26 Aug 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Canadian minister visits AC-Kuwait campus site

Bomb tears through Yemen air force bus

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SHAWWAL 19, 1434 AH

Celebrated US actress Julie Harris dies at 87

New boys Cardiff stun City

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US considers military action as Syria warns Damascus okays UN probe, Washington says ‘too late’

Kuwait backs AL call for Syria crisis session CAIRO: Kuwait yesterday supported a call by Arab League Secretary General Nabil Al-Araby to convene an emergency session of the UN Security Council for issuing a resolution aimed at bringing a ceasefire in Syria.

Kuwait’s permanent delegate at the Arab League Ambassador Jamal Al-Ghunaim renewed Kuwait’s rejection and condemnation of usage of chemical arms against the Syrian people. He called upon United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon to investigate reports about the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians in Al-Ghouta on outskirts of Damascus last Wednesday and communicated the country’s demand that the Security Council shoulder the historic responsibility toward “the ugly crime and its call upon the international community to hold investigations immediately.”

Kuwait’s stance is totally in harmony with the initiative, launched by the Arab League Secretary General, which also calls for adoption of a practical mechanism to supervise execution of the resolution under UN supervision, and then allowing entry of humanitarian aid to the stricken regions as well as start of implementation of what had been agreed upon regarding the holding of the Geneva-two con ference to find a political settlement to the crisis, Ambassador Al-Ghunaim stated.

He also welcomed the League’s call to hold an emergency session of the permanent delegates tomorrow to discuss the steps to be taken at the international level to deal with the dangerous developments in Syria. — KUNA

DAMASCUS: A Syrian man mourns over a dead body after an alleged poisonous gas attack fired by regime forces, according to activists, in Douma town, Damascus. — AP

TEHRAN: President Hasan Rouhani (right) with Omani Sultan Qaboos for photographers in an official arrival ceremony in Tehran yesterday. — AP

DAMASCUS: UN experts are today to start investigating the site of an alleged Syrian chemical weapons attack after a go-ahead from Damascus, as a skeptical Washington said Syria’s acceptance had come too late.

In an escalation of a showdown over a suspected chemical weapons attack near Damascus last week, the United States pointed the finger of blame at President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime as it weighed military action.

“There is very little doubt at this point that a chemical weapon was used by the Syrian regime against civilians in this incident,” based on the reported number of victims and their symptoms, as well as US and other foreign intelligence, one official in Washington told AFP. Syria’s opposition says more than 1,300 people died when regime forces unleashed chemical weapons against rebel-held towns east and southwest of Damascus on August 21, while Doctors Without Borders said 355 people had died of “neurotoxic” symptoms.

Damascus has strongly denied it carried out such an attack, instead blaming the rebels. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told a Jerusalem press conference yesterday there was “no doubt” the Damascus regime was behind the suspected attack.

Meanwhile, Syria’s information minister said any US military action would “create a ball of fire that will inflame the Middle East”. He said Damascus had evidence chemical weapons were used by rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Al-Assad, not by his government. Western countries say they believe the rebels do not have access to poison gas.

“From the moment the substance of the facts is established incontestably (by the UN inspectors), there Continued on Page 15

‘Trial of two regimes’ in Egypt

Oman’s Qaboos in Iran on historic visit DUBAI: Oman’s Sultan Qaboos yesterday began the first visit to Iran by a foreign leader since moderate President Hassan Rouhani took office and Iranian media said his trip might be an effort to mediate between Tehran and Washington.

Oman, a Gulf Arab state that maintains unusually friendly ties with both the United States and Iran, has previously been an important go-between for the two countries that severed diplomatic relations in 1980 and are in a protracted stand-off over the disputed Iranian nuclear program.

The West suspects the Islamic Republic is working to develop a nuclear arms capability, an accusation Iran denies, and has brought about increasingly strict international sanctions against Tehran. President Barack Obama’s administration has said Washington is open to direct talks with Iran to resolve the nuclear and other disputes, and Iranian officials have not ruled them out.

The landslide election of Rouhani, who took office on Aug 3, has raised hopes of a negotiated settlement to the nuclear dispute and an end to sanctions that have halved Iran’s oil exports since 2011 and put immense pressure on the economy. “It can be guessed that the Sultan of Oman’s trip to Iran can mean that afterward this country, instead of playing the role of mediator in relation to Iran and America, wants to play the role of host for these two countries with regard to Continued on Page 15

Max 45º Min 28º High Tide 02:46 & 15:33 Low Tide 09:25 & 21:37

CAIRO: Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak (center) and his sons Gamal (left) and Alaa (right) are seen behind bars during their trial yesterday in Cairo. — AFP

Bedoon weddings start with a bang

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CAIRO: Three leaders of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the movement’s former arch-foe Hosni Mubarak faced separate trials yesterday on similar charges of involvement in the killing of protesters.

With Egypt now under an armyinstalled government after last month’s overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi, local media seized on the symbolism of scheduling both sessions on the same day. “ Trial of two regimes,” headlined Al-Shorouk daily.

In the end, Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood’s “General Guide”, and his deputies did not appear at the opening of their trial for security reasons, a judicial source said. Citing their absence, the judge adjourned the proceedings until Oct 29.

The case against Badie, Khairat AlShater and Rashad Bayoumy relates to unrest before the army removed Morsi on July 3. Morsi has been detained in an undisclosed location since then. More

than 1,000 people, including about 100 soldiers and police, have died in violence across Egypt since Morsi’s fall, making it the bloodiest civil unrest in the republic’s 60-year history. Brotherhood supporters say the toll is much higher.

Mubarak, who left prison on Thursday after judges ordered his release, appeared in a courtroom cage in a wheelchair, wearing sunglasses and dressed in white, along with his jailed sons Gamal and Alaa and former interior minister Habib Al-Adly. After a hearing that lasted about three hours, the judge set the next session for Sept 14, pending further investigation.

The former president was sentenced to life in prison last year for complicity in the killing of protesters during the 2011 revolt against him, but an appeals court ordered a retrial. A helicopter flew Mubarak to the court in the Police Academy on the eastern outskirts of Continued on Page 15

Mumbai police arrest last of 5 rape suspects

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‘Hijab appeal’ splits Sweden STOCKHOLM: In gender-equality Sweden, a grassroots movement defending women’s right to wear hijab has split the nation, backed by politicians and celebrities while critics say it supports a symbol of female “oppression”.

Hundreds of Swedish women have posted photographs of themselves wearing headscarves on social media sites to show solidarity with a heavily pregnant Muslim woman who says she was attacked outside Stockholm for wearing a veil. Police are searching for witnesses to the incident, which is being treated as a hate crime, and has sparked a wave of online protest.

Leftist politicians and celebrities were among those who lent their support to the movement, dubbed “The hijab appeal”, by tweeting pictures of themselves wearing the Islamic headscarf.

By Thursday, more than 2,000 people had posted pictures tagged with the “hijab appeal” hashtag on Instagram, mostly featuring women of different faiths wearing the veil. A Facebook “event” page set up by the activists garnered 10,000 attendees but had to be removed after the comments section was swamped with racist and sexist remarks. “The number of hate crimes

against Muslim women has increased lately,” one of the campaign organizers, Foujan Rouzbeh, said.

However, critics say the campaign trivializes the suffering of women forced or pressured into covering their heads, in Sweden and elsewhere. “I support protesting against the treatment of the woman who was attacked, absolutely.

Holding speeches, demonstrating,” said Sara Mohammad, the head of a charity for victims of honor crimes.

“Not by wearing the veil, which is known around the world as an Islamic symbol for oppressing women. It’s not just being forced on women in Iran and Saudi Arabia, it has also become the flag for political Islam in the west.” The Swedish politicians wearing the hijab this week rarely displayed the same support for those fighting for the right not to wear it, sometimes risking their lives in doing so, Mohammad argued.

“This is an injudicious and populist measure designed to attract votes from the Muslim community,” she said.

Rouzbeh said critics of the Swedish hijab campaign had taken it out of context.

“We’re not trying to belittle people’s experience of having been forced to wear the veil ...we’re basing this on

veiled women who wear it out of choice. Those women should have the right to do that without being attacked,” she said. Muslim women were being used as scapegoats in the face of rising unemployment in Sweden and the rest of Europe, said Rouzbeh, who met the justice minister on Wednesday. “None of us are saying this started under the current government, but we would argue that it has increased because they haven’t taken this threat seriously.” The group is demanding a commission be set up to investigate the problem of violence against veiled women, and also wants the government to ensure a ban on newsreaders for public broadcaster SVT wearing the garment is lifted.

Rouzbeh said the rise of the antiimmigrant Sweden Democrats, which the latest polls indicate would be the third largest party in an election, and a negative image of Muslims in the media had stoked violence and harassment of women wearing the hijab. But there is little data to support claims of a surge in the number of Islamophobic hate crimes. The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention said 306 such crimes were reported last year, compared with 278 the previous year and 272 in 2008. — AFP

Fatima Doubakil, one of the initiators of the "hijab outcry" campaign speaks to journalists outside the government building in Stockholm.— AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: (Left) The Canadian Minister for International Trade and the Canadian ambassador to Kuwait are received by Hamed Al-Bader and Saud Abdulaziz Jafar. (Right) Viewing the construction site.

Canadian minister visits AC-Kuwait campus site Algonquin College opening branch in Jahra KUWAIT: Ed Fast, the Canadian Minister for International Trade, visited the building site for the planned campus for Algonquin College - Kuwait and, citing the longstanding ties between Canada and Kuwait, praised the cooperation between Algonquin College in Canada and their Kuwaiti partner, Orient Education Services, as an example of the strong and growing relationship in education between the two countries.

Also in attendance was Douglas George, Canadian Ambassador to Kuwait, Saud Abdulaziz Jafar, Chairman, AC-Kuwait, Hamed Al-Bader, Chairman, Orient Education Services Co. Kuwait, , and Ghazi AlAbduljaleel, Board Member (OES).

Currently under construction on a 75,000 m2 site in East Naseem, Jahra, the 43,544 m2 campus buildings will include state of the art labs, smart e-classrooms, athletic and recreational facilities, and a wide range of student services. With a planned launch in September 2014 of Foundation Programs followed by the launch of Diploma programs in Business Marketing, Accounting, Computer Programming, and Computer Systems in 2015, AC-Kuwait will reach a student population of 3000 students and

will be Algonquin College’s largest international branch campus. Innovative campus features will include a “Green” sustainable building design, intensive use of ICT enhanced and supported learning across all program areas and multi-media rich “smart” classrooms, full broadband wireless access across all campus areas, and a campus wide networked learning environment. Algonquin College is accredited by the Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, and is one of the largest and highest ranking post-secondary colleges of applied arts and technology in Canada.

Located in Ottawa, the capital of Canada and centre of Canada’s IT sector, Algonquin College is recognized for excellence in the design and delivery of state of the art IT and Management and Business related postsecondary certificates, diplomas,degrees and post-diploma industry certifications. As a fully recognized branch of Algonquin College, AC-Kuwait’s commitment to excellence, internationally recognized programs, “hands on” labs and innovative applied learning, and their student oriented approach will provide graduates with the knowledge to succeed in tomorrow’s technology intensive environment.

Saud Abdulaziz Jafar reviewing the AC-Kuwait project.

(From left) Mohammed Shaker, Saud Abdulaziz Jafar, Canadian ambassador, Canadian Minister, Hamed Al-Bader, Ghazi Al-Abduljaleel and Qutaiba Al-Shaheen

KUWAIT: Engineer Qutaiba Al-Shaheen presenting the design of the project.

(From left) Canadian Minister, Saud Jafar and Hamed AlBader —Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast holding talks with Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anas Al-Saleh yesterday.—KUNA

Canada committed to boosting business partnership with Kuwait KUWAIT: Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ed Fast, stressed yesterday on underscoring the Canadian government’s commitment to further strengthen partnership with Kuwait as part of the most ambitious trade expansion plan in Canadian history. The Canadian Minister said during an exclusive interview, after his meeting with the Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anas Al-Saleh, that the main goal of his visit is to deepen Canada’s trade and investment ties with Kuwait, as there are many opportunities for Canadian firms in key areas in Kuwait where there is robust Canadian expertise, including oil-field equipment and services, health care and education services, telecommunications equipment, aviation and military equipment.

The Minister also announced the opening of a visa application center in Kuwait, to facilitate the issuing of visas for Kuwaitis traveling to Canada, branding the move a “step forward in rela-

tions.”. Upon his arrival in the country yesterday, Minister Fast visited the construction site of a future campus of Algonquin College, which is accredited by the Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and one of the largest and highest ranking post-secondary colleges of applied arts and technology in Canada. The Minister described this project as “ambitious”, and was thrilled that Canada could provide Kuwaitis with the education skills they need to provide well-paying jobs in the future.

When asked about the opening of the first branch of the retail coffee chain in Canada “Tim Hortons” in Kuwait, Minister Fast was highly impressed by the expanding Canadian franchise, as recent numbers showed the opening of 32 branches in the region. “It is a symbol of what Canada and Kuwait can do to develop commercial relations and people-to-people relations”, he said.

In conclusion, the Minister thanked Kuwait for the warm welcome, and was

very impressed by its modernisation and the great ambition of its people.

Canada-Kuwait merchandise trade was valued at USD 117.1 million in 2012, he said, also noting that Canada and Kuwait signed a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA) in September 2011.

Kuwait is keen on developing ties with Canada especially within the commercial domain, Minister Al-Saleh said.

Al-Saleh said that Kuwait was eager to learn from the Canadian expertise within the fields technology and energy. He said that Kuwait would always welcome any investment opportunities from Canada, adding that new amendments to laws connected with foreign investments and companies would attract business from abroad.

Canada-Kuwait merchandise trade was valued at $117.1 million in 2012, he said, also noting that Canada and Kuwait signed a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA) in September 2011. — KUNA

Better healthcare at detention centers KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health is expected to hold meetings with Interior Ministry officials to discuss a new mechanism towards improving healthcare at detention centers as part of a ‘new strategy’, a senior MoH official said in a recent statement.

Meanwhile, Undersecretar y

Assistant for Medical Services Affairs Dr Mohammad Al-Khashty clarified that the strategy will not include jails “where the medical services are recognized by international organizations including the International Red Cross”.

In his first interview after assum-

ing office, Dr Al-Khashty told AlJarida daily that there are efforts to ‘organize’ work in the public health sectors, including plans to “transfer doctors to investigations immediately if they are found to be working in the private sector while still employed in the public sector”.

LOCAL MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LONDON: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah wrapped up a private visit to the United Kingdom yesterday proceeding to the United States of America. His Highness was accompanied by Deputy Chief of the National Guards Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and a delegation. HH the Amir was seen off at the airport by the former speaker of the National Assembly, Jassem Al-Khorafi, Sheikh Shemlan Abdul-Aziz Al-Sabah, Director of HH the Amir Bureau Ahmad Fahad Al-Fahad, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the UK Khaled AbdulAziz Al-Duwaisan, heads of Kuwaiti offices in the UK and members of the Kuwaiti diplomatic mission.

Govt eyes subsidies cut to improve revenues New development plan in offing KUWAIT: While the government hopes that lawmakers avoid proposals that increase government spending like pay raises, it is working simultaneously to boost non-oil revenues through methods that include cutting energy subsidization. Al-Anba daily quoted senior government officials yesterday who indicated that the government “faces an important mission to relieve pressure off of the state budget” by finding new sources of income. The sources identified attempts to reduce subsidies as the main way to achieve this goal, adding that it is likely to start with electricity and water where subsidization costs the state around KD 3 billion a year.

Regarding pay increase demands, the sources indicated that the Civil Service Commission finalized a new payroll restructuring study “which addresses the differences in salaries and allowances and sets equal stan-

dards for pay”. Meanwhile, a senior CSC official was quoted by Al-Qabas yesterday as he indicated that the government’s current plans regarding the administrative and vocational landscape in the public sector do not include approving pay raises, renewing terms of senior officials who reach the legal service term of retirement, or allowing transfers between state departments.

In the meantime, Al-Rai quoted government sources familiar with new transfer regulations that the CSC is preparing, who indicated that restrictions will be adopted to make sure that transfers are only allowed as long as the body to which an employee is going needs their services.

The government also has plans to apply new hiring percentages for Kuwaitis in the private sector, establish the Public Authority for Labor Forces, and focus on hospitals’ expan-

sion and other construction and infrastructure projects. On a related note, Al-Watan daily quoted government sources yesterday who indicated that the government is working on a ‘new development plan’ which they said would be “reasonable” and “can be achieved within a fixed timetable”. The plan is set to focus on health, education and basic services in order to address a majority of problems people in Kuwait face, the sources said without providing further details.

They further indicated that the plan includes a mechanism “to assess ministers’ work and commitment to the plan’s timetable”, and added that the government seeks cooperation with the parliament “to agree on common factors in order to ensure execution”.

The plan also takes into account the social dimension by finding solutions to social problems such as unemployment, the sources added.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LOCAL In my view

kuwait digest

New survey on priorities

Arab opinion divided over Egypt

By Dr Naji Al-Zaid

I

By Mohammed Al-Rumaihi

T

he whole Middle East region is in despair, wherever you look, you will find something deeply unpleasant happening-the obvious is the bloodshed, which appears uncontrollable in Syria and lately in Egypt. The focus in the last few weeks shifted from Syria to Egypt, as most commentators believe that whatever happens in Egypt has more of an impact on the whole region, than events elsewhere.

The Egyptian crisis has divided the Arab public opinion. Some wholeheartedly support the deposed president, Mohammad Morsi, while others are supportive of his opponents. Both sides of the argument have strong supporters, even outside Egypt. Here in the Gulf countries, there is heated debate on the issue, even within the same family, and the social media (Twitter and Facebook) are the most active in debating the Egyptian crisis in inflammatory words.

Those supporting Morsi argue that he was the legitimate elected president, and as such he should not have been removed but only thrown out at the ballot box, whenever the election was held. The opponents says that the people of Egypt, or the majority of them had demonstrated, by the millions on June 30 that either an early election or a mass referendum should decide if Morsi was to go or stay.

But their demand was rejected by the government at the time. The reluctance of Morsi’s administration to take into consideration that demand led the military to interfere, and was removed, with a very clear objective that there will be a new election, a new parliament, and a new precedent, or what the new administration terms, The Road Map. This was severely opposed by Morsi’s supporters, mainly Muslim Brotherhood and their allies from the fundamental Islamist groups, who took to barricading themselves in Rabia Al-Adwia and Al-Nahda square in Cairo. They brought women, children and supporters from the farming community from outside the capital, and stayed there during the whole month of Ramadan. That was not acceptable for the new administration, backed by the military, resulting in the government’s decision to clear the barricade in an operation that witnessed the loss of hundreds of Egyptian lives during the standoff.

The Muslim Brotherhood administration in Egypt , which lasted for almost one year, from June 30, 2012 to June 30, 2013, differed from all other Islamist governments in the region. While Iran and Turkey both have Islamist governments, Turkey has only one head of state, an elected government, and difference active political parties. Iran on the other hand, has a spiritual leader (Murshed) but he has some official status in the framework of government.

In the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, on the contrary, Murshed has all the authority within the council of the movement, and the head of state (in this case) has to obey the instructions coming from Murshed. In fact Morsi is ranked sixth or seventh in the hierarchy of the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

This kind of duality gave rise to confusion and tension during the one-year stint of the Brotherhood government. There was almost anarchy, as the government was not able to convince the liberal segment of Egyptian society to agree to their policies. As a result they turned to more radical groups, like the Gehadi, and Fundamental Salafists to support them.

This was not without paying a political price, as instead of bringing those groups to the platform of Muslim Brotherhood, who are basically moderate, the Brotherhood become Salafists and adopted far more radical policies, just to keep the radicals onboard. So the only avenue open to them was to hastily take quick steps to go on what become known in Egypt (Brother-ing the Egyptian State) which means putting their members and supporters in every layer of the state hierarchy-ministers, governors, ambassadors, and the like. This hasty move alerted other segments of society that took to the street demanding a correction, by either early elections or referendum. The rest of the story is now well known.

Assembling large number of people in the squares and streets of Egypt is not a big deal. Some of those are members of political groups and a good number of them are spongers and out of work youngsters or simply people brought from outlying areas who know nothing of what is going on, and they probably were killed in the clashes between the police and the sit-in groups.

The stand of American and European governments toward what is happing in Egypt is amazing, and it shows either a lack of information or understanding.

Those governments have announced that they will cut off financial aid and other help to Egypt unless the violence is stopped. It may look good on the surface but what they do not understand is that they have played in to the hands of the fundamentalists. As the radicals started the disturbance, the government reacted to maintain peace and violence automatically accrued. It could become a vicious circle. The more the Western governments insist on the authorities to concede to their conditions to stop violence, the more Muslim political groups will strengthen their resolve to sit-in and demonstrate, with the intention to provoke a violent reaction by the authorities, even to the extent of innocent people getting killed.

The core of the issue is that Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, like their affiliates in Tunisia, live in past times, not related to modernity. Since both came to power (in Egypt and Tunisia) commentators have been saying that they lack the tools to adapt themselves to modernity. They are very good in knowing what they don’t like, but have no idea where they want to lead societies to. The golden age for them is the glory of Muslim civilisation a few centuries back, but they do not have the capability to understand that the glory of that period was built on tolerance, hard work and acceptance of differences and not by defiance or marginalising other citizens. Hopefully the new constitution in Egypt will draw a clear line between politics and religion. This will mark the new era of what I term the post Iranian syndrome which intruded into the region some 30 odd years ago, with its dangerous mixture of politics and religion, and which proved a complete failure.

In my view

How Morsi ousted himself

By Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg

T

he recent removal of President Morsi of Egypt has given additional proof that democracy is much more than elections, no matter how orderly and honest. Examples from Iran to Iraq to Egypt have shown how majority rule was quickly transformed simply into tyranny of the majority.

When Dr. Muhammed Morsi was elected president of Egypt in June 2012, many welcomed his victory and hoped that a new era of democracy had dawned on Egypt. On June 30, 2012, the day he was sworn in as president I was in Stockholm. From there I wrote about the world’s excitement over the event, as the first time Egypt had chosen a democratically elected president in a freely contested poll (Revenge of the nerds and the post post-colonial order, July 1, 2013).

At the same time there was trepidation. Egypt, with probably the oldest state structure in recorded history, did not really have a solid democratic tradition, many said. More to the point, the political culture of the Muslim Brotherhood, the power behind Morsi, made many uneasy, inside Egypt and abroad.

I expressed those doubts and misgivings in the same piece I wrote for this paper then. I pointed out that the challenges facing Morsi were too great to predict a smooth evolution of Egypt into a sustainable democracy overnight.

For starters, Morsi was not really given a clear mandate. He did not win a majority in the first round, and won the runoff by only a slim (51.7) percent majority in a low-turnout election. I also pointed out that there was justifiable fear that the Muslim Brotherhood movement, the force behind Morsi and his Freedom and Justice Party, might try to exercise extra-legal influence behind the scenes.

Morsi and his backers seemed to quickly forget his weak mandate and the fact that he had been elected merely to chaperon an interim arrangement, chosen to draw up a new constitution and negotiate a new social contract between Egyptians and their government.

As such, it was counterproductive for that interim government to monopolize power and exclude minorities, be they political, social, regional, ethnic or religious.

At the heart of the problem was confusion over the real meaning of democracy between majority rule and tyranny exercised by that majority.

Morsi seemed unable or unwilling, from the start, to create an inclusive government. After winning both parliamentary and presidential elections, Morsi, the Justice and Freedom Party and the Muslim Brotherhood went ahead to govern without coalitions and with a single-minded agenda that defied vocal opposition from many sides, including their partners in the coalition that made it possible for Morsi to win the election in the first place.

Inexperience mixed with haste in the widely publicized exercise of drafting and passing Egypt’s new constitution. Independent and nonBrotherhood members of the Constituent Assembly tasked with drafting the new constitution abandoned the effort, but Brotherhood delegates singlehandedly drafted a new text. Critics complained that the new document did little to protect basic freedoms and minority rights. On Nov 22, 2012, Morsi matters worse by issuing his own constitutional declaration that made his decrees immune from judicial oversight. Egyptians took to the streets in protest. Although he rescinded parts of that declaration, the damage was already done.

That naked power grab, combined with failure to restore calm and economic activity, eroded Morsi’s appeal. The rise in common crimes further disillusioned Egyptians about the new government.

Although the security services remained largely intact, they seemed unable to fulfill Morsi’s promises to restore public order.

Sectarian violence was also on the rise. The Coptic minority complained of increased sectarian strife and animosity. Morsi failed, in the eyes of many Egyptians, to lead in the face of heightened sectarian tensions.

On the economic front, the new government made a mess of things. Egypt is the most populous Arab country (85 million inhabitants). Its $260 billion GDP makes it the third largest economy, after Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. The chaos and mismanagement cut its growth by almost two thirds. Credit rating agencies reduced its standing by several notches.

Negotiations with the IMF were stop-and-go and the long awaited IMF loans never materialized. The price of bread, together with other basic goods, rose and lines in front of traditional bakeries were top news. The final straws on the economic front were electricity cuts and fuel shortages. By the beginning of June 2013, fuel shortages were common throughout Egypt. In the middle of the hot summer season, electricity was in short supply.

Lines at gas stations combined with bread lines highlighted the ineptitude of Morsi’s bureaucrats to solve the twin problems.

Brotherhood sympathizers have talked about some conspiracies to create artificial shortages in fuel and electricity, and raise prices of basic staples, but those accusations did not convince ordinary Egyptians to give Morsi and the Brotherhood another chance. By the end of June, tens of millions of Egyptians were demanding a recall of Dr Morsi and early elections to choose his replacement.

The rise and fall of Dr Morsi is a tragic lesson on how snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and historical opportunity.

kuwait digest

‘Comfortable’ at home

By Khalid Al-Awadhi

M

ost of the Kuwaitis spend this time of the throw away garbage unless there’s a dustbin.

It is almost unbelievable considering that this year outside the country vacationing all over the world as they discover new areas and behavior is more or less the opposite of how Kuwaitis act back home. So what interact with different cultures. makes a Kuwaiti act differSome citizens spend their holiIt is almost unbelievable consid- ently the moment he or she days in Europe, while others prefer the American conti- ering that this behavior is more or leaves the country? The answer is simple. The peonents. Meanwhile, many Kuwaitis like to spend the less the opposite of how Kuwaitis ple themselves do not summer in Southeast Asia, East act back home. So what makes a change, but what changes Asia or Australia, whereas a Kuwaiti ac t differently the is the thought that they can do whatever they want number of Kuwaitis prefer to visit Gulf states such as the moment he or she leaves the back home and get away United Arab Emirates or Oman. country? The answer is simple. with it, whereas outside If we could monitor the The people themselves do not they know that they are going to be punished for movement and behavior of thousands of Kuwaitis roaming change, but what changes is the bad behavior.

What does that mean? the earth these days, we can thought that they can do whatevfind out how Kuwaitis in gen- er they want back home and get If anything, it indicates that the Kuwaiti- who eral make sure they strictly follow the law in any country away with it, whereas outside unfor tunately has lost they visit. They abstain from they know that they are going to respect of many people - is receptive to the idea of smoking indoors and at no- be punished for bad behavior. becoming better individusmoking areas inside airports, als and respecting the law restaurants, etc, and obey traffic rules like abiding by speed limits, parking only in in their own country. The key is law enforcement designated places and wearing the seatbelt. They and making sure that law is respected by all; somealways stand in line at airports, restaurants, malls, etc, thing that is definitely not happening these days in honor local environmental regulations, and never Kuwait.— Al-Qabas

am still struggling to accept the parliament speaker’s call for a public survey to determine people’s priorities as being a serious one. I find that there is no need to undergo this trouble when ministers and ministry officials can simply obtain a full list of the main problems that most people agree on by visiting diwaniyas across Kuwait one night.

To save you all the trouble and money that is going to be spent on this survey, here are the topics that Kuwaitis have been wanting ministers and MPs to give priority to for the past 25 years: 1. Good education 2. Premium healthcare services, both administratively and technically 3. A house and a good job 4. Full law enforcement and equality in government hiring and 5. Eliminate corruption by introducing administrative improvement.

These are the main needs of citizens and this does not require surveys or funds spent on analysis as long as ministers are serious about making an effort to improve administrative work in state departments. Meanwhile, lawmakers are asked to give those five points priority during sessions if they are serious about living up to the responsibility of being parliament members. Their duty is to work on fulfilling these demands and make sure that the government works accordingly during the four-year term of the parliament (given that it is not dissolved before then).

Once these issues have been taken care of, other subjects such as price inflation, visa trafficking, and even the stateless residents’ dilemma will become easy to resolve because by then, the basic fundamentals of the society will be deep-rooted. Good education and healthcare combined with easy access to housing and job opportunities in an environment where justice, equality and reform prevail create a kind of stability that gradually helps boost the economy, curb prices, eliminate visa trafficking, etc. Furthermore, it would provide extra motivation to find a just solution to the problem of stateless residents, and combining that with providing comprehensive facilities to citizens creates an atmosphere of social stability. Add that to law enforcement that limits crime rates, and you have an increased feeling of safety, stability and public contentment which leads to psychological, social and financial stability. We are not seeking perfection, but working towards achieving the aforementioned topics gives citizens many reasons to be proud of their country.

Any public survey would most likely lead to the same results because not only are these concerns shared by a majority of citizens, but citizens also share common suffering thanks to the many years they have gone without a solution. — Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

Reward and punishment

By Dr Yaqoub Al-Sharrah

C

ountries adopt laws and constitutions so that justice can prevail and people can feel safe and secure. Without them, society would be ruled by chaos with people suffering injustice, oppression, and enslavement. And since people’s lives change as life improves, the law improves accordingly to adapt new developments brought by new challenges that the society faces. However, the problems become more complicated if the law becomes selectively enforced and remains the same without improvement.

Reforms cannot be achieved without law and honoring the principles of punishment and reward especially in state departments. This is especially true for officials whose job is to take decisions and watch over the quality of work.

Kuwait government’s main problem stems from the lack of authority whose job it is to effectively monitor and assess its work. Basically, the government waits for MPs to threaten to file grilling motions before it actually acts. If the government followed its own problems and worked on resolving them one by one, we would not see repeated interpellations and criticism against its performance. There are many mistakes in the government’s work, some of which are the result of flaws in executive work, and others which are the result of corruption, mismanagement, or failure to meet responsibilities and deadlines. These problems often breed crises with widespread negative effects and require radical solutions to be addressed. For example, recent reports highlighted cases pertaining to appointments made in state departments on nepotistic basis, which is an example of errors in government work and a form of ‘announced corruption’ that not only defies the law, but also people’s rights. There are many bad examples regarding the behavior of state officials which unfortunately remain unaddressed despite being wellknown publicly. The government needs reward and punishment because these are basic components of administrative reform, in addition to hiring state officials on the basis of competency.

I hope that the parliament legislates laws that address illegal decisions in state departments.

There is so much that needs to be taken into consideration to avoid fatal errors and deliberate acts of corruption in the government. For example, a law is required to prevent state officials from giving relatives an unfair advantage in hiring, and force them to give the job to those who are most qualified for it. Ignoring this aspect makes favoritism a basic criteria in hiring, making state employees feel like victims of injustice and inequality. — Al-Rai

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: Local shrimp is featured at fish markets around Kuwait since Saturday after authorities lifted an eight-month ban on shrimp-fishing which was imposed to allow the species to reproduce in territorial waters. Freshly caught shrimps were reportedly sold for an average of KD 4 per kilogram and KD 95 per basket during the first day with only 42 baskets worth caught. Prices are expected to drop over the coming days as supply is set to increase gradually.

Local fishermen can freely catch shrimp in Kuwaiti waters until the ban is implemented again in December. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

Bedoon weddings start with a bang - literally Dangerous, illegal act

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Different countries have different traditions, especially when something as life-altering as a marriage ceremony is concerned. Some rituals are weird and some are funny. But some, like in the case of Kuwait, can be downright dangerous. In many Kuwaiti weddings, particularly the bedoons, men use guns and air rifles to shoot in the air. Despite this tradition causing grievous injuries and even death, people don’t refrain from practicing it.

After an increasing number of accidents were reported, the Ministry of Interior decided to monitor this ritual more closely.

The Ministry formed security groups to limit this dangerous and illegal act and keep a close check on it. “The tradition of shooting in weddings was banned few years ago but we noticed it has increased lately. Police groups will monitor the weddings in all the governorates, especially the weddings held in tents in certain areas,” Colonel Adel Al-Hashash, PR and Moral Guidance Director of the Ministry of Interior told the Kuwait Times yesterday.

“It’s illegal to possess unlicensed weapons, and of course, use it in any way. It’s also illegal to show, use or shoot - even if it is licensed - in residential areas or places that are crowded with people. It’s not allowed to be used in a place other than the one specified for this purpose,” he added.

Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalid, Minister of Interior and Deputy

Prime Minister, issued strict orders to highlight this trend to avoid more accidents. In a statement published yesterday in the local press, Al-Khalid assured serious action against anybody who violates this law, especially now at a time when many young men have been showing off their weapons at weddings as a style statement.

Al-Hashash said that the weapons will be confiscated by the police forces even if it is licensed. “Police will be present at all the weddings held in different areas and will not wait for a complaint to take action. People should know that this dangerous tradition should stop in our society,” he explained.

A few weeks ago, photos of a young groom killed by mistake by his friend spread across social media sites and the wedding soon turned into a funeral. Many other tragic incidents have been recorded in the past, leading either to serious injuries or a quick death. Two months, a bullet smashed the rear window of a car parked at a wedding and was later found in the backseat.

There have also been many cases of injuries or death caused by unlicensed weapons during other occasions. The government decided to confiscate weapons from people - especially Kuwaitis since many had arms which they found during the Liberation in 1991 after the Iraqi soldiers left Kuwait. It has been noticed that many people have still not handed over the guns to the government and their children have been misusing them.

Govt strongly desires cooperation with parliament

By A Saleh KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad AlSabah yesterday affirmed the government strong desire to establish cooperation and reach understanding with the National Assembly.

This approach is intended to meet aspiration of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Kuwaiti people, “and this is how matters are supposed to be,” the prime minister stated. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with NA Speaker Marzouk AlGhanim and a number of MPs, HH the prime minister said, “I’ve heard from the MPs assuring words,” expressing confidence that the legislative and executive authorities would succeed in fulfilling their duties and meet aspirations of HH the Amir and the Kuwaiti people.

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak relayed greetings of the ministers to the lawmakers “for winning confidence of the Kuwaiti people, as well blessing of the Cabinet to Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouk AlGhanim for earning the trust of the Assembly.” Asked about a proposal by an MP to hold a special session to discuss “the regional situation and extent of the government cooperation in this regard,” he stated that this issue falls within jurisdictions of the parliament and that “the government has not expressed its opinion regarding this topic.”

KUWAIT: His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah with NA Speaker Marzouk Al-Ghanim and MPs yesterday.

Regarding the government manifesto, HH the Premier said the Cabinet would discuss it, at its session on Monday, as a topic of top priority.

Al-Ghanim said that the National Assembly had conducted a public survey amongst citizens probing their ideas, concerns and proposals and that their proposals will be considered.

Speaking to reporters after meeting HH the PM, Al-Ghanim said that “Nobody should panic on probing opinion of

Proposal to discuss regional developments in parliament KUWAIT: A lawmaker announced plans to submit a request to allocate a session to discuss regional events and their possible impact on the local scene. In statements made to multiple newspapers Saturday, MP Riyadh Al-Adasani argued that the legislative and executive authorities need to join hands in the decision-making process and focus on the state’s foreign policy.

“Discussing regional events should be given top priority, given their reflection on the political and economic scenes locally”, MP Al-Adasani told Al-Qabas. He also told Al-Rai daily that the proposal includes calls to discuss the situation in several Arab states including Syria and Egypt over the past couple of years, as well as the aftermath of the Iranian espionage network trial in which cell members were convicted of conspiring to bomb vital locations in Kuwait and military buildings used by the Kuwaiti and American army. “The main purpose of the session is to clarify Kuwait’s local and foreign policy regarding the events happening in the Arab World, and to make sure that the parliament becomes a partner in drawing strategies in that regard”, he explained.

It remains unclear where the proposal would fit in the list of priorities set to be addressed when the parliament resumes sessions on October 29. “It is important that the parliament and Cabinet rearrange priorities in accordance with the regional changes”, MP Khalil Abdullah told Al-Rai on Saturday. He also proposed plans to turn Kuwait into a financial and commercial hub, saying that these tactics are currently “inapplicable” in light of the current situation in the region. MP Abdullah identified the proposed session as part of “security-related issues” he said should be given top priority during discussion in parliament. The second issue he mentioned is improving education, health, environment and housing, while the third is to develop the national economy.

Meanwhile, the regional situation also motivated several MPs to demand enforcement of the conscription law which has been proposed by the Cabinet and is to be discussed by the parliament’s interior and defense committee today. The proposal calls for Kuwaitis between the age of 18 and 35 to be recruited to serve in the army which, lasts for nine months for people with university degrees, and 12 months for others.

The lawmakers said in statements to Al-Rai Saturday that the law is necessary to help prepare Kuwait against potential threats, and create a generation “capable of taking responsibility” when needed.

Kuwaitis. We are the representatives of the people and they should have a role”, he said noting that though the survey was not binding, it was a tool to probe citizens’ priorities and concerns.

Al-Ghanim also said that upon a proposal made by former minister Adel AlSubaih, he ordered the NA secretariat to consider establishing a special e-gate for the parliament through which citizens and specialists could communicate and express their opinions on various bills.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LOCAL

Teen couple behind ‘evil sounds’ at home ‘Liquor factory’ raided KUWAIT: A Jahra family called police after growing tired of trying to find the source of strange noises they were hearing every night for almost a week, before discovering that the noises were coming from their teenage son’s room who was smuggling his girlfriend in.

Security officers arrived to the house located in Naseem district of Jahra on Saturday after the family reported that they have been hearing mysterious noises every night. They said that they had begun to believe in “evil spirits” which could have invaded their house, according to the police report.

The officers tracked the source of the noise until they reached a room on the roof which the family members said was abandoned. Much to their shock, the family found their 15-year-old son inside the room with a girl after police opened the door.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the girl is 17 years old and reported missing by her family. The boy admitted that he offered his girlfriend a “place to stay” after she escaped from

her family’s house nearly a week ago. The couple was taken to the area’s police station for further questioning as the girl’s family was called to receive her.

Motorist killed A man was killed and another was injured in an accident reported Saturday on Sixth Ring Road. Police and paramedics rushed to the scene located on the way to Jahra where a car collision was reported. Paramedics pronounced a Kuwaiti man dead on the scene, while a citizen found in the other car was rushed to Jahra Hospital in a serious condition. Preliminary investigations indicate that one of the vehicles swerved and hit the other before crashing into a light post, killing its driver. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.

Mangaf raid A man was arrested in Mangaf where he used a rented villa to brew alcoholic drinks for trade.

Ahmadi police went to the house with an arrest

warrant after a tip-off indicating the man’s activities. After raiding the place, police found dozens of barrels filled with liquor, in addition to equipment used for brewing and ready bottles for sale. They also arrested an Indian man who investigations revealed had rented the house and turned it into a liquor factory. Police found out that the suspect is wanted for several criminal charges and is also reported missing by his original employer. He was referred to the right authorities for further action.

Driver suicide A male driver was found dead at his employer’s house and the case was classified as suicide. Police and paramedics rushed to the house in Yarmouk after a phone call alerted them of the situation. The Asian man was found hanging dead from the ceiling of his room, after which crime scene investigators were called to examine the scene and move the body to the forensic department. A case was filed at the area’s police station.

Kuwait Army planes start delivering aid to Sudan KUWAIT: A Kuwait Army plane took off yesterday headed for Sudan as part of the air bridge and relief campaign ordered by His Highness the Deputy Amir the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in support of the victims of floods affecting several regions of Sudan.

The air bridge operations are

overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Khalid Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah. An air bridge of 10 planes is to deliver $2.5 million worth of aid to Sudan, as announced earlier on Thursday. The relief supplies include food items, medical supplies, and shelter material. Kuwait’s representative to Arab

League Ambassador Jamal AlGhunaim said, “Kuwait officially informed the league secretariat and accredited Arab missions of start of air bridge operations as of today, Sunday.”

“As part of the Army’s commitment to lending a hand when needed and lending support for all

humane causes, this campaign also comes in harmony with other relief efforts and support to the floods victims by both state bodies and the private sector, as well as civil society institutions,” The Army’s Abdullah AlMubarak Air Base Head of Operations Group Captain Bandar Salem AlMzayyan said. —KUNA

Dive team lifts 2 tons of abandoned nets KUWAIT: Kuwait Dive Team of the Environment Voluntary Foundation lifted off two tons of abandoned nets off the Scientific Center in cooperation with marine rescue units of Kuwait fire department, the operation chief said yesterday.

Walid Al-Shatti, head of the marine operation unit at Kuwait Dive Team, said that the team was able to lift off abandoned nets of 500 meters length, stretching six meters from the sea bottom to the surface, at two locations: one off the Kuwait

Scientific Center and the second close to the the center docks.

Al-Shatti noted that the dive team responded to a call from one of the citizens who complained about these nets, hence, marine operations were done accordingly.

He noted that these left out nets are hazardous to beach-goers and sailing ships.

He called on fishermen to abide by marine regulations set by the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs and Fish Resources to ensure public safety. —KUNA

New water features completed at Constitution Gardens KUWAIT: Crystal the world leading water feature specialist, with offices in the Middle East, has again demonstrated the artistic role that modern fountains can play in major public realm projects, with the completion of its dramatic new water features at Constitution Gardens in Kuwait City.

Constitution Gardens were created to celebrate 50 years of Kuwait’s Constitution, by providing a world class public park in Kuwait City, known as the Golden Jubilee Martyr’s Park in Kuwait City.

Central to the park are Crystal’s interactive water features, which are complimented by two golden monuments and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.

The water features were specially designed to convey the message of Constitution Gardens, which aim to tell the story of the state of Kuwait before and after its formation. A simple fountain with vertical sprinklers represents the discovery of oil wells in the past, while a dramatic “mirror” fountain with dazzling interactive sequencing nozzles, fog effects and laser, light and water shows, aims to symbolise Kuwait’s exciting future.

Modern water features are not just fountains, they are theatrical entertainment devices, which explains why they are so popular with developers and architects responsible for public realm projects and commercial venues such as shopping centres and hotels. Crystal’s water features at Constitution Gardens are no exception, and in the evening they put on breathtaking laser, light and water shows.

Their stunning displays take center stage within the park and are able to entertain the public for hours as they relax by the fountains. In addition, the water features provide a central meeting place and a much needed cooling effect in Kuwait’s arid climate.

Paul L’Heureux of Crystal, commented, “The fountains at the Golden Jubilee Martyr’s Park are at the forefront of modern water feature design and demonstrate the unique “experiences” that can be created for the public with the most up to date technology. We are proud to have been involved with a project that will provide enjoyment to the people of Kuwait and visitors to Kuwait City for many years to come.”

Kuwait regulates weight loss gastric sleeve surgeries KUWAIT: Minister of Health Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah approved yesterday a resolution that would regulate gastric sleeve surgeries for weight loss in government and private hospitals.

The resolution organizes the holding of the surgeries, pre-requisites that patients must meet in order to undergo the operation and

conditions of theater rooms, Sheikh Mohammad, also Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, told KUNA. He also said resolution stipulated conditions the surgeons must meet in order to do the sleeve surgeries. The ministry of health, he added, would supervise these operations and the regulations would be updated regularly.

Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah

GCC visa expected in mid-2014 KUWAIT: A unified visa for the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could become a reality in mid-2014, security sources have said.

“The plan to have a GCC tourism visa, similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, is about to be implemented after obstacles have been cleared,” the sources told Kuwaiti daily Al Rai yesterday.

Under the visa, Arab and foreign tourists could visit the GCC countries. The single-entry visa should be valid for one month, but multiple-entry visas could be issued for one year, the sources said.

Conditions for obtaining the GCC visa include presenting evidence of sufficient financial resources.

“There are some technical issues that are being addressed now and the GCC visa could be issued in mid-2014,” the sources that the newspaper did not name said. Foreigners who are not allowed to enter a GCC country for legal reasons and those who had been deported will not be issued the unified visa.

However, the sources added that the unified GCC visa would not cancel the existing system of a single GCC country visa. “The GCC visa is expected to rein-

vigorate tourism, business, shopping travel and economic activities in the member countries,” the sources said.

The GCC, established in May 1981 in Abu Dhabi, groups Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gulf nationals can travel to any of the GCC countries without visas and upon presenting an ID. Most foreigners need to apply for visas ahead of their travel to the GCC while some GCC countries give entry visas to the nationals of some countries at the entry points.

Gulf railways to bridge the Arabian Peninsula?

KUWAIT: A fire broke out in the eighth floor of a Salmiya building yesterday, prompting a quick response from Salmiya Fire Brigade. All residents of the building were evacuated as they were trapped in thick smoke. Two firemen suffered heat exhaustion during the rescue operations. No other injuries were reported. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun

DUBAI: In the past month, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced further developments in rail systems that will traverse major portions of the Arabian Peninsula. These projects will help to improve logistic chains, provide freedom of movement of goods and services, as well as promote greater economic unity between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for the first time. In addition, the network is illustrative of the continuing cooperation of the GCC to promote greater unity within the context of land-based supply-chain growth.

As we all know, railways have never been the preferred mode of transportation in the Gulf, neither for passengers nor for goods, for geographic reasons and, mostly, due to the affordable prices of fuel for road transportation. But the GCC rail network, which entered the planning phase in October 2008, will run down the Gulf coast from Kuwait, through Saudi Arabia, to the UAE and Oman, with branches linking Bahrain and Qatar. Each project fuses the Arabian Peninsula closer than never before.

Manama has said they will invest in a $8 billion railway system linking the archipelago to Saudi Arabia. The network will be 184 km and will be developed in phases by 2030.

Kuwait will have to start developing a rail network of 547 km will cover the northern

and southern parts of the country all the way to Saudi borders. The network will connect Kuwait City, Nawaseeb, Abdali, the airport as well as the ports of Shuaiba and Bubyan. The project could potentially also connect the Kuwaiti railway system to the Iraqi network, which would enhance the significance and importance of another major Kuwaiti project, the mega-port of Mubarak Al-Kabir currently under construction in the island of Bubyan.

Oman is building its network in three phases: first, a 230 mile line will connect the industrial zone of Sohar to Muscat, followed by a 560 km line linking the capital to Duqum which, in turn, will be connected to the southern city of Salalah in the third and final stage. Omani representatives are frequently in Riyadh discussing how to link Saudi Arabia to Duqum Port.

Doha will also see a series of national railway projects over the next 10 years.

Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, in partnership with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, has developed a conceptual design for the a national railway system for the country. This will include a line alongside the East coast, connecting Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, a high-speed link from Doha to Bahrain across the QatarBahrain causeway, a freight link connecting to the GCC railway network.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Mumbai police arrest last of 5 suspects in gang rape

Syria okays UN weapons probe as pressure rises Page 8

Page 11

SANAA: Yemeni security forces stand by blood stains at the site of a blast targeting a military bus in Sanaa yesterday. —AFP

Bomb tears through Yemen air force bus Officer among 6 killed • Qaeda bombing bid foiled SANAA: A bomb tore through the side of a bus carrying Yemeni air force personnel to their base in the capital Sanaa yesterday, killing at least one officer and wounding several others, state media reported. Witnesses told Reuters that as many as six people died when the device, planted on the vehicle, exploded and blew passengers’ bodies into the street, but that higher toll could not be immediately confirmed.

Separately, Yemeni police said they foiled a plot to carry out a suicide bombing inside a US language institute in Sanaa. An institute spokesman denied the report, saying a small incident involving the arrest of a motorcyclist trying to travel on a closed road that had been blown out of proportion. The impoverished country, situated next to the world’s top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is battling a number of armed groups, including Al-Qaeda fighters who Washington said this month could be planning attacks.

Yemen’s security personnel have been targeted by Islamist militants although most of the attacks have taken place in the largely lawless south and east of the Arabian Peninsula state. Regarding yesterday’s bombing, the air force spokesman told Saba news agency: “This cowardly terrorist act resulted in the martyrdom of one person and injured a number of others, several of whom are in a serious condition. They have all been transferred to hospital.”.

Saba named the dead man as Sergeant Mohammed AlShaghdari. Air force officer Ameen Saree, who was among the first to reach the scene, earlier said the blast killed at least six people and wounded 26. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Later yesterday, a Yemeni police spokesman and a counter-terrorism official said security forces had detained a suspected Al-Qaeda militant trying to infiltrate the Yemen-American Language Institute (YALI) on a motorcycle. The police spokesman said the man was found to be carrying an explosives belt and was detained when he tried to enter the compound posing as a student seeking to register for English courses. Another official said the man had been referred to the counter-terrorism department for further questioning.

A YALI spokesman said the report was untrue. He said that a Yemeni motorcyclist was detained when he tried to pass on a road closed to traffic for security reasons near the institute and refused to heed demands to turn back.

Yemen has been gripped by turmoil since pro-democracy demonstrations erupted in early 2011 against thenPresident Ali Abdullah Saleh, who stepped down last year.

Suspected Al-Qaeda militants killed four Yemeni soldiers during an Aug 11 attack on forces guarding the country’s only liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in the southern province of Shabwa. In May 2012 a suicide bomber in army uniform killed more than 90 soldiers rehearsing for a parade in the heart of Sanaa. Earlier this month, Yemeni authorities said that had thwarted a plot by Al Qaeda to seize two major oil and gas export terminals and a city in the east of the country.

The United States and other Western powers shut their diplomatic missions across the Middle East, Africa and Asia after Washington said it had information about unspecified terrorist threats. Most legations have since reopened. —Reuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

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

Chemical weapons likely used in Syria: US official WASHINGTON: A senior administration official said yesterday there is “very little doubt” that a chemical weapon was used by the Syrian regime against civilians in an incident that killed at least 100 people last week, but added that President Barack Obama had not yet decided how to respond.

The official said the US intelligence community based its assessment given to the White House on “the reported number of victims, reported symptoms of those who were killed or injured,” and witness accounts. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly. The official said the White House believes the Syrian government is continuing to bar a UN investigative team immediate access to the site of a reported Aug. 21 chemical weapons attack

in the Damascus suburbs, in order to give the evidence of the attack time to degrade. The US official said the regime’s continuing shelling of the site also further corrupts any available evidence of the attack.

Last Wednesday’s purported chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta has prompted US naval forces to move closer to Syria.

Obama met with his national security team Saturday to assess the intelligence and consider a US military response, almost a year after warning the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad that chemical weapons use was a “red line” for the United States.

The White House had concluded previously that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons in limited incidents, but last week’s attack is suspected of being the deadliest single incident of a civil war

that has killed more than 100,000 people since March 2011.

Obama described the factors limiting greater US involvement in a CNN interview. “If the US goes in and attacks another country without a UN mandate and without clear evidence that can be presented, then there are questions in terms of whether international law supports it - do we have the coalition to make it work?” Obama said in the interview broadcast Friday. “Those are considerations that we have to take into account.”

