24th Aug 2013

IPT IO N SC R SU B

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

No: 15907

14

8

46

Years after 9/11, retiring FBI chief still sees threat

UK operates secret station in Middle East

150 Fils

SHAWWAL 17, 1434 AH

Anelka mulls retirement as agent dies

42 perish as blasts hit mosques in Lebanon

Max 46º Min 29º

Sectarian strife intensifying amid Syria spillover

Web-based apps pose problem for Saudi monitors DUBAI: Saudi Arabia is seeking to tighten control over web-based applications that offer a freedom to communicate that is impossible for most Saudis in the real world, and may even seek to ban such apps altogether. Saudi Arabia remains a relatively closed society; gender mixing is restricted to a tight circle of relatives and family friends, and direct criticism of the ruling family or powerful conservative clergy is frowned upon.

Morality police patrol the kingdom’s few public spaces such as shopping malls to enforce rigid social rules.

Cyberspace presents considerably more complicated challenges than a shopping centre, however, and Saudi authorities are alarmed by the unfettered contact that the Internet allows, including for activists who spread news and information not covered by state media.

With just under half the kingdom’s nearly 27 million population younger than 25, according to the CIA Factbook, Saudis are avid users of social media of all kinds.

“People use social media ... more than asking to meet in person. It’s safer,” said a Jeddah-based activist, who like others interviewed for this story asked not to be named because he feared reprisals from state authorities. “We know they are watching us, but they cannot control us on social media.”

The number of Twitter users in Saudi Arabia nearly doubled in six months to 2.9 million in July 2012, amounting to a little over 10 percent of the population, according to analysts Semiocast. By April of this year, the kingdom was the eighth biggest user of Twitter globally, accounting for 2.3 percent of all tweets, Semiocast estimates.

The kingdom now has the biggest number of viewers per capita of YouTube globally, according to the website, which has spawned a thriving industry producing homemade videos that is pushing at the boundaries of traditional Saudi programming. These production houses are Saudi-run and alert to local sensitivities, avoiding politics and using satire to cover local news for example, and so Saudi authorities are turning a blind eye to their activities for now.

Free and easy-to-use communication applications present a more immediate social - and commercial - hazard. Tech-savvy young Saudis are increasingly moving away from traditional telephony provided by the kingdom’s three mobile operators, Saudi Telecom Co (STC), Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) and Zain Saudi - the government has stakes in STC and Mobily - and toward apps such as Skype, WhatsApp and Viber.

The telephone and messaging applications allow users to circumvent strict state controls with a degree of anonymity.

Continued on Page 14

TRIPOLI: Lebanese carry the body of a victim of a powerful explosion outside Al-Salam mosque, near the house of former Lebanese police chief Ashraf Rifi, in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli yesterday. Two powerful explosions killed several people: one rocked the city centre near the home of outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati, the second one struck near the port of the restive city with a Sunni Muslim majority. — AFP

TRIPOLI: Twin explosions hit two mosques in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli yesterday, killing at least 42 people and wounding hundreds, intensifying the sectarian strife that has spilled over from the civil war in neighboring Syria. The apparently coordinated blasts - the biggest and deadliest in Tripoli since the end of Lebanon’s own civil war - struck as locals were finishing Friday prayers in the largely Sunni Muslim city. Lebanese officials appealed for calm.

The explosions in Tripoli, 70 km from Beirut came a week after a huge car bomb killed at least 24 people in a

part of the capital Beirut that is controlled by the Shiite Muslim militant movement Hezbollah. A recent resurgence of sectarian violence in Lebanon has been stoked by the conflagration in Syria, where President Bashar AlAssad is fighting a largely Sunni-led rebellion. Both Hezbollah and radical Sunni groups in Lebanon have sent fighters over the border to support opposing sides in Syria.

Medical and security sources said the death toll from yesterday’s blasts in Tripoli had risen to 42 by late afternoon.

Hundreds more were wounded, they said. Earlier, the Lebanese Red Cross

said at least 500 people were hurt. The first explosion hit the Taqwa mosque, frequented by hardline Sunni Islamists, and killed at least 14 people there, according to accounts earlier in the day.

Further deaths were reported from a second blast outside the Al-Salam mosque, which the Interior Ministry said was hit by a car laden with 100 kilograms of explosives. A Reuters reporter at the scene said the crater from the blast was about four meters wide and 2.5 meters deep and the floors of the mosque were covered in blood.

Continued on Page 14

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Bruised Brotherhood showing street power

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Anger grows over gang-rape in India

local SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Kuwait to put bedoon teachers on equal grounds with locals Problem of traffic congestion to be discussed KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Education is discussing plans with the Civil Service Commission to coordinate the salaries of illegal resident teachers in the country with their Kuwaiti national counterparts.

The ministry awaits the CSC’s response to their proposal, and hopes the issue is dealt with accordingly before the start of the academic year, Education Minister and Minister of Higher Education Nayef Al-Hajraf told reporters during a tour of schools ahead of the upcoming new educational year.

The plans aim to bring the salaries, work leave, benefits and work-related assessment of the illegal resident

teachers’ community in level with Kuwaiti nationals.

Of his tour, which was being carried out in Kuwait’s western Jahra Governorate, the minister said that the region contains 130 schools - of various grades - accommodating the needs of some 68,000 pupils. The minister noted to a number of obstacles these schools could be faced with, but stopped short of explaining what these difficulties were.

Despite this, he said there were many advantages they could look forward to, including the completion of construction amendments on classes and the linking of electricity to several supplementary school facilities.

Separately, the minister said that the issue of the unavailability of private Arabic language schools in AlAhmadi Governorate was due to the difficulty of obtaining vacant lands.

On the names of accepted applicants for diploma studies at the local Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, he said these were to be announced next, adding that numbers mentioned across social networking websites were inaccurate.

He also said he would be discussing with Interior Ministry officials the problem of traffic congestion, and would listen to solutions - providing these do not affect his own ministry’s academic plans. —KUNA

News

in brief

Khaldiya, Adeliya, Faiha in darkness KUWAIT: Darkness fell on some areas in Khaldiya, Adeliya and Faiha due to a technical malfunction of a main transformer in Khaldiya causing power cuts in the said areas. The power interruption began at 10 pm Wednesday night and emergency crews restored it within two hours. Electricity and Water Undersecretary Engr Ahmad Al-Jassar, who was with the ministry’s technical team said power was restored to Khaldiya, Adeliya and Faiha area after the malfunction was dealt with.

The team was able to load the feeding network on two transformers instead of three, and did not meet the use of diesel generators. Al-Jassar said MEW and all its employees are sparing no effort to serve consumers with best services available.

He said emergency and maintenance teams dealt instantly with the problem and power was restored in less than two hours. The cuts included some main streets like Second Ring Road and Press Road causing interruption of traffic signals, but the quick intervention of the traffic department prevented accidents as traffic patrols manned the cross roads and organized traffic flow.

MoC to discuss future projects Public Relations Director at the Communications Ministry Dr Ahmad Al-Huseini said Minister Essa Al-Kandari will meet ministry’s top officials to discuss the ministry’s strategy and future projects. He added the minister concentrated on issues of liberating communications activities and its services, besides the privatization of postal services through the establishment of Post Office Company. He said communications and information technology will also be established. He said that AlKandary asked for speeding up the establishment of the roads and transportation authority, the underground metro, rail roads and linking Kuwait with the rest of GCC counties. He said that the minister stressed on speeding up the expansion of Kuwait International Airport. As for the development of land telephone lines, exchanges and Internet, Al-Kandary spoke about importing and installing the necessary systems, and speeding the second stage of the major fiber optics network (FTTH), and prepare for the third stage of the fiber optics project, which is among the vital projects of the state. AlKandari said the air transportation market must be regulated, and Kuwait International Airport infrastructure must be improved through the expansion project of the airport (terminal 2) which will handle 25 million passengers a year, developing the airport’s eastern runway and constructing a third one.

Expansion of the current sea ports was also discussed as well as enhancing the infrastructure efficiency through Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, as well as deepening and widening of sea routes. Al-Husseini said the minister stressed that those projects must be executed according to the schedule mentioned in the ministry’s plan.

Bedoon held for drugs

By Hanan Al Saadoun

KUWAIT: Jahra police arrested a bedoon with two envelopes of Shabu, Keptagon tablets, hashish and drugs paraphernalia, and was sent to concerned authorities. A police patrol in Jahra stopped to help a person whose car was on the road, but a person escaped, and another was found in an abnormal condition. When police searched him, they found the drugs on him.

LOCAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

KUWAIT: Minister of Information and Minister for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al-Sabah with participants in the pearl diving revival expedition. — KUNA photos

A mother welcoming her son during the return from the pearl diving expedition.

Kuwait pearl diving expedition returns KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s support of the annual traditional diving expedition event, organised by the Kuwait Sea Sports Club, completed on Thursday.

Attending the event at the close of the 25th expedition, Kuwait’s Minister of Information and State Minister for Youth Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah quoted HH the Amir’s greetings to the divers, and his appreciation of the important messages the cultural and historical activity represents.

His remarks were made during a celebration known as, Yom Al-Qaffal, or the day of closing - which marks the end of the four-month long traditional pre-oil discovery pearl diving season in Kuwait.

A total of 10 dhows, carrying 190 pearl divers, anchored at Kuwait Sea Club to the applause and delight of awaiting families, in a sign of national and local pride.

“Diving expeditions represent a huge importance in reviving traditions of the sea and commemorate the graciousness and sacrifices of our forefathers to their country,” he said.

Participants in the 25th of pearl diving revival expedition.

The collected pearls are on display at the end of the 25th pearl diving expedition.

The minister commended the contingent of divers, who took part in the event, along with each of their ship commanders, traditionally known as the Noukhetha. The efforts of Sea Sports Club officials were also praised.

In addition to the Kuwaitis, fellow Gulf counterparts took part in the event,

sters important principles like endurance, patience, cooperation and independence.

“Their harvest of pearls has a huge symbolic meaning to the young divers, who now can relate to the profession of their forefathers, who withstood sacrifice in order to provide an income for their families and their nation,” he said. — KUNA

including some from Bahrain and Oman, and, he said, “This embodies the unity of purpose of Gulf nations.”

Acting Sea Sports Club Chief Ahmad Al-Ghanim said that the safe return of the divers marks a link between the current generation and their past predecessors.

The activities have also taught the young-

New health insurance to provide best of services to citizens Recordings of Friday sermons to resume KUWAIT: Health sources said the team that was formed by State Minister for Cabinet Affairs, Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Abdallah to issue a study on implementing health insurance on citizens is finalizing it and expected to be handed to the health minister next week for approval and submission to the council of ministers.

The sources said the study includes several fees for health insurance and choose one after thorough study, besides the services to be rendered. They said the implementation of health insurance aims at presenting the best of services in both government and private sectors for citizens.

Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ministry issued a decision to suspend Imam Dr Shafi Al-Ajmi from leading prayers until further notice. This comes two days after his suspension from delivering speeches.

Meanwhile Acting Undersecretary Fareed AlEmadi said Minister of Justice, Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sharida Al-Muosherji approved a deci-

sion to resume recordings of Friday prayers sermons in all Kuwait mosques. Al-Emadi said this step was taken based on the memo from the undersecretaries’ council which recommended the resumption of sermons recording in all mosques to achieve public interest, improve speeches and protect the preacher.

Meanwhile Awqaf Ministry undersecretary said a decision to close loudspeakers, and to keep mosques gates closed, except for certain times will be issued soon.

He said a meeting for the undersecretaries’ council will be held soon to discuss all reviews before submitting them to the minister for his decision.

Al-Falah said the decision will improve speeches and allow for follow up of performance and evaluation of speeches and speakers, in addition to presenting proposals to decide on a suitable mechanism, on how to improve speeches that are apart from documenting them as those outstanding will be published in a book.

local SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

(Left) Chief of KRCS Barjas Al-Barjas seen with Kuwaiti Ambassador to Indonesia Nasser Al-Khaldi during a ceremony. (Centre) The Al Mubarikiya School. (Right) Barjas Al-Barjas and Ambassador Nasser Al-Khaldi inspecting the classroom.

KRCS hands over Mubarikiya school to Indonesia School named after first school built in Kuwait KUALA LUMPUR: Kuwait Red Crescent Society has completed the structure of AlMubarikiya School and handed it over to Banda Aceh province, located at the northwestern tip of Indonesia.

Handing over the school comes as part of completing Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad AlSabah village project in the Indonesian Province that has started back in 2009, Chief of KRCS Barjas Al-Barjas said during

a ceremony on this occasion.

HH Sheikh Jaber is late Amir of the State of Kuwait. The school, named after the first school built in Kuwait, holds all necessary facilities from classrooms, laboratories, theater, meeting halls to medical emergency units.

Al-Barjas noted the Kuwait is taking pride in rushing to aid Indonesia, financially and medically, after it was hit by the

2004 tsunami by rebuilding the infrastructure in many parts of the country. Kuwait also helped in building a water desalination plant and an orphanage in addition to providing up to 300 boats for fishermen in Banda Aceh and its neighboring areas. In a statement, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Indonesia Nasser Al-Khaldi stressed that Kuwait and Indonesia have strong political, economic and social bonds. He

emphasized that his country will always remain a supporter of Indonesia and to any humanitarian work. The Kuwaiti envoy lauded KRCS’s efforts and wished this humanitarian body more accomplishments in all voluntary and humanitarian works. On his part, Banda Aceh governor expressed his appreciation to all philanthropic efforts done by the state of Kuwait and the KRCS.— KUNA

Culprits carry out their 4th operation successfully

NBK launches health awareness program among employees KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) launched its annual health awareness program among its employees. The program aims to increase employees’ awareness to avoid health problems and includes breast cancer awareness, blood donation campaign, dental checkup as well as many health initiatives.

The health awareness program comes as part of a comprehensive agenda aiming at building up a healthy lifestyle among NBK employees focusing on raising awareness on serious health threats. The breast cancer awareness aims at protecting female staff against breast cancer by

encouraging them to go through medical checkups. The blood donation campaign is a commitment towards all patients who are in dire need of Blood, and is held to support the mobile blood unit of the Blood Bank. The program is held under the supervision and direction of dietitians and specialized doctors who constantly follow up with the employees and monitor their progress.

NBK strongly supports health care awareness. Throughout the years, NBK also organized several social awareness programs including blood donation drives and breast cancer awareness campaigns.

KUWAIT: Security source said that a gang went to Ardiya gas station about 3 am on Thursday. Two of them were riding a white pickup truck while the third was driving a forklift which later was found to be stolen. They forced the only guard at the station to keep quiet as they threatened to kill him.

They used the stolen forklift to uproot the ATM machine and placed in the pickup truck leaving the fork lift behind.

The culprits carried out their fourth operation successfully. This is their fourth hit as they failed in first two while succeeding in the third. This last incident is their second success raising questions about the seriousness of security efforts to catch the gang during the past two months as well as the reduced security presence which enables criminals to commit such crimes! The source said when the guard recovered from his shock he called police who went to the crime scene and took the statement of the guard who said he was surprised by the thieves who threatened to kill him if he made a move. Detectives took descriptions of the suspects and their pickup truck which did have license plate. The same descriptions fit those who carried out the previous three hits.

Detectives are hard at work to put an end to this criminal activity.

Lovers block car A citizen found it strange for a

car that was parked under the building where he lived that was blocking his car since early morning. When police arrived they found out the car belonged to a woman who met her boyfriend and went with him in his car.

Security source said while the citizen and police were waiting for a tow truck to move the car, the woman came along with her boyfriend and kept begging at the policeman not to tow the car.

Both the woman and her friend were taken to Salmiya police station for questioning.

Lieutenant insulted A lieutenant accused a uniformed individual of belittling and insulting him through a recording that was broadcast through whats app. The accused denied the charge and police are investigating. The lieutenant was surprised with the recording in which the uniformed person was speaking about him with a language full of insults so he went to Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police station and filed complaint against the him. The accused was summoned and questioned but he denied any wrong doing. Detectives on their part discovered that the start of the broadcast was from a Gulf number. Investigations are going on to find out the exact source.

Cross dressers arrested Two cross dressers were sent to criminal detectives department

after being caught in Salmiya. A security source said policemen were on a routine patrol in Saliva when they spotted two suspicious girls but when they stopped they discovered they were men in women’s clothes. The two were arrested and are being interrogated.

Mentally retarded saved A mentally retarded man was rescued from drowning by sea rescuers in Raksa area following a call from a citizen. A source said a citizen who was on a boat noticed a person drowning so he attempted to rescue him but failed, so he called the operations room.

Salmiya sea rescuers responded and searched the area and found the man in Raksa area and saved him from drowning. The rescuers were surprised to find the man was totally naked before discovering that he was retarded. He was handed over to the paramedics.

Indian robbed of KD 650 A thief posing as a detective robbed an Indian of KD 650 according to the victim’s complaint in Ahmadi police station.

The Indian told police that that while walking home in Ahmadi a man in a 4WD vehicle stopped and claimed he was detective, searched him and took the KD 650 from him before escaping.

Investigations are underway.

— Al Rai

LOCAL

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Hiring expectancy in MENA on the rise: Survey Middle East, North Africa considering hiring in next three months

KUWAIT: An employee is seen counting currencies at a local bank.

KUWAIT: The latest Bayt.com Job Index survey, conducted by Bayt.com, a Middle East’s jobsite, and YouGov, a research and consulting organisation, has shown that more than half of the companies in the Middle East and North Africa are considering hiring in the next three months.

Across the region, 30% of companies claim to be definitely hiring, with an additional 25% ‘probably hiring’ in the coming 3 months. The country with the highest hiring expectancy in the next 3 months is Saudi Arabia, with a collective 65% of companies ‘definitely’ (41%) or ‘probably’ (24%) hiring.

The country with the lowest hiring expectancy is Morocco, with only 17% of companies ‘definitely’ hiring, and 21% ‘probably’ hiring.

In the next 12 months, 31% of the region’s companies expect to be ‘definitely hiring’ and 37% will be ‘probably hiring’.

Algeria has the highest expectations for future hiring, with 75% of its companies claiming they will ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ take on new employees in the next year.

Bahrain is at the other end of the scale, with just 48% of its companies anticipating new hires within the same period.

The majority of jobs across the region will come from the private sector in the next 3 months, led by large local companies (34% ‘definitely’ and 29% ‘probably’ hiring), multi-nationals (35% ‘definitely’ and 24% ‘probably’ hiring), and small-medium local

companies (27% ‘definitely’ and 30% ‘probably’ hiring); these three sectors dominate hiring expectancies in the next 12 months, too.

“The fact that many jobs are coming from small-to-medium sized local companies is a good sign of booming local economies in the Middle East, as this signals

job seekers and employers alike to make informed decisions based on the regional employment market.”

Regionally in the next three months, the majority of companies (45%) are looking to hire less than five jobs, with 24% looking to fill between 6-to-10 new positions. The majority of jobs will be for junior executives

‘The fact that many jobs are coming from small-to-medium sized local companies is a good sign of booming local economies in the Middle East, as this signals that smaller entrepreneurial ventures are more comfortable hiring than they were in the beginning of the year.’ that smaller entrepreneurial ventures are more comfortable hiring than they were in the beginning of the year,” said Suhail Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com.

“At Bayt.com, we specialise in gathering the most relevant information that will help

(33%), executives (28%), and managers (27%). Employees with qualifications in business management (28%), engineering (25%), and commerce (21%) are most in demand, while the most desirable skills for regional job seekers are the ability to com-

municate well in both English and Arabic (50%), the ability to be a team player (48%), and good leadership skills (47%).

Candidates with experience in managing a team (42%), computer skills (31%), and sales and marketing (27%) are also sought after.

“The trend continues that more companies are looking to hire junior executives and executives, which is good news for graduates and first-time employees. That there are a number of upcoming jobs in the private sector should contribute to resolving regional unemployment issues by providing new graduates with career opportunities,” said Sundip Chahal, CEO, YouGov. The MENA’s most attractive industries are perceived to be banking and finance (35% - up from 33% in the first half of 2013), construction (32% - equal to the first half of 2013), telecommunications (31% - down 2% from the first half of 2013). According to respondents, the MENA’s most attractive countries to live and work in are the UAE (54% of UAE residents say their country is most attractive), followed by Qatar (46%) and Saudi Arabia (44%).

Data for the Bayt.com Job Index August 2013 survey was collected online from June 12-July 25 2013. Results are reported on a base of 3,430 respondents. Countries that participated are UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Pakistan.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

US divided over how to respond to Middle East

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Bruised Egypt Brotherhood seeks to show street power

10

Anger grows over gang-rape in India

12

JAMMU: An Indian nomad herder leaps off the back of a water buffalo into the flooded waters of the River Tawi on the outskirts of Jammu yesterday. Hot and humid weather conditions are prevailing across the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir with humidity levels reaching some 85 percent and temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Centigrade. — AFP

UK taps into Mideast fibre-optic cables Britain operates secret monitoring station in Mideast LONDON: Britain runs a secret monitoring station in the Middle East to intercept large numbers of telephone calls, emails and internet traffic that it shares with intelligence agencies in the United States, the Independent newspaper reported yesterday. The station is part of a 1 billion pound ($1.56 billion) global eavesdropping project run by Britain to intercept digital communications, the newspaper said, citing leaked documents from former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

Snowden’s leaks have sparked a global surveillance scandal that has pitted US President Barack Obama against the Kremlin and prompted British Prime

Minister David Cameron’s advisers to demand the return of secrets from the Guardian newspaper. The London-based Independent, which did not say how it got access to the information from the Snowden documents, said the British had tapped into the underwater fibre-optic cables which pass through the Middle East.

Data gleaned from the monitoring station, whose exact location the Independent said it would not reveal, is then passed onto Britain’s eavesdropping agency (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, England, and shared with the US National Security Agency.

Western intelligence agencies rushed to improve their monitoring of Middle East traffic after the attacks on the United States

on Sept 11, 2001. Britain’s monitoring station in the Middle East was set up under former Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who served in that post between 2007 and 2010, the Independent said. Britain’s foreign ministry declined comment. A spokesman for GCHQ could not be reached for immediate comment on the report.

Snowden’s leaks have embarrassed both Britain and the United States by laying bare the extent of their surveillance programs.

London and Washington say their spies operate within the law and that the leaks have damaged national security. British police said on Thursday that documents seized from the partner of a Guardian journalist who has led coverage of Snowden’s

leaks were “highly sensitive”, and could put lives at risk if it fell into the wrong hands.

Counter-terrorism detectives said they had begun a criminal investigation after looking at material taken from David Miranda, partner of American journalist Glenn Greenwald, during his nine-hour detention at Heathrow Airport on Sunday. Miranda, a Brazilian citizen who had been ferrying documents between Greenwald and a Berlin-based journalist contact of Snowden’s, was held at Heathrow under anti-terrorism powers, before being released without charge minus his laptop, phone, a computer hard drive and memory sticks. He has since left Britain for Brazil. — Reuters

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY,AUGUST 24, 2013

Syria: The West’s military options WASHINGTON: Following reports of a large-scale chemical weapons strike, pressure is mounting on the United States and its Western allies to act to halt the violence in Syria. But, with politicians and public alike loathe to get sucked into another drawn out land war in the Middle East, what military options remain on the table?

BUFFER ZONES Some experts suggest buffer zones could be created along Syria’s Turkish and perhaps Jordanian borders to serve as a safe area for refugees and as a rebel rear base. This would limit the area that international troops would need to control but, as America’s top general Martin Dempsey warned in a letter to US lawmakers, it would be no easy task.

“Lethal force would be required to defend the zones against air, missile, and ground attacks,” the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. “This would necessitate the establishment of a limited no-fly zone, with its associated resource requirements.

Thousands of US ground forces would be needed, even if positioned outside Syria, to support those physically defending the zones.”

Meanwhile, security expert Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned that the tactic might not be enough to ensure President Bashar AlAssad’s defeat. “It may well mean rebel defeat or giving the Assad regime control over so much of Syria that little is left to the rebels except for the equivalent of armed refugee camps at Syria’s margins or borders,” he said. “They might also end up shielding Syrian refugees near the border area without offering any real hope for the future.”

NO FLY ZONE Influential voices, including some US lawmakers, have called for allied air power to enforce a no-fly zone over Syria in order to prevent Assad’s regime from bombing rebel forces and civilian populations. Senator John McCain, a senior figure on foreign policy and former naval aviator, has argued that this could be accomplished relatively easily, but other experts have warned that it would not be without risk. According to a US Air Force study: “Syria’s air-defense network at the start of the civil war ranked among the most capable and dense in the world, perhaps second only to North Korea’s and Russia’s.

“The overlapping coverage of missiles and radars consisted of approximately 650 static air-defense sites, the most worrisome of which housed the SA-5 Gammon, having a range of 165 nautical miles and an altitude capability of 100,000 feet.”

The US Joint Chiefs of Staff warn that the campaign to establish a no-fly zone would not simply involve patrolling fighter jets, but also bombing runs against air defense sites and Syrian airbases, backed by refueling tankers and electronic countermeasures. “We would require hundreds of ground and sea-based aircraft,” Dempsey said.

Just closing down Assad’s main air bases would require a salvo of at least 72 cruise missiles on the first night alone, according to a report by the Institute for the Study of War. Cordesman said such a campaign would require access to airfields in the region, and support from US allies such as Britain, France and Arab Gulf monarchies. And even with such a coalition, it might not have the desired effect, according to the retired US commander for the Middle East, General James Mattis. “Can we do it? Absolutely,” he said. “And the killing will go on the ground because they are not using aircraft to do most of the killing.”

DESTROY OR SECURE Although most of the estimated 100,000 dead in the civil war have been killed with conventional arms, the international community has been outraged by Assad’s alleged use of chemical weapons. Western experts believe the regime holds hundreds of tons of sarin, VX and mustard gas, and some have called on American forces to lead an operation to destroy or secure the stockpile and prevent it being used on civilians or falling into terrorist hands.

Again, Dempsey was unenthusiastic.

“At a minimum, this option would call for a no-fly zone as well as air and missile strikes involving hundreds of aircraft, ships, submarines, and other enablers,” he said. “Thousands of special operations forces and other ground forces would be needed to assault and secure critical sites,” he warned, adding that even this would offer no guarantees. “The impact would be the control of some, but not all chemical weapons,” he said, adding: “Our inability to fully control Syria’s storage and delivery systems could allow extremists to gain better access.” — AFP

TRIPOLI: Smoke is seen above people gathering outside a mosque on the site of a powerful explosion in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli yesterday. — AFP

US divided over how to respond to Middle East Egypt, Syria and the moral dilemma WASHINGTON: Persistent violence in Syria and Egypt has sharply divided senior advisers in the Obama administration over a moral dilemma: How far should the US go to stop the killing when its actions could lead to war with Syria or damage relations with Egypt? Hundreds have died in Egypt during protests brought on by the military overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi.

In Syria, allegations of chemical weapons attacks on civilians by the government of President Bashar Assad come amid reports of hundreds more victims in a 2-year-old civil war that, by UN estimates, has already killed more than 100,000.

Pentagon leaders, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have argued for moderation in the US response.

They say that cutting off aid to Egypt would threaten key national security agreements and could rattle the peace between Egypt and Israel. They suggest that such action would cost the US its leverage and even risk losing access to the Suez Canal and permission for military flights over Egypt. Others in the administration have countered that the US should take more decisive action to curtail the violence in Egypt as well as the sectarian war in Syria.

So far, the White House has taken only incremental steps. In that vein, it’s expected to announce in the coming days the suspension of another major weapons shipment to Egypt. The lack of a unified position - both within the Obama administration and in Congress - is giving President Barack Obama time and space for his cautious approach. But that is riling those who believe that the US should put stronger pressure on Egypt’s military and take mili-

tary action against Assad’s government.

Obama on Friday told CNN called the latest possible chemical weapons attack in Syria a “big event of grave concern,” but he said the idea that the US can solve Syria’s civil war is “overstated.” As for Egypt, he said cutting off aid to that country “may not reverse what the interim government does.” He said the US must be “very careful” about being seen as aiding and abetting actions that run contrary to the country’s values.

The next military weapons shipments for Egypt are scheduled for next month including 10 Apache helicopters at a cost of about $500 million. Also scheduled for delivery are a number of M1A1 tank kits, including machine guns and other equipment used with the tanks, as well as some used missiles. The missiles, which have been moved and handled but not yet fired, could be used for spare parts by the Egyptian military or they could be refurbished for launching.

According to senior US officials, however, the administration is expected to delay the delivery of Apache helicopters. That move, which may not come until next week, would be the second major weapons sale put on hold by the US in an effort to pressure the Egyptian military to halt the bloodshed and take steps toward a more peaceful transition to democracy.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter by name.

To express displeasure about the Egyptian crackdown on pro-Morsi demonstrators, the US suspended the delivery of four F-16 fighter jets to Egypt and canceled biennial US-Egyptian military exercises planned for next month. Obama has said that the United States’ long-term coopera-

tion with Egypt “cannot continue as usual.”

However, the US military has continued shipments of thousands of spare parts for American weapons systems used by the Egyptian forces. Plans continue for sending armored bulldozers for border security, radars and missiles in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the latest concerns about chemical weapons in Syria prompted a meeting of Obama’s national security team.

Secretary of State John Kerry, who is on vacation, attended via video teleconference and made a flurry of telephone calls to world leaders to discuss the unrelenting bloodshed in Syria. The United States said in June that it had conclusive evidence that Assad’s government had used chemical weapons against opposition forces.

That crossed what Obama had called a “red line” and prompted a US decision to send arms to Syrian rebels, including guns, ammunition and shoulder fired, anti-tank grenades. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that 1,000 to 1,800 people were killed near Damascus in the latest alleged chemical weapons attack. She said Obama had directed US intelligence agencies to gather additional information, but “right now, we are unable to conclusively determine chemical weapons use.”

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Tuesday raised the possibility of the international community using force.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a news conference in Berlin, “Several red lines have been crossed - if sanctions are not imposed immediately, then we will lose our power to deter.” Kerry has also urged other nations to help gather information about the reports of chemical weapons attacks. And the Obama administration is expected to hold more meetings on the matter in coming days. — AP

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

1 year on, tough times for fragile Somali govt NAIROBI: Hopes that Somalia may soon turn the page on decades of anarchy have been dealt a string of blows, giving the internationally-backed government little to cheer as it marks its first birthday. Al-Qaeda-inspired fighters, breakaway regions, rival clans and an ongoing climate of rampant insecurity have conspired to ensure the Horn of Africa nation remains saddled with its basket case image.

The new government was the first to be given global recognition since the collapse of the hardline regime in 1991, and billions in foreign aid has been poured in. But in a major blow this month, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) an aid agency used to working in the world’s most dangerous places-pulled out after two decades in the country. The agency said it could no longer put up with a “barrage of attacks”, including kidnappings, threats, lootings and murder.

“It came at a moment when world leaders, for the first time in decades, began making positive noises about a country on the road to recovery and with a stable government,” said MSF president Unni Karunakara. “For them, the timing of our decision could not have been worse.” Somalia has taken steps forward, particularly in the coastal capital of Mogadishu-now busy with laborers rebuilding after Islamist Shebab fighters fled their city trenches two years ago.

But the situation elsewhere remains bleak. “Rarely has it been so important to bear in mind the old maxim: Mogadishu is not Somalia,” argues Matt Bryden, in a report for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

“The stream of returnees, investors, aid workers and diplomats to Mogadishu has not been replicated elsewhere in the country, creating an artificial, almost surreal bubble of optimism.”

Mogadishu’s government, selected in a UN-backed process in August 2012, was hailed as offering the best chance for peace in a generation. British Prime Minister David Cameron, speaking in May ahead of an international conference on Somalia in London, said then that the steps forward had “exceeded all expectations”. But the South African-based Institute for Security Studies (ISS) noted that progress has been “painstakingly slow”.

“The failure of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration to consolidate power beyond Mogadishu and the general lawlessness in many parts of country, remain stark reminders of the huge challenges to lasting peace in Somalia,” ISS added. Some progress in Mogadishu but little outside-Outside the city, the weak central government has little influence, with much of the country fractured into autonomous regions, including the self-declared and fiercely independent northern Somaliland.

The northeast Puntland region cut ties with central government in a furious row earlier this month, while in the far south self-declared leaders of the Jubaland region defy Mogadishu’s authority. The Shebab too remain powerful, despite losing a string of key towns and leaders carrying out bloody purges of rivals. Suicide attacks on a UN compound in June demonstrated the Shebab’s ability to strike at the heart of the capital’s most secure areas. — AFP

Bruised Egypt Brotherhood seeks to show street power Islamist movement reeling from bloodshed, arrests CAIRO: Egyptian troops and police stood ready in Cairo to foil Muslim Brotherhood plans for “Friday of Martyrs” protests against the army’s bloody crackdown on followers of ousted President Mohamed Morsi yesterday. The Brotherhood, hounded by Egypt’s new army-backed rulers, has called for marches from 28 mosques after midday prayers in Cairo, testing the resilience of its battered support base.

Security precautions appeared relatively low-key, even near the Fateh mosque in the heart of the capital where gun battles raged last Friday and Saturday, killing scores of people. The mosque’s metal gates and big front door were locked and chained. A doorman said prayers had been cancelled. Two armored personnel carriers were parked down the street, where people shopped at a bustling market.

Egypt has endured the bloodiest civil unrest in its modern history since Aug 14 when police destroyed protest camps set up by Morsi’s supporters in Cairo to demand the reinstatement of the Islamist president, who was deposed by the army on July 3 after huge demonstrations against his first year’s rule. Only one riot police truck was parked near the Rabaa Al-Adawiya square in northeastern Cairo, home to the Brotherhood’s biggest protest vigil until police and troops stormed in, killing hundreds of people, bulldozing barricades and burning tents.

The mosque there was closed for repairs. Workmen in blue overalls stood on scaffolding as they covered its charred walls with white paint. Children scavenged through piles of garbage. Troops used barbed wire to block off a thoroughfare leading to Nahda Square, the site of the smaller of the two Brotherhood sit-ins.

Traffic moved freely around the huge Nour mosque in the Abbaseya neighborhood. There were no armored vehicles or barbed wire, but Friday prayers there had also been cancelled.

The authorities declared a month-long state of emergency last week and they enforce a nightly curfew. The state news agency said the armed forces had

WEST BANK: Palestinian protesters kick an Israel army vehicle during a demonstration in support of Egypt’s ousted president Mohamed Morsi, in the controlled Israeli enclave called H2, in the West Bank town of Hebron yesterday.

Supporters of Morsi began marches in Cairo yesterday in a key test of their ability to mobilize support seven weeks after his overthrow. — AFP strengthened their presence around the officials say. Brotherhood supporters say presidential palace and the defense min- the toll is higher. The Brotherhood, foundistry. The Muslim Brotherhood, which ed in 1928, could once mobilize vast won five successive votes held in Egypt crowds, drawing on the same organizaafter the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in tional strength it wielded at the ballot 2011, is reeling from a week of bloodshed box, but its protests have dwindled this and the arrest of many of its leaders in week in the face of the security crackwhat the authorities call a battle with ter- down.

“We will remain steadfast on the road rorism.

In a symbolic victory for the army- to defeating the military coup,” the prodominated old order, Hosni Mubarak, the Morsi National Coalition to Support ex-military former president who ruled Legitimacy and Reject the Coup said in a Egypt with an iron fist for 30 years before statement. Graffiti on a mosque wall in a popular uprising toppled him in 2011, central Cairo illustrated the deep divisions was freed from jail on Thursday. His suc- that have emerged since army chief cessor Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi ousted Morsi. The president, remains behind bars. The spraypainted message “yes to Sisi” had Brotherhood’s “General Guide” Mohamed been crossed out and painted over with Badie, who was arrested on Tuesday, is the word “traitor.” Slogans elsewhere read due to go on trial tomorrow along with “Morsi is a spy” and “Morsi out”. Someone his two deputies, Khairat Al-Shater and had also written “Freedom, Justice, Saad Al-Katatni, on charges that include Brotherhood.” The Brotherhood survived for generations as an underground incitement to violence.

At least 900 people, including about movement before emerging as Egypt’s 100 soldiers and police, have been killed best-drilled political force after Mubarak in violence across Egypt since Aug. 14, fell. — Reuters

Tunisian opposition rejects ruling Islamists’ concession TUNIS: Tunisia’s opposition coalition yesterday rejected proposals by the ruling Islamists for ending a month-long political crisis, saying their offer to enter talks on a government of technocrats was insufficient. “All negotiations without the (immediate) dissolution of the government are a waste of time,” said Taieb Baccouche, a representative of the National Salvation Front.

