10th Oct 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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THULHIJA 5, 1434 AH

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with an Israeli company

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By A Saleh conspiracy theories

The evil you can’t live without

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

T

echnology never stops impressing me. I am sure it impresses you too, guys. In all honesty, if you follow up the news about all the gadgets that are coming into the market, you need to have a really fat pocket. You need to spend a lot. For instance, today you buy a mobile and after a month a new model is launched. You feel tempted to make the switch from the old to the new version.

Let’s take all the big players in the field, such as Nokia, Alcatel, Ericsson and Blackberry that controlled the market at one point. All of us used to carry one of their phones. Then the age of iPhone and Samsung stepped in. Today all of us are carrying Galaxy and iPhone. This is not the problem. They are beautiful phones but in a month or two the same gadget becomes upgraded and other options appear. The competition is fierce.

One day I have iPhone 4, then I get the latest Samsung S3. The latest is the mobile phone that starts with biometrics. You just use your fingerprint to start your phone. Now your phone has become a laptop, TV, camera, GPS, or a portable health clinic telling me what to eat and measuring my blood pressure. For the religious users it gives directions for Qibla and the prayer times. It is a meteorologist and tells you about weather whenever you want. Do not ignore the google search that gives you anything on Earth even plots on Mars.

The manufacturers of smart phones compete between each other and we the consumers end up paying the price. Honestly speaking, when we did not have all of this, we used to live comfortable lives too.

Life was efficient. Our minds worked and we used to read a lot. We used to go to the library. We used to be more mobile and search for information. Now I just open google and ask. I do not research. Is this affecting our minds?

Are our minds becoming lazy and dull? Does this contribute to our physical laziness? What about the future generations? They are no longer moving or reading. Before they were stuck to the TV set and now to their iPad. Will you call this a better life? I have no idea. Is it better and healthier? I think such advanced technologies have become the evil you cannot live without.

At the end of the day, do these companies mean to benefit the whole world? Do they care about us or is that all just for profit-making? Imagine if all this technology that came in the last 20 years suddenly shuts down. It is even scary to think about it because then the whole world will collapse.

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, accompanied by Deputy Chief of the National Guards Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and other senior officials, returned yesterday evening after a private visit to the United Kingdom. — KUNA

KUWAIT: MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan announced plans to file a grilling motion against Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah for going ahead with a contract signed with a foreign company “even after it was confirmed that the company was established by the Israeli army”. The lawmaker argued in a statement yesterday that the previous Cabinet which was also headed by Sheikh Al-Sabah “had admitted dealing with a company established by the Israeli army and yet went ahead with the contract instead of holding those responsible accountable”.

MP Al-Duwaisan held the Interior, Foreign, Defense, Finance, and Commerce ministers as well as the prime minister “politically responsible for the partnership and putting Kuwait’s national security at risk”. “Dealing with a company established by the Zionist army which manufactures control systems is not like dealing with any other company as the intelligence side cannot be ignored”, he said.

Al-Duwaisan had previously announced plans to file a similar grilling against Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khalid Al-Sabah.

He explained yesterday that he decided to file the motion against the premier instead “after the previous Cabinet admitted that the company has ties with the Zionist regime”. The government previously denied the accusations by claiming that the company in question is based in Canada.

Continued on Page 13

Saudis brace for ‘nightmare’ A life-and-death struggle for Mideast future RIYADH: When Saudi Arabia’s veteran foreign minister, Prince Saud Al-Faisal, made no annual address to the United Nations General Assembly last week for the first time ever, his unspoken message could hardly have been louder. For most countries, refusing to give a scheduled speech would count as little more than a diplomatic slap on the wrist, but for staid Saudi Arabia, which prefers back-room politicking to the public arena, it was uncharacteristically forthright.

Engaged in what they see as a lifeand-death struggle for the future of the Middle East with arch-rival Iran, Saudi rulers are furious that the international body has taken no action over Syria, where they and Tehran back opposing sides. Unlike in years past, they are not only angry with permanent Security Council members China and Russia, however, but with the US, which they believe has repeatedly let down its Arab friends with policies they see as both weak and naive.

Like Washington’s other main Middle Eastern ally, Israel, the Saudis fear that President Barack Obama has in the process allowed mutual enemies to gain an upper hand. The alliance between the United States, the biggest economy and most powerful democracy, and Saudi

Arabia, the Islamic monarchy that dominates oil supplies, is not about to break.

But, as happened 40 years ago next week when an OPEC oil embargo punished US war support for Israel, Riyadh is willing albeit without touching energy supplies to defy Washington in defense of its regional interests.

The two have been at odds over Egypt since the Arab Spring, and increasingly so on Syria, where Saudi Arabia could now do more to arm Sunni Muslim rebels. The real focus of Saudi anger is the Shiite Muslim clerics who have preached Islamic revolution since coming to power in Tehran 34 years ago, and whose hands Riyadh sees orchestrating political foes in half a dozen Arab countries.

Already aghast at US reluctance to back rebels fighting Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, Tehran’s strongest Arab friend, Saudi princes were horrified to see Washington reaching out to Hassan Rouhani, the new Iranian president, last month. “The Saudis’ worst nightmare would be the administration striking a grand bargain with Iran,” said former diplomat Robert Jordan, who was US ambassador to Riyadh from 2001 to 2003.

Continued on Page 13

Newspaper report sends Iran minster to hospital DUBAI: Iran’s foreign minister and chief nuclear negotiator went to hospital with pains he said were brought on by a hardline newspaper quoting him as saying President Hassan Rouhani’s phone call with President Barack Obama was a mistake. Mohammad Javad Zarif’s brief visit to hospital is a pointer to the strength and possible rancor of the debate within Iran over the speed and extent to which the Islamic Republic should attempt to patch up its many quarrels with the West and the United States in particular.

Zarif is to lead his country’s negotiating team in talks with six major world powers in Geneva next week, the first round of negotiations since Rouhani’s election in June breathed new hope into decade-old talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian parliament speaker and former chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani described the talks as a “window of opportunity”, telling reporters in Geneva the two sides should focus on confidence-building.

Rouhani, a relative moderate, and

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif the US-educated Zarif led a diplomatic drive to dispel distrust of Iran’s intentions at the United Nations in New York last month. The trip culminated in the first phone call between the presidents of Iran and the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Continued on Page 13

Saudi gears for haj amid MERS

MAKKAH: Photo shows a flooded area after a heavy downpour in holy city of Makkah yesterday. Seven people were injured. (Inset) A Saudi woman wades though a flooded street in Makkah.

MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia is gearing up for next week’s haj with scores of pilgrims set to miss the world’s largest annual gathering over construction work and fears about a deadly virus.

Last year a total of 3.2 million faithful, including 1.75 million foreigners, performed the pilgrimage to Makkah, Islam’s holiest site. Those from abroad came from 190 countries.

This year Riyadh expects about two million, after the ultra-conservative kingdom announced a crackdown on illegal pilgrims and imposed restrictions to cut foreigners by 20 percent and Saudis by 50 percent. About 1.17 million pilgrims had already entered the Gulf state by Saturday, according to immigration officials, and more are expected before Thursday’s deadline for people to arrive before the haj starts.

The pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam that should be performed at least once in lifetime by every Muslim who is financially and physically capable. This year, the pilgrimage starts on Sunday and ends on October 18.

Monday marks the most important day when all pilgrims assemble at Mount Arafat, just outside Makkah, for the peak of the haj. The pilgrimage ends after Eid Al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, which starts on Tuesday. Authorities in the kingdom have mobilized health services in Makkah and the holy sites which together have 25 public hospitals with Continued on Page13

Plane noise linked to heart disease LONDON: Exposure to high levels of aircraft noise near busy international airports has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and strokes in two separate studies from Britain and the United States.

Researchers in London studied noise and hospital admissions around London Heathrow airport, while a separate team analyzed data on 6 million Americans living near 89 US airports.

Both studies, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) yesterday, found that people living with the highest levels of aircraft noise had increased risks of stroke, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. In the Heathrow study, the risks were around 10 to 20 percent higher in areas with highest levels of aircraft noise compared with the areas with least noise.

Stephen Stansfeld, a professor at Queen Mary University of London who was not part of either research team but provided a commentary on their Continued on Page13

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LOCAL

No end in sight for housing predicament ‘We cannot be like Qatar, UAE’ KUWAIT: The housing crisis topped Cabinet discussions on Monday but ministers could not shake a general pessimistic mood towards the issue on hand. The government’s current plans are heavily based on solutions like establishing three new mega housing projects, with the possibility of adopting ‘vertical construction’ or granting citizens apartments instead of houses. However, a Cabinet source told Al-Rai daily that there are “constitutional and legal obstacles which form a barrier that cannot be surpassed in light of the present bureaucracy”.

After the parliament declared the housing crisis as the main issue of discussion when it resumes sessions on October 29, Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Jaber AlMubarak Al-Sabah invited ministers to a late-night meeting on Monday to discuss ways by which the government can speed up housing projects. The source explained that Minister of State for Housing Affairs Salem Al-Othaina made a presentation explaining “several obstacles that stand in the government’s way of finding a solution that meets public needs and goals of both authorities (legislative and executive)”.

According to the source, Minister Al-Othaina argued that neither the Cabinet nor the parliament have the power to overcome the obstacles “with the presence of a constitutional, legal, supervisory and financial system that is connected to the nature of the state’s system”. They include slow, routine work in state departments which translate to sluggish execution of projects.

The minister also outlined the need for amending regulations since current laws do not allow foreign investors to finance housing projects or recruit necessary manpower, and also force employing national manpower “who are too unqualified and inexperienced to be featured in these projects”, according to a source who quoted the minister.

The source also insisted that the government is working to provide a “realistic and applicable” solution to the problem, even if it fell short of meeting public’s ambitions. “We cannot be like Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, for example”, the source admitted. He explained that projects in Kuwait have to be approved by many departments, including the State Audit Bureau, the Central Tenders Commission, the companies’ law, as well as housing, eco-

nomic and financial regulations. “Kuwait also cannot withdraw money from the national reserves to finance projects, and suffers subpar performance at state departments”, the source added. The government has plans to build new residential areas: two in Al-Mutlaa (north of Kuwait City) and one in Al-Khairan (south) with capacities ranging between 40,000 and 60,000 housing units per area. The source hinted that companies will face major difficulties in financing such projects or providing the necessary building material and manpower. The idea of building vertically to address the problem was discussed despite all parties agreeing that it was only a temporary solution, even if the public accepted the idea. The obstacles and discussions featured in Cabinet meetings are expected to be present during parliamentary discussions, according to the source. Kuwait’s housing law indicates that the government must provide a house to a Kuwaiti family within a maximum of five years after an application is submitted, but land scarcity and lack of projects have resulted in the pile up of more than 105,000 pending applications, according to the Public Authority for Housing Welfare records.

News

in brief

Two-week ultimatum LONDON: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah departed the United Kingdom yesterday, heading to the homeland, accompanied by Deputy Chief of the National Guards Sheikh Mishal AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. His Highness the Amir was seen off at the airport by the National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, members of the parliamentary delegation participating in the 129th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union that was held in Geneva, Kuwait’s Ambassador to the UK Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Dwaisan, and members of the Kuwaiti embassy.

Kuwaiti students in Egypt warned against joining demos KUWAIT: Dr Fraih Al-Enezi, Head of Kuwait’s Cultural Office in Cairo, warned Kuwaiti students studying in Egyptian universities against taking part in any demonstrations taking place in Egypt, which is against Egyptian laws. ‘Such practices may hinder your studies’, he warned.

Al-Enezi also urged the students to resume their studies in Egypt, especially now since the security situation has improved.

Commenting on banning military cadets from resuming their studies in Egyptian universities, Al-Enezi stressed

that the decision was taken by the Ministries of Defense and Interior and that he had sent letters to both of them inquiring about the decision but received no reply so far.

Al-Enezi also said that the cultural office helped many bedoon students studying in Egypt and solved many of the problems they faced.

‘We treat bedoon students as citizens, especially since they hold Kuwaiti passports’, he explained, adding that Kuwait’s Embassy also issues special IDs and health insurance cards for bedoon students studying in Egypt.

KUWAIT: Inspectors at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor gave Minister Thekra Al-Rasheedi a two-week ultimatum to meet their demands and threatened to go on a strike otherwise. The inspectors demanded exemption from a fingerprinting system, receiving equal bonuses and transportation apart from other demands.

Drug trader held KUWAIT: Narcotics officials arrested an Arab suspect who had 1.25 kgs of hashish and illicit pills for sale. An undercover agent called the suspect and agreed to meet him at a certain place to buy drugs and caught him red-handed.

Citizen dies KUWAIT: A citizen passed way yesterday while finishing a transaction at Hawalli Immigration Department said security sources.

The man, who seemed exhausted before collapsing with a cardiac arrest, was covered until an ambulance and forensics arrived to the scene, the source added.

KUWAIT: A group photo of honored doctors with Dr Behbehani (center) and other institute officials.

Dasman Diabetes Institute trains interns KUWAIT: The Clinical Skills Center (CSC) at Dasman Diabetes Institute, founded by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, on Tuesday announced the graduation of the first internship program which took place from August 2012 to July 2013.

Under the vision of Dasman Diabetes Institute and Director General Dr Kazem Behbehani, the internship program for senior healthcare science students was formulated under the supervision of Dr Mohammad Abduiwahab, Director of Clinical Skills Center to elevate and train the interns to a higher level of clinical skills and lifechanging experiences.

The Clinical Skills Center is accredited by the American Heart association (AHA) and offers a wide range of medical and non-medical training for healthcare providers and public.

CSC is equipped with the latest advanced technological training equipment and all their instructors are experts in our field. CSC would like to congratulate the interns on the hard work.

KUWAIT: Dr Behbehani and Dr Abdulwahab (right) with an honored doctor.

KUWAIT: Dr Kazim Behbehani (right), Dasman Center Director

Constitutional Court ‘only decider’ on validity of status of MPs KUWAIT: The decision of the legality of the status of a member of parliament is completely in the hands of the Constitutional Court, not the Ministry of Interior, said deputy chief of the Court of Appeals Judge Yusuf AlMutawaa yesterday.

The Ministry of Interior’s role in the elections process ends with its monitoring of the voting procedures at polling stations, and counting the ballots after that and not much more beyond that, he said.

He advised everybody concerned to wait for the Constitutional Court to reveal its rulings regarding those contesting results of the 2013 legislative elections.

He said the Constitutional Court held earlier today a ses-

sion which looked into the results of the ballot counting at polls in the fourth and fifth constituencies and showed these results to those contesting them, claiming them to be inaccurate. Those results were provided by the ministry of Interior. There are 31 more contestations left for the Court to look into when it reconvenes on Oct. 30, he said.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat at the National Assembly (parliament) announced yesterday that the Constitutional Court will send to it two representatives on Sunday, October 20 to examine ballot boxes from the fourth and fifth constituencies to ensure that no irregularities took place in the voting process in the 2013 legislative elections. — KUNA

Firemen put off fire in Jabriya clinics building KUWAIT: Fire fighters extinguished a fire that erupted in a building containing clinics in Jabriya Area late on Tuesday, Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) said. A fireman was taken to hospital after inhaling smoke.

KFSD Deputy Director General for fire fighting and human resources development, Brig Khaled Al-Mekrad said fire engines rushed to the scene and evacuated the building, as well as nearby buildings as a routine precautionary measure.

Fighting fire began from outside the building, he explained, then firemen moved inside the facility until the fire was put off.

An eyewitness who was inside the building said that she called the fire department as soon as she noticed the fire. The firemen arrived at the scene very fast, she added. Al-Mekrad said flammable insulation layer was covered by slim layer of aluminum which contributed to spread of fire from ground floor to upper levels.

An investigation will be opened to know causes of the fire. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The building in which fire erupted on Tuesday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LOCAL

Al-Sayer launches first English-language anatomy encyclopedia BASEL, Switzerland: Kuwait’s former health minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer launched Tuesday the first English-language encyclopedia of “The Fabric of the Human Body,” originally written by Belgian scientist Andreas Vesalius.

Kuwait contributed $1 million to this outstanding academic production, supervised by Karger Publishers, written

by Vesalius in 1543-1555 and includes a comprehensive human anatomical structures, Al-Sayer said.

Al-Sayer, who wrote the introduction of this huge academic reference, said the 14kg encyclopedia also included findings of Muslim anatomy scientists like Abu Bakr Al-Mansour Al-Razi.

“Translating the complete original text from the Latin language into English along with maintaining the highly-precision paintings of description, is a real scientific achievement that we in the State of Kuwait are proud of being part of ; to help reaching researchers and medicine students everywhere,” he added.

Al-Sayer underlined importance of supporting this project because of its scientific and historic value at the medical and cultural levels.

He highlighted how Vesalius used renaissance artists to paint parts of human body “which was an added artistic value.”

The College of Medicine at Kuwait University (KU) will be the first institute in the Arab world receiving the encyclopedia, so researchers and students can make very good use of it, said Al-Sayer.

For her part, Dean of Post-Graduate Studies at KU Dr. Fareeda Al-Awadhi said State of Kuwait has many contributions to culture and science.

“The scientific and medical value of this work is priceless. It is the corner stone in study of medicine, and many books and researchers are based on it with regards to diagnosis and surgery,” she said. The Fabric of the Human Body encyclopedia, added Al-Awadhi, “did not lose its importance despite the massive development of medicine.”

The encyclopedia reflects Kuwait’s contribution to backing science and culture at the Arab and international levels, she said. Director of Karger Publishers, Thomas Karger, praised Kuwait’s contributions to this scientific achievement. “ This invaluable work would not have been out for the world without this support, nor will it be successful without 20 years of translation and examination,” he said.

Karger said he agreed with Al-Sayer and Al-Awadhi that this encyclopedia should maintain its book-like shape not be transformed digital. The reference, he added, included many explanation and punctuation signs, as well as paintings with different sizes. The first edition consists of seven A3-size volumes. The encyclopedia was translated by Daniel Garrison, Emeritus Professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., US, and Malcolm Hast, Emeritus Professor at Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. — KUNA

MoE suffers social workers shortage KUWAIT: Despite the Minister of Education Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf’s speech on the importance of developing educational services, some MoE officials still pose obstacles, said informed educational sources noting that many schools still suffered a lack of social and psychiatric workers who, if found, would not have enough time to carry out their tasks because they are usually asked to do other unrelated work.

The sources also said that more than 13,000 applicants had applied for the position of social workers but none of them passed the interviews despite

some of them having more than 10 years’ experience.

The sources added that the same happened even with women applicants. “ The fac t that all applicants failed to pass the interview raises so many questions since the experience some of them had should have been enough for them to clear the interview easily,” said sources pointing out that opening new schools and an increasing number of students also aggravated the problem. “A single social worker cannot deal with over 400 students”, they added. — Al-Jarida

KUWAIT: Traffic department continued its campaign yesterday in the industrial area of Shuwaikh, resulting in issuing 200 traffic citations, impounding 55 cars and arrest of three persons. — Photos by Hanan Al-Saadoun

Sheep prices shoot up as Eid Al-Adha nears Syria situation affects industry

By Nawara Fattahova KUWAIT: Every year before Eid Al-Adha, the market price of cattle like sheep, goats, lambs or cows increase owing to high demand. Cattle is bought for the customary sacrifice and subsequent distribution amongst poorer Muslims. Every year, cattle prices get hiked and this year is no exception. The origin and kind of cattle plays a very important role in determining the price. Prices also differ from one company and trader to another.

There are many reasons for price hikes. “The political situation in Syria affected the cattle industry in Kuwait. The decrease in the availability of cattle, especially sheep, has forced people in Kuwait to opt for a local breed despite being expensive. The price hike of fodder from KD 2.5 to KD 4.75 is also another reason for the hike” said Salah Al-Hatem who has been breeding sheep for almost a year.

Different kinds of sheep mean different rates.

“People always complain of high prices. So if they just want to sacrifice out of religious obligation, they can pick a cheaper kind. I sell the Australian variety at KD 60-70, hybrid ones at KD 85, Iranian variety at KD 90, Shfali from Iraq at KD 100, and the most expensive being Arabic Naeimi which costs KD 150160. The price depends on the day it’s sold, the most expensive being on Waqfa day after which the price drops around Eid,” Al-Hatem told the Kuwait Times.

Al-Hatem explained that the seller plays an important role as it is difficult and sometimes impossible for most people to recognize the sheep’s breed and in such cases, they’re taken for a ride by the seller. Prices are also determined by the meat’s taste and age plays an important role as younger sheep are considered more delicious, which automatically makes it more expensive than an adult. If the sheep

was bred in Kuwait, no matter where it is bought from, it will have a local flavor.

Homoud Al-Mutairi from the Marai National Company said he has local breed sheep but doesn’t have any from Saudi or Australia. “We used to have Australian sheep, but after the Australian Sheep Protection Committee banned slaughtering sheep outside the slaughter houses, we are not allowed to sell them to any third party, except for the charity organization we’re dealing with. There is a ban on importing Saudi sheep, so we sell Shfali sheep instead. But unfortunately, shipment has been delayed and the breed is still not available. The Syrian variety is available as we imported them

almost three months in advance. It’s been about a month now and Syrian sheep isn’t being imported into the country” he pointed out.

According to him, there isn’t a huge difference in the price compared to last year. “The increase in price is less than 10 percent, which is about KD 4-6 in our company. The most popular sheep variety now are the Shfali, Syrian, Jordanian, and Iranian apart from other local ones. We are cooperating with charities who buy the sheep and distribute them to families in need. We maintain the same prices on all days because we don’t want to exploit people and we also provide delivery options for our customers” said Al-Mutairi.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LOCAL kuwait digest

kuwait digest

Time to change women’s place in Arab World

Unification of citizenship

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

T

he decision taken by the parliament’s legislative committee to reject a proposal that calls for unifying classifications of the Kuwaiti citizenship is an unforgivable mistake in my opinion. Not only because the proposal is necessary to achieve cohesion that we have missed over spread of sectarianism and tribalism, but also because it tackles a national issue of critical importance which the committee members should have at least left to the entire parliament to decide.

Kuwait’s citizenship law divided Kuwaitis into ‘nationals by origins’ and those who were naturalized later. This division was perhaps necessary when the naturalization process star ted. Today, everyone is supposed to be considered equal as they already are, according to the Kuwaiti Constitution and democratic system, and they should enjoy equal rights accordingly. Those who the committee believes are not worthy of enjoying full rights as Kuwaiti citizens shouldn’t be naturalized to begin with.

It is strange to see the committee reject the proposal categorically without even attempting to amend it.

Even if they had their reasons to reject it, I believe that whatever reasons they had would have only given them the right to amend the draft law to address their concerns. They could otherwise have referred the proposal to the parliament and allowed the entire assembly to adopt the required amendments.

Kuwait’s citizenship law divided Kuwaitis into ‘nationals by origins’ and those who were naturalized later. This division was perhaps necessary when the naturalization process started. Today, everyone is supposed to be considered equal as they already are, according to the Kuwaiti Constitution and democratic system, and they should enjoy equal rights accordingly.

Those who the committee believes are not worthy of enjoying full rights as Kuwaiti citizens shouldn’t be naturalized to begin with.

The worst case was when the Interior Ministry misinterpreted the naturalization law and deprived children of naturalized citizens of full rights. The law identifies the Kuwaiti citizen as he or she ‘who is born of a Kuwaiti father’. This means that a child born to a naturalized citizen should automatically be considered Kuwaiti as long as they are born after the father received the citizenship. But the Interior Ministry has a different interoperation as children of naturalized citizens are always classified as ‘naturalized’, instead of ‘nationals by origins’ and this process continues across generations.

Unifying Kuwaiti citizenship or in other words eliminating the unconstitutional and undemocratic discrimination among citizens is a pressing demand necessary to achieve modern cohesion between citizens of this country. It is also a reality because citizenship law does not differentiate between Kuwaitis who are born to a Kuwaiti dad. — Al-Qabas

Al-Anbaa

By Tariq Al-Mubarak

kuwait digest

Development propaganda

By Dr Wael Al-Hasawi

P

romises of development are always made but in reality the developed country we wish to see is just a dream far from being achieved.

Kuwait has unfortunately never given importance and has even neglected strategic development which is required at all stages to accomplish a goal or complete a challenge. The current situation also doesn’t promise changes as the country faces regression, as indicated by regional and international organizations which analyze the reasons for obstacles.

Compared to other GCC countries, Kuwait’s ranking is very low in competitive indicators like FFP. Kuwait stood in the 127th place, while other Gulf countries like UAE, Qatar and Oman’s ranking varied between 137-143 among 185 countries. As for transparency and governance in the fields of oil and gas indicators, Iraq and Egypt were ahead of Kuwait RGI 2013 as Kuwait was 42nd out of 58 countries while Norway was in first place. As for the International Bank report with regard to the countries known for ease of trade in 2013, Kuwait ranked low while other Gulf countries were way ahead.

It is certain that Kuwait is not in the best developmental situation, as regression is pretty much prevalent in all fields. If development is measured by the number of statements on development and budgets allocated for it, Kuwait would be on top of the list of countries which “intend to develop”.

There are many international and regional establishments that belong to the United Nations, International Bank, International Monetary Fund and others that present many developmental indicators that may be biased and not objective.

The development issue in the country is not suffering because of the lack of a good political system but because of rare technical personnel who are unable to fulfill the Amir ’s wish and strategy launched in 2008 for a developed Kuwait. The most unfortunate has been that these development plans in the country have become attesting ground for the state ministry of development affair and other departments. There are some ministers who deal with development in a way which contradicts development strategies while others don’t consider it a national priority.

The deteriorating developmental aspect makes

me pessimistic towards the possibility of the National Assembly being able to fulfill goals that became a priority after a survey was conducted. This is a warning that these development plans will take the country behind by a few steps instead of taking it into the future.

What was published in Al-Qabas a few days ago about development proves that 96 percent of development is propaganda and empty promises and there is no doubt that the minister of state for development affairs may dream of rosy things without substance but surely has plans which are being cooked on low fire. — Al-Qabas

The development issue in the country is not suffering because of the lack of a good political system but because of rare technical personnel who are unable to fulfill the Amir’s wish and strategy launched in 2008 for a developed Kuwait. The most unfortunate has been that these development plans in the country have become attesting ground for the state ministry of development affair and other departments. There are some ministers who deal with development in a way which contradicts development strategies while others don’t consider it a national priority.

kuwait digest

Reinvention of Assad regime

By Osama Al-Sharif

A

week is a long time in politics as recent developments in the Syrian crisis have demonstrated. Only a few weeks ago US President Barack Obama was threatening to launch a military strike against Syria in retaliation for its alleged use of chemical weapons against its people, which killed over 1,000 and injured hundreds.

American naval ships were gathering in the East Mediterranean and the world braced itself for political and military fallout from an imminent strike. But at the 11th hour a proposal from US Secretary of State John Kerry on Syria’s chemical arsenal changed things dramatically.

Tension between Russia and the US soon subsided. The two sides worked on a UN Security Council resolution to disarm Syria’s chemical weapons. The resolution avoided reference to the use of force and it was adopted unanimously. Syria welcomed these developments. It committed itself to provide immediate information on its chemical weapons sites.

A few days ago, UN inspectors began the first stage of destroying Syria’s 1,000-ton stockpile of chemical weapons. For the first time since the Syrian crisis erupted more than two and half years ago the US had positive things to say about Syria.

During this week’s meetings with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Bali, Indonesia, Kerry offered praise for the regime of Bashar Assad.

He said Assad’s regime deserves credit for its speedy compliance thus far with the UN Security Council resolution calling for the elimination of chemical weapons.

Both men had also agreed that the Syrian crisis can only be resolved through diplomacy by holding the Geneva II conference, hopefully in November. The threat of force is no more. It became apparent that Washington and Moscow shared a similar perspective on the Syrian issue. It was a remarkable turn of events - one that undermined the Syrian opposition’s efforts to depose Assad. In Damascus, recent developments were viewed as a victory to the regime.

Pundits spoke of a secret deal between the US and Russia over Syria. President Assad did not waste time. He gave interviews to Western media in which he presented his arguments over what was happening in his country. He admitted that he had made mistakes and that regime forces may have been involved in massacres. He also defended his government’s deci-

sion to dismantle its chemical stockpiles and said that he was ready to run for re-elections if his people asked for it.

It soon appeared that Assad was rehabilitating himself. He is now the one calling for negotiations and his Foreign Minister

Pundits spoke of a secret deal between the US and Russia over Syria. President Assad did not waste time. He gave interviews to Western media in which he presented his arguments over what was happening in his country. He admitted that he had made mistakes and that regime forces may have been involved in massacres. He also defended his government’s decision to dismantle its chemical stockpiles and said that he was ready to run for re-elections if his people asked for it.

Walid Al-Muallem reiterated that Damascus supports the convening of Geneva II without prior conditions. Syria’s diplomatic offensive left his foes stunned. The US about-face was a major development that angered Washington’s Gulf allies.

If a deal has been struck between Russia and the US to allow Assad to remain in power, at least for now, then it would be based on three main factors.

One: Syria’s agreement to dismantle its chemical weapons is a major breakthrough. It would take at least a year to complete and it cannot be done without Assad’s presence and compliance. Until that mission is concluded successfully the regime will have to be tolerated, especially that it now supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.

Second: Washington now agrees that Syria cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of extremists. Recent developments in the north, where the Jihadist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) overran areas under the control of the secular Free Syrian Army (FSA) and allegedly committed atrocities, have underlined the dangers of AlQaeda-linked groups fighting in Syria. Similar confrontations had taken place between the FSA and another extremist group, Jabhat Al-Nusra.

Third: The recent thaw in relations between Washington and Tehran and the latter’s offer to seek a political deal over its nuclear program cannot be separated from developments in Syria. Iran is a strong supporter of the Assad regime and it has offered to help in resolving the crisis there. The Syrian card will feature in upcoming talks between Iran and the West. Iran would not want to see its regional influence recede and Washington knows this.

Israel, too, may want the Assad regime to remain for a bit longer. It is strategically imperative for Tel Aviv that Syria’s chemical threat be neutralized. Under a weakened Assad Syria poses no threat to Israel. A deal that allows Assad to remain in power may eventually entice Damascus to become part of a peace settlement being negotiated now between Israel and the Palestinians.

The US, which never advocated regime change, may now think that Assad can be reinvented or rehabilitated. So far he has been able to turn things around.

But it would be wrong to say that he will emerge as winner in the end. War continues to destroy Syria and the specter of losing large chunks of the country to his opponents is real. The regime has managed to buy precious time, but recent gains will not last for long.

E

very part of the world has seen changes in women’s social status at different times in history. The authoritarian male-female relationship, which entails men viewing women as their property, once existed in Europe. Not that long ago, women in Europe gained the right to vote-and we can say the same thing

Tens of thousands of female students are learning what independence means, due to the several years they spend studying in the West. Young people, both men and women, have become responsible for building their personalities and giving a special meaning to their lives. This new selfregard is crucial to forming their hopes for the future, and it cannot be ignored simply because it is a cultural trait, especially in an open world such as ours today. about China prior to the Cultural Revolution. In the Arab world, we all know that women in general went through similar stages with regards to the right to education and work. Therefore, women in the Gulf are no different from their sisters elsewhere, apart from the delay in giving them their rights and reforming the patriarchal relationships between men and women. For decades, Gulf societies-and this varies from one Gulf state to another-have been fiercely fighting for women to receive no more than basic schooling.

Due to the influences of both globalization and mass communication, we have shifted to a new lifestyle where it is no longer possible to prevent change. Therefore, it is no longer possible to use terms like “Westernization” or to speak of ways to counteract that Western trend, as they both belong to the period of history where it was possible to control the scale of mutual influence among people around the world. Today, we find ourselves face-to-face with a new generation of women-women who are open to the world and who constantly draw comparisons between lifestyles in the Arab world and the West, thanks to the media and their experiences of studying abroad.

Tens of thousands of female students are learning what independence means, due to the several years they spend studying in the West.

Young people, both men and women, have become responsible for building their personalities and giving a special meaning to their lives.

This new self-regard is crucial to forming their hopes for the future, and it cannot be ignored simply because it is a cultural trait, especially in an open world such as ours today.

Those monitoring the language of women on social networks right now will notice a tone indicative of suppressed anger that results from the difference between their own sense of self and their position in the current social system.

Their anger largely wells up from the need to recognize the individuality of women in the world we live in today, whether we like it or not.

This individuality is being violated in several ways. Women are viewed as a burden on men in many dealings with the government. They are unable to move around the cities in which they live unaccompanied by a man due to a lack of public transportation or restrictions on women driving cars. They sign up to a broken system of marriage -broken because of the values on which it was established and its authoritarian nature. And that is not to mention other issues, including divorce and child custody.

We need to reconsider some concepts of Islamic jurisprudence, keeping in mind the human dignity that has been endorsed by all religions.

Some members of our societies have already objected to changes made in the status of women, such as allowing them to be educated and awarding them scholarships to study abroad. These detractors base their arguments on exaggerated assumptions and fears aimed at undermining key human rights. And after these changes have been made, their assumptions have been shown to be mere exaggerationsexaggerations made at the expense of a large part of society.

It is high time we moved forward with bringing about change, in order to live up to the aspirations of this promising generation of Gulf women.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LOCAL

Kuwait supportive of UN social care efforts Grants, loans and technical aid

KUWAIT: The ambassador of Canada visited Kuwait Tmes this week and discussed matters of mutual concern with Editor- In - Chief Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan.

Kuwait commends UN decision to lift freeze on Dawah Committee NEW YORK: A decision to lift the sanctions ban on the Islamic Society for Social Reform’s Dawah Committee was praised by Kuwait yesterday, reversing a decision made by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee last September.

This came in a speech of Kuwait’s Permanent delegation to the UN, delivered by First Secretary, Mashaan AlAjmi, before the General Assembly’s Legal Committee at its 68th session, during the discussion of “Measures to eliminate international terrorism.”

Al-Ajmi said that the decision “certified the transparency of Kuwait’s charity work, and the transparency of support presented by Kuwait to humanitarian work, especially that the State of Kuwait only supports humanitarian work,” stressing that Kuwaiti associations and charities” operate with full transparency all around the world with great contributions in the aim of alleviating the suffering of the poor.”

Kuwait is keen on supporting humanitarian efforts around the world and help humanitarian organizations and institutions to carry out charity work. The State of Kuwait responded to the UN Secretar y General Ban Kimoon’s call to host an international donors conference to support the Syrian people, held on Jan 30, 2013, AlAjmi highlighted.

He also pointed out that the confer-

ence attracted worldwide attention at all levels and the commitment of the participating countries succeeded in the conference to collect $1.5 billion, Kuwait’s contribution was $300 million, The full amount was handed over to UN specialized agencies.

Al-Ajmi said “Our brotherly Syrian people suffer greatly from a worsening humanitarian crisis which led to the increase in the number of Syrian refugees, leaving two million people suffering the brunt of displacement.”

The State of Kuwait condemns “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in whatever form or category, committed by whomever, and for whatever purposes,” Al-Ajmi said.

Stressing at the same time that terror is not linked to religion or nationality, civilization or ethnic groups, calling on all States to take effective measures to combat the spread of terrorism, including the long-standing conflicts that have not yet been solved in many states, in addition to the abuse of human rights, lack of good governance. Al-Ajmi added that Kuwait “condemns the terrorist acts recently witnessed in Iraq and Kenya.”

The State of Kuwait “values the draft Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism,” Al-Ajmi said, stressing on the importance that such conventions define the true meaning of terrorism. — KUNA

NEW YORK: The State of Kuwait has underscored its support of the United Nations’ efforts and its specialized agencies in the development of measures to provide social welfare for all categories of the world ‘s population, including children, young people, elderly and the disabled.

This came in Kuwait’s speech delivered by Kuwait’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations Alia Abdullah Al-Mozaini before the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee of the UN General Assembly at its 58th session last night. The committee discussed the issue of social development, including questions relating to the social situation in the world, youth, elderly and disabled persons and family matters.

She added that while the international community is preparing to celebrate in 2014 the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the Kuwaiti government encourages the establishment of effective partnerships to support the development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs geared towards the family.

She explained that such a system of social protection within an integrated framework for all would limit the spread of inequality, lack of

business school based in Fontainebleau.

Abu Dhabi is busy constructing a Norman Foster-designed Zayed National Museum, a Louvre by Jean Nouvel, a Guggenheim by Frank Gehry, a maritime museum by Tadao Ando and a concert hall by Zaha Hadid. The city’s airport is home to the multiple-award-winning Etihad Airways and is undergoing a major expansion to be completed by 2017 that will add a total floor area exceeding that of the Pentagon and the capacity to service 40 million passengers.

And it’s not just about oil. Abu Dhabi’s non-oil sector is estimated to have reached $107 billion in 2012, making up 43.5% of the economy of the emirate.

While much of the region was embroiled in wars, Dubai transformed itself from a fishing village to a global capital of business and trade in a matter of a few decades. Dubai, home to the world’s tallest tower, man-made islands and cutting-edge infrastructure, is today the embodiment of a global city with more than 200 nationalities and a constant stream of arriving immigrants. The city is a near-certain winner of the soonto-be-announced World Expo 2020, which will catalyze development even further. Referred to as the “Center of the World,” Dubai, home of Emirates Airlines and a top-five global airport, attracted Arabs from across the world with its array of free zones that cater to media, IT, finance and various other industries, earning the praise of the UN Arab Human Development Report as early as 2002. Sharjah, perhaps kicking off this eastwardly gravitational shift, became the first Gulf city to be designated the

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait organized an Eid Al-Adha celebration at the Palliative Care Center as part of its events to share the joy of the holidays with patients throughout the year.

Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which was established in 1961, stemming from its belief in the “importance of concerted joint efforts and shared responsibilities as an international community to improve the welfare of peoples of the world and the quality of their lives.”

On the national level, Al-Mozaini pointed out that Kuwait stresses the need to promote youth issues and to encourage national initiatives put forward by young people, within a long-term future vision based on the support of the partnership between the government and the private sector, and aims to strengthen young people’s roles and activities through adoptingtheir initiatives in the establishment of small businesses.

With respect to the elderly, she said that Kuwait was keen to pay attention to this category and to provide ways to comfort it, saying that the country celebrates the annual World Day for the Elderly in honor of their role in society.

On the issue of people with disabilities, AlMozainy said that Kuwait’s accession into ‘Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ last August “reflects the clear political will to support this category.” — KUNA

Kuwait touts Budapest Water Summit BUDAPEST: Kuwaiti Minister of Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim said yesterday that Kuwait is keen on implementing the recommendations and resolutions of the United Nations and supports participating in international meetings and conferences.

Al-Ibrahim said on the sidelines of the second day of the Budapest Water Summit currently being held here that Kuwait will attend certainly the Water Conference called for by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon next year, expressing hope for a high-level participation.

He added that the multiplicity of such conferences concerned with the problem of water and ways to find solutions to them is a sign of how important the water issue is to the nations of the world. With regard to to his bilateral meetings, the Kuwaiti Minister said that he would hold a series of meetings with his counterparts from the participating countries, pointing out that last night he held talks with his Albanian counterpart, which he described as fruitful, during which the two ministers tackled ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Kuwait and Albania and how to take advantage of Albania’s experience in the management, distribution and rationalization of water.

Al-Ibrahim said that the Albanian side expressed

Gulf cities emerge as new centers of Arab world DUBAI: An old Arab saying goes, “Cairo writes, Beirut publishes and Baghdad reads.” These three capitals, along with Damascus, were long the hubs of culture and education in the Arab world. Arabs from across the region flocked to these cities to study and work. Sculptures such as the 1958 Monument of Freedom in Baghdad by the great Iraqi artist Jawad Salim and “Egypt’s Renaissance,” unveiled in 1928 in Giza by the pioneering artist Mahmoud Mokhtar, embodied the ambitions of these Arab cities.

However, over the past few years, as these traditional Arab capitals became more embroiled in civil strife, a new set of cities started to emerge in the Gulf, establishing themselves as the new centers of the Arab world. Abu Dhabi, its sister emirates of Dubai and Sharjah and the Qatari capital, Doha, have developed as the nerve center of the contemporary Arab world’s culture, commerce, design, architecture, art and academia, attracting hundreds of thousands of Arab immigrants, including academics, businessmen, journalists, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs and medical professionals.

While these Gulf cities may be unable to compete with their Arab peers in terms of political dynamism, in almost every other sense they have far outstripped their sister cities in North Africa and the Levant. Abu Dhabi City, with its massive GDP of $248 billion that outweighs any other Arab country save Saudi Arabia, has embarked on a cultural renaissance program that includes opening campuses of world-class universities such as New York University, Paris’ prestigious Sorbonne and INSEAD, the top-10 global

equality of opportunities, exclusion and poor distribution of social services, without being a substitute for measures of structural reforms necessary.

Al-Mozaini stressed the importance of a comprehensive awareness through an educational strategy that focuses on the principles of social justice and respect for human rights.

She pointed out that the only way to get to the promotion of development in different parts of the world is the commitment of the international community on what has been agreed upon in the various United Nations conferences on development, particularly Rio+20 on Sustainable Development which was held in 2012, which is an opportunity to support and promote the integration of social and environmental and economic dimensions, and make them at the heart of the development agenda beyond 2015, which is the hope sought by the international community to achieve.

She pointed to the grants, loans and technical aid provided by the State of Kuwait to support projects of social and economic development in more than 100 countries in different continents of the world through the Kuwait

“Cultural Capital of the Arab World” by UNESCO in 1998, the very same year the emirate inaugurated the reputable American University of Sharjah. Sharjah also hosts a prestigious art biennial, book fair and more than 20 museums of various specialties. These cities of the United Arab Emirates, said to attract 15,000 Arab immigrants a month, are collectively seen, according to a recent survey, as the destination of choice for young Arabs across the region and the country that young Arabs want their own to emulate.

Doha, home of Qatar Airways and the soon-to-be-opened Hamad International Airport, plays host to top US universities such as Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, Weill Cornell Medical College and Carnegie Mellon University, among many others. Doha, the biggest exporter of liquid gas in the world and host of the 2022 World Cup, also hosts an I.M. Peidesigned Museum of Islamic Art, the Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, an upcoming Orientalist Art Museum and a national museum designed by Jean Novel. Doha and the United Arab Emirates, hosts of the two most widely watched Arab news channels, have not only excelled in terms of infrastructure.

According to the latest UN Human Development Report, the Emirates and Qatar were the only two Arab states that ranked in the “Very High Human Development” category that is based on excellence in health, education and income levels.

Naturally, such a high-speed development in these Gulf cities comes with its own set of unintended consequences and challenges.

These include the exploitation of labor by some and the degradation of the natural environment. The Gulf cities, however, have taken various steps to counter such issues due to more local awareness and international urging.

Decades of underinvestment and fullblown civil wars have resulted in the historic Arab cities of North Africa and the Levant having poor and inadequate infrastructure, from archaic roads to outdated academic curricula and teaching methods. However, the traditional Arab capitals may be down now but they certainly aren’t out.

These cities that dominated the Arab psyche for decades in the 20th century are rich in culture and human and natural resources.

Nonetheless, if and when they begin the process of turning their fortunes around, they will encounter an Arab-world landscape dominated by the new, formidable Gulf cities that have set a standard that is hard to match not only regionally, but on a global scale. — Al-Monitor

BUDAPEST: Kuwaiti Minister of Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim pictured in Budapest. desire to intensify Kuwait’s investment projects in lenges facing the whole world which resulted from the field of water with his country, noting that he fierce competition between industry and agricul(Al-Ibrahim) expressed Kuwait’s readiness to ture. Water is key to sustainable development and enhance such cooperation during a visit to Kuwait the world can not live without water which was important for humans’ health, food security and by the Albanian minister.

Al-Ibrahim pointed to the UN Secretary General economic growth, according to Ban. He added that the conferees also tackled the Ban ki-moon’s speech during the opening of the summit in which he warned against big water chal- issue of contaminated water. — KUNA

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LOCAL

‘Sex workers’ made KD 20,000 during 4-day stay in Kuwait Foul play suspected in man’s death

Zain distributes Hajj Supplies to pilgrims The company distributes supplies among campaigns and pilgrims travelling by road KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced today that it has distributed Hajj supplies to more than 40 Hajj campaigns which are officially certified by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs as well as to pilgrims heading to the Holy Land through the Port Salmi road. This initiative comes in line with Zain’s annual corporate social responsibility strategy to provide ease to pilgrims during this holy season.

The company stated that through this initiative it is highlighting its commitment to providing pilgrims with supplies that would decrease their worries during their journey and to ease up the process of Hajj.

Additionally, this initiative further reinforces Zain’s dedication of keeping pilgrims and visitors of the Holy Mosque as calm and comfortable as possible when performing their religious rituals.

This ongoing support is very important to the company and so as care, which resembles one of the Zain’s core pillars. The

company stressed that it is delighted to contribute Hajj supplies during this very special time.

The company explained that it has distributed Hajj kits to more than 40 accredited campaigns whereby Zain’s team were present at the Salmi Port to distribute the supplies to pilgrims traveling by land.

While the company confirmed that it’s constantly striving to present the community with initiatives and social activities that serve their customers’ best interest, this initiative came to highlight Zain’s utmost concern about the comfort of people travelling to perform their Hajj. This year’s Hajj season initiative is considered one of those vital campaigns that is designed to meet pilgrims expectations and to share the blessings with the wider Kuwaiti society.

For more information about Zain’s sponsorships and initiatives customers are advised to visit the company’s website on www.kw.zain.com, or visit the company’s social media channels.

AAW provides food aid to 13,000 Egyptian families

KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Initiative for Supporting the Egyptian People, a recent initiative in partnership with the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, today welcomed a contribution by Ali Abdulwahab Al-Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) to its Egypt Food Aid project, which alone will help secure meals for more than 13,000 Egyptian families for an entire month.

Based on a report by Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, Egypt is facing serious food security concerns as the country is grappling with political instability.

These recent studies have also shown that food inflation is currently at 20 percent, and Egypt’s supply of imported wheat remaining in its reserves is expected to last less than two months. AAW Chairman and Managing Director, Faisal Al-Mutawa said: “Many families are suffering as a result of the instability in Egypt. Our contribution stems from our belief in the basic humanitarian right to shelter and food. We hope that our contribution to the Kuwaiti Initiative for Supporting the Egyptian People will make a difference for the lives of Egyptians.” “AAW will continue to support the remarkable work and efforts of Kuwait-based NGOs who assist and aid people in Kuwait, the region and around the world.”

AAW has an on-going commitment in CSR in more than half a dozen fields. In the last 10 years, AAW has contributed yearly to NGOs like: Hayatt Breast Cancer Foundation, the Human Rights Watch, and the Women’s Social and Cultural Society for causes like breast cancer awareness, helping children with terminal illnesses, and aid to Syrian families.

The Kuwaiti Initiative for Supporting the Egyptian People was initiated by a group of Kuwaitis last month. The group partnered with one of the leading NGO’s, Kuwait Red Crescent,

to help underprivileged families in Egypt with meals. The initiative focuses on the poor areas across Egypt, especially cities and villages with a large population living under the poverty line. Chairman of the Kuwaiti Initiative for Supporting the Egyptian People, Adlah AlSayer said: “Statistics show that two-fifths of the Egyptian population is currently living on the poverty line, many of them not being able to secure meals for themselves and for their families for days as a result of the country’s current instability. Today, the situation is getting worse as 4,500 factories have been shutdown, leaving hundreds of thousands of people with no income.

“We thank AAW for their generous contribution that will help thousands of families. We hope to raise more funds for this project in the months to come.” The Kuwait Red Crescent is now accepting your donations for the Egypt Food Aid project by Kuwaiti Initiative for Supporting the Egyptian People on their accounts: 1000314259.

Ali Abdulwahab Al Mutawa Commercial Co. (AAW) is an international group, considered as one of the largest trading and commercial companies in the Middle East, representing over forty different global brands in the surging Middle East retail and consumer goods market.

AAW is a diversified group of companies successfully operating across a range of continuously growing sectors like Consumer Goods, Pharmaceuticals, Furniture and Carpets, Real Estate, Kitchen Furniture, Home Appliances, Outdoor Gear, Sports and Fashion, and having various world class brands in its portfolio like P&G, Pfizer, Nike, TAF, Crocs, Curves, Puma, Reebok, Prince, Shoebox New York, among many others.

KUWAIT: Kuwaiti police arrested two ‘sex workers’ who said that they have made more than KD 20,000 in only four days since they came to the country on “business trips”. The arrests were made on Tuesday at a Salmiya hotel where the t wo European nationals planned to stay during the Eid Al-Adha holidays to “offer their services” to clients who hired their services online. According to a security source, probe started after investigators from the M orals I nvestigation Department in the Interior Ministry followed up on two women promoting their sex activity in Kuwait.

The information received also indicated that the two women are ranked 7th and 13th on a pornographic website where people can subscribe and pay money to spend time with any of the women listed.

According to the source, the detectives subscribed to the websites and obtained the address where the two women were staying.

They headed to the hotel with arrest warrants and arrested them.

The price rate offered at the website ranged between KD 300 per hour spent with a woman, KD 600 for two hours and KD 2,500 for an entire day. Investigations indicated that the woman who was ranked 7th received 16 customers while the other had 13 customers since they arrived to the country four days before their arrest.

They further provided full lists which had names of customers from several Gulf states who they were supposed to meet during the upcoming holiday. The two, who investigations revealed had arrived to Kuwait on commercial visas, remain in custody pending deportation while investigations are ongoing to arrest their clients.

Youth attacked A case was filed Tuesday after a man iden-

tified as the brother of a youngster who stabbed his father to death on Monday, was stabbed during the senior citizen’s funeral.

The incident took place at the Sulaibikhat cemetery and was described as “retaliation” as the attacker was identified as one of the dead man’s relatives. The killer’s brother was hospitalized and his condition was described as stable. The killer had earlier claimed selfdefense and explained that he was trying to stop his father from beating up his mother and sister when he stabbed him to death.

Foul play Investigations are ongoing in the death of a senior citizen who is believed to have been beaten to death by unknown suspects. The Kuwaiti man was pronounced dead on Tuesday at Far waniya Hospital where he stayed after being admitted in a critical condition. According to the case filed by the victim’s son, the man was dropped off outside their private proper t y in K abd by t wo unknown suspects who escaped immediately afterwards. The son rushed home on receiving a call and admitted his father at the hospital where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding in his right ear in addition to multiple injuries. He was comatose in the ICU for a while before succumbing to his injuries.

Investigations are on.

‘Blood in flat’ Hawally detectives are looking into a case involving a family which left an apartment only one day after they rented it on finding blood all over the apartment. The case was filed at the Salmiya police station where the building’s manager said that he found blood all over the apartment after the family left.

According to his testimony, a Kuwaiti man had rented the apartment with his wife and child for a day, but went to him in a “hysterical state”

the next day, gave him the key and ran away without paying the rent. Investigations are ongoing.

Child molester S earch is on for a child molester who reportedly abused a student at a Hawally institute recently. The case was filed at the Hawally police station where a man reported that his eight-year-old daughter was molested by her Arabic teacher. Police obtained information of the suspect and investigations are underway to arrest him.

Suicide attempt A man was hospitalized in a critical condition after he attempted suicide. Paramedics and police rushed to a Salmiya apartment after a man reported that his roommate consumed rat poison in a bid to kill himself. The man was unconscious when he was taken from the scene but his condition stabilized later at Mubarak Hospital. The man’s roommate cited financial troubles as the likely motive behind the Egyptian’s suicide attempt.

License forgery Two service center employees and four company representatives were arrested for distributing forged licenses. According to an Interior Ministry insider familiar with the case, t h e a r re s t s we re m a d e o n t h e o rd e r s o f Undersecretary Assistant for Traffic Affairs, Major General Abdulfattah Al-Ali who discovered dozens of forged licenses. Police summoned the representatives based on information provided by expatriates who obtained the licenses. The representatives confessed that they collected KD 400 for each license that they issued through two service center employees who collected KD 100 per license as commission. The women employees were arrested and admitted their crime.

Pakistan, Kuwait hold first round of political consultations ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Kuwaiti diplomats held their first round of political consultations at the Foreign Ministry, and agreed to diversify and enhance promotion of investments, said an official press release on Tuesday.

Director of Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry’s Asia Department Ambassador Mohammad Al-Roumi co-chaired the round with Naela Chohan, Additional Foreign Secretary at the Foreign Ministry, the release noted. The two sides, meet-

ing at the foreign ministry, agreed to diversify and enhance cooperation in areas of mutual interest including promotion of investments, holding of Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting and completion of development projects under Kuwait Fund. The first round of bilateral political consultations coincided with the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Kuwait. The two sides recommended establishment of links between the

Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Ministry of Labour of Kuwait to facilitate export of Pakistani skilled labour force to Kuwait. The two sides also emphasized the need for regular high-level exchanges including of parliamentary delegations as well as private sector visits, the press release added.

