6 Sep 2013

Co-operatives mushroom in modern Kuwait

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Gasquet ousts Ferrer, meets Nadal in semis

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FR EE

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Obama heads into the lion’s den in Russia

www.kuwaittimes.net

Max 45º Min 27º

NO: 15920- Friday, September 6, 2013

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CAIRO: Egyptian Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim is pictured during a meeting in Cairo. (Inset) Egyptian security forces gather at the scene of a bomb that targeted the convoy of Egyptian Interior Minister yesterday. —AFP

Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Conspiracy Theories

Local Spotlight

Syrian war: Should we worry?

Lost love

By Muna Al-Fuzai

By Badrya Darwish muna@kuwaittimes.net

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

T

he possible war on Syria and its repercussions on Kuwait is the main topic on the minds of Kuwaitis and expats nowadays. It’s a very legitimate question and it makes sense for people to wonder what would happen if the US leads a coalition to strike Syria with rockets and bombs and how safe we are amidst all this.

The most common questions I hear every day are, “If there’s a war, what will happen to us? Will we die?” I know some of these questions seem naive because I’m not a war expert and I will hear the news as and when it happens, just like the rest of you, but I do understand everyone’s concerns because war isn’t a joke or a picnic.

Nobody with any sense wants to see more dead people because we are already aware of the number of people

suffering around the world.

Nevertheless, if a decision is taken to start a war against the ruling system in Syria, then we have to consider all our options and not worry about questions like “Are we going to die?” We must believe in fate and destiny and nobody will die before his time comes and when it does, nobody can escape it no matter where they are.

I’m personally not worried at all and in fact, believe that Kuwait is the safest place in the Middle East. All security measures must be taken to protect everyone in Kuwait. I also think that there might be some limited attacks on specific areas in Syria and not something on a very large scale. Reality is hard but we must be strong and confront circumstances, no matter what.

Kuwait’s my business

Life returns to Kuwait via local blogosphere

By John P Hayes

local@kuwaittimes.net

A

fter a long, hot, uneasy summer (I know it’s not over yet, but can we pretend?) Kuwait is coming back to life, and nowhere is that more evident than in the local blogosphere. While I rely daily on the Kuwait Times for news and updates about local events, I also read a variety of blogs because they provide snippets of information, often with engaging personalities and commentaries. Blogging was sluggish through much of the summer, but the bloggers are lighting up our local cyberspace once again.

Anyone who pays attention to the Kuwait blogosphere discovers 2:48AM, written by long-time resident Mark Makhoul. One night while still a college student, Mark finished writing an article for what would become his blog, and while searching for a title, he noticed the time: 2:48 am.

He has since turned that title into what may be Kuwait’s most popular blog. But whether it’s the most popular or not, I like it for two reasons: the breadth of topics he writes about, and his quirky personality, which rather suits his celebrity status in Kuwait.

In recent days, 2:48AM has informed readers about the Japanese Pop Culture Festival, the Skatepark Scooter Competition, and Kuwait Bookshops. The blog has also reviewed numerous restaurants, and unlike many other bloggers, Mark includes text as well as photos and doesn’t depend on the photos to do the job of the review, i.e. “Buy these yummy brownies!” I had no idea you could find Ethiopian food in Kuwait, did you? Or that The One at Marina Mall serves a scrumptious salmon dish. I also appreciate that Mark doesn’t accept payments or meals for his reviews - my guess is the restaurants don’t know they’re serving a popular blogmeister.

As for quirky stuff, have you wondered about the boxes in the Prestige section of The Avenues? Do you know about the “old photographer” in Kuwait? Are you interested in

Oria Kiely wallpaper? Would you know a John Vogel chair if you sat in one? Do you know where to find quinoa in Kuwait? Are you aware of Kuwait’s sex crime laws? Details about these topics appeared in recent editions of 2:48AM, revealing much about the blogger’s personality.

In the same vein as Desert Girl, the blogger at Expat and the City has a distinct personality - I think of it as zany, in a good way. This blog is often photo-heavy, and some topics don’t interest me (no doubt I’m old enough to be this expat’s father), but she often writes with heart and appreciation for all things Kuwait. She has a wide and varied network in Kuwait which helps keep her on track. Women in particular will enjoy many of the updates about fashion, bags, travel, relationships and “fun” in general.

It’s no wonder that Americans quickly feel at home in Kuwait - our kids can play baseball here in affiliation with Little League International in Williamsport, Pa. Registration is now open, according to the bloggers at The Grapevine, the “must read” blog for anyone who wants to get busy in Kuwait. Coming up: Workshop on Labour Skills, auditions for “Into Narnia!”, Carnival Day at the BSK, Kuwait Fashion Week, iBusiness Workshop, Global Peace Ride for bicyclists, AWARE Center’s orientation for expats, and much more. I recently discovered Kuwait UPTO Date, which also provides info about upcoming events.

Kuwait is officially back to life, and anyone who says otherwise doesn’t read the blogs.

Dr John P Hayes heads the Business Administration department at GUST where he teaches marketing and leadership. In the past 30 years, Dr Hayes has advised more than 100 franchise concepts. Got a question for him? Send it to questions@hayesworldwide.com, or via Twitter @drjohnhayes.

W

hat is happening with the Arab world?

This is not the same part of the Arab world where I grew up and which I have known. I am not talking about the political aspect of things, which sucks, by the way.

While growing up, we were used to being ruled by dictators without any real democracy. But we were compensated by existing harmony and love between people in society. There were a few principles which society did not give up on. When I say this, I do not mean just one country but I am talking about the whole Arab world and the entire Middle East region.

We had what was called ‘Arabism’ - a sense of community and loyalty towards each other. This, unfortunately, is fading away and could even be buried soon. There are many recent incidents which could prove my words.

The other night, one of our editors came to the office visibly upset. After we asked her what was bothering her, we discovered that she had witnessed an awful incident in Salmiya.

Out of the blue and for no reason at all, she said, a driver who blocked one of the lanes on the road jumped out of his vehicle and pulled out the driver of the SUV behind him, holding him by the collar of his shirt. After a loud verbal discussion and muscle-flexing, the younger chap started to beat the unsuspecting SUV driver viciously in front of the eyes of many drivers on the road who had stopped at the traffic light. Much to her surprise, everyone just watched and nobody came out of their cars to stop the fight. It wasn’t like the man who was beating up the other man had a Kalashnikov and was going to shoot at random.

It is normal for street fights to happen. But usually, I am accustomed to the public on the street interfering. In the past, people used to interfere and try to stop a fight. Lately, however, people’s attitudes have changed for the worse. They cannot be bothered. Is it because of fear or something else? If it is, why did it not exist before? Has fear changed our habits and our way of life? Or is it that the more we have modernized, the more we have changed? I have no idea. Why do we have such passive and insensitive feelings? Why such a change in our principles and ethics?

We used to have a feeling of safety in the past.

We felt that if anyone picks on you, the people around would help. In the past, nobody could flex his muscles in public. It was the way of the Arab world. It is sad to see this has changed today.

Why have we lost love of our traditions and habits? Is it the winds of the Arab Spring blowing everywhere and pushing us away from each other? Or is it the financial burdens on people and a more demanding life that is affecting us? Or could it be that too much chaos is causing a rift between us and everyone is now thinking only of himself? I do not know but whatever the reason is, there is no justification for this change of ethics, traditions, and principles. @BadryaD

Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

By Nawara Fattahova

I

f you’re a woman living alone in Kuwait or in a family without men how will you manage to fix your car if the company doesn’t provide good after-sales service? Expat women who don’t speak Arabic are in for a tough time and if the car breaks down during summer, things just get worse.

Women get stressed when they have to fix a broken car and it’s very rare to see a woman at a local garage. Most mechanics also take advantage of women and charge them much more than what they charge their male clients, secure in the knowledge that they don’t know much about cars.

It was a very hard experience for Janette when her car’s airconditioner stopped working and became a heater. “It wasn’t even my car as it belonged to my friend and I had just borrowed it. I had a hard time fixing it in this hot weather and had to roam around from garage to garage in Shuwaikh. What’s worse was that I don’t speak Arabic and it was difficult to communicate with them even when it was something as simple as a malfunctioning AC. Finally, my friends told me that they charged me more since I’m a woman and that they always double the price for non-Arabic-speaking females,” she said.

27-year-old Talien works with a garage she’s familiar with.

“I call the mechanic and he comes and takes my car from my house. He takes complete care of it and if he needs to find extra spare parts, he takes it to other experts and fixes it. I know all the garages can’t be trusted because they always charge more than the actual price,” she pointed out.

Time plays a key role in her life. “Unfortunately I don’t have enough time to go to the garage myself and follow up. If I had time I would go. Once the garage tried to cheat me and asked me KD 250 to change the engine. I thought it was very expensive and took it to another garage and was told that it was a very small thing and I only had to replace the motor and

charged me KD 20. Sometimes they claim that they have changed a certain part but they wouldn’t have and I found this out the hard way. As I found it was expensive, I took it to another garage who told me it was a small thing and I don’t need to change the motor and fixed it for KD 20. Sometimes they also claim to have changed certain parts but wouldn’t have and the same part keeps breaking down again and again,” added Talien.

Arabic because life would have been harder otherwise,” she explained.

The scrap-yard in Amghara is not a place for women and most of the women don’t go there, unless they are accompanied by a man. People go to the scrap-yard to look for spare parts when they don’t have enough money to buy new parts.

35-year-old Julie’s mother taught her to be independent by fixing her own car. “I know many garages in Shuwaikh and

People go to the scrap-yard in Amghara to look for spare parts when they don’t have enough money to buy new parts. The scrap-yard is not a place for women and most of the women don’t go there, unless they are accompanied by a man.

45-year-old Knar is left to fix her car alone after her family left Kuwait. “I get my car repaired in Shaab near the co-op as it’s near my house and I was introduced to them by friends.

Even if my car breaks down in the middle of the road, I call them and they fix it. Initially, I used to compare their rates with other garages and when I got to know that it was more or less the same, I was reassured. Sometimes they charge me a little more but I think that’s delivery charges and they always clean my car before returning it. I’m thankful I speak

know where to get my car fixed. In the past, I had a few bad experiences with mechanics who tried to cheat me. I don’t mind even I have to look around and I can find the place where to fix my car. I don’t mind roaming around looking for garages as long as I get a good price. I can’t go to Amghara scrap-yard on my own, so I trust my mechanic to bring spare parts for me and I also make sure I take a close look at my car’s tachometer before leaving it at the garage so that I will know if the mechanic tries to drive it around to finish his own work”.

Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Who wants to be a millionaire?

MLM creates millionaires if products are applied the right way

By Ben Garcia

F

ostering millionaires and multi-billion dollar companies, the new business marketing strategy known as multi-level marketing (MLM), is gaining popularity in almost all corners of the world today. In Kuwait alone, MLM leaders have been wellknown for many years. People are attracted to MLM strategies because they are financially well-compensated. They are compensated not only for their own sales but also for the sales of the people they recruit, creating a chain of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. Most commonly, the salespeople become ambassadors of their brands and are encouraged to develop customer relationships as they sell products by word-of-mouth marketing.

Although MLM strategy creates multi-million dollar businesses, some have become embroiled with controversial reputations, and are resented for their so-called ‘pyramiding schemes’. Some multi-level marketing companies adopt exaggerated return on investment plans and techniques to enhance their members’ enthusiasm and devotion by way of a seminars and training. Such training is being conducted in some MLM companies in Kuwait. Filipinos are familiar with the Alliance in Motion Global (AIM-Global) company, which sells health products. Recently, they announced that the company continuously produces hundreds of Filipino millionaires using their techniques since their establishment in 2006. It finally reached Kuwait in 2009 and slowly infiltrated Kuwaiti

families and other nationalities here, an individual associated with MLM in Kuwait said.

The company takes pride in their flagship health products which they claim to have produced miraculous results. Neo ‘Kuya E’ de Padua, one of the many millionaires created

by AIM-Global, is touring the world now to encourage more Filipinos to apply the MLM strategy to their businesses and produce millionaires. He is currently in Kuwait conducting seminars and workshops, encouraging people to invest in health related MLM businesses. “Basically, what I do is share my personal experiences with people and motivate them to ‘Rule themselves to Success’. People just need to be reminded of the good things about themselves,” Neo said. “Life’s experiences are the best motivation we could ever share with people, good or bad. If you happen to learn and be able to share a good lesson from it, then you’ve been successful, indeed,” he said.

Neo joined the MLM business during the hardest part of his life. “At that time, I was just waiting for my final journey on earth to end. I was diagnosed with stage-three cancer and the doctor told me I had a few months left to live. Then, I met a guy who shared his health product with me and convinced me to try it. I probably would have tried anything at that time, because I wanted to live my life as I was still very young. So, I tried the product and after some time, my doctor told me I was healed. It was a miracle because my father and one of my brothers died of cancer and here the doctor was

Neo ‘Kuya E’ de Padua, one of the many millionaires created by AIM-Global telling me I beat cancer!” he beamed.

He went on to explain about going around the world to hold talks called ‘Rule Yourself to Success’. “Sometimes it is a tiring job, but I always thank God for giving me the privilege to share the benefits of the health products as well as the opportunity to create millionaires and change lives of others,” he noted.

Neo said for one to become successful, they have to work hard, love their work and

be able to share knowledge with others.

“This business is home-based but you have to go out, meet people, share your information and create communities of millionaires.

In networking businesses, challenges will always arise but you are the ultimate key to success.”

MLM business is now being recognized by many schools/universities all over the world as a marketing strategy that can enrich people and companies.

Lawyers challenge new law Compulsory conscription in Kuwait military?

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: After news reports were published about approving compulsory conscription services in Kuwait, a group of lawyers decided to file a case against this law if it obliged only the Kuwaiti men to serve in the military and excluded women. They claim that since women are demanding equal rights as men, they should also be given equal responsibility.

Attorney Aziz Al-Sayed opined about these lawyers and their intended case which he finds unconstitutional. “I think that they based their case on the fact that the law draft didn’t specify the gender for conscription service. I don’t agree with them and I think that their opinion is bizarre and irregular but it’s legal and they have the right to file a case. On the other hand, I think their case would be in conflict with the Kuwaiti Constitution as Islamic sharia is the basic source of legislation, and this doesn’t oblige women to serve in the military,” he told the Kuwait Times.

Lawyer Sharyan Al-Sharyan, Member of the Kuwait Bar Association who didn’t know these lawyers who intend to file the case said that he doesn’t agree with them. “Equality is not total in all issues, as there are certain differences, especially in our conservative society. I think that many people, including these attorneys, like to show off and provoke the

Lawyer Sharyan Al-Sharyan

Attorney Aziz Al-Sayed

community. I also think we have many religious parties that won’t approve such a case and the government cares about their opinion,” he pointed out.

In general, he agrees with the law to allow Kuwaiti men serve compulsorily in the military. “Kuwaitis today are soft and in many cases we can’t differentiate men from a woman. This mandatory service will teach men to be independent and be ready to defend their country. In our society, women have special conditions and for instance can’t stay overnight outside the house as the men do while serving in military. It’s true that women were recently allowed to join the police but this was only under spe-

cial circumstances because you can’t have men in women’s prison or at the airport to frisk during the security check,” explained Al-Sharyan.

“Even in the West, they see a woman who has served in the military as someone who has lost her femininity. I think there can be some courses in civil defense for instance, including nursing or other activities, but not hard military training that doesn’t match their soft nature. In the 1980s or 1970s, there was a program for the students of secondary schools on military training including civil defense and training with weapons, but this program was canceled,” he concluded.

Sand-dunes removed

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality’s public services team removed sand-dunes forming along Rehayya road, said informed sources noting that the sand had been blocking traffic and had caused accidents.

The sources also said that the municipality removed 50 truckloads of sand.

The capital governorate teams of the Municipality inspected the fish market at Mubarakiya at dawn where 27 citations were issued for transporting fish and foodstuff in unhygienic ways.

Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Co-ops H

ousewives driving their personal cars arrive in the day early hours to buy food and other necessities and commodities, sufficient for a day or a longer period of time, and in a matter of minutes the chores are done and the items with aid of an all-time ready worker are put in the trunk.

This is not a supermarket in downtown Washington or Berlin, it is Al-Shamiya store located close to downtown Kuwait, and other modern and historic landmarks, such as the parliament building, remnants of the old fence that had existed a long time ago before the oil boom in the 60s of the last century, along with the building of the American Hospital, founded by an American missionary early last century-now turned into a museum.

Al-Shamiya shopping complex, which includes food products, fruits such as imported American and African apples, various fruits from Iran, Syria and Turkey, diverse commodities, clothes as well as cafes, namely Starbucks, is one of up to 51 co-ops dotting Kuwait’s residential districts and serving the estimated 1.4 million native population, as well as hundreds of thousands of expatriates.

The market, which employs nearly 600 workers and managerial staff, along with its sisterly markets and branches situated in the heart of the other residential districts, such as Keifan, Shuwaikh and Al-Shaab, has developed over the years, in terms of structure, facilities and services.

“We have recently added online services for our customers; posting our accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and applications on smartphones, offering our customers various information and services, such as prices of commodities, lucrative prices and offers, as well as information about sideline activities, also with reasonable costs,” said Ahmad Tantawi, a staff who works at the management of the market in Al-Shamiya market.

The online information include prices, special rates for some commodities and activities.

When asked about the possibility of delivering products through online orders, Tantawi said the idea has been pondered over and remains under consideration. “However, once we apply it, we will need additional staff and we need to restrict such service to certain goods,” he said, explaining that “home delivery might not be easy selling products such as vegetables and fruits because some clients are picky.”Moreover, the market offers various activities for residents of the Al-Shamiyah district, a vast neighborhood of tree-ornamented streets and roads and green public parks, adjacent to the airport road and the nearby residential district Keifan. According to references, the term Al-Shamiyah derives from AlSham (the Levant) for caravans from the Levant used during olden days, to stop in the area for resting and watering goods-carrying camels.

Elaborating Tantawi indicated that the market work is not restricted to commodities trade. It offers activities for the residents, such as expeditions to the holy land and chalets’ booking at low costs. Moreover, the managers are planning to build a three-storey parking lot and expanding the warehouses. An affiliate branch in the district of Gharnata will be renovated and expanded on a 5,000-squaremeter plot of land.

Co-op shareholders of Al-Shamiya and the

Social media new vehicle of marketing

Co-ops in Kuwait today provide online services to their customers, posting their accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and applications on smart phones. They offer customers a variety of information and services such as prices of commodities as well as information on sideline activities along with costs.

50 other markets and branches get annual dividends in addition to earnings per point, scored according to purchases. Up to 25 percent of the co-op market earnings are invested in some services and utilities in the area where it is located, such as beautifying public sites and locations and purchasing decoration items for national occasions, such as the National Day. “We even offer commodities for free to personnel of some governmental facilities in the region, such as the Citizen Service office,” he explained.

Each co-op market is managed by a board; Shamiyah comprises of nine members. The co-op markets often grants gifts to clients. A citizen posted on Instagram information and pictures about a large box of foodstuff she had received from Mishref supermarket last fasting month of Ramadan. “I arrived home yesterday to a big fat colorful box tied with a

pink ribbon, so heavy you couldn’t lift it on your own. At first I thought someone had sent me a gift box but looking closely I realised it had the Mishref Co-op logo on it! Never before have I seen a local co-op distribute such a beautiful and well thought of gift before!” she wrote.

The co-op movement in Kuwait dates back to 1941 when the first society was founded at Al-Mubarakiah School. In 1955, a consumer co-op was founded for employees of the social affairs department. Later, the Ministry of Social Affairs drew up laws to organize the co-op sector.

Al-Shamiya and Keifan co-ops were founded in 1962, when the movement started to flourish on basis of the constitution that stipulated collaboration and justice among citizens. The number of the co-op markets reached 43 in 1997, with up to 200,000 stock

holders. The overall capital of the co-op reached KD 75 million in end of 1995. The total net profit the same year reached KD 14 million.

The cooperative movement began in Europe in the 19th century, primarily in Britain and France, although The Shore Porters Society claims to be one of the world’s first cooperatives, being established in Aberdeen in 1498 (although it has since demutualized to become a private partnership).

The first documented consumer cooperative was founded in 1769, in a barely furnished cottage in Fenwick, East Ayrshire, when local weavers manhandled a sack of oatmeal into John Walker’s whitewashed front room and began selling the contents at a discount, forming the Fenwick Weavers’ Society. By 1830, there were several hundred co-operatives. — KUNA

Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

UN panel removes Kuwaiti body from sanctions list ‘Lajnat Al-Daawa activities are charitable’

KUWAIT: Undersecretary of His Highness the Premier’s Diwan Sheikha Etemad Khalid Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received yesterday Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Satish C Mehta at Seif palace. The Ambassador delivered a letter to HH the Premier Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah from his Indian counterpart inviting him to visit India within the framework of strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. — KUNA

Amir congratulates family of Al-Kanderi KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent Wednesday a cable to the family of the freed Kuwaiti hostage in Philippines Ahmad Al-Kanderi.

In his cable, the Amir congratulated the family on the safe release of their beloved son, wishing Al-Kanderi’s immediate return to his homeland and family. HH Sheikh Sabah lauded the efforts exerted by Kuwaiti foreign and interior ministers and their Philippines counterparts to secure the release of Al-Kanderi. HH the Deputy Amir and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak AlHamad Al-Sabah sent similar cables to Al-Kanderi’s family.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah AlKhalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah contacted yesterday his Filipino counterpart Albert del Rosario, expressing gratitude towards the Philippines’ efforts to free Ahmad Al-Kanderi.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid said that the release of Al-Kanderi was secured as a result of the continuous efforts carried out by both the Kuwaiti and Filipino authorities.

Minister del Rosario expressed his joy over the release of Al-Kanderi, lauding the strong ties connecting Kuwait and the Philippines. — KUNA

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council Al-Qaeda Sanctions’ Committee removed Lajnat Al-Daawa Al-Islamiya from its sanctions’ list, Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the United Nations Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi said late Wednesday.

“We are content over the decision, which came as a result of many years of hard work, with many meetings held in New York and some capitals of UNSC Member states, during which, officials of the Lajnat Al-Daawa presented, through the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry, detailed information on the entity’s charitable nature and activities in many countries,” Ambassador Al-Otaibi told KUNA after the UNSC Committee meeting.

The Security Council Committee, pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) concerning Al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities removed the name of the entity from the AlQaeda Sanctions’ List after concluding its consideration of a delisting request submitted through the Office of the Ombudsperson, Judge Kimberly Prost, which was established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1904 (2009), and after considering the Comprehensive Report of the Ombudsperson on this delisting request.

“The Commission’s officials also answered plenty of the Ombudsperson’s inquiries, and provided her with all data she requested, which eventually led Member States to be convinced with the Commission’s detachment of any terrorist or prohibited activities.” “The removing mechanism is not an easy task. It takes a long time and requires convincing all UNSC Member States,” AlOtaibi pointed out. Based on the decision, all assets and accounts of the Lajnat Al-Daawa Al-Islamiya (Islamic Missionary Commission) are also unsanctioned anymore, thus it can resume its charitable work.

“Acquitting the Commission reaffirms integrity of charitable activities run by Kuwaiti public welfare societies,” Al-Otaibi underlined, adding that the primary goal of charity work in Kuwait “has been, still is, and will always be offering humanitarian aid and

help to the poor and needy all over the world while abiding by the State’s laws.”

The Committee’s Al-Qaeda Sanctions’ List is updated regularly on the basis of relevant information provided by Member States and international and regional organizations. This is the 22nd update of the List in 2013. — KUNA

New medical facilities to open in Jahra KUWAIT: Two new medical facilities, a laboratory in Jarah hospital and dermatology clinics, will open soon, said a health official here yesterday. Deputy Director of Jahra hospital Dr Ghaleb Al-Mutairi said that the new laboratory would improve medical services at the hospital, adding that the hospital asked the Health Ministry to employee 100 lab technicians to cover the workload expected to reach around 60 to 70 percent. The employment of the technicians would also help to shorten the wait period for lab results by 50 percent, said the official.

The laboratory would be equipped with the latest tools and instruments that would help medical staff to better assess and treat illnesses, said Dr Al-Mutairi. As for the dermatology clinics, Dr Al-Mutairi said that the clinics would operate during the morning and also in the evening. He said that the additional shift would help to provide better medical services for the masses. — KUNA

Narcotic cell bustsfive-member gang

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: The narcotics department recently arrested a five-member gang of Arab nationals for trading in Tramadol pills, according to security sources. Case papers indicate that detectives had been tipped-off about a suspect trading in drugs. An undercover agent was assigned to make a deal with him pretending to buy 2,000 pills. The suspect and his accomplices were arrested red-handed upon delivery. On searching the suspects’ house, detectives found 28,000 pills. The suspects confessed to smuggling them into Kuwait and a case was filed and the suspects were referred to relevant authorities.

Salmiya fire Salmiya fire station’s PR and administrative staff rushed to a building behind the center on foot and managed to evacuate half of the tenants before fire engines came after being alerted to a fire. The firemen evacuated the remaining people. No casualties were reported but some tenants and two firemen were treated for smoke inhalation.

Blackout Employees and the public at Al-Regee courts complex were very angry when a blackout hit the complex yesterday and they had to complete the rest of their work in dimly-lit offices.

Even some judges carried out their hearing with limited available light source.

KUWAIT: Fire fighters rescue a child from an apartment in Salmiya (right).

The drug-pushers in custody

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Obama heads into lion’s den in Russia

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Indonesia jails 8 elite soldiers

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Qaeda-linked rebels hit Syria Christian village

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CAIRO: Egyptian security personnel pictured at the scene of a bomb attack targeting the convoy of Egyptís Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim, in Nasr City, Cairo yesterday. —AP

Egypt faces ‘wave of terrorism’ Interior minister survives assassination attempt CAIRO: Egypt’s Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim yesterday survived a bomb attack on his convoy, emerging unscathed to warn the country faced a “wave of terrorism” amid a sweeping police crackdown on Islamists. Security officials said a car bomb struck the minister’s convoy around 10:30 am near his home in the Nasr City area, in the first such attack in Cairo in years.

The attack, which comes as the security forces press a clampdown on loyalists of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, has sparked fears of a resurgence of the Islamist militant assaults that plagued Egypt in the 1990s. The interior ministry said Ibrahim’s convoy was targeted by a “bomb,” without providing further details. An official in the health ministry said seven people were wounded in the blast, while an interior ministry official said four policemen were injured, including one who lost his leg in the explosion. Ibrahim

emerged on state television hours after the attack to condemn the “cowardly assassination attempt”, saying his convoy was targeted by a bomb that wounded “many guards”. He told reporters he had warned of such violence after the launch on August 14 of a crackdown on Islamists who had set up camps in Cairo to protest the army’s removal of Morsi on July 3. “I had warned before the dispersal of sit-ins in Rabaa and Nahda that there will be a wave of terrorism. This was expected,” Ibrahim said. The cabinet pledged to “strike with an iron hand those who threaten national security”. State news agency MENA said police immediately closed all access roads to the interior ministry in central Cairo after the blast. An AFP correspondent at the site said several cars were damaged in the explosion, while police closed access to the area. State television broadcast footage

showing massive damage to the front of a building at the site of the blast.

An Islamist coalition headed by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood denounced the bombing.

