Massive turnout expected
Transcription
Massive turnout expected
200fils www.dt.bh Emily says Meryl ‘owes’ her ‘big time’ 8P 18-19 Jolie might not be giving up acting entirely Saturday, November 29, 2014 Issue No. 6484 Rain trumpets winter’s arrival Pope for dialogue to end extremism Why are some people mosquito magnets? 8P 2 8P 9 8P 21 FOrEIGN mEdIA BLAmEd FOr BIAs 8P 32 McCullum blitz mauls Pakistan NEW-LOOK CABINET IN THE OFFING DT News Network T he Cabinet is all set to wear a new look with some major changes. A reliable source told DT News that the changes would include the replacement of quite a few ministers and a change in the portfolios of some of them. “Several ministries such as Defence, Education, Industry and Commerce, Health and Shura Council and Parliament Affairs will be soon headed by new ministers. It will be soon announced by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,” the source said yesterday. He also said that the Culture Ministry would be made an authority, “while another major change will be dissolving the State Ministry of Telecommunication Affairs.” Our sister newspaper Al Ayam, on Thursday, reported that after appointing the new members of the Shura Council, “His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will inaugurate, on December 14, the first session of the fourth legislative term, which will continue until 2018.” Full story on Page 3 8P 6 Dr. Al Kaabi A hand of help Manama unicipal Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Dr. Juma Al Kaabi has issued an edict, slashing the municipal fees of 470 Bahraini tenant families. In another edict issued yesterday, the minister also exempted 32 Bahraini citizens from paying taxes. In a release, the minister stated that the initiative was taken after studying their social conditions. Dr. Al Kaabi noted that the two edicts were in line with the directives of the leadership to enhance the living conditions of the citizens. The new edicts add to the other ones exempting lowincome citizens from paying fees or dropping their old debts. M Massive turnout expected Manama resident of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission and Director General of the Elections Abdulla Al Buainain yesterday said that he expected a massive turnout of voters in the run-offs today. Speaking to Bahrain TV, he said there are 34 electoral P Mr. Al Buainain constituencies and 21 municipal ones, where runoffs would be held. Voicing his confidence in the awareness of Bahraini voters and their keenness to cast their ballots and choose their parliamentary and municipal representatives, Mr. Al Buainain said that 49 polling centres were ready to receive the voters. 2 Oil plunges to new multiyear lows New York Global oil prices plunged yesterday to new multi-year lows after the OPEC oil-producing cartel decided to maintain crude output in an oversupplied market. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for delivery in January closed at $66.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down $7.54 from the closing price on Wednesday. It was the lowest WTI close since September 2009. The NYMEX was closed on Thursday for a holiday. As the New York market closed in an abbreviated session yesterday, in London, Brent oil for January delivery sank below $70 for the first time in four and a half years, to $69.78 a barrel. Brent settled at $70.15 a barrel, down $2.43 from Thursday’s close. Rain tRumpets winteR’s aRRival Saturday, November 29 , 2014 DT News Network M Israel wounds Italian activist Nablus A pro-Palestinian Italian activist was shot and seriously wounded by Israeli gunfire during yesterday’s clash in the northern West Bank, medics and his movement said. Palestinian security sources said Patrick Corsi, a 30-year-old member of the International Solidarity Movement, was shot during the weekly demonstration at Kafr Qaddum, west of Nablus. Eyewitnesses said Corsi, who had participated in last week’s protest as well, had been documenting the event with a camera. Protesters force closure of mall near Ferguson St. Louis US protesters forced a crowded St Louis mall to close yesterday marching through the complex demanding a boycott to post-Thanksgiving shopping and justice for an unarmed black teenager killed by police. Scores of demonstrators, including young children, shouted “No justice, no peace,” and “Stop shopping and join the movement” at the St Louis Galleria Mall. Around 100 people lay on the floor for several minutes to symbolize the more than four hours that 18-year-old Michael Brown lay in the road after being shot dead by a white police officer in the St Louis suburb of Ferguson. A grand jury on Monday said it would not indict the officer who killed Brown, sparking arson and looting in Ferguson. The showers also triggered water clogging in many areas including Manama, Saar, Gudaibiya and Sitra, forcing the watersucking trucks to get into action. arking the beginning of winter, the Kingdom received light to moderate showers yesterday. The showers created a festive mood across the Kingdom, giving chance to many to enjoy the weekend by getting wet. It brought nostalgic memories to expatriates from South Asia, which experiences a strong monsoon season, stretching for at least three months a year. Speaking to DT News, 25-year-old Amjad Hussain, a Pakistani national, said, “Though the showers weren’t heavy unlike the ones we’ve in Pakistan, I began feeling homesick.” The showers also triggered water clogging in many areas including Manama, Saar, Gudaibiya and Sitra, forcing the water-sucking trucks to get into action. According to the sources attached to Meteorological Department, the showers would continue today as well. They added that the weather would remain cool and cloudy for the next three days with temperature ranging between 17 and 23 Degree Celsius. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has warned the seafarers to be cautious of the high winds. The ministry added that seafarers would receive latest updates on the weather through its Twitter account. The General Directorate of Traffic also called upon the road users to be cautious during the rains. One accident occurred when two cars rammed into each other on Hidd Bridge. However, no injuries were reported. Pics by biju haridas and Melvin Mendonca Cabinet to see major Changes Saturday, November 29, 2014 3 l State Ministry for Information Affairs likely to be merged with Information Affairs Authority l Culture Ministry likely to be made an authority l State Ministry of Telecommunication Affairs likely to be dissolved l Number of deputies in the Cabinet and several governmental authorities likely to be reduced Noora Alzabie/ DTNN W ith the nation electing its new Parliament, the Cabinet is set to see major changes, it was revealed yesterday. A reliable source affirmed to DT News, “the new changes will include the replacement of quite a few ministers and a change in portfolios of some ministers.” “Several ministries such as Defence, Education, Industry and Commerce, Health and Shura Council and Parliament Affairs will be soon headed by new ministers. It will be soon announced by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa,” the source said yesterday. Explaining further, he said, the State Ministry for Information Affairs would be merged with Information Affairs Authority (IAA), which is currently headed by Ali Al Rumaihi.” The source also confirmed that the Culture Ministry would be made an authority, “while another major change will be dissolving the State Ministry of Telecommunication Affairs.” “The number of deputies in the Cabinet and several governmental authorities will be reduced,” added the source. Our sister newspaper Al Defence, Education, Industry and Commerce, Health, Shura Council and Parliament Affairs ministries are likely to be headed by new ministers. Ayam, on Thursday, reported that after appointing the new members of the Shura Council, “His Majesty the King will inaugurate, on December 14, the first session of the fourth legislative term, which will continue until 2018.” Quoting informed official sources, the report explained, “the next Cabinet session, taking place tomorrow, will be the final one of the third legislative term.” However, it was also mentioned that the new council of ministers would be decided after extensive discussions. The previous ministerial changes were made in 2010, during the end of the second legislative term. It included assigning a fourth deputy prime minister and separating Electricity from Works Ministry. The year 2013 also saw the appointment of Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa as the First Deputy Prime Minister. DT News invites you to be part of our special Bahrain National Day supplement. Write to us and tell us what you like best about the Kingdom of Bahrain. This could be anything from a place, sport, restaurant, an activity etc. Write about the topic in not more than 100 words along with a photograph of yours. Please include your phone number in case we have to contact you. While sending the entry, please mention the subject as ‘Best about Bahrain’. The entries could be sent at Email to [email protected] Speaks for you 4 Saturday, November 29, 2014 Girl assault Three years for assaulTING GIrl DT News Network Manama A n Asian man, who kissed an 11-year-old girl on her lips, was sentenced to three years in prison by the High Criminal Court. It was claimed that the defendant, 31, was working in a cafeteria where the victim was a regular customer. The incident happened when the latter went to purchase sandwiches from the outlet, where nobody was there except the man. The case was reported to the police by the girl’s mother, who pointed out that her child burst into tears after the convicted man kissed her lips. “My daughter (the girl) called me and she was weeping. She said that the man kissed her on the lips after holding her tightly,” the mother told prosecutors. It was claimed that the defendant had attempted to prevent the child from divulging what he had done to her by offering her money after she broke into tears. However, all his efforts were in vain because the child immediately ran to her mother and reported what the man had done to her. Judges at the High Criminal Court have also ordered for the man’s immediate expulsion once he completes his jail time. Robbers jailed for five years a DT News Network Manama T he High Criminal Court sentenced two Asian men to five years in jail after they were found guilty in connection with a robbery case. The duo reportedly robbed a local restaurant owner and ran off with his money. According to the victim, he encountered four men, while he was walking in the street and without a warning, they cornered and threatened him at knife-point and ran off with the income of his restaurant for that day, which amounted to BD300. “While I was walking outside, carrying the money with me, they (the four men) approached me. Without any notice, one of them drew a knife from his pocket, while the others took me by surprise by grabbing the money before fleeing the scene,” the victim said in his statement before the Public Prosecution. “I shouted for help and people came to my rescue,” he added. The man in custody was reportedly caught by passers-by while he was trying to flee. Meanwhile, the second defendant was captured after the victim spotted him in a nearby area, after filing a criminal complaint at the police station. The other two men who are implicated in the theft case, however, are still at large. Judges at the High Criminal Court have given the first defendant an additional month in jail for illegal residency offence. Both of the men were ordered to be deported, once they completed their jail sentences. While I was walking outside, carrying the money with me, they (the four men) approached me. Without any notice, one of them drew a knife from his pocket, while the others took me by surprise by grabbing the money before fleeing the scene,” victim to prosecutor The 31-year-old defendant, who was working in a cafeteria where the victim was a regular customer, took advantage of the situation when they were alone and kissed the girl despite her resistance. He also offered some money to her so that she would keep quiet but she told her mother, who reported the incident to police. Girls’ school attacked by vandals DT News Network Manama A school was attacked by vandals in the Northern Governorate yesterday, according to the Education Ministry. The ministry stated that the Karranah Elementary Girls’ School was the latest educational institution to be “attacked by vandals” this year. “Vandals threw petrol bombs at the school, causing several damages,” The ministry said in its statement. The ministry’s Public Relations and Media Directorate confirmed Part of the wall of the school that was damaged during the attack. that the concerned security authorities were informed attacks on educational attacked during the past three about the incident. institutions, saying, “Three school years. Attacks included The ministry’s directorate hundred seventy-three arson, break entry, thefts and denounced the continuous academic establishments were other assaults.” The Education Ministry stated that the Karranah Elementary Girls’ School was the latest educational institution to be “attacked by vandals” this year, adding that the concerned authorities were informed about the incident. Verdict due in murder case 5 Saturday, November 29, 2014 DT News Network Manama S ix appellants convicted in connection with a bomb that killed a policeman and injured two others will learn their fate on December 30. The six Bahrainis were among 14 defendants who were sentenced to life behind bars for murdering police officer Yasir Khan Uranj. However, the eight other men are still at large and were sentenced in absentia. They were all found guilty of murder, attempted murder, detonating an explosive device, possessing explosives, rioting and putting people’s lives in danger by the High Criminal Court on December 22, 2013. The blast, which happened in July 2012 near Wadiyan graveyard in Sitra, killed Mr. Uranj and injured+ two of his colleagues. The bomb went off after police were dispatched to the area to confront around 400 rioters, who set tyres alight and assaulted officers with Molotov cocktails and metal rods as they tried to clear the road. A medical examiner’s report states that traces of nitrocellulose, an explosive material also known as guncotton, were found on the shrapnel pulled from the victim. The six Bahraini appellants will learn their fate on December 30 when the Court hands down its verdict, after they were earlier found guilty of murdering police officer Yasir Khan Uranj and injuring some of his colleagues. Cop attacker’s jail term reduced DT News Network Manama T he High Criminal Appeals Court has reduced the jail time of a man convicted of physically assaulting an on duty police officer. The defendant was earlier handed down a one-year imprisonment, but he saw his jail time slashed to six months on appeal. The defendant was reportedly involved in a brawl inside a bar on February 2, 2014. He reportedly quarrelled with another man, before police arrived at the scene to stop the situation from getting worse. The defendant was claimed to have knocked down one of the police officers, while they were trying to arrest him in a bid to escape. But, he was busted before he could escape the place. One officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the struggle. The defendant was claimed to have knocked one of the police officers down while they were trying to arrest him in a bid to escape. But, he was busted before he could flee the place. One officer sustained minor injuries as a result of the struggle. However, the defendant’s lawyer firmly denied that the defendant’s behaviour was intentional, affirming that he was drunk and wasn’t aware of his actions. Great rates on worldwide money transfers and 0% commission on over 40 foreign currencies! Visit your nearest branch today /BFCBahrain /BFCBahrain Care. Trust. Efficiency. Minister of State for Human Rights Affairs Dr. Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman received the outgoing Algerian Ambassador Nejib Snoussi yesterday. During the meeting, the minister affirmed the long-standing solid ties between the two countries in all fields. The Algerian Ambassador thanked the minister for the meeting, expressing hope that Algerian-Bahraini relations will develop further. BFC_379_BH_DT_AD_160mmX128mm.indd 1 05/06/2014 14:11 Foreign media blamed For bias 6 Mohammed Zafran / DTNN C andidates and journalists in the Kingdom came down heavily on the international media for presenting biased reports, which “absolutely don’t portray the reality”. They said that the foreign media was totally behind the anti-national protesters, when the Kingdom was witnessing a significant democratic stride. Speaking to DT News, winning Parliamentary candidate Isa Al Kooheji said that the “cooked-up reports” wouldn’t adversely affect the image of the Kingdom. Saturday, November 29, 2014 “With the electoral success, we know that our democracy is on the right track. Unfortunately, we’ve a certain group boycotting the elections but that won’t hinder the Kingdom’s democratic progress. It’s high time we start focussing on tackling the issues from within,” he added. Meanwhile, Abdulazeez Zaman, a candidate for the municipal elections urged Bahrainis to ignore reports fabricated by the international media. “The foreign media doesn’t have proper sources or judges to provide an accurate coverage for their readers. Thanks to Mr. Al Ghayeb the elections, we Bahrainis are proud of Bahrain.” Putting it in a journalistic perspective, Hawar Society Mr. Al Kooheji Deputy Chairman and Senior Journalist Rashed Al Ghayeb said that the foreign media was trying to implement Mr. Zaman a particular agenda in the Kingdom. “Since 2011, these people have been trying to divide the country on sectarian lines without seeing what was actually happening in Bahrain,” he added. Three Indians get out-passes DT News Network T hree Indian nationals who were allegedly exploited by a Bahrainbased contracting company, received out-passes for travelling back home during the Open House held yesterday at the Indian Embassy. According to the complainants- Suresh, Anuraj and Sampath, the company has not been paying salaries and allowances for the past two years. The trio along with six others had earlier approached the embassy to file their complaints and subsequently they were asked to file a case against the company. “Six of them withdrew the case citing that didn’t want allowances, while we stood strong and legally fought for our rights,” Suresh told DT News. He added that the company authorities didn’t bother to return their passports despite the court order. “Since the embassy has allocated out-passes, they can leave immediately. However, for Dr. Kumar along with Indian Embassy First Secretary Ram Singh. Suresh, Anuraj and Sampath receiving pending allowances they will have to produce their documents from the Immigration Centre and this is a time-consuming process,” a legal expert told DT News. However, Mr. Suresh has asked the embassy to speed up his journey back, for he suffers from various diseases. During the Open House, Indian Ambassador Dr. Mohan Kumar also urged the Indians in Bahrain to register the birth of their children without fail. The envoy made the statement while discussing the plight faced by the stateless children who have neither citizenship nor passport. Saturday, November 29, 2014 Poll serves needy too! Flex boards turn into shelters Elayath Pragit Parameswaran/ DTNN [email protected] W ith the massive use of billboards, the municipal and parliamentary elections 2014 turned into a carnival. For few days, many of these flex boards even became a landmark in few areas. But the haunting question is, where do these billboards go after the elections? You may be delighted to know that few of these vertical standing flex boards, which display smiling candidates requesting the votes of Bahrainis, go horizontal to serve as tents for poor. “Every candidate who contested the 2014 municipal and parliamentary elections in the Kingdom, irrespective of his/her victory or failure serves the poor in an unknown way by becoming a source of shelter,” said an owner of a leading advertising agency. According to him, his employees remove all the hoardings from the roadsides after the elections. “We collect and compile all our flex materials and load it in a container. We usually export these materials to a few poor nations where the people use them for shelter. And we don’t earn any single profit out of it,” said an employee attached to Pics by santosh RajendRan File photos for representative purpose only You may be delighted to know that few of these vertical standing flex boards, which display smiling candidates requesting the votes of Bahrainis, go horizontal to serve as tents for poor another advertisement agency. However, few others asserted that they simply dump the hoardings in an abandoned place in Bahrain. “As there is no recycling unit, we are forced to dump these flex boards after the use. Generally, after dumping, we used to cover it with mud and over period of time more mud accumulates over it,” said an advertising agency owner. According to the experts, almost all hoardings contain flex which are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The environmentalists’ study says that the material is not bio-degradable and if burnt, the fumes are carcinogenic. Moreover the PVC leaches into the soil and pollutes it. “As there is no recycling unit, these boards can be given to the children for colouring activities. Perhaps, these flexes can also be turned into shopping bags as done in few foreign countries,” pointed out environmentalist, Rehan Ahmed. He also added that these candidates should pay a small amount for the removal as well as recycling of these hoardings. 