAGHDAD: Two young hosts sit at the Hyundai stand at the Baghdad international fair which opened in the Iraqi capital yesterday with the participation of more than 300 international companies from nearly every sector, except defense.—AFP America, where Qatar has sealed new contracts with Canada and Chile. But Attiyah conceded that suppliers still face difficulties. “Today LNG and the whole of natural gas has some challenges,” he said. “It’s a tough market now.” This
was underscored by Nobuo Tanaka, executive director of the IEA, adviser to 28 industrialized economies on energy policy, who told reporters at the conference: “If we assume the current level, the gas glut may go on
for as long as 10 years, but there is uncertainty about how strong demand will be from China, so it could be much shorter.” Tanaka said in May gas market fundamentals had changed as the US developed unconventional reserves and
the economic downturn cut demand, with the large volume of new supply reducing its import needs and depressing global gas markets. Despite low gas prices, interest has been rising in underground shale formations that could
New energy, competit ion Attiyah said that with shale gas becoming a challenge in the US, Qatar was in talks with additional customers across North and South America, as well in the Middle East. “We are discussing with other potential consumers in the Gulf, Canada, Argentina and Chile,” he added. He also said the US re-export of LNG will not be competitive as the cost of the gas plus gasification and transport works out to almost $10 per million British thermal units (mmBtu). In contrast, spot LNG in Asia for earlyDecember delivery was around $9.50 per mmBtu. Asked about competition from Australia, which is also becoming a major LNG supplier, Attiyah said: “We’re not going to dominate the supplies. We understand consumers would like to see more suppliers to create oil security. But going forward, Qatar will, today, be the main supplier to the world.” Britain’s BG Group said on Sunday it had given final approval to a $15 billion project to develop a major LNG project in northeastern Australia, coming after the Australian government gave environmental approvals to coal seam gas proj-
ects led by BG and Santos last month. Australia will almost double LNG capacity by 201415, with A$200 billion ($197.6 billion) of proposed export projects in the pipeline. And Shell, which has a half stake in the Arrow LNG project in Australia, and owns 30 percent of the 7.8 million ton-peryear Qatargas 4 train 7, will also see “very substantial” investment in Australia in the “tens of billions of dollars” throughout the decade, Brinded said. New energy resources such as unconventional gas and nuclear power may help to meet growing demand globally and to prepare for higher energy costs, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the gathering. [ID:nSGE6A002G] To fasttrack development of new resources, the world’s No 2 energy consumer China, will hold its first auction for six shale gas exploration blocks early this month for domestic firms. Shell expected to start drilling end this year or early 2011 in two shale gas blocks agreed upon earlier-Jinqiu and Fushun-in southwestern China’s Sichuan province, said Marc Gerrits, vice president for Shell Exploration Asia. Shell already produces 3 billion cu m a year of gas from a tight gas block at Changbei in a joint venture with China National Petroleum Corp, parent of PetroChina. —Reuters
Saudi Arabia December crude rises SINGAPORE: Saudi Arabia is expected to raise the prices of lighter crude grades exported to Asia for December on firm naphtha and gas oil cracks and improving refining margins, after price hikes for November, traders said yesterday. A poll of seven refiners and traders also showed that the price for Arab Heavy may remain steady or edge up on strong overall sentiment in the Middle East market, despite relatively weaker fuel oil cracks. “The December market was so strong for both Middle Eastern and regional grades,” said a North Asian trader. “Margins for naphtha are very good compared with last month,” he said, adding that the world’s top oil exporter is likely to raise the prices especially of lighter grades. The Middle East spot crude market kept its bullish trend last month, with most
grades sold at stronger differentials than the previous month. Reflecting the improving sentiment, the Dubai November/December intermonth spread strengthened to a discount of 27 cents a barrel yesterday from around a 40-cent discount a month ago, Reuters data showed. Saudi Aramco is more likely to raise prices when the Dubai intermonth spread is stronger. Naphtha cracks soared to a more than fivemonth high of $149.20 a ton premium on Friday due to strong demand, providing support to the Arab Extra Light price, which traders expect to rise as much as 50 cents for December versus November. Asian gas oil cracks held firm at around a premium of $12.53 to Dubai crude yesterday, after hitting a near four-month high of a premium of $13.56 a barrel in mid-
October. Complex processing margins for Dubai in Singapore were at an average of $5.38 over the last five days, Reuters data show. Over the last year, the average margin has been around $3.99 per barrel. Simple refineries in Singapore showed a profit of $1.65 a barrel over the past five days, up from an average of 71 cents over the past year. Rise for he avies not see n s harp Traders were mixed on whether Saudi Arabia will raise prices sharply to track the strong values of rival Russian ESPO crude, or keep them affordable to secure demand in Asia Pacific. Russia’s top oil producer Rosneft last week sold five ESPO cargoes for December to January loading at record premiums on strong AsiaPacific demand. December fuel oil cracks rose to a discount of $6.75 a
barrel to Dubai crude yesterday, after falling to a five-month low discount near $8.00 a barrel in mid-October, adding some pressure to heavy grades. However, December-loading heavy sour Banoco Arab Medium was last traded at a premium of between 40 and 50 cents a barrel to Arab Medium, traders said. The Arab Medium price was considered cheap last month, so Banoco looked attractive,” said a second trader who predicted the Arab Medium price to rise by 30 cents for December. Other traders said the price hikes might be limited. “If they increase too much, the market might turn to discount,” a third trader with a North Asian refinery said, who forecast prices of both light and heavy grades to be up to 20 cents higher than the previous month. Last month, Saudi
Aramco set the November Arab Light price for Asian customers at Oman/Dubai minus 5 cents per barrel, up from Oman/Dubai minus 50 cents in October. It also raised the price of Arab Medium crude for November to Asian buyers by 25 cents a barrel to a $1.80 discount to the Oman/Dubai average and raised that of Arab Heavy by 15 cents to $3.20 discount. Saudi crude OSPs are usually released around the fifth of each month, and set the trend for Iranian, Kuwaiti and Iraqi prices, affecting some 7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude bound for Asia. State oil giant Saudi Aramco sets its crude prices based on customers’ recommendations and after calculating the change in the value of its oil over the past month, based on yields and product prices.— Reuters
Dubai realty stocks lift index MIDEAST STOCK MARKET
MUZAFFARGARH: Pakistanis ride a motorcycle along the main road yesterday. Environmental degradation is costing Pakistan’s economy approximately one billion rupees ($11.6 million) a day, while the recent flood wrecked further havoc to it as hundreds of people died, millions displaced and 30 percent of the country devastated. — AFP
Saudi investor to focus on home market RIYADH: Saudi-based agricultural investment firm Agroinvest, which plans to raise 1 billion riyals ($267 million) in January, will focus on its home market before any expansion abroad, its chairman said yesterday. Agroinvest, or the International Agriculture and Food Investment Co, is among the biggest of many private firms involved in foreign farm investment that have been set up in the kingdom as import-reliant Gulf Arab countries have started buying or leasing land in developing nations to ensure food supplies. Usamah Al-Kurdi, who chairs Agroinvest’s founding committee, said his firm would focus first on opportunities in poultry, fisheries, shrimp, green
house business and trading of food products. “There are tremendous food opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a food security conference. At some later stage, the company could raise another 1 billion riyals to pursue opportunities abroad but is waiting for more details on a government initiative encouraging firms to invest abroad. “First we focus on Saudi Arabia,” Kurdi said. Top OPEC oil exporter Saudi Arabia, which abandoned a wheat cultivation program due to dwindling water resources, has emerged as a major buyer of wheat from global markets and is trying, with the help of private Saudi investors, to secure farmland in Africa and elsewhere.—Reuters
DUBAI: Mid-cap Dubai property stocks surged yesterday after mortgage provider Tamweel said it would resume lending following a two-year freeze, helping the emirate’s index hit a five-month high. Deyaar climbed 8.8 percent and Union Properties added 7.3 percent. Tamweel’s shares were suspended in November 2008, pending a merger with rival Amlak. “Tamweel’s announcement helped sentiment across the board and we saw concentration in the retail-orientated real estate companies like Deyaar and Union Properties,” said Marwan Shurrab, vice-president at Gulfmena Alternative Investments. “Today’s gains are a retail move and not a fundamental move, but nevertheless UAE markets remain strong.” Dubai’s index rose 1 percent to its highest finish since April 15, yet Mohammed Yasin, chief investment officer at CAPM Investment, was cautious. “Speculators are circulating money from certain stocks to others that haven’t moved and that usually happens towards the end of an upside move,”
said Yasin. Nevertheless, he said a few negative days should not scare investors. “The momentum is still upwards,” said Yasin. “Between now and the end of the year, there is still scope for gains. This will come from the macro picture, rather than company results.” Abu Dhabi’s Sorouh Real Estate fell 2.2 percent after the developer’s quarterly profit dropped 68 percent, hit by one-off expenses. “For real estate companies, quarterly results are less of a concern than their balance sheet,” said Majed Azzam, AlembicHC real estate analyst. “Sorouh has enough liquidity to continue with its development programme and was able to raise money in the third quarter with a syndicated loan from Abu Dhabi banks as well restructuring some other debts. “We are slightly worried by the slowdown in collection of receivables, which could ultimately affect its liquidity position.” Speculators helped Oman’s Nawras rise 5.6 percent to 0.741 rials on the telecoms operator’s bourse debut. Its initial public offering was priced at 0.702 rials. “The IPO was at a
good, competitive price, especially for long-term investors,” said Shailendra Singh, head of asset management at AlShurooq Securities. “Retail investors might be sellers at 0.740 rials, but I don’t see a sell-off from institutional investors at that level - the company is winning market share from Omantel and the downside is very limited from 0.702.” Saudi Arabia’s National Industrialization Co (TASNEE) rose 3.2 percent to 32.20 riyals after HSBC upgraded the stock to overweight from neutral. The lender also upped its price target to 40 riyals from 33 riyals. “This is a continuation of an optimistic trend towards petrochemicals, but the market is trying to forget the bank results,” said a Riyadh-based analyst who asked not to be identified. “The market is changing direction within the same day and while there might be a short-term rally, I don’t see it being able to gain more than 1 to 2 percent.” Rising provisions led to Saudi banks missing quarterly profit forecasts. —Reuters
22
BUSINESS
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Al-Maha Desert Resort joins Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Zain participates at WEF in Morocco MARRAKECH: Zain, the leading mobile operator in the Middle East, was a regional partner at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) held in Marrakech, Morocco between October 26 and 28. The meeting, which was attended by over 1,000 leaders from business, government, civil society and media from 62 countries, was held under the theme “Purpose, Resilience and Prosperity”. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zain, Asaad Al-Banwan, who attended the meeting with Chief Commercial Officer Bashar Arafeh and Zain Jordan CEO Dr Abdel Malek Jaber, said that the call for urgent action to secure the future prosperity of the region was in line with Zain’s own core value of Radiance, Heart and Belonging and its dream of creating ‘A wonderful world’. “Regional economic integration and improving the quality of education are critical for the future prosperity of the MENA,” said Al-Banwan who participated in many sessions and discussions with world economic leaders during the three-day event, including a Zain delegation private meeting with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab. Al-Banwan further noted that, “the MENA region has a population of 360 million and the potential to contribute to the wider international community. Zain and companies like it can help nurture this potential and, with the technology at its disposal, take the region to the very front line of economic opportunities.” For his part, Arafeh, who was a key speaker at one of the main sessions declared that, “Companies that generate wealth have an obligation, not only to channel some of that wealth back into the community, but to do it in a way that will lead to sustainable growth for future generations.” Arafeh concurred with the general sentiment of the event that, the region is poised to reclaim the great leadership, innovation and scholarship it showed 1,000 years ago, when it was at the cutting edge of civilization. “If the MENA region works together, it can become a genuine emerging market leader in the 21st century.” Dr Abdul Malek Al-Jaber, a member
and regional advisor to the World Economic Forum, and who participated as a key panelist in several sessions at the forum, stressed, “the importance, indeed necessity, to create a solid partnership between the private and public sectors to ensure that region’s youth acquire the skill sets to compete in the global economy.” Key findings of the forum included the need to improving the quality of education in the region, which is critical if citizens are to acquire the skill sets necessary to compete and excel in the 21st century marketplace. Specific initiatives agreed on by the participants included the launch of public-private partnerships in four countries to connect regional centers of excellence and the creation of a network of high schools around the Mediterranean. Zain, which has a proud track record in the Middle East and Africa for providing educa-
tional stimuli and initiatives, wholly endorses these initiatives and was proud to be involved in their inception. Another key finding was the need for further action to close the gender gap and reduce youth unemployment. This is essential to building a thriving middle class the core of any prosperous and resilient society. Meanwhile, it was agreed that any failure to provide the growing ranks of low-and middleincome citizens with a sense of mobility and aspiration can lead to social instability. Panelists also agreed that the region is blessed with two unique assets: its people and its resources but recognized that if they are not invested in wisely over the coming years, they can easily turn into liabilities. Next year’s World Economic Forum on the Middle East will be held at the Dead Sea, Jordan from May 20 to 22, 2011 in which Zain is committed to be a partner.
KUWAIT: Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa in Dubai will join Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc as the latest addition to its Luxury Collection portfolio, effective yesterday. The hotel will be renamed ‘Al-Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai’, with Emirates retaining ownership of the resort and Starwood Hotels and Resorts overseeing the management of the property. Designed and built following the principles of environmentally friendly development, Al-Maha has been at the forefront of eco tourism in the Middle East, for over 10 years. The resort was designed to recreate a Bedouin encampment spread across the vast dunes, featuring 42 secluded suites with tented roofs, floor-to-ceiling windows, marbled bathrooms, private deck and pool. “A pioneer in the area of luxury conservationbased hospitality in the Middle East, Al-Maha will be a valuable addition to The Luxury Collection,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed AlMaktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group. “As a leading hotel management group, Starwood’s Luxury Collection brand represents some of the finest properties across the world, and with their extensive network, global infrastructure and history of successful brand management, we are confident that they will take AlMaha to even greater heights.” “We are delighted to take over the management of the Al-Maha Resort, extending our long-standing relationship with the Emirates Group and adding a spectacular hotel to the Luxury Collection portfolio in Dubai,” stated Roeland Vos, President of Starwood, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The addition of the Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa is symbolic of our continued focus to grow our portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East.” Al-Maha rests within the 225-square kilometer Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) one of the largest formally protected conservation reserves in the Gulf and is internationally recognized. The DDCR will continue to be sponsored and managed by Emirates. Al-Maha was lauded for its efforts by the World Travel and Tourism Council earlier this year and was identified as the region’s leading sustainable eco-tourism development by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Surrounded by some of the region’s most spectacular landscape, rich with protected wildlife and filled with experiences of traditional Bedouin pastimes, Al-Maha offers a sophisticated, yet simple and serene experience to its guests. Sunset camel rides, desert safaris, wildlife drives, horse-riding and falconry are all part of the unique indigenous experience at the resort as well as soothing massage treatments at its spa with an infinity pool overlooking the sands, scrub and mountains. A discrete suite of meeting rooms is available for small boardroom and executive conferences and the resort has been acclaimed as the ultimate incentive destination. In addition, the Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa has taken on the mantle of a cultural treasure trove. Its initial collection of Arab antiques, artifacts and artworks acquired to fuel the Arabic experience in suites and public areas now expanded to more than 2,000 pieces covering carpets, tents, jewelry, brass coffee pots, camel bags and saddles as well as specially commissioned wildlife paintings. The Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa is Starwood’s second Luxury Collection hotel in the UAE, joining the iconic Grosvenor House Dubai, and third in the Middle East. Starwood Hotels and Resorts currently operates more than 50 hotels in the Middle East under eight of the company’s nine brands including: The Luxury Collection, St Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W Hotels, Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft. The company has plans to open additional luxury hotels under its Luxury Collection and St Regis brands in the following destinations: Doha (Qatar), Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Dubai (UAE), Aqaba (Jordan) and Manama (Bahrain).
Etihad treasurer wins ‘Corporate Treasurer’ AMSTERDAM: Etihad Airways’ Vice President Treasury, Ricky Thirion, has been named GT News Magazine’s ‘Corporate Treasurer of the Year’ at a gala dinner ceremony in Amsterdam. Ricky was honoured with the prestigious award for his role at Etihad Airways, in which he oversees the airline’s treasury and financial market risk management, investment and financing activities. The award is recognition of Etihad’s successful financial strategy which was developed and embarked upon in early 2007. The strategy has seen Etihad consistently build its financing to become one of the most fiscally astute airlines in the region. Against a backdrop of the credit crisis and subsequent global recession, Etihad has raised over unprecedented $3 billion in external finance over the past three years. Etihad Airways’ Chief Financial Officer, James Rigney, said: “Ricky is an outstanding Corporate Treasurer and this award is a reflection of his team’s successful implementation of Etihad’s financial and treasury strategy. “Part of Etihad’s financial strategy included diversification of financing options and the introduction of additional world-class com-
mercial institutions into Etihad’s financing structure. The Treasury team, under Ricky’s stewardship, has created relationships with over 40 leading financial institutions from all around the world - including a number of new regions for Etihad: France, Germany Japan and China.” Over the past three years, Etihad’s team has also embarked upon a major risk mitigation and cost control program with fuel hedging and foreign-exchange hedging protecting the airline from rising operating costs during the economic downturn. “This award, achieved during one of the worst global economic crises in recent history, demonstrates the strength of our long-term financial strategy, our innovative approach to financing and the quality of Etihad’s treasury professionals,” Rigney continued. The Corporate Treasurer of the Year award is the latest in a number of awards for Etihad Airways’ treasury and finance team including Global Trade Review ‘Deals of the Year’ in 2009; Air Finance Middle East Deal of the Year in 2007 and 2008; as well as the 2009 Treasury Team of the Year by the Association of Corporate Treasurers Middle East (ACTME).
Abraaj Capital highlights IPO success KUWAIT: Abraaj Capital, the biggest private equity group in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, highlighted yesterday the successful initial public offering (IPO) and listing of shares by Ramky Infrastructure Limited (RIL), an Abraaj Capital partner company. An integrated construction and infrastructure development and management company based in Hyderabad, India, RIL listed its shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd on October 8, 2010. Abraaj Capital recognized the potential of RIL as early as 2006, and is invested in the company through its $2 billion Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund. Abraaj Capital has taken a board role at RIL to support the company’s growth and expansion. Ahmed Badreldin, Executive Director at Abraaj Capital, said: “Ramky’s successful IPO is an affirmation of Abraaj’s investment thesis. We remain a committed partner of Ramky and continue to believe in the company’s significant growth potential. We are confident that Ramky’s robust business model, strong management and focused approach will continue to exceed the expectations of its investors. “This is our second partner company in India to go public this year, following Man Infraconstruction Limited’s listing in April 2010,” Badreldin said. “We continue to believe in the strength and potential of
the Indian economy, especially the infrastructure sector.” The IPO offered primary issuance of 7,777,777 equity shares aggregating up to INR350 crore ($77.5 million) and an offer for sale of 4,000,000 equity shares by existing shareholders, amounting to roughly INR180 crore ($39.8 million). The IPO received a strong response from institutional investors. The Qualified Institutional Buyers portion of the IPO was oversubscribed by more than 4.5 times, while the non-institutional tranche received an excellent response, with an oversubscription of almost 1.5 times. Overall, the IPO was subscribed by 2.89 times by receiving bids for over 31.6 million shares, as against 10.9 million equities on offer. Investors demonstrated their confidence in Ramky on the back of its presence in the attractive infrastructure industry in India, proven financial track record and consistent industry leading margins. RIL has witnessed rapid growth over the last few years supported by its diverse business operations and panIndian presence. In addition, the company has a broad range of clients in the government and private sectors. RIL had a healthy order book valued at INR 11,397 crore ($2.5 million) at the end of September 30, 2010 which has more than doubled compared to the same period last year.
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
.2770000 .4430000 .3850000 .2820000 .2720000 .2720000 .0045000 .0020000 .0760270 .7407080 .3900000 .0720000 .7261310 .0045000 .0480000 CUSTOMER TRANSFER RATES US Dollar/KD .2800500 GB Pound/KD .4491840 Euro .3906430 Swiss francs .2851070 Canadian dollars .2748510 Danish Kroner .0523800 Swedish Kroner .0420060 Australian dlr .2752000 Hong Kong dlr .0361290 Singapore dlr .2164750 Japanese yen .0034830 Indian Rs/KD .0063280 Sri Lanka rupee .0025170 Pakistan rupee .0032750 Bangladesh taka .0040000 UAE dirhams .0762880 Bahraini dinars .7432470 Jordanian dinar .3960850 Saudi Riyal/KD .0747310 Omani riyals .7281770 Philippine Peso .0065500 TRANSFER CHEQUES RATES US Dollar .2821500 Sterling pounds .4523600 Swiss Francs .2871290 Saudi Riyals .0752080
Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees
ASIAN COUNTRIES 3.511 6.330
.2870000 .4570000 .3950000 .2930000 .2810000 .2800000 .0075000 .0035000 .0767910 .7481520 .4100000 .0770000 .7334290 .0072000 .0570000 .2821500 .4523600 .3934060 .2871290 .2768000 .0527510 .0423040 .2771460 .0363850 .2180100 .0035080 .0063730 .0025350 .0032980 .0040290 .0767750 .7479930 .3988940 .0752080 .7328270 .0065970
Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal - Transfer Irani Riyal - Cash
3.266 2.514 3.966 218.300 36.292 3.982 6.532 9.417 0.267 0.310 GCC COUNTRIES Saudi Riyal 75.038 Qatari Riyal 77.317 Omani Riyal 731.070 Bahraini Dinar 747.390 UAE Dirham 76.628 ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 51.550 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 48.682 Yemen Riyal 1.320 Tunisian Dinar 203.680 Jordanian Dinar 397.370 Lebanese Lira 188.100 Syrian Lier 6.154 Morocco Dirham 35.381 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 281.280 Euro 395.200 Sterling Pound 453.700 Canadian dollar 277.920 Turkish lire 196.360 Swiss Franc 287.610 Australian dollar 276.610 US Dollar Buying 279.895 GOLD 20 Gram 261.000 10 Gram 135.000 5 Gram 68.500
Euro Cash 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 281.300 747.830 4.250 280.500 552.300 14.100 53.400 187.800 50.990
396.000 36.760 6.330 0.032
397.480 0.189 92.970 3.970 217.500 730.250 3.285 6.550 77.350 75.060 219.230 43.060 2.513 453.500 287.800 6.200 9.610 76.630 281.200
GOLD 1,436.490 TRAVELLER’S CHEQUE 453.500 281.200
Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer
Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY Australian dollar Bahraini dinar Bangladeshi taka Canadian dollar Cyprus pound Czek koruna Danish krone Deutsche Mark Egyptian pound
397.500 36.930 6.460 0.033 0.264 0.246 3.590 399.340 0.190 92.970 47.200 4.410 219.000 1.912 48.800 730.430 3.400 6.680 77.780 75.080 219.230 43.060 2.679 455.500 42.600 289.300 6.200 9.720 198.263 76.730 281.600 1.350
SELL DRAFT 279.800 747.830 3.980 279.000
219.200 48.702
US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Cyprus Pound Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound
Selling Rate 281.100 277.220 452.059 395.503 285.582 688.963 744.006 76.511 77.190 74.920 396.654 48.693
Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees
6.343 3.277 2.515 4.001 6.522 3.490 9.397 6.132 3.943
Kuwait Bahrain Intl Exchange Co. Currency US Dollar Pak Rupees Indian Rupees Sri Lankan Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso UAE Dirhams Saudi Riyals Bahraini Dinars Egyptian Pounds Pound Sterling Indonesian Rupiah Nepali rupee Yemeni Riyal Jordanian Dinars Syrian Pounds Euro Candaian Dollars
Rate per 1000 (Tran) 281.250 3.285 6.345 2.525 3.995 6.570 76.645 75.195 747.600 48.700 456.600 0.00003280 4.025 1.550 399.500 5.750 397.800 281.800
Al Mulla Exchange Currency Transfer Rate (Per 1000) US Dollar 280.800 Euro 394.000 Pound Sterling 452.700 Canadian Dollar 278.000 Japanese Yen 3.510 Indian Rupee 6.330 Egyptian Pound 48.680 Sri Lankan Rupee 2.513 Bangladesh Taka 3.976 Philippines Peso 6.555 Pakistan Rupee 3.281 Bahraini Dinar 746.750 UAE Dirham 76.560 Saudi Riyal 75.000 *Rates are subject to change
23
BUSINESS
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Gulf Bank wins GCC Localization Award for 6th consecutive year Bank acknowledged for its contributions, success
SEOUL: B T Shin, head of Hyundai Motor Company’s Middle East Regional Headquarters poses with the “Middle East Motor Awards 2010” trophy.
Hyundai Sonata wins ME Motor Awards 2010 SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Company’s mid-size sedan, all-new Sonata, has won the first Middle East Motor Awards 2010 (MEMA) for best car-in-class. The award was presented on October 14 during the opening ceremony of the 10th International Motor Show Sharjah in UAE. The MEMA is administered by twelve automotive experts from nine Middle Eastern countries that together represent the Middle East automobile industry. The judges evaluated models - launched at least in five Middle Eastern nations within the 12 month period - on ten criteria including superior performance, technology, practicality and value. In particular, the jury focused on whether the car satisfies regional customer requirements. Each vehicle underwent thorough road and track tests as well as comprehensive competitor comparisons. Sonata bested other cars in
its segment such as Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Ford Taurus, thanks to its superior performance, safety and comfort. This marks the first car of the year awards given out by the Middle Eastern auto industry. Sonata has been earning steady recognition in the Middle East since the beginning of this year. Sonata won the Car of the Year title from Sports Auto and Gulf Auto based in Saudi Arabia in May and June respectively. In July, Sonata and Tucson received the Car of the Year award from Syria-based publication Auto Sports. Sonata sales from Jan to Sept 2010 in seventeen Middle Eastern countries are up 103 percent compared to the same period in 2009. Hyundai Motor will maintain the sales momentum by continuing to listen to customers and swiftly dispatching quality experts to the region.