He was speaking after meeting members of the UGTT trade union confederation, which has been mediating between the two sides and which forwarded the ruling Ennahda party’s proposals. Jilani Hammami, another NSF representative, described Ennahda’s proposals, the details of which were not communicated to the press, as ambiguous.

Ennahda indicated on Thursday, for the first time since the start of the crisis triggered by the assassination of opposition MP Mohamed Brahmi, that it might agree to the resignation of the coalition government which it heads. But

the Islamists stressed that a “national dialogue” bringing together supporters and opponents of the ruling coalition needed to take place first. “We are going to keep up the pressure for the government’s dissolution, we have a plan to step up the mobilization on the ground,” Hammami said.

The opposition has called for nationwide anti-government demonstrations, starting on Saturday, with the first big gathering to take place outside the national assembly.

Activists and opposition MPs have gathered regularly outside parliament over the past month, with two protests, on August 6 and 13, drawing tens of thousands of people. The UGTT, which boasts some 500,000 members and is capable of bringing the country to a standstill, has been central to the negotiations, shuttling between the Islamists and the opposition in a bid to break the deadlock.

Beyond the composition of the government itself, Ennahda wants the national dialogue to address other key

political differences, including on the new constitution, which has been repeatedly delayed. The union’s secretary general, Houcine Abassi, was due to meet the Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi again at 1700 GMT yesterday.

The opposition accuses the government of failing to rein in Tunisia’s Islamists hardliners, who are blamed for murdering Brahmi and Chokri Belaid, another prominent secular politician whose assassination in February brought down the first Ennahda-led coalition.

Ennahda has also been accused of mismanaging the economy and failing to improve living standards. The criticism is similar to that leveled against Egypt’s Islamist president Mohamed Morsi by millions of protesters who took to the streets before the army overthrew him on July 3. Senior Ennahda members have, for their part, accused the opposition of trying to mirror events in Egypt, saying that their demands amount to an attempt to engineer a “coup” like the one that ousted Morsi. — AFP

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Bo describes his wife as ‘insane’ JINAN: Fallen Chinese politician Bo Xilai described his wife as “insane” yesterday after his corruption trial heard video testimony from her implicating him in bribery, in a case that is gripping the communist-run country. Gu Kailai, once a high-flying lawyer but convicted last year of murdering Neil Heywood, the British businessman whose death sparked the corruption scandal that brought Bo down, looked nervous in the pre-recorded video.

She described telling her husband of a series of bribes, but Bo told the court she was mentally unstable and had compared herself to a historical Chinese assassin, telling him she felt “heroic” when killing Heywood. The scandal erupted in advance of a generational shift of power atop China’s Communist Party, and Bo’s feisty performance over the two days of his trial has astonished a public unfamiliar with the open airing of top-level intrigue.

In her testimony, Gu said she feared Heywood would kidnap and kill the couple’s son Bo Guagua in the United States.

She looked thin and pale during the questioning, recorded earlier this month. It was played in court the day after Bo pleaded ignorance to her dealings, and released by the court on Chinese social media, where it had more than one million views in an hour. Asked if Bo knew about airline tickets and other items provided by business tycoon Xu Ming-who prosecutors said had bribed him to the tune of 20.7 million yuan ($3.4 million) - Gu at first said “he should have been aware”.

Pressed by the questioner, she said: “I told him.” According to transcripts of yesterday’s hearing released by the court in Jinan in eastern China on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, Bo told the court: “She is insane now and she often tells lies. “The investigators placed enormous pressure on her to expose me when she was mentally disordered.” She had compared herself to Jing Ke, who more than 2,000 years ago tried and failed to kill the man who would become the first emperor of a unified China, he added. The claim was “sufficient to prove that she was mentally disordered”, Bo said.

The trial was widely expected to last for up to two days, but will continue for a third day today, the court announced as yesterday’s hearing ended. State-run media have proclaimed the proceedings a mark of transparency. Bo, once one of China’s highest-flying politicians, faces charges of bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power which emerged after the lurid scandal triggered by Heywood’s death.

Bo presented an unexpectedly spirited defense against bribery charges as the trial began on Thursday, comparing one witness, businessman Tang Xiaolin, to a “mad dog” who appeared to have “sold his soul”. State broadcaster CCTV yesterday released video of one of the trial’s most dramatic moments, when Bo cross-examined Xu Ming, a former prawn seller who built a huge fortune after developing a relationship with Bo’s family. In a colorful exchange-which touched on a football club, a hot air balloon and the purchase of a French villa-Bo argued that the tycoon had not made him aware of the transactions.

Bo’s populist politics won supporters across China but alienated top party leaders who saw his brash approach as a return to a bygone era of strongman rule. Backroom political discussions ahead of the trial have ensured that a guilty verdict from the court is almost certain, with a lengthy prison sentence likely to follow, analysts say. At least five relatives attended the hearing, including Li Wangzhi, Bo’s son from his first marriage.

Li released a statement to The New York Times praising his father’s courage in speaking out, while thanking the authorities for allowing him to do so.

“I thank the party central authorities and the court for giving the defendant greater rights to a defense and freedom than he had expected, allowing my father to speak his true mind,” he said, adding he was “proud” of his father. “I hope that my father will continue to respect the law, and that the law may also respect the facts, and leave the people an explanation, leave history an explanation, and leave his son an explanation too,” said Li, who is in his mid-30s and has reportedly not seen his father for several years. Bo Xilai’s own father, revolutionary military leader Bo Yibo, also gained a reputation for defying the authorities, refusing to admit any wrongdoing while he was jailed and abused during the Cultural Revolution.

Police-uniformed and plain-clothed-blocked off roads around the court again yesterday morning, with the only journalists able to gain entry to the proceedings from state-run media. A convoy thought to be carrying Bo, which included a silver Mercedes prison van, pulled into the main entrance shortly before the trial restarted in the morning.—AFP

Iranian supreme leader does not rule supreme Khamenei has the last word, but listens first DUBAI: US President Barack Obama has twice written to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei believing that he, not the president, holds ultimate power in the Islamic Republic and the key to unlocking the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. But the surprise emergence of President Hassan Rouhani, a close associate of Khamenei who advocates moderation, has shown a more nuanced picture of power in Iran in which the clerical leader listens to opposing views and then reaches a consensus.

Though supreme leader, Khamenei does not rule supreme. “Of course Khamenei has his own personal viewpoints which in the last 10, 15 years until now have been stable and he insists on them and repeats them,” said Aliasghar Ramezanpoor, a former deputy culture minister, listing Khamenei’s deep distrust of the United States, Western cultural influence and his insistence on the nuclear program as a red line.

Himself president from 1981 to 1989, Khamenei “knows that on administrative issues of the country he must be flexible,” Ramezanpoor said. The Iranian political system is a complex mix of Shiite Muslim clerical authority and an elected president and parliament, overseen by numerous appointed regulatory councils. Then there are the elite Revolutionary Guards who, as well as being engaged abroad - for exam-

ple helping train government forces in Syria’s civil war and supporting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon - also control large parts of the oil-based economy.

Though all roads lead to the leader, Khamenei also has to satisfy these constituencies and balance their interests, especially those of the Revolutionary Guards. “Khamenei is not a dictator in the classic sense, but there is no question that on particular issues such as the nuclear file he probably will have the last word,” said Gary Sick, an Iran expert and former US National Security Council official.

GOOD LISTENER “He will listen very carefully to what is being said before he gives the last word and the last word may be more of a coalition-building effort than dictating exactly what the policy will be,” he said. “When an issue is raised in an expert report, or various factions argue a point, and not just one faction, he pays a lot of attention,” said Ramezanpoor. Khamenei’s public comments suggest he believes that even if Iran were to give up atomic energy work that the West deems a smoke screen for attaining a nuclear arsenal, the United States is bent on regime change and so any concessions are futile.

From the supreme leader’s perspective, there are good grounds for thinking that way. Even though Obama offered soon

after coming to office in 2009 to extend the hand of peace to Iran if it “unclenched its fist”, his administration has imposed what it has called “the most robust sanctions in history” on Iran’s vital oil industry, its shipping and banking sectors.

Together, US, European Union and United Nations sanctions have helped cut in half Iran’s oil exports since 2011, raise inflation to more than 40 percent and devalue the rial currency by nearly two-thirds since the start of 2012. Yet Rouhani has said he is open to direct talks with the United States, with which Iran has had no diplomatic relations since soon after its 1979 revolution. In doing so, the president has at least proclaimed a change of tactics that appear to be at odds with Khamenei’s long-held views. It is not, however, a change of policy since Rouhani also insists he will never relinquish the Islamic Republic’s “right” to nuclear technology.

Indicating he will at least give Rouhani a chance to try out the new posture, Khamenei has most recently said he is also not against direct talks, but merely doubts they will succeed. Khamenei allowed each of the two previous presidents, the reformist Mohammad Khatami and the populist hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a period of grace in which they pursued policies he disliked before he blocked them and rendered them ineffective.— Reuters

In rare openness, China microblogs Bo Xilai trial BEIJING: The drama of China’s Bo Xilai trial has millions glued to their screens as a court posts Twitter-like updates in what state media say is an unprecedented advance for transparency in the communist-ruled country. But while the Jinan Intermediate People’s Court is posting details of the proceedings on Sina Weibo, a Chinese equivalent of Twitter, they are sometimes delayed and no independent observers are in court.

Transcripts, video and audio clips showed Bo-formerly a high-flying politician who was tipped for a top job in Beijing-col-

orfully denying bribery accusations, labeling his wife “insane” and comparing another witness to a “mad dog”. The court’s verified weibo account was set up less than a week ago but has already accumulated more than 400,000 followers as people across China flocked online for updates.

In a mark of how social media has dominated coverage of the trial, a television anchorwoman was seen staring at her phone for updates as she broadcast live.

“When the court’s weibo is the only source of news on the trial is it wrong to use a phone?” the presenter, Yang Shu, asked on

BEIJING: People walk past one of the houses that belongs to fallen Chinese political star Bo Xilai and his family in Beijing yesterday. —AFP

her own weibo account after meeting with online ridicule. “Isn’t bowing your head to read the latest news better than raising your head with nothing to say? This is the new-media age.”

Only select members of state-run media were allowed into the court, leaving dozens of reporters to strain at a screen carrying the online updates in a court-run media centre in Jinan, in eastern China. Even so the state-run China Daily said the case “breaks ground for transparency” in a frontpage headline Friday.For China’s Communist Party, which faces much resentment over the lavish lifestyles of high officials as exposed by the Bo affair, microblogging allowed a “controlled openness”, according to Zhan Jiang, professor of journalism at Beijing’s Foreign Studies University. “I call it a kind of openness which is also controlled, because it’s not like a live broadcast... only approved content is put online,” he said. “I think this is a clever tactic by officials. “This is the first time social media has been used to broadcast such important political news... for Chinese people this is extremely fresh.”When the “Gang of Four”-a faction that included the widow of founding communist leader Mao Zedong-were put on trial in 1980, recorded highlights were shown on state television. The Bo trial proceedings-embracing villas in France, hot-air balloons and a Segway scooter-have captivated their audience, but steered clear of more general criticism of the party. —AFP

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Mass grave found near Mexico City TLALMANALCO: Authorities searched a mass grave near Mexico City on Thursday as anxious relatives braced to learn whether the remains were those of 12 young people kidnapped in May. Mexico City’s top prosecutor, Rodolfo Rios, said the decomposed bodies of seven people have been recovered since the search began in a park on Wednesday. Workers were still digging the muddied pit.

Rios said it would take at least two days to get DNA test results to identify the victims, adding more suspense to a case that has shocked the capital. The kidnapped, aged 16 to 34, were taken from a downtown bar in broad daylight on a Sunday morning three months ago in a case that raised concerns about security in Mexico City, challenging the perception that it is relatively immune from the country’s drug cartel violence.

The mass grave was discovered at the Rancho La Mesa ecological park in the municipality of Tlalmanalco, a mountainous area of pine trees, corn fields and humble rural homes 30 kilometers (19 miles) southeast of the capital. A federal police officer at the scene told AFP that authorities had searched a ranch for weapons on Wednesday and found firearms in a parked trailer when they happened to find a stretch of land covered in cement.

“We began to dig and found the bodies,” he said. One kilometer from the grave, police blocked access on a dirt road surrounded by corn fields. Some relatives of victims were there with an attorney and one woman was seen sobbing but refused to speak.

In the capital, other anxious relatives stormed Rios’s press conference to demand answers. They also met privately with him. “The excavation continues to check if there are more bodies,” Rios told reporters.

The aunt of 16-year-old abductee Jerzy Ortiz, Eugenia Ponce Ramos, later said in an interview that the families were “distressed due to the uncertainty.” An official from the federal attorney general’s office said the remains were mere bones, making it difficult for now to determine the cause of death or even whether they were male or female. A lawyer representing some victims’ relatives, Ricardo Martinez, said a police officer who was at the site told him that 13 bodies were found after the two detainees took authorities to the grave.

“According to the people who spoke with me and others I spoke with, I wouldn’t doubt that it is them,” Martinez told Milenio television in reference to the kidnap victims. Rios said two people who live near the site were detained, but Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam denied that anybody was held, adding that the discovery was made during a guns search.

Prosecutors have linked the mass kidnapping to a dispute between two small gangs known as La Union and Tepis, which sell drugs in the city’s rough Tepito neighborhood.

But Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera has insisted that the bigger cartels do not operate in the capital and initially classified the disappearances as a missing persons case. Mass kidnappings and murders are more common near the US border and western states. Former Mexico City police chief Manuel Mondragon y Kalb, who now heads the federal police, said last month that the country’s main gangs have “crystallized” in some areas of the capital.

Most of those abducted hail from Tepito and two of them, including Jerzy Ortiz, are sons of jailed criminals. But their families insist that the youngsters are not involved in criminal activities.

The group was whisked away by 17 men who walked into the Heaven bar on May 26 and put them in several cars, just blocks away from a police building, the US embassy and the city’s iconic Angel of Independence monument, officials said. Two bar owners have been arrested, while the charred remains of a third associate was found in the central state of Morelos last month.—AFP

MUMBAI: Photographer holds a placard during a protest against the gang-rape of a colleague in Mumbai yesterday. —AFP

Anger grows over gang-rape of photographer in Mumbai ‘Mumbai: India’s New Rape Capital’ MUMBAI: Five men gang-raped a woman photographer in India’s financial hub Mumbai, police said yesterday, fuelling protests and stirring memories of a similar attack last December in New Delhi. The attack took place on Thursday evening in an upmarket district of central Mumbai as the 23-year-old woman and a male colleague were taking photos of old buildings for a magazine.

The pair were approached by members of the gang and told they should not be there. The man was then tied up with a belt while the woman was raped repeatedly nearby, Mumbai’s police commissioner Satyapal Singh told reporters. “It is a shameful and extremely disturbing event,” he said. One man in his early 20s has been arrested while the hunt is on for his four alleged accomplices, who have been identified by police. Sketches of the accused have been released.

The victim, reportedly an intern, is undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital and preliminary reports suggest multiple internal injuries, a police officer said. A hospital statement said she was “stable”. The attack, which shocked a city seen as far safer for women than the capi-

tal, happened in an abandoned mill compound next to an area of upscale apartment blocks, shops and restaurants.

Yesterday, police stood watch in forested patches while others walked through overgrown grass around the cordoned-off crime scene, where greenery has crept over the walls of the derelict structure.

“We are 100 percent confident of cracking the case,” Singh said, adding that 20 police teams have been formed as part of the investigation. “We will gather all the clinching evidence and aim to get the maximum punishment, which we hope will be done through a fast-track court.”

The incident comes eight months after another 23-year-old woman was gangraped by five men in a moving bus in New Delhi, while her male companion was beaten up. She died two weeks later from severe injuries.

A trial is in its final stages in that case, which sparked massive protests and led to a tougher anti-rape law. The new measures increased punishment for sex offenders, which now include the death penalty if a victim dies, and broadened the definition of sexual assault. Sex crimes have continued across India since the December 16

gang-rape, and Thursday’s attack once again captured the attention of the media and public. “Women need to be vigilant and aware of themselves and the surroundings. There is no solution, no cure,” Swati Pillai, who works in south Mumbai with an advertising firm said. Business manager and mother Manjiri Jamadagni said the incident was “very disturbing”.

“Bombay was always safe but in recent years it’s been changing. It’s not the same,” she said, using Mumbai’s former name. The city council came under fire in May for a proposal to ban lingerie-clad mannequin dummies in shops and markets for fear they could encourage sex crime. Thursday’s attack sparked anger on social media websites, and journalist groups protested in Mumbai yesterday afternoon, with many holding signs which read “Mumbai: India’s New Rape Capital” and “Bring Rapists To Book!”. India’s parliament in New Delhi also erupted in anger.

India’s Law Minister Kapil Sibal said sex assaults must be dealt with “in the most severe fashion”. “This country cannot afford to have our women (and) children insecure in the hands of those who attack them,” he told reporters.—AFP

Sharif’s party consolidates grip on power in new polls ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party has consolidated its hold on power, results from by-elections released yesterday showed, cementing its ability to push through unpopular reforms aimed at kickstarting the stagnating economy. Sharif began a third term as premier after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party won a landslide victory in national polls in May. He has since been attempting to stamp his authority on a nation long plagued by instability and violence. The results showed his party won at least another five seats in the 15 by-elections held on Thursday, reinforcing its

comfortable majority with at least 189 seats in the 342-seat National Assembly.

The by-elections on Thursday were held in seats that were forced to annul results from the May vote because of violence or because candidates had since vacated their seats, among other reasons. The populist Pakistan Peoples’ Party, which held power for five years before Sharif’s victory, won three seats, with corruption a lingering concern among voters. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by former cricket star Imran Khan, also won two seats after promising to crack down on graft. The secular Awami National Party,

which has frequently been attacked by the Taleban in their stronghold in Pakistan’s often lawless northwest, also won one seat.

Turnout from the polling was generally lower than the May vote, Pakistani media reported, and several areas reported problems. In Peshawar, the High Court intervened to stop vote counting in two areas and ordered polls to be held again amid reports that elders had prevented women from voting. Another poll was postponed amid security fears in the town of Dera Ismail Khan, where a militant raid on a jail freed 250 prisoners last month.

In the financial centre of Karachi, a road-

side bomb aimed at a military vehicle on election duty on Thursday killed a soldier and a civilian, as well as wounding 20 people, said Seemin Jamali, a doctor from the Jinnah medical centre. The Pakistani Taleban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was their response to the government’s offer of peace talks if the militants put down their arms. “We wanted to convey a message to ...

Nawaz Sharif that we would never lay down arms for the sake of meaningless talks and today’s attack was to prove that we can strike wherever we wish,” Taleban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said.— Reuters

INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

US civil rights march gripped world WASHINGTON: As 250,000 people packed central Washington to push for civil rights 50 years ago, the actor Burt Lancaster opened a scroll and read a petition brought in from Paris. The statement, signed by 1,500 Americans in the French capital, saluted the March on Washington for providing “an example of what America aspires to become.” “All Americans, traveling no matter where in the world today, are in the position of ambassadors and are very often made bitterly aware of our country’s reputation,” said the petition, read by Lancaster in his crisp delivery.

“It is not easy to be an American abroad,” said the petition, calling the movement for civil rights part of a “struggle toward freedom” being waged worldwide. American students learn of the March on Washington for Jobs and

Freedom as a defining moment in the nation’s history, with Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “I Have a Dream” speech and Congress less than a year later banning laws that enforced racial segregation.

But the march also carried an international dimension, coming at a delicate moment in the Cold War in which the United States increasingly realized that its oppression of African Americans cost it dearly on the global stage. The march was one of the first events to be broadcast live internationally, with the BBC and other networks in Europe fed from the then-revolutionary Telstar satellite. The now defunct Washington Evening Star reported that police issued media credentials to television crews from Canada, France, Germany and Japan. The Americans in Paris, in an initiative organized partly by self-exiled novelist

James Baldwin, walked to the US embassy ahead of the march to show solidarity.

Similar gatherings took place in other cities, although-in one echo of how little has changed 50 years later-authorities prevented a demonstration in Cairo. Mary L Dudziak, a professor at the Emory University School of Law and author of the book “Cold War Civil Rights,” said that John F. Kennedy’s administration initially opposed the march but, unable to stop it, gave out talking points to US diplomats.

The message, she said, was to cast the march not as a protest against racial injustice but as a triumph of free expression that could not happen under Communism.

Much of the global media embraced a similar narrative, other than in the Soviet bloc where newspapers were predictably critical. “The US government felt like they had

effectively used the story of the march to reinforce their Cold War message about the wonders of democracy,” Dudziak said.

The United States, which since its independence has prided itself on its values, has faced international pressure at various points of its history over its own human rights record. Abolitionist Frederick Douglass campaigned in England before the US Civil War. In more recent times, the United States has faced European criticism over capital punishment and its prison camp for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. But Dudziak said that 1963 was a particularly sensitive moment, with much of Africa freshly independent and Cold War alliances not yet solidified. “In this very dynamic and fluid environment, the US cared a lot about the American image. —AFP

Floods threaten major city in Russian Far East MOSCOW: Russians in the Far East yesterday scrambled to contain record floods which have affected more than 50,000 people and threatened to paralyze one of the region’s biggest cities. Heavy rains pounding the Far East over the past weeks swelled local rivers, with floodwaters wreaking havoc in Khabarovsk, a city of nearly 600,000 that sits at the confluence of the Amur and Ussury rivers near a Chinese border.

Yesterday, the level of Amur river, which serves as a natural border with China where it is known as the Heilongjiang river, has risen to 720 centimeters around Khabarovsk, according to the emergencies ministry. The floodwaters are forecast to top eight meters at the peak as more rain is expected, officials said.

The military were deployed to help hurriedly erect defenses as the floodwaters halted transport in some areas and reached highrise residential buildings in Khabarovsk.

Schools were converted into temporary shelters and authorities pressed ahead with administering vaccinations to prevent the outbreak of disease as locals have complained of faeces finding their way into the water. Several regions in the Far East including the Jewish Autonomous Oblast and the Primorsky Krai have been affected but the Khabarovsk region appears to be hit hardest.

Amid fresh concerns that the Russian government was ill-prepared to handle natural disasters, President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he would soon personally inspect some of the affected areas. The government will dispatch 10 ministers headed by powerful deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov to the Far East to oversee relief efforts, government spokeswoman Natalia Timakova said. “The water is still rising, we have not seen the peak yet, and it could climb to 725 centimeters by the end of the day,” Yury Varakin, head of the situation centre at Russian state weather service Rosgidromet, said yesterday. Television footage showed residents in Khabarovsk walking home along planks to negotiate muddy brown waters, junk and discarded footwear floating nearby. “I went and bought rubber boots, when I came back they were no longer helpful,” one man said in televised remarks.

The floods around Khabarovsk are unprecedented since regular monitoring began in 1895, officials said. The highest water level stood at 642 centimeters in 1897. There have been no reports of fatalities but officials say the flood waters have so far affected thinly-populated villages and expressed concern that the water might also batter other big cities. “Right now the floods are reaching big cities which means there could be more serious consequences,” the office of the Kremlin’s Far Eastern envoy Viktor Ishayev said yesterday. “The Khabarovsk region has sunk, several districts in Khabarovsk are swimming,” Ishayev was quoted as saying on Thursday. “Komsomolsk-on-Amur has another four to five days to prepare itself for a meeting with big water,” he said, referring to the city of 260,000, also on the Amur river. On Thursday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang spoke by phone, agreeing that the two countries should help one another overcome record floods. “The heads of government discussed the floods on the Amur river that have affected a number of Russian regions and northeastern provinces in China,” the Russian government said. Dozens of people were killed in the floods across the border in China.— AFP

BOLSHOI USSURIYSKY: A man sits on a bench as clothes are hung to dry in a flooded street in the village of Bolshoi Ussuriysky island in Russia’s Far Eastern Amur region.— AFP

50 years after, Martin Luther King ‘Dream’ still not realized Income gap between blacks and whites widens NEW YORK: Fifty years after Rev. Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech, nearly half of those who responded to a new poll said a lot more needs to be done before people in the United States would “be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

The Pew Research Center in Washington, DC, found that 49 percent of those polled think “a lot more” needs to be done to achieve the color-blind society King envisioned in his 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech. But 73 percent of black respondents and 81 percent of whites thought the two races get along “very well” or “pretty well.” The telephone poll of 2,231 adults, including 376 black Americans and 218 people of Hispanic descent, was conducted between August 1 through 11.

A quarter of the black Americans polled said the lives of blacks were better now than they were five years ago, when the United States elected its first black president, Barack Obama. In 2009, after Obama’s election, 39 percent of black Americans expressed the same opinion.

“It’s clear now that the rosy glow that fol-

lowed that historic election has faded among both blacks and whites,” said Pew Research Center senior editor Rich Morin.

“We don’t know for sure but it’s reasonable to suggest that among the biggest reasons would be the Great Recession, which hit all Americans hard, but particularly blacks.”

WEALTH GAP King’s speech was the centerpiece of a march on Washington that drew some 250,000 people to the National Mall. . In it, the famed orator described the lives of black Americans, telling the nation, “The Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity.” The Pew poll found the economic gulf between whites and blacks is roughly the same as it was half a century ago.

The gaps between blacks and whites in the areas of household income and household wealth have widened, but the poll found that on measures such as high school completion and life expectancy, they have narrowed. The poll found that on other measures, including poverty and homeownership rates, the gaps are rough-

ly the same as they were 40 years ago.

Pew said that between 1967 and 2011 the median income of a black household of three rose from about $24,000 to nearly $40,000. Expressed as a share of white income, black households earn about 59 percent of what white households earn, a small increase from 55 percent in 1967 (1967 and 2011 media household income figures expressed in 2012 dollars). When expressed as dollars, the black-white income gap widened, from about $19,000 in the late 1960s to roughly $27,000 today.

Pew said the race gap on household wealth has increased from $75,224 in 1984 to $84,960 in 2011.

Pew said other indicators of financial well-being have changed little in recent decades, including homeownership rates and the share of each race that live above the poverty line. The black unemployment rate has consistently been about double that of whites since the 1950s, according to Pew. When it came to criminal justice, Pew said that significant minorities of whites agree that blacks receive unequal treatment when dealing with the criminal justice system. —Reuters

news SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Twelve years after 9/11, FBI chief still sees threat WASHINGTON: The nature of terrorism has changed in Robert Mueller’s dozen years as FBI director, but his concerns for the future are much the same as when terrorists struck on Sept 11, 2001, merely a week after he’d taken over the bureau. As he wraps up his FBI tenure, Mueller worries that terrorists will once again target planes or finally pull off an attack using a weapon of mass destruction.

Mueller sees terrorism as a shifting landscape, evolving from Osama Bin Laden’s global brand in the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks to the splintering threats arising in

the fallout from the Arab Spring across the Middle East. “Every one of these countries now has cadres of individuals who you would put in the category of extremists, violent extremists, and that will present threats down the road,” Mueller said. Mueller, the architect of the bureau’s transformation into a terrorism-fighting agency, spoke to reporters at FBI headquarters this week. The director’s last day on the job is Sept 4. His successor, former Justice Department official James Comey, will be on hand next week for the transition. During Mueller’s tenure, terrorists were thwarted in their

efforts to bring down a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001, a Detroit-bound jetliner on Christmas in 2009 and US-bound cargo planes carrying printer cartridge bombs.

But the Boston Marathon bombings that killed three people and injured hundreds in April and the 2009 shooting that killed 13 and injured more than 30 at Fort Hood, Texas, are powerful reminders that the protective net against terrorism is not infallible.

“I always say my biggest worry is ... an attack on a plane,” Mueller said. “And secondly, it’s a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of a terrorist and that includes a cyber-capa-

bility that trumps the defenses that we have.”

He also sees the risk of a cyberattack on a financial institution or on a sector such as energy “where we do not have sufficient barricades or preventive capabilities.” Mueller’s initial foray into the world of counter-terrorism came more than two decades ago with the attack on Pan Am Flight 103, which was blown up over Scotland in 1988. “I spent lot of time on that investigation over at the Department of Justice” and “still spend time with the survivors of that horrible, horrible disaster,” said the director. — AP

Web-based apps pose problem...

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TRIPOLI: A man recites prayers amid the destruction after a car bomb outside the AlTaqwa mosque in the northern city of Tripoli, Lebanon yesterday. — AP

42 perish as blasts hit mosques...

Continued from Page 1 A 50-metre stretch of the road was charred black and the twisted remains of cars littered the area.

“We were just bowing down to pray for the second time and the bomb went off. The air cleared, and I looked around me and saw bodies,” said Samir Jadool, 39. Lebanon’s Red Cross said more than 500 people were wounded in the two explosions. Television footage showed people running through the streets, some of them carrying bloodied victims. Near the Taqwa mosque blast site, angry men toting AK-47 assault rifles took to the streets and fired in the air while other men threw rocks at Lebanese soldiers nearby.

Video obtained by local news channel LBC showed the moment of the explosion at al-Salam mosque. The blast ripped through a wall of the mosque, showering clouds of dust on people sitting on prayer mats and sending dozens running out of the building.

Lebanese officials called for calm as tensions rose in Tripoli, a Mediterranean port that has seen some of the worst Syria crossover violence.

Sunni gunmen have sporadically clashed with fighters from the city’s minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam to which the Assad family belongs. Former internal security chief Ashraf Rifi, whose home was damaged by the second blast, warned that Lebanon was facing a gathering storm of

violence.

“We are still in the beginning of the storm and we must remain aware and try to protect this nation,” he said, speaking outside his home. “This storm has become a huge, grave danger.” Witnesses at the scene of the blasts said anger was rising among locals, who were shouting out accusations that Assad’s government or Hezbollah were behind the attack. Hezbollah released a statement condemning the Tripoli blasts and expressing solidarity with the victims, saying they were targets of efforts to fan more violence in Lebanon.

“We consider this the completion of an effort to plunge Lebanon into chaos and destruction,” the statement said. Hezbollah’s political opponents called on the group to withdraw its forces from Syria in response to yesterday’s attack. Lebanese Defence Minister Fayez Ghosn warned against being dragged into deeper sectarian bloodshed.

“We are calling for calm and vigilance, because the aim of this (blasts) is to stoke strife between sects,” he told LBC. The southern suburb of Beirut dominated

by Hezbollah has been hit by two car bombs in just over a month. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah blamed radical Sunni Islamists. Salem Al-Rafei, chief cleric of the Taqwa mosque, is a staunch supporter of Syrian Sunni rebels as well as Lebanese Sunni militants who have joined the antiAssad battle in Syria. — Reuters

According to the website of WhatsApp, each user is able to create up to 50 group chats of up to 50 participants each. “If you open the phone of any Saudi you’ll find at least 10 to 15 WhatsApp groups - some groups have more than 5,000 members and send out a daily news round-up,” said a rights activist in Qatif in the restive Eastern Province, home to many of the kingdom’s Shi’ite minority. “WhatsApp is now used much more than email, because it’s seen as easier and more secure.”

For the Saudi ruling class, which runs the country according to a strict interpretation of Islamic law, these are worrying trends.

“Non-democratic governments are terrified by the role of social media and the threats posed to their regimes by open and uncensored online communications,” said Craig Newman, head of the Freedom2Connect Foundation (F2CF), a New York-based nonprofit organization.

The Saudi regulator, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), said in March that communications apps, including Skype, Viber and WhatsApp, broke unspecified laws and ordered operators carrying these services to comply with the regulations without making clear how.

Then in June the regulator banned Viber altogether. Saudi newspapers a week later carried reports that WhatsApp would also be banned within weeks, though nothing has been heard on this since.

CITC did not respond to requests for comment on this story, but said in a statement that it was protecting society from “negative aspects that could harm the public interest”. WhatsApp and Twitter declined to comment, as did Saudi Telecom, Mobily and Zain Saudi, all three of which have lost income as customers switch to Web-based alternatives. Skype did not respond to requests for comment.

The operator losses - and customer savings - are particularly significant when it comes to the country’s large expatriate population using such applications to call or message home. According to the CIA Factbook, there are 5.6 million expats in Saudi, about 21 percent of the population.

Newspapers, quoting unnamed state sources, said CITC has asked operators to find ways to block and monitor the apps.

Respected US software engineer Moxie Marlinspike said he had been contacted by Mobily and asked to build surveillance tools to intercept messages on Twitter and other services. Mobily in May denied it had contacted Marlinspike, but the engineer gave Reuters copies of emails from a Mobily employee supporting his assertion.

Human rights activists say social media and tools such as WhatsApp are vital to their

work. Television and local newspapers, which do not deviate from the official line, do not cover rights issues. “We’re getting news out to the rest of the world any way we can - if we don’t have secure communications then Saudi Arabia will go back to being the Kingdom of the Dark, where nobody knows what’s going on,” said the Qatif-based activist. Another Qatif-based activist said he was the administrator of six WhatsApp groups, which combined had more than 1,000 members.

WhatsApp is preferred because unlike some other instant messaging apps, WhataApp has the option for only administrators to know the identity of group members. “If they close WhatsApp it will be difficult to send group messages via mobile; individual texts will be very expensive,” said the second activist. Experts say that banning the likes of WhatsApp will just push communications to other mobile applications, or possibly to the less convenient use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and Tor. VPNs use an encrypted server connection, usually in another country, which makes it appear as though the user is actually in that location. Secure browser Tor is able to disguise the origins of user data by sending it through three servers picked randomly among 3,000 dotted across the globe. Social media played a big role in nurturing and coordinating protests that ultimately led to the ousting of long-standing rulers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Saudi Arabia has taken a carrot-and-stick approach to avoiding similar unrest.

King Abdullah has ordered $110 billion in government handouts and welfare schemes, but activists who attacked the government on human rights grounds have also been imprisoned. “There are people who misuse social networking and try to send false information and false evaluation of the situation in the kingdom,” security spokesman Major General Mansour Al-Turki told a news conference in February.

He later told Reuters that authorities did not want to limit Internet access on security grounds, however. Some among the Saudi elite have argued that censorship is a waste of time. “This is a futile contest - launching a war against media, and especially social media, that are open to free expression is a lost cause,” Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, a billionaire with a stake in Twitter, said in a March television interview.

But Prince Alwaleed, in his late 50s, is a rare liberal voice. The leading members of Saudi’s ruling royals, now in their 70s or 80s, are experiencing a generational disconnect.

“They don’t understand us,” said the Jeddahbased activist. “They have one way to control the kingdom - they say they guarantee our safety ... We ask for more.” — Reuters

ABN AMRO bad debts rise as govt plans sale

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Recovering UK economy shows broader growth

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Paralyzed Nasdaq opted for caution

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Microsoft CEO Ballmer to retire in a year

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A home for sale sits behind a sign that reads, “sale pending, “in San Diego. — AP

US new home sales plummet Emerging market rout eases as data lifts hopes WASHINGTON: Americans cut back sharply in July on their purchases of new homes, a sign that higher mortgage rates may weigh on the housing recovery.

The Commerce Department said yesterday that new-home sales dropped 13.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 394,000.

That’s the lowest pace in nine months. And it is down from an annual rate of 455,000 in June, which was revised sharply lower from a previously reported rate of 497,000.

New-home sales have risen 7 percent in the 12 months ending in July.

The annual pace remains well below the 700,000 that is consistent with a healthy market. The housing market has been one of the strongest performers this year in an otherwise sluggish economy, helped by steady job gains and low mortgage rates. But mortgage rates have risen a full percentage point since May and have started to steal some of the market’s momentum.

In July, builders began work on the fewest single-family homes in eight

months. And mortgage applications from potential buyers have fallen since rates have risen more than a full percentage point.

The impact of higher mortgage rates has surfaced in the new-home market faster because the July sales report reflects signed contracts. Sales of previously occupied homes reached at nearly four-year high last month. But that report measured completed sales, which typically reflects mortgage rates locked in a month or two earlier. Most economists expect the housing recovery will persist. Mortgage rates remain relatively low by historical standards.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage this week was 4.58 percent, according to Freddie Mac. The rout in emerging markets eased yesterday and world shares headed for a second day of gains, as data suggesting the global economy is improving took the edge off concerns about a cut in US monetary stimulus. Wall Street was expected to open little changed with the focus largely on housing data due at 1400

GMT (10 am ET) after gains in the previous session gave the S&P 500 a chance to secure its first weekly rise in three weeks. Ahead of the US restart, Europe’s main stock markets were broadly steady but attention remained firmly on Asia after a torrid week that has wiped billions of dollars off emerging markets for the second time in two months. MSCI’s emerging share index was on track for its first gains after six sessions in the red and the selling of India’s rupee subsided after the currency’s worst week against the dollar in decades.