Gen Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a letter to a US congressman last week that the administration opposes even limited action in Syria because it believes rebels fighting the Assad government wouldn’t support

American interests if they seized power. He said the US military could take out Assad’s air force and shift the balance of the war toward the armed opposition, but it’s unclear where the strategy would go from there.

Dempsey is now in Amman, Jordan, set to meet with Arab and Western peers later Sunday to discuss ways to bolster the security of Syria’s neighbors against possible attacks, chemical or other, by Assad’s regime, a Jordanian security official said. The meeting, closed to the press and held at an unspecified location, gathers chiefs of staff from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan, the official said on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to brief reporters. — AP

Syria okays UN weapons probe as pressure rises Hollande sees ‘body of evidence’ for gas attack

AMMAN: Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh (right) meets with his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Fahmy in Amman yesterday. — AFP

Jordan condemns chemical attacks in Syria AMMAN: Jordan yesterday condemned chemical attacks in Syria, urging punishment for those responsible, days before it is due to host a meeting of Western and Muslim military commanders on Syria. “We strongly condemn and denounce the horrible killings in Syria,” Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Nabil Fahmy.

“If (the attacks are) proven, those who have used chemical or any non-traditional weapons must be held accountable for such a criminal act,” he said. Syria’s main opposition group, the National Coalition, accuses regime forces of killing more than 1,300 people Wednesday in chemical weapons attacks on the outskirts of Damascus. The Syrian government denies the accusations and counters that the rebels used chemicals, including on Saturday on soldiers who tried to storm an insurgent neighborhood in Damascus.

Jordan Prime Minister Abdullah Nsur, whose country is home to more than 500,00 Syrian refugees, said last week that the United States is providing Amman with technical assistance against any possible chemical threat from neighboring Syria.

Judeh said on Sunday that Jordan “pre-

pared plans two years ago to deal” with any possible the threat of chemical attacks from Syria. Jordan is preparing to host a meeting in the coming days of top military commanders from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada to discuss the war in Syria. A Jordanian official said on Saturday the meeting would be an opportunity to “examine the questions linked to the security of the region and the repercussions of the Syrian crisis, as well as means of military cooperation to assure the security of Jordan”. Judeh said the meeting “has been scheduled for months.” “The meeting is not a reaction to what happened recently in Syria. It is one of a series of meetings of the army chiefs of countries concerned about the situation in Syria,” he added. “At the same time, the meeting will discuss the situation and scenarios on the ground, especially after the recent dangerous developments. The army chiefs have to have comprehensive talks and examine the impact on the region.” Earlier Sunday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US military was ready to take action against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime if ordered. —AFP

Large arms shipment reaches Syrian rebels: Opposition AMMAN: Gulf-based supporters have sent a 400-ton shipment of arms to Syria’s outgunned rebels, one of the biggest to reach them in their two-year-old uprising, opposition sources said yesterday. The consignment - mostly ammunition for shoulder-fired weapons and anti-aircraft machine guns - came into northern Syria via the Turkish province of Hatay in the past 24 hours, and was already being handed out, the sources added.

One rebel officer told Reuters the flow of arms bound for rebels had increased since opposition groups accused the government of launching deadly chemical weapons attacks in Damascus on Wednesday. “Twenty trailers crossed from Turkey and are being distributed to arms depots for several brigades across the north,” said rebel official Mohammad Salam, who told Reuters he saw the weapons come over the border.

Syria’s conflict, pitting mostly Sunni Muslim insurgents against President Bashar al-Assad, whose Alawite sect follows an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam, has ignited sectarian tensions across the region.

Qatar and other Sunni-led Gulf states have backed the insurgents, while Shiite power Iran remains one of Assad’s main allies. Rebel units operating in northern

Syria range from moderate Islamists to hardline jihadists and include Liwa alIslam (The Division of Islam), Sukur AlSham ( The Hawks of Syria), The Free Martyrs of Syria, Ahfad Al-Rasul ( The Grandsons of the Prophet) and Ahrar alSham (The Freemen of Syria). Analysts say they have struggled to hold onto advances against Assad’s Iranian and Russian-armed forces and his monopoly on air power.

A senior officer in the Gulf and Westernbacked Supreme Military Council, an umbrella group for rebel units, said there had been an increase in rebel-bound arms shipments coming into Turkey, particularly since the reports of a chemical assault. The government has dismissed Syrian opposition accusations that it killed well over 1,000 civilians with poison gas in Damascus suburbs on Wednesday.

Weapons still waiting to cross into Syria included more sophisticated antitank guided weapons, the officer added, without elaborating. He, and other sources, said money for the shipments came from the Gulf, without naming countries. Western diplomats fear some of the increasing flow of Gulf-financed weapons could end up in the hands of groups linked to Al-Qaeda. — Reuters

DAMASCUS: Syria, under a barrage of international pressure, gave the green light yesterday to a UN probe into an alleged chemical weapons attack as ally Iran warned against US military intervention. Visiting UN disarmament envoy Angela Kane, tasked by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to establish the terms of an inquiry, struck the accord with the Syrian government for a probe, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

It said a UN team of inspectors who have been in Syria for the past week would be authorized to carr y out the investigation in the Damascus region, where the opposition claims regime forces unleashed chemical weapons causing more than 1,300 deaths. A date and exact time of the investigation had yet to be agreed, the statement added. Damascus has strongly denied it carried out an attack using chemical arms, instead saying the rebels are to blame.

The ministry ’s announcement came as Western pressure grew on President Bashar AlAssad’s regime to allow the inspectors access to the site of the August 21 alleged attacks, where Doctors Without Borders said 355 people had died of “neurotoxic” symptoms. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the US military was “prepared to exercise whatever option” against Syria but intelligence was still being evaluated.

On a visit to Malaysia, Hagel said the US defense department had prepared “options for all contingencies” at President Barack Obama’s request.

French President Francois Hollande said evidence indicated the regime was to blame for the attacks on rebel-held zones east and southwest of Damascus and Israel demanded action against its Arab neighbor. Hollande said there was “a body of evidence indicating that the August 21 attack was chemical in nature, and that everything led to the belief that the Syrian regime was responsible for this unspeakable act”. If confirmed, it would be the deadliest use of chemical agents since late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein gassed Iranian troops and Kurdish rebels in the 1980s.

On Saturday, Obama held a rare meeting with his top aides and discussed Syria by phone with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron’s office said they two leaders agreed the use of chemical weapons would “merit a serious response”-echoing French calls.

Obama and Cameron “are both gravely concerned by... increasing signs that this was a significant chemical weapons attack carried out by the Syrian regime against its own people,” the British leader’s office said. Obama had said a year

DAMASCUS: Several bodies being buried during a funeral in a suburb of Damascus, Syria. A senior administration official said yesterday, that there is “very little doubt” that a chemical weapon was used by the Syrian regime against civilians in an incident that killed at least a hundred people last week, but added that the president had not yet decided how to respond. — AP ago that the use of chemical weapons by Assad’s “Medical staff working in these facilities providforces was a “red line” that could trigger Western ed detailed information to MSF doctors regarding large numbers of patients arriving with intervention.

Yesterday, a strident warning came from symptoms including convulsions, excess saliva, Washington’s archfoe Iran. “If the United States pinpoint pupils, blurred vision and respiratory crosses this red line, there will be harsh conse- distress,” said MSF operations director Bart quences for the White House,” armed forces Janssens.

MSF president Mego Terzian told AFP that deputy chief of staff Massoud Jazayeri said, without elaborating. Pope Francis appealed to the “scientific” proof is still lacking. “Syrian doctors international community to help find a negotiat- we work with have no scientific proof. They must ed settlement to the Syrian conflict while con- take hair samples, for example, and send them demning the “proliferation in massacres and to a specialist laboratory,” to carry out conclusive atrocities”. “It’s not confrontation that offers per- tests, he said. In Israel, President Shimon Peres spectives of hope to resolve the problems but called for international efforts to “take out” the capacity to meet and hold a dialogue,” the chemical weapons in Syria as Prime Minister pope said after traditional Sunday prayers. The Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will pull the Arab League is to meet tomorrow to discuss the “trigger” if needed to protect its people. As Syria alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, the and its opponents traded accusations on who bloc’s deputy chief Ahmed Ben Helli said. used chemicals, the radical Al-Nusra Front Permanent delegates would gather at the vowed punitive action.

“The Alawite villages will pay the price for League’s Cairo headquarters for “urgent talks” to “study the horrible crime of the use of chemical each chemical rocket that struck our people in weapons that killed hundreds of innocent peo- Damascus,” the group’s leader Abu Mohammed ple” in Syria, Ben Helli told reporters in Cairo. Al-Jawlani said in an audio message posted Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said about online.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in 3,600 patients displaying “neurotoxic symptoms” had flooded into three Syrian hospitals on the Syria since an uprising against Assad’s rule flared day of the alleged attacks, and 355 of them died. in March 2011, the UN says. — AFP

Al-Qaeda head slams Saudi support to Egypt DUBAI: A top Saudi member of Al-Qaeda slammed King Abdullah’s support for the Egyptian army’s ouster of Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, in a video message posted online yesterday.

“One of their latest crimes is supporting the secular forces in Egypt against the government of Morsi,” Ibrahim Al-Rubaish said in a statement. Rubaish is considered the religion affairs chief of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemen-based franchise of the jihadist network, formed in a 2009 merger of its Saudi and Yemeni branches. “The son of Saud was the first to offer congratulations after the fall of the government of Morsi, and the most generous supporter, offering billions to the Tamarod government that rebelled against

everything, including Allah,” he said.

Tamarod, or rebellion in Arabic, was the movement behind nationwide protests that preceded the Egypt military intervention to depose Morsi on July 3. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states welcomed Egypt’s ouster of Morsi, with Riyadh announcing an aid package of $5 billion to Egypt. Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates followed suit, bringing the pledges made by the three oil-rich Arab states of the Gulf to $12 billion.

Analysts say Riyadh and its allies are throwing their financial and diplomatic muscle behind Egypt’s armyinstalled rulers because they see the political Islam espoused by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood as a destabilizing factor. — AFP

UN political chief to visit Iran for Syria talks TEHRAN: The political affairs chief of the United Nations Jeffrey Feltman is to visit Iran today to discuss the war in Syria and unrest in Egypt and Lebanon, a report said. Feltman is to hold talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Mehr news agency reported. The agency did not provide any details on the visit, the first by a top UN official since Secretary General Ban Ki-moon trav-

elled to Iran in August 2012 to attend a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Iran yesterday warned against any US military intervention in Syria, where the opposition has accused the regime of using chemical weapons last week that killed hundreds. Iran is the main regional ally of the Syrian government which denies the accusations. —AFP

Syria’s Nusra threatens to rocket Alawites minority

DAMASCUS: A handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) yesterday shows Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad meeting with newly-appointed ministers in Damascus. — AFP

DUBAI: An Al-Qaeda-affiliated rebel commander in Syria has pledged to target communities of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s Alawite minority with rockets in revenge for an alleged chemical attack near Damascus, according to an audio recording seen yesterday. “For every chemical rocket that has fallen on our people in Damascus, one of their villages will, by the will of God, pay for it,” Abu Mohammad Al-Golani of the Al-Nusra Front said in the recording posted on YouTube. “On top of that we will prepare a thousand rockets that will be fired on their towns in revenge for the Damascus Ghouta massacre.”

The Syrian opposition has accused government forces of an attack on insurgent-held suburbs of the capital last week where poison gas appears to have

killed hundreds of people. “To the bereaved mothers of the children and the people of Ghouta, I say that your blood is a debt that we and every mujahid (Islamic holy fighter) have to pay,” Golani said in the recording entitled, “An eye for an eye”.

Nusra’s Sunni Muslim fighters have claimed responsibility for the deadliest bombings in the twoand-a-half-year-old Syrian conflict and their brigades have led some of the most successful rebel offensives against Assad’s forces. The group has been formally designated a terrorist organization by the United States, a step which Washington said was vindicated by a declaration in April that it was merging with AlQaeda’s Islamic State of Iraq group. Washington now says Nusra is little more than a front for Al-Qaeda.

Six soldiers among 14 killed in Iraq MOSUL, Iraq: Attacks in Iraq killed 14 people including six soldiers yesterday, officials said, amid a surge in violence authorities have so far failed to stem despite wide-ranging operations targeting militants. Prime Minister Nouri AlMaliki has vowed to press on with the antiinsurgent campaign, which is among the biggest since US forces withdrew in December 2011, but analysts and diplomats say authorities have failed to tackle the root causes of the violence.

Sunday’s violence struck north of Baghdad, in predominantly Sunni Arab areas of Iraq. The biggest attack occurred in the province of Salaheddin, where a car bomb killed five people and wounded 21 others, among them a senior judge who was the apparent target of the blast, police and a doctor said.

In restive Nineveh province, gunmen opened fire on a van ferrying soldiers from Baghdad to their unit in the provincial capital Mosul, killing five of them, an army first lieutenant and a doctor said.

Also in Nineveh, three separate attacks by gunmen left a soldier and two civilians dead, including a member of the Shabak minority, according to police and a doctor.

The 30,000-strong Shabak community mostly lives near Iraq’s border with Turkey.

They speak a distinct language and largely follow a faith that is a blend of Shiite Islam and local beliefs. Shabaks are frequently targeted in attacks by militants.

Two bombings at a house in Baquba, north of Baghdad, killed a child and wounded nine others, according to police and medical sources. Violence has markedly increased in Iraq this year.

Attacks have killed more than 3,600 people since the beginning of 2013, according to figures compiled by AFP. Analysts and diplomats link the upsurge of attacks to anger among Sunni Arabs over their alleged ill-treatment at the hands of the Shiite-led authorities, which they say has given Sunni militant groups more room to recruit and carry out attacks. — AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

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US spy agency bugged UN headquarters: Weekly ‘NSA runs bugging program in over 80 embassies’

Edward Snowden, who worked as a contract employee at the US National Security Agency. The US government’s efforts to determine which highly classified materials Snowden took from the National Security Agency have been frustrated by Snowden’s sophisticated efforts to cover his digital trail by deleting or bypassing electronic logs, government officials say. —AP

Snowden suspected of deleting electronic logs WASHINGTON: The US government’s efforts to determine which highly classified materials leaker Edward Snowden took from the National Security Agency have been frustrated by Snowden’s sophisticated efforts to cover his digital trail by deleting or bypassing electronic logs, government officials told The Associated Press. Such logs would have showed what information Snowden viewed or downloaded.

The government’s forensic investigation is wrestling with Snowden’s apparent ability to defeat safeguards established to monitor and deter people looking at information without proper permission, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the sensitive developments publicly.

The disclosure undermines the Obama administration’s assurances to Congress and the public that the NSA surveillance programs can’t be abused because its spying systems are so aggressively monitored and audited for oversight purposes: If Snowden could defeat the NSA’s own tripwires and internal burglar alarms, how many other employees or contractors could do the same?

In July, nearly two months after Snowden’s earliest disclosures, NSA Director Keith Alexander declined to say whether he had a good idea of what Snowden had downloaded or how many NSA files Snowden had taken with him, noting an ongoing criminal investigation. NSA spokeswoman Vanee Vines told the AP that Alexander “had a sense of what documents and information had been taken,” but “he did not say the comprehensive investigation had been completed.” Vines would not say whether Snowden had found a way to view and download the documents he took without

the NSA knowing.

In defending the NSA surveillance programs that Snowden revealed, Deputy Attorney General James Cole told Congress last month that the administration effectively monitors the activities of employees using them. “This program goes under careful audit,” Cole said.

“Everything that is done under it is documented and reviewed before the decision is made and reviewed again after these decisions are made to make sure that nobody has done the things that you’re concerned about happening.”

The disclosure of Snowden’s hacking prowess inside the NSA also could dramatically increase the perceived value of his knowledge to foreign governments, which would presumably be eager to learn any counter-detection techniques that could be exploited against U.S. government networks.

It also helps explain the recent seizure in Britain of digital files belonging to David Miranda - the partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald - in an effort to help quantify Snowden’s leak of classified material to the Guardian newspaper. Authorities there stopped Miranda last weekend as he changed planes at Heathrow Airport while returning home to Brazil from Germany, where Miranda had met with Laura Poitras, a US filmmaker who has worked with Greenwald on the NSA story.

Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor, was employed by Booz Allen Hamilton in Hawaii before leaking classified documents to the Guardian and The Washington Post. As a system administrator, Snowden had the ability to move around data and had access to thumb drives that would have allowed him to transfer information to computers outside the NSA’s secure system, Alexander has said. —AP

BERLIN: The US National Security Agency has bugged the United Nations’ New York headquarters, Germany’s Der Spiegel weekly said yesterday in the latest in a series of reports on US spying that has strained relations between Washington and its allies.

Citing secret US files that the magazine has seen stemming from fugitive former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, Der Spiegel said the revelations proved how systematically the United States spied on other states and institutions.

Der Spiegel said the documents showed that US intelligence agents bugged both other states and institutions including the European Union and the UN’s Vienna-based nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In the summer of 2012, NSA experts succeeded in getting into the UN video conferencing system and cracking its coding system, according one of the documents cited by Der Spiegel.

“The data traffic gives us internal video teleconferences of the United Nations (yay!),” Der Spiegel quoted one document as saying, adding that within three weeks the number of decoded communications rose to 458 from 12. Internal files also show the NSA spied on the EU legation in New York after it moved to new rooms in autumn 2012.

Among the documents copied by Snowden from NSA computers are plans of the EU mission, its IT infrastructure and servers.

According to the documents, the NSA runs a bugging program in more than 80 embassies and consulates worldwide called “Special Collection Service”. “The surveillance is intensive and well organised and has little or nothing to do with warding off terrorists,” wrote Der Spiegel.

Snowden’s leaks have embarrassed the United States by exposing the global extent of its surveillance programs. Washington

BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel walks over a bridge in the chancellor’s garden as she attends the open house day of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin yesterday.—AP has said its spies operate within the law and that the leaks have damaged national security. British police said on Aug 22 that documents seized from the partner of a Brazilbased American journalist who has led coverage of Snowden’s leaks were “highly sensitive” and, if disclosed, could put lives at risk.

This was the latest twist in a surveillance scandal that has pitted US President Barack Obama against the Kremlin over its granting of asylum to Snowden and has prompted British Prime Minister David Cameron’s advisers to demand the return of NSA secrets leaked by Snowden to the Guardian

newspaper. Earlier this month, Obama announced plans to limit US government surveillance programs, saying the United States could and should be more transparent. The issue has also become a hot topic in Germany before an election next month.

Some reports have suggested that German intelligence agents have cooperated with US spies.

There could be a voter back lash if it emerges that Chancellor Angela Merkel, tipped to win a third term, knew more about such cooperation than she has so far acknowledged. —Reuters

US closer to ‘illegitimate’ war in Syria: Russian MP MOSCOW: President Barack Obama is moving the United States closer to an “illegitimate” war in Syria, raising echoes of predecessor George W Bush’s moves before invading Iraq, a prominent Russian lawmaker said yesterday.

“Inescapably, Obama is moving towards war in Syria just like Bush was towards war in Iraq,” Alexei Pushkov, the head of the Russian

lower house of parliament’s international committee, said on Twitter.

“Just like in Iraq, this war will not be legitimate and Obama will become a Bush clone.”

Earlier yesterday, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the country’s military was ready to take action against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime if ordered.

The US and its allies are assessing

intelligence on allegations that Assad’s forces unleashed chemical weapons against his own people last week. Russia, which has supported Assad through the two-anda half-year conflict in Syria, branded as “unacceptable” calls for Western nations to consider using force against the regime.

Moscow also questioned Western and Syrian opposition claims that

the Damascus regime might have used nerve gas. In 2003, US troops invaded Iraq following accusations by then US president George W Bush’s administration that Saddam Hussein’s regime possessed weapons of mass destruction. Those claims later proved false.

The eight years of war in Iraq killed nearly 4,500 US soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis. —AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

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As Syria war rages, Americans cool to intervention WASHINGTON: Americans strongly oppose US intervention in Syria’s civil war and believe Washington should stay out of the conflict even if reports that Syria’s government used deadly chemicals to attack civilians are confirmed, a Reuters/Ipsos poll says. About 60 percent of Americans surveyed said the United States should not intervene in Syria’s civil war, while just 9 percent thought President Barack Obama should act. More Americans would back intervention if it is established that chemical weapons have been used, but even that support has dipped in recent days - just as Syria’s civil war has escalated and the images of hundreds of civilians allegedly killed by chemicals appeared on television screens and the Internet.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll, taken Aug 19-23, found that 25 percent of Americans would support US intervention if Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces used chemicals to attack civilians, while 46 percent would oppose it. That represented a decline in backing for US action since Aug 13, when

Reuters/Ipsos tracking polls found that 30.2 percent of Americans supported intervention in Syria if chemicals had been used, while 41.6 percent did not. Taken together, the polls suggest that so far, the growing crisis in Syria, and the emotionally wrenching pictures from an alleged chemical attack in a Damascus suburb this week, may actually be hardening many Americans’ resolve not to get involved in another conflict in the Middle East. The results - and Reuters/Ipsos polling on the use-of-chemicals question since early June - suggest that if Obama decides to undertake military action against Assad’s regime, he will do so in the face of steady opposition from an American public wary after more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some foreign and US officials notably Republican Senator John McCain, whom Obama defeated for the presidency in 2008 - have called Obama too hesitant in deciding whether to act in Syria. But several Americans surveyed in this week’s poll, including Charles Kohls, 68, a former U.S.

military officer from Maryland, praised Obama’s caution. “The United States has become too much of the world’s policeman and we have become involved in too many places that should be a United Nations realm, not ours,” Kohls said in an interview.

“I don’t think we ought to” intervene in Syria. Kohls said the possibility of a chemical attack did not alter his belief that the United States should stay out of Syria, or any war for that matter.

Obama has called the suspected chemical attack near Damascus on Wednesday “an event of great concern” and directed US intelligence agencies to investigate the allegations of chemical use as he weighs potential responses.

The president met with his national security advisers on Saturday but U.S. officials said he has not decided whether to intervene. U.S. defense officials, meanwhile, have repositioned naval forces in the Mediterranean to give Obama the option for a missile strike on Assad’s regime, which has been backed by Russia

and China. Obama has been reluctant to intervene in the Syria war, where rebel forces opposed to Assad are made up of dozens of militant factions, some not friendly to the United States.

The president warned Syria’s government last year that any attempt to deploy or use chemical or biological weapons would cross a “red line.” The White House said that Assad’s military appeared to cross such a threshold in June, and responded to reports of Syrian troops using chemical weapons by agreeing to offer military aid to vetted groups of Syrian rebels.

It does not appear that any US weapons have been delivered to rebels so far. As the war has escalated, Obama’s administration has come under increasing pressure from various governments, including those in France and Israel, to respond more forcefully to what many have called an unfolding humanitarian and political crisis. However, Obama does not appear to be feeling much pressure over Syria from the American people.

In this week’s Reuters/Ipsos survey of 1,448 people, just 27 percent said they supported his decision to send arms to some Syrian rebels; 47 percent were opposed.

The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for each number. About 11 percent said Obama should do more to intervene in Syria than sending arms to the rebels, while 89 percent said he should not help the rebels. Obama is considering a range of options. The most popular option among Americans: not intervening in Syria at all. That option is backed by 37 percent of Americans, according to the poll. Less popular options include air strikes to help the rebels (supported by 12 percent of Americans); imposing a “no-fly” zone over Syria that would ground Assad’s air force (11 percent); funding a multinational invasion of Syria (9 percent), and invading Syria with US troops (4 percent).

Deborah Powell, 58, of California, said she initially opposed any involvement by the United States but now supports arming the rebels. — Reuters

Truck firm employee goes on shooting spree, kills 3 Gunman kills himself after Florida carnage

YOSEMITE: Trees burn in a burnout fire as firefighters continue to battle the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park, California yesterday.—AP

US firefighters battle blaze near Yosemite LOS ANGELES, California: Firefighters in California struggled to contain a giant blaze threatening thousands of homes and sweeping into the storied Yosemite National Park. The so-called Rim Fire doubled in size in just one day, and the 125,600-acre (510-square kilometre) blaze was only five percent contained, according to InciWeb, the online Incident Information System that monitors fires in the western United States.

But more help was on the way, with California securing federal financial aid to help mobilize resources to extinguish the monster blaze. “Current wildfire activity throughout the state has stretched our own resources, and those of our partners,” California Office of Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci said in a statement. “This funding is critical to ensure local and state firefighters have the tools that they need to get the job done.”

Extremely dry conditions due to a prolonged drought, coupled with inaccessible terrain in the affected area, have exacerbated the severity of the incident. According to InciWeb, 2,672 workers are responding to the fire. “Additional efforts are focused on the eastern edge of the fire in Yosemite National Park to minimize impacts to our national treasure,” it said.

Governor Jerry Brown late Friday declared a state of emergency for San Francisco-which lies some 200 miles (320

kilometers) to the west-because the Pacific coast city gets much of its electricity from the region affected by the fire. The fire broke out on August 17 at the Stanislaus National Park, which along with Yosemite is among the state’s main natural tourist attractions. Some 2,000 firefighters battled the blaze with help from tanker planes and helicopters, which dumped flame retardant chemicals from the air. About 4,500 structures are threatened by the wildfire.

Temperatures are mild, but the fire has been fed by the extremely low humidity, dry scrub brush and trees, and gusts of strong wind that pushed the flames into narrow canyons and ridges that are hard for firefighters to reach. Officials have ordered the small towns of Tuolumne and Ponderosa Hills evacuated. Officials also closed a major interstate highway running through the region.

Earlier, Brown declared a state of emergency in Tuolumne County, allowing him to use additional resources to battle the fire.

Satellite photos show giant columns of white smoke from the fire drifting far into the neighboring state of Nevada.

The Rim Fire “continues to exhibit very large fire growth due to extremely dry fuels and inaccessible terrain,” Inciweb said. It said fire crews were using both direct attack tactics and indirect attack, which creates control lines away from the fire’s active edge. —AFP

Mexico City, an oasis sullied by mass kidnap MEXICO CITY: In recent years, Mexico City has shined as an oasis from the murderous mayhem plaguing parts of the country, a relatively safe place spared by drug cartels.

But the discovery of a mass grave near the city containing the remains of at least five of 12 young people kidnapped from a downtown bar in broad daylight has blemished the capital’s image as a safe haven.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera has insisted that the nation’s big cartels do not operate in the megalopolis despite the mass abduction, drawing scoffs from security analysts. Prosecutors have linked the May kidnapping to a drug dispute between smaller, local gangs known as La Union and Los Tepis, which operates in the rough neighborhood of Tepito, home to most of the victims. Two of the missing, aged 16 and 19, are sons of jailed gang members. Relatives deny they followed in their fathers’ footsteps. “Obviously, there is an organized crime presence in the city,” Samuel Gonzalez, a security consultant and former federal anti-drugs prosecutor, said.

“Even though they may be small, they showed their ability to make a dozen young people disappear,” he said. “Their ability to make them disappear and the state’s reaction only 80 days later are alarming.”

The 12 missing, aged 16 to 34, were escorted by a group of men out of the Heaven bar and into several cars yesterday morning, May 26, just steps away from a federal police headquarters and the city’s main boulevard. Three months later, authorities discovered a concrete-covered mass grave on a ranch outside the city containing the remains of 13 people.

They confirmed Friday that at least five belonged to the Heaven group and were

trying to identify the eight other remains amid fears that all were buried there. Two bar owners have been detained over the case while the charred body of a third associate was found in a neighboring state.

Mancera said more suspects should be detained. On Saturday, the security department said extra police were deployed to Tepito while helicopter surveillance increased over the Zona Rosa district, a trendy area where the 12 were kidnapped.

Mass kidnappings and clandestine graves are more common in Mexico’s cartel-dominated northern border cities and western states-and are not what this bustling metropolis of 20 million people is used to.

The city has a relatively low murder rate of 12 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, six times lower than the cartel-plagued state of Chihuahua in a nation that has suffered 70,000 drug-linked murders since 2006.

While city authorities deny the presence of big cartels, the capital’s former police chief and current head of the federal force, Manuel Mondragon y Kalb, said last month that top crime syndicates had “crystallized” in some parts. Bernardo Gomez del Campo, a former Mexico City and federal security official, said the capital is a strategic area for organized crime because it serves as a transit point for drugs and weapons to other regions. “All the (criminal) groups operate in Mexico City because it’s a big place to hide in,” he said, stressing that the cartels work at a “secondary level” here and usually avoid the type of headline-grabbing vendettas seen in border cities. He also said city authorities are playing with legal words by suggesting that smaller gangs are not organized crime groups, as they do have a criminal structure and deal drugs.—AFP

LAKE BUTLER, Florida: A longtime employee of a Florida trucking company drove around Saturday shooting former co-workers and his onetime boss, killing two and wounding two, authorities said. The gunman then killed himself.

Hubert Allen Jr, 72, shot the men at several locations around Union County, including the headquarters for Pritchett Trucking Inc, according to a Union County Sheriff’s Office news release. Authorities said Allen shot and killed former co-worker Rolando Gonzalez-Delgado, 28, around 9 am then went a short distance and fatally

shot his former employer, 80-year-old Marvin Pritchett. A few minutes later, he pulled over where another former co-worker was driving a farm tractor, exchanged words with him and then fired one shot from a shotgun, authorities said. That victim, 66-year old Lewis Mabrey Jr, was in good condition and receiving surgery for a broken arm and other injuries.

Not long after that, Allen went to the company’s headquarters in Lake Butler and shot 44-year old David Griffis in the stomach, the release said. Griffis was in critical condition.

Authorities say Allen then returned to

his home nearby and killed himself.

Authorities said he was a longtime employee of the company. With a population of about 2,000, Lake Butler is located about an hour’s drive southwest of Jacksonville.

Investigators were working at the five shooting scenes late Saturday and interviewing witnesses and company employees. The news release said they were working to determine a motive. Messages seeking further comment from the sheriff ’s office weren’t immediately returned. The trucking company’s website says it employs 400 people and owns hun-

dreds of vehicles that operate around the country. It said Pritchett started the trucking company in 1980, ten years after purchasing a Florida timber business. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all of their families, and at this time our sole focus is on those impacted by today’s events.

Words cannot express the pain and sorrow felt by so many yet we are comforted by the memories of those lost,” the company said in a statement.

The company’s chief financial officer, Steve Perez, didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking further comment.— AP

Pentagon chief to stress US ‘pivot’ in SE Asia tour KUALA LUMPUR: US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel kicked off a Southeast Asian tour yesterday meant to stress Washington’s socalled “pivot” back towards the AsiaPacific but with attention diverted by trouble in the Middle East. The Pentagon chief ’s week-long trip is part of a concerted effort by Washington to rebalance America’s strategic priorities towards the AsiaPacific. But crises in the Middle East continued to demand Hagel’s attention, particularly accusations that the Syrian regime had carried out a chemical weapons attack that left hundreds dead.

He told reporters aboard his plane that the US military had provided President Barack Obama with a range of options for possible intervention and forces had been redeployed as required. With Egypt in turmoil after the ouster of president Mohamed Morsi and a subsequent crackdown, Hagel also spoke Saturday night to Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about the volatile situation, US officials said. Hagel was due to meet his Malaysian counterpart Hishammuddin Hussein as well as Prime Minister Najib Razak, before delivering a speech later. US officials said Washington wanted to cultivate military ties with Malaysia and other

governments in Southeast Asia to ensure stability in the region and to encourage a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea. China’s assertive stance over the waterway has raised concerns in Washington. Beijing claims virtually all of the South China Sea and has stoked rising concern among rival claimants, particularly the Philippines, of a gradual takeover of

disputed islets. The Pentagon is offering help to Southeast Asian countries with ships, aerial reconnaissance, joint training and other initiatives as they try to better monitor their coastal waters.

A senior defense official, briefing reporters travelling with Hagel, rejected speculation that budget cuts hitting the Pentagon’s military spending would spell an end to the “pivot”.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel pauses during a news conference at the Pentagon in Washington.— AP

“There’s a myth out there,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. But he said “reports of the end of the rebalance, that we can’t fund the rebalance, are greatly exaggerated”. “We have adequate means to support this strategy and to do so for the foreseeable future,” the official added. The United States was increasing the number of ships based in the Asia-Pacific and pursuing agreements with a number of countries to allow ships, aircraft and troops to rotate through key ports and airfields, while avoiding permanent American bases, the official said. US defense officials are negotiating an accord with the Philippines to allow for the rotation of more US forces and military assets through the country on temporary deployments. After his two-day stop in Malaysia, Hagel heads to Indonesia and then Brunei for a gathering of defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The discord in the South China Sea is expected to feature high on the agenda of the ASEAN discussions in Brunei on Wednesday and Thursday, officials said. Hagel is due to meet his Chinese counterpart, General Chang Wanquan, on the sidelines of the ASEAN session, after having hosted the general in Washington earlier this month. — AFP

FARC kills 13 Colombian soldiers ahead of talks BOGOTA: FARC guerrillas killed 13 soldiers in an attack on a Colombian army patrol shortly after officials announced talks with the leftist rebels would resume today. “We regret to inform you that as the result of a FARC terrorist attack, two sergeants and 11 soldiers were killed,” the Colombian army leadership said in a statement Saturday. The incident took place in a rural area in the Arauca department town of Tame. Although the army did not specify the circumstances of the attack, military sources quoted by the media said it was an ambush. “In this same terrorist

act, a soldier who was wounded and evacuated from the site is being treated by medical personnel,” the army statement said. The attack came on the heels of a separate assault on Wednesday claimed by the FARC’s 10th Front that left 15 soldiers dead.

And in May, a FARC attack killed 11 troops. The government and rebels have been holding peace talks in Havana since November, with the aim of ending Latin America’s longest insurgency. Former Colombian vice president Humberto de la Calle, the lead negotiator for Bogota, said the FARC would

SANTEE: Hannah Anderson positions a photo of her mother, Christina Anderson, and brother, Ethan Anderson on an easel at the memorial service in Guardian Angels Catholic Church on Saturday in Santee, California. The two were murdered by family friend James Lee DiMaggio, before kidnapping Hannah earlier this month. Hannah was rescued and DiMaggio was killed in a shootout with FBI agents in Idaho. — AP

return to the talks today to “continue the discussions normally.” Colombian negotiators will return to Havana as early as Sunday, he added. The guerrillas have proposed a bilateral ceasefire during the talks, but President Juan Manuel Santos has rejected the offer, saying it could be used to strengthen the insurgency militarily.

Santos, meanwhile, has presented a proposal that any peace agreement must be put to a national referendum. The FARC has reiterated its hope that any accord would be put before a constituent assembly.

According to Santos, the referendum would take place the same day as March parliamentary elections and a May presidential vote in which he is not seeking a second term. The initiative “aims solely to allow Colombians to have the final say on the agreements that we obtain in Havana.” Meanwhile, the rebels released a letter from their leader Timoleon Jimenez dated Thursday in which he questioned Santos’s commitment to peace, saying the president was using the negotiations to promote neoliberalism.

“This agreement being negotiated in Cuba since November 2012 concerns a pardon for the guerrillas in exchange for the globalization of Colombian neoliberalism,” the leader known as “Timoshenko” wrote in the letter posted on the group’s website FARC-ep.co.

The rebel leader said the first item on the agenda of the talks concerning agricultural policy was signed by the FARC with “some caveats to be determined later” for environmental protection. On the second subject concerning political participation of the rebels, Timoshenko said that Santos does not want to “give an inch.” The FARC is Colombia’s main guerrilla and now have about 8,000 fighters, according to the defense ministry. A government commission last month estimated that 220,000 people have lost their lives in the near 50-year-old conflict. Other estimates run as high as 600,000 dead. —AFP

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Mumbai police arrest last of 5 suspects in gang rape Recovering victim anxious to return to work

AYODHYA: A stray cow stands amid Indian security personnel deployed outside a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, about, 550 kilometers (350 miles) east of New Delhi yesterday. —AP

police detain hundreds over banned pilgrimage NEW DELHI: Authorities yesterday detained hundreds of Hindu nationalists in northern India for allegedly defying a ban on pilgrimages to a disputed holy site that has been the cause of deadly clashes between Hindus and Muslims.

The city of Ayodhya, 550 kilometers (350 miles) east of New Delhi, has been under heavy security since last week, when the Uttar Pradesh state government announced a ban on the pilgrimages for fear of communal violence. Most shops are closed and people are staying indoors.

Members of the nationalist organization Vishva Hindu Parishad insisted they would go ahead with the 19-day pilgrimage, saying it was justified as a religious event, not a political one.

Police said more than 500 people, including the organization’s leaders, were detained either in Ayodhya or on

their way to the disputed 25-hectare (64acre) religious site on the event’s first day yesterday.

Muslims revere the site as the former location of the 16th century Babri Mosque, while Hindus say it is the birthplace of their god Rama and that a temple to him stood on the site before the mosque was built. Today a small tented shrine to Rama stands on the site, after tens of thousands of Hindu extremists in 1992 ripped apart the mosque with spades, crowbars and their bare hands as security forces watched. The demolition sparked nationwide riots that killed 2,000 people.

In 2011, India’s Supreme Court suspended a lower court’s ruling to divide the site between Hindus and Muslims, with the Muslim community getting control of one-third and two Hindu groups splitting the remainder. — AP

NEW DELHI: Police yesterday arrested the last of five men wanted in the gang rape of a photojournalist in Mumbai, and said charges would be filed soon in a case that has incensed the public and fueled debate over whether women can be safe in India. The victim, a 22-year-old Indian woman, said she was anxious to return to work after Thursday night’s assault, in which five men repeatedly raped her while her male colleague was beaten and tied up in an abandoned textile mill in the country’s financial capital.

“Rape is not the end of life,” the woman told the Times of India. A statement from Jaslok Hospital, where she has been since the attack, said her condition was being monitored but that she was “much better” and was being visited by family.

Indian law forbids identifying rape victims by name. Police arrested the fifth suspect yesterdayin New Delhi, the capital, after rounding up the other four in Mumbai.

“We will file a comprehensive charge sheet soon,” said Mumbai’s police commissioner, Satyapal Singh, assuring that police had the evidence to prosecute the suspects, including the victim’s testimony and medical samples taken at the hospital after the assault.

It is rare for rape victims to visit police or a hospital immediately after an attack in India, where an entrenched culture of tolerance for sexual violence has led to many cases going unreported.

Women are often pressed by

MUMBAI: Police officials escort an accused, with the head covered with black cloth, in the gang rape of a photojournalist after producing him before a court in Mumbai yesterday.—AP social pressure or police to stay quiet about sexual assault, experts say, and those who do report cases are often subjected to public ridicule or social stigma.

People across India were shocked and shamed in December, however, by the brutal gang rape in New Delhi of a 23-year-old student who died two weeks later from her injuries.

Pledging to crack down, the federal government created fasttrack courts for rape cases, doubled prison terms for rape, and criminalized voyeurism, stalking, acid attacks and the trafficking of women. Under intense pressure, police have acted quickly to hunt down the five suspects in the Mumbai case. Home Minister R R Patil visited investigators at a

Mumbai police station Saturday night, and the government has urged the harshest punishment for those found guilty.

The five suspects - including two picked up overnight and two arrested earlier - are likely to face prosecution under a strict new law that sets the maximum prison term for rape at 20 years.

Police said the suspects targeted the photojournalist as she and the male colleague were taking pictures on a magazine assignment in a Mumbai neighborhood where luxury malls and condominiums stand alongside sprawling slums and abandoned mills.

The suspects, first pretending to help get her permission to shoot, tied up the male journalist

with belts and dragged the woman to a dense clutch of shrubbery, where they assaulted her while threatening her with a broken beer bottle, police said.

Police said one of the two suspects who appeared in cour t Sunday had confessed to his involvement in the assault. The court ordered the two to be held until Aug. 30, along with two others who appeared in cour t Saturday. The suspect arrested in New Delhi was being taken to Mumbai for processing.

Police say one suspect will undergo medical tests to confirm his age after his family said he was a juvenile of 16. Police maintain he is 19, which makes him eligible for trial as an adult. The eldest of the suspects is 25. —AP

Buddhists in Myanmar torch Muslim homes

COLOMBO: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (right) arrives to attend a meeting with UN staff members in Sri Lanka at a hotel in Colombo yesterday.—AP

Rights chief in Sri Lanka to probe war crimes COLOMBO: The UN’s top rights official began a fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka yesterday after the government dropped public hostility towards her and promised access to former war zones. Navi Pillay, who has previously been accused

by Colombo of overstepping her mandate, arrived in the capital for a weeklong mission that will include talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse and visits to the former war zones in the north and east.

The government’s U-turn came as Canada leads calls for a boycott of a Commonwealth summit scheduled to take place in the Sri Lankan capital later this year. Sri Lanka has resisted pressure from the UN and Western nations for a credible investigation into allegations that up to 40,000 civilians were killed in the final months of its separatist war, which ended in 2009.

A no-holds-barred military offensive crushed Tamil Tiger rebels who at the height of their power controlled a third of Sri Lanka’s territory. Rajapakse has since been dogged by claims of indiscriminate killing of ethnic Tamils. During her visit, Pillay is scheduled to hold talks with Sri Lankan rights defenders to discuss the “culture of impunity” that existed over the conflict, local rights activist Nimalka Fernando said.

“We are in the process of finalizing our memo to her. We want to talk about the culture of impunity during and after the war,” Fernando said. “We are also specifically taking up the issue of media freedom in Sri Lanka.” Fernando said an armed break-in at the Colombo home of a senior journalist at the Sunday Leader newspaper on Saturday could be linked to her work, although police insisted it was only an attempted robbery.

The attack was the latest in a string of violent incidents involving the staff of the privately-run newspaper, whose founding editor Lasantha Wickrematunge-a fierce government critic-was shot dead while he drove to work in January 2009. “The murder of the Sunday Leader editor has still not been solved and this is also something that we

will take up,” Fernando said.

Tamil groups are banking on Pillay’s first visit to Sri Lanka to revive calls for a war crimes probe.

“We will take up with her the question of accountability, the issue of thousands of missing people, the militarization of Tamil areas and the lack of political freedoms,” Tamil National Alliance lawmaker Suresh Premachandran told AFP. Pillay’s visit follows two resolutions by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in as many years demanding Colombo hold an independent investigation into “credible allegations” that troops shelled hospitals and refugee camps, and executed surrendering rebels.

The government insists that its troops did not kill civilians and has slammed the UNHRC for its “ill-timed and unwarranted” resolutions. A pro-government group said it will hold a demonstration outside the UN offices in Colombo on Monday to protest Pillay’s visit. The same group has held similar protests in the past and called Pillay a US stooge.

The government’s change of heart in welcoming the rights chief could signal a desire to improve its image ahead of a crucial UNHRC session in September and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.

“She has not accepted what we have done (to improve the rights situation),” Sri Lanka’s human rights envoy to the UN, Mahinda Samarasinghe, told reporters in Colombo last week. “So we are showing her what we have done and we are also allowing her to visit anywhere and meet anyone.”

Until recently, the government declared much of the former northern war zone off limits to foreign journalists, aid workers and even UN staff. In the past, Samarasinghe, who is also the plantations minister, has criticized Pillay for lacking “objectivity and impartiality”.

Britain and Australia have asked Sri Lanka to improve its rights record ahead of the Commonwealth meeting, while Canada’s Prime Minister Steven Harper has said he will boycott the summit to protest continuing abuses. — AFP

YANGON, Myanmar: Fresh sectarian violence struck northwestern Myanmar early yesterday when a 1,000-strong Buddhist mob burned down dozens of Islamic homes and shops following rumors that a young woman had been sexually assaulted by a Muslim man, police said. There were no repor ts of injuries. A crowd surrounded the police station late Saturday and then went on an hourslong rampage after authorities refused to hand over the assault suspect, a police officer from the area told The Associated Press.

About 35 houses and 12 shops - most belonging to Muslims - were destroyed before calm was restored, he said, asking not to be named because he did not have the authority to speak to reporters.

The radical monk Wirathu, whose antiMuslim rhetoric has placed him at the center of rising religious violence in the predominantly Buddhist nation, posted news of the riot in the outskirts of the town of Kantbalu on his Facebook page.

Myanmar has been grappling with sectarian violence since the country’s military rulers handed over power to a nominally civilian government in 2011. The unrest which has killed more than 250 people and left 140,000 others displaced began last year in the western state of Rakhine, where Buddhists accuse the Rohingya Muslim community of illegally entering the country and encroaching on their land. The violence, on a smaller scale but still deadly, spread earlier this year to other parts of the countr y, fueling deepseeded prejudices against the Islamic minority and threatening this country’s fragile transition to democracy. Almost all of the victims have been Muslims, often attacked as security forces stood by. Myint Naing, an opposition lawmaker who represents constituents in Kantbalu, was outraged by the latest violence.

He said Muslims and Buddhists have lived sideby-side in the area for many years. “ There is a

mosque in almost every village in our township and we live a peaceful co-existence,” he said as he headed to the scene, adding that at least one mosque was burned down in the violence.

“I cannot understand why the authorities

were unable to control the crowd when it originally started,” he said. Details about the riot were still being collected Sunday afternoon. The local Daily Eleven newspaper, which had a reporter at the scene, said 1,000 people were involved in the violence. — AP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

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

Chinese-American billionaire blogger held on ‘sex charges’ BEIJING: China has arrested Chinese-American billionaire blogger Charles Xue, who has attracted 12 million followers with his reform-minded comments, for suspected involvement in prostitution, police said yesterday, as Beijing steps up controls on web users. Venture capitalist Xue, one of the country’s most popular bloggers, was detained by Beijing police Friday evening.

His arrest comes as authorities have been stepping up controls on the country’s freewheeling web users in recent weeks. Billionaire Xue is an avid blogger who posted his last message on China’s hugely popular Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblog site at 5:41pm (0941 GMT) Friday, hours before he was detained. He has previously backed a campaign to release transparent details on pollution in China,

and also highlighted the problem of child trafficking. His detention dominated weibo discussion, with his Chinese name Xue Manzi the most searched phrase yesterday. Beijing police said on their verified weibo account they had arrested a 60year-old man surnamed Xue and a 22-year-old female.

“The two of them candidly confessed about the fact of the prostitution. They are currently under administrative detention,” the statement said, adding that the arrest followed a tip-off from local residents. It also emerged yesterday that a journalist had been detained for “fabricating rumors” after he made online accusations of wrongdoing against a former senior official in Chongqing, the megacity once headed by fallen politician Bo Xilai.

Police in Beijing said the journalist with the News Express tabloid, whom they identified only by his surname Liu, “has been put under criminal detention according to the law for fabricating and spreading rumors”. New Express journalist Liu Hu was handcuffed and taken away by police on Friday from his home in Chongqing, earlier Chinese media reports cited his wife as saying.

On his own weibo account, Liu last month accused Ma Zhengqi, a former Chongqing vice mayor, of dereliction of duty in the restructuring of a state-owned company in the city, leading to losses of dozens of millions of yuan (millions of dollars), the reports said. “I call on the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and other authorities to immediately suspend Ma Qizheng’s public office

and start an investigation,” he said, referring to the Communist Party’s anti-corruption department.

Ma is now a deputy director of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. His action followed corruption allegations posted online by Wang Wenzhi, a journalist with the official Xinhua news agency, against the head of stateowned conglomerate China Resources. Separately, the former deputy director of China’s top economic planning agency Liu Tienan has been put under criminal investigation after a journalist at an influential business magazine accused him of improper business dealings late last year. The arrests come after authorities told Internet celebrities with millions of online followers to “promote virtues” and “uphold law” online. — AFP

Abe battles doctors’ lobby over ‘Third Arrow’ reform Return of the ‘tribes’ poses threat

BEIJING: Former Chinese politician Bo Xilai speaks in a court room at Jinan Intermediate People’s Court in Jinan, eastern China’s Shandong province yesterday. — AP

China’s Bo slams former police chief as vile liar JINAN, China: Ousted senior Chinese politician Bo Xilai angrily ripped into his former police chief yesterday on the fourth day of his trial, calling him a “vile character” who faked testimony accusing Bo of covering up a murder committed by his wife. Bo was a rising star in China’s leadership circles when his career was stopped short last year by a murder scandal which saw his wife Gu Kailai convicted of poisoning a British businessman. Bo is now on trial charged with corruption, taking bribes and abuse of power, the last of which is especially sensitive as it involves allegations Bo challenged the authority of the ruling Communist Party.

Despite Bo’s feisty defense, a guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion as China’s courts are controlled by the Communist Party. State media, which speaks for the party, has already all but condemned him.

Since the trial began on Thursday in eastern Jinan city, Bo has repeatedly said he is not guilty of any wrongdoing and has called his wife’s testimony against him the ravings of a mad woman.

Yesterday, Bo rebutted earlier testimony from his former police chief Wang Lijun, who carried out Bo’s crackdown on crime and gangs in Chongqing, where Bo was Communist Party chief. Wang said he had told Bo that his wife Gu, once a glamorous lawyer, had murdered British businessman

Neil Heywood. “During Wang Lijun’s testimony he is continuing to lie obviously, and what he is saying is totally unreliable, it is full of deception, he’s just mouthing off,” Bo told the court, according to the court’s official microblog.

“He has a vile character, spreading rumours here and muddying the waters.”

Wang said when he told Bo that Gu had poisoned Heywood, Bo was furious and punched him on his left ear, leaving him “bleeding from the mouth”, according to Wang’s testimony on Saturday. Wang said Bo did not accept Gu’s involvement in the murder and had illegally sacked him.

“He said it was not a slap but a punch, but I’ve never learned how to box and have no great strength to strike out,” Bo said.

Wang fled to the US consulate in the nearby city of Chengdu in February last year after confronting Bo with evidence about Gu, according to official accounts.

After first helping Gu evade suspicion of poisoning Heywood, Wang hushed up evidence of the murder, according to the official account of Wang’s trial. Wang has also been convicted and jailed over Heywood’s murder. On Saturday, Bo admitted to shaming his country and poorly handling a defection attempt by Wang, but Bo denied trying to protect his wife from the murder accusation by Wang. — Reuters

Facebook protest sparks call for Philippine rally MANILA: Anger in social media at the misuse of Philippine state funds has snowballed into calls for a rally expected to attract thousands, an organizer said yesterday. Calls for a “million people march” scheduled for today began circulating on Facebook and Twitter about two weeks ago after local press reports of a scam involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The fund is money allocated for lawmakers to be used in development projects. Critics see it as funding “pork barrel” projects which have traditionally been a source of corruption.

At the centre of the controversy is a woman who allegedly connived with legislators to siphon off some 10 billion pesos (233 million dollars) from the fund.”We demand transparency and accountability,” the organizers said in their online invitation on Facebook. “Abolish pork barrel.”

One of the organizers, Peachy RallonzaBretana, said the idea for the march originally circulated among her circle of friends

but quickly caught on.

“There really is no group organizing this,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, adding it was “snowballing at great speed”.

As of Sunday afternoon, nearly 18,000 people had said they would join marches culminating in what the organizers said would be a peaceful “picnic get together” in Luneta Park in central Manila. Activists in other cities have said they would hold simultaneous marches in support of the Manila protest.