KUWAIT: Gulf Bank has achieved an unprecedented accomplishment by winning the coveted Localization Award for the sixth consecutive year from the GCC Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs. Surour Alsamerai, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank received the Localization Award at an event hosted by the GCC Council of Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs at the Regency Hotel in Kuwait on yesterday, November 1st, 2010. The award reflects Gulf Bank’s ability to overcome challenges which is demonstrated by its exemplary success in surpassing expectations. The Bank managed to recr uit and develop the national workforce throughout the years, guaranteeing its leadership over any other institution in Kuwait or the GCC, and therefore reinforcing the significance of this achievement for the Bank and the Kuwaiti people. The award further builds on the bank’s excellence in localization, demonstrating a commitment to developing careers for Kuwaitis within
KUWAIT: Surour Alsamerai, General Manager of Human Resources at Gulf Bank receives the GCC Localization Award for the sixth consecutive year from Dr Fadel Safar, the Minister of Public Works and State Minister of Municipal Affairs. the bank. Through dedicated human resources practices geared to supporting Kuwaitis, including tailored training and development, Gulf Bank is focused on helping people to
achieve their career aspirations in the banking industry. The award highlights Gulf Bank’s continuous efforts in achieving and maintaining one of the highest employment
percentages of Kuwaiti nationals across the private sector, as well as being the first Kuwaiti bank to achieve this status. The L ocalization Award by the GCC Council of
Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, which was awarded to Gulf Bank, is amongst many awards the Bank has received for its contributions across various sectors.
Superbrands to honor Kuwait’s top brands
ABK’s Stewart Lockie runs NYC Marathon KUWAIT: Stewart Lockie, Acting GM, Retail at ABK will be participating in the New York City Marathon 2010 which is scheduled on November 7. Lockie, a marathon enthusiast will be running for ABK, and sporting the bank’s colours when he participates in one of the biggest marathons in the world. Indeed, Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait is proud to have one of its own be a part of an event so challenging and grand. To meet up to the challenge, and win his medal of completion, Lockie will have to run, walk, crawl a total distance of 42.5 kms. This is long enough but poses a great test, but as Lockie generously put it “It’s the spirit of the participation that matters, the race is you versus the distance. The
New York City Marathon features excited and extremely plentiful spectators and hopefully my four months of training should pay off despite having flu for the last week I will live up to this challenge, finish successfully, and hold ABK’s name high.” As the representative of ABK, Stewart Lockie will join 45,000 other contestants to run through five New York City boroughs covering Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Manhattan. ABK is delighted to have in their midst such a spirited enthusiast as Stewart Lockie and wishes him good luck in his enormous participation. Any support Stewart garners will be channelized to children’s charities in Kuwait.
GE inks deal with Al-Farraj KUWAIT: Under a recently signed agreement with GE, Al-Farraj Trading & Manufacturing Company (FTMC) will assemble and supply GE electrical equipment to five key Middle Eastern countries: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. To support the growing requirements of its relationship with GE, FTMC is inaugurating a new manufacturing facility in Doha. This facility was officially inaugurated by Their Excellencies Dr Mohammed Bin Saleh AlSada, Minister of State for Energy & Industry Affairs and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Jassim Bin Mohammad AlThani, Chairman Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry. FTMC is a licensed GE electrical distribution panel builder and will assemble GE’s low voltage switchgear - critical to ensuring the reliability and safety of the distribution of electricity. The new facility will create up to 150 new jobs in the country. “Our new manufacturing facility in Doha is a testament to our commitment to serve the growing electricity needs of the commercial and residential sectors in Qatar as well as the region,” said Mohammad Mahmoud Farraj, Chairman and Managing Director of Farah Trading & Contracting (FTC) Group. “This new facility is a major investment and reflects the commitment of both FTMC and Al-Jaber Group to support the needs of our valued customers in Qatar as well as the region. Our relationship with GE greatly enhances our capabilities to serve our customers’ electrical distribution needs throughout the Middle East.” The 7,000 square meter FTMC plant will also manufacture electrical equipment, including electrical distribution boards and sub-main distribution panels equipped with GE electrical components, used in the protection and distribution of electricity in residential, commercial and industrial applications. “The new agreement is a natural extension of our relationship with FTMC and will harness our collective strengths to explore solutions that address not only Qatar’s increasing electricity needs, but the region’s as well. This new facility demonstrates GE’s long-term strategy to support the Middle East’s economic and infrastructure development with a platform for future growth and reflects our commitment to localization and knowledge sharing, by being closer to our customers.” said Joe
Anis, President, GE Energy for the Middle East. To support the region’s rapid industrial and commercial growth, GE is further localizing its electrical distribution technologies by establishing local warehouse, execution and assembly capabilities. Through the increased working relationship with FTMC, GE is further expanding its knowledge sharing initiative by increasing local access to its latest designs for low voltage switchgear and other distribution equipment. GE has been active in the Middle East since the 1930s and has management and project management offices as well as local repair and service facilities to serve customers throughout the region. GE Energy has installed 1,000 turbines and has over 1,400 employees across the Middle East, while GE’s oil and gas and water and process technologies businesses also play major roles in the development of the region’s infrastructure.
Joe Anis
Aston Martin icon meets most famous car in world GAYDON: Ahead of the RM auction of the only remaining James Bond DB5 that featured in both Goldfinger (1964) and Thunderball (1965) which sold yesterday for just under £3 million, two iconic Aston Martins have been captured together for the first time. The DB9, now celebrated as the most successful Aston Martin of all time, echoes the passion for design, engineering and craftsmanship which characterised the secret agent’s company car. Held in private ownership for some 40 years, ‘the most famous car in the world’ was one of two DB5s which appeared on screen in both films. The car originally used in Goldfinger for driving scenes, was retrofitted with the famous gadgets including passenger ejector seat, front wingmounted machine guns by Aston Martin in preparation for its second on-screen appearance in Thunderball. The DB9, now in its seventh year of production, remains a design icon and is regarded by many the most beautiful sports grand tourer on sale today. Just like the DB5 - the luxury zeitgeist of the 1960s, the DB9 is hand-tailored to customer specification and uses the latest technology. The DB9 is based on Aston Martin’s unique V/H
(Vertical/Horizontal) architecture - a bonded aluminium understructure forming the lightweight yet incredibly strong platform integral to the current range of sports cars. In much the same way, the DB5 used modern technology of its time employing aluminium body construction to help reduce weight in ‘Superleggera’ form. Aston Martin continues to use state of the art manufacturing techniques and hand-craft skills to create the most emotive cars on the road today. To date, since its introduction in 2003, 15,000 DB9s have been built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, surpassing the DB7 as the most successful Aston Martin of all time. These unique images show the revised DB9 new for 2011, in the aptly named Quantum Silver paint finish together with the actual car from the 1964 film. The optional paint is the same colour as the DBS that featured in the film Quantum of Solace in 2008. The DB5 with the revolving registration plate ‘FMP 7B’ was sold for £2,912,000 ($4,608,500) at RM Auctions yesterday to an American bidder who plans to display it at his private collection in Ohio.
Non-oil growth in GCC expected to grow 5.1% in next 10 years DUBAI: A new Economist Intelligence Unit report, sponsored by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (“QFC Authority”), aims to show how the structure of the six GCC economies is likely to change over the next decade. Released yesterday, the report assesses the motivations for diversifying away from oil and gas and identifies the most promising non-oil sectors out of a range of sectors currently being pursued. As well as looking at the most likely scenario for diversification, the report also highlights the risks to the economy and to business if the region does not become less dependent on oil and gas. Shashank Srivastava, Acting CEO of the QFC Authority commented: “We are once again delighted to be supporting this important piece of research, which highlights huge potential and the challenges that lie ahead for this dynamic and exciting region. At the QFC Authority our proximity to some of the regions richest hydro-carbon reserves makes us ideally positioned to lead the development of Qatar’s financial services sector with our uniquely sustainable platform for regional growth and economic diversification. It is also reassuring to note that the QFC Authority is aligned with the reports findings that education and skills will be key to economic policy issues for the GCC moving forward. Our own educational academy, the Qatar Finance & Business Academy (“QFBA”) is well placed to provide the
very best in educational programmes for the financial services sector.” The report, which was produced independently by the Economist Intelligence Unit, argues that although the oil and gas industry is the mainstay of the GCC economies, diversification is imminent in order to keep it thriving. It is the single largest sector in almost all the GCC states, in most of which it also provides some 80 percent of export earnings and government revenue. The region’s oil and gas endowments have been lucrative, but they are limited resources that historically have been vulnerable to price volatility. According to the report, there are three main reasons why all the GCC states are looking to develop non-oil sectors in order to diversify their economies: Previous oil price slumps have highlighted the risks of oil dependence to the GCC states. These states are also keen to diversify because oil and gas provide few jobs, and the region’s fast-growing young population can no longer be absorbed by the public sector. Over the longer term, the GCC needs to prepare for the post-oil age, knowing that technological changes could significantly affect demand for oil even before reserves run out. Policymakers will face five key trade-offs when pursuing diversification: Focusing on areas of greatest comparative advantage-generally energy-intensive industries-versus reducing dependence on hydrocarbons. The report also identifies four clear
areas of comparative advantage for the GCC, and outlines key trends in each sector over the next ten years: energyintensive manufacturing, for example petrochemicals, plastics, and aluminium; mining and mineral-based industries; trade (wholesale and retail) and logistics (based on location and experience); and tourism, hospitality and aviation. While challenges remain, the outlook for non-oil growth is robust. Over the next decade, the share of GDP that comes from the oil sector will gradually decline. Non-oil growth is forecast to average 5.1 percent per year, much higher than the 3.3 percent annual average growth expected in the oil and gas sector. The key success factor here is the progress of education reforms. The best-case scenario, as hoped for by policymakers, is that the GCC states will manage to convert their current tangible oil wealth into intangible human capital, by investing in the education and skills that are needed for a transition from economies based on the primary sector to more diversified economies with more value-added, skilled sectors. Such a transition will be difficult and risky. It is not likely to be achieved within the ten-year timeframe covered by this report. But this overarching ambition will continue to shape policy over the next decade. It means that education will probably be the single most important economic policy issue for the GCC governments in the years to 2020.
KUWAIT: Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, announced that they will be hosting their annual tribute event to honor Kuwait’s strongest brands on Nov 6, 2010 at the Movenpick & Convention Center - Free Trade Zone in Kuwait. Superbrands will also announce the much awaited ‘Brand of the Year’ and unveil the second edition of the Superbrands book at a glittering ceremony attended by the who’s who of the corporate world in Kuwait. “We are pleased to announce Kuwait’s strongest brands and honor them at our annual tribute event. The local brands that made it to the Superbrands list this year include some of the most recognized brands in the world as well as some new entrants on the list. These Superbrands were not only voted for by our distinguished brand council members but also by 2,500 marketing professionals voting for the preferred brands through an online poll. The brand with the highest score will be awarded ‘Brand of the Year’ at the tribute event,” says Mike English, Director, Superbrands Middle East. After a stringent selection criteria set by the Superbrands Council, over 2.500 professionals were invited to vote along with the Council. More than 1,415 leading Kuwait brands were scored by the Superbrands Council and the invitees and the highest scoring brands were then designated as Superbrands. Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council are eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands Kuwait book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands The Superbrands Council comprises individuals who have shown exceptional aptitude in business and who have a thorough knowledge of the market and methods of business. To be voted as a Superbrand by the Council is a powerful endorsement and evidence for existing customers, potential customers, the media, suppliers, investors and employees of each brand’s exceptional status. The Superbrands Organisation will also unveil the much coveted coffee-table style Superbrands book, which includes a two-page profile of each of the Superbrands, at the Tribute event. “The brands featured in the book range from corporate giants to FMCG brands. We are happy to see so many of Kuwait’s local brands included in the book alongside key inter national brands. Participation in the Superbrands book is by invitation only and acknowledges the intrinsic strength of the organization and its brand value,” English adds. The Superbrands tribute event is set to be a true celebration of many of the country’s highest profile brands, and promises to live up to its global reputation as the “Oscars of Branding”.
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KSE price index ends action in green KUWAIT: The equity market started the session slightly down, but soon reversed its trend to end the day in positive territory as buyers took control and helped the market reclaim some of the ground that it lost during early trading hours. On the economic front, Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) Governor Sheikh Salem Abdelaziz Al-Sabah said here yesterday the CBK closely monitors the developments of the exchange rate of world currencies and relevant impacts on the Kuwaiti dinar on a daily basis. “The CBK follows up every day on the developments of exchange rates of currencies and their effects on the Kuwaiti dinar so that it could take enough moves to curb world speculations in the currency. Ma rket indices Global General Index (GGI) closed 1.42 points up (0.65 percent), at 220.41 point as the market capitalization increased reaching KD35.69 million. On the other side, Kuwait Stock Exchange Price Index closed in the green zone adding 17.40 points (0.25 percent) from its value and closed at 7,081.3 point. Ma rket brea dth During the session, 127 companies were traded. Market breadth was skewed towards advancers as 52 equities advanced versus 40 that retreated. Da ily tra ding activity Trading activities ended on a positive note. Volume of shares traded on the exchange increased by 7.26 percent to reach 397.22 million shares, the value of shares traded increased by 42.21 percent to stand at KD54.92 million. The investment sector was the volume leader, accounting for 33.14 percent of total
GLOBAL DAILY MARKET REPORT
shares traded, while the Services Sector was the value leader, with 40.05 percent of total traded value. Companywise, Investors Holding Group Company was the volume leader, with a total traded volume of 53.04 million shares changing hands. Zain was the value leader, with a total traded value of KD12.54 million. Top gainers and biggest decliners In terms of top gainers, AlMazaya Holding Company was the biggest gainer for the day, adding 10.0 percent and closed at KD0.110. On the other side, Wethaq Takaful Insurance Co came in as the biggest decliner, dropping by 8.93 percent and closed at KD0.051.
Sectors w ise Regarding Global’s sectoral indices, five ended yesterday’s trading session in the green and three in the red. Among the gainers, Global Services Index posted a 2.78 gain, making it the top gainer backed by heavyweights Zain and Agility. Zain ended the day up 4.41 percent and closed at KD1.420 and Agility also ended with a gain of 1.85 percent and closed at KD0.550. Global Investment Index posted a 0.91 percent gain, making it the second biggest gainer. Contributing to the index’s gain were National Investment Company and Global Investment House ending yesterday’s trading session up 3.92 percent and 3.45 percent, respectively.
Regarding the decliners, Global’s Banking Index took the lead with a 0.56 percent drop. National Bank of Kuwait and Gulf Bank contributed the most to the index’s decline by shedding 1.47 percent and 1.85 percent from their respective values. Three out of the four Global’s special indices ended on a positive note with Global High Yield Index being the biggest gainer. The index ended the day up 3.55 percent. Global Large Cap (Top 10) Index followed, adding 0.86 percent. It is worth mentioning that Ahli United Bank is the latest company to make it to the L arge Cap Index for November, replacing Kuwait Foodstuff Company (Americana).
Corporate new s Kuwait’s official gazette, Al-Kuwait Al-Youm, announced yesterday the establishment of a new Kuwaiti specialty firm with a capital of one million Kuwaiti dinars. In its latest edition, the gazette said that the company was established as a closed shareholding company, which distributed 10 million cash shares at 100 fils per share. The company is specialized in the construction of buildings, bridges, management and supervision of industrial projects and production of construction materials of various kinds, it added. It noted that the company’s activities include owning, selling, buying, and developing real estate in Kuwait and abroad.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Kuwait’s new Landmark Dar Alghanim hosts media tour KUWAIT: Under the Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Group, Kuwait’s new Landmark, Dar Alghanim a complete retail park of showrooms filled with the latest home decoration and building products recently held a media tour at their premises in Shuwaikh near the Alghanim Garage. The event commenced with a tour lead by Gar y Hatcher, Director of Dar Alghanim who explained to the press this unique concept followed by a press conference lead by Andrew Miles - President of Retail and a panel of Senior Alghanim representatives. The media were treated to delightful snacks and beverages from Costa Coffee which resides on the new site for customers to relax and enjoy a refreshing break while shopping. “Dar Alghanim is a unique concept, from four very different showrooms, we offer everything from luxury bathrooms to basic building materials, and this is all supported by a full range of services from 3D design, credit facilities, home delivery and installation. At Dar Alghanim our mission is to offer the latest and greatest products at great value prices,” said Andrew Miles President of Retail Alghanim Industries. “It was our vision to create a one stop shop for home and building solutions that
caters to different audiences from homeowners, interior designers and architects to building contractors all under one roof,” added Gary Hatcher, Director. Dar Alghanim comprising of four brands; Home & Garden - a home improvement superstore with a huge range of products for indoors and outdoors of any home, Reflections - Kuwait’s most stylish bathroom showroom, Alghanim Building Centre - a destination for professionals and DIY patrons in search for building materials and tools for the completion of any building or construction project and AFKAR - a totally unique project center that offers homeowners and consultants complete project management for building everything from a villa to a tower block by providing both structural and interior design, a full selection of products from AC to Sofas, and a complete construction and installation service that is all supported by the name you can trust Alghanim. Dar Alghanim has designed a convenient and accommodating platform for customers to shop in ease and in an enjoyable manner making it a pleasant task for all with a windmill at its doorstep to greet every customer’s expectations.
Burgan Bank launches exclusive offer KUWAIT: Burgan Bank amongst the leading and most dynamic commercial banks in the state of Kuwait - has launched an exclusive offer on Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) subscription for all its cardholders. Burgan Bank card holders buying a new OSN subscription will receive an HD decoder and satellite dish installation for free in addition to a 10 percent discount on all main packages. Highlighting about this new and exciting offer Burgan Bank Chief Retail Banking Officer Muneera Al-Mukhaizeem said: “We are ver y excited at the
launch of this exclusive subscription offer from OSN for all card holders. At the bank it is part of our continuous efforts to present our customers with exclusive offers and discounts. This is one of the many exclusive offers for our customers and we continue to develop such partnerships with renowned outlets to ensure our customers receive added value throughout their relationship with us”. Maaz Al-Sheik Senior VP, Sales and Operations at Orbit Showtime Network said, “This partnership is important and we consider it to be very strategic as it
complements OSN’s plans in working with local markets to offer premium oppor tunities for subscribers to enjoy our bigger, better and best TV services available in the region.” Orbit Showtime Network is the leading Pay TV provider in the MENA region, and offers more than 75 channels of exclusive great value entertainment, through state of art HD technology. Burgan Bank cardholders may call Orbit Showtime Network or visit the nearest showroom to take advantage of this exciting offer which is valid until December 31, 2010.
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Tuesday, november 2, 2010
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China, India lead way in Asia, UK perks up US figures due with crunch Fed decision looming
AMRITSAR: An Indian man, Avtar Singh 45-years-old, strings marigold flowers together to make garlands for the upcoming Hindu festival of lights ‘Diwali’ yesterday. Flowers and decorative items are in high demand ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali, which falls on November 5. —AFP
OECD urges Indonesia to renew reform drive JAKARTA: The OECD urged Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, to renew efforts to reform its bureaucracy, invest in infrastructure and cut greenhouse gas emissions, in a report released yesterday. The report comes as critics fear President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s government has lost the will to implement reforms needed to lift millions out of poverty and address chronic pollution that often poisons the air for neighbouring countries. The world’s fourth most populous country saw out the global downturn well and posted the third-highest real growth of the G20 nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said. Indonesia now has “a unique opportunity to pursue its reform agenda and achieve lasting, strong and inclusive growth,” said the OECD, which groups together the world’s most advanced economies. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth “is projected to accelerate to around six percent this year and next,” the report added. But it also warned that “inflation pressures may re-emerge”, so that authorities “should thus start to raise” interest rates before the
end of 2010. And echoing recent comments by the IMF, the OECD said Indonesia would only fulfill its potential if it tackled “a number of weaknesses... still holding back progress”. “Changes to the policy and institutional framework will be necessary if Indonesia is to achieve its economic growth objective of seven to 7.7 percent in 2014,” and reach its poverty target of eight to 10 percent, it said. The poverty rate was 13.3 percent in March. The OECD called on the government to launch “a rapid implementation of bureaucratic reforms, to improve both efficiency and governance”. “Phasing out energy subsidies will free up fiscal resources,” it said. The subsidies, which have become a very political sensitive issue, are expected to cost the government a total of 144 trillion rupiah (16 billion dollars) in 2010, about 2.3 percent of GDP. “Energy subsidies have been introduced for social motives to make energy, a basic need, affordable to low-income groups,” the report noted. But “benefits of fuel subsidies accrue mainly to high-income groups while their cost falls on the whole taxpaying population. “As a
result, more than 90 percent of fuel subsidies benefit the 50 percent of the richest households in Indonesia,” OECD said. Jakarta should also consider further relaxing barriers to foreign direct investment, it added. Foreign direct investment jumped 32 percent during the first nine months of the year, to 111 trillion rupiah, including in real estate, mining, telecoms and agribusiness. The target of 130 trillion rupiah for the whole of 2010 should be exceeded, the government predicted Sunday. The OECD said Indonesia also needed to take strong measures to protect its forests, the third-largest in the world after Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The departure of finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati in May was seen as a major blow to reformers in Indonesia, raising fears the president’s second term has been marked by drift and a loss of energy in facing up to problems. But the market has since been relieved by the way her successor, ex-PT Bank Mandiri chief Agus Martowardojo, has handled Southeast Asia’s biggest economy and shares have risen more than 30 percent since the end of May. —AFP
Should India open its retail sector to FDI? NEW DELHI: India’s moves to open up its multi-brand retail sector to foreign investors is a headline issue for US President Barack Obama’s visit to India, closely watched by retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. India allows 51 percent in single-brand retail. Overseas investment in multi-brand retail-modern supermarkets-is only allowed in wholesale. Here are some questions and answers on opening up India’s retail sector: WHO HAS BEEN TALKING UP FDI’S PROSPECTS? Wal-Mart made its latest pitch for opening the sector weeks before Obama’s visit and trumpeted what CEO Mike Duke called “very positive” signals from the Indian government. Indian Trade and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, whose department released a widely-debated paper on the subject, has talked up the positives on job creation and reduced waste, though he was been careful not to commit to a definite view. The issue picked up momentum after the paper’s release. Media reports said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wanted to open the sector to 51 percent, though he will have to tread carefully as members of his Congress party fear a political backlash. An adviser who is close to Singh, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, said there was “nothing wrong” with opening up the sector, while the food processing minister openly gave his support. WHO IS AGAINST THE MOVE? Perhaps the biggest obstacle is sections of the ruling Congress party. Many in the party are worried opening up the sector could see millions of job losses among small shopkeepers that are a mainstay of Indian consumers. Main opposition parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, whose support base includes traders and wholesalers, railed against the proposal on fears the entry of giant corporations would kill off hundreds of thousands of small family-run outlets. Communist parties say the move would create unemployment. The Left played a big role in squashing earlier moves to open up the sector during Singh’s first term when they were part of government. WHAT ARE CHANCES OF RETAIL OPENING UP? Civil servants have talked up the new momentum but at the same time have cautioned against getting over-enthusiastic. “India wants to show Obama some movement on this when he visits India. At the same
time, with key state elections and a parliament session approaching, they will tread cautiously on this,” a finance ministry source told Reuters: “So while the government has signaled its intention to explore opening up this sector, it’s far from a done deal.” India has seen all this before in Singh’s first term. Despite a lot of buzz, attempts at opening the sector stalled. The fact that no specific cap was proposed by the discussion paper, unlike in other controversial sectors such as defense, signals caution. An attempt by Reliance Industries to open up supermarkets in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, was abandoned in 2007 after protests from small traders and political parties. WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF OPENING MULTI-BRAND RETAIL? The move would present a massive opportunity to the world’s biggest retailers such as Wal-Mart, France’s Carrefour and Britain’s Tesco to enter a market of 1.2 billion people and near double-digit economic growth. Supporters say foreign money would ramp up investment in logistics such as cold storage and unclog supply bottlenecks. Between 3040 percent of post-harvest produce goes to waste in a country where nearly half the people are malnourished. This would help tame double-digit food inflation that pushed the central bank to raise rates five times since March. A more organized retail sector, which currently is only around 5 percent of total retail, would also improve tax receipts. The move could generate huge employment in the multi-brand retail sector and, while fears of job losses for smaller outlets are real, analysts have often played down the impact. Farmers may also benefit because they could sell direct rather than relying on middle-men. Political unrest would be nearinevitable. Singh’s government has grappled with huge strikes and protests over soaring food prices and fuel reforms. Even if he pushed the reform through, huge upheaval could force the government to backtrack. WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT POLICY STEPS? The government is listening to the views of major stakeholders in response to the discussion paper. A final policy draft will then be discussed by key ministries including finance, commerce, food and consumer affairs. This would then go to the cabinet and would not need parliamentary approval if passed. —Reuters
BEIJING/LONDON: Manufacturing growth in China and India powered economy and helped boost Asian shares outside Japan by two percent. The ahead last month and UK industry also picked up steam, data showed yes- official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to a six-month high in terday, countering sluggishness in the US economy and a faltering October of 54.7 from 53.8 in September, easily beating market forecasts of Japanese recovery. Two surveys of Chinese executives showed broad- 52.9. A figure above 50 denotes expansion; a reading below 50 indicates based strength in the manufacturing sector of the world’s second-largest contraction. Equivalent surveys from Europe are due today but Britain’s PMI showed manufacturing growth picked up pace last month for the first time since March. Flash October figures for Germany, released last month, also gave a strong reading although much of Europe remains mired in debt and poised to cut public spending to deal with it-a move that will crimp economic growth going forward. The unexpected rise in Britain’s index to 54.9 will increase doubts that the Bank of England will soon embark on more quantitative easing. It followed official data last week that showed the UK economy grew a surprisingly strong 0.8 percent in the third quarter from the second. Investors are in little doubt, however, that the Federal Reserve, which holds a policy meeting today and tomorrow, is poised to inject more money into a struggling US economy. The United States reported on Friday that its economy grew at a tepid 2.0 percent annualized rate in the third quarter, reinforcing expectations the Fed will agree this week to embark on a new program of bond purchases. US NEW DELHI: Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna (left) shakes hands with Zhou Yongkang, ranked ninth in October ISM data-which match the hierarchy of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and member of the influential Politburo Standing the PMIs-is due later in the day Committee prior to a meeting yesterday. —AFP and forecast to edge down. “Quantitative easing is what the market’s focused on. That’ll lift all boats,” said James Holt, a Sydney-based investment specialist at BlackRock, the world’s biggest fund manager. BEIJING: Manufacturing activity in China year-on-year in the third quarter, down fastest pace since October 2008, and 0.6 Chinese, Indian strength hit a six-month high in October, an inde- from 10.3 percent in the second quarter percent higher than the previous month, Manufacturing in India-Asia’s pendent survey showed yesterday, in a and 11.9 percent in the first as govern- official data showed. other emerging powerhouse put The People’s Bank of China last month sign that a recovery of the world’s second- ment efforts to rein in property prices and in a performance every bit as biggest economy has further consolidated. bank lending started to bite. Analysts raised one-year lending and deposit rates strong as China’s. The HSBC The HSBC China Manufacturing purchas- have said yesterday’s data showed suc- for the first time in nearly three years as Markit PMI for India, Asia’s ing managers index (PMI) rose to 54.8 in cess in efforts to steer the country Beijing ramped up efforts to contain rising third-largest economy, rose to October from 52.9 in September as pro- towards more sustainable growth, less inflation and cool the red-hot real estate 57.2 in October from 55.1 in duction and new orders continued to rise. dependent on exports. The pick-up in market. Central bank governor Zhou September. “The manufacturing An official survey from the China manufacturing activity in October showed Xiaochuan has warned that the risks of sector remains supported by Federation of Logistics and Purchasing that “the economy has likely stabilized excessive liquidity, inflation, asset bubstrong local consumption (CFLP) showed that PMI rose to 54.7 last further at a high level,” government ana- bles and bad loans will “increase signifigrowth, and growing employmonth from 53.8 in September. A reading lyst Zhang Liqun said in the statement cantly”. Shen Jianguang, an economist ment suggests that domestic with Mizuho Securities Asia Limited in above 50 means the sector is expanding, releasing the CFLP data. demand will remain robust,” Hong Kong-based HSBC chief econo- Hong Kong, said the rising inflationary while anything below 50 indicates a Frederic Neumann, co-head of mist Qu Hongbin attributed the upbeat risk indicated by the October manufacturdecline. Asian Economics Research at Asian shares mainly rose yesterday fol- reading to “strong growth momentum in ing data increased the likelihood of anothHSBC, said. lowing the release of the strong data, with domestic demand”, noting that new export er rate hike before year’s end. “With The strength of China’s offiShanghai up 2.52 percent and Hong Kong orders had only modestly increased. “The October CPI likely to exceed four percent, cial PMI was especially striking up 2.41 percent. Seoul’s Kospi jumped jump in output prices reflects higher input we see a rising probability of another because the index normally 1.69 percent and Sydney’s S&P/ASX 200 costs amidst strong demand, which also interest rate hike by the end of this year,” heads down in October, said Yu closed up 0.79 percent. Only Tokyo heralds a higher CPI likely to reach its Shen said in a research note. HSBC’s Song and Helen Qiao, econoshares remained subdued due to the cyclical peak in October,” Qu said. The results are based on interviews with purmists at Goldman Sachs. “The strong yen and mixed corporate results, closely watched consumer price index, a chasing managers at more than 400 comfact that the PMI went up with the Nikkei down 0.52 percent at the key measure of inflation, rose 3.6 percent panies, while the CFLP survey covers despite this seasonal bias sugclose. China’s economy grew 9.6 percent in September from a year earlier, the more than 700 firms. —AFP gests real activity growth was likely to have been exceedingly strong in October,” they said in a note. The survey showed manufacturers continued to run down stocks last month to meet rising domestic orders. “These readWatanabe told reporters at the zipped around - smoothly and YOKOHAMA: Nissan showed year in Europe. ings bode well for a recovery of headquarters silently as is characteristic of Its alliance partner Renault company’s a two-seater electric vehicle output in coming months,” Ting resembling a go-cart yester- SA of France is planning to southwest of Tokyo. He said electric vehicles - Nissan’s Lu at Bank of America Merrill day that isn’t ready for sale but produce another 250,000 elec- Nissan boasts 18 years of showroom in the tiny electric Lynch told clients. spotlights the Japanese tric vehicles a year. The two development experience in vehicle called “Nissan New A companion PMI produced automaker’s ambitions to be companies together will pro- lithium-ion batteries, which Mobility CONCEPT.” It has a by Markit for HSBC painted a the leader in zero-emission duce 500,000 batteries for EVs will power the Leaf, and the range of a 100 kilometers (62 similar picture, rising to 54.8 cars. Nissan Motor Co is plan- a year, said Nissan, which company developed its first miles), and maximum speed of from 52.9 — one of the largest 75 kilometers (47 miles) per ning to produce 250,000 elec- makes batteries with Japanese electric vehicle in 1947. Lithium-ion batteries are hour. The EV system was tric vehicles a year, starting electronics maker NEC Corp. month-on-month rises in the hiswith the Leaf electric car set “We don’t want EVs to be a common in devices like lap- developed by Renault, but the tory of the survey. Calling the for delivery in Japan and the niche product,” Corporate tops but will be relatively new car’s design was by Nissan. official PMI one of the best leadPresident Hideaki for autos. Then Watanabe US in December, and next Vice Some analysts are skeptical ing indicators of the economy, about the practicality of elecLu said the October report suptric vehicles, noting they will ported his forecast of 9.3 percent make up only a tiny fraction of year-on-year growth in gross the overall auto market for domestic product in the fourth some years to come. quarter and 10.3 percent for all of Watanabe did not give a price 2010. for the concept car. He said Not all rosy in Asia uses were still being studied, Not all the economic news such as amusement parks and from Asia was upbeat. The South Yokohama city’s green mobiliKorean manufacturing sector ty projects. Nissan said it is shrank for the second month in a setting up charging stations row as the HSBC/Markit PMI for electric vehicles, and forgfell to 46.75 in October, the lowing partnerships with governest since February 2009, from ments and companies, now 48.8 in September. New export climbing to more than 80 orders also fell below the boomaround the world from 30 last bust line of 50 for the first time year in an effort to make the since February 2009. But actual move to electric successful. exports from Asia’s fourth“That shows how interest in largest economy rose 29.9 perzero-emissions is growing,” cent in October from the same said Watanabe. month last year. Nissan dealers in Japan will “It bodes well for the econobe equipped with battery my and solid overseas demand rechargers with the goal of will continue to be a major driver having 2 million chargers, and for economic growth,” said So an additional 5,000 that Jae-yong, an economist at Hana recharge quicker, around Daetoo Securities in Seoul. Japan by 2020, according to South Korea’s PMI mirrored the manufacturer of the March that for Japan, released last subcompact and Infiniti luxury Friday, which showed manufacmodels. Nissan has set up a turing contracted for a second company to recycle used EV consecutive month as slowing demand and a rising yen led to YOKOHAMA: A two-seater electric vehicle called “Nissan New Mobility CON- batteries to reuse and repackage, as well as reselling for the first drop in export orders in CEPT,” resembling a go-cart was unveiled to the media yesterday. —AP back-up and storage. —AP more than a year. —Reuters
China manufacturing accelerates
Nissan shows tiny concept vehicle
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BUSINESS
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
BHP in no hurry to raise Potash bid before ruling Potash shares still trade above BHP’s offer MELBOURNE/SYDNEY: BHP Billiton needs to clear three hurdles over the next week before it will be free to raise its $39 billion bid for Potash Corp, as widely expected. The UK’s Sunday Times, citing sources close to the situation, reported that BHP plans to sweeten its offer for the world’s
biggest fertilizer maker by 10 percent. A person familiar with the situation, however, said BHP was focused on clearing regulatory hurdles, including winning approval from the Canadian government, before it does anything else.
