6th Nov 2013

CR IP TI ON BS SU

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Saudi Arabia unconvinced

by Kerry’s show of US goodwill

150 FILS NO: 15978 40 PAGES

Juve hope after draw against Real

‘Godzilla’ platypus found in Australia

152 Bangladeshi soldiers handed death over 2009 mutiny

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www.kuwaittimes.net

MUHARRAM 2, 1435 AH

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Oyster deaths smell fishy despite denials Reason for fish-kill off Khairan remains unknown

Max 28º Min 14º High Tide 00:23 & 14.22 Low Tide 07:50 &19:48

By Velina Nacheva conspiracy theories

We exist

By Badrya Darwish

badrya_d@kuwaittimes.net

I

t is not only the environment that is a catastrophe in Kuwait. Let’s talk about another more catastrophic and unsolvable problem which nobody cares about.

Guys, this time I mean parking. The word might mean little but the its effect is very huge and it has an impact on all of us in Kuwait. I am sure that all of you are facing, besides traffic, a parking problem wherever you go.

Just go to Hawally and you will get my drift. Hawally is one of the most condensed areas in Kuwait. Honestly speaking, I feel sorry for all the people who live in Hawally or who own shops there because there is not a single parking spot for them.

I don’t know what is the solution to the parking problem in Kuwait, in case somebody is thinking about one. I have not heard anybody - neither the traffic department nor parliament - worrying about parking. The MPs are only concerned with publishing their names in the paper and making grilling threats. This is all they are good at. I have not seen anything when it comes to finding solutions to real problems. How many parliaments have we had in the past few years, and none of them came up with any solutions.

Let’s get back to the parking problem. Why does this problem exist all over Kuwait? One of the reasons I noticed is that the Municipality, which is at the heart of the problem, is not bothered. This is the authority giving licenses for construction of residential or commercial buildings. Why aren’t they forcing building companies to construct enough parking lots under buildings? These parking lots will be offered to renters in the buildings.

They should not be sold to various companies as basement shops.

If there is such a requirement to have a parking lot with every flat, it means that it is never offered. Go and see for yourself that most of the parking lots under buildings have been turned into shops. They are never offered to residents. Why? Because we lack implementation of the rules and regulations. Even if the municipality’s inspectors roam around, wasta plays a big role. I haven’t seen a landlord punished or any landlord who was forced to give parking lots to the residents. Where shall people park their cars? May I know? Parking is a nightmare in Kuwait except for the two huge malls with large parkings - 360 and Avenues. Can’t the rest of Kuwait do the same?

Another factor that adds to the parking problem is wrong urban planning. All our ministries, schools and government buildings are located in one place. Can’t we have consultants in Kuwait for the Municipality and Interior and an Urban Planning Authority? Can’t they sit and plan for us? It is too late to start shifting parking lots but it is not too late to rearrange the city. There are many empty land plots. Can’t schools be shifted there? Can’t ministries be shifted out of the city.

I am neither an architect nor an engineer. I am a simple citizen. Wherever I go, I face a parking problem. I am sure you share the same problem. I hope that my screaming will reach somebody in the Municipality, the MPs’ ranks or the government. Please, look at us. We exist. Our problems should be solved.

Unwell Morsi in prison hospital CAIRO: Egypt’s ousted President Mohamed Morsi spent his first night in a civilian penitentiary in a hospital room after he complained he wasn’t feeling well, senior security officials said yesterday. The Interior Ministry denied that the 62-year-old ousted president, who until his first day of trial Monday had been held in a secret military facility, was ill. But it said in a statement on Egypt’s state news agency that Morsi was undergoing medical check-ups, and will be transferred to his regular cell later. Morsi was transported in a helicopter from the courtroom in eastern Cairo to Borg el-Arab prison complex, where a special pad had been prepared. Upon arrival to the prison, Morsi complained of high blood pressure and high blood sugar.

Another senior security official in Cairo said Morsi was agitated, and initially refused to put on the prison jumpsuit.

He had also refused to wear the prison outfit during the trial. He finally put it on after much discussion. The official said he was taken to a prison hospital room with a separate bathroom and a TV, instead of the small cell where he was supposed to go.

KUWAIT: A Kuwait Diving Team member examines dead oysters washed up on the shores near Khairan yesterday. — Photo by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: The reason for the catastrophic oyster massacre off Khairan seashore remains unknown.

“Something massive happened there,” said Dr Manaf Behbehani, a scientist from Kuwait University’s Faculty of Science, pointing at the pile of dead oysters spread across the seashore in Khairan, south of Kuwait City.

Speaking to Kuwait Times yesterday, he summed four possible causes of the kill as biological, chemical, physical or man-made. He explained that the reason for the fish-kill could be a natural biological cause, such as red tide or a virus or poisonous animals. According to him, the chemical cause could be from a desalination plant or chemical leakage and the physical reason could be sand covering the oyster bed. “Something happened there,” he said, elaborating that currently scientists and researchers are not excluding any cause. “For now we only have hypotheses,” he said.

Stressing that this is unprecedented for Kuwait’s seashores, team leader and President of the Environment Voluntary Foundation Waleed Al-Fadhel explained that the area where the fish-kill happened is the most popular site for oysters in Kuwait. ‘This is where our grandfathers used to dive and collect oysters,” Fadhel said.

The Kuwait Diving Team discovered that the oyster bed in Khairan area was normal yesterday; the density was also normal. Going northwards, however, they discovered that there were a smaller number of oysters in addition to dead oysters. Last week the lack of visibility did not allow the divers to investigate the reasons for the fish-kill. Yesterday, good visibility allowed them to see one meter under the seawater. But the Kuwait Diving Team said that they could not identify the reason for the fish-kill. The team managed to take a toxin sample which will be provided to the Environment Public Authority (EPA) laboratory for further tests and analysis.

Mahmoud Ashkanani, member of the Kuwait Diving Team, told Kuwait Times yesterday that the site was clean and there was no pollution detected. Asserting that investigations are still ongoing, he said that there is a law for the protection of seashells that individuals, companies and the authorities need to adhere to. “What we are sure is that whatever caused the oyster deaths, they were not pearl hunters,” Ashkanani explained.

Continued on Page 2

Brotherhood ‘cell’ on trial in UAE

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates’ state security court yesterday began the trial of 30 Emiratis and Egyptians charged with setting up an illegal branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The conservative monarchies of the Gulf have long viewed the Brotherhood a grassroots movement founded in Egypt more than 80 years ago - as a threat because of its political activism and advocacy for Islamic governance. A total of 24 defendants attended the hearing in Abu Dhabi, along with family members, civil society representatives and the media, the WAM state news agency reported.

The so-called “Muslim Brotherhood cell” comprises 10 Emiratis and 20 Egyptians, including six who remain at large. The judge appointed a three-member medical committee to perform check-ups on some defendants before adjourning the proceedings until Nov 12 to allow more time for lawyers to call in witnesses. Prosecutor Ahmed AlDhanhani accused the group of having “established and managed a branch for ... the international organisation of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, without a permit.”

The accused set up an administrative structure aimed at recruiting members for the

Muslim Brotherhood, strengthening its presence in the UAE and maintaining allegiance to the main party in Egypt, he said. The group also “raised money through donations, zakat (Islamic alms), and membership fees to support” the Brotherhood, he added. The Egyptian defendants, including doctors, engineers and university professors, were arrested between Nov 2012 and Jan 2013, according to Human Rights Watch.

The Gulf states have grown increasingly concerned about the Brotherhood following its prominent role in the Arab Spring uprisings sweeping the region. The group is

Indian mission to Mars blasts off successfully

NEW DELHI: India’s first mission to Mars blasted off successfully yesterday, completing the first stage of an 11-month journey that could see New Delhi’s lowcost space program win Asia’s race to the Red Planet. A 350-tonne rocket carrying an unmanned probe soared into a slightly overcast sky on schedule at 2:38 pm (0908 GMT), monitored by dozens of scientists at the southern spaceport of Sriharikota. After 44 minutes, applause broke out in the tense control room as navigation ships in the South Pacific reported that the spacecraft had successfully entered orbit around Earth.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Radhakrishnan allowed himself a smile, slapped a colleague on the back and announced he was “extremely happy” that the first objective had been reached. At the end of this month, once enough velocity has been built up to break free from Earth’s gravitational pull, “the great, long, difficult voyage will start” to Mars, he announced. “In September 2014, we expect this spacecraft to be around Mars and the challenge then is to precisely reduce the velocity and get it into an orbit,” he explained in comments broadcast by state television.

The country has never before

attempted inter-planetary travel, and more than half of all missions to Mars have ended in failure, including China’s in 2011 and Japan’s in 2003. Only the United States, Russia and the European Space Agency have been successful. The Mars Orbiter Mission, known as “Mangalyaan” in India, was revealed only 15 months ago by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, shortly after China’s attempt flopped.

The timing and place of the announcement - in an Independence Day speech led to speculation that India was seeking to make a point to its militarily and economically superior neighbour, despite denials from ISRO. The gold-coloured probe, the size of a small car, will aim to detect methane in the Martian atmosphere, which could provide evidence of some sort of life form on the fourth planet from the sun.

President Pranab Mukherjee called yesterday’s launch “a significant milestone”, while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent his best wishes “for the delicate next steps”. The mission has been hurriedly assembled, and was carried into orbit by a rocket much smaller than rival launch vehicles which can blast out of Earth’s gravitational pull and head directly for Mars. —AFP

SRIHARIKOTA, India: A rocket carrying the Mars orbiter takes off from this east coast island yesterday. — AP

banned in much of the region, and the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia pledged billions of dollars in aid to Egypt after the military overthrew president Mohamed Morsi, who hails from the Brotherhood, and launched a brutal crackdown on his supporters.

The top UAE court in July jailed 69 Emirati Islamists for up to 15 years each on charges of plotting to overthrow the government, at the end of a mass trial criticised by rights groups.

They were part of a group of 94 defendants, including 13 women. Prosecutors said the accused were linked to Al-Islah, a group with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. —AFP

Saudis round up thousands RIYADH: Stores in a usually bustling district of the Saudi capital were closed, construction work at some sites slowed and bakeries around the country shuttered yesterday, amid a clampdown on illegal workers. On Monday, authorities began arresting people overstayers who had failed to take advantage of a months-long grace period to leave or legalise their status, and detentions were continuing yesterday.

Residents in Riyadh said stores were closed in the popular Al-Batha commercial hub, a cheap market that employs low-paid Asian vendors. At the same time, residents said work had slowed at a construction site in Thumamama, north of Riyadh. And Fahd Al-Salman, chairman of the National Committee for Bakeries at the Council of Saudi Chambers, told the Arab News daily that the labour shortage had led to the closure of many bakeries in the kingdom.

Meanwhile, private schools that had closed on Monday re-opened following reassurances that expat teachers, working illegally, could remain until the end of the first school semester in December, residents said. Nearly 4,000 people have so far been arrested in Jeddah alone, the kingdom’s commercial capital, said local police spokesman Lieutenant Nawaf Al-Bouq. In the capital Riyadh, 818 illegal immigrants, including two women, were arrested yesterday, the police spokesman there General Nasser Al-Qahtani told AFP. In the southwestern Jazan province, border guards have arrested more than 8,000 people of various nationalities trying to cross the border to Yemen in the past 24 hours, the official SPA news agency quoted a spokesman there as saying yesterday. —Agencies

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Local S p e c i a l

r e p o r t

Oyster massacre

presents environmental catastrophe

Al Zour Plant seen in the distance of the Khairan seashore.— Photos by Yasser Al-Zyyat An open oyster at Khairan.

Countinued from Page 1

Dr Manaf Behbehani scientist at Kuwait University is taking samples from the oysters.

Team Leader and President of the Environment Voluntary Foundation Waleed Al-Fadhel (right) yesterday at Khairan seashore.

A track of dead oysters off the shore in Khairan.

The pile of dead oysters in Khairan.

What happens now?

According to Behbehani the first stage now is to quantify the size of the fish-kill followed by a thorough investigation of the cause. The latter undertaking would require the combined effort of various authorities and researchers from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, the Environment Public Authority and Kuwait University. Currently, Behbehani said, who are separately investigating the reasons for the fish-kill.

After the lab analyses and findings from KISR, EPA and KU are completed, the researchers will compare the results. Kuwait Times reported yesterday that the rate at which oysters were dying at Khairan beach has doubled since the incident was first reported a week ago. Due to sand shifting, however, the amount of dead oysters was visibly less yesterday.

The dead oysters are seen between thrown garbage on the seashore,

Catastrophe or not?

Initially a government authority rejected the claims about a potential environmental catastrophe. “The dead oysters were likely disposed by people who caught them for consumption or to look for pearls,” Dr Muna Husain, head of the biodiversity protection department at the EPA was quoted as saying in a statement last week. She said that dead oysters naturally do not float to the surface, but remain attached to the seafloor or rocks near the beach.

Moreover, last week the Environment Public Authority announced plans to take legal action against environmentalists who linked the massive oyster deaths to possible pollution.

Fadhel last week indicated that three types of shellfish, in addition to squids and algae, were found at the site, which he says supports the argument that what happened

was a result of pollution or a natural phenomenon. Stressing that the large number of dead oysters found makes it impossible to assume that the shellfish were caught and opened by humans. “Dead oysters were open 45 degrees whereas a person looking for pearls would open the shells 180 degrees.”

According to Fadhel, harvesting pearls is illegal in Kuwait’s territorial waters as per a decision of the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources in 2007 to protect the marine species from overfishing. The environmental catastrophe sparked public attention since it was first reported by the local press last Wednesday, as it highlights an environmental concern stemming from various reports about the pollution of Kuwait’s marine environment in recent years, and is surrounded with mystery given the state in which the dead shellfish were found.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

LOCAL Al-Tabtabaei denies involvement in Syrian bishops’ kidnap

Foreign ministry representative, Nasser Al-Musaeed with the Vatican minister of interior, Giovani Angelo and the Vatican ambassador, Rajic cutting a ceremonial cake.

Group photos of the participants

Runaway maids reluctant to use govt facility Specialized center

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Around 130 domestic workers have reported to a government shelter in Jleeb Al-Shuyuokh in recent months, and are reportedly receiving psychological and social rehabilitation for damages sustained as a result of abuse. But why such a low number, since some embassies are reportedly receiving 10-15 runaway housemaids every day? The Philippine Embassy, for example, has more than 100 runaway maids in their shelter. The Sri Lankan, Nepalese and Ethiopian embassy shelters have hundreds of runaway housemaids too. “If I am a housemaid, why I should run to Kuwaiti government facilities? I am not going there. How could I fight for my rights? I am not sure whether they are going to help me, so I am not going there if I am a housemaid,” a Filipina social worker told Kuwait Times. “At least my embassy will do something, but we are not sure if they’ll help my people,” she noted. “First of all we don’t know about the existence of the facility and where it is located. Second, we are not sure about our safety and security.

Third, I cannot be at ease as compared to my own embassy. They don’t speak my language, so it’s very difficult to deal with them and explain why running away was necessary,” she said.

The shelter for runaway housemaids was created to house maids that escape from their abusive employers. Certain procedures are in place to use them. The Philippine Embassy in Kuwait in June revealed that the Kuwaiti shelter has

reserved about 50 places for each embassy.

Officials at the shelter however were not immediately available to explain the requirements as to how the housemaids can make use of the facilities. Al-Jarida daily yesterday quoted Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor sources with knowledge of the issue that the housemaid shelter is ready.

The sources added that the ministry is preparing to transfer all workers in the temporary shelter that has a capacity of 60 people only to the new one which can house 700 people.

The shelter was officially opened earlier this year as “one of the best specialized centers for sheltering domestic workers in the Middle East,” according to the sources. The shelter provides professional help including treatment and counseling as well as services to help resolve pending issues between a worker and his or her employer.

According to the sources, the shelter offers workers a free plane ticket back home after a maximum two-week rehabilitation stint.

A social worker noted: “The issue is not the shelter - the real issue here is whether they’re treated well at their employers’ houses. The numbers of runaway maids is tremendous; there must be a reason for their discontentment, why? If they are treated well, perhaps they’ll not consider running away. We must educate not just the workers but also the employers.”

Meanwhile, the sources revealed that the shelter currently suffers shortage of therapists and social specialists, adding that it currently needs 8 social and psychological specialists.

Nationality status of 5,268 illegal residents verified KUWAIT: The number of illegal residents whose nationality statuses have been verified reached 5,268 at the end of October, since the establishment of the state body in charge of illegal resident affairs, it said yesterday.

About 3,929 illegal residents’ statuses were verified to Saudi nationals, 608 others to Syrians, 433 to Iraqi, 45 to Jordanian, 40 to Iranian and 213 to other nationalities, head of the state body Col Mohammad AlWuhaib said.

Their nationalities were verified according to the validity of their passports followed by the authentication of the documents submitted, he said, noting that the

adjustment mechanism is implemented in cooperation with the immigration investigation department at the Interior Ministry and the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI).

He called on those intending to declare their status to visit the center at the immigration department in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate.

Al-Wuhaib added that some of the benefits offered by the state body include a five-year stay in the country for the entire family of the illegal resident, free education, healthcare, subsidized food, priority of employment in the government sector and other privileges and exemptions. —KUNA

Govt convinced oil prices won’t drop below $75 KUWAIT: The government plans to set a minimum oil price of $75 per barrel in the state’s budget for the 2013/2014 fiscal year, up by $5 in the current year. Head of the parliament’s budgets committee Adnan Abdulsamad revealed that this decision is based on his panel’s recommendation “to adopt a more realistic price” in addition to “the government’s conviction that oil prices will not drop below $75 per barrel”.

Abdulsamad made his statements to Al-Rai which Sunday reported that that the Ministry of Finance decided to put the minimum price for oil at $75 per barrel on the basis of daily production capacity of 2.7 million barrels as the standard

for the new general budget of the state.

The minimum price in the 2012/2013 budget was $70 per barrel on the basis of 2.7 million barrels per day of production capacity as well. “The increase came after the committee demanded actual evaluation instead of creating a huge difference like in previous budgets,” the lawmaker said. The minimum rate is placed as a standard to assess surpluses and as a precautionary measure in case of a drop in oil prices. “We have to take precautions but not to that extent,” Abdulsamad said referring to the current budget. “Based on historical assessments, the government believes that oil prices will not drop below $75 per barrel”.

( Right to left) Kuwait Times Editor-in-Chief, Abd Al-Rahman Al-Alyan, minister Angelo, ambassador Rajic and other embassy staff members.

KUWAIT: An Islamist former lawmaker in Kuwait who previously boasted about fighting Syrian forces alongside rebel fighters denied involvement in the kidnap of two bishops in the troubled country.

Former Lebanese minister We’am Wahab had accused a “Kuwaiti Salafist” of kidnapping Bishop Boulos Yazigi and Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim in Syria, adding that the man which he did not name “was present in Turkey for a recent meeting which attempted to unify armed fighters in Syria”.

On that regard, Al-Rai daily contacted MP Waleed AlTabtabaei, who a few months ago posted pictures on his Twitter account which showed him standing besides ‘rebel fighters’ he joined voluntarily to fight against the regime forces. Al-Tabtabaei denied being the person that Wahab meant with his statements, but was able to identify the person in question as “Abu Abdullah from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant”.

Al-Tabtabaei further condemned “killing and kidnapping civilians that is taking place in Syria in the name of the Syrian revolution”. “The majority of those actions are unfortunately committed by non-Syrians, who have become a burden to the Syrian revolution after arriving from Kuwait and other Gulf or Arab states”, he admitted. And while he demanded immediate release of the two bishops and other kidnapped civilians. Al-Tabtabaei urged those who joined the rebel fighters in Syria to “focus on fighting the Syrian regime’s army”. He further expressed condemnation for “civilian trials done in the name of the Syrian revolution”, referring to executions committed by jihadists after a civilian is ‘sentenced’ publically in accordance with the Sharia Law. Al-Tabtabaei continued his criticism of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, accusing them of “attempting to copy their failed resistance experience in Iraq and move it to Syria”. “[The ISIL] is harming the pure Syrian revolution by releasing videos of decapitation and killing of civilians”, he said.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

LOCAL

kuwait digest

kuwait digest

Future of the national state

Too many discussions

By Dr Shamlan Al-Essa

Al-Anbaa

By Dr Sulaiman Al-Khadhari

D

uring a lecture at the University of Toronto, our instructed wanted to teach us about the art of debate. He divided the class into two teams, each with a different point of view on a virtual subject. The debate then started in a way similar to discussions held in the Canadian parliament. To be honest, that was a very exciting experience as each team vigorously defended their point of view and used different ways to support their arguments.

Each team presented very convincing arguments to the point I was not able to determine which one had a stronger one. But what stood out the most to me was comments made by the leader of one of the teams after the end of debate. He admitted that he was not convinced of the argument he defended, but he sugarcoated his speeches with ‘bombast’ to distract listeners’ attention away from the subject and instead draw them to the speaker’s personality. I still remember the sentence he said at the end of his thrilling confession: “My speech focused on presentation, while it had zero content”.

I am constantly reminded by my friend’s statement every time I look closely into our political, social or media reality. The main debate revolves around the true content of all the loud discussion of issues in Kuwait, and that content is of course the comprehensive concept of development. To be honest, the relative political freedoms we enjoy and which have always been a source of pride for our society are no longer a priority for many Kuwaitis. Many have expressed willingness to accept a political scene with ‘less freedoms’ similar to those found in nearby countries, as long as Kuwait can achieve similar progress as those countries have accomplished.

The problem is that the executive authority in Kuwait no longer has enough power to take crucial decisions in restructuring state departments and outlining correct policies to address errors in many cases. Regardless of whether reformist intentions are present or not, the deterioration in the executive and administrative system in Kuwait created a complicated reality that overshadows the government’s unconvincing promises of reform and development.

And as long as management over the executive authority remains in the hands of a government that has no capability to achieve reform, all I am concerned about is that we might see continuation of loud, excessive debate that has zero content. — Al-Rai

kuwait digest

Someone needs to provide answers

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

D

r Amani Bouresli was appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry in 2011, and a few months later, she was assigned as State Minister of Planning and Development as well. This means that one day, Dr Bouresli had our fate and the fate of our children in her hands. In response to the prime minister’s statement about the end of the welfare state, Bouresli - who by the way has international awards in research and development and teaches at the Faculty of Education in the Kuwait University made a more optimistic statement compared to the premier’s pessimistic one. She said in a Twitter post that sustainability of the welfare state is ‘possible’ and ‘easy’ if “oil revenues are invested to create alternative sources of income”.

It appears that Bouresli talks about oil revenues as if they are all kept in safes inside the Central Bank or in the Finance Ministry’s basement. What we know is that oil revenues are already invested and bring income that - just like oil prices - depend on the global fiscal activity. But who knows? Maybe there is mismanagement like everybody likes to speculate.

Bouresli has an internationally recognized experience in financial management, which makes her statements important enough for the parliament’s financial committee to discuss seriously.

The panel is required to meet Bouresli, in a meeting aired on live television, so that the people are directly informed about her vision to prevent the end of the welfare state. If none of this happens, this means that Bouresli is right, and that all ‘waste of

public funds’ accusations made against the legislative and executive authorities are real.

The issue gains importance because on one hand we have a warning from the government about an imminent crisis, and a statement from a former government official with knowledge of the state’s fiscal situations who has a completely different opinion.

Someone needs to provide answers and explain what is going on to the public. It is either that the prime minister is trying to cover up for corruption of some influential individuals as some people claim, or that Bouresli is hallucinating. And in order for Kuwaitis to know what is happening, the parliament’s financial committee is required to reveal the truth to the public. — Al-Qabas

“Kuwait can protect sustainability of the welfare state if oil revenues are invested to create alternative incomes as a replacement to taking taxes and fees from citizens,” Dr Amani Bouresli as posted on her Twitter account: @Abouresli

kuwait digest

Development of our youth abroad

By Dr Ghanim Al-Najjar

I

t was not the first time I was invited to participate in the activities of a Kuwaiti students’ union abroad. I was earlier invited by the Kuwait Students Union in the US to attend a conference from which I returned filled with absolute hope and belief in these young people’s potentials and ability to organize and hold qualitative events. I was also impressed by the quality and diversity of the activities they organized and wrote about that at the time.

A few days ago, the same happened with our students union in UK where I had the same feeling watching vivid diverse activities that introduced our whole society’s potentials and creativity because those presenting their ideas and experiences did not only include students; they included citizens from all specializations, potentials and

visions with the most important of them being the most generous and open-handed Loulwa Al-Qatami who, because of her few appearances, was a real addition to the forum. She spoke about her own experiences being among the first female students abroad in the beginning of the 1950s.

It is quite obvious that the development of our youth abroad is worth studying. They are getting more open for diversity and non-inertia. More importantly, it was a good chance to probe new young and ‘non-young’ potentials, abilities and experiences that we might not have had the a chance to get to know so closely otherwise. For two days, the forum richly explored history, comedy, poetry, law, education, health, sports and concerts. It was absolutely a wonderful bouquet. Another good thing is

probably the increase of the companies and establishments sponsoring the activities of our students abroad. It really deserves praise and more encouragement along with the presence of officials to discuss and respond to students’ questions and inquiries.

This calls for one major question. If this is the way our students abroad act, why then do they or the union staff disappear and vanish on returning to Kuwait? Why can’t we see their activities echoed in a most depressed society that suffers from severe waste of potentials and poor performances? Nevertheless, we still have hope in the youth because our current political elite lacks imagination, potentials and capabilities, needless to mention the wish to lead the society into more balance! — Al-Jarida

kuwait digest

Small minds, big titles!

By Dr Fahad Rashid Al-Muttairi

T

here is a common simile usually made between a driving license and a PhD degree, which is actually a successful one on grounds that since a driver’s license proves a driver capable of driving, a PhD degree proves that its holder is capable of conducting scientific research. It’s as simple as that!

Nobody is keen on getting the title of ‘Driver’ after getting a driver’s license.

So, what makes some so keen on getting the title of ‘Doctor’ after getting a PhD?!

When asked about his feeling after inheriting the title of a ‘Lord’ from his elder brother, Bertrand Russell said: “The title was very handy in facilitating the booking of a hotel room”. Russell was known to belong to a well-known aristocratic family. It was also known that he gave up his share of inheritance for moral reasons. He believed that there was no room in his pockets for money he had not earned. So money was not a temptation for this great thinker. No wonder then he was not tempted by titles either.

It is only small minds that are so keen on getting big titles. So many of them are so keen on holding the title of a doctor (PhD). If the reader makes a quick

tour amongst the scientific departments in our local universities, he’d mistake them for a hospital since he will find the word ‘doctor’ filling the place all around.

Even professors use it to call each other as if their first names are not enough.

Some professors even ‘invest’ the ‘Dr’ title outside the university campus and starts deluding himself and others that holding such a title entitles the bearer to self assuredly discuss any topic as if this word is the synonym of the word ‘expert’ while it does not necessarily mean so even in the holder’s own line of specialty!

Theoretically speaking, a PhD degree is an academic recognition that its bearer has made real contributions to a line of humanities. In other words, a is a certificate that reflects its bearer on scientific research. Nevertheless, when a degree becomes an end in itself, it turns from a substantial addition to human knowledge into a petty one of an individual’s lifestyle. Those seeking to hold PhD degrees for the wrong reasons are probably the unluckiest in making the best use of them. Generally speaking, those who seek titles most are the least to deserve them and the ‘Dr’ title is no exception of this rule! — Al-Jarida

T

he UAE’s Al-Ittihad newspaper forum was held in Abu Dhabi on 27th and 28th October to discuss the future of the national state in the Arab world, and 14 papers were submitted and discussed over the two days. The first paper was submitted by Mohammad Al-Mur, Speaker of the Federation National Council in the UAE, where he pointed to the importance of the forum’s subject at this stage with the Arab nation witnessing many changes that shake the existence of the national state and threaten to end it.

Among the reasons for these changes is the continuation of globalization and the change of the traditional functions of the state, along with the revolution of communications, knowledge, information and technology. He said that there are three basic elements that determine the principle of nationalism by the Arab citizen, and they are: 1. Status of each Arab country in the world order.

2. Stand of each Arab country towards other Arab countries.

3. The lack of understanding of nationalism inside the country.

The second paper was submitted by Mohammad Adjar, a former Moroccan human rights minister. He said that the national state in the Arab world faces historic challenges that affect the legitimacy of the national country, and shake the constitutional institutions on which they are built. It also crushed its structures and development and brought citizens out to the street to demand its ouster and the removal of its symbols. He wondered what made Arab countries face this dark and difficult fate and made Libya, Egypt, Tunis, Yemen and Syria fall in the crises of confronting the people.

Is it due to the invalidity of the classic principles of the state, or if the actual practice is what toppled the regimes despite all the slogans the political ruling regimes raise? Or is it due to international satellite channels brainwashing citizens’ minds. How does the national state face crimes and financial operations, thoughts and inter-continental values that penetrate all national borders? He wondered is it possible to imagine an existing national state that cancels the citizen, his rights, his happiness and this dignity from its calculation.

The third paper was by Dr Ammar Ali Hassan on the mechanism of achieving national integration, and started by saying that there is not one country around the world that enjoys total social harmony, as all countries are made up of different people, who if they are not tribes, then they are different sects, creeds, classes, groups, languages, and dialects. He laid the basics of national merger, and they are: 1. Willingness, because mergers by force cannot continue and live for long.

2. Joint structural features are the culture that control brains and polish them, and create and build the rules of co-living and accept the other.

3. The presence of a constitution and a just framework that indicates visions and practices within the state.

4. Emotional links.

5. Joint civilized political program.

My contribution or comment on some papers concentrated on the situation in the Gulf countries and I presented more questions than answers including: 1. Did we in the Gulf succeed in building a civil and democratic citizens’ state?

2. Were our Gulf countries established on citizenry basis, which is determined by the constitution and law to decide the relation between the rule and the ruled?

3. Were the political powers and parties in the Gulf established according to clear national principles, or were they established according to tribal, sectarian, nationalistic or Islamist affiliations?

4. Did the Gulf countries succeed in creating a citizens’ country instead of a tribal and sectarian components, or in other words, is our identity national, Arab or Islamists?

5. Why are the Gulf regime are still proud of tribal affiliation, and show the role of the tribes, their leaders and sheikhs, and do not bring out the civil-constitutional state principle which holds all society groups equal?

6. Did citizens in the Gulf achieve partnership and not participation principles? In other words, letting citizens have a say in major decisions that achieve their countries interests. Do we have a role as citizens, or are we marginalized?

7. The dilemma of the Gulf countries is that they marginalized the (Arab) national ideology, which in turn marginalized the democratic values, and the citizenry principle, and gave priority to the authority.

8. The alliance of some Gulf countries with political Islam groups led to the distancing of the citizenry idea and strengthened the idea of religious or sectarian affiliation at the expense of the state’s civility.

Finally, let us ask ourselves - are we really citizens in the Gulf? We are people who do not pay income taxes, no military service, we depend on foreign labor completely to a point where we have become a minority in our countries. Are we really citizens or pampered people who talk more than they do in service of our country.

— Al-Watan

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

LOCAL

News

in brief

Fairuz in custody KUWAIT: State security arrested Abdallah Fairuz on charges of insulting His Highness the Amir several times on his Twitter account. State security officers followed Fairuz’s moves until he arrived at the Graduates Society in Bneid Al-Qar where he attended a seminar and was arrested when he left the building Monday. He was taken to his house in Mahboula where all systems he used during the insults were found and confiscated.

Fairuz who always claimed to be a Kuwaiti was proven by investigations that he is an Egyptian and claimed the name of his stepfather and continued as such all the years that followed the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq and attempted to contest the latest parliamentary elections, but the lack of the Kuwaiti nationality kept him from that.

Phone disconnection KUWAIT: More than 35,000 telephone landlines went dead yesterday as the Communications Ministry implemented the programmed service interruption due to lack of payment. A source at the ministry said said that among the 35,000 lines in the six governorates there are 3,500 lines which were disconnected because of non-payment of dues . He said the ministry proceeded with the action after issuing warnings and SMS urging citizens and expats to pay what they owe. The source said the ministry made it easy to pay through various means and set a KD 50 limit for home and KD 100 for business before the service can be interrupted.

Smart stamps KUWAIT: The finance ministry will start using smart stamps next week in some ministries on a trial basis before generalizing them to all ministries and transactions before the end of this year. Informed sources said that it was agreed with all ministries to authorize the specialized company to cancel the paper stamps currently in use and introduce the smart stamps with special barcode. The source said the new stamps cannot be forged and revenues will go to the ministries that receive them — not to the finance ministry as the case now. He said the company will receive KD 0.350 for each stamp.

Kuwait denies reports on ending ‘welfare state’ DUBAI: A visiting senior Kuwaiti official has re-asserted the Kuwaiti Government’s keenness on maintaining high standards of living for its citizens saying its development program is aimed at ensuring sustainable welfare for the Gulf country natives. The Government of Kuwait has not declared “at all that the welfare State has come to an end,” stated the visiting Kuwait’s State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah, when asked by reporters about such reports. The government plan, recently submitted to the National Assembly, was themed “Toward Sustainable Welfare,” the minister clarified.

Shedding further light on the issue, the minister said the state development strategy included an explicit warning that hefty spending could not be sustainable and that the government should cooperate with all sectors of the society to transform it from “a consuming society into a producing one to ensure sustainable and continuous welfare.”

When asked about other details of the platform, the minister indicated that the 50-page development plan was accessible for the public via the internet. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has recently revealed the scheme in an address to the Parliament, noting, in part, that it was designed to achieve comprehensive reforms, activating sustainable development and realizing interests of the homeland and citizens, currently and in the future. His Highness Sheikh Jaber called for joint action and cooperation to realize development and sustainable welfare.

Other Kuwaiti officials had also denied such circulated reports. On Oct 21, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah denied the claims that the Government would lift citizens’ subsidies. In a statement, he affirmed its keenness on maintaining good living standards for the limited-income citizens.

He explained that remarks he had made during a recent interview with a television station dealt with a study on assessment and “rationalization” of the subsidies offered for the nationals, not lifting them. — KUNA

DUBAI: Kuwait’s State Minister for Cabinet Affairs and Health Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Sabah attends the Second Kuwait Week in Dubai yesterday.

No permissions to erect tents in front of homes KUWAIT: Director General of Kuwait Municipality Ahmad AlSubaih said no permissions have been given to erect tents in front of homes at all, adding that there is no current decision and no previous decisions in this regard.

He said the existence of such tents is illegal and contradicts rules and regulations. He said no municipality officials gave any statement allowing camping in front of homes, adding that with regards to camping in the desert, nothing has changed and the old law will be in effect.

Responding to a question about the participation of the private sector in the state’s development plan, he said the municipality extends its hand to the private sector in order to go further with the development of the country.

KUWAIT: Shaikha Al-Bahar, NBK Kuwait Chief Executive Officer with NBK officials in a group picture with newly hired staff.

NBK offers Kuwaiti graduates career, training opportunities KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) offers fresh Kuwaiti graduates and diploma holders career and training opportunities through its ongoing campaign “Looking for the career of a life time?”

This ongoing campaign is launched in support to the country’s aim to encourage young Kuwaitis to assume roles in the private sector. When applying, new Graduates will have the opportunity to join one of NBK’s training programs specifically designed to develop the skills of newly recruited diploma holders in order to prepare them as highly qualified Kuwaiti banking leaders of the future.

“This campaign succeeded in attracting hundreds of young nationals every year,” said Emad Al-Ablani, NBK Deputy General

Manager, Human Resources Group. “NBK provides this opportunity as part of its commitment to supporting Kuwaiti nationals.”

“NBK offers applicants different kinds of training programs that best suit their qualifications. These programs aim to provide the trainees with theoretical and practical skills covering the different aspects of the banking industry,” added Al-Ablani.

NBK maintains its leading position as one of the country’s largest employers in the private sector and is committed to supporting Kuwaiti nationals and empowering them to realize their potentials. For more information, Applicants may submit their CV via career@nbk.com or visit Human resources department at NBK Head Office.

Emad Al-Ablani

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

LOCAL

Teacher fired for sticking gum on student’s hair Expat ‘not complying with school rules’ KUWAIT: An expatriate teacher has been fired for sticking chewing gum on a student’s hair. The teacher, in her first months in the country, became exasperated with the seventh grade student who was chewing gum, and decided to punish her by sticking it into her hair. The student reported the incident and an investigation was launched by the education district and the education ministry legal affairs department, local Arabic daily Al-Watan reported.

The district recommended the termination of the teacher’s contract for failing to comply with the charter on avoiding the humiliation of students as a way to punish them.

Most online comments supported the decision, insisting on the significance of taking the right approach by teachers towards disciplining students. A few comments blamed the student for her misbehaviour by chewing gum in class.

‘Human foot’ victim Criminal Investigation Department officers almost uncovered all details regarding a case filed Friday after human remains were found in the Doha desert by identifying the victim 72 hours later. DNA tests revealed that a human foot found in the desert belonged to a Kuwaiti man reported missing since July 22, 2013. On Monday, crime scene investigators found the rest of the man’s body in the Judailiyat desert, around one kilometer away from the location where his foot was found. Investigators also found a breathalyzer near the man’s body, which suggest that he could have died of health complications. Detectives are waiting for the autopsy report to confirm the time and cause of the man’s death.

Work mishap Investigations are ongoing in the death of a man who fell into a hole in Messilah on Monday.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the Asian man fell accidently inside a hole in the ground at a construction site where he worked.

Crime scene investigators were called after paramedics pronounced the man dead on the scene.

The body was taken to the forensic department

for an autopsy after investigators finished examining the scene.

Kidnap, rape Maidan Hawally police are looking to identify and arrest three men accused in a kidnap and rape case filed by a man at the area’s police station on Monday. In his statements to police, the Filipino national said that the suspects forced him into their American-made sports utility vehicle (SUV) on Friday and took him to an apartment in the area. They stole his cell phone and KD25 from his wallet, then sexually assaulted him according to his account. The man added that he was subjected to sexual assault for two days before one of the suspects took him in the same car on the third day and dropped him near the Qadsiya Sports Club. Police obtained description of the suspects and their vehicle as investigations are ongoing.

Arson attack Investigations are underway to identify suspects in a fire reported recently in Fahaheel and in which foul play was found on the scene.

Firefighters to location where a fire was reported in three adjacent buildings, and the flames were soon extinguished without recording any injuries. Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire was deliberately started judging from traces of flammable substances found at the scene as well as unused boxes of flammable substances found at the stairways.

Husband’s forgery A man confessed for forging his university degree to apply for work as a teacher in Kuwait, and that following investigations in a case filed by his own wife. Jahra police station officers summoned the Arab man for questioning after his wife reported that he obtained a job at a private school through a forged university certificate. Preliminary investigations indicate that the wife decided to turn her husband in to police in ‘revenge’ following continuous domestic disputes. The man denied the accusations at first, but eventually admitted that he resorted to for-

gery after he dropped out of college in the third year. The man remains in custody pending legal action.

Suicide case A man was found dead in Amghara Monday and the case was classified as suicide based on preliminary investigations. Police and crime scene investigators headed to a location in the area after an emergency call, and found the Indian man hanging dead from a rope tied to the ceiling of his room. The body was taken to the forensic department after investigators finished examining the scene. Investigations are ongoing.

Missile deactivated Bomb squads deactivated a missile found recently in Al-Roudhatain where it had been lying since the 1990/91 Iraqi Invasion according to investigations. Explosives engineering officials accompanied police officers to the scene where a Kuwaiti man reported finding the missile. The area was swept for potential explosives after bomb squads successfully neutralize the missile.

Attempted kidnap A Kuwaiti man filed a case at the Roudha police station in which he accused two unidentified persons of attempting to kidnap his son. In his statements to police, the man said that the suspects approached his 13-year-old son and attempted to force him into their car, but the teenager managed to escape. Investigations are ongoing.

38,000 bottles Local authorities prepare to destroy around 38,000 liquor bottles seized in recent crackdowns in the upcoming dew days, a local daily reported yesterday quoting official documents from the Criminal Investigations Department and the Drug Control General Department. A similar operation was held last Sunday in which dozens of imported and homebrewed liquor bottles were destroyed.

Gulf Bank rehearses its fire safety precautions KUWAIT: Gulf Bank conducted a fire drill for its employees at its headquarters, as part of its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of its staff. Staff rehearsed evacuation procedures during the drill to ensure that they knew where to go and what to do in the event of a real emergency.

Prior to the drill, the Bank provided evacuation advice and instruction for all employees. This included instructions for security guards and floor wardens, directions for the evacuation and meeting points, treatment of documentation, use of elevators, not smoking and remembering to take personal belongings before leaving the Bank’s premises.

The emergency evacuation exercise is a

EQUATE, PACI launch self-service Civil ID kiosks KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company and the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) launched selfservice kiosks for company employees to issue human resources (HR) certificates by using the Smart Civil ID in cooperation with Diyar United Company.

The kiosks, considered the first of their kind at Kuwaiti companies, were launched under the patronage of PACI Director-General Bassam Musaed AlAsousi, with the attendance of PACI Deputy Director-General for Information Technology Mansour AlMethen, EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain and Diyar General-Manager Bashar Atout, as well as a number of leaders and employees from the three entities.

On this occasion, Al-Asousi said, “PACI is greatly pleased to have such a project with EQUATE as it represents a practical application of the Civil ID’s multiple uses by using the kiosks to issue HR certificates for the company’s employees. The Civil ID will be used to electronically identify the employee.

We consider this successful project as one of the important uses of the advanced capabilities in the Smart

Civil ID that provides the highest level of security to users.”

On his part, Husain said, “EQUATE pays great attention to its human resources who form the company’s most important cornerstone for success in all fields. There is no doubt that such collaboration with PACI and Diyar would contribute to saving the employees’ time and effort through using state-of-the-art technology, which is all part of manifesting EQUATE’s tagline of ‘Partners in Success’ and its continuous aspiration to further development and growth.”

In addition, Atout said, “We are proud to have such cooperation with PACI and EQUATE to execute this unique project to use the Smart Civil ID and integrating it with the self-service kiosks to issue HR certificate for EQUATE’s employees. Diyar has dedicated its staff’s expertise in the usage of Smart Civil ID’s and self-service kiosks to achieve this unique project within the set timeline.”

Through using the Smart Civil ID to electronically identify the user, the kiosks will allow EQUATE employees to instantly issue a number of authenticated HR certificates, such as salary

KUWAIT: EQUATE President and CEO Mohammad Husain with PACI Deputy Director General Mansour Al-Methen. certificate, salary continuity certificate, “To Whom It May Concern” letters, as well as other relevant matters.

Established in 1995, EQUATE is an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain

Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Commencing production in 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of a fully integrated world-scale manufacturing facility producing over 5 million tons annually of high-quality petrochemical products which are marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

top priority for Gulf Bank and is part of the Bank’s Safety Plan for all building occupants.

The success of the fire drill has helped to ensure that all staff are fully aware of the procedures they must follow to ensure their own safety, customers safety, and uphold the integrity of the Bank’s systems in the event that a fire or similar emergency happens.

All Gulf Bank head office employees participated in the fire drill, which was successfully completed in less than 10 minutes.

Gulf Bank organizes regular safety drills and briefings for employees as part of its strong commitment to upholding world class standards and operational practice.

PIC celebrates Golden Jubilee KUWAIT: Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) is to celebrate its Golden Jubilee at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel today, marking its 50 years in the business, under the patronage and the attendance of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad AlJaber Al-Sabah.

PIC, a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), was established by an Amiri decree issued on July 23, 1963.

PIC has established a firm footing for itself in the production of ammonia nitrogen fertilizers. It also set about establishing external affiliates for the production of a wider range of chemical fertilizers in various geographical regions, making it easier for PIC to supply its markets.

Over the years, PIC’s plants were expanded and new plants were installed. In 1970, two plants for the production of liquid ammonia and two for urea production were added. With the installation of another new ammonia plant in 1984, the production capacity of PIC’s ammonia and urea complex became the biggest in the middle east. PIC also operates a complex for the production of salt and chlorine in Shuaiba Industrial area. This is based on the latest technology and replaces plants formerly operated in Shuwaikh Industrial Area.

On June 28, 1989, PIC signed the licensing and basic engineering agreement for the Polypropylene Project with an annual production capacity of 100.000 tons.

On June 19, 1993, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Union Carbide Corporation for the construction of the Petrochemicals Complex at the Shuaiba Industrial Area. The project, which is one of the largest projects in the world at present, was onstream late 1997. It consists of units to produce 650.000 tons of ethylene and its deviative polyethylene and Ethylene Glycole annually. On July 15, 1995 the company signed the memorandum of association of Equate Petrochemicals Company with Union Carbide. Each company holds 45 percent of the capital and Bubyan Petrochemicals Co. holds 10 percent of the capital.

The Board of Directors of KPC approved styrene project in April 2002 as part of the aromatics project. Its seperation from the aromatics project was also approved by the Board of Directors of KPC on December 31, 2003 in resolution no. 65/2004.

On June 1, 2004 the Dow chemical company and PIC announced the foundation of two new joint ventures. These two joint ventures are MEGlobal and Equipolymers.

On February 23, 2010, Under the auspices of His highness Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait witnessed the opening ceremonies of the olefins II, at Al-Shuaiba industrial zone, the country’s largest petrochemical complex for producing Olefins, Aromatics, and Styrene with total cost of USD 2.1 billion USD.— KUNA

Labor issue presents challenge for Gulf cultural investments

KUWAIT: Arab Gulf cities are spending billions of dollars building new universities and museums, part of a longterm move to put themselves on the map as cultural hubs. With this bid for prominence, however, has come a wave of protest from abroad over labor rights that threatens to dent the value of these investments.

Gulf Labor, a group of artists formed two years ago to highlight what they see as exploitative labor practices on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, launched a year-long protest last month. Artists are to submit works that explore “the coercive recruitment and deplorable living and working conditions of migrant laborers in Abu Dhabi” who are building branches of the Guggenheim and Louvre museums on Saadiyat, a $26 billion megadevelopment with museums, universities, resorts, housing and golf courses.

Outrage over Gulf labor practices is nothing new. Gulf Labor’s artists did another boycott of the Frank Gehrydesigned Guggenheim in 2011, promising not to sell their work to the

museum unless conditions improved.

Human Rights Watch raised the alarm about labor on Saadiyat in 2009, and said last year that while things had improved, developers “need to do more to curtail the abuses.” A report in The Guardian newspaper this September about workers building infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar brought a new round of scrutiny to labor in the region.

The underlying issue is that the GCC’s construction workforces consist largely of low-wage workers imported from Asia and the Subcontinent. This is, on one hand, globalization in action: an example of labor gravitating toward where it is cheapest. On the other hand, Gulf countries have been roundly criticized by rights groups over reports of mistreatment of these workers and their lack of basic labor rights.

Workers aren’t allowed to form unions to bargain for higher wages, for one thing. Many of them arrive only to have their passports confiscated, effectively putting their freedom

to quit and return home at the whim of their employers. Plenty are recruited by agents at home and pay fees that take years to pay back, resigning them to staying and working even if they’d rather not.

Gulf countries have fought back by outlawing the practice of confiscating passports and taking other measures to show the outside world that their laborers are treated humanely and live in well-kept quarters. Labor unrest, however, has continued to break out sporadically, including strikes early this summer by workers for Arabtec, the GCC’s biggest construction firm by market value, demanding higher wages. A brawl broke out in May among workers on Saadiyat. The usual response to such strikes is the deportation of the people leading them.

The labor issue may present a particularly confounding challenge for the region’s cultural investments, like the museums and schools on Saadiyat, which include a branch of New York University. While it might be hard to convince holidaymakers not to

come to the region’s beaches or hotels, such appeals may more readily hit home with the world’s cultural elite. As former New York Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff pointed out in 2011, many of the people protesting the Guggenheim are prominent Middle Eastern artists that the museum would probably like to court, given that a major focus of its collection is contemporary art from the region.

In this sense, the labor question could be another obstacle in the way of Gulf cities trying to put down roots as cultural hubs. While some commentators say the Gulf cities are already beginning to encroach on traditional Arab centers like Cairo, Beirut and Damascus, others question their viability, arguing that investment in cultural infrastructure does not equate to endemic cultural development. If protests over labor practices intensify, they only add another layer of risk to these investments, which are supposed to lay the foundations of the region’s bid for cultural preeminence.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Terror suspect evades UK police by donning burqa

Many women in JFK’s life - it’s complicated Page 10

Page 9

152 Bangladeshi soldiers sentenced to death 823 soldiers, 23 civilians charged with murder, torture

US gunman found dead NEW YORK: A young man who opened fire at a New Jersey mall has been found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot, an official said yesterday. No one was hurt in the incident in Paramus, about 20 miles from New York City. The gunman was found in an under-construction area of Garden State Plaza mall, Bergen County prosecutor John Molinelli said, according to local TV affiliate CBS New York. He said the suspect, identified as 20-year-old Richard Shoop, had killed himself with the same weapon he used in the mall and that a note had been found.

“There was no one that was injured in this incident, there was no individual that was struck by anything other than Shoop taking his own life,” Molinelli said. “I do not believe that Shoop intended to come out of here alive.”

Paramus police declined to release any details of the incident. Authorities had put the shopping mall on lockdown late Monday after the gunman opened fire, sending shoppers and employees scurrying for cover. “He came to the mall, fired what is at least six rounds at random, striking several different locations in the mall,” Molinelli said.

“The bullets were fired into an escalator, into an elevator area. There was some property of retailers that was struck a facade area - and there were a couple of shots that were shot straight up,” he added. Many stores scrambled to close their gates at the popular mall in a suburban area. Molinelli said the weapon Shoop used was modified to look like an AK-47 assault rifle but said “it was a lawful weapon owned by his brother,” adding investigators believe Shoop stole the gun from his brother earlier in the day.

The incident initially recalled September’s tragedy at a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, where an attack claimed

by Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab killed at least 67 people. It was the latest in the epidemic of gun violence plaguing the United States. On Friday a gunman opened fire at Los Angeles airport and killed a Transportation Security Administration agent. —AFP

DHAKA: A Bangladeshi court sentenced more than 150 soldiers to death and jailed hundreds more yesterday, following a mass trial over a 2009 mutiny in which scores of top officers were massacred.

Some 823 soldiers plus 23 civilians appeared in a special court charged with murder, torture and other offences over the mutiny, in which 74 people were shot, hacked to death or burnt alive before their bodies were dumped in sewers or shallow graves.

the uprising that started at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters in Dhaka and spread to other BDR bases.

“The atrocities were so heinous that even the dead bodies were not given their rights,” Judge Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman told the packed court in the capital as he read out the long-awaited verdicts. The uprising briefly threatened the newly elected government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a country with a history of

CAIRO: An Egyptian relative of one of the victims of a shooting spree targeting a wedding at a Cairo Coptic Church is comforted as she mourns at a morgue in the capital yesterday. — AFP A judge passed the death penalty on 152 of the soldiers, who looted weapons and led the killing spree partly in anger that their longstanding pleas for better pay and treatment were ignored.

Another 161 soldiers plus some civilians were sentenced to life in prison while 262 defendants were jailed for up to 10 years, over

military-backed coups. Executions by hanging are regularly carried out in Bangladesh. Lawyers for the soldiers on death row said they will appeal. The judge acquitted another 271 people, prompting chaotic scenes in the court. Many cheered and cried out “Allahu Akbar!” (God is great). Several of those convicted screamed at the

judge in anger, with one soldier crying out: “I am innocent. You will face Allah’s wrath.” “I don’t need a life term. Hang me, hang me!” another shouted. Nearly 6,000 BDR soldiers, a paramilitary corps responsible for patrolling the nation’s borders, have already been convicted by dozens of special courts over the mutiny, whose victims included 54 top officers. The 823 soldiers were singled out for prosecution in a civilian court for leading the mutiny at BDR headquarters, after earlier being found guilty in military courts.

