24th Oct 2013

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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13MP threatens 11 11to grill 20 public works minister Government, Assembly review priorities

Kuwait wants Saudis to take up seat at UN KUWAIT: Kuwait is trying to persuade Saudi Arabia to take up the UN Security Council seat that Riyadh has spurned in protest at the world body’s failure to end the war in Syria, a senior Kuwaiti official said yesterday.

“We are part of efforts to convince Saudi (Arabia) to take the seat back,” Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al-Jarallah told reporters, adding that the Saudis had yet to officially notify the United Nations of its decision.

Saudi Arabia’s two-year term on the 15member Security Council would have started on Jan 1. Its unprecedented decision on Friday to turn down its seat has created uncertainty over the procedures for finding an alternative country to fill it. Kuwait, which like Saudi Arabia belongs to the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, has emerged as an early frontrunner, but Jarallah said: “It is too early to talk about this.” — Reuters

Saudi women inch closer to the wheel Govt issues warning DUBAI: Saudi female activists are gearing up to test a long-standing driving ban, with more defiant women already getting behind the wheel as the authorities seem to be taking a more lenient approach. But later yesterday, the Saudi Interior Ministry said calls on social media for “banned gatherings and marches” to encourage women to drive were illegal. “The Interior Ministry confirms to all that the concerned Continued on Page 13

By B Izzak KUWAIT: MP Saadoun Hammad announced yesterday that he plans to question in the Assembly Minister of Public Works and Electricity and Water Abdulaziz AlIbrahim over alleged irregularities and scrapping the contracts of key projects. Hammad told reporters that the minister recently scrapped the contracts for four new hospitals out of favour for a businessman close to him, adding that he will name the businessman during the grilling.

The minister last week said he had ordered the scrapping of the four hospital projects because of their high cost and in order to safeguard public funds. But Hammad claimed that the actual motive for the minister’s action was because a company of a particular businessman close to the minister did not win any of the four contracts. The lawmaker charged that the minister has effectively obstructed the implementation of the development plan, especially that the four hospitals are mentioned by name in the plan.

He said the minister sought the assistance of a committee from outside the ministry to evaluate the contracts and that some members of the committee have problems with one of the four companies that won the contracts, adding that the companies won the contracts after offering the lowest price.

Continued on Page 13

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LOCAL

KUWAIT: The Traffic Department carried out a campaign in the Capital that resulted in the issuance of 300 tickets for violations while 41 vehicles were impounded. The department said such campaigns will continue in all areas to ensure safety and security of the residents. Meanwhile, Ahmadi security carried out a campaign that resulted in the arrest of 25 wanted persons, 56 who did not have IDs in addition to issuing 11 citations and impounding 11 vehicles.

‘United World’ team in town KUWAIT: Undersecretar y of the Ministr y of Information Salah AlMubaraki discussed with a delegation from United World media agency yesterday about supplying a number of prominent international newspapers such as USA Today, New York Times, Le Monde Diplomatique, Daily Telegraph, and the Observer with reports on economy and development in Kuwait.

During the meeting, Al-Mubaraki stressed the importance of conveying a true image of Kuwait and its people, focusing particularly on the country’s architec tural, infrastruc tural, and human developments, adding that the ministry of information is making all efforts to promote these aspects of development in the country, as well as the vision of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber AlSabah of transforming Kuwait into an international financial and commer-

cial center. Also, he pointed out the vital role played by Kuwaiti private sector and civil societies in the country’s development, indicating that they have always depended on the intellectual and financial contributions of Kuwaiti citizens.

For his part, United World’s managing editor affirmed specialty of the historic Kuwaiti-US ties, noting at the same time importance of these ties, which stem from Kuwait’s role in stability of the region. In addition, he stressed the necessity of opening more bilateral channels between the two countries via US media sources in order to identify Kuwait, its government, and its people to the American audience, noting that US newspapers’ publication of subjects on Kuwait has increased recently due to developmental leap which Kuwait has attained during the past years. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Commercial Bank of Kuwait announced Al-Saied Nasri Bukhait as winner of the KD100,000 Grand Prize in the Najma account raffle draw that took place on Oct 20, 2013 on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha. Bukhait was invited to the CBK head office where he received the award from General Manager of the Banking Services Department Paul Dawood.

Privatisation of KAC may take longer than expected KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways has been forced to delay the arrival of new planes because the government has failed to approve the airline’s budget. The airline (KAC) had signed a contract to rent 15-20 aircraft from Airbus, but the first of those planes are now not expected until early 2014.

The Kuwait government has been on a long recess since the assembly was sacked in June when the Constitutional Court ruled the December 2012 election was null and void.

A new government was elected on July 27 and parliament is due to resume next week. The delay in approving KAC’s budget means the airline will not receive the first of 15-20 planes it had agreed to rent from Airbus until the beginning of 2014.

“KAC will rent new planes once the new budget was approved,” a KAC source said. There also remains confusion over whether the airline will turn its back on talks with Airbus for a deal to spend KD850m on 25 new Airbus jets, and instead go with rival Boeing, as reported

by Arabic daily Al Qabas. Privatisation of the airline also is likely to take longer than expected, as the government works towards making the company profitable.

Kuwait’s parliament first approved a plan to privatise the loss-making carrier in 2008 but the process has been repeatedly delayed. The National Assembly only voted to support the sale in January.

In July, the Kuwaiti government paid off KD441 million worth of debt accrued by the airline as part of preparations to sell the national carrier.

Paying off the debt, accumulated since 2004, is seen as vital before the company can restructure itself towards privatisation.

Under the proposed plans, Kuwait will offer a 35 percent stake in the carrier to companies on the country’s stock exchange and to local or international firms, state media agency KUNA said last year. The government will retain a 20 percent stake while 5 percent will be distributed to KAC employees. The remaining 40 percent will be allotted to citizens.

Iran plans to build nuke plants on Gulf shores ABU DHABI: The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has announced plans to construct new nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the country, stressing that the priority is to build facilities on the Arabian Gulf coast.

“What we have in mind is to build power stations on the Gulf and Caspian Sea coasts, but we have prioritized [the construction of nuclear power plants on] the Gulf shores as we are going to pave the way for desalination work to supply [potable] water to the southern provinces,” said AEOI chief Ali Akbar Salehi.

The AEOI announced in February that the Islamic Republic had designated 16 nuclear power sites in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea, the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the southwestern province of Khuzestan.

Iran’s first nuclear power plant, Bushehr, became officially operational and was connected to the national grid in September 2011, generating electricity at 40 percent capacity.

The 1,000-megawatt plant, which is operating under the full supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reached its maximum power generation capacity in August 2012.

Commenting on the recent talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council the United States, China, Russia, France and Britain - plus Germany, Salehi said Tehran seeks three achievements at the negotiations.

“The Islamic Republic’s win, that of the other side and the success of the international community in strengthening the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).”

The Iranian official added that he is optimistic about the future of the talks between Iran and the six major world powers.

Iran and the six countries held two days of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear energy program behind closed doors in the Swiss city of Geneva on Oct 15 and 16 and agreed to meet again in Geneva on Nov 7 and 8.

Kuwait, JV partners hold groundbreaking ceremony $9 billion refinery in Vietnam NGHI SON, Vietnam: State -run Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI) and its joint venture partners held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a $9 billion refinery and petrochemical complex in northern Vietnam. The ceremony took place at the construction site in the Nghi Son Economic Zone, about 180 km south of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, in the presence of Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Mustafa Al-Shimali and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, as well as more than 1,300 senior officials in the energy sector from Kuwait, Japan and Vietnam. Al-Shimali, Dung and other representatives laid down a foundation stone for the plant in the historical event.

Covering an area of 400 hectares in northern Thanh Hoa Province, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex is welcomed as Vietnam’s second refinery and the first with foreign investors’ participation. Kuwait aims to expand its retail business in Vietnam, where demand for oil products is rapidly increasing for 90 million people and 33 million motorbikes.

Construction will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016, and commercial operation is expected to start in mid-2017 with a refining capacity of 200,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 10 million tons per year. It will meet 40 percent of Vietnam’s fuel demand, and the capacity would be doubled in the second phase if the local demand is robust. Despite being Southeast Asia’s third-largest crude oil producer, Vietnam still relies on imported oil products as it lacks refineries.

Licensed in 2008, the joint venture is 35.1 percent evenly owned by KPI and Japan’s Idemitsu Kosan Co., 25.1 percent by PetroVietnam and 4.7 percent by Mitsui Chemicals Inc. KPI’s parent company Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) will supply all the feedstock for the facility, which will also include petrochemical units, energy facilities, a pipeline and storage systems, along with an information management system.

As Kuwait’s third refinery abroad after Europoort in the Netherlands and Milazzo in Italy, the joint venture reflects Kuwait’s desire to invest in the growing energy markets and maximize the value-added benefits of the nation’s petroleum resources and implement KPI’s long term strategic directions designed to expand the refining operations, sales in emerging and promising new markets.

Addressing the ceremony, Al-Shimali said the landmark event is a very important and happy moment for the project to celebrate the success of joint efforts of partners over the past years. “I eagerly look forward to the next phase of Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Project, and a new height for the friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Vietnam, Kuwait and Japan on all fronts,” the minister said.

The minister stressed that the project has been made possible thanks to the commitment from all related parties and after many years of hard work from the joint venture partners and other stakeholders, with the support and guidance from respective governments.

“From Kuwait, we see this project as one of high strategic importance because it symbolizes the strong and close friendship between the peoples and the governments of Kuwait, Vietnam and Japan,” Al-Shimali said, adding that it brings together a combination of the necessary elements from the three countries for a successful refinery-crude oil from Kuwait, refining experience from Japan and Kuwait and the local expertise and market from Vietnam.

“Our joint resources, experience and commitment will make the project a success, laying the foundation for a long future of cooperation among the three countries, not only in the petroleum industry but also in many other

fields. For that reason, this project has received, and will continue to receive very special attention from our government, KPC management and relevant agencies in Kuwait,” he noted.

He also showed appreciation to the Vietnamese government, the Thanh Hoa leadership and people, joint venture partners and all the people who have supported Kuwait for their hard work during the past years in bringing the project to this point. “We have and will overcome all such difficulties. Thank you very much for all that.”

Al-Shimali said today is just the start of a long journey ahead, calling for the strongest support from all the parties involved to help the joint venture overcome any difficulties and

scored huge amount of works made by all the partners. He also thanked the Kuwaiti government for the donation to help victims from the typhoon.

Of the total investment capital of USD 9 billion, USD 5 billion will be raised through project financing by international banks, including the government-backed Japan Bank for International Corporation. The rest will be contributed by KPI and three other co-investors. In January, the joint venture signed the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with an international consortium.

Other top officials of the partners in the joint venture also confirmed their continued efforts for the success of the trilateral project,

NGHI SON, Vietnam: Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil Mustafa Al-Shimali and other officials at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for a $9 billion refinery and petrochemical complex in northern Vietnam.

achieve the desired targets. “There will be many more challenges in the construction phase as well as the operation phase of the project. The Kuwaiti government and KPC have been and will remain strongly committed to the success of this project,” he said.

The minister also offered Kuwait’s donation of USD 3 million for the Vietnamese people who were affected by the recent tropical storm.

For his part, Dung expressed his happiness at the project, which he said contributes to the socio-economic development and defense security of Thanh Hoa Province and whole Vietnam. “The project is also vital for industrialization and modernization in the northern and central region,” said Dung, noting that it is the largest foreigninvested project in Vietnam to date.

The Vietnamese premier also showed appreciation to the governments of Kuwait and Japan for facilitating all conditions to fulfil better preparation for the project and under-

Awqaf minister condemns attacks on mosques KUWAIT: Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs condemned yesterday the incursion of two mosques in Hawally Governorate as well as burning and tearing copies of Holy Quran.

“The incursion ... by those evil and sick” people and the burning of the Holy Quran “is an act detested by the mankind, and is alien on the community of Kuwait” which was always keen on preserving its Islamic identity, the ministry said in a statement.

It added it was confident the Interior Ministry would capture the attackers on Al-Khanna and AlMuhanna Mosques.

The ministry said the unity of the Kuwaiti people would stand against this evil act. — KUNA

for the mutual benefit of all the partners and of their respective countries. The ceremony was also witnessed by Kuwaiti Ambassador to Vietnam Hamad Al-Jutaili, KPC CEO Nizar AlAdsani, KPI Chairman Mohammed Al-Mutairi, KPI CEO Bakheet Al-Rashidi and top executives of KPC and its subsidiaries.

Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after the ceremony, Al-Rashidi said the event marks the beginning of a new era for all of the people involved in this landmark project taken up in Asia, which is a region of significant growth. “Today, we have reached an important milestone for the project. It is a prestigious project and would remain a constant source of inspiration for years to come,” said Al-Rashidi.

“The refinery and petrochemical facility will set a solid foundation and pave the way forward for other potential business opportunities as well,” he asserted. He also thanked all those who have worked hard with a strong will and dedication to reach this stage of success. — KUNA

Arab transport ministers meet ALEXANDRIA: Arab ministers of transport met here yesterday for their 26th ordinary session to discuss a host of transport recommendations produced by the ministers’ executive office here earlier on Tuesday.

Kuwait is represented at the meeting by a delegation, headed by Minister of Communications Essa Ahmed AlKandari.They are expected to discuss several issues bearing on means of transport in the Arab world, primarily an inter-Arab marine linkage project, cargo and passenger transport agreements and a study on the role of sea transport

in the development of trade exchange between the Arab world and South America.

They will also look into air transport relations between Arab countries and the European Union (EU).

The Executive Council of Arab Transport Ministers’ Council wound up its 51st session here on Tuesday and came up with a host of recommendations for presentation to today’s gathering. The executive office groups officials from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, Sudan and Palestine (as observer). — KUNA

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LOCAL

Expats look to retirement with anxiety No pension and no savings

By Nawara Fattahova

VIENNA: Newly-appointed Kuwaiti Ambassador to Austria Sadeq Marafie submitted his credentials to Austrian President, Heinz Fischer, yesterday. Marafie said after the ceremony that he conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Fischer wishing him the best of health and more prosperity for Austria.

MPs, ministers meet on joint priorities KUWAIT: A number of MPs held a meeting yesterday with the Minister of State for Parliament Affairs and Minister of State for Planning Dr Rola Dashti to discuss joint priorities between the legislative and executive authorities.

Head of a National Assembly priority team Dr Ali Al-Omair said in statements that the meeting discussed 24 priorities presented by the government, mostly related to the Parliamentary Committee of Financial and Economic Affairs.

Al-Omair noted that the MPs also discussed the addition of the 24 priorities to the agenda of the upcoming National Assembly session. He added that the government requested that the Assembly cancels a number of draft laws which had been on the agenda for years and could not be passed for the time being. The MPs voiced remarks regarding the government’s program and the annual plan for 2013-2014, requesting that they match the priorities presented, said Al-Omair. —KUNA

KUWAIT: Officials of the Kuwait University and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research sign an agreement for cooperation yesterday.

News

in brief

MP threatens traffic officer KUWAIT: A security source said that a captain from the traffic department filed a complaint against a current member of parliament, claiming that he insulted him. The source said that while the officer was on duty, he noticed a car being driven above the speed limit, so he stopped it. He saw an expat driving with a citizen next to him. When he asked for the car documents to issue a ticket, the citizen who was identified as an MP refused and claimed immunity.

The officer did not oblige, so he was threatened by the MP. Kuwaiti consulates in Basra KUWAIT: The Iraqi government approved on Sunday Kuwaiti requests to open consulates in the cities of Basra and Erbil located in the south and north of Iraq respectively, Al-Rai daily reported yesterday. “The decision came in accordance with articles 25 and 26 of the foreign services law number 45 for the year 2008,” Al-Rai reported. The paper further indicated that Baghdad retains the right to open a consulate in Kuwait in return in the future.

Praise for Al-Shumaimry KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah sent a cable of congratulations yesterday to Tareq Yusuf Al-Shumaimry for his appointment as President of the Financial and Administrative Committee at the permanent headquarters of the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Sheikh Sabah also congratulated Al-Shumaimry for his appointment as the Executive Committee and Budget Supervisor at ICJ’s headquarters, wishing him good luck in his mission and to ultimately contribute to serving Kuwait. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah congratulated Al-Shumaimry for his appointments in the senior posts. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah sent a similar cable.

New online newspaper KUWAIT: Director General and Chairman of Kuwait News Agency Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah received in his office yesterday Abdullah Al-Shimmeri, owner of Al-Amal, a new online newspaper for people with special needs. The meeting was also attended by the newspaper’s owner was Sadeeqa Al-Ansari, one of the volunteers who work with the staff of the electronic newspaper.

KUWAIT: Usually, after retirement people rely heavily on their pensions to sustain a comfortable life. For expatriates in Kuwait, retirement means either saving up during the time of employment or working till the last breath - an option one expat from Egypt suggests.

“Simply, the word retirement does not exist in our dictionary. We work till we die. I think there is no age limit for working in the private sector where the majority of our community works, so we’ll keep working,” Osama from Egypt admits.

People of different nationalities, backgrounds and social status have different retirement plans. According to Ashraf, 45, from Egypt there are two ways of managing his financial needs back in Egypt after retiring and leaving Kuwait. “I can either depend on myself and continue working when I’m old or live from the interest coming from a fixed deposit account in which I saved previously,” said Ashraf adding that although this is not a common way for Egyptians - the country has a social security program. “My father was part of this program, which was designed by the government for Egyptians living outside of Egypt. Here they pay in US dollars and receive the payment after retirement in the local currency. The amount and period is customised according to the applicant’s needs,” Ashraf said.

He stated that he is not saving any money due to the increasing expenses. “I know many Egyptians who are saving great amounts of money as they are spending the bare minimum. They don’t eat well and drive old cars or use public transport and buy cheap outfit,” he said.

He claims that Egyptians who were raised in Kuwait have got used to a comfortable lifestyle. “We spend a lot.” He explains that he is unable to save due to the expenses including the rent which increased, installments, fees for his son who studies at university and other expenses. “Before, people were able to save money here but now life is harder,” he said. “Also the recent situation in Egypt is very hard. The rebellion there can destroy any business or even houses,” he added.

Mazen, 52, from Jordan views retirement differently. “I invest in my children. I was raised this way and after my father got old, he lived in my house and we - his children -

KD 18.5 million paid out to laid-off workers KUWAIT: Up to KD 18.5 million have been paid out to citizens laid off from jobs in the private sector, covering the period from August 2008 to October 2013, it was learned here today.

Director of the government’s Manpower and Restructuring Program Abdulaziz AlQassar said that the Program was able to find jobs for 44,000 laid off citizens during the period of time in question, adding that the Program consistently tried to find employment for those citizens who were laid off since the onset of the global economic crisis in 2008.

He said that the committee in charge of studying the problem of laid off workers at the time of the global economic crisis found that the number of Kuwaiti citizens working for the private sector, ostensibly affected by the crisis, was not as high as once thought. In fact between September 2007 and June 2009, only about 500 Kuwaiti private sector workers lost their jobs every quarter.

He added that the number of the laid off workers after the global crisis was almost the same as before the crisis, and chided those, among them some government agencies, who inflated that number unwittingly.

R e g a rd i n g t h e n e ce s s i t y to h ave a n unemployment benefits law, he said the Program was in regular consultation with the Public Authority for Social Security to co m e u p w i t h s u c h a l aw n ow t h a t t h e Program has at least a five year experience in dealing with layoffs, since the global economic crisis in 2008. — KUNA

took care of him till he died here. It’s not possible to save in order to live a respectful life,” he pointed out.

42-year-old Mary from India insists that saving up is the key to retirement. “We have to save even if it is little. In the end, we will go back to India and have to find something to live on when we are old. We have to cut spending on shopping and travelling for instance. I managed to buy a house back there so I have a place to go, and I’m trying to put together a little savings at least” Mary said.

Joana, 41, of the United States arranged to have a retirement plan back home. “I have to secure myself after going back as I don’t plan to stay here forever. People have different ways of saving and solutions for living when getting old.

Many people buy properties back home, while others don’t plan to spend the rest of their lives in their home country like a British family I know - they rather plan to live in Thailand,” she stated.

Jonathan Field from Globaleye is a private wealth manager based in Dubai who provides financial solutions for expats living in

the UAE and other GCC countries. “We organize a plan to allow the client invest his savings after retirement. We have regular saving plans - long-term and short-term - to have something for themselves after retirement.

We set the plan according to the client’s objectives, for instance buy a house or other property. Also we have children’s education plans. We put the goal they aim in place and achieve that goal,” he explained.

Globaleye is one of the largest offshore financial advisory firms in the Middle East with a multinational presence, including offices across Europe and Asia. While their head office is in the UAE, they have satellite offices around the region and are in the process of finalising their latest office in Kuwait. “I think it’s very important for expats living in the Middle East to start saving on a regular basis. Most expats working in GCC countries came for tax-free salaries and the time to start investing for the future is today.

When it comes to saving for retirement, too many people are putting away too little and leaving it too late. Sitting down with a professional will help set objectives and put a plan in place to achieve them,” Field added.

Govt in corruption rap over Al-Zour power plant KUWAIT: Kuwait’s government has been accused of corruption over the awarding of contracts for a $2.6billion power plant.

A consortium of French, Japanese and Kuwaiti companies were awarded contracts to develop the North Al-Zour plant in 2011 despite strong protests by the then-parliamentary opposition, which insisted the process had been illegal.

Former finance minister Mustafa AlShamali, now oil minister, was grilled over the issue in the National Assembly at the time.

As the newly-elected government prepares to resume parliament next week, MP Riyadh Al-Adasani said he would question the prime minister over the project.

According to Kuwaiti law at the time, companies awarded contracts for the plant should be listed on the Kuwait bourse, which they were not, Al-Adasani said. The legislation has since been amended but is

not retrospective.

He claimed the process also had been carried out in secret, against Kuwait law that demands government deals are done in public.

Minister of Public Works and Electricity and Water Abdulaziz Al-Ibrahim also is facing a grilling when parliament returns, with MP Mohammad Al-Hadeya accusing the minister of hindering the several key development projects in the country, including cancelling contracts to build roads and four new hospitals.

Al-Hadeya said the minister’s reason that the projects were too expensive was unjustified. Parliament is due to resume next week following a long break after the previous National Assembly was sacked in June when the Constitutional Court ruled the December 2012 election was null and void.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LOCAL UNESCO commends diversity of relations with Kuwait KUWAIT: The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) relations with Kuwait are diversified culturally and educationally, an official of the UN agency said Tuesday.

Erik Falt, Deputy Director Generarl for Foreign Public Relations, said he was visiting Kuwait to get acquainted with the cultural and educational activities, especially that UNESCO’s General Conference would be held within the next month.

Falt commended the great role of Kuwait when it donated $3.5 million to UNESCO two years ago to help the organization finance its pressing projects. “This was a very important contribution,” he noted.

Falt said UNESCO’s General Conference would be an opportunity for 195 member countries to meet once every two years to discuss important issues of mutual interest.

Falt said he met with Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf and discussed issued related to UNESCO’s branch in Kuwait.

Secretary General of the National UNESCO Commission Abdullateef Al-Buaijan said Falt’s visit was important and that he got acquainted with obstacles facing the Commission. — KUNA KUWAIT: Kuwait Center for Autism students participated in the Special Olympics: Middle East and North Africa and were awarded with certificates of appreciation by the organizing committee.

KFAED to launch two projects in Lebanon BEIRUT: Director General of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) Abdulwahab AlBader said yesterday KFAED would in the next two days lay the cornerstone of two development projects in Lebanon valued $165 million.

Upon arrival at Rafiq Al-Hariri International Airport, Al-Bader said he will put the cornerstone to AlQaisamani Dam project in the southern Al-Matan area, noting that the ceremony will be held under the auspices of Minister of Energy and Water Jebran Bassil.

The second project will be inaugurated today as part of the main Al-Hazmia-Sofar road and would be attended by President Michel Suleiman.

KFAED is financing Al-Hazmia-Sofar 24-km-long road with a $146 million loan.

Al-Bader, accompanied by KFAED Arab Regional Director Marwan Al-Ghanem, noted on the importance of Al-Qaismani dam project by saying that KFAED signed a loan agreement with Lebanon in 2010 under which the Fund extended a loan of $19 million to build the dam, which will be designed for drinking water covering dozens of towns nearby.

Al-Bader is due to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati, among other high ranking Lebanese officials.

KFAED provided 20 loans to Lebanon valued over $612 million, in addition to grants totaling $420 million for projects in the health sector, educational, agricultural and transportation sectors. — KUNA

UN must address issues of global importance Kuwait praises world body NEW YORK: As an international organization, the UN must address global challenges and find solutions to world issues of pending nature, said Kuwait permanent delegate to the UN Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi here late Tuesday.

Speaking on the 68th Anniversary of the United Nations, known as the UN Day, Ambassador Al-Otaibi stressed the importance of the United Nations as an international organization aimed at addressing issues of global importance.

The Kuwaiti official lauded the UN involvement in the liberation of Kuwait in 1991, deeming this contribution as one of the key achievements of the organization.

Al-Otaibi also commended the UN role in preventing a number of global conflicts and also its humanitarian role.

Finding solutions for long pending issues such as the Palestinian cause and ending recent conflicts like the Syrian crisis should be amongst the list of top priorities for the UN, said Al-Otaibi.

The Kuwaiti official also touched on Kuwaiti-UN relations, stressing that his country was eager to play an inte-

gral part in UN international efforts concerning humanitarian aid and development.

In his speech marking this occasion, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN Day is a chance to recognize how much this “invaluable” organization contributed to peace and common progress.

He said “it is a time to reflect on what more we can do to realize our vision for a better world,” recalling with disappointment that the fighting in Syria is “our biggest security challenge.”

He noted that millions of Syrians depend on UN humanitarian personnel for life-saving assistance, while political leaders are pushing for a diplomatic solution to end their suffering that “has gone on far too long, and UN experts are working hand-in-hand with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to destroy the country’s stockpiles.

Ban also said that the international community’s “most urgent development challenge is to make sustainability a reality,” noting that the Millennium Development Goals

have cut poverty in half ahead of the 2015 deadline.

“Now we must maintain the momentum, craft an equally inspiring post-2015 development agenda and reach an agreement on climate change,” he urged in his televised message. He expressed satisfaction that this year again, the international community saw the United Nations come together on armed conflict, human rights, the environment and many other issues.

“We continue to show what collective action can do. We can do even more,” he vowed. “In a world that is more connected, we must be more united.” “On United Nations Day, let us pledge to live up to our founding ideals and work together for peace, development and human rights,” he concluded.

UN officials said this year, contrary to the annual practice, there will be no concert on UN Day, Thursday, but Ban, UN officials and diplomats, will be in Times Square, Manhattan’s midtown touristic attraction, to witness the electronic billboards display UN Day flash ads and run UN information. — KUNA

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LOCAL

Fireman in custody for KD15,000 phone heist Seven summoned in Quran burning case

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim meeting members of the local leadership development group in his office yesterday.

World marks Development Information Day KUWAIT: World countries marks today the United Nations’ World Development Information Day with a series of activities to draw public opinion’s attention to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to achieve sustainable development.

“A well-studied media plan could have a pivotal role in the success of the development process,” Mohammad Al-Hashemi, professor of mass communications at Kuwait University, said yesterday.

“Efficient media sheds light on the development process, provides public opinion with highly-required information about it and helps rally public support to it,” he added.

Al-Hashemi called for a real partnership between government and non-government bodies designing and implementing the development process in one hand and media outlets, either press, TV and radio, on the other hand.

“There is a need for holding workshops, training courses and conferences to increase the number of journalists covering development projects,” he said.

Hassan Makki, professor of mass communications at Kuwait University, echoed a similar view. “ The development media focuses on using mass media to cover and serve development issues in a certain place,” Makki said. Makki pointed out that governments have to be aware that media

has an overwhelming leverage in the society and they have to employ it to promote their development plans. Media could rally people’s support or mobilize their opposition to any plan or project, he claimed. The United Nations’ (UN) World Development Information Day is annually held on Oct 24 to draw attention of worldwide public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

Many events are organized to focus attention on the work that the UN does, particularly with regard to problems of trade and development. Many of these are aimed at journalists working for a range of media, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.

Direct campaigns may also be organized in some areas. These may use advertisements in newspapers and on radio and television as well as posters in public places.

In recent years, many events have interpreted the title of the day slightly differently. These have concentrated on the role that modern information technologies, such as Internet and mobile telephones can play in alerting people and finding solutions to problems of trade and development. One of the specific aims of World Development Information Day was to inform and motivate young people and this change may help to further this aim. — KUNA

Kuwait shares Brahimi’s view to ending Syria conflict peacefully KUWAIT: Kuwait shares view of UN-Arab League special representative to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi that the peaceful solution should be the only option to alleviate suffering of Syrian people, a senior official said Tuesday.

Brahimi was in Kuwait and briefed senior officials about preparations for the Geneva II conference.

“We hope and share Brahimi his optimism that the (Geneva II) conference will be held and will have positive outcome,” Foreign Undersecretary Khaled AlJarallah told reporters on sidelines of a reception held by the Swiss Embassy on the occasion of the European country’s national day. He said the Syria conference needed more preparations.

Brahimi, said Al-Jarallah, commended Kuwait’s welcome to host the 2nd donors conference for Syria. He also appreciated UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s desire that Kuwait host the second donors meeting “sending credibility and its keenness on backing the humanitarian situation in Syria.”

Al-Jarallah, meanwhile, expressed content af ter Tareq Yousef AlShumaimry from Kuwait was appointed as the President of the Financial and Administrative Committee at the permanent headquar ters of the International Court of Justice at The Hague. He said the Foreign Ministry supported Al-Shumaimry to facilitate his mission. — KUNA

Iraq, Syria issues pose serious security threats to Mideast DUBAI: Nato will have to focus more on issues in the Arabian Gulf to ensure its stability, security experts say. Counter-terrorism, cyber defence, energy security and weapons of mass destruction are among crucial areas the alliance will have to tackle to improve its relationship with GCC states, the audience at the Nato ICI 2013 conference heard yesterday.

“What’s going on in Iraq and Syria poses serious security threats to the Middle East and the region,” Vural Altay, Turkey’s ambassador to the UAE, said at the meeting, which presented Nato’s approach to the Gulf. “This necessitates much more collaboration of Nato with regional countries.”

Altay said the partnership needed more engagement from both sides. “Nato is nowadays ‘the military organisation’, and beyond that the organisation that can really bring security to all the troubled regions of the world,” he said.

“The first thing that needs to be done is to get rid of some prejudices that exist on both sides.Nato should look at this region in a more detailed manner, whereas this region should try to learn more about Nato. So more public diplomacy is a must in order to bring this relationship to a higher level.”

Areas that require attention include energy security, piracy and food security. “Some issues that Nato face include transnational crime, terrorism, cyber-security, weapons of mass destruction and the proliferation part of it, as well as governance,” said Dr Mohammad Amin, vice president of the American University in the Emirates.

“The global security threat has become very pronounced when you look into the current situation and Nato should really assess and look at precisely how they can go about improving it. We have to find out ways so that cooperation can be achieved.” Dr Amin said promoting security interests on a collaborative form could be the emerging tone. “Future challenges include counter-terrorism and cyber defence,” he said.

“Engagement in security, humanitarian and development challenges must be looked into. We must address common concerns for the stability of the region.”

But Nato said it was ready to develop its Gulf partnerships further in modernising and building defence. “A challenge will be to develop these areas as well as maritime and energy cooperation,” said Dr Rolf Schwarz, political officer of Mena at Nato’s political affairs and security policy division. “Cooperation between Nato and the Gulf has evolved and there’s a need to continue building trust.”

But regional experts said more needed to be done. “You see Nato with all its experience and our region that really needs security and support, and you don’t see much happening,” said Dr Abdullah Baabood, director of Gulf studies at Qatar University. “There is a need for Nato here in terms of security, but there is a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of outreach and public diplomacy.

KUWAIT: A Kuwait Fire Service Department official faces charges after he confessed of stealing smartphones worth KD15,000 and selling them outside Kuwait. Investigations had been ongoing since the case was reported by owner of a Jabriya phone shop recently.

Detectives inspected CCT V tapes which showed a masked man stealing the phones after breaking into the shop after work hours.

Extensive investigations led detectives to identify a KFSD officer as a prime suspect and he was summoned for questioning. The first lieutenant admitted to stealing the phones which he then sold to a Gulf national who intended to sell them outside Kuwait in a bid to prevent capture. He added he used the money to rent luxury vehicles and for latenight partying. He was referred to the authorities for further action.

Seven suspects Seven people were summoned as potential suspects in arson cases reported in two Salmiya mosques Tuesday and in which perpetrators set copies of the Holy Quran on fire.

According to sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, the men who are of expatriate nationalities were referred for fingerprinting after their descriptions matched those provided by an eyewitness who told police that he saw three people enter one of the mosques and exit later before the fire started.

woman reported a car performing dangerous stunts, and then went in pursuit of the vehicle that carried three men. The suspects were eventually forced to pull over and police apprehended the driver after finding out that he is wanted to serve a 3-year jail sentence for attempted murder last year. The Kuwaiti man was referred to the authorities while his two accomplices were questioned on public nuisance charges.

School theft Two cleaning workers in a middle school in Saad Al-Abdullah were arrested on theft charges along with a man who reportedly helped them transport the items they stole from the school. The case was first discovered by the school janitor who monitored the workers after suspecting that they were responsible for thefts discovered recently in the school.

The man caught the Asian women when he saw upload two black garbage bags into a vehicle instead of throwing them in the trash as they usually do after work. He called the school administration after finding foodstuff and other items inside the bags, and police were called. The women and the car’s Asian driver were taken to the area’s police station for questioning.

Contraband with inmate A female inmate at the Central Jail is expected to have her term extended after a cell phone was found in her custody during a recent inspection operation. The Iranian woman is serving a 15-years sentence for a drug trafficking conviction. The jail security confiscated the contraband before the woman was transported to Sulaibiya police station to face new charges.

Fabricated case A female police officer agreed to drop theft charges pressed earlier against a Kuwaiti man after the latter argued that she fabricated the case when ‘personal reasons’ forced him to end their relationship.

The man was summoned for investigations after the first lieutenant charged him with stealing KD 30,000 which she said she had paid him as a capital for a joint business to run a restaurant. The man denied the accusations and explained that the two were involved in a relationship which he had to end due to personal reasons. The policewoman dropped the case after the man agreed to pay half of what he is owed in cash and pay the rest in installments.

Detective leniency A man is suing a detective who he accuses of leniency which according to him allowed a suspect to continue escaping legal procedures. The Kuwaiti man had headed to the Farwaniya police station and accused a man of stealing his car through a scam. He explained that he allowed the suspect to take his car after he agreed to buy it and asked to delay the KD 10,000 payment. He added that the suspect took the car and never returned his repeated calls. The man later accused a detective of ‘failure to commit to his duties’ as he claimed that the officer assigned to the case is not taking enough measures to arrest the suspect. The man was told to refer his complaint to the Inspection and Supervision General Department in the Ministry of Interior because his argument was ‘insufficient’ to file a case against the detective.

Body found Investigations are ongoing in the death of a Kuwaiti man who lived alone in his house in Jleeb Al-Shuyuikh. Paramedics and police headed to the scene with a warrant after a man reported that his brother was not answering the door while a foul odor was emanating from inside. The man was pronounced dead and preliminary examination indicated that he passed away three days before his death was discovered. The man’s brother explained that he went to check on him Tuesday after he disappeared for three days. The body was taken for an autopsy to reveal the cause of death.

Public nuisance A fugitive was arrested Monday night after he was caught for reckless driving in Salmiya.

Police headed to a square in the area where a

ABK sponsors Al-Shamali retirement ceremony KUWAIT: As part of its corporate social responsibility that encompasses support of youth and sport activities, in accordance with its ongoing CSR Campaign “Our Society... Our Responsibility”, Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait is pleased to support the retirement ceremony of renowned player Ali Al-Shamali, belonging to Al-Qadsiya Sporting Club and previous Kuwait national team player.

ABK’s Assistant Public Relations Manager,

Ali Al-Baghli stated:”At ABK we are keen to support sport and value the immense contribution of athletes, our sponsorship for Ali AlShamali’s retirement ceremony comes in recognition of his excellent achievements in Kuwait’s football field.”

Al-Shamali thanked ABK for their kind support and generosity, and hopes ABK would continue to honor meritorious athletes of the future.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LOCAL In my view

letter to Badrya

Riding the nuclear tiger

Traffic congestion Dear Madam,

By Ibrahim Khaled

Watching Iran regain its former role as a major Mideast power runs counter to US strategy to keep it weak and isolated until a pro-US government comes to power in Tehran. A strengthened Iran will generate fear and anxiety in the region. On the other hand, an Iran with the potential capability of producing a few nuclear weapons within a year also deeply alarms Washington, its Arab allies and Israel. An Iran with even a few nukes, like North Korea, would sharply limit US’ Mideast power and its ability to use military forces against Iran. also deeply alarms Washington, its Arab allies and Israel. An Iran with even a few nukes, like North Korea, would sharply limit US’ Mideast power and its ability to use military forces against Iran.

Israel knows that Iran has no intention of launching a nuclear attack on the Jewish state, which is a major world nuclear power with an invulnerable triad of land, sea and air-launched nuclear weapons.

But Israel’s constant alarms about Iran’s so far non-existent nuclear weapons serves to distract attention from its rapid absorption of the West Bank and Golan, and generate potent political and financial support from its North American partisans. Or maybe Israel’s leader, Benyamin Netanyahu has actually come to believe his own Jeremiads about Tehran’s hardliners.

Yet if Iran is kept isolated and assaulted by trade sanctions, electronic attack, sabotage and ethnic subversion in its Arab and Azeri regions, Iran will very likely continue its slow but steady development of nuclear breakout capability - meaning being able to assemble nuclear components into a warhead and deliver them on fairly short notice.

A deal limiting Tehran’s breakout capability would seem the best recourse. My own long-standing proposal is the “Margolis Plan:” let Iran and Israel inspect one-another’s nuclear facilities. But that, of course, won’t happen because Israel won’t admit it has nuclear weapons, a fairytale backed by all US administrations. How about the US, China, Russia, France and Britain opening their nuclear plants for inspection? Add India and Pakistan to this list.

While what appear to be fruitful talks progress in Geneva, powerful special interests in America are trying to thwart any agreement with Iran. The US Congress, profoundly corrupted by political donations, is moving to impose new, draconian sanctions on Iran while Israel’s rightists and their allies in the US media thunder about the alleged dangers from Iran. Republicans lead the call for harsher sanctions on Iran. President Barack Obama knows that any deal with Iran must be struck before the next US presidential season gets under way, otherwise it will fail.

Iran’s new leadership, led by President Hassan Rouhani, clearly wants a deal. The nationalist pride Iranians feel for their so far civilian nuclear program cannot outweigh the damage and pain of crushing sanctions. However, as in the past, the USled Western powers may keep moving the goalposts ever farther from a lasting agreement.

If there’s a deal with Iran over nuclear power, can pressure for a deal over Palestine be far behind?

Al-Anbaa

T

he United States has an Iranian tiger by the tail. Washington doesn’t know whether to hold on or let the big beast go. The Mideast diplomatic thaw begun by Russia’s clever Vladimir Putin, and Iran’s democratic change of presidents, opened the diplomatic path to progress over Syria, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and, lest we forget, the question of Palestine. For the first time since 1979, senior US and Iranian officials are holding talks in Geneva. Joining them are nuclear negotiators from Russia, Britain, France, Germany and China.

Ironically, the only two nations in this group that are not in violation of the 1968 Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty are Iran and Germany. The other members have never fulfilled their pledge to rapidly eliminate all nuclear weapons. Five decades later, they still hold 22,000 nuclear warheads. Washington now faces a truly difficult problem. It has waged economic and political warfare against Islamic Iran since its 1979 revolution. Iran has been badly damaged by sanctions but, like another bad boy, Cuba, has managed to hold out.

But what will happen if punishing US sanctions against Iran are eased? Oil-rich Iran will rebuild its ravaged economy and infrastructure, and quietly enhance its military power. A key priority for Tehran will be modernising its decrepit civilian air fleet that routinely crashes from mechanical problems or pilot error. Good news for Boeing and Airbus.

Watching Iran regain its former role as a major Mideast power runs counter to US strategy to keep it weak and isolated until a pro-US government comes to power in Tehran. A strengthened Iran will generate fear and anxiety in the region. On the other hand, an Iran with the potential capability of producing a few nuclear weapons within a year

I am angry. I get up from my must-have 8 hours sleep, leave home early yet reach work late and get deduction from my remuneration for no fault of mine. It is imperative that schools prohibit private conveyance of students to all schools and instead implement plying of school buses. Individual students being dropped off to and from schools is creating this massive congestion of cars on the road.

This also applies to adult students of Kuwait University being dropped off in their private cars.

There are school buses for Indian schools, so why not for Arab and other private schools? My suggestion is to either ban private conveyance and have proper ‘orange’ school buses or enforce carpooling.

Regards, Sunitha D’Silva

In my view

kuwait digest

Our negative thinking!

By Dr Aseel Al-Awadhi

I

t hard to commence discussing any topic with anyone in Kuwait without ending up listing the shortcomings, problems and sufferings experienced by citizens on a daily basis and conducting lamentable comparisons with neighboring countries. Such discussions often cause splenetic feelings, despair and suffocating depressions that usually prevent eyes from seeing any beauty or bright and positive images. Yes, indeed, our problems are diverse and complicated. But have they become unsolvable? Are things really that bad?

In an earlier article, I mentioned that the Kuwaiti regime has started reproducing its problems and going round in endless circles, which calls for immediate political reforms that my contribute in pushing things forward. In order to be feasible and fruitful, political reforms require new methodology in all fields. So do our minds in terms of dealing with political issues.

We have already tried grumbling, listing cons and blaming others; we have divided ourselves into teams and sects according to affiliations, we have exchanged accusations, enjoyed watching futile repeated scenarios of political plays and movies, we made heroes out of nobodies and applauded them, we broke laws with excuses that the government itself does apply them and we have spent public funds because we believed that influential people made more use of it. And what have we gained in return?

We have tried all the above and eventually ended up with ruminating the same problems. We even contributed to worsening them. We, as well, need new tactics for dealing with our problems. Let’s try new ones based on shouldering one’s own responsibility towards both the state and the society with each citizen focusing on him/herself and the surrounding environment, on showing more dedication in work and more law-abidance. The majority of Kuwaiti people are government employees who, if each and every one of them was more committed to job duties and the law, can definitely help make considerable changes. Let’s also try dedicating part of our energy to commending positive phenomena instead of ruminating on negative ones and focusing on them. Let us thank hard workers instead of looking for and highlighting their lapses.

It is hard for some people to do so because continuous grumbling can sometimes indicate psychiatric diseases resulting from addiction to negative and lamentable thinking, not to mention others’ ( namely politicians) need for this kind of speech that attracts supporters more than any positive speech. Criticism is necessary and obligatory on all who love this country because it marks the beginning of a path towards reform.

Yet, to settle only for criticism without contributing to developing our society, each in his/her place, means that we have gone way too far into passivity that might eventually lead us into a state of despair and incapability, which are the sheer enemies of prosperity and progress. So, I urge those incapable of leaving their despair and grumbling circles not to hinder those who choose to confront and work on making changes towards the best. — Al-Jarida

UN’s failure to ensure world peace

By Abdulateef Al-Mulhim

S

audi Arabia was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945. Since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has been one of the most active members and the one that paid its dues to the world body on time. I got my college degree from a New York institution, so I paid many visits to the UN building. Some tour guides called it a matchbox because of its shape.

Until a week ago, two things amazed me about the United Nations. The first is that Switzerland despite not being a member of the United Nations has more influence in world affairs than many powerful countries that are UN members (as observers). The second thing is that no resolution can pass without American consent. But, now there is one more thing that caught me by surprise. It is Saudi Arabia’s decision to reject a two-year stint on the United Nations Security Council. But, was I really surprised?

A few days before the decision, I had written an article in a Saudi daily (Al Yaum) titled, “Saudi Arabia’s message to the United Nations”. The article was published on Oct 6 - two days after Saudi Arabia canceled its scheduled speech at the United Nations. Many analysts who know Saudi Arabia knew the Saudi government wouldn’t adopt this approach for the sake of diplomacy unless there is something in the air. In other words, the Saudi cancellation of the speech was the tip of the iceberg. But, many would ask if Riyadh had intended to reject the seat, why didn’t the Saudis withdraw their nomination before the election.

The answer is simple - had the Saudis done so, many analysts would have said that Saudis were not sure of their win and they pulled out at the outset to save face. Others would have commented that there were some demands by the Saudis that weren’t met or that the Saudis saw many impending UN moves which would not have been in their interest and it did not want to be part of it.

Also, Saudi Arabia would not have been able to veto any UN resolution. The veto power rests with the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and China. Also, earlier there were several messages from Saudi Arabia to the UN which apparently many think-tanks and observers missed. Last February, the Saudi leadership expressed its dissatisfaction over the United Nations’ approach to many of the issues in the region. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman said it loud and clear that the United Nations had been unable to solve many of the humanitarian issues such as the crises in Syria and Myanmar.

To this day, analysts around the world are not sure if Saudi Arabia would reverse its decision. There are many countries especially in the Arab World that want to see Saudi Arabia become a member of the United Nations Security Council. Many Saudis were jubilant after Riyadh was offered a seat at the world body, but they have very high regard for the decision of the Saudi leadership that turned down the offer.

Finally, Saudi Arabia which was (and still is) known for its approach toward major political issues, became the first to deliver a direct message to the United Nations. The world media handled the issue in different ways.

The question is, “Is Saudi Arabia the only country that is not satisfied with the way the United Nations is run?” In fact, many countries in the world are not satisfied. Ironically, the most unsatisfied country is the United States, the country that has the greatest say in the UN’s decisions and resolutions. It is true that the United States is the biggest contributor of funds to the world body, but the amount of money the United Nations generates for the city of New York is in billions.

Members of the international missions spend billions of dollars in the Big Apple. And still the issue of funding between the United States and the UN crops up frequently. Several times the US Congress recommended non-payment of American dues to the UN and many called for the United States to simply pull out of the United Nations saying that American influence in the world would remain the same without even being a member of the world body.

In the past the United States notified the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that it would withdraw from the organization. Apart from UNESCO, the American absence from the world body could result in the collapse of this organization because it is the most influential country in the world and it is the only superpower after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Saudi Arabia has the right to ask for changes to the United Nations’ ways of doing business and has the right to suggest new ways. And may be the Saudi message to the United Nations is a positive step for the organization to adapt to new changes around the world. For example many people around the world see Germany and Canada as more influential and with better economies than the United Kingdom and Russia.

Countries around the world have questioned the effectiveness to have only five countries in the Security Council with veto power. The year 2013 is different from 1945. The world now has more countries with strong economic and political clout such as Australia, India, Brazil, South Korea, Italy, the Scandinavian countries and many others. And it is unfair for those countries to be part of an organization with no real say over important decisions. They need to have a say in an organization, which was established to save the world from wars and ensure peace and security.

The fact, however, remains that this august body was not able to stop wars or atrocities and never implemented real peace in the world. Many countries and organizations around the world are not happy with the performance of the United Nations, but Saudi Arabia simply said it openly.

In my view

When a big power falters

By Jamal Doumani

Y

our home is indeed your castle, and you are free to do in it what you please, but if you’re having a loud confrontation with your wife there that is preventing your neighbors from getting a good night’s sleep, then your problem, willy-nilly, becomes theirs as well.

Flippant though this analogy may be, that is precisely the way the rest of the world has looked at the federal government shutdown in the US, which rattled world markets and affected every facet of American foreign policy.

Consider this: US sanctions against Iran and Syria, for example, had already suffered on account of the shutdown because the Office of Foreign Assets Control, an agency of the Treasury Department that administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions against targeted states, was unable to sustain its core functions with most of its staff furloughed.

And President Obama canceled his trip to Bali, where he was expected to address the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, in order to attend to the potentially disastrous issue of what to do about a US government on the brink of default. As of last Wednesday, a shortterm deal was reached on Capitol Hill to work toward a long-term budget agreement, but all that will not mask the hurdles ahead.

People around the world may not care that 800,000 wretched federal employees had been indefinitely furloughed without pay - with 1.3 million others required to

work without immediate pay - and that, say, the National Park Service closed its parks to would-be campers, but when the shutdown, in a trickle-down effect, impacts on these people’s economic well-being and foreign reserves, well, the shutdown becomes their business as well. Imagine, as a case in point, the wringing of hands going on today in a country like China, which is the largest investor in American public debt, with $1.3 trillion in holdings. (Beijing, is helpless, as it were, since it cannot start dumping its Treasury bonds without driving down their value.)

And imagine how the news that a major credit agency, Fitch, which last Tuesday put the United States on a “negative ratings watch”, must alarm countries like Saudi Arabia whose oil revenue is computed in dollars.

With the Treasury Department declaring that, as of early this week, it had only $35 billion in cash (chump change for a nation that dominates the global economy) and that it expects to run out of “measures” to keep paying all the government bills, the United States of America, a big power entering its putative second American Century, neared default. Meanwhile those reckless Republicans on the Hill continued playing games.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the late 19th century American essayist and poet, put the issue of response and responsibility, in the political workings of a country like the US, quite succinctly. “Before we acquire great power,” he

wrote, “we must acquire the wisdom to use it well”.