“Hopefully the worst (of the emerging market selling) may now be over,” said Hans Peterson global head of asset allocation at SEB investment management, adding his firm may soon start “bottom fishing” in Asia.

“It doesn’t seem to be a repeat of the 1997 (Asian crisis) situation ... and it seems like people are not so keen on being extremely short anymore so it might twist around a bit.” The relief rally was supported by a dip in US bond yields , which edged back from the previous session’s two-year high

to 2.89 percent in European trading, while the dollar steadied after hitting a three-week high.

Actions from under-pressure authorities also helped. Brazil

unveiled an $60 billion currency intervention plan, Turkey’s central bank said it would apply more monetary tightening while Indonesia scrapped a minerals export cap.— Agencies

KOLKATA: An Indian money changer shows new Indian rupee currency notes to a customer while sitting on the side of a road in Kolkata yesterday. India’s rupee tumbled to a new record low against the dollar yesterday, hitting the symbolic 65 level, as economists urged the government to focus on reforms to boost confidence instead of quick-fix solutions.— AFP

business SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Microsoft CEO Ballmer to retire in a year NEW YORK: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who took over the helm of the world’s largest software company from founder Bill Gates, will retire within the next 12 months. Microsoft Corp did not name a successor. The company said it is forming a search committee, which will include Gates, and Ballmer will stay on until a replacement is found.

“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” Ballmer said in a statement released by the Redmond, Washington, company.

Microsoft shares shot up 8 percent in morning trading following the news. It’s been less than two months since Microsoft announced a sweeping reorganization of its business in an

attempt to reignite competition with faster-moving rivals such as Apple and Google. Response to

the newest version of Microsoft’s flagship Windows operating system has been lukewarm. And

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer speaks at a Microsoft event in San Francisco.—AP

Microsoft, along with other companies that thrived in the era of personal computers, are scrambling to transform their businesses as people come to rely more and more on smartphones and tablets. In his statement, Ballmer noted that the company is moving in a new direction and needs a CEO that will be there for the longer term.

Microsoft, he added, “has all its best days ahead.” Ballmer, 57, met Microsoft founder Bill Gates in 1973 while they were living down a dormitory hall from each other at Harvard University. He joined Microsoft in 1980 to bring some business discipline and salesmanship to a company that had just landed a contract to supply an operating system for a personal

computer that IBM would release in 1981. Ballmer, a zealous executive prone to arm-waving and hollering, did the job so well that he would become Gates’ sounding board and succeed him as CEO in 2000. He has worked at Microsoft for 33 years, matching the tenure of Gates, who left the company in 2008.

“It’s a tad surprising, but every other business head has been rotated out,” said BGC Financial analyst Colin Gillis. “They swapped out all their segment heads over the past few years.

The only one they haven’t changed is the CEO.” Though investors cheered the news yesterday, Gillis cautioned that it could be a “tough 12 months” for the company. —AP

Live-or-die dilemma for South Africa gold mines Soaring costs, falling prices push industry to edge JOHANNESBURG: If South Africa’s gold miners strike over wages next week, the loss of output will drag down companies already being crushed between rising costs and falling prices for the metal. The strikers, seeking better pay and conditions for one of the toughest jobs in the world, may also be putting their own livelihoods on the line if a protracted stoppage or the scale of their wage demands force some mines to close.

This live-or-die dilemma hangs equally over boardrooms, mining shafts and communities in an industry which could lose over $35 million a day in output due to stoppages, and also slow already sluggish growth in Africa’s biggest economy. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has threatened to downs tools next week over wages, a move that would effectively shut a gold sector already in a state of steep decline. Johannesburg’s index

of gold producing companies has lost 62 percent since a life high reached in September 2002, and 42 percent so far this year.

South Africa’s overwhelmingly black mining work force is in a restive mood as it fights for a greater share of the spoils from an industry built on low wages and migrant labor. But it has reached a point where soaring costs and falling prices have made big pay rises unsustainable. As production has fallen the industry has shed 340,000 jobs since 1990, over two thirds, and more will need to be slashed if wages, which have outpaced inflation the past decade, spiral higher. The numbers just don’t add up at a time when gold’s spot price has lost close to 30 percent from the record peak of over $1,920 an ounce it scaled almost two years ago. NUM, which represents two-thirds of South Africa’s gold miners, is seeking a 60 percent wage hike for

entry-level workers and 15 percent for all other categories.

Its more hardline rival the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) wants increases of up to 150 percent at the entry-level but is still in talks with the companies.

The country’s chamber of mines says about half of the lower-skilled gold mining workforce of 95,000 would fall into the entrylevel category. Currently, such workers are making 5,000 rand ($490) a month as a basic wage and NUM wants 8,000. So that demand alone would add 142.5 million rand to the industry’s monthly wage bill. In addition to the basic wage, the chamber of mines says that in the gold sector there are other benefits which can translate into a total of 8,800 rand a month in costs to a company. These include meals, housing, and other allowances.

NUM also wants various increases for nonwage benefits as well a 15 percent hike on basic pay for all worker categories.

Some producers are better placed than others to withstand protracted strike action, which could start next week if NUM’s members vote to walk off the job. Gold Fields spun off the bulk of its South African assets earlier this year and its home base now only accounts for about 12 percent of the company’s global production. So it can easily ride out a strike at its only operation in the country, South Deep, even though at close to $1,900 an ounce for all-in cash costs, it is the most expensive gold mine in the country to run, according to David Davis, mining investment analyst at SBG Securities.

Sibanye, the company created from the spin-off, is more vulnerable with all of its mines in South Africa.—Reuters

Iraq pushes for investment as India seeks more oil NEW DELHI: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri AlMaliki yesterday pitched for investment from India to rebuild his war-shattered nation which is a critical energy supplier to New Delhi.

Iraq’s prime minister said there were “great opportunities” for Indian firms to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure-constructing ports, highways, housing, railways, schools, hospitals and investing in oil production facilities. “There is so much potential,” said Maliki, who is on a trip to New Delhi and Mumbai, the first by an Iraqi leader since a 2003 US-led invasion ousted president Saddam Hussein.

Maliki’s comments came as the two sides were expected to sign an agreement that would increase Iraqi sales of crude oil to fuel-import reliant India. While China has been energetically seeking infrastructure contracts in Iraq, and has invested substan-

tially in Iraqi oil production, the Iraqis said India has been noticeably absent. Iraq has said it may need up to $1 trillion over the next decade to rebuild its crumbling infrastructure. Luring foreign investment to Iraq has been complicated by its worst violence since 2008, with the interior ministry describing the country as a “battleground”.

The chairman of Iraq’s National Investment Commission, Sami Raouf Taqi Al-Araji, said the country had special forces protecting foreign workers. “We’re committed to protecting foreign workers, they are away from their homes, they are in our care,” Araji told reporters.

Indian exports to Iraq totaled around $1.3 billion in 2012, up from $740 million in 2011, according to an Indian government official. Baghdad’s exports to India-the vast majority of which were oil-totalled more than $20 billion last year, up from $9 billion

a year earlier in 2011. India has said it keen to “reverse the traffic” by rebuilding Iraq’s infrastructure-investing in roads, power lines, telecoms and other key sectors-and move to a more broad-based relationship than simply a buyer of oil.

The rise in Iraq’s oil imports to India has come as sales from sanctions-hit Iran have tumbled. India, struggling to stabilize its battered currency, is also pushing Iraq to accept payment for its oil exports in rupees, Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma also said yesterday. Araji said Iraq would have to consider the request for India to pay in rupees. Iran, which has long battled neighboring Iraq for global oil market share, has agreed to take payments for the oil it sells to India in rupees after US and Western sanctions over its disputed nuclear program blocked other payment methods. — AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (left) and his Iraqi counterpart Nouri Al-Maliki arrive for a meeting in New Delhi yesterday. Al-Maliki is on a four-day visit to India. —AP

business SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

US Treasury chief urges Congress to raise debt limit WASHINGTON: Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urged Congress on Thursday to raise the US borrowing ceiling, warning that not doing so could jeopardize Washington’s creditworthiness and raise fears of a default. With the United States closing on the point where spending will surpass available funds, Lew said it was crucial for Congress to raise the debt cap as soon as it comes back into session at the beginning of September.

Failure to raise the ceiling would force cuts to many parts of the government, including the military and social security benefit payouts, and “have disastrous effects for our nation,” Lew told an audience in Mountain View, California. “In just a few weeks, we will find ourselves once

again perilously close to breaching the debt ceiling if Congress fails to act,” he said.

Lew pointed to a 2011 fight over the ceiling that went down to the wire, raising fears that the country would be forced to default on its debt. Even after politicians struck a last-minute deal to raise it-in exchange for longer term spending reductions-the rating agency Standard and Poor’s cut the US credit grade for the first time ever, reducing it one notch from the gold-plate AAA standard.

“While that standoff was eventually resolved, the cloud of doubt that took hold and the high-stakes drama that took place harmed the economy,” Lew said.

“The drawn-out dispute over the debt

ceiling caused business uncertainty to jump, consumer confidence to drop, financial markets to fall, and economic growth to falter.”

“We cannot afford a repeat of what happened in 2011. We cannot afford for Congress to wait until some unknowable last minute to resolve this matter on the eve of a deadline. We cannot afford another unnecessary self-inflicted wound.”

The Treasury’s borrowing power was frozen in May at $16.7 trillion, and since then it has dealt with spending obligations through some temporary adjustments and also has benefited from higherthan-planned revenues. Lew said it was not possible to precisely pinpoint when the Treasury’s room to work under the

existing cap will run out. But he suggested earlier this year that the room created by those measures could dry up by September.

“Extraordinary measures” to sustain the government without being forced to slash spending or default on the debt due to the borrowing limit “will not be exhausted until after Labor Day,” or September 2, Lew told Congress on May 17. Since then the Treasury has said “it appears” that it will have room enough that Congress will be able to address the issue when they return from their current recess, on September 9. But the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the country could go to November before being forced to cut back spending. — AFP

Recovering UK economy shows broader growth Data keeps spotlight on BOE’s rates guidance

JAMMU: An Indian laborer carries a sack of onions at a warehouse in Jammu on Thursday. The prices of onion, a staple food of the Indian middle class, have been soaring in the past weeks leading to protests by people on streets. —AP

Watchdog warns British retailers on sales discounts LONDON: Britain’s competition watchdog ordered six furniture and carpet retailers, including market-leading Carpetright, to stop misleading consumers by artificially ramping up the value of discounts during sales promotions. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has taken a tougher stance against retailers to ensure consumers can trust their prices and communications. It acted against Britain’s supermarkets on misleading prices last year and has the power to fine offenders 30 percent of relevant turnover.

Before a summer bank holiday weekend that is traditionally a busy trading period for home furnishing stores, the OFT said yesterday an investigation found the six firms were misleading customers into thinking they were getting a bargain. They had artificially inflated reference prices on items to promote discounts that were not genuine, thereby infringing consumer protection laws. For a significant number of products, no sales at all took place at the higher price, the OFT found.

It has told the retailers to sign undertakings to cease the practice, giving them until autumn to respond. “If they respond positively and say they are going to change then that will be good. If not, we are prepared to take further action,” OFT senior director Cavendish Elithorn told BBC Radio Four.

The OFT did not name the retailers. Carpetright, Britain’s largest floor coverings retailer with a market share of over 25 percent, said in a statement to the stock exchange that it had received a letter from the OFT. “Carpetright is cooperating fully with the OFT and will respond to the letter in due course. There is no suggestion in the letter of Carpetright having behaved in a manner which breaches competition law,” it said.

Shares in Carpetright fell as much as 3 percent.

Yesterday, the firm’s website was advertising its “Crazy weekend” sale with 60 percent reductions for beds, carpet and vinyl.

Bed and mattress specialist Dreams has also been contacted by the OFT, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Industry publication Retail Week said DFS Furniture, Furniture Village, ScS and Harveys/Bensons for Beds were the other retailers. All declined to comment.

LONDON: Britain’s economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter, benefiting from a broad-based pick-up in activity that looked to have put the country’s burgeoning recovery on a firmer footing. Gross domestic product expanded 0.7 percent from the previous quarter, data from the Office for National Statistics showed on Friday, beating its initial estimate and economists’ forecasts and putting Britain’s growth rate on a par with European powerhouse Germany.

“It does look like the recovery is becoming more self-sustaining,” said Philip Shaw, economist at Investec. Stocks gained after the data, which also showed output rose by a surprisingly strong 1.5 percent from a year ago. The pound and government bond yields rose, highlighting expectations that the revival could force Britain’s central bank to raise interest rates earlier than it has indicated. British exports rose at the fastest pace since late 2011 and business investment grew faster than household spending, suggesting a shift towards more balanced growth in an economy that has been driven mainly by domestic consumption and imports. In an effort to encourage spending and investment, the Bank of England said earlier this month it would not raise borrowing costs while unemployment remained above 7 percent, a level it did not expect to be breached for at least three years. But the threshold may be crossed sooner if Britain’s recovery maintains momentum, and since the bank gave its forward guidance, the news on the economy has been predominantly upbeat. Factories’ order books looked in their best shape for two years in August, consumer confidence and retail

sales soared in July, and surveys found robust growth across manufacturing, construction and services at the start of the third quarter.

“The Bank of England is therefore facing a growing challenge of how to convince the markets and households that interest rates will not need to rise over the next three years,” said Chris Williamson, economist at financial data company Markit. In a speech next week, BoE governor Mark Carney is tipped to try to talk down expectations of an earlier rise in the base rate, which have caused conditions to tighten on money markets. Friday’s data showed that most key

output components of GDP expanded more than originally thought.

Britain’s service sector - which makes up more than three quarters of GDP - grew 0.6 percent compared with the first quarter, as estimated earlier. But manufacturing output growth was heavily revised up to 0.7 percent and the volatile construction sector posted a 1.4 percent rise, also much better than found a month ago. The increase in building activity is running in parallel with an upturn in the property market, fuelled in part by a state-backed mortgage scheme that critics fear could lead to a new price bubble.—Reuters

MADRID: Tourists ride in a bus in front of Spain’s Bank during a tour, in Madrid on Tuesday. Spain’s Treasury seeks to sell up to 4 billion euros in a debt auction of six- and 12-month bills. — AP

FDI into China rises 7.09% in Jan-July SHANGHAI: Foreign direct investment (FDI) into China grew 7.09 percent year-onyear in the first seven months of 2013, official data showed yesterday, citing optimism towards the domestic economy among foreign investors. Incoming FDI, which excludes financial sectors, jumped to $71.4 billion for the January-July period, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement.

For July alone, the figure surged 24.13 percent year-on-year to $9.4 billion, follow-

ing a 20.12 percent growth in June when FDI to China reached $14.4 billion. “This reflected the actual situation that foreign merchants were upbeat on investment environment in China,” ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said. “But it doesn’t necessarily mean that foreign investment will maintain such rapid growth in the next few months,” he added. The ministry said investment from the European Union and United States maintained relatively fast

growth in the first seven months.

From January through July, EU investment into China jumped 16.72 on year percent to $4.6 billion, while US investment expanded 11.44 percent from a year earlier to $2.2 billion. Investment from a group of 10 Asian countries and regions including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Singapore climbed 7.74 percent on year to $61.7 billion in the seven months to July, also a major contributor to overall growth. —AFP

business SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Paralyzed Nasdaq opted for caution Brent edges above $110 as economic outlook glows LONDON: Brent edged above $110 a barrel yesterday, buoyed by upbeat business surveys that suggested the global economy is on the mend and kindled hopes for higher fuel demand.

Manufacturing activity in the United States and China rose to multi-month highs while growth in the euro zone was better than expected, pointing to a potential uptick in world oil consumption.

“Over the last couple of days, more and more signals have emerged that point to an improving economic situation in the US,” said a JBC Energy report. Brent crude rose 10 cents to $110 a barrel by 0944 GMT. US crude was up 19 cents to $105.22. The positive economic data combined with geopolitical tension in the Middle East to boost oil. Traders continued to keep close watch on Egypt and Libya. The crisis in Egypt has stoked supply worries as the country is home to the Suez Canal and the Sumed pipeline, which together carry around 4.5 million barrels per day of oil between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.

The Egyptian army has said it will guarantee the safety of the canal and pipeline. A disruption to either would have a major impact on oil prices. In Libya, the largest crude oil export terminal - Es Sider and the oil port of Zueitina remain closed, Deputy Oil Minister Omar Shakmak said, although some improvement was seen at other ports. The outages are the worst disruption to Libya’s oil sector since the 2011 civil war. Investors are also watching the impact on markets of any potential tapering of the US Federal Reserve’s economic stimulus. A pullback could start as early as next month.

“We continue to monitor the employment situation in the US closely as this may change the pace of asset purchase tapering by the US Federal Reserve,” said Teoh Say Hwa, head of investments at Philip Futures in Singapore.

Tighter liquidity from any scale-back in the Fed’s bondbuying program could weigh on commodity prices, Teoh said. — Reuters

NEW YORK: Thirty minutes into the crippling outage that hobbled the Nasdaq stock market on Thursday afternoon, stopping all trading in $5.9 trillion worth of US equities, exchange officials had the problem fixed. It was another two-and-a-half hours, however, before they were ready to flip the switch and turn the all-electronic market back on.

Most of the 191 minutes that the exchange was dark was spent in sometimes frantic conversation with scores of banks, brokers, investment companies and rival exchanges who wanted Nasdaq’s assurance that a restoration of trading would be orderly and would not lead to panic. “We had to make sure all the exchanges were connected to us successfully and if the firms on the outside could get in,” said one Nasdaq official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, banks’ trading desks were cautioning Nasdaq, operated by Nasdaq OMX Group Inc, not to rush to reopen, fearing that a restart full of technical errors would only sap more confidence from rattled markets, according to three sources at brokerages and banks who declined to be identified. In the end, the reopening of trading did go relatively well. Transactions first restarted at 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) in a single microcap stock, Atlantic American Corp, a test case picked for its front-of-the-alphabet ticker. Twenty-five minutes later, the rest of the market opened, and, according to a Nasdaq statement, “The trading day finished in normal course.”

Shares of Nasdaq itself, which initially fell by more than 5 percent when trading resumed, recovered some of their lost ground to close the day 3.4 percent lower.

The widely tracked Nasdaq Composite Index gained nearly 1.1 percent.

While the worst case scenarios may have been averted, the outage still stands as among the most serious in a series of recent technological failures to hit the U.S. securities business, including a software issue at the Chicago Board Options Exchange this spring that delayed the start of trading there for half a day.

It was also the latest black eye for Nasdaq, which in May agreed to pay $10

million, the largest penalty ever against a stock exchange, to settle SEC civil charges over its mishandling of Facebook’s initial public offering in 2012. Late Thursday Nasdaq identified the problem as a “connectivity issue between an exchange participant and the SIP,” or Securities Information Processor - essentially the system that receives all traffic on quotes and orders for stocks on the exchange.

This problem “led to degradation in the ability of the SIP to disseminate consolidated quotes and trades,” Nasdaq said in a statement. “The cause of the issue has been identified and addressed.”

Whether it has been addressed to the satisfaction of regulators is another question. US Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White called for a meeting of Wall Street leaders to help insure the “continuous and orderly” functioning of securities markets.

The incident “should reinforce our collective commitment to addressing technological vulnerabilities of exchanges and other market participants,” she said. Thursday’s

outage could well give White fodder to press ahead with new rules, proposed in March, that would hold exchanges, clearing agencies and certain “dark pool” trading venues more accountable for taking steps to prevent potential systems disruptions.

The rules, if adopted, would replace the current regulatory model in which exchanges rely on voluntary guidance known as “Automation Review Policies” to address security and stability issues with their systems. The SEC rushed to roll out its proposal as a direct response to several high-profile software problems last year, including Nasdaq’s debacle with the Facebook IPO and a near-collapse at Knight Capital, a major Nasdaq market maker, as well as the two-day shutdown of the US equity market due to Superstorm Sandy.

Exchanges, including Nasdaq and rival NYSE Euronext, parent of the New York Stock Exchange, pushed back, citing a number of concerns, including costs and an “unduly broad” requirement to disseminate information to member firms about certain incidents. —Reuters

NEW YORK: An electronic display in Times Square displays news about the Nasdaq in New York on Thursday. Nasdaq halted trading because of a technical problem, the latest glitch to affect the stock market. —AP

German finances back in surplus as growth picks up Employment situation improves

LA ROCHELLE: France’s Economy minister Pierre Moscovici steps out of La Rochelle railway station to take part in the “Universites d’ete”, the PS summer congress yesterday in the Atlantic coastal city of La Rochelle. — AFP

FRANKFURT: Germany’s finances are back in surplus as growth rebounded in the second quarter, official data showed yesterday.

Germany ran up a general government surplus of 8.5 billion euros ($11.3 billion) in the first six months, equivalent to 0.6 percent of output, the national statistics Destatis calculated. “The budgets of central government, state governments, local government and social security funds benefited from a generally good employment situation and a stable economic development in the first half of 2013 compared with other European countries,” Destatis said in a statement. At the same time, the statisticians confirmed a preliminary estimate that the German economy, the biggest in Europe, expanded by 0.7 percent in the second quarter, powered by robust consumer and public spending, as well rising investment. Private consumption grew by 0.5 percent, public spending was up 0.6 percent and gross capital formation or investment rose by 0.9 percent, Destatis cal-

culated. This was partly owing to “weatherrelated catch-up effects following the unusually long and cold winter,” the statistics office said. In addition, 2.2 percent more goods and services were exported in the second quarter and imports were up by 2.0 percent.

“Consequently, the balance of exports and imports supported GDP, contributing 0.2 percentage points to growth,” it said.

ING DiBa economist Carsten Brzeski said the second-quarter growth figures were “simply wonderful. (It) is like one of your alltime favorite movies: you never get tired of watching it.”

The data “confirmed the impressive growth comeback of the German economy,” he said and predicted that institutes that have been forecasting a rapid slowdown in the second half of the year would now be compelled to change their outlook. “Up to now, it looks as if the economy is gaining rather than losing momentum. German confidence is not only benefiting from strong

domestic economic activity and hopes of a soft and not a hard landing of emerging economies but also from the latest improvements in the euro-zone,” Brzeski said. “It looks as if new growth hopes for the rest of the euro-zone are stimulating German confidence, which in turn could lead to higher German economic growth and could eventually become growth-supportive for the eurozone,” the expert said.

Natixis economnist Johannes Gareis was more cautious. “For the rest of this year, we expect the German economy to continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate,” he said.

Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics agreed. “In all, we are encouraged by these data and maintain our recently-revised forecast for the economy to expand by 0.5 percent this year as a whole. But the recovery looks set to be moderate, with growth of perhaps 1.0 percent in 2014 and 1.5 percent in 2015 — not enough to cause a meaningful rebalancing in the euro-zone.”—AFP

BUSINESS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Indonesia aims to boost economy as Asia struggles Move to shore sagging rupiah

JAMMU: Indian workers pour cement at a construction site on the Jammu-Srinagar highway on the outskirts of Jammu yesterday. The Indian economy, Asia’s third largest, grew 5 percent in the financial year ended March, its slowest in a decade and well off the 8 percent pace it had averaged over those 10 years. — AP

Government reassurance helps boost India’s rupee MUMBAI: India’s rupee recovered against the dollar in early trade yesterday, with investors reassured by comments from Finance Minister P Chidambaram and the central bank which lifted the currency off its historic lows, analysts said. The rupee, one of the worst performing currencies in Asia, hit a new lifetime low of 65.56 on Thursday, but was trading at 64.34 to the dollar yesterday morning.

“There is a bit of steadiness in trade, volatility is lower,” said Param Sarma, chief executive with consultancy firm NSP Forex. “The FM’s statements seem to have led to some calm.

The rupee can’t just keep falling one way,” Sarma said. The rupee has shed a fifth of its value this year, which Chidambaram said was “undervalued and overshot the reasonable and appropriate level”.

Chidambaram also said there was no plan to resort to more capital controls and that reviving growth, which has slumped to a decade low of five percent in the year to March, would remain the focus of government. Reserve Bank of India governor Duvvuri Subbarao on Thursday dismissed fears that the country was hurtling towards a balance of payments crisis similar to the one seen in 1991.

The RBI’s annual report for 2012-13, released Thursday, said India’s foreign exchange reserve, “although lower than in the pre-crisis period, is adequate to finance about seven months of imports”. Subbarao later said this was enough to manage the current situation.

The central bank and the government have been trying to stabilize the rupee for months by announcing measures such as hiking short-term interest rates and imposing limited capital controls.

Dealers have said they fear the rupee could weaken further-with Deutsche Bank analysts forecasting on Wednesday that it could fall to 70 to the dollar. Emerging market currencies have taken major hits recently as investors pull out money in anticipation the US Federal Reserve will begin to taper its stimulus effort, with India and Brazil also punished for slow growth. —AFP

JAKARTA: Indonesia yesterday announced measures to shore up its economy as Asia’s emerging nations come under huge pressure from outflows of foreign cash that have sent their stock markets and currencies plummeting.

The move comes as emerging markets around the world start to take action in response to investors fleeing on fears that the US may soon wind down its huge stimulus program, however analysts and investors were skeptical yesterday’s announcement would be enough to protect Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Indonesia said it would curb imports of luxury cars and take other steps to bolster national finances as Southeast Asia’s largest economy suffers a slumping currency and stock market.

Indonesia, along with countries such as India, Malaysia and Thailand, has been buffeted by an exodus of cash from its financial markets as improving economic prospects in the US and Europe reverse the tide of money that swept into developing nations the past few years.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa said yesterday the government will relax mineral export quotas and streamline the investment permit process. said the government will increase the import tax on luxury cars and some branded products, provide tax incentives for investment in agriculture and metal industries and seek to reduce oil imports.

Earlier this week, the Indian central bank said it would pump $1.26 billion into the country’s financial system to support the rupee and ailing economy, and yesterday Brazil said had put aside $55 billion to back up the sliding real. The US Federal Reserve’s stimulus scheme, unveiled in September to boost the US economy, has been credited with fuelling a global equity and currency rally as traders sought out better returns in developing economies.

However, with the US economy showing signs of strength the general feeling is that the Fed will start to pull the plug, leading investors to return to the West, where the dollar and equities look like a better and safer bet. India and Indonesia’s economic woes have been compounded by domestic problems, such as slowing growth, rising inflation and a widening cur-

JAKARTA: An employee shows stacks of rupiah banknotes at a money changer in Jakarta yesterday. Indonesia has announced measures to reduce its current account deficit as Southeast Asia’s largest economy suffers a slumping currency and stock market. — AP rent account deficit. Yesterday, Indonesian ministers announced steps aimed at reducing the current account deficit and making investment easier in what is a notoriously difficult business climate. “We are taking every step to deal with the impact of global turbulence,” Finance Minister Chatib Basri told reporters in the capital Jakarta.

“I have always said that bad times make good policies.” The government said it will hike taxes for imports of some luxury goods, reduce oil and gas imports by increasing the use of biodiesel, and boost exports with tax breaks for certain industries, he said.

It also said it was aiming to make investment in projects in the agricultural and mineral sectors easier, while the central bank announced several measures to shore up the rupiah. Official data last week revealed that the current account deficit widened to $9.8 billion in the second quarter, the biggest shortfall since the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s.

Analysts were unsure about the proposals. “I don’t believe it will give a boost to confidence in the short term,” Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, Jakarta-based chief economist at Danareksa Research Institute, told AFP, adding that many would not be convinced the government would follow

through on the promises.

The plan did not impress investors either, with the Jakarta benchmark index closing down 0.04 after sitting 1.42 percent higher earlier in the day. The index is down around nine percent this week, while the rupiah is sitting just short of 11,000 to the dollar, its lowest since mid-2009.

Indonesia’s woes are mirrored in India, where the rupee on Thursday sank to a record low 65.56 to the dollar, with some market-watchers warning political intransigence in New Delhi could even see the unit fall to 70. “The only long-term solutiondeep economic, political and social reforms is unlikely ahead of the upcoming elections and possibly for years to come,” said Credit Agricole economist Dariusz Kowalczyk in a note. Among other regional markets, Bangkok is down more than six percent, while Manila slid six percent on Thursday, its only trading day so far this week.

However, some observers believe that the tapering off of the Fed’s stimulus program might not be bad news for Asia in the long term. “The tapering and tightening of US monetary policy, when it occurs, will not be a bad thing for the region’s economies,” Singapore Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said at a regional business forum. —AFP

Electric carmaker Tesla hits roadblock in China BEIJING/SHANGHAI: Popular electric carmaker Tesla Motors Inc’s plans to enter the world’s biggest auto market have stalled after a businessman in China claimed trademark rights to the name, people close to the California-based company have told Reuters.

The maker of the best-selling US electric car, the premium Model S sedan with a price tag of $70,000, had originally hoped to launch a flagship showroom in Beijing at the start of the year, according to three sources, but has had to put that idea on hold due in part to the trademark issue.

As a result, the 10-year-old company’s first shop-front in China, at the Parkview Green Fangcaodi mall in the capital, sits boarded up. While there is no Tesla sign, the shop is adorned with billboards of the Model S, which was launched in the United States last year.

In addition to the trademark issue, Tesla has yet to complete product registration with Chinese authorities

enabling the sale of the Model S, although one of the sources said Tesla was almost through with the process.

Kingston Chang, general manager of Tesla China, did not respond to requests for comment. Atsuko Doi, a Tokyobased Tesla spokeswoman, said the company had this week begun taking “reservations” for the battery-powered Model S in China. The company opened its first Asian showroom in Tokyo in 2010.

“We are planning to open a Beijing store this year,” Doi said in an email this week, without providing further details. Zhan Baosheng, the businessman in the southern China province of Guangdong, owns the “Tesla” trademark in China, according to his agent who processed the papers to register the name with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

An official with Jinda Trademark, the Guangzhoubased agency Zhan used to make a registration for the Tesla name, said Zhan registered the name in 2006. She

declined to give any details about Zhan.

According to Jinda Trademark, Zhan registered trademarks to the Tesla name in both English and Chinese.

Zhan runs a website using the Tesla China domain and operates a Tesla-branded account on popular Chinese microblog site Sina Weibo, collecting information from consumers interested in placing orders for or getting more information about his “Tesla” cars. Zhan’s Tesla website carries a brand logo almost identical to American Tesla logo, and showcases one product, though the car looks nothing like the Tesla Model S The website says the company’s “dream is to build China’s best electric car.”

Legal experts familiar with trademark disputes in China said it might be difficult for Tesla to resolve the trademark issue unless it buys Zhan out.

China has rules that protect globally renowned brands, but that might not apply in the case of relatively new companies such as Tesla. —Reuters

business SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

ABN AMRO bad debts rise as govt plans sale Finance minister to outline vision for banks

ATHENS: Hospital staff chant slogans during a protest outside the Greek health ministry in central Athens yesterday. — AP

Crisis-hit Greeks swing for solace ATHENS: Six years into a deep recession that shows little sign of abating, hundreds of stressed-out Greeks are turning to the “swing” to dance their worries away.

Greeks of all ages are signing up for courses at swing academies to learn a dance that-with a bit of historic irony-was itself born during an even deeper crisis, the Great Depression that gripped the United States in the 1930s.

“Five years ago, there was no swing scene in Athens and this dance was not part of Greek culture,” said Josephine “Joss” Yannakopoulou, a French-Greek instructor running one of the capital’s two swing schools.

“At the time, we began with eight pupils. Now we have hundreds,” said Yannakopoulou. It was a difficult start, and the school only began turning a profit last year.

But now, business is so successful that Yannakopoulou ditched her academic career-teaching musicology and history of dance in Edinburgh-to focus exclusively on the school.

Her partner Ben Librojo, who also hails from Edinburgh, likewise abandoned his computer career for full-time residence in Athens. “At the time, I was wondering if it was worth investing in the school, then someone told me during a financial crisis people want to forget the difficult moments and escape the daily grind,” said Librojo.

“And it turned out to be true.” There are over 1.3 million unemployed in Greece, nearly a third of the total workforce.

‘We forget our problems’And even those lucky enough to have a job have gone through a four-year austerity gauntlet forced on Greece by its international creditors, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The situation is expected to even out next year, but such forecasts have been proven wrong before. In fact, the Greek economy was originally expected to return to growth in 2012.

In this kind of gloom, dance appears to be the right antidote. “My pupils often count the days for the next class,” said Yannakopoulou. “In a way, it’s the crisis that brought about a swing trend,” said Nasos Dimalexis, a 43-year-old software engineer taking instruction at Yannakopoulou’s Athens Swing Cats academy.

In addition to giving classes, the swing schools also organise street dance displays to attract further interest.”We forget our problems, we enjoy ourselves and the parties here are affordable, as are the drinks,” said Dimalexis.

Swing dances-sometimes called jitterbug-developed alongside the rise of jazz music in the 1920s, mostly among African American communities, with the Harlem-based Lindy Hop among the best known.

“It’s a social dance, cheerful and spontaneous, and it helps to escape from one’s problems,” said Mariangela Salihou, one of the operators of the capital’s second swing school, Athens Lindy Hop. But the economic setting is never far away and the dancers have held annual charity events to help the needy for the past three years.

Last year’s proceeds were given to the homeless while this year’s were directed to struggling families in Athens. —AFP

AMSTERDAM: State-owned Dutch lender ABN AMRO warned yesterday that the weak domestic economy would lead to higher bad debts, underlining the challenge the government faces as it prepares for the bank’s eventual sale. The Netherlands is expected to push ahead with an initial public offering (IPO) despite current valuations pitching its value at less than half the amount the government poured into its 2008 rescue and later additional support.

By comparison, Britain is expected to make a profit when it sells part of its 39 percent stake in Lloyds Banking Group , possibly next month. However, its sale of Royal Bank of Scotland, whose disastrous 70 billion-plus euro acquisition of ABN in 2007 cost both British and Dutch governments dearly, looks a long way off. Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem will hold a press conference later on Friday, at which he is expected to outline his vision for the Dutch banking sector and the government’s ABN AMRO exit strategy.

Though the bank also reported that second-quarter profit had dipped by 3 percent from the previous three months, analysts said that an IPO is unlikely to be derailed, provided that the economy starts to improve by next year. “They will probably sell ABN AMRO by the end of next year,” said Keijser Capital’s Nico van Geest, adding that the bank’s results show a positive trend.

He puts ABN AMRO’s value at about 11 to 12 billion euros, and said that, assuming the state keeps a minority stake, the government could aim to raise 8 to 9 billion euros in an IPO. The Dutch government paid out nearly 40 billion euros to rescue the domestic financial sector in 2008, when it provided capital injections for banking and insurance group ING, insurer Aegon, and financial group SNS Reaal, as well as nationalizing ABN AMRO. Five years later the Dutch global banks are shadows of their former selves after numerous divestments and thousands of job cuts have left them largely focused on their domestic market and European backyard. The rescue of ABN AMRO and its related entities cost 16.8 billion euros initially,

with subsequent support lifting the cost to 27.9 billion euros, the finance ministry said yesterday.

The government had to step in again in February, delivering a 10 billion euro package to prevent SNS Reaal from collapsing under property loan losses. The eventual sale of ABN AMRO, the third-largest bank, and SNS Reaal, No. 4, would be a welcome contribution to state finances at a time when the Netherlands is struggling to meet the European Union’s deficit target of 3 percent of economic output. ABN AMRO said that second-quarter net profit slipped 3 percent to 402 million euros ($536.5 million) from the first three months as impairment charges on loans and other receivables increased by 292 million euros, reflecting the effects of the recession and wiping out a one-off gain of 182 million euros. However, net interest income rose 4 percent to 1.36 billion euros thanks to higher margins on loans, both for retail and commercial banking, while net fee and commission income was steady at 417 million euros.

While the economies of Germany and France grew faster than expected in the sec-

ond quarter, pulling the euro zone out of recession, the Dutch economy has been hit hard by plunging house prices and a decline in consumer spending, leaving it mired in recession. The government’s economic forecaster, CPB, said the economy is now expected to shrink 1.25 percent this year, compared with a previous forecast of a 1 percent contraction. Growth is seen at 0.75 percent in 2014, against June’s 1 percent forecast.