The diplomats also discussed bilateral relations, exchanged views over regional and international issues of mutual interest. — KUNA

Campaign launched for breast cancer awareness KUWAIT: Having a direct contact with so many women across the country and the region, AlJothen Galler y in conjunction with the International Clinic held its breast cancer awareness press conference to support and enhance the fact of saving lives through early detection and assist women by increasing awareness through education and providing diagnostic breast cancer services throughout its October campaigns. “As a premier beauty and wellness corporation, we collaborate with organizations that provide solutions to save lives and live healthy, as we believe that one needs to be healthy, to be beautiful...”, Al-Jothen quotes.

Dr Yasser Al-Adly from the International Clinic, specialized in general laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, advised attending VIP women to have a screening mammogram every year, especially if they are above the age of 40, as the survival rate in early stages detection is extremely high and can relatively be guaranteed. He continued to emphasize on the importance of discussing Genetic screening with the specialized doctor, if any woman has a significant family history of breast cancer, highlighting that genetic markers took the stage when Angelina Jolie had breast surgery based on her genetic risk for cancer. Dr Adly proceeded to ensure that eating healthy, breast feeding longer, giving birth in 20s, monitoring estrogen intake in supplements and anti-smoking help protect against

breast cancer. The press conference was followed by a “Question & Answer” session whereby Dr Adly validated that Breast Cancer Awareness will work for you if you learn what to look for and then what to do...

Al Jothen Gallery continues to play a major role within its social community so as to revive awareness towards health and beauty, for each and ever y woman of you to stay safe, live healthy and feel beautiful.

Landmark Group launches ‘Beat Diabetes’ Walkathon KUWAIT: Landmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality conglomerate, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Dasman Diabetes Institute announced the 4th edition of the ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathon in Kuwait. The Walk will be held on Saturday, Nov 16. It will begin at 9 am from The Yacht Club and end at Green Island.

Open to all age groups, the 3.1km walk is organized to raise awareness about diabetes, which affects over 371 million people worldwide. Participation in the walkathon is free of charge and all walkers are given complimentary t-shirts, caps and a healthy breakfast.

Qualified trainers will lead a mass warm-up session prior to the walk.

Free blood glucose test will be conducted during the walk and also on Oct 31 and Nov 1 and 2 across Centrepoint stores in Kuwait.

Saibal Basu, Chief Operating Officer, Landmark Group, Kuwait said, “The aim of the Beat Diabetes initiative is to raise awareness about the rising prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, especially in children and adolescents. The program also aims to motivate people to follow a healthy and active

lifestyle and regularly take the blood glucose test. We are very pleased to announce the fourth edition of the walk and urge everyone in the community to come forward on Nov 16 to support this cause.”

Beat Diabetes is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Landmark Group that aims to spread awareness about the causes, effects and management of this condition. Since 2009, when the Group launched this initiative, annual ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathons are conducted in the month of November during the World Diabetes Awareness month across the GCC and in India.

This year the ‘Beat Diabetes’ campaign will be promoted through various media including newspapers, magazines, radio and Facebook. People can also register for the walk through the Beat Diabetes website www.beatdiabetes.me or across all Centrepoint stores.

In 2012, the Landmark Group’s ‘Beat Diabetes’ walkathon attracted over 45,000 people and over 75,000 people took the free blood glucose test across seven countries.

With an ardent belief that creating awareness is crucial to take control of diabetes, the Group continues to undertake various activities year round to “Beat Diabetes”.

Diabetes is growing at an alarming rate and currently affects over millions worldwide.

Landmark Group adopted the ‘Beat Diabetes’ initiative with a focused view to spread awareness on the causes, effects and dangers of the condition. Launched in 2009, the initiative today encompasses seven countries - UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, KSA and India.

As part of the initiative Landmark Group conducts year round activities and these cumulate with the Beat Diabetes Walk organized in November - World Diabetes Month.

Last year the Group organized a series of walkathons in seven countries, which drew the participation of over 45,000 people, and a huge drive to provide free blood glucose tests. The Group has also partnered with several organizations, including the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and local institutions in every country, to spread awareness about diabetes.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Be lenient, Rouhani urges police on hijab issue

Saving ‘poor souls’ on Europe southern edge

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Around 60 dead in clashes in CAR Seleka forces carry out reprisals against Christians Passenger lands a plane; Pilot falls ill LONDON: A passenger with almost no flying experience landed a light aircraft after being talked down by an instructor on the ground when the pilot fell ill at the controls mid-air, a British airport said yesterday. The two men, who had been enjoying a day’s flying, were in a four-seater Cessna 172 when the pilot, who later died, became unwell as they headed back to the small Sandtoft airfield near Doncaster in northeast England on Tuesday evening. Having received a mayday message, a decision was made to divert the plane to the larger Humberside Airport nearby where a flying instructor was called in and emergency services alerted, a spokesman for the airport said.

Instructor Roy Murray was taken to the control tower and he gave instructions to the passenger, whose name was only given as John. “You can imagine it was getting dark, this guy’s had about half an hour experience of flying an aircraft, he’s never landed one, he’s sitting in the wrong seat - in other words he hasn’t got any of the dials in front of him and he has to land this thing,” the spokesman said. After flying over the airport a couple of times, the passenger was able to bring the plane down. “It didn’t crash. He landed it safely,” the spokesman said.

Murray said the man had made a “beautiful landing”.

“I kept watching him and saying keep pulling back, pulling back, pull the levers back, whatever you can see, pull back and just hold it back, because if you land with a nose wheel down you can take the nose wheel off and then you’ve got all sorts of problems,” he told BBC TV. “He kept pulling back, doing as I was telling him to do, until he came to a stop.” Police said an inquest would be held to determine the cause of death of the pilot, who has not yet been named. — Reuters

BANGUI: Around 60 people have been killed in sectarian clashes in Central African Republic between local militias and former rebels, witnesses and a local official said yesterday. The mineral-rich but impoverished nation has descended into chaos since mostly Muslim Seleka rebels from the north seized the capital Bangui in March, ousting President Francois Bozize.

The new transitional government’s failure to stem the violence has prompted the UN Security Council to consider intervening to restore order. Local self-defense militias, known as “anti-balaka” or anti-machetes, attacked a Seleka position in the mining village of Gaga, around 250 km northwest of Bangui, on Monday, killing four ex-rebels before attacking Muslim civilians.

The Seleka fighters retaliated against Christian civilians in the village, witnesses said. Seleka gunmen, many of them from neighboring Chad and Sudan, have repeatedly been accused of desecrating churches and terrorizing Christian communities. “We’re waiting for reinforcements in order to go there but the different accounts we’ve gathered from survivors coming from Gaga lead us to believe there are over 60 dead,” said Judicael Kama, a gendarme in the nearby town of Yaloke. Many of those wounded in the violence were taken to Yaloke’s hospital, around 35 km from Gaga.

TOTAL TERROR “The Seleka fighters went door to door. It was total terror,” Raymond Kitivo, who was wounded in the attack, told Reuters by telephone from the hospital in Yaloke. The violence erupted less than a week after at least 14 people were killed in fighting between Muslims and Christians in the isolated eastern town of Bangassou, in further evidence that the clashes are becoming increasingly sectarian. UN officials and rights groups say both Seleka and their opponents may have committed war crimes in the past few months. Last month French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Central African Republic risked becoming a new Somalia if it did not get immediate support. He is expected to visit Bangui on Sunday to assess the situation.

Security Council diplomats may vote on Thursday on a French-drafted resolution calling on UN Secretary-General

AU accuses ICC of ‘hunting Africans’ ‘Anti-African’ world court in spotlight ADDIS ABABA: African nations are to meet from tomorrow to debate a possible withdrawal from the International Criminal Court over claims it targets Africa, but that sentiment is being challenged by rights groups across the continent. The 54member African Union has accused The Hague-based ICC of singling out Africans for prosecution and has specifically demanded that the court drop the proceedings against Kenya’s leadership. Member states of the court, which was founded primarily to try genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, are expected to discuss a possible united pull-out from the ICC. The upcoming AU summit has already provoked strong reactions from both sides of the debate.

Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan this week said Africa would be wearing a “badge of shame” if its leaders voted to leave the world’s first permanent war crimes court. A group of 130 African organizations have also issued a public letter expressing their steadfast support for the tribunal. “We believe any withdrawal from the ICC would send the wrong signal about Africa’s commitment to protect and promote human rights and reject impunity,” read the letter, which has been hailed by Human Rights Watch.

The special summit starts with

ministerial meetings tomorrow before heads of state join the debate at the AU’s Addis Ababa headquarters on Saturday. It takes place amid growing hostility to the ICC trials of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto, on charges of crimes against humanity in the postelection violence in 2007-2008 that left over a thousand people dead.

Several countries, including Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia, have publicly supported Kenya’s stance against the ICC and the request to transfer the trials to Africa.

But despite criticism from many, a united withdrawal from the court by member states appears unlikely. “It is difficult to say that the whole membership of Africans will pull-out, but it is possible that some countries will because they are tired of the situation,” Rwanda’s ambassador to the AU, Joseph Nsegimana said. He claimed the ICC bias against Africa was clear, adding that the court had only shown itself as a mechanism to target African suspects. “The bias exists because it appears that the ICC is becoming more and more a political tool rather than a justice court,” he said.

All of the court’s current eight cases are against Africans, prompting the AU to accuse the ICC of “hunting” Africans, even though four of those

THE HAGUE: A file picture shows Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto (right) reacting as he sits in the courtroom before his trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, on charges of co-orchestrating a post-election bloodbath five years ago. — AFP

cases were referred to the court by the countries themselves. But several African nations, including Botswana, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana, have expressed support for the ICC in the past, and are seen as unlikely to withdraw now.

“I do not expect much out of the meeting other than a bit of moral support and expressions of sympathy for the Kenyan government’s position,” Peter J Pham, director for the Africa Centre at the Atlantic Council said. But Pham said the ICC’s refusal to transfer or defer the Kenyan cases, particularly after Islamist gunmen massacred at least 67 people in a Nairobi shopping mall last month, has demonstrated the “apparent tone-deafness of the ICC to public perception” in Africa.

“By refusing even that reasonable accommodation, the court confirms the worst fears of its critics and does little to reassure ordinary Africans, thus further undermining its political legitimacy,” Pham added. Last month, Kenyan lawmakers backed a motion to withdraw from the ICC. If successful, Kenya would be the first country to pull out of the court. While the AU is not mandated to ask countries to withdraw from the treaty that established the ICC, diplomats said Kenya’s lobbying campaign urging countries to pull out could gain some success VERY UNWISE DECISION Analysts warn a widespread pullout from the ICC is a dangerous move for many African countries that lack the judicial capacity, political will or funding to try suspected criminals on their own soil. “The impact of these developments for international criminal justice, and especially the victims of grave crimes in Africa, are dire,” South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies warned. Among the 122 countries that are party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s binding treaty, 34 are African-the largest regional representation within the court. “It would undermine the whole project, it would be a very unwise decision,” said Misa Zgonec, an international law fellow at Britain’s Chatham House. “If the states have a commitment to diffuse the impunity gap, then they should definitely stick with the International Criminal Court.” — AFP

BANGASSOU: Former rebels of the Seleka coalition stand guard in the courtyard of the Catholic church in Bangassou during a meeting between the archbishop of Bangui, Dieudonne Nzapalainga, and the head of the Muslim community of Central Africa, imam Omar Kabine Layama. — AFP Ban Ki-moon to submit a report on possible international support for a planned African Union peacekeeping mission known as MISCA. According to the draft, obtained by Reuters, Ban’s report should include “the possible option of a transformation of MISCA into a United Nations peacekeeping operation, subject to appropriate conditions on the ground”.

Former colonial power France, which intervened earlier

this year to oust Islamist rebels from another of its former African colonies, Mali, has been reluctant to get directly involved in the crisis. It has urged African nations and the African Union to do their utmost to resolve the crisis among themselves. But while the African Union plans to deploy the 3,600-strong MISCA mission, incorporating a regional force of 1,100 soldiers already there, it is unlikely to be operational before 2014. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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

Isolated Hamas faces money crisis in Gaza Gaza feels bite of Egypt’s crackdown on smugglers GAZA: Hamas is struggling to meet its payroll in the Gaza Strip, where income from taxes has been badly hit since neighboring Egypt started destroying a network of tunnels used to smuggle food, fuel and weapons into the Islamist-run enclave. The crisis means that Gaza’s thousands of civil servants may not receive their full salaries in time for an important Muslim holiday next week. Egypt, which accuses Hamas of aiding Muslim militants in the lawless Sinai desert, has been waging a campaign to destroy the smuggling tunnels that delivered weapons and other goods to the Gaza Strip, which is partially blockaded by Israel.

Hamas, which denies the Egyptian allegations, taxes the traffic through the tunnels - a money stream that has now virtually run dry. Last month, the Hamas government paid only 77 percent of its $25 million August payroll for Gaza’s 50,000 civil servants. It said on Tuesday it would make a special payment of 1,000 shekels ($280) to the employees on Thursday before the Eid Al-Adha holiday. There is still no word on whether full September salaries will be paid this month.

“What is supposed to be a day of joy and happiness would turn into a nightmare, a disaster, because we cannot afford to feel happy,” said 47-year-old public servant Mohammed Khalil. During Eid AlAdha, Muslims traditionally slaughter sheep or cattle and share the meat with the poor. Many parents buy new clothes for their children. Khalil, a father of six, told Reuters he received most of his 1,700 shekel salary for August, but it was not enough to enable him to pay his electricity or water bills.

UNEASY RELATIONSHIP Hamas, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has governed Gaza since 2007 and has an uneasy relationship with Egypt’s new army-backed leadership, which toppled the elected Islamist president, Mohamed Morsi, a Hamas ally, in July. It is unclear exactly how much money Hamas used to take in from tunnel traffic. Economists in the Gaza Strip said the income covered 70 percent of the government’s

ed to running costs. Hamas has also been hit by a downturn in its relations with its main backer, Iran, which used to provide it with arms and funds estimated by diplomats to total some $250 million a year. Relations became strained after Hamas turned against Tehran’s ally, President Bashar al-Assad, in Syria’s civil war, and Iran’s financial largesse has shriv-

tunnel business flourished, enabling Hamas to fill its coffers. Since 2010, Israel has eased internationally criticized economic restrictions on the territory and recently allowed the entry of cement and steel for private construction for the first time since 2007.

Palestinians said it was not enough to meet the needs of the Gaza Strip’s 1.8 million people.

GAZA: A Palestinian farm worker climbs a palm tree to pick dates on a farm in Deir El Balah, southern Gaza Strip. The harvesting season for dates usually starts at the beginning of October, after the first rain. The community of Deir El Balah takes its name from the word “balah”, an Arabic word for dates. — AP Ala al-Rafati, the Hamas-appointed minister of the elled, diplomats believe. Hamas, which is shunned by economy, said up to 90 percent of the tunnels had the West over its refusal to renounce violence and now been destroyed by the Egyptian army and those recognize Israel’s right to exist, weathered an ecostill open were not operating fully. He put the losses nomic crisis in 2007 when the group seized control of to the Gaza economy since June at $460 million. He the Gaza Strip from forces loyal to Western-backed added that the Gaza government’s annual budget Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel tightened its blockade at the time, but the was more than $700 million, with $260 million devot-

NO TAXES Cairo’s closure of the tunnels over the last three months has caused prices to spike and production to drop at factories dependent on raw materials from Egypt. Gaza economist Maher Al-Tabaa’ said that for Hamas, this translated into “no taxes on smuggled goods and may soon mean no taxes on locally manufactured products”. Abdel-Salam Seyam, secretary general of the Hamas government, acknowledged the squeeze on its financial resources, but voiced confidence that it would overcome the crisis. “We have lived through worse. This problem isn’t any more difficult than it was in the past and will hopefully be resolved soon,” he told Reuters.

Some Middle East states are continuing to help Gaza through construction programs, with aid either coming directly in the form of building materials or via funds to the United Nations. For example, Saudi Arabia is building 1,700 housing units in southern Gaza, while Qatar is paying for a major road upgrade.

Neither country is believed to give Hamas cash assistance, although private donors in the Gulf are still helping.

An additional problem for Hamas is how to get its hands on foreign donations. Bank transfers have long been difficult because only one local bank works with Hamas and all electronic transactions are carefully monitored abroad. Therefore, much of the financial aid from countries like Iran, some diplomats and analysts said, used to arrive stuffed into suitcases via the tunnels. That lifeline has been squeezed by the Egyptian clamp-down. “I don’t know whether I can blame the Gaza government. Where could it bring in money from? The sky?” said Abu Mohammed, a civil servant. — Reuters

monthly budget. Hamas officials put the figure at 40 percent. Some 1 million liters of petrol used to reach Gaza daily through the tunnels from Egypt. Hamas collected 1.60 shekels per liter. Cement once came through at a rate of 3,000 tons a day. Hamas’s cut was 20 shekels per ton, according to tunnel operators and local economists.

Sudanese detainee narrates her ordeal KHARTOUM: Under a neon light in the small interrogation room, Dalia El Roubi’s female interrogator scoffed at her request for a lawyer, saying: “You know, this is a dictatorship,” Roubi alleges. Roubi, 36, spent seven days without charge in the custody of Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) after being caught in a dragnet that snared hundreds of people after deadly protests sparked by fuel price hikes in late September.

In an interview with AFP, Roubi, an activist and employee of the World Bank in Khartoum, provided a rare insight into the behavior of the NISS, a bulwark of the 24-year regime of President Omar Al-Bashir who faces increasing public calls to leave power.

Bashir’s security forces are believed to have killed more than 200 protesters, many of whom were shot in the head

Sudanese activist Dalia El Roubi

or chest, Amnesty International said.

Authorities have now reported 60-70 deaths and said they had to intervene when crowds turned violent, attacking petrol stations and police. Eight NISS officers in civilian clothes came to her home on September 30 and told her she had to go in their pickup truck to a nearby police station, Roubi says.

A friend with her was also detained, even though they didn’t even know her name, she says. At the police station, the two women slept on the floor after a “humiliating” interrogation during which, Roubi says, they were called prostitutes. The following morning, both women were moved to the feared NISS political detention centre, a nondescript complex behind high walls near a bus depot in North Khartoum. “I was taken with a bedsheet covering my whole body and my face,” she says.

‘SPREADING RUMORS’ Roubi, her friend, and four other women arrested at about the same time were housed in a women’s prison in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman,

but were transferred daily to the political detention centre. Roubi and the other women were arrested because of things they said on the Internet, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said. “ They are saying some rumors which are not true, and they are asking the people to go out to demonstration, and in the Facebook they are saying things which are not correct,” Osman said. Blindfolded for the journey to the prison, “you think you’re gonna get shot”, Roubi says. They were taken in a minivan with dark windows and curtains, she added. Interrogation lasted only one hour a day, but they had to wait from noon until midnight.

Roubi says she was not allowed to look at the three NISS women questioning her from behind a wooden desk in a small, cool office. “I have to look at the wall,” she recalls. The women wanted to know who was in “the movement”, and questioned her about “what I was saying in Facebook”.

“They kept asking me, ‘Do you think this is a Western agenda? Do you think this is an African agenda... are you a spy?’” They told her to “stop lying” and cooperate or she might be hanged, but “it’s not really clear what they actually want”, Roubi says. One officer banged the desk and stood up.

‘QUITE AN EERIE SILENCE’ “I’d tell her, ‘Maybe it’s better if you sit down.’ And then she’d get really angry. At some point she started crying. She complained to her supervisor that I was being disrespectful.” The building’s design made it difficult to hear what was happening in other rooms, Roubi said. “There is quite an eerie silence most times... It’s a very muffled building.”

Roubi, who wants peaceful regime change in Sudan, says she was not physically harmed. Her privileged background and the high-profile nature of her case provided a “protection” not available to the male detainees she saw, squatting with heads down and waiting to be interrogated, she says. “They sit them towards the wall... and they’re not allowed to lift up their heads. And they’re made to drink 7UP or Coke or something to keep them alert.” “There’s hundreds of them, that I saw,” and many were blindfolded, Roubi says, adding that NISS officers described them as “African slaves”.

Authorities initially said they had detained about 700 “criminals”, but Information Minister Osman told AFP late on Tuesday that most have since been freed without charge. Only about 200 will still be held, to face trial for looting and other crimes, he said.

Roubi says activists have the names of more than 200 prisoners, 10 of whom she knows personally. “There’s a lot of people that no one knows their names,” she says. Asked about the prisoners’ treatment, Osman said there may have been “some inconvenience” during the initial mass round-up, “but there is no torture”. He denied that racist language would be used against detainees. “No, no, no, no... We are all Africans,” he said. — AFP

Liberal leader urges Sisi not to run for president Sinai ‘could become Al-Qaeda base’ CAIRO: Egypt’s army chief, who orchestrated the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July, should not run for the leadership in elections due to be held next year, the head of the biggest liberal party said. General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has said in an interview with an Egyptian newspaper that now was the wrong time to raise the issue of whether he would stand for the presidency.

But he did not rule out taking part in any contest, and speculation has been rising that the former military intelligence officer under toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak could contest the vote. “I don’t think this is advisable and I don’t think it would be a good thing for Sisi and the country that Sisi runs for the presidency,” said Sayed El-Masry, head of the Al Dostour Party which is a major part of the country’s main leftist and liberal coalition, the National Salvation Front.

“He is doing the country the best favor he can do from his position as a military chief,” Masry said in an interview. “Sisi’s nomination will give the wrong image to the world that what happened was a coup.” Sisi has said that he stepped in to remove Morsi in response to mass protests against the former leader’s rule, which millions of Egyptians complained had pursued an overtly Islamist agenda and mismanaged the country’s economy. Morsi’s supporters, many of them members of his Muslim Brotherhood movement, dismiss the intervention as a coup against Egypt’s first freely elected president.

Egyptian security forces have killed hundreds of Brotherhood supporters in violent protests that have swept the most populous Arab nation.

Hundreds of members, including Morsi, have been detained and the movement has been outlawed. More than 100 members of Egypt’s security forces have also been killed since Morsi’s ouster on July 3, many of them in the Sinai Peninsula bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Along the western edge of Sinai runs the Suez Canal, a waterway that is key to world trade and has also come under attack in recent months.

SISI POSTERS ADORN BUILDINGS Masr y said the militar y did not stage a takeover, but was responding to popular demands to remove Mursi and restore security to US ally Egypt. “This transition is the present

CAIRO: An Egyptian woman kisses a poster of General Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as she arrives into Tahrir Square in the capital Cairo. — AFP arrangement but should be as short as possible to take us back to democracy.” Sisi would likely win if he ran for office, analysts said, pointing to his broad popularity in Egypt. Posters of Sisi, 58, who is also defense minister and deputy prime minister, hang on buildings across the country.

Sisi and other officials have repeatedly said they would not oppose the Brotherhood rejoining politics, but recent moves against the movement suggest other wise. “ The Muslim Brotherhood, like it or not, want it or not, is present on the ground and will stay for a long period,” said Masry. “It is better they join the legitimate path for change or else there is a chance that the most violent and extremist groups like Al-Qaeda will tell them: ‘didn’t we tell you there is nothing called democracy? There is no way but by weapons’.”

Masry said he was particularly concerned that Sinai could turn into a new base for Al-Qaeda if the army did not step up operations to counter an insurgency that has escalated there since Morsi was toppled. Al Qaeda-linked militants in Sinai have launched a series of attacks on

Egyptian police and soldiers across the country, one of which, a failed suicide bombing, targeted the interior minister in Cairo. “My main worry is Sinai,” said Masry, a career diplomat.

He said Egypt needed to review a 1979 peace treaty with Israel, which limits its military deployments in Sinai, in order to secure a permanent troop presence there.

Foreign and Egyptian militants, who possess assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and Grad missiles stage attacks nearly every day.

“Sinai could turn into a new base for Al-Qaeda.

The current arrangements give an open invitation for anyone to come from anywhere and do what they want,” said Masry.

Political turmoil has gripped Egypt since the downfall of Morsi, whose Brotherhood is the country’s biggest and most organized Islamist group. Officials in the army-backed government have blamed the insurgency in Sinai on the Brotherhood, saying the movement incites violence. The crackdown on the Brotherhood has raised concerns that members will go underground and turn to violence. — Reuters

Be lenient, Iran’s Rouhani urges police on hijab issue TEHRAN: Iran’s police should keep a lower profile in their enforcement of the rules for women to cover up their bodies, President Hassan Rouhani said yesterday. His remarks were seen to be keeping a promise of more social freedoms, a cornerstone of the campaign that gave him a surprise victory in the June presidential election. “If there is a need for a warning on the hijab (head and shoulder veil) issue, the police should be the last to give it,” the moderate president told police academy graduates, Fars news agency reported.

“Our virtuous women should feel safe and relaxed in the presence of the police,” he said.

Rouhani argued that more basic steps should be taken to tackle what the religious establishment sees as contradictions of the dress code. These could start with preaching in “schools, high schools, universities and

mosques”. The mandatory Islamic dress code observed in Iran requires all women to cover their bodies from head to toe.

Those who do not abide by the rules face arrest or other punishment. Iran’s police force includes a “morality” unit tasked with checking women in the street to ensure that their clothing does not violate Islamic values.

Rouhani also suggested that some social issues stemmed from the country’s ailing economy, strangled by international sanctions imposed because of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “To establish chastity and morality in our society, we have to uproot poverty and unemployment,” he said.

Last month the mid-ranking Shiite cleric urged the police to enforce the law while obser ving human dignity and avoiding “extreme methods” on the hijab issue. The soft-spoken president, who has the backing

of reformists, moderates and some conservatives, campaigned for more cultural and social freedoms in the Islamic republic. His remarks came a day after Culture Minister Ali Janati criticized a strict book censorship regime under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a hardliner.

“I sadly learned that some books were denied permission to be published only on the grounds of personal opinions,” the reformist daily Arman quoted Janati as saying. “I think if the Koran was not a divine revelation, when it was handed to the book supervisory board, they would say some words did not comply with public chastity and would deny it permission for publication,” he said. Iran’s civil rights record and censorship is regularly criticized by international rights watchdogs and Western governments. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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

Saving ‘poor souls’ on Europe southern edge ‘Sea was full of floating corpses’ LAMPEDUSA: For the officers at coast guard headquarters on Italy’s Lampedusa island, a normal day is nothing of the sort as they are called out time and again to rescue boat-loads of stricken asylumseekers floundering off the coast. The men and women here patrolling Europe’s southern frontier often rely on the most basic alert system-a satellite phone call from a crewman asking for help. They scour their radars for the stricken vessel, dispatch a helicopter with searchlight and set sail on cutters with infrared radars to follow cries for help.

“Rescue operations are often dramatic, in rough seas,” coast guard spokesman Filippo Marini said at the busy control room overlooking the island’s harbor. “We arrive at night and find them clinging on to the sides of the dinghy, and it’s not easy to save them.” Sometimes aid arrives too late: on Thursday, a boatload of Eritrean and Somalian refugees caught fire and sank just hundreds of meters from the coast.

Rescuers pulled 155 people from the sea but

over 300 people are feared dead and divers off the remote island have spent days fishing bodies from the water. As EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso flew in on Wednesday to pay homage to the drowned, no place illustrates better the scale of the challenge posed by the growing influx of refugees trying to reach Europe. “The sea was full of floating corpses, and we had to pull them out and see their lifeless eyes,” border guard marshal Alessandro Falcone said. “It left a bitter taste, it’s still hard to talk about.”

The EU’s executive is pushing for extra resources to launch sea patrols at Europe’s doors in the aftermath of the Lampedusa tragedy, with stepped-up operations by the Frontex border guard service from Cyprus to Spain. The remote island is Italy’s southernmost point and closer to the African continent than to the rest of the country. Italy has appealed to EU states for help in coping with the thousands that are washing up on its shores every month, and wants migration to be put on the

Barroso heckled on Italy refugee island LAMPEDUSA: European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso was heckled yesterday on an Italian island where he said Europe should “step up” after a shipwreck that has shown up the EU’s flawed migration policy.

“Europe cannot turn away,” Barroso told reporters on Lampedusa after paying his respects in front of rows of coffins of the 296 asylum seekers who drowned trying to swim to Italian shores last week.

“This tragedy today shows that it is indispensable to step up our efforts.” As he spoke, divers continued efforts to recover more bodies from the wreck, which caught fire, capsized and sank within sight of the coast. Rescuers fished 155 survivors from the waters, which was estimated to be carrying over 500 people.

Barroso promised an extra 30 million euros ($41 million) in funds for Italy for the upkeep of asylum centres to house the growing influx. Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who accompanied Barroso, said Italy would hold a state funeral for the victims and would boost funding to help migrants, including many unaccompanied minors.”Italy will do its part but this is a European tragedy,” Letta said, adding that the refugee wreck was the worst ever in the Mediterranean.

A small group of activists and residents protested against Barroso as he arrived on the island. “Disgrace!” and “Killers!” they shouted. “ They should be ashamed of themselves! They should solve this humanitarian problem!” one man shouted. Another said: “We’ve been living with this for 20 years. We’ve had enough of death! These deaths are on the conscience of Italian and EU politicians.” Fishermen also sounded their sirens in protest.

‘UNACCEPTABLE’ CONDITIONS Some 30,000 migrants have landed in Italy this year-four times more than in 2012, but fewer than the 50,000 who crossed the Mediterranean in 2011 at the height of the Arab Spring revolts. An estimated 17,000 to 20,000 migrants have died during the perilous crossing over the past 20 years as they often make the journey on badly overcrowded fishing boats or rubber dinghies.

Eritrea, Somalia and Syria are the main countries of origin and the majority of arrivals are on Lampedusa, Italy’s southernmost point which is closer to north Africa

than to the rest of Italy.

“This is unbearable! The conditions are unacceptable at the refugee centre. This is shameful, there are children there! We try to help but we don’t have the means,” a local woman said. The centre houses around 800 migrants, including previous arrivals, but only has 250 beds. They are being held in unsanitary conditions that were judged “unacceptable for a civilised country” by a group of parliamentarians that came to inspect it.

There have been tensions at the heavilyguarded centre in recent days as migrantssome of whom have been sleeping in the open air-demand to be moved to other facilities on the Italian mainland. Barroso visited the refugee centre and the hangar at the airport where the coffins are being stored. Barroso was travelling with the EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, who urged EU states to beef up the Frontex border guard service to mount “a big search and rescue” operation across the Mediterranean in the short term.

Longer-term, she said, there should be more action in countries of origin and transit for asylum seekers and an easing of tough migration rules. “We do need to open ways for more regular migration,” she said, giving as an example the possibility of “humanitarian visas” and requesting asylum outside European Union territory. “We need to change our policy on immigration, this restrictive approach has shown its limits.”

Frontex has been hit by budget cuts and Gill Arias, its deputy head, was quoted by the Italian news agency ANSA as saying that the agency had already used up all its funds for 2013. Italy also wants a change in EU rules that force migrants to remain in the country where they first arrive while their asylum application is being processed, saying this puts an unfair burden on crisis-hit countries of southern Europe.But northern European states are opposed and say they do their share by taking in more refugees than southern Europe once asylum is granted. Malmstroem said Belgium, Britain, France, Germany and Sweden last year took in 70 percent of refugees, adding that other states should do more. Barroso like Malmstroem spoke of the sight of the coffins saying: “I have seen a lot of tragedies in the world but this should not happen in Europe.” — AFP

Court upholds convictions of retired Turkish officers ANKARA: Turkey’s appeals court upheld convictions yesterday of top retired military officers for leading a plot to overthrow Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s government a decade ago, in a case underlining civilian dominance over a once all-powerful army.

Relatives of the retired officers wept after the ruling and a defense lawyer said he would take the case to Europe’s top human rights court.

The judges overturned convictions of dozens of less prominent defendants among more than 300 officers sentenced in September 2012 over the “Sledgehammer” conspiracy, said to have included plans to bomb Istanbul mosques and trigger an army takeover. Turkey’s armed forces, the second largest in NATO, were long the guardians of the secular republic established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, carrying out three coups between 1960 and 1980 and pushing an Islamist-led government from power in 1997. Since first coming to power in 2002, Erdogan’s Islamist-rooted AK Party has reined in army influence with a series of reforms designed to boost democracy, while prosecutors have pursued suspected coupplotters in the army through the courts. The latest verdict underlines the extent to which Erdogan has brought the military to heel during his decade as prime minister, consolidating his power as he prepares for an election cycle starting next year which could see him become president.

In a packed courtroom, supporters of the defendants noisily voiced their anger at the upheld convictions as the chief judge spoke, chanting the secularist slogan “we are Mustafa Kemal’s soldiers” and “Tayyip will answer to the people”. Dozens protested outside the court, waving Turkish flags adorned with Ataturk’s picture. “We know well it is Ataturk being tried,” said one banner held by the group, which then marched to Turkey’s military headquarters before dis-

persing.

Defense lawyer Celal Ulgen said the court had accepted fabricated evidence as genuine and that the judiciary in Turkey was subject to political manipulation. “They want to redesign Turkey with these political trials,” said Ulgen, who defended chief suspect Cetin Dogan. “This is the dissolution of the (Turkish) Republic and a fundamental indication that we are faced with a new regime,” he said, vowing to challenge the verdicts at the European Court of Human Rights. The appeals court upheld 20-year prison sentences for chief suspect Dogan, a former commander of the prestigious First Army, former air force commander Ibrahim Firtina and retired admiral Ozden Ornek, court chairman Ekrem Ertugrul said. Among other leading figures whose convictions were upheld were Engin Alan, a retired general elected to parliament as a member of the National Movement Party in 2011, and retired general Bilgin Balanli, who had been in line to become air force commander before his arrest.

In total, the court upheld convictions in the three-year trial process of 237 defendants and ruled in favour of the release of 88 defendants. It also upheld the previous acquittal of 36 defendants. Opposition MP Emine Ulker Tarhan echoed Ulgen’s allegation that the court ruling was politically motivated.

“This is not a verdict by the judiciary, it is a government verdict. Justice has collapsed in this country. They can build a shopping mall in its place,” Tarhan told reporters, playing on accusations that the government is more focused on superficial projects than substantive reforms. There was no immediate government comment on the verdicts but Mustafa Varank, an advisor to Erdogan, wrote on Twitter: “Hopefully the rulings will be a lesson and the coup word will not even cross anybody’s mind”. —Reuters

agenda of summit talks in Brussels at the end of the month.

‘CONSIDERABLE CHALLENGE’ Meanwhile, the arrivals continue: nearly 150 Syrians including 28 children were rescued in Italian waters Tuesday, a day after 250 immigrants were saved. “The crews often hardly have time to come back to shore, unload those rescued, refuel and wash their faces before they head back out to help other people. The physical and psychological challenge is considerable,” Marini said. Officers work in shifts to keep patrolling in the night.

The asylum seekers set out in overcrowded, rickety fishing boats or dinghies from the African coast, with just a satellite phone to call for help.

Without tracking systems onboard, it’s impossible to spot that they are anything but standard fishing boats, so border guards rely on infrared systems to zone in on people cramped together in the prow or the hold. “With our night-visions systems we can

see the types of boats-sailing, fishing or dingy-and from about 500 metres away we can see whether the vessels are crammed full of people who may be in trouble,” Falcone said.The cutters are equipped with special Formula 1-style seats in the cockpit, locking the crew firmly in place as they speed out over choppy waves. “In rough seas, it’s often extremely difficult to pull up alongside and transfer the immigrants off their doomed vessel.

The waters are never calm, there are always problems and some of the dinghies flip right over,” he said. The cutters are designed to right themselves should they be tossed upside down by the waves, and the stern can lie flat to ease boarding behind. The crews of 12 can spend months or even years on operations together, and Falcone said such close-knit relationships help hugely when tragedies strike. “This latest catastrophe has left us all shaken, but we cannot dwell on the dead, we have to be back out there looking to help the next poor souls.” — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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

Flashpoint region threatens Sudan, S Sudan coexistence JUBA: A sliver of barren territory left in limbo following the divorce of the two Sudans is threatening to upset the uneasy peace between the old foes. Wedged between Sudan and newly independent South Sudan, the volatile Abyei region had been scheduled to hold a referendum on its future-but plans for a vote have stalled again amid mounting tensions.

A failure to resolve the status of the region could provoke one of the two main communities in the area to unilaterally jump to one side or the other. And with the area awash with guns after decades of on-off civil war, the consequences could trigger fresh violence. “The security situation and the status quo in the Abyei Area are becoming increasingly untenable,” UN chief Ban Ki-Moon said in a September report to the Security Council, sounding the alarm over the dispute.

At first sight Abyei appears to be of little interest.

There are a handful of crumbling buildings scattered around baking scrubland. The bullet scars gouged into walls mark the repeated rounds of savage conflict fought there. But it remains the most sensitive issue left unresolved when South Sudan won independence in 2011.

Patrolled by some 4,000 Ethiopian-led UN peacekeepers,

the Lebanon-sized area is home to the settled Ngok Dinka, closely connected to South Sudan, as well the semi-nomadic Arab Misseriya, who traditionally move back and forth from Sudan grazing their cattle.

Abyei was meant to vote whether it lies in Sudan or South Sudan in January 2011 - the same day as Juba voted overwhelmingly to split from the north-as part of the 2005 peace deal which ended Sudan’s two-decades long civil war. But that vote never happened and Sudanese troops stormed the enclave and occupied it until May 2012. Since then, the impoverished area has been in political limbo. The African Union has proposed that a referendum be held this month, but little if any progress has been made.

“There is little chance of a referendum in the near future,” the Small Arms Survey, a Swiss-based conflict research group, said in a recent report, noting that Khartoum would likely ignore any AU pressure. Once oilrich but with production tailing off, Abyei nevertheless remains a key area of emotional and symbolic significance. Influential leaders in both nations come from ethnic groups in Abyei, where animosity exacerbated by political rivalries in the capitals is replacing an ancient tol-

erance that allowed the two communities to share the land.

The risk of either group unilaterally declaring allegiance-for the Ngok Dinka, to be part of South Sudan, and the Misseriya, to Khartoum-is growing. Abyei has seen years of “unfulfilled agreements, deadlocked negotiations, and outbreaks of violence”, the Enough Project, a US-based pressure group, warned in a recent report. “A further delay of the long-awaited self-determination referendum could catalyze the tense situation and spark widespread violence,” it said. Last month foreign ministers from both sides met in New York calling, once again, for a “mutually acceptable arrangement”.

Ngok Dinka oppose any joint administration with the Misseriya unless a referendum takes place too, fearing that would ease political pressure on Khartoum and “lead to a stalemate, in which the question of Abyei’s political future is permanently deferred,” the Small Arms Survey think-tank said. Khartoum opposes any referendum in which the semi-nomadic Misseriya don’t vote. Sudan, meanwhile, has been caught up by deadly riots over fuel prices, the worst protests in the history of President Omar Al-Bashir’s two-decade rule.

Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir appear for now at least to have reached an understanding on how to move forward and reduce tensions caused by other border disputes and a year-long blockade of oil exports from the south. After meetings in September, diplomats said the two leaders agreed to settle a deal between themselves, rather than opt for a referendum.

Yet Kiir last month also released all government employees who came from Abyei, so that they could return home to vote in a referendum. “The fate of Abyei referendum is at the crossroad,” wrote Luka Biong Deng, former South Sudanese minister and Ngok Dinka from Abyei, now a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

With political stalemate, “the people of Abyei are left with no other option but to self-determine the final status of their area.” For now, Abyei is largely calm, but observers wonder how long an uneasy peace will last. “There are certainly voices in Juba who believe that an armed clash between Misseriya and Dinka Ngok is very likely,” said John Ashworth, a prominent expert on the Sudans. The view in Juba, he said, was that “it could easily lead to Sudan and South Sudan being sucked back in to a broader war.” — AFP

Congress members see signs of hope in impasse ‘We need to pay our bills today’

LOUISIANA: Kyle Queyrouze (left) rides on his longboard as his friend Nicolas Knauf rides his bike on the Mandeville, Louisiana lakefront at sunset. — AP

Pressure mounts on Turkish media Fears over self-censorship ANKARA: Prominent Turkish journalist Can Dundar says he misses the media censorship that followed a bloody 1980 military coup-at least then, journalists knew where they stood.

The 52-year-old, who was ousted this summer from the liberal paper where he had worked since 2001, believes that a new, more insidious form of censorship is silencing dissent at a crucial time for Turkey. “As a journalist who witnessed the September 12 period, I can say I miss the censorship of that era. When a story was banned, a military official would tell you in the morning and the story would not be published,” said Dundar, referring to the aftermath of the 1980 coup.

Now, he said, media organizations including his former paper, Milliyet, are so fearful of repercussions that they self-censor. “I know that even pictures of the prime minister where he does not look good caused discomfort within the newspaper.” Dundar is among at least 85 Turkish journalists who have been sacked or made to resign since protests erupted on May 31, according to the head of the country’s journalists’ union Ercan Ipekci.

Turkey has long been criticized for a lack of press freedom. The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) last year named it a “leading jailer of journalists”, identifying 76 who were in prison, 61 of them purely for their journalism. But activists say the situation has deteriorated since this year’s unrest, which began as a row over the planned redevelopment of a park but evolved into mass protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seen as increasingly authoritarian.

Journalists covering the street clashes “became frequent targets of police abuse,” said CPJ executive director Joel Simon. “But most mainstream journalists don’t fear being beaten or jailed. Instead, they fear losing their jobs.” The

result, some say, is that many are censoring themselves to avoid getting into trouble. Turkish television stations were ridiculed for their timid reporting as the protests began, with one airing a documentary about penguins instead of covering the crisis.

The pressure comes in various forms-there are reports of organizations hiring or firing journalists at the request of government advisors, while some journalists say they have received threats from politicians. Ismail Saymaz from the liberal Radikal newspaper received what he called an “intimidating” email from a local governor after investigating the death of a 19-year-old university student during the demonstrations.

The governor denied sending the email, which called the journalist “vile and dishonorable”, but said he agreed with its content.

Arguably more damaging is the fear of media owners that criticizing the government will hit the bottom line. Turkey’s largest media conglomerate Dogan Group was forced to sell the Milliyet newspaper after the government levied a record 2009 tax fine that Dundar said was a “message to all media bosses”. “Milliyet’s new boss received the message and made it clear to us from the start that he did not want columns that would offend the prime minister. I believe my columns were thought offensive,” said Dundar.

“Dissenting voices in the newspaper have been silenced... at the expense of losing readership,” he added, accusing media bosses of being “more royalist than the king”. In May, Turkey’s state-run Savings Deposit and Insurance Fund (TMSF) seized assets belonging to the Cukurova group including the Aksam newspaper, citing the conglomerate’s public debt. It appointed former ruling party deputy Mehmet Ocaktan as the editor-in-chief of the newspaper shortly afterwards. — AFP

Germany’s Greens turn frosty towards alliance with Merkel BERLIN: Germany’s Greens threw up a new hurdle to a possible coalition with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives yesterday by condemning her government’s refugee policies after the migrant boat disaster off the Italian island of Lampedusa. The Greens, who will hold exploratory talks with the conservatives today evening, were already skeptical about helping Merkel form a government for her third term because of differences on energy, tax and social issues. Then they added changes to refugee rules to their wish list following Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich’s rejection of calls for Germany to take in more refugees after about 300 African migrants died last week crossing the Mediterranean.

“Humanitarian refugee policies are a central issue for us,” said Greens parliamentary leader Katrin Goering-Eckardt. “Friedrich’s position is simply unacceptable. I can only imagine (a coalition) if this position is changed. Germany needs to take in more refugees,” she told a news conference.

Friedrich, who is from the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) which opposes a coalition with the Greens, said Germany absorbs more refugees than any other European Union country - some 100,000 this year.

The minister said that amounts to 946 refugees per 1 million residents in Germany

compared to 260 per 1 million in Italy.

Germany was long open to refugees because in the Nazi era German opponents of Adolf Hitler obtained asylum abroad, including former chancellor Willy Brandt. The right to asylum is in Germany’s constitution. But Germany tightened the rules after the annual number rose to over 500,000 in 1993.

The Greens have traditionally supported liberal refugee policies. But it was nevertheless a surprise to see the party, which had a poor 8.4 percent result in the Sept 22 election, include that issue in Thursday’s coalition talks.

Merkel’s conservatives emerged from the vote as Germany’s dominant force but, with 311 of the 631 seats in the Bundestag (lower house), they lack a majority and need a coalition ally.

They first held talks with the Social Democrats (SPD), who won 193 seats. The Greens won 63 seats and the radical Left 64.

The Greens at first signalled that they would prefer to stay in opposition while the SPD formed a government with Merkel which is still the most likely outcome of coalition talks. But many moderates in the Greens and conservatives hail it as a historic chance for the erstwhile rivals to join forces. “We’re ready to take over government responsibility but we’re going into these talks with a lot of skepticism,” said Goering-Eckardt. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: Republicans and Democrats in Congress saw signs of hope yesterday for a break in their fiscal impasse, as members of both parties floated the possibility of a short-term increase in the debt limit to allow time for broader negotiations on the budget. The slight shift in tone was aided by a column by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, who urged a negotiated end to the stalemate but did not mention Republican demands for linking changes in the federal healthcare law with government funding.

“Right now, we need to find common ground,” Ryan, the party’s 2012 vice presidential nominee who had been largely silent in the confrontation, wrote in the Wall Street Journal.

“We need to open the federal government.

We need to pay our bills today - and make sure we can pay our bills tomorrow. So let’s negotiate an agreement to make modest reforms to entitlement programs and the tax code,” he said.

President Barack Obama scolded Republicans on Tuesday for threatening economic chaos, but said he would talk about anything including the healthcare law if Republicans re-opened the government and lifted the debt ceiling even for the short term.

House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner rejected that idea as “unconditional surrender,” but other Republicans have showed a willingness to consider a short-term deal if there was a framework in place for negotiations. “I am beginning, by the way, to be a little hopeful regarding our current situation. It looks like the House is beginning to focus on the right things,” Republican Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee said on CNBC, pointing to Ryan’s column.

“We’re beginning to talk about the right kinds of things here. We’re beginning to now move in the right direction,” Corker said, but he warned: “Around the 13th of this month sometime, things are going to get very volatile if we’re not closer to a deal.” Chris Van Hollen, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, said he saw rays of hope in the stalemate. “There could be a little glimmer here. I think we’re on a very risky trajectory right now, but I think there is a possible opening here. But, again, it depends on if Republicans on the Hill are willing to jump on it,” he said on CNBC. The impasse has shut the government for nine days and rattled markets with the threat

WASHINGTON: US Sen Jon Tester speaks at a press conference highlighting how veterans are being impacted by the government shutdown with Sen Richard Blumenthal, Sen Bernie Sanders, Sen Mark Begich, and Sen Mazie Hirono at the US Capitol yesterday. — AFP that the country’s $16.7 trillion borrowing limit will not be raised before an Oct. 17 deadline identified by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. World Bank President Jim Yong Kim added his voice to a chorus of experts warning about the impact of the stalemate, saying yesterday that even the threat of a US default could hurt emerging markets and the world’s most vulnerable people. “We’re very concerned. Because right now there’s so many headwinds as it is for emerging markets and the developing world, that that kind of impact really could be devastating,” Kim told CNN. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reminded senators of the hit Wall Street took during the last major fight over the debt limit and government spending. “Two years ago, the last time Republicans flirted with this terrible idea, America’s credit rating was downgraded for the first time in the history of this great country,” Reid said. “The stock market dropped 2,000 points (last time), it’s already dropped 7 or 8 per-

cent over the last few weeks.” Obama invited all 200 House Democrats to the White House on Wednesday to discuss the budget crisis and looming debt deadline in what officials said would be the first in a series of talks with lawmakers in both parties.

Plenty of roadblocks remain in the way of a deal. Senate Democrats have begun advancing legislation that would increase the debt limit through 2014 without any conditions. A first procedural vote is on track for sometime Saturday. A senior Senate Democratic aide said the intention is to send the House a one-year debt limit increase without any add-ons. Polls show the public places more blame for the shutdown and fiscal crisis on Republicans, who also bore more public blame after the last government shutdown in 1996. An Associated PressGfK survey on Wednesday found 62 percent of Americans mostly blamed Republicans, and gave Congress as a whole a rock-bottom 5 percent approval rating. — Reuters

World cheers Malala, but Pakistanis ambivalent MINGORA, Pakistan: One year after a Taleban bullet tried to silence Malala Yousafzai’s demand for girls’ education, she has published a book and is a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. But the militants threaten to kill her should she dare return home to Pakistan, and the principal at her old school says that as Malala’s fame has grown, so has fear in her classrooms.

Although Malala remains in Britain and her assailant is still at large, police say the case is closed. And many Pakistanis publicly wonder whether the shooting was staged to create a hero for the West to embrace. Shortly after the attack, Pakistani schoolchildren filled the streets carrying placards with the words: “I am Malala.” A year later, a popular refrain is, “Why Malala?”

In Pakistan’s Swat Valley, the giant sign that once identified Malala’s school is gone. Rickshaws rumble to a stop as girls, their heads covered and faces obscured, scramble out and dash into the building.

The school made no plans to recognize the anniversary, although children in other parts of the country did.

Teachers and students are afraid. Even a giant poster of Malala that once emblazoned the wall of the assembly hall has been removed. Children scrambled to hide from the camera and the school principal, Selma Naz, spoke quickly and in hushed tones.

“We have had threats, there are so many problems. It is much more dangerous for us after Malala’s shooting and all the attention that she is getting,” said Naz. “The Taleban are very dangerous. They have gone from Swat, but still they have a presence here. It is hidden, but it is here. We all have fear in our hearts.”

An armed commando now stands

guard outside the school’s massive black steel front door. On Oct. 9, 2012, Malala left the school through that same door, laughing with her friends as they climbed into the back of a small pick-up truck used to transport the children. They laughed and talked as the truck rumbled over roads lined with pot holes. The driver jockeyed for space on a narrow bridge that crossed a garbage-strewn stream. Suddenly a masked man with a gun stopped the truck beside a dusty, open field. A second masked man jumped into the back with a pistol.

“Who is Malala?” he shouted. No one said anything but automatically their heads turned toward Malala. He raised his pistol and fired and fired again. One bullet hit Malala on the top of the head.

Two other students, Shazia Ramazan and Kainat Riaz, were also hit, but their wounds were not serious. Malala was transferred to a military hospital near Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. Her head swelled dangerously. Doctors performed emergency surgery. Her father, Ziauddin, certain that his daughter would not survive the night, sent a message to his brother-in-law in Swat to prepare a coffin and a vehicle to take her body back.

Malala woke up a week later at a hospital in Birmingham, England, where she was taken for specialist treatment. She gradually regained her sight and her voice and was reunited with her parents.

But the many awards that have since been bestowed on Malala, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is to be announced tomorrow, have stirred anti-Western sentiments in Pakistan, where a brutal insurgency has killed thousands of civilians and more than 4,000 soldiers. — AP

KABUL: A member of the Afghan Air Force stands alongside a C-130 transport aircraft sporting the Afghan national flag at Kabul international airport yesterday. — AFP

Afghans take delivery of US transport planes KABUL: Afghanistan took delivery yesterday of two C-130 transport aircraft from the United States, part of an effort to give the country’s military the ability to better fight insurgents around the country.

Afghanistan will get another two of the airplanes, a mainstay of many militaries around the world, by the end of next year. The plane gives the nascent Afghan air force the ability to quickly ferry forces around the country along with their equipment and supplies. The two planes were turned over during a ceremony at Kabul airport. They will replace 16 smaller Italian-made transport craft that were grounded because of maintenance problems. Afghanistan’s air force is mainly made up of Russian-made transport helicopters and a handful of Russian attack helicopters.

The country’s army and police took over responsibility for security around the country from foreign forces earlier this summer, part of a plan that will see the full withdrawal of international combat troops by the end of 2014. The withdrawal has led to an escalation of violence as insurgents try to retake territory around the country. Much of that violence has been in the south, where yesterday a suicide car bombing killed four people -two civilians and two policemen. Helmand province police spokesman Shamem Noorzai said the attack took place in the Gareshk district and also wounded three civilians and a police officer. He added that the bomber targeted a police patrol and blew up his car next to a police vehicle in a crowded area of the town of Gareshk. — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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

Afghan Taleban claim former No 2 not free ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taleban claimed yesterday that Pakistan is keeping the group’s former deputy leader under detention despite announcing his release last month, an allegation promptly denied by Pakistani officials. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar’s release after years in detention had stirred hope among many Afghan and Pakistani officials that this would help the struggling peace process in neighboring Afghanistan. But the current friction raises questions about whether that will happen.

Taleban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a statement on the group’s website that Baradar “is still spending days and nights locked up behind bars in worrisome health conditions which are deteriorating by the day.” He called for Baradar’s immediate release. Pakistani officials said Baradar is free but living under tight security for his own safety. The former Taleban commander was free to travel anywhere he chooses, but was always accompanied by Pakistan security officials, said a senior government official. Pakistan has provided him a “secure place” to live that is not accessible to the general public, said a security official. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media about the issue.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Monday that

Baradar has been released, “but he is still not completely free.” “We know that his family members have contact with him and we are trying to contact him, or find a telephone number, so we can use him for the peace process,” Karzai said during a press conference in Kabul.

Kabul has demanded Islamabad free Baradar ever since he was arrested in a joint raid in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi in 2010 after holding secret peace talks with the Afghan government. Pakistan resisted for years, exacerbating already tense relations with neighboring Afghanistan.