BUCHAREST: Jeffrey Franks (left), head of the IMF delegation to Romania gestures during a press conference at the headquarters of the National Bank of Romania yesterday. —AFP
EU, IMF give aid to Romania BUCHAREST: The International Monetary Fund and the European Union gave conditional backing yesterday to new disbursements from a crucial lifeline to crisis-hit Romania, urging that austerity measures be implemented. “We have reached an agreement at the level of experts. As soon as the conditions are met, we can expect the board to unlock a new tranche,” Jeffrey Franks said, speaking Romanian, during a press conference in Bucharest. He added that the installment, worth around 900 millions euros, could be released by mid-January. Among the agreed conditions, Franks mentioned final approval of pension and the public-sector pay reforms, as well as the reduction of state arrears. Romania last year secured a 20-billion-euro (28-billion-dollar) rescue package from the IMF, the European Union and the World Bank in exchange for austerity measures aimed at taming the country’s public deficit. Franks praised authorities for having kept most of the promises made during the previous assessment mission and called on them to go ahead with the austerity plan. “The govern-
ment is on track to reach the public deficit target for 2010,” he said. Romania has pledged to bring down the shortfall from 7.1 percent in 2009 to 6.8 percent in 2010 and 4.4 percent next year. In order to do so, the government has slashed public wages by 25 percent and raised the VAT tax on goods sales and services from 19 to 24 percent. But Franks stressed the IMF still expected progress in several areas. “Spending pressures, particularly in health and social assistance programs still need to be addressed and improvements in tax collection remain a challenge.” He said keeping public spending under control would accelerate economic recovery and added that the IMF expected the Romanian economy to grow by 1.5 to 2.0 percent in 2011 after having contracted by 7.1 percent last year. “If the specified actions agreed with the authorities are taken, conditions for the fourth disbursement of the EU assistance program worth 1.2 billion euros will be met,” the European Commission said in press release. The IMF representative said Romania’s wish to con-
clude a new deal with international lenders when the current agreement ends, in March, would be discussed during the next mission to Bucharest, due in January or February. The Romanian government contends that a new accord with the IMF and the EU would reassure foreign investors on its determination to carry on with reforms and help it obtain cheaper credit on international markets. “Romania is in a position where, coming out of one of the worst economic crises in decades, there are limits on what it can borrow on local and international markets,” Franks stressed. He also encouraged Bucharest to maintain a stable tax system in the next two years. “Romania does need an agreement with the IMF because otherwise it seems incapable of taking the requisite steps,” Alexandru Chidesciuc, chief economist of the ING Bank in Bucharest, told AFP. While the government has shown determination in delivering on its commitments, “it is now up to parliament to adopt the reforms” aimed at curbing public expenditure, he stressed. —AFP
Etihad begins economy service
Sony Cyber-shot now in different colors KUWAIT: Sony Gulf, the regional arm of consumer electronics giant Sony, has announced the launch of the Cyber-shot DSC-T99, a recent addition to its affordable T series, in a range of exciting colours embedded with features offering maximum convenience to amateur photographers. Less than 0.7-inch thick, the DSC-T99 is available in black, lime green, pink, and silver. The aesthetically designed camera boasts a Super HAD CCD image sensor with a 14.1 megapixel resolution, 25mm wideangle Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens and 4x optical zoom, offering excellent clarity in any environment. Its three-inch touch-screen LCD with a resolution of 230,000 dots offers easy access with its user-friendly menus to various features. The Sony Cyber-shot T99 also incorporates a new Underwater Sweep Panorama mode for extra-wide sub-aqua scenes and for capturing dynamic images, while allowing users to take wide angle shots at the touch of a button. The iAuto mode enables good exposures in all light-
ing situations. In addition, the camera has an SD/SDHC card slot and a Memory Stick PRO Duo slot for storage. The DSC-T99 also offers over a dozen scene modes with options such as High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape and Gourmet amongst others. The brand new ‘Soft Skin’ set-up is a perceptive mode, recognising skin tones and reducing the appearance of blemishes and wrinkles without affecting the rest of the shot. For movie enthusiasts, the camera features 1280x720 (720p) HD video recording that enables users to create their own movies with ease. The videos in MP4 format ensures superior quality and ease of uploading on social media platforms. The Cyber-shot DSC-T99 camera’s sleek rectangular design makes it easier to hold. The panel of functional buttons is embedded seamlessly into the body, emphasizing the model’s user-friendly features. The Cyber-shot DSC-T99 is available at all Jumbo Electronics stores and other major retail electronic outlets throughout Kuwait.
ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the UAE, will start flying its first ‘all economy’ class aircraft next week. The Airbus A320 will be configured to carry 162 Economy class passengers, an increase of 42 from the current economy capacity. From October 31, the ‘all economy’ aircraft will be operating to Alexandria, Colombo, Damascus, Thiruvanantha-puram, Calicut and Peshawar. Hareb Mubarak Al-Muhairi, Etihad Airways’ Vice-President Sales, United Arab Emirates, said: “Customers travelling on the new ‘all economy’ aircraft will receive the same world class service and product for which we are renowned, such as seat back in-flight entertainment screens and hot and cold meals and beverages, as well as a 32-inch seat pitch.” The ‘all economy’ services will operate on all four weekly return flights to Alexandria, operating as Etihad flights EY663/662. The ‘all economy’ services to Damascus will be available on flight EY541/542, one of the airline’s double daily return services to the city. The ‘all economy’ services to the Indian Subcontinent will operate daily to Thiruvananthapuram on EY272/273; three times weekly on Calicut flights EY 250/251; twice weekly on flights to Peshawar in Pakistan on EY261/262; and four times weekly to the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, operating on EY 266/267.
Major BHP investors said the company should be wary about bumping up the bid price and several objected to an increase of more than 10 percent. Ottawa is due to decide by Nov 3 whether BHP’s bid for Potash Corp will bring a net benefit to Canada, which would allow it to clear the bid or approve it with conditions. When asked if BHP could raise its offer ahead of the Nov. 3 ruling by Ottawa, the person said: “No.” “There is only one offer on the table,” the person added. BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining group, declined to comment on whether it plans to raise its bid by 10 percent. Canada’s ruling Conservatives are under pressure from Saskatchewan, home to Potash, and four other provinces to block the bid, but Industry Minister Tony Clement has said Canada needs to be open to foreign investment. No white knight After Ottawa’s decision, a US court is due to hear on Nov 4 Potash’s call for an injunction to stall BHP’s bid on the grounds it did not give enough information about its intentions. The final regulatory hurdle is a hearing on Nov. 8-9, when Saskatchewan’s securities watchdog is set to hear BHP’s challenge to Potash’s poison pill. BHP wants the shareholder rights plan suspended, while Potash wants it extended to give time for a white knight to emerge. BHP has not ruled out raising its offer, but to date has kept reminding the market that its offer is the only one on the table. “They (BHP) could well put forward one final bid to get it over the line,” said James Holt, investment specialist at BlackRock Investments, BHP’s biggest single shareholder. “But the much bigger issue is that there hasn’t been any white knight that has come along. It’s become quite clear there are very few people out there with the capacity to buy (Potash) out.” Another top 10 shareholder based in London said: “If BHP raise their current offer by 10 percent, we could live with that. But anything beyond that level would destroy value. “It’s just a case of how much you are willing to give the other side. It’s difficult for any deal to stack up beyond that (10 percent) level,” said the investor, who declined to be identified. If BHP sweetens the offer to a price that exceeds 25 percent of its own market capitalization, now around $216 billion, it may also have to seek the approval of its own shareholders. In a Reuters poll in September, BHP investors said BHP should not raise its bid to more than $155 a share, a rise of 19 percent. Potash dismissed BHP’s hostile offer of $130 a share in August as totally inadequate but has failed to line up an alternative offer for shareholders so far, saying that other potential bidders need more time to line up financing. Given that BHP has said it has been eyeing Potash for a long time and potash as a commodity has all the characteristics that BHP wants-large, low cost, long-life, expandable and exportableinvestors are betting BHP will raise its offer to seal a deal. Potash Corp shares last traded at $145.90, 12 percent above the offer price. Some shareholders would be relieved if Canada blocked the bid or BHP decided not to raise the offer. “I would be very concerned if they raised the bid. I think the price is full,” said a fund manager in Sydney, who declined to be named. “I’m yet to be convinced it’s a compelling acquisition.” BHP shares in London rose 1.3 percent to 2242 pence by 0946 GMT, largely in line with the British mining index, which gained on the back of a rally in metals prices. Liberum Capital in London said BHP investors would benefit whichever way the regulatory decision went. A denial would allow the group to return capital to shareholders. “With the deadline for Canadian government approval tomorrow, we see asymmetric upside to BHP in the event that either the deal is blocked, and thus a buyback is likely initiated, or they are able to succeed with only a small bump to their original bid.” —Reuters
NEW YORK: In this file photo, traders Michael Urkonis (left) and Jonathan Corpina work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. —AP
Stock futures climb ahead of manufacturing activity NEW YORK: Stock futures rose yesterday as traders were hopeful a report on manufacturing activity in the US would mirror similar data from China that showed the sector expanded there last month. Futures also climbed ahead of today’s congressional elections and the Federal Reserve’s meeting this week where the central bank is expected to announce a new economic stimulus program. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters expect the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index slipped to 54 in October from 54.4 a month earlier. Even with the slight slowdown, any reading above 50 indicates the sector is expanding. Manufacturing has shown the most consistent growth during the year as a recovery remains sluggish. A strong report on manufacturing out of China sent shares in that country sharply higher yesterday. Growth accelerated in China as
spending on infrastructure led to an increase in orders for new equipment. Ahead of the opening bell, Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 49, or 0.4 percent, to 11,115. Standard & Poor’s 500 index futures rose 6.50, or 0.6 percent, to 1,186.20, while Nasdaq 100 index futures rose 8.00, or 0.4 percent, to 2,130.00. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose 2.4 percent, while the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 2.5 percent. Any movement tied to yesterday’s manufacturing report could be fleeting though as traders quickly turn their attention to today’s elections and the Fed’s meeting, which wraps up tomorrow. Traders have been betting that Republicans will take control of at least the House of Representatives. That could slow President Barack Obama’s agenda, which many analysts have said is not favorable to businesses. Investors have also
been assuming the Fed will launch a new Treasury-buying program to help stimulate the economy. Stocks rose for much of October because investors expect the Fed will announce as early as tomorrow that it plans to buy government debt to drive interest rates lower in an effort to spark spending and lending. Only in the last few days has the market rally trailed off amid questions about exactly how much the Fed will spend to buy bonds. The Dow rose 3.1 percent in October, including a 0.1 percent drop last week. Lower interest rates weaken returns on debt, which would make stocks and commodities more attractive investments since their potential return would be significantly higher. Bond prices traded in a narrow range yesterday. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, was unchanged at 2.60 percent compared with late Friday. —AP
KANSAS: In this photo, Carrie Warden, manager of The Sconelady’s Coffee Shop, paints a sign for their fall coffee sale in Lawrence. Americans slowed their spending in September to the weakest pace in three months and their incomes fell by the largest amount in 14 months. —AP
Ryanair Q2 profit disappoints Ryanair shares fall nearly 4% DUBLIN: Europe’s largest low-cost airline Ryanair failed to wow investors with an upgrade to its full-year earnings forecast yesterday after missing market forecasts for second-quarter net profit. Shares in the Irish airline dropped over four percent in early trade after a hefty fuel bill dashed expectations for a 40 percent increase in quarterly profit, and the increase in full-year guidance, which was expected, failed to compensate. “There was slight disappointment on the cost side, everything else looked strong. So people were slightly underwhelmed with the Q2 performance,” said Edward Keeling, analyst with Dolmen Stockbrokers. Ryanair said yesterday net profit for the second quarter rose 25 percent to 313 million euros ($437.3 million). The average forecast of six analysts polled by Reuters was 349 million. Its fuel bill jumped 44 percent in the first half due to higher prices and increased activity. By 1035 GMT, Ryanair’s stock was 3.73 percent lower at 3.98 euros, underperforming a flat STOXX Europe 600 Travel & Leisure index. “Momentum and performance of the company continue to be strong,” said Stephen Furlong, analyst at Davy Stockbrokers. “They are reasonably bullish into the winter.” Ryanair said it expected fullyear net earnings to rise about 8 percent from a previous guidance of 350 million to 375 million euros as yields improve on the back of more profitable, longer routes. The rosier outlook follows
raised earnings expectations across the sector with leading flag carriers Lufthansa and Air France-KLM last week citing improving revenues and robust bookings. Recessionary benefits Ryanair has exploited the recession to expand at the expense of higher-cost rivals in Europe, and the group said it was talking to airports across the continent about opening new routes. “The thing that has impressed most about the continued capacity contraction around Europe is the extent to which the main airports are now talking to us and trying to encourage us to fly to and from (them),” Chief Executive Michael O’Leary told an analyst conference. Most of Ryanair’s growth comes from the continent and it is reducing capacity in recessionweary Ireland, blaming a tourist tax introduced last year as part of government austerity measures. O’Leary said the only airports he was not talking to about increased capacity were in Ireland and the UK’s Stansted airport, which he has criticized for having a high cost base. Britain’s Office of Fair Trading launched an investigation into Ryanair’s minority stake in rival Aer Lingus last week and the outspoken O’Leary, in typically brash fashion, dismissed the probe as “a wild goose chase”. “Our lawyers are, even by lawyers’ standards, extremely confident that the OFT, even if they had any jurisdiction, which we doubt, that they are now out of time.” —Reuters
TECHNOLOGY
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Amazon’s 3G Kindle leaps ‘Great Firewall of China’ HONG KONG: Amazon’s Kindle 3G e-reader is being snapped up on China’s grey market as it has an extra special advantage for customers- it automatically leaps the so-called “Great Firewall” of state web censorship. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter, which are blocked by the Beijing authorities, can be accessed without interference by the Kindle’s Internet browsing function, the South China Morning Post reported yesterday. Amazon says it is not able to ship the Kindle to mainland China or offer content in the country, which has the world’s largest Internet community at more than 420 million web users, the Post reported. But a seller in Beijing told the paper he slipped them into China a few at a time after having them delivered to an address outside the mainland. He has sold 300 in the past month. AFP found dozens of Kindles available on web auction site Taobao, China’s answer to eBay, with prices ranging from a special offer of 700 yuan (105 dollars) to 5,000 yuan. Several Chinese bloggers are recommending the device, according to the paper, largely due to the fact it can “scale the wall automatically”. “I still can’t believe it. I casually tried getting to Twitter, and what a surprise, I got there,” the paper quoted a mainland blogger as saying. “And then I quickly tried Facebook, and it perfectly presented itself. Am I dreaming? No, I pinched myself and it hurt.” The 3G Kindle uses global system mobile (GSM) communication technology, which gives WiFi coverage in more than 100 countries, including China. The WiFi-only Kindle would rely on a local Internet connection. Professor Lawrence Yeung Kwan, of the University of Hong Kong’s electrical and electronic engineering department, told the paper that mainland Internet patrols might have overlooked the gadget. “Every Kindle device is pre-registered to a personal account, so every user’s information is clear,” he said. “In addition, Kindle has a book-buying focus, so the censors may think these connections are relatively safe.” The Kindle has its own network, called Amazon Whispernet, to provide wireless coverage via AT&T’s 3G data network in the US and partner networks in the rest of the world. A 3G wireless coverage map on Amazon’s website includes numerous Chinese cities, suggesting its 3G link involves a Chinese carrier, the paper said. — AFP
British iPhone 4 alarm glitch ‘makes scores late for work’ LONDON: Scores of British iPhone 4 users said they were late for work yesterday after a software bug meant the alarm on the Apple device failed to adjust when the country’s clocks changed. Hundreds of angry comments were posted on microblogging website Twitter about the apparent glitch, which happened even though the rest of the phone’s features updated the time automatically. “Well done Apple-you’ve made me decide I need to use a proper alarm clock rather than relying on my iPhone,” one user tweeted. “Stupid iPhone alarm clock went off an hour late. What a great start to the week,” said another. Britain put its clocks back by one hour on Sunday from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time. There was no immediate response from Apple. But the tech giant said last month that a software patch was being developed when Australian iPhone users had similar problems-though their alarms went off an hour early as the country was switching to daylight saving time. The latest fault can apparently be avoided by using one-off alarms instead of pre-set daily wake-up calls. The iPhone 4 suffered a turbulent launch after problems with its antenna, while the launch of the white version was recently postponed again until next year. But Apple has described the iPhone 4 as its most successful product launch ever, with more than three million sold in the first three weeks after its debut. Apple said last week that it sold 14.1 million iPhones during the latest quarter, up 91 percent from a year ago. — AFP
ILSAN: File photo shows a South Korean engineer holding a humanoid dancing robot.— AFP
ILSAN: File photo shows two robots fighting each other in an international contestant an exhibition centre in Goyang, a satellite city northwest of Seoul. — AFP
Robots are lords of the dance at South Korean festival ILSAN: “That’s cool!” shouted a packed crowd as five dancing robots flashing red and blue lights started rocking and grooving to popular Korean songs. The “Humanoid Dancing Crew”-standing around 30-40 cm (12-16 inches) tall-won a standing ovation for their performance at what is billed as the world’s largest robot festival. Next door, humanoids played football. Losing robots clutched their heads in anger, while winners jumped for joy and punched the air. Their human backers did likewise. Since its launch in 2006, Robot World has drawn around 120,000 visitors and 6,000 participants every year for a demonstration of cutting-edge developments in robotics, which South Korea sees as a future growth industry. This year at least 120 companies and 8,000 contestants took part in the October 28-31 event at Ilsan north of Seoul. “The number of visitors is increasing every year. It is a good opportunity for us to advertise our products,” said Lee Hak-Soo, an engineer at Hanool Robotics that developed Tiro, a robot that has acted as a tour guide at the presidential palace. Students from technical high schools took field trips to the show. “For sure, the robots have improved technically compared to last year. They are now much more like human beings,” said Hyun Yun-Duk, a teacher from Incheon mechanical technical high school. “My students said the technology is marvelous and these robots are dazzling.” The festival also featured taekwondo bouts, with robots either sizing up opponents on their own or controlled by owners. There were dancing competitions, obstacle races and various tasks designed to test sensory and movement skills. The taekwondo robot bouts, blending South Korea’s ancient martial art with space-age technology, lured the most spectators. Black and yellow robots from 10 teams which qualified for the event used a head camera to detect opponents and landed mercilessly hard but bruise-
free blows. Three referees scored each nine-minute bloodless bout, awarding points for technique, before announcing the winner. “More people are coming to see the games compared to last year,” said Roh Sung-Su, a referee and a researcher at the prestigious Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. “The quality of the competition has definitely improved.” “Yes!” shouted the humans on the teams after every successful attack. Struggling humanoids won encouraging cheers. “We’ve prepared for four months and will come back next year with better robots,” said Kang Hyun-Jung, 24, leader of the Dong-A university team from Busan. Their robot Optimus Prime made the last eight on Friday. “We tried hard to add in as many taekwondo techniques as possible,” said Kang. In other contests, researchers from the United States, India, Spain and Japan-using Korean motors for their robots-staged an eye-catching dance parade and a robotic fighting competition. “We are definitely enjoying this. It’s amazing and the level of robots is so high. It’s hard to see such high-technology robots in Spain,” said Sergi Hernandez, a technician from Humanoid Lab IRI. The lab’s robots Isabel and Paco sported traditional Spanish costumes and danced the macarena in front of an appreciative crowd. For the fights, Matt Trossen and Andrew Alter from Interbotix Lab in the United States displayed a veteran bruiser named Geiger, weighing 6.2 kg (13.6 pounds) and standing 60 centimeters high. Apart from the professionals, elementary schoolchildren also took part, using self-designed robots in a team sponge-carrying contest. Each team had two robots, one to deliver the sponge and one to collect it. “I took part because I like robots. I have been doing this since last year and I want to do it again,” said Lim Chae-Hyun, 10, from the southeastern city of Gyeongju. “It’s difficult but definitely fun.”— AFP
ILSAN: File photo shows a South Korean man playing with a pet robot. —AFP
Etisalat named ‘Best Telecom Operator’ in MENASA region Samer Abu-Ltaif
Charbel Fakhoury
Microsoft announces senior appointments for Gulf and MEA KUWAIT: Microsoft Gulf announced two changes in its leadership team for the Middle East and Africa region. Charbel Fakhoury, Regional General Manager for Microsoft Gulf, will move to a new role within Microsoft as Vice President - Sales and Marketing Group for Microsoft across Middle East and Africa. Samer Ramez Abu-Ltaif will take over as the new Regional General Manager for Microsoft Gulf effective immediately. Fakhoury will transition to his new position based in Istanbul after a successful five year term in the region, tripling the Business of Microsoft in the Gulf. In his new role, he will be responsible for setting direction around the portfolio of Middle East and Africa Area and alignment with global strategy across all customer segments including commercial and government sectors. As Regional General Manager for Microsoft Gulf, Abu-Ltaif will lead the overall strategy, business operations and outreach for the company in the Gulf. Samer was earlier Regional Director for Enterprise and Partner Group at Microsoft Middle East and Africa where his responsibilities included building and driving Microsoft strategy in eight subsidiaries covering 79 countries.