People in countries all the way from Greece to Argentina, and from Egypt to Mexico, that have had their share of financial crisis in the past (in 2001, Argentina, for example, defaulted on $100 billion in debt) remember American finger-wagging and lecturing - at times dictating - about how they should go about putting their house in order.

Today, these folks’ reaction to the standoff in Washington surely can be described as caustic. Some even go further, and see it as a sign leading to America’s inevitable decline as a big power. And quotes from around the world attesting to this, that no doubt also reflect a certain element of schadenfreude at US misery, abound.

Here are two, both from the New York Times last Wednesday. Irina Popov, a housewife living in Russia, a country that suffered a financial collapse and default in 1998, said: “It’s strange that such a thing has happened there. I always dreamed of going to America. It can happen to any country. It was us before. Now it’s them.”

And Theodore Couloubis, emeritus professor of international relations at the University of Athens, was quoted as saying: “I never thought a global superpower like the US could ever be in a comparable position to Greece.

Both countries are paying dearly for rising political tensions. But in America’s case, there is the potential for serious global repercussions.” Very serious indeed.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Libya finds little to celebrate 2 years after ‘liberation’ Page 9

Brunei introduces sharia criminal law Page 8

Gunmen, suicide bombers kill 28 in Iraq Suicide bomber detonates truck loaded with explosives RAMADI: Gunmen and suicide bombers driving explosives-rigged vehicles killed 25 police and three civilians in a series of coordinated attacks in Iraq’s Anbar province overnight, officials and doctors said yesterday. They said the attacks in the western province between 10 pm (1900 GMT) and midnight Tuesday also wounded a total of 26 police. Violence in Iraq has reached a level not seen since 2008 and militants, including those linked to AlQaeda, frequently target Iraqi security forces and other government employees.

Four of the attacks struck targets in and around the town of Rutba, about 110 kilometers from the border with war-racked Syria. A suicide bomber detonated a tanker truck loaded with explosives at a police checkpoint east of the town, while militants armed with heavy weapons struck the police station in Rutba itself and another bomber detonated a vehicle at a police checkpoint to its west. Those attacks killed 18 police and wounded 25, while three civilians died when another suicide bomber blew up a tanker truck on a bridge west of Rutba.

At about 11 pm on Tuesday, gunmen attacked a police checkpoint at an entrance to Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, killing three police and wounding a fourth, the sources said. Gunmen also hit another checkpoint in the city, killing four more police. The violence was just the latest in a series of coordinated attacks to hit Anbar province. On Monday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the entrance of the police headquarters in Fallujah, another city in Anbar, while a second struck the nearby electricity department headquarters.

Militants then hit the police headquarters from three sides with gunfire, mortar rounds and rocket-propelled grenades, entered the electricity department building, and fired on police with sniper rifles. The violence killed two police, including a major, and wounded four others.

Interior ministry spokesman Brigadier General Saad Maan, meanwhile, said the security forces killed five suicide bombers in Fallujah, and that two police were wounded.

Malaysia’s curbs on use of ‘Allah’ hurts its image

BAGHDAD: Women grieve for a man killed in a bomb attack during a funeral in the Shiite holy city of Najaf. — AP

And on Sunday, suicide bombers attacked government buildings in Rawa, a town north of Fallujah that is also in Anbar province. Two suicide bombers on foot and another driving a vehicle rigged with explosives attacked the local police headquarters in Rawa, while another bomber in a vehicle struck an army checkpoint at the town’s entrance.

Another three bombers on foot and a fourth in a vehicle attacked the local administrative headquarters while officials were meeting inside. The bombings killed at least eight people, including three members of the local council for the area and three police. With the latest attacks, more than 520 people have been killed so far this month, and more than 5,200 since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources. A study released this month by academics based in the United States, Canada and Iraq said nearly half a million people have died from war-related causes in Iraq since the US-led invasion of 2003. — AFP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s selfstyled image as a global leader of moderate Islam has been undermined by a court ruling that only Muslims can use the word “Allah” to refer to God, with a growing number of Muslim scholars and commentators condemning the decision. A Malaysian court ruled last week that the word was “not an integral part of the faith in Christianity”, overturning a previous ruling that allowed a Malaylanguage Roman Catholic newspaper to use the word.

Since then, confusion has reigned over the interpretation of the ruling, with government ministers, lawyers and Muslim authorities giving widely diverging views on its scope. Critics of the decision have said it casts a chill on religious rights in Muslim-majority Malaysia, which has substantial minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians.

Commentators in some countries that practice Islam more strictly than Malaysia have condemned the ruling, arguing that the word Allah has been used by different faiths for centuries. Christians in Malaysia’s eastern states of Sabah

and Sarawak have used the word for generations, as have Christians in the Middle East. Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper said in a commentary that the decision was a “sad reflection on how an otherwise modern country, widely seen as a role model for the Muslim world, is succumbing to the current trend of insularity in matters of faith”.

Reza Aslan, a prominent American Muslim theologian, called the ruling a political decision and said it had made Malaysia an international laughing stock. “It’s an embarrassment, it’s shameful, it’s not worthy of a great country like Malaysia,” he said this week on radio. “(The ruling) just casts this negative light on a country which ... is a model for Muslims around the world, and yet this has made it a laughing stock. We are laughing at you.”

Reza noted that the word Allah literally means “the God” and thus could not be considered a name.

“It’s almost a blasphemous thought to think that God has a name.” The court’s ruling came as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak seeks to consolidate his sup-

port among majority ethnic Malays, who are Muslim by law, and secure the backing of traditionalists following a divisive national election in May. The editor of the Catholic newspaper is appealing against the decision. Facing a strong backlash to the ruling, government ministers have said in recent days that the large population of Christians in Sabah and Sarawak would not be affected by the ruling - an interpretation disputed by most lawyers. They have also said the ruling only applied to one particular newspaper rather than the general use of the word.

Adding to the confusion, Malaysia’s tourism minister said this week that east Malaysians could use the word Allah in their home states but not if they were in west Malaysia. Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said in an opinion piece this week Muslim scholars outside of Malaysia found the “Allah” issue “absurd”. “Few Muslims around the world would endorse the claim that we have a monopoly on the word ‘Allah’,” he said. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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

Desperate migrants seek Melilla, gateway to Europe MELILLA: As young as 10 years old, they live rough in their dozens, waiting for a chance to stow away on a boat across the Mediterranean sea. Here in the Spanish territory of Melilla, they flock from neighboring Morocco by sea in flimsy dinghies, by road crammed under the seats of cars, or on foot, dodging guards to scramble over the border fence. Some of the youngest, underage and unaccompanied, camp out by a high breakwater running to the sea, where they have set up shelters of cardboard boxes between the cement blocks of the dyke. “I have been here for three weeks. I am going to climb on board a truck” bound for Europe, says Mounen Fannan, a 17-year-old from Morocco.

In his home city of Fez “there is nothing to do. In Europe, there’s a much better chance of getting ahead.” As unaccompanied minors, Mounen and others like himthe youngest of their group is aged 10 — are not allowed to stay in the Melilla’s state-run reception centre, where children must be accompanied by their parents.

Some have stayed at the local reception centre for minors but say they ran away because they were mistreated. So they camp by the breakwater.

Among them are Moroccans, Algerians and some from Syria, displaced by that country’s civil war, says Jose Palazon of

Prodein, an aid group. “They are totally outside the system. They come here intending to get on a boat to get to reception centers on the mainland, which are said to be better,” he said. “They are children and most of them have family problems. Many come because they are running away from abuse, because their parents have died or the parents can’t afford to feed them.”

CROSSROADS OF ILLEGAL MIGRATION To get out of Melilla, “they climb over this sea wall and land in the port. Then they try to hide on board a truck, the truck gets on a ship and they turn up in Malaga or Almeria” on the coast of southern Spain, Palazon added. “It is very difficult, but they manage. Each week there are about four or five who leave and do not come back.”

Meters from the dyke, a Spanish police boat patrols at sea, without drawing near where the youngsters are camped. “There’s not much that can be done,” said Lieutenant Juan Antonio Martin Rivera, a local police spokesman. “It is a delicate situation. It will have to be tackled in a multidisciplinary way. The city’s social services, the juvenile courts and the security forces will have to work together to see how to ease this problem.”

Melilla, which has 80,000 inhabitants, is the crossroads for migrants who try to

slip through to Europe. Charges at the sixmetre (19-foot) fence by crowds of migrants make regular headlines. “The ones who scale the wall draw the most media attention, but immigration has many faces,” said Martin. “The two main ways are to enter by sea in a vessel or by swimming, and in false bottoms in vehicles. The trafficking gangs put the immigrants there in dreadful, disastrous conditions. They put their lives at risk.”

Those two methods are used by migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, while those from neighboring Algeria pass the border with forged Moroccan identity papers, he said. Some 35,000 people and up to 7,000 cars cross into Melilla at its main border post every day under a visawaiver agreement between Spain and Morocco for people living in the area. In the queue, Spanish police search the boots and bodywork of vehicles. They recently found a girl of 16 and a boy of 17 hidden in a Mercedes, which now stands by partly dismantled.

“Traffickers charge between two and four thousand euros ($5,500) for every immigrant they hide in the false bottom of a car,” said Martin. “For the boats, they charge 1,500 euros per person and lately they have even been putting women and children on them. A lot of them don’t

know how to swim.” Many African migrants have died while sailing in flimsy vessels in the Mediterranean over recent years. Those that make it to Melilla look for a chance to cross to Europe, by boat or

hidden in trucks or shipping containers.

“They put themselves in some unbelievable places,” Martin added. “We’ve seen cases of people in bags of radioactive material.” — AFP

MELILLA: Immigrants walk next to the CETI (Centro de Estancia Temporal de Inmigrantes) a temporary transit centre for would be immigrants near the border between the Spanish enclave of Melilla and Morocco.— AFP

Hopes for Syria conference fade as rebels dig in heels Defiant Assad shows no sign of backing down

SYRIA-IRAQ BORDER: Kurdish security controls the flow of Syrian refugees trying to cross into northern Iraq from northeastern Syria. A group of more than 150 Syrians looking for refuge in neighboring Iraqi Kurdistan waited an hour but were refused entry by the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG) based in northern Iraq and had to return to Syria. — AFP

Fearing retribution, Syrian minorities keep low profile ISTANBUL: In a small park on the edge of old Istanbul’s Eminonu square, women sit begging, Syrian passports in their outstretched hands, “Please help in the name of God” on sheets of paper at their feet. In this bustling city, where fisherman line the shore of the Golden Horn and tourists mingle with traders in the alleyways of the spice bazaar, the war raging just over Turkey’s southern border feels very distant. But as Syria’s conflict takes on an increasingly sectarian dimension, a growing number of those fleeing to Turkey are shunning the refugee camps on its southern border and venturing instead to its major cities, as far from the war as possible.

“We can’t be comfortable at the camps. Yes, they give them food regularly, and conditions are maybe better, but we hear that they send all the men to fight at night,” said Tariq, 27, cradling his young son in his arms, his wife at their side.

“We don’t want to fight. I escaped the fighting, why would I go back again?” he asked, sitting in a cemevi - an assembly house used by Alevis, Turkey’s biggest religious minority - in Istanbul’s working-class Gazi neighborhood.

Tariq and the roughly 40 Syrian refugees he is sheltering with are mostly Alawites, an offshoot of Shi’ite Islam and the same minority sect as Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. It is not an identity they readily reveal. Perceived, often wrongly, as die-hard Assad supporters, they say they fear retribution in Turkey’s refugee camps, which are thronged by Sunni Muslim opposition supporters, including rebel fighters and their families. “I’d rather go and die in the war in Syria than stay in a camp,” said Miran, 29, smoking a cigarette on a shredded mattress in a tent in the courtyard of the cemevi. “They don’t like Alawites in the camps and they know we’re Alawites. We are neither opposition members nor Assad supporters. We are just citizens,” he said. Syria’s civil war has killed more than 100,000 people, sent millions fleeing from their homes and divided the Middle East between Sunni Gulf states and Turkey, which mostly support the rebels, and Shiite Iran and Hezbollah, which back Assad.

Turkey has kept its borders open to refugees throughout the 31-month-old conflict and denies any sectarian agenda, insisting its camps are open to all. But its staunch support for the opposition puts some refugees in a difficult position. “Turkey says it doesn’t make a distinction between Alawites and Sunnis, but people do, and we can feel it even here,” said a Syrian refugee in Eminonu, declining to give his name.

“We just want to work, make a living, but they don’t give us a job,” he said, emphasising that he always told prospective employers he was Sunni when looking for work.

SECTARIAN TENSIONS Turkey shelters more than a quarter of the 2 million people who have fled Syria’s war, 200,000 of them in the official camps dotted along its 900 km (560 mile) border. But twice that number live outside the camps, including almost all the refugees who have arrived over the past few months. While many have the means or family ties to find lodging, the numbers of those forced to sleep rough appear to be growing in cities, including Istanbul and Ankara.

Zeynal Odabas, head of the Pirsultan Abdal Cemevi hosting the refugees, said Turkey should consider the diversity of Syria’s population and set up separate camps for different groups. He criticized the government for allowing fighters from the rebel Free Syrian Army and factions such as the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Al-Nusra to shelter in the camps. “While people from Nusra and the Free Syrian Army are being hosted in the camps, these poor people have been living on the street,” Odabas said, citing the fighters’ presence in the camps as a reason many refugees preferred to go it alone.

Turkey has long championed more robust backing for Syria’s fractious armed opposition, arguing it would bring a quicker end to Assad’s rule and give moderate forces the authority they needed to keep more radical Islamist elements in check. But Ankara’s critics say that its policy has in fact allowed Islamist militants, some of them accused of committing atrocities against Alawite communities, to gain ground in Syria.

Turkey denies arming the rebels or facilitating the passage of foreign fighters who have swollen the ranks of al Qaeda-linked factions, but the border is difficult to police. Rebels, refugees and smugglers have been able to cross illegally.

BRACING FOR WINTER Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate (AFAD) says it is aware of the influx of Syrians who bypass the camps, but that it can do little for those who decline its help. “We do the best we can within the rules of a state of law, but we can’t simply force people,” said spokesman Mustafa Aydogdu, adding that there were Alawites living in the camps and that there had been no reports of disputes. “We haven’t received a specific demand from Syrians coming to Turkey to set up a separate camp for any particular group. If there is such a demand, it may be considered,” he said. The agency does not register refugees by their religious affiliation in the camps, he said.

With the United Nations expecting another 2 million Syrians to become refugees in 2014 and 2.25 million more to be displaced inside Syria, Turkey’s open-door policy means the numbers of destitute Syrians on its streets is only likely to rise. “We can’t go back until the war is over,” said Ahmed, 15, who has lived in a makeshift tent near an Ankara shantytown with no access to water, electricity and heating for four months.

“We are more comfortable here, we hear there are a lot of disputes, disagreements at the camps. People complain, so we don’t want to go,” he said.

He is among around 150 largely Syrian Kurdish refugees, many of them barefoot children, living in tents on a muddy hillside, near where property developers are building highrise blocks. Temperatures are already dropping and will soon fall well below freezing. When a car occasionally drives by, the children run behind it, cheering and hoping it is one of the local Turks who regularly bring food and clothing. “We are just holding up now,” said Samer, 31, who had worked as a keyboard player in Aleppo before fleeing. “They say the first snow will fall in a couple of months. God help us then.”— Reuters

DAMASCUS: Prospects for a Syria peace conference in Geneva next month looked dim yesterday after key opposition leaders spurned efforts by Western and Arab powers to persuade them to attend. A meeting in London between the opposition leaders and 11 key countries of the socalled Friends of Syria on Tuesday produced little more than an accord that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad should play no future role in government.

But leaders of the National Coalition-the main opposition umbrella group insisted they would not take part in a conference in late November if any regime members were there, sticking to their demand that Assad’s departure was essential. A defiant Assad has shown no sign of backing down after a two-and-a-half-year civil war that has left more than 115,000 people dead, saying he was ready to run for re-election in 2014.

Assad has systematically refused to recognize the Coalition as a legitimate negotiating partner and rejected its demands for him to step down.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the London meeting had urged the Coalition to “commit itself fully” to the so-called Geneva 2 talks. He said the Friends of Syria agreed that they would put their “united and collective weight” behind efforts to form a transitional government and that “Assad would play no role in that future government of Syria.” US Secretary of State John Kerry took a similar position, saying Assad had

“lost all legitimacy.”

But he too urged the opposition to go to Geneva, saying Syria was at risk of “implosion” if the war continued and that the only alternative to a negotiated settlement was “continued if not increased killing.” The opposition is due to meet at the start of November to finalize its position on the Geneva talks, which would be a follow-up to a conference held there in June 2012. But Coalition head Ahmad Jarba appeared to be in no mood to compromise. “The only thing we are willing to negotiate is a transfer of all power and then the departure of the mass killer (Assad),” he said.

“If what is asked is a way out that leads to the fall of the criminal Assad and the handover of power and for the war criminals on all sides to be put on trial, we welcome Geneva 2.” And he said the talks could only succeed if humanitarian corridors are opened to two Damascus suburbs and the Old City of Homs under siege by the army, and if women and children in detention be freed.

“We cannot sit at the negotiating table while, in some areas, children are dying of hunger and women are being tortured in jails.”

Notably absent from the London meeting was key Syria ally Russia, which has dismissed such gatherings in the past, saying they do not represent all the Syrian people. Washington and Moscow have been trying to organize the Geneva conference on the heels of the deal they reached for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons

after a deadly poison gas attack in August widely blamed on Damascus. But Assad dealt an early blow to peace hopes, saying in an interview Monday that the factors are not in place for the conference to succeed.

“No time has been set, and the factors are not yet in place if we want (Geneva 2) to succeed,” Assad told Lebanon-based satellite channel AlMayadeen, adding that there was no guarantee about “which forces are taking part.” UN-Arab League mediator Lakhdar Brahimi will meet again on November 5 with US and Russian officials to prepare for the Geneva talks, the UN announced Tuesday. That meeting will be followed by one with the other three permanent members of the UN Security Council-Britain, China and France, according to UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

In other developments, prominent human rights activist Sema Nassar said yesterday that Syrian authorities have released 14 women detainees as part of a weekend hostage exchange but that dozens of others are still being held. Nine Lebanese Shiite hostages held by a rebel group in northern Syria were exchanged on Saturday for two Turkish pilots abducted in retaliation. And the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said fighting in Quneitra province, near the Israeli border, had killed and wounded 20 loyalists, while militants said there was fighting in various parts of the Damascus suburb of Moadamiyet Al-Sham.— AFP

Iran spares life of hanging survivor TEHRAN: Iran has decided to spare the life of a convicted drug trafficker who survived a hanging, media reports yesterday quoted Justice Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi as saying. The reports follow calls from within Iran and a appeals from international rights groups against the man found alive in a morgue facing execution for a second time.

“The convict who survived (the death penalty) will not be executed again,” Pour-Mohammadi said late Tuesday in remarks reported by the official IRNA news agency. “After putting much effort to prevent the second execution of this convict, we have received a positive response,” he said without elaborating.

All judicial affairs and decisions in the Islamic republic rest with the judiciary, which constitutionally operates independently from the government.

The convict, identified only as Alireza M., 37, was pronounced dead earlier this month by the attending doctor after hanging for 12 minutes from a noose suspended from a crane at a jail in northeast Iran. But the next day, staff at the mortuary in the city of Bojnourd where his shrouded body was taken discovered he was still breathing.

Media later reported that he had fallen into a coma. Pour-Mohammadi implied that a second execution would be damaging for Iran’s image. “If he survives, it is not expedient to hang him again,” said the minister. The incident led to a heated debate between jurists, with some arguing against a repeat hanging and others for. According to the media, a petition signed by jurists and attorneys was sent to judiciary chief Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, appealing for a stay in the exceptional case. Amnesty International also called for an immediate stay of execution for Alireza M. Iran has one of the highest rates of execution in the world, with more than 500 cases last year and some 508 executions so far this year, according to Human Rights Watch. Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain law and order, and that it is applied only after exhaustive judicial proceedings.

Murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are among the crimes punishable by death in Iran, based on its interpretation of sharia law in force since its 1979 Islamic revolution. — AFP

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (right) delivers his speech during the official opening of the Majlis Ilmu 2013 in Bandar Seri Begawan. The Sultan of Brunei announced the phased introduction of tough Islamic punishments including death by stoning for crimes such as adultery, in the monarchy’s latest step towards conservatism. — AFP

Brunei introduces sharia criminal law BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Oil-rich Brunei will enforce sharia criminal law next year, the Islamic kingdom’s sultan announced on Tuesday, with possible punishments including stoning to death for adultery and flogging for drinking alcohol. The law would be enforced from April, said the 67-year-old sovereign, Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world’s wealthiest people, who has presided over a shift to more conservative Islam and antisedition laws in recent years. Power is concentrated with the monarchy and the country does not hold elections. “It is because of our need that Allah the Almighty, in all his generosity, has created laws for us, so that we can utilise them to obtain justice,” said the sultan, who also holds the post of prime minister.

Many crimes under the new code have a high burden of proof and sharia court judges would have discretion over punishments, which could also include amputations for theft. The tiny kingdom, which has Southeast

Asia’s highest per-capita income after Singapore, has been preparing to introduce the sharia penal code for years. In the past, the sultan has said that sharia criminal law should be established to work alongside the country’s civil law more prominently.

Brunei, which neighbors two Malaysian states on Borneo island and has a population of just over 400,000, already enforces Islamic teachings more sternly than Malaysia and Indonesia, the other majority Muslim countries in Southeast Asia. The sale of alcohol is banned and evangelism by other religions is strictly forbidden. The sultan added that the government’s overall policies would not be affected by the legal change, in a possible nod to foreign investors. With its oil reser ves set to run out in about two decades, the government has embarked on a strategy to promote development in sectors such as tourism, halal products and manufacturing. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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Girl found in Greece gives hope to parents of missing kids PARIS: The discovery of a young blonde girl in a Roma camp in Greece has raised the hopes of many desperate parents of missing children across Europe. The Greek charity that has taken in the girl, the Smile of the Child, has received more than 8,000 calls from around the world since she was found by police last week in a Roma camp in central Greece. “It is often parents who have lost a child and who hope, who are looking for some similarity between their child and the child that was found,” said Delphine Moralis of Missing Children Europe. “Many are calling saying ‘Is that my little girl?’” she said.

Initially thought to be four years old, but later confirmed from dental checks to be five or six, the girl was kept by a Roma couple who were placed in pre-trial detention on Monday for allegedly abducting her. The couple, a 39-year-old man and his 40-yearold wife, deny the charge and claim that she was voluntarily handed over by her Bulgarian Roma mother who could not care for her. Greek authorities are investigating nearly a dozen missing child cases from at least four countries in connection with the little girl, including cases in the United States, Sweden, Poland and France.

Cross-border police agency Interpol has sent out the girl’s photo and DNA profile to all of its 190 member countries. It has also led to a case that has sparked comparisons in Ireland where police have removed a seven-year-old girl with blonde hair and blue eyes from a Roma family living in a Dublin suburb and briefly took a two-yearold boy into care. For some parents, the case has raised the issue of alleged abductions of children by the Roma community.

“My family and I are extremely delighted at the news that a four-year-old girl has been found in a gypsy camp,” Kerry Needham, whose son Ben was just 21 months old when he vanished on the Greek island of Kos in 1991 said. The youngster, from Sheffield in Britain, vanished after travelling to Kos with his mother and grandparents, who were renovating a farmhouse in the village of Iraklise. “We have always believed that Ben’s abduction was gypsy-related,” Needham said. “We hope that the investigation into Ben’s disappearance will now be looked at again.”

But Roma groups cautioned against drawing premature conclusions and tarring the entire community with allegations of abductions. “If a crime has been committed

in Greece, and this is still by no means clear, those who committed it should be treated as individuals, not as representatives of their ethnicity,” the Budapest-based European Roma Rights Centre said in a statement. “Such a case could arise in any racial, ethnic, religious or national group,” it said. About 250,000 children go missing in Europe every year, Moralis said, though many are runaways or are taken by parents in custody battles.

The “really worrying disappearances,” she said, account for only two to five percent of cases, or about 5,000 to 12,000 incidents per year. Critics complain that there is no central European database of missing children or Europe-wide authority to manage cases. Experts say every case of a missing child being found-like the discovery of kidnapped Austrian girl Natascha Kampusch in 2006 and the rescue of three abducted girls in Cleveland earlier this year-raises the hopes of distraught parents whose own children have gone missing.

The parents of British girl Madeleine McCann, who vanished in Portugal in May 2007 days before her fourth birthday, were among those who said the discovery of the

girl in Greece had given them more hope of finding their daughter alive. “It can give hope to the families and justifies that they keep looking for children and fighting,” said

Alain Boulay, who founded France’s APEV association for parents of missing children in 1991, after the kidnapping and murder of his daughter Delphine. — AFP

LARISSA: A Roma girl walks outside the courthouse of the central Greek city of Larissa, where a Roma couple is due to appear in court on charges of abducting a young girl dubbed the “blonde angel”, whose discovery has prompted thousands of calls from parents of missing children. — AFP

Jerusalem mayor re-elected; A blow to ex-Foreign Minister Corruption trial clouds Lieberman’s political future

TRIPOLI: In this file photo, Libyan militias from towns throughout the country’s west parade through Tripoli, Libya. Libya marks two years of ‘liberation’ from the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi yesterday. — AP

JERUSALEM: The Israeli mayor of Jerusalem won re-election yesterday in a hotly contested race that dealt a political blow to his challenger’s main backers, former Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. Lieberman, a legislator whose farright Yisrael Beitenu party is allied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, is embroiled in a corruption case, with a court verdict next month likely to determine whether he returns to the cabinet.

The Jerusalem race, in which his mayoral candidate, Moshe Lion, failed to unseat incumbent Nir Barkat, had been an opportunity for Lieberman to flex some political muscle. But in a snub to Lieberman, Netanyahu did not endorse Lion and flew to Italy on Tuesday for talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry after casting his ballot in Jerusalem.

Lion, a former aide to Netanyahu, took 45 percent of the vote to Barakat’s 51 percent.

Palestinians, who form about a third of Jerusalem’s 750,000 people, usually boycott the

Libya finds little to celebrate two years after ‘liberation’ TRIPOLI: Libya marked the second anniversary yesterday of its “liberation” from loyalists of veteran dictator Muammar Gaddafi with no official celebrations as it struggles to heal the wounds of the conflict. The post-Gaddafi authorities are still struggling to assert their writ over large swathes of the country. Many rebel units which fought in the bloody NATO-backed revolt against Gaddafi’s forces have refused to lay down their arms and now operate as more or less autonomous militias, sometimes in outright defiance of the government. The government did issue a brief statement on Tuesday, congratulating the people on the “decisive day that ended tyranny and despotism.”

On October 23, 2011, the victorious rebels declared the “liberation” of Libya from Gaddafi loyalists three days, after the once-feared dictator was captured and killed outside his home town Sirte in the final battle of the eight-month conflict. But two years on, there was no sign of any preparations for festivities in either the capital or second city of Benghazi, birthplace of the uprising. The anniversary comes less than two weeks after a former rebel militia briefly kidnapped Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, exposing the persistent weakness of the central government.

Tripoli resident Abdelhadi Al-Sultan, 41, was downbeat about the anniversary. “Nothing has changed in Libya,” he said as he left a mosque. “Libya is not getting better, it is heading towards worse things because of the militias that really govern

the country”. With the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime, the country’s once-pervasive security apparatus also collapsed, and the new authorities have struggled to create a replacement army and police force. Instead it has had to rely on the former rebel militias which have their own competing ideological, regional and tribal loyalties.

Despite the chaos, Fethi Terbel, the lawyer and human rights activist whose arrest on February 15, 2011 sparked Libya’s uprising, was tentatively optimistic. “I have a positive outlook two years after the liberation, despite the bitterness that dominates most people’s feelings and which seems to me to be the natural result of a revolution still in its infancy,” he said. Terbel said that Libya’s instability was the “legacy of the former regime,” which left “state institutions in meltdown”. The roadmap for the transition to democracy was supposed to give the country sustainable institutions to help bring stability.

But the current turmoil has cast doubts over the roadmap.

The failure of the government to set up a professional police and army has prompted mounting criticism of its human rights record. Residents of Tawargha, a town that was a base for Gaddafi’s forces during the 2011 uprising, have been hounded out of their homes and prevented from returning by former rebels, Amnesty International said yesterday. “The Libyan authorities must urgently find a durable solution to end the continued forcible displacement of tens of thousands of Tawarghas,” the watchdog said.— AFP

Insecurity casts doubts over Libya’s political transition TRIPOLI: Political tension and chronic insecurity are casting doubts over Libya’s ability to complete its transition to democracy, two years after the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

After more than 40 years under Gaddafi, Libya held its first free elections in July 2012 to choose the General National Congress (GNC), the country’s highest political authority. It must now choose an assembly to draft a new constitution, but militias left over from the 2011 uprising, who control much of the country, bitter political infighting and threats to boycott the upcoming vote could derail the process.

The electoral commission recently said it had started preparing for a vote and was accepting nominations for candidates, but gave no date for when it would happen. The GNC was given an 18-month mandate to guide Libya towards general elections after the drafting of a new constitution, which was to set out the country’s new political order. According to the “constitutional declaration”-a provisional document put in place after the uprising against Gaddafi ended-the GNC’s mandate is due to expire in February.

But a spokesman for the body recently suggested it might extend the deadline for it to complete its task. “The length of the GNC’s term is determined by its work and is not limited by time,” the spokesman said, citing the findings of a parliamentary commission. But the suggestion has caused unease among some politicians and jurists. Lawyer Azza Maghour said that if the GNC extends its term in power “it will lose much of its legitimacy.”

Some parties have rejected any move to prolong the GNC’s life, fearing a loss of legitimacy could push Libya into further turmoil, particularly if militias linked to some parties try to take power by force. The liberal National Forces Alliance, the main grouping in the Congress, has “rejected the prolongation of

the GNC’s mandate,” calling for a “clear roadmap to end the transitional period. “ Liberals and Islamists, the country’s second major political force, have also accused one another of blocking the road to democracy and attempting to seize power for themselves. The constitutional commission is to be made up of 60 members and is modeled on the committee that drafted the country’s charter in 1951. As then, the new body will have 20 members from each of the country’s three regions-Tripolitania in the west, Cyrenaica in the east and Fezzan in the south.

MINORITIES THREATEN BOYCOTT But insecurity is not the only threat to the polls, as demands from minorities in Libya could also upset proceedings. The Tubu, Berber and Tuareg minorities have said they would boycott elections, as they will only have six seats out of 60 on the constitutional committee, in which they want their languages, cultural and ethnic rights to be included. “We are still keeping up our demands to the GNC to adopt ways to allow minorities to have their voices heard in the electoral commission,” the head of the Libyan Berber Council, Nouri Chaoui said. And in the country’s east, supporters of greater autonomy for Cyrenaica are refusing to budge on their demands for a federal state.

In August, they made their third call for a federal Libya, and have now been joined by tribal groups from Fezzan in the south, who also want greater autonomy. Faced with these persistent political and security problems, the electoral commission has been working to make sure the vote can go ahead safely. “We are in touch with the government, which promised to take the necessary measures to assure security and a smooth election,” commission head Nuri Al-Abbar said. —AFP

mayoral race in protest at Israel’s control of the eastern part of the city captured in a 1967 war.

For Shas, the contest was a chance to demonstrate its electoral power and show it could induce a large bloc of ultra-Orthodox voters to rally behind Lion, its favored candidate.

Once a maker and breaker of coalition governments, Shas was not invited to join the one Netanyahu formed after a national election in January, handicapping its ability to channel public resources to its educational and social welfare institutions. The party, which draws its suppor ters from Israel’s work ing class Sephardic community of Jews of Middle Eastern origin, has been in flux since the death two weeks ago of its spiritual head, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX VOTES Shas’s main political leader, Arye Deri, joined Lieberman in backing Lion, but failed to win support from ultra-Orthodox rabbis representing Ashkenazim, or Jews of European descent.

Barkat, 54, called the election “one of the most complicated and difficult races” he had seen, but thanked voters he said “gave us a mandate to lead the city with the same vision for the next five years”. A former high-tech tycoon, Barkat was first elected mayor in 2008 when he defeated an ultra-Orthodox leader in a contest that turned mostly on the city’s sharp religioussecular divide. This time he won votes from secular and religious Israelis alike.

Though a political independent, Barkat championed Jewish settlement building in east Jerusalem in his first term, supporting Netanyahu’s policies, yet was seen as more pragmatic than his opponent. The Jerusalem contest was seen as the most strategic of nearly 200 local government elections held across Israel. In Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial centre, Mayor Ron Huldai was the predicted w i n n e r o f a fo u r t h te r m o f o f f i ce, e a s i l y defeating Nitzan Horowitz, a dovish lawmaker who would have been the first gay mayor in the Middle East.— Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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‘Beautiful China’ tourism pitch misfires amid smog BEIJING: Forget all the headlines about eye-watering pollution in Beijing and Shanghai - the Middle Kingdom’s latest tourism slogan invites visitors to “Beautiful China”. Adorning buses and trains in cities such as London, the marketing effort has been derided as particularly inept at a time when record-busting smog has drawn attention to the environmental and health costs of China’s unfettered industrialization. Like this year’s typically clunky theme for visitors “China Ocean Tourism Year,” the slogan highlights the tin ear of an industry that has ridden the coattails of China’s rapid economic growth and increased global prominence but failed to keep up with international travel trends.

“Beauty can be looked at in many different ways, but when you have all the stories about the pollution, and the air pollution in particular, people are not going to buy the fact that China is 100 percent beautiful,” said Alastair Morrison, a Beijing-based expert in tourism destination marketing and development. China’s tourism industry has grown at a fast pace since the country began free market-style economic reforms three decades ago. In 2011, travel and tourism generated $644 billion, or more than 9 percent of China’s GDP, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council, mostly propelled by its huge domestic market of 1.1 billion people.

China is also the world’s third most-visited country after France and the US Despite that status, the numbers are less significant economically than domestic tourism. On top of that, the growth in foreign tourists has lagged world averages. According to the World Tourism Organization, whose data is based on national sources, the average growth rate in overnight visitors worldwide was 2.8 percent from 2008 to 2012. The average growth rate in China was 2.1 percent. And in the first nine months of this year, a period during which China’s image as a destination has been tainted by worsening air pollution and unprecedented coverage of it, foreign overnight visitors dropped 7 percent to 15 million people.

“For a destination like China, which is a large country that many foreigners have not been to, and with the interest in China, you would expect above average

BEIJING: In this July 31, 2013 photo, a group of foreign tourists visits the Temple of Heaven. — AP growth rates,” said Morrison. “You have to question what’s going on.” Some point to unsophisticated marketing as an explanation. Whereas tourism offices all over the world use Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, Chinese tourism authorities stick with what they know: trade shows and magazine advertising. They are fond of using wordy theme years to promote China, having used one annually since its “Friendly Sightseeing Year” of 1992. The busy looking website of the national tourism body has been likened to a company newsletter.

“Most government tourism administrations in China prefer the traditional way of promotion to attract foreigners, such as holding promotions in targeted places overseas,” said Wang Sheng, assistant general manager at D & J Global Communications. “But this practice has one major shortcoming in that they are still not close enough to the potential individual customer.” Some

local tourism authorities recognize the problem and are leading the way in changing their strategy to attract foreign tourists, particularly those from Europe and North America.

The tourism authority in Shandong province, home of Confucius’ birthplace and Tsingtao beer, has consulted Google Inc. to improve its advertising reach. Google helped them set up a channel on YouTube and increase their advertisements’ visibility alongside search results and on its partner websites. It also suggests advertising ideas and online designs. Sun Shue, director of the international tourism marketing department at Shandong Tourism Administration, said they were working with Google to target primarily the European and American markets to make their inbound tourism market more balanced.

Nearly half of inbound tourists to Shandong on the

eastern coast come from regional neighbors Japan and South Korea, with Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia also providing many visitors, she said. European visitors are few in number and this structure is “not conducive to long-term stable growth,” she said. Hangzhou city’s tourism office has a Facebook page and a website in several languages including English and German.

The city’s marketing and the image of Hangzhou’s scenic West Lake has extended to dozens of buses and taxis in four European capitals and Tokyo and Seoul.

This year, Hangzhou city has mainly targeted Britain, France, Germany and the United States and says it works with local PR companies to promote its brand.

Other problems in the industry are organizational.

Tour operators abroad complain that instead of cooperating with them to draw up cultural, historical and other themed itineraries, which is customary in the global industry, Chinese tourism authorities prefer to market directly to foreigners through travel magazines and other media. Terry Dale, president and CEO of the United States Tour Operators Association, said it was a “cumbersome process” dealing with Chinese tourism authorities.

The national tourism body unveiled its new logo and tagline “Beautiful China” in February - a square blue logo with “Beautiful China” written in English and Chinese. It is competing with South Korea’s use of “Gangnam Style” star Psy as the face of its tourism adverts abroad, and is expected to be discussed at this week’s China International Travel Mart in south China, one of the country’s most influential travel industry events. The China National Tourism Administration declined to be interviewed.

On a recent day, tourists on a hill overlooking the Forbidden City imperial palace in Beijing said they thought the slogan could have been more sophisticated. “Well indeed China is beautiful, that’s what we have seen for the last few days, yet I find it a little bit general because there have been a lot of beautiful places we have been to,” said backpacker Maciek Pielok, 26, from Naleczow in Poland. “I guess that you could even call it Epic China or the oldest country in the world, something like that.” —AP

US Republicans vow no letup on ‘Obamacare’ Democratic support fraying for healthcare reforms

WASHINGTON: In this Aug 1, 2012 file photo, Jeffrey Zients testifies on Capitol Hill. — AP

Obama calls trusted aide to fix healthcare website WASHINGTON: When a federal program that promised cash rebates to people who traded in their clunkers for more fuel-efficient vehicles was overrun by demand, President Barack Obama assigned Jeffrey Zients, his deputy budget director, to help eliminate the backlog.

When the same thing happened with sign-ups for an updated version of the GI Bill, one designed to help the 9/11 generation of veterans get a college education, Obama again turned to Zients for help. Now, as Obama’s healthcare website continues to be plagued by a rash of technical problems that have turned it into an administration embarrassment and a source of frustration for uninsured people trying to sign up for coverage that the law now requires many of them to have, who has Obama called for help? Zients, his Mr. Fix-it.

Faced with mounting questions about the website and its hiccups, the Obama administration announced Tuesday that the longtime management consultant will help fix the problems and turn the site into the breezy, one-stop shopping portal Obama promised it would be. Zients came out of a temporary retirement from the federal government and quietly dived into his new assignment on Monday. He left the administration earlier this year after the budget director’s job went to someone else. Last month, Obama announced that Zients would take over next year as director of the National Economic Council, becoming the president’s chief economic adviser.

Zients will provide short-term advice, assessments and recommendations to a Department of Health and Human Services team that officials say has been working around the clock to fix www.healthcare.gov since it went live Oct 1.

Administration officials, from Obama on down, had promoted the federal website as the first stop for uninsured people in 36 states who want to figure out what coverage they can afford.

They are now urging people to also try signing up by telephone, mail or in person. Zients has led some of the country’s top management firms, advising companies worldwide.

He joined the administration in 2009 as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget and the nation’s first chief performance officer. He also served two stints as OMB’s acting director, and led an effort to streamline government and save money by selling off unused or underused real estate. The effort stalled in Congress. Zients was acting OMB director from January 2012 through April 2013, when the Senate confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell for the director’s post.

By many accounts, the 46-year-old Zients, who lives in Washington with his wife and four children, is well-respected and liked inside the White House. “I think that’s why he’s continually being handed tough jobs,” said Kenneth Baer, who was a senior adviser to Zients at the budget office. Zients grew up in the Washington area and spent his career in business before agreeing to work for Obama. That two decades of experience allowed him to bring a different perspective to government and how it should be run, Baer says. “He’s not going to be looking under the hood and tell you, ‘I can fix the coding, I can fix it,’” Baer said of Zients’ newest assignment.

“His skill is going to be how to identify challenges, prioritize what solutions need to be done next, assessing what talent is already available and then how to motivate them to do that job as quickly and as ably as possible.”—AP

Afghan ‘lovers’ found beheaded KANDAHAR: A young couple in conservative southern Afghanistan have been found beheaded, apparently killed for having a love affair outside of marriage, officials said yesterday. Police investigating the case said they believed the family of the woman, aged around 20, was responsible for the murders in the southern province of Helmand, a lawless hotbed of the Taleban insurgency. The elder brother of the male victim, who was in his 20s, told officers the woman had run away with him recently and was living in their family home.

On Monday, 10 men broke into the house near the provincial capital Lashkar Gah and kidnapped the pair, police official Mohammad Ismail Hotak told AFP. “On Tuesday, local residents reported that there were two bodies in the graveyard. We went there and found them. Both were beheaded,” he said. “From our investigations, we

have found that the two had a love affair.

We believe the family and relatives of the girl are behind the killing.”

The police official said the brother told investigators the dead man had loved the woman and wanted to marry her. Omar Zwak, the provincial governor’s spokesman, confirmed the incident and said an investigation was under way.

Relations between young men and women outside marriage are taboo in Afghanistan, an extremely conservative nation with deep Islamic beliefs. Most marriages are arranged by family elders, in some cases without the couples being consulted. A man attempting to establish relations with a woman is seen as an insult to her family’s honour and often leads to violent revenge.

In such cases, the woman is often also killed for supposedly bringing shame to the family. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Republicans revived attacks against their favorite target “Obamacare” Tuesday by seizing on technical failures to try to delay its rollout, amid some fraying of Democratic support for the health care reforms. The rocky debut of the website where people started to sign up for insurance on October 1 under the country’s health care law was largely obscured by recent political clashes in Washington over spending and raising the nation’s debt limit.

President Barack Obama signaled a shift in tone Monday in acknowledging the technical problems, with reports emerging that Healthcare.gov was launched despite signs of serious shortcomings during simulation tests. Republicans - bruised by their failed attempts to dismantle the health care law during the budget fight - appeared eager to pounce on a chastened White House. “It’s unfair to punish people for not purchasing a product that they can’t purchase right now because the technology that’s in place, the website they’re supposed to buy it on - by the president’s own admission - is not working,” Republican Senator Marco Rubio, a potential 2016 presidential candidate, told CBS News Tuesday.

Beginning Jan 1, most Americans must have health insurance or pay a fine. But that requirement known as the “individual mandate,” in which enrolment of millions of young healthy Americans is seen as helping pay for the broader coverage that would help the poor and elderly, has been hotly challenged by Republicans for months. “All I’m calling for is a delay on that requirement, until the General Accounting Office of the United States certifies that the website is up and working and functioning and has been functioning for six consecutive months,” Rubio added. “I think that’s a prudent approach,” he said.

Republican lawmakers uniformly oppose so-called Obamacare, with House Speaker John Boehner insisting that dismantling the law remained a top priority for his party.

Fueling the ire has been a series of embarrassing technical glitches riddling the federal website, where many of the country’s tens of millions of uninsured have had trouble logging on or securing coverage. Many critics see such hurdles as symptomatic of a fatally flawed system. “I don’t think any amount of apologizing on the part of the president is going to fix the core problem here, which is (Obamacare) cannot and will not work,” top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told Fox News late Monday. “The government is going to botch this. They’ve had four years to get ready. It’s clear to me that this isn’t going to work. It’s not fixable.”

Democrats largely back Obama’s signature domestic initiative, but in a stark sign that such support is in jeopardy, Senator Jeanne Shaheen wrote the president Tuesday to urge an extension of the initial period during which individuals can enrol on the exchanges. “Given the existing problems with the website, I urge you to consider extending open enrolment beyond the current end date of March 31, 2014,” she told Obama, describing the difficulties as “incredibly frustrating and disappointing”.

Such an extension would leave unclear the issue of penalties people would be obliged to pay for failing to sign up by Jan 1.

“If an individual is unable to purchase health insurance due to technical problems with enrollment, they should not be penalized because of lack of coverage,” Shaheen wrote.

In a video Tuesday, Obama reiterated his defense of the healthcare law, saying “we’ve got people working overtime in a tech surge to boost capacity and address the problems, and we’re going to get it fixed”. He also urged supporters “to be a part of Team Obamacare” and get the word out about its benefits. Some Republicans are targeting the top health official in Obama’s cabinet, saying Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius should resign. She is “confirmed to testify” next week before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, according to the panel, whose members will grill her on the systemic failures of the enrollment process.

Republican congressman Steve Scalise decried the rollout as “a national embarrassment,” pointing to the extraordinary cost of the online system, which a Government Accountability Office report in June pegged at $394 million and counting. “Facebook cost less money to build than this and they have over a billion users,” he told Fox. The White House referred questions on the cost of the website system to HHS, but the department refused to comment.

HHS reportedly was brief House Democrats yesterday about the glitches, prompting complaints from Republicans that the administration was shielding details about the website rollout.

“All members - as well as the American people - deserve answers for this debacle,” said Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck. “It’s time for the Obama administration to honor its promises of transparency and face some accountability.” — AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama reaches over to help Karmel Allison of San Diego who started to lose her balance while he was speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House on Oct 21, 2013 on the initial rollout of the healthcare overhaul. The woman, who was standing with a group of supporters of the healthcare law, was helped away from the stage. — AP

Raymond weakens to tropical storm MEXICO CITY: Raymond weakened to a tropical storm yesterday and moved away from Mexico’s Pacific coast, providing cautious relief to a region still reeling from a deadly hit last month. Forecasters in both Mexico and the United States said the former hurricane lost steam overnight and was likely to abate further. But authorities urged the public to stay alert and follow official instructions since more rain was likely, further soaking already drenched areas.

Raymond was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 km per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said in its latest bulletin. At 1200 GMT, it was located some 250 km southsouthwest of the resort of Zihuatanejo and 305 km west-southwest of another tourist haunt, Acapulco. “Raymond weakens to a tropical storm and is now moving away from Mexico,” the Miami-based center said. “Additional weakening is possible over the next couple of days.”

Mexican forecasters concurred, adding that

the system was moving west-southwest at 13 kilometers per hour. Raymond previously weakened from a Category Three to a Category One hurricane on the five-level SaffirSimpson scale. Torrential rains had prompted the evacuations of some 1,500 people in the states of Guerrero and Michoacan, while schools closed and beach plans were upended for sun-seeking tourists.

With authorities discontinuing a tropical storm warning, schools were expected to reopen in Guerrero. But national weather officials urged locals to remain vigilant, warning downpours were expected to continue and that “the rains in recent days and even weeks have saturated soils.” Mexico is still recovering from floods and landslides unleashed by tropical storms Manuel and Ingrid last month, which left 157 people dead. Manuel was particularly vicious in Guerrero’s mountains, triggering a major landslide that buried much of a village, leaving scores missing. — AFP

ACAPULCO, Mexico: Ricardo Mesino Flores walks through what is left of his home, which was destroyed previously by Tropical Storm Manuel, as it is again flooded by rain brought

by Hurricane Raymond in the community Papa Gallo de Tierra Colorada on Tuesday. — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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

Afghan accused of channelling aid money to insurgency KABUL: US inspectors are on the trail of a successful Afghan businessman they believe has channelled millions of dollars in aid to the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network, one of the deadliest insurgent groups in Afghanistan, but still has donor-funded reconstruction contracts around the country. The investigation, detailed in a trove of documents obtained by Reuters, comes at a crucial time for Afghanistan and its foreign allies, who have poured billions of dollars into leaving behind a stable, viable state when most NATO-led combat troops pull out next year.

Development aid to Afghanistan - approaching $100 billion after 12 years of war - and the contractors who receive it are being scrutinised by the US Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), with one case in particular involving businessman Haji Khalil Zadran linked to the Haqqanis. “It makes absolutely no sense that individuals and entities designated as supporting the insurgency could receive US contracts,” John Sopko, the chief of the US watchdog agency, told Reuters. “If they get a contract not only do they get US taxpayer money, but they could gain access to US personnel and facilities, putting our troops at risk,” he said.

Zadran rejects the allegations, saying it is simply a case of mistaken identity. SIGAR believes Zadran’s case is one of dozens that show a sinister side to the story of how endemic corruption, a charge often levelled at President Hamid Karzai’s government, has undermined efforts to stabilise Afghanistan. Zadran left school to drive trucks and went on to build an empire that has won more than $125 million in donor-funded construction projects. His fortune should reflect the potential for success in post-war Afghanistan. Instead, the SIGAR investigation paints a picture of how aid has been siphoned off to maintain a web of corruption, violence and failure.

The inability over many years to stop firms believed to be supporting the insurgency from winning multimillion-dollar contracts exposes the lack of control that donors have over cash once it is handed over to the

Afghan government. Those transfers make up an increasing proportion of aid. US federal agencies want more than $10.7 billion for reconstruction programs in 2014, SIGAR says, and the government has promised at least half will be granted directly to Afghan institutions to spend as they see fit. Much of the evidence against Zadran is classified, but the cache of documents given to Reuters by US officials on condition of anonymity show that he has close business ties with the Haqqani network’s leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani. The Haqqanis, Islamist insurgents who operate on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, are believed to have introduced suicide bombing into Afghanistan.

The links between Zadran and the insurgency include him teaming up with Saadullah Khan and Brothers Engineering and Construction Company (SKB), believed to be one of Sirajuddin Haqqani’s companies.

Together they won a $15 million contract to help build a road between the towns of Gardez and Khost in Afghanistan’s east for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2011. “The owners of these companies are facilitators and commanders of the Haqqani Network,” one US government memorandum says.