While some hope Baradar’s release will help the peace process, others doubt it will do much good. The United States, which opposed his release, is worried he could return to the battlefield. That could give the Taleban in Afghanistan a boost at a time when the US is drawing down its troops and increasingly relying on Afghan forces to fight insurgents.

The US asked Pakistan to keep Baradar under house arrest rather than set him free, senior Pakistani and American officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. It’s unclear whether Baradar’s tight security is related to that request. — AP

HYDEREBAD: An Indian auto-rickshaw driver pushes his three wheeler through water logged streets during heavy rains in Hyderabad yesterday. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa coast are to be on high alert as a depression formed over the Bay of Bengal could intensify into a cyclonic storm and hit the state coast. — AFP

Musharraf granted bail in rebel murder case Former dictator may fly to Dubai

A Pakistani schoolgirl attends class in Mingora, a town in Swat valley, yesterday, the first anniversary of the shooting of Malala Yousafzai by the Taleban. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top court yesterday granted bail to former military ruler Pervez Musharraf over the death of a rebel leader, his lawyers said, bringing closer his possible release after nearly six months of house arrest. Musharraf has now been granted bail in three major cases against him, including one relating to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Musharraf’s fate has been subject to intense speculation since he became the first former army chief to be arrested this year, breaking an unwritten rule that the top ranks of the military are untouchable, even after they have retired.

“The jail staff present at his house will pack up and leave as soon as they get the orders from the lower court,” Ahmed Raza Kasuri, who heads the Musharraf defense team, told Reuters.

“Musharraf can fly to Dubai tomorrow once these legal formalities are completed.”

His lawyer said the ruling meant he was a “free man”. But he is likely to remain under heavy guard at his villa on the edge of Islamabad, where he has been under house arrest since April, because of serious threats to his life.

Musharraf was head of state in 2006 when the main rebel leader in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, Akbar Bugti, died during an army operation.

His lawyer Ibrahim Satti said a three-member Supreme Court bench had granted bail in the Bugti case in return for surety bonds worth two million rupees ($20,000). Another counsel for Musharraf, Qamar Afzal, said bail was granted over lack of evidence. “Pervez Musharraf is a free man now after getting bail in the Bugti case,” Afzal said. As well as the Bugti and Bhutto cases, Musharraf also faces cases over the suspension of judges during emergency rule, which he imposed in 2007.

The Taliban have threatened to kill the 70year-old former general, who as president allied Pakistan with Washington in the US “war on terror” in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Security remained tight at Musharraf ’s villa, an AFP reporter at the scene said, with no sign of any preparations for departure.

Musharraf’s spokesman Raza Bokhari said the general was “gratified” by the bail ruling but determined to clear his name of charges he has always maintained were politically motivated.

“After all these formalities are finalized he would be free to travel within and outside Pakistan, but this is just the beginning. These court cases are a long run process,” Bokhari said. “He will continue to fight these cases until his name is clear of these false, fabricated and fictitious charges.”

Musharraf returned to Pakistan in March to run in the general election, vowing to “save” the country from economic collapse and militancy.

But he was barred from standing in the election, won convincingly by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif-the man he ousted from power in 1999 — and was hit with a barrage of criminal cases dating back to his rule.

He has been living in part of his 1,100 square metre (12,000 square foot) house, declared a “sub-jail” under the auspices of the tough Adyala prison in Rawalpindi, where he is guarded by some 300 police, paramilitaries and marksmen.

Reports have claimed he is enjoying a comfortable life in detention. He has even had the services of his personal cook because of his fears of being poisoned.

Taking the former chief of army staff into custody was an unprecedented move in a country ruled for more than half of its life by the military.

It was seen by many as a challenge to the armed forces’ power.

Since Sharif won the election there have been repeated rumors that a deal would be reached to allow Musharraf to leave Pakistan before his trials were completed. Musharraf spokesman Bokhari insisted no such arrangement had been cooked up. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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

Muslim leader charged for bloody Philippine siege MANILA: Fugitive Muslim leader Nur Misuari has been charged with rebellion following deadly attacks by hundreds of his armed followers on a southern Philippine city, the justice minister said yesterday. A court in the southern city of Zamboanga has issued an arrest warrant for Misuari and three of his commanders for the siege of the city that began on September 9, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters.

At least 244 people were killed in the three weeks of fighting that followed, with the government alleging that Misuari masterminded the operation even though he was not physically present. “I’m convinced that we have sufficient and strong evidence this time around to prosecute successfully Nur Misuari,” de Lima said.

Hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters occupied parts of Zamboanga for three weeks, taking scores of civilian hostages and battling military and police in a bid to disrupt government peace talks with a rival Muslim rebel group. The MNLF were eventually driven out and their hostages freed but more than 116,000 people were forced to flee their homes and about 10,000 houses were razed. The violence was the country’s worst since President Benigno Aquino took office in 2010.

Although the government acknowledges Misuari was not among the attackers, it says it has proof he ordered the operation. His three commanders, Habier Malik, Bas Arki and Assamin Hussin, are accused of leading the attack and are also still at large.

Rebellion carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Rebellion charges were also laid against 57 other MNLF members who were captured during the fighting that began on September 9.

Asked if police knew where Misuari is hiding, national police spokesman Senior Superintendent Reuben Sindac told AFP he could not reveal such “operational details”. Last week police raided Misuari’s Zamboanga home and found explosives and documents. Misuari and his men were also charged with violations of international humanitarian law over the hostage-taking as well as setting fire to houses, de Lima said. Misuari’s MNLF signed a peace treaty in 1996 that granted limited self-rule to the southern Philippines’ Muslim minority.

However the group opposes a planned final peace deal between the government and the remaining major Muslim rebel group, the 12,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MNLF believes the deal could leave it sidelined. — AFP

US says Myanmar reforms ‘incomplete’ BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday that Myanmar’s dramatic political reforms were still “incomplete”, a day after the former military-ruled country released dozens more political prisoners. “I think what is happening in Myanmar is very exciting, but it is incomplete,” Kerry said during a meeting with students in Brunei, where he was later set to meet Myanmar President Thein Sein at a regional summit.

“We have to see that the political transformation continues,” he added.

“Our hope is that the democracy will continue to evolve,” Kerry added.

Myanmar on Tuesday freed around 56 political prisoners, following a vow from Thein Sein to release all “prisoners of conscience” by the end of the year.

Kerry will meet with the former general in Brunei to discuss the “next steps in ongoing political reforms in Myanmar,” a US State Department official said.

He was also set to hold bilateral meetings in Brunei with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and South Korean

President Park Geun-Hye, according to the official. Thein Sein, who took power in March 2011, has earned international plaudits and the removal of most western sanctions for reforms that include freeing hundreds of political prisoners detained under the former junta.

Relations between the US and Myanmar-a long-time ally of Chinahave improved markedly since the end of decades of harsh military rule. US President Barack Obama made a historic visit to the fast-changing country in November 2012. The Southeast Asian nation has undergone a series of reforms in recent years, including the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from long years of house arrest and her election to parliament in byelections held last year.

But the military and its political allies remain in control of parliament while religious violence and the continued arrests of activists have tempered optimism about the political reforms. — AFP

S Korea ‘aware’ of executions of North’s musicians SEOUL: South Korea’s spy chief has said he is “aware” of the alleged execution of members of the North’s national orchestra, said to include a singer rumored to be leader Kim Jong-Un’s former girlfriend. Several members of the orchestra and other state music troupes had been executed by firing squad for taping themselves having sex, Japan’s Asahi Shimbun said last month in a report that was picked up by South Korean broadcasters and websites.

Asahi said the rare execution of state performers-including a woman thought to be Kim’s ex-girlfriend-in August had been ordered to squash rumours about the decadent lifestyle of North Korean first lady Ri Sol-Ju while she was an entertainer. North Korea has angrily denied reports of the executions, calling the media accounts an “unpardonable” crime.

On Tuesday South Korea’s spy agency chief commented for the first time on the accusations. “We are aware of the execution of some 10 people associated

with the Unhasu Orchestra”, two lawmakers quoted Nam Jae-Joon as saying at a closed door parliamentary session, according to Yonhap news agency. Nam, director of the National Intelligence Service, said the agency had no information whether Ri had any connection with the execution.

The North’s state news agency KCNA has said the reports on the executions were the work of “psychopaths” and “confrontation maniacs” in the South Korean government and media.

“This is an unpardonable, hideous provocation hurting the dignity of the supreme leadership,” a KCNA commentary said last month. In an apparent attempt to further negate the rumors, North Korean radio yesterday aired a performance by the orchestra, Yonhap reported. Pyongyang Bangsong radio broadcast a quintette entitled “Hymn of the Fatherland”, saying it was conducted

by Unhasu’s conductor Ri Myong-Il and included Italy-educated singer Hwang Un-Mi. — AFP

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A group photograph of ASEAN leaders (L-R) Philippine President Benigno Aquino, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra , Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Myanmar President Thein Sein, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Laos Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during the 23rd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday. — AFP

Kerry to push China, SE Asia to discuss sea spat Beijing reluctant to address issue at EAS summit BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: US Secretary of State John Kerry will push Southeast Asian leaders and China to discuss the South China Sea dispute at an Asian summit, a senior US official said yesterday, despite Beijing’s reluctance to address the issue at such meetings. Kerry arrived in Brunei yesterday for an annual East Asia Summit (EAS) and talks with leaders of Southeast Asian nations and, separately, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

President Barack Obama last week cancelled his scheduled trip to the summit because of the U.S. government shutdown, raising concern that Washington would lose some of its influence in countering China’s assertive claims over the South China Sea and in maintaining its strategic “rebalancing” toward Asia.“That rebalance is a commitment, it is there to stay and will continue into the future,” Kerry told ASEAN leaders in opening remarks shortly after arriving, saying the crisis in Washington was nothing more than “a moment in politics.” China has resisted discussing the territorial issue with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), preferring to settle disputes in the South China Sea through one-to-one negotiations with individual claimants.

“The Chinese consistently indicate their view that ‘difficult issues’ that might fall outside the comfort zone of any member need not be discussed,” said the US official.

“That is not a view that is held by the US, or, I believe, many if not most of the EAS member states, but we will find out.” The conflicting claims over the South China Sea pit an increasingly assertive Beijing against smaller Asian nations that look to support from the United States. The row is one of the region’s biggest flashpoints amid China’s military build-up and the US strategic “pivot” back to Asia signalled by the Obama administration in 2011. China claims almost the entire oil- and gas-rich South China Sea, overlapping with claims from Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The United States says it is officially neutral but has put pressure on China and other

US Secretary of State John Kerry attends the 1st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - US Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan yesterday. — AP claimants to end the dispute through talks.

Kerry would emphasize the role of the United States as “a longstanding champion of security and stability in the region, and as an advocate of the rule of law, peaceful solution of disputes, and freedom of navigation, and the principle of unimpeded lawful commerce”, the senior official said.

Nevertheless, Washington will be hamstrung at the summit because of Obama’s absence. “I’m sure the Chinese don’t mind that I’m not there right now,” the US president said at a news conference in Washington on Tuesday. “There are

areas where we have differences and they can present their point of view and not get as much push back as if I were there.”

In an apparent softening of its previous stance, China agreed this year to hold “consultations” with ASEAN on a code of conduct (CoC) for disputes in the South China Sea. But some diplomats and analysts say China may be giving the appearance of dialogue without committing to anything substantive, aiming to drag the talks out for years while it consolidates its expansive maritime claims.

“It’s a face-saving mechanism to show the world, to show ASEAN, that China is committed to come up with a CoC but the consultations are designed to delay formal negotiations on a binding code,” said one diplomat from an ASEAN nation. However, Premier Li said the CoC talks in the city of Suzhou last month were a success and China would be willing to build on that, although he did not give any specifics.

“We’ve always agreed that South China Sea disputes should be dealt with in a direct way, and to seek a resolution through negotiations and talks,” Li said in a speech at the summit.

He, however, maintained that China was “unshakable in its resolve to uphold national sovereignty and territorial integrity”. The dispute has soured relations between China and US ally the Philippines, in particular. The two countries have been involved in naval standoffs and China has effectively occupied a shoal 124 nautical miles (230 km) off the Philippine coast.

Manila is taking part in the CoC talks but has angered China by launching an arbitration case with the United Nations on the validity of China’s claims. Philippine President Benigno Aquino stressed the importance of the rule of law to the region’s economic well-being in a speech on Wednesday, calling for a return to the naval status quo that existed at the time a 2002 nonbinding agreement on maritime conduct was signed by China and ASEAN. “Our development as a region cannot be realized in an international environment where the rule of law does not exist,” Aquino said. — Reuters

Bo allowed to appeal against life in jail BEIJING: A court in eastern China yesterday allowed ousted former senior politician Bo Xilai to appeal against a guilty verdict on charges of corruption and abuse of power handed out last month which earned him a life sentence. Bo was a rising star in China’s leadership circles and cultivated a loyal following through his charisma and populist, quasi-Maoist policies, especially among those left out in the cold by China’s anything-for-growth economic policies.

But his career was stopped short last year by a murder scandal in which his wife, Gu Kailai, was convicted of poisoning a British businessman, Neil Heywood, who had been a family friend. In a brief statement posted on its website, the high court in the eastern province of Shandong, where Bo was first tried, said it had allowed him to appeal. It gave no other details, and did not say when the appeal would be heard. While Bo has the right to appeal, his sentence and the verdict are unlikely to be overturned as the courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party which long ago pronounced him guilty.

A source with direct knowledge of the case said Bo had appealed “on the day the sentence was announced”. “At that time he appealed verbally, and later submitted it in writing,” the source told Reuters, asking not to be named because of the political sensitivity of the case. —Reuters

MANILA: A protester posts a sticker on the riot shield of a police officer during a rally outside the US Embassy in Manila yesterday to protest the planned official visit of US State Secretary John Kerry this week in place of President Barack Obama who canceled his entire trip to Asia. — AP

Taleban mock US over government shutdown

YUYAO: An aerial view shows houses and streets partially submerged by flood swaters in Yuyao, in east China’s Zhejiang province yesterday. Although Typhoon Fitow landed Monday in the southeastern province of Fujian, the neighboring province of Zhejiang has been hit the hardest. — AP

KABUL: Taleban militants fighting US troops in Afghanistan taunted Washington yesterday over the government shutdown, accusing US politicians of “sucking the blood of their own people”.

The Islamist militants issued a statement describing how US institutions were “paralyzed”, the Statue of Liberty was closed and a fall in tourist numbers had hit shops, restaurants and hotels in the capital. “The American people should realize that their politicians play with their destinies as well as the destinies of other oppressed nations for the sake of their personal vested interests,” the

Taliban said. The insurgents accused “selfish and empty-minded American leaders” of taking US citizens’ money “earned with great difficulty” and then “lavishly spending the same money in shedding the blood of the innocent and oppressed people”.

“Instead of sucking the blood of their own people... this money should be utilised for the sake of peace,” they added. The US embassy in Kabul has said that it expects “to function normally in the short term” due to the shutdown, though its Twitter feed would not be regularly updated.

Embassy press staff were not immediately avail-

able to comment on the rebels’ statement. The Taliban, who were ousted from power in a USbacked offensive in 2001, often use their website to issue colourful verbal attacks on Washington and the Kabul government.

About 57,000 US troops are deployed in Afghanistan, with most of them set to pull out by the end of the next year. The US shutdown has seen hundreds of thousands of workers sent home without pay after Congress failed to pass a budget for the 2014 fiscal year that began October 1. — AFP

NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Morsi trial fuels political drama CAIRO: The trial of Egypt’s ousted President Mohammed Morsi will begin on Nov 4, authorities announced yesterday, launching a politically charged prosecution of the country’s first democratically elected leader on charges he incited the killing of opponents while in office - and taking the crackdown against the Islamist leader and his Muslim Brotherhood to a new level.

The trial threatens to add to the turmoil gripping Egypt since the July 3 popularly supported coup that removed Morsi, as his Islamist supporters are likely to hold protests around his court appearances that could easily spiral into violence. Over past months, Brotherhood-led protests against the military have repeatedly turned to clashes with police that have left hundreds dead.

For the military-backed government, the trial is an opportunity to show justification for the broad crackdown it has waged against the Brotherhood - and ultimately for the removal of Morsi - by bringing out details of one of the tensest periods of Morsi’s presidency, when the president was clashing openly with the judiciary and coming under accusations of using Islamist mobs to suppress dissent. But the military, , which now dominates the country’s politics, also opens itself up to potential criticism it is merely carrying out show trials, trying to put a nail in the coffin of the Brotherhood, which accuses the army and its supporters of wrecking Egypt’s fledgling democracy.

Already there are questions whether the trial, in which Morsi and 14 other members of his Brotherhood are defendants, can be fair. Morsi has been held in secret military detention since his ouster, with almost no contact with the outside world beyond two phone calls with his family. His defense lawyers have not been allowed to talk to him yet, and they say they have not been shown the documentation of the prosecution’s case against him.

The trial is likely to be the first of many against the Brotherhood. Prosecutors have been preparing cases against some 2,000 of the group’s leaders and members currently in detention. “This is a trial held under the cannon of a tank,” said Mohammed Gharib, a member of Morsi’s legal team, saying the procedures are just an extension of the political crackdown. “Is this an atmosphere for a fair trial?” Human rights lawyer Hoda Nasrallah said that the case, taken at face value, has potentially firm merits and is not simply political. “But there are definitely political purposes ... and score settling,” she

said. Rights lawyers underlined that they had tried to press this case even before Morsi’s fall. The case also is a new landmark in Egypt’s political convulsions over the past 2 1/2 years.

With Morsi going to court, Egypt will have two ex-presidents on trial at the same time. Longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, toppled in 2011, is undergoing a retrial on charges he was complicit in the killings of protesters against his rule. The case against Morsi is based on one of the deadliest bouts of violence during his year in office. On Dec. 4, at least 100,000 people protested outside his presidential palace against a decree Morsi issued giving himself sweeping protections from judiciary oversight. The move allowed his allies to push a highly disputed draft constitution on the way toward adoption without court challenge. On Dec 5, a group of Islamist supporters of Morsi descended on a sit-in camp set up by the protesters outside the palace, beating them and tearing down tents. It sparked street battles that killed at least 10, and saw Brotherhood members abducting and beating protesters in a makeshift sidewalk detention facility. The prosecution accuses Morsi and his co-defendants of inciting his supporters and aides to murder his opponents by forcefully breaking up the sit-in. One key question remains undecided: where the trial will be held. A venue that is too public would be more vulnerable to protests by Morsi supporters, but a trial held fully behind closed doors will bring questions whether the proceedings are fair.

Security officials told The Associated Press that he may be tried in the same location as Mubarak, at a courtroom set up in a police academy in eastern Cairo, seen as easier to secure and provide room for the large number of lawyers and journalists.

Another option being considered, the officials said, is to set up a court in the Tora prison complex in south Cairo where most of the Brotherhood leaders - though not Morsi, at the moment - are being held. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press.

The military ousted Morsi after demonstrations by millions demanding he leave office. After riding to political dominance on a series of election victories, Morsi and the Brotherhood had come under a massive backlash from a public that accused them of trying to monopolize power. Since the ouster, a court ordered the Brotherhood banned and its assets confiscated, while officials and media have depicted Morsi’s supporters are a violent movement threatening the nation’s security. — AP

Saudi gears for haj amid MERS Continued from Page 1 5,250 beds and hundreds of scattered medical centers. The MERS virus, which appeared first in the kingdom last year, has killed 58 people worldwide, 49 of them in Saudi Arabia, according to official Saudi figures and the World Health Organization.

Saudi authorities have appealed to ill and elderly people to avoid the haj this year although Health Minister Abdullah AlRabia said last month he was optimistic the pilgrimage will pass without outbreaks of the deadly coronavirus. There were no MERS outbreaks recorded at last year’s haj, nor during the Umrah, or minor haj, season in July and August of this year.

The haj has successfully ridden out two previous viral episodes in the past decade-SARS in 2003 and H1N1 influenza in 2009. The difference this time is that Saudi Arabia itself is the apparent incubator of MERS. Health officials have also appealed to pilgrims to use masks that cover the nose and mouth because MERS, short for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, can be transmitted through the air.

Aside from the virus fears, Saudi authorities have also cited construction work to expand the Grand Mosque in Makkah as a reason to keep down the number of pilgrims allowed to perform this year’s haj. The expansion work would increase the area of the

mosque by 400,000 square meters, raising its capacity to accommodate 2.2 million people at the same time.

The mosque houses the Kaaba-the cube-shaped structure towards which Muslims worldwide pray. Every Muslim country has a haj quota of 1,000 pilgrims per million inhabitants. The quota for Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation, for example, was slashed to 168,400 from 211,000, according to Indonesia’s religious affairs ministry.

“The Saudi government’s decision was made quite abruptly,” a ministry spokesman said. Saudi officials have said the cuts will apply for two more years until the first phase of the multi-billiondollar work is completed to expand the capacity for worshippers around the Kaaba in 2015. This year’s haj also comes amid continued political instability in the Middle East as fighting rages in Syria and occasional bloody clashes in Egypt between security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Saudi security officials have warned pilgrims against exploiting the haj season to demonstrate or raise political slogans, warning this will be dealt with harshly. In June, the kingdom decided to give Syria’s opposition National Coalition the right to process applications of Syrians wishing to perform the haj. The kingdom handled last year’s haj visa applications from Syrians without the cooperation of the regime in war-ravaged Syria. — AFP

Newspaper report sends Iran minster...

Continued from Page 1 Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, often viewed as a hardliner, backed Rouhani’s diplomatic overtures, but said some were “not proper”, a possible reference to the call - giving the president’s critics a chance to snipe at his initiative.

The hardline newspaper Kayhan said on Tuesday that Zarif had told a closed-door session of parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee that Rouhani’s conversation with Obama had been a mistake, as had the length of Zarif’s own private meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry. An infuriated Zarif denied saying any such thing, and said the newspaper report had affected him physically.

“This morning, after seeing the headline of one newspaper, I got severe back and leg pain. I couldn’t even walk or sit,” he wrote on his Facebook page late on Tuesday. Cancelling several engagements, Zarif decided to rest at the ministry and held meetings with deputies “while resting”. “When four to five hours of rest did not solve the problem, at 5 pm. I left my office ... and went to the hospital. Thank God, the MRI showed my problem was more due to nerves and a muscle spasm and will be

solved through exercise,” he wrote after returning from hospital some four hours later. “In any case, it was a bitter but very informative day for me. I learned that whatever I want to say, to say it publicly, because otherwise the market for abuse is very active.”

Without naming Kayhan, whose editor is appointed

by Khamenei and is usually considered to reflect his views, Zarif said it was unfortunate that a confidential meeting in parliament had been leaked. “Worse than this is that individuals who see themselves as the judges of my honesty, and who praise my honesty in a small headline, published with the biggest headline possible a quote attributed to me which does not conform with what I said.”

Though Khamenei is the ultimate authority on all matters of state, especially the nuclear file, there is often a vigorous debate between subordinates in the government, parliament and security apparatus that frequently spills into public before the supreme leader gives his final word. Western powers say Iran’s uranium enrichment program is aimed at achieving a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran denies the charge and says it only wants the technology for generating electricity and for medical research. — Reuters

PM under fire over deal with an Israeli...

Continued from Page 1 However, Al-Duwaisan said yesterday that former Finance Minister and current Oil minister Mustafa AlShamali admitted during his tenure in the previous Cabinet that the company is “wholly owned by Israel”.

He added that the prime minister can avoid the grilling by canceling the deal “and making decisions to hold accountable Interior Ministry officials responsible for signing the deal”.

In other news, MP Safa Al-Hashem questioned Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister Mustafa AlShamali regarding the K-Dow deal in which the state paid $2.16 billion as penalty to Dow Chemical over a unilateral decision to revoke the contract late 2008. The lawmaker requested “the official response with recommendation based on which the contract was annulled”, and demanded that the minister identify the parties responsible for singing and revoking the contract. She also inquired about benefits that Kuwaiti companies investing in Dow Chemical could have gained from the penalty payment.

Meanwhile, MP Adel A-Khorafi hinted that ministers could face legal action even if they leave the Cabinet “if violations during their tenures are proven”. On a separate note, MP Abdurrahman Al-Jeeran has applauded local authorities over recent news about the arrest of two prostitutes who arrived recently to Kuwait to offer sexual services during the Eid Al-Adha holidays. The

lawmaker also called for “extra checking” before issuing visas to foreigners “to prevent access to morally deviant people”.

In the meantime, MP Saud Al-Huraiji released a statement in which he accused Assistant Undersecretary for Traffic Affairs in the Interior Ministry, Major General Abdulfattah Al-Ali, of “abuse of power”. “While law enforcement is welcomed, abuse of power and injustice is not acceptable”, he said. He explained that the senior official enforces penalties on Kuwaitis and expatriates “that are not included in the state’s traffic regulations”, and further accused him of “selectivity in law enforcement”.

In other developments, the Appeals Court yesterday upheld a two-year sentence against Twitter activist Hajaj Al-Hajri who was found guilty of offending His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Also yesterday, the court adjourned a state security case in which activists Khalid Al-Fadhalah, Fahad Al-Qabandi and Abdullah Al-Rassam face illegal demonstration charges. The court set November 13 as the date for the next hearing.

Meanwhile, the Appeals Court upheld a death sentence for an Ethiopian housemaid who was found guilty of murdering her Kuwaiti employer’s daughter on the victim’s wedding day. Separately, the court set October 30 as the date to deliver its verdict in a case filed against the Health Ministry which is accused of negligence that led to the death of a Kuwaiti child Batoul Al-Enizy.

MAKKAH: Pilgrims perform evening prayers in Makkah’s Grand Mosque. The haj, which is one of the world’s largest human assemblies, begins on October 13 amid concerns over the deadly MERS coronavirus. —AFP

Plane noise linked to heart disease Continued from Page 1

findings, said the results suggested that “aircraft noise exposure is not just a cause of annoyance, sleep disturbance, and reduced quality of life” but may also increase sickness and death from heart disease.

City and town planners “need to take this into account when extending airports in heavily populated areas or planning new airports,” he said. Other experts said the studies raised important issues about aircraft noise and health, but did not establish a causal link.

“Both of these studies are thorough and well-conducted. But, even taken together, they don’t prove that aircraft noise actually causes heart disease and strokes,” said Kevin McConway, a professor of applied statistics at Britain’s Open University.

The British research team set out to investigate the risks of stroke and heart disease in relation to aircraft noise among 3.6 million people living near Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in the world. They compared hospital admissions and death rates due to stroke and heart disease from 2001 to 2005 in 12 areas of London and nine further districts to the west of London. Levels of aircraft noise for each area were obtained from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and factors that could have affected the results, such as age, sex, ethnicity, social deprivation, smoking, air pollution and road traffic noise were also taken into account.

Their results showed increased risks of stroke, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease - especially among the 2.0 percent of the study population exposed to the highest levels of daytime and night time

aircraft noise. “The exact role that noise exposure may play in ill health is not well established,” said Anna Hansell of Imperial College London, who led the British study. “However, it is plausible that it might be contributing, for example by raising blood pressure or by disturbing people’s sleep.”

The researchers noted that discussions on possible expansion plans for London’s airport capacity have been on and off the table for many decades, with demand for air travel expected to double in Britain to 300 million passengers per year by 2030. “Policy decisions need to take account of potential health related concerns, including possible effects of environmental noise on cardiovascular health,” they wrote.

In a second study also published in the BMJ, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Boston University School of Public Health looked at data for more than 6 million Americans aged 65 or over living near 89 US airports in 2009. The research - the first to analyze a very large population across multiple airports - found that, on average, zip codes with 10 decibel (dB) higher aircraft noise had a 3.5 percent higher cardiovascular hospital admission rate.

The results showed that people exposed to the highest noise levels - more than 55 dB - had the strongest link with hospitalizations for heart disease, and the link also remained after adjustment for socioeconomic status, demographic factors, air pollution, and proximity to roads. Conway said that because of the kind of data used, the studies could only “suggest very strongly that we should find out much more about aircraft noise and circulatory disease”. — Reuters

Saudis brace for ‘nightmare’ Continued from Page 1 Although any meaningful US-Iranian rapprochement looks distant, Obama telephoned Rouhani, an emollient self-described moderate, during the United Nations General Assembly. The Saudis now fear Obama may be tempted to thaw ties with Tehran by striking a deal to allow inspections of its atomic sites in return for allowing Iranian allies to go on dominating Arab countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. That such a bargain has never been publicly mooted from within the Obama administration has not stopped Saudis voicing their concerns.

“I am afraid in case there is something hidden,” said Abdullah Al-Askar, chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Saudi Arabia’s advisory parliament, the Shoura Council. “If America and Iran reach an understanding it may be at the cost of the Arab world and the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia.” Askar stressed he was not privy to government thinking on the issue and was speaking in a purely personal capacity.

In a rare appearance, King Abdullah, who is aged about 90, was shown on state television on Monday meeting Egypt’s visiting military-backed interim head of state, Adly Mansour. His words, carried prominently in Saudi media on Tuesday, were a forceful condemnation of the “terrorism, delusion and sedition” of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, which was ousted from government by the armed forces in July after street protests. That even these comments conveyed a clear subtext of Saudi-US friction showed how far the two allies’ differences extend today on issues across the Middle East.

It was Obama’s decision not to back Egyptian military strongman Hosni Mubarak against mass protests in early 2011 that first infuriated the Saudi royals, inspiring in them a sense of betrayal as they saw a mutual friend abandoned by Washington. The American president’s willingness to work with Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood figure elected Egypt’s president last year, further vexed the Saudis, who see the organization as a direct threat to their dynastic rule.

The kingdom, founded on the traditionalist Wahhabi school of Islam, was critical of US support for the rule of the modern Islamists of the Brotherhood in Egypt and privately contemptuous of Washington’s qualms about July’s military takeover in Cairo. When US politicians suggested cutting aid to Egypt after Morsi was ousted, Riyadh offered to make up for any lost funds, undermining American Middle East policy and signaling it was prepared to go its own way. US aid may be cut but since July, Saudi Arabia has given $5 billion, three times as much as Washington’s annual contribution.

“Usually the Saudis will not make any decision against US advice or interests. I think we’re past this stage. If it isn’t in our interests, we feel no necessity to bow to their wishes,” said Mustafa Alani, an Iraqi analyst at the Gulf Research Centre in Jeddah with close ties to the Saudi security establishment. Alani recited a litany of Saudi complaints, from Obama’s failure to press Israel to end settlement building in the West Bank to his support for Arab Spring revolutions that toppled Egyptian and Tunisian autocrats who had supported US policy.

But, like many prominent Saudis, he was most concerned by Obama’s approach to the crisis in Syria, a conflict viewed in the kingdom as a defining battle for Middle East supremacy between pro-Western leaders and non-Arab Iran. For more than a year, Saudi officials have pleaded with Washington to enter the conflict, either with direct air strikes or the imposition of a no-fly zone, or by giving significant military aid to the mainly Sunni rebels. When hundreds of civilians died in a chemical weapons attack in August, the Saudis were convinced this breach of a “red line” Obama had set last year would, finally, force tough US action. The subsequent Russian-brokered deal to dismantle Assad’s chemical weapons and thus avert air strikes was a bitter

blow for Riyadh, whose main strategy in Syria had been to coax its American ally into the war.

That fractious backdrop explains the worry senior Saudis felt at Obama’s flirtation with Rouhani in New York last month. After years of counseling their closest foreign friends to beware Iran’s rulers, describing them as “unstable”, “meddling”, “the head of the snake”, in various diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks, they fear their advice is going unheeded.

For Saudi Arabia, the stakes seem high. Regional rivalry with Iran has played out with increasing venom. The two see themselves as representatives of opposing visions of Islam: the Saudis as guardians of Mecca and conservative Sunni hierarchy, and the Shiite Iranians as the vanguard of an Islamic revolution in support of the downtrodden.

Over the past decade the Saudis have watched with alarm as Iran’s allies among the Arabs have grown in strength, dominating politics in Lebanon and Iraq and staging rebellions in Bahrain and Yemen in a move that seems to encircle Saudi Arabia. They also fear Tehran is taking direct action against the kingdom itself: fomenting unrest among its Shiite minority; plotting to assassinate its envoy in Washington; and planting a spy ring in the country. Tehran has denied all those claims. “If the US is really soft on Iran and letting Iran’s friends win in Syria, what conclusions will Gulf governments draw?” one senior diplomat in the Gulf said some weeks ago.

The Saudis were concerned “about an eventual possible deal between Washington and Iran”, he added, saying: “They will see what happens in Syria as a sign of that.” For Riyadh, Obama’s acceptance of the UN chemical weapons deal with Damascus signaled the US had indeed gone soft. “It’s not about the principle of Iran negotiating with the US We know this will happen sooner or later,” said Alani. “But it’s coming at the wrong time, when this president has already been tested by the Iranians and Russians and proved he cannot stand up for his principles or protect our interests.” When the then secretary of state Hillary Clinton prepared to visit Riyadh for the first time in February 2009, Washington’s ambassador Ford Fraker prepared a memo outlining the strong state of the relationship. It was later released by Wikileaks. Describing the ruling Al-Saud dynasty as a family that had “within living memory created a new state and then named it for themselves”, he enumerated the shared common ground, from energy policy to fighting Al-Qaeda, that bound Riyadh to Washington.

“Their interests are, to a surprising degree, aligned with our own,” he concluded. Former diplomats in Saudi Arabia argue that whatever the bumps in the road, that situation remains largely unchanged. “The Saudis are very skilful politicians. They wouldn’t be in power otherwise,” said one who argued Washington would heed Saudi concerns. “Most American administrations, Republican or Democrat, listen to the Saudis and their advice on many things, including the Iranians - who they can trust and who they can’t.” Yet the example of Saudi Arabia’s divergence from the US line on Egypt suggests the kingdom may now be inclined to push against US policy in other areas, particularly on Syria. Next Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of the Arab oil embargo, when Gulf exporters blocked energy sales to penalize US support for Israel against the Arabs in the Yom Kippur War. Today, the importance of steady oil supplies is one area where Washington and Riyadh are fully in sync, but Saudi Arabia might be prepared to push its own interests in other ways. Several analysts and diplomats in the Gulf said the United States had pressed Riyadh not to deliver “game-changing” weapons such as surfaceto-air missiles to Syrian rebels, fearing they would fall into the hands of the Islamist militants. Alani said that was one area where Saudi rulers may consider going their own way, particularly, he noted, as minor divisions within the family over how far to trust Obama had receded. — Reuters

14

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

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Issues

Obama’s ‘missed opportunity’ as Xi flexes muscles

By Jitendra Joshi ost Asia-Pacific leaders, themselves blooded in political trench warfare, sympathize with US President Barack Obama’s unwillingness to desert his Washington fox-hole while grand strategic shifts take place on the other side of the world. But there is unease among many countries that the policy paralysis in Washington could cause casualties far and wide-the more so if the US government’s default time-bomb blows up in mid-October. With Obama absent from a pair of Asian summits this week, China took the spoils on an empty battleground.

President Xi Jinping stressed the expanding reach of China’s trade and investment across Asia at a moment when several countries such as US ally Singapore fretted that the United States appeared dangerously distracted.”I’m sure the Chinese don’t mind that I’m not there right now,” Obama told a White House news conference Tuesday, castigating the Republicans over the budget crisis. Obama denied that his failure to come to Asia would inflict “lasting damage”, calling the United States “the one indispensable nation”. But he conceded: “I should have been there.”

Asia security expert Carl Thayer of Australia’s University of New South Wales concurred that Obama’s no-show at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bali, and at an East Asia summit opening Wednesday in Brunei, was a “missed opportunity”. He said the president could have personally pressed US economic and military interests, with the next Asia summit not coming for another year. As it was, Obama’s presidential imprint was missing from talks in Bali on a grand trade pact with 11 other economies called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Matthew Goodman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington said the president’s absence “took some of the wind out of the sails” of the TPP negotiation. “But (there was) not necessarily permanent damage. I think this can be repaired,” said Goodman, who is Obama’s former coordinator for APEC.He agreed with Thayer that Obama would have to return to Asia well before the next round of summits in late 2014 to make up for this week’s cancellations. Obama was also forced to skip visits to Malaysia and the Philippines.

Secretary of State John Kerry came to Asia in his stead, but the cancellation nixed the signing of a military pact in Manila designed to assure the Philippines of US support against the resurgent China.But Kerry-who to some Asians’ chagrin has expended more diplomatic effort on the Middle East than Asia-acknowledged that there was a “cost” attached to Obama’s inability to nudge global affairs forward by meeting the likes of Xi or Russian President Vladimir Putin this week.

Putin echoed many APEC leaders in saying that Obama had no choice but to stay home, underscoring the global influence of the world’s largest economy and the controller of the world’s reserve currency. Above all it is the economic fallout of the political crisis that is worrying leaders in Asia and beyond as a once-unthinkable scenario looms: the possibility that the US government might default on its colossal debts unless Congress raises the federal borrowing limit by October 17. But the longer-term strategic calculation is not far from their thinking either.

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‘SUPERPOWER IN WAITING’ While expressing sympathy for Obama’s domestic travails, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said “no other country can replace” US engagement in Asia, “not China, not Japan, not any other power”. “That is something which we continue and encourage at every opportunity.” China is seen in parts of Asia as dictating terms from a position of strength, laying claim to territory across the entire South China Sea to the shores of the Philippines. In Brunei, Obama will be unable to lend his authority towards the US goal of prodding Beijing into accepting a binding “code of conduct” to limit the threat of confrontation with rival claimants.

US interests will only suffer irreparable harm if the political deadlock sends the economy into a death-spiral that necessitates a reduction in Washington’s military footprint in Asia, according to Ian Storey of Singapore’s Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. But he stressed: “In the short term, it makes Obama look weak and hamstrung by his political opponents, while Xi and Li (Keqiang, the Chinese premier) look like the leaders of a superpower in waiting.”

The message from Xi to Asia has been unmistakeable: work with us for your own good. “China cannot develop in isolation of the Asia-Pacific and the Asia-Pacific cannot prosper without China,” he said at APEC, while vowing to “firmly uphold regional peace and stability”. The United States, however, is counting on new fears growing from China’s rise-and old alliances borne from what Kerry called “the blood and the treasure that we expended” on Asian battlefields over many decades. — AFP

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Momentum for diplomacy hides chasm between Syrian foes

By Dominic Evans iplomatic momentum is building to bring Syria’s warring parties together for peace talks, but with Bashar Al-Assad in no mood for concessions and his opponents still deeply divided there is little prospect for an early end to the catastrophic civil war. Hopes that the longdelayed talks may finally go ahead in Geneva next month have been boosted by the rare sight of Washington and Moscow cooperating to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons and hints of a US thaw with Assad’s ally Iran.

President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia and the United States had a common understanding on disarming Syria’s chemical arsenal - a sharp change in language about a 2-1/2 year conflict which has revived Cold War antagonisms.

Building on that consensus the two countries say they will push hard to convene the talks, known as Geneva 2 because they follow an international meeting in the Swiss city last year.

But the drive to get talks underway is worrying some countries which fear the main achievement of the original Geneva accord - agreement to set up a fully empowered Syrian transitional government - may be lost in the bargaining.

Syrian authorities, buoyed by recent battlefield gains, say they are ready to attend Geneva without preconditions but in the same breath spell out they have no intention of surrendering any powers to rebels they have vilified as terrorists. Assad says the only way to reduce his presidential powers, which include commanding the forces battling rebel fighters, is through a referendum, and the decision on whether he runs for re-election next year is not for outsiders to take.

He says there can be no talks with the rebels unless they give up their guns and declared that any opposition figures who call for foreign military or even political involvement in Syria should be disqualified from the process. He has also ruled out a ceasefire with his opponents. “A ceasefire is reached between two fighting states, between two armies. There can never be a ceasefire between a state and terrorists,” he told Chinese television last month.

A French official said this week that the statements coming out of Damascus showed that authorities had rejected the main premise of the proposed negotiation, a position which would rob Geneva 2 of any purpose. “The question is whether we want a pretty photo next to Lake Geneva or a political process,” the official said.

United Nations peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who has spoken more than once about resigning in frustration over the international impasse over Syria, said on Sunday there was still no certainty the Geneva talks would go ahead as planned.

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REBEL SPLITS Enmity between Assad and his opponents has hardened over the course of a war in which his troops escalated the use of force from gunfire when the uprising against him erupted in March 2011

through tank fire to air strikes and missile warfare. A chemical attack near Damascus killed hundreds in August, and both sides have been accused of committing war crimes. Two million people have fled the bloodshed as refugees, while millions more have been displaced inside Syria by the violence. Complicating the picture are the chronic divisions among rebels and the political opposition, and between fighters and activists on the ground and the opposition coalition in exile, the Syrian National Coalition.

Military coalitions among the hundreds of local rebel brigades inside Syria are constantly shifting, with Islamist and jihadi elements growing in influence. The only constant is the scorn many fighters have for the political opposition abroad. All those factors played a role in the denunciation last month by a dozen rebel groups, including the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, of the National Coalition which they disowned as unrepresentative. The move was a setback for the coalition’s Western supporters who have sought to build it up alongside the Free Syrian Army which they have portrayed as a moderate bulwark against the Islamists.

Instead, as they try to assemble a diplomatic stage for the peace talks, Western countries are left with ever-weakening allies and fewer levers of influence in a conflict which has killed more than 100,000 people. Assad by contrast has consolidated his military position around Damascus and the central city of Homs and enjoys military support from Iran and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah as well as diplomatic cover and arms sales from Moscow.

Western diplomats seek to play down

the rebel rejection of the coalition, saying it may have been an opportunist appeal for funding from private donors in the Gulf, and does not mark an irreversible break with the SNC coalition or the FSA rebels. “The West is tied to the SNC for lack of any alternative and is unable to connect to the rebel groups on the ground - partly for fear of allying itself to Islamist groups,” said Julien Barnes Dacey of the European Council on Foreign Relations. “A brave move would be to shift and acknowledge that the SNC is incapable of representing the Syrians on the ground.”

But the willingness of the SNC and some of the FSA rebels to conduct some form of negotiation with authorities in Damascus make them indispensable to the United States and its allies. “I would expect that Western policy will proceed along the assumption that yes, these groups represent a narrowing slice of opposition, and that any agreement reached with them will have only limited applicability across Syria’s opposition,” said Shashank Joshi of London’s Royal United Services Institute. “But it’s better than nothing.”

REGIONAL POWERS Washington’s tentative opening with Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani has also highlighted the role of regional powers who have taken firm stands on either side of Islam’s Sunni and Shiite divide Assad is an Alawite, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, while the rebels are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims. While Shiite Iran has supported Assad militarily and financially, the Sunni Muslim Gulf states and Turkey have been the strongest backers of the rebels.

“There’s an opportunity if, following the chemical weapons accord and the USIranian talks, they can build up steam and Russia and Iran put pressure on Assad,” Barnes Dacey said. “He will struggle to resist a political process if his main backers are telling him to get in the game.” The United States said on Monday it would be open to Iran taking part in the peace conference if it publicly backed last year’s call for a transitional government in Syria.

“The more challenging aspect is to get the hardline backers of the opposition to move in that direction. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are not prepared to accept any process that gives Assad legitimacy,” he said. Coalition president Ahmed Jarba said this week the SNC wanted the endorsement of Ankara and Riyadh and other regional supporters for its attendance at the Geneva talks. He also declined to characterize the proposed meeting with Assad’s “criminal regime” as a dialogue, describing it instead as “negotiations with an enemy”.

“The only goal from our perspective is to set the conditions for the handover of power and to ensure justice through prosecution of everyone who has committed war crimes against our people,” he told a news conference on Monday. If the two sides ever do sit down to negotiate in Geneva, the chasm between those demands and Assad’s unyielding position leaves little obvious room for compromise. “I don’t see the pieces in place for a successful diplomatic settlement,” RUSI’s Joshi said. “Which is not to say you won’t get people round the table. I just don’t think you’ll get a lot resolved.” — Reuters

EZZOR: Opposition forces from the Al-Ikhlas brigade fire a home-made rocket, next to an Islamist flag bearing the name of their brigade in Syria’s northeastern city of Deir Ezzor yesterday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fierce fighting in Damascus province between rebels and troops backed by pro-regime militias and fighters from Lebanon’s Shiite Muslim movement Hezbollah. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

S P ORTS

Commit or miss out on Rio MELBOURNE: The big names of Australian rugby such as Israel Folau or Kurtley Beale will have to commit to the national sevens project well before the 2016 Rio Games or miss out on their chance at an Olympic medal, Australia coach Michael O’Connor said.

Rugby makes its Olympic debut at Rio in the sevens format and places on the Games squad are likely to be fiercely contested among regular team members and hopefuls in the 15-man game.

O’Connor said he would give short shrift to any ‘johnny-come-latelys’ trying to cash in on their celebrity to earn a berth.

“We have been building a young side and the bulk of the team we’ll take to Rio in 2016 will be guys who’ve been in the program and gone to Super 15 or are currently in the program now,” O’Connor told reporters in the Gold Coast ahead of the series-opening tournament this weekend.

“We’re now starting to get these guys two or three years into sevens. They’re really building valuable experience and that’s just essential for the Olympics.—Reuters

Colorado 2, Toronto 1; NY Islanders 6, Phoenix 1; Philadelphia 2, Florida 1; Pittsburgh 5, Carolina 2; Tampa Bay 3, Buffalo 2 (OT); Nashville 3, Minnesota 2; Vancouver 3, New Jersey 2 (OT); San Jose 9, NY Rangers 2.

San Jose Vancouver Anaheim Calgary Phoenix Los Angeles Edmonton Colorado St. Louis Winnipeg Chicago Dallas Nashville Minnesota

Toronto Boston Detroit Tampa Bay Ottawa Montreal Florida Buffalo Pittsburgh NY Islanders Carolina New Jersey Columbus NY Rangers Washington Philadelphia

Levski coach keen to stay

YEOJU: South Korea’s KJ Choi is aiming to become the first player to win the same Asian Tour event for three straight years when he tees off at this week’s CJ Invitational. “I’m eyeing a third win in this event but obviously it won’t be easy. No player has done it on the Asian Tour before and I hope to be the first,” the 43-year-old, who hosts the $750,000 event in the city of Yeoju, said in an Asian Tour statement yesterday.

“But I’ll also be happy if a younger player wins this event as well.” Choi fired a final round four-under-par 67 at the Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club course last year to win the event by two shots from compatriots Jang Dong-kyu and Bae Sang-moon, matching his margin of victory in the inaugural event in 2011. An eight-times winner on the US PGA Tour, Choi is yet to claim a title this year but said he was in good form ahead of his own event. “I did not win this year but I made all the cuts in all the major tournaments so that’s a positive sign for me,” Choi said. “I finished higher on the US PGA Tour rankings compared to last year so that’s another success for me.” Swede Rikard Karlberg believes Choi’s reign will end this week with the Asian Tour field catching up on the world number 119’s home advantage.

“KJ has shown us how strong and solid his game is. He has lectured us like small boys in this tournament but I think the players now are getting better and better and they are more used to the golf course,” the twice Asian Tour winner said. “I think we will see another winner this year.”—Reuters

SOFIA: Levski Sofia coach Ivaylo Petev has denied supporting another club from the city and said he was determined to stay in the post despite being forced out of his first news conference by hostile fans. “I am a professional and I came to work for the good of Levski,” Petev told local media yesterday. “I’ll continue my work (at Levski).

Levski, the 26-times Bulgarian champions, turned to Petev after sacking Serbian coach Slavisa Jokanovic following a mediocre start to the season but the Sofia-based club’s fans believe his allegiance lies with CSKA. “I have no sympathy to another Sofia club, you can check it out,” said Petev. In an interview with local media in June, however, the 38-year-old, who led Ludogorets to two consecutive league titles, said he was a CSKA fan, adding that this had never stopped him being uncompromising against his favourite team on the pitch.

On Tuesday, angry Levski fans burst in shortly after the start of Petev’s presentation to the media at the Georgi Asparuhov stadium and made him take off the club shirt before showing him the exit. Those ugly scenes were followed by the resignations of chief executive Nasko Sirakov — a crowd favorite and the club’s all-time leading scorer with 206 goals between 1981 and 1994 — and Levski’s board chairman Ivo Tonev.—Reuters

Sharks win, Penguins roll

NHL results/standings

Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF 3 0 0 17 3 1 0 15 2 1 0 8 1 0 2 12 1 2 0 6 1 2 0 7 1 2 0 11 Central Division 3 0 0 11 2 0 0 11 2 1 0 12 1 0 1 8 1 1 0 4 1 2 0 6 0 1 2 7 Eastern Conference Atlantic Division 3 1 0 13 2 0 0 7 2 1 0 6 2 1 0 7 1 0 1 5 1 1 0 7 1 2 0 5 0 3 1 4 Metropolitan Division 3 0 0 12 2 0 1 12 1 1 1 6 0 1 3 9 1 1 0 6 1 2 0 6 1 2 0 10 1 3 0 5

Choi eyes Asian record

GA 4 12 11 13 11 10 15

PTS 6 6 4 4 2 2 2

3 2 10 7 5 9 10

6 4 4 3 2 2 2

10 2 7 7 5 5 11 10

6 4 4 4 3 2 2 1

3 7 9 15 6 14 12 10

6 5 3 3 2 2 2 2

Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L) .

SAN JOSE: Tomas Hertl scored four goals, Matthew Nieto had his first NHL goal and added two assists and the San Jose Sharks beat the New York Rangers 9-2 Tuesday night.

Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Dan Boyle, Logan Couture and Justin Braun also scored for the Sharks, who won their third straight of the young season. They have outscored their opponents 17-4.

Jason Demers and Joe Pavelski each had three assists. Brad Richards and Derek Dorsett scored for the Rangers, who were coming off a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. San Jose goalkeeper Antti Niemi needed to stop 18 shots for the win while Rangers goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist stopped 22 of 26 shots during his nearly 30 minutes on the ice. Martn Biron took over in the net after the Sharks built a 4-1 advantage and saved 16 of 21.

The nine goals were one off the franchise record.

Roberto Luongo. Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias each had a goal and an assist for New Jersey (01-3), which was playing its second game in as many nights.

PREDATORS 3, WILD 2 Filip Forsberg and Colin Wilson scored power-play goals 39 seconds apart in the first period to lead Nashville to victory over Minnesota in its home opener. Eric Nystrom added his first career penalty shot goal all in the first period for Nashville, matching the goals the Predators had totaled in losing their first two games. Pekka Rinne made 32 saves.

Zach Parise scored a power-play goal, and Jared Spurgeon also scored for the Wild.

Minnesota lost goalie Niklas Backstrom to a lower body injury in the first when Nystrom crashed into him after being tripped on a breakaway. The Wild said Backstrom will be evaluated late yes-

terday. Josh Harding replaced Backstrom and gave up the goal to Nystrom.

AVALANCHE 2, MAPLE LEAFS 1 PA Parenteau scored early in the third period to help Colorado edge Toronto. Tied 1-1 going into the third, Colorado went ahead at 2:30 on a two-on-one with Jamie McGinn setting up Parenteau. The goal stood up to video review.

“According to Rule 78.4 ‘if an attacking player has the puck deflect into the net, off his skate or body, in any manner, the goal shall be allowed.’

Good goal Colorado,” the NHL said in explaining the call. Avs rookie Nathan MacKinnon, the 18year-old first overall pick in the draft, got an assist - his fourth - on Parenteau’s third goal of the season. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado, which got another terrific start from Semyon Varlamov in net. Joffrey Lupul scored for Toronto.

PENGUINS 5, HURRICANES 2 Jussi Jokinen scored his first hat trick in nearly six years to help Pittsburgh pull away from Carolina for the victory. Jokinen helped the Penguins improve to 3-0, opening the scoring in the first period and adding two goals in the third after Carolina drew even at 2-2. Paul Martin and Tanner Glass also scored for Pittsburgh, while Sidney Crosby picked up his first two assists of the season. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 32 shots for the Penguins, who have not trailed through three games.

Pittsburgh has outscored opponents 12-3 while getting off to the franchise’s best start since 1994-95. Eric Staal and Nathan Gerbe scored for the Hurricanes and Cam Ward made 32 saves.

CANUCKS 3, DEVILS 2 Jason Garrison scored at 2:18 of overtime as the Vancouver defeated New Jersey. Garrison’s shot from the point through traffic beat Cory Schneider in the goaltender’s first game against his former team. Daniel Sedin, with a goal and an assist, and Alexander Edler scored for Vancouver (3-1-0), which got 21 saves from

SAN JOSE: Derek Dorsett No. 15 of the New York Rangers scores a goal, getting past goalkeeper Antti Niemi No. 31 of the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center. — AFP

ISLANDERS 6, COYOTES 1 John Tavares scored his first two goals of the season and defenseman Matt Donovan added the first of his NHL career to lift New York over Phoenix. Peter Regin and Tavares scored in the first period, and Donovan, Tavares and Colin McDonald connected in the second against beleaguered goalie Mike Smith to turn it into a rout. Frans Nielsen earned the second of his three assists on the night when McDonald made it 5-1 with 2:36 left in the second. Evgeni Nabokov was the beneficiary of all the offense and made 33 saves for the win. The 38-year-old goalie has started all three games for the Islanders. Martin Hanzal scored in the second period for the Coyotes.