“The bombing should be condemned irrespective of the perpetrators,” the Anti-Coup Alliance said, citing one of its senior members. Hundreds of Islamist protesters were killed in Cairo’s Rabaa Al-Adawiya and Nahda squares when police stormed the protest camps on August 14. More than 100 policemen have been killed in violence during and after the crackdown.

Morsi’s supporters were demanding his reinstatement after the military overthrew him following massive street protests against his oneyear rule. The Muslim Brotherhood and allied groups have said they are committed to peaceful protests, but analysts have said rogue Islamists could start a campaign of bombings and attacks.

The military and police are already battling an insurgency in the Sinai peninsula, a haven for hardcore militants inspired by the Al-Qaeda militant group.

Yesterday, militants killed a policeman in Sinai and shot dead a soldier near the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya, security sources said. Attacks have also taken place in the populated Nile Delta and in Cairo. Two civilians were wounded in a blast on Monday when assailants hurled a bomb at a police station in Cairo. On July 24, a policeman was killed when a bomb went off at station in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura. Egypt faced a wave of bombings and shootings in the 1990s linked to an attempted Islamist insurgency that also targeted the then interior minister in a failed assassination attempt. Security services crushed the militants, killing or imprisoning the commanders of the Islamist groups. —AFP

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Kerry portrait of Syria rebels at odds with US intelligence Islamic extremists remain the fiercest, best-organized WASHINGTON: Secretary of State John Kerry’s public assertions that moderate Syrian opposition groups are growing in influence appear to be at odds with estimates by US and European intelligence sources and nongovernmental experts, who say Islamic extremists remain by far the fiercest and best-organized rebel elements. At congressional hearings this week, while making the case for President Barack Obama’s plan for limited military action in Syria, Kerry asserted that the armed opposition to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad “has increasingly become more defined by its moderation, more defined by the breadth of its membership, and more defined by its adherence to some, you know, democratic process and to an all-inclusive, minority-protecting constitution.

“And the opposition is getting stronger by the day,” Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. US and allied intelligence sources and private experts on the Syrian conflict suggest that assessment is optimistic. While the radical Islamists among the rebels may not be numerically superior to more moderate fighters, they say, Islamist groups like the Al-Qaedaaligned Nusra Front are better organized, armed and trained.

Kerry’s remarks represented a change in tone by the Obama administration, which for more than two years has been wary of sending US arms to the rebels, citing fears they could fall into radical Islamists’ hands. As recently as late July, at a security conference in Aspen, Colorado, the deputy director of the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, David Shedd, estimated that there were at least 1,200 different Syrian rebel groups and that Islamic extremists, notably the Nusra Front, were wellplaced to expand their influence. “Left unchecked, I’m very concerned that the most radical elements will take over larger segments” of the opposition groups, Shedd said. He added that the conflict could drag on anywhere “from many, many months to multiple years” and that a prolonged stalemate could leave open parts of Syria to potential control by radical fighters. US and allied intelligence sources said that such assessments have not changed. A spokeswoman at the State Department said Kerry’s remarks reflect the department’s position, adding that the opposition had “taken steps over the past months to coalesce, including electing leaders.”

GREATER NUMBERS, LESS STRENGTH? Experts agree that the Nusra Front, an offshoot of the group Al-Qaeda in Iraq, is among the most effective forces in Syria. In a second hearing on Wednesday, Kerry was challenged by Representative Michael McCaul, Texas Republican. “Who are the rebel forces? Who are they? I ask that in my briefings all the time,” McCaul said. “And every time I get briefed on this it gets worse and worse, because the majority now of these rebel forces - and I say majority now - are radical Islamists pouring in from all over the world.” Kerry replied: “I just don’t agree that a majority are Al-Qaeda and the bad guys. That’s not true. There are about 70,000 to 100,000 oppositionists ... Maybe 15 percent to 25 percent might be in one group or another who are what we would deem to be bad guys. “There is a real moderate opposition that exists. General Idriss is running the military arm of that,” Kerry continued, referring to General Salim Idriss, head of the rebel Free Syrian Army. Increasingly, he said, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states are funneling assistance through Idriss.

Kerry cited an article by Elizabeth O’Bagy, an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War think tank, in which she wrote that Islamic extremist factions are not “spearheading the fight against the Syrian government,” but rather that the struggle is being led by “moderate opposition forces.”

Several leading lawmakers, including Senator John McCain, Arizona Republican, also have said there is a viable moderate opposition in Syria that Washington should support. US intelligence sources do not dispute that Islamic extremists are in the minority on the battlefield. “Most of the groups battling against Assad are composed of Islamist fighters, but only a small minority could accurately be characterized as extremist,” one US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

But a second official, who also asked not to be named, said moderate rebels may have lost strength rather than gained it in recent months. Due to their relative lack of weapons and organization, they are beginning to make alliances with better-armed Islamic radicals, whom they see pursuing more effective actions against Assad’s forces, the official said. — Reuters

KIEV: Members of Ukrainian leftist organizations as well as Syrian protesters shout slogans against possible US military action in Syria, near the US Embassy yesterday. — AP

End Syria ‘cycle of horror’, swamped, neighbors urge GENEVA: The UN refugee agency and Syria’s overburdened neighbors Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq have urged the international community to put differences aside and find a common solution to end the “cycle of horror”.

While Washington and Moscow insist they both want a political solution to the conflict in the shape of negotiations, Syria’s ally Russia has repeatedly frustrated the US by blocking UN Security Council action against the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad.

“We strongly appeal to the international community to overcome existing differences and come together to stop the fighting,” said Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as he read a joint statement after talks with ministers from the four countries. “A political solution to end this cycle of horror is urgently needed. There is no humanitarian solution to the Syrian crisis. Rather there needs to be a political solution that ends the humanitarian crisis,” he said. Guterres was flanked by Lebanon’s Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abu Faour, plus Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and his Turkish and Iraqi counterparts Ahmet Davutoglu and Hoshyar Zebari. The four countries have received the overwhelming majority of the two million Syrians who have fled their homeland since the war started

in March 2011, and are being stretched to the limit as they cope with the influx.

On average, some 5,000 Syrians continue to flee their country every day, according to UN data. Counting refugees and the estimated 4.2 million people the UN says have been displaced within Syria, nearly a third of the country’s prewar population of 20.8 million have now been uprooted. The conflict has claimed over 100,000 lives. “What Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq are doing is an enormous service on behalf of the international community as a whole,” Guterres said, adding that the nations were “paying an extremely heavy price” for their generosity.

“The impact of such a large number of refugees on their economies, their societies, the impact of a conflict next door on their national security, is something that needs to be fully recognized by the international community,” he said. As a result of the war, Lebanon’s population has risen by more than a fifth and Jordan’s by over 10 percent.

There are 720,000 registered refugees in Lebanon, 520,000 in Jordan, 464,000 in Turkey and 200,000 in Iraq, according to UNHCR data, though the real numbers could be far higher. With most of the refugees living within local communities rather than camps, everything from food and water supplies to education and

health services are under massive strain, while the labor market has gone askew and prices have climbed fast. “This is the humanitarian spillover of the political and military violence taking place in Syria,” said Jordanian minister Judeh.

“The magnitude of this humanitarian crisis has proven to be beyond the ability of any country to deal with,” he added, while Iraq’s Zebari said numbers were certain to snowball in the absence of “durable, political solutions”. Lebanon’s Faour said his country was committed to host and protect Syrians, despite the heavy burden, a message echoed by his counterparts. “The response of the international community to this crisis is frustrating. It’s frustrating on the humanitarian level. It’s frustrating on the political level,” Faour said. The number of people flooding out of Syria has risen after the regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians and fears of Western military action. “We are at another threshold,” said Davutoglu of Turkey. “If this violence against civilians continues like before and there is no international reaction to it, we are scared that all neighboring countries will be facing much bigger numbers of refugees,” he warned. “These are the numbers, but these are human beings. We are all human beings. This is the cry of humanity. Enough is enough!”— AFP

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Surprise or not, US strikes can still hurt Assad WASHINGTON: It would hardly be a surprise to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad or his military if American missiles start hitting Syria soon. With weeks to prepare for an attack, Assad might benefit in some ways from the delay in any strike caused by President Barack Obama’s decision to seek approval from a divided US Congress. US officials and defense experts say Assad’s forces cannot take enough targets out of reach to blunt the US military mission, especially since it is billed as having very limited objectives.

Obama is calling for a limited military strike in response to a chemical weapons attack on civilians blamed by the United States on Assad’s forces. Fixed targets, for example, cannot be protected no matter how much time elapses.

“A building can’t be moved, nor hid,” one US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Other fixed targets could include airfields, although not any storage facilities with chemical weapons in them. Defense analyst Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank said if successful, hitting fixed targets would eliminate key assets to Assad that “can’t easily be replaced, like command and control facilities, major headquarters.”“These are lasting targets,” Cordesman said. It is still unclear when any US attack on Syria will happen but Assad already has had ample time to try to get ready.

US officials have been openly discussing the possibility of hitting Syria since shortly after the

China backs Russia on Syria ST PETERSBURG: China warned yesterday that military intervention in Syria would hurt the world economy and push up oil prices, reinforcing Vladimir Putin’s attempts to talk US President Barack Obama out of air strikes. The rift over Syria could overshadow a summit of the Group of 20 (G20) developed and developing economies in St Petersburg at which global leaders want to forge a united front on growth, trade, banking transparency and fighting tax evasion.

The club that accounts for two thirds of the world’s population and 90 percent of its output is divided over issues such as turmoil in emerging markets and the Federal Reserve’s decision to end its program of stimulus for the US economy.

But no rift is wider than the one between the US and Russian leaders on possible military intervention in Syria to punish President Bashar Al-Assad over a chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of people on August 21st.

Putin was isolated on Syria at a Group of Eight meeting in June, the last big meeting of world powers, but now has China to back him at the G20 summit in Russia’s former imperial capital. “Military action would have a negative impact on the global economy, especially on the oil price - it will cause a hike in the oil price,” Chinese Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao told a briefing before the start of the G20 leaders’ talks. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reiterated that any party resorting to chemical warfare should accept responsibility for it but said unilateral military actions violate international law and would complicate the conflict.

Like Moscow, one of Syria’s main arms suppliers, Beijing has veto powers on the United Nations Security Council. Obama is unlikely to win Security Council approval for military action but is seeking the approval of the US Congress.

France echoed Obama’s call for action over the gas attack, which Washington blames on Syrian government troops and Moscow says may have been carried out by rebels trying to oust Assad. “The position of France is to punish and negotiate,” Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told France 2 television before travelling to St Petersburg, where Putin is hosting the summit in a tsarist palace on the coast.

“We are convinced that if there is no punishment for Assad, there will be no negotiation,” he added. “Punishment will allow negotiation, but obviously it will be difficult.”

Fabius, whose country is preparing to support the US military action with own forces, said Syria would be discussed at the summit even though it is not formally on the agenda.

Putin has said he would like to hold one-on-one talks with Obama but a Kremlin spokesman said no such meeting was planned. Last month, Obama pulled out of talks with Putin that had been scheduled for Wednesday, and US-Russian ties are in freefall. Foreign ministers from key states in the G20 - which includes all five permanent UN Security Council members - will also discuss Syria on the sidelines of the meeting. —Reuters

Aug 21 chemical weapons attack near Damascus. Even if Congress approves military action, a final vote would be unlikely before the middle of next week. A second US official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the delay added “complexities” to the planning efforts. “It may change target sets,” the official said. “We’ll continue to refine our targeting options to conditions on the ground.”

Assad has already moved some military equipment and personnel to civilian areas and put soldiers whose loyalty to Assad is in doubt in military sites as human shields against any Western strikes, the Istanbulbased Syrian opposition has said.

It cited movement of rockets, Scud missiles and launches, as

well as soldiers to locations including schools, university dormitories and government buildings inside cities. That could complicate the ability of the United States to reach some targets.

COLLATERAL DAMAGE General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged publicly to Congress that Obama has ordered the military to develop plans that keep a lid on collateral damage - civilian deaths and damage to civilian infrastructure.

“Though they are in fact moving resources around - and in some cases placing prisoners and others in places that they believe we might target - at this point our intelligence is keeping up with that movement,” Dempsey, the

top US military officer, told lawmakers on Wednesday.

WAIT FOR MONTH? The question of whether losing the element of surprise makes a difference militarily became a bone of contention in the debate over congressional backing for Obama’s attack plan.

Senator John McCain, one of the Republicans who has pushed hardest for military action in Syria, said this week he was “astounded” when Obama said the military had advised him that an attack would still be effective in a month’s time. “When you tell the enemy you are going to attack, they are obviously going to disperse and make it harder,” McCain said in Congress on Tuesday. —Reuters

Obama heads into lion’s den in Russia Syria, Snowden strain US-Russian relationship ST PETERSBURG: President Barack Obama is heading into the lion’s den of Russia, confronting Syria’s key patron as well as foreign leaders skeptical of his call for an international military strike against Bashar Assad’s government. Obama yesterday began a two-day visit to St Petersburg for the Group of 20 economic summit, putting him in the same country as Edward Snowden for the first time since the American fugitive fled to Moscow earlier this year.

Both Syria and Snowden have been sore points in an already strained USRussian relationship, fueling the notion that Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin just can’t get along. The White House went out of its way to say Obama, who arrived yesterday after a quick flight from Stockholm, would not meet one-on-one with the Russian leader while in St Petersburg. Instead, Obama will meet on the summit’s sidelines with the leaders of France, China and Japan.

Still struggling to persuade dubious lawmakers at home on Syria, Obama in Russia will seek to win over world leaders reluctant to get drawn in to yet another US-led sortie in a Mideast nation.

Although Syria wasn’t formally on the agenda for the economy-focused summit, US officials were resigned to the fact that the bloody civil war there surely would overwhelm any talks about global economics, just as it did three months ago when many of the same leaders convened for a Group of 8 summit in Northern Ireland.

In June, it was weapons and ammunition Obama wanted leaders to send to struggling rebels fighting Assad’s regime.

Obama’s far more daunting goal now will be to persuade his counterparts to put their own militaries on the line. In an ironic twist for Obama, the nation hosting the summit is also the nation most forcefully obstructing Obama’s path to an interna-

tional consensus. Russia has provided critical military and financial backing for Assad and has leveraged its veto power in the UN Security Council to keep a resolution condemning Syria from getting off the ground.

At the same time, Obama has had little success enticing individual nations to join

appeared to temper his rhetoric slightly in a pre-summit interview with The Associated Press, saying he wouldn’t rule out backing a UN resolution if it can be proved Assad gassed his own people with chemical weapons, as the US has alleged.

He also played down any personal tensions with Obama while acknowledging

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin welcomes US President Barack Obama at the start of the G20 summit yesterday.— AFP the effort. Further complicating Obama’s efforts to present a united front is the raging debate in Congress over whether to approve a strike - a debate Obama invited when he abruptly decided Saturday to seek congressional approval amid deep concerns from both parties. Some lawmakers view Obama as trying to preserve his own credibility after issuing an ultimatum to Assad last year against using chemical weapons.

“My credibility is not on the line. The international community’s credibility is on the line,” Obama said Wednesday at news conference in Stockholm. While insisting Obama has yet to prove his case, Putin

the parsing of the body language that’s become a geopolitical parlor game every time the two leaders meet. “President Obama hasn’t been elected by the American people in order to be pleasant to Russia,” Putin said. “And your humble servant hasn’t been elected by the people of Russia to be pleasant to someone either.”

Such an admission revealed a remarkable lowering of the bar from the summer of 2009 when Obama, on his last visit to Russia, trumpeted a “reset” in relations between the former Cold War foes.

“This will not be easy,” Obama said in Moscow.—AP

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Oppn slams decision to set up rights court in Manama DUBAI: Bahrain’s main opposition group has criticized an Arab League decision to set up a pan-Arab human rights court in Manama, saying the Gulf Arab state was the “black hole of human rights.” US-allied Bahrain’s human rights record has come under scrutiny over its handling of unrest since anti government protests broke out in early 2011, putting it in the frontline of the region-wide tussle between Shiite Muslim Iran and Sunni Arab states such as Saudi Arabia.

Bahraini officials welcomed the Arab ministerial council’s decision in Cairo on Sunday as a recognition of its eligibility to host such an important institution. Bahrain strongly rejects charges it violates human rights and says Manama was a signatory to most international covenants on human rights. The kingdom, ruled by the Sunni Muslim Al-Khalifa family and base for the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, was behind a proposal to create the Arab Human Rights Court.

No details have been issued about the mandate and powers of the court and how judges would be appointed, but the Bahraini foreign ministry said last year that experts from the Arab League would write its charter. Bahrain’s Shiite Islamic Al-Wefaq movement said Manama’s hosting of the court casts doubt on the credibility of the tribunal.

“Al-Wefaq revealed that there are more than 55 types of human rights violations that have been perpetrated by the regime in Bahrain against citizens, including natural and fundamental human rights,” the group said.

“This entrenches the idea of Bahrain being the human rights black hole,” it said. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) official also criticized the decision to place the court in Bahrain. “The establishment of a glitzy new court won’t disguise the fact that Bahrain has a dismal and worsening record in that regard,” Nicholas McGeehan, Gulf researcher with Human Rights Watch, said. Bahrain’s information affairs minister rejected the charges as politically motivated.

“Wefaq has an agenda against Bahrain as a state, and thus its comments against Bahrain cannot be taken at face value,” Samira Rajab said. “Bahrain is a state of institutions where the rule of law is supreme. An international inquiry commission, invited by Bahrain’s government, said in a report in November 2011 that 35 people had died during the anti-government protests.

The dead were mainly protesters but included five security personnel and seven foreigners. The report said five people had died from torture. The report also said authorities had used widespread and excessive force, including torture, to extract confessions. The Bahraini government says it has taken steps to address the problems by dismissing those responsible and introducing cameras at police stations.—Reuters

NORTH SEHLA: A Bahraini woman shouts slogans holding a portrait of Sadeq Sabt as clashes broke out with riot police following an anti-regime demonstration on September 4, 2013 in the village of North Sehla, west of Manama. Bahrainis protest against the death of Sadeq Sabt, 22, who died of his injuries after he was hit by a vehicle during a protest a month before.— AFP

Hezbollah rejects US ‘terror’ threat Italy warships head toward Lebanese coast BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Shiite movement Hezbollah, a key ally of the Syrian regime, yesterday condemned plans for US-led military action against Damascus as “organized terrorism.” “US aggression against Syria, or the threat of it, is... organized terrorism and threatens the region and its people,” the group said after a meeting of its parliamentary bloc.

It warned that any military action would pose a “threat to regional and international peace and security.” The statement was Hezbollah’s first official reaction to international calls for military action against Damascus in response to an August 21 alleged chemical weapons attack. The attack, which reportedly killed

hundreds of people, has prompted international condemnation, and calls for military strikes against the regime, which denies using chemical weapons.

US President Barack Obama is currently seeking congressional authorization for military action, and Hezbollah has reportedly mobilized its members in Lebanon ahead of any strikes.

The group’s statement said the threatened military action was intended to “support Israel and tighten the grip of Western colonialism on the region. “The involvement of the US administration in direct aggression against Syria confirms Hezbollah’s conviction that the (Syrian) crisis... is part of a strategic plot intended

to place the region under foreign control,” it added. In another development, an Italian news report says two Italian warships are sailing closer toward offshore Lebanon to protect Italy’s soldiers participating in a UN peacekeeping mission there. Italy currently has some 1,100 soldiers in the UNIFIL force in Lebanon.

The ANSA news agency reported that a frigate and a torpedo destroyer boat left Italy’s southeastern coast on Wednesday and were headed to offshore Lebanon to beef up protection of the soldiers in case of stepped-up conflict in Syria. Lebanon borders Syria. Calls to the defense ministry to confirm report were not immediately answered.— Agencies

UAE has the world’s ‘vainest’ skyscrapers LONDON: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has the “vainest” skyscrapers in the world, a report measuring the extent of spires and other heightboosting additions to the top of buildings said yesterday. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) said unusable space at the top of the UAE’s 19 tallest buildings was an average 19 percent of their total height, a measure it called the “vanity height”.

The building with the largest vanity height is the 828-metre Burj Khalifa in

Dubai, of which 29 percent or 244 meters is unusable - which would rank on its own as the 11th tallest building in Europe, the CTBUH said. The top three was completed by the Zifeng Tower in Nanjing, China, and the Bank of America Tower in New York. China and the United States were also second and third respectively for the average figure across all of their tall buildings.

Developers typically get higher rents on upper floors, but in developing economies where land and labor is

cheaper they can more readily use tall buildings to spark nearby development and make wider schemes viable, said Steve Watts, a tall buildings expert at construction consultancy Alinea. “You can have towers that are loss-leaders but catalysts for regeneration and iconic structures can sway decision-makers,” he said. Despite the trend being less prevalent in more expensive markets, London’s Shard skyscraper, which was bankrolled by the state of Qatar, has a vanity measure of 20 percent, CTBUH said.

“There can also be an ego element with these things with developers wanting to go higher than each other,” Watts said. The world’s tallest tower is set to become the one-kilometre Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which will surpass the Burj Khalifa if it opens as planned in 2017. The tower is expected to cost around 4.6 billion Saudi riyals ($1.2 billion) and will form part of a hotel, retail and residential project as the oil-rich country seeks to improve its infrastructure and meet its massive housing needs. — Reuters

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Online privacy concerns on the rise WASHINGTON: Lynn Boyden, a college professor in Los Angeles who teaches website design, says she has developed two identities online: a public one for her professional life and a private one that only a few close friends can access.

She tries to block advertising trackers when she can and limits what personal data might wind up on public sites. It’s an approach that she says works, although it takes time and attention. “It’s a sliding scale,” said Boyden of what information she chooses to share. “Some things are and should be private.”

Americans might be sharing more personal information online than ever through social networking sites and email. But they also want to better control who can see it, according to a study released yesterday by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project. The study reported that privacy concerns among Americans are on the rise, with 50 percent of Internet users saying they are worried about the information available about them online, up from 33 percent in 2009.

400 million Chinese can’t speak national language BEIJING: More than 400 million Chinese are unable to speak the national language Mandarin, and large numbers in the rest of the country speak it badly, state media said yesterday as the government launched another push for linguistic unity. China’s ruling Communist Party has promoted Mandarin for decades to unite a nation with thousands of often mutually unintelligible dialects and numerous minority languages, but has been hampered by the country’s size and lack of investment in education, especially in poor rural areas.

Officials have admitted they will probably never get the whole country to be able to speak Mandarin, formally called Putonghua in China, meaning “common tongue”, suggesting everyone should be able to speak it.

Ministry of Education spokeswoman Xu Mei said that only 70 percent of the country could speak Mandarin, many of them poorly, and the remaining 30 percent or 400 million people could not speak it at all, Xinhua news agency reported.

“The country still needs to invest in promoting Mandarin,” it quoted her as saying, ahead of an annual campaign to promote Mandarin held every year since 1998. “This year the ministry will focus on the remote countryside and areas inhabited by ethnic minorities,” Xu said. The promotion of Mandarin has long been a contentious issue in China, despite the practical benefits of having the entire population fluent in one tongue, and in some cases has lead to violent unrest. Tibetans have protested against having to use Mandarin in schools, while in 2010 several hundred people took to the streets in the southern city of Guangzhou over fears the authorities were trying to marginalize Cantonese.— Reuters

Meanwhile, 86 percent of people surveyed have tried at least one technique to hide their activity online or avoid being tracked, such as clearing cookies or their browser history or using encryption. While trying to avoid snooping - at least in some circumstances - is now commonplace, people cite varying reasons for doing so. About one-third said they had tried to conceal their activity from hackers or criminals, while 28 percent have tried to block advertisers.

Others said they wanted to keep information private from family members or spouses, employers or the government. “These findings reinforce the notion that privacy is not an all-or-nothing proposition for Internet users,” said Mary Madden, a senior researcher at Pew. “People choose different strategies for different activities, for different content, to mask themselves from different people, at different times in their lives.

What they clearly want is the power to decide who knows what about them.”

Abby Drumm and Dennis Wingo are examples of people who want precise

control over their information but for different reasons. Drumm, a 20-year-old junior in college, said she isn’t worried about advertisers or government spies digging into her digital life. She’s mostly worried about offending family members. Drumm said she was confronted twice as a teenager about blog and Twitter posts that were perhaps “not family appropriate” but something she had assumed only close friends were reading.

Now, she says she has taken various steps to hide her online activity so fewer people can see what she posts or find her on various social networks. Wingo, who owns an aerospace company, said his concern is the aggressive action being taken by the government, advertisers and hackers to invade consumers’ privacy online. He says that consumers shouldn’t have to opt out of advertising tracking and that businesses should pay him for anything they acquire about him online.

He also says the government should have to encounter the same legal hur-

dles to read a person’s email as it does a private letter or document inside someone’s house, which isn’t the case because of outdated electronic privacy laws. “Just because we’re on the Internet doesn’t mean we don’t have rights,” Wingo said. “That’s a part of public policy that has seriously lacked.”The study found that 68 percent of people agreed that the law is insufficient to protect their privacy. Boyden agreed that more could be done to protect consumer privacy. But because the Internet is largely an unregulated global enterprise, she thinks it’s probably more practical to start with educating people on basic steps they can take to protect themselves.”There’s a lot of gray area in privacy,” she said. “And people’s comfort levels are different.”The Pew study, done with help from Carnegie Mellon University, is based on data from 792 Internet and smartphone users contacted by telephone by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from July 11-14. The margin of error is 3.8 percentage points.—AP

Indonesia jails 8 elite soldiers Controversial case sparks a national outcry YOGYAKARTA: An Indonesian military court sentenced eight soldiers from an army Special Forces unit to up to 11 years in jail yesterday for their involvement in the execution of four prisoners to avenge the murder of a fellow soldier. Twelve welltrained troops wore masks as they broke into Cebongan prison in Yogyakarta province, on the main island of Java, on March 23, seeking out four men being held on charges of killing another member of their special unit, known as Kopassus.

After torturing and forcing several guards to open the jail cell, they shot the inmates with automatic weapons and destroyed surveillance cameras. The case sparked a national outcry among Indonesians demanding that the military not be allowed to operate with impunity. In a rare acknowledgment of military abuses, the government issued a statement after the attack, promising justice would be served.

However, police said the four inmates who were killed were gang members, and some local residents believed the soldiers were deterring other thugs who have created disturbances in Yogyakarta, an ancient province and a tourist destination. They staged rallies during the trials, calling on the court to free the defendants.

The 12 soldiers were tried in four groups at the military court in Yogyakarta.

Presiding Judge Lt Col Joko Sasmito told the court yesterday that Second Sgt Ucok Tigor Simbolon, 36, had been found guilty of executing all four detainees and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Two other soldiers were sentenced to eight and six years for helping with the executions. “Their actions have damaged the image of the Indonesian military,” Sasmito said.

YOGYAKARTA: Indonesian special forces soldier Second Sgt Tigor Ucok Simbolon raises his fist as he speaks to the media after being sentenced to 11 years in prison for storming a prison and fatally shooting four detainees, as he leaves a military court yesterday. — AP Prosecutors had sought 12 years for Simbolon, who could have received the death penalty, and eight and 10 years behind bars for the other two. But a threejudge panel said it considered the soldiers’ service time in the military and their confessions of wrongdoing in deciding on the sentences. Simbolon seemed relieved after hearing the verdict, but declined to talk to reporters. In a separate trial, five other soldiers were sentenced yesterday to 21 months in jail.