Zadran says he approached SKB Chief Executive Kamal Naser Khan because they had already worked together on the construction of an airport in Faizabad in northeastern Afghanistan in 2009. Zadran confirmed the contracts and partnerships, but said that alone did not constitute proof he financed the Haqqanis. On the contrary, he said, it was fortunate the US auditors had alerted him because it had saved him from becoming involved. Zadran won the road contract in Jan 2011 but it was cancelled a month later when vetting uncovered “derogatory information” about sub-contractors, USAID says. Zadran’s accountant said they had shares in SKB at the time the contract was awarded but had since sold them. Reuters approached SKB with a request to speak with the chief executive, but calls were not returned.

The Gardez-Khost road project began in 2007 with a price tag of $68.5 million. It remains unfinished, while

completed sections are already beginning to crack, and in August, a USAID official put the latest estimate of the bill at $230 million. U.S officials say some of the profits from such contracts - in Zadran’s case, estimated by SIGAR to be worth $125 million - have been channelled to the Haqqanis. The documents provided to Reuters do not detail how much, but one memorandum puts the figure for SKB alone at $1-2 million a month.

Zadran met Reuters at a prominent warlord’s house in central Kabul and, surrounded by rose gardens, spoke openly over tea about the US allegations. He said the United States has never given him concrete evidence of his support for the Haqqanis, who come from his tribe in eastern Afghanistan. He said Sirajuddin has a brother whose name is also Haji Khalil Zadran - not uncommon given Afghanistan’s deep tribal complexities - and that US officials had simply confused them. The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency, however, says Zadran is the only person by that name with a business license.

A US government memorandum dated August 2012 says Zadran has never given them proof to back up his claim of mistaken identity, offering instead only “a blanket denial”. A leaked diplomatic cable about a meeting US officials had with United Arab Emirates (UAE) security officials in Dubai in December 2009 shows that US officials have been interested in him for some time. The aim of the meeting was to discuss suspected Talibanrelated financial activity in the UAE and secure more help choking off funds flowing to the Taliban and other militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “They were familiar with Haji Khalil Zadran, a Kabul-based Haqqani Network financial facilitator who has visited the UAE, but were not able to provide any details on him,” the cable from the US embassy in Abu Dhabi said.

The US military recently refused to blacklist Zadran, despite the efforts by SIGAR and others, saying it had not been given enough evidence and that debarring individuals on the basis of classified information was unfair. The Afghan chamber of commerce, which does blacklist individuals referred by the government or other countries, said it was investigating Zadran but had

not reached a decision. Special Inspector Sopko has repeatedly urged similar action, most recently in July when SIGAR referred 43 contractors’ cases - most of them Afghan - to the US Army seeking their exclusion from the bidding process.

Zadran was raised in Paktia, a Haqqani stronghold in the east. His friends and associates say it is unfair to target him because all businesses there have to work with insurgents. Stretches of road in the region leading to Pakistan are controlled by insurgents who use the routes to fund their activities and even supply foreign troops stationed there. “It is widely believed among the US military and local members of the business community that truckers associated with the Haqqani network even carry goods shipped to the coalition,” wrote Gretchen Peters in her 2012 report for the US Combating Terrorism Center.

It is a widely held opinion. “We don’t have any evidence or documents to say Haji Khalil Zadran is paying insurgents,” said Haji Jabar, deputy spy chief for Paktia, when asked about Zadran and his projects there. “What we can say is that all companies in Paktia, Paktika (a neighbouring province) and Khost are paying for the Taliban to avoid attacks,” he said. The Haqqanis are ethnic Pashtuns from the Zadran tribe in the east and were once sponsored by US intelligence services after its figurehead Jalaluddin gained notoriety as an anti-Soviet mujahideen commander in the 1980s.

Nowadays, effective leadership of the group has passed to Jalaluddin’s eldest and more radical son Sirajuddin. “Under Sirajuddin’s command, the network has matured in its level of operational security, grown into a more lethal and criminalised organisation, and diversified its investments into real estate and front companies,” Peters wrote in her report. Back at the offices of Zadran’s Haji Khalil Construction Company in central Kabul, Zadran’s director Hayatullah Nawabi showed Reuters a list of contracts the firm was hoping to win.

Despite SIGAR’s efforts to blacklist Zadran, the company is poised to be awarded an $11 million contract to build an airport in Khost, Nawabi said. — Reuters

China, India sign border cooperation agreement Premiers’ meeting injects ‘new vitality’ into relations

WASHINGTON: In this Oct 20, 2013, photo, Secretary of State John Kerry meets Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the State Department. — AP

Sharif takes up ties with Obama WASHINGTON: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif headed to the White House yesterday seeking to build a new type of post-Afghanistan war relationship as he presses for an end to drone strikes. In a nod to the fading of tensions since the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, President Barack Obama’s administration has moved to release more than $300 million in blocked security assistance to Pakistan. But tensions remain over the US campaign of drone attacks aimed at extremists deep inside the country’s lawless areas. Sharif urged an end to the strikes, which a new Amnesty International report said may violate international law by killing civilians.

But Sharif, calling for a fresh partnership with the United States on the eve of his meeting with Obama, largely steered clear of Pakistan’s past narrative of outside interference that has jarred relations. “It is my endeavor to approach this important relationship with an open and fresh mind, leaving behind the baggage of trust deficit and mutual suspicions,” Sharif said at the US Institute of Peace. “The greatest challenge to Pakistan comes from terrorism and extremism,” Sharif said, calling his nation “a major victim” of a decade of attacks that have killed more than 40,000 people.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama hoped to use the meeting with Sharif to promote “a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan that is contributing to regional and international security and prosperity”. The White House meeting is Sharif’s first since he swept to power in May elections. It comes a year before the United States plans to pull out combat troops from Afghanistan, ending its longest war launched after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. The Afghan war instantly transformed Pakistan into a sometimes reluctant US war partner, with the then military government agreeing to help Washington overthrow Islamabad’s erstwhile Taliban allies.

In a message sure to be welcomed at the White House, Sharif said that Pakistan supported a “peaceful, stable and unified Afghanistan” - whose leaders often accuse Pakistan’s powerful spy network of covertly supporting the Taleban. Sharif said he has assured Afghan President Hamid Karzai “that we wish neither to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, nor do we have any favorites”. Obama is expected to sound out Sharif for ideas on reaching an elusive peace agreement involving the Taleban, as well as practical support for pulling out most of the 50,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

Cameron Munter, the US ambassador to Pakistan until last year, said that both sides wanted a more stable relationship that did not just revolve around crises. Sharif has projected himself as “modern and moderate” and has been upfront about his challenges, Munter said. “He’s tried to say we can put this back on a good footing (and) trying to keep expectations fairly low.”

Robert Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, said that Sharif had “no alternative” but to raise drones due to the sweeping opposition inside Pakistan to the attacks. “By the same token, I think it’s unrealistic that Obama is going to have any real give on this subject so long as the insurgents continue to find a sanctuary in Pakistan and then slip across the border to kill Americans and NATO forces,” Hathaway said.

Amnesty International, in its report Tuesday, documented cases in which it said civilians were clearly killed, including an Oct 2012 strike that ripped apart a 68-year-old grandmother as she picked vegetables. White House spokesman Jay Carney said that the United States exercised “extraordinary care” and was “choosing the course of action least likely to result in the loss of life”. —AFP

BEIJING: China and India sounded a new optimistic tone in their relationship yesterday as they signed an agreement to boost meetings between their militaries to avoid any repeat of this year’s tense standoff along their disputed Himalayan border. The accord followed a meeting in Beijing between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also had trade ties on the agenda as India seeks to gain greater access to Chinese markets and readjust a trade balance tilted heavily toward China.

The two sides agreed to boost communication about border maneuvers, hold periodic meetings at designated crossing points, and have patrols refrain from any provocations. They agreed that patrols should not follow or “tail” patrols of the other side in contested areas. “I am sure it will help to maintain peace, tranquility and stability in our border areas,” Li said of the accord. Li, who said the meeting injected “new vitality” into China-India relations, said the two sides also agreed to hold joint counterterrorism training in southwest China at an early date, strengthen cooperation in international and regional affairs, and work together to tackle terrorism.

Another accord signed by the countries enables a Chinese power equipment service center in India, and Li said China stood ready to help India with railway construction. The two sides also are exploring a trade corridor, said Singh, who expressed concern about the countries’ “unsustainable trade balance”. India ran a $39 billion trade deficit with China over the last fiscal year. With growing economies and a combined population of 2.5 billion, the two neighbors have set a target of $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2015, up from $61.5 billion last year.

“The huge gap between us and them in terms of overall material power is massive. It creates a lot of anxieties,” said Sreeram Chaulia, an international affairs expert at Jindal School of International Affairs in New Delhi. “One way to address it would be to increase Chinese investment in India,” he said. But he added, “In India, we are wary of Chinese investment, particularly in sectors like telecommunications or critical infrastruc-

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (center right) and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (center left) attend a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People yesterday. — AP ture. There is this fear that one day China is going to rule us.”

The two leaders played up positive aspects of their meeting, with Singh saying they had “candid and constructive discussions” on regional and global issues. “This is one of the promising developments in our relationship,” Singh said.

Relations between China and India are overshadowed by a decades-old border dispute over which they fought a brief but bloody war in 1962. More than a dozen rounds of talks have

India says Pak troops attacked border posts SRINAGAR: India yesterday accused Pakistani troops of firing guns and mortars on at least 50 Indian border posts overnight in disputed Kashmir, calling it the most serious ceasefire violation between the nuclear-armed neighbors in a decade. The attacks began Tuesday night in southern Kashmir after India’s home minister visited the region to review security, Border Security Force spokesman Vinod Yadav said. Indian troops returned fire, but one guard was killed and six were injured by a shell fired at the Arnia post in the Jammu region, he said.

At least 100 civilians were being moved from the villages of Arnia and Ramgarh near the frontier, local Indian police

ARIA: An Indian schoolgirl displays a bullet allegedly fired on a school from the Pakistan side in the IndiaPakistan international border area yesterday. — AP

officer Rajesh Kumar said. Hundreds more were sheltering overnight in government camps away from any gunfire, which had injured 12 civilians in recent days, officials said.

“These people usually go back to their homes in the day as the firing incidents mainly occur during the night,” said civil administrator Shantmanu, who uses one name.

While nearly 200 smaller violations of the 2003 ceasefire agreement have been reported this year, Yadav called the latest skirmishes the most serious in a decade. In most cases, India or Pakistan accuses the other of initiating the fighting. India also regularly accuses Pakistan of supporting Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting on the Indian side since 1989 for independence or a merger with Pakistan. An estimated 68,000 people have been killed in the conflict, though most resistance is now shown through street protests. Pakistan denies giving any backing to the rebels beyond moral support.

Both India and Pakistan, however, have reported an increase in the number of cross-border attacks since the current Pakistani and Indian prime ministers held their first face-to-face meeting last month in New York and agreed on the need to reduce tensions. Pakistani military officials have said that in the last week, “unprovoked firing” by Indian forces killed a Pakistani soldier and a civilian. Ten other civilians were wounded, the Pakistani officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity, in line with military policy.

Most recently, the Pakistani officials said, Indian forces shelled Dhamala village near Sialkot on Tuesday. Pakistani soldiers returned fire, and no casualties were reported.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he would ask President Barack Obama during a meeting yesterday in Washington for US intervention and help in resolving the Kashmir dispute. Speaking to reporters in London, Sharif noted that “India and Pakistan both were nuclear powers and the region was a nuclear flashpoint”. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid in New Delhi rejected the idea of US involvement, saying Kashmir was a “bilateral issue between India and Pakistan”. —AP

failed to resolve the issue, and the two sides had a three-week standoff at their frontier earlier this year. India said that Chinese soldiers launched incursions several kilometers across the Line of Actual Control at the Himalayan frontier between the sides in May, though China denied setting foot anywhere but on Chinese territory.

On Tuesday, India decorated eight members of the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police for their roles in the standoff.

The force is responsible for guarding most of the roughly 4,000-km border with China, most of it running over snowy mountain ranges. China claims around 90,000 sq km of land in India’s northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, while India says China is occupying 38,000 sq km of territory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the western Himalayas.

They also face other tensions. China is a longtime ally and weapons supplier to Pakistan, India’s bitter rival, and has been building strong ties with Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, feeding Indian fears of encirclement. China, meanwhile, is wary of India’s growing ties with the United States. Ashwin Kaja, a lawyer leading an initiative to establish a China-India institute at Beijing’s Renmin University and Jindal University in Sonipat, India, said Wednesday’s agreements and statements signaled a more positive tone in China-India relations. “In the last few years the relationship between the two countries has run into some turbulent times,” he said, adding that measures to “start rebuilding trust and cooperation are very important.” — AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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

China crackdown under scrutiny at UN rights review GENEVA/BEIJING: China’s human rights record came under formal international scrutiny on Tuesday for the first time since Xi Jinping became president, with Western countries rebuking it for arresting dissidents and curtailing Internet use and Tibetan rights. Hours before the United Nations Human Rights Council, which reviews all UN members every four years, began its session in Geneva, Tibetan activists scaled the building and unfurled a banner reading: “China fails human rights in Tibet - UN stand up for Tibet”.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was willing to work with other countries on human rights as long as it was in a spirit of mutual respect. “But we firmly oppose those kinds of biased and malicious criticisms,” she added, referring to the Tibetan protest. At the session, Western delegations took the floor to voice deep concerns. China should permanently lift restrictions on access to minority areas including for

diplomats, international human rights groups and journalists, Australia’s charge d’affaires, Ruth Stone, said. Australia was concerned at reports of “harassment and arbitrary punishment of human rights advocates,” including lawyers, and their families and associates, she added.

German Ambassador Hanns Schumacher urged China to ensure freedom of opinion and expression, including on the Internet, and to continue reforming the criminal justice system, in particular to abolish the Reeducation through Labour system. Schumacher also urged China “to further reduce the number of crimes carrying the death penalty, publish figures on death verdicts and executions and inform a public debate with a view to a moratorium and eventual abolition”. A Chinese diplomat told the Geneva talks: “Our government decision is to retain the death penalty but exercise strict control of its use.”

China’s special envoy Wu Hailong, who led Beijing’s delegation in Geneva, made no reference to

the Tibet protest, but told the talks: “The Chinese government ensures that minority ethnic groups in China enjoy extensive human rights.” Minorities participated in China’s state and local affairs “as equals with the Han ethnic group”, he said. China has faced criticism from Western countries for what they call its cultural and religious repression of ethnic minorities, including Tibetans and Muslim Uighurs in the vast western Xinjiang region. “We must strike a balance between reform, development and stability,” Wu said, adding that reducing poverty was a priority.

“Nearly 100 million people live in poverty. Some of them don’t even have enough food and clothes.

There is a saying that a ‘hungry crowd is an angry crowd’. Big problems will occur if we cannot feed the poor,” he said.

Some experts had thought the administration of Xi would be less hardline than his predecessors.

Instead, critics say Xi has presided over a clamp down that has moved beyond the targeting of dissi-

dents calling for political change. For example, authorities have detained at least 16 activists who have demanded officials publicly disclose their wealth as well as scores of people accused of online “rumour-mongering”. “Xi Jin ping has definitely taken the country backwards on human rights,” prominent rights lawyer Mo Sharping told Reuters.

The council has no binding powers. Its rotating membership of 47 states does not include China, although Beijing is expected to run for a place in early November. China’s record was previously assessed in 2009 by the Geneva forum. Maya Wang, an Asia expert for New York-based Human Rights Watch, voiced concern at the August arrest of prominent activist Xu Zhiyong, who called for officials to reveal their wealth. Wang also cited the September disappearance of Ca Shun, who had helped stage a sit-in this year outside the Foreign Ministry to press for the public to be allowed to contribute to a national human rights report. — Reuters

Military exercise sparked huge Australian wildfire New blazes erupt but worst fears ease

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian opposition party leader Sam Rainsy (center right) holds hands with his deputy Kem Sokha as they accompany their supporters to the UN human rights office yesterday. — AP

Fresh Cambodia protests over disputed elections PHNOM PENH: Thousands of Cambodia opposition supporters staged a demonstration yesterday over disputed elections that extended strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen’s near three-decade rule, under a heavy security presence after bloody clashes last month. Crowds filled a downtown park to hear Sam Rainsy, whose opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has boycotted parliament over the controversial July polls.

“We ask you to participate in the demonstration to protect our nation and seek justice for voters,” he told supporters, reiterating a claim that his party had won the election.

An AFP reporter at the scene said around 10,000 people had packed into the park for the rally, which appeared to be passing off peacefully. The party has vowed to work with authorities to stop any clashes. “It will be completely peaceful... If there is any violence, it would not come from us,” Rainsy said at a press conference earlier Wednesday, adding that the protest would last for three days.

Thousands of riot police were deployed along the streets and at significant locations in Phnom Penh to meet the first major show of strength by the opposition since tens of thousands of its supporters joined three days of rallies in the capital in September.

Those demonstrations left one protester dead and several wounded after security forces clashed with a stone-throwing crowd.

The opposition has demanded an independent investigation into allegations of electoral fraud over the polls, which plunged the country into political turmoil. Rainsy, who travelled to the United States this month as part of efforts to raise his complaints with the inter-

national community, said the opposition would not back down. “We cannot bury the irregularities... we cannot move on properly unless they are resolved,” he said, repeating allegations that Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) had “robbed” votes.

Many of the protesters wore ribbons tied around their heads carrying slogans such as “Where is my vote?”, “We need a truth committee”, and “Long live democracy!”. “I am protesting to demand my vote back, they stole my vote. I want justice. If they do not return my vote, I will protest until the current government collapses,” 72-year-old demonstrator Phay Math told AFP. Riot police have held public training sessions in a central Phnom Penh park in recent days. “We will intervene immediately when there is any problem,” said Kheng Tito, spokesman for the military police, told AFP. Cambodia’s parliament in late September approved a new five-year term for Hun Sen, despite the absence of Rainsy’s party, in a move decried by the opposition as a “constitutional coup”. The opposition has said they had collected around two million thumbprints to go with a petition calling on the UN and foreign powers to intervene after the disputed polls. Protesters were due to march to the United Nations human rights office in the capital later yesterday to deliver the petition. They also plan to take the document to a number of foreign embassies, including those of France, the United States, Britain and China over coming days. Hun Sen a 61-year-old former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and oversaw Cambodia’s rise from the ashes of war - has ruled for 28 years and vows to continue until he is 74. — AFP

SYDNEY: A military training exercise ignited the largest of the wildfires that have ravaged Australia’s most populous state over the past week, investigators said yesterday. More than 100 fires have killed one man and destroyed more than 200 homes in New South Wales state since Thursday. Fire investigators found that a massive fire near the city of Lithgow, west of Sydney, began Oct. 16 at a nearby Defense Department training area, and that the blaze “was started as a result of live ordnance exercises” at the army range, the Rural Fire Service said in a statement.

The fire has burned 47,000 hectares and destroyed several houses, but no injuries or deaths have been reported in the blaze. It was downgraded from the highest emergency categor y on Wednesday. The Defense Department declined to comment on the investigators’ findings, but had earlier confirmed that an explosive ordnance training exercise was conducted Oct 16. The Defense Department was also investigating any link between the exercise and the fire.

The revelation drew anger from Mark Greenhill, mayor of the community of Blue Mountains, which has been ravaged by several of the fires over the past week. “I would have hoped on a day like that - which was a dr y day, a hot day, with the winds - the Australian military would have known it wouldn’t be a good time to be igniting,” Greenhill told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell came to the military’s defense. “I want to ensure that this doesn’t detract from the efforts that Defense have made over the past week in assisting the state’s emergency services battle these fires,” he told the Seven Network.

Meanwhile, winds that were fanning wildfires and showering embers on threatened communities eased late yesterday, after scores of Blue Mountains residents evacuated their homes. Residents were told they could return to their homes yesterday night, as cool weather settled across the region and fears lifted that the fires could spread and threaten homes. There were no reports of property loss or injuries yesterday. While many hours of firefighting are still to come, “the broader risk to a much larger, more widespread population has certainly eased,” Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

“There are still fires flaring up, impacting on communities,” said NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who added that he will “not rest easy until we start

MT VICTORIA, Australia: A volunteer firefighter holds onto his helmet in the strong winds as he surveys the damage in the Mt York fire area in the Blue Mountains, roughly 150 km west of Sydney yesterday. — AFP

seeing some really good further consolidation of control lines and bringing these fires more under control”. While one of the blazes, in Springwood where more than 100 homes were lost last week, was threatening houses and upgraded to the highest “emergency” level, it was later downgraded with residents who fled the mountains told it was safe to return.

“If you have been someone that has chosen to depart the Blue Mountains today, to be out of harm’s way, then it would be safe to head back home tonight because the risk has been averted,” Fitzsimmons said. Fire officials said their high-risk strategies of aggressive backburning, building containment lines and strategic planning had paid dividends. “It is absolutely wonderful it did not run,” the fire chief said of two massive blazes around the Lithgow and Mount Victoria areas that were deliberately merged into one on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to better manage it. While averting a major disaster in the mountains, fires broke out elsewhere around the vast state. A blaze at near Newcastle north of Sydney closed the main freeway that links the two cities and sparked traffic chaos.

Another inferno near Lake Macquarie, to

the northwest of Sydney, also burned aggressively with water-bombing aircraft attempting to bring it under control, although high winds hampered the effort. “It’s a very fluid situation.

It’s a very dynamic situation,” said the fire chief ahead of cooler weather due today, although winds will remain strong with no rain in sight.

Drizzle overnight “settled down firegrounds” but it also hampered the mostly volunteer crews in their backburning, a tactic aimed at creating firebreaks to control the path of blazes. This was a key focus of operations, but the light rain meant many firefighters had to be withdrawn from forest trails due to fears that their trucks could get bogged down.

While the worst appears to have passed, New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell warned “we’re not out of the woods yet”. He also said reports were filtering in of people trying to cash in on other people’s misery, with one landlord raising the rent for his property in the Blue Mountains because so many other homes had been lost. “The last week has been characterised by communities and volunteers coming together to fight fires and support people and then you are pulled up by these acts of what I describe as bastardry,” he said. — Agencies

S Korea election meddling scandal threatens Park

OSHIMA, Japan: Members of the fire brigade remove debris while searching for missing people after a landslide caused by heavy rains from Typhoon Wipha hit this island yesterday. — AFP

Dozens flee Japan isle to beat new typhoon TOKYO: More than 50 people were evacuated from a storm-battered Japanese island yesterday, where mudslides left 45 dead or missing last week, ahead of another typhoon expected to strike this weekend. A total of 32 mostly elderly people in need of nursing care, attended by 19 others, disembarked from a chartered high-speed ferry at Tokyo port after a two-hour ride from Oshima, some 120 km to the south, officials said.

A military helicopter was evacuating three other people from the volcanic Pacific island on the same day, said Masahiro Mukoyama, a senior official at the Oshima town office. The town has chartered a ferry to get more people out on Thursday and later, the official said, as Typhoon Francisco lurked in the northwestern Pacific on course to hit Japan in a few days’ time. It was the first systematic evacuation from Oshima since 1986 when the

island’s volcano erupted and forced all 10,000 then-residents to flee by sea, Mukoyama said.

“A certain number of people have already left the island on a voluntary basis” in addition to those being evacuated, he said.

The evacuees were to be lodged at a sports facility and nursing homes in the capital. There were about 500 more elderly people who need care, or who have mobility or other problems left on the island, an official from the town said. Meanwhile, the death toll from the landslides a week ago rose to 30 as about 1,700 troops, police and firefighters continued searching for 15 others still unaccounted for. The typhoon, which is packing winds of up to 144 km per hour, was expected to bring more heavy rain to an alreadysodden Pacific coastline, and further complicate efforts to find bodies on Oshima among the tonnes of mud. —AFP

SEOUL: A simmering row over alleged election meddling by South Korea’s domestic spy service is threatening to boil over into a fullblown scandal that could seriously scald President Park Geun-Hye’s administration. An investigation into what initially seemed the work of a couple of maverick National Intelligence Service (NIS) agents, has now become a wider probe into a possibly coordinated online smear campaign against the opposition candidate in last year’s presidential poll. In the latest development, federal investigators on Tuesday questioned senior commanders at the Defence Ministry’s cyber warfare headquarters over possible military involvement.

The probe has focused on the origin of multiple online posts that denounced opposition presidential candidate Moon Jae-In as a North Korean sympathiser, while extolling the virtues of ruling party candidate Park GeunHye. Park, who won the election by a narrow margin, has strenuously denied any involvement. Her opinion poll ratings remain high and analysts say there is currently no real threat to her legitimacy, unless she becomes implicated in any attempted cover-up. In a recent meeting with opposition leaders over the issue, a clearly frustrated Park reportedly asked: “Are you seriously suggesting I was elected because of some online postings?”

Moon Jae-In, in his most outspoken comments on the issue to date, said Wednesday that the buck stopped with the president.

“Regardless of whether she was aware of it, President Park Geun-Hye benefitted from it,” Moon said in a statement. “President Park

must face up to the truth... and take responsibility for the unfair presidential election and the crisis in democracy that we are facing now,” he added.

Allegations that the government has sought to suppress investigations into the scandal have been reinforced by a rift in the public prosecutor’s office. On Monday, senior prosecutor Yun Seok-Yeol, who had led the probe into the NIS until his dismissal last week, told a parliamentary committee hearing that he had come under pressure to softpedal the investigation. Yun was dismissed from the case on Thursday after he arrested three NIS agents suspected of writing posts as part of the smear campaign. He was accused of not following protocol, but Yun suggested the real reason was the progress his probe was making.

While the number of anti-Moon and proPark posts emanating from the NIS had initially been put at less than 100, Yun said his team had found that agents had posted nearly 60,000 incriminating Twitter messages. “And further investigation would likely yield much more,” Yun told the parliamentary committee, adding: “We saw it as a grave, unprecedented crime.” Asked whether Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-An was among those who pressured his team, Yun replied: “I think he was.”

The affair has already resulted in the arrest of former NIS chief Won Sei-Hoon, and opposition lawmakers believe other senior officials were involved. “It was systematic interference... The whole story has not been revealed.

This is just the tip of the iceberg”, an MP from Moon’s Democratic Party said in a radio inter-

view on Monday. As for the cyber warfare unit, the Defence Ministry has confirmed that four of its members had posted political messages on blogs and Twitter, but insisted they acted alone and not as part of any coordinated campaign.

In a country where most of the electorate is old enough to have experienced military dictatorship, any suggestion of state interference in the democratic process is extremely sensitive. The opposition has organised a number of large protests over the NIS, including a candlelight demonstration at the weekend that drew 15,000 people. “Democracy is based on fair elections. Something that should not happen has happened,” said Seoul National University Political Science professor Kang Won-Taek. “Unless addressed properly, this issue will damage Park and the ruling party, especially during next year’s local elections,” Kang told AFP. The opposition has made it clear that it is not demanding a re-run of the presidential election, but it does want to see heads roll and efforts made at institutional reform. As well as an apology from Park, the opposition is calling for the current NIS chief Nam JaeJoon, Justice Minister Hwang and Seoul District Chief Prosecutor Cho Young-Kon to all step down.

Even the normally supportive conservative press has called for a full account from the NIS and through the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office.

“If the cyber propaganda took place systematically, that’s a serious threat to our hard-won democracy,” the JoongAng Daily said in an editorial. — AFP

NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Indian children play next to an elephant statue at Ambedkar Park, dedicated to dalits or India’s low-castes, which opened to the public in Noida on the outskirts of New Delhi Oct 2, 2013. — AP

Chubby Prince George shown at royal christening LONDON: Britain’s baby Prince George was christened in a private ceremony yesterday, with his proud parents Prince William and Kate giving the world a rare glimpse of the chubby three-month-old boy. Wearing a frilly cream lace gown, the third in line to the throne was carried into the Chapel Royal of St James’s palace by his father, his mother Kate close by, elegant in a cream Alexander McQueen outfit. Queen Elizabeth II and the couple’s parents and siblings, including William’s younger brother Prince Harry, were among just 22 guests at the ceremony, including seven newly-named godparents.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual head of the world’s Anglicans, performed the baptism, which involves pouring holy water from the River Jordan on the baby’s head. Television pictures showed the lighthaired George Alexander Louis appearing wide awake and calm. He even gave the semblance of waving at the 87year-old queen, his great-grandmother, when his father moved his arm up and down. “He’s all ready,” William, 31, told the assembled party, which included his father Prince

Charles and his wife Camilla, adding: “So far so good.”

The relatively low-key ceremony reflects the fact that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge want their son to have a relatively normal upbringing and have closely guarded his privacy. He has only appeared in public once before, when they left hospital after his birth on July 22.

The couple broke with tradition by naming only one royal, William’s cousin and champion horse-rider Zara Philips, among the godparents, with the others being childhood, university and work friends. The ceremony welcomes Prince George into the Church of England, which he is destined to lead as future king and “Defender of the Faith”.

Harry and Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton, who had both been wrongly tipped as potential godparents, both read passages from the Bible. Each of the godparents was asked to commit to providing Prince George with guidance as he grew up. They include Zara Phillips, pregnant with her first child with rugby player husband Mike Tindall; William’s childhood friends William van Cutsem and Earl Hugh Grosvenor; Julia Samuel, who was close to

Saudi women inch closer to the wheel Continued from Page 1 authorities will enforce the law against all the violators with firmness and force,” the ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency SPA. Under the slogan “women’s driving is a choice,” the activists have called on social networks for a turnout on Saturday in a campaign in the world’s only country that bans women from driving. “October 26 is a day on which women in Saudi Arabia will say they are serious about driving and that this matter must be resolved,” said Manal AlSharif, who was arrested and held for nine days in May 2011 for posting online a video of herself behind the wheel.

In a protest she led the following month, a number of women were stopped by police and forced to sign a pledge not to drive again. The 34-year-old computer engineer who now lives in Dubai told AFP women have already begun responding to the call, and “more than 50 videos showing women currently driving” have been posted online during the past two weeks. With the exception of two women who were briefly stopped by police, authorities have so far not intervened to halt any of the female motorists. This, combined with what seems to be more social acceptance to the new phenomenon is encouraging more women to get behind the wheel along major roads across the kingdom.

A video posted on social networks this month shows a fully veiled woman driving in Riyadh as male motorists and families give her the “thumbs up” in support. “There will be a November 26, December 26, a January 26, until authorities issue the first driving permit to a Saudi woman,” said Sharif. To reduce the risk of accidents, only women

who have driving licences issued abroad are being invited to participate in the campaign. Obviously, none are issued in Saudi Arabia.

But conservative religious figures are still opposed to women driving.

A Saudi cleric’s warning last month that driving was dangerous to the health of women and of their children sparked an online wave of mockery. “Physiological science” has found that driving “automatically affects the ovaries and pushes up the pelvis,” Sheikh Saleh AlLuhaydan warned in remarks to news website Sabq.org. “This is why we find that children born to most women who continuously drive suffer from clinical disorders of varying degrees,” he said. One female tweeter retorted: “When idiocy marries dogma in the chapel of medieval traditions, this is their prodigal child.” “What a mentality we have.

People went to space and you still ban women from driving. Idiots,” said another comment.

Women who have been calling for three decades for the right to drive in the ultra-conservative kingdom have learned that public gatherings can get them in trouble in the absolute monarchy where any protests are officially banned. In 1990, 47 women were arrested and punished after demonstrating in cars. The minister of interior subsequently banned women from driving but no law was ever promulgated. This time, “there will be no demonstrations or rallying points,” activist Aziza al-Youssef told AFP. Youssef spoke of “positive indications” from authorities. In particular, she cited the chief of the notorious religious police, Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Sheikh, and Justice Minister Mohammed Al-Issa affirming this year that no religious text bans women from driving. Even so, Saudi Arabia’s appointed advisory Shura Consultative Council rejected on

Oct 10 a move by three female members to put the ban up for discussion. Activists argue that driving does not violate Islamic law (sharia) as claimed by conservatives who support the ban.

“Just as wives of the (Muslim) Prophet (Muhammad’s PBUH) companions travelled on camel and horseback, it is our right to drive using the transportation means available during our modern era,” activists said in an online petition linked to Saturday’s campaign. The petition has amassed more than 16,000 signatures since September, despite being blocked only two weeks after its launch. In another argument, activists point to the kingdom’s underdeveloped public transport system and say many families cannot afford to hire drivers.

“My salary is 3,500 riyals (around $941) and a driver costs me 1,200 riyals,” a divorced mother wrote on the campaign website.

Women’s rights have always sparked controversy in the kingdom. King Abdullah’s appointment of 30 women to the 150-member Shura Council in January drew protests from radical clerics in the kingdom. His predecessor, king Saud, had to dispatch troops to protect the first girls’ school in the 1960s. For Sharif the campaign aims to push women in the kingdom to demand “rights which are even more significant than the right to drive”.

Diplomats at a UN review of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record on Monday condemned the kingdom’s failure to abolish a system requiring women to seek permission from male relatives to do basic things such as leave the country, and criticised the ban on driving.

Saudi women, forced to cover from head to toe, still need permission from a male guardian to travel, work and marry. -— AFP

MP threatens to grill public works...

Continued from Page 1 The lawmaker also accused the government of favouring big businessmen and the business community, especially in distributing land plots for industrial use, and vowed that he will “open this file” during the next parliamentary term starting Oct 29. The minister has been under fire from a number of MPs who either threatened to grill him in the Assembly or called on the prime minister to dismiss him before the start of the

parliamentary term next Tuesday.

In other business, the government and a parliamentary team entrusted to determine the Assembly’s priorities for the new term yesterday reviewed the most important issues that must be discussed during the eight-month term.

Head of the team Ali Al-Omair said the government, represented by planning minister Rola Dashti, presented 24 issues they insisted were the most important that needed to be debated during the term. The issues include

amendments to the Build-OperateTransfer (BOT) law, amending the Audit Bureau law and others.

Omair and Dashti also said that another meeting will be held on Sunday to discuss the exact dates to debate the issues in the Assembly. The lawmaker however said that the government has not presented to the team any plan on how the government is planning to resolve the housing problem, which most MPs want to make the top issue in the next term.

William’s mother Diana; and Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who went to the private Marlborough College with Kate.

Rounding out the list are Oliver Baker, a friend from St Andrew’s University in Scotland, where the royal couple met, and William’s long-time aide Jamie LowtherPinkerton, a former soldier in the elite SAS army unit.

A handful of royal fans camped overnight outside the palace hoping for a glimpse of the queen and her three direct heirs - Prince Charles, his son Prince William and baby George, who is third in line to the throne. “This is a very special moment. We will see three kings in the making,” said John Loughrey, a 58-year-old fan wearing a raincoat bearing the pattern of the Union Jack flag. He slept out overnight in the rain, but told AFP it did not bother him, adding: “This is a unique, historic moment.” In the House of Commons, Prime Minister David Cameron urged lawmakers to “join me in celebrating” the event.

The christening was sharp contrast to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s lavish 2011 wedding, which was broadcast live on televisions across the world, and to the

media frenzy surrounding the birth of their first child. Just six members of the royal family attended, along with Kate’s parents Michael and Carole Middleton and her siblings James and Pippa. The service was conducted behind closed doors although an official photograph by celebrity snapper Jason Bell will be released to the public today.

Afterwards the guests were invited for tea at Charles’s official London residence, Clarence House, where a portion of William and Kate’s wedding cake was to be served.

It is traditional for Christian couples in Britain to save a tier of the cake - normally fruitcake encased in icing - for their first child’s christening. The official photos are expected to gain iconic status, the first time four generations of monarchs have been pictured together since 1894, at the christening of the future king Edward VIII. Patrick Jephson, Diana’s former private secretary, said the christening sent a strong message about the royal family’s durability as a dynasty. “It reinforces the public perception that the British royal family is going to be around for a long time to come,” he said. — AFP

14

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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Issues

Assad ‘more confident than ever’

By Karim Abou Merhi yrian President Bashar Al-Assad is feeling strengthened as international pressure on his regime appears to ease amid growing Western fears of an Islamist takeover and unwavering Russian support, analysts say. Only a few weeks ago, the United States was threatening military strikes on Syria, but there has been a major shift since then. Much of that is due to a US-Russian deal on destroying Syria’s chemical weapons, apparently giving Assad the confidence he needed to announce on Monday that he would be willing to stand for re-election when his current term ends next year.

Assad also said he did not feel the situation was yet ripe for the peace talks that the United Nations is trying to organise in Geneva next month with Russian and US support. “It’s no mistake he’s feeling more confident than ever,” said Shadi Hamid, director of research for the Brookings Doha Centre.

“Any previous talk of regime change on the part of the international community has been pushed to the side and now Assad is a partner for the international community,” he added.

Hamid was speaking before a meeting in London of Arab and Western governments that support the opposition which issued a joint statement renewing their insistence that the Syrian leader could have no future political role. But that statement was seen as part of a wider effort to persuade at least some of the opposition to take part in the planned Geneva peace conference. While much of the West supported the rebels’ demand that Assad must go, “you don’t hear people talking about regime change any more,” Hamid said.

Fearing the growing influence in rebel ranks of hardline Islamist groups, some of them loyal to Al-Qaeda, the United States has opted to push for a political settlement, rather than giving all-out support to the revolt. At the same time, Assad “continues to enjoy the full support of (key backers) Russia and Iran”, Hamid said. In the West, “I think there’s a real concern that the strongest and most dominant factions are people the international community does not want to win”, he said. “Assad feels that that kind of development helps his narrative.”

When the uprising against his rule erupted in March 2011, Assad’s regime claimed it was a foreign-funded “terror” plot, despite ample evidence of extensive domestic support for change. But Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups entered as the protest movement escalated into an armed rebellion and have gained ground militarily, particularly in the north and east. At the same time, the opposition is deeply divided, not only militarily but politically. Hamid said “the political opposition is totally irrelevant, so the people who are going to Geneva do not represent the fighters on the ground,” who are now mostly Islamist.

Another factor strengthening Assad’s hand has been the deal struck by Moscow and Washington after a sarin gas attack near Damascus on Aug 21. The deal led to a UN Security Council resolution that orders the destruction of Syria’s chemical arsenal and urges peace talks to end the conflict that has already killed more than 115,000 people.

“Things have definitely gone in (Assad’s) favour in the past two months, ever since the chemical weapons attack,” Hamid said. “You might have expected that that would be his downfall but actually it turned out to be a major boost.”

When the deal was first proposed, Assad quickly volunteered to cooperate, and Hamid said there was a “real shift” when US Secretary of State John Kerry commended the Syrian leader’s commitment to a swift implementation of the deal.

The arms deal “was a victory for Assad, plain and simple. Ever since then, he’s in some sense been rehabilitated,” he added.

Hilal Khashan, who heads the political science department at the American University of Beirut, said “the overall balance is still tilted in (the regime’s) favour, even though it cannot win... The Syrian regime’s backers are faithful to their stance, and they know what they’re doing.” Syria expert and former Dutch ambassador to several Arab countries Nikolaos Van Dam said Assad’s refusal to deal with any opposition groups with links to the outside “is not new.” But “whether it is realistic for President Assad to want to exclude the main Syrian opposition groups with substantial military forces inside considerable parts of Syria is another thing.”

For Khashan, Assad’s refusal to negotiate with the main opposition National Coalition shows he is pressing to increase his bargaining power. “His gains on the ground allow him to do this,” he said. Author of the “Struggle for Power in Syria,” Van Dam said Assad is unlikely “to make serious concessions as long as his regime is the main dominant force on the ground.” “He wants presidential elections to be held in 2014, but might in the end be willing to accept an alternative candidate, preferably from within the regime,” he said. — AFP

S

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Can water diplomacy bring free flowing peace?

By Rye Druzin eace in the Middle East has been as elusive as a mirage in the desert. Wars, religious conflict and the constant search for resources have seen countries collide continually in this arid environment. But some are trying to turn water - one of the region’s most coveted assets - into a body of goodwill and peace. Enter “Blue Diplomacy,” a concept put forth to bring about “blue peace” in the Middle East, developed in consultation with dozens of experts, politicians and scholars from across the region and the world. “Any two nations which are engaged in active water cooperation do not go to war for any reason whatsoever, including ideology, religion, terrorism, military conflict or economic conflict,” Sundeep Waslekar, president of the Strategic Foresight Group, an Indian think tank, told The Media Line.

Active water cooperation is the equitable and responsible sharing of mutual water resources between two or more countries. According to Waslekar, this type of collaboration is much more important than so-called legal water cooperation, which can be violated by either side, because active water cooperation builds frameworks of trust and peace throughout all spheres of life. “In the Middle East, what we find is that almost all the countries are at risk of war because we have a lot of water cooperation problems,” he said. “Interestingly, the risk of war is least between Jordan and Israel, but [the risk of war] between Jordan and Syria is high.”

Waslekar attributes these differences to Jordan and Israel’s active water relationship. The two countries share the flow of the Jordan River. “In the peace treaty with Israel it talks about sharing water,” said Maysoon Zoubi, the former Secretary General at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation in Jordan, who explained that the countries have mutual technical committees that meet twice a year to agree on a water budget.

Syria and Jordan, however, do not have a similar rela-

P

tionship for the Yarmouk River, which straddles their shared border and is diverted by multiple dams and reservoirs built by both states. According to Zoubi, JordanianSyrian relations have experienced some political tensions over the last 20 years. However, she does not believe that this should jeopardize efficient water management in both countries, and that the debate should be shifted away from cross-boundary issues and to instead focus on mutual interests and the shared benefits of water cooperation.

The lack of communication in the Middle East has worsened the problem of water scarcity. According to a recent report released by NASA, measurements from the space agency’s Gravity Recover and Climate Experiment satellites found that between 2003 and 2010, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran lost 144 cubic kilometers of water, an amount almost equivalent to that found in the Dead Sea. This report said that the loss of water was due to mismanagement of resources by the respective governments. The report claimed that 60 percent of the loss was attributable to the pumping of fresh water out of aquifers, and that damage was amplified by a severe drought that struck the region in 2007.

Governments risk bringing their countries to conflict over control of resources if they can’t reduce the loss of water in aquifers and river systems. Waslekar attributes the lack of cooperation to the fact that the region has no institutional framework to work out its differences. “The Middle East is the hardest part of the world to have any cooperation on water,” he said. “It is the only region where there is no cooperation on the institutional level.” The cooperation in the region has only been at the bilateral level between states like Turkey, Iraq and Syria, Waslekar added.

Without institutional support, activists have gone to the grassroots level to create change and encourage cooperation. Friends of the Earth is a Middle East-based organization that tries to bring together Palestinian, Israeli and Jordanian environmentalists in order to cooperate on regional development and to foster a sustainable peace.

Mira Edelstein, a foreign media officer for the group, told The Media Line that they have made headway in getting the water issue onto the agenda of peace negotiators.

“Water is not one of those sticky points like Jerusalem or refugees,” she said. “People realize that water is resolvable.”

While such activism has not fixed the issues of water distribution, it has limited the impact that water disputes have on the overarching peace processes. One of the greatest effects to come out of grassroots pressure has been the agreement of Israel to begin restoring some of the flow of the Jordan River in the coming three years. “The Israeli government has adopted a rehabilitation scenario for the Jordan River,” Edelstein said. Since June they have let 9 million cubic meters of water flow from the Sea of Galilee into the river - the first time in 50 years that water has been shared this way - and they have promised another 30 million cubic meters will be released next year. “This is a conscious decision that the Israeli government has taken to rehabilitate the river.”

While this is an important first step by the Israeli government, Edelstein believes that much more needs to be done. “The Palestinians get no water from the Jordan River,” she explained. “The Israelis take most of the water from the Jordan River from the [outlet of the] Sea of Galilee, and the Jordanians take much water from the Yarmouk River before it gets to the Jordan River. The Palestinians don’t have access [to the Jordan River] because it is a military zone.

What we are heavily advocating is not only the rehabilitation of the [Jordan River], but we are also advocating that the Palestinians receive their water rights along the river.”

Water diplomacy will continue to be a challenging way for countries to work out their differences. But time is running out for the Middle East’s water resources, and cooperative efforts between states here is necessary if the depletion of water is to be reversed. “The leaders of the region need to wake up. They need to not be held back by sectarian issues, and they need to begin cooperative projects with their neighbors,” Waslekar said. — Media Line

Apple watchers keen for next big thing

By Glenn Chapman s Apple polishes its culture-changing gadgets to gleam during the holiday shopping season, pressure is growing for it to deliver the next big thing. The California tech giant known for dazzling innovation orchestrated by late legendary co-founder Steve Jobs has rolled out impressive improvements to its iPhones, iPads, and Macintosh computers since Tim Cook took over as chief in 2011. While Apple shattered sales records with its recently released iPhone 5 and was expected to see buyers around the world snap up new iPad Air and iPad Mini tablets hitting the market next month, the company was increasingly expected to rock the world with something transformational.

“Sooner or later they are going to have to bring out a new category of devices that nobody knew they needed until Apple announced it, and they are going to have to sell millions of them,” said Gartner analyst Van Baker. “We are still waiting for that.” Baker and other analysts note that while people may be eager for Apple to wow them anew, it is premature to start thinking the pace of innovation at the company is off kilter.

Jobs introduced the iPhone about five years after Apple launched the iPod, and it was another three year before the iPad debuted in early 2010. “Apple is still within the window of opportunity to bring something that is a completely new category,” Baker said. “If they haven’t done it by the end of next year, then there will be reason for people to be a little more nervous.” For now, what Apple is missing is the mastery Jobs had of managing expectations, referred to as his “reality distortion field,” in a way that left the public impressed with whatever it introduced. “Apple is good at inventing new products and at maximizing profitability of its product range over time through software innovations and clever marketing,” Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said in a blog post after Apple ramped up its iPad line on

A

An Apple employee shows off the new iPad Air at a satellite launch event in central London on Tuesday. — AFP Tuesday. “Yes, at some point, the company will need to disrupt a new market once again, but today’s announcement is really about making sure it maintains the premium brand experience for the holiday season when competition is heating up.”

Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, believes that Apple has set the foundation for major product innovation with significant developments in chips powering its mobile devices and the software they run. Apple hasn’t lost its innovative mojo, it has infused its array of products

with powerful 64-bit processors and compatible software, opening the door to formidable new-generation gadgets whether they be wearable computers or something else entirely, he said. “This year Apple was building the technology foundation to deliver what I would consider their next big thing, whether it is an iWatch, a new television platform or whatever,” Bajarin added. “I think next year will be their big year for innovation.”

Under-the-hood innovations made by Apple this year have set the stage for mobile

devices that pack computing power on par with those of desktop machines. Spending a couple of years incrementally improving popular Apple products and building a springboard for the “next big thing” has been Apple’s style for quite some time, according to the analyst. “In each of those cases when Steve (Jobs) had these iterative periods they were building new foundations of innovative technologies,” Bajarin said.

“They have used the last two years to lay the next groundwork; 2014 is going to be their next big year.” — AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

S P ORT S Vonn delays return to racing

Robshaw to head rugby tests

Holloway leaves Crystal Palace

NEW YORK: Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn will skip the opening race of the Alpine ski World Cup this weekend, giving herself more time to get back in shape after a major knee injury last season.

“I feel that I need more training before I start racing again... which means the Soelden race is not on the cards this year,” the American posted on her Facebook page yesterday. Vonn returned to training in Chile in September after badly injuring ligaments in an horrific crash at the world championships in Schladming. Vonn, who aims to defend her downhill title at the Sochi Winter Olympics in February, said she now planned to come back next month when the World Cup goes to Beaver Creek, Colorado, after Saturday’s giant slalom in Soelden and a slalom in Finland on Nov. 16.

“Patience is not my strong suit so not racing is very hard for me but it will only make me more excited for the next one,” added the 29-year-old American, four times overall World Cup champion.

“I will go home to Vail and continue my preparation for the Beaver Creek races and my ultimate goal in February! Thanks for the support everyone.”

Vonn, a regular face on the PGA Tour when supporting boyfriend Tiger Woods, has been intensively training on the Soelden glacier over the last week. —Reuters

LONDON: England coach Stuart Lancaster stuck with the tried and tested yesterday when he named flanker Chris Robshaw as his captain for the three November tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

Robshaw has been Lancaster’s first choice skipper since he took over the coaching duties from Martin Johnson two years ago, the Harlequins man getting the honor in only his second test.

Robshaw was rested from England’s victorious two-test tour of Argentina in June when fellow flanker Tom Wood took over the captaincy but, despite criticism of his leadership in the 30-3 Six Nations thrashing by Wales in March, Lancaster had no hesitation in returning to his first choice.

“First and foremost among criteria for captaincy is to be on the team sheet and Chris is in there on his playing ability. But on top of that he has a massive amount of respect within the squad and has led England well,” Lancaster said in a statement.

“Every team needs leaders - we are building a strong group and Chris is at the forefront of that leadership.” The decision is no surprise as the 27-year-old 2011/12 Premiership player of the year is the sort of understated but relentlessly reliable and efficient operator the coach admires.

Despite being criticised as “not a natural open side”, Robshaw regularly tops the Premiership rankings for turnovers and tackles and has earned his place in the team on merit. —Reuters

LONDON: Manager Ian Holloway parted company with Crystal Palace yesterday, his exit coming less than 48 hours after a 4-1 home defeat to Fulham left the Premier League club second from bottom.

Holloway was leaving “by mutual consent’, according to the struggling Premier League side, Monday’s crushing loss having left Palace with a meagre harvest of three points from eight league matches this season and speculation rife over Holloway’s future.

They are languishing second from bottom with only one-point Sunderland, who sacked Paolo di Canio last month, below them.