7 Thinking green Rehan Ahmed Post eleCtIon WAste MAnAGeMent T he 2014 parliamentary and municipal elections will be ending today with a record number of candidates standing in the elections and a huge turnout of voters. Publicity was the main factor in the elections whereby candidates and their organisations were publicising their names and constituencies all along the roads and vacant plots to woo the prospective voters. The country is given a pleasant look with colourful banners sprung up at all nook and corners of the country showing smiling faces of the candidates. Banners of different colours, sizes, shapes and forms were made and used which have added more vibrancy and attraction to the surroundings. Handbills have been made and lavishly distributed to attract the voters and spread the candidate’s manifesto and charter of action. Many candidates have booked or rented various sites within their constituencies to organise their campaigns and to hold one-to-one meeting with voters at sites, buildings and tents. While the media companies, printers, banner makers had a roaring business with hundreds of labours getting temporary employment and part time work in making and fixing the banners and distribute publicity material. These campaigning and publicity activities have an impact on the local environment and may affect our fragile resources as it consumed material and that many of such items will go as waste filling up our limited land resources and ending up in Askar landfill site. The billboards, signs or banners from vinyl material can be recycled. Vinyl has been declared as “the worst plastic for the environment”, after a two-year investigation by Greenpeace. The environmental group says that additives in PVC pose imminent risk to humans, especially children and they are concerned about the amount of Dioxins released during the lifecycle of PVC. Most of the banners are printed on a type of vinyl that is recyclable, but unfortunately, since they aren’t labeled, it’s difficult to actually get them recycled. Thus, it can be sent to local recyclers to makes bags. In many western countries, companies have recycled their store banners into green shopping bags. Various companies have had their banners made into wallets, zipper bags, and more. Since a banner is basically just strong plastic with a woven mesh inside, it’s easy to sew. From banners, tote or messenger bags can be made. After the elections, it becomes the municipality duty to remove such wastes that are generated due to the elections and related festivities. Here are some useful suggestions that can make the post-election waste management as ‘green’ avoiding the adverse impacts on the environment. l Banners can be used as tarps. Vinyl banners are typically stronger than store-bought tarps, and they already have grommets along the top and bottom – perfect for covering the waste trucks and trailers. l Banners can be reused for fun art project and as colouring tool for kids where they can try their creativity and artistic skills by just flipping over the existing banner. l Street boards and banners can be reused by taking away the wood or metal frame, using or selling them to recyclers and reusing the plastics and cloth. l Sand bags, concrete blocks, angles, iron rods and banner/ billboard supports can be reused for other campaigns and clients. l Ropes used for tying the banners need to be separated, taken out and reused. Let us be environmentally responsive and keep our waste out of the landfills. The author is the head of Waste Disposal Unit, Supreme Council for Environment, Bahrain (Email: [email protected]) (The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of this newspaper.) 8 Saturday, November 29, 2014 Speak a “ HRH Princess Sabeeka to patronise GCC military women @bna_en “ Hospital says Brazilian soccer great Pele’s condition is improving @AP “ HBlack Friday keeps getting bigger and bigger. Back in 2005, total sales amounted to just under $27 billion “ @Forbes After days of tension and some violence, streets of #Ferguson are quiet overnight. “ @cnnbrk Pope Francis condemns “fanaticism & fundamentalism” in speech promoting peace in Middle East @BBCBreaking “ This morning I’ll set out my plan to ensure a cut in EU migration - & how I’ll make welfare reform an absolute requirement in negotiations. @David_Cameron “ US oil prices open $4.40 lower following OPEC meeting “ The price of war Dear sir, I could not describe what I was feeling, while reading the report in DT News yesterday titled ‘Post War, Gazans battle winter.’ One thing I am certain though – it broke my heart to see what is happening to the Palestinians at Gaza right now. Three months have passed after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire ended a bloody 50-day war between Israel and the Hamas militants but the effects are still hounding those people who were just caught in this bloody and senseless war. More than 100,000 Gazans were left homeless and are still waiting for the “reconstruction programme” promised by the government, which until now, has not seen the light of day. To make matters worse, the fierce winter storm has started in the region this week, which complicates the situation for the Gazans. Without any wall to protect them from the fierce cold or roof on their heads, what Pitt and Jolie - the Gazans are experiencing right now is hell on earth! And the misery of the people of Gaza does not end there. Without a home and regular food supply to give them warmth during the onset of winter, most are left nursing a deep hatred against their cursed foe –Israel. What bothers me the most is the picture of little children and old and sick people, without Do you feel strongly about commenting on any issue of social relevance or on any report we carried? Be it bouquets or bricks, you can explore this space by airing your views, opinions or comments. The best letter, selected once in a week, will receive five tickets for watching a blockbuster at Dana Cinema. Letters can be sent at letters @dt.bh any food or blanket to cover them during wintertime. So this is the price of war. Innocent people are being sacrificed for the selfish and evil interests of those powerhungry countries. I hope and pray that the suffering of the people of Gaza would come to an end and that they would get the justice they deserve. Hamdiyah Abdulla There’s no perfect relationship! @AFP Vladimir Putin wants Russia to have full access to Hollywood movies “ Readers’ VIEW @guardian As William Shakespeare said, “Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.” @Forbes “ An 18-yearold Hong Kong student leader says police hit him several times during pro-democracy protests @washingtonpost Dear sir, There is no perfect relationship between a man and a woman. No matter who you are, or what your status in life is, whether you are rich and famous, or just the ordinary man in the street, chances are, you are bound to have those ‘nasty little fights’ with your partner, boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse. This was what the report about Angelina Jolie and her husband Brad Pitt seemed to be saying in the Celebs section in DT News yesterday. The couple was seen fighting on a hotel balcony in Los Angeles and Brad reportedly walked out of the room and left a distraught Angelina, who turned to cigarettes for comfort. So it is clear that even the most perfect couple does not have a perfect relationship! People can do their best to pretend that they have this wonderful relationship with their partner but sooner or later, the truth would come out. Just reading the lives of celebrities and other highprofiled people, who ended up with a broken relationship is enough to convince me that the term ‘perfect relationship’ does not exist in this world! Of course, we could do our best to have a good relationship with the one we loved. But, we must also accept the fact that as human beings, our nature allows us to react in almost a negative or even hostile way when it comes to our loved ones, especially when there is a threat in our relationship with them. They say that one must overcome ‘jealousy’ which is the main reason why couples and partners fight. Well, we can debate on this issue for a long time. But suffice it to say that to have a relationship with someone you love is still the best thing that could ever happen to a person. Isabella MIDDLE EAST 9 POPE FOR DIALOGUE TO END EXTREMISM Saturday, November 29, 2014 Ankara ope Francis yesterday called for dialogue between faiths to end the Islamist extremism plaguing the Middle East as he visited Turkey for his first visit to the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular state. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed Pope Francis as the first foreign dignitary to his controversial new presidential palace outside Ankara, for his part issued a strong warning about rising Islamophobia in the world. The visit of the pope is seen as a crucial test of Francis’ ability to build bridges between faiths amid the rampage by Islamic State (IS) jihadists in Iraq and Syria and concerns over the persecution of Christian minorities in the Middle East. “Sadly, to date, we are still witnessing grave conflicts. In Syria and Iraq, particularly, terrorist violence shows no P Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Pope Francis following their joint Press conference at Turkey’s Presidential Palace yesterday. signs of abating,” the pope said after talks with Erdogan. “Inter-religious and intercultural dialogue can make an important contribution... so that there will be an end to all forms of fundamentalism and terrorism,” the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics added. Speaking in an overwhelmingly Muslim country which has a tiny but culturally significant Christian minority, the pope pointedly said all faiths should share the same rights. “It is essential that all citizens - Muslim, Jewish and Christian - both in the provision and practice of the law, enjoy the same rights and respect the same duties.” Turkey’s own Christian community is tiny - just 80,000 in a country of some Air raids claim more than 500 in 40 days Beirut ore than 500 civilians have been killed in a “world record” 2,000 air strikes across Syria by regime forces over the past 40 days, a monitoring group said yesterday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the regime could be “listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for... carrying out some 2,000 air strikes against its people in the past 40 days”. The group, which relies on a broad network of activists M and medics on the ground for its information, said the raids have killed at least 527 civilians and wounded 2,000 others. On Wednesday alone, raids on the Islamic State jihadist group’s self-declared “capital” of Raqa killed 95 people, “the vast majority civilians”, the Britain-based Observatory’s head Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The Syrian air force first launched air strikes against rebel-held areas in July 2012 when the government lost control of swathes of Aleppo city. It has since pounded areas across the country on a daily basis, often with crude “barrel bombs” dropped from helicopters. “In the past 40 days alone, there have been strikes against parts of 12 of Syria’s 14 provinces,” said Abdel Rahman. “Millions of people have fled their homes because of the strikes, becoming internally displaced or refugees in neighbouring countries,” he said. A Syrian man reacts following reported airstrikes by government forces in the Syrian city of Raqa, a stronghold of the Islamic State, on Thursday. 75 million Muslims - but also extremely mixed, consisting of Armenians, Greek Orthodox, Franco-Levantines, Syriac Orthodox and Chaldeans. Erdogan has long been accused by opponents of seeking to erode Turkey’s secular foundations with creeping Islamisation. But he also presents himself as a friend of the country’s extremely small but varied non-Muslim minorities. He chose the occasion to make a characteristically strong-worded warning against growing Islamophobia in the world, which he warned risked further dividing Muslims and Christians. “Islamophobia is rising seriously and rapidly. We must work together against the threats weighing on our planet - intolerance, racism and discrimination,” said Erdogan. The security of the pope - who looked tired and at times distant during the visit - is paramount for the Turkish authorities. The streets of Ankara appeared deserted of wellwishers as his motorcade whizzed through, in stark contrast to the close contact with crowds that have been such a feature of the past trips. Some 2,700 police supervised his visit in Ankara, a number that will rise to 7,000 for the last two days of the trip in Istanbul. There had been calls on the Pope not to meet Erdogan at his vast presidential palace which has 1,000 rooms, costing no less than $615 million (500 million euros) to build and seen by critics as an authoritarian extravagance. The pope was welcomed with an honour guard before the doors to the gigantic edifice swung open and he walked inside with the president. Iranian commander led Iraq anti-jihadist drive, says Hezbollah Beirut ebanon’s Shia movement Hezbollah said yesterday that an Iranian elite unit commander led the anti-jihadist counter-attack in Iraq after the Islamic State group made major advances in June. Major General Qassem Suleimani landed in Baghdad on June 10, hours after the IS overran the Iraqi city of Mosul, “leading a group of Lebanese and Iranian military experts”, according to the pro-Tehran Shiite group’s Al-Manar website. It said Suleimani, who heads Iran’s elite Quds Force, had together with the Iraqi military and Shiite militias worked out a strategy “to secure Baghdad and its surroundings”, when the jihadists appeared unstoppable. “The first order he gave was to secure the road linking Baghdad to Samarra (to the north), and he successfully expelled the IS jihadists who had been occupying sections of this vital artery,” it said. “He had a direct role in battles on this road, and has been present in all the major anti-IS L battles in the western province of Anbar,” according to Al-Manar. It said Suleimani also took part in fighting in “the Kurdish regions of Diyala (in the east), the oil-rich province of Kirkuk and in the recent battle to reclaim Baiji refinery”. There was no immediate confirmation of the report from officials in Baghdad. A secretive figure, Suleimani is seldom mentioned in Iranian media. He has cultivated a reputation as one of the most influential security operatives in the Middle East. In 2008, the United States accused him of training Shia militias waging attacks against Western troops in Iraq. A senior Iranian justice official has also said that Suleimani was present during fighting near Arbil alongside Kurdish forces in early August. Media in Iran regularly report the deaths of Iranian “volunteers” in Syria and Iraq in fighting against jihadists. Iranian authorities claim the combatants are there of their own accord to protect Shia holy sites. Shia rebels push on towards South Yemen Sanaa emen’s Shia Ansarullah militia is advancing in Taez province towards the main southern city of Aden as it seeks to expand its influence after taking the capital, officials said yesterday. Overnight, a 16-vehicle convoy of militiamen entered an eastern suburb of Taez, the country’s third city, and deployed near its airport and a local radio station, the local officials said. Ansarullah militiamen, also called Huthis, have captured many communities in western and central Yemen since taking Sanaa on September 21. However, they had not entered Taez, a city of around half a million people some 250 kilometres (155 miles) southwest of Sanaa, under an accord struck with local authorities. “This agreement no longer stands because the local authorities have not honoured their commitment to arrest 14 extremists in Taez province,” a source close to Ansarullah told AFP. The group’s deployment in the eponymous city’s Al-Janad suburb follows “their capture this week of Al-Qaeda”, a region of neighbouring Ibb province, an official in the area said. “Supporters of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh helped the Huthis get into Al-Janad,” he added. The suburb houses a barracks of the Republican Guard, a unit in which several officers remained loyal to Saleh’s eldest son who commanded the elite corps. Y Overnight, a 16-vehicle convoy of militiamen entered an eastern suburb of Taez, the country’s third city, and deployed near its airport and a local radio station, the local officials said. 10 Saturday, November 29, 2014 CINECO (20) 1 Horrible Bosses 2 (18+) (Comedy) New Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis Daily At: 11.30 Am + 2.00 + 4.30 + 7.00 + 9.30 Pm + 12.00 Mn + (1.00 Am Thurs/Fri) Daily At (ViP i): 11.00 Am + 1.30 + 4.00 + 6.30 + 9.00 + 11.30 Pm 2 Penguins Of Madagascar (Pg) (Animation/Comedy/ Adventure) New Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights Daily At (3D): 11.15 Am + 1.15 + 3.15 + 5.15 + 7.15 + 9.15 + 11.15 Pm 3 Wahed Saaidy (15+) (Comedy) New Mohammed Ramadan, Randa Buhairi, Nermin Maher, inas Al Najjar Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 Pm + (1.00 Am Thurs/ Fri) 4 Northmen: A Viking Saga (15+) (Action/Adventure) New James Norton, Ryan Kwanten, Charlie Murphy Daily At: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 Pm 5 Mindscape (Pg-15) (Thriller/ Horror) New Mark Strong, Taissa Farmiga, Brian Cox Daily At: 11.30 Am + 1.30 + 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 + 9.30 + 11.30 Pm 6 Falcon Rising (15+) (Action/ Thriller) New Michael Jai White, Neal Mcdonough, Laila Ali Daily At: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 Pm 7 The Hunger games: Mockingjay Part-1 (Pg-15) (Adventure/Action) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 10.30 Am + 1.00 + 3.45 + 6.30 + 9.15 Pm + 12.00 Mn + (1.00 Am Thurs/Fri) Daily At (ViP ii): 12.30 + 3.15 + 6.00 + 8.45 + 11.30 Pm 8 Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn + (1.00 Am Thurs/ Fri) 9 Intersteller (Pg-13) (Adventure/Action/ScienceFiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: 10.30 Am +1.45 + 5.00 + 8.15 + 11.30 Pm + (12.45 Mn Thurs/Fri) 10 Big Hero 6 (Pg) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At (3D): 11.30 Am + 1.45 + 4.00 + 6.15 + 8.30 + 10.45 Pm 11 John Wick (15+) (Action/ 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Thriller) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyquist, Alfie Allen Daily At: 11.45 Am + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 Pm The Babadook (15+) (Horror/Thriller) Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Noah Wiseman Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.15 + 6.30 + 11.45 Pm Fury (15+) (Action/War) Brad Pitt, Shia Labeouf, Logan Lerman Daily At: 12.45 + 3.30 + 6.15 + 9.00 + 11.45 Pm The Equalizer (Pg-15) (Action/Thriller/Crime) Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloe Grace Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 Pm The Signal (Pg-15) (Thriller) Brenton Thwaites, Olivia Cooke, Larence Fishburne Daily At: 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 Pm Boxtrolls (Pg) (Animation/ Comedy/Adventure) Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost Daily At (3D): 12.15 + 2.15 + 4.15 + 6.15 Pm gone girl (15+) (Thriller) Ben Affleck, Roamund Pike, Neil Patrick Haris Daily At: 8.15 + 11.15 Pm Ouija (15+) (Horror/Thriller) Olivia Cooke, Ana Coto, Daren Kagasoff Daily At: 11.30 Am + 1.30 + 6.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn The Maze Runner (Pg-15) (Action/Adventure/Thriller) Dylan O’brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter Daily At: 2.15 + 6.45 + 11.15 Pm Happy New Year (Pg-15) (Hindi/Action/Comedy) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan Daily At: 3.15 + 8.30 Pm Al Jazeera 2 (15+) (Arabic/ Action/Thriller) Ahmad Al Saah, Hind Sabry, Khalid Salih, Khalid Alsawee Daily At: 3.30 + 8.45 Pm Soni-A- Fi Misr (Pg) (Comedy) Ahmed Helmy, Yasmin Rais, Dalal Abdulaziz Daily At: 12.00 + 4.30 + 9.00 Pm Beauty And The Beast (Pg15) (Romantic/Thriller) Vincent Cassel, Lea Seydoux, Andre Dussollier Daily At: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 Pm SEEF (II) 1 Horrible Bosses 2 (18+) (Comedy) New Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis Daily At: (1.00 Am Thurs/Fri) 2 Penguins Of Madagascar (Pg) (Animation/Comedy/ Adventure) New Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 + 9.00 + 11.00 Pm 3 Wahed Saaidy (15+) (Comedy) New Mohammed Ramadan, Randa Buhairi, Nermin Maher, inas Al Najjar Daily At: 11.45 Am + 1.45 + 3.45 + 5.45 + 7.45 + 9.45 + 11.45 Pm + (1.00 Am Thurs/ Fri) 4 Northmen: A Viking Saga (15+) (Action/Adventure) New James Norton, Ryan Kwanten, Charlie Murphy Daily At: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + 11.30 Pm 5 Let The Bullet Flys (15+) (Action/Comedy) New Yun-Fat Chow, Wen Jiang, You Ge Daily At: 2.30 + 7.00 + 11.30 Pm 6 The Right Kind Of Wrong (Pg-15) (Comedy/Romantic) New Ryan Kwanten, Sara Canning, Ryan Mcpartlin Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.15 + 3.15 + 5.15 + 7.15 + 9.15 + 11.15 Pm 7 Rec 2 (18+) (Horror/Thriller) New Jonathand Mellor, Manuela Velasco, Oscar Zafra Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.30 + 5.00 + 9.30 Pm 8 The Hunger games: Mockingjay Part-1 (Pg-15) (Adventure/Action) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: (1.00 Am Thurs/Fri) 9 John Wick (15+) (Action/ Thriller) Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyquist, Alfie Allen Daily At: 11.00 Am + 4.15 + 9.30 Pm 10 Big Hero 6 (Pg) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At : 11.45 Am + 2.00 + 4.15 + 6.30 + 8.45 + 11.00 Pm 11 Happy New Year (Pg-15) (Hindi/Action/Comedy) Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan Daily At: 1.00 + 6.15 + 11.30 Pm 5 2 3 4 Horrible Bosses 2 (18+) (Comedy) New Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis Daily At: 10.30 Am + 12.45 + 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + 12.00 Mn The Hunger games: Mockingjay Part-1 (Pg-15) (Adventure/Action) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 11.15 Am + 1.45 + 4.15 + 6.45 + 9.15 + 11.45 Pm Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 + 7.15 + 9.30 + 11.45 Pm Intersteller (Pg-13) (Adventure/Action/ Science-Fiction) Mathew Mc Conaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain Daily At: 10.45 Am + 2.00 + 5.15 + 8.30 + 11.45 Pm SAAR CINEPLEX 1 2 3 4 Horrible Bosses 2 (18+) (Comedy) New Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis Daily At: 12.15 + 2.30 + 4.45 + 7.00 + 9.15 + (11.30 Pm Thurs/ Fri) Penguins Of Madagascar (Pg) (Animation/Comedy/ Adventure) New Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights Daily At: 11.00 Am + 1.00 + 3.