Twenty-three civilians were also charged with criminal conspiracy. A former opposition MP and a junior official from the ruling party were given life sentences yesterday for assisting the uprising.

The 823 shackled soldiers were crammed into the specially built courtroom, sitting on long rows of benches before sessions judge Akhtaruzzaman to hear the verdict. Families of 10 of the slain officers were also in court. “Today we have got justice. The dead will finally find peace and their families will now get some solace,” Major General Aziz Ahmed, chief of the renamed Border Guards, said after the verdict.

An official probe into the mutiny blamed years of pent-up anger among ordinary soldiers over ignored pleas for pay rises and for improved treatment. Resentment of better-paid superiors built up. The judge said the soldiers, who earned about $70 a month, should have been given better benefits and treatment to defuse the resentment, saying they could not afford to send their children to military-owned schools.

Security was tight at the court, with several thousand security officers deployed outside as a precaution. The case comes as Bangladesh reels from a political crisis that has left some 20 people dead as the opposition campaigns to force Hasina to quit. The opposition yesterday staged the second day of a strike as part of the campaign, which started on October 25 and has seen clashes between activists from both major parties and their allies and police. Deadly violence has also erupted this year in protest at the sentencing to death of seven mainly Islamist leaders for atrocities committed during the 1971 war of independence. During the 2009 uprising, the mutineers stole around 2,500 weapons and broke into an annual meeting of top BDR officers before shooting them. They also stormed the house of the BDR head on the base and killed his wife, domestic staff and guests, before setting fire to the building and stealing valuables including gold jewelry.

Lead prosector Baharul Islam said the case was the largest of its type in the world, with hundreds of witnesses called for the trial that started in January 2011 and finished in October this year. But rights groups have criticized the hearing, saying it was simply too large to deliver justice. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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

Zarif, Iran’s veteran diplomatic troubleshooter TEHRAN: Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, could be the key to solving Tehran’s nuclear standoff with the West, having worked to resolve various crises in the Islamic republic since the 80s. The 53-year-old diplomat’s latest challenge is overseeing Tehran’s team of negotiators in meetings with world powers at a new round of talks in Geneva tomorrow, as Iran seeks to lift crippling sanctions against its economy.

Zarif is fluent in English and is the only minister to have official accounts on Facebook and Twitter, both banned in Iran.An international law PhD holder from University of Denver, he is popular with intellectuals and the youth, with nearly 500,000 followers on Facebook.

In charge of nuclear talks with the world powers, Zarif is a veteran loyalist of the Islamic revolution that toppled Iran’s USbacked monarchy in 1979. He believes in the country’s pursuit of nuclear power, which the West suspects is aimed at developing atomic weapons, despite Iranian denials.

But his moderate views on recent nuclear negotiations and foreign policy have clashed with ultraconservative fac-

tions in the regime. An advocate of public diplomacy, he has years of experience in multilateral negotiations after serving as a diplomat to the United Nations for more than 20 years. He is also well versed in American culture and knows how to negotiate with the “Great Satan.”

Raised in a religious family in Tehran, he said in his best-selling biography “Mr Ambassador” that he did not listen to music until he was 15. He also revealed that his wife-then a devout revolutionary-did not allow him to buy a television for nearly 10 years when they lived in the United States in the 80s. But his wife became a follower of a moderate religious figure whose teachings changed “her into a quiet person filled with patience and tolerance”. “The new version had the greatest influence on our family”, said Zarif, who has two grown children. His involvement with politics goes back to his teenage years, when he participated in secret meetings in the run-up to the revolution.

At 16, his parents sent Zarif to California after he was threatened with arrest by the Shah’s regime. There, he joined the Islamic Student Association

and met many friends who later became political figures in Iran. Among them was the brother of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, president between 1989 and 1997. Zarif also met, but did not get along with, Saeed Emami, a hardliner who later became a deputy minister of intelligence. Emami committed suicide in prison after being arrested in 1999 for the assassination of political dissidents.

THE NEW YORK CLIQUE Following the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran by Islamist students and the subsequent severance of ties with Washington, Zarif was sent to shut down Iran’s consulate in San Francisco.

He then studied international relations, to better serve the Islamic republic, he said, and wrote a dissertation on “sanctions in international law.” In the late 1980s, he joined the Iranian delegation at the UN and was ambassador from 2002 to 2007, during the presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami. But hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sacked him, and his stint in the US earned him the hostility of the ultraconservative camps, who

denounced the “New York Clique” and Zarif’s leading role in it.

He was tipped for the post of foreign minister by President Hassan Rouhani, a moderate who won a surprise victory against conservative candidates in presidential elections in June. Zarif won a vote of confidence - 232 in favor out of 280 votes cast-of the conservative-dominated parliament for the post, after showing off his oratorical skills in a speech urging moderation and with references to the Muslim holy book, the Quran. He also has a record of taking part in key negotiations.

Zarif was a member of Iranian delegations which negotiated a ceasefire with Iraq, secured the release of American hostages in Lebanon and managed to convince Tehran to assist the US against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. In 2003, he accompanied Rouhani to negotiations with the three European powers-Britain, France and Germany-in which Iran agreed to halt sensitive enrichment activities and strengthen international supervision of its nuclear sites, an agreement later terminated by Ahmadinejad.—AFP

Iran’s Foreign Minister MohammadJavad Zarif

Tunisia crisis deepens Islamists, oppn fail to agree on independent PM

ALEPPO: Syrians pass through the Garage Al-Hajez crossing point that separates the rebel (foreground) and government (background) controlled areas of Aleppo yesterday. — AFP

‘Geneva 2’ under way as Assad remains in power GENEVA: Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi met US and Russian officials yesterday to discuss convening long-delayed Syrian peace talks this year despite disputes over President Bashar Al-Assad’s future and whether his ally Iran can attend. Hours earlier, Damascus reiterated that Assad will stay in power come what may, casting doubt on the political transition that is the main focus of the proposed “Geneva 2” conference.

Brahimi, the UN-Arab League envoy for Syria, conferred with US Under Secretary Wendy Sherman, US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and Russian deputy foreign ministers Mikhail Bogdanov and Gennady Gatilov at the United Nations in Geneva.

After their closed-door talks, they were to be joined by officials from the other three UN Security Council permanent members Britain, France and China, as well as Syria’s neighbors Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, and the Arab League.

A UN source said that even if a conference date could not be announced immediately, the aim was to “at least see that all the parties and groups are ready for a date”.

This is by no means certain, given gaping international divisions over Syria and the disarray among Assad’s opponents. The Syrian leader himself appears in no mood for compromise. “Syria - the state, the nation and the people - will remain and...Assad will be president of this country all the time they are dreaming that he isn’t,” the Syrian state news agency quoted Information Minister Omran Zoabi as saying on Monday night.

International efforts to end the conflict in Syria, which has killed well over 100,000 people, driven millions from their homes and further destabilized the region, have floundered. “One thing is certain, there is no military solution for the conflict in Syria,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Warsaw yesterday, asserting again that

Assad must go. “I don’t know how anybody believes the opposition is going to give mutual consent to Assad to continue,” he said.

The proposed peace conference is meant to build on a June 2012 agreement among world powers in Geneva that called for a transitional authority with full executive powers, but left open whether the Syrian president could play any part. Russia said Iran must be invited to any such peace talks, after the main Syrian political opposition leader said his coalition would not attend if Tehran took part. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also rejected Syrian National Coalition chief Ahmad Jarba’s demand for a time-frame for Assad to quit, ruling out any such preconditions for “Geneva 2”.

“All those with influence on the situation must certainly be invited,” Lavrov told a news conference. “This includes not only Arab countries but also Iran.” However, he indicated that Iran and other outside players need only be represented at the outset of the conference proposed by the United States and Russia. “At subsequent stages the Syrians - as conceived by the RussianAmerican duet and supported by everyone else - will talk to each other directly with mediation by...Brahimi and his team,” Lavrov said. Saudi Arabia and the United States oppose any invitation for Iran, which along with Russia, is a firm ally of Assad.

The Arab League gave its blessing on Sunday to the proposed peace talks and urged the opposition to form a delegation under the leadership of Jarba’s coalition. But even with Arab diplomatic cover, it is unclear whether the opposition, which has scant influence with rebels fighting in Syria, some of them linked to Al-Qaeda, will attend. “The Qataris have been trying to hammer out a united position between the opposition, but I don’t think they will succeed,” said an Arab diplomat in Geneva. —Reuters

Mali pays homage to 2 French journalists PARIS: The bodies of two French journalists shot dead in the rebel-infested northern desert of Mali arrived home in Paris early Tuesday, as Bamako vowed to hunt down their killers. The Air France flight carrying the coffins of of Ghislaine Dupont, 57, and Claude Verlon, 55, arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport in the French capital from Bamako.

The two journalists working for Radio France Internationale (RFI) were kidnapped and killed by what French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called “terrorist groups” in the flashpoint northeastern town of Kidal on Saturday. “We will do everything to find the culprits,” Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita vowed as he met with members of the RFI management in the capital of the west African nation on Monday.

“Today even, we have opened a criminal investigation into the killings and tonight French investigators are expected here to work hand-in-hand with their Malian coun-

terparts,” he added. The victims’ bodies were flown to Bamako on Sunday night, where hundreds of Malian reporters and RFI colleagues marched through the streets in silent tribute. “We organized this silent march to say ‘never again’-the perpetrators of this crime must be punished,” said Makan Kone, president of the capital’s media association, the Bamako Press House.

Keita later attended a ceremony at Bamako airport with several government ministers in honor of the journalists, saying he was in contact with French leader Francois Hollande and the investigation was “progressing”. The president said he thought of Dupont, a correspondent with years of experience reporting on Africa, as his “own daughter”. A police source in Gao, the main city in northern Mali, said “a dozen suspects” had been detained but a source close to French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian denied there had been any arrests.—AFP

TUNIS: There was no end in sight to Tunisia’s months-long political crisis yesterday after ruling Islamists and the opposition failed to agree on an independent premier after two missed deadlines. The birthplace of the Arab Spring has been mired in political stalemate following the assassination of two prominent opposition leaders by suspected jihadists earlier this year.

The opposition has accused the ruling Ennahda, a moderate Islamist party, of having failed to rein in extremists long-suppressed by former strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as the country has been rattled by a string of attacks mainly targeting security forces.

The ruling Islamists and the opposition opened hard-won talks on October 25 to form a government of independents, draft a muchdelayed constitution and prepare for elections as part of a roadmap with a tight timetable.

But on Monday mediators from the powerful UGTT union confederation said the dialogue had been suspended until there are “favorable grounds for talks to succeed,” after the two sides failed to agree on a new prime minister. Yesterday the local press lamented the failure to reach an agreement. “The talks have revealed another crisis, in addition to the political, economic and social crises... It is the crisis of the domination of partisan interests to the detriment of the national interest,” the Arabic-language Assabah newspaper said.

The French language La Temps said the failure of the talks was “inevitable,” as the two sides had “hardened their respective positions.” The two frontrunners for premier were opposition-backed 79year-old Mohamed Ennaceur, and

PARIS: Tunisia’s president Moncef Marzouki arrives to meet his French the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday. — AFP Ahmed Mestiri, an 88-year-old sup- National Salvation Front coalition. ported by Ennahda and its allies. The opposition said it had proBoth are well respected and served posed other candidates but that under the late Habib Bourguiba, Ennahda had rejected those as well.

Another opposition member, who led the fight for Tunisia’s independence and served as its first Samir Bettaieb, had meanwhile president for three decades from warned that “the negotiations will 1957. But the opposition said be doomed if no consensus is Mestiri was too old and would be a reached” on Monday, after an earlipuppet in the hands of Ennahda, er deadline had passed Saturday. which refused to budge. “We don’t The opposition has demanded a see any alternative to Ahmed new government of independents, Mestiri,” Ennahda chief Rached accusing the current line-up of failGhannouchi said after the failed ing to combat jihadists after the talks. The ruling coalition “made the assassination of MPs Chokri Belaid dialogue fail. They are looking for in February and Mohamed Brahmi any means to stay in power,” coun- in July. After months of stalling, tered Hamma Hammami, a repre- Ennahda opened talks with the sentative of the opposition opposition in line with the

Iran looks for ‘content’ in new nuclear talks TEHRAN: Talks to resolve a protracted row over Iran’s nuclear ambitions resume this week in Geneva, with Tehran’s negotiator saying he hopes to begin discussing the “content” of an accord. The so-called P5+1 group of major powers will meet with Iran’s nuclear team on Thursday and Friday for the latest round of negotiations revived after the election of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a reputed moderate who has vowed a new approach.

Both sides hope to build on a meeting last month hailed as “substantive” by all sides, at which the Iranian delegation outlined a new proposal and met bilaterally with its US counterpart for the first time since 2009. The United States is part of the P5+1, which also includes Britain, China, France, Russia, and Germany. According to Iranian officials, the proposal-whose details have been kept secret-envisages a first and a last step which Tehran hopes can be implemented within three months and a year, respectively.

Iran’s lead negotiator in Geneva, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, said Monday that a “negotiation framework” had been agreed. “Our expectation now is to begin discussions on content and then move towards an agreement on content,” Araqchi told the ISNA news agency. Despite the positive atmosphere in the talks, conducted in English for the first time, substantial differences remain as Iran seeks relief from crippling international sanctions.

A senior Western diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity said after the last round of talks in Geneva that an immediate solution was not in sight. “The differences remain very large in terms of what the steps should include,” the source said. Technical discussions were held last week in Vienna at the level of experts to prepare for the political meeting this week. Ali Vaez, the senior Iran analyst for the International Crisis Group said that more such meetings are necessary “to narrow the gap and hammer out a mutually acceptable agreement”.

Iran hopes to bring about the lifting of sanctions, while Western powers and Israel are seeking to curb its uranium enrichment program, which they say is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon, allegations vehemently denied by Tehran. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 10 News this weekend, lead US negotiator Wendy Sherman defined “progress” as stopping the nuclear program from advancing further while negotiators try to reach a comprehensive agreement.

She said Washington was prepared to offer “very limited, temporary, reversible sanctions relief” while maintaining the “fundamental architecture of the oil and banking sanctions-which we will need for a comprehensive agreement, not for a first step”.

Khamenei says negotiators are not ‘compromisers’ Vaez meanwhile cautioned that negotiators still have a long way to go in resolving the decade-long dispute, pointing out that each side will have to hold its hardliners in check.

“Although the P5+1 has-for the first timeagreed to define the broad contours of an end-game, spelling it out will be groundbreaking and will require more discussion with Iran and within the P5+1,” he said. The meeting this week will be the second such gathering since Rouhani took office in August with a pledge to resolve the nuclear issue and lift the sanctions through constructive engagement.

However the conduct of his nuclear team, overseen by Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, has come under fire from hardliners at home wary of compromise on what Iran sees as its right to nuclear enrichment.

But the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final word on all major policy issues in the Islamic republic, including the nuclear dossier, threw his weight behind the nuclear team on Sunday.

“No one should see our negotiating team as compromisers,” Khamenei said, adding that they needed national support in their “difficult mission”.—AFP

counterpart prior to a meeting at roadmap, and Prime Minister Ali Larayedh has said he will step down as long as the timetable is respected. The political gridlock has been accompanied by a rise in violence, with two botched suicide bombings at tourist sites last weekin which the only casualty was one of the attackers-and the killing of nine police in October. The government has condemned the violence and linked Tunisia’s armed jihadists to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), but says it lacks the resources to combat them. On Sunday, the presidency ordered an eight-month extension of a state of emergency, which has been renewed repeatedly.— AFP

News

in brief

Mafialeaks: Spilling the beans on the gangsters ROME: A group of Italian computer boffins have launched a new website, Mafialeaks, aimed at encouraging victims of organized crime and former gangsters to spill the beans, La Repubblica newspaper reported yesterday. The site will allow people “to denounce mafia activities anonymously, protecting those who supply the information,” the daily said, citing one of the creators. Mafialeaks is aimed at victims-such as shopkeepers or businessmen forced to pay protection money-as well as ex criminals who want to inform against their former partners and bosses and citizens who have uncovered mafia villainy. Information posted to the site is directed through the Tor anonymity network to protect user identities and is passed to sources such as antimafia magistrates, journalists or the police.

Gunmen kill 5 Sunnis in southern Pakistan KARACHI: Gunmen in Pakistan’s financial metropolis Karachi shot dead five Sunni Muslims a day after six minority Shiites were killed in the same city, officials said. Police said the five belonged to the conservative Deobandi movement and were either members of sympathizers of banned extremist outfits. “Apparently they were targeted because of their sect,” senior police officer Muneer Shaikh said. The shootings took place in different areas of Karachi, Shaikh said, but declined to comment on whether they were revenge killings following the murders of the Shiites on Monday.

Shootings, bombings kill 12 people in Iraq BAGHDAD: A double suicide bombing and other attacks killed 12 people in Iraq on Monday, said officials, while Iraqi legislators passed a law laying the groundwork for next year’s parliamentary elections. Violence has spiked in Iraq since April, with the pace of killing reaching levels unseen since 2008. UN figures released last week showed that at least 979 people, mostly civilians, were killed last month alone. The latest attacks came two days after Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki returned from a trip to Washington in which he sought assistance fighting the insurgency, including weapons and help with intelligence.

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Florida schools aim to cut ‘school-to-prison pipeline’ Deal reached to reduce number of students being charged

LONDON: A combination of handout still images shows Somali-born terror suspect Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, aged 27, entering a mosque in London, wearing Western-style clothes, and (Centre) & (Right) later leaving, disguised as a woman, with his face and body fully covered by a burqa. — AFP

Terror suspect evades UK police by donning burqa LONDON: The British government has defended its terror prevention measures after a Somali-born suspect escaped surveillance by putting on a burqa during a visit to a mosque.

Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, 27, who was subject to an order restricting his movements, entered a mosque in London on Friday wearing Western-style clothes but CCTV images showed him leaving disguised as a woman, with his face and body fully covered.

He is understood to have received training and fought overseas for the Somalia-based Shebab, the Al-Qaeda-linked militants who launched the attack on a Nairobi shopping mall in September in which at least 67 people were killed. British newspapers yesterday reported that Mohamed was trying to join up with terror suspect Samantha Lewthwaite. The British woman, also known as the White Widow, is wanted for alleged terror offences in Kenya.

She is the widow of Germaine Lindsay, one of four Islamist suicide bombers who attacked the London transport network on July 7, 2005, killing 52 people. The Times also reported that Mohamed had been cleared of tampering with his electronic monitoring tag on the day of his disappearance. Home Secretary Theresa May, the interior minister, said that the suspect did not pose a “direct threat” to Britain. “The police and Security Service have confirmed that they do not believe that this man poses a direct threat to the public in the UK. “The reason he was put on a TPIM in the first place was to prevent his travel to support terrorism overseas,” she said in a statement to parliament. Mohamed is under a Terrorism

Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM) notice, which was imposed primarily to prevent overseas travel. He is the second person to breach such an order since Prime Minister David Cameron’s government introduced them to replace control orders in early 2012.

They allow suspects to live in public but under stringent restrictions.

Another suspect, Ibrahim Magag, tore off his electronic tag and vanished in a taxi last December. He has not been seen since. A spokesman for Cameron said that the government would “look at whether there are lessons that can be learned” following the latest disappearance. Yvette Cooper, home affairs spokeswoman for the main opposition Labor party, described the situation as “extremely serious” and demanded answers from the government on how Mohamed was able to abscond.

“The home secretary also needs to provide information about the decisions made over Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed’s TPIM, how he was able to abscond and what the risks to the public are,” she said. It is believed Mohamed attended a training camp in 2008 and is understood to have helped people travel to Britain from Somalia to allow them to engage in terror-related activity. He is also believed to have procured weapons for terror use. One lawmaker from Cameron’s Conservative party said the incident reinforced the need for a ban on facecovering burqas and niqabs, like France and some other European countries have introduced. Gerald Howarth called on May to “have the burqa banned in this country because it is alien to our culture, and has enabled this man to abscond.” —AFP

MIAMI: One of the nation’s largest school districts has reached an agreement with law enforcement agencies and the NAACP to reduce the number of students being charged with crimes for minor offenses. The agreement with Broward County Public Schools in Florida, which officials planned to announce, is one of the first comprehensive plans bringing together district officials, police and the state attorney’s office to create an alternative to the zero-tolerance policies prevalent in many schools. It charges principals rather than school resource officers with being the primary decision makers in responding to student misbehavior.

The move is designed to cut down on what has become known as the “school-to-prison pipeline,” where students accused of offenses like disrupting class or loitering are suspended, arrested and charged with crimes. Broward, the nation’s seventh largest district, had the highest number of schoolrelated arrests in Florida in the 2011-2012 school year, according to state data. Seventy-one percent of the 1,062 arrests made were for misdemeanor offenses.

In this South Florida district and others across the country, minority students have been disproportionately arrested, sometimes for the same offenses their white peers received only a warning for. Nationwide, over 70 percent of students involved in school-related arrests or law enforcement referrals are black or Hispanic, according to U.S. Department of Education data. “It’s pretty rare,” Michael Krezmien, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said of the agreement. “I think if every other school district did it that would be a great step forward.”

The new policy creates a matrix for district officials and school resource officers to follow when a student misbehaves. For non-violent misdemeanors like trespassing, harassment, incidents related to alcohol, possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, administrators are instructed to try and resolve the situation without an arrest. A variety of alternatives, like participation in a week-long counseling program, are designed to address and correct the student’s behavior.

No student would be arrested for a first non-violent misdemeanor, but further offenses will result in graduated levels of school-based interventions.

After a fifth incident, students are referred to law enforcement. Felonies or serious threats will still be handled by police. The policy went into effect at the beginning of the current school year, and Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie said the district has already seen a 41 percent decline in the number of school-related arrests.

Runcie became superintendent two years ago, and said one of the first things he did was look at student achievement and outcomes. One of the data sets that stood out to him the most showed

black male students in particular falling behind academically. When he dove further into the data, he found the same group was misrepresented in terms of expulsions and arrests.

“One other thing I heard quite a bit about was students being arrested for things that I would never have believed constituted an arrest,” Runcie said.

“For example, tardiness. Trespassing. Throwing spit balls. Things that you just, using a common sense approach, would say, we wouldn’t want to do this to a child because once you get a record, it basically stays with you for your life.” Runcie worked with the NAACP to create a new student code of conduct.

The NAACP said they had attempted to address student discipline with two previous superintendents, without any success.

“Everybody deserves a second chance and this program will do just that,” said Marsha Ellison, president of the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County NAACP. “And all students will be treated equally no matter what the color of their skin.” The NAACP said they hope the policy will serve as a model for other districts nationwide. “People are, I think, becoming more knowledgeable as they see the data and more willing and wanting to fix this problem,” said Niaz Kasravi, the NAACP’s criminal justice director.

Krezmien said large school districts in particular

have struggled to come up with alternatives to zero-tolerance policies because they are often following state guidelines that define what a school disciplinary problem is. “I think most of them are kind of stuck because they don’t have a good model, or they don’t have an infrastructure within the school to deal with what really are, most behaviors, school disruptions,” Krezmien said. “It’s amazing how a disruptive behavior can be deemed a threat and suddenly, it’s a kid who’s in court over that.”

He said creating a policy and implementing it, however, are two distinct challenges, and it will be key for both administrators to receive proper training and for the role of police to be redefined.

Despite data showing the negative consequences of policies that criminalize student misbehavior, Krezmien said there has not been an overall push toward creating zero-tolerance alternatives and said the Broward agreement was unusual.

The US Justice Department and the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights have addressed the issue in individual school districts. In Missisippi, a federal judge has scheduled a December 2014 trial for a Justice Department lawsuit that claims there is a “school-to-prison pipeline” in part of the state that locks up students for minor infractions like flatulence or vulgar language. — AP

US’ Kerry: Is up to Saudi to decide on women drivers RIYADH: US Secretary of State John Kerry said it was up to Saudi Arabia to decide when the time was right to allow women to drive. “It’s no secret that in the United States of America we embrace equality for everybody regardless of gender, race, or any other qualification,” Kerry said at a press conference in Riyadh. “But it’s up to Saudi Arabia to make its own decision about its own social structure and other choices, and timing,” he added.

Last week the United States said it supports the “universal rights” of women to drive in Saudi Arabia, after an October weekend protest there saw several women defy the law by taking the steering wheel. “We support the full inclusion of women in Saudi society.

People throughout the world share the same universal rights to assemble and express themselves peacefully,” said State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki.

“So certainly, we would support their ability to drive,” Psaki said when asked about the Saudi campaign, in which women were encouraged to get behind the steering wheel on October 26 even if it meant confronting authorities. But Kerry said after talks with

Saudi leaders: “There’s a healthy debate in Saudi Arabia about this issue, but I think that debate is best left to the Saudi Arabian people who are engaged in it.”

He added however that everyone knew where the United States stood on this issue. At least 16 women were stopped by police during a protest last month and were fined and forced along with their male guardians to pledge to obey the conservative-kingdom’s laws. A Saudi video mocking the kingdom’s unique ban on female driving has gone viral, featuring a male per former singing “no woman, no drive”, an adaptation of Bob Marley’s “No Cry” hit.

DEATH ROW INMATE In another development, Philippines said yesterday it is seeking help from Sudan to commute the death sentence of a Filipino facing execution in Saudi Arabia. Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said officials were trying to contact the family of the Sudanese man killed by Filipino labourer Joselito Zapanta in Saudi Arabia in 2009, resulting in his death sentence. —Agencies

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US Border Patrol rejects curbs on force SAN DIEGO: Border Patrol agents may continue using deadly force against rock-throwers, the chief of the agency said, despite the recommendation of a government-commissioned review to end the practice. The Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit group that advises law enforcement agencies, recommended that the Border Patrol and its parent agency, Customs and Border Protection, stop the use of deadly force against rock throwers and assailants in vehicles, Border Patrol Chief Mike Fisher said. Both recommendations were part of a broader internal review of CBP’s use-offorce policies and practices that began last year.

The measures were not included in a revised policy announced on Sept 25 that calls for more training and better record-keeping. CBP considered the proposed curbs “very restrictive,” Fisher said. Under current policy, agents can use deadly force if they have a reasonable belief that their lives or the lives of others are in danger.

“We shouldn’t have carve-outs in our policy and say, except for this, except for that,” Fisher said. “Just to say that you shouldn’t shoot at rock-throwers or vehicles

for us, in our environment, was very problematic and could potentially put Border Patrol agents in danger.”

CBP has not released the full findings of the Police Executive Research Forum. Fisher’s comments are the most publicly detailed about them. The internal review began last year after 16 members of Congress raised concern about the May 2010 killing of Anastasio Hernandez, an unarmed Mexican who died from stun gun wounds at San Diego’s San Ysidro port of entry.

Authorities have said he was being combative while being returned to Mexico. The Justice Department is investigating that killing.

Hernandez was one of 20 people killed by CBP officials since 2010, including eight who died in rockthrowing incidents with Border Patrol agents, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Fisher repeated the agency’s long-standing position that rocks are lethal weapons. Smugglers have long pelted agents with rocks, bottles and other objects - often from Mexico - hoping to create an opening elsewhere along the border when agents rush to assist colleagues being

pelted. Agents were attacked with rocks 339 times in the 2011 fiscal year, more than any other type of assault, according to the Department of Homeland Security inspector general. They responded with gunfire 33 times and with less-than-lethal force - a category that includes pepper spray and batons - 118 times.

Rock attacks fell to 185 in the 2012 fiscal year, the second most common type of assault. Agents fired a gun 22 times and responded 42 times with less-than-lethal force.

The proposed ban on firing at vehicles would have brought the Border Patrol in line with some metropolitan police departments, Fisher said. But he pointed out that the federal agency operates in much different terrain. “You don’t want to just start shooting indiscriminately at a vehicle and try to blow out tires like they do on TV, but our environment is totally different,” Fisher said. “In many cases, unlike a concrete jungle, you have a very narrow trail and the Border Patrol agent doesn’t always have the ability to get out of the way.”

Activists were disappointed that CBP rejected the recommendations. “We’ve long held that deadly force should be limited to the most exceptional circumstances,” said Andrea Guerrero, executive director of Alliance San Diego, who attended a meeting with Obama administration officials at the White House in September that covered the topic. “The Border Patrol has yet to demonstrate that that’s the appropriate level of force in the cases that have happened,” Guerrero said.

Shawn Moran, spokesman for the National Border Patrol Council, the union representing Border Patrol officers, welcomed the agency’s position. “Almost every Border Patrol agent has been rocked at one point or another,” Moran said. “I know agents here that have had vehicles accelerate toward them, attempt to run them down.” Fisher rejected any suggestion that Border Patrol agents were trigger-happy. “When you look at that environment, that workspace, I think our agents show a great deal of restraint when it comes to use of deadly force,” he said. — AP

35 candidates vie for Minneapolis mayor Bankruptcy shadows Detroit’s mayoral election

New Jersey governor Chris Christie

Can Christie save the Republicans in 2016?

NEW YORK: Can Chris Christie save the Republicans and win the White House in 2016?

As the frank-talking, popular New Jersey governor cruises towards a landslide re-election yesterday, his star is rising. The 51-year-old father of four, whose larger than life personality has managed to endear him to voters across the board, is expected to defeat his Democrat opponent, Barbara Buono, by around two to one. According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 94 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents and even 30 percent of Democrats in New Jersey support him for a second term as governor.

Sixty-one percent said they would vote for Christie compared to 33 percent for Buono in the traditionally Democrat state that suffered terribly from last year’s Hurricane Sandy.

Christie’s cross-party appeal is not lost on strategists at a time when the Republicans are deeply divided, unpopular and appear severely weakened by the recent budget crisis forced by its far right Tea Party faction. Mitt Romney, the Republican presidential candidate who ran and lost against Barack Obama in 2012, has spoken out for Christie. “You look at Chris Christie and say that’s a very impressive guy with a great track record, with a demonstrated ability to work across the aisle,” he told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. “Chris could easily become our nominee and save our party and help get this nation on the right track again. They don’t come better than Chris Christie,” said the multi-millionaire former candidate.

Until now, the moderate Republican, known for his no nonsense manner, his energy and his empathy and his plus-size waistline was always evasive about how far his ambitions go. But there is a political overtone to virtually all his decisions. In February when he had a lap-band fitted in a bid to lose weight, he announced it was to safeguard his long-term health. “White House 2016” murmured the commentators.

Shortly after Hurricane Sandy, he strode the ravaged coastline of New Jersey alongside

President Obama shortly before the commander-in-chief’s re-election.

Republic hardliners were furious but his popularity only climbed. In January 2013, he slammed the Republican-led House of Representatives for taking weeks to vote through desperately needed relief for the victims of Sandy. And in late May Christie was back at Obama’s side showing off the progress in reconstruction on the New Jersey coast. Some wanted him to run in 2012 but Christie, who had only been elected governor in 2009, declined.

He still went onto become one of the leading speakers at the Republican National Convention in 2012.

According to “Double Down,” a book published this week, Romney considered but decided against making Christie his running mate for vice president because of his temper, weight and spending. A White House run next? Christie is nothing if not pragmatic. He is against abortion but rarely speaks out on the issue. He opposed same sex marriage, but on October 21 withdrew a legal challenge after the first weddings went ahead as ruled by a judge. He also signed a law strengthening arms control in New Jersey after a massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school in nearby Connecticut killed 20 children and six adults last December.

And this weekend he readily admitted his reelection could be construed as a stepping stone towards the White House in 2016. “I’m not planning for it; I just think it’s inevitable,” he told a journalist from TV network NBC when asked if a victory could be seen an opportunity to spread a message to voters beyond his own State.

“People look at elections and they try to discern things about what they mean at that moment and what they mean for the future,” Christie added. “I think that what people are going to see is so unusual for what our party has created in the last couple years, that invariably people are going to draw lessons from it and I hope that they do.”— AFP

Many women in JFK’s life - it’s complicated WASHINGTON: There was glamorous Jackie, of course. And mother Rose, who nurtured his White House ambitions. And all the others: a movie star, a teenaged intern, a mistress with Mafia ties and more. Without a doubt, John F Kennedy-whose assassination 50 years ago this month still looms large in the American consciousness-had a complicated relationship with women, many women.

Either he embraced them as pillars of strength on his journey to the US presidency, or he toyed with them to satisfy a unfathomable libido, in a “Mad Men” era when alpha males called the shots. “It depended on the woman,” said Larry Sabato, author of the just-published bestseller “The Kennedy Half-Century: The Presidency, Assassination and Lasting Legacy of John F Kennedy.” “He could be gracious and respectful of those with power and influence,” Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia said.

“But JFK had a nearly insatiable sexual appetite-and in our terms today, he treated young and beautiful women as sexual objects.”

Central to the Kennedy narrative was Jackie, the former Jacqueline Bouvier, born into affluence in July 1929, who personified style, elegance and sophistication for millions around the world. The couple married in 1953 when she was a 24-year-old journalist and he was a 36-year-old rookie US senator.

She encouraged him to write the Pulitzerwinning “Profiles in Courage” while recovering from back surgery, and she campaigned alongside him in his hard-fought presidential race against Richard Nixon. In the White House, she championed the arts and culture, and presided over lavish state functions, while tending to the

couple’s young children Caroline and his son, John Jr, also known as John-John.

In the hours after Kennedy was killed, Jackie-who was sitting next to him in the opentop presidential limousine in Dallas-famously refused to change out of the pink Chanel suit spattered with his blood. “I want them to see what they have done to Jack,” she said. Jackie later married Greek shipping mogul Aristotle Onassis. She died in 1994 at the age of 64, with the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston remembering her as a selfless woman of duty.

“With a deep sense of devotion to her family and country, she dedicated herself to raising her children and to making the world a better place through art, literature, and a respect for history and public service,” reads her profile on its website. But, while the Kennedys projected a public image of the quintessential modern American family, the president privately surrounded himself with paramours aplenty.

Best-known was Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood sex goddess who got tongues wagging with her sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday” at a 1962 Democratic Party fundraising soirÈe. The presidential birthday boy made no effort to conceal his delight. Jackie not only knew of the liaison, but told Monroe she was welcome to have her man, according to journalist Christopher Andersen’s recent book “These Precious Few Days: The Final Year of Jack with Jackie,” published in August. “And you’ll move into the White House and you’ll assume the responsibilities of first lady, and I’ll move out and you’ve have all the problems,” she reportedly told Monroe, who died of a drug overdose later in 1962.—AFP

ST PAUL: Voters in Minneapolis yesterday confronted a ballot containing 35 candidates for mayor and a potentially confusing process of choosing first, second and third choices in the race.

The decision by Mayor R T Rybak not to seek a third term, paired with the city’s unusually low $20 filing fee, prompted the flood of wannabe successors. And the system known as “ranked choice voting” - in place since 2007 but getting its first real test this year - eliminated the traditional primary election that would have winnowed the field.

In this off-year election, residents in a number of Minnesota cities are choosing mayors and council members. Minneapolis and St Paul both have mayor’s races, but in the capital city, incumbent Chris Coleman was heavily favored to win a third term. In addition, 76 school districts were asking for some kind of financial help from voters through either operating, building or capital project levies. But the most-watched has been the muddled mayor’s race in Minneapolis.

The low filing fee gave a host of oddball candidates a spot on the lengthy ballot: from an Occupy Wall Street activist named Captain Jack Sparrow, to frequent candidates Bob Carney and Ole Savior, to representatives of such unique political parties as Legacy-Next Generation, Local Energy/Food, and Pirate Party (oddly enough, not Captain Jack Sparrow).

Eight of the 35 candidates have run more traditional and well-funded campaigns. But Democratic activists in this heavily liberal city left the race without a clear front-runner when they deadlocked last summer over whether to confer the party’s endorsement on Betsy Hodges, a city councilwoman, or Mark Andrew, a former Hennepin County commissioner. And Rybak, who last won re-election with nearly 73 percent of the vote, declined to endorse a successor.

Besides Hodges and Andrew, other leading candidates have been Don Samuels, a city councilman; Jackie Cherryhomes and Dan Cohen, both past council presidents; Bob Fine, a member of the local park board; Stephanie Woodruff, a businesswoman; and Cam Winton, an attorney and moderate Republican.

Minneapolis residents approved ranked choice voting in a 2006 referendum. It was sold as a progressive reform that eliminates the cost and burden of primary elections, and theoretically gives voters more say through the ranking system.

Under that system, if no candidate exceeds 50 percent of first-choice votes, that triggers a series of automatic runoffs in which lower-ranked candidates are eliminated and second and third choices are redistributed to remaining candidates’ totals. “I don’t really understand it,” Alyson Frahm, an art director at Target who lives in the city’s Bryn Mawr neighborhood, said of ranked choice. Asked her top three choices not long before Election Day, Frahm said she was still undecided: “Mainly, I’m disappointed Rybak isn’t running again.”

DETROIT’S MAYORAL ELECTION Meanwhile, a former write-in candidate once thought to have little chance of surviving Detroit’s primary election is favored to become the majority black city’s first white mayor in 40 years, a job with limited power as the debt-ridden city moves toward the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history under a state overseer. Voters began going to the polls yesterday morning. Both front-runner Mike Duggan, a white ex health care executive, and Benny Napoleon, the black Wayne County sheriff, say they oppose the Michigan takeover of city finances by gubernatorial appointee Kevin Orr. “I’m going to try to shorten Kevyn Orr’s stay,” Duggan said. The emergency financial manager filed for bankruptcy in July and says Detroit’s debt is at least $18 billion, much of it for retiree pensions and health benefits.

“I don’t understand how anyone could suggest that citizens of the city of Detroit should be happy about having a person imposed upon them who has absolutely no vested interest in the outcomes of the actions they take,” Napoleon told business leaders last month. Detroit has undergone a sharp economic and demographic decline over six-plus decades, with the population falling from 1.8 million in 1950 to a remnant of 700,000, largely low-income residents today. That process has been brought about by a mix of global economic forces, political corruption and municipal mismanagement.

Duggan, an ex-county prosecutor and former chief of the Detroit Medical Center, said he wants to persuade Gov Rick Snyder to craft a plan to resuscitate the city’s fiscal condition.

Snyder has repeatedly defended his decision to put Orr in the driver’s seat at City Hall. “Detroit’s fiscal crisis was six decades in the making,” Snyder said in a statement last week.

“My job is to make the tough decisions to resolve the problems we face today, not ignore them.” Despite being kicked off the August primary ballot due to a residency issue, Duggan received about 48,700 write-in votes. Napoleon, the sheriff and a former Detroit police chief, was on the ballot and received about 28,300 votes.

Current mayor and ex-NBA star Dave Bing did not seek reelection. A poll released last week showed Napoleon lagging well behind Duggan, who also holds an almost 3-to-1 fundraising and spending edge. If Duggan is elected, he would become Detroit’s first white mayor since Roman Gribbs, whose term ended at the end of 1973. The city now is more than 80 percent black. Napoleon and Duggan have campaigned on fixing Detroit’s deteriorating neighborhoods and reducing the high crime rate in a city that struggles to respond to 911 calls on time.

Detroit has more than 30,000 vacant houses and buildings.Either candidate would face challenges with any initiatives because Orr must OK all spending requests. “I think they’re kidding themselves if they think they are going to regain financial control of this city,” said Detroit-based bankruptcy attorney Kenneth Schneider. “Even after Kevyn Orr, there will be a financial advisory board that will maintain control of the city’s finances indefinitely. The first part for any new mayor is to accept that and work with the state on how to right this city’s finances.”— Agencies

DETROIT: Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan prepares to cast his vote at Detroit’s 12th Precinct on Election Day yesterday in Detroit, Michigan — AFP

UK operating spy post from Berlin embassy LONDON: Britain has been operating a secret listening post from its Berlin embassy, a stone’s throw from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office, the Independent newspaper claimed yesterday. The report said Britain’s electronic eavesdropping centre GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) appeared to be using high-tech equipment on the embassy roof to intercept German data.

The broadsheet cited aerial photographs and information about past spying activities in Germany, as well as documents provided by Edward Snowden, the former contractor with the US National Security Agency (NSA) who has fled to Moscow. The report comes hot on the heels of a furor over claims that the United States tapped Merkel’s mobile phone as part of worldwide surveillance operations. A US eavesdropping post on the roof of the US embassy in Berlin is believed to have been shut down last week as Washington scrambled to limit damage from the row, the Independent reported.

The daily said Snowden’s documents suggested GCHQ has worked with US agencies and other partners to operate a network of electronic spying posts from embassies around the world, intercepting data in host nations. A spokeswoman for British Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said: “We don’t comment on intelligence matters.” The Independent printed photos showing an aerial view of the British and US embassies-which are on the same block next to the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlinhighlighting large white boxes that it said were the intercept “nests”.

Thermal images of the US embassy provided by the German public broadcaster ARD allegedly show a significant reduction in activity between October 24 and October 25, when claims first emerged that Merkel’s phone had been tapped. ARD broadcast the images on October 27, saying that the top floor of the embassy possibly houses a listening ‘nest’.

Washington’s ties with key allies have been strained in recent weeks by leaks appearing to show that the US has eavesdropped on dozens of foreign leaders, as well as tapping tens of millions of European phone calls and data from Internet giants such as Google and Yahoo.

But while European states have expressed outrage over the apparent extent of US espi-

onage operations, Britain’s Guardian newspaper reported Saturday that German, French, Spanish and Swedish intelligence services collaborated with GCHQ to develop their own mass surveillance operations. The Guardian said the European intelligence services, in a “loose but growing” alliance, carried out surveillance by directly tapping fibre-optic cables and through secret relationships with communications companies.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday urged European leaders not to allow a row over alleged US spying to disrupt talks with the EU to create the world’s largest free trade zone. And he renewed calls for US partners to voice their concerns with Washington in order to strengthen “intelligence relationships” in the future. Speaking on a visit to Poland, Kerry said negotiations with the European Union for a proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) would create “one of the most powerful economic forces on the planet and it will raise the standards by which all countries are engaging in economic activities”.

The second round of talks are set to resume on November 11 in Brussels after being postponed due to the US government shutdown last month. But they have also been clouded by a wave of outrage among European leaders most notably the leader of Europe’s economic powerhouse German Chancellor Angela Merkel-after the revelations US security services had tapped European leaders’ phones. “We need to understand as partners we’re all in this together. We’re all in the effort to try to provide protection to our citizens,” Kerry said at a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski.

The United States was working to “strike the right balance between protecting our citizens and obviously the privacy of all of our citizens”, he added. US President Barack Obama has ordered a review of the intelligence services in the light of the revelations from former US National Security Agency employee Edward Snowden. Kerry arrived late Monday in Warsaw for a brief visit during which he will also discuss defense and the proposed deployment of a US missile defense system in Poland by 2018.— Agencies

BERLIN: File photo shows British ambassador to Germany Simon McDonald posing with flags of his country in front of Berlin’s landmark the Brandenburg Gate. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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

Cyclists crushed in India’s rush for prosperity NEW DELHI: Laws are virtually alien to India’s anarchic roads, but there is a clear hierarchy, with men like Sushil Kumar who cycles to work each day near the bottom rung. While the rigid caste system still governs the social structure of most of India, out on the highways and by-lanes, size, and occasionally noise, defines everyone’s place and expectations. Trucks and buses, often driven with arrogance bordering on hostility, top the pyramid, followed by cars and auto-rickshaws.

Cyclists are above the widely ignored pedestrian, but below cows.

The transport of choice for the poor — 45 percent of households have a bike-has long been overlooked and now faces a struggle to survive in one city, Kolkata, after being banned from central roads. While Kolkata has been widely condemned for restricting millions of people and their livelihoods, the cyclist faces a daily Darwinian battle for space on roads across the country.

Charles Correa, India’s most famous modern architect and planning expert, says the car-driving ruling class is indifferent to and ignorant of the plight of the urban biker. “Nobody in power even knows how to cycle, they’d fall right off,” Correa scoffed in an interview by telephone from his office in Mumbai. “Decisions are made for the city by people who use cars,” he says, unlike in developed countries where “sufficiently important people” use public transport or bikes. “That hasn’t happened in India. It’s like the British Raj, the sahib (boss) should never be seen waiting for the bus,” Correa said.

A LONG RIDE Sushil Kumar leaves his home every morning at 6:00 am for his job in the telecoms ministry where he is paid 5,500 rupees (70 euros, $95) a month-less than the minimum wage-by a private contractor. His route of 24 kilometers takes him from his home in the tough Delhi suburb of Ghaziabad, past camel-pulled carts and around potholes, and beyond rows of mushrooming

NEW DELHI: Indian cyclist Sushil Kumar, 41 (center) holds onto the bars of his bicycle as he joins other commuters in cars, buses, auto rickshaws and motor bikes at a traffic stop in New Delhi. — AFP apartment blocks. It takes an hour and half in the morning to finally reach the central leafy boulevards of New Delhi, and often two hours to return. He travels about 1,000 kilometers each month. “I’ve been knocked off but luckily the car stopped in time,” the 41-year-old father of four said, adding that he messages his anxious wife each day when he arrives at work.

What would be an act of suicide for the unaccustomed is a regular commute for Kumar, who negotiates the relentless traffic in the oppressive heat of summer and numbing cold of winter. On his bike in cotton shirt

and trousers, he is identifiably a member of the class of unskilled laborers who are being pushed further and further out of Delhi as property prices rise. “It’s very dangerous... There is the metro (as an alternative), but it’s 60 rupees a day and I can’t afford it,” he says.

His bike is of typical Indian style-a battered black with rugged old-fashioned geometry, single-geared and without reflectors or lights. While he has avoided serious injury-”I have to ride defensively,” he says-accidents are commonplace, even for those taking the necessary precautions. Indian environmentalist Sunita

Narain underwent surgery for serious facial injuries after being catapulted from her bike last month by a car that hit her from behind and sped off.

In June, 51-year-old national cycling coach Ruma Chatterjee was killed while out training on an expressway on the outskirts of New Delhi. The driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. “This hierarchy on the road is so well established in India,” Anil Shukla, one of Delhi’s most senior traffic policemen, who lamented the lack of cycle paths and space for bikers. “The cyclist is a very lowly creature. Even among the cars, the SUV is the best,” he said at an event to distribute reflective stickers to bikers. Seventy to 80 cyclists are killed each year in Delhi, he says.

CITIES DESIGNED FOR CARS Anumita Roychowdhury, a colleague of Narain’s from the Centre for Science and Environment, says India is driving out cyclists even as many cities in the West are encouraging them.

“If you look at how most people travel, they are either using public transport or they are cycling or walking,” she said. “But you are not designing the city for the majority.” Investments in transport infrastructure in most Indian cities overwhelmingly pay for road widening or expensive underground metro systems like Delhi’s, which opened in 2002. But an estimated 12 million bicycles are sold each year in India, compared with only 1.89 million cars, according to industry figures.

The last census in 2011 showed that 45 percent of Indian households own a bicycle, 21 percent have a motorbike or scooter and only five percent have fourwheeled transport. Cyclist Sriram Yadav, 54, remembers better days when he started using his bike in Delhi before the market liberalization of the 1990s led to a spurt in car ownership. “Delhi roads were empty,” the school janitor told AFP as he rested on a pavement. “It was so deserted that you’d be scared going home at night because there was no one around.” — AFP

Shiite, Sunni ceasefire in north Yemen crumbling Sectarian fighting resumes

KANDAHAR: Shamsia Husseini (center) looks on as one of her students writes on the blackboard in a classroom at Mirwais Mena school in Kandahar city. — AFP

Afghan schoolgirl scarred in acid attack now a teacher KANDAHAR: When attackers threw acid in Shamsia Husseini’s face outside her school in Afghanistan, she defied them by returning to class-and now she has scored another victory for female education by becoming a teacher herself. Shamsia suffered severe burns on her eyelids and cheeks in the November 2008 assault, which generated global publicity, with then US first lady Laura Bush condemning it as a “cowardly and shameful” crime.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed to hang the men who had attacked Shamsia as she walked to the all-girls’ Mirwais Mena school on the outskirts of Kandahar city. One man, wearing a mask, asked Shamsia if she was going to school.

Then he tore off her veil and pumped acid from a spray gun onto her face. Several other pupils were hurt in a series of similar acid attacks that morning, but Shamsia and her friends refused to abandon their lessons and persuaded their reluctant parents to support the school staying open.

Five years on, Shamsia, now aged 22, is still in the classroom-but now she stands in front of an energetic bunch of nine- and 10-year-old girls. “The students sometimes play around and it does test my patience,” she admitted to AFP with a smile. “But being a teacher is much better than being a student, and I am now studying to become fully qualified.”

ATTACKERS DID NOT WIN Shamsia’s scars eventually healed after treatment at hospitals in Kabul and New Delhi, though she has recurring problems with blurred vision and eye pain. “It was very important for me to become a teacher as it shows people that the attackers did not win, just like we came back to school after the attack,” she said. “By teaching, I want to show that education is important and that women can do more than work in the kitchen.”

Shamsia retains the quiet determination she displayed when speaking out over the attack, and she remains furious that her assailants have never been punished.

“President Karzai promised to hang these men. If I ever talk to him, I will ask him why he failed to do that,” she said. The Islamist Taleban, who banned female education when they were in power from 1996-2001, denied any involvement in the acid strikes, and nine suspects arrested after the attack gave questionable confessions and were later released.

Shamsia even says that one of her attackers lives close to her home, and that he sees her go to school every day. “He is free, and it is possible it could happen again. There is no justice, he needs to be punished,” she said. Inside the school, built with Japanese aid money and opened in

2004, classrooms are packed with chirpy girls aged between six and 20, all wearing white headscarves and shooting their hands up in the air to answer their teachers’ questions.

More than 2,600 pupils attend lessons in two daily sessions, but many others are turned away due to lack of space even with tents donated by UNICEF being used as makeshift classrooms. Shamsia, who earns $85 (63 euros) a month, teaches art and handwriting to her fourth-grade class, while older girls have lessons in science, geography and mathematics. Kandahar, situated in the south in the Taleban heartland, remains one of the most conservative parts of Afghanistan, 12 years after the Taleban hardliners were overthrown. For the girls at Mirwais Mena, life after they leave school will likely be restricted to the family home, with rare forays outdoors only if cloaked in an all-enveloping burqa.

“We had to work hard to convince parents not to withdraw their children after the attack,” said headmistress Danesh Alavi, who was deputy principal at the time. “I remember the anarchy of that day, the panic and fear. “Shamsia is from a poor family, but her serving as a teacher is a lesson to other girls to be brave and to help develop the country. Young girls can see her be a teacher and understand this. “Like any good teacher, she is kind to her pupils and is always on time.” For two hours each day, Shamsia also joins a class of female junior teachers who are preparing for their qualification exams.

It is too dangerous for them to travel to teacher-training college in Kandahar city, so Bahir Makimi pays his own bus ticket to come to the school. “I think Shamsia is a good teacher already and will get better,” he said. “But we have no proper facilities to advance teaching skills here. We improve their knowledge of chemistry and other subjects, and we help them to communicate properly with their students.” Western and UN diplomats often cite the introduction of female education after the fall of the Taleban as a central achievement of the 12year military and civilian intervention in Afghanistan.

There are now about 2.4 million girls in primary and secondary education, and 51,000 female teachers, according to UNICEF. But the lack of classrooms and teachers, as well as early marriages, are holding numbers back, and fears are rising that progress is under threat as US-led NATO combat forces prepare to leave Afghanistan next year.