Various religious, professional, business and leftist organizations have also signified interest in joining the protest. “We are aghast, disgusted and enraged at such a wanton display of shamelessness by those who we elected to serve and protect the people,” read a manifesto of support signed by some alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy who are no longer on active duty. “We cannot and we will not tolerate this anymore even those from among our own,” it said. —AFP

Japan scrambles jets against Russian planes TOKYO: Japan scrambled fighter jets yesterday as a pair of Russian military planes flew along the nation’s northern coastline, the defense ministry said.

Two IL-38 planes flew along shorelines of Hokkaido, Aomori and Akita, facing the Sea of Japan (East Sea), but stayed away from Japanese airspace, the ministry added.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces “responded by scrambling fighters,” according to a brief press release from the ministry which came with a map of the Russian planes’ flight path.

Japanese defense officials could not be reached for immediate comment. The incident came only days after Russian bombers briefly intruded into the Japanese airspace Thursday, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets. At the time, two Tu-95 bombers breached airspace near the isle of Okinoshima off Fukuoka in southern Japan for nearly two minutes

shortly after midday (0300 GMT).

A total of four F-2 fighter jets from the Air Self-Defence Force scrambled against them, a defense ministry official said at the time. The Japanese foreign ministry said it filed a formal protest with the Russian embassy in Tokyo over the violation and urged them to investigate it. In February two Russian Su-27 fighters breached Japan’s airspace for just over a minute off Hokkaido in what was reported to be the first such incident in five years.

Tokyo and Moscow never signed a peace treaty after World War II. Despite an important commercial relationship, they remain at loggerheads over the sovereignty of islands north of the Japanese main island of Hokkaido.

Japan is also at odds with China over the sovereignty of an island chain near Taiwan, in a particularly bitter dispute that has seen both sides scramble aircraft. — AFP

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to promote the advanced medical technology industry as part of a plan to breathe new life into the economy - but the country’s doctors’ lobby is opposing what they say is risky surgery.

Healthcare has become the latest battleground in Abe’s efforts to craft a strategy to engineer growth in the world’s third biggest economy, the so-called “Third Arrow” of his economic turnaround plan.

The plans include changes to the country’s universal health insurance system - as cherished in Japan as the National Health Service is in Britain - in order to boost growth by increasing demand for innovative drugs and medical devices. The debate is being cast as a litmus test of Abe’s commitment to deregulation as he attempts to revitalise Japan’s stagnant economy.

It also illustrates the opposition that Abe, who returned to power after his Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) big election win in December, faces from within his own camp. “The idea of the growth strategy is ... for the private and public sectors to get together and promote innovation, We agree with that,” Takashi Hanyuda, an LDP lawmaker who is also vice president of a powerful doctors’ lobby, told Reuters.

The growth strategy also aims to promote exports of advanced medical technology and speed approval of new drugs and devices. “But we have to protect the universal health insurance system to which everyone belongs,” said the 65year-old ophthalmologist, elected to parliament last month after running with the support of the Japan Medical Association (JMA).

“If the system starts to break down a little, it will turn into a flood and it would be extremely hard to halt the trend.” On one side of the argument is the 165,000-member JMA and health ministry officials, who say they want to protect the cherished principle of universality in a system that has been the envy of much of the developed world. Lined up against them, and pushing Abe to go further, are advocates of more radical reform who accuse the small family doctors who make up the bulk of the JMA’s membership of wanting protection from competition from larger clinics and hospitals.

Reformers say the changes would give patients more choice and allow doctors more discretion. The JMA, the health ministry and some experts counter that the reforms would widen healthcare gaps between rich and poor.

Critics also question just how much economic growth the changes proposed in a growth strategy unveiled in June would generate.

The JMA also worries that Abe’s push for Tokyo to join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact would give impetus to such changes if Washington pushes in negotiations for market-oriented reforms to healthcare, although US officials deny they have such an agenda in mind.

Organized interest groups and the “zoku giin” (“tribal lawmakers”) who represent them have staged a comeback since the LDP returned to power in December after a three-years gap and cemented its grip on government in a July upper house poll. So although opposition parties have been badly weakened, Abe faces tough policy battles with forces inside his own party.

“The organized vote is definitely making its presence known. The ‘zoku giin’ are feeling

MANAMA: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (center) meets with Vice Admiral John Miller, commander of the US Navy’s Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet (fourth right) and other American military officers in Manama yesterday. — AP empowered,” said Steven Reed, a political science professor at Chuo University in Tokyo.

At first blush, the proposed reform hardly appears the stuff of a political battle royal. All Japanese are enrolled in one of four health insurance schemes that provide the same level of cover at the same prices. But because of a ban unique to Japan, patients who want to combine a new drug or treatment not included in the official health insurance package with a treatment that is ordinarily covered must pay out of their own pocket for both.

That means they are faced with an “all-ornothing” choice - relatively low-cost treatment inside the public insurance scheme or relatively high-cost treatment without any public cover.

That ban on so-called “mixed medical treatment” was imposed because the system, whose roots stretch back before World War Two, is based on the premise of ensuring equal access for all Japanese to the full range of safe and effective treatments. Exceptions have been made for some advanced treatments - such as cancer drugs approved overseas but not yet in Japan on the assumption that effective drugs and devices will eventually be covered by public insurance. Critics say the system is too slow and exceptions too few. Abe returned to power for a rare second term pledging to revive Japan with a radical economic policy - known as “Abenomics” comprising the “Three Arrows” of drastic monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and a growth strategy that includes structural reforms such as deregulation. Unveiling his “Third Arrow” in June, Abe promised to “dramatically” expand mixed care in health by increasing the range of treatments included and reducing approval times. On Thursday he reiterated that the change should be a top priority.

Advocates of more radical change want a complete end to the ban. “The current system is unfair,” said Haruo Shimada, president of the Chiba University of Commerce and a former an adviser to then-premier Junichiro Koizumi, a pri-

vatization fan, during his 2001-2006 term. “It’s an institutional defect.”

Some even want to deregulate public health insurance and widen the scope for private providers, reducing the burden on public finances already heavily strained by Japan’s ageing population and spurring growth of innovative medical treatments.

“The government should abandon 100 percent control over the medical industry, especially insurance,” Shimada said. “Liberalization of the differential in terms of quality and price would give tremendous growth power for the medical industry.” Doctors at large hospitals that would benefit most from the change also favor a complete end to the ban, pitting them against selfemployed physicians operating small clinics.

“The JMA says they are protecting patients’ interests, but in fact, it is the patients who are crying,” said former surgeon Ryosuke Tsuchiya, a member of the board at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research and an expert adviser to Abe’s panel on regulatory reform, who wants the ban lifted entirely.

Critics say the doctors’ group is trying to protect the interests of its members who won’t be able to compete against bigger hospitals offering advanced care in a deregulated system, while health ministry officials want to maintain their control. “They are protecting their turf, power and influence,” Shimada said. Health ministry officials counter that leaving healthcare to market forces threatens both quality and equal access.

Some outside experts agree that lifting the ban, or even easing it, would be a move towards creating a two-tiered medical insurance system in which expensive, advanced treatments would increasingly be left outside universal coverage.

“Universality of access is the ‘holy grail’ of healthcare in Japan and they (the JMA and health ministry) don’t want to see anything that would fundamentally undermine that commitment to universal access,” said one foreign medical industry expert. — Reuters

Abbott campaigns to oust Australia’s ‘worst govt’ BRISBANE: Australia’s conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott, frontrunner to become prime minister in upcoming polls, urged voters yesterday to dump the Labor government which he described as the worst in the nation’s history.

Opinion polls suggest Abbott is on course for victory against Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in the September 7 elections, and at his Liberal Party’s major rally in Brisbane, he called on voters to give him a chance.

“You don’t expect miracles, just a government that is competent and trustworthy and a prime minister who doesn’t talk down to you,” he said.

“And I’m confident that your expectations can be more than met.” Abbott, a former minister in John Howard’s government, took the stage to a standing ovation from the party faithful before calling for the removal of “the worst government in our history”. “I will spend the next two weeks reassuring people that there is a better way, while Mr Rudd will spend the next two weeks trying to scare you about what might happen if he doesn’t keep his job,” Abbott said. Labor has charged that Abbott, if elected, would “cut to the bone”. But the opposition leader said the country could not afford another term under centre-left Labor, which has been in power for six years and has switched prime ministers twice in that time.

Rudd led Labor to victory against the conservatives in 2007, but was dumped by his party for his then-deputy Julia Gillard in 2010. Gillard won

an election that year but was removed by Labor two months ago and replaced with Rudd to try to improve the party’s chances at the election.

“I say: give my team a chance,” Abbott said at the official launch. “Choose change and the last six years will soon seem like an aberration.”Abbott said his plans for government under a Liberal/National coalition, which would return the

budget to surplus and abolish a carbon emissions tax and a mining tax, contrasted with “a confused and chaotic Labor Party”.

He pledged to fund an interest-free loan scheme to help apprentices train in certain trades, help make certain medicines cheaper for retirees and plough millions of dollars into dementia research. —AFP

BRISBANE: Australia’s opposition leader Tony Abbott (second from right) poses with his family (from left) daughter Frances, his wife Margie, and daughter Bridget (right) during the 2013 Coalition Campaign Launch in Brisbane yesterday. — AP

14

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

ANALYSIS

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Issues

UN’s Mali task is open-ended

By Daniel Flynn and David Lewis he UN is being dragged into a mission in Mali likely to involve state-building as much as peacekeeping, as France looks to reduce its military footprint in the vast and poor Sahel state after defeating an Islamist rebellion.

The day Mali elected a new president this month, the French general who led the military campaign to push the rebels from its desert north flew back home, his job done.

That evening, the United Nations official now responsible for helping to rebuild the West African nation landed at the same airport in Bamako after visiting the cradle of last year’s rebellion, his task only just beginning. France’s successful seven-month-old campaign to destroy the Islamist enclave has killed hundreds of fighters linked to al Qaeda and scattered others far across the Sahara.

But with Paris keen to wrap up “Operation Serval” quickly, and Mali’s West African neighbors unable to keep the peace there alone, the UN faces what some people see as an open-ended mission with precious few resources. How long the planned 12,600 UN peacekeeping force will take to roll out fully remains unclear. It is even less clear how suited the multinational mission is to a task which includes helping the government to reestablish itself in the north and eventually handing responsibility for security to Mali’s army.

“We still need helicopters, engineers and transport planes and it is important that countries commit to supply that,” said Bert Koenders, the UN Special Representative to Mali.

“The UN is here to facilitate the return of the state to north Mali and provide security until the army is ready to take over ... It’s a mission which is likely to last a few years.”

The speed of Mali’s collapse last year testifies to the challenge. Tuareg separatists and Islamist rebels seized three northern regions, covering an area the size of France, in as many days as government disintegrated after a March 2012 coup. This crisis showed Mali’s political system, once hailed as a model democracy in a turbulent region, had been rotted to the core by graft and mismanagement. In the north, the state was overrun by criminal networks often involving local dignitaries, smuggling everything from cocaine to fuel and cigarettes.

Many Malians cheered the French intervention in January which halted an Islamist offensive towards Bamako.

But with the imminent threat over, some are wary of foreign meddling and questioning the need for a massive UN presence. One of Bamako’s biggest hotels, the Amitie, has been turned into UN headquarters, with armored personnel carriers and blast barriers protecting the glass-fronted atrium.

“We do not need them here. They drive around town in their white cars without saying hello to anybody,” said Yaya Diaby, 54, a Bamako artisan. “Since they came, there has not been the slightest clash. They have not had to intervene at all.” New President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who won 78 percent of the vote in a runoff on Aug. 11 with a promise to restore Mali’s national pride, must unite a broken country.

He needs to negotiate a lasting peace with the Tuareg separatists in the north, rebuild the state and get the economy back on track with $4 billion in foreign aid due to be released following the peaceful election. Under the terms of a ceasefire deal with the Tuaregs in June, the Malian army has cautiously returned to the north but remains weak. In the town of Kidal, a Tuareg stronghold, government troops remain in a camp while UN peacekeepers patrol the sandy streets, daubed with separatist graffiti. Soldiers from Senegal and Benin lounge in white UN trucks under acacia trees, while children shout “Long Live Azawad”, the Tuaregs’ name for their northern homeland. With separatist fighters also confined to barracks pending peace talks, UN troops say they have had little to do.

Rehatting African soldiers from an existing West African security operation in Mali gave the UN mission a headstart, but it is still at only half its planned strength. With France still needed to provide much of the logistics, the planned reduction of its troop numbers is behind schedule.

President Francois Hollande said in March that France would have halved its troop presence in Mali to 2,000 by mid-year, but it still has 3,200 soldiers there. The UN mission has no helicopters and just four planes - two of them lent

by Germany. Faced with inhospitable conditions and massive distances, it is painfully short of resources.

It has also been sapped by the withdrawal of troops by regional heavyweight Nigeria, which is fighting its own Islamist insurgency at home. A 500-strong brigade of Chinese soldiers is due next month but the lack of “enablers” such as engineers and helicopters mean it will take time for others to arrive.

Either way, Paris will be committed to Mali for some time. About 1,000 French special forces will stay to deter the return of Islamists. An attack on a barracks and a French-run uranium mine in neighboring Niger in May showed the threat remains. — Reuters

T

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Chemical war may draw US into Syria

By Stephen Collinson igns are growing that the horror of chemical warfare could for the first time draw the United States into a direct military intervention in Syria’s vicious civil war.

The US military and diplomatic machine is slowly stirring, after pictures of children apparently choked on poisonous gas shocked the world last week. President Barack Obama is facing another test of a legacy doctrine rooted in avoiding Middle Eastern quagmires.

Syria touches a perennial question of whether humanitarian impulses or narrow national interest should define US foreign policy. The crisis is intensifying as Obama is wrestling with how to respond to a coup in Egypt. The president held a rare Saturday meeting with top aides including Vice President Joe Biden, his secretaries of defense and state, intelligence chiefs and senior brass to discuss the US response.

Then he called British Prime Minister David Cameron-hinting at an effort to frame an international coalition for action.

It is unclear whether Obama is leaning towards a military strike if the use of chemical arms by Assad’s troops, which would infringe a “red line” he established last year, is proven It is possible that US diplomatic and

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military activity in recent days could be simply designed to build pressure on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who has resisted all US demands to quit power.

But the administration appears to be taking steps that would be expected to precede a decision to target Syrian units eventually implicated in the attack outside Damascus.

The Pentagon is positioning forces, including ships equipped with cruise missiles, closer to Syria while Obama aides examine the Kosovo conflict for legal precedents for action without a UN mandate, which Russia would surely block. Secretary of State John Kerry has also been burning up phone lines, talking to US allies in Europe and the Middle East.

Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University foreign policy historian, believes Obama is yet to sign off on military force.

But he said the administration clearly “feels pressure to do something, or to look like it is preparing to respond, for political reasons, (and to show Syria) that there are boundaries to what is permissible.”

Obama aides caution that no decisions have been finalized, and want definitive proof that Syrian forces strafed a rebel-held Damascus suburb with chemical arms and killed 1,300 people. But the White House offered credence to the reports in a statement on Saturday’s meeting, noting “contem-

poraneous witness accounts and (a) record of the symptoms of those killed.” Simply by being seen to marshall the US response, Obama is raising the stakes. “There is a sense in Washington that this is new territory and they will take some sort of action,” said Barry Pavel, a former senior defense and national security official in the Clinton, Bush and Obama administrations. But if robust action does not materialize after Washington pumped its muscles, the administration risks tarnishing its credibility, said Pavel, now with the Atlantic Council.

Obama’s personal reputation is also in play, after he said last year the widespread use in Syria of chemical weapons would cross a US red line. US foes in Iran, China and North Korea are watching to see whether defying the US president entails a price. Obama responded to previous small scale chemical weapons use in Syria by promising direct aid to rebel groups.

But he called the chemical attack a “big event,” raising the stakes for himself. A US intelligence finding that the Assad regime was indeed to blame would put Obama in a tough political spot.

Officials have only spoken in broad terms about possible military options. Any strike would have to be strong enough to deter reprisals by Assad’s military, but sufficiently

limited to avoid pulling Washington further into the war. Hussein Ibish, a Middle East analyst with the American Task Force on Palestine, believes military action is possible.

“It seems to me the minimum action we would expect is a limited cruise missile attack on some chemical weapons-related sites. “It could include disruption of facilities that are useful to the regime.” Whatever happens, Obama wants to be remembered as a president who ended US wars, not one who opened new fronts.

Officials say there is no talk of a no-fly zone in Syria, And there are also signs the administration is concerned about framing a legal rationale for any action. One blueprint could be the coalition, including European and Gulf states, that went to war in Libya to protect civilians.

That scenario would lack the United Nations Security Council resolution on Libyawhich Russia did not block, only later to conclude it had been duped into regime change.

Obama must also consider what would happen if military action went wrong, including the danger of civilian casualties. Domestic politics also cannot be ignored. Obama would likely argue that limited action against Syria would fall short of the scale of operation requiring a formal authorization of war for Congress. —AFP

Lebanon on the brink of civil war

By Rana Moussaoui nalysts fear violence will spin out of control in Syria’s neighbor Lebanon after deadly bombings struck Sunni and Shiite areas of the country a week apart and killed dozens of people. The 29-month war in Syria, once the power broker in Lebanon, has already spilled across the border, pitting supporters of the Damascus regime against its opponents.

“It is very likely that there will be more car bombs and other terrorist attacks all over Lebanon. There is nothing to prevent it,” said Fadia Kiwan, head of the political sciences department at Beirut’s Saint Joseph University. According to her “there is a fifth column operating in the country” whose protagonists are linked to the Syrian conflict.

On Friday twin car bombs struck the mostly Sunni Muslim northern port city of Tripoli, just a week after a blast ripped through a densely populated Shiite area of Beirut.

Kiwan said the Syrian regime could be behind the attacks or they were unleashed by jihadists from Al-Nusra Front who are fighting alongside other rebels to topple President Bashar Al-Assad.

In any case, she said, “all these attacks will continue”.

Charles Lister, an analyst at IHS Jane’s Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, said: “Lebanon has become a victim of what has in effect become a proxy conflict in Syria.”

“Lebanon is becoming an extension of the Syrian conflict.”

The Tripoli attacks outside Sunni mosques, like the August 15 blast in Rweiss, a stronghold of the Shiite movement Hezbollah, killed civilians. In all, around 70 people died and hundreds more were wounded. No one claimed responsibility for the Tripoli attacks-the bloodiest since Lebanon’s 15-year civil war ended in 1990. But a previously unknown group, with apparent Sunni affiliations, said it was responsible for the Rweiss bloodshed. As officials grapple with the consequences of both attacks, they have warned that the aim of the unrest is to revive “sectarian strife” that plagued Lebanon during the civil war, and vowed to pursue their fight against terrorism.

The bombings outside Sunni mosques during Friday’s weekly Muslim prayers is “symbolic”, Lister said, because Tripoli has been riven by strife, often deadly, over the Syria conflict. “The targeting of the Al-Taqwa and Al-Salam mosques was hugely symbolic. Both have been clearly involved in the heightened sectarian tensions within the Tripoli theatre,” Lister said.

“However, the sheer scale of the attacks and the fact that they took place during Friday prayers will undoubtedly have a national impact,” he added. Officially Lebanon has kept neutral in the Syria war. But as the protracted conflict continues, tensions have grown in Lebanon between Sunnis, who mostly support the rebellion against the Syrian regime, and Shiites, who back Assad’s government. Lebanon’s Sunnis

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back the rebels politically and financially, while Hezbollah has been fighting for weeks alongside Assad loyalist troops and have helped them make some advances on the ground.

Tripoli, Lebanon’s second city, has been rocked by fre-

Beirut and Tripoli,” Lister said. Paul Salem, who heads the Carnegie Middle East Centre in Beirut, says it is too soon to say how things will play out in Lebanon. He said the Tripoli bombings could have been a form of “retaliation” or even

BEIRUT: Egyptian citizens who live in Lebanon chant slogans against the Muslim Brotherhood as they hold a supporting banner and posters of Egyptian Army Chief Lt Gen Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi during a rally to show their solidarity with the Egyptian army and police, in front of the Egyptian Embassy in Beirut yesterday.—AP quent and often deadly clashes between Sunnis and Alawites, a Shiite offshoot sect from which Assad hails. But Kiwan said the latest bombings rang alarm bells for all Lebanese, regardless of their religion or sect.

“All the Lebanese are now in the same boat; they are all exposed on the security front,” she said. Observers agree that 23 years after the civil war that killed thousands and devastated the country’s infrastructure, no one in Lebanon has any interest in engaging in a new sectarian conflict.

“While I certainly don’t foresee any kind of nationwide explosion in violence, I do think such bombings may become more commonplace, particularly in hotspots like

“deterrence” for the Beirut blast. On the other hand, he said, it could be the beginning of a spiral of violence that “will spin out of control”. Hilal Khashan, chairman of the political science department at the American University of Beirut, said: “It is clear that there is a desire to trigger a confessional war in Lebanon to divert attention from what is happening in Syria.” Friday’s car bombings were reminiscent of attacks that shook the country during its civil war, when Lebanese often checked under their cars for explosives before getting in. That fear was palpable in Tripoli on Saturday as residents buried their dead, including children.—- AFP

NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Celebrated US actress Julie Harris dies at 87 NEW YORK: Julie Harris, the diminutive actress who won five Tony Awards for her stage performances and was also honored for her work in television and film, died on Saturday at age 87, a Massachusetts funeral home said. Bill Collins, a funeral director at the Nickerson Funeral Home in Chatham, Massachusetts, confirmed the death of Harris, who lived in nearby West Chatham.

Aside from her widely acclaimed theater work, Harris was known to television audiences in the 1980s for her role in the prime-time soap opera “Knots Landing,” in which she played a country music singer and the mother of another key character. Harris was also nominated for an Oscar and appeared in more than 30 films, including “East of Eden” in 1955, in which she played James Dean’s love interest.

She was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Her father was an investment banker and her mother a nurse.

Harris attended the Yale School of Drama for one year before leaving in 1945 to begin acting on Broadway.

After appearing in a number of productions, she was catapulted to fame at age 24 for her role in Carson McCullers’ American stage hit “The Member of the Wedding.”

Later in her career, Harris for many audiences would come to epitomize 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson, in her performance of William Luce’s 1976 one-woman play

“The Belle of Amherst.” She won the 1977 Tony Award for Best Actress in the play recreating Dickinson’s world by gossiping about neighbors, recounting daily household routines, and reciting the verse of the isolated, indiosyncratic and reclusive poet.

Harris “in a new twist on the old theatrical saw of an actor captivating an audience by reading the phone book” brought down the house by carefully and guilelessly reciting the poet’s recipe for her Black Cake which included 19 eggs and five pounds of raisins,” wrote theater critic Louis Chaplin.

She won four other Tony Awards and received five more Tony nominations during her career in addition to a lifetime-achievement Tony Award in 2002. Harris also won three Emmys, US television’s highest honor, and was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the 1952 film “The Member of the Wedding,” the movie version of the play that made her famous.

The actress best known for her stage work often said in interviews that an active career in the theater did not encourage stable marriages, and she was married and divorced three times. “At its best, the theater is a balm for hurt minds,” Harris said in a 2000 interview. “It unites us as human beings, gives us a home, brings us together. You say: That’s what it means to be alive, to be human, to feel your heart beat. That what it means. Theater does that.” — Reuters

This June 2, 2002 file photo shows Julie Harris celebrating her special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre during the 56th annual Tony Awards at New York’s Radio City Music Hall. — AP

‘Trial of two regimes’ in Egypt Continued from Page 1 Cairo from a military hospital where he was placed under house arrest after his release from jail.

The government used a state of emergency it declared earlier this month to place Mubarak under house arrest, apparently to forestall any public anger if he had simply walked free. The trial of the Brotherhood leaders signals that Egypt’s new army-backed rulers intend to crush what they have portrayed as a violent, terrorist group bent on subverting the state.

The Brotherhood, which won five successive postMubarak votes, says it is a peaceful movement unjustly targeted by the generals who ousted Morsi, Egypt’s first freely elected leader. The military contends it was responding to the people’s will, citing vast demonstrations at the time against the rule of a man criticized for accumulating excessive power, pushing a partisan Islamist agenda and mismanaging the economy.

Charges against Badie and his aides include incitement to violence in connection with an antiBrotherhood protest near the group’s Cairo headquarters on June 30 in which nine people were killed and 91 wounded. The 70-year-old Brotherhood chief was detained last week. Shater and Bayoumy were picked up earlier.

Pro-Morsi crowds staged small-scale marches on Friday, but the Brotherhood’s street power appears to have faded due to the round-up of its leaders and the bloody dispersal of protest camps set up in Cairo to demand the president’s reinstatement.

A pro-Morsi alliance known as the National Coalition to Support Legitimacy and Reject the Coup called yesterday for a campaign of civil disobedience to paralyze Egypt, “retake the revolution” and reverse the army takeover.

A day earlier, in a sign of confidence, the government relaxed a night-time curfew, saying it would start at 9 pm (1900 GMT), instead of 7 pm. The month-long curfew was imposed on Aug 14, the day the pro-Morsi protest vigils were stormed. Banks and financial institutions are working normally again.

Castigating foes of the army, a spokesman for interim President Adly Mansour said Egypt had undergone difficulties in the past two months, but had reached a “safe area”. “Those who tried and are still trying to break the Egyptian army will fall alongside the Tatars and Crusaders and all other enemies in the same dustbin,” Ahmed Al-Meslemani declared.

The army has announced a roadmap back to democracy that involves revising the constitution adopted under Morsi in late 2012, with parliamentary and presidential elections to follow. Changes proposed by a government-appointed legal panel would scrap last year’s Islamic additions to the constitution and revive a Mubarak-era voting system. Islamists and liberals have expressed alarm about the suggestions.

Egyptian authorities arrested an Islamist militant yesterday, saying he was close to the brother of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Zawahri and had supplied arms to Morsi’s supporters. Security sources said the authorities described the man, Daoud Khairat, as the “right-hand man” of Mohamed Al-Zawahri, who was himself arrested in Egypt on Aug 17. The Brotherhood denies using firearms and says it has no links to Al-Qaeda.

Earlier in the day, the army said it had captured five militants in Sheikh Zowayed, a town in North Sinai, saying they had been involved in attacks on security forces in the area. A son of senior Brotherhood politician Mohammed Al-Beltagi was also detained in the southern city of Beni Suef, the security sources said, in a continuing wave of arrests.— Reuters

US considers military action as Syria warns Continued from Page 1 will necessarily be a strong response,” he added.

Moscow bluntly warned the West that military action against the Syrian regime would be a “tragic mistake”.

“We strongly urge those who, by attempting to impose their own results on the UN experts, are raising the possibility of a military operation in Syria to use their common sense and refrain from committing a tragic mistake,” foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Kasevich’s said in a statement.

Syria’s foreign ministry said that visiting UN disarmament envoy Angela Kane struck the accord with the Syrian government yesterday for a probe. The United Nations said in a statement the investigation would begin as early as today. US officials said President Barack Obama, who held crisis talks Saturday with top security aides, would make an “informed decision” about how to respond to an “indiscriminate” chemical weapons attack.

Britain said yesterday that evidence of a chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus could have already been destroyed ahead of UN inspectors visiting the site. “We have to be realistic now about what the UN team can achieve,” Foreign Secretary William Hague told reporters. “The fact is that much of the evidence could have been destroyed by that artillery bombardment.

Other evidence could have degraded over the last few days and other evidence could have been tampered with,” he said, referring to opposition activists’ reports that the army has shelled the area in the last few days.

Washington had noted that Syria had offered to let UN inspectors view the site of the alleged attack, but suggested it was too little, too late, said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “At this juncture, the belated decision by the regime to grant access to the UN team is too late to be credible, including because the evidence available has been significantly corrupted as a result of the regime’s persistent shelling and other intentional actions over the last five days,” the official said.

If confirmed, the attack would mark the deadliest use of chemical agents since late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein gassed Iranian troops and Kurdish rebels in the 1980s. US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said earlier yesterday the US military was “prepared to exercise

whatever option” against Syria but intelligence was still being evaluated. On a visit to Malaysia, Hagel said the US defence department had prepared “options for all contingencies” at Obama’s request. “President Obama has asked the Defense Department to prepare options for all contingencies. We have done that,” Hagel told reporters in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

On Saturday, Obama held a rare meeting with his top aides and discussed Syria by phone with British Prime Minister David Cameron. Cameron’s office said they two leaders agreed the use of chemical weapons would “merit a serious response”-echoing French calls. Obama had said a year ago that the use of chemical weapons

by Assad’s forces was a “red line” that could trigger Western intervention.

A strident warning came from Washington’s archfoe Iran yesterday. “If the United States crosses this red line, there will be harsh consequences for the White House,” armed forces deputy chief of staff Massoud Jazayeri said, without elaborating. The Arab League is to meet tomorrow to discuss the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, the bloc’s deputy chief Ahmed Ben Helli said.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said about 3,600 patients displaying “neurotoxic symptoms” had flooded into three Syrian hospitals on the day of the alleged attacks, and 355 of them died.

“Medical staff working in these facilities provided detailed information to MSF doctors regarding large numbers of patients arriving with symptoms including convulsions, excess saliva, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision and respiratory distress,” said MSF operations director Bart Janssens. MSF president Mego Terzian told AFP however that “scientific” proof is still lacking. In Israel, President Shimon Peres called for international efforts to “take out” chemical weapons in Syria as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would pull the “trigger” if needed to protect its people.

More than 100,000 people have been killed in Syria since an uprising against Assad’s rule flared in March 2011, the UN says. In the latest eruption of violence, the governor of Hama province in central Syria was killed in a car bombing yesterday, state television reported, in an attack it blamed on rebels. — AFP

For Obama, world looks far different than expected WASHINGTON: Nearly five years into his presidency, Barack Obama confronts a world far different from what he envisioned when he first took office. US influence is declining in the Middle East as violence and instability rock Arab countries. An ambitious attempt to reset US relations with Russia faltered and failed. Even in Obamafriendly Europe, there’s deep skepticism about Washington’s government surveillance programs.

In some cases, the current climate has been driven by factors outside the White House’s control. But missteps by the president also are to blame, say foreign policy analysts, including some who worked for the Obama administration. Among them: miscalculating the fallout from the Arab Spring uprisings, publicly setting unrealistic expectations for improved ties with Russia and a reactive decision-making process that can leave the White House appearing to veer from crisis to crisis without a broader strategy.

Rosa Brooks, a former Defense Department official who left the administration in 2011, said that while the shrinking US leverage overseas predates the current president, “Obama has sometimes equated ‘we have no leverage’ with ‘there’s no point to really doing anything’.”

Obama, faced most urgently with escalating crises in Egypt and Syria, has defended his measured approach, saying America’s ability to solve the world’s problems on its own has been “overstated.”

“Sometimes what we’ve seen is that folks will call for immediate action, jumping into stuff, that does not turn out well, gets us mired in very difficult situations,” he said. “We have to think through strategically what’s going to be in our long-term national interests.”

The strongest challenge to Obama’s philosophy on intervention has come from the deepening tumult in the Middle East and North Africa. The president saw great promise in the region when he first took office and pledged “a new beginning” with the Arab world when he traveled to Cairo in 2009.

But the democracy protests that spread across the region quickly scrambled Obama’s efforts. While the US has consistently backed the rights of people seeking democracy, the violence that followed has often left the Obama administration unsure of its next move or taking tentative steps that do little to change the situation on the ground.

In Egypt, where the country’s first democratically elected president was ousted last month, the US has refused to call Mohammed Morsi’s removal a coup. The ruling military, which the US has financially backed for decades, has largely ignored Obama’s calls to end assaults on Morsi supporters. And US officials are internally at odds over whether to cut off aid to the military.

In Syria, where more than 100,000 people have been killed during the two-and-a-half year civil war, Obama’s pledges that President Bashar Assad will be held accountable have failed to push the Syrian leader from office. And despite warning that Assad’s use of chemical weapons would cross a “red line” in Syria, there was scant American retaliation when he did use the toxic gases. Yesterday, senior administration official said there is “very little doubt” that a chemical weapon was used by the Syrian regime against civilians in an incident that killed at least a hundred people last week. The official

spoke on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly.

Few foreign policy experts predicted the Arab uprisings, and it’s unlikely the US could have - or should have - done anything to prevent the protests. But analysts say Obama misjudged the movements’ next stages, including Assad’s ability to cling to power and the strength of Islamist political parties in Egypt.

“The president has not had a long-term strategic vision,” said Vali Nasr, who advised the Obama administration on foreign policy in the first term and now serves as dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. “They’re moving issue to issue and reacting as situations come up.”

Obama advisers say the president is frustrated by what is seen as a lack of good options for dealing with Arab unrest. But the president himself has pushed back at the notion that the US has lost credibility on the world stage because he hasn’t acted more forcefully.

“We remain the one indispensable nation,” Obama said in a CNN interview broadcast Friday. “There’s a reason why, when you listen to what’s happened around Egypt and Syria, that everybody asks what the U.S. is doing. It’s because the United States continues to be the one country that people expect can do more than just simply protect their borders.”

But the perception of a president lacking in international influence extends beyond the Arab world, particularly to Russia. Since reassuming the presidency last year, Vladimir Putin has blocked US efforts to seek action against Syria at the United Nations and has balked at Obama’s efforts to seek new agreements on arms control.

Putin’s hard-line approach stands in stark contrast to the relationship Obama cultivated in his first term with Putin’s predecessor, Dmitri Medvedev. The two held friendly meetings in Moscow and Washington (Obama even took Medvedev out to lunch at a local burger joint) and achieved policy breakthroughs. They inked a new nuclear reduction agreement, and Moscow agreed to open up supply lines to help the US pull troops and equipment out of Afghanistan.

Michael O’Hanlon, a national security analyst at The Brookings Institution, said the president miscalculated in assuming that a few signs of improved ties would be enough to overcome years of distrust with the Russians.

“The issue here is one of raised expectations, unrealistically high expectations that Obama himself deliberately stoked,” O’Hanlon said. “He hoped that a more pragmatic, disciplined, less interventionist foreign policy would appease the Russians.” The White House’s ties with Russia were further damaged this summer when Moscow granted temporar y asylum to Edward Snowden, the former government contractor accused of leaking documents detailing secret US surveillance programs. In retaliation, Obama canceled plans to meet with Putin in Moscow next month, though he will still attend the meeting of leading rich and developing nations in St Petersburg, Russia.

But the international impact from the National Security Agency revelations has spread beyond Russia.

In European capitals, where Obama’s 2008 election was greeted with cheers, some leaders have publicly criti-

Oman’s Qaboos in Iran on historic visit Continued from Page 1 negotiations,” Qassem Mohebali, an Iranian analyst on the Middle East, wrote in the reformist Bahar newspaper yesterday. Oman helped broker the release of three American hikers detained in Iran in 2011 and an Iranian scientist held in California on charges of violating US sanctions this year.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif sought to play down reports that Qaboos was visiting Iran with a message from the White House. “We are not aware that the Sultan of Oman will be carrying a particular message for our country,” Zarif was quoted as saying on Sunday by ISNA news agency. Rather, bilateral relations and regional issues would be on the agenda, he said. Mehran Kamrava, director of the Center for International and Regional Studies at Georgetown

University in Qatar, said Qaboos’ visit indicated Iran was coming out of the “isolationist mode” it had adopted under Rouhani’s predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was known for bellicose rhetoric on the international stage.

“Oman is one of the few Arab countries with which Iran has had consistent and regular good relations,” Kamrava said. “Whether the Sultan of Oman is bearing a message or not is something we won’t know until somewhat later, but certainly countries like Oman could play a very important intermediary role between Iran and the United States.”

During his three-day visit, Qaboos will meet Rouhani, clerical Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and powerful Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, local media said. Iranian and Omani officials will also discuss cooperation on energy issues. — Reuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Ancelotti mum on Bale move

‘Snicko’ for next Ashes series

MADRID: Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has refused to discuss Gareth Bale amid reports the Tottenham Hotspur winger is poised to join the nine-times European champions for a world record fee. Bale’s move to the Spanish capital has been widely flagged in Spanish and British media and is said to be worth 99 million euros ($133 million), eclipsing the price of around 95 million Real paid Manchester United for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009.

Photographs of Bale in the Spanish holiday resort of Marbella appeared in local media yesterday, prompting speculation he will be presented at Real’s Bernabeu stadium tomorrow or Wednesday.

At a news conference yesterday previewing today’s La Liga game at Granada, Ancelotti was asked where Bale might fit into his team. The Italian laughed and said he had not thought about it as he had “other problems at the moment”.

“I understand it’s a very interesting issue for everyone but I can’t say anything because he is not a Real Madrid player right now,” he added. “I am sorry but I can’t reply.” Quizzed later by British journalists, he said there were two reasons why he did not want to discuss the issue publicly. —Reuters

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering using “Snicko” technology in the next Ashes series in Australia, the ruling body’s chief executive Dave Richardson told the BBC yesterday. The current series between England and Australia has been dogged by controversy surrounding the Decision Review System and there have been problems with the “HotSpot” technology which is supposed to show whether the ball makes contact with the bat.

“Snicko will probably be the first bit of technology introduced,” Richardson said. “It’s always been reliable.” “Snicko”, which uses sound from stump microphones, has not been employed by the third umpire because it causes too much of a delay in decision-making.

“There are different types of Snicko used around the world but the one that was used in this series is what they call a realtime Snicko,” Richardson said.

“Without getting too technical it’s quite an involved process to make sure the sound gets to you at the same time and is synchronised perfectly with where the ball is.” The first Test of the next Ashes series starts on Nov. 21 in Brisbane.—Reuters

Chelsea agree to sign Willian LONDON: Brazil playmaker Willian has agreed terms to join Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, the Premier League side said yesterday.

The transfer, however, is subject to a work permit hearing on Wednesday.

“Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with both Willian and his club for the transfer of the Brazilian player,” the London club said in a statement on its website (www.chelseafc.com).

The 25-year-old appeared to be heading for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a 30 million pounds ($46.72 million) deal after undergoing a medical at White Hart Lane on Thursday but Chelsea made a late swoop for the Brazilian, who can play as an attacking midfielder or winger.

Willian joined Anzhi from Shakhtar Donetsk in January, but the club’s owner Suleiman Kerimov has tightened the pursestrings at the Dagestan club, putting the entire first-team available for sale, according to media reports.—Reuters

D’backs pound Phillies

ST. PETERSBURG: Infielder Alex Rodriguez No. 13 of the New York Yankees fouls off a second inning pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field. —AFP

Rays, Athletics advance ST. PETERSBURG: David Price outpitched CC Sabathia and the Tampa Bay Rays rallied Saturday night to beat the New York Yankees 4-2 to hang on to first place in the AL East.

Evan Longoria snapped a 2-all tie with a sixth-inning RBI single and added a solo homer in the eighth to help reigning AL Cy Young winner Price (8-5) win his fifth consecutive decision. Price improved to 7-1 since a stint on the disabled list for a left triceps strain. Sabathia (11-11) took a 2-0 lead into the sixth before giving up three quick runs the Rays used to remain in first place, percentage points ahead of the Boston Red Sox. Price allowed two runs and five hits over six innings. Jake McGee, Joel Peralta and Fernando Rodney finished up, with Rodney working a perfect ninth to earn his 30th save.

ATHLETICS 2, ORIOLES 1 In Baltimore, Coco Crisp hit a tiebreaking home run leading off the ninth inning and Jarrod Parker earned his eighth straight win as Oakland beat the Orioles.

After Parker and Chris Tillman waged a magnificent pitching duel for eight innings, Crisp connected on a 3-1 pitch from Darren O’Day (5-3). It was the third home run in three games for Crisp, who had four hits on Friday night. Parker (10-6) gave up one run, five hits and three walks to improve to 8-0 in 16 starts since May 22.

ASTROS 8, BLUE JAYS 5 In Houston, Jason Castro homered twice and drove in three runs to lead the Astros over the Blue Jays. Castro hit a two-run homer in the third inning to push the lead to 5-0, and added a solo shot in the seventh to make it 8-4.

Brandon Barnes gave Houston an early lead with a two-run double in the second inning. Brad Peacock (3-4) allowed six hits and four runs in 5 2-3 innings for the win.

The Astros jumped on Chien-Ming Wang (1-2) for four hits and five runs in three innings in his first start since July 2 after his contract was selected from TripleA Buffalo earlier in the day.

INDIANS 7, TWINS 2 In Cleveland, Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis hit two-run homers, Zach McAllister

won his third straight start and the Indians beat the Twins. The win moved the Indians into third place in the crowded American League wild-card race.

Santana hit a two-run homer in the first.

Kipnis, who snapped an 0-for-19 skid with a first-inning single, homered in the third.

Both home runs came off starter Liam Hendriks (0-2), who has lost 12 of his 13 career decisions. McAllister (7-7) allowed two runs in 7 1-3 innings.

ANGELS 5, MARINERS 1 In Seattle, Mike Trout hit his 22nd home run and Jason Vargas allowed one run in 6 1-3 innings and the Angels earned a victory over the Mariners.

The Angels jumped on top early against Mariners starter Erasmo Ramirez (4-1). After a walk to Erick Aybar, Trout homered to give the Angels a 2-0 lead.

Right fielder Endy Chavez limited the early damage by robbing a would-be home run from Hank Conger in the second inning. Ramirez and Vargas (7-5) traded scoreless innings until Los Angeles managed to extend the lead in the seventh.

Grant Green singled and J.B. Shuck doubled to put two runners in scoring position with one out.

INTERLEAGUE NATIONALS 7, ROYALS 2 In Kansas City, Jordan Zimmermann rebounded from one of his worst career outings to go 7 2-3 strong innings, Ian Desmond hit his 18th home run, and the Nationals beat the Royals.

Zimmermann (15-7) tied St. Louis’ Adam Wainwright for the league lead in wins and sparked the surging Nationals to their fifth straight win, all on the road.

The right-hander, who allowed eight runs in five innings at Chicago last Monday, was charged with two runs and eight hits.

He struck out seven and walked just one.

After George Kottaras singled with two out in the fourth, Zimmerman retired 11 straight until Emilio Bonifacio walked with one out in the eighth. The Nationals have won 11 of 15 overall while the Royals have been staggering.

After a 19-5 surge gave fans hope for an end to a 27-year playoff drought, they’ve lost seven in a row and 10 of 12.—AP

MLB results/standings Oakland 2, Baltimore 1; Boston 4, La Dodgers 2; Detroit 3, NY Mets 0; Cleveland 7, Minnesota 2; Arizona 12, Philadelphia 7 (18 innings); Chicago White Sox 3, Texas 2; Washington 7, Kansas City 2; Cincinnati 6, Milwaukee 3; Houston 8, Toronto 5; Miami 3, Colorado 0; Tampa Bay 4, NY Yankees 2; St. Louis 6, Atlanta 2; Chicago Cubs 3, San Diego 2; San Francisco 6, Pittsburgh 3; LA Angels 5, Seattle 1.

American League Eastern Division W L PCT Tampa Bay 74 53 .583 Boston 76 55 .580 Baltimore 69 59 .539 NY Yankees 68 61 .527 Toronto 57 73 .438 Central Division Detroit 76 53 .589 Cleveland 70 59 .543 Kansas City 64 64 .500 Minnesota 57 71 .445 Chicago W Sox 53 75 .414 Western Division Texas 75 54 .581 Oakland 72 56 .563 Seattle 59 69 .461 LA Angels 57 71 .445 Houston 43 85 .336

GB 5.5 7 18.5

Atlanta Washington NY Mets Philadelphia Miami

6 11.5 18.5 22.5

Pittsburgh St. Louis Cincinnati Milwaukee Chicago Cubs

2.5 15.5 17.5 31.5

LA Dodgers Arizona Colorado San Diego San Francisco

National League Eastern Division 77 52 .597 65 64 .504 58 69 .457 58 71 .450 49 79 .383 Central Division 76 53 .589 76 53 .589 74 56 .569 56 73 .434 55 74 .426 Western Division 76 53 .589 66 62 .516 60 71 .458 58 71 .450 57 72 .442

12 18 19 27.5 2.5 20 21 9.5 17 18 19

PHILADELPHIA: Adam Eaton hit a goahead double in the 18th inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks outlasted the Philadelphia Phillies 12-7 in a record-setting, marathon game for both clubs Saturday night. The teams combined to use 20 pitchers in a contest that ended at 2:12 a.m. and took 7 hours, 6 minutes - setting a mark for length of game for both teams.

The Phillies began the 18th with outfielder Casper Wells (0-1) on the mound. After retiring the first two batters, Wells walked Tony Campana to start Arizona’s five-run inning. With Campana running, Eaton lined a double to left-center to put Arizona in front 8-7.

After Wells intentionally walked Paul Goldschmidt, Martin Prado drove in Eaton with a single to right to give the Diamondbacks a two-run advantage.

Gerardo Parra broke the game open with a two-run single that spelled the end for Wells, who was replaced by another position player, infielder John McDonald.

CARDINALS 6, BRAVES 2 In St. Louis, rookie Shelby Miller worked seven innings of three-hit ball, Matt Carpenter and Carlos Beltran each homered and St. Louis beat Atlanta for the third straight time.

Freddie Freeman homered for the NL East-leading Braves, who totaled five runs while dropping three in a row for the first time since July 3-5. Julio Teheran (10-7) allowed a season-worst five walks and was charged with four runs. Miller (12-8) worked more than six innings for the first time in 13 starts since June 1. He struck out six without walking a batter while pitching with no more than a one-run cushion against a fellow 22-year-old right-hander. Center fielder Jon Jay made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Brian McCann of at least extra bases in the seventh. The Cardinals, who began the night a game back in the NL Central, go for a fourgame sweep Sunday with Lance Lynn (13-7) opposing Mike Minor (12-5).

REDS 6, BREWERS 3 In Cincinnati, Ryan Ludwick hit his first homer since last October, another indication his swing is coming around,

CUBS 3, PADRES 2 In San Diego, Jeff Samardzija pitched eight impressive innings and Darwin Barney homered and drove in two runs as the Cubs beat the Padres.

In his second straight solid outing, Samardzija (8-11) limited the damage to one run in the eighth inning when the Padres twice loaded the bases and cut the lead to one run.

Samardzija allowed two runs on seven hits. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two. The light-hitting Barney, who had three hits, connected for a solo shot in the fifth inning and added a go-ahead RBI double in the Cubs’ two-run seventh.

PHILADELPHIA: Third baseman Martin Prado No. 14 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws out Carlos Ruiz No. 51 of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 14th inning of a MLB baseball game.—AFP and Zack Cozart had a tiebreaking tworun shot, powering the Reds to a victory over the Brewers. The Reds had four homers among their 14 hits while evening their series at a game apiece.

Cincinnati has won 13 of its last 18 overall, tightening the NL Central race.

Bronson Arroyo (13-9) won his fourth straight start by allowing three runs, including Caleb Gindl’s pinch-hit homer leading off the eighth. The righthander hasn’t walked a batter in his last 29 2-3 innings. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 33rd save in 38 chances. The left-hander hit a batter and fanned three with a fastball that repeatedly registered 102 mph.

Ludwick and Cozart connected in the sixth inning off John Axford (6-7), who failed to hold a 2-1 lead. Joey Votto added his 19th homer an inning later off Michael Gonzalez, and Cozart singled for his third RBI. MARLINS 3, ROCKIES 0 In Miami, rookie Jose Fernandez struck out eight in seven innings, leading the Marlins to a win over the Rockies. Fernandez (10-5) allowed four hits and did not walk a batter as he lowered his ERA to 2.30. Fernandez has

been one of the best pitchers in the Majors since June 1, compiling a 1.52 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 15 starts.

AJ Ramos pitched the eighth and Steve Cishek earned his 28th save in 30 chances. Todd Helton had two hits for the Rockies to move into 96th place on the career hit list with 2,496 in 17 seasons, all with Colorado. The Marlins scored three runs in the fourth off Jeff Manship (0-4).

GIANTS 6, PIRATES 3 In San Francisco, Buster Posey had three hits, Pablo Sandoval drove in two runs and the Giants beat the Pirates.

Tim Lincecum pitched into the sixth inning after two rocky starts for his first win in more than two weeks. The former two-time NL Cy Young winner walked four but struck out eight and pitched out of trouble in back-to-back innings before giving way to the bullpen. The Giants did most of the damage in the first inning when they batted around and scored four times off Pirates starter Francisco Liriano (14-6).

Tony Sanchez hit his first career home run for Pittsburgh, which dropped into a first-place tie with St. Louis in the NL Central.

INTERLEAGUE TIGERS 3, METS 0 In New York, Max Scherzer outpitched Matt Harvey in their All-Star rematch, striking out 11 and hitting a stunning RBI double that sent the Tigers to a victory over the Mets.

Scherzer (19-1) joined Rube Marquard in 1912 and Roger Clemens in 2001 as the only major league pitchers to win 19 of their first 20 decisions in a season. Andy Dirks had three hits off Harvey (9-5), who gave up a career-high 13 against Detroit’s powerful lineup. He pitched out of trouble to keep the Mets in the game, but they lost for the fifth time in his last six starts.

Missing injured slugger David Wright, the Mets have managed only two runs during a three-game skid.

They were outhit 15-3 in this one.

RED SOX 4, DODGERS 2 In Los Angeles, Jon Lester pitched three-hit ball into the eighth inning, Jonny Gomes’ three-run homer capped a four-run first, and the Red Sox beat Los Angeles, snapping the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak. The Red Sox began the day percentage points behind Tampa Bay for first in the AL East. They won at Dodger Stadium for the first time in five games dating to their first visit in 2002, when they were swept in three games. Lester (12-7) gave up one run in 7 1-3 innings, struck out six and walked four. Koji Uehara got the final four outs to earn his 13th save in 16 chances.—AP

Kuchar, Woodland share Barclays lead JERSEY CITY: Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland battled to a tie for the lead at breezy Liberty National and will be paired for a final-round Sunday duel at The Barclays, the opening event of the FedExCup playoffs. Kuchar carded a oneunder 70, while fellow-American Woodland shot a 68 to finish Saturday’s third round locked at 12under-par 131. World number six Kuchar, who has two wins this season, was paired with bighitting Woodland and came away impressed.

“Man, that guy can play some golf,” said Kuchar, who led by two strokes after finishing a second round of 65 early Saturday morning.

“Gary was really impressive.”

Said Woodland, who ran off four birdies in a row at one point, “I drove the ball beautifully all day, and finally I got some putts to go in.”

Unheralded Kevin Chappell fired a sensational, course record 62 to leap up the leaderboard and stand one stroke behind his compatriots in pursuit of his first title on the PGA Tour. A KucharWoodland duel, however, is far from assured with world number one Tiger Woods lurking just four shots off the pace tied for fourth with England’s David Lynn. Woods and Lynn both returned twounder-par 69s on the waterside course under the shadow of the Statue of Liberty.

Woods, among 40 players who returned early Saturday morning to complete a second round 69 after play was suspended due to darkness in the weather-hit event, slipped from seven-under with a pair of bogeys but battled back with three late birdies to reach eight-under 205.

“Just hung in there and that was a grind,” said world number one Woods, who has been bothered by a sore back after a poor night’s sleep on a soft hotel bed this week.

Seven players were tied at 206, including U.S. Open champion Justin Rose of England (70), Americans Bubba Watson (68), Rickie Fowler (71), Jim Furyk (70), Kevin Streelman (68) and 20-yearold Jordan Spieth (68), and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt (70). Kuchar, who was grouped with Woods in the resumption of their second round, claimed a two-shot lead over Woodland and 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson at the 36-hole mark.

JERSEY CITY: Matt Kuchar of the United States catches the ball during the third round of The Barclays at Liberty National Golf Club.—AFP Woodland, playing in a threesome with Kuchar and Simpson, used a string of four successive birdies from the sixth to vault into a lead that grew to three strokes before bogeys at 11 and 12 and birdies by Kuchar at 13 and 14 created a tie.

The 29-year-old Woodland, who earlier this month won the Reno-Tahoe Open for his first PGA title, went ahead again with a birdie at 16 but bogeyed 17 after his tee shot plugged under the lip of a fairway bunker and he had to hit out sideways. Simpson, meanwhile, slumped into a tie for 13th at six-under 207 after registering a 74. In contrast to Simpson, Chappell soared into contention.

After starting his round at the 10th hole, 27-

year-old Chappell caught fire from the 16th, his seventh hole of the day.

The little-known American made eight birdies in an 11-hole stretch from there, including four in a row from the third hole and just missed a final birdie opportunity at his last hole. “Here, in the wind...if you would have told me someone was going to shoot 62 today, I would probably have laughed at you,” Chappell told reporters after his spectacular round. The top 125 players on the FedExCup list qualified for The Barclays and the leading 100 players on the points list will advance to next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston. The winner of the playoffs finale, the 30-man Tour Championship, will receive a bonus prize of $10 million.—Reuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Gonzalez stops Mares CARSON: Jhonny Gonzalez stopped Abner Mares late in the first round Saturday night, reclaiming the WBC featherweight title in stunning fashion.

Leo Santa Cruz also won the WBC 122pound title at the StubHub Center south of Hollywood, stopping Victor Terrazas in the third round.

Gonzalez (55-8, 47 KOs) dropped the previously unbeaten Mares twice late in the first round, flattening the 126-pound beltholder with a left hook. Mares appeared to be hurt when he got back up, and the Mexican challenger knocked him down again with a combination along the ropes.

Referee Jack Reiss stopped the fight with 5 seconds left in the first round.

Gonzalez is known for his impressive knockout power, but the 31-year-old veteran from Mexico City also has been stopped three times in his up-and-down career.

Gonzalez held the WBC title for nearly 18 months before losing it to Daniel Ponce De Leon in a technical decision last September, and he was knocked down during one of his two previous victories this year.

Mares (26-1-1) held titles at 118 and 122 pounds before claiming the featherweight belt last May, stopping Ponce De Leon for

Photo of the day

his third world title belt. The popular Los Angeles-area fighter had sizable crowd support, but Gonzalez silenced his fans with two dramatic knockdowns.

Santa Cruz (25-0-1, 15 KOs), the former IBF 118-pound champion from nearby Lincoln Heights, picked up another impressive victor y with a swift stoppage of Terrazas.

After controlling the first two rounds, Santa Cruz knocked his opponent down twice in the third round with a left hook and a big right hand. Terrazas got up both times, but referee Lou Moret stepped in with 51 seconds left in the third.

Terrazas (37-3-1), whose face was swollen after the first two rounds, won the vacant WBC title with a split decision over Cristian Mijares in April.

Santa Cruz has knocked out four of his last five opponents. He could be the next opponent for Mares, since promoters Golden Boy and Top Rank refuse to work together for a much-discussed fight pitting Mares against 122-pound star Nonito Donaire.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.—AP

Sebastian Vettel prepares for his race at the Red Bull Soapbox Race in Herten, Germany. —www.redbull.com

Halep wins in New Haven

CARSON: Abner Mares reacts after he is knocked down by Jhonny Gonzalez during the WBC Featherweight title fight at the StubHub Center. —AFP

Nismo’s big weekend!

DUBAI: Nissan Motorsport has just completed one of its biggest weekends of 2013. The #nismobigweekender saw the launch of the 2014 Nissan GT-R Nismo GT500 Super GT car in Japan and the Super GT debut of the original GT Academy winner, Lucas Ordonez.

The Nissan GT Academy Team RJN team was in action in Slovakia for the FIA GT Series and Jann Mardenborough competed in three F3 races at the Nurburgring. Steve Doherty headed to the US to race in the Grand Am Continental Tire Challenge and one of the newest winners of GT Academy was on track at Snetterton as part of the vital driver development program.

SPECTACULAR SLOVAKIA With one Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 in action this weekend the pressure was on Wolfgang Reip and Alex Buncombe to deliver the silverware at the the Slovakia Ring, the fourth round of the FIA GT Series. Buncombe was unlucky to miss out on Superpole on Saturday and had to settle for starting the qualifying race from 12th place. Wolfie had another breakthrough race when he had to fight off the advances of the AF Corse Ferrari for much of his stint. The Belgian kept his cool and came across the line in 12th place, which was a brilliant second place in class.

Starting the main race from 12th, Wolfie was immediately caught up in the melee following an accident that Sebastien Loeb was having. This dropped the Belgian to fifth in class but again he kept his head and at the halfway mark handed over to Alex who then proceeded to hunt down a podium finish.

In the final stages of the race Alex had caught the No.51 AF Corse Ferrari and wasted no time in making his move to grab the last spot on the pro-am podium and eighth place overall.

SUPER SPANIARD The new Nismo Global Driver Exchange Programme delivered the opportunity of a lifetime for Lucas Ordonez this weekend when he competed in the Suzuka 1000kms, his first Super GT race. Lucas joined Kazuki Hoshino and Daiki Sasaki in the No.3 NDDP GT300 class GT-R and the trio finished the race in ninth place in class, despite being handicapped by a stop-go penalty.

“This has been a great weekend for me,” said Lucas. “It is a big opportunity for me to be at Suzuka, racing in Super GT with the Nissan Driver Development Team. It was unfortunate that we got a stop-go penalty today but I’m really happy with my performance and I think the team is happy with the work I did here this weekend. We have lots of meetings and debriefs here and they have been very honest with me and they have been impressed so that feels great. It has

been an amazing experience.

He continued: “My stint was very intense as I went out on track during a safety car period, then when the green flag came out I had all the GT500 cars behind me and I have to say that was a very crazy experience. All of them were really pushing and I was there doing my first race laps in Super GT! “Thank you to Nissan for putting me into this amazing race. We had the pace for the podium today and I was really happy with my pace and pleased to have the opportunity to show my skills. The fans, the team and the Super GT Championship have welcomed me with open arms and I hope to come back as I have learnt so much here.”

FAST LEARNER IS A QUICK STARTER One of the toughest tasks for Jann Mardenborough in Formula 3 this year has been learning how to do a standing start as all of his race experience (all one year of it!) before F3 happened in GT racing where rolling starts are used. Jann is the first to admit it has been a tough skill to master but at the Nurburgring this weekend he nailed it for the first two races!

Ironically his best result came in race three but that was his worst start as he had a clutch problem. After dropping to the back Jann fought his way through the pack, taking the fourth fastest race lap and pulling himself up to 11th place.

“My starts have been quite good this weekend - which is an area I have been working on- up until race three this morning,” said Jann. “But the pace in the car was really good today and I think I was driving better having learnt a few things in sector one where I had been a bit slower. I feel like I’m getting quicker and quicker and the lessons learnt here this weekend can be transferred to the last round of the British F3 Series here later this year. I’m happy there are some positives to take away, it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get any points after a strong race three.”

“Like any big weekend we had our share of the highs and the lows,” said Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsports, Darren Cox. “The highlights in Slovakia were the battle Wolfie had in race one and Al hunting down and passing the Ferrari in race two and of course the podium. Lucas showed great pace in Suzuka, again showing his professionalism and maturity. Jann also made a leap forward this weekend, getting the monkey off his back when it comes to race starts. The lows include the stop-go penalty in Japan and Jann being taken out at the start of race two at the Nurburgring. One thing that normally happens after a big weekend is a big lull or a hangover. For Nissan and Nismo there is no chance of that as we have much hard work to do in 2013.”

NEW HAVEN: Simona Halep rolled past defending champion Petra Kvitova 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday in the W TA New Haven final, her first hardcourt title coming days before the US Open.

Halep, 21, notched her fourth title of 2013, adding it to claycourt titles won at Nuremberg and Budapest and a grasscourt crown at ‘s-Hertogenbosch. She needed just 66 minutes to defeat former Wimbledon champion Kvitova, the third seed, punctuating her first premier level triumph with her only ace of the contest on her first match point. “It was an incredible match for me,” Halep beamed. “I played very beautiful tennis today. I was enjoying every moment.

“She played really good also. I’m really happy that I won this match and this tournament. I am feeling very, very good-it’s an unbelievable period for me this year.”

Kvitova had plenty of early chances, but failed to convert four break points before Halep broke her for a 3-2 led in the opening set.

Kvitova’s double fault gave Halep the break opportunity, and the hard-hitting Czech smacked a deep volley long on break point.

“I was very nervous before the match,” admitted Halep. “I knew she would play very good, but I just wanted to enjoy the match. I tried to be aggressive.”

Halep had won nine games on the trot to seal the opening set and take a 4-0 lead in the second before Kvitova managed to hold serve again, the Czech’s errors mounting

as Halep’s confidence built.

Kvitova finished with 25 unforced errors against 13 winners, while Halep belted 14 winners with just six unforced errors.

Halep, who gained a measure of notoriety this month when her second-round victory over Marion Bartoli at Cincinnati was quickly followed by the French Wimbledon champion’s abrupt retirement from

the sport, is projected to break into the top 20 in the world next week at 19 in the rankings.

She is seeded 21st at the US Open, where she’ll be trying to translate her recent success to a Grand Slam. So far this year she has failed to shine on the game’s major stages, reaching the second round at Wimbledon and falling in the first round at the Australian Open and

Roland Garros.

At Flushing Meadows she’ll face Britain’s Heather Watson in the first round. She could get Italian fourth seed Sara Errani in the round of 16 and Danish sixth seed Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals.

Halep defeated Wozniacki, a four-time New Haven champion, in the semi-finals on the hardcourts at Yale University this week.—AFP

NEW HAVEN: Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and Simona Halep of Romania pose with their trophies after the Women’s Final on Day Seven of the New Haven Open. —AFP

Murray unfazed by prospect of defending grand slam title NEW YORK: Andy Murray strolled into the US National Tennis Center on Saturday without a care in the world, brimming with confidence and self-belief as he prepares to defend his US Open title. Signing autographs and joking with the media, the Scotsman’s relaxed demeanour could not have been any different than when he arrived at Flushing Meadows a year ago. And this time he plans to do something he forgot to last year. He wants to enjoy himself.

In 2012, Murray arrived in New York still searching for his first grand slam title. He had won the Olympic gold medal but the grand slams had eluded him and he continued to be pestered about why he had not broken through.

That all changed under the bright lights of New York when he defeated world number one Novak Djokovic in a nerve-tingling five-setter, to

end his own drought and become the first British man in 76 years to win the US Open.

Returning this year as the defending champion has rekindled those memories though he confessed his emotions last year were somewhat stifled. “I was so relieved that night that maybe I didn’t have the chance to maybe enjoy it maybe as much as Wimbledon or the Olympics, for example,” he said. “There was so much relief last year that I wasn’t necessarily enjoying it as much as I should have.

“So when I came back and practiced on the Arthur Ashe court, you know, the memories came back, and that was nice.” Despite his breakthrough, Murray knew winning the U.S. Open was never going to release the full expectation on him from the British public.

That only came when he won Wimbledon in

July, a moment etched in British sporting history but one that was a blur to him.

With the weight of expectation lifted from shoulders, Murray holds no fears about trying to defend his title at Flushing Meadows, the most raucous and intimidating venues of the four grand slams.

“I think there is less pressure. I think before the first match - and probably anything before the first match there will be nerves there - I expect to be pretty nervous because it’s a new experience and it’s different,” he said.

“But I think once the tournament gets going, I don’t think it changes. I don’t think it changes too much. “There was a lot of pressure on me for a lot of years to win a grand slam, and then same sort of thing at Wimbledon. I wouldn’t imagine it would be the same here.” —Reuters

BRNO: Marc Marquez of Spain (right) leads ahead of Dani Pedrosa of Spain (left) during the MotoGP race at the Motorcycle Grand Prix of the Czech Republic.—AP

Marquez grabs Czech GP BRNO: MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez won the Czech Republic Grand Prix in Brno for Honda yesterday for his fourth victory in a row.

The victory made the Spaniard the first rookie in the 65-year history of grand prix racing to win five races in his debut season in the top class.

Team mate and compatriot Dani Pedrosa was

second with Yamaha’s world champion Jorge Lorenzo making it three Spaniards on the podium with third place after a three-way battle for the lead.

Italian Valentino Rossi, the last rider to win four successive MotoGP races in 2008, was fourth for Yamaha. Marquez now has 213 points to Pedrosa’s 187 with Lorenzo on 169.

Tech3 Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow, who started on pole position for the second time this season, again failed in his bid to become the first British winner in the top category since Barry Sheene in 1981.

Crutchlow dropped back to fourth at the start and then crashed on lap eight before returning at the back.—Reuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Soccer-mad West Africa tries out distance running

MONROVIA: Prince Weah had no experience with distance-running when he signed up on a whim for a 10-kilometer race in Monrovia four years ago. Like many West African boys, he grew up with dreams of soccer stardom, though he quickly set those aside after unexpectedly placing first in the running event.

Yesterday, 20-year-old Weah joined more than 1,000 other runners who took to the streets of this dilapidated seaside capital for the Liberia Marathon and 10kilometer race, cheered on by hundreds of spectators lining the streets and even a military brass band.

Star participant was President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Joined by US Ambassador Deborah Malac, Sirleaf donned jeans and sneakers and ran a short stretch of the 10-kilometer race, stopping early on when the course ran past her house. The 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner has previously said that “praying for the other runners” is a more effective use of her time than trying to reach the finish line.

In remarks to organizers two days before the marathon, Sirleaf described

the symbolic importance of the race for a country still recovering from a brutal 14year civil war in which 250,000 were killed. Liberia is celebrating 10 years of peace this month.

“Liberia, too, is in a marathon, a race of sustained peace,” she said. “With victory, you will reap the dividends that come from being a nation at peace with itself.

Our goal for Liberia is to get to the finish line, to be a winner.”

While Sirleaf alluded to the past, many runners were looking to a future when West Africa might emerge as a force in the distance-running world. The marathon event is one of a few to have sprung up in the region in the last few years. Like Liberia, Sierra Leone held its second marathon earlier this year, and Gabon will host its first in November.

East African countries Kenya and Ethiopia are the world’s undisputed marathon leaders, with their high-altitude training camps and their runners’ longstanding dominance of major races.

But on the other side of the continent, organizers and participants increasingly believe they can make distance-running

a West African sport.

“West Africans, we are talented,” Weah said. “We have the endurance to compete with the best in the world.” Holding a marathon in the region comes with its share of challenges, not least of which is the climate. Monrovia, often stiflingly hot, is also one of the world’s wettest cities, and parts of yesterday’s race took place under a heavy downpour.

The concept of long-distance running is also somewhat foreign. Mark Maughan, race director for the Sierra Leone Marathon, recalled spending the night before the 2012 race taping signs and distance markers on trees and billboards in the northern town of Makeni, where the race is held. By the time the race began the next day, however, many had been taken down, with some residents deeming them “bad luck” and others putting them to use as firewood.

Maughan expressed confidence these kinks could be worked out. “People in West Africa love their sport, so once they’ve established what the idea is, what the concept is all about, people over here get really excited about being

part of a large-scale event,” he said.

The differences between Liberia’s first marathon in 2011 and this year’s race show that distance running is viable in the region, said Liberia race director Robert Brinckman.

“There were a lot of people that ran in 2011 that didn’t really understand what a marathon was, that were in a little bit over their head and weren’t able to complete the race,” he said. This year, weekly training sessions have regularly drawn over 100 runners.

The race is registered by world athletics body the IAAF, allowing it to attract 10 elite runners from Ethiopia and Kenya, up from just two in 2011. Organizers also introduced electronic chip-timing technology this year to increase accuracy and combat cheating.

Liberians’ ownership of the race sets it apart from others in the region. The Sierra Leone marathon is run by the British charity Street Child, with a focus on bringing participants in from other countries. Gabon’s marathon is being billed as a weekend event intended to provide an international showcase for

the capital city, Libreville, and the country’s forests.

By contrast, more than 90 percent of yesterday’s race participants were Liberian. The winner of the race was 26year-old Nathan Naipei, who hails from Kenya’s famed Rift Valley - a hotbed for running talent - and finished in just under 2 hours, 34 minutes. The time was more than 20 minutes slower than his personal best, something he blamed on the weather and on the lack of top runners at the head of the pack. “There was no competition,” he said.

But Naipei said he was certain West Africa could produce a marathon champion “in two to three years.” For much of the race, he ran with, and fetched water for, the second-place finisher, a 22-year old from Sierra Leone named Idrissa Kargbo.

“I was pushing him. I can push that guy and make him the best guy here in West Africa,” Naipei said. “I’ll give him my email, he will mail me, and I’ll send him the program for how I’m training myself.

So when I come next year, I’ll see him very strong.” —AP

Cowboys down Bengals ARLINGTON: Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes and the Dallas Cowboys’ first-team offense finally got into the end zone, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 24-18 on Saturday night.

After completing 13 of 18 passes for 137 yards, with TD passes to Dez Bryant and Miles Austin for a 14-7 halftime lead, Romo was done for the Cowboys (2-2).

Cincinnati (2-1) got its first touchdown on Brandon Tate’s 75yard punt return. That came when Cowboys punter Chris Jones had to re-kick after hitting the large video boards hanging over the field.

Romo played five series, matching what the first-teamers had in the Cowboys’ last two preseason games, when they managed only a field goal and had two fumbles.

Ryan’s team since training camp opened. The seriousness of Sanchez’s injury was not immediately known, and Smith didn’t look ready for prime time.

BRONCOS 27, RAMS 26 In Denver, rookie linebacker Alec Ogletree ruined Ronnie Hillman’s night with a strip-and-score takeaway and kept Peyton Manning from turning all those passes into points with a big interception. Yet St. Louis lost. Ogletree ripped the ball from Hillman’s arms, scooped it up and trotted 13 yards for the score one week after Hillman’s fumble at the goal line was returned 106 yards for a touchdown in Seattle. Manning completed 25 of 34 passes for 234 yards in one half for Denver (2-1), but Ogletree’s pick-

quarter, leaving undrafted rookie Jeff Tuel as Buffalo’s only healthy quarterback. Tuel completed 10 of 17 passes for 63 yards.

COLTS 27, BROWNS 6 In Indianapolis, Andrew Luck threw two scoring passes, and Indianapolis’ defense did not allow a touchdown for the second straight week as the Colts beat Cleveland.

The Colts (2-1) scored on the opening series of both halves before Luck and most of the starters exited early in the third quarter.

Luck finished 16 of 25 for 164 yards with one interception.

Cleveland (2-1) managed only four first downs and lined up for only three plays in Indianapolis territory against Colts starters. Four

yard touchdown pass from Chase Daniel to Rico Richardson on the first possession of overtime.

CHARGERS 24, CARDINALS 7 In Glendale, Ryan Mathews rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown in a half of play and San Diego beat mistake-prone Arizona for its first preseason victory under new coach Mike McCoy. The Chargers (1-2) blocked a punt, blocked a field goal and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

The Cardinals (2-1) lost several players due to injury, including left guard Jonathan Cooper, the team’s first-round pick who broke his left leg and was helped off the field in the third quarter.

Arizona’s Rashard Mendenhall carried six times for 47 yards before leaving with an ankle injury. Philip Rivers completed 10 of 18 passes for 71 yards with an interception.

Arizona’s Carson Palmer was 12 of 23 for 122 yards and a TD. EAGLES 31, JAGUARS 24 In Jacksonville, Bryce Brown and Chris Polk ran for fourth-quarter touchdowns, and Philadelphia rallied to beat Jacksonville.

Nick Foles, who lost the starting job to Michael Vick earlier in the week, completed 10 of 11 passes for 112 yards in the second half for the Eagles (2-1). Vick completed 15 of 23 passes for 184 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. He found Riley Cooper for a 9-yard score in the second quarter. Vick’s best work came under pressure, when he kept several plays alive and scrambled for 53 yards.

Jacksonville’s Chad Henne, who lost the starting job to Blaine Gabbert earlier in the week but got the start because Gabbert has a broken thumb, completed 11 of 18 passes for 106 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.

The Jaguars are 0-3.

EAST RUTHERFORD: New York Jets tight end Kellen Winslow (81) leaps over New York Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas (24) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game. —AP Andy Dalton was 12 of 16 for 113 yards. Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green had three catches for 42 yards after missing the first two preseason games with a bruised left knee.

JETS 24, GIANTS 21 In East Rutherford, Billy Cundiff kicked a 32-yard field goal with 8:04 left in overtime to lift the Jets past the Giants. It’s the only time the rivals will play this year unless they qualify for the cold-weather Super Bowl here in February. The way the Jets (2-1) and Giants (1-2) played, it’s highly unlikely.

The Jets quarterback picture got even murkier, too, despite winning the annual bragging rights game.

Rookie Geno Smith struggled. Mark Sanchez seemingly hurt his right shoulder, and his status is suddenly in question two weeks before the season opener. The only guy who looked good was Matt Simms. The Jets’ quarterback situation has been the No. 1 question mark for Rex

off just before halftime set up Greg Zuerlein’s 58-yarder field goal that gave the Rams (0-3) a 20-10 lead at the break. Ogletree also had a halfdozen tackles and two pass breakups in his breakout preseason performance.

REDSKINS 30, BILLS 7 In Landover, Washington’s Rex Grossman threw for 171 yards, and Buffalo’s Kevin Kolb left with concussion-like symptoms in the Redskins’ victory.

Grossman got the start for the Redskins (3-0) because Robert Griffin III hasn’t been cleared for games following reconstructive knee surgery, and second-stringer Kirk Cousins has a sprained right foot. Grossman completed 11 of 21 passes with one touchdown. Kolb started for Buffalo (2-1) after firstround pick EJ Manuel hurt his left knee in the Bills’ previous game. But Kolb was kneed in the back of the helmet after a scramble in the first

days after being named the starter, quarterback Brandon Weeden went 12 of 25 for 105 yards. Trent Richardson ran seven times for 31 yards.

CHIEFS 26, STEELERS 20 In Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and Kansas City’s Alex Smith fought to a first-half draw and the Chiefs beat the Steelers in overtime.

Roethlisberger was 13 of 19 for 166 yards and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Dwyer as the Steelers (0-3) shook off two lethargic performances with easily their best 30 minutes of the preseason.

Smith struggled early but led Kansas City to a pair of scoring drives late in the first half and finished 17 of 24 for 158 yards and a touchdown. Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles ran seven times for 10 yards in his first game after spraining his right foot earlier this month.

Kansas City (1-2) won it on a 15-

BUCCANEERS 17, DOLPHINS 16 In Miami Gardens, Miami’s firstteam offense scored its only TD just before halftime on its 17th play inside the Tampa Bay 20, but the Buccaneers scored with 1:03 left in the game to win.

Miami’s starters netted 180 yards playing the entire first half, their most extensive outing in four exhibition games. Ryan Tannehill went 17 for 27 for 150 yards and a 4-yard score to Brandon Gibson with 10 seconds left in the half for a 13-10 lead.

The score could have been lopsided in the Dolphins’ favor, but Gibson and Brian Hartline dropped potential touchdown passes, and twice they settled for short field goals.

Miami fell to 1-3 with one exhibition game left. The Buccaneers improved to 1-2, but their first-team offense sputtered again.

TITANS 27, FALCONS 16 In Nashville, Jake Locker threw for 133 yards and a touchdown, and Tennessee sacked Matt Ryan five times. Locker got both his first TD and the first turnover this preseason for the Titans (1-2). The third-year quarterback also posted his best game yet as he completed 11 of 13 passes and finished with a 134.9 passer rating before leaving after a series in the third quarter.

Ryan had Tony Gonzalez back after the veteran tight end reported to the Falcons last week. But a Tennessee defense without four starters got to Ryan repeatedly, including three times on third downs. Julio Jones was thrown at eight times with Roddy White resting an injured ankle, and dropped a couple while also drawing an offensive pass interference penalty.

Jeremy Shelley hit three of four field goals for Atlanta (0-3). —AP

SPAIN: Team Saxo — Tinkoff’s Irish rider Nicolas Roche celebrates his victory at the end of the second day of the 68th edition of “La Vuelta” Tour of Spain. —AFP

Roche bags Tour of Spain stage MADRID: Ireland’s Nicolas Roche (Saxo) won the second stage of the Tour of Spain as he sprinted clear in the final few metres of the 177.7km ride from Pontevedra to Baiona yesterday.

Roche was followed home by Daniel Moreno (Katusha) and Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) in second and third respectively, but Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali did enough to move ahead in the overall classification as he finished just 14 seconds back.

“It is an incredible day for me,” Roche told TVE afterwards. “I have done a lot of work to be in good shape for this tour. “I hope to keep having a good performance. If I can get to Madrid in fourth, fifth or sixth (in the overall classification) it will be an incredible tour for me.”

Nibali meanwhile was happy to take the leader’s red jersey at such an early stage but is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead of him over the next three weeks if he is to win the tour for a second time. “I am in very good condition and happy to have this red jersey that I already had once before back in 2010.

“But the Tour of Spain is very long and hard so I have to keep going day by day.” The first four hours of the race had been dominated by a three way breakaway as Francisco Javier

Aramendia (Caja Rural), Gregory Henderson (Lotto-Belisol) and Alex Rasmussen (GarminSharp) built up a substantial lead over the peloton.

The trio’s advantage was as much as 13 minutes past the halfway mark before Lampre and Astana started to up the pace in the peloton and a strong headwind also began to hinder the leaders.

Aramendia, Henderson and Rasmussen were finally caught just before the 11km category one climb up the Alto do Monte da Groba to finish, but apart from a short lived attack from Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural) a large leading group remained together until the final two kilometres. Czech Konig Leopold (NetApp) was first to make a break, but Moreno and Roche responded quickly and it was the latter who was stronger in the final few hundred metres to take his first grand tour stage victory.

Spaniards Ernesto Valverde (Movistar) and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) had a better day after disappointing team time trials on Saturday as they finished just 12 seconds back to remain in contention. However, it was a disastrous stage for Sergio Henao (Sky) as he was dropped on the final climb and lost 2mins 41sec. —AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Emirates Team New Zealand (left) competes against Luna Rossa Challenge (right) during the seventh race of the Louis Vuitton Cup. —AFP

Kiwis outsail Luna Rossa SAN FRANCISCO: Emirates Team New Zealand outsailed Italy’s Luna Rossa Challenge on the Louis Vuitton Cup race course on Saturday, which put the Kiwis just one win away from a match up against Oracle Team USA in the finals of the 34th America’s Cup next month.

The victory gave heavily favored New Zealand a 6-1 lead over Italy in the best-of-13 challenger selection series. The champion will pit their 72foot America’s Cup catamaran against a boat and crew backed by American software mogul Larry Ellison, winner of the 2010 America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain.

As defender, Ellison chose to host the event inside San Francisco Bay on the fastest, most advanced sailboats ever designed, so the Cup would draw spectators. Races have normally been held too far out to sea for land-based viewing.

But the AC72s are fragile and dangerous, even when expertly sailed by the world’s top yachtsmen. One crew member died when Sweden’s challenger Artemis capsized in May. Strong winds, combined with an incoming tide, prompted race officials to postpone a second race scheduled for Saturday. Another two races are set for late yesterday, when the forecast predicts calmer conditions. Still, sailing fans believe another wind delay is a greater threat to New Zealand clinching the series this weekend than the Italian’s are.

Prada fashion tycoon Patrizio Bertelli’s Luna Rossa has won one of 11 races against government-bankrolled New Zealand in this year’s competition. The Italians crossed the finish line ahead only after a dead battery disabled the Kiwi’s AC72.

On Saturday, Luna Rossa trailed 1 minute and 58 seconds behind New Zealand in the 10.25-nautical-mile race in choppy wave conditions and winds that gusted up to 25 miles an hour.

With its powerful 13-story tall rigid wing sail, New Zealand’s hydrofoiling multihull reached a speed of 54 miles an hour as it lifted out of the water on its blade-like dagger board and rudders.

That is nine miles an hour faster than the automobile speed limit on the Golden Gate Bridge, the backdrop for the races. Italy’s yacht topped out at 50 miles an hour.

“You can’t help but get a buzz from it,” New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said of the unprecedented speed. “These boats are just unbelievably exciting.”

After losing a race on Friday, Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena and helmsman Chris Draper of Luna Rossa looked defeated. “There’s nothing we can do,” Sirena said. “They have more horsepower.”

Luna Rossa joined the competition late and, in an unusual bit of collaboration, bought the boat design from New Zealand. But the Kiwis built a second boat, which observers, including the Luna Rossa crew, see as superior. —Retuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Frankfurt, Augsburg pick up first points

LONDON: England’s captain Alastair Cook kisses a replica of the Ashes urn at the end of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval cricket ground. —AFP

Ashes finale ends in dramatic draw LONDON: England and Australia drew the fifth Test as the Ashes series ended in a dramatic draw on the final day at The Oval yesterday.

England, set a target of 227 to win after Australia captain Michael Clarke’s bold declaration, needed 21 more to win off 24 balls with five wickets left when the umpires decided the light, even with the floodlights on, was too dark to continue and ended the match at 7.35pm local time (1835GMT).

The draw meant England, who’d already retained the Ashes, finished the five-match contest as 3-0 winners having triumphed in three successive Test series against Australia for the first time since the 1950s.

Jonathan Trott (59) and Kevin Pietersen (62), who both scored their maiden Test hundreds in Ashes matches at The Oval in 2009 and 2005 respectively, kept England in sight of an improbable win, in a match where they had largely been outplayed, after Clarke closed Australia’s second innings at 111 for six. This result saw Australia fail to win a single Test in an Ashes series for the first time since their 3-0 loss in England in 1977 and meant they’d failed to win a Test for the ninth match in a row following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year.

England captain Alastair Cook responded to Clarke’s challenge by taking two fours in the first over of the chase off Ryan Harris. But Harris removed Joe Root for 11 when he flat-footedly edged an intended cut to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

It was a record-breaking catch for Haddin, with his 29th victim of this Ashes seeing him surpass the previous world record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a Test series of 28 set by Australia great Rodney Marsh against England in 1982/83.

England, whose run-rate on Friday had barely risen above two an over, scored 22 runs in two overs, 10 off spinner Nathan Lyon and 12 off debutant seamer James Faulkner, with Trott piercing the legside field for a couple of excellent boundaries.

But a second-wicket stand of 64 ended when Cook was lbw for 34 to left-armer

Faulkner, who’d taken four for 51 in England’s first innings 377.

Pietersen came in and clipped Faulkner through mid-wicket for four before driving him wide of mid-off for another boundary.

Suddenly England were eyeing a sensational win, with Pietersen pulling left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc for four.

But Pietersen’s brilliant 55-ball knock featuring 10 fours ended when he was well caught at long-on by David Warner off Ryan Harris. Trott followed soon afterwards when he was lbw to Faulkner.

But man-of-the-series Ian Bell, who came to the crease having amassed 545 runs during the series at 68.12 including three centuries, lofted Faulkner over midoff for four.

England got their target down to 36 off the last six overs, with the floodlights now on as fielders struggled to see the ball.

Bell, however, was run out for 17 by bowler Starc’s direct hit as he set off for a single in the last significant act of the match before umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena called a halt.

After Saturday’s fourth day had been washed out without a ball bowled, England resumed on 247 for four and needing 46 more to avoid the follow-on, with Bell 29 not out.

However, Bell’s hopes of becoming only the fourth batsman after Australia’s Don Bradman and England’s Herbert Sutcliffe and Walter Hammond to score four hundreds in an Ashes series ended when he was caught one-handed low down the legside by Haddin for 45 as Faulkner took his first Test wicket. England eventually finished 115 runs behind Australia’s first innings 492 for nine declared.

Australia, seeking quick runs, sent Shane Watson, man-of-the-match for his Test-best 176 in the first innings, back up to open alongside Warner instead of the more staid Chris Rogers.

But no batsman made more than Clarke’s 28 not out before he declared.

Fast-medium bowler Stuart Broad took four wickets for 43 runs in 10 overs. —AFP

LONDON: England’s Ian Bell dives to make his ground during play on the fifth day of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at The Oval cricket ground. —AFP

SCOREBOARD LONDON: Close scoreboard on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval yesterday: 7 Australia 1st Innings 492-9 dec (S Watson 176, S. Smith c Swann b Broad R. Harris b Broad 1 S Smith 138 no; J Anderson M. Starc not out 13 4-95) Extras (lb2) 2 England 1st Innings (overnight: 247-4) Total (6 wkts dec, 23 overs, 105 mins) 111 A. Cook c Haddin b Harris 25 Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Warner), 2-44 (Watson), 3J. Root c Watson b Lyon 68 50 (Haddin), 4-67 (Faulkner), 5-83 (Smith), 6-85 J. Trott lbw b Starc 40 (Harris) K. Pietersen c Watson b Starc 50 Did not bat: C Rogers, P Siddle, N Lyon I. Bell c Haddin b Faulkner 45 Bowling: Anderson 6-1-27-1; Broad 10-2-43-4; C. Woakes c Clarke b Harris 25 Swann 7-0-39-1; M. Prior c Starc b Faulkner 47 England 2nd Innings (target: 227) S. Broad b Starc 9 A. Cook lbw b Faulkner 34 G. Swann b Faulkner 34 J. Root c Haddin b Harris 11 J. Anderson c Haddin b Faulkner 4 J. Trott lbw b Faulkner 59 S. Kerrigan not out 1 K. Pietersen c Warner b Harris 62 Extras (b11, lb10, w5, nb3) 29 I. Bell run out (Starc) 17 Total (all out, 144.4 overs, 615 mins) 377 17 Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Cook), 2-118 (Root), 3-176 C. Woakes not out 0 (Trott), 4-217 (Pietersen), 5-269 (Woakes), 6-299 M. Prior not out 6 (Bell), 7-315 (Broad), 8-363 (Prior), 9-368 Extras (lb4, nb2) Total (5 wkts, 40 overs, 184 mins) 206 (Anderson), 10-377 (Swann) Bowling: Starc 33-5-92-3 (2nb, 2w); Harris 28-10- Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Root), 2-86 (Cook), 3-163 64-2 (1nb); Faulkner 19.4-3-51-4; Siddle 28-7-74- (Pietersen), 4-170 (Trott), 5-206 (Bell) Did not bat: S Broad, G Swann, J Anderson, S 0 (3w); Lyon 28-8-59-1; Smith 8-3-16-0 Kerrigan Australia 2nd Innings Bowling: Harris 5-0-21-2 (1nb); Starc 7-0-48-0 D. Warner c and b Anderson 12 (1nb); Siddle 3-0-16-0; Lyon S. Watson c Pietersen b Swann 26 10-0-44-0; Clarke 2-0-4-0; Faulkner 8-1-47-2; J. Faulkner c Prior b Broad 22 Watson 5-0-22-0.

B. Haddin c Prior b Broad 0 Result: Match drawn M. Clarke not out 28

BERLIN: Eintracht Frankfurt bounced back from losing their first two Bundesliga matches of the season with a 2-0 victory at Eintracht Braunschweig yesterday while Stuttgart slumped to another defeat.

Armin Veh’s Frankfurt shrugged off defeats to Hertha Berlin and defending champions Bayern Munich to beat promoted Braunschweig, who suffered their third straight defeat to go bottom of the table.

The visitors took the lead when Frankfurt captain Alexander Meier’s 52ndminute shot flew in off the shoulder of defender Ermin Bicakcic, while midfielder Stefan Aigner pounced on a mistake to add the second 10 minutes later.

Later, Turkish international Halil Altintop scored his first goal for Augsburg since joining from Trabzonspor in June, as the Bavarians picked up their first points in a 2-1 win at home to VfB Stuttgart.

Altintop fired home on six minutes before Augsburg defender Jan-Ingwer CallsenBracker headed a second on 36 minutes.

Bosnia striker Vedad Ibisevic then converted a Stuttgart penalty to make it 2-1 at the break. Stuttgart’s Guinea midfielder Ibrahima Traore was shown a harsh red card when he was sent off just six minutes after coming off the bench for an overzealous challenge on Augsburg defender Ronny Philp.

The decision left both the 25-year-old Traore and Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia incredulous and the player will miss at least the next league game against Hoffenheim on September 1.

The defeat left Stuttgart second from bottom, behind other big-names Schalke and Hamburg, while Augsburg and Frankfurt move up to mid-table.

Meanwhile European champions Bayern have learnt they will be without new signing Thiago Alcantara for up to seven weeks.

The 22-year-old, who cost 25 million euros ($33.45 million) from Barcelona in July, limped out of Bayern’s 2-0 win over Nuremberg on Saturday and a scan confirmed he needs an operation on torn ligaments in his right ankle today.

French winger Franck Ribery’s header on 69 minutes broke the deadlock against Nuremberg before Dutch star Arjen Robben netted the second for Pep Guardiola’s team, who earlier had a firsthalf penalty saved.

The win at Munich’s sold-out Allianz Arena marks the start of a busy seven-day period for Bayern, who are away to Freiburg in the league tomorrow, then travel to Prague for Friday’s showdown with Chelsea in the European Super Cup.

GERMANY: Braunschweig’s midfielder Karim Bellarabi (left) vies for the ball with Frankfurt’s Japanese midfielder Takashi Inui during the German First Division Bundesliga football match. —AFP

German League results/standings Eintracht Braunschweig 0 Eintracht Frankfurt 2 (Meier 52, Aigner 62); Augsburg 2 (Halil Altintop 6, CallsenBracker 36) VfB Stuttgart 1 (Ibisevic 42-pen).

Played Saturday Bayern Munich 2 (Ribery 69, Robben 78) Nuremberg 0; Bayer Leverkusen 4 (Kiessling 22-pen, Sam 28, 61, Castro 72) Borussia Moenchengladbach 2 (Stranzl 54, Arango 57); Hanover 96 2 (Huszti 15-pen, Diouf 42) Schalke 04 1 (Szalai 55); Hoffenheim 3 (Salihovic 10-pen, Volland 25, Strobl 77) Freiburg 3 (Sorg 13, Guede 29, Freis 65); Mainz 05 2 (Choupo-Moting 61, N Mueller 78) VfL Wolfsburg 0; Hertha Berlin 1 (Ramos 74) Hamburg 0.

German Bundesliga table after yesterday evening’s match (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Borussia Dortmund Bayer Leverkusen Bayern Munich Mainz Hertha Berlin Werder Bremen Hanover Hoffenheim VfL Wolfsburg

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1

0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0

0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Bayern set a new club record of 28 league matches without defeat to leave them third in the table behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who beat Werder Bremen 1-0 on Friday, and Bayer Leverkusen, who saw off Borussia

7 8 6 7 9 2 4 10 4

1 3 1 3 3 1 4 6 4

9 9 9 9 7 6 6 5 3

Borussia Eintracht Frankfurt Augsburg Nuremberg Freiburg Schalke Hamburg VfB Stuttgart Braunschweig

Moenchengladbach 4-2 on Saturday.

Schalke 04 suffered a confidencesapping defeat ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League play-off second-leg at Greece’s PAOK Salonica as they lost 21 at Hanover 96 and finished with nine

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 0

2 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3

6 3 2 4 5 4 4 3 1

7 7 6 6 8 9 9 6 5

3 3 3 2 1 1 1 0 0

men. The visitors had defender Benedikt Hoewedes sent off on 14 minutes for bringing down Hanover striker Mame Diouf with only the goalkeeper to beat, and Hungary midfielder Szabolcs Huszti drilled home the penalty. —AFP

Blatter: FIFA set to move 2022 WCup from summer ULRICHEN: FIFA President Sepp Blatter expects his executive committee to decide soon that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be switched from the searing heat of summer.

Blatter told The Associated Press yesterday that an Oct. 3-4 meeting in Zurich should approve the change, and begin consultation on the best time for Qatar to host the tournament.

“I would be very much surprised, more than surprised, if the ExCo will not accept the principle you cannot play in summer in Qatar,” Blatter said in an interview on the sidelines of the annual charity football tournament in his home village. “What will be following, this would be then decided later.”

Blatter said consultations would involve leagues, clubs, national associations and players, through their international union FIFPro but he set no timetable.

Qatar’s suitability in June and July was questioned even before FIFA’s board chose it in December 2010 in a contest with the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia However, Qatar’s World Cup organizing committee has repeatedly stated its confidence in developing stadium air-cooling technology, though the committee also said it will change plans if FIFA formally requested it.

FIFA and Blatter have gradually shifted their position from previously insisting that Qatar must ask for a change - a scenario interpreted as protecting FIFA against potential legal challenges.

Now, some of the same FIFA board members who helped choose Qatar - in a decisive 14-8 vote over the US - are set to change the tournament hosting plan.

“Those that have taken the decision at the time, they knew there is problems with the heat. They knew it, because it was in the (technical) report,” Blatter said.

“It was wrong to say, ‘Now we have to play in summer,’ because in summer you cannot play there.”

“Therefore the ExCo now shall take the decision and they will take it - that in summer you can’t play in Qatar.”

Blatter has previously suggested November as a possible start for the month-long tournament while recent speculation has focused on May. A JanuaryFebruary slot is unlikely because of a clash with the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Finding new dates could be led by the 27-member FIFA board in its duty to set the fixture schedule for international matches, when clubs must release their players to national teams.

“What will be the ongoing situation with such a decision, we have to look on the international calendar,” Blatter said. “We have to look if and how it is possible, when we don’t play in summer, when is the best time to play in winter?”

The calendar is currently set through 2018, and the next round of discussions would look to the 2019-2022 cycle of seasons. —AP

ITALY: Inter Milan Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin (left) vies for the ball with Genoa defender Thomas Manfredini during their Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium. —AP

Inter blank Genoa MILAN: Yuto Nagatomo and Rodrigo Palacio scored as Inter Milan ran out deserved 2-0 winners against Genoa yesterday to get Walter Mazzarri’s reign as coach off to a positive start. Japanese defender Nagatomo broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when he nodded home on the line and Palacio sealed the points in stoppage time after latching on to Fredy Guarin’s through ball. Inter, who endured a disastrous 2013 finishing ninth to miss out on European competition this term, had won only once in their last eight league games. And for long periods this was an uncomfortable first league game in charge of the Nerazzurri for Mazzarri, who was brought in to replace the sacked Andrea Stramaccioni having taken Napoli to a second-place finish.

There were few real goalscoring chances to speak of in a tight first half, with Inter coming closest when Andrea Ranocchia got his head to Ricardo Alvarez’s corner in the 12th minute but saw his effort sail wide. Mazzarri handed 20-year-old Argentine striker Mauro Icardi his league debut for the club when he replaced Zdravko Kuzmanovic early in the second half. Icardi was excellent for Sampdoria last season but, when it finally arrived, the opening goal came from a less likely source.

Japanese full-back Nagatomo was the scorer, nodding home on the line as both he and Palacio fought to convert Jonathan’s deep cross from the right with Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin stranded.

Inter almost doubled their lead when Icardi’s header from Alvarez’s deep cross came off the bar, but they sealed their first win of the season right at the end when Palacio crept behind the Genoa defence on the edge of the area to meet Guarin’s through ball to beat Perin at his far post.

On Saturday, Inter’s city neighbours AC Milan were beaten 2-1 at promoted Hellas Verona, with the veteran Luca Toni scoring twice for the hosts, while summer signing Carlos Tevez netted the only goal as champions Juventus won at Sampdoria.

Napoli, now coached by Rafael Benitez, were due to host Bologna later yesterday, while Lazio faced Udinese, Roma went to promoted Livorno and Fiorentina entertained Catania. —AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings) English Premier League Man United v Chelsea 22:00 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD Italian Calcio League Fiorentina v Catania 21:45 Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD Spanish League Granada v Real Madrid Aljazeera Sport +3 Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD

22:00

Roche bags Tour of Spain stage

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

18

Ashes finale ends in dramatic draw

19

Soccer-mad West Africa tries out distance running

Page 18

CARDIFF: Manchester City’s French midfielder Samir Nasri (right) vies with Cardiff City’s Icelandic midfielder Aron Gunnarsson (left) during the English Premier League football match. — AFP

New boys Cardiff stun City Cardiff 3

Man City 2

CARDIFF: Two goals from Fraizer Campbell gave promoted Cardiff City a memorable 32 win yesterday and left Manchester City nursing a first defeat of the Premier League season.

Although Edin Dzeko gave the visitors the lead with a rising strike from 25 yards, it was a day for the Bluebirds and their disbelieving fans thanks to Aron Gunnarsson’s equaliser and Campbell’s late brace.

It was the worst possible start for City on their travels, but a dream opening for Cardiff in front of a crowd of more than 27,000.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with both sets of supporters giving their

charges a boisterous welcome on a day that saw Cardiff playing a home game in the top flight for the first time in 51 years.

For Cardiff manager Malky Mackay, it could hardly have been a more testing examination, against a side whose season began with a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United last Monday. City coach Manuel Pellegrini was forced into one change from that game, with Javi Garcia coming into the back four alongside Joleon Lescott in the absence of injured captain Vincent Kompany.

Lescott found himself in the thick of the action inside 90 seconds when Campbell latched onto Craig Bellamy’s pass before slipping on the edge of the six-yard box.

Peter Whittingham then went close with a free-kick from distance, with Cardiff looking well equipped in the early stages.

Despite playing with only Campbell up front, they supported the former Manchester United striker in numbers and caused the visiting defence one or two concerns.

Cardiff worked tirelessly to close City down, withdrawing all 10 outfield players

behind the ball whenever the visitors crossed the half-way line.

Dzeko had one tame header comfortably saved by David Marshall after 30 minutes, but other than that, Cardiff rarely allowed the visitors an inch of space.

David Silva’s shot from distance, five minutes later, was their only attempt on target of the first half, but once again Marshall was well placed.

Four minutes before half-time, Campbell spurned a good opportunity to break the deadlock, with City goalkeeper Joe Hart rushing from his line to save following a poor back-header from Garcia.

Manchester City began the second half with greater purpose and in the 52nd minute, Dzeko produced a shot of supreme quality to break the deadlock.

Sergio Aguero cleverly flicked Yaya Toure’s pass into his path and Dzeko unleashed an unstoppable drive from outside the box.

Pellegrini introduced Samir Nasri shortly after Dzeko’s opener and, buoyed by the goal, City stepped on the gas and began to

ask searching questions of last season’s Championship winners.

However, within eight minutes of falling behind, Cardiff were level. Kim Bo-Kyung escaped down the right flank and crossed for Campbell, and although his shot was blocked at the near post by Hart, Gunnarsson followed up and beat the England goalkeeper from five yards.

City’s close-season signing Alvaro Negredo was sent on for the final 22 minutes of the game, with Dzeko giving way.

The home side continued to live dangerously by inviting City to attack them, with Silva shooting over and Steven Caulker blocking from Nasri, but it was Cardiff who struck next. Hart failed to claim Whittingham’s in-swinging right-wing corner and Campbell charged in to head home from barely two yards.

Three minutes from time, the same formula produced the same result, with Campbell heading past Hart from a Don Cowie corner, and although Negredo bagged a stoppagetime header, it was too little, too late. —AFP

Vettel wins Belgian GP BELGIUM: Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel stamped his authority on a processional Belgian Grand Prix yesterday to chalk up his fifth win in 11 races and stretch his overall lead to 46 points. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, now his closest rival, finished second - a distant 16.8 seconds behind the Red Bull driver - after starting ninth.

Vettel seized the lead from Mercedes’ pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton on the Kemmel straight after Eau Rouge and never looked back while threatened rain held off. The German now has 197 points to Alonso’s 151. “It was a fantastic race for us from start to finish really,” he said after his 31st career win.

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton, winner of the previous race in Hungary and on pole for the fourth race in a row, took third place for Mercedes ahead of team mate Nico Rosberg and moved up to third overall on 139. Kimi Raikkonen’s run of 27 successive races in the points came to an end with the first retirement since his comeback last year.

The Finn had started the day second in the championship but fell to fourth overall with 134 points after pulling into the pits and stopping with what looked like a brake problem.

The race, on one of the fastest and most challenging circuits on the calendar, was no thriller and the outcome proved a disappointment for those fans who had hoped to see Vettel slowed on his march to a fourth successive title.

“Today it was a little bit boring, we get second place but

no threat to Sebastian Vettel and had no threat from behind,” said Alonso, whose team’s home Italian Grand Prix is next up.

“It is an important weekend for us and the team and we arrived fully motivated and in Monza we would like to give some smiles to our fans.”

There were boos from the crowd mixed with the cheers as drivers stood on the podium after the race, although reports suggested that may have been directed at protesters trying to interrupt.

Greenpeace activists demonstrating against race sponsor Shell had unfurled a banner from the roof of the main grandstand, opposite the VIP area, before the race as teams readied their cars.

They then remained hanging from ropes, watching the action. “We are a bit confused here because the crowd are booing and cheering and I’m not sure why,” Vettel told the crowd after spraying the champagne.

The start was uneventful after last year’s mayhem, when Lotus’s Romain Grosjean took out Alonso and Hamilton at the first corner in an accident that brought the Frenchman a one race ban.

Hopes that Hamilton could hold off Vettel were shortlived. “He (Vettel) had the momentum and was able to go around Lewis and that was the decisive moment,” said Red Bull principal Christian Horner. — Reuters

BELGIUM: Red Bull Racing’s German driver Sebastian Vettel celebrates on the podium at the SpaFrancorchamps ciruit after winning the Belgium Formula One Grand Prix. — AFP

Soldado keeps Spurs buoyant without Bale LONDON: Roberto Soldado showed Tottenham 1 Tottenham Hotspur can thrive without Gareth Bale as the Spaniard’s penalty secured a 1-0 victory Swansea 0 over Swansea City yesterday.

Former Valencia striker Soldado, whose spot-kick heroics also gave Spurs an opening-day victory at Crystal Palace, took his tally to four goals in three games for his new club with a calmly converted second-half penalty at White Hart Lane after Andros Townsend had been fouled by Jonjo Shelvey.

With Wales winger Bale expected to join Real Madrid for a world record fee of around £85 million ($132.4m, 99 million euros) next week, Tottenham manager Andre VillasBoas can now turn his attention to strengthening his squad knowing his side have made an impressive beginning to the season. Tottenham’s 100 percent start to the Premier League campaign also provided some consolation for Villas-Boas after being beaten to the signature of Brazilian playmaker Willian by Chelsea earlier in the day.

Villas-Boas is likely to continue spending after an already busy summer and has been linked with a £40 million move for Zenit St Petersburg forward Hulk while also reportedly being interested in Steaua Bucharest defender Vlad Chiriches.

For Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, there was more frustration after his side’s second successive league defeat.

Bale is currently relaxing in Spain as Spurs and Madrid put the finishing touches to their transfer negotiations, but there was little sign his team are missing him at the moment.

Etienne Capoue came into the Tottenham midfield, slotting in alongside Paulinho in front of the back four while Moussa Dembele was entrusted with the second striker role behind Soldado.

And winger Townsend was rewarded for his goalscoring display in the midweek Europa League mauling of Dinamo Tiblisi with his first league start for the club.

That victory in Georgia had provided a welcome early season boost, but Swansea also came into this game having beaten Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti 5-1 in the same competition. — AFP

Business

Kuwait invests S5.28bn in water projects Page 22 California looks to seize loans to ease mortgages

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Page 23

Sudan earns $236m from South Sudan oil fees

Emerging market turmoil not another Asian currency crisis

Page 24

Page 25

ATHENS: Women read newspaper headlines in central Athens. A third aid package for Greece will be much smaller than the two preceding programmes, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in a newspaper interview on August 23. — AFP

G20 to endorse shadow banking package World leaders to put shadow banks on long leash LONDON: World leaders are expected to take a softly-softly approach to regulating the so-called shadow banking sector when they meet in Russia next month to avoid damaging the flow of finance to the global economy.

While governments have cracked down on risktaking by traditional banks in the wake of the financial crisis, the shadow banking sector, an assortment of financial intermediaries that handle $60 trillion of transactions a year - roughly the same size as the world economy - remains a source of systemic risk for taxpayers.

Such intermediaries, which include hedge funds, money market funds and structured investment vehicles, provide credit to the financial sector, but, unlike banks, have no access to central bank support or safeguards such as deposit insurance and debt guarantees.

They often rely on short-term funding sources, such as the repurchase or repo market, in which borrowers sell the lender a security as collateral and agree to buy it back later at a set time and price.

At their meeting on Sept. 5-6 the Group of 20 economies (G20) will endorse reforms but stop short of rushing through far-reaching changes because of the role shadow banking activities play in providing liquidity to the still fragile banking sector, according to people familiar with the G20’s work. Banks’ use of off-balance-sheet vehicles to repackage and sell on U.S. subprime mortgages kickstarted the financial crisis in 2007, but such shadow banking activity, known as securitisation, is viewed as key to helping wean banks off central bank money and fund themselves.

“There is a fuss about this because the crisis of 2008 was essentially a shadow banking crisis, as most of the lending in the United States and UK was financed through short-term repo,” said Alistair

Milne, professor of financial economics at Loughborough University.

“The shadow banking reform is more about not getting into trouble in the future, so they can take a bit more time,” added Milne, a former Bank of England and UK Treasury official.

Regulators pushed through a new regulatory regime for traditional banks - the Basel III framework, which forces them to hold more capital - in record time. There is growing appreciation at the G20 that unlike action on banks, which targeted the institutions themselves, reform of the more complex shadow banking world should be focused on activities.

“Just increasing capital won’t work in most cases because it’s not about entities, but mostly about markets, interlinked transactions and networks,” said Andres Portilla, director of regulatory affairs at the Institute of International Finance, a banking and insurance lobby in Washington.

Lobbying has already been intense on the sidelines. Hedge funds and large money market funds and securities lenders like BlackRock insist they did not play a central role in the crisis. They even object to the term shadow banking, which they consider pejorative, with BlackRock suggesting “market finance” as an alternative.

NO “HIT LIST” The G20 has drawn up a list of top global “systemic” banks and insurers who must hold more capital because their size and complexity could lead to market mayhem if they were to fail.

Regulators in Britain have already collected data on hedge funds and found so far that none is systemic. People familiar with the G20 work said the summit won’t pursue a “hit list” approach in shadow banking but likely endorse a broad supervisory

framework with optional tools to stop the sector undermining financial stability. Hedge funds and broker-dealers who become excessively leveraged using the repo markets will be a key target.

While top firms will be relieved they won’t be singled out, the G20 is likely to brush aside their opposition to a requirement for them to apply a minimum discount - or “haircut” - on the value of collateral they take to cover securities lending and repos. The aim of this first global rule is to ensure that the collateral taken provides a big enough safety cushion if market valuations plunge.

The International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) is opposed, saying it could disrupt trading, while BlackRock says mandatory haircuts would likely exacerbate market moves.

The G20 may tread carefully by leaving the door open to refinements through a public consultation and promises to gather more data on possible impact before finalising the new rule.

IIF’s Portilla said the proposal would reignite debate about possible shortages of collateral such as top quality bonds and cash due to the combined effect of all the G20’s new rules.

Separately, the European Union will publish a draft law on Sept. 4 to reform money market funds in the 28-country bloc based on work done by G20 regulators, following on from similar steps announced by the United States.

The EU is set to propose capital requirements on some types of money market funds, going further than the United States.

Both sides of the Atlantic have already approved tougher rules on securitisation activity, which remains moribund since the crisis, prompting the G20 to shift its focus to how such a key method for funding banks can be revived safely.— Reuters

Unfilled jobs spark heated debate in Italy ROME: A business owner has sparked a heated row in Italy over the paradox of record youth unemployment and thousands of unfilled vacancies, claiming that young Italians are too laid-back for the job market.

Plastics manufacturer Giovanni Pagotto has said he is only hiring immigrants and complained Italian applicants were not “hungry” enough, comparing this to his own humble beginnings working on the factory floor.

Pagotto, from the region near Venice, said one applicant wanted a three-month delay before starting the job to take a driving test, while another turned up to the interview with his mother for moral support.

His comments have caused widespread anger-from trade union leaders to the many young people who say their job searches are constantly frustrated-but some experts point out he might have a point.

The unemployment rate is over 12 percent and the proportion is much higher at 39.1 percent for active 15-24-year-olds who are not in school or university. But some sectors-from pizza makers to engineering, from craftsmen to sales-complain they are unable to find enough applicants to fill their many vacancies. “It is true that younger generations have excessively high

expectations about their professional future,” said Daniele Marini, director of the Nord Est Foundation, a social and economic think tank.

But he also said there should be “no generalisations” and pointed out that businesses were not offering enough apprenticeships and training, and that the education system was failing to prepare young people.

The debate is similar to the one unleashed last year when then prime minister Mario Monti was criticised for saying job-for-life contracts were “monotonous”. His labour minister Elsa Fornero added oil to the fire when she said young Italians were too “choosy”.

A study by Unioncamere, an association bringing together Italy’s chambers of commerce, found Italy is particularly lacking in economists, managers, engineers, mathematicians and sales people.

It said 12 percent of vacancies in these sectors are unfilled, as well as pointing to a lack of personnel in the catering business and cleaning work. Another report by the Studi Consulenti foundation said there were 150,000 jobs that were being “snubbed by Italians” including tailoring, baking and building.

A restaurant association earlier this year even com-

plained that the homeland of pizza is badly lacking in people who can prepare the dish-with some 6,000 vacancies going for “pizzaioli”.

Dario Di Vico, a columnist for the top-selling Corriere della Sera daily, said the figures highlight a “real paradox because the supply and demand of jobs are not aligning” in Italy.

But bloggers writing for the Il Fatto Quotidiano and Linkiesta websites said the reports were a type of “anticrisis” propaganda orchestrated by a political class lacking in solutions.

The government has set youth unemployment as its top priority and earlier this month parliament unblocked nearly 800 million euros ($1.1 billion) to increase job security, help start-ups and boost traineeships. But Labour Minister Enrico Giovannini this week admitted that a lot remains to be done and youth joblessness remains a “major challenge” in the eurozone’s third largest economy.

“Many young people are getting discouraged and are no longer looking for work. Only 17 percent of young Italians aged 15 to 24 are employed-compared to 30.2 percent in Europe,” Giovannini said. —AFP

Dubai makes biggest gain DUBAI: Dubai’s bourse yesterday posted its largest one-day gain in August as small-caps surged on buying by retail investors, while Egypt rose for a fourth straight session after curfew hours were reduced. The Dubai index jumped 1.8 percent to a new 57-month high of 2,748 points as the market traded 1.29 billion shares, the highest volume since June 2009.

Four small-caps hit their daily upward limits of 15 percent: Union Properties, Deyaar Development, Gulf Navigation and National Cement. “These stocks are being driven by retail traders - some of these names should be rerated upwards because of a massive discount but at the same time, you can’t compare them to blue-chip names in the real estate sector,” said Ali Adou, portfolio manager at The National Investor.

Union Properties rose for its sixth consecutive rise. Emirates NBD, which cut its stake in the developer from around 48 percent to about 31.4 percent in the first half of this year, has in the past two weeks cut it further to 25.1 percent, stock exchange data showed.

But its selling has attracted a large number of retail buyers while Ghobash Trading & Investment, a local firm, now owns more than 5 percent of Union Properties.

“ENBD inherited the exposure to UP through a debt-to-asset swap and it will have a one-off gain from the sale,” Adou said - partly explaining recent strength in ENBD shares.

Dubai’s index is up about 68 percent year-to-date but there is still no clear technical sign of a pull-back.

The index is long-term bullish after July’s decisive break above major resistance on the October 2009 peak of 2,409 points; that triggered a double bottom formed by the 2009 and 2010 lows which points up to around 3,300 points in the long run. Abu Dhabi’s measure climbed 0.3 percent to its highest closing level since September 2008.

In Egypt, Cairo’s benchmark rose 0.9 percent. Egyptians and other Arab investors were net buyers of stocks, while foreigners were net sellers, bourse data shows. Large-cap Orascom telecom climbed 1.4 percent.

The army-backed government shortened a night-time curfew by two hours on Saturday, ten days after imposing it during a crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood protesters in Cairo.

“Any political decision from the government is being reflected in the market - it’s gaining some confidence and momentum in response to the curfew being reduced,” said Mohamed Radwan, director of international sales at Pharos Securities in Cairo. However, many analysts doubt an extended market rally is possible without concrete progress towards easing the country’s political divisions. Until then, most foreign investors may stay away.

In Saudi Arabia, the measure fell 0.8 percent, extended declines from Wednesday’s near five-year high.

Investors booked gains in banking shares - the sector’s index slipped 0.5 percent - while the food and agriculture sector lost 1.6 percent.

Qatar’s index slipped 0.2 percent to 10,093 points, easing off Thursday’s near five-year high.

YESTERDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS DUBAI The index rose 1.8 percent to 2,748 points.

ABU DHABI The index gained 0.3 percent to 3,959 points.

QATAR The index slipped 0.3 percent to 10,079 points.

EGYPT The index gained 0.9 percent to 5,473 points.

SAUDI ARABIA The index slipped 0.8 percent to 8,130 points.

KUWAIT The index retreated 0.4 percent to 8,074 points.

OMAN The index advanced 0.2 percent to 6,915 points.

BAHRAIN The index declined 0.2 percent to 1,201 points. —Reuters

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Kuwait invests S5.28bn in water projects KUWAIT FINANCIAL CENTRE ‘MARKAZ’ REPORT KUWAIT: Kuwait Financial Centre “Markaz” recently published the executive summary of its report on Kuwait Water. In this report, Markaz examines and analyzes the current status of Kuwait water sector.

The report highlights the demand, supply and investment trends in the sector. The report also presents the Kuwait water projects scenario, market structure and tariffs and a SWOT analysis of the Kuwait water sector.

The total investment in Kuwait’s water sector between 2005 to 2014 stands at $5.28 billion. Of all water sector investments, water treatment plants saw highest investment at 3.4 billion USD. In 2010 many projects were undertaken and finished. The Construction of Sabiya Distillation Plants Projects Stage I & Stage II, Shuaiba North Distillation Plants and Shuwaikh Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant took place.

The Construction of Az-Zour North Distillation

Plant Project is a huge and much awaited project in Kuwait. The purpose of this project is to supply and erect 15 multi stages Flash Distillation Units each of 17 MIGPD capacity with Recarbonation Plant, in addition to one Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant having 25 MIGPD capacity i.e. having total capacity of 280 MIGPD for the plant.

Kuwait recorded the highest water consumption per capita per day and the value was 500 litres. In terms of its water withdrawal, Kuwait seems to be low at 374 m3 per year per capita, but the availability of renewable water resources stands at 7 m3 per year per capita, which is also very low compared to its GCC peers.

Potable water is mainly consumed by Muncipalities, as Potable water finds its use among residential places. Potable water consumption in 2011 stood at 128,236 MIG (Million Imperial Gallons). Muncipalities are mainly urban cities and

the urban population in Kuwait is increasing rapidly. With increasing population and changing usage trends the consumption of potable water is estimated to be 142,230 MIG in 2015. This value highlights the heat of demand for fresh water in near future.

Agriculture is also a major sector that withdraws substantial amount of water. Sulaibha farms are government owned farms, which are supplied with Brackish water. Brackish water is highly saline, which is not suitable for municipal consumption.

Brackish water consumed in 2011 stands at 19,265 MIG. Though the arable land in hectares has decreased from 12 to 11 from 2002 to 2008, the crop produce has been exhibiting increasing trend.

The crop production index, which is produced by keeping cultivated land area constant, has shown an increasing trend between 2008 and 2011. These all indicate the possibilities for an increase in with-

drawal of water by agriculture sector.

On supply side there is very little internal renewable water resources. The annual precipitation is very meager when compared to the prevailing demand. Desalination and Sewage treatment plants are the alternative sources of water. Total desalination capacity as of 2010 is around 423.1 MIGD (Million Imperial Gallons per day). Sewage treatment plants are taken care by Ministry of public works. Sulaibha facility is the only plant producing RO treated wastewater as of 2011.

MEW (Ministry of Electricity & Water) owns and operates all existing power and water production facilities, transmission networks and distribution systems in Kuwait and sells electricity and water.

Water tariffs are categorized based on type of consumer. It is just 0.02 Kuwait Dinar (KD) per 1000 gallons for Sulaiba farms and it is 0.85 KD for state facilities and companies.

In bustling Houston, it’s a case of ‘Build, baby, build!’

BANGKOK: A woman walks past boards advertising currency exchange rates in downtown Bangkok. The Thai Baht fell to a three-year low of 32 against the US dollar last week in line with a drop of regional currencies as economists are concerned that the US Federal Reserve will begin winding down its bond-buying scheme, which has helped fuel an investment splurge in Asia’s emerging markets. — AFP

Al Tijari announces Najma Account winners KUWAIT: Commercial Bank of Kuwait held the Al Najma Account Daily draw yesterday. The draw was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry represented by Mr. Abdulaziz Al Ashkanani.

The winners of the Najma Daily Draw are : • Wareth Ali Ghulam Mohammad • Alka Anand Rai Parti • Mohammad AbdulReda Jelani • Mubarak Hamad Al-Nimran • Rashed Ali Rafeeq The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announces the biggest daily draw in Kuwait with the launch of the new Najma account.

Customers of the bank can now enjoy a KD 7,000 daily prize which is the highest in the country and another 4 mega prizes during the year worth KD 100,000 each on different occasions: The National Day, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and on the 19th of June which is the date of the bank’s establishment.

With a minimum balance of KD 500,

KD 7000 KD 7000 KD 7000 KD 7000 KD 7000 customers will be eligible for the daily draw provided that the money is in the account one week prior to the daily draw or 2 months prior to the mega draw. In addition, for each KD 25 a customer can get one chance for winning instead of KD 50.

Commercial Bank of Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate all lucky winners and also extends appreciation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for their effective supervision of the draws which were conducted in an orderly and organized manner.

HOUSTON/NEW YORK: With Texas one of the few bright spots in the US economy, the skyline of swaggering Houston is where the action is as builders and global oil companies, from Phillips 66 to Exxon Mobil Corp, look past previous busts and spend billions on gleaming new buildings.

The US shale oil and gas revolution - which has already changed industries from railroads to pipelines and refineries - is helping drive the voracious appetite for office space needed for the expanding workforce in the world’s energy capital.

Demand is so hot that Houston is one of the few places where banks - including Wells Fargo & Co, which is seen as one of the more conservative big banks - will loan money for a new building without demanding developers first have a tenant.

“Houston is booming and bar none the strongest market in the United States of America,” said Joseph Sitt, chief executive of Thor Equities, which has two projects underway in Houston.

There are some 56 office buildings totaling at least 11 million square feet under construction in and around Houston, according to real estate services firm CBRE Group Inc. That is equivalent to 190 football fields.

In the forested suburbs, Exxon has what it calls “one of the largest commercial construction projects underway in North America.” The nearly 400-acre campus with 20 buildings will have enough room for 10,000 employees.

With crude now above $100 a barrel, money is flowing freely. And while the shale oil and gas transformation means North America may be energy independent by the end of this decade, economists are wary when people say this boom will be different. They counsel caution. “ The Texas oil and gas industry is not known for long periods of stability,” Karr Ingham, economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. “Nobody wants what happened (in past busts) to happen again.”

To be sure, the amount of space being built is still only a fraction of the 88.9 million square feet developers constructed in Houston from 1980 through 1986, a flurry that more than doubled the city’s office market, according to real estate research firm Reis Inc. The Texas economy grew 4.8 percent last year, the fastest pace among the big US states. New workers are pouring into Houston, which needs new offices for the 100,000 jobs it added last year. Houston is on track to add another 80,000 this year.

But over-exuberance about real estate and oil have afflicted Houston before. In the early 1980s developers built a 71-story green glass tower with a footprint shaped like a dollar sign. It took nearly two decades to recover from Houston’s big crash in the 1980s, which was brought on by a collapse in oil prices.

Vacancy rates soared to near 30 percent in 1983 from 9.8 percent two years prior, according to Reis.

The current building cycle is in large part propelled by burgeoning domestic production of oil and natural gas unlocked from shale formations through hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.

“If you are investing in Houston, you’re a believer in the energy sector long term, which we are,” said Russell Cooper, managing director of capital transactions at Shorenstein Properties LLC in San Francisco.

The firm in January bought a building of more than one million square feet in downtown Houston from Exxon for $48 million. It plans to put a new glass skin on the building and may connect it to the air-conditioned tunnel system downtown, where office workers eat and shop to escape torrential rains and steamy heat. Exxon has put two other buildings in Houston and one in Virginia up for sale, ahead of the move to its new campus.

Tower cranes dot the landscape of Houston’s so-called energy corridor, about 15 miles from downtown. The area, located on the western edge of the city, is experiencing rapid growth as companies build and expand.

There, refining company Phillips 66 is constructing a 14-acre campus with over a million square feet for its 1,800 employees.

Firms are loading their blueprints with plans for everything from basketball courts to childcare centers and fancy coffee shops to attract hard-to-find energy experts.

Near the Exxon campus, an entire masterplanned community called Springwoods Village with room for up to 5,000 houses and apartments is going up to accommodate new workers. While others construct facilities for employees, some companies are building space to push the frontiers of oil technology.

BP Plc is spending more than $100 million over the next five years to build a new threestory building that will house the huge supercomputing complex used to speed up BP’s search for oil and gas around the world.

“It made more sense to create a new home,” said Keith Gray, manager of BP’s High Performance Computing unit. “It became clear that a freestanding building was needed

to address growth needs.”

Other oil and gas companies with buildings under construction or in preliminary stages in Houston include BHP Billiton Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Royal Dutch Shell and Chevron Corp, which plans a 50-storey tower downtown.

One building which started on spec meaning banks loan money for construction even if a tenant isn’t lined up - is the 550,000square-foot Energy Center Three in west Houston.

Principal Real Estate Investors, part of Principal Financial Group, and developer Trammell Crow Co started the building with a loan of roughly $100 million from a Wells Fargo-led syndicate.

Within four months, oil company ConocoPhillips signed a lease for the entire building and half of Energy Center Four, which is not yet under construction, said Aaron Thielhorn, managing director of Trammell Crow’s Houston business unit.

Brian Stoffers, president of CBRE Capital Markets, said spec building in Houston in many ways makes it an outlier. “The dynamics of the Houston market are so robust right now that it’s the exception to the economic rule around the rest of the country,” he said.

Of the buildings under construction, 29 will be rentals that will not be owner-occupied. Of those, 13 broke ground without signed leases but six of those have since found tenants.

Vacancy rates in the most expensive, modern office buildings in Houston are tumbling.

Second-quarter vacancy slid to 6.9 percent from 12 percent in the same period two years ago, according to CBRE. The broader office vacancy rate is 14.2 percent versus a national average of 17 percent.

While access to shale deposits has diminished worries about supplies, much of the new demand for crude oil in recent years has been led by developing nations such as China and India. Big slowdowns in those developing economies could hit the price of crude and cool enthusiasm for building in Houston.

“If China and India have hit a plateau, then I think we have to ask where are the drivers for oil demand in the future,” said the University of Houston’s Robert Gilmer.

Chinese growth slowed to 7.5 percent in the second quarter - below the 8.9 percent average of the last six years. Apart from shale, crude oil prices generally need to stay above $65 per barrel to produce from the deepwater Gulf of Mexico or the oilsands in Canada for companies to make money. — Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

2.886 4.436 2.466 2.147 2.819 223.610 36.7078 3.655 6.426 8.917 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.937 78.244 739.640 756.340 77.551

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lier Morocco Dirham

41.950 40.655 1.329 174.790 402.130 1.910 3.094 34.629

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 284.650 Euro 383.850 Sterling Pound 446.470 Canadian dollar 273.830 Turkish lira 143.440 Swiss Franc 310.250 Australian Dollar 259.030 US Dollar Buying 283.450 GOLD 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

258.000 130.000 67.500

COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

SELL DRAFT 262.13 278.37 313.69 384.12 283.95 448.84 2.98 3.667 4.466 2.158 2.819 2.769 77.38 755.76 40.62 404.13 738.45 78.41 75.85

SELL CASH 263.000 282.000 311.000 384.000 287.400 443.000 3.000 3.800 5.150 2.700 3.600 2.920 78.000 759.500 41.100 416.200 746.400 79.000 76.300

Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

Selling Rate 284.400 271.640 444.385 381.000 309.255 752.955 77.410 78.065 76.705 400.910 40.655 2.144 4.485 2.740 3.656 6.420 697.645 3.880

Singapore Dollar Sri Lankan Rupee Thai Baht

0.2187059 0.0021063 0.0085433

0.2247059 0.0021483 0.0091433

0.7480832 0.0386386 0.0126425 0.1446254 0.0000791 0.0001837 0.3956266 1.0000000 0.0001744 0.0224253 0.0012076 0.7278199 0.0774761 0.0753200 0.0462492 0.0019382 0.1722778 0.0760179 0.0012831

0.7565832 0.0406536 0.0191425 0.1464154 0.0000796 0.0002437 0.4031266 1.0000000 0.0001944 0.0464253 0.0018426 0.7388190 0.0782591 0.0759600 0.0467992 0.0021582 0.1782778 0.0774679 0.0013831

Arab

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Scottish Pound Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar Uganda Shilling

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen

9.175 4.060 3.890 86.526

Canadian Dollar Colombian Peso US Dollars Bangladesh Taka Cape Vrde Escudo Chinese Yuan Eritrea-Nakfa Guinea Franc Hg Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Jamaican Dollars Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone

SELL CASH Europe 0.4358200 0.0065615 0.0469785 0.3756918 0.0434833 0.4337028 0.0398194 0.3041454

SELLDRAFT 0.4448200 0.0185615 0.0519785 0.3831918 0.0486833 0.4412028 0.0446194 0.3111454

Australasia 0.2469748 0.2144748 0.0001127

0.2589748 0.2244748 0.0001127

America 0.2639447 0.0001447 0.2823000

0.2729447 0.0001627 0.2844500

Asia 0.0036121 0.0031552 0.0454730 0.0164300 0.0000441 0.0341269 0.0043766 0.0000212 0.0028406 0.0028013 0.0031878 0.0813070 0.0026633 0.0027175 0.0059888 0.0000727

0.0036671 0.0033852 0.0504730 0.0195300 0.0000501 0.0372269 0.0044416 0.0000264 0.0038406 0.0029813 0.0034178 0.0813070 0.0028633 0.0027575 0.0064588 0.0000757

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Ethiopeanbirr Ghanaian Cedi Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Sudanese Pounds Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 284.100 382.900 444.600 272.750 4.435 40.650 2.144 3.651 6.425 2.745 756.500 77.400 75.900

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Cornwall ‘tin rush’ sparks war with British surfers ST AGNES: The dramatic coastline of Cornwall in southwest England is dotted with chimney stacks left over from its long-gone mining industry. But out to sea lies another legacy-thousands of tons of tin, waiting to be mined.

“There’s 22,000 tons of tin there,” said Mike Proudfoot, chief executive of the mining firm Marine Minerals, looking out over the stunning north Cornish coast and stretching a hand over the deep blue expanse of the Celtic Sea. Proudfoot’s company has applied for a licence that it could see it start extracting this lucrative resource in 2015 in a tenyear project. But the idea has not gone down well with Cornwall’s surfers, who say large-scale tin mining could spell wipeout for their huge waves.

Cornwall’s tourist industry, the biggest employer in this ruggedly beautiful region, has also raised fears that mining could damage the fragile marine environment and pollute its pristine beaches.

The huge tin reserves are the remains of mining waste dumped in rivers in the 18th and 19th century, when the industry was in full swing. Over the years, currents carried the scraps down to the sea and ground them down into tiny grains.

Tin is used to produce an enormous range of electronic goods, from mobile phones to tablet computers. The current

price of $21,000 per ton is less than the record $33,600 reached in April 2011, but still high by historic standards.

But surfers are worried that extracting the silt in large quantities will affect the local quality of the sport by eroding the sand banks that help give Cornwall its crashing waves.

“When we’ve seen a similar project along this stretch of coastline in the past, we’ve seen a really detrimental impact on the quality of surfing,” said Andy Cummins, campaign director of the environmental charity Surfers against Sewage.

Surfing brings around £64 million pounds ($99.6 million, 74.8 million euros) a year to the Cornish economy and provides 1,600 jobs, according to official figures. “ The whole of the north coast of Cornwall is massively important for tourism so anything that would damage the tourism industry has to be taken really seriously,” Tony Flux of the National Trust heritage body told AFP. This is not the first time Proudfoot, a South African who has lived in Cornwall since the 1970s, has attempted to cash in on the region’s tin. He made his first foray into the industry in the 1980s, but was foiled by a crash in the price of the metal.

This time around, he has moved to

CORNWALL: Mike Proudfoot, CEO of Marine Minerals Limited, holds one of his sea-bed test samples at the former Wheal Jane mine, near Truro in Cornwall, southwestern England on August 7, 2013. Proudfoot is attempting to begin extracting tin from sea bed deposits, left by former tin mining ventures on the northern Cornish coast. —AFP reassure opponents that a change in extraction method will leave most of the sediment in place and have a minimal effect on the environment.

“What we used in the 1980s is called

dredging. But now, we’re not dredging, we’re mining,” Proudfoot told AFP. Under the new method, the sediment is sucked up by machines and filtered on a boat out at sea, he said. Just five percent

California looks to seize loans to ease mortgages Banks argue plan would ‘disrupt US mortgage industry’ SAN FRANCISCO: When the mayor of Richmond, California, and a gaggle of activists and homeowners showed up at the Wells Fargo Bank headquarters in downtown San Francisco this month, they were on a mission to speak with the bank’s chief executive.

They wanted the bank to drop a lawsuit aimed at stopping Richmond’s first-in-thenation plan to use the government’s constitutional power of eminent domain to “seize” hundreds of mortgages from Wells Fargo and other financial institutions.

As Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and the plan’s backers approached the bank building, security guards locked the doors. After a bank official told her there would be no meeting then and that someone would call her later, she grabbed a bullhorn.

“I am absolutely not backing down,” McLaughlin said, as curious tourists and lunching office workers milled about. Wells Fargo, three other banks and even the Federal Housing Finance Agency think otherwise.

The banks have filed two lawsuits alleging that the plan is an illegal abuse of eminent domain, which allows governments to seize private property for public use - like a house in the path of a new highway or a piece of land needed for a new park.

The banks argue the plan would “severely disrupt the United States mortgage industry” because many other cities would likely adopt the same program to help homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their houses are worth.

So far, Richmond has sent out more than 600 offers, but has not yet begun any eminent domain proceedings. Newark, N.J., North Las Vegas, Nev., El Monte, Calif., and Seattle are considering similar plans, according to Wells Fargo’s lawsuit.

While the housing industry is recovering slowly, Richmond, a city of roughly 100,000

people, is in the middle of a housing crisis, as plummeting home values and rising crime has left many worried that an era of urban blight is upon them.

McLaughlin said cities are considering the program because they are desperate.

Nearly half the mortgages in Richmond, for example, are “underwater,” the owner owes more than the house is worth.

something.” Richmond, working with San Francisco-based Mortgage Resolution Partners, offers $150,000 to buy a $300,000 bank loan on a house that is now worth $200,000 and is in danger of foreclosure.

If the bank agrees, the city and the company then obtain the loan at $150,000.

Richmond and the company then offer the homeowner

SILVER SPRING: A sale sign is seen posted in front of a house in Silver Spring, Maryland, in this March 28, 2013 file photo. Sales of new homes in the United States fell in July and June’s strong data was revised much lower, the Commerce Department said. —AFP The plan is the brainchild of Cornell University law school professor Robert Hockett and here’s how it works: “The fact of the matter is that underwater loans do default at massive rates,” Hockett said.

“Underwater loans are a major drag on the economic recovery. We have got to do

High oil price, boosting rival supplies, hurts Iran DUBAI: Iran’s oil exports are being hurt by current high prices that make it more economical for rivals like the United States to produce more costly oil, Iran’s new energy minister said in an interview published by his ministry’s website on Saturday.

A week into the job, returning oil minister Bijan Zanganeh, who previously filled the post under the reformist president Mohammad Khatami, told oil ministry news service Shana that current prices of over $106 a barrel were a worry.

His comments represent a shift in stance from those of Iran’s previous oil minister who repeatedly said he wanted oil prices to remain above $100 and played down the impact of sanctions on exports. “The crude price increase to this level represents both opportunity and threat... It is an opportunity for us to increase our revenues (but) high oil prices also represent a threat for our country, because our rivals can produce oil at high price and supply it on the market,” Zanganeh said.

Benchmark Brent crude oil prices have largely remained above $100 per barrel since early 2011, spurring a surge in production of relatively costly shale oil in North America.

That has helped swell global oil supplies, enabling Washington to tighten restrictions on Iranian oil exports without causing a price spike that might threaten global growth.

“Today, the U.S. is investing mainly in shale gas and shale oil production...with these prices, shale gas and shale oil production will be economical for them,” Zanganeh said, adding he did not expect any drastic change in oil prices in the third quarter of 2013.

He said that he was optimistic that the new Iranian government, which has adopted a more conciliatory stance in its nuclear standoff with Western powers, could revive oil exports.

“Given the present circumstances, we are facing myriad challenges to exports, but we have to try our best to increase oil exports,” he told Shana. “Despite challenges we are facing ahead, Iran’s oil exports will increase in the near future.”

Even with oil hovering above $100, Tehran has found it impossible to balance its budget as export volumes have plunged. The U.S. government estimates that Iran’s oil revenues fell from $95 billion in 2011 to $69 billion in 2012.

Iranian oil output fell by 678,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2012, according to statistics from BP, as Western pressure intensified on Asian buyers of Iranian oil. By contrast, U.S. oil output increased by over 1 million bpd over the same period. —Reuters

a new loan of $190,000, which, if accepted, lowers the monthly payments and improves the owners’ chances of staying. In such transactions, the company receives $4,500 for each completed sale and splits any additional profits with the city.

If the bank refuses to sell the loan to

Richmond, then the city invokes its power of imminent domain and seizes the mortgage. It would then offer the bank a fair market value for the home.

Mortgage Resolution Partners, the company partnering with the city, puts up the money and had promised to pay all Richmond’s legal costs. City officials have not said how many homes they hope to refinance through eminent domain.

McLaughlin is a Green Party candidate who beat back opposition from the city’s police and fire unions to win a second term in 2010.

She said she fears homeowners will begin to abandon their homes, leading to blighted neighborhoods and the draining of public coffers to the point of municipal bankruptcy experienced by Stockton, Calif., and Detroit. “ The city is stepping in where Wall Street and where the federal government have been unable or unwilling to do so,” she said.

Federal regulators said eminent domain isn’t the answer. The Federal Housing Finance Agency said plans to seize loans “present a clear threat to the safe and sound operations Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks.”

Tim Cameron, a Washington, D.C., lobbyist with the Securities Industr y and Financial Markets Association, said there is more at play than a single person’s underwater loan. Cameron said pension funds, banks and other groups that made loans in Richmond stand to lose millions of dollars if the city is allowed to use eminent domain to force lenders into accepting less than the original terms of the loan.

He also predicted that cities using eminent domain will make lenders wary of doing business there.

“There’s a domino effect in play here,” he said. —AP

US economy needs support

W

hen the US Federal Reserve started the Quantitative Easing policy few years ago its ecocomony and the global one was in terrible state and the risk of a global recession was very imminent.

The successful policy saved the US economy and with it the rest of the world. The policy resulted in a weaker US$ against most currencies and with it a big fall in short and long term interest rates around the world.

At the time the FederalReserve was accused of deliberately weakening the US$ to encourage exports. The QE policies lead to sustainable US economic recovery and helped some economies that depend on exports to benefit from it. Those economies did not take the initiatives required to benefit from strong currencies and falling interest rates to come up with measures to stimulate their domesticeconomies hence creating some buffer to rely on.

Economies like India, China, Russia, Brazil i.e. the BRIC countries

and some merging economies also some Euro zone countries, we can say most of the countries around the world just relaxed and enjoyed the strong currency and falling interest rates hoping that some miracle will follow. Now, they all are paying the price of not being opportunistic and doing something to create a sustainable economic growth. India’s economy is in a dire state and it looks as if it is about to melt down. The introduction of limits on foreigncurrency transfer has not stopped the Indian currency to hit record lows against the US$. Economicgrowths around the world have been downgraded cross the board.

My big concern is what will happen to those economies once the Federal Reserve start tightening its monetary policy. Long term US interest rates has been going up for a while and with it dragged most of other rates around the world. May be the US economy needs tighter rates or may be not but what about the other weaker economies around the world! Can they survive higher interest rates at a time when economic activities are weak? This applies to the Euro zone too and it may get affected more than the others. Is it premature for the Federal Reserve to cut down on its monthly purchase of US bonds?

A few Federal Reserve officials thought last month it would soon be time to slow the pace of their bond buying “somewhat” but others counselled patience, according to meeting minutes that offered little

hint on when the US central bank might reduce its purchases. The minutes of the Fed’s July 30-31 meeting, released on Wednesday, showed that almost all of the 12 members of the policy-making Federal Open Market Committee agreed changing the stimulus was not yet appropriate.

I wonder how much weight the committee members give to the US economy and the rest of the world.

We all know that the US does what is good for its economy but surely they cant ignore the fact the global economy is very fragile and if its actions result in a global recession then they suffer too and their problem even will get much bigger. I agree with those memberswho emphasized the importance of being patient and evaluating additional information on the economy before deciding on any changes to the pace of asset purchases.

The Fed, which has taken unprecedented steps to help the slow US economic recovery, wants to see sustainable economic growth and improvement in the labour market before it winds down the bond buying. I think the key decision for Ben Bernanke is to make sure that he gets remembered as the FederalResave Chairman that saved the US economy from a great depression and with it saved the world rather than being accused of killing a fragile US economy.

Hayder Tawfik - Executive Vice President of Asset Management, at Dimah Capital- HT@dimah.com.kw

would be taken to a factory for processing with the rest put immediately back into the water.

But some surfers have cast doubt on Marine Minerals’ attempts to allay their concerns. “I think the company is perhaps pulling the wool over people’s eyes, saying they have a new method,” said 22year-old Matt Arnold, a surfer who has just graduated with a degree in mining engineering.

“It’s going to be a variation of an old method,” he told AFP as he took a break from the waves at Porthtowan, a favourite beach for surfers.

As with other heavy metals, tin mining carries a risk of chemical pollution, and environmental campaigners are seeking guarantees that the company will protect the water quality if the plans go ahead.

Marine Minerals insists that early samples reveal only ver y low levels of arsenic.

“In our samples, arsenic is not more that one part in a million. It’s very low.

And there’s no mercury,” Proudfoot said.

“What we always say is we will not go forward if this project is not socially and environmentally acceptable.” His company is spending £500,000 on a study on the environmental impact, he added. —AFP

Burgan Bank announces names of Yawmi winners KUWAIT: Burgan Bank announced yesterday the names of the five lucky winners of its Yawmi account draw, each taking home a prize of KD 5,000.

The lucky winners for the daily draws took home a cash-prize of KD 5000 each, and they are: 1. Rasheed Suwayed Farraj Alsaeedi 2. Joseph Kanaan Kanaan 3. Hamad Ghazi Mohammad Almatar 4. Ahmed Mohammad Saleh Sirag 5. Mohammad Abdullah Ali Alwazzan With its new and enhanced features, the Yawmi Account has become more convenient, easier, and faster for customers to benefit from. Now, customers will be eligible to enter the draw after 48 hours only from opening the account. Customers are also required to deposit KD 100 or equivalent only to enter the daily draw, and the coupon value to enter the draw stands at KD 10.

The newly designed Yawmi account has been launched to provide a highly innovative offering along with a higher frequency and incentive of winning for everyone. Today, the Yawmi account is a well understood product, where its popularity can be seen from the number of increasing account holders.

Burgan Bank encourages everyone to open a Yawmi account and/or increase their deposit to maximize their chances to becoming a daily winner.

The more customers deposit, the higher the chances they receive of winning the draw.

Opening a Yawmi account is simple, customers are urged to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch and receive all the details, or simply call the bank’s Call Center.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Australia’s mining boom rolls on for Chinese entrepreneur SYDNEY: Former Chinese commodities trader Jerry Ren, who is quietly building a mining empire in the Australian outback, scoffs at talk the resources boom is over.

For him its just moved north.

As some mining firms clock up billions of dollars in losses, Ren has secured millions of acres of exploration rights in Australia’s most remote regions that could soon make him a billionaire, helped by his connections in the world’s biggest consumer of minerals China.

Ren, now an Australian resident, has already been dubbed the “$900-milliondollar-man” for his estimated net worth.

“There’s still plenty of money and opportunity in Australia if you know where to look,” says Ren, the son of a steel mill engineer who grew up in the shadow of the Great Leap Forward, Mao Zedong’s disastrous attempt to modernise China’s economy.

Ren’s privately held Australian Oil & Gas company holds a 75 percent stake in

exploration rights covering 70 million acres, 25 percent of Australia’s Northern Territory, or an area larger than Afghanistan. Under-exploited by heavy hitters like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto as Australia’s last boom took shape further south in established iron ore and coal fields, Ren has had a near-free run to stake his claims in the Territory.

Ren’s licence holdings stretch from the oil rich seas off the tropical city of Darwin, south through the moonscaped Tanami Desert, one of the last unexplored parts of Australia, to the isolated outback town of Alice Springs. And Ren’s established mining operations in the Territory are already reaping handsome rewards.

Using links to China’s industrial sectors, Ren has secured deals to ship freighters loaded with iron ore, ilmenite and other minerals to China, mostly via the Territory’s little used port of Darwin, the closest Australian city to Asia.

One of his companies this month will

start exporting ilmenite to China for manufacturing lightweight alloy for aircraft parts and paint pigments. Two others are getting ready to mine iron ore. Another already supplies aluminium foil containers for food packaging.

“Make no mistake, China’s economy is still growing and they are still in the market for Australian minerals. This talk of the end is foolish,” says Ren, who regularly leads delegations to China to drum up new investment opportunities.

Ren was born Xiao Feng Ren in the city of Benxi in China’s northeastern rust belt province of Liaoning, where he attended university. He later worked for the China Metallurgical Import and Export Corp and learned about minerals.

The state-owned entity eventually split into two divisions: Sinosteel and the Metallurgical Construction Corp of China.

Ren quit in 1989, just as China opened its economy to outsiders. Before leaving China, Ren traded “specialty” metals like

tungsten, molybdenum and ilmenite.

After several years in Europe and the United States, where he worked as a steel consultant, Ren in 2006 settled in the Northern Territory, convinced of its mining potential. Like Australia’s 20th Century mining legend, the late Lang Hancock, Ren quickly pegged hundreds of thousand of acres of outback land for exploration. Hancock is credited with the 1952 discovery of plentiful iron ore deposits in the state of Western Australia, which few believed existed. The Hancock family held on to the mineral rights making Lang’s only child, Gina Rinehart, one of the world’s richest individuals.

But Ren hardly fits the gruff, weathered image of an outback prospector. He is an urbane, fit-looking 50-year-old comfortable in a suit and the upper class suburbs of Sydney. Two years ago he paid A$11.5 million for a four-storey Sydney mansion and sends his sons to a private academy in Switzerland. Ren regularly joins busi-

ness delegations to China to champion the Territory.

In June, as part of a government and business delegation, Ren negotiated a deal with Chinese heavy machinery giant XCMG Construction Machinery Co Ltd to construct a A$60 million assembly and distribution plant in the Territory.

Territory Deputy Chief Minister David Tollner said the agreement would open the door for more Chinese investment.

“This is a big win for Territory business and an enormous opportunity to position Darwin as a strategic trading and distribution hub,” said Tollner who witnessed the deal being signed. The Canada-based Fraser Institute, which measures the attractiveness and ease of mining, ranks the Northern Territory as one of the best areas in Australia to invest. Ren is convinced the Territory is rich in reserves but concedes a lack of infrastructure and land rights issues with Aborigines makes exploiting them tough.— Reuters

Malaysia’s economy sees a slight uptick KCIC Weekly Analysis on Asia KUWAIT: Malaysia’s economy managed to eke out a pick-up in Q2, albeit at a slower than expected pace, as strong consumption and investment levels offset ongoing losses in the export sector. Malaysia’s economy grew from 4.1% year-on-year in Q1 to 4.3% in Q2, lower than the projected 4.9%. The flailing export sector, which makes up a bulk of the economy, continues to weigh down on growth due to falling commodity prices and lackluster external demand. In April, the nation’s trade surplus slipped to its lowest level since the Asian financial crisis in 1997, heightening risks of a potential trade deficit - it would be the nation’s first trade deficit in a whopping 16 years. The deteriorating trade balance has in turn exacerbated the country’s current account deficit, prompting a large outflow in capital as investors have become increasingly cautious. In Q1 the current account surplus was almost half of that of the preceding quarter. However, consumption and investment have held strong: domestic demand rose following the increase in government spending ahead of the tightly contested national elections in May and on robust consumer confidence. The government granted double increments and bonus payments to civil servants as well as cash handouts before the general elections. It also implemented a minimum wage for the private sector in early 2013. Investment levels have remained resilient largely due to the ongoing projects under the Economic Transformation Program (ETP). The ETP was instigated back in September of 2010 in a bid to shift the country to a developed nation status by 2020. But will consumption and investment growth remain strong enough to continue to offset the dwindling export sector?

What does the indicator tell us?

Real gross domestic product (GDP) is a measure of the economic output or of the size of the economy - adjusted for inflation or deflation. It is the sum of the values of all final goods and services produced by that country or region over a given time period. The values depend on the quantities (volume) of the goods produced and their prices. Real GDP is a measure that holds prices constant by using a given year’s value (the base date) for all items and services. Then these values are used to calculate GDP for years prior to the base year and subsequent years. The graph illustrates the expenditure breakdown of GDP,

which consists of private consumption, government expenditure, fixed capital investments, exports and imports.

What are the economic and financial implications?

Exports are expected to continue to put on a lackluster performance, as weaknesses in the global economy persist, leading to a further deterioration in the trade balance. Thus, any significant improvement on the current account balance is unlikely to materialize any time soon. Subsequently, this may put more downward pressure on an already depreciating currency. The country’s local currency, the ringgit, is among the worst hit currencies in Asia due to massive capital outflows that are prompted by fears that the US Fed will curtail its stimulus program earlier than expected.

As a result, there are looming risks that Malaysia may follow the same painful fate as India and Indonesia, and succumb to a high current account deficit, falling investor confidence and a depreciating currency. Investors have also become increasingly worried about the lack of reform to lower the swelling fiscal deficit. Towards the end of July, the ratings agency Fitch reduced its outlook on Malaysia’s sovereign debt to negative due to concerns over its large fiscal deficit and a poor outlook on any significant potential reforms.

However, whilst the external sector may continue to be a drag on growth, consumption and investment growth should help support growth. Consumption is set to remain rather robust, especially as the minimum wage affect continues to kick in and investment levels should stay buoyant due to the ongoing ETP projects, which are attracting foreign direct investment.

The ETP aims to attract S$444 billion in investments by 2020 and create 3.3 million new jobs as a result. If the ETP successfully exploits Malaysia’s competitive advantages such as its skilled labour force, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and its abundance in natural resources, then investment levels will stay high in the long-term, which in turn should help propel consumption through the creation of more jobs. Among the key sectors that the investments will be targeted at include the electronics and electrical sector, healthcare and communications and infrastructure. We think that robust consumption and investment levels will help secure a full year growth rate of above 4.5%.

Sudan earns $236m from South Sudan oil fees KHARTOUM: Sudan earned more than $230 million in fees for the export of South Sudanese oil this year, official media reported on Sunday, days before a Khartoum deadline to shut the pipelines. “The government of South Sudan sent the fees for oil transportation to the Sudan Central Bank,” the official SUNA news agency quoted the bank’s assistant governor, Azhari alTayeb al-Faki, as saying.

The documented amount is $236 million, SUNA said. That figure covers fees for transporting South Sudanese oil to the Port Sudan export terminal, as well as a package to compensate Khartoum for the loss of oil when South Sudan separated, SUNA said. The South became independent two years ago. It split with about 75 percent of united Sudan’s oil production, leaving the country without its major source of export earnings. Inflation soared and the Sudanese pound plummeted in value on the black market.

Oil refineries and export pipelines stayed under Sudan’s jurisdiction but the two sides could not agree on how much the South should pay for using that infrastructure. South Sudan’s govern-

ment in Juba halted oil production early last year, accusing Khartoum of theft, but pumping resumed in April after relations between the two sides appeared to be improving.

In June, Sudan accused the South of backing rebels on Sudanese soil and abruptly told oil companies they had 60 days to stop transporting the crude. The deadline has been extended twice and is now set for September 6 while oil continues moving through the pipelines for export. The extensions came in response to an appeal from the African Union which asked for more time to investigate allegations-by both Sudan and South Sudan-that they are supporting rebels operating in each other’s territory.

Regional nations also began to address another point of contention between Sudan and South Sudan, determining the centreline of a demilitarised buffer zone along the disputed border. On Friday, the United Nations Security Council urged Khartoum to suspend any actions to halt the oil flow and said the two countries should “maintain dialogue” to ensure the oil keeps moving.—AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Tapering ‘might be needed soon’ NBK WEEKLY MONEY MARKETS REPORT KUWAIT: The main event took place on Wednesday, where the Federal Reserve Bank released their meeting minutes from their July meeting. Pushing the US dollar higher against most major counterparts, the minutes of the FOMC meeting stated that some members of the Federal Reserve policy makers agreed that a change in the purchase program “might be needed soon”, although others have emphasized the “importance of being patient”. The minutes mentioned that “a number of participants” stated that market expectations for the path of monetary policy, encompassing the asset purchase program and the expected path of the federal funds rate, “appeared well aligned with their own expectations”. Furthermore, “almost all participants confirmed that they were broadly comfortable” with the characterization of the outlook for monetary policy. Building up on Bernanke’s statement in the previous meeting, the committee is sitting tight until they had a better read on the economy. If improvements in the economy continue, reductions in the pace of purchases might begin sometime later this year, and conclude around the mid-2014.

On to the FX market, the Euro started the week on a positive note, opening at 1.3326, after Germany’s Bundesbank said the European Central Bank’s pledge

to keep borrowing costs low doesn’t rule out higher interest rates to curb inflation. The single currency continued to rise to the weeks’ high of 1.3452, supported by a slide in Asian stocks and currencies forcing investors to repatriate assets from emerging markets. The Euro erased its gains following the minutes by the FOMC, to a low of 1.3298 against a stronger US Dollar. The single currency recouped some of its losses, as stops were triggered.

The currency closed the week at 1.3379. Cable opened the week at 1.5629, in line with the Euro.

The Pound rose against a weaker US Dollar, to a high of 1.5718. The Sterling Pound then dropped dramatically, reversing its gains, as technical level were reached, triggering a sell-off, to push the Pound to a low of 1.5563. A stronger US dollar, following the Federal Reserve meeting minutes, aided the drop on Thursday.

The British Pound then rallied on Friday, after the country’s second quarter GDP exceeded estimates, to hike the GBP/USD pair to 1.5638. Cable closed the week at 1.5569. The JPY opened the week at 97.53, strengthening against a weaker US Dollar at the beginning of the week. The Japanese Yen rose against the US Dollar as a slide in Asian and European stocks fueled demand for the relative safety of the Japanese currency. The Japanese Yen dropped to a low of 96.91 per US Dollar.

The Japanese Yen then weakened against the greenback, after the FOMC showed that officials were “broadly comfortable” with a plan to start reducing bond buying later this year if the economy improves. The Japanese Yen closed the week at 98.76. The Swiss Franc strengthened against a weakening US Dollar on at the start of the week, as investors seek the safety of the currency following a drop in Asian stock, and uncertainty from the Federal Reserve minutes outcome. The CHF opened the week at 0.9265,

strengthening to a low of 0.9147 against the USD. The Swiss Franc then weakened, in tandem with the JPY, as the US Dollar surges against most majors, touching a high of 0.9290. The Swiss Franc closed the week at 0.9220.

Existing home sales rise Sales of previously owned American houses climbed more than forecasted last month as American buyers quickly completed their mortgage transac-

tions before they rise any further.

Purchases of existing houses increased by 6.5% to 5.39 million homes. The figure exceeded the forecasted 5.15 million, and much higher than the previous months’ revised figure of 5.06 million. Sales were at the strongest level since a government tax credit temporarily boosted demand in November 2009, the second strongest demand since March 2007.

New home sales plummet The US new home sales

plunged in July by the most in more than 3-years, while previous months were revised down, adding signs that housing market is not fully ready for higher mortgage rates. New Home sales fell 13.4% to an annualized rate of 394,000, the weakest level since October 2012, against a forecasted 487,000 and lower than the previous months’ revised figure of 455,000. Builders are holding back amid constraints on available land and materials in a bid

to boost prices and revenue.

Unemployment claims lower The fewest number of Americans in more than five years filed for first-time claims for unemployment over the past month, signaling solid improvements in the labor market. While the number of applicants rose by 13,000 during the past week to 336,000 and surpassing the expectations of 330,000, the fourweek moving average dropped to 330,500 from 341,800 since the beginning of the month.

Employers are hanging on to workers, to meet the increasing demand by the US consumer.

Europe German PMI Outperforms German Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index unexpectedly rose more than forecasted this month, signaling a solid increase in overall business activity, as production rose steep, and reached its strongest level since June 2011. Moreover, the service providers pointed to the steepest rise in business activity for six months, rising from 51.3 in July to 52.4 in August, a sign of hope that the Eurozone is pulling out from its record long recession. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 52.0 in August, exceeding estimates of 51.1. The figure rose from July’s figure of 50.7. A reading above 50

indicates growth, and below 50, contraction.

United Kingdom GDP Accelerates UK economic growth accelerated in the second quarter more than initially forecasted, supported by a balanced contribution to growth from all sectors, signaling that the British economy is gaining traction. Gross domestic product increased 0.7% compared with the initial estimate of 0.6%, and the first quarter increase of 0.3%. Major support came from exports, which rose the most in more than a year, contributing 0.3% to the Gross Domestic Product. While risks to the economy remain, Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, has pursued to bolster the recovery by introducing forward guidance to control investor bets on higher interest rates.

Commodities Oil West Texas Intermediate crude fell, heading for its biggest weekly decline in a month, after the Federal Reserve signaled a likely tapering in stimulus this year and a Libyan oil port was scheduled to reopen. Oil touched the week’s high yesterday at 107.80, plummeting to low of 103.50 and ending the week at 103.XX. Kuwait Kuwaiti Dinar at 0.28380 The USDKWD opened at 0.28380 yesterday morning.

Emerging market turmoil not another Asian currency crisis Bursting of bubble won’t be catastrophic

NBK announces 6 winners in its summer campaign KUWAIT: One draw left in addition to the astonishing Azimut 40 Flybridge Yacht National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) announced the second six winners of up to KD 10,000 in cash prizes in its summer campaign.

NBK Summer Campaign offers customers the chance to win an astonishing Azimut 40 Flybridge Yacht as a grand prize at the end of the campaign as well as up to KD 180,000 in cash prizes during the campaign. Marzouk Morjan Nayef Al Mutairi, Manaf Mahmoud Hassan Al Sawaha, Entesar Ali Wareed Al Ruwaili, Rasha Abdulla Mehalhel Al Qenaei, Masoud Faisal Masoud Al Fuhaid and Al Shaikha Shaikha Mubarak Sabah Al Naser Al Sabah each won cash prizes up to KD 10,000 in the second draw.

NBK cardholders still have the chance to participate in the promotion and earn unlimited chances in the third and last

draw until 15 September 2013.

In addition to the grand prize for the Azimut 40 Yacht, 18 winners spread in to three draws are reimbursed for all their spending using NBK Cards up to KD 10,000 each. For every cumulative KD 20 spent in Kuwait with NBK Credit or Prepaid Cards, Cardholders will earn a chance to enter the draws. Cardholders will triple their chances by using their NBK Credit, Prepaid and Debit Card abroad or by shopping on international sites.

NBK Cards are accepted worldwide and are the safest, most convenient and rewarding way to pay. For more information log onto nbk.com or contact Hala Watani on 1801801. The Azimut 40 Flybridge is one of the most luxurious yachts designed by Azimut-Benetti, the world renowned yacht manufacturers, combining elegance and comfort.

Nissan Al Babtain offers its customers to win Nissan ‘Mirca’ KUWAIT: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz AlBabtain Co. W.L.L. is receiving a roaring response to its Nissan Genuine Spare Parts raffle promotion running from 1st July ‘13 till 31st August ‘13.

Highlighting the customer friendly philopsoy of the company, Mohammed Shalaby, Chief Operating Officer elaborates “Nissan Al Babtain, Kuwait is in the forefront of promoting use of genuine parts and safe driving. Company is always eager to offer its valued customers with continuous offers, promotions and value added services to meet growing demand & aspiration of Nissan owners to maintain their vehicle in like new condition during its life cycle”.

Moreover, Nissan Al - Babtain recommends its customers to always use Nissan genuine parts and service their vehicles regularly at manufacturer recommended service intervals. This ensures an optimum vehicle performance, vehicle remains roadworthy for a longer period of time and gives better resale value when customer sells Nissan.

Utmost care and attention is given to customer needs, excellence in customer service and following the safety standards at all Nissan After sales service & Parts outlets.

Ruwan Wickramasinghe, Parts Manager further explains the highlights of the promotion that a when any customer buy parts on cash or service vehicles at Nissan Al Babtain Service centers, for every 20KD worth parts purchased or consumed, customer gets a raffle

coupon. Raffle coupons offers an opportunity to win a grand prize - new “Nissan Micra car” and loads of other exiting prizes including Led TV, Home theatre system, Fridge, washing machine, mobile phones, laptops, oven, digital camera etc.

Nissan Al-Babtain has a strong after sales network of thirteen parts counters & five service workshops spread all across Kuwait. This infrastructure is being further expanded, new facilities being added to ensure every Nissan customer has convenient access to the world renowned Nissan After Sales Service & Parts support.

Nissan Al Babtain’s two main showrooms are conveniently located in Al-Rai & Ahmadi for the display of its complete range of vehicles. Today Nissan has a wide range of vehicle models to suit various commercial as well as personal driving needs. While Nissan’s robust range of LCVs can provide solutions to different transportation needs of the business world. Nissans range of SUV lineup is beyond compare in its class and a major reason for the customers who wish to experience the Shift from the ordinary.

Its legendary sedan and coupe range compliments the personal driving needs of the youth as well as family oriented people.

Nissan Al Babtain, Kuwait again invites & reminds its valued Nissan customers to visit Nissan Service and Parts outlets before 31st August’13, to avail benefits of promotion offer.

PARIS: Plunging emerging market currencies on the prospect of US stimulus tapering have stirred memories of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, but analysts doubt a similar catastrophe is in the making.

“There are negative linkages (now) but I don’t think that we are in a repetition of the 1990s crisis,” said Jean Medecin, a member of the investment committee at the Carmignac Gestion asset manager. While the Indian rupee has so far taken the worst beating, falling nearly 15 percent against the US dollar over the past three months, Indonesia’s rupiah and the Brazilian real are down 10 percent, and the Turkish lira over 5 percent in a trend that is frightfully reminiscent of the crisis that began in Thailand in mid-1997.

Back then, investors reacted by panicking, withdrawing funds en masse, resulting in the Thai bath eventually collapsing. The phenomenon then spread like a wildfire throughout Asia, and even to Russia, with foreign capital vanishing almost with the blink of an eye.

Short of capital, emerging countries suffered acute shortages of credit, plunging them even deeper into the crisis. Fifteen years on, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week said emerging countries are now much better equipped. In 1991, India had only 15 days worth of foreign exchange reserves, he said. “Now we have reserves of six to seven months. So there is no comparison. And no question of going back to the 1991 crisis,” he said.

This week, Nobel prize winning economist Paul Krugman wrote on his New York Times blog that in retrospect, the flood of money into emerging markets looks like a bubble.

But Krugman said “for the moment, I don’t see a good reason to believe that the bursting of this particular bubble will be catastrophic”.

Standard & Poor’s rating agency agreed. In a report it called the capital outflows “disruptive not destructive”, and said most Asian developing nations will “weather the disruption without a sharp slowdown in economic growth or prolonged financial volatility”. Krugman said “what made the Asian crisis of 1997-8 so bad was the high level of foreign-currency denominated debt, and that seems less of an issue now”.

The Economist’s Ryan Avent wrote on his blog that a bigger concern are potential policy errors on behalf of governments and central banks as they try to stem the slide of their currencies. “Recklessly imposed capital controls could fuel panic and impair long-run growth,” he said. India’s central bank has tried to stabilise the rupee for months with measures like hiking short-term interest rates and imposing capital controls. “Worse still, central banks may strangle their economies with high rates in an attempt to

HYDERABAD: Activists hold placards as they shout slogans during their protest over the rupee’s fall in Hyderabad. The dollar’s surge against the Indian rupee took a breather yesterday after hitting record highs for most of the week, although upbeat manufacturing data from around the world helped the greenback against the yen. — AFP protect their currencies’ values,” Avent said. Thus the end of US monetary stimulus “risks squeezing demand around the world” when its purpose was to prop it up in rich countries.

Ratings agency Fitch said that “policy management will be the key factor in determining whether economic and financial stability is maintained in India and Indonesia following the intensified pressure on currencies and asset prices”. Recent developments have not prompted it to revise ratings, it added. So far, however, central banks seem to prefer hiking short-term rates rather than their main rates, which would slow investment, consumption and growth.

Turkey took that tack this week, hiking its overnight rate and shutting off other short-term rates to deter speculation against the lira, while keeping its main rate on hold. However, the current situation is “a painful adjustment phenomenon” for emerging nations, said strategist Maarten-Jan Bakkum at Dutch bank ING IM. “After years of rising currencies, emerging economies are now faced with structural problems. In the absence of remedies to cure the problem, they have corrected this through exchange rates,” he said. Simon Derrick, chief currency strategist at BNY Mellon said that “letting the currency take the strain might be the smartest move for some emerging market nations”. He noted that in 2008, when emerging markets last tried to stop the outflow of funds, they failed despite spending up to 20 percent of their foreign currency reserves.

Still, several countries have moved to defend their currencies. Brazil, which had led emerging market complaints that Western stimulus measures had resulted in the appreciation of their currencies and eroded its competitiveness, turned around, saying it would make $55 billion available to prop up the real.

Turkey pledged to inject a minimum of $100 million per day, while India announced it would put $1.26 billion into the banking system by buying back long-term government bonds, although it said the move was aimed at making more credit available to boost economic growth rather than defending the rupee.

The investment outflow poses immediate risks for Turkey and India as they rely heavily on short-term foreign funds to cover their large current account deficits (6.5 percent of GDP for Turkey and 4.8 percent for India).

However tapering concerns is only half the story according to analyst Michael Hewson at CMC Markets. “...the growth slowdowns being experienced in those markets have forced investors to look more carefully at the structural problems that are facing those particular economies, with India and Brazil in particular in the firing line, as growth slows and inflation rises,” he said.

India’s growth slumped to a decade low of five percent in the year to March with inflation now running at 5.8 percent, while Brazil is expecting 2.5 percent growth this year with inflation currently at 6.3 percent. —AFP

Turkish central bank struggles to prop up lira ANKARA: Turkey faces another week under pressure in its fight to shore up the lira as well as growth. The country is in the front line of emerging economies hit by an outflow of investment because the US Federal Reserve central bank is signalling that it will soon curtail the injection of stimulus funds which have supported the US economy, and growth abroad, and have helped to keep interest rates low.

The Turkish central bank ended last week on the back foot after a rate rise, and intervention on the foreign exchange market, failed again to halt a fall of the lira and share prices, and a rise of the 10year borrowing rate.

Meanwhile, the government took the line that the US Federal Reserve was fuelling uncertainty, that Turkey would emerge stronger from the turmoil and that the lira would eventually recover.

The events of last week demonstrated changes of direction by the central bank and a dilemma over growth for the government.

At the central bank, declarations of determination to tighten monetary policy as needed have hardened since it announced emergency measures at the beginning of July.

The government has also modified its tone, since three months ago Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attacked those who argued for higher rates against a background of serious civil unrest seen as his greatest challenge since coming to power in 2002.

Before the central bank, statutorily independent, announced its emergency measures including the use of foreign reserves to buy lira, Erdogan had said repeatedly that the bank would do everything necessary to hold rates down, hoping to sustain growth. The economy was already “fragile” because of excessive credit and the payments deficit financed mostly with short-term foreign funds, journalist Ege Cansen wrote in the Hurriyet daily on Saturday, arguing that the expected change in US policy had highlighted chronic prob-

lems. Strains had been evident in 2011 when the payments deficit reached 10 percent of national income and policy-makers had “failed to implement the soft-landing project” to reduce the budget deficit, limiting credit expansion and allow the lira to fall, he said.

Erdogan’s Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), which came to power after the crises and won three elections in a row, has built its big regional ambitions on high growth. But now the government is expecting growth of just 4.0 percent this year, half the rate of two years ago.

Despite the turmoil, the government was reassuring. AKP spokesman Huseyin Celik said on Thursday that in a global world, everyone was exposed to events abroad. “When some sneeze at the New York Stock Exchange, some others at the Istanbul Stock Exchange could catch a cold.” There was no room for pessimism, he said, and the government would take “measures”. — AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

BUSINESS

DFSA signs 26 agreements with EU Regulators DUBAI: Continuous collaboration with international regulators has been at the forefront of the Dubai Financial Services Authorityís (DFSAís) engagement objective this year, and as such, the DFSA has entered into 26 supervisory co-operation agreements with European Union (EU)and European Economic Area (EEA) securities regulators. Under these agreements, each regulator agrees to help each other supervise fund managers operating across borders, between the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Europe.

The DFSA negotiated the agreements with the

European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).The DFSAís Chief Executive Ian Johnston signed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with 26 EU regulators last month. The EU signatories to theseagreements are: France, UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Por tugal, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Malta, Lithuania, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic and Romania.

Theagreements under the MoUs allow fund managers in the DIFC to manage and market

Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to professional investors in the EEA under the rules of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). AIFs include hedge funds, private equity funds and real estate funds. Managing and marketing such funds into Europe will allow DIFC-based fund managers to access a greater pool of investors. It is hoped that with a strong distribution network and a sustainable distribution model,the MoUswill prove beneficial for the industry in the DIFC. Ian Johnston, Chief Executive of the DFSA said:

ìThe DFSAís efforts to improve cross-border opportunities will further facilitate investment flows and will benefit investors and the funds industry. In addition, it reflects the DFSAís commitment to enhance the economy of the UAE and Dubai, furthering Dubaiís position as a prominent financial centre.î The DFSA already has in place bi-lateral agreements with 13 of its European counterparts and enjoys strong and close relationships with them ensuring that fund managers are well supervised in the DIFC and in Europe.

Aloha, MINI: the brand celebrates 54th birthday MINI continues to redefine small car design KUWAIT: In August 1959 a new era began for the United States of America and for the European automobile industry: the island group of Hawaii became the 50th US state and the classic Mini was presented as the first small modern car.

Seven models here, six major islands there. Exemplary low-emissions engines on one hand, relentlessly fuming volcanos on the other. At first glance, the British car brand MINI and the Pacific island group of Hawaii appear to have nothing in common - yet both have a fun and quirky charm. MINI is to its worldwide fan community what Hawaii is to the USA: an expression of the pure joy of living.

And they happen to celebrate an anniversary at almost exactly the same time: on August 21st 1959 Hawaii became the 50th US state, while the classic Mini was officially presented for the first time just five days later, on August 26th 1959.

The birth of the classic MINI 54 years ago saw the start of one of the automotive industry’s most spectacular suc-

cess stories. The small car created by legendary designer Alec Issigonis astounded everyone with its creative use of space that maximised room for passengers and luggage without compromising the Mini’s compact proportions.

The classic Mini pioneered design principals which impacted generations of small cars, with a transverse mounted engine, front-wheel drive and wheels in all four corners remaining part of the MINI DNA today.

Its sporty qualities soon paved the way for success on race circuits and rally tracks all over the world, and the little car’s subsequent racing career was crowned with three victories at the Monte Carlo rally. This success was widely acclaimed, achieved with apparently simple means and with a vehicle that was charmingly modest and unassuming compared to its competitors. Meanwhile another apparently simple sport, though also requiring great skill, was beginning to take the world by storm, originating in Hawaii: surfing. Reports of people riding the waves on wooden boards off the Hawaiian coast go back as far as the

18th century, but it was Duke Kahanamoku, a native of the capital Honolulu, who helped make this leisure pursuit internationally popular. Duke Kahanamoku won three gold medals and two silver medals for swimming in the 1912 and 1924 Olympics. Despite his Olympic triumphs, he is probably better known for his work in reviving the sport of surfing. He is regarded as one of the founders of the Waikiki boys who teach surfing to visitors on the island group’s most famous beach to this day.

Hawaii’s designation as the 50th US state and the premiere of the classic Mini occurred during a veritable boom of surfing in Hawaii. During the 1950s and 1960s it was largely through television that the passions of potential beach boys all over the world were aroused by images of daredevil wave-borne antics off picturesque beaches in the “Aloha state” of Hawaii. Surfing gave rise to an entire lifestyle characterised by a laid-back, non-conformist outlook, non-stop fun and never-ending sunshine. A surfboard on the roof or in the luggage compartment of a car

became a symbol of freedom and joie de vivre.

The current MINI product range also offers reliable companions for such a lifestyle. The MINI Countryman has already attracted a large number of fans in Hawaii since its market launch around two years ago. In addition to its standard roof rails, which make it easy to mount a surfboard rack, it has one particularly useful modern feature: the all-wheel drive system ALL4, which it shares with this year’s newly launched model, the MINI Paceman.

Thanks to the precisely controlled distribution of power among all four wheels, the MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman offer remarkable stability and control not just on loose sand near the beach but also in the tropical mountain regions in the interior of the islands. And thanks to cutting-edge engine technology it is able to explore completely new territory, where this is permitted. As a result, the fun of driving and the pure joy of living are brought together once again, with many a perfect beach now that much easier to get to.

Rand pummeled by ‘perfect storm’

NEW DELHI: An Indian man counts rupee notes at a foreign currency exchange shop in New Delhi, India. The Indian economy, Asia’s third largest, grew 5 percent in the financial year which ended in March, its slowest in a decade and well off the 8 percent pace it has averaged over the past 10 years. — AP

Brazil to spend $55bn to defend sagging real SAO PAULO: Markets and analysts cheered Friday after Brazil’s central bank pledged $55 billion until year’s end to prop up the sagging real while Latin America’s biggest economy is showing weak growth.

The Brazilian currency, which has been at its lowest level against the dollar in four years, closed at 2.35 to the greenback Friday, up 3.2 percent from Thursday’s close.

Wednesday, the real sank to 2.45 to the dollar, its lowest level since December 2008 amid the international financial crisis. Friday’s rise followed the announcement by the bank overnight that it would conduct daily sales of currency swaps and derivative contracts to boost the domestic currency and regain the confidence of markets.

Analysts hailed the bank’s robust move.

“The intervention was a positive signal for all emerging markets,” said Luis Costa, a strategist at Citigroup.

“It signaled to investors that central banks of emerging economies are reacting more aggressively and are ready to step up their intervention to stabilize markets.”

Brazil, along with Russia, India and Turkey, is one of the main victims of a retreat by investors from major emerging economies in recent days. Keen to capitalize on a stronger dollar amid anticipation of tighter US monetary policy, investors are massively pulling out of emerging markets seen as showing structural weakness.

The central bank said it would offer $500 million a day in currency swap contracts from Monday through Thursday and $1 billion on Fridays, without ruling out further interventions if necessary.

Since May, it has already injected $45 billion to prop up the real, which means it will have put in a total of $100 billion by the end of the year. The $100 billion represents nearly a quarter of the country’s foreign reserves.

“I think the central bank’s posture is necessary given the markets’ current volatility,”

said Wellington Ramos, an analyst with Austin Rating in Sao Paulo.

“There is a need to regain the confidence of investors,” he added. “It was a good decision to the extent it clarifies and makes official for the markets a daily intervention to meet the demand (for dollars),” said Silvio Campos Neto, an analyst with Consultora Tendencias. “That is what we saw coming, but today it is in a transparent, predictable and daily manner, he added. “The main goal is to signal to the market that the bank will continue to provide what is necessary.”

The real’s weakness comes as Brazil is showing stagnating growth. Finance Minister Guido Mantega has said GDP growth would reach only 2.5 percent this year and four percent in 2014.

Last December, Mantega forecast four percent growth this year and in July brought it down to three percent.

Meanwhile, the central bank, concerned about rising inflation, hiked its base rate to 8.5 percent in July, up from its historic low of 7.25 percent early this year.

Brazil’s 12-month inflation reached 6.27percent until July, close to the 6.5 percent upper limit of the government target.

In early August, Mantega told the weekly Veja that the government’s priority was combating inflation, even if this means lower growth. The struggling domestic industrial sector opposes high interest rates, which it says will discourage investment.

Brazil has experienced two years of low economic growth and high inflation, which have dented President Dilma Rousseff’s popularity. Rousseff has also been hurt by last June’s massive street protests in which morethan a million Brazilians clamored for better public services and an end to endemic political corruption.

Brazil posted 0.9 percent GDP growthlast year, after growing 2.7 percent in 2011 and 7.5 percent in 2010. — AFP

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s currency has been caught in a brutal pincer of dependence on weak European markets, exposure to slowing emerging markets, domestic turmoil and tighter US monetary policy.

The Federal Reserve’s announcement on May 22 that it would eventually roll back stimulus was another gust of wind amid a cyclone for the South African rand. Like other emerging market currencies, the South African unit has had a torrid time of late.

In January the currency stood at 8.75 rand to the dollar. On Thursday it hit a four year low of 10.44, with little sign of an increase in exports that you might expect to see with a weaker currency. “Since the beginning of the year, you will find that the rand, like the real of Brazil or the rupee of India, they have almost depreciated by about the same amount, about 17 percent,” said Daniel Makina, a professor at the University of South Africa.

“Funds are flying back to the United States,” he said. Hot-and cold-flows are nothing new to emerging markets, but against the backdrop of slowing Chinese growth, this has been a kick in

the teeth. The desperation was evident when South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in June urged the United States to take caution.

“Manage your internal affairs and global affairs in a responsible way so that the negative effects on our economies are not as serious as they would seem,” he warned. It was in vain. In South Africa credit has dried up, while imports-now more expensive-have continued to flood into the country.

Higher petrol prices have forced consumer inflation above the central bank’s upper target of six percent. Coupled with slow growth, there are dark mutterings about a stagflationary spiral. South Africa-Africa’s largest economy-is only expected to grow at around two percent this year. Compare that with eight-plus percent growth forecast in neighbouring Mozambique.

One destabilising factor has been ongoing labour unrest.

Despite disputes often turning violent, the ruling ANC-which is closely linked to the dominant trade union federation COSATU-has often appeared unable to step in. “There are also domestic reasons why the rand is taking a

knock. The auto and the mining sector and some other sectors are actually going through severe negotiations and there might be turbulence due to that,” said Nedbank economist Busisiwe Radebe. Some 30,000 auto workers have been on strike since the beginning of the week, crippling domestic production, while employees in the construction industry are expected to down tools from today.

They are likely to be followed by workers in the mining and textile sectors. Such strikes are common at this time of the year in South Africa, when annual wage negotiations take place. But amid a slow economy and the tensions after the deadly mine strike last year at the Marikana platinum mine, which saw 34 strikers shot dead by police, investors are jittery.“A lack of agreement in wage negotiations in the mining sector may have once again unnerved investors,” said Shilan Shah, an economist with Capital Economics. The outlook for the rand currently seems uncertain. “The prospect of the rand will be determined mainly by the outcome of the election in South Africa next year in April,” said Radebe. — AFP

95% of MENA employees consider corporate CSR to be important Bayt.com report

By Lama Ataya DUBAI: A ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Is Your Company Mak ing an Impact?’ poll, recently conducted by Bayt.com, the Middle East’s number one job site, has revealed that while 95.3% of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) respondents want to do more community service work, 41% say that they don’t know where to start.

In fact, according to the survey, respondents across the MENA region are eager to dedicate themselves to CSR work, with 73% preferring to give time and effort towards charitable causes rather than merely donating money (mostly because 62.2% cannot afford to contribute financially, while a fifth i.e. 22.6% of respondents believe that donated money will not be used correctly). Seven out of 10 (67.4%) respondents frequently participate in charity or community ser vice work, with 95.3% saying they would like to do more.

While the number one reason holding would-be volunteers back is not knowing where to start (according to 40.9%), 15.1% state that they are held back because their company doesn’t engage in CSR activities. To the majority of respondents (76.8%), working for a socially-responsible company is very important to them, with 89.8% stating that they believe the corporate sector has a moral responsibility to do CSR work. In fact nine out of 10 (88%) would favor products and services

from a socially responsible company.

The majority (66.9%) of respondents claim that their companies ‘very regularly’ (43.9%) or ‘sometimes’ (23%) engage in CSR activities, and the majority also claims that their companies actively motivate employees to partici pate in CSR activities (74.7%). The most common types of CSR activities that companies in the MENA are involved in according to respondents are feeding, housing or clothing the poor (25%) and working with orphans and underprivileged children (13.2%). 14.4% of respondents state that their company participates in the above and more, such as aiding refugees, providing education and scholarships, sponsoring people with disabilities, medical research and aid, and environmental causes. What respondents would like their company to be involved in is helping the poor or those with special needs (51.2%), providing free education and scholarships (20.4%) and saving or protecting the environment (11.2%).

When asked why they believe companies engage in CSR work, the respondents said that the main reasons are: promoting corporate image (17%), ethical motivation of the company’s top management (15.1%), or improving relationships with the community (13.1%).

Respondents also believe that the biggest obstacles stopping companies from integrating CSR activities into the corporate strategy are lack of know-how and institution assistance (29.9%), no support from top manage-

ment (11.2%), and lack of specific legislation on CSR (10%). A fifth (22.1%) claim all of the above, in addition to other obstacles.

Meanwhile, the three main benefits of adopting a CSR strategy are considered to be enhanced corporate reputation (28.5%), improved relationships with the community and stakeholders (10.4%), and strengthened employee commitment (9.9%). According to 64.7% of respondents, companies that engage in CSR do make an impact. In fact, an overwhelming 94.3% of respondents feel that corporate CSR strategies can directly contribute to business success.

“There is clearly the need for more companies to consider developing CSR programs, or to enhance their existing ones. Not only is there a desire from employees to participate in more activities that will benefit the community, but respondents have shown that they feel more warmly towards companies that engage in CSR, giving companies the potential to benefit in return for their community work,” said Suhail Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com.

Data for the Bayt.com ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Is Your Company Making an Impact?’ poll was collected online from June 21 to August 11, 2013, with a geographically diversified pool of 10,754 respondents including regionally respondents from the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

technology

iPads go to the dogs Lack of apps limits possibilities

SNEEK: Children look at tablets at the ‘’Master Steve JobsSchool’’ in Sneek, northern Netherlands, during their first day of school. This schoolyear, 12 schools in the Netherlands have started the so-called Education of the New Time (O4NT) program, in which the use of iPad plays an important role. — AFP

Tech experts debate the smarts of the ‘smartwatch’ SEOUL: News that Samsung will unveil a “smartwatch” next month has sent rumour mills into overdrive within the tech community as it second guesses what the much-hyped gadget will offer. Wearable computing, including Google’s smart glasses, is considered the next frontier in consumer electronics following smartphones.

Apple has long been rumoured to be working on introducing an “iWatch” and Samsung is reportedly looking to steal a march on its arch rival by launching its “Galaxy Gear” smartwatch at the IFA industrial exhibition in Berlin in the first week of September. Samsung has steadfastly declined to confirm or deny its intentions and has offered no insights on the design or technical specifications of the new digital device.

That has not stopped specialist tech websites filling the vacuum with speculation and informed guesswork based on sources at application development firms who have apparently been sent prototypes.

Initial reports suggested the watch would allow users to make calls, access e-mail and surf the Internet.

The Verge website cited one source who insisted it would not be a self-contained “watchphone” in the sense of a unit with its own SIM card, cellular radio, and data connection. Instead it will be a device that “works with phones” using bluetooth technology to pair with a user’s smartphone, the source was quoted as saying.

The website GigaOM cited various sources as saying the Samsung device would have a camera integrated into the strap and tiny speakers in the clasp of the watch. This was partly supported by details provided by local South Korean website

Moveplayer of a patent for “Samsung Gear” that was approved by the South Korean patent office in May. The patent design shows what looks like both a tiny microphone and/or speaker as well as a USB port embedded in the wrist clasp. It also suggested a curved screen that would make up the watch’s main display. GigaOM’s sources said Samsung had seeded various different designs to developers but with some common characteristics including a 2.5 inch OLED screen.

The watch will boast a built-in “accelerometer” that makes it possible to switch it on when it is moved up towards the eye, the sources said, adding that the screen would support the usual touch, swipe and select type gestures-but not text-input given the size constraints.

Phil Libin, the CEO of app developer Evernote, told GigaOM that smartwatch technology remained experimental despite its rapid development. “None of this is going to be super mainstream in six or 12 months, but I think it’s going to be in the next two or three years,” Libin said. “It’s going to go faster than people expect.”

The idea of the connected watch has been around for at least a decade: Microsoft had one in 2003. And some devices are already on the market including from Sony, the crowd-funded maker Pebble and Italian-based firm i’m Watch. Up to now, smartwatches have been able to connect to phones wirelessly to give users signals about new messages, and allow some limited Web access. But analysts say once they gain traction, app developers can come up with new functions, possibly drawing on health and fitness monitoring devices now in use. — AP

NEW YORK CITY: You may or may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but you can certainly try to get Fido to use an iPad. New York dog trainer Anna Jane Grossman has done just that, with success-although a lack of apps limits the possibilities. “It’s a novelty. It’s just sort of a fun thing to do,” Grossman told AFP at School for the Dogs, the canine classroom she runs with partner Kate Senisi near Manhattan’s Union Square.

“There’s not a huge amount of purpose to itbut the way I see it, we’re playing games all the time on our iPads anyway, so why not play games with our dogs?” Grossman, a native New Yorker and lifelong dog lover who’s also a freelance writer, was inspired by a fictional news article about a college grad who instructs dogs on correct tablet technique.

The original real-life iPad dog was Grossman’s eight-year-old poodle-Yorkie mix Amos, whose rich repetoire of silly tricks such as rolling over dead upon hearing the words “bang bang.” In the interests of objectivity, AFP brought its own dog, a three-year-old dachshund mix, down to Grossman’s place to see if she could turn him into a genuine geek on four legs. Starting off simply, Grossman got Bandit to touch her hand with his nose on command, in return for a tasty treat as a reward for correct behavior.

From there she got the dog nudging a fly swatter, then a pad of Post It notes, occasionally using a smear of peanut butter to focus its attention. Then came the iPhone and iPad-no doubt Android devices work just as well with their touchscreens reacting instantly to the gentlest pressure from a wet canine nose. “We go through a lot of screen cleaner here,” Grossman confessed.

Within an hour, Bandit could take a self-portrait on command, using an app called Big Camera Button that triggers an iPhone camera shutter just by touching the screen. (The resulting image was an extreme close-up of his eyes and forehead.) “What’s nice about the iPad or iPhone or whatever you’re using is that it registers that moment that (the dog) touches it,” Grossman explained.

With an app called YesNo, with a green yes button and red no button, Grossman can get Amos to answer the most profound questions

NEW YORK: A dog named Amos touches the screen of an iPad after being trained by Anna Grossman at her studio. — AFP Having rigged a litter box with a motion sen(“Does two plus two equal five?” No! “Is print media dead?” No! Designed to help nonverbal sor to send a text message every time her cat youngsters communicate with others, YesNo is does its business, Grossman is tinkering with one of the few reactive touchscreen apps that synchronizing an iPad with a doggie treat disGrossman has come across with crossover penser. Along the same lines, Pavlov Dog Monitor, an app released earlier this year, uses a potential.

“The problem isn’t so much what dogs are smartphone’s audio sensor technology to send a capable of doing,” said Grossman, author of a Facebook message every time it hears a homebook on obsolete technology. “It’s that there alone dog barking.

“A lot of service dogs are trained to touch aren’t a lot of apps out there that are both big enough for a dog to touch with his nose and buttons in case of an emergency,” so it shouldn’t synched up for practical purposes,” such as be too much of a leap for them to do same via a smartphone or tablet screen, Grossman said. But switching on a light or opening a door.

That said, Grossman has been experimenting while more and more people hear about dogs on getting a seeing-eye dog to differentiate using iPads, not everyone is impressed. “In the between dark and light pairs of socks so it can dog training community, people have been, like, help its owner get dressed, using an audio- ‘That’s so cool’,” said Grossman, whose school enabled app. Another client is a pilot who wants now is offering “iDog” seminars. “But I’ve also his dog, on command, to nose-touch his iPad in gotten a lot of angry emails from people saying, just the right spot in order to summon the latest like, ‘Steve Jobs must be rolling over in his grave’.” —AFP in-flight weather report.

Waze traffic app integrated in Google Maps SAN FRANCISCO: Google said Tuesday it began integrating into its online maps features from the Waze traffic app it acquired earlier this year in a deal said to be worth some $1 billion. “No one likes getting stuck in traffic. That’s why the Waze and Google Maps teams are working together to harness the power of Google technology and the passion of the Waze community to make it easier to navigate your daily life,” said the tech giant’s Brian McClendon in a blog post.

“Users of Google Maps for Mobile will now benefit from real time incident reports from Waze users,” he added. McClendon said “Wazers” reports on accidents, construction, road closures and other issues will appear on the Google Maps app for Android and iOS in Argentina, Brazil,

Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, Britain and the US. In June, Google announced plans to buy the crowd-sourced map app Waze, which was launched in Israel to help users of Apple and Android smartphones. In addition, the Waze Map Editor now includes Google Street View and satellite imagery to make it easier to correct map errors reported.

“We’ve incorporated the power of Google Search to the mix,” a Waze blog post said.

“Google Search joins a host of other search providers featured on Waze, from Foursquare to Yelp, making it easy to find favorite businesses, home addresses and more.”

Google’s upgrade of its maps comes as it ramps up efforts against Apple and other rivals to be at the heart of mobile Internet lifestyles, particularly when it comes to providing advertising or services relevant to where people are at any moment.

Satellite tracking technology commonly built into smart phones lets Waze automatically measure traffic flow while simultaneously verifying or modifying public street information in its database. Drivers can upload comments, along with pictures, from along their routes to alert fellow “Wazers” to anything from accidents or detours, to a favorite place to grab a cup of coffee. Waze also provides users with turn-by-turn directions. — AFP

Latvia’s ask.fm offers to ‘mature’ after teen suicide RIGA: Caught in a storm over a British teenager’s suicide, Latvia’s huge social networking website ask.fm has pledged to make changes and “mature”, though supporters say it’s being made a scapegoat.

Since its launch in 2010, the site has won a vast audience worldwide with 70 million users posting banter and cyber-exchanges on profiles-at times testing limits under the cover of anonymity.

But the death of 14-year-old Hannah Smith, who hanged herself this month in the fifth teen suicide linked to the site, has plunged ask.fm into the murky debate over cyber-bullying. Friends said Smith had been taunted on ask.fm about everything from her weight to the death of her uncle, with unsigned messages telling her to “drink bleach” and “go die”.

The website-the brainchild of Latvian brothers Mark, 29, and Ilja, 35, Terebin-has already been cited in connection with four other such suicides in Britain, Ireland and the United States. Critics say it has created an environment-in which both registered and anonymous users can post answersthat too easily leads to abuse.

In a sharp rebuke, British Prime Minister David Cameron said such sites should “step up to the plate and clean up their act and show some responsibility,” in comments to BBC television . He called for a boycott, while Smith’s father demanded the site be shut down. On Monday, the Terebin brothers released a statement through the London law firm Mishcon de Reya promising to carry out a major clean-up and “mature” by January.

“In the light of recent events highlighting the impact online bullying and harassment can have on young people, we engaged professional advisors to conduct a full and independent audit of our site and its safety features,” they said.

It pledged to hire more moderators, ban anonymous users from certain sections and set up a separate parent-information page-but steered clear of any responsibility in the suicides. “As the site grows we recognise that it must also mature and adapt not only to stay relevant and attractive to our users, but to promote a safe and respectful environment.”

Even though new users have signed up, the number of page views plummeted by 40 percent in the last month, according to

web statistics monitor Alexa. Big advertisers including telecoms giant Vodafone and designer Laura Ashley have also pulled out, wary of negative publicity.

‘Don’t blame a tool’ The slide in fortunes was swift, coming only two months after another co-founder, 25-year-old Klavs Sinka, touted the company’s quick rise to prominence on a local television program in June. “It’s a typical success story: just five boys sitting in a flat eating dumplings and thinking and thinking until we came up with an idea we were happy with,” he told the TV3 news channel.

Ironically, he conceded that “things are very changeable, and there’s never a final victory when we open the champagne and live the easy life.” His words proved prophetic. “Everything we say is being twisted by the media,” he told local journalist Kristine Zilde, one of the few people to speak to the founders in recent days, in an interview aired on Britain’s ITN news.

“I would say they are confused,” Zilde told AFP, adding she thought “the pressure and the negative image they are getting doesn’t seem fairto them.” Though Mark Terebin deplored the suicides as “a true tragedy”, he bristled when a question posted on his own ask.fm profile last year asked why “you will not talk to the Irish people regarding the deaths” of the two Irish girls.

“Mass media is knocking on the wrong door. It is necessary to go deeper and to find a root of a problem,” he said. “Ask.fm is just a tool which helps people to communicate with each other, same as any other social network. “Don’t blame a tool, but try to make changes... start with yourself... be more polite, more kind, more tolerant of others... cultivate these values in families, in schools.”

The Latvian IT Cluster, an umbrella group for young tech companies, has come to the site’s defence. “Ask.fm is showing good will and investigates the problematic situation, which indicates that they are neither fraudsters, nor law breakers,” its board told AFP in a statement. Local columnist Karlis Langins added: “I think it is just another case of parents blaming everything for their child’s death and politicians reacting in a populistic manner.” “It is an easy way out because they have an easy target at which to point their finger.” — AFP

MOJAVE: In this file photo, Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, a spacecraft designed to rocket tourists into space, is unveiled in Mojave, Calif. — AP

California vies for new space industry SAN FRANCISCO: As several new private ventures to take people on trips to space come closer to becoming reality, California lawmakers are racing other states to woo the new space companies with cushy incentives. They are debating a bill now in Sacramento that would insulate manufacturers of spaceships and parts suppliers from liability should travelers get injured or killed on a voyage, except in cases such as gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.

Last year, the state enacted a law that shields space tourism companies such as Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic from similar lawsuits.

“We’re still in the fledgling part of space flight and space travel, and we need people to be able to take a risk,” said California Republican Sen. Steve Knight, who introduced both state bills. Several other states - including Texas, Florida, Virginia and New Mexico - have passed similar laws, hoping to lure newcomers to the more than $200 billion commercial space flight industry.

California’s latest bill faces opposition from several lawmakers who say the state should not relax its stan-

dards since tourists should expect the ships they use to ascend to the heavens are safe. But space tourism companies say the protection is necessary if the state wants to attract and retain the industry’s business.

“Someday, something is going to crash and burn,” said Kathleen Allen, a professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California who researches and advises new space companies. “The question is: Are we going to be able to say that’s a price we pay to stretch and explore and go beyond our current limits?”

Edwin Sahakian dreamed of flying in space since he watched Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon almost 45 years ago.

Sahakian, 50, a trucking company owner from Glendale, Calif., is one of more than 600 people who have collectively paid about $75 million to embark on a trip in space with Virgin Galactic. Leaving the planet is worth the risk, he said. Without incentives like limiting the ability of customers and family members to sue, he said the opportunity would never be open to him.

“I’m not under the impression that

MOJAVE: In this photo provided by Virgin Galactic, the company’s SpaceShipTwo fires its rockets over Mojave, Calif after it was dropped from its “mothership,” WhiteKnightTwo. — AP

it’s as safe as flying on an airliner or anything remotely like that,” he said.

“But I do feel like it’s the safest way to go to space right now.” In April, Virgin Galactic’s space ship completed its first powered flight, as its rocket engine burned for 16 seconds, propelling the ship to an altitude of 55,000 feet as it broke the sound barrier. The company expects to conduct flight testing this year and send people into space soon thereafter.

Other companies are also working to launch people beyond the earth’s atmosphere. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s SpaceX is already ferrying cargo to the International Space Station. Last year, SpaceX signed an agreement with Nevada-based Bigelow Aerospace, which is designing inflatable space stations for research and maybe even tourists.

SpaceX and other companies will provide the transportation - like airlines - and Bigelow the place to stay.

Regulatory and economic incentives play a big role in where companies choose to do business, said Andrew Nelson, the chief operating officer of XCOR, which is pursuing space tourism and hoping to conduct flight tests for its Lynx spaceship this year. Last year, the company which operates at Mojave Air and Spaceport in Southern California announced it would place a research and development center and corporate headquarters in Midland, Texas, which offered economic incentives and an attractive regulatory environment, including shielding XCOR’s suppliers from lawsuits.

Nelson said the company passed over Virginia, Florida, Oklahoma and California. XCOR expects the facility will create jobs and boost the local

economy by millions of dollars. He said since California doesn’t shield the company’s supply chain and could not offer economic incentives, XCOR ruled the state out despite its talented workforce. The company will still have a smaller operation at Mojave and would consider doing more in the state if Knight’s bill is enacted.

In April, New Mexico enacted a law shielding parts suppliers and manufacturers of space transport companies from liability as an incentive for Virgin Galactic and others to launch spaceships from Spaceport America, which the state had already spent more than $200 million financing.

At a California senate committee hearing in May, several senators expressed concern over shielding manufacturers and suppliers from lawsuits, saying customers should assume the equipment functions correctly and should have redress if it doesn’t. The bill’s opponents say protection against liability is unnecessary because it would be outweighed

by California’s historical ties to the aerospace industry and its well-educated workforce. Knight said he is trying to work out a compromise with the bill’s opponents by January. Both supporters and opponents of Knight’s bill agreed developments in the space industry - possibilities include mining asteroids or placing a human colony on Mars - present exciting, uncharted possibilities. “Everybody would like to see a big goal that got the whole country behind like we did when we went to the moon. That was an exciting time, those people who remember it would like to see that again,” Allen said. — AP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Simple ways to treat overactive bladder Problem which limits people’s social lives

Booming lobster population pinches profits for fishery PORTLAND, Maine: By all rights, lobsterman Steve Train should be the envy of commercial fishermen around the world.

Lobster populations in Maine are booming like never before. Tourists readily dole out $15 or more for lobster rolls, those delectable morsels of seafood on a bun. And environmentalists have praised the harvest as a rare example of sustainability in a sea of overfishing. Enter market forces. Last year’s record haul of 126 million pounds (57 million kg), double that of just a decade ago, led some to wonder whether lobster might go the way of cheap, everyday foods like the chicken nugget or TV dinner. Prices paid to lobstermen at the dock plummeted and have not recovered. They are barely enough, says Train, to cover fuel and bait. “It’s hard to make a business plan the way things are going,” said the 46-year-old lobsterman, who has fished the island-studded waters of Casco Bay since he was a teenager.

Even as many of the world’s fisheries have floundered, the Maine lobster harvest, recently certified as sustainable by the nonprofit Marine Stewardship Council, has reached epic proportions, but success is relative.

“I’m sure the corn farmer, or the wheat farmer, or chicken farmers all felt the same way at some point,” said Pete Daley, a manager at Garbo Lobster Co in Hancock, Maine, one of the country’s largest distributors.

“People say, ‘I’m not getting the price I used to get, or the price I deserve.’ But what we’re seeing here is an industry that’s evolving.”

No one knows exactly why lobster populations have increased so quickly. The answer, says marine biologist Robert Steneck, is likely a combination of warming water temperatures, the overfishing of inshore predators like cod and a long history of forward-thinking conservation measures.

“This is a species that has been targeted (by fishermen) for 150 years or more and is doing better today than ever before,” said Steneck, a professor at the University of Maine. “What other fishery on the planet can make that claim?”

In a recent sign of shifting ecosystems and economics - two of the world’s largest lobster distributors, Garbo and the Massachusetts-based East Coast Seafood, long known as fierce competitors, joined in a venture to convert the Stinson Seafood Plant in Prospect Harbor, Maine, the country’s last sardine cannery, to a state-of-the-art lobster processing facility. This year the plant, called Maine Fair Trade Lobster Co, will employ 130 people and process 5 million pounds (2.3 million kg). The number of lobster processing plants in the state has more than tripled, from 5 in 2010 to 16 last year. “People are looking at this as a problem,” said Michael Tourkistas, president of East Coast Seafoods, the country’s largest lobster exporter. “But if you’re

going to have an issue, excess supply is a good one to have.”

The real problems, many observers contend, are those that have always plagued the industry: a mismatch of ecology and economics and a lack of cooperation among fishermen and dealers renowned for cutthroat competition. In the spring and early summer, lobster come inshore to shed their rigid shells, making them easy prey for near-shore lobstermen in small boats - and easy to eat for tourists who arrive in Maine at about the same time.

The short-term bounty sets up a vicious cycle as the market quickly saturates and the state’s 5,300 lobstermen fish ever harder to make up for low prices, further depressing the price. “We all want to make the same paycheck. But if you had an industry that actually cooperated, you wouldn’t be bringing in more product if you couldn’t sell what you already had, right?” said John Jordan, a lobsterman and president of Calendar Islands Maine Lobster Co. Jordan’s company and others are frantically seeking new ways to sneak lobster into unexpected corners of the food market, from gazpacho to puff pastries and quiche. But before the big names in the industry move lobster from the “catch of the day” to the permanent menu, say industry experts, the kinks in the supply chain must be worked out.

“Being negative is a pretty traditional pursuit for a lobsterman,” said Jordan, who admits to occasional griping himself. “But the public conversation about low prices does nothing but depress them further. It’s time we all take a more proactive approach.”

For now, Daley, of Garbo, says matching supply to demand means processing more lobster in Maine - boiling, picking, freezing and storing lobster - to cover the down times.

That, he says, will mean more consistent prices for lobstermen and consumers.

Other efforts, including a $2 million marketing collaborative established by the state legislature this year, should help get the word out, potentially paving the way for new markets, he said.

But scientists caution Mother Nature is likely to have the last word.

In southern New England, lobster populations spiked in the 1990s with warmer water temperatures, then were overwhelmed by disease and have struggled to recover, said researcher Steneck. As the water warms in the Gulf of Maine, even the most optimistic lobster aficionados admit to a bit of trepidation, an increasing concern as fisheries for species like cod and haddock have either declined or collapsed, leaving fishermen with few alternatives. “There isn’t an investor in all the world who would suggest putting all your money in one stock,” said Steneck. “But that’s what we’re doing here in Maine.” —- Reuters

Silent urinary infections; serious consequences NEW YORK: Why it’s vital to know the causes and symptoms of urinary tract infections and how to treat and prevent them.

Unrecognized and untreated urinary tract infections (UTIs) can quickly turn into more serious conditions. Among young and middle-aged adults, UTIs are more likely to strike women than men. But UTIs also occur often in older men. In both older men and women, the symptoms of a UTI may not be so obvious as they are in young women.

UTIs commonly occur when bacteria from the rectum (such as Escherichia coli) infect the skin around the opening of the urethra (the tube leading to the bladder) and then ascend to the bladder. Because a woman’s urethra is much shorter than a man’s, it is easier for bacteria to get up into the bladder and cause a UTI. UTIs may also occur when urine flow is blocked and the urine pools in the bladder, creating an ideal setting for the growth of bacteria. In older men, enlarged prostate glands often partially block the outflow of urine. In older women, bladders that have descended (prolapsed) can cause incomplete emptying of the bladder. Also, a lack of estrogen in older women encourages the growth of bacteria near the urethra. Finally, kidney stones can lead to UTIs in both men and women. A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria travel up a woman’s urethra and into the bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys.

Most UTIs are caused by bowel bacteria, such as E. coli.

Symptoms and risks The most common UTI symptoms include burning with urination, frequent urination, a sense of urgency to urinate, and pain in the area of the bladder. But symptoms don’t always appear in older adults. “It’s not unusual to see a patient in her upper 70s or older who gets infections without symptoms,” says Dr. George Flesh, director of urogynecology

and pelvic reconstructive surgery for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates. Some experts think that is because the symptoms of a UTI are actually caused by the immune system’s fight against the infection, and the immune systems of older people may not fight as fiercely.

Dr. Suzanne Salamon, a geriatrician and instructor at Harvard Medical School, says the lack of symptoms in men and women also can be related to conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. “Anything that affects the brain may affect the ability to feel, localize, or describe pain,” she explains.

A lack of symptoms may result in a UTI going untreated and then spreading to the kidneys, and then the bloodstream-a potentially fatal condition.

But UTIs produce more subtle signs even when common symptoms don’t emerge. “In older adults, there may be a sudden change in mental status or behavior, such as confusion or agitation, fatigue, and loss of appetite,” says Dr. Salamon. But she cautions against assuming there’s a UTI just because someone becomes agitated, saying that approach can lead to unnecessary treatment with antibiotics. It’s better, she says, to consider additional signs such as cloudy and foul-smelling urine, abnormal urine color, blood in the urine, and back pain-a sign the infection has spread to the kidneys.

No matter how many symptoms there are, it’s important to do a thorough diagnosis for a suspected UTI. This may require a physical exam, urine analysis, and urine culture. “If it’s caught in time, treatment is a short course of antibiotics,” says Dr. Flesh-for example, with nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin). This should improve or eliminate symptoms within two to three days. If a UTI is not caught in time and turns into a more serious condition, it may require a hospital stay and stronger courses of antibiotics given intravenously.—MCT

HARVARD: Get your life back if you’re experiencing this easily treatable condition. An overactive bladder (OAB, also known as urge incontinence) causes a sudden urge to urinate, even when your bladder isn’t full. For some people it’s simply a nuisance. For others, the urge can’t be controlled, which leads not only to incontinence but also a severe impact on quality of life. “It’s a major problem which limits people’s social lives due to fear of embarrassing urine leakage.

It is a significant contributory factor to depression. I have some patients who rarely venture outside of home because they are afraid they will wet themselves while in a public place,” says Dr George Flesh, director of urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates.

When the kidneys filter toxins and extra liquid from the blood, the waste (urine) is stored in the bladder. Your nerves signal the kidneys to fill the bladder, and also signal the brain when the bladder is full and needs to be emptied. When the bladder empties, the muscle in the bladder wall contracts, and the sphincter muscle that controls urine flow relaxes.

Sometimes the nerves malfunction, causing the bladder to contract

unpredictably. The result is a sudden need to urinate, known as dry OAB. When the feeling is uncontrollable, urine leaks out before a person can get to a bathroom. This is called wet OAB. Symptoms of these include frequency (eight or more times per day, and several times per night), a feeling of urgency, urine leakage, and waking from sleep to urinate.

OAB is different from stress incontinence, which happens when an increase in pressure in the abdomenwhen you cough, for example-pushes down on the bladder and urethra and causes leakage.

OAB can be caused by something temporary, such as a bladder infection. It can also result from another condition, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or diabetes. Women are twice as likely as men to struggle with OAB, because of the stress of childbirth on the urinary tract, for instance, as well as the loss of estrogen after menopause. In men, OAB may occur as the result of an enlarged prostate. “As the prostate enlarges it obstructs flow, and this results in increased bladder muscle activity,” explains urologist Dr. Michael O’Leary, a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School.

Many people don’t report OAB symptoms to their doctor. “They are

embarrassed to talk about it, they think it is a normal problem of aging, they think the doctor is too busy to deal with another problem added to their list, or they are unaware that treatment is available,” says Dr. Flesh.

Diagnosis involves a history and physical exam and possibly tests that measure how much urine your bladder can store, how much urine you are able to release, the force of your urine flow, and how much urine is still in your bladder after you’ve tried to empty it. Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support the bladder. To perform a Kegel, squeeze the muscles you would use to start and stop urination, or hold in a bowel movement. Hold the contraction for five seconds, then release. Try to do three sets of 10 Kegel exercises a day.

If you’re a woman and your doctor determines that you have OAB, the first line of defense will likely be Kegel exercises, which involve squeezing and releasing the muscles you use to hold in urine. Vaginal estrogen creams may also relieve OAB symptoms for postmenopausal women, since estrogen helps to decrease the sensation of urgency and the chance of involuntary bladder contraction.

For men, the first line of defense is medication. Typical regimens, accord-

ing to Dr. O’Leary, include alpha blockers-such as terazosin (Hytrin) and doxazosin (Cardura)-to relax the muscles in the prostate and relieve the blockage, in combination with anticholinergics-such as oxybutynin (Ditropan) and tolterodine (Detrol)-to relax the bladder muscle.

Anticholinergic side effects include dry mouth and constipation.

Anticholinergics are also an option for women if Kegel exercises don’t work. You can now find oxybutynin in an over-the-counter patch formulation (as Oxytrol).

But sometimes bladders don’t respond to medications. That’s where an injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) comes in. It’s the muscle relaxant known for calming facial spasms and reducing brow wrinkles.

Now it’s approved to relax the bladder muscles in both men and women, although in men it’s appropriate only if the cause is a bladder muscle problem, not an enlarged prostate. This method is considered effective, but results wear off, and the injection must be repeated in six to 12 months. Most important is to be proactive if you’re struggling with OAB symptoms. Help is available, and a simple fix may be all it takes to let you live without the fear of wetting yourself in public. —MCT

China graft crackdown hits HK ‘Dried Seafood Street’ HONG KONG: In a narrow Hong Kong street filled with the tang of dried sea creatures, shopkeepers are blaming China’s recent corruption crackdown for falling sales of expensive banquet foods such as shark fin and abalone.

Such items have fallen off the menu since China’s new leadership came to power demanding austerity from Communist Party and military officials as a means of reigning in graft and dampening public anger over corruption.

Suppliers, restaurants, and hotels in the trading hub of Hong Kong all say the loss of appetite from the mainland has thinned out sales in a market looking for a portion of China’s estimated annual 300 billion yuan ($49 billion) expenditure on state-funded banquets.

On Hong Kong’s “Dried Seafood Street”, the centre of trade in dried delicacies, shopkeeper Leung Wing-chiu said sales were down 20 percent at a time when increased ethical awareness over shark fin and rising rents are pressuring business. “Beijing’s frugality campaign has driven money out of my pocket,” said the 94-year-old, who is also the Dried Sea Food & Grocery Merchants Association president.

“Demand from mainland buyers, especially hotels and restaurants, has shrunk a lot. This is particularly true for highend goods such as dried abalone, shark fins and bird’s nest.”

Two catering companies listed on the southern Chinese city’s stock exchange even cited the government’s emphasis on frugality as they issued profit warnings to shareholders last month. Leung said China’s state-funded banquet culture was a key source of revenue, and while the economic slowdown had affected business over the past few years, “the situation has got a lot worse since the new leadership ascended to power”. Chinese officials have long held lavish liquordrenched receptions as a way of building business relationships, greasing the wheels of power, and showing off wealth and status.

The Jiu San Society, one of China’s eight legally-recognised non-Communist political parties, last year called for a curb on government spending on such banquets, which it estimated at $300 billion a year. Other scholars put the figure even higher. And in June, President Xi Jinping launched a “thorough cleanup” of the ruling Communist Party, vowing to target extravagance and waste.

The Central Military Commission had already banned lavish banquets for high-ranking officers at the end of last year, while party officials were handed similar new rules.

Former high-flying Chinese politician Bo Xilai is currently on trial for corruption and revelations about private jet flights and rare animal meats have held Chinese readers spellbound.

Zhu Jiangnan, China Studies coordinator at the University of Hong Kong, said banquets were in a “grey area” of corruption. “Actually, in China, the word ‘corruption’ (fubai) is linked not only with... graft, bribery, and embezzlement, but also unhealthy tendencies... such as extravagance and waste,” she told AFP in an email. Wong Hiu-wan, a shopkeeper selling bird’s nests, which have been used in Chinese cooking for centuries, blamed the directives from Beijing for a slowdown in business. “Now, we have to count more on local consumers, because orders from mainland hotels and restaurants have gone down dramatically,” he said.

And Yeung Wai-sing, the chairman of the Association of Hong Kong Catering Services Management Ltd, also had reason to regret China’s newfound abstemiousness.

“For years, this traditional business has been fuelled by orders from mainlanders, who consider dried seafood from Hong Kong to be premium in quality,” said Yeung.

“But things didn’t turn out well this year.”

Two Hong Kong-listed catering giants, Tang Palace (China) Holdings and Xiao Nan Guo Restaurants Holdings Ltd, both issued profit warnings in July linked to the crackdown.

Tang Palace largely blamed “the issuance of a set of regulations and restrictions to promote frugality and curb waste by the Chinese government, casting an impact on certain customer groups’ expenditure”.

Xiao Nan Guo said its first-half profit was hit by “the prolonged austerity campaign launched by the Chinese government to curb lavish spending and entertainment”.

Others say traditional foods were already losing their attraction. “The Chinese are turning their eyes towards Western and environmentally-friendly food rather than traditional banquet favourites like abalone and shark fin,” said Ren Guoqiang of consultancy Roland Berger & Partner.

Bruce Shou, a student and food enthusiast who routinely visits Hong Kong from Hangzhou to dine at high-end restaurants, agreed. “Sashimi, beefsteaks and foie gras look fancier to me, whereas abalones remind me of something old-fashioned and bureaucratic,” he said.

On top of environmental campaigning against products such as shark fin and Hong Kong’s eye-watering rents, the graft crackdown is adding to the pressure on businesses along “Dried Seafood Street”. “2013 is a tough year for us,” Leung said. —AFP

HONG KONG: A man works in front of a shop selling shark fins (top shelf) and dried seafood. In a narrow Hong Kong street thick with the smell of shark fin, abalone and other dried sea creatures, shopkeepers are blaming China’s recent corruption crackdown for falling sales. —AFP

Painful cost of a nice derriere in Venezuela CARACAS: Eager to resurrect her failed marriage, Mercedes dreamed of having a shapely rear end. A risky, potentially deadly, silicone injection technique beckoned.

She said yes. Now she rues that day. “It hurts so much I cannot sit down for even five minutes,” said the 45-year-old, her voice quivering. She is so embarrassed she won’t give her last name.

Thus goes body worship in Venezuela, where undergoing plastic surgery is as common as going to the dentist and beauty pageants are like a religion.

Two years ago Mercedes underwent a procedure that has killed 15 people in Venezuela since 2011. It involves having a gel-like substance called a synthetic biopolymer shot into the body.

It is not put inside an implant, but rather flows like an injection and spreads through tissues, alas uncontrollably.

Mercedes received 560cc of the stuff in each buttock. It was a low point in her life when she was desperate to rekindle her marriage and win back her estranged husband. “I did no research on what it was. I just wanted to know who did the best job,” Mercedes said while waiting at a clinic. Her dream is to get the silicone out of her body. The original operation cost the equivalent of $800. Days later, she started feeling an intense pain. She has learned to live with it, as she has with stinging criticism from her family.

“I ask God and the Virgin for forgiveness so I can get out of this. This is no way to live,” she said, her eyes clenched shut.

Astrid de la Rosa, who underwent the same procedure only to see the gel

migrate to her lower back and hips, created a support foundation in 2011.

It is called the “No to Biopolymers Foundation” and has recorded 15 deaths so far from complications resulting from this beauty enhancing technique.

The foundation has knowledge of 40,000 people who opted for the procedure, and the number is growing even though in November of 2012 the Venezuelan government banned the use of use of stuffing-like materials such as the synthetic biopolymers for aesthetic purposes. The authorities have brought charges against some doctors and beauticians who continue to offer the service.

“There are even recent cases of parents who give their daughters the biopolymer butt and breast treatment for their 15th birthday and now they regret it,” said De la Rosa. Omar Guerrero, a 35-year-old trainer at a gym in the western city of San Cristobal, shot the gel into his pecs to look more buff and is now an utter wreck.

The polymers migrated to muscles between his ribs, tightening his thorax and limiting his breathing. He’s been flat out in bed for two years. “I cannot do exercise. I cannot run. I am a living dead man,” said Guerrero. With his artificially toned up muscles, he said, people shun him in hospitals and treat him as if he were HIV-positive. He went to one of two doctors known to be offering a technique to try to rid people of the stuff they pumped into themselves. One is a Caracas plastic surgeon named Daniel Slobodianik. In the waiting room of his office it is standing room only.—AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Heart ailments increase among Asian population ABU DHABI: More than 90 per cent of deaths occurring during sleep are most likely “sudden cardiac arrests”, Dr Joseph Kurian, head of the Cardiology Department at Lifeline Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said yesterday.

It could be due to “brugada syndrome” that causes “rhythm abnormality of the heart”. It is very common among the Asian population, especially of the Indian subcontinent - India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, he said. Although it is mainly seen in middle-aged men, many young people have been diagnosed with this problem.

“I have many Bangladeshi heart patients in their 20s. My youngest heart patient is a 17-year-old Indian schoolboy,” the doctor said.

Brugada syndrome is a new entity found in the last one decade and it has a familial tendency also. Chances of having a heart attack are higher if the patient’s family has a history of cardiac problems, he said.

“Although there was no symptoms at all and the patient looked all right, undetected predisposing factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol that are silent killers must have played a role in such deaths,” Dr Kurian said.

The first manifestation of such factors could be sudden death, he said.

He said the normal protocol check-up for blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes is not just meant for middle-aged people. The latest medical findings suggest that it should start in the twenties, especially for the Asian population, considered vulnerable to brugada syndrome.

Such lifestyle diseases are on the decline in the West whereas they are increasing among the Asian population due to changing food habits, lack of exercise and increasing mental stress.

“One should go for such tests earlier if he or she has a family history of such diseases. Even if those youngsters don’t find any problems in the first check-up, they should recheck it after five years.”

“I had a Filipino heart patient whose father and brother died of sudden cardiac arrest in their forties and thirties respectively,” Dr Kurian said.

People often use these terms interchangeably, but they are not the same. A heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked, and sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating unexpectedly. A heart attack is a “circulation” problem and sudden

cardiac arrest is an “electrical” problem.

A heart attack occurs when a blocked artery prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart. If the blocked artery is not reopened quickly, the part of the heart normally nourished by that artery begins to die. The longer a person goes without treatment, the greater the damage. Symptoms of a heart attack may be immediate and intense. More often, though, symptoms start slowly and persist for hours, days or weeks before a heart attack. Unlike with sudden cardiac arrest, the heart usually does not stop beating during a heart attack.

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without warning. It is triggered by an electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). With its pumping action disrupted, the heart cannot pump blood to the brain, lungs and other organs. Seconds later, a person loses consciousness and has no pulse. Death occurs within minutes if the victim does not receive treatment.

These two distinct heart conditions are linked. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur after a heart attack, or during recovery.

Heart attacks increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest. Most heart attacks do not lead to sudden cardiac arrest. But when sudden cardiac arrest occurs, heart attack is a common cause. Other heart conditions may also disrupt the heart’s rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, don’t wait more than five minutes to call your emergency response number.

Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive. They are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.

Cardiac arrest is reversible in most victims if it’s treated within a few minutes.

First, call the emergency medical services.

Then get an automated external defibrillator if one is available and use it as soon as it arrives. Begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency medical services arrive. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency procedure, performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death - nearly 400,000 out-ofhospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States.

BUENOS AIRES: A woman dances during a yoga rave in Buenos Aires yesterday. Hundreds of people gather for a night of electronic yoga-inspired music at a nightclub where the bar only serves juices and vegan snacks.— AP

The importance of stretching MASSACHUSETTS: It’s not enough to build muscle and achieve aerobic fitness. You need to think about flexibility, too. You may think of stretching as something performed only by runners or gymnasts. But we all need to stretch in order to protect our mobility and independence. “A lot of people don’t understand that stretching has to happen on a regular basis. It should be daily,” says David Nolan, a physical therapist at Har vard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints.

Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.

For example, sitting in a chair all day results in tight hamstrings in the back of the thigh. That can

make it harder to extend your leg or straighten your knee all the way, which inhibits walking.

Likewise, when tight muscles are suddenly called on for a strenuous activity that stretches them, such as playing tennis, they may become damaged from suddenly being stretched. Injured muscles may not be strong enough to support the joints, which can lead to joint injury.

Regular stretching keeps muscles long, lean, and flexible, and this means that exertion “won’t put too much force on the muscle itself,” says Nolan. Healthy muscles also help a person with balance problems to avoid falls.

With a body full of muscles, the idea of daily stretching may seem overwhelming. But Nolan says you don’t have to stretch every muscle you have. “The areas critical for mobility are in your lower extremities: your calves, your hamstrings, your hip flexors in the pelvis and

quadriceps in the front of the thigh.” Stretching your shoulders, neck, and lower back is also beneficial. Aim for a program of daily stretches or at least three or four times per week.

Find a physical therapist (your local Y is a good place to start) who can assess your muscle strength and tailor a stretching program to fit your needs. If you have chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or arthritis, you’ll want to clear a new stretching regimen with your doctor before you start.

Stretching once today won’t magically give you perfect flexibility. You’ll need to do it over time and remain committed to the process.

“It may have taken you many months to get tight muscles, so you’re not going to be perfectly flexible after one or two sessions,” says physical therapist David Nolan of Massachusetts General Hospital.

“It takes weeks to months to get flexible, and you’ll have to continue

working on it to maintain it.”

We used to believe that stretching was necessary to warm up the muscles and prepare them for activity. However, mounting research has shown that stretching the muscles before they’re warmed up can actually hurt them. “When everything is cold, the fibers aren’t prepared and may be damaged. If you exercise first, you’ll get blood flow to the area, and that makes the tissue more pliable and amenable to change,” says Nolan.

All it takes to warm up the muscles before stretching is five to 10 minutes of light activity, such as a quick walk. You can also stretch after an aerobic or weight-training workout. Hold a stretch for 30 seconds. Don’t bounce, which can cause injury. You’ll feel tension during a stretch, but you should not feel pain. If you do, there may be an injury or damage in the tissue.

Stop stretching that muscle, and talk to your doctor.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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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. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Greetings

Sky talk show held

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implyfied Kundalenc Yogha Center talk show was conducted on Friday evening 05:00 to 09:00 pm at Abbasiya Indian Central School.

In this program special invite from India Arulnithi Natraj Ramalingam, gave a lecture on spiritual, science, environment literature, anatomy, living science

and natural medicine etc. Arulnithi Sundharambal Ramesh has given Welcome address Arulnithi Santhakurnar presented Sky center activities and Treasurer Mathiazhagan delivered vote of thanks and around 49 invitees benefited at this event.

Enjoy the taste of true Espresso at Vergnano Cafe at Olympia Complex

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he superior quality of the blends comes from the meticulous selection of the best raw materials available, and from an extraordinary production process. Cafe Vergnano is the first to introduce an innovation that brings all the passion and pleasure of the perfect

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any, many happy returns of the day to Shaikh Samiullah. Best wishes from father Shaikh Mahaboob Basha, mother Afzalunissa, Shaikh Akram Basha, Reshma, Sumaya, Shaikh Aslam Basha, Zarina, Rihana, Shaikh Karimulla , Yahya, Wasim, Fahim, Alim, Arshiya, Shaikh Rafi, Sabeeha, Shaikh Kaleemullah, Shaikh Babji, Showkath, Amanullah, Gayaz, Ghouse Basha, Iqbal, Zubair, Ansar, Asif (Patchi) near and dear ones from Kuwait and India.

espresso to everyday life at home.

Espresso is now available in Kuwait, through Al-Sanabel Al-Thahabiya Est. Tel: 22413795/98. Espresso Vergnano can be ordered through www.taw9eel.com Espresso Vergnano capsules are compatible with other espresso machines.

KERA has formed a Badminton team with Jolly as captain. The team has presently 3 members including Bobby Paul and Dennis John. KERA badminton team participated in the Badminton Open conducted by Indonesian Badminton Committee of Kuwait (IBCK).

Exceptional culinary quality makes The Regency’s catering services stand out

Announcements Indian Embassy sets up helpline he Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up helpline in order to assist Indian expatriates in registering any complaint regarding the government’s ongoing campaign to stamp out illegal residents from the country.

The embassy said in press release yesterday that it amended its previous statement and stated if there is any complaint, the same could be conveyed at the following (as amended): Operations Department, Ministry of Interior, Kuwait. Fax: 22435580, Tel: 24768146/25200334.

It said the embassy has been in regular contact with local authorities regarding the ongoing checking of expatriates. The embassy has also conveyed to them the concerns, fears and apprehensions of the community in this regard.

The authorities in Kuwait have conveyed that strict instructions have been issued to ensure that there is no harassment or improper treatment of expatriates by those undertaking checking. “The embassy would like to request Indian expatriates to ensure that they abide by all local laws, rules and regulations regarding residency, traffic and other matters,” the release read. It would be prudent to always carry the Civil ID and other relevant documents such as driving license, etc. In case an Indian expatriate encounters any improper treatment during checking, it may be conveyed immediately with full details and contact particulars to the embassy at the following phone number 67623639. These contact details are exclusively for the above-mentioned purpose only.

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n a drive to expand it’s already widereaching services to discerning clientele and to serve better those clients requiring personalized service and international standards of quality, The Regency is developing its well respected catering services. Having won the contract to provide food and refreshments at the Pearl and Derwaza Lounge in Kuwait’s International Airport, the multi award-winning hotel is gearing up for the summer.

Whether catering for a family celebration, birthday, ladies’ tea party or extravagant supper, The Regency’s team ensures the complete success of events from start to finish. Moreover, with over three decades of experience to its credit, The Regency is already caterer of choice to some of the most prestigious addresses in town, including innumerable diplomatic missions where it has provided tailor-made arrangements in addition to unparalleled choices of menus and com-

petent service staff.

With the approach of winter, The Regency is delighted to provide the beautiful beachside sanctuary of the Ladies’ Lounge for private gatherings or corporate events after 7:00pm daily. The hotel is well known for its stunning ballrooms located at the convention centre ideal for luxurious weddings as well as social and corporate gatherings. It features thirteen meeting rooms suitable for myriad events.

“Catering excellence is a key part of The Regency’s culinary repertoire” added Aurelio Giraudo, General Manager. “Our unmatched catering services give clients an opportunity to enjoy those same exemplary standards of fine food at home, as we offer within the hotel and Convention Centre”.

“In addition to the unbeatable value, it is the quality of food and service that we provide that assures our reputation” thanks to our culinary and banquet

team, he added. Indeed the reputation of The Regency has recently been further endorsed internationally by the double win at the World Travel Awards in Dubai

where The Regency garnered not only ‘Kuwait’s Best Luxury Hotel’ award but also the title: ‘Kuwait’s Best Convention Hotel’.

Issue of online visa

by Indian embassy oreigners requiring visas for India need to apply it online from 16th June 2013.

Applicants may log on to the Public portal at ww.indianvisaonline.gov.in. After successful online submission, the hard copy, so generated, has to be signed by the applicant and submitted with supporting documents in accordance with the type of visa along with the applicable fee in cash at any of the two outsource centres at Sharq or Fahaheel. It is essential that applicants fill in their personal details as exactly available in their passports. Mismatch of any of the personal details would lead to non-acceptance of the application. Fees once paid are non-refundable.

All children would have to obtain separate visa on their respective passports.

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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

KIB diwaniya visits: Tradition and solidarity

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uring the holy month of Ramadan, Kuwait International Bank conducted an extensive visit to the prime diwaniyas all over Kuwait.

These visits demonstrated the bank’s gratitude and loyalty to its customers and in return, KIB received an overwhelming welcome from all the

diwaniyas. On behalf of the Board and the Executives, KIB team presented the customers with special mementos during the diwaniya visits as tokens of gratitude and to honor Kuwaiti citizens wishing peace and prosperity during Ramadan and throughout the year. KIB team comprised of retail managers and

key executives had visited 70 diwaniyas from Um Al-Haiman till Jahra area resulting to positive customer impact. As customer value is always at the forefront of the bank’s objective, maintaining healthy banking relationship with them is integral to KIB. KIB is proud in rousing the socio-cul-

tural consciousness of Kuwaitis and expatriates by propagating the traditions and the significance of Ramadan through these diwaniya visits. Al-Dawli Bank, as KIB is widely known is one of the fast growing Islamic bank in Kuwaiti with attractive products and services to the customers.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Embassy Information

AAW appoints Chef Ahmed Al-Bader as Kuwait’s La Cornue brand ambassador

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li Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Commercial Co (AAW), one of Kuwait’s leading cross-sector conglomerates, signed local renowned Kuwaiti chef, Ahmed Al-Bader, as the brand ambassador of centuryold artisanal producer of French kitchen ranges and rotisseries, La Cornue.

Al-Bader will join Hollywood client-base along the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Celine Dion, and Chef Gordon Ramsay, as proud owners and ambassadors of La Cornue. Al-Bader is renowned locally for his cross-cuisine concepts creating close to half a dozen local restaurant concepts, the most popular being “Burger Hub,” “Prime Toast,” and “Pizzetta.”

La Cornue, represented by AAW in Kuwait, was created by Albert Dupuy in 1908, and is the only handcrafted, custom-made range cooker manufacturer in the world that developed a new technology of natural hot air circulation in a vaulted oven.

Eight out of ten La Cornue cookers are built for

exportation and contribution to 40 countries worldwide, with no more than 800 pieces created and distributed yearly across all their product ranges.

General Manager of Kitchens and Home Appliances at AAW, Ali F Al Mutawa said: “AAW introduced La Cornue kitchens to the Kuwaiti market in 2012, knowing we are offering unrivaled luxurious kitchen cookers and rotisserie technology.”

“With an ever-growing passion for the gourmet and culinary community in Kuwait and the region, we joined hands with Chef Ahmed Al-Bader who has adopted La Cornue in many of his concepts and demonstrate to our community how to use this technology and bespoke tool to obtain the ultimate culinary experience the world and Europe has enjoyed for decades.”

AAW is a century-old company that has been helping people in Kuwait improve their lifestyles by providing local and direct access to leading products from around the world. Today, they are world-class distribu-

tors and retailers of over 100 global brands in Kuwait’s surging consumer market. For La Cornue, AAW also provides live demonstrations and presentations to key in Kuwait’s culinary and kitchens consultants and designers.

Al-Bader is recognized as certified chef after attending the world-renowned Cordon Bleu and French Culinary Institution in New York. He currently runs many restaurant concepts in Kuwait ranging from a full-blown Italian restaurant to a casual burger joint.

A-Bader said: “I’ve personally experienced an exceptional culinary experience since I’ve been introduced to La Cornue. I’m very excited to be representing La Cornue not only because it’s an artisan brand, but also because it’s one of the most transformational technologies any chef should be using on a daily basis.”

La Cornue can be found in AAW’s store located in Shuwaikh and includes the following product ranges: Chateatu, CornufÈ, and Flamberge and Memoire Kitchens.

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-augcc.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 no 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, E-mail: abdbi-imenquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei 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

FOKE holds blood donation camp

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o commemorate Indian’s 67th Independence Day and to celebrate the spirit of “the holy month of Ramadan, Friends of Kannur Kuwait Expats Association, FOKE conducted Blood Donation Camp at Kuwait Central Blood Bank, Jabriya. The camp was officially inaugurated by prominent Kuwaiti personality Abdulaziz Ahmed Alduaij in presence of honorable FOKE President

Omanakuttan and Honorable Gen Secretary Shymesh and hundreds of FOKE members. In his introductory speech Abdul-Aziz Ahmed Alduaij specified the importance of such blood donations, especially when there is a scarcity of enough stock of blood in the bank.

Donation is the noble act of charity and when it comes to donating blood, the association is doing the biggest thing

for the society and pointed the importance of spreading such noble activities fellow citizens and community as such, he said.

More than 125 members from all walks of life came forward voluntarily to attend the blood donation program irrespective of their Friday Engagements.

FOKE is encouraging the Blood Donation Camp among its members as

an act of Charity and uphold the slogan of “Donate Blood Save Life”. It’s noted that FOKE has conducted similar blood donation camp last couple of years also where large number of FOKE members donated their blood at Kuwait Blood bank.

Future Eye Theatre drama, film show on Friday story of a shepherd whose dreams and real life share the discrepancies like that of day and night. The shepherd who gets a recorded voice tape from his home-bound wife has news mirroring the present-day affairs in Kerala. The solo drama will have the voice of Mini Wilson Chirayath who got the best actress award during the KALA drama competitions last year in Kuwait. The 5-minute film which was originally shot for Youth India, Kuwait short film competition is about the precautions some expatriates incapable of taking while fighting to survive outside their home country. A drained out balance sheet of an expat life is compared with the scary scarcity of water on our planet.

The film titled ‘Bhoomiyude Attam’ (The Edge of the Earth) is written and directed by Sunil Cherian and edited by Sreekumar Bhaskar.

Music is by Nebu.

Both the film and drama will be shown on Aug 30, at 6.30pm at Pravasi Auditorium, Abbassiya.

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D Paulose, the celebrated drama activist is leaving Kuwait. But that does not mean he has no time for his prime passion - drama. His solo performance, a 20minute drama titled ‘What the Cloud Said to the Sand’ will be presented on Aug 30, at Pravasi Auditorium, Abbassiya. The event will also present a 5-minute film acted by Paulose and his long term drama compatriot Biju Samuel, both star actors of Future Eye Theater, Kuwait, which coordinates the Aug 30 event.

The 20-minute solo drama ‘Megham Manalinodu Paranjathu’ (What the Cloud Said to the Sand’) scripted by Sunil Cherian tells the

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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. In the case of planning travel to Ukraine, please apply for visa before August 20.

Onam competition

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erala Arts and Literature Promoting Association of Kuwait (KALPAK) is conducting “Athapookalam” competition on September 20 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 in memory of his beloved parents. The prizes for the winners will be given on the same day in a function with various cultural programs by KALPAK.

EMBASSY OF US Parents of Kuwaiti citizen children may drop off their sons’ and daughters’ visa applications - completely free of an interview or a trip inside the Embassy. The children must be under 14 years of age, and additional requirements do apply, but the service means parents will no longer have to schedule individual appointments for their children, nor come inside the Embassy (unless they are applying for themselves). The service is only available for children holding Kuwaiti passports. To take advantage, parents must drop off the following documents: Child Visa Drop-off cover sheet, available on the Embassy website (http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.htm) - Child’s passport; The Child’s previous passport, if it contains a valid US visa; 5x5cm photo of child with eyes open (if uploaded into DS160, photos must be a .jpg between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, less than 240kb, and cannot be digitally altered); A completed DS160 form; Visa Fee Receipt from Burgan Bank; A copy of the valid visa of at least one parent. If one parent will not travel, provide a visa copy for the traveling parent, and a passport copy from the non-traveling parent with a letter stating no objection to the child’s travel. - For children of students (F2): a copy of the child’s I-20.

Children born in the US (with very few exceptions) are US citizens and would not be eligible for a visa. Parents may drop off the application packet at Window 2 at the Embassy from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Monday to Wednesday, excluding holidays. More information is available on the U.S. Embassy website: kuwait.usembassy.gov/child_visas.html

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Mappila Kala Academy, Kuwait hosted Eid Gah in Kabd farm house, on the Eid day. songs, comedy show added glitter to the function that was witnessed by lots of families.

EMBASSY OF VATICAN The Apostolic Nunciature Embassy of the Holy See, Vatican in Kuwait has moved to a new location in Kuwait City. Please find below the new address: Yarmouk, Block 1, Street 2, Villa No: 1. P.O.Box 29724, Safat 13158, Kuwait. Tel: 965 25337767, Fax: 965 25342066.

Email: nuntiuskuwait@gmail.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 23:40 The Gadget Show

00:45 In Search Of The King Cobra 01:35 Animal Cops Houston 02:25 Charles & Jessica: A Chimp Tale 03:15 The Animals’ Guide To Survival 04:05 Lion Man: One World African Safari 04:55 Animal Cops Houston 05:45 Wild Hawaii 06:35 Wildlife SOS 07:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 07:25 My Cat From Hell 08:15 The Most Extreme 09:10 My Cat From Hell 10:05 Africa’s Outsiders 11:00 Animal Cops Philadelphia 11:55 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 12:20 Call Of The Wildman 13:45 Austin Stevens Adventures 14:40 Africa’s Outsiders 15:30 Shamwari: A Wild Life 16:00 Dick ‘n’ Dom Go Wild 16:30 The Most Extreme 17:25 Project Puppy 18:20 Great Ocean Adventures 19:15 Monkey Life 19:40 Call Of The Wildman 20:10 Snake Crusader With Bruce George 20:35 Shamwari: A Wild Life 21:05 Ethiopian Wolf 22:00 America’s Cutest Pets 22:55 My Cat From Hell 23:50 Animal Cops Philadelphia

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

Head Games Mythbusters River Monsters What Happened Next?

Magic Of Science Border Security Auction Kings How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Fast N’ Loud Fantom Works Driven To Extremes Border Security Auction Kings Hell Roads What Happened Next?

Magic Of Science Ultimate Survival Deadliest Catch Mythbusters American Guns Auction Hunters Auction Kings How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Gold Divers Deadliest Catch-Up

00:05 The Tech Show 00:30 Mean Green Machines 01:00 How Tech Works 05:15 The Gadget Show 05:40 The Tech Show 06:05 The Science Of Star Wars 07:00 Brave New World 07:50 Mighty Ships 08:40 The Gadget Show 09:05 The Tech Show 09:30 Prototype This 13:50 Food Factory 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:45 The Tech Show 15:10 Brave New World 16:00 Sci-Trek 16:55 X-Machines 17:45 Smash Lab 18:35 The World’s Strangest UFO Stories 19:30 Brave New World 20:20 Mighty Ships 21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 The Tech Show 22:00 Brave New World 22:50 Mighty Ships

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

The Aviators Crime Scene Wild Crime Scene Wild In Search Of The King’s Head Desert Mummies Of Peru Empire Empire Empire The Neanderthal In U.S. Ultimate Cars A Racing Car Is Born Way Of Life The Aviators The Aviators Anatomy Of A Combat Force I Shouldn’t Be Alive...

Bone Detectives Empire History Cold Case Hell On High Water Reign Of The Dinosaurs Toughest Military Jobs Bone Detectives I’m Alive Danger Hunters Chasing Classic Cars Chasing Classic Cars NASA’s Greatest Missions Danger Hunters Crime Scene Wild Murder Shift

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

Stitch A Kind Of Magic Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements A Kind Of Magic A Kind Of Magic Emperor’s New School Emperor’s New School Replacements Replacements A Kind Of Magic A Kind Of Magic Austin And Ally Suite Life On Deck Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Doc McStuffins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse A.N.T Farm A.N.T Farm Jessie Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up Shake It Up A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm A.N.T Farm Dadnapped Good Luck Charlie Jessie Violetta Teen Beach Movie First Look A.N.T Farm Austin And Ally Good Luck Charlie Shake It Up That’s So Raven A.N.T. Farm Violetta Jessie Shake It Up Suite Life On Deck Austin And Ally That’s So Raven Jessie A.N.T Farm Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:05 Special Agent Oso 00:15 Imagination Movers

00:40 Jungle Junction 00:55 Jungle Junction 01:10 Handy Manny 01:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 02:00 Little Einsteins 02:25 Special Agent Oso 02:50 Imagination Movers 03:20 Handy Manny 03:40 Special Agent Oso 03:50 Special Agent Oso 04:00 Timmy Time 04:10 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 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 08:50 Doc McStuffins 09:05 Doc McStuffins 09:20 Zou 09:35 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Lilo And Stitch 10:25 The Little Mermaid 10:50 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:05 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 11:20 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:45 Mouk 12:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 12:05 Art Attack 12:30 Doc McStuffins 13:00 Zou 13:15 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 13:30 Henry Hugglemonster 13:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 14:45 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 15:00 Lilo And Stitch 15:25 Mouk 15:40 Higglytown Heroes 15:55 Zou 16:10 Zou 16:20 The Little Mermaid 16:45 Lilo And Stitch 17:10 Doc McStuffins 17:40 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 17:55 Jake & The Neverland Pirates 18:10 Henry Hugglemonster 18:35 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 19:00 Timmy Time 19:10 Pajanimals 19:25 Doc McStuffins 19:35 Zou 19:50 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

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:10 Iron Man Armoured Adventures 06:35 Kickin It 07:00 Max Steel 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 07:50 Slugterra 08:15 Pair Of Kings 08:40 Kickin It 09:30 Lab Rats 09:55 Lab Rats 10:20 Pair Of Kings 10:45 Kick Buttowski 11:10 Mr. Young 11:35 Slugterra 12:00 Kickin It 12:25 Max Steel 12:50 I’m In The Band 13:15 Lab Rats 13:40 Almost Naked Animals

14:05 Phineas And Ferb 14:15 Phineas And Ferb 14:30 Lab Rats 14:55 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 15:20 Phineas And Ferb 15:45 Pair Of Kings 16:10 Kickin It 16:35 Crash & Bernstein 17:00 Lab Rats 17:30 Max Steel 18:00 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 18:25 Phineas And Ferb 19:15 Slugterra 19:40 Crash & Bernstein 20:05 Pair Of Kings 20:30 Zeke & Luther 20:55 I’m In The Band 21:20 Rated A For Awesome 21:45 Kick Buttowski 22:10 Mr. Young

00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Food Wars 01:20 Unwrapped 01:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes 03:25 Unique Eats 03:50 Food Crafters 04:15 United Tastes Of America 04:40 Chopped 05:30 Iron Chef America 06:10 Unwrapped 06:35 Unwrapped 07:50 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 08:15 Unique Sweets 08:40 Reza’s African Kitchen 09:05 Jonathan Phang’s Caribbean Cookbook 09:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 10:20 Extra Virgin 10:40 Unique Sweets 11:10 Unwrapped 11:35 Have Cake, Will Travel 12:00 Food Network Star 12:50 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:05 Tyler’s Ultimate 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:20 Symon’s Suppers 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Tyler’s Ultimate 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:40 Guy’s Big Bite 19:05 Symon’s Suppers 19:30 Food Wars 19:55 Food Wars 20:20 Chopped 21:10 Chopped 22:00 Jonathan Phang’s Caribbean Cookbook 22:25 Jonathan Phang’s Caribbean Cookbook 22:50 Andy Bates Street Feasts 23:15 Andy Bates Street Feasts 23:40 Food Wars

00:15 Eat Street 00:45 The Witch Doctor Will See You Now 01:40 Chasing Time 02:05 Chasing Time 02:35 Ultimate Traveller 03:30 Banged Up Abroad 04:25 Banged Up Abroad 05:20 Somewhere In China 06:15 Market Values 06:40 Eat Street 07:10 Kimchi Chronicles 07:35 Eat Street 08:05 The Witch Doctor Will See You Now 09:00 Chasing Time 09:25 Chasing Time 09:55 Ultimate Traveller 10:50 Banged Up Abroad 11:45 Banged Up Abroad 12:40 Somewhere In China 13:35 Market Values 14:00 Eat Street 14:30 Kimchi Chronicles 14:55 Eat Street 15:25 The Witch Doctor Will See You Now 16:20 Chasing Time 16:45 Chasing Time 17:15 Ultimate Traveller 18:10 Banged Up Abroad 19:05 Banged Up Abroad 20:00 Kimchi Chronicles 20:30 Eat Street 21:00 Market Values 21:30 Eat Street 22:00 Deadly Arts 22:55 Market Values 23:20 Kimchi Chronicles 23:50 Exploring The Vine

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

A BETTER LIFE ON OSN MOVIES HD

Ultimate Survival Alaska Inside Combat Rescue Family Guns Salvage Code Red One Ocean Dangerous Encounters Salvage Code Red Storm Worlds Ultimate Survival Alaska Inside Combat Rescue Family Guns Salvage Code Red One Ocean Dangerous Encounters Salvage Code Red Extreme Ice Ultimate Survival Alaska Inside Combat Rescue Family Guns Lockdown Naked Science 2.5 Hunter Hunted Lockdown Blowdown

00:20 Dead Or Alive 01:10 Monster Croc Hunt

THIS MEANS WAR ON OSN CINEMA 02:00 Hooked 02:50 Outback Wrangler 03:45 Secrets Of The King Cobra 04:40 Wild Russia 05:35 Hooked 06:30 Outback Wrangler 07:25 Secrets Of The King Cobra 08:20 Bears Of Fear Island 09:15 Sharkville 10:10 Search For The Giant Octopus 11:05 Wild Case Files 12:00 Australia’s Deadliest: Shark Coast 12:55 Prehistoric Predators 13:50 Outback Wrangler 14:45 Asia’s Deadliest Snakes 15:40 Hollywood Bear Tragedy 16:35 The Kill Zone 17:30 Squid vs. Whale 18:25 Wild Case Files 19:20 Prehistoric Predators 20:10 Outback Wrangler 21:00 Asia’s Deadliest Snakes 21:50 Hollywood Bear Tragedy 22:40 The Kill Zone 23:30 Squid vs. Whale

00:15 Chain Letter-R 02:00 51-PG15 03:45 Constantine-PG15 06:00 Captain America: The First Avenger-PG15 08:15 The Speed Of Thought-PG15 10:00 Twister-PG15 12:00 Barricade-PG15 14:00 The Speed Of Thought-PG15 16:00 Ice Quake-PG15 18:00 Barricade-PG15 20:00 Covert One: The Hades Factor-PG15 23:00 The Crazies-18

01:00 Interview With A Hitman 02:45 Gandhi-PG 06:00 Neverland-PG 09:00 Interview With A Hitman 11:00 Drew Peterson: Untouchable-PG15 13:00 Golden Christmas 3-PG15 15:00 No Surrender-PG15 17:00 This Means War-PG15 19:00 Arbitrage-PG15 21:00 Best Laid Plans-18 23:00 Lawless-18

00:00 00:30 01:00 01:30 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

The Cleveland Show The Daily Show The Colbert Report Saturday Night Live Friends Guys With Kids The Mindy Project Hope & Faith The Tonight Show With Jay Hope & Faith The War At Home Brothers Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Hope & Faith Hope & Faith Guys With Kids The Mindy Project Hot In Cleveland Brothers The Tonight Show With Jay The War At Home Hope & Faith Hope & Faith Brothers

14:00 The Mindy Project 14:30 The Mindy Project 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 15:30 The Daily Show 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 The War At Home 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Men At Work 18:30 Men At Work 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 Parks And Recreation 20:30 Wilfred 21:00 The Daily Show Global Edition 21:30 The Colbert Report Global Edition 22:00 Family Guy 22:30 Cougar Town 23:00 The Ricky Gervais Show 23:30 Parks And Recreation

22:00 Covert One: The Hades Factor

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

Supernatural Good Morning America American Idol Supernatural Good Morning America Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Once Upon A Time Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Touch The Carrie Diaries Live Good Morning America Touch Once Upon A Time The Carrie Diaries Touch Once Upon A Time The Carrie Diaries

01:15 The Last Gamble-18 03:15 Troy-18 06:00 Ceremony-PG15 07:30 A Kiss At Midnight-PG15 09:00 Dead Again-PG15 11:00 The Beaver-PG15 13:00 A Fall From Grace-PG15 15:00 The Preacher’s Wife-PG15 17:00 The Beaver-PG15 19:00 Snow Flower And The Secret Fan-PG15 21:00 Angels Crest-PG15 23:00 Blue-Eyed Butcher-18

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 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00

24 Top Gear (UK) Defiance Banshee Psych C.S.I. 24 Eureka Alphas Defiance Top Gear (UK) Psych Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Alphas 24 Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Alphas Parenthood Covert Affairs In Plain Sight The Newsroom

00:45 Prowl 02:15 Chain Letter 04:00 51 05:45 Constantine 08:00 Captain America: The First Avenger 10:15 The Speed Of Thought 12:00 Twister 14:00 Barricade 16:00 The Speed Of Thought 18:00 Ice Quake 20:00 Barricade

00:00 Slums Of Beverly Hills-18 02:00 The Hangover 2-18 04:00 Jack And Jill-PG15 06:00 Adventures In BabysittingPG15 08:00 A Kiss For Jed Wood-PG15 10:00 Falling Star-PG15 12:00 Jack And Jill-PG15 14:00 Toys-PG 16:15 Falling Star-PG15 18:00 Turner & Hooch-PG15 20:00 Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star-18 22:00 Slums Of Beverly Hills-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 18:30 21:00 23:15

Another Earth-PG15 Ring Of Deceit-PG15 The Wild Girl-PG15 A Better Life-PG15 Frankenweenie-PG Arthur Christmas-PG Flower Girl-PG15 Waiting For Forever-PG15 Frankenweenie-PG Skyfall-PG15 Anonymous-18 That’s My Boy-R

01:15 Alex & Alexis 02:45 The Missing Lynx 04:30 Back To The Sea 06:15 Three Investigators And The Secret Of Terror...

08:00 MIA And The Migoo 09:45 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 11:15 The Search For Santa Paws 13:00 The Missing Lynx 14:45 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 16:30 Jelly T 18:15 Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 20:00 Pacific Pirates 21:45 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 23:30 Jelly T

00:00 Assassination Games-18 02:00 Brave-PG 04:00 A View From Here-PG15 06:00 Project Nim-PG15 08:00 I Don’t Know How She Does It-PG15 10:00 Batman: Year One-PG15 11:45 Think Like A Man-PG15 14:00 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-PG 16:00 I Don’t Know How She Does It-PG15 17:45 The Amazing Spider-Man-

PG15 20:00 The Rum Diary-18 22:00 Premium Rush-PG15

00:00 01:00 02:40 04:25 05:55 07:00 09:15 10:50 13:10 16:00 17:55 19:45 22:00

Ride Him, Cowboy-FAM Dark Of The Sun Lovely To Look At-FAM Edge Of The City-PG Ride Him, Cowboy-FAM Mildred Pierce-PG The Train Robbers-U Rio Bravo-U The Searchers-U Bronco Billy-PG Beau Brummell-PG Some Came Running-PG Wild Rovers

00:00 Departures 01:00 Departures 02:00 Globe Trekker 03:00 Globe Trekker 04:00 Bizarre Foods America 05:00 Bizarre Foods America 06:00 Eden Eats 07:00 Globe Trekker 08:00 Off Limits 09:00 Piha Rescue 09:30 Piha Rescue 10:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 11:00 Bert The Conqueror 11:30 Xtreme Waterparks 12:00 Globe Trekker 13:00 Bizarre Foods America 14:00 International House Hunters 14:30 International House Hunters 15:00 Hotel Impossible Special 16:00 Inside Luxury Travel - Varun Sharma 17:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 18:00 Off Limits 19:00 Bizarre Foods America 20:00 Insane Coaster Wars 20:30 Insane Coaster Wars 21:00 Xtreme Waterparks 21:30 Xtreme Waterparks 22:00 Hotel Impossible 23:00 Inside Luxury Travel - Varun Sharma

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:30 15:20 15:45 16:10 17:00

Deadly Affairs Dr G: Medical Examiner Blood Relatives On The Case With Paula Zahn Killer Kids Deadly Affairs Dr G: Medical Examiner Disappeared Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Solved Disappeared Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Forensic Detectives On The Case With Paula Zahn Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

Disappeared Solved

Classifieds MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Kuwait KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (22/08/2013 TO 28/08/2013) SHARQIA-1 KILLING SEASON (DIG) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) JOBS (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) JOBS (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

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

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-2 THE SMURFS 2 (DIG-3D) DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG-3D) THE SMURFS 2 (DIG) Special Show “THE SMURFS 2 (DIG)” THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

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

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-3 THE CONJURING (DIG) THE CONJURING (DIG) Special Show “THE SMURFS 2 (DIG)” CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) THE WOLVERINE (DIG) THE WOLVERINE (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-1 JOBS (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) CHENNAI EXPRESS (DIG) (HINDI) JOBS (DIG)

FANAR-5 THE CONJURING THE CONJURING THE CONJURING EL7ARAMY & EL3ABIET THE CONJURING THE CONJURING NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

MARINA-1 DESPICABLE ME 2 (DIG) HAMMER OF G’S (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) JOBS (DIG) JOBS (DIG) KILLING SEASON (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

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

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

2:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

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)

1:30 PM 1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM

FANAR-1 RED 2 (DIG) RED 2 (DIG) JOBS (DIG) JOBS (DIG) JOBS (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM 11:45 PM

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

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)

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 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

CHANGE OF NAME

Prayer timings

No: 15909

I, Hareesha, Indian Passport No. E 6534426, have changed my name to Hareesha Rama Moolya. (C 4489) I, Muruganandham Asokan, Indian Passport No. E6570385, have changed my name to Sam Ashok M. Anand. (C 4490) 25-8-2013 I, Thottakath Abu, holder of Indian Passport No. G9943123 issued at Kuwait on 27/10/2008, have changed my name to Aboobacker Thottakath.

(C 4488) 21-8-2013

Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

03:59 05:22 11:50 15:34 18:17 19:38

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

Airlines QTR THY THY JZR JZR MEA ETH GFA AFG UAE ETD THY RJA KAC JZR FDB RBG MSR QTR THY DHX FDB QTR BAW JZR JZR NIA KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR FDB UAE ABY FDB QTR ETD IRA GFA IRC MEA MSC UAE MSR MSR JZR JZR JZR MSR AXB MSC ALK UAE ETD QTR GFA

Arrival Flights on Monday 26/8/2013 Flt Route 148 DOHA 5464 SABIHA 764 SABIHA 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 408 BEIRUT 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 416 JEDDAH 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 768 ISTANBUL 642 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 412 MANILA 529 ASYUT 67 DUBAI 555 ALEXANDRIA 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 6130 DOHA 157 LONDON 1541 CAIRO 555 ALEXANDRIA 255 ALEXANDRIA 206 ISLAMABAD 352 COCHIN 302 MUMBAI 284 DHAKA 344 CHENNAI 165 DUBAI 53 DUBAI 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 55 DUBAI 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 3407 MASHAD 213 BAHRAIN 6521 LAMERD 404 BEIRUT 403 ASYUT 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 579 SOHAG 561 SOHAG 241 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 503 LUXOR 618 ALEXANDRIA 489 COCHIN 401 ALEXANDRIA 229 COLOMBO 859 DUBAI 307 ABU DHABI-INTL 136 DOHA 217 BAHRAIN

Time 0:05 0:10 1:40 0:20 0:40 2:10 1:45 1:55 2:15 2:25 2:30 2:50 3:10 6:15 6:40 3:10 3:15 3:15 3:30 4:35 5:10 5:50 6:05 6:30 6:25 6:20 10:00 7:25 9:55 7:50 8:15 9:35 11:35 7:45 8:25 8:50 9:15 9:25 9:30 10:35 10:40 10:50 10:55 11:35 12:45 13:00 13:05 12:00 12:35 7:40 20:30 20:35 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:35 21:45

QTR JAI FDB AIC UAL TAR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR THY KNE QTR FDB MPH SVA KNE OMA RJA QTR ETD UAE ABY UAL SVA GFA NIA QTR FDB GFA MSC JAI OMA FDB ABY MEA JZR JZR JZR JZR JZR DLH PIA JAI MSR KLM THY JZR

146 576 59 975 981 327 618 672 118 786 742 562 546 804 104 1802 674 542 774 777 766 480 140 57 93 500 472 645 640 134 303 857 127 982 510 215 251 144 63 219 405 572 647 61 129 402 177 535 239 257 185 636 205 574 614 411 772 135

DOHA COCHIN DUBAI CHENNAI BAHRAIN TUNIS DOHA DUBAI NEW YORK JEDDAH DAMMAM AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA ALEXANDRIA CAIRO LONDON CAIRO DUBAI CAIRO RIYADH JEDDAH ISTANBUL TAIF DOHA DUBAI AMSTERDAM JEDDAH JEDDAH MUSCAT AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA DOHA ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES RIYADH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SOHAG MUMBAI MUSCAT DUBAI SHARJAH BEIRUT DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA BEIRUT DUBAI FRANKFURT LAHORE MUMBAI CAIRO AMSTERDAM ISTANBUL BAHRAIN

22:00 22:05 22:20 22:25 22:40 22:55 19:10 13:40 16:00 18:30 19:30 20:45 14:15 16:40 18:45 13:40 19:25 18:15 19:25 17:50 13:10 13:20 13:45 13:50 13:55 14:30 14:35 14:40 15:55 16:15 16:35 16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:15 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 17:30 16:10 22:30 14:30 22:40 23:10 23:15 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45 23:00

Airlines AIC JAI UAL DLH MSR PIA THY JZR THY THY ETH MEA AFG THY UAE FDB RBG MSR ETD QTR QTR JZR FDB RJA KAC GFA THY JZR KAC JZR QTR BAW FDB JZR JZR KAC ABY UAE FDB KAC ETD QTR NIA GFA KAC IRA KAC IRC MEA JZR KAC MSC KAC JZR MSR MSR

Departure Flights on Monday 26/8/2013 Flt Route 982 AHMEDABAD 573 MUMBAI 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 637 FRANKFURT 615 CAIRO 206 PESHAWAR 5465 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 502 LUXOR 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 621 ADDIS ABABA 409 BEIRUT 416 KABUL 769 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 556 ALEXANDRIA 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 560 SOHAG 70 DUBAI 643 AMMAN 1801 CAIRO 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 240 AMMAN 545 ALEXANDRIA 164 DUBAI 6131 DOHA 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 126 SHARJAH 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 803 CAIRO 302 ABU DHABI “ 133 DOHA 256 ALEXANDRIA 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 3406 MASHHAD 165 ROME 6522 LAMERD 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 103 LONDON 406 SOHAG 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 580 SOHAG 611 CAIRO

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Time 00:05 00:20 00:25 00:30 00:30 00:55 01:10 01:30 02:20 02:40 02:45 03:10 03:15 03:40 03:45 03:50 03:55 04:15 04:20 04:25 05:15 05:35 06:30 06:35 07:00 07:00 07:10 07:10 07:20 07:25 07:35 08:25 08:25 08:50 09:10 09:25 09:30 09:50 09:55 10:05 10:15 10:25 11:00 11:25 11:30 11:35 11:45 11:50 11:55 12:25 12:30 12:35 13:00 13:20 13:50 14:00

THY KNE UAE FDB QTR KAC MPH KNE KAC OMA SVA KAC KAC KAC RJA JZR QTR ETD JZR ABY UAE SVA GFA UAL JZR JZR NIA QTR FDB GFA JZR MSC KAC JAI FDB ABY KAC OMA KAC MEA MSR DHX MSC ETD ALK UAE QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC QTR JAI JZR JZR KAC TAR

767 481 872 58 141 673 93 473 561 646 501 617 773 741 641 238 135 304 538 128 858 511 216 982 184 266 252 145 64 220 134 404 283 571 62 120 331 648 351 403 619 171 402 308 230 860 137 301 218 60 205 147 575 554 1540 411 328

ISTANBUL-ATATURK TAIF DUBAI DUBAI DOHA DUBAI AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL JEDDAH AMMAN MUSCAT JEDDAH DOHA RIYADH DAMMAM AMMAN AMMAN DOHA ABU DHABI CAIRO SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN BAHRAIN ASYUT DHAKA MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT KOCHI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI ISLAMABAD DOHA ABU DHABI ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BANGKOK DUBAI

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

p34_p34 stars 8/25/2013 9:51 PM Page 1

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 291

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES There is an emotional seriousness to becoming better focused and you work quickly. With your practical awareness of the nature of time, you could make a very good leader or teacher. There could be a tendency to be too strict with yourself. Your ambition is intensified. Study and research could enter into your work at this time. Real estate or home and family planning also take on a greater importance now. You may not feel that time is slipping away, but you do have that strong urge to build your support group and have roots. This is a very nice day, perhaps filled with some appreciation for all that is beautiful. Tonight favors writing, reading, messages, etc. If you do not have a computer in the home, now would be a good time to consider one.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You will feel yourself working easily with the flow of work today. This is a good time to get many things accomplished. Good eye-hand coordination and a sustained effort make almost any task run well. Circumstances can throw you into positions where you must deal with communications, service or enclosed hidden interests when you least expect it. You make your way through ideas, concepts and your ability to communicate and express the ideas to others. This may be a good time to consider a continuing education class or tutoring. Everyone may be away for the evening, allowing you many opportunities to relax. This evening is a wonderful time to catch up on phone calls or perhaps some personal paperwork that needs to be completed.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. Characteristic of a mob.

4. The art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines,.

12. Hormone produced early in pregnancy by the placenta.

15. Any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all.

16. Certainty based on past experience.

17. Leaf or strip from a leaf of the talipot palm used in India for writing paper.

18. Having leadership guidance.

19. A genus of Caltha.

20. Strike with disgust or revulsion.

22. Singing jazz.

24. Diuretic (trade name Lozal) used in the treatment of hypertension.

25. A member of a seafaring group of North American Indians who lived on the Pacific coast of British Columbia and southwestern Alaska.

26. A hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their characteristic color.

28. Someone new to a field or activity.

29. A member of an agricultural people in southeastern India.

33. A genus with one species that is a rapidly growing climbing vine with tuberous roots.

38. (Norse mythology) Ruler of the Aesir.

39. Tough Asiatic grass whose culms are used for ropes and baskets.

41. A river that rises in central Germany and flows north to join the Elbe River.

42. Fraught with extreme danger.

43. Gymnastic apparatus consisting of two parallel wooden bars supported on uprights.

45. A periodic paperback publication.

46. A unit of length of thread or yarn.

49. An internal representation of the world.

52. A member of the Mayan people of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

55. Of or related to the genital and urinary organs or their functions.

56. United States heavyweight boxing champion (1866-1933).

59. A woman hired to suckle a child of someone else.

63. A communist state in the Caribbean on the island of Cuba.

67. East Indian fruit tree bearing fruit similar to but sweeter than that of the rambutan.

72. Not in good physical or mental health.

73. (Greek mythology) Any of the primordial giant goddesses who were offspring of Uranus (heaven) and Gaea (earth) in ancient mythology.

76. A self-funded retirement plan that allows you to contribute a limited yearly sum toward your retirement.

77. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer.

78. Imperfect development.

79. An alliance made up of states that had been Soviet Socialist Republics in the Soviet Union prior to its dissolution in Dec 1991.

80. (British) Your grandmother.

81. Someone who puts text into appropriate form for publication.

82. Used of a single unit or thing.

DOWN 1. A master's degree in library science.

2. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

3. English monk and scholar (672-735).

4. A communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia.

5. Heal or recover.

6. Give out.

7. (informal) Luxuriously elegant.

8. A great raja.

9. (electronics) Of a circuit or device having an output that is proportional to the input.

10. Being ten more than one hundred ninety.

11. Not only so, but.

12. A member of the Shoshonean people of northeastern Arizona.

13. Wearing or provided with clothing.

14. Offering fun and gaiety.

21. A fractional monetary unit in Bangladesh and India and Nepal and Pakistan.

23. A feudal lord or baron in Scotland.

27. A small pellet fired from an air rifle or BB gun.

30. A farewell remark.

31. English theoretical physicist who applied relativity theory to quantum mechanics and predicted the existence of antimatter and the positron (1902-1984).

32. A leisurely walk (usually in some public place).

34. A radioactive transuranic element produced by bombarding plutonium with neutrons.

35. Brought from wildness into a domesticated state.

36. Tropical American tree grown in southern United States having a whitish pink-tinged fruit.

37. United States sculptor (born in 1924).

40. The compass point that is one point east (clockwise) of due north.

44. A rare chronic progressive encephalitis caused by the measles virus and occurring primarily in children and young adults.

47. A unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure.

48. Used of syllables.

50. Standard time in the 6th time zone west of Greenwich, reckoned at the 90th meridian.

51. A period of time spent in military service.

53. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

54. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

57. A Russian river.

58. An intensely radioactive metallic element that occurs in minute amounts in uranium ores.

60. A Muslim trained in the doctrine and law of Islam.

61. American filmmaker and comic actor (1935- ).

62. United States baseball player.

64. A city in central New York.

65. A chisel of tempered steel with a sharp point.

66. Lower in esteem.

68. Indicating the most important performer or role.

69. (superlative of `good') Having the most positive qualities.

70. A genus of European owls.

71. A male monarch or emperor (especially of Russia prior to 1917).

74. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

75. An acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

Today is a particularly successful day. Great headway can be made soon. At times you may feel as though you are in a stuck situation without really understanding why. When you sense you are right with your insights and understanding, you can move in a most positive direction in order to be helpful or for your own development. Read about meditation styles—find and stay with one method. Use this often to gain a focus when you need to solve a problem. This is almost like an exercise technique, wherein each person requires his or her own method to gain his or her preferred end result. You may be solving problems through psychic insight. It will help to write out the thinking on how to succeed in reaching your goals. Writing will help your mindset.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) New and unusual ways of appreciating and loving may be possible now.

You may discover something new about love or may adopt a different and unconventional value system for a time. This is an easy day that runs along quite smoothly. There is a greater appreciation for people and possessions. This is certainly a time when material things have a great deal of importance for you. You may cease to waste time and money acquiring that which is worthless and may develop an eye for that which is lasting and worthwhile. A new love is not only on the horizon, but could be right next to you. A spontaneous and unexpected meeting is in the works. This time would also be positive time to heal an old relationship.

Leo (July 23-August 22) A friend or co-worker may come to you for your advice and counsel regarding some very personal and emotional issues. You will be able to be understanding and helpful when needed. You are able to cut through all the red tape and find the real truth to a matter. There are good practical job-related thoughts and ideas today— you will successfully communicate what you see to your superiors. Your ambition is intensified and you may find big rewards for your hard work. You could feel great support from those around you at this time. You feel healthy and natural and able to cope with anything that comes your way. Your timing should be perfect and those around you should find you enthusiastic and flexible.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Shortcuts are out . . . There could be many corrections as well as some technical changes that are needed before your present job can be completed. You will want to be sure that you do not miss an important piece of information. You are feeling good today and your energy level is high and ready for any challenges you may meet.

Give yourself a cheer of confidence. Other people around you will feel more energized as well. Your attention centers on achievement, distinction and promotion. At your best you are enchanting, able to point to the unity that binds all things together. You have a natural sense for communicating with others, especially those younger than you. A new understanding about past events will be comforting.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) Deal with abstract matters while remaining practical. Some will feel there is conflict, but you will understand that complexities actually aid achievement and inspiration. Answers are not simple, but they are available. You work to stay upto-date with the most updated equipment and you look for good ways to recycle. You are very much aware of the beauty that surrounds you. A short travel to the store may bring some creative ideas for your attention in the near future. This afternoon is the perfect time for lighthearted get-togethers with friends or a trip to the countryside, perhaps a nearby lake and a catfish dinner. You have a clear vision into your own inner sense of values, how you appreciate and love.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) New inventions, new reading material and an ever changing list of friends, keep you updated and continually transforming. This could mean you are a writer or reporter for the news or in a public relations sort of job. Whatever the case, you will have plenty of conversational material today. This is a time of positive thinking, mental stability, good feelings, relaxation and opportunity. This is also a good time to make long-range plans, take advantage of further education, take a long-distance trip or take up philosophy or religious studies. It is a pleasant time for you all around. There is a potential to clear the air on some past events where family is concerned. There is a willingness to listen that did not exist before. A misunderstanding is healed.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This time is marked by realizing some unknown potential. If you take the initiative, a goal that seemed beyond your reach recently may now be obtainable. This afternoon there is time to complete unfinished tasks. The cause of some conflict may be discovered and worked through quickly. You have what it takes to overcome any difficulties that may appear. You are happy to put disputes behind you. This could be in the workplace or at home. Creative ways of making and spending money are considered for some future income. You enjoy friends and family. Companionship with others is most rewarding and you should take every opportunity to be with loved ones.

You can be helping them as much as their presence helps you.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You assume a leadership role and expect the best from the people that are around you. You set examples of a most positive attitude that others could not help but use to enhance their lives as well. Your high energy and this positive attitude will get you where you want to go in any type of business. Remember, when the results are not what you think they should be after a great deal of effort, it may be time to move forward to better opportunities. You display much personal warmth and charm—regardless of circumstances. High energies abound in talk, city travel and the usual daily activities. You are positive and motivating today. Avoid high-pressure tactics when it comes to young people. You will soon resolve problems regarding home, family or real estate.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Travel and other contacts with faraway people and places will play a big role for you now. You will find that you can really think things through as you use some new information in making clear choices. Career decisions are straightforward and easy to make. You are able to successfully present your ideas and concepts to others. Higher education or philosophical as well as religious contacts could have a part in making good things happen. There is a greater appreciation for things of value and that creates a desire to purchase investments. This could be a period of great material gain; a product review is recommended before a purchase. If you are interested in exceptional antique items, taking a class in the subject would be a smart move.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Gathering and exchanging information is part and parcel of solving problems you will be experiencing. You could be most persuasive with others and now may be a good time to deal with any difficulties that you might have with people that serve you, including the medical field. Facts to show regarding any corrections you might want to make would be a good move. There could be challenges but this only helps to fine-tune the details of a particular project today. Your ambition is intensified as the day progresses. Easy does it . . . Take your breaks and allow others to contribute toward the outcome of the day. This afternoon you may find yourself being put to good use by your friends—it could be that someone is moving.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

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

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

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

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

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

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

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

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

2611555-2622555

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

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Robb hates shopping A

nna Sophia Robb finds doing her own shopping “overwhelming”. The 19-year-old actress play a young Carrie in ‘Sex and the City’ spinoff ‘The Carrie Diaries’ and admitted she doesn’t have the same love for fashion shown by her predecessor Sarah Jessica Parker. She said: “I really don’t enjoy shopping, I find it overwhelming. I prefer to have someone else pick clothes for me and then I pick from that. “Clothes shopping is so much work like you have to take off all your clothes and put things on, and nothing ever fits quite right and then when you find something you really like, you always have to take it to a tailor and then you have to pay extra and wait a week until you can wear it. It’s a lot of work.” ‘The Way Way Back’ star also has problems with shoes - because her feet are so small she has to “pad” her footwear on set. She told The Independent newspaper: “I mean really. My feet are ridiculously tiny. I’m practically still in a child’s-size shoe. “I’m just a little bit too small for adult shoes so we have to pad my shoes when I play Carrie. I need to buy shoes in Asia!”

Pitt and Jolie’s daredevil dates

B

rad Pitt and Angelina Jolie enjoy daredevil dates. The couple may have six children together - Maddox, 12, Pax, nine, Shiloh, seven, Zahara, eight, and five-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne but they apparently still find different ways to spend quality time together. According to reports in The Sun on Sunday newspaper, the pair recently rented the Calabogie Motorsports Park in Canada and spent the day racing each other in Mustangs and Porsches before switching to motorbikes. A source revealed: “Angie flew to Canada to scope out some potential filming venues for her movie ‘Unbroken’ a couple of weeks ago. “Brad and the kids went too but they vowed to get some couple time together during the trip so they booked out Calabogie racetrack for a day.” It made a change for the couple - it is said they haven’t raced “for some time” so the trip “got their adrenaline going”. The insider added: “Neither of them have driven fast cars or motorbikes for some time. They haven’t even flown Angie’s private plane so it really got their adrenaline going and they both loved it.”

Brooklyn Beckham’s aristocrat girlfriend

B

rooklyn Beckham is dating the daughter of an aristocrat. The 14year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham reportedly made it “official” with his girlfriend when his family moved back to the UK from Los Angeles earlier this year.

An insider said: “Brooklyn is smitten. “Once the problem of distance was sorted, they decided to make it official. They’ve been friends for years.” The Daily Star Sunday newspaper - who claim they know the identity of the 15-year-old girl but are respecting her privacy - has revealed she plays lacrosse at the elite private school she is a pupil at near her London home. While Brooklyn has been teased by his brothers

Romeo, 10, and Cruz, eight, both are said to be “happy for him”. The source added: “He’s been getting a lot of stick from his brothers but they’re really happy for him.” David and Victoria - who also have two-year-old daughter Harper - want their children to “lead a normal life” and the retired soccer star has admitted their eldest son is starting to want to branch out on his own. He previously said: “Brooklyn is now at the age where he wants to do things and go places and you have to hold him back. “But to be honest, with our children we let them do 99% of the things they want to do. We want them to lead a normal life.”

Lamar Odom

to take

a polygraph test

K

hloe Kardashian wants Lamar Odom to take a polygraph test. The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star is furious her husband of four years has been accused of having affairs with two different women and told him he must prove himself to her. A source told the US edition of OK! magazine: “Things have never looked worse but Khloe wants to know the truth and if it means getting Lamar to do a polygraph test then so be it. Lamar is appalled and totally offended by the idea. “Every time she starts grilling him, Lamar hits the roof and accuses her of not trusting him. Then he just clams up or hangs up. He hates confrontation.” The 29-yearold reality TV star is hopeful allegations Lamar cheated on her with Jennifer Richardson for a year until March 2013 and also had a six-week long affair with lawyer Polina Polonsky at the start of the summer are simply lies. The insider added: “She really loves Lamar and is still clinging to the dream of having a happy marriage and children with him but right now everything is in total chaos.” Khloe and Lamar, who has an estimated fortune of $56 million from his 14-year basketball career, reportedly signed a pre-nuptial agreement with a built-in cheating clause that would see her secure $500,000 for every year they were married if he is unfaithful to her.

Niall Horan has a crush on Kendall Jenner

T

he 19-year-old One Direction singer admitted he is smitten with the 17-year-old ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star and would love to take her on a date. He told Us Weekly magazine: “She’s so cute and I’m a sucker for nice eyes.” Meanwhile, bandmate Harry Styles, 19, says he has no regrets about dating singer Taylor Swift, even if she writes a song about him. He said: “I can’t say I’d date someone less famous to avoid it. At least she’s a great songwriter.” Zayn Malik, 20, insisted his favorite thing about his fiancÈe, Perrie Edwards, is her sense of adventure. He said: “She’s adventurous. Always up for a 2am ice cream run.” This week Liam Payne confirmed he is dating his childhood friend, Sophia Smith who he met when they both attended St. Peter’s Collegiate in Wolverhampton. The final member of the group, Louis Tomlinson, admits his girlfriend politics and sociology student Eleanor Calder, finds it hard to deal with his huge global fame. He said: “It hasn’t been easy at times. She gets pretty intimidated by it all. I mean, who wouldn’t? She can’t have Twitter or anything like that. At first, I was like, ‘Just chill out a bit, it’s fine’, but now I understand where she’s coming from. I can’t expect her to deal with some of the stuff so easily. But with that said, I couldn’t be happier with her.”

Cowell ready to be a proper dad

S

imon Cowell and Lauren Silverman will live together and raise their baby as a family.

The 36-year-old socialite - who recently settled her divorce with Andrew Silverman is pregnant with the media mogul’s child and it is said the couple want to give their unborn baby a “proper” upbringing. An insider told the Sunday People newspaper: “This is something Simon didn’t ever expect to happen. He would sometimes say he wanted children but didn’t actually believe it would happen. “Now it has, he wants to grab the opportunity with both hands and be a proper dad. That means living with Lauren and actually being a family. “He wants to be a good dad, just like he regards his own father ... He wants to emulate what his parents did for him. He knows how important a stable home is for a child.” It is also reported the couple aren’t ruling out “marriage”, but the ‘X Factor’ star’s main “priority” is to care for Lauren and their unborn baby. The source added: “He will stop at nothing to make sure that this happens and that means him and Lauren living together in a proper relationship. “And who knows, maybe marriage will be on the cards. His current priority is to look after Lauren and make sure that she has everything she needs. He is really looking after her.” Meanwhile it has been reported Simon, 53, will become a full-time father and let his career “take a back seat” once he turns 60. A friend told the Sunder Mirror newspaper: “It’s hard to imagine Simon as a house husband and his work is his life, but he said it will be time to take a back seat in a few years. “He has achieved everything he can with his astonishing career. And while he won’t walk away from it all in a hurry, he is looking forward to the day when he becomes a full-time dad.”

Gaga stands by criticism of online hackers

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Roberts helping Swift find a man

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ulia Roberts has been giving Taylor Swift “life advice”. The 45year-old actress has been in touch with the 23-year-old singer since they starred alongside each other in 2010 comedy movie ‘Valentine’s Day’, and Julia has recently been helping the blonde beauty find a man. A source told National Enquirer magazine: “When they met, Julia was blown away by Taylor’s talent and beauty. “They’ve stayed in casual touch, and Julia’s three kids have become big fans of Taylor’s music. “Julia sees a lot of her younger self in Taylor, so she reached out to her recently to catch up and offer some life advice.” ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ star Taylor has had failed relationships with several stars including Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Mayer and Joe Jonas, and Julia - who has eightyear-old twins, Hazel and Finn, as well as five-year-old Henry with husband Danny Moder - has been giving her pointers on what to look for in a man. The source added: “Julia’s counseling Taylor on how to find the right guy and how to spot warning signs when relationships go bad.”

ady Gaga won’t let computer hackers defeat her. The superstar’s comeback single ‘Applause’ was leaked online before its scheduled release date and Gaga stands by the threat she made on Twitter when she heard the news. She wrote at the time: “Wanna grab some shovels and f**k up some hackers?” Asked whether she still wants to attack the computer geeks who leaked the track, Gaga replied: “Yes, I did mean that Tweet. I just think, especially for the music industry right now, it’s important that we all stick together, that we support one another and each other’s records. “Hackers leaking songs before they’re released is detrimental to our marketing plan, so I thought it would be a funny way to tell everyone that we’re OK over here in the Haus of Gaga. We got our team together very quickly to be ready for the release.” The singer also explained why she decided to call her new album ‘ARTPOP’, claiming her creative team are so obsessed with art, they want to create their own cultural movement. In an interview with French radio station NRJ Gaga said: “I wanted to create an album that was a reverse experience from pop art, so the pop art movement was defined by putting pop culture on a canvas, putting pop culture into art, and the art pop movement is putting art into pop culture. “My creative process is that I sit with the Haus of Gaga after my shows every night, and we sit and make music and design clothes and design the stage performances.

We’re obsessed with music and art we let it run our lives, and that’s what art pop really sounds like.”

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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Long selling up for $2.1 million

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ustin Long has put his Hollywood home on the market. The 35-year-old actor, who previously dated Drew Barrymore and is now romancing ‘Les Miserables’ star Amanda Seyfried, is selling his house in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles for $2.1 million. The 3,388 square-foot property, surrounded by manicured lawns and fruit trees, has three bedrooms and four bathrooms, according to real estate website Trulia.com. The house also boasts several balconies, two fireplaces, a loft, a bar and a rustic garden-door entrance leading to the front door. The ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’ star has tried to sell the property, which was previously owned by actor Blair Underwood, a number of times in the past. He bought the house in 2008 for $1.99 million but no longer needs it as he is working a lot on the east coast of America and spending his free time with the blonde actress.

Justin has yet to comment on his budding relationship with Amanda but he praised the 27-year-old actress after attending the London screening of her new movie ‘Lovelace’ recently.

He tweeted: “Adjectives don’t do justice to @AmandaSeyfried’s fearless + transformative perf in #Lovelace (though I would’ve been better) - just go see it (Sic).”

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Lohan to star in comedy show

indsay Lohan is in serious talks to star in a new TV series. The 27-year-old actress, who completed 90 days of court-ordered treatment in rehab at the end of July and is determined to get her career back on track, has been approached by Danny McBride to star in a comedy he is developing for HBO. A source told gossip website TMZ.com that Lindsay really hit it off with the actor and producer, 36, when she filmed a cameo role for his show ‘Eastbound & Down’ recently and he was so impressed with her work ethic that he thinks she is the perfect actress to work on his upcoming project. Danny is developing the comedy series that will revolve around a high school with his producing partner Jody Hill. ‘The Canyons’ star apparently loves the concept and is really hoping it works out. The ‘Mean Girls’ actress has enjoyed a career renaissance since leaving Cliffside rehab centre in Malibu last month. Lindsay has successfully guest-hosted ‘Chelsea Lately’, as well as pouring her feelings out to Oprah Winfrey in a revealing interview. The star has also inked a $2 million deal with Oprah and her OWN network to make an eight-part documentary about the ups and downs of her career.

Garner throws Affleck a party

Ireland Baldwin writes emotional letter to newborn half-sister

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lec Baldwin’s eldest daughter has penned a touching letter to her newborn half-sister. The former ‘30 Rock’ star, 55, and his wife Hilaria welcomed their first child, Carmen Gabriela, into the world on Friday and his 17-year-old daughter Ireland, whose mother is Kim Basinger, hopes they will be best friends when they are older and Carmen will learn from her mistakes. The self-confessed “experimental, wild child” posted a letter full of advice to Carmen on her Tumblr site just hours after her birth, saying: “You have entered the world! Welcome! We have all been anticipating your arrival! By we, I mean a lot of people. Girl, you haven’t even met them, but there are a ton of people who care about you.” The blonde model warned her newborn sister about drinking, smoking marijuana, dating, trusting the wrong people, and assured her that she will always be there for her. Ireland also addressed her own parents’ bitter split and how much it hurt her growing up.

She wrote: “Remember your parents will always love you. As a kid, you forget that sometimes. When they are screaming about this and bickering about that. It hurts. Grown ups yell. I don’t know why, but they do. No matter what your mom or Dad says or does, simply remember that they love you. NEVER forget it.” She added: “I love you, Carmen. You have been born into one crazy family. You are both lucky and cursed at the same time.” Alec and Hilaria are “overjoyed” after Carmen’s birth. The 29-year-old yoga instructor tweeted on Friday: “We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our daughter Carmen Gabriela. She is absolutely perfect (sic).”

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ennifer Garner threw Ben Affleck a star-studded birthday bash. The ‘Butter’ actress, who has three children, Violet, seven, Seraphina, four, and Samuel, 17 months, with her ‘Argo’ director husband, hosted a party at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, last Sunday three days after his 41st birthday, with guests including Matt Damon. A source told Us Weekly magazine: “There were about 30 people who showed up around 2 pm for an afternoon party. There were kids running around in the yard having a blast. It was a relaxed afternoon and people didn’t bring gifts. They all started to leave after dinner around 6 or 7 pm” Jennifer has formed a close bond with Matt’s wife Luciana, with whom he is raising four daughters Isabella, 6, Gia, 4, Stella, 2, and Alexia, 14, since the couple moved from New York to Los Angeles over the summer. A source said: “Jen likes to throw parties at the house, she has a clique in LA that Luc is getting introduced to.” ‘Elysium’ star Matt recently opened up about his ‘bromance’ with Ben, claiming he is one of the most important people in his life. The 42-year-old actor, who co-wrote and starred in the Oscar winning ‘Good Will Hunting’ with Ben, said: “We’re neighbors in Los Angeles, our wives see each other a lot and we’re constantly working together, surrounded by our close friends and collaborators who help us with all of our projects. His opinion is very valuable to me.”

Williams reaches out to Michele

Tulisa’s was protected after suicide fears

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ichelle Williams has reached out to Lea Michele. Lea, 26, has been struggling to cope since her boyfriend Cory Monteith, 31, died from a heroin and alcohol overdose last month and Michelle - whose former boyfriend, Heath Ledger, died of an overdose in 2008 - has reached out to her. A source told the US edition of Star magazine: “Michelle is probably the only person who knows what Lea is going through. Lea was deeply touched by the gesture.

“Michelle made a huge impact and Lea has been feeling better. There are a lot of parallels between Heath and Cory so Michelle can really understand Lea.” Meanwhile Lea has been working closely with the producers of ‘Glee’ on Cory Monteith’s tribute episode.

Another source said: “The meetings are lengthy and Lea is a part of them to make sure everything is just right. “It’s still touch and go for all involved. Tears can and will happen. “When they start filming the episode, everyone is going to be a mess. After they film that episode they are going to go on a break to recharge.”

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ulisa’s agent feared she was going to “commit suicide” after claims she set up a drug deal. The former ‘X Factor’ UK star was arrested earlier this year for allegedly facilitating the sale of £800 worth of Class A drugs and Jonathan Shalit has revealed her employed someone to look after her after the allegations. Speaking at a ‘Media Crisis’ session at the Edinburgh Festival, he said: “She got to the point where I was worried she would commit suicide. “I made sure that someone was at her house for two consecutive nights to make sure she did nothing stupid, because she genuinely thought her life was over.” The star is set to answer police bail in October and while many friends are concerned for her welfare, a source close to her has claimed she is “over the worst of it”. The insider told the Daily Mirror: “Tu is slowly smiling again and is definitely over the worst of it. “She insists she is no longer worried about being famous and wants to work hard and make money. “She says she will bounce back and we all hope she can move forward and get her confidence back.”

se i u r Tom C

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uy b to

ondon L n i e m o ah

he 51-year-old actor is planning to set up a base in the upmarket Notting Hill or St John’s Wood areas of the city so he has a permanent place where his seven-year-old daughter Suri - who lives with her mother, Katie Holmes, in New York - can stay with him when he is working in Europe. A source told the US edition of OK! magazine: “Tom has been planning to set up base in Europe for about four years and he is finally ready to make it happen.

He is utterly charmed by London and wants to get a place in Notting Hill or St John’s Wood.

“Tom is happy because he thinks putting down roots in London will allow him to take Suri for

longer stretches of time. “He is just trying to do something nice for Suri. She has been grounded in the United States for a long time and Tom wants to make sure she gets to experience life fully and know other cultures. He doesn’t want her to grow up to be a narrow minded person who’s afraid to use her passport.” Tom is not the only Hollywood star looking to move to London. Brad Pitt and his fiancee, actress Angelina Jolie, could make the move along with their six children - Maddox, 11, Pax, eight, Zahara, seven, Shiloh, six, and four-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - in 2014 to shoot the sequel to ‘World War Z’.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

lifestyle F e a t u r e s

Marlene Heyman and Lucia Christe exchange greetings with dancers Juan Pablo Ramirez and Daniel Arroyo during the qualification round of the Tango World Tournament in Buenos Aires. —AFP photos

The couple Marlene Heyman and Lucia Christe ease nerves before competing.

Pairs shake up tango championship in Argentina T

he sexy, sensual world of tango is experiencing a shake-up, as same-sex couples compete for the first time in the world championships in Argentina, where the dance was born. The crowds in this traditionally conservative bastion of machismo culture, surprisingly, seem to embrace the change. Enthusiastic cheers and massive applause rang out in a Buenos Aires exhibition hall for Juan Pablo Ramirez and Daniel Arroyo, as they danced to a 1940s classic.

“It takes two to tango,” Ramirez told AFP, elated after his successful performance, “but they don’t necessarily have to be different sexes.”

Ramirez, a 34-year-old Argentine professional dancer, and Arroyo, 18, are among four same-sex couples-including three male pairs and one femalecompeting in the 11th annual world championship. “There is a macho culture,” Arroyo conceded. “But there are older people who appreciate us. “We aren’t doing anything transgressive,” he said, adding “society isn’t ready. It’s a slow change, with pauses.” The dance partners said they are trying to excel in the wider world of tango, not just a gay subculture. “Our goal is for

people to say, ‘what good dancing!’”

Ramirez said.

A relaxation on the tango circuit Although same-sex couples are now seen as out of the ordinary in the milongas (dance halls) where tango is celebrated amid a cult of masculinity, the origins of the dance tell a different story. Born in the brothels of the 19th century, the dance was at that time performed by pairs of men-women were initially prohibited from participating in a dance considered prostitute-like, historians say.

Gustavo Mozzi, a musician and composer and director of the tango championship, told AFP that same-sex couples were never officially barred from the competition, though they never entered in the past. This year’s entries show “there is a relaxation in the tango and milongas circuit. An opening,” Mozzi said.

Most important is having a good time Music swelled again and couples began striding and circling the stage in the deliberate tango motions as the audience cheered for Marlene Heyman and Lucia Christe. Heyman,

The couple Marlene Heyman and Lucia Christe pose for a photograph.

31, a dancing shoe saleswoman, and Christe, 32, a violin professor, say they are not gay-both have or had boyfriends-but started dancing together for lack of partners at the milongas. “Nobody asked us to dance.

So to avoid being left sitting, we said, ‘let’s play. Let’s have fun.’” Heyman explained. “And we loved it.”

Once they figured out who was going to lead (traditionally the man) and follow (traditionally the woman), they took on the challenge of competing with the male-female pairs.

Other dancers “told us, ‘what genius!’ ‘what courage!’” Heyman said, adding “It’s not important to us if others stare.

The most important thing is we have a good time.” Nearby, Marcelo Siufe, 41, a nurse, stands with his partner Manuel Mioni, 26, a professional dancer, waiting to take the stage.

“Dance has no sex,” Siufe said. “Before, men danced with each other. I could dance with my sister or my mother.

“Tango is passion and fantasy.”—AFP

The couple Marlene Heyman and Lucia Christe thank to the audience among other performers.

Blimps and ballads: Edinburgh comedians tackle independence

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Actor Tom Freeman plays the part of ‘Alex Almond’, in front of a satirical portrait of Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, in the play ‘Preen Back Yer Lugs’ (“Listen Up” in Scots dialect) during the annual Festival Fringe in Edinburgh.—AFP photos

A picture shows souvenirs bearing Scottish symbols.

reaking up the United Kingdom is a serious business-but at Edinburgh’s famous Fringe festival, comedians are bringing some light relief to Scotland’s big debate over whether to split off as an independent state.

“Scottish independence? You’ll regret it when you’re sober,” read a huge inflatable blimp that floated this month above Scotland’s elegant capital, which hosts thousands of theatre and comedy shows every August for the Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival.

With just over a year to go before Scotland’s historic referendum-which could see the 5.5 million-strong nation move to An actor holds a satirical split from England, portrait of Scottish First Wales and Northern Minister Alex Salmond. Ireland-a string of shows on the Fringe program tackle the thorny issue of independence. “I honestly think comedy is the best way to deal with this,” said Billy Mack, one of the stars of “Preen Back Yer Lugs” (“Listen Up” in Scots dialect), a sharp satire set in a nightmarish future where nuclear war has wiped out all nations except, funnily enough, Scotland.

“The debate can get quite heated, quite personal, especially with the slanging matches between the yes and no campaigns,” Mack told AFP. “We are lampooning ourselves, which I suppose is a good way of approaching the debate we’re having.” Tongue firmly in cheek, “Preen Back Yer Lugs” gives the English a taste of life as an oppressed minority in a Scotland where speaking English is

banned, wearing tartan is compulsory and the only music allowed is bagpipes.

The play does not come down on one side of the independence debate, Mack stressed. “It asks questions and says what it’s like to be a Scot in the United Kingdom-how we feel a tad oppressed at times,” he said. Scotland, in the play, is run by an egotistical dictator who bears an uncanny resemblance to Alex Salmond, current first minister of the Scottish regional government and leader of the pro-independence Scottish National Party. “He’s a jolly, rotund chap,” Mack said with a smile. “ He’s just set up for ridicule.”

Disunited Kingdom?

From tiny pub backrooms to major theatres, stand-up routines across the city are peppered with gags about the coming referendum and Scottish national identity. Whether it’s the Scots’ love of haggis or the sometimes farcical overpoliteness of their southern neighbors, no one escapes a merciless daily ribbing. The play “I’m With The Band” deals with the fallout in a rock group called The Unioncomprising an English singer, Scottish guitarist, Welsh bassist and Northern Irish drummer-after the Scot decides to leave.

“You’re the most patronizing person I know!” the stereotypically dour Scot yells at the bossy Englishman. “Everything about you is patronizing!”

A Scottish exit appears to spell disaster for the rest of the “band”-England tries to create a new sound after Scotland leaves, which is so dire that Wales and Northern Ireland end up crying on the floor in their underpants. Some Fringe shows are trying to raise more questions than answers.

Hundreds of people have been packing into an Edinburgh theatre each night to watch “The Bloody Great Border Ballad Project”, which sees poets from all over Britain reflect on their feelings about the coming referendum.

There were big laughs for pro-independence performer Kieran Hurley,

A bagpiper in traditional regalia and a drummer perform in Edinburgh .

whose affectionate, sweary exchange of letters between himself and an imaginary English friend cast light on the complex relationship between two countries that have been joined for 300 years. There are 13 months to go before the referendum in September 2014 — and while opinion polls currently show a comfortable lead for the pro-union campaign, the show’s curator Lorne Campbell said there was plenty of time for Scots to make their mind up.

In the meantime, he is simply hoping to generate a “better quality of confusion”.

“I wanted to make a project that gave a chance to discuss thoughts around independence and nationhood in quite a nonconfrontational, non-argumentative way,” he explained. “I have one Scottish parent, I have one American parent. I speak with a Scottish accent, but I live and work in England. I feel British, I feel Scottish, I feel European. “It’s a huge idea, that the United Kingdom might not be the United Kingdom any more,” he told AFP. “There’s a huge argument about the nature of our identity coming.” —AFP

A woman looks at a shop selling kilt.

People walk past a shop selling souvenirs.

A member of the public takes a picture of a man dressed as the character William Wallace from Braveheart.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

LIFESTYLE F e a t u r e s

Dreamers work to create huge new park in Delhi I

n a tangle of forgotten, overgrown brush in the heart of India’s capital, a quiet plan has been hatched to change the landscape of one of the world’s most populous cities. An intricate Mughal garden is being created.

Crumbling sandstone tombs nearly lost to history are being rebuilt. An artificial lake is being carved out. The renovation of Sunder Nursery is intended to serve as the catalyst for an even more ambitious project: the creation of a mammoth, iconic park that would rival New York’s Central Park as a refuge from urban chaos.

“It would be the place where the city descends. It would be an oasis,” said Ratish Nanda, project director for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and the driving force behind the dream of a megapark. To create that park would require the merger of a string of adjoining gardens, heritage areas and a zoo administered by different government agencies, an incredibly complicated task in a land where bureaucratic turfs are fiercely protected. And though some officials are beginning to discuss the plan, no formal proposal has been formulated.

But sometimes in India, it takes tenacious dreamers like Nanda to achieve the seemingly impossible. Nanda and the Aga Khan Trust have taken on seemingly impossible tasks before. They helped wrest a 17 acre compound in the area, along with a large monument, from India’s version of the Boy Scouts.

They are currently fighting with railways officials to get them to remove a storeroom blocking access to another monument. “One single man has to be there, to strive, to go out and achieve this,” said Ashok Khurana, a powerful supporter and the recently retired head of Delhi’s Central Public Works Department, one of the many agencies that would need to work together to create the giant

park.

The payoff would be considerable.

Delhi, with a population of about 17 million, is a surprisingly green city, with small parks dotting many neighborhoods and Lodhi Gardens - with a clutch of crumbling monuments of its own attracting speed walkers and picnickers in upscale south Delhi. The mega-park would tower over them all. It would be 480 hectares (1,200 acres), considerably larger than Central Park. It would have 100,000 trees of more than 300 species, Nanda said. It would encompass one of the most impressive collections of medieval Islamic monuments, anchored by the grandiose tomb of Emperor Humayun, a 16th Century prototype for the Taj Mahal. It would have an ancient fort, a Buddhist stupa, flocks of exotic birds and white tigers in the zoo.

Nanda imagines families rolling out carpets on the grass in the winter and enjoying a book in the shade of a tree in the summer. He imagines people touring the tombs or just crossing the park on their daily commutes. The heart of the dream is the restoration of Sunder Nursery, a 40-hectare (100-acre) field adjacent to Humayun’s Tomb, both of which are being restored by the Aga Khan’s trust. The nursery was founded by British colonists to grow experimental plants. In recent years it was barely functioning, became a dumping ground for construction waste, and was visited by a few hundred people a month.

The trust fought back a government plan to cut the nursery in half - and destroy a garden tomb - to make way for a major road planned for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Nanda said. It had to remove 1,000 truckloads of construction rubble scattered about the fields. It restored the 500-year-old Sunderwala Burj tomb from a gray building patched with concrete to the

An Indian worker holds a portrait of the tomb of Emperor Humayun.

striking burnt orange sandstone and white lime mortar of its original design.

A dozen other monuments in the nursery stand testament to the era, half a millennium ago, when the Islamic Mughal emperors from Central Asia ruled over a vast swathe of the Indian subcontinent.

The Sunderwala Burj stands at the entrance to a Mughal garden being built under the inspiration of Persian carpet designs, with squares of grass and flower beds bordering a thin pond that will send water flowing into narrow channels and over intricately carved stone patterns. Nearby, workers have dug a reservoir to be filled with fish swimming in water from a specially built treatment plant. That water will also flow through streams into areas forested with plants from Delhi’s different habitats. There is an amphitheater and a bonsai pavilion and plans for a restaurant.

Peacocks wander through the thick grass, one of the 56 bird species in the nursery. “That was a kingfisher,” Nanda said excitedly as he gave a tour. He pointed to a Mughal-era lotus pond being excavated. To the first fruits growing on a young lemon tree. To the new rose garden and the bright white and red edifice of the newly restored Lakkarwala Burj monument. “This is beautiful. This is how it’s meant to be.

Look at this parapet, it’s like a jewel,” he said. The nursery project, he said, is intended to turn what had been a dead zone “into a thriving ecological hub.”

“The idea here is that this is a magical space that takes people away from the humdrum of daily life,” he said.

But this is just a small step he hopes will create a creeping momentum toward the larger park. He is already eyeing the crumbling Azimnganj Sarai, an early 16th Century pilgrim’s motel just outside the nursery on zoo land. The

Ratish Nanda, project director for the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, talks as he inspects renovation work.

Indian laborers work to renovate the Neela Gumbad, or Blue Tomb, as part of a project for the creation of a mammoth, iconic park that would rival New York’s Central Park as a refuge from urban chaos, in New Delhi, India. —AP photos Mughal garden, in fact the entire design of the nursery, points directly at the sarai, and he is hoping to get permission to restore it and add it to the park. That would bring him a small step closer to the mega-park dream. That park, as envisioned by Nanda and his colleagues, would start with Humayun’s Tomb and its complex of gardens and monuments.

Just to the north is the nursery, then the national zoo, then the Purana Qila, the oldest fort in the city. Running alongside all this is the narrow Millennium Park, which borders the Yamuna River.

These areas are so cut off now that a trip from Humayun’s Tomb to Millennium Park, only about 100 meters (yards) away, would take 5 1/2 kilometers (3 miles). “These are all things that have been originally linked and these artificial boundaries are just silly,” Nanda said, pointing to the walls around a clus-

ter of monuments. He fears, however, the struggle of getting government agencies to cooperate. “It takes centuries to get anything done here,” he said. The Archaeological Survey of India runs Humayun’s Tomb and the Purana Qila.

Delhi’s Central Public Works Department controls the nursery. The environment ministry controls the zoo and the Delhi Development Authority runs Millennium Park. Even the railways have land involved.

The agencies would have to pool their budgets, pull down their walls, work together to provide parking and maintenance. Mohammad Shaheer, a landscape architect who worked on the nursery, said the draw of creating such a unique space where residents of this city of migrants could interact and create memories will be irresistible. Pravin Srivastava, the director general of the

Indian laborers work to renovate the Sunder Nursery, a 100 acre field founded by British colonists to grow experimental plants.

Archaeological Survey of India, said the recent renovation at Humayun’s Tomb, which involved about a dozen different agencies, proved such cooperation was possible.

“Everyone has their perceived priorities and their way of functioning.

Getting around those certain blocks and mindsets is something that needs to be addressed,” he said. Yet he predicted the new park could be inaugurated within five years. “It can, and it should,” he said.

Khurana, the former head of CPWD, predicted the park would be a tourist magnet with 20,000 to 30,000 visitors a day.

“The mindset is, everyone wants it,” he said. “When the heart is willing, everything is OK.” —AP

A stray dog rests near a renovated tomb inside Sunder Nursery, a 100 acre field founded by British colonists to grow experimental plants.

5 free things to do in

Southeast Wyoming File photo shows Albany Lodge co-manager Ted Bouffio surveying a trail.

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yoming is famous for Yellowstone and Grand Teton. But a wide valley of fragrant, gnarled sagebrush around the upper waters of the North Platte River offers another way to experience the state. Bordered by the Sierra Madre and Medicine Bow mountains just north of the Colorado line in southeast Wyoming, the North Platte River Valley used to be the exclusive domain of cattle ranchers descended from homesteaders. These days, the area is home to some very wealthy people - as evidenced by private jets at the tiny airport and new mansions. Annie Proulx, famous author of “Brokeback Mountain,” a few years ago wrote a book about her sanctuary home, Bird Cloud, overlooking the river.

The valley’s largest town, Saratoga, popu-

lation 1,700, offers lodging, restaurant s and even shopping options for anybody’s budget. But there are also plenty of free ways to experience the backcountry wilderness in every season, from warm-weather hikes in the vast Medicine Bow National Forest to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing followed by a soak in a hot spring as snow falls.

Saratoga national fish hatchery Anglers revere the North Platte River as a blue-ribbon trout stream, but a fishing license runs $14 a day for non-Wyoming residents.

Gear and a guide cost a lot more than that.

Leave the river fish to nap in their chilly holes and go check out the hundreds of lake, brown and rainbow trout kept for breeding at the 102-year-old Saratoga National Fish Hatchery.

File photo shows a cross-country skier in Medicine Bow National Forest’s Tie City in Albany County, Wyo. —AP photos

The hatchery helps restore native trout populations from coast to coast, including lake trout to the Great Lakes. Huge brood stock trout swim lazily up and down long, narrow pools called raceways. Their single, noble mission in life is to produce eggs, sperm and fingerlings. The hatchery also breeds the humble and highly endangered Wyoming toad for release in ponds and lakes east of the Medicine Bow Mountains.

Located a couple miles (kilometers) north of Saratoga on a good gravel road, the hatchery is open to the public year-round. A selfguided tour begins with the fingerlings and proceeds to the buildings with the big fish.

Follow the trail of fish painted on the pavement. Then follow the painted ducks to a scenic overlook.

Wildlife Deer like Saratoga. They’re all over town.

They browse on shrubbery and mangle chain-link fences as they leap from yard to yard. Drive slowly and take care not to hit one. Out in the open country, keep an eye out for herds of pronghorn, better known as antelope. They are North America’s fastest land animal. Their white and tawny hides provide almost perfect camouflage.

A moose resting in the shade under an evergreen tree in Medicine Bow National Forest.

Golden and bald eagles are common sights as they hunt trout along rivers and creeks. Up in the mountains, elk are numerous but bashful, especially during fall hunting season. Spotting a moose or two the color of dark chocolate, grazing in a mucky meadow, is more likely.

Never approach moose. They might seem as mellow as Bullwinkle, the old-time cartoon character, but they number among Wyoming’s most dangerous wildlife. A 1,000pound (450-kilo) bull during mating season has no sense of humor. Black bears are plentiful, also, and mountain lions. Be knowledgeable and alert but don’t fear the backcountry just because of them. Attacks on people by these animals are very rare in Wyoming.

Appreciate the smaller critters, too: a coyote on the prowl, hummingbirds or a yellowbellied marmot. A few days here without seeing wildlife would be unusual.

Hobo pool Saratoga is known for its hot springs, including the waters at the Saratoga Resort & Spa - but you have to be a guest to enjoy them.

That’s OK: The Hobo Pool, owned and

maintained by the town behind the public swimming pool, is free and never closes. The colder and snowier the weather, the better for enjoying a soak in the Hobo Pool, where the water averages between 106 and 119 degrees Fahrenheit (41 to 48 Celsius).

The hottest water bubbles in from a separate portion of the pool called the Lobster Pot. Half the fun of visiting the Hobo Pool is watching brave souls attempt a dip in the Lobster Pot. A recent remodeling added a not-so-hot pool where the temperature averages only 100 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). The pool is half a mile or less (.8 kilometers) away from most of Saratoga’s hotels. It’s a pleasant stroll during the summer but don’t defeat the purpose in winter. Drive there instead.

Medicine bow national forest Medicine Bow National Forest has hundreds of miles (kilometers) of trails. The most scenic is just 3.2 miles (5 kilometers) round trip. Not that this hike with 1,300 feet (400 meters) of gain to the summit of 12,014-foot (3,663-meter) Medicine Bow Peak - highest in southern Wyoming - is any slouch.

The trail begins amid alpine lakes and wildflowers and zigzags up the treeless mountainside to panoramic views of a wide

In this Sept 14, 2009 file photo, an angler fishes the Encampment River for trout near Saratoga, Wyo.

swath of the Rocky Mountains. Later in the year, try the Encampment River Trail that begins in a sagebrush-and-cottonwood canyon a few miles (kilometers) outside Encampment, population 450, at the south end of the North Platte Valley.

The trail follows the pristine Encampment River upstream to the Encampment River Wilderness, where it enters dense spruce and fir and steepens as it traces the roaring river toward its source. Day hikers should allow plenty of time to turn around. The full 16 miles (26 kilometers) of this trail is better covered on a multi-day backpacking trip.

Winter trails Snowmobiling is popular in southeast Wyoming but your own legs can provide a much cheaper and infinitely more Zen experience. Mazes of trails off-limits to snowmobiles are groomed near the points where each highway over the Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre mountains has closed for the winter.

Dress in layers and prepare to shed a couple. This can be a workout if a foot or two (a half-meter) of light powder fell on the path last night and the groomer is nowhere in sight yet. What better way to earn a visit to

Deer crossing the street in downtown Saratoga.

Blimps and ballads: Edinburgh comedians tackle independence

MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2013

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Children prepare to take part in the parade on the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival in west London yesterday. Running over two days, the Caribbean carnival puts on a Kid’s day when costume prizes are awarded. (Inset) A girl smiles as she prepares to take part in the parade on the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival. — AFP

Archaeologists use drones in Peru to map and protect sites I

n Peru, home to the spectacular Inca city of Machu Picchu and thousands of ancient ruins, archaeologists are turning to drones to speed up sluggish survey work and protect sites from squatters, builders and miners. Remote-controlled aircraft were developed for military purposes and are a controversial tool in US anti-terrorism campaigns, but the technology’s falling price means it is increasingly used for civilian and commercial projects around the world.

Small drones have been helping a growing number of researchers produce three-dimensional models of Peruvian sites instead of the usual flat maps - and in days and weeks instead of months and years. Speed is an important ally to archaeologists here. Peru’s economy has grown at an average annual clip of 6.5 percent

Culture Ministry. Hoyle said the government plans to buy several drones to use at different sites, and that the technology will help the ministry comply with a new, business-friendly law that has tightened the deadline for determining whether land slated for development might contain cultural artifacts.

Commercial drones made by the Swiss company senseFly and the US firms Aurora Flight Sciences and Helicopter World have all flown Peruvian skies. Drones are already saving archaeologists time in mapping sites - a crucial but often slow first step before major excavation work can begin. Mapping typically involves tedious ground-level observations with theodolites or pen and paper. “With this technology, I was able to do in a few days what had taken me years to do,” said Luis Jaime Castillo, a Peruvian archaeologist with Lima’s Catholic University and an incoming deputy culture minister who plans to use drones to help safeguard Peru’s archaeological heritage.

Castillo started using a drone two years ago to explore the San Jose de Moro site, an ancient burial ground encompassing 150 hectares (0.58 square miles) in northwestern Peru, where the discovery of several tombs of priestesses suggests women ruled the coastal Moche civilization. “We have always wanted to have a bird’seye view of where we are working,” said Castillo.

In the past, researchers have rented crop dusters and strapped cameras to kites and helium-filled balloons, but those methods can be expensive and clumsy. Now they can build drones small enough to hold with two hands for as little as $1,000.

“It’s like having a scalpel instead of a club, you can control it to a very fine degree,” said Jeffrey Quilter, an archaeologist with Harvard University who has worked at San Jose de Moro

Copper shaped plates lay on the floor in a burial chamber of the Moche culture. over the past decade, and development pressures have surpassed looting as the main threat to the country’s cultural treasures, according to the government.

Researchers are still picking up the pieces after a pyramid near Lima, believed to have been built some 5,000 years ago by a fire-revering coastal society, was razed in July by construction firms. That same month, residents of a town near the pre-Incan ruins of Yanamarca reported that informal miners were damaging the three-story stone structures as they dug for quartz. And squatters and farmers repeatedly try to seize land near important sites like Chan Chan on the northern coast, considered the biggest adobe city in the world.

Archaeologists say drones can help set boundaries to protect sites, watch over them and monitor threats, and create a digital repository of ruins that can help build awareness and aid in the reconstruction of any damage done.

“We see them as a vital tool for conservation,” said Ana Maria Hoyle, an archaeologist with the

View of one of two skeletons found in a burial chamber of the Moche culture. and other sites in Peru. “You can go up three meters and photograph a room, 300 meters and photograph a site, or you can go up 3,000 meters and photograph the entire valley.”

Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, have flown over at least six different archaeological sites in Peru in the past year,

occupied, destroyed, wiped from the map,” said Blanca Alva, an official with the ministry charged with oversight.

Typical Moche pottery found in a burial chamber of the Moche culture (between 200-700 AD), in the Cao religious compound, close to the city of Trujillo, some 570 kilometers north of Lima is displayed. — AFP photos including the colonial Andean town Machu Llacta some 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level.

Peru is well known for its stunning 15th century Machu Picchu ruins, likely a getaway for Incan royalty that the Spanish were unaware of during their conquest, and the Nazca Lines in southern Peru, which are best seen from above and were mysteriously etched into the desert more than 1,500 years ago. But archaeologists are just as excited about other chapters of Peru’s pre-Hispanic past, like coastal societies that used irrigation in arid valleys, the Wari empire that conquered the Andes long before the Incas, and ancient farmers who appear to have been domesticating crops as early as 10,000 years ago.

With an archaeology budget of around $5 million, the Culture Ministry often struggles to protect Peru’s more than 13,000 sites. Only around 2,500 of them have been properly marked off, according to the ministry. “And when a site is not properly demarcated, it is illegally

Drone ‘democratization’ Steve Wernke, an archaeologist with Vanderbilt University exploring the shift from Incan to Spanish rule in the Andes, started looking into drones more than two years ago. He tried out a drone package from a US company that cost around $40,000. But after the small plane had problems flying in the thin air of the Andes, Wernke and his colleague, engineer Julie Adams, teamed up and built two drones for less than $2,000.

The drones continue to have altitude problems in the Andes, and Wernke and Adams now plan to make a drone blimp. “There is an enormous democratization of the technology happening now,” Wernke said, adding that do-ityourself websites like DIYdrones.com have helped enthusiasts share information.

“The software that these things are run on is all open-source. None of it is locked behind company patents,” he said. There are some drawbacks to using drones in archaeology. Batteries are big

Workers remove dust and debris in a burial chamber of the Moche culture. and short-lived, it can take time to learn to work with the sophisticated software and most drones struggle to fly in higher altitudes. In the United States, broader use of drones has raised privacy and safety concerns that have slowed regulatory approvals. Several states have drafted legislation to restrict their use, and one town has even considered offering rewards to anyone who shoots a drone down.

But in Peru, archaeologists say it is only a matter of time before drones replace decadesold tools still used in their field, and that the technology can and should be used for less destructive uses. “So much of the technology we use every day comes from warfare,” said Hoyle. “It is natural this is happening.”

Some of the first aerial images taken of Peru’s archaeological sites also have their roots in combat. The Shippee-Johnson expedition in 1931 was one of several geographic surveys led by U.S. military pilots that emerged from the boom in aerial photography during World War I. It produced reams of images still used by archaeologists today. —AFP