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 Pm The Hunger games: Mockingjay Part-1 (Pg-15) (Adventure/Action) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 12.30 + 3.00 + 5.30 + 8.00 + 9.00 + (10.30 Pm + 11.30 Pm Thurs/Fri) Dumb And Dumber To (15+) (Comedy) Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Holden Daily At: 7.15 + 9.15 + (11.15 3 AL JAZEERA CINEPLEX 3 SEEF (I) 1 Pm Thurs/Fri) Big Hero 6 (Pg) (Animation/ Action/Comedy/Adventure) Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung Daily At: 12.30 + 2.45 + 5.00 Pm 1 2 3 Horrible Bosses 2 (18+) (Comedy) New Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis Daily At: 3.00 + 5.15 + 7.30 + 9.45 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/ Fri) Penguins Of Madagascar (Pg) (Animation/Comedy/ Adventure) New Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights Daily At: 3.30 + 5.30 + 7.30 Pm The Hunger games: Mockingjay Part-1 (Pg-15) (Adventure/Action) Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth Daily At: 9.30 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) 4 4 5 6 AWAL CINEMA 1 2 Ungli (15+) (Hindi/Action/ Thriller/Crime) New Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Sanjay Dutt Daily At: 3.00 + 9.00 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) Vellimoonga (Malayalam) Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Nikki Galrani Daily At: 12.00 + 6.00 Pm 7 8 AL HAMRA CINEMA 1 2 Ithihasa (Malayalam) New Anusree, Shine Tom Chako Daily At: 12.00 + 6.00 Pm Vellimoonga (Malayalam) Biju Menon, Asif Ali, Nikki Galrani Daily At: 3.00 + 9.00 Pm + (12.00 Mn Thurs/Fri) DANA CINEMA 1 2 The Drop ( Crime /Drama ) Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00, 01:00 Kamel Al Awsaf ( Arabic / Romance / Comedy ) Amer Monib, Hala Shieha, Ola 9 10 10 11 11 12 Ghanem 10:30, 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45, 00:00 Pudsey The Dog: The Movie ( Comedy / Family ) David Walliams, Pudsey, izzy Meikle-Small 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, 15:45, 17:30 Bang Bang ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Ron Smoorenburg 19:30, 22:30 Reaper ( Crime / Horror / SciFi / Thriller ) Danny Trejo, Vinnie Jones, Jake Busey 12:45, 17:00, 21:15 The Maze Runner ( Action / Mystery / Sci-Fi ) Dylan O’brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter 10:30, 14:45, 19:00, 23:15 Bang Bang ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Ron Smoorenburg 10:30, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30, 22:30, 01:15 Penguins Of Madagascar – 3D ( Animation/Comdey/ Adventure ) Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, 15:45, 17:30, 19:15, 21:00, 22:45 El Hobb Keda ( Arabic / Comedy ) Hamada Helal, Dorrah, Mennah Arafah 11:30, 13:45, 16:00, 18:15, 20:30, 22:45 Penguins Of Madagascar – 2D ( Animation/Comdey/ Adventure ) Tom Mcgrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights 11:00, 12:45, 14:30, 16:15, 18:00, 19:45, 21:30, 23:15 gone girl ( Drama / Mysterry / Thriller ) Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris 10:30,13:15,16:00,18:45,21:30,00:30 How To Train Your Dragon 2 – 2D ( Animation/Action/ Adventure ) Jay Baruchel, Kristen Wiig, America Ferrera 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30, 18:30 gone girl ( Drama / Mystery / Thriller ) Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris 20:30, 23:15 Finding Fanny ( Comedy / Romance ) Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor 10:30, 14:45, 19:00, 23:15 Roar ( Hindi / Action / Thriller ) Nora Fatehi, Achint Kaur, Aaran Chaudhary 12:30, 16:45, 21:00, 01:00 The Equalizer ( Action / Crime / Thriller ) Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz 10:30,13:00,15:30,18:00,20:30,01:15 All ShowS After Midnight only on thurSdAyS, fridAyS And holidAyS TOURISM Saturday, November 29, 2014 Sunday, November 25, 2012 CURRENCIES CURRENCIES BUSINESS NEWS Currency SELLDraft CASH Sell Dollar 2.6483 Dollar 2.6483 2.6455 Euro 2.0951 Euro 2.0141 2.0243 Pound 1.6667 Pound 1.6300 1.6367 Riyal 9.9384 Saudi Riyal Saudi 9.9423 9.9354 Yen 298.5075 Yen 211.4165 214.5923 Indian Rupee 160.5136 Indian Rupee 137.9310 144.5087 WORLD ECONOMEY MEY INTER REST RATE DEFLATION EF TI ELECTRONICS INTERNET SOFTWARE VEHICLE MARKET STOCK EXCHNGE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS WEB NETWORK INFLATION CURRENCIES Sell Cash SELLMarket DRAFT BUSINESS GOLD GOLD 11 7 Rate BD152.00 00 Bahrain (10gm) Bahrain BD 212. 2.6455 $1,184.50 London (1 ounce)London $ 1,730.00 2.1061 $1,729.50 US $1,180.86 New York (1 ounce) 1.6770 9.9354 London 304.8780 New York 161.2903 OILOIL London $110.55 $77.75 US $73.69 $87.15 BAHRAIN MOST FREEST CRUDE OIL PRICE ECONOMY IN ARAB WORLD INSURANCE COMPUTER TAX MONEY EXCHANGE FUTURE UNCLEAR with Bahrain after ranking second overall in 2011 with a score of 7.9. Jordan moved into third fellow spot oil from eighth ahrain and the United Arab to the convince producFabien Zamora improving its score to slash production andto Paris Emirates (UAE) are home to ersoverall, 7.9 from 7.4 lastBut year,the showed the highest levels of economic force up prices. oil arkets among hesitated the report.of the Gulf, rich freedom Arab yesternations, a monarchies day to follow the slide in Freedomtoof specialised international eco- statesThe withEconomic the wherewithal crude prices after thetheArab report held comnomic report has OPEC unveiled.de- take hit inWorld oil revenues, cided The not to cut oil production, pares production and ranks Arab nations annual Economic against cuts. Theirin a choice imposed by the most is areas to halt the rise offreedom: shale of economic Freedom of the Arab World aimfive powerful cartel members to oil size -- especially in the huge US of government, including report is compiled by German counter burgeoning shale ener- market -- which is more expenFriedrich Naumann Foundation expenditures, taxes, and entergy but causing some deep side sive to produce. “It’s a victory for Liberty (FNF), the prises; commercial and ecoeffects, economists said. After for the coalition of countries in International Research nomic law and security of propa steep drop in the markets Gulfrights; Cooperation access Council to sound (IRF) Omanofand theerty late Foundation Thursday in theofwake ledmoney; by Saudi Arabia and Kufreedom to trade interthe Fraser Institute, Canada's the decision by the 12-member leading public policy thinkExtank. nationally; and regulation of Organisation of Petroleum Bahrain, which ranked first credit, labour, and business. The porting Countries, crude prices But the lasting complete report may be downlast year, its overall collapsed to improved a four-year low effects free of charge, score toLondon 8.1 out Brent of 10 from yesterday. oil for8.0. loaded as a PDF, of The UAE also sank scoredin8.1, tying at www.freetheworld.com. plunging oil January delivery early deals to $71.12 per barrel -- the prices remain lowest level since July 7, 2010. unknown. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for January slumped as low as $67.75 in electronic wait,” said Christopher Demtrading. bik, economist at Saxo Banque With their precious oil in- in Paris. “They have sufficient come slipping away, some foreign currency reserves to OPEC members like Venezuela support a lower (price) barrel” and Ecuador had tried in vain of crude, he added. DT Business Desk [email protected] B M Economic freedom is based on the cornerstones of personal choice, voluntary exchange, freedom compete, secuAt the tosame timeandlower rity of property. prices will private allow OPEC to Research shows hold its share of that the individumarket, als living in some countries with which has seen competihighrecently levels of economic tion Russia as wellfreeas domoilenjoy of shale in thehigher Unitedlevels States. “Today, theregreater is a lotindividual of comprosperity, petition andand OPEC pumps freedoms, longer life only 30 percent of world oil spans. production,” The reportKuwaiti is basedoil onmindata ister Omair fromAli 2010 (the told most reportrecent ers. was inevitable take year“Itavailable) but alsotoexamthe nottotomark cut inesright moredecision recent data production it can be out trendsbecause for individual compensated nations. This by is others crucial pressince ent market, who years have thein keythe question in future the to do so.” willability be whether the changes In the future, “the key role underway result in greater ecoin this looks set to be played nomic freedom or whether by US shale oil producers who will probably face more and more problems at prices below $70 per barrel,” according to analysts at Commerzbank. US oil output is soaring thanks to fracking, which involves blasting a high-pressure blend of water, sand and chemicals deep underground in order to release hydrocar- economies in the region continue to stagnate. The report measures available data on economic freedom in 22 nations of the League of Arab States, but due to data limitations, calculations of the overall level of economic freedom are only available for 16 jurisdic- tions: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and UAE. The rankings are entirely based on third-party data. The full data sets are available at www.freetheworld.com. The report, which has been presented since 2005, is one of a number of regional reports based in part or in whole on the Fraser Institute's annual Economic Freedom of the World Report, which ranks the economic freedom levels of 144 countries. OPEC Secretary General Abdalla Salem El-Badri attends a Press conference in Vienna (file photo). bons trapped between layers of shale rock. Even if the US shale production can still hold out with crude around 60 dollars a barrel, Dembik said that “Saudi Arabia’s idea is to dis- suade all the research under way in shale in Russia and China.” (AFP) BCICAI organises International conference Subramanian, merger and DT News Network ahrain Chapter of The In- acquisition specialist Sanjay stitute of Chartered Ac- Chakravarthy and fraud invescountants of India(BCICAI) tigation specialist Chetan Daorganised an international lal. The experts spoke on the conference yesterday under the strategies that will help bolster title ‘Together Towards Tomor- the growth of organisations and row’. It was held at Diplomat economies. 375 finance profesRadisson Blu Hotel under the sionals from around the middle patronage of Minister of Indus- east attended the event to distry and Commerce Dr. Hassan cuss issues relating to the global Fakhro. Speakers at the event economic conditions. Speaking to DT News BCICincluded Infosys ex-chief financial officer and board member AI Chairman Meenakshi SunVenkatraman Balakrishnan, daram said that the current motivational speaker Satish volatile global economic conditions poses the greatest of chalMandora, Emirates chief Bay. An aerial view of NBD the Bahrain financial officer Suryanaran lenges for organisations. “The B economic turbulence hasalways existed, it is not something new. For organisations, it is not about avoiding the economic issues, it is about being prepared for it and having a sound strategy.” he said. Charted Accountants play an important role in organisations as they are long term planners, he said. “Chartered accountants always need to plan for the long term future, which is not an easy thing to do because others in the organisation will most likely focus only on short term results. Therefore chartered ac- MANAGEMENT THOUGHTS Second from left, Mr. Sundaram, fourth from left, Accountants Association President Abbas Al Radhi and other officials during the inauguration. countants need to manage the finances according to what is best for the long term growth rather than for short term profit and convince others in the organisation about implementing strategies which focus on the long term.” Training is expensive to impart as well as to receive. “A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together” The conference which will conclude today will take place from 8:45am till 5:00pm at the same venue. 12 BUSINESS Saturday, November 29, 2014 MALAYSIA AIRLINES LOSSES WIDEN 54 PC Kuala Lumpur risis-stricken Malaysia Airlines said yesterday its third-quarter loss widened 54 percent in the wake of two devastating air disasters that have sent its business into a tailspin and prompted a government rescue. The company’s net loss for the three months ending September 30 reached 575.6 million ringgit ($170 million), expanding from a 373.2 million ringgit deficit in the same period last year. The result marks the seventh straight quarterly loss for Ma- C CURRENCIES EXCHANGE RATE COUNTRY COUNTRY/CURRENCIES SELL CASH SELL SELL DRAFT REMITTANCE US DOLLARS 2.6483 2.6455 BRITISH POUND 1.6667 1.6770 EURO 2.0951 2.1061 INDIAN RUPEE 160.5136 161.2903 PHILIPPINE PESO 116.0093 118.9061 BANGLADESH TAKA 194.8558 205.9308 PAKISTAN RUPEE 257.8509 268.8678 SRI LANKAN RUPEE 311.6187 347.8007 SWISS FRANC 2.5019 2.5208 CANADIAN DOLLAR 2.9412 2.9762 QATAR RIYAL 9.6348 9.6395 UAE DIRHAMS 9.7276 9.7276 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 3.0506 3.0788 CHINESE YUAN 15.7480 15.7480 EGYPTIAN POUND 18.7970 18.7970 HONG KONG DOLLAR 20.0723 20.2347 INDONESIAN RUPIAH 29,638.4114 31,635.5584 KUWAITI DINAR 0.7686 0.7686 JAPANESE YEN 298.5075 304.8780 JORDANIAN DINAR 1.8636 1.8692 LEBANESE POUND 3,816.3569 3,816.3569 MALAYSIAN RINGGIT 8.6806 8.7260 MOROCCAN DIRHAMS 20.8768 22.2222 NEPALESE RUPEE 247.5143 258.8521 NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR 3.3356 3.3467 OMANI RIYAL 1.0204 1.0173 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 3.4060 3.4176 SAUDI RIYAL 9.9384 9.9354 SOUTH AFRICAN RAND 27.6243 27.7008 SYRIAN POUND 420.1681 418.4100 THAI BAHT 85.3242 85.6164 TURKISH LIRA 5.6513 -YEMENI RIYAL 542.0348 542.0348 GULF INTERBANK RATES 1US$ 1UK Stg 1SFR Bahrain BAHRAIN 0.3770 0.5909 0.3891 0.3207 KUWAIT Kuwait 0.2855 33.5605 0.2946 0.2429 QATAR Qatar 0.3849 0.3730 0.3972 0.3274 3.6420 3.5291 3.7585 3.0983 OMAN Oman UAE 100 Yen UAE 3.6730 3.5591 3.7905 3.1246 Saudi 3.7500 3.6338 3.8700 3.1901 SAUDI laysia Airlines, which already had struggled to stay competitive even before the mysterious loss of flight MH370 and the July 18 shooting down over Ukraine of flight MH17. The result marks the seventh straight quarterly loss. MH370 disappeared with 239 people aboard, while all 298 passengers aboard MH17 were killed. In a filing to Malaysia’s stock exchange, the airline blamed “the double impact of the MH370 and MH17 incidents and the continued intensified (industry) competition” for a worsening performance that also saw operating revenue fall 12 percent to 3.3 billion ringgit. “Malaysia Airlines continues to struggle despite efforts to reduce the financial bleeding,” it said. The company’s crisis has prompted a Malaysian government bailout. State investment fund Khazanah Nasional, which owns around 70 percent of the carrier, in August announced plans to acquire the remaining shares, de-list the airline, and try to resuscitate it. The company would slash 6,000 jobs -- 30 percent of it’s workforce -- trim its route network, and replace its CEO, Khazanah said, and it will pump 6 billion ringgit into the carrier, hoping to bring it back to profitability. The carrier US tyre tycoon mocks ‘Communist’ France Maurice Taylor. Paris A US tyre tycoon yesterday ridiculed French laws and trade unions that he said had prevented him from investing in a stricken factory, saying France should become “Communist.” Maurice Taylor, chief executive of Titan International, had initially expressed interest in taking over the loss-making Goodyear tyre plant in Amiens, northern France. But he pulled out of the deal and explained why to France Info radio. “You can’t buy Goodyear. Under your law, we have to take a minimum of 662 or 672 employees. You can’t do that. The most you could take is 333 ... there’s no business for that plant now,” said Taylor. “I tried to tell them all that before but you guys have got to wake up over there and tell the unions, ‘Hey if they’re so smart, they should buy the factory’. “It’s stupid. It’s the dumbest thing in the world. France should just become Communist and then when it goes all bad like Russia did, then maybe you’d have a chance,” added Taylor. Goodyear announced in January last year that it was closing the factory, which employs 1,173 people, after years of negotiations with unions failed to come up with a solution to save jobs. Unions launched a series of legal proceedings against the company, but to no avail. Taylor, known as “The Grizz” for his tough talk, has made waves before for his comments on France. In 2013, he wrote a letter to the French industrial renewal minister calling French workers lazy and overpaid after years of negotiations by Titan to take over the plant had failed. “They get one hour for breaks and lunch, talk for three and work for three. I told this to the French union workers to their faces. They told me that’s the French way!” wrote Taylor. The minister at the time, Arnaud Montebourg, hit back, telling Taylor: “Your extremist insults display a perfect ignorance of what our country is about.” “Be assured that you can count on me to inspect your tyre imports with a redoubled zeal,” he added. The closure of the Amiens plant has aroused passionate debate, culminating in January when workers held two executives hostage for 30 hours in a case of so-called “bossnapping.”(AFP) has controversially been kept aloft for years by transfusions of public money while posting huge losses, with analysts blaming poor management, unwise business decisions, and government meddling. MH370 inexplicably diverted from its Kuala Lumpur-Beijing course in March. Malaysia’s government believes it went down in the Indian Ocean, but no trace has been found. The government and airline came under fierce global criticism over their failure to account for the jumbo jet, a slowfooted response and accusations of secrecy. Western leaders say MH17 was shot down by pro-Russia rebels in Ukraine. An investigation is ongoing. Malaysia Airlines previously had a solid safety record. (AFP) China hikes gasoline, diesel consumption tax Beijing hina yesterday announced a tax increase on gasoline and diesel fuel consumption in the first such hike since 2009, state media reported, amid a steep decline in crude oil prices. The measure, which takes effect on Saturday, was announced by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation, the official Xinhua news agency said. China’s consumption tax on gasoline will go up from the current one yuan ($0.16) per litre to 1.12 yuan and on diesel from 0.8 yuan per litre to 0.94 yuan, the report said. The overall impact of the move on drivers will be limited as the tax rise comes as crude oil prices have fallen. In a separate report, Xinhua said that C China, the world’s largest net oil importer, imports nearly 60 percent of its oil needs. Global oil prices plummeted to fouryear lows on Friday following a decision by the 12-nation Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)to hold output. OPEC decided Thursday to maintain its output ceiling at 30 million barrels per day, where it has stood for three years, sending prices plunging in an oversupplied market. China in 1994 introduced a consumption tax on consumer goods with a high energy cost and high pollution to influence production and consumption in an environmentally-friendly direction as well as to promote sustainable economic growth, Xinhua said.(AFP) Pro-independence Scottish newspaper proves a hit London cotland’s first pro-independence daily newspaper is to become a permanent fixture after a successful pilot week in which it sold 100,000 copies on a single day, its publishers said yesterday. The National, a 32page tabloid costing 50 pence ($0.80, 65 euro cents), was launched on Monday and sold out its 60,000 print run. Puslishers Newsquest made the move after their weekly, the Sunday Herald, saw a surge in sales after becoming the only Scottish paper to favour independence in the run-up to the September 18 referendum. Scottish residents S voted by 55 percent to 45 percent (two million to 1.6 million) to remain part of the United Kingdom. The editorial in Friday’s copy said: “Our first edition sold out. We printed 100,000 copies the following day, and sales stayed at a high level. “They have slipped slightly since -- as sales inevitably do after a launch edition. But they remain beyond our wildest dreams and are bolstered by more than 11,000 digital subscriptions. “It’s been an incredible -- if challenging -- week.” The masthead describes the tabloid as “the newspaper that supports an independent Scotland”.