FLYERS 2, PANTHERS 1 Brayden Schenn and Braydon Coburn scored to lead Philadelphia past Florida make Craig Berube a winner in his coaching debut. Berube was on the bench a day after Peter Laviolette was fired after a 0-3 start. With Berube calling the shots, the Flyers scored their season high for goals. Steve Mason had 33 saves for the Flyers.

Brad Boyes scored for the Panthers.

LIGHTNING 3, SABRES 2 Alex Killorn scored 1:50 into overtime to lift Tampa Bay to a come-from-behind victory over winless Buffalo. Teddy Purcell had the tying goal 5:43 into the third period and Tyler Johnson also scored for the Lightning (2-1), who have two wins after regulation.

Tampa Bay has yet to hold a lead in regulation after coming off a 3-2 shootout victory at Chicago in which the Lightning overcame a 2-0 third-period deficit.

Jamie McBain and Cody Hodgson had a goal and assist each for Buffalo (0-3-1). Despite the loss, Buffalo finally generated some offense by doubling its season goal total. And the Sabres also earned a point to avoid extending their franchise-worst season-opening losing streak to four games. Buffalo had previously never lost more than two straight in regulation. — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

S P ORT S

East Asia Games: China dominates martial arts BEIJING: China powered ahead in the medals table at the East Asian Games yesterday, dominating the martial arts events as they reached their climax.

With 12 martial arts golds up for grabs yesterday, by late afternoon China had taken six of them, compared with three for Hong Kong and one for South Korea.

The host nation had already won six of the eight martial arts golds awarded in the first two days of competition at the 10-day regional contest.

Yesterday’s haul included four of the six gold medals to be contested in the “sanshou” events-in which

gloved fighters confront each other in physical combat.

Among the victorious Chinese fighters were Xiao Chun, who won the 52 kilogram event, and Li Kang, who claimed gold in the 56 kilogram category.

South Korea’s Ham Gwansik took gold in the 65 kilogram event, while Hong Kong’s Li Sone-wai won the 60 kilogram contest.

Chinese women fighters Feng Yufang (48 kilogram) and Qiu Tiao (52 kilograms) also took gold in their categories. China also took two of the four gold medals in the “taolu” events, in which athletes do not engage in

fights but are assessed on their techniques.

Liang Yongda took the gold for men’s “nanquan” and “nangun”, where fighters are assessed on their techniques in a type of boxing which translates into English as “Southern Fist”, and also their combat techniques using a stick-like weapon.

Chinese women’s pair Zhao Longlong and Xin He also claimed gold in their non-combative event. Hong Kong took a pair of “taolu” gold, one in a men’s event and the other in a women’s event assessing techniques in stick and sword weapon use.

By late afternoon yesterday, China had a total of 55 gold medals overall, ahead of South Korea on 16 and Japan on 12. This year’s competition features more than 2,400 athletes from China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Guam, competing in 24 different sports in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin. It is the last time the East Asian Games will be held in their current form, the state news agency Xinhua reported, with the event due to be transformed into a youth games for athletes aged 14 to 18. — AFP

Boos, snooze but Vettel poised for F1 greatness

CHITTAGONG: Bangladeshi cricketer Robiul Islam (right) appeals for a leg before wicket decision against New Zealand cricketer Peter Fulton (left) during the first day of the first cricket Test match between Bangladesh and New Zealand. — AFP

Bangladesh strike after Williamson’s century CHITTAGONG: Kane Williamson hit a fluent century for New Zealand before Bangladesh hit back in the final session of the opening day’s play in the first Test in Chittagong yesterday. Williamson made 114 to enable the Black Caps to reach 280-5 after they won the toss and elected to bat on a newly-laid pitch at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

New Zealand were coasting at 244-2 when left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, recalled to the Test side after two years, grabbed two of the three wickets that fell after tea.

Williamson was leg-before to Shakib Al Hasan in the penultimate over, before Razzak dismissed skipper Brendon McCullum (21) off what turned out to be the final delivery of the day. The flurry of late wickets undid the good work of the top order where opener Peter Fulton made a patient 73 to lay the foundation of a big total. Fulton put on 57 for the first wicket with Hamish Rutherford (34) and 126 for the second with Williamson on a slow wicket that hampered stroke-making.

Fulton, who needed 156 balls to reach his 50, celebrated his third half-century in Test cricket by pulling Marshall Ayub for a six over mid-wicket.

But the 34-year-old from Canterbury fell just before tea, hitting a short ball from part-time spinner Nasir Hossain to Mominul Haque in the covers.

“It was pretty disappointing not to be able to carry on with the job, but I am pleased with giving the team a good start,” Fulton said after the day’s play. “We did a lot of good work in the first 85 overs, so it was disappointing to lose those last two wickets.

“We still have capable batsmen to come in and we will look to get around 350 to 400. That will give our bowlers something to bowl at. I would expect the wicket to get lower and slower.”

Williamson moved to 98 with a back-foot punch off spinner Sohag Gazi for a boundary and then completed his fourth Test century with another four off Razzak in the next over. Former captain Ross Taylor scored 28 in a third-wicket stand of 61 with Williamson before edging an intended flick off Razzak to substitute Naeem Islam in the covers. Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim claimed the second new ball as soon as it was due after 80 overs and managed to scalp both Williamson and

McCullum just before the close. Nasir, delighted at claiming the wicket of a well-settled Fulton, said Bangladesh were on top after the late strikes.

“This was a good comeback by us,” he said. “I would say the game is still in our hands. We are now in a very good position. “But we will need to take their remaining five wickets as quickly as possible. The pitch will start to wear as the game goes on. Batting will be really difficult in the second innings.” New Zealand awarded Test caps to leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and all-rounder Corey Anderson, while batsman Ayub made his debut for the hosts. The second Test will be played in Dhaka from October 21 to 25, followed by three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game. — AFP

SCOREBOARD CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh: Scoreboard at stumps on the opening day of the first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong yesterday: New Zealand 1st innings: P. Fulton c Mominul b Nasir 73 H. Rutherford c Razzak b Gazi 34 K. Williamson lbw b Shakib 114 R. Taylor c sub (Naeem) b Razzak 28 B. McCullum lbw b Razzak 21 B. Martin not out 0 BJ Watling not out 0 Extras: (b4, lb6) 10 Total (for five wickets, 89.5 overs) 280 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Rutherford), 2-183 (Fulton), 3-244 (Taylor), 4-276 (Williamson), 5280 (McCullum).

Bowling: Robiul 10-2-16-0, Rubel 13-1-44-0, Razzak 31.5-4-100-2, Gazi 23-4-56-1, Shakib 82-34-1, Ayub 2-0-15-0, Nasir 2-0-5-1.

SUZUKA: Sebastian Vettel has endured boos and his dominance has been called boring but he stands on the verge of true Formula One greatness by sealing his fourth straight world title this week in Japan.

One more crooked-finger victory salute from Vettel, coupled with an off-day by nearest rival Fernando Alonso, and the Red Bull man joins Juan Manuel Fangio and Michael Schumacher as only the third four-in-a-row champion. The amiable German, still only 26, would also tie Alain Prost’s career haul of four titles, and lie one off Fangio’s total of five compiled in the 1950s.

And yet another world championship next year in his rampaging Red Bull would see Vettel match Schumacher’s five in a row won with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004.

After unsavoury booing greeted Vettel’s irresistible form, including victories in the last four grands prix, debate has raged over whether fans should salute his mastery or yearn for more competitive days.

Vettel’s victory from pole position in South Korea last Sunday opened a 77-point lead, and with only 125 points available from the remaining five races he is home and dry if Alonso cannot reach the top eight on Sunday.

The Spaniard has all but thrown in the towel, even if he does manage to postpone Vettel’s celebrations until India or Abu Dhabi, the next two races after Japan.

“The championship is a low priority at the moment,” said Alonso, champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006. “Second in the constructors’ championship is more realistic.”

And Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has already congratulated Red Bull on their expected victory. “We know it is almost impossible to win the title, so congratulations to him (Vettel) and to what they are doing because at the end of the day if they have (the title) they deserve that,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton voiced concern that Vettel’s vice-like grip over Formula One was sending fans to sleep, comparing it to the era of seven-time world champion Schumacher.

But the Briton quickly took to Twitter to clarify his comments and praise the “true champion” who was doing a “perfect job”.

“I admire his dedication and ability to consistently perform without mistakes,” said Hamilton, world champion with McLaren in 2008. “This is the mark of a true champion.”

Vettel has racked up eight victories out of 14 this year and is on course to beat his previous season best of 11 in 2011, when he also clinched the title at Suzuka, his favourite track.

“Even though it looks very good, it’s still not over so we shouldn’t feel too comfortable,” said Vettel. “There’s still a chance for Fernando, so we have to stay on top of our game,” he added.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said Vettel is “right up there” with the greatest of all time, a view that would be strengthened if he wraps up the title with four races left.

However, safety could yet play a role. Last week in South Korea, Mark Webber’s Red Bull exploded into flames after getting a puncture and then being hit by Adrian Sutil.

Shredding tyres sparked fury among drivers, with Webber accusing tyre makers Pirelli of putting the drivers at risk. “The drivers aren’t super-important,” said the Australian, convinced his blowout was caused by running over debris from an earlier puncture suffered by McLaren’s Sergio Perez.

“The tyres are wearing a lot and they also explode a bit, but that is for Pirelli to sort out.” Three months after a British Grand Prix marred by puncturing exploding tyres, Pirelli will again come under close scrutiny.

“We’ve absolutely no fears going forward,” insisted Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery. “The structure we use now is what we have used for the last two years and there hasn’t been an issue. Of course you will get racing incidents, but that’s life.” — AFP

Chevrolet sponsored Red Bull Car Park Drift opened with a drifting show by Camaro SS KUWAIT: The crowd that gathered at the 2013 Red Bull Car Park Drift which took place on October 4, 2013 at the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Mishrif were witnesses to the most thrilling and challenge-worthy drifting performances made by the most skilled drivers and unique cars in Kuwait. Chevrolet was the main sponsor of the exciting event that attracted in various crowds especially the male youth who thirst for such exciting events.

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YOKOHAMA: Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany waves to his fans during a talk show at Nissan Motors headquarters in Yokohama. — AFP

Lynx shatter Dream MINNEAPOLIS: The Minnesota Lynx offense is humming at a record clip and their defense has caused the Atlanta Dream’s biggest star to come unglued.

A second WNBA title in three seasons is right there in front of them. Now that the series is heading to the South, they don’t plan on coming back home for another game. They plan on coming back home for another party.

Seimone Augustus scored 20 points and Lindsay Whalen had 14 points and five assists to push the Lynx to the brink of the championship with an 88-63 victory over the Atlanta Dream in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Tuesday night.

“It’s right there,” said Augustus, who made 9 of 12 shots. “We’ve got 40 more minutes, 80 more possessions to get to where we want to be and get to what we feel like we deserve.”

Rebekkah Brunson had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Maya Moore chipped in 14 points and eight boards for the Lynx, who set a finals record with 56.9 percent shooting and lead the best-of-five series 2-0. Angel McCoughtry scored 15 points for the Dream, but she made just 5 of 18 shots and was in foul trouble for most of the night.

Game 3 is tonight in Georgia.

“We don’t want to have to come back to Minneapolis,” coach Cheryl Reeve said. “When we come back to Minneapolis, it’s going to be for a parade, not to play Game 5.” The series is taking on a similar tone to the first time these two met in the finals two years ago, when the Lynx swept the Dream for the franchise’s first title. Minnesota was upset by Indiana in the finals last year, and entered this series determined to show last year’s disappointment was a fluke. Moore had an emphatic swat of McCoughtry on a drive midway through the first quarter, and Moore glared at Atlanta’s combustible star, who is 11 for 42 from the field in the first two games.

Game 3 won’t be played at the Dream’s usual home - Phillips Arena in Atlanta - because of a scheduling conflict with Disney On Ice. Instead, the teams will meet at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, about 20 minutes away. Moore will feel as at home as the Dream at Gwinnett, where she led her high school to three Georgia state titles.

“As long as it’s in the state of Georgia, I’m good with that,” Atlanta coach Fred Williams said. The Lynx controlled Game 1 from the opening tip, leading by as many as 31 points en route to an 84-59 victory and came into Game 2 overflowing with confidence.

A message on the video board just before the opening tip read: “Game 1 we made a statement.

Game 2 we will make history. We’re leaving Minnesota after tonight, but we’ll be bringing something back with us.” A photo of the championship trophy followed, eliciting a roar from the amped-up home crowd, and the Lynx followed with a ferocious start to seize control.

Williams had to shuffle his starting lineup after sparkplug Tiffany Hayes injured her back and tailbone on a nasty spill in Game 1. The Dream went big with 6-foot-4 Aneika Henry next to the 6-foot-5 Erika De Souza.

Hayes came off the bench, but she wasn’t the dynamic player she has been for Atlanta this season.

And even with the big lineup the Dream were still outscored 42-26 in the paint and outrebounded 40-22.

“There’s really no panic mode for this team,” Williams said. “I think we have an opportunity for us to still have the fire lit and keep it burning.

It’s our turn to go home and see what happens from there.”

Whalen was the initiator early, bulling to the basket and using her elbows to create space among the tall trees in the paint to get the Lynx out to a 15-point lead in the first quarter. McCoughtry missed her first six shots and fouled out with just under four minutes to play. Her frustration was visible throughout the game and reality may be setting in.

“We don’t want to believe it’s over, but it’s tough playing the Lynx, you know?” McCoughtry said.

“They’re so deep. They shoot the ball so well. Let’s hope they don’t shoot so well on our court.”

The Dream got to within 10 midway through the third quarter, but Minnesota responded promptly with an 8-0 burst to regain a comfortable lead. “We know Atlanta is going to bring everything,” Augustus said. “They’re going to throw the kitchen sink at us. We’re expecting them to come out and try to do whatever they can to not be eliminated in Game 3.”—AP

MINNEAPOLIS: Monica Wright No. 22 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket against Alex Bentley No. 2 of the Atlanta Dream during the third quarter of Game Two of the 2013 WNBA Finals. — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

S P ORT S

Dodgers beat Braves 4-3 to clinch NLDS LOS ANGELES: The Dodgers advanced to their first National League championship series since 2009 after Juan Uribe hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth inning for a 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Yasiel Puig doubled down the right-field line leading off the eighth against losing pitcher David Carpenter. The rookie charged into second base and pumped his right fist

up for the Dodgers, who lost in five games to Philadelphia four years ago in the NLCS. The Braves took a 3-2 lead in the seventh with pinch-hitter Jose Constanza’s RBI single off reliever Ronald Belisario. The Dodgers gambled in bringing back Clayton Kershaw on three days’ rest for the first time in his career. But with a chance to close out the series, they

LOS ANGELES: Juan Uribe No. 5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game Four of the National League Division Series. — AFP

in the air in celebration. Fans were on their feet chanting “Let’s go Dodgers!” when Uribe fouled off two bunt attempts, then sent a shot into the Dodgers’ bullpen in left field to put them in front for the second time.

Brian Wilson pitched the eighth to get the victory. Kenley Jansen came on in the ninth to earn the save. Carl Crawford homered his first two times

opted for their ace over scheduled starter Ricky Nolasco. The move paid off when the 2011 Cy Young pitching award winner tossed six solid innings before turning it over to the bullpen.

Rookie Michael Wacha took a nohit bid into the eighth inning to help St. Louis edge the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Monday and set up a winnertakes-all Game 5 in the NL division

series. The Cardinals improved to 7-1 over the last three years when facing elimination in the postseason. Pedro Alvarez hit his third home run of the series, connecting with one out in the eighth for Pittsburgh’s only hit in Game 4. Wacha and the St Louis bullpen made Matt Holliday’s tworun homer stand up. Trevor Rosenthal worked around a two-out walk in the ninth, retiring Andrew McCutchen on a popup for his first postseason save.

The Tampa Bay Rays staved off elimination once again, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-4 after Jose Lobaton hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Rays cut Boston’s lead in their AL division series to 2-1. Game 4 is Tuesday night, with Jake Peavy starting for the Red Sox against Jeremy Hellickson.

Tampa Bay took a must-win game for the fourth time in nine days. The Rays did it with an unlikely stroke as Lobaton, who came off the bench late in the game, connected against Red Sox closer Koji Uehara.

Oakland took a 2-1 lead in its AL division series against Detroit, with Brandon Moss, Josh Reddick and Seth Smith hitting homers as the Athletics chased Anibal Sanchez in the fifth inning and beat the Tigers 6-3. Moss broke a 3-all tie in the fifth with a solo shot, and Smith’s two-run drive later in the inning ended Sanchez’ day. It was an impressive offensive show after the teams split two tense, low-scoring games in Oakland. Oakland can close out the series Tuesday. Sanchez, the American League’s ERA leader, allowed six runs - five earned - and eight hits in 4 1-3 innings. Jarrod Parker gave up three runs in five innings for Oakland, and the Tigers couldn’t rally against the bullpen. — AP

LONDON: Former British cyclist Sir Chris Hoy (center) carries the Commonwealth Games baton on the Mall in London yesterday, as Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II prepares to launch the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games baton relay from Buckingham Palace. The 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games begins on July 23, 2014. — AFP

Hoy launches C’wealth baton ceremony LONDON: Scottish cycling star Chris Hoy carried the Commonwealth Games baton to Buckingham Palace yesterday for the start of a relay that will culminate with the opening ceremony of next year’s edition in Glasgow. The now-retired rider, who won six Olympic gold medals and a host of world and Commonwealth titles, found himself centre stage again as he took part in an event designed to boost the Games.

Queen Elizabeth II, the head of the Commonwealth, has written a message to athletes that will be placed inside the baton before it starts a 248-day journey around 70 nations and territories. The text of the message will remain secret until the Queen reads it at the opening ceremony at Glasgow’s Celtic Park on July 23.

Scottish sprint legend Allan Wells, the 100 metres champion at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, was the first athlete to receive the baton from the Queen and start it on its journey.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said home support would be essential. “As you saw with the (London) Olympics last year, you’ll have the same thing in Scotland next year,” he told BBC TV. Six weeks after the Games, Scotland will hold a referen-

dum on whether to break away from the United Kingdom and become an independent nation. “The start of the Queen’s Baton Relay, with two of Scotland’s greatest-ever athletes, is another step towards what will be a momentous year for Scotland,” the pro-independence Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party, said. David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said the start of the relay was “a fantastic moment” for the organisers. Earlier, asked if Usain Bolt would compete at Glasgow 2014, Grevemberg told BBC radio the Games organisers were negotiating with Jamaica in a bid to persuade the world’s fastest man to take part.

Bolt, with the notable exception of last year’s London Olympics where he defended both his 100m and 200m titles, has often been reluctant to run in Britain for tax reasons.

The baton is first set to travel to India later this week despite reports suggesting the country would be unable to host it due to the Hindu festival of Dussehra. However, part of the route is being changed after west African country Gambia recently quit the Commonwealth, saying it will “never be a member of any neo-colonial institution”. — AFP

Olympic hurdles champion Pearson splits with coach MELBOURNE: Australia’s Olympic hurdles champion Sally Pearson has split with her coach Sharon Hannan after 14 years, citing a need for a fresh start. The 27-year-old Pearson, who won 100 meters hurdles gold at the London Games, was runner-up to American Brianna Rollins at this year’s world championships in Moscow in defense of her 2011 title. “The time is right for us to go our separate ways,” Pearson said in a statement on Athletics Australia’s website (www.athletics.com.au) yesterday.

“Sharon has made me into a champion but I feel that to move to another level I need to freshen up my approach to training, develop fresh ideas and incorporate new challenges into the way I do business. “My competitors are always striving to make themselves better and I must do the same.” Pearson would investigate her coaching options with Athletics Australia and make an announcement in the near future, the statement said. Hannan said: “Yes I am disappointed, but Sally and I discussed the options and she believes this is best for her.

“We had some amazing performances. We have con-

quered the world and I wish her every success for the future and hope that she continues to conquer the world.”

A self-taught coach, Hannan first spotted Pearson as a young girl at a regional junior championship in Australia’s northeastern Queensland state and guided her to a silver medal in the 100m hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The partnership survived the years despite criticism from specialist coaches and officials in Australia’s athletics community.

“My coach has always believed in me more than I’ve believed in myself, and she pulled me through even with all the doubters that didn’t believe in us or her coaching strategies,” Pearson told Reuters in an interview in the leadup to London. After taking a break following her London triumph, Pearson returned to training to defend her world title in Moscow in August but suffered two hamstring injuries in the lead-up before being upset by Rollins. Pearson said she was satisfied with the result but later told Australian media “silver’s not going to happen again”. — Reuters

Photo of the day

Jonny Walker performs during Red Bull Sea to Sky in Antalia, Kemer, Turkey on September 29th, 2013 — www.redbullcontentpool.com

High stakes for Putin as Olympic dream nears SOCHI/MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has staked his personal and political prestige on February’s Winter Olympics in the city of Sochi, yet despite the $50-billion price tag the Games could still be an embarrassing flop.

If all goes to plan, the costliest Games in history will be a showcase for Russia’s achievements under Putin, the vindication of a six-year vanity project on a truly Soviet scale.

But his dream could yet be shattered: if venues on the subtropical Black Sea are not ready on time; if protests break out over a new Russian law that critics say targets gay rights; if Chechen or other Islamist militants attack the Games.

Four months before the Games open on Feb. 7, cranes still tower over muddy construction sites, freshly laid pipes lie exposed to the weather and walkways are churned up around them. At ski resorts above the seaside city, huge segments of metal piping and cable lie strewn around near hotels.

The blow to Putin’s pride and political standing would be immense if the Games fail because he has invested so much personally in what some see as the folly of turning a palm-lined summer beach resort into a 21st-century winter sports hub.

“He considers this project his baby,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee.

Of all the projects Putin has undertaken since he was first elected president in 2000, few have borne his personal stamp so clearly. He flew in person to Guatemala in 2007 to persuade Olympic chiefs to award the Games to Sochi. He even addressed them in French and English, a rarity for the former KGB spy.

Some Russian organising officials call Putin team “captain”. He seems to have revelled in the difficulties, building venues from scratch, persuading wealthy tycoons to fund construction and coping with floods and mudslides around Sochi last month.

When the ski-jump venue fell behind schedule, Putin not only fired a senior official but went on television with him to humiliate the unfortunate bureaucrat publicly.

After 14 years in power, Putin is looking far beyond the medal haul in Sochi.

For him, a safe and successful Games will show the world how far Russia has come since the end of what US President Ronald Reagan called the “evil” Soviet empire.

As he tries to burnish Russia’s diplomatic and economic standing and rally domestic support after protests against his long rule, Putin wants to show Russia is a modern state capable of organising events on such a scale and restore national pride.

Such notions are central to his search for a national idea to unite the country behind his view of Russian achievements as well as his conservative values. For the two weeks of the Games, Putin knows the world will be passing judgment on Russia.

The cost of failure could be far-reaching. Just as securing the Games for Sochi in 2007 was seen in Russia more as a personal victory for Putin than a national triumph, a disappointing Games would be seen as a personal defeat.

Though his grip on Russia’s elites and most media has made him seem invulnerable, a major calamity could encourage challenges ahead of an election due by 2018 - either from existing opponents, or from within the Kremlin establishment.

Some opponents hope the Games will have the opposite effect to the one Putin seeks, showing Sochi to be an empty “Potemkin village”, a shabby mask for the lack of post-Soviet progress.

“The petty dictator will be humiliated for his bigotry and repression, as he should be,” said liberal opposition leader and former chess champion Garry Kasparov.

Putin still has no serious rival in opin-

ion polls and state media are sure to portray the Games as a success, come what may.

But the Internet is beyond the Kremlin’s control and any failure could reinvigorate dissidents who took to the streets in protest against Putin but have been discouraged since his comfortable election victory 18 months ago.

The scale of Putin’s ambition is also seen in the 65,000-km (40,000-mile) torch relay, the longest in history; it will go to the North Pole, to the bottom of the world’s deepest lake and into space, where the crew of the International Space Station will take the torch - unlit on a spacewalk.

Yet the grandiose ambitions seem a distant vision in Sochi itself as workers race against the clock to be ready in time. The International Olympic Committee has given its seal of approval.

But at first glance, Sochi appears far from ready for the more than 120,000 spectators and 5,400 competitors and support staff expected to attend the two weeks of spectacle.

Power cuts are frequent, traffic jams block roads because of the construction work and not all the venues can be reached by public transport or road yet, residents say.

One employee involved in the preparations described chaos behind the scenes which belied the outer calm of Russian officials. He suggested that even if the infrastructure was ready, the organisation at facilities, public transport

But a crackdown by police could do even more damage to Putin’s image than any demonstrations - not least as he will also be hosting the World Cup soccer finals in 2018.

Another threat to Putin’s dream is the possibility of an attack by militants trying to carve out an Islamic state on the other side of the mountains, in the North Caucasus.

He has already tightened security around Sochi, Cossack militia have been patrolling the streets and from Jan. 7 until March 21 travel into Sochi will be limited and public gatherings not connected with the Olympics banned.

The Games are being held on territory that was once the homeland of Circassians expelled in the 19th century.

Islamist leaders say this amounts to performing “Satanic dances” on the graves of Muslims killed fighting Russian forces.

Security analysts say attacks cannot be ruled out entirely but are unlikely to overcome the tight layers of protection.

“Security will not be noticeable. It won’t be thrown in the faces of guests and it won’t disturb guests and participants,” said Alexei Lavrishchev, a senior official in the FSB security forces, a successor to the Soviet KGB. But it will be there.

Alexander Valov, a Sochi blogger, says the city will be turned into a “concentration camp”, reflecting discontent among local people that is given little coverage in Russian media.

“In general, I’m ashamed that I live in

MOSCOW: A picture taken in Moscow on October 6, 2013, shows Russia’s President Vladimir Putin holding a torch during a ceremony to mark the start of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay across Russia. — AFP and media arrangements was likely to be disastrous.

“Unless there’s a significant change of attitude, the Olympics are heading for an unprecedented meltdown,” said the official, who declined to be identified.

Putin acknowledged last month that a few glitches needed ironing out and made clear he would put up with no mistakes.

Also problematic are possible protests over a law he signed this year banning the spread of “gay propaganda” among minors.

The Kremlin says the law is needed to protect children but critics say it could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals and to snuff out protests. Some see it as proof that Russian values under Putin are out of step with the West - and that Russia is moving backwards rather than forwards.

Some hear echoes of the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Stephen Fry, a British actor who speaks out for gay rights, has compared Sochi to Hitler hosting the Games after passing laws persecuting Jews: “Putin is eerily repeating this insane crime, only this time against LGBT Russians,” Fry wrote of the fears of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Protests would embarrass Putin at a time when the world’s eyes are on Sochi.

this country,” said a librarian who gave her name only as Darya. Some are unhappy with being evicted from homes that were in the path of the bulldozers, even though most of the 1,500 families were resettled in modern accommodation.

Others complain of damage to the environment, notably soil pollution from building work, or about low wages and poor conditions for migrant workers.

With costs already projected to be about five times the initial forecast, Putin also faces the risk of a backlash over allegations of passing contracts to favoured contractors.

“The absence of fair competition, cronyism ... have led to a sharp increase in the costs and to the poor quality of the work,” opposition leader Boris Nemtsov said. “Only oligarchs and companies close to Putin got rich.”

The Kremlin dismisses such allegations. As the moment of truth approaches in Sochi, the pressure to put on a good show is mounting. And as Putin’s words on his return from winning the Olympic bid six years ago in Guatemala made clear, this is not just about sporting spectacle: “This is, without doubt, not just a recognition of Russia’s sporting achievements,” he said.

“It is, beyond any doubt, a judgment of our country.”— Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

S P ORT S

Prince Ali slams FIFA over its Middle East treatment DOHA: FIFA vice president Prince Ali Bin AlHussein has criticized soccer’s world governing body FIFA for banning Iraq from hosting home internationals and called upon the organization to do more for supporters in the Middle East.

Iraq hosted friendlies against Syria and Liberia earlier this year after FIFA lifted a previous ban, but it was reintroduced in July over security concerns in the war-torn country where two suicide bombers killed 60 people in the northern city of Mosul on Saturday.

The 2007 Asian champions have long had to deal with the problem and hosted a majority of their 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar and take on Saudi Arabia in a ‘home’ Asian Cup qualifying match in the Jordanian capital of Amman on Tuesday. “I would like to emphasize that Iraq should be able to host friendly matches, whether in the south or the north,” Prince Ali, also the president of the West Asian Football Federation ( WAFF), said in a statement on Tuesday. “There are other countries facing similar issues but are given the green light, there is no reason to exclude Iraq at this point.”

Prince Ali, who has held his FIFA seat since 2011 and led the campaign to overturn the organization’s ban on the hijab and allow Muslim women players to wear the Islamic headscarf, was also frustrated by the Swissbased body’s attitude to his region. Last month, Middle East media reported that Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were unhappy and ‘seeking a rectification’ after FIFA changed how they described the Gulf region on their website, replacing ‘Arabian’ with ‘Persian’.

“Allow me to stress that it is crucial for FIFA, which comprises more than 200 richly diverse members, to be mindful and respectful of cultural sensitivities,” Prince Ali said. “Respect of other cultures is indeed one of the core values of our beautiful game. “Moreover, I would like to add that it is about time FIFA embrace the Arabic language as an official language, spoken by more than 300 million people in 22 Arab countries; all of which are members of the football governing body.”

BEST INTEREST The region has been the talk of the soccer community of late with much debate about whether Qatar should host the 2022 World Cup in the Northern Hemisphere winter because of the risks posed to players in the searing temperatures there in June and July. Questions were then raised as to whether the tiny gulf nation should have the event at all after a report by The Guardian newspaper in Britain said that dozens of migrant Nepalese workers had died in recent weeks.

“It my understanding that the organizers of Qatar 2022 have expressed in a letter to FIFA their full commitment to abide by international laws regarding labor conditions,” the 37-yearold Prince added. “It is also my understanding that (FIFA) president Sepp Blatter will be visiting Qatar soon and meeting with Qatar officials to gain a better understand of the issue.

“Regarding moving the Qatar 2022 World Cup to winter, I would like to add that while I believe the weather in winter will be ideal, I am confident that Qatar is capable of delivering an impressive tournament during either season.

“Nevertheless, this decision must be thoroughly studied and must be based solely on what serves football’s best interest without any political or personal influences.” Blatter said last month that top European politicians had pressured FIFA into awarding the World Cup hosting rights to Qatar but Prince Ali hoped that soccer’s governing body could avoid being leaned upon on other issues in his region.

FIFA created a Task Force which held its first meeting last month aimed at helping the Palestine Football Association grow by smoothing relations with the Israeli FA. “I would also like to welcome FIFA’s decision to implement a communication mechanism between the Football Associations of Palestine and Israel,” said the Prince, who was invited by Blatter to join the Task Force. “It is crucial to respect that Palestine Football Association is a member association of FIFA and enjoys full privileges under FIFA statutes as an independent member. Lets not let politics affect the development of Palestinian football.”— Reuters

Germany out to claim Brazil berth against Irish BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew has said he is eager to dispatch the Republic of Ireland and confirm the German’s Brazil 2014 berth in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Cologne.

Loew’s Germany are five points clear at the top of Group A and need just a point to confirm their World Cup place against Ireland, who are fourth in the group under caretaker manager Noel King after Giovanni Trapattoni’s resignation last month.

“Our goal is to secure qualification on home soil, we have had good memories of playing in Cologne, it’s a tight stadium full of passionate fans and we want to make sure of the win,” said Loew in yesterday’s press conference. Loew has said he expects a tough match against the Irish, who he described as “defensively strong”, and does not expect a repeat of Germany’s 6-1 romp in Dublin during last year’s qualifier.

The Germans are eager to wrap up their qualification at home ahead of Tuesday’s final qualifier away to Sweden in Stockholm. Against the

Irish, Germany will be without injured winger Marco Reus and striker Miroslav Klose, who scored three of the six goals in Dublin between them, and it remains to be seen who Loew opts for as his lone striker. Untested 25-year-old Max Kruse of Borussia Moenchengladbach is the only striker named in Loew’s squad and the coach has already ruled out using Bayern Munich’s right wing Thomas Mueller up front.

Loew has also said Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm will remain at right-back, despite having been switched to defensive midfield by Bayern coach Pep Guardiola for the European champions. “I plan with him on the right for now,” said Loew, who once played Lahm successfully in the defensive midfield in the 2-1 win over England at London’s Wembley in 2007. “He is probably the best wing back in the world and I don’t want to reconstruct the midfield. “Philipp is one of the few players in Germany who can play in all the outfield positions.”— AFP

No room for error as England seek WCup spot LONDON: England will qualify for the 2014 World Cup finals if they beat Montenegro and Poland in their final two Group H qualifiers and manager Roy Hodgson knows there is no room for error as they seek to secure their place in Brazil.

Both matches are at Wembley and England go into them topping the group by one point from Montenegro, who are Friday’s visitors, and Ukraine, and three clear of Poland, who provide next Tuesday’s opposition.

Hodgson, appointed just before last year’s European Championship, is confident England will complete the task and avoid the doomsday scenario of failing to reach the finals - something that last happened under Graham Taylor 20 years ago.

“My life at the moment is these two games,” Hodgson told reporters this week. “As for the doomsday scenarios put before me, I won’t have to confront them because I believe, and am confident, in that belief that the team will do it.

“Of course I am nervous, any coach worthy of the name is nervous when the whistle goes. “But I believe we have the players to complete the task. I am certain as I can be that we will achieve our aim.”

England are the only unbeaten team in the group, and will look to preserve that record against Montenegro without leftback Ashley Cole, who will miss the match with a rib injury.

The 32-year-old, who has played 105 times for his country, is likely to be replaced by Everton’s Leighton Baines but has not yet been ruled out of Tuesday’s match against Poland.

Baines will win his 20th cap if, as expected, he lines up alongside Everton team mate Phil Jagielka with the back four completed by Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and Tottenham’s Kyle Walker.

Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere are expected to play in midfield with Liverpool’s free-scoring Daniel Sturridge and the Manchester United pair of Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney up front. Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck all missed the sterile 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Kiev a month ago.

Joe Hart will keep his place in goal despite a recent loss of form. Wilshere is confident England will qualify and he is delighted to be in the mix after publicly expressing his regret after being photographed smoking a cigarette outside a nightclub last week.

“I know what I did was wrong, it was a mistake and I have learnt from it and I have apologised,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Montenegro come to Wembley hampered by injuries to four players who are all likely to miss the match including captain Mirko Vucinic.

Goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic, centreback Marko Basa and midfielder Miodrag Pekovic have all been ruled out while defender Miodrag Dzudovic is doubtful because he has a back injury as well as an injured hamstring.

Two years ago, in a Euro 2012 qualifier, Dzudovic was the player kicked by

LONDON: England’s Wayne Rooney attends a press conference at the St George’s Park training complex, near Burton-upon-Trent, central England .— AFP Rooney which led to the England striker’s red card 17 minutes from the end of a 2-2 draw in Podgorica. That match is one of three the two countries have played against each other and all three have ended all-square.

Dzudovic believes another draw against England at Wembley and a win in their last match against Moldova could

be enough to see Montenegro guaranteed a playoff place.

“But we will go for a win against England because we can’t just roll over and throw away all the good work we have done in the qualifiers so far,” he said.

“With the right attitude and self-belief we can finish in the top two and reach the playoffs.” — Reuters

Only English-born players in team is unrealistic: Dyke LONDON: Jack Wilshere’s belief that only English-born players should turn out for the national side was branded as “a bit extreme” by FA Chairman Greg Dyke yesterday. Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has criticised the fact Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj, who was born in Belgium to KosovanAlbanian parents, could, under FIFA rules, eventually represent England through residency. “It is an issue we need to look at,” Dyke told reporters on the fringes of a Leaders in Football business conference at Stamford Bridge.

“The idea that someone who is not born here can never play for England is a bit extreme. We wouldn’t have Mo Farah if that was the case,” Dyke said in reference to Britain’s double Olympic and world champion distance runner who was born in Somalia. “We (FA) will discuss our policy again and make a decision. “It comes down to saying what principles do we want to abide by; it is not a case of individuals. The FA is looking at what we feel is appropriate,” he added.

Januzaj, who could also play for Turkey thanks to his grandparents and Serbia, has not won a cap for any country and would have to wait until 2018 if he wanted to represent England. “If

you’ve lived in England for five years, for me, it doesn’t make you English. You shouldn’t play,” Wilshere was quoted as saying by British media yesterday. “If I went to Spain and lived there for five years, I’m not going to play for Spain.

For me, an English player should play for England really,” added the midfielder, who is in the squad to face Montenegro in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier.

Januzaj hit the headlines after scoring twice for United in the 2-1 Premier League win over Sunderland last weekend and his performances have caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson, who has said the 18-year-old was being monitored. England under21 manager Gareth Southgate compared the situation to that of the national cricket team, which has several overseas-born players.

“We seem to have embraced the cricket team that has won the Ashes, but it is a really interesting, philosophical debate,” the former England defender said.”It’s a difficult one. He’s (Januzaj) not played for anyone else. “I’m torn with it. The world is changing. People move and work abroad. It is important to know why someone wants to play for you.”— Reuters

Qatari women clinch handball title KUWAIT: Qatar’s women handball team won the title of the first Gulf women Handball Tournament Tuesday in the presence of Deputy General Manager of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports for Sports Affairs Dr. Humoud Fulaiteh, Chairwoman of the Women Sports Association, Chairwoman of the Higher Organizing Committee Sheikha Naeema AlAhmad and Chairman of the Gulf Handball Organizational Committee Sultan Al-Housani and participating delegations. Qatar won its last match against Bahrain 31-12 while Oman took second place by defeating UAE 19-11, Bahrain was third, UAE fourth and Kuwait fifth.

Dr. Fulaiteh congratulated the winning teams adding that the main winner is the Gulf women sports which presented a civilized image and prom-

ising performances that make us believe that they will develop and make the achievements hoped for. He also lauded the efforts exerted by Sheikha Naeema to develop women sports in Kuwait and GCC sports, adding that PAYS is keen to present all types of support to women sport.

Meanwhile Sheikha Naeema thanked all for their sincere efforts that contributed to the success of the tournament and hoped this first event will be the launching point for this game as she congratulated the Qatari team for winning the maiden tournament.

Sheikha Naeema said the next step on the Gulf women sports agenda is the organization of a football tournament and preparations are already underway. She said Kuwait will host West Asia Women Football championship.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

S P ORT S

Portugal to deploy untried defense against Israel LISBON: Portugal are close to securing at least a World Cup playoff place but their untested back four will be under scrutiny against Israel in tomorrow’s Group F qualifier at the Alvalade stadium (1945 GMT). Coach Paulo Bento must patch up his defense after a string of injuries affected right backs Joao Pereira and Miguel Lopes, as well as centre back Bruno Alves. Left back Fabio Coentrao is also out suspended as Portgual, a point behind leaders Russia, look set to miss out on automatic qualification unless the Russians slip up against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in their remaining fixtures.

Third-placed Israel are five points behind Portugal. “We simply must win. We know Israel’s strong points, how much we suffered there and how good their finishers and counter attacks are,” striker

Hugo Almeida told reporters in the medieval fortress town of Obidos, where Portugal are training. Israel held Portugal to a 3-3 draw in Tel Aviv in March. “It’s their last chance to try and qualify so they will surely come at us with everything.”

Bento will probably opt for Malaga’s Antunes on the left, partner Pepe with Zenit St Petersburg’s Luis Neto in the centre of defense and hand a debut international cap to either Cedric or Andre Almeida on the right. “It will be a good duel between us two for the right back position,” said 22-year-old Cedric, a Sporting Lisbon defender. “To play for Portugal is a dream of mine since a young boy.” Despite the tussle and the fact their clubs are fierce rivals, Benfica’s Almeida said Cedric was a good friend. “I took the initiative to ask Cedric for a lift (to Obidos training

camp),” Andre Almeida said.

“We both came here to work hard and I will be happy for Cedric if he starts. I’ve known him for a few years now after playing together at Portugal youth teams,” the 23-year-old said. Striker Helder Postiga is also out suspended, leaving it unclear who will deputize - Hugo Almeida or Stade Rennes sharpshooter Nelson Oliveira. “I don’t think we are weaker with these absences. The new picks step in because they have a lot of worth,” Almeida said. “I feel confident and full of energy. The start to the season is going well for me,” said the Besiktas striker, one of the top goalscorers at the Turkish Super League this season.

PLAYER ROTATION The Israelis were mainly undone in their efforts

to finish among the top two in the group after drawing both their fixtures with Azerbaijan.

Blighted by injuries and a lack of match fitness to a number of players, coach Eli Guttman has used over 50 players during the campaign. Maccabi Tel Aviv forward Barak Yitzhaki has been recalled after a long absence from the national squad, and striker Eden Ben Basat of Toulouse, who missed the last two national team fixtures through injury, also makes a return. Veteran goalkeeper Dudu Aouate has been retained despite getting little time between the posts recently for Spanish side Mallorca. There is still no place for veteran midfielder Yossi Benayoun, who has been without a club since the start of the season and he has hardly featured in Guttman’s plans. — Reuters

Holders Spain poised to secure their WCup berth

Daniel Agger

Erratic Denmark look to snatch playoff place COPENHAGEN: Denmark look to put an erratic World Cup qualifying campaign behind them by snatching a playoff place for next year’s finals with wins over alreadyqualified Italy and Malta.

Morten Olsen’s side lie third in Group B on 12 points, one behind Bulgaria and eight behind Italy. The inconsistent Danes, who have won only three of their eight games and suffered a shock 4-0 defeat at home to Armenia in June, host Italy on Friday before welcoming bottom side Malta on Tuesday.

“We have to admit we haven’t been good enough, but we still have a chance to qualify and that’s what is most important at this stage,” captain Daniel Agger told Reuters.

The group situation is further complicated by the fact that Bulgaria, alongside Iceland in Group E, have the lowest points total of any second-placed side, meaning that even if Denmark do finish second they risk not even making the playoffs.

Eight of the nine second-placed sides will compete in the playoffs. Olsen can count on the return of striker Nicklas Bendtner, who is back in the Danish squad following a sixmonth suspension imposed by the Danish FA (DBU) for his involvement in a drink-driving incident earlier in the year.

“What’s done is done, and there’s no point talking about it,” said Bendtner. “It’s

over. I’m the same footballer as before. “It’s great to be back, I’ve missed it an awful lot.

It’s great thing for a player to be involved with the national team.”

Italy will be without Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who was sent home from their training camp on Monday after team doctors discovered a tendon injury in his left thigh.

However, they are bolstered up front with the inclusion of Giuseppe Rossi, who makes his international return just over two years after he last played for the national team. American-born Rossi has been plagued with knee problems since he first suffered a cruciate ligament injury while playing for Spanish side Villarreal in 2011, but he has started this season in blistering fashion for Fiorentina, scoring five goals in their first six games.

“I’ve learned not to not think too far ahead. Today’s training, this season with Fiorentina, what I need to do to return to 110 percent of my physical condition: the World Cup comes after all this, and I need to get there in form, if I get there at all,” he said.

“I’ve worked really hard to be here, but I never had any doubt that I would come back the player I was. In fact I’ve always believed that I would come back even stronger than before.”— Reuters

MADRID: With holders Spain poised to secure their berth at next year’s World Cup finals, thoughts are already turning to what might happen after the tournament when coach Vicente del Bosque’s contract is due to expire. An avuncular character known for his ability to foster harmony in his hugely talented squad, Del Bosque will be 63 by then and whatever happens in Brazil next year he has already earned his place in the pantheon of soccer’s greatest managers. After taking over from Luis Aragones following Spain’s Euro 2008 victory, he led the Iberian nation to their first World Cup triumph in South Africa in 2010 and a second straight continental title in Poland and Ukraine two years later.

As Spain prepare for their qualifiers against Belarus in Palma de Mallorca tomorrow and Georgia in Albacete four days later, Del Bosque’s record is an outstanding 65 wins from 80 matches, with eight draws and seven defeats, only three of which were in competitive games. One indication of Spain’s success under the former Real Madrid coach is that the three goals Brazil put past them in their 3-0 victory in June’s Confederations Cup final was the same number they conceded in all 13 of their games at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Although Del Bosque, who won two Champions League crowns with Real, has hinted he will step down after the World Cup, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) will try to persuade him to stay on for two more years until after Euro 2016, As newspaper reported yesterday. The idea is he will oversee the transition to a new generation of players as the likes of Xavi, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres and David Villa wind down their glittering international careers, the paper said.

“We have not considered any alternative for the post of national team coach,” As quoted RFEF general secretary Jorge Perez as saying. “Del Bosque will continue with us for as long as he wants and for as many years as he wants,” he added. Victory against lastplaced Belarus tomorrow would mean unbeaten Spain need a point against Georgia on Tuesday to be certain of top spot in qualification Group I ahead of France. The French, who snatched a 1-1 draw in Madrid in October last year before losing to their southern neighbors 1-0 in Paris in March, play their final game against third-placed Finland at the Stade de France on Oct 15.

NEW FACES With a number of regulars injured, Del Bosque has brought in two new faces for the Belarus and Georgia matches. Swansea City forward Michu replaced record scorer Villa of Atletico Madrid and Sevilla left back Alberto Moreno has come in for

Belgium count on squad depth to see off Croatia ZAGREB: A talented but injury-hit Belgium will be hoping they have enough strength in depth to carry them through to a first World Cup finals appearance since 2002 when they visit Croatia tomorrow. The Belgians lead Group A on 22 points from eight games, five more than Croatia, and head into the clash knowing a draw would secure qualification for next year’s finals in Brazil ahead of their final game at home against Wales next week.

Defender Vincent Kompany and striker Christian Benteke have been ruled out, although the latter could be fit for the Wales match, while half-fit defender Thomas Vermaelen is also doubtful after a long injury layoff. The good news for coach Marc Wilmots is that planned surgery on Marouane Fellaini’s injured wrist has been delayed until December.

Having completed Tuesday’s training session, the towering central midfielder appears set to start against the Croatians wearing a protective cast. “You don’t get much rest these days and that can lead to injuries, but fortunately our squad is large enough to cope and we proved that (in a 2-0 away win) against Scotland (last month),” Spurs centre

back Vertonghen told Belgian television. “Tomorrow is a chance to seal qualification and we shouldn’t let it pass. We can measure up to Croatia and although we will have to be at our best to get even a draw, we are going for a win.”

Wilmots, whose quality-packed side have dropped only two points in the campaign - a 1-1 home draw against Croatia a little more than a year ago - was adamant the side would adopt an attacking approach despite only needing a draw. “If I told my players that I wanted to play defensively for a draw they would cut my head off,” joked the 44-year old former international, who played for Belgium in their last World Cup appearance at the tournament in South Korea and Japan.

“Why wait if we can qualify immediately? This is our philosophy and we are not counting on a second chance against Wales because we are going to Croatia to win,” he said. Romelu Lukaku, who has been in good form for Everton since joining them on loan from Premier League rivals Chelsea earlier this season, is likely to start as a lone frontman with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard set to operate on either flank behind him.—Reuters

BRUSSELS: Belgium’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois trains at the King Baudouin stadium (Stade Roi Baudouin Koning Boudewijnstadion) in Brussels ahead of the October 11 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying football match against Croatia. — AFP

SPAIN : Spain’s forward Isco (left) vies with Spain’s midfielder Cesc Fabregas (top), midfielder Juan Mata (bottom) and defender Alvaro Arbeloa during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifier football match. — AFP Barcelona’s Jordi Alba. “For any footballer, playing for the national team is as good as it gets, it’s the biggest achievement of my career,” Michu told a news conference yesterday.

“I was a bit nervous coming here but once you get on to the pitch everything is much easier,” he added.

“Right now I am just enjoying the training sessions. For me it’s a gift being here with some of the world’s best players and I am ready to play wherever the coach sees fit.” Belarus, who have four points from their seven matches, one behind Georgia, are not planning to use ultra-defensive tactics despite their illustrious opposi-

tion, according to their coach Georgi Kondratyev.

“We are going to try not going on the defensive, not to ‘park the bus’, as they say,” Kondratyev was quoted as saying on the Spanish team website (www.sefutbol.com) this week. “We will try to play our game based on rapid counter attacks,” he added. “We will try to play like we did against France, which was a 3-4-3 formation, not 4-5-1 as some said, as our fullbacks are very attacking and are really like forwards. “We don’t play with a central striker but we do have three forwards and we will probably do the same against Spain.”— Reuters

Argentina vow not to take foot off throttle Messi, Higuain out for last two qualifiers BUENOS AIRES: Argentina will not hold back despite having already qualified for the World Cup finals or lost four top players including Lionel Messi to injury when they host Peru in a qualifier tomorrow.

Coach Alejandro Sabella also will be without Gonzalo Higuain, Fernando Gago and Javier Mascherano, normal shoe-ins to his first choice team, for the match at the Monumental (2300 GMT) and their last qualifier away to Uruguay next Tuesday.

Argentina’s goal is to win the South American group as a reaction to the difficulties they had to qualify under former coach Diego Maradona four years ago for the 2010 finals in South Africa, winger Angel Di Maria said on Tuesday. “That time no-one gave us anything, we had to fight to the bitter end. In this series we’re going to do the same and try to get the (remaining) six points to be champions of the qualifiers,” said Di Maria, who with Messi, Higuain and Sergio Aguero is part of Argentina’s potent attacking quartet.

“Before the match with Paraguay we talked about wanting to depend only on ourselves, feel the responsibility of winning and being at the World Cup. We did it and it was a good feeling for all of us,” he told reporters after practice at the Ezeiza training complex on the outskirts of the capital. Four years ago Maradona’s team went into the corresponding two qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay with qualification in the balance. A dramatic victory in a downpour, secured with a late winner by substitute Martin Palermo and memorably celebrated by the overweight Maradona diving onto the waterlogged Monumental pitch, eased the tension.

Four days later, Argentina sneaked into the tournament in South Africa with a 1-0 win over Uruguay at the Centenario in Montevideo and Maradona insulted

Argentine reporters who had dared to doubt his abilities as national team coach. Sabella’s team, in contrast, coasted into the 2014 finals in Brazil with a 5-2 victory over Paraguay in Asuncion last month and two matches to spare, taking the pressure off the visit of eliminated Peru and the trip to Uruguay.

Argentina have 29 points from 14 matches, three points more than

Colombia, who need one point from tomorrow’s match at home to Chile to secure their first ticket to the finals for 16 years. Chile have 24 points and Ecuador (22) are in the other two automatic qualifying places with Uruguay, also on 22, in the berth for a playoff with Jordan. Uruguay visit Quito for a key clash with the Ecuadoreans toomorrow. — Reuters

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s forward Ezequiel Lavezzi strikes the ball during a training session ahead of their Brazil 2014 World Cup South American qualifier football match against Peru to be held on October 11. — AFP

High stakes for Putin as Olympic dream nears

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

No room for error as England seek World Cup spot

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Prince Ali slams FIFA over Middle East treatment Page 18

SHANGHAI: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball during a match against Spain’s Marcel Granollers at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament. — AP

Djokovic romps to victory despite injury scare SHANGHAI: Defending champion Novak Djokovic shrugged off an injury scare to win his Shanghai Masters opener yesterday, keeping alive the prospect of a mouthwatering quarter-final against Roger Federer. In a late-evening second round match, newly recrowned world number one Rafael Nadal polished off Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov in less than an hour, with just five unforced errors in a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Top seed Djokovic cantered through his first set against Spain’s Marcel Granollers with the loss of only two games. But early in the second he pulled up in obvious discomfort and called for the ATP trainer, who applied heavy taping to his right foot and ankle.

Despite the medical treatment, the 26year-old did not look inconvenienced as he returned to the court to seal a 6-2, 6-0 victory, hitting a total of 26 winners.

“It was just an awkward movement. I was in an off-balance position. I was running and I made a quick movement that caused a sharp pain at that instant moment,” said Djokovic.

“But after the match we determined that it’s nothing serious, so it’s all fine.” Federer, who has slipped to seventh in the world rankings and faces a battle to qualify for next month’s World Tour Finals in London, won 64, 6-3 against Italian Andreas Seppi after a testing start.

The Swiss great, playing his first singles match since a disappointing US Open, lost his serve early but broke back immediately against the world number 22, repeating the feat to take the opening set. A single break in the second was enough to seal the match.

Federer, who had a mixed bag of 19 winners and 29 unforced errors, said going a set up and then an early break up in the second set was key for him.

“Even though it remained tough, Seppi did a good job of hanging around. That’s the kind of match you want in this particular situation I’m in right now.”

Nadal admitted he found the going tough early in his match against Dolgopolov.

“In the beginning I couldn’t do anything. He was playing amazingly, hitting every ball very hard, playing winners from every place.

The positive thing is that I resisted well at the beginning... But after that I think I played a great match,” he said.