“I remember the attack on me and the pain,” Shamsia said. “Education of girls and having female teachers is so important for the future, to show parents and everyone what we can do.” — AFP

SANAA: A ceasefire between Yemeni Shiite and Sunni Muslims fighters intended to end days of clashes that have killed at least 100 combatants and civilians appeared to be crumbling after Sunnis reported a resumption of fighting. “The Houthis are shelling Damaj now with mortars causing five injuries,” Salafist spokesman Surour Al-Wadi’i said. “The cease fire has not taken hold so far.”

A Red Cross delegation had managed to enter the town of Damaj to treat and evacuate those wounded in the fighting, but a translator with the team was shot and killed, he said. The ceasefire had been announced for Monday by the UN envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, according to the state news agency. “We hope that there will be a permanent cease fire and that the problem will be solved for good,” Benomar said.

Sectarian rivalry between Sunni Salafists and Shiite Houthis in Damaj has cast a shadow over reconciliation efforts in Yemen, a neighbour of oil exporter Saudi Arabia and also home to one of al Qaeda’s most active wings.

The continued turmoil on several fronts in the country has alarmed Washington, which has stepped up aid and military support for the government as part of its global fight against Islamist militants. The clashes in Damaj broke out on Wednesday when Houthi fighters, who control much of the border province of Saada, accused their Salafi rivals of recruiting thousands of foreign fighters to attack them. The Salafis say the foreigners are students who travel from abroad to study Islamic theology at Dar AlHadith academy.

“There were massive Houthi attacks throughout the night against Dar Al-Hadith academy and student dormitories,” said Wadi’i. “The death toll has risen to at least 100.” The figure cited was for Salafis killed in the clashes. The Houthis have issued no figures for casualties on their side.

Wadi’i also said a Red Cross delegation managed to enter Damaj on Monday in a convoy of four vehicles, only to come under fire from Houthi snipers who shot and killed a local translator with the delegation.

Hindus nurse bruises after cow-trampling festival GARBADA: Dozens of Hindu men in western India were nursing their bruises yesterday after being trampled by cattle as part of an annual ritual to encourage God to answer their prayers. In the centuries-old ceremony performed in the town of Garbada in Gujarat state and in other parts of the country, men lay on the ground and allowed decorated cows, considered sacred in India, to walk on them.

The ceremony was carried out Monday, the day after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights-one of the key events on the Hindu calendar. While the ceremony can be painful, “there has never been a case where a person has been injured seriously or died”, Bhadar Rathod, a tribal chief in Garbada said yesterday. The ceremony in Garbada, some 200 kilometers from the state’s main city of Ahmedabad, has become well known and is now something of a tourist attraction.

After offering prayers to the cattle, the animals are decorated with yellow, green, purple, pink and other colored powder and embellished with peacock feathers while bells are tied to their legs. —AFP

BLOCKADE The ICRC could not immediately be reached for comment. ICRC, however, issued a statement saying it had evacuated 23 of the most critically wounded people and delivered medical supplies delayed for several days. The wounded were moved to Saada airport by road before they were airlifted to Sanaa. “There are still more wounded people in need of treatment, and we hope to be able to come back for them,” said Cedric Schweizer, head of the ICRC delegation in Sanaa.

The fighting has caused concern among world powers that helped ease long-ruling President Ali Abdullah Saleh from power in 2011 after months of protests. The ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and the Gulf Cooperation Council called for an end to the fighting. “The ambassadors

notice the amassing of troops outside the area which will exacerbate tensions and risk more violence,” they said in a joint statement.

Benomar said President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had sent a plane to evacuate seriously wounded people from Damaj to Sanaa.

On Sunday, Yehia Abuesbaa, head of a presidential committee trying to end the fighting, said Houthi fighters had reneged on a previous promise to stop attacks after a prisoner release.

The Houthis blockaded Damaj for weeks last year, accusing the Salafis of stockpiling weapons, a charge they deny. Saada province is the base for a long-running Houthi rebellion against the government. Complaining of social, religious and economic discrimination in Yemen, the Houthis fought several battles with government forces between 2004 and 2010, when a truce was announced. — Reuters

China and India begin joint anti-terror drill BEIJING: China and India began a joint anti-terrorism drill yesterday, the first such exercise by the Asian powers-which have a sometimes-fraught relationship-for five years. The world’s two most populous countries each sent one company of soldiers to Chengdu, in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan, for the “Hand-in-Hand 2013” drill, according to Chinese state media reports. The joint training exercise comes even as the two remain embroiled in a border dispute that has been unresolved for decades and has occasionally led to military standoffs. In April, India accused Chinese troops of intruding into Indian-held territory, a row that was only resolved three weeks later when troops from both sides eventually pulled back.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Beijing two weeks ago, signing an agreement with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to step up cooperation on border defense and counter-terrorism training.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told

reporters yesterday that the drill showed “enhancing political-military trust between the two countries”. “Since the beginning of this year, China and India relations have scored new progress,” he said.

Indian officials told AFP the country’s contingent for the 10-day-long drill was 162 strong and led by a brigadier.

“The joint training exercise is a counter-terrorist exercise with a purpose of exploring useful experience and thoughts, advance pragmatic co-operation, promote friendly environment and enhance mutual trust,” an Indian defense ministry statement said.

The first such exercise was held in China in 2007, with another in India the following year. Beijing blames “terrorist” groups for incidents in its far western region of Xinjiang, home to Muslim Uighurs, and has in the past linked clashes to groups trained in Pakistan, which as well as being India’s great rival also shares a border with China. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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

SPD lists demands for entering coalition with Merkel DUSHANBE: When Tajikistan votes to elect its president today, Rano Mansurova’s husband will not be joining her to cast his ballot in the capital Dushanbe but will be thousands of kilometers away in Russia. The Mansurovs are just one of thousands of Tajik families torn apart by the ex-Soviet state’s enduring economic crisis, which has forced an estimated one million men of working age to seek work abroad, mainly in Russia.

Many voters heading to the polling stations on Wednesday in polls expected to re-elect strongman President Emomali Rakhmon for a fourth term will be women, whose absent husbands and fathers are working abroad. And while cash sent back home has helped many edge away from poverty, increased reliance on remittances has also taken a toll on Tajik families. “My husband left to earn money to feed the family, so that the children can go to school and grow up healthy,” says Rano Mansurova, who is raising four children in a modest house in the outskirts of Dushanbe.

“There had been days when we could not afford bread. To buy food and clothing I had to sell my wedding jewelry.” Now, while her husband is working in Russia, the family receives a monthly money transfer of around $300 - enough to support the children and even set a little aside. The remittances of Tajiks working abroad have become so significant they make up a substantial chunk of Tajikistan’s GDP and provide the weak economy with a crucial lifeline. But the ability to make ends meet comes with a price, says Mansurova, 32: “Children are growing up without a father.”

After the collapse of Soviet rule in the mountainous Central Asian country, Tajikistan went through a civil war, which forced qualified workers to flee and most teetering industries to shut down. Production of a 1970-era

aluminum smelter and cotton now account for 60 percent of all of the exports from the country bordering Afghanistan, the weakest economy of the former Soviet Union, where 40 percent live in poverty.

In 2012, migrant laborers have sent home about $3.8 billion, nearly half of the country’s GDP. That made it the most remittances-dependent country in the world, according to the World Bank. In 2013, the number is expected to top $4 billion. This great dependence has even pushed authorities to cease publishing the data starting this year, according to the head of Tajik National Bank Abdujabbor Shirinov who said in July that the figures are too politicized.

Most Tajiks who travel to Russia work in construction jobs, sell vegetables at markets, and perform other menial tasks. They are undeterred by low pay, work injuries, unsanitary and unsafe housing, and attacks and harassment by anti-migrant nationalist youth. Last year, over a thousand corpses of Tajik nationals were brought home from Russia. This year, about 458 were brought home in the first six months, with 41 being victims of violent crime, according to the interior ministry.

“My husband was badly beaten, he was hit with a heavy metal object over the head, when he worked as a taxi driver in Moscow,” said Mumuluk Berdiyeva, 43.

“He asked his passengers to pay the fare.” “Thank God he survived. Now he is disabled, but he wants to leave for work again,” she said. Without labor migration, Tajikistan could have been suffering from hunger and unrest, said economist Khodjamakhmed Umarov.

“Without it, normal life in the country would be impossible,” he said. “It’s a key to survival for many families.”

But the scale of it “also created big problems”: it

DUSHANBE: A family of a Tajik man, who is currently working in Russia, sit at home in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe. Thousands of Tajik families are torn apart by the ex-Soviet stateís enduring economic crisis, which has forced an estimated one million men of working age to seek work abroad, mainly in Russia. — AFP breaks up families and skews demography at home, where some 400,000 young girls cannot find husbands since many young men choose to start families in Russia, he said. A UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) study found that families of migrant workers, while financially better off, suffer from depression and other psychological problems, said spokesman of Unicef in Tajikistan Akobir Zohidov.

Last month, Tajikistan ratified an agreement that extends Russia’s military base in the country to 2042.

The base consists of thousands of troops stationed near three Tajik cities. In exchange the Kremlin agreed to extend the maximum work stay in Russia for Tajik citizens, who already need no visa, from one to three years. The new rules have to be ratified by the Russian parliament before going into force. — AFP

Japan ‘disappointed’ at S Korea leader remarks Park sees no point in summit with Japan PM

Rebekah Brooks, former News International chief executive

UK hacking trial focuses on murdered girl’s phone LONDON: Britain’s phone-hacking trial heard evidence yesterday about how the News of the World listened to voicemail messages left for missing British schoolgirl Milly Dowler, the case which brought down the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper. Prosecutors said a 2002 story about the 13-yearold, who was later found murdered, was changed between the first and second editions of the newspaper to remove references to a message on her voicemail.

Then editor Rebekah Brooks, Murdoch’s protegee who went on to run his British newspaper wing, was on holiday but was in contact with her deputy Andy Coulson between the editions, the court heard. Brooks and Coulson both deny charges of phone hacking at the News of the World, which Murdoch shut down in July 2011 after public revulsion at revelations that the schoolgirl’s phone had been targeted.

On Monday, Coulson’s lawyer urged jurors to “keep an open mind” and confirmed the 45-year-old would be giving evidence later in the trial, which is expected to last six months. “It’s his case that he was never party to any agreement to hack phones, whatever others might have been doing on his watch,” defense lawyer Timothy Langdale said.

Langdale also revealed that Coulson had his own phone hacked by private investigator Glenn Mulcaire and suggested this would have been unlikely if he had known about the practice. “Both conspirator and victim? It is fair to say, is it not, that the two things do not sit easily together?” he said.

Coulson was deputy editor of the News of the World under Brooks and replaced her in 2003 when she moved to edit the tabloid’s daily sister paper, The Sun. Last week the trial heard that the pair had a six-year affair until 2004.

Coulson resigned when former royal editor Clive Goodman and Mulcaire were jailed for hacking in 2007, although he always insisted he was ignorant of their activities. He went on to become communications chief for Prime Minister David Cameron, although he quit in early 2011 amid increasing questions about his own role in the scandal.

‘CHICKEN’S IN THE POT’ The court also heard on Monday how Brooks’ husband Charlie and News International’s former head of security Mark Hanna tried to hide evidence from police investigating her for phone hacking. Security staff moved a rubbish bag of material from the couple’s country home and took it to their flat in London, hiding it near the bins under the pretext of delivering pizza, the court heard.

However, before the bag could be recovered it was found by a cleaner and handed to police, the court heard. After one of the security guards dropped off the package he sent a text message to a colleague referencing the 1968 Clint Eastwood film “Where Eagles Dare”. “Broadsword calling Danny Boy. Pizza delivered and the chicken’s in the pot,” he texted, to which the colleague replied: “Ha, fucking amateurs. We should have done a DLB (dead letter box) or brush contact on the riverside.”

Prosecutor Andrew Edis said this was a “quite complicated and quite risky” exercise which could only be explained as an attempt to hide evidence-and said it was “inconceivable” that Brooks did not know what was taking place. Brooks, her husband and Hanna all deny charges of perverting the course of justice. Brooks is also accused of directing her personal assistant, Cheryl Carter, to remove seven boxes of notebooks from the company’s archive. She and Carter deny the charges.—AFP

TOKYO: Japan is “extremely disappointed” that South Korean President Park Geun-Hye sees no point in a summit with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an official said yesterday. The comments come after Park said a sit-down would get the two sides nowhere while Tokyo refuses to apologize for “past wrongdoings”. Abuses carried out during Japan’s repressive 1910-45 colonial rule remain a source of deep anger and resentment in South Korea, particularly the treatment of women forced to work as comfort women in Japan’s wartime military brothels.

“We are extremely disappointed that concerns were expressed in this interview” with the BBC, deputy chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters. “Japan has been explaining to the South Korean side our position over past issues such as perceptions on history and comfort women, and we’ve asked them to accept it,” Kato said. Japanese politicians express exasperation over repeated requests for contrition by South Korea, pointing to numerous apologies and a 1965 agreement that normalized relations and included a large payment to Seoul.

Abe and Park, both of whom came to power in the past 12 months, have not yet held a formal meeting, although they have met at international gatherings. “South Korea is an important neighbor that shares with us basic values and interests, so Japan will continue efforts to build cooperation,” Kato added. “Prime Minister Abe always says we should hold a summit exactly

because there are problems,” he added. The fracas is a headache for Washington, which would dearly like its two closest allies in Asia to get along, especially in the face of China’s rising might.

In an interview with the BBC aired Monday ahead of a trip to Britain, Park said issues over the interpretation of history and comfort women have not been

LONDON: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (left) speaks with South Korea’s President Park Geun-hye during a ceremonial welcome at Horseguards Parade in central London yesterday at the start of a three-day state visit to Britain by the South Korean President. — AFP

With eye on US, North Korea prepares nukes SEOUL: North Korea is making progress on an inter-continental ballistic missile capable of delivering a first-generation nuclear warhead to the continental United States, a leading US think-tank said yesterday. The closely followed 38 North website of the Johns Hopkins University’s US-Korea Institute argued that ICBM mock-ups seen at recent military parades in Pyongyang were “less fake” than originally believed. Numerous experts had widely ridiculed the models of the North’s road-mobile KN-08 ICBM seen in 2012 and July this year, with at least one respected aerospace engineer labeling them technically preposterous and a “big hoax”.

An analysis posted by 38 North disagreed, saying they were consistent with the ongoing development of a missile with a limited intercontinental ability using only existing North Korean technology. “Elegant or not,” the mockups suggest an ability to assemble components and technologies to produce missiles with theoretical ranges of 5,500 kilometers to more than 11,000 km.

“Almost all of the configurations examined would be able to deliver a light, first-generation nuclear warhead at least as far as Seattle,” it said.

The analysis was co-written by nonproliferation expert Jeffrey Lewis and aerospace engineer John Schilling. The authors noted that glaring discrepancies in KN-08 mock-ups displayed in 2012 had largely disappeared by the time of the July parade. And the new arrangement of welds and rivets was similar to that seen on recovered debris from the

“resolved or addressed”. “If Japan continues to stick to the same historical perceptions and repeat its past comments, then what purpose would a summit serve? Perhaps it would be better not to have one,” she said.

“If they continue to say there is no need for an apology, and no need to acknowledge their past wrongdoings, then what good would it do?”

North’s Unha-3 carrier, which successfully placed a satellite in orbit in December last year. In a separate, technical paper published in Science and Global Security, Schilling stressed that the KN08 was still very much a missile in development.

“The lack of flight testing strongly suggests that operational deployment is still months or years in the future,” the engineer said. And even with a successful test program, it would likely be unreliable, limited in mobility and performance, and available only in small numbers, he added. Lewis and Schilling’s paper referenced recent analysis of satellite imagery indicating that North Korea was upgrading its main missile launch site, possibly to cater to larger, mobile weapons. An initial test of the KN-08 could come “at any time”, Schilling said.

Missile delivery has often been cited as the main weakness of the North’s nuclear weapons program which, after three tests, is believed to be close to mastering the key technology of warhead miniaturization. December’s satellite launch caused serious concern, but experts stressed that it lacked the reentry technology needed to bring an ICBM down onto a target. Nevertheless, Lewis and Schiller said dismissing the mock-ups paraded in Pyongyang would be dangerous. “The simplest explanation here is that the (KN-08) is exactly what it appears to be: A developmental road-mobile ICBM of limited capability but still able to threaten the continental United States,” they said. — AFP

In a landmark pronouncement in 1995 Japan said it “caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of many countries, particularly to those of Asian nations” in the first half of the 20th century, adding then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama felt “deep remorse” and offered a “heartfelt apology”. And in a 1993 statement in the name of then chief cabinet secretary Yohei Kono, Japan offered “sincere apologies” to those women forced into sexual slavery.

However, backtracking by some conservative Japanese politicians has stirred anger, particularly in Seoul, which argues Tokyo shows a lack of sincerity. Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said yesterday that the Abe government stands by the 1995 pronouncement, including the part that refers to Tokyo’s “aggression”. “We, as the Abe cabinet, stand by” the so-called Murayama statement, Kishida told the upper house’s foreign affairs and defense committee.

The conservative Sankei Shimbun said yesterday Japan’s foreign ministry produced a document last month saying “since the early 1990s South Korea has expressed its position that the comfort women issue is outside the (1965) deal on compensation”. The document reportedly said a ruling by South Korea’s constitutional court in 2011 that ordered Seoul to reopen negotiations with Tokyo over compensation for comfort women “could threaten the foundations of the Japan-South Korea relationship”.— AFP

Militia fighters battle in Libya TRIPOLI: Libyan militia fighters on the government payroll fought each other with rifles, grenades and anti-aircraft weapons on the streets of Tripoli yesterday in the worst clashes in the capital in weeks. No one was killed, but the fighting underlined how Libya’s government is finding it harder to contain former fighters and Islamist militants in a country awash with weapons two years after Muammar Gaddafi’s fall. Strikes and armed protests by militias and tribal gunmen demanding payments or political rights have shut much of the OPEC member’s oil output for months and deprived the government of its key source of income.

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has sought to co-opt militias that helped to topple Gaddafi by integrating them and their weapons from the NATO-backed revolt into the nascent army and police. But in practice, most continue to report to their commanders or tribes. Yesterday’s fighting broke out just after midnight in Tripoli’s eastern Suq Al-Juma district and a central coastal area, where a Reuters witness saw two burned out pick-ups belonging to a militia on the government payroll.

A senior security official said three people had been wounded, among them the head of a militia from the central city of Misrata who was critically wounded.

Shooting started after members of one militia paid by the government to help secure Tripoli stopped a car without plates and detained the driver, the official said. He was brought to a security office in Suq Al-Juma but later released after he proved the car belonged to him.

Angered about the detention, the car owner returned with members of a rival militia, who came back to the checkpoint in four to five cars. An ensuing exchange of gunfire spread to other parts of Tripoli. Reuters reporters could hear rocket-propelled grenades and heavy anti-aircraft guns being fired throughout the night. The situation calmed down after daybreak, though occasional rifle shots could still be heard in the morning.

Fighting between militias is often about personal arguments, control of local areas, stolen cars or smuggled goods such as drugs or alcohol that are banned in Libya. Tripoli has largely been spared the assassinations and bombings that happen almost daily in the eastern city of Benghazi, but security in the capital remains fragile. Several embassies have been attacked, and last month a group of former rebels briefly kidnapped Zeidan from a Tripoli hotel before other militiamen freed him hours later.

Dozens of people demonstrated and burned tyres on Monday night in Benghazi in protest against the deteriorating security situation after the recent killing of an intelligence officer and his young daughter in a bomb attack, residents said. Many people in eastern Libya and its main city, Benghazi, demand autonomy from Tripoli and a greater share of oil wealth, accusing Zeidan’s government for abandoning their region.

On Sunday, an autonomy movement launched a shadow government for the east, a move that changes little on the ground but will worsen ties with the weak central government.— Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Focus

Muted protests reflect Islamists’ dwindling power

By Jay Deshmukh he failure of ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi’s supporters to stage large protests at his trial reflects the dwindling power of his Muslim Brotherhood following a deadly military crackdown.

Morsi’s insistence in a Cairo court on Monday that he remains Egypt’s president, and his subsequent transfer to a prison cell, could further polarise the already deeply divided country following months of unrest. Morsi, ousted on July 3 by the army amid massive demonstrations against his one-year rule, was put on trial Monday for incitement to murder protesters outside the presidential palace in Dec 2012. His supporters had vowed massive protests but in the end only a few dozen showed up outside the courtroom and a few thousand held a brief demonstration at another location in Cairo.

“A big shift happened yesterday. First, Morsi turned from a president in custody to an inmate of Borg al-Arab prison,” said political analyst Hisham Kassem, referring to the jail on the outskirts of Alexandria where Egypt’s first democratically elected leader was transferred. “Second, his Islamist supporters bungled. They were unable to garner large numbers and it clearly shows their movement is weakening. If the Muslim Brotherhood thought it could last for centuries, then that perception is gone. The movement is sputtering towards an end.”

The low turnout illustrated the fall from grace of a movement that for decades was Egypt’s most formidable opposition and which handily won a series of polls after the 2011 overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. An August 14 assault by security forces on two protest camps killed hundreds of Morsi supporters, and since then more than 2,000 Islamists have been jailed, including most of the Brotherhood’s leadership. Subsequent demonstrations have ignited deadly street clashes with security forces and Morsi opponents.

On Monday, a defiant Morsi rejected the court that is trying him, chanting several times from behind the bars of a caged dock that he remains “president of the republic”.

But analysts say his defiance failed to energise supporters who just a month ago staged massive demonstrations backing him. “Fractures within the Egyptian society remain deep. The strategy of Morsi (of insisting he is the president) is hardly tenable in the long term....as it is hardly noticed beyond his movement,” said Karim Bitar of the Paris-based French Institute of International and Strategic Relations. He said a majority of Egyptians and even world powers like the United States seem to have accepted Morsi’s overthrow. “The American concern today seems to be that some form of a democratic process is in place (in Egypt), even if the Brotherhood is excluded,” said Bitar.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who paid his first visit to Egypt since Morsi’s ouster on the eve of the trial, made no mention of the ousted leader. “The Muslim Brotherhood would be unable to impact the roadmap” now, said Hassan Nafea, professor of political science at Cairo University, referring to the transition plan of the military-installed authorities. It envisages a new constitution and new parliamentary and presidential elections by the middle of 2014. Founded in 1928, the Brotherhood has weathered previous waves of arrests, most notably under Egypt’s nationalist president Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s and 1960s. After Mubarak’s overthrow in Feb 2011 the Brotherhood emerged as the most well-organised political movement in the country and won a series of victories at the polls, culminating in the 2012 election of Morsi. But millions of Egyptians became disillusioned with Morsi’s turbulent one year-rule, marked by political turmoil and a crippling economic crisis. His supporters insist he was undermined at every step by the “deep state” left over from Mubarak’s reign, while opponents accused him of trying to erect a new dictatorship run by the Brotherhood.

In November 2012, he decreed himself sweeping powers, prompting opponents to accuse him of failing the revolution that ousted Mubarak. The following month clashes broke out when the Muslim Brotherhood moved in to disperse protesters outside the presidential palace after accusing security forces of failing to protect the president.

Several people were killed in the ensuing melee, from which the charges against Morsi stem.

And six months later, millions took to the streets to demand Morsi’s ouster and welcomed the military’s announcement that he had been removed from power and taken into custody. “The Muslim Brotherhood ...over time has lost support from the majority of the people,” said Nafea. “It was given a chance but it failed to change itself from a secret, underground group to a real democratic component of Egypt’s national movement... and yesterday was a clear failure for the Islamists.” — AFP

T

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The editor reserves the right to edit any submission as necessary.

For Obama, a struggle with personal appeal

By Julie Pace and Jennifer Agiesta or years, President Barack Obama’s personal favorability ratings served as a political firewall that sustained him through an economic recession, grueling fights with congressional Republicans, and the grind of a re-election campaign. But after a rough start to Obama’s second term, Americans increasingly view the president unfavorably. And perhaps most concerning for the White House: an Associated Press analysis of public polling shows it has become more difficult over time for Obama to fully rebound from dents in his favorability ratings. “It’s a slow cumulative effect,” Republican pollster David Winston said, adding that personal favorability “is a much harder number to move if it starts to go south.”

The public’s increasingly negative view of Obama may be less of a concern for his future given that he is barred from running for reelection. But the president still needs a strong connection with the public in order to rally Americans around his policy proposals and, in turn, to show Congress he remains politically relevant at a time when lame duck status is lurking.

The president’s advisers need only look at Obama’s predecessor, George W Bush, to see

F

the impact of a crumbling relationship with the public. Positive impressions of the Republican trailed off in the beginning of 2005 amid public frustration with the Iraq war and the government’s flawed response to Hurricane Katrina. Bush’s favorability rating never recovered and he struggled to fulfill significant policy goals throughout the rest of his presidency.

A series of recent polls show Obama’s personal favorability now leaning negative, including an NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll released last week that found positive views of Obama at the lowest point of his presidency and down 6 points from earlier in October. The drop follows the 16-day government shutdown, the cascade of problems during his healthcare law’s rollout, and another flood of revelations about US government spying. White House officials blame the shutdown in particular for Obama’s falling favorability, given that it resulted in shuttering many federal services and furloughs for hundreds of thousands of Americans, while again highlighting the troubled ties between the president and Capitol Hill. But Obama aides note that the impact of the shutdown on congressional Republicans has been even worse, with both their personal and job performance ratings at record lows. “Everybody gets hurt when there’s dysfunction in Washington,”

White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Throughout Obama’s presidency, his job approval and personal favorability ratings have generally risen and fallen in tandem. But his favorability numbers, which often reflect the public’s gut-level reaction to a politician, generally remained the more positive of the two measures. That, the president’s supporters argue, made the public more likely to give him a chance even when they disagreed with his policies or the direction the country was headed. His strong likability was seen as a particular asset during his 2012 re-election campaign when most polls showed that voters saw him in a more favorable light than his Republican rival Mitt Romney.

“For the president, it’s meant that people have cared about what he had to say because they liked him,” said Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster. The question for the White House now is whether that dynamic will hold if the public’s personal opinions of the president continue to sour. An Associated Press-GfK poll from early October found that 52 percent of Americans didn’t think Obama was very honest and were split on whether he was even likable.

The president’s favorability has taken hits during other points in his presidency. Most polling found the public’s impression soured in late summer 2011 around the first round of

debt ceiling negotiations and again last summer in the midst of his presidential campaign.

Although Obama’s favorability improved somewhat after each hit, he never fully recovered, with each rating rebound peaking below earlier average favorability ratings. For example, Obama began 2011 with majority favorable ratings in most polling. When the debt ceiling fight pushed his favorability below 50 percent in late 2011, he came back to an average right around 50 rather than above it. This latest battle has led to average ratings in the mid-40s, worse than he’s seen at any point previously.

Past presidents have also struggled to recover from dips in their favorability ratings.

Bush left office with majorities saying they had both a negative impression of him personally and disapproved of his job performance. And former President Bill Clinton’s favorability numbers never recovered after a fall in 1998 as the Monica Lewinsky story unfolded, though his job approval remained strong through his last days at the White House. Republican President Ronald Reagan evoked the warmest reaction from the American public, leaving office with high job approval numbers, 63 percent according to Gallup polling in Dec 1988, and a majority holding a favorable impression of him personally. — AP

Saudis unconvinced by show of US goodwill

By Angus McDowall f Secretary of State John Kerry visited Riyadh to reassure top Saudis that their anger over US Middle East policy is unfounded, he has more work to do. King Abdullah, who rarely meets visiting officials, mustered a full complement of senior princes to sit in on Monday’s talks with Kerry. Such a lineup marked both his high regard for the old alliance with the United States, and his ire at Washington’s recent actions. Saudi leaders fear President Barack Obama’s administration has stopped listening to its Arab ally, particularly on Syria’s civil war and the nuclear dispute with Iran. This risks handing regional supremacy to their chief rival, Tehran, they believe.

Kerry offered assurances in Riyadh, saying Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad must depart and that the Saudis would be kept fully abreast of nuclear talks with Iran. “Our relationship is strategic, it is enduring,” Kerry said after the meeting while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal added: “It’s only natural that our policies and views might see agreement in some areas and disagreement in others”.

Nevertheless, the Saudis seem to remain unconvinced. “This is the feeling in the inner circle: They welcome his visit. They respect his desire to see the king. But he brought the glass half empty,” said Mustafa Alani, an analyst at the Gulf Research Centre based in Jeddah and Geneva.

Washington has shown some willingness to risk strains with allies to pursue US goals of avoiding military intervention in Syria and seeking a nuclear deal with Iran.

But Riyadh’s message has been uncharacteristically blunt and public in recent weeks, as a senior prince - intelligence chief Bandar bin Sultan - spoke of a “major shift” away from the United States. Kerry’s prompt visit showed Washington was worried the disagreements would undermine US policy elsewhere in the Middle East, even though its main interests on safeguarding oil supplies and fighting AlQaeda remain unaffected.

He promised to confront aggression directed at Gulf partners “as we did for Kuwait in the Gulf War”. But while the US forces led the expulsion of Iraq from

I

Kuwait in 1991, times have changed. A Reuters/Ipsos survey last month showed only 13 percent of Americans backed US intervention in Syria. Prince Saud said “most of (our) differences are in tactics”, but it was clear major points of disagreement had been aired between Kerry and King Abdullah, whom the Secretary of State described as a “candid” friend.

Alongside Abdullah and Prince Saud in the meeting were Crown Prince Salman, Second Deputy Prime Minister Prince Muqrin, Interior Minister Prince

Monday’s news conference. The ruling princes regard Syria as a battleground for regional supremacy between a Shiite alliance backed by Iran, and pro-Western Sunni Muslim countries including Gulf Arab states, Egypt and Turkey. That strategic view is backed by what people close to the leadership describe as a sense of outrage at Assad’s use of heavy weapons to target civilian neighbourhoods held by rebels.

They have said from the outset that no solution can be possible without Assad’s

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal talk during a joint press conference on Monday in Riyadh. — AFP

Mohammed bin Nayef and National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah. The group represented almost every top royal.

“This shows a united stance, sending a strong message of disapproval,” said a Saudi analyst close to official thinking. No issue has aroused more disapproval than the US decision not to bomb Syria after a poison gas attack in August, and Washington’s subsequent agreement to a diplomatic process for removing Assad’s chemical arsenal.

“Reducing the Syrian crisis to merely destroying chemical weapons - which is but a small aspect of it - won’t help put an end to one of the greatest humanitarian disasters of our times,” Prince Saud said at

departure, but despite Kerry’s assurance that this also remains Washington’s goal, they are sceptical the United States will follow through. “Kerry says Assad must go.

But (the Americans) have said that for a long time and their actions haven’t supported that. They promised support for the rebels, but their actions haven’t supported that,” said Robert Jordan, US ambassador to Riyadh from 2001-03 under President George Bush.

Jordan pointed to Kerry’s repeated statements that the United States did not want military involvement in Syria. “Absent a negotiated solution, we don’t see a lot of ways to end the violence ... that are implementable or palatable to us because we

don’t have the legal authority or the justification or the desire at this point to get in the middle of a civil war,” Kerry said on Monday.

An opinion piece by Ghassam Al-Imam in Tuesday’s Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, a pan-Arab daily owned by the family of Crown Prince Salman, described Obama’s policies as “disastrous”, and particularly castigated “defeatism” in the face of Iran. It is a viewpoint that, said Alani, is widely held in the Saudi leadership, which fears Obama does not share their belief that Iran is engaged in an increasingly brazen attempt to gain dominance over the Arab world. Alani pointed particularly to the role played in the Syrian conflict this year by the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah, regarded by Riyadh as a surrogate for Iran, as a watershed moment for Saudi princes.

“There is a gap in the threat perception.

We lived with Hezbollah for many years in Lebanon. But now we have clear evidence it’s an arm of interventionist Iranian policy,” he said.

While Kerry barely mentioned Hezbollah at Monday’s news conference, Prince Saud was explicit. “I consider Syria an occupied land... right now the most important step (Iran) can take to prove its good intentions is to get out of Syria and get its ally, its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, out of there too,” he said. But perhaps nothing reflected the differences in priorities more than Kerry’s statement that Iranian involvement in Arab states was less urgent than resolving the nuclear dispute. “We are well aware of Iran’s activities in the region... and they concern us. It concerns us that Iran has personnel on the ground in Syria. It concerns us that Hezbollah is active in conjunction with Iran’s support. But the first step is the nuclear step,” Kerry said.

New Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said he wants to resolve the decadeold dispute over the nuclear program, which Tehran insists is peaceful. However, Riyadh fears a nuclear-armed Iran or that Obama will allow the Iranians to become a “threshold state”, lacking the bomb itself but retaining the ability to make one very quickly, said Jordan. But they also see it as less urgent than Iranian involvement in Syria and elsewhere. “The nuclear file is important, but it is not killing 200 people in Syria every day,” said Alani. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

S P ORTS

Troicki’s ban ends dream LONDON: Serbia’s Viktor Troicki said his dream of being a “top player” had been taken away after his ban for violating the ITF’s doping regulations was reduced to 12 months from 18 yesterday.

The 27-year-old former world No.12 was suspended by the ITF in July for failing to provide a blood sample at the Monte Carlo Masters in April but appealed to have the decision reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Troicki, who denied any wrongdoing, said he had been told at the time by a doping official that he had been excused from providing a blood sample as he was feeling unwell.

While the CAS tribunal found that Troicki’s fault was “not significant” it only reduced the ban by six months, meaning he will not be able to compete again on the ATP Tour until July 15, ruling him out of three grand slam tournaments.

“I hoped that the most difficult period of my career and of my life would be over, and I really trusted the judges I met in Lausanne,” Troicki said in a statement. “I had the feeling that they were really looking for the truth and that they had found it during the hearing.—Reuters

Mickelson to play in Abu Dhabi

Le Clos shatters records SINGAPORE: South Africa’s Chad Le Clos shattered his own 200m butterfly shortcourse world record in Singapore yesterday as Australia twice powered to new marks in the mixed 4x50m medley relay.

Under stormy skies, the world and Olympic champion produced a lightning swim to touch in 1min 48.56sec, nearly half-a-second under his record set in August and five seconds ahead of the pack.

The 21-year-old later added 50m butterfly gold to extend his lead in the overall standings with just two stops left in the eight-leg series after Singapore. “I just heard the crowd pick up and I knew that I was under world record pace,” said Le Clos.

“For me it’s just about getting faster each year, and the most important thing is that I keep dominating the events that I am dominating and extending on other events like the freestyle and individual medley races,” he added. Le Clos was the star but Australia caused fireworks of their own with not one but two world records in the newly introduced 4x50m mixed medley relay, the first in the morning heats.—AFP

ABU DHABI: British Open winner Phil Mickelson will launch his campaign next year by returning to the Abu Dhabi Championship for the first time since 2011.

The world number four, who said last week that he would be making unspecified cuts to his schedule in 2014, is to join Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Luke Donald in a strong field at the $2.7 million European Tour event in the Gulf between Jan. 16-19.

“To play Abu Dhabi in the early part of the year is a great opportunity,” Mickelson said in a news release yesterday. “I’ve wanted to return since my first time there in 2011. The golf course and facilities are outstanding and the quality of the field and the good weather make it a great place to start my season.” Five-times major winner Mickelson plans to play the week before each of the big four championships next year.

The 43-year-old American said last week that he would compete in Houston before the US Masters, in Memphis ahead of the US Open, in Scotland before the British Open and in Akron ahead of the US PGA Championship. —Reuters

Devils stop Lightning

LAS VEGAS: A panda bear sits next to Jay Farber’s chips during the World Series of Poker Final Table. — AP

2 WSOP finalists set to play for $8.4M crown LAS VEGAS: Four finalists in the World Series of Poker busted out in quick succession early yesterday, leaving a Las Vegas club promoter and a young pro originally from Michigan one heads-up match away from poker’s richest prize an $8.4 million crown.

Ryan Riess, 23, eliminated Amir Lehavot in third place with a pair of 10s, treading past five meaningless community cards to bump his guaranteed payday up by $1.5 million and set the last day night showdown. Reiss’ opponent in the no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament: Las Vegas amateur Jay Farber, who went straight from the final table to rounding his friends up to go clubbing.

“I’m out every night. What am I going do? Sit at home and dwell on the final table? No, I’m going to enjoy myself,” he said.

After several hours of pushing chips around with little excitement, the final table came to a close with a flurry of allins, sending four people home in just 15 hands played in less than an hour.

Lehavot won $3.7 million for his third place finish.

JC Tran, who came in as the chip leader and was the favorite to win the diamond-encrusted championship bracelet, busted out in fifth place after struggling all night with a string of weak hands.

“I’m not 100 percent happy with the way I played, but when you’re put on the tough side of hands, it’s tough to overcome it,” he said. Tran, the best known of the nine finalists, vowed to come back next year and make another run at the prize he had hoped would float him into grinder retirement.

On Monday evening, nine players from five countries walked like prizefighters into the 1,600-seat theater at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino where magicians Penn and Teller regularly perform, and sat down to play the biggest game of their lives under the heat of blue and red stage lights.

The finale was broadcast nearly live on ESPN, airing with a 15-minute delay to satisfy Nevada gambling regulators so that players don’t have any way to know what their opponents are holding.

Farber took the lead early, a plush panda mascot cheering him on. His friends wore “combat panda” shirts, and

shrieked when the mascot rushed the stage only to be escorted out by security.

Riess, the youngest of the nine finalists, also kept well ahead of the pack. His fans cheered “Riess the beast” as he made bold plays that he could back up with strong cards.

“Everyone was playing really solid and the cards ran my way today,” he said. “It worked exactly like I envisioned it. I was kind of thinking it would be me and Farber.”

Both men sat back and accumulated the chips early, quickly amassing twothirds of the chips in play. They stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, attempting to pick off the weaker players.

The poker marathon began in July with 6,352 players and was chopped down to nine through seven sessions spread over 11 days. Play then paused for four months, giving the men a chance to recuperate and study each other. Or, in the case of Farber, not study.

“I felt like the way I played got me to where I was, and we weren’t gonna try and change anything,” the heavily-tattooed 29 year-old said during a break Monday.

Poker pro Mark Newhouse was the first to go home Monday. He sat down in eighth place, and busted out after he went up against Riess with a pair of nines. Riess was holding an ace and a king, and caught another king on the flop, when the first community cards were revealed. Newhouse went home with just the $733,224 ninth place prize all finalists were paid in July.

Chips mean everything and nothing in poker tournaments. They have no direct tie to the amount of money won or lost; each player already staked $10,000 to enter. As the tournament progresses, minimum bets creep higher every two hours, tightening the pressure on players who continually find their chips weren’t worth as much as before.

Riess and Farber will sit down yesterday with 105,000,000 and 85,675,000 in chips, and play until they settle the title, with one player losing all his chips and the other claiming the top prize and the glory that comes with joining the names of past winners, including Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Doyle Brunson and, most famously, Chris Moneymaker. — AP

NEWARK: Jaromir Jagr became the NHL’s leader in game-winning goals after scoring on a secondperiod breakaway to give the New Jersey Devils a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

The 684th goal of Jagr’s 20-year NHL career, gave him 119 game-winners, putting him one ahead of NHL Hall of Famer Phil Esposito.

Adam Henrique also scored and Mar tin Brodeur made 16 saves as the Devils won consecutive games for the first time this season and ended Tampa Bay’s three-game winning streak.

Steven Stamkos, who had three goals and four assists last week, scored a power-play goal for Tampa Bay, which had won five of six in posting the best record in the Eastern Conference.

New Jersey, which lost its first seven games of the season, rallied late to beat Boston on Saturday for its second win.

BLUES 3, JETS 2 Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59.4 seconds left to break a tie and Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves to lead the Blues to a win over the Jets.

The Blues, who won their second in a row, have recorded points in five successive games.

Winnipeg has lost five of six. Halak improved to 71-1 on the season. He is 5-2 lifetime in seven starts against Winnipeg. Brenden Morrow and Alex Pietrangelo also scored for the Blues, who improved to 5-1-1 at home. Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler tallied for the Jets.

straight game. He also scored the tying goal early in the third. The Ducks lost veteran forward Teemu Selanne in the third period after he took Luke Schenn’s high stick to the face. Selanne went down on the corner ice, then skated off to the locker room. Hiller and the Ducks killed one final Philadelphia power play that extended into the final minute to hang on for the win.

CANADIENS 2, STARS 1 Rene Bourque scored in the second period and Carey Price made 26 saves as the Canadiens downed the Stars. Michael Bournival also scored for Montreal, which has won three of its past four games.

Cody Eakin scored for Dallas, which remained last in the Central Division. The Canadiens struck first as Raphael Diaz lofted a wrist shot from the point to the far post that Bournival tipped off defenseman Stephane Robidas and past Kari Lehtonen at 12:02 of the first. Bournival has three goals and four assists in his past seven games.

RANGERS 3, ISLANDERS 2 Benoit Pouliot and Ryan McDonagh scored third-period goals as the Rangers rallied for a victory over the Islanders. Trailing 2-1 after two periods, McDonagh got the Rangers even at 4:59 with their second power-play goal of the night.

Pouliot then netted the game-winner off a pass from Carl Hagelin with 6:14 left. Cam Talbot,

subbing for No. 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist, made 22 saves for his second win. He played for the third time in four games.

COYOTES 3, KINGS 1 Mike Smith stopped 41 shots and Kyle Chipchura had a goal and an assist as Phoenix rebounded from a messy loss to Los Angeles by beating the Kings.

Smith had a miserable game in California last Thursday, when he was pulled after allowing four goals on 15 shots in the first period of the Kings’ 7-4 win. Smith made numerous tough saves Tuesday before Jarret Stoll beat him on a power play late in the third period.

Phoenix’s Derek Morris and Shane Doan each scored in the final two minutes of the second to break open a tight game. Chipchura scored in the third.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, OILERS 0 Phil Kessel had two goals and two assists, leading Toronto past Edmonton for its second consecutive victory. James Reimer stopped 43 shots for his 11th career shutout.

James van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won three of four to take over sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division. Richard Bachman made 22 saves for the Oilers, who have lost four straight.

Edmonton outshot Toronto 43-26. — AP

BLACKHAWKS 6, SENATORS 5 Jonathan Toews had three goals and an assist and Corey Crawford made 14 saves in relief of an ineffective Nikolai Khabibulin as the Blackhawks beat the Senators.

Andrew Shaw scored twice and Marian Hossa had a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks, who trailed 4-2 with 8:46 left in the second period. It was Hossa’s 100th goal with Chicago and No. 439 for his career. The Senators scored three times in a span of four shots in the second, but were unable to hold off the suddenly high-scoring Blackhawks. Kyle Turris and Milan Michalek each had a goal and an assist in Ottawa’s fourth loss in five games.

DUCKS 3, FLYERS 2 Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Ducks past the Flyers.

Andrew Cogliano also scored for the Ducks and Jonas Hiller had 26 saves.

Matt Read and Vinny Lecavalier scored for the Flyers. Palmieri scored on a tip-in with 4:09 left in the game to help the Ducks win their third

NEWARK: Martin Brodeur No. 30 of the New Jersey Devils watches a shot slide harmlessly past the goal in this file photo. — AFP

NHL results/standings Anaheim 2, NY Rangers 1; Winnipeg 4, Detroit 2.

Anaheim San Jose Phoenix Vancouver Los Angeles Calgary Edmonton

W 12 10 10 10 9 6 3

Colorado Chicago Minnesota St. Louis Nashville Dallas Winnipeg

12 9 8 8 7 6 6

Western Conference Pacific Division L OTL GF 3 1 52 1 3 53 3 2 51 5 1 46 6 0 43 6 2 42 10 2 36 Central Division 1 0 42 2 4 52 4 3 38 2 2 44 5 2 31 6 2 37 8 2 39

GA 40 27 46 41 40 49 59

PTS 25 23 22 21 18 14 8

19 42 34 29 40 42 47

24 22 19 18 16 14 14

Tampa Bay Toronto Detroit Boston Montreal Ottawa Florida Buffalo

10 10 9 8 8 4 3 2

Pittsburgh NY Islanders Washington NY Rangers Carolina Columbus New Jersey Philadelphia

11 6 7 6 4 5 3 4

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division 4 0 47 5 0 48 5 2 40 5 0 36 7 0 41 6 4 42 8 3 28 13 1 26 Metropolitan Division 4 0 48 5 3 45 7 0 44 8 0 26 7 3 27 8 0 33 7 4 26 9 0 21

35 36 41 25 31 47 49 49

20 20 20 16 16 12 9 5

33 44 40 40 44 36 42 37

22 15 14 12 11 10 10 8

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

Winter sports up in arms over 2022 World Cup idea LAUSANNE: The prospect of a winter World Cup in 2022 is causing mounting anger among the leaders of skiing, ice hockey and other cold weather sports who fear the crushing power of football fever.

As FIFA weighs up whether to move the globe’s top football tournament from its traditional June and July slot to avoid host nation Qatar’s scorching heat, its winter sport counterparts are marshalling opposition. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has announced that it plans to form a united front with six other governing bodies to take a stand against the idea of their seasons being blitzed by football. The world of football is already split, with critics saying the climate issue could hardly have escaped FIFA’s notice.

England’s Premier League and its Australian counterpart have protested, fearing disruption to their fixtures and coffers, while winter sports federations and broadcasters argue that a high-profile football event clashing

with their own seasons would dent television audiences and revenues. The winter federations are not disguising their irritation about the way things are taking shape. “I honestly and privately just don’t believe that anybody within FIFA cares about us,” said FIS chief Gian Franco Kasper as skiing’s own World Cup season got underway at the end of October.

“They’re the gods of the world-at least they believe itthey can do whatever they want. Now we are opposing it of course as much as we can” said Kasper, who is Swiss like FIFA boss Sepp Blatter. Ottavio Cinquanta, the Italian head of global skating’s governing body FISU hammered home that message. “I don’t think my colleague Kasper is wrong,” Cinquanta told AFP. “You have to remember that Mr. Blatter is Swiss, the head of an international federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee, so he has to discuss this with his colleagues,” he insisted. Cinquanta said it

was time for some “loyal and respectful cooperation”.

Anders Besseberg, head of biathlon federation IBU, says the red lines are there for all to see. “They (FIFA) don’t really need to consult us because it is very clear: we don’t want them to have the World Cup finished later than by December 1 or the end of November,” the Norwegian told AFP. “You have a World Cup in soccer, normally it belongs to the summer sports and should not go into the winter season of the winter sports,” he underlined.

With FIFA’s plans still up in the air-it has delayed making a decision until after the 2014 World Cup in BrazilBesseberg said the time for serious discussion was nonetheless still to come. There is a similar sense of annoyance at the International Ice Hockey Federation.

IIHF boss Rene Fasel said it was likely to join forces with its fellow winter federations.

“We have to work as a family,” Fasel, who is Swiss and a

member of the IOC’s executive committee, told AFP. “We can’t forget that football is the world’ number one sport.

It’s clearly a competitor. Our clubs could feel the consequences on the spectator front,” he added.

But he said that the winter federations should keep their powder dry until FIFA’s stance is clearer. “Only then should be start getting angry,” he said. The IOC also wants FIFA to coordinate with it in order to avoid any impact of a World Cup shift on the 2022 Winter Olympics, whose host city will be chosen in July 2015.

Blatter is scheduled on Saturday to meet Qatar’s new emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, for what FIFA has described as a “courtesy visit”.

In addition to the calendar issue, the two men are expected to discuss labour rights in the Gulf monarchy, amid human rights campaigners’ claims that migrant workers on World Cup-linked projects there are being treated like slaves. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

S P ORT S

Brain damage concussion fears seep into rugby and soccer LONDON: Rugby and soccer players who suffer multiple knocks to the head during their careers are at added risk of brain damage that could lead to dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, brain scientists are warning.

Just as some American football players and boxers have been found to have long-term cognitive deficits after suffering repeated head blows or concussions during play, so soccer and rugby players must be made aware of the same dangers.

“What happens is that when you have a big impact, your skull twists one way but your brain stays in the same place,” said John Hardy, chair of Molecular Biology of Neurological Disease at University College London’s Institute of Neurology.

These injuries, he said, common among boxers, American National Football League (NFL) and ice hockey players, as well as soccer and rugby players, can cause damage to the brain similar to abnormalities found in people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

“We need to minimise the risks by coming down very heavily on tackles and behaviours that are likely to cause rotational injury to the brain,” Hardy said.

Such concerns have echoed across sport in recent days, particularly after English soccer club Tottenham Hotspur controversially allowed goal-

keeper Hugo Lloris to play on even after he was knocked out in a collision with a striker.

Luke Griggs, a spokesman for the brain injury charity Headway, said the decision displayed an “irresponsible and cavalier attitude to a player’s health”. By playing on, he said, Lloris may have caused greater damage to his brain.

“He should have been removed from the game immediately and taken to hospital for thorough tests and observation.” Brain scientists and medical experts agree.

At an international conference on concussion in sport last year, specialist doctors working in sport drafted a consensus saying that no player, regardless of the sport, should return to the field of play on the day of a concussive injury.

Yet the problem there, says Willie Stewart, a consultant neuropathologist at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital who is due to speak at a professional rugby concussion forum in London this week, is that diagnosing concussion is a far lengthier and more complex process than many people assume.

“People believe you have to be knocked unconscious to have concussion, but there are many other symptoms of concussion too,” Stewart told Reuters in an interview.

These include headaches, nausea, lack of aware-

ness and blurred or confused vision - but some, many, or all of these symptoms may not appear straight away, he said, and often take hours or even days to appear. Which makes a five-minute pitch side assessment, be it in rugby, soccer, NFL or elsewhere, a fairly unhelpful approach if an accurate diagnosis is to be made.

“The rule should be ‘if in doubt, sit them out’,” said Stewart.” And if you have enough suspicion that a player is concussed to want to conduct a pitch side assessment, then there’s enough doubt there already to take them out of play.”

Stewart and Hardy both called for more education and awareness of the symptoms of concussion, its risks, and the possible long-term damage it can cause. While relatively few studies have been conducted in rugby players, American footballers and boxers have been presented with new and disturbing evidence in recent years, partly thanks to advances in modern neuroscience which mean scientists know more than ever about chronic brain damage. It has various names - including punch drunk syndrome, dementia pugilistica and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) but comes down to the same thing: The long-term trauma that can result from frequent knocks to the head.

Hardy explains that within the soft mass of the

brain tissue, the blood vessels are more fibrous and strong - a bit like wires. When the head is hit, especially in a rotational movement, one of two things can happen — either the blood vessel can snap, leading to a haemorrhage, or there can be microscopic tearing of the tissue around the vessel.

It is this microscopic damage, often not picked up by doctors at pitch side, or even noticed by the players, that is the most likely cause of long-term brain harm.

A study published last month found “profound abnormalities” in brain activity scans of former NFL players. Such findings are not just in men. A small study of female soccer players published earlier this year found evidence of “mild traumatic brain injury of the frontal lobes” caused by repeatedly bouncing a football off the head.

Hardy, whose main concern is about boxing which he describes as little more than “watching people inflict brain damage on each other” - says he was horrified to see women’s boxing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Stewart says the key issue is the brain, not the sport, the person, their age or their gender. “A brain injury is a brain injury is a brain injury,” he said.

“When it gets injured, the brain has no idea what sport it’s playing or where it is.” — Reuters

Russia sending 2014 Sochi Olympics torch on space walk BAIKONUR: For the first time in history, the Olympic flame will be taken on a spacewalk. The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics torch will be sent to the International Space Station on board a Russian spacecraft this week and astronauts will then carry it outside the station.

Here’s a look at the Sochi torch.