On this occasion, Ali Faramawy, Vice President, Microsoft International & President, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, said, “I would like to congratulate Charbel and Samer on their new roles. This smooth transition reflects Microsoft’s commitment to this region which has continued to show strong growth.” He added, “Charbel has a long history in Microsoft, and has played a pivotal role in strengthening Microsoft’s role in these markets and in the Gulf. Samer is an extremely talented professional with years of expertise in the technology industry and the region. We are confident that under his leadership, Microsoft will continue to play an integral role in helping the Gulf region embrace the latest technology advancements and make a positive impact in terms of their growth.” A well known and highly respected member of the regional ICT industry, Abu-Ltaif has over 20 years of experience in managing sales, marketing and professional services functions for multi-national IT corporations with primary focus on general management and business development of technologies encompassing software, industry solutions, and IT services.
KUWAIT: Etisalat, the leading telecom operator with a presence in 18 countries, has been named as the ‘Best Telecom Operator’ in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, a wide geographic market that covers nearly 30 per cent of the world population. Trumping competition from fast-growing telecom markets with several operators, Etisalat won four top laurels at the recent SAMENA Telecommunications Council Awards that honoured the best in telecom industry services, across the geographies including the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. Selected following an intensive performancebased evaluation of telecom operators across the region, Etisalat also won the awards for Best Customer Experience Provider of the Year and Best FMC Operator of the Year, while the company’s chairman, Mohammad Omran, was selected as Best Telecom Operator Leader of the Year. The award recognised his pioneering efforts in leading Etisalat’s achievements regionally and globally, and for his efforts in significantly strengthening the telecom sector across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The SAMENA Awards were distributed at a ceremony held in Morocco recently as part of the ‘Converge to Casablanca 2010’ conference which highlighted the importance of the convergence of industry leaders to discuss key technology areas. Bocar A Ba, President of SAMENA Telecommunications Council said, “Etisalat has always been an active participant and keen supporter of various efforts in promoting collaborative solutions and knowledge-sharing within the telecommunications industry. As a leading operator, Etisalat
Ahmed bin Ali, Group Senior Vice President has been at the forefront of a number of innovative solutions and services, and has contributed enormously to the growth and advancement of the sector locally and regionally. It is indeed great to see the organization winning four SAMENA awards in recognition of their constant efforts to further develop and promote the regional telecommunications industry and provide
seamless services to their customers. I would also like to extend my warm congratulations to the Chairman on his selection as the ‘Best Outstanding Telecom Operator Leader’ of the year.” SAMENA Telecommunications Council is a multi-continent telecom consortium that aims to be the leading provider of telecom innovations in its member regions as well as a facilitator for collaboration and knowledge-sharing between regional telecom entities. The SAMENA Awards demonstrate Etisalat’s ongoing efforts in the development of the telecommunications sector in the UAE and beyond, in terms of infrastructure and advanced telecommunications, which are critical foundations for economic success. The awards recognize Etisalat’s innovations and strategies in customer service which focus on applying the latest systems and emphasis on achieving the highest standards in customer satisfaction. As a leader in offering the latest services to all residents of the UAE, Etisalat covers 100% of GSM network coverage across UAE and 99% 3G coverage of UAE’s populated areas. Etisalat operates in 18 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, servicing over 107 million customers out of a total population of approximately 2 billion people. Etisalat is a major investor in Thuraya, one of the world’s leading satellite geo-mobile communication systems covering approximately two thirds of the planet’s surface. The company is also the largest carrier for voice data in the Middle East, and has the largest roaming network in the region with 600 agreements that cover more than 190 countries worldwide.
HEALTH & SCIENCE
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
New health law means free US contraception Spacing out kids allows for optimal pregnancies WASHINGTON: Fifty years after the pill, another birth control revolution may be on the horizon: free contraception for women in the US, thanks to the new health care law. That could start a shift toward more reliable - and expensive - forms of birth control that are gaining acceptance in other developed countries. But first, look for a fight over social mores. A panel of
experts advising the government meets in November to begin considering what kind of preventive care for women should be covered at no cost to the patient, as required under President Barack Obama’s overhaul. Sen Barbara Mikulski, the Democrat who is author of the women’s health amendment, says the clear intent was to include family planning.
For marathon fitness, the readiness is all NEW YORK: As some 42,000 runners prepare to lap the miles of the 2010 New York City Marathon on Sunday, experts agree that there’s nothing like long distance running for cardio vascular fitness. But they caution that overall fitness is not built by running alone. Going the distance takes mindful training, whether you’re an elite runner or a rookie on your maiden dash. “If you can run a marathon you have a really good cardiovascular fitness level,” said Dr Henry Williford of the American College of Sports Medicine. “But unless you do some sort of resistance/weight training your muscle strength is not as good.” And building those fitness levels is a slow and steady business. Williford, a professor of exercise science at Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama, said a beginner may need at least six months of training to achieve the stamina to tackle Sunday’s 26.2mile run. “But if you train well,” he said, “you should thrive.” Dr Jordan D Metzl, a sports medicine physician with the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, urges everyone to take on a marathon at some time in their life. “You can do it walking,” said Metzl, who will run, not walk, his 29th marathon on November 7. “On TV you see these really fast people, but that’s not the majority.” One of Metzl’s runners is an 84-year-old woman. Another was 300 pounds (136 kgs). She had a heart attack, started walking, then slowly jogging. Now she’s doing her third marathon. He said it takes her about six hours. “I preach preparing your body by cross-training,” Metzl said. “Strength training, jumping, landing. I always say if you want to keep running, a strong butt is a key to a happy life.” He basks in the excitement of first-timers, but admits rookies are twice as likely to injure themselves. A common mistake is running through the pain. “Any pain changes your gait cycle, you’ve got to check out,” he said. “Remember, the first guy who ever did this died at the end of the race.” That guy was Pheidippedes. In 490 B C, according to legend, he raced to Athens with the news of Greece’s victory in the Battle of Marathon. Once there, he shouted, “Rejoice, we conquer!” then dropped dead of exhaustion. Dehydration and overuse injuries are most likely to thwart the hopes of Sunday’s marathoners, according to Polly de Mille, an exercise physiologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. —Reuters
NEW JERSEY: In this file photo, a new birth control pill container designed to look like a woman’s makeup compact for Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc is displayed at the manufacturer’s assembly line. —AP
Plague came from China: Scientists PARIS: The first outbreak of plague occurred in China more than 2,600 years ago before reaching Europe via Central Asia’s “Silk Road” trade route, according to a study of the disease’s DNA signature. The findings flesh out long-held suspicions about the Chinese origins of the plague, which killed an estimated third of Europe’s population in the Middle Ages. An international team of scientists sequenced 17 strains of Y. pestis, building a genetic “family tree” of pathogens that mutated from a common ancestor.”The results indicate that plague appeared in China more than 2,600 years ago,” France’s Museum of Natural History, which took part in the research, said. It then spread towards Western Europe along the Silk Road, starting more than 600 years ago, and then to Africa, probably by an expedition led by Chinese seafarer Zhang He in the 15th century, it
said. Plague came to the United States from China via Hawai in the late 19th century, according to the molecular evidence. It arrived in California through the ports of San Francisco and Los Angeles before heading inland. “The work highlights specific mutations in the bacterium showing how the germ evolved within given geographical regions,” the museum said in a press release. “But it demonstrates in particular that successive epidemic waves originated as a whole in Central Asia and China.”The investigation could be useful for tracing the origins of other feared bacteria, including anthrax and tuberculosis, it added. The study, published online on Sunday by the journal Nature Genetics, was led by Mark Achtman of University College Cork in Ireland. Scientists from Britain, China, France, Germany, Madagascar and the United States also took part. —AFP
Indian police bust elephant smuggling ring GAUHATI: Indian police busted an elephant smuggling ring in the northeastern state of Assam, arresting five people and seizing three wild elephants, two of them calves, authorities said yesterday. Documents seized during the operation Sunday night showed the gang had been engaged in the illegal elephant trade for years, smuggling at least 92 elephants from the state to other parts of India over the past five years, said P K Dutta, superintendent of police in Kokrajhar, a district in the west of Assam. Selling elephants is barred under Indian law and even getting permission to move domesticated elephants between states is a lengthy and complicated proce-
dure. Regardless, authorities say there remains a thriving trade in elephants, with many wealthy landowners in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh buying the elephants as status symbols. Authorities say the elephants are usually transported by truck. The smugglers are suspected of colluding with forestry officials, who have checkpoints along the major roads to prevent this type of smuggling. The police investigated the ring after a local conservation group, the Green Heart Nature Club, filed a written complaint last week, Dutta said. After a three-day operation, authorities arrested five people and took custody of the three wild elephants, which did not have the
identifying microchip implants required of all domesticated elephants, he said. The group planned to smuggle as many as 10 elephants out in its latest operation, Dutta said. The smugglers regularly captured wild elephants from the forests of Assam, trained them for a year or two, and then claimed they were the offspring of the state’s many domestic elephants, Dutta said. Wildlife authorities in Assam, home to more than 5,000 wild Asiatic elephants, denied the existence of the illegal elephant trade. “We are examining the matter, but I can say there is no smuggling of elephants out of Assam,” said Suresh Chand, the state’s chief wildlife warden. —AP
KAZIRANGA: In this file photo, elephants come to camp in Gauhati —AFP
But is birth control preventive medicine? Conflicting answers frame what could be the next clash over moral values and a health law that passed only after a difficult compromise restricting the use of public money for abortions. For many medical and public health experts, there’s no debate. “There is clear and incontrovertible evidence that family planning saves lives and improves health,” said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr David Grimes, an international family planning expert who teaches medicine at the University of North Carolina. “Contraception rivals immunization in dollars saved for every dollar invested. Spacing out children allows for optimal pregnancies and optimal child rearing. Contraception is a prototype of preventive medicine.” But US Catholic bishops say pregnancy is a healthy condition, not an illness. In comments filed with the Department of Health and Human Services, the bishops say they oppose any requirement to cover contraceptives or sterilization as preventive care. “We don’t consider it to be health care, but a lifestyle choice,” said John Haas, president of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, a Philadelphia think tank whose work reflects church teachings. “We think there are other ways to avoid having children than by ingesting chemicals paid for by health insurance.” So far, most other religious conservatives have stayed out of the debate, though that could change. Some say they are concerned about any requirement that might include the morning-after pill. The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as birth control; some religious conservatives see it as an abortion drug. Jeanne Monahan, a health policy expert at the conservative Family Research Council, said her group would oppose any mandate that lacks a conscience exemption for moral and religious reasons. She said there’s “great suspicion” that a major abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, is leading the push for free birth control. As recently as the 1990s, many health insurance plans didn’t even cover birth control. Protests, court cases, and new state laws led to dramatic changes. Today, almost all plans now cover prescription contraceptives. So does Medicaid, the health care program for lowincome people. The use of birth control is “virtually universal” in the US, according to a government report this summer from the National Center for Health Statistics. Nearly 93 million prescriptions for contraceptives were dispensed in 2009, according to IMS Health, a market analysis firm. Generic versions of the pill are available at Walmart stores, for example, for $9 a month. Still, about half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and many occur among women using some form of contraception. The government says the problem is rarely the birth control method, but “inconsistent or incorrect use,” such as forgetting to take a pill. Advocates say free birth control would begin to address the problem. “We can look at other countries where birth control is available for no cost, and what we see are lower pregnancy rates, lower abortion rates and lower teen pregnancy,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood. It would remove a cost barrier that may be keeping women away from more reliable long-acting birth control, and also affects those who don’t do well on inexpensive generics. A major research study now taking place in St Louis provides a glimpse of how things might change. The Contraceptive CHOICE Project is providing free birth control to as many as 10,000 women, tracking their decisions and the results. About 70 percent have chosen long-acting contraceptives such as IUDs (intrauterine devices) or implants, which are reversible and have a much lower failure rate than pills or condoms. —AP
SHIRAHAMA: Employees of the Adventure World Zoo measures two-month-old twin panda babies Kaihin (right) and Youhin (left) at the zoo yesterday. Kaihin is 60.5cm in length and 4.160g in weight, while Youhin is 59.3cm and 4.050g. —AFP
Gaining weight? Stress may not be main culprit NEW YORK: Stressed and gaining weight? The stress-and the exercise-slacking or chocolatemunching it breeds-may actually not be the main culprit. Despite the common belief that stress causes people to pack on weight by reaching for junk food or avoiding exercise, on average it appears to have only small long-term impact at most, according to a study. A review of 36 previously published studies on stress and weight gain led by Jane Wardle, at University College London, found that the majority showed no association between people’s stress levels and their weight gain over several years. When the study, which appeared in “Obesity,” combined the results of the research, there was only a modest association overall between stress and weight gain. “We assumed that there would be a substantial association between stress and obesity, since the popular view is that stress contributes to weight gain,” said Andrew Steptoe, who also took part in the study, in an email to Reuters Health. “But when we looked carefully at wellcontrolled scientific studies, effects were surprisingly small.” The study analyzed 32 international studies conducted mainly in the 1990s and 2000s. All assessed participants’ stress levels, then followed the subjects over time to see whether there was a relationship between stress and subsequent weight gain. Most followed partici-
pants for 1 to 7 years, but a few were longer term projects that followed people for up to 38 years. Some focused on work stress, while others covered general life stress-anything from major traumas like a serious illness or a divorce, to feeling overwhelmed by daily issues. Overall, 69 percent of the studies found no clear association between stress levels and weight gain, while 25 percent linked higher stress levels to greater weight gain. The remaining 6 percent found that greater stress was related to less weight gain over time. Once all the results were pooled, there was a modest association between higher stress levels and greater weight gain — a connection stronger among men than among women. Steptoe warned that while the impact of stress on weight may be small on average, there was the possibility of wide individual variations. The type of stress, whether work, caregiving or specific life events, might also have different effects on weight gain. But measuring both was beyond the scope of the data they had. “The general message is that, based on the best current scientific research, stress is not likely to play a major role in increasing body weight or obesity for most people,” he said. “It could be that some people are more affected than others, but rather little is known about this at present.” — Reuters
Cell-destroying protein to enhance cancer fight SYDNEY: Australian and British scientists have uncovered a “death” protein that destroys rogue cells in what could be breakthrough for the fight against cancer, malaria and diabetes, researchers said yesterday. The protein, perforin, targets wayward cells and punches a hole in their membranes to let in killer enzymes, project leader James Whisstock said, adding the discovery “answers a really fundamental mystery of immunity”. “Perforin is our body’s weapon of cleansing and death,” said Whisstock, from Australia’s Monash University. “It breaks into cells that have been hijacked by viruses or turned into cancer cells and allows toxic enzymes in, to destroy the cell from within,” he said. “Without it, our immune system can’t destroy these cells.” High-powered microscopes in Australia and at London’s Birkbeck College had allowed scientists to examine perforin’s structure and function, Whisstock said, revealing a “powerful
molecule” that targets malignant or infected cells. Without perforinreleased by “killer” cells designed to destroy harmful invaders-the body was unable to fight infections. Studies with mice had linked defective perforin to leukaemia and heightened cell malignancy. The discovery also had implications for autoimmune diseases such as juvenile type 1 diabetes and for transplant patients, with the protein linked to both the elimination of healthy cells and tissue rejection, added Whisstock. “Now we know how it works, we can start to finetune it to fight cancer, malaria and diabetes,” Whisstock said. Fellow researcher Joe Trapani said the 10-year study found that perforin’s structure was similar to bacterial toxins like anthrax and listeria, suggesting that the human body had learned its tactics from diseases themselves. “Quite remarkably that mechanism is conserved all the way back to bacteria... we’ve actually pinched it off bacteria at some point (in
human evolution) and turned it back against them,” said Trapani, from Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. “It’s a war conducted between our immune system and bacteria and we’re actually fighting using similar weapons,” he told AFP, explaining that it was two billion year old blueprint. Trapani said the discovery had exciting and diverse applications ranging from “stuff in third-world countries with the malaria all the way through to more Western-style medicine with transplantation and so on.” Whisstock said researchers were looking for ways to inhibit and boost perforin and use it to “deliver toxic cargoes into cells by choice”, hoping to pave the way for new drugs. “I have worked on this for a long time and it answers a really fundamental mystery of immunity,” Whisstock told ABC radio. “So I think just from a fundamental science perspective, I think it is really, really important and it is actually also a really cool story.” —AFP
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Vulnerable atoll nation plans seawall to block rising seas Floods cause several million dollars in damage MAJURO: The low-lying Marshall Islands, a Pacific atoll chain that rises barely a meter above sea level, has announced plans for a wall to hold back rising sea levels. “We want to prevent erosion and stop flooding,” UN ambassador Phillip Muller said at the weekend, launching an appeal for 20 million dollars in international donor funds to get the project under way. The full cost of the protective sea wall has not been released and Muller said the initial plea for donor funds is for detailed engineering work on the project. The vulnerability of the Marshalls was highlighted two years ago when floods hit the eastern shore of the main Majuro Atoll causing several million dol-
lars in damage and forcing dozens of islanders to live in temporary shelters. The Honolulu-based National Weather Service, a US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationsupported agency, recently warned of possibly more severe flooding in the next two months. “The sea level should be similar or higher than those seen during 2008, when waves flooded parts of Majuro and other atolls in the country,” the report said. The Marshall Islands, a nation of 29 coral atolls and five single islands stretches across 800,000 square kilometers (500,000 square miles) of Pacific Ocean but has only about 116 square kilometers of dry land, most of which is not more than a meter above the high
tide mark. Muller said the government is asking donors to put up climate change funding to help his country forestall pending floods. The plan is to build a five-kilometer seawall on the leeward coast of Majuro Atoll for shore protection as well as to landfill small bays to increase landmass as a buffer against rising sea levels and high waves during storms. Nearly half of the country’s 55,000 population live in Majuro where few homes are more than 10 meters from the ocean and many are considerably closer. The floods in December 2008 resulted from exceptionally high tides which peaked at the same time as powerful waves generated by storms at sea surged
ashore to inundate many parts of Majuro’s eastern coastline. From his UN office, Muller has been pushing for access to billions of dollars in promised climate-change aid for vulnerable countries. But, he said, not much of the pledged money has flowed to the countries that most need it. “We have only a short window of opportunity for accessing these funds,” he said. “The money pledged is only for twoto-three years. We need to move fast.” The 20-million dollars towards the protective seawall was only an “initial” amount to get the protection work going and additional funding would be required. The Marshall Islands, the scene of the US nuclear weapons
tests in the 1950s, was a USadministered trust territory until becoming independent in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association between the two countries. It is nearly 70 percent underwritten by donor grants, with two countries providing the bulk of funding-the United States injects about 75 million dollars a year into government coffers, and Taiwan, which has diplomatic ties with the Marshalls, adds another 10 million dollars. The meager national budget for the current fiscal year is only 130 million dollars, down five percent on the previous year to reflect declining tax revenue, partly as a result of cutbacks at the US Army’s Kwajalein missile range. —AFP
MAJURO: Picture shows a cemetery on the shoreline being flooded from high tides and ocean surges. —AFP
WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT Safir Hotel & Residences Kuwait and the Blood Bank hold blood donation campaign
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afir Hotel & Residences Kuwait, located in Scampaign Fintas, recently organized a blood donation in association with the Central Blood Bank in Jabriya. The donation, which took place for four hours, witnessed the participation of nearly 65 associates from the hotel’s different departments, with the company of family members who also took part in this noble cause. “Safir Hotel & Residences aims to spread
awareness amongst the community on the importance of blood donations and how every drop of blood can be instrumental in saving lives”, General Manager Urs Weisskopf said. “Blood transfusions save thousands of lives each year. It is therefore not only about creating awareness, but being a role model by actually contributing with a few liters of this valuable liquid flowing in all our veins.’’ Safir Hotel & Residences marks the fifth
property in Kuwait for Safir International Hotel Management Company (SIHM); their current hotel portfolio includes Safir Marina Hotel, Safir International Hotel, Failaka Heritage Village and Safir Airport Hotel. The Safir International Hotel Management Company’s overall strategy is to strengthen the services offered by building up the company to be recognized as the leading Hotel Management Company in the
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Middle East offering friendly services and excellent value for money to guests. With local insight that comes from over 15 years of experience, Safir International Hotel Management Company will expand its presence in the next few years into all key cities of the MENA region and beyond. Safir International Management Company manages hotels in Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria and Oman.
Dr K J Yesudas to present Carnatic classical concert By Sajeev K Peter uch to the delight of Carnatic music conM noisseurs in Kuwait, Padmabhushan Dr K J Yesudas will present a live classical concert titled ‘Gandharva Ganam’ on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the American International School, Maidan Hawally. Dr Yesudas is presenting a musical program in Kuwait after a gap of eight years. Venkataraman Potti of Udupi, the organizer of the mega event, told a press conference that the concert will be a memorable event for hundreds of ‘Dasettan’ fans in Kuwait who were eagerly waiting for a live concert by the ‘King of Carnatic Music’ as he is better known worldwide. Winner of scores of accolades including the prestigious Padmabhushan and Padmashree awards, Kattassery Joseph Yesudas is better known as ‘Gana Gandharvan’. After recording over 40,000 songs and scoring seven national awards for the best playback singer, he is still enchanting music lovers the world over. Dr Yesudas sings Indian classical music, devotional and popular songs. He has
Safir International Hotel Management supports the environment, launches ‘Go Green Meeting’ Program First in Kuwait to launch this innovative meeting package which encourages maximum ravage recreation and ecological awareness. KD 1 from every ‘Go Green’ meeting will be contributed to Green Globe. ager to support the growing numbers of businesses wishing to Eincorporate “green” principles into their corporate meetings, Kuwaiti owned Safir International Hotel Management (SIHM) has launched a progressive new initiative known as ‘Go Green Meeting’ package that encourages maximum waste diversion and environmental awareness for meeting delegates. Leading Middle East Hotel Management Company Safir International has been committed to nature and now for the first time in Kuwait implements a ‘Go Green’ meeting initiative aimed to reduce carbon footprint. The essence of this package is to minimize waste generated from meetings by recycling, reducing energy consumption and usage of only organic produce. Helmut Meckelburg, CEO, Safir International Hotel Management, said, “Responsibility towards the environment is an integral part of
EMBaSSY of aRGEnTIna The Embassy will open a condolence book as follows: On Sunday, 31/10/2010, From 09:00 Am - 16:00 For the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations Members accredited o the State of Kuwait and Kuwaiti Authorities. From Monday, 01/11/2010 until Thursday, 04/11/2010, From 09:00 am - 16:00 for the Argentinean community. The Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the State of Kuwait, at the meantime to thank this prestigious Newspaper and avails itself this opportunity to renew to the Kuwait Times the assurances of its highest consideration. 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 from Friday, 12 November to Saturday, 20 November on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. The embassy will re-open on Sunday, 21 November. EMBaSSY of BRITaIn The Consular Section at the British Embassy would like to announce that it
our business; we are committed to sustainability and eco-friendly practices and this program is a natural extension of that commitment”. He further added, “Sustainability is what reflects and proves the sig-
nificance of our environmentally friendly targets. We believe in giving back to the community, and for every ‘Go Green Meeting’ booked, KD 1 will be donated to the Green Globe efforts of a reputed NGO. The new
will open on Saturday 30 October 2010, 10:00 - 12:00 to provide notar y services such as driving license attestations, legalizing seals or signatures and to allow British nationals time to go through our LOCATE registration process. Collection of the notary services submitted on 30 October Saturday will be on 31 October 2010, 0900 - 1200. Please note that this will only be for 30 October and Consular Staff will not answer any visa enquiries. EMBaSSY of CanaDa The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakel St., Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca.The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. Consular Services for Canadian Citizens are provided from 9:00 until 12:00 on Sunday through Wednesday. 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 ser vices 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.
meeting packages introduce ecofriendly practices into every aspect of meetings and align the hotel with the social responsibility practices.” As part of the eco-friendly theme of the meetings, the ‘Go Green Meeting’ package consists of day light meeting rooms, organic welcome coffee breaks, organic Bento box lunch with different menu selections, recycled writing material and mini anti-stress shoulder massage by Spa therapists during the coffee breaks. The ambience of the meeting room will be tranquil and serene with soothing background music and fragrant floral scents. During the meeting therapists from the health club will give a 10-minute exercise class to relieve fatigue and revive concentration. The package can also be tailored to the specific needs of clients. ‘Go Green Meeting’ package starts at KD 20 + 10 percent service charge per person.
recorded thousands of songs in many Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tulu, Malay, Russian, Arabic, Latin and English through his long career. Over the last few decades, Dr Yesudas has assumed the role of a cultural ambassador of India during his numerous performances abroad, promoting both Carnatic and film music. He has played a major role in popularizing Indian music and spreading Indian culture abroad. Suresh Krishna, who was also present at the press conference said that the concert of Dr Yesudas is organized by Udupi with a view to promoting Carnatic classical music in Kuwait. “There are a large number of ardent Carnatic music lovers in Kuwait. And this will be the right opportunity for them to listen to one of the greatest classical vocalists,” he added. Dr Yesudas will be supported by veteran artist Thiruvaroor Bakthavalsalam on Mridangam, Nagai Murali on Violin and Thripunithura Radhakrishnan on Ghatam.