Earlier, German world number 23 Philipp Kohlschreiber rattled a feverish Juan Martin del Potro, striking 50 winners and 22 aces in a brave display of attacking tennis that had the Argentine searching for answers before he dug deep to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4).

“Last night I couldn’t sleep really well,” said the sixth seed, fresh from winning the Japan Open. “This morning I took ibuprofen, a couple of pills, trying to help me feeling better. But I’m not 100 percent yet.” Third

seed David Ferrer beat Lukas Rosol 6-3, 6-4, fourth seed Tomas Berdych defeated Feliciano Lopez 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 and seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga eased past Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2.

There were also wins for seeds Milos Raonic, Tommy Haas, Stanislas Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori. But America’s top player John Isner lost in straight sets to Argentina’s Carlos Berlocq.

Spain’s Tommy Robredo retired from his match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini with a wrist injury. Djokovic, Nadal and Ferrer have already qualified for the end-of-season showpiece in London. Britain’s Andy Murray has withdrawn from the tournament as he recovers from back surgery.

Drenching rains earlier in the week as a result of Typhoon Fitow forced matches indoors in Shanghai, but the wet weather relented yesterday.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer said yesterday that he draws huge motivation from the fervent support he receives in China despite his slip from the pinnacle of the men’s game.

The Swiss has formed a special bond with fans in Shanghai after regular visits to the city over more than a decade, and the fact that he is no longer world number one barely seems to register.

“It was crazy in the practice today. I mean, I expected some people to be there, but not sort of hanging over the fence and holding up the banner ‘I believe in you’,” said Federer, who won his opening match at the Shanghai Masters yesterday.

“It was great energy, I must say. It gives me unbelievable motivation, inspires me to train hard, work hard, push further, you know, for that particular day, but also wanting to come back again next year, and again and again.”

Federer, who is now ranked seventh in the world after a poor season by his own imperious standards, said time spent in China and his success around the world had helped him connect with the fans. “ The last few years have been an absolute blast on tour, and I hope it continues this way,” he said. The Swiss, 32, also spoke about his first few months on Twitter after holding an impromptu question and answer session on the social networking site the previous day.

He fielded questions on everything from his travel wish list to his favorite TV shows and shoe size. “It’s definitely something I wanted to see how it developed, for other players, for the world really. Were people really actually excited about it, didn’t care, didn’t like it? I just wanted to wait and see,” he said. “Just a different type of way to connect to the fans, have a good time with it...

So far it’s been a lot of fun. I hope the fans also enjoy that they can connect with me,” he added. — AFP

Don’t dismiss the collective strength of Italy: Prandelli FLORENCE: Italy may no longer possess the big name players to strike fear into the hearts of their World Cup opponents, but coach Cesare Prandelli believes their collective strength should not be dismissed. Italy, four-time World Cup winners, are set for their 18th campaign having already qualified for next year’s finals in Brazil ahead of their final two Group B qualifiers against Denmark and Armenia. The 56-year-old succeeded Marcello Lippi in the wake of Italy’s humiliating first round exit three years ago in South Africa and, against all expectations, led Italy to the Euro 2012 final where they succumbed to a 4-0 humbling by Spain.

In the 15 months since then, Prandelli has won some plaudits among Italy’s unforgiving pundits. However Italy, who have also come runner-up twice in the World Cup, look far from the finished article. They have won only four of 17 friendly matches and, due to Prandelli’s tinkering with personnel and tactical formations, the Azzurri at times stumbled their way towards successfully qualifying.

Seven years on from their fourth and last triumph, against France at Germany 2006, Prandelli admits Italy are no longer among the front line of favorites for next year’s tournament. But the former Fiorentina handler believes what Italy lack in big name stars they will make up for with their collective strength.”My players understand our potential very well,” Prandelli said in an interview with AFP at the squad’s training camp near Florence ahead of tomorrow’s penultimate qualifier away to Denmark. “(Goalkeeper) Gianluigi Buffon is right when he says we’re in the second row of ‘favorite’ teams, and I agree with (defender, Giorgio) Chiellini when he says we can make up for our lack of big name stars with our great collective strength. “If we start with this principle, I’m sure we’ll have a great tournament.” With the likes of Juventus ‘keeper Buffon in goal and a back line made up largely of defenders from the Italian champions, Italy’s back line is relatively solid. Italy conceded only five goals in their eight qualifiers so far against Bulgaria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Armenia and Malta.

However Prandelli has yet to find continuity with his midfield and his forward line. Italy secured qualification last month after a come-frombehind 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Turin, but again the hosts looked shaky. Italy went in at half-time 1-0 down after Libor Kozak’s 19th

Cesare Prandelli minute opener, prompting Prandelli to later admit: “We certainly didn’t feel like smiling in the dressing room....”

But, once more, the Azzurri rolled up their sleeves and pulled themselves free of a potentially sticky situation with goals from Juventus defender Chiellini and a penalty from Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who had missed a raft of goalscoring chances in the opening period, securing the points. After the game, Prandelli rolled out his now customary mantra.

“We are a great team because we know our limits and we build on our qualities,” said the Italian. Less than eight months before his squad starts packing their bags for Brazil, Prandelli continues to keep a close eye on up and coming players.

Paris Saint Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, tipped to eventually replace ageing midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo, and lively Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne are both expected to catch the eye, if given the chance at the World Cup. But the mantra is unlikely to change. Prandelli insists his search for a “style which complements the qualities of the players I have”, is ongoing. Yet, with appearances often deceptive in the lead-up to major tournaments, he appeared not to rule out big ambitions: “I’m not going to say what we’re dreaming of. All I can say is, you have to dream big.” — AFP

Golf - Park seeks to end mini-drought KUALA LUMPUR: World number one Park InBee will try to end the mini-drought which has punctuated her magnificent season when she defends her title at this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. The 25-year-old swept all before her earlier this year, winning six titles in 13 events including three majors-a run that put her on the verge of a historic grand slam.

But since winning the US Open in June, victory has eluded the South Korean, who is now aiming to successfully defend a title for the first time in her career. “I didn’t expect to win that much this year. I’ve gone beyond my expectations. The things I’ve done are incredible,” she said at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

“This season has been very special, and up and down. I had a good finish last week which gives me a lot of confidence.”

Park, in the spotlight as she tried to become the first player to win all four majors in one year, disappointingly tied for 67th at the Evian Championship last month. But she rediscovered her form to claim third place at last week’s Reignwood Classic in Beijing, the first of five back-to-back tournaments in Asia. Park leads the season’s prize-money list with $2,306,328 and also tops the player of the year rankings with 290 points, 86 ahead of Norway’s Suzann Pettersen. “My main goal for the year was to win the player of the year award, and it is not over

yet,” Park said. “I have never successfully defended a title before, and that is another aim I have for this week’s Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.”

Meanwhile Tseng Ya-ni, who was world number one for 109 weeks until March, is hoping to recover from a slump which has seen her ranking drop to 20th. “I’m happy to be playing again.

My swing has improved and I feel comfortable,” said the Taiwanese player, who missed the Evian cut but then finished sixth in China. Prize money has risen to $2 million for the fourth edition of the tournament in tropical Malaysia. The winner will claim a $300,000 cheque and 30 player of the year points, which are calculated separately from the two-year rolling rankings. — AFP

Business

Islamic banks in Gulf eye slimmed-down future Page 22 Kuwait bank credits post healthy growth

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World fears US default, warns Obama

India set to become MENA’s top trading destination: HSBC Page 23 Page 26

WASHINGTON: World Bank President Jim Yong Kim appears on a television monitor as he discusses plans to fight poverty during a seminar discussion outside World Bank Headquarters during the annual World Bank - International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Washington yesterday. — AFP

IMF: US default to shake global economy Caution on emerging economies Arab Spring to cost Mideast $800bn: HSBC DUBAI: The Arab Spring uprisings will end up costing Middle Eastern economies about $800 billion in lost output by the end of next year as countries struggle to restore stability, banking giant HSBC estimated yesterday.

In a research report, HSBC predicted that at the end of 2014, gross domestic product in the seven hardest-hit countries - Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain - would be 35 percent lower than it would have been if the 2011 uprisings had not happened. “The combination of a severe fiscal deterioration, and a decline in government effectiveness, security and the rule of law will weigh heavily on policymakers’ efforts, even to bring employment back to pre-revolution levels,” it said.

HSBC forecast GDP growth in the Middle East and North Africa would slow to 4.0 percent this year, reviving only slightly to 4.2 percent next year, from 4.5 percent last year and 4.9 percent in 2011.

That forecast included big differences between the oil-rich Gulf, which has mostly boomed, and troubled countries in North Africa. Egypt, for example, is expected to grow just 2.2 percent this year and 3.0 percent next year as it faces heavy pressures on its state budget and external accounts growth rates which many analysts believe are too low to cut its unemployment.

Partly because the Arab Spring lifted oil prices and encouraged governments to boost spending on social welfare in order to buy peace, Gulf countries have mostly prospered since 2011. HSBC expects Saudi Arabia to grow 4.3 percent this year, falling slightly to 4.0 percent in 2014.

But the bank said the Arab Spring had also damaged the Gulf economies, by increasing their dependence on oil-fuelled government spending and deterring politically sensitive policy reforms.

“Only for the Gulf’s wealthiest economies - Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait - does this approach look sustainable,” HSBC said. Other countries with lower ratios of oil wealth to population may yet suffer as a result of the Arab Spring, it added. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: A US debt default in the event that a politically divided Congress fails to raise the federal borrowing limit would imperil the entire global economic recovery, a senior International Monetary Fund official warned yesterday.

But Jose Vinals, the IMF’s financial counselor, said he sees the actual risk of such a default as very low.

“It would be a worldwide shock,” Vinals told a Washington news conference, at which the IMF released its Global Financial Stability Report. “This is something that would have very significant repercussions on financial markets around the world, not just on the United States,” Vinals said. “So let’s hope that we never get there.” The report was released ahead of the IMF and World Bank’s annual meeting later this week. It’s a gathering that brings together leading financial officials from around the globe. The IMF said that the partial US government shutdown, now in its second week, is adding to uncertainty about the still-fragile global economic recovery.

“While the damage to the US economy from a short shutdown is likely to be limited, a longer shutdown could be quite harmful,” the report said. “And even more importantly, a failure to promptly raise the debt ceiling, leading to a US selective default, could seriously damage the global economy and financial system.” The bulk of US governmental operations were shuttered

last week after lawmakers in the House and Senate failed to agree on a spending bill to fund government at the start of the new fiscal year. Republicans in Congress are refusing to approve a temporary spending bill, demanding changes or elimination of Obama’s 2010 health care law.

Growth rates in emerging market and developing economies are now down some three percentage points from 2010 levels, mostly due to a slowdowns in Brazil, China, and India, the IMF said.

“Projections for 2016 real GDP levels for Brazil, China, and India have been successively reduced by some 8 to 14 percent over the past two years,” the organisation said.The IMF also reduced China’s 2013 growth forecast by 0.2 points to 7.6 percent and the 2014 forecast by 0.4 points to 7.3 percent. India’s 2013 growth forecast was cut sharply by 1.8 points to 3.8 percent and the 2014 forecast reduced by 1.1 points to 5.1 percent. But despite the growth slowdown in the major emerging economies, often referred to as the BRICS, the fund noted that the medium-term forecast was still above that during the decade leading up to the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998.

Republicans are linking the health care plan to the budget battle because they contend the costs of it could severely harm the US economy. Democrats say it is legislation that has already been approved as “settled law” and that it has been upheld by the US

Supreme Court. They insist that spending and debt ceiling bills are vital in their own right and should not come with conditions attached.

The worries about the US economy extend beyond the shutdown and prospects, albeit remote, of a debt default.

The IMF report also said the US central bank’s expected tapering of its economic stimulus program would pose one of the biggest challenges to increasing global financial stability.

The Federal Reserve is expected to begin the transition early next year, scaling back its $85 billion-a-month in bond purchases that have injected cash into the sluggish economy to boost growth. The easing will be a vote of confidence that the economy is strong enough to stand without extraordinary stimulus. The IMF report said this US strength should help shore up global financial stability. Yet managing a smooth transition out of the extraordinary bond purchases “could prove challenging” as both interest rates and market volatility rise.

“This process will be unprecedented and complex,” said Vinals, who also noted that long-term market interest rates have already begun to rise in anticipation of the tapering. Higher interest rates could put a dent in the US economic recovery.

The report said one potential danger to greater global financial stability is the possibility that long-term interest rates could rise

more sharply than anticipated. In one of the report’s recommendations of policies to enhance global financial stability, it urged the Federal Reserve to clearly communicate its intentions on tapering the stimulus.

It also urged Europe to move forward on a banking union - a single body that would restructure or unwind failed banks across the region.

The “stressed economies” of Italy, Portugal and Spain continue to be plagued by heavy corporate debt loads, the report said. A significant share of the corporate debt in stressed economies is now owed by companies with weak debt servicing capacity and this could negatively affect bank balance sheets and cut into profits, it added.

It said Europe needs to improve credit to viable enterprises. The report noted that many policymakers see weak credit growth generally in the global economy as a primary reason behind the slow economic recovery. Developing countries saw a larger than normal surge in bond investments over the past five years, said Vinals. And they are already seeing significant capital flows out as interest rates rise in the US and attract investment. Highlighting one risk to global financial stability, these outflows could increase significantly along with volatility. Financial authorities may need to intervene to ensure the process is smooth, the IMF report said. — Agencie

Yellen is Obama choice to succeed Bernanke at Fed WASHINGTON: After a lengthy and politically charged search, President Barack Obama has decided to nominate Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve’s vice chair, to be chairman of the powerful US central bank, succeeding Ben Bernanke at a pivotal time for the economy and the Fed’s monetary policies.

If confirmed by the Senate, Yellen would be the first woman to head a major central bank anywhere in the world at a time when France’s Christine Lagarde heads the International Monetary Fund. Yellen also would be the first Democrat chosen to lead the Fed since Paul Volcker was picked by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. Obama was scheduled to make the announcement Wednesday with Yellen and Bernanke at his side in the White House’s ornate East Room.

Bernanke, 59, will serve until his term ends Jan 31, completing a remarkable eight-year tenure in which he helped pull the US economy out of the worst financial crisis and recession since the 1930s. Under Bernanke’s leadership, the Fed created extraordinary programs after the financial crisis

erupted in 2008 that are credited with helping save the US banking system. The Fed lent money to banks after credit markets froze, cut its key short-term interest rate to near zero and bought trillions in bonds to lower long-term borrowing rates. Yellen, 67, emerged as the top candidate after Lawrence Summers, a former Treasury secretary and White House favorite for the job, withdrew from consideration last month in the face of rising opposition. A close ally of the chairman, Yellen has been a key architect of the Fed’s efforts under Bernanke to keep interest rates near record lows to support the economy, and she likely would continue steering Fed policy in the same direction as Bernanke.

Her nomination could face resistance from congressional critics who argue that the Fed’s low-rate policies have raised the risk of high inflation and might be breeding dangerous bubbles in assets like stocks or real estate. Democratic Sen Tim Johnson, who heads the Senate Banking Committee, which must approve Yellen’s nomination, said he would work with

the panel’s members to advance her confirmation quickly.

“She has a depth of experience that is second to none, and I have no doubt she will be an excellent Federal Reserve chairman,” Johnson said in a statement.

The White House announcement comes in the midst of a confrontation between Obama and congressional Republicans, particularly those in the House of Representatives, over the partial government shutdown and the looming decision on increasing the nation’s $16.7 trillion borrowing limit. Obama has been harshly critical of Republicans for demanding either changes in health care or spending policies in exchange for paying for government operations and raising the debt ceiling.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the administration probably decided to go ahead with the announcement to send a signal of policy stability to financial markets where investors are growing increasingly nervous over the shutdown and the possibility of default. — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

BUSINESS

Islamic banks in Gulf eye slimmed-down future Fresh start for a new sector after global melt down KUWAIT: Management changes at some of the Gulf’s best-known Islamic investment banks point to a fresh start for a sector which is emerging from the global financial crisis with less leverage and more realistic ambitions. While retail-focused Islamic banks generally managed to weather the crisis, many investment banks that relied on large, leveraged projects had a tougher time.

Bahraini firms such as Arcapita and Gulf Finance House (GFH) embodied the region’s investment banking ambitions, using debt to fund acquisitions to great effect; the two booked a combined $1.3 billion in profits in 2007 and 2008. But the credit crunch showed Islamic financial structures were no protection against sliding asset prices, and the two suffered combined losses of $1.73 billion between 2009 and 2010, forcing them to restructure their businesses.

The financial crisis “changed the game” away from bumper projects and the preference now is for slimmer balance sheets, according to GFH founder Essam Janahi, who last week stepped down as chairman after 14 years with the firm. “After cleaning house there is an easier way,” said Janahi, who remains the second-largest shareholder in GFH with 5.73 percent, down from a high of 25 percent.

“First look at your balance sheet, your rating - if you have liquidity and the confidence of people they will invest with you.” GFH has now reduced its liabili-

NEW DELHI: This photograph taken on August 6, 2007 shows India’s Bharti Enterprises managing director Rajan Bharti Mittal (left) shaking hands with Raj Jain, president of US company Wal-Mart’s operations in India, during a press conference in New Delhi. Global retail giant Walmart and Indian firm Bharti said yesterday they were ending their partnership in the country’s retail sector and would now operate separate businesses. — AFP

DUBAI: Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties is talking to banks about raising a bridge loan of up to $1.5 billion with an option to convert it later into a bond, banking and industry sources aware of the matter said yesterday.

The proposed financing comes ahead of a $1.25 billion bond maturity in May 2014; Aldar would probably use funds raised through the loan to meet that obligation, said the sources, declining to be named as the matter is not public.

It would be one of the first financings undertaken by the firm since its Abu Dhabi governmentbacked merger with Sorouh Real Estate was completed in June, creating the second-largest listed property firm in the United Arab Emirates and one of the biggest in the Middle East, with assets of $13 billion.

A spokesman for Aldar, 30.5 percent owned by Abu Dhabi sovereign fund Mubadala, declined to comment. Banks have been invited to pitch for the bridge-to-bond financing, the sources said, with two of them stating the loan component would have a one-year lifespan.

Under a bridge-to-bond deal, a firm can often secure cheaper loan funding as banks can earn income from fees paid for arranging the bond.

Should unfavourable market conditions make completing a bond deal uneconomic, the loan would likely be refinanced at maturity, said one of the sources, an Abu Dhabibased banker. When it was struggling during Abu Dhabi’s property market crash, Aldar received government support worth around $10 billion, to be paid in instalments over time, in exchange for assets including Abu Dhabi’s Formula One track, a Ferrari-themed amusement park and residential property developments.

applied. Analysts said the split showed the government must do more to streamline FDI rules to attract overseas companies and spur economic growth, which has slackened to a decade-low. “This could further caution international firms looking to enter India,” said Saloni Nangia, president of consultancy firm Technopak of Walmart’s announcement.

“From a destination perspective, foreign firms want to be in India.

But from a policy and doing-business perspective, it is different. The government needs to do more to facilitate this,” she said.

Opposition lawmakers in the past have expressed concern over Walmart’s entry, saying it will hurt local “mom and pop” stores. With the Bharti venture ending, Walmart is not expected to rush into making fresh India investments, said Sonam Udasi, head of research with IDBI capital.

“Walmart will study the on-theground situation, particularly future government policies in retail,” he said. Walmart said in July it was unable to meet the government’s requirements-stipulating that 30 percent of its products must come from local small-scale industries-for it to open retail stores.

Under the terms of the breakup Walmart will acquire Bharti’s stake in the wholesale cash and carry business, giving it 100 percent ownership, the statement said. Nangia said Walmart is likely to stay focused on its cash-and-carry business, which would help to build up its supply chain to support any future retail business. Scott Price, president and chief executive of Walmart Asia, said the company would “continue to advocate for investment conditions that allow FDI multi-brand retail in India”. — AFP

way to maximise value and it was a balanced way of doing it,” said Atif Abdulmalik, Arcapita’s founder and former chief executive. AIM now plans to invest through funds and pre-placements, rather than underwriting deals with the company’s capital, with target yields in the region of 8 percent, he added.

Acquisitions could be financed by debt but on a different scale, with debt-to-equity ratios at the company level no higher than 1-to-1, as opposed to 3.5to-1 before the crisis, he said.

Even some Islamic investment banks which rode out the global crisis fairly comfortably have streamlined their operations and say they will not spurn relatively small deals. Qatar’s QInvest said yesterday that it would focus on three core business lines investment banking, asset management and investing its own capital - while working more closely with top shareholder Qatar Islamic Bank.

New chief executive Tamim Al-Kawari, who took over last year, said he had streamlined operations and reduced QInvest’s number of business lines; areas such as wealth management and brokerage services have been discontinued. QInvest’s investment banking head Michael Katounas, who arrived in April, said the bank was open to medium-sized deals.

“If you are waiting for the next $10-15 billion deal from the region, you will be waiting for a long time.

On the mid-sized deal space, you have enough opportunities there to keep you busy.” — Reuters

Streamlined QInvest says to focus on 3 key areas

Aldar seeks $1.5bn finance before bond maturity

US giant Walmart, India’s Bharti end joint venture MUMBAI: Walmart and Indian firm Bharti announced yesterday they were ending their partnership, with the US giant partly blaming India’s new rules on foreign investment for the split.

The companies said they would “independently own and operate separate business formats”, ending a partnership aimed at building Walmart’s presence in India’s potentially lucrative retail sector. The world’s biggest retailer has operated since 2007 in India as a wholesaler via its partnership with Bharti, but it is unable to sell directly to consumers. Walmart has said it wants to operate supermarkets in India after New Delhi moved last year to open up the retail sector to foreign companies, to try to boost the sharply slowing economy. But the group has been frustrated by the government’s new conditions for foreign direct investment (FDI), an internal bribery probe and the faltering relationship with Bharti, owner of India’s top mobile phone firm.

Walmart told AFP in an email the decision to split with Bharti was based on “external and internal factors, including the new FDI policy”.

“Under the requirements contained in the new FDI policy Walmart could not invest in multi-brand retail through the existing Bharti Retail business,” a Walmart India spokesperson added in the email, without elaborating.

Walmart must now find another local partner to own 49 percent of the business if it plans to push ahead with operating supermarkets under the government’s rules. A year ago, New Delhi allowed foreign supermarkets to establish 51 percent joint ventures in the country as part of a drive to seek outside investment, but so far none has

ties to $223 million, from over $2 billion at the peak of the crisis, and is rolling out a more conservative strategy. Future investments will shy away from aggressive rates of return and favour smaller deals to better manage risk, Janahi said.

“A smaller-sized transaction like a $50 million ticket item is easier to place,” added Janahi, who now plans to focus on projects of his own. “My moving out doesn’t hurt GFH; the management team is there and they have the experience.”

Janahi has been replaced as chairman of GFH by Ahmed Al-Mutawa, previously the deputy chairman.

Founded in 1997, Arcapita sponsored a range of transactions worth $28 billion. Unable to refinance a $1.1 billion Islamic loan that matured in 2012, Arcapita filed for bankruptcy protection in a New York court in March last year, emerging from Chapter 11 last month with a five-year plan to sell legacy assets to pay creditors. Last week, the reorganised firm appointed a new seven-man board of directors that includes a representative from Bahrain’s central bank and the chief executive of Bank Alkhair, a Bahraini Islamic lender. Arcapita’s former management team will now operate a new firm, AIM Group Ltd, which will manage the disposal of former Arcapita assets while seeking new deals in the logistics, education and healthcare sectors.

“We fought a big fight - some of it was public and some of it not. But the ultimate solution was the best

companies such as Credit Suisse, Royal Dutch Shell and Glencore.

Investment banking business in the Gulf is gradually picking up after several years of sluggish activity that prompted several large global banks to cut their local operations, and also left some local investment banks struggling to stay afloat.

In April this year, al-Kawari brought in Michael Katounas to run QInvest’s investment banking division; Katounas came from Credit Suisse, where he was a director at the bank’s investment banking division in Dubai.

QInvest is keen to bridge the gap left by the large global banks in advising big familyowned and state institutions seeking to expand their investments, Katounas said.

In the past, the global banks often focused on the biggest deals, but Katounas added: “If you are waiting for the next $10-15 billion deal from the region, you will be waiting for a long time. On the mid-sized deal space, you have enough opportunities there to keep you busy.”

QInvest was one of the advisors to the Turkish government on its $1.25 billion sukuk sale last week, along with HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered. Among other deals, the bank was an advisor to Kingdom Holding, the investment firm controlled by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, in its 1.5 billion Saudi riyal ($400 million) acquisition of a stake in Chinese online retailer 360Buy. —Reuters

DOHA: Qatar’s QInvest will focus on three core business lines - investment banking, asset management and investing its own capital - while working more closely with top shareholder Qatar Islamic Bank, the firm’s chief executive said. Tamim Al-Kawari took over last year after after working with Goldman Sachs for five years, most recently as Goldman’s local managing director and chief executive for Qatar. “My experience at Goldman was invaluable and I have brought that with me to QInvest. We are sticking to our core competencies and continue to focus on providing innovative Islamic finance solutions,” the Qatari national told Reuters at the firm’s headquarters in Doha.

Al-Kawari said he had streamlined operations and reduced QInvest’s number of business lines - areas such as wealth management and brokerage services have been discontinued. QInvest, which has around $750 million in capital, will now focus on catering to companies that are seeking access to capital in the Gulf state and within the region. It will also advise Qatari entities deploying capital abroad, and co-invest in long-term deals such as management buy-outs and buy-ins, and leveraged buy-outs. Qatar Islamic Bank owns a near 44 percent stake in QInvest.

With its vast natural gas reserves, Qatar has made a mark as one of the world’s most sought-after investors, deploying billions of dollars through its sovereign wealth fund in

Real estate prices in Abu Dhabi dropped 50 percent from their 2008 peak after a property bubble burst, causing many proposed developments to be stalled or scrapped.

However, while there are still fears of oversupply in the market, prices have begun to recover in recent months, aided by a directive from the Abu Dhabi government for all state employees who wish to continuing receiving housing allowances to live in the emirate by the end of last month. Three sources with knowledge of the matter said Aldar had previously been considering a liability management exercise to swap the May 2014 bond for new paper. Such a move is rare in the Gulf Arab region, with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company and the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah among the few entities to have refinanced bond and sukuk obligations through swaps.

The rationale for such an exercise would have been to allow Aldar to mitigate some of the costs of refinancing and also some of the risk, as existing bondholders would have exchanged their current bonds for new paper, without the need for a sale process which could be hijacked by global economic events.

“If you have got a maturity coming up and it coincides with other expenditures, or if you have a capital structure which you think you can improve, you can look to undertake such an exercise,” said Abdulkadir Hussain, chief executive of Mashreq Capital, adding that the main considerations would be how best to optimise cost of funding and a borrower’s maturity profile. Aldar’s bond, sold through its Atlantic Finance special purpose vehicle, was trading at 104.9976 on the bid side at 0700 GMT, according to Thomson Reuters data. — Reuters

Qatar lender Al-Khaliji prices debut $500m bond development plan, which has seen billions of dollars deployed into infrastructure projects, and the resultant boost to the wider economy.

Qatar National Bank, the nation’s largest lender and bellwether for the local banking sector, missed the average forecast of analysts but still reported a 14.3 percent increase in third-quarter net profit on Tuesday.

Al Khaliji is due to report third-quarter numbers on October 29, according to its website. BNP Paribas, HSBC Holdings, the investment banking arm of Qatar National Bank and Standard Chartered arranged the Al Khaliji transaction, which is expected to be rated Aby Fitch Ratings. — Reuters

DUBAI: Qatar’s Al Khaliji Commercial Bank completed its maiden international bond yesterday, pricing a $500 million five-year offering, a document from lead managers said. The Gulf state’s sixth-largest lender by market value issued the bond with a coupon of 3.25 percent and a reoffer price of 99.575, the document said. The transaction’s spread of 180 basis points over midswaps was well inside the initial guidance of 195 bps over the same benchmark given on Tuesday, indicating healthy demand for the transaction.

Qatari banks have enjoyed strong profitability in recent quarters on the back of lending growth linked to the Gulf Arab state’s

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal Irani Riyal Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.899 4.554 2.673 2.154 2.841 226.800 36.561 3.639 6.524 9.065 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.630 77.927 736.650 753.290 77.237 ARAB COUNTRIES 41.700 40.679 1.323 173.080 400.510 1.903 1.308 34.914

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.500 Euro 384.430 Sterling Pound 460.400 Canadian dollar 274.820 Turkish lira 141.040 Swiss Franc 313.780 Australian Dollar 266.350 US Dollar Buying 282.300 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 244.000 124.000 64.000

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

SELL DRAFT 271.01 278.70 318.39 388.05 282.80 458.26 2.98 3.639 4.578 2.158 2.868 2.666 77.06 752.70 41.03 402.49 735.46 78.09 75.54

SELL CASH 272.000 279.000 318.000 390.000 285.500 462.000 3.000 3.700 4.820 2.500 3.300 2.760 77.400 753.500 41.100 407.500 741.500 78.500 75.800

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen

Selling Rate 283.250 278.480 456.730 385.620 312.710 748.116 77.095 78.650 76.400 399.285 41.051 2.153 4.606 2.665 3.637 6.564 695.720 3.905

Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

10.030 3.085 3.845 88.405

Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

0.223795 0.022327 0.001827 0.009542 0.008731

0.229795 0.030827 0.002407 0.009722 0.009281

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar Turkish Lira UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

Arab 0.745268 0.038359 0.000078 0.000183 0.395501 1.0000000 0.000139 0.022687 0.001200 0.730072 0.077133 0.074937 0.001929 0.168969 0.140278 0.076178 0.001287

0.753268 0.041459 0.000080 0.000243 0.403001 1.0000000 0.000239 0.046687 0.001835 0.735752 0.078346 0.075637 0.002149 0.176969 0.147278 0.077327 0.001367

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone

BUY Europe 0.007366 0.447592 0.006648 0.047494 0.379189 0.043353 0.081774 0.008124 0.040103 0.307068 0.140278

0.008366 0.456592 0.018648 0.052494 0.386689 0.048553 0.81774 0.018124 0.045103 0.317268 0.147278

Australasia 0.258727 0.229065

0.270227 0.238565

America 0.27000 0.279300 0.279800 Asia 0.003168 0.044844 0.034468 0.004336 0.000020 0.002833 0.003363 0.000255 0.085462 0.002937 0.002498 0.006415 0.000089

SELL

0.278500 0.283650 0.283650 0.003768 0.048344 0.037216 0.004737 0.000026 0.003013 0.003363 0.000270 0.091462 0.003107 0.002778 0.006695 0.000075

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 282.800 386.450 456.800 276.800 4.578 40.985 2.155 3.636 6.555 2.664 753.100 77.000 75.500

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

BUSINESS

World fears US default, warns Obama Boehner rules out ‘unconditional surrender’ WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama warned world leaders were nervous Republicans would “blow up” the US economy, and vowed not to budge on his demand for the debt ceiling to be lifted without conditions. But House Speaker John Boehner insisted there would be no “unconditional surrender” from Republicans and said Congress would only allow more US borrowing if Obama agrees to cut spending. There was one glimmer of hope for progress in the bitter showdown that has closed the US government and sparked fears that Washington could default on its debts if the debt ceiling is not raised by October 17.

Obama said that if necessary he would accept a short-term deal to raise borrowing and reopen the government-a move that would effectively postpone the crisis for a number of weeks.

But the president was adamant that he would not compromise on his refusal to cede ideological concessions to Republicans in return for receiving more authority to borrow money to finance US obligations.

“What you haven’t seen before, I think, from the vantage point of a lot of world leaders, is the notion that one party in Congress might blow the whole thing up if they don’t get their way,” Obama said, in a White House press conference designed to hike pressure on Republicans. “They’ve never seen that before. And that does make them nervous.” Obama spoke a day after China, which is sitting on a vast pile of US Treasury bonds, warned that the time was running out for the United States to prove its creditworthiness and the credibility of the world’s reserve currency.

Stocks dipped for another day Tuesday, with investors increasingly concerned that the government will not get its act together in time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 159.71 points (1.07 percent) to 14,776.53 and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index plummeted 75.54 (2.00 percent) to 3,694.83. Investors also sold off short-term bonds, sending the yield on the one-month Treasury note to 0.31 percent, its highest

level since the crisis year of 2008, up from 0.15 percent Monday. Obama said Congress had two basic jobspassing a budget and “making sure that America’s paying its bills.”He warned that lawmakers did not get to demand a ransom, and reiterated his position that he would only negotiate with Republicans once the debt ceiling was raised and the government, now shuttered for a week, is opened.

“We can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy. Democracy doesn’t function this way,” he

said.Boehner appeared on television soon after Obama’s press conference to dig further into his own position. “The long and short of it is there is going to be a negotiation here,” Boehner said.

“We can’t raise the debt ceiling without doing something about what’s driving us to borrow more money and to live beyond our means.” “What the president said today was if there’s unconditional surrender by Republicans, he will sit down and talk to us,” he said.

“That’s not the way our government works.” Obama,

WASHINGTON: US Speaker of the House Rep John Boehner arrives at the US Capitol yesterday in Washington, DC. The US government shutdown is entering its ninth day as the US Senate and House of Representatives remain gridlocked on funding the federal government. — AP

who spoke to Boehner earlier by phone, argues that raising the debt ceiling is vital to America’s most valuable asset, its creditworthiness, which should not be prey to political uncertainty.

Boehner counters that presidents have always bargained with lawmakers over raising the debt ceiling, and is unwilling to give up an area of prime political leverage. If the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling is not raised by October 17, the United States will be unable to borrow more money and will begin defaulting on its obligations, in a scenario that could tip the economy back into recession and trigger global chaos. The president said that a default would be, in the words of economists he quoted, “insane, catastrophic, chaos.”

But he also sought to assure investors, US bond holders and others that the US remained good for its debts, even as he acknowledged “a cloud” over America’s economic credibility because of the shutdown. “Obviously my message to the world is the United States always has paid its bills and it will do so again,” Obama said.

Asked what the government would do if the debt ceiling were not increased on time and the government would have to decide which bills not to pay, Obama said the issue was still being reviewed.

“No option is good in that scenario,” he said. “We are exploring all contingencies.” Obama did signal some flexibility, saying he was open to negotiating with Republicans on budget issues-even if lawmakers extended borrowing and reopened the government only on a short-term basis.

“If they can’t do it for a long time, do it for the period of time in which these negotiations are taking place,” he said. Republicans proposed a bipartisan committee to discuss how to get out of the budget impasse and the debt ceiling row. But Obama dismissed the move as a ruse to discuss spending cuts that only Republicans want, and vowed to veto such a solution in the unlikely event it reaches his desk. — AFP

‘Nissan 360’ global brand showcase event ends on successful note

THESSALONIKI: University administrators of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki shout slogans as a protest against job cuts yesterday. Administrative workers at eight Greek universities are on strike for their fifth consecutive week. — AFP

Spain’s cities target dog-lovers, fortune-tellers for cash MADRID: Beggars, dog-lovers and fortunetellers who venture onto Madrid’s busy streets may soon find themselves out of pocket as authorities in the city and elsewhere seek creative solutions to their financial problems. The Madrid council laid out plans this week to levy fines of 750 euros ($1,000) for public activities including soliciting for money outside shopping centres, feeding or washing dogs, reading tarot cards and performing acrobatics with a bike.

Saddled with huge debts since a property bubble burst in 2008, Spain’s autonomous regions and town halls have seen core revenues fall as unemployment holds stubbornly above 25 percent and corporate investments dry up. Many owe millions to service suppliers and staff. Since last year, several have sought new ways of making up the shortfall, introducing taxes on plastic shopping bags, gambling and tourist stays, or fines for skateboarding, letting off fireworks or drinking or offering massages on the street. The strategy looks to be paying off, with revenues for the 17 regions, including metropolitan Madrid, up 25 percent last year at 168 billion euros as direct and indirect taxes rose. Their income is forecast to grow through 2016 - also good news for the federal government, which spent 70 billion euros in 2012 and 2013 bailing out regional authorities and town halls.

Local governments heaped up debt during the property boom, when they enjoyed buoyant investment and high tax revenues as construction companies scrambled to build across the country. “There was a tax that worked very well for many years and gave town halls a lot of money and that was the construction tax... That’s where there’s a hole,” said Javier Suarez, a tax professor at the University of Oviedo. But the new fines and levies have their critics. Spain’s sky-high unemployment rate has increased the number of homeless on Madrid’s streets, as well as hawkers and beggars, who the proposed penalties in the city would target.

The town hall also proposed a fine for camping in the central Puerta del Sol square, where Spain’s “Indignados” movement took off and inspired similar “Occupy” protest movements around the world.

“The strategy of criminalising poverty has always produced results but it’s ugly,” said Jesus Sandin, head of the homelessness programme at non-profit group Solidarios.

“We’re talking about blaming people who have no other option than to use public spaces because they don’t have housing or work for the deterioration of a city that just a moment ago was aiming to host the Olympics, which is a little unfair.”

Spain’s No. 3 city Valencia - left with a major financial hangover after a huge spending spree last decade - expects to take in around 9.5 million euros in fines in 2013, slightly more than in 2012. In March at Valencia’s annual “Fallas” festival featuring processions of huge papier-m‚chÈ figures that are later burned, officials introduced a 300 euro fine for children under the age of eight caught throwing firecrackers, according to local media. Parents were outraged last year when some regions charged children who brought packed lunches to school, even if they did not eat cafeteria food. As the economic crisis has eaten into family budgets, many were trying to save by sending their children to school with home-made meals.

The new proposals in Madrid, which has promised to cut local taxes from 2015, could come into effect later this year. They also include a penalty of up to 3,000 euros for placing flowerpots in precarious positions on balconies.

Dolores Navarro, city councillor for families, social services and civil participation, said the fines aimed to make the capital more liveable rather than simply raise money. “Any law or regulation has to have some kind of sanction ...People do not learn without some type of punishment,” she said. — Reuters

German industrial output rebounds: Official data BERLIN: Industrial production in powerhouse Germany rebounded more strongly than expected in August, driven by the auto sector, data showed yesterday. Output in the eurozone’s biggest economy was up 1.4 percent month-on-month after falling by a revised 1.1 percent in July, the economy ministry said.

Christian Schulz, senior economist of Berenberg Bank, said the data pointed “to a strengthening investment recovery” in Germany. Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had been projecting a smaller increase of 1.0 percent for August. “The upward trend of production in the manufacturing industry continues,” said the ministry in a brief statement. “The weakness of the winter season is over.” In its seasonally

adjusted and provisional data, the ministry said the construction sector was down 1.9 percent but manufacturing output rose 2.1 percent. This was led by investment goods, which rose 4.4 percent, and a strong increase in heavy vehicle production which was up 13.6 percent.

Compared to one year ago, industrial production for the July-August period was however down 0.8 percent. Carsten Brzeski, chief economist at ING-DiBa, said that “while exports and retail sales still cast some doubts about third-quarter growth, today’s industrial production numbers paint a more positive picture. “It looks as if the German economy has returned to its trend growth rate of around 0.3 to 0.4 percent quarter-on-quarter.” —AFP

DUBAI: There is nothing like a spectacular month-long birthday party to signify a milestone. As part of commemorations marking its 80th anniversary, Nissan Motor Company held the “Nissan 360” brand showcase event in Irvine, California, during August and September. Aimed at highlighting the company’s latest vehicles and showcasing its cutting-edge technologies, the event concluded with many impressive achievements.

This was the third “360” hosted by Nissan since the automaker’s inaugural event in 2004.

This year’s event offered a comprehensive product and technology experience to participants from around the world. Global in nature and execution, the program offered guests multiple opportunities to gain first-hand insight into the people, products, technologies and strategies that are driving Nissan’s growth. This was the largest Nissan 360 hosted so far, and it delivered more stories about Nissan and involved more participants than ever before. It was also the first time that this significant corporate event included the Datsun brand.

“Nissan 360 showed the world our advanced automotive technologies, innovative products, and the people behind them,” said Andy Palmer, executive vice president in charge of Global Product Planning, Corporate Planning, and Global Marketing Communications.

“I was particularly pleased with the reaction to our autonomous drive technology reveal. The announcement that we will have autonomous drive vehicles ready for roads by 2020 showed Nissan’s leadership in this area, and points the way forward for the exciting developments to come.”

By the time Nissan 360 ended, the company had hosted more than 1,500 people-media, investment analysts, dealers, fleet and commercial customers. Overall, these participants, hail-

ing from over 60 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, logged over 15,000 test drives from among the 100 drivable vehicles on hand representing Nissan markets around the world.

They drove over 30,000 miles (48,280 km)-about the same distance as the circumference of the Earth. In addition to the 100 test cars, Nissan had 32 eye-pleasing display vehicles on hand. There were all kinds of cars available to drive or view: Japan’s unique “kei” mini-cars; the Nissan Civilian minibus; the latest GT-R supercar; light commercial vehicles; and electric vehicles-even a Nissan Cedric taxi cab from Tokyo.

A diverse menu of seven test tracks offered a variety of road surfaces for nearly every type of driving scenario.

Many of the 800-plus journalists who attended Nissan 360 gained in-depth insight from briefings about Nissan Motor Company’s brands

and technologies afforded by the attendance of 42 key executives, designers, engineers and product experts from around the world. Much of the event information was delivered in an environmentally-responsible way by providing participants with a hand-held digital device to receive vehicle and program information, book test drives, and share/store content, thereby obviating the need for reams of paper.

Nissan 360 was the first in a series of signature events being held to mark the company’s 80th anniversary. It demonstrated the best of Nissan: the latest breakthroughs in vehicle technologies and detailed presentations about business strategies. The event exposed attendees to the stories that lie behind the innovative and exciting products and technologies that are driving Nissan’s future growth-and making it a company to watch.

India trade gap narrows to 30-month low NEW DELHI: India’s trade gap slid to a 30-month low last month, data showed yesterday, boosting government hopes of narrowing a massive current account deficit and easing pressure on the rupee.

The trade deficit slimmed to $6.76 billion in September from $10.9 billion the previous month, the lowest since March 2011, the commerce ministry reported. The gap was significantly below market forecasts and marked a rare piece of good economic news for the Congressled government which has been battling to spur a sharply slowing economy and put a floor under a falling currency.

“The main reason for the decline in imports was a dip in imports of gold and oil,” Commerce Secretary S R Rao said in New Delhi. Rao said the government has taken “conscious” measures to curb imports of non-essential items, such as raising import taxes on precious metals like gold that are “working out”.

India, the world’s largest buyer of gold, has made strenuous efforts to constrain imports of bullion to lower its current account deficit-the widest measure of trade-that hit a record $88 billion in the last financial year.

The high deficit has fanned worries about a balance of payments crunch and put pressure on the rupee, which lost nearly a fifth of its value against the dollar in the space of four months before retracing some of its losses in September.

Exports climbed 11.2 percent to $27.68 billion last month, helped by greater demand for madein-India products in developed nations and the weaker rupee which made the nation’s goods more competitive. Imports tumbled 18 percent year-on-year in September 34.4 billion, helped by lower gold purchases, the second-largest item in India’s import list, and softer demand due to a weak economy. Imports of gold and silver plunged over 80 percent to 800 million in September from $4.6 billion a year earlier while while oil imports slipped by six percent to $13.19 billion.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said last

weekend he believed he would be able to reduce the deficit for the financial year to March 2014 to below $70 billion. Analysts forecast further improvement in the trade balance during the course of the year. The measures taken by the government “should translate into a smaller current account shortfall through the third and

fourth quarters”, said Glenn Levine, economist at Moody’s Analytics. But economists were sceptical whether last month’s sharp improvement in the trade gap could be maintained in the near term, given the US government shutdown and a revival in gold imports due to religious festive season demand. — AFP

Greggs returns to sales growth after strategy re-think LONDON: British baker Greggs returned to underlying sales growth in August and September, saying a drive to refocus on its core food-on-the-go business and abandon expansion into new areas such as cafes and supplying more third parties was paying off.

New boss Roger Whiteside, who has issued two profit warnings while undertaking the strategy shift, said yesterday the better trading reflected new cakes and pizza ranges, extended shop opening hours, better availability of sandwiches earlier in the day, and the success of a 2 pounds ($3.22) breakfast deal.“It is encouraging but we are mindful of the fact that trading remains fragile,” he said.

Data and surveys have shown an improving outlook for UK consumer spending, which generates about two-thirds of gross domestic product, but retailers remain wary as inflation continues to outpace wage rises.

Even with its relatively low average transaction value of just over two pounds, Greggs, which sells bread, sandwiches, savouries, cakes and pastries to over 6 million customers a week, has not been immune to the downturn.

The company, which with 1,693 shops has more outlets in Britain than burger chain

McDonald’s, said sales at stores open over a year fell 0.5 percent in the 13 weeks to Sept.

28, its fiscal third quarter.

But Whiteside said like-for-like sales rose just over 1 percent in the final eight weeks of the quarter. They had fallen 2.9 percent in the first half and then by 3.2 percent in the first five weeks of the second half as a July heatwave kept shoppers off Britain’s high streets.

Greggs has not posted a quar terly increase in like-for-like sales since the final quar ter of 2011. At 0925 GMT shares in Greggs, which have fallen 18 percent over the last year, were up 2.2 percent at 436 pence, valuing the business at about 442 million pounds.

Prior to Wednesday’s update analysts were forecasting a pretax profit for 2013 of 40-42 million pounds, down from 51.9 million pounds in 2012. Greggs said its outlook for the full year was unchanged. Greggs is also refitting and re-shaping its store portfolio as it seeks to raise its 12 percent share of Britain’s 6 billion pounds food-on-the-go market. So far this year it has refitted 141 shops and plans 215 in the full year. It now expects no increase in net shop numbers this year as openings match closures. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

BUSINESS

Brent slips below $110 as US crisis drags on LONDON: Global oil prices edged below $110 per barrel yesterday, after US lawmakers made little progress to end a budget impasse that threatens to hurt investor confidence and curb demand in the world’s biggest oil consumer. Declines were limited, however, balanced out by a weaker dollar and by concerns that further unrest in Egypt and Libya could disrupt Middle East supply.

Brent oil traded 38 cents lower at $109.78 per barrel at 1150 GMT, after settling higher on Tuesday for a third straight session. US oil was also 24 cents down at $103.25 per barrel. US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday he would negotiate budget issues with Republicans only if they agreed to reopen the government and raise the debt limit. “Despite the global pressure on equities, crude has not priced in as much

of the political circus in Washington DC,” Olivier Jakob, oil analyst at Petromatrix, said. “It has shown some resilience because what is happening suggests that the tapering of the Federal Reserve stimulus may not happen now until next year.”

The US dollar hovered near an eight-month low against major currencies, providing some support for oil. A weak US currency makes dollar-denominated oil cheaper to import. Political clashes in Egypt and the capture by US forces of a senior Al-Qaeda figure in Libya over the weekend also raised the risk of disruptions to supply from key oil producing areas in North Africa.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Tuesday that possible supply disruptions may push oil prices as high as $150 per barrel next year in two out of three scenarios described in its World Economic

Outlook. But it also cut its world growth forecasts for the sixth straight time in less than two years, saying a stronger performance in the most advanced economies would not make up for sluggish expansion in the developing world. That could affect demand for crude oil while US oil stocks rise. “If Asia continues to weaken I think it will start to affect Brent,” Jakob said.

US crude stocks rose more than expected last week as refineries cut output, the American Petroleum Institute said. Crude inventories rose 2.8 million barrels, versus analysts’ expectations for an increase of 1.5 million barrels.

The closely watched US commercial crude inventory data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is due later in the day, despite the government shutdown. — Reuters

US builders hoard mineral rights under new homes NAPLES: Robert and Julie Davidson fell hard for the gleaming new house at the Valencia Golf and Country Club in Naples, Florida. They loved the way the palmfringed, Spanish-style home backed up to the fifth-hole fairway. And they were taken with the three-bedroom’s high ceilings and open plan. Plus the neighborhood - with its power-washed driveways, blooming hibiscus and guarded gatehouse - seemed all “dressed up.”

But when the Davidsons paid $255,385 in 2011 for the house on Birdie Drive, they didn’t know that they had, in essence, bought only from the ground up, and that their homebuilder, D.R. Horton, had kept everything underneath.

“Wait a second, wait a second,” Robert Davidson said after a reporter told him that a search of county records showed that DR Horton still owned the oil, natural gas, water and other natural resources beneath his and his neighbors’ homes. “Let me sit down a minute here. They have the mineral rights to the land I’m on?” In golf clubs, gated communities and other housing developments across the United States, tens of thousands of families like the Davidsons have in recent years moved into new homes where their developers or homebuilders, with little or no prior disclosure, kept all the underlying mineral rights for themselves, a Reuters review of county property records in 25 states shows. In dozens of cases, the buyers were in the dark.

The phenomenon is rooted in recent advances in extracting oil and gas from shale formations deep in the earth, fueling the biggest energy boom in modern US history. Horizontal drilling and the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” have opened vast swaths of the continental United States to exploration.

As a result, homebuilders and developers have been increasingly - and quietly hanging on to the mineral rights underneath their projects, pushing aside homeowners’ interests to set themselves up for financial gain when energy companies come calling. This is happening in regions far beyond the traditional American oil patch, which has a long history of selling subsurface rights.

“All the smart developers are doing it,” says Lance Astrella, a Denver lawyer who represents mineral-rights owners, including homebuilders, in deals with energy companies. Among the smart ones are private firms like Oakwood Homes in Colorado, the Groce Companies in North Carolina, Wynne/Jackson in Texas, and Shea Homes, which builds coast to coast.

Publicly traded companies that engage in the practice include the Ryland Group, Pulte Homes and Beazer Homes, according to oil and gas attorneys and public land records.

DR Hor ton, the biggest US home builder, is a heavy user of the practice. The Fort Worth, Texas, company has separated

the mineral rights from tens of thousands of homes in states where shale plays are either well under way or possible, including North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Oklahoma, Utah, Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Washington and California. In Florida alone, the builder has kept the mineral rights underneath more than 10,000 lots, a review of county property records shows.

In most states, sellers aren’t legally required to disclose to home buyers whether they are severing the mineral rights to a property. Builders sometimes flag the move in sales contracts or deeds and other documents they are required to file with local authorities. But buyers don’t necessarily review their paperwork very closely, especially if, as real-estate agents say happens often, they don’t hire a lawyer to help them with the transaction.

“This is a huge case of buyer beware,” said Professor Lloyd Burton, professor of law and public policy at the University of Colorado Denver. “People who move into suburban areas are really clueless about this, and the states don’t exactly go out of their way to let people know.”

Multiple builders declined to respond to questions about severing minerals under lots. Pulte said of its mineral-rights business: “While not zero, it’s immaterial in our history and is not typically a component of land acquisition transactions.” Beazer Homes said its standard sales contract in the Dallas-Fort Worth area includes a clause that carves out mineral rights. The company said that it does not always retain those rights and that it is not in the business of leasing them out.

It would not comment on whether it keeps mineral rights in other parts of the country.

Wynne/Jackson said that, as a developer, it wouldn’t be in a position to disclose reserved mineral rights since it sells its lots to homebuilders long before a home buyer enters the picture. Oakwood Homes, the Ryland Group and Shea Homes, all of which county records show have reserved mineral rights under housing developments, declined to comment. D.R. Horton also declined to comment.

Homeowners, once they find out they don’t own the earth under their feet, are typically not pleased. Many worry about the potential health and environmental effects of fracking. Research has yet to resolve the fierce debate over whether the process leads to ground, air and drinking-water contamination. Janet Damon lives in a Denver community where builder Oakwood Homes leased out the underlying mineral rights to Anadarko Energy. And though drilling has yet to occur, Damon says, the possibility alone “has caused so much anxiety for families living in this radius that people started having health issues, panic attacks, because they’re so concerned about their kids and families.” Anadarko said it has since assigned the lease to ConocoPhillips as a part of a larger transaction. ConocoPhillips confirmed that it holds the lease. — Reuters

ORVAULT: A worker, wearing a scarf of French CFE-CGC trade union, seats on a bench in front of a banner of trade-unions reading: “No to layoffs due to market forces” yesterday, in Orvault, western France, near the plant of French-US telecom-equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent a day after the group announced the cut of 10,000 jobs worldwilde. — AFP

France ups pressure on Alcatel over job plan PARIS: The French government warned telecoms equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent yesterday it could block any restructuring plans for France unless it negotiates with unions to save as many local jobs as possible. The group unveiled plans on Tuesday to cut a total 10,000 jobs worldwide, including 900 in France, warning the cuts were the last chance to stem years of losses and turn the company around.

President Francois Hollande’s government, facing rising unpopularity over high unemployment, criticised the plans and Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Wednesday suggested it could use recent labour code changes to block any moves in France. “If there is no majority agreement (with unions) the restructuring plan won’t be accepted, because the law now gives the state the responsibility to act,” Ayrault told Europe 1 radio. “We want a negotiation that saves as many jobs as possible, as many sites as possible,” he said, calling on Alcatel-Lucent to review a plan which at present foresees the closure of two sites and the possible sale of others. Shares in Alcatel were 5.7 percent lower by 0830 GMT at 2.613 euros for a two-day drop of 9.5 percent. The stock had risen more than 80 percent in the three months leading up to Tuesday’s announcement and remains up around 170 percent since the start of the year.