“We are predominantly exposed to the Dutch economy and hence to the current economic downturn, which led to a sharp rise in loan impairments,” ABN AMRO Chief Executive, Gerrit Zalm, said in a statement, warning that loan impairments for the full year would exceed last year’s level.

Zalm, a former finance minister, said in June that ABN AMRO was ready for a public listing, but he caught the finance ministry unprepared when he told Dutch media yesterday morning that Dijsselbloem would outline his plans for the bank later in the day.

Dijsselbloem had been expected to announce his plans for the banking sector, including ABN AMRO, in a letter to parliament in the coming weeks. — Reuters

AMSTERDAM: CEO of Dutch bank ABN AMRO Gerrit Zalm (left) and CFO Kees van Dijkhuizen attend the presentation of the interim results for 2013 in Amsterdam yesterday.— AFP

Gold edges down, Fed stimulus cut in focus LONDON: Gold edged down yesterday, trading below a two-month high hit earlier this week, as the dollar steadied and US investors sought further clarity on the outlook for US monetary policy.

Strong US jobs and manufacturing data this week has added to expectations the Federal Reserve is set to curb its bullionfriendly stimulus measures, but investors looked for a better picture on the timing and scope of any reduction before placing fresh bets, analysts said. Spot gold was down 0.2 percent at $1,372.61 an ounce by 1203 GMT. It was set to end the week little changed after a near 5 percent gain last week. US gold futures for December delivery were up $1.90 at $1,372.70 an ounce.

“If the Fed is going to taper in September, that will be the binary event. It could have quite a big impact on gold,” said Matt Turner, an analyst at Macquarie.

“The next big event is the non-farm payrolls for September.” Europe’s main stock

markets were largely steady by mid-morning, after Asia saw an upbeat end to a torrid week, while the dollar was up 0.1 percent against a basket of currencies.

Gold prices have fallen by nearly a fifth this year on the back of speculation that the Fed may rein in its $85 billion monthly bond-buying program as early as next month. It said earlier this year that the timing of such a move would depend on the US economic recovery, and particularly the jobs market, which has brought US data releases into particular focus for gold traders. Demand in top buyers India and China has been subdued ahead of a peak wedding and festival season that kicks off next month.

“Once the summer is over, we will see consistent buying from September through the end of the year,” said Peter Fung, head of dealing at Hong Kong’s Wing Fung Precious Metals. Premiums in Hong Kong, a supplier of gold to China, have fallen to about $4 an ounce over

London spot prices as of Friday, dealers said, from $5 last week. India may restart imports soon, after the central bank clarified a new rule that brought the flow into the world’s top gold consumer to a standstill at the end of July. The top gold consumer is battling with a record trade deficit.

South Africa’s National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is consulting its membership on a strike in the gold industry, which could start next week, halting production for the country’s main mineral export. NUM said its members in the construction sector would down tools on Monday, despite pleas from President Jacob Zuma and other government leaders for peaceful wage negotiations in Africa’s largest economy.

Silver was last trading at $23.02 an ounce, down 0.4 percent. Platinum gained 0.2 percent to $1,539.49 an ounce, while palladium was down 0.1 percent, at $750.72 an ounce.— Reuters

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Ben Affleck succeeds Christian Bale as Batman Page 23 www.kuwaittimes.net

Farm to facial, guys welcome spa trends Page 27

Picture taken on August 22, 2013 at sunset shows a barge along the Seine River in Paris. At background left is seen the Eiffel Tower. —AFP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Fall Movie Preview

‘Hunger Games,’ ‘Thor’ Shoot for record-breaking 2013 at the box office

K

Casinos to spin Timberlake,

Affleck poker film as cautionary tale

J

ustin Timberlake and Ben Affleck have Las Vegas on edge. They are the stars of a new film about the murky world of unauthorised online poker that could cast an unwelcome spotlight on a fledgling legal market that Sin City’s biggest players are betting on. Timberlake and Affleck are set to walk the red carpet with other celebrities at Caesars Palace next month for the premiere of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc’s “Runner, Runner.” In the movie, Affleck plays an online gambling tycoon in Costa Rica confronted by Timberlake, a graduate student who believes he’s been swindled by the gaming site.

It is a departure from the run of films like the “Hangover” series and “Ocean’s 11” that glamorized casinos and the Las Vegas Strip. “People very well could get the wrong idea,” said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance.

“Not all offshore operators are unregulated bad guys. This is a dramatization, let’s be clear about that. It shows what could be happening in a worst-case scenario.”

Industry groups like the American Gaming Association are preparing advertising and discussion screenings around the film’s release, to draw a distinction between its portrayal of the seedy trappings of global online poker, and a federally regulated market they’re trying to plug. A legal, well-supervised market safeguards against fraud and cheating, and increases revenues, its proponents argue. Vegas’ biggest players see online poker as a new market that can offset slowing growth from table-gambling on the Strip. It is a market expected to grow by more than $10 billion in coming years from about $4 billion bet through unauthorized sites as of 2011.

A few states have already begun legalizing Web poker, eyeing the tax revenues the games will bring. Yet the 2011 US Department of Justice crackdown on foreign operators has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. “The specifics of the film are not what we’re associating ourselves with,” said Joe Versaci, chief marketing officer for Station Casino Inc’s Ultimate Gaming, the first company to take online bets in the US in the state of Nevada in April. It has applied for a Web gaming license in New Jersey, which is expected to launch online betting in November.

Spin doctors The problem for most Vegas operators is they have teamed up with more-experienced poker-game operators overseas, which the film portrays in a sordid light. Caesars tied up with London-listed 888 Holdings Plc MGM Resorts has aligned with Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc, to name a few. Offshore poker websites like PokerStars were the forces behind the last online poker boom, starting around 2003.

That all changed on April 15, 2011, known in the industry as “Black Friday,” when the US Department of Justice indicted the founders of these sites on charges of bank fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling.

The sites were closed to US players, but now tax-hungry states like Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware are passing online gambling laws, re-opening the market. The American Gaming Association, trade group for the world’s big casinos, has decided to spin the movie as part of its lobbying platform for expanded online gaming regulation. AGA President Geoff Freeman, in an email sent to its board last week obtained by Reuters, plans to argue that the film underscores the risk of a poorly-regulated market. —Reuters

atniss Everdeen, the God of Thunder and a treasurehunting hobbit will do the heavy lifting at the box office this fall - but if 2013 is going to beat last year, studios need prestige movies to connect in a big way, too. As summer draws to a close, theatrical revenues are running roughly even with 2012. That means not only will “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” have to be the blockbuster smash most predict, but more serious-minded films - like the Alfonso Cuaron space thriller “Gravity” and the Ron Howard racing drama “Rush” will have to surge.

“Last year was the biggest year the business has ever had, but I am absolutely confident that we can beat it,” Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution at Warner Bros., told TheWrap. “I think we’ve overcome a really soft first quarter and if you look at the overall trend we’re going to creep ahead of where we ended up last year.” An unusually strong holiday season, with ticket sales up more than 16 percent, lifted the North American box office more than 6 percent to $10.8 billion in 2012. It was the first time the domestic box office grew since 2009. Is this year’s slate strong enough to prevent a backslide? Studio distribution chiefs say they’re confident that it is largely because this season offers a wider range of films.

They note that while last fall was thin on family titles (except for “Rise of the Guardians,” a box-office disappointment), this year boasts the Disney animated film “Frozen,” the 3D film “Walking with Dinosaurs” and “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” And it’s not just stuff for tykes and preteens spreading optimism: In addition to established franchises like “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” and “Thor: The Dark World,” studios are betting that blockbuster hopefuls like “Ender’s Game” and “47 Ronin” can draw crowds and spawn sequels.

“On paper at least, there’s something for everyone,” Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution at 20th Century Fox, told TheWrap. Not everyone is as sanguine. Some box office analysts argue that this year’s crop of contenders looks weaker, arguing that there are fewer titles with four-quadrant appeal to match the popularity of last fall’s “Skyfall” or “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.”

“It’s looking a little bit soft for the rest of the year,” Bruce Nash, founder of the box office statistics site The Numbers, told TheWrap. “Looking ahead, it’s hard to identify any films other than ‘The Hunger Games’ that can give the box office a huge boost.” The fact that the box office is running even with last year at all is surprising. After all, 2013 marks the first time in a decade that there was not a James Bond, Transformers, Harry Potter, Batman or Spider-Man film in theaters.

That lack of tentpole thoroughbreds was acutely felt earlier this year. Heading into the summer, the box office was down roughly 12 percent. But the success of massive comic book films like “Iron Man 3” and “Man of Steel,” along with a series of lower to mid-budget breakouts such as “The Conjuring” and “The Purge,” helped make up the lost ground. Through last weekend the domestic box office was roughly $7.3 billion, roughly flat with where 2012 was at a similar point.

“It’s a year that has so far been a turtle not a rabbit, with a box office comprised of a bunch of singles and doubles and an overall philosophy that pennies make nickels, nickels make dimes and dimes make quarters,” Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Entertainment, said.

To continue the turnaround, certain things need to break Hollywood’s way. Not only do “The Hunger Games” and “The Hobbit” need to match or surpass the $700 million and $1 billion their previous installments made, but “Thor: The Dark World” must expand its audience. Disney is confident that the latter is possible, because of what the studio’s executive vice president of distribution Dave Hollis refers to as “The post’Avengers’ effect.” He notes that “Iron Man 3” nearly doubled the haul of the second film in the series, in part because the super-team film broadened the appeal of the Marvel Comics characters.

“I think we’re going to see a similar impact with ‘Thor,’” Hollis said. “It might not be to the same degree as ‘Iron Man,’ but there is something about the momentum that the Marvel brand is experiencing after we successfully brought all these heroes together. It just adds to the buzz.” However, fall movies

traditionally offer more than just escapism. This year, a litany of auteur filmmakers like the Coen brothers (“Inside Llewyn Davis”), Martin Scorsese (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), Spike Jonze (“Her”), Paul Greengrass (“Captain Phillips”) and Alexander Payne (“Nebraska”) are creating serious-minded fare aimed at adult audiences and Oscar voters.

Despite their impressive pedigrees, the films can’t be so high-minded that they fail to break out of the arthouse. What set last year apart was that seven of the nine films up for the

Academy Award for Best Picture grossed more than $100 million domestically. In 2011, only one of the nominees had that distinction. Erik Lomis, the Weinstein Co.’s head of distribution, admits that with new films from Scorsese, Cuaron and others all vying for attention, any project that asks audiences to think and feel instead of merely gaze at digital wonders faces a hard road to profitability. Instead of star power or CGI, the most important selling point is artistic excellence, he argued. “There’s a lot of high caliber, high quality film out there,” he said. “It looks like it will be extremely crowded, but at the end of the day, cream rises to the top. The better films will find an audience.” — Reuters

New York Met expands live opera broadcast program

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ew York’s Metropolitan Opera said Wednesday it has expanded its program of live broadcasts for the 2013-2014 season, with 10 operas to be shown in 1,900 movie theaters in dozens of countries.

The season kicks off on October 5 with a new production of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin” and wraps up on May 10 with Rossini’s “La Cenerentola.” The Met will unveil four new productions including Verdi’s “Falstaff” conducted by music director James Levine, who has been absent for nearly three years due to poor health.

Levine will lead the first live broadcast of Mozart’s “Cosi Fan Tutte” on April 26. This is the eighth season that the Met has offered live broadcasts subtitled in nine languages, including Swedish for the first time this year, the Met said. Sixty-four countries take part in the program.

More than 85 theaters have been added across Britain, Germany and Sweden in response to high demand for the Live in HD series. Productions are shown in nearly 750 theaters in the United States.

Audiences will be “watching live from Vancouver to Moscow, and on a delayed basis in Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand,” said Met general manager Peter Gelb. —AFP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Ben Affleck succeeds Christian Bale as Batman

US

actor Ben Affleck will replace Christian Bale in the next Batman film, Warner Bros Pictures said. Affleck will appear in a Batman-Superman mega flick slated for release in 2015 that follows on the heels of this summer’s Superman hit “Man of Steel.” Bale, who played the title role in Christopher Nolan’s “Batman” trilogy, had left the doors wide open for a new successor. “We knew we needed an extraordinary actor to take on one of DC Comics’ most enduringly popular super heroes, and Ben Affleck certainly fits that bill and then some,” said Warner Bros. president Greg Silverman in a statement.

The film, which is not yet titled, will be directed by Zack Snyder, who was behind this summer’s “Man of

Germans love ‘Django,’ Japan digs ‘Monsters U’ and other overseas

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he British love “Les Miserables,” Japan’s favorite film this year has been “Monsters University” and in Germany, Austria and Sweden, the leader is still ...

“Django Unchained”? With Disney/Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” blasting away overseas - more than $805 million of its $1.21 billion worldwide comes from abroad - it’s easy to presume it No. 1 across the map. That’s true in the majority of the biggest markets, including Russia, Brazil, France and Australia.

But a random (and unscientific) survey of the top films in various markets turns up a few anomalies that might surprise. Piracy, varying screen-counts, release dates, local distributors - and cultural differences, of course - make pure apples-to-apples comparisons impossible. In the case of China, where the game is rigged to favor homegrown films, “Iron Man 3” is actually No. 2 with $121 million, behind local hit “Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons,” which has brought in $198 million, according to Box Office Mojo.

But in the U, Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s “Despicable Me 2” moved into the top spot this week with $68 million. The minions are No. 2 on the list of overall foreign earners - so their leading is no shock. It’s movie it blew past that raises eyebrows: Universal’s Hugh Jackman-Anne Hathaway musical “Les Miserables,” which has run up $64 million since opening in January. “Iron Man 3” is third with $57 million.

“Django Unchained,” which Sony is distributing overseas, opened in January and is still No. 1 in Germany with $51 million. It’s way ahead the runner-up, “The Hangover Part III,” which has brought in $31 million since late May. The cool response to Guillermo del Toro’s “Pacific Rim” in Japan is surprising, given that country’s historic attachment to giant robots and kaiju monsters. But filmmakers shouldn’t be surprised: They set the big battles in Hong Kong, cast a Chinese female lead and made China’s jaeger big and red-not the best way to steer clear of enduring cultural friction between the nations. They also made more than $100 million in China.

So the Japanese didn’t go for “Pacific Rim.” But how many people would guess the year’s top film there would be Disney and Pixar’s “Monsters University,” with nearly $68 million? A Japanese movie, “The Wind Rises,” is second; and “Ted,” Universal’s potty-mouthed teddy bear movie, is third with $44 million since opening there in March. “Iron Man 3” never took flight. It’s tenth on the list with $25 million, behind Disney’s “Wreck-It-Ralph,” which is No. 8 with nearly $30 million.

Fox’s animated cave family tale “The Croods” is Spain’s top-grosser this year $18 million since opening in March, but “Despicable Me 2” is hot on its heels at $15.5 million. “Iron Man 3” is the top American film in Finland this year, but it’s behind three domestic movies: “21 Ways to Ruin a Marriage,” “Rolli and the Golden Key” and “The Year of ‘85 - Rock Your Memories.” At least Disney is distributing the retro music film there. And Slovakians plainly love the Wolf Pack. “The Hangover Part III” is the year’s leading movie there with $743,000. —Reuters

Steel” starring Henry Cavill of Britain. Cavill will appear alongside Affleck in the 2015 film. “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” Snyder said.

“Man of Steel” has earned some $650 million worldwide and $290 million in North America alone.

Affleck is no stranger to superheros, having played Matt Murdock in the 2003 flop “Daredevil.” More notably, Affleck arrived at the pinnacle of Hollywood accomplishment in 2013 when his movie “Argo” won the Oscar for best film last February. — AFP

Director Ben Affleck arrives at the 85th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel California. —AFP

French hit film ‘Amelie’ to become Broadway musical

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he 2001 hit French film “Amelie,” beloved by audiences at home and abroad, is headed for Broadway, according to US composer Dan Messe. Few other details have emerged on the stage version of JeanPierre Jeunet’s internationally acclaimed film, which cast a nostalgic eye on contemporary Paris and catapulted actress Audrey Tautou to stardom. “So not the best kept secret, but still I’m happy to announce that I’ve been commissioned to adapt the film ‘Amelie’ for Broadway,” Messe wrote on his band Hem’s Facebook page last week, after several leaks in the trade press.

Messe will collaborate with playwright Craig Lucas and composer

Nathan Tysen on the adaptation, according to the post. The film, which sold 8.6 million tickets in France and earned $152 million worldwide, tells the story of a shy waitress who sets out from Paris’s Montmartre neighborhood

on a mission to make others happy.

“Amelie” won four Cesar Awards in France and was nominated for five Oscars, including best foreign language film, although it went home emptyhanded. — AFP

British, US films compete for Venice Golden Lion prize

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ollywood honchos and aspiring stars will be boating into Venice for a dark, crisis-themed film festival from Wednesday, with British and American films dominating the race for the coveted Golden Lion award. George Clooney and co-star Sandra Bullock will rock the red carpet on the opening night, kicking off the festival with the hotly anticipated “Gravity”, a 3D sci-fi thriller starring the pair as astronauts. “Gravity”, a harrowing space drama about a fight for survival when a debris shower destroys a shuttle, is Mexican Alfonso Cuaron’s first work since “Children of Men” seven years ago, and promises to leave viewers gasping for air.

The film is one of several hellish tales at the festival, which features the return of the family as the vessel for social, political and economic crisis, from child abuse and abductions to absent fathers and marriage breakdowns. The 53 films screening reflect a “dark and violent reality”, festival director Alberto Barbera said in Rome last month as he unveiled the line-up.

“Filmmakers are not giving any signs of optimism or a way out,” he said. Five of the 20 flicks vying for the coveted Golden Lion prize hail from the United States, including the reportedly gruelling “Parkland”, Peter Landesman’s re-creation of John F. Kennedy’s assassination through the eyes of those battling to save him.

David Gordon Green’s “Joe”, a brutal drama starring Nicholas Cage as an ex-con who becomes an unlikely role model for a homeless child, runs against Kelly Reichardt’s “Night Moves” about ecoactivists plotting to blow up a dam. And James Franco fans will be watching for “Child of God”, an adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel about a cave dweller who rejects the social order. The large US presence in competition is “a sign of the vitality and richness of American cinema,” Barbera said, though “the real novelty is represented by the UK films. We’re living in a period of great revival for British cinema.”

Among them, Stephen Frears-director of “The Queen”-unveils the true story of

“Philomena”, starring Judi Dench as a mother seeking the son she gave up for adoption, and Steve Coogan as the journalist who helps her in her quest. And Monty Python star Terry Gilliam unveils computer-hacker drama “The Zero Theorem”, featuring Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz as a reclusive maths genius. For the first time, two documentaries will also be running for the top prize: American Errol Morris’s “The Unknown Known: The Life and Times of Donald Rumsfeld” and Italian Gianfranco Rosi’s “Sacro GRA” about a ring road in Rome.

“We’ve learnt that the distinction between fiction and documentaries belongs to the past, modern cinema moves constantly between the two,” Barbera said. —AFP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Lakme Fashion Week

Hendricks talks ‘Mad Men’ signature fashion C

hristina Hendricks says she’s feeling weepy as “Mad Men” approaches its seventh and final season. Hendricks, who plays Joan Harris, said Thursday that she plans on enjoying “every second” of filming when it resumes in November.

She was in Chicago to host the opening of the city’s Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival.

Hendricks talked about the show’s signature style, saying Joan

started wearing higher necklines when she got married and power suits when she was promoted within the advertising firm.

That’s different from Hendricks’ personal style, which she says is whimsical and romantic. And she lets her hair down too, as opposed to Joan’s “Mad Men” updo. But the critically adored AMC show has influenced her. Hendricks says she never owned a pencil skirt before “Mad Men” started. — AP

Images released by AMC shows actress Christina Hendricks, who portrays Joan Harris, in a scene from ‘Mad Men.’ — AP photos

Models showcase creations during a fashion show on the first day of Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festival 2013.

Indian Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar poses with designer Manish Malhotra during the Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) Winter/Festival 2013 in Mumbai yesterday. — AFP photos

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid turns 100 C

openhagen’s Little Mermaid statue celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday with parties for children as well as grownups, illustrating the universal appeal of Hans Christian Andersen’s poignant fairytale. Perched on a rock in the water just off the starshaped Kastellet fortress near the city’s harbor, the small bronze-skinned sculpture has become a Danish icon on a par with Carlsberg, the brewery once owned by the man who financed it.

Today, millions of children know the Little Mermaid from the Disney movie and the merchandise it spawned, but the original story lacks the happy ending of the animated film. In the Danish saga, the mermaid rescues a prince at sea and falls in love, giving up her aquatic life to be with him on land.

However, to turn her fishtail into legs, she has to give up her voice, and speechlessly she watches her prince marry someone else. In sorrow, she throws herself back into the ocean and turns into foam.

With their unique blend of satire, warmth and humor, HC Andersen’s fairytales revolutionized children’s literature. Born in the central city of Odense, Andersen’s penchant for making the underdog the protagonist of his stories helped the tales spread around the world, said Per-Olof Mattsson, a lecturer at the Department of Literature and History of Ideas at Stockholm University.

“Andersen was a pioneer in creating an interest for fairytales, which were previously instructive, authoritarian and

Tourists taking pictures of Copenhagen’s landmark ‘Little Mermaid’ at Langelinie in Copenhagen, Denmark, early morning yesterday as the statue celebrates her 100th birthday. — AFP moralistic,” Mattson said. “He let the weakest steer the perspectives, with sympathy for the vulnerable,” he added.

The mermaid, or Den lille havfrue, as she’s known to the Danes, is still a major tourist attraction in the Danish capital.

The neat figure with the heartbroken gaze, unveiled a century ago on August 23, 1913, has become the symbol of the city of Copenhagen just like the Eiffel Tower has in Paris and Big Ben in London. Earlier this week, visitors were jostling on the shore to get the best photo of the 100-year-old lady. Cai Kewen, a Chinese tour guide, said she always brought visitors to the small stat-

ue at the Langelinje quay.

“Many people have read the stories

by HC Andersen and want to see the Little Mermaid,” said Cao, who has shown the 1.25-metre (4.1-feet) tall mermaid to sightseers for the last ten years.

“But visitors always ask me, ‘Why is it so small?’. They believe it would be much larger.” Others praised its simplicity. “We loved it,” said American Irmgard Alberts who had joined a canal cruise in the city.

“The statue is so simple and well displayed.”

The tale of the statue began in 1909, when brewer Carl Jacobsen, of the Carlsberg beer, saw ballerina Ellen Price

perform the Little Mermaid at Copenhagen’s Royal Theatre. Jacobsen, an avid art collector, was so impressed by what he had seen that he commissioned artist Edvard Eriksen to create a sculpture of the mermaid as a gift to the city. Since then the mermaid’s storied life on land has included meetings with vandals and a trip abroad.

In 1964, her head was stolen and a new one had to be made for her. She lost her arm in 1984 and was decapitated a second time in 1998, but this time the culprits seemingly had a change of heart and returned the loot anonymously. She has also had paint poured over her several times, been pushed into the water and was even dressed in a burka in 2004 to protest plans for Turkey to join the EU. In 2006, a dildo was attached to her hand on International Women’s Day. Denmark’s most popular centenarian saw the world with her own eyes in 2010 after crossing the seas to be part of the Danish pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo. During her time away, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei exhibited a multimedia installation at the Copenhagen site. But for her birthday, the Little Mermaid was back in the spotlight, and still bringing in the crowds.

Celebrations were scheduled throughout yesterday, including Tivoli Garden’s traditionally dressed boy guards singing birthday songs for her. One hundred live mermaids were also due to swim in the water around her, forming the number 100. — AFP

This fall is time

to get excited about new pants

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ants are always popular, especially with real women and real lives to lead, but they rarely spark a lot of excitement. What can you do with two legs and a waistband, after all? More than you think, responds the fashion industry this fall. “Pants feed back into the overarching idea of personal style,” says Samira Nasr, fashion director at Elle magazine. “There really is a choice in how adventurous do you want to be.”

She adds: “Pants are the go-to because they are the most comfortable thing, they look good and they are a functional garment. Women can go about their day and feel ‘dressed.’” Still, can you get the compliments with pants that you always seem to receive when you wear a new dress?

Absolutely, says designer Nanette Lepore: Find your fit and a good tailor, and the kind words will come. A teenager or even a young 20-something who probably mostly wears jeans or shorts has never really lived through a high-fashion pants moment, she says. This is her chance.

She can break away from leggings or skinny jeans - or at least try them in prints - and she should try the relaxed track-pant silhouette that has broken out as a trend, says Lepore, who designs a youthful line for JCPenney called L’Amour. “It’s going to be a little bit of a leap for her, but she’s going to get the

coolness of them.” “I have them on today,” Lepore said. “I wear them with a nice peasant top - I decided to mix it with something soft and feminine - but most girls will wear it with a simple T-shirt. But I wanted to move it to a new place if we’re going to make it our new go-to pant.”

For a more sophisticated customer, she’d recommend clean, slim-leg trousers paired with a tailored suit jacket. “I really think the suit could be the new dress.” And Lepore says higher waistbands are on the way.

As for the wide-leg option, it’s out there, especially a cropped style that landed on Nasr’s radar after previews of the resort collections that will be available around the holidays. She predicts there will be even more of them next spring, but adds that they’re an acquired taste and won’t be for everyone.

Lepore says women “just love skinny pants. We will put other things on the runway, like that soft pant, which morphed into a cargo pant, but I don’t see a flared leg coming back anytime soon.”

The jumpsuit, however, is ripe for a return, says designer Abi Ferrin, who spent three years retooling the silhouette to create one she thought would work for her own more curvy This product image released by Loft shows a model wearing a ponte slim boot cut pants.

shape. Ferrin is better known for her dresses, but she really wanted the jumpsuit in her repertoire. Her newest twist for fall is a jumpsuit with the genie-style, cinched-bottom ankle.

“It seems scary until you try it on, but you put it on, and put on a tall shoe, and it looks great,” Ferrin says.

“It’s work upfront, but it’s one and done. You get the ease of pants, but all you have to do is add earrings and a cuff bracelet.” But trying on pants is something many women dread, says Devina Foley, vice president of merchandising at retailer Loft. She’s been dubbed “the pants whisperer” inside the company as she has worked with chief style director Alia Ahmed-Yahia to overhaul the design, fit and overall shopping experience for pants.

“There are a lot of women who need to hire a baby sitter because they know it’s going to take them so long to get pants,” says Foley. It doesn’t have to be that way; it could be a five-minute transaction, she pledges. The last time pants were a must-have for the important fall shopping season was about five years ago, and there has been improvement in fabric technology since then.

There are good options with some wool and some cotton - but all with stretch - that will allow for some drape but still have a smoothing effect, Foley says. At Loft, the waistband also has become a little wider to create the look of a flatter middle, and the side seam down the leg has been moved forward slightly so the front looks slimmer. —AP

This product image released by Loft shows a model wearing a mid-weight scuba straight pants.

A model wearing a black watch plaid ankle pants.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Renoir’s personal items coming to NYC auction

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illed as the single-largest archive of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s personal property, an upcoming auction of hundreds of personal letters, photos and other memorabilia offers a candid look inside the master painter’s life as an artist, loving husband and devoted father. The Renoir Estate Collection is set to be sold in New York on Sept 19 as 143 lots. Heritage Auctions has estimated its value at $3 million.

In addition, the sale includes 19 original sculptural plaster models, or maquettes, created during Renoir’s twilight years between 1913 and 1918 with the help of a young assistant, Richard Guino. A consum-

Brian Roughton, managing director of fine art at the Heritage Auctions, opens a case displaying items from the personal archives of artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir in Dallas. —AP photos Brian Roughton, managing director of fine art at the Heritage Auctions, holds the personal note book of Pierre-Auguste Renoir in Dallas.

Brian Roughton displays spectacles that belonged to the artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

Noah Fliesher, left, looks at a crated Grande Venus victorieuse by Pierre-Auguste Renoir ready for shipment in Dallas.

The last painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir titled Les Becasses (The Woodcocks), 1919, now on display at Heritage Auctions. mate artist who painted every day of his life, Renoir died in 1919. His personal archive remained with his heirs until 2005 when his grandson Paul offered it for sale as a single lot at a Maryland auction where it was purchased by the current owner.

“It is a gold mine,” said Virginie Journiac, an art historian and former cura-

Artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s bust of his son Coco dated 1907-08, on display in Dallas.

tor of the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-surMer, in the south of France. “These personal Renoir pieces will be seen for the last time as a unique collection unless a single buyer is able to purchase all the lots.”

Other objects in the sale include Renoir’s polka-dotted silk scarf, marriage license and a notebook full of critic’s reviews.

There are letters from his contemporaries Claude Monet and Edouard Manet; his Legion of Honor medals; hundreds of glass-plate negatives; and documents relating to the construction of Les Collettes, his estate at Cagnes-sur-Mer. Several museums, reached for comment, declined to say if they would bid.

The collection “illuminates the career, life and eminence of this very, very humble man,” said Brian Roughton, managing director of fine art at Heritage.

“It shows the amount of his insecurity about his life, about being an artist ... an incredibly loving and sensitive man to his

entire family.” Celebrated for his sensual nudes and charming landscapes, Renoir’s sculptures are less known. The maquettes, many of which remained at Les Collettes until 1960, were based on Renoir’s drawings and paintings and were produced after a crippling arthritis had nearly paralyzed his hands. Guino was paid to work under Renoir’s guidance and did not sign the works.

A court recognized him as a co-author in 1973. The current seller, who also owns the maquettes, got embroiled in a legal battle with the Guino family over the copyright of eight of the maquettes. The case was settled in 2008, and Heritage said all the material was being offered free and clear. The auction house did not name the consignor but published reports at the time identified her as Tracy Penwell, an Arizona gallery owner.

Renoir considered “Large Venus Victorious,” a life-size statue of the Roman goddess elegantly holding a drape in one hand and an apple in the other, a masterpiece. Created in 1914-1915, it is estimated to bring $900,000 to $1 million.

The auction also features the only two sculptures entirely executed by Renoir’s hands - a medallion (est. $20,000) and bust of his youngest son Claude, “Coco” (est. $30,000). “Woodcocks” (est. $80,000$120,000) is the only painting in the sale.

The small picture is of great historical significance because it is believed to be Renoir’s last work, said Journiac, whose just-published book “The Late Renoir, The Riviera Years” is largely based on the material in the collection.

“He painted this still life with two dead birds some hours before he died, which is quite symbolic,” she said. While there is abundant literature on Renoir, Journiac said, “This collection offers a lot of new information, especially of his last less studied period.” — AP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Aman receiving a Trilogy of Linden treatment from Brooke Hess, with the Aspira Spa at the Osthoff Resort, in Elkhart Lake, Wis.

Ashley Cothran, with Travaasa Experiential Resorts, in Austin, Texas and Hana, Maui, Hawaii, pedaling a Fender Blender cycle.

Farm to facial, guys welcome

Spa trends T

he farm-to-table movement has become farm to facial for some in the spa industry, with more locations offering fresh herbs and flowers from their own gardens for treatments. And guys are being treated to pampering tweaked just for them as the number of men turning up at spas increases, according to a new survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the International Spa Association. Overall, the industry has made gains in revenue, visits and locations, according to the survey, released at the spa group’s Aug. 16 trade show.

A look at what’s new and interesting in the spa industry: Plants and flowers Spas have long made use of local ingredients. Now, some are clipping and crushing Mother Nature’s booty right from the ground.

The Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire’s White Mountains allows guests to stroll the grounds and choose their own plants as part of the full body, 75-minute “Herbal Garden Treatment” for $175. “As you’re walking through the garden your therapist is talking about the herbs and what the benefits are so you can really customize it to your needs,” said Jaime MacKillop, spa supervisor at that Omni Hotels & Resorts location in Bretton Woods.

Aspira Spa at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wis., has about two acres under cultivation, said the general manager, Lola Roeh. The latest treatment offering, for $390, is 150-minute “Trilogy of Linden” using honey and blossoms from the indigenous trees for facials, a body mask and a massage. “For centuries, linden has been used for calming and relaxation,” she said.

Travaasa Austin in Texas has a working farm from which to pluck spa ingredients.

The men The spa association has tracked male guests for about 10 years, said Lynne McNees, the group’s president. Their ranks had been steady, between 30 and 33 percent, but rose last year to 47 percent, according to the latest survey. “A lot of that has to do with spas being much more

open and catering to men, changing the services menu a little bit, changing the fragrance that they’re using of essential oils, changing what magazines are in the men’s relaxation areas,” McNees said. “Spas have become much more men-friendly.”

Travaasa Austin has a separate men’s spa treatment menu and a ruggedly decorated, wood-paneled treatment room exclusively for the guys. There’s a 50-minute “Gentleman’s Clarifying Facial” for $125 using sandalwood, lemon and bitter orange to exfoliate and boost the spirits. Travaasa’s “What Ales You” package for men, at two hours and $265, includes an energy boosting, 80-minute massage followed by peppermint foot care and an organic Texas ale - for drinking - at the end. In Hawaii, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea offers the “Alpha Male,” a 50-minute facial for $175 with green tea and green algae options.

Sweet & sour Pleasing purple, in treatment ingredients and as a background color to calm the mind, remains hugely popular, but citrus and a hit of sweet are also turning up this season.

Massage Envy, a membership-based spa in about 900 locations, including high-end strip malls, offers “Sugar Foot Therapy” as a popular $10 add-on to massages. CG Funk, a company vice president, extolled the hydrating properties of sugar for hardworking feet. “We look at feet as probably the most abused and stressed-out part of the human body,” she said. Foot scrubs with matching finishing butters include pink grapefruit, mango and tangerine, and lemon and sage.

On Mexico’s Caribbean coast, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort this year introduced the “Mayan Royal Massage.” Brightly colored shawls traditionally used for carrying babies are wrapped around limbs and torso for a gentle stretch treatment preceded by a lemon massage, said the spa manager, Leticia Fernandez de la Tejera.

“The lemons are cold so they absorb all of the bad energy that you have stuck in your body, so

Erin Ferrill, with HydroPeptide, giving a treatment with their anti-aging skin care products.

Photo shows a woman receiving a Hand Rescue Citrus Reviver treatment from the Kohler Waters Spa, in Kohler, Wisc, at the International Spa Association event in New York. — AP photos you can revitalize,” she said. The full experience lasts 80 minutes and costs $198 in U.S. dollars and includes a tea pairing and use of rain sticks and finger cymbals to enhance rain forest relaxation.

Kohler Water Spas, with locations in Burr Ridge, Ill., St. Andrews, Scotland, and Kohler, Wis., introduced the “Hand Rescue Citrus Reviver” in June. The 50-minute treatment costs $130 and includes lime exfoliating, a clementine moisturizer and a grapefruit scalp massage.

Alexandra Ciasulli, left, and Robin Rappaport giving a Sugar Foot Scrub spa treatment in the Message Envy Spa booth. your intentions. If you’re nervous and frustrated he’s going to mirror that.” Sound highfalutin?

Hop on one of the resort’s Fender Blenders instead. It’s a stationary bicycle that powers a juicer attached at the handlebars. Pick your own ingredients and have at it.

Animal friends Along with flora and fresh produce for spa treatments and culinary experiences at resorts are farm encounters with animal friends. Keith Moon, the head cowboy and agriculture overseer at Travaasa Austin, and his staff teach chicken-keeping at the coop that supplies the resort’s restaurant with eggs.

There’s also a two-hour horse encounter free with a spa day pass. Moon and his cowboy team use horses to help guests learn more about themselves. “You don’t ride the horse. It’s about how your interactions with the animal can tell you about your nonverbal communication and body language,” he said. “The horse picks up on

By the numbers The International Spa Association’s survey of 1,000 destination and day spas in the U.S. showed a 4.7 percent increase in revenue last year at $14 billion.

That’s up from $13.4 billion in 2011. Spa visits in the same time period were up 2.8 percent, to 160 million from 156 million. Locations were up slightly, to 19,960 from 19,850. Revenue per visit went to $87 from $86 the year before. Total employees rose by 1.2 percent to 343,600 in May from 339,400 in May 2012. Part-time workers increased 13.2 percent, to 145,400, while fulltime employees declined by 7.2 percent, to 151,300. — AP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Complicated fun:

Are theme parks going geeky?