Twelfth biannual board of trustees meeting he Board of Trustees of the American University of Kuwait (AUK) met early on TSunday and Monday the 24th and 25th of October 2010 at the AUK Campus in Salmiya. The first day the Academic Affairs Committee adjourned, where Board members met with senior administrators of AUK to discuss the College of Arts and Sciences Semester Report as well as the Intensive English Program Semester Report. In the evening Board Members attended the AUK-Darmouth Recital where students and faculty from both universities
EMBaSSY of InDIa
EMBaSSY of KEnYa
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.
The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya wishes to inform the general public that it will remain closed on Wednesday, October 20 on the occasin of Mashujaa Day (formally Kenyatta Day). Office operations will resume on Thursday, October 21. EMBaSSY of THE nETHERLanDS The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands together with Holland Marine Equipment organize a Dutch maritime trade mission to the State of Kuwait the latest Dutch innovations in maritime products and services. The trade mission, which will take place on October 24, will bring 12 prominent Dutch companies to Kuwait. These Dutch companies are globally-experienced specialized in unique marine products and services and eager to develop strong business relations with prospective Kuwaiti firms. The mission’s agenda will feature an arrangement for business meetings to enable Dutch and Kuwaiti firms to explore areas of interest and business opportunities. This trade mission to Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf is a good and effective way for Kuwaiti companies to get acquainted with Dutch suppliers. For further information on the participating companies and to register for a business to business meeting, contact Nidaa Al-Rajoudi (25312650 ext 205) or send an email to kweea@minbuza.nl. EMBaSSY of SLovaK REPuBLIC The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kuwait would like to announce to the public that due to technical rea-
sons, the business hours will be only on Sundays and Tuesdays from 9 to 12. This will be effective starting October 24, 2010 until May 1, 2011. 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 nonimmigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. The increased fees are to take effect June 4, 2010. Under the new rule, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, will pay a fee of $140. Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150, as each of the below categories requires a review of extensive documentation and a more in-depth interview of the applicant than other categories, such as tourists. These categories include: H visa for temporary workers and trainees L visa for intra-company transferees O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors R visa for religious occupations The application fee for K visas for fiance(e)s of US citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty-investors will be $390.
performed a variety of classical pieces. Official Trustee engagements began early Monday morning where Acting Chair Meshal Ali on behalf of Shaikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah, welcomed AUK’s new President Winfred Thompson. He then presented his report, followed by the Report of the Academic Affairs Committee, Student Affairs Report and finally the DartmouthAUK Report. The Board also welcomed a new member, former AUK Interim President Tim Sullivan.
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Aware
he AWARE Management is glad to inform you that Winter 1 Arabic language courses will begin on November 21st until December 29th, 2010. AWARE Arabic language courses are designed with the expat in mind. The environment is relaxed & courses are designed for those wanting to learn Arabic for travel, cultural understanding, and conducting business or simply to become more involved in the community. We cater to teachers, travelers & those working in the private business sector. AWARE Arabic courses highlight: • Introductory to Level 4 Arabic language basics • Better prepare you for speaking, reading and writing Arabic • Combine language learning with cultural insights • Taught in multi-nationality group settings • Provide opportunities to interact with Western expatriates and native Kuwaitis/Arabs. For more information, call 25335260/80 ext 105 or 104 or e-mail: Htaware.hassan@gmail.com or log onto: www.aware.com.kw.”
Lecture You are cordially invited to our lecture entitled, “The Role of KFAS in Community Development,” tomorrow by Dr. Ali AlShamlan. Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) is a private, non-profit organization, established by an Amiri Decree issued on December 12th, 1976. The event begins at 7:00pm at the AWARE Center premises in Surra. Dr. Ali Al-Shamlan will tell us more about this foundation, especially its achievements.
Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20
WHAT’S ON IN KUWAIT
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
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Arpan releases flyer, raffle coupons for a mega event The added attraction of the anniversary of Arpan. The event rpan Kuwait released the flyer day-long celebration will be a and raffle coupons for its annual will be held at the Indian A musical extravaganza to be preCommunity School (Senior Girls), mega event ‘Tune and Taste 2010,’ a festival of food, music and heritage. Arpan President Dr Radhakrishna Panicker released the flyer and raffle coupons by handing over the first copies to Satheesh Prabhakaran, Arpan Joint Secretary and Raffle Committee convener, at a meeting on Sunday. The mega event ‘Tune & Taste 2010’ will mark the 11th
Salmiya on December 3. The celebration presenting a potpourri of cultural programs will start at 9.30am and conclude at 6.30pm. Rajkalesh, the versatile television anchor and the producer of popular TV show, “Taste of Kerala” and “Taste of Dubai” will supervise cookery shows and competitions as part of the celebration.
sented by well-known Idea Star singers Roshan, William Issac and Neelima along with upcoming playback singer Uma. Classical and folk dance performances, folk song presentations etc will add spices to the unique program ‘Tune & Taste -2010’. For details and participation in cooking competitions email: arpankwt@yahoo.com
‘Trash to Treasure’ on the catwalk
to Treasure and Izonica Modeling School have teamed up to stage an amazing charity fashion and creative arts show to Traiserash money for the women in need in Kuwait. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn Salmiya on November 10. The dresses worn in the event are made from company logos and discarded
materials made by runaway housemaids. One of the art pieces is a beautiful gown made from the old Kuwait Times newspapers. Kuwait Times is one of the sponsors at the event. For more details please contact Cheryl Spessert Tel 99441743 and Michelle Johnson 65782066.
‘Natyalaya Festival 2010’ to be held on Friday
e the Natyalaya Nritha Kala W Kshethram are pleased to inform that the Eleventh Anniversary celebra-
Happy Birthday Arnaz Happy Birthday to our darling Arnaz Ahmed who celebrates her 7th birthday on November 5th. Many greetings and blessings come from Alauddin Ahmed (father), Shehnaz Ahmed (mother) and Abdullah Khalid (brother).
Announcement NOv 4 ankaar Arts silver celebration: Fankaar Arts is organizing an event on Thursday, 4th November 2010 at the Kuwait Medical Association Hall, Jabriya to celebrate its Silver Jubilee year. The evening will start with glimpses of past plays re-enacted by the group along with staging of an experimental play ‘Phir bhi Mumbai Meri Jaan’ and screening of a short film ‘Rishtey’. Dance and singing performances will add variety to the entertainment. For further details and enquiries please call on 97585764 or email at fankaararts@hotmail.com
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NOv 17 rend setter Udupi Restaurant, Kuwait proudly presents “ Gandharva Ganam” a live carnatic classical concert by living legend & maestro Padmabooshan Dr. K.J.Yesudas with his troupe on 17th Nov. 2010 at American International School, Kuwait. Sri. Nagai Murali on violin, Sri. Bakthavalsalam on Mridangam and Sri. Thripunithura Radhakrishnan on Ghatam. For more details, please contact 66752462 or 66784867.
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DEC 3 erman Board of Oral Implantology: In cooperation with Kuwait Dental Association in its third year, and after graduating 33 dentists in the past two years from Kuwait and abroad. With Kuwait becoming the regional center for the German Board of Oral Implantology (GBOI) in the Gulf. We like to announce to all dentists in Kuwait and abroad that registration for the third batch 2010 - 2011 is being held at Kuwait Dental Association to begin study on December 3, 2010. There will be an orientation lecture on the German Board of Oral Implantology, which will be held at the Kuwait Dental Association (Official Assembly) Oct 27, at 8:30 pm.
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Filipino Badminton Committee
Filipino Badminton Committee is Tjoinheinviting all badminton enthusiast to its 20th Badminton Tournament. The event which is held for a cause will start on November 5 and will last until December 10 at the Kuwait Disabled Club, Hawally every Friday from 8 AM until 5 PM. The tournament will be a team event of 5 players. Each team must have Level 1 & 2 (Men’s), Level 1& 2 (Ladies’) and Level 3 (Ladies’). The deadline for submission of line up will be on October 15. Special prize will be given for Best Uniform, Best Team. For more information, call 97197268. Kala Kuwait’s painting competition
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ala Kuwait, will hold a drawing and painting competition on Friday,
tions of our dance institution, Natyalaya Nritha Kala Kshethram is scheduled to be held at Carmel School in Khaitan on Friday, 19th November 2010 at 4pm. The renowned Kathakali artist Kalamandalam Rajesh Kumar will be the special guest in this year’s anniversary celebrations. Kathakali a profile of Kalamandalam Ralesh Kumar. V Kalamandalam Rajesh Kumar is a very popular artist having completed a six-year diploma in First Class in Kathakali from Kerala Kalamandalam. He has got 15 years experience in Kathakali and 20 years experience in Bharafhanatyam, Mohiniyattom, Kuchippudi and Folk dance. He has performed under the able guidance and teaching of Kalamandalam Leelamma. Currently, he is studying for a degree in Bharathanatyam (BFA) at Kalaikaveri College, Trichi, Tamil Nadu. He was awarded with the title ‘Kalaprathibha’ during the 2000 Keralothsavam. He has also participated in the North and South Zone National Festival held in 2005/2006 and in the
IDF accords send-off to Alok Kumar KUWAIT: Indian Doctors Forum accorded a warm send off to Alok Kumar, first secretary at the embassy of India in Kuwait. In a small function in the Indian embassy attended by all office-bearers of the Indian Doctors Forum, and graced by Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhotra, the president of IDF Dr Nampoory spoke about the support and all the help he extended to IDF. As a token of appreciation a plaque was presented to Alok Kumar by Dr Nampoory on behalf of all IDF members.
FOCUS Kuwait conducts ‘CADD/BIM Learning Event 2010’ FOCUS KUWAIT-Forum of CADD Users, an organisation of CADD Engineering Professionals which is an affiliated chapter of Autodesk Users Group International Assembly and Autodesk University USA, conducted a ‘CADD BIM LEARNING EVENT’ as a part of their motto in providing continuing education on the versatile features of the new versions of CADD & BIM design technology to the entire engineering community in Kuwait. The event conducted in association and sponsorship of Autodesk, OMNIX International-UAE, KEO International and Grand International Company Kuwait, was inaugurated by the Ambassador of India to Kuwait Ajai Malhotra, on October 29th at the state of the art lecture theatre, Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) campus in Mishref. Aseel Abhu Nemah, student coordinator, represented the GUST administration and public relations departments, who were also one of the principle associates in conducting
November 5, 2010 at the Indian Community School, Khaithan Branch at 2 pm. The program will be conducted in four different age groups. Group A from LKG to 1st Standard, Group B from 2nd to 4th Standard, Group C from 5th to 8th Standard and Group D from 9th to 12th Standard. The media for Group A and B will be crayons while Group C and D are water colors. Crayons and water colors to be brought by the participants. Stamped drawing papers will be supplied by the organizers. Clay Modeling Competition also will be conducted for 7th to 11th Standard Students. Global Goans Convention 2010 to be held in Kuwait
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closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth games held in Australia. Besides, he has been also participating regularly in all the tourist and development program every year. Our special guest Kalamandalam Rajesh Kumar will be performing Poothanmoksham, Kirmiravadham (Lalitha), Uthraswayamvaram (Bhanu mathi) and Fusion with Natyalaya Krishna Prakash. Bharathanatyam, Mohinlyattam, Kuchupidi, Keralanadanam and Group Dance - Natyalaya Prakash, Shalan and Students of Natyalava. Natyalaya Prakash is the founder and guru of the Natyalaya Nritha Kala Kshethram and has been the head of the institution for the past 11 years. He has been supported by Shajan the assistant guru. During these years he has successfully brought famous artists like Sharmila Biswas (Odissi), Debashree Bhatacharya (Kathak), Kaberi Sen (Odissi), Shashwati Garai (Odissi), Ritusri Chaudhuri (Kathak), and Sanjenbam Karuna Devi (Manipuri) from India in order to perform in the Natyalaya Festival in Kuwait and also in some of the GCC countries.
nnouncing at the press briefing in Goa yesterday, Hon. Commissioner of NRI Affairs (Cabinet Ranking) and former Minister of External Affairs,
Omnix International Country Head, Abhilash Nair, Belal Hamouda General Manager Grand International Company, Adam Holland, Director Architecture and Engineering services, KEO International consultants graced the event with their presence and inspiring messages. The key note address was delivered by Adam Holland on the topic of developments in Engineering Science and Future Challenges. Tharakesh, Sunder and Vijay Kumar Raina, the Technical and Training Managers representing Omnix International, lead the training sessions and Miles Walker, BIMSpecialist, KEO International, presented a brilliant demonstration on the differentiating features of CADD and BIM technology. The event concluded with a small presentation on HP work stations and its compatibility with Autodesk products. FOCUS President Binu Mathew, presided the inaugural meeting with his briefings on the activities of
this educational seminar. A galaxy of eminent engineering professionals comprising Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates were also present at the event in order to enrich their CADD/BIM knowledge and also get updated with the latest trends in the technological scenario. The event was structured in four sessions that aimed to introduce latest Autodesk design software, and lectures on its new versatile features which are more integrated with 3D format and also interfaced to perform concurrent design calculations. The concluding session addressed the questions and answers on intelligent drafting design which is handled by the professional trainers of Autodesk. Inc.
Government of India, Eduardo Faleiro stated ‘the next annual Global Goans Convention would be held in Kuwait on November 16 and 17, 2010 was being organised by the Goan Cultural Centre, Kuwait during which the Vishwa Konkani Sammelan too would be held along with a cultural programme with the involvement of Konkani speaking expatriate communities of Goa and elsewhere in India”. The annual Global Goans Convention 2010 will be held in the State of Kuwait in coordination with the Department of NRI Affairs, Government of Goa and the Embassy of India, Kuwait on November 16 & 17 and will be hosted by the Goan Cultural Centre at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuwait. The Global Goans Convention 2010, whose theme this year is ‘The NRI Goan’, will, in its annual debates, present the NRI Goan community with an opportunity to discuss various issues pertain-
ing to them in their countries of domicile as well as back home in Goa, and will mainly deal with issues related to their social, financial, investment and cultural aspirations and development. It is expected that delegates and eminent speakers from over 10 countries will be participating in the convention this year. “We are happy and proud to be associated with this prestigious event”, in a statement confirming the news on its website www.goanculturalcentrekuwait.com. “We are overwhelmed by the response to the press statement, GCC chairman, Carmo Santos remarked. Last year, Goan Cultural Centre had the largest delegation attending the Global Goans Convention held in Muscat, Oman, added Suresh Naik, GCC President and Advisor . It may be recalled that Carmo Santos was bestowed with the NRI Leadership Award at the hands of former Minister of NRI Affairs Valayar
Ravi at a glittering ceremony in the presence of Goa’s Chief Minister, Digamber Kamat, in recognition of his efforts and dedication towards the Indian expatriate community. He was among a galaxy of Goan personalities chosen by Goa’s Department of NRI Affairs from Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Delhi. The Convention will be held in coordination with the Embassy of India at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Farwania. A special Brochure will be launched during the Convention.
TIES Center announces Winter schedule IES Center announces its schedule of Winter Arabic Courses which will extend from October 29, 2010 through December 23, 2010. The courses are offered with the following options:
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FOCUS and Shaji Thankachan, General Convener of the event delivered welcome address to the august gathering. Malayil Moh’d Iqbal, FOCUS General Secretary proposed vote of thanks and Murali S. Nair, Ex-Officio General Secretary presented the program in the role of Master of Ceremony. Sam Pynumood, Jamaludeen Moh’d, L. Gopakumar, Simon Baby, Sasi Thopson, M.N. Saleem, Wilson Philiph, C.O. Koshy and Sam Thomas co-ordinated the event on various capacities for its turn around success. Almost 650 CADD professionals and engineers from various engineering firms in Kuwait benefited from this full day ‘Learning Event’. Ambassador Malhotra presented FOCUS mementos to the sponsors of this meticulous event. Kabeer Moh’d won an attractive prize at the raffle draw. Certificates of attendance were also distributed at the end of the event. A sumptuous lunch was also served.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 The Arabic courses at TIES Center are designed according to the students’ needs and requirements. These courses are intended for all expatriates who wish to learn the Arabic language and culture. Upon completion of these courses the student will have a) Confidence in conducting basic Arabic communication (speaking, reading & writing) b) A basis for developing Arabic as a second language c) A better understanding of Arabic Culture d) Ability to interact with their classmates and learn about their background and culture For more information please contact us on 97144138 or visit our website www.tiescenter.net.
TV PROGRAMS
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Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Orbit / Showtime Listings
03:00 The Bachelor 04:00 Warehouse 13 05:00 Ghost Whisperer 06:00 GMA Live Repeat 07:00 Kathy Griffin 08:00 Eureka 09:00 Cold Case 10:00 Ellen de Generes 11:00 Drop Dead Diva 12:00 Warehouse 13 13:00 The Bachelor 14:00 GMA Live 16:00 Eureka 17:00 Cold Case 18:00 Ellen de Generes 19:00 Without a Trace 20:00 Big Love 21:00 Rescue Me 22:00 Dollhouse 23:00 Janice Dickinson
03:35 Untamed And Uncut 04:30 Human Prey 05:25 Animal Cops Houston 06:20 Untamed And Uncut 07:10 Wildlife SOS 07:35 Rspca: Have You Got What It Takes? 08:00 Corwin’s Quest 08:50 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 09:40 Groomer Has It 10:35 Planet Wild 11:00 Stranger Among Bears 11:25 Stranger Among Bears 11:55 Gorilla School 12:20 Rspca: On The Frontline 12:50 Miami Animal Police 13:45 Vet On The Loose 14:10 Pet Rescue 14:40 Animal Cops Houston 15:35 Wildlife SOS 16:00 Rspca: On The Frontline 16:30 Dogs 101 17:25 Project Puppy 17:50 Project Puppy 18:20 The Planet’s Funniest Animals 19:15 The Pack 19:40 The Pack 20:10 The Heart Of A Lioness 21:10 Cats 101 22:05 Rogue Nature With Dave Salmoni 23:00 Maneaters 23:55 Animal Cops Houston
03:35 Casualty 04:25 Green Green Grass 05:00 Tellytales 05:10 Penelope K, By The Way 05:25 Fimbles 05:45 Me Too 06:05 Balamory 06:25 Tellytales 06:35 Penelope K, By The Way 06:50 Fimbles 07:10 Me Too 07:30 Balamory 07:50 Tellytales 08:00 Penelope K, By The Way 08:10 Fimbles 08:30 Me Too 08:55 Balamory 09:15 Penelope K, By The Way 09:25 Tellytales 09:35 Fimbles 09:55 Me Too 10:15 Balamory 10:40 Mastermind 2006 11:10 Green Green Grass 11:40 Green Green Grass 12:10 The Weakest Link 12:55 Strictly Come Dancing 13:35 Doctors 14:05 Mastermind 2006 14:35 New Tricks 15:25 Green Green Grass 15:55 Green Green Grass 16:25 Last Of The Summer Wine 16:55 Strictly Come Dancing 17:40 The Weakest Link 18:25 Doctors 18:55 Mastermind 2006 19:25 New Tricks 20:15 Strictly Come Dancing 21:00 The Weakest Link 21:45 Doctors 22:15 Eastenders 22:45 Holby City 23:45 Blackjack4
03:10 The Home Show 04:00 Cash In The Attic 04:45 Fantasy Homes In The City 05:35 Indian Food Made Easy 06:00 Rhodes Across China 06:50 Living In The Sun 08:10 Antiques Roadshow 09:00 What Not To Wear 09:50 Antiques Roadshow 10:40 Hidden Potential 11:05 Cash In The Attic USA 11:30 Twiggy’s Frock Exchange 12:20 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 13:10 Cash In The Attic 13:55 Come Dine With Me 14:45 What Not To Wear 15:35 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 16:25 Twiggy’s Frock Exchange 17:15 Bargain Hunt 18:00 Cash In The Attic USA 18:25 Cash In The Attic USA 18:50 Daily Cooks Challenge 19:20 Daily Cooks Challenge 19:50 Come Dine With Me 20:40 Masterchef: The Professionals 21:30 Glamour Puds 22:00 Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is 22:50 Superhomes 23:40 The Restaurant UK
03:20 Looney Tunes 03:45 The Flintstones 04:10 The Jetsons 04:35 Pink Panther And Pals 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 Tex Avery Show 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 14:05 Scooby Doo Where Are You! 14:30 Top Cat 14:55 Hong Kong Phooey 15:20 Duck Dodgers 15:45 The Jetsons 16:10 The Flintstones 16:35 Looney Tunes 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
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 Chowder 08:50 Best ED 09:15 Chop Socky Chooks 09:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 10:05 Bakugan Battle Brawlers
10:30 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 10:55 Eliot Kid 11:20 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 11:30 Squirrel Boy 11:55 Robotboy 12:20 Camp Lazlo 12:45 The Powerpuff Girls 13:10 Class Of 3000 13:35 Ed, Edd N Eddy 14:00 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 14:25 Codename: Kids Next Door 14:50 Ben 10 15:15 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 15:40 Squirrel Boy 16:05 Eliot Kid 16:35 Casper’s Scare School 17:00 Skunk Fu! 17:25 Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes 17:50 Bakugan Battle Brawlers 18:15 The Secret Saturdays 18:40 Ben 10: Alien Force 19:05 Hero 108 19:30 Chop Socky Chooks 20:00 Best ED 20:25 Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends 20:50 My Gym Partner’s A Monkey 21:05 The Powerpuff Girls 21:30 The Marvelous Misadventures Of Flapjack 21:45 Ben 10: Alien Force 22:10 Ed, Edd N Eddy 22:35 Robotboy 23:00 Camp Lazlo 23:25 Samurai Jack 23:50 Megas Xlr
03:00 Vicky Cristina Barcelona-PG15 05:00 Cassandra’s Dream-PG15 07:00 Meet Bill-PG15 09:00 Morning Light-PG 11:00 Cassandra’s Dream-PG15 13:00 The Dust Factory-PG15 15:00 The Good Heart-PG15 17:00 Martian Child-PG 19:00 Punch-Drunk Love-18 21:00 Primo Basilio-18 23:00 Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas-18
03:00 World Business Today 03:45 CNN Marketplace Middle East 04:00 World View 04:30 Icon 05:00 World’s Untold Stories 05:30 Edit Room 06:00 World Sport 06:30 Earth’s Frontiers 07:00 World Report 07:30 The Best Of Backstory 08:00 World Report 09:00 World Report 10:00 World Business Today 11:00 World Report 11:30 World View 12:00 Larry King Live 13:00 World Report 13:30 World Sport 14:00 World Report 14:30 African Voices 15:00 World Report 16:00 World Business Today 17:00 International Desk 18:00 The Brief 18:30 World Sport 19:00 Prism 19:30 African Voices 20:00 International Desk 21:00 Quest Means Business 22:00 World One 23:00 Connect The World With Becky Anderson
03:25 X-Machines 04:20 How It’s Made 04:50 How Do They Do It? 05:15 Destroyed In Seconds 05:40 Destroyed In Seconds 06:05 Extreme Engineering 07:00 Fifth Gear 07:25 Extreme Engineering 08:15 Chop Shop 09:10 Mythbusters 10:05 Ultimate Survival 10:55 Overhaulin’ 11:50 Border Security 12:20 How Stuff’s Made 12:45 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 Stuff’s Made 21:00 Dual Survival 21:55 Deadliest Catch 22:50 Swamp Loggers 23:45 I Escaped Death
03:10 Nasa’s Greatest Missions 04:00 The Colony 04:50 The Colony 05:45 Catch It Keep It 06:40 How Stuff’s Made 07:10 The Future Of... 09:00 Sci-Fi Science 09:30 Sci-Fi Science 10:00 What’s That About? 10:55 Stunt Junkies 11:20 The Gadget Show 11:50 The Future Of... 12:45 How Does That Work? 13:15 Catch It Keep It 14:10 Weird Connections 14:35 What’s That About? 15:30 Nextworld 16:25 The Gadget Show 16:55 Sci-Fi Science 17:20 Sci-Fi Science 17:50 Under New York 18:45 Brainiac 19:40 Mega World 20:30 Superships 21:20 How It’s Made 21:45 The Gadget Show 22:10 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 23:00 Mega World 23:50 Superships
06:00 K9 Adventures 06:25 American Dragon 06:50 Kid Vs Kat 07:15 Phineas & Ferb 07:40 Phineas & Ferb 08:05 Kick Buttowski 08:30 Pokemon 09:00 Zeke & Luther 09:25 Zeke & Luther 09:50 I’m In The Band 10:15 The Super Hero Squad Show 10:40 Suite Life On Deck 11:05 Suite Life On Deck 11:30 Aaron Stone 12:00 Phineas & Ferb 12:30 Phineas & Ferb 13:00 Kid Vs Kat 13:30 Kid Vs Kat 14:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 14:25 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 14:50 Zeke & Luther 15:15 The Super Hero Squad Show 15:45 Kick Buttowski 16:15 I’m In The Band 16:40 Suite Life On Deck 17:05 Zeke & Luther 17:30 Zeke & Luther 17:55 Phineas & Ferb 18:20 Phineas & Ferb 18:45 Kick Buttowski 19:10 Pokemon 19:35 American Dragon 20:00 Aaron Stone 20:30 Kid Vs Kat 21:00 Phineas & Ferb 21:25 I’m In The Band 21:55 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 22:20 Shreducation
03:15 25 Most Stylish 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 Fashion Police 08:35 E! News 09:25 Giuliana And Bill 10:15 25 Hottest Hollywood Cougar Tales 12:00 E! News 12:50 Fashion Police 13:15 Pretty Wild 13:40 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 14:05 Kendra 14:30 40 (More) Crimes Of Fashion 16:15 Behind The Scenes 16:40 Behind The Scenes 17:10 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 17:35 Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane 18:00 E! News 18:50 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 19:40 THS 20:30 Kendra 20:55 Chelsea Lately 21:20 The Spin Crowd 21:45 The Spin Crowd 22:10 E! News 23:00 Fashion Police 23:25 Kendra 23:50 Kourtney And Khloe Take Miami
03:20 Eds Up 04:10 Winter X Games 14 05:50 Eds Up 07:30 I-Ex 09:00 Fim World Motocross Championships 2009 11:30 Ifmxf 2009 11:55 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 12:45 Fantasy Factory 13:35 Extreme Sports 2010 14:25 Man’s Work 15:15 Eds Up 16:05 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 16:55 Fantasy Factory 17:45 Fim World Motocross Championships 2009 20:15 Ifmxf 2009 20:40 Extreme Sports 2010 21:30 Fantasy Factory 22:20 Fim World Motocross Mx1 = Mx2 23:10 Eds Up
Triangle on Show Movies
03:00 Food Network Challenge 04:00 Barefoot Contessa 04:30 Unwrapped 05:00 Iron Chef America 06:00 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 06:30 Guys Big Bite 07:00 Chopped 08:00 Paula’s Best Dishes 08:25 Good Deal with Dave Lieberman 08:50 Guys Big Bite 09:15 Barefoot Contessa 09:40 Everyday Italian 10:05 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 15:30 Everyday Italian
16:00 30 Minute Meals 16:30 Throwdown With Bobby Flay 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
06:00 Sport Central 06:30 Golf Central International 07:00 The Golf Channel - TBA 09:30 World of Athletics 10:00 MLB: World Series Game 4, Teams TBA 13:00 Golf Central International 13:30 World Sport 2010 14:00 NFL TBA at TBA 17:00 NFL TBA at TBA 20:00 MLB: World Series Game 4, Teams TBA 23:00 Golf Channel - TBA FOX SPORTS HD 06:00 Sport Central 06:30 Golf Central International 07:00 The Golf Channel - TBA 09:30 World of Athletics 10:00 MLB: World Series Game 4, Teams TBA 13:00 Golf Central International 13:30 World Sport 2010 14:00 NFL TBA at TBA 17:00 NFL TBA at TBA 20:00 MLB: World Series Game 4, Teams TBA 23:00 Golf Channel - TBA
03:10 Autopsy: Most Shocking Cases 04:05 True Crime Scene 05:00 I Almost Got Away With It 05:55 Crime Scene Psychics 06:20 Ghost Lab 07:10 Real Emergency Calls 08:00 Diagnosis: Unknown 08:50 Real Emergency Calls 09:40 Forensic Detectives 10:30 On The Run 11:20 Murder Shift 12:10 FBI Files 13:00 Ghost Lab 13:50 Disappeared 14:40 Diagnosis: Unknown 15:30 Real Emergency Calls 16:20 Murder Shift 17:10 Forensic Detectives 18:00 On The Run 18:50 FBI Files 19:40 Diagnosis: Unknown 20:30 Real Emergency Calls 21:20 Ghost Lab 22:10 Disappeared 23:00 Ripped From The Headlines 23:50 FBI Case Files
03:15 Network 05:15 Liebestraum 07:00 Exposed 08:40 Yours Mine And Ours 10:30 Cornbread, Earl And Me 12:05 Shot In The Dark 13:45 Ski Patrol 15:15 Man Of La Mancha 17:25 Whales Of August 18:55 Meteor Man 20:35 Woman In Red 22:00 Breakheart Pass 23:35 Spellbinder
03:00 Saturday Night Live 04:30 Entourage 05:00 Curb your enthusiasm 05:30 Everybody loves Raymond 06:00 Frasier 06:30 The Drew Carey Show 07:00 Best of Late night with Jimmy Fallon 08:00 8 Simple Rules Halloween 08:30 Everybody loves Raymond 09:00 Frasier 09:30 The Drew Carey Show 10:00 Will & Grace 10:30 The Office 11:00 The Office 11:30 Frasier 12:00 Simpsons 12:30 Simpsons 13:00 Will & Grace 13:30 Everybody Loves Raymond 14:00 Frasier 14:30 Kath & Kim 15:00 Better Off Ted 15:30 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (repeat) 16:00 The Colbert Report (repeat) 16:30 The Drew Carey Show 17:00 Best of Late night with Jimmy Fallon 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 Will & Grace 19:00 Better Off Ted 19:30 Kath & Kim 20:00 Cougar Town 20:30 Cougar Town 21:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Global Edition) 21:30 Colbert Report Global 22:00 Monday night Stand Up 23:00 South park 23:30 Better Off Ted
07:00 Lazytown 07:25 Imagination Movers 07:50 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:15 Handy Manny 08:40 Jungle Junction 08:50 Special Agent Oso 09:00 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:25 Handy Manny 09:50 New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 10:15 Little Einsteins 10:40 Special Agent Oso 11:05 Imagination Movers 11:30 Lazytown 11:55 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 12:20 Handy Manny 12:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 13:10 Little Einsteins 13:35 JO JO’S CIRCUS (SCANDI YR1) 14:00 Higglytown Heroes 14:25 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:50 Special Agent Oso 15:05 My Friends Tigger and Pooh 15:30 Imagination Movers 15:50 Little Einsteins 16:20 Handy Manny 16:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 17:10 New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 17:35 Special Agent Oso 17:45 Imagination Movers 18:10 Handy Manny 18:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 19:00 New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 19:25 Handy Manny
Heaven On Earth on Super Movies 19:40 Special Agent Oso 19:50 Jungle Junction
01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 PG15 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00 23:00
Beneath The Blue-PG15 Stuart: A Life Backwards-PG Jonas Brothers Concert-PG Danielle Steel’s Safe HarbourG.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra-PG15 Far North-PG Jonas Brothers Concert-PG Up-FAM Triangle-18 The Hangover-18 Joe’s Palace-18 God Grew Tired Of Us-PG15
04:00 Maneater: Part I-PG15 06:00 Maneater: Part II-PG15 08:00 Son Of Rambow-PG 10:00 Slap Shots 3-PG15 12:00 Crush-PG15 14:00 Mr. Troop Mom-PG 16:00 The Lonely Guy-PG15 18:00 Mama’s Boy-PG15 20:00 Evolution-PG15 22:00 Harold-PG15
04:00 Young Fisherman-PG 06:00 Madagascar 2-PG 08:00 Scruff In Halloween-FAM 10:00 Young Fisherman-PG 12:00 Barbie In A Fashion Fairytale-FAM 14:00 Wonder Woman-PG15 16:00 Sunshine Barry And The Disco Worms-PG 18:00 Harriet The Spy-PG 20:00 Velveteen Rabbit-FAM 22:00 Barbie In A Fashion Fairytale-FAM
03:00 Mercy 04:00 The View 05:00 Downsize Me 06:00 Emmerdale 06:30 Coronation Street 07:00 Mercy 08:00 Martha Stewart 09:00 Downsize Me 10:00 Mercy 11:00 The View 12:00 Emmerdale 12:30 Coronation Street 13:00 Martha Stewart 14:00 CSI: NY 15:00 Kings 16:00 What’s Good For you 17:00 The View 18:00 Emmerdale 18:30 Coronation Street 19:00 CSI: Miami 20:00 Desperate Housewives 21:00 Mercy 22:00 The View 23:00 What’s Good For you
07:00 Rugby League Four Nations 09:00 Scottish Premier League 11:00 Aviva Premiership 13:00 Cricket International Twenty20 16:30 World Match Racing Tour Highlights 17:30 Scottish Premier League 19:30 Futbol Mundial 20:00 ICC Cricket World 20:30 Live Goals On Monday 21:30 Scottish Premier League Highlights 22:00 Scottish Premier League
07:00 European PGA Tour 11:30 Triathlon 12:30 World Sport 13:00 Scottish Premier League 15:00 International Rugby Union 17:00 Futbol Mundial 17:30 The Ryder Cup Official Film 19:00 European PGA Tour Highlights 20:00 Rugby League Four Nations
22:00 ICC Cricket World 22:30 European PGA Tour Highlights 23:30 Triathlon
03:00 WWE Vintage Collection 04:00 UFC 121 07:00 WWE Bottom Line 08:00 FIA GT1 World Championship 09:30 Le Mans Classic 11:00 V8 Supercars Championship 13:30 FIA GT1 World Championship 15:00 WWE Smackdown 17:00 UFC 121 Prelims 18:00 UFC 121 21:00 UFC Unleashed 22:00 UFC Unleashed 23:00 UFC The Ultimate Fighter
03:00 Heaven On Earth-PG15 05:00 Sins Of The Mother-PG15 07:00 Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants 2-PG15 09:00 Shadows In The Sun-PG15 11:00 Ice Castles-PG15 13:00 Julie And Julia-PG15 15:00 Sticks And Stones-PG 17:00 Shadows In The Sun-PG15 18:45 Take The Lead-PG 21:00 Enemies Among Us-PG15 22:45 The Stepfather-18
03:00 03:25 03:45 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:30 06:20 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:40 07:45 08:30 08:35 09:00 09:25 09:50 10:15 11:35 11:50 13:50 14:15 14:25 14:50 15:10 15:35 16:00 17:30 17:45 18:10 18:35 19:00 20:30 20:45 21:10 21:30 22:00
New Adventures of Madeline Rupert Jass Time Babar Babar Max and Ruby Ned’s Newt New Adventures of Madeline Heathcliff Dennis The Menace The Beach Crew Boo and Me Birdz Ace Lightning The Fairly OddParents Sabrina Sonic Underground Sonic Underground Sabrina Friends Forever Dennis The Menace Tales from the Cryptkeeper Beverly Hills Teen Club The Beach Crew S Club 7 In LA The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Inspector Gadget Merlin: Part 1 Dennis The Menace Sabrina S Club 7 In Miami Beverly Hills Teen Club Merlin: Part 1 Dennis The Menace Nancy Drew The Hardy Boys Inspector Gadget The Fairly OddParents Marathon
03:00 How Do I Look? 04:00 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? 05:00 Married Away 06:00 Style Her Famous 06:30 Area 07:00 How Do I Look? 08:00 Millennium Fashion: The Year In Fashion 09:00 My Celebrity Home 10:00 Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? 11:00 Married Away 12:00 Peter Perfect 13:00 Ruby 14:00 Clean House 15:00 Clean House Comes Clean 15:30 Style Her Famous 16:00 Jerseylicious 17:00 Ruby 18:00 How Do I Look?
19:00 How Do I Look? 20:00 Peter Perfect 21:00 Clean House 22:00 How Do I Look? 23:00 My Destination Wedding With The Knot
03:15 Cat On A Hot Tin Roof 05:00 Grand Prix 08:00 White Heat 09:55 Two Weeks In Another Town 11:40 Casablanca 13:20 American Friends 14:55 Beau Brummell 16:45 Jailhouse Rock 18:20 Bad Day At Black Rock 19:40 Marty 21:10 White Heat 23:00 2001: A Space Odyssey
03:10 UFO Files 04:00 The Real Wolfman 05:50 Clash of the Gods 06:40 Ancient Discoveries 07:30 How the Earth Was Made 08:20 The Universe 3 09:10 UFO Files 10:00 The Real Wolfman 11:50 Clash of the Gods 12:40 Ancient Discoveries 13:30 How the Earth Was Made 14:20 The Universe 3 15:10 UFO Files 16:00 The Real Wolfman 17:50 Clash of the Gods 18:40 Ancient Discoveries 19:30 How the Earth Was Made 20:20 The Universe 3 21:10 UFO Files 22:00 Life After People 22:55 The Universe 23:50 Ax Men
05:00 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 20:00 Guess The Year 21:00 Music For The Masses 22:00 Diva’s Pt1 23:00 Diva’s Pt2
03:00 Travel 360 04:00 Globe Trekker 05:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 06:00 The Thrillseekers Guide 06:30 Surfari 07:00 Globe Trekker 08:00 Rudy Maxa’s World 08:30 Top Travel 09:00 Word Travels 09:30 Essential 10:00 Chef Abroad 10:30 Floyd On Africa 11:00 Surfari 11:30 Skier’s World 12:00 Globe Trekker 13:00 Planet Food 14:00 Flavours Of Spain 14:30 Top Travel 15:00 Word Travels 15:30 Essential 16:00 Globe Trekker 17:00 Rudy Maxa’s World 17:30 Chef Abroad 18:00 Flavours Of Spain 18:30 Floyd On Africa 19:00 Globe Trekker 20:00 Planet Food 21:00 Hollywood And Vines 21:30 Travel Today 22:00 Working Holiday 23:00 Globe Trekker
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
33 ACCOMMODATION C-A/C room available with a small Indian family for an executive Indian bachelor at Amman street Salmiya. Call: 99408202. (C 2829) Room with attached toilet available in a 2 room, 2 toilet, C-A/C flat at Abbassiya to share with a Sri Lankan couple. Call: 66552905. (C 2824) Sharing accommodation available in Abbassiya, new building, separate bathroom and balcony, decent executive bachelors preferred, near Kalabhavan building & UI School. Call: 97208351. (C 2828) Independent room with separate bath is available for a non-smoking Keralite executive bachelor or married couple in a very spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath CA/C apartment in Farwaniya (facing Sixth Ring Road). Contact: 66629551. (C 2830) One room is available for decent working ladies or small family with small Indian family at Farwaniya opp big jamiya from Nov 2010. Call: 99051353. (C 2827) 2-11-2010 Flat available, Riggae, 3 bedroom, selling bedroom set, full flat carpet, washing machine, dining table. Call: 66540312. (C 2816) 31-10-2010 Keralite business bachelor living every 2 months, one month in India, looking for nice accommodation during stay in Kuwait. Around Salmiya, Hawally areas. Tel: 99530247 / 22434267. (C 2812) Room available in Jleeb near Indian Central School, petrol pump road for Indian or any Asian only. Tel: 99878030. (C 2813) 30-10-2010 Small room available for a decent bachelor till March 2011, for a reasonable rent. Behind Hawally American Creativity School, close to Road No. 30 & AlMuththana Road. Please call: 97804854. (C 2809) 28-10-2010
2000 (negotiable). Call: 55859325. (C 2817) 31-10-2010
MATRIMONIAL Proposals invited, for a 28y.o. (172 cm) Hindu professional boy working as a Graphic Designer in a reputable firm in Kuwait, from Hindu girls aged below 25 based either here in Kuwait or in India. Please contact email: rajeshkwtimes@gmail.com Seeking suitable alliance for a Marthomite girl (5’5 tall, good looking), 25 years old, BSc (N), hailing from Mallappally (Pathanamthitta dist) working in a private hospital in Kuwait, from parents of God fearing, good looking and professionally qualified Christian grooms. Email: mathewthomas102@gmail.com (C 2825)
NRI Marthoma parents invite proposals for their daughter 25/163, fair, B/B in Kuwait, B.E Computer Engineering employed in Bangalore. From parents of God fearing, good looking, well employed boys, brought up outside Kerala, belonging to Marthoma/CSI/Orthodox family. Respond with recent photograph and bio-data. Email: mathewj23@gmail.com (C 2831) 2-11-2010
Mitsubishi Canter half lorry 2007, 85000 km. Call: 97231605. (C 2811) Half lorry delivery van, Toyota Dyna diesel, 2004 model, Citroen Jumper diesel. Ph: 66052331. (C 2814) 30-10-2010
SITUATION VACANT
Wanted an Asian driver to work for a Kuwaiti family. Tel: 66600625. (C 2815) 31-10-2010 SITUATION WANTED
Well experienced in office work, import/export, business correspondence seeking part time job morning or evening. Call: 66513057. (C 2823) Young Indian storekeeper having 12 years experience
and computer knowledge seeks immediate employment. Contact: 55424472. (C 2826) 2-11-2010 Brilliant young B.Com graduate passed in first class knowing Peachtree and Tally having 2 years working experience in India seeking suitable job as Accountant. Tel: 97333492 / 65179245. (C 2819) 1-11-2010 Administrative assistant (Indian) BBA + MBA (Marketing & Finance) with experience in Business
Administration and Marketing Management seeks immediate job. Visa - 18 transferable. Contact: 97865130. (C 2808) 28-10-2010
No: 14898
Proposals invited from employed Ezhava PG boys above 30 yrs for an Ezhava girl, 29 yrs, Chathayam, MBA, M.Phil, currently employed as faculty. Please respond to jaykrishna76@gmail.com (C 2818) 1-11-2010
FOR SALE 2001 Nissan Pathfinder full option (sunroof - wood decoration - Zenon - CD) excellent condition, golden color, ready for checking, price KD
FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION 161
FLIGHT SCHEDULE
In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers to use seats Airlines Jordanian Wataniya Airways Jazeera Kuwait Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Turkish Ethiopian Egypt Air Jazeera DHL Emirates Etihad Qatari Air France Jazeera Kuwait Jazeera British Kuwait Jazeera Falcon Jazeera Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Fly Dubai Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Emirates Arabia Iran Air Qatari Etihad Jazeera Iran Air Jazeera Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Jazeera Wataniya Egypt Air Kuwait United Jordanian Wataniya Airways Fly Dubai Jazeera Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Saudia
Arrival Flights on Tuesday 02/11/2010 Flt Route 802 Amman 188 Bahrain 263 Beirut 544 Cairo 305 Cairo 434 Damascus 408 Beirut 211 Bahrain 772 Istanbul 620 Addis Ababa 614 Cairo 267 Beirut 370 Bahrain 853 Dubai 305 Abu Dhabi 138 Doha 6782 Paris 503 Luxor 412 Manila/Bangkok 527 Alexandria 157 London 416 Jakarta/Kuala Lumpur 529 Assiut 201 Bahrain 613 Lahore 206 Islamabad 382 Delhi 302 Mumbai 332 Trivandrum 053 Dubai 676 Dubai 286 Chittagong 284 Dhaka 855 Dubai 121 Sharjah 605 Isfahan 132 Doha 301 Abu Dhabi 425 Bahrain 619 Lar 497 Riyadh 182 Bahrain 213 Bahrain 102 Dubai 165 Dubai 422 Amman 610 Cairo 672 Dubai 982 Washington DC Dulles 800 Amman 432 Damascus 057 Dubai 521 Alexandria 332 Alexandria 422 Amman 562 Amman 512 Tehran 500 Jeddah
Time 00:05 00:30 00:40 00:50 00:50 00:55 01:05 01:05 01:15 01:45 02:05 02:10 02:15 02:25 02:55 03:25 03:25 05:50 06:15 06:20 06:30 06:35 06:40 07:00 07:05 07:15 07:20 07:50 07:55 07:55 08:00 08:05 08:10 08:25 08:40 08:55 09:00 09:25 10:25 10:40 10:40 10:45 10:45 11:05 11:15 12:50 12:55 13:15 13:35 13:35 13:35 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:10 14:20 14:20 14:30
Kuwait Syrian Air Jazeera Qatari Kuwait Mihin Etihad Emirates Rovos Gulf Air Wataniya Airways Saudia Arabia Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Rovos Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Jazeera Jazeera Air Arabia Egypt Kuwait Kuwait Kuwait Singapore Kuwait Fly Dubai Indian Oman Air Middle East Wataniya Airways Jet A/W Egypt Air KLM Wataniya Airways DHL Gulf Air Jazeera Emirates Rovos Qatari United AlMasria Universal Lufthansa Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera Egypt Air Egypt Air India Express Pakistan Wataniya
744 341 525 134 546 403 303 857 095 215 402 510 125 493 239 367 227 304 104 166 093 106 502 542 786 618 481 177 555 614 674 774 458 552 061 993 647 402 612 572 618 0443 404 372 217 459 859 091 136 981 1407 636 449 185 429 612 2134 389 205 108
Dammam Damascus Alexandria Doha Alexandria Colombo/Dubai Abu Dhabi Dubai Kabul/Muscat Bahrain Beirut Riyadh Sharjah Jeddah Amman Deirezzor Colombo/Dubai Cairo London Paris/Rome Kandahar/Dubai Dubai Beirut Cairo Jeddah Doha Sabiha Dubai Alexandria Bahrain Dubai Riyadh Singapore/Abu Dhabi Damascus Dubai Chennai/Mumbai Muscat Beirut Sabiha Mumbai Alexandria Amsterdam Beirut Bahrain Bahrain Damascus Dubai Baghdad Doha Bahrain Alexandria Frankfurt Doha Dubai Bahrain Cairo Cairo Kozhikode/Mangalore Lahore/Peshawar Dubai
14:40 14:45 15:00 15:05 15:30 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:00 17:15 17:15 17:20 17:40 17:40 17:40 17:55 18:00 18:35 18:35 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:50 18:50 18:55 19:00 19:00 19:05 19:15 19:20 19:20 19:25 19:25 19:40 20:05 20:15 20:15 20:20 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:50 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:55 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:40 22:45 22:55 23:00 23:10 23:55 23:55
Departure Flights on Tuesday 02/11/2010 Airlines Flt Route Jazeera 528 Assiut Tunis Air 328 Dubai/Tunis Indian 576 Goa/Chennai Pakistan 240 Sialkot Lufthansa 637 Frankfurt Turkish 773 Istanbul Ethiopian 620 Bahrain/Addis Ababa Egypt Air 615 Cairo DHL 371 Bahrain Emirates 854 Dubai Etihad 306 Abu Dhabi Qatari 139 Doha Air France 6782 Dubai/Hong Kong Wataniya Airways 101 Dubai Jordanian 803 Amman Jazeera 520 Alexandria Jazeera 164 Dubai Jazeera 496 Riyadh Jazeera 422 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 331 Alexandria Gulf Air 212 Bahrain Wataniya Airways 181 Bahrain Wataniya 421 Amman Rovos 094 Dubai/Kandahar Rovos 096 Muscat/Kabul Jazeera 524 Alexandria Wataniya Airways 431 Damascus British 156 London Kuwait 545 Alexandria Fly Dubai 054 Dubai Kuwait 671 Dubai Wataniya Airways 421 Amman Kuwait 561 Amman Arabia 122 Sharjah Kuwait 101 London/New York Emirates 856 Dubai Iran Air 604 Isfahan Kuwait 511 Tehran Qatari 133 Doha Etihad 302 Abu Dhabi Jazeera 480 Sabiha Wataniya Airways 401 Beirut Gulf Air 214 Bahrain Iran Air 618 Lar Kuwait 165 Rome/Paris Wataniya Airways 303 Cairo Kuwait 743 Dammam Kuwait 541 Cairo Wataniya Airways 611 Sabiha Jazeera 238 Amman Jazeera 366 Deirezzor Jazeera 492 Jeddah Kuwait 501 Beirut Kuwait 785 Jeddah Egypt Air 611 Cairo Egypt Air 1611 Cairo Kuwait 551 Damascus Jordanian 801 Amman
Time 00:05 00:25 00:50 01:10 01:15 02:15 02:30 03:05 03:15 03:45 04:00 05:00 05:15 06:50 07:00 07:00 07:05 07:15 07:30 07:30 07:45 07:50 07:50 08:00 08:00 08:00 08:10 08:25 08:35 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:15 09:20 09:30 09:40 09:55 10:00 10:00 10:05 11:20 11:35 11:35 11:40 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:00 12:05 12:10 12:15 12:15 13:00 13:30 13:55 14:05 14:20 14:30
Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)
Wataniya Airways Fly Dubai United Jazeera Wataniya Airways Kuwait Kuwait Saudia Syrian Air Jazeera Kuwait Qatari Kuwait Etihad Mihin Wataniya Airways Gulf Air Emirates Rovos Arabia Jazeera Saudi Jazeera Jazeera SriLankan Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Wataniya Airways Jazeera Air Arabia Egypt Kuwait Jazeera Kuwait Fly Dubai Singapore Kuwait Kuwait Oman Air Middle East Jet A/W Wataniya Airways Egypt Air KLM Gulf Air Kuwait DHL Kuwait Emirates Falcon Kuwait Qatari Kuwait AlMasria Universal Jazeera Jazeera Jazeera United Kuwait Egypt Air
105 058 982 176 403 673 617 501 342 458 773 135 613 304 404 306 216 858 092 126 184 511 522 448 228 407 433 107 321 428 556 283 266 361 062 457 343 351 648 403 571 187 619 0443 218 801 373 675 860 102 381 137 301 1408 526 636 502 981 411 613
Dubai Dubai Bahrain Dubai Beirut Dubai Doha Jeddah Damascus Damascus Riyadh Doha Bahrain/Doha Abu Dhabi Dubai/Colombo Cairo Bahrain Dubai Baghdad Sharjah Dubai Riyadh Alexandria Doha Dubai/Colombo Beirut Damascus Dubai Sharm El Sheikh Bahrain Alexandria Dhaka Beirut Colombo Dubai Abu Dhabi/Singapore Chennai Cochin Muscat Beirut Mumbai Bahrain Alexandria Bahrain/Amsterdam Bahrain Cairo Bahrain Dubai Dubai Bahrain Delhi Doha Mumbai Alexandria Alexandria Aleppo Luxor Washington DC Dulles Bangkok/Manila Cairo
14:30 14:35 14:50 14:55 15:10 15:10 15:35 15:45 15:45 15:50 16:05 16:20 16:20 17:35 17:40 18:05 18:05 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:35 18:40 18:50 19:10 19:25 19:30 19:40 19:45 19:50 19:55 20:00 20:10 20:20 20:50 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:35 21:40 21:55 22:00 22:00 22:10 22:25 22:30 22:30 22:35 22:45 23:15 23:20 23:35 23:40 23:40 23:40 23:55
SPECTRUM
34 CROSSWORD 128
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Calvin Aries (March 21-April 19) With a challenging day ahead of you--you report for duty early! You may be especially dynamic and assertive just now. You encourage others to high-energy accomplishments. There is a lot of energy available for the work you want to do and you have a strong drive to move forward. Pace yourself and take the usual breaks--these are important. Close relationships offer a lot of potential for growth this evening. By observing the emotional upheavals of others, you may find one similarity connecting each event--fear. When you uncover fears, you promote healing. Use this information wisely; it will resurface several times in the next few years. You are able to encourage many healings. The evening is for identifying the stars and planets. Taurus (April 20-May 20) It is likely that you will be in charge of others during your working life. This may include teaching or having your own company, tutoring or having a job that deals with the hiring of others. Whatever the case, you may find that people with no desire to do anything but earn money, soon loose interest in a particular project or profession. This Tuesday morning you encourage co-workers to find the positive points of their current work. Finding the positive things about a job, as well acknowledging the capabilities behind the job, encourages enthusiasm. You will encourage others to add some kind of volunteer work to their lives' interest. By finding talent and desire, one finds the incentive to move forward and create.