(AFP) JAPAN ABENOMICS DATA LACKLUSTRE Saturday, November 29, 2014 Hiroshi HIYAMA Tokyo J apan released a string of lacklustre economic data yesterday, with inflation hitting its lowest level in a year, dealing another blow to Tokyo’s attempts to conquer years of falling prices and tepid growth. The figures come after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called a snap election for next month and delayed a sales tax hike after a previous levy increase hammered spending and pushed the world’s number three economy into recession. Japanese consumer inflation came in at 2.9 pc in October compared with a year earlier, official data showed, matching market forecasts but slowing from 3.0 pc in September. Prices mainly rose largely because Tokyo raised the sales tax from 5.0 pc to 8.0 pc on April 1. Adjusted for the hike, Separate figures showed the country’s unemployment rate slipped to 3.5 pc. nationwide core inflation rate came in at 0.9 pc, against 1.0 pc in the previous month and its lowest level since October 2013. The weak reading makes the Bank of Japan’s 2.0 percent inflation target -- which it initially aimed to hit next year -look increasingly out of reach. The BoJ shocked markets last month by saying it would expand its asset-buying stimulus programme to about 80 trillion yen ($676 billion) annually, as part of Tokyo’s bid to overcome deflation and kickstart the economy. “Even despite the BoJ’s surprise move, we maintain our view that there is a very long way to go before achieving the +2.0 percent target,” Credit Agricole said. The yen weakened further after the reading with the dollar at 118.21 yen against 117.74 yen in London on Thursday. Also yesterday, figures showed factory production in October edged up a better-than-expected 0.2 pc on-month, the second straight increase, as exports improved. “It is a positive set of data that hints at hopes for future re- A salesclerk (3rd right) of a bag shop shouts at shoppers strolling on the street. A salesclerk (right) of a kimono shop tries to hand a leaflet to a passer-by. BUSINESS 13 covery in production,” SMBC Nikko Securities said in a note. Separate figures showed the country’s unemployment rate slipped to 3.5 pc from 3.6 pc, while retail sales rose 1.4 pc in October. However, household spending fell 4.0 pc on-year, the seventh successive decline. “Although real GDP growth continued to be negative into July-September and Japan was in technical recession, demand for labour among firms is still robust likely thanks to the waning impact of (the) consumption tax hike,” said Marcel Thieliant from Capital Economics. But “despite the tight labour market, inflation continues to moderate... Price pressure should moderate further in the near-term, as the recent plunge in crude oil prices has yet to be reflected in the cost of energy imports,” he added. April’s tax rise -- designed to help pay down one of the world’s largest public debt mountains -- delivered a body blow to Abe’s efforts to rev up growth, just as the long-laggard economy appeared to be turning a corner. In response, Abe put off another hike due in late 2015 and called a snap election for next month that he described as a referendum on his policies, although observers said it was a strategic move to fend off party rivals ahead of a leadership vote next year. Abe’s growth blitz -- dubbed Abenomics -- was launched in 2012 and calls for big government spending as well as massive monetary easing and an overhaul of the highly regulated economy. The cornerstone is the BoJ’s inflation target, which aimed to reverse years of falling prices that gave consumers an incentive to hold off spending in the knowledge that goods would be cheaper in the future. That created a deflationary spiral that held back wage growth and new hiring as firms capped their expansion plans. Preliminary GDP data this month showed Japan’s economy shrank 0.4 percent, or at an annualised rate of 1.6 pc, in the July-September quarter. That was well below market expectations for a 0.5 pc expansion, and followed a 1.9 pc contraction in the April-June quarter -- or 7.3 pc at an annualised rate.(AFP) 14 BUSINESS Saturday, November 29, 2014 MARKET MAYHEM US ‘Black Friday’ hits Britain Robin Millard London P olice blasted stores for bringing “Black Friday” to Britain, with the US sales event descending into chaotic fist fights as frenzied consumers battled to grab discounted goods. In scenes of pandemonium around the country, The sales event takes place each year in the United States the day after their Thanksgiving holiday. common civility went out the window as yelling customers punched it out in a bid to secure reduced-price televisions and coffee makers. Police in Manchester said three people had been arrested as the sales spiralled “out of control” after stores in the city in northwest England opened at midnight. “The events of last night were totally predictable and I am disappointed that stores did not have sufficient security staff on duty,” said Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Peter Fahy. “This created situations where we had to deal with crushing, disorder and disputes between customers.” His deputy Ian Hopkins said they had to close several outlets of Tesco, Britain’s biggest retailer. “People have been trampling on each other and it’s been akin to a mini-riot in some of the stores,” he said. “A lady had her wrist broken, a member of the public in a wheelchair had a TV dropped on them and a security guard in one of the stores has been punched.” They urged stores to learn the lessons for next year and work with the police to reduce the risks of disorder. A Tesco source said: “We will work with them following this event to make any improvements for next year.” Jamie Hook was buying food at the Stretford Tesco in Manchester late on Thursday when “the screaming started”. “I looked at the massive crowd to see people climbing over shelves and displays, staff running for cover, fights breaking out, stock flying through air, people breaking through carrying televisions -- and this was before the sale had even started,” he said, according to the BBC.”The lady on the till I was at was in tears, terrified.” Shaun Thompson, 21, said he saw a female member of staff in the store with what appeared to be a black eye. “It Cyprus airline bidding in trouble Nicosia ypriot President Nicos Anastasiades yesterday called for an investigation into the Cyprus Airways bidding process saying he will resign if found he influenced the process in any way. The move comes after press allegations accused his ex-law firm of representing bidder Ryanair in the state sale of Cyprus Airways. Leaked documents, published by Phileleftheros daily, indicated that the government was allegedly pursuing negotiations with Ryanair despite it offering far less than rejected interested parties. Although Anastasiades severed ties with the law firm -which bares his name -- when he became president in 2013, his two daughters are employed there and hold a 50 percent stake. Angered over reports implicating him, Anastasiades urged the attorney general and auditor general to investigate the matter. “I want to declare if the investigations ascertain any type of intervention whatsoever, by myself or my former law office in the decisions taken, I will resign from presidential office,” Anastasiades said in a statement. On Thursday the law firm Nicos Chr Anastasiades & Partners said it had no connection with Ryanair but it C had initially agreed to represent the low budget carrier. But on September 30 it withdrew its services “over concerns of conflict of interest” because of the indirect link with Anastasiades, it said. Ireland’s budget airline Ryanair and Greece’s Aegean were whittled down from an initial 14 suitors when expressions of interest for Cyprus Airways were launched in July. The interested parties are reportedly concerned about a European Commission investigation to determine if the Cypriot government breached EU state aid rules through its support for the airline. Officials have said there is a danger the airline could be forced to close if the EC decides Cyprus broke the rules by giving it with a 31-million-euro capital increase and 73-millioneuro rescue loan. The Cyprus Airways board was working on a back-up plan which reportedly would see the carrier reduced to three aircraft and its staff cut to 230 from the current 560. The Cypriot government owns 93 percent of Cyprus Airways and wants to offload the airline. The east Mediterranean island’s national carrier has been selling off assets, including three time slots at London’s Heathrow airport, so it can keep flying. With a reduced fleet of six aircraft, the airline is struggling to survive against intense competition on its most popular routes to Greece and London. Cyprus Airways has also axed staff and scrapped routes, but this has failed to stem losses. The airline posted a net loss of 55.8 million euros for 2012, more than double the net loss of 23.88 million a year earlier.(AFP) just went mad. People were shouting their heads off and a few minutes after that it exploded,” he said. “People were ripping covers off the shelves, they were fighting with each other, fighting over TVs. “I have never seen anything like it in my life. It was quite scary.” Footage from an ASDA supermarket in Wembley, north- west London, showed security staff struggling to contain a crowd of shoppers grappling for cut-price televisions. The sales event takes place each year in the United States the day after their Thanksgiving holiday. The imported event is expected to be one of Britain’s busiest shopping days this year.(AFP) BIZ Luxembourg ‘had no choice’ on tax Brussels ew European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday defended his country Luxembourg’s controversial tax deals with global firms, saying it had no choice if it wanted to stay competitive. Juncker survived a no confidence vote in the European Parliament on Thursday over revelations by the “Luxleaks” journalistic investigation this month showed the tax breaks passed when he was prime minister of the tiny duchy. “We had to diversify our economy, we had no other choice,” Juncker said in an interview with several European newspapers including Belgium’s Le Soir. Asked what he would do if confronted with the same situation, he replied that he would have “done the same thing.” “But I would have paid more attention to these ‘tax rulings’, I would have changed the law so that the finance ministry was informed,” he said. Juncker has previously said that the deals were done by Luxembourg tax authorities and had nothing to do with the government, in which he held the post of finance minister as well as premier. N ‘No compromise’ in landmark WTO deal Malaysia’s Petronas Q2 I profit slides Kuala Lumpur alaysian state energy firm Petronas said yesterday its third quarter net profit fell 12.3 percent due to slumping oil prices and loss on foreign exchange, warning of further difficulties ahead. Petronas, the source of about half of Malaysia’s budget revenue, said net profit for the three months ending September stood at 15.07 billion ringgit ($4.50 billion), down from 17.19 billion for the same quarter last year. Revenue for the quarter was down 1.3 percent to 80.37 billion ringgit from 81.41 billion ringgit in the same period last year, the company said. The dip came as oil prices took a dive coupled with M an “unfavourable” US dollar exchange rate against the ringgit even though output increased, mainly from Iraq and Malaysian fields, Petronas said. Malaysia’s only Fortune 500 company said fourth quarter earnings were expected to be “considerably lower” amid a further decline in oil prices. Chief Executive Shamsul Azhar Abbas was quoted by Dow Jones news wire as saying that Petronas is reviewing its spending plan and may cut up to 20 percent of its capital expenditure next year. A global oil glut has sent prices slumping to four-year lows. The OPEC cartel has refused to cut production with analysts warning of further falls to come. BITES New Delhi ndia said yesterday that food security for its millions of poor had been safeguarded in a landmark global trade reform deal adopted by the World Trade Organisation. New Delhi and Washington struck an agreement earlier this month on protecting India’s huge food stockpiles from punitive measures, paving the way for the historic customs deal to be adopted Thursday in Geneva after months of deadlock. “We have accomplished this without any concessions, compromise or new conditions,” Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told parliament. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the first major deal since the WTO’s birth nearly two decades ago, will make it easier for goods to move across borders and will ease customs red tape. Economists have estimated the measures could help create $1.0 trillion in economic activity and 21 million jobs worldwide. India had said it would sign the treaty only after agreement on the contentious food security issue was reached at the WTO -- linking it to the issue of chronic poverty in the country of 1.2 billion people. Saturday, November 29, 2014 BUSINESS BRAZIL ECONOMY EXITS RECESSION Q3 growth 0.1pc Brasília razil’s economy grew 0.1 percent in the third quarter compared with the second, crawling timidly out of recession, the government said yesterday. The manufacturing sector in particular, which had been hard hit by an economic slowdown, began to grow in B It is welcome news for leftist President Dilma Rousseff. the third quarter, said the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The services sector has also started to expand, it added. However, compared with the same quarter last year, GDP was still down 0.2 pc in the third quarter. Brazil’s economy is the world’s seventh largest. It contracted for two consecutive quarters in the first half of the year, officially entering recession. The return to growth in the third quar- ter, though underwhelming, is welcome news for leftist President Dilma Rousseff, who narrowly won re-election last month after presiding over four years of sluggish growth. Rousseff, who is deeply unpopular in the financial world, shook up her economic team Thursday in a bid to revive market confidence. She named Joaquim Levy, a bank executive nicknamed “Scissorhands” for his steely budgetary management, as her finance minister. Levy vowed to rein in the government’s books and set a primary surplus target of 1.2 pc of GDP next year. As of September, Brazil had managed to save just 0.6pc of GDP this year. Central bank chief Alexandre Tombini, who kept his post through the shake-up, vowed to tackle inflation that is stubbornly hovering above the official target ceiling of 6.5 pc. Rousseff, 66, has struggled to rekindle the economic magic of her predecessor and mentor, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who presided over strong growth during his eight-year administration The new ministers of Finance Joaquim Levy (left) and Planning, Nelson Barbosa (right) give a Press conference at Planalto Palace in Brasilia. -- peaking at 7.5 percent in 2010, the year Rousseff was elected to succeed him. Under Rousseff, Brazil has posted growth of 2.7 pc in 2011, 1.0 pc in 2012 and 2.5 pc last year. This year, the central bank is forecasting growth of just 0.7 pc, it said in September, slashing its previous India Q2 growth slows to 5.3pc Penelope Macrae New Delhi I ndia said yesterday that the economy grew 5.3 percent from July-September year-onyear, significantly slower than the previous three months, stirring hopes of interest rate cuts to boost investment. The performance was a little better than market forecasts of 5.1-pc expansion in the second quarter of the financial year, but still a sizeable downturn from 5.7-percent growth in the previous three months. The data was released days before the hawkish Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which has held its benchmark lending rate at a steep eight percent since last January, meets for its regular monetary policy review. The latest figures “build on the growing case for rate cuts”, said Shilan Shah, analyst at research house Capital Economics. “There is increasing slack in the economy, consumer price inflation has slowed further than most expected, and the current account has narrowed sharply over the past year,” said Shah. Jumpstarting growth is key for India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party to a massive electoral win in May on promises to revive Asia’s third-largest economy. India has been mired in its worst slowdown in two decades. Growth was 4.7 percent in the last financial year -- around half of the near double-digit levels seen a few years ago -- hit by high interest rates to curb inflation, a lacklustre global economy and a fall in foreign investment amid corruption scandals which embroiled the previous Congress government. The central bank has forecast growth of 5.5 percent this year, slightly below the government’s target of 5.8 percent. These figures may seem high by the standards of developed nations, but economists say India needs at least eight-to-nine percent growth to create jobs for a ballooning youth population. A breakdown of the latest growth figures showed activity slowed in most sectors over the quarter. Notably, growth in the manufacturing sector softened forecast of 1.6 pc.The International Monetary Fund also cut its 2014 growth forecast for Brazil, from 1.3 pc to 0.3 pc. (AFPW) Ireland to repay IMF loans early Dublin reland will repay early 9.0 billion euros ($11.22 billion) of its International Monetary Fund bailout loans by the end of the year on the back of a solid recovery, the finance ministry said yesterday. The repayments represent roughly 40 percent of the original 22.5 billion euros in loans received from the IMF when Ireland entered an EUIMF bailout in late 2010. The amounts had been due to be returned by July 2018. “This transaction alone will save 750-million-euros over the lifetime of the IMF loans and further enhances the sustainability of our national debt,” Finance Minister Michael Noonan said. Dublin required approval from the European Union and its bilateral loan partners -- Sweden, Denmark and Britain -- to proceed with the plan. “It is essential that we improve our debt sustainability in order to break the boom and bust cycle of the past and the lowering of our debt servicing costs is a significant part of achieving this. I Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. to just 0.1 percent year-on-year, down from 3.5 pc expansion in the previous three months. The figures also showed a sharp slowdown in investment and net exports. Economic growth is likely to remain sluggish in the nearterm with industrial production still moribund, analysts added. Most economists expect the RBI, which has vowed to “break the back” of chronic inflation, to hold interest rates steady until the of the next financial year in April. But some expect the bank to begin lowering rates as early as the policy meeting on Tuesday. “There’s a good chance policy will be loosened in the RBI’s policy review,” said Capital Economics’ Shah. He forecast a quarter-point cut in the so-called repo rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks, and a quarter-point reduction in the reverse repo rate at which the RBI borrows from commercial banks. (AFP) BIZ 15 BITES Germany approves balanced budget Berlin ermany signed off yesterday on its 2015 draft budget which foresees a balanced bottom line for the country’s public finances for the first time since 1969. Lawmakers in the Bundestag lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly to approve the budget blueprint for next year which will entail no new debt, a first in 46 years. The move was a campaign pledge by conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in last year’s general election. Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on public radio Deutschlandfunk that Germany was living up to its responsibility for future generations and contributing to sustainable growth. He later said during a debate in parliament that agreeing on balanced budgets with no new debt was also a “commitment for the future”. Opposition parties and some economists have criticised Berlin’s drive to achieve the 2015 balanced budget, claiming it makes no economic sense and has a restraining effect on growth and investment. G French PM defends budget 2015 Copenhagen rance’s budget is “the best balance to combine fiscal rigour and economic stimulus”, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said yesterday as the EU extended a deadline for the country to meet deficit requirements. During a press conference in Copenhagen, Valls said he thought he could convince the European Commission not to sanction Paris for its excessive deficit. Earlier in the day in Brussels the European Commission postponed its verdict on the budgets of France, Italy and Belgium until March. “The European Commission has duly recorded this morning in its notification our fiscal rigour and our will to implement the necessary reforms to improve the functioning of our country,” Valls said. “It (the Commission) expects to be able to make a sharper assessment of our budget next March. In four months, we will have the necessary data, especially on the implementation of the budget and the economic situation,” he added. “We have no doubt that the European Commission will consider our budget for 2015, and more widely our trajectory until 2017. F 16 Saturday, November 29, 2014 A musical extravaganza Brand Box organised live musical concert, ‘Desert Temptation 3 – Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy’ in Indian school yesterday. Musical maestros Shanker Mahadevan, Eshaan Quereshi and Loy Mendonca, performed with their full troupe of 15 people for the first time in Bahrain. Pics by Muhamed Thasleem The King Ministry Various Saturday, November 29, 2014 17 TRIP DOWN THE MEMORY LANE WITH CRAFTOUR gdom opened the CRAFTOUR Exhibition 2014 on November 27, as part of the activities of celebrating Manama, as the capital of Asian tourism in 2014, the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the patronage of the y of Culture. The exhibition aims to focus on the role of the tourism industry in reviving and enriching local handicrafts through encouraging entrepreneurs in several communities. countries are participating in this rare event, which will come to an end tonight. This is your last chance to take a historical trip down the memory lane… Pics by N.R.F. 18 Saturday, November 29, 2014 Crowe Crowe ‘in shock’ after Phil Hughes’s death Sydney ctor Russell Crowe has paid tribute to Australian cricketer Phil Hughes, who died after suffering a serious injury while playing. Hughes passed away at a hospital here two days after suffering a serious head injury during a match and his death has sparked an outpouring of grief among cricket fans across the world. The “Gladiator” star, who lives here and owns a Sydney rugby club, has said on his official Twitter page that she was shocked upon hearing of Hughes’s death, contactmusic. com. “Just heard. In shock. My deep condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes,” the 50-yearold tweeted on Thursday. One Direction singer Harry Styles, singer Billy Ray Cyrus, actor and model Tyson Beckford, former cricketer Shane Warne and actors Kevin Connolly and Teresa Palmer, were among others who paid tribute to Phil Hughes. A Lisa Ce leb s Hurley gets cosy with new beau Depp finds meeting expectations after ‘Pirates’ tough A Mumbai ndo-Canadian actress Lisa Ray, who has been endorsing luxury travel brand InsightVacations, says she pitches India as a “Full on” destination for foreign tourists to visit. “It is my primary passion to promote the image of India and encourage foreigners to visit here. While it’s hard to encompass the complexity of modern India in a single phrase, I’ve been using the refrain ‘Full on’ to describe the engaging experience I Hurley Los Angeles ngelina Jolie, who recently gave a hint that she might give up acting as she loves to work behind the camera, has said that she is not giving up acting entirely. The 37-year-old actress Lisa Ray likes to promote India A of India for travellers,” the 42-year-old, who likes to call herself a “global Indian”, said in a statement. During her recent visit to Australia, which coincided with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lisa stayed in the same suite where US President Barack Obama once resided. Lisa feels “honoured” that she was in the same suite and said “the suite is the most stunning one in the Intercontinental in Sydney with a view of the Opera House from every window”. Los Angeles fter a string of flop films like “Transcendence” and “The Lone Ranger”, actor Johnny Depp says it is difficult to live up to the success of his “Pirates of the Depp Caribbean” film franchise. The actor, who portrayed the character of Captain Jack Sparrow, opened up about his career in an interview with Details magazine, reports usmagazine.com. “It’s like being a dog at the track. They expect you to live up to some race you happened to be in and won accidentally. From that first second, you’re nothing more than a commodity. They have expectations of another ‘Pirates’. It’s great if something works. Boy, that’s killer. But God, to have that as your design... it’s ugly, I think,” the actor said. A London ctress-model Elizabeth Hurley was spotted kissing her new interest Evgeny Lebedev at a dinner party here. The 49-year-old managed to bag herself a dashing new man Lebedev, a Russian-born businessman while the duo attended the Louis Dundas Centre dinner Evgeny held here at Mandarin Oriental on Wednesday, reports mirror.co.uk. Donning a floorlength blue dress with a plunging neckline, the mother-of-one bared eye-catching cleavage for the evening. Lebedev, who is 14 years younger than Hurley, even seemed to be tilting her back for a film-style smooch. Jolie might not be giving up acting entirely said during London premiere of her movie ‘Unbroken’ that it was not a big dramatic decision but she will do a few less movies but she preferred being behind the camera, Stuff.co.nz reported. The ‘Maleficent’ star asserted that she hopes that it will be a natural transition. Jolie Saturday, November 29, 2014 Lawrence Aniston’s fiance makes her happy with surprises Dormer backs Lawrence over nude photo leaks Los Angeles ctress Jennifer Aniston says her fiance Justin Theroux loves to surprise her by “flying out of the closet”. Traditionally, lovers surprise their fiancee with flowers but, Theroux has found this unique way to impress the 45-year-old actress, reports dailymail.co.uk. Speaking on TV show “The Talk”, Aniston said: “He’s my creative crush because he’s just brilliant at everything he does. He’s a wonderful actor. He’s a brilliant comedy writer and he’s also a beautiful artist and a director. He does everything really well, it drives me crazy. And he’s a beautiful human being. “He makes me laugh constantly. He loves to surprise me. He loves to scare me. He hides in closets for 20 (minutes). It literally happened last night. We were shutting down the house. I might get distracted cleaning up whatever and I don’t come right away, then I’ll get to the bedroom and he’ll come flying out of the closet.” A Los Angeles ctress Jennifer Lawrence’s “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1” co-star Natalie Dormer has said the incident involving the leak out of the former’s nude photographs, as “horrific”. The 32-year-old has spoken of the Internet havoc in Nylon magazine’s December 2014/January 2015 double issue, reports eonline. com. “What Jen went through recently was just horrific. And I don’t think there’s any level of fame that can justify that kind of invasion into privacy, not to mention laws being broken. I mean, people just need to get a grip if they think that’s even halfway acceptable,” she said. Earlier in an interview with Vanity Fair, Lawrence called the leak a “sex crime” and a “sexual violation”. “Anybody who looked at those pictures, you’re perpetuating a sexual offense. You should cower with shame,” the Oscar winner added. Dorner A Theroux and Aniston Cate proud of Watson’s UN speech Los Angeles ctress Cate Blanchett says she’s so extremely proud of Emma Watson’s speech on gender equality at the United Nations. “I was so very proud of Emma Watson’s speech at the UN. It was A brilliant, such a n Cate incredible use of Watson her airspace, and really passionate. It was fantastic,” Blanchett said about Watson in the latest issue of Porter magazine, reports eonline.com. Watson, who was appointed as the new UN Women Goodwill Ambassador earlier in September, delivered an emotional speech at the United Nations headquarters Saturday to help launch the ‘HeForShe’ gender equality campaign. Emily says Meryl ‘owes’ her ‘big time’ Los Angeles mily Blunt has revealed that Meryl Streep “owes” her “big time” as she saved her life. The 31-year-old actress, who stars in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of ‘Into the Woods’ with Streep, said that they were rehearsing a scene where the 65-year-old actress playing the witch was supposed to jump onto the table with a cape and everything, Us Magazine reported. Blunt added that Streep’s foot got caught in her cape and people around just started to watch her slowly topple head-first toward the concrete floor. The British star, who welcomed daughter Hazel this past February, continued that director Rob Marshall and James Corden froze and didn’t move but she, who was then pregnant, caught her. John Krasinski’s wife added that she thinks at some point she should play the Queen of Versailles and Streep, who owes her, can be her lowly dressmaker. E Emily 19 20 Ripley’s Saturday, November 29, 2014 LAUGH @ LIFE by John Graziano Now he fits! A man who got so fat he couldn’t fit on the London Underground has shed an incredible 16st in just 10 months. At the beginning of 2014 Andy Butler, 33, weighed 28st and was so worried his enormous frame would get him stuck in a rush hour crush he’d get up to travel to work three hours early - to make sure he could fit on the London underground. Having conquered bulimia in his twenties, the pharmaceutical worker would starve himself of treats before gorging on them - and watched his weight balloon to dangerous levels. But after he contemplated ordering a taxi to take him on a 100 metre journey last Christmas, he realised things had gone too far. On January 1, 2014, he bought £150 worth of healthy food, started walking every day and ten months later has lost a whopping 16st. YOUR STARS TODAY ARIES: 20th March 20th April Emotions may cloud your thoughts as things start to heat up in a heavy way, Aries. In an effort to keep things light and energetic, you may be missing the core of the situation. LEO: 20th July - 20th Aug Be careful of being hypocritical, Leo. You may not want to disappoint people you meet, so you end up stretching the truth to suit what they want to hear. You may catch yourself a minute later telling someone else the opposite in order to protect his or her estimation of you. TAURUS : 20th April - 20th May Magical events may occur today in the most unlikely places, Taurus. Perhaps you’re expecting to see someone in a certain environment. Even if you don’t see him or her there, you will end up meeting at a special event in an entirely different place. VIRGO : 20th Aug - 20th Sept You could even find that you’re paralyzed in the sense that you begin to question your current actions or ones you plan to take in the future. SAGITTARIUS : 20th Nov - 20th Dec Try not to overanalyze your actions, Sagittarius. If you continue to pick apart every aspect, you will end up getting nowhere. This principle applies to your emotions, too. GEMINI : 20th May - 20th June If you find that you aren’t necessarily thinking like the rest of the group, don’t panic, Gemini. In fact, this is probably a good thing. By going along with the crowd, you may be expected to act a certain way in some situations. LIBRA: 20th Sep - 20th Oct You may have to make an important decision today, Libra. It has come to the point where someone draws a line in the sand and challenges you to cross it. The conflict today is between your head and your gut. Don’t limit your choices to two. There are always compromises. CAPRICORN: 20th Dec - 20th Jan Your actions may go against your rational thinking, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Capricorn. Thoughts and feelings are apt to aggressively clash today, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim of the resulting demolition. CANCER: 20th June - 20th July Your words may fall sharply on someone’s ears today, so be aware of the impact you can have, Cancer. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to dilute your message with lies in order to avoid the true topic of conversation. SCORPIO : 20th Oct - 20th Nov As you take another step upward today, Scorpio, you may realize that there’s a large part of the mountain you hadn’t accounted for before. Perhaps this steep portion of the climb wasn’t visible from below when you started the trip. AQUARIUS: 20th Jan - 20th Feb You may have the perfect plan all laid out, Aquarius. You’ve communicated to the right people, you’ve traveled to the appropriate spots to gather data, and you have all your resources in line. Don’t let this block you from your dreams. PISCES: 20th Feb - 20th Mar What you think may happen today is apt to be the opposite of what actually happens, Pisces. It could be that you have a strong mental picture of how things should proceed, but end up taking a completely different action. 21 Saturday, November 29, 2014 CROSSWORD Across 1- Had in mind; 6- Light ___; 11- Roadie’s burden; 14Defense covering; 15- Rich cake; 16- Cry ___ River; 17- Concert venue; 18- One who arrives tardy; 20- AOL alternative; 21- Fellow; 23- Minimal; 24- Little bits; 26Thicket; 28- Gasoline; 30- Thick-skinned charger; 31- One on slopes; 32- Buy alternative; 33- Actress Joanne; 36Meets with; 37- Alpaca’s cousin; 38- “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” author; 39- NFL scores; 40- Freedom from war; 41- Temporary stop; 42- Person of exceptional holiness; 43- One who belongs to a group; 44- Dirty rat; 47- Unit of weight in gemstones; 48- Syrian president; 49- Sworn thing; 50- D-Day craft; 53- Having long antennae; 56- Shed ___; 58- Bar order; 59- Au contraire!; 60- Dated; 61- ___ Rosenkavalier; 62- Boarded; 63- Actress Spacek; Yesterday’s solution Down 1- Polite address; 2- Makes a boo-boo; 3- Courtesies; 4The French word for “no”; 5- Farm vehicle; 6- World book; 7- Work up lather; 8- This was produced by Van Gogh, for example; 9- Mineral suffix; 10- Lean back; 11- Capital of Jordan; 12- 1980s attorney general; 13- Social gathering; 19- Vintner’s prefix; 22- Actor Linden; 25- Raw materials; 26- Disgrace; 27- Galileo’s birthplace; 28- Attention-getter; 29- Barely managed, with “out”; 30- Hit back, perhaps; 32- Grassy plain; 33- Certainly; 34- “Titanic” heroine; 35Manipulator; 37- Hula hoops?; 38- Buddhist monk; 40Something added unnecessarily; 41- Possibly; 42- Glitch; 43- Floor covering; 44- Cobb, e.g.; 45- ___ Mio; 46- Moore’s TV boss; 47- Ecclesiastical rule; 49- Estimator’s phrase; 51- Impudence; 52- Deuce topper; 54- Dove sound; 55Baseball’s Mel; 57- Mai ___; BEETLE BAILEY S U D O KU R IN HISTORY Why are some people Hoy en la Historia November 29, 1954 Ellis Island, through which over 20 million immigrants passed into the United States from 1892, was closed. The restored building was reopened as a museum in 1990 1394: The Korean king Yi Seong-gye moved his capital from Kaesŏng to Hanyang, now known as Seoul 1814: The Times of London became the first newspaper to be printed with steam power, replacing the much slower hand presses 1972: Pong, the first commercially successful video game, was launched 2004: China signed an agreement with the 10 ASEAN nations, creating the world’s largest free trade zone Picture: Associated Press © GRAPHIC NEWS I mosquito magnets ? t’s an unfortunate fact that some people seem to be mosquito magnets while others are rarely bitten. The two most important reasons a mosquito is attracted to you have to do with sight and smell. Their first mode of search for humans is through vision. Only female mosquitoes that are looking to lay eggs bite. This is because they need the nutrients in blood to lay their eggs. Once the mosquito keys in on a promising visual target, it then picks up on smell. The main attractor is your rate of carbon dioxide How to play: Place a number in the empty boxes in such a way that each row across, each column down and each 9-box square contains all of the numbers from one to nine. Yesterday’s solution production with every exhale you take. Those with higher metabolic rates produce more carbon dioxide, as do larger people and pregnant women. Though carbon dioxide puts a person on the mosquito’s radar, there are other reasons such as sweat, dark clothing, perfume and scented lotions and higher body temperature, that the mosquito is attracted with. Research has also shown that consuming alcohol will make you a more likely target for a mosquito because ethanol in alcoholic drinks is secreted in sweat, and attracts mosquitoes. 22 WORLD Ukraine Hungry Saturday, November 29, 2014 Police swoop on 80 airports in global ticket fraud crackdown TICKET CREDIT CARD FRAUD Jan Hennop The Hague P olice have arrested 118 people in an unprecedented globally-coordinated swoop on plane ticket credit card fraud, a billion-dollar organised crime industry, officials said yesterday. Operation Global Airport Action at 80 airports in 45 countries was coordinated from Europol’s headquarters in The Hague, Interpol in Singapore and Latin American agency Ameripol in Bogota. Police teams at airports from London to Manila arrested suspects who had used fraudulent credit card details to buy plane tickets as they queued to board or as they landed at their destination, said Europol chief Rob Wainwright. “It’s a billion-dollar a year problem for the airline industry... and the volume of traffic is huge,” Wainwright told AFP during the two-day operation on Wednesday and Thursday. “In addition, millions of innocent citizens are affected through the misuse of their credit card data,” he added. “We had to design a global operation to put us into any kind of position to stop the guys from boarding the flights or indeed to apprehend them on arrival.” Inside Europol’s fortress-like headquarters, experts from credit card companies, includ- F Bogota Colombian court has issued the country’s first conviction under a racial harassment law after a local official likened black and indigenous people to a “cancer,” prosecutors said yesterday. Councilman Fernando Antonio Delgado made the inflammatory remarks during an August 2012 meeting and was the first person to be convicted under a 2011 anti-discrimination law, according to prosecutors. “Black people, displaced people and indigenous people are a cancer affecting national and global governance,” the official, from the town of Marsella in the western Risaralda department, had said. Colombia is home to a diverse mix of ethnic groups, but Afro-Colombians and indigenous people have long suffered significant discrimination. Delgado now faces possible jail time of 12-36 months, though this could be set even higher because he is a public official. He may also be stripped of his office. Various community members welcomed the ruling. Jorge Enrique Machado, a representative for local indigenous people, said it “refutes the arguments of those who were saying this was only an opinion.” A ‘VIP’ Madonna wins new Malawi president’s praise ing Visa and American Express, as well as airline representatives and police analysts worked closely together. Europol gave AFP rare access to their European Cybercrime Centre EC3 during the operation. “We never realised how big the problem with fraud in the airlines was until we approached the airlines and asked for their cooperation,” Marcin Skowronek, one of the crime centre’s investigators, told AFP. Behind him, a giant screen tracks flights across Europe, some of them carrying suspect passengers heading for arrest after Europol passes on their details to national police. “We have a team of around 20 officers standing by at (London) Heathrow as we speak,” said Skowronek. Another screen shows arrest updates. “Miami (to) London Heathrow, American Airlines, 1 PAX (passenger) arrested, 11,000 euros fraud,” reads one message. Europol said in total more than 281 suspicious transactions were reported over the two days. Following their arrest, fraudsters’ real identities are checked against Europol’s own crime databases. “We’ve had lots of hits today,” said a Europol analyst who asked not to be named for security reasons, adding that many of those arrested are also want- of law, it launches the process for parliament to examine the issue. The next step would involve a parliamentary committee, which would have to approve the proposed change before it goes to parliament for a final vote. Saarela said however that there was “no doubt” that it would go through. Finland’s Prime Minister Alexander Stubb, who supported the initiative, described it as an example of people power. “It’s a sign of civic activism and indicates that Finnish law is heading in the same direction as the rest of the Nordics and the Western world on this sensitive and difficult question,” he told YLE. Although the proposal was rejected twice by the parliament’s legal committee, an Lilongwe op diva Madonna met Malawi’s new president yesterday after her VIP status was restored in the country where she adopted two children but then fell foul of the former government. President Peter Mutharika hailed Madonna for her charity work in the poor southern African nation, saying “my government has always been grateful for the passion Madonna has for this country.” It was Madonna’s first visit in more than a year after she was stripped of her VIP status by former president Joyce Banda amid controversy over the cancellation of her plans for an academy for girls. “Her VIP status has been restored,” presidential press secretary Frederick Ndala told AFP. Mutharika said the singer’s passion was directed “especially towards addressing poverty and hardships endured by Malawi’s orphans and vulnerable children through her charity Raising Malawi”. Madonna has adopted two children -— Mercy James and David Banda -- from the country, which officially has more than a million orphans and vulnerable children. “During our discussion, Madonna displayed much commitment in helping to build more classrooms in schools across Malawi,” said Mutharika, who described himself as “a fan of her music”. He thanked her for honouring her promise to bring her two adopted children along for the week-long visit. P Terminal Two at Heathrow Airport west of London. ed for other crimes. “In many cases, the credit card fraud is linked to other serious crimes like drug smuggling, illegal immigration and human trafficking for sex exploitation.” Europol director Wainwright said the operation, unprecedented in scale, took four months to put together and so could not be mounted continuously. “This is a fantastic example of the police working with private industry to protect the consumer,” he said. “It shows the value of this kind of operation led by international police organisations... that really can crack down on all aspects of modern organised crime.”(AFP) Finland towards legalising gay marriage Helsinki inland voted yesterday to consider a new law to legalise same-sex marriage in a victory for campaigners who gathered thousands of signatures to force parliament to examine the issue. The Finnish parliament approved the “citizens’ initiative” proposal by 105 votes to 92, paving the way for a gender neutral marriage law in the country -- the last in the Nordic region to still outlaw gay marriage. Anna Saarela, who led the campaign, told AFP that she felt “pure joy” after the vote. “Finland is the last Nordic country where homosexual couples are not allowed to marry. It’s a question of human rights,” she said. While the vote will not automatically result in a change Colombia issues first conviction for racist remarks Cop at centre of Ferguson case to leave force Washington he Missouri police officer who killed an unarmed black teen sparking months of protests in the city of Ferguson will never return to policing, his lawyer said. Darren Wilson is currently in discussions with the Ferguson, Missouri police department on the terms and conditions of his departure, attorney Neil Bruntrager said this week. “There’s no way in the world he can go back to being a police officer,” the lawyer said. “It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” Bruntrager said of Wilson’s departure. Wilson shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in August claiming he acted in self-defence. The shooting set off days of racially-charged protests that erupted again this week after a grand jury on Monday announced that Wilson would not be charged over the fatal shooting. Bruntrager told CNN that Wilson, who has said his conscience is clear, could simply not go back to work given the outrage over the case. “The first day he would be back on the street something terrible would happen to him or to someone that would be working with him,” he told CNN. “The last thing he wants is to put other police officers at risk,” the attorney added. T Supporters celebrate outside the Finnish Parliament. intense campaign in recent weeks helped increase support to bring Finland in line with nearly a dozen European countries. But some lawmakers were still deeply opposed. “This is a catastrophe for Finland,” said Pentti Oinonen, a member of parliament for the nationalist The Finns party, which opposed the change. (AFP) police hate speech leaflets BombKenya blasts hitprobe mosque in Kano WORLD 23 Saturday, November 29, 2014 UKRAINE HUNGRY Cut-off pensioners slowly starving in rebel-held Ukraine Donetsk ina Nikiforovna, a pensioner in the rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, took up begging recently. “I never thought I’d live long enough to know such shame,” she says, but she needs pills for her heart condition and after several months without receiving her pension, she saw no alternative. Hundreds of thousands of pensioners in the pro-Russian east of Ukraine, already caught up in seven months of conflict between government and rebel forces, have lost their only source of income. This month, the government in Kiev officially cut off rebel-held areas from all financial support, including welfare payments and pensions. Then they stopped postal and banking services. “With this decision, the Ukrainian authorities have made a difficult situation even worse,” said Evgeny Shibalov, a charity volunteer that helps distribute aid to people in the region. Most of the 650,000 pensioners in these areas have not received any money from N the government since August. But the new rules mean they must now produce papers saying they have left the rebel zone and live in a government-controlled area. That has quickly bred a rash of corrupt middle men offering fake residency documents. The going rate is around 500 hryvnias (25 euros, $31) -- a sizeable chunk out of a monthly pension of just 1,670 hryvnias. “It’s already been over a month since I went to Kramatorsk to try to get the documents for my pension. And now, I have to queue again in the cold and I’m not sure anything will come of it,” said Ekaterina Savenko, 70. She was one of around a hundred people queueing outside Donetsk railway station on a recent morning, hoping to get hold of a ticket and then reach somewhere where she could buy papers proving she was internally displaced. Newly confirmed prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk places the blame for this “humanitarian catastrophe” squarely at the Kremlin’s door -- saying Russia has fomented Donetsk disconnected. and supported the separatist uprising in the east. But that is little consolation to the thousands who are housebound or lack the money to travel outside rebel areas. “Just in Donetsk, there are nearly 30,000 people who can’t move or get any help from their families. Many are lacking the most essential medicines. They find themselves today on the edge of survival,” said Shibalov, the charity worker. The government says no one has died of hunger on its watch, but it has no figures for what is happening in rebel areas. Up to now, most have scraped by with the help of neighbours and hu- Namibians cast ballots in Africa’s first e-vote Windhoek amibians voted yesterday in a general election billed as Africa’s first e-vote, with the ruling party expected to retain power it has held since since independence. As the sun set over the capital Windhoek, long queues could still be found at several polling stations around the capital. Voters waited patiently, shielding their heads from the last rays of the desert sun with newspapers, hats and umbrellas. Police said there were no reports of violence. The first results are expected to trickle in sometime in the early hours of Saturday morning, with final results coming as soon as 1900 GMT on Saturday. Polling began at 0500 GMT across the country, with voters standing in long lines before daybreak including some firsttime “born free” voters -- those born after Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990. “It’s a rich country with poor people, so I hope there is more balance,” said 43-year-old Elias while waiting to cast his vote. The ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation -- better known as SWAPO N manitarian aid. It is no longer rare to see groups of old people egging outside supermarkets and pharmacies. “They are letting us die. No one is able to tell us when all this will be over and how much longer we must live with this hunger,” said 76-year-old Tatiana Solovyeva in the town of Ma- MH17 remains arrive in Netherlands Eindhoven, Netherlands ix more coffins carrying body parts of victims from downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 arrived in the Netherlands from Ukraine yesterday, with nine victims of the July disaster still unidentified. A Dutch Air Force C-130 transport plane arrived at an airfield in the southern city of Eindhoven after leaving Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. The coffins were loaded into six hearses at a ceremony attended by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, before heading for a forensic S A polling station supervisor checks the ID card of Namibian opposition party Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) president McHenry Venaani after casting his vote. -- was forged from the embers of the anti-colonial and antiapartheid struggle and has won every election in the 24 years since Namibia’s independence. Ahead of election day, foreign minister and senior SWAPO party official Netumbo NandiNdaitwah told AFP victory was inevitable this time around as well. “SWAPO is going to win. There is no ‘if ’, SWAPO is going to win,” she said. Stations were due to close at 1900 GMT after 14 hours of voting. Around 1.2 million Namibians are eligible to cast their ballots at nearly 4,000 electronic voting places across the vast desert nation. AFP. kiyivka, just outside Donetsk. “I don’t have any family, I live only on my pension, but now I don’t have it anymore. “I asked for help from my neighbours, some miners. But now they are not getting their salaries either. How can we go on living like this?” she said. (AFP) research facility in Hilversum where the process of identifying the victims is taking place. The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 was blown out of the sky on July 17 over Ukrainian rebel-held territory, killing all 298 people on board, including 193 Dutch citizens. The Dutch-led probe team has so far identified 289 of the victims and is set to transport the wreckage of the plane by road to the Netherlands for further investigation. But nine victims remained unidentified as recovery work at the crash site shut down for the winter. 24 WORLD Sarkozy tipped to win party’s vote Saturday, November 29, 2014 BOMB BLASTS HIT MOSQUE IN KANO At least 35 people died - official Kano D ozens of people are feared dead after three bomb blasts near one of the biggest mosques in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, in an attack Amir had urged northerners to take up arms against Boko Haram that bore the hallmarks of Islamist militants Boko Haram. Witnesses said heavy smoke could be seen billowing into the sky from a long distance away while rescue operations were under way at the bomb site, with the injured and dead being taken away from the scene. “Two bombs exploded, one after the other, in the premises of the grand mosque seconds after the prayers had started,” Aminu Abdullahi told Agence France-Presse. He said a third bomb went off nearby. At least 35 people died, a deputy police commissioner told reporters. Hajara Tukur, who lives nearby, said the police began firing weapons in the chaos that followed the blasts, as worshippers began running for safety. The mosque is next to the palace of the emir of Kano, the second highest Islamic authority in Africa’s most populous country, although the Amir himself, Lamido Sanusi, was not present. Preaching at the grand mosque last week, the Amir urged northerners to take up arms against Boko Haram, and cast doubt on the military’s ability to protect civilians and end the insurgency. Nigeria is home to more than 80 million Muslims, most of whom live in the north. Sanusi, who was named emir earlier this year, is a prominent figure in his own right, having previously served as the chief of Nigeria’s central bank, where he spoke out against government fraud. People gather at the site of a bomb attack in Kano, Nigeria. Rank of Kim Jong-un’s sister revealed China bans wordplay to control pun F Beijing rom online discussions to adverts, Chinese culture is full of puns. But the country’s print and broadcast watchdog has ruled that there is nothing funny about them. It has banned wordplay on the grounds that it breaches the law on standard spoken and written Chinese, makes promoting cultural heritage harder and may mislead the public – especially children. The casual alteration of idioms risks nothing less than “cultural and linguistic chaos”, it warns. Chinese is perfectly suited to puns because it has so many homophones. Popular sayings and even customs, as well as jokes, rely on wordplay. But the order from the State Administration for Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television says: “Radio and tele- vision authorities at all levels must tighten up their regulations and crack down on the irregular and inaccurate use of the Chinese language, especially the misuse of idioms.” Programmes and adverts should strictly comply with the standard spelling and use of characters, words, phrases and idioms – and avoid changing the characters, phrasing and meanings, the order said. Moscow ussia yesterday successfully tested its new submarine-launched Bulava intercontinental missile, designed to carry nuclear warheads, the defense ministry said in a statement. It said the nuclear submarine Alexander Nevsky fired the missile from under wa- ter in the Barents Sea and it landed on a military training ground in Russia’s far eastern peninsula of Kamchatka, as planned The 12-metre-long (39.4 feet) weapon is intended to become the cornerstone of Russia’s nuclear forces. The last test was successfully carried out in September after the development of Bulava, or Mace, had been delayed by numerous failed launches. President Vladimir Putin said after the previous test that Russia must maintain its nuclear deterrent to counter growing security threats. Ties between Moscow and the West have hit new lows over the crisis in Ukraine. Madrid en African migrants managed to scale the border fence between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla in broad daylight yesterday, a day after 500 tried to storm the barrier. There have been more than 60 attempts on the seven- metre high fence around the tiny Spanish outpost this year, mostly at night, according to officials. “Around 16 migrants tried to get over the fence in the northern zone and 10 succeeded,” a spokeswoman for Melilla’s prefect said, before they were taken to an immigration centre. Around 500 migrants, organised into small groups, tried to approach the heavily-guarded frontier on Thursday but were pushed back by Moroccan police. As many as 15,000 migrants have tried to get into the Spanish enclave since the beginning of the year. Russia test fires submarine missile R Kim Jong-Un visits the Sinchon Museum of United States War Atrocities in a photograph released this week. Soul N orth Korea revealed the official title of Kim Jongun’s younger sister, who is widely tipped to become a close and influential aide to the young leader. Kim Yo-jong, believed to be 26, made her first public appearance during the funeral of her father and longtime ruler Kim Jong-il in December 2011. Since then she has occasionally been seen accompa- nying her brother to political events and on his “field guidance trips”, but without any specific title attached to her name. That changed when the North’s official KCNA news agency listed her as a “vice department director” in the central committee of the ruling Workers’ party. She was accompanying her brother on a trip to a cartoon film studio founded by their grandfather and the North’s founding president, Kim Ilsung. During the visit, Kim Jong-un urged animators to produce works that are “true to the intention of the party”. The Kim family has ruled the reclusive, impoverished state for more than six decades with an iron fist and a pervasive personality cult. North Korea watchers have speculated that Kim Yo-jong may end up playing the same leadership supporting role as her powerful aunt, Kim Kyong-hui. Migrants scale Spain’s fence T WORLD 25 SARKOZY TIPPED TO WIN PARTY’S VOTE Saturday, November 29, 2014 He intends to lead France in 2017 Paris O n the front pages in newspaper kiosks near the opposition UMP party headquarters, there is a strange sense of deja vu. Ten years ago – on 28 November 2004 – a desperately ambitious politician by the name of Nicolas Sarkozy sat in a fine leather chair behind a big desk and took control of the then ruling centre-right party. Nobody believed the permanently agitated “Super Sarko”, who dreamed constantly of being president – and not, as he famously claimed, “only when I’m shaving each morning” – would sit still for long. They Nicolas Sarkozy. were right. Within three years he was in the Elysée Palace. Yesterday, a decade on and just two and a half years after he suffered a bruising defeat at He intends to lead France in 2017 the hands of François Hollande, Sarkozy is tipped to win the leadership vote of the UMP’s 268,000 card-carrying members and to slide once more into the same seat. Again, there is little doubt he intends to use it to make another bid to lead France in 2017. There are three candidates in tomorrow’s election. But in the modern glass and white vinyl foyer of the party HQ on Friday it was an image of Sarkozy, in profile, gazing statesmanlike into the distance under the slogan “La France Forte” (Strong France) – a poster from his ill-fated 2012 presidential campaign – that greeted visitors. Opinion polls give Sarkozy, 59, a convincing victory, with more than 60 per cent of votes against 31pc for former minister Bruno Le Maire, 45, and 5% for outsider Hervé Mariton, 56. Mass animal sacrifice goes ahead Kathmandu illions of devotees attended a mass animal sacrifice in Nepal yesterday, despite efforts by animal rights activists to end the practice. The organisers of the Gadhimai festival, which is held in Bariyarpur, near the border with India, claimed about five million worshippers came to sacrifice tens of thousands of animals, including buffaloes, goats and birds, as an act of gratitude to the Hindu goddess. However, in a sign that the campaign to end the practice M may have had some impact, the number of buffaloes killed dropped to about 5,000, half the number slaughtered when the festival was last held five years ago. “The numbers went down because the Indian court banned the ferrying of animals from India to Nepal,” said Ram Chandra Shah, chair of the Gadhimai temple management committee. “The animal rights activism has had some effect.” However, he said that although the numbers sacrificed have decreased, the worshippers are as enthusiastic as ever. “More people are still coming from India and Nepal, so the final numbers will be very high,” said Shah. Thousands of buses, tractors and carts packed with families cradling goats and birds for the sacrifice blocked the small dusty road leading to the Gadhimai temple. Huge crowds massed around the temple to receive a blessing, while a constant stream of pleas from desperate parents who had lost their children blared out from the public address system. For most festivalgoers the UK tells EU to curb migrant welfare London rime Minister David Cameron could campaign for Britain to leave the European Union if it stops him restricting EU migrants’ access to P David Cameron his country’s welfare system, he hinted yesterday, but said he was confident it wouldn’t come to that. In a speech designed to breathe new life into his cam- paign to be re-elected in May, Cameron set out a blueprint for restricting EU migrants’ access to welfare benefits but stopped short of proposing quotas on numbers or demanding Britain be allowed to halt inflows if it felt too many people were coming. Cameron’s aides have floated such ideas in the press in recent months, but have seen them decisively shot down by German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has made clear she won’t allow the EU’s freedom of movement of worker rules to be diluted. Instead, he said he wanted employed EU migrants to wait four years before being allowed to access welfare ben- event is a special family occasion; a chance to thank the goddess, but also to shop for knickknacks, enjoy the fairground rides and share a picnic. The climax of the day is the killing of thousands of buffaloes in a huge compound surrounded by a high wall. Hundreds of men, especially chosen for the task, walk among the animals, holding long curved machetes above their heads, and then decapitate the buffaloes with a blow to the back of the neck. efits, and for unemployed EU migrants not to be eligible for any help. Cameron said his plans would need EU treaty change, a step other EU leaders have baulked at, but it wasn’t immediately clear why treaty change would be needed. The speech drew a distinctly calm reaction from EU powers who were relieved Britain had shelved plans to tinker with freedom of movement. With polls showing immigration is voters’ top concern, Cameron is under pressure to get tough on the issue. Many of his Conservative lawmakers fear the rise in popularity of the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP), which this month won its second seat in parliament, threatens their re-election chances. The number of buffaloes killed at Gadhimai festival fell to about 5,000. Japan military chief urges early pact with China Tokyo apan’s highest-ranking military officer yesterday urged an early start to a “crisis management” mechanism with China amid conflicting claims to a group of tiny East China Sea islands. Relations between China and Japan, the world’s second- and third-largest economies, have also been strained by the legacy of Japan’s wartime occupation of its larger Asian neighbour. Patrol ships and fighter jets from both countries have shadowed each other regularly near the uninhabited islands, prompting fears an accidental collision or other incident could escalate into a larger J conflict. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed this month to start work on maritime crisis management. Such talks have been halted since Japan nationalised three of the disputed islands in September 2012. “It would allow communication between people at the scene. That’s significant,” Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, chief of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces’ Joint Staff, said. “The communication mechanism covers both the navies and air forces. 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Email CV to bahdintjob@gmail. com ................................................... Alsaleh Manpower agency looking for: NAIL TECHNICIAN, SPA THERAPIST, BARBERS, HAIRSTYLIST, ACCOUNTANT AND SALESLADIES. Candidates with minimum 2 years GCC experience, send CVs to: [email protected] ................................................... Restaurant is urgently looking for SECURITY OFFICERS, Valet Parkers and Receptionist (Bahrainis only). Email us your CV at management@tradervics. com.bh ................................................... NUTRITIONIST Required with Bachelors’ qualification and 5 years experience for a well reputed centre. Email CV: [email protected] ................................................... PROJECT MANAGER, CIVIL ENGINEER, QUANTITY SURVEYORS urgently required for Grade ‘A’ Contracting Company. Email: constjobs12@gmail. com ................................................... Experienced DRIVER required for family. Salary BD125/- + visa + accommodation. Tel. 39464542, email: [email protected] ................................................... PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR AND HEAVY / LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS for reputed mineral water company. Young, presentable with good communication skills & valid driving license may forward their CV to job. [email protected] ................................................... Urgently Required for reputed Auto Service Centre: (1) PET- BUSINESS FOR SALE An established children’s rides business – 140 coin operated machines currently contracted to 11 locations across the kingdom with great potential for expansion. A low maintenance investment with little overheads. Interested parties should contact [email protected] or call 17292973 for more information. ROL MECHANIC. (2) AUTO ELECTRICIAN. (3) DENTER/ PAINTER. Must have experience in German, Japan & American cars. (4) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER. Salary negotiable. Sponsorship available. Email: [email protected] ................................................... Altoufic Recruitment Company needs urgently for Qatar SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (Indian Nationality) with perfect Salary / Email: altoufic@ live.com ................................................... Reputed Company is looking for experienced SALESMAN, & Bahraini Receptionist. Send resume to [email protected] ................................................... Urgently required TEACHER ASSISTANCE for nursery, visa available, transport, salary BD 140. send email: lkpschool@ yahoo.com ................................................... Pizza Chain urgently needs Staff for local transfer: ITALIAN FOOD CHEFS, COOKS, BAKERS, PIZZA MAKERS, DELIVERYMEN (motorbike/ car). Send your CV and information on [email protected] ................................................... Freelance REAL ESTATE AGENTS required for a property management company on commission basis. Those who have good knowledge of Bahrain real estate market send resume to: [email protected] ................................................... An Industrial Company is looking for WORKSHOP MANAGER with minimum 10 years GCC experience (Electrical/ Mechanical Engineer). Good salary + company accommodation for right candidates. Send your CV to [email protected] FLAT FOR RENT EAST RIFFA a brand new commercial offices for rent, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, prices start from BD 250 - BD 260 - BD 270. Contact: 3345 1108 .................................................. GAFUL flat for rent, 2 bedroom 1 bathroom 1 kitchen hall with AC. Rent: BD 250. Contact: 39711001 .................................................. JUFFAIR fully furnished 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom flat for rent with all faculties, pool, gym, covered parking (24 hrs) security and maintenance monthly. Rent 500 all inclusive. Contact: 3388 7055 .................................................. RIFFA 2 bed room 2 bath room flat for rent near lulu hypermarket, family only. Rent: BD 200. Contact: 6633 3304 .................................................. MUHARRAQ 1 room semi furnished flat for rent, all inclusive electricity + municipality. Walking distance of Muharraq central market, and Muhharraq souq. Call : 39970707 .................................................. BUDAIYA HIGHWAY semi furnished villa for rent, 3 bedroom 3 bath room, car parking store house, maid’s room, pool, washing machine, air conditioning, garden, exclusive of municipality, electricity and water. For viewing call: 33887055 .................................................. JUFFAIR fully furnished flat for rent. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom open kitchen car parking gym, swimming pool, 24 hours security. Rent BD600. 2 bedroom BD 550. Contact: 3559 0664 .................................................. TUBLI furnished studio flat for rent, pool, gym, sauna, steam, internet. Rent: BD 260/ month. Contact: 36630266 .................................................. SEEF fully furnished Studio flat for rent. Rent BD 250 all inclusive, good location. Please contact 33313733 Saturday, November 29, 2014 27 DINE OUT TERIYAKI BEEF & LETTUCE CUPS PREPARATION 1. INGREDIENTS: • • • • • • • • 350gtrimmedsirloinsteaks 2tbspteriyakisaucemarinade,(weused Kikkomanteriyakimarinade) 1⁄2cucumber 2tbspcoriander,roughlychopped juice1⁄2lime 6LittleGemlettucesleaves 1redchilli,deseededandthinlysliced 1⁄2redonion,thinlysliced MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS, 2002 model for sale. engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 2,000. Contact: 33150489 ................................................... HONDA ACCORD, 2010 model for sale. KM 73452, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 5,299. Contact: 38808449 ................................................... NISSAN SUNNY, 2004 model for sale. KM 105000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,650. Contact: 34129197 ................................................... NISSAN XTERRA, 2010 model for sale. KM 81000, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 5,700. Contact: 33054520 ................................................... FORD FOCUS, 2006 model for sale. KM 135000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,300. Contact: 36065004 ................................................... CADILLAC ESCALADE, 2008 modle for sale. KM 22000, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 5,200. Contact: 33182795 ................................................... MASERATI Quattroporte, 2005 model for sale. KM 19000, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 6,995. Contact: 33355790 ................................................... MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class, 2006 model for sale. KM 70000, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD Putthesteakbetweentwosheetsofcling film and beat with a rolling pin until half itsoriginalthickness.Thinlyslicethesteak, then mix with the teriyaki marinade in a bowl.Leavetomarinatefor5-10mins. 2. Roughlydicethecucumberandmixwith the chopped coriander and lime juice. Seasonwithalittlesalt. 3. Heat a frying pan until very hot, then fry the steak slices for 1½-2½ mins for rare to medium, turning the slices halfway through. 4. Pilethecucumbermixtureintothelettuce leaves, then top with the seared teriyaki beef,chilliandredonion. 8,900. Contact: 33355790 ................................................... NISSAN SUNNY, 2003 model for sale. KM 200000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,400. Contact: 38181284 ................................................... GMC ACADIA, 2008 model for sale. KM 115000, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 5,500. Contact: 35580622 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2012 model for sale. KM 44000, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 5,000. Contact: 39541177 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2005 model for sale. Engine Size 20013000CC. Price BD 1,500. Contact: 34064033 ................................................... LEXUS ES-SERIES, 2008 model for sale. Engine Size30014000CC . Price BD 8,000. Contact: 36611106 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2012 model for sale. KM 53000, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 4,800. Contact: 39541177 ................................................... KIA CARNIVAL, 2004 model for sale. KM 162437, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 1,000. Contact: 33718885 ................................................... HYUNDAI GALLOPER, 2002 model for sale. KM 220000, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 1,300. Contact: 37737756 ................................................... HONDA CR-V, 1998 model for sale. Engine Size 10002000CC. Price BD 1,250. Contact: 33071582 ................................................... JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, 2000 model for sale. KM 150000, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 950. Contact: 34556227 ................................................... HONDA ACCORD, 2005 model for sale. KM 137000, Engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 2,500. Contact: 33833390 ................................................... CITROEN C4, 2006 model for sale. Engine Size 1000-2000 CC. Price BD 650. Contact: 39144218 ................................................... MITSUBISHI LANCER, 2009 model for sale. KM 127000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 2,500. Contact: 33055827 ................................................... NISSAN ARMADA, 2004 model for sale. KM 173000, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 4,500. Contact: 39977886 ................................................... AUDI A1, 2011 model for sale. KM 42000, engine Size 10002000CC. Price BD 6,500. Contact: 38383409 Reservations: + 973 17728699 ................................................... TOYOTA COROLLA, 2010 model for sale. KM 94400, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 3,700. Contact: 36605926 ................................................... MAZDA 3, 2008 model for sale. KM 100000, engine Size 10002000CC. Price BD 2,500. Contact: 35104654 ................................................... CHEVROLET TAHOE, 2008 model for sale. KM 68400, engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 7,400. Contact: 39912301 ................................................... FORD FOCUS, 2004 model for sale. KM 173000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 950. Contact: 35392897 ................................................... MITSUBISHI LANCER, 2009 model for sale. KM 79000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 2,200. Contact: 35004377 ................................................... FORD FOCUS, 2004 model for sale. KM 173000, engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,150. Contact: 35392897 ................................................... BMW 3-SERIES, 2008 model for sale. KM 96000, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 7,200. Contact: 39265885 ................................................... CHRYSLER 300M/300C, 2003 model for sale. Engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 1,100. Contact: 33558876 ................................................... NISSAN ALTIMA, 2008 model for sale. Engine Size 20013000CC. Price BD 2,800. Contact: 36100026 ................................................... MAZDA CX-9, 2008 model for sale. KM 177000, engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 4,800. Contact: 36991412 ................................................... TOYOTA SOLARA, 2006 model for sale. Engine Size 20013000CC. Price BD 4,200. Contact: 38333612 ................................................... LEXUS for sale, 1994 model for sale, engine Size 30014000CC. Price: BD 900 Contact: 39787787 ................................................... NISSAN PATHFINDER, 2003 model for sale, engine Size 2001-3000 CC. Price BD 2,250. Contact: 35392897 ................................................... HONDA ACCORD, 2007 model for sale. KM 112000, price BD 3,400. Engine Size 20013000CC. Contact: 33936825 ................................................... MITSUBISHI LANCER, 2008 model for sale, engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 1,900. Contact: 32229226 ................................................... HONDA ACCORD, 2009 model for sale. KM 92000, Engine Size 2001-3000CC. Price BD 4,500. Contact: 36485501 ................................................... BMW 3-SERIES, 2007 model for sale. Engine Size 30014000CC. Price BD 6,300. Contact: 39787898 ................................................... TOYOTA COROLLA, 2001 model for sale. KM 190000, Engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,750. Contact: 39754346 ................................................... TOYOTA ECHO, 2004 model for sale. KM 150000, Engine Size 1000-2000CC. Price BD 1,450. Contact: 39435292 ................................................... KIA SPORTAGE, 2006 model for sale. Engine Size 10002000CC. Price BD 2,200. Contact: 39900609 ................................................... BMW 7-SERIES, 2005 model for sale. KM 112000, Engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 4,800. Contact: 33467388 ................................................... BMW 3-SERIES, 2008 model for sale. KM 95000, Engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 4,200. Contact: 39826557 ................................................... BMW 7-SERIES, 2007 model for sale. KM 144000, Engine Size 4000+CC. Price BD 5,800. Contact: 33741525 ................................................... LEXUS IS-SERIES, 2006 model for sale. Engine Size 20013000CC. Price BD 5,300. Contact: 36611106 ................................................... FORD GT, 2006 model for sale. Engine Size 3001-4000CC. Price BD 4,300. Contact: 33056210 ................................................... HONDA CIVIC, 2002 model for sale. Engine Size 10002000CC. Price BD 1,350. Contact: 33855420. 38444695 17579869 17256470 [email protected] Reaching the right audience AFC CONTENT WITH 2015 PREPARATIONS 28 SPORTS DT News Network sian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said he was pleased with the efforts of all parties in order to provide the ideal conditions to hold the next Asian Cup in Australia next year. The announcement came yesterday as Shaikh Salman inaugurated the 2015 Sydney Asian Cup Organising Committee meeting in Manila, Philippines. The meeting was chaired by Prince Abdulla Sultan Ahmed Shah, vice-president of the AFC and committee chairman, in the presence of AFC general secretary Dato Alex Soosay and other com- A Saturday, November 29, 2014 mittee members. Shaikh Salman stressed that all parties of the AFC should share the responsibility of making this upcoming event an all-round success, and noted the achievements ac- Shaikh Salman inaugurates the 2015 Sydney Asian Cup Organising Committee meeting complished by the organising committees of the previous editions of the Asian Cup. The AFC President affirmed the keenness of the AFC Ex- ecutive Committee to harness all its abilities to step up its preparations to hold the next edition of the Asian Cup and present a perfect tournament at all levels. Prince Abdulla extended his appreciation to the AFC President for his continued support to the organising committee, which has contributed to the committee achieving their objectives. Meanwhile, Shaikh Salman inaugurated the Competitions, Disciplines and Auditing Committees meetings, during which he commended their significant roles in boosting football on the continent. Buoyant Barca target Valencia scalp Kieran Canning Madrid Shaikh Salman speaks at the Discipline Committee meeting. Hajweri in big win A Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona vanquished some early season doubts with back-to-back thrashings of Sevilla and APOEL Nicosia in the past week thanks to two hat-tricks from the Argentine as he became the all-time leading scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League. Luis Enrique’s men are expected to face a tougher test tomorrow, though, when they travel to a Valencia side that are unbeaten at home so far this season. Messi’s treble in Nicosia on Tuesday overshadowed Luis Suarez’s first goal for the club in a comfortable 4-0 win as the Catalans remained on the tails of Paris Saint-Germain for top spot in Group F. Enrique was delighted with his side’s display in the Cypriot capital, claiming this was the Barca side he “wanted to see for the rest of the season.” The former Spanish international will also have the luxury of recalling Claudio Bravo, Sergio Busquets and Neymar to his starting line-up as they were rested in midweek in preparation for the trip to Mestalla. Valencia’s title aspirations have faltered in recent weeks as they were beaten 2-1 by local rivals Levante last weekend and held to a 0-0 draw by Athletic Bilbao last time out at home. Alvaro Negredo was finally fit enough to make his full debut for the club at Levante. The former Manchester City striker looked decidedly rusty having not completed 90 min- Adnan Butt. DT News Network ajweri defeated Lankan Warriors by 92 runs in the BFC Corporate Professional League organised by Cricket Bahrain Association (CBA) and supported by Cebarco. Batting first, Hajweri scored H The sublime form of Messi has powered Barcelona. utes since March, but he believes Barca can be exposed on Sunday. Fixtures (all times GMT) Today Getafe v Athletic Bilbao (15:00) Espanyol v Levante (17:00) Malaga v Real Madrid (19:00) Celta Vigo v Eibar (21:00) Tomorrow Atletico Madrid v Deportivo la Coruna (11:00) Sevilla v Granada (16:00) Cordoba v Villarreal (18:00) Valencia v Barcelona (20:00) “Barcelona will be confident because they had a great win last week, but we are playing at home and need the three points,” he told Valencia’s website. “We know how difficult a game it will be, even if Barcelona aren’t at their best level. They won’t make things easy for us, but at home we have played well, we feel comfortable and hopefully we can get the three points we want.” Real Madrid will have the chance to stretch their lead over Barca at the top of the table to five points when they go for a club record 16th consecutive win in all competitions at Malaga today. Playmaker Isco has played a pivotal part in that run, filling a number of positions during the absence of Gareth Bale through injury and now in a central midfield role as Luka Modric is sidelined. And the 22-year-old can expect a hero’s welcome on his return to La Rosaleda after guiding Malaga to the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2012/13 before sealing a 30 million euro move to the European champions. 179 with Noman (39) and Imran (35) being the main scorers with Aravind picking up three wickets, while Lanka Warriors in reply were dismissed for just 92 with Usman and Siraj both claiming a couple of wickets each. BCC crushed Public Security by 150 runs in the Professional League after scoring a massive 294 with Adnan Butt (118) top scoring and in reply, Public Security could only manage 144 with Babar Ali taking three wickets. BCC A were impressive nine-wicket winners against Imperial CC after the latter scored 138 with Shahid Khan (37) top scoring and Sarfraz Ali snapping up a couple of wickets, then BCC A reached the target losing just one wicket thanks to a fine knock by Rana Kashif. Public Security Yellow also had a big win in defeating Cebarco by 133 after scoring 199 with Mohsin Zaib (67) and Mubashir Khan (57) being the main scorers as Iqbal picked up three wickets. Cebarco were then dismissed for just 66 as Mohammed Mohd Azeem finished with three wickets. Other scores: Auqab CC 100/1 (Shafiq 23, Gigan 3 wkts) bt DHL 99 (Yasser Zafar (28, Khubaib 3 wkts) by one wicket. Avis Young Challengers 219 (Shahzad Khan 59, Umair Hameed & Abdulrab 2 wkts each) bt ABM Climax 166 (Ishfaq 55, Ashfaq) by 53 runs. Khan CC 184/6 (Imran Arshad 59) bt Asian Lions 132 all out (Irfan & Shahi 3 wkts each) by 52 runs. Danehill Brook wins feature race DT News Network utsider Danehill Brook trained by Kumail Al Jalil Al Mallah, owned by Sami Saloom and ridden by Kieren Fox won by a neck in the fourth race meeting of the season in the feature race for the Arabian Horse Equestrian Services Cup for imported 2nd/3rd class 4 year olds and upwards over 1,000 metres straight worth BD2,500 and organised by the Rashid Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir. Second place went to Royal Steps trained by Al Nasseriyeh, trained by Allan Smith and ridden by Brett Doyle by a neck from second favourite Municipal owned by Late A Rasool K Darwish Stable, trained by O Abdulla Haji in third with Target Acquired owned by Hadi Ebrahim Al Afoo, trained by Mohammed Hassan and ridden by Sandro Gessa in fourth. In the sixth race, third favourite Harash owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa trained by James Naylor and ridden by Gerald Avranche clinched the Integrated Water Systems Cup for 2nd/3rd class locally bred 4 years old and upwards over 1,600 metres worth BD3,000 by three quarters of a length from Brightsideoflife owned by Al Nasseriyeh, trained by A Smith and ridden by Kieren Fox in second place, with Farange ridden by Tristan Normand in third and two length ahead of favourite Barracuda ridden by Marciolis Jaures in fourth. In the fifth race, the favourite Rabdaan 1556 owned by Al Roudha, trained by Fawzi Nass and ridden by Hussain Makki came in first in the Arabian Horse Equestrian Services Cup for 2nd/3rd class Arabian Horses over 1,200 metres straight worth BD2,500 by five length ahead of Al Hamdanieh 1453 owned by Al Roudha, trained by F Nass and ridden by M Juares in second. In third place a head behind was Al Rabda 1558 ridden by K Fox and six lengths further behind was Al Jellaby 1434 ridden by Sandro Gessa was fourth. Saturday, November 29, 2014 Season-opening endurance race today TEST OF ENDURANCE Bangkok ndia’s Anirban Lahiri retained his lead on day two of Thailand’s King’s Cup with a five-under-par 67 as compatriot S.S.P Chowrasia, who had been joint leader, slipped down the table. Fivetime Asia Tour winner Lahiri couldn’t quite match his previous days’ form when I T Dacca M ushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah each struck a fifty to set up a 21run win for Bangladesh over Zimbabwe in the fourth oneday international in Dhaka yesterday. Rahim made a fluent 77 while Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on tance of 120km. The qualifying race will run for a distance of 80km and starts at 7.15am. Shaikh Nasser, leader of the Royal Endurance Team, urged his team to achieve outstanding results in the race and win the top positions, saying that the stages of the race is a real opportunity for the riders to see the horses’ capabilities early in the season. He expressed full confidence of his own team members who will compete in the race, according to the vast experience gained from participating in various competitions and events, noting that the Royal Team is always considered as a firm favourite in Martin Parry Sydney S Michael Clarke (L) and Cricket Australia doctor Peter Brukner (right) leave the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) where the Australian team has gathered following the death of Phillip Hughes. is they are grieving, and they’ve lost someone that is incredibly close to them,” Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland told a media conference. “I think there is enough that we understand about grieving processes to know that it’s really important to give people time, and people will respond in different ways to what they’re going through. “Six or seven days is not a endurance races. The leader of Al Ruood team Shaikh Daej bin Salman Al Khalifa expects the race to be strong and exciting, based on the various number of participants from different local riders and stables, and he considered this race as a preparation for all horses and riders for the rest of the season. long time, but right now with where we all are, it seems like a million miles away,” he added, referring to the opening Test in Brisbane which is due to start next Thursday. There are growing fears that the game will be called off with the players in no fit state. It remains unclear when Hughes’ funeral will take place. Four of those named in the Test squad -- David Warner, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon -- were on the field when Hughes collapsed after being hit at the base of the skull by a Sean Abbott delivery. Captain Michael Clarke was a close friend