Under a labor law which came into force in June, the government must check to see

whether any accord signed with unions adheres to regulations or not. If there is no deal, the state will proceed to an in-depth check of the company’s restructuring plan, including an assessment of whether it is appropriate given the group’s assets and economic health. Either way “if there is no approval by the administration, the company cannot fire people,” a labor ministry official said by telephone.

However CGT union representative Stephane Dubled played down the government’s margin of manoeuvre, saying past experience showed governments were reluctant to get directly involved and that the new law was too recent to assess its reach.

“The state has some power in as much as it decides to use it ... but there hasn’t been much experience of that so far,” Dubled told Reuters. “ There is a bit of grandstanding in Ayrault’s comments.” The product of a 2006 transatlantic merger aimed at creating a global giant, AlcatelLucent employs 72,000 staff worldwide and competes with larger rivals Ericsson of Sweden, China’s Huawei and Finland’s Nokia, has posted five straight quarters of net losses. France’s left-leaning industry minister Arnaud Montebourg, who has led a campaign for French consumers and companies to buy home-grown products, also called on the countr y ’s network providers to help the firm by favouring its products. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

BUSINESS

Kuwait bank credits post healthy growth KUWAIT: Bank credit resumed its healthy growth trend after a weak July. The real estate sector saw a particularly strong gain while household borrowing maintained its solid growth. We expect credit to register growth of 7 percent in 2013, accelerating to its strongest pace since 2009. Money supply continued to see a seasonal contraction on large withdrawals in mostly sight deposits.

Total bank credit bounced back with a KD231 million gain in August following a mostly flat July. Total credit reached KD28.2 billion and growth from a year ago slipped slightly from last month to 5.7 percent y/y. Credit has gained KD1.4 billion thus far in 2013. Annualized growth thus far in 2013 reached 7.8 percent. Growth is likely to ease slightly in the remaining months of 2013 as banks continue to see a number of corporate loan settlements, though the overall pace will remain relatively healthy.

Household borrowing maintained its strong growth in August, gaining KD 105 million on the month. Growth in household credit (personal facilities excluding credit for the purchase of securities) was steady at 18 percent y/y, a pace it has largely maintained throughout the last five months.

Credit to the non-financial business sector recovered from its decline last month, adding KD140 million in August. The

rise was driven by a strong KD98 million increase in the real estate sector. Smaller gains in other business sectors provided additional support to August’s healthy performance.

Meanwhile, the non-bank financial sector remained in deleveraging mode registering a KD15 million drop in credit, with year-on-year growth at a negative 17 percent.

Private sector deposits saw seasonal withdrawals continue in August (KD273 million). Dinar sight deposits (KD198 million) and foreign currency deposits (KD74 million) were again behind the declines, most likely due to seasonal factors. The loan-to-deposit ratio rose once again in August as a result of the declines, gaining a percentage point from July.

The declines in customer deposits further dampened money supply growth. Broad money (M2) contracted by KD383 million, on par with last month’s drop, causing year-on-year growth to slip to 8.1 percent from 10.6 percent in July. The narrower M1 measure contracted by KD309 million, with growth slowing to 10.3 percent from 14.8 percent last month.

Deposit rates on dinar time deposits remained steady at their currently low levels. Average rates remained unchanged for the 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month at 0.56 percent, 0.74 percent, 0.93 and 1.12 percent, respectively.

NBK ECONOMIC REPORT

Fed likely to keep cash flowing under Yellen

NEW DELHI: Indian commuters ride a bus in New Delhi yesterday. India urged citizens to “take the bus” on October 8 as it announced an energy savings drive aimed at knocking $ 5 billion off its fuel bill, which has risen sharply in recent months. — AFP

OMV to stay in Libya despite production loss VIENNA: Austrian oil and gas group OMV is committed to Libya despite conflict that has disrupted production and caused some oil majors to abandon projects there, its chief executive said. Gerhard Roiss said production lost in Libya in the third quarter through labour strikes, militias and political activists that blocked oil fields and ports amounted to less than half a percent of total annual group production.

“We have been active in Libya for many years and we see ourselves being active in Libya also in the future,” Roiss told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday. He said production in Libya, which accounts for about 10 percent of total group production, was back on stream and currently stable, although he added: “I can’t tell you how it will be tomorrow.” Exxon said last month it was scaling back in Libya, while Royal Dutch Shell abandoned two exploration blocks there last year. Others have been slow to resume exploration since the 2011 war.

Roiss said a second core region OMV was building up in Norway and the North Sea in addition to its mainstay in Romania and the Black Sea would help it bear volatility elsewhere.

“Both are in stable countries... and together they give more room to be active in markets like Libya,” he said, adding that OMV would be able to give its expectations for a Black Sea gas find that may be its biggest to date in the second half of 2014.

OMV bought stakes in North Sea oilfields from Statoil in a $2.65 billion deal in August, and said last month it had made a major oil discovery in Norway’s Arctic.

The company is investing heavily in upstream exploration and production activ-

ities and scaling back retail operations. It has sold its filling stations in Bosnia and Croatia but Roiss said OMV had no current plans to withdraw entirely from further countries.

OMV is also in talks to sell its 45 percent stake in its German Bayernoil refinery, which will be the biggest single component in a plan the company has to divest 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) worth of assets by the end of 2014.

“I don’t rule out that it will be done this year,” said Roiss, saying there were several interested parties but declining to give further details. OMV’s retail operations reported stronger-than-expected results in the second quarter, taking the sting out of an overall drop in quarterly underlying profit as it battles declining demand in Europe.

Roiss said the regions in which OMV had retail activities, from Bavaria to Turkey, were recovering in terms of economic growth and he expected this recovery to continue.

OMV has been hurt by expensive longterm gas supply contracts with Gazprom OMV’s Gas and Power segment swung to an operating loss of 30 million euros in the second quarter.

Roiss said long-running “intensive” talks to renegotiate the contracts and bring prices more in line with spot market prices were in the final stages. “I expect that we will be able to give the result in the foreseeable future, this year,” he said.

Similar talks with Statoil were more advanced, he added. OMV made a provision of 304 million euros last year, mainly for the gas contracts. Roiss declined to comment on whether he still saw this as adequate. — Reuters

PARIS: Janet Yellen, set to be appointed yesterday as the first women head of the US Federal Reserve, is expected to go easy on winding down the easy-money policy which is oiling the US and other economies. An administration official in Washington said that US President Barack Obama would name on Wednesday Yellen to replace Ben Bernanke as the head of the “Fed”, the US central bank.

Yellen, aged 67, has been vice chairwoman of the Federal Reserve since 2012, and has been the front-runner for the top job since the other main contender Larry Summers said that he was not available. The appointment of Yellen to this key post in US and global finance, due at 1900 GMT, had little effect on European stock markets yesterday, although in Tokyo the main overall index showed a closing gain of 1.03 percent.

At trading firm IG, Stan Shamu said: “Perhaps this piece of news might distract risk sellers from the fiscal situation momentarily.” The nomination, which would have to be approved by the Senate, comes amid high political tension between the administration and the opposition Republicans.

The United States, with the biggest economy in the world, is in budget paralysis which has closed down many federal activities. A solution must be found before October 17 or the country could default on its debt. In this strained context, the choice of Yellen appears as a solution of consensus, economists and analysts say.

At Duncan Lawrie Private Bank in London, analyst Dean Cook said: “Investors can now begin to feel a sense of stability and security.

“Her appointment is likely to represent a continuation of the current policy of low interest rates and as much stimulus as is required to keep the economy on track. This is a positive signal for global equity investors.”

At Berenberg Bank, economist Robert Wood commented: “She may be more supportive of jobs and the real economy than the Bernankeled Fed, but the policy differences are not large.”

In Germany, the newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commented that “she has very few enemies”, and described her as an “authentic dove” on monetary policy, worried about growth and jobs, in contrast to “hawks” more concerned about inflation.

Nobel economics prizewinner Joseph Stiglitz, who was Yellen’s professor, praised her “strong ability to forge consensus”. She understood labour markets, which was “essential at a time when unemployment and wage stagnation are primary concerns.”

In France, analysts Camille de Williencourt and Francois Duhen at Credit Mutuel-CIC bank said that Obama intended to send a message of assurance that the Fed would continue to support recovery of the economy. They said that she had “won broad support in political circles and among American economists.”

Such support would be important for her in

Gold dips as Yellen lifts dollar

MADRID: An activist (right) hugs Rocio de las Nieves Reyes Galvez, 28 year-old (left) as her eviction was postponed in Madrid yesterday. Reyes Galvez moved into a room of a foreclosed apartment owned by her friend with her 6-year-old daughter six month ago making small payments as she could afford. — AP

Violent raid exposes risks for investors in Russia MOSCOW: Workmen cut the door from its frame, allowing a dozen men in balaclavas and hoods to enter a Moscow restaurant. They chased out the staff with metal rods, beating one so badly he needed hospital treatment, smashing furniture and stealing computers and a safe, a video posted on YouTube showed.

In half an hour, the Georgian restaurant Khachapuri had been repossessed in the kind of raid that was widespread in the 1990s when the Soviet collapse gave birth to capitalism and a lawlessness that allowed protection rackets to thrive. Such raids are now a rarity, but the violent closure of a business with a seven-year rental contract shows how Russia is failing to offer investors the kind of safe environment its president, Vladimir Putin, says is needed to kick start the economy and diversify it away from energy dependence. “They destroyed everything, they chucked us out on the street,” said Tatyana Melnikova, one of the three owners of Khachapuri, describing the raid that was filmed by staff and posted on YouTube. “There was blood on the floors.”

The raid is being investigated by police and many details are unclear but the case does highlight the weak property laws and limited legal recourse that are among the most commonly cited obstacles for doing business in Russia. They particularly deter investors in small and medium-sized businesses which account for just 17 percent of gross domestic product compared with 50 percent in the United States.

But big companies also fall foul of the system.

McDonald’s, one of the first Western investors in Russia, has failed so far to defend its ownership of a building from the Moscow government which put it up for auction in November 2012. A spokesperson said the company had filed a claim to challenge Moscow city’s right to “own nonresidential property built by CJSC ‘Moscow-McDonalds’ at the company’s own expense”.

According to RAPSI, a legal newswire, the Moscow

deciding how, and above all when, to begin tapering the ultra-accommodating monetary policy engineered by the Fed under Bernanke.

This will be an extremely delicate balancing act. In May, the Fed mentioned the possibility that it might begin reducing the amount of financial assets it buys from financial institutions, relieving them of devalued assets in return for cash. This alone was enough to provoke huge movements of capital around the world.

Much of the Fed’s easy money had gone abroad in search of high returns, notably in many emerging economies. The mere mention of a winding down caused much of this money to flow out of those markets, pushing up the cost to their governments of borrowing money and pushing down their currencies.

The Fed’s policy is based on a key interest rate of close to zero, and the injection of $85 billion (63 billion euros) per month into the financial sector. Economists in general take the view that Yellen will take her time in putting a brake on this printing press. An added complication for her is that in recent months the US economy has again taken on the role of the main driver of the world economy, as the International Monetary Fund said in its latest forecasts on Tuesday. This is because emerging economies are slowing down.

She also faces the effects of the US federal shutdown because of the budget crisis which could trim US growth if it drags on. — AFP

Commercial court ruled in favour of the government and against McDonald’s in February. It is not clear whether McDonald’s will appeal.

Putin made improving Russia’s investment climate a priority when he returned to the Kremlin last year for a third term. He has since pushed through an amnesty on some economic crimes that has seen hundreds of entrepreneurs released from jail.

Critics say the changes are cosmetic and that the weak rule of law and collusion between corrupt law enforcement and justice officials still mean that victims of corporate raids lack adequate recourse to defend their rights.

Several small and medium-sized businesses in Moscow polled by Reuters for this article described an insecure environment with movable laws, weak enforcement and the threat of being targeted by government or law enforcement officials on the make.

Only one felt Russia’s business climate was improving.

One foreign businessman, the sole outsider in a Russian media and communications company, said he and his partners sought out protection from two local investors who were “very well” connected politically, when they set up in 2007. “We needed protection in case anything dodgy happened, if anyone decided to put pressure on us. So we wanted investors with connections,” said the businessman, who declined to be named for fear of attracting unwanted attention.

The two investors, determined to keep their investment safe, successfully scared off a potential complaint from his former company in the new venture’s early days. “The old company backed down as soon as they met our new investors. We had the better ‘roof’,” he said, using the colloquial term “krysha”, or roof, used to describe often criminal groups that operated protection rackets in the 1990s.

“We have never had a problem,” he said of his company, which now has annual turnover of $40 million. The owners of Khachapuri said they too were offered protection from a

government official when they found themselves in the increasingly nasty rent dispute with their landlord but he wanted 20 percent of the business.

It was tempting, Melnikova said, as less than a year into their rental contract, the landlord had cut off the electricity and water, stopped the waste collectors from taking the rubbish and threatened to use his contacts in government and the police to make life difficult for them, or shut them down. She holds out little hope of winning her legal case.

“We started the court process, but so far the case is very poor, slow and hopeless,” she said. “We ought to win because we worked in accordance with the contract, but there is only a tiny chance of it.”

Her pessimism in the court process is something shared by many Russians - a recent poll said 57 percent of respondents would prefer to avoid going to court. The lack of faith frustrates Russia’s ombudsman for entrepreneurs’ rights, who has worked with the government to create laws that support business but still hears from students that they would rather get a wage at a state-owned company than try their hand at business which is “not safe”.

“We have a sophisticated legal system ... Our main problem is the execution of the law ... with the spirit of the law we have the problem,” the ombudsman Boris Titov said. He said 75 percent of the around 3,500-4,000 complaints the regional and federal ombudsman receives are related to “administrative” matters - complaints over property, land, government contracts and regulation. All want to open, or close, criminal cases rather than go through the civil courts. “It means that we still don’t have a civilised corporate system. We have to develop it. We have to develop civil law and criminal law,” he said.

Without a “civilised corporate system”, small and medium business owners say it is often a matter of luck whether a business attracts unwanted attention, fuelling insecurity among a younger business class keen to launch cutting-edge ventures.—Reuters

LONDON: Gold eased yesterday as the dollar pulled away from eight-month lows, but it was still underpinned by concerns that the US budget deadlock could spill over into talks on raising the debt ceiling.

Gold has held in a narrow $20 range this week as buyers stayed on the sidelines due to a lack of US data and uncertainty over how the stand-off in Washington will play out.

Relief that President Barack Obama has tapped Federal Reserve Vice Chairwoman Janet Yellen to head the US central bank, ending uncertainty about Ben Bernanke’s successor, lifted the dollar index.

Spot gold was down 0.7 percent at $1,309.71 an ounce at 0934 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery were down $14.80 an ounce at $1,309.80. Analysts said gold’s failure to capitalise on the looming debt ceiling negotiations reflected reduced investor confidence in the metal, as expectations the Federal Reserve may soon rein in monetary stimulus may presage a rise in real interest rates and curb inflation expectations.

Tensions over talks to lift the debt ceiling were a key factor driving gold to record highs in 2011. “A default of the US government should be positive for gold, because it would be the only safe haven US investors would have,” Peter Fertig, a consultant at Quantitative Commodity Research, said. “That gold is not reacting so strongly to the developments in the United States is surprising.” Some analysts said this may be because the wider financial markets are not yet pricing in an actual US default.

“If you look at statistics for the gold holdings of the SPDR Gold Trust, they’re declining again. That’s telling you that large investors are still liquidating gold holdings, and that they are not convinced that this situation will lead to higher prices,” Fertig said.

The SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest goldbacked exchange-traded fund, has seen outflows of nearly 8 tons since the US government shutdown on Oct. 1. Its holdings are on track to decline for a sixth straight week this week. President Barack Obama refused to give ground in a fiscal confrontation with Republicans on Tuesday, saying he would negotiate on the budget only if they agreed to re-open the federal government and raise the debt limit with no conditions.

Congress faces an Oct. 17 deadline to increase the $16.7 trillion borrowing limit to avert the risk of a default on US debt.

Traders had expected gold prices to get a boost when China reopened on Tuesday after a week-long holiday, but buying in Shanghai has been muted, dealers said. Data from Hong Kong showed on Tuesday that China imported more than 100 tons of gold for a fourth straight month from Hong Kong. But some analysts have questioned whether demand can stay at these levels through the rest of the year. India’s trade deficit narrowed to a two-and-half-year-low in September, data showed on Wednesday, indicating that the government’s bid to curb gold imports, and reduce the deficit, by raising import duty on the precious metal several times this year was having an impact.—Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

BUSINESS

Alshamel Travel boosts corporate travel services Company widens CWT partnership regionally KUWAIT: Alshamel Travel, one of the region’s leading travel management companies, announced that it has chosen Dubai as its regional headquarters for Corporate Travel services as well as its partnership with Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). The new unit will be headed by Rosanna Croft, as Director of Corporate Travel services, in addition to her current role as Alshamel Travel’s Military and Government Travel services Director.

Alshamel Travel’s decision to boost its operations in Dubai was to meet the growing demand of corporate customers both globally and regionally. In addition to Rosanna Croft, Amr Hussain was appointed as Head of Commercial and Program Management, Stephen McGuire as Head of Operations and Rania Moustafa as Business

Development Manager, who will be part of the team enhancing Alshamel Travel’s business operations. The Corporate Travel services unit will be supported by a Supplier Management unit, headed by Sanjiv Gandhi, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) services division, headed

by Alaa Fouad, and a Regional Contact Center, headed by Charles Pinho.

Yousef Al-Essa, Chairman of Alshamel Travel said: “This is a step in the right direction for Alshamel Travel and I am certain Rosanna and her team are up to the task of heading up our Corporate Travel Division in addition to her current responsibilities. Dubai is an ideal location to centralize our operations, as it is a regional hub for many of our multi-national and global clients. As a CWT partner in Kuwait, UAE, Qatar,

Oman and Bahrain, Alshamel Travel shares CWT’s commitment and dedication to delivering the very best travel management services to clients across the GCC.” Commenting about her new role, Rosanna Croft - Director, Alshamel Corporate Travel Division said: “I am proud to be entrusted with this new role. I look forward to growing our business moving forward to provide efficient services at the highest standards to our Corporate Travel clients.

Centralizing our operations will be implemented by deploying the best available tools provided by our global partners including CWT and Sabre, as well as our own proprietary tools, to ensure maximum efficiency and consistent service delivery. We will present our clients with a single point of contact for all travel-related queries, in

addition to a dedicated Alshamel Contact Center which already provides 24-hour emergency services.”

Yousef Al-Essa, Chairman of Alshamel Travel

Alshamel Travel will continue its effort for providing world class services to its clients in general and to its multinational corporate clients in particular through reconfiguring its travel services and creating a regional business travel center (BTC) based in Dubai. Alshamel’s travel services will include booking flights, hotels, cars, arranging client’s in bound and out bound meet and assist, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE), visa services, VIP desk, private corporate charters, 24/7 emergency travel services, special services configurations to the energy sector, personal travel, leisure packages, all of which makes travel easier for corporate clients. Alshamel Travel believes that by centralizing operations, clients will benefit from having efficient, consistent, and smooth service offering.

India set to become MENA’s top trading destination by 2030 HSBC trade forecast report

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Dana Gas, Crescent Petroleum achieve 5 years continuous production in Kurdistan

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ana Gas, the leading regional private-sector natural gas company, and Crescent Petroleum, the oldest private oil and gas company in the Middle East, have announced the achievement of five years of continuous production in their major operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. As joint operators of the Khor Mor Field on behalf of the Pearl Consortium, they are currently producing an average of 80,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, with total investment of US$1.1 billion and total cumulative production of close to 100 million boe. This is the largest investment and production in the oil & gas sector of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The daily production includes 335 million cubic feet of gas per day and 14,100 barrels of condensate, with an LPG capacity of over 1,000 tons per day. A maximum production rate of 87,700 boe per day was also achieved. In total, over 402 billion cubic feet of gas and 20 million barrels equivalent of liquids have been produced by the companies since the start of production in October 2008, with the gas supply to local power stations enabling 1,750 MW of new electricity supply locally.

This has ensured almost continuous power supply for 4 million people in the Kurdistan Region, in contrast to the electricity crisis in other parts of Iraq, and provided $11 billion of savings in fuel costs for the government, with annual savings in excess of $3.3 billion going forward and major environmental benefits in cutting greenhouse gas emissions while transforming and energizing the economic and social development of the entire region at the same time. In addition, the environmental benefits included a total of $169 million in carbon savings and lower environmental pollution thanks to the utilization of natural gas instead of liquid fuels for power generation.

“We are proud to be the largest investors in the Kurdistan Region’s oil and gas sector, and the highest petroleum producers since our first production five years ago, which enables electricity supply for millions of citizens, transforming the development of the region and providing billions of dollars of ongoing fuel savings for the Kurdistan Regional Government,” said Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Managing Director of the Board of Dana Gas. Marking the fifth anniversary of continuous production by the partners, Patrick Allman-Ward, CEO of Dana Gas, said: “This important milestone has been achieved with the cooperation and support of the KRG, as well as our partners, contractors and local staff. In addition we are working with the Ministry to resolve all outstanding matters, including receivables, amicably and in good faith. We are also in discussion with them on further expansion of our investment and production, with the correct assurances and under the contractual terms.”

Project technical The project partners had by the end of September 2013 invested a total of US$1,069 million under contracts signed with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for the Khor Mor and Chemchemal blocks in April 2007. Major achievements of the project so far include: installing a 180km gas pipeline across challenging mountainous terrain that required the clearing of minefields; first gas production after only 16 months; drilling successfully to tertiary reservoir formations at depths of 2,300 metres, and importing and installing over 64,000 tons of equipment in over 3,500 truck-loads, with pipe material supplied from China and Thailand, and the state-of-the-art gas processing plant imported from the USA. During the project’s construction phase, work opportunities were provided for over 2,000 Iraqi workers from all ethnic groups and sects, supported by expatriate workers from over 20 nationalities in the region and worldwide. The companies have successfully implemented a nationalisation program, and already achieved the target of 80% local staff ratio in their operations while currently implementing a major training program for local staff.

CSR program Crescent Petroleum and Dana Gas have also implemented a corporate social responsibility program to support the local communities, including providing school supplies, drinking water treatment, generators and fuel enabling 24 hour electricity for the local villages, mobile medical units, and youth sports facilities.

These initiatives are assisting the local communities in improving their standard of living, health, well-being, security and stability and the development of human capital in the Kurdistan Region.

ndia will remain a top five trading corridor for the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia according to HSBC’s latest Trade Forecast report. By 2030, the country will be the UAE’s top export destination accounting for 14 percent of exports, and Saudi Arabia’s second largest export destination accounting for 18.5 percent of exports. India is already Egypt’s number one export destination and will maintain that position through to 2030, accounting for 15.4 percent of exports.

Speaking at HSBC’s MENA - India Conference held today, Tim Reid, Regional Head of Commercial Banking of HSBC Middle East and North Africa said: “India and the MENA nations have been trading for many centuries and the opportunities certainly remain strong today. It’s no surprise that India is a top five trading partner with each nation in the MENA group. With its huge population, rapidly growing middle class and capabilities in industrial and post-industrial sectors, India is a market with considerable potential.

“The prospect of Expo 2020 in Dubai and other infrastructure projects in the region offer excellent opportunities for MENA businesses to bring the chance to benefit from India’s know-how into the region with new partnerships. India’s strength in industrial and information technology can also help MENA businesses support the region’s political program of economic diversification”.

The Trade Forecast predicts that globally by 2020, India will overtake the USA to import the highest share of goods for infrastructure as it invests in building its domestic networks. According to India’s Ministry

of Commerce and Industry earlier this year, the country requires approximately US$1 trillion worth of infrastructure investment by 2018. Saul Thomas, Head of Corporate Banking in Kuwait said: “India is a longstanding important export destination for Kuwaiti crude oil, forging historical diplo-

Saul Thomas, Head of Corporate Banking in Kuwait. matic ties. In addition to these ties, we are now seeing a tangible increase in non-oil trade flows between the two countries.

Several of the largest and most successful Kuwaiti businesses are actively investing in India both to access the large domestic market and to benefit from cost efficient outsourcing arrangements.

Indian contractors, particularly in the

infrastructure space, are increasingly active in Kuwait and are looking to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by the Kuwait National Development Plan.”

Trade between UAE, India In the UAE, as the country continues to diversify away from mineral manufactures and invest heavily in its infrastructure; growth in imports of goods for infrastructure and investment equipment from India will significantly outstrip growth in other imports during 2013-30. The UAE also pledged $2 billion of investments in Indian infrastructure earlier this year.

The UAE is India’s largest export market, accounting for just over 10 percent of total merchandise exports.

The UAE is forecast to maintain this preeminent position out to 2030 due to robust demand growth. Important Indian exports to the UAE include gems and jewelry; electronic goods, fabrics, machinery and equipment. India also uses the UAE as a gateway to other markets in the region, with many Indian exports transshipped from the UAE onto other countries in the Gulf, South-East Asia and East Africa Trade between Saudi Arabia and India In 2012, approximately 25 percent of Saudi Arabian exports to India were oil & gas. Diversification means that the biggest growth in exports to India will be in chemicals, which will account for over 80 percent of total exports from Saudi Arabia to India between 2013 and 2030.

There will also be strong growth in exports of infrastructure goods as India

focuses on increasing its infrastructure spending and boosting growth potential as seen in its latest Economic Plan.

India’s exports to Saudi Arabia were just 2.9 percent of total exports in 2012. This share is expected to increase to 4 percent by 2030, ranking it India’s fourth largest export destination. The main contributors to this increase will be in the sectors of manufacturing, machinery and transport, and chemicals. Saudi Arabia’s commitment to industrialisation and diversification will also offer opportunities to Indian investors.

Trade between Egypt, India India was Egypt’s second biggest export market after the USA with 9 percent of all exports in 2012. Egypt’s less developed economy and industrial base means it has less scope to benefit from India’s fast growing economy and demand for a rapid modernisation in its infrastructure.

Nevertheless, investment equipment exports to India are forecast to grow at a double digit annual rate in the years to 2030. Fastest-growing export sectors will be manufactures, chemicals and mineral fuels, which together will account for some 85 percent of the increase in exports from Egypt to India between 2013 and 2030.

India will represent one of the fastest growing impor t sources for Egypt between 2013 and 2030. The biggest contributors to the increase will be machinery & transport equipment and manufactures, together accounting for over 70 percent of this increase. India’s strengthening economy will also drive double-digit annual growth in its exports of infrastructure goods to Egypt.

ABK receives ISO 2008-9001 KUWAIT: ABK’s Service Quality Management has recently received an ISO certificate 2008 9001. ISO is an international rating system used to classify the applicable standards, which requires a high quality professional service performance. Applying ISO’s system of international standards is important because it reflects positively on the Bank’s services and customer care.

Ali Al-Sammak, Manager, Service Quality upon receiving the certificate, stated that this

a proud moment for the Bank, reaffirming that the hard work to fine tune systems has brought the Bank functioning on the lines of international standards. ABK received the award for the Best Customer Service Bank in 2012 on the level of conventional banks by Service Hero. Receiving the international quality certificate consecutively in 2013 is clear evidence of ABK’s consistency to develop and upgrade the level of services provided to its customers.

BlackBerry previews new cloud-based enterprise mobility management solution KUWAIT: At Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2013, BlackBerry previewed a new multi-platform cloud-based enterprise mobility management (EMM) solution that will enable businesses to easily secure and manage corporate and personal devices. The new cloud-based EMM solution will give business the ease, flexibility and cost controls to support BYOD, allowing employees to enjoy the content and apps they demand, while maintaining the security requirements and productivity gains of mobilizing, for the organization.

Gartner predicts that half of employers will require employees to supply their own device for work purposes by 2017.Gartner also predicts that through 2014, employee-owned devices will be compromised by malware at more than double the rate of corporate-owned devices, putting device and app management high on the priority list for business and IT leaders alike. With BYOD growing every day, businesses need an EMM solution that is easy to deploy and manage, requires no big upfront costs, and satisfies the needs of their employees without compromising the businesses’ security requirements.

BlackBerry’s new multi-platform EMM cloud solution will offer businesses mobile device management (MDM), mobile application management (MAM), security standards, and self-service capabilities for the end-user. The solution will be available as a service, satisfying end-users, and business leaders and IT departments’ needs for an easy to deploy, easy to manage and highly cost effective solution for smartphone and tablet management.

“BlackBerry is evolving. As the industry has adopted BYOD and mixed mobile environments, we’ve responded with our multi-platform EMM solution,” said Stephen Bates, Head of the Enterprise Business Unit at BlackBerry. “The new cloud-based EMM solution will bring all the benefits of our on-premise offering, which is trusted by more businesses and governments around the world than any other enterprise mobility solution, to customers as a cloud service that lets them easily manage BlackBerry, iOSand Android

devices more cost efficiently than ever before.”

The new cloud-based EMM solution will offer: * Simple and fast deployment. No server hardware or software to install, just register and go. * Administrators can easily manage and secure smartphones and tablets. The simple Webbased admin console will provide easy activation and deployment of BlackBerry, iOS and Android smartphones, app management, security policy configuration and compliance monitoring. * Administrators can secure, deploy and manage apps. Administrators will be able to build a catalog of public apps from the App StoreSM, Google Play and the BlackBerry World storefront, and then view app distribution and usage for all users and devices. * End-users can manage their own devices through the self-service console. End-users will be able to easily perform common management tasks such as setting up or changing device passwords and remote wipe and lockwithout relying on an administrator, giving them independence and saving on helpdesk calls.

As a service, the new cloud-based EMM solution will minimize the complexity of managing a fleet of disparate mobile devices, and will be beneficial for IT departments that are strained in today’s business environment, and essential for teams or businesses without an IT department.

It will also eliminate the need for organizations to purchase any servers or software -administrators will simply register online then log in to the web-based management console to define users, enroll devices, set security controls, and deploy apps.

Closed beta testing for the new cloud-based EMM solution is already underway. The service will be available as a single monthly subscription that covers both the license and technical support, and is expected to be generally available by the end of November 2013. For more information, visit the BlackBerry booth at ITxpolocated in the Atlantic Hall, Dolphin Convention Hall, booth #434 or visitwww.blackberry.com/cloud.

Burgan Bank announces new Value account draw winner KUWAIT: Burgan Bank yesterday announced Richard Marababun Remond as the winner of the first draw of the Value Account after the revamp and the new additions and benefits to the account. The lucky winner took home a cash prize of KD4000.

The Value Account has been re-launched with more added value features that have been designed for expatriates living in Kuwait.

Account holders can now obtain a free credit card for one year, apply for a loan, and receive a chance to win KD4,000 on a quarterly basis. All expatriates with salaries of KD150 and above

are eligible to be a Value account holder.

Burgan Bank’s renewed Value account presents a range of features that are unique to the Kuwaiti market, and these include attractive exchange rates for the dollar while remitting money back home from Al-Muzzaini Exchange Company as well as a broad range of merchant discounts.

Opening a Value account is simple, customers are required to visit their nearest Burgan Bank branch, or simply call the bank’s Call Center 1804080 for more details. For further information visit www.burgan.com

Gulf Bank’s CEO Michel Accad resigns KUWAIT: Gulf Bank yesterday announced the resignation of its CEO, Michel Accad, who resigned from the Board of Directors on the 7th October 2013.

Accad joined Gulf Bank in August 2009, at a most difficult time for the Bank. His turnaround strategy saw Gulf Bank not only re - build trust and recover, but become a market leader, winning numerous awards in various disciplines, includ-

ing the award for Bank of the Year by The Banker.

He will remain with Gulf Bank until early next year to ensure a smooth transition to a suitable successor. The Chairman of Gulf Bank Omar Alghanim, and the Board of Directors take this opportunity to thank Michel for his hard work and dedication and wish him every success in his future endeavors.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

technology

Technology adds dimension to prescription eyeglasses Google Glass has been hogging the spotlight when it comes to eyewear, but get ready to see new technology designed for those stuck with old-fashioned prescription eyeglasses. About 64 percent of Americans wear glasses to improve vision. Many can’t stand them, complaining that glasses are cumbersome, headacheinducing or don’t work in all situations. Meanwhile, the growing amount of time people spend in front of computers and mobile devices has also raised concern about the potential damaging effects on eyesight.

That’s spurring innovation among eye specialists, who say the glasses industry has been largely stagnant since bifocals were invented by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century. “It’s a marketplace with slow technology adoption. There hasn’t been new technology in eyeglasses in forever,” said Stephen Kurtin, chairman of Superfocus, which makes adjustable-focus glasses that enable wearers to choose the best focus for every distance.

Now companies are designing a host of solutions to aid glasses wearers, including futuristic lenses and even an iPhone application that developers say can help people wean themselves off glasses. One area of focus has been on reducing eyestrain for people who spenda several hours a day staring at computers, tablets and smartphones. Many optometrists believe the light emitted from such devices could damage a viewer’s eyesight over time, although that hasn’t been conclusively proven.

Still, lens companies are rolling out a slew of new lenses that they say will help ward off those potentially harmful effects. “Why would you take the risk? Let the science unfold and let us protect ourselves as it’s unfolding,” said Don Oakley, president of VSP Optics Group, which this year introduced its Unity with BluTech lenses at 30,000 eye doctor offices in the US. BluTech lenses are infused with melanin, a natural pigment found in the iris of the eye, to help filter out high-energy blue light and UVA/UVB radiation while allowing what Oakley called “innocuous” light to pass through. The melanin gives BluTech lenses a yellowish

hue, and is available for any prescription. Other companies produce lenses with blue-light filtering coatings.

Oakley said BluTech lenses reduce eyestrain and fatigue from long hours spent in front of the computer.

Adding BluTech lenses to a pair of glasses is typically less than $100; they can be worn indoors and outdoors and can also be added to nonprescription glasses. He cautioned that BluTech “doesn’t prevent anything per se but it protects.”

Although many eye doctors think all that time staring at your smartphone is bad for your eyes, one firm is encouraging people to use mobile devices to improve their vision. GlassesOff Inc. is gearing up to launch an iPhone app this year that it claims can enhance nearvision sharpness. The New York company contends that human vision is based on two main factors: the quality of an image captured by the eyes and the image-processing capabilities of the brain as it interprets the image.

By spending 12 to 15 minutes a day, three times a week for three months completing a game-like program, GlassesOff says, a user can improve the imageprocessing function by teaching the brain to better interpret blurred images. The app is tailored for each individual and adapts according to his or her progress; the goal is to wean a viewer off reading glasses altogether.

“It’s relevant to practically any person that I know,” said Nimrod Madar, chief executive of GlassesOff. “We can empower people to self-improve their vision condition, so you’re no longer depending on external intermediates.” The notion that people can improve their eyesight through eye exercises has drawn skepticism from some optometrists and ophthalmologists.

But in a paper published in the journal Scientific Reports, the scientists behind GlassesOff said participants in a study at the University of California-Berkeley showed a nearly 10-year improvement in eye age. That enabled them to be able to see more than two lines further down an eye chart and achieve normal or nearnormal visual performance. That was the case for

In Vegas, eye in the sky guards money, not guests LAS VEGAS: Hotel maid Brandi Patrick was chased down the hallway at the Flamingo casino last year by a nearly naked man. She said she had to lock herself in a cleaning closet and, as the man rattled the handle, fumble around in her pockets to find her cellphone so she could call security. She said she’s haunted by the thought of what might have happened if she hadn’t had her phone. “Something could happen and no one would know it ‘till the end of the shift,” she said.

Las Vegas casinos- some of the most closely-watched spaces in the world- don’t have video cameras in guest room hallways, an absence that hotel workers like Patrick, patrons and prosecutors say can act as a green light for crime. Casino bosses say there is no need for extra security: America’s playground boasts more cameras per square foot than any airport or sports arena in the country, with thousands of high-tech lenses watching the gambling floors, lobbies and elevators.

All four major Strip casino operators, however, declined further comment. Closed circuit cameras hidden behind plastic ceiling domes are omnipresent in pop culture portrayals of Sin City. They play a pivotal role during the heist in the 2001 film “Ocean’s Eleven” and in the reconstruction of a crazy night in the 2009 buddy comedy “ The Hangover.” Yet the Associated Press found that 23 of the 27 major Strip casinos have no surveillance in hotel hallways or elevator landings. All but four of the 27 hotels are owned by MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corp., Las Vegas Sands Corp. or Wynn Resorts Ltd. The AP arrived at the tally by interviewing casino officials and visiting the hotels that wouldn’t comment. Only Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood, the MGM Grand and Tropicana Las Vegas monitor the halls above the gambling floor. “People have a false sense of safety when they go to a casino,” security consultant Fred Del Marva said. “You think, ‘I’m going to Bellagio, they have 2,000 surveillance cameras, so I’m going to be safe.’ And you’re wrong. The level of security at the hotel level is zero.”

Tourist Allyson Rainey said she wishes she’d known no one was monitoring the hallways of Harrah’s hotel-casino before her computer was stolen from her room last year. A police detective caught the thief after spotting him clutching her distinctive laptop bag in hotel lobby footage. But Rainey said more cameras at the Caesars-owned hotel could have prevented the crime.

“The detective told us that the guy had a keycard made, and he was going from hotel to hotel,” she said. “He had been doing this for

the last eight years, so he obviously knew they didn’t have cameras there.” Gary Selesner, president of Harrah’s and Caesars Palace, said cameras cannot stand in for vigilance when it comes to preventing “doorpush” crimes, or crimes in which a burglar finds a room to target by pushing on doors until one swings open.

“As a hotel operator, I think what you really need is cameras in foyer and in the elevator.

That said, we are putting cameras in as we complete renovations because of door-push concerns,” he said. The company has installed cameras in at least one tower of Caesars Palace. Hotel room burglaries account for the great majority of casino crimes, and they’ve been on the rise in recent years, while burglaries have declined in the rest of the city, according to an analysis of police statistics.

Las Vegas Chief Deputy District Attorney James Sweetin said the absence of cameras not only encourages petty crimes such as burglary but makes more serious crimes harder to prosecute. He wondered whether stepped up surveillance might have prevented the rape of a 13-year-old boy in a hotel room at MGM’s Circus Circus last New Year’s Eve, or the assault of an unconscious woman at the Cosmopolitan. He said the woman’s assailant avoided cameras by taking the stairs.

Housekeepers have their own scare stories. Patrick said she never reported her brush with the man in the hallway to police or her managers. Hotel officials said they would have conducted an investigation had the incident been reported. Other hotel maids can recall similar scares, though they too say they don’t report them. In 2011, a 65-year-old maid was punched in the face, pushed into an empty guest room and raped at Bally’s casino.

Again, the assailant used the stairs. A man has been charged in the case, which is ongoing.

The main obstacle to increased hallway security is cost, experts say.

A midsized hotel might pay $2 million to install the system and $100,000 a year to monitor it, according to Art Steele, who directed security at the Stratosphere Las Vegas from 1996 to 2009. The casino, located between the Strip and downtown, is one of the few to place cameras in its hallways.

Steele said they helped every day. The other concern is lawsuits. If casinos set up hallway cameras but ignored the footage, guests might sue for negligence, according to Les Gold, who litigates liability issues for Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in New York City. “When they put these cameras in, it deters crime,” he said. “But to have a camera that is not monitored is a huge mistake.” — AP

Apple plans iPad news SAN FRANCISCO: Apple is planning to reveal iPad updates at an invitation-only event later this month, the technology news website AllThingsD reported Tuesday. The next-generation iPad is expected to be thinner than its predecessor and boast improved camera capabilities. An upgraded version of the iPad mini is likely to list an improved screen among its features. The event will be held on October 22, according to AllThingsD. Apple declined to comment on the report, which cited unnamed sources.

The iPad remains the largest-selling tablet, according to surveys, but its market share is being eroded by rivals using the Google Android operating system. Apple was expected to discuss its computer operating system and its laptop line at the event, timed for the start of the year-end holiday shopping season. Apple is coming off a wildly successful launch of two new iPhone models last month. The California firm said it sold a record nine million iPhones in the three days after launching two new versions of the smartphone. — AFP

A pair of glasses fitted with BluTech lenses. — MCT Sharon Hayat, 46, who had depended on low-strength reading glasses to see small text. She was approached

by GlassesOff to be a participant in an early trial this summer, an offer she accepted despite being “very skeptical, very dubious.”

“It’s kind of like a video game that you play,” the homemaker from Skokie, Ill., said. “There are these little dots that flash and these little stripes and I was like, ‘This is not going to do anything.’ “ But by the end of the program, she said, she had no trouble reading newspapers and menus without her reading glasses.

She was even able to reduce the text size on her Kindle e-reader. “Just this week, I had my son’s cough medicine and I didn’t need anything to read the label,” Hayat said. “I hate to sound like a commercial, but it really did work.”

In the past few years, one of the new lens technologies that has gained the most traction is adjustable-

focus eyeglasses. The glasses are intended for people afflicted by presbyopia, an aging condition that affects the eye’s ability to focus on close objects, and are made by a handful of companies, including Van Nuys, Calif., company Superfocus and Britain’s Adlens.

Superfocus’ adjustable-focus glasses feature fluidfilled lenses and a slider on the nose bridge. Users can manually adjust their lenses by moving the slider to the desired position, which changes the focus of the lens and eliminates the need to switch between multiple pairs of glasses or the use of bifocals or progressives. Since being introduced to the commercial market four years ago, Superfocus has sold several thousand pairs nationwide, said Kurtin, the company’s chairman. The lenses took years to develop because it was “technologically so difficult,” he said. “You want to make a lens that has all the commercial attributes, yet change shape, yet be optically perfect.” — MCT

Mind control powers prototype bionic leg Prosthetic made of motors, sensors, computer system CHICAGO: Zac Vawter’s right leg weighs about 10 pounds, slightly less than his left. But it works normally; he doesn’t have to do much more than think to rotate his ankle, walk or climb stairs. Rather than tissue and bone, the 32-year-old amputee’s right leg is a prosthetic made of aluminum, two motors, sensors and a powerful computer system. Vawter is wearing millions of dollars worth of emerging technology that could transform the lives of wounded veterans, accident victims and the elderly.

Vawter’s bionic leg can basically read his mind.

A group of Chicago researchers is using about $8 million of the Army ’s money to expand the experimental field of mind-controlled prosthetics, with hopes of bringing the technology to military and consumer markets in the next five years. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago unveiled of the latest prototype bionic device this week, in conjunction with its report on robotic leg control to be published Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The study published in the journal is a progress report on a project with a long history and years of work remaining, but can also be seen as affirmation of progress. “We’re laying the foundation for the advances that are to come,” said Levi Hargrove, head of the center’s lab for neurally engineered prosthetics and orthotics. Col John Scherer sees the technology’s potential. From Fort Detrick, Md, he directs Army research intended to restore as much function as possible to veterans suffering from traumatic injuries involving limited mobility, or vision and hearing loss.

There are more than 1,600 amputees from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Scherer said.

About 80 percent of that population has lowerextremity amputations, he said. Although prosthetic technology has improved since 2001, the existing technology isn’t necessarily designed for a young, active population, Scherer said.

“We’re trying to say, ‘Hey, we have a population that needs advancements as well,’” Scherer said. “So we’re obviously funding projects in those areas to make those advancements so our injured service members can resume the life that they want to live.” Transforming Vawter into a version of the Six Million Dollar Man relied on a rather straightforward concept.

In 2009, Vawter sped a Suzuki motorcycle too quickly through a curve on a rural Washington road. The resulting crash forced doctors to amputate the lower part of his right leg. During surgery, doctors rewired Vawter’s severed nerves into surviving leg muscles, laying the groundwork for advanced prosthetics.

Within months, Vawter could flex his upper leg when prompted to try to plant or rotate his missing foot.

His brain was sending clear, electrical signals to a body part that didn’t exist. Vawter began working with the rehabilitation center in December 2010. Researchers measured his brain signals while he tried to flex and extend the missing knee and ankle. The center’s team also developed elaborate software - using tens of thousands of lines of code - to translate the neural signals into specific leg motions.

“It’s a fascinating world,” said Vawter, a software engineer, while testing the prosthesis inside a 14th-floor laboratory at the rehabilitation institute. “It’s neat to see the way that they ’re using software, algorithms and machine learning to make this work,” the Washington resident said. The prosthetic’s knee and ankle joints are powered by two small motors. Thirteen mechanical sensors are embedded along the prosthetic, including an accelerometer, gyroscope and sensors to determine how much weight Vawter puts on the leg or how fast he’s moving. Small metal electrodes attach to Vawter’s remaining leg to catch his neural signals.

In the lab this week, Vawter sat and thought about bending his knee. A nearby monitor showed a spike in neural activity. The prosthetics’ motors whirred. Vawter’s knee bent. When he decided to stand he rose easily from his seat. That’s when the leg’s gadgets kicked in to predict and account for his movements. “Ready to go,” he grinned.

Vawter used an earlier prototype of the leg to climb 103 stories of the Willis Tower last year.

The latest version has dramatic software improvements that allow him complete independence and a seamless range of motion directed by his thoughts. The prosthetic used at Willis Tower last year only had modes for walking and stair climbing and required a team of engineers to monitor the device, Hargrove said.

“This is a huge breakthrough,” he said. “It’s

Zac Vawter lost his right leg after a motorcycle accident in 2009. — MCT

no longer, OK, we’re giving you the choice to walk or climb stairs. We are giving you the choice to do whatever you want to do. That wasn’t possible (before). “He has freedom. ...

He could walk out of the building with it and go until the battery died. There isn’t anything stopping him from doing that other than maybe security at the front desk.” Researchers will continue to refine the mechanics to reduce the potential for fall-inducing errors.

It’ll be up to the marketplace to improve the technology further and attach a price tag to it.

The team, though, is thrilled with the progress.

“I never, ever thought we would accomplish so much in five years. Never,” Hargrove said in the lab. “I’m glad we have.” “Ditto that,” Vawter replied. — MCT

Sound advice: Camera recommendations

By Don Lindich

Q

. I recently went to the zoo and quickly discovered that trying to simultaneously carry a 2-year-old, watch a 5-year-old and get my SLR set for a good shot was not going to work.

Not to mention carrying it around my neck! I am looking for a small camera that shoots better than my iPhone 5 but is not big and bulky like the SLR. Having Wi-Fi would nice, but having zoom capability and better looking pictures (especially indoors) are most important. I hope to find something for less than $375.

A. Compact cameras with Wi-Fi selling for under $375 tend to be mediocre picture takers.

Picture quality is most important to you so I am going to recommend cameras that deliver the best possible picture quality at the price. I am going to start with the standout bargain of the group. The 10.1-megapixel Olympus XZ-1 has a bright f/1.8-2.5 4x zoom lens and was one of the most highly regarded cameras in its class when it was introduced. The sensor is physically larger than in most compact cameras and the lens screams of optical perfection. The larger sensor, superb lens and Olympus jpg processing are an extremely formidable combination. I tested the XZ-1 a year ago and the pictures it made were

pure eye candy - I can still remember today how incredibly beautiful they looked on my high-resolution monitor. They had great color and were so clean and sharp they made some other small cameras’ pictures look hazy in comparison, even if they weren’t actually hazy. The XZ-1 was just so

much better that it made them look bad. The XZ1 has advanced features for serious photographers but it can be used fully automatically by novices as well. The only real downside is it has 720p HD vs. 1080p HD video. At introduction the XZ-1 sold for $500. It has been replaced by the XZ-

2 model so you can get this wonderful camera online for only $261 new, or $199 reconditioned

by Olympus. As I write this I am fighting myself from pulling out my credit card and getting one given the price, but I have more cameras than I use right now anyway. Oh well!

A great camera with a somewhat larger form factor is the 12.1-megapixel Pentax MX-1 for $399.

The menus are similar to Pentax digital SLRs and the brass body makes it feel solid like a pro camera. Images are very sharp and the colors are typical Pentax: accurate yet bold, deep and bright.

(The lens specs are identical to the XZ-1 and it is rumored to be the same lens, but with Pentax’s wonderful SMC multicoating.) I was particularly impressed with the flash pictures, which looked very natural and were evenly lit. Aesthetically I would say its classic appearance makes it the best-looking camera of my three recommendations, especially in silver. It has 1080p HD video. It is bigger and more expensive than the XZ-1, but does offer more. If you are willing to go up to $450 put the 12.1-megapixel Panasonic LUMIX LF1 on your shopping list as well. This tiny, premium camera has a wide-range 7.1x Leica zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and an eye-level electronic viewfinder, a rarity in a tiny camera and very useful with the long telephoto zoom. — MCT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Chicken pinpointed as cause of salmonella outbreak SACRAMENTO: Health officials urged consumers to cook chicken thoroughly and take other precautions after an 18-state salmonella outbreak that has made hundreds sick in recent months. A public health alert was issued for raw chicken packaged at three Foster Farms facilities in California as some 278 people have fallen ill since strains of Salmonella Heidelberg were first detected in March, the United States Department of Agriculture said in a statement Monday.

The strains were associated with chicken distributed to retail outlets in California, Oregon and Washington state, the USDA said. The illnesses have been predominantly in California but the salmonella has reached people from 18 states, the statement said.

The outbreak appears to have begun in March and the USDA was notified of the illnesses in July, said Dan Engeljohn of the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Investigators had a difficult time pinpointing the source of the illnesses, Englejohn said.

A spokesman for Foster Farms said no recall was in effect and that the infections were caused by eating chicken that was undercooked or improperly handled. The three facilities that packaged the chicken were all in California’s Central Valley - one in Livingston and two in

Fresno. The USDA has not directly linked the outbreak of illnesses to a specific product or production period. The USDA mark on suspect packages would read: P6137, P6137A and P7632.

State health officials were not planning a recall, but said it is essential that chicken be cooked to 165 degrees.

“This is the important public health issue,” Anita Gore, spokeswoman for the California Department of Public Health. “Chicken can carry bacteria, and chicken needs to be fully cooked.”

Gore also said people need to thoroughly wash their hands after handling raw meat, and anyone who believes they were infected and is showing symptoms like diarrhea and abdominal cramps should contact doctors immediately.

Salmonella is a pathogen that contaminates meat during slaughter and processing, and is especially common in undercooked chicken.

The Centers for Disease Control, which monitors the microbes that signal multi-state outbreaks of food poisoning, was working with a barebones staff because of the federal government shutdown, with all but two of the 80 staffers that normally analyze foodborne pathogens furloughed. It was not immediately clear whether the shortage affected the response to the salmonella outbreak. —- AP

LOS ANGELES: Foster Farms chicken is seen for sale in a grocery store in Los Angeles yesterday.

The US Department of Agriculture said that it had issued a public health alert after raw chicken products produced by Foster Farms have sickened hundreds of people, the majority of whom are in California. — AP

Karplus, Levitt, Warshel win Nobel prize for chemistry Three US scientists share prize

SEATTLE: Demonstrators protesting against what they say are low wages and improper treatment for fast-food workers march in downtown Seattle. Mayor Mike McGinn said he thought $15 was a “fair starting point” for the minimum wage discussion. McGinn challenger Ed Murray recently announced that he would push for a $15 minimum wage but planned to proceed with a phased-in approach. — AP

Delegates pay tribute at mercury poison site TOKYO: Delegates from around the world paid tribute yesterday to the hundreds of Japanese who were killed by decades-long mercury dumping as they gathered at the site of the country’s worst industrial poisoning.

Representatives from 140 countries and territories laid flowers at a monument to the dead at Minamata in southern Japan, before the signing on Thursday of an international treaty to control the use of the toxic metal.

The Minamata Convention on Mercury is named after the Japanese city where tens of thousands were made ill-around 2,000 of whom have since died-by eating fish and shellfish taken from waters polluted by discharge from a local factory.

The scandal first came to light in the 1950s, but it was not until more than 50 years later that the state fully recognised the extent of the problem.

Mercury poisoning affects the body’s immune system and the development of the brain and nervous system, posing the greatest risk to foetuses and infants.

The substance, also known as quicksilver, is found in products ranging from electrical switches, thermometers and light bulbs to amalgam dental fillings.

The treaty to be signed Thursday sets a phase-out date of 2020 for a long list of products-including mercury thermometers-while the text gives governments 15 years to end all mercury mining.

But environmental groups say it stops short of addressing the use of mercury in artisanal and smallscale gold mining, which directly threatens the health of miners including child labourers in developing countries.

They also warn of health risks from eating the mercury-polluted meat of whales and dolphins, which sometimes feature on the diets of coastal communities in Japan and elsewhere.

Because of their position near the top of the food chain, dolphins and whales can consume a large quantity of mercury from their prey.

“For far too long, coastal communities around the world have been allowed to consume the mercury-contaminated meat of whales, dolphins and porpoises, many in ignorance of the risks involved,” said the UKand US-based Environmental Investigation Agency.

“Now signatories to the new treaty must make communities in places as far afield as Japan and the Faroe Islands properly aware of the very serious risks to human health that come from eating the meat of toothed cetaceans,” it said in a statement.

The dolphin-hunting town of Taiji in western Japan, made infamous by the Oscar-winning film “The Cove”, regularly draws international criticism for its bloody slaughter of the creatures, which are then used for meat.

But the town, which this month announced plans for a marine mammal park where people could swim or kayak with dolphins and then eat their meat, defends the practice as part of a 400-year-old whaling and culinary tradition.

Still, the Japanese government recognises the possible risk of eating dolphin meat.

The health ministry advises pregnant women not to eat more than one 80-gram (2.8 ounce) serving of short-finned pilot whale meat every two weeks. The same amount of bottlenose dolphin meat is the recommended limit every two months. —- AFP

STOCKHOLM: Three US scientists won the 2013 Nobel Prize for chemistry yesterday for laying the foundations for development of computers to understand complex chemical processes from the purification of exhaust fumes to photosynthesis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement, when awarding the prize of 8 million crowns ($1.25 million), that Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel had pioneered the use of computer models that mirror chemical reactions.

The work helps in complex processes such as the development of drugs. “Chemical reactions occur at lightning speed; electrons jump between atomic nuclei, hidden from the prying eyes of scientists,” the academy added.

“The Nobel Laureates in Chemistry 2013 have made it possible to map the mysterious ways of chemistry by using computers.

Detailed knowledge of chemical processes makes it possible to optimize catalysts, drugs and solar cells.”

Karplus, a US and Austrian citizen, researches at the University of Strasbourg and Harvard University. Levitt, a US and British citizen, is at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Warshel, a US and Israel citizen, is a professor at the University of Southern California.

Chemistry was the third of this year’s Nobel prizes. The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of businessman and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel.

Here is a look at the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, which was awarded yesterday jointly to Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel “for the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems”.

• Chemical reactions occur at lightning speed; electrons jump between atomic nuclei, hidden from the prying eyes of scientists. The 2013 prize winners in chemistry have made it possible to map the mysterious ways of chemistry by using computers. Detailed knowledge of chemical processes makes it possible to optimize catalysts, drugs and solar cells.

• 104 Nobel Prizes in Chemistry have been awarded to 162 individuals from 1901-2012.

Frederick Sanger won the prize twice. Linus Pauling is the only person to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes, one of which was chemistry in 1954. He was awarded the Peace prize eight years later. — Reuters

STOCKHOLM: A combo of undated handout pictures shows the portraits of scientists (L-R) Martin Karplus, Michael Levitt and Arieh Warshel displayed during a press conference to announce the laureates of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry yesterday at the Nobel Assembly at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. —- AFP

STOCKHOLM: A draft is displayed on a screen during a press conference to announce the laureates of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry yesterday at the Nobel Assembly at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. — AFP

Six dead in Philippine epidemic caused by rat urine MANILA: A bacterial epidemic caused by water contaminated with rat urine has hit a flood-ravaged region in the northern Philippines, killing six people and overwhelming local hospitals, a health official said yesterday.

At least 132 people were infected with leptospirosis in and around the northern city of Olongapo, following deadly flash floods in the area last month, health department epidemiologist for the area Jessie Fantone told AFP. “This is a bacterial infection caused by exposure to rat urine in flooded urban areas,” Fantone said.

“The hospitals in the area have been overwhelmed. We have dispatched more personnel, hospital beds and medicine.”

While the floods that struck the area late last month have subsided, the disease can incubate in the human body for up to 30 days before flu-like symptoms appear, Fantone said.

He said the infection, which in its most serious form is also known as Weil’s disease, can eventually lead to kidney

failure, requiring dialysis.

The health official said it was likely many of the patients had ignored early symptoms, or self-medicated believing they had influenza, instead of seeking professional treatment.

One of the dead had ingested the bacteria while swimming through floodwaters, unlike the rest who caught it through skin exposure, he added.

Fantone said the 90 infected people who remain in hospital were all likely to survive, but local health authorities expect the number of cases to rise as more people seek treatment.

At least 30 other people died during the flooding, which unleashed landslides in several villages around Olongapo, according to an official tally.

The health department said a leptospirosis epidemic in 2009 infected more than 1,000 people, killing 89 in and around Manila, after Tropical Storm Ketsana wrought deadly floods on large areas of the Philippine capital. — AFP

Questionable design blamed for health website woes WASHINGTON: A decision by the Obama administration to require that consumers create online accounts before they can browse health overhaul insurance plans appears to have led to many of the glitches that have frustrated customers, independent experts say.

Most e-commerce websites - as well as medicare.gov - are not designed to require those merely browsing to set up accounts. But it’s one of the first steps on healthcare.gov.

Consumers trying to create their accounts multiplied the volume of online transactions that overwhelmed the website last week, causing long waits and exasperation. Many people were stopped by a balky security questions page.

The administration threw in additional computing hardware to handle the volume, and deployed software experts to patch the mechanism for creating accounts, but reports of delays persisted Tuesday.

For President Barack Obama, glitches involving his signature legislation are an unwelcome twist. A devoted smartphone

user, his political campaigns were models of high-tech efficiency. Yet the problems that have surfaced so far with healthcare.gov don’t even involve the site’s more complicated functions.

Allowing consumers to browse anonymously was one of the recommendations of Enroll UX 2014, a $3 million, 14-month project to design an optimal user experience for the insurance marketplaces. The well-known San Francisco design firm IDEO led the project and undertook extensive consumer interviews to create an easy-to-use site.

“The first thing people said to us is, ‘I need to be able to understand what my options are,’” said Sam Karp, vice president of programs at the California HealthCare Foundation. The nonprofit helped organize and finance Enroll UX 2014, which also involved the federal government and 11 states.

Karp said he was concerned when he tried the federal website last week and found that anonymous shopping wasn’t part of it. He considers the omission a “major design flaw.”

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

World must eliminate fossil fuel emissions: OECD chief Secretary-general calls for ‘big, fat price on carbon’ LONDON: The world must eliminate emissions from burning fossil fuels in the second half of this century to lower the economic cost of climate change, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said yesterday. Leading economist and climate change expert Nicholas Stern has said that investment equivalent to 2 percent of global gross domestic product a year is needed to limit and adapt to climate change.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria acknowledged that climate change had serious economic consequences that could not be ignored. He said simply reducing emissions would not be enough to lower the economic costs because carbon dioxide accumulates in the atmosphere. Sixty percent of every ton of CO2 emitted now will still be in the atmosphere 20 years from now and 45 percent 100 years from now, he said, citing a scientific report this year from several universities and research centers around the world.

“We need to achieve zero emissions from fossil fuel sources by the second half of the century,” Gurria told reporters at a briefing in London. “That doesn’t mean by 2050 exactly but it means by that time we need to be pretty much on the way to achieving it,” he said. “This is worse than a debt because there

is no bailout and if you have two or three good budget years a debt can be reduced, but emissions hang around for 100 years,” he said.

He said there needed to be a “big, fat price on carbon” - either through carbon taxes of emissions trading schemes which send out consistent and clear price signals. Last month, leading climate scientists said the world was set to experience more heatwaves, floods and droughts as greenhouse gas emissions built up in the atmosphere.

The OECD said Hurricane Sandy in the United States last year was estimated to have cost around $75 billion in damage and economic losses and that it expects the global costs of flood losses to rise to over $50 billion a year by 2050.

ACHIEVABLE Many countries already have national policies in place to lower emissions over the next decade or more. Governments are also working to get a global deal to cut emissions signed by 2015, to come into force by 2020. However, a lot more progress needed to be made to cut emissions immediately, not after 2020, Gurria said. According to the International Energy Agency, two-thirds of world electricity generation comes from fos-

sil fuels and 95 percent of energy consumed by transport is from fossil fuels.

In 2012, the world’s top 200 listed oil, gas and mining companies spent $674 billion on finding and developing new sources of oil and gas, the OECD said. Achieving zero emissions from fossil fuel sources is achievable but current policies need to be changed, Gurria said. Fossil fuel subsidies, totaling $523 billion in 2011, need to be reviewed and government policies made more consistent. Even though a shift in some countries to natural gas which emits less carbon dioxide than coal - namely a shale gas boom in the United States - is “good news”, it should not be the end of efforts, Gurria said.

“Any new fossil resources brought to market - conventional or unconventional - risk taking us further away from the trajectory we need to be on,” he said. Governments should also not presume carbon capture and storage technology, which buries and traps CO2 underground, will be a silver bullet, because it is as yet unproven on commercial scale, Gurria said. The OECD, an organization of 34 member nations which aims to promote economic progress, plans to analyze each country’s efforts to cut emissions in its annual economic surveys. — Reuters

Food bank helps furloughed Grand Canyon workers TUSAYAN: One hotel worker was called and told not to come to work. Another has seen a slowing pace of rooms needing to be cleaned. And a hotel manager has decided to shut down after renting out one room on what normally would be a busy October night.

Business leaders in Tusayan, just outside the Grand Canyon’s South Rim entrance pleaded with the federal government Tuesday to reopen the park that is the lifeline of the tiny town.

Meanwhile, an Arizona food bank delivered hundreds of boxes to help out concession and government workers who have been furloughed from their jobs or had their hours cut.

“It’s definitely going to affect my paycheck,” said Louise Mendoza, a hotel room inspector who picked up a box of nonperishable food at the local fire station. “It’s really hard because we have only a few to do every day, and the hours are short.”

The pastor of a church inside the park reached out to Phoenix-based St. Mary’s Food Bank for help after he realized he couldn’t meet the needs of people with donations he distributes out of his garage. The Rev. Patrick Dotson said many of the affected workers live paycheck to paycheck and are struggling to provide food for their families.

“It’s a great turnout,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “We’re really thankful people are coming, the word is spreading and

people are getting the help they need.”

About 4.5 million tourists from around the world visit the Grand Canyon each year, pouring an estimated $1.3 million a day into nearby communities. The National Park Service said 2,200 federal and private employees who work in the park are on furlough and that the park will remain closed until the government reopens.

For a brief time Tuesday, about 50 people crowded around the entrance sign to Grand Canyon National Park while helicopters hovered overhead carrying passengers over the massive gorge. Business leaders and community members organized a “fed up with the feds” protest to highlight the economic crisis they said they’re facing.

Few services are available at the Grand Canyon and in Tusayan. The companies in town stake their business on access to the Grand Canyon. Becky Shearer, who manages a lodge in Tusayan, said she kept about 10 employees on during the first week of the shutdown but will be closing the 20-room lodge.

The state highway into Tusayan is now a dead-end street with everyone but park employees and residents of Grand Canyon Village being turned away. Town Council member Craig Sanderson, an air tour pilot, called on Congress to act soon to open the canyon to sightseeing. — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

LuLu Exchange’s ‘Ramadan Summer Rain’ promotion ends

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uLu Exchange’s three month ‘Ramadan Summer Rain” promotion ended on October 4, 2013, with customers winning huge raffle prizes. The promotion which started three months ago was a part of Ramadan celebrations and had plenty of surprises in store for all the customers visiting any of LuLu Exchange’s branches from July 4 to October 4.

The customers making transactions in LuLu Exchange Company WLL, the region’s leading Remittance Company,

were issued free coupons during the period of promotion and three lucky draw were conducted on the 4th of August, September and October.

Prizes worth KD 3,450 were distributed during Ramadan Summer Rain promotion. Forty eight gift vouchers of KD 400 and 15 gift vouchers worth KD 50 were distributed to the winners every month. The gift vouchers could be redeemed at Lu & Lu hypermarket outlets.

Adeeb Ahamed, CEO - LuLu Exchange said, ‘This is in fact our second promotion that perfectly ties in with our aim to turn every customer visit into an exciting experience. Our choice of gift give-aways from this raffle were made to deliver the ultimate best in remittance and forex, and from the look on each of the winners’ faces, we can successfully say we fulfilled that duty. We are very happy for the twenty three winners and look forward to more exhilarating promotions and

events to come in the near future.”

The company with eight branches spread across Kuwait, apart from remittance and forex solutions, also offers a host of services and products. The number of correspondent banks with which LuLu Exchange does business, also has grown quite considerably. LuLu Exchange has steadfastly focused on bringing greater value to its wide base of customers worldwide.

GUST hosts SHARAKA lecture on women’s economic participation

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Internationally acclaimed keynote speaker presents lecture at GUST

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he AM Al-Refai Library at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST ) hosted internationally acclaimed keynote speaker and award-winning founder and CEO of The Marketing Zen Group, Shama Kabani on Sunday, October 6, 2013, for a presentation on social media and its tools. Kabani conducted two presentations, one for the undergraduates and the other for MBA students; both the sessions were well-attended by students, faculty, and staff.

Speaking from a marketing perspective, Kabani defined social media and how it could be applied by individuals, organizations, academic institutions, etc. During the presentation Shama Kabani explained the various tools of social media and how they could be used to improve online presence; she further emphasized on creating a LinkedIn profile which has proven to be an invaluable tool for professional networking. Kabani spoke of her inspiring journey that led her to be the CEO of the Zen Marketing Group, which serves clients worldwide including companies in Europe, Asia and Central and South America. She also shared some real life examples which enabled the students to have a better understanding of issues concerning social media and the impact it could have on them and the audience.

The attendees found the lecture to be informative as it offered a real-world outlook and was interactive too. The session was open to questions in the end, which the attendees raised and Kabani happily answered. After the session, the students were seen to be enthusiastically conversing and discussing issues with Kabani.

Shama Kabani, 27, Known as the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by Fast Company, is a visionary strategist for the digital age. Kabani was on a brief visit to Kuwait for a Speakers’ sponsored program to meet with young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs; while at GUST a meeting between Shama Kabani and five Kuwaiti tech entrepreneurs was arranged.

he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) hosted a lecture on “The Importance of Women’s Economic Participation - EU-GCC Dialogue and Perspectives on Sustainable Growth”. The event was jointly organized by GUST and the EU-funded project SHARAKA, SHARAKA is implemented by a consortium of five organisations from Europe and the Gulf and was officially launched in May 2012. The two-year project aims at exploring ways to promote relations between the EU and the GCC. Dr Janet Testerman, Assistant Professor of English at GUST introduced all the speakers, including: Dr. Eva Fischer, Chief Executive Officer at the Educational House of the German Chamber of Commerce in Swabia, Germany, Nada Al-Mutawa, the Head of the Research division at the Gulf Center at Kuwait University, Rahma Janetzke, the Project Manager for the SHARAKA project at Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Regional Program Gulf States, and Dr Noreen Abdullah-Khan, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology in the College of Arts and Sciences at GUST. The event discussed the role of women’s economic participation in EU-GCC cooperation and sustainable growth. The lecture highlighted the role of women’s economic participation in Kuwait and the larger Gulf region. The main points Dr Fisher emphasized in her presentation were the role of women’s economic participation in Germany and the European Union. She mentioned why it is so important that women become more involved in higher positions in companies and be a part of the decision making process. Moreover, she discussed the barriers that women face in the society as working mothers and wives. Other important barriers that women never reach the positions of owners or directors include the imprinted societal idea of men as the leading figures. At the end of her presentation, Dr Fischer noted: “Look at a career like climbing a mountain, the short way is the quickest but sometimes it makes sense to stop, rest, go back, find new passion and energy and go to the top.” This shows how the direct way will get you to reach the goal quickly, but sometimes it is better to take the longer route which will allow the person to think and discover new ideas and reach to the top with hard work.

During the presentation, Dr Noreen Khan discussed the differences between working females in the western hemisphere, especially Germany, and the Middle East, especially in Kuwait. She noted that women in Kuwait are more limited in the working environment because of the culture and traditions where women must focus on their children and their husbands because they are best at this job. However, she men-

tioned that Germany is an industrial country and the female driving force is highly needed because Germany holds a high record in economy.

Later, Dr Al-Mutawa mentioned how Kuwaiti culture looks at women with two jobs which is being a housewife and an employee. She highlighted that having two jobs shows that women have the same capabilities as men. After the presentations of the speakers, the audience had the opportunity to further advance the discussion during the Question &Answer session. During the discussion, Dr. Khan discussed that women need to develop a working career to have a better future similar as their male peers. She gave some solutions about how women can improve their working standards; her idea was to introduce online learning for women to finish their bachelor degree. “Online learning should be offered for women to finish their educational levels.” One student asked: “Why doesn’t Kuwait have an organization that supports and empowers women to be more economically engaged?” Dr Fisher answered by saying: “Kuwaiti women are strong individuals with great passion towards their careers, especially the new generations. I am sure that the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is keen to come back to Kuwait soon and organize similar events in the near future.”

The Gulf University for Science and Technology began operation in 2002 as the first private university in Kuwait. It is based on an American-style model of higher education and aims to serve the increasing educational demands of Kuwait and the Gulf region. It currently hosts over 3,000 full-time students.

Entertainment City ready for Eid

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he Entertainment City is set to host a special program during the Eid AlAdha holiday in which new timings were announced to accommodate the holidays, a senior Touristic Enterprises Company official announced.

“The program includes partial operation of the Kids Zone; the latest of new projects to improve and expand games at the Entertainment City”, Assistant CEO for the Entertainment City Affairs Yousuf Al-Hmoud said. Al-Hmoud announced that the Entertainment City will be closed next Monday, but reopens on the first day of Eid Al-Adha from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am. The facility welcomes visitors during the same time throughout the holiday, and returns back to winter hours on October 20 from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am on weekdays and from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on weekends.

LAIF Convention

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ife Abundant International Fountain (LAIF Church) Kuwait invites you to its 2013 Annual Convention starting from 10th October to 13th October at National Evangelical Church Kuwait (NECK) Compound.

This is a power packed and Holy Ghost filled program featuring seminar, music concert and ministration. Come and be blessed. For information please visit our website, www.laifchurch.com.

W H AT ’ S O N

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au. All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-augcc.com for more info. The Embassy of Australia does not have a visa or immigration department.

All processing of visas and immigration matters is conducted by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com ( VIS), immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au ( Visa Office), Tel: +971 4 205 5900 (VFS), Fax: + 971 4 355 0708 (Visa Office). Notary and passport services are available by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy on 22322422. nnnnnnn

LOYAC holds ‘DOW Open Day’ for Bayt Abdullah children

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OYAC held “DOW Open Day” for the children of Bayt Abdullah attended by Fareah Al-Saqqaf, CEO of LOYAC, Faisal Al-Haroun, General Manager of LOYAC, Jamal Al-Attal, General Manager of DOW Chemicals in Kuwait, Rasha Al-Hamad, CEO of Bayt Abdullah, and children from Little Loyacers Committee.

The event involved different segments like puppet theater, break dance, the participation of My Story Club, and contests and awards. In this regard, Al-Haroun said that the reason behind choosing Bayt Abdullah is because of the noble purpose that this place holds, and that’s why we wanted to contribute in making the children happy by organizing some entertaining programs. He also added that this is not the first collaboration between LOYAC and Bayt Abdullah, as Bayt Abdullah receives volunteers from LOYAC in part of Service is My Joy program.

Al-Haroun also thanked DOW

Chemicals, the main sponsor of LOYAC and this event, and also thanked Bayt Abdullah’s team for their cooperation and welcoming such events. Al-Attal said that DOW Open Day has been held during the past two years and choosing the children of Bayt Abdullah this year adds deep value to their message, because it’s one of the most complete facilities in the world that takes care of children who suffers from health conditions and advanced stages of incurable diseases, and offers medical treatment as well as the psychological and social support to ease the pain of the children and give them palliative care.

Al-Attal also referred to their sponsorship to LOYAC’s programs as “Part of our commitment to the society that we work in, and choosing LOYAC in particular is because of their devotion and their valuable goals that they want to achieve with the youth, and for the huge success that their programs is achieving”.

EMBASSY OF CANADA The Embassy of Canada in Kuwait does not have a visa or immigration department. All processing of visa and immigration matters including enquiries is conducted by the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Individuals who are interested in working, studying, visiting or immigrating to Canada should contact the Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, website: www.UAE.gc.ca or www.goingtocanada.gc.ca, E-mail: abdbi-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah. Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, Al-Qibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia).

For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday). Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF INDIA The Embassy of India will remain closed on Oct 13, 2013, Sunday on account of Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami). Holiday for Eid Al-Adha will be intimated after declaration of the same. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF US The US Embassy in Kuwait has new procedures for obtaining appointments and picking up passports after visa issuance.

Beginning August 9, 2013, we now provide an online visa appointment system, live call center, and in-person pick-up facilities in Kuwait.

Please monitor our website and social media for additional information. This new system offers more flexibility for travelers to the US and to meet the increase in demand for visa appointments.

The general application steps on the new visa appointment system are: 1. Go to www.ustraveldocs.com/kw (if this is the first time on ustraveldocs.com, you will need to create a profile to login).

2. Please complete your DS-160 Online Visa Application which is available at ceac.state.gov/genNIV. 3. Please print and take your deposit slip to any Burgan Bank location to pay your visa application fee.

4. Schedule an appointment for your visa interview online at www.ustraveldocs.com/kw or by phone through the Call Center (at +9652227-1673).

5. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please do so 24 hours beforehand, as a courtesy to other applicants. For more information, please visit the US Embassy website kuwait.usembassy.gov - as it is the best source of information regarding these nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF BHUTAN The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in the State of Kuwait would like to inform all concerned that its chancery has shifted to its new premises in South Surra, Al-Salaam, Block 3, Street 308, House 3. Telephone:2521360125213602,Fax: 25213603 and Email: bhutankuwait@gmail.com. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF BANGLADESH The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kuwait will remain closed from Monday to Thursday, October 14-17, 2013 on the occasion of Holy Eid-Al-Adha.

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

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

03:15 Snow Leopards Of Leafy London 03:40 Snow Leopards Of Leafy London 04:05 Mekong: Soul Of A River 04:55 Animal Battlegrounds 05:20 Baboons With Bill Bailey 05:45 Animal Airport 06:10 Animal Airport 06:35 Call Of The Wildman 07:00 Monkey Life 07:25 Pandamonium 08:15 The Most Extreme 09:10 Talk To The Animals 09:35 Talk To The Animals 10:05 Big Five Challenge 11:00 Animal Cops Houston 11:55 Animal Battlegrounds 12:20 Call Of The Wildman 12:50 Swamp Brothers 13:15 Swamp Brothers 13:45 Weird Creatures With Nick Baker 14:40 Big Five Challenge 15:30 Baboons With Bill Bailey 16:00 Monkey Life 16:30 The Most Extreme 17:25 Extraordinary Dogs 17:50 Extraordinary Dogs 18:20 Baby Planet 19:15 Monkey Life 19:40 Call Of The Wildman 20:10 Predator’s Prey 20:35 Cheetah Kingdom 21:05 Big Five Challenge 22:00 Beast Lands 22:55 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 23:50 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 00:45 I’m Alive 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 02:25 Big Five Challenge

03:30 Doctor Who Confidential 03:35 One Foot In The Grave 04:05 The World Of Stonehenge 05:00 Tweenies 05:20 Boogie Beebies 05:35 The Large Family 05:45 Nina And The Neurons 06:00 Jackanory Junior 06:15 Tweenies 06:35 Boogie Beebies 06:50 The Large Family 07:00 Nina And The Neurons 07:15 Jackanory Junior 07:30 One Foot In The Grave 08:00 Lead Balloon 08:30 The World Of Stonehenge 09:20 Eastenders 09:50 Doctors 10:20 Dalziel And Pascoe 11:10 The Weakest Link 11:55 One Foot In The Grave 12:25 The World Of Stonehenge 13:15 Lead Balloon 13:45 Eastenders 14:15 Doctors 14:45 The Weakest Link 15:30 Dalziel And Pascoe 16:20 The World Of Stonehenge 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 The Weakest Link 19:00 Keeping Up Appearances 19:30 Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters 20:00 Bedlam 20:50 Gavin & Stacey: Christmas Special 2008 21:50 Getting On 22:20 Gates 22:45 The Fat Fighters 23:35 Keeping Up Appearances 00:05 Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters 00:30 Bedlam 01:15 Eastenders 01:45 Doctors 02:15 The Fat Fighters

03:15 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 03:40 Great British Menu 04:05 Cash In The Attic 04:50 Bargain Hunt 05:35 Britain’s Dream Homes 06:30 Great British Menu 07:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 07:45 Bargain Hunt 08:30 Homes Under The Hammer 09:25 Food & Drink 09:55 Food Glorious Food 10:40 Come Dine With Me 11:30 Celebrity MasterChef 12:00 The Hairy Bikers Ride Again 12:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 13:15 Antiques Roadshow 14:10 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 15:00 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 15:50 Bargain Hunt 16:35 Cash In The Attic 17:20 Antiques Roadshow 18:15 Homes Under The Hammer 19:10 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 20:00 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 20:30 Come Dine With Me 21:20 Antiques Roadshow 22:15 Bargain Hunt 23:00 Cash In The Attic 23:45 Homes Under The Hammer 00:40 Come Dine With Me 01:30 Celebrity MasterChef 02:20 Britain’s Dream Homes

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

Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Sons Of Guns Mythbusters Finding Bigfoot American Chopper Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Ben Earl: Trick Artist The Big Brain Theory Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles Countdown To Collision American Chopper Ultimate Survival Dirty Jobs Mythbusters Sons Of Guns Storage Hunters Baggage Battles How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia Warlock Rising Sons Of Guns Amish Mafia Warlock Rising

03:00 03:25 03:45 04:30 05:20 06:10 07:00 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:30

I Was Murdered I Was Murdered I Almost Got Away With It Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab Nightmare Next Door Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth...

On The Case With Paula Zahn Solved Disappeared Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Forensic Detectives On The Case With Paula Zahn

15:20 15:45 16:10 17:00 17:50 18:40 Jones 19:30 Jones 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40 00:30 01:20 02:10

Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth...

Disappeared Solved Forensic Detectives True Crime With Aphrodite True Crime With Aphrodite Nightmare Next Door Couples Who Kill On The Case With Paula Zahn Nightmare Next Door I Almost Got Away With It Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab On The Case With Paula Zahn

03:35 Thunder Races 04:25 Space Pioneer 05:15 The Gadget Show 05:40 How Tech Works 06:05 Superships 07:00 Weird Or What?

07:50 Plastic Fantastic Brain 08:40 The Gadget Show 09:05 How Tech Works 09:30 Sport Science 10:25 Superships 11:20 Thunder Races 12:10 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 13:00 Bang Goes The Theory 13:25 Bang Goes The Theory 13:50 Sci-Fi Science 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:45 How Tech Works 15:10 Weird Or What?

16:00 Sport Science 16:55 Superships 17:45 Thunder Races 18:35 Space Pioneer 19:30 Weird Or What?

20:20 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 20:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 How Tech Works 22:00 Weird Or What?

22:50 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 23:15 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 23:40 Dark Matters 00:30 Sci-Fi Science 01:00 The Gadget Show 01:25 How Tech Works 01:50 Weird Or What?

02:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger

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

Survivorman: Ten Days American Car Prospector Decoding Disaster Out Of Egypt Survivorman: Ten Days American Car Prospector How We Invented The World History Cold Case USA The First World War From Out Of Egypt American Car Prospector How We Invented The World Decoding Disaster Empire Doomsday - World War I Out Of Egypt How We Invented The World Survivorman: Ten Days True Stories American Car Prospector Ultimate Warfare True Stories Baker Boys: Inside The Surge Murder Shift Ultimate Warfare True Stories Baker Boys: Inside The Surge

03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody

JOHN CARTER ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION

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

Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Jessie Good Luck Charlie Sofia The First Doc McStuffins Mickey Mouse Clubhouse A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Jessie Jessie Good Luck Charlie Good Luck Charlie Gravity Falls Shake It Up Shake It Up Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Shake It Up My Babysitter’s A Vampire That’s So Raven Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta Dog With A Blog Austin And Ally Gravity Falls Shake It Up That’s So Raven A.N.T. Farm Violetta Jessie My Babysitter’s A Vampire Austin And Ally Shake It Up That’s So Raven Jessie A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

03:20 Handy Manny 03:40 Special Agent Oso 03:50 Special Agent Oso 04:00 Timmy Time 04:10 Imagination Movers 04:35 Little Einsteins 05:00 Jungle Junction 05:15 Jungle Junction 05:30 Little Einsteins 05:50 Special Agent Oso 06:00 Special Agent Oso 06:15 Jungle Junction 06:30 Jungle Junction 06:45 Handy Manny 07:00 Special Agent Oso 07:15 Jungle Junction 07:30 Higglytown Heroes 07:45 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 08:10 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 08:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 08:50 Doc McStuffins 09:05 Doc McStuffins 09:20 Zou 09:35 Henry Hugglemonster 09:50 Henry Hugglemonster 10:00 Sofia The First 10:25 Mouk 10:40 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 10:55 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 11:20 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 11:45 Mouk 12:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 12:05 Higglytown Heroes 12:20 The Hive 12:30 Doc McStuffins 12:45 Doc McStuffins 13:00 Zou 13:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 13:30 Henry Hugglemonster 13:45 Henry Hugglemonster 13:55 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 14:20 New Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh 14:45 Higglytown Heroes 14:55 The Hive 15:05 Doc McStuffins 15:20 Zou 15:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 15:50 Mouk 16:05 Art Attack 16:30 Goof Troop 16:55 Tarzan 17:20 Quack Pack 17:45 Lilo And Stitch 18:10 Henry Hugglemonster 18:25 Henry Hugglemonster 18:35 Sofia The First 19:00 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 19:05 Pajanimals 19:25 Doc McStuffins 19:40 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 19:45 Zou 20:00 Pajanimals 20:15 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 20:30 Goof Troop 20:55 Tarzan 21:20 Quack Pack 21:45 Lilo And Stitch 22:10 Sofia The First 22:35 Doc McStuffins 22:50 Pajanimals 23:05 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 23:10 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 23:35 Jake And The Neverland Pirates 23:50 Zou 00:10 Doc McStuffins 00:25 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 00:50 Jungle Junction 01:10 Handy Manny 01:30 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 01:55 Winnie The Pooh: Tales Of Friendship 02:00 Little Einsteins 02:25 Special Agent Oso 02:40 Special Agent Oso 02:50 Imagination Movers

10:00 The Wild Thornberrys Movie 11:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 13:00 Twigson 14:30 Over The Hedge 16:00 Cinderella 18:00 The Wild Thornberrys Movie 20:00 Charlotte’s Web 22:00 Over The Hedge 23:30 Cinderella 01:00 The Ugly Duckling In Tales Of Mystery 02:45 Charlotte’s Web

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 19:45 22:00 00:00 02:00

HIGH SCHOOL ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY

06:00 Kid vs Kat 06:10 Scaredy Squirrel 06:35 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 07:00 Max Steel 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 07:50 Slugterra 08:15 Crash & Bernstein 08:40 Kickin IT 09:05 Kickin IT 09:30 Phineas And Ferb 09:55 Phineas And Ferb 10:20 Lab Rats 10:45 Lab Rats 11:10 Pokemon Bw: Adventures In Unova 11:35 Max Steel 12:00 Zeke & Luther 12:25 Zeke & Luther 12:50 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 13:15 Scaredy Squirrel 13:40 Pair Of Kings 14:05 Pair Of Kings 14:30 Phineas And Ferb 14:55 Phineas And Ferb 15:05 Phineas And Ferb 15:20 Pokemon Bw: Adventures In Unova 15:45 Max Steel 16:10 Pair Of Kings 16:35 Crash & Bernstein 17:00 Lab Rats 17:30 Kickin IT 18:00 Kickin IT 18:25 Phineas And Ferb 18:35 Phineas And Ferb 18:50 Phineas And Ferb 19:00 Phineas And Ferb 19:15 Slugterra 19:40 Crash & Bernstein 20:05 Ultimate Spider-Man 20:30 Max Steel 20:55 Pair Of Kings 21:20 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 21:45 Phineas And Ferb 21:55 Phineas And Ferb 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:20 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Scaredy Squirrel 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

03:00 Unique Sweets 03:25 Food Wars 03:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:15 United Tastes Of America 04:40 Chopped 05:30 Iron Chef America 06:10 Food Network Challenge 07:00 Unwrapped 07:25 Unwrapped 07:50 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 08:15 Kid In A Candy Store 08:40 Jonathan Phang’s Caribbean Cookbook 09:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 09:30 The Next Iron Chef 10:20 Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam 10:45 Aarti Party 11:10 Unwrapped 11:35 Unique Sweets 12:00 Amazing Wedding Cakes 12:50 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 13:40 Charly’s Cake Angels 14:05 Siba’s Table 14:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 14:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:20 Symon’s Suppers 15:45 Chopped 16:35 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:00 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 17:25 Andy Bates American Street Feasts 17:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 18:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

18:40 Guy’s Big Bite 19:05 Siba’s Table 19:30 Charly’s Cake Angels 19:55 Recipes That Rock 20:20 Chopped 21:10 Chopped 22:00 Recipes That Rock 22:25 Recipes That Rock 22:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 23:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:30 Food Wars 00:55 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 01:20 Outrageous Food 01:45 Recipes That Rock 02:10 Recipes That Rock 02:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

03:00 The Colbert Report 03:30 Louie 04:00 Legit 04:30 The New Normal 05:00 Breaking In 05:30 Whitney 06:00 Seinfeld 06:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 07:30 All Of Us 08:00 The Neighbors 08:30 Friends 09:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 10:00 Seinfeld 10:30 All Of Us 11:00 Breaking In 11:30 Whitney 12:30 Friends 13:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 14:00 The Neighbors 14:30 Seinfeld 15:00 All Of Us 15:30 Friends 16:00 Whitney 16:30 Whitney 17:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 18:00 The Colbert Report 18:30 The Neighbors 19:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 20:00 Breaking In 20:30 Last Man Standing 21:00 Community 21:30 The Office 22:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 23:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 23:30 The Colbert Report 00:00 Web Therapy 00:30 Legit 01:00 The New Normal 01:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 02:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 22:00 23:00 00:00

Scandal Perception Warehouse 13 24 Switched At Birth Suits Perception Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Suits 24 Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Suits The Carrie Diaries The X Factor U.S. Red Widow Scandal 24

04:00 Starship Troopers: Invasion 06:00 True Justice: Angel Of Death

08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:15 22:00 23:45 02:00

04:00 06:00 Life 08:00 10:15 12:15 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Darkman The Tourist Hide And Seek Ice Quake The Tourist Tombstone Ice Quake Graystone Bunraku End Of Days

Beverly Hills Cop 2 True Justice: One Shot, One John Carter Source Code Justice League: Doom Pizza Man Source Code The Speed Of Thought Pizza Man Taxi Driver Gangs Of Brooklyn London Boulevard

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Norbit Mr. Destiny Today’s Special Adventures In Babysitting Norbit New Year’s Eve Adventures In Babysitting The Decoy Bride Your Sister’s Sister High School Casino Jack Your Sister’s Sister

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

The Wishing Well Klitschko No Surrender The Wishing Well One Angry Juror Love Finds A Home Web Of Lies The Trial Rabbit Hole Lawless The Raven Web Of Lies

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

Gone Rabbit Hole The Imposter Jakob The Liar StreetDance 2 The Preacher’s Wife Jack The Bear StreetDance 2 Wind Chill Mahler On The Couch The Most Fun You Can Have The Daughter

03:00 Five 05:00 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted 07:00 Joyful Noise 09:00 Dolphin Tale 11:00 Premium Rush 13:00 Katy Perry The Movie: Part Of Me 15:00 Like Crazy 17:00 Dolphin Tale 19:00 The Girl 21:00 Anna Karenina 23:15 The Five Year Engagement 01:30 Chronicle

04:30 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 06:00 The Happy Cricket 08:00 The Ugly Duckling In Tales Of Mystery

Carnage A Monster In Paris Flower Girl Arthur Christmas The Double Madea’s Big Happy Family Flower Girl Midnight In Paris The Bourne Legacy Underworld: Awakening Madea’s Big Happy Family Midnight In Paris

00:30 The Daily Show 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 The League 03:00 Ben And Kate 03:30 Ben And Kate 04:00 Seinfeld 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 All Of Us 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Seinfeld 08:30 All Of Us 10:00 Hot In Cleveland 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:30 Seinfeld 13:00 All Of Us 15:00 Hot In Cleveland 15:30 The Daily Show 16:00 The Colbert Report 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 The Simpsons 18:30 The Mindy Project 19:30 Hot In Cleveland 20:00 Parks And Recreation 20:30 Wilfred 21:00 The Daily Show 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Veep 22:30 It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia 23:00 The League 23:30 Parks And Recreation

03:00 Currie Cup 05:00 ITM Cup 07:00 Darts Grand Prix 11:00 ICC Cricket 360 11:30 Champions League Twenty20 14:30 Total Rugby 15:00 Inside The PGA Tour 15:30 European Tour Weekly 16:00 Live PGA European Tour 20:00 Trans World Sport 21:00 Live Darts Grand Prix 01:00 Total Rugby 01:30 Amlin European Challenge Cup

05:00 UFC - The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 06:00 UFC - Unleashed 07:00 The Rugby Championship 09:00 ICC Cricket 360 09:30 NRL Full Time 10:00 Futbol Mundial 10:30 Total Rugby 11:00 Darts Grand Prix 15:00 UFC - Primetime 2011-13 15:30 UFC Prelims 17:30 UFC - Maia vs. Shields 20:30 UFC - The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 21:45 Live Amlin European Challenge Cup 00:00 Live PGA Tour

03:55 07:00 08:50 11:05 13:00 14:40 16:00 17:40 20:05 22:00 23:55 01:30

Seven Days In May Mildred Pierce The Unsinkable Molly Brown The Sandpiper Agatha The Cabin In The Cotton Anna Karenina Mogambo The Prodigal Scarecrow Point Blank Scarecrow

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

Descending Travel Testers Xtreme Waterparks Xtreme Waterparks World’s Greatest Motorcycle Wild Carpathia Departures Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami World’s Greatest Motorcycle Xtreme Waterparks Xtreme Waterparks Ultimate Braai Master Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters Hotel Impossible Soul Seeker Ultimate Braai Master Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami Monumental Mysteries Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami Xtreme Waterparks Xtreme Waterparks World’s Greatest Motorcycle

Classifieds THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) FRI THE BUTLER (DIG) NO FRI DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

SHARQIA-2 KHUMBA (DIG-3D) KHUMBA (DIG-3D) KHUMBA (DIG-3D) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RUSH (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

12:45 PM 2:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-3 BADGES OF FURY (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) RUSH (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) BADGES OF FURY (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

MUHALAB-1 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) NO TUE+WED BOSS (DIG) (HINDI) TUE+WED QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) MUHALAB-2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) KHUMBA (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) DIANA (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) MUHALAB-3 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RUSH (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) FANAR-1 BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) FANAR-2 KHUMBA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) KHUMBA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) FANAR-3 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG) NO TUE+WED BOSS (DIG) (HINDI) TUE+WED RUSH (DIG) NO TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:15 PM 4:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM 1:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM 12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 4:45 PM 7:45 PM

KNCC EID AL ADHA PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (10/10/2013 TO 16/10/2013) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RUSH (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.2 DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG)

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-2 QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) RUSH (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC)

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.3 KHUMBA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) KHUMBA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC)

1:30 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MARINA-3 KHUMBA (DIG-3D) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 KHUMBA (DIG-3D) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:45 PM 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.4 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) MAN OF TAI CHI (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) MAN OF TAI CHI (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

BOSS (DIG) (HINDI) TUE+WED RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG)

7:45 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

MARINA-1 THE BUTLER (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG)

AVENUES-1 THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG)

1:45 PM 4:30 PM 7:15 PM 10:00 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-2 BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-3 RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG) RUSH (DIG)

1:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:30 PM 9:00 PM 11:30 PM

360º- 1 QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) 360º- 2 THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG) THE BUTLER (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM 12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

360º- 3 KHUMBA (DIG-3D) KHUMBA (DIG) KHUMBA (DIG-3D) KHUMBA (DIG-3D) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

AL-KOUT.1 RUSH (DIG)

1:15 PM

BAIRAQ-1 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) 12:30 PM KHUMBA (DIG-3D) 2:30 PM CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) 4:30 PM CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) 6:30 PM RUSH (DIG) 8:30 PM ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) 10:45 PM ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) 1:00 AM BAIRAQ-2 QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) DIANA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) DIANA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

BAIRAQ-3 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) BADGES OF FURY (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

(C 4528) 5-10-2013

FOR SALE Mitsubishi jeep Nativa model 2011, white color, alloy rim, 6 cylinder engine, 4 wheel drive, automatic gear, excellent condition, installment possible. Cash price KD 2900, negotiable.

Tel: 66507741. (C 4533) Mitsubishi Pajero for sale 1996 model, color red, passing up to Aug 2014, used by a lady. Contact: 97277139.

UK expat leaving Kuwait wants to sell Nissan Extrra 4x4, model 2009, silver color, full option, 99000 km, fully maintained Nissan Babtain Company, price KD 3650 only, serious buyers can contact: 50687350.

10-10-2013 CHANGE OF NAME From Adeb Shams - as per the birth certificate - 15days-old to Adeb Ibrahim.

Tel: 66993190.

(C 4530) 6-10-2013

I, Shahjahan Malek Ali Sadek D/O Sayyed Mohammad Jaffery, holder of Indian Passport No. Z1886955 have changed my name from Shahjahan Malek Ali Sadek to Shahjahan Sayyed Mohammad Jaffery.

MATRIMONIAL Orthodox parents in Kuwait invite marriage proposals for their son, 27yrs/177cm/70kgs, MBA employed in a reputed bank in Kuwait from Orthodox/Jacobite/Martho ma parents B.Tech/MCA/MBA/M.Com God fearing and religious minded girls 23-25 yrs employed in Kuwait.

Contact email: thekalloors@gmail.com (4531) Australian/Lebanese man

invite proposal from God fearing Arab women, single or divorce. Contact email: gulfinportexport@hotmail.com (C 4532) LOST Original document Policy No. 6330029847 of Waqas Azam by the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, Gulf Zone is reported to have been lost.

Anyone finding the same or claiming any interest in it should communicate with State Life Office Kuwait Tel: 22452208. (C 4529) 5-10-2013

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION

Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is

1889988

Prayer timings

I, Livina Fatima Baretto, resident of Goa and holder of Indian Passport No. K4654795 issued at Kuwait, hereby change my surname to Da Costa. Hence I will be called Livina Fatima Da Costa from now onwards.

Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

04:28 05:47 11:35 14:54 17:23 18:39

No: 15954

PLAZA RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) NO WED BOSS (DIG) (HINDI) WED

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 9:30 PM

LAILA CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) DIANA (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM

AJIAL.1 RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU) RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA (DIG) (TELUGU)

3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines BBC QTR MEA UAE JZR JZR FDB SAI THY ETH GFA UAE ETD KAC THY FDB MSR QTR DHX FDB THY RJA BAW MEA KAC JZR JZR KAC JZR FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE IRA IZG ABY IRA FDB QTR ETD SYR GFA MEA FDB JZR TBZ JZR UAE MRJ MSC MSR MSR THY KNE KAC QTR FDB KAC ABY SVA

Arrival Flights on Thursday 10/10/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 148 DOHA 406 BEIRUT 3857 DUBAI 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 8063 DUBAI 441 LAHORE 764 SABIHA 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 4938 JEDDAH 5462 SABIHA 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 5470 ISTANBUL 5504 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 157 LONDON 408 BEIRUT 412 MANILA 555 ALEXANDRIA 529 ASYUT 206 ISLAMABAD 503 LUXOR 53 DUBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 382 DELHI 302 MUMBAI 362 COLOMBO 284 DHAKA 352 COCHIN 855 DUBAI 605 ISFAHAN 4161 MASHAD 125 SHARJAH 617 AHWAZ 55 DUBAI 132 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 341 DAMASCUS 213 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 8055 DUBAI 165 DUBAI 5483 MASHAD 241 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 871 DUBAI 4813 MASHAD 403 ASYUT 610 CAIRO 579 SOHAG 766 ISTANBUL 480 TAIF 672 DUBAI 140 DOHA 57 DUBAI 546 ALEXANDRIA 121 SHARJAH 500 JEDDAH

Time 00:05 00:05 00:10 00:15 00:20 00:40 01:10 01:30 01:40 01:45 01:55 02:25 02:30 02:30 02:35 03:10 03:15 03:30 05:10 05:50 05:05 05:40 06:30 06:45 06:15 06:20 06:40 07:25 07:40 07:45 07:55 07:30 07:50 08:45 08:15 08:05 08:25 08:40 08:45 08:50 09:10 09:15 09:25 09:30 10:10 10:40 10:55 11:45 11:35 12:30 12:35 12:45 12:55 12:40 13:00 13:05 13:10 13:20 13:40 13:45 13:50 14:15 14:25 14:30

JZR FDB KAC OMA KNE NIA RJA KAC JZR QTR JZR JZR ETD FDB UAE ABY UAL SVA GFA JZR KAC JZR TAR QTR FDB ABY ABY KAC KAC KAC KAC GFA AXB ABY KAC KAC KAC KAC JAI OMA FDB ABY MEA AFG MSC MSR JZR JZR MSC ALK UAE ETD QTR GFA THY AIC JAI FDB JZR UAL JZR DLH JAI JZR MSR KLM THY

257 8051 562 645 470 251 640 118 535 134 787 125 303 8057 857 127 982 510 215 177 176 777 327 144 63 747 747 786 542 104 502 219 393 123 674 774 618 614 572 647 61 129 402 415 405 618 175 189 401 229 859 307 136 217 6512 981 576 59 239 981 185 636 574 513 614 411 772

BEIRUT DUBAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA MUSCAT JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA NEW YORK CAIRO DOHA RIYADH BAHRAIN ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI DUBAI SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI GENEVA JEDDAH TUNIS DOHA DUBAI SHARJAH SHARJAH JEDDAH CAIRO LONDON BEIRUT BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH DOHA BAHRAIN MUMBAI MUSCAT DUBAI SHARJAH BEIRUT KABUL SOHAG ALEXANDRIA DUBAI DUBAI ALEXANDRIA COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL DOHA BAHRAIN ISTANBUL CHENNAI COCHIN DUBAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA BAHRAIN DUBAI FRANKFURT MUMBAI SHARM EL SHEIKH CAIRO AMSTERDAM ISTANBUL

14:30 14:35 14:40 14:40 15:05 15:50 15:55 16:00 16:10 16:15 16:15 16:25 16:35 16:45 16:55 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:30 17:45 17:50 18:00 18:25 18:55 18:05 18:05 18:30 18:15 18:45 18:50 19:05 19:15 19:10 19:25 19:25 19:10 19:35 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:25 20:30 20:35 20:10 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:45 22:20 22:25 22:05 22:20 22:30 22:40 22:40 23:10 23:20 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45

Airlines AIC AXB JAI MSR DLH MEA JZR BBC UAE FDB THY SAI THY ETH THY UAE FDB MSR ETD QTR QTR RJA FDB GFA JZR THY KAC JZR MEA BAW FDB JZR JZR KAC KAC ABY IRA IZG UAE FDB IRA ETD QTR KAC KAC SYR GFA KAC KAC MEA FDB JZR JZR KAC JZR JZR TBZ MSC MSR MSR MRJ THY KNE UAE

Departure Flights on Thursday 10/10/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA 490 MANGALORE 573 MUMBAI 615 CAIRO 637 FRANKFURT 407 BEIRUT 502 LUXOR 44 DHAKA 3858 DUBAI 8064 DUBAI 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 442 LAHORE 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 621 ADDIS ABABA 5463 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 5505 AMMAN 70 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 240 AMMAN 5471 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 545 ALEXANDRIA 164 DUBAI 409 BEIRUT 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 561 AMMAN 126 SHARJAH 606 MASHHAD 4162 MASHHAD 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 616 MASHHAD 302 ABU DHABI 133 DOHA 101 LONDON 501 BEIRUT 342 DAMASCUS 214 BAHRAIN 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 405 BEIRUT 8056 DUBAI 776 JEDDAH 786 RIYADH 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 124 BAHRAIN 5484 MASHHAD 406 SOHAG 580 SOHAG 611 CAIRO 4812 MASHHAD 767 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 481 TAIF 872 DUBAI

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Time 00:05 00:15 00:20 00:30 00:30 01:10 01:30 01:30 01:40 01:55 02:20 02:30 02:40 02:45 03:35 03:45 03:50 04:15 04:20 04:25 05:15 06:25 06:30 07:00 07:10 07:15 07:20 07:25 07:45 08:25 08:25 08:50 09:10 09:25 09:25 09:30 09:40 09:45 09:50 09:55 10:10 10:15 10:25 10:25 11:10 11:10 11:25 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:25 12:25 12:50 13:00 13:20 13:30 13:30 13:40 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:10 14:10 14:15

FDB QTR ABY KAC FDB OMA KAC JZR KAC KNE SVA JZR KAC NIA RJA JZR JZR QTR ETD FDB JZR ABY UAE SVA GFA UAL JZR JZR ABY ABY TAR QTR FDB GFA ABY KAC AXB JAI FDB ABY KAC OMA KAC KAC MEA AFG MSC MSR KAC DHX MSC ETD ALK UAE QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC JAI JZR KAC KAC JZR

58 141 122 673 8052 646 617 188 773 471 505 174 613 252 641 238 512 135 304 8058 538 128 858 511 216 982 184 266 748 748 328 145 64 220 124 283 394 571 62 120 331 648 343 351 403 415 404 619 543 171 402 308 230 860 137 301 218 60 205 575 554 411 415 528

DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH DUBAI DUBAI MUSCAT DOHA DUBAI RIYADH JEDDAH JEDDAH DUBAI BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA AMMAN AMMAN SHARM EL SHEIKH DOHA ABU DHABI DUBAI CAIRO SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT SHARJAH SHARJAH TUNIS DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN SHARJAH DHAKA KOZHIKODE MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT CHENNAI KOCHI BEIRUT JEDDAH ASYUT ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI ISLAMABAD ABU DHABI ALEXANDRIA BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR ASYUT

14:30 14:55 15:05 15:05 15:15 15:40 15:45 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:25 16:35 16:50 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:25 17:40 17:50 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:30 18:30 18:40 18:45 18:45 18:50 19:25 19:35 19:50 20:00 20:15 20:15 20:35 20:40 20:45 20:50 20:55 20:55 21:05 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:30 21:50 22:00 22:15 22:20 22:25 22:40 22:40 22:45 23:00 23:00 23:05 23:20 23:40 23:50 23:55

34

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

s ta rs CROSSWORD 336

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES There are challenges today. You will pull on your talents and capabilities to handle difficult situations. Others may cut you off or make it difficult for you to express yourself. Somehow, you just don’t worry. Debate situations are fun and if the other side is willing, can be quite stimulating and eye-opening. It may be fun to be the last speaker— this is where the power is found today. Positive results are in the works. Status and security goals need rethinking now, to take advantage of changing circumstances. Finances, purchases, investments and credit in particular could stand some clear thinking—keep an eye on the bottom line. If there are other people sharing your income, you might be wise to gather round to work on a budget.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find yourself at odds with others regarding matters in a conference meeting. Be very watchful—it could be everything is political this morning. Look at the facts and take statistics with a grain of salt, so to speak. Approach the subjects by looking at the long-term effects. People do not like change but will be more willing to adjust if the long-term effect of change is rewarding. Rewarding days make up for all the stress that comes with those challenging days. This is a rewarding day. A lot of energy goes into getting things scheduled and organized this afternoon. Your creative expression is strong this evening and you may find yourself involved in some fun activities with young people. Ideas are plentiful.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A master's degree in fine arts.

4. A baked loaf of ground meat.

12. Injured by bites or stings.

15. A white linen liturgical vestment with sleeves.

16. Any flagellated aerobic bacteria having a spirally twisted rodlike form.

17. The seed of the cereal grass.

18. Somewhat flattened cylindrical squid.

20. A unit of dry measure used in Egypt.

21. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

22. A detailed description of design criteria for a piece of work.

23. Ctenophores lacking tentacles.

25. Virility drug (trade name Viagra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.

27. Having winglike extensions.

30. The unlimited 3-dimensional expanse in which everything is located.

34. Indian religious leader who founded Sikhism (1469-1538).

38. United States impresario who was born in Russia (1888-1974).

39. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

42. A transuranic element.

43. The rate at which red blood cells settle out in a tube of blood under standardized conditions.

45. (trademark) A liquid that temporarily disables a person.

46. An inactive volcano in Sicily.

47. A ridge that forms a seam between two parts.

50. (Greek mythology) One of the mountain nymphs.

52. The 13th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

53. A person who passes by casually or by chance.

55. Pleasantly (even unrealistically) optimistic.

57. An associate degree in nursing.

58. Formerly a large constellation in the southern hemisphere between Canis Major and the Southern Cross.

61. Large sweet juicy hybrid between tangerine and grapefruit having a thick wrinkled skin.

63. A Russian prison camp for political prisoners.

66. A group of islands in the Atlantic off the Carolina coast.

69. An ideal instance.

73. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

74. By chance.

77. Plant with an elongated head of broad stalked leaves resembling celery.

78. The month following October and preceding December.

79. Coextensive with the family Oleaceae.

80. A notable achievement.

81. A nucleic acid consisting of large molecules shaped like a double helix.

82. Waterfall in Canada is the Horseshoe Falls.

83. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

DOWN 1. A master's degree in library science.

2. An arithmetic operation performed on floating-point numbers.

3. (usually followed by `to') Having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something.

4. White crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor.

5. (possibly Roman) Goddess of horses and mules and asses.

6. The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively.

7. Relating to or used in or intended for trade or commerce.

8. The basic unit of money on Malta.

9. (used especially of persons) Having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age.

10. A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (trademarks Aleve and Anaprox and Aflaxen).

11. Genus of South and Central American heathlike evergreen shrubs.

12. (informal) Exceptionally good.

13. The eighth month of the civil year.

14. A three-tone Chadic language.

19. Small tropical American tree bearing edible plumlike fruit.

24. The local time at the 0 meridian passing through Greenwich, England.

26. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

28. The basic unit of money in Albania.

29. Used especially of fruits.

31. Celestial shepherd god.

32. A wall hanging of heavy handwoven fabric with pictorial designs.

33. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

35. East Indian tree widely cultivated in the tropics for its aromatic seed.

36. Anneal or toughen by a process of gradually heating and cooling.

37. A branch of the Tai languages.

40. Any of the forms of Chinese spoken in Fukien province.

41. A man who is the lover of a girl or young woman.

44. A large mass of ice floating at sea.

48. One of the 150 lyrical poems and prayers that comprise the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

49. Immediately after this.

51. A person forced to flee from home or country.

54. Large genus of tropical American vines having showy often spotted umbellate flowers.

56. A state of Uganda and site of a former Bantu kingdom.

59. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

60. (British) A cup of tea.

62. An anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is given orally.

64. The sacred city of Lamaism.

65. A colorless and odorless inert gas.

67. Very dark black.

68. A shop selling delicatessen (as salads or cooked meats).

70. A Gaelic-speaking Celt in Ireland or Scotland or the Isle of Man. 71. An organization of countries formed in 1961 to agree on a common policy for the sale of petroleum.

72. A quantity of no importance.

75. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

76. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

Daring to be different gets you noticed and could get you ahead in ways you never expected; careful. It could even land you in hot water if you are not discreet. A high-tech or idealistic approach sets you apart. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. An older person or higher-up gives you good points. Expect a sense of support and good will from those around you. The next item on the extinct and rare list could be the people that enjoy reading books. If you go to a library in town you may be helpful in reinstating a bookmobile or some service for senior citizens.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Give yourself some credit—you are able to use good common sense to feel the way business trends are moving. You are able to make the right decisions in this area.

Things are happening, and your career or path depends upon your own drive—which is strong. The energies at this time are toward the learning adventure. You may decide to try your hand at a job in some sort of investigative work, whether that is in reporting or in detective work. This could however, be a part-time volunteer job with the city until you find out whether you will enjoy the information your inquiring mind brings forth. You can expect a little boost, some sort of extra support or recognition from those around you.

You feel a positive connection with many people.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Challenges provide you with many choices; remove the emotions and see with truth and wisdom; a compromise is in the works. This is a good time to be creative and secure the positive. Do not become frustrated by forgetful actions, make lists and be guided. Seeing both sides of an issue and figuring out resolutions to opposing views can be very rewarding. As you know, there are times when things do not work as we had planned. The strength of your character shows when you can take the potholes and make the repairs and then move forward, so to speak. Close relationships take on an emotional depth and importance. You do what you can this evening to show your admiration, love and dedication to this relationship. Harmonious ties are rising.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Political issues in your work world may slow your own personal progress just now—pace yourself. Others may find you especially witty and eccentric. You are also valued for your independence and unique qualities. This is a great time to reflect and understand your own situation, just how you feel about your plans and accomplishments. You may have insights or breakthroughs concerning your work or living situation.

Your mind is quick and sharp and your words are the only tool you will need all day long.

You may want to help young persons with their assignments from school today and in helping them better understand you gain insight as well. Remember, they are interested in your memories but not for too long a time.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) If you look around and think you could improve on things in your place of business, start writing just how those changes or additions might work. Some of your ideas may be very helpful toward increasing productivity. Some of the ideas may only be just passing thoughts, such as a tv in the break room. Take only those special ideas that you think would truly help your place of business and keep ongoing notes, referring to them until you have a plan to present these ideas to higher-ups. Write down the date and time of each entry, you may need it later. You are in a good position to communicate concerning groups in general. You could be teaching, counseling or mentoring to the people around you without even realizing it.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Things are happening and your career or path depends upon your own ambition and drive, which are strong now. You are able to use good common sense to feel the trends and make all the right moves. If you do a bit of search on the internet you may find reputable business schools that are conducting classes over the internet. You might show your desire to learn and become a more important part of the team by signing up for more education if more education is indicated. Your business sense is enhanced and you are able to really get down to what is important when it comes to making decisions. Financial gain and material wellbeing are among the brighter prospects before you. Time, will and a humble attitude will also help.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You may have asked your co-worker friends recently for advice or perhaps their opinions. Today they may be asking you for advice. Each person has a job to do and sometimes when paths are crossed there is a need to know about the other person’s special touch. You may want to know how a paint color looks so much like fingernail polish or how to repair the binding in a book, etc. You enjoy the attention and make a good go-between for others to gain helpful information. You might enjoy performing as a tour guide. If you find a place you love, be a helpful guide or lecture on a creative site from the internet. Unconventional hobbies and other forms of self-expression that break from the norm play a bigger part in your life. Pay close attention to the time tonight.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Seeking professional advice is a wise move today. Professional challenges and knowing the right moves to make may take more than your expertise. A conference call or meeting could be in order. You may have trouble understanding those who seem a bit emotional or sentimental, yet your own practicality and factuality may attract just such types into your life. Challenges provide you with many choices and this is a good time to be creative and secure the positive choice. Consider taking a class in business or reading some book about the subject matter that concerns you. You will benefit from a time of study. Circumstances today may bring some wonderful surprises that result in your successful decisions. You are a natural in business matters.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This is a great time to begin a diet—the energies are working in your favor.

Your mental energies ideas and thoughts, etc. may undergo some transformation or change. There is a natural sense of growth and development—do not force things. Be patient and let any frustrations blow themselves out for now. Clashes with authority or someone older that possibly concern responsibilities are possible, but do not last long.

Concentrating and getting down to the real essential ideas are made clear at this time. The good life is not free so you may be thinking of the kinds of changes you will want to make.

Travel is desired and a business or job in the travel industry may be where you want to spend your energies. You and a loved one plan a budget.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Your personal goals will come into focus soon—continue to work on what it is that you really want to accomplish in this lifetime. Ask yourself what it is that you become passionate about—listen to your heart. If you are not involved in a love relationship now you may enjoy a new one by the end of the month. You will want to work on a more self-reliant identity. Self-confidence and having a plan for the future are winners these days when it comes to relationships. Faith, optimism and a yearning to explore all kinds of new horizons are some of the focal points in your life. Travel, education and other ways to stretch your horizons open new doors of opportunity. Religious, philosophical and cultural matters are also likely to have special appeal.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

36

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LIFESTYLE F e a t u r e s

A Crodough with your tea? London eats up new baking craze

In this frame grab from video, patrons dine at a restaurant called “Eat,” on Sunday in the Brooklyn borough of New York.—AP

NYC menu offers something

new: Silence

Q

uiet, please. Your dinner will now be served. That’s the message being sent to customers at a New York City restaurant that prohibits any talking during an occasionally put-on $40 pre-fixe, four-course meal. Nicholas Nauman, head chef at ‘Eat’ in Brooklyn’s trendy Greenpoint neighborhood, said he was inspired to pitch the tight-lipped consumption sessions after spending time in India, where Buddhist monks take their breakfast without exchanging words.

“It’s just an opportunity to enjoy food in a way you might not have otherwise,” said the chef, noting that the sounds of forks on dishes and cooks in the kitchen provide some background noise to the experience. “There’s such a strong energy in the room.” The silent-dining experience, experts said, seems to fit with other attention-getting shticks that many res-

Jennifer Rinkoff of the Rinkoff Bakery poses with a tray of “Cronuts”, a cross between a croissant and a doughnut, at the bakery in London.—AFP photos

F

irst there was the Cronut, now there’s the Dosant and the Crodough. Londoners, it seems, just can’t get enough of their doughnut-croissant crossovers. From hip east London to tea rooms, high-street cafes and sky-rise restaurants, the high-calorie hybrids are flying off the shelves like the proverbial hot cakes. The craze was dreamed up earlier this year by French chef Dominique Ansel at his bakery in New York, but across the Atlantic it has taken on a life of its own.

Jennifer Rinkoff, the fourth generation of her family working in their bakery in east London, claims to have been the first to import the doughnut-croissant into Britain. She worked for three days with a 100-year-old family dough recipe to perfect what she calls a Crodough—the name ‘Cronut’ already being under US trademark protection. Made from laminated dough—flattened and folded into countless layers—it is deep fried and then filled with a choice of custard, raspberry coulis or toffee apple crumble.

“I saw on Twitter that people were asking where they could get a Cronut in London,” she told AFP, as a queue began to form in the small bakery. “So I played with the dough and by the third day it was exactly how I wanted it.” Among those eying up the fresh, warm Crodoughs lining the counter was student Abi, 19, who heard about the phenomenon online. “We decided to hunt them out and they are just so tasty we had to have them. It’s like a custard explosion, like donut and croissant together—what more could you want?” she said. Rinkoff started off baking just a few Crodoughs as a trial, but now sells about 200 a day. “I wanted to inject a new trend into the business. I think it’s maybe more of a craze at the moment but I don’t think it’s a fad—I want it to be the next cupcake,” she said.

High-rise mash-up In London’s fast moving culinary world, the moreish mash-up has already made its way from back-street bakery to high-rise dining. At the Duck and Waffle restaurant, located on the 40th floor of the new Heron Tower sky scraper in the City of London, a Dosant has been added to the Sunday brunch menu. More recognizably a croissant, the Dosant is deep fried, rolled in caster sugar then stuffed with Chantilly lemon custard and sprinkled with chocolate. For those who can stomach its sickly sweetness, this heart-attack-inducing pastry has the lure of exclusivity.

“There were lots of friends and bloggers and people like that who really wanted to try it but weren’t in New York,” said executive chef Daniel Doherty. “We do a limited number, first come first serve. It’s through Twitter and Facebook and things like this—it makes people feel in the know and part of something.” Hybrid treats are also sold at Bea’s of Bloomsbury alongside brightlycoloured cupcakes, another US import, made popular by the hit sitcom “Sex in the City”.

There is the Townie, a tart-slash-brownie, as well as a Duffin, a muffin-cum-doughnut filled with fresh jam, dipped in butter and coated in sugar. “There are die-hard Duffin fans who come in for their fix every morning—and the Townie is more of an afternoon treat,” said Courtney King, manager of the Bea’s tea-room, near St Paul’s Cathedral. If final confirmation were needed that the hybrid is here to stay in Britain, Starbucks UK has introduced its own Duffin while Greggs, which has 1,600 bakeries across the country, sells a Cronut dubbed.... the Greggsnut.—AFP

Jennifer Rinkoff of the Rinkoff Bakery poses with a “Cronut” .

A picture taken yesterday shows a picture and paintings representing late French singer Edith Piaf displayed in her apartment now turned into a museum in Paris, on the eve of commemorating the 50th anniversary of her death. France’s greatest global star Edith Piaf died fifty years ago on October 10, 1963.—AFP

Chef traces origins of Canadian pea soup

A

curious Ottawa chef believes he has stumbled on the origins of Canadian cuisine while researching dishes to commemorate French explorer Samuel de Champlain’s travels 400 years ago. As with most nations in the Americas, Canadian cooking today has been influenced by centuries of immigration, but chef Marc Miron thinks there is also a common, underlying food tradition. Modern Canadian cuisine varies from region to region, influenced by British and French colonists and subsequent waves from Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

But Miron says he traced its roots to the cargo carried by Champlain, the famed navigator and founder of the New France settlement. The ingredients brought from Europe four centuries ago are still to be found, he told AFP, in “Habitant Pea Soup,” a hardy meal which now features dried yellow peas with salt pork and herbs. “When they came to Canada, they didn’t know what to expect so they loaded up their boats with dry beans, cured meats and salted fish; ingredients that would travel well and were nourishing,” he said.

“That would lead to the beginnings of Canadian cooking, with a strong French influence,” he said. Miron, who worked 20 years as executive chef for the Four Seasons hotel chain before returning to Ottawa in 2007 to open a gourmet food shore, said Champlain had also befriended local aboriginals.

“The people he met here would have influenced what he ate,” he said.

‘Hunting with the natives’ While in Canada Champlain would have replaced the fish that his mariner family was used to with wild game such as hare and caribou. “He would have gone hunting with the native peoples,”

said Miron. The aboriginals he encountered also ate a lot of wild berries, and shared this knowledge with him. This is the origin of a Canadian-style fruit frangipane, Miron argued. This month, Miron’s Cuisine & Passion gourmet shop is offering a taste of what Champlain ate to coincide with the city of Ottawa’s Champlain celebrations. “I thought, ‘We should do something very special like recreating what they ate during that time,” he said.

Miron tapped into government funding in order to offer cooking classes at reduced prices, but researching 17th century gastronomy proved to be an arduous task. “We know that French cuisine really started in the 1800s with people like Careme, Escoffier and others that started documenting recipes and structuring the way we eat now into courses,” he explained. “Previously it was hard to find written recipes.” Miron said he pored over historical documents and old books to find the odd mention of foods people ate during this era, and then tried to correlate them with recipes passed on from generation to generation.

A Canadian fan of the British television series “Downton Abbey” undertook a similar investigation for a cookbook based on the early 20th century cuisine featured in the show, including recipes for apple charlotte and roast chicken.

Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier also served a meal from the menu of the Titanic during last year’s commemoration of the tragic sinking in 1912. Food is a great link to the past, as well as a delightful guide to foreign cultures when travelling, said Miron. “You learn a lot more at the market about the local culture than you would at a shopping mall,” he said.—AFP

taurant owners and chefs often resort to in the notoriously competitive restaurant business.

At Moto, in Chicago, diners can eat the menu. In Paris, London, Barcelona and Moscow, restaurant-goers at Dans le Noir?

- French for “In the Dark?” - are served in the pitch-dark. And pop-up restaurants - where one chef takes over another’s restaurant for the night - have long been the rage. “As a mother of two 15-year-old boys it is kind of a fantasy to go do that,” said Tanya Steel, editor-in-chief of Epicurious.com, of the silent-dining experience at ‘Eat.’ “But as someone who pays money to go out, I would feel like I’m in some kind of silent film; it would be incredibly difficult.”—AP

Spikes

Saks

UK’s Hair & Beauty Group now in Kuwait

Asia announcement

H

aymarket Media and Lions Festivals are delighted to announce the appointment of Andrea Hayes, currently Group Events Director, Haymarket Media Asia, to the position of Festival Director of Spikes Asia, Digital Asia Festival and Festival of Asian Marketing Effectiveness.

Andrea, who was appointed Acting Festival Director for Spikes 2013 following Myriam Coupard’s leave of absence due to health reasons, will take on the role effective immediately to develop and grow the Haymarket Media and Lions Festivals joint venture businesses.

Spikes Asia 2013 saw 4,832 entries from 20 countries compete across 16 different awards categories; close to 1,800 delegates from 30 countries - 12% of which were marketers and media executives; a fantastic content programme of seminars and forums; the launch of the Young Media Academy, the Young Account Executive Academy, Masterclasses, TechTalk and the Production Zone.

“Andrea has played a major contributing factor in growing Haymarket Media’s events business in Asia and I have no hesitation in saying that under her leadership our joint venture Festivals business will embark on a new period of growth,” says Tim Waldron, Managing Director of Haymarket Media.

Philip Thomas, CEO of Lions Festivals says, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Myriam for all her hard work and dedication over the last four years.

She has been instrumental in driving Spikes Asia since the launch of the Lions Festivals and Haymarket Media joint venture, as well as inaugurating DAF and FAME. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming her back to London.”

Myriam will soon be returning to London to take up a position at Lions Festivals.

S

aks Hair & Beauty Group, held their official launch event in Kuwait at The Dorra Ballroom Hilton Hotel in a star studded event. The main attraction was an exciting hair and fashion show conducted by Saks very own Creative Director Alison Dace. Alison is one the UK’s most iconic hairdressing figures and she put on a dazzling show for the event guests show casting the latest range of Saks collections. The event was full of glamour and would not have looked out of place in New York, London or Paris with the models being dressed to thrill in their lavish dresses and wedding gowns by leading international designers such as Roland Mouret, Oscar de la Renta, and Carolina Herrera.

The event was truly one to remember, you were greeted by a poetic display of classical music beautifully orchestrated by the very talented British School of Kuwait. Also upon entering you could not help but notice a true British icon

the London Taxi and a charming Jaguar f-Type perfectly poised at the entrance of the event.

Fit for the occasion was the beauty host Samah Ghadour who was on hand to entertain the guest throughout the show. Speeches by Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, Kirsty Jewson and Stephen Kee Managing Director of Saks UK were also performed to solidify the official launch of Saks Hair and Beauty Kuwait. Once the glitz and glamour was over there was one more surprise in place which was the amazing Saks celebratory cake which was cut by the Saks Kuwait and Saks UK management to announce the official opening of Saks Hair & Beauty Kuwait. We are always excited to have such successful brands in Kuwait, but we are especially excited to see Saks Hair & Beauty the UK’s leading hair and beauty group here.

37

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LIFESTYLE M u s i c

‘Girls’

Biel, star Mamet set for super Crispy’s ‘Shiva & May’

&

M o v i e s

Travolta’s Heist movie ‘The Forger’ adds Ehle, Mount

John Travolta

J

essica Biel and “Girls” star Zosia Mamet are set to play long-lost sisters in Super Crispy Entertainment’s indie thriller “Shiva & May,” which hails from award-winning writer-director Diane Bell, TheWrap has learned. “Twilight Saga” actors Edi Gathegi and Joe Anderson co-star alongside Kate Burton (“Scandal”), while Harry Hamlin has agreed to a kinky cameo.

Jonathan Schwartz and Andrea Sperling are producing “Shiva & May” through their Super Crispy banner along with Greg Ammon. Bell’s manager Dan Halsted is executive producing the film, which is currently shooting in Los Angeles. Biel stars as a peaceful yoga instructor who finds herself behaving in ways she never imagined in an effort to protect her newly discovered sister Shiva (Mamet), who is a sex worker, from a less-than-savory boyfriend (Anderson).

Gathegi will play Biel’s boyfriend, while Burton will play Biel’s mother.

Super Crispy is a Santa Monica-based company known for its great taste in material and strong track record with movies featuring strong female leads. The company previously produced “Like Crazy,” which earned critical acclaim for Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence, as well as “Smashed,” which starred Mary Elizabeth Winstead in a tour-de-force performance. The company is repped by attorney Elsa Ramo and the law firm of Morris Yorn.

Bell is the Scottish filmmaker whose “Obselidia” won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize and a cinematography award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, where she met Schwartz at a party. Biel continues to push herself as an actress and has been focusing on more challenging dramatic material of late, playing Vera Miles in Fox Searchlight’s “Hitchcock” and starring alongside Kaya Scodelario in Francesca Gregorini’s indie drama “The Truth About Emanuel.” She’s repped by CAA, LBI Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen.

Mamet, who plays Shoshanna Shapiro on HBO’s hit series “Girls,” beat out stiff competition for the role of Shiva. She’s repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment and attorney Stan Coleman. Gathegi’s credits include “Twilight,” “X-Men: First Class” and Ben Affleck’s directorial debut “Gone Baby Gone.” He also co-stars in Cameron Crowe’s new movie, which stars Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone. Gathegi is repped by ICM Partners, Framework Entertainment and attorney Bianca Levin.

Anderson, who recently appeared in “The Grey” and will soon be seen alongside Daniel Radcliffe in “Horns,” is repped by CAA and Management 360. Burton, who plays Vice President Sally Langston on ABC’s “Scandal,” is repped by the Gersh Agency, Principal Entertainment LA and Lou Coulson Associates. Hamlin, who was last seen on AMC’s “Mad Men” and Showtime’s “Shameless,” is repped by Paradigm and Luber Roklin Entertainment.—Reuters

J

ennifer Ehle (“Zero Dark Thirty”), Anson Mount (AMC’s “Hell on Wheels”), Abigail Spencer (“Oz the Great and Powerful”) and Belgian-born actor Marcus Thomas have joined John Travolta in “The Forger,” a heist film being produced and co-financed by Code Entertainment and The Solution Entertainment Group.

Philip Martin is directing the film, which also stars Tye Sheridan (“Mud”) and Oscar winner Christopher Plummer.

Code’s Al Corley, Bart Rosenblatt and Eugene Musso are producing along with Prospect Park’s Rob Carliner. Jonathan Dana and Randi Michel will executive produce alongside The Solution’s Lisa Wilson and Myles Nestel. Anson Downes and Linda Favila will serve as co-executive producers. Written by Richard D’Ovidio, “The Forger” follows former child art prodigy and petty thief Ray Cutter (Travolta), who arranges to buy his way out of prison so he can spend time with his ailing son (Sheridan). Ray and his father (Plummer) must come together to carry out one last big job for the syndicate that financed his early release.

Ehle will co-star as Travolta’s emotionally fragile exwife, while Mount will play a member of the syndicate who creates trouble for him. Spencer will play a DEA agent and Thomas will play Ray’s long-time friend and wingman. Production started Monday in Boston. The Solution is handling international sales, while WME Global and ICM Partners are handling domestic sales.

Ehle, who next stars alongside Kevin Costner in Mike Binder’s drama “Black and White,” previously starred in “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Contagion.” Mount, who will soon be seen in “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane,” recently wrapped the Liam Neeson thriller “Non-Stop.” Spencer currently stars in Sundance Channel’s original series “Rectify,” while Thomas’ past credits include John Dahl’s “You Kill Me.” Ehle is repped by ICM Partners and Independent Talent Group. Mount is repped by by CAA and Brookside Artist Management, while ICM Partners and Untitled Entertainment rep Spencer.--Reuters

Michael Jackson estate

sues over products in Japan

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ichael Jackson’s estate is suing a man and three companies in Japan, alleging they are using the name and likeness of the late pop star on key chains, mugs and other products without permission. The lawsuit filed in Tokyo District Court last month does not seek money but demands the actions stop. It names Ryosuke Matsuura and three companies, Michael Jackson Asian Rights, Michael Jackson Enterprises and Michael Jackson World.

The companies run elaborate online sites that proclaim it owns the rights to Jackson products in Asia, displays photos of the singer, and sells 2,100 yen ($21) towels, 525 ($5) post cards and 10,000 yen ($100) lighters that have his image plastered on them. The estate said it wants to protect its legitimate partners and preserve the legacy of Jackson, who died in California in 2009 from an anesthetic overdose. “Many in Japan have been misled by the defendants,” the estate said in a statement. “Michael loved his millions of Japanese fans, all of whom deserve the opportunity to purchase legitimate and authentic Michael Jackson goods.”

Yutaka Fujino, an executive at one of the companies, said Wednesday he wanted to study the AP’s questions before commenting. Estate attorney Kensuke Ambe said Matsuura is contesting the allegations, but he has not heard back from the others. Matsuura did not answer repeated calls. The estate estimated the value of the unauthorized products at 123 million yen ($1.23 million), according to the lawsuit documents. “The defendants are taking advantage of the fact that Michael is dead to act as though they have obtained the rights,” the documents said.

Also behind the lawsuit is Triumph, an American company wholly owned by the estate and set up by Jackson to handle his merchandising. The estate erased nearly $500 million in debt after Jackson’s death and keeps churning out new products. It opened a Las Vegas Cirque-du-Soleil show this year and is likely considering additional releases of Jackson-related material to ensure his mother and three children keep living comfortably and fans have new material to see and hear. Triumph sued another Japanese company that sold Jackson goods and won in 2011. Japanese are among Jackson’s most loyal fans, and many stuck with him through his two trials centered on child-molestation charges, which never resulted in convictions. He repeatedly denied the charges. His death brought much of this nation out in mourning.—AP

Michael Jackson

Drake, Macklemore, Thicke set for Grammy nods show

D File photo shows Drake performing at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.—AP

rake, Robin Thicke, Keith Urban and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will perform on the Grammy Awards nominations special in December. The Recording Academy made the announcement yesterday. The show will be held Dec 6 at the Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.

Rapper-actor LL Cool J will host “The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! - Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night.” The one-hour

Baldwin stalking trial to begin November 6

special will air on CBS starting at 10 pm Eastern. (0200 GMT). Thicke is a top Grammy contender. His “Blurred Lines” is the year’s biggest smash. He has won Grammys for writing songs for Usher and Jennifer Hudson. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis also have a strong chance for Grammy gold. Their breakthrough year includes three international hits and a platinum debut with “The Heist.”—AP File photo shows Robin Thicke performs on NBC’s “Today” show in New York.—AP

Worthington, Sturgess,

Kwanten to kidnap Hopkins

“A

A

Genevieve Sabourin leaves court in New York, Tuesday.—AP

Canadian actress accused of stalking American actor Alec Baldwin will go on trial in New York on November 6 on charges that she strenuously denies, a judge decided Tuesday. Genevieve Sabourin, who has refused offers to settle the charges out of court, says they stem out of an “misunderstanding”. “They have no case,” she said Tuesday, insisting again that she did “absolutely not” stalk Baldwin. Judge Erika Edwards set next month’s trial date. Sabourin was arrested in April 2012 days after showing up at Baldwin’s Manhattan apartment when the star of the TV comedy hit series “30 Rock” filed stalking charges.

He accused Sabourin of sending love-struck emails and asking him to marry her. The actress claims to have had a sexual relationship with Baldwin, having first met him in 2002, and that they had romantic ties afterwards. Baldwin has admitted to seeing Sabourin again in 2010, but only for dinner. The judge on Tuesday warned Sabourin that she was still barred from going anywhere near Baldwin, who married second wife Hilaria in 2012.

She gave birth to the couple’s first child last August.

Prosecutors have twice indicated they would be ready to settle the case if Sabourin pledges not to go within 10 blocks of the home or office of the actor and his wife and to get therapy. But Sabourin has refused, saying she has no need of treatment. She has also said that she is homeless and destitute and would be barred from re-entering the United States if she were to plead guilty. On Tuesday she was wearing a blue dress, which she said cost $17, and black Gucci shoes.—AFP

Sam Worthington

vatar” star Sam Worthington,”Cloud Atlas” actor Jim Sturgess and “True Blood” stud RyanKwanten will join Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins in Informant Media’s international action-thriller “Kidnapping Freddy Heineken,” the company announced Tuesday. Daniel Alfredson, who directed both sequels to the original Swedish adaptation of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” will direct from a script by UK-based writer William Brookfield, who adapted the bestselling book by Netherlands crime journalist Peter R de Vries.

Story follows one of the most notorious kidnappings of the 21st Century, which resulted in the largest ransom ever paid for an individual at that time. Brewery magnate Freddy Heineken (Hopkins) and his chauffeur, Ab Doderer, were kidnapped in 1983 and released for a ransom of 35 million Dutch guldens, which is the equivalent of about $50 million today. Worthington, Sturgess and Kwanten will likely play the kidnappers in the movie, which also stars Netherlands actor Mark van Eeuwen and Australian newcomer Tom Cocquerel..—Reuters

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LIFESTYLE M u s i c

‘Tomorrow People’:

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M o v i e s

Supercharged youth under threat Review

‘12 Years a Slave’

A captivating, harrowing historical horror show

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This image realased by The CW shows, from left, Robbie Amell as Stephen, Aaron Woo as Russell, Luke Mitchell as John and Peyton List as Cara in a scene from “The Tomorrow People”.—AP

T

he title of “The Tomorrow People” sounds like a good name for a circa-1967 rock band. Come to think of it, the premise of this new CW series seems lifted from the ‘60s, too. Consider: A number of attractive under-30s guys and gals are getting so much resistance from behind, in the form of a paramilitary group of scientists who don’t like the fact that these Tomorrow People are a genetically advanced race boasting such gifts as telekinesis, teleportation and telepathic communication.

These youngsters are liable to step out of line with their amazing powers (or so the opposing force, called Ultra, fears). So these men mean to come and take them away - as in, eliminate. No wonder the outcasts hide out in an abandoned Manhattan subway station. Into this band of Tomorrow People arrives Stephen Jameson, a high school kid who is discovering within himself unsettling new powers and urges, and doesn’t know what to make of them (he thinks he’s going crazy). The Tomorrow People implore him to join up.

But Dr Jedikiah Price, the leader of Ultra, wants

Stephen to join his struggle to eradicate the Tomorrow People, whom he believes pose an unpredictable, uncontrollable threat. “I’m not the bad guy here,” Price tells Stephen. “Not by a long shot.” What is Stephen to do: join the Establishment or embrace his counter-culture specialness in defiance of the old guard? Add to the mix yet another ingredient - Stephen’s search for the father who just may be a heroic revolutionary instead of a deserting deadbeat - and you’ve got a heady brew of action, sci-fi and vision quest.

It’s also fun. Robbie Amell (“Revenge”) stars as Stephen, with Mark Pellegrino (“Lost,” “Supernatural”) as Dr Price. Luke Mitchell (“H20: Just Add Water”), Peyton List (“Mad Men”) and Aaron Yoo (“Disturbia”) make up the Tomorrow People’s recruiting committee. “The Tomorrow People” premiered yesterday at 9 pm EDT. Everybody look! What’s going down!--AP

tarting out with a wronged-innocent-man plot that would have given Hitchcock some sleepless nights, and then plunging that beleaguered hero into one of American history’s most horrifying abominations, Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” gives us a look at slavery more shocking and unflinching than we’ve ever seen on the big screen.

Adapting the memoir by Solomon Northrup, artist-turned-filmmaker McQueen (“Shame,” “Hunger”) and screenwriter John Ridley (“Three Kings,” “Red Tails”) seem determined to obliterate any lingering “Gone With the Wind”-inspired notions that the antebellum South was a place of grace and charm, or that slavery was, in the euphemism of the day, merely a “peculiar institution.” “12 Years a Slave” may not reach the wide audience of “Roots,” or have the mass cultural impact of that miniseries - and with today’s splintered media landscape, probably nothing ever will - but it packs as much if not more than a wallop, with an R rating that allows for a heightened sense of violence and cruelty.

Northrup (portrayed memorably here by Chiwetel Ejiofor) was a free man living in Saratoga, NY, in 1841.

Two smooth-talking producers (Scoot McNairy and Taran Killam) hire him to play violin for their traveling circus, and when they reach Washington, DC, the showmen drug Northrup and sell him into slavery.

Realizing that protesting his status will only get himkilled, he remains silent and is sold into servitude, now going by the name of “Platt.”

Working first for mill-owner William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch) - who’s smart enough to realize that Northrup wasn’t born in chains but too in debt to the slave trader (Paul Giamatti) to say anything about it - and then for cruel cotton grower Edwin Epps (McQueen regular Michael Fassbender), Northrup endures mental and physical abuse and

hardship, all the while nurturing an ever-dimming hope that he will be able to contact the outside world and regain his freedom.

“12 Years a Slave” isn’t as cool and dispassionate as McQueen’s earlier films, and it doesn’t indulge the director’s penchant for long takes nearly as much, but the results are no less intense. At times, the material itself is so hard to watch - Epps forcing Northrup to flay a fellow slave, for instance - that McQueen realizes that a few changes of camera angle aren’t going to make the scene any less challenging.

One of McQueen’s effective techniques is to keep the audio from one scene playing over the next as a chilling counterpoint. At one moment, for instance, a cruel overseer (Paul Dano) sings a creepy song of warning about what happens to slaves who attempt to run away, and that song - which just keeps going and going, long after you wish he would stop - starts playing over a church service being held for the slaves. That juxtaposition reminds us of the constant undercurrent of fear those slaves must have felt even during moments of supposed compassion from their exploiters.

And while “Hunger” and “Shame” both revolved around relatively small casts of speaking characters, McQueen creates a rich ensemble of performances here. Ejiofor guides us through this hell as deftly as Dante, forcing us to behold events we don’t want to watch, all the while hoping for his survival and deliverance. Fassbender’s Bible-thumping sadist registers - as does Sarah Paulson’s turn as his wife, who’s capable of both cruelty and compassion - and performers like Giamatti, Killam, Alfre Woodard (as a master’s high-living mistress) and “Pariah” star Adepero Oduye (unforgettable as a woman forcibly separated from her children) make an impact even when they’re only on screen for a scene or two.—Reuters

Iron Man flying into Disneyland

Hong Kong in 2016

“I

ron Man 3” was the biggest box office hit of the year, and Disney Parks plans on cashing in on the Marvel superhero’s notoriety at Hong Kong Disneyland. The Iron Man Experience, slated to open in 2016, is the first Disney attraction based on a Marvel character. It will be based within the Stark Expo - a fictional technology trade show existing within the Marvel universe - where guests will get to see the progression of Tony’s Iron Man suits and many other Stark innovations.

But that’s not all. Upon entering the thrill-ride portion of the attraction, visitors will take flight with Iron Man as he battles nasty alien invaders through the streets and skies of Hong Kong. “We are extremely

confident in and committed to the continued growth and success of Hong Kong Disneyland,” Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said Tuesday. “I’m excited to see Iron Man become a part of that success when we welcome guests to the attraction in late 2016.”

Staggs made no mention of whether or not Robert Downey Jr, the actor who makes the big bucks to play Tony Stark on the big screen, will be involved. “Iron Man 3” has made over $1.2 billion around the globe after hitting the box office in May, while “The Avengers” - in which Iron Man is largely considered the glue to the franchise - banked more than $1.5 billion after being released in theaters in 2012.—Reuters (From Left) Actress Lupita Nyong’o, director Steve McQueen, actress Sarah Paulson, actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, actress Alfre Woodard, and actor Paul Dano attend the “All Is Lost”, “12 Years A Slave” & “Nebraska” premieres during the 51st New York Film Festival at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on October 8, 2013 in New York City.—AFP

Sting T

Madonna, Davies up for

Songwriters Hall of Fame

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adonna, John Mellencamp and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy

Page and Robert Plant are among the nominees for the 2014 Songwriters Hall of Fame. They are joined by a number of top acts, including Ray Davies, Cyndi Lauper and Linda Perry. The Songwriters Hall of Fame gave The Associated Press a list of nominees in advance of the official announcement, set for today. The gala will be held June 12 at the New York

Marriott Marquis.

Also nominated are Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Vince Gill, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, Donovan, Cat Stevens and Harry Wayne Casey. Nonperforming songwriter nominees include “Midnight Train to Georgia” writer Jim Weatherly, Motown songwriter William “Mickey” Stevenson and country music songwriters Bobby Braddock and Bill Anderson.—AP

tries musical theater with ‘Last Ship’

here’s’ an eerie truth to a song on Sting’s new album, “The Last Ship.” “Dead Man’s Boots” tells the story of a father passing a job to his son that the boy simply doesn’t want. In a way, that story parallels the musician’s life. Born in the English shipbuilding town of Wallsend, Sting clearly wanted no part of the industry, instead attending university to become a teacher.

But that wasn’t enough, so two years later he made an even bolder move: to pursue a career in music.

“There were no clues in my environment that you leave that environment and fare well and be successful. My parents didn’t really understand what my dreams were, they just thought I was crazy, because I had just given up a job with a pension and the security, in their eyes,” he said. Sitting in a sweater with trademark T-shirt and leather pants, he holds a guitar as he revisits some of those moments. “My dad really didn’t understand till the end of his days what the hell I was doing. He though that I should have had a proper job. Maybe he was right,” Sting joked. “I wanted to take a risk and be a star.

I don’t know where I got the confidence from. I just got lucky.”

After a successful run with his seminal band, The Police, and the prolific solo career that followed, Sting’s first new recording in nearly a decade may be his most ambitious project. The 62-yearold musician is turning to a medium that some of his musical counterparts have found treacherous: musical theater. “I want to surprise an audience; I want to surprise the listener. I want

to surprise myself. To me the essence of music is surprise, every eight bars you need a surprise, otherwise people fall asleep,” he said. “The Last Ship” will serve as the backbone of a musical by the same name. It’s tricky territory even for the biggest music stars. Elton John was humbled by the failed “Lestat” before finding success with “Billy Elliot” and “The Lion King.” U2’s Bono and Edge finally got on track with “Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark,” after numerous postponed openings. And Cyndi Lauper won the Tony this year with “Kinky Boots.”

But then there’s “Taboo” by Culture Club frontman Boy George, and “The Capeman” by Paul Simon, regarded as some of Broadway’s biggest flops. “I didn’t go into the thing completely naïve. I worked in musical theater myself,” he says, citing his role in “Threepenny Opera” and his first paying job, playing bass for the 1970s revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Before coming to Broadway, “The Last Ship” will play an out-oftown engagement in Chicago next June. That will give Sting some time to refine it.

Not every song on the album will make it in the show, and some new ones will be added. That’s fine by Sting, especially since he’s learned that not every great song fits well in musical theater.

“A good song can last for three minutes and you’re just expressing one emotion. You can’t have that in the theater. —AP

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

LIFESTYLE M o v i e s

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M u s i c

File photo shows people attend the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival at Busan Cinema Center in Busan, south of Seoul, South Korea.

Busan film fest grows on goodwill of Asia’s stars

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Chinese actor Aaron Kwok and South Korean actress Kang Soo-yeon pose before hosting the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival at Busan Cinema Center in Busan, south of Seoul, South Korea, Thursday.—AP photos

ow much would it cost to hire Asia’s biggest movie stars to host the region’s largest film event? Hong Kong star Aaron Kwok opened this year’s Busan International Film Festival for a mere 500,000 won, or $465, according to Yang Heon Kyu, who oversees the festival’s budget. In 2012, Chinese actress Tang Wei accepted the same amount. The goodwill from big-name stars is one indication of how important Busan has become to the Asian film industry in less than two decades.

It is not just actors. Lee Chang-dong, whose “Poetry” won best screenplay at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, is receiving 1 million won ($928) to serve as dean of the festival’s 18-day training academy for novice filmmakers. Other veteran filmmakers received 300,000 won ($278) or less for teaching. “The dean has to buy dinner for students,” said Yang, explaining why the pay is higher. China’s Jia Zhang-ke and Iran’s Abbas Kiarostami are among acclaimed filmmakers who have taught at Busan in past years.

The festival also has nearly 900 volunteers to assist audiences, screen movies, sell tickets and ensure subtitles are in place while getting paid less than $10 a day during the 10-day festival. Volunteers are a staple of film festivals around the world, though the sheer number of them at Busan is unusual. “There’s almost no film festivals with so many volunteers like here,”

said Kim Ji-seok, the festival’s executive programmer.

The festival in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, is one of the most important events in the Asian film industry, drawing more than 200,000 visitors last year.

China and Japan are the world’s second- and thirdbiggest film markets, and South Korean entertainers are regional superstars, heightening international interest in the festival.

Unlike top international film festivals in Cannes, Berlin and Venice - Busan has found a niche as a noncompetitive movie festival, organizers said, although a few prizes intended to help new directors are given out.

Tickets for “Stranger by the Lake” and “Adele: Chapter 1& 2,” both from Cannes, were highly sought in Busan, partly because their nudity and explicit sex scenes were expected to make local releases tough. “Local moviegoers can see award-winning works from Cannes and Berlin in the past year and foreign audiences can see all Asian and Korean movies,” said Lee Yong-kwan, the festival’s director.

Busan also distinguished itself from older festivals by helping unearth new talent in Asia. Some 94 out of 301 movies from 70 countries selected for this year were created by first- or second-time filmmakers. The festival opened last week with a drama by Khyentse Norbu, a Buddhist monk from Bhutan, and closes with “The Dinner,” Kim Dong-hyun’s independent feature made outside the local studio system.

The festival, which runs from Oct 3-12, coincides with events such as the Asian Project Market and Asian Film Academy, so new cineastes can meet with veteran moviemakers, investors and sales officials from around the world and launch their careers. Thai filmmaker Sopawan Boonnimitra, co-director of “The Isthmus,” said she hoped her debut feature would be screened in Busan because she wanted to see reactions from Korean audiences. Her film is one of 12 competing for the $30,000 New Currents awards that fund two first- or second-time Asian filmmakers.

Busan’s budget for this year increased slightly from last year to 12.5 billion won ($11.6 million), thanks to increased corporate sponsorship. That is larger than the Tokyo International Film Festival, which operated on a $7 million budget, and a festival in Hong Kong, which had $5 million. Busan city government has been contributing about half of the film festival’s annual budget for years, while the Seoul government offered 1.5 billion won in 2013.

Even though love of Asian cinema and the goodwill of stars and volunteers have helped drive the festival’s growth in the last 18 years, the organizer acknowledged the festival might face pressure to pay better. “People work for the festival because of their passion for film but they don’t get paid much,” said Yang. “This could be an issue in the future.”—AP

Review

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A stellar Hanks in harrowing ‘Phillips’

f you saw Paul Greengrass’s “United 93,” a terrifying gonna be OK, right?” and him commenting stiffly that Maersk Alabama has no gun power aboard, only huge depiction of one of the doomed flights on 9/11, the “world is moving so fast.” hoses to repel pirates and their machine guns. They you know this director can evoke a harrowing, But once Phillips gets onto his ship, the movie don’t work. Soon, four pirates have hoisted a ladder real-life event like few others. In fact, you may not have truly starts. What Greengrass excels at is action - taut onto the ship. “I’m the captain now,” says their leader, recovered yet from the experience. So it’s no surprise and visceral - and it happens as soon as the captain Muse. And the ordeal begins. Greengrass and cinemathat Greengrass has produced another tographer Barry Ackroyd are at their most expertly crafted, documentary-style film effective in scenes like the frightening based on a real event - the 2009 hijacksearch - in tense, dark spaces, in extreme ing of a cargo ship by Somali pirates and closeup - by increasingly angry pirates the five-day standoff that ensued, with hunting down the crew. the ship’s American captain, Richard On the other hand, this is where the Phillips, held captive in a stifling covered camerawork gets ever more unstable lifeboat after offering himself as a hosand jittery. Good for dramatic effect - but tage. bad if you’re susceptible to queasiness A major difference is that this movie or nausea at such times. Be forewarned. has a happy ending - for the captain, Things get even more intense in the lifeanyway, who was rescued in a dramatic boat, where the pirates are locked in with high-seas Navy sniper operation. Three Phillips for several agonizing days. With of the overmatched attackers were the US Navy bearing down, it’s pretty killed; the fourth is in a US prison. More clear where it’s all headed. The only quescinematically speaking, the difference tion: Who will die? is that “Captain Phillips” is a star vehicle.

The movie humanizes the pirates but In some cases, this can detract from the is not inclined to forgive them. All four sense of veracity of a truth-based film.

Somali actors are excellent, but especially Tom Hanks, though, delivers some of his Barkhad Abdi, memorable as Muse. As for finest work here, playing the Everyman Hanks, his final moments are his best, as role he does so well, in this case a fairly Phillips registers in an intensely personal ordinary guy forced by circumstance to This film image released by Sony - Columbia Pictures shows Tom Hanks, center, way the cumulative effects of what he’s be a hero. endured. It’s safe to say those moments in “Captain Phillips.” –AP photos And yet “Captain Phillips” is a rewill be what’s remembered most from markably unsentimental film, with an this movie, and for a long time. “Captain emotional catharsis coming only at the very end, suddenly looks at a screen and sees two small dots Phillips,” a Sony Pictures release, is rated PG-13 by the when we’re all ready for some kind of release. This is moving toward the ship. Two skiffs are carrying bands Motion Picture Association of America for “sustained where Hanks digs deepest as an actor. Oddly, the film of armed men; from an early scene on a Somali beach, intense sequences of menace, some violence with falters only at the beginning - in a brief and awkward we know they’ve been whipped into action by their bloody images, and substance use.” Running time: 134 domestic scene between Phillips, preparing for what warlords. When they realize they’ve happened upon a minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.—AP he assumes is a routine voyage, and his wife, Andrea US ship, they can’t believe their luck.

(Catherine Keener, in a tiny part). The two share stilted What WE can’t believe is how a huge cargo ship is dialogue on a drive to the airport, with her asking: “It’s so vulnerable to small bands of armed men. But the

Cyrus on making up with O’Connor: I don’t know

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iley Cyrus says she’s not sure she’ll make up with Sinead O’Connor after the back and forth drama between the singers. When asked in an interview Tuesday if she and the 46-year-old performer would kiss and make up, Cyrus replied with: “I don’t know. Are we supposed to kiss?”

Cyrus made the comments in New York when meeting fans at a CD signing for her new album, “Bangerz,” released Tuesday. The drama launched last week when the Irish chanteuse warned the young singer to avoid being sexually exploited by the music industry. The first open letter came after Cyrus said her “Wrecking Ball” video, where she is nude and licks a sledgehammer, was inspired by O’Connor’s famous “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Cyrus responded on Twitter by mentioning O’Connor’s struggles with bipolar disorder and compared the singer-songwriter to troubled actress Amanda Bynes, who has been treated in a psychiatric hospital. The feud between the performers continued Tuesday when O’Connor published a fourth open letter to Cyrus, asking for an apology. The “We Can’t Stop” singer was all smiles as she thanked the hundreds of fans at Planet Hollywood for buying and listening to her new album. “Bangerz” features Britney Spears, Pharrell, will.i.am and others. “It’s so rad to see all my fans out here. I’ve been trying to keep this music a secret for a year, so now that it’s bumping on the speakers it feels so good,” she said.—AP

Recording artist Miley Cyrus attends an album release signing event, on Tuesday, at Planet Hollywood in New York.—AP

File photo shows Casey Kasem poses for photographers after receiving the Radio Icon award during The 2003 Radio Music Awards at the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.—AP

Kasem children

seek control of his health care

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he three adult children of radio host Casey Kasem have filed a legal petition to gain control of his health care. The filing says Kasem is suffering from advanced Parkinson’s disease and is being isolated from his children, friends and family members by his wife.

The petition for conservatorship filed Monday brought a long-running family feud into the courts.

The applicants, Julie, Kerri and Mike Kasem, contend that Kasem’s wife Jean refuses to tell them the name of their father’s primary care physician and they are unable to check on his condition. Julie Kasem, who has a master’s degree in medicine, and her husband, Dr Jamil Aboulhosn, presented papers signed by her father in 2007 giving them power of attorney over his health care in the event he was unable to make such decisions himself.

But they said they are unable to fulfill their duties because Jean Kasem, his wife of 30 years, refuses to provide access to Kasem or the name of his doctor.

Attempts to reach Jean Kasem were unsuccessful. The 81-year-old Kasem, who gained fame with his radio music countdown shows, “American Top 40” and “Casey’s Top 40,” was also the voice of Shaggy in the cartoon “Scooby Doo.” The court petition says he may have early onset Parkinson’s dementia.

“The proposed conservatee has the ability to shuffle short distances, but is mainly bedridden and requires the assistance of a wheelchair to move any distance,” the court papers state. The filing asks that Jean Kasem allow the Kasem family to visit and carry out the directives of the 2007 health care authorization. The court papers say Julie Kasem has extensive experience in the care of aging parents and worked for five years caring for terminally ill veterans. Her husband is a doctor who specializes in cardiovascular medicine. Attorney Andrew N Katzenstein, who represents the children, said he could not comment.—AP

Cyrus on making up with O’Connor: I don’t know

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Kris and Bruce Jenner confirm they’ve split up W

hich “Keeping up with the Kardashians” couple might be on the rocks always makes for good tabloid fodder but one couple is ready to say they’re over - and have been for a while. Kris and Bruce Jenner have confirmed they separated a year ago, after 22 years together. In an interview with US magazine hitting newsstands Friday, Kris Jenner says their scenes together on the show have been genuine and there’s no animosity between them.

She says they’re committed to their family.

Her former Olympic champion husband says they’ll always love and respect each other. News of the split was first reported by E! News. They say no divorce papers have been filed and that Bruce will continue to appear on the family’s reality show. The admission explains why on recent episodes, Bruce Jenner moved out to his own beach house, saying he needed more space. The couple’s teenage daughters, Kendall and Kylie, were also filmed joining him for the summer, because their house with mom Kris was too crowded after half-sister Kim Kardashian moved in with Kanye West and their new daughter.

Since Bruce Jenner moved out, he’s still featured on the series often. Kris Jenner has taped scenes at his new

This April 5, 2009 file photo shows Kris Jenner, left, and her husband Bruce Jenner at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.

home, as have the other Kardashian kids. Fifty-seven-year-old Kris Jenner and 63-year-old Bruce Jenner married in April 1991, less than a year after getting fixed up on a blind date. At the time, Bruce had already been married twice before and had four children. Kris Jenner was newly divorced from Robert Kardashian, a prominent attorney who defended former football star O.J. Simpson on charges that he murdered his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman.

Kris Jenner already had four kids, Kim, Khloe -wife of pro basketball star Lamar Odom- Kourtney Kardashian and Rob Kardashian. Bruce Jenner has served as a father figure to Kris Jenner’s children, especially since the death of Robert Kardashian in 2003 of cancer. “Keeping up with the Kardashians” is in its eighth season on the E! network.—AP

This cover image released by US Weekly shows the exclusive announcement about the break-up of celebrity couple Bruce Jenner and Kris Jenner.–AP Photos

Prehistoric Brazil

Handout undated pictures released by the Museum of the American Man Foundation (FUMDHAM), show cave arts in a cavern at Serra da Capivara National Park in Piaui State, Northwest of Brazil.

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t’s no secret humans have been having sex for millennia—but recently discovered cave art suggests they were doing it in the Americas much earlier than many archeologists believed. A new exhibit in Brazil showcases artifacts dating as far back as 30,000 years ago—throwing a wrench in the commonly held theory humans first crossed to the Americas from Asia a mere 12,000 years ago. The 100 items on display in Brasilia, including cave paintings and ceramic art, depict animals, ceremonies, hunting expeditions—and even scenes from the sex lives of this ancient group of early Americans.

The artifacts come from the Serra da Capivara national park in Brazil’s northeastern Piaui state, on the border of the Amazon and Atlantic Forests, which attracted the hunter-gatherer civilization that left behind this hoard of local art. Since the 1970s, Franco-Brazilian archaeologist Niede Guidon has headed a mission to carry out large-scale excavation of Piaui’s interior.

“It’s difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art,” the 80-year-old Guidon told AFP.

Many paths led to Americas Other traces of the civilization include charcoal remains of structured fires, explained Guidon, who hails from Sao Paulo. “To date, these are the oldest traces” of human existence in the Americas, she emphasized. The widely held theory has suggested human beings only reached the Americas some 12,000 years ago from Asia, crossing the Bering Strait to reach Alaska. Some archeologists contend flaked pebbles at the Brazilian sites are not evidence of a crude, human-made fire hearth made some 40 millennia

A handout undated picture released by the Museum of the American Man Foundation (FUMDHAM), shows a general view of the Serra da Capivara National Park in Piaui State, Northwest of Brazil.—AFP photos

View of an intervened abandoned car of the project “Ocupe Carrinho” (Occupy Little Car) in Sao Paulo, Brazil on October 8, 2013. The project “Ocupe Carrinho” was created by a group of artists to transform abandoned cars into colorful artworks in the streets of Sao Paulo.—AFP

ago, but are rather geofacts—a natural stone formation, not a man-made one.

But Guidon said she believes the Serra dwellers may have come originally from Africa, and she said the cave art provides compelling evidence of early human activity. The paintings are estimated to date back some 29,000 years, she said, noting: “When it began in Europe and Africa, it did here too.” Other sites, including Valsequillo in Mexico and Monte Verde in Chile, also indicate the presence of communities tens of thousands of years ago. These sites have led archeologists to speculate that peoples traveled various routes to reach the Americas and at different stages, archeologist Gisele Daltrini Felice told AFP.

In search of tourists UNESCO conferred World Heritage status on the Serra da Capivara in 1991, but tourists remain thin on the ground, which frustrates Guidon.

“After putting in a great amount of effort (to promote the site) we are up to 20,000 visitors a year,” the archeologist said. But “World Heritage sites get millions, and we are prepared to receive millions,” she added. The interior of the Piaui region is marked by widespread poverty, which has much to gain from tourism, Guidon stressed.

But resources are lacking to promote the attractions in a remote corner of the giant nation, she said. The nearest city is the modest town of Sao Raimundo Nonato, which has spent years trying to have an airport built. The EU is promoting both the new exhibit as well as a swath of conferences on the area under the auspices of UNESCO, Brazil’s Institute of Parks and the country’s Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage.

“The idea is to promote cultural, historic and nature-based tourism in order to aid the development of areas adjoining Brazil’s major parks—and especially the Serra da Capivara, which has the most modern infrastructure,” with 172 sites to visit, said Jerome Poussielgue, European Union cooperation and development officer for Brazil.

A cavern with cave art at Serra da Capivara National Park in Piaui State, Northwest of Brazil.

And the foundation behind research into the park is backing development projects—including a ceramics factory that reproduces images of the cave art, a program aimed at giving local women work experience. “We would like to help in the development of a region where women suffer hugely from violence,” says Guidon.—AFP