File photo originally provided by Legoland Florida shows families at the theme park’s new interactive water ride, The Quest for Chi, part of the park’s new World of Chima, which also includes a splash zone and play area. (Right) A three-story-tall Optimus Prime figure at the entrance to the Transformers: The Ride-3D as a formation of private jets flies overhead at the grand opening of the attraction at Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla. — AP photos

B

oasting obscure characters and detailed story lines, several new attractions opened at theme parks this summer in Central Florida. The new rides and areas are much different from those just a generation ago, when Dumbo the Flying Elephant was considered high tech. These days, a ride involving a simple, blue elephant just won’t cut it.

Take World of Chima at Legoland, for instance. The attraction is based on a Lego building block play set and Cartoon Network show about eight animal tribes, a crocodile king, magical vehicles called Speedorz and a life force called Chi. There are epic battles over the Ancient Pool of Chi, set in a lushly landscaped tropical world. Or look at Universal’s Transformers ride. It isn’t just inspired by the toy and the movie - it’s a detailed, 3-D, “interactive battle” between the Autobots and Decepticons that has its own website.

Even the straightforward-sounding Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin ride at SeaWorld Orlando is about a penguin hatchling who grows up, leaves his mom, is chased by a

leopard seal through a psychedelic-looking world and then reunited with his tribe of fellow birds. Real, live penguins appear at the end of the ride. When did fun become so complicated?

Theme park consultants say attractions need to be more detailed in the age of video games, smartphones and 3-D TVs. And of course, parks aren’t just competing with home entertainment; they’re competing against each other for guests’ time and money, especially in the I-4 corridor, a busy highway that runs through the Orlando area. The rise of the Internet means everyone is a critic - several theme park fan blogs are devoted to dissecting the geeky details of each new attraction.

“In the 1970s we could do quite a bit in theme parks,” said John Gerner, the managing director of Leisure Business Advisors LLC. “Nowadays, it’s hard to provide a typical music show. There just isn’t that much of a thrill anymore.” Attraction designers have a difficult job: They must present a story to guests of all ages, from all walks of life. “It’s got to be layered and it’s got to work on a number of different levels,”

said Phil Hettema, a California-based theme park designer. “It’s got to work on the kids, the adults.

It’s pretty tricky. You’re trying to convey a lot for those who don’t know it. You have to give the newcomer enough clues.”

With an established story like Transformers, many people have seen the 1980s TV cartoon, and many more the movie franchise. So even if Universal’s intense, dark ride involves a new story or is incredibly detailed, most people can follow the narrative. Same with Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Many of the visitors are familiar with the story, either through J.K Rowling’s books or the blockbuster movies. Yet familiarity also has its pitfalls for theme park designers: Rabid fans know when a detail is out of place.

Scott Thomas, Cartoon Network’s vice president of consumer marketing, says he’s gotten emails from the under-10 set about inconsistencies and questions in the storyline for the Chima cartoon.

“Kids today have very high expectations,” he said. “And the storylines are very complex in

kids’ media today.” Legoland worked with Cartoon Network writers and animators on the Chima attraction to sync details and distill the complex cartoon into basic elements. But they also recognized that not all guests have heard of Chima, said Candy Holland, senior creative director for the Legoland parent company Merlin Entertainment. So, for the uninitiated, designers used the queue line to tell the Chima story so people could be brought up to speed before boarding the water ride.

“It’s a balance,” Holland said. “There are some people who may not yet be familiar with the Chima theme. Some people come to Legoland, maybe haven’t even played with Legos yet. And it’s a great opportunity for the parents to understand why their kids are living in, and obsessed with, the World of Chima.”

SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica is a rarity in the attractions world: It’s an entirely new story, not based on any movie, show, book or toy. “It can be done if there are some other innate aspects to the story,” said Gerner. “Penguins as animal have innate appeal.” —AP

Create old-school stationery with chalkboard paint

M

y classroom days are decades behind me, but I still miss the nerdy pleasure of heading back to school each September with new notebooks and folders, color coded by subject of course. Pretty stationery, however, feels like an acceptable substitute. A stack of blank notecards holds the same promise of a fresh start as school supplies do, especially a set that incorporates oldschool elements like chalkboards, vintage maps, notebook paper and brown paper lunch sacks.

Chalkboard art has become a big trend in home decorating, from wall hangings that mimic vintage menu boards to entire walls covered with chalkboard paint. But I decided to seize upon that trend and shrink it down to notecard size. Turning a notecard into a mini-chalkboard is as easy as applying a few coats of spray paint to a piece of cardstock, and the resulting surface can be customized in countless ways. Make yourself a pile of blank chalkboard cards, and you won’t be limited to the clichÈd greetings on store-bought cards - you can personalize them for any occasion. Or make a set as a gift for someone else, and include a box of chalk.

Don’t like your handwriting? Draw a cute cupcake on a birthday card or even a simple smiley face - it’s a chalkboard, not a fine art canvas. A chalk ink marker allows for bolder, smoother lines, but a

regular piece of school chalk adds rustic appeal. In either case, if you mess up, you can always erase it and start over! A light spritz with aerosol hairspray will set the chalk enough that it won’t get smudged going through the mail. I made small cards in order to maximize the number I could get out of a single sheet of painted cardstock, but there’s no reason they couldn’t be bigger.

Materials for six 41/4-by-3 5/8-inch cards: 1 sheet of 81/2-by-11-inch cardstock, any color (this will be covered with paint) 2 sheets of 81/2-by-11-inch cardstock for the card interior (I used kraft paper, but white or any light- to medium-color is fine) chalkboard spray paint craft knife and straight edge or paper trimmer glue stick or double-sided tape corner-rounding paper punch (optional) chalk chalk ink markers (optional) 6 pieces of 81/2- by-11 inch lighter weight paper for envelopes (I used notebook paper, old maps and paper lunch bags) 1 sheet of cardstock to make an envelope template Instructions: 1. Working outside or in a well-ventilated area,

Handmade notecards made by spraying cardstock with chalkboard paint.

spray one sheet of cardstock with chalkboard spray paint. Two or three light coats applied several minutes apart should be sufficient.

2. When the painted cardstock is thoroughly dry, cut it in half lengthwise and then cut each piece into three pieces, each measuring 41/4 by 3 5/8 inches. These will become your card fronts.

3. Cut each of the other two pieces of cardstock into three rectangles, each measuring 3 5/8 inches by 8 1/2 inches. Fold in half to form a card.

4. Glue a chalkboard card front to the front of each card. Or for variety, cut some of the chalk-

board fronts into “speech bubble” shapes, or trim them with decorative edge scissors. Use a paperpunch to round the corners of the cards, if desired.

5. To “season” the chalkboards, rub a piece of chalk over the surface of the cards and erase it with a soft cloth. I found the surface fairly forgiving - if you make a mistake or don’t like your lettering, wipe it down with a barely-damp cloth and start over.

6. To make the envelopes, search online for free, A2 envelope templates. I used one from a blog called Artsy Bride. Download and print the template on cardstock at 85 percent of its original size.

Cut out the template and trace it onto notebook paper, a map or a lunch bag.

7. Cut out the envelope shape and fold the sides and flaps in, gluing where necessary to hold the envelope together. — AP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Romi, 26, displays one of the items offered for sale at his souvenir store in the Khan El-Khalili market, a popular destination for tourists.

Mannequins and dresses are seen on an empty street in the Khan El-Khalili market.

Unrest delivers huge blow to

Egypt tourism H

eshmat Youssef used to make a decent living sailing foreign tourists down Egypt’s Nile River. Since political unrest flared, business has dried up faster than water in the desert. Riots and killings that spiked after the Aug. 14 crackdown against followers of ousted President Mohammed Morsi have delivered a severe blow to Egypt’s tourism industry, which until recently accounted for more than 11 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and nearly 20 percent of its foreign currency revenues.

The chairman of the Egyptian Airports Company, Gad el-Karim Nasr, said arrivals at Egyptian airports have dropped by more than 40 percent from Sunday through Tuesday compared to the same time the previous week. He said that in the same time-frame, 13,000 tourists, mostly from Germany and Italy, have left the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada - with only 3,000 new arrivals.

With governments in the US and Europe advising their citizens to avoid Egypt, the impact threatens the livelihood of the one in eight Egyptians who earn their money from tourism.

“We want to live in stability and for tourism to come back,” said Youssef, who hasn’t seen holidaymakers in weeks. “Let us eat already. We are extremely tired.”

The latest shock occurred just as Egypt’s tourism industry, which injected more than $10 billion into the economy last year, was slowly recovering from the blow suffered from the 2011 uprising against ousted President Hosni Mubarak.

That uprising had already prompted some US operators to pull out of Egypt. But the drop in US visitors, who favor ancient monuments like the Pyramids outside Cairo and the tombs and temples of the Nile Valley, did not affect the resilient European market. Every year millions of sunstarved Europeans swarm the Red Sea beaches far from the chaos of the cities. Now, the European market, too, is drying up.

Major European travel companies have canceled bookings through October after televised scenes of chaos and European governments’ warnings to avoid Egypt. “We have canceled all trips to Egypt until Sept 15,” said Anja Braun, a spokeswoman for TUI, one of Germany’s biggest travel operators, said the company has canceled all trips to Egypt until Sept 15. Customers can

either rebook a trip to a different destination free of charge or get their money back, she said.

Costa Crociere SpA, one of Italy’s main cruise operators, has canceled all Red Sea cruises and stops in Egypt through the 2013-2014 winter season. “Egypt is the No. 1 tourist destination for Italians,” said Massimo Broccoli, commercial director of Veratour tour operator. “Clearly there will be an economic impact.” In France, the Association of Tour Operators suspended tours to Cairo, the Red Sea and all other cities until further notice. Even the lucrative Russian market, which accounted for the largest share of foreign tourists at 14 percent, is feeling the effects. Planes are still

An Egyptian shopkeeper sweeps outside his souvenir shop in the Khan El-Khalili market. leaving Moscow’s airports for Egypt, packed with travelers who already paid for their trips and cannot cancel without a penalty payment. But the Association of Tour Operators of Russia reports that about 30 percent of the advance package tours to Egypt have been cancelled.

However, relatively few Russians, Germans, Italians, Serbs and others who were already at their beach resorts when violence escalated this month chose to leave early. Tour operators in Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden and Norway did fly hundreds of vacationers back

home early - sometimes to the dismay of the tourists who said the resorts were quiet and they didn’t want to leave.

“We have offered individual solutions for tourists who are worried and want to go home early,” said Braun of TUI, which had about 6,000 customers at Red Sea resorts last week. “But so far fewer than 100 tourists have taken us up on the offer and cut short their vacations.” Some hardy souls are still traveling to Egypt, either because they believe they can avoid trouble or because they can’t cancel without a penalty.

“We had already reserved in less stormy times,” said Giuseppe Giordano as he waited with a friend to check in Tuesday at Rome’s airport for an EgyptAir flight to Cairo. “Newspapers and television often exaggerate. Often, only being there can one really understand what’s going on.”

Those who do venture to Egypt will find restaurants and bars closing early due to a curfew in Cairo and many other areas except the Red Sea. Folklore shows and cultural events have been canceled. Museums are open for just a few hours a day.

“There will be losses on all sides, from the souvenir vendors in Egypt to the hotel and bus operators and airlines to the travel agencies in Germany,” said Torsten Schaefer of the German Travel Association. “It’s too early to say how high the losses will be, but certainly there will be mas-

sive cuts for the population in Egypt and livelihoods will be destroyed.” The crisis facing Egyptian tourism flared just as the industry was rebounding: Last year, 11.5 million foreigners visited Egypt, a 17 percent increase from the 9.8 million in 2011.

Egyptian officials, tourism employees and foreign travel agents are hopeful this will happen again once stability returns. “Egypt is a remarkable destination that many older Americans have on their ‘bucket lists’ so there will be pent-up demand for travel there when the time comes to return,” said Priscilla O’Reilly of the US-based Overseas Adventure Travel.

Pamela Lassers of Abercrombie & Kent USA said that over the years “we have seen many ups and downs in the Middle East” and that the US industry believes that eventually Egypt “will once again be welcoming travelers to the country’s many World Heritage sites.”

That’s small comfort to Youssef, the boat operator who is among the millions of Egyptians who rely on tourism for their livelihood. With the tourists gone, Youssef has taken a job as a security guard at a store.

The $43 he earns there each month provides for 10 people, including his wife, their four children and his sister and her three. “Everyone is borrowing from everyone,” he said. “I swear to God, we are not living.” — AP

technology SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

‘Boyfriend Tracker’ app raises stir in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazilians were outraged when they learned their country was a top target of the US National Security Agency’s overseas spying operation, with data from billions of calls and emails swept up in Washington’s top secret surveillance program. Yet when it comes to the cloak and dagger effort of catching philandering lovers, all high-tech weapons appear to be fair game - at least to the tens of thousands of Brazilians who downloaded “Boyfriend Tracker” to their smartphones before the stealthy software was removed from the Google Play app store last week, apparently in response to complaints about privacy abuses and its potential to be used for extortion or even stalking.

“Brazilians are a jealous people, what can I say? Of course it’s going to be popular,” said Marcia Almeida, a 47-year-old woman in Rio whose marriage ended seven years ago in large part because of what she said was her husband’s infidelity. “It’s a different type of spying,” she said of comparisons to the NSA surveillance program. “You’re checking up on somebody you know intimately, not some stranger.” The app, called “Rastreador de Namorados” (Portuguese for Boyfriend Tracker), promises to act like a “private detective in your partner’s pocket.”

Functions include sending the person doing the tracking updates on their partner’s location and forwarding duplicates of text message traffic from the targeted phone. There is even a command that allows a user to force the target phone to silently call their own, like a pocket dial, so they can listen in on what the person is saying.

Similar apps are marketed for smartphone users in other countries, including Europe and the US, but Boyfriend Tracker is the first that has made any impact in Brazil, a country still irate as it learns more about Washington’s snooping. Brazil has sent a government delegation to meet with US leaders about the spy program that was revealed by Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who has been on the run since May and was recently granted asylum in Russia. Google spokeswoman Gina Johnson said by email that as a policy the company doesn’t comment on why apps are removed.

Critics say even as advertised, apps like Boyfriend Tracker can violate privacy rights, and they warn that in the wrong hands they could be used for more sinister purposes, like stalking. Some in Brazil argue it breaks an anti-online harassment and hacking law in place since April.

The law is named after Brazilian

actress Carolina Dieckmann, who had nude photos of herself leaked by hackers in 2012 after she refused to pay about $5,000. However, similar apps popular on Google Play market themselves to parents as a means of monitoring how teenage children use the phone and where they are at any given moment. Matheus Grijo, a 24-year-old Sao Paulo-based developer behind Boyfriend Tracker, says it has attracted around 50,000 users since its launch about two months ago, most since the site began attracting media attention two weeks ago. Grijo insists his lawyer vetted the app and determined it

does not violate any Brazilian laws.

Despite being removed by Google, it is still available via direct download from his company’s website. A disclaimer on that website stipulates the app is for “social and recreational use” and absolves the developer of responsibility for any misuse. The first line of the download instructions says a woman installing the tracker on her boyfriend’s phone should do so “with his consent.”

“We are waiting for Google’s position on the removal of ‘Boyfriend Tracker’ from Google Play, which we consider an error,” read a posting on a Facebook page

RIO DE JANEIRO: A woman poses for a photo using her smart phone in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. —AP

Facebook aims to get world online Is Connectivity A Human Right?

NEW YORK: Food, water and the Internet?

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to get all of the world’s 7 billion people online through a partnership with some of the largest mobile technology companies. He says the Web is an essential part of life, and everyone deserves to be connected, whether they live in Norway, Nicaragua or Namibia. “The Internet not only connects us to our friends, families and communities, but it is also the foundation of the global knowledge economy,” Zuckerberg wrote in a paper posted to his Facebook page late Tuesday. The title asks “Is Connectivity A Human Right?”

Of course, connecting more people to the Internet is the kind of philanthropy that would create more potential Facebook users, which would also help boost the company’s bottom line. “There’s nothing wrong with that,” said Fordham University communications professor Paul Levinson, author of “New New Media.” “I think it is actually a profoundly important human right in the 21st century to have access to the Internet.” To get there, Facebook Inc. on Wednesday announced a partnership called Internet.org. It includes the world’s biggest social network, plus Korean electronics giant Samsung, Finnish handset maker Nokia and wireless chip maker Qualcomm Inc. More companies are expected to join. Google Inc, which is not a part of the Internet.org effort, launched a similar undertaking earlier this year with the goal of getting everyone on Earth online. Called Project Loon, the effort launched Internetbeaming antennas aloft on giant helium balloons. Facebook said the group’s goal is to

“make Internet access available to the twothirds of the world who are not yet connected” - about 5 billion people. According to research group Internet World Stats, about 16 percent of Africa’s population is online, compared with 28 percent in Asia, 43 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean and 79 percent in North America.

Levinson called the venture “profoundly humanistic, while adding that “at the same time, I would never say that Facebook is run by angels.” If the effort pays off, Facebook will grow its user base, advertising revenue and influence. Business and philanthropy, in this case, can go hand in hand, Levinson said.

Facebook has seen a healthy growth of its advertising revenue in recent months, especially on the mobile devices it sees as the Internet’s new frontier. In its latest quarterly report, it posted the largest revenue gain since late 2011, when it was still a private company. Total revenue in the April-June quarter was up 53 percent from a year earlier to $1.81 billion.

Internet.org’s plans, still in an early, rough-draft phase, include developing cheaper smartphones and tools that would reduce the amount of data required to run mobile applications. For Facebook, the move would certainly add more users to its current 1.15 billion and with them more advertising revenue. Still, Zuckerberg paints the effort as something larger. “For nine years, we’ve been on a mission to connect the world. We now connect more than 1 billion people, but to connect the next 5 billion we must solve a much bigger problem: the vast majority of people don’t have

access to the Internet,” Zuckerberg wrote.

He points out that the people who already use Facebook “have way more money than the rest of the world combined.” That means it may “not actually be profitable for us to serve the next few billion people for a very long time, if ever. But we believe everyone deserves to be connected.” Most of Facebook’s users live outside the US, and much of the site’s new user base will come from developing countries in the years ahead. And while most Americans first got online using desktop computers, many of the Internet’s newest users are bypassing PCs entirely, relying on mobile phones instead.

Javier Olivan, vice president of growth and analytics at Facebook, said Facebook’s move continues what the company has already been doing to get more people online. This includes “Facebook For Every Phone,” an app that launched in 2011 to let people with simple, nonsmartphones use Facebook. Facebook says it has invested more than $1 billion so far to connect people in the developing world to the Internet. The Internet.org project is Zuckerberg’s latest venture that seeks to meld philanthropy with ambition. The billionaire CEO made his first charitable splash in 2010, two years before his company went public, when he donated $100 million in Facebook Inc stock to Newark, NJ, schools. He later gave another $500 million to a Silicon Valley charity with the aim of funding health and education issues. Earlier this year, he launched Fwd.us, a political group aimed at changing immigration policy, boosting education and encouraging investment in scientific research. —AP

Grijo set up for the app. To install Boyfriend Tracker, suspicious partners have to get their hands on their loved one’s smartphones and upload the app. A free version leaves the app’s icon visible on the target’s phone, while a version that costs $2 a month masks the icon.

Grijo said the app began as a joke between him and his girlfriend but the idea quickly caught on among their friends. “In Brazil, we have this culture of switching partners really quickly, so this is a way of dealing with that,” said Grijo. “People really appreciate having a tool to help them find out whether they’re being cheated on.” He acknowledged that “of course some people are against it, but on balance the response from users has been positive.”He said he’s received messages of gratitude from around 50 people who used the app to ferret out their partners’ infidelity. While cheating in Brazil cuts both ways, the app is clearly marketed to women suspicious of their male partners, right down to the name. Postings on the app’s Facebook page exhort: “Girls, share this.” Still, Grijo insisted he personally has never given his girlfriends any reason to worry. “I’ve had three steady girlfriends until now but I’ve never had these kinds of issues,” he said.— AP

Google’s startup brings sightseeing app to Glass SAN FRANCISCO: Google Glass, a spectacle-like computing device drawing lots of attention, can serve as an automated tour guide with the help of a new application from a little-known startup hatched within the Internet’s most powerful company. The app, called “Field Trip,” is being released Wednesday by Googleowned Niantic Labs for the 10,000 people currently testing an early model of Glass known as the Explorer edition.

It becomes just the ninth app to be approved by Google Inc. for use on Glass during an experimental phase. The device’s mass market release is expected early next year. Other Glass apps, or “Glassware,” are from The New York Times, Facebook, Twitter, Path, Evernote, CNN, Tumblr and Elle magazine. Google is working with developers to add even more apps to the line-up. Once given permission, Field Trip tracks a user’s whereabouts so it can automatically deliver alerts and informational snapshots about nearby historical landmarks, tourist attractions, restaurants and other local merchants in neighborhoods all over the world. The descriptions of locations flagged by Field Trip are pulled from more than 130 online sources. A version of Field Trip built for smartphones already has won a following.

Field Trip apps for the iPhone and Android-powered phones have been installed on more than 500,000 devices since their release nearly a year ago. Field Trip creator Niantic Labs is a Google division set up to operate as an independent startup. It is staffed by a few dozen people within a sprawling company that generates more than $50 billion in annual revenue.

Google CEO Larry Page approved the unorthodox arrangement as a way to retain John Hanke, who had been overseeing the team responsible for the company’s widely used mapping products. Much of the mapping technology came from Google’s 2004 acquisition of Keyhole, a startup run by Hanke. As Google grew larger, Hanke became eager to return to his entrepreneurial roots and was planning to strike out on his own again in late 2010 until Page convinced him that he should build his next project within Google. Having already made it easier for people to get to where they want to go with Google Maps, Hanke was interested in coming up with ways to educate people about their destinations. “I had this anxiety knowing that there was a lot of useful information on the Web about local sights that wasn’t showing up on maps,” Hanke, 46, said.—AP

technology SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

S Korea’s traditional markets go high-tech SEOUL: Seoul’s traditional markets-bustling, narrow streets of small vendors selling cheap, fresh produce-have largely opted out of the high-tech charge to make the South Korean capital one of the most wired cities on earth.

But squeezed by big-box stores and dwindling custom, these mom-and-pop operations are slowly going digital, replacing wellthumbed ledgers with tablet computers, and cash pouches with sleek smartphones that can scan credit cards. Yoo Hyung-Geun has been selling sesame oil at Seoul’s outdoor Junggok Cheil market for the past 14 years.

Two months ago , he finally parted ways with his trusted manual cash register and replaced it with a Samsung Galaxy touchscreen tablet provided free by the country’s top mobile operator, SK Telecom. The tablet not only functions as an electronic cash register but also features software specifically developed by SK Telecom to help small businesses improve their performance. At the

most basic level, it stores and provides basic sales and inventory data, such as how many bottles of sesame oil-a key ingredient in South Korean cuisine-are sold each day, week or month.

But it also lists and stores the items brought by individual customer, allowing Yoo to engage in some basic target marketing, promoting new products via text messages or e-mails to regular shoppers based on their purchase history. “These days, I’m trying to analyse this data in different ways,” Yoo said, adding that his sales had jumped nearly 30 percent since he embraced the new technology.

Yoo was one of an initial batch of 14 merchants in Junggok Cheil market to receive the tablet and specialized software. SK Telecom launched the initiative partly in response to a call from President Park GeunHye for large companies to lend a hand to smaller businesses who struggle to stay com-

petitive. South Korea’s huge, family-run conglomerates, like Samsung and Hyundai, have been blamed for stifling innovation and deliberately smothering small firms-especially in the retail sector-as they seek to expand into new markets.

For those working in the country’s 300 or so traditional markets, the growth of supermarket chains like E-Mart and HomePlus with modern, spacious, air-conditioned stores and ample parking space is a daunting challenge.

So far, the company has provided 26 tablets and accompanying software to merchants in two markets in or near Seoul and plans to do the same in other venues later this year, said SKT spokeswoman Irene Kim. The mobile operator has also provided mini electronic kits that can scan credit cards-addressing one of the main complaints of shoppers who seek to stay loyal to the old markets.

“It’s much more convenient if I don’t have to carry wads of cash whenever I come here,”

said Kwon Hyuk-Sung, a Seoul resident and regular shopper at Yoo’s store. Junggok Cheil is not the only market where vendors have accepted that new technology can give them a fresh foothold in a rapidly-changing and increasingly-competitive environment.

In the southern city of Busan, one traditional market teamed up with a local government office to create a mobile phone app that offers discount coupons, information about each of its 100 stores and directions to the nearest parking lots. Some have begun to offer a free WiFi service-an important move in attracting younger customers to the cooked food stalls that complement the grocery stores. And in Suwon city, near Seoul, store owners have set up cameras capable of counting the number of people in any corner of their market at any given time. The merchants use the data to determine the best time and location to hold special cultural or sales events.—AFP

Hyperlocal news down, not out amid AOL retreat

WASHINGTON: This photo released August 22, 2013, courtesy of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shows NIST’s ultra-stable ytterbium lattice atomic clock.—AFP

US scientists claim world’s most accurate clock WASHINGTON: US scientists said Thursday they have built the world’s most precise clock, whose ticking rate varies less than two parts in one quintillion, or 10 times better than any other. The clock, made from the element ytterbium, could be used for technological advancements beyond timekeeping, such as navigation systems, magnetic fields and temperature.

“The stability of the ytterbium lattice clocks opens the door to a number of exciting practical applications of high-performance timekeeping,” National Institute of Standards and Technology physicist, and co-author of the study revealing the clock, Andrew Ludlow said in a statement.

While mechanical clocks use the movement of a pendulum to keep time, atomic clocks use an electromagnetic signal of light emitted at an exact frequency to move electrons in cesium atoms. The physicists built their ytterbium clocks using about 10,000 rare-earth atoms cooled to 10 microkelvin (10 millionths of a degree above absolute zero) and trapped in an optical lattice made of laser light. Another laser that “ticks” 518 trillion times per second triggers a transition between two energy levels in the atoms. The clock’s high stability is owed to the large number of atoms.

The new clocks can achieve precise results very quickly.

Technicians must average the current US civilian time standard, the NIST-F1 cesium fountain clock, for about 400,000 seconds (about five days) to obtain its best performance. But the new ytterbium clocks can achieve that same result in about one second of averaging time. The study was published in the journal Science.—AFP

WASHINGTON: Hyperlocal news, the Internet’s version of community journalism, has taken a blow with major cutbacks at AOL’s Patch, but it may not be time to write its obituary. Scores of hyperlocal news sites are operating across the United States, and some say the idea still has promise, and could even thrive with the retrenchment of corporate-run news operations like Patch. “Because Patch has been limping along losing money but supported by AOL, that has prevented other people from coming in and doing independent local sites,” said Dan Kennedy, a Northeastern University journalism professor and author of a book on community online journalism.

AOL said last week it was cutting an unspecified number of jobs at its Patch hyperlocal news operations, while consolidating or closing some Patch sites. Media reports said the cuts could affect as many as 500 people, or 40 percent of the staff.

Patch has some 900 local news sites across the United States. Earlier this year, Every Block, a hyperlocal website backed by NBC which operated in 19 cities, was shuttered.

“I think that for hyperlocal to work it has to be driven at the grassroots level, it has to be someone with the passion at the local level. These are people pounding the pavement trying to sell ads to every pizza place and tattoo parlor,” Kennedy said.

Those sentiments were echoed by Scott Brodbeck, founder of the Arlington, Virginia, news site ARLnow.com and newly created BethesdaNow.com in Bethesda, Maryland, two communities in the US capital region. “I think we’re definitely in the early nascent stages of local online news,” said Brodbeck, who started a one-man business heading editorial, Web and advertising functions, but now has a handful of employees. “Independent, local people are able to be profitable but it’s not easy.”

Brodbeck said the Arlington news site started in 2010 has grown to 180,000 unique visitors, and has enough local advertising to pay employees and turn a profit. “To get advertisers you need to get the readers,” he said. To get readers, he said, “We are reporting on things local TV and the (Washington) Post would not be

reporting on.” The newly formed Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, with more than 100 members, said hyperlocal has a future, and urged

are insufficient to support news operations, and struggling metropolitan dailies should seek out ways to charge readers an add-on to a digital subscription for com-

VIRGINIA: An iPad user views AOL’s “Editions” news viewer seen here on a Patch page showing local news from Fairfax.—AFP journalists losing their jobs at Patch to start their own sites.

“Patch is failing not because local news isn’t a solid business, but because they’re not local,” said Dylan Smith, chairman of LION and head of a local news site in Tuscon, Arizona. “Local news organizations must be of their communities, not just in them to ship profits out of town.

Local news must respect readers: know what they want to know, know what they need to know, and provide it quickly, accurately and comprehensively.”

Ken Doctor, consultant and analyst for the research firm Outsell, said however that Patch is not dead yet, and still could be a force with several hundred local sites.

“Half of the sites may be close to profitability,” he said. “It’s been a rocky road but this (reorganization) could be a foundation for the next step.” Doctor said Patch’s woes illustrate that ad revenues

munity news.

He sees this as possible at a newspaper like The Washington Post, which was just bought by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. “It makes perfect sense in Washington,” Doctor said. “The Post still has a large number of subscribers, and they are affluent. And we know that Bezos understands how to segment customers, so it fits him.

And they could get more readers at a lower price point.” Doctor said that the quality of the news operations is more important than whether they are corporate- or localowned. “Some of those (independent) sites are excellent and some are mediocre,” he said. “If you have a great blogger in the community, that person may be able to do better job than Patch.

But some of the Patches are better than some of the independent sites. It’s not about being independent, its about how well it’s done.”—AFP

TV listings SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

00:45 I Was Bitten 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 02:25 Africa’s Outsiders 03:15 Great White Shark: Uncaged 04:05 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 04:55 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 05:20 Shamwari: A Wild Life 05:45 Bondi Vet 06:35 Call Of The Wildman 07:00 Meerkat Manor 07:25 Dogs/Cats/Pets 101 08:15 Venom Hunter With Donald Schultz 09:10 Austin Stevens: Most Dangerous...

10:05 Escape To Chimp Eden 10:30 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 11:00 The Most Extreme 11:55 Wild Appalachia 12:50 Nick Baker’s Beautiful Freaks 13:45 Africa’s Outsiders 14:40 Africa’s Super Seven 15:35 Elephants: The Twilight Of The Giants 16:30 Hippo: The Wild Feast 17:25 The Last Lion Of Liuwa 18:20 Search For The Knysna Elephants 19:15 Running With Wolves 20:10 In Search Of The Giant Anaconda 21:05 Charles & Jessica: A Chimp Tale 22:00 My Cat From Hell 22:55 My Pet’s Gone Viral 23:20 My Pet’s Gone Viral 23:50 Untamed & Uncut

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:15 05:05 05:30 06:00 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00

Fast N’ Loud Fantom Works Driven To Extremes Mythbusters Auction Kings Auction Kings How Do They Do It? How It’s Made American Guns Head Games Dynamo: Magician Impossible Mythbusters Hillbilly Handfishin’ Top Hooker River Monsters Ice Cold Gold Destroyed In Seconds Destroyed In Seconds Aircrash Confidential Fantom Works Gold Divers Alaska: The Last Frontier Sons Of Guns Auction Kings

00:05 The Tech Show 00:30 Mean Green Machines 01:00 Sport Science 01:50 Sport Science 02:45 Sport Science 03:35 Sport Science 04:25 Sport Science 05:15 The Gadget Show 05:40 The Tech Show 06:05 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 07:00 James May’s Man Lab 07:50 Storm Chasers 08:40 The Gadget Show 09:05 The Tech Show 09:30 Mega World 10:20 Mega World 11:15 Mega World 12:05 Mega World 13:00 Mega World 13:50 Mean Green Machines 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:45 The Tech Show 15:10 James May’s Man Lab 16:00 Brave New World 16:55 Scrapheap Challenge 17:45 Alien Mysteries 18:35 What Is That?

19:00 How Stuff’s Made 19:30 James May’s Man Lab 20:20 Storm Chasers 21:10 The Gadget Show

MY WEEK WITH MARILYN ON OSN CINEMA 21:35 22:00 22:50 23:40

The Tech Show James May’s Man Lab Storm Chasers The Gadget Show

00:45 Ultimate Cars 01:10 A Racing Car Is Born 01:35 Hell On High Water 02:30 Welcome To India 03:25 Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India 04:20 Bone Detectives 05:10 Empire 06:05 3 Men Go To New England 07:00 Mighty Mississippi 07:50 Mighty Mississippi 08:45 Mighty Mississippi 09:35 Prehistoric Disasters 10:30 Prehistoric Disasters 11:20 Ultimate Cars 11:45 A Racing Car Is Born 12:10 Ultimate Cars 12:35 A Racing Car Is Born 13:05 Ultimate Cars 13:30 A Racing Car Is Born 13:55 I Shouldn’t Be Alive 14:50 I Shouldn’t Be Alive 15:45 Secrets Of...

16:40 Welcome To India 17:35 Caroline Quentin: A Passage Through India 18:25 Treasure Quest 19:20 The Aviators 19:45 The Aviators 20:10 Delta Divers 21:05 Danger Hunters 22:00 Secrets Of...