of the stylish lefthander and was at his bedside almost continuously, supporting the player’s family. India’s tour game against a Cricket Australia XI due to start in Adelaide today has already been cancelled. Sao Paulo razil football legend Pele, who has been hospitalised for three days suffering from a urinary infection, reached out to his fans via social media on Thursday to say he’s “doing fine.” The Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo said earlier that his condition had “improved” and that B V their main gunner Kookie Cuerpo lost the ball from a Gelacio’s defensive stop. Other results: Inter-Kulay Division: Emsa-Builders bt Swak Team 49-41, Zenjex bt Sumo Restaurant 7149, Takusa bt Geant 61-55, Verminex bt Sampaguita Rice, 85-57, Dessert War- riors w/o B-Meg Llamado, Ehsan Optics bt TNT/New Cabalen 49-40, Ameeri Store bt Thursday Club 75-34, Tuklaw Vipers bt Ballers, 5844. Commercial Division: Metrobank-Nafex bt RCSI 69-46. +40 Division: Dahil Hindi Pa Laos bt Bahrain Thursday Club 64-48. the 74-year-old -- widely regarded as the greatest player of all time -- was receiving renal treatment. But contrary to the hospital’s assertion that he was in intensive care, Pele -- whose real name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento -- said he had simply been moved to another room for increased privacy. Bayern aim to learn from City Ryland James Berlin P ep Guardiola wants Bayern Munich to learn from their mid-week Champions League defeat at Manchester City to help strengthen their iron grip on the Bundesliga at Hertha Berlin today. Bayern have a seven-point lead at the top of the table, but are licking the wounds from their first defeat in 22 games on Tuesday although they had already made the last 16 in Europe as group winners. “It’s good that it’s happened and maybe there’s a lesson in it for us,” said Guardiola. “If it happens in the Round of 16 or the quarter-finals, LBC-Tamaraws ease past Fil-Am ketball League 40th Season 1st Conference at the Muharraq Club Gym in Arad. The combination of Nass Brothers, which included a grand total of 35 points made it hard for the last conference Commercial Division’s Finalist. Fil-Am a chance to tie the gap but his career best 82 as the duo helped Bangladesh recover from 32-4 to post a commendable 256-8. Shakib Al Hasan, Jubair Hossain and Rubel Hossain then claimed two wickets each to restrict Zimbabwe to 235-8 and give Bangladesh a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. Pele says he’s ‘doing fine’ Examination of the horses participating in the race is being done by veterinary doctors. Australia-India test on ice DT News Network eteran Elmer Gelacio made a crucial steal and Jonathan Nass converted two freethrows as LBC-Tamaraws upset Fil-Am, 55-49 in the latest matches of the Filipino Club Basketball Group (FCBG) 1st Batelco Cup Bas- he stormed off the starting blocks with an impressive seven-under-par 65. But it was enough to keep him two shots ahead of Australia’s Andrew Dolt and Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn in the $500,000 event with a 12-under-par 132 at the Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club. Bangladesh make it 4-0 The race comprises five stages hattered Australian players comforted each other yesterday as they considered how to move forward after the death of Phillip Hughes, with a decision on next week’s Test with India on ice. The cricket world was plunged into mourning when the talented left-hander died on Thursday after being knocked unconscious by a ball in a domestic Sheffield Shield game in Sydney this week, sparking an outpouring of sympathy and support. The entire Test team was summoned to the Sydney Cricket Ground and emotions were raw. “I suppose the starting point 29 Anirban Lahiri retains lead DT News Network he Season-Opening Endurance Race is all set to begin this morning with more than 85 riders from different local stables battling over a distance for 120km and 80km in qualifying. It will be held under the patronage of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) Honorary President HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. BREEF President Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa attended the medical inspection for the horses, where he stressed the importance of success of the season and in providing all different forms of support and assistance for all riders in endurance racing in Bahrain. He praised the regulatory actions that accompanied the veterinary examination of the horses participating in the race. BREEF confirmed the race starts at 7am and consists of five stages, with the first and second 30km each and the third, fourth and fifth 20km each for a dis- SPORTS Pep Guardiola you’re out, so we have to learn from this.” Defender Jerome Boateng has insisted Bayern will bounce back in his home city of Berlin. Mid-table Hertha have shown little to cast doubt on that having only won four of their last 10 games. Bayern have good memories of the Olympic Stadium as their 3-1 win there in March saw them claim last season’s title with a record seven games to spare. Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to be named on the bench again having made brief appearances against Hoffenheim last weekend. IPT LEAGUE TAKES OFF 30 SPORTS Saturday, November 29, 2014 O’Sullivan likely to pull out London onnie O’Sullivan played through the pain barrier to start his UK Championship campaign with a 6-2 win over Daniel Wells. O’Sullivan suffered a broken left ankle while out running this week and the five-time world champion, who wore soft shoes and a protective brace against Wells, is uncertain if he will be able to stay in the tournament at York’s Barbican Centre. The 38-year-old’s second-round match against Peter Lines is scheduled for tomorrow, but he could withdraw if he feels no improvements by then. London ottenham were forced to apologise after their 1-0 win over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League was halted for around 10 minutes after a series of pitch invasions at White Hart Lane yesterday. The Group C tie in north London was interrupted on three separate occasions in the first half by individual pitch invaders before referee Yevhen Aranovskiy decided to take the players off for their own safety in the 41st minute. R Ivanovic says ‘hard to imagine’ faster future for tennis Pitch invasions hold up match Manila A na Ivanovic demolished Daniela Hantuchova in an impressive International Premier Tennis League debut yesterday, but said it was “hard to imagine” the game evolving to adopt the much faster format. The Serbian world number five routinely broke her fellow T 14-year-old ousts Advani “Concerning his coaching team, I believe he knows the best. And I mean with having a woman coach, I don’t see any problem there”- Cilic baseliner Hantuchova’s serve in a 6-0 win that was over in a whirlwind 15 minutes, as the tournament got underway in Manila. “I think it will be hard to imagine” the fast-paced, television-friendly IPTL format replacing tennis as it is played in the men’s and women’s tours now, Ivanovic told a news conference later. “As for rules it’s very hard because we’ve been playing by certain rules for a long, long time.” The IPTL, which will also have stops in Singapore, New Delhi and Dubai next month, has a team format with ties consisting of five one-set matches, with no advantages. The first to six games wins. A 20-second shot-clock between points guarantees New Delhi hina’s 14-year-old Yan Bingtao yesterday scripted a sensational upset as he sent 12-time world title holder Pankaj Advani packing with a 6-4 victory in the quarter-finals of the Seaways IBSF World Snooker C Keane leaves Aston Villa London ormer Manchester United captain Roy Keane has left his role as assistant manager of Aston Villa with immediate effect, he announced in a statement released by the club yesterday. The 43-yearold is also currently employed as the assistant to Republic of Ireland manager Martin F Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova high five during a doubles match against Kristina Mladenovic and Nenad Zimonjic, Manila Mavericks v UAE Royals. on Marin Cilic, who defeated world number six Andy Murray, called it “the most important” feature of the IPTL. World number two Maria Sharapova, boosted by the partisan crowd in the 16,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena, rallied from 2-5 down to beat Kristina Mladenovic, 6-5. However, her and Murray’s Manila Mavericks eventually went down 4-1 to Cilic and Mladenovic’s UAE Royals. Ivanovic’s team-mate Gael Monfils, who eventually won against Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, was penalised and went behind 0-15 in the fifth game of the singles match because he could not serve fast enough. Rory McIlroy plays out of a bunker on day two at Australian Open in The Australian Golf Course yesterday. knows he needs to be patient and is convinced there is a low score out on the course for him. “Oh, definitely, I had six birdies and an eagle today, you eliminate the bad stuff and you turn that into a low score,” he told reporters. “I’ll try and limit the mistakes over the weekend and try and go a bit lower. I actually felt like I played much better than yesterday, I don’t quite feel the score reflected that.Admitting the wind had fooled him a few times and that he had struggled with his wedge shots, McIlroy took reassurance from the fact that no other player had broken clear of the field. quick play, and at 5-5, players go into a timed shoot-out in which they must accumulate the most points before time is up. Players receiving a serve can also call a “happiness power point” once per set, meaning the next point will count double. Reigning US Open champi- McIlroy rues after rollercoaster round Sydney W orld number one Rory McIlroy said all he needed to do was cut the “bad stuff ” out of his game for a really low score at the Australian Open after managing to par only five holes in a rollercoaster second round yesterday. The Northern Irishman hit an eagle, six birdles and six bogeys for a second successive two-under-par 69 at The Australian Golf Course to finish the day a shot behind leader Greg Chalmers on four-under. Having hunted down Adam Scott on the final day at Royal Sydney last year to lift the Stonehaven Cup, McIlroy Championship. In a manner of speaking, the 29-year-old Advani, who came into the tournament as holder of 12 World titles and a hot favourite, virtually gifted the match to the Chinese prodigy who bounced back after trailing 0-2. O’Neill and he explained that juggling the two roles was proving too difficult. “Ultimately, my roles with Villa and Ireland and combining my commitment to these have become too much,” said Keane, who was employed by Villa in July to provide assistance to manager Paul Lambert. Astana team suspended: official Milan he second division Continental team Astana has been suspended from competition and its manager, Dmitri Sedoun, has been sacked following a third positive doping case, the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation announced yesterday. “The managing T board of Kazakhstan Cycling Federation has decided to suspend the activity of the Astana Continental Team while an internal investigation into doping cases is carried out,” said a statement by the Kazakhstan Federation, which runs and manages the team. Vietnam down Philippines Hanoi o-hosts Vietnam claimed top spot in Group A and advanced to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup with a 3-1 win over the Philippines at My Dinh Stadium on yesterday. A first-half strike by Ngo Hoang Thinh and goals by Vu Minh Tuan and Pham Thanh Luong after the interval meant that both teams went through to the last four. Indonesia, who trounced Laos 5-1 despite being down to 10 men C for the majority of the game at Hang Day Stadium, were eliminated. Vietnam will now face the runners-up of Group B in the semi-finals with the first leg on December 7, while the Philippines will take on the winners of the other section beginning on December 6. Thailand have already secured one of the two semifinal berths in Group B, while the other spot will either be taken by Singapore, Malaysia or Laos. SPORTS ARSENAL, LIVERPOOL SEEK TO HALT DRIFT Saturday, November 29, 2014 31 Gunners 15 points behind leaders Chelsea Tom Williams London A rsenal and Liverpool will each attempt to arrest damaging sequences of results when they return to Premier League action this weekend following mid-week exertions in the Champions League. The two teams have fallen out of title contention over recent weeks, with Arsenal Third-place City arrive at St Mary’s today now 15 points behind leaders Chelsea following consecutive losses and Liverpool three points further back after three straight defeats. Arsenal’s poor form has seen manager Arsene Wenger’s 18year stewardship called into question as rarely before, amid concerns that a climate of tolerated under-achievement has infiltrated the club. However, Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League saw Arsenal reach the last 16 for the 15th consecutive season, boosting morale ahead of today’s trip to West Bromwich Albion. “We have to show character and that is what makes me really happy for the next few games, because we have to sharpen up in the Premier League as well,” said Arsenal’s German centre-back Per Mertesacker. Liverpool host Stoke City today having slumped to 12th place in the table after successive defeats by Newcastle United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. They also received a setback in the Champions League, conceding an 88th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Ludogorets Razgrad, but can still secure a place in the knockout phase by beating Basel at home next month. Third-place City arrive at St Mary’s tomorrow, buoyed by a stunning 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich on Tuesday that breathed fresh life into their Champions League campaign. Fixtures Today (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated): Burnley v Aston Villa Liverpool v Stoke City Manchester United v Hull City Queens Park Rangers v Leicester City Sunderland v Chelsea (1730 GMT), Swansea City v Crystal Palace West Ham United v Newcastle United West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal (1245 GMT) Tomorrow: Southampton v Manchester City (1330 GMT) Tottenham Hotspur v Everton (1600 GMT) United, meanwhile, have crept into fourth place, five points behind City, after their smash-and-grab victory at Arsenal last weekend. Louis van Gaal’s side host Hull City today, when victory would enable the 20-time Arsenal players in a team training session at the London Colney training ground north of London. champions to register a third consecutive league victory for the first time since December 2013. Newcastle, who trail United on goal difference, visit West Ham United, who are a point further back in sixth place after losing 2-1 at Everton last weekend. There is a basement battle at the foot of the table, with bottom club Queens Park Rangers hosting third-bottom Leicester City, while secondbottom Burnley will be seeking a third straight win when they entertain Villa. Female Wolff named Williams test driver Rodriguez and Di Maria London emale racing driver Susie Wolff has been appointed as the official test pilot for Williams, the Formula One team announced yesterday. Wolff, who was previously Williams’ development driver, succeeds Felipe Nasr, who will drive for Sauber in the 2015 season. “This is another step in the right direction for me,” said Wolff, who this year became the first woman to drive at a grand prix weekend for two decades by taking part in first practice in Britain and Germany. “I am delighted Williams are F Susie Wolff. Falcao, Rojo in line for returns Pete Oliver Manchester R adamel Falcao and Marcos Rojo could both return from injury for Manchester United’s home game against Hull City today, manager Louis van Gaal revealed yesterday. Argentina defender Rojo has been absent since dislocating a shoulder in United’s derby loss to Manchester City earlier this month, while on-loan Monaco striker Falcao has missed the last four games with a calf injury. But both are now back in full training and Van Gaal says that they could make the squad for the visit of Steve Bruce’s side. “I live day by day at this moment, but maybe Falcao will come back into the 18 and maybe Rojo will come back into the 18,” Van Gaal said. Centre-back Jonny Evans could also return to United’s squad after being absent since September with a foot injury. But United’s injury concerns have not fully cleared up, with Van Gaal confirming that leftback Luke Shaw will be out “for the next few weeks” after damaging ankle ligaments during last Saturday’s 2-1 win at Arsenal. Meanwhile, Daley Blind has been given time off to start his recovery from the knee injury he sustained during the last international break, which is set recognising my progression, hard work, and it is performance that counts. “Williams is at a very exciting stage in its history and we are moving into 2015 with fantastic momentum. I’m proud to be part of the team.” Wolff, 31, is scheduled to take part in two first practice sessions at races that are yet to be determined and two test days, as well as carrying out extensive simulator testing. Meanwhile, should either Felipe Massa or Valtteri Bottas have to sit out a race for any reason, the Scot would be expected to deputise. to keep the midfielder out until well into the new year. United have recovered from their worst start to a season in 28 years to move up to fourth place in the Premier League. But Van Gaal warned that his side’s campaign will only be considered a success if they have secured Champions League football by the end of it. “I don’t want to mention that (injuries) as a manager, because I want to speak about the fit players,” Van Gaal told a press conference at United’s Carrington training base in Manchester. on World XI short-list A Paris short-list of 15 midfielders from whom three will be selected for a World XI was released by football’s World governing body FIFA yesterday. The World XI team, which is voted for by tens of thousands of players worldwide, is to be presented at the FIFA Ballon d’Or award ceremony on January 12. All of those on the list were stars of the 2014 World Cup including top scorer James Rodriguez of Colombia, plus Angel Di Maria of beaten final- ists Argentina and Bastian Schweinsteiger of the champions Germany. Midfielders short-list: Xabi Alonso, Angel Di Maria, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos (Ger/Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Cro/Real Madrid), Mesut Ozil (Ger/Arsenal), Andrea Pirlo (Ita/Juventus), Paul Pogba (Fra/Juventus), James Rodriguez (Col/Real Madrid), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Ger/ Bayern Munich), Yaya Toure (ICoast/Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chi/Juventus). Marcos Rojo was injured during the Manchester derby earlier this month. P31 Arsenal, Liverpool seek to halt drift SPORTS MCCULLUM BLITZ MAULS PAKISTAN 32 32 Saturday, November 29, 2014 Fastest century by a New Zealand batsman Shahid Hashmi Sharjah O pener Brendon McCullum smashed the fastest century by a New Zealand batsman to give his team an upper hand in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah yesterday. The Kiwi skipper completed his tenth hundred off 78 balls and went on to reach 145-ball 153 when bad light ended play seven overs earlier with New Zealand 249-1, a strong position with just 102 runs away from Pakistan’s first innings total of 351. Kane Williamson matched his skipper’s aggression and was unbeaten on 76, putting an impressive 198 for the unfinished second wicket stand which gave New Zealand a strong position to level the series which they trail 1-0. Pakistan won the first Test while the second ended in a draw. But McCullum’s rapidfire knock was overshadowed by the gloomy atmosphere as Pakistan and New Zealand observed a minute’s silence before the start and wore black armbands to join in the mourning for young Australian batsman Phillip Hughes who died on Thursday from serious head injuries after being hit by a bouncer. The New Zealand team also did not celebrate any dismissal. The teams abandoned Thursday’s second day’s play as a mark of respect for the talented Australian. McCullum stole the show, hitting eight sixes -- four off left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar -- and 17 boundaries as New Zealand rattled the total in just 45 overs. In the penultimate over before tea he hit four boundaries in one paceman Mohammad Talha over before two quick singles completed his hundred. This was the fastest hundred ever by a New Zealand batsman, beating the 81ball hundred Ross Taylor made against Australia at Hamilton in 2010. Tom Latham was the only wicket to fall, caught behind off Rahat Ali for 13. Earlier off-spinner Mark Craig took a career best 7-94 as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 70 runs to get bowled out for 351 after resuming at 281-3, squandering a strong position on a flat Sharjah stadium pitch. Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit a career best 197 before he miscued a pull off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and was caught at deep square-leg. The Kiwi skipper completed his ton off 78 balls Scoreboard Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 281-3) Mohammad Hafeez c Boult b Sodhi 197 Azhar Ali c Taylor b Craig 39 Misbah-ul Haq c Watling b Southee 38 Total: (all out; 125.4 overs) 351 New Zealand 1st innings T. Latham c Ahmed b Rahat B. McCullum not out K. Williamson not out Extras: (lb2, nb3, w2) Total: (for one wkt; 45 over) 13 153 76 7 249 Brendon McCullum hits a six as Pakistani wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (right) and teammate Younis Khan look on Hon.Chairman Najeb Yacob Alhamer | Responsible Editor Mahmood AI Mahmood | Managing Editor Soman Baby | Managing Director P. 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