Pooch Cafe
ACROSS 1. A body of poetry that conveys the traditions of a society by treating some epic theme. 5. A region of Malaysia in northeastern Borneo. 10. The United Nations agency concerned with international maritime activities. 13. An Egyptian descended from the ancient Egyptians. 14. Any of various small to minute sucking insects with narrow feathery wings if any. 15. Edible tuber of any of several yams. 16. A tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown. 17. A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds. 19. English scholastic philosopher and assumed author of Occam's Razor (1285-1349). 21. Date used in reckoning dates before the supposed year Christ was born. 23. East Indian tree bearing a profusion of intense vermilion velvet-textured blooms and yielding a yellow dye. 25. A pilgrimage to Mecca. 27. A state in New England. 28. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth. 31. A ductile gray metallic element of the lanthanide series. 32. A landlocked desert republic in north-central Africa. 34. An ambitious and aspiring young person. 36. Any of numerous local fertility and nature deities worshipped by ancient Semitic peoples. 39. A member of the Algonquian people of southern Ontario. 42. A white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily. 43. A facial expression of contempt or scorn. 44. So extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period. 49. A city in east central Texas. 53. Expletives used informally as intensifiers. 56. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 58. An alloy of mercury with another metal (usually silver) used by dentists to fill cavities in teeth. 60. A bachelor's degree in theology. 61. A port city in southwestern Iran. 63. Being one more than two. 64. A shape that sags. 65. A member of an agricultural people of southern India. 66. An implement used to propel or steer a boat. DOWN 1. (prefix) Outside or outer. 2. Meat from a domestic hog or pig. 3. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum. 4. The function or position properly or customarily occupied or served by another. 5. A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. 6. According to the Old Testament he was a pagan king of Israel and husband of Jezebel (9th century BC). 7. German dramatist and poet who developed a style of epic theater (1898-1956). 8. An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions. 9. A unit of power equal to 746 watts. 10. The eighth month of the civil year. 11. Of greater importance or stature or rank. 12. Of or relating to Oman or its people. 18. The seventh month of the Moslem calendar. 20. Long-tailed brilliantly colored parrot of Central and South America. 22. Hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and also by nerve endings in the hypothalamus. 24. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables. 26. A radioactive element of the actinide series. 29. Moderate or restrain. 30. (prefix) In front of or before in space. 33. An official prosecutor for a judicial district. 35. Australian clover fern. 37. American prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942). 38. Resinlike substance secreted by certain lac insects. 40. A Dravidian language spoken in southern India. 41. (Judaism) Sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments. 45. A small tent used as a dressing room beside the sea or a swimming pool. 46. A local and well-defined elevation of the land. 47. (of tempo) Leisurely n. 48. (Akkadian) God of wisdom. 50. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey). 51. 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. 52. A small cake leavened with yeast. 54. Type genus of the Majidae. 55. An independent ruler or chieftain (especially in Africa or Arabia). 57. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits. 59. A periodic paperback publication. 62. A public promotion of some product or service.
Yesterday’s Solution
Gemini (May 21-June 20) You have an urge to strike out on your own in a new direction and to take on new challenges, no matter what the risk. You can be a bit impatient at times. This is a period emphasizing an enhanced sense of personal possibilities. There is tremendous psychological growth, which can lead to great personal success if you follow through with it. You might also find that you will put on the pounds if you are not careful. There is a bout of philosophy or even a little religion now that could have an enormous effect on your career. Lasting values and whatever you find to be true will guide you now--opening up avenues that have remained blocked. There is support all around you for whatever you want to accomplish.
Non Sequitur
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Making your mark on the world has a special significance for you. Achieving your goals is an important factor. Organizing and administering to people and projects will become central to your lifestyle. You experience life mostly through your emotions and how you feel about someone or something. Your intuition is strong and can guide you accurately in making forecasts or decisions. Friendships and involvement in group activities play a more important part for you this afternoon. Friends are our only true riches, and the satisfaction that comes from accomplishing things in cooperation with others is precious. A good conversation with those you love is possible this evening. This is a lucky day for making future plans.
Leo (July 23-August 22) Today is a good time to concentrate on your career goals. A new employee or an employee that could be leaving may put the office in a flux at this time. There may be an abundance of paperwork to wade through. You work to complete any task that is set before you now so that there will be no overtime. You have an activity this evening that calls for some concentration and effort. This may mean an extended education class on a heavy subject such as economics or business finance. A majority of the energy available to you now is in the area of established values. You know and understand more than you let on and life changes seldom surprises you. It may be time to create some positive attention toward your personal goals.
Zits
Virgo (August 23-September 22) Many alumni from your school have gone on to receive notability in their particular expertise. You may decide to take the leap and create your own business. Perhaps you will go for a better job within the company for which you work. You could start a special savings that will allow you to quit work for several months and write your novel. Yours is a passionate life. Secretive perhaps, but you are not at all superficial--you always get to the heart of things. This is good for business and politics. You have a sense for power, wealth and passion. You have a genuine regard for young people and one business you might decide to put together is one in which you can help connect young people to a work program. Flowers decorate your table tonight.
Libra (September 23-October 22) You consider working in a more technical business and plan to update your resume this evening. Work may go better than you expected. You may feel that you are in harmony with others today--communication is easy. The support you need for whatever you want to accomplish is available at this time. A conference with a teacher this afternoon will give you some insight into how you can assist the selfexpression of a young adult. You enjoy your job and return to work to complete any unfinished tasks. Circumstances may stimulate appreciation and enjoyment of your life situation. That purchasing eye of yours is in an awareness state. Others may find you selecting the best buys with perhaps, a surprise for that young adult.
Mother Goose and Grimm
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You may bear the expense of moving your household goods and family to another city in search of a job. This will actually be a good move and takes the kind of strong will that someone like you naturally has. You have a good support system and your choice is a wise one. Pay attention to the benefits before you sign on the dotted line. You choose a work environment that is the most practical of environments. Every idea or situation will be put to good use. Emotions are seldom a priority and you are always very practical and ambitious. Your career is central to everything you do. Farsighted and traditional, you enjoy success and the successful. Obtaining and exchanging information takes on more emotional significance for you.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This is a great time to work and be with others. An authority figure may seek you out as just the person for a particular job. This is a busy but rewarding workday. Outside of your own good works, you encourage others to high standards. Making your home situation more pleasant and attractive plays a part in this and the sale or purchase of real estate could bring you much gain before this cycle ends. You find time to volunteer and choose your volunteer service to a hospital service. You may work at the information desk in a hospital and you probably do very well in that endeavor as you like to do what you can to ease the troubles of others. You feel especially kind toward a loved one this evening. A sense of support and harmony make this a happy time. Capricorn (December 22-January 19) In today’s high-powered work environment, people need every advantage they can get. Perhaps you are teaching a few employees in a large company how to use new software or some other tool of business. Your particular job becomes more important as the technical equipment becomes more complicated. A new level of appreciation and recognition emerges. This afternoon you give or attend a lecture, a creative class or a business show. The results certainly spur your imagination into new areas of discovery. Radical and inventive ideas hold the key to realizing your ambitions and advancing your status but careful--an unexpected change could be in the works. Most of the outcome here is in the attitude. Good luck surrounds you this evening.
Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Work and routine
Yesterday’s Solution
are beginning to be boring. You intuitively know that things do not stay the same for very long. You bide your time until the next life challenge or work issue changes your routine, or you decide to instigate a few changes. Spicing up your away from work hours will bring some amusing conversations to the day. A class in hang gliding or scheduling in a hot air balloon ride may be just the thing. You give some time to planning for the holidays and may decide to do a bit of shopping this afternoon. This evening could be a creative time in that you try your hand at some story writing or composing poetry. A loved one enjoys sharing your ideas and may also have some creative input. Negotiations are in order with this loved one.
Word Sleuth Solution
Pisces (February 19-March 20) You may find this day beginning with a customer or project that needs your attention. You do all the things that are in your power to do in order to please a customer or complete a particular project. You are relentless about completing tasks. Deciphering problems and finding the right solution takes on a special significance. This could also involve some legal or financial matter(s). Getting things organized into a rational system is a part of this. There is much mental busywork. Later today you will see the energies open up in a natural way. All of a sudden, choices and opportunities are easy to decide upon. This evening you have fun putting some effort into getting a few students interested in some form of art or sports activity.
INFORMATION
Tuesday, November 2, 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
Ministry of Interior website: www.moi.gov.kw
For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 HOSPITALS Sabah Hospital
24812000
Amiri Hospital
22450005
Maternity Hospital
24843100
Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital
25312700
Chest Hospital
24849400
Farwaniya Hospital
24892010
Adan Hospital
23940620
Ibn Sina Hospital
24840300
Al-Razi Hospital
24846000
Physiotherapy Hospital
POLICE STATION Al-Madena Police Station Al-Murqab Police Station Al-Daiya Police Station Al-Fayha’a Police Station Al-Qadissiya Police Station Al-Nugra Police Station Al-Salmiya Police Station Al-Dasma Police Station
24874330/9 CLINICS
Roudha
22517733
Adhaliya
22517144
Khaldiya
24848075
Keifan
24849807
Shamiya
24848913
Shuwaikh
24814507
Abdullah Salim
22549134
Al-Nuzha
22526804
Industrial Shuwaikh
24814764
Al-Khadissiya
22515088
Dasmah
22532265
Bneid Al-Ghar
22531908
Al-Shaab
22518752
Al-Kibla
22459381
Ayoun Al-Kibla
22451082
Al-Mirqab
22456536
Sharq
22465401
Salmiya
25746401
Jabriya
25316254
Maidan Hawally
25623444
Bayan
25388462
Mishref
25381200
W.Hawally
22630786
Sabah
24810221
Jahra
24770319
New Jahra
24575755
West Jahra
24772608
South Jahra
24775066
North Jahra
24775992
North Jleeb
24311795
Al-Ardhiya
24884079
Firdous
4892674
Al-Omariya
4719048
N.Kheitan
4710044
Rabiya
4732263
Fintas
3900322
THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is 1889988 AIRLINES
PHARMACIES ON 24 HRS DUTY GOVERNORATE Ahmadi
PHARMACY Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan
ADDRESS Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd
PHONE 23915883 23715414 23726558
Jahra
Modern Jahra Madina Munawara
Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92
24575518 24566622
Capital
Ahlam Khaldiya Coop
Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop
22436184 24833967
Farwaniya
New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan
Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11
24734000 24881201 24726638
Hawally
Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy
Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B
25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554
EMERGENCY 112
PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists: Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea Dr. Masoma Habeeb Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy Dr. Mohsen Abel Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly
25622444 25752222 25321171 25739999 25757700 25732223 25732223
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT): Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners: Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists: Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Plastic Surgeons: Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf 22547272
22434064 22435865 22544200 22547133 22515277 22616662 25714406 22530801
Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari Dr. Abdel Quttainah
22617700 25625030/60
Family Doctor: Dr Divya Damodar 23729596/23729581
Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.
Zahra Qabazard Sohail Qamar Snaa Maaroof Pradip Gujare Zacharias Mathew
25710444 22621099 25713514 23713100 24334282
(1) Ear, Nose and Throat Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari 22635047 Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan 22613623/0 Gynaecologists & Obstetricians: Dr Adrian Harbe 23729596/23729581 Dr. Verginia s.Marin 2572-6666 ext 8321 Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan 22655539 Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami 25343406 Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly 25739272 Dr. Salem soso 22618787 General Surgeons:
Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer 22610044 Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher 25327148
(2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)
25655535 Dentists:
Dr Anil Thomas
3729596/3729581
Dr. Shamah Al-Matar
22641071/2
Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed
22562226
Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer
22561444
Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan
22619557
Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash
22525888
Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan
25653755
Dr. Bader Al-Ansari
25620111
Neurologists:
Paediatricians: Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed 25340300
Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi 25330060 Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah 25722290 Internist, Chest & Heart: DR.Mohammes Akkad 24555050 Ext 210 Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Tel: 25339667 Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Consultant Cardiologist Tel: 2611555-2622555 Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123
Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri 25633324 Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan
Internists, Chest & Heart: Dr. Adnan Ebil 22639939 Dr. Mousa Khadada 22666300 Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan 25728004 Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra 25355515 Dr. Mobarak Aldoub 24726446 Dr Nasser Behbehani 25654300/3
Physiotherapists & VD: Dr. Deyaa Shehab 25722291 Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees 22666288
25345875
Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman
22636464
Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly 25322030 Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali
22633135
Endocrinologist: Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman 25339330 Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari
25658888
Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr
25329924
Psychologists/Psychotherapists Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688 info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Ph.D. 2290-1677 Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg, M.A. 2290-1677 William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677
Kuwait Airways Wataniya Airways Jazeera Airways Jet Airways Qatar Airways KLM Air Slovakia Olympic Airways Royal Jordanian Reservation British Airways Air France Emirates Air India Sri Lanka Airlines Egypt Air Swiss Air Saudia Middle East Airlines Lufthansa PIA Alitalia Balkan Airlines Bangladesh Airlines Czech Airlines Indian Airlines Oman Air Turkish Airlines
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INTERNATIONAL CALLS Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Anguilla Antiga Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Cyprus (Northern) Czech Republic Denmark Diego Garcia Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England (UK)
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Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Holland (Netherlands) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Ibiza (Spain) Iceland India Indian Ocean Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Liberia Libya Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia
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he ‘Only Girl In The World’ singer has recently dyed her hair a shocking bright red color, but the style means she can’t wear light garments because it runs, ruining them. Rihanna explained: “Red suits my mood right now, it’s fun, playful and flirty. But I can’t wear white anymore, and my god, my pillows! I wake up thinking, ‘What The Hell? Who’s died in here?’ my pillows, my sheets, I open my eyes and see red.” The ‘Rude Boy’ hitmaker is also constantly touring the world and relies on laundry services to keep her clothes clean, but says she still washes all her own underwear by hand, as it is “too personal to send out”. Barbados born Rihanna is also said to be considering becoming a UK resident, and moving from California to London. She said: “I spend more time over there than I spend in Los Angeles, and that’s where I live. London is more like my home.” Rihanna’s fifth album ‘Loud’ is released on November 10.
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ussell Brand and Katy Perry were given a bullock as a wedding present. The ‘Get Him To The Greek’ actor - who is a devout vegetarian - tied the knot with the ‘California Gurls’ singer last month in India and now two animal rights groups in the country, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and Animal Rahat, have sent them a young bull as a congratulatory gift. Poorva Joshipura at PETA India said: “Russell the celebrity and Russell the bullock have something in common: they are both very handsome fellows. The gift of a namesake is also fitting because just as Russell Brand embarks on his new life as a married man, Russell the bullock has also been given a new lease on life - the heavy loads he once pulled have been lifted from his shoulders for good.” He also added they had yet to get Russell and Katy’s response about the present. As well as getting a bull, Russell bought Katy a tiger as a wedding gift. The couple were married at the luxury Aman-i-Khas resort in Rajasthan, India and Russell reportedly surprised his new wife by splashing out thousands of pounds on Machli, a female Bengal tiger who lives in the Ranthambore National Park near where they tied the knot. However Russell - who chose the big cat because she is known as the “epitome of beauty” by park rangers and reminds him of his new bride plans to leave the tiger in India and will pay for her welfare on Katy’s behalf.
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he ‘Hero’ singer - who finally confirmed last week she is expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon - is determined to do as much preparation for motherhood as possible and has completely changed her eating habits. A source told gossip website Absolute Now: “Mariah has turned ultra health conscious. There is nothing unhealthy in the house. No junk food, no alcohol, nothing. Nick is making sure she has everything she needs including fetching her just about every book on babies and pregnancy ever written. Mariah is 41 and she’s leaving nothing to chance.” Nick recently revealed he is doing his best to persuade his wife to ditch her favorite highheeled shoes in favor of something more comfortable during her pregnancy, but has so far had no success. He said: “I come home yesterday to help my wife get ready
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for her video shoots and she has these 19inch heels on. So I go into the closet searching for some flats for my wife . She got a lot of damn shoes - it’s like a Macy’s. And Mariah Carey does not own one pair of flat shoes.” However, Mariah defended herself, insisting she does own flat shoes - but did not want to wear them. She said: “To be fair, I had some boots from Aspen, some Dior boots. Ski boots. “And then we did find some flats and then they were a regular ballet slipper, like a beige, and I was like, ‘I don’t think so.’ “ After persuading his spouse to don ski boots, the 30-year-old presenter is now planning a shopping trip to buy the singer some more practical footwear. He told her: “Basically, I got Mariah Carey, the high-heel queen, to put on some flats. And this is amazing. I’m going shoe shopping today, needless to say, to buy you some flat shoes.”
od Stewart cried when his wife told him she was ourteney Cox Arquette has no plans to divorce husband pregnant again. The ‘Maggie May’ hitmaker admitDavid Arquette. The ‘Cougar Town’ actress - who ted he couldn’t contain his emotions when Penny announced her trial separation from her ‘Scream’ co-star Lancaster - who he has four-year-old son Alistair last month after 11 years of marriage - is still uncertain as with - called to tell him their third attempt at in vitro fertilization to what the future holds for the pair. She explained: “I don’t know what (IVF) treatment had been a success as he dined in a Russian will happen, but this is not like we’re getting divorced. This a separarestaurant. He said: “I burst into tears in this restaurant. She tion and I think that takes a lot of courage. Whatever is supposed to was crying, I was crying. It was very special.” He broke down in happen will be the best thing for us.” “Sometimes you just realize, a restaurant when his wife Penny told him they were expecting ‘Wow, we actually have grown apart’.” Courteney has been taking a second child together. The 65-year-old star also spoke of the advice from her former ‘Friends’ co-star Jennifer Aniston - who split couple’s distress as they endured months of fertility treatment from then-husband Brad Pitt in 2005 - on how to deal with her marriage before it was finally successful. He admitted: “It was a tough problems. The actress - who has a six-year-old daughter Coco with road. She had to inject herself every day and the first two treatDavid - added to TV Week magazine: “We just have fun, we laugh, ments in the US didn’t work. I couldn’t bear seeing the sadness we’re inseparable and it’s great. It’s funny, a lot of really close friends on her face. You have to wait for weeks to know whether it’s are kind of going through this right now or like Jennifer who has gone worked or not, it’s crushing when it doesn’t.” Rod - who has six through it. “I don’t know what’s going on in the planets or what, but other children from his previous relationships - admitted he can things are being shaken up and I don’t know what’s going to happen, be a strict father. The star - who grew up in a two-bedroom but, yeah, Jennifer has been amazing for sure.” house in North London with his builder dad - told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I bloody well am strict. I grew up in a house he singer has two children with a fifth of the size of my gym. I’m soft but I’m not a pushover. her former fiance, rugby star Gavin When we go out for meals, all mobile phones are put in the Henson, and says that while 20-month-old middle of the table.” Now, the millionaire star hopes his Dexter is too young to realize what is going on, kids will learn to stand on their own two feet and not Ruby gets upset when photographers try to take her picture. take his success for granted. He added: “I believe in Charlotte exclusively told BANG Showbiz: “They’re very young but Ruby tough love. I just wish one of them would get a notices the photographers and will say, ‘Naughty man taking pictures of job. It’d be nice to see another wage slip coming mummy and Ruby.’ I think it’s going to be a part of their lives from when into the house.” Rod and Penny’s baby - who they’re so young but I don’t intend to be this way forever, I don’t intend they have already named Aiden - is due to be to be famous forever because that would be hell.” Although born in February. she is currently in the midst of relaunching her pop career with new album ‘Back to Scratch’, Charlotte - who recently started dating musician Jonathan Powell - plans to eventually retire to the Welsh countryside with her family. She said: “There will come a point when I’ll just make music quietly and work with other artists and manage people and hopefully build a company that way. “I’ll always make music because I have to but when they go to school and stuff, I don’t want to be flying around the world. I want to be at home picking them up from school, making their tea, giving them a stable and steady environment. That’s my plan.”
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indsay Lohan is trying to reconnect with her old friends. The troubled actress - who is currently in a court-ordered rehabilitation stay at the Betty Ford Clinic in California until early January 2011 - is said to be using her two-hour weekly internet usage time to try and make amends with former pals. According to gossip website TMZ, the majority of people Lindsay has been getting back in touch with are those she cut out of her life when they tried to tell her she had a problem with excessive drinking and drug taking. Last week, pals at the clinic claimed Lindsay was finding her time there hard and was feeling lonely. A source said: “At the moment she is finding it tough being in rehab and she misses her friends and family. “Lindsay has not made any great friends inside the clinic, she is just trying to keep her head down and get on with things.” Her current trip to rehab is her fifth attempt at getting clean and sober and follows her breaking the terms of her probation for a 2007 driving under the influence (DUI) case. In September, she tested positive for two drugs in her system, leading to her new stay in rehab. However, she avoided an expected jail term for the relapse, and was instead told to stay in rehab until early next year. — Bang Showbiz
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Fashion
By Sandra Pedicini lothing stores aimed at teenagers and twentysomethings are expanding their reach, trying to hook customers barely out of kindergarten with their own lines. Teen retailer Aeropostale last year opened its first PS from Aeropostale for kids 7 to 12. It has opened almost 40 of them so far and is expected to have 45 by year’s end. Aeropostale calls PS “a logical extension” of its brand. It hopes to capture some of the multibilliondollar pre-teen or “tween” market, which has been largely the domain of mass merchandisers. Other youth-oriented chains have also begun making tinier clothing. Forever 21 this year launched a new line, called HTG81, for children 6 to 14, available in select stores. While Aeropostale clothes have a casual feel, HTG81 offers trendier styles including shimmering dresses, T-shirts that say “I love shopping” and berets. American Eagle Outfitters has even reached toward the toddler set with its 77kids line for children 2 to 10. American Eagle launched 77kids in 2008 online and has a few stores open, mostly in the Northeast. Branding experts say that as youngsters get more sophisticated, it makes sense that growth-hungry retail companies would target them. “Little kids are so status-conscious about
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clothing now, more than ever,” Orlando-based branding strategist Eli Portnoy said. “It was a natural evolution for young college, teenage brands-Why not go after them younger and get them hooked into our brands?’ “ Nationally, $13.4 billion was spent nationwide on teen clothing over the past year, according to marketresearch firm NPD Group. “These larger companies ... realize it’s predominantly an untapped market,” said Maria Bailey, who runs a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based marketing firm focusing on mothers. But it’s a market that’s been primed to shop, she said. “They’ve been dressing their penguins on Club Penguin or their Webkinz online,” she said. “You put them in a shopping mall, they’ve got that behavior of ‘I love to shop.’ “ But reaching out to the elementary and middle school market has its pitfalls. For one thing, Portnoy said, designers have to make sure they don’t alienate their original customers, who might not “like the idea that their younger siblings are wearing the same branded goods.” Aeropostale’s clothes for young children, for example, mimic the original brand’s casual style, but many pieces distinguish themselves by displaying a PS logo. And the products will have to be priced right. Abercrombie & Fitch’s kids’ stores, which have been
around for years and feature higher-end clothes that the company resisted discounting through much of the economic downturn, have suffered sales declines. Abercrombie kids generated $343.1 million in sales in 2009, down from $471 million in 2007. Abercrombie had more success during the middle of the decade, when its children’s sales grew by double digits-far ahead of a 5 percent growth rate in general kids’ apparel, according to Trefis, a stock-analysis Web site. Hurt by the economic downturn, the children’s clothing market should start growing again, Trefis predicts. The economy has been kinder to more economically priced lines such as Forever 21, Bailey said: “The kids know that their dollar will go further there.” In general, Bailey said, more traditional kids’ retailers such as Children’s Place and Gymboree will have to adapt if they want to keep their pint-sized customers as they grow. “I think they’re probably going to lose customers at a younger age,” she said. “If they don’t stay up with or change or somehow appeal to the 6- to 8-year olds, they’re going to lose them. They’re going to be viewed as baby clothes.” 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.). Visit the Sentinel on the World Wide Web at http://www.orlandosentinel.com. On America Online, use keyword: OSO. — MCT
Abercrombie & Fitch looks to rebound after sales of kids clothes declined through much of the economic downturn. — McT
Models present creations by Macedonian designer Rosica Mrsic, at a fashion show in Skopje, Macedonia, on Sunday.—AP
Chloe presents the new collection his season’s See by Chloe silhouette cultivates the art of subtle mixes and boasts a light-hearted and confident femininity. Combining military spirit and ethnic chic references, male wardrobe inspirations and romantic prints, school-girl uniforms and country chic pieces blend together for a spontaneous and casual allure. For day, suit jackets, skinny trousers, jumpsuits, duffle-coats and cape-coats, all prettily constructed, delicately structure the silhouette. Dresses with softly rounded shoulders, figure-skating skirts, silk blouses and fluid knits underline the ultra feminine yet quirky ease of the collection. Flecked tweeds, boiled wools, padded flannels, washed leathers, denim, silk crepes and velvet create original fabric combinations which accentuate the casual attitude of the look. Subtle and modern, the color palette fuses dark greens, plums, navy blues, chocolate browns, grays and dense blues. Patchwork effects, all-over prints of stars, forests and clouds, or even printed t-shirts revive these muted tones. Tiny studs placed on shoulder straps, zips on the hemlines and striped chain embroidery spice-up the silhouette with a rock and roll touch. For evening, fitted smoking jackets, sequined shorts or fluid mini-dresses offer a more refined interpretation of nineties minimalism.
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Accessories Livened up by zippers, metallic pearls or tassels, the bags of this season offer supple lines which recall those of the ready to wear collection. With its’ bows edged with zippers, the new Claras handbag fuses femininity with a quirky rock edge. A playful spirit which can be found on the reptile-print leather pieces in a range of warm and metallic tones and also in the removable charms which can be clipped wherever you please. For evening, the clutch-
es with maxi patent-leather bows offer a whimsical touch. Shoes High-heels are a must this season. Ankle boots adorned with zipper-edged bows, laceup walking boots or multi-strapped fur-lined boots guarantee an easy and stylish walk. Wedged winter clogs, ballerinas with maxi bows and cloud print Wellington boots complete the kittenish and casual ease of this collection.