The verdicts for four other soldiers are

scheduled to be handed down Friday.

Kopassus troops have been implicated in a range of crimes and human rights violations over the years, but officials say they have worked to address the problem. The highprofile case is seen as a test of how far the military has come since the United States resumed some assistance to Kopassus three years ago after a 12-year break over human rights concerns. Analysts say that violations

by Indonesia’s military are no longer widespread, but that there is limited accountability for abuses that do take place.—AP

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

German ‘angst index’ shows no east-west gap BERLIN: Germans living in the former communist east are no longer more fearful for the future than their compatriots, according to an annual survey out yesterday that showed no east-west gap in the “angst index” for the first time in 21 years. A nation of worriers, more than four in 10 Germans still suffer high anxiety, but that has fallen from the peaks around the Al-Qaeda attacks in the United States and Europe in the 2000s, the global financial crisis and the start of the euro crisis.

The “Fears of the Germans” survey carried out by the R+V insurance company since 1992 - two years after unification found that Germans are much more worried about a rise in the cost of living than terrorism, unemployment or divorce. German

annual inflation stands at just 1.5 percent, the jobless rate of 6.8 percent is near postunification lows and wages have started to rise after a decade of stagnation. But some 7 million Germans earn less than 8.50 euros per hour - the legal minimum wage proposed by the centre-left opposition. “All of this means that for a large segment of the people we polled, the money they have at their disposal is very tight,” said political scientist Manfred Schmidt, presenting the survey. Although overall consumer price inflation is low, a sharp increase in food and energy bills has meant “perceived inflation is higher than actual inflation”, the professor told reporters.

This erosion of many Germans’ disposable income is one of Social Democrat (SPD)

candidate Peer Steinbrueck’s main platforms as he campaigns to oust Chancellor Angela Merkel in an upcoming election. He wants to raise taxes on the wealthy. Sixtyone percent of the 2,400 Germans surveyed

by R+V were worried about the cost of living, the top concern followed by natural disasters - after severe floods in June - and fears for their health in old age. Four in 10 worried about unemployment.

Jobless levels remain stubbornly high in much of the former East Germany, where overall worry levels have been consistently higher since the survey began - until now.

Residents of the east remain more concerned about economic issues like prices and jobs but are more sanguine about terrorism than people in the west. Nearly seven

Hidden by glowing stats, Germany’s poor struggle Millions living below or close to the poverty line BERLIN: At first glance Christel Paweski’s small plot of land, with its garden gnome and flowerbeds, appears to be the epitome of comfortable German retirement. Tucked away among the flowers are rows of potatoes, peppers and cabbage that the former nurse carefully tends. But her gardening isn’t a hobby - it’s survival. On her meager pension, Paweski says she simply can’t afford to buy groceries at the store.

Paweski’s plight and that of millions of other Germans living below or close to the poverty line burst onto the campaign for the Sept 22 national election after she tearfully confronted Chancellor Angela Merkel on national television, asking whether the country’s leader had forgotten the growing numbers of retirees and working poor who have missed out on Germany’s economic success.

“I didn’t want to cry in front of her,” Paweski said in the poorly heated, rickety wooden shack where she spent the last four brutal Berlin winters, before recently finding an apartment she could afford.

“But then I remembered how I used to go to bed with three pullovers and three pairs of socks in winter because I didn’t have a proper heating.” Paweski, who worked in a hospital and a nursing home before retiring six years ago, barely gets by on her monthly state pension and housing benefit of 723 euros ($952) from which she pays 310 euros for rent and electricity. The account of the divorced mother of one of relying on food handouts and homegrown vegetables - and still sometimes going hungry in order to buy clothes doesn’t chime with the expectation most Germans have of being able to retire in relative comfort after decades of work.

It also jars with the image of wealthy Germany as an oasis of prosperity amid Europe’s economic turmoil. To be sure, with a booming export surplus, full tax coffers and an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent, Germany is the envy of many of its European neighbors, who are enduring sky-high levels of joblessness and public debt. Berlin has encouraged Greece, Spain, Italy and others to emulate a series of economic reforms it began a decade ago that helped drive down the cost of labor and boost Germany’s competitiveness. But many economists say the reforms - begun by Merkel’s center-left predecessor - have also pushed down real wages and put hundreds of thousands precariously close to the poverty line. Germany is also one of the few European nations that don’t have a

BERLIN: 70-year-old Christel Paweski, who worked in a hospital and a nursing home before retiring six years ago, stands near a window during an interview with The Associated Press in Berlin. Paweski’s plight and that of millions of other Germans living below or close to the poverty line burst onto the campaign for the Sept 22 national election after she tearfully confronted Chancellor Angela Merkel on national television. — AP minimum wage - putting further pressure on the lowest earners. Since Merkel came to power in 2005, the number of people considered in poverty or on its borderline has grown by about 400,000 to 12 million, according to the Federal Statistics Office.

In Germany, a single person is “at risk” of poverty if he or she earns less than 60 percent of the monthly median income - or less than 869 Euros after taxes each month. There has also been a dramatic increase in people who rely on food handouts, with the number more than doubling to about 1.5 million since 2007, according to Jochen Bruehl, chairman of a national association of food pantries charities that hand out groceries for poor people to cook at home.

Then there are the estimated three to five million of Germany’s 80 million people who live in “hidden” poverty, refusing often out of pride to ask for state benefits they would be entitled to because of their low income, according to the Institute for Employment Research. Marcel Fratzscher, president of the Berlin-based German Institute for Economic Research, called the drop in unemployment from 12 percent in 2005 to 6.8 percent today “certainly a big success.” “But there’s a signifi-

cant number of Germans whose real income is lower today than it was a decade ago,” he said. That’s largely because inflation, especially the cost of food, electricity and rent, has outpaced salaries in recent years, leaving workers with less money at the end of the month. According to Labor Ministry figures released last month, one in 10 Germans in full-time employment now have a second or even third job to help them get by, an indication of how wages have failed to keep pace with costs.

These are often ‘mini-jobs’ that allow people to earn up to 450 Euros tax free each month. Critics say these jobs - which come with fewer benefits and less job security have even begun to replace permanent fulltime contracts in some sectors, such as the restaurant and retail industries. Increasing numbers of retirees, too, are taking on minijobs to make ends meet. Meanwhile, elderly men peering into trash cans to find glass bottles they can return at a store in exchange for a few cents have become a common sight in many German cities. Bruehl says the number of Germans going to food pantries would be even higher if the social stigma attached to them wasn’t so strong. —AP

out of 10 believed the euro zone debt crisis would continue to make demands of German taxpayers and more than half believed the single currency was still at risk.

But levels of anxiety about the euro crisis have fallen since last year.

The pollsters were surprised by the fact that, unlike in previous surveys coinciding with a federal election, Germans had expressed much less worry about their political leadership. Only 45 percent found this a concern, 10 points lower than in 2012.

“When people are relatively optimistic about their economic prospects they tend to be more lenient on politicians,” said Schmidt, who declined to predict how this would affect Merkel’s chances of winning a third term on Sept 22. — Reuters

Berlusconi has video ready for the fall of Italian govt MILAN: Silvio Berlusconi has prepared a video message that could announce a decision to bring down Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s coalition government, one of his staunchest supporters said yesterday. The comment came ahead of a meeting on Monday of a special Senate committee that will vote on whether to strip centre-right leader and former premier Berlusconi of his seat in parliament after he received a four-year jail sentence for tax fraud.

“It’s ready, Berlusconi will decide when to broadcast it and I think it is absolutely imminent,” said Daniela Santanche, a deputy nicknamed “the pythoness” for her fierce devotion to the media billionaire. She said the 76-year-old Berlusconi alone would decide whether to quit the government but that statements from his centre-left coalition partners in support of expelling him from the Senate were unacceptable.

“Personally, I don’t think we can remain sitting next to people who want to be the butchers of Berlusconi.” Speculation over a crisis that could topple Letta’s fragile coalition of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and the centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party has been swirling ever since Berlusconi lost his final appeal against the conviction last month. The trigger for a crisis could be a Senate committee on parliamentary eligibility which meets on Monday to begin discussions that could end with the formal opening of procedures to expel Berlusconi from the Senate. However the PDL itself appears divided and has switched between pledges of support for Letta and repeated threats over the last few weeks to bring down the government, adding to the sense of confusion hanging over the political world in Rome. Italy can ill-afford disarray: the euro zone’s third largest economy is struggling to emerge from its longest post-war recession and cut its massive public debt, but reform efforts have been hampered by constant infighting within the government. “There is something irrational in the behavior of Silvio Berlusconi at the moment, which can only be explained by a state of great personal torment,” the Corriere della Sera, Italy’s biggest daily, said in a frontpage editorial.

COMPLICATIONS Speaking at a meeting of the G20 group of economic powers in St Petersburg, Letta brushed off questions about the future of the government, saying he was not thinking about a possible crisis but rather concentrating on the summit. But the uncertainty has reawakened memories of the turmoil that scuttled Berlusconi’s last government at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in 2011. Financial markets have been increasingly twitchy as threats to political stability have grown. The centre-right says the law under which Berlusconi could be expelled from parliament is unconstitutional and should not apply to the former premier as it was passed after the events over which he was convicted. The PD in turn has accused the centre-right of using “blackmail” to try to save Berlusconi and says it will vote to strip him of his seat.

President Giorgio Napolitano, who would be responsible for dissolving parliament and calling new elections, has made it clear he does not want to see a return to the ballot box and may seek to appoint a new coalition if the PDL pulls out.

There has been speculation that rebels from the centre-right or the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement may provide alternative parliamentary support for Letta, who was named prime minister after weeks of wrangling in the wake of a deadlocked February election, which left no party able to govern alone.

Reluctance to consider a new vote has also been increased by fears that the current, much-criticized electoral law, which is being reviewed by the constitutional court and could soon be overturned, would only produce another stalemate. — Reuters

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

KENT: A general view of the scene on the Sheppey Bridge Crossing near Sheerness in Kent, south England, following a multi vehicle collision yesterday. — AP

Dozens injured in 100-car crash in London LONDON: Dozens of people were hurt, some seriously, when more than 100 cars were caught up in a huge pile-up on a bridge east of London during foggy conditions yesterday morning. The mangled wrecks of cars and lorries were strewn across the Sheppey Crossing as vehicles smashed into

each other in a series of collisions at about 7.20 am.

“All we could hear was screeching, cars thudding into each other, lorries crashing,” driver Martin Stammers told the BBC. Firefighters cut six people from their vehicles and 35 were taken to hospital, eight with serious injuries. Witnesses

said there was thick fog at the Crossing, a road bridge which links the Isle of Sheppey in the mouth of the River Thames estuary to the mainland about 50 miles east of London.

Police said they were still investigating the cause of the accident.— Reuters

World powers hold back from targeting Iran at UN West wishes to give Rouhani a chance

NAKORN SI THAMMARAT: Thai rubber farmers burn a coffin during a protest in Nakorn Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand yesterday. — AP

Thai farmers and police clash as crisis deepens PHUNPIN: Rubber farmers in southern Thailand clashed with police and threatened to shut down city halls in 14 southern provinces yesterday after the government rejected their demands for price rises, deepening a crisis that is testing the populist government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Angered by steep price declines, tens of thousands of rubber farmers have taken to the streets for two weeks, blocking roads and railways. Protesters clashed with baton-wielding police in Prachuap Khiri Khanon province on the main road from Bangkok to the southern beach resort region of Phuket, authorities said.

“There was some fighting between protesters and the police and at least one policeman was injured after having acid thrown in his face. Some protesters were injured too but we don’t know how many,” said Narong Sapyen, a local police superintendent.

Ten protest leaders were arrested, he said. Shipments by the world’s biggest rubber producer and exporter are in dis-

array. The standoff is among the most politically fraught crises Yingluck’s government has faced since she swept into power in 2011 on the back of support from “red shirt” protesters, many from the rural north and northeast, who are loyal to her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 military coup.

But now Yingluck faces a challenge on the opposite side of the country, a bastion of her rival Democrat party.

Locals here say she has coddled supporters in rice-growing regions with an expensive subsidy program that has accumulated losses of $4.46 billion since it was introduced in 2011. Protesters such as farmer Chatchai Piewpah give a simple reason for joining in: life is getting harder, and Yingluck’s government seems not to care. “Yingluck only wants to take care of her own and her own are the people in the north and northeast, the rice farmers and millers who are growing rich off the back of the rice subsidy scheme,” said Chatchai, who owns a rubber farm.—Reuters

VIENNA: World powers will refrain from raising pressure on Iran at a UN nuclear meeting next week to give its new moderate president time to show he is serious about moves to reduce tensions over its atomic activity, Western diplomats say. But they stressed that concrete progress is needed soon in the dispute: talks on Sept 27 between Iran and UN nuclear inspectors will be scrutinized for any sign that the new Iranian government will be more transparent and less confrontational as President Hassan Rouhani has pledged.

Iran says its nuclear energy program is for electricity generation and medical uses only, rejecting Western accusations it is covertly trying to develop the capability to make bombs.

The June election of Rouhani as president, succeeding conservative hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has stirred hopes that it may be possible to resolve a decade-old dispute and avert the threat of a new Middle East war. Rouhani, keen to secure a relaxation of harsh international sanctions on Iran, has signaled readiness to be more open about Iranian nuclear activities in return for the acceptance of Tehran’s right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. The Sept 9-13 meeting of the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), one of four annually, will be its first since Rouhani’s rise. During Ahmadinejad’s eight-year tenure, the board passed six resolutions rebuking Iran over its nuclear defiance and evasions of IAEA scrutiny, demanding a suspension of enrichment and full cooperation with IAEA inspectors, and clearing the way to successive batches of United Nations sanctions since 2006. “There has definitely been a change in tone from the Iranian government which we recognize and welcome,” a Western envoy said, speaking ahead of next week’s governing board meeting. “We have to give them at least the time to translate their words into action,” the envoy added, noting there were no plans - unlike previous board meetings - to push for a resolution to chide Iran over its refusal to curb sensitive atomic activity. So far there is no clear indication of Iran slowing its nuclear campaign. An IAEA report last week showed Iran preparing to test 1,000 advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges, enabling it to produce more quickly nuclear material that can have both military and civilian applications.

WEST WANTS MORE THAN “WORDS” “We expect and hope to see more than words” from Iran,

the senior diplomat said, echoing the views of other Western officials in Vienna, where the IAEA is based. The calibrated Western restraint towards Iran at this board meeting contrasts with US preparations for punitive air strikes on Tehran’s closest regional ally, Syria, over a poison gas attack in its civil war that killed hundreds of civilians.

There are concerns US action against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad could give hawks in Iran’s multi-tiered power structure an opening to scuttle Rouhani’s diplomacy. Western envoys at the IAEA declined to comment on suggestions that another reason for easing off on Iran at the board meeting was a wish not to make Rouhani more vulnerable to hardliners at home if US strikes against Syria go ahead.

SEPT 27 IAEA-IRAN TALKS The United States late last year warned it may ask the IAEA governors to report Iran to the UN Security Council if it kept stonewalling the UN agency’s investigation into suspected atomic bomb research by Tehran. Iran - which was first reported to the UN Security Council over its nuclear program by the IAEA board in 2006 and then was hit by UN sanctions - says allegations of such covert activities are based on forged intelligence from its foes.

Another senior Western diplomat said the Iran-IAEA meeting later this month would be an opportunity for Iran to convey a “different message” to the outside world.

“September 27 is going to a be very interesting day,” the envoy said. The two sides have held 10 rounds of negotiations since early 2012 in an attempt by the IAEA to resume its inquiry. The talks have failed to yield results but Iran last month announced it would replace the envoy who has led the country’s team in the discussions, in a possible sign of its desire for a new start after Rouhani’s election.

“One would hope that by November there is some greater clarity on what Iran is prepared to do to resolve the issues that have been put on the table,” the second Western diplomat said, referring to the next quarterly meeting of the IAEA board. The Iran-IAEA talks are separate, but still closely linked, to negotiations between six major powers - the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany - and Iran aimed at finding a broader diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute.— Reuters

International FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Qaeda-linked rebels hit Syrian Christian village Al-Nusra fighter blows himself up at checkpoint

MAALOULA: This file picture shows a partial view of the Christian Syrian town of Maaloula, 55 kilometres (34 miles) north of Damascus.— AFP BEIRUT: Al-Qaeda-linked rebels have launched an assault on a regime-held Christian village in the densely populated west of Syria and new clashes erupted near the capital, Damascus - part of a brutal battle of attrition each side believes it can win despite more than two years of deadlock. As the world focused on possible US military action against Syria, rebels commandeered a mountaintop hotel in the village of Maaloula and shelled the community below, said a nun, speaking by phone from a convent in the village. She spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

The attack came hours before a Senate panel voted to give President Barack Obama authority to use military force against Syria - the first time lawmakers have voted to allow military action since the October 2002 votes authorizing the invasion of Iraq. The measure, which cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on a 10-7 vote, was altered at the last minute to support “decisive changes to the present military balance of power” in Syria’s civil war, though it ruled out US combat operations on the ground. It was expected to reach the full Senate floor next week.

The Syria conflict, which began with a popular uprising in March 2011, has been stalemated, and it’s not clear if US military strikes over the regime’s alleged chemical weapons use would change that. Obama has said he seeks limited pinpoint action to deter future chemical attacks, not regime change. Obama has been lobbying for international and domestic support for punishing President Bashar Assad’s regime, which the US says fired rockets loaded with the nerve agent sarin on rebel-held areas near Damascus before dawn on Aug 21, killing hundreds of civilians.

So far, however, he has won little international backing for action. Among major allies, only

France has offered publicly to join the US in a strike. In a parliament debate, France’s Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault made a passionate appeal for intervention in Syria, placing the blame for the alleged chemical attack on Assad and warning that inaction could let him carry out more atrocities. The debate ended without a vote since President Francois Hollande can order a military operation without one.

Obama has called chemical weapons use a “red line,” and top administration officials argued before the Senate on Tuesday that Assad would take inaction by Washington as a license for further brutality against his people. The fighting has killed more than 100,000 Syrians and uprooted nearly 7 million from their homes. During a visit to Sweden on Wednesday, Obama said a red line had been drawn by countries around the world that have backed a long-standing ban on chemical weapons. “I didn’t set a red line, the world set a red line,” he said. With the Syria debate in Congress in full swing, questions arose around the administration’s assurances. It’s not clear, critics said, how the US could expect to deliver surgical strikes in Syria’s chaotic battlefield or predict the repercussions, including possible Assad regime reprisals against Syria’s neighbors. The civil war in Syria hit a stalemate almost from the start. The rebels control much of the countryside in the north, east and south, but the regime is hanging on to most urban centers in the west, where the majority of Syrians live. Within that deadlock, each side has consolidated control over certain areas, said Peter Harling, a Syria expert at the International Crisis Group think tank. Momentum “is always shifting enough for both sides to be able to convince themselves that victory is ultimately feasible,” he said. “In practice, both sides

are stuck and can achieve very little militarily.” The dawn assault on the predominantly Christian village of Maaloula was carried out by rebels from the Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat Al-Nusra group, according to a Syrian government official and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an antiregime group.

At the start of the attack, an Al-Nusra fighter blew himself up at a regime checkpoint at the entrance to the village, said the Observatory, which collects information from a network of antiregime activists. The suicide attack was followed by fighting between the rebels and regime forces, the Observatory and a nun in the village said.

Eventually, the rebels seized the checkpoint, disabled two tanks and an armored personnel carrier and killed eight regime soldiers in fighting, the British-based group said.

The nun said the rebels took over the Safir hotel atop a mountain overlooking the village and fired shells at it from there. “It’s a war. It has been going from 6 am in the morning,” she said. Some 80 people from the village took refuge in the convent, which houses 13 nuns and 27 orphans, she said. A Syrian government official confirmed the assault and said the military was trying to repel the rebels. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give official statements.

Maaloula, a mountain village some 40 miles northeast of Damascus, is home to about 2,000 residents, some of whom still speak a version of Aramaic, the ancient language of biblical times believed to have been spoken by Jesus. The fourdecade iron rule of the Assad clan over Syria has long rested on support from the country’s ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians, Shiite Muslims and Kurds. The Assad family and

key regime figures are Alawites, followers of an offshoot of Shiite Islam, while most rebels and their supporters are Sunni Muslims.

In fighting in Damascus, a mortar shell fired by rebels hit a sports hall, killing a member of the national tae kwon do team, 27-year-old Mohammed Ali Neimeh, the state news agency SANA said. Neimeh had been training for an upcoming Islamic Solidarity Tournament in Indonesia this week. Rebels and regime forces also clashed on the outskirts of the capital, according to amateur video. In the Daraya district, several fighters fired assault rifles from behind an earthen embankment. Smoke rose from the neighborhood of Barzek after the shelling. There were new signs of rivalry among rebel groups that have been fragmented from the start.

The two main camps are the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, which portrays itself as the largest fighting group, and jihadist fighters, including thousands from outside Syria, who have become increasingly dominant, particularly in the north and sparsely populated east. Among the jihadists, there have been several splits in recent months, particularly between those loyal to commanders in Syria and those who pledge allegiance to Al-Qaeda-linked groups in Iraq. In an amateur video posted online Wednesday, a foreign fighter was seen standing among other bearded men who he says have come to Syria from Russia and the Caucasus to wage jihad, or holy war. “Our brigade is called the Mujahedin of the Caucasus and the Levant, and we have our brothers from all over the world with us,” he said in halting Russian translated into Arabic. He said his men had broken away from one of the jihadi blocs, known as ISIS, and that the group is also “independent from Jabhat Al-Nusra and others.” - AP

Business FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

BRICS to commit $100bn to stabilize FX market

Gulf markets fall on Syria tension PAGE 20

PAGE 22

NEW YORK: Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during morning trading yesterday.—AFP

US factory orders drop 2.4% Services sector picks up pace WASHINGTON: Orders to US factories fell in July by the sharpest amount in four months, held back by weaker demand for commercial aircraft and heavy machinery. A key category that reflects business investment plans also fell. Factory orders dropped 2.4 percent in July compared with June, when orders rose 1.6 percent, the Commerce Department reported yesterday. Orders for core capital goods, a category viewed as a proxy for business investment spending, fell 4 percent in July.

Core capital goods are considered a good measure of businesses’ confidence in the economy. They include items that point to expansion - such as machinery, computers and heavy trucks while excluding volatile orders for aircraft and defense. The July setback was expected to be temporary. Orders for durable goods, items expected to last at least three years, declined 7.4 percent, a slightly bigger drop than the 7.3 percent fall estimated in a preliminary report last week. It was the biggest decline since a 12.9 percent fall in August 2012. Orders for nondurable goods, items such as chemicals, food and paper, rose 2.4 percent in July after a 0.5 percent decline in June.

Excluding the volatile transportation category, factory goods orders were up 1.2 percent. The big drop in core capital goods orders suggests the third quarter is off to a weaker start than some had hoped. While economists cautioned that it’s just one month of data, a few lowered their growth estimates for the July-September quarter after seeing the durable goods report. Some believe that growth may only come in around 1.9 percent for the current quar-

ter, a drop from previous estimates of 2.5 percent growth.

Overall manufacturing has slumped this year, hurt by weakness overseas that has dragged on US exports. But there have been signs that factory activity could pick up in the second half of the year. But the Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday that its closely watched gauge of manufacturing activity rose in August to a reading of 55.7, up from 55.4 in July. That was the highest level since June 2011 and offered encouragement that manufacturing may be starting to pull out of its slowdown. The economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the April-June quarter. The US services sector picked up pace in August, with businesses reporting improving orders and increased hiring, the Institute for Supply Management said yesterday.

The ISM’s purchasing managers index for the non-manufacturing sector rose to 58.6, compared with 56.0 in July and 55.2 at the beginning of the year. The business activity subindex increased to 62.2 from 60.4, new orders accelerated to 60.5 from 57.7, and the employment sub-index rose to 57.0 from 53.2, all signs of slight acceleration in the services sector. Prices also continued to rise, but at a slower pace; the prices index for August stood at 53.4, down from 60.1 the month earlier. A figure above 50 indicates growth. Of all the industries covered by the services PMI, only mining and arts, entertainment and recreation reported contraction. “The majority of respondents’ comments continue to be mostly positive about business conditions and the direction of the overall economy,” the ISM said. — Agencies

Turkish lira hits new low ISTANBUL: Turkey’s lira tumbled to a new low yesterday, underperforming other emerging markets as speculators tested the central bank’s resolve to defend it in the face of US “tapering”, rising oil prices and fears over neighboring Syria. The lira hit 2.0840 to the dollar in morning trade, its weakest ever, later recovering slightly to 2.0800 by 1203 GMT. It was also near record lows against the dollar/euro basket at 2.4133.

Turkey’s gaping current account deficit, high levels of short-term foreign debt and relatively low reserves of foreign currency compared to emerging markets peers make it particularly vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. The prospect of the US Federal Reserve gradually reining in its huge program of dollar printing, as well as fears about the impact on Turkey of the deepening conflict in Syria, have heaped pressure on the lira in recent weeks.

Central Bank Governor Erdem Basci’s statement last week that he would not defend the currency with

interest rate hikes has further unnerved investors and led speculators to test the bank’s determination, analysts say.

“Ever since the central bank stated explicitly that rate hikes were off the table, the lira has been more affected by market pressure and speculative attack than even these other fragile (emerging markets) currencies,” Morgan Stanley strategists said in a note to clients yesterday.

A central bank meeting with economists on Wednesday did little to calm nerves. Bank officials suggested more surprises lay ahead in its unorthodox efforts to stabilise the lira, including using gross reserves to manage forex liquidity. But economists who attended the meeting said the message was less than convincing. The central bank has sold a total of $8 billion so far this year at forex auctions. Basci has said it has $40 billion in reserves which it could use to shore up the lira and would intervene defensively as needed. — Reuters

Business FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Gulf markets fall on Syria tension MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS

BERLIN: An employee of LG Electronics uses a displayed magnifier to compare the resolution of the new G Pad 8.3 of LG Electronics with a regular 7.9-inch display at IFA, one of the world’s largest trade fairs for consumer electronics and electrical home appliances, in Berlin, yesterday. IFA will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds from Sept 6 to 11.—AP

US private sector adds 176,000 jobs NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: US private employers added 176,000 jobs in August and new claims for jobless benefits fell last week, which could bolster expectations the US Federal Reserve will begin winding down a bond-buying stimulus program this month. Payrolls processor Automatic Data Processing (ADP) said yesterday private sector employment expanded less than in July, but analysts said the data still backed the consensus view that a more comprehensive employment report, due on Friday, will show improvement. “(It’s) enough to reinforce expectations that the Fed will begin to taper its asset purchases,” said Paul Ashworth, an economist at Capital Economics in Toronto. US Treasury debt prices fell to session lows after the data, with the yield on the two-year note rising above 0.5 percent for the first time since June 2011 on bets the Fed would start to reduce bond purchases soon. Stock futures were little changed while the dollar gained against the euro. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast the ADP National Employment Report would show a gain of 180,000 jobs.

July’s private payrolls gains were revised to 198,000 from the previously reported 200,000.