22:55 The Aviators 23:20 The Aviators 23:50 Welcome To India

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:30 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:50 09:55 10:15 10:40 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:20

Hannah Montana Hannah Montana Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements Brandy & Mr Whiskers Brandy & Mr Whiskers Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jake & The Neverland Pirates A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Jessie That’s So Raven That’s So Raven Dog With A Blog Shake It Up Jessie Teen Beach Movie First Look Austin And Ally A.N.T Farm Beverly Hills Chihuahua A.N.T Farm Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Austin And Ally That’s So Raven That’s So Raven Dog With A Blog Austin And Ally Teen Beach Movie First Look

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

Jessie A.N.T Farm Shake It Up A.N.T Farm Shake It Up Shake It Up Shake It Up A.N.T Farm A.N.T Farm A.N.T Farm Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Shake It Up Austin And Ally Teen Beach Movie First Look A.N.T. Farm That’s So Raven Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up A.N.T Farm Austin And Ally Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:05 00:15 00:40 00:55 01:10 01:30 02:00 02:25 02:40 02:50 03:20 03:40 03:50 04:00 04:10

Special Agent Oso Imagination Movers Jungle Junction Jungle Junction Handy Manny Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Little Einsteins Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Imagination Movers Handy Manny Special Agent Oso Special Agent Oso Timmy Time Imagination Movers

04:35 Little Einsteins 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:15 Jungle Junction 05:30 Little Einsteins 05:50 Special Agent Oso 06:00 Special Agent Oso 06:15 Jungle Junction 06:30 Jungle Junction 06:45 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:30 Higglytown Heroes 07:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:10 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 08:35 The Little Mermaid 09:00 The Hive 09:10 Doc McStuffins 09:20 Zou 09:35 Henry Hugglemonster 09:50 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Sofia The First 10:25 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 10:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 10:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:10 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 12:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 12:05 Higglytown Heroes 12:20 The Hive 12:30 Doc McStuffins 12:45 Doc McStuffins 13:00 Zou 13:15 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 13:30 Henry Hugglemonster 13:45 Henry Hugglemonster 13:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 14:45 Higglytown Heroes 14:55 The Hive 15:05 Sofia The First 15:30 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:10 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:20 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:35 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 16:45 Art Attack 17:10 Lilo And Stitch 17:35 The Little Mermaid 18:00 The Hive 18:10 Henry Hugglemonster 18:25 Henry Hugglemonster 18:35 Sofia The First 19:00 Timmy Time 19:10 Pajanimals 19:25 Doc McStuffins 19:35 Zou 19:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:05 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 20:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 20:25 Pajanimals 20:35 Doc McStuffins 20:45 Mouk 21:00 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 21:25 Pajanimals 21:35 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 22:00 Timmy Time 22:10 The Hive 22:20 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 22:30 Jungle Junction 22:45 Handy Manny 22:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:20 Little Einsteins 23:50 Special Agent Oso

06:00 06:10 06:35 07:00 07:20 07:45 08:10 08:35 08:45 09:00 Ninja 09:10 Ninja 09:30 09:55 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 16:15

Kid vs Kat American Dragon Kickin It Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Lab Rats Lab Rats Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Max Steel Slugterra Crash & Bernstein Kickin It Lab Rats Pair Of Kings Phineas And Ferb Max Steel

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

Kickin It Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Crash & Bernstein Pair Of Kings Lab Rats Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Scaredy Squirrel I’m In The Band Crash & Bernstein Zeke & Luther Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Phineas And Ferb Phineas And Ferb Almost Naked Animals Rekkit Rabbit Scaredy Squirrel Programmes Start At 6:00am

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:55 United Tastes Of America 01:20 United Tastes Of America 01:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 02:35 Food Wars 03:00 Food Wars 03:25 Food Wars 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 Unique Eats 04:40 Chopped 05:30 Iron Chef America 06:10 Food Network Challenge 07:00 Healthy Appetite With Ellie Krieger 08:40 Cooking For Real 10:20 Tyler’s Ultimate 12:00 Staten Island Cakes 12:50 Barefoot Contessa 14:05 Reza’s African Kitchen 15:45 Charly’s Cake Angels 16:10 Charly’s Cake Angels 16:35 Ultimate Recipe Showdown 17:25 Food Wars 17:50 Food Wars 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:30 Chopped 20:20 Chopped 21:10 Amazing Wedding Cakes 22:00 Food Wars 22:25 Food Wars 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

00:15 Market Values 00:45 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 01:10 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 01:40 Eat Street 02:05 Earth Tripping 02:35 Don’t Tell My Mother 03:00 Deadliest Journeys 03:30 Finding Genghis 03:55 Bondi Rescue 08:05 Bondi Rescue: Bali 08:30 Danger Beach 09:00 The Witch Doctor Will See You Now 09:55 Street Food Around The World 10:20 Market Values 10:50 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 11:15 Food Lover’s Guide To The Planet 11:45 Eat Street 12:10 Earth Tripping 12:40 Don’t Tell My Mother 13:05 Deadliest Journeys 13:35 Finding Genghis 14:00 Bondi Rescue 14:30 Bondi Rescue 14:55 Bondi Rescue 15:25 Bondi Rescue: Bali 15:50 Danger Beach 16:20 Maverick Chef 16:45 Eat Street 17:15 The Witch Doctor Will See You Now 18:10 Street Food Around The World 18:35 Market Values 19:05 Bondi Rescue 19:30 Bondi Rescue

TV listings SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 20:00 Bondi Rescue 22:55 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 23:20 Market Values 23:50 Eat Street

00:00 Inside 01:00 Journey To The Edge Of The Universe 03:00 Shark Men 04:00 Hunter Hunted 05:00 Blowdown 06:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 07:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 08:00 Inside 09:00 Journey To The Edge Of The Universe 11:00 Shark Men 12:00 Hunter Hunted 13:00 Blowdown 14:00 Big, Bigger, Biggest 15:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 16:00 Inside 17:00 Earth: Making Of A Planet 19:00 Naked Science 20:00 Alaska Wing Men 21:00 Nazi Temple Of Doom 22:00 Banged Up Abroad 23:00 Lockdown

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

Shadow Hunters Africa’s Lost Eden American Eagle World’s Deadliest Killer Three Man vs Monster Dangerous Encounters Camera Trap Camera Trap Monster Fish Fish Tank Kings Search For The Giant Octopus World’s Deadliest Killer Three Planet Carnivore Built For The Kill Superfish World’s Weirdest World’s Deadliest Killer Three Maneater Manhunt Search For The Giant Octopus Alpha Dogs Alpha Dogs The Incredible Dr. Pol When Sharks Attack Superfish World’s Weirdest World’s Deadliest Killer Three Maneater Manhunt Search For The Giant Octopus Alpha Dogs Alpha Dogs

00:00 Vanishing On 7th Street-PG15 02:00 Big Trouble In Little ChinaPG15 04:00 Alien Tornado-PG15 06:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 08:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 10:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt-PG15 12:00 Ice Road Terror-PG15 14:00 Arctic Blast-PG15 15:45 Courageous-PG15 18:00 Ice Road Terror-PG15 20:00 Starship Troopers: Invasion-18 22:00 Bait-PG15

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

Ties That Bind-PG15 Young Adult-PG15 Spooky Buddies-PG Playdate-PG15 Ties That Bind-PG15 The Darkest Hour-PG15 The Perfect Man-PG What’s Wrong With VirginiaWill-PG Blue Lagoon: The AwakeningMy Week With Marilyn-PG15 Snowtown-R

00:30 01:00 01:30 02:00 02:30 03:00 03:30 04:00 04:30 Leno 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 Leno 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 Leno 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:30

The Daily Show The Colbert Report Web Therapy Enlightened Friends How I Met Your Mother How I Met Your Mother Hope & Faith The Tonight Show With Jay

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Good Morning America American Idol Good Morning America Eureka The Ellen DeGeneres Show Once Upon A Time Eureka The Ellen DeGeneres Show Touch The Carrie Diaries Supernatural Live Good Morning America Touch Once Upon A Time The Carrie Diaries Touch Once Upon A Time The Carrie Diaries Glee American Idol

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Revenge One Tree Hill Sons Of Anarchy Homeland Made In Jersey One Tree Hill Revenge Eureka Alphas Glee Made In Jersey One Tree Hill Eureka The Ellen DeGeneres Show Alphas 24 Eureka The Ellen DeGeneres Show Alphas Body Of Proof C.S.I. New York White Collar Sons Of Anarchy Homeland

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00

A Dangerous Man Vanishing On 7th Street Big Trouble In Little China Alien Tornado True Justice: One Shot, One

Hope & Faith The War At Home Brothers Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Hope & Faith Hope & Faith How I Met Your Mother Go On Happy Endings Brothers The Tonight Show With Jay The War At Home Hope & Faith Hope & Faith Brothers How I Met Your Mother Go On Happy Endings The Daily Show The Colbert Report The War At Home Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Ben And Kate Ben And Kate Community Hot In Cleveland The Tonight Show With Jay The Daily Show The Colbert Report Saturday Night Live The Ricky Gervais Show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Life 10:00 Arctic Blast 12:00 Jesse Stone: Benefit Of The Doubt 14:00 Ice Road Terror 16:00 Arctic Blast 17:45 Courageous 20:00 Ice Road Terror 22:00 Starship Troopers: Invasion

00:00 How To Make Love To A Woman-18 02:00 Flypaper-18 04:00 Back To The Future-PG15 06:00 The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom-PG 08:00 Jingle All The Way-PG 10:00 Shark Tale-PG 12:00 Back To The Future-PG15 14:00 Tin Cup-PG15 16:15 Shark Tale-PG 18:00 Ernest Goes To Jail-PG 20:00 American Cowslip-PG15 22:00 How To Make Love To A Woman-18

01:15 02:45 05:15 07:30 09:15 11:00 12:45 14:45 17:15 19:00 20:30 22:45

Blind Revenge-18 Summer Of Sam-18 The Tree Of Life-PG15 The Presidio-PG15 Boy-PG15 The Chorus-PG15 Oscar-PG15 War Horse-PG15 The Chorus-PG15 Glee: The Concert Movie-PG15 Dreamgirls-PG15 Joyful Noise-PG15

00:00 The Sweeney-18 02:00 Larry Crowne-PG15 03:45 A Thousand Words-PG15 05:30 Arthur 3: And The War Of Two Worlds-PG 07:30 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva LA Fiesta!-PG 09:00 The Big Year-PG 11:00 Into The Wind-PG15 12:15 Mary & Martha-PG15 14:00 Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close-PG 16:15 The Big Year-PG 18:00 The Iron Lady-PG15 20:00 The Whistleblower-18 22:00 The Sitter-18 23:45 Pariah-18

01:15 The Adventures Of Scooter The Penguin 02:45 Problem Child 04:30 The Apple & The Worm 06:00 The Adventures Of Scooter The Penguin 08:00 Kong Return To The Jungle 10:00 Battle For Terra 11:30 Puss In Boots 13:00 Problem Child 14:30 Dragon Hunters 16:00 Winx 18:00 Battle For Terra 20:00 Ice Age: Continental Drift 22:00 Dragon Hunters 23:30 Winx

00:00 Transporter 2-PG15 02:00 Another Harvest Moon-PG15

04:00 The Perfect Catch-PG15 06:00 Rage Of The Yeti-PG15 08:00 Gnomeo & Juliet-PG15 10:00 Stuck On You-PG15 12:00 Damsels In Distress-PG15 14:00 The Three Stooges-PG15 16:00 Gnomeo & Juliet-PG15 18:00 Phil Spector-PG15 20:00 London Boulevard-18 22:00 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter-18

01:20 03:35 05:25 07:00 08:45 10:35 12:15 14:20 16:00 17:50 19:45 22:00 PG 23:50

00:00 Rides 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00

Some Came Running-PG The Sunshine Boys-PG Rogue Cop-PG Presenting Lily Mars-FAM The Philadelphia Story-FAM Welcome To Hard Times-PG Mr. Skeffington-FAM Hot Millions-FAM High Society-FAM Show Boat-FAM Some Came Running-PG Somebody Up There Likes Me-

08:00 Off Limits 09:00 Off Limits 10:00 Piha Rescue 10:30 Piha Rescue 11:00 Piha Rescue 11:30 Piha Rescue 12:00 Ultimate Braai Master 13:00 Ultimate Braai Master 14:00 International House Hunters 14:30 International House Hunters 15:00 International House Hunters 15:30 International House Hunters 16:00 Hotel Impossible 17:00 Hotel Impossible 18:00 Ultimate Braai Master 19:00 Ultimate Braai Master 20:00 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 20:30 Jonathan Phang’s Caribbean Cookbook 21:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 22:00 Xtreme Waterparks 22:30 Xtreme Waterparks 23:00 Insane Coaster Wars 23:30 Insane Coaster Wars

The Sandpiper-PG

World’s Greatest Motorcycle Xtreme Waterparks Bert The Conqueror Off Limits Globe Trekker Bizarre Foods America Bizarre Foods America Hotel Impossible Wild Carpathia

A THOUSAND WORDS ON OSN MOVIES HD

00:00 01:00 01:30 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00 23:30

High Hitler Pawn Stars Storage Wars Soviet Storm: WWII In The East Hitler’s Island Madness High Hitler Mud Men Pawn Stars American Restoration Soviet Storm: WWII In The East Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens American Pickers American Pickers Soviet Storm: WWII In The East Soviet Storm: WWII In The East Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens Storage Wars Storage Wars Pawn Stars Cajun Pawn Stars American Pickers Storage Wars Storage Wars

00:15 00:17 01:00 01:30 02:00 02:45 03:15 03:17 07:15 07:17 08:00 08:45 09:15 09:17 11:00 11:40 13:00 13:45 14:00 15:00 15:15 15:17 16:00 16:45 17:15 17:17 18:00 20:00 20:45 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:40

Top New Playlist New Playlist Urban Hit Playlist Top Gossip Playlist Top Money Playlist R&B 10 Playlist Monthly Top Playlist Club 10 Playlist Urban Hit Playlist Focus Guest Star Top Sexy Playlist French 10 Playlist Top Mobile Playlist Urban Hit 30 Africa 10 Playlist Trace Video Mix Legend Club 10 Playlist

01:35 03:20 05:25 07:00 08:35 09:55

Dressed To Kill Texasville Megaville Body And Soul Zelig Fluke

W H AT ’ S O N

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

What to do in Kuwait this summer?

Visit the Sadu House Al-Sadu Society is dedicated to preserving, documenting and promoting the rich and diverse textile heritage of the Kuwaiti Bedouin, from the nomadic weaving of the desert to the urban weaving of the town. Sadu is a traditional Bedouin art that involves weaving geometric designs on dyed and colored wool that is spun by hand to create magnificent carpets, rugs, and Bedouin tent screens. Inside the Sadu House, visitors have the opportunity to see Bedouin women weaving. Sadu House is located near the National Museum. It is considered to be the center of Bedouin art aiming at presenting Kuwait’s roots and protecting Bedouin crafts from eradication.

Address: Arabian Gulf Street, Next to the National Museum of Kuwait, Kuwait City Opening Hours: Saturdays to Thursdays: Mornings from 08 am to 1 pm. Evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Contact: 22432395 E-mail: info@alsadu.org.kw Website: www.alsadu.org.kw View Boushahri Gallery The Boushahri Art Gallery was established in 1982 by Jawad Boushahri, the Chairman of the Boushahri group who is also an acclaimed Kuwaiti sculptor. It is one of the oldest private art galleries in the Middle East. This long established gallery showcases contemporary regional work. In order to create an awareness toward art in Kuwait as a community service, the Boushahri Art Gallery educates, supports and sponsors local and international artists, displaying their paintings, potteries, ceramic portraitures, designs, photographers, sculptures and much more. To encourage the Art lovers and educate society, Boushahri Art Gallery offers many courses, seminars and lectures about Art. Address: Salmiya, Baghdad St., Building Number: 36, in front of Al- Laheeb Mosque Opening Hours: 10 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. The museum is closed on Friday and Thursday afternoons.

Contact: 25621119/99770607 Website: www.boushahrigroup.com/client/PhotoandArt.aspx

Take a break at Al-Khiran Resort The Al-Khiran resort is a relaxing “get-away” from the mayhem of stressful city life. The resort provides a soothing tranquil environment that includes beautiful green lawns, wide, well-defined roads, ample parking spaces, and clean wellmaintained beaches. It has many chalets that are beautifully furnished and air-conditioned. The resort also offers a variety of other facilities such as football and basketball courts, luxurious restaurants, yacht clubs, an amusement park for children, electronic computer arcade and the ‘Duza’ ballroom. The resort also provides variety in food as it includes a fast-food counter, and a counter that offers seafood, Italian and oriental food.

Address: Gulf Street, Al-Khiran district Contact: 23951122 E-mail: mailbox@khiranresort.com Website: www.khiranresort.com Stop at the Tareq Rajab Museum The Tareq Rajab Museum houses an anthology of over thirty thousand items collected over the last fifty years, of which approximately ten thousand are on permanent display. Tareq Sayed Rajab was the first Kuwaiti to be sent abroad to study art and archaeology and his collection includes Islamic arts, ceramic, gold and silver jewelry, English manuscripts, metal and glass works, old English costumes, and musical instruments. His personal collection includes over thirty thousand Islamic treasures that were gathered over the years. The

Museum is divided into two parts: in Area A, calligraphy, manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, glass, jade, wood and stone carvings are exhibited. Area B contains objects such as costumes, textiles, jewellery and musical instruments produced in the Islamic world.

Address: Jabriya, near the intersection of the Fifth Ring Motorway and the Abdulaziz Bin Abdilrahman al-Saud Expressway (Fahaheel Expressway); Street 5; Block12; House 16 Opening Hours: Weekdays from 9 am to 12 pm; Evenings: From 4 pm to 7 pm; Fridays: From 9 am to 12 pm.

Contact: 25317358/25354916 Website: www.trmkt.com The Scientific Center, Kuwait The Scientific Center is designed to reflect the Islamic arts and culture. It has three main fascinating attractions: Aquarium, Discovery Place and IMAX Cinema. The Aquarium presents an ecosystem of desert, sea, and coastal edge. Visitors of the Aquarium explore the lives of beings and animals in their environments. When entering the Discovery Place, visitors gain scientific experience through educational games. Highly specialized trainers are assigned to guide visitors through hand-on playful training. On entering the IMAX Cinema, one can watch 3D movies played on the giant screen. Visitors can enjoy watching educational and documentary presentations and get engaged into a highly imaginative experience.

Address: The Scientific Center, Gulf Road Contact: 1848888 E-mail: info@tsck.org.kw Website: www.tsck.org.kw Visit Dar Al-Funoon gallery Dar Al-Funoon, which was established in 1993, focuses on contemporary Arab art as well as Arabic calligraphy.

Exhibitions are held monthly from October to May, and a special silk exhibition of arts and crafts is held in December. Between temporary exhibitions, items from the private collection are on display, which can be bought. The gallery is located between the Sheraton Hotel and the Arabian Gulf Street. The area itself is interesting thanks to its old Kuwaiti-style houses and a large courtyard which includes a number of excellent restaurants.

Address: Behbehani compound, Salhiya, House No. 28, Al-Watiah, Kuwait City Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 10 am to 1 pm Evenings: 4 pm to 8 pm Contact: 22433138 E-mail: info@daralfunoon-kw.com Website: www.daralfunoon-kw.com Bayt - Lothan Bayt Lothan is dedicated to the promotion of arts and crafts and is host to various exhibitions and displays throughout the year. It covers an area of 4,000 square meters on the Arabian Gulf Street and caters to all tastes and themes, including sculpture, ceramic arts, jewelry and photography, as well as contemporary art and calligraphy.

Watch out in the local press for details of current and forthcoming exhibitions or seminars. There is also a small coffee shop for basic refreshments and for theatre lovers they also hold drama classes throughout the year.

Address: Gulf Street, beside Marina Mall, in front of Corniche Hotel Contact: 25755866 / 25727388 E-Mail: info@baytlothan.org Opening Hours: Sundays to Thursdays: 9 am to 1 pm; Evenings: 5 pm to 9 pm Website: http://www.baytlothan.org

Visit Ghadir Gallery, Kuwait The Al-Ghadir Gallery Kuwait is dedicated to promote the Kuwaiti formative artist and writer Thuraya Al-Baqsami and successfully accomplished 120 national and international solo art exhibitions, literary and poetry readings and musical events. It also participates in charity activities worldwide. The gallery offers varieties of art including paintings, frames, handcrafts, art materials and antiques.

Address: Block 6, Street 5, Villa 40, Mishref, Kuwait Contact: 22435101, 22426240 E-mail: info@ghadirgallerykuwait.com Website: www.ghadirgallerykuwait.com Tour the Entertainment City The Entertainment City is located 20 km from Kuwait City and provides complete entertainment for all members of the family. The city is divided into three theme parks: The Arab world, the International World and the Future World. The park offers more than 40 different rides, lots of games to play, and stage show unique to the Middle East. The major attractions to look out for in the park include the City of Dreams, the City of Sinbad and Ali Baba, the City of Thunder and Hurricanes, the African boat, Grand Pix, Arabian Carousel and the Fantasy Cinema. The place is fully equipped with a police station of its own and ambulance service, shops where souvenirs and other merchandise can be purchased, and a parking lot that can accommodate around 3000 vehicles.

Address: Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya, Al - Doha Opening Hours: Sundays - Fridays: 5 pm to 1 am (Summers) and 3 pm to 11 pm (Winters) It is important to note that Mondays are allocated only for women and men are not allowed on Mondays.

Contact No.: 24879455 Take the kids to Al-Shaab Leisure Park Al-Sha’ab Leisure Park is located on the southern coast of Kuwait City. It combines more than 70 special rides on the level of the Middle East. It also provides integrated services, including restaurants, a mall, and rides and games that meet the interests of all age groups. The park also offers indoor games as well as outdoor sports like bungee jumping, pony rides and ice-skating. Families can also access facilities such as the movies and the delicious meals at the restaurants. At Al-Sha’ab Leisure Park, all these facilities are maintained according to international standards.

Address: Baghdad Street, Block 11, Salmiya Opening Hours: All days from 5 pm to 1 am (Summer) and 10 am - 12 Midnight on weekends.

Contact: 25613777 E-mail: shaabpark_fb@uetc.com.kw Website: www.shaabpark.com Kuwait National Museum The Kuwait National Museum hosts a range of items such as fossils, bones, Islamic artifacts, and pottery tools that reflect the culture, history and heritage of the Kuwaiti society and the Islamic world. The relics on display presents Kuwait’s ancient past, the development of the Islamic nations and the impact of the discovery of oil. Part of the Dar-Al-Athar-Al-Islamiyah collection is also on display, and a replica of the Muhallab II that graces the entrance has also recently been restored as a reminder of Kuwait’s seafaring past. There is also a modern Planetarium, built by Carl Zeiss which is a pleasant educational experience for both adults and children. The three major attractions in the museum are the heritage museum, the planetarium and the wooden ship.

Address: Behind Sadu House, Arabian Gulf Street Contact No.: 22451195 Opening Hours: 8:30am to 12:30pm and 4:30pm to 8:30pm (Summers); and 8 am to 4 pm (Winters). The Museum is closed on Sundays, Friday mornings and Saturday afternoons.

W H AT ’ S O N

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Embassy Information

Kuwait Pavendar Khazhagam celebrates Independence Day

K

uwait Pavendar Khazhagam celebrated remembrance of Independence Day of India as its llth Kalam on August 2 at Mangaf.

The event begun at 6 pm with prayer song by Selvi, Subhashree & Mrs. Ambika. The program was presided over by Suresh Kumar as Chief Guest in the presence of Kavisai Sekar and Engr B. Sekar. The program was anchored by Jeyakumar.

PVKK Kalapaadal was sung by Ravanan. One Thirkkural was explained by Siva Mani. The program under the title “Kathai Kelukaniyaaku” was performed by Sooraj Kumar. The event under the title ‘Mann Isai” was performed by Mrs. Manjula. The program under title” Kalaththu Medu” was performed by Selvan. Sanjeev, Selvi, Subhasree. Senthai. Ravi applauded the families and members for their wedding day & birthday which falls in month of August.

Onam competition K

erala Arts and Literature Promoting Association of Kuwait (KALPAK) is conducting “ATHAPOOKALAM” competition on September 20 Friday at United Indian School Abbassiya as a part of “ONAM” celebrations. We invite all Kerala Associations to participate in this competition. 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners will be honored by Rosy Oppen Chackola memorial trophy sponsored by Babu Chakola for memory of his beloved parents.

For more details please contact 60390883. The prizes for the winners will be given on the same day in a function with various cultural programs by KALPAK.

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds.

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

The Karutharngam (seminar) under the title “Independence Freedom Fighters”. Natarajan spoken about Nethaji Subash Chandra Bose. Mrs. Punitha articulated about Mrs Thillaiyadi Valliammai. B.Sekar recalled about V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.

The Kaviarangam was performed by under the leadership of Sivamani and other participants in Kaviarangam were Subramani, Thandayuthapani and Munu. Sivasankaran in various topics.

The event under title “Inithinum Inithu”, a debate programme was performed under the leadership of Ravanan and other participants in the event were Mrs Devi Ravi & Mahesh.

Lunch was sponsored by Sooraj Kumar. Kuwait Pavendar Khazhagam executive members thanked Sooraj Kumar and his family for sponsoring lunch for the event. The program concluded with national anthem by PVKK members.

Visit the TIES centre

A

class titled ‘Qur’an Quotes and Tafseer,’ will be held at the TIES Center.

After reading specified Qur’anic verses aloud and explaining them very briefly, Hassan will explain the various connotations of some words and phrases to show the literary beauty and miracle of the Qur’an.

After that, attendees will be asked to participate in a discussion on the topic and other related issues. The class will involve an open discussion in a casual setting with the aim of reflecting and pondering verses from the Noble Qur’an as well as learning how to recite some short surahs. On Monday August 26, we will discuss Surat Al-Ikhlaas (sincerity, purity of faith), which is symbolically equal to a third of the Qur’an.

If you are interested in learning the interpretation of the Qur’an and lessons deduced from the verses, Please join us at the TIES Center on August 26 at 7:00pm.

2- A presentation entitled, “YOGA FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH,” by Dr. Fatema S. Mohibi Interested to know the secret of a healthy body and a calm mind?? Or, do you want to lose weight?? Or, do you want to get rid of stress, worries and depression?? Whatever your goal is, you can achieve it with YOGA. Yoga is an ancient science that originated around 6000 years ago in India. It is not simply stretching or exercise; it’s the ART of LIVING. Yoga is for ALL. Anybody can practice it, as there is no limit of age, beliefs or physical capability.

Yoga postures (asanas) affect every part of the body (even tissues & cells), and tone muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves. They also boost metabolism, balance hormone secretion and chemical equilibrium; improve concentration, and increase energy and vitality. Join Dr. Fatema Mohibi (BHMS, DYS) on August 27th, at 7:00 pm at the TIES Center and dive deep into the amazing ocean of YOGA — its meaning, health benefits, and therapeutic effects on mind & body.

Dr. Fatema .S. Mohibi is a qualified Homeopathic Physician and Yoga Therapist and Trainer currently providing her services at Al-Zuhair Holistic Medicine Center, Salmiya, Kuwait. She has more than 8 years’ experience in teaching Yoga to various people from various nationalities. She provides personal sessions to the Al-Sabah Royal Family, as well as to Alghanim and Al-Mubarak families. She is also a counselor of health and wellness educators. For her, Yoga is the way to live life, the way to explore within, to find our true self, and the source of abundant peace and happiness within.

3-Cultural Orientation Course By Jehan Al-Hobaishy Understanding the local culture has proven effective for settling more comfortably in Kuwait. In addition to that, it is a helpful gateway to success in business and social relations here in Kuwait, as well as the other Middle Eastern countries. This one-day course will help you understand appropriate manners and etiquette, which is a very important element of Arab culture.

Who are the Kuwaitis? What is their culture? This one-day course will be offered at 7:00pm on the following days: August 28, 29 and September 2, 5 and 9. Prior registration is required. Please indicate the day that you would like to attend.

For more information, please call 25231015/6 or log onto: www.tiescenter.net or visit their facebook page: TIES Center.

Embassy of AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au. All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-au-gcc.com for more info. The Embassy of Australia does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visas and immigration matters is conducted by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com (VIS), immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au (Visa Office), Tel: +971 4 205 5900 (VFS), Fax: + 971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). Notary and passport services are available by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy on 22322422. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF ARGENTINE For the Argentinean citizens who had not already enlisted in the embassy’s electoral register, and taking in consideration the elections which was held on Sunday 11/08/2013, it is necessary to justify they vote by presence at our embassy which located in (Mishref - Block 6 - Street 42 - Villa 51) and should present the DNI and/or the Argentinean Passport. The Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the State of Kuwait avails itself of this opportunity to renew the assurances of its highest consideration. nnnnnnn

Embassy of CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, Email: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, AlMutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, Al-Qibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia).

For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday). Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF UKRAINE The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait would like to inform that submission of the documents for tourist visa is temporary closed (from August 26 till September 26). Within the above-mentioned period, the visa will be issued only in the case of emergency.

health & science SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

LONDON: File photos show an embryologist works on embryo at the Create Health fertility clinic in south London. — AP photos

Test-tube babies: A simpler, cheaper technique?

LONDON: Since the first test-tube baby was born more than three decades ago, in vitro fertilization has evolved into a highly sophisticated lab procedure. Now, scientists are going back to basics and testing a simpler and cheaper method. In the West, many would-be parents spend thousands of dollars for IVF, which involves pricey incubators and extensive screening. But European and American scientists say a simplified version of the entire procedure aimed at developing countries could be done for about 200 euros ($265) with generic fertility drugs and basic lab equipment that would fit inside a shoebox.

“IVF is made to sound complicated, but the fact is that the early embryo is not very demanding,” said Jonathan Van Blerkom, a fertility expert at the University of Colorado. A human embryo doesn’t need much beyond some basic solutions, a steady pH level and constant temperature, he said.The simpler approach calls for women to take cheaper fertility tablets to stimulate their ovaries to release more than one egg per month. In conventional IVF, expensive, potent drugs that are injected can produce more than 20 eggs. Van Blerkom developed the simplified technique after European colleagues asked him how IVF could be done in developing countries.

“My first reaction was, ‘You’ve got to be kidding,’” he said. But with two test tubes and special solutions, “it’s possible to generate the exact same conditions, or very similar, to what people are

generating in a $60,000 incubator.”One test tube is used to prepare a solution including carbon dioxide, which creates the ideal conditions for fertilization. That’s piped into a second tube, where one egg and a few thousand sperm are added, before being placed in a heating block. After about two to three days, any resulting embryo is examined under a microscope before being transferred into the woman.

Van Blerkom and colleagues estimated that about half of all people seeking infertility treatment could potentially be helped by the method.

Those who have complicated infertility problems, like men with severe sperm problems or women with very few eggs left, will still need standard IVF. In an ongoing trial in Belgium, researchers are comparing the techniques. Women under 36 seeking IVF for the first time are given a mild dose of injectable fertility drugs. If at least eight eggs are retrieved, half undergo traditional IVF, and half use the simpler method. A specialist who doesn’t know which technique was used picks the bestlooking embryo to be transferred.

For the more than 100 women treated so far, the pregnancy rate was about 34 percent for both methods. So far, 14 babies have been born using the simplified method and 13 babies from traditional IVF. The World Health Organization estimates there are between 120 and 160 million couples struggling with infertility worldwide.

“Nobody thinks that infertility in developing coun-

tries is a problem, but it is an even bigger problem there than in (the West),” WHO reproductive health expert Sheryl Vanderpoel said.

She said more people in developing countries have complications from untreated infections, including sexually spread diseases, than in the West, which can hurt their fertility. “Making IVF affordable is a public health priority,” she said. Dr Hassan Sallam, director of the Alexandria Fertility and IVF Center in Egypt, said the cheaper IVF method would be welcomed. He said there is considerable social pressure on young Egyptian couples to have children - and that is compounded by the fact in rural areas, many newlyweds live with the man’s family.

“All eyes are on the newlywed couple to see if pregnancy has happened after the first month,” he said in an email. He said couples married for two to three months occasionally come to see him “just to please their in-laws.” Although the new IVF strategy is intended for use mainly in developing countries, doctors in rich countries are also interested. “You should not have to be rich just to have IVF,” said Dr. Geeta Nargund, medical director for Create Health Clinics, a private fertility center in London. “There are so many people who cannot afford the treatment (in the West) that there would be huge demand if there were something cheaper available.”

In many European countries, national health systems pay for several IVF cycles for eligible cou-

ples but it can cost more than $10,000 for those seeking it privately. For many couples, up to three cycles are necessary to create a baby. She has asked Britain’s regulatory agency for fertility treatment for permission to test the simpler technique.

Some said the success rates of the cheaper IVF method would likely be lower than those for regular IVF. The simplified method does not include any extensive screening of embryos or any procedures to inject sperm directly into the eggs. “You aren’t producing as many eggs with this (cheap) method so the numbers will not be as high,” said Ian Cooke, an emeritus professor of reproductive medicine at Sheffield University. Cooke also thought training enough health professionals in developing countries might be an issue.

Still, he said the method was promising.

Because doctors were planning to use less potent fertility drugs, he said it was fine to cut back on the regular screening and daily tests used in normal IVF regimens. “From a technical point of view, they have proven it works,” he said, adding it was now necessary to test the technique in developing countries. Patient groups said doctors should offer the cheaper IVF method if it is approved. “IVF is not a one-sizefits-all process,” said Susan Seenan, deputy chief executive of Infertility Network UK. “Patients are being told they need all kinds of expensive procedures and this may be a good time to step back and see if that is really the case.” — AP

Long-term study backs early HIV drugs for children PARIS: A landmark five-year trial has strengthened evidence that early use of antiretroviral drugs helps children combat the AIDS virus, doctors reported yesterday. Conducted in South Africa, the so-called CHER trial made history in 2007, after only two years, when it discovered that early treatment slashed the risk of disease and death from AIDS by 75 percent.

The astonishing finding prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to overhaul its treatment guidelines in 2010 for youngsters with the AIDS virus. The WHO recommended that antiretroviral therapy be started immediately when HIV is diagnosed in children less than a year old, rather than wait until a threshold of virus infection is reached.

Now completed, the CHER trial takes early-use-is-good a step further,

according to results reported in The Lancet. Children who began an immediate course of drugs were able to interrupt their treatment, giving them a break from the powerful, potentially toxic drugs, researchers found. Yet even with this interruption, the infants did far better than those who started treatment later. On average, the children who received the deferred treatment began the drugs about 20 weeks after diagnosis. Those who began an immediate course of 40 weeks of drugs were able to take a 33-week break before starting treatment afresh. And those who took an immediate 96-week course enjoyed a break of 70 weeks.

The trial was conducted at two sites in South Africa among 377 infants with HIV who were less than 12 weeks old. The research marks the

latest advance in knowledge about antiretroviral drugs, which revolutionized the fight against AIDS from 1996.

The drugs are a lifeline to millions, for they can roll back the virus to below detectable levels. But if the drugs are stopped, the virus rebounds from boltholes, called reservoirs, in cells in the body. Two other trials-both small in scale and at a very early stage-have recently raised hopes that hitting HIV with drugs very soon after infection can wipe out this hiding place.

An estimated 34 million people are infected with HIV worldwide, and about 1.8 million die each year.

Infants are especially vulnerable. If untreated, around half of infected newborns die before their second birthday. The new work revives hopes that flourished in the late 1990s, before the reservoir problem was

identified, that patients could get a temporary holiday from AIDS drugs.

“This important finding indicates we may be able to temporarily stop treatment and spare infants from some of the toxic effects of continuous ART [antiretroviral therapy] for a while, if we can monitor them carefully,” said Mark Cotton, a professor at Stellenbosch University near Cape Town, who helped lead the study.

Caution, though, was sounded in a commentary by Robert Colebunders of the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, Belgium, and Victor Musiime of Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda. Treatment interruption is a risky option in poor countries which lack laboratory facilities to monitor levels of CD4 immune cells, they said. — AFP

health & science SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Study seeks super agers’ secrets to brain health CHICAGO: They’re called “super agers” - men and women who are in their 80s and 90s, but with brains and memories that seem far younger.

Researchers are looking at this rare group in the hope that they may find ways to help protect others from memory loss. And they’ve had some tantalizing findings: Imaging tests have found unusually low amounts of age-related plaques along with more brain mass related to attention and memory in these elite seniors.

“We’re living long but we’re not necessarily living well in our older years and so we hope that the SuperAging study can find factors that are modifiable and that we’ll be able to use those to help people live long and live well,” said study leader Emily Rogalski, a neuroscientist at Northwestern University’s cognitive neurology and Alzheimer’s disease center in Chicago. The study is still seeking volunteers, but chances are you don’t qualify: Fewer than 10 percent of

would-be participants have met study criteria.

“We’ve screened over 400 people at this point and only about 35 of them have been eligible for this study, so it really represents a rare portion of the population,” Rogalski said.

They include an octogenarian attorney, a 96year-old retired neuroscientist, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor and an 81-year-old pack-aday smoker who drinks a nightly martini. To qualify, would-be participants have to undergo a battery of mental tests. Once enrolled, they undergo periodic imaging scans and other medical tests. They also must be willing to donate their brains after death. The memory tests include lists of about 15 words. “Super agers can remember at least nine of them 30 minutes later, which is really impressive because often older adults in their 80s can only remember just a couple,” Rogalski said.

Special MRI scans have yielded other remark-

able clues, Rogalski said. They show that in super agers, the brain’s cortex, or outer layer, responsible for many mental functions including memory, is thicker than in typical 80- and 90-year-olds.

And deep within the brain, a small region called the anterior cingulate, important for attention, is bigger than even in many 50- and 60-year-olds.

The super agers aren’t just different on the inside; they have more energy than most people their age and share a positive, inquisitive outlook. Rogalski said the researchers are looking into whether those traits contribute to brain health. Other research has linked a positive attitude with overall health. And some studies have suggested that people who are “cognitively active and socially engaged” have a reduced chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but which comes first - a healthy brain or a great attitude - isn’t known, said Heather Snyder, director of medical and scientific operations for the

Alzheimer’s Association.

Snyder said the SuperAging study is an important effort that may help provide some answers.

Edith Stern is among the super agers. The petite woman looks far younger than her 92 years, and is a vibrant presence at her Chicago retirement home, where she acts as a sort of room mother, volunteering in the gift shop, helping residents settle in and making sure their needs are met.

Stern lost most of her family in the Holocaust and takes her work seriously.