Palace co-chairman Steve Parish announced the news at a hastily-arranged press conference in central London, insisting that 50-year-old Holloway left “with his head held very high”. Parish said: “Ian’s contract at Crystal Palace has come to an end by mutual consent.”Ian felt that a new approach might help keep us in the division. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of working with Ian. He leaves our club with his head held very high. “I’d like to put the record straight. We’ve never fallen out. We’ve worked together brilliantly. We feel we need to move on to progress.” Holloway said: “I have pride in the job we’ve both done. It wasn’t easy. If Steve’s last manager (Dougie Freedman, who left for Bolton) wasn’t headhunted I wouldn’t have been here. “We need to shut up shop in this division. At the minute we’ve got a whole new group there. “Part of my talking with Steve was about am I the one with the energy left? —Reuters

Leafs triumph, Capitals advance TORONTO: Phil Kessel scored three goals as Toronto rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Anaheim 4-2 Tuesday night to deny the Ducks a club record eighth straight win.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance for the Leafs, who were booed off the ice after a woeful first period that saw them outplayed, outshot 6-2 and outscored 1-0. Kessel struck twice in the second period sandwiched around a goal by Dion Phaneuf. Kessel completed his hat trick at 8:11 of the third period. Kessel, whose offense had been sporadic at best this season, upped his goal total to five. The Leafs’ sniper had a chance to go for a fourth late in the game but chose to pass it to linemate Tyler Bozak, who failed to convert. Nick Bonino and Mathieu Perreault scored for Anaheim.

CAPITALS 5, JETS 4 Martin Erat scored the winner in the sixth round of the shootout and Washington escaped with a victory over Winnipeg. Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist for the Capitals, and Mikhail Grabovski and Troy Brouwer also scored.

Bryan Little struck twice for Winnipeg, including the tying score in the third period, and Grant Clitsome and Blake Wheeler also scored. The Jets wrapped up a six-game homestand, their longest of the season. Andrew Ladd had three assists.

The Jets outshot the Capitals 47-32 and created most of the best scoring opportunities, including a short-handed two-on-one thanks to Dustin Byfuglien.

CANUCKS 5, ISLANDERS 4 Brad Richardson banked in a shot off goalie Evgeni Nabokov 2:16 into overtime to lift rallying Vancouver over the New York.

The Canucks weren’t dismayed by allowing the tying goal to Frans Nielsen with 1:12 left in regulation, and skated off with a win. Richardson flung the puck in front and it found its way past Nabokov on Vancouver’s 33rd shot.

With Nabokov pulled, Nielsen fired the rebound of defenseman Andrew MacDonald’s shot into the open left side of the net, past the outstretched glove of Roberto Luongo to tie it at 4.

Chris Higgins had given the Canucks their first lead of the game - 4-3 - with 17.2 seconds left in the second. Ryan Kesler, Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin also scored for Vancouver. Matt Moulson had two goals and Brock Nelson also scored for the Islanders.

BLACKHAWKS 3, PANTHERS 2 Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp each scored in the shootout to lead Chicago to victory over Florida. Toews also scored in regulation, Bryan Bickell added a goal and Corey Crawford made 20 saves.

Sharp beat goalie Jacob Markstrom on the glove side for the deciding goal. The Blackhawks have won five of their past six games and extended their point streak to six games.

Florida has lost four of its last five games and has lost to Chicago four straight times. Dmitry Kulikov and Tomas Fleischmann scored for the Panthers and Tim Thomas stopped 25 shots before leaving with 2:59 left in the game due to an apparent lower body injur y. Markstrom entered the game and made two saves.

BLUE JACKETS 4, DEVILS 1 Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 24 shots and James Wisniewski had a goal and two assists to lead Columbus to victory over struggling New Jersey.

The loss dropped the Devils to 0-5-2 on the road and 1-5-3 on the season.

Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and an assist, and Cam Atkinson and Marian Gaborik also scored for the Blue Jackets, who won for the second time at home after four consecutive losses.

They are 13-3-3 in their last 19 home games. The Devils led 1-0 after Michael Ryder’s power-play goal in the second period, but Dubinsky responded with a man-advantage goal. Atkinson and Wisniewski, still battling the flu, each added unassisted goals.

OILERS 4, CANADIENS 3 Jeff Petry and Ryan Jones scored in the third period to lift Edmonton past Montreal. Ales Hemsky and Ladislav Smid also scored for Edmonton, while Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves.

Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher and Brian Gionta scored for Montreal. Carey Price stopped 28 shots. After Plekanec and Gallagher gave Montreal a 2-0 lead in the first period, Edmonton scored four consecutive goals to take control.

Hemsky and Smid scored 2:47 apart in the second period to tie it with about 41/2 minutes left in the period. Petry put Edmonton ahead for good at 7:59 of the third and Jones made it 4-2 nearly 2 minutes later.

WILD 2, PREDATORS 0 Josh Harding stopped 16 shots for his first shutout of the season in Minnesota’s victory over Nashville. Justin Fontaine scored late in the second period and Jason Pominville added an empty-net tally for the Wild, who have scored just seven goals in the past five games.

Pekka Rinne made 27 saves for Nashville, which failed to get a point for the first time in six games.

The Predators have allowed just five goals in regulation the last four games, going 2-1-1 in that stretch. Minnesota played with just five defensemen much of the game after losing top-line defenseman Jonas Brodin less than 5 minutes into the game when a dump-in by Gabriel Bourque hit Brodin in the face. Leaving blood on the ice, Brodin went straight to the Wild locker room.

COYOTES 4, FLAMES 2 Mike Ribeiro had two goals for the second straight game and Phoenix fought back after a couple of defensive miscues to hold off Calgary.

Phoenix dominated most of the first two periods, going up 2-0 on Radim Vrbata’s 200th career goal and Ribeiro’s first of the night.

Calgary rallied on Lee Stempniak’s goal late in the second and then tied it on Joe Colborne’s score early in the third. However, Ribeiro answered quickly to put the Coyotes back up.

Rob Klinkhammer added an empty-net goal for Phoenix, which has earned 12 of a possible 14 points in its past seven games. The Coyotes, with 14 points (6-2-2), are off to their best start since opening the 2000-01 season 7-1-2. Calgary’s Jiri Hudler had an assist to extend his season-opening points streak to nine games. — AP

TORONTO: Jay McClement No. 11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets stopped by Jonas Hiller No. 1 of the Anaheim Ducks during NHL action at the Air Canada Centre. —AFP

NHL results/standings Montreal 3, Edmonton 4; Florida 2, Chicago 3 (SO); Phoenix 4, Calgary 2; Minnesota 2, Nashville 0; Winnipeg 4, Washington 5 (SO); Toronto 4, Anaheim 2; NY Islanders 4, Vancouver 5 (OT); Columbus 4, New Jersey 1.

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

W 8 7 6 6 6 4 3

L 0 2 2 4 4 3 6

OTL 1 0 2 1 0 2 1

GF GA 40 16 32 23 31 28 32 33 26 25 28 32 30 39

Central Division 8 1 0 28 6 1 2 26 5 1 1 27 5 4 1 19 4 3 3 21 4 5 1 26 3 5 0 20

12 21 19 24 22 30 28

PTS 17 14 14 13 12 10 7 16 14 11 11 11 9 6

Toronto Detroit Boston Tampa Bay Montreal Ottawa Florida Buffalo

Southeast Division Eastern Conference Atlantic Division 7 3 0 34 6 3 1 24 5 2 0 20 5 3 0 26 5 4 0 29 3 3 2 21 3 6 1 22 1 8 1 13

24 24 10 21 19 24 35 28

14 13 10 10 10 8 7 3

Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 7 2 0 31 20 14 Carolina 4 2 3 22 26 11 NY Islanders 3 3 3 29 28 9 Columbus 4 5 0 23 23 8 Washington 4 5 0 26 29 8 New Jersey 1 5 3 18 30 5 NY Rangers 2 5 0 11 29 4 Philadelphia 1 7 0 11 24 2 Note: Overtime losses (OT) worth 1 pt and not included in loss column (L).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

S P ORT S

Atop their division, Knicks ignore talk of fall NEW YORK: Finally back on top of their division, all the New York Knicks keep hearing is that they are going to fall back. Second in the Eastern Conference last season, now they’re supposedly second-best in their own city.

One ESPN.com projection had them pegged for just 37 victories, which would be a 17-game nosedive in one season. The Knicks would be bothered, except they say they aren’t paying attention.

“I’m not worried about people’s opinions and whether we took a step back or stayed where we’re at. Those are people’s opinions,” All-Star Carmelo Anthony said. “As players, as a team, we know what we have, we know what we can do. We know how good we can be, we just have to do it.”

It’s not that the Knicks are expected to be bad, it’s just that a few other teams in the East look better. Miami is already on top, Chicago and Indiana both appeared to get stronger, and the Brooklyn Nets seized the basketball attention in New York over the summer when they traded for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce as part of a flurry of moves.

The Knicks were also busy, though their biggest transaction was a widely criticized deal with

Toronto for Andrea Bargnani, coming off a miserable season. The Raptors couldn’t wait to get rid of the former overall No. 1 pick, and the Knicks even threw in a first-round pick for him.

Whether the former 20-point per game scorer can relocate his game in New York is only one of the questions facing the Knicks. J.R. Smith and Amare Stoudemire, their Nos. 2 and 3 scorers, may not be ready for the start of the season after summer knee surgeries — Stoudemire’s third in the last year. Steve Mills, surprisingly hired to replace general manager Glen Grunwald just five days before training camp, has to show he can do the job despite no previous experience in that role.

The biggest question is Anthony’s future. The NBA’s leading scorer can become a free agent next summer and the Knicks want to keep him, so this would be no time to experience that tumble that’s being forecast.

They don’t think they will. The Knicks won their first Atlantic Division title since 1994 last season and won a playoff series for the first time since 2000, and coach Mike Woodson never worries about whether he has enough now to build on

that. “I would never say that,” Woodson said. “I mean, nobody thought we had enough last year. It was kind of the same air going into last season and I don’t listen to that. My thing is, you still have to play the games, and we have a very competitive team, guys that have tasted some success the last two years here winning, and that’s all I’m relying on.”

Here are five things to watch with the Knicks: AMARE’S AVAILABILITY: After he was limited to 29 games last season, the Knicks are determined to do whatever they can to have Stoudemire available for the playoffs, even if it means restricting him to fewer than 25 minutes per game. He was productive in those limited minutes last season, averaging 14.2 points in 23.5 per night.

CHANDLER’S CHANGES: Tyson Chandler is back to looking like himself again, regaining all his weight and muscle after dropping some 15 pounds late last season after an injury and struggling in the postseason. And the former Defensive Player of the

Year wants to look different on offense, working on a jump shot after getting nearly all of his scoring at the rim.

CARMELO’S CHOICE: He has said he wants to stay in New York, but also that he wants to be a free agent. The Knicks can offer him millions more than any team and know how much Anthony loves being in the city. But they’re also are aware they need to make the organization stronger so he could see a chance to a championship here, and that is Mills’ mandate.

ANOTHER 3 PARTY?: The Knicks set an NBA record with 891 3-pointers last season, but sometimes settled too much for the long jumpers and will need to make sure they have the right balance.

KEEP COOL: In Smith, Metta World Peace and even Anthony, who was one off the league lead in technical fouls last season, the Knicks have some players who can lose their heads. They’ll have to make sure they don’t let temporary losses of focus cost them. — AP

Cup-chasing Kenseth crashes during test

FENWAY PARK: In this combo of photos, Boston Red Sox players (top row from left) Jonny Gomes, Ryan Dempster, Mike Napoli and David Ortiz, and (bottom row from left) Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Dustin Pedroia, David Ross and Mike Carp sports beards during a workout at Fenway Park. — AP

Band of bearded brothers lead Red Sox to World Series BOSTON: The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals tied for the best record in baseball in the regular season. Each team led its league in runs, with solid starting pitching and a dominant closer emerging midway through the season. But if you’re looking for a favorite in the World Series that begins at Fenway Park on Wednesday, it’s got to be the Red Sox — by a whisker. Boston’s dugout is overflowing with facial hair these days, part of a bonding ritual that began when Jonny Gomes showed up scruffy at spring training. “It just sort of grew,” catcher David Ross said.

Gomes is Patient Zero in Boston’s beard brigade, allowing his to grow out over the course of the season into an ear-to-ear wedge of fuzz.

As his teammates joined in, the beards became a way for them to bond and a symbol of the improved clubhouse chemistry that helped erase the memory of a last-place finish in 2012.

Anticipating a potential victory parade like the ones in 2004 and ‘07, when the team rode amphibious vehicles through the city, the Boston Herald dubbed the team “Duck Boat Dynasty.”

The Boston beards, like the players they are attached to, all have nicknames. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is known as “Salty” to teammates who don’t want to pronounce (or spell) his surname, and his beard is “The Saltine.” Canadian Ryan Dempster’s is “The Canuck.” David Ross’ whiskers, with their streak of gray down the middle, are known as “The Wolf,” but the rest of him is known by the pedestrian and predictable nickname “Rossie.” How does he feel knowing his beard has a better nickname than he does? “You can call me anything you want,” Ross said, “as long as you’re my teammate.”

David Ortiz has grown out the closecropped, well-groomed stubble he’s had since he arrived in Boston in 2003, but it’s still more like the fairway than the rough. That may have saved him some trouble after his game-tying grand slam in Game 2 of the AL championship series: The hairs on his chinny chin chin aren’t long enough for his teammates to tug on in what has become a traditional dugout celebration. “It hurts a lot,” said Mike Carp, a.k.a. “The Freshwater.” “But usually if you’re yanked on, your adrenaline is so full you don’t care.”

Measured by volume, Mike Napoli’s beard is the leader in the clubhouse. “He’s got a full caveman thing going there,” reliever Brandon Workman said. “Napoli: Everybody’s got to respect that.” One of the first to swear off shaving, Napoli has developed a full orchestra of chin music known as “The Siesta.” “There’s probably

stuff hidden in there,” Carp said. “He’s probably got money and all kinds of stuff in there.”

Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was successful on 52 of 56 stolen base attempts during the season.

Quintin Berry was added to the playoff roster solely to pinch-run for slower teammates. But diminutive Dustin Pedroia has them both beat in sheer beard-growing speed. “Pedroia, he went from looking like a 12-year-old to a caveman in three days,” Ross said. Pedroia tried to talk Ross into bailing on their band of bearded brothers earlier in the season before Napoli intervened. “I said, ‘No. You can’t cut it off.’” Napoli said. “I got mad at (Ross) and he ended up keeping it.”

To Ross, the beards are more than just the face of the franchise. “We find fun stuff to take up our time,” he said. “We all buy into what each other’s doing. It says a lot about our team.” The beards are a bonding exercise for a couple of dozen guys who spend half of the six-month season traveling together, and the other half sitting around the clubhouse for hours, talking baseball. “It’s really a big love affair of teammates pulling for each other,” Carp said.

Pity poor Xander Bogaerts. Just turned 21, he is struggling to fit in. Not on the diamond, where he worked his way into the lineup in the middle of the AL championship series, but in the beard department. “I am trying to, but it’s not coming,” said the Red Sox infielder, who has a peach fuzz mustache and a low-grade scruff only on his chin. “He hasn’t even reached puberty yet,” Napoli said. “When he gets there, I think he’ll be able to grow one.”

Workman had more luck. Called up in August from the minor leagues, where the organization has a clean-shaven policy, he took one look around the clubhouse and knew what he had to do. “Everyone had one,” Workman said. “I could tell I needed to have one, too.” Two months later, his effort is still in progress. “This is the best I can do,” he said, “but I’m working on it.”

The Cardinals have more than their share of unused razors, with the best beard on the NL champions belonging to injured pitcher Jason Motte. “I’m lazy. I don’t feel like shaving,” said Motte, who has had one since he was called up to the big leagues in 2008. Only slightly scruffy on the sides, it descends from his chin in two wide curls, like a waterfall going over a rock.

More than half of the St. Louis players sport some sort of facial hair, but most of the beards are neatly trimmed. In this race, they concede defeat. “Luckily for us,” Cardinals pitcher Tyler Lyons said, “it doesn’t really matter what kind of beard you’ve got on.” — AP

Pettersen seeks Taiwan win in hunt for No. 1 position TAIPEI: In-form Suzann Pettersen is looking for her fourth LPGA tournament win of a stellar season in Taiwan this week as she hunts down Park In-Bee at the top of the world rankings.

The 32-year-old Norwegian has strung together nine top-10 finishes in her past 10 LPGA events, including back-to-back victories at the Safeway Classic and the Evian Championship.

The defending champion in Taiwan is closing on Park, who finished a disappointing 28th at last week’s KEBHanaBank Championship in South Korea and skips the $2 million Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship starting today.

Taiwan’s Tseng Ya-ni will attract huge support from the galleries at the Sunrise Golf and Country Club as she seeks to end a 19-month title drought. Other names in the frame are Choi Na-Yeon, Catriona Matthew, Lexi Thompson and Michelle Wie. Petterson finished tied third in Korea, where she was also defending champion, as South Korea’s Amy Yang won her first LPGA title. “I have been play-

ing well for the last four months.... I am just trying to be consistent. I had a decent week prior to coming here,” said world number two Pettersen.

“So I look forward to having another good week before I go back to the US. I know I am within striking range of getting to number one before the end of the year. It’s not something I wake up and tell myself everyday.” “I know there is a chance. All I can do is go out and play good golf and try to win tournaments.”

Former world number one Tseng, who has slipped to 25 in the world rankings, said she was looking forward to playing in front of home fans again.

“I think the previous three tournaments in Asia got me well-prepared for this week,” said Tseng, who won the 2011 edition of the event.

“It’s great to come back home to somewhere you are so familiar with. I trained here for a few years and I know the golf course very well. I practised nine holes today. I feel I have a home course advantage here.” —AFP

FORT WORTH: Matt Kenseth had his testing at Texas Motor Speedway cut short when he crashed his car because of an issue with his front right tire.

Two days after losing his NASCAR Sprint Cup points lead with a 20th-place finish at Talladega, Kenseth had the session-ending crash Tuesday during a week-delayed Texas test that includes the top eight drivers in the points standings.

“Well, it was up and down. It ended down,” Kenseth said. “We just had a tire problem and crashed, so we’re done for the test. ... When you run nine laps and one blows apart for no reason, that’s always a cause for concern for sure.”

Five-time Cup champion and points leader Jimmie Johnson, who now has a four-point lead over Kenseth with four races left, wasn’t even aware that his closest competitor had crashed during the test. Kenseth said the car he crashed in turn one wasn’t the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota he plans to race at the high-banked, 1½-mile Texas track on Nov. 3, which comes after Sunday’s race at Martinsville.

“No, she’s at home safe ready to get to the track,” Kenseth said. Carl Edwards said he didn’t see what happened to Kenseth, but that the Roush Fenway team didn’t have any tire trouble.

“I wasn’t sure if he was trying to get out of here early,” Edwards said, with a smile. “They’ve had a spectacular year. He’d done amazing, so I think it’s going to be a good battle between him and Jimmie.” Kevin Harvick said the Richard Childress team was putting 35 or 40 laps on a set of tires “and they’re completely worn out.”

The tires being used were the same drivers had for the April race at Texas won by Kyle Busch. There are 16 drivers from five teams taking part in a three-day test at Texas that goes through late yesterday. There were 11 hours of testing scheduled Tuesday, with another full day yesterday.

Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway, Hendrick Motorsports and Michael Waltrip Racing were all scheduled to test last week before wet and cold

TALLADEGA: Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 The Home Depot Toyota, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 Mountain Dew / XBox One Chevrolet, race in this file photo. — AFP weather postponed that until this week, when the Childress team was already set to test.

“We’re down to crunch time,” Johnson said.

“We all had the same agenda, the same idea when we were planning our test schedule. You feel so good when you’re the only car that tests at a track and you feel like you’ll have a leg up on guys. But everyone racing for the championships is here. So it’s kind of a draw.” Johnson won at Texas last fall and finished sixth there in the spring.

No one has more top-five finishes (12) or led more laps (772) at Texas than Kenseth, who like Johnson has two wins there. Kenseth and Johnson are tied with a track-high 15 top-10 finishes.

Kenseth took part in testing Monday and had

been scheduled to test until a late-afternoon break in testing Tuesday before the crash ended that even earlier. Johnson, who also was testing only Monday and Tuesday, said it had been a “useful couple of days.”

While things might not have gone as well in testing for Kenseth, Johnson doesn’t believe Talladega and the crash will negatively affect the Joe Gibbs driver.

“With Matt, I don’t know if there’s a lot of significance in it. He’s been doing this too long. He’s won a championship,” Johnson said. “He knows what it’s like to experience the pressure. ... I think Matt has a lot of confidence moving forward for these next four events, as do we. His maturity, his mindset, he’s pretty rock solid in that department.’ — AP

Olympic hosts Japan aiming high at 2020 TOKYO: Japan wants its athletes to double their best-ever medal haul at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but experts warn the debt-laden nation will need to spend big if it is to seize the homefield advantage. Hosting the Games traditionally brings a bump in the medals table - Britain bagged 29 golds in London last year against 19 in 2008 in Beijing, while Japan’s best figure of 16 gold medals came in 1964 at the first Tokyo Olympics.

Japan’s education ministry, which is charged with overseeing sport, wants its 2020 team to get 70-80 medals, of which 25-30 should be gold.

That would put the country between third and fifth in the medals table-based on results from recent Games-a position sought by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) under its mediumterm plan and seen as an appropriate placing for the world’s number-three economy.

“It will be very difficult,” sports sociologist Toshio Saeki said, adding China and South Korea will also ramp up their efforts to remain Asia’s number-one and number-two sporting powers ahead of Japan. “But setting a high goal like this could help as it will urge people to work hard,” said Saeki, a professor at the Japan Sports Wellness University.

But, say experts, already heavily indebted Japan needs to invest a lot of money in developing Olympic wannabes if it is to get anywhere near its goal in seven years’ time.

“Japan will put its efforts into athlete training, although I cannot tell if it will be in a sufficient way,” said Tsukuba University assistant professor Yoshio Takahashi, a sports management expert.

“Japan is a country whose sportsrelated budget has been limited by world standards.” The country already has a debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 200 percent, and tax revenues are shrinking as its society ages and fewer young workers contribute to state coffers.

But sports experts say proper investment is key if Japan is to realise its dreams, pointing to the dividends it has

paid for previous Olympic hosts.

At London 2012, Britain’s 29 golds propelled it to third in the table, a robust recovery from the 1996 Atlanta Games where it picked up just one.

Britain spent 264 million pounds (worth $425 million at the current value) over four years to train Olympic athletes, with much of the money coming from a national lottery. For Vancouver 2010,

KARELIA: A handout picture taken during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay released by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Organizing Committee shows a torchbearer carrying his Olympic flame torch past the 18th century world famous wooden churches on Kizhi Island at the Lake Onega in the northern Russian region of Karelia, some 700 km (434 miles) northeast of Moscow. —AFP

Canada spent 117 million Canadian dollars (now $113 million) on Winter Olympic training and lifted a table-topping 14 gold medals. Tokyo’s education ministry has asked for its biggest ever settlement, requesting 49 billion yen ($500 million) in its sports-related budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

But nearly half of the sum would be used in the first phase of a project to build a new 80,000-seat National Stadium, the centrepiece of the 2020 Games. So far, there is no extra money being planned for sport, although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has offered assurances that it will be forthcoming, despite the crimp on budgets brought about by the shrinking workforce and ballooning cost of social care.

In August, the government pledged to cut a whopping $82 billion out of its budget over two years as it works to bring down the industrialised world’s biggest debt mountain.

Training expenditure has been and will be focused on sports in which Japan usually wins medals, such as swimming, women’s football, men’s gymnastics, wrestling and judo.

Some extra cash has come from a public body established in 2003 to promote sport and to run a football results lottery. Part of the plan is the creation of an “agency of sport” that can help guide investment towards developing elite athletes, now focused on promising youngsters aged between 16 and 20 who could be expected to reach their competitive peak for the Tokyo Games.

“We are seeking to step up in areas where we narrowly missed gold,” said JOC athlete development official Naoya Yanagiya, after what many saw as a disappointing haul in London, where despite a record 38 podium finishes, just seven were gold.

The planned launch of the agency for coordinating sports-related government policies and actions will “make it easy for us to secure a budget for athlete development and help improve our competitive skills”, said Seiko Hashimoto, a senator and JOC senior executive in charge of athlete development.—AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

S P ORT S

South Africa ahead after Tahir wrecks Pakistan

DHAKA: New Zealand’s Corey Anderson bats as Bangladesh’s captain Mushfiqur Rahim tries to catch the ball on the third day of their second cricket Test match. — AP

Anderson century puts New Zealand in charge DHAKA: A maiden Test century from young allrounder Corey Anderson put New Zealand firmly in control of the second Test against Bangladesh yesterday despite a five-wicket haul for Shakib Al Hasan.

Anderson, 22, playing only his second Test, put on 140 runs with Kane Williamson for the fifth wicket to help New Zealand recover from 127-4 to reach 419-8 at stumps on the third day, with a 137-run lead over the hosts.

B.J. Watling chipped in with an unbeaten 59 alongside Ish Sodhi who was 55 not out, as the pair added to the hosts’ frustration with an unbroken 84-run stand.

Shakib, the only Bangladeshi bowler to impress, had Doug Bracewell caught by Mushfiqur Rahim for his 10th five-wicket haul shortly before the tea break. His feat came only after the visitors had overtaken Bangladesh’s first innings total of 282.

The Black Caps’ lead was largely due to a sparkling innings by Anderson, who slammed 116 off 173 balls before he became the first Test wicket of debutant Al-Amin Hossain, caught at extra cover by Sohag Gazi. “It is obviously a good feeling to score a hundred for your country,” Anderson told reporters. “It took me a lot longer in first-class cricket, but I guess I have learned my trade.

“To get it this early is a satisfying feeling.”

Williamson fell after he mistimed a lofted shot off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak and was caught by Tamim Iqbal at deep midwicket for 62.

Anderson and Williamson had turned the game decisively in the visitors’ favour after Shakib removed star batsman Ross Taylor in the morning session for his fourth wicket in the innings.

Former skipper Taylor, playing his 50th Test, smacked five boundaries in his innings of 53 after New Zealand lost their openers cheaply on the rain-hit second day.

New Zealand had resumed the day’s play on 107-3 and batted cautiously until Anderson and Williamson opened up to put the pressure back on the bowlers.

Despite the visitors’ dominance Bangladesh have yet to abandon hope of a win or a draw in the Dhaka match. “We have two days left, but because this is Test cricket, there are changes in the tone of the game,” said batsman Nasir Hossain.

“We have a chance to save or win this game.

We are disappointed because we fell short by 100 runs in the first innings. “We hope it won’t be repeated in the second innings.” — AFP

SCOREBOARD DHAKA: Scores at stumps on the third day of the second Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka yesterday: Bangladesh first innings 282 all out (Tamim Iqbal 95; N. Wagner 5-64) New Zealand first innings (overnight 107-3) P. Fulton lbw b Shakib 14 H. Rutherford c Mominul b Shakib 13 K. Williamson c Tamim b Razzak 62 R. Taylor c Nasir b Shakib 53 B. McCullum c Rubel b Shakib 11 C. Anderson c Gazi b Al-Amin 116 B.J. Watling not out 59 D. Bracewell c Mushfiqur b Shakib 17 N. Wagner c Marshall b Nasir 8 I. Sodhi not out 55 Extras (b4, lb4, wb2, nb1) 11 Total (for eight wickets, 133 overs) 419 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Rutherford), 2-32 (Fulton), 3-101 (McCullum), 4-127 ( Taylor), 5-267 ( Williamson), 6-287 (Anderson), 7-318 (Bracewell), 8-335 (Wagner) Bowling: Al-Amim 16-3-58-1, Sohag Gazi 34-8-77-0, Shakib 40-13-97-5, Razzak 19-1-84-1, Rubel 18-1-81-0 (nb1, wb1), Nasir 3-1-7-1. Mominul 3-0-7-0.

Asad Baig Presenting Winners Trophy.

DUBAI: Leg-spinner Imran Tahir came to haunt the country of his birth, Pakistan, by claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to put South Africa in early control of the must-win second Test yesterday.

The 34-year old finished with a career best 532 while fit-again paceman Dale Steyn took 3-38 to bundle Pakistan out for 99 all out in 36.4 overs at the Dubai stadium before South Africa finished the day on 128-3.

They lead by 29 runs and enjoyed a good day in their bid to level the two-Test series after losing the first game by seven wickets in Abu Dhabi last week.

Graeme Smith was unbeaten on 67 and nightwatchman Steyn was three not out. Smith, who looked rusty in Abu Dhabi, hit spinner Saeed Ajmal for two consecutive boundaries to bring up his half-century as well as taking his team past Pakistan’s total.

In the morning session Pakistan’s top-order batsmen were so dismal that number nine Zulfiqar Babar top-scored with 25 not out and opener Shan Masood made 21. Of the six boundaries in the innings, Babar hit three and Masood one.

This is the 16th time that Pakistan were bowled out for below 100 in a Test innings. It brought back memories of Pakistan’s same total against then world number one England at the same venue in 2012, although they went on to win the Test in the end.

But a ruthless South Africa, now the world number one Test side, looked in no mood to concede the early advantage as they now look set for a big first innings lead.

Smith and Dean Elgar, replacing Hashim Amla-who failed to come back after returning home for the birth of his child-added 54 before Ajmal had Elgar for 23.

Pakistan also removed opener Alviro Petersen for 26 and Jacques Kallis (seven) on a day when Tahir gave Pakistan a dose of their own spin medicine.

Tahir, playing his first Test since November 2011, dismissed opener Shan Masood (21), Misbah-ul Haq (two) and Akmal (nought) off just 11 deliveries to leave Pakistan in tatters at 60-6 by lunch.

Tahir commented: “It’s not that I wanted to show something, I just wanted to do well for the world’s best Test team.”

Born and brought up in Pakistan, Tahir qualified to play for South Africa in 2011 after marrying a local girl but has since taken time to establish himself in a country not known for spinners.

Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore showed anger over his team’s slump. “Its frustrating,” said Whatmore. “Certainly not according to the plans, we knew they will come back hard but we orchestrated our own downfall with poor shot selection.”

Steyn, cleared from a hamstring injury suffered on Sunday, gave no signs of discomfort as he dismissed opener Khurram Manzoor off the

Aamna receiving Cup from Amanullah.

DUBAI: South African captain Graeme Smith (left) bats as Pakistan wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal looks on during the first day of the second Test match. — AFP

SCOREBOARD Scoreboard at the close of the play on the opening day of the second test between Pakistan and South Africa at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates yesterday.

South Africa first innings A. Petersen lbw Zulfiqar Babar 26 G. Smith not out 67 D. Elgar c Azhar Ali b Saeed Ajmal 23 J. Kallis lbw Saeed Ajmal 7 D. Steyn not out 3 Extras (b-1, w-1) 2 Total (for three wickets, 49 overs) 128 To bat: AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, F. du Plessis, V. Philander, M. Morkel, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-37 2-91 3-119 Bowling: Mohammad Irfan 9-0-29-0, Junaid Khan 12-2-34-0, Saeed Ajmal 18.4-4-42-2, Zulfiqar Babar 7.2-2-7-1, Azhar Ali 2-0-15-0 Pakistan first innings Khurram Manzoor c du Plessis b Steyn Shan Masood b Imran Tahir

0 21

second delivery of the match and then had Younis Khan (10), on a pitch which looked good for batting.

Manzoor, who hit a career best 146 in the first Test, failed to score. Azhar Ali then put on 38 for the second wicket with Masood before he was trapped leg-before by paceman Morne Morkel for 19. Masood remained steady until he played an over-ambitious drive off Tahir and was bowled off an inside edge.

Steyn returned for his second spell to have Younis, caught behind off a rash shot with the score at 60 before Tahir got two more on the same score.

Azhar Ali lbw b Morkel 19 Younus Khan c de Villiers b Steyn 10 Misbah-ul-Haq lbw b Imran Tahir 2 Asad Shafiq b Imran Tahir 10 Adnan Akmal b Imran Tahir 0 Saeed Ajmal run out 0 Zulfiqar Babar not out 25 Mohammad Irfan b Imran Tahir 0 Junaid Khan b Steyn 4 (Extras b-6, lb-3) 8 Total (all out, 36.4 overs) 99 Fall of wickets: 1-0 2-38 3-52 4-60 5-60 6-60 7-64 876 9-76 10-99 Bowling: D. Steyn 13.4-2-38-3, V. Philander 5-2-9-0, M. Morkel 5-1-12-1, Imran Tahir 13-3-32-5 Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat Pakistan lead the two-match series 1-0.

Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful batsman this year, misread a googly from Tahir while Akmal went back to play a sharp delivery and was bowled.

After lunch Tahir-who replaced Robin Peterson from the first Test line up-bowled Shafiq for ten and then dislodged Mohammad Irfan to imrpove on his previous best of 3-55, came against Australia at Johannesburg in 2011.

Pakistan’s total was boosted by a 33-run last wicket stand between Babar and Junaid Khan.

Khan was finally bowled for four by Steyn. —AFP

Mariam Omar receiving runners-trophy.

Kuwait Red win Women’s Cricket Cup KUWAIT: Kuwait Cricket added one more feather in their cap as they organized a full day event of entertaining cricket exclusively for women cricketers on Saturday, Oct 19, 2013 at Sulaibiya turf ground. It was indeed a great response from women cricketers from various parts of Kuwait who were grouped into three teams namely Kuwait Red, Kuwait Blue and Kuwait Green.

Each of the teams were lined up to play two matches in the robin league and the top teams in the league were billed for the final. After the conclusion of the robin league, Kuwait Blue and Kuwait Red teams stood out to take top honors.

Kuwait Green fought brilliantly with great determinations but were toppled in the average net run chase.

This tournament was a platform for women cricketers to exhibit their skills as they competed with great fighting spirits to match up with the rest. Kuwait Cricket’s Women selection committee are all thrilled by the response of women cricketers and are planning to have similar tournaments in future.

Kuwait Women’s U-19 National team to participate in the ACC

Participating teams

-U19 women’s championship is to be selected from the best players out of the lot.

Kuwait Cricket would like to invite more women cricketers to participate in the forthcoming local tournaments

Maryam Omar and Rida scored 12 and 8 runs respectively.

For Kuwait Red, Sabreen scored 8 runs. Aiman and Maryam Omar took 2 wickets respectively.

Third match played between Kuwait Green v/s Kuwait Blue.

Sabrin Zaki receives Player of the Final Award Results of the tournament: First match played between Kuwait Red v/s Kuwait Green.

Kuwait Red scored 80 runs in the allotted 10 overs.

Kuwait Green scored 70 runs losing 7 wickets in 10 overs, Kuwait Red won by 10 runs. Iqra and Sabreen scored 11 and 8 runs respectively. Khadija and Warda took a wicket each.

Second match played between Kuwait Red v/s Kuwait Blue. Kuwait Red scored 82 runs in 10 overs.

Kuwait Blue completed the target losing only a wicket.

Kuwait Blue won by 9 wickets.

Kuwait Green scored 69 runs in 10 overs.

Kuwait Blue completed the target losing 2 wickets. Kuwait Blue won by 8 wickets.

Amna, captain of Kuwait Green scored a fighting knock of 26 runs in 26 balls. Maryam scored 15 runs for Kuwait Blues.

Amal took 1 wicket for Green.

The Final match played between Kuwait Red v/s Kuwait Blue.

Kuwait Red’s Captain Khadija won the toss and invited Kuwait Blues to bat first, Kuwait Blue’s captain Maryam Omar opened the innings with Maryam Haider. Kuwait Blues scored

73 runs in 10 overs. Maryam Omar played a captain’s knock to score 19 runs. Aiman bowled superbly taking two important wickets and was well supported by Sabreen.

In reply Kuwait Red’s Maryam Ashraf played sensibly well to score 9 runs as she was well supported by Sabreen and Khadeeja who scored 12 and 7 runs respectively.

Kuwait Red won the final by 9 wickets. Maryam Omar and Amna Sharif were declared as the best batswomen of the tournament. Sabreen Zaki was selected as the best all rounder women’s player Tournament was witnessed by large supporting crowd, parents and cricket lovers. Director General of Kuwait Cricket Asad Baig gave away the Winners Trophy to Khadeeja. Director of Women’s Cricket Mehboob Khan gave away the runners trophy to Maryam. Deputy Director Amanulla gave away the runners up trophy to Amna. Tahir Khan, Iqbal Hussain, Coaches Tareq Shah, and Mrs. Sandra gave away the Certificates to the players and Wasim Bajwa gave away best performance player’s Trophy to Sabreen.

Sabri Zaki receiving Player of the final award.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

S P ORT S Photo of the day

No need to panic before ‘Clasico’, Barcelona insist

Kyle Strait competes during the finals of Red Bull Rampage in Virgin, UT, USA on October 13, 2013. — www.redbullcontentpool.com

MADRID: Barcelona sought to silence any alarm bells ringing ahead of Saturday’s La Liga ‘Clasico’ at home to Real Madrid after they stuttered to a draw in their Champions League game at AC Milan on Tuesday. Barca needed a Lionel Messi equaliser to rescue a point in the 1-1 Group H stalemate at the San Siro and despite hogging possession in customary fashion again looked short on ideas in attack following a frustrating 00 draw at Osasuna on Saturday.

Real, who host Milan’s Serie A rivals Juventus in Champions League Group B later yesterday, are third in La Liga, three points behind their arch rivals, and a win at the Nou Camp would put them level with Barca on 25 points from 10 games.

Barca are still unbeaten this season and top both La Liga and their group in Europe’s elite club competition but have consistently struggled against defence-minded opponents even with the firepower of Argentine World Player of the Year Messi and Brazil forward Neymar in their arsenal.

Coach Gerardo Martino, who like compatriot Messi hails from the city of Rosario, dismissed concerns about his team’s form at his post-match press conference in Milan.

“I have no doubts about the team’s ability to perform,” he told reporters. “I would have liked to beat Osasuna and Milan but we’re doing well and we’re still growing,” added the 50year-old, who took over from the ailing Tito Vilanova in the close season. “Our play hasn’t gotten worse and I don’t think we’ve regressed.” Milan took the game to Barca in the early stages and were rewarded when a defensive blunder allowed

playmaker Kaka to set up fellow Brazilian Robinho, both of whom used to play for Real, to score the opening goal in the ninth minute.

Barca’s leveller came in the 23rd minute after they won possession in central midfield, Andres Iniesta fed Messi on the right and he cut inside into the penalty area before clipping the ball past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia.

“Against teams that close themselves off at the back it’s easier to score when you recover possession rather than making short passes which gives your opponent time to reorganise,” Martino said. “It’s a good point but we deserved more. We only lacked intensity in the first 15 minutes and our punishment was too severe.”

Captain Xavi echoed his coach’s frustrations and insisted the team were “in good shape” ahead of the ‘Clasico’, which will be the 167th league meeting between the Spanish giants, the world’s richest clubs by income.

“It’s a shame because we created the chances to win the game,” the Spain playmaker said. “With the exception of the first 15 minutes, when we conceded a goal, we dominated and we created chances to score. We’re in good shape coming into the Clasico.” Real hold the upper hand in league games against Barca, with 70 victories to 64 since they first locked horns in 1929. Under Jose Mourinho last term, Real drew 2-2 at the Nou Camp and won 2-1 at the Bernabeu but surrendered their Spanish title to Barca largely thanks to an erratic start to the campaign. —Reuters

Vettel eyes title in India NEW DELHI: Never mind ripping up the form book, it would have to be thoroughly shredded — and the remains pulped for good measure — for Sebastian Vettel to be denied a fourth successive Formula One title on Sunday.

Everything indicates that Red Bull’s 26year-old German will become the sport’s youngest quadruple champion with a flourish in what may well be Formula One’s last appearance in India for the foreseeable future.

Since the race made its debut in 2011, Vettel has led every lap in India and arrives chasing a hat-trick of poles and wins at the Buddh International circuit in Greater Noida, south of the capital.

With a 90-point lead over Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and four races remaining, the German may not even need to finish on

Sebastian Vettel in action in this file photo.

Sunday to become only the third driver to win four titles in succession.

Alonso is the only man who can keep him waiting for the second race in a row and even victory will not be enough if Vettel takes at least fifth place. If the Spaniard retires, the matter will be settled on the spot. Vettel has retired only once this season and finished at least fourth in all the other races. Even if the German fails to score, Alonso must still finish first or second to stay mathematically in contention. The Red Bull driver is on a roll that could lead to more rewriting of the record books after he notched up five wins in a row in Japan this month to become the first driver since Michael Schumacher in 2004 to perform that feat.

Nobody, least of all his rivals, is ruling out the German winning the remaining races of the year to take his tally to nine in a row and

equalling a record set by Italy’s Alberto Ascari 60 years ago.

“If he doesn’t have any reliability issues, I am willing to put money on it,” commented Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton after Suzuka.

Alonso meanwhile has not won since his home race in Spain in May and although he has finished second on five occasions this year, Vettel took the chequered flag ahead of him in four of them.

The last time the Ferrari driver finished in the top two with Vettel drawing a blank was in Valencia in June last year - 28 races ago.

Alonso can hope to be third time lucky, after finishing third in 2011 and second last year, but India is very much Vettel’s track and Ferrari’s main concern now is to beat Mercedes and hold on to second place in the constructors’ championship.

Ferrari are only 10 points clear of Mercedes, with Lotus a further 23 adrift after outscoring both teams in the last two races, in a battle that is about prize money as much as paddock status.

Red Bull can also retain the constructors’ title for the fourth year in a row on Sunday as an added bonus. “So far everything has always gone perfectly for us in India. There is also a very nice trophy at the end of the race - so it would be great to hold one again this year,” said Vettel this week.

It could be the last chance anyone has to get their hands on it. India is not on next year’s calendar and although local organisers are talking about a return in 2015 few paddock insiders are optimistic.

The teams and organisers have been vexed by taxation issues while also wrestling with financial problems and slow ticket sales after drawing a big crowd to the inaugural event. “I think it is very difficult once you leave a country to come back to it - especially where we have not really managed to establish the sport,” said Sauber’s Indian-born principal Monisha Kaltenborn. — Reuters

Spurs, Swansea hunt for more Euro success PARIS: Premier League duo Tottenham home front at the weekend. Britain’s third A on Sunday, are in Romania to tackle and Swansea put unbeaten records on the contender, FA Cup winners Wigan, are out Pandurii Targu-Jiu. With Germany striker Mario Gomez line in the third batch of Europa League to build on their first ever home European win - a 3-1 triumph over Maribor of sidelined American-born Giuseppe Rossi, group action today. back after three operations in two years, Spurs can even qualify for the knockout Slovenia - when they host Rubin Kazan.

The Russians represent tough opposi- has answered his club’s call, scoring a hatstages with three games to spare should they see off FC Sheriff in Moldova and the tion, firing in nine goals to top Group D, trick against Juve.

His experience with Villarreal when he with Wigan two points behind in the allother Group K tie ends in stalemate.

Wins in Russia last time out against important second spot which gains quali- scored 11 goals on the way to helping his former Spanish club reach the semi-finals Anzhi Makhachkala and Nor wegians fication to the next round.

Sevilla, winners of the predecessor to in 2010/2011 will prove invaluable with Tromso have left Andre Villas-Boas’s highflyers coasting in a competition in which the Europa League the 2006 and 2007 the Italians taking seriously their Europa they reached the quarter-finals last sea- UEFA Cups, are undefeated and lead league engagement.

“This team is built to win,” said Rossi Group H, a position of superiority they are son.

Villas-Boas, who lifted the 2011 Europa out to confirm when they travel to Slovan after the Juve win. “We have big hearts and great motivation. We have great playLeague trophy with FC Por to, told Liberec of the Czech Republic.

Group E leaders Fiorentina, buoyed by ers on the field and on the bench. uefa.com: “ This trophy means a lot to Tottenham - last year we embraced the a 4-2 defeat of arch-rivals Juventus in Serie Fiorentina can take on anybody.” — AFP competition in a serious way, and we aim to do so again this season.

“Our objective is to progress.” Speaking after the Anzhi victory the Portuguese commented: “A win is what we wanted and gives us the opportunity in the next games against Sheriff to ensure qualification.” Spurs striker Jermain Defoe is on the brink of rewriting club history as one more goal will swell his European catch to 24 and draw the England striker level with club record-holder Martin Chivers.

Swansea made it two out of two to lead Group A with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Saint Gallen in south Wales at the start of the month.

Today they are back at the Liberty Stadium playing host to Russian visitors Kuban Krasnodar, facing a Premier League side for the first time. Like Tottenham, Swansea, competing in Europe for the first time since the 1991/92 season, are not only unbeaten but they have yet to concede a goal.

Both Spurs and Swansea, who were applauded by the Valencia fans after stun- BRUGGE: Maribor’s players jump during a training session in the Brugge on the ning the Spaniards 3-0 in their opener, are eve of the Europa League Group D football match between Zulte Waregem and NK in good heart after stylish wins on the Maribor. — AFP

2014 Tour de France has a bit of everything PARIS: Tracing a route that could limit the strengths of defending champion Chris Froome, the 2014 Tour de France will rattle over bone-jarring cobblestones, pay homage to World War I battlefields, climb unfamiliar ascents in eastern France and have only one time trial.

Starting in Leeds, England, on July 5, the 101st Tour ends 22 days later, as is traditional, on the ChampsElysees in Paris. With 25 ascents, the same as the 2012 edition won by Bradley Wiggins and only three fewer than this year’s centennial dominated by Froome, the 2014 race will again suit strong climbers - perhaps even more so than in previous years because of the reduced emphasis on time-trialing.

There will be only 54 kilometers (33 miles) of time-trialing in 2014 - all on a penultimate stage through foie gras country in southwest France on July 26. That is the smallest time-trial total since the specialist discipline was introduced at the 1934 Tour. The reduction - wanted by race organizers to limit the decisiveness of time-trialing could be a disadvantage for Froome, a powerful time-trial rider who won one of two clock-races at the 2013 Tour and placed second in the other. “Yes and no,” Froome said when asked Wednesday whether the lessened emphasis on time-trialing in 2014 could work against him.

“The pure climbers will certainly be up there with that amount of climbing. But the pure climbers have got to get over the cobblestones. They’ve got to battle through any crosswinds that we have on the way to the mountains and they’ve also got to be able to time trial at the end of it. So it’s a pretty well-balanced Tour.”

In winning this year, Froome gained big time on his main rivals in the first, flatter individual clock-race to Mont-Saint-Michel. Alberto Contador was more than 2 minutes slower and Nairo Quintana more than 3 minutes off Froome’s pace that day. And that was over a comparatively short 33 kilometers (20 miles). In theory, Froome could therefore inflict even greater damage on next year’s longer and also largely flat time-trial from Bergerac to Perigueux. After that, the holder of the race leader’s yellow jersey needs only to cross the finish line in Paris the next day to seal victory. “You can just imagine what the time gaps are going to be like on a 54-kilometer time trial. That could be quite substantial,” Froome said.

After two days in northern England - the northern-

most point ever visited by the Tour - the riders go south from Cambridge to London before crossing over to France and then to Ypres in Belgium. More than half a million soldiers perished in the killing fields around that town in World War I. Ypres was also where chemical weapons were first used in that conflict, with German troops releasing chlorine gas on April 22, 1915.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, the 2014 Tour will also visit the Chemin des Dames ridge in northeastern France where unexploded shells are still unearthed a century later and pass through the Verdun battlefields where 700,000 were killed or wounded in 10 months of intense combat.

Stage 5 from Ypres will hurtle over the dusty and potentially treacherous cobblestoned paths of northeastern France that are used by the famed Paris-Roubaix oneday race. Riders will cross their fingers that they don’t puncture a tire on the irregular surface. They’ll also have to fight for space and position on the narrow paths that, like for Paris-Roubaix, will be hemmed in by dense crowds of screaming fans.

A fall or other mishap on this stage could ruin the Tour for a race favorite before it has really begun. Nine cobbled sections will be negotiated. The total of 15 kilometers (nine miles) is the most on cobbled paths since 1983. The Tour last bumped across the cobbles in 2010.

“It’s a risk, more of a risk having cobbles in. Anything can wrong on the cobbles: crashes, punctures, mechanicals,” said Froome, who has started but not finished ParisRoubaix. “It’s something we’re going to have to train specifically for, get out there, see the cobbles, ride the cobbles.” Tour director Christian Prudhomme defended the choice of cobbles, saying they’re “clearly part of cycling.” He said organizers want to maintain suspense at the Tour and don’t want a predictable race “where everything is dictated in advance.” As always, the mountains will be decisive, because their steep gradients allow the best climbers to pry open big time gaps on rivals. Instead of just climbing the Alps and Pyrenees, riders in 2014 will also have to negotiate tricky ascents in the Vosges range on France’s eastern border with Germany. Stage 10, in particular, could surprise riders who underestimate those mountains that the Tour doesn’t visit as regularly as the more imposing and famous Alps and Pyrenees.—AP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

S P ORTS

Bayern rout Plzen 5-0 in Champions League

ISTANBUL: Galatasaray’s Felipe Melo (right) vies for the ball with Copenhagen’s Thomas Delenay (left) during the UEFA Champions League Group B football match. — AFP

Galatasaray defeat Copenhagen ISTANBUL: Goals by Felipe Melo, Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba gave Galatasaray a convincing 3-1 win over Copenhagen in Group B of the Champions League yesterday.

Copenhagen’s Brazilian forward Claudemir scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute.