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By Tan Vinh his river canyon looks majestic from the side of the road, with the sun outlining the Cascade Range in crimson hue and kayakers drifting lazily along the calm water below. It’s quiet on this recent Tuesday morning. It’s quiet later in the afternoon. And the day after. It’s often this way in the fall, or at least much less hectic than Oregon’s side of the Gorge, locals say. The magnificent Gorge stretches 80 miles between Oregon and Washington. Oregon is considered the sexy side, with tens of thousands of tourists annually visiting Multnomah Falls, Vista House and the windsurfing town of Hood River. Even the salmon-watching on the Oregon side of Bonneville Dam draws bigger crowds. But the Washington side is no less spectacular-and more serene. The river isn’t flanked by freeway as on the Oregon side. It’s mostly a two-lane road where you can cruise in solitude on long stretches of asphalt, the banks of the Columbia a stone’s throw away. On a recent road trip, I took the side less traveled, driving to Beacon Rock State Park, then to the belly of the Gorge, where the sun shines long and the vineyards are many, and finally to the desert landscape around Maryhill, getting acquainted with the many faces of this natural wonder. The leaves were feathering in the air near the town of Stevenson as I approached Beacon Rock State Park, named for an 840-foot volcanic plug that you can’t miss on the banks of the Columbia. The monolith is almost two-thirds as high as the Rock of Gibraltar. Surrounding this landmark are more than 20 miles of hiking trails, including two new trails and seven new campsites, with 30 more campsites planned in the near future. I see a dozen hikers in the parking lot, grabbing their jackets and tying their shoes, preparing to hike a mile on a cliff-hugging trail to the top of Beacon Rock. But park ranger Karl Hinze had other plans for me. We were hitting nearby Hamilton Mountain, the park’s highest peak, to view Beacon Rock and the 5,100-acre park from above. Deer, elk, porcupines and cougars inhabit this forest of Douglas fir and cedar. There also have been countless reports of Bigfoot sightings in this area over the years. On our hike, Hinze looked for big, furry creatures of a different kind: black bears. He had spotted a mother and a cub weeks before and had hoped to catch another glimpse. “Wouldn’t that be cool?” he said. Actually, no. We hiked by thickets of huckleberries and elderberries. From atop, by the
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sign, “Summit, Hamilton Mtn, Elev. 2480,” I could look down and see the mighty Bonneville Dam, built under President Franklin Roosevelt, along with Cape Horn and Crown Point.”You can catch little snippets of the Gorge if you drive on the road,” Hinze said. But you can’t get the vastness and beauty of it “until you get up.” Nor should you miss the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, nearby in Stevenson, to get a sense of how centuries of flooding carved the Gorge. Many children-and some of their parentsremain more interested in Bigfoot sightings. Skamania County passed a law banning the hunting of Bigfoot in 1969 — on April 1. Some chuckle. But believers take this Bigfoot refuge thing seriously. I met Joe Robertson, owner of Stevenson’s Sasquatch Coffee Roasters, who often deals with passers-by curious about the hunting ban. He tells them, “I don’t know if it’s a misdemeanor or a felony to shoot Bigfoot. It’s not like anyone has been tried in court.” Back on Highway 14, as I head west toward Lyle and White Salmon, the road seems wider, with 300-foot cliffs farther back from the roadside. Fewer evergreens obstruct the postcard view of the river. What a river, flowing 1,200 miles from the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Ocean, and once so turbulent that it swallowed up countless canoes and fishermen, until humans tamed it with dams. As I squinted at the view, it was easy to appreciate one big difference between the Oregon and Washington sides of the Gorge: On Washington’s south-facing slopes, it’s sunnier. “We are right on the fringe of the desert. We are where the desert and the foothills of the
Where: The Columbia River Gorge, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Seattle. Best days to visit: Thursdays-Sundays when most restaurants, wineries and attractions are open. Attractions: Get a good historic overview of the area at Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, 990 S.W. Rock Creek Drive, Stevenson; open 10 am -5 pm daily, $5$7, 800-991-2338 or www.columbiagorge.org. About 9 miles west of Stevenson, at Milepost 35, Beacon Rock State Park has more than 20 miles of trails spread across 5,100 acres, with camping, hiking and water recreation. Most popular is the steep, one-mile hike up Beacon Rock. 509-427-8265 or www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Beacon%20Rock. Dog Mountain Trail, off Highway 14 at Milepost 53, is one of the favorite hikes on the Washington side, especially during the spring for wildflowers. Six miles round trip. See
Maryhill was built by businessman Sam Hill overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in Washington and has been a public art museum since 1940.
www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/trails/locations/mta-0147dog-mountain.shtml. Maryhill Museum of Art is off Highway 14 just west of US Highway 97 and the Biggs Rapids-Sam Hill Bridge. Open 9 am -5 pm daily March 15-Nov 15. The museum closes for the season after Nov 15. $2-$7; 509-773-3733 or www.maryhillmuseum.org. Stonehenge Memorial, off Highway 14 three miles east of the Maryhill Museum, was also built by tycoon Sam Hill. The replica of England’s prehistoric Stonehenge-this version intact-was a memorial to local war dead. Lodging:
A sampling of accommodations: Skamania Lodge, Stevenson. Nicest lodging option along Highway 14; weekend rates in November start at $144. 866-399-7980 or www.skamania.com.
Carson Mineral Hot Springs Spa & Golf Resort, Carson. Modern hotel rooms ($75-$85) and historic bathhouse with mineral baths, massages and more. 800-607-3678 or www.carsonhotspringresort.com. Inn of the White Salmon, 172 W. Jewett Blvd, White Salmon. The best of the boutique hotels; rooms start at $90 April-October ($60 November-March) including breakfast. Hostel beds for $25. 800-972-5226 or www.innofthewhitesalmon.com. Columbia Gorge Riverside Lodge, 200 S.W. Cascade Ave, Stevenson. Modern log-cabin rooms, as cheap as $79, are steps from the water. Located between main rail line and the river; you will hear trains at night. 509-427-5650 or www.cgriversidelodge.com. The Lyle Hotel, 100 Seventh St., Lyle. $85 rooms, shared bathrooms. A historic hotel, with train noise. 800447-6310 or www.lylehotel.com. — MCT
Maryhill was built by businessman Sam Hill overlooking the Columbia River Gorge in Washington and has been a public art museum since 1940 including works such as Auguste Rodin’s 1881 “Eve” in plaster. — MCT photos
Cascades come together,” said Syncline Wine Cellars’ winemaker James Mantone, whose vineyards and farmhouse sit high in the hills outside of Lyle. Mantone, 38, kayaked here in the 1990s and knew he wanted to settle his family and cellar here once he realized the Gorge’s wine potential. “We’re in the dry zone. You get a lot of sunshine,” he said. “Our winter is more mild and warmer. It’s moderated by the maritime influence,” ideal for his European-style syrahssavory, herbaceous and lower in alcohol. Seattle Times wine columnist Paul Gregutt calls Mantone one of the most talented winemakers in Washington. It’s a more intimate wine experience in the Gorge, with mostly boutique wineries, where the winemaker, his spouse or his dog will greet you when you pull up in the driveway. The exception is Maryhill Winery, the Chateau Ste. Michelle of the Gorge, with its 3,000-squarefoot tasting room, covered picnic area and an amphitheater that features concerts by the likes of Lyle Lovett and Natalie Merchant. I headed that way, nearing the east end of the Gorge, pulling over at Milepost 93 to peek at the Celilo Falls site, once one of the world’s largest salmon fisheries, now obscured beneath deep waters behind The Dalles Dam. Interpretive panels tell the stories of this famed trading post for the Yakama, Nez Perce, Warm Springs and Umatilla tribes. It was around here, on April 22, 1806, that explorer William Clark scaled the highest butte on this side of the river and remarked in awe at the view of mountains running south from Mount Hood “as far as I could see.” A century later, business magnate Sam Hill also gawked and declared it the most magnificent sight in the world, reminiscent of the Rhine River. In 1907, Hill bought 5,300 acres and erected a Beaux Arts mansion that is now the Maryhill Museum of Art, named after his daughter, Mary. Perched high on a bluff, the museum houses one of North America’s most significant collections of the works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin. Also featured: a collection of small-scale mannequins fashionably dressed in post-World War II attire, once showcased at the Louvre in Paris. By 2012, the museum will expand with a new 25,500-square-foot wing-grand ambition for a remote museum surrounded by scrublands and looking out on a lonely river. It was one of many surprises along the road. I left Maryhill’s sculpture garden and circled back, retracing my route on Highway 14, cruising with the windows down, with hardly any cars in front or behind, nothing but a gentle breeze and the steady hum of my car on the open road. — MCT
Windsurfer Stefan Forst sets out to take on the waters of the Columbia River in Washington.
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SPECTRUM
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
By Luaine Lee all is the perfect time to explore the secret treasures of northern New Mexico, not just because of its art colonies, colorful history or monumental vistas. While most people know about Santa Fe’s art galleries and museums and Taos’ arty environs, they don’t hear much about the fall colors, cliff dwellings dating back 900 years or the unpretentious artists you can visit in their own studios. Starting in Santa Fe, with its more than 200 art galleries, you can prowl the adobe Palace of the Governors, multicultural museums and memorable restaurants, but there’s also a bountiful Farmer’s Market near the railroad tracks, open Tuesdays and Saturdays. Each morning Native American craftsmen display their wares on blankets on the north side of the central Plaza. Here you not only find jewelry, carvings and other crafts, but great stories if you have the time to listen. Hotels in Santa Fe include the elegant Inn of the Anasazi, the Inn and Spa at Loretto and the Plaza Real. For the best in New Mexican cuisine try the Pink Adobe on Old Santa Fe Trail, in a building dating back 400 years or Los Mayas on Water Street. A favorite of locals is La Choza, and the kids dig Tomasita’s. You can’t overlook a local heroine, artist Georgia O’Keeffe, and the museum and archive dedicated to her. Access to the archive is by appointment, but the gallery, on Johnson Street, is open; admission $10. And for a little gaming, 15 minutes north of Santa Fe sits the Hilton’s Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino. Sculptures by the chief of the Pojoaque Pueblo, George Rivera, are stunning. About an hour north of Santa Fe lies Bandelier National Monument, set aside to preserve the marvelous cliff dwellings, which you can view from a leisurely trail. There are 75 miles of hiking trails, camp sites and thousands of archeological remnants. Just north of Bandelier rests the historic town of Los Alamos. Famous as the site of the Manhattan Project (where scientists developed the atomic bomb), it’s still the location of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where classified research carries on and security guards meet you at the highway entrance. Los Alamos averages the highest IQ per capita in the nation and to validate that claim, you can try to decipher the equations on the chalkboard at the Central Avenue Grill. They were the original formulae designed to bring the Manhattan Project scientists up-to-date when they arrived. The largest employee in the town is still the lab. There are 19 pueblos (or Indian reservations) in New Mexico. East of Los Alamos sits the San Ildefonso Pueblo (505) 455-3549. Visitors are welcome, but bringing in a camera will cost $10. It’s well worth it because San Ildefonso harbors one of the most beautiful churches in the area, circa 1930, complete with a little graveyard in front. It’s here, too, that you can meet Kreig Kalava who, along with his sister, continues the traditional pottery making of their mother. North of Los Alamos you’ll find the village of Abiquiu, onetime winter home of Georgia O’Keeffe. The artist lived part of the year at nearby Ghost Ranch, where you can still spot many of the geological inspirations for her paintings. Take the Georgia O’Keeffe and the Ghost Ranch Landscape Tour, which compares her renditions with the actual sites. Another gem found north on Highway 84 is Los Ojos and the master weavers at Tierra Wools. You can watch them dye the local churro wool and weave tapestries based on ancient designs. They offer casitas were you can stay and classes throughout the year. Across the street, in this almost-deserted little town, is Robert Archuleta, a craftsman in his own right. He weaves old tires into floor mats, decorating them with colored beads. Continue north to the old western town of Chama where you can overnight at the rustic Elkhorn Lodge, (505) 756-2105, and waken to a real outdoor cowboy breakfast. Here you can board the Cumbres & Toltec steam railroad, a narrow gauge train that serpentines 64 miles through the Rockies, displaying prisms of fall colors. Southeast of Chama is the quaint town of Taos, with scores of colorful boutiques, historic estates and art tours. The estate of socialite Mabel Dodge Luhan is here. Luhan collected the works of such artists as Ansel Adams, Willa Cather, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, DH Lawrence (he painted one of the windows in her house), Georgia O’Keeffe, Thornton Wilder and Thomas Wolfe. If you have time, visit Ranchos de Taos south of Taos, where the famous San Francisco de Asis Church rests. Built in the 18th century, it is one of the most painted and photographed churches in the Southwest. A short jaunt south to Cordova will take you to master wood carver Gloria Lopez Cordova, (follow the signs to Gloria’s Shop) a fourth generation carver who boasts items in the Smithsonian and still works out of her humble home Take the picturesque High Road-the backcountry route-to Chimayo where you can visit Lisa and Irvin Trujillo at Centinela Traditional Arts. Irvin is a seventh generation weaver, a shy wizard at his craft. Accommodations in Taos include the elegant El Monte Sagrado, the cozy B&B (with individual casitas), the American Artists Gallery House, perched on the quiet edge of town (800) 532-2041, and the city’s oldest hotel, Hotel La Fonda de Taos on the Plaza. For restaurants try L ambert’s, Doc Martin’s and Graham’s Grille.—MCT
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Twisted tree in the landscape of Abiquiu, New Mexico was painted by artist Georgia O’Keeffe when she lived nearby.
San Ildefonso Church located at the San Ildefonso reservation (called Pueblos in New Mexico.) Visitors are welcome.
Some of the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument where native Americans lived from 1100 to the mid1500s in New Mexico. — MCT photos
Vegetable display is featured at Farmer’s Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The front of San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos, built between 1710 and 1801 and is one of the most photographed and painted churches in the Southwest.
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By Phil Hazlewood arla looked out over Mumbai from the window of a luxury hotel, the line of stitches under her ears and yellowing bruises on her cheeks partially obscured by her dark, shoulderlength hair and glasses. The 50-year-old Italian entrepreneur, who lives in the United States and Europe, had a complete facelift in a private hospital two weeks earlier and was about to leave the city, now looking, she said, as young as she feels. “It was excellent,” she told AFP about the care she received. “Actually it was beyond what I expected. I was really happy with the experience, happy with the doctor, the hospital and the nurses.” Carla, who asked for her real name not to be used, is one of more than 150,000 foreign nationals who come to India every year for medical treatment at a fraction of the cost in their own countries. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India has estimated that the medical tourism sector is growing at an annual rate of about 30 percent and could be worth more than two billion dollars by 2012. Procedures on offer at private hospitals across the country now cover everything from cosmetic surgery and dental treatment to joint replacements and complex heart operations. But The Lancet medical journal in August raised fears that the sector’s growth could be checked, after the discovery of a new “superbug” in India that could be picked up by medical tourists and spread around the world. Scientists have warned that the drug-resistant bug-New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 (NDM1) — poses a global threat and said there is an urgent need for an international surveillance system to track patients. Since the article appeared, cases have been reported in people from Europe, Canada, the United States, Kenya, Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, all of whom had previously received medical care in India or Pakistan. Carla, who has previously come to India for traditional ayurvedic treatment and wants to come back for laser eye surgery, said she was undeterred by the concerns. She and her husband, who had a heart checkup at a leading cardiac care centre during their visit, said they thoroughly checked out the doctor, procedure and the cleanliness of the facilities beforehand. “I think once in a while you hear that there’s something from here and there and nothing’s happened. This was not a concern for me,” she said. Industry figures also played down fears about NDM-1, the existence of which was highlighted by Indian researchers several months before The Lancet report. —AFP
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By Todd McCarthy he second big animated feature of the year, after ‘Despicable Me,’ to center on an arch-villain who sees the error of his ways, ‘Megamind’ is snappy good fun. Fast-paced but not frantic, goofily goodnatured and attractively designed for widescreen 3D, this splashy new effort from Tom McGrath, who made the “Madagascar” hits, happily avoids the crassness and relentless showbiz referencing that have marred some past DreamWorks Animation entries. With its nifty concept and high-octane cast, this Paramount release looks to rake in strong returns with general audiences through year’s end, and it would be a shock not to see a sequel down the line. It opens on Friday. Almost in the manner of an old farce, “Megamind” is loaded with role reversals, of main characters suddenly switching personalities or being revealed as having been someone else in disguise. “I was born to be a super-villain,” the blue-headed, pointy-chinned title character reflects on a life that began on an outlying planet, from where, in a sort of double-Superman move, two toddlers were rocketed to Earth, one fortuitously landing in a mansion, the other ending up behind bars. Little life-highlight snippets
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reveal that, from childhood to increasingly rivalrous adulthood, the ever-plotting Megamind has always been bested in his nefarious plots by the effortless superiority of Metro Man, a magnanimous, if self-satisfied, caped superhero. Adored by the one and all and with nothing left to prove, Metro Man (a perfectly preening Brad Pitt) is no sooner honored with the enormous Metro Man Museum than Megamind (Will Ferrell, enthusiastic and well-spoken) manages to turn the tables on him at last. Caught in the middle is TV newscaster Roxanne (vibrant Tina Fey), a sexy babe whose shapely contours and assertive personality strongly recall the female lead voiced by Reese Witherspoon in Monsters vs. Aliens. Startlingly, Metro Man appears to be history, but when Megamind finally achieves his dream come trueunbridled power over Metro City-he doesn’t know what to do with it because he no longer has an archrival. So via a dose of Metro Man’s DNA, he endeavors to create one out of Roxanne’s hapless, overweight cameraman Hal (a suitably snide Jonah Hill), who quickly goes over to the dark side to avenge the countless slights he’s received throughout his life. This leaves Megamind no choice: He’ll have to become a good guy to fight the massive destruction
Hal, in his evil new guise as carrot-topped Titan, has begun to unleash on the metropolis, a battle eventually and unsurprisingly joined by a dormant ally. “Megamind” arrives at a time when the whole superhero genre is beginning to feel a bit tapped out, but the fun McGrath and his clever writers Alan J Schoolcraft and Brent Simons take in their dextrous plotting is sufficiently contagious to overcome the familiarity. The effervescent characters and frequent role-changing (even the warden at the prison to which Megamind returns is not immune to identity shifts) guarantee there’s never a dull moment, and McGrath takes good care that the action doesn’t cross the line from the energetic to the simply exhausting. Not only this, but the director goes the extra mile with the film’s visual aspects, notably-and perhaps especially- with the 3D. Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to the dimensional work here is that, after a certain point, you tend to forget that you’re watching a 3D movie, so gracefully are the perspectives integrated into the compositions and movements. Wearing the glasses still darkens the image by at least 25%, but the images burst out nonetheless, and there is particularly adroit use of an invisible car, the outline of which just barely registers when it figures in the action.
By Alessandra Rizzo aron Eckhart, who plays a father in mourning in the drama “Rabbit Hole” opposite Nicole Kidman, said yesterday he prepared for the movie by going to a “harrowing” session of a grief group, but turned to the Internet to avoid intruding on others’ private pain. Eckhart said he can’t even pretend to come close to the feeling of someone who has lost a child, as his character experiences in the film, but he and Kidman tried to show how a couple can be intimate but unable to communicate with each other at that point in their
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Overall, the film stands as one of the best arguments in favor of 3D among the many examples that have surfaced over the past couple of years in that it feels like mature, restrained, even natural use of the technique. The self-appointed exponents of super-status (both good and bad) carry with them mild whiffs of “The Incredibles,” which is hardly a bad thing. This is perhaps especially true of the newly minted Titan, who suggests a less childish version of the nasty prankster Syndrome in his relish for trip-wiring virtue and goodness. The very way in which the story is weightedtoward bad guys who have their reasons-represents a tacit acknowledgment that, in such fare, evil is always more interesting than good. In the matter of tone, the filmmakers apply a light touch that reshuffles familiar archetypes in a way that is respectful but not craven, jokey but not arch. The soundtrack is a busy one, with the original score by Lorne Balfe and Hans Zimmer constantly dovetailing with a raft of familiar pop songs smartly used. Special attention has even been taken with the end credits, which are conceptually reminiscent of the brilliant street sign and graffiti creations on “West Side Story” but also take advantage of the 3D format. — Reuters
relationship. Directed by John Cameron Mitchell, “Rabbit Hole” looks at how each of the parents copes with the loss of their 4-year-old son and what impact it has on them as a couple. Eckhart’s Howie holds on to reminders of his son; Kidman’s Becca tries to throw them away and seeks to sell their house. “I don’t pretend to even come close to that feeling,” Eckhart told The Associated Press at the Rome Film Festival, where the movie was presented. “As an actor if you haven’t experienced it first hand, then you make substitutions.” One day Eckhart went to a grief group-as his character does
File photo shows Spanish Basque top chef Juan Mari Arzak posing in the kitchen of his restaurant Arzak. — AFP
By Gersende Rambourg rom liquorice-perfumed shellfish on a three-star table to anchovies and crisps in a tapas bar, San Sebastian has shot in a few years from Basque seaside resort to global foodie destination. Of the seven Spanish tables to have notched up the coveted top rank in the Michelin food bible, three are nestled within a few miles of each other in this northern Spanish city that counts more stars per inhabitant than Paris. “People here are crazy about food, it’s in our blood. Everything takes place around a table, it’s our language,” three-star chef Martin Berasategui told AFP on the sidelines of a top chefs’ congress here last week. “People here love to eat, it’s fair to say they have a special culinary sensitivity,” agreed Elena Arzak, who works in tandem with her father Juan Mari in driving what has become known as new
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File photo shows a dish made at the Spanish Basque top chef Juan Mari Arzak’s restaurant. — AFP
Basque cuisine. A longstanding friend of the avantgardist Catalan chef Ferran Adria, her 68-year-old father regularly sends out inventive new recipes from a workshop on the first floor of his eponymous restaurant in San Sebastian. “It’s not a laboratory as such, but it is a research kitchen that enables us to offer around 40 new dishes each year,” he told AFP. “We freeze-dry hake to reduce it to a powder, and sprinkle it on a fillet of hake cooked ‘a la plancha’,” he said by way of example. Other recent tricks include liquorice used to enhance the flavor of shellfish, coconut to boost carrot, or peanuts added to tuna. Tourists travel from around the world to sample the wares of the Arzak father-and-daughter duo and their Basque peers-but locals also make up a fair slice of the custom. “It’s not the kind of restaurant where you go every day. So less wealthy people save up to be able to come along once a year, just like other customers,” explained Arzak. For both him and fellow chef Pedro Subijana, who mans the three-star table Akelarre, the Basque food revolution can be traced back to the mid1970s and a meeting in Madrid with French pioneers of “nouvelle cuisine”. “That’s where it all began,” says Arzak. “We came home to San Sebastian wanting to shake up our traditions. “Then the success of El Bulli (and its chef Ferran Adria) gave us a shot in the arm that propelled our cuisine onto the world stage.” Known for using hitech methods to “deconstruct” and reassemble ingredients, Adria’s restaurant near Barcelona was crowned the world’s best for four years-only losing the title this year to rising star Noma in Copenhagen. Spain’s success story came to the dismay of some French chefs, who were attacked by the international press as resting on their laurels even as dynamic rivals were driving a revolution on the other side of the Pyrenees. —AFP
US actor Aaron Eckhart poses during the promotion of his latest film, ‘Rabbit Hole,’ at the 5th Rome Film Festival in Rome yesterday. — AFP
in the movie-under the pretext that he was a grieving parent. He said he found that “harrowing and somewhat unethical” and didn’t go back. Instead, he watched video blogs posted by people after suffering a loss. “They are very intense and very heart-wrenching,” he told a press conference in Rome. “It’s easy to be an actor after you’ve watched those video blogs because the pain just permeates them.” Filming was intense, he said, and at one point some of the cast was sharing a house in Long Island to get to know each other. On set, the actors tried to keep the tone light, but still “there were times we were all crying all during the day.” The 42-yearold actor also spoke of his relationship with Kidman, who produced the movie, and of the main challenge he faced in the role. In the movie, the two characters are grieving at different paces and are unable to connect emotionally or sexually. They seek connection with other people — Becca with the boy who killed her son in a car accident; Howie with a fellow parent who attends his grief group. “What I wanted to achieve in this movie with Nicole was the intimacy-a relationship over 10-20 years, having the physical and emotional intimacy and yet not being able to connect with each other,” Eckhart said. “On a daily basis, that was the challenge.” “Rabbit Hole” also stars Dianne Wiest as Kidman’s mother and Sandra Oh of “Grey’s Anatomy” as the grieving parent in Eckhart’s group.-
Singer Lily Allen suffers miscarriage
ritish singer Lily Allen has suffered a miscarriage, her spokesman said yesterday. Allen, whose hits include “Smile” and “The Fear”, is thought to have been around six months pregnant and had often spoken of her desire to be a mother. The 25year-old’s spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Lily Allen and Sam Cooper (her boyfriend) have lost their baby. “The couple ask that their privacy be respected and that they be left alone at this deeply distressing time. No further comment will be made.” Allen suffered a previous miscarriage in 2008 while dating Ed Simons of electronic music duo the Chemical Brothers. She fell pregnant again earlier this year by Cooper, a builder, and at the time said she was “absolutely delighted” at the news. Allen had started to wind down her music career in recent months and has set up a vintage clothing business with her sister. — AFP
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Egyptian underground art film scoops top regional prize icrophone”, about young hip hop and graffiti artists in Egypt’s second city Alexandria, scooped the top award Sunday of Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival showcasing African and Arab cinema. Directed by Egyptian Ahmad Abdalla, the film impressed with its audacity and youth, announced the jury president, Haitian director Raoul Peck. “The Golden Tanit is awarded to this film for its boldness, its youth, the reach of its music, the richness of its characters in a society which refuses to grant young
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Egyptian director Ahmed Abdallah, Egyptian Actor Khaled Abol Naga and Egyptian producer Ataf Yussef are pictured with the Tanit d’or trophy for Abdallah ‘s film ‘Microphone’ during the closing ceremony of the 23nd Carthage International Film Festival (JCC) in Tunis’ municipal theater on October 31, 2010 in Tunis.—AFP
musicians the place that they claim,” he said. The Silver Tanit went to “Voyage a Alger” by Algerian director Abdelkarim Bahloul while Moroccan Daoud Aoulad-Syad won the bronze for “L a Mosquee”. The Car thage Film Festival, created in 1966, is held every two years for films with a director of African or Arab origin. Twenty-four long and shor t films from 11 African and Arab countries were in competition this edition. The Tanit award is named after the chief goddess worshipped at ancient Carthage. — AFP