“What I couldn’t do for my parents, I try to do for the residents in the home,” she said, her voice still thick with the accent of her native Czechoslovakia. Stern acknowledges she’s different from most people at the home, even many younger residents. “I am young - inside. And I think that’s the difference,” she said. “I grasp fast,” she adds. “If people say something, they don’t have to tell me twice. I don’t forget it.” — AP

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Kuwait

SHARQIA-1 KILLING SEASON (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) JOBS (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) JOBS (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) NO THU THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) NO THU Special Show “THE SMURFS 2 (DIG)” THU THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) Special Show “THE SMURFS 2 (DIG)” THU CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) NO THU THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED MUHALAB-1 JOBS (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) JOBS (DIG) MUHALAB-2 KILLING SEASON (DIG) FRI THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) MUHALAB-3 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG)

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FANAR-2 DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) STREET DANCE ALL STARS (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

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FANAR-3 CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) THE LONE RANGER (DIG) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) THE LONE RANGER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

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FANAR-4 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED FANAR-5 THE CONJURING THE CONJURING THE CONJURING EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET

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KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (22/08/2013 TO 28/08/2013) THE CONJURING THE CONJURING NO SUN+TUE+WED

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MARINA-2 THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MARINA-3 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-1 KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AVENUES-2 CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-3 RED 2 (DIG) THE LONE RANGER (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

AVENUES-4 THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-5 THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO THU Special Show “JOBS (DIG)” THU THE WOLVERINE (DIG) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-6 THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-7 THE LONE RANGER (DIG) HAMMER OF G’S (DIG) HAMMER OF G’S (DIG) MADRAS CAFE (DIG) (HINDI) HAMMER OF G’S (DIG) HAMMER OF G’S (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:45 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

360º- 1 THE CONJURING (DIG)

12:30 PM

THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

360º- 2 RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

360º- 3 DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

360º- 4 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

AL-KOUT.1 EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) JOBS (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.2 DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) JOBS (DIG) JOBS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

AL-KOUT.3 THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.4 RED 2 (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) THE LONE RANGER (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-1 DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

BAIRAQ-2 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

BAIRAQ-3 JOBS (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) JOBS (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

SITUATION VACANT For a family of two adults, a live-in house boy and home care. Good English and Arabic is preferred, transferable visa.

Contact: 99060969.

20-8-2013 ACCOMMODATION For ladies or bachelor Filipino only near big Jamiya Farwaniya. Available August 25, 2013. Contact 66158188 or 66826412.

20-8-2013

in Kuwait. Looking for a suitable accounts job. (Can join immediately).

Contact: 65173606/67668929.

(C4486) 20-8-2013 FOR SALE Mitsubishi Jeep Nativa model 2011 white color, 6 cylinder engine, alloy rim excellent condition, 4 wheel drive (installment possible), cash price KD 3,400 negotiable.

Tel: 99194874. (C 4487) 20-8-2013 MATRIMONIAL

CHANGE OF NAME I, Thottakath Abu, holder of Indian Passport No. G9943123 issued at Kuwait on 28/10/2008, have changed my name to Aboobacker Thottakath.

(C 4488) 21-8-2013 I, Thamer Medhat Moh. Khattab holder of Filipino Passport No. TT0990386 hereby change my name to Tamer Medhat Moh. Khattab, hereafter all dealings in my new name.

20-8-2013 SITUATION WANTED Indian lady Accountant, B.Com with 3 years experience

Marthomite parents in Kuwait, invites proposals for their daughter (28/160/fair), BB Kuwait, Masters UK, well employed in Kuwait, from well qualified and employed Marthoma/CSI/Orthodox/Jac obite boys preferably in Kuwait/Dubai/USA/Australia/ Canada with good family background and clean habits.

Email: jacobthomask3@yahoo.com

Prayer timings Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

03:57 05:21 11:50 15:24 18:20 19:40

Hospitals Sabah Hospital Amiri Hospital Maternity Hospital Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital Chest Hospital Farwaniya Hospital Adan Hospital Ibn Sina Hospital Al-Razi Hospital Physiotherapy Hospital

24812000 22450005 24843100 25312700 24849400 24892010 23940620 24840300 24846000 24874330/9

Clinics Rabiya Rawdha Adailiya Khaldiya Khaifan Shamiya Shuwaikh Abdullah Salim Al-Nuzha Industrial Shuwaikh Al-Qadisiya Dasmah Bneid Al-Ghar Al-Shaab Al-Kibla Ayoun Al-Kibla Mirqab Sharq Salmiya Jabriya Maidan Hawally Bayan

24732263 22517733 22517144 24848075 24849807 24848913 24814507 22549134 22526804 24814764 22515088 22532265 22531908 22518752 22459381 22451082 22456536 22465401 25746401 25316254 25623444 25388462

information SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION In case you are not travelling, your proper cancellation of bookings will help other passengers use seats Airlines BBC QTR SAI THY JZR JZR THY ETH GFA PIA UAE ETD THY MEA FDB MSR RBG OMA QTR RJA THY DHX FDB BAW KAC KAC JZR JZR JZR KAC KAC JZR FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE KAC ABY IRC ABY IRM FDB QTR ETD IRA GFA IAW IRM JZR MSC JZR JZR JZR TBZ UAE MSR MSR THY KNE KAC QTR FDB KAC IRC IRM MSR SVA JZR SYR SYR KNE JAV KAC KAC MRJ RJA KAC JZR QTR JZR ETD JZR UAE KNE ABY UAL GFA SVA JZR KAC JZR

Arrival Flights on Saturday 24/8/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 148 DOHA 441 LAHORE 5464 SABIHA 539 CAIRO 267 BEIRUT 764 SABIHA 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 239 ISLAMABAD 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 768 ISTANBUL 408 BEIRUT 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 555 ALEXANDRIA 643 MUSCAT 138 DOHA 648 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 416 JAKARTA 1541 CAIRO 529 ASYUT 555 ALEXANDRIA 206 ISLAMABAD 382 DELHI 503 LUXOR 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 344 CHENNAI 855 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 125 SHARJAH 6588 SHAHRE KORD 123 SHARJAH 1186 TEHRAN 55 DUBAI 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 3407 MASHAD 213 BAHRAIN 157 BAGHDAD 1188 MASHAD 165 DUBAI 401 ALEXANDRIA 325 NAJAF 359 MASHAD 241 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 5483 MASHAD 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 579 SOHAG 766 ISTANBUL 480 TAIF 672 DUBAI 140 DOHA 57 DUBAI 790 MEDINAH 6692 MASHAD 1184 SHIRAZ 575 SHARM EL SHEIKH 500 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 1281 DAMASCUS 341 DAMASCUS 470 JEDDAH 621 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 538 SOHAG 804 CAIRO 4813 MASHAD 640 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 118 NEW YORK 535 CAIRO 134 DOHA 125 BAHRAIN 303 ABU DHABI-INTL 357 MASHAD 857 DUBAI 472 JEDDAH 127 SHARJAH 982 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 215 BAHRAIN 510 RIYADH 177 DUBAI 176 GENEVA 777 JEDDAH

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

NIA IZG TGZ QTR FDB GFA MSC JAI RBG FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR KAC KAC OMA ABY JZR IRA MEA MSR AXB KNE KLM ALK UAE ETD QTR GFA JAI QTR FDB AIC JZR UAL KAC JZR KAC KAC MSC DLH JZR JAI MSR THY

251 4167 1553 144 63 219 405 572 553 61 104 542 502 774 618 269 674 562 647 129 189 607 402 618 489 462 415 229 859 307 136 217 576 146 59 975 239 981 786 185 154 614 2403 636 513 574 614 772

ALEXANDRIA MASHAD BATUMI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SOHAG MUMBAI ALEXANDRIA DUBAI LONDON CAIRO BEIRUT RIYADH DOHA BEIRUT DUBAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA MUSCAT SHARJAH DUBAI MASHAD BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA COCHIN MEDINAH AMSTERDAM COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL DOHA BAHRAIN COCHIN DOHA DUBAI CHENNAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA BAHRAIN JEDDAH DUBAI SARAJEVO BAHRAIN SOHAG FRANKFURT SHARM EL SHEIKH MUMBAI CAIRO ISTANBUL

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

Airlines AIC LZB JAI UAL DLH MSR KLM THY JZR BBC THY SAI THY ETH MEA PIA THY UAE FDB RBG MSR ETD OMA QTR QTR FDB RJA JZR GFA THY JZR JZR KAC BAW FDB JZR KAC JZR JZR KAC KAC KAC ABY UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Saturday 24/8/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA 7788 VARNA 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 413 AMSTERDAM 5465 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 502 LUXOR 44 DHAKA 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 442 LAHORE 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 621 ADDIS ABABA 409 BEIRUT 240 SIALKOT 769 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 556 ALEXANDRIA 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 644 MUSCAT 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 70 DUBAI 649 AMMAN 358 MASHHAD 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 240 AMMAN 164 DUBAI 537 SOHAG 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 803 CAIRO 324 AL NAJAF 534 CAIRO 789 MADINAH 153 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 671 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI

Time 00:05 00:15 00:20 00:25 00:30 00:30 00:55 01:10 01:30 01:30 02:20 02:30 02:40 02:45 03:10 03:35 03:40 03:45 03:50 03:55 04:15 04:20 04:20 04:25 05:15 06:30 06:35 06:55 07:00 07:10 07:10 07:25 07:45 08:25 08:25 08:50 08:55 09:10 09:10 09:15 09:15 09:25 09:30 09:50 09:55

IRC ABY ETD QTR KAC IRM JZR KAC GFA KAC IRA KAC IAW JZR MSC IRM JZR JZR JZR MSR TBZ MSR THY KNE UAE FDB KAC QTR IRC MSR KAC IRM SYR KAC SYR SVA KAC JZR KNE JAV MRJ RJA KAC JZR JZR QTR ETD JZR ABY KNE UAE GFA SVA UAL JZR JZR NIA IZG TGZ QTR FDB GFA KAC KAC RBG MSC JAI FDB ABY KAC OMA KAC IRA MEA MSR KAC KNE DHX KLM ETD ALK UAE KAC QTR KAC GFA KAC FDB JAI QTR JZR JZR KAC JZR

6589 124 302 133 101 1185 356 501 214 541 3406 165 158 776 406 1189 176 124 268 580 5484 611 767 481 872 58 561 141 6693 576 673 1187 1282 617 342 505 773 188 461 622 4812 641 785 238 512 135 304 538 128 473 858 216 511 982 184 266 252 4168 1554 145 64 220 613 283 554 402 571 62 120 331 648 351 604 403 607 543 475 171 415 308 230 860 381 137 301 218 205 60 575 147 554 1540 411 528

SHAHRE-KORD SHARJAH ABU DHABI DOHA LONDON SHIRAZ MASHHAD BEIRUT BAHRAIN CAIRO MASHHAD ROME AL NAJAF JEDDAH SOHAG MASHHAD DUBAI BAHRAIN BEIRUT SOHAG MASHHAD CAIRO ISTANBUL-ATATURK TAIF DUBAI DUBAI AMMAN DOHA MASHHAD SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI TEHRAN DAMASCUS DOHA DAMASCUS JEDDAH RIYADH DUBAI MADINAH AMMAN MASHHAD AMMAN JEDDAH AMMAN SHARM EL SHEIKH DOHA ABU DHABI CAIRO SHARJAH JEDDAH DUBAI BAHRAIN RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA MASHHAD BATUMI DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DHAKA ALEXANDRIA ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT KOCHI ISFAHAN BEIRUT LUXOR CAIRO JEDDAH BAHRAIN DAMMAM ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DELHI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN ISLAMABAD DUBAI ABU DHABI DOHA ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BANGKOK ASYUT

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

10:00 10:00 10:15 10:25 10:25 10:30 11:00 11:10 11:25 11:30 11:35 11:45 12:00 12:25 13:00 13:10 13:20 13:30 13:35 13:50 13:55 14:00 14:10 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:40 14:55 15:00 15:00 15:05 15:20 15:40 15:45 15:55 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:05 16:30 16:45 16:55 17:00 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:40 17:50 17:55 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:30 18:30 18:40 19:00 19:05 19:10 19:25 19:35 19:50 20:00 20:15 20:20 20:30 20:35 20:40 20:45 20:50 20:55 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:45 21:50 22:05 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:00 23:05 23:05 23:20 23:25 23:40 23:55

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Word Search

Yesterdayʼs Solution

85. Having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified.

C R O S S W O R D 2 8 9

ACROSS 1. Surface layer of ground containing a matt of grass and grass roots.

4. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (trade name Lodine).

12. The rate at which energy is drawn from a source that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit.

15. A user interface in which you type commands instead of choosing them from a menu or selecting an icon.

16. Minute planktonic or parasitic crustaceans.

17. A close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities.

18. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

19. The first event in a series.

20. The sacred city of Lamaism.

21. Obvious and dull.

23. Coextensive with the family Punicaceae.

25. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

26. Regarded with deep or rapturous love (especially as if for a god).

28. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

30. An expression of greeting.

32. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

33. Mild yellow Dutch cheese made in balls.

36. Of or relating to Oman or its people.

40. A metabolic acid found in yeast and liver cells.

42. Stem of the rattan palm used for making canes and umbrella handles.

44. (Sumerian) Sun god.

46. (prefix) Reverse of or absence of.

47. The ball-shaped capsule containing the vertebrate eye.

48. A port city in northwestern Algeria and the country's 2nd largest city.

50. A member of the tribe of Franks who settled in the Netherlands in the 4th century AD. 52. French physicist noted for research on magnetism (born in 1904).

54. Type genus of the Percidae.

56. An oil port in southern Iraq.

57. Spider monkeys.

59. The compass point that is one point east of southeast.

61. English monk and scholar (672-735).

62. The act of using.

63. American prizefighter who won the world heavyweight championship three times (born in 1942).

65. Elevated open grassland in southern Africa.

71. Worn or shabby from overuse or (of pages) from having corners turned down.

75. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

76. A member of one of the four divisions of the prehistoric Greeks.

78. Eaten as mush or as a thin gruel.

79. An electrically charged particle.

80. Capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression.

82. A domed or vaulted recess or projection on a building especially the east end of a church.

83. The compass point that is midway between north and northeast.

84. English geologist remembered as the first person to recognize that dinosaurs were reptiles (1790-1852).

Daily Sudoku

DOWN 1. Someone who works (or provides workers) during a strike.

2. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in India for writing paper.

3. English aristocrat who was the first wife of Prince Charles.

4. Characterized by the interdependence of living organisms in an environment.

5. Situated at the top or highest position.

6. Large African forest tree yielding a strong hard yellow to golden brown lumber.

7. Without the natural or usual covering.

8. Affording unobstructed entrance and exit.

9. Any of various small lories.

10. A public promotion of some product or service.

11. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

12. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

13. An independent group of closely related Chadic languages spoken in the area between the Biu-Mandara and East Chadic languages.

14. Emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design.

22. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

24. True cedars.

27. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

29. The basic unit of electric current adopted under the System International d'Unites.

31. A hostel for pilgrims in Turkey.

34. On a ship, train, plane or other vehicle.

35. Ancient city is southeastern Italy where Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BC. 37. American dramatist (1928- ).

38. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

39. These words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence.

41. Native to Egypt but cultivated widely for its aromatic seeds and the oil from them used medicinally and as a flavoring in cookery.

43. A dense growth of bushes.

45. Light informal conversation for social occasions.

49. A criminal who illegally sets fire to property.

51. The mints.

53. (Welsh) A warrior god.

55. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

58. The condition of being honored (esteemed or respected or well regarded).

60. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

64. A unit of length of thread or yarn.

66. Very dark black.

67. A narrow way or road.

68. Open pastry filled with fruit or custard.

69. The officer below the master on a commercial ship.

70. A blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically.

72. Forming viscous or glutinous threads.

73. Other than what is under consideration or implied.

74. A notable achievement.

77. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in India for writing paper.

81. Being ten more than one hundred forty.

Yesterdayʼs Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

sports

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

ST LOUIS: Chris Johnson #23 of the Atlanta Braves dives for a line drive against the St Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on August 22, 2013. —AFP

Cardinals overpower Braves ST LOUIS: Joe Kelly pitched six effective innings, Matt Holliday broke out of a slump with two doubles as the St Louis Cardinals beat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 on Thursday night. David Freese drove in two runs as St Louis won for the fifth time in six games. The National League East -leading Braves played without Jason Heyward, one day after he broke right jaw after he was beaned during a win at the New York Mets. The outfielder had surgery on Thursday and could miss the rest of the regular season. Justin Upton hit his 24th homer for the Braves, and Paul Maholm (9-10) came off the disabled list and allowed five runs, four earned, and five hits in 5 1-3 innings. Kelly (5-3) yielded two runs and seven hits while improving to 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA in his last seven starts. Holliday went 2 for 3 and drove in a run, after going 2 for 24 over his previous six games.

DODGERS 6, MARLINS 0 Clayton Kershaw pitched eight strong innings as the Dodgers won their third game in a row. Kershaw (13-7) allowed five hits, struck out six and walked three while lowering his ERA to a major league-best 1.72. The Marlins hit into three double plays and went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Former All-Star closer Brian Wilson pitched the ninth for Los Angeles in his first appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery. He allowed one hit while striking out two in his first game since April 2012. The Dodgers lead the majors with 17 shutouts, and Miami was blanked for the 15th time. Kershaw had a two-out single in the fourth to drive in the first of the Dodgers’ three runs in the inning. He is tied for the major league lead among pitchers with eight RBIs. Henderson Alvarez (2-3) went five innings and allowed five runs, all scoring with two outs.

PHILLIES 5, ROCKIES 4 Domonic Brown hit a game-ending RBI single to lift the Phillies to their second come-from-behind win in as many days. The Phillies scored twice in the eighth and twice in the ninth, winning for the fourth time in five games to improve to 4-3 under interim manager Ryne Sandberg. Colorado carried a 4-3 lead into the ninth, but Rafael Betancourt (2-5) blew a save opportunity for the second straight game and the third time in 19 chances. He recorded two outs before departing with a sprained right elbow. Cesar Jimenez (1-0) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory. Willin Rosario homered for Colorado, which has dropped five of six. The Rockies have won nine of 39 games against Philadelphia since the start of the 2008 season. Darin Ruf went deep for the Phillies.

REDS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1 Shin-Soo Choo scored in the eighth inning on Arizona’s fourth wild pitch of the game as Cincinnati raced to an improbable win. Choo scored both Cincinnati runs, helping the Reds to their third win in the four-game series. Cincinnati improved to a season-high 18 games over .500 and increased its lead over Arizona to seven games for the NL’s second wild-card playoff spot. Choo singled to lead off the eighth

against reliever Eury De La Rosa (0-1) and moved to second when De La Rosa’s pickoff attempt rolled away from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Todd Frazier sacrificed Choo to third, and Choo scored when ball four to Joey Votto was a wild pitch. Mat Latos (13-4) went eight innings and Sam LeCure gave up two hits in the ninth, but earned his first career save. Arizona starter Trevor Cahill, in his second start since coming off the disabled list, allowed four hits and one run.

He walked three, struck out seven and threw three wild pitches - all in the third inning.

NATIONALS 5, CUBS 4, 13 INNINGS Denard Span scored the go-ahead run on pinch-hitter Chad Tracy’s grounder in the 13th inning as Washington beat the Chicago Cubs after Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg blew a three-run lead in the ninth. Span doubled leading off the 13th against Michael Bowden (1-3), moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Steve Lombardozzi and scored on Tracy’s roller to the first-base side of the mound. Craig Stammen (7-5) pitched two innings for the win and Drew Storen got the last three outs for his third save in eight chances.

Storen deflected Dioner Navarro’s liner toward Lombardozzi to start a game-ending double play after Anthony Rizzo reached on a throwing error by the second baseman with one out. After a 2-hour rain delay at the start, Strasburg was one out away from a complete game with a 41 lead before Chicago rallied to tie as Junior Lake had an RBI single, and Donnie Murphy hit a two-run homer.

PIRATES 10, GIANTS 5 Garrett Jones and Jordy Mercer homered, Jose Tabata hit a threerun double as NL Central-leading Pittsburgh beat San Francisco.

Pedro Alvarez hit a go-ahead, two-run double to start a seven-run fifth and matched his career high for RBIs in a season with 85. Russell Martin and Gaby Sanchez added sacrifice flies and Tabata had a threerun double in his second plate appearance of the inning. Marco Scutaro had a tying two-run single in the fourth for San Francisco after scoring in the third on Buster Posey’s sacrifice fly. Giants right-hander Matt Cain left in the fourth inning after getting hit on his pitching arm on a line drive by Sanchez. He sustained a contusion on his forearm and X-rays were negative.—AP

Yankees beat Toronto NEW YORK: Andy Pettitte pitched six effective innings, Curtis Granderson homered as the New York Yankees beat Toronto 53 on Thursday after a 31/2-hour rain delay for their 10th straight victory against the Blue Jays. Eduardo Nunez hit a two-run single, and the surging Yankees took advantage of a missed call to win their fifth consecutive game and 10th in 12 overall. New York improved to 12-1 against Toronto this season with its second four-game sweep of the Blue Jays, and moved within 31/2 games of the second AL wild-card spot.

The Yankees have won 13 home games in a row against Toronto, their longest streak against one team since a 14-game run against Kansas City from August 2002 to April 2006. The last-place Blue Jays, who had a lead in every game in the series, have lost five straight and 11 of 15. Pettitte (9-9) won his second consecutive start after going 0-3 in his previous five. His only blemish was JP Arencibia’s leadoff homer in the fifth. With his 254th victory, the 41-year-old lefty tied Jack Morris and Hall of Famer Red Faber for 42nd place on the career list. JA Happ (3-3) took the loss.

TWINS 7, TIGERS 6 Chris Herrmann’s second RBI double of the game broke an eighth-inning tie as helped Minnesota edge Detroit. With two out, Herrmann lined a ball into the right-center field gap. Center fielder Austin Jackson got a bad break on the ball, and just missed while attempting a shoestring catch. Doug Bernier

scored from second to give the Twins the lead. Jared Burton pitched a scoreless eighth, and Glen Perkins got through the middle of the Tigers order in the ninth for his 30th save in 33 chances. Casey Fien (3-2) earned the win. Bruce Rondon (1-2) took the loss. Detroit had trailed 6-2 going into the bottom of the sixth, but rallied to tie it on Jackson’s three-run homer. That allowed Justin Verlander to extend his unbeaten streak against the Twins to 11 starts, despite allowing six runs and 10 hits in seven innings. Twins starter Andrew Albers escaped several jams with his assortment of slow and slower pitches, but ran out of gas in the sixth.

WHITE SOX 4, ROYALS 3, 12 INNINGS Conor Gillaspie homered leading off the 12th inning as the Chicago White Sox claimed their first three-game sweep in Kansas City since 2009. Gillaspie drove the second pitch he got from Luke Hochevar (3-2) just over the outstretched glove of right fielder Justin Maxwell for his 11th homer. The tiebreaking shot came after Jacob Petricka made his major league debut in the 11th inning for the White Sox, inheriting runners on first and second with nobody out. Petricka (1-0) calmly got Salvador Perez to ground into a double play to end the inning.

Addison Reed preserved Chicago’s sixth straight win when the he left the tying run on second base for his 34th save. It was the fifth straight loss for Kansas City, and the eighth in 10 games overall.—AP

sports

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Nibali happy to ride with target on his back VILANOVA DE AROUSA: Vincenzo Nibali remains confident he can cope with the added pressure of being regarded as pre-race favorite for the Vuelta a Espana, which starts in the remote northwestern town of Vilanova de Arousa today. “(Being favorite) does make me feel tense, as always, but nobody can criticize what I’ve done this year,” the Italian Team Astana rider, who won the Giro d’Italia in May said. “I think it’s pretty much normal. I know I’ve got nothing to prove after winning the Giro but I still want to do as well here as I possibly can,” added the 28-year-old, whose Grand Tour breakthrough came in 2010 when he won the Vuelta.

“It’s important to do well here because the world championships follow the Vuelta (on home soil at the end of September) and a lot of people will be watching my performance here as a guide to how well I can ride there.” Race organizers have included a brutal 11 summit finishes in this year’s edition with the penultimate 20th stage taking in the grueling climb of the Angliru, forcing Nibali to focus on reaching peak fitness in the third week of the tour. However, the Italian was quick to point out that he would not be resting on his laurels in the early exchanges of the 21-stage race.

MAJOR TARGET “The Vuelta has a tough start with a team time trial (on Saturday) which should benefit Astana as we have some strong specialists like Jakob Fuglsang and Jani Brajkovic, and we’ll be aiming to gain a few seconds advantage,” he said. “But in a race with so many difficult moments, almost anything can happen. I won’t say I’m here to win, I never say that in a race, but I’m certainly here to achieve a good overall classification.”

A decision on whether he will go all out for the victory in Madrid on Sept. 15 or ease back to ensure he is in top form for the world championships, his final major target for 2013, will be made early in the third week of the Vuelta. “If I feel in good enough shape to win and have an advantage of just a minute or two, then I will go for broke in a single stage somewhere,” the Italian added. “If on the other hand, I’m suffering so badly I’m barely able to keep up with the rest of the favourites... I’ll do things differently.” However, should he grab the leader’s red jersey as early as Saturday or after the first mountain top finish a day later, Nibali will fight to ensure he is still wearing it in Madrid. “A leader’s jersey is always to be defended,” Nibali added.

“Even if it would be quite a long way from there to Madrid.” Nibali can expect a tough challenge from local duo Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) with Team Sky leader Sergio Henao of Colombia also regarded as one of the favorites.—Reuters

Unbeaten Mares defends crown against Gonzalez LOS ANGELES: Undefeated Abner Mares defends his World Boxing Council featherweight title today against Jhonny Gonzalez in one of two all-Mexican title bouts at the Home Depot Center stadium. Other bouts at the home stadium of the Major League Soccer champion Los Angeles Galaxy include unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz, a former bantamweight world champion, facing WBC junior featherweight champion Victor Terrazas.

Former world bamtamweight and super bantamweight champion Mares, 26-0 with one draw and 14 knockouts, has won six fights in a row-all for world titles since a draw against Colombia’s Yonhy Perez in a 2010 world title fight. “I’ve learned from every fight,” Mares said. “I’ve gained experience and I haven’t been beat up in any of my fights. I’ve learned a lot, gained experience and continue getting better and better.” Gonzalez, 54-8 with 46 knockouts, tries to regain the crown he lost last September to compatriot Daniel Ponce de Leon, who was beaten by Mares last May. “In that fight with Ponce De Leon I wasn’t 100 percent mentally and physically there,” Gonzalez said. “I am coming in 100 percent mentally and physically prepared.” Mares, at 27, is four years younger than his rival, who vows that retirement is not on his mind, although moving up in weight class is in Gonzalez’s sights.

“My body still feels great. My body’s still responding in the gym and the trainings,” Gonzalez said. “This is a very important fight at this moment and we are looking forward to it and then going up another division to the super featherweight and even bigger fights there.” Mares expects to see Gonzalez at his hard-punching peak. “I expect the best Jhonny Gonzalez. He’s going to come with his A game,” Mares said. “I have to prove that I am now one of the best, I’m one of the elite and I have to beat Jhonny. It’s a fight I can’t lose.”—AFP

BRESCIA: In this file photo, Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali kisses the trophy after winning the Giro d’Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Brescia.—AP

Grosjean a changed man on return to Spa SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Apart from becoming a father over the August holiday break, Romain Grosjean has returned to the Belgian Grand Prix as a changed man on the track as well. The Lotus Formula One driver was dubbed a ‘first lap nutcase’ by Australian Mark Webber last year and was banned for a race after causing a first corner collision at Spa that could have caused serious injury to Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.

The forced retirement for Alonso proved crucial to the championship, with the Spaniard missing out on his third title at the end of the season by three points to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel. Webber hurled the insult at Grosjean in Japan after another collision that destroyed his hopes of a podium finish but the Red Bull driver told reporters at Spa that he was sure the Frenchman was reformed now.

“I think he’s changed. He had to, obviously... I think he’s done a better job this year which wouldn’t be difficult, let’s be honest,”

said the Australian, who is close to Alonso. “It was a bit of a weird one with Jenson (Button) what he did on the top chicane in Budapest (last month), so every now and again you still see snapshots of some errors but I think he’s improved,” added Webber, the oldest and most outspoken driver on the grid, who is leaving F1 at the end of the year. “But his move on (Ferrari’s Felipe) Massa was very, very good in Budapest.”

CLEAN STARTS Grosjean finished sixth in Hungary, the last race before the European summer break, despite a drive-through penalty and a retrospective 20 second penalty for a clash with McLaren’s Button, and was third in Germany before that. He was also third in Bahrain and has kept out of trouble at the starts. “I think I have a different mind from the past,” he told reporters, making clear that the change had come long before the birth of his son. “I think I’ve progressed a lot and worked on that and

I think the 2013 starts prove that I did my duties. I’ll keep pushing and trying to do my best in every circumstance,” added the Frenchman. “I’ll keep progressing, keep working and keep doing the same things and I’ll keep doing clean starts.” Lotus team principal Eric Boullier, who is fighting to keep 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen at his team for next season in the face of interest from elsewhere, commended Grosjean for his attitude. “It maybe took him a little while to settle down and start performing to the best of his ability. With that in mind, it gives me great pleasure to see him learn from those experiences and to start delivering the kind of results we’ve always known he is capable of,” he told the team website (www.lotusf1.com).

“In Germany and Hungary he really put together the complete package over two consecutive weekends... if he can keep up this level, Romain can be a future contender for titles, I’m sure of it,” Boullier added.—Reuters

Alonso fastest as F1 gets back on track SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso lapped fastest in a weather-affected Belgian Grand Prix first practice session yesterday as Formula One drivers shrugged off the long August break and got back up to speed. The Spaniard, third in the championship after 10 of 19 races, lapped the longest circuit on the calendar with a best time of one minute 55.198 seconds in a familiar Spa mixture of wet and dry conditions.

The two Force Indias of Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil were second and third on the timesheets, with the top three all setting their comparatively slow times in the final

half hour of an incident-free session.

Morning rain, and occasional drizzle interspersed with cloud and sunshine, dampened part of the fast and flowing Ardennes forest circuit while a dry line emerged through the middle sector.

The McLarens of Briton Jenson Button and Mexican Sergio Perez showed encouraging signs of progress, despite the team backing away from earlier assertions that they could challenge for a victory this weekend. Perez was fourth fastest while Button, last year’s winner from pole, ended up 14th.Red Bull’s championship leader Sebastian Vettel, who has a 38 point lead

over Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen, was sixth fastest behind fellow-German Nico Rosberg in the Mercedes. Vettel, who returned from the break with his hair dyed bright blond, had the odd spin on the slippery surface without drama. Raikkonen, who cried off sick on from media engagements on Thursday after weeks of speculation about his future and talk of moves to Red Bull or Ferrari, and Lotus team mate Romain Grosjean propped up the timesheets. Finland’s Heikki Kovalainen, dropped by Caterham at the end of last year, made an appearance for the team in place of regular race driver Charles Pic and was 16th quickest.—Reuters

sports

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

India in a fix over IOC’s ethics diktat NEW DELHI: India’s suspended Olympic administration is set for a showdown with the Games’ world governing body over electing tainted officials-with its insistence on “innocent until proven guilty” threatening its return to the fold. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in December after it elected Lalit Bhanot-who is charged with corruption linked to the 2010 Commonwealth Games-as its secretary-general.

The world body wants the the IOA to ban anyone charged with corruption or criminal offences from contesting elections, but Indian officials are unsure the rule would pass legal scrutiny.

The general body of the IOA is due to meet in New Delhi on Sunday to discuss a new 43-page constitution drafted by the IOC, which keeps tainted officials out of the election process. If the constitution is not adopted before the IOA’s next elections in September, India will remain outside the Olympic fold.

Several IOA officials fear the proposed constitution could be challenged in court because Indian law does not bar officials facing criminal charges from holding office, or even a parliamentary seat. Tarlochan Singh, 80, one of the IOA’s eight vice-presidents, said it was difficult to predict how Sunday’s meeting would go.

“We all want India back in the Olympics and the general body is capable of taking the best course towards it,” Singh said.

“But there is definitely a problem because the law says a person is innocent till proved guilty. “What will happen if a person is barred from contesting elections and he goes to court and earns a verdict in his favor? We need to take everything into account.”

Former IOA boss Suresh Kalmadi, who has also been charged in the Commonwealth Games scandal, opted out of the December elections where his protege, Abhay Chautala, was elected president.

Kalmadi, a lawmaker of the ruling Congress party, and Bhanot were both charged with misappropriation of funds and bribery in awarding contracts for the Games. The pair, who were released on bail, have denied any wrongdoing. The Delhi Commonwealth Games were intended to showcase India on the global stage, but were marred by infrastructure problems, delays and widespread corruption allegations.

Suspension from the IOC means India does not receive funding from the world body and its officials cannot attend Olympic events, while athletes are barred from competing in the Olympics under the national flag. Indian Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, who met IOC officials at its Swiss headquarters in Lausanne in May seeking a way forward, hopes the impasse will end soon.

“The government urges all concerned to ensure that individual interests should not come in the way of our national interest and the good of sports,” Singh said in a statement.

“At the same time, the government places the highest emphasis on the standards of ethics and good governance as per the Olympic Charter.” Rifle shooter Abhinav Bindra, India’s only individual Olympic gold medalist, hoped the world body would succeed in its mission to rid Indian sports of corrupt officials. “As an athlete, I am extremely pleased that the IOC is willing to clean up Indian sports,” Bindra, who won the 10m Air Rifle gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said in a statement. —AFP

TOKYO: Chairman of Tokyo 2020 Bid Committee (Tokyo 2020) and Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Naoki Inose (front 2nd left) and Tokyo 2020 president and Japan Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda (front left) clinch their fists with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front 2nd right) and former Japanese prime minister Yoshiro Mori (front right) during the Tokyo 2020 kick-off rally in Tokyo yesterday.— AFP

Tokyo pledges hard push into 2020 Games bid final TOKYO: Tokyo bid leaders yesterday pledged something special as they readied for the home straight in the contest to decide who will host the 2020 Olympic Games. Officials preparing for the September 7 meeting in Buenos Aires of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that will award the Games downplayed renewed concerns over the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant, where a radioactive leak was discovered this week.

Bid president Tsunekazu Takeda, flanked by Tokyo governor Naoki Inose, refused to reveal what they had up their sleeves for Argentina but expressed confidence that IOC members would be convinced of the city’s know-how and ability to host the world’s biggest multi-

India Shooter Sodhi wins sports award NEW DELHI: Former world champion shooter Ronjan Sodhi has been named winner of India’s highest sports award after the government ignored the claims of a disgruntled discus thrower. Sodhi, a double-trap world record holder in 2010 and 2011, was nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (sports jewel) award by the sports ministry’s selection committee last week.

But the ministry delayed the official announcement after woman discus thrower Krishna Poonia, a gold medallist at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, publicly staked a claim for the award. Poonia met Sports Minister Jitendra Singh and other officials to put forward her case, but the ministry rejected her claim after consulting the selection committee.

“The file has been cleared by the sports minister and there has been no addition to the original list of awardees,” sports secretary PK Deb

told reporters in New Delhi. “We have stuck to the recommendations made by the committee.

We looked into all the complaints and grievances of some athletes and that’s why the announcement was delayed.” Sodhi, 33, said he was delighted to win the award, named after the assassinated former prime Minister, which carries a medal, citation and cash prize of 750,000 rupees ($11,600).

Poonia said she accepted the government’s decision. “Our fight was for justice and not against any individual,” Poonia told the Times of India. Past winners of the award include cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, badminton star Saina Nehwal, tennis player Leander Paes and reigning world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.

Cricketer Virat Kohli and world women’s badminton semi-finalist PV Sindhu were among 15 recipients of the annual Arjuna award, the country’s second-highest sporting honor.—AFP

ple-sport event. “It’s hard to believe it’s already boiled down to just 15 days left,” Takeda told reporters. “There is a sense of nervous energy as we close in on a six-year dream. We live in challenging and rapidly-changing times and Tokyo’s is the best bid to deliver a dynamic Games in this climate.”

Tokyo, which hosted the Olympics in 1964, lost out to Rio in the race to host the 2016 Games but organizers hope the city’s financial strength and their immediate access to a budget of $4.5 billion could swing the vote this time, with the IOC under pressure to curb Olympic spending. “We will leave the IOC members in no doubt about our dependability and desire to host the Games,” added Takeda. “Our bid is much

improved on four years ago and this time we’re absolutely ready.”

Alarming headlines about highly contaminated water leaking out of a storage tank at the nuclear plant, which was crippled by the deadly tsunami in 2011, have come at a bad time for Tokyo’s bid, but Inose insisted it would have no effect on the Olympic vote.

“Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe has said it is not just an issue for (plant operator) Tokyo Electric Power Co to solve but the government too,” he said.

“The PM has ordered the government to help in the clean-up. Tokyo’s water and food are completely safe-the same as in London, Paris and New York.

It will have no bearing at all on the vote on September 7.”— AFP

Olympic hosts ‘must have’ clean human rights record BERLIN: The new president of the International Olympic Committee, who will be elected next month, must ensure future Games’ hosts comply with human rights according to the Olympic charter, human rights organizations said yesterday. In a letter to the IOC presidential candidates, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), asked for their views on human rights as criticism of Russia’s new anti-gay law mounts just six months before the country’s 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

“With less than six months before the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Games, the Olympic Movement is facing a crisis over Russia’s failure to respect the Olympic Charter in Sochi,” Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “Just as the IOC assesses ice rinks and ski jumps, the new Olympics leader needs to press Russia to repeal a discriminatory law and address human rights violations before the Sochi Games.”