The win allowed Galatasaray to climb into second place on four points in the group, five points behind leader Real Madrid. Juventus is third with two points after losing 2-1 to Madrid yesterday while Copenhagen is last with one point.

Sneijder had Galatasaray ’s first attempt in the sixth minute but his effort was saved by Johan Wiland. Three minutes later, however, Brazilian international Melo headed home a ball from Dany Nounkeu to put Galatasaray ahead.

The home team continued pressing, and Sneijder doubled the lead in the 38th after a pass from Emmanuel Eboue.

Eboue also helped fellow Ivory Coast international Drogba to add Galatasaray’s third in first-half stoppage time. The home team, backed by a loud partisan crowd, utterly dominated the Danes in the first half but eased off after the break.

“The match was more or less decided at halftime,” Copenhagen defender Lars Jacobsen said. “They scored three fine goals, where they outplayed us completely.”

The Danish side seemed more attackminded in the second half as Galatasaray slowed the pace, allowing Jorgensen and Daniel Braaten to test goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. But Galatasaray continued to press and Wiland made a stunning save in the 61st minute, only to find out that Sneijder had been flagged for offside. Five minutes later, Drogba found forward Burak Yilmaz whose shot went wide.— AP

MUNICH: Franck Ribery scored twice as defending champion Bayern Munich thrashed Viktoria Plzen 5-0 to take a giant step toward the Champions League knockout stage yesterday.

Bayern utterly dominated the game, with 34 efforts on goal - 29 on target - compared to none from the visiting Czech champion.

Yet, despite a host of early chances, Bayern needed a penalty from Ribery to break the deadlock in the 25th minute. Plzen defender Roman Hubnik conceded the spotkick for a foul on Arjen Robben after the Dutch winger ghosted past two players on his way into the box. “We played well but Plzen didn’t make it hard,” Robben said. “More difficult opponents will come.”

David Alaba made it 2-0 in the 37th, when he controlled Mario Mandzukic’s header on his chest, took it past a defender with his left thigh, and unleashed a shot past Plzen goalkeeper Matus Kozacik with his right boot.

Such was the home side’s dominance that Ribery’s memorable second, when it came in the 61st, seemed inevitable. Robben and Mandzukic combined to set up the Frenchman, who eluded two defenders and then dinked the ball over the goalkeeper.

Mario Goetze came on as a substitute and immediately set up

MUNICH: Bayern’s David Alaba celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Champions League Group D soccer match against Viktoria Plzen. — AP Bastian Schweinsteiger for Bayern’s unbelievable joy. The things he is three points clear at the top of fourth in the 68th, and Robben does with the ball is at likes like Group D after three wins from three. picked him out with a deep cross to (Italian acrobat and performer Bayern can ensure progress from Enrico) Rastelli,” said Bayern presi- the group with a win in the return complete the rout in injury time. game at Plzen in two weeks’ time.

Man of the match, however, was dent Uli Hoeness.

It was Bayern’s eighth consecu- Earlier, Manchester City won 2-1 at Ribery with a performance worthy of his European Footballer of the tive Champions League win - a club CSKA Moscow to consolidate secYear award. “Franck plays with an record - and the German champion ond place. — AP

Ibrahimovic tears apart Anderlecht BRUSSELS: A sensational performance by Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped Paris Saint-Germain continue their perfect start in Champions League Group C with a 5-0 win at Anderlecht yesterday.

Sweden star Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick in the space of 19 first-half minutes at the Stade Constant Vanden Stock in Brussels, one of the quickest triples in the competition’s history.

He netted another in the 62nd minute, after Edinson Cavani had also found the target after the break, as PSG made it three convincing wins from three group games to close in on a last-16 berth.

Ibrahimovic now has nine goals from his last four games in all competitions, while club record summer buy Cavani has eight since joining from Napoli, and their quality was too much for Belgian champions Anderlecht, who remain without a point in the section and are staring at an early exit.

In contrast, the French club are beginning to look like genuine contenders to win the tournament for the first time, although they will face far stiffer tests than this in the months ahead.

Visiting coach Laurent Blanc named his strongest possible side, with the only notable absentee being captain Thiago Silva, who is still not fit again after a thigh problem.

The hosts young line-up included the 16year-old Youri Tielemans in midfield, but they did not appear overawed in the early stages, seeking to take the game to PSG. Salvatore Sirigu in the away goal had to turn

a well-struck Matias Suarez shot around the post in the eighth minute, before Ibrahimovic managed to miss the target with just ‘keeper Thomas Kaminski to beat at the other end.

That was a sign of what was to come, and the Swede — who appears to be on a mission to win the Champions League for the first time in his career — got the breakthrough after 17 minutes, easily tapping in a low Gregory Van der Wiel cross from the right at the back post.

The duo combined again to make it 2-0 five minutes later, the Dutch full-back’s low ball being back-heeled into the net in typical Ibrahimovic fashion at the near post.

It went from the sublime to the ridiculous as he completed his hat-trick, pouncing on a loose ball 30 yards out to hammer a ferocious first-time volley past a helpless Kaminski in goal.

Many home fans rose to their feet to applaud that effort, and it was already game over, but Anderlecht did not help themselves as they conceded again seven minutes after the restart.

Teenage Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba slipped, allowing Blaise Matuidi to square for Cavani to make it 4-0, before Ibrahimovic drove in his team’s fifth - and his 37th in the Champions League in 98 appearances - off a post just after the hour mark.

He might even have scored another but, with Kaminski off his line in the 76th minute, an attempted chip landed on the roof of the net, and he saw another shot saved towards the end. — AFP

Champions League tables PARIS: Champions League tables after yesterday’s Group E-H matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Group A Bayer Leverkusen 4, Shakhtar Donetsk 0; Manchester United 1, Real Sociedad 0.

P W D L F A Pts Manchester United 3 2 1 0 6 3 7 Bayer Leverkusen 3 2 0 1 8 5 6 Shakhtar Donetsk 3 1 1 1 3 5 4 Real Sociedad 3 0 0 3 1 5 0 Group B Real Madrid 2, Juventus 1; Galatasaray 3, FC Copenhagen 1 Real Madrid 3 3 0 0 12 2 9 Galatasaray 3 1 1 1 6 9 4 Juventus 3 0 2 1 4 5 2 FC Copenhagen 3 0 1 2 2 8 1

Played on Tuesday Group E Steaua 1, Basel 1; Schalke 0, Chelsea 3.

Chelsea 3 2 0 1 8 2 Schalke 04 3 2 0 1 4 3 Basel 3 1 1 1 3 3 Steaua 3 0 1 2 1 8

6 6 4 1

Group F Arsenal 1, Borussia Dortmund Marseille 1, Napoli 2 Arsenal 3 2 0 Dortmund 3 2 0 Napoli 3 2 0 Olympique Marseille 3 0 0

6 6 6 0

2; Olympique 1 1 1 3

5 6 4 2

3 3 4 7

Group C Anderlecht 0, Paris St Germain 5; Benfica 1, Olympiakos Piraeus 1.

Paris St Germain 3 3 0 0 12 1 9 Olympiakos 3 1 1 1 5 5 4 Benfica 3 1 1 1 3 4 4 Anderlecht 3 0 0 3 0 10 0

Group G Porto 0, Zenit St Petersburg 0, Atletico Madrid 3.

Atletico Madrid 3 3 Zenit 3 1 Porto 3 1 Austria Vienna 3 0

Group D CSKA Moscow 1, Manchester City 2; Bayern Munich 5, Viktoria Plzen 0.

Bayern Munich 3 3 0 0 11 1 9 Man City 3 2 0 1 6 4 6 CSKA Moscow 3 1 0 2 4 7 3 Viktoria Plzen 3 0 0 3 2 11 0

Group H Celtic 2, Ajax Amsterdam 1; AC Milan 1, Barcelona 1 Barcelona 3 2 1 0 6 1 7 AC Milan 3 1 2 0 4 2 5 Celtic 3 1 0 2 2 4 3 Ajax Amsterdam 3 0 1 2 2 7 1

1; Austria Vienna 0 1 0 1

0 1 2 2

8 2 2 0

2 3 3 4

9 4 3 1

LISBON: Benfica’s Oscar Cardozo (center) attempts an overhead kick and hits Olympiacos’ Giannis Maniatis during the Champions League Group C soccer match. — AP

Cardozo salvages late draw for Benfica LISBON: Benfica’s Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo bundled home a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Olympiakos Piraeus in their Champions League Group C clash at the Luz stadium yesterday. The result means the two clubs are level on four points in Group C, five points behind leaders Paris St Germain, who crushed Anderlecht 5-0.

Olympiakos opened the scoring in a rain-hit Lisbon through attacking midfielder Alejandro Dominguez in the 29th minute.

But it was the former Benfica keeper Roberto who was key to the final outcome. Roberto,

returning to the Luz stadium as Olympiakos’ No. 1, failed to clear a corner in the 83rd minute and Cardozo pounced to earn his side a precious point.

Olympiakos’ Kostas Mitroglou, who nailed a hat-trick in the previous round, was a constant headache for the Lisbon club’s defence in the first half. He fired just wide when through on goal from a tight angle and then floated a header near the post. It was Mitroglou who assisted Dominguez with a clever backheel, the Argentine then confused centre back Ezequiel Garay with a sweet dummy, and coolly slotted

home just before the half hour.

The rain kept pouring down to the point that the ball often got bogged down in midfield resulting in both teams opting for a direct style of play.

The surface water denied Olympiakos a second goal when a shot from David Fuster found a puddle instead of rolling in.

In the end, 27-year-old Roberto, who denied a Cardozo free kick with a great flying save in the opening minutes, lost focus for a moment in the dying minutes and the Paraguayan did not spare him a second time. — Reuters

Leverkusen crush Shakhtar 4-0 LEVERKUSEN: Stefan Kiessling, author of last week’s infamous ‘phantom goal’, scored twice for real in Bayer Leverkusen’s 40 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk yesterday.

The striker ’s double and contributions from Simon Rolfes, from the spot, and Sidney Sam lifted Leverkusen up to second in Group A, one point behind leaders Manchester United.

Shakhtar, who turned up at the BayArena in second place, slipped to third after this first defeat of their campaign, and Leverkusen were excellent value for a win which followed their beating of Real Sociedad last time out. Sami Hyypia’s side took a deserved 22ndminute lead when Kiessling rose to head in Giulio Donati’s curling cross.

The 29-year-old had hit the headlines when heading in Leverkusen’s second in last Friday ’s 2-1 win over Hoffenheim via a hole in the side netting.

While the Bundesliga powGERMANY: Leverkusen’s Stefan Kiessling (top) and Donetsk’s Tomas Hubschman challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group A ers that be mull over what to soccer match. —AP do about that result,

Leverkusen are lying third, one point behind Bayern Munich, in their best ever Bundesliga start.

And that form is spilling over to their European campaign. There was, thankfully for Leverkusen, no controversy over Kiessling’s opener which was just reward for their domination over the Ukrainians.

They maintained their edge up to the break, without inflicting further damage against a largely lacklustre Shakhtar.

Five minutes after the restart, Shakhtar’s Croatian captain Darijo Srna was booked for a foul on Kiessling, with Rolfes converting from the spot. On 57 minutes Sam, set up by Son Heung-Min after Kiessling’s flick-on, shot leftfooted into the bottom corner to further Shakhtar’s woes.

And, to cap a memorable night both for him and his team, Kiessling was quick to knock in the ball after Pyatov had been unable to hold on to it 18 minutes from the end. He was accorded an enthusiastic send off when he came off before the final whistle. — AFP

Bayern rout Plzen 5-0 in Champions League

South Africa ahead after Tahir wrecks Pakistan

17

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Spurs, Swansea hunt for more Euro success

Page 18

MADRID: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (second left) vies with Juventus’ Argentinian forward Carlos Alberto Tevez (second right) during the UEFA Champions League Group B football match. — APF

Ronaldo sees Real past Juventus MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid all but secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 win over Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday. The Portuguese had fired the hosts into a fourthminute lead with a tidy finish, but Juventus were level midway through the opening period when Fernando Llorente bundled home from close range.

Ronaldo took his tally to an incredible seven goals in just three Champions League games this season with a penalty five minutes later and Juve’s task became even tougher when Giorgio Chiellini was sent-off just after the interval. Gareth Bale was then introduced to make his home European debut for Real, but despite failing to make the most of their numerical advantage they held on to make it three wins from three in Group B.

Defeat, however, leaves the Italian champions in a perilous situation with just two points from three games, now two behind Galatasaray after they beat FC Copenhagen 31 in the other game in the group yesterday.

“After the sending-off they backed off and it was more difficult for us to create opportunities,” Madrid captain Iker Casillas told Canal Plus. “But we have taken an important step towards qualifying with nine points in three games.”

The return of Casillas in goal was one of four changes that Real boss Carlo Ancelotti made to his side from the 2-0 win over Malaga at the weekend, but the Spanish captain showed no signs of rustiness as he parried away a fine drive by Claudio Marchisio inside the first two minutes.

Two minutes later and Madrid were in front as Angel Di Maria cut inside and slipped a perfect reverse ball in

behind for Ronaldo to round Gianluigi Buffon and find the net from a narrow angle. Juventus responded brilliantly to going behind, though, as they swarmed forward and Carlos Tevez saw two efforts from distance fly just off target.

And they were deservedly level on 22 minutes when Casillas parried Paul Pogba’s header at the end of a flowing move and Llorente swept home the rebound for just his second Juve goal since joining from Athletic Bilbao.

It took Madrid just seven minutes to edge back in front as referee Manuel Graefe rightly awarded a penalty when Chiellini hauled down Sergio Ramos as the defender tried to get on the end of Di Maria’s free-kick. Ronaldo stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick with an unerring ease high into the net. Both sides could have added to their tal-

Narrow win keeps United in control MANCHESTER: Manchester United ground out a tight 1-0 win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford yesterday to move closer to a place in the Champions League knockout phase.

The decisive goal in the first ever meeting between the teams came within moments of kick-off, Inigo Martinez scoring an own goal after the excellent Wayne Rooney had struck the post.

Both sides hit the woodwork thereafter, Real Sociedad on two occasions, but unlike in Saturday’s 11 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League, United were spared the pain of shipping a late equaliser. “I thought we played well tonight. I thought we created opportunities,” said United manager David Moyes.

“But while it was 1-0, I still had feelings of Saturday left inside me and while it was 1-0, you know you can always lose a goal from a corner kick or a free-kick.

“But it wouldn’t have been right if we hadn’t taken all three points tonight.” Vic tor y, coupled with Bayer Leverkusen’s success against Shakhtar Donetsk, leaves United a point above the German side at the top of Group A ahead of their return fixture against La Real on November 5.

“It makes life difficult when you go 1-0 down so early on,” said visiting coach Jagoba Arrasate, whose side

have lost their first three games. “You have to say it’s a fair result.”

Amid domestic shortcomings, the win also eased some of the pressure on Moyes, whose storied predecessor, Alex Ferguson, was once again in attendance, a day after launching his new autobiography.

With Robin van Persie carrying minor toe and groin injuries, Javier Hernandez was handed a start up front for United, while La Real recalled captain Xabi Prieto following a spell out with hamstring trouble.

United were trialling a new ‘singing section’ in the East Stand and the 1,500 fans in that area were given something to sing about within only 69 seconds of kick-off.

Rooney left three defenders in his wake with an uncharacteristic jinking run on the left-hand edge of the penalty area and although his shot hit the post, Martinez inadvertently shanked the rebound into his own net.

Rooney was one of several players criticised in Ferguson’s book, with the Scot repeating his allegation-contested by Rooney-that the striker asked to leave the club in May, but he was at the heart of every United attack.

He had a volley saved by Claudio Bravo and then volleyed acrobatically over the bar from an Antonio Valencia cross, while Hernandez saw a header disallowed for offside.

The visitors began to threaten on

ly before the break as the game rushed from end to end with Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldo firing just off target.

However, the game swung even further in Madrid’s favour just three minutes into the second half when Chiellini was harshly shown a straight red card for bringing down Ronaldo just outside the area.

Karim Benzema should then have sealed the three points when he somehow conspired to fire wide of an open goal from two yards out after great work from Di Maria and Alvaro Arbeloa.

Bale was introduced for the much maligned Benzema with just under 25 minutes remaining, but the Welshman struggled to make any impact on the game and certainly didn’t enhance his chances of starting when Real travel to face Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday. — AFP

Aguero stars as City shines

MANCHESTER: Real Sociedad’s midfielder Markel Bergara (left) vies with Manchester United’s Welsh midfielder Ryan Giggs during the UEFA Champions League football match. —AFP the break, however, and after David de Gea tipped a Haris Seferovic shot over, Antoine Griezmann almost silenced the stadium with a free-kick that bounced back off the left-hand upright.

The scares continued early in the second half, with Jonny Evans slicing a cross from Seferovic inches over his own bar in the 51st minute.

Bravo had to produce a sharp save to block a Phil Jones header from point-blank range, but in response, Alberto de la Bella almost embarrassed De Gea with a cross-shot from close to the left-hand touchline that hit the near post.

Rafael ceded his place to Chris Smalling with half an hour to play, apparently due to injury, but gradually United began to reassert control.

Valencia and Rooney each shot straight at Bravo, before the latter produced a piercing through ball for the former, whose low effort came back off the foot of the lefthand post.

Only a smar t block by Carlos Martinez prevented Shinji Kagawa from tuck ing away a pull-back from Valencia, before Rooney blazed a half-volley over from just inside the box.

Substitute Ruben Pardo served a reminder of the visitors’ threat by bending a free-kick a couple of feet wide. Bravo had to field a curler from Rooney and then rush out to thwart substitute Ashley Young, but although United could not put the game to bed, on this occasion they did not pay the price. — AFP

MOSCOW: Manchester City got their Champions League bid back on track yesterday, coming from behind to beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 in testing conditions in the Russian capital.

CSKA took a 32nd-minute lead courtesy of former Manchester United winger Zoran Tosic, but Sergio Aguero quickly equalised and then put the Premier League club in front before the interval at the Arena Khimki.

Aguero, who scored twice in the 3-1 weekend win at West Ham United, picked up where he left off to give Manuel Pellegrini’s side a second victory in Group D that leaves them wellplaced, along with Bayern Munich, to progress to the competition’s knockout stages. “It is an important win,” Pellegrini told UK Sky television after the game. “Now we have to play the next two games at home. I told the players that we had to make sure we didn’t lose this one. We are not in the next round yet but this was an important step.”

Reaching the last 16, of course, is something City have never managed to do before despite their huge outlay on players in recent seasons, but their attacking quality shone through here on a poor pitch in cold conditions and in an unsavory atmosphere.

Torrential rains last month seriously damaged pitches in the Moscow region to the extent that Leonid Slutski’s side had to play their last home group game against Viktoria Pilsen hundreds of kilometres away in St Petersburg. The pitch at their temporary Khimki Arena home was passed fit for the visit of City, but it was far from ideal, while British television claimed that the visitors’ Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure was subjected to monkey chants from spectators within the stadium.

That could lead to further problems for CSKA, who have not won, or even scored a

goal, in any of their last five games in the Russian Premier League and now face an uphill battle to qualify for the last 16 after this result. City boss Pellegrini brought Jesus Navas in for Samir Nasri, while Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov came back into the defence. However, that defence was again missing Vincent Kompany and their soft centre was exposed when the hosts took the lead just after the half-hour mark.

A long ball downfield was headed on by Keisuke Honda to Tosic, and the Serbian winger, who had an unsuccessful spell with Manchester United earlier in his career, lobbed the outrushing Joe Hart to open the scoring.

City, wearing all white, had created the best chances before that, with Toure squandering a glorious chance from a third-minute David Silva corner, but they responded to falling behind brilliantly, drawing level barely two minutes later.

Sergei Ignashevich failed to clear a low Silva cross from the left, and Aguero took full advantage, allowing himself a touch before prodding past the exposed Igor Akinfeev.

The game became more and more open after that, and the visitors struck again to take the lead three minutes before the break, Aguero getting in front of Kirill Nababkin this time to head home a delightful cross from fellow forward Alvaro Negredo.

Akinfeev saved well from a Silva free-kick right on the half-time whistle, while Negredo had an effort disallowed for handball just after the restart. After that, CSKA pressed forward in search of an equaliser and were unlucky on more than one occasion late on, notably when a stunning strike on the half-volley from substitute Ahmed Musa was harshly ruled out by the Romanian referee for a high boot by Pontus Wernbloom on Toure in the build-up. — AFP

Business

European Central Bank on a new mission Page 23 Exports pull Spain out of recession in third quarter

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Page 22 Russia grabs China oil and gas export deals

Will US hiring accelerate if economy doesn’t?

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NBK reports net profit of $702 million Strong balance sheet growth; Total assets up 15.5%

Ibrahim Dabdoub

Mohammed Al Bahar

KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), the largest Kuwaiti bank, reported net profits of $ 702 million (KD 198.6 million) for the first nine-month of 2013 compared with $809 million (KD 228.9 million) for the same period in 2012. Adjusting for the exceptional gains of $288 million recognized in 9M2012 on the consolidation of Boubyan Bank, net profits recorded a 34.7% year on year growth.

As of end of September 2013, NBK Group’s total assets reached $67.0 billion (KD 19.0 billion) up 15.5% compared to September 2012, while total shareholders’ equity increased by 4.0% year on year to $8.7 billion (KD 2.46 billion). Loans and advances reached $37.2 billion (KD 10.5 billion) at September-end 2013 up 9.3% compared to September 2012 and customer deposits reached $35.5 billion (KD 10.0 billion), up 16% compared to last year.

Ibrahim Dabdoub, NBK’s Group Chief Executive Officer said “NBK’s profits for the period reaffirm the group’s strong position in its domestic and regional markets.

Despite the challenges in the corporate domestic market and the political instability in some of the regional markets, the bank managed to deliver a strong set of results with net profits growing at 34.7% year on year after normalizing for the revaluation gains from Boubyan’s consolidation in 9M2012”.

“We continued to focus on core banking business across our locations. In the 9M2013 period and excluding the exceptional gain recognized last year, NBK’s net operating income grew by 15.8% year on year to $ 1,652 million (KD 467.1 million).”

Dabdoub added. Dabdoub also confirmed that the domestic operating environment continued to improve and the overall outlook is turning more positive.

“We have started witnessing some accel-

eration in the tendering, award and execution of some of the large projects as the government proves determined to advance the execution of the development plan”.

Strategically, Dabdoub also highlighted that NBK is progressively implementing its income diversification strategy.

“Our regional and international strategy remains on track. We are focusing our efforts on the GCC countries to leverage NBK’s strong franchise there and to benefit from the strong economic outlook and the growth opportunities available.

Moreover, our expansion into Islamic banking through the acquisition of 58.4% of Boubyan Bank continues to pay off as Boubyan’s contribution to the group’s profitability and balance sheet increases over time.”, Dabdoub added.

NBK continues to enjoy collectively the highest ratings among all banks in the Middle East from the three international rating agencies Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s. The Bank’s ratings are supported by its high capitalization, prudent lending policies, and its disciplined approach to risk management, in addition to its highly recognized and very stable management team. NBK was also named among Global Finance’s list of the 50 safest banks in the world for the eighth consecutive time.

NBK continues to enjoy the widest banking presence with an international network reaching 170 branches worldwide. NBK’s international presence spans many of the world’s leading financial centers including London, Paris, Geneva, New York and Singapore, as well as China (Shanghai). Meanwhile, regional coverage extends to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey.

in the

news

Boeing profit soars, raises 2013 outlook

Orange reports sales setback, shares fall

WASHINGTON: US aerospace and defense giant Boeing said yesterday thirdquarter profit soared 12 percent from a year ago and raised its 2013 earnings outlook on a pick-up in commercial aircraft deliveries. Net earnings totaled $1.16 billion for the July-September quarter, compared with $1.03 billion in the same period in 2012, the Chicago-based company said in a statement. Revenues rose 11 percent to $22.13 billion, beating analyst expectations of $21.68 billion. Earnings of $1.51 per share were 12 percent higher than the year-ago EPS of $1.35. Thirdquarter core operating earnings per share, excluding certain expenses, increased 16 percent to $1.80, well above the Wall Street analysts’ average estimate of $1.55. Boeing said the strong acrossthe-board performance in the quarter led it to raise its 2013 core earnings outlook to between $6.50 and $6.65 per share, from the prior estimate of $6.20 to $6.40.

“Consistently strong operating performance is driving higher earnings, revenue and cash flow as we deliver on our record backlog and return increased value to shareholders,” Jim McNerney, Boeing’s chairman, president and chief executive, said in the statement.

PARIS: French telecoms group Orange, formerly France Telecom, reported a 5.5-percent fall in sales in the third quarter yesterday, slightly worse than expected, but contained the effect of this on underlying profit. The price of shares in the business was showing a fall of 4.37 percent to 10.19 euros, in an overall French market which was down 0.70 percent in morning trading. At brokers Global Equities, Xavier de Villepion commented: “The results are not so bad as all that,” adding that the shares had fallen mainly because of profit-taking after a recent strong rise. The shares had risen from 7.68 euros on August 30 to 10.65 euros at the close of trading on Tuesday. The group said that in the quarter overall sales fell to 10.16 billion euros ($14.0 billion). Analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires had on average expected a figure of 10.21 billion euros.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) were higher than expected at 3.34 billion euros, owing to a 4.2percent cut in direct fixed costs and a 1.5percent reduction of indirect fixed costs.

Finance director Gervais Pelissier told a telephone press conference: “We have already achieved the objective of savings of 600 million euros in the year, and the erosion of the Ebitda margin has been contained thanks to a reduction of costs.”

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Murdoch relishes ‘outsider’ role despite power WASHINGTON: Rupert Murdoch still sees himself as an anti-establishment outsider, even after building the most powerful media empire on the planet, a new book on the tycoon says. “Murdoch’s World: The Last of the Old Media Empires” by David Folkenflik says the Australian-born US magnate remains distrustful of governments following his long history of battling regulators in several countries.

Murdoch’s executives “have always defined themselves by (the company’s) enemies-unions, liberal elites, the New York Times, the BBC, the Guardian and the Australian Broadcasting Corp; selfsatisfied politicians, red-tape happy government regulators, the leftist university professoriate,” the author writes.

“It is the defining contradiction of Rupert Murdoch’s corporation that it has accumulated more influence than any other media company in the world and yet remains convinced of its status as an outsider.” Murdoch, who is under pressure from a phone-hacking scandal in Britain and recently split the huge News

Corp. conglomerate into separate companies focusing on entertainment and publishing, has long had “contempt” for much of what government does, the book argues.

“Murdoch comes by that contempt for government intervention by way of personal experience,” Folkenflik writes in the book released this week. “He is a man whose very history tells him that regulations are designed to trip him up. He is an executive who has built up his own empire after seeing his family’s holdings shrink from taxes levied on his father’s estate, He is an entrepreneur who repeatedly had to win permission to buy television and newspaper properties in all three English-speak ing countries in which he became a dominant presence.”

The book maintains that Murdoch and his executives “convinced themselves the establishment loathed the corporation.” “ This declaration would be repeated despite the fact that Murdoch pere and fils and their top lieutenants were courted by prime ministers, and their top exec-

Bridgestone’s ‘new tyre concepts’ at the Dubai International Motor Show DUBAI: Visitors to the Bridgestone stand at this year’s Dubai International Motor Show, taking place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 5 to 9, 2013, will have a preview of the future of the tyre industry by discovering some of Bridgestone’s latest technological innovations. The world’s largest tyre and rubber company and “Official Tyre” of this year’s show, will display three new tyre concepts for the first time in the Middle East and Africa region, in the future zone of the stand in Hall 2.

The future zone of the stand features Bridgestone technologies, products and ideas for the future, with a strong focus on environmental solutions; these include the Air-Free concept tyre, the Half-Weight concept tyre, and tyre with ologic technology for the next generation of environmentfriendly vehicles.

“For the first time Bridgestone will be the “Official Tyre” of the Dubai International Motor Show. As the leading regional event for the motoring industry there couldn’t be a better environment for Bridgestone to introduce its new concepts which make an important breakthrough in the tyre industry. We are really looking forward to the show and to interacting with the visitors,” said Shoichi Sakuma, President of Bridgestone Middle East and Africa.

utives were often culled from the establishment’s ranks,” it says.

Folkenflik, a media repor ter for National Public Radio in the United States, said Murdoch personally sees global warming as a problem but that he allows his news organizations to cast doubt on the issue. “Murdoch’s belief in the need to contain climate change was pitted against his hatred for central government regulation,” the book says. “So he set a corporate example but refused to endorse a mandate... he sees the environmental movement littered with alarmists, a cadre of managerial elitists who snatch away power and property and wealth from his working- and middle-class tabloid readers.”

The author said Fox News “sprang from Murdoch’s decision to create a television empire around sports” as he had done in Australia and Britain. Murdoch, according to the author, was committed to getting NFL broadcasts as a foundation for his television network and initially wanted a news program as a “bookend”

which would compete against the CBS show “60 Minutes.” “The idea of creating a new show yielded to the idea of creating

Rupert Murdoch an entire cable network-a niche news channel,” the journalist wrote.

Folkenflik said Murdoch, 82, has not

publicly named a successor but that his son James was best-placed. Lachlan, the eldest son, appeared to be “the anointed one” in 2000, but when he resigned years later “amid Machiavellian machinations,” the father “saw the son’s retreat as a sign of weakness.” The media tycoon used Britain’s Sky TV “as a proving ground for the succession games,” and James’s time there as chief executive saw him massively boost subscribers and revenues.

The appointment of James as deputy chief operating officer and chief executive of international operations in 2011 “formalized his status as heir apparent,” the book said, though many believe his earlier handling of the phone hacking scandal in Britain had damaged his credibility. The author said Murdoch repeated a lesson he learned when he was five years old and his mother threw him in a swimming pool to teach him to swim.

“She would not allow anyone to rescue him, even though he was screaming for help, he recalled as an adult,” the book said. — AFP

Exports pull Spain out of recession in third quarter Domestic demand still a drag on economy

Lots of action on offer at the Bridgestone stand with the ‘Bridgestone 4D Theatre’ where visitors will get to experience the performance Bridgestone tyres on a simulated road trip. For the car drifting enthusiasts, the Bridgestone stand will host and display the Red Bull Chevrolet Camaro fitted with Potenza tyres. This is the same car model that current record holderAbdoFeghali used to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Vehicle Drift. Bridgestone is also one of the main sponsors of the Red Bull Car Park Drift finals that will be held on November 8 , 2013 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Argos owner posts big jump in first-half profit Shares up 4 percent LONDON: Britain’s Home Retail Group said firsthalf profit had jumped by half after a hot summer helped its DIY chain Homebase to its best performance in a decade and Argos benefited from growing online demand via mobile devices. The group said yesterday underlying pretax profit for the six months to Aug 31 had risen 53 percent compared with the same period a year ago, to 27.4 million pounds ($44.42 million) ahead of a company-compiled consensus forecast of 23.6 million pounds. Shares in the firm were up 4 percent to 191.8 pence at 0739 GMT. After five straight years of profit decline, Home Retail is implementing a turnaround plan, revamping its Homebase stores and reinventing household goods retailer Argos from a catalogue-led to digitally-led business, targeting a 15 percent rise in sales to 4.5 billion pounds by 2018, up from 3.9 billion in 2011/12.

Group revenue rose 3 percent to 2.6 billion pounds in the half, helped by a strong summer of garden furniture and barbecue sales at Homebase, where like-for-like sales grew 5.9 percent, its best performance since its acquisition in 2002. At Argos, which makes around 70 percent of group revenue, underlying sales rose 2.3 percent in the half, led by demand for tablets and home electrical appliances.

Internet sales increased to 43 percent of total sales at Argos, the firm said, with mobile commerce more than doubling to now account for 16 percent of sales. That jump was helped in part by new smartphone apps driving more traffic to its website. “Both Argos and Homebase are making good progress with their investment plans, and remain on track to deliver their longterm strategic objectives,” said Chief Executive Terry Duddy, who announced last month he would quit by next July. —Reuters

MADRID: Spain’s economy exited a two-year recession in the third quarter thanks to strong exports, though with demand at home still depressed, sustainable growth that creates jobs may remain elusive for years. Gross domestic product grew 0.1 percent in the third quarter from the second, the Bank of Spain said yesterday, marking the economy’s first expansion in nine quarters.

Spain’s economy has shrunk or has been stagnant every year since 2008, when a property market collapse left millions out of work, forced a deep financial sector overhaul and drove thousands of companies in bankruptcy. One of the euro zone’s highest public deficits, nervous debt markets and a paralyzed construction sector has since then forced the government to pass tough austerity measures and structural reforms in an effort to clean up the country’s finances and nurse it back to economic health.

That process, which pushed the country close to requesting sovereign aid last year, is now starting to bear fruit, at least for many businesses with a presence abroad. “After recently implemented reforms, Spain has become an export powerhouse, and it will fully leave the recession behind in 2014 with private investment and consumption growth turning positive after three years of decline and credit levels stabilizing,” economist and partner at financial advisory firm Arcano, Ignacio del Torre said.

“Though Spain still faces clear risks, it presents a strong potential upside in the years 2015 to 2020, and this upside is still not measured by many investors.”

The central bank said exports contributed 0.4 percentage points to third quarter growth while internal demand had a negative impact of 0.3 points. Its GDP numbers, which it presents as estimates rather than firm data, are traditionally released a week or so before statistics agency INE’s official preliminary figures, which are due this quarter on Oct. 30. The two sets of data rarely differ.

INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE Spain’s economy has shrunk by 7.5 percent since the beginning of 2008. But over the same period, the export sector has grown by 14.6 percent and is now worth over a third of total output compared to around a fifth five years ago. Exports grew 6.6 percent from January to August from a year earlier to a record 155.8 billion euros ($214.6 billion), the Economy Ministry said yesterday, while retail sales fell for the 38th month running in August. Spain’s success beyond its shores has been supported by a by-product of the economic crisis - increased competitiveness. In recent months, Markit’s Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) has shown Spain’s services and manufacturing companies, which have laid off employees and cut prices since the crisis began, have started to claw back customers. The country’s stubbornly high jobless rate may also have peaked. Third quarter unemployment data is due on Thursday, with analysts polled by Reuters expecting the rate to have fallen to 26.1 per-

BARCELONA: Students stage a demonstration against the government’s cuts to education spending at San Jaume square, near the headquarters of the Catalan government yesterday. — AFP cent from 26.3 percent at the end of June.

As companies fight for survival, Spanish workers have become cheaper to hire, making them more productive compared with many of their European counterparts. In public, the government is hailing a tentative end to the economic malaise that has plagued Spain. But some in the ruling People’s Party (PP) are concerned the export-led recovery won’t drive down the jobless rate or boost state coffers soon enough to

influence voters in the next national election due in 2015. “I believe we’re likely to see growth of as much as 1.3 percent in 2014. That will be through investment and exports, but it’s consumption which boosts the economy and brings more state income,” said a high-level politician within the PP who declined to be named. Official government forecasts see economic output expanding by 0.7 percent year on year in 2014 after a contraction of 1.3 percent this year. —Reuters

Egyptian central bank governor criticizes IMF CAIRO: Egypt’s central bank governor has criticized the International Monetary Fund for acting in a “totally unacceptable way” during negotiations over a critical $4.8 billion euro loan earlier this year, a state newspaper reported. Months of talks between Islamist President Mohamed Morsi’s government and the IMF failed to produce an agreement before the army toppled Morsi on July 3.

The IMF loan is widely viewed as necessary to convince foreign donors and investors that Egypt’s economy, which has been battered by political turmoil, is on the right track. Central Bank governor Hisham Ramez, who was involved in the talks, said that “some figures” in the IMF had dealt inappropriately with Egypt, without giving details, according to Al-Ahram newspaper. Al-Ahram released Ramez’s comments in advance of an interview expected to air

yesterday night on an Egyptian television station.

Ramez could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Earlier this month IMF chief Christine Lagarde said the Fund was ready to work with Egypt to help stabilize the country’s economy, citing discussions that have been ongoing for the past year and a half. The IMF had been negotiating the critically needed loan with Egypt before the military removed Morsi from office.

Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood has been weakened by a security crackdown but Egypt remains unstable.

Political upheaval and attacks by Al-Qaeda-inspired militant groups have hammered tourism and investment. The current army-backed cabinet as a whole seems to be in little rush to resume talks with the IMF about the loan, which would require economic reform commitments that the government might find politically risky. —Reuters

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

2.879 4.591 2.661 2.141 2.869 228.540 36.511 3.634 6.552 9.095 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.510 77.804 735.480 752.090 77.115

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 276.84 278.04 320.30 392.47 281.85 461.29 2.96 3.625 4.588 2.157 2.878 2.658 76.81 750.17 40.90 401.14 732.99 77.83 75.29

SELL CASH 276.000 278.000 320.000 394.000 284.600 462.000 3.000 3.700 4.850 2.600 3.400 2.750 77.100 751.000 41.000 406.200 739.100 78.200 75.500

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

41.450 40.629 1.321 173.650 399.870 1.900 3.076 34.988

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.050 Euro 388.340 Sterling Pound 457.830 Canadian dollar 275.880 Turkish lira 143.110 Swiss Franc 314.500 Australian Dollar 274.560 US Dollar Buying 281.850 GOLD 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

248.000 125.000 65.000

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 282.200 276.910 458.840 389.825 315.715 745.145 76.810 78.360 76.120 397.805 40.905 2.156 4.589 2.650 3.625 6.546 693.140 3.895

Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

10.060 3.045 3.855 89.935

Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

0.225230 0.023046 0.001848 0.009490 0.008771

0.231230 0.031546 0.002428 0.009670 0.009321

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 0.742748 0.038363 0.000078 0.000182 0.394155 1.0000000 0.000138 0.022571 0.001194 0.727603 0.076872 0.074683 0.001923 0.169458 0.141250 0.075919 0.001283

0.750748 0.041463 0.000079 0.000242 0.401655 1.0000000 0.000238 0.046571 0.001829 0.733283 0.078085 0.075383 0.002143 0.177458 0.148250 0.077068 0.001363

Bahrain Exchange Company COUNTRY SELL CASH Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

SELLDRAFT Europe 0.007340 0.452041 0.006598 0.048176 0.383815 0.043835 0.081499 0.008080 0.040300 0.309863 0.141250

0.008340 0.461041 0.018598 0.053176 0.391315 0.049035 0.81499 0.018080 0.045300 0.320063 0.148250

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Australasia 0.265298 0.232079

0.276798 0.241579

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

America 0.269476 0.278350 0.278850

0.277976 0.282700 0.282700

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

Asia 0.003402 0.044917 0.034343 0.004518 0.000020 0.002813 0.003418 0.000257 0.085872 0.003011 0.002503 0.006435 0.000069

0.004002 0.048417 0.037093 0.004919 0.000026 0.002993 0.003418 0.000272 0.091872 0.003181 0.002783 0.006715 0.000075

Al Mulla Exchange CurrencyTransfer US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Rate (Per 1000) 281.850 391.100 459.950 276.200 4.485 40.990 2.155 3.625 6.545 2.651 750.550 76.750 75.300

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

BUSINESS

ECB on a new mission Bank sets out tougher bank health tests

MICHIGAN: A homeless man rests at Detroit Department of Transportation Rosa Parks Transit Center in Detroit. DOT bus drivers participated in a sick-out protest outside the Coleman A. — AFP

US Court to decide if Detroit really is broke DETROIT: In a federal court building in downtown Detroit which began yesterday morning, the largest municipal bankruptcy filing in US history comes down to a single question: Is Detroit bankrupt? Federal bankruptcy judge Steven Rhodes will begin hearing arguments on the crucial issue of whether Detroit is eligible to restructure its debts and liabilities under Chapter 9 of the US Bankruptcy Code that applies to municipalities.

The hearings will pit retirees, pension funds and unions trying to preserve retirement payments to city workers against Detroit’s state-appointed emergency manager, charged with righting the city’s finances.

Detroit clearly is struggling. More than onethird of its residents live below the government poverty line. There are some 78,000 abandoned structures and just 40 percent of the street lights work. Detroit’s population has shrunk to less than 700,000, from a peak of 1.8 million in 1950, and only 53 percent of property owners paid their 2011 property taxes.

But such troubles do not necessarily amount to bankruptcy under federal law. And in the multi-day hearing that opens at the Theodore Levin US Courthouse, Detroit’s attorneys will need to prove that Detroit meets the legal requirements for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection.

City lawyers are expected to tick off arguments meant to meet that standard: Detroit had proper authorization to file the case, it is financially insolvent, it negotiated in good faith with its creditors or had so many creditors that such negotiations were not feasible, and it requires bankruptcy protection in order to deal with $18 billion in debt and other liabilities. Many bankruptcy experts say Rhodes is likely to find Detroit eligible, though his ulti-

mate ruling is hardly a foregone conclusion.

“Chapter 9 is never routine,” said Juliet M Moringiello, a law professor at Widener Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who has followed proceedings in the Detroit case. The city filed the case on July 18, and it said about half of its liabilities stem from retirement benefits, including $5.7 billion for healthcare and other obligations, and $3.5 billion involving pensions. How the city restructures its debt may set precedents for other struggling municipalities, bankruptcy experts said.

“We’ll see other Chapter 9s,” said Kenneth Klee of Klee, Tuchin, Bogdanoff & Stern in Los Angeles, who is representing Jefferson County, Alabama in its Chapter 9 case. “The pension problem is one that will require resolution, and with the labor relations being strained in parts of the country and some politicians not able to say no to employees and retirees, I expect there will be other chapter 9s to be filed.” On Monday, attorneys wrapped up a three-day hearing on legal authority issues surrounding the bankruptcy as objectors argued that Chapter 9 is unconstitutional and that Michigan’s constitution protects pensions from being slashed. “It’s one of those moments that I think that we will look back on and say ‘This is where Chapter 9 changed,’” attorney Barbette Ceccoti told the court on Monday on behalf of the United Auto Workers union, which represents some city workers.

Moringiello said parties tend to object to bankruptcy filings because they think they can do better under state law, and she said if Rhodes does not grant eligibility the creditors likely will try to get a state court to force the city to pay its debts. “Those are not terribly effective remedies,” she said. —Reuters

FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank promised yesterday to put top euro zone banks through rigorous tests next year, staking its credibility on a review that aims to build confidence in the sector. The ECB wants to unearth any risks hidden in balance sheets before supervision comes under its roof as part of a banking union designed to avoid a repeat of the euro debt crisis, which was exacerbated by massive bad property loans in countries such as Ireland and Spain.

However, some analysts say that if the review is too strict and reveals unexpectedly large problems at some banks, it could backfire by undermining the very confidence it aims to bolster. Euro zone bank shares fell sharply after the ECB announcement. Setting out its plans to scrutinize 128 top euro zone lenders, the ECB said it would use tougher new measures set out by Europe’s regulator the European Banking Authority (EBA) - in the asset quality review it will conduct next year.

“A single comprehensive assessment, uniformly applied to all significant banks, accounting for about 85 percent of the euro area banking system, is an important step forward for Europe and for the future of the euro area economy,” ECB President Mario Draghi said. “We expect that this assessment will strengthen private sector confidence in the soundness of euro area banks and in the quality of their balance sheets,” he said.

The ECB said it would conclude its assessment in October 2014 before assuming its supervisory role in November, although some policymakers have suggested that timing could slip. If capital shortfalls are identified, banks will be required to make up for them, the ECB said. Draghi has said a “public backstop” must also be available. A provisional list of banks to be reviewed includes 24 German lenders, 16 in Spain, 15 in Italy, 13 in France, seven in the Netherlands, five in Ireland and four each in Greece, Cyprus and Portugal. “ The scope of the Comprehensive Assessment is more extensive than we expected,” analysts at Citi said. Shares in euro zone banks fell 2.5 percent on concerns the tests could put them under pressure to plug capital holes, with Spanish lenders down 4 percent on average and Italian bank stocks 3 percent weaker. Spain’s Bankia led the decline, falling over 5 percent while Germany’s Commerzbank, the only bank from the euro zone core to feature among the top 10 fallers, was down over 3 percent.

The Bundesbank and financial watchdog Bafin, which in Germany share banking supervision, said the country’s banks were “already intensively preparing for the com-

Will US hiring accelerate if the economy doesn’t?

WASHINGTON: The uncertainty and weakness that hung over the US job market in September before the government shut down are not going away. Employers will likely remain slow to hire as long as the economy struggles to accelerate, consumers limit their spending and Congress keeps putting off a resolution to a budget fight that will resurface early next year.

Just a few months ago, many economists predicted that hiring would pick up by year’s end as the effects of tax increases and government spending cuts that kicked in this year faded. No longer. The September jobs report made clear that hiring isn’t strengthening. It’s slowing.

Employers last month added 148,000 jobs, a steep drop from the 193,000 gained in August. From January through March, job growth averaged 207,000 jobs a month. For April through June, the average was 182,000. For July through September, it was just 143,000. “We had assumed that the headwinds would dissipate, but in fact they didn’t,” says Doug Handler, an economist at IHS Global Insight. What’s more, the 16-day partial shutdown of the government, which began Oct 1, will likely further depress hiring for October. That’s because government contractors and other companies affected by the shutdown imposed temporary layoffs. And the budget battles that led to the shutdown are likely to flare up later this year and in early 2014.

Last week, Congress agreed to keep the government running only until Jan 15 while President Barack Obama and Congress seek a broader budget agreement. In the meantime, uncertainty about another budget impasse - and potentially another government shutdown - may cause some businesses to hold off on hir-

ing or expanding. “Companies are not feeling confident enough to expand, to hire, to invest,” said Yelena Shulyatyeva, an economist at BNP Paribas. “They’re just sitting on the sidelines, being cautious, and watching all these headlines from Washington.”

Consider Patrick Shrader, vice president of Arundel Manufacturing, based near Portland, Maine. Shrader said the uncertainty and brinkmanship in Washington have led his company to postpone hiring.

“As soon as we think the dust is settled, and we’re ready to move forward, there’s something else,” he said. Arundel makes precision metal components for oil and gas drilling equipment, aircraft and semiconductor manufacturers. Defense contracts make up about one-fifth of business. The company has enough work to support up to 10 hires, on top of its current staff of 80, Shrader says. But it isn’t ready. “We’re not prepared to bring anybody else on board until we figure out what’s going on after Jan 15,” he said. Even as hiring and economic growth have remained tepid in recent months, the stock market has been roaring. Two key reasons: The Federal Reserve’s policies have kept long-term interest rates so low that many investors have shifted out of low-yielding bonds and into stocks, thereby driving up stock prices. And corporations have managed to deliver steady profit growth, in part by keeping costs down.

The economy has been growing at a lethargic pace since the recession officially ended in June 2009. Growth has averaged about 2 percent a year. Job growth since 2010 has averaged about 180,000 a month. The burst of hiring earlier this year

WASHINGTON: Photo shows the US Treasury on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, US Treasury Jack Lew said that the US economy has been hurt by recent budget standoff. — AFP

was probably unsustainable without a faster economy, said Sophia Koropeckyj, an economist at Moody’s Analytics. While companies were adding jobs at a healthy pace in the first six months of the year, the economy was expanding at a meager annual rate of 1.8 percent. Brief periods of robust job gains have raised hopes only to fizzle. The weak economic growth appears to have caught up with employers.

They’re now adding fewer jobs. That’s been particularly noticeable among companies that depend on consumers, like restaurants and retail chains. A category that includes hotels, restaurants and entertainment companies, such as amusement parks, has added just 5,000 jobs over the past three months. That’s down from 146,000 over the previous three months. Retailers are still hiring. But the 21,000 positions they added in September were the fewest in six months.

The slowdown may reflect an ongoing response to the tax increases that took effect this year, Koropeckyj said.

Americans are taking home less pay because of a 2 percentage point increase in Social Security taxes. A person earning $50,000 a year has about $1,000 less to spend this year.

A household with two high-paid workers has up to $4,500 less. Income taxes for upper-income households also rose. Consumer confidence plummeted during the government shutdown to the lowest level in nearly two years, according to Gallup. And pay raises have been slight: Average hourly pay rose just 2.1 percent in September from 12 months earlier.

That’s barely keeping up with historically low inflation. Many economists estimate that the partial government shutdown cut $25 billion out of the economy and slowed growth to about a 2 percent annual rate in the October-December quarter.

That’s weaker than estimates before the shutdown that the economy would expand at a 2.5 percent annual rate this quarter. The shutdown delayed the release of the September jobs report for 18 days. It will also delay the scheduled release of the October jobs report by a week, until Nov 8. In the meantime, the still-tight job market has discouraged many Americans from seeking jobs. The percentage of Americans who are working or looking for work remained at a 35year low last month. That helps explain why the unemployment rate dipped to a still-high 7.2 percent in September from 7.3 percent in August. The government doesn’t count people without a job as unemployed unless they’re looking for one. The drop in unemployment from 7.9 percent at the start of the year has occurred mainly because many people aren’t actively seeking jobs. — AP

prehensive assessment”. Detailing the measures in its review, the ECB said it would use the EBA’s definition which classifies bank loans that are more than 90 days overdue as non-performing. It will ask banks in its balance sheet review for an 8 percent capital

FRANKFURT: The Euro logo is seen in front of the European Central Bank (ECB) building.

The European Central Bank said yesterday it will start next month to “stress-test” and examine the balance sheets of 124 eurozone banks in advance of assuming its supervisory role. — AFP

buffer. That could have been higher but may still prove a challenge to some banks as they attempt to become crisis-proof.

The asset quality review will look across the piece at “sovereign and institutional holdings and corporate and retail exposures, and both the banking and trading books”. The EBA classifies sovereign debt as risk free, meaning banks do not have to hold extra capital to back these holdings. However, following the euro zone crisis which led to a huge restructuring of Greek debt, the Bundesbank has been pushing for the varying degrees of risk attached to bonds issued by governments to be recognized eventually,

although not necessarily in the forthcoming ECB assessment. “ We are all waiting to see whether Germany has got on top of its rumored problems in the banking sector,” said Sharon Bowles, who chairs the influential committee in the European Parliament that shapes economic and financial policy. “It seems clear that banking union has not disconnected banks from sovereigns. Bank disclosures over sovereign holdings will make that even clearer,” she said. Much of the precise detail about the tests remains to be sketched in. Bafin head Elke Koenig said she did not expect much need for more capital in German banks.

BACKSTOPS The ECB wants a tough review so that it does not face surprises once it has taken charge, and to avoid repeating the mistakes of two earlier European-wide stress tests that failed to spot risks that led to the Irish and Spanish banking crises. Wary of a lopsided banking union that could see it supervise euro zone banks without a common backstop in place, it has urged governments to agree on a strong single resolution mechanism (SRM) to salvage or wind down banks in trouble. However, this second stage of the planned union is incomplete as politicians discuss how much of the costs should be shouldered by taxpayers. Plans for a third stage, a common deposit insurance scheme, have completely stalled.

“First of all, the private sector has to intervene,” Ignazio Angeloni, director general for financial stability at the ECB, told a news conference. “Once markets know more and once risks are priced better, then investors are more ready to come in. We cannot rule out the possibility ... that that may not be sufficient immediately.” A Morgan Stanley survey of investors showed between five and 10 of the banks to be tested by the ECB are expected to fail the tests and could be forced to raise up to 50 billion euros ($69 billion) to bolster their capital.

However, some banks may be unable to raise capital on their own and the euro zone crisis has shown that sometimes even national governments cannot afford to stage rescues. In addition to Ireland, Spain - the bloc’s fourth biggest economy - had to take international help to tackle its banking problems.

Some ECB policymakers feel uncomfortable taking on the extra responsibility and have suggested spinning off bank supervision into a separate institution over the long term.

But such a step would require a change of the EU treaty, which might take years. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Gold retreats from 4-week high as dollar recovers Gold premiums in India hit $120/oz LONDON: Gold retreated from four-week highs yesterday as a slight recovery in the dollar prompted some investors to cash in gains, with a rally sparked by weaker-than-expected US non-farm payrolls data running out of steam. The metal rose nearly 2 percent on Tuesday while the dollar index hit eight-month lows and stock markets rallied, after weak US jobs data cemented expectations for the Federal Reserve to keep its stimulus measures in place until next year.

However, those moves went into reverse yesterday. The dollar recovered to edge up 0.1 percent, putting some pressure on gold, while European

shares broke their nine-day winning streak to fall 0.6 percent. Spot gold was down 0.6 percent at $1,331.80 an ounce at 0854 GMT, while US gold futures for December delivery were down $10.80 an ounce at $1,331.80. Spot prices hit their highest since Sept 20 on Tuesday at $1,344.46 an ounce.

“As we’ve seen in the past, some investors are looking for entry points at which to go short, and above 1,330 may be one such level. So we may see some short-positioning coming in, and we might also see some profit-taking based on the moves of the last few days,” Mitsubishi analyst Jonathan Butler said. “This 1,330 level is an important techni-

cal point, and so far gold has managed to hold onto it,” he said. “A lot of investors are just waiting to see what the next move will be.”

Technical analysts-who study past price patterns to determine the next likely direction of trade-at Commerzbank say gold’s rally on Tuesday had neutralized its bearish view on the metal, although it remains vulnerable to further losses.

“We are technically clearly at a key juncture for the development of the next medium-term trend, which is why we have once again neutralized our forecast,” they said in a report. “As long as the 1,330.17/1,349.31 resistance area-July, late

September and early October highs and the 55-day moving average-caps on a daily chart closing basis, we will continue to favor the downside.”

The world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, New York’s SPDR Gold Shares, reported an inflow of more than 6 tons on Tuesday, its biggest one-day inflow in two months. On Monday it reported an outflow of more than 10 tons. Gold premiums in India hit $120 an ounce to London prices on Tuesday as the domestic market failed to get enough supply to meet strong festive demand.

In China, Shanghai spot prices were trading at a premium of $7 an ounce.

Gold demand in China could grow as higher home prices stoked inflation fears, Helen Lau, an analyst at UOB Kay Hian Securities in Hong Kong, said. Among other precious metals, silver was down 0.2 percent at $22.58 an ounce, having also touched a one-month high on Tuesday at $22.80 an ounce. The gold/silver ratio, which measures the number of silver ounces needed to buy an ounce of gold, fell to its lowest since mid-September yesterday at 59.01 as silver outperformed. Spot platinum was down 0.9 percent at $1,430.99 an ounce, while spot palladium was down 1.1 percent at $742.47 an ounce.— Reuters

Turkish central bank keeps rates on hold ISTANBUL: Turkey’s central bank stuck to its pledge not to defend the lira with rises in interest rates yesterday, betting on continued support for the currency from a delay in any trimming of US monetary stimulus. Emerging market currencies, including the lira, have rallied since the US Federal Reserve opted last month not to trim its bond purchases. Growing expectations that it is unlikely to do so before March have lent more support in October.

That has given the Turkish bank more room to keep rates low as it seeks to support shaky economic growth. At yesterday’s meeting it kept its main policy rate, the one-week repo rate, at 4.50 percent, its borrowing rate at 3.50 percent and its overnight lending rate at 7.75 percent. The bank said inflation was expected to continue to fall, although it expected core indicators to remain above target for some time because of recent exchange rate volatility.

“The committee will maintain the cautious monetary policy stance and continue implementing additional monetary tightening at the appropriate frequency until the ... inflation outlook is in line with medium-term targets,” it said in a statement.

Turkish markets were largely unmoved by the decision, which was in line with expectations after Governor Erdem Basci sig-

naled several times that the bank was not planning to change interest rates any time soon.

All 15 economists in a Reuters poll had expected key rates would be left unchanged. None forecast a change in the reserve requirements the bank uses to manage liquidity conditions. Basci said last month financial markets had already priced in the bulk of the impact of a reduction of US monetary stimulus and that the lira, which fell as much as 15 percent from February to September, should soon recover. Turkey had been among the most highprofile victims of the shift in global capital prompted by signals the Fed would rein in its ultra-easy monetary policy.

The lira has recovered more than 5 percent since hitting a record low against the dollar of 2.0840 on Sept 5. It stood at 1.9725 by 1112 GMT. Basci has said repeatedly that he would not need to raise interest rates in the short term to defend the currency, having spent a quarter of the bank’s reserves to prop it up since May. In one of the world’s most complex policy mixes, the central bank has been battling to support the lira with forex auctions, liquidity adjustments and verbal intervention without resorting to rate hikes that might cool growth. — Reuters

SHANGHAI: An investor gestures at a private securities company in Shanghai, China yesterday. — AP

Bruised dollar edges up ahead of US jobs data LONDON: The dollar edged away from an eight-month low and shares halted on Tuesday before the release of US jobs figures delayed by this month’s acrimonious budget tussle in Washington. Some investors fear the September non-farm payrolls data, usually closely watched by markets, may already be out of date, although a strong report at 1230 GMT could revive bets that the Federal Reserve will begin scaling back its stimulus this year.

“Markets are going to be quite nervous and swinging around on the employment data,” said Daniel Loughney, a portfolio manager at Alliance Bernstein. “Unless we get a very clear number the volumes are going to be staying low - the markets are voting with their feet.” The figures are forecast to show employers added 180,000 jobs last month.

Many in the markets expect the US central bank will delay trimming its $85 billion of monthly bond-buying, which has supported riskier assets like shares, at least until the impact of the partial government shutdown becomes clearer.

There was little conviction in any of the major asset classes as the data release approached. The dollar added 0.1 percent against a basket of major currencies, as investors took the opportunity to hedge some of their bets after the greenback’s near 6 percent drop over the last few months of US policy uncertainty. European shares were largely unchanged ahead of what was expected to be a flat start on Wall Street , with buyers happy to sit on the sidelines after world stocks hit five-year highs on Monday.

There was also a reluctance to make aggressive bets after US stocks ended little changed on Monday, partly on concerns that equities have become overpriced after the S&P 500 index’s run to record highs last week. “I think when you look at the geographical split it seems that the US market is getting a bit more fully valued and that it is Europe where there is more room for some upside,” said Sybren Brouwer, head of equity strategy at ABN Amro.

DOLLAR FINDS FEET The dollar has borne the brunt of the recent volatile US conditions, firstly after the

Fed opted against cutting its stimulus in September and then as the budget spat and 16-day shutdown in Washington pushed the country close to a default. By 1130 GMT it was holding up 0.1 percent at $1.3675 to the euro, off an eight-month low of $1.3704 marked on Friday, and gained by similar margin against the yen, at 98.35 yen , adding to Monday’s 0.4 percent bounce.

“A ( jobs) reading anywhere in the 160,000 to 190,000 range would probably be fairly neutral with respect to near-term US dollar direction given the data pre-dates any impact from the October shutdown,” BNP Paribas analysts wrote in a note. “We remain short euro/dollar and sterling/dollar heading into the release, looking for gradual improvement in US data.” Europe’s bond markets were seeing little movement ahead of the data, with benchmark German Bunds and euro zone periphery debt all broadly steady. It was a similar story for commodities. Gold inched down to $1,313.15 an ounce, while US and Brent crude prices hovered at $99 and $110 a barrel respectively, after rising stockpiles of oil saw US prices hit near four-month lows on Monday.

TRAPPED IN QE In Asia, MSCI’s index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged back from a fivemonth peak, although Tokyo’s Nikkei bucked the trend, as did Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 as it logged its sixth day of gains. Many analysts expect the Fed to maintain its quantitative easing (QE) given the likely economic impact of the shutdown and the prospect of another bitter budget fight early next year, which should continue to support riskier assets.

Charles Evans, a senior Fed policymaker, said on Monday it would be “tough” for the US central bank to have enough confidence in the strength of the recovery to start reducing its bond-buying by the time of its December meeting. “The common view in the market is that the US is essentially trapped in QE,” said Andrew Quin, research strategy coordinator at Patersons Securities in Perth, Australia. “So at least until new debt ceiling negotiations get agreed probably in February, we doubt they are going to do too much.”— Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Mercedes-Benz - Most valuable premium automobile brand No 11 among the ‘Best Global Brands 2013’ KUWAIT: Mercedes-Benz remains the world’s most valuable premium automobile brand in 2013. As in 2012, Mercedes-Benz ranks 11th among the “Best Global Brands 2013” as identified by renowned US brand consultancy Interbrand, making it the most valuable European brand. The brand’s value has risen by six percent in comparison to 2012, to 31.904 billion dollars. This continues an unbroken upward trend which has been in evidence since 2009.

“We are proud and delighted that we have been able to repeat last year’s success while also fur ther raising the brand’s absolute value,” commented. Dr Jens Thiemer, Director of Brand Communication, Mercedes-Benz Cars, in reference to the results of the study. “This shows that our “Mercedes-Benz 2020” growth strategy and our “Best Customer Experience” marketing strategy are not only taking sales to new heights but also enhancing our international

renown and image.”

The study’s authors attribute the sustained success to Mercedes-Benz ’s unmatched ability in the automotive sector to maintain the right balance between tradition and pioneering ideas in the field of mobility and to enthuse people around the world with its products. The generation of compact cars launched in the past two years is aimed specifically at modern target groups.

Ranging from the new A-Class to the new S-Class, the vehicles demonstrate how Mercedes-Benz embodies contemporary luxury without neglecting individual mobility requirements. “Best Global Brands” are identified by Interbrand annually. The study is considered by leading CEOs worldwide to represent the competitive benchmark for the value of international brands. The study is designed to identify the world’s 100 most valuable brands.

Russia grabs China oil and gas export deals Rosneft to supply 200,000 bpd to Sinopec BEIJING: Russian energy companies signed a slew of deals with China on Tuesday, seeking to lock in sales to fund costly production and pipeline projects that will direct exports away from Europe to Asia. The agreements, announced during a visit by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Beijing, brought Igor Sechin, CEO of state oil major Rosneft, closer to his goal of exporting more than 1 million barrels per day of oil to China.

Gas independent Novatek secured a longterm contract to supply liquefied natural gas, ahead of the lifting of state - controlled Gazprom’s export monopoly on LNG exports expected next year. Gazprom, the world’s largest gas company, made modest progress towards supplying pipeline gas to China but - after years of talks - will fail to seal a deal before its Russian rivals can compete for exports.

Medvedev hailed Rosneft’s outline agreement to pump 200,000 barrels per day of crude oil over 10 years to China’s Sinopec Group, in a pre-paid deal valued at $85 billion. “That is a large sum of money for any country - even China,” the prime minister said. “It testifies to the fact that we have reached a higher and completely new level of cooperation.” Speaking after the deals were signed, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said: “Commercial cooperation is ... extremely important and must not be put off.”

The pivot to Asia by the world’s largest energy-producing nation has been hastened

by Europe’s economic slump, while the shale energy revolution threatens to close off the expor t route to Nor th America. “I t has become very important for Russia to expedite entering the Asia-Pacific, especially the Chinese market,” said Feng Yujun, head of Russian studies at the China Institute of

Contemporary International Relations. “It risks losing more opportunities if it keeps dragging its feet.”

FIRST SELL, THEN PRODUCE Analysts said the Rosneft-Sinopec deal, under which supplies are expected to flow from 2014, will increase the pressure on Sechin to develop new fields in Eastern Siberia to increase pipeline exports to China from the current 300,000 bpd. Already in June, Rosneft struck deals to treble longterm supplies to China to 922,000 bpd, raising questions over whether it has the reserves and capital on hand to deliver.

A separate deal announced in Beijing said that Rosneft and China National Petroleum Corp - the main importer of its oil - had agreed on supplies to a planned oil refining joint venture in Tianjin. “Sechin’s logic is very simple - he wants first of all to capture the consumer for the long term,” said Vitaly Kryukov, an energy analyst at IFD Kapital in Moscow. “Then he has to figure out how much oil he needs and where to find it.”

Since taking on heavy debts to buy AngloRussian oil venture TNK-BP in March for $55 billion, Rosneft has shown greater willingness to allow China to own barrels in the ground instead of securing future supplies against loans. Rosneft last week signed a deal with CNPC to create an exploration and production venture handily sited to feed in to Russia’s main eastern export artery, the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline.

Sechin has also buried the hatchet with Nikolai Tokarev, head of oil pipeline monopoly Transneft, with the two agreeing to expand the capacity of a pipeline spur from the ESPO line that runs to China. The ESPO

trunk line runs to the Pacific port of Kozmino and is expected to handle around 400,000 bpd of oil this year, rising to 600,000 bpd next year.

Some of that oil goes to China. “China is likely to overtake the United States (as an oil importer), and Russia has to stake its claim in China,” said Andrey Polishchuk, analyst at Raiffeisenbank in Moscow, saying some oil flows to Europe would be redirected eastward. Energy analysts Woodmac expect Chinese oil imports to overtake those of the United States in 2017, rising to 9.2 million bpd by 2020 from 2.5 million bpd as recently as 2005.

GAS MATTERS Novatek, Russia’s largest gas independent, agreed to supply 3 million tons per year of LNG to CNPC, one of the partners in its $20 billion project on the Arctic Yamal peninsula.

The deal covers a period of 15 years, with pricing linked to the so-called Japanese crude cocktail - a benchmark based on oil prices. Yamal LNG, being developed by Novatek, Total and CNPC, is scheduled to start producing LNG in 2016 and supply 16.5 million tons per year of the tanker-shipped fuel by 2018.

Gazprom said, meanwhile, that it had reached an agreement on a price formula to supply 38 billion cubic meters per year of gas by pipeline to China. Yet final price terms were not agreed, meaning talks are likely to run into 2014. Gazprom already supplies LNG to Asia from its Sakhalin-2 terminal on the Russian Pacific island of Sakhalin. Yet its proposed Vladivostok LNG export facility lags Novatek’s Yamal LNG project and a $15 billion Rosneft-Exxon venture to export LNG from the Sakhalin-1 project. — Reuters

DuPont delivers operating earnings of $.45 per Share DUBAI: DuPont yesterday announced third quarter 2013 operating earnings of $.45 per share compared to $.43 per share in the prior year. GAAP1 earnings from continuing operations were $.28 per share versus a loss of $.05 per share for the third quarter 2012. Third quarter results principally reflect overall topline growth and earnings improvements for Per formance Materials, Electronics & Communications and Safety & Protection, and a lower effective tax rate. This was offset by expected lower earnings for Performance Chemicals.

HIGHLIGHTS - Third quarter net sales of $7.7 billion increased 5 percent, with volume up 9 percent versus a weak prior year.

Sales also reflect 3 percent lower local prices and a 1 percent negative currency impact.

- Excluding Performance Chemicals, all operating segments posted increased operating earnings versus last year.

Performance Materials, Electronics & Communications, Safety & Protection and Industrial Biosciences had doubledigit earnings growth reflecting higher volumes and improved margins.

- Agriculture sales grew 15 percent driven by increased insecticide volumes and higher seed prices in Latin America. The sales growth and the benefit of increased ownership in Pannar Seed (Pty) Ltd. reduced the segment’s third quarter seasonal loss to $62 million.

- Cost produc tivity gains and restructuring savings are on track to meet or exceed full-year targets.

- The company continues to expect

full-year operating earnings of about $3.85 per share. “ We executed well against our plans. Third quarter sales volumes and operating earnings were stronger across most businesses compared to a soft quarter last year,” said DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman. “While we expect overall sequential growth in industrial market demand will remain subdued, fourth quarter operating earnings will be up substantially from last year. For the full year we are on track to deliver modest earnings growth, despite the significant decline in Performance Chemicals’ results.”

USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES Management believes that certain non-GAAP measurements are meaningful to investors because they provide insight with respect to ongoing operating results of the company.

Such measurements are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to GAAP are provided in schedules A, C and D. DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people ever y where, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment.

Oil slips to $109 as stockpiles rise

NARVA: Igor Kond, head of the oil industry sector for the Estonian energy company Enefit Eesti Energia, gestures next to the oil factory under construction, in Narva.

The state-owned company has acquired one of the largest tracts of privately owned oil shale reserves in the United States and intends to start producing refined shale oil by the end of the decade. — AFP

LONDON: Brent crude fell towards $109 a barrel yesterday, pressured by rising inventories in China and expectations of a further buildup in the United States, the world’s top consumer.

Maintenance at US refineries and pipeline outages have led to an increase in domestic stocks, stretching Brent’s premium to the US benchmark also known as WTI to $12 a barrel, its widest since April.

Brent crude fell 57 cents to $109.40 a barrel by 1050 GMT, after hitting a session high of $110.06. US crude fell $1.52 to $96.78 and earlier reached $97.10, its lowest since July 1. “The weakness in the Brent/WTI spread reflects refinery maintenance and growing crude stocks in the US,” said Christopher Bellew, an oil broker at Jefferies Bache.” “Other bearish factors are the warm autumn in the northern hemisphere and Libyan oil coming back onto the market.”

A series of reports showing rising crude stocks has pressured prices. On Monday, the US government said they rose by 4 million barrels in the week to Oct 11 and increased at the Cushing storage hub for the first time since the end of June. Brent could break below $109, Bellew said, and other analysts saw a weakening chart pattern for US crude. Its 200-day moving average at $98.62 is now a resistance level after prices fell below that mark.

“The technical picture in WTI is turning more negative as WTI broke the support of the 200day moving average and it has its five-day moving average trending below the nine-day,” said Olivier Jakob, consultant at Petromatrix.

Analysts expect the US Energy Information Administration - returning to its normal schedule after the government shutdown - to report a further, 2.9-million-barrel increase in crude

stocks for the latest week later yesterday.

Ahead of the EIA report at 1430 GMT, oil industry group the American Petroleum Institute said on Tuesday US crude stocks rose further last week by 3 million barrels.

Stockpiles also built in China, the secondlargest oil consumer, in September, official news agency Xinhua said yesterday, as crude imports jumped to a record high. Rising output of shale oil added to the picture of an amply supplied US market. The Eagle Ford formation in Texas has beaten North Dakota’s Bakken to the milestone of 1 million barrels per day, the EIA said. Tenuous relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia, the top oil exporter, limited the price decline for Brent. While Libya’s oil output has risen, more than half has yet to return to the market due to strikes and protests. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

BUSINESS

Egypt ‘not interested’ in Israeli gas CAIRO: Egypt is not interested in importing gas via pipeline from Israel and instead is focusing on a plan to import liquefied natural gas, a top Egyptian state executive said yesterday. Israel’s energy and water minister said this week that it could supply Egypt with gas through a pipeline that already links them. To receive LNG shipments, Egypt must rent a floating terminal, which it aims to have in operation by April after issuing a tender earlier this month. “For importing the LNG we are working with companies, not with countries,” Taher Abdel Rahim, chairman of state-run Egyptian Natural Gas

Holding Company (EGAS) said. “Companies like BP, Shell, BG - those are the companies working on importing LNG,” he added.

Egypt’s LNG plan is likely to be more expensive than piping gas from Israel due to the cost of erecting the terminal and the higher prices LNG fetches in the global spot market. Spot LNG in the east Mediterranean region is currently priced around $12.00 per million British thermal units, and pipeline deliveries from Israel are likely to be cheaper. The pipeline was originally built to carry Egyptian gas to Israel and Jordan. In April Egypt

terminated a 20-year deal to supply gas to Israel, citing a business dispute. The deal, signed when President Hosni Mubarak was in charge, was unpopular with many Egyptians.

The pipeline has been attacked more than a dozen times since the 2011 uprising that toppled Mubarak. Since the deal was first signed, Egypt’s gas output has declined, while large reserves of gas have been discovered off Israel’s Mediterranean coast. In August, Avner Oil & Gas said the group of energy companies that found the gas was studying options to export it to Egypt as well as to Jordan,

the Palestinian Authority and Europe via a pipeline to Turkey.

Silvan Shalom, Israel’s energy and water minister, said on Tuesday that Egypt was “showing interest in buying gas from Israel. “If they will indeed want gas and (their interest) is real, then I don’t see any reason why not,” he told Israel’s Army Radio.

EGAS’s Abdel Rahim said, however, “There is no negotiation, no communication, nothing at all between us and them.” He added, “What we are working on now is to get the FSRU”, which is a floating terminal used to import LNG. — Reuters

Oman telco Nawras Q3 profit rises 11.1 percent Customer base, revenues expand

Doha Bank Managing Director Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani

Doha Bank Chairman Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani

Doha Bank records QAR 1,077 million profit in the 3rd quarter DOHA: Doha Bank, which has a branch in Kuwait, announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2013. Net profit was an impressive QAR 1,077 million which represents a growth of 2% as compared to QAR 1,061 million for the same period in 2012. His Excellency Sheikh Fahad Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Doha Bank, said these results are a clear demonstration that Doha Bank continues to perform consistently.

Doha Bank Group Chief Executive officer Dr R Seetharaman

The Bank increased net operating income by 5% to QAR 1.9 billion. Total assets increased by more than QAR 9.7 billion, a growth of 18%, from QAR 53.3 billion as at 30 September 2012 to QAR 63.0 billion as at 30 September 2013.

Net Loans & Advances increased to QAR 38.9 billion from QAR 31.8 billion for the same period last year, registering a growth of more than 22%. Deposits showed a year on year increase of 29% from 31.1 billion to QAR 40.1 billion as at 30 September 2013 which is evidence of the strong liquidity position of the Bank.

His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rehman Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Managing Director of Doha Bank said: “Through the strategic utilization of shareholder’s funds in order to maximize our performance levels, the return on average equity is 18.4% as at 30 September 2013 which is one of the highest in the Qatar. The Bank, given the scale of its operations, has achieved a high return on average assets of 2.43% as at 30 September 2013 which is a clear demonstration of the effective utilization of shareholder’s funds and optimum asset allocation strategies”.

H.E. Sheikh Abdul Rehman also said: “The Bank’s core revenue streams have shown strong growth over the prior year period reflecting on the Bank’s intrinsic strength towards recurring earning capacity and also on the Bank’s productive operational performance”. Dr R Seetharaman, Doha Bank Group Chief Executive Officer, elaborated on the Bank’s capital enhancement plan. He said: “After successfully completing a rights issue for QAR 1.55 billion, which was oversubscribed by 1.8 times, the Bank embarked on the second phase of capital enhancement.

During the board meeting held on 6th October 2013, the Board of Directors resolved to put forth the proposal of Issuing Tier 1 Capital Notes amounting to QAR 2 billion to the Extraordinary General Assembly of shareholders. This will enhance the Bank’s prospects in achieving its strategic goals, strengthen its lending capacity and improve its competitive edge, while keeping in view the anticipated boom across various economic sectors in the State of Qatar.”

In line with Doha Bank’s International expansion strategy, marking a significant milestone in fostering strong bilateral relationships, the bank recently inaugurated a representative office in Toronto. Earlier during the year, the Bank had set up a representative office in Australia. The Bank is also in the process of inaugurating its Representative Offices in Hong Kong and also one in Sharjah.

This will result in substantial value-advantage to corporates across the globe.

DUBAI: Oman’s No 2 telecom operator, Nawras, posted an 11.1 percent rise in thirdquarter profit yesterday as its customer base and revenue increased, marking a turnaround after the firm posted falling profits in the previous six quarters. The firm, majority-owned

by Qatar’s Ooredoo, made a net profit of 8 million rials ($20.8 million) in the three months to Sept 30, up from 7.2 million rials in the yearearlier period.

Two analysts polled by Reuters forecast Nawras, which ended Oman Telecommunication Co’s (Omantel) monopoly in 2005, would make a

of the employees in the growth and success of DHL Express Qatar and rewarded their efforts by honoring the long serving employees and outstanding achievers. DHL Express Qatar is considered a major player and innovator in the local express services sector. It recently introduced an Electronic Proof of Delivery service capable of directly capturing customer signatures onscreen - a first of its kind in Qatar.

DHL Express continues to expand and consolidate its local presence to reinforce its status as the country’s top express services provider.

NAWRAS REPLACES CEO Meanwhile, Nawras appointed Greg Young as

chief executive with immediate effect yesterday, replacing veteran CEO Ross Cormack. Young was formerly CEO of Sri Lanka Telecom, according to a Nawras statement to the Oman bourse. Nawras posted an 11.1 percent rise in third-quarter profit shortly before it announced Young’s appointment, which may mark a turnaround in the company’s performance after it reported falling profits in the preceding six quarters. Nawras, which ended Oman Telecommunication Co’s (Omantel) monopoly in 2005, is majority-owned by Qatar’s Ooredoo. Cormack will continue to work for the group, the statement said. — Agencies

‘Private Equity in Africa’ KUWAIT: Citadel Capital Managing Director Karim Sadek participated in the opening panel of the EMPEA/FT “Private Equity in Africa” conference to discuss factors driving economic opportunities on the continent and the investment opportunities that they present. Karim Sadek, Managing Director of Citadel Capital (CCAP.CA on the EGX), the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East with $9.5 billion in investments under control, participated in a panel discussion entitled “Africa’s Economic Promise” at the 2013 EMPEA/FT Private Equity in Africa conference in London.

“The World Economic Forum estimates that the GDP of sub-Saharan Africa could increase by 35.7% by 2017 to reach US$ 1.9 trillion. When combined with factors such as a one billion strong consumer market, a large working age population and a commodities boom that is fueling exports, Africa is already attracting unprecedented levels of FDI, said Citadel Capital Managing Director Karim Sadek.

“Supportive policy makers are also starting to make things easier for investors. Today, governments across the region are opening previously hands-off strategic sectors such as power generation, energy distribution, refining and large transportation projects to private equity investors,” he added. Citadel Capital, a pioneer investor in Africa’s infrastructure, is currently in the process of a strategic transformation from a private equity firm into a regional investment holding company focusing on five core industries, including energy, transportation, agrifoods, mining, and cement.

As an investment holding company Citadel Capital is focused on a specific set of sectors and themes within its core African geography primarily in North and East Africa.

The new holding company structure allows Citadel Capital to pursue longer-term strategies where it can add greater value. “Our transformation into an investment holding company and the change in strategy that this entails is particularly well suited to the nature of our current and future investments in Africa,” said Sadek.

“As large-scale, long-term investors in Africa’s infrastructure we are now better able to bring in the capital and expertise needed to improve Africa’s competitive advantage in the global economy.” The firm’s footprint and emphasis remains unchanged: large-scale investments across Egypt, East Africa and North Africa. Citadel Capital’s investments in Africa not only make sense for firm but also contribute to the economic development of the continent as a whole.

“As one of the few large-scale firms actively investing in Africa in industries that are of vital importance to regional governments, we hope to continue receiving widespread regional and international support to deliver on and grow our investments, which help governments tackle pressing national problems. Achieving growth is important, but it must be inclusive growth for a larger portion of the population,” said Sadek.

Citadel Capital’s African investments include Rift Valley Railways (RVR), the national railway of Kenya and Uganda.

As the operator of RVR, Citadel Capital and its co-investors are implementing a turnaround program, which includes an upgrade of operational systems, a rehabilitation of existing assets and the addition of new assets to the fleet.

RVR recently completed the building of 73 kilometers of new railway track between Mombasa and Nairobi costing US$20 million (KES 1.7 billion [Kenyan Shillings, kshs]) to improve the reliability and speed of cargo delivery by rail from Mombasa. Completion of the railway modernization project has reduced cargo delivery time between Mombasa and Nairobi by six hours through rebuilding the most badly rundown sections, which were responsible for 60% of blockage time on the rail line.

DHL Express Qatar honors employees DOHA: DHL Express Qatar, the world’s largest express network, organized a get-together for its staff at the InterContinental Doha.

Employees and senior officials attended the event which was a great opportunity for management to discuss the future growth and expansion plans of the company, and emphasize the important role that all employees play in the company’s vision of becoming the logistics company for the world.

The Senior Management Team also took the opportunity to recognize the contribution

quarterly profit of between 7.8 and 8 million rials.

Third-quarter revenue was 50.8 million rials, Nawras said in a statement. This compares with 46.9 million rials a year ago. The company’s customer base rose 10.9 percent to 2.36 million.

Oman is the only Gulf country to have launched mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services. Omantel hosts MVNOs Friendi and Renna, which have helped it win back customers from Nawras.

Karim Sadek

Lincoln MKZ Virtual Test Drive a globally pioneering innovation DUBAI: Lincoln, Ford Motor Company’s luxury brand, has worked with a media company, Thwack, to create a world-first activation, specifically created to make Lincoln’s presence at GITEX Technology Week 2013 unique and memorable. A fully-customized Lincoln MKZ on the stand features a unique rear-seat experience for visitors, whereby they can experience the features of the car while being driven around the city of their choice with a virtual chauffeur. The car is also unique in that the front windshield has visuals projected onto it from within, and the windows of the frontdoor feature interactive brochures that visitors can interact with using gestures.

This innovation marks the first time that a multi-directional projection system has been used within an automobile, and the fact that it includes a touch- and gesture-based control system makes it more unique. “Lincoln has always been committed to bringing the best, and this goes beyond our automobiles and the owner experience, to even making anyone’s interaction with our brand memorable. Our brief to Thwack was to bring to life all the exciting technologies of the new MKZ in a way that engaged visitors in an indoor environment driving experience without actually being on the road, and we believe that we have achieved this”, said Paul Anderson, Marketing director, Lincoln Middle East.

The team initially visited Dubai and drove around in the Lincoln MKZ to get a feel of the car, and then went back to research and devel-

opment to create the solution. Physical experiments were carried on the Lincoln MKZ, and the software and applications were developed with the end-user experience in mind. “We were tasked with creating this chauffeured luxury experience for GITEX visitors, and spent a lot of time both inside the vehicle and in our development rooms to devise the best fit. With this five-minute experience, the customer is actually immersed in the Lincoln brand in a memorable way, while at the same time educated on the latest and best within the Lincoln MKZ”, said Samantha Billingham, Thwack.

Using 10 projectors of 500 lumens each for the window displays, military-grade lazersoftware for the touch and gesture controls, and full two-way integration with platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. The app to control the experience was also designed to capture customer data when a visitor finishes the experience, and transfer data to the dealer as well as to Lincoln, if the visitor has requested a physical test drive.

The physically-modified interiors of the vehicle also feature a customized air-conditioning unit that does not require the engine to be switched on, as well as a unique thermal conducting unit to divert the heat generated by the projectors outside the vehicle.

Significant cabling and a full back-up system both fully concealed - support this system.

Lincoln’s stand during GITEX Technology Weekis located in Hall 3 of the Dubai World Trade Centre.

European pricings offer guidance for MAF hybrid LONDON: United Arab Emirates malls operator Majid Al Futtaim, which this week revived plans to issue a hybrid bond, may have to offer a yield of 6.85 percent or above to get the deal done, going by other recent corporate hybrids. The Dubai-based company, rated BBB/BBB, said it would hold calls with investors on Monday and Tuesday this week ahead of a possible hybrid, non-call five bond offering, subject to market conditions. A lead manager said the deal could be benchmark-sized, implying at least $500 million. The deal was first marketed in May, but a sell-off in emerging markets and a poor aftermarket for an Emirates NBD hybrid kept the company from launching. As markets have much improved since then, the company is now looking to pick up where it left off.

In the interim, several corporates in Europe have issued hybrids, and guidance is likely to be based on the differential between those deals and the senior curves of the issuers. The starting point is likely to be Casino Guichard-Perrachon’s perpetual non-call five bond priced last week, two lead bankers on MAF said. Casino, rated BBB/BBB-, priced its deal at a yield of 4.875 percent, implying a subordination premium of 260-270 basis points.

Majid Al Futtaim has a 5.25 percent May 2019 bond that was trading at 4.25 percent at the time of the announcement. A similar premium would

suggest a new hybrid would price at around 6.85-6.95 percent. Adjusting for the difference in tenor may push this down slightly, but it also has to be taken into account that Casino’s premium was significantly tighter than others; Dutch telecommunications firm KPN, for example, had to offer a sub-senior premium of more than 350 bps despite having the same rating.

One of the reasons that Casino achieved a lower differential is that it offered a 25 bp step-up at the first call date and an additional 275 bp step-up if the note is not called in 2039. MAF would offer a more conservative 25 bp step-up in year 10 and 75 bps in year 25. The deal is related to MAF’s planned buyout of Carrefour’s 25 percent stake in MAF’s hypermarket business. The hybrid is to serve the dual purpose of funding the buyout and allowing the company to keep net leverage ratios at manageable levels. “Part of the rationale for the triple B rating is that we expect the ratio of FFO (funds from operations) to debt to remain in the high teens. Doing this hybrid will make it easier for them to maintain the ratio at that level,” Tommy Trask, a credit analyst for Standard & Poor’s, told IFR at the time that the deal was originally announced. Goldman Sachs and HSBC are structuring advisers on the deal, joined by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Emirates NBD Capital, JP Morgan and Standard Chartered as joint bookrunners.—Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

technology

Sony hopes sharable clips, extras aid movie buying LOS ANGELES: Sony is hoping that providing sharable movie clips and extras like deleted scenes will prompt more people to buy digital movies. At least that’s the intention behind a new initiative it’s calling Vudu Extras+.

The initiative gives people who buy movies on Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s online video service Vudu the ability to share dozens of clips or pieces of behind-the-scenes footage on Facebook and Twitter. In each case, a link takes users to a website with the clip embedded.

For its first movie under the system, “District 9,” Sony makes available 17 movie clips, five deleted scenes and five snippets of a “filmmaker’s log” available for sharing. Some of the shared content is reserved for others who also buy the movie for at least $9.99. A search feature also allows movie

buyers to jump to certain scenes after searching keywords in dialogue.

The innovation comes at a time when U.S. home entertainment spending is recovering from falling DVD sales. While standard-definition DVD sales continue to drop, high-definition Blu-ray disc sales are increasingly taking up the slack.

When adding digital forms of revenue, including from streaming services like Netflix, U.S. spending on home movies in the first half of the year rose 2 percent to $8.6 billion, according to The Digital Entertainment Group, a consortium made up of Hollywood studios and consumer electronics manufacturers.

Of that, revenue from the purchase of digital movies was still a relatively small $491 million, although that’s up 50 percent from a year ago.

James Underwood, an executive vice president of strategy for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, said the studio has long seen that making extras available is “one of the motivating factors for purchasing a film.” “We think that will transfer into the digital space as well,” he said.

Sony says that 61 percent of active disc buyers are aware of extras before purchasing, and 40 percent of active Blu-ray disc buyers usually watch them.

Sony hopes the extras system can be adopted by other studios and other retailers, like Amazon.com Inc. and Apple Inc. That would mean studios can create extras once and have them available in multiple places. Now, studios tailor different extras in different formats for different retailers.

Amazon, for example, makes trivia and actor bios available using its IMDb movie database subsidiary with no extra input from the studios.

Apple includes iTunes Extras for computers, such as the ability to track characters on a digital map of Middle Earth for purchasers of movies from the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

At least one other studio - 20th Century Fox says it’s interested in participating in the new format for Vudu. “Setting a standard for it and having more and more service providers take that standard is the way to go,” said Mike Dunn, president of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment Worldwide. “Right now, every service provider is slightly different. You have to build one for this guy and another one for that guy. It’s just not cost effective.” — AP

Walking robots: it’s all in the hips, say Japan researchers TOKYO: Robot researchers in Japan have proved what entertainers from Elvis Presley to Miley Cyrus knew all along: the secret is in the hips.

But where Elvis “The Pelvis” gyrated his way to 1950s fame and one-time child star Cyrus attained instant Internet notoriety with her recent awards show “twerking”, the engineers just wanted to make their robots walk more naturally.

A team of researchers at Waseda University’s Humanoid Robotics Institute, near Tokyo, spent hours analysing how the waist was used to give humans their easy gait. They then tried to mimic this in their creations. “Most humanoid robots don’t have waist motions...so must bend their knees,” giving them an awkward and stilted

walk, assistant professor Kenji Hashimoto told reporters Tuesday.

The team’s Wabian-2 has flexible hips that allow each leg to rotate and mean the robot can walk in a way that closely mimics humans.

“The waist is rolling, and the robot can stretch its knees,” he said. The pelvis also twists and moves up and down just as its human counterpart does, he added.

While the Wabian-2 may be some way off grinding its robot booty on stage, it might help researchers learn more about people.

“In the case of Wabian-2, we want to mimic the human body,” said Hashimoto.

“The purpose of developing a humanoid robot is to understand humans.” — AFP

Leaving the driving to a computer has big benefits WASHINGTON: In some ways, computers make ideal drivers: They don’t drink and then climb behind the wheel. They don’t do drugs, get distracted, fall asleep, run red lights or tailgate. And their reaction times are quicker.

They do such a good job, in fact, that a new study says self-driving cars and trucks hold the potential to transform driving by eliminating the majority of traffic deaths, significantly reducing congestion and providing tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits.

But significant hurdles to widespread use of self-driving cars remain, the most important of which is likely to be cost. Added sensors, software, engineering and power and computing requirements currently tally over $100,000 per vehicle, clearly unaffordable for most people, the study said. But large-scale production “promises greater affordability over time,” it concluded.

Questions also remain about public acceptance, liability in event of an accident, and the ability of automakers to prevent car computers from being hacked.

Nevertheless, the advantages of self-driving cars are such that if only 10 percent of cars and trucks on the road were self-driving, they could reduce traffic deaths by 1,000 per year and produce nearly $38 billion in economic and other savings, said the study by the Eno Center for Transportation, a foundation dedicated to improving transportation.

If 90 percent of vehicles were self-driving, as many as 21,700 lives per year could be saved, and economic and other benefits could reach a staggering $447 billion, said the study, a copy of which was provided to The Associated Press.

“There will be many steps before we get to that, but it does feel like there is a whole new world that completely changes everything in terms of our perspective on driving that could emerge eventually,” said Joshua Schank, Eno’s president and CEO. For example, the passenger compartment may be transformed as former drivers safely work on laptops, eat meals, read books, watch movies and call friends. And cars that can be programmed to pick up people, drive them to their destination and then park by themselves may change the lives of the elderly and disabled by providing critical mobility.

Once a critical mass of self-driving cars is on the road, they can start “platooning” - driving closely together but keeping a steady distance between each other without the fuelburning, time-wasting, stop-and-go typical of traffic congestion. That could smooth traffic flows, reduce commute times and increase highway capacity.

Government research indicates driver error is likely the main reason behind over 90 percent of all crashes. Over 40 percent of fatal traffic crashes involve alcohol, distraction,

drugs or fatigue. But self-driven vehicles wouldn’t fall prey to such human failings, suggesting the potential for at least a 40 percent reduction in fatal crashes, the study said.

Crashes can also be due to speeding, aggressive driving, over-compensation, inexperience, slow reaction times, inattention and various other human driver shortcomings, the report noted, suggesting that computers could also reduce those.

But Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Center for Auto Safety, cautioned that while self-driving cars hold great promise for reducing accidents caused by driver error, much will depend upon the safety standards the government sets for the vehicles and how well manufacturers make them. Otherwise, he said, “you could be substituting computer errors for human errors.” Spurred by what some see as the future direction of the auto industry, carmakers are stepping up their research. General Motor and Nissan are furthest along, but Audi, BMW, Ford, MercedesBenz, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo have also begun testing driverless systems. Google’s self-driving cars have clocked over 400,000 miles on California public roads.

Many of the features that go into creating a self-driving car are already available, especially in high-end cars. Adaptive cruise control adjusts speed faster or slower in response to traffic. Lane departure systems warn drivers when they’re drifting out of their lane, and some can even automatically steer the car back. Collision avoidance systems automatically brake to prevent front-to-rear crashes.

And parking assist systems range from rearview cameras that show drivers what is behind them to vehicles that can actually park themselves.

The hardest part will likely be making selfdriving cars “cost effective to the point where this is not just a gadget that some people enjoy, but becomes mainstream,” Schank said.

For example, hybrid and electric vehicles still haven’t overcome their price gap with conventional vehicles, and so remain at a smaller share of the auto market than people had anticipated they would be at this point, he said.

States are already seeking to prepare the way for self-driving cars to join other vehicles on the road. California, Florida and Nevada have passed laws to regulate the licensing and operation of self-driving cars. California has directed that licensing requirements be ready by 2015.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has urged states to establish procedures for testing self-driving cars on public roads, but has also cautioned states against licensing sales of the vehicles to the general public. The agency is also conducting research on the vehicles. -AP

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple’s new iPad Air (left) and iPad Mini tablets are seen on October 22, 2013 in San Francisco, California. Apple unveiled upgraded versions of its iPads, with more power and sleeker designs to ramp up competition against rivals who now have a majority of the tablet market. — AFP

Apple gears up for holidays with new Macs and iPads SAN FRANCISCO: Apple Inc. is refreshing its iPad lineup in hopes of reclaiming lost ground in the tablet market and slashing the prices of its Mac computers to intensify the pressure on the beleaguered makers of PCs running Microsoft’s Windows.

Tuesday’s unveiling of Apple’s latest products primes the company for a holiday shopping season onslaught aimed at a list of rivals that includes Google Inc., Samsung Electronics, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

A thinner, lighter and faster-running tablet computer called the iPad Air highlighted the event in San Francisco. Apple Inc. also showed off a souped-up iPad Mini that boasts a faster microprocessor, a high-definition display screen and a higher price than its predecessor. The iPad upgrades, coming a year after the release of the tablet’s previous generation, fell largely in line with analyst expectations.

In a surprise, Apple is introducing slightly revamped MacBook Pros at prices 9 percent to 13 percent below the previous versions. What’s more, Apple is giving away its latest Mac operating system Mavericks - for free, as well as several pieces of software, including programs called iWorks and iLife that provide many of the same tools as Microsoft’s Office.

“We are turning the industry on its ear,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said of the company’s strategy. Technology analyst Patrick Moorhead predicted the discounted MacBook Pros will force personal computer makers to cut the prices of their machines by at least $100 for the holidays. And Ovum analyst Jan Dawson thinks Apple’s giveaway of the operating system and software programs “is now teaching people to expect both of those things to be free. While this won’t disrupt Microsoft’s business overnight, it will create further pressure on Microsoft to bring down prices.”

If that happens, it would be another blow for Microsoft, which has seen its Windows revenue suffer in recent years as personal computer sales sink amid a

shift to smartphones and tablets.

Apple triggered the upheaval with the 2007 release of the first iPhone followed up with the 2010 introduction of the iPad. While both products have a fierce following, Apple has been losing market share to rivals who primarily make mobile devices running on Google’s Android software. As Apple is now doing with its Mavericks software for Macs, Google gives away Android to device makers who can afford to undercut the prices for iPhones and iPads.

Despite the competitive pressure, Apple has steadfastly refused to cut prices on its top-of-the-line products. Instead, it has sold older versions of its Phones and iPads at slight discounts to consumers who are willing to settle for something less than state-of-theart technology. The Cupertino, California company is hewing to that philosophy with its latest tablets. The iPad Air will start at $499, just like its predecessors, while the new iPad Mini will sell for $399 - a 21 percent increase from the price of the first Mini. The price of the original Mini, which runs at slower speeds and lacks a high-definition display screen, is falling from $329 to $299.

As it has done for more than year, Apple will continue selling the iPad 2 - a tablet that came out twoand-half years ago - for $399. “Apple doesn’t want to play in the mud with declining prices” on iPads, Moorhead said.

The strategy hasn’t been a hit with investors who are unhappy with the Cupertino, California company’s slowing growth as it loses sales to lower-priced alternatives. Wall Street also is disillusioned with Apple’s lack of another breakthrough product since the death of co-founder and chief visionary Steve Jobs two years ago. Apple’s stock dipped $1.49 to close at $519.87 Tuesday. The shares remain about 25 percent below their peak reached 13 months ago.

The iPad Air’s main appeal is a more svelte design

and a faster microprocessor, the same kind of chip in the iPhone 5S that Apple released a month ago. The new tablet weighs just 1 pound, compared with 1.4 pounds for the previous version. Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller hailed it as a “screaming fast iPad,” noting that it is eight times faster than the original model that came out in 2010.

The iPad Air will go on sale Nov. 1. The new iPad Mini will be available at a still-to-be-determined date later in November.

They are coming out at a time when Apple needs to reassert itself in a tablet market. Google, Amazon.com and Samsung have been winning over consumers with flashy tablets that sell for $200 to $400. None of the rivals boast the 475,000 apps that Apple says are made for the iPad, but that vast selection hasn’t mattered to many cost-conscious consumers. The research firm Gartner Inc. estimates that Android tablets will end 2013 with a 50 percent share of the worldwide market versus 49 percent for the iPad. Just two years ago, the iPad commanded a 65 percent market share compared to 30 percent for Android tablets.

Apple sold 14.6 million iPads during the three months ending in June, down 14 percent from the same time last year. It marked the first time Apple has posted a year-over-year decline in iPad sales.

It might have happened again in the latest quarter ending in September. Although Apple isn’t scheduled to report its results for the latest quarter until next Monday, a statistic released at Tuesday’s event gave a hint of how the iPad fared in the period.

Cook said Apple’s total iPad sales since the device’s inception surpassed 170 million units earlier this month. Given that Apple sold 155 million iPads through June, that means fewer than 15 million were sold in the quarter ending in September. Apple sold 14 million iPads in last year’s quarter ending in September. — AP

EastNets named finalist for Global Custodian Award for Compliance

BLACKSBURG: This Sept. 3, 2013, file photo shows a videographer photographing the Google self-driving car during a news conference at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. A new study that attempts to quantify the benefits of self-driving cars and trucks says they hold the potential to transform driving by eliminating the majority of traffic deaths, significantly reducing congestion and providing tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits. — AP

KUWAIT: EastNets, a leading global provider of compliance and payments solutions for the Financial Ser vices industr y, is pleased to announce it has been named a finalist for the 2013 Global Custodian Awards for Excellence in the Compliance award category. EastNets’ suite of top ranking compliance solutions helps financial institutions meet regulatory requirements, mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and protect against financial crime.

Global Custodian, the leading magazine covering the international securities services business and published by Asset International, will be honoring winners at their dinner ceremony on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at the Harvard Club in New York City. Editors of Global Custodian have added these new award categories to recognize the Technology, Consultancy and Law firms supporting the international securities services industry. EastNets’ en.SafeWatch suite delivers an enterprise compliance manage-

ment framework, which also comprises a common platform for anti-fraud and anti-money laundering capabilities. Such a formidable approach is optimal for sharing processes and workflows to streamline operations.

Global Custodian editors’ aim with these new award categories is to recognize the organizations for bringing real innovation to custodians, prime brokers, administrators and their end clients. Editors surveyed the market and nominations were determined from researching the industry prior to deciding on the finalists. “We are honored to be recognized by Global Custodian and named a finalist for Compliance.

One of our key objectives in developing a highly intuitive and powerful global compliance solution is to substantially reduce risk, cost and complexity,” said Hazem Mulhim, CEO, EastNets.

By using one common platform, financial organizations can benefit from cost savings and combined processes for detection, investiga-

EastNets CEO Hazem Mulhim tion, case management and regulatory reporting, en.SafeWatch is able to deliver a 360degree customer view. Financial enterprises can leverage en.SafeWatch Filtering to centralize dispersed compliance and fraud prevention information and access customer data in a userfriendly manner.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

California ‘sea serpents’ was egg-carrying female LOS ANGELES: A 18-foot oarfish that washed ashore in Southern California last week was ready to become a mommy. The serpent-like fish - one of two discovered along the coast last week - was dissected Monday and marine biologists found that the healthy female was ripe to spawn, H.J. Walker of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said Tuesday. The silvery fish’s 6-foot (1.8-meter)-long ovaries contained hundreds of thousands of eggs that were nearly ready to be released, Walker said. The fish had lost its tail somehow while alive and it had disc-shaped wounds from cookie cutter sharks, but those injuries wouldn’t have been deadly, Walker said.

In fact, it’s unclear why the creature died, although Walker said it was possible the deep-water fish came too close to the surface, where it may have been knocked around by waves.

The oarfish washed up on a beach in the San Diego County coastal city of Oceanside on Friday. Several days earlier, a snorkeler found the carcass of an 18-foot (5.4-meter) oarfish off Catalina Island and dragged it to shore with some help. The cause of death for the larger fish also remains a mystery.

The rarely seen deep sea-dwelling creatures, which can grow to more than 50 feet (15 meters), may be the inspiration of sea monsters found in literature and throughout history. Photos of the oarfish have circulated widely online, spurring general interest in the mysterious creature but contributing little to scientists’ knowledge of the fish.

Here’s a closer look at the Oarfish: How often do they venture close to shore?

Oarfish beach themselves around the world. Every so often, one wanders to the Southern California coast. In 2010, a 12-foot

(3.6-meter) oarfish washed ashore in Malibu. The most recent stranding before last week’s sightings occurred in 2011 when a 14-foot (4.2-meter) oarfish was found on a beach near the Vandenberg Air Force Base,

CALIFORNIA: This handout photo received on October 16, 2013 courtesy of Catalina Island Marine Institute shows a crew of sailing school vessel Tole Mour and Catalina Island Marine Institute instructors as they hold an 18foot-long Oarfish that was found in the waters of Toyon Bay on Santa Catalina Island. (Inset) CALIFORNIA: This handout photo shows the head of an 18-foot-long oarfish that was found in the waters of Toyon Bay on Santa Catalina Island. — AFP photos

about 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, said Rick Feeney of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

While necropsies - the animal version of

an autopsy - were done on the oarfish, the cause of death remains unknown. Scientists said the deaths may forever remain a mystery. The smaller oarfish appeared to be in good health before it died. Oarfish are thought to be poor swimmers and it’s possible that the ones found last week got caught in a current that pushed them to coastal waters, marine experts said. “If they get disoriented and into the surf zone, they’ll probably have trouble maneuvering back out to sea,” said Phil Hastings, curator of the marine vertebrate collection at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Why is so little known about Oarfish?

Oarfish are highly evolved. They tend to remain quiet in the deep ocean, luring smaller fish toward them. They are found in tropical waters, generally from around 500 feet (150 meters) to 1,000 feet (300 meters) deep, although some may reach more than 3,000 feet (900 meters) deep. That means scientists don’t get many opportunities to study these serpent-like creatures. The dead oarfish that float ashore don’t tell the whole story. It’s like trying to study deer that end up in the windshield, said Milton Love, a marine biologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “You wouldn’t know much about deer based on roadkill,” he said.

What’s next?

Scientists have dissected the oarfish, preserved some tissue and organs, and plan to send samples to researchers around the world to examine. — AP

New China H7N9 strain gives kick to mutant bird flu research Poses pandemic risk if virus were to mutate in nature

LONDON: Medical staff and volunteers wait for homeless people as they arrive to have their X-rays taken, at a van, parked outside their homeless shelter.

London uses van with X-ray machine to find TB LONDON: London may be famed for its historic sites, double-decker buses and West End shows, but it now has a more dubious distinction: It has become the tuberculosis capital of Western Europe. In response, health officials are taking to the streets in an effort to stop the spread of the infectious lung disease, with a high-tech white van equipped with an X-ray machine that drives around London offering free checkups. Similar vans were once commonly used in Europe and the US in the 1950s but most disappeared about two decades later when TB rates dropped. But in recent years, the disease has surged in the UK.

LONDON: Photo shows radiographer Diana Taubman pointing to a file X-ray, made in the past at a patient in Ireland that was diagnosed with tuberculosis, at a van in. — AP photos Last year, London had more TB cases than the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Norway combined. It also had more TB than African countries including Eritrea and Gambia. “We kind of took our eye off the ball and now TB has become a big problem again,” said Dr Alistair Story, who runs the mobile TB van for University College London Hospitals. He said the vast majority of TB in the UK is among the homeless, drug users and prisoners because they live in cramped, close conditions, which makes them susceptible to infections. Despite the belief that TB is being imported into the UK by recent immigrants, Story said their rates

of infection are low. “It’s certainly not the case that we could have closed the borders and avoided the problem,” he said, pointing out that other European countries with high levels of immigration, including France and Germany, have not had similar spikes of TB. Last year, London had about 3,500 TB cases. Tuberculosis is a highly infectious bacterial disease often spread by coughing or sneezing and kills more than 1 million people worldwide every year. It most often attacks the lungs and is highly treatable. More than 95 percent of TB deaths occur in developing countries and experts are increasingly concerned about the rise of drug-resistant strains, which require more toxic drugs to treat.

London’s £460,000 ($743,329) TB van has an X-ray machine whose scans can be instantly read by a radiographer. On average, the van picks up about one new TB case per week and screens about 10,000 people a year. If an X-ray looks worrying, staffers call a hospital to arrange confirmatory tests. The entire process of getting an X-ray and its results takes about 90 seconds.

On a recent weekday morning, a steady trickle of patients streamed into the van after getting a ticket for a free X-ray from a nearby homeless shelter. To convince homeless people to get tested, the van relies on former TB patients including Horace Reid. In 2009, Reid got tested on the van after he and several friends ran to catch a bus.

“I didn’t know anything was wrong until I missed the bus and couldn’t breathe,” he said. “(The doctors) told me I had TB and that I could die,” he said. Reid, 58, eventually recovered and now tries to convince skeptics to get an X-ray. Dr Norman Edelman, senior medical adviser at the American Lung Foundation, said the van is a practical attempt to curb TB. “The people most likely to get TB are the hardest to find, so it’s good to go out looking for them,” he said. —AP

LONDON: Homeless Danny Hastie, 20, listens to radiographer Diana Taubman, right, explaining the findings of his X-ray, that came negative for tuberculosis, at a van.

ROTTERDAM: Dutch scientists hidden away in a top-security laboratory are seeking to create mutant flu viruses, dangerous work designed to prepare the world for a lethal pandemic by beating nature to it. The idea of engineering viral pathogens to be more deadly than they are already has generated huge controversy, amid fears that such viruses could leak out or fall into the wrong hands. But with China braced for scores more cases of a deadly new strain of H7N9 bird flu, Ron Fouchier and Ab Osterhaus say the benefits of this gene mutation research far outweigh the risks. The experiments, designed to explore H7N9’s potential to develop drug resistance and find which genetic modifications might enhance its ability to spread, could offer the know-how to halt a lethal flu pandemic, they say.

That could be with well-timed new vaccines or other therapies tuned to the pandemic strain’s genes. “We’re bracing for what’s going to happen next. If H7N9 becomes easily transmissible between humans, yes, the case fatality ratio may go down a little from where it is now, but we’d still be talking about millions of people dying,” says Osterhaus, the head of a highly bio-secure laboratory in the Netherlands which will lead some of the H7N9 mutation work. “This is a critical question what does this virus really need to become transmissible? It is of extreme importance to being able to understand what’s going on.” As things stand, 45 of the 136 people known to have contracted H7N9 bird flu in China and Taiwan have died - giving a case fatality rate of around 30 percent. Fouchier, who has already done so-called “gain of function” experiments with another strain of bird flu, H5N1, says we need to get ahead of the game with H7N9 since its pandemic risk would rise “exponentially” if it gained in nature what he aims to give it in the lab - the ability to spread easily among people.

‘Outrageous Chutzpah’ So far, however, their drive to find out as much

as they can about the genetics of bird flu risks rarely wins these world-renowned virologists thanks. More often, it elicits accusations of putting scientific self-interest over security. Steven Salzberg, a professor of medicine and biostatistics from John Hopkins School of Medicine, accused them of “an outrageous display of chutzpah” and says Fouchier “is deeply confused about the possible benefits of this work”, which Salzberg argues are marginal at best.

“The notion of ‘gain of function’ research on pathogens is very, very dangerous,” he told Reuters.

The H7N9 outbreak, which began in February when the first cases of this flu strain previously unknown in humans emerged, flared up in April and May and dwindled over the summer months.

But news last week that a 35-year-old from China’s eastern Zhejiang province is in a critical condition in hospital with the virus reawakened fears that it could come back hard as temperatures drop and the flu season returns. So, hidden away in an un-signposted corner of the campus of the Erasmus Medical Centre in the port city of Rotterdam, a handful of top security-cleared researchers are selecting, deleting and adding genes to strains of the H7N9 virus to check what it might be capable of in a worst-case scenario.

The studies aim to genetically modify the virus to see what it needs to give it more of a deadly pandemic kick. That could mean making it more virulent, more pathogenic and, crucially, more transmissible - capable of passing easily in droplets through the air from one mammal to another.

Naturally, it’s not the sort of work that can be done just anywhere.

The Erasmus team has one of Europe’s most secure laboratories - a so-called Enhanced BSL3, or Bio-Safety Level 3, lab - the highest level of biosecurity for academic research and a facility in which agents can be studied that cause “serious or lethal disease” but don’t ordinarily spread between people and for which treatments or preventives exist.

The highest level, BSL4, requires military guard and applies to pathogens for which there are no preventives or treatments.

Security layers Fouchier, one of only six people with security clearance to enter the Rotterdam lab, says that despite the presence of mutant viruses, he feels safer there than walking in the street. “You need special keys to get in. You go though various changes of clothes and through all sorts of interlocked rooms,” he explained during a Reuters visit to the campus. “There are personal pin codes and additional security measures to get through the next series of doors. And there are cameras all over the place, watching you all the time, 24/7.”

Needless to say, media access to the laboratory itself is strictly forbidden. Fouchier spent several years shuttling back and forth across the Atlantic arguing his case for conducting and publishing similar work on H5N1 bird flu, which so alarmed the U.S. National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) that it took the unprecedented step of trying to censor publication.

The NSABB had said it feared details of the work could fall into the wrong hands and be used for bioterrorism. A year-long moratorium on such research followed while the World Health Organisation (WHO), US security advisers and flu researchers sought ways to ensure the highest safety controls.

With those in place, the WHO satisfied and US research funders broadly agreed, Fouchier and 22 other scientists announced in August that they planned to end the moratorium, and the Dutch team say now is the time to get going. “The easiest thing would be to back off and say ‘OK, we won’t touch this any more’. But that’s not the right way to behave,” said Osterhaus. “As a scientist you have a responsibility towards the public. And if we can prevent a pandemic from happening, that could save millions of lives.” — Reuters

FDA issues positive review for Gilead’s hep C drug WASHINGTON: The Food and Drug Administration has issued a positive review for a highly anticipated hepatitis C drug from Gilead Sciences, saying the pill cures more patients in less time than currently available treatments. The agency posted its review of Gilead’s sofosbuvir online ahead of a meeting Friday where government experts will vote on whether to recommend the drug’s approval. More than 3 million people in the US have hepatitis C, a blood-borne disease that causes liver damage and is blamed for 15,000 deaths a year. The drugs currently used to treat the virus cure about three-quarters of people and can take up to a year of treatment.

FDA said adding Gilead’s sofosbuvir to the standard drug cocktail cured 90 percent of patients with the most common form of the virus in just 12 weeks. The agency’s reviewers state that the “shorter 12-week duration translates into a better tolerated side effect profile,” adding that “no major safety issues associated with sofosbuvir have been identified to date.” Foster City, Calif.-based Gilead Sciences is one of a half-dozen drugmakers working to develop more effective treatments for hepatitis C, though many analysts predict the company’s drug will eventually outperform its competitors. The FDA is expected to make a decision on the drug by Dec 8.

Drugmakers see hepatitis treatments as a potentially lucrative market because the disease is expected to grow into a major public health problem as the baby boom generation ages. People born between 1945 and 1965 are five times more likely to have the virus than people of other age groups, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging all baby boomers to get tested for the disease. Many Americans contracted the virus by sharing needles or having sex with an infected person in their youth.

For most of the last 20 years, the standard treatment for hepatitis C has involved a grueling oneyear regimen of pills and injections that caused flu-

like symptoms and cured less than half of patients.

Then in 2011, the FDA approved two new drugs from Merck and Vertex Pharmaceuticals that raised the cure rate to about 65 and 75 percent, respectively, when combined with the older treatments.

Gilead’s once-a-day pill appears to push the cure rate even higher. In a company study of 327 patients with the most common form of the disease, 90 percent of participants had undetectable levels of the virus after 12 weeks of treatment. The

form of the disease studied in the trial accounts for about 75 percent of hepatitis C cases in the US. Gilead’s drug was not as effective in treating two less common forms of the disease that account for about 25 percent of cases in the US. Among those patients, sofosbuvir cured about 67 percent of patients who had not previously taken other hepatitis C drugs. But even for those patients, the FDA says Gilead’s drug represents an important step forward. —AP

Tuberculosis killed 1.3 million last year GENEVA: Tuberculosis claimed 1.3 million lives last year with drug-resistant forms of the infectious disease-the deadliest after AIDS-a huge global concern, the WHO warned yesterday. Worldwide efforts to rein in the killer airborne disease helped drive the toll down 100,000 from the previous year, the World Health Organization said in its annual report on the fight against TB. But the toll remains the world’s second-highest for an infectious disease, after HIV/AIDS. An estimated 8.6 million people caught tuberculosis in 2012, with India alone accounting for 26 percent of cases, and China, 12 percent. According to the WHO, close to one-third of TB cases were in Southeast Asia, just over a quarter in Africa and around one-fifth on the Western Pacific region.

Looking at the longer-term picture, the number of infections fell by nearly half from 1990 to 2012. But experts reckon only two-thirds of last year’s 8.6 million new cases were actually diagnosed, leaving an estimated three million people unaware they had the disease. Those most at risk are typically among the worst-off groups of the population, the report said. “To find the three million TB cases means we need to reach beyond the current health services, we need to look at where these cases are,” WHO expert Karin Meyer told reporters.

“These are often vulnerable populations, displaced populations, migrant population, quite difficult to reach,” she added. Global health experts also warned of the growing threat posed by a strain of TB that resists drugs used to fight the classic form.

Multidrug-resistant TB, or MDR-TB, which emerged due to erratic treatment of the regular strain or excessive use of anti-TB medication, claimed 170,000 lives last year, the WHO said. Some 94,000 people were diagnosed with MDR-TB last year, twice the figure in 2011. But the true number of cases is thought to be around five times higher, the WHO added.

‘A real public health crisis’ The highest density of MDR-TB cases is found in the former communist countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Those are places where TB programs have long been in place, but where failings in health services have allowed drug-resistance to build up, officials said. In contrast, Africa has seen lower levels of MDR-TB, in part because of weaker access to standard TB treatment in the past. Other countries hit hard by MDR-TB include China and India. “The unmet demand for a full-scale and quality response to multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a real public health crisis,” said Mario Raviglione, head of the WHO’s TB program. —AFP

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

NIVEA launches a new, pure and authentic packaging design and prototypes, BÈhar and his team developed a finished packaging concept that incorporates the essential aspects of the NIVEA tin’s design and transfers it to all product lines. The resulting design language won’t just be evident in the NIVEA products. In future, advertising and all other consumer touch points such as promotional materials and the website - will also feature the new design elements.

KUWAIT: The NIVEA tin is round, blue and iconic. People around the world associate it with trust, closeness and expertise. Introduced in 1925, the NIVEA tin is the brand’s face and an essential aspect of the NIVEA brand and Beiersdorf corporation’s 100-year success story. Now a distinctive new packaging design for the entire NIVEA product family has been created on the basis of this iconic object.

Commencing in Q4 of 2013, all of the NIVEA skin and body care product lines will be converted to the new design. Consumers can look forward to seeing the new packaging design on body care products from September 2013 onwards.

Look and feel bring the brand values to live “Our NIVEA tin’s pure geometry makes it timeless and versatile. It ideally expresses the NIVEA brand values which has always been the perfect source of inspiration for our new design,” commented Patrick Hoven, Marketing Director Beiersdorf MENA. The NIVEA tin is reflected in the logo, in the rounded contours of the new packaging and in the reduced blue and white colors of the new design. The forward sloping round lid, embossed with the NIVEA logo, isn’t just eyecatching, it also has obvious similarities with the iconic blue tin and provides customers with a familiar “face” on the shelf. Yet the design concept extends beyond this to incorporate all aspects of the product experience texture, noise, smell and shape - and give consumers the chance to experience the brand

with all their senses. “The new design language enables consumers to experience our brand values of skin care, trust and product expertise,” said Hoven. “Design has evolved into an important distinguishing feature for consumers. The new NIVEA design’s high recognition value promotes identification with the NIVEA brand and makes it easier for consumers around the world to locate NIVEA products on the shelves,” he continued.

The new design was developed in close collaboration with Yves Behar, proprietor of the famous fuse project design agency in San Francisco. After countless iteration, sketches

A new design that unites heritage and innovation “Design is important because it adds value to an object’s function,” said BÈhar. The multiple award-winning industrial designer is committed to ‘developing products that aren’t just functional, but which also enhance the consumer experience and appeal to their emotions’. That’s why he particularly enjoyed developing the new NIVEA design language.

“Unlike many other skin care brands, NIVEA isn’t geared to a specific culture, gender or age group,” said Yves Behar.

“The new NIVEA design reflects this versatility and appeals to people all over the world, irrespective of their age, gender, skin color or skin type. It’s clean, transparent and emphasizes skin care expertise with a human and emotional touch.”

“Yves BÈhar has managed to translate the NIVEA values and history into a pure and authentic design,” said Patrick Hoven. The new NIVEA design demonstrates that even brands with a long-standing tradition can give consumers an innovative product experience without renouncing their core values.

Obstetricians change definition of on-time delivery NEW YORK: For years, babies born after a pregnancy lasting 37 to 42 weeks have been considered to be on time, or “term.”

But a group of US doctors is now separating deliveries that happen during that span in an effort to improve newborn health. “We have increasingly recognized that newborn outcomes are not uniform between 37 and 42 weeks,” Dr Jeffrey Ecker said. Babies delivered between 37 weeks and 39 weeks of pregnancy will now be considered “early term,” according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“Full term” infants will be those born between 39 and 41 weeks. Babies born between 41 and 42 weeks of pregnancy will be thought of as “late term.” Finally, those born at 42 weeks or later will still be considered “postterm.” Ecker is the chair of The College’s Committee on Obstetric Practice. He is also a high-risk obstetrician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “Language is important in communicating that it’s not just one period of time and to recognize that outcomes do differ,” he told Reuters Health.

A growing body of research has found babies born before 39 weeks are not as developed as those born later. Babies born after 39 weeks have fewer poor outcomes such as breathing, hearing and learning problems, The College says in its joint statement with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. The statement was published Tuesday in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The brain grows by about a third between week 35 and week 39 of preg-

nancy, according to The College. And a layer of fat to help keep the body warm is added during the last weeks of pregnancy. The new definitions were created by a 2012 working group to facilitate data reporting, research and the delivery of quality healthcare.

“It’s not surprising,” Dr Christopher Glantz said. “I think we’ve been moving in this direction for a few years now.” Glantz is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York.

He was not involved with crafting the new definitions.

“I think this is good to make sure ever yone is using terminology that everyone understands,” Glantz told Reuters Health. “They’re just saying we need better precision in our definitions,” he said. “Otherwise people use ‘term’ to mean all sorts of things.” There’s also hope the new definitions will help curb the number of women who choose to have an elective delivery for non-medical reasons.

The College recommends against induced labor or cesarean section before week 39 of pregnancy. “Doctors can now say to patients that elective deliveries should not be undertaken in the ‘early term’ period,” said Ecker. He cautioned, however, that there are some instances when induced labor before 39 weeks is medically necessary for the mother or baby’s sake. These definitions, he said, should not be seen as reasons for women to ignore their doctors’ advice. “They should have a conversation together,” he said. — Reuters

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N Announcements Pakistan women’s forum akistan women’s forum Kuwait - non profit organization will be holding its general meeting and election soon. All Pakistani ladies are invited.

The next meeting will be on Friday 25 October 2013 (3 pm to 5 pm) at Pak house in Hateen

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KDNA to conduct henna designing competition ozhikode District NRI Association (KDNA) will conduct a Henna Designing competition for women contestants in Kuwait on the occasion of ‘Malabar Mahotsava 2013’ on November 15th 2013 at 10 am at Indian Central School, Abbassiya.

Fabulous prizes will be given to the best designers.

The winners will be eligible for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes sponsored by Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Interested contestants may please contact 97797680. There will be a special stall with Henna & other accessories required for the competition at Malabar Mahotsava “Mananchira Square”.

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Indian global photography competition

Enjoy the taste of true Espresso at Vergnano Cafe at Olympia Complex

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Global photography competition is being conducted by Public Diplomacy Division (PDD) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India to showcase the country’s growing ‘soft power’- factors that influence the opinion of individuals and organizations towards India through the medium of culture and personal experience.

Photographs for the competition must be submitted on or before October 31, 2013.The themes of the competition are: (a) India is - Youthful (b) India is -Timeless (c) India is Undiscovered. The jurors include scholars and professionals from the fields of photography, culture and the related.

Based on the scores by individuals on this panel, the winners will be awarded grand prizes including exotic getaways with Taj Holidays.

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he superior quality of the blends comes from the meticulous selection of the best raw materials available, and from an extraordinary production process. Cafe Vergnano is the first to introduce an innovation that brings all the passion and pleasure of the perfect espresso to everyday life at home. Espresso is now available in Kuwait, through Al-Sanabel Al-Thahabiya Est. Tel: 22413795/98. Espresso Vergnano can be ordered through www.taw9eel.com Espresso Vergnano capsules are compatible with other espresso machines.

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Shramdaan Day conducted at ICSK senior

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ervice is the best form of worship; to help the environment is helping oneself.

In order to inculcate the feeling of empathy and willingness to help, Indian Community School Kuwait has formulated a Shramadan club for the students. The new shramdaan club was inaugurated at ICSK Senior on Sunday 20th October 2013 at the senior school auditorium. Vinod Sharma, a senior faculty member of art of living-stress management, working as the technical and sales manager of Al-Rashed group of companies, inaugurated the club by releasing the club logo. Ajay George, the member of ICSK Board, and Parent Advisor y Committee Members Ajay Kumar, Sunil P. Antony and Suresh Mathur were present on the occasion.

Vinod Sharma, pointed out to the students that there can be no better examples of service than the life of Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa. Dr v. Binumon, the principal of ICSK Senior, encouraged the students to be inspired to lead. He asked the students to be the initiators of the changes, thereby to lead the world into a better place. The teacher mentor of the club Merine Joby, addressed the gathering by highlighting the functioning

and plans of the Shramdaan club. Miss Malvika, the President of the club expressed her commitment and sense of duty in carrying out the functions of the club.

Only if the environment is preserved, a healthy existence is possible for human beings. Nature club in ICSK conscentices the students upon the importance of acknowledging their environment .As attribute to the environment, the students decided to convert the barren desert land around them into vivid greenery. The Honorary Vice Chairman to the ICSK Board, Rajan Daniel encouraged the students in this innovative venture by planting a neem sapling in the campus on 20th October 2013..The students proceeded with the spirit of added encouragement and created beautiful patches of garden in the campus. These gardens will be lovingly nurtured by the students in the days to come. It is a rare opportunity for the children who are not familiar with the smell and flavor of farming. Apart from the gardens, the students can also be proud of the numerous neem saplings they have planted, because in the years to come, these trees can contribute a lot to the ecosystem.

The planted saplings are symbolic of the

younger generation’s realization of the importance of preserving our environment. The greenery has invoked a feeling of rejuvenation in the campus After the inaugural ceremony, the sramadaan club members delved deep into numerous activities in lieu with their motto that actions speak louder. With their actions, they also celebrated the memory of the great leader, Mahathma Gandhi who is the epitome of service. The real zest of events happened with the active participation of the whole school. Life becomes meaning full only when it is based on strong values. Sramdaan is an endeavor to inculcate the students with moral values and concern for the environment. Vijay Karayil, the Honorary Secretary to the ICSK board inaugurated the social service activity for the secondary student. With added energy and enthusiasm, the students cleaned the school premises, painted the school walls and brought in the atmosphere of happy well being due to their combined efforts. It was a day for donating one’s service and the students committed themselves with promises of continued service.

W H AT ’ S O N

GUST to host musical evening “My Favorite Things”

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he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) will be hosting a musical program entitled “My Favorite Things” on October 31, 2013 at 7pm, per formed by Steinway Artist, TaiwaneseAmerican pianist Dr. Stephanie Shih-yu Cheng, who has performed extensively in the US, France, Italy, Japan, and Taiwan to great critical acclaim.

Dr. Cheng will be performing at the GUST grand auditorium where all students, staff, faculty and general public are welcome to attend. She will be performing the following pieces: Prelude in B minor by J.S. Bach and trans. by Alexander Siloti, Twelve Variations on “Ah, vousdirai-je, Maman”, KV 265 by W.A.

TIES Center hosts events Clearing Misconception Second session of the course on clearing common misconceptions about Islam. On October 24 at 7:00pm, TIES Center will specifically talk about the misconception that women in Islam are bought and sold under the guise of dowry. What is dowry from the Islamic perspective? Can marriage be consummated without dowry? Who is the legitimate recipient of dowry? In how many forms can dowry be paid? What is the quality and quantity of dowry? Is there any limit for dowry?

Movie screening Movie titled, “Islam: Faith and History,” to be introduced on Monday October 28, 2013 at 7:00pm.

Islam calls for the belief in one God - the Creator and Master of everything. This fundamental Islamic belief is thoroughly explored in this film.

Also explained is that Muslims believe that Allah has a purpose for each and every creation; and this meaning of life is taught to humanity through various prophets and books sent by God. The prophet-hood of Muhammad (PBUH); the Qur’an, and various aspects of the teachings of Islam, are defined within this timely documentary. Filmed in the US and in various parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, this new production touches upon the faith and history of a fifth of the world’s population. If you are interested in the movie, TIES Center is the most appropriate place to visit on Monday October 28 at 7:00pm.

Arpan Onam

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rpan, a Socio Cultural Organization, will celebrate Onam-Eid Al-Adha- Kerala Piravi on Friday, November 1st from 10 am onwards at the Indian Community School Amman Branch, Salmiya. The inaugural meeting will be followed by various cultural events presented by Arpan members.

Mozart, Nocturne, Op. 9 No. 2 by FrÈdÈric Chopin, Claire de Lune by Claude Debussy, Liebestr‰ume,No. 3 by Franz Liszt, “My Favorite Things”, from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and arr. by Stephen Hough, and Caprice Espagnol, Op. 37 by Moritz Moszkowski.

Dr. Cheng has appeared in such prestigious settings as Carnegie Hall in New York, Dame Myra Hess Series of Chicago, National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, National Concert Hall of Taipei, and Opera City Hall of Tokyo.

Dr. Cheng holds per formance degrees from Peabody Conservatory and the State University of

New York at Stony Brook where she earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Her principal teachers were Ann Schein and Gilbert Kalish. Much sought-after for masterclasses and as an adjudicator, Dr. Cheng was on the faculty of City University of New York and Manhattan School of Music, and joined the faculty of American University of Kuwait as an Assistant Professor of Music in the fall of 2012.

GUST prides itself in hosting great talents and tries to give the university and Kuwait community as a whole a variety of events to attend and enjoy. We look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to the event. Admission is free.

EXCITING READING PROGRAM, KIDS READ, RETURNS WITH NEW PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

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ids Read, the HSBC and British Council regional reading programme for government primary school children, is returning for the third consecutive year with many new participating schools. The opening ceremony for this season’s programme was recently held at the Sheraton Hotel, Dana Roomand was attended

by Ministry of Education officials, English language teachers and supervisors from the 18 participating schools and a class of grade two children, and their parents.

The programme receives complete support from HSBC, which also dedicates staff volunteers to facilitate the smooth running of the initiative. Simon Vaughan Johnson, CEO of HSBC, after the opening ceremony said: “The Kids Read programme is one of the most valued projects that HSBC supports in the MENA region. This reading programme underpins HSBC’s community investment strategy that focuses on helping young people reach their potential through access to education, life skills and the discovery of different cultures.” He added: “Our staff volunteers find it very rewarding to work with children and tohelp children to develop their reading skills and encourage their enjoyment of reading.”

As well as inaugurating Kids Read for this academic year, the opening ceremony featured a live storytelling session with David Vale,a storyteller from the UK. Vale, who is in the region to kick off the start of the annual reading programme,engaged the children and audience with his lively and charismatic storytelling through a select number of books from the Kids Read collection.

The English language teachers and librarians also benefited from his expertise in storytelling and reading and writing strategies through an arranged series of teacher training workshops organized for Kids Read participating school teachers.

Andrew Glass, Director of The British Council, was pleased with the programme and added “Kids Read has been working with government schools in Kuwait for more than two years. With support from the Ministry of Education we have been able to reach hundreds of children and teachers across Kuwait. It is very inspiring to see how children from different ages and backgrounds react to the creative storytelling methods of the programme.

Not only students but teachers as well have gained experience from this fresh initiative that promotes knowledge,

creativity and celebrates the enormous pleasure we get from reading. We at British Council look forward to even more positive feedback this year.”

Kids Read, which is sponsored exclusively by HSBC and developed by the British Council, has reached over 35000 children in the GCC region in the past two years.The programme encourages children to adopt reading as a leisure activity,both inside and outside their classrooms, and aims to work with as many teachers and children in schools through the programme.

The programmeworks through the distribution of engaging and colourful books from the UK, as well as lesson plans, resources and training for the teachers.

Competitions and four community events per year for the general public are also part of the Kids Read initiative, which adds six new schools each year. The community events are family-oriented and include storytelling for the children, delivered by trained HSBC staff volunteers, arts and crafts activities as well as competitions and workshops for parents.

Kids Read received a Silver Stevie Award in 2012 and over 3000 children in Kuwait have already benefited from the programme.

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erala Islamic Group conducted an OnamEid meeting which was attended by leaders of prominent socio, cultural, political organizations in Kuwait. Anwar Sayeed delivered the Onam-Eid message. The messages of such festivals have to be learnt and the human values and the goodness which are innate qualities of our nature which have been decreasing needs to be regained. We should all work towards regaining those values, he reminded the leaders. While we all celebrate the memories of a world without evil, we need to strive to bring back those golden

values. Prophet Ibrahim fought against the exploitation by political and religious leaders.

The current world is also being exploited by the same axis of evil, he said. Kerala Islamic Group president Sakkeer Hussain Thuvvoor presided over the event. Kaipattoor Thankachan, Basheer Batha, Thomas Mathew Kadavil, Aniyan Kunju, Hudson Sunny, Sathar Kunnil, Aboobacker, PP Abdurazak and Nasiruddeen Alungal felicitated the gathering. KIG General Secretary Faisal KV welcomed the audience and Shareef PT proposed the vote of thanks.

ala(Art) Kuwait has scheduled to conduct children’s painting competition on Friday, 8th November 2013 at the Indian Community School, Khaithan at 2 PM. The program is titled “NIRAM-2013” consists of painting competition for the Indian School Students and a “Marathon Open Canvas Painting” for the other attendees including parents, visitors and guests. The painting competition will be conducted in four different age groups. Group ‘A” from LKG to 1st Standard, Group ‘B” from 2nd to 4th Standard, Group ‘C” from 5th to 8th Standard and Group ‘D” from 9th to 12th Standard.

The media for Group ‘A” and ‘B” will be Crayons while Group “C” and “D” are Water Colors. Crayons and water colors shall be brought by the participants. Stamped Drawing papers will be supplied by the Organizers. Clay Modeling Competition also will be conducted for 7th to 11th Standard Students. Clay will be provided by the Organizers. The Marathon Open Canvas Painting is conducting in a view to display everyone’s views and talents through their vivid creations.

For the successful conduct of the program, a Reception Committee has been formed headed by Samkutty Thomas as General Convener. Besides the first, second, third and Merit Prizes, 10 percent of the participants will be awarded with consolation prizes. The winners are liable to prove their age group with relevant documents in case the Organizers requested so. Parents also have the opportunity to win prizes for Open Canvas Painting.

Students can register their names through www.kalakuwait.net, or by e-mail kalakuwait@gmail.com or call 99489078.

Nair Service Society (NSS), Kuwait celebrates ‘PONONAM 2013’

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air Service Society (NSS), Kuwait celebrated its Onam celebration “PONONAM 2013” in the traditional style on the Friday, 27th of September, 2013 at the Carmel School, Khaitan.

Over 1400 people enjoyed the sumptuous feast with as many as 28 dishes spread out on the traditional plantain leaf. A well executed feast which was scrumptious and an excellent culmination of tradition, style and togetherness of Onam. Kaviyoor Parameswaran Potti, the renowned Master of the Kitchen, who has the fame of serving food for more than 25,000 people in Youth festivals and his colleague Radhakrishnan Nair were specially invited from Kerala to organize and supervise this feast.

Prasad Padmanabhan, General Secretary, Nair Service Society Kuwait welcomed the audience and M R Ravindran Nair, President Nair Service Society Kuwait presided over the meeting. Onam 2012 was inaugurated with lighting of the ‘Bhadradeepam’ by the Chief Guest Dr.Narayanan Nampoory (IDF Chairman)

and supported by dignitaries including R C Suresh, Sunil Menon, Varghese Pudukkulangara, A M Hassan, M Mathews, Dr. P S N Menon, Dr Nandakumar Moorkath, Jayakumar, R K Nair, Talal Baqer & Nasser Bourseli. Dilip Nair, Treasurer proposed vote of thanks.

The cultural programs started with an excellent exposition of Vinayaka Dance by Salmiya & Jleeb Al Shoyukh Area members, followed by Folk dances, Semi Classical and Cinematic dances were arranged by members from Salmiya, Mangaf, Abu Halifa, Riggae & Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh Area. NSS Vanita Samajam of Mangaf area organized 1st time in Kuwait Ladies Chenda Melam which was unique in all aspects. Salmiya & Jleeb Al Shoukh arranged an extra-ordinary dance ballet “Nava Rasa In Krishna Rasa” an artistically contrived tale, was well presented. Reception of King Mahabali was also done in its traditional style with Vanitha Samajam chendamelam.

Onasadya was served till 3: 30 pm and well organized to serve all.

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF ARGENTINE The Argentinean Parliamentar y Elections will be held on October 27th, 2013. So, for the Argentinean citizen living/visiting Kuwait and who had not already enlisted in the embassy’s electoral register it is necessary to justify their absentee vote at our embassy which is located in (Mishref, Block 6, Street 42, Villa 57) and should present the DNI and/or the Argentinean passport. nnnnnnn

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

Kala (Art) Kuwait children’s painting competition on Nov 8

Kerala Islamic Group conducts Onam Eid meet

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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, AlQibla 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 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 changes.

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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.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

TV PROGRAMS

03:15 Snow Leopards Of Leafy London 03:40 Snow Leopards Of Leafy London 04:05 North America 04:55 Predator’s Prey 05:20 Cheetah Kingdom 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 Baby Planet 10:05 Roaring With Pride 11:00 Animal Cops Houston 11:55 Predator’s Prey 12:20 Call Of The Wildman 12:50 Swamp Brothers 13:15 Swamp Brothers 13:45 Weird Creatures With Nick Baker 14:40 Roaring With Pride 15:30 Cheetah Kingdom 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 Snow Leopards Of Leafy London 20:10 Predator’s Prey 20:35 Cheetah Kingdom 21:05 Roaring With Pride 22:00 Bite Of The Living Dead 22:55 Mermaids: The New Evidence 23:50 Man-Eating Super Squid 00:45 I’m Alive 01:35 Untamed & Uncut 02:25 Roaring With Pride

03:30 Doctor Who Confidential 03:45 One Foot In The Grave 04:15 The Weakest Link 05:00 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 05:20 Teletubbies 05:45 3rd & Bird 05:55 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n Roll 06:15 Mr Bloom’s Nursery 06:35 Teletubbies 07:00 3rd & Bird 07:10 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n Roll 07:30 One Foot In The Grave 08:00 Lead Balloon 08:30 Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky 09:20 Eastenders 09:50 Doctors 10:20 Drop Zone 11:10 The Weakest Link 11:55 One Foot In The Grave 12:25 Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky 13:20 Lead Balloon 13:50 Eastenders 14:15 Doctors 14:45 The Weakest Link 15:30 Drop Zone 16:25 Inside The Royal Wedding 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 21:20 Getting On 21:50 Gates 22:15 The Fat Fighters 23:05 Keeping Up Appearances 23:35 Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters 00:00 Gavin & Stacey 00:30 Bedlam 01:15 Eastenders 01:45 Doctors 02:15 The Fat Fighters

03:15 Great British Menu 03:45 Cash In The Attic

04:30 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 05:00 Bargain Hunt 05:45 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 06:30 Great British Menu 07:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 07:45 Bargain Hunt 08:30 Homes Under The Hammer 09:25 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 09:50 Food Glorious Food 10:40 Come Dine With Me 11:30 Celebrity MasterChef 12:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 13:10 Antiques Roadshow 14:05 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 14:55 Phil Spencer - Secret Agent 15:45 Bargain Hunt 16:30 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 02:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea

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 You Have Been Warned You Have Been Warned Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles Countdown To Collision American Chopper Ultimate Survival Dirty Jobs Mythbusters Sons Of Guns Auction Kings 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 15:20 15:45 16:10 17:00 17:50

Who On Earth Did I Marry?

Who On Earth Did I Marry?

I Almost Got Away With It Dr G: Medical Examiner A Haunting Nightmare Next Door Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

On The Case With Paula Zahn Solved Disappeared Mystery Diagnosis Street Patrol Street Patrol Forensic Detectives On The Case With Paula Zahn Real Emergency Calls Who On Earth Did I Marry?

Disappeared Solved Forensic Detectives

18:40 19:30 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:40 00:30 01:20 02:10

On The Case With Paula Zahn On The Case With Paula Zahn 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 A Haunting On The Case With Paula Zahn

03:35 Thunder Races 04:25 How The Universe Works 05:15 The Gadget Show 05:40 The Tech Show 06:05 Kings Of Construction 07:00 Weird Or What?

07:50 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 08:15 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 08:40 The Gadget Show 09:05 The Tech Show 09:30 Sport Science 10:25 Kings Of Construction 11:20 Thunder Races 12:10 How The Universe Works 13:00 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 13:25 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 13:50 How Do They Do It? 14:20 The Gadget Show 14:45 The Tech Show 15:10 Weird Or What?

16:00 Sport Science 16:55 Kings Of Construction 17:45 Thunder Races 18:35 How The Universe Works 19:30 Weird Or What?

20:20 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 20:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 21:10 The Gadget Show 21:35 The Tech Show 22:00 Weird Or What?

22:50 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 23:15 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger 23:40 The Colony 00:30 How Do They Do It? 01:00 The Gadget Show 01:25 The Tech Show 01:50 Weird Or What?

02:45 Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger

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

I Shouldn’t Be Alive Classic Car Club Ultimate Cars Raging Planet The Mistress I Shouldn’t Be Alive Classic Car Club Ultimate Cars Inventions That Shook The History Cold Case USA How The Bismarck Sank HMS The Mistress Classic Car Club Ultimate Cars Inventions That Shook The Raging Planet Empire Doomsday - World War I The Russian Revolution In Inventions That Shook The I Shouldn’t Be Alive True Stories Classic Car Club Ultimate Cars Ultimate Warfare True Stories Anatomy Of A Snake Bite Murder Shift Ultimate Warfare

JOHN CARTER ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

01:35 True Stories 02:30 Anatomy Of A Snake Bite

03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:15 10:40 11:05 11:25 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

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 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 Doc McStuffins 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 Doc McStuffins 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

13:15 Back To The Sea 15:00 Tony Hawk: Boom Boom Sabotage 16:15 Arthur Christmas 18:00 Gaturro 20:00 Angel’s Friends 22:00 Tony Hawk: Boom Boom Sabotage 23:30 Arthur Christmas 01:15 Rainbow Valley Heroes

04:00 Outlaw Country 06:00 Mandie And The Secret Tunnel 08:00 Mary & Martha 10:00 Nacho Libre 12:00 The Girl 14:00 One Life 16:00 Mary & Martha 18:00 Gone 20:00 Total Recall 22:00 The Sweeney 00:00 One Life 02:00 Mary & Martha

THE CHANGE-UP ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY 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

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 14:40 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 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Scaredy Squirrel 23:00 Programmes Start At 6:00am KSA

03:00 03:25 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:30 06:10 07:00 07:25 07:50 08:15 08:40 09:05 Basics 09:30 10:20 10:45 11:10 11:35 12:00 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:35 17:00 17:25

Unique Sweets Food Wars Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives United Tastes Of America Chopped Iron Chef America Food Network Challenge Unwrapped Unwrapped Recipes That Rock Kid In A Candy Store Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco Barefoot Contessa - Back To The Next Food Network Star Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Aarti Party Unwrapped Unique Sweets Amazing Wedding Cakes Reza’s African Kitchen Barefoot Contessa Charly’s Cake Angels Siba’s Table Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Symon’s Suppers Chopped Barefoot Contessa Barefoot Contessa Andy Bates Street Feasts

17:50 18:15 18:40 19:05 19:30 19:55 20:20 21:10 22:00 22:50 23:15 23:40 00:05 00:30 00:55 01:20 01:45 02:35

Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Guy’s Big Bite Roadtrip With G. Garvin Siba’s Table Charly’s Cake Angels Chopped Chopped Amazing Wedding Cakes Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Food Wars Recipes That Rock Outrageous Food Amazing Wedding Cakes Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

03:00 The Colbert Report 03:30 Louie 04:00 Out There 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 Two And A Half Men 08:00 1600 Penn 08:30 Friends 09:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 10:00 Seinfeld 10:30 Two And A Half Men 11:00 Breaking In 11:30 Whitney 12:30 Friends 13:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 14:00 1600 Penn 14:30 Seinfeld 15:00 Two And A Half Men 15:30 Friends 16:00 Whitney 16:30 Whitney 17:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 18:00 The Colbert Report 18:30 1600 Penn 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 Enlightened 00:30 Out There 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 Parenthood Covert Affairs Perception Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Covert Affairs 24 Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Covert Affairs The Carrie Diaries The X Factor U.S. Red Widow Scandal 24

04:00 Shadow 06:00 Rewind 08:00 John Carter

10:15 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Pizza Man Deadly Hope The Presence Pizza Man Nitro Circus: The Movie The Presence Sudden Death Amphibious The Keeper

04:00 06:00 08:15 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Rewind John Carter Pizza Man Deadly Hope The Presence Pizza Man Nitro Circus: The Movie The Presence Sudden Death Amphibious The Keeper Sudden Death

04:00 Love Birds 06:00 Gabe The Cupid Dog 08:00 Elf 10:00 Celtic Pride 12:00 Love Birds 14:00 Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate 16:00 Celtic Pride 18:00 Johnny English Reborn 20:00 The Change-Up 22:00 30 Minutes Or Less 00:00 The Inbetweeners 02:00 The Change-Up

04:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 14:30 17:00 18:45 Close 21:00 23:00 01:00

Hindenburg Saving Grace B. Jones Taken Back: Finding Haley A View From Here Dead Lines The Flowers Of War And Soon The Darkness Extremely Loud & Incredibly

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

The Raven Here On Earth The Tree Of Life The Crucible The Rich Man’s Wife A Woman Offline The Rich Man’s Wife Reign Over Me New York Stories 7 Days In Havana Contagion

The Ides Of March Snowtown And Soon The Darkness

05:00 Drew Peterson: Untouchable 07:00 Chimpanzee 09:00 Arrietty 11:00 Underground: The Julian Assange Story 13:00 Love Will Keep Us Together 14:30 Thunderstruck 16:15 Arrietty 18:00 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 21:00 Red Dawn 23:00 Ruby Sparks 01:00 The Hot Potato 02:45 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

04:15 06:00 08:00 10:00 11:30

The Missing Lynx Back To The Sea Rainbow Valley Heroes Gaturro Happy Feet Two

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

03:25 05:05 07:00 10:15 11:35 13:00 14:25 16:00 18:00 19:45 22:00 00:05 02:00

The Daily Show The Colbert Report Saturday Night Live The League Ben And Kate Ben And Kate Seinfeld The Tonight Show With Jay All Of Us Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Seinfeld All Of Us Hot In Cleveland The Tonight Show With Jay Seinfeld All Of Us Hot In Cleveland The Daily Show The Colbert Report Late Night With Jimmy Fallon The Simpsons The Mindy Project Hot In Cleveland Parks And Recreation Wilfred The Daily Show The Colbert Report Veep It’s Always Sunny In

It! Casablanca Giant The King’s Thief House Of Wax The Sheepman Forbidden Planet Julius Caesar Bachelor In Paradise 2001: A Space Odyssey The Champ Scaramouche The Champ

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

03:00 04:00 04:30 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 17:30 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 02:00

Descending Magic Man Magic Man Insane Coaster Wars Insane Coaster Wars World’s Greatest Motorcycle Globe Trekker Departures Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami World’s Greatest Motorcycle Insane Coaster Wars Insane Coaster Wars Eden Eats Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters International House Hunters Hotel Impossible Destination Weddings Destination Weddings Eden Eats Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters Luxury Uncovered Luxury Uncovered Monumental Mysteries Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami Insane Coaster Wars Insane Coaster Wars World’s Greatest Motorcycle Off Limits

Classifieds THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

Kuwait

FOR SALE

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (24/10/2013 TO 30/10/2013) SHARQIA-1 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:15 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

SHARQIA-2 SIR BILLI (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-3 UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-1 DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) NO FRI BHAI (DIG) (TELUGU) FRI QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC)

7:15 PM 9:30 PM

MUHALAB-2 SIR BILLI (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) DIANA (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-3 THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM

1:45 PM 4:15 PM

7:00 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

FANAR-4 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) THE FOURTH STATE(DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) THE FOURTH STATE(DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

FANAR-5 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 GRAVITY GRAVITY GRAVITY NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-1 GRAVITY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

4:15 PM

FANAR-1 GRAVITY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) DIANA (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) DIANA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-2 SIR BILLI (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) SIR BILLI (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

FANAR-3 RUSH (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG)

THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) RUSH (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:30 PM

MARINA-2 QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

MARINA-3 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 4:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-1 DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) DIANA (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:30 PM

AVENUES-2 UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) UPSIDE DOWN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

AVENUES-3 THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG)

2:15 PM 4:45 PM

THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

AVENUES-4 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-5 GRAVITY (DIG-3D) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG-3D) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 11:00 PM

360ยบ- 1 THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

360ยบ- 2 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) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:15 AM

360ยบ- 3 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 THE FOURTH STATE(DIG)

Toyota Camry GL 2011, pearl white, full options, 60,000 km, excellent condition, KD 4000. Tel: 99439037, 9 am to 4 pm serious buyer please.

(C 4542) 22-10-2013 Nissan Pathfinder 2003 model, in good condition, white. Price: KD 2000 Serious buyer may contact 97277135 21-10-2013 Toyota XA 2005, maroon color, full options, 100,000 km, excellent condition. KD 1300. Tel: 50994848.

(C 4539)

SITUATION VACANT A family is looking to hire a driver. 94026500.

(C 4536) 20-10-2013

CHANGE OF NAME I, Safia Begum holder of Indian Passport No. L0038265 shall henceforth be known as Murugesan Uma Mageswari.

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is

1889988 2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM

360ยบ- 4 SIR BILLI (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) SIR BILLI (DIG) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) QALB AL ASAD (DIG) (ARABIC) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:30 PM 6:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.1 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RUSH (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) RUSH (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.2 KHUMBA (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) DIANA (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG) DIANA (DIG) THE FIFTH ESTATE (DIG)

Mitsubishi Pajero for sale 1996 model, color red, passing up to Aug 2014, used by a lady, need little work.

Contact: 97277139.

112

(C 4541) 22-10-2013

ACCOMMODATION Sharing in Farwaniya for decent Filipino only, block 1, st 122 near Gulf Mart/Nesto hypermarket, rent KD 85. Mob: 97805614.

(C 4537)

Fajr:

04:35

Shorook

05:54

Duhr:

11:32

Asr:

14:45

Maghrib:

17:10

Isha:

18:28

No: 15965

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 11:45 PM

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines JZR JZR JZR FDB SAI THY GFA UAE ETD FDB MSR QTR THY DHX FDB BAW KAC JZR JZR KAC KAC BBC FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE IRA IZG ABY IRA FDB QTR ETD SYR GFA MEA JZR JZR TBZ MSC UAE MRJ MSR MSR THY KAC QTR FDB KAC ABY SVA JZR KNE OMA

Arrival Flights on Thursday 24/10/2013 Flt Route 267 BEIRUT 243 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 539 CAIRO 8063 DUBAI 441 LAHORE 764 SABIHA 211 BAHRAIN 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 67 DUBAI 612 CAIRO 138 DOHA 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 529 ASYUT 503 LUXOR 382 DELHI 206 ISLAMABAD 43 DHAKA 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 332 TRIVANDRUM 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 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 165 DUBAI 241 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 5483 MASHAD 403 ASYUT 871 DUBAI 4813 MASHAD 610 CAIRO 579 SOHAG 766 ISTANBUL 672 DUBAI 140 DOHA 57 DUBAI 546 ALEXANDRIA 121 SHARJAH 500 JEDDAH 257 BEIRUT 472 JEDDAH 645 MUSCAT

Time 00:20 00:30 00:40 01:10 01:30 01:40 01:55 02:25 02:30 03:10 03:15 03:30 04:35 05:10 05:50 06:30 06:15 06:40 07:40 07:30 07:25 07:15 07:45 07:50 07:55 08:15 08:45 08:05 08:25 08:40 08:45 08:50 09:10 09:15 09:25 09:30 10:10 10:40 10:55 11:35 12:35 12:30 12:40 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:05 13:10 13:40 13:45 13:50 14:15 14:25 14:30 14:30 14:35 14:40

KAC KAC NIA RJA KAC QTR JZR JZR ETD UAE JZR KAC JZR KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC JZR ABY UAL SVA GFA JZR TAR QTR FDB GFA AXB JAI FDB OMA ABY MEA AFG MSC MSR THY SYR MSC ALK UAE ETD QTR GFA JAI FDB AIC UAL JZR JZR JZR DLH JAI MSR KLM THY

562 788 251 640 118 134 125 535 303 857 177 176 777 502 104 786 542 774 674 614 618 189 127 982 510 215 563 327 144 63 219 393 572 61 647 129 402 415 405 618 6512 1415 401 229 859 307 136 217 576 59 981 981 239 185 513 636 574 614 411 772

AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA NEW YORK DOHA BAHRAIN CAIRO ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI DUBAI GENEVA JEDDAH BEIRUT LONDON JEDDAH CAIRO RIYADH DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI SHARJAH WASHINGTON DC DULLES RIYADH BAHRAIN SOHAG TUNIS DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE MUMBAI DUBAI MUSCAT SHARJAH BEIRUT KABUL SOHAG ALEXANDRIA ISTANBUL DAMASCUS ALEXANDRIA COLOMBO DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL DOHA BAHRAIN COCHIN DUBAI CHENNAI BAHRAIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA DUBAI SHARM EL SHEIKH FRANKFURT MUMBAI CAIRO AMSTERDAM ISTANBUL

14:40 15:00 15:50 15:55 16:00 16:15 16:25 16:10 16:35 16:55 17:30 17:45 17:50 18:50 18:45 18:30 18:15 19:25 19:25 19:35 19:10 20:10 17:10 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:50 18:00 18:25 18:55 19:05 19:15 19:35 20:00 20:00 20:05 20:15 20:20 20:25 20:30 20:25 20:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:30 21:45 22:05 22:20 22:25 22:40 22:30 22:40 23:20 23:10 23:20 23:30 23:40 23:45

Airlines AIC AXB JAI MSR DLH JZR FDB THY SAI THY UAE FDB MSR ETD QTR QTR FDB GFA THY JZR KAC JZR BAW FDB BBC JZR JZR KAC KAC ABY KAC IRA IZG UAE FDB IRA ETD QTR KAC KAC SYR GFA JZR KAC KAC MEA JZR KAC JZR JZR TBZ MSC MSR MSR MRJ THY UAE

Departure Flights on Thursday 24/10/2013 Flt Route 976 GOA 490 MANGALORE 573 MUMBAI 615 CAIRO 637 FRANKFURT 502 LUXOR 8064 DUBAI 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 442 LAHORE 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 854 DUBAI 68 DUBAI 613 CAIRO 306 ABU DHABI 139 DOHA 149 DOHA 70 DUBAI 212 BAHRAIN 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 240 AMMAN 545 ALEXANDRIA 164 DUBAI 156 LONDON 54 DUBAI 44 DHAKA 256 BEIRUT 534 CAIRO 671 DUBAI 561 AMMAN 126 SHARJAH 787 JEDDAH 606 MASHHAD 4162 MASHHAD 856 DUBAI 56 DUBAI 616 AHWAZ 302 ABU DHABI 133 DOHA 101 LONDON 501 BEIRUT 342 DAMASCUS 214 BAHRAIN 562 SOHAG 541 CAIRO 165 ROME 405 BEIRUT 776 JEDDAH 785 JEDDAH 176 DUBAI 124 BAHRAIN 5484 MASHHAD 406 SOHAG 580 SOHAG 611 CAIRO 4812 MASHHAD 767 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 872 DUBAI

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

Time 00:05 00:15 00:20 00:30 00:30 01:30 01:55 02:20 02:30 02:40 03:45 03:50 04:15 04:20 04:25 05:15 06:30 07:00 07:10 07:10 07:20 07:25 08:25 08:25 08:30 08:50 09:10 09:25 09:25 09:30 09:35 09:40 09:45 09:50 09:55 10:10 10:15 10:25 10:25 11:10 11:10 11:25 11:25 11:30 11:45 11:55 12:25 13:00 13:20 13:30 13:30 13:40 13:50 14:00 14:05 14:10 14:15

FDB QTR ABY KAC KNE OMA KAC KAC JZR SVA KAC NIA RJA JZR JZR QTR ETD JZR ABY UAE SVA GFA UAL JZR JZR TAR QTR FDB GFA AXB KAC JAI FDB ABY KAC KAC OMA SYR KAC MEA AFG MSC MSR KAC DHX MSC THY ETD ALK UAE QTR KAC GFA FDB KAC JAI JZR KAC KAC JZR

58 141 122 673 473 646 617 773 188 505 613 252 641 238 512 135 304 538 128 858 511 216 982 184 266 328 145 64 220 394 283 571 62 120 331 343 648 1416 351 403 415 404 619 543 171 402 6512 308 230 860 137 301 218 60 205 575 554 411 415 528

DUBAI DOHA SHARJAH DUBAI JEDDAH MUSCAT DOHA RIYADH DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA AMMAN AMMAN SHARM EL SHEIKH DOHA ABU DHABI CAIRO SHARJAH DUBAI RIYADH BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT TUNIS DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN KOZHIKODE DHAKA MUMBAI DUBAI SHARJAH TRIVANDRUM CHENNAI MUSCAT DAMASCUS KOCHI BEIRUT JEDDAH ASYUT ALEXANDRIA CAIRO BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA ISTANBUL-ATATURK ABU DHABI COLOMBO DUBAI DOHA MUMBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI ISLAMABAD ABU DHABI ALEXANDRIA BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR ASYUT

14:30 14:55 15:05 15:05 15:30 15:40 15:45 16:00 16:00 16:00 16:35 16:50 16:55 17:05 17:15 17:20 17:20 17:40 17:50 18:15 18:20 18:20 18:30 18:30 18:40 18:50 19:25 19:35 19:50 20:15 20:15 20:35 20:40 20:45 20:50 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:15 21:20 21:25 21:30 21:30 21:50 22:00 22:15 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 24, 2013

s ta rs CROSSWORD 347

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES This morning brings with it good luck and positive opportunities. If you are not learning and adhering to better nutrition, today and tomorrow are good times to begin. You are a very eager person and you may be encouraged to push beyond your strengths or be inclined to exhaust yourself. This may be why there is an interest in nutrition awareness. You may be especially dynamic and assertive just now. There is a lot of energy and drive available later today to accomplish whatever you want. Expect a sense of joint effort from those around you. Talking with a friend this evening may give you new investment ideas. Family members need attention and a face to face chat can become a renewal of support and information.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your thinking is quite clear and natural just now. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. In some circumstances, you may be tempted to chat a little longer than you should. Decisions and new beginnings are possible at this time. Any group activity will have much success. This is a good day that should find everything running smoothly.

Working with—rather than against—the flow should be easy to do. You may spend part of the afternoon rounding up a group of your friends or family in order to conduct a large garage sale, auction or bazaar for this coming weekend. This will be successful, particularly if you make your plans now. Rewarding days like this day makes up for all the stress that comes with the challenging days. Your efforts are rewarded.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Telescopium and Norma.

4. A game invented by American indians.

12. Select as an alternative.

15. The quantity contained in a keg.

16. Anise trees.

17. Perennial herb of East India to Polynesia and Australia cultivated for its large edible root yielding Otaheite arrowroot starch.

18. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

19. Being ten more than one hundred ninety.

20. An open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers.

22. Loud confused noise from many sources.

25. Seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain.

27. Occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion.

28. A friendly nation.

30. A trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

31. The compass point that is one point east (clockwise) of due north.

36. English tennis player who won may women's singles titles (born in 1945).

38. Food of a ruminant regurgitated to be chewed again.

41. A public promotion of some product or service.

42. A ductile silvery-white ductile ferromagnetic trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group.

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

45. Steering mechanism for a vessel.

46. Be seated.

49. Beyond or deviating from the usual or expected.

50. A collection of objects laid on top of each other.

52. Rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall.

53. Swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue.

55. Japanese mathematical physicist who proposed that nuclear forces are mediated by massive particles called mesons which are analogous to the photon in mediating electromagnetic forces (1907-1981).

57. A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube.

59. In bed.

60. Harsh or corrosive in tone.

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

65. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

68. A state in northwestern North America.

71. An ugly evil-looking old woman.

73. Polish labor leader and statesman (born in 1943).

76. Greek mythology.

78. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

79. Oldest known reptiles.

81. A defensive missile designed to shoot down incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles.

82. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

83. A great raja.

84. A compartment in front of a motor vehicle where driver sits.

DOWN 1. Jordan's port.

2. Arm again.

3. On a shore or reef.

4. Chinese tree cultivated especially in Philippines and India for its edible fruit.

5. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

6. Being ten more than one hundred forty.

7. Being in competition.

8. South American wood sorrel cultivated for its edible tubers.

9. Having unsuitable feminine qualities.

10. Hard fat around the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton.

11. The square of a body of any size of type.

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

13. (Middle East) Usually small round bread that can open into a pocket for filling.

14. A unit of weight used in east Asia approximately equal to 1.3 ounces.

21. Joint capital (with Mecca) of Saudi Arabia located in the central oasis.

23. A member of a Turkic people of Uzbekistan and neighboring areas.

24. (Judaism) An eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem.

26. (Norse mythology) Ruler of the Aesir.

29. 30 to 300 kilohertz.

32. (Babylonian) God of wisdom and agriculture and patron of scribes and schools.

33. Type genus of the Coerebidae.

34. Make lighter or brighter.

35. An embroidered rug made from a coarse Indian felt.

37. A farewell remark.

39. Expose while ridiculing.

40. (trademark) A liquid that temporarily disables a person.

44. A wound resulting from biting.

47. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

48. Any of a number of fishes of the family Carangidae.

51. Large burrowing rodent of South and Central America.

54. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh.

56. A native American lodge frequently having an oval shape and covered with bark or hides.

58. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

61. The capital of Cape Verde on Sao Tiago Island.

62. The capital and largest city of Yemen.

64. A small cake leavened with yeast.

66. Pompous or pretentious talk or writing.

67. A former communist country in eastern Europe and northern Asia.

69. Having nine hinged bands of bony plates.

70. A metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables.

72. An anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free-floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling of light-headedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months.

74. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

75. A federal agency established to coordinate programs aimed at reducing pollution and protecting the environment.

77. Committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates.

80. A person who announces and plays popular recorded music.

Today is a good time to step back and reevaluate your goals. It is said that every seven years or so allergies and sensitivities tend to change or mutate.

In your case, this may be true of you where music and trends of thinking will change. You become more informed and mature from your experiences. At this time you may decide you want to start your own business. Discover where your talents are and keep developing these talents as you seek to become self-employed. Keeping a log of notes as to how you would proceed with your dream of your own business will help you become more informed and determined. Keeping in practice with your own talents will give you options if you need options. Some form of laughter is in order tonight.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You feel a hero as you come to the rescue of some co-worker friend this morning and you like the feeling that comes with the feeling that you may have moved up a bit in the social standing of this group at work. Being more involved with co-workers and business partners help you to understand how to interact with your working family and to better understand the needs of your business partners. This can be a very positive thing by helping to increase production and support as well as sharing or respecting the goals of each other. Knowing more about each other’s long-term goals will be helpful in sharing information and guidance for and from others. A visitor in your home this afternoon may compliment you on your belongings. There is a special feeling.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Put a closure on any old business or personal concerns today. Events make it easy for you to find new solutions to old problems. A clean break with the past in some respects is signaled for now. You will be making plans to complete unfinished business and clear away obligations. You may have always wanted to try your luck as a whitewater rafter, television worker, writer or painter. You may want to save a little more during this adjustment time while you make your plans. You are interested in what sort of work you could really sink your teeth into and what you could see develop into a productive project. Perhaps in shattering old molds you take charge of your life, become energized and take priority. Uniqueness and originality set you apart from others.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You have an opportunity to encourage your mate this morning. Perhaps a new job is in the making. In the workplace you concentrate on the challenging ideas.

Your ability to solve problems is in fine shape and difficult problems have easy answers with your insight. This afternoon you may find a personal situation has new beginnings—a fresh start, perhaps the establishment of new and positive habit patterns.

Spend some time this afternoon to pay bills and adjust your budget to a more reasonable level. Financial investments may also need some review. You can expect the lines of communication to be open. Social situations this evening are favorable. Network whenever possible, particularly if you are in sales.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You may find that your thoughts run counter to what is going on around you at this time. There could be a lack of support or respect for what you think. Picture where the other person’s thinking might originate from and take a step back to reword your message. A lot of mental tension can be eliminated with your insight. Progress in some project is commendable and by the end of the day you will probably feel you have accomplished more than your usual day of work. This afternoon you enjoy working in the yard or just enjoy a long walk. Thinking things through from different angles is beneficial at present. You may be learning to break out of old mental patterns that could be destructive—you teach through your actions.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Your creative abilities are at the ready today and whatever you decide to do will have your own personal signature. Others are impressed by your quick results and your accomplishments—particularly on such a short notice. Co-workers or higher-ups may have good news because of your endeavors today. You will find the likelihood of a raise or some other means that will increase your standard of living. This afternoon a meeting with friends may produce big plans for a future get-together; perhaps a cooking contest or sports event or hunting expedition. Whatever the case, the plans are perfect for great camaraderie. Life just keeps getting better as you find ways to relate to the people that mean a lot to you. There is a deepening of relationships now.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) This has been a productive time in that you are ready to move forward with your goals and eliminate any slowdowns that create that feeling of moving backward. Do something this afternoon that makes someone smile. Perhaps you have experienced the results of volunteer work in a worthy area. This is an investment of your time that is meaningful to everyone—a win-win situation. Look around; there may be an opportunity within the workplace to perform this generosity. Good deeds are contagious; before long you could have a whole group helping others. Take advantage of this evening by making some future plans. If others are busy, take this opportunity to play! Busy yourself with one of the many hobbies you have. Do not push issues.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Your attitude is positive and with a lot of enthusiasm. You are ready to explore all kinds of new horizons. Professionally speaking, you are in a good place. Take some time this Wednesday to make your plans for this upcoming weekend.

Enjoy getting away from your regular routine. Travel, education and other ways to stretch your horizons open new doors of opportunity. Religious, philosophical and cultural matters are likely to have special appeal for you. There is support and recognition from family and friends. You feel comfortable in your home and surroundings and it seems to meet your needs. There is some open time this evening to express yourself creatively; perhaps with poetry. A new leisure pursuit could bring you hours of fun.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Today is a good time to request a loan. You are entering a phase of emotional directness and impulsiveness that may be marked by forceful and powerful feelings. Your inner resources and emotions are accented. You may have new thoughts and sudden insights and will likely receive an unexpected boost in the way you think, speak or write. Communications are accented and connections of all kinds, news, etc., are furthered, often at the expense of tradition and established order. Friendships and involvement in group activities play a more important part in your life now. You and a friend may draft a letter to the city council in your town requesting more play areas in your town. A new child in this friend’s family may involve a special gift and a visit.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) Consider the needs of others as you work on your financial plans. Losing sight of the practical and mundane can make you very artistic, but might not be so good for the bankbook. There is a need for caution and practicality on the material and financial level. Use your influence when it comes to teaching others what you have learned— especially the young people in your life. If you need any professional advice, today and tomorrow will be the best days to seek your answers. You will find this afternoon begins a rather social time. Visiting after work with co-workers or friends can be a great deal of fun.

Tonight you may enjoy a long conversation with a distant friend, writing a letter or making a special phone call.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 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

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Sabhan

24742838

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Al-Helaly

22434853

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Al-Faiha

22545051

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

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

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Hawally

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 24, 2013

LIFESTYLE

Robert Downey Jr named most valuable star G o s s i p

R

obert Downey Jr has been named the Most Valuable Star of 2013. The ‘Iron Man 3’ actor topped Vulture’s annual Hollywood list for the second time, with Leonardo DiCaprio coming in second and labeled “The Star Who Started Smiling Again” and ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ actress Jennifer Lawrence - “The Breakthrough BFF” - in third place.

The publication compile their list based on several criteria, including a star’s box office power - domestic and overseas - awareness and popularity, the value they bring to a production studio, likeability, Oscar mentions, Twitter and tabloid mentions and critics score. Praising Downey - who has battled drug addiction in the past - as ‘The King’, Vulture said of the star: “His appeal is off the charts, and he has a studio rating third only to Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio’s. And he’s managed his stardom with grace and good humor, a remarkable turnaround from the drug-fuelled days when he was an uninsurable lost boy.” Rounding out the top five were “Neverbeen-better Superstar” Sandra Bullock and “Golden Boy” Brad Pitt in fourth and fifth place respectively.

The publication said of the highest-ranked stars: “In second place is Leonardo DiCaprio; while he doesn’t have the career box-office tallies of a Will Smith, he has proved that he can help a studio make a prestige project pay off: Would ‘The Great Gatsby’ have made nearly $350 million worldwide without him? Sandra Bullock safely sits in fourth place after following summer comedy hit ‘The Heat’ with the enormous critical and commercial smash ‘Gravity’.” Will Smith, Christian

Dolly

Bale, Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks - who shot up 25 places from last year’s rankings - and Johnny Depp rounded out the top 10.

Parton suffers minor injuries in car crash

Vulture’s Most Valuable Stars of 2013 top 20: 1. Robert Downey Jr 2. Leonardo DiCaprio 3. Jennifer Lawrence 4. Sandra Bullock 5. Brad Pitt 6. Will Smith 7. Christian Bale 8. Denzel Washington 9. Tom Hanks 10. Johnny Depp 11. Hugh Jackman 12. Angelina Jolie 13. Meryl Streep 14. Tom Cruise 15. Daniel Radcliffe 16. Jennifer Aniston 17. Daniel Craig 18. George Clooney 19. Matt Damon 20. Mila Kunis

Dolly Parton

D

olly Parton is home resting after being treated and released for minor injuries she suffered in a car crash she described as “a fender bender.”

Kirt Webster says Parton was already home Monday afternoon following the accident that happened shortly before noon local time in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton says in a statement that she’s “all good. Just a little tired and sore.” Police say the 67-year-old Country Music Hall of Fame member was riding in a sport utility vehicle that was hit by another vehicle. Parton and the two others were taken to local hospitals for treatment. A news release says none of the injuries appeared serious.—AP

Robert Downey Jr

Jessica Lange to

Vergara , Nick to wed soon S

retire from acting

T

he Oscar and Emmy Award-winning actress has announced she will leave her glittering career behind after four decades and numerous accolades to pursue a quieter life. She told the Los Angeles Times newspaper: “I am coming to the end of acting. I have a list: another stage production, maybe one or two more movies, one more season of ‘American Horror Story’, and then that is it for me. Because I think that’s enough.

I want to go out with a bang... or should I say, a scare?” The 64-year-old star has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity as the leading lady on anthology show ‘American Horror Story’ - created by ‘Glee’ mastermind Ryan Murphy - in which she plays a new character each season. Jessica earned an Emmy Award for her role as Constance Langdon in the first season and a further nomination for her role as Sister Jude Martin in the second run, subtitled ‘Asylum’. The actress - who appears as powerful witch Fiona Goode in the new season, ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ plans to bow out of the hit show after a fourth year, but she credits the spooky drama for “re-energizing” her career. She added: “It re-energized me; it re-energized my career. There’s no shame in recognizing that. It’s exposed me to a whole new generation, which is a little strange. I’m not used to young people thinking I’m cool.” Jessica has two Academy Awards for Best Actress to her name - for 1982’s ‘Tootsie’ and 1994’s ‘Blue Sky’ - as well as five Golden Globe wins.

ofia Vergara and Nick Loeb are likely let’s plan weddings.’ “But for a couple of to wed soon. The ‘Modern Family’ Latin Americans, you get engaged, but it’s star and her businessman fiancé are like another stage in your love life. It doesn’t set to walk down the aisle in the near mean, ‘OK, let’s immediately call the flower future, according to Nick’s father, John place.’ It’s like another period.”

Loeb Jr, who believes their union will be “wonderful” because they have such a solid relationship. He told the New York Daily News’ Confidenti@l section: “They’ve been together for three years. He met her when she was a model. I think it would be a wonderful marriage.” John, a former United States Ambassador to Denmark, is hopeful Nick and Sofia will decide to have a baby together wants to become a grandfather again. He said: “I already have two grandchildren, but I’d love to have more.” The philanthropist’s comments are a departure from previous reports, since Sofia - who has a son Manolo, 22, from a previous relationship - has so far remained coy about her plans to marry entrepreneur Nick and hinted the pair could have a long engagement. She previously said: “I was thinking the other day that Americans take engagements like, ‘OK, we’re engaged. It means Sofia Vergara and Nick Loeb

Jessica Lange

Sharon Stone

honored for AIDS work at Nobel summit

Gregg Allman

Stars to hold tribute concert for

Gregg Allman

T

he Allman Brothers, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Warren Haynes, Eric Church and several others have signed on to pay tribute in concert to Gregg Allman early next year. “All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman” will be held Jan 10 at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. The concert will be filmed and released later. Others on the eclectic list of performers include Natalie Cole, Jackson Browne, John Hiatt, Pat Monahan of Train, Martina McBride, Trace Adkins and John Hiatt. Special guests and more performers will be announced soon. Tickets go on sale Nov. 1 at the Fox Theatre box office. Don Was will lead an all-star band lined up to help celebrate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member.

Kim picked own engagement ring

Sharon Stone

T

K

im Kardashian reportedly picked out her engagement ring herself. The reality TV star’s rapper beau Kanye West popped the question to her on Monday - the same day as her 33rd birthday - but it appears the brunette beauty knew the proposal was coming as she selected the lavish 15-carat diamond ring. A source told RadarOnline.com: “Kim had picked out her own Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring. “[She] told Kanye to get the ring from Lorraine Schwartz because she loves the jeweller’s diamonds. She knew the proposal was happening, she just didn’t know when it would happen.” The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star’s engagement ring could be worth an eye-popping $7 to 8 million because the diamond has been flawlessly cut, according to expert jeweller Adelaide Polk-Bauman.

The diamond specialist told the New York Daily News newspaper: “This is exceptionally rare. Very few places in the world have diamonds such as that.” In comparison, Kim’s previous engagement ring - gifted to her by ex-husband Kris Humphries in 2011 - is supposedly worth $2 million, despite boasting a 16.2 carat diamond. A source added: “Before Kim gave the ultimate seal of approval on the sparkler, Kanye looked at over 20 diamonds. The diamond has no flaws and has more sparkle than Kim’s previous ring.” Kanye proposed to Kim the mother of his four-month-old daughter North - by hiring out the AT&T Park baseball stadium in San Francisco. The ‘Black Skinhead’ rapper invited Kim’s friends and family to celebrate the occasion, which included a fireworks display.—Agencies

KT Daily Paper layout 2.indd 1

Kim Kardashian

US

film star Sharon Stone yesterday won an award for her fight against AIDS at a summit of Nobel Peace Prize laureates in the Polish capital Warsaw. The global fundraising chairman for the AIDS charity amfAR received the Peace Summit Award from the Dalai Lama at the end of the three-day summit. “I can tell you that now that we have drugs, we have still lost 40 million people to AIDS. There were times when the burden of that felt like I was going to fall on the floor and never get up again,” Stone told the summit. “We have changed the face of AIDS but still one child dies every other minute. I want you to think about how many children have died since we came here this morning, and I want you to feel the weight of that upon you.” Irish peace campaigner Betty Williams introduced the 55-year-old Hollywood star by praising her beauty.

“You think as a woman ‘God I wish I looked like her. Even for five minutes I would just like to look like Sharon Stone.’ But Sharon does more with her beauty than just look good. Because her inner beauty is absolutely phenomenal.” Founded by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 2000, the annual summit has notably taken place in Berlin, Chicago, Paris and Rome. The Warsaw edition marks 30 years since Poland’s Lech Walesa won the Nobel for leading the Solidarity trade union, which negotiated a peaceful end to communism at home in 1989. Other attendees this year were Iranian human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi and former South African president F.W. de Klerk. Previous winners of the summit award include Italian actor Roberto Benigni, US actor George Clooney and British singer-songwriter Cat Stevens.

Courtney Love wants to look ‘chic’

he 49-year-old rocker insists she doesn’t want to look “boring” but is trying to make more careful and considered style choices now she is getting older and returning to her acting career. She said: “I look at simple chic as what works best for my age, but I also want the prettiest gown, not the most boring, and the sharpest. I love Marchesa for this and I love Calvin Klein classics and [Michael] Kors, and Chanel gowns. “The latter mixes my love of Edwardian and Victorian and flapper with chic. I’m not Daphne Guinness and I don’t have much to prove in rock and roll - that I have down pat. “But for my newly committed career, acting again, I’m going to have to really pull off a chic and great look and never get it wrong with too many youthful details such as the ones that inspire me for my line. I love boho, but there’s an appropriate way to wear it. I like Jason Wu, Altuzzara, Valentino and Westwood, as well as Saint Laurent.” The Hole singer admitted she has made fashion mistakes in the past but is always keen to experiment, and she has accepted that certain outfits will look great on some people but not on her. She told Fashionista. com: “Obviously Lycra and Spandex and rubber were all bad ideas, but I’m very open; I always try. It doesn’t mean I’m Kate Moss and always nail it. Kate and I went to a store in Notting Hill and purchased the same exact almost Victorian capelet; I wore mine first and got slammed for it and she wore hers the following week in an identical boho outfit and it was heralded; it’s all about context.

“Weight plays heavily into it, too, and facial beauty. No one could have worn that Givenchy couture gown that I tried on a few times three years ago except Ciara to the VMAs-a black girl with curves in the right places. On me, it looked like a belly dancer.”

Courtney Love

10/23/13 8:36 PM

Katy Perry S

inger Katy Perry has shed her cotton-candy pop image and reveals a vulnerability and maturity on her new album “Prism,” which she said reflects changes in both her personal life and her music. “Prism,” released on Tuesday, is Perry’s fourth studio album and the follow-up to 2010’s phenomenally successful “Teenage Dream.” It is also the first album since the 28-year-old singer split with her husband, British comedian Russell Brand, in December 2011.

“I went through a lot of experiences in my life that I think built more character. I had to find own self identity the hard way. But I did. I came out alive and stronger, a little bit stronger,” Perry said in an interview. From “By the Grace of God,” the first and darkest song on the album, to the empowering lead single “Roar,” or “Birthday,” a rousing, catchy dance tune, Perry said each song tells a story. “I think what ‘Prism’ is, is an evolution and a maturity,” she said. “I think you can hear growth as a songwriter.

I hope you can hear the growth as a person.”

“Teenage Dream” produced five No. 1 singles, making it only the second album after Michael Jackson’s “Bad” to achieve that milestone, and the first by a female artist. It also sold 5.7 million copies worldwide. But Perry made it clear she was in a new place with “Prism,” with early teasers showing her burning the blue wig she wore in the music video for her hit single “California Gurls” and holding a mock funeral for her peppermint swirl outfit. “I’m into different things,” she said. “It is my most present album so far. I think I am living very consciously right now. I think I am very aware, more aware than I have ever been.”

Having fun, taking chances Perry reunited with music producers and songwriters Max Martin, Dr Luke and Cirkut for “Prism.” Most of the 13 tracks, all co-written by Perry, were recorded in San Diego, or with Martin and record producer and songwriter Klas Ahlund in Stockholm, where club anthem “Walking on Air” and the hiphop tinged “This is How We Do” were both made.

The personal ballad “By the Grace of God,” co-written with Greg Wells, reflects where Perry was emotionally late last year, the “stuff” she was working

37

LIFESTYLE M u s i c

&

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

M o v i e s

shows vulnerability, maturity on new album ‘Prism’

through and the blow to her self confidence. “It had really gotten to me and I wrote this song out of a very sad place.

I was hearing these negative thoughts and battling these negative thoughts,” she said. Since splitting with Brand, Perry has moved on in her personal life and is dating singer-songwriter John Mayer.

Although she had initially expected to make a darker, more acoustic record, Perry said the opposite happened and she became much more upbeat, which is reflected in the album’s title. “I let a lot of light in my life during the spring of this year, which is when I made most of the record and it influenced my songs in a very positive way,” she said.

“All these beautiful colors of light and love came out and hope and joy and even just fun party songs.”

“Unconditionally,” the second single and Perry’s favorite song on the album is a big, soaring ballad with a heavy drum tribal influence. Its lyrics speak about an all-accepting love. Perry wrote “Roar,” a thumping pop tune and her 10th No.1 Top 40 track, after becoming complacent in a relationship and not speaking up for herself. “Double Rainbow,” collaboration with producer Greg Kurstin and songwriter Sia, is about finding someone and a rare, magical moment. “You can tell I am having fun and taking chances, musically with the different textures that I am showing in the songs,” said Perry. “I’m painting with more colors this time. I think people can adopt certain anthems for the messages or they can make them their own.”—Reuters

Jazz

at Lincoln Center Orchestra marks 25 years

Browse, plan, record, and share: OSN’s TV guide revolutionised

Photo shows the premiere of “Abyssinian 200,” performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, center, and the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir in Frederick P. Rose Hall, in New York.

W O

SN launches the ultimate TV Guide app that now places complete control of the viewing experience, in the palm of your hand. With the touch of a finger, subscribers can browse the TV Guide, watch the latest trailers, and record their favourite entertainment - all from their iPad. Following the recent launch of OSN Play on Android devices, the leading pay-TV network in the Middle East and North Africa unveils its latest advancement. This revolutionary app allows viewers to set programme reminders, as well as share what they are watching through Facebook, Twitter, and email. A key highlight is the Remote Record feature which seamlessly connects viewers to their set top box from any location, allowing them to record their favourite sporting events, shows or movies anytime, anywhere.

“As the premium content provider in the MENA region, OSN prides itself on its easy-to-access and convenient programming models on both traditional and new media. The OSN TV Guide iPad app takes customer engagement to a new level by not only allowing subscribers to remotely review our programming schedule but also share what they are watching with friends via social media,” said David Butorac, CEO, OSN. OSN remains at the forefront of the home-entertainment experience through offering a vast array of technology innovations including OSN Play and OSN Plus HD and value added initiatives such as OSN Privileges. By consistently releasing the latest in viewing technologies and allowing subscribers complete, personalised control, the network continues to retain its competitive edge.

To download the OSN Guide application, simply visit the App Store from your iPad and search for OSN. The App is free and available to both OSN subscribers and everyone else. The OSN Guide App allows users to - add channels to a favourites list for quick access, search for a program by name (or partial name), view a short summary about each show, set Remote Record and also send Reminder Alerts for programs. The app will be available in Arabic soon. To test the OSN TV Guide App, please visit https://itunes. apple.com/ae/app/osn-tv-guide/id633388699

KT Daily Paper layout 2.indd 2

File photo shows the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Chorale Le Chateau, and conductor Damien Sneed, performing “Abyssinian Mass” at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC.—AP photos

ynton Marsalis has taken his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra all the way to China and Russia, but the trumpeter says its current “Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration Tour” is the most challenging in the band’s 25-year history. The tour of US performing arts centers and churches involves a convoy of four buses and an equipment truck. The 15-piece orchestra and the 70-voice Chorale Le Chateau conducted by Damien Sneed are performing Marsalis’ “Abyssinian 200: A Celebration,” an extended work blending gospel and jazz traditions he wrote in 2008 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church.

“There’s never been a tour where a jazz band and a big choir like this went on the road and played a piece like this,” Marsalis said in a telephone interview. “It’s definitely a spiritual experience when you get the choir and the band and the congregation in there together.” The piece, based on the liturgy used in many African-American Baptist churches, draws on diverse influences. These include the lessons Marsalis learned from his music professor father about traditional spirituals, hymns and gospel music, his own experiences as a classical trumpeter performing the religious works of Bach, Handel and Palestrina, and his vast knowledge of jazz styles going back to the music’s roots in his native New Orleans.

The 52-year-old Marsalis is complementing the tour that concludes this weekend with concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater in New York and Boston’s Symphony Hall with the release this week of “The Spiritual Side of Wynton Marsalis.”

The album is a 15-track collection of spiritually inspired works that he recorded from 1988 to 2002.

It includes selections from “In This House, On This Morning,” Marsalis’ first commissioned work for Jazz at Lincoln Center in 1992, capturing the feeling of a Sunday morning church service in the South.

The tour’s main sponsor is a foundation set up by a leading black businessman, David Steward, founder of World Wide Technology Inc. Steward described the concert series as “an excellent opportu-

nity to celebrate and share the joy, cultural heritage and power of gospel and jazz with long-time fans and new listeners.” Earlier this year, the orchestra made a U.S. tour playing a repertoire that covered its entire history. It performed everything from early New Orleans jazz to Ornette Coleman’s modern jazz as well as classic tunes by Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and Dave Brubeck, and compositions by contemporary jazz musicians, including several JLCO members.

“This is probably the most flexible ensemble ever in the history of jazz because we have to play so many different styles of music,” said Marsalis, JLCO’s music director. Marsalis also hand-picked the 17-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars to perform in the new Broadway show “After Midnight,” starring Fantasia and Dule Hill, which celebrates Duke Ellington’s years at the Cotton Club during the 1920s.

Trombonist Art Baron says the band is using some of the same transcriptions of Ellington’s arrangements that he played as a founding member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, as it was known when Marsalis formed it in 1988. Baron, who played with Ellington before his death in 1974, said the Lincoln Center orchestra had “a very similar vibe ... in which people were not judged by the color of your skin or by your age, just by the music you made.”

Marsalis formed the orchestra a year after Lincoln Center executive Alina Bloomgarden invited him to serve as artistic director for three August concerts at Alice Tully Hall. Marsalis couldn’t perform then because he was on tour, but those concerts planted the seed for Jazz at Lincoln Center, the largest cultural organization in the world devoted exclusively to jazz. African-American scholar Albert Murray helped Marsalis understand the value of having an institution to support jazz whose mission would include putting on concerts and offering educational programs.

Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun convinced him the organization needed its own orchestra to help preserve jazz’s large-ensemble

tradition. The original orchestra included members of Marsalis’ septet and surviving Ellington band alumni such as trombonist Britt Woodman and clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton, and at first played an almost exclusively Ellington repertoire. The orchestra gradually expanded its scope by commissioning new arrangements and compositions from nearly 80 musicians, including Marsalis’ Pulitzer Prizewinning oratorio on slavery, “Blood on the Fields.”

Its members are actively involved in JALC’s educational programs such as the Jazz For Young People concerts and Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition.

Over the years, the orchestra has traveled to more than three dozen countries on six continents - including tours of Russia, China and Cuba. “We like being cultural ambassadors,” Marsalis said. “We present people with another view of our country that’s not mercenary ... and have a perspective that’s shaped by the highest and noblest of our country’s ideology.”

Apart from Marsalis, 84-year-old baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley, a big band veteran, is the only holdover from the original lineup. The band’s youngest member, 30-year-old trombonist Chris Crenshaw, who joined in 2006, is among 10 current members who compose and arrange for the band.

Crenshaw’s spiritually focused “God’s Trombones,” an extended work based on the poetry of preacher James Weldon Johnson, was premiered by JLCO in May. “The orchestra has allowed me to do things that I didn’t see that I was capable of ... It’s opened up doors for me not just in terms of playing but in composing, arranging and marketing,” Crenshaw said. For Marsalis, the younger musicians are carrying the torch passed on by the orchestra’s original members. “Many of our earlier members have passed away but the spirit that they left with us is still part of the band,” Marsalis said.—AP

10/23/13 7:36 PM

38

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

LIFESTYLE F a s h i o n

Models present creations by Japanese designer Jun Ashida at his 2014 spring/summer collection during Tokyo Fashion Week yesterday. –AFP photos

tech

Right at home: Decor with built-in

In this photo provided by SYMBOL Audio, a new version of the retro hi fi system, SYMBOL Audios Modern Record Console, has a walnut cabinet outfitted with a hand built turntable, amplifier and built in wireless router.

This photo provided by Salamander Designs shows the Denver model in walnut with high performance loudspeakers in elegant cabinetry.—AP photos

This photo provided by Salamander Designs shows the Chicago model with high performance loudspeakers in elegant cabinetry. It is clad in striated black oak, evoking the prairie grass of the Midwest.

In this photo provided by SYMBOL Audio, a new version of the retro hi fi system, SYMBOL Audio’s Modern Record Console, has a walnut cabinet outfitted with a hand built turntable, amplifier and built in wireless router.

KT Daily Paper layout 2.indd 3

I

t’s one thing to have a beautiful, comfy bed. But what if it also included a TV screen, game console and dimmable, color-changing lights? Or say you’ve got just enough room in your apartment for a credenza or speakers, but not both. How about one piece that includes both — and a whole media system?

The integration of technology into home décor has come a long way since clunky TV screens peered out of armoires and media cabinets; today’s super-thin screens can come embedded in the bathroom mirror or attached to the wall like pieces of art. The “wallpaper” mode on Sharp’s new, high-definition Aquos TV lets you display photos, paintings or other images as wall art when you aren’t watching television. You can set a clock for display times, and the light level is reduced to get rid of glare. (www.sharpusa.com ) Samsung’s four-door fridge has a Wi-Fi enabled screen that you can load with photos, news, calendar, notepad and recipes. (www. samsung.com ) Want to stay on top of the morning news? Seura’s TV screens embed in the bathroom vanity mirror. Robern’s embed in the medicine cabinet. (www.seura.com ; www.robern.com ) TV manufacturers are moving into OLED — organic light emitting diode — technology, which can be linked to computers and other tech devices. It’s thin as a pencil and able to be curved. (www.lg.com ) As for sound systems, Symbol Audio of Nyack, NY, has a New Audio Desk that incorporates high-quality speakers into a slim writing desk crafted from maple, walnut, oak or cherry.

Baby boomers may remember the family’s old hi-fi system. While iPhones and iPads can now hold the equivalent of hundreds of Mitch Miller albums, there are still those among us who like the mid-century chic of a retro-styled system. Symbol Audio pays homage to the hifi with the Modern Record Console, a walnut cabinet outfitted with a hand-built turntable, amplifier and built-in wireless router.

“The act of removing an album from its sleeve, cleaning and placing it on the turntable is interactive and physical. There is an

undeniable charm to vinyl that’s more than just a fascination with the past,”said Blake Tovin, Symbol’s founder. (www.symbolaudio. com ) Designer Chris Cushingham of Brooklyn, NY, crafts his own version of the hi-fi console out of walnut and corrugated cardboard.

He’ll also make you a custom one using your record player, audio gear and LP collection. (www.cushdesignstudio.com ) Bloomfield, Ct-based Salamander Designs conceals high-performance loudspeakers in elegant cabinetry. The Chicago model is clad in striated black oak, evoking the prairie grass of the Midwest. There are versions in walnut, American cherry and high-gloss white lacquer. (www.salamanderdesigns.com ) Italian designer Edoardo Carlino’s spacylooking Hi Can canopy bed incorporates a theater screen, integrated PC and game consoles, and built-in lights to create a selfcontained bedroom/playroom. (www.hi-can. com ) Replace ceiling, floor or table lamps with IAV Light speaker’s wireless fixtures and run your music through them. You get lighting; surround sound and no expensive wiring to deal with. For rentals and vacation homes, there’s an outdoor version built into a faux rock you could put on a patio. (www.iavlightspeaker.com ) Kohler’s Moxie showerhead has a Bluetooth speaker attachment so you can sync radio or playlists for bathing music. Disengage the speaker and carry it to another room, or the beach. Colors include white, cherry red, navy and chartreuse. (www.uskohler.com ) Ready for entertaining? Just hit “party” on Lutron’s new Homeworks system. It sets the mood of a room with spotlights, dimmable overheads, music and thermostat settings.

The company offers customized lighting options for a variety of moods and rooms. (www. lutron.com) If you’d just like to disguise outlet and vent covers, check out Trufig’s marble, wallpaper, wood or concrete flush-mounted options, which make the connection disappear into the wall. (www.trufig.com).--AP

10/23/13 7:36 PM

Boca Raton entrepreneur launches

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LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

F a s h i o n

gun fashion line

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uns and fashion shouldn’t be mutually exclusive, Boca Raton entrepreneur Susan Kushlin says. Kushlin loves shooting guns — and loves looking good — and she got tired of leaving gun trade shows emptyhanded. She wanted to be able to purchase something feminine to show off that she’s a shooter, but never saw anything to buy.

Susan Kushlin decided to take matters into her own hands.

She created Gun Girls, Inc, a fashion line offering an array of apparel and accessories designed exclusively for women. Her assortment includes $35 gold-toned bullet belts, $20 dangling gun earrings, $76 pink concealed-carry handbags and $21 rhinestone-studded tank tops bearing her company’s logo, a gun in a holster belt.

“There’s always things for guys. They can find anything they want there (at gun shows), anything from parts to shirts,” Kushlin said. “They have women’s things, but in my opinion they’re men’s shirts with women’s logos.“It’s not the same thing.”

The number of women participating in shooting and hunting sports has grown significantly in recent years, said Bill Brassard Jr, spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Businesses are taking notice. “Companies are responding to the marketplace,” Brassard said. “Existing companies are adding product lines specifically for women and new companies have launched.”

The foundation released a survey in August pointing out that the “face of America’s target shooters is changing.” New target shooters, classified as those who have taken up the sport in the past five years, are younger, female and urban compared to those who have been shooting for more than five years, the NSSF survey found.

More specifically, 66 percent of the new shooters are 18 to 34 years old, 37 percent are women and 47 percent live in urban or suburban areas. Debbie Donahue, facilitator of the Fort Lauderdale chapter of A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League, said women in her organization look forward to finding feminine, stylish clothing and bags that they can take to the shooting range.

The chapter launched this summer and most of its members are in their mid-30s, she said.

“They want the fashion side, the pink, the purple, the colors,” said Donahue. “What’s been out there is the male blue, black, gray … The holster or concealed-carry purses that are out there are pretty generic. Women are looking for bags that are also trendy, not just basic.” The Plantation resident says she’s pleased to see that more companies, like Kushlin’s, are focusing on women shooters.

Kushlin, who by day owns a pool maintenance company and mobile notary service, said she invested about $12,000 to create her product prototypes. She wants women wearing her products to feel not just lady-like but also empowered, whether at the range or elsewhere. “I want women to feel proud and say, ‘yes, I shoot’,” Kushlin said. “And look fashionable.”—Sun Sentinel

Susan Kushlin poses some of the products her company, Gun Girls, Inc.

Susan Kushlin poses with a concealedcarry handbag that her company, Gun Girls, Inc.

Susan Kushlin shoots a pistol while wearing one of the bracelets and chain belt.

Some of the bracelets, earrings and necklaces are seen that Susan Kushlin’s company, Gun Girls, Inc, created for women that enjoy guns on October 21, 2013 in Boca Raton, Florida.—AFP photos

A shirt is seen on a hanger Susan Kushlin’s company.

Gulf Bank Premium credit cardholders receive 25% discount at MAUBOUSSIN grand opening

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ulf Bank in partnership with luxury French jewelry brand Mauboussin, is offering the Bank’s premium credit cardholders exclusive discounts to celebrate the grand opening of the Mauboussin Boutique in Avenues Mall, Kuwait. During the grand opening of the Mauboussin jewelry Boutique, invitees received a special gift bag to mark the event containing a pendant and a discount voucher, as well as automatically being entered into a draw for a chance to win a trip to Paris.

Gulf Bank’s VISA Infinite, VISA Platinum and MasterCard Platinum cardholders who attended the grand opening and purchased items using one of these Gulf Bank cards, received an instant 25% discount on their purchases. The Bank’s promotion at Mauboussin will continue until 31 December

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2013. Mauboussin is an artistic French jewelry brand, established in Paris in 1827. Using women as its key inspiration, Mauboussin draws on the world of art, luxury, and fashion, to create iconic contemporary designs for the modern woman. The brand offers inspiring designs of watches, rings, engagement rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry.

To find out more about Gulf Bank’s latest promotions, customers can visit the Bank’s bilingual website www.e-gulfbank.com.

Customers can also visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance.

10/23/13 7:36 PM

Underwood will star on live TV in ‘Sound of Music’

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2013

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China temple fresco ‘restored’ with cartoon-like paintings

Pictures taken on October 14, 2013 show the current fresco in Yunjie Temple in Chaoyang, northeast China’s Liaoning province.—AFP photos

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These pictures show one of the ancient frescos that are currently covered by cartoon-like paintings.

Art thief

hinese authorities have “restored” centuries-old Buddhist frescos in a temple by painting them over with cartoon-like figures from Taoist myths, reports said Tuesday, prompting outrage online. It is the latest example of controversial heritage preservation in China, where many ancient structures have been destroyed in recent decades, sometimes to be replaced by replicas of the original. The temple in Chaoyang, in the northeastern province of Liaoning, was built more than 270 years ago and the delicate original paintings had survived, albeit crumbling, until the “refurbishment”.

The new paintings are bold, simplistic, and of completely different subjects, pictures showed. Chinese Internet users lashed out at the works on the country’s weibo microblogging sites, branding the new paintings “even worse than cartoons”. “As a

man from Chaoyang, I sincerely feel some people’s brains were kicked by a donkey,” wrote a user with the online handle Brave Brick. “I should have cut the frescos down with a knife and brought them home if I had predicted this.”

Another poster said: “Ignorance is horrible!” The tourist authorities in charge of the temple hired “substandard” contractors to carry out the maintenance work and the effects of the paintings were “inferior”, the News Express said, citing Li Haifeng, an official with the Chaoyang city government.

Two officials had been sacked over the incident, the Global Times reported, citing Li. A pagoda in the temple complex dates back to the Liao period (916-1125), it said, but the paintings were in a Qing dynasty hall.—AFP

s ay s r o b b e r y wa s t o o e a s y, t h r e at e n s to s u e m u s e u m

Photo shows a drawing for Claude Monet named “Waterloo Bridge”.

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Photo shows a drawing for Pablo Picasso named “Tete d’Arlequin”.

Romanian man who has admitted to stealing masterpieces by Gauguin, Monet and Picasso on Tuesday threatened to sue the Dutch museum he took them from for making his robbery too easy. Radu Dogaru is among six Romanians on trial for last year’s spectacular three-minute heist from the Kunsthal museum in Rotterdam which stunned the art world. Despite their 18-million-euro ($24 million) estimated value, none of the paintings that belonged to the Triton Foundation was equipped with an alarm, Dutch authorities said.

“I could not imagine that a museum would exhibit such valuable works with so little security”, Dogaru told the court on Tuesday. “We can clearly speak of negligence with serious consequences”, defence lawyer Catalin Dancu told journalists. “If we do not receive answers about who is guilty” for the failure of the security system at the museum, “we are considering hiring Dutch lawyers to start a legal case in The Netherlands or in Romania.”

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The lawyer explained that, if found guilty of negligence, the Kunsthal “would have to share the burden of compensation” with his client, who faces millions in claims from insurers. Among the paintings carried away in burlap sacks in the pre-dawn heist on October 16, 2012 were Pablo Picasso’s “Tete d’Arlequin”, Claude Monet’s “Waterloo Bridge” and “Femme Devant une Fenetre Ouverte, dite La Fiancee” by Paul Gauguin.

The missing paintings had been feared destroyed after Dogaru’s mother said she had torched them in her stove in the sleepy Romanian village of Carcaliu in a bid to destroy evidence against her son. Olga Dogaru later retracted her statement but experts from Romania’s National History Museum said ashes retrieved from her stove included the remains of three oil paintings and nails from frames used before the end of the 19th century.

“The paintings were certainly not destroyed. I don’t know where they are but I believe they have been sold”, Radu Dogaru told the judge on Tuesday, in his first public statement on the matter.

Asked about the nails found in his mother’s stove, he claimed his family had owned 19th icons. Last month, the director of Romania’s National History Museum said the nails could not come from icons.

Dogaru’s lawyer has in recent months made contradictory statements about the fate of the masterpieces, saying his client could give back five

Photo shows a drawing for Paul Gauguin named “Femme Devant une Fenetre Ouverte”. of them, without providing evidence, later alleging that they might be in Moldova. A separate investigation into the possible destruction of the artwork is pending. Dogaru said that after he was detained, his mother gave the paintings “to a Ukrainian man named Vladimir Vladimirenko living in London”.

She declined to comment in the court. Dogaru faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The next hearing is due on November 19.

Dogaru and his alleged accomplices all came from the same region in eastern Romania but lived in The Netherlands, and were under suspicion for robbery while their girlfriends allegedly were sex workers.

With little knowledge of art but eager to steal valuable old pieces, the group settled on the Kunsthal by chance. After searching for museums on their GPS, they initially found themselves at Rotterdam’s Natural History Museum, but soon realized its exhibits could not be resold. They then chanced upon a poster advertising an exhibition of 150 masterpieces at the Kunsthal. A Romanian art expert called to appraise two of the paintings in Bucharest helped the police identify the suspects.—AFP

10/23/13 7:37 PM