SYKTYVKAR: A handout picture taken during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic torch relay and released by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Organizing Committee shows torchbearers, Maria Iovleva (left) a Russian biathlete and cross-country skier representing Russia at the 2010 Winter Paralympics, and Ivan Volzhanin (right) ‘kissing’ with their torches to pass the Olympic flame. — AFP

Russia struggles to keep Olympic torch burning MOSCOW: The Olympic torch has been to the North Pole and travelled thousands of kilometres (miles) on the relay that will end at the Sochi Winter Games in Russia in February. The problem is, the flame keeps going out.

President Vladimir Putin aims to make the Games a showcase of Russia’s modern face to the world 23 years after the fall of the Soviet Union. But preparations have been dogged by delays, cost overruns and criticism over issues ranging from Russia’s treatment of gays, a ban on most protests in Sochi and the treatment of migrant workers on construction sites.

On top of that, the longest torch relay in Olympic history has been interrupted repeatedly since Putin launched it by hoisting the torch high outside the Kremlin on Oct. 6.

It went out minutes later as a former Soviet swimming champion jogged with it through an archway into the Kremlin. In an incident broadcast live on state television, a plainclothes guard saved the day with a cigarette lighter.

US lighter manufacturer Zippo posted a picture of the guard lighting the torch on Facebook, with the Twitter hashtag #ZippoSavestheOlympics, before threats of legal action from the International Olympic Committee prompted its removal. The flame spluttered and died at least eight times in the first six days of the relay, the independent Dozhd television and Internet channel said.

Yulia Latynina, a journalist who has been following the planned 65,000-km (40,000-mile) relay, says the torch - made at a Siberian factory that produces submarine-launched ballistic missiles - has already gone out at least 44 times on its way to Sochi on Russia’s Black Sea coast.

“A torch is a lot simpler than a missile - it’s a big gas lighter,” Latynina said on Ekho Moskvy radio station. “Question: Do our missiles fly the way our torches burn?”

The flame has also, at times, burnt too fierce-

ly. A video shot in Vologda, north of Moscow, shows the flame expanding to cover the entire upper part of the torch while being held by a man dressed in the blue robe of Grandfather Frost, Russia’s version of Santa Claus.

Asked for comment, torch relay spokesman Roman Osin said that the number of times the torch had failed was within the normal range of error and that there had been similar incidents during the relays before the London and Beijing Olympics. He did not say how many times it had gone out. The torches were designed to withstand Russia’s extreme weather conditions, including high winds and temperatures that can range from -40 C (-40 F) to 40 C (104 F).

“We did not have any experience in doing this so we experimented,” Viktor Filippov, deputy chief engineer at the Krasnoyarsk Machinebuilding Factory, which manufactured the torches, told Reuters before the relay began.

“It’s an overstatement to say it can keep the flame burning anywhere, but it can do that in the given temperature range.”

It is no laughing matter for Putin, who has staked a lot on a successful Games, but the torch has become the butt of jokes in Russia.

On a roadside in Kolomna, a city outside Moscow, residents greeted the torch by holding up lighters or striking matches.

One Twitter user suggested it was a good thing that Prometheus, the hero of Greek myth who gave fire to humanity, had not used a Sochi torch. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny has used the torch’s woes in his criticism of the authorities. Bloggers have pointed to a similarity between the torch’s design, resembling a feather of the Firebird in Russian folklore, and the label of a Soviet-era vodka brand, Russkaya.

At least the flame will not be a problem this week, when the torch is due to be launched to the International Space Station and then be taken on a space walk. — Reuters

THE SPACE CHARIOT The torch will travel into Earth’s orbit with the next space station crew, who blast off early Thursday from the Russian-operated Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Russia’s Mikhail Tyurin, NASA’s Rick Mastracchio and Koichi Wakata of Japan are heading to the space station on a Russian Soyuz rocket that has been emblazoned with the emblem of the Sochi Winter Games.

FLAMES IN SPACE For safety reasons, the torch will not burn when it’s onboard the space outpost. Lighting it would consume precious oxygen and pose a threat to the crew. The crew will carry the unlit torch around the station’s numerous modules before taking it out on a spacewalk.

A TORCH FIRST The Olympic torch has flown into space before - in 1996 aboard the US space shuttle Atlantis for the Atlanta Summer Olympics - but it has never yet been taken outside a spacecraft.

HANGING IN THE COSMOS Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazanskiy, who are part of the space station’s current crew, will take the torch into open space Saturday when they venture outside the station. Kotov says they are planning to take the video and photos of the torch, hopefully when the space station flies over Russia and the southern resort of Sochi can be seen in the background.

FALLING BACK TO EARTH The torch will stay in space for five days until the returning crew takes it back to Earth next Monday, when Russian Fyodor Yurchikhin, NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency plan to land in Kazakhstan.

JUST PART OF THE JOURNEY The four-month Sochi torch relay, which started in Moscow on Oct. 7, is the longest in the history of the Olympics. For most of the 65,000- kilometer (39,000mile) route, the flame will travel by plane, train, car and even reindeer sleigh, but 14,000 torch bearers are taking part in the relay that stops at more than 130 cities and towns.

Last month, the Olympic flame traveled to the North Pole onboard a Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker.

Later this month it will sink to the bottom of the world’s deepest lake, Lake Baikal. In February, the torch will be taken to the peak of Mount Elbrus, at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) the highest mountain in Russia and Europe.

AND THE CLIMAX The torch will be used to light the Olympic flame at Sochi’s stadium on Feb. 7, marking the start of the 2014 Winter Games that run until Feb. 23. Vladimir Isachenkov contributed to this report from Moscow. — AP

Cook plays a straight bat to Warne’s criticism

HOBART: England’s cricket captain Alastair Cook bats in the nets in Hobart. England will play Australia A in a 4-day tour match from today. — AP

HOBART: England skipper Alastair Cook has played a straight bat to Australian great Shane Warne’s renewed criticism of his captaincy style, saying only results will matter in the Ashes series starting later this month. England has won three consecutive Ashes series, including a 3-0 victory at home completed in August, and arrived in Australia confident of winning four straight for the first time since the 19th century.

An English XI plays Australia A in a fourday match starting today in Hobart, where Cook will bat for the first time on tour after missing a warm-up match in Perth to rest his sore back.

Cook put retired test legspinner Warne’s comments this week about his “boring” and “negative” captaincy down to “what happens when England play in Australia.”

“I’ve always said I’m trying to learn on the job from experience and there will be times where I could be slightly more imaginative and think slightly differently if the situation arises,” Cook said. “We’ve had a pretty good run so far as a test side.

“In my first year as a test captain we’ve won away in India, which wasn’t done for a

long time, won a series against Australia. “I keep saying it, it’s all about results ... we’ve done quite a lot of winning and that’s what it’s about.”

The 28-year-old opener averages 44 in 20 tests against Australia, and actually performs better on Australian soil, where he averages 65 in tests. In England’s winning 2010-11 tour he scored 766 runs at an average of 127.66 - including three centuries and a high score of 235 not out.

In the recent 2013 series at home he made a meager 277 at 27 in five tests. “Any batter knows if you walk around a ground where you have scored runs in the past it gives you a better feeling,” he said. “The difference is that I’m now responsible for the team.”

England has the four-day match against Australia A in Hobart and another match next week against a New South Wales invitation XI to prepare for the five-test Ashes series starting Nov. 21 in Brisbane.

The upcoming Ashes series has been moved forward a year to avoid a clash with Australia’s hosting of the one-day World Cup next summer. — AP

BAIKONUR: The Soyuz-FG launch vehicle with Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft of the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 39 aboard is transported to a launch pad in the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz TMA-11M with an international crew with an unlit torch of Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic aboard is scheduled to blast off to the ISS from Baikonur on Nov 7. The torch is scheduled to return back to Earth on Nov 11. — AFP

Ice Queen Yuna returns with Golden Spin event SEOUL: Olympic figure skating champion Kim Yuna will make her return to competition at the Golden Spin event in Zagreb next month after her preparations for the Sochi Games were interrupted by a foot injur y. Kim, who became the first South Korean to win an Olympic figure skating gold medal when she took blew away the competition in Vancouver, suffered a foot injury in September and has been working to regain her strength and fitness.

The 23-year-old, dubbed the ‘Figure Skating Queen’ in Korea, had said last week her fitness was at about “70 percent” and that she was doing jumps and honing her programs for the Feb. 6-23 Olympics in Russia. “I’ve recovered a lot from the injury and I have chosen this competition after reviewing my options,” she said in a news release yesterday.

“I will prepare hard and get satisfying results.” Kim, who has said Sochi will be her last Olympics, would unveil her new Kim Yuna

short programme “Send in the Clowns” and free skating programme “Adios Nonino” for the first time in Zagreb, the release said.

While she had gone for a more “lyrical” short programme this time around, Kim’s free skate choice of “Adios Nonino,” with its strong tango rhythms, was the hardest and most difficult she had ever done, the statement added.

Kim flirted with retirement after winning gold in Vancouver but took little time to recapture her best form after deciding to compete at one last Olympics.

After more than a year away from the sport, she capped her comeback season with a dominant victory at the world championships in March, where she scored 218.31 to take the title ahead of Italy’s Carolina Kostner and Japan’s Mao Asada. The Japanese skater is expected to be Kim’s main rival for gold in Russia. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

S P ORTS

Warriors dump Sixers PHILADELPHIA: Golden State’s Andre Iguodala made a career-high seven 3-pointers and scored 32 points as the Warriors beat Philadelphia 110-90 on Monday, inflicting a first loss of the season on the 76ers after three-straight wins.

Also Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers had seven players reach double figures in beating Houston, Cleveland hung on to beat Minnesota by a point, and Memphis rallied in the final quarter to beat Boston. Golden State’s Stephen Curry had 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, but Iguodala rightly stole the headlines with a sensational performance, scoring 27 points and six 3s in the first half. He also made the best play of the season thus far with a behind-the-back pass in midair that hit David Lee in stride down the lane for a stunning assist.

Sixers rookie point guard Michael CarterWilliams, the Eastern Conference player of the week, missed 13 of 17 shots and scored 18 points.

Los Angeles’ J.J. Redick scored 19 of his 26 points in the first half to set up the Clippers’ 137-118 win over Houston, which suffered its first loss of the season.

Chris Paul added 23 points and 17 assists, Jamal Crawford had 21 points, and Blake Griffin scored 18 for the Clippers, who led the entire game and tied a franchise record with 78 points in the first half.

Houston’s Dwight Howard finished with 13 points and nine rebounds after getting

roundly booed in his first game in Los Angeles since leaving the Lakers and signing with the Rockets in the NBA’s biggest free agent move last summer.

The Clippers have won five in a row against Houston at home. Cleveland held off a late Minnesota rally to beat the Timberwolves 93-92.

The Wolves trailed by 23 points in the third quarter and nearly erased that but Kevin Love, the NBA’s leading scorer, missed a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining and the ball was tipped away as time ran out. CJ Miles scored 19 points and Kyrie Irving added 15 for the Cavaliers.

Kevin Martin scored 23 points to lead Minnesota, which won its first three games and was off to its best start since going 6-0 in 2001-02. Cavaliers rookie for ward Anthony Bennett, taken with the No. 1 pick in the draft, missed all three of his shots and is 0 for 15 from the field this season. His only points have come on two free throws in the season opener.

Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless keyed a fourthquarter rally, scoring all of his 15 points in the period to lead the Grizzlies over Boston 95-88. Bayless was 6 of 7 in the quarter to help Memphis erase a six-point Boston lead with just under 9 minutes to play.

Zach Randolph and Mike Conley also had 15 for Memphis. Jeff Green led the Celtics with 22 points as Boston fell to 0-4 under rookie coach Brad Stevens. —AP

PHILADELPHIA: Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala dunks on a fast-break during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers. —AP

NBA results/standings Cleveland 93, Minnesota 92; Golden State 110, Philadelphia 90; Memphis 95, Boston 88; LA Clippers 137, Houston 118.

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division W L PCT Philadelphia 3 1 .750 Toronto 2 1 .667 NY Knicks 1 2 .333 Brooklyn 1 2 .333 Boston 0 4 0 Central Division Indiana 3 0 1.000 Detroit 2 1 .667 Cleveland 2 2 .500 Chicago 1 2 .333 Milwaukee 1 2 .333 Southeast Division Miami 2 2 .500 Orlando 2 2 .500 Atlanta 1 2 .333 Charlotte 1 2 .333 Washington 0 3 0

GB 0.5 1.5 1.5 3 1 1.5 2 2 0.5 0.5 1.5

Western Conference Northwest Division Minnesota 3 1 .750 Oklahoma City 2 1 .667 Portland 2 1 .667 Denver 0 2 0 Utah 0 3 0 Pacific Division LA Clippers 3 1 .750 Golden State 3 1 .750 Phoenix 2 1 .667 LA Lakers 2 2 .500 Sacramento 1 2 .333 Southwest Division Houston 3 1 .750 San Antonio 2 1 .667 Dallas 2 1 .667 Memphis 2 2 .500 New Orleans 1 2 .333

0.5 0.5 2 2.5 0.5 1 1.5 0.5 0.5 1 1.5

Photo of the day

Marc Marquez races at Moto Grand Prix 2013 at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. — www.redbull.com

Fiorente wins Melbourne Cup MELBOURNE: Favorite Fiorente prevailed in a furious sprint down the final stretch to win the A$6 million ($5.70 million) Melbourne Cup yesterday and deliver sweet redemption for controversial jockey Damien Oliver.

Fiorente, runner-up to Green Moon last year, enjoyed a textbook ride in the gruelling twomile handicap from three-time winner Oliver, who a year ago was embroiled in scandal amid an illegal betting probe.

Oliver coaxed the six-year-old stallion to the front in the final 100 metres to beat British stayer Red Cadeaux by three-quarters of a length with Mount Athos finishing third.

The win in the 153rd running of the Cup, one of the world’s richest races, was especially satisfying for 41-year-old Oliver, who only returned to the saddle in September after serving a 10month ban for betting on a rival horse in 2010.

His presence in last year ’s race aboard Americain provoked much debate as news of his complicity in the illegal betting scandal swirled in the lead-up.

Oliver was backed by Sydney-based trainer Gai Waterhouse on his return and he rewarded the grand dame of Australian racing with her first Melbourne Cup. In addition to last year ’s heartbreak, Waterhouse also tasted the disappointment of runner-up finishes with Te Akau Nick in 1993 and Nothin Leica Dane in 1995.

“Gai was one of the first people to get behind me when I came back,” an emotional Oliver, who rode 1995 winner Doriemus and Media Puzzle in 2002, said trackside.

“There’s a lot of emotion going through my body right now.” Waterhouse hailed Oliver’s ride which saw Irish import Fiorente, carrying 55 kg from barrier five and backed into 6-1, edge ahead of the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux in front of a heaving crowd of more than 100,000.

“Didn’t he ride him a treat?” a glowing Waterhouse, wearing a necklace of huge pearls and a teal-coloured dress and hat, said trackside.

“I think (backing Oliver) was the crux. I think it was what won us the Cup,” the 59-year-old later told reporters. Scotland-born Waterhouse, whose late father Tommy Smith won two Melbourne Cups and remains an icon of Australian racing, ended 20 years of frustration to win Australia’s most coveted racing trophy. “It ticks the best bucket-list ... It’s a burning desire (to win it),” said Waterhouse, who became only the second female trainer to win the Cup after the New Zealand-based Sheila Laxon’s 2001 triumph with Ethereal. “I could see he was picking up before the turn ... Then the last 200 metres I knew he had it won.”

Starting on barrier 23 in the 24-horse field, eight-year-old gelding Red Cadeaux was equal third-top weight with 56.5 kg and rated a 60-1 chance in a third tilt for the Cup. That he ran another gallant race will be little consolation to trainer Dunlop, who also missed out on a first Melbourne Cup for Britain when the same horse was beaten in a photo finish by French stayer Dunaden in 2011.

The Luca Cumani-prepared Mount Athos came in third on Tuesday, leaving the Newmarket-based trainer still chasing the trophy after eight attempts.

MELBOURNE: Jockey Damien Oliver on Fiorente (right) crosses the finish line to win the Melbourne Cup horse race ahead of Red Cadeaux with jockey Gerald Mosse (left) onboard at the Flemington track. —AFP

MELBOURNE: Trainer of horse Fiorente, Gai Waterhouse (center) and connections celebrate with the trophy after jockey Damien Oliver won the Melbourne Cup at the Flemington track. —AFP Dubbed “the race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup has long shed its image as a showcase of Australian breeding, with only five of the field of 24 horses bred locally.

The race’s soaring prizemoney has also lured foreign trainers to spend small fortunes in bringing horses Down Under, and five from outside Australia and New Zealand have won the Cup since Irish trainer Dermot Weld’s breakthrough with Vintage Crop in 1993.

Five of the nine foreign raiders in Tuesday’s field finished in the top eight, with Simenon, trained by Irishman William Mullins, placing fourth and Marco Botti-trained Dandino fifth.

Australian property magnate Lloyd Williams was widely tipped to win a fifth Melbourne Cup

as an owner of six horses in the field but was left disappointed as Fawkner was the pick of the bunch finishing sixth.

Today’s race had threatened to spiral into controversy when stewards probed race-day treatments to Dunaden and Waterhouse-trained Tres Blue.

Dunaden was treated for an ulcer while Tres Blue had treatment for an irritated hoof. The horses were cleared to race but stewards will hold an inquiry later into both their stables later this week.

The Cup ended on a sour note with French stayer Verema having to be destroyed after the five-year-old mare broke a leg and failed to finish. —Reuters

Nadal close to sealing top spot after beating Ferrer Wawrinka, Del Potro give taste of things to come LONDON: Rafael Nadal is on the verge of finishing the year as the world number one after opening his ATP World Tour Finals campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over David Ferrer yesterday.

Nadal arrived at London’s O2 Arena still smarting from a surprise loss against fellow-Spaniard Ferrer in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters on Saturday, but he was quick to avenge that defeat with an emphatic victory in 74 minutes.

The win means the 27-year-old will be guaranteed to end 2013 top of the world rankings, ahead of Novak Djokovic, if he beats either Tomas Berdych or Stanislas Wawrinka in his remaining Group A fixtures at the prestigious season-ending event.

It will be the third time Nadal has finished a year as number one, but the first since 2010. “They are never easy games against David Ferrer, the number three in the world. He is great and having an amazing career,” Nadal said.

“He played a lot better than me in Paris last week but today I played a little bit better than him and it’s important for my confidence to start with a victory after Paris. “The energy of this stadium is fantas-

tic and hopefully I am ready for tomorrow (Wednesday) against Stanislas Wawrinka.”

If Nadal does end up in top spot, it will complete what the 13-time Grand Slam champion regards as the most satisfying year of his illustrious career. When Nadal returned in February after a seven-month battle to recover from tendinitis in his knee, his ranking had dropped to number five in the world- his lowest position since 2005 — and he was worried if he would ever recapture his top form.

But he showed no signs of having lost a step as he stormed to his eighth French Open title and then won the US Open, as well as claiming eight other titles.

With his place among the elite firmly re-established, a maiden triumph at the Tour Finals would be the perfect way to cap the campaign. Nadal had this week called for the Tour Finals to be played on a different surface each year to be fair to players who specialise in clay and grass court tennis, but he looked comfortable enough on the O2 Arena’s hard courts as he broke Ferrer in the opening game of the match.

Ferrer had won just five of his 25 meetings with Nadal, although he was unbeat-

en in their only two previous indoor encounters, and the world number three hit back with an immediate break of his own. That was the last time the 31-yearold really troubled Nadal, who was gifted another break for a 4-2 lead thanks to a pair of careless forehands from the out-ofsorts Ferrer, who made 33 unforced errors in total.

Nadal continued to blitz Ferrer with his booming backhands and broke again to take the set. Ferrer was looking increasingly unsettled by Nadal’s barrage and he cracked again in the second game of the second set before another break for a 4-0 lead which effectively sealed the world number one’s win.

Nadal had claimed he wasn’t concerned about finishing top of the rankings, but his fist-pumping celebration and broad grin when he converted his second match point suggested otherwise.

Meanwhile, the parade of serial grand slam champions is reserved at the ATP World Tour Finals but the supporting cast provided compelling opening acts with Stanislas Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro in the spotlight.

Swiss Wawrinka, the only debutant

among the eight players contesting the season’s year-ender at London’s impressive 02 Arena, proved he belongs with the elite after a 6-3 6-7(0) 6-3 win over Czech powerhouse Tomas Berdych in Group A. Then, in Monday’s evening session, former US Open champion Del Potro came from a set down to eventually subdue French stylist Richard Gasquet 6-7(4) 6-3 7-5 to open Group B. World number one Rafa Nadal, holder Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, who have won 36 grand slams between them, all play on the second day when Djokovic’s clash with Federer receives top billing after the top seed faces fellow Spaniard David Ferrer.

Wawrinka has long lived in the shadow of compatriot Federer but the 28-year-old has closed to within touching distance of his idol in the world rankings and could surpass him this week. Not that he will brag about it even if that does happen. Wawrinka produced some spellbinding strokes as he outclassed the one-dimensional Berdych for much of their two hour 25 minute contest but after clinching victory he was modesty itself when asked about the noisy

Swiss support in the 17,000 crowd.

“They wanted Roger, but they had me,” Wawrinka, who reached the U.S. Open semi-final this year, told reporters regarding the fans clad in red, many sporting

Federer masks. “It was a really good atmosphere. There were a lot of Swiss people. Yeah, for me it was really, really nice. My first match here was something really special for me.” —Reuters

LONDON: Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Spain’s David Ferrer during their Group A singles match in the round robin stage on the second day of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

S P ORTS

Barcelona missing Messi’s mojo before Milan clash

LONDON: Schalke’s Max Meyer (right) controls a ball in front of Julian Draxler during a training session at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium. Chelsea are due to play Schalke in a Champions League Group E soccer match in Germany today. —AP

Mourinho wants to get it right against Schalke LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who said he made “11 mistakes” in his team selection after Chelsea lost to Newcastle United on Saturday, will not want to get it wrong again when Schalke 04 visit Stamford Bridge in the Champions League today.

Chelsea won 3-0 at Schalke two weeks ago and are top of Group E by virtue of that win, with both teams on six points from three games.

Mourinho told reporters after Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park that he was angry and worried by the performance that ended their run of six successive wins in all competitions. “I made 11 mistakes, 11 mistakes. I should have picked another 11 and not this one,” he said.

“When my team plays so badly, it’s the feeling I have. I am angry because I don’t understand why we lost,” he said, adding that he was also “worried” about their away form which has produced one win in five away league games.

It would be a real upset if Chelsea failed to secure the win that would put them within touching distance of the Champions League knockout round and Mourinho plans to make changes to the team.

“I will be making a lot of changes for sure,” he said before leaving St James’ Park.

Schalke’s players got their own wake-up call from club president Clemens Toennies

last week and they responded by bouncing back from successive defeats to Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga to win 2-0 at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

The players, who kept a clean sheet for the first time in five games, ran more than in any other league game and coach Jens Keller was pleased with their defending.

“What my team can take out of this game is that, when they are compact and defend set-pieces well, it’s hard for anybody to score against us,” he said.

Keller will have Kevin-Prince Boateng fit after the attacking midfielder returned to action on Saturday following a knee injury.

“We’re in London and we know what quality they’ve got,” Boateng said. “We’re looking to get at least a point there. We’re going to have to keep a clean sheet.”

Boateng, who joined late in the transfer window from AC Milan, said he was gradually getting back to his top form. “The knee is getting better by the game,” he said. “You just need games to get to full fitness and sharpness.”

Although Chelsea will start as the strong favourites, Schalke will certainly not be overawed. They can take heart too from their last visit to London just over a year ago when they beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates on their way to topping their Champions League group before going out in the last 16 to Galatasaray. —Reuters

MADRID: Lionel Messi has set the bar so high for himself that when he does not score for a few games it prompts an outburst of speculation and head-scratching about what might be ailing the Argentine World Player of the Year.

That is the situation Messi’s club Barcelona find themselves in as they prepare to host AC Milan in Champions League Group H today.

At home to Espanyol on Friday, the 26-year-old failed to score for a fourth successive La Liga match in which he played the full 90 minutes, his most barren run in almost six years.

Messi’s season was disrupted by a minor muscle strain at the end of September and since his return he has also failed to score against Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Real Madrid. That said, he did net the equaliser in last month’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Milan, his fourth goal of the competition in two outings this season following his hat-trick against Ajax Amsterdam in September. His record in La Liga is also one most players would be delighted with — eight goals in 10 appearances — yet still the alarm bells are ringing in the Catalan capital and beyond.

Barca’s four club captains — Xavi, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Andres Iniesta — are so worried that they have offered to meet Messi to see if he needs their help, Sport newspaper reported on Sunday. Messi himself has said little about the situation, although he posted a message on Chinese social networking site Weibo at the weekend saying he was not yet back to full fitness.

“I am still not at 100 percent physically but for sure with each passing match I will pick up more

SPAIN: Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos (center) takes part in a training session at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on the eve of the UEFA Champions league football match.—AFP rhythm,” he said.

Barca coach Gerardo Martino, who like Messi hails from the city of Rosario, played down concerns about the player’s form after the Espanyol game.

“Messi does not seem worried to me,” he told a news conference. “It’s just a coincidence that he has not scored in three or four games.

“Messi has raised the bar so high that when he doesn’t score it’s suddenly a problem.”

If Messi rediscovers his form today, Milan could be on the receiving end of a stinging backlash, particularly as the seven-times continental champions are struggling for form.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Fiorentina in Serie A was their

fourth game without a win and they are well off the pace down in 11th in the table and in danger of not qualifying for Europe next season. Fans at the San Siro vented their anger at the players and the club hierarchy with a cascade of boos and whistles and unveiled a banner criticising the club’s transfer policy which they feel has left them short in defence and midfield.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri did not mince his words, saying Milan’s performance in the final third of the match was the worst he had seen in his three-and-a-half years in charge. Allegri ordered the players to a “retreat” at the club’s Milanello training complex starting on Sunday, where they will try to find a solution to their woes.

Celtic eye double over Ajax

GERMANY: Dortmund players stretch during a training session ahead of the Champions League Group F soccer match against Arsenal. —AP

Arsenal’s Wilshere, Gibbs doubtful for Dortmund trip NAPLES: French Olympique de Marseille’s players take part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Napoli. —AFP

Napoli look for ‘critical’ victory against Marseille MILAN: Napoli coach Rafael Benitez has brushed off Marseille’s apparent struggles and says it will be ‘critical’ to beat the French side if his team is to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase.

Napoli host Elie Baup’s men on Wednesday, a fortnight after claiming a precious 2-1 victory in France to pull level with Group F leaders Arsenal and secondplaced Borussia Dortmund on six points.

With Marseille still to pick up any points after three games, their bid for a place in the last 16 is virtually over.

For Napoli there is everything to play for, but with a trip to Dortmund up next and the Italians ending their group campaign by welcoming Arsenal to the San Paolo on December 11, Benitez is keen to avoid any slip-ups.

“It’s going to be a very important game for us,” Benitez told Eurogoals. “Especially since we have Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal coming up. “It’s going to be a real challenge to qualify , so it’s critical that we beat Marseille. It is true that they are going through a difficult period, but they have

quality in their squad. “We can’t relax and think it’ll be easy. That would be unforgivable.”

Napoli are back in the competition after former coach Walter Mazzarri, now at Inter Milan, steered the Partenopei to a secondplace finish in Italy’s Serie A last season.

And thanks to the positive start made

by Benitez, whose well-rounded squad includes the attacking talents of Gonzalo Higuain, Marek Hamsik, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon, Napoli sit second, five points adrift of leaders Roma.

Marseille, meanwhile, are enduring one of their worst seasons to date and only ended a five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Rennes on Saturday when captain and goalkeeper Steve Mandanda saved a spot kick. Napoli should field a full-strength side for Wednesday’s match, although Benitez will have to do without right-back Giandomenico Mesto, who has been sidelined with knee ligament damage. Mesto suffered the injury in Saturday’s win over Catania and is set to be out for several months.—AFP

BERLIN: Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are doubtful for the Champions League Group F trip to last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund with coach Arsene Wenger eager to make amends for last month’s loss to the Germans.

Wenger spoke last week of the “important period” the Premier League leaders are going through - the trip to Dortmund in between Premier League games against Liverpool, whom they beat 2-0 on Saturday, and Manchester United.

The win over Liverpool in the top-ofthe-table clash was particularly satisfying for Wenger, who told reporters: “That is as well as we have played all season.

“People have been skeptical about us so far this season but today will increase our confidence and get the fans right behind us.” Arsenal, though, have a significant challenge to meet against Dortmund, whose late 2-1 victory over the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium last month left them level on six points with the north London club and Napoli as the Champions League group stage reached its halfway mark.

Wenger is expected to be without Wilshere and could also miss Gibbs while he also needs to see progress on Mathieu Flamini, who missed the

win over Liverpool.

Defender Gibbs went off holding his calf in that game while Wishire injured his ankle in training last week. Dortmund are riding a wave of optimism after crushing VfB Stuttgart 6-1 on Friday following their derby win against rivals Schalke 04 a week earlier.

Poland striker Robert Lewandowski notched a hat-trick as Dortmund produced another scintillating display of attacking football.

Coach Juergen Klopp, who praised Wenger’s style of play, could have captain Sebastian Kehl back in the squad after he recovered from injury and has returned to training. “(Arsene Wenger) is really something.

He is Sir Arsene Wenger,” Klopp told reporters. “But he likes having the ball, playing football, passing it. It is like an orchestra but it is a quiet song. I prefer heavy metal. I always want it loud,” said Klopp, who last week extended his Dortmund contract by two years to 2018.

“I like Arsenal’s philosophy but I cannot coach it, I am a different guy,” said Klopp who will be back on the bench after sitting out the last two games with a suspension. His teams won both matches with him in the stands following an outburst in their opening defeat to Napoli.—Reuters

Last-16 in sight for Atletico

MADRID: In-form Atletico Madrid can seal their place in the last-16 of the Champions League when they host Austria Vienna at the Vicente Calderon today.

One defeat in 17 games in all competitions this season sees Atletico trail Barcelona by just a point at the top of La Liga, but their cruise through Group G has arguably been even more impressive on their return to the competition for the first time in four years.

An opening day victory at home to Zenit St Petersburg has been followed up by impressive wins on the road at Porto and in Austria two weeks ago to leave Diego Simeone’s men needing just one win from

their final three games to seal their passage into the knockout stage.

The visitors’ 3-0 win in Vienna was marked by a stunning performance from Diego Costa on his Champions League debut having been suspended for the opening two games of the campaign.

Costa scored twice, including one superb solo effort as he ran half the length of the field to slot home, and has continued his rampant scoring form in recent weeks to take his tally to 15 goals in as many games this season. Atletico defender Diego Godin hailed the partnership Costa and David Villa have struck up since the latter arrived to fill the considerable gap left by the departure

“ The last half-an-hour was embarrassing,” he told a post-match news conference. “We have to work harder to improve and look to improve the mentality of the team,” he added.

“The responsibility lies with me and we have to analyse everything and prepare well for the rest of the season and not only the next important match against Barcelona.”

Victory for Barca at the Nou Camp would put them on 10 points with two matches left and send the 2009 and 2011 winners through to the last 16.

Milan have five points from their three games, with Celtic on three and Ajax on one before their game in Amsterdam. —Reuters

of Radamel Falcao to Monaco in June.

“They have started the season very well in both La Liga and the Champions League.

“Hopefully they will continue in this form because they are two fundamental players and key to the overall functioning of the team.”

Both frontmen will be out to impress on Wednesday with Vicente del Bosque set to announce his Spanish squad for the friendly against South Africa later this month tomorrow. Playmaker Arda Turan remains the only major absentee for Atletico so either Adrian Lopez or teenage sensation Oliver Torres are expected to be handed their first Champions League start.

With just one point from their opening three group games, Vienna almost certainly need to take something from their visit to the Spanish capital if they are to keep their hopes alive of reaching the knockout stages in what is the first time they have qualified for the group stage.

Coach Nenad Bjelica will have to watch the match from the stands after being sentoff in the meeting between the two sides three weeks ago.

However, the Violets did get their domestic campaign back on track with a much needed 3-0 win over Wiener Neustadt on Sunday to move up to fifth in the Austrian Bundesliga. —AFP

AMSTERDAM: Emilio Izaguirre says Celtic will be going all out for a victor y against Ajax in Amsterdam today that will boost their chances of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Hoops picked up their first points of Group H a fortnight ago when they defeated the Dutch champions 2-1 on matchday three in Glasgow.

Now the Scottish champions face Frank de Boer’s side in the Amsterdam Arena knowing a win will put them in a great position to challenge AC Milan and Barcelona for a place in the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition.

Honduran international Izaguirre says there is a belief amongst the Celtic squad they can put on a performance capable of picking up a positive result.

“I have played in the three games and we’ve played well, and now we’re trying to get to the last 16. It’s good for the fans, my family and my country that Celtic are playing in this,” Izaguirre said. “It was a big win for us against Ajax as we have a very hard group with three big teams.

“But now we’re going for a win in Amsterdam and if we can get that we will be more confident for the game here against AC Milan, and that would give us a great chance for reaching the last 16.

“We will be trying our best to win and we have great belief for this game. In away games, we’ve had good discipline in defence and we’ll need this again. We have to concentrate hard over the 90 minutes as this is such an important game for us.

“Our mentality is always good in European games because Celtic are a big team with great fans and we want to do well.”

Celtic will be without Adam Matthews and captain Scott Brown, who lost his appeal against a three match suspension handed to him for his red card against Barcelona, but Kris Commons and Greek veteran Georgios Samaras should be fit enough to play a part.

Ajax are suffering a crisis in confidence going into the crucial clash. The Amsterdam side haven’t won any of their last four games, in Europe or the Eredivisie, and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Vitesse Arnhem at home on Saturday that saw them drop to sixth in the league.

Manager Frank de Boer admits the pressure is all on his side in Amsterdam and his captain Siem de Jong says nothing but a win will do if they are to save their season and at the very least keep their hopes burning of a place in the Europa League for finishing third in the group.

“Is Celtic a must-win game for us? Yes, definitely, and all the Ajax players know we have to win it. It’s all or nothing for us now,” the Ajax skipper said. “Just because we lost in Glasgow doesn’t mean we’re about to give up on this group.

“We’ve got to have faith against Celtic. I know we lost to Vitesse in the league but this is a different opponent in a much different competition.

“Despite our recent form, every one of us will go on to the pitch believing we can win it. And why shouldn’t we? “We didn’t play that well in Glasgow and, for us, it wasn’t good enough.

But at the same time, we don’t think we deserved to lose the game. “We created good chances against Celtic. As a team, we have to use that as motivation. We must remember those chances and believe we can do the same in Amsterdam - but score goals at the end of it.

“I’m sure we will play better against them at home. We will change our game slightly to make us even more dangerous in front of goal.” —AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

S P ORT S

Mandzukic sends Bayern past Pilsen, into last 16

ATHENS: Benfica’s Serbian forward Lazar Markovic (center) vies for the ball with Olympiacos’ Greek midfielder Andreas Samaris (left) and Greek defender Dimitris Siovas (right) during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match. — AFP

Manolas and Roberto inspire Olympiakos ATHENS: A first-half header from Kostas Manolas and an inspired performance by goalkeeper Roberto lifted Olympiakos Piraeus to a 1-0 win over Benfica in a tight Champions League Group C match yesterday.

The Greek champions rode their luck against their Portuguese opponents after taking a 13th-minute lead against the run of play, but despite enjoying plenty of possession, Benfica could not find a way past Roberto who made several crucial saves.

Oympiakos moved up to second in the group on seven points, three clear of Benfica in third and three behind leaders Paris St Germain.

Despite their recent run of good form at home and in Europe, Olympiakos looked nervy in the opening exchanges and it was the visitors looked more fluid.

They could have been two goals ahead in the first eight minutes but for the reflexes of Roberto. The Spaniard first denied Oscar Cardozo with a diving save before scampering off his line to block Lazar Markovic’s goal-bound effort.

Benfica’s promising start was ruined after 13 minutes, however, when Greece

defender Manolas rose unchallenged to power home a header from Jose Holebas’s inch-perfect set-piece.

The goal did not deter the visitors, who continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but Luisao’s header which flashed over the crossbar from a corner was their only attacking threat heading into halftime.

The second half began in the same fashion as the first, with Benfica on top and Roberto keeping the lead intact.

The Spanish keeper produced a brilliant save to deny Markovic, blocking the Benfica man’s acrobatic volley with his legs when a goal looked certain.

Saviola was replaced at halftime by Alejandro Dominquez as Michel looked to improve the supply line to lone striker Mitroglou.

But it was Roberto who continued to play a starring role for the home side, denying Benfica left-back SÌlvio with yet another a fine save when he was put clean through on goal.

There was still time for more heroics from Roberto when he palmed away a snapshot from Benfica substitute Filip Djuricic with 12 minutes left. — Reuters

PRAGUE: A second-half goal from Mario Mandzukic handed Bayern Munich a 1-0 win over die-hard Czech champions Viktoria Pilsen that granted the holders a spot in the Champions League knockout phase here yesterday.

The Croatian striker capitalised on a cross from Philipp Lahm, sending a powerful header past a diving Pilsen keeper Matus Kozacik in the 65th minute, only six minutes after coming onto the pitch.

Bayern have made it to the last-16 for the sixth time in a row, accompanied by Group D runners-up Manchester City who beat CSKA Moscow 5-2.

Bayern sit at the top of Group D with 12 points from four games, leading City by three points and CSKA Moscow by nine, with Pilsen stuck at the bottom with no points.

Bayern dominated the early minutes of the game as David Alaba forced a diving save from Pilsenís Slovak keeper Matus Kozacik from a free kick. Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post with a low curling shot in the 16th minutes and Kozacik stopped several good shots that got past the solid Pilsen defence.

Outshot 35-0 by Bayern in a 5-0 trashing in Munich two weeks ago, Pilsen vowed a braver performance in the home game and made good on the pledge as they put the Bundesliga leaders under some pressure half an hour into the game.

But Milan Petrzela sent a powerful left-footer just over the bar and Daniel Kolar followed suit with a header. The hosts seemed to lose steam as Bayern almost scored three minutes after halftime but Lahmís shot was cleared by Pilsen defender Marian Cisovsky off the goal line.

Daniel Van Buyten sent his header past the Pilsen goal and Kozacik denied Franck Riberyís shot from close range before clearing another effort by Lahm a minute before the end.

But Pilsen did not give up and with 15 minutes left, striker Stanislav Tecl first forced a dive from Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer and then missed a perfect pass a few feet from a gaping net.

Bayern started with Mario Goetze on the right wing replacing an injured Arjen Robben while Diego Contento replaced Dante in the Bayern backline. Pep Guardiola sent Mandzukic and Javi Martinez into the game with an hour gone to boost the Bayern offence, and the move made all the difference. —AFP

PILSEN: Bayern’s Franck Ribery (right) challenges for the ball with Viktoria Plzen’s Frantisek Rajtoral (left) during their Champions League Group D soccer match. — AP

Copenhagen win over Galatasaray COPENHAGEN: Daniel Braaten’s deft flick gave FC Copenhagen a 1-0 win over Galatasaray yesterday as the Danish champions stayed in the hunt for a place in the Champions League knockout stages. Braaten got the hosts off to a flying start, applying a glancing touch to Rurik Gislason’s precise centre to turn the ball home six minutes into the Group B match.

Galatasaray clawed their way back into the game, hitting a post and having a goal disallowed for offside, but despite going close several times in a pulsating second half they could not

straight at the goalkeeper from close range.

Moments later Didier Drogba blazed a volley high over the crossbar at the other end.

The Danes spent much of the second half defending deeply, inviting the Turkish champions to attack and content to clear their lines when they had the chance. When their rearguard was breached, goalkeeper Johan Wiland showed himself to be up to the task. Their tactics paid off and their remarkable unbeaten home record in the Champions League group stages remained intact at the final whistle. — Reuters

fashion an equaliser. Copenhagen are now third in Group B, a point ahead of Juventus and level on four with second-placed Galatasaray who trail leaders Real Madrid on 10. The Danes are unbeaten at home in the Champions League group stage during their three campaigns.

Galatasaray had the ball in the Copenhagen net after 21 minutes when Johan Wiland made a brilliant save from a Burak Yilmaz header, but Bruma was adjudged to be offside when he fired home the rebound. Braaten missed great chance to put his side two up just before halftime, firing

Shakhtar 0-0 draw edges Bayer closer to qualifying PARIS: PSG’s Alex (left) clears the ball with a header as Anderlecht’s Alexandar Mitrovic looks on during the Champions League Group C soccer match. — AP

PSG made to wait by obstinate Anderlecht PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain will have to wait to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Anderlecht yesterday.

On a frustrating night at the Parc des Princes, PSG had most of the possession and no shortage of chances, but they fell behind to a Demy De Zeeuw goal midway through the second half and needed a Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike moments later just to earn them a point against a visiting side that had Sacha Kljestan sent off late on.

The nature of this encounter in the French capital contrasted starkly with the last meeting of the clubs in Brussels two weeks ago, when PSG recorded their biggest ever away victory in continental competition, trouncing Anderlecht 5-0.

Laurent Blanc’s men might have clinched top spot in the section with two games to spare in the event of a win, but instead they will need a draw at home to Olympiakos later this month to be sure of their last-16 berth.

Anderlecht, meanwhile, will be pleased to have recovered some pride and registered their first point of the campaign.

Blanc was without Edinson Cavani due to a thigh injury, but he was able to welcome back Ibrahimovic after a nagging knee problem forced him to miss last Friday’s 4-0 demolition of Lorient in Ligue 1, as skipper Thiago Silva started on the bench on his return to the squad after over a month on the sidelines. The Belgian champions had hinted that they would settle for any kind of improvement on the thrashing they suffered in the last meeting of the clubs, and they predictably adopted a cautious approach in an attempt to frustrate their hosts this time.

It worked in the first half, with PSG unable to break down a defence comprising six men when the home side had

possession, and early efforts from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ibrahimovic that both missed the target were as close as they came in the opening period.

Having initially been prepared to utilise Dennis Praet, their most likely creative spark, as an auxiliary right-back, Anderlecht slowly grew into the contest and their teenage Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic flashed a shot just over Salvatore Sirigu’s goal.

PSG fans that have become used to seeing much better from their team greeted the half-time whistle with jeers, but there was worse to come after the restart.

Ibrahimovic headed just wide from a Thiago Motta corner before teeing up Lucas to volley wastefully off target from an excellent position, and instead it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 68th minute to the disbelief of the entire stadium.

Praet found Kljestan on the edge of the box to the left, and the American midfielder cut the ball back for Dutchman De Zeeuw, who beat Sirigu with a low first-time effort to finally break his team’s goalscoring duck in this season’s competition.

But they say a team is at its most vulnerable just after they have scored a goal, and that proved to be the case on this occasion as PSG needed just two minutes to draw level, Blaise Matuidi finding Ibrahimovic, and the Swede poking the ball over the line after his initial effort had hit the post to make it five in two games against Anderlecht.

Blanc’s side poured forward in search of the goal that would have won them the game and taken them through to the last 16, but they couldn’t find it, even after the energetic Kljestan had been sent off for a second yellow card for handling nine minutes from the end. —AFP

DONETSK: Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayer Leverkusen shared the points in a scrappy Champions League goalless draw in Ukraine yesterday to edge the Germans towards a place in the knockout stages. Germany Under-21 goalkeeper Bernd Leno played a major role in Bayer leaving Donetsk with a point after pulling off a string of impressive saves to frustrate the hosts.

The draw leaves Leverkusen second in Group A behind Manchester United, with Shakhtar third, but the game had stalemate written all over it from the start with chances few and far between.

Play often got bogged down in the middle of the park and Bayer’s fancy footwork failed to find a way through the rugged Shakhtar defence.

Bayer, who had rested a string of first-team regulars for the weekend defeat to Bundesliga bottom club Eintracht Brunswick, pushed for an away win, but were a long way from repeating their remarkable 4-0 win in Germany in the previous fixture.

For Shakhtar it continued a dismal run against German opposition, as they have not beaten a Bundesliga side on home soil for 32 years when Eintracht Frankfurt were the victims in a UEFA Cup tie.

But at least they did what coach Mircea Lucescu demanded, and “put things right” after their unfortunate drubbing in Germany.

Shakhtar had the lion’s share of possession and forced six first-half corners to Bayer’s none, but it was the Germans who carved out the half’s best chance after 24 minutes.

Burly Shakhtar defender Viacheslav Shavchuk upended Son Heung-Min outside the area and from the resultant free kick, Gonzalo Castro brought an acrobatic save from the Ukrainian ‘keeper Andriy Piatov, diving smartly to his right to hold the ball cleanly.

Shortly afterwards, Bayer’s Germany midfielder Sidney Sam broke through the Shakhtar defence but put his shot from the edge of the area tamely wide.

In reply, Shakhtar’s Croatian captain Darijo Srna rattled the woodwork on the half hour, his mighty shot from far out on the right striking the far post and rebounding back into play.

Leverkusen came out of the blocks fighting at the start of the second half but for all their pressure, they failed to break the resolve of Piatov, who was equal to everything the Germans bombarded him with. But in the end it was a satisfactory result for Bayer, whose coach Sami Hyypia had predicted the game would leave them “very close to qualifying for the knockout stages”.

After the game, he beamed: “You play to win, but tonight a point is OK. “Bernd played well, all in all, we fought well and had a few good opportunities to score. The second half was much better for us than the first.” — AFP

DONETSK: Shakhtar’s Darijo Srna (right) and Olexandr Kucher (left) vie with Son Heung-Min of Bayer Leverkusen (center) during their UEFA Champions League Group A football match. —AFP

Champions League tables Champions League tables after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Group A Man United Leverkusen Shakhtar Sociedad

4 4 4 4

2 2 1 0

2 1 2 1

0 1 1 3

6 8 3 1

3 5 5 5

8 7 5 1

Group B Real Madrid Galatasaray Copenhagen Juventus

4 4 4 4

3 1 1 0

1 1 1 3

0 2 2 1

14 6 3 6

4 10 8 7

10 4 4 3

Group C Paris SG Olympiakos Benfica Anderlecht

4 4 4 4

3 2 1 0

1 1 1 1

0 1 2 3

13 6 3 1

2 5 5 11

10 7 4 1

4 4 4 4

4 3 1 0

0 0 0 0

0 1 3 4

12 11 6 2

1 6 12 12

12 9 3 0

Group D Bayern Man City CSKA Pilsen Q - qualified for Last 16

Q Q

Nadal close to sealing top spot after beating Ferrer

2 WSOP finalists set to play for $8.4m crown

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Barca missing Messi’s mojo before Milan clash

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ITALY: Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli (left) fights for the ball with Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (right) during a UEFA Champions League Group B football match. — AFP

Juve hope after draw against Real TURIN: Juventus gave fresh hope to their Champions League campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale had put the Spaniards within sight of a fourth consecutive group win in Turin yesterday.

Juventus remain third in Group B but following FC Copenhagen’s 1-0 home win over Galatasaray, Antonio Conte’s men now trail the Turks by just one point with two games to play.

Conte sent out a similar set-up to the one deployed in the 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Fernando Llorente partnering Carlos Tevez at the head of a 4-3-3 — a change from the Italians’ preferred 3-5-2 formation.

After a shaky start the Italian champions final-

ly found their feet and held a 1-0 lead at the interval after Arturo Vidal’s 42nd minute spot kick following a foul on Paul Pogba by fellow Frenchman Raphael Varane. However Real turned the match in eight second-half minutes with Ronaldo chipping Buffon to level and then Bale beating the Italian ‘keeper with a clinical shot after sidestepping Kwadwo Asamoah on the hour mark.

Ronaldo gave an early warning with an angled strike that inched just past outstretched ‘keeper Gianluigi Buffon’s far post after giving Ghanaian Asamoah the slip at left-back.

However Juve eventually found their feet, with Pogba-rumoured to be a target for Real and several other European giants-showing great skill

to shake up the Spanish giants.

The Frenchman’s deft shot-cum-pass with the outside of his right foot was blocked by Pepe, but left Casillas panicking as Llorente lingered before the ball was cleared.

Casillas then somehow kept out Claudio Marchisio’s header near the back post following Tevez’s precision cross from the left.

At the other end Bale sent an angled drive just wide of Buffon’s far post and, as Real’s frustration grew, Luka Modric picked up a caution for a foul from behind on Pogba that will rule him out of Real’s next meeting with Galatasaray.

Referee Howard Webb looked unimpressed when waving away two soft penalty claims by the hosts in the first half. But the Englishman

finally pointed to the spot, amid protests from Real, after Varane made contact with Pogba, who tumbled to the left of goal to hand juve a lifeline.

Vidal gave Casillas no chance, smashing the ball into the top right-hand corner. Juve endured a nervous end to the half, a Bale corner causing a scare and a first-time effort from Ronaldo following Marcelo’s weighted cut-back going high over the bar.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men continued as they had left off, pressing Juve from the restart and being rewarded when Caceres blundered with a missed backpass which Ronaldo, following Benzema’s lay-off, deftly chipped over onrushing Buffon. Ronaldo’s eighth goal of the campaign knocked the wind from Juve’s sails, and the visi-

Aguero and Negredo fire City into knockout stage MANCHESTER: Sergio Aguero claimed a brace and Alvaro Negredo a hat-trick as Manchester City outclassed CSKA Moscow 5-2 yesterday to book a place in the Champions League knockout phase.

City picked up where they had left off in their 7-0 demolition of Norwich City at the weekend, with Aguero scoring twice and Negredo adding another to put the home side 3-0 up inside 30 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

Defensive inattention allowed Seydou Doumbia to twice reduce the arrears, but Negredo completed his treble in the second half to send City into the last 16 for the first time in the Champions League era.

Victory left Manuel Pellegrini’s side six points clear of CSKA with two games to play in Group D, but they cannot be overtaken by the Russian champions due to a superior head-to-head record.

CSKA, who were hit with a partial stadium ban by UEFA for racist chanting aimed at City midfielder Yaya Toure in the reverse fixture, are left to scrap over a Europa League place with Czech side Viktoria Pilsen.

City manager Pellegrini kept faith with the team that had annihilated Norwich on Saturday, which meant that Joe Hart was once again on the bench with second-choice goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon in goal.

CSKA were missing a number of first-team players due to injury, including Alan Dzagoev, Vasili Berezutsky and Mario Fernandes, and there were less than three minutes on the clock when they fell behind. Former Manchester United player Zoran Tosic was in the visitors’ XI and will not have endeared himself to fans of his old club by sliding in on David Silva and conceding a penalty from which Aguero put City ahead.

Doumbia fired a warning shot over the bar for CSKA

after Gael Clichy miscued an attempted clearance, but City were soon back on the front foot and saw Silva ripple the side-netting.

With Silva and Samir Nasri pulling the strings, some of City’s approach play was delightful, and their second goal, in the 20th minute, was a fine effort.

Nasri clipped a penetrative pass down the insideleft channel and Aguero left Aleksei Berezutsky for dead with a superb, sharp turn before steering home his eighth goal in five games.

Pantilimon had an anxious moment when he flapped at a deflected free-kick, but after Toure had curled narrowly wide, Negredo touched in Aguero’s low cross to make it 3-0.

There was further bad news for CSKA when Ahmed Musa had to go off with an injury, but Doumbia gave the visitors a glimmer of hope when he rounded Pantilimon to pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time. City were quick to restore their three-goal advantage in the second half, however. In the 51st minute Toure floated a delicate pass over the top of the CSKA defence and Nasri knocked a volleyed pass into the path of Negredo for the Spaniard to walk in his second goal. Silva departed to a standing ovation with 25 minutes remaining, but once again City were guilty of presenting their opponents with a foothold in the game.

Clichy was at fault on this occasion, hauling Doumbia down after being nutmegged on the lefthand edge of the City area, and the Ivorian converted the resulting penalty to reduce the arrears. Visiting goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev saved from Negredo, Aleksandar Kolarov and Aguero, before Negredo completed his first City hat-trick in injury time with a backpost header from a James Milner cross. — AFP

tors were unlucky when Xabu Alonso smashed a drive off the crossbar minutes later.

Just as belief began creeping back among the Bianconeri fans, following a dangerous Pogba pass across goal which Casillas blocked, Real took the lead in clinical fashion.

Bale picked up Ronaldo’s pass and turned Asamoah to send a smart left-foot strike inside the Buffon’s near post. Juve, however, were back on level terms minutes later, Caceres making amends for his earlier blunder with a curling cross which Llorente headed past Casillas. Real remained a constant threat, however, and despite Juventus creating chances late on the Italians did well to take a share of the points. — AFP

Van Persie out of luck as Man United held in Spain

LONDON: Manchester City’s Spanish forward Alvaro Negredo celebrates after scoring the fifth and his third goal during the UEFA Champions League Group D football match against CSKA Moscow. —AFP

SAN SEBASTIAN: Robin Van Persie missed a second-half penalty as Manchester United edged towards the Champions League last-16 with a 0-0 draw away to Real Sociedad yesterday.

The Dutch international had only been introduced by United boss David Moyes as a substitute, but saw his spotkick come back off Claudio Bravo’s lefthand post 20 minutes from time.

Javier Hernandez and Van Persie had also passed up clear opportunities to put the visitors in front before the penalty, but they had to see the game out with 10 men after Marouane Felliani was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Another 0-0 draw between Shakhtar Donetsk and Bayer Leverkusen means United continue to lead the Germans by a point with the two sides set to meet in Leverkusen in three weeks time. Moyes was without the injured duo of Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva, whilst teenage sensation Adnan Januzaj was also let out of the squad and Van Persie dropped to the bench with Sunday’s meeting against his old club Arsenal in mind.However, United still started the better of a largely lifeless first-half. Shinji Kagawa had the best opening with an effort that was deflected wide from a lovely Wayne Rooney backheel on 10 minutes.

Sociedad improved as the half went on and Alberto de la Bella came within inches of opening the scoring with the

last kick of the half as his right-footed effort curled just wide.

Hernandez then somehow conspired not to give the visitors the lead five minutes after the restart when he blasted Kagawa’s low cross over the bar from five yards.

Kagawa then had a penalty appeal waved away moments later as he clashed with Mikel Gonzalez inside the area. With United still in search of a goal Moyes sent on Van Persie and Ashley Young for Rooney and Hernandez just after the hour mark.

And the Dutchman nearly made an instant impression as he firstly side-footed Young’s low cross off the post then flashed another effort just wide.

Referee Nicola Rizzoli then incensed the home fans when he pointed to the spot for a very soft pull on Young by Markel Bergara. However, the hosts were handed a reprieve when Van Persie’s fiercely struck spot-kick came back off the post.

And Sociedad nearly made the most of it when Xabi Prieto’s drive was turned goalwards by Carlos Vela but flew inches past the post.

Antonio Valencia’s effort was cleared off his own goal line by Gonzalez as the game continued to open up in the final stages.

But even after Felliani had been dismissed Sociedad failed to create another clear opening and had to settle for their first point of the group. — AFP

Oman property developer sells country’s first sukuk Page 22

Business

Despite pressure, ECB may hold rates at record low Page 25

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Lincoln debuts MKC Concept in Middle East

NBK Capital recognized ‘Best Broker in Kuwait’ for 2013 Page 26 Page 23

ATHENS: Police secures the car carrying the European Commission Director Matthias Morse, as he leaves the ministry of Finance in Athens yesterday. Mission chiefs from the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank yesterday began a new round of talks with members of the debt-wracked Greek government. — AFP

EU cuts 2014 euro-zone growth forecast EU-IMF mission heckled at start of Greek audit BRUSSELS: The EU cut its 2014 growth forecast for the euro-zone yesterday warning that emerging market demand may not be so strong as hoped and signalling more misery for millions out of work.

The European Commission said growth across the 17-member single currency area would amount to 1.1 percent next year, down from the 1.2 percent it forecast in May. But growth should then rise to 1.7 percent in 2015.

The euro-zone economy will shrink by 0.4 percent this year, unchanged from the previous estimate. The figures compare poorly with the sterling neighbour Britain, tipped to grow 1.3 percent this year followed by 2.2 percent in 2014 and 2.4 percent in 2015.

The US economy meanwhile will expand 1.6 percent in 2013, rising to 2.6 percent and 3.1 percent in the next two years. Brussels warned that euro-zone unemployment would be stubbornly higher than first thought next year-at 12.2 percent rather than 12.1 percentand potentially going through the 20-million mark.

“The fiscal consolidation and structural reforms undertaken in Europe have created the basis for recovery,” EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said, speaking of a “turning-point” for the global economy. At the same time, it is “too early to declare victory,” he said. The Commission is primarily worried about fiscal policy “uncertainty” in the United States as debt mounts, coupled with mounting “vulnerabilities” in emerging markets.

The Commission said the commodities and

investment-driven models behind the Russian and Chinese economies, for instance, may now need change, with the emphasis to be put on domestic rather than export demand.

Trade imbalances within the euro-zone are already causing concern, with mounting calls for Germany’s export dynamo to be toned down in favor of promoting domestic demand and so help drive the greater good of eurozone integration. Meanwhile, EU-IMF auditors holding loan talks in Athens were heckled by protesters yesterday and a man was briefly detained after throwing coins at the IMF mission’s chief, police said. A few dozen protesters, including ministry staff included in an unpopular job furlough scheme, blocked the entrance of the finance ministry where the auditors began talks with officials. A man was briefly detained for throwing coins at the car of IMF mission chief Poul Thomsen, a member of the three-man auditing team that is evaluating the pace of Greek reforms. He was later released without charge, the police said. After a meeting with the finance minister, members of the so-called troika the EU, IMF and the European Central Bank-were taken out of a side entrance under police guard.

The audit is being held ahead of the finalisation of Greece’s budget, and the creditors are expected to push for more unpopular austerity measures to cover a fiscal gap of two billion euros forecast for 2014. The troika’s report is also necessary to unlock a vital one-billioneuro ($1.3 billion) loan instalment.

There is anger in Greece over ongoing cuts

OECD: Economic crisis hits trust in govts BRUSSELS: The financial crisis of the past few years has severely sapped confidence in government around the globe, a think-tank representing the world’s wealthiest economies said yesterday.

“In countries most hit by the crisis, the people have lost trust in their institutions to actually help them and solve their problems,” said Martine Durand, the chief statistician of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

In a report entitled “How’s Life? 2013,” the OECD said the percentage of people that trust national government declined in the United States from 50 percent in 2009 to 35 percent last year. The decline took place even before the partial shutdown of the US government. Among the OECD’s euro constituency- 14 of the 17 EU countries that use the euro are members of the OECD - the proportion trusting government fell from 49.1 to 42.8 percent over the same period. In Japan, the situation’s even worse, dipping from 27 percent in 2010 to 17 percent last year. If any country typifies the

human cost of the financial crisis, it might well be Greece, which had to be bailed out to stave off bankruptcy at a high cost to employment, living standards and social services.

“In Greece, the percentage of people reporting that they trust the government fell from 38 percent to 13 percent,” said Durand. “So you can sort of see the distrust in institutions between 2007 and 2012.”

Bucking the trend was Britain, where people trusting government increased from 36 percent to 47 percent between 2007 and 2011. The report found that government wasn’t the only institution facing a loss of confidence. Similar declines were registered for financial and judicial institutions and the media. In Europe, the outlook is even bleaker since citizens appear to trust each other less and less. The report sought to measure the quality of life beyond purely financial parameters such as gross domestic product. Issues like housing, health, personal security, education and social connections were all assessed. —AP

BRUSSELS: EU commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn gives a press conference on the annual autumn economic forecast covering the period 2013-2015 yesterday at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. — AFP in spite of a six-year recession and soaring unemployment, and further outrage that new taxes are being prepared to help meet deficit goals. A sizeable number of government deputies have protested plans to increase tax on agricultural land, a move that has put pressure on Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

“This is a negotiation...we should remove the notion that this is a war,” Samaras said in a televised interview late on Monday.

The Commission pegged Germany’s current account surplus at 7.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, easing only slightly to 6.6 percent next year and 6.4 percent in 2015. Euro-zone governments have agreed a preferred target of 6.0 percent, with EU leaders pressuring Berlin to allow greater room for wage growth and boost investment in infrastructure to stimulate domestic demand and competition internally. Under

new economic governance rules to correct such imbalances, negative or positive within all countries and even the biggest, “there could be a notification,” Rehn said of what he termed a “political” issue still to be discussed in depth. As well as unemployment, the modest recovery poses other problems, especially for member state public finances as tax revenues remain under pressure. France and Spain especially could again miss agreed EU public deficit targets out to 2016. In both cases, marking out likely political battles ahead, Rehn told a press conference that the need for economic reforms is “of particular urgency.”

The Commission’s forecasts put the French public deficit-the shortfall between spending and revenue-at 4.1 percent this year, 3.8 percent next and still posting a 2015 shortfall at 3.7 percent.

With the French economy struggling, President Francois Hollande faces growing pressure from Brussels to meet the EU’s 3.0percent-of-GDP ceiling. The risk otherwise is that Paris could face fines or intervention by Brussels under new rules on economic policy coordination to make sure France’s national budget returns the country within the EU norms. The Spanish public finances are even more perilously wide of the mark.

As Madrid strives to emerge from a burst property-and-banking bubble, nine quarters in a row of recession and soaring joblessness, it was given until 2016 to reach the 3.0-percent mark after a euro-zone bailout for its banks. — AFP

Blue-chips help Saudi hit 12-day high; Qatar up MIDEAST MARKETS REPORT DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s bourse surged to a 12day high yesterday thanks to renewed investor confidence in blue-chip petrochemical and banking shares following signs of recovery in third-quarter earnings. The main index rose 1.2 percent to 8,170 points, its highest close since Oct. 24 and also its fifth consecutive gain.

Petrochemical shares index added 1.6 percent. Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the largest stock by market value in the region, climbed 2.2 percent.

Most of the sector’s firms last month reported growth in third-quarter earnings and some numbers were above forecasts. This was a change from depressed growth in recent quarters where weaker global demand weighed.

“We’re positive on petrochemicals - there are some growth stories and also good dividend yield in mature stocks,” said Farooq Waheed, senior portfolio manager at Riyad Capital. “With global macro numbers improving, product prices are also likely to improve.”

The other heavyweight sector of banks, which accounts for about 30 percent of the market’s value, advanced 1.4 percent. The retail

sector, which has led gains most of the year, also rose 1 percent, but was a laggard. Some of the sectors’ favorites, like Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair disappointed investors last month with quarterly earnings.

The stock tumbled 8.3 percent in October before staging a recovery and was up 0.2 percent yesterday. “Investors are now reacting to the fundamentals of blue-chips and shifting their focus from retail sector, which is overpriced,” said Hesham Tuffaha, a Riyadh-based fund manager.

In the long term, retail is still a good bet, as growth in the sector, driven by local consumption, will continue to outperform that of petrochemical firms and banks, he added.

In Qatar, foreign institutional investors helped lift the index to a 10-week high. It rose 0.8 percent to 9,915 points, its highest close since Aug. 25, but hasn’t cleared the previous peak of 9,922 points - Sept. 19’s intraday high.

This level might still prove to be a resistance.

Trading volumes jumped to their highest in seven weeks. The market has been lagging gains in most other Gulf bourses as weak earn-

ings disappointed investors. Dividend-hunters however, tend to buy the market before the year-end. Qatari companies pay among the highest dividends in the region; these are announced with the first quarter corporate results.

“Qatar has strong growth prospects going into next year, given that we’ll see a faster trend on projects and good dividend yields,” said Rami Sidani, Dubai-based head of investments at Schroders Middle East.

The Gulf state gearing up to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 is expected to tender infrastructure projects in the coming quarters, having seen several delays already.

Large-caps Qatar National Bank, the region’s biggest lender by market value, and Industries Qatar rose 1.2 and 0.9 percent respectively.

Foreign institutionals were net buyers, while Qatari institutionals were net sellers, bourse data showed. In the United Arab Emirates, investors opted to book gains in Dubai post earnings season and due to a lack of fresh catalysts. Dubai’s index shed 0.3 percent, trimming 2013 gains to 78.9 percent. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BUSINESS

UAE to impose diluted exposure rules on banks ABU DHABI: The central bank of the United Arab Emirates has eased planned curbs on commercial banks’ exposure to state-linked debt, giving them five years to comply after the banks complained that the rules could hurt their business. As part of efforts to reduce risk for banks and prevent any repeat of Dubai’s 2009-2010 corporate debt crisis, the central bank announced early last year that banks would have until the end of September 2012 to restrict their lending to the government and state-linked entities.

Each bank would have to cap such lending at 100 percent of its capital base, with lending to a single borrower limited to 25 percent.

The rules were suspended after lobbying by the banks, however, and central bank governor Sultan Nasser Al-Suweidi yesterday outlined substitute rules that were much less harsh.

Banks will have five years to comply fully with the rules, Suweidi said; they will have to cut their excess lending by 20 percent every year until they reach the

ceiling for exposure. “We think that is a reasonable time frame. Most banks will be compliant,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a financial conference.

Bonds that are rated by credit rating agencies will not be counted as exposure for the purposes of the rules, Suweidi said - a provision that will remove pressure on banks to cut their holdings of bonds, and could prompt Dubai, which lacks a rating, to seek one.

Also, the debt of “commercial” state entities which can stand on their own will not be counted, Suweidi added. He did not elaborate on whether this meant banks could, for example, lend without restriction to real estate developers in which the governments of emirates in the UAE own major stakes. The new rules will come out within one week and will then be published in the official gazette, taking effect thereafter, Suweidi said.

Pressure Taken together, the new rules appear to be much less disruptive to banks’ earnings and the growth of

the UAE economy than the original ones could have been. In a report in September, analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch calculated the UAE’s domestic banking sector had extended a whopping $42 billion in credit to the government and related entities since 2008, bringing its exposure to the state and nonfinancial public enterprises to 104 percent of capital the highest ratio since the late 1970s.

For some major UAE banks, the ratios are believed to be considerably higher, so a sudden cut to the 100 percent level could have saddled them with losses while making it difficult for the emirates to finance ambitious development plans. The International Monetary Fund has warned that the concentration of loans to the government at Emirates NBD , Dubai’s top bank, is high, raising corporate governance and risk management concerns.

ENBD has said it is managing its loan book prudently, and Suweidi said on Tuesday that Dubai, where property prices have been rebounding strongly this year, did not risk another boom-bust cycle.

“There is no possibility of a new bubble in the real estate sector. Banks have gone through the experience of 2006, 2007 and the first half of 2008. They know that things cannot go up forever,” he said. “Most loans in the UAE are in the form of mortgage loans.

That will balance the issue and it will not permit banks to overextend themselves.”

Last week, the UAE central bank issued restrictions on mortgage loans in order to limit speculation in the real estate market; the caps were not as stringent as initially planned because of lobbying by the banking industry.

Suweidi also said he did not expect UAE inflation to rise beyond a normal rate of around 2 percent. “We are not seeing anything beyond normal credit growth, inflation and general expansion of real estate loans.”

The UAE’s annual consumer price inflation was at 1.3 percent in September for the fourth month in a row, but rising rents in Dubai and upward pressure on prices in Abu Dhabi have raised the possibility of higher inflation nationally. — Reuters

Oman property developer sells country’s first sukuk $130m bond could pave way for more issues DUBAI: Omani real estate developer Tilal Development Co has sold the country’s first Islamic bond, a 50 million rial ($130 million) sukuk that could pave the way for similar issues by other companies in the sultanate.

Tilal’s five-year sukuk, offering a profit rate of 5 percent and based on an ijara structure, a leasing arrangement commonly used in other Islamic markets, was privately placed with investors, arranger Al Madina Investment said yesterday. “This pioneering issuance, along with the government’s initiative to issue sukuk, will encourage other corporates to consider sukuk as an alternative source of funding,” said Abdul Samad Al Maskari, Al-Madina’s chief executive.

About 95 percent of the sukuk, rated BBB+ by Cyprus-based Capital Intelligence, was placed with local investors including pension firms and banks, according to Mohsin Shaik Sehu Mohamed, head of Islamic finance at Al-Madina.

Tilal, 40 percent-owned by sovereign wealth fund Qatar Investment Authority, will use proceeds from its sukuk to expand the Tilal Complex in Muscat, a flagship project which includes the Muscat Grand Mall as well as residential and office space.

Oman began to introduce Islamic finance last year, becoming the last of the six Gulf Cooperation Council states to do so.

Extensive Islamic banking rules were

released last December. Oman’s two fullfledged Islamic banks, Al Izz Islamic Bank and Bank Nizwa, were established last year and both have now started operations.

Several Omani conventional banks have established their own windows for Islamic business. The country is unusual in that a corporate sukuk has been issued before the first sovereign sukuk; the government has said it plans to issue a sukuk, which could arrive next year.

Al-Madina and Bank Nizwa were lead arrangers on the Tilal deal, with Bank Dhofar and Qatar International Islamic Bank also participating as joint lead managers. — Reuters

CHICAGO: Pedestrians walk past a CVS store in Chicago. CVS Caremark Corp reported their earnings yesterday. — AP

M&S clothing sales fall for 9th straight quarter LONDON: British retailer Marks & Spencer posted a ninth straight quarterly fall in clothing sales yesterday, ratcheting up the pressure on chief executive Marc Bolland who has pinned his recovery plan on higher quality and more stylish fashions.

Bolland, who joined Britain’s biggest clothing retailer in 2010 with a package worth up to 15 million pounds ($24 million), said new ranges were starting to have an impact just weeks after being introduced. But some analysts were underwhelmed by a decline in second-quarter underlying clothing sales that was only slightly less than the previous quarter and said Marks & Spencer (M&S) would need a strong Christmas to hit its full-year targets.

“The walls are closing in on Marc Bolland,” said James McGregor, director of retail consultants Retail Remedy.

Britain’s retailers have enjoyed a better few months recently as the economy moves back into growth, though a warm autumn has hampered some clothing chains’ ability to shift winter ranges and executives see continued pressure on consumers with wage rises lagging well behind inflation. Next, Britain’s No. 2 clothing retailer, raised its profit guidance last week, while discount chain Primark threw M&S’s performance into stark relief on Tuesday by reporting a 44 percent jump in fullyear profit, on sales up 22 percent.

M&S, which also sells upmarket food and homewares, reported a 9 percent fall in first-half profit - down for a third year running, though in line with expectations and cushioned by a strong performance from its food business. “Feels a bit like a score draw for the bulls and the bears on M&S. General merchandise isn’t showing any great pick up, but food looks OK,” said one top-20 shareholder in the firm.

“The rematch is to be played over the Christmas trading period,” the investor added on condition of anonymi-

ty, predicting shareholders were likely to reserve judgment on Bolland’s performance until full-year results in May. At 1130 GMT M&S shares, which have risen 27 percent this year on recovery hopes and bouts of takeover speculation, were up 3.3 percent. The stock is still well down on its 2007 high of 759 pence, however. M&S, which serves 21 million customers a week from nearly 770 British stores, said sales of non-food products including clothes - at stores open over a year fell 1.3 percent in the 13 weeks to Sept. 28, its fiscal second quarter.

That compared with analyst forecasts of down 0.42.5 percent and a first quarter decline of 1.6 percent.

While some of the autumn/winter ranges - the first from a new clothing team led by John Dixon, the former boss of M&S food - hit stores on July 25, the full launch together with an advertising push featuring some of Britain’s biggest female celebrities, including actress Helen Mirren and artist Tracey Emin, did not kick off until Sept. 12.

“Although only in store for three weeks of the half year, our autumn/winter collection has been well received by customers, and we have seen some early signs of improvement,” said Bolland, who is in the final year of a 2.3 billion pound, three-year investment drive to revamp the 129-year-old group.

“This is a journey on quality and style that will take a few collections to get a positive momentum behind it,” he added. N+1 Singer analysts said there was a precedent for new ranges turning round M&S’s performance in Autumn 2005 when its stock rallied over 40 percent in six months following a step-change in its product offering. But others were concerned about a bigger-thanexpected drop in first-half gross profit margin in the non-food business that the group hopes will be made up over the full financial year by a better performing food business.—Reuters

Bahrain’s Batelco names CFO, search for CEO on

Aer Lingus maintains profit forecast

DUBAI: Bahrain’s Batelco has appointed a new chief financial officer, the former telecoms monopoly said yesterday, and continues to search for a new chief executive more than five months after the previous incumbent quit. Batelco’s shares have tumbled to record lows in the wake of a sustained profit slump and upheaval in its senior management, with a committee of three board members running the telecom operator following the departure of three top executives this year.

The firm - formally called Bahrain Telecommunications Co - has promoted Faisal Qamhiyah to group CFO, according to a company statement. He held the same role at Batelco’s domestic operations and he replaces Marco Regnier, who quit in August after 15 months in the job.

Reigner’s departure followed that of former chief executive Sheikh Mohamed bin Isa al-Khalifa, who resigned with immediate effect in May. “The search for a new group CEO is ongoing with the process well underway and proceeding according to plan,” the statement said, adding the threeman committee would remain in charge until a CEO is appointed. Batelco vies domestically with units of Kuwait’s Zain and Saudi Telecom Co (STC) as well as about 10 internet providers on an island of 1.3 million people. Stiff competition has helped push down Batelco’s net profit in 12 of the past 14 quarters. —Reuters

DUBLIN: Aer Lingus yesterday maintained its annual profits forecast after recently cutting its estimate, as the Irish airline delivered a rise in third-quarter earnings. Aer Lingus posted an operating profit of 94.9 million euros ($128 million) in the three months to the end of September, up 4.4 percent compared with the third quarter of 2012.

“We maintain our current guidance for full year 2013 operating profit, before net exceptional items, to be around 60 million euros,” chief executive Christoph Mueller said in a results statement and following a recent profits warning. In September, Aer Lingus had cut its 2013 forecast to about 60 million euros from 69 million euros, as hot summer weather in Ireland and the neighboring United Kingdom hit

demand for holidays abroad. The carrier’s latest update comes one day after Irish no-frills airline Ryanair slashed its annual profits forecast for the second time since September owing to lower-priced fares, triggering a 14-percent slump in its share price.

Ryanair owns 29.82 percent of Aer Lingus but earlier this year the minority stakeholder was ordered by British regulators to slash its share to 5.0 percent, on grounds of unfair competition.Yesterday, Aer Lingus said that revenue for the third quarter rose by 1.2 percent to 466.3 million euros. “The 2013 outlook on long haul remains positive with the exception of some weakness expected in November which was previously communicated,” Mueller added. — AFP

Vivendi announces Maroc Telecom deal for 4.2bn euros PARIS: French media and entertainment group Vivendi has reached agreement to sell its 53-percent stake in Maroc Telecom to Emirates firm Etisalat for 4.2 billion euros in cash, Vivendi said yesterday. The announcement of the deal, worth the equivalent of $5.7 billion, came a few days after a deadline which the two sides had set for a deal. Vivendi said that the agreement was final, although it was subject to some conditions and notably approval from regulatory authorities in countries in which Maroc Telecom operates. Vivendi said that it was confident that the deal would be concluded by the beginning of 2014. The French group had hoped to tie the matter up by the end of this year. The sale is part of Vivendi’s strategy of focusing its efforts on developing busi-

ness in the areas of media and content.

The value of the deal is in line with the price mentioned during negotiations, based on a divestment value of 3.9 billion euros plus 310 million euros in respect of dividend for 2012.

The Moroccan state holds 30 percent of Maroc Telecom which is quoted on the stock exchange in Casablanca, and wanted to be sure that the new controlling shareholder would invest in mobile telephone and high capacity infrastructure. Etisalat became the only potential buyer of the 53-percent holding after Qatari firm Ooredoo, formerly QTel, withdrew from the running in the middle of June.

Vivendi and Etisalat, one of the biggest telecom groups in the Middle East, began negotiations at the end of April. —AFP

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co.

UAE Exchange Centre WLL

ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal Irani Riyal

2.878 4.647 2.672 2.163 2.924 231.500 36.585 3.642 6.574 9.072 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.684 77.982 737.170 753.820 77.292

COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

SELL DRAFT 271.01 278.70 318.39 388.05 282.80 458.26 2.98 3.639 4.578 2.158 2.868 2.666 77.06 752.70 41.03 402.49 735.46 78.09 75.54

SELL CASH 272.000 279.000 318.000 390.000 285.500 462.000 3.000 3.700 4.820 2.500 3.300 2.760 77.400 753.500 41.100 407.500 741.500 78.500 75.800

Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit

3.000 10.015 3.065 3.860 89.290

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY

BUY

SELL

Europe Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira

0.007366 0.448723 0.006648 0.047494 0.379246 0.043353 0.081774 0.008124 0.039966 0.306721 0.140278

0.008366 0.457723 0.018648 0.052494 0.386746 0.048553 0.81774 0.018124 40.044966 0.316921 0.147278

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

42.900 40.717 1.324 173.730 400.790 1.904 3.083 35.025

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer Euro Sterling Pound Canadian dollar Turkish lira Swiss Franc Australian Dollar US Dollar Buying

283.700 390.000 458.350 279.510 143.090 317.870 274.050 282.500 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

Selling Rate 283.150 276.220 456.285 385.340 312.980 747.655 77.070 78.620 76.375 399.145 41.040 2.155 4.553 2.669 3.640 6.551 695.475

Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar

Canadian Dollar US Dollars US Dollars Mint

Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee Pakistan Rupee

Australasia 0.259152 0.229085

0.270652 0.238565

America 0.268140 0.279300 0.279800

0.276640 0.283650 0.283650

Asia 0.003260 0.044844 0.034466 0.004365 0.000020 0.002825 0.003408 0.000253 0.085039 0.002937 0.002526

0.003860 0.048344 0.037216 0.004766 0.000026 0.003005 0.003408 0.000268 0.091039 0.003107 0.002806

Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

0.006415 0.000069 0.223432 0.022498 0.001827 0.009525 0.008703 Arab 0.745268 0.038500 0.000078 0.000183 0.395501 1.0000000 0.000139 0.022687 0.001200 0.730072 0.077133 0.074937 0.001929 0.168969 0.140278 0.076178

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

0.006695 0.000075 0.229432 0.030998 0.002407 0.009705 0.009253

0.753268 0.041600 0.000080 0.000243 0.403001 1.0000000 0.000239 0.046687 0.001835 0.735752 0.078346 0.075637 0.002149 0.176969 0.147278 0.077327

Al Mulla Exchange Currency US Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupee Bangladesh Taka Philippines Peso Pakistan Rupee Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham Saudi Riyal *Rates are subject to change

Transfer Rate (Per 1000) 283.150 387.000 455.450 275.600 4.625 41.075 2.161 3.640 6.565 2.670 754.150 77.150 75.650

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BUSINESS

Beijing slashes car sales quota SHANGHAI: China’s capital, Beijing, infamous for its thick smog and heavy traffic, will slash the city’s new car sales quotas by almost 40 percent next year, as it looks to curb vehicle emissions and hazardous levels of pollution, the city government website said.

The change in policy gives greater support for new, cleaner cars and could strengthen foreign carmakers’ determination to accelerate growth in China’s less crowded lower-tier cities. In the last month alone, high levels of pollution have forced China to all but shut down the northeastern city of Harbin, a major urban centre with a population of 11 million. Over the next four years, Beijing will issue 150,000 new license plates annually, down from 240,000 each year now, according to the city government’s website. Car buyers must put on plates before they are allowed to drive on Chinese roads. That means Beijing’s new passenger vehicles sales during the 2014-2017 period will be capped at 600,000 units, few than the city’s vehicle sales in 2010 alone.

In addition, the government will allot a

higher proportion of license plates every year to buyers of new-energy vehicles that need lower amounts of gasoline or use alternative energy. This could benefit electric automakers such as BYD Co Ltd. The number of plates for such vehicles will triple from 20,000 in 2014, to 60,000 in 2017, accounting for 40 percent of that year’s total plate quota. China has already taken a series of steps to ease traffic congestion and clean up air and water, as environmental degeneration becomes a source of social unrest. But none has cleaned up the air.

New car sales are currently restricted in four Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Guiyang - where car buyers bid for license plates through auctions and lotteries.

China plans to restrict vehicle sales in eight more cities, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said in July, a policy trend that has already led carmakers such as General Motors Co and Volkswagen AG to put more resources into China’s smaller, less-crowded lowertier cities. —Reuters

Salah Al-Fulaij, Chief Executive Officer at NBK Capital

NBK Capital recognized ‘Best Broker in Kuwait’ for 2013 Global Investor annual Middle East Awards

China trade fair export orders hit four-year low BEIJING: Export contracts signed at a major trade fair in China hit their lowest in four years, state media reported, indicating foreign demand for the country’s goods is still weak. The value of export deals signed at the China Import and Export Fair reached 194.61 billion yuan ($31.7 billion), the lowest since the depths of the financial crisis in 2009, the official Xinhua news agency said after the event closed Monday.

The figure also marked a fall of three percent from the last autumn session and a 10.9 percent decline from the spring session this year, according to a statement on the fair’s website. The twice -yearly event-also called the Canton Fair after the former foreign designation for the southern city of Guangzhou-was created in 1957 and is the largest trade event in China making it a barometer of the country’s foreign trade, Xinhua said.

“The decrease from both the spring and last autumn sessions indicated that the world economic recovery remains on an uncertain and unstable course, which continues to challenge the stability and

development of China’s foreign trade,” the report quoted fair spokesman Liu Jianjun as saying.

Exports to emerging markets including India, Brazil and those in Southeast Asia, generally fell year on year, with those to the Middle East leading the decrease with a drop of 15.5 percent, according to the fair ’s statement.

Shipments to the United States and Japan increased 11.8 percent and 42.8 percent year-on-year respectively, in contrast with a fall of 2.4 percent to the European Union, it added.

The three -week fair opened on October 15. China’s exports rose eight percent year-on-year in the first nine months of the year, slightly faster than the 7.4 percent in the same period in 2012 but far slower than double-digit increases in the previous two years, official data shows. The sluggish foreign trade performance has cast gloom on the country’s export-driven economy, with concerns rising that a recovery in the third quar ter, when economic growth picked up to 7.8 percent, may not be sustainable. — AFP

Real estate sector, motor of Greek economy, stalls ATHENS: Costas, a two-decade real estate construction veteran, has never seen the sector so vital to Greece’s economy in such a sorry state. “Construction is dead, the crisis has destroyed everything,” bemoaned the 50-year-old, who declined to give his last name.

Greece’s six-year recession and brush with bankruptcy has seen prices tumble by nearly a third for residential property, a key means for many to invest and save for retirement.

Experts also blame government policy as new taxes on property owners to balance public finances as required under its EU-IMF bailout have worsened the situation. “The recession and brutal taxation on property has destroyed the sector” which was major employer, said Costas.

Building activity in Greece tumbled by 44 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to a year earlier, state statistics show. In the construction business proper, recent studies point to a loss of over 185,000 jobs since 2010, half of the sector’s workforce.

New construction has dried up, with only some renovation work to be found.

Costas is now closing his construction materials business, which before Greece’s economy imploded in 2010 had an annual turnover of 2.5 million euros ($3.5 million).

And he is also unable to sell a three-storey building in Athens he bought with a loan before the crisis. “I’m begging the bank to auction it off so I can pay off my debts,” he said. Sector experts believe there are 250,000 new buildings awaiting buyers in

Greece. To help the sector, the government is offering residence permits to non-EU investors purchasing or renting property worth over 250,000 euros. But meanwhile, new legislation is in the works to increase tax on agricultural land, on top of recent hikes to the general property tax.

This while overdue tax payments had climbed to 809 million euros in September, according to the Greek daily Kathimerini.

‘Condemning families to insecurity’ More pressure is on the way for homeowners already hit. A ban on housing auctions to protect struggling owners from eviction expires at the end of the year, and will not be renewed in 2014. Stratos Paradias, head of the Hellenic property federation (POMIDA), warns that the austerity imposed by Greece’s creditors threatens to wipe out the property investment-based savings system that has supported Greek families for decades.

“Investing in property is a tradition for Greeks, a fall-back to counterbalance shortages in state welfare,” Paradias said. “This is now disappearing, condemning families to insecurity. Some are even donating property to simply get rid of it,” he noted.

The residential housing market is moribund as there are few buyers and banks are plagued with growing numbers of bad loans. “Prices have fallen by over 30 percent these past three years. It’s because of the taxes imposed by the (EU-IMF) creditors and the economic uncertainty,” Paradias said. According to a study by leading Greek union GSEE, 75 percent of mortgage payments are in arrears.—AFP

KUWAIT: NBK Capital was recognized by preeminent international finance magazine Global Investor as the “Best Broker in Kuwait, 2013” in the publication’s annual Middle East Awards.

On this occasion, Salah Al-Fulaij, Chief Executive Officer at NBK Capital said, “NBK Capital takes pride in being selected as the Best Broker in Kuwait for 2013. Receiving this award is yet another milestone for us at NBK Capital and demonstrates our continued growth and focus on quality.”

“Such excellence in service levels and award winning product performance has made NBK Capital one of the leading investment banks in the MENA region,” added Al-Fulaij.

The award was received by Meshari Al-

Wazzan, Senior Broker - Institutional Sales at the 2013 Middle East Awards event held in Doha, Qatar. Global Investor is part of the Euromoney Institutional Investor group, and is the group’s flagship international asset management publication. NBK Capital received this prestigious award based on a series of criteria judged by Global Investors editorial panel and a selection of industry experts.

Since its establishment in 2005, NBK Capital has built a local and regional reputation for creating innovative and successful investment products & services, which meet the needs of our clients and investors. To add to NBK Capital’s comprehensive services, the Watani Brokerage was launched to meet NBK Capital customers’

needs and empowers them to access a full spectrum of brokerage services in Kuwait, the GCC and the wider MENA region through one account and with access to the US markets. It is complimented with in-depth research coverage of all sectors across the MENA markets.

NBK Capital was established in July 2005 as a subsidiary of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), one of the region’s oldest and highest rated banks. NBK Capital focuses on four principal lines of business: Alternative Investments, Asset Management, Brokerage & Research and Investment Banking. With offices in Kuwait, Dubai, Turkey, and Cairo, NBK Capital’s team of more than 170 professionals offers superior products and services to clients and investors.

China PM warns against loose money policies Li eyes 7.2% GDP growth to support employment BEIJING: China needs to sustain economic growth of 7.2 percent to ensure a stable job market, Premier Li Keqiang said as he warned the government against further expanding already loose money policies. In one of the few occasions when a top official has specified the minimum level of growth needed for employment, Li said calculations show China’s economy must grow 7.2 percent annually to create 10 million jobs a year.

That would cap the urban unemployment rate at around 4 percent, he said. “We want to stabilize economic growth because we need to guarantee employment essentially,” Li was quoted by the Workers’ Daily as saying on Monday. His remarks were made at a union meeting two weeks ago but were only published in full this week, just days before a pivotal Communist Party plenum to set polic y opens. Yet even as authorities keep an eye on growth, Li sounded a warning on easy credit supply, which he said had topped 100 trillion yuan ($16.4 trillion) in the world’s second-biggest economy.

“Our outstanding M2 money supply has at the end of March exceeded 100 trillion yuan, and that is already twice the size of our gross domestic product (GDP),” Li was quoting as saying.

“In other words, there is already a lot of money in the ‘pool’; to print more money may lead to inflation.”

His comments echoed the government’s hawkish stance on inflation, analysts said, and were separately affirmed yesterday by the central bank, which promised to keep policy prudent with appropriate finetuning as well as to “resolutely repress” property speculation.

Still, Li’s remarks underscore the fine line China must walk to create economic growth and jobs for social stability, while guarding against excesses that may hurt itself in the long run. China’s authorities have criticized the country’s $8.5-trillion economy powered by heavy reliance on exports and investment - as unstable and on an unsustainable growth path. To retool the economy, its new leaders have signalled

HUAIBEI: US dollar notes being counted next to stacks of Chinese 100 yuan (RMB) bank notes at a bank in Huaibei, in eastern China’s Anhui province. With deals from London to Singapore, China is seeking to have its yuan currency used more widely around the world and challenge the hegemony of the almighty dollar. —AFP they are willing to tolerate slower expansion in exchange for cleaner growth led by consumption. The crucial meeting of top leaders from Nov. 9 to Nov 12 will shed light on just how committed Beijing is to enforcing reforms, many of which analysts say would test politicians’ will to push through unpopular changes.

Buffeted by sluggish export sales and in part on the government’s deliberate attempt to slow activity, China’s economy is sagging towards its slackest pace of expansion in 23 years this year, at 7.5 percent. In its third-quarter monetary policy report, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said China’s economy faces a challenging future and that inflation, although stable right now, may rise in the fourth quarter.

“The foundation for stable consumer prices is not solid,” the central bank said. “Annual consumer inflation may rise in the fourth quarter.”

It said a marked rise in house prices, especially in China’s biggest cities, may have also lifted rents, other related costs, and ultimately overall price levels. The central

bank said that the problems of the property market - along with those involving local government debt are “more prominent” than other ones. It said it will “resolutely repress speculative demand for homes.”

Signs of overheating in the property market have led some analysts to speculate the government may unveil measures during or after the Communist Party meeting that opens Saturday. China’s annual consumer inflation rate rose to a seven-month high of 3.1 percent in September as poor weather drove up food prices, limiting the scope for the central bank to manoeuvre to support the economy even as exports showed a surprise decline.

Li reiterated that a 7.5 percent growth target for 2013 remains intact, but noted that weak exports were a risk. Exports can directly create about 30 million jobs and add another 70 million jobs in other related industries, Li said.

For every percentage point that China generates in economic growth, it creates 1.3 million to 1.5 million jobs, Li said. “We are not

seeking high-speed growth, and definitely not seeking only GDP growth. But a reasonable speed in growth is needed, and so we have ensured a reasonable range in economic expansion,” he said.

China’s urban jobless rate eased to 4 percent at the end of September from 4.1 percent three months earlier. It is the country’s only official unemployment indicator, but analysts say it grossly underestimates the true level of unemployment as it excludes about 260 million migrant workers from its surveys.

Li did not say that 7.2 percent in annual economic growth was the minimum the government would tolerate, but analysts have always believed that China’s leaders considered growth between 7 percent and 7.5 percent to be reasonable.

On inflation risks, however, Li was clear. “If we loosen credit, if we expand the fiscal deficit, that would be like an old saying where one carries firewood to extinguish a fire,” Li was quoted as saying.

“And this is why we choose to persevere with stable fiscal and monetary policies.” — Reuters

Euro to strengthen further in 2014: EU

BUCHAREST: Andrea Schaechter, the chief of IMF mission to Romania, gestures during a press conference at The National Bank of Romania in Bucharest yesterday. The International Monetary Fund expects growth of 2.2 percent in Romania in 2014, higher than the average in the region, said yesterday, after a ten-day visit to Bucharest. —AFP

BRUSSELS: The euro will appreciate at a record pace this year and continue to gain in 2014, the European Commission said yesterday, potentially complicating the euro-zone’s export-based recovery.

The Commission sees the 18-nation single currency, which hit a two-year high against the U.S. dollar last month gaining 5.8 percent against a dollar-denominated basket of industrialised economies this year and 0.9 percent next year. Such a rise would outstrip the jump in the

euro’s value in 2009, before the bloc’s sovereign debt crisis caused the currency’s value to plummet. It would be a greater appreciation than the averages notched up since its inception in 1999.

A sharply stronger euro, which has risen more than 5 percent against the US dollar in the last four months, makes the euro zone’s exports more expensive and could dampen the bloc’s recovery from its long recession.

Italy’s finance minister has called on the European Central Bank to cut interest rates to a

new record low to try to reverse the euro’s rise.

A majority of euro money market traders polled by Reuters on Monday expect the central bank to keep its main refinancing rate unchanged at its meeting tomorrow.

However, ECB president Mario Draghi is to signal a readiness to ease policy further, after annual inflation in the euro-zone fell to 0.7 percent in October, its lowest level in almost four years and well below the bank’s target of just below 2 percent. —Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BUSINESS

DR Congo mining firm seeks to regain lost luster KINSHASA: As the Congolese army makes its final push to chase M23 rebels out of the conflict-hit east, the head of the countr y ’s state mining firm Gecamines is eyeing a return to the golden days of copper and cobalt production. Once among the world’s leading copper producers, the company has been overtaken in the last four decades by rivals elsewhere as production was crippled by successive conflicts plaguing the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The firm was also done in by mismanagement and corruption, leaving it void of its most productive mines, which were sold to foreign investors.

From a production of some 500,000 tons a year at the end of the 1980s, the company now generates just 35,000 tons “with difficulty”, Gecamines chief executive Albert Yuma told AFP. Yuma said he and his team had been working since 2010 to dig the company out of a deep hole.

It found a firm with technology that was more or less obsolete, while the “only source of known copper reserves

lay in a mine with an uncertified estimate of more or less 200,000 tons”. “In the 1970s, Gecamines was the leading copper producer in the world”, Yuma said. It accounted for “60 percent of the state budget” of what was then Zaire, ruled with an iron fist by Mobutu Sese Seko, who came to power in 1965, five years after independence from Belgium.

At its height, Gecamines saw copper production rise to almost 500,000 tons at the end of the 1980s, with most of its mines located in the Katanga province copper belt in the far southeast of the vast central African nation.

But the country plunged into conflict in 1996 with the start of the first Congo war and an invasion led by neighboring Rwanda, which ousted Mobutu and brought rebel leader Laurent Kabila to power.

In the 17 years since, a second war followed, drawing in at least seven African countries. President Joseph Kabila came to power after his father was murdered, and dozens of armed groups moved in to seize control of

huge mineral resources.

By the turn of the century, the public coffers were empty and the most productive mines owned by the company had been turned over to private investors who obtained ver y good terms. Gecamines only retained minority shares.

A real project Management has been seeking to recover full rights to exploit mines where partners had not respected their obligations.

“We fought for more than a year and we ended up reaching a friendly settlement to recuperate the Desiwa mine, which has certified reserves according to international standards of five million tons of copper and 500,000 tons of cobalt,” said Yuma, who is in his 50s.

Desiwa, like most of the company’s mines, lies in a belt around Kolwezi and Lubumbashi, the capital of Katanga. The region is calm compared to the two Kivu provinces to the north, where rival movements are still fighting over other

valuable minerals. Gecamines recently acquired three more concessions and consequently holds rights to “eight million certified tons of copper reserves”, according to Yuma, who is also president of Congo’s business federation.

Such reserves open the way to “a real industrial mining project” whereby Gecamines could produce “200,000 or 250,000 tons of copper for 20 years”, he said. “That’s the minimum for bankers to take an interest in us,” he added.

But some processing plants are so old that it is not viable to refurbish them, so Gecamines wants to build three new plants with a combined capacity of 310,000 tons of copper in the mid-term.

Yuma said the company would have to “cut personnel by half” to reduce production costs, which amount to $10,000 (7,400 euros) per ton of copper, while competitors achieve a rate of 3,0003,500 tons and the market price is between $7,000 and $8,000.

To attain its goals, Gecamines estimates that it would need some $2.1 bil-

lion (more than 1.5 billion euros), along with a further 500 million euros to build a power station that would use the “enormous stocks of coal” available, he said. The company plans to bring the new power station on line in 2016 at the same time as a processing plant in Desiwa, which would begin by producing 100,000 tons of copper a year.

Since the Congolese state lacks the means to finance these projects, Gecamines plans to transfer all its mining stock to a “legally separate entity” that would be “independent of the company’s liabilities”, put at about $1.8 billion.

The holding company would “raise funds on the international markets”, Yuma said. The Gecamines group will be seeking fresh capital and to that end envisages selling some shares in mines that have brought in less wealth than expected. Yuma stressed that opacity in the management of the company and its financial affairs was a thing of the past, and that Gecamines operations would be totally transparent. — AFP

After bailout, Ireland goes back to building houses Govt backs construction, consumer spending

ATLANTA: Server Brittany Hester runs food out from the kitchen at the Home grown restaurant, in Atlanta. The Institute for Supply Management issued its US non-manufacturing (service-sector) index for October yesterday.—AP

AB Foods results beat forecasts LONDON: Associated British Foods reported a 13 percent rise in full-year profit yesterday as its Primark discount fashion chain expanded apace and predicted the retailer would continue to outperform as it opens more stores.

AB Foods reported adjusted pretax profit of 1.096 billion pounds ($1.75 billion) for the financial year to Sept. 14, on revenues up 9 percent to 13.3 billion pounds, beating average analyst expectations. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose 13 percent to 98.9 pence.

Primark, which has more than 250 stores in Britain and Europe and generates almost a third of group sales, has performed strongly through the economic downturn thanks to its low prices and quick adoption of fashion trends. Its adjusted operating profit rose 44 percent to 514 million pounds on revenue up 22 percent to 4.2 billion pounds as it added 10 percent store space. AB Foods said it expected Primark’s continued growth as well as expansion in its grocery business to boost profits in those divisions next year, although it forecast a further fall in profit from its AB Sugar business as European sugar prices drop. Overall, the group confirmed it expects adjusted EPS for the coming year to be similar to 2013.

Sugar prices have been under pressure due to expectations of a fourth year of oversupply in the 2013/14 season, with benchmark sugar falling to three-year lows in July. “Looking ahead to the next few years we see excellent prospects for Primark and further margin recovery in grocery,” Chief Executive George Weston said in a statement.

British retail sales grew slightly more strongly in October compared to the previous month, but lower clothing sales due to mild weather limited overall gains, the British Retail Consortium said earlier yesterday. Shares in the group, 55 percent owned by the family of CEO Weston, have risen 38 percent over the last year to trade at 22 times expected earnings, compared to 23 times for H&M and 26 times for Inditex. For its grocery business, which includes Silver Spoon sugar, Twinings tea and Ryvita biscuits and accounts for a third of sales, it reported a 24 percent increase in adjusted operating profit to 232 million pounds. Analysts had expected the group to report revenue of 13.24 billion pounds, pretax profit of 1.06 billion and EPS of 97.79 pence, according to SmartEstimates from Thomson Reuters. — Reuters

G4S announces job losses as CEO starts turnaround LONDON: G4S said it would shake up failing parts of its business and lay off up to 400 jobs as the new boss of the world’s largest security firm looks to improve its fortunes after a series of high profile blunders. Chief Executive Ashley Almanza told reporters yesterday he would sell, grow or restructure some 35 units within the business in order to “sharpen our strategic focus and strengthen our investment in customer service, organic growth, and technology and innovation.”

The revamp comes as G4S battles to repair its relationship with Britain’s government. Recent blunders include its failure to properly staff the 2012 London Olympics and a electronic tagging contract now under investigation by the fraud office.

“G4S has strong fundamentals and these will be improved by changes to the way we manage the business,” Almanza said. Shares in G4S, which runs services in some 120

countries from managing prisons to guarding tennis players at Wimbledon, were down 2.7 percent at 247.2 pence by 0825 GMT. Almanza told reporters that the businesses targeted for an overhaul generated 400 million pounds revenue in total on an average margin of 3 percent. The group posted revenue of 7.3 billion pounds in 2012 and had an operating profit margin of 5.5 percent at the half year.

Almanza said it was too early to say how many businesses would eventually be sold but has said funds will be used to cut debt and fund expansion in more profitable emerging markets, where the group generates more than 40 percent of profit.

The firm also said it intends to invest 1520 million pounds in 2014 in customer service and business development to support its 5-8 percent annual organic growth target.—Reuters

HANOI: Billboards offering the sale of apartments outside unfinished residential buildings on the outskirts of Hanoi. Vietnam’s real estate bubble continues to harm the communist nation’s economic growth with thousands of apartments and houses going unsold, causing debts to pile up in the banking and financial systems, according to official published reports. — AFP

SWORDS: When 20 newly built family homes went up for sale in this Dublin commuter belt town in September, queues started three hours before the viewing opened on Saturday morning. “By Sunday evening there was nothing left,” said Brian McKeon, head of MKN Property Group, which built the units on a quiet and leafy dead-end street in Swords, a town of 40,000 near the Irish capital’s airport.

The government is counting on places like Swords to resuscitate construction and spur consumer spending on houses and the high street, thereby smoothing Ireland’s escape from a 85 billion euro ($117 billion) bailout. The country of 4.6 million will become the first euro zone state to complete a bailout in December and in the process regain greater flexibility in its economic policy as Europe and the International Monetary Fund loosen their oversight.

Ireland’s economy has to expand by an annual 2-3 percent to make its debt sustainable and the government’s strategy to achieve this - placing construction at its heart - started to emerge in October with Michael Noonan’s 2014 budget.

“No sector has been hit harder since 2008 and a return to a normalized construction and development sector is needed to provide jobs for the thousands of unemployed construction workers,” Noonan said in his budget speech. The finance minister gave tax breaks for the industry that defined the “Celtic Tiger” boom and bust, and raised tax on savings in order to prompt more spending. Noonan is hoping that will spill into shopping and tourism and has forecast personal consumption to jump 1.8 percent in 2014 from an expected 82.5 billion euros this year.

However over the last two years the govern-

ment has consistently cut its forecasts for personal consumption and economic growth and its dependence on euro zone recovery means the plan is vulnerable to hitches away from home. Meanwhile Irish unemployment is above 13 percent, consumer spending remains depressed by years of salary cuts and tax hikes and economists see consumption growing only 0.7 percent - all further risks to the government’s strategy.

At the peak of Ireland’s boom, construction accounted for a quarter of gross national product (GNP). According to state investment agency Forfas, it will be 6.4 percent this year compared with the 12 percent economists say is a healthy size. In Swords, where MKN is building another 18 homes, its cranes and workmen make for an unusual sight - construction accounts for a fifth of total unemployment. “The quickest way to create jobs is to get construction working again,” said Jimmy Healy of the Construction Industry Federation.

Swords provides the perfect construction template: the town combines affordability, transport links and outside space that attracts both young families and first-time buyers. Unlike some swanky Dublin neighborhoods, where annual prices rises are touching 12 percent, it also has space for new homes.

Nationwide, applications for planning permission have dropped 6 percent so far this year from last and the number of works started have dropped by 10 percent. But applications in Dublin and nearby rose by up to 12 percent, according to Link2Plans, which compiles data from filings.

Ireland’s real estate investment trust, Green

REIT, jumped in last week and spent 178 million euros on office blocks and retail developments mainly in Dublin. “It’s hotting up and the residential development is coming through,” said Link2Plans managing director Danny O’Shea.

“Some people have money and it’s just a case of getting them to loosen the purse strings and get things moving again.”

The anticipated pickup would benefit builders and suppliers such as CRH, Grafton or Kingspan, who have cut exposure to Ireland since the burst housing bubble pushed it to seek a bailout in 2010.

Recovery is expected to be slow, but sustained - far from the uncontrolled boom in the years running up to 2007. Mortgage lending is scarce, hundreds of thousands of people owe more money than their property is worth and nearly 13 percent of existing loans are in arrears for more than 90 days. Thus the government is looking beyond construction and trying to tempt people to spend more in the shops.

Central Dublin shops and pubs are bustling, Swedish fashion retailer H&M is opening a branch of its COS shops and Tower Records and others are moving to bigger premises. Footfall rose for the first time in 2012 and is up by about 2.5 percent this year, according to Dublin City BID, which represents 2,500 businesses. But outside of the capital, many smaller towns are still littered with abandoned shops - along with abandoned, remote housing projects that stand as a reminder of unstable times.

“It will be a patchy increase,” said Dublin City BID chief executive Richard Guiney. “The rot has stopped but we’re not where we need to be.” —Reuters

Australia CB keeps rates on hold SYDNEY: Australia’s central bank held interest rates at their record 2.50 percent low yesterday, with previous cuts starting to impact non-mining sectors of the economy. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept rates on pause for a third consecutive month, as widely expected, after a series of cuts designed to stimulate the economy as its decade-long Asia mining splurge cools.

Governor Glenn Stevens said the bank’s board judged that “the setting of monetary policy remained appropriate” with the full effects of earlier cuts “still coming through, and will be for a while yet”.

“The economy has been growing a bit below trend over the past year and the unemployment rate has edged higher,” he said. “This is likely to persist in the near term, as the economy adjusts to lower levels of mining investment. “Further ahead, private demand outside the mining sector is expected to increase at a faster pace, though considerable uncertainty surrounds this outlook.”

He added that there had been a recent improvement in indicators of household and business sentiment, although “it is still too soon to judge how persistent this will be”. But Stevens warned the exchange rate was still “uncomfortably high” and said a lower level was needed to achieve balanced growth in the economy. The Australian dollar fell to 94.79 US cents after the comments, from 95.01 US cents just before the RBA decision, with Capital

SYDNEY: A shopkeeper assists a customer at a fruit stall in Sydney yesterday. Australia’s central bank held interest rates at their record 2.50 percent low yesterday, with previous cuts starting to impact non-mining sectors of the economy. —AFP Economics analyst Daniel Martin expecting a despite the currency already falling by nine further loosening of rates in early 2014. “We percent against the US dollar this year. “Another think a little more support will be needed as rate cut would put more downward pressure the mining boom cools further over the coming on the currency.” He added that inflation, which months,” he said. “The RBA also clearly feels that rose by a stronger-than-expected 1.2 percent in a further fall in the Australian dollar would help the July-September period, was unlikely to be a the economy rebalance away from mining, barrier to a further rate cut. — AFP

Hungary approves new plan for distressed forex debtors BUDAPEST: Hungary’s parliament approved yesterday a new relief plan for homeowners in distress because of foreign currency loans, its latest effort to ease chronic household debt levels. The bill tweaks an existing ‘exchange rate cap’ scheme allowing Hungarians to repay at preferential rates the foreign-currency mortgages they took out en masse before the forint crashed.

Most of the existing conditions for joining the scheme - which caps loan repayments at a fixed rate of 180 forints to the Swiss franc, or 250 forints to the euro - will now be lifted.

About a million Hungarians took out foreigncurrency mortgages - most denominated in Swiss francs - at rates of about 150-180 forints per Swiss franc. Now, there are around 250 to the Swiss franc, leaving hundreds of thousands of distressed borrowers with soaring

monthly instalments, and around 10 billion euros ($13.5 billion) owed by Hungarian households to the banks.

Yesterday’s measures include the removal of a bar on those with outstanding arrears of more than 90 days entering the scheme, a move analysts say would allow an additional 150,000 borrowers into the facility.

An upper limit on the value of the original loan is also now removed, while borrowers on other assistance programs can now apply.

The bill also extends a winter moratorium on evictions to April 30.

Long-running talks between the government, banks’ and borrowers’ organizations have been deadlocked over how to share the debt burden, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban insisting that the banks should do more. Last week Economy Minister Mihaly

Varga said the cabinet would propose its own solution, after it rejected a proposal by the banks before a November 1 deadline.

An earlier program entailed estimated losses of around 1.3 billion euros ($1.7 billion) for banks, already reeling after Orban imposed Europe’s biggest bank tax in 2010.

On Monday, however, a government spokesman called the latest plan “a temporary solution only”.

Analysts say that Tuesday’s move eases banks’ fears any final package will contain more radical measures such as debt writeoffs but still leaves uncertainty. “It’s unclear what further steps the government plans to make”, Citibank analyst Eszter Gargyan told news portal Index.hu. “Many borrowers might wait to see if a more radical plan is coming later,” she said. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BUSINESS

Despite pressure, ECB may hold rates at record low FRANKFURT: The European Central Bank is likely to leave interest rates at a record low tomorrow, resisting pressure for a cut that has grown after a dive in inflation. After emerging from its longest-ever recession, the euro-zone economy is recovering slowly with banks giving first indications that they will ease access to loans for companies.

But demand remains weak as uncertainty persists and euro-zone inflation was just 0.7 percent in October, close to a four-year low and far below the ECB’s target of close to 2 percent.

Several economists and a politician have called for a cut after the surprisingly weak price data with some forecasting one as soon as yesterday’s policy meeting.

However, all but one of the 23 traders polled by Reuters expect the ECB to remain on hold at its November policy meeting, keeping its powder dry until it has a clearer view about where the euro-zone economy is heading.

“The ECB simply does not have a reputation for knee-jerk reaction to single data releases,” said ING senior economist Carsten Brzeski. “A rate cut would do little to kick-start the economy as long as the transmission mechanism is not working properly. Even if deflationary trends have opened the door wider for further ECB easing, we don’t expect such action this week.”

ECB President Mario Draghi is expected to strike a dovish tone during the post-meeting news conference, to talk down the euro, which has risen more than 5 percent against the US dollar in the last 4 months, and signal possible action ahead. Italy’s finance minister called on Tuesday for the central bank to ease policy to combat the strong euro. “If I understand markets they want to see some concrete (policy) action at some point and maybe before the end of the year,” he told the Financial Times.

On the ECB Governing Council, Belgium’s governor,

Luc Coene, would loosen policy further sooner rather than later. But euro-zone interest rates are already at a record low of 0.5 percent and not all of his colleagues on the Council will argue in favor of another cut when the 23 policymakers gather in Frankfurt on Thursday to set the bloc’s monetary policy.

Austria’s central bank governor, Ewald Nowotny, noted last week before the inflation data came out that the recovery was “getting stronger” and that a cut would have little impact. Some recent economic data backs his assessment.

But the European Commission said yesterday, inflation would stay subdued in the euro-zone and unemployment would hover around current record highs for two years.

It said it expected the euro-zone’s annual inflation rate to stay at 1.5 percent this year and next before dropping to 1.4 percent in 2015. Adding to the ECB’s

dilemma over how to shelter a fragile economic recovery, is an accelerated fall in excess liquidity - cash beyond what lenders need to cover day-to-day operations - as banks repay three-year ECB loans early ahead of an upcoming health check next year.

This is seen pushing the interbank lending rate higher over time and the ECB is considering pumping more liquidity into the system to offset this development. A Reuters poll showed last week that 44 out 59 analysts surveyed said the ECB would inject more liquidity, probably early next year. It could do so, for example, by launching another long-term refinancing operation (LTRO).

A cut of the main refinancing rate to 0.25 percent could potentially also slow the pace of LTRO repayments, as lower interest costs make it more attractive for banks to hold on to the loans for longer and invest them in higher yielding assets. — Reuters

Dubai Smart govt to install MyID registration kiosks at malls soon 665 users already registered from Gitex 2013

BARCELONA: Members of anti-evictions associations hold banners during a demonstration organized by the anti-eviction group Platform of People Affected by Mortgage (PAH) outside the Catalan government headquarters in the Sant Jaume Square yesterday in Barcelona. — AFP

UK service sector grows at fastest pace in 16 years LONDON: Activity in Britain’s services sector increased at the fastest rate since May 1997 last month, raising the prospect of a big jump in economic growth in the final three months of 2013, a closely watched survey showed yesterday.

Financial data company Markit said its services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 62.5 in October from September’s 60.3, easily beating economists’ forecasts for a fall to 59.8 and increasing the chance that the Bank of England will revise up its quarterly growth forecasts next week.

Readings above 50 point to growth, and Markit said that combined with strong PMI surveys for manufacturing and construction, yesterday’s data suggest quarterly economic growth of 1.3 percent, up from 0.8 percent between July and September.

“The UK economic recovery moved up a gear again in October,” said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit.

“Manufacturing, services and construction all continued to see very strong rates of expansion, pointing to an ongoing broadbased upturn. However it is the services sector which, due to its sheer size, is the major driving force,” he added.

Britain’s economy - which looked on the verge of its third recession in five years at the start of 2013 - has repeatedly surprised on the upside this year, and Markit’s composite PMI is its highest since records began in 1996. Britain’s position contrasts sharply with that of the euro zone, where last week unemployment hit a record high while the annual inflation rate tumbled, bringing a possible European Central Bank interest rate cut into view.

However total UK output is still well below its 2008 peak - a much weaker state of affairs than in most other big advanced economies - and in August the BoE pledged not to raise interest rates before unemployment falls to 7 percent. The BoE forecast in August that Britain’s jobless rate - now 7.7

percent - would take more than three years to sink that low, a timescale many economists think will be brought forward when the central bank publishes fresh forecasts next week.

The Markit survey showed that employers in the services sector were hiring staff at the fastest rate since May 1997. A broader composite employment index, which includes manufacturers and construction firms, rose to its highest since that series started in January 1998.

Markit’s surveys do not cover the UK public sector - where more cuts to jobs and spending are planned as part of the government’s austerity program - or British retailers, who have had mixed fortunes due to falling disposable income. The British Retail Consortium, which represents larger chains, said earlier yesterday that its members experienced modest annual sales growth of 2.6 percent in value terms in October.

However, prospects for the rest of the services sector appear brighter. The services PMI’s new orders component rose to 63.4 in October from 60.6 in September, indicating the fastest inflow of orders since the survey started in July 1996.

Firms reported getting longer-term contracts than before, and that some were linked to growing activity in Britain’s property market, where the government has announced several measures aimed at boosting construction and home purchase.

The services PMI also pointed to potential future inflation pressures. Firms reported that they were reaching capacity constraints, with backlogs of work rising at the fastest rate since May 1997, and that as well as hiring more staff, they were also raising salaries.

Firms faced the biggest rise in input costs in eight months, and raised the prices they charged to consumers at the fastest rate since May 2011. — Reuters

Turkish lira weakens on inflation concerns ISTANBUL: The Turkish lira weakened yesterday on inflation concerns, with investors betting that higher-than-expected prices would still not be enough to spur the central bank to raise interest rates.

Markets looked to the release of Turkey’s real effective exchange rate at 1230 GMT for more clues on monetary policy, after data on Monday showed sharp rises in the cost of food and clothing drove consumer prices up 1.8 percent in October. That was well above a Reuters poll forecast of 1.3 percent.

The lira weakened to 2.0242 against the dollar by 0904 GMT from 2.0150 late on Monday. The currency came under pressure immediately after Monday’s release but was supported by the central bank not holding its regular one-week repo auction and selling $120 million at auction. On Tuesday, conditions went back to normal and there was no such support. “Overall, the data suggests that inflation could keep accelerating over the coming quarter,

despite the central bank projecting its outlook of headline moderation (it acknowledges that core-inflation will accelerate),” a note from Societe Generale said.

For months, a depreciating lira has put pressure on Turkey’s central bank to raise interest rates, which it has so far refused to do. Delays in the scaling back of the US Federal Reserve’s stimulus program, which would dry up cheap capital in emerging markets, bought Turkish policy makers more time. But with a cut in bond-buying still on the horizon, there is concern that the central bank’s complex mix of withholding regular repo auctions and dollar sales will not be enough to support the lira.

The 10-year benchmark bond yield rose slightly to 8.9 percent from 8.87 percent late on Monday. The main Istanbul share index recovered some of the sharp losses made late in the session on Monday. It was up 0.52 percent at 76,630.94 points, outperforming the broader emerging markets index, which fell 0.33 percent. — Reuters

DUBAI: The MyID portal for single sign-on to Dubai government services is gradually being adopted with the number of people having registered reaching 665 in 10 days from the announcement of the launch of the first phase of the portal at Gitex 2013. The portal aims at easing the lives of customers and applicants of Dubai government entities through a unified and secure electronic ID. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai Smart Government, said: “In line with the initiative that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched in May 2013 and in implementation of the directives of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to speed up the shift to a smart government, we have provided the MyID portal so that this unified electronic access to Dubai Government will eliminate the need for multiple personal identification accounts of applicants or new username and password each time they seek to register with a government website. This is in compliance with the concept of connected and integrated smart government, which is the most advanced concept in the ongoing process of eTransformation in Dubai.”

Bin Humaidan added: “In view of the great response we received from the public for registering in the kiosk that we provided to customers at our stand during Gitex 2013, we will soon provide other kiosks at customer halls in government entities and some shopping malls and government

service centres with the aim of allowing the public to register in the portal easily and smoothly wherever they are.” He pointed out that this unified electronic access is subject to strong security standards that use model technologies that are compatible with the criteria applicable to Dubai Government’s government services bus and integrated with the ID card issued by the Emirates Identity Authority.

Bin Humaidan explained that registration allows the public to access all the electronic and smart services provided by Dubai government entities and interact with them through smartphones or

Ukraine, Chevron sign $10bn shale gas deal KIEV: Ukraine and US energy giant Chevron signed a $10-billion shale gas deal yesterday that the ex-Soviet nation hopes could end its energy dependence on Russia by 2020. The production-sharing agreement allows Chevron to explore the Olesky deposit in western Ukraine that Kiev estimates can hold 2.98 trillion cubic meters of gas.

The deal, worth the equivalent of 7.4 billion euros, comes close on the heels of similar agreements which Ukraine has struck in the past year with the Anglo-Dutch group Shell and the US super-major ExxonMobil. “The implementation of large-scale projects with Shell and Chevron ... will enable Ukraine to fully meet its natural gas need by 2020,” Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych said moments before yesterday’s signing ceremony. Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has estimated the deal’s value at $10 billion (7.4 billion euros). The Chevron agreement comes as part of a drive

by Ukraine to diversify energy sources at a time when it is seeking to cement closer relations with the European Union at Russia’s expense.

Last week, Russia slapped Ukraine with a gas bill of nearly $1 billion in apparent anger at Kiev’s bid to strike an EU free trade and political association agreement in Vilnius at the end of the month. The EU deal’s signature is seen as a first step in Ukraine’s eventual membership in the 28-nation bloc.

But Moscow wants to see Ukraine join a Russian-led customs union that already includes Belarus and Kazakhstan. Russia’s energy giant Gazprom has denied presenting the massive gas bill to Ukraine as part of a strategy to force Kiev to reconsider the EU pact. Gazprom said yesterday that so far Ukraine had paid less than a tenth of the money in instalments it began meting out only after Russia issued a warning about the debt payment last week.

Ukraine has been moving swiftly to explore shale gas deposits that it lacks the technology to develop but which it views as a plank of its energy strategy in the years to come. The nation of 45 million people consumed about 50 billion cubic metres of natural gas last year. It imported 33 billion cubic metres of that volume from Russia and set the itself the target of slimming that figure down by five billion cubic metres this year.

Its foreign partnerships strategy has seen Ukraine strike a $10-billion production-sharing agreement with Shell in January to explore shale gas at the Yuzovska deposit in the eastern Donetsk region that may hold up to three trillion cubic metres of gas. Ukraine in September also reached a production-sharing agreement with a consortium led by ExxonMobil and Shell to extract natural gas on the Skifski site off Ukraine’s Black Sea coast. That site alone is expected to provide 8.0-10.0 billion cubic metres of natural gas per year. But analysts are skeptical about the spate of agreements being able to make Ukraine self-sufficient by 2020 as Yanukovych wants.

Dmytro Marunchin of Kiev’s Energy Studies Institute pointed out that Ukraine and its various partners have still not dug a single exploration well to determine the actual size of the shale gas reserves. “This is a political statement,” he said of the president’s promise.

Volodymyr Omelchenko of the Razumkov Centre for political studies added that he did not expect shale gas production to start on a commercial scale in Ukraine until 2022. “I do not see how we can reach shale gas volumes that could make us completely self-sufficient before 2025,” Omelchenko said. — AFP

via the Internet through only one sign-on (username and password) related to the electronic ID, eliminating the need to register with each government entity separately. This achievement is partly dependent on benefiting from the national ID card, which is the official document approved in the UAE for verifying the identity of individuals as it contains the data of its owner on its chip. At the same time, each individual who has a card reader can complete registration from home or office without the need to register through the kiosk, he added.

Meanwhile, Bin Humaidan stated that the use of the unified electronic access currently allows over 50 services provided by 5 government entities to be implemented and will be applicable in its first phase to over 20 government entities in Dubai. The service will be subsequently expanded to include semi-government entities, which will contribute to strengthening the orientation towards smart government for easing the life of customers by providing unified access to all Dubai government’s services from one secure place.

The website https://myid.dubai.gov.ae enables all customers of Dubai government entities to register in MyID to allow them to access and benefit from the unified portal of Dubai government’s services. The portal also provides quick access to DSG’s services oriented to individuals and businesses such as eSuggest, eComplain and mPay. For those interested in getting more information on how to register with MyID portal and ask for assistance, they can communicate with the unified contact centre AskDubai on 7000 40000.

Slovenia can avert bailout despite rise in inflation: EU LJUBLJANA/BRUSSELS: The European Commission said yesterday that Slovenia was set to see its budget deficit balloon next year but can still avoid an international bailout if it continues with structural reforms and fixes its banking sector.

The country is struggling under the weight of some 7.9 billion euros ($10.67 billion) of bad loans in the mostly stateowned banking sector but hopes tax increases, spending cuts and privatizations will raise enough funds to recapitalize banks.

In its latest economic forecasts, the Commission said the country’s budget deficit is set to soar to 7.1 percent of economic output next year because of the cost of helping its lenders.

The deficit is forecast to be 5.8 percent this year, well above the 3 percent limit required of euro zone members. But EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn told a news conference in Brussels this did not means the small euro zone country would need others to step in.

“Slovenia is certainly not necessarily heading towards a (bailout) program on the condition that it maintains ... recent determined action and effectively implements ... structural reforms,” he said.

He also called for the rapid repair of Slovenia’s banking sector, saying it was central to the country’s recovery. The International Monetary Fund, which oversees euro-zone bailouts along with the Commission and the European Central Bank, said late last month that a recovery in Slovenia could be sustained by restructuring the indebted corporate sector and reducing the role of the state in the economy. In Slovenia’s favor, the country’s fiscal accounts are less alarming after stripping out bank recapitalization costs. Its deficit

would be 4 percent of gross domestic product in 2013 and 3.6 percent next year, the Commission said.

Captal needs Slovenia was the fastest growing euro zone member in 2007 but hit a brick wall when the global financial crisis erupted in 2008. It fell into a new recession in 2012 because of lower export demand, a credit crunch and a fall in domestic spending caused by budget cuts. To avert becoming the sixth euro zone country needing some form of emergency financial aid, Slovenia plans to inject capital into the banks later this year, or in early 2014, after getting the results of banks’ stress tests demanded by the Commission. The government of the 35billion-euro economy has earmarked 1.2 billion euros ($1.6 billion) for the recapitalization of the main banks. There are still risks though, as analysts expect stress tests could show much higher capital needs.

The Commission said Slovenia’s economy would contract by 2.7 percent this year and 1 percent in 2014, making it one of the poorest performers in the euro zone.

In May, the Commission forecast a 2 percent fall this year and a marginal decline of 0.1 percent in 2014. The new GDP forecast is broadly in line with the projections by the government and the Bank of Slovenia, which expect the recession to last until late 2014.

“A tepid recovery of the economy is forecast to start only in the second half of 2014 and to continue in 2015, albeit at a very slow pace. The rebound would be driven by net exports, as global economic conditions improve,” the Commission said. The Commission projected Slovenia’s public debt would steadily rise to 74.2 percent of GDP in 2015 from 63.2 percent of GDP this year. — Reuters

CILEGON: Indonesia’s petrochemical plant owned by PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (CAP) is seen in the plant complex in Cilegon, in Banten province located in western Java island yesterday. Michelin Group and CAP executives held a groundbreaking ceremony for a planned synthetic rubber plant that will be managed by PT. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

BUSINESS

Lincoln debuts MKC Concept in Middle East Brand showcases its future at Dubai Motor Show DUBAI: During an exclusive Middle East premiere ahead of the 2013 Dubai International Motor Show, Lincoln introduced the MKC Concept- a small luxury utility vehicle that signals the brand’s intention to become a major contender in the premium market. With nearly 40 percent growth during past four years and nearly 30 percent growth this year alone, the small luxury utility segment represents a key opportunity for Lincoln in the Middle East, and is a key next step in Lincoln’s strategy to grow with four all-new vehicles in four years.

Paul Anderson, Ford Middle East’s regional director for Marketing said: “We are reinventing Lincoln by focusing on the largest and fastest-growing segments of the luxury market, while offering clients something different. The recently-introduced MKZ is a great example of this direction as it re-establishes Lincoln in the largest luxury segment, and now, the MKC Concept highlights a key opportunity in one of the fastestgrowing parts of the luxury market.”

push-button transmission engagement, programmable ride control, unique and diverse powertrains, personalized lighting, and a suite of customizable functions that are unique for each client as the vehicle instantly recognizes the operator and creates a personalized welcoming sequence.

Future Lincolns also will combine these unique experiences with the option of stunning, bespoke interior and exterior design appointments that will transcend typical luxury automotive standards, furthering the brand’s transformation. The MKC Concept explores many of these transformative ideas.

“Customers in the Middle East understand the essence of bespoke and importance of craftsmanship,” said Susan Lampinen, group chief designer, Color & Material Design, who is visiting Dubai for the Motor Show.”This is a region that values not just fashion, but more importantly, style and personalised experiences. The Middle Eastis certain to play an important role in Lincoln’s global growth.

Lincoln experiences Lincoln is being reinvented in every way - from a complete new lineup of stunningly designed vehicles to the customer ownership experience and how drivers engage with their vehicles. The goal is to appeal to a new type of luxury clients considered cultural progressives, who are open to new ideas and experiences. In current and future vehicles, these Lincoln experiences will include a variety of distinctive features, such as

Exterior, interior design details The MKC Concept builds on the foundation of the Lincoln Design DNA found in the new MKZ. These warm, open and inviting design cues are a core element of the brand’s heritage.

“The MKC Concept has a wonderful stance and sits beautifully on its wheels,” said Lampinen.

“It has a sleek, sculpted body and wheelarches and elegant shoulders. The lines of the vehicle appear relatively simple on

first look but with a second view reveal a dynamic three dimensionality.” An uninterrupted, highly crafted rear-view appearance highlights the signature full-width taillamps. This is made possible by a liftgate design with a side-view cutline - a Lincoln first. It shows how the dedicated Lincoln design and engineering teams have worked together to deliver customer-focused solutions that not only elevate the appearance, but also provide maximum load capability.

The continuity also is apparent in the execution of the frameless windows, which amplify the richness of the design, as does the signature split-wing grille. A large fixed panoramic roof runs the length of the vehicle. High-end bespoke design, materials and execution inspire the four-passenger interior. Just like MKZ - which sets the tone for the brand’s thoughtful new approach to design -the MKC Concept features a distinct pushbutton gear shift selector. This enables a flowing, expressive and architectural center console design covered with riveting details, and unique colors and materials. The Lincoln MKC Concept showcases another key element of the brand’s reinvention - Lincoln Black Label - a collection of ultra-premium exterior and interior themes from the Lincoln Design team that will eventually be available on every Lincoln model.

“The idea behind Black Label was to create a collection of designer themes that are similar to what might be found in a high-end art gallery - inspired by lifestyles and experiences - to showcase Lincoln in its best light,” explained Lampinen.

Exclusive interior environments are coordinated with unique exterior colors. Each of Lincoln’s three Black Label interior themes draw out the fine craftsmanship, innovative trim details and designer finishes, complemented by premium selection of materials. “Because Lincoln Black Label is our highest offering of the expression of personal luxury, we took our materials selections personally as well,” said Lampinen. “We believe this personal touch and involvement will help separate Lincoln from other offerings.”

Key touchpoints - instrument panel, doors and console - are wrapped and stitched in the highest-grade premium leather to surround the client in luxury. Armrests and seats are trimmed in specialty Venetian leather created exclusively for Lincoln Black Label. Premium Alcantara(r) suede material is wrapped on the headliner, pillars and package tray, and is accented on seats, trunk and floor mat details. Similar rigor was applied to the selection of premium and designer woods, which were sought out globally and selected for maximum richness of color, grain and pattern.

Unique design elements are found throughout Lincoln Black Label vehicles. Jewel-like accents called “Satin Star” plating adorn the seat on head restraints and side shields. Multi-finish premium paint and chrome complements the wheel design.

The designers started with more than a dozen concepts before narrowing to three themes: Center Stage, Indulgence and Modern Heritage - showcased on the MKC Concept.

Forest Whitaker visits Zain South Sudan offices to promote peace

EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain

EQUATE representing Kuwait at world’s biggest plastics event KUWAIT: EQUATE Petrochemical Company participated in the world’s biggest plastics event, the International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber (K 2013) in Germany, as the only Kuwaiti organization. On this occasion, EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain said, “With its products forming over 60 percent of Kuwait’s non-oil exports, EQUATE’s participation in K 2013 was aimed at manifesting Kuwait’s overall national sustainability, as well as being an international market player in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa.”

Husain added, “Such an event was a great opportunity for EQUATE to showcase its products, as well as extend its commitment and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, and business partners, especially customers as part of its tagline ‘Partners in Success’.”

Husain noted, “As a prominent petrochemical producer, EQUATE is a world-class organization that delivers the highest quality of products and services, distinguished customer service, and end-to-end integrated supply

chain that is orchestrated by its reliability and sustainability-driven approach.”

Along with Husain, several members of EQUATE’s senior management and leaders attended K 2013 including Senior VP Eliezer Maldonado, Polyethylene Business Director Ahmad Al-Saleh and Procurement Leader Muayad Al-Faresi. EQUATE had a unique exhibit stand welcoming the event’s over 200,000 visitors from close to 60 countries between October 16th to 23rd in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Established in 1995, EQUATE is an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Commencing production in 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of a fully integrated world-scale manufacturing facility producing over 5 million tons annually of high-quality petrochemical products which are marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

Arab region imported $117,64m worth Brazilian coffee in 8 months KUWAIT: The Arab nations imported $117,64 million worth of coffee from Brazil during the period of January to August this year, reflecting a 1,92 per cent revenue increase over the same period of 2012, according to statistics released by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade. Brazil exported 46 tons of coffee to the Arab region from January to August 2013, indicating a 31 per cent increase in volume.

According to the Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, the Arab world has been consistently a major market for Brazilian coffee products.

Even though the total revenue for Brazilian coffee exports to the international markets has reduced by 16,27 per cent during January to

Dr Michel Alaby

August this year, in comparison to the same period of 2012, generating only $3,08 billion, the total volume has increased by 31 per cent. The increase in volume as against the revenue is the result of depreciation in the price of coffee in the international market.

In order to tackle external obstacles, many Brazilian coffee exporters are selling sophisticated blends of gourmet coffee, that will meet expectations of the most passionate coffee lovers. We shall highlight that several coffee shops throughout the world serve Brazilian beans as a high end product.

Dr Michel Alaby, Secretary General and CEO of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, said, “The Brazilian coffee exporters are stepping up efforts to establish direct trade relations with Arab traders, cutting down intermediaries. The increase in volume of coffee exports this year indicates the popularity of Brazilian coffee in the region. Brazilian producers are constantly improving the quality of their coffee to give it a competitive edge in the Arab market, which will ultimately lead to increased revenues. The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce remains firmly committed to cultivate healthy trade alliances between Brazil and the Arab world.”

The Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce has been established to consolidate and expand partnerships, generate opportunities and bring Arabs and Brazilians together. It has been in operation for more than 60 years, playing an active role in boosting economic, cultural and tourism activities, and facilitating the flow of information between Arabs and Brazilians.

JUBA: Zain South Sudan, the country’s leading telecom operator, announces the visit of internationally renowned actor and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, Forest Whitaker, to the company’s head office in Juba. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the progress of Zain’s mobile network expansion and steps forward of ‘The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’ in the country, with Zain South Sudan CEO Wassim Mansour. Telecommunications and connectivity for the South Sudan community to the rest of the world plays a critical role in the initiative’s aims of capacity building, dialogue and empowerment.

Zain South Sudan recently embarked on an exceptional three-year partnership with ‘The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’, in cooperation with UNESCO and Ericsson to establish a Youth Peacemaker Network ( YPN) in South Sudan, comprised of youth from the 10 states in the country. In developing youth’s capacities in peace-building, the partners are working on (1) the formation of a youth network, (2) capacity development workshops and long-term support, (3) the establishment of a Youth Leadership Forum that will engage youth in policy dialogue relevant to the their own development.

The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative was founded by Whitaker and is a non-profit organization dedicated to peace-building and community empowerment in areas of conflict everywhere. The organization focuses on empowering and inspiring youth, women, and global citizens to promote peace across the planet.

Commenting on the milestone visit of Whitaker, Zain South Sudan CEO Wassim Mansour said, “Capacity building is one of the main strategic thrusts of Zain South Sudan and through telecommunications, the company is focusing on narrowing the digital divide and empowering South Sudanese youth with the necessary skills to develop a more productive future in their chosen fields.”

Mansour continued, “Our partnership with ‘The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’, UNESCO and Ericsson is exactly the type of cooperation required to improve living and social standards in South Sudan. It is important for organiza-

tions from different backgrounds to come together for a single cause, which in this case is to improve the prospects of young people in the country.”

On his part, Whitaker commented, “Zain South Sudan is an example of a company that looks beyond its business involvement in a country and considers how best to support the social development of the community. At ‘The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’ we support and sustain our peace initiatives with conflict-resolution training programs and methodology, grassroots efforts, access to experts, social media, technology, content, and 21st century communication tools, none of which would be possible without the assistance from organizations such as UNESCO, Zain

The project will aim to draw on national pride and consolidate inter-tribal relations by bringing together youth from diverse educational, economic, religious, geographical and tribal backgrounds.

The network will be inclusive of disabled youth and will ensure a gender balance.

Additionally, during the meeting, Mansour unveiled to Whitaker Zain South Sudan’s inspirational ‘I Am’ marketing campaign that was recently launched across the country, to which Whitaker remarked, “I’m truly overwhelmed by this inspiring and empowering campaign, it really touched me and I’m sure it will capture the heart and minds of the South Sudan community. The campaign aligns perfectly to the aims and cause of ‘The Whitaker

Forest Whitaker with Zain South Sudan CEO Wassim Mansour. and Ericsson.”

The network of youth peacemakers organized by ‘The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative’ in cooperation with UNESCO, Zain and Ericsson aims to bring young people together, and motivate them to become agents of positive change. The program also aims to develop their capacity building with respect to reconciliation, and peace building, as well as equip them with the social and technical competencies required to undertake their activities effectively. These include basic computer training and development of negotiation skills.

Peace and Development Initiative’.”

With a population of approximately 10 million inhabitants, 72 percent of whom are under the age of 30, South Sudan’s prolonged conflict has left the younger generation highly fragmented and traumatized. Inter-communal conflicts remain prevalent and are often led by youth whose opportunities to be productive members of society have been deprived by decades of conflict. The effects have been detrimental to peace and stability and it is in these areas that the program in meant to be most effective.

Palm Utilities unveils new Expo slogan DUBAI: Palm Utilities (PU), a Dubai World company, recently unveiled its giant banner emblazoned with the ‘Dubai Expo 2020’ logo drawn with the hand imprints of 2,020 students from across the UAE. This complements PU’s recently launched initiative aimed at encouraging all age groups and segments of society to contribute to efforts to support the UAE’s bid to host the hallmark global event.

Expo 2020 will run under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.’

Marwan Al-Naqi, CEO of Palm Utilities, said: “With its focus on the fields of learning, innovation and cooperation, Expo 2020 offers a great opportunity to promote culture and knowledge exchange. We believe that students are the embodiment of the future and that is why we made sure to make them part of efforts to support the UAE’s World Expo 2020 bid. We also aim to raise more awareness on the many opportunities the expo offers them to communicate with all the peoples of the world and take up innovative ideas and new concepts that will serve as important additions to our quest for excellence and success.”

“We are overwhelmed by the great turnout and fast response from everyone to be part of this initiative. It shows how all spectrums of

society unanimously agree on the utmost importance of Dubai’s hosting of Expo 2020,” Al-Naqi added.

Al-Naqi further pointed out the prestigious international standing of the UAE as a whole.

“Under the directives of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai has huge potential to host the premier event. It incorporates an advanced infrastructure, modern facilities, a suitable economic climate, and an encouraging investment environment, not to mention a multicultural social structure characterized by harmony among all. This undoubtedly is at par with Expo 2020’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ which aims to boost human creativity and contributions to human development.”

Dubai is competing with three other cities, namely, Ekaterinburg, Russia; Izmir, Turkey; and Sao Paulo, Brazil, to host the 2020 edition of the World Expo. The winning candidate will be announced on November 27, 2013 after voting among 167 member states of The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the organization in charge of overseeing the calendar, the bidding, the selection, and the organization of the World Expos.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

technology

HP reveals cost of cybercrime escalates 78% DUBAI: HP yesterday unveiled the results from a global study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, indicating that the cost, frequency and time to resolve cyberattacks continue to rise for the fourth consecutive year.(1) Conducted by the Ponemon Institute and sponsored by HP Enterprise Security Products, the 2013 Cost of Cyber Crime Study found that the average annualized cost of cybercrime incurred by a benchmark sample of US organizations was $11.56 million,(1) representing a 78 percent increase since the initial study was conducted four years ago.(2) The results also revealed that the time it takes to resolve a cyberattack has increased by nearly 130 percent during this same period, with the average cost incurred to resolve a single attack totalling more than $1 million.

The sophistication of cyberattacks has grown exponentially in recent years, as adversaries both specialize and share intelligence in order to obtain sensitive data and disrupt critical enterprise functions. According to the 2013 Cost of Cyber Crime Study, advanced security intelligence tools such as security information and event management (SIEM), network intelligence systems, and big data analytics, can significantly help to mitigate data threats and reduce the cost of cybercrime.

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Key findings from the 2013 study include: The average annualized cost of cybercrime incurred per organization was $11.56 million, with

a range of $1.3 million to $58 million. This is an increase of 26 percent, or $2.6 million, over the average cost reported in 2012.(3) • Organizations experienced an average of 122 successful attacks per week, up from 102 attacks per week in 2012.(4) • The average time to resolve a cyberattack was 32 days, with an average cost incurred during this period of $1,035,769, or $32,469 per day-a 55 percent increase over last year’s estimated average cost of $591,780 for a 24-day period.(1) “The threat landscape continues to evolve as cyberattacks grow in sophistication, frequency and financial impact,” said Frank Mong, vice president and general manager, Solutions, Enterprise Security Products, HP. “For the fourth consecutive year, we have seen the cost savings that intelligent security tools and governance practices can bring to organizations, and as HP, we are committed to continuing to deliver both industryleading solutions and research to further disrupt the threat life cycle of the adversary.”

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The real cost of cyberattacks The most costly cybercrimes are caused by denialof-service, malicious-insider and web-based attacks, together accounting for more than 55 percent of all cybercrime costs per organization on an annual basis.(5) Information theft continues to represent the highest external costs, with business disruption a close second.(6) On an annual basis, information loss

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accounts for 43 percent of total external costs, down 2 percent from 2012. Business disruption or lost productivity accounts for 36 percent of external costs, an increase of 18 percent from 2012.

Recovery and detection are the most costly internal activities. For the past year, recovery and detection combined accounted for 49 percent of the total internal activity cost, with cash outlays and labor representing the majority of these costs.(1) Cybercrime cost varies by company size, but smaller organizations incur a significantly higher percapita cost than larger organizations.(1) Organizations in financial services, defense, and energy and utilities experience substantially higher cybercrime costs than those in retail, hospitality and consumer products.

Security intelligence solutions and governance practices make the difference • Organizations using security intelligence technologies were more efficient in detecting and containing cyberattacks, experiencing an average cost savings of nearly $4 million per year, and a 21 percent return on investment (ROI) over other technology categories.(1) • Deployment of enterprise security governance practices including investing in adequate resources, appointing a high-level security leader, and employing certified or expert staff can reduce cybercrime costs and enable organizations to save an estimated average of $1.5 million per year.

“Information is a powerful weapon in an organization’s cybersecurity arsenal,” said Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman and founder, Ponemon Institute. “Based on real-world experiences and in-depth interviews with more than 1,000 security professionals around the globe, the Cost of Cyber Crime research provides valuable insights into the causes and costs of cyberattacks. The research is designed to help organizations make the most cost-effective decisions possible in minimizing the greatest risks to their companies.”

In addition to the fourth annual study of US companies, Ponemon conducted cybercost studies for companies in Australia, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom for the second year in a row. A study of French companies was conducted for the first time this year. Of the countries surveyed, the US sample reported the highest total average cost of cybercrime, at $11.6 million, while the Australia sample reported the lowest, at $3.7 million. The global results are available in a separate report entitled, 2013 Global Report on the Cost of Cyber Crime.

With industry-leading products from ArcSight, Fortify and TippingPoint, HP delivers a comprehensive security portfolio that enables businesses to take a proactive approach to security that integrates information correlation, deep application analysis and network-level defense mechanisms. With HP Enterprise Security Products, businesses are better able to disrupt the adversary, manage risk and extend their security capabilities to better protect their organizations.

Norwegian village uses giant mirrors to capture the sun ‘From now we’ll have a sun festival every day’

RJUKAN: The huge sun mirrors (“Solspeilet”) that is set up on the hillside above Rjukan, to reflect sunlight down on the town square, is seen during its officially opening, on October 29, 2013 in Rjukan, 100 years after the idea was first released.

Sun-starved residents of a remote Norwegian village unveiled an ingenious mirror system to bring natural light to their mountain valley home, enveloped in darkness for half of the year. — AFP

Duty calls for gamers as hotly anticipated sequel hits stores NEW YORK CITY: Hordes of excited gamers descended on shops across the globe yesterday to get their hands on the latest release from the blockbusting “Call of Duty” video game franchise.

Devotees of the decade-old military shooter series queued through the evening to buy “Call of Duty: Ghosts”, which went on sale at midnight across the world. In New York, David Santiago, 20, was first of dozens in line outside Gamestop on 33rd and Broadway, queuing since 5pm, chatting with friends, ordering a pizza and soaking up the excitement.

“I’m going to run home. Getting that train, getting myself home and getting my Xbox going to have some fun,” he grinned. Down the block, 37-year-old electrician Michael Maddan was hot with anticipation despite the late-night winter chill. “I can’t wait,” he said. “I like gun games. I like running around shooting people. I can’t do it in real life, so I have fun doing it on Xbox. It’s great.” The latest sequel is set in a desolate United States devastated by a satellite-guided “kinetic” weapon strike on San Diego.

Compatible with smartphones and tablet computers, it promises new missions and extends online capabilities. In London, England footballers Daniel Sturridge and Andros Townsend and rappers Rizzle Kicks helped to launch the game by competing in a multi-player tournament at the O2 Arena.

Liverpool forward Sturridge said he was feeling “super good” after defeating game developer Tina Palacios in the final. Around 150 people lined up at the GAME store in London’s Westfield Centre on the stroke of midnight.

They were on the receiving end of a barrage of orders from a member of the army, drafted in to ensure the new recruits were up to the job. “The game is on!” declared Zohab, who had waited since 7:00 am to secure first place in the queue. Fellow player Damien called it “the best game in the world”.

Some 2,000 shops around Britain opened

for the event, according to Roy Stackhouse, the UK general manager for game producer Activision. “I think it’s fantastic,” he told AFP. “We’ve got a very loyal fanbase, they drive us to make the best gaming experience we can.”

Lucky Australians were the first to the checkouts with stores hosting special launch openings that attracted hundreds of fans.

At the official launch at Ipswich, near the Queensland capital Brisbane, fans wore military greens and carried fake weapons while others lined up for three hours at EB Games in Sydney. “I got dressed up for this,” said Daniel Keigaldie, pointing to his camouflage gear.

Activision’s vice president of production Daniel Suarez said the United States is the underdog in the new release. “The player is a survivor joining with the military to defend against invaders from the south,” he said in an interview, adding that developers Infinity Ward-an Activision subsidiary-were determined to create a compelling storyline.

The success of the franchise, which has moved over 100 million units, is down to its spectacular gameplay and multi-player options, according to expert Scott Steinberg.

“It delivers Hollywood-grade pyrotechnics, online multi-play and the kind of replayability guaranteed to keep people coming back for months on end,” said Steinberg, global videogame analyst for TekSavvy.

The last version reached sales of $1 billion after just 15 days in stores and gamers have logged some 25 billion hours of online play overall, according to Activision, the game’s publisher. The game, the tenth main instalment in the series, will be released for play on PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo’s Wii U and personal computers powered by Windows operating systems.

Versions of the game will later be available for users of PS4 and Xbox One. A division has worked closely with Sony and Microsoft “since day one” to make sure “Ghosts” takes full advantage of new hardware, according to Suarez.—AFP

This image released by Sony Computer Entertainment shows a scene from Knack, which was created to be the perfect beast to show off the spectacularly vamped up visual powers of the PlayStation 4 game console. The hero of the game, also called ‘Knack,’ shown at right, is made up of 5,000 parts that cluster together and hang in the air to shape its ever-metamorphosing form. — AP

RJUKAN: Sun-starved residents of a remote Norwegian village unveiled an ingenious mirror system to bring natural light to their mountain valley home and liberate them from darkness that envelops them six months a year.

Hundreds of villagers sporting sunglasses stared at three giant mirrors which were perched on a 400-metre (1,310-foot) mountain peak, eagerly waiting for sunlight to be deflected onto their little square.

It took a while, but the mirrors eventually delivered as the sun poked out from behind the clouds to deliver the first-far from dazzling-rays of early winter sunlight.

The mountains surrounding Rjukan village have deprived its 3,500 inhabitants of direct sunlight for six months every year, until local artist Martin Andersen revived a century old idea to reflect it with mirrors.

“From now we’ll have a sun festival every day,” he told AFP, referring to local celebrations which take place annually when the village finally emerges from darkness. From school children with suns painted on their faces to police officers with sunglasses normally out of season by now — — organisers said 2,500 people were there to witness the event, many parking deck chairs and parasols in sand shipped in for the day as an orchestra played “Let the Sun Shine”.

Despite strong initial reservations from some, five million kroner (615,000 euro, $849,000) was raised — 80 percent from sponsors-to install the three 17-squaremetre (183-square-feet) mirrors now towering over Rjukan village.

A computer ensures the mirrors follow the sun and reflect the light on the market square, lighting up a 600-square-metre (6,459-square-feet) area-nearly the size of three tennis courts. “It’s pretty amazing,” exclaimed Bjarne Randlev, a pensioner who has lived his entire life in Rjukan.

“I would never have imagined I’d see the sun here at this time of the year.” ‘Feels like you’re in the south’ Free from school for the day, Antonio Luraas Navarro said: “It feels like you’re in the south with this light.” “But it’s a bit too cold,” he added, jumping up and down to warm up.

Apart from hoping to cheer up its winter-weary citizens, the locality-already known for skiing-also hopes to capitalise on the extensive media coverage of the feat to bring in even more tourists. “We’re looking for both,” said Steinar Bergsland, the mayor of the former industrial area.

Norwegian industrialist Sam Eyde founded the corporation Norsk Hydro which gave birth to Rjukan village, the site of an enormous waterfall harnessed to provide energy for a chemical fertiliser factory.

From just 300 inhabitants spread out across scattered farms in 1900, the population grew to 10,000 by 1913. At that time Eyde already had the idea of using huge mirrors to bounce sunlight into the valley but lacked the technology to do it.

Instead he built a cable car, which is still in use, to allow his employees to sun themselves on a mountain top. Today the factory is gone and the population has shrunk but local residents hope the mirrors will herald a new era of prosperity.

“More tourists means more business for retailers, services and hotels,” said Bergsland. But he is not content to stop there, keen to remind the world that this was the site of a spectacular Second World War sabotage operation targeting a Nazi chemical plant, which could have helped build an atom bomb.

The municipality believes it is long overdue for inclusion on the Unesco World Heritage List, as an example of human industrial genius. All that remains is to demonstrate that the mirrors can attract tourists during the long dark winter months.—AFP

RJUKAN: Youth plays as people gather during the official opening of giant sun mirrors in the town of Rjukan on October 29. — AFP

Swedish technology likely used in Georgia surveillance STOCKHOLM: The Georgian government may be using technology from Swedish telecom giant Ericsson to illegally monitor its own citizens, the company said yesterday.

The technology, originally designed to track criminals, is standard and Ericsson sold it along with networking equipment to Georgian telecom provider Geocell in 2005, the Swedish company told AFP. “The technology is aimed at lawful monitoring to fight crime, but the (Georgian) authorities allegedly use it for purposes it’s not intended for,” said Ericsson spokesman Fredrik Hallstan. He was speaking after Swedish public radio reported that the Georgian government may be using Ericsson technology to eavesdrop on its own population.

The story, first reported Wednesday, has an additional Nordic dimension as Geocell is majorityowned by Swedish-Finnish telecom operator TeliaSonera. Authorities in Georgia have the technical capacity to monitor 21,000 mobile phones, of which one-third are connected to Geocell, according to the radio, which did not give a source for these figures.

The claim that Ericsson’s technology is being used for unauthorised eavesdropping comes in the wake of allegations that the Georgian government is deeply involved in monitoring its own citizens.

Surveillance without court authorisation is a “systematic practice” in Georgia, according to a report published last month by Thomas Hammarberg, the EU special adviser on constitu-

tional and legal reform and human rights in Georgia.

“The possibility of some access to inter-personal communications could be essential in the fight against organised crime and terrorism,” Hammarberg wrote in the report.

“However, the risk for misuse means that there is a need of legal regulations and democratic and judicial control over all activities in this domain.”

Salomon Beckele, spokesman for TeliaSonera, told AFP that operators in Georgia are required to give the government access to their networks. “It monitors the networks, and we don’t have any idea what they are listening to and what information they gather-neither we or any other operators would know,” he said.

Pasi Koistinen, CEO at Geocell, told Swedish radio that the surveillance was legal under Georgian law. “I find it unacceptable and would like to see the law changed,” he told the radio from Georgia. “But as long as the surveillance is done according to the laws, we must follow the laws in this country.”

But Elisabeth Loefgren, a spokeswoman at Amnesty International Sweden, told AFP that companies have a responsibility not to violate human rights, and the argument that their actions are legal is a poor excuse.

“If the tapping is against the law as we see it-if it is illegal surveillance-it is clear that Ericsson and Geocell, TeliaSonera’s subsidiary, have to take responsibility,” she said. — AFP

TOKYO: In this Wednesday, Oct 23, 2013 photo, Takehito Tsuchiya, left, artist for Sony Computer Entertainment, and SCE Japan Studio Senior Producer Yusuke Watanabe speak to each other as they watch Knack. — AP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Vietnam releases dengue-blocking mosquito TRI NGUYEN ISLAND: Nguyen Thi Yen rolls up the sleeves of her white lab coat and delicately slips her arms into a box covered by a sheath of mesh netting. Immediately, the feeding frenzy begins.

Hundreds of mosquitoes light on her thin forearms and swarm her manicured fingers. They spit, bite and suck until becoming drunk with blood, their bulging bellies glowing red. Yen laughs in delight while her so-called “pets” enjoy their lunch and prepare to mate.

The petite, grandmotherly entomologist - nicknamed Dr Dracula - knows how crazy she must look to outsiders. But this is science, and these are very special bloodsuckers. She smiles and nods at her red-hot arms, swollen and itchy after 10 minutes of feeding. She knows those nasty bites could reveal a way to greatly reduce one of the world’s most menacing infectious diseases.

All her mosquitoes have been intentionally infected with bacteria called Wolbachia, which essentially blocks them from getting dengue. And if they can’t get it, they can’t spread it to people. New research suggests some 390 million people are infected with the virus each year, most of them in Asia.

That’s about one in every 18 people on Earth, and more than three times higher than the World Health Organization’s previous estimates.

Known as “breakbone fever” because of the excruciating joint pain and hammerpounding headaches it causes, the disease has no vaccine, cure or specific treatment.

Most patients must simply suffer through days of raging fever, sweats and a bubbling rash. For those who develop a more serious form of illness, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, internal bleeding, shock, organ failure and death can occur.

And it’s all caused by one bite from a female mosquito that’s transmitting the virus from another infected person. So how can simple bacteria break this cycle?

Wolbachia is commonly found in many insects, including fruit flies. But for reasons

not fully understood, it is not carried naturally by certain mosquitoes, including the most common one that transmits dengue, the Aedes aegypti.

The germ has fascinated scientist Scott O’Neill his entire career. He started working with it about two decades ago at Yale University. But it wasn’t until 2008, after returning to his native Australia, that he had his eureka moment.

One of his research students figured out how to implant the bacteria into a mosquito so it could be passed on to future generations. The initial hope was that it would shorten the insect’s life. But soon, a hidden benefit was discovered: Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes not only died quicker but they also blocked dengue partially or entirely, sort of like a natural vaccine.

“The dengue virus couldn’t grow in the mosquito as well if the Wolbachia was present,” says O’Neill, dean of science at Monash University in Melbourne. “And if it can’t grow in the mosquito, it can’t be transmitted.”

But proving something in the lab is just the first step. O’Neill’s team needed to test how well the mosquitoes would perform in the wild. They conducted research in small communities in Australia, where dengue isn’t a problem, and the results were encouraging enough to create a buzz among scientists who have long been searching for new ways to fight the disease.

After two and a half years, the Wolbachiainfected mosquitoes had overtaken the native populations and remained 95 percent dominant.

But how would it work in dengueendemic areas of Southeast Asia? The disease swamps hospitals in the region every rainy season with thousands of sick patients, including many children, sometimes killing those who seek help too late.

The Australians tapped 58-year-old Yen at Vietnam’s National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, where she’s worked for the past 35 years. Their plan was to test the Wolbachia mosquitoes on a small island off

the country’s central coast this year, with another release expected next year in Indonesia.

Just getting the mosquitoes to Tri Nguyen Island was an adventure.

Thousands of tiny black eggs laid on strips of paper inside feeding boxes had to be hand-carried inside coolers on weekly flights from Hanoi, where Yen normally works, to Nha Trang, a resort city near the island. The eggs had to be kept at just the

dish filled with dozens of squiggling mosquito pupae. “I’m always worried about temperature and food. I take care of them samesame like baby. If they are healthy, we are happy. If they are not, we are sad.”

Recently, there have been several promising new attempts to control dengue. A vaccine trial in Thailand didn’t work as well as hoped, proving only 30 percent effective overall, but it provided higher coverage for three of the four virus strains. More vaccines

NHA TRANG: In this photo taken on Sept. 2, 2013, scientist Nguyen Thi Yen, center, helps her colleagues to collect mosquito pupae at Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, Vietnam. All her mosquitoes have been intentionally infected with bacteria called Wolbachia, which essentially blocks them from getting dengue. And if they can’t get it, they can’t spread it to people. — AP right temperature and moisture. The mosquitoes were hatched in another lab before finally being transported by boat.

Yen insisted on medical checks for all volunteer feeders to ensure they weren’t sickening her mosquitoes. She deemed vegetarian blood too weak and banned anyone recently on antibiotics, which could kill the Wolbachia.

“When I’m sleeping, I’m always thinking about them,” Yen says, hunkered over a petri

are in the pipeline. Other science involves releasing genetically modified “sterile” male mosquitoes that produce no offspring, or young that die before reaching maturity, to decrease populations.

Wolbachia could end up being used in combination with these and other methods, including mosquito traps and insecticidetreated materials. “I’ve been working with this disease now for 40-something years, and we have failed miserably,” says Duane

Gubler, a dengue expert at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore who is not involved with the Wolbachia research.

“We are now coming into a very exciting period where I think we’ll be able to control the disease. I really do.” Wolbachia also blocks other mosquito-borne diseases such as yellow fever and chikungunya, O’Neill says. Similar research is being conducted for malaria, though that’s trickier because the disease is carried by several different types of mosquitoes.

It’s unclear why mosquitoes that transmit dengue do not naturally get Wolbachia, which is found in up to 70 percent of insects in the wild. But O’Neill doesn’t believe that purposefully infecting mosquitoes will negatively impact ecosystems. He says the key to overcoming skepticism is to be transparent with research while providing independent risk analyses and publishing findings in high-caliber scientific journals.

“I think, intuitively, it makes sense that it’s unlikely to have a major consequence of introducing Wolbachia into one more species,” O’Neill says, adding that none of his work is for profit. “It’s already in millions already.”

Dengue typically comes in cycles, hitting some areas harder in different years. People remain susceptible to the other strains after being infected with one, and it is largely an urban disease with mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water.

Laos and Singapore have experienced their worst outbreaks in recent history this season. Thailand has also struggled with a large number of patients. Cases have also been reported in recent years outside tropical regions, including in the US and Europe.

Vietnam has logged lower numbers this year overall, but the country’s highest dengue rate is in the province where Yen is conducting her work. At the area’s main hospital in Nha Trang, Dr. Nguyen Dong, director of infectious diseases, says 75 of the 86 patients crammed into the open-air ward are infected with the virus. —AP

Destress with an Indonesian six-foot ‘pythons massage’ ‘It is a very unique sensation’

QUEENSLAND: This undated handout image shows an artist impression released by Peter Schouten of a newly discovered species of an extinct platypus, Obdurodon tharalkooschild, discovered in Queensland and a photo (inset) released by Rebecca Pian showing the tooth of the platypus. — AFP

‘Godzilla’ platypus found in Australia SYDNEY: A giant extinct species of the platypus with powerful teeth has been discovered in Australia, with a scientist yesterday describing the duck-billed water animal as a “Godzilla” like monster.

The new species, named Obdurodon tharalkooschild, was identified by a single but highly distinctive tooth found in Riversleigh in the northeastern Australian state of Queensland-a World Heritage site rich in fossil deposits. “It pretty well blew our minds,” University of New South Wales professor Mike Archer told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. of the animal, which is estimated to be about twice the size of the modern platypus.

“And then bang out of the blue drops this monster. Platypus Godzilla.” Scientists had thought that the platypus, which combines bird, mammal and reptile characteristics, had gradually lost its teeth and become smaller over millions of years, but the latest find contradicts that theory.

“We didn’t expect this. It’s a huge platypus at the wrong time. But there it was,” said Archer of the one-metre (three foot) species. The modern platypus, a timid and nocturnal animal which lives in deep waterside burrows and is found only in eastern Australia, lacks any teeth as an adult and the scientists do not believe the new extinct species was an immediate ancestor.

“Discovery of this new species was a shock to us because prior to this, the fossil record

suggested that the evolutionary tree of platypuses was a relatively linear one,” Archer explained in a statement.

“Now we realize that there were unanticipated side branches on this tree, some of which became gigantic.” Archer said he was confident that the single tooth, which was discovered by Rebecca Pian, a PhD candidate at Columbia University in the United States, was sufficient evidence of a new species.

“We know it’s a platypus, we also know it’s very different from any other toothed platypus we’ve seen before,” he said. Pian, the lead author of the research published in the USbased Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, said any new species, even though incomplete, was an important aid in understanding more about the fascinating mammals.

The extinct species is believed to have been a mostly aquatic animal like its modern descendant and would have lived in and around freshwater pools in the forests that covered the Riversleigh area millions of years ago. It probably fed on crayfish and other freshwater crustaceans, as well as small vertebrates such as frogs and turtles, said Suzanne Hand of UNSW’s School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Archer said scientists already had concerns about the long-term viability of the platypus and the discovery only added to these. “It only says that there were more kinds of platypus that are now gone,” he said. —AFP

JAKARTA: Lying on a massage table at a spa in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, Feri Tilukay closed his eyes and smiled blissfully as three enormous snakes slithered all over him.

He is one of a small band of customers brave enough to try the “snake massage”, where the gentle hands of a professionally trained masseuse are swapped for the cold, scaly skin of six-foot (1.8-metre) pythons. “It is a very unique sensation,” Tilukay, 31, told AFP, as the snakes slid over him during a recent session, adding the treatment “gives you an adrenaline rush”.

Dressed only in a pair of shorts, he seemed completely relaxed as three reptiles named Jasmine, Muscle and Brown got to work on him.

They draped themselves over his neck, rolled around on his stomach and back and occasionally arched their necks and stuck out their forked tongues. Two masseuses also attended the session to ensure safety and to encourage the snakes-whose mouths are kept shut with sticky tape-to move around, making sure they didn’t just coil up and stay put in one spot.

Before the 90-minute treatment, which costs 480,000 rupiah ($43), the snakes are taken out of the plastic boxes where they are kept and cleaned with anti-septic.

While many people who get the massage at the centre, called Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa, are thrill seekers or just looking for a new experience, a handful, like Tilukay, are trying to get over a life-long fear of snakes.

“I used to be afraid of snakes, I had a phobia.

But after getting this treatment several times, the phobia started going away and now I like snakes,” said Tilukay, an accountant, who has had three of the sessions.

He is one of the few Indonesian customers with most coming from Europe, Japan or South Korea, according to spa general manager Paulus Abraham. The spa, which is decorated with wooden furniture in the style of a traditional house on the resort island of Bali, keeps five snakes which are fed a diet of live rabbits.

The snake massage is just one of 300 treatments offered by the centre-and many others are equally off-the-wall.

In one a staff member dressed in a gorilla suit performs a massage and in another, the customer sits in a bathtub of beer receiving a massage while enjoying a Lager.

But it is the snake massage, which started around a year ago, that has been attracting the most attention as well as a steady stream of customers. However, animal rights groups have raised concerns, with the Jakarta Animal Aid Network describing the treatment of the snakes as “exploitation”.

“We are angry to hear about any kind of animal exploitation, including snakes,” group

JAKARTA: In this photograph taken on October 30, 2013, two masseuses place pythons on Indonesian customer Ferdi Tilukay, a 31 year old accountant, for a “snake body massage” session, at the Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa located in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta. — AFP

JAKARTA: A masseuse massages while pythons slither over Indonesian customer for a “snake body massage”. — AFP spokesman Benvika, who like many Indonesians came from the massages. “We don’t treat them goes by one name, told AFP. Abraham insisted like workers, we treat them like our friends or that the snakes were not being ill-treated-and family,” he said. “We kiss them, we hug them, we that they enjoyed the contact with humans that take good care of them.” — AFP

China climate negotiator laments ‘severe’ pollution

BEIJING: A man wears a face mask as another visitor covers her mouth during a visit to Tiananmen Square in Beijing yesterday. China’s top negotiator at international climate talks said that air pollution in his own country — the world’s biggest carbon emitter — is harming its citizens. — AFP

BEIJING: China’s top negotiator at international climate talks said yesterday that air pollution in his own country-the world’s biggest carbon emitter-is harming its citizens. “China indeed is suffering from severe air pollution,” said Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planning body.

Smoggy conditions have “now become the norm which has severely affected the mental and physical health of the Chinese people”, he added-but he voiced hope for improvement in the next decade.

Xie, speaking to reporters before global climate talks in Poland next week, attributed China’s air problems to the country’s “obsolete development model”, its “unreasonable industri-

al and energy structure” and discharge of pollutants by some companies “in a very extensive way”. The root cause, he added, is the “use of fossil fuels”. Pollution is becoming a major source of public anger in China, and authorities vowed in September to reduce levels of atmospheric pollutants in Beijing and other major cities by as much as 25 percent by 2017 to try to improve their dire air quality.

The government said pollution levels would be cut by slowing the growth of coal consumption so that its share of China’s energy sources fell to 65 percent by 2017.

China is the world’s biggest coal consumer, and is forecast to account for more than half of global demand next year. Xie said that “in about five to 10 years we will see improvements in our

air quality”. Chinese cities have been hit by intense air pollution in recent years, much of it caused by emissions from coal-burning power stations. Levels of tiny particles known as PM2.5 have reached as high as 40 times World Health Organization limits this year.

Pollution, which tends to worsen as winter approaches, is also blamed on rapid urbanisation, dramatic economic development and climatic factors. The bad air has tarnished the image of Chinese cities including Beijing, which saw an almost 15 percent drop in tourist visits during the first half of this year.

The Beijing municipal government is from next year to cut quotas for new car licenses to 150,000 per year from the current 240,000 now, according to its website.—AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Mysterious disease turning starfish to ‘slime’ on US West Coast SAN FRANCISCO: Scientists are struggling to find the trigger for a disease that appears to be ravaging starfish in record numbers along the US West Coast, causing the sea creatures to lose their limbs and turn to slime in a matter of days.

Marine biologists and ecologists will launch an extensive survey this week along the coasts of California, Washington state and Oregon to determine the reach and source of the deadly syndrome, known as “star wasting disease.”

“It’s pretty spooky because we don’t have any obvious culprit for the root cause even though we know it’s likely caused by a

pathogen,” said Pete Raimondi, chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California at Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Lab. Signs of sea star wasting syndrome typically begin with white lesions on the arms of the starfish that spread inward, causing the entire animal to disintegrate in less than a week, according to a report by the Pacific Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Program at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Starfish have suffered from the syndrome on and off for decades but have usually been reported in small numbers, isolated to

Southern California and linked to a rise in seawater temperatures, which is not the case this time, Raimondi said.

Since June, wasting sea stars have been found in dozens of coastal sites ranging from southeast Alaska to Orange County, California, and the mortality rates have been higher than ever seen before, Raimondi said. In one surveyed tide pool in Santa Cruz during the current outbreak, 90 to 95 percent of hundreds of starfish were killed by the disease.

“Their tissue just melts away,” said Melissa Miner, a biologist and researcher with the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network, a

group of government agencies, universities and nonprofits that monitor tidal wildlife and environment along the West Coast.

Miner, based in Washington state, has studied wasting starfish locally and in Alaska since June, when only a few cases had been reported. “It has ballooned into a much bigger issue since then,” she said.

The syndrome primarily affects the musseleating Pisaster ochraceus, a large purple and orange starfish, but Raimondi said that at least 10 species of sea stars have shown signs of the disease since June.

If the numbers of Pisaster ochraceus begin

to decrease, mussels could crowd the ocean, disrupting biodiversity, he said. He has studied wasting starfish and will aid in the monthslong survey of the animals, along with other state and federal researchers. In addition to on-site sampling, scientists in the coming months will use an interactive map to spot starfish wasting location patterns and help identify a driver for the disease. Raimondi said he could not estimate, out of the millions of starfish on the West Coast, how many have been affected or could be in the future. “We’re way at the onset now, so we just don’t know how bad it’s going to get,” he said. — Reuters

US appeals court halts horse-slaughter inspections NEW YORK: A federal appeals court yesterday granted an emergency request by animal protection groups to temporarily block the US government from conducting inspections of horses destined for slaughter.

The 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver issued a temporary injunction barring the US Department of Agriculture from providing horse meat inspection services to Roswell, New Mexico-based Valley Meat Co, Responsible Transportation, in Iowa, and Rains Natural Meats, in Missouri.

The order comes after a US District Judge in New Mexico on Friday threw out a lawsuit, which the Humane Society of the United States and other animal protection groups had filed in July, that sought to permanently halt the slaughter of horses.

The suit alleged that the Department of Agriculture failed to carry out environmental reviews before it gave approval to the three companies to slaughter horses for human consumption.

The district judge had found that the grants of inspection were properly issued and dismissed the lawsuit, clearing the way for the equine killing to resume. However, in an emergency request to the 10th Circuit on Monday, the animal protection groups argued that an emergency injunction was necessary to prevent environmental harm and the violation of federal environmental laws while their appeal is pending. A two-judge panel of the 10th Circuit granted that request.

Horse meat cannot be sold as food in the United States, but it can be exported. The

meat is sold for human consumption in China, Russia, Mexico and other countries and is sometimes used as feed for zoo animals.

Congress effectively banned horse slaughter in 2006 by saying the USDA could not spend any money to inspect the plants.

Without USDA inspectors, slaughterhouses cannot operate. The ban had been extended a year at a time as part of USDA funding bills, but the language was omitted in 2011.

Groups have argued for years about whether a ban on slaughter would save horses from an inhumane death or cause owners to abandon animals they no longer want or cannot afford to feed and treat for illness. The case is Front Range Equine Rescue et al v.

Vilsack et al, 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 13-2187. — Reuters

PARIS: Indonesia’s Health minister Nafsiah Mboi (2nd R) leaves the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday, after a meeting with the French President and members of the world fund against aids, tuberculosis and malaria. —AFP

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

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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

Announcements ALMASS-Kuwait anniversary First Anniversary & Annual General Meeting of ALMASS-Kuwait (The alumni association of St Stephens College, Uzhavoor; Kuwait -Chapter) shall be held on Friday November 22, 2013 at 4pm onwards at Indian Community School, Khaitan. Lalu Alex an indispensable part of Malayalam cinema in the past 35 years & a proud alumni of St.Stephen’s College will be the chief guest. Expecting all the former students of St.Stephen’s College- Uzhavoor across Kuwait shall participate in the meet.

KEF celebrates Onam 2013 Kuwait Engineers Forum (KEF) celebrates Onam 2013 on 8th November 2013 at Al-Arabi sporting club , Mansooriya, 2nd Ring Road with all its traditional gaiety alongwith various colorful entertaintment items. Programme starts at 9 am with lighting of lamp by first ladies of all 8 constituent aluminies followed by various colorful dances and other cultural programmes. Apart from cultural programs, traditional “Onasadya” also willbe served. Entry shall be restricted with coupons. All KEF members are requested to reserve their entry coupons well in advance.

Gokulo tlsavam, 2013

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eva Darshan Kuwait’s children’s wing Bala Darshan Kuwait will hold a day-long competition for its children tomorrow named ‘Gokulotsavam’ at the Khaitan Indian Community school. Over 300 children will compete in various categories based on the study classes they attend every week. The off-stage competitions was held on November 1 at various locations in Abbasiya, Salmiya and Fahaheel. Vichar Bharati Kuwait in association with PART (Progressive Art Realization Troop Kuwait) will be holding an open canvas exhibition on Swami Vivekananda as part of the Swami Vivekananda Jayanti 150th year celebrations at the venue. For further details contact at sevsadarshan@gmail.com.

Fahaheel wins Kala Kuwait cricket trophy

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Enjoy the taste of true Espresso at Vergnano Cafe at Olympia Complex

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he superior quality of the blends comes from the meticulous selection of the best raw materials available, and from an extraordinary production process. Cafe Vergnano is the first to introduce an innovation that brings all the passion and pleasure of the perfect

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.

ALA Faaheel unit has won the just concluded cricket tournament conducted by the sports wing of Kerala Art Lovers Association-Kala Kuwait at Abuhaleefa. Kala Mahboula-E team are the runners-up. A total of 16 teams representing different areas of Kuwait took part.

The tourney saw many thrilling encounters. Fahaheel and MahboulaE secured their entries into the finals by defeating Finatas-A and reigning champion Mangaf respectively in very close races. Man of the match title went to Renil of Fahaheel, who was also chosen Best Bowler while Vinith of Mangaf is the Best Batsman.

The tournament was formally declared open by Babu Chackola and was presided over by T V Hikmath

president of Kala. J.Saji general secretary of Kala, Anil Kukkiri, Sajeev Abraham and Sunil Raj delivered felicitations. Tinu, Jyothish Cheriyan, Devadas, Sunil Raj, Anilkumar and Kannan umpired the matches.

Winners Fahaheel and runners-up Mahboula-E received their trophies from T V Hikmath and J Saji, president and general secretary of Kala respectively. Prizes to others were distributed by T V Jayan, Anil Kukkiri, James K Thomas, Rahil K Mohandas, Sajeev Abraham and P B Suresh. The event was supervised by Sunilraj, G Sanal Kumar, Sudarshanan, Jyothish, Sugathakumar, Asaf, Praseed, Jijo Dominic, Noby Antony and Roy Nelson.

JW Marriott celebrates decade of success in Kuwait

1,200 children register for NIRAM-2013 painting competition

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he registration process for “NIRAM-2013” is in full swing and the registration has already crossed 1,200. Students from more than 20 Indian Schools in Kuwait are expected to take part in the painting competition, which would be held at Indian Community School, Khaitan on Friday, November 8th at 2.00 PM, as a part of Childrens’ Day celebration marking the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, according to Samkutty Thomas, the General Convener of the Niram2013 Organizing Committee.

Childrens’ Day is a day to remember a great leader, who in his quiet but determined way, laid foundation to convert a nascent nation into a world power. His contributions to India and the world would always be remembered.

He has hope of oppressed people of Asia, Africa and South America. He was a true democrat and a socialist. He was a writer, philosopher and secular. He was one of the strong pillars of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Above all he was an apostle of world peace, a tireless fighter to justice throughout the world. He lived for great causes. Further, it was Nehru who insisted that if the world was to exist at all; it must exist as one, K Sadik, Kala(Art) Kuwait Media Secretary, stated in a press release issued on the occasion.

Students have been requested to report to the venue at 1 PM and to collect their chest cards. The online registration will be continued until 5th November 2012. For more details and registration, please visit websites www.kalakuwait.net, or contact by e-mail at kalakuwait@gmail.com Clay Modeling Competition also will be conducted for 7th to 11th Standard Students.

Clay will be provided by the Organizers.

Parents & Visitors also have the opportunity to win prizes for Open Canvas Painting. The Marathon Open Canvas Painting is conducting in a view to display everyone’s views and talents through their vivid creations.

K Hassan Koya, President Kala(Art) Kuwait and Mukesh V P, General Secretary, Kala(Art) Kuwait, also sought the wholehearted cooperation of all Indian Schools and parents to make the painting competition a great success.

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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arking a 10-year milestone in 2013, the JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City recently kick started an entertaining week of hospitality and events to celebrate its 10th successful year of operations in Kuwait.

“Kuwait witnessed the arrival of one of the world’s finest luxury hotel brands - the JW Marriott - in 2003, and today we are proud to celebrate a decade of our success, establishing us as one of the best business hotels in the country,” expressed George Aoun, Cluster General Manager of Kuwait Marriott Hotels. “Over the years, the hotel is regarded as a prime landmark in downtown Kuwait City and we look forward to many more decades of success and recognition for the brand in Kuwait.”

During its 10 year journey in the country, JW Marriott Kuwait City has been recognized as the ‘Best Business Hotel in Kuwait City’ at the recently-held Business Traveler Middle East Awards 2013, which acknowledges excellence in the region’s travel and hospitality industry. This represents the sixth year that the hotel has received a valued distinction following similar wins in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2004.

The hotel has also consistently received praise for its world class services through various accolades including a repeat win of the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence award.

Throughout the anniversary celebration week, guests and associates were welcomed with decorations and sur-

prises. LED lighting transformed the hotel’s exterior in downtown Kuwait City, while a huge show of branded balloons along with white doves were released in front of the hotel to the delight and applause of guests and passersby.

Elegant cupcakes with the number “10” on them, branded cufflinks, specially wrapped copies of the company’s founder’s new book were also distributed to top customers in their rooms, along with fresh fruits and a personalized welcome note from the General Manager.

Associates at the hotel, along with Aoun, also gathered together to enjoy a cake-cutting ceremony and more surprises. Valuable raffle draw gifts were also given away as a way to thank the loyal associates for the helping build the brand’s success in Kuwait over the last 10 years. Limitededition brand aprons were also gifted to the longest serving associates at the hotel.

Considered amongst Kuwait’s market-leading hotels, the JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City is located in the heart of Kuwait’s business district. With 5 multi-cuisine international restaurants, a full service Elite Health Club & Spa, over 1,850 square meters of meeting space, comprising seven meeting rooms, 12 breakout meeting rooms and the spacious Al Jahra & Al Thuraya Ballrooms, the Hotel is a business venue of choice for conventions, seminars and conferences, as well as social and wedding events in Kuwait.

Sachar addresses IKFS mega event

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ajindar Sachar, former chief Justice of the Delhi High Court and the Head of The Rajindar Sachar Committee, delivered keynote speech during the Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society’s 3rd anniversary celebrations held in Kuwait at Salmiya Indian Model school Auditorium on November 1, 2013.

Justice Sachar said he is pleased to attend IKFS event and to know the people of Kuwait as well as personalities of both Indian and Kuwaiti sides. Justice Sachar said he is denouncing the sedition laws in India stating that is a vestige from the British rule. Sedition means to spread disaffection against government and this is central to the idea of democracy.

Justice Sachar was honored with ‘IKFS 2013 Excellence Award for Social Justice” by Attorney at Law/Advocate Sayid Mohamed Nizar Thangal, the Vice President of IKFS. Justice Sachar said that he is very much impressed with IKFS’ activities and IKFS’ contribution towards restoring national unity, patriotism, and the Indian national integrity despite of caste and religion.

The event was inaugurated by Subashish Goldar, the Charge D’ Affaires of Indian Embassy in Kuwait.

Dr Ghalib Al-Mashoor, President of IKFS said in his presidential address that IKFS members were very much honored to receive India’s great personality Justice Rajindar Sachar during their 3rd anniversary celebrations. He said that “IKFS Excellence Award” was given based on dedicated efforts and services to uplift the minority communities in India and while appreciating his valuable contributions towards social justice. Engineer Mukhtar Marouf, President

of Federation of Indian Muslim Associations (an Umbrella Association of 15 Indian Muslim Associations) delivered a felicitation speech.

IKFS also bestowed appreciation plaques to patrons of Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society Sami Bubere, (chief editor of Indo-Gulf Times, Ummeeth magazines and President of Sahyog Cultural Society, Mumbai and Dhaval Bathia, international trainer and author of Vedic mathematic and technical of Math books. Muzammil Malik, industrialist, Sayid Nasir Thangal, chairman of KKMCC and KKSMC, Engineer Bader Al-Otaibi, director of Commercial Licenses,

Municipality, Hawalli Governorate, Ayyoob Kacheri, Dr Abdul Razzak Rumane, international award winner and author of engineering and project books, Shanthi Maria James, Principal of Indian Central School and the award winner of Best Teacher’s award from Indian President, Dr Mohamed Tareq, chairman of Salmiya Indian Model School and PK Ahamed, Giovanni Petrigh were also honored by IKFS. The event opened with Shaikh Abid Al-Qasmi’s recitation of holy verses from ‘Quran Shereef’ followed by welcome speech by A KS Abdul Nazar, General Secretary.

Iftekhar Ahamed, treasurer expressed vote of thanks.

W H AT ’ S O N

The flavorful BBQ is back at The Regency Hotel

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Embassy Information

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n an exceptional night around the swimming pools and under the stars, with the luxury and elegance of The Regency Hotel Kuwait, the amazing BBQ nights were launched. BBQ lovers enjoyed the appetizing flavors, of Live Cooking Stations which provides the best types of meats and delicious grilled sea food, as well as the scrumptious

assortment of rich salads and desserts.

Guests expressed their enjoyment of the wonderful BBQ night and tasty food, midst authentic Arabic hospitality and worldwide standards followed by The Regency Hotel to the smallest detail.

“We are very confident of the quality of food and service during the BBQ night. We are also very happy

that our guests are satisfied.” Said the General Manager Aurelio Giraudo “What makes the BBQ night special is not only the spectacular venue around the pools and by the Arabian Gulf, but our attention to provide the best service and delicious food is a plus on its own.”

BBQ Nights are on every Wednesday of every week around the swimming pools starting from 7pm.

IWIK conducts blood donation camp

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he Indian Women In Kuwait (IWIK) conducted its first anniversary with Blood Donation Camp organised by Indian women. Blood Donation Camp was held on Friday, 25th October 2013 from 2 - 5 pm at Kuwait Central Blood Bank, Jabriya.

This noble event was organized by the enthusiastic team of IWIK to mark its contribution to the society we live in and also celebrate the group’s first anniversary.

IWIK plans to make the blood donation initiative an annual affair after seeing such encouraging response from fellow Indians in Kuwait.

IWIK core team thanks each and everyone who participated in the noble act of charity. IWIK also thanked Central Blood Bank officials and all paramedical staffs who helped for the success of conducting the Camp.

IWIK has, till date, successfully organized a series of offline events such as the Rangoli Competition, X-Mas Tree Contest, Live cookery show by Tarla Dalal, Kuwait Darshan and a range of other competitions and programs.

EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au.

All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-au-gcc.com for more info. The Embassy of Australia does not have a visa or immigration department.

All processing of visas and immigration matters is conducted by the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai. Email: Info.ausdxb@vfshelpline.com ( VIS), immigration.dubai@dfat.gov.au ( Visa Office), Tel: +971 4 205 5900 ( VFS), Fax: + 971 4 355 0708 ( Visa Office). Notary and passport services are available by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling the Embassy on 22322422.

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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: abdbiim-enquiry@international.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is located at Villa 24, Al-Mutawakei St, Block 4 in Da’aiyah.

Please visit our website at www.Kuwait.gc.ca. The Embassy of Canada is open from 07:30 to 15:30 Sunday through Thursday. The reception is open from 07:30 to 12:30. Consular services for Canadian citizens are provided from 09:00 until 12:00, Sunday through Wednesday. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF GREECE The Embassy of Greece in Kuwait has the pleasure to announce that visa applications must be submitted to Schengen Visa Application Centre (VFS office) located at 12th floor, Al-Naser Tower, Fahad Al-Salem Street, Al-Qibla area, Kuwait City, (Parking at Souk Watia). For information please call 22281046 from 08:30 to 17:00 (Sunday to Thursday).

Working hours: Submission from 08:30 to 15:30. Passport collection from 16:00 to 17:00. For visa applications please visit the following website www.mfa.gr/kuwait.

Future kid Company inaugurate first aid course to its staff

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uture kid Company in cooperation with the Kuwait Red Crescent inaugurated a first aid course for its employees in order to raise their efficiency and make them aware of the services of first aid and community health.

The Marketing and Public relations Manager, Elham Mabrouk stated in a press conference that the course aims to

raise the level of Future Kid company staff and develop their skills which will be reflected positively on their work, as well as to raise awareness of their community.

Mrs Elham said that the session included an introduction to first aid, objectives and contents of the ambulance bag and first aid principles, first aid for fractures as well as first aid for

bleeding and wounds.

She said that the course is within the frame of spreading the culture of saving people and enforcing the role of Future Kid company Services to serve children and adults.

Future Kid Staff has learned the way of saving infant or child who suffers from a case of suffocation and procedures to be followed in cases of bleed-

ing and how to stop it in addition to providing first aid in cases of dog bites and stings and give CPR to adults, children or infants.

Mrs Elham stated that the company also aims to train company staff to firefighting and correct methods of rescue from emergency incidents and how to evacuate the company’s branches buildings in a manner suites each site.

FOCUS Kuwait celebrates seventh anniversary

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orum of CAD Users Kuwait-FOCUS, the fraternity of Indian CADD professional in Kuwait, celebrated their 7th Anniversary, “FOCUS FEST-2013” on Friday, 4th October at Carmel School Auditorium, Khaitan. The arts programs started at 2 pm with the lighting of lamp by P K Sunil, Arts Convener. There after Chief Guest Shreyams Kumar, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly inaugurated the Anniversary proceedings, by lighting the ceremonial lamp in a cultural meeting chaired by FOCUS President, Salim Raj, in the presence of Guest of Honor John Arts and other distinguished guests.

Fest Convener S. Retheesh Kumar delivered the welcome address to the gathering and FOCUS Treasurer Joseph MT extended vote of thanks. During the occasion, FOCUS honored Johnarts Kalabhavan, reckoning his exceptional contributions and commendable services rendered to the society of Indians in Kuwait. Shreyems Kumar-MLA offered the traditional shawl-Ponnada, and presented the FOCUS Memento of Honor to John Former General Secretary MN Salim, briefed the profile of John.

FOCUS General Secretary, Ratheesan presented a brief report on the overall activities, vision and mission of FOCUS Kuwait.

Dr. Narayanan Nampoori, V Kunjali, Johny Lukose, Malayil Moosakoya and Sam Pynumood, graced the occasion with their beguine presence and inspiring messages.

FOCUS also honored their distinguished elderly members, Babukutty K. Mathew and Chacko Albert Chacko in appreciation of their valuable contributions depicted to FOCUS and in consideration of prolonged services in CADD profession. Joint Secretary Sunil George introduced these members to the audience by briefing service history and family backgrounds. Dr. Narayanan Nampoori, & Malayil Moosakoya respectively offered traditional shawl and presented the mementos of love and affection.

FOCUS Merit Award-2013 was awarded to the students

of FOCUS family, who secured top marks in Class-X, CBSE examinations. ‘Vipin Abraham Roy’, Rehna Abdul Rahim and ‘Sharon Ann Samuel’ bagged the awards for this year.

Ashish Jain, (M.D Achievers Academy) presented the meritorious certificates and appreciation mementos to the awardees.

The most attractive Souvenir-a keep and sake booklet containing technical information-in co-memo ration of the event was released by the Shreyem Kumar receiving the first copy from Reji V. Samuel, Convener. FOCUS charity fund contribution from the fest to help the ailing unprivileged community members, handed over by Johny Lukose to the President, Salimraj. The “Best Focus Unit” award of this year presented to the officials of Unit-5, by Adv. Board Member Simon Baby, Vice President Jijo Wilson and Joint Treasurer Joji Alex.

Prior to the cultural meeting various cultural performances like classical and contemporary dances was staged

by the talented members of FOCUS family along with the artistes of Speed Dance School. The prime attraction of the day was a musical show led by famous TV artist Shylesh Shyam, play back singer Vaikom Vijayalekshmi, Anvar Sarang, Rafi Kallyi, Neelima and Juliya supported by the musicians of Sarang Orchestra enthralled the audience. Renowned mimic comedy star Raja Sahib memorized the audience with his comic numbers.

Trophies were presented to all the talented children presented the solo/group art feast to the art lovers of Kuwait. Chief Guest and other distinguished guests are received to the dais accompanied with traditional Chenda Melam. Biji Samuel, Joshy KD, Bindu Santhosh, Lilliamma, Niyas Mohammed, and Shajikutty along with all other Executive Committee members professionally co-ordinated the entire event.

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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 +965-2227-1673).

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. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF VATICAN The Apostolic Nunciature Embassy of the Holy See, Vatican in Kuwait has moved to a new location in Kuwait City. Please find below the new address: Yarmouk, Block 1, Street 2, Villa No: 1. P.O.Box 29724, Safat 13158, Kuwait.

Tel: 965 25337767, Fax: 965 25342066. Email: nuntiuskuwait@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 01:10 01:35 02:05 02:50 03:25 Lion Man: One World African Safari 03:50 Lion Man: One World African Safari 04:15 Bondi Vet 05:05 ER Vets 05:30 ER Vets 05:55 Animal Cops Houston 06:45 Earthquake: Panda Rescue 07:35 Call Of The Wildman 08:00 Monkey Life 08:25 Bondi Vet 09:15 The Most Extreme 10:10 Bad Dog 11:05 Lion Man: One World African Safari 11:35 Lion Man: One World African Safari 12:00 Animal Cops Houston 12:55 Monkey Life 13:20 Call Of The Wildman 13:50 Animal Airport 14:15 Animal Airport 14:45 Swimming With Monsters: Steve Backshall 15:40 Lion Man: One World African Safari 16:05 Lion Man: One World African Safari 16:30 My Cat From Hell 17:30 The Most Extreme 18:25 Baby Planet 19:20 Panda Adventures With Nigel Marven 20:15 Bondi Vet 21:10 ER Vets 21:40 ER Vets 22:05 Lion Man: One World African Safari 22:35 Lion Man: One World African Safari 23:00 Outback Rangers 23:25 Outback Rangers 23:55 North America 00:50 Animal Cops Houston 01:45 Human Prey 02:35 Untamed & Uncut

03:00 Dead Boss 03:30 Carrie’s War 05:00 Me Too! 05:20 The Green Balloon Club 05:45 Jollywobbles 05:55 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n Roll 06:15 Me Too! 06:35 The Green Balloon Club 07:00 Jollywobbles 07:10 Nuzzle & Scratch: Frock n Roll 07:30 Last Of The Summer Wine 08:00 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 08:30 The World’s Toughest Driving Tests 09:20 Eastenders 09:50 Doctors 10:20 Full Circle With Michael Palin 11:10 The Weakest Link 11:55 Last Of The Summer Wine 12:25 The World’s Toughest Driving Tests 13:15 Roger & Val Have Just Got In 13:45 Eastenders 14:15 Doctors 14:45 The Weakest Link 15:30 Full Circle With Michael Palin 16:20 The World’s Toughest Driving Tests 17:10 Eastenders 17:40 Doctors 18:10 The Weakest Link 19:00 One Foot In The Grave 19:30 Dead Boss 20:00 Mistresses 20:50 Lead Balloon 21:20 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 22:05 Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters 22:30 Luther 23:25 The Weakest Link 00:10 One Foot In The Grave 00:40 Dead Boss

Eastenders Doctors Alan Carr: Chatty Man Luther

03:25 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 04:15 The Boss Is Coming To Dinner 04:40 Cash In The Attic 05:25 Raymond Blanc’s Kitchen Secrets 05:55 Bargain Hunt 06:40 Fantasy Homes By The Sea 07:30 The Boss Is Coming To Dinner 08:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 08:45 Bargain Hunt 09:30 Homes Under The Hammer 10:25 Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill 10:50 Rick Stein Tastes The Blues 11:45 Come Dine With Me 12:35 Celebrity MasterChef 13:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 14:15 Antiques Roadshow 15:05 Homes Under The Hammer 16:00 Homes Under The Hammer 16:55 Bargain Hunt 17:40 Cash In The Attic 18:25 Antiques Roadshow 19:15 Homes Under The Hammer 20:10 Nigel Slater’s Simple Cooking 20:35 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 21:00 Baking Mad With Eric Lanlard 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt 00:00 Cash In The Attic 00:45 Homes Under The Hammer 01:40 Come Dine With Me 02:30 Celebrity MasterChef

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

BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World BBC World

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

Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Sons Of Guns Mythbusters Yukon Men: Last Chance Overhaulin’ Border Security Storage Hunters Baggage Battles How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Bear Grylls: Escape From Hell Dual Survival (Brazil) Car vs Wild

14:05 Border Security 14:30 Storage Hunters 14:55 Baggage Battles 15:20 Finding Bigfoot 16:10 Overhaulin’ 17:00 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Dirty Jobs 18:40 Mythbusters 19:30 Sons Of Guns 20:20 Storage Hunters 20:45 Baggage Battles 21:10 How Do They Do It? 21:35 How It’s Made 22:00 You Have Been Warned 22:50 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 23:40 Mythbusters 00:30 You Have Been Warned 01:20 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 02:10 Mythbusters

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

True CSI Deadly Women Killer Kids Dr G: Medical Examiner Ghost Lab Nightmare Next Door Deadly Sins Nightmare Next Door I Was Murdered Stalked: Someone’s Watching True Crime With Aphrodite Extreme Forensics Dr G: Medical Examiner I Almost Got Away With It Deadly Sins Nightmare Next Door True Crime With Aphrodite I Was Murdered Stalked: Someone’s Watching Couples Who Kill Extreme Forensics Dr G: Medical Examiner True Crime With Aphrodite

23:00 Prophets Of Science Fiction 23:50 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design 00:40 Dark Matters: Twisted But True 01:30 Weird Connections 02:00 Gadget Show - World Tour 02:25 The Tech Show 02:50 Prophets Of Science Fiction

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

Human Sacrifice I Shouldn’t Be Alive The Aviators The Aviators Danger Hunters Trashopolis I Shouldn’t Be Alive The Aviators The Aviators Trashopolis Altered Statesmen Ultimate Warfare Trashopolis The Aviators The Aviators Trashopolis Danger Hunters Richard III: King In A Car Park Heroes In The Sky Timewatch I Shouldn’t Be Alive America’s Planned War On Trashopolis The Aviators The Aviators How The Bismarck Sank HMS America’s Planned War On Human Sacrifice Most Evil How The Bismarck Sank HMS

03:15 Rocket City Rednecks 03:45 Stuck With Hackett 04:10 Stuck With Hackett 04:35 Punkin Chunkin 2010 05:25 Through The Wormhole 06:15 Gadget Show - World Tour 06:40 The Tech Show 07:05 Mega World 08:00 Mighty Planes 08:50 Mighty Ships 09:40 Gadget Show - World Tour 10:05 The Tech Show 10:30 James May’s Man Lab 11:25 Mega World 12:20 Punkin Chunkin 2010 13:10 Through The Wormhole 14:00 Junkyard Wars 14:50 Weird Connections 15:20 Gadget Show - World Tour 15:45 The Tech Show 16:10 Rocket City Rednecks 16:35 Rocket City Rednecks 17:00 James May’s Man Lab 17:55 Mega World 18:45 Punkin Chunkin 2010 19:35 Through The Wormhole 20:30 Prophets Of Science Fiction 21:20 Stephen Hawking’s Grand Design 22:10 Gadget Show - World Tour 22:35 The Tech Show

ARCTIC BLAST ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

Arctic Blast Nitro Circus: The Movie True Justice: Blood Alley Metal Shifters Nick Of Time True Justice: Blood Alley Wild Wild West Nick Of Time Graystone Wrong Side Of Town Amphibious Graystone

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

The First Wives Club Celtic Pride The Tooth Fairy 2 Adventures In Babysitting The First Wives Club Barnyard Adventures In Babysitting Jack And Jill American Cowslip Grabbers The Inbetweeners American Cowslip

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

Good Day For It Of Two Minds Angels Crest The Iron Lady Good Day For It Hidden Crimes The Darkest Hour StreetDance 2 Morning Hesher Locked In

03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:00 13:00 15:00 17:00 18:45 Close 21:00 23:00 01:00

Wish You Were Here Dark Horse Planet Of The Apes (1968) A Dog Named Duke Encounter With Danger The Perfect Man The Presidio Encounter With Danger Extremely Loud & Incredibly

America’s Planned War On

True Crime With Aphrodite I Almost Got Away With It Deadly Sins Blood Relatives Who On Earth Did I Marry?

Who On Earth Did I Marry?

Killer Kids Couples Who Kill Ghost Lab

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

03:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 03:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 03:45 Sonny With A Chance 04:05 Sonny With A Chance 04:30 Suite Life On Deck 04:50 Suite Life On Deck 05:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 05:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 06:00 Austin And Ally 06:25 Austin And Ally 06:45 A.N.T. Farm 07:10 A.N.T. Farm 07:35 Jessie 07:55 Good Luck Charlie 08:20 Sofia The First 08:45 Doc McStuffins 09:05 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 09:30 A.N.T. Farm 09:55 A.N.T. Farm 10:15 Jessie 10:40 Jessie 11:05 Suite Life On Deck 11:25 Suite Life On Deck 11:50 Shake It Up 12:15 Shake It Up 12:35 Austin And Ally 13:00 A.N.T. Farm 13:25 That’s So Raven 13:45 Dog With A Blog 14:10 Good Luck Charlie 14:35 The Adventures Of Disney Fairies 15:05 That’s So Raven 15:25 Good Luck Charlie 15:50 Good Luck Charlie 16:10 Violetta 17:00 Dog With A Blog 17:20 Austin And Ally 17:45 Wolfblood 18:10 Monsters University: Behind The Screams 18:30 That’s So Raven 18:55 Shake It Up 19:20 Violetta 20:05 Jessie 20:30 Good Luck Charlie 20:50 Good Luck Charlie 21:15 Gravity Falls 21:40 Shake It Up 22:00 Austin And Ally 22:25 A.N.T. Farm 22:50 Good Luck Charlie 23:10 Wizards Of Waverly Place 23:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place 00:00 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 00:20 The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody 00:45 Sonny With A Chance 01:05 Sonny With A Chance 01:30 Suite Life On Deck 01:50 Suite Life On Deck 02:15 Wizards Of Waverly Place 02:35 Wizards Of Waverly Place

07:00 Max Steel 07:25 Phineas And Ferb 07:50 Phineas And Ferb 08:15 Crash & Bernstein 08:40 Kickin It 09:05 Ultimate Spider-Man 09:30 Phineas And Ferb 09:55 Phineas And Ferb 10:20 Lab Rats 10:45 Lab Rats 11:10 Pokemon Bw: Adventures In Unova 11:35 Max Steel 12:00 Zeke & Luther 12:25 Zeke & Luther 12:50 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 13:15 Scaredy Squirrel 13:40 Pair Of Kings 14:05 Pair Of Kings 14:30 Phineas And Ferb 14:55 Phineas And Ferb 15:05 Phineas And Ferb 15:20 Pokemon Bw: Adventures In Unova 15:45 Phineas And Ferb 15:55 Phineas And Ferb 16:10 Phineas And Ferb 16:20 Phineas And Ferb 16:35 Crash & Bernstein 17:00 Lab Rats 17:30 Kickin It

JACK AND JILL ON OSN MOVIES COMEDY 18:00 Kickin It 18:25 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 Kickin It 20:55 Pair Of Kings 21:20 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja 21:45 Phineas And Ferb 22:10 Phineas And Ferb 22:35 Lab Rats 23:00 Kickin It 23:30 Scaredy Squirrel 00:00 Programmes Start At 7:00am KSA

03:15 Style Star 03:40 Extreme Close-Up 04:10 THS 05:05 E!ES 06:00 THS 07:50 Style Star 08:20 Fashion Police 09:15 Scouted 10:15 Married To Jonas 10:40 Chasing The Saturdays 11:10 What Would Ryan Lochte Do? 11:35 What Would Ryan Lochte Do? 12:05 Fashion Police 13:05 Extreme Close-Up 13:35 E!ES 14:30 Style Star 15:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 16:00 Kourtney And Kim Take Miami 17:00 The Wanted Life 17:30 The Wanted Life 18:00 E! News 19:00 Fashion Police 20:00 Ryan Seacrest With The Kardashians: An E!...

21:00 Keeping Up With The Kardashians 22:00 Eric And Jessie: Game On 22:30 E! News 23:30 Chelsea Lately 00:00 Chelsea Lately 00:30 The Dance Scene 00:55 The Dance Scene 01:25 THS 02:20 E! Investigates

03:10 Reza, Spice Prince Of India 03:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:25 Food Wars 04:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 05:15 United Tastes Of America 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Iron Chef America 07:10 Food Network Challenge 08:00 Unwrapped 08:25 Unwrapped 08:50 Food Crafters 09:15 United Tastes Of America 09:40 Extra Virgin 10:05 Barefoot Contessa 10:30 Food Network Star 11:45 Aarti Party 12:10 Unwrapped 12:35 Unique Sweets 13:00 Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook Off 13:50 Tyler’s Ultimate 14:15 Barefoot Contessa 14:40 Barefoot Contessa 15:05 Siba’s Table 15:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 15:55 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:20 Symon’s Suppers 16:45 Chopped 17:35 Barefoot Contessa

18:00 18:25 18:50 19:15 19:40 20:05 20:30 20:55 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:25 23:50 00:15 00:40 01:05 01:30 01:55 02:20 02:45

Barefoot Contessa Roadtrip With G. Garvin Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Guy’s Big Bite Reza’s African Kitchen Siba’s Table Charly’s Cake Angels Chopped Iron Chef America Charly’s Cake Angels Charly’s Cake Angels Unique Sweets Unique Sweets Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Heat Seekers Meat & Potatoes Outrageous Food Charly’s Cake Angels

03:30 Somewhere In China 04:25 Mega Food 05:20 Banged Up Abroad 06:15 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 07:10 Bondi Rescue 07:35 Bondi Rescue 08:05 Eat Street 08:30 Eat Street 09:00 Banged Up Abroad 09:55 Banged Up Abroad 10:50 Somewhere In China 11:45 Mega Food 12:40 Banged Up Abroad 13:35 Lonely Planet: Roads Less Travelled 14:30 Bondi Rescue 14:55 Bondi Rescue 15:25 Eat Street 15:50 Eat Street 16:20 Banged Up Abroad 17:15 Banged Up Abroad 18:10 Somewhere In China 19:05 Deadly Arts 20:00 Banged Up Abroad 21:00 Banged Up Abroad 22:00 Banged Up Abroad 22:55 Don’t Tell My Mother 23:50 Market Values 00:15 My Sri Lanka With Peter Kuruvita 00:45 Street Food Around The World 01:10 Deadliest Journeys 01:40 Earth Tripping 02:05 Chasing Time 02:35 Eat Street

03:00 Banged Up Abroad 04:00 Blowdown 05:00 Prehistoric Predators 06:00 Banged Up Abroad 07:00 Situation Critical 08:00 Megastructures 09:00 The Border 10:00 Ancient Secrets Mystery Of The Silver Pharaoh 11:00 Banged Up Abroad 12:00 Blowdown 13:00 Prehistoric Predators 14:00 Banged Up Abroad 15:00 Situation Critical 16:00 Megastructures 17:00 The Border 18:00 Breakout 19:00 Breakout 20:00 My Brilliant Brain 21:00 Animal Mega Moves 22:00 Britain’s Greatest Machines 23:00 World’s Toughest Fixes 00:00 Ultimate Airport Dubai 01:00 Banged Up Abroad 02:00 Inside Combat Rescue

03:00 The Simpsons 03:30 Melissa & Joey

04:00 Seinfeld 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 The War At Home 06:00 All Of Us 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:00 Seinfeld 08:30 The War At Home 09:00 The Simpsons 09:30 The Crazy Ones 10:00 Arrested Development 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 All Of Us 12:30 Seinfeld 13:00 The War At Home 13:30 Friends 14:00 Melissa & Joey 14:30 The Crazy Ones 15:00 Arrested Development 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 All Of Us 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:00 Breaking In 18:30 Whitney 19:00 Whitney 19:30 Happy Endings 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 Enlightened 22:30 Out There 23:00 Family Guy 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Enlightened 02:00 Out There 02:30 Family Guy

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

American Horror Story Grey’s Anatomy Once Upon A Time Touch Drop Dead Diva Royal Pains Grey’s Anatomy Once Upon A Time Homeland Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Royal Pains Touch Emmerdale Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Royal Pains Warehouse 13 Perception Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Justified American Horror Story Touch Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Justified

04:00 06:00 08:00 10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00 00:00 02:00

Beneath The Darkness Arctic Blast Nitro Circus: The Movie True Justice: Blood Alley Metal Shifters Nick Of Time True Justice: Blood Alley Wild Wild West Nick Of Time Graystone Wrong Side Of Town Amphibious

Meeting Evil Being John Malkovich Vampire

03:00 Flower Girl 05:00 Fastest 07:00 Arthur 3: And The War Of Two Worlds 09:00 Brave 11:00 Wreck-It Ralph 13:00 Dead Lines 15:00 Arbitrage 17:00 Brave 18:45 Anna Karenina 21:00 Cheerful Weather For The Wedding 23:00 The Grey 01:00 Seeking Justice

04:30 Problem Child 06:00 Mandie And The Secret Tunnel 08:00 Easter Egg Escapade 10:00 Dragon Hunters 11:30 Twigson 13:00 Problem Child 14:30 Barbie In The Pink Shoes 16:00 Luke And Lucy: The Texas Rangers 18:00 Dragon Hunters 20:00 Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups 22:00 Barbie In The Pink Shoes 23:30 Luke And Lucy: The Texas Rangers 01:00 Easter Egg Escapade 02:45 Barbie In The Pink Shoes

04:00 Flicka 3 06:00 True Justice: Dead Drop 08:00 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part One 09:30 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part Two 11:00 Mrs. Miracle 12:45 Mary & Martha 14:30 A Heartbeat Away 16:00 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part One 17:30 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part Two 19:00 Bernie 20:45 Insidious 22:30 The Sweeney 00:30 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part One 02:15 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part Two

05:00 Top 14 07:00 Rugby League World Cup 09:00 Champions Tour Highlights 10:00 Challenge Series Golf Highlights 10:30 European Challenge Tour Highlights 11:30 Top 14 13:30 World Golf Championships Highlights 14:30 Trans World Sport 15:30 World Match Racing Tour Highlights 16:30 Rugby League World Cup 18:30 Rugby League World Cup 20:30 European Tour Weekly 21:00 Inside The PGA Tour 21:30 Trans World Sport 22:30 Top 14 Highlights 23:00 International Rugby Union 01:00 ICC Cricket 360 01:30 Trans World Sport 02:30 Rugby League World Cup

Classifieds WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Kuwait

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 8:15 PM 10:30 PM 12:45 AM

SHARQIA-2 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

SHARQIA-3 ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) DJINN (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) DJINN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:30 PM 9:45 PM

MUHALAB-2 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-3 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:45 PM 6:30 PM 9:15 PM

FANAR-1 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) BANI ADAM (EMIRATHI FILM) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-2 ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

FANAR-3 DJINN (DIG) DJINN (DIG) DJINN (DIG) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DJINN (DIG)

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (31/10/2013 TO 06/11/2013) NO SUN+TUE+WED

SHARQIA-1 ENDER’S GAME (DIG) DIANA (DIG) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

MUHALAB-1 DJINN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) DJINN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG)

FOR SALE

12:45 PM 2:45 PM 4:30 PM 6:15 PM 9:15 PM 12:15 AM

KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

FANAR-4 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 7:00 PM 9:45 PM 12:30 AM

10:30 PM 12:45 AM

AVENUES-4 ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

3:30 PM 5:45 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

360º- 1 ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

2:00 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 9:30 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-1 ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

360º- 2 ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:00 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 AM

MARINA-2 DJINN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) DIANA (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) DJINN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) DJINN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 11:00 PM 1:15 AM

360º- 3 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 (DIG-3D) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG)

MARINA-3 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.1 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

AVENUES-1 GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) GRAVITY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 1:00 AM

AL-KOUT.2 DJINN (DIG) ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH (DIG) DJINN (DIG) DJINN (DIG) DJINN (DIG) DJINN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:45 PM 11:00 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.3 ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ESCAPE PLAN (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) ENDER’S GAME (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:15 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-5 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 GRAVITY GRAVITY GRAVITY GRAVITY NO SUN+TUE+WED

AVENUES-2 KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) KRRISH 3 (DIG) (HINDI) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

AVENUES-3 KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:15 PM

Nissan Pathfinder, 2003 model, full option: Tel 97277135 6-11-2013 2003 model Toyota Prado 4 cylinder for sale, new tyres, good condition, expecting KD 2,950, serious buyers only contact 97277154.

5-11-2013

CHANGE OF NAME

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:45 PM 1:00 PM 4:00 PM 6:45 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

AL-KOUT.4 GRAVITY (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) KALBY DALILI (DIG) BANI ADAM (EMIRATHI FILM)

I, Anandharaj son of Subbaiyan holder of Indian Passport No: F4197628, permanent resident of new Udaiyar Street, Pattukkottai P.O, Thanjavur Dt, Tamil Nadu, India, present resident of Jabriya block 10, street 18, bld 11, flat 3 Kuwait, converted to Islam do hereby change my name from Anandharaj to Abdul Rehman with immediate effect. (C 4552) I, Bondalapati Venkata Raman a Devi, D/o Bondlapati Chitti Babu, R/o 155 K Bethapudi Na rasapur West Godavari District, A.P. I, have changed my name and religion as “Syeda Ayisha Siddeeqa and Religion Islam. (C 4556) 5-11-2013

Original document policy no. 6330034920 Mrs. Haleema Agha the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, Gulf zone is reported to have been lost.

Anyone finding the same or claiming any interest in it should communicate with the manager Kuwait State Life office Ph: 22452208.

(4553) 3-11-2013

SITUATION VACANT

LOST

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM

Lost original examination, compartment, migration, secondary, senior secondary school certificates for year 2000/2002. Please contact 65841234. (C 4557) 5-11-2013 Original document policy no. 633004321-8 Mr. Imran Qammer the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan, Gulf zone is reported to have been lost.