The report is jointly developed with Moody’s Analytics. The ADP data comes one day before the US government’s report on August non-farm payrolls, which investors will scour in hopes of divining the future direction of the Fed’s massive asset-buying program. The Fed is now weighing when to pull back on its purchases of $85 billion per month in Treasuries and mortgagebacked securities. Views that the Fed could slow its buying pace as soon as its Sept. 17-18 meeting sent Treasuries yields to twoyear highs recently. But policymakers say their decisions will depend on data showing the health of the world’s biggest economy. Policymakers want to see the unemployment rate closer to 6.5 percent from its current 7.4 percent.

Economists in a Reuters poll, however, see the August unemployment rate remaining flat. Separately, the Labor Department said the number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell 9,000 last week to 323,000, a near five-year low.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected first-time applications to fall to 330,000 last week. The four-week moving average for new claims fell to its lowest level since October 2007, before the 2007-09 recession began. This measure, which is closely followed because it irons out week-to-week volatility, dipped 3,000 to 328,500. The report has no direct bearing today’s monthly employment report, but it could reinforce confidence that the labor market is posting a slow yet steady comeback.

Still, the US economic recovery has largely skirted many Americans, who are frustrated over a slow pace of wage gains in recent years. A separate Labor Department report showed US labor costs were flat in the second quarter, a sign of minimal inflationary pressures in the economy that could fan concerns inflation is too low. The reading, which revised down an earlier estimate for the data, was well below the 0.8 percent gain analysts were forecasting in a Reuters poll.

At the same time, the report showed productivity rose 2.3 percent during the period, which was a bigger gain than expected and gave a more hopeful sign for the outlook for wages.

Over the last year, inflation has been well below the US Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target, which has led some analysts to expect the Fed will be slow about winding down the bondbuying program.—Reuters

DUBAI: Gulf Arab shares dropped yesterday, sustaining losses for a second week in a row, as a possible United States military strike against Syria moved one step closer and raised worries of triggering wider conflict in the region. A US Senate committee voted in favor of military action, clearing the way for a vote in the full Senate, likely next week. The resolution sets a 60-day limit on any engagement in Syria, with a possible 30-day extension, and bars the use of US troops on the ground for combat operations.

In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi’s measure fell 3 percent in its sharpest one-day drop since January 2011. It lost 5.3 percent this week.

Dubai’s index retreated 2.5 percent to its lowest since July 7 and suffered the heaviest losses among peers for the week at 7.4 percent.

“Nobody is surprised by the limited nature of the planned US action but investors are expecting further downside risk before the attack,” said John Sfakianakis, chief investment strategist at Saudi investment firm MASIC. “The uncertainty is around when it (the attack) will happen and how Syria’s

allies will react.”

Saudi Arabia’s index slipped 0.4 percent, taking the week’s losses to 1.7 percent. Losses were capped as bargain hunters returned to pick up bluechips.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the region’s largest stock by market value and the world’s largest chemicals producer, gained 0.3 percent. Heavyweight lender Al Rajhi Bank also added 0.3 percent. Selective buying in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf bluechips is backed by solid fundamentals like growing economies and demand from consumers as well as buoyed oil prices, analysts say. “Valuations are now looking attractive given the correction and there is a risk-to-reward thinking process where people are selectively investing.

My strategy is to hold and if I have cash on the side, to buy sometime next week,” Sfakianakis added.

In Qatar, the benchmark declined 1.6 percent, hitting its lowest level since June 24 and losing 4.3 percent this week. Kuwait’s index fell 0.7 percent, extending weekly losses to 5.4 percent.

The heavily retail-dominant market dropped for 10 consecutive sessions in its longest losing streak in 15 months.

In Egypt, Cairo’s benchmark index slipped 0.4 percent after an assassination attempt on the interior minister.

The minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, survived unhurt when a remote-controlled bomb blew up as his convoy drove through Cairo’s Nasr City district.

Investor sentiment is weak as the interim government attempts to manage a security situation, including protests by the Muslim Brotherhood in response to the ouster of former President Mohamed Mursi.

“The market is very fragile and locals are exhausted from buying,” said Mohamed Radwan, director of international sales at Pharos Securities.

“Foreigners are not participating much until there is further clarification on the government roadmap.”

The army-backed government has laid out plans for parliamentary elections in coming months and said it will move ahead despite a dire security situation and the protests by Mursi supporters. Elsewhere, world shares rose, backed by upbeat US auto sales data as investors put the Syrian conflict on the back of their minds. Brent crude held above $115 per barrel. — Reuters

Indian rupee, stocks rise on new CB chief’s plans MUMBAI: India’s rupee strengthened and stocks jumped yesterday after new central bank governor Raghuram Rajan outlined a reform plan aimed at boosting investor confidence and stabilising the ailing currency. The rupee gained 1.58 percent at 66.01 against the dollar on investor hopes that the worst could be over for the currency, the worst performing in Asia this year.

Indian shares also closed up 2.22 percent to 18,979.76 points as all major banking stocks surged after Rajan took over Wednesday from Duvvuri Subbarao as head of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Sonal Varma, an economist at Nomura Securities, said Rajan had made “an impressive start”, but she stressed that a weak growth outlook was still a “major concern”.

“In our view, amid the current gloom, the new RBI governor has infused a sense

of optimism that he is in charge and that the RBI under him will unleash more financial sector reforms, a medium-term positive for the economy,” she said.

Rajan emphasized the importance of transparency and consistency in the bank’s actions, after the RBI spent weeks trying and failing to stabilize the rupee with a range of measures.

Rajan, famed for forecasting the 2008 global financial crisis, stressed he would hew to the RBI’s mandate of “securing monetary stability” and sustaining confidence in the value of the country’s money, which means “low and stable inflation”. India’s Finance Minister P Chidambaram yesterday also sought to allay investor concerns over the currency, saying “we think it has overshot its value”. “Rupee correction will take place”,

BHUBANESWAR: A roadside fruit vendor checks the authenticity of a 500 rupee note received from a customer in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneswar yesterday.—AP

MUMBAI: Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) newly appointed governor Raghuram Rajan arrives at the RBI headquarters in Mumbai. — AFP Chidambaram told parliament.

India faces its worst financial crisis in decades, as the once-booming economy grapples with sharply slowing growth, high inflation and a record current account deficit. Some analysts fear the economy could be heading for a meltdown with the rupee down around 22 percent against the dollar this year. Rajan’s bold entry to the job, announcing a raft of financial deregulatory measures, received rave reviews from economists and the local media. “This was easily the most substantive speech by a Reserve Bank governor on his first day in office,” financial daily Business Standard said yesterday.

With a mock photograph of Rajan in a James Bond-style pose on its front page, The Economic Times newspaper said he had “gotten off to a good start, radiating brisk purpose and optimism”.— AFP

Business FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

BoE freezes interest rate, stimulus LONDON: The Bank of England has maintained its key lending rate at a record low 0.50 percent and frozen its cash stimulus amount, it said yesterday amid Britain’s improving economic recovery.

“The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee at its meeting... voted to maintain the official Bank Rate paid on commercial bank reserves at 0.50 percent,” a statement said. It added that the amount of quantitative easing (QE) stimulus would remain at £375 billion ($586 billion, 444 billion euros). Thursday’s announcement followed a two-day meeting that ended on Wednesday, and was the first official monetary policy decision by the central bank since new governor Mark Carney last month launched its radical “forward guidance”. Shortly after the decision, the European Central Bank held euro-zone borrowing costs at an all-time low of 0.50 percent. In a change of practice, the Bank of England (BoE) had in August said that any rise in record-low interest rates would be tied to a drop in British unemployment. Under the new strategy, the rate will remain at the current historic low of 0.50 per-

cent until Britain’s unemployment rate falls to at least 7.0 percent. Such a drop in the unemployment rate is not expected to occur for three years, according to BoE forecasts. However, recent bright economic data has sparked speculation that unemployment could fall faster than anticipated, forcing the bank to start hiking rates in the first half of 2015.

“The problem is that financial markets think the unemployment rate will fall more quickly than the BoE suggest given the very strong tone to the recent data,” said ING bank economist James Knightley, noting that annual inflation was also holding stubbornly above the BoE’s 2.0-percent target. “As such, markets, ourselves included, suspect that the first rate hike is more likely to come in early-to-mid 2015 than... (in late) 2016” as suggested by the BoE. A raft of exceptionally strong surveys this week has added to expectations that rates may rise sooner than flagged by the BoE. Britain’s powerhouse services sector accelerated at its fastest pace for more than six years in August, according to the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’

index (PMI). This followed similar strong PMI survey readings for the manufacturing and construction sectors. The British economy meanwhile grew by 0.7 percent in the second quarter-more than double the 0.3percent expansion that was witnessed in the first three months of 2013, recent official data showed.

On Tuesday, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development predicted that the British economy would grow by 1.5 percent this year, nearly double its previous forecast of 0.8 percent. “The MPC is increasingly facing a real dilemma, resulting from the surprisingly strong growth that the economy is currently experiencing,” said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight consultants.

“While this robust growth is a hugely welcome development following the economy’s prolonged struggles, it is making the markets even more skeptical that the Bank of England will not raise interest rates from 0.50 percent before...2016.” Higher interest rates boost savers’ returns but increase costs for borrowers, including people with home loans. — AFP

ECB holds rate steady amid signs of recovery FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank held its key rates unchanged yesterday as expected as the nascent recovery in the crisis-stricken euro area remains extremely vulnerable to setbacks. The ECB’s governing council voted to keep the bank’s key “refi” refinancing rate steady at an all-time low of 0.50 percent, it said in a statement. The central bank also left its other two rates-the deposit rate and the marginal lending rate-at zero percent and 1.0 percent respectively. No analysts or ECB watchers had been expecting the central bank to announce any further policy moves this month given recent signs of economic improvement in the euro area.

ECB chief Mario Draghi was scheduled to explain the reasoning behind the decision at his regular monthly post-meeting news conference.

But analysts said he will have to tread carefully if the positive effects of the most recent measures are not to evaporate. “The recent improvement in the euro-zone economy had ruled out an ECB interest rate cut today, but president Draghi will no doubt maintain his pledge to keep rates at or below present levels for an ‘extended period of time’,” said Capital Economics economist Jennifer McKeown.

A 0.3-percent rise in euro-zone gross domes-

tic product in the second quarter “did very little to reverse the previous prolonged slump and the business surveys point to only very modest growth in the near term,” she said. Accordingly, the ECB’s staff GDP forecasts-also scheduled to be published on Thursday-were likely to be revised up only marginally for this year and continue to point to pretty modest growth of about 1.1 percent in 2014.

At the same time, fearful of prompting a rise in market interest rate expectations, “Draghi is likely to strike a dovish tone at the press conference and perhaps even suggest that a further rate cut remains a possibility,” the analyst continued. “He is unlikely to firm up his forward guidance or tie it to specific economic variables, not least because disagreement on the governing council and divergences between economies would make this very difficult,” she said. Two months ago, Draghi ushered in what many ECB watchers saw as a revolution in communication policy by pledging to keep interest rates at their current historical lows-or even lower-for an extended period of time. Never before has the ECB issued such “forward guidance”, even if Draghi has faced tenacious questions ever since about exactly what an “extended period of time” actually means.—AFP

FRANKFURT: The euro logo is seen in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) building in Frankfurt am Main, central Germany yesterday. — AFP

MIAMI: Job seekers check out companies at a job fair in Miami Lakes, Florida. The Labor Department reports the number of Americans who applied for unemployment benefits for the first week of September yesterday. — AP

US gas via Panama frightens LNG exporters worldwide LONDON: The United States is set to grab the first and biggest chunk of unfilled extra Asian demand for shipped gas between now and 2025 with help from a widened Panama Canal and prices that rivals could struggle to match. A surge in US natural gas production thanks to the shale revolution means proposed new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Australia, East Africa, Canada and Russia can no longer count on exporting to the United States and will now have to focus more on sales to Asia. Now, the distance to ship US LNG from the Gulf of Mexico to Asia is set to be fall to about 9,000 miles from 16,000 after expansion work makes the Panama Canal big enough for LNG tankers.

That will allow US exporters to compete for that same Asian market, transforming the United States from export destination to growth supplier for Japan, South Korea and eastern China in only a few years. The Gulf of Mexico coast has tailor-made ports, storage and pipes it has used for LNG imports. It is part of the world’s biggest natural gas market and has specialist local labour available.

This gives LNG projects there a set of ‘brownfield’ advantages over ‘greenfield’ rivals off the undeveloped coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, in the harsh Russian Arctic, and in remoter parts of Australia and Canada.

Political risk is also seen as relatively low - at least for the next few years. Together, these factors should give the United States about a third of the

150 million tons per year (mtpa) of extra LNG demand expected between now and 2025 that is not already accounted for by about 100 mtpa of Australian supply currently under construction, according to analysts’ estimates.

“The cost stacks to Asia from the five major supply options end up in a very similar range... but the US brings a unique proposition, and so might be getting a lion’s share of that extra demand,” said Asish Mohanty, senior analyst on North American LNG for Wood Mackenzie in Houston.

“We expect around 45 to 50 million tons a year of US exports - all starting up before 2020 - with the rest to be shared amongst the others.”

Hesitation by those other LNG producers looks set to play into US hands, too. The last big non-US LNG project to get the all-important Final Investment Decision (FID) from its backers was Japanese group Inpex’s Ichthys plant in Australia’s Northern Territory in early 2012. Since then, only US projects, namely Sabine Pass phases 1 and 2 in Louisiana, have won FID. LNG exports are politically controversial in the United States because cheap gas has revived the economy, but the government approved a third export permit on Aug 7 in a sign that producers hurt by a glut and weak prices are winning traction in the debate as federal authorities grant permission for exports to countries such as Japan and China. —Reuters

Business FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Gold steadies ahead of CB meetings, US jobs data LONDON: Gold steadied yesterday after the previous session’s sharp drop, ahead of central bank meetings and US jobs data likely to provide clues on the outlook for US monetary policy.

Spot prices fell 1.5 percent on Wednesday after upbeat US data lifted stocks and as oil prices fell on expectations that a military strike against Syria - which helped lift gold to 3-1/2 month high last week - would remain limited. Spot gold was at $1,391.41 an ounce at 0919 GMT, little changed from $1,390.84 late on Wednesday. US gold futures for December delivery were up $1.40 an ounce at $1,391.40.

A 15 percent drop in gold prices this year has been driven largely by speculation the US Federal Reserve will start reducing its bullion-friendly $85 billion monthly bond-buying program, with an announcement foreseen at its September 17-18 meeting. “The fact we are now less than two weeks away from the very eagerly awaited Fed meeting (means) some longs have been reduced, putting the metals on the back foot,” Saxo Bank head of commodity strategy Ole Hansen said.

“I’m looking for a $1,379 to $1,397 range today. A break below Monday’s low will obviously test the resolve in the market, but I think support will be found ahead of key support towards $1,350, leaving gold range-bound in the near term.”

European shares climbed, government bond yields were at near 1-1/2 year highs and the dollar held close to six-week peaks on a combination of a better global economic outlook, nervousness about Syria and pending central bank meetings.

Brent crude oil prices held above $115 a barrel but are unlikely to rise steeply, analysts said, given expectations for a short, limited strike on Syria, unless major oil producers in the Middle East get dragged into the conflict.

Analysts are awaiting US jobs data due later for clues as to the outcome of today’s US non-farm payrolls report, which is seen as a barometer of the US recovery.

Payrolls processor ADP releases its August employment report at 1215 GMT. The European Central Bank and Bank of England are holding policy meetings on Thursday which will be watched for any shift in monetary policy. The Bank of Japan earlier maintained its stimulus program as expected.

Investors expect the European Central Bank to stick to its line that interest rates will stay low to support the euro zone’s fragile recovery. Hong Kong’s gold exports to China rose to 129.232 tons in July from 111.718 tons in June, data from the Hong Kong government showed yesterday.

Among other precious metals, silver was up 0.1 percent at $23.47 an ounce, while spot platinum was up 0.3 percent at $1,492.99 an ounce. Spot palladium was down 0.7 percent at $690.97 an ounce.

Platinum miners in South Africa, the source of threequarters of world platinum supply, are watching the progress of pay negotiations in the gold sector. A strike for higher pay hit production at most of South Africa’s gold mines on Wednesday. “Based on the possibility of supply disruptions and generally strong demand, we expect platinum group metals prices to recover,” HSBC said in a note. — Reuters

ST PETERSBURG: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) welcomes India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before the BRICS summit in Saint Petersburg on the sidelines of the G20 summit yesterday.

ST PETERSBURG: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (right) welcomes China’s President Xi Jinping (left) before the BRICS summit in Saint Petersburg on the sidelines of the G20 summit yesterday. — AFP photos

BRICS to commit $100bn to stabilize FX market China, Russia to champion cause ST PETERSBURG: The BRICS group of emerging economies will contribute $100 billion to a fighting fund to steady currency markets destabilized by an expected pullback of US monetary stimulus, China and Russia said yesterday. China, holder of the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves, will contribute the lion’s share of the currency pool. But it will be much smaller than the $240 billion originally envisaged and officials said it would not be functional for some time yet.

Cheap dollars that fueled a boom in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa over the past decade have turned tail since Ben Bernanke, chairman of the Federal Reserve, warned in May of a ‘taper’ in the US bond-buying scheme. “The scale of the reserve arrangement will be $100 billion and China will take the lion’s share of this,” China’s Vice Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao told a briefing at the Group of 20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia. Both Zhu and Russian Deputy Finance Minister Sergei Storchak said details still needed to be worked out, suggesting that - beyond the announcement - much more work would need to be done on the reserve facility.

A joint BRICS development bank, with capital of up to $50 billion, is also still months away from realization amid disagreements over burden sharing and where it should be based. Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected to announce the currency pool’s size at a meeting of BRICS leaders, before the full G20 gathers later to discuss the state of the world economy. “We have asked not to create unnecessary expectations,” Storchak told Reuters regarding the currency pool. “Politically, the countries are ready, but technically they are not. “The total is known ($100 billion), but I don’t even know how to come to that,” Storchak said. Last year’s original initiative foresaw creating a pool of central bank funds available to BRICS facing balance of payments difficulties. There was also a push to create an IMFstyle credit line to insure against external shocks. The Fed is widely

expected this month to take its first steps to reduce the extraordinary monetary stimulus, with potentially huge implications for a global financial system where the US dollar accounts for 62 percent of reserve assets.

The emerging nation facing the biggest financial shock, India, received scant sympathy from China and Russia as both called for policy action to tackle external deficits. “We see the temporary difficulties of some BRICS countries, mainly as difficulties in terms of international balance of payments,” said Zhu. “The policy options in response to such ... difficulties include increasing interest rates or devaluing currencies.” It increasingly appears that India’s announcement last Friday that it was liaising with other emerging countries on a plan to coordinate intervention in offshore currency markets had few if any other backers.

Asked about the Indian statement, South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told Reuters on Tuesday: “We don’t know what the proposal is ... This is India’s initiative to resolve India’s issues.” Nonetheless, Indian officials said they were counting on the strong support of the G20 to provide reassurance over the winding down of the Fed’s quantitative easing program as the US economy picks up. Arvind Mayaram, economic affairs secretary at India’s ministry of finance said: “I think there should be a very strong statement on the G20 having a consensus on the concern about the spillover effects. “I think if a strong statement is made on these two points, it will have a major calming impact on the markets in the emerging economies,” he told reporters ahead of the summit.

Storchak said the communique’s wording on spillover effects would be the same as agreed by G20 finance ministers in July, when they said future changes to monetary policy should be “carefully calibrated and clearly communicated”. — Reuters

AT&T, America Movil, Sawiris sound out Telecom Italia MILAN: Egyptian tycoon Naguib Sawiris, AT&T and America Movil have made contact with the core Telecom Italia investors who want to sell their shares in the Italian group, a source close to the situation said. The three have not expressed a formal interest in buying the stakes, the source, who is familiar with the thinking of Telecom Italia shareholders, added. The board of Telecom Italia is meeting on Sept.

19 and its chairman Franco Bernabe is seeking a new investor ahead of the meeting. AT&T declined to comment. Sawiris, America Movil and Telecom Italia were not immediately available for comment.

Shareholders have so far shot down two merger plans that Bernabe brought to the board. The first was a proposal by Sawiris last year to

take a stake in Telecom Italia through a 3-billion-euro capital hike, while the second involved a merger with Hutchison Whampoa’s Italian mobile unit. But a sector shake-up triggered by the $130 billion deal between Verizon and Vodafone is putting Telecom Italia, vulnerable due to its low profitability and high debt, back into the frame. Telecom Italia is 22.4 percent-owned by Telco, which is in turn controlled by Italian banks Mediobanca and Intesa Sanpaolo , domestic insurer Generali and Spain’s telecoms operator Telefonica.

Mediobanca has openly said it is preparing for a sale after writing down its indirect investment in Italy’s biggest telecoms group to around current market price.

Shareholders have until Sept 28 to exercise the option to leave the Telco pact early. Shares in Telecom Italia opened up on the back of continued speculation about the future of the Italian fixed-line giant and extended gains to rise 6 percent at 0.59 euros by 1005 GMT. “The acceleration in the sector’s consolidation and Telecom Italia’s and its holding company’s difficulties support the idea of extraordinary operations,” ICBPI brokerage said in a note. “The likely exit of Mediobanca and Generali from the Telco pact by a Sept. 28 deadline boost speculation on the stock.” Italian daily la Repubblica said yesterday Bernabe planned to propose to the board a reserved capital increase to bring in a new investor. — Reuters

Health FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

GSK cancer vaccine disappoints in melanoma trial LONDON: An experimental cancer vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline failed to help melanoma patients in a closely watched latestage clinical trial, dealing a blow to the highrisk, high-reward project. Britains biggest drugmaker said yesterday that it would continue with the Phase III trial of its MAGE-A3 therapeutic vaccine to see if it benefited a subset of patients with a particular genetic signature. The trial has two joint targets, known as co-primary endpoints, looking at both the broad population and a patient subset, so it is possible the treatment will yet prove effective for a small number of people with the deadly skin cancer.

It is also being tested in lung cancer. The vaccine is one of two particularly high-risk developmental GSK products that industry

analysts believe could, in theory, become multi-billion dollar sellers. The other is a heart drug called darapladib, designed to fight clogged arteries in a different way to statins.

In both cases, however, analysts have been wary of modeling firm sales forecasts, given the above-average risk of failure, and as a result GSK stock fell only 1 percent by 1410 GMT. Shares in its US partner Agenus, however, slumped 33 percent, reflecting the high hopes riding on the project at the small biotech firm. Agenus provides one of the components in GSKs vaccine. Citigroup analyst Andrew Baum said that already low consensus expectations for the product are now likely to fall further. He currently forecasts sales of only 149 million pounds ($233 mil-

lion) in 2018 for the MAGE-A3 vaccine in both melanoma and lung cancer. That figure is about half the industry consensus.

Unlike traditional preventative vaccines, the MAGE-A3 treatment is designed for people with established disease, helping their immune systems to prevent the return of disease after surgery. Other companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche and Merck & Co, have had some recent notable successes in clinical trials of innovative drugs to boost the immune system, but GSK is still pushing the scientific boundaries with its MAGE-A3 vaccine.

DIFFICULT AREA Cancer vaccines have proved difficult to develop over the years. A different vaccine for lung cancer from Germanys Merck KGaA also

failed in a clinical test last December. GSKs vaccine was developed for use in patients with tumors that express the cancer-related MAGE-A3 gene, which occurs in about 65 percent of Stage III melanomas.

It failed to extend disease-free survival significantly when compared with placebo in this population in the Phase III study. The second endpoint of the trial is to discover whether disease-free survival is improved in a subset of MAGE-A3-positive patients. Results from this analysis are expected in 2015. GSK added that no safety issues had emerged in the trial. ìWe remain committed to identifying a patient sub-population who may benefit from this investigational treatment,î said Vincent Brichard, head of immunotherapeutics at GSK Vaccines. — Reuters

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THE FASCINATING STORY OF THE 99 Baghdad lies in ruins, destroyed by the marauding armies of Hulagu Khan. The brave librarians of the great Dar Al-Hikma rush to save the glory of the ancient world’s accumulated wisdom, little knowing that centuries later their efforts will bear

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Opinion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Mexican president lines up reform blitz, legacy at stake

By Dave Graham

M

exico’s Enrique Pena Nieto has only been in charge nine months, but the success of his presidency depends largely on how he steers divisive economic reforms through Congress with the opposition by the end of this year. Pena Nieto is targeting economic growth of some 6 percent a year - up from an average of barely 2 percent since 2000 - via a number of key reforms: opening up the oil industry to foreign investors, boosting tax revenues, fomenting competition in major industries and overhauling a broken education system. To get there, he is pushing for deep changes that were long anathema to his ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the president is offering political concessions to his opponents in return for their backing.

Pena Nieto appears to have enough political support to achieve the main goals of that economic agenda. But the PRI does not have an outright majority in Congress, so it remains to be seen if he will have to dilute his plans to get them approved. “When this administration began, there were two options: maintain the inertia or seek far-reaching change. Today it’s clear we’ve opted for the road of transformation,” Pena Nieto said in his first state of the nation address on Monday.

Barely 36 hours later, one objective was closer to reality - Congress approved a new education law that imposes tougher teaching standards and scraps antiquated privileges that allowed teachers to pass on posts to their children, or even sell them. Thousands of teachers had blockaded Congress in a bid to thwart the bill but the speed with which lawmakers backed it showed how determined the president is, said Jose Manzur, the PRI’s chairman of the lower house’s budget committee.

Manzur scoffed at the suggestion that Pena Nieto, the former governor of the State of Mexico, might back down on key parts of the proposed reforms to avoid more disruptive confrontations. “Absolutely not,” he said. “I was deputy interior minister with Enrique Pena when he was governor of the State of Mexico so I know we’re definitely moving forward with everything.” Shortly after taking office in December, the 47-year-old Pena Nieto made an agreement with the opposition to push for a range of reforms, including the raft of economic changes that could still spark street protests.

That deal has already yielded major bills to open up the oil industry, increase bank lending and weaken the hold billionaire Carlos Slim has on Mexico’s telecom sector. But the small print on all these initiatives has not yet been finalized. In return for support in Congress, Pena Nieto has held out the prospect of reforming a political and electoral system shaped by the PRI when it ruled Mexico without interruption between 1929 and 2000.

POLITICAL REFORM The conservative National Action Party, or PAN, finally toppled the PRI in the 2000 election, but then struggled to pass far-reaching legislation during its 12 years in power, often due to the resistance of PRI lawmakers. Pena Nieto’s reform plans closely resemble what the

PAN attempted to enact, and it is willing to help the president. But the PAN has made its support conditional on reforms allowing for the re-election of public officials and for a second-round run-off between the top two candidates in presidential elections. Both of those changes could weaken the PRI’s chances in future elections in Mexico, where the president is only allowed to serve a single six-year term and elected politicians cannot seek consecutive periods in office.

Jose Trejo, a PAN lawmaker who heads the finance committee in the lower house of Congress, said Pena Nieto would have to pay a political price to get deep reforms through.

“And I think he should pay for them,” Trejo added. PAN lawmakers have already signaled their readiness to help Pena Nieto’s energy reforms, which could give him the two-thirds

former PRD mayor of the city and twice presidential runner-up who later broke ranks with his party. Lopez Obrador brought much of the capital to a standstill for weeks with protests in a doomed effort to overturn the 2006 presidential election result, and he is vowing to do at least as much to sink the fiscal and energy bills. He plans to launch his campaign on Sunday just as the government unveils the details of its fiscal reform bill, but the left is not the unified force it was six years ago and PRI officials believe his protests will not prevent passage of the reforms.

Still, major disruptions risk damaging Pena Nieto’s authority at a time of rising skepticism about another of his main pledges: ridding Mexico of violence between drug cartels.

Those turf wars claimed some 70,000 lives under the previous government, and while the

changed its manifesto in March to allow both.

If Pena Nieto is serious about raising more tax quickly - the government is targeting an increase equivalent to four percentage points of gross domestic product - then levying VAT on food and medicines is inevitable, said the PAN’s Trejo. The PRI insists that even if changes to VAT are carried out, it does not mean that the poor will be worse off.

“I’m sure there won’t be VAT on a basket of basic foodstuffs or for foods that people who are less well off need,” said Alejandra Del Moral, a PRI congresswoman in the lower house finance committee. The government is studying ways of shielding the poor from VAT changes using schemes like its existing antipoverty program, several PRI lawmakers said.

The tax reform plan will be sent to Congress along with the 2014 budget, which is due to

MEXICO CITY: Striking teachers march with signs that read in Spanish ‘Total rejection’ during a demonstration against education reform in Mexico City. —AP majority in Congress he needs to change the constitution and allow foreign investment into the oil industry.

And Trejo said he was ready to back any fiscal bill that really helped Mexico to improve its weak tax revenues. Pena Nieto is far less likely to secure broad support for his tax and energy bills within the main leftist group in Congress, the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD).

But he still hopes to take the edge off leftist opposition by agreeing to reform the statutes of Mexico City, the PRD’s principal stronghold, which the party wants to have more political and financial autonomy from the central government. The noisiest resistance is poised to come from Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a

homicide count has fallen under Pena Nieto, kidnapping and extortion have risen over the past year, national crime statistics show. And an increasing number of Mexicans feel gang violence has risen since he took power, a poll published last week showed.

TAX INCREASE TOUGH SELL Rising discontent over law and order makes it tougher for Pena Nieto to sell tax increases for both rich and poor. Most controversial is the part of his plan set to propose broadening the application of value added tax (VAT) to some food and medicines. For years, this was a red line for the PRI, just like opening up the oil industry to private capital was until the party

pass by Nov 15. The PRI’s Manzur said he expected the tax bill to be approved before then to give the government the budgetary leeway it needed. In tandem with the energy reform, the tax bill also aims to set out how to cut the tax burden on state oil monopoly Pemex, whose payments accounts for about a third of the federal government’s revenue.

Allies of the president warn that Mexico will be left behind if that overhaul and the other measures fall short. “If the content of the energy ... or fiscal reforms is watered down, there’s no great hope for economic change,” said Tomas Torres, a senior member of the lower house finance committee from the Green Party, coalition allies of the PRI.— Reuters

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 www.kuwaittimes.net

This handout photograph from Miss World released yesterday shows Ukraine's Miss World 2013 contestant Anna Zaiachkivska posing during a pictorial in Indonesia's resort island of Bali — AFP

FOOD FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Brown-bag gourmet Skip the sandwich and pack a chef-created lunch to school

T

he humble sandwich is nearly a nobrainer when it comes to back-to-school lunchbox options. It’s easy and portable, and most kids like the simple flavors of ham and cheese or PB&J. Yet it often can be uninteresting and unhealthy, likely made with processed meats and cheeses or sugary peanut butter mashed between flavorless slices of refined-grain bread, thrown together in the morning by harried parents who may lack the time to be more creative. By lunchtime, too, a sandwich can be soggy; half or more may end up in the trash can.

To add variety, excitement and nutrients to your children’s lunchbox menu this year, consider these recipes provided by four chefs who have school-age kids of their own. The mini meals, some of which could double as dinner the night before in larger portions, provide a means for sneaking in fruits, vegetables and legumes in a tasty, finger-licking way - sure to make your child’s lunchtime almost as fun as recess.

JAPANESE MEATBALLS, PEACH AND WHITE SESAME ‘COBBLER’ AND CHOCOLATE GELATIN “I try to put together familiar things they like,” Kevin Martinez says of prepping lunch for his two sons, Eli, 4, and Alex, 2. “My kids love peaches, and they like granola bars. So I’ll roast peaches while they’re in season and mix them with granola and sesame seeds, and it all sticks together. Since most schools have a no-nut policy, this makes a good, healthy snack.” The Tokyo Cafe chef says kids like to play with their food, and anything they can pick up and eat with their little fingers, like his sticky-sweet Japanese meatballs, make for a

fun lunchtime meal. And if your child begs for store-bought gelatin desserts, make a preservative-free version without artificial flavors or colors using Martinez’s easy recipe.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN SQUASH “SLIDERS” Mark Hitri admits that his 8- and 11-yearold boys are picky eaters. “I generally stick with what they like and add healthier things a little at a time,” says the Billy Bob’s Texas executive chef. In his cheesy green chile chicken sliders, which are inspired by Billy Bob’s Texas’ signature yellow squash and green chile chicken soup, Hitri uses raw sliced squash as a creative substitute for buns.

“My oldest is gluten-sensitive and that has been the hardest to deal with,” Hitri said. “So part of the inspiration on this dish is to find ways of replacing bread and still making a convenient lunch.” Note that the number of sliders will depend on the size of the squash “buns.” Also, if you’re concerned about raw squash, Hitri says: “I think children should have no problem biting into the squash. It is not like an acorn or spaghetti squash with a hard shell. It is more like zucchini, as far as texture of the skin.”

CANNELLINI BEAN DIP WITH PITA CHIPS “He loves dipping,” said Chandra Riccetti

of her 5-year-old son, Luca. “We try to make things that are easy to eat and don’t take a lot of concentration and focus. That’s where the dipping came in.” Per the advice of her pediatrician, Riccetti started exposing her son to many different foods early. She has kept him away from sodium-heavy cold cuts and gives him Greek yogurt, hummus and peanut butter with dippers like fruits and vegetables instead. At one point, Luca began resisting some of Riccetti’s menu selections when classmates began “eww-ing” his lunches.

“He’d come home and say, ‘I don’t want to eat that,’” she said. “We put it back off on our pediatrician, saying, ‘Well, she said you need to try everything.’” To combat the peer pressure, Riccetti continually praised her son for at least trying new foods. Now he prefers broccoli, edamame and spinach to sandwiches.

One of Luca’s favorite dips is Riccetti’s Tuscan bean soup-inspired cannellini bean dip, which she pairs with whole-grain pita chips and a side of berries.

BARBECUE SALMON FILLET WITH CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES AND FETA “If I know I’m sending lunch, I plan my dinner the night before accordingly,” said Vance Martin, whose West Magnolia Avenue restaurant is named for his 10-year-old daughter, Lili. “She will eat any fish cold, so I will grill an extra salmon fillet. We started feeding Lili fish at a young age and she took to it immediately.” Martin simply uses barbecue sauce to create a sweet, caramelized glaze and pairs the chilled salmon fillet with crisp cucumbers, sliced tomatoes and feta crumbles. He says the salmon travels well after firming overnight in the refrigerator.

FOOD FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 “We are sweet-eaters,” he added. “So after that healthy lunch, I don’t feel so bad about sending a treat, too.”

JAPANESE MEATBALLS WITH TARE SAUCE Makes approximately 16 meatballs 1 pound 80/20 ground beef 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1cup chopped white onion 1 egg 2 tablespoons soy sauce Salt and pepper, to taste 1. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together. Form into small, quartersize balls. Allow meatballs to chill in fridge until firm.

2. Saute meatballs over medium heat until golden brown, then toss with tare sauce (recipe follows).

TARE SAUCE Makes approximately 2/3 cup 2 ounces sugar 2 ounces soy sauce 5 ounces water Cook all ingredients in a small sauce pot over medium heat until the mixture has the consistency of maple syrup.

Nutritional information per 1-tablespoon serving: 25 calories, trace fat, 6 grams carbohydrates, trace protein, no cholesterol, 324 milligrams sodium, trace dietary fiber, 0 percent of calories from fat.

WHITE SESAME AND FRESH PEACH ‘COBBLER’ Makes 4 servings 2 fresh peaches, peeled, pits removed and

2. Combine cooked peaches and remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a wooden spoon until mixture sticks together.

Nutritional information per serving: 145 calories, 7 grams fat, 19 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, no cholesterol, 2 milligrams sodium, 4 grams dietary fiber, 43 percent of calories from fat.

CHOCOLATE GELATIN Makes 3 servings 3 cups water 2 cups 2-percent milk 6 ounces Toll House milk chocolate chips 1 packet agar agar powder 1. Heat water, milk and chocolate chips in sauce pot. Once simmering, add agar agar. Simmer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. Turn off heat and pour mixture into molds of choice. Chill until firm.

Nutritional information per serving: 372 calories, 21 grams fat, 42 grams carbohydrates, 9 grams protein, 25 milligrams cholesterol, 128 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber, 48 percent of calories from fat.

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN SQUASH ‘SLIDERS’ Makes about 6 sliders 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or pulled (Hitri prefers chicken thighs, but use whatever is on hand.)

1\2 cup finely diced onion 1\2 cup finely diced celery 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1\2 cup diced green chiles 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 teaspoons ground coriander

two squash pieces. Nutritional information per slider: 162 calories, 9 grams fat, 2 grams carbohydrates, 17 grams protein, 51 milligrams cholesterol, 137 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 52 percent of calories from fat.

cut into small wedges 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds 2 ounces apple-cinnamon granola (found at Central Market) 1 ounce sweetened banana chips 1 cup fresh berries of choice 1. In a small nonstick pan, cook peaches over medium heat, adding sesame seeds after peaches start to soften.

Remove from heat.

1 yellow summer squash, raw and unpeeled 1.

Combine all ingredients except squash, and keep chilled.

2.

Slice squash into four lengthwise strips, remove any seeds, and cut each strip into approximately three pieces to create slider “buns.”

3.

Assemble each slider using a scoop of green chile chicken mixture and

CANNELLINI BEAN DIP Makes approximately 2 cups 2 cups cooked cannellini beans, rinsed 1/3 cup sauteed shallots 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon salt (chef Chandra Riccetti uses Morton’s Iodized Salt, “because American diets don’t have iodine,” she says.)

Use a food processor or immersion hand blender to blend all ingredients together until smooth. Serve with pita chips. Chef’s tip: Use this ingredient list to make Tuscan bean soup by adding 1 quart of chicken or vegetable stock. Stir everything together, heat and serve.

Nutritional information per 1-tablespoon serving: 21 calories, 1 gram fat, 2 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram protein, no

cholesterol, 27 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 41 percent of calories from fat.

BARBECUE SALMON FILLET WITH CUCUMBERS, TOMATOES AND FETA Serves 1 1 salmon fillet Salt and pepper, to taste Barbecue sauce, to taste 3 tomato slices 5 to 6 cucumber slices Feta cheese crumbles, for garnish 1.

Season salmon with salt and pepper on both sides, then coat both sides with barbecue sauce.

2.

Grill until salmon is done and sauce is slightly caramelized. Allow to cool before storing in fridge overnight.

3.

Season tomato and cucumber slices with salt and pepper and top with feta crumbles.

Nutritional information per serving: 240 calories, 7 grams fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 36 grams protein, 91 milligrams cholesterol, 283 milligrams sodium, 1 gram dietary fiber, 27 percent of calories from fat. — MCT

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Wrestling in mud for tar pits Museum’s rebuild plan worries scientists at nearby La Brea tar pits

An oil pit sits on the grounds at the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California.

— MCT photos

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he design for the central building in a reimagined Los Angeles County Museum of Art was inspired by the adjacent La Brea tar pits. Seen from above, the structure’s flowing lines resemble a splatter of tar. But scientists doing the work of recovering fossils from the oozing asphalt aren’t sure they like Swiss architect Peter Zumthor’s homage. They fear the massive construction required to replace four of LACMA’s existing buildings with Zumthor’s structure could upset the science at the tar pits, an active paleontological research site with a rich deposit of Pleistocene-era fossils that draws visitors from around the world.

John Harris, chief curator of the Natural History Museum’s Page Museum, adjacent to LACMA, says Zumthor’s plan so far doesn’t address how to protect the tar pits. Although groundbreaking would be years off, plans and models for the overhaul are already on display at LACMA’s Resnick Pavilion.

“If I understand correctly, this would all be under an overhang,” Harris says, gesturing toward the four tar pits closest to the museum’s 1960s-era Hammer building. “It would block off the light, the rain, and that affects the vegetation.” “The example of how current vegetation and small animals get trapped (in tar) is how we demonstrate to people how this incredible wealth of fossils got here in the first place,” he adds. “It would go from something that’s totally natural to something artificial.”

In 2006, when the museum built an underground parking garage, 16 fossil deposits were found - bones of bison, horses, camels, saber-toothed cats and a baby mastodon, among others, as well as the museum’s famed mammoth skeleton, nicknamed Zed.

John Harris, Ph.D, Chief Curator of the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California, stands by where the LACMA plans expansion.

Jane Pisano, director of the Natural History Museum, has questions about the Zumthor building’s effect on a different area of the tar pits. The models show that the larger, socalled lake pit to the east of the museum would be shadowed by the cantilevered roof “subsuming it under LACMA,” says Pisano, who has been unable to get a map that would show a true overlay of the building on the current site. “It would completely change your perspective on the lake pit - and that’s an iconic symbol of the tar pits.” LACMA Director Michael Govan says the models in the exhibition are not unlike sketches, far from final designs.

“Even I know it cantilevers too far,” Govan says of the overhangs. “But all of that would get worked out over the next five years.

There’s no intention to impinge on the tar pits in a negative way. The building is emerging as a sort of celebration of the tar pits; it’s meant to magnify the extraordinary natural feature of the site.”

The La Brea tar pits and the Page Museum, which displays more than 1 million Ice Age fossils, have a vaunted reputation among natural historians.

“I don’t think there’s a parallel to it anywhere in the world in terms of (fossil) abundance,” says Kirk Johnson, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington. In 1986, construction of LACMA’s Japanese Pavilion inadvertently unearthed invertebrate fossils.

Tr a v e l FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Guests walk towards the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California.

In 2006, when the museum built an underground parking garage, 16 fossil deposits were found - bones of bison, horses, camels, saber-toothed cats and a baby mastodon, among others, as well as the museum’s famed mammoth skeleton, nicknamed Zed. That discovery was fortuitous for the Page. The fossils, embedded in giant chunks of earth, were collected into 23 huge crates - what’s now called “Project 23” - and are the main focus of science being done at the Page. The excavation was paid for by LACMA, which hired the archaeological and paleontological mitigation firm ArchaeoPaleo Resource Management to oversee the salvaging of the fossils and coordinate with the Page.

During construction, however, Zed the mammoth’s skull was accidentally damaged by a bulldozer. Harris wants to make sure similar damage doesn’t happen to fossils that might be unearthed during future construction. The Page, he points out, is working closely with LA County’s Metropolitan Transit Authority on the Purple Line subway extension. With the help of an outside cultural resources management company hired by the MTA, and consultation with the Page, the transit agency plans to start test drilling as early as next month on the southeast corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Ogden Drive to explore the underground landscape - not only gas conditions and earth pressure, but the potential for fossil discovery - says Scott McConnell, director of MTA construction management on the new subway.

“The MTA has plans, several years in the making, about mitigating the fossils they’re almost bound to encounter,” says Harris, the Page curator. “We don’t have enough detailed information right now about the Zumthor project, and that’s concerning.”

Oil bubbles to the surface at the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in†Los Angeles, California.

Govan doesn’t expect the Zumthor building to require an excavation like the 2006 parking lot project. “The working assumption is that we would build on the founda-

tions of the existing buildings,” he says.

“We’re not planning an underground floor.

There’s tar, there’s a high water table, it’s very complicated to dig down on the site.

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes LACMA and the Page, also expects charged dialogue in the days ahead. “There will be a lot of wrestling - instead of mud, in tar - to find out what’s the best vision for this,” LaBonge says. “But (the Zumthor building) is a tremendous concept. I think it’s worth it.”

With the current plan, it is unlikely that we would find any fossils.” “That’s not clear from the models,” says Harris, who is not persuaded by Govan’s assertion that the new museum would rise from the foundations of the old.

Govan must still raise $650 million for the building and its environs, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors must approve the plan. Architectural preservationists may also weigh in about demolishing the current LACMA buildings. “There are literally thousands of technical issues to be worked out with the Page and on LACMA’s side as well,” Govan says. “But I can’t imagine it would be anything other than a good conversation and that we’d work collaboratively.”

Frank Gehry, who encountered multiple hurdles before his Walt Disney Concert Hall was built, knows how fraught things can get when trying to construct ambitious architecture. “They’ll go through a bath of fire before it’s done; it’s the reality of building things today,” Gehry says. “But if the architecture is as good as we hope and expect it to be, and if it fits perfectly, as it can, into the culture of the museum and its collections, then it’s going to be fantastic.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes LACMA and the Page, also expects charged dialogue in the days ahead. “There will be a lot of wrestling - instead of mud, in tar - to find out what’s the best vision for this,” LaBonge says. “But (the Zumthor building) is a tremendous concept. I think it’s worth it.” Harris is confident the Page Museum and LACMA will be able to work it out, as they have in the past. “I just want to make sure,” he says, “that the fossils (and) this unique scientific resource are preserved for posterity.” — MCT

HEALTH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Why you should sweat it now!

You know exercise is good for you, but do you know how good?

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irst, if you currently have heart disease or are over 45 years of age and have 2 or more risk factors (immediate family member with heart disease before age 55, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, or obesity), you should consult your physician before starting any type of exercise. Clearly, most people can derive significant benefits from integrating a half hour of moderate activity into their day. If you know you simply cannot or will not set aside a half hour of activity on a given day, then try to work more activities into the day by taking the stairs rather than the elevator, or try walking rather than driving a short distance to the store. Try to work several shorter periods of activity, such as 10 minutes, into your schedule. The most important thing is to get started. There is mounting evidence in the scientific literature that physical activity and physical fitness have a powerful influence on a host of chronic diseases, a fact underscored by the recent Surgeon General’s report on Physical Activity and Health. Reducing the risk of heart disease through greater physical activity could have an enormous impact on health in the United States Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to

ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out these ways exercise can improve your life.

Exercise controls weight Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories.

The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don’t need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can’t do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways - by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores.

Exercise combats health conditions and diseases Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.

In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including

stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

Exercise improves mood Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

Exercise boosts energy Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores.

Exercise promotes better sleep Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep?

Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don’t exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

Exercise puts the spark back into your life Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your life overall. But there’s more to it than that.

Exercise can be fun Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy.

Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting.

So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.

The bottom line on exercise Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more.

Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.

— www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Man enters plea in burglary try at Kid Rock home

A photo shows British musician Roger Waters, co-founder of the British rock band Pink Floyd, performs during his concert ‘The Wall Live’ at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Sept 4, 2013. Waters is in Germany as part of his world tour. —AP

‘Max Steel’ headed to big screen in deal between Mattel and Dolphin entertainment

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man who authorities say tried to break into musician Kid Rock’s suburban Detroit home has pleaded no contest to charges. Brian D Keith entered the plea Wednesday to attempted home invasion, malicious destruction of a building and malicious destruction of personal property in Oakland County Circuit Court. It’s not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such for sentencing Sept 25. The Detroit Free Press reports (http://on.freep.com/14ZhujD ) defense lawyer Douglas Oliver told a judge that Keith was so drunk he didn’t recall what happened. The 43-year-old Keith was arrested Aug. 3 after surveillance photos from security cameras on Kid Rock’s Clarkston property were released. The photos showed a man ramming the gate July 31 and trying to break into the house. Kid Rock was away at the time. — AP

Restaurant documentary ‘Spinning Plates’ acquired by Film Arcade & Inception Media

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he Film Arcade and Inception Media Group have acquired restaurant documentary “Spinning Plates” and plan a US theatrical release on October 25th. The film follows three restaurants in strikingly different situations: Alinea, rated 7th in the world; a family-run community landmark in Iowa; and an immigrant-owned Mexican restaurant just getting off the ground.

The film was produced and co-financed by Film Arcade founder Miranda Bailey, Matthew Leutwyler of Ambush Entertainment, Joseph Levy of Chaos Theory, and is executive produced by Phil Rosenthal (“Everybody Loves Raymond”).

“Spinning Plates is a terrific movie, one that will win over anyone with a passion for either film or food,” said Andy Reimer, an Inception Media Group partner. “Movie enthusiasts who also like to go out to eat may well discover their favorite movie of the year.” Film Arcade recently released Sundance hit “Afternoon Delight” after a successful launch year with “The Other Dream Team” and Swedish award-winner “Simon and the Oaks.” Inception Media Group will handle domestic ancillary distribution. — Reuters

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hen it comes to movies, not all toys and boardgames are created equal. For every blockbuster like “Transformers” or “G.I. Joe,” there’s a “Battleship”-sized bomb or a Razzie-nominated dud like “Masters of the Universe.” However, Dolphin Entertainment thinks its found a potential film franchise in a popular children’s toy line and animated series. The company said Wednesday that it has partnered with Mattel to develop a live-action, feature-length film of “Max Steel.”

The action figures have roots in animated television.

A Disney XD series which will serve as the framework for a movie version centers on a super-powered teenager who partners with an alien to protect the galaxy. “There hasn’t been a new superhero in quite awhile,” Bill O’Dowd, CEO of Dolphin Entertainment, told TheWrap.

“There’s a lot of appealing elements. It’s a combination of a buddy action comedy coupled with a superhero and teen story. It can be a genuine high school drama like ‘Friday Night Lights,’ and you don’t see many of those.”

Christopher Yost (“Thor: The Dark World”) will write the screenplay and Stewart Hendler (“Sorority Row”) will direct the film. The film is due in theaters in 2014. “Max Steel” will be the first film Dolphin will release as part of a multi-picture deal with Open Road Films. Under that pact, the company is looking to producertwo or three films a year, budgeted at between $5 million to $25 million. The hook is that they will be laser-focused on the teenage audience, O’Dowd said.

“In the indie marketplace there aren’t a lot of PG or PG-13 films and they tend to do a lot better than R-rated films at the box office,” he said. “It’s a specific niche, but we think there are broad opportunities when it comes to producing movies for young adults.”

But to get the new partnership off on the right note, audiences will have to embrace the teenager do-gooder. Mattel debuted a new series of Max Steel toys last month, and O’Dowd and the toy-maker say that the brand boasts a charismatic protagonists to go along with its snazzy figures and gadgets. “Our goal has always been about strengthening the character and taking time to develop the origin story,” Julia Pistor, who will be producing the film for Mattel, said. “It’s very character driven, it’s not all about the whiz bang sort of thing. There’s a compelling story that’s worth telling over 90 minutes of screen time.”

The company said it has been developing a script for over a year and was searching for a partner who could handle a fast turnaround in getting the character on the big screen. “There was a creative synergy we had between their team and our team and a vision for where this property could go,” Doug Wadleigh, Mattel’s senior vice president of global brands marketing, said.

“They were able to bring this concept to the screen quicker than anyone else we were considering working with.”

Mattel is also banking on the toy roll-out and the Disney XD series to help build awareness for the brand. “It is the cornerstone of how kids are getting building a relationship with this relatable superhero,” Wadleigh said. Mattel said it is too early to release solid sales data on how the US and Europe has responded to the figures, but reports that the character has deep roots in Latin America where it has been the number one selling boys toy in the region for over a decade.

As countries like Brazil emerge as major markets for film and as movies continue to be disproportionately popular with the Hispanic population domestically, that kind of built-in audience could be the key to making sure that “Max Steel” comes back for more than one big screen adventure. — Reuters

Sundance Film Festival shifting a week later to avoid MLK holiday

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he Sundance Film Festival will shift roughly a week later starting in 2015 to avoid the MLK holiday, part of its contract extension with Park City to keep the event at its usual locale until 2026, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

The new contract, which was posted on the city’s website Tuesday, makes sure

that the festival will not overlap with the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. In the past, the fest would coincide with the three-day weekend four out of ten years.

Park City is a go-to ski location and loses an estimated $4.2 million in ski revenue (Sundance more than makes up for that in party revenue alone, but it’s going

to different places) when the town is occupied with the festival - more so over a long weekend like with MLK Day. The shift will not take place for next year’s festival, however, which is scheduled for Jan 16-26; the 2015 fest will be the first to run Jan 22 - Feb 1, after the holiday weekend. — Reuters

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Lifestyle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Review

Sturdy Diesel, lousy dialogue in ‘Riddick’ “S omewhere along the way I lost a step,” says Vin Diesel, aka that gravelly voiced, visually impaired, planet-hopping outlaw and badass they call Riddick. “I went and got sloppy.” He’s talking about how he ended up on a desolate planet facing murderous canine creatures and giant deadly serpents. But he could just as easily be talking about the lethally inadequate screenplay he’s up against. “Sloppy” is a kind word, actually, for the ridiculously clumsy dialogue in “Riddick,” the third and latest installment of the sci-fi saga.

Of course, none of this will likely matter to the hard-core fans who’ve been waiting for this movie since the 2004 “Chronicles of Riddick,” a successor to the 2000 “Pitch Black.” Even though that megabudget film tanked at the box office, it fed the franchise’s avid cult following, as have a pair of video games.

And fans will no doubt be especially happy that in “Riddick” - its title now streamlined, along with its budget - no compromises have been made for a wimpy PG-13 rating. No, it’s an R this time, which allows for a few characters to meet a particularly gory end (don’t run out for popcorn during the second half!), not to mention freewheeling profanity and one gratuitous nude scene. Not all is bleak. The bald and beefy Diesel, whose sturdy commercial appeal is proven again and again with the huge success of the “Fast & Furious” fran-

chise, is always fun to watch. But his presence alone, comfortably durable as it is, can’t make up for the total lack of other interesting characters in the screenplay

by David Twohy, who also directs. Alas, that includes Katee Sackhoff as the lone female, a feisty bounty hunter named Dahl. The name sounds exactly like Doll,

here, because only brief references are made to Riddick’s checkered past. A quick flashback reminds us that when we last saw him, he’d been crowned the Lord Marshal of those dark Necromongers. But hey, the grass is always greener in outer space, and what Riddick really wants is to return to his home world, Furya. So he

Vin Diesel in the disappointing ‘Riddick’. which is basically her role; she’s pretty but has no interesting backstory or dialogue, save one profane comeback sure to draw hearty cheers.

If you didn’t see “The Chronicles of Riddick” - or if you saw it and didn’t quite follow the overwrought plot - you’ll be OK

makes a deal with his enemy, Vaako (Karl Urban, appearing here for a few seconds).

But that’s where he’s gotten sloppy. He’s duped - dropped onto a desolate, dangerous place called, well, Not Furya. He’s badly wounded, too. And then there are those vicious dogs, and those scary ser-

pent creatures.

But this is Riddick, and somehow, he makes his way to an abandoned mercenary post and sends out an emergency signal. His plan is to escape on the ship of the bounty hunters sure to arrive any minute. And arrive they do - two competing bands of them. One is led by the almost comically inept Santana (Jordi Molla), who’s intent on beheading Riddick, and has brought a box along for that purpose. The bounty, you see, is doubled if Riddick is brought back dead.

But Boss Johns (a square-jawed Matt Nable) has other ideas. He’s the head of the other band, and he has some important questions for Riddick - preferably to be answered while that shiny bald head remains in place. Will Riddick, as always a one-man army, somehow survive? “I don’t know how many times I’ve been crossed off the list and left for dead,” he says at one point. “This ain’t nothing new.” Like the character, this franchise may yet rise again, but let’s hope that next time, the filmmakers do bring something new.

“Riddick,” a Universal Studios release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for “strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity.” Running time: 119 minutes.

One and a half stars out of four. MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.— AP

Roman Polanski discusses‘Perks of Being a Wallflower’: Braun impact of his 1977 in Negotiations for ‘Poltergeist’ Reboot sex crime conviction fter fending off vampires, zombies and as a larger-than-life TV personality who hosts

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aliens in “The Kitchen Sink,” rising star Nicholas Braun may have met his match when it comes to evil entities, as he’s in negotiations for a key supporting role in MGM and Fox 2000 s “Poltergeist” reboot, multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap. Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt are slated to star in the film, which Gil Kenan is directing from a script by David Lindsay-Abaire. Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert are producing via their Ghost House Pictures banner along with Roy Lee, while Nathan Kahane will executive produce.

20th Century Fox will handle marketing and worldwide distribution.

The “Poltergeist” reboot follows the Bowen family, whose youngest daughter is abducted by supernatural forces that trap her in the netherworld between life and death. Jared Harris is nearing a deal to co-star

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irector Roman Polanski, in a rare interview published yesterday, shares his frustrations and feelings about being the object of hatred due to a complicated legal case stemming from a sex crime more than 30 years ago.

Polanski, 80, the Polish-French director of films such as “Rosemary’s Baby” and 2002’s Oscar-winning “The Pianist,” pleaded guilty in 1977 to having sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer during a photoshoot, fueled by champagne and drugs. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Polanski said he felt more persecuted after he was arrested in 2009 in Switzerland at the request of the United States than he did when he was convicted of the crime.

“I didn’t have that at all then. This was much more like the assassination of Sharon and what happened afterwards,” the director said, referRoman Polanski ring to misleading rumors that he was involved in the 1969 murder of his wife, actress Sharon Tate, and her friends, who were killed by the Manson family gang.

The interview comes ahead of a Showtime documentary, “Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out,” by Marina Zenovich, to be aired on US television this month. Zenovich also co-wrote and directed the 2008 documentary “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired,” which explored the impact of the sex crime case and was used by lawyers to reopen the case after 30 years.

Polanski served 42 days in jail as part of a 90-day plea bargain in 1977, but he fled the United States in 1978 after believing the judge hearing his case could put him in jail for up to 50 years. “It was such a shock to learn that it’s not finished, after they let you out of prison. Free! With your bundle under your arm, with the lawyer waiting for you outside, standing there, in your mind it’s all over, it’s finished. —AP

a popular cable show about haunted houses.

He’s recruited by his ex, a parapsychologist at a local university who investigates the supernatural events surrounding the Bowen girl’s disappearance.

Though it’s still early in the deal making process, Braun is being eyed to play one of her grad students who visually documents the investigation and quickly sheds his skepticism regarding what’s really going on inside the Bowen home. Kyle Catlett, who plays James Purefoy’s son on “The Following,” has also been cast as the middle Bowen child.

In a recent interview with Hitfix, Rockwell confirmed his casting and noted that the new “Poltergeist” movie will be “different” than Tobe Hooper’s 1982 classic, which was co-written and produced by Steven Spielberg. —Reuters

The 1975 mix it up on debut

Review:

The 1975, “The 1975” (Dirty Hit/Polydor) he 1975’s self-titled debut is a mixed bag. Jumping from guitar-heavy indie hits to disco funk dance-floor tracks, the boys from Northern England say the varied sound of the album is down to their “lack of identity.” That lack of identity allows a rawness to emerge, both in lyrics and music. However, despite the variation on the album, the indie pop tracks are the ones that work the best. “Chocolate” is the perfect concoction, opening with an infectious riff, and it almost doesn’t matter that the only word in the song you can decipher is “chocolate.” “The City” plays off the

T

strength of singer Matty Healy’s voice coupled with a pounding drum beat and a repetitive chorus.

The album is co-produced by Mike Crossey, who has worked with The Kooks and Arctic Monkeys, and though The 1975’s lyrics don’t match the lyrical prowess of Alex Turner, at times they are as playful and sarcastic. In the synth-filled “Girls” they jibe: “I like your face despite your nose, seventeen and a half years old.”

In general, however, lyrics are littered with teenage angst. “Sex” covers the obvious themes of teenage lust but paints literal scenes: “My shirt looks so good, when it’s just hanging off your back.” — AP

This undated publicity photo provided by Vagrant/Interscope Records shows the album cover, “The 1975,”

by The 1975. —AP

p34-35_p1 9/5/2013 8:27 PM Page 2

Lifestyle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Stevens to

voice computer on CW s Tomorrow People

D

an Stevens is coming back to TV. Well, at least his voice is. The former “Downton Abbey” star will lend his voice to the futuristic world of The CW’s “Tomorrow People” as its biological computer TIM, an individual with knowledge of the casting told TheWrap.

TIM was a character on the original 70s series from the UK, as well. It would help the team out with information for its missions. It remains to be seen how closely the Warner Bros.

Television production will stick to the original character and how TIM will be introduced.

Stevens recently walked away from his role on ITV’s “Downton Abbey” as lower class cousin-turned-lord-of-themanor, Matthew Crawley, after its third season. He has since starred in the movies “Summer Dan Stevens in February,” “The Fifth Estate,” “A Walk Among the Tombstones,” and “The Guest.” Executive produced by Greg Berlanti (“Arrow,” “Green Lantern”), Julie Plec (“The Vampire Diaries,” “Kyle XY”) and Phil Klemmer (“Political Animals,” “Chuck”), “The Tomorrow People” stars Robbie Amell, Luke Mitchell, Peyton List, Aaron Yoo, Mark Pellegrino, and Madeleine Mantock. It debuts Wednesday,

Scarlett Johansson engaged to Frenchman

A

pparently love didn’t get lost in translation for Scarlett Johansson, who is engaged to a Frenchman and onetime journalist. Johansson’s rep, Marcel Pariseau, confirmed her engagement to Romain Dauriac yesterday. Pariseau said no date was set for their wedding.

Johansson, 28, whose marriage to actor Ryan Reynolds ended in 2010, is generally reluctant to talk about her private life, but has explained what she does and doesn’t want in a

relationship. “I don’t like jealous behavior,” she told Marie Claire magazine in an interview earlier this year. “It’s really unattractive because it shows a sort of insecurity.” Johansson starred in “Lost in Translation” and was in Italy this week promoting “Under the Skin” when the large diamond ring on her left hand started getting attention. —AP

Actress Scarlett Johansson arrives on the red carpet for the screening of the film Under The Skin at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival held from Aug 28 through Sept 7, in Venice, Italy, Tuesday. —AP

Tsai Ming›Liang strips T

aipei-based director Tsai Ming-liang lived up to his reputation as the master of “Slow” cinema in Venice yesterday with “Stray Dogs”, the poetic tale of a homeless family on the margins of society. A father-played by actor Lee Kang-sheng, a regular in Tsai’s feature films-scrapes out a meagre living as a human billboard for luxury apartments in Taipei, while his teenage son and young daughter live off supermarket food samples. The three come together again at the end of each repetitive day to

eat, wash and sleep. With extremely long takes and the minimalist dialogue characteristic of “Slow” cinema, “Stray Dogs” explores the toll life on the streets takes on a father who can offer his children little more than basic shelter in an abandoned house and washing facilities in a public bathroom.

Among fleeting scenes capturing simple delights-such as the boy’s attempt to amuse his sister by dressing up her prized cabbagethe film explores basic needs in depth, lingering extensively on images of urinating or

(From left) Actor Lee Yi-cheng, actress Lu Yi-ching, actress Lee Yi-chieh, Taiwanese director Tsai Ming-liang and actor Lee Kang-sheng arrive for the screening of “Jiaoyou” (Stray Dogs) presented in competition at the 70th Venice Film Festival yesterday at Venice Lido. — AFP

eating. The result is a collage of hypnotic shots bordering on the obsessive. “In the world I have created, everything stems from an understanding of things as time passes. I have to let things rest and be digested,” Malaysian-born Tsai told journalists in Venice where his film is in competition for the Golden Lion.

“I feel at a loss when I am faced with the speed modern life imposes on us. I feel being slow is a technique to find one’s way in the confusion,” said Tsai, whose film “Vive L’Amour”-another example of slow cinemawon the Lion in 1994. The director, who confirmed “Stray Dogs” would likely be his last film, brushed aside suggestions that the work may not be appreciated by general audiences. “I see little other than commercial films nowadays in the cinema. People might learn to appreciate slowness,” he said. “There are directors who try to make films which will change the world, but who are we hoping to influence in a world where speed prevails?” he said.

Lee said he had done little acting in the movie but drew on his real life experiencesand found that making the film had given him tools to face future challenges. ”Shooting a movie with Tsai is extremely hard, everyone from the cast will agree.

Collaborating with him is like a torture you have to bear,” he said. “I experienced the heaviness of life with him, and performing the role has prepared me in some way for the future,” he added. Lee and Tsai joked about the challenges of preparing for one of the most powerful scenes in the film, which he had to get right on the first take. —AFP

Eminem

Spotify’s Top 10 most viral tracks

United States 1. Eminem, “Berzerk” (Aftermath Records) 2. Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball” (RCA Records) 3. Avicii, “You Make Me” (Avicii Music AB) 4. Enrique Iglesias, “Loco” (Universal Republic) 5. Lorde, “Royals” (Lava Music/Republic Records) 6. Klingande, “Jubel” (Klingande) 7. Two Door Cinema Club, “Changing of the Seasons” (Glassnote) 8. Mary Lambert, “She Keeps Me Warm” (Mary Lambert) 9. Ellie Goulding, “Tessellate” (Polydor Ltd) 10. Drake, “Hold On, We’re Going Home” (Cash Money Records) United Kingdom 1. Moderat, “Bad Kingdom” (Monkeytown Records) 2. Klangkarussell, “Sonnentanz - Sun Don’t Shine” (Klangkarussell) 3. Naughty Boy, “Get Lucky” (Naughty Boy Recordings Ltd) 4. Avenged Sevenfold, “Hail to the King” (Warner Bros Records) 5. Baz Luhrmann, “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” (Capitol Records) 6. Outfit, “House on Fire” (Double Denim Records) 7. Naughty Boy, “No One’s Here to Sleep” (Naughty Boy Recordings Ltd) 8. Disclosure, “You & Me (Flume Remix)” (Universal Island) 9. Foy Vance, “Guiding Light” (Glassnote) 10. Ghostpoet, “Us Against Whatever Ever” (Brownswood Recordings)—Reuters

Lifestyle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2013

The Hermes basketball.

F

This Monday photo released on the University of Massachusetts, Amherst media relations website shows a fruit salad prepared on campus, and weighing more than 15,000 pounds.óAP photos

“M

ad Men” meets “The Artist” in “Populaire,” a superbly crafted, finely acted but somewhat shallow retro romcom about a young French secretary who, with the help of her highly persuasive boss, hammers her way to becoming one of the fastest typists on the planet. This impressive debut feature from writer-director Regis Roinsard is boosted by terrific lead turns from Romain Duris and Deborah Francois (“The Page Turner”), as well as some stunning old-school cinematography from Guillaume Schiffman of “The Artist.” Still, there’s something formulaic and all too overtly crowd-pleasing about this sepia-toned tale of female empowerment and lost love, making for a rather soulless affair.

Set in the rain-swept towns of Lower Normandy in 1958, the film makes its throwback status heard loud and clear from the getgo, with opening credits (directed by Alexandre Courtes, “Asylum Blackout”) straight out of a Billy Wilder movie and decors and a color palette that would please the likes of both Alfred Hitchcock and “Mad Men’s” Matthew Weiner. Indeed, it’s easy to spend most of

French hair stylist and honoree Frederic Fekkai —AP photos

rench luxury fashion group Hermes, famed for its exclusive handbags and scarves, said Friday it had created a $12,900 basketball to grace its renovated Los Angeles store. The blue calf leather ball is handstitched and embossed with the house’s trademark H sign along with the inscription Beverly Hills.

It was to be in the shop window of a newly renovated Hermes store on posh Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills but “someone asked me to keep it

the movie simply gawking at the sets (by Sylvie Olive) and costumes (by Charlotte David), so Roinsard, along with co-writers Daniel Presley and Romain Compingt, deserves credit for weaving an amusing intrigue that never lets up until the closing half-hour, when his premise starts to grow old.

A quick intro presents small-town gal Rose Pamphyle (Francois, channeling the feistier side of Grace Kelly), who works at her dad’s local grocery store but longs for a better life. She thus decides to apply for a secretarial position at a neighboring insurance office run by the sleek, fast-talking Louis Echard (Duris, sharp and sprightly), who’s impressed by both her superhuman typing skills and killer looks. Before long, he takes Rose under his wing as his protegee, training her for a regional secretary competition and moving her into his country mansion, where she’s swept into a daily regimen of extreme typewriting and unrequited romance.—AP

Designer and honoree Zac Posen

Ariana Grande

aside for him,” Hermes boss Axel Dumas told AFP. “I think we would like to make two or three more,” he said. The Hermes store on Rodeo Drive opened in 1997. The company recently bought the building and the new store is spread over 950 square meters (10,226 square feet). — AFP

New York City Hall official Robert Goldrich, left, and comedian Joan Rivers reacts as fashion designer Elie Tahari, right, speaks after receiving a city proclamation marking his 40th anniversary in the fashion industry, on Wednesday in New York. — AP

Christie Brinkley

Nicole Richie arrives at the 2013 Style—Awards at Lincoln Center on Wednesday.

Lifestyle FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2013

I

n what’s become an annual tradition, the University of Massachusetts celebrated the start of the new academic year with a delicious, healthy, record-breaking dish. About 500 students and staff at the Amherst campus on Monday sliced, diced, pitted and peeled 150 varieties of fruit to create a salad weighing more than 15,000 pounds. The salad was mixed in a 15-foot diameter swimming pool.

It included 20 varieties of apples weighing more than 3,600 pounds; 19 varieties of melon weighing more than 2,500 pounds; peaches; bananas; oranges; berries; and more exotic fruits including quince, passion fruit and rambutan. A

Guinness World Records representative certified the record. UMass in recent years has started the semester with record-breaking seafood stews and stir fries. — AP

This Monday photo released on the University of Massachusetts, Amherst media relations website shows a fruit salad prepared on campus, and weighing more than 15,000 pounds. — AP photos

D

esigners from around the globe unveil their latest looks at New York Fashion Week. When hordes of fashion buyers, watchers and lovers assemble to see what will be au courant for spring. Design houses are staging hundreds of shows in New York over the next eight days, displaying looks for spring 2014, before attention moves on to events in London, Milan and Paris.

The range on New York catwalks can be vast, from Custo Barcelona’s joyous prints to Carmen Marc Valvo’s beaded evening wear, Diane von Furstenberg’s lush colors and Ralph Lauren’s polished classics. Longtime designer Carolina Herrera can be relied on for sleek sophistication and veteran Michael Kors for his clean lines. Mathieu Mirano has made a name for himself at age 22 designing for pop singer Lady Gaga.

Some of first lady Michelle Obama’s favorites known for their wearable looks - Tracy Reese, Jason Wu and J Crew - are showing as well. Others are harder to figure out in advance. Publicity material for Concept Korea said the collection by Kaal E. Suktae was inspired by a phrase from the Bible: “The stone the builder rejected has become the cornerstone.” Roseanne Morrison, fashion director at The Doneger Group, experts in retail trends and forecasting, said she expects an abundance of skirts, A-line sheath tops, cropped tops and soft pants in a departure from skintight looks of recent years.

“I think we’re just moving into this whole mood of simplicity ... almost unencumbered,” she said. The trend recalls the 1990s, said Ken Downing, fashion director at Neiman Marcus. “It was that moment of being very pared down after coming out of all the opulence of the ‘80s,” he said. Giving a boost to simpler clothes are innovations in fabrics such as latex and neoprene, Morrison said. Clothes now can be minimally cut or draped without losing character. “It’s finally advanced to the level where it’s got a softness too, but it still has substance,” she said.

Watch for designers playing with proportions, Downing said.

“It’s going to be a tale of the long and the short of it in many ways,” he said. “The idea of a shorter, cropped jacket is going to come into play over longer shirting.” A mix of high and low hems will continue from recent seasons, Downing said. Skirts will be either long or mini, and pants will be more plentiful than dresses.

“Keep your eye open for the backpack,” he added. “We’ve seen it hovering, quietly, slowly emerging ... and I am thoroughly ready to see the backpack come on with great enthusiasm.” Fashion Week in New York, a twice-a-year event, runs through Sept. 12, closing with shows by Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs. — Reuters

T

heir skin is flawless, their make-up perfect and their hair sleek, but to teenage girls hoping to emulate fashion models, British Vogue has a message-it’s not real. The magazine has made a short film revealing the work required to create fashion shoots, from the teams of make-up artists and stylists, to the digital enhancement and lighting. It will be distributed free to 13-year-olds in British schools this week in a bid to reassure young people worried about their appearance that nobody looks that good in real life.

“I decided it might be helpful to show what goes into the creation of a Vogue fashion picture, as a way of illustrating the skill and artifice that makes the final product,” said Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue. She added: “Our mission in Vogue’s fashion pictures is to inspire and entertain while showing the clothes created by many highly talented designers. “They are created with this intention in mind, not to represent reality. “The problem, if there is a problem, comes when people judge themselves and their appearance against the models they see on the pages of a magazine and then feel that in some way they fall short.” The film, narrated by model Jade Parfitt, has been distributed as fashion week starts in New York, kick-starting a month of international catwalk shows.—AFP

In this Aug 29, 2013 photo, fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo, second from left, watches as his muse-model Taylor Foster holds up a model’s photo at Valvo’s New York studio where his team, including pattern maker Luz Pyne, left, and creative director Il Park choose candidates for the upcoming show. Valvo will show his Spring 2014 collection today at Lincoln Center in New York. — AP

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Kuwait

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112

PETS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

K-9 units popular with everyone except criminals C

riminals need to heed the warning on the back of T-shirts Akron, Ohio’s K-9 officers wear: “You fight.

We bite.” Both the dogs and their handlers have the teeth necessary to do the job, said Sgt Dale Dorn, commander of the nine dogs and their handlers in the Akron Police Department’s K-9 unit.

People who end up in court because a dog sniffed them out are usually in for more trouble than they planned, he said.

“Juries always believe the dog. They know dogs have no incentive or reason to lie,” said Dorn, who has been in the K-9 unit for 17 years. Each week, handlers and their dogs meet at a training facility on Cuyahoga Street to put both patrol and drug-sniffing dogs through exercises to keep their skills sharp.

Handlers take turns mowing the grass and keeping the equipment in shape at the center.

During a recent training exercise, dogs tracked officers impersonating criminals as they hid in simulated buildings or behind automobile doors and tried unsuccessfully to flee. Dorn explained that the dogs are an added layer of protection for officers. “It’s nice

Akron Police K-9 dog “Recon” licks Zed Edgar’s hair tickling him at the old Akron Police shooting range in Akron, Ohio.

to have the dog as a buffer. Even if the bad guy is armed, do you know how hard it is to shoot a moving dog?”

Attending a recent practice session was an experience of a lifetime for Zed Edgar and his friend, Andrew Jewell, both 8 and students at St Sebastian School. Zed’s mother, Mary Pat Doorley, was high bidder for the event at a fundraising auction at the school last September. Doorley, chief spokeswoman for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, said she took a vacation day to accompany the boys to the practice so they could meet their favorite dogs and handlers.

“Zed brought the K-9 training poster for the officers to sign,” Doorley said. The boys watched Officer Darren McConnell and his Belgian Malinois patrol dog, Recon, stop a “bad guy” - portrayed by a fellow officer - in his tracks. Recon was introduced to the boys after the demonstration and seemed as taken with them as they were with him. “I’ve always had a respect for what they can do,” McConnell said of the dogs. “We are together 24 hours a day, seven days a week - whether we want to be or not,” he joked.

The K-9 teams visit classrooms and give seminars to educate the community about the services the dogs provide.

Officers tell their audiences that no matter how tempting, never approach the animal without getting permission from the handler first. “People want to go home and say, ‘I touched a police dog.’

It’s like a feather in their cap,” Dorn said.

Malinois are hunting dogs bred to work in packs. They are generally used for patrolling duties because they get along well with each other. “Imagine being a bad guy in Akron and you have not one but two dogs coming after you,” Dorn said.

Detective Al Jones has been a member of the Street Narcotic Uniform Detail (SNUD) for 19 of the 22 years he has been on the department. His black Labrador retriever named Midnight is a drug sniffer, trained to find drugs on people and in buildings and cars. The dog lives in harmony with Jones’ grandchildren and with his daughter’s tiny Yorkshire terrier/poodle mix, he said.

“My little guy - (grandson) Dominique - he’s crazy about him. I come in late at night and he calls the dog,” Jones said.

When his wife agreed to share their home with Midnight, Jones conceded to her one demand: The dog sleeps in a kennel, not in the couple’s bed. His answer was never in question, Jones said. “I’ve been with her 29 years, and I’ll only be with him three years,” he joked.

Since 1992, the unit has been able to function with financial support from the city and donations from the public.

Gunny, Dorn’s partner for the past 10 years, is on the cusp of retirement. As a retiree, Gunny will live out his golden years as a favored member of the Dorn family. Fundraisers, including a community picnic, pay for office supplies and items the teams use for public relations. The dogs are a huge hit with resi-

Akron Police Officer Patrick Armstead works with “Grief,” a K-9 dog in training, on a control training exercise at the old Akron Police shooting range in Akron, Ohio. — MCT photos dents, and the unit is probably the most popular in the city’s police department, Dorn said.

“Our incidentals are about $3,000 to $4,000 a year,” said Dorn, just about the same as the K-9 unit takes in at the fundraiser each year on donated silent auction items. The city pays for food, veterinarian bills and the occasional boarding fee. All other expenses are paid by the handlers or through fundraising efforts. “Chief (James) Nice sees the

advantages of our unit for the safety of officers and the cost efficiency,” Dorn said. Akron businesses donate funds to purchase the animals, so the city hasn’t had to buy a dog in years, he said.

Training, which is estimated to run between $15,000 and $20,000, is all done in-house. “We do our own training here with curriculum from the state of Ohio. We’ve graduated 12 dogs, and the cost is immensely reduced,” Dorn said. — MCT

Stars

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Aries (March 21-April 19) Sympathy and understanding are emotional qualities that take on greater importance now. It's wisdom and not knowledge that counts most. This is a good time to be patient and tread a little lightly when it comes to indulgence and overextending yourself. Improved solutions, insights and approaches make this afternoon productive. Your approach to any problem is original and you could discover new ways of doing things that make working conditions quite pleasant. Submit a new proposal on paper to the proper person in authority now--satisfaction all around is possible. Communications in computers and the whole electronic revolution are a perfect career choice for you at this time.

Breakthroughs in your career could open up now.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Hurrying through the day may not be a wise choice if you plan to drive. Plan your arrivals early and if you must arrive late, then do so--do not try to make up for time in a vehicle. Announce ahead of time the possibility of your late arrival. You may find yourself lecturing, entertaining or teaching today. You have a great love of the written and spoken word and ideas in all their flavors--this is what you like to work with best. Your enthusiasm for the intellect and the world of ideas makes it easy for you to communicate these things to others. You would be a good teacher. You have no trouble putting your feelings into words and what you say always carries a lot of content. You could just as well choose to entertain. A legal dispute is solvable.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Everything seems to be working well at this time. You may find that the patience you put forth with others pays off--especially when you see the positive responses. Where others may have failed, you can be most persuasive. Others are listening and the situation is a natural for self-expression and lends itself to your particular thoughts. This is a great time to be with others and to work together. You earn the trust of others and you are tolerant with the faults of your co-worker. Your management abilities are in high focus. There are ideas within your grasp for solutions or inventions. Figuring things out, spotting the fly in the ointment, separating the sheep from the goats is of significant importance. There is a lot of mental busywork today.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is one of those days for group interaction. The energies tend to be more in land sale or purchase and perhaps new ways to gain customers through land. Others value you for your ability to make practical decisions. You could be most persuasive at this time. Some people stay away from you when they do not want to be called upon for certain jobs because you are most convincing. Animals or an unusual hobby involving pets will most likely amuse you this evening. Perhaps it is just a visit to the pet store. More than likely, we will hear about some new animal training techniques from you. You work to open people's minds to new ideas regarding the caretaking and training of animals and will probably help a pet adjust to a new family.

Leo (July 23-August 22) This is a good day to solve problems and make important decisions. You will find a way around almost any obstacle and are in control and able to guide yourself with ease. You have a natural psychological ability, in particular when working with the public. You can handle emotional and personal issues that are vulnerable--where angels fear to tread. People sense this about you and trust you with sensitive matters and questions of personal identity. One secret to your special success comes when you are focused on all the details. This ability to focus can be used as an indicator for the result of your endeavors. This may be a good time to reassess and plan. This evening you will enjoy some group play with family members.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) This workday will move along quite smoothly. You may be working on some legal matters, shuffling papers, etc. Your fine verbal skills and a natural sense of justice make legal work your expertise.

Working with laws, natural or manufactured, amounts to a real talent.

Any improvements or corrections to your working style or organizational skills can be worked on now. Your love life is particularly good and passion is high. If you are not married, this may be a consideration now.

Expanding your family is another consideration worth your time. Close personal ties are of the utmost important to you. Harmony is what you strive to achieve. Love is always good medicine for the soul. Enjoy walking with your sweetheart this evening.

COUNTRY CODES Libra (September 23-October 22) Since you are so enchanting, you might work your charm to bring about fair play this day. There always seems to be one in the office that seems to resent the status of others. You could be the go-between when it comes to truthful conversations and actions that will set examples.

We all like to be able to see where we can be helpful but in this case, just being you and quietly setting the example is your magic. You tend to win friends and influence people . . . Perhaps because you are a good listener.

There may also be an opportunity to help a difficult client, patient or shopper this afternoon. You enjoy working with your mind and your sharp perceptions make solutions easy. You always bring an unexpected twist or insight to whatever you find.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Although this is a good workday, you may find yourself distracted by many conversations with co-workers about some thrilling experience--and then there is competition for the most thrilling. Someone may have just gotten a pilot's license or someone may have flown a glider or had a first-time water ski experience. Whatever the case, there are many fun conversations--you can expect the positive energy and chatter to continue. Your powers of perception are particularly sharp at this time and you would do well to work out the details of any work projects or plans this afternoon. The energy of uplifting and fun conversations continues tonight as you communicate with family members about your co-workers' vacations.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You are independent and value freedom and nonconformity. You like a good challenge and working out new solutions, particularly today as you come across some discrepancy in a financial report. Your career will be anything but ordinary. You bring a lot of mental skill and understanding to whatever you do and could teach or help others to take a more independent approach to their lives or careers. In your personal time you may pursue electronics, computers or some other technical interest. You could find an increase in finances as you seek to repair and sell products that would have been trashed. Be careful with some grandiose idea. You are fond of grand schemes, verbalization and the like; these ideas do not often boil down to real solutions.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) If you are not listening carefully today, you could be missing an important piece of information. This is a period of great mental activity.

In-depth conversations will make for important note-taking situations so that you can concentrate on the tone and write down the information.

Intellectualism, the exchange of ideas and the idea of being smart as a fox are some of the things that have a special appeal and importance. Any changes you want to see in the workplace, however, may have to wait until the end of next month. You love a social life and friends and relationships play a major role in your makeup. Realizing that your personal life has been on hold lately, you may find yourself discussing weekend plans with your loved one.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Put your mind to work and take care of any details that you may have, for mental discipline should come easily. However, do not push your energies--it could be easy to overdo, strain and explode or at the very least, try the patience of others. This seems to be a very lucky day for making plans or decisions and finding your way through just about any problem you may discover. Good advice from a guide or older person may be likely--a good day. Diet, exercise and work are topics that may be discussed quite frequently during the lunch hour. You like new and different ideas on good health and may enjoy what others are doing to maintain their stamina. There is a chance to understand those around you and enjoy some special time.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Today has the makings of an easy, calm day. Life should be running in a smooth manner. Ideas and interaction with authority figures or older people may be in the forecast but you have basically set this day's work so that your work runs smoothly. Working with rather than against the flow should be easy to do. It's easy to see what you care about and where you place your values. Your sense of appreciation is sharpened and in high focus. This afternoon you may find that you are looking forward to helping someone move. Thinking about security and building roots in life may bring your thoughts around to the subject of real estate or home and family planning. This evening may be a good time to purchase goods for the weekend.

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 Republic 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 Somalia 00252 South Africa 0027 South Korea 0082 Spain 0034 Sri Lanka 0094 Sudan 00249 Suriname 00597 Swaziland 00268 Sweden 0046 Switzerland 0041 Syria 00963 Taiwan 00886 Tanzania 00255 Thailand 0066 Toga 00228 Tonga 00676 Tokelau 00690 Trinidad 001868 Tunisia 00216 Turkey 0090 Tuvalu 00688 Uganda 00256 Ukraine 00380 United Arab Emirates00976

L e i s u re

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Word Search

Yesterdayʼs Solution

C R O S S W O R D 3 0 2

ACROSS 1. On, to, or at the top.

5. (Greek mythology) A maiden who was first a sculpture created by Pygmalion and was brought to life by Aphrodite in answer to Pygmalion's prayers.

12. A dark-skinned member of a race of people living in Australia when Europeans arrived.

15. A person who is tricked or swindled.

16. Of or relating to the Iberian peninsula or its inhabitants.

17. The upper side of the thighs of a seated person.

18. Surveying instrument consisting of the upper movable part of a theodolite including the telescope and its attachments.

20. The female or generative principle.

21. The compass point that is one point east of due south.

22. The act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth.

23. Freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort.

25. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

26. (biology) Taxonomic group whose members can interbreed.

29. Wild or seedling sweet cherry used as stock for grafting.

30. On or toward the lee.

31. A cry or shout of approval.

35. A metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables.

38. A river in northwestern Russia flowing generally west into the Gulf of Finland.

39. Bar temporarily.

41. Inflammation of the urethra of unknown cause.

44. A kind of person.

46. Fallow deer.

47. Examine by palpation for medical purposes.

49. (Irish) The sea personified.

51. The sound made by corvine birds.

52. Remove from the crate.

55. United States poet and critic (1899-1979).

57. Material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds.

58. (Old Testament) Cain and Abel were the first children of Adam and Eve born after the Fall of Man. 60. The syllable naming the sixth (submediant) note of a major or minor scale in solmization.

61. Cubes of meat marinated and cooked on a skewer usually with vegetables.

64. German tennis player who won seven women's singles titles at Wimbledon (born in 1969).

66. A roll of tobacco for smoking.

70. An Arabic speaking person who lives in Arabia or North Africa.

72. Chinese fruit having a thin brittle shell enclosing a sweet jellylike pulp and a single seed.

74. (prefix) Bad or erroneous or lack of.

77. The longest division of geological time.

78. The residue that remains when something is burned.

79. Someone who is tested (as by an intelligence test or an academic examination).

80. Either extremity of something that has length.

2. Any of numerous perennial bulbous herbs having linear or broadly lanceolate leaves and usually a single showy flower.

3. Speak one's opinion without fear or hesitation.

4. A tricycle (usually propelled by pedalling).

5. Scrubby Australian acacia having extremely foul-smelling blossoms.

6. The blood group whose red cells carry both the A and B antigens.

7. (comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) Quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree.

8. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

9. A crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement.

10. Animal food for browsing or grazing.

11. Liquorice-flavored seeds or oil used in cookies or cakes or pickles.

12. Thickening of tissue in the motor tracts of the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord.

13. A small cake leavened with yeast.

14. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

19. A blue dye obtained from plants or made synthetically.

24. Worn or shabby from overuse or (of pages) from having corners turned down.

27. The intended recipient of a message.

28. Being six more than ninety.

32. (Jewish cookery) A loaf of white bread containing eggs and leavened with yeast.

33. A medieval hood of mail suspended from a basinet to protect the head and neck.

34. A member of a widespread group of Amerindians living in northeastern South America.

36. (Hindu) A manner of sitting (as in the practice of Yoga).

37. Money extracted as a penalty.

40. An indehiscent fruit derived from a single ovary having one or many seeds within a fleshy wall or pericarp.

42. The cry made by sheep.

43. Of or relating to Attica or its inhabitants or to the dialect spoken in Athens in classical times.

45. God of the earth.

48. Manufactured in standard sizes to be shipped and assembled elsewhere.

50. A large family of dicotyledonous plants of order Rosales.

53. (Irish) Mother of the Tuatha De Danann.

54. The principles of right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or a social group.

56. 100 dirhams equal 1 riyal.

59. 100 agorot equal 1 shekel.

62. (Greek mythology) Goddess of discord.

63. A vigorous blow.

65. Open pastry filled with fruit or custard.

67. Clarified butter used in Indian cookery.

68. (in Gnosticism) A divine power or nature emanating from the Supreme Being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe.

69. Tear or be torn violently.

71. A single-reed woodwind with a conical bore.

73. The compass point midway between northeast and east.

75. A ductile gray metallic element of the lanthanide series.

76. Of or relating to the stomach and intestines.

Yesterdayʼs Solution

DOWN 1. American Revolutionary patriot.

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

42

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Detroit fall, Yankees roll BOSTON: Jon Lester outdueled Max Scherzer and Boston beat Detroit 2-1 on Tuesday night, ending the Tigers right-hander’s chance to become just the second pitcher to open a season with a 20-1 record. Lester (13-8) lowered his ERA to 1.71 in his past six starts. He allowed one earned run and eight hits with a season-high nine strikeouts and no walks. Scherzer (19-2), who won his first 13 decisions, lost for the first time since July 13 when Texas beat him 7-1. Roger Clemens is the only pitcher to start 20-1.

He ended up 20-3 with the Yankees in 2001.

Boston scored on Will Middlebrooks’ two-run single in the fifth. Detroit’s Jose Iglesias doubled in a run in the second in the matchup of division leaders. Koji Uehara pitched the ninth for his 17th save in 20 opportunities and extended his scoreless streak to 25 innings. Miguel Cabrera, who missed three games with abdominal and groin problems, returned for Detroit and went 0 for 4.

YANKEES 6, WHITE SOX 4 In New York, Eduardo Nunez’s two-run double capped a five-run eighth inning for New York. Pinch-hitter Curtis Granderson tied the score with an RBI single off reliever Donnie Veal and New York went on to win for the 12th time in 14 home games.

Alexei Ramirez hit a two-run triple and Alejandro De Aza homered for the lastplace White Sox who dropped their fifth straight. Alfonso Soriano’s two-run single off Nate Jones (4-5) cut the deficit to 4-3.

Boone Logan (5-2) pitched a perfect eighth, and Mariano Rivera earned his 40th save. Derek Jeter finished with two hits, giving him 3,315 to pass Eddie Collins (3,313) for ninth on the career list.

INDIANS 4, ORIOLES 3 In Cleveland, Ubaldo Jimenez pitched six shutout innings while Yan Gomes and Asdrubal Cabrera drove in two runs apiece, and Cleveland survived a shaky ninth inning. Jimenez (10-9) has allowed three earned runs or less in eight consecutive starts. The right-hander allowed four hits. Gomes’ two-run double was the key hit in Cleveland’s sixth. Cabrera had sacrifices flies in the fourth and sixth. Orioles starter Chris Tillman (15-5) allowed four runs in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander has one win in his last six starts. The Orioles got back in the game in the ninth against Indians closer Chris Perez, who pitched in a non-save situation. Nate McLouth hit a three-run homer but Perez struck out Brian Roberts and Manny Machado before retiring Chris Davis, who leads the majors with 47 homers, on a ground ball.

ROYALS 4, MARINERS 3 In Kansas City, Salvador Perez drove in Mike Moustakas with two outs in the eighth inning for Kansas City, which survived after blowing a three-run lead. Billy Butler grounded into a double play against reliever Yoervis Medina (4-4) when Moustakas legged out a double to center in the eighth. Perez followed with a single to left, and Moustakas had just enough time for a headfirst slide ahead of Endy Chavez’s throw to home. Luke Hochevar (4-2) got two outs in the eighth to leave runners stranded on second and third, and Greg Holland pitched a perfect ninth for his 31st straight save and 38th on the year. Perez homered and finished with three hits for the Royals, who have won three straight and eight of their last 10. Alex Gordon also hit a solo shot and Butler drove in a run for Kansas City. Kyle Seager hit a two-run shot for the Mariners, who have lost three straight.

TWINS 9, ASTROS 6 In Houston, Clete Thomas scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the 12th inning and Darin Mastroianni added a two-run double for Minnesota.

Thomas reached on a fielder’s choice and went to third on Josmil Pinto’s double.

Kevin Chapman (0-1) then uncorked a wild pitch with pinch-hitter Ryan Doumit at the plate. Mastroianni provided a couple of insurance runs when he doubled with two outs as Minnesota recovered after Glen Perkins blew a save opportunity in the ninth.

Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe homered for Minnesota, which has won three straight. Plouffe had four hits and Mastroianni went 3 for 6 with three RBIs. Brandon Barnes had three hits and five RBIs for the Astros, including a tying three-run homer off Perkins with two outs in the ninth. Caleb Thielbar (3-2) pitched two hitless innings for the win and Josh Roenicke finished for his first save.

RAYS 7, ANGELS 1 In Anaheim, Matt Moore pitched into the sixth inning in his return from the disabled list, and Tampa Bay got home runs from Desmond Jennings and Yunel Escobar.

Moore (15-3) won his seventh straight decision, yielding an unearned run and four hits in 5 1-3 innings as the Rays snapped a five-game losing streak. The All-Star lefthander, who missed the entire month of August because of elbow soreness, won six straight starts before getting a no-decision on July 28 at Yankee Stadium.

Roberto Hernandez struck out his first five batters after relieving Moore, and seven altogether in 3 2-3 perfect innings to record his first save in eight major league seasons. It was only his second relief outing since his rookie season with Cleveland in 2006. Los Angeles left-hander Jason Vargas (8-6) was charged with five runs and 10 hits in four-plus innings.

RANGERS 5, ATHLETICS 1 In Oakland, Martin Perez allowed one run over seven innings to win his sixth straight start and Mitch Moreland homered to move Texas back into sole possession of first place in the AL West. After falling into a tie for first with the A’s when they lost the series opener, the Rangers bounced back behind another strong performance from Perez (9-3) and are assured of leaving Oakland for the final time in the regular season with at least a share of the division lead. Bartolo Colon (14-6) allowed three unearned runs in the fifth inning following his own error. Colon is winless in five starts since July 26 with a DL stint in the middle of that stretch.

The Rangers scored three unearned runs in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead with help from two comebackers that Colon could not handle. Adrian Beltre added a run-scoring groundout and AJ Pierzynski blooped an RBI single. Alex Rios added a leadoff homer in the eighth to make it 5-1. —AP

Pirates edge Brewers MILWAUKEE: Pinch-hitter Travis Snider homered in the ninth inning to lift Pittsburgh to a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night that clinched the Pirates’ first non-losing record in 21 seasons. Snider drove a 2-2 pitch from Jim Henderson (3-5) over the wall in center for his second pinch-hit homer of the season. He also accomplished the feat against the Chicago Cubs on May 21.

It was victory No. 81 for Pittsburgh, ensuring it will not finish with a losing record for the first time since it went 96-66 in 1992. More importantly, it boosted the Pirates’ lead in the NL Central to two games over St. Louis.

Vin Mazzaro (7-2) pitched two innings for the win and Mark Melancon got three outs for his 11th save, striking out Khris Davis with a runner on second to make it four straight wins for Pittsburgh at Miller Park for the first time since 2002.

The Pirates lost 44 of 51 games in Milwaukee from 20072012. Jean Segura had two hits and Jonathan Lucroy drove in two runs for Milwaukee, which has lost five in a row.

the seventh inning to lift the Padres to the victory. Nick Hundley drew a leadoff walk in the seventh from rookie reliever Jake Dunning, who was called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Fresno. Ronnie Cedeno followed with a single to send Hundley to third and bring on Javier Lopez.

Denorfia lined a 1-2 pitch to left for the single that broke a 2-all tie. Dunning (0-2), who made his major league debut in June, took the loss. Tim Stauffer (3-1) got the win with 1 23 innings of shutout ball. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his 26th save in 27 chances.

MARLINS 6, CUBS 2 In Chicago, Donovan Solano had three hits, including a two-run double, and the Miami bullpen combined for 4 2-3

REDS 1, CARDINALS 0 In Cincinnati, Speedy Billy Hamilton got his first major league steal and came around on Todd Frazier’s double in the seventh inning, sending Cincinnati to the victory.

Hamilton made his big league debut as a pinch runner for Ryan Ludwick, who led off the seventh with a single against Seth Maness (5-2). After Maness threw to first three times, Hamilton took off and beat catcher Yadier Molina’s off-target throw. The touted prospect scored easily on Frazier’s hit and got congratulatory slaps in the dugout.

Homer Bailey (10-10) allowed only two hits in seven innings, retiring his last 14 batters. Aroldis Chapman got three outs for his 34th save in 39 chances, completing the two-hitter. The Cardinals were shut out for the third time in their last six games.

DODGERS 7, ROCKIES 4 In Denver, Ricky Nolasco pitched six strong innings, Carl Crawford had three hits and the Dodgers earned their sixth consecutive win. Crawford singled in a pair of runs in the second to spark the offense in the absence of injured catalyst Yasiel Puig. The Cuban slugger was rested a day after he aggravated a right knee strain.

Nolasco (12-9) allowed two runs and five hits in improving to 7-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 11 starts since coming to Los Angeles on July 6 in a trade with Miami.

Nick Punto added four singles for the NL West-leading Dodgers. Jhoulys Chacin (13-8) allowed four runs in seven innings in losing to the Dodgers for the first time in four starts this season.

NATIONALS 9, PHILLIES 6 In Philadelphia, Wilson Ramos hit a three-run homer and Corey Brown also went deep to back Gio Gonzalez, leading Washington to the victory. Still clinging to postseason hopes, the Nationals overcame a sloppy all-around effort that included three errors, four unearned runs and four wild pitches. They remained 71/2 games behind Cincinnati for the second wild-card spot. Gonzalez (9-6) gave up five runs one earned - and five hits, striking out six in 5 2-3 innings.

The lefty has two straight wins after going seven starts without one.

Phillies rookie Ethan Martin (2-4) allowed five runs and four hits in 4 2-3 innings. Cody Asche was 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs for Philadelphia. Rafael Soriano tossed a scoreless ninth for his 37th save in 43 chances.

BRAVES 3, METS 1 In Atlanta, Kris Medlen pitched seven strong innings to help Atlanta get another win at home.

Andrelton Simmons and Evan Gattis homered for the Braves, who have won 20 of 24 at Turner Field to improve the major leagues’ best home record to 51-19.

Gattis, who was recalled earlier in the day after a threegame stint at Triple-A Gwinnett, tied it at 1 with his 16th homer in the seventh. After Mets starter Carlos Torres (3-3) walked Dan Uggla on nine pitches, Simmons hit his 13th homer to make it 3-1.

Medlen (12-12) allowed seven hits and one run while striking out nine. Closer Craig Kimbrel converted his 34th straight save opportunity and improved to 44 for 47 this season. New York has dropped three straight and nine of 13.

PADRES 3, GIANTS 2 In San Diego, Chris Denorfia hit a go-ahead RBI single in

PHILADELPHIA: Philadelphia Phillies’ Chase Utley (bottom) and Washington Nationals relief pitcher Craig Stammen collide during the eighth inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, Sept 4, 2013, in Philadelphia. — AP hitless innings.

Christian Yelich drove in three runs with a double and single for the Marlins, who have won three straight after losing six in a row.

Brian Bogusevic hit a solo homer for the Cubs, who dropped to 27-44 at Wrigley Field. Edwin Jackson (7-15) gave up three runs and seven hits in five innings.

Miami starter Tom Koehler pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing two runs and four hits. He was pulled with bases loaded in the fifth, but was picked up by the Miami bullpen, which retired the next 11 batters. Ryan Webb (2-5) pitched two perfect innings for the win.

INTERLEAGUE BLUE JAYS 10, DIAMONDBACKS 4 In Phoenix, Edwin Encarnacion, Rajai Davis, Adam Lind and Moises Sierra homered in Toronto’s fifth win in six games.

The Blue Jays jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Wade Miley (9-10). Todd Redmond (3-2) allowed three runs and four hits in five innings for his second win in a row.

The Diamondbacks have lost three straight and five of six, all at home. Adam Eaton, Didi Gregorius and Miguel Montero went deep for Arizona.

Encarnacion also doubled, singled and walked twice.

Going back to May 2010, he has homered in a record five straight games at Chase Field. Miley didn’t make it out of the second inning, allowing five runs and eight hits in 1 2-3 innings. Eaton had two throwing errors in left field, one of which led to an unearned run.—AP

43

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Concussions in forefront as NFL season opens WASHINGTON: The NFL is accused of hiding what it knew about players’ head injuries. The players’ union is getting second-guessed for not taking safety more seriously. And another judge is getting familiar with all the legal arguments. Not the way the league wanted to kick off a season. The debate over concussions and a $765 million settlement with former players is still front-and-center as the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens get ready to open the season in Denver on Thursday night.

Sure, the settlement gives former players immediate help with their medical bills.

A drawn-out court fight was avoided. And safety is a bigger concern than ever in the league. Yet, the back-and-forth goes unabated with so many questions unanswered. “You can say it’s Pandora’s box that’s been opened,” former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason said on the eve of the season opener, “but they are trying to find solutions. As a former player, I’m thankful they’re doing that.”

More than 4,500 former players had sued the league, accusing it of concealing the long-term dangers of concussions and rushing players back onto the field. They settled last Thursday after two months of court-ordered mediation. Approval of a federal judge is required before it takes effect. The NFL doesn’t have to acknowledge that it hid information about injuries.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the settlement on Wednesday in his first public comments since it was announced.

Goodell appeared at an event in Manhattan promoting the Super Bowl in the area next February.

“I don’t know how it’s going to be remembered,” Goodell said of the settlement. “I know what its effect is going to be, which is going to provide help for the players and the families that have cognitive issues. There’s a fund - $765 million - that’s there for players and their families who need it. And that’s a good thing. “Rather than litigating for years, the owners, the NFL, and frankly the plaintiffs, all said, ‘Let’s

Young N Zealand forwards put to test against Pumas AUCKLAND: The performance of two young All Blacks forwards against Argentina in their Rugby Championship clash tomorrow should go a long way to help clarify the make up of the team as they look ahead to the 2015 World Cup. Tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina has come into the side for the injured Owen Franks, for his third start in his 10th test, while rookie Steven Luatua has been given the opportunity to cement the blindside flanker role after two impressive starts against Australia. Both should face a massive battle in Hamilton that starts at 1935 (0735 GMT) against a Pumas pack that is renowned for their physicality and powerful scrum with Faumuina going to be under immense pressure from the experienced Marcos Ayerza. “The challenge is to get a good hit with a non-existent gap and to keep the co-ordination of the eight,” Ayerza told the New Zealand Herald yesterday about the new engagement rules that puts greater emphasis on scrummaging.

“I am in favor of the positive scrums. The rules before this were making not very good props, not very positive props.”

The rangy Luatua has impressed against the Wallabies but will find it tougher task against the Pumas forwards, who have inspirational captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe back from injury. The Pumas were hammered 73-13 in their first clash but resorted to a tight and physical battle of attrition in Mendoza, which prompted allegations of foul play. Number eight Leandro Senatore was later suspended for nine weeks after he was found guilty of biting in the 22-17 loss, though fellow loose forward Pablo Matera was cleared of eye-gouging.

FOUL PLAY? All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, however, refused to add fuel to the discussion and channeled former captain Tana Umaga declaring international rugby was not “tiddlywinks” when asked about foul play. “They were playing South Africa so they would have been giving as much as they were giving. It’s always a physical game and it will be physical tomorrow,” Hansen said yesterday. “We’re not playing tiddlywinks so every now and then people probably do things they don’t want to do. In the heat of the battle it happens.

“I don’t think they’re a dirty team. That’s what everyone is trying to imply. I don’t think they are.” The Pumas have named what is essentially their strongest side with inspirational captain Lobbe back from a calf injury after he missed the two earlier losses to the Springboks. Santiago Phelan rested Felipe Contepomi after the inside-centre had led the team against South Africa and the coach said the change was purely to give certain players a rest and to develop further talent. The Pumas greatest challenge was to back up an impressive debut season and after the thrashing in Johannesburg, pundits questioned whether the side were facing a second season slump. —Reuters

go do something that’s great for the game and great for the people and get the help to the people that need it.’”

Three days after the settlement was announced, four other former players filed a federal lawsuit in New Orleans against the league and helmet maker Riddell, claiming they hid information about the dangers of brain injuries. The lawsuit on behalf of Jimmy Williams, Rich Mauti, Jimmy Keyes and Nolan Franz wants medical care for past, current and future NFL players. During a conference call on Wednesday highlighting Fox Sports’ coverage for the season, former Super Bowl champions Troy Aikman and John Lynch agreed that the league has more work to do on head injuries.

Aikman wants the NFL to divulge more details about what it knew about the longterm impact of repeated blows to the head. Lynch expects more litigation. “What I’m happy about is that there are players that need it (the money) and need it now, and they’re going to be taken care of,”

Lynch said. “But I think the notion that this is done now and we can move on is not really the reality.” While neither player was part of the original lawsuit, both have experience with blows to the head.

Lynch was a hard-hitting safety in Tampa Bay and Denver from 1993 through 2007. Aikman won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys during the 1990s, but his 12year career ended prematurely in part because of repeated concussions. Lynch and Aikman said they feel “great” and have shown no symptoms of long-term damage. Aikman was recently tested in Dallas, with good results.

While Aikman believes the settlement will help the former players with the most immediate need, he called the end result a “win” for the NFL. “It’s a lot of money, but I think in terms of what could have been paid, it’s not that much,” Aikman said. “I think probably in the big scheme of things, it’s a real positive. These guys will be able to benefit some and some money will be put into research, which will help. —AP

Springboks lay siege to Brisbane fortress SYDNEY: South Africa, with little fanfare, have constructed an eight-match winning streak over the last 11 months but to extend it to nine they will need to manufacture a first ever win over Australia at Brisbane’s Lang Park this weekend. The Springboks opened their Rugby Championship campaign with back-toback victories over Argentina and while the second was far less convincing than the first, they arrived in Australia ranked number two in the world and ready for business.

The Wallabies, by contrast, have slid to fourth in the world, lost their first two matches of the tournament to New Zealand and then their captain James Horwill to a hamstring injury yesterday.

South Africa still go into tomorrow’s test (kickoff 1105 GMT) as underdogs by virtue of their relatively poor record on the road and having lost all seven matches against Australia at the arena where Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie enjoyed the Super Rugby success that earned him his job.

Still looking for his first win, McKenzie has restored his former Queensland Reds charge Quade Cooper to the starting flyhalf position after preferring Matt Toomua against the world champions.

Back in tandem with scrumhalf Will Genia, who will captain the side in Horwill’s absence, Cooper will be expected to ignite a backline that largely failed to fire against the All Blacks. To counter the expected aerial barrage from the Springboks, McKenzie has rejigged his back three by moving Israel Folau to fullback, putting the hulking Nick Cummins on one wing and retaining James O’Connor on the other.

“It’s a really full-on attack team, without talking them up too much, I truly believe it is one of the best back lines we have faced, not just this year,” Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer said. “They’re going to move the ball with Folau at fullback, they’ll attack our forwards on the blind. With Cummins coming in, I’ve always rated him, he is a very strong runner. “And the one

thing they’ll look for is that their back three is very good under the high ball so they know how we’re going to play and we know how they’re going to play.”

FORMULA McKenzie agreed with Meyer that there would be few surprises. “I think that they’ve been pretty consistent with how they’ve played the game, so there’s a lot of certainty about how they go about their business,” he said. “They’ve got a lot of experienced players in key positions so

that’s been working for them. “I don’t think there’s any confusion about how they go about it. Their formula works for them so that’s how they do it, that’s the Springbok way. “We’re in the process of working on how we want to do it - the Australian way - but it’s a bit different so you’ve got a clash of rugby approaches but that’s just the way it is.”

Meyer has changed his own back three with fullback Zane Kirchner deployed for the first time this year after he recovered from a hand injury.— Reuters

AUCKLAND: A file photo taken shows Australian Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper in action against the New Zealand All Blacks in Wellington.

Maverick Queensland Reds playmaker Cooper returns to the starting line-up for the clash with the Springboks tomorrow under new coach Ewen McKenzie.— AFP

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Burgess brothers answer call for Rabbitohs revival SYDNEY: What started with an invitation from an Oscar-winning actor to visit a movie set in 2009 could see four burly English brothers playing a key role in the resurrection of one of the great names of Australian sport over the next month. The actor was Russell Crowe and the young rugby league gladiator he was hoping to entice to Australia to play for the club he co-owned and was looking to revive was powerful England forward Sam Burgess.

The entreaties on the set of Robin Hood worked and Sam, now rated as one of the best players in the National Rugby League, was eventually joined at the South Sydney Rabbitohs by older brother Luke and 21-year-old twins Thomas and George.

Last weekend all four, who combine to weigh in at just under half a ton, played together for the first time as the Rabbitohs came from 18-0 down to beat Wests Tigers 32-18 and remain on course for a first title in more than four decades.

“It is incredible, if someone had told me that five years ago, I wouldn’t have believed them,” Luke, who scored a try in the comeback win, told Reuters at Redfern Oval this week. “It’s massive, absolutely massive,” the 26-year-old added. “I think for a start, for all four of us to play professionally is pretty cool, and then to play in the same game in the same team is massive and definitely something we’ll talk about at the end of the year over a beer.”

For now, though, there remains a job to do and all four brothers have again been included in the squad for Friday’s final regular season match against their fiercest rivals Sydney Roosters - the team from glamorous Bondi. The match between the last two surviving club’s from the league’s foundation season of 1908 is a winner-takes-all clash to decide who tops the final regular season standings to be crowned “minor premiers” going into the playoffs. Rugby league is the unrivalled number one winter code on the east coast of Australia, while the Rabbitohs are the most successful club in its 115 year history with 20 titles.

The last of those came in 1971, however, and for a long time it did not look like there would ever be another, particularly after they were kicked out of the league in 2000 and had to resort to the legal system to get back in two years later. The tens thousands of fans who took to the Sydney streets to back the legal bid bore witness to the popularity of the “Bunnies” but lean years followed with the team finishing bottom of the league to take the “wooden spoon” in 2003, 2004 and 2006.

“Manchester United would be reasonable comparison, they’ve got supporters all over the country,” said Brad Walter, senior sports writer at the Sydney Morning Herald. “(But) they were just amateurish, they didn’t have any money, Redfern Oval was just run-down, it still had a picket fence around it.” The Oval, where the Rabbitohs train but no longer play, lies in an inner city area where, so the legend goes, hard-up players in the early days of the club sold rabbits, crying “Rabbitoh!” to advertise their wares and giving the club its nickname.

Shabby public housing apartment blocks still rise high above the Oval but the facility itself bears the hallmarks of the investment of Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes a Court, who together took a 75 percent interest in the club in 2006. “We’re aware of the history and we’re reminded about it quite often by the fans, the fans get really excited,” said Luke Burgess. “It’s nice to see the fans get really excited by a South Sydney team because it’s been over 40 years since they had any success. “But it’s our job not to get caught up in that and just go out there and do our jobs.”

Crowe and Holmes a Court’s investment was by no means limited to the four Yorkshiremen and the recruitment of indigenous fullback Greg Inglis and coach Michael McGuire have been key to the revival. “It were never just all about the Burgess brothers and that was something we didn’t want as four brothers, we just wanted it to be about the team,” Luke said, as his brothers and their team mates ate lunch in the sun on the bleachers nearby.

“We just feel very privileged that we got the opportunity to do this at this club and with these boys we’ve got here. It’s just fantastic, we all love each other, all the boys are so close.” South Sydney captain John Sutton grew up in the nearby beachside suburb of Maroubra and is a member of the surf gang the Bra Boys, who won international fame when Crowe narrated a 2007 documentary film about them.

As a local and one of the few survivors of the bad old days, Sutton is well aware what four more wins this season would mean to long-suffering South Sydney fans and almost splutters when asked whether it is a special club. “One hundred percent it is, it’s got the longest history and it’s won the most Premierships and all that stuff,” he said.—Reuters

Photo of the day

Lena Erdil performs during Red Bull Aegean Cross at Alacati Cesme in Izmir— Turkey. www.redbull.com

Perfect timing for De Jonge for Presidents Cup debut LOS ANGELES: If timing is everything in sport, as the saying goes, then the stars could not be better aligned for Zimbabwean Brendon De Jonge to make his debut at the biennial Presidents Cup in a month’s time. The burly 33-year-old earned a spot on the 12-man Internationals team as one of two captain’s picks announced on Wednesday by compatriot Nick Price, who has long been his golfing idol and, more recently, a mentor.

De Jonge will become the third Zimbabwean to compete in the Ryder Cup-style event, following Price (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003) and Mark McNulty (1994, 1996). Both Price (captain) and McNulty (assistant) will be with him in the team locker room.

“It’s pretty cool and obviously it couldn’t work out any better,” de Jonge told Reuters by telephone a few hours after his Cup debut was made official. “Once I found out Nick was going to be captain, it was definitely one of the goals that I set for myself, to do everything I could to try and make this team, and have the opportunity to play for him.

“Some of my best sporting memories are from playing team sport and unfortunately we don’t have that opportunity too much in our profession. I am looking forward to the camaraderie of team sport again.” With 10 players already inked in as automatic choices on the International team after the final counting event, the Deutsche Bank Championship, finished on Monday, de Jonge was one of “five or six guys” Price had in his cross-hairs to be wildcard picks.

Though de Jonge and Australian Marc Leishman ended up gaining Price’s nod on Wednesday, the Zimbabwean conceded he had been feeling the pressure of expectation. “It was almost impossible to stop thinking about it,” said de Jonge, who gave his own wildcard credentials a timely boost by tying for ninth at the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second of the PGA Tour’s lucrative FedExCup playoff events. “Obviously I was trying to play as best as I could in the first couple of playoff events but you find it creeping into your mind every now and then.”

De Jonge, who has yet to win on the PGA Tour despite several close calls since he first competed on the US circuit in 2007, first heard about his Presidents Cup summons when former world number one Price phoned him on Tuesday. “Nick called me at about four o’clock yesterday afternoon and asked me if had a beer in my hand and told me if not I should go get one because I am on the team,” de Jonge said. “Obviously it was very, very exciting. I had been waiting all day and wasn’t sure what was happening,” added the Zimbabwean, who has made more birdies on the PGA Tour than anyone else since the start of the 2009 season. De Jonge could not be happier that he will make his Cup debut at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio from Oct 3-6 when Price, the

NORTON: Brendon de Jonge plays his shot from the 14th tee during the final round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. —AFP golfing hero of his childhood, will captain the Internationals for the first time. “I first knew about Nick probably in the early 90s when I was about 11 or 12,” de Jonge recalled. “He used to come back and play in the Zimbabwe Open every year and I met him for the first time when I was 13. “I played the Zim Open when I was 16 for the first time when Nick was still coming across from the US and we had a chat then but it was all very brief and in passing. But the last five years, I have stayed in close contact with Nick. “I stay at his house when I play the Honda (Classic in Florida) and any time that I am struggling with anything or feel like I need someone to talk to, he’s definitely the first one I call with regards to golf.” Asked what had been the most valuable lesson he had learned from three-times major winner Price, de Jonge replied: “Perseverance and patience. “He has often spoken about how many times he has won a tournament when it fell into his lap and I haven’t yet won (on the PGA Tour). Nick has told me to remain patient and persevere, just keep doing what I am doing and keep improving.”—Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

KATWIJK: The Dutch football team is briefed during its training in Katwijk, for the World Cup Qualification UEFA 2014 duel today. — AFP

Germany, Netherlands, Italy target WCup LONDON: Former world champions Italy and Germany are among seven countries who could confirm their places in next year’s World Cup soccer finals in Brazil when the qualifying tournament swings back into action after a three-month break. The Netherlands, three times finalists, could also qualify from Europe with wins on both today and Tuesday while Switzerland and Bosnia could go through if they win and other results go their way.

The United States would seal the first qualifying place from the CONCACAF region with victories in Costa Rica and at home to Mexico while Argentina can guarantee a trip to neighboring Brazil if they beat Paraguay on Tuesday. The former world champions, who top the South American standings, could even qualify before they face the bottomplaced Paraguayans if results go their way when they have a rest day. With the opening match in Sao Paulo on June 12, just over nine months away, hosts Brazil and the four Asian qualifiers of Japan, Australia, Iran and South Korea are the only countries through so far.

Today, the seven nations who will join already-qualified Ivory Coast, Egypt

and Algeria in the final African qualifying round will be known. The 10 teams will be paired up and play each other home and away to decide Africa’s five qualifiers for Brazil. In Asia, Jordan and Uzbekistan, neither of whom have reached the finals before, will meet over two legs today and Tuesday to decide who qualifies for a playoff against the eventual fifth-placed South American team for a World Cup place.

BALOTELLI SUSPENDED Italy, the European Group B leaders, face second-placed Bulgaria in Sicily knowing that victory, and a win against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, will give them a spot in the finals. The main talking point in Italy has been who might succeed coach Cesare Prandelli if, as expected, he announces as soon as qualification is secured that he will leave the job after four years at the end of the finals. The Italian players know what to expect in Brazil after their experience in the Confederations Cup in June when they reached the semi-finals before losing to Spain on penalties.

They will be missing five first-choice players against Bulgaria including the suspended Mario Balotelli, Riccardo

Montolivo and Pablo Osvaldo, but the trio will return for the game against the unimpressive Czechs. Germany are likely to secure their place sooner rather than later, with Group C matches against Austria today and the Faroe Islands on Tuesday. It would be the Germans’ 16th successive appearance in the finals - the last one they missed was when the World Cup was held in Brazil in 1950 following World War Two. Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands team are the only ones with a perfect record after winning their opening six matches and they are seven points clear of Hungary and eight clear of third-placed Romania.

The Dutch are likely to seal their place in the finals following a trip to Estonia today and a visit to tiny Andorra on Tuesday. Anything other than two wins would be a major surprise. World champions Spain should keep their grip on Group I, which they lead by one point from France. Coach Vicente del Bosque is without several key players for today’s tie against Finland. Finnish coach Mixu Paatelainen has described the game as “a David and Goliath situation”, although Finland did hold Spain to a 1-1 draw in Gijon in March.— Reuters

Injuries should not stop England beating Moldova LONDON: England will be without striker Wayne Rooney and defenders Phil Jones and Glen Johnson for today’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova at Wembley but should still easily pick up another three points on the road to Brazil. More worrying for coach Roy Hodgson is that Rooney, who faces three weeks out after suffering a nasty head wound in training last week, and the two defenders will also miss the far more difficult Group H qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev next Tuesday.

England began their campaign with a convincing 5-0 win over Moldova in Chisinau a year ago but since then it has turned into a tense affair with three wins and three draws from their six matches. Montenegro top the standings with 14 points from seven games but blew a great chance to establish a five-point lead when they were beaten 4-0 at home by Ukraine in June. Ukraine are third, one point behind England, and are virtually guaranteed three points when they face minnows San Marino today while Poland, who are fourth on nine points, will keep the pressure on the top trio if they beat Montenegro in Warsaw. —Reuters

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

Del Bosque faces keeper conundrum

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS HELSINKI: Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has several conundrums to solve before today’s World Cup 2014 Group I qualifier away to Finland, the trickiest of which is choosing between goalkeepers Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes. Team captain Casillas, a fixture for the world and European champions for more than a decade and a hero to fans of “La Roja”, lost his place in the Real Madrid starting lineup last season under Jose Mourinho and has yet to win it back under new coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Valdes, by contrast, has been on thrilling form for Barcelona, making a strong case for inclusion in the team in Helsinki as Spain seek to maintain their grip on the top spot ahead of France and take a step closer to securing an automatic berth at next year’s tournament in Brazil. Del Bosque told a news

conference in the Finnish capital yesterday he had decided which of the pair would feature but declined to make the decision public. “We have three extraordinary goalkeepers (including Napoli’s Pepe Reina) and any one of them could play perfectly well,” the former Real coach told reporters.

Another headache for Del Bosque is the absence of several key outfield performers due to injury, including midfield stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso, while centre back Gerard Pique is suspended. With Javi Martinez and Thiago Alcantara also sidelined, Javi Garcia and Mario Suarez are in the squad as cover for Busquets and Alonso and could get the chance to impress and improve their chances of selection for next year’s finals.

A more pressing concern for Del

Bosque, however, will be how Spain can break down Finland’s stubborn defenses. The qualifier between the two nations in Gijon in March ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw for the home side as they failed to turn their dominance into goals and were undone by a swift Finnish counter-attack late in the game.

Finland are third in the group, four points behind France, and still have a slim chance of stealing a playoff place.

“We have had some very important players pulling out and we have to deal with that,” Del Bosque said. “I don’t think we will dominate as much as we did in Gijon because they still have a chance of qualifying and I expect them to go for the win,” he added.

“Nonetheless we are going to prepare ourselves for the possibility of playing a team using defensive tactics.” —Reuters

Georgia v France Aljazeera Sport +6 Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Estonia v Netherlands Aljazeera Sport +2 Finland v Spain Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Germany v Austria Aljazeera Sport +1 Italy v Bulgaria Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD N Ireland v Portugal Aljazeera Sport +4 England v Moldova Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9

21:15 21:30 21:30 21:45 21:45 21:45 22:00

WC2014 QUALIFYING - ASIA Jordan v Uzbekistan Aljazeera Sport +4

19:00

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Ronaldinho free kicks rescue Mineiro SAO PAULO: Ronaldinho scored from two free kicks to rescue a 2-2 draw for South American champions Atletico Mineiro at home to Brazilian champions Fluminense. A referee was given a police escort off the field at halftime after controversially disallowing a goal in Internacional’s 1-0 win over Corinthians while Cruzeiro’s 3-1 win at Bahia kept them top of the Brazilian championship in other games on Wednesday.

Mineiro fell behind when a defensive blunder gifted a 12th-minute goal to Fluminense’s Wagner but equalised in first-half stoppage time when Ronaldinho won a free kick and scored with a shot which went in off the crossbar. In a generally scrappy game which produced more than 50 fouls, Rhayner put Fluminense back in front in the 73rd minute only to be sent off for a

second bookable offence two minutes later.

Another exquisite Ronaldinho free kick seven minutes from time salvaged a point for the Roosters.

Mineiro, who have sat on their laurels since winning the Libertadores Cup in July and fielded second-string teams in several games, are 13th in the 20-team table with 21 points from 17 games. Former Real Madrid and Brazil coach Vanderlei Luxemburg’s Fluminense, last year’s champions, are 16th with 19 points, one place above the relegation zone.

Dunga, another former Brazil coach, saw his Internacional side end a run of six straight draws by beating Corinthians 1-0. Argentine Andres D’Alessandro scored the winner with a deflected free kick, although Inter were fuming after a disallowed goal in the first

half. Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio was injured in a collision with Inter forward Leandro Damiao as he cleared a cross, then Fabricio collected the rebound and fired into an empty net.

The referee at first signalled a goal but then awarded a foul to Corinthians, generating furious protests from the hosts. He was escorted off at halftime by riot police wielding truncheons and plastic shields. Cruzeiro (37 points) stayed four clear of Atletico Paranaense at the top. First-half goals from Borges and Everton Ribeiro put them in control in front of a sparse 9,000 at the Fonte Nova, one of Brazil’s World Cup stadiums. Fahel pulled one back for Bahia before former Sevilla, Malaga, AS Roma, Real Madrid and Brazil striker Julio Baptista completed the scoring. —Reuters

Maradona and Romario demand more transparency SAO PAULO: Diego Maradona and Romario have joined forces to attack the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), saying it has failed to share the wealth generated by the sport in the region. Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona and exBrazil striker Romario, now a member of his country’s congress, are long-standing critics of the football establishment in the region.

The pair met with 20 South American clubs and a group of Uruguayan lawyers to demand change in the way football is administered.

“We have seen, with astonishment and great sadness, that football is for just a few,” Maradona told reporters after a meeting of the group in Sao Paulo on Wednesday night. “It doesn’t belong to the clubs, the supporters or the players. So we are going to form a commission to unmask these people who do so much harm to the game. “It’s very serious, but thanks to all of us who are not afraid of those people ... we are here so that we can have a more transparent football,” he added. Romario described CONMEBOL as worse than the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which he has frequently criticized.

“The situation is really much more serious than we imagined,” he said. “What has been presented here is one of the biggest disgraces that I have seen. I couldn’t imagine that there was an institution which ... did so much harm to the sport. “We have to get more people together. The clubs, the ex-players and the current players have to take the fight to CONMEBOL. It’s a movement for transparency and dignity in football. “With this commission that we are going to form, we are going to see what has happened to all this money.”—Reuters

Portugal turn to youngsters as injuries mount LISBON: Portugal called up forward Nelson Oliveira and uncapped trio Adrien Silva, Lica and Anthony Lopes for today’s World Cup Group F qualifier against Northern Ireland to replace players who are sidelined through injury. The changes announced by the Portuguese Football Federation came after midfielders Ruben Micael and Danny, forward Hugo Almeida and goalkeeper Beto were ruled out.

Stade Rennes striker Oliveira and Porto winger Lica are in great shape after good starts to the seasons at their clubs, with 22-year-old Oliveira netting three league goals and 24year-old Lica one. Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper Lopes, 22, replaces second-choice keeper Beto in the squad while 24year-old Silva, who has caught the eye as the boss of Sporting’s midfield, was called in for Braga’s Micael. Group leaders Portugal are favorites to win the match in Belfast but Paulo Bento’s team will, however, be wary of a fiery Northern Ireland side who held them to a 1-1 draw last year and shocked Russia 1-0 in Belfast last month. Portugal top Group F with 14 points from seven matches, two points above secondplaced Russia, who have one game in hand. Israel are third with 11 and Northern Ireland are fourth with six. — Reuters

TOKYO: People walk around Tokyo Big Sight convention center which Tokyo plans to use as the main media center and venues for fencing, taekwondo and wrestling for the 2020 Olympics if Tokyo wins the Olympic bid. — AFP

Tokyo dangles dollars in bid to grab Games BUENOS AIRES: Tokyo’s Olympic bid team yesterday dangled dollar signs in front of the IOC, with a vow to leverage Asia’s massive marketing potential were it awarded the right to stage the 2020 Summer Games. The Japanese attempted to play a trump card in the face of a Fukushima crisis threatening to derail their hopes of staging the world’s greatest sporting extravaganza. Tokyo stressed its economic strength and the opportunities available by tapping Asia as it continues to try to woo members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Some 100 IOC members will tomorrow choose between Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo for the host city of the Games. While Tokyo focused on finances, Istanbul placed athletes at the centre of its bid, promising them an unrivalled experience, and Madrid highlighted its support and backing at home. Tokyo had been seen as an early favorite, with Madrid hurt by Spain’s ongoing economic woes and Istanbul suffering from anti-government protests, the escalating war in neighboring Syria and a series of doping scandals.

FINANCIALLY SAFE But while Tokyo had been regarded as a financially safe choice, many commentators and people close to the city-selecting process in Buenos Aires are now saying the Spanish bid is gathering pace fast. The Argentine capital was abuzz with talk of Fukushima after trade and economics minister Toshimitsu Motegi told Reuters that Japan’s government is in touch with experts in the United States and elsewhere on ways to control the crisis.

Tokyo’s case can hardly have been helped by the news once more placing Fukushima squarely in the spotlight. But bid leader Tsunekazu Takeda told reporters he had written a letter to IOC members to stress radiation was not a threat to Tokyo, located

some 230km from the stricken plant. “Right now Tokyo’s radiation level is comparable to London, Paris and New York and here as well,” Takeda said. “It’s absolutely safe.” Instead, the Japanese team were hoping to appeal to the IOC’s business sense in the highstakes contest.

GREAT POTENTIAL It promised to showcase Asia’s great potential and highlighted the opportunity offered by choosing a city in the world’s largest continent. Fujio Cho, President of the Japan Sports Association and honorary chairman of Toyota Motor Corp, said the Olympic Movement could only benefit with Tokyo as host. “Asia is the only continent in the world with more people living within its territory than outside,” he said.

“Consequently it is the largest market in the world, with billions of passionate sports fans.” Much talk among commentators has been about the state of the Spanish economy - seen as Madrid’s Achilles heel - and Takeda highlighted that Japan had recently reported its lowest rate of unemployment since October 2008.

Japan’s July 2013 figure of 3.8 percent - in stark contrast to the Spanish figure of some 26 percent - is an indication of the strength of the country’s economy, according to Takeda.

While Tokyo spoke of the economy and benefits of unlocking Asia’s potential, Istanbul bid chiefs spoke of their city’s history and focused on athletes, promising them an unrivalled experience were the Turks to win the contest. “Imagine being a marathon runner crossing continents over the Bosphorus Bridge, a triathlete racing alongside Istanbul’s 2,500 year-old city walls or a volleyball player spiking for the match with the Bosphorus at your back,” Turkish IOC member Ugur Erdener told reporters.—Reuters

Sports FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Azarenka punishes Hantuchova Gasquet ousts Ferrer, meets Nadal in semis NEW YORK: Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semi-finals of the US Open on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Belarusian, the second seed and runner-up last year, will play unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, while defending champion Serena Williams meets Li Na of China in today’s semi-finals.

Pennetta reached her first grand slam semi-final on Wednesday by beating longtime friend and Fed Cup team mate Roberta Vinci, the 10th-seeded 30-yearold, 6-4 6-1. On the men’s side second seed Rafa Nadal continued his remarkable 2013 form, improving his hardcourt record to 20-0 with a 6-0 6-2 6-2 hammering of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo. Next up for Nadal is France’s Richard Gasquet, who will be playing in the semi-final stage of a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2007.

Azarenka is well aware she is battling the ‘old guard’ in last four. “I’m a baby, what can I say?” she added. “It’s amazing to see such great players in the semifinals.” The victory moved Australian Open champion Azarenka one step closer to a possible Arthur Ashe Stadium rematch against Williams for the title.

“It’s amazing to see athletes doing so well, their careers longer so fans and themselves can enjoy their careers much better,” she said. “Everybody looks much fitter, really taking care of their body and taking the sport to the next level.”

Robredo had spoiled what would have been the first meeting at the US Open between Nadal and all-time grand slam king Roger Federer after the 31year-old Spaniard sent the Swiss master packing in straight sets in the fourth round. Nadal, who has come back from knee injuries that sidelined him for seven months to win nine tournaments including his eighth French Open for his 12th grand slam crown, bounded for joy after steamrolling another opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I think I played

NEW YORK: Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Daniela Hantuchova, of Slovakia, during a quarterfinal of the US Open tennis tournament on Wednesday, Sept 4, 2013 in New York. — AP

my best match in the US Open this year,” said 2010 US Open winner Nadal, who has lost just one set from five matches. “Playing a little bit better every day is great.”

STEEP HILL Eighth-seeded Gasquet booked his long awaited return to the last four of a men’s slam with a 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 upset of fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain. It was the second successive fivesetter for the 27-year-old Gasquet, who clinched the concluding set of a marathon fourth-round match against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5.

Gasquet had lost eight of nine previous matches against Ferrer. The hill could be even steeper against Nadal, who has won all 10 of their professional encounters. “Rafa, I never beat. Last time I beat him I was 13-years-old,” said Gasquet.

“That was the only time I beat him. He’s a good friend of mine. I have nothing to lose.”

Playing in just the second grand slam

Messi and father pay $6.6 million in tax fraud case MADRID: Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and his father Jorge have paid five million euros ($6.6 million) to the Spanish authorities after they were accused in June of filing false tax returns, a court statement said. The pair had deposited 5,016,542.27 euros last month as a “corrective payment”, the court in Gava near Barcelona said.

They were still due to appear at a hearing on Sept. 17, although their lawyer had asked for it to be postponed as he had another commitment that day, the statement added.

The Argentine World Player of the Year and his father, who both denied wrongdoing, allegedly hid more than four million euros by filing incomplete returns for the years 2006 to 2009. The sale of Messi’s image rights had been hidden using a complex web of shell companies in Uruguay, Belize, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,

the prosecutor’s office for tax crimes in Catalonia said. “I never take care of that stuff myself and neither does my father,” the 26-year-old player said in July. “We have our lawyers and our wealth managers to take care of that and we trust them and they will sort this out,” he added.

“The truth is that I don’t have a clue about all this and that is why we have people taking care of it.”

Messi has been resident in Barcelona since 2000 and gained Spanish citizenship in 2005. He is one of the world’s highest-paid athletes and earns just over $20 million a season in wages and bonuses, according to Forbes magazine. He also pulls in some $21 million in endorsements from partners including Adidas, PepsiCo, P&G and Turkish Airlines and is 10th on Forbes’s latest list of topearning athletes. — Reuters

quarter-final of his career, 27-year-old Gasquet went all out against Ferrer, using his trademark one-handed backhand to near perfection as he closed him out in three hours and 23 minutes.

Gasquet broke the Spaniard, a model of consistency with trips to the quarters or better in the last eight slams, on a double fault at break point for a 4-2 lead in the fifth set. He ended it with a bristling forehand for his 52nd winner. “I was a little nervous about getting into the semis at the US Open, but I did it. Was a big win for me,” Gasquet said.

ITALIAN FESTIVAL Pennetta, ranked 83rd as she battles back from surgery on an injured right wrist that kept her out of last year’s tournament, said times had changed for veteran players on the women’s side. “I think we just keep playing. Before the career of the woman was shorter, they retired early,” Pennetta said. “It’s good to stay physical, in a good way, and play this good tennis at this age. I’m proud of me now.”

The good-natured match between friends who have competed against one another since they were 10 turned into a rout by the second set, which Pennetta raced through in 24 minutes against an error-prone Vinci. “It was, of course, a special day for us,” said Vinci, who is part of the world number one ranked women’s doubles team with fellow Italian Sara Errani, and still busy defending their US Open double title. “This time she won, but I think that I’m happy, too, about this tournament.”

Pennetta continued a strong history of success at Flushing Meadows. After advancing to the quarters in 2008, 2009 and 2011, Pennetta has not dropped a set in her march to the semi-finals, dropping just 25 games in her five victories.

“I don’t know. I just enjoy to play here,” she said. Their quarter of their draw was something of a festival for the Italians. In playing Pennetta, Vinci was facing her third successive compatriot, having beaten unseeded Camila Giorgi and Karin Knapp in previous rounds.

Pennetta eliminated fourth seed Errani in the second round. — Reuters

IOC consider actions

over Isinbayeva gay comments BUENOS AIRES: The International Olympic Committee will consider taking action against pole vault world champion Yelena Isinbayeva, a Youth Olympics ambassador, after her comments in favor of Russia’s new gay law triggered a major controversy last month. The Russian, who won the world title in Moscow in August, caused a major stir with her comments about homosexuality.

“We will consider this in due time,” IOC President Jacques Rogge told reporters when asked whether the Russian athlete was an appropriate ambassador for the Youth Games given her recent comments. Isinbayeva, a double Olympic champion, had been critical of foreign athletes’ reaction to Russia’s gay law. “We consider ourselves, like normal, standard people, we just live boys with women, girls with boys ... it comes from the history,” she had said at the time. “I hope the problem won’t ruin our Olympic Games in Sochi.”

Isinbayeva is also the ceremonial mayor of the Olympic village at the Sochi 2014 winter Games and will be a torchbearer in the relay at the event. Rogge did not elaborate on what kind of action and when it may be taken against the Russian but ruled out pressing the government further on the matter. Rogge is due to step down on Sept 10. “We have received oral and written assurances (from the Russian government),” he said. “We are staging the Games in a sovereign state and the IOC cannot be expected to have an influence in the affairs of a sovereign state.

Critics say the law is one of a string of repressive measures introduced by President Vladimir Putin in the first year of his third presidential term that clamp down on dissent, violate gay rights and restrain non-governmental organizations. This is not the first time Rogge, who is stepping down after 12 years in charge with a successor to be elected next week, has had to deal with controversial laws in a country where the Games are being staged.

The IOC was under constant fire in the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Games over the country’s human rights record and its restrictions on the use of the internet, among other things.

“We have clearly expressed our views on situations in countries but we are restricted in our powers and actions as guests,” he said in his last solo press conference in charge of the IOC. Asked whether he had enjoyed his years at head of the world’s biggest multi-sports organization, Rogge said: “Have I enjoyed it? Not always. Was it exciting? Definitely.” — Reuters

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Messi and father pay $6.6 million in tax fraud case

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Azarenka punishes

NEW YORK: Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Daniela Hantuchova, of Slovakia, during the quarterfinals of the US Open tennis tournament in New York. —AP

Hantuchova

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