The letter, dated Aug. 2, invites the six presidential candidates to state their views on a number of issues including media freedom in the country, migrant workers’ rights abuses, evictions and harassment of activists in the run-up to the Sochi Games. Russia has also been in the firing line since passing the controversial law that prohibits the dissemination of information regarding homosexuality to minors. There have also been calls to boycott the Games next year while several athletes at the world athletics championships in Moscow earlier this month voiced their opposition to the legislation. Critics of the law have said it effectively bans all gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.

President Vladimir Putin also banned same-sex couples from adopting children. After demanding clarifications from Russia on the law, the IOC said on Thursday it had received “strong assurances” the anti-gay law would not affect athletes or spectators at the Sochi Games. .—Reuters

SPORTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Gap between All Blacks, Wallabies is no chasm

Photo of the day

WELLINGTON: History suggests it’s foolish to bet against the All Blacks at any time, let alone when playing at home in Wellington against a Wallabies side they beat 47-29 only last weekend. The last time an Australian side beat the All Blacks in New Zealand was in 2001 and only the truly brave would give the Wallabies a fighting chance based on last week’s bumbling opening Rugby Championship effort, where they gifted the All Blacks three tries. That’s not to say the All Blacks would not have won easily enough without the benefit of the many Wallabies errors. They were lethal in converting opportunities into points. It was the prototype modern day All Blacks performance - less possession and territory than the opposition yet almost double the points via counterattacks based on turnovers. It’s how the All Blacks play rugby nowadays; like a boxer leaning back on the ropes gladly taking body shots knowing he’ll finish off the round with a one-punch knockout. It’s a teasing, beautiful and brutally effective winning style. Indeed, the All Blacks need only a sliver of an opportunity - a poor ball presentation or a kick without enough chase - so finely tuned is the team’s killer instinct right now.

So much so, in fact, that the bookies and most Australian fans have written off the Wallabies for this weekend’s match, which also doubles as the second of three Bledisloe Cup matches (Bledisloe 3 is at Dunedin on Oct 19). The Wallabies must win this weekend to keep the series alive. They’re understandably desperate, especially new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie who was appointed as the man most likely to end the team’s decade-long Bledisloe Cup drought. McKenzie has gone with the same backline that sputtered in parts last week, and has retained Matt Toomua at 10 ahead of the more flamboyant, but error prone, Quade Cooper.

SCORE CLOSER McKenzie’s selections suggest he does not believe the Wallabies were as bad as last week’s scoreline suggests, and he might have a point. The facts are his team lost by 18 points and gave away 21 points with errors leading to All Black tries - a charged-down kick, a bad read on defense by James O’Connor, and poor ball presentation in the tackle by substitute Tevita Kuridrani.

The score should have been a lot closer notwithstanding the All Blacks’ current rich vein of form. Arguably, there’s not a great deal between the sides. Before last week, the last time the All Blacks and Wallabies played the match ended in an 18-all draw. The gap isn’t a chasm by any means. It’s just that the All Blacks keep winning. New Zealand’s rugby development program clearly has figured out something nobody else has. The players it produces, who are all decent enough in Super Rugby, suddenly look faster of thought, foot and hand when picked for the All Blacks. They react to random opportunities far too clinically for it to be a fluke. Some say they have more rugby nous because of the development offered in the National Provincial Championship. Others point to the All Blacks’ in-house shrink, or mental skills coach, Gilbert Enoka. The Wallabies are fair to okay on the mental skills side of things, though. They might be wobbly but they’re also clever when it counts.

MISSING INGREDIENT Will they find the missing ingredient separating the sides this weekend? They’d be harsh not to rate their chances based on a closer review of last week’s loss. The Wallabies reigned supreme in the line-out (won all their own throws and pressured six out of 13 of the All Blacks’), and Michael Hooper outplayed All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in the loose. Where the Wallabies erred was in the absence of a long-kicking game for the sidelines. McKenzie perhaps miscalculated his players’ skill levels - the players he picked last week were simply not yet up to running the ball out of their own half with any confidence or control.

Cooper can run with poise from deep - and did just that when he came off the bench - but he comes with risks attached. By retaining Toomua and Jessie Mogg, both prodigious kickers, McKenzie has essentially conceded that while he picked the right team last week, he got the tactics wrong.

The Wallabies will look to get more out of Israel Folau who made only four runs for a paltry 35 meters last week. By comparison, James O’Connor on the left wing made more than 110 meters from 11 runs.

The All Blacks cleverly kicked towards O’Connor and Mogg, and not to Folau. The Wallabies are likely to counter that tactic this week by rapidly shifting the ball left to right on kick returns from deep. At least the Wallabies will be spared an in-form Aaron Cruden who is injured and has been replaced at 10 by Tom Taylor, the son of Warwick Taylor who played 24 tests for the All Blacks in the 1980s.

The younger Taylor is a quality footballer, though, with a 90 percent Super Rugby goal kicking success rate. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has reacted decisively to his team’s line-out woes by resting Keven Mealamu and promoting Dane Coles to the bench to share hooking duties with Andrew Hore. Hansen’s selection of sharp-shooting Taylor over Colin Slade, whose kicking form can be erratic, is perhaps another pointer towards a closer scoreline. — Reuters

Adam Xu performs during the Red Bull King of The Rock at King’s Park Centenary Centre in Hong Kong.

— www.redbullcontentpool.com

Departing Richards desperate for Cup LONDON: Pat Richards will savor every moment of his last Challenge Cup final in a Wigan shirt but the Wests Tigers-bound wing admits he’s desperate to end his stay in England with silverware. Richards’ chances of securing his second Super League crown look distant at present with the Warriors having lost three of their last four league fixtures. But they take on Hull FC at Wembley today looking to repeat the cup success of 2011 when they saw off Leeds Rhinos 28-18.

Richards, as he is so often, was the man for the big occasion that day when he kicked four goals and he’s keen to add to his highlights reel. And the 31-year-old, who will rejoin the Tigers at the end of the campaign after eight seasons in England, believes his own added motivation could see the Warriors to glory. “This will be my last Challenge Cup final so I am just looking forward to enjoying the week and enjoy the occasion,” said Richards, who claimed the Man of Steel award in 2010.

“I came over here at the age of 23 and I was only planning to stay for two seasons but it’s eight now. “I have enjoyed every minute of it and I have the best memories. I have met some great people and I only have good things to say, I will really miss it. “I am looking forward to getting on the pitch and enjoying the atmosphere. I know I have a big job to do with the extra respon-

sibility of goal-kicking but that’s my job.

“Whenever you say Wembley it has a special aura about it, to get another opportunity to play there in my last season over here is just amazing and I will savior every moment. “I am expecting to be just a tough (as the final against Leeds in 2011) and something similar. “I will just focus on my own job and I am confident in my own ability and the team’s ability. You go through a range of emotions and we need to go out there and just perform on the day.” While Richards has an NRL Grand Final medal to cherish from his days with the Tigers, Aaron Heremaia insists he’s driven

by NZ Warriors’ defeat in 2011 and desperate to see Hull FC climbing the Wembley steps. Heremaia was on the end of a 2410 defeat against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Sydney two years ago and this showpiece is the first chance the 30-year-old has had to put the record straight.

“When I played in the NRL Grand Final the whole week passed me by so fast and the game passed me by so fast too,” said the New Zealand international. “I’ve been determined to soak up every part of this week. It is a massive achievement. I’ve never even been into London, let alone Wembley. “Players sometimes play their whole career without playing in any major finals, so I feel very lucky and blessed.” —AFP

Try-hungry Springboks aiming to maintain their momentum MENDOZA: South Africa hope to maintain the momentum from four victories and 25 tries this season when they face Argentina for the second consecutive weekend in Mendoza today. The Springboks made a dream start to the Rugby Championship last Saturday in Soweto, scoring nine tries in a 73-13 romp against Los Pumas. It was a record winning margin for the southern hemisphere championship and cast South Africa in a new light of adventurous and exciting rugby rather than a predictable kick-and-chase outfit.

South Africa scored 23 tries in 12 Tests last year-this season they have already notched 25 against Italy, Scotland, Samoa and Argentina with JJ Engelbrecht and Bryan Habana claiming four each.The try fest stems from a settled backline with fullback Willie le Roux, wings Bjorn Basson and Habana, centres Engelbrecht and Jean de Villiers, and star goal-kicking fly-half

Morne Steyn beginning all four games.

Forwards have also got in on the scoring act with hooker Adriaan Strauss and flank Francois Louw bagging two apiece and four others also dotting down. Satisfied that the team have improved since he took charge last year, coach Heyneke Meyer wants to see the recent home form transferred to western Argentina. His ambition with an unchanged starting lineup is another bonus-point victory against opponents who have made five alterations, three of them injury induced.

“We are developing a killer instinct as a team and the challenge now is to have the same attitude away from home,” Meyer told reporters. “Last weekend has to be forgotten and we must show ruthlessness against a wounded opponent. We were clinical in Soweto and we must be equally clinical in Mendoza. —AFP

SPORTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Woods in hunt; Stadler leads rain-hit Barclays JERSEY CITY: Unheralded American Kevin Stadler shined in the gloom of a storm-hit day, shooting a seven-under 64 to emerge the surprise clubhouse leader after the opening round of the Barclays tournament on Thursday. World number one Tiger Woods lurked three strokes back, with the opening event of the FedExCup playoffs stalled for more than six hours by heavy lightning and two rain delays.

Some 63 players, including British Open winner Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Adam Scott, were unable to complete their rounds and face an early start yesterday and another long day. The 33-year-old Stadler, winless on the PGA Tour, made the most of his chances, however, registering seven birdies in a bogey-free round at Liberty National where bright sunshine eventually replaced the dark, stormy skies across the harbor from downtown Manhattan.

Tied for second on six-under were

Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas and American Ryan Palmer, with Australian Jason Day and another American in Matt Kuchar a further shot adrift. Woods, who began his long day at the 10th hole, reached four-under by adding a birdie at the par-three fourth after his run of three straight birdies was interrupted by the second weather delay.

The playoffs points leader, who has already won five tournaments this season, parred his last five holes for 67 and was satisfied after a gruelling day. “I’m actually tired,” Woods told reporters. “I got up at four this morning and I think it took us, from start to finish just under 11 hours for the day. Long day. “I’m only three back. We have a long way to go.” Stadler was thrilled with his showing given his lackluster season, the American posting just two top-10 finishes with a tie for third at Pebble Beach his best result.

“I’ve had kind of a pretty lousy summer,

result-wise,” said Stadler, the son of 13time PGA tour winner Craig Stadler. “But I really started hitting the ball a lot better a couple of weeks ago. “Felt like I was heading in the right direction even though the results were not showing it and finally got something out of it today.”

In contrast, Stenson has been on a roll.

Runner-up at the British Open, tied for second at the WGC-Bridgestone and third at the PGA Championship in his last three events, the 37-year-old Swede continued his impressive form at Liberty National.

Stenson made nine birdies along with three bogeys, the last of which came on his penultimate hole and dropped him from a share of the lead.

“To be honest, I came in from Europe on Monday night, so I’m a bit jet-lagged and I only saw the course once,” said Stenson. “I’m very pleased with the way I played out there.” Villegas shot to eightunder when he posted his fourth birdie in

a row at the par-three 11th, but back-toback bogeys from the 14th saw him ease off the pace. “Three breakfasts, three warm-ups, two lunches and a bunch of birdies which is good,” said Villegas, describing his day. Among the late starters, American Harris English was fourunder through six holes and Australian Marc Leishman was three-under through eight.

Americans Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson, who had both played six holes, were among a large group at two-under par. Mickelson was one-under after six, one stroke better than Scott, who had also played six holes by the time the horn sounded due to darkness. The late finishers can expect an arduous test on Friday when they finish the first round and head right out for the second round. Thursday’s early starters will get their second rounds started later and will have to complete them today morning. — Reuters

Australia swimmers receive ‘yellow card’, face Rio ban

CONNECTICUT: Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark looks up at the chair umpire before her match against Sloane Stephens of the USA during Day Five of the New Haven Open at Yale. — AFP

Wozniacki and Kvitova reach New Haven semis NEW HAVEN: Former winner Caroline Wozniacki and reigning champ Petra Kvitova beat a pair of WTA young guns Thursday to reach the semis of the New Haven Open, the final tune-up for the US Open. Four-time winner Wozniacki defeated American wild card Sloane Stephens 7-6 (8/6), 6-2 in a quarterfinal contest at the Yale University hardcourt facility. The former world number one Wozniacki, who is seeded fourth this week, captured the New Haven event four years in a row from 2008-11.

The third-seeded Czech Kvitova fought back from a first-set stumble to outlast Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. The former Wimbledon champion Kvitova topped Russian Maria Kirilenko in last year’s New Haven final. Kvitova lost six more points than she won in her rain-delayed match against Pavlyuchenkova, but came back from 40-15 down in the last game to break her opponent’s serve and post the win.

“It’s important to have matches like these where you have

to fight until the end where you’re not necessarily playing your best. That’s part of tennis,” Kvitova said. “Of course, I prefer shorter, two set matches, but I won the last point and that’s the important thing.”

Kvitova is now two wins away from defending a title for the first time. “I think coming back to a place where you played very well the last year, you have a lot of emotions and you know the pressure is there as defending champion, and you’re defending a lot of points,” Kvitova said.

“But on the other hand, you know that you can play well here. “ In other matches, surging Romanian Simona Halep beat Russian Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 7-6 (8/6), while Czech Klara Zakopalova earned 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 triumph over 2009 New Haven runner-up Elena Vesnina. The 21-year-old Halep, who is seeking her fourth title in seven tournaments, will take on Wozniacki in the semis, while Zakopalova will go up against Kvitova in an all-Czech semi. —AFP

SYDNEY: Six top Australian swimmers have been warned against their future conduct and told they risk being excluded from the 2016 Olympics after an Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) probe into their conduct in the run-up to last year’s London Games. World 100 meters freestyle champion James Magnussen and his 4x100 relay team mates were fined and given deferred suspensions by Swimming Australia in April for using a banned sedative and indulging in pranks in a bonding session before the Games.

The AOC report decided that those punishments were sufficient but warned that any “further conduct which brings them or their sport into disrepute” would be “likely to render them ineligible for selection to the 2016 Olympic team”. Furthermore, AOC president John Coates said, any more incidents would make the swimmers “jointly and severally liable” for the up to A$150,000 ($135,300) costs of the investigation.

“This is the yellow card,” Coates told a news conference.

“There’s just no excuse for this sort of behavior, these are financially well-supported swimmers, some of them had a number of Olympic Games, so I’m disappointed with that.” Magnussen was hot favorite to win the 100m in London, but came away with the silver, while the hotly-tipped relay team finished out of the medals as Australia slipped to their worst performance in the Olympic pool for 20 years.

Matt Targett, Eamon Sullivan, James Roberts, Cameron McEvoy and Tommaso D’Orsogna and Magnussen admitted in February they had used the sedative Stilnox and been involved in “childish” pranks at their training camp in Manchester before the Games. Stilnox, a brand of the medication zolpidem, is not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency but was prohibited by the AOC just before the London Games after former Olympic champion Grant Hackett said he had become addicted to it.

The report said the conduct of the swimmers “which involved behavior towards some female swimmers in the team that was ‘boorish’, selfish, obnoxious and disrespectful” did not amount to “bullying or harassment”. The swimmers were also given the benefit of the doubt in that they believed the ban on Stilnox would not come into effect until the team entered the athletes’ village in London. The probe had failed to uncover any evidence that one relay swimmer had given another a Stilnox pill on the flight back from London to Sydney but if evidence does emerge it would be regarded “very seriously”. Coates said the Swimming Australia fines amounted to between 25 and 100 percent of a quarter of the swimmers’ annual athlete support grant.

NOT SMART The AOC report also criticized Swimming Australia for not informing the Olympic team management of the incident and instructing head swimming coach Leigh Nugent, who has since resigned, not to do so. “I am disappointed that we didn’t find out about it, that the management decided to keep it for themselves.

That’s just not very smart,” Coates said. “(Leigh Nugent) won’t ever be on one of our teams again.” Coates announced that Australia would have its first woman Chef de Mission in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 with Kitty Chiller replacing London head Nick Green. —Reuters

sports

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Spanish League Preview

Injured Messi a doubt; Barca travel to Malaga MADRID: Lionel Messi is a major doubt for Barcelona’s trip to Malaga on Sunday after he was again forced off with bruising on his hamstring during the Catalans’ 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. Messi has now played the 90 minutes in just one of Barcelona and Argentina’s last 27 matches stretching back to when he initially picked up a hamstring strain against Paris SaintGermain in April.

Should the 26-year-old not recover in time to play on Sunday against a much changed Malaga side to the one that made the Champions League quarter-finals last season, Neymar could be handed his first start after coming off the bench to salvage a draw for Gerardo Martino’s men with his first goal for the club against Atletico in the Super Cup. “I hope it will be the first goal of many,” he told Spanish television station TVE. “I score very few goals with my head so they are even more valuable. I am happy to have got my first goal. “It is a shame that I haven’t been able to play with Messi yet, he is the best in the world and everyone wants to play with him.”

Whilst Neymar has so far been Barca’s only new recruit during the transfer window, there has been a revolving door of comings and goings at La Rosaleda with new boss Bernd Schuster welcoming eight new signings to replace the likes of Isco, Jeremy Toulalan, Martin Demichelis and Julio Baptista who left over the past few months. One of those to make his debut in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia was Argentine defender Marcos Angeleri and he is aware of how difficult it will be to stop Barca, even if they are without his compatriot Messi.

“Barcelona can surprise you with the magnitude of their results, but they are always an opponent that you have to prepare for in a special way given the quality of the players they have,” he said. “They have players that are difficult to control, but it is not impossible. With the whole team working well together we can have a good match.”

Real Madrid have to wait until Monday for their second outing under Carlo Ancelotti when they travel to Granada.

Los Blancos were somewhat fortunate to escape with all three points thanks to Isco’s late header in a 2-1 win over Real Betis last weekend and Ancelotti won’t be able to call on the experience of Xabi Alonso for the next three months as the Spanish international broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in training on Wednesday. Granada are one of the few La Liga sides to have significantly strengthened during the transfer window and have already shown they have the capability to beat Madrid having done so on home soil last season thanks to an own goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Elsewhere, Real Sociedad look to continue their fantastic start to the campaign after 2-0 wins over Getafe and Lyon in the past week when they travel to face Elche, who make their first home appearance in La Liga for 25 years.

Sociedad’s Anoeta stadium will still be in use however as Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao have been forced to play their first home game of the campaign there as construction on their new stadium will not be completed until September— AFP

Anelka mulls retirement following death of agent WEST BROMWICH: Nicolas Anelka’s latest stint in the Premier League could be over after only 83 minutes. The former France striker, who started in West Bromwich Albion’s opening day loss to Southampton last weekend, is pondering retirement following the death of his agent. After two disappointing seasons at Shanghai Shenhua and Juventus, the 34-year-old striker was hoping to get another chance in England, where he spent some of the best years of his career. But he told West Brom manager Steve Clarke that he wanted to quit football following the sudden death of Eric Manasse.

After learning on Thursday that Manasse had passed away, the former Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea player left training and was granted an indefinite compassionate leave. “Obviously Nicolas lost a close friend and an agent over the weekend, he died suddenly,” Clarke said yesterday.

“I went in and had a very brief chat with him, and he wasn’t in a good place. So the club have decided just to give him a bit of time to go away and think about it and get himself in a better place for the future.”

Clarke said Anelka told different members of

the club that he wanted to retire but added that he asked the player to think twice about his decision. “I’m not going to deny that he used that word in the conversations we had with him,” Clarke said. “But we’ve given him time to go away and think about it and I don’t think we could do any more in the circumstances as they were.”

Anelka, whose career has also been managed by his brother Claude, wrote on his Facebook page that he was feeling an “immense sorrow” following the death of Manasse. If Anelka decides to retire for good, it will mark the end of the career of one of the most talented and controversial players France has produced since former Manchester United great Eric Cantona. After growing up in a Parisian suburb, Anelka started his career at Paris Saint-Germain and was quickly spotted by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who signed him in 1997.

Known for his immense technical and athletic qualities, Anelka played a big part in the Gunners’ “double” win of the Premier League and the FA Cup that season but missed out on a place in the France team that won the 1998 World Cup. Anelka’s some-

times nonchalant attitude and apparent lack of commitment to the team started to anger the Arsenal fans, who gave him the nickname “Le Sulk.” Anelka then joined Real Madrid, where he won the Champions League, before moving to PSG, Liverpool, Man City, Fenerbahce and Bolton.

The much-traveled Frenchman then struck up an electric partnership with Didier Drogba at Chelsea, winning the Premier League title and two FA Cups with the Blues.

Anelka caused the biggest controversy of his career with the French national team, when he was sent home from the 2010 World Cup after insulting then-coach Raymond Domenech in the dressing room. His reputation reached its nadir, but the stubborn Anelka refused to apologize and ended his international career in the wake of the scandal with 14 goals in 69 appearances. Anelka recently agreed to a one-year deal with West Brom, with an option for a further season. “I think I will finish in England. I’m happy here. I also hope that it will be with this club,” Anelka said following his arrival. “I’m 34 years old now and I want to enjoy my football. I hope everything will be perfect.”—AP

French striker Nicolas Anelka

Guardiola ready to rekindle Mourinho rivalry BERLIN: Bayern Munich tackle three games inside a week, culminating in the Super Cup against Chelsea next Friday which will pit the Bavarians’ coach Pep Guardiola against former rival Jose Mourinho. Guardiola’s Bayern have a taxing schedule en route to the UEFA Super Cup showdown in Prague where the Champions League winners take on Europa League champions Chelsea, but the Spaniard is relishing facing Mourinho.

“Yes, it’s not the first time we’ve met and we know each other well,” said Guardiola of the self-styled “special one” Mourinho. “I have huge respect for his career and you can’t forget the BayernChelsea game, but we have two more

games before us and the next match is always the most important one.

“Bayern have never won it (the Super Cup) and it’s an important title. “I don’t know what will happen next Friday, but they will win it sooner or later.” The Prague showdown rekindles memories of past El Clasico clashes with ex-Barcelona boss Guardiola against Chelsea’s former Real Madrid coach Mourinho, but before that Bayern face Bundesliga matches at home to Nuremberg today, then away to Freiburg on Tuesday. Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has described the next seven days as “the first hot phase” of the Bavarians’ season and the triple-bill of matches will test Guardiola’s new 4-1-4-1

formation. Bayern host Nuremberg at Munich’s Allianz Arena without Spain’s Javi Martinez, who is lacking match fitness according to the Bayern boss, while France winger Franck Ribery is back in the team after an ankle injury kept him out of last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Germany star Mario Goetze is set to make his league debut for Bayern following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund having last played in April after a hamstring injury. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder was on the bench for last Saturday’s win at Frankfurt, but has yet to play a Bundesliga match for Munich. “The important thing is that he feels fit,” said Guardiola. “His legs are fit and his head is

right, which is good for us. “I don’t know if he’ll start or play a few minutes and I’ll decide that in the morning.”

Only goal difference behind Dortmund is keeping joint second-placed Bayern off the top of the German league table after winning both of their opening league matches. Although Nuremberg have drawn both of their opening games, Guardiola was full of respect for the Bavarian derby. “A derby is very special and they are always tough games, Nuremberg will be 100 percent focused, so it will be difficult,” said Guardiola, while Nuremberg coach Michael Wiesinger has said his team will not heading to Munich “to go sightseeing”.— AFP

SPORTS

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Man United, Chelsea set for first leaders summit LONDON: Just a week into the new season, the Premier League will witness its first major head-to-head of the campaign when Chelsea face off against champions Manchester United on Monday. United began their title defense with an impressive 4-1 win at Swansea City last weekend, but Chelsea’s visit marks the start of a testing four-game sequence that includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester City.

New United manager David Moyes could not have asked for a sterner start to the season and in Chelsea he faces a side who are already building up a head of steam.

Chelsea won 2-0 against Hull City on manager Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge last weekend and followed that up with a gritty 2-1 success at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday, in a game brought forward due to the Europa League champions’ involvement in the UEFA Super Cup. It means the London side can open up a six-point lead over their title rivals by winning at Old Trafford, and having seen United twice left in the starting blocks by Chelsea during Mourinho’s first stint at the club, United midfielder Ryan Giggs is determined not to let it happen again. “In Mourinho’s first spell at Chelsea, they obviously got off to a few good starts and we didn’t manage to catch them,” said the Welsh veteran. “You always want

Rodgers targets defensive swoop as injuries mount BIRMINGHAM: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits he plans to sign a centre back before the transfer window closes with his defensive options limited for today’s trip to Aston Villa. Rodgers confirmed on Thursday that Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates will miss most of the season after picking up an anterior cruciate knee ligament problem while playing for his country against Japan recently. That has left Rodgers with Daniel Agger, Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Andre Wisdom as his centre back options, with Martin Kelly still not fully fit after a cruciate problem of his own.

The former Swansea boss also wants to send Wisdom, 20, out on loan for first-team experience while Skrtel, 28, has recently had a knee problem and also been linked with a move to Napoli. Rodgers denied that the Serie A side have made an approach but revealed his transfer plans before the window closes again. “It’s something that we’re looking at, certainly, a player to come into that position,” Rodgers said. “It’s to strengthen the squad but also to allow some of our younger players to develop. “For us to maximize Andre Wisdom and his talent, I need to get him some games.

“The idea is to get him out on loan, but I can only do that if we bring in someone with a bit more experience to come in and support the group. “It’s two-fold really. It’s certainly a position we’re looking at.” Liverpool impressed in their opening day win over Stoke last weekend, but Rodgers is wary of Villa striker Christian Benteke this weekend after the Belgium international fired in three goals in their opening two games. “There’s no doubt Benteke is the reference point for the team - the ball goes up to him and he holds it up well. He’s a big, powerful boy,” Rodgers said.

“They had a hard season last season, Aston Villa, but that first year when you come into a new club there are different challenges that you have to meet and (Aston Villa manager) Paul (Lambert) had that last year. “I very much expect for them to have a very good season. They are very much a counter-attacking team that set up to defend half a pitch and then break out with the pace of Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor.” Liverpool completed the season-long loan signing of Frenchman Aly Cissokho from Valencia on Tuesday and the defender could feature today. Lambert insists he has no problems with Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho claiming that their touchline interaction during the 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday was merely ‘banter’ and does not expect any FA action over his post-match comments. —AFP

to get off to a good start. It has obviously been well documented that we have got a tough start, but we started well with a good win at Swansea today and hopefully we can carry that on.” Although it is early in the season, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech knows that a positive result in Manchester would give his side an early advantage in the fledgling title race. “We’ve won games at Manchester United and we’ve lost games there. It’s always tight,” Cech told the Chelsea website, www.chelseafc.com.

“It’s still at an early stage of the season, but any advantage you can gain over your rival is always good.”

Today, Arsenal will hope to carry the momentum from their mid-week Champions League victory over Fenerbahce into their trip to London rivals Fulham.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger came in for heavy criticism after his side crashed to a 3-1 loss at home to Villa on the opening weekend of the season, with the north London club’s lack of activity in the transfer market the subject of particular scrutiny.

However, they planted one foot in the Champions League group phase by winning 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday, and winger Theo Walcott says the setback against Villa is now out of their system. “You don’t want to start a season like that, but that’s out of the window

now,” he told www.arsenal.com.

“We’ve forgotten about that and we’re concentrating on Fulham. And if we perform like that, with that intensity, we can beat anyone.” Villa, who were unfortunate not to be awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the mid-week loss to Chelsea after an apparent handball by John Terry, host Liverpool in the evening kick-off today.

Manchester City opened their campaign with a stylish 4-0 win at home to Newcastle United last Monday and they visit promoted Cardiff City tomorrow. City dropped 24 points away from home last season, fatally undermining their title defense, and left-back Gael Clichy says Manuel Pellegrini’s side must start reproducing their home form on the road. “We did work hard during the whole pre-season and that is what the manager wants from us,” he told the club website, www.mcfc.co.uk.

“Away from home it will be more difficult, but it is a good way of starting the season.” Tottenham Hotspur, 10 victors at Crystal Palace last weekend, host Swansea City on Sunday. Spurs appear poised to cede star forward Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, but they continue to invest heavily in their squad and are reportedly close to completing a club-record £30 million ($47 million, 35 million euros) move for Anzhi Makhachkala’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian. —AFP

Walcott hoping Turkish romp will boost Arsenal LONDON: Theo Walcott believes Arsenal’s midweek Champions League victory over Fenerbahce can help kick-start the troubled club’s Premier League campaign. England winger Walcott and his team-mates will aim to bounce back after the opening day home defeat to Aston Villa when they travel across London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage today. The Villa loss triggered a wave of criticism directed towards Gunners boss Arsene Wenger from Arsenal supporters frustrated by his failure to strengthen his squad since the end of last season.

A succession of injuries to key players seemed to have further exposed the weaknesses in Wenger’s squad, but an emphatic 3-0 win in Turkey on Wednesday moved the Gunners to within 90 minutes of a place in the Champions League group stage and provided a timely boost to morale. “It was very important after such a disappointing start to the Premier League,” Walcott said.

“There was a lot of pressure on us as well and we’re happy we got that clean sheet, which was important.”As players we don’t take any notice of that criticism. We know the best person to listen to, and our best critic, is the manager. “We knew the Villa game was very disappointing and we needed to bounce back from it.

“We work hard for each other and that’s the most important thing - if everyone works hard for each other we can get the results. “I think at the weekend that probably wasn’t the case, and we knew how disappointing it was. “You don’t want to start a season like that but, like I said, that’s out of the window now. “We’ve forgotten about that and we’re concentrating on Fulham.

And if we perform like that, with that intensity, we can beat anyone.” Wenger has stepped up his efforts to bring in new players, although he now concedes he has no chance of signing Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.

Instead, Arsenal have been linked with Real Madrid pair Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria and Swansea duo Ashley Williams and Michu. Wenger admits he is short on numbers at present, a situation not helped by the loss of French defender Laurent Koscielny to a one game suspension following his sending off against Villa.Abou Diaby,

Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain long term casualties, while Thomas Vermaelen is also some way off returning to fitness.

Wenger’s side can expect a stern test against a Fulham side buoyed by their opening day victory at Sunderland. In the week since that win, Cottagers manager Martin Jol

has signed Scott Parker, the Football Writers’ player of the year in 2011, and the former Tottenham midfielder is expected to make his debut this weekend. Parker rejected the chance to be reunited with former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp at QPR in favor of a move that keeps the 32-year-old in the Premier League. —AFP

MATCHES ON TV ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Fulham v Arsenal 14:45 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD Newcastle v West Ham 17:00 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Everton v West Brom 17:00 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD Hull City v Norwich City 17:00 Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Southampton v Sunderland 17:00 Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Stoke City v Crystal Palace 17:00 Aljazeera Sport +6 Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Aston Villa v Liverpool 19:30 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE Hellas Verona v AC Milan 19:00 Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport +3 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD Sampdoria Juventus 21:45 Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport +3 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD SPANISH LEAGUE Elche CF v Real Sociedad

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Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD RCD Espanyol v Valencia Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Villarreal CF v Real Valladolid Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD GERMAN BUNDESLIGA Hannover 96 v Schalke 04 Dubai Sports Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Borussia Dubai Sports Bayern Munich v Nuremberg Dubai Sports FSV Mainz v Wolfsburg Dubai Sports TSG Hoffenheim v SC Freiburg Dubai Sports Hertha Berlin v Hamburger SV Dubai Sports FRENCH LEAGUE Valenciennes v Marseille Aljazeera Sport +1 Montpellier v FC Sochaux Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Lyons v Stade Reims Aljazeera Sport +1 Evian Thonon v Stade Rennes Aljazeera Sport +6 Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Girondins de Bordeaux v Bastia Aljazeera Sport +4

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013

Sports

Wozniacki and Kvitova reach New Haven semis

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GLENDALE: Angel Di Maria #22 of Real Madrid scores a first half goal past Todd Dunivant #2 and Leonardo #2 of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the International Champions Cup match at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 1, 2013 in Arizona. — AFP

Shehzad, Afridi mastermind Pakistan victory HARARE: Ahmed Shehzad shone with the bat and Shahid Afridi struck with the ball as Pakistan opened their tour of Zimbabwe with a comfortable victory in the first Twenty20 international yesterday.

Shehzad’s measured 70 allowed Pakistan to post a strong total of 161 for five, before Afridi snubbed out Zimbabwean resistance with three wickets to secure a 25-run victory.

Although Zimbabwe were much improved from the side that lost a recent one-day series against India 5-0, they let things slip in the field midway through the Pakistan innings and also lost their way after a promising start with the bat. Shehzad’s patience up front proved key to the match as he saw out a tricky opening period when Pakistan lost Nasir Jamshed and captain Mohammad Hafeez to Tendai Chatara, before slowly taking control against Zimbabwe’s other seamers.

“Early on it was doing a bit. They bowled a good channel and that’s why they picked up a couple of wickets, but after six overs the ball was coming on nicely and I was able to manoeuvre the ball,” Shehzad said. The opener took 17 runs off Elton Chigumbura’s first over to put the pressure back on Zimbabwe, and shared in a 55-run stand with debutant Sohaib Maqsood. Shehzad struck six fours and

a six in his 50-ball innings before he was eventually caught on the boundary off the bowling of Shingirai Masakadza. Afridi ensured that Pakistan finished strongly, hitting 23 not out from 16 deliveries, and then made key breakthroughs in the Zimbabwean innings in claiming figures of 3 for 25.

The home side started brightly with a 53-run opening stand between Hamilton Masakadza and Vusi Sibanda, but their inability to accelerate from a solid base meant that they never really threatened to achieve their target.

Afridi picked up the wickets of Sibanda and Timycen Maruma after labored innings by both batsmen, and also dismissed the dangerous Chigumbura cheaply. Although Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor came in at number three and finished unbeaten, he was often starved of the strike as he faced just 30 balls in top-scoring with 32.

Malcolm Waller’s late salvo saw him take a six and a four off Saeed Ajmal’s final over, but with too much to do Zimbabwe finished well short of the line.

“We always know that once we score 150-plus, it will be tough for the opposition to score the runs with our good bowling side,” Hafeez said. The two teams will face off again at the same venue in the second and final Twenty20 international today. —AFP

SCOREBOARD HARARE: Harare Province, Aug 23, 2013 (AFP) - Scoreboard in the first Twenty20 international between Zimbabwe and Pakistan yesterday:

Pakistan Ahmed Shehzad c Waller b S. Masakadza 70 Nasir Jamshed c Vitori b Chatara 2 Mohammad Hafeez c Taylor b Chatara 3 Umar Amin c Taylor b Utseya 14 Sohaib Maqsood c Sibanda b Chigumbura 26 Shahid Afridi not out 23 Anwar Ali not out 10 Extras (5lb, 8w) 13 Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 161 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Nasir Jamshed), 2-21 (Mohammad Hafeez), 3-51 (Umar Amin), 4-106 (Sohaib Maqsood), 5-135 (Ahmed Shehzad).

Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan.

Bowling: Utseya 4-0-15-1, Chatara 4-0-30-2, Vitori 4-0-26-0, S. Masakadza 4-0-37-1, Williams 2-0-18-0, Chigumbura 2-030-1.

Zimbabwe H. Masakadza lbw b Anwar Ali 18 V. Sibanda b Shahid Afridi 31 B. Taylor not out 32 S. Williams lbw b Mohammad Hafeez 9 T. Maruma st Sarfraz Ahmed b Shahid Afridi 10 E. Chigumbura b Shahid Afridi 6 M. Waller not out 14 Extras (5b, 2lb, 9w) 16 Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 136 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (H. Masakadza), 2-80 (Sibanda), 3-89 (Williams), 4-111 (Maruma), 5117 (Chigumbura).

Did not bat: P. Utseya, T. Chatara, S. Masakadza, B. Vitori.

Bowling: Sohail Tanvir 4-0-23-0, Mohammad Irfan 3-0-18-0, Anwar Ali 3-0-21-1, Saeed Ajmal 4-0-30-0, Shahid Afridi 4-0-25-3, Mohammad Hafeez 2-0-12-1.