Anyone finding the same or claiming any interest in it should communicate with the manager Kuwait State Life office Ph: 22452208.

(4553)

Required English speaking nanny/maid. Please call 99824597. (C 4555) 5-11-2013

Prayer timings Fajr: Shorook Duhr: Asr: Maghrib: Isha:

04:43 06:04 11:32 14:36 16:59 18:18

THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry about the Civil ID card is

SITUATION WANTED

1889988

M.Com (finance) graduate, pursuing MBA 10 years of experience in company accounts, preparations of financial statements, reconciliation of bank accounts, payroll management, transferable visa, Kuwait driving license. Mob: 65008377.

(C 4547) 27-10-2013

112

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines JAI JZR THY QTR ETH JZR GFA THY UAE ETD OMA MSR QTR FDB THY DHX FDB JZR JZR BAW FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR IRM ETD FDB GFA IRA IAW DHX MEA JZR JZR TMA KNE MSC IRM UAE MSR CLX KNE IRC

Arrival Flights on Wednesday 6/11/2013 Flt Route 574 MUMBAI 267 BEIRUT 772 ISTANBUL 1084 DOHA 620 ADDIS ABABA 539 CAIRO 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 643 MUSCAT 612 CAIRO 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 69 DUBAI 529 ASYUT 555 ALEXANDRIA 157 LONDON 53 DUBAI 382 DELHI 206 ISLAMABAD 302 MUMBAI 412 MANILA/BANGKOK 344 CHENNAI 352 COCHIN 284 DHAKA 362 COLOMBO 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 1070 DOHA 1186 TEHRAN 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 213 BAHRAIN 603 SHIRAZ 157 BAGHDAD/NAJAF 870 BAHRAIN 404 BEIRUT 165 DUBAI 561 SOHAG 213 BEIRUT 470 JEDDAH 403 ASYUT 1188 MASHAD 871 DUBAI 610 CAIRO 792 LUXEMBOURG 480 TAIF 6692 MASHAD

Time 00:10 00:40 00:45 00:55 01:45 00:40 02:10 02:15 02:35 02:45 03:05 03:10 03:45 04:00 05:35 05:40 05:50 06:20 06:05 06:40 07:50 07:55 07:40 07:55 06:45 08:35 08:10 08:50 08:45 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:15 09:20 09:40 10:40 10:45 11:00 11:15 11:55 11:30 12:55 12:10 12:15 12:20 12:40 12:50 13:00 13:15 13:15 13:25

IYE FDB QTR KAC KAC MSR SVA KAC KAC UAE QTR ETD RJA JZR SVA ABY GFA KNE JZR JZR KAC KAC JZR RBG QTR FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC GFA OMA FDB MSC JAI ABY ETD AXB MSR DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE GFA QTR FDB JZR JAI AIC JZR JZR

824 57 1078 790 672 575 500 788 538 857 1072 303 640 787 510 127 215 462 777 357 542 618 177 553 1080 63 786 166 774 102 674 217 647 61 405 572 129 919 489 606 634 229 402 307 859 219 1074 59 135 576 975 239 185

SANAA/RIYAN MUKALLA DUBAI DOHA MEDINAH DUBAI SHARM EL SHEIKH JEDDAH JEDDAH SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG DUBAI DOHA ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN MEDINAH JEDDAH MASHAD CAIRO DOHA DUBAI ALEXANDRIA DOHA DUBAI JEDDAH PARIS/ROME RIYADH NEW YORK/LONDON DUBAI BAHRAIN MUSCAT DUBAI SOHAG MUMBAI SHARJAH ABU DHABI-INTL COCHIN/MANGALORE LUXOR FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN COCHIN/ABU DHABI-INTL CHENNAI/GOA AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA DUBAI

13:30 13:50 13:55 14:25 14:00 14:15 14:30 15:10 16:05 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:00 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:40 17:55 17:55 18:05 19:00 18:20 18:15 18:40 18:45 18:45 19:10 19:30 19:35 19:25 19:30 19:55 20:05 20:05 20:10 20:20 20:25 20:35 20:45 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:10 22:30 22:20 23:20

Departure Flights on Wednesday 6/11/2013 Airlines Flt Route Time AIC 982 AHMEDABAD/HYDERABAD/CHENNAI 00:05 UAL 981 WASHINGTON DC DULLES 00:55 JAI 573 MUMBAI 01:10 DLH 635 FRANKFURT 02:10 ETH 621 ADDIS ABABA 02:45 THY 773 ISTANBUL 02:55 UAE 854 DUBAI 03:50 ETD 306 ABU DHABI-INTL 04:00 OMA 644 MUSCAT 04:05 MSR 613 CAIRO 04:10 QTR 1085 DOHA 04:15 FDB 68 DUBAI 04:40 QTR 1077 DOHA 05:15 JZR 560 SOHAG 06:20 FDB 70 DUBAI 06:30 JZR 164 DUBAI 06:55 THY 765 SABIHA 07:05 GFA 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 THY 771 ISTANBUL 07:30 KAC 537 SHARM EL SHEIKH/SOHAG 08:10 FDB 54 DUBAI 08:30 BAW 156 LONDON 08:45 KAC 787 JEDDAH 09:25 KAC 671 DUBAI 09:30 ABY 126 SHARJAH 09:40 KAC 789 MEDINAH 09:45 UAE 856 DUBAI 09:55 KAC 117 NEW YORK 10:00 ETD 302 ABU DHABI-INTL 10:05 QTR 1071 DOHA 10:10 FDB 56 DUBAI 10:20 IRM 1187 TEHRAN 10:30 KAC 175 FRANKFURT/GENEVA 10:45 GFA 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 KAC 541 CAIRO 11:30 IRA 602 SHIRAZ 11:45 JZR 356 MASHAD 11:55 IAW 158 NAJAF/BAGHDAD 12:00 KAC 103 LONDON 12:20 JZR 776 JEDDAH 12:25 MEA 405 BEIRUT 12:55 DHX 521 BAGRAM 13:00 KAC 785 JEDDAH 13:00 KNE 461 MEDINAH 13:10 MSC 406 SOHAG 13:20 JZR 786 RIYADH 13:35 JZR 176 DUBAI 13:45 TMA 223AL MAKTOUM INTERNATI/BEIRUT 13:45 MSR 611 CAIRO 14:00 IRM 1189 MASHAD 14:05 KNE 481 TAIF 14:10 UAE 872 DUBAI 14:15

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

IRC IYE FDB CLX QTR MSR KAC KAC SVA KAC JZR ETD QTR JZR UAE RJA ABY SVA GFA KNE JZR JZR RBG JZR FDB QTR GFA KAC FDB OMA KAC KAC ABY MSC JAI KAC MSR DHX ALK MEA ETD ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC KAC JAI QTR JZR JZR KAC

6693 824 58 792 1079 576 673 617 503 773 238 304 1073 538 858 641 128 511 216 471 184 266 554 134 64 1081 218 283 62 648 331 361 120 404 571 351 619 171 230 403 308 920 220 301 60 860 381 205 575 1075 528 502 415

MASHAD SANAA DUBAI VIETNAM DOHA SHARM EL SHEIKH DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH RIYADH AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA ABU DHABI-INTL DOHA CAIRO DUBAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN JEDDAH DUBAI BEIRUT ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DHAKA DUBAI MUSCAT TRIVANDRUM COLOMBO SHARJAH ASYUT MUMBAI COCHIN ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL ABU DHABI-INTL BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI DELHI ISLAMABAD ABU DHABI-INTL/COCHIN DOHA ASYUT LUXOR KUALA LUMPUR/JAKARTA

14:25 14:30 14:30 14:45 14:55 15:00 15:05 15:30 15:45 16:05 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:30 18:40 18:50 18:55 19:10 19:25 19:40 20:15 20:30 20:45 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:10 21:45 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:25 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:50 22:55 23:10 23:10 23:25 23:30 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 360

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES Looking back upon childhood today, you might remember an older person telling you that you can do anything you set your mind to do and this is just that sort of day; most anything can be accomplished. Major relationships, especially financial ones, are in a positive upswing. This is a good day for moneymaking ventures. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to think through major decisions. There may be little time to see friends or family but you may find yourself enjoying a long conversation, writing a letter or making a special phone call. Expressing yourself with flair means a lot to you. You will want to enjoy yourself this evening. You are just as witty with your loved ones as you are with the people from work. Enjoy your evening.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Rash decisions can be an open door to big mistakes—take your time. You become more practical and conscientious than usual today. You may find yourself sorting through drawers and looking in files for some lost object. Stop and take a deep breath, exhale and then think back on the time you last saw the missing object and you should be able to find it. Job requirements may slow you down for a while, but remember this is only short term. You could find you are required to take a class or attend lectures on a technical level. You may surprise yourself by learning enough to become a high-paid consultant— keep an open mind. You may decide to teach the children in your family a password so that they will know the right person is picking them up after school.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A drug combination found in some over-thecounter headache remedies (Aspirin and Phenacetin and Caffeine).

4. The condition of having no arms.

12. A period of time spent sleeping.

15. Large brownish-green New Zealand parrot.

16. A substance derived from amygdalin.

17. Not in good physical or mental health.

18. A unit of pressure.

19. Dark brownish to purplish red.

20. The capital and largest city of Bangladesh.

22. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind and raisins and almonds.

24. A transuranic element that has not been found in nature.

25. Inhabitant of the island of Cebu.

26. Not contained in or deriving from the essential nature of something.

27. A silvery soft waxy metallic element of the alkali metal group.

29. A metallic element having four allotropic forms.

30. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

31. A Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism.

34. At a previous time.

38. A large and stately mansion.

41. Someone who assaults others sexually.

43. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

44. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

46. Oldest known reptiles.

47. Having any of numerous bright or strong colors reminiscent of the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies.

50. A member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons.

51. An acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants.

52. Armor plate that protects legs below the knee.

55. An industrial city in south central Finland.

58. Not out.

59. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices.

61. At any time.

63. A person who announces and plays popular recorded music.

65. A genus of tropical American plants have sword-shaped leaves and a fleshy compound fruits composed of the fruits of several flowers (such as pineapples).

69. (Scottish) Bluish-black or gray-blue.

73. The lean flesh of a fish similar to cod.

74. A river in north central Switzerland that runs northeast into the Rhine.

78. Game in which matchsticks are arranged in rows and players alternately remove one or more of them.

79. Obstruction of the sweat ducts during high heat and humidity.

81. A Chadic language spoken in northern Nigeria.

82. Aircraft landing in bad weather in which the pilot is talked down by ground control using precision approach radar.

83. The father of your father or mother.

84. (Irish) Mother of the ancient Irish gods.

DOWN 1. Jordan's port.

2. Part of the perianth that is usually brightly colored.

3. (botany) Of or relating to or functioning as a

cambium.

4. An annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year.

5. The cry made by sheep.

6. A program that is broadcast again.

7. (music) Characterized by avoidance of traditional Western tonality.

8. The yield from plants in a single growing season.

9. Ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measure = 1.5 gallons.

10. Being nine more than forty.

11. Yellow-fever mosquitos.

12. An intensive care unit designed with special equipment to care for premature or low-birthweight or seriously ill newborn.

13. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

14. A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished.

21. The superior of a group of nuns.

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

28. Proceed or issue forth, as from a source.

32. The biblical name for ancient Syria.

33. Red Asian weaverbirds often kept as cage birds.

35. United States parapsychologist (1895-1980).

36. (Judaism) The ceremonial dinner on the first night (or both nights) of Passover.

37. A just detectable amount.

39. An association of nations dedicated to economic and political cooperation in southeastern Asia.

40. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

42. The sciences concerned with gathering and manipulating and storing and retrieving and classifying recorded information.

45. King of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England with him.

48. Diabetes caused by a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin and characterized by polyuria.

49. No longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life.

53. Soft creamy white cheese.

54. A resource.

56. The force of workers available.

57. Capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.

60. A tricyclic antidepressant (trade names Adapin and Sinequan) with numerous side effects (dry mouth and sedation and gastrointestinal disturbances).

62. (Hinduism and Buddhism) The effects of a person's actions that determine his destiny in his next incarnation.

64. A holy war by Muslims against unbelievers.

66. The basic unit of money in Nigeria.

67. A city in northeastern Ohio.

68. Any of various plants of the genus Senna having pinnately compound leaves and showy usually yellow flowers.

70. Concerning those not members of the clergy.

71. The basic unit of money in Western Samoa.

72. A student who studies excessively.

75. A graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions.

76. (Irish) The sea personified.

77. Having undesirable or negative qualities.

80. A state in midwestern United States.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

Some idea for an article is buzzing around in your head and it would really work as a good article for your local paper. Become known as a good freelance writer and the media industry will be contacting you. Do this as a whim for a while and you will soon find yourself with a nice little income. You may find a backlog of work is waiting for your attention in your own workplace today. At the noon break, be sure you take it—exercise, meditation or just a slow walk may help to refurbish your energies for the afternoon. This afternoon, exchanging information takes on significance. Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing are issues that are felt instinctively. You are nurtured when you agree to help a neighbor.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) You are a very forceful speaker when the subject is a favorite of yours. You can communicate with great enthusiasm. There are opportunities to speak to small and large groups today. This could be in a lecture, work meeting, class, etc. Words just flow out always carry an emotional impact that brings them home to your listeners. You have no trouble putting your feelings into words; in fact, you may have to exercise some control over your tongue, for you are quick to say things and everything you communicate packs a wallop. You may be sought after for your advice and counsel regarding emotional issues; careful. You help others see truth and there will be a new understanding. A social event this evening is enjoyed by all.

Leo (July 23-August 22) Your inner self-confidence may be lacking—you could try to overcome this by defensive aggressiveness. You probably wish you had more of the self-assurance your fiery acquaintances have. This is a good time to buckle down and concentrate on your work. Your organizational abilities and sense of responsibility will be what guides you and proves you successful. Confidence will soon come. Your career is becoming more of a solid path. You enjoy and value your own life situation today. You feel especially kind toward a friend or loved one. Company in your own home this evening may bring many compliments your way. You enjoy entertaining friends. Conversations between friends equal a form of comfort and cheerfulness.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) You are normally pretty good at handling change and risk because you hate being slowed by details. Slow down anyway, you could be missing something in your overall plan. You are excellent at building strategy. Stop and plot your options. If you need to prepare a plan, it is time to ask for help. The sheer abundance of your energy combined with your high-octane adrenaline can get in your way. Writing things down will force you to slow and think before acting. A news article has your full attention this afternoon. Tryouts for a local play or a part in a movie may interest you. Now is a good time to spread your wings! You may be in the mood for deep and penetrating conversations or thoughts with a loved one this evening.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) People in need come to your attention this morning and you want to gather them together so as to help their plight. You encourage financial donations or contributions and may find people to help you distribute items that are sent to you. Co-workers volunteer to help you. You have a desire to move toward the more challenging issues in the workplace. Law, politics, education, travel and religion are some of the areas where you seem motivated to take the lead. You are in a good position to communicate concerning groups and society in general. Emotional security, a sense of belonging and nurturing, turns your attention to the home front this afternoon. Making phone calls, writing letters and making plans for this coming weekend hold your interest for now.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) A new sense of self, a more assertive personal style and a more dynamic approach to life are the hallmarks of the cycle that begin for you now. Doubts fade into the background and reserve is more and more outdated. This is an excellent time to sway others to your way of thinking. Slow your pace a bit and you will find that you will have accomplished much more than you thought possible by day’s end. Your life is a passionate life. Strong attachments make for hot times and you are fiercely loyal, if not sometimes possessive. Secretive, you are not at all superficial but you always get to the heart of things.

This is good for business and politics. You have a sense for power, wealth and passion. Plan a quiet evening in order to restore your energies.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) You are not easily swayed by other folks’ opinions, especially today. You could be involved in an exciting play of conversation. You see no problem in expressing yourself vociferously in almost any situation. Before you speak, be wise and make sure your opinion is really requested, especially in the work world. Family, home, relatives and real estate play a big part in your life this evening. A keen interest in what makes things tick and who or what pulls the strings is the hallmark of the mental cycle that begins now. Figuring out ways to make your nest egg grow can be a preoccupation this evening. If there are children in your family, you want to make sure the schoolwork is upto-date and understood. You may be feeling frisky and friendly this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You are in top mental condition today and you excel in any sort of debate, problem solving or improvement oriented conversation this morning. This could mean an early morning appointment or that the facts are in and you are ready to act. You can really get your thoughts and ideas across—good communication. Something very important that you have been pushing toward for a long time is now within your reach. There is a feeling that anything is possible if you set your sights high enough. Today is a day to plan for the future and look at the big picture. As you think on important issues, try to be particularly sensitive to others. There is an opportunity for a new understanding.

There is optimism and faith at the deepest emotional levels.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This is a time when ideas and thoughts of all kinds will be most important.

Your mind could be quite clear and natural. Ideas are flowing and come with ease. You have a knack for putting the feelings of a group into words and may serve as a teacher or spokesperson. If you have ever considered a vocation in teaching, now may be the time to do something about it. You might even consider volunteering to teach an adult reading class. You may be able to encourage a friend to join you in this venture. Humanitarian efforts can influence your work and life-path. You have an opportunity to take control and become more disciplined. Friends, group projects and community affairs are subjects of importance around the dinner table this evening.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) You do a lot of research and communicate with a lot of people, including other companies, in order to keep up-to-date on the product that you sell or that the company for which you work produces. This concentrated effort goes into creating a new job identity for yourself as well as learning as much as you possibly can about whatever product you are selling. You may uncover some interesting information today—however, much thought needs to go into whether you should disclose this information. Good practical job-related thoughts and ideas are available to you at this time. The ability to communicate with your superiors is positive. Your timing should be perfect for just about any project you want to attempt; whether at work or at home.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

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36

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

LIFESTYLE G o s s i p

Barrymore pregnant

Eminem wasn’t lip-syncing on

‘SNL,’ rep claims

with second child

I

n the days since his performance on “Saturday Night Live,” Eminem has been accused of lip-syncing. Now the rapper’s publicist is telling world to read his lips: It just ain’t true. Denying claims that have popped up in the media over the past couple of days, the rapper’s representative says that Eminem - whose new album,” The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” drops yesterday - says that, while Eminem did indeed perform with backing tracks, he did in fact rap live during the performance.

He rhymed over a layered vocal with accent tracks to make it sound like the album,” his publicist told TheWrap in a statement. Various media outlets have called Eminem out for allegedly lip-synching on “SNL.” “Eminem didn’t really try to hide it either, pulling the mic away several times while his ‘vocals’ continued at full volume,” TMZ reported Monday, referring to the rapper’s performance of the song “Berzerk.” Spin.com made a similar accusation, allowing that, while it couldn’t be said for sure that he was faking it, the rapper didn’t live up to his reputation. Twitter was full of commenters pointing out it sure looked like Eminem was lip-syncing, and whether he was or not, that’s the real crime: Here’s the guy who wins every rap Olympic gold medal, and he couldn’t even convincingly appear to be swimming,” Spin’s Marc Hogan wrote. Ashlee Simpson found herself at the center of a scandal in 2004, when it was revealed that she was performing to a prerecorded vocal.

D

rew Barrymore is pregnant with her second child. The ’50 First Dates’ actress is reportedly expecting a baby with her husband Will Kopelman, multiple sources have confirmed to Us Weekly. The couple – who tied the knot in June 2012 – already have a 13-month-old daughter, Olive. Rumours have been circulating in recent days that Drew could be pregnant again after she was spotted in a series of loose-fitting outfits. The 38-year-old star donned a long, flowing dress to the LACMA Art+Film Gala honouring Martin Scorcese and David Hockney over the weekend, which appeared to conceal her growing baby bump. Drew has been vocal about her desire to expand her family in the past, explaining she wanted to give Olive a sibling close to her own age so she didn’t feel lonely. She recently said: “I was an only child and it was lonely.

Some people love it and thrive on the independence but I want my kids to have other kids around. “Maybe two kids so they can run around life together, roll their eyes at their parents together. So however that’s going to come about, it’s gonna happen!”

Rapper DMX arrested on driving

Drew Barrymore

charges at S Carolina airport

R

apper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was arrested outside a South Carolina airport on Monday for driving with a suspended license and without a vehicle tag and insurance, according to the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Airport police familiar with Simmons and his lengthy arrest history stopped the rapper as he was driving up to the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport early on Monday evening, a police dispatcher said. The New York-born rapper, who lives in South Carolina, was arrested when he did not have a valid license, the dispatcher said. The 42-year-old entertainer spent several hours in jail before posting a $1,335 bond on the charges, according to Spartanburg County Detention Center.

He was booked at 6:27 pm local time. The rapper, whose albums include “It’s Dark and Hell is Hot” and “Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood,” also starred in the movies “Romeo Must Die” and “Cradle 2 The Grave.” Simmons has had numerous run-ins with police in South Carolina and elsewhere. He was arrested in South Carolina in August and charged with possession of marijuana, two days before he was due in court on a drunk driving charge.

He was arrested in July on suspicion of driving under the influence and failing to have a valid driver’s license. Simmons’ arrest record also includes charges of: animal cruelty, reckless driving, drug possession, weapons charges and probation violations. He has had several felony convictions and has served prison time in Arizona.

Eminem

Lea Michele: Hudson helped

me cope after Monteith’s death Rapper DMX

Reed will leave estate to his wife, sister

R

ocker Lou Reed’s life was decidedly unconventional, but he wanted his estate used for a very traditional purpose: to benefit his wife and other relatives. Reed’s will was filed Monday in a New York City court. The Velvet Underground front man and “Walk on the Wild Side” singer died Oct. 27 of complications from a liver transplant. He was 71 and had no children. The will leaves his Manhattan penthouse, his home in East Hampton, New York, and the bulk of his estate to his wife, musician Laurie Anderson. The longtime couple married in 2008.

Reed’s sister inherits about a quarter of his estate and a $500,000 bequest aimed at caring for their mother. His business manager and accountant are assigned to handle licensing and copyrights for his music.

L

ea Michele reveals how Kate Hudson helped her after Cory Monteith’s death. “Glee” star Lea Michele has opened up about the death of her co-star and boyfriend Cory Monteith, saying that she’s trying to use Monteith’s death for good.

“I never thought I would be in this position in my whole life. Now that I am in this position, you can choose to rise, and that’s what I’m going to try to do,” Michele said in the December issue of Elle. “I know that Cory would want nothing more than for me to take this situation and use it to help people.”

Michele also revealed how actress Kate Hudson, who had a guest-starring run on “Glee” last season, opened up her home to Michele during the media frenzy that followed Monteith’s death. “I called and said, ‘I don’t know where I’m going to go because my house is swarmed [with reporters],’” Michele, who’s opened up about Monteith’s death only occasionally, said. “She was like, ‘Oh, you’re going to stay at my house.’ Like it was nothing. No one knew I was there. I’ll never really be able to thank her, truly, for what she did for me.” Monteith, who had a long-standing struggle with addiction, died in Vancouver in July of what was later determined to be an accidental overdose, with the coroner noting that Monteith died of “ ntravenous heroin use in combination with ingestion of alcohol.”

Lea Michele

Lou Reed

Insurance broker sentenced for scamming

Pfeiffer reveals she was once in a cult

Hanks

L

Michelle Pfeiffer

ittle known fact about Michelle Pfeiffer: She was in a cult, once. The three-time Oscar nominee, who was most recently seen alongside Robert De Niro in Luc Besson’s mob comedy “The Family,” told The Sunday Telegraph’s Stella magazine that she was manipulated by a “very controlling” couple of “kind of personal trainers” during her early days in Hollywood.

“They worked with weights and put people on diets.

Their thing was vegetarianism,” Pfeiffer said. “They were very controlling. I wasn’t living with them but I was there a lot and they were always telling me I needed to come more. I had to pay for all the time I was there, so it was financially very draining.” The actress said they were pushing her toward practicing Breatharianism, which is a lifestyle based on the belief that absorbing energy from the sun trumps nourishment from food - a diet Pfeiffer said “nobody can adhere to.” Pfeiffer didn’t realize she was in a cult until she was introduced to her first husband, Peter Horton, who had been cast in a film about Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church.

Describing the religious group as a “cult,” she said it was an ex-member - once commonly called a Moonie - that made her realize she too “was in one.” “We were talking with an ex-Moonie and he was describing the psychological manipulation and I just clicked,” Pfeiffer said.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson

A

Southern California insurance broker who overcharged Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, hundreds of thousands of dollars has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison. City News Service says Jerry Goldman received a 27-month sentence Monday. He also was ordered to pay about $840,000 in restitution. Prosecutors

claimed that between 1998 and 2011, Goldman inflated premiums by as much as 600 percent and created phony invoices to hide the scam. The original indictment claimed that Goldman also bilked others including Andy Summers, the former guitarist for The Police.

The 60-year-old Thousand Oaks man pleaded guilty in April to mail fraud involving Hanks and Wilson.

37

LIFESTYLE

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

F e a t u r e s

Record prices expected at

NYC fall art auctions

This Oct 4, 2013 photo provided

by Sotheby’s shows “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” by Andy Warhol. –AP photos

“Mousquetaire a la pipe” by artist Pablo Picasso, “Tete, Oiseau, Etoile” by Joan Miro and “L’arbre Rouge” by Marc Chagall are on display.

P

otential buyers will have to dig deep as New York City’s frenzied fall auction season gets underway with blockbuster works of art poised to set records. Among the blue-chip offerings is Andy Warhol’s “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster),” a provocative double-panel painting that Sotheby’s estimates could bring as much as $80 million at its Nov 13 postwar and contemporary sale. The current Warhol auction record is $71.7 million for “Green Car Crash (Green Burning Car I),” set in 2007. A day earlier, Christie’s is offering a 1969 triptych by Francis Bacon of his friend and artist Lucian Freud. The auction house says “Three Studies of Lucian Freud” could topple the $86 million auction record for the artist set in 2008 for his 1976 “Triptych.”

It remains to be seen if either can surpass the nearly $120 million paid at Sotheby’s in spring 2012 for Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” The painting is the most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. “The market can absorb all this and much, much more,” said art dealer Richard Feigen. “Liquidity proliferates all over the world. “Sellers are selling because they fear the market may peak and they want out, hopefully at the top,” added Feigen, who runs the gallery Richard L. Feigen & Co on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Warhol produced four paintings in the “Death and Disaster” series. The other three are in museums. Measuring 8 by 13 feet (2.4 by 4 meters), the 1963 silver work captures the immediate aftermath of a car crash, a twisted body sprawled across its mangled interior. It has been seen in public only once in the past 26 years. Sotheby’s also is offering a portrait of Elizabeth Taylor by Warhol. “Liz #1 (Early Colored Liz)” is estimated to fetch between $20 million and $30 million.

Christie’s also has an iconic Warhol, “Coca-Cola (3),” at its Nov. 12 sale with a pre-sale estimate of $40 million to $60 million. The two-week season begins this week with impressionist and modern works of art. Christie’s Tuesday evening sale includes Alberto Giacometti’s “Diego in plaid shirt,” estimated at $30 million to $50 million. The 1954 portrait of Giacometti’s brother, his most frequent subject, has been in a private collection for more than two decades and has never appeared at auction.

Sotheby’s today sale includes another major work by Giacometti, “Large Thin Head (Large Head of Diego),” a sculptural representation of his younger brother featuring an exaggerated profile and knife-edge frontal view. It is expected to bring between $35 million and $50 million. The auction record for any Giacometti work is $103.9 million, set by “Walking Man I” in 2010. On Nov 12, Jeff Koons’ whimsical “Balloon Dog (Orange),” a 10-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture resembling a twisted child’s party balloon, is going on the block at Christie’s, where

it’s expected to sell for up to $55 million.

It’s one of five monumental balloon dogs Koons has created in different colors.

All are in private hands. It is being sold by newsprint magnate Peter Brant to benefit his Brant Foundation Art Study in Greenwich, Conn. At the same sale, a bright orange-yellow and white painting

by Mark Rothko could fetch up to $35 million. Created in 1957, the large-scale “Untitled (No. 11)” oil painting is reminiscent of a radiating sunset. Last May, Christie’s sold Rothko’s “Orange, Red, Yellow” for $86.8 million, a record for any contemporary artwork at auction.

Picasso’s sculpture, “Tete,” the model for a prominent outdoor steel artwork in Chicago’s Daley Plaza, had been the expected highlight, and with an estimate of $25 million to $35 million was poised to break the artist’s record for a sculpture.

But the work failed to reach its reserve the secret minimum price sellers agree to accept before an auction - when no bids beyond $19 million were forthcoming.

One after another, other top works by artists ranging from Giacometti to Kandinsky and Miro and bearing estimates around $10 million to as high as $25 million, failed to sell. The sale of 62 works from the collection of art dealer Jan Krugier took in $92.5 million including commission, Christie’s said, against a $158 million to $225 million pre-sale estimate.

Among the sale’s few high points was Picasso’s portrait of two of his children, “Claude et Paloma,” a 1950 oil that soared to $28,165,000, or more than twice the estimate of $9 million to $12 million, to achieve the evening’s top price. Several lower-priced works also saw competitive bidding, selling for many times their estimates. Christie’s officials expressed their disappointment. “Obviously we would have wished for a stronger evening,” one more in line with the pre-sale interest shown by clients, said Conor Jordan, deputy chairman of Impressionist and modern art in New York who was in charge of the Krugier sale.

Jordan said the estimate for the Picasso sculpture “was not an issue to interested parties in the run-up to the sale. We didn’t see any dissent from our clients.” Noting that “things with lower estimates performed very strongly,” he added that 71 percent of the 62 works on offer were sold, which he called “a reasonable figure.” “And we were thrilled to see bidding coming from all across the globe,” he said.

Asian bidding was especially strong, with the Picasso bought by an Asian client bidding via telephone. The auctions continue today, with Christie’s wrapping up the Krugier sale ahead of its Impressionist and modern art auction, followed

by Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist and modern art.—AP

Pablo Picasso’s “Tête (Maquette pour la sculpture en plein air du Chicago Civic Center)” is displayed October 31, 2013 at Christie’s in New York. —AFP/AP photos

“Grande tete de Diego” by artist Alberto Giacometti is on display during a press preview of Sotheby’s auction of impressionist and modern art.

An auction house worker poses for the photographers in front of a 1962 Andy Warhol casein on cotton painting entitled ‘Coca-Cola (3)’ in central London.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

lifestyle M U S I C

&

M O V I E S

Church set to drop new album, blow minds at CMAs

E

ric Church isn’t sure what reaction he’ll get when he plays his new single, the hard rock anthem “The Outsiders,” tonight during the Country Music Association Awards. It’s the first time he’ll play the song in front of the Music Row “establishment” and millions of fans who don’t follow him, and he’ll be pushing mainstream country music’s edge quite a bit further than folks are used to. “Could be crowd-surfing, could be mosh pits,” Church said. “They could be throwing cans at me.”

Few country songs will be so polarizing as the title cut and first single from Church’s fourth album, “The Outsiders.” Church sat down recently to talk about his new album, set for release Feb. 11, his upcoming CMA performance and the freedom he feels success has given him as he prepares to take the next step in his career.

Church’s last album, “Chief,” won the CMA and Academy of Country Music album of the year awards, sold 1.5 million copies and changed his career. The album’s success moved him from promising songwriter to arena-filling star. He did it by tapping into the growing hunger for hard rock sounds in country.

Instead of touring extensively this summer, the 36-year-old North Carolina native, who’s up for two CMA awards tonight, including male vocalist of the year, decided to focus on recording. He enlisted longtime producer Jay Joyce

again and wrote 121 songs for consideration.

They cut that down to the 11 or 12 that will appear on the new album, brought in Church’s band and started to bounce ideas off each other

- not at all the way the typical country album is recorded. “We’ve had the ability after every record to feel more emboldened by what we did on the last record,” Church said as he sat near a

Big Sean poses for a portrait at Island Def Jam in Santa Monica, Calif. — AP

fire pit on his land in West Nashville with yellow jackets buzzing his Ray-Bans. “And I think with this one, with the success of ‘Chief,’ we were a little bulletproof.”

First up was “The Outsiders,” chosen for its invitation to fringe dwellers to join the circle.

The Black Sabbath-influenced metal moments that mark the song’s mesmerizing last minute came during a jam with Church on Telecaster and resemble nothing you’ve heard on country radio. “If you go past that, it’s a cliff,” Church said.

“Sometimes I feel like we’re leaning over it.”

Some of the most striking moments would seem odd to your local program director. There’s a dark trilogy, for instance, that includes a dramatic recitation of the Shel Silverstein poem “The Devil and Billy Markham.” “Roller Coaster Ride” actually feels just like one. And albumcloser, “The Joint,” is an oddly affecting cross of Tom Waits and J.J. Cale.

At the same time, there are several cuts that would make that program director tap his foot.

“Cold One” includes a hilarious twist, and there’s a run of three love songs in the middle of the album. “They’re bold,” Church said. “I’m interested to see what people think about them. I always say the songs are mine till the moment we release them, then they’re the fans’ (songs). I’m very anxious. I have a lot of anxiety to see what people think about what we’ve done.” — AP

Hobbit fans get sneak peek at new movie D

A chair created by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is placed in the center of a movie theater in Stockholm. — AFP

Ai Weiwei sends defiant message to China at Sweden film fest

C

hinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei sent a defiant message to the authorities in Beijing yesterday in an opening address to the Stockholm Film Festival where he is on the jury-but in spirit only. The 56-year-old avant-garde artist, who is not allowed to leave China, is represented at the festival by an empty chair that he designed himself in an ironic reference to his inability to attend. “I feel sorry I can’t come. That’s why I have designed and sent something symbolic,” he said in a prerecorded video message broadcast at a press conference.

“I hope it can give some kind of statement on the way authorities can limit freedom of speech, can limit basic human rights for artists to travel or participate in cultural activities-very ruthlessly and with no explanation.” “I’m still living under a kind of soft detention. My passport is still in the authorities’ hands.” His Ming Dynasty style chair-shipped from Beijing for the 12-day event sat conspicuously between the other jury members in front of a cinema screen bearing the burly artist’s bearded and somewhat haggard image.

The chair had one quirky addition: a curved bar preventing anyone from sitting on it. Ai, known as much for his human rights activism as his art, was detained for 81 days in 2011 during a roundup of activists, accused of massive tax fraud. He was one of many government critics who were jailed, detained or disap-

peared into police custody in early 2011, when calles for anti-government protests in Chinaechoing those during the Arab Spring revoltsrattled the authorities.

Since his release, he has been prevented from leaving the country. In his video message yesterday he said film was a powerful way to communicate and expose corruption. “In the Internet age especially documentary films have made a great appearance in talking about issues, discussing truths, and also revealing secrets about those in power... especially when the power is not elected by the people.” Festival director Git Scheynius said Ai has the courage to stand up for “freedom” which is the theme of this year’s festival in Stockholm.

“I think most people listening to him think ‘wow, this is someone who is not afraid of anything’-his courage is just wonderful,” she told AFP. She said however she was under no illusions that Chinese authorities would pay attention to the festival but hoped it provided food for thought. “I hope they will listen to him and think that the (empty) chair says something to those people who want censorship in China,” she said. “At least somebody’s courage can make them think. Nobody can imprison thinking.” But the authorities in China may be able to prevent Ai from carrying out his jury duties as it was still unclear yesterday whether the festival could find a way of getting the films to him.

The event runs through November 17.— AFP

irector Peter Jackson gave fans a sneak peek of his latest Tolkien epic yesterday, revealing he is working non-stop to get “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” ready to premiere next month. Jackson took a break from editing to host what was billed as a “world fan event”, featuring question and answer sessions with stars from the movie streamed online from cinemas in Wellington, New York, Los Angeles and London. Barefoot and relaxed, the New Zealander said contact with his fans, many of whom were dressed as Tolkien characters, helped re-energize him during the grueling editing process ahead of the movie’s December 13 debut.

“We haven’t finished the movie, it’s pretty intense at the moment,” he told the audience at Wellington’s Embassy cinema. “I was up until 2am yesterday morning, working all night during the weekend there’s five weeks to go and an awful lot left to do. So this is really enjoyable, it’s really good to hear your responses.” The highlight of the event was a 20-minute preview of the moviethe second installment in The Hobbit trilogywhich was screened to cinema audiences but not streamed online because of piracy concerns.

The footage, which prompted cheers and applause from viewers, included a scene featuring Lost actress Evangeline Lilly as the elf Tauriel, who was a controversial inclusion in the movie for Tolkien fanatics, as the character is not in the original novel. “Don’t hate, don’t hate,” Lilly joked from Los Angeles as she was introduced to the

Members of the Wellington Tolkien Society dress in character for a fan event. franchise’s global fan base via the live stream, revealing she took inspiration for the character from Tinkerbell in “Peter Pan”. “Tink is a badass

A barefoot and relaxed film director Peter Jackson (below white shirt and projected onto the screen) answers questions about his latest movie “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” at a fan event in Wellington, New Zealand, yesterday.—AFP photos

Box Office

Why ‘Ender’s Game’ was such a tricky movie to market

I

t seems the old guys of “Last Vegas” still have a way with the ladies, at least at the box office. More than half - a surprising 54 percent - of the audience was women as the comedy kicked off what CBS Films hopes is a lengthy run with a solid $16.2 million opening. And this is for a movie about four guys on a bachelor party that critics have likened to a septuagenarian “Hangover.”

The gender breakdown was surprising but the age numbers weren’t.

Eighty-two percent of the crowd that turned out to see Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline hit Sin City were over 25.

That’s a marketing bulls-eye, but with that cast, the target was in sharp focus all along. hat wasn’t the case for “Ender’s Game,” the futuristic sci-fi thriller from Summit Entertainment, Odd Lot Entertainment and Digital Domain, which opened at No. 1 at the box office this weekend with $28 million.

(We’re only talking marketing and targets here; the two movies couldn’t be much more different. “Last Vegas” is a $28-million comedy that CBS would be glad see to top out at $50 million domestically, and the effects-heavy “Ender’s Game” cost $100 million to make, and was at one point seen as a potential franchise.) “Ender’s Game” had built-in appeal with the millions who have read Orson Scott Card’s 1985 bestseller. The futuristic alien invasion plot was a draw for sci-fi fans. Young stars Asa Butterfield and Hailee Stanfield were there for teens and tweens. And Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley added some prestige, and appeal for older moviegoers.

It connected with each of those targets, but only to a degree. That’s why it won the weekend, but that’s also why it didn’t break out. It played 58 percent male, suggesting it found sci-fi fans, a group that’s mainly men. But 54 percent of the audience turned out to be over the age of 25, indicating that devotees of the book turned out - but not enough kids did. To an extent, “Ender’s Game” created the same sort of marketing challenge that Sony faced this summer with another pricey sci-fi movie, “After Earth.”

In that one, Will Smith was the marquee name but his son Jaden was the real star of the movie. In “Ender’s Game,” Butterfield’s character Ender was the center of the story, but it was Ford who was the most prominent in the run-up

little fairy, she’s tiny and she’s cute but she’s fierce, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of Tink,” Lilly said. “So somewhere in my brain those things connected and she ended up one of my inspirations for the role.”

Orlando Bloom, speaking from New York, said he had “a riot of a time” reprising his role as the elf Legolas a decade after the original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “And my costume still fits,” he said. Wellington-based fan Shirley Jones arrived at the event with her pet lizard Hermes, which was used by the movie’s digital animators to help create the dragon Smaug. She said the footage showed the latest film matched Jackson’s previous Tolkien epics, which have garnered Academy Awards, critical acclaim and valuable box-office dollars.

“He’s a director who’s obsessed with quality and that shows in his films,” she said. “He’s also very good at keeping his fan base engaged through events like these-it’s probably because he’s still a fanboy himself.” The first film in the series, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, was released in December last year with the final chapter “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” scheduled to come out in December next year.

Production of the trilogy has so far cost $561 million, according to the Hobbit website. “An Unexpected Journey” took more than $1 billion at the box office. — AFP

Jackson joins ‘1408’ co-star Cusack in another King adaptation

S to the release. He did a great job of it, deflecting criticism of Card’s extreme comments, getting the most of his charming grumpiness in a GQ interview.

He even pierced Jimmy Fallon’s ear on “Late Night.”

But while he may have brought in mature fans, it’s possible he turned off the tween hordes that Hollywood has been coveting since “Harry Potter,” “Twilight” and “The Hunger Games.” It’s impossible to quantify that sort of thing, beyond the demo numbers. Just like it’s impossible to tell exactly what impact, if any, the boycott had on the “Ender’s Game” grosses.

What’s known is that “Thor: The Dark World” is coming Friday, so there won’t be much room for adjustments. Disney’s Marvel sequel is coming in like gangbusters, having already rung up more than $100 million abroad in one weekend. Two weeks after that, Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” will open. You don’t put up grosses like “The Hunger Games” did last year - nearly $700 million worldwide - without appealing to several demo groups, but there’s no doubt young women are the primary marketing target on that one. And Katniss and Summit have shown they know how to hit a bulls-eye. — Reuters

amuel L Jackson is set to join his “1408” co-star John Cusack in another Stephen King adaptation Tod “Kip” Williams will direct for Benaroya Pictures and the Genre Company.

Benaroya Pictures is financing the film, which is set to start production in January. In “Cell,” Jackson will play Tom McCourt, an engineer and former soldier who escapes from Boston along with Cusack’s character, Clay Riddell, after a mysterious cell phone-transmitted pulse spreads like a virus through the human population. King himself co-wrote the script with Adam Alleca.

Richard Saperstein, Michael Benaroya, Brian Witten and Shara Kay will produce the film, while Edward Mokhtarian, Armen Aghaeian, Xavier Gens, and Laurence Freed will executive produce.

Mark Leyner and Ben Insler will co-produce. “It’s really exciting to have such a great cast continue to come together on this project,” said Benaroya. “Our goal is to create exciting commercial fare with top talent to really deliver on the concept of an ‘elevated genre’ film.” Paradigm is representing US rights to “Cell,” which International Film Trust will be presenting

Samuel L Jackson to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.

Jackson most recently co-starred in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” and next appears in Spike Lee’s “Oldboy” and Sony’s “Robocop” reboot, as well as “Captain America 2: Winter Soldier” and “The Avengers” sequel. He is currently in production on Matthew Vaughn’s “Secret Service.” Jackson is represented by ICM, Anonymous Content, and attorney Jeffrey Bernstein. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

lifestyle M u s i c

(From left) Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Founder’s Award Winner George Strait, and ASCAP President Paul Williams pose onstage during the 51st annual ASCAP Country Music Awards.

—AFP photos

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M o v i e s

(From left) Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, winners of the Song of the Year Award for “Drunk on You,” pose on stage.

ASCAP awards honor the music industry

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hey are the heartbeat of music city, but don’t get recognition nearly enough. We’re talking about songwriters. Monday evening the performing rights organization ASCAP held its 51st annual awards show to celebrate the success of their top writers. Many people simply just don’t know that most of the time the artist either didn’t write the song you hear on the radio,

or they have a team of talented co-workers. Monday night was their night to shine. From Songwriter and Song of the Year to the top 5 most played country songs of the year, ASCAP’s best writers are getting recognition they deserve. — www.fox17.com

Musician Dierks Bentley accepts an award onstage.

Musician George Strait accepts the Founder’s Award.

Jennifer Nettles talks new solo album, motherhood

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Michael Joplin, second from right, and Laura Joplin, siblings of late singer Janis Joplin, pose with singer Kris Kristofferson, far left, and record industry executive Clive Davis at a ceremony honoring Joplin with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. — AP

Janis Joplin gets

ennifer Nettles has finished the music, chosen a cover photo and now she has a release date for her debut solo album Jan 14. Nettles revealed the date Monday night in an interview at the ASCAP Country Awards, making one of many appearances this week. The Sugarland singer kicked things off with a listening party for her new Rick Rubin-produced album, “That Girl,” on Sunday. She will attend the Country Music Association Awards today and will serve as host during the taping Friday of the CMA’s Christmas show. Expect to see a different side of the 39-year-old singer as she reveals her new music. They’re the first without her Sugarland partner Kristian Bush. The Grammy Award-winning duo is on hiatus.

“I think this album so far for me musically has been the most intimate and personal ... musically and vocally,” Nettles said. “I think it’s way more intimate to me and way more personal in the sense that when you collaborate, that’s the nature of collaboration, you’re affecting each other, and playing with and inspiring each other, and yet there are things that one may not get to do or want to do

when collaborating.” The week will mark Nettles’ first real return to the spotlight since the birth of her son, Magnus, 11 months ago.

Motherhood and marriage have changed Nettles, and she says that will be reflected on “That Girl.”

“I’m able to show a side that I think’s more womanly,” Nettles said. “I think it’s more mature, and so that’s big for me. I think it gives you perspective all around, not just musically but also in my career. I think you get superefficient because you have to be.

You don’t worry about things that were superimportant before because you have a baby and you just burn that underbrush out.

You feel like a huntress.” — AP

posthumous Hollywood star

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inging legend Janis Joplin was honored Monday with a star on Hollywood’s storied Walk of Fame more than four decades after her death from a drug overdose. The raspy-voiced singing star was immortalized on the famous Hollywood walk at a ceremony attended by her brother Michael and sister Laura, while country music luminary Kris Kristofferson played her signature hit “Me and Bobby McGee.” “Janis Joplin is an iconic figure, and her songs will always be remembered by her fans around the world,” said Ana Martinez of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the famous Tinseltown sidewalk.

The 1960s hard-partying rock singer would have been 70 years old this year. She died in October 1970, at the age of 27.

Joplin was given the 2,510th star on the Walk of Fame, where entertainment legends have long been enshrined on a stretch of pavement which attracts millions

of tourists every year. Her famous songs include “Down on Me,” “Summertime,” “Cry Baby” and “Mercedes Benz.” But her biggest hit was “Me and Bobby McGee,” written by Kristofferson.

Ironically, the song-part-ballad, part high-energy rock anthem-only topped the US charts in 1971, the year after Joplin died of a drug overdose. Kristofferson played an acoustic version of the song on Monday outside the Musicians Institute, near the famous Hollywood and Highland intersection. The raspy-voice Joplin, who produced four studio albums in her short career which included a legendary performance at the era-defining Woodstock festival in 1969, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. — AFP

File photo shows singer Jennifer Nettles at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. — AP

Stewart lines up two indies: ‘American Ultra’ with Eisenberg, Nelson’s ‘Anesthesia’

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risten Stewart is sticking with indies, signing on to join her “Adventureland” co-star Jesse Eisenberg in the action-comedy “American Ultra” and agreeing to film a small role in Tim Blake Nelson’s “Anesthesia,” an individual familiar with both projects has told TheWrap. Nima Nourizadeh (“Project X”) is directing “American Ultra” from a script by Max Landis (“Chronicle”). Likely Story’s Anthony Bregman will produce with Circle of Confusion’s David Alpert and Britton Rizzio. Production is scheduled to start in April.

In “American Ultra,” Stewart will once again be saddled with “the girlfriend” role, ceding the spotlight to Eisenberg, who plays a stoner with a past that makes him the target of a government operation to eliminate him.

CAA is repping domestic rights on the movie, which FilmNation Entertainment will be shopping to foreign buyers at AFM. As for “Anesthesia,” Stewart is filming a couple days in the indie movie, which follows a group of New Yorkers whose lives are touched by the same philosophy professor.

Stewart, who is attached to star opposite Nicholas Hoult in Drake Doremus’ sci-fi love story “Equals,” is represented

by Gersh. THR broke the “American Ultra” news, while Deadline first reported Stewart’s involvement in “Anesthesia.” — Reuters

Hobbit fans get sneak peek at new movie

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013

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Parts of former Berlin Wall are displayed for sale yesterday in Teltow, Germany. Berlin marks the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9.—AFP

Heba Salem

Egyptian artist with Picasso-inspired works

By Sherif Ismail eba Salem is an Egyptian artist whose works reflect deep Egyptian roots and colors that convey artistic balance between elements and their visual aspect.

Salem uses technical tools which combined with her skill and experience bring unique aspects found in her works.

Salem’s experience include studying works of Pablo Picasso and his school of abstract art, whose influence can clearly be seen in her works. Salem’s arts also contain elements of the Pharaonic culture as well as traditions from

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different Egyptian eras. Characters like the ‘tambourine beater’, the ‘belly dancer’, the ‘farmer woman’ and ‘headscarfed lady’ are found in her works which encompass all aspects of the Egyptian society.

Salem graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Cairo in 2002, and is a member of the Syndicate of Artists in Egypt.

An award-winning artist, Salem held many shows in Egypt and Kuwait - the most recent of which was organized at the Avenues Mall.

Photos by Sherif Ismail

A reproduction of a painting that could be attributed to French painter Henri Matisse is seen during a press conference in Augsburg.—AFP photos

A reproduction of a painting is seen.

A reproduction of a painting by German artist Otto Dix is seen.

Unknown masterpieces among works in ‘Nazi art trove’

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reviously unknown masterpieces by modernist painters Marc Chagall and Otto Dix are among a vast trove of works believed stolen by the Nazis and uncovered in a Munich flat, an art historian said yesterday. Breaking two days of silence following the revelation of the spectacular discovery, Meike Hoffmann, the chief expert aiding the investigation, said the Chagall painting, an allegorical scene dating from the mid-1920s, had a “particularly high art-historical value”.

The Dix work is a rare self-portrait believed to have been painted in 1919, she added. Hoffmann showed slides of the paintings, which also include works by Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse, at a news conference in the southern city of Augsburg where the German authorities shed light on the extraordinary find in the apartment of an eccentric elderly loner.

The man, identified as Cornelius Gurlitt, is the son of Hildebrand Gurlitt, a prominent Nazi-era art dealer who acquired the paintings in the 1930s and 1940s. Hildebrand Gurlitt had been one of a handful of art experts tasked by the Nazis with selling valuable artworks stolen from Jewish collectors or seized among avant-garde works deemed to be “degenerate”.

Augsburg chief prosecutor Reinhard Nemetz said 1,285 unframed and 121 framed paintings, sketches and prints were found in the rubbishstrewn flat, some dating back to the 16th century.

Focus magazine, which broke the story this week, had reported that the collection comprised 1,500 works worth an estimated one billion dollars ($1.3 billion). Nemetz declined to comment on the possible market value of the Munich stash.

Determining which works were looted from Jewish collectors by the Nazis or taken from them under duress for a fraction of their value would be a lengthy process, Hoffmann noted.

An ‘extraordinarily happy feeling’ In a moment of high drama at the news conference, Hoffmann flicked through a handful of slides in the darkened room showing works that had not been seen in public in seven decades.

They included a groundbreaking Expressionist horse painting by Franz Marc, a vivid portrait of a seated woman by Matisse and a touching image of a girl holding a goat by 19th century French master Gustave Courbet.

The Dix painting is a haunting image of the German artist’s gaunt face just one year after World War I, a conflict in which he fought and

whose horrors left him traumatized, shaping his work until his death in 1969. Hoffmann said finding the works, many of which were thought lost forever, was “of course an extraordinarily happy feeling”, adding that the new discoveries would advance art research. The authorities failed to explain why they had kept the discovery under wraps.

But Nemetz said they had no plans to post an exhaustive list of the works online because it could violate the privacy rights of those staking claims of ownership. Siegfried Kloeble, head of the customs office in Munich, which launched the investigation against Gurlitt on suspicion of tax evasion and misappropriation of assets, said the works were now stored at a secret location and not, as reported in German media, at a customs warehouse outside Munich.

Kloeble said most of the collection, which also included works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Max Beckmann, Max Liebermann, Emil Nolde, Oskar Kokoschka, Carl Spitzweg and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, were in a single room of Gurlitt’s flat.

“The paintings were stored professionally and in very good condition,” he said, adding that although some appeared soiled, none were damaged.—AFP