26th Dec

CR IP TI ON BS SU

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Jleeb tenants ‘harassed’ to sign new rent contracts

Francis celebrates first Xmas as pope

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www.kuwaittimes.net

SAFAR 23, 1435 AH

Snowden declares ‘mission accomplished’

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All-rounder Kallis to retire from Test cricket

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Court refuses to restore Abu Ghaith’s citizenship Panel won’t lower retirement age • KU reinstates suspended prof

By B Izzak and A Saleh KUWAIT: The administrative court yesterday rejected a petition to scrap a government decision over a decade ago to withdraw the Kuwaiti citizenship from former AlQaeda spokesman Sulaiman Abu Ghaith. The government had withdrawn Abu Ghaith’s citizenship just months after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks on the United States blamed on Al-Qaeda on the grounds that he was a member of a banned terrorist organization. The government has not

withdrawn the citizenships of his children or wife.

Courts in Kuwait rarely accept cases regarding citizenship disputes because the Kuwaiti law considers nationality as a sovereign issue that only the government can handle. Abu Ghaith remained absconding in an unknown place outside Kuwait until he was arrested several months ago and shipped to the United States where he is on trial on terror charges. Abu Ghaith’s lawyers can however challenge the ruling before the court of appeals.

In a related development, the court of misdemeanours

Gulf eyeing stronger ties with China RIYADH: The six energy-rich Arab monarchies of the Gulf are seeking to strengthen ties with China, Gulf Cooperation Council chief Abdullatif Al-Zayani said yesterday after talks with the Chinese foreign minister.

Zayani held talks in Saudi Arabia with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and expressed “GCC interest in bolstering friendship and cooperation ties with China,” a GCC statement said. Wang was quoted as saying that Beijing wants to “expand economic, trade and investment relations” with GCC countries and spoke of the “strategic cooperation and relations (it has) with the GCC”.

Wang arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of a regional tour during which he also visit Israel, the Palestinian territories, Morocco and Algeria. Saudi media said he will be discussing with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saudi Al-

Faisal a “strategic partnership” between Beijing and Riyadh. It did not elaborate. Gulf monarchies are wary of Washington’s reluctance to provide military support to Syrian rebels and for its openness towards their regional archfoe Iran, and are looking to improve ties with other nations.

The Sunni-ruled monarchies, like Western powers, fear that Iran may develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its disputed nuclear program, which Iran insists is for peaceful purposes only. China, and the United States, are among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which along with Germany, negotiated a landmark nuclear deal with Iran.

The GCC - Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia - has given a cautious welcome to the deal struck in November. —AFP

yesterday postponed until Jan 29 a case against rights activist Abdullah Fayrouz on charges of insulting the judiciary. The criminal court also postponed until Jan 15 a case against former opposition MP Faisal Al-Mislem and several announcers of Al-Youm local channel on charges of insulting HH the Amir during an interview with the station.

The National Assembly’s legal and legislative committee meanwhile rejected a proposal to allow women employed in the public sector the right to seek retirement

DUBAI: With global attention focused on upheaval elsewhere in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia quietly intensified its clampdown on dissent in 2013, silencing democracy advocates and human rights defenders with arrests, trials and intimidation in what reformists say was one of the darkest years ever for their efforts in the powerful US-allied Gulf state. The clampdown reflects the highly delicate times that the world’s top oil producer is passing through.

This year, at least nine prominent reformers were given lengthy jail sentences for offenses including “breaking allegiance with the king”. A leading rights lawyer was forced to flee the kingdom for fear of arrest.

One of the kingdom’s most prominent rights organizations - the Saudi Association for Civil and Political Rights, known in Mohammad Al-Qahtani Arabic by its acronym HASEM - was shut down.

A tough anti-terror law was approved by the government, defining acts as vague as “defaming the state’s reputation” as terrorism.

More than 200 protesters, including women and children, were detained in Buraydah, north of the capital Riyadh, for demanding the release of imprisoned relatives. A Saudi man was sentenced this week to 30 years in prison for his role in leading protests by the country’s Shiite minority, who complain of discrimination.

Continued on Page 15

after 15 years of service, rapporteur of the committee MP Abdulkareem Al-Kandari said. He also said the committee rejected similar proposals to cut the retirement age in order not to overburden the Public Institution for Social Security, which is already suffering a shortfall. The committee however approved a proposal to grant housing allowances to Kuwaitis who have sold their first home until they purchase their own homes. The facility will be provided for a maximum of two years.

Continued on Page 15

Xmas attacks kill 44 in Iraq

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Christians greet each other after Christmas Mass at St Joseph’s Chaldean Church yesterday. — AP

Erdogan defiant as three ministers quit Saudi activists gloomy over rights, reforms

Max 19º Min 04º High Tide 04:44 & 17:52 Low Tide 11:12

ANKARA: Three top Turkish ministers resigned yesterday over a high-level graft probe, with one of them calling on the prime minister to step down himself in a major escalation of the biggest scandal to hit the government in years. After announcing his own resignation, Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar raised the stakes by calling on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to follow suit. It marks the first time Erdogan has faced such a challenge from a minister in his own Justice and Development Party (AKP). “I am stepping down as minister and lawmaker,” Bayraktar told the private NTV television. “I believe the prime minister should also resign.”

Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Interior Minister Muammer Guler also announced they were quitting yesterday.

The sons of both ministers are among

the two dozen people who have been charged as part of a wide -ranging bribery and corruption probe that has ensnared close government allies and top businessmen, including the chief executive of state-owned Halkbank.

Bayraktar’s son was also detained last week, but has not been formally charged and has been released pending trial.

Those caught up in the police raids are suspected of numerous offences including accepting and facilitating bribes for construction projects and illegally smuggling gold to Iran.

Erdogan, who has led Turkey since 2002 as the head of a conser vative Islamic-leaning government, has described the probe as “a smear campaign” against his government. In a televised speech yesterday, he did not Continued on Page 15

ANKARA: Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his party members yesterday. A poster of Turkey’s founder Kemal Ataturk is at left in the background. — AP

BAGHDAD: Attacks, including bombs that exploded in a market near a church in Baghdad, killed at least 44 people across Iraq yesterday, officials said. The bloodletting comes as Iraq suffers its worst violence since 2008, when it was just emerging from a brutal period of sectarian killings. “Two roadside bombs exploded in a popular market in Dura, killing 35 people and wounding 56,” interior ministry spokesman Saad Maan told AFP, referring to a religiously mixed south Baghdad area.

Security officials had initially said that a car bomb targeted the St John church in Baghdad in addition to the market blasts, but Maan, along with a priest from the area and the Chaldean patriarch, all later denied this. “The attack was against a... market and not a church,” Maan said, while adding that “the targeted area is a mix of Muslims and Christians”.

Archdeacon Temathius Esha, an Assyrian priest in Dura, and Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako both also insisted that the church was not the target. The US embassy in Baghdad, however, issued a

statement condemning attacks in Dura “that targeted Christians celebrating Christmas”.

Ahmed Edan, a policeman on duty in the area of the attacks, said the sound of the first of the two explosions caused worshippers to leave the church. “A car parked near the church exploded when the families were hugging each other goodbye before leaving. The blast was powerful,” he said. “Bodies of women, girls and men were lying on the ground covered in blood. Others were screaming and crying while they were trying to save some of their wounded relatives.”

Other attacks yesterday left nine more people dead. North of Baghdad, a bomb exploded under the bleachers at a football pitch, killing four people, among them two police, and wounding 11.

Another bombing in south Baghdad killed at least one person and wounded at least three, while gunmen killed three police near Tikrit, north of Baghdad, and bombs on the road between Kirkuk and Tuz Khurmatu, also north of the Continued on Page 15

Brotherhood declared terror group by Egypt CAIRO: Egypt’s military-installed government declared the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted president Mohamed Morsi a “terrorist” group yesterday, banning all its activities, including demonstrations, ministers said after a cabinet meeting. Deputy prime minister Hossam Eissa said the movement has been declared a “terrorist” group and social solidarity minister Ahmed AlBorei said the government would ban all its activities, including “protests”. The decision is likely to accelerate a crackdown on the movement that has killed more than 1,000 people, mostly Islamists, in street clashes and imprisoned thousands since Morsi’s overthrow by the military in July.

It comes a day after a suicide car bombing of a police station killed 15 people in an attack condemned by the Brotherhood and claimed by Ansar

Bayt al-Maqdis, an Al-Qaeda-inspired group based in the restive Sinai Peninsula. Morsi’s supporters, who continue to organise near-daily demonstrations demanding his reinstatement, insist they are committed to peaceful protest. “All of Egypt was horrified by the ugly crime committed by the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday morning, when it blew up the Daqhaleya police headquarters,” the cabinet statement said. “The cabinet decided to declare the Muslim Brotherhood group a terrorist organisation.” Borei said the government decided to “punish according to the law whoever belongs to this group or remains its member” after the decision was adopted. Egypt will notify Arab countries who signed a 1998 anti-terrorism treaty of the decision, he added. — Agencies

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

LOCAL

The proposed new terminal of the Kuwait International Airport. — KUNA photos

Politics eclipses Kuwait development hopes BOT law amendments on hold

By Ahmad Jabr KUWAIT: Amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) law were supposed to be discussed during the parliament’s financial committee meeting on Sunday with senior government officials in attendance. Despite high hopes that the two sides would work on providing easier conditions that make the law more attractive for local and foreign investors, the meeting ended with no agreements.

The Cabinet’s resignation, which presumably led Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Sheikh Salem Al-Abdulaziz Al-Sabah to skip the committee’s meeting, cast a shadow on those hopes. And while Monday’s key court ruling which rendered the parliament constitutional puts the ball back in the MPs’ court, any plans to discuss the amendments will have to wait until the new Cabinet is formed.

In the meantime, local investors continue to push for changes to the existing law that is seen as inept and a main reason that drives businessmen from inside and outside Kuwait to look for better opportunities in the region. “The old law was better than the current one which was passed in 2008 and since then, no BOT projects were established,” Khalid Al-Meshan, CEO of Al-Arjan International Real Estate Company, was quoted by AlJarida daily on Sunday.

The beginnings The private sector’s involvement in government projects dates back to 1970 when the state offered lands in Kuwait City to build multi-storey parking lots. A law was passed in 1980 to organize utilization of state-owned lands, and it allowed the government to lease lands through renewable three-year contracts, sell land in auctions, or even sign 20-year contracts with companies to rent state properties for projects that serve the public interest.

The number of cooperation contracts signed between private companies and the Ministry of Finance until 2002/2003 reached 92. However, at least 70 of the projects were classified as real estate development projects, and the list does not include major infrastructure or mega projects. In general, the contracts can be classified under the public-private partnership (PPP) concept that do not carry the conditions found only in BOT contracts.

The state’s control over lands, heavy subsidies of services, lack of long-term financing resources as well as the lack of a comprehensive law to organize BOT contracts were seen as major obstacles facing private firms looking to invest in major projects. For example, the 1980 law allowed the government to repossess a rented property only after three years of operation if a renewal agreement is not reached.

What is BOT? Build-operate-transfer (BOT) is a model of public-private partnership (PPP) under which the private party handles the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a given facility until the end of a fixed period of time, after which the facility is transferred to the public party as per the terms of the BOT contract. It contains higher risk to the private party compared to other PPP models such as ‘service contracts’ under which a company uses government-owned equipment and properties as per a short-term contract, or ‘management contracts’ that give private parties more managerial authority over the government properties used as per a short-term contract as well. On the other hand, BOT contracts allow private firms to operate and maintain facilities for a fixed period, during which it acts as the owner of the project and is entitled to all generated revenues.

The law A new BOT law was passed in 2008 as Kuwait realized the need for a model to organize complicated contracts for major projects eyed for the state’s mega develop-

An artist’s impression of the Jaber Causeway.

ment plan. It was furthermore seen as a necessary requirement for Kuwait to attract foreign investors for the highly-anticipated plan.

The law gives basic instructions to regulate contracts for major projects under which a private company constructs and manages a facility, then transfers the project to the government with no obligations after a given timeframe. In Kuwait, the typical term spans between 20 and 40 years, after which the project must be handed over to the government. The private company benefits from revenue streams during the period of operation, while the government benefits from not having to incur additional spending on its balance sheet, as well as from employing the arguably better honed skills of the private sector in identifying, planning and delivering profitable projects. BOT contracts ensure that the Kuwaiti government retains long-term strategic control of large projects, as opposed to projects carried out under other PPP terms.

The law stipulates that a shareholding company can

can drive Kuwaiti labor forces to leave the more lucrative, less demanding public sector job for a less profitable, more challenging career in the private sector.

Promises from Cabinet ministers and senior government officials about development and progress became a routine in local media coverage throughout the year.

However, the reality on the ground saw Kuwait continuing to fall behind in timelines for establishing projects, and watch more frustrated investors transfer their money elsewhere.

The World Bank’s Doing Business 2014 Report ranks Kuwait at 104, down by three places from the 2013 report. Kuwait also dropped several places in key topics such as ease of starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering property and getting credit. In the starting a business index for example, Kuwait ranked 152 out of 183 countries; down from 143 in 2013, and with an average of 32 days to finish an average of 12 procedures. Notably, Kuwait ranked in last place compared to the other Gulf states in the majority of topics.

Construction at the Sabah Al-Salem Universtiy in Shadadiya. be established to build projects with a total cost of over KD 60 million. Forty percent of the stake is offered in an auction to investors registered in the Kuwait Stock Exchange as well as other companies that the government approves. The government keeps 10 percent, while the remaining 50 percent is put in an initial public offering. Establishing a shareholding company becomes necessary for projects with a total cost of KD 250 million.

In 2008, the government, under article 12 of the law, established the Partnerships Technical Bureau to serve as the main body responsible for PPP projects implementation. Since then, it has successfully established a public shareholding company for Phase One of the North Zoor Power Plant project (investors were invited last April to submit an expression of interest (EOI) in investment in the project), and the auction for the strategic investor’s share in the Kuwait Health Assurance Company that will build 3 hospitals with a total 700-bed capacity for people covered by a government health insurance program (Arabi Group won the 26 percent share in August).

Setback Despite optimism and a positive aura surrounding the BOT law at the time of its promulgation, the government did not sign any BOT contracts to establish a shareholding company for mega projects since the law was passed, according to finance minister Sheikh Salem AlSabah in a recent letter to MP Saleh Ashour. A report by BNC Network in Sept 2012 suggests that 31.4 percent or $61.2 billion worth of projects in Kuwait are on hold or cancelled. Key challenges facing investors include excessive bureaucracy, lack of government spending on developmental projects due to legal and political complications, high labor costs and lack of incentives that

To address those issues, the government proposed a set of amendments which are still under discussion at the parliament’s financial committee. The amendments reduce the number of procedural steps to ultimately cut the time required for placing tenders for developmental projects. They also give more financial flexibility by allowing the government to readjust the share distribution for shareholding companies established to set up mega projects, ultimately encouraging investors to join banks in financing projects as well as own part of the assets.

Development Plan The BOT model is the main method through which the private sector would be involved in mega projects carried out under the Kuwait Development Plan.

Approved in 2010 based on the vision of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to transform Kuwait into a financial and trade center, the development plan aims to create a favorable business environment to fuel the growth of the private sector in the country. Allowing the private sector to play a more integral role in state development has been identified as one of the plan’s strategic objectives to be achieved until 2035.

The Mega Projects Agency (MPA), the executive arm of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works, designs and implements most of the country’s infrastructure projects, while the banking sector provides the necessary funds to build and operate BOT projects.

The development plan includes 1,100 projects including a number of mega projects (those with a capital of over KD 100 million), such as the new business hub Silk City with an estimated cost of KD 21.8 billion, a major container harbor in Boubyan Island (Mubarak AlKabeer Port) and a 25 km causeway (Sheikh Jaber AlAhmad Al-Sabah Causeway).

An artist’s rendition for the Silk City.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

LOCAL

For sale - division, misplaced values and impermanence What classifieds in Kuwait tell us about the society

By Jamie Etheridge

KUWAIT: Zain Telecom, the largest telecommunications network provider in Kuwait, was awarded by organizers of the Youth Empowerment Project during a ceremony held recently at the Sheraton Hotel to celebrate the sponsors. The picture shows head of the organizing committee Ali Ibrahim presenting the award to Zain’s representative.

Woman attacked in Zahra

By Hanan Al-Saadoun KUWAIT: A female citizen accused an unknown person of firing at her car as she was leaving her school in Zahra. Criminal evidence examined the car and discovered that a bullet from an automatic weapon penetrated the roof. Detectives are investigating.

Theft cases A citizen told Nugra police that an unknown person entered his room and

stole a briefcase with KD 1,400 inside.

Police determined that it was a break-in and are investigating.

Meanwhile a citizen told Bayan police his car was broken into and KD 375 was stolen.

In Salmiya, an Egyptian expat told police that an Egyptian he knows along with another he does not know robbed him of KD 150 at knifepoint.

In Hawally, an Indian expat told police his flat was broken into and KD 1,000 was stolen.

KUWAIT: The Institute of Banking Studies honored National Bank of Kuwait employees who passed financial and banking training courses during the fiscal year 2012/2013. Staff members Hamad Al-Matrouk, Meshary Al-Anjari, Qais Al-Otaiqi, and Ahmad Rashwan received international certificates with attendance of Imad Al-Ablani, NBK’s Human Resources Group General Director, and Nahla Al-Sharrad, the Director of the Training Sector in the NBK’s Human Resources Department.

KFAS signs partnership contract with inventor KUWAIT: Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity signed yesterday a partnership contract with a Kuwaiti inventor to be sponsored by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) as a strategic partner. The innovation deals with a partial control valve for unforced suspension devices of the safety regulations in the oil installations.

The signing ceremony took place yesterday between the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) center and the Kuwaiti engineer Tareq Al-Buaijan in the presence of the commercial partner KPC and its subsidiaries.

KFAS’ Director General Dr. Adnan Shihabuddin said in a speech during the ceremony that Al-Buaijan has won a patent for achieving a global breakthrough within the standards and specifications of the

petroleum companies.

His innovation, he added, will save millions of dollars for those companies in particular and for Kuwait in general through direct cost (the cost of purchasing and operating) as well as the indirect cost represented in the reduction of risks and accidents, which will be reflected on the cost of insurance for the oil and petrochemical facilities. He said the technical experience showed “impressive” results of the invention, which was registered in the Netherlands by international safety experts at the Hanwell Company, along with reports from consultancy firms and manufacturers of forced suspensions devices Siemens and others.

He expressed KFAS’ keenness to support the Kuwaiti innovators for the development of their promising innovations. —- KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait International Fair Company yesterday opened its Specialized Watches And Perfumes Exhibitions. The opening ceremony was attended by the exhibition manager, Afnan Al-Sumaitt who said that companies and agents representing the finest watches and perfumes are taking part in the exhibition. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

European award for PIC KUWAIT: The Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) announced here yesterday its receipt of a European Award for Best Practices for 2013, snatching gold for its distinguished performance in the field of quality management strategies.

A press statement by the company said PIC had delegated Director of Engineering, Health, Safety, and Environment Affairs

Hashim Hassan Hashim to receive the award in the Austrian capital, Vienna. The European Awards for Best Practices, run by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), recognize the outstanding commitment, support, and results in quality management strategies both in large companies/organizations and medium/small sized enterprises/businesses/organizations. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Classified ads are as much a part of social life as holiday bazaars and shisha cafes.

But in the multilingual society that is Kuwait, they can pose a series of problems for buyers and sellers. There are a plethora of print classifieds including in this publication as well as dedicated classifieds publications like Al Waseet and Weekend. There are also a number of online publications and websites including Just Landed, Indians in Kuwait, Q8 Classifieds and even a Kuwait Craigslist for those looking to buy or sell secondhand wares.

Classifieds can be found in almost any society but the ads themselves tell a story of an interesting and sad story of Kuwait. First, the classifieds are divided by language just as is the society at large. There is a ravine the size of the Grand Canyon between the Arabic and English speak ing communities in Kuwait.

Not to say that there is no crossover.

Plenty of people have friends in both communities and even within this linguistic divide there are a dozen other divisions (Kuwaitis vs other Arabs, Westerners vs Indians, Indians vs Filipinos, etc.).

But the reality that we all live with is that information in Arabic is mostly closed to those of us who only speak, read or write English and vice versa. So maybe someone has advertised in Waseet the exactly perfect treadmill that you’ve been watching Just Landed classifieds for the last two months, but since you don’t typically read Arabic, you’ll never know it. The divide is simply too wide, too deep. Any bridges built to cross it are necessarily limited to rare foot traffic between individuals.

A second thing that classifieds tell us about this society is where we place our values. Click on a Just Landed ad (or if you remember EEK classifieds) and see how many ads claim to be selling Western expat

owned furniture or furniture bought from IKEA. For some reason that I’ve yet to comprehend, furniture owned by a Westerner has an added value that the actual sofa or bed set wouldn’t otherwise generate.

Maybe because Westerners tend to stay in Kuwait for shorter durations and thus the furniture or car has been used less? I want to give this a positive spin but somehow I just can’t seem to imagine a similar ad for other nationalities. Filipino owned baby crib or Lebanese owned treadmill or Indian owned IKEA closets just don’t have the same snobby ring to it. (OK, maybe I’m just cranky cause I’m working on Christmas!)

The second point actually brings up a third interesting aspect about classifieds in Kuwait. If you stop and think about it, the classifieds are an easy way to measure just how transitory the expatriate society in Kuwait has become. Expats selling their entire home full of furnishings because they are ‘leaving Kuwait’ is a common theme running through advertisements.

If you are a savvy bargain hunter, you can find many household items that are practically brand new for greatly reduced prices.

Of course, you probably won’t need them for more than a year or two before you also are packing back to your home country. But at

least then you’ll not have spent all that taxfree salary on making your temporary residence here too homey.

The sheer number of ads seeking maids tells everything anyone needs to know about our dependency (both locals and foreigners) on domestic help. Pick up a classified paper in New York or read the Houston Craigslist and you’ll by shocked by how many people are NOT looking for a maid or nanny.

When I first came to Kuwait, I was shocked at the ‘absconding’ ads. They were typically printed in local papers and showed a headshot of some fugitive wretch who was wanted by his employer for ‘absconding’. I didn’t at the time realize just what that meant but have since come to despise these public notices. Thankfully, they seem to be dropping out of use or at least fewer employers are publicizing the issue.

As with any collective activity, classifieds are a byproduct of the society and as such reflect the sometimes ugly truths that we seldom like to acknowledge publicly. That said, they are also a valuable vehicle of exchange and an informal aspect of the local economy and serve a purpose that many people find useful. But I can’t help but wish they didn’t advertise so starkly our weaknesses.

KASCO sponsors 2014 HORECA KUWAIT: Kuwait Aviation Services Company (KASCO) announced taking part as a golden sponsor of the 2014 HORECA Kuwait; an exhibition for hospitality and catering organized by the Leaders Group in cooperation with Hospitality Services Company. The event takes place at the Badriya Ballroom in the Jumeirah Hotel from Jan 27 to 29.

On that regard, KASCO Executive Officer

for Projects and Supply Abdul-Aziz AlBloushi recognized the exhibition as “a gathering of experts in the fields of hospitality and food production”. “The event is taking steady steps to develop the catering and hospitality sectors which motivated KASCO to continue offer our sponsorship”, he said.

KASCO provides meals for 20 airlines around the world, including the Kuwait Airways Corporation.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

LOCAL

Jleeb tenants ‘harassed’ to sign new rental contract Water supply cut off as ‘pressure tactic’

By Sajeev K Peter KUWAIT: Tenants of an apartment building in Abbassiya complain that they are being harassed by the janitor under the behest of the landlord for not paying increased rent as demanded by him in contravention of the rental contracts they signed in March this year. The haris reportedly cut off the water supply to the building as a pressure tactic to force the tenants to sign a new contract with a KD 20 monthly increase in rent. The aggrieved tenants, who consist of a mix of working people, nurses, bank employees and office staff, are looking for a legal remedy to their predicament.

“Our current rental contract was signed on March 1, 2013 with a rent of KD 230 per month plus KD 5 to the haris. We pay our monthly rent on or before the 5th of every month. The rent for December 2013 was paid by all the tenants. But the water line is closed by the haris,” said one tenant on condition of anonymity.

The tenants who spoke to Kuwait Times wished not to be named as they fear reprisal from the landlord and haris. According to them, the landlord approached them in

September for renewing the contract with a revised rent of KD 250, an increase of KD 20 per month. Kuwait rental law stipulates that the owner of an apartment cannot increase the rent within five years of a rental contract with tenants.

Since the landlord sought to increase the rent even before the completion of one year, the tenants refused to sign the new contract. The landlord returned to the tenants again in November asking them to sign a contract with the revised rent of KD 250. The residents refused again, quoting the rent law. This time, after collecting the rent for December, the haris closed the water supply to the building, they alleged.

“We are facing a serious predicament.

There are many women and children staying here, some of them are sick.

Also many office-goers are staying in this building. We are really going through an ordeal without water,” another tenant added.

The residents said they are planning to file a legal suit against the landlord. “We feel thoroughly humiliated. Not even minimum humanitarian consideration is given to us in this case,” said a schoolteacher on condition of anonymity.

KUWAIT: The building in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. The tenants living in this building complain that they are being harassed by the landlord to get a new rental contract signed.

KFAED signs KD 3 million loan agreement with Mozambique KUWAIT: Workers at the Kuwait Fire Services Directorate distributed clothes to the marginal laborers who work at the directorate. The distribution included blankets and gloves.

Child dies moments before treatment trip to London KUWAIT: A child died at Kuwait International Airport while waiting to take a flight to London for treatment. According to the police report, the four year old boy collapsed in the waiting lounge, and paramedics soon pronounced him dead at the scene. A preliminary medical test confirmed that the child died of natural causes.

The boy was waiting with his family for Kuwait Airways flight 101 that was headed to London where he was supposed to receive treatment for his medical condition. The body was taken to the forensic department and a case was filed.

Road accident A Kuwaiti man died in a traffic accident in Shuwaikh Tuesday. Paramedics and police arrived at the scene on Mohammad ibn Al-Qassem Street where the accident was reported. The man was pronounced dead at the scene before criminal investigators were called to examine the crash site. The body was taken to the forensic department and a case was filed to determine the circumstances behind the accident.

Meanwhile, a worker was killed in an accident in Mina Abdullah. Preliminary investigations indicate that the man, a 32year-old Egyptian, fell under a forklift truck accidently. The man was pronounced dead at the scene while his body was taken to the coroner after investigators examined the site. A manslaughter case was filed.

Ex-boyfriend charged Police are looking to arrest a man accused of blackmailing his ex-girlfriend with private pictures in order to force her to come back to him after she ended their relationship. In her statements to police,

the complainant, a Kuwaiti woman in her 30s, said that she ended their two year relationship after discovering that the man was not serious about his marriage commitments. She said that she even decided not to ask him for around KD 6,000 which she gave him on numerous occasions to help him with financial troubles in exchange for letting her go. Later, the man called and threatened to make public private pictures which she had sent him before, and which he led her to believe he had deleted from his cell phone, according to the woman.

Police discovered that the man traveled to Thailand a week before the case was filed.

An arrest warrant is waiting for him as soon as he arrives in Kuwait.

Kidnap case Investigations are ongoing in search for a Kuwaiti man accused of kidnapping his children from his ex-wife’s house. The case was filed at the Sulaibiya police station where the bedoon (stateless) woman said that her ex-husband arrived at her house in the area and took their children by force.

The woman gave police a copy of the court order which granted her custody over her children.

Police impersonator Police are looking to identify and arrest a man who mugged two pedestrians after making them believe that he was a police officer. In their statements to Mubarak AlKabeer police, the Asian national said that the suspect stopped them in the area and asked for their IDs after introducing himself as a policeman. He then snatched their wallets, took KD 720 that they contained, got back in his car and drove away.

Investigations are ongoing.

Special needs cases must be integrated into society DOHA: Kuwaiti experts in special needs’ cases have underscored necessity of merging the disabled into the society to contribute to national development. Sheikha Shaikha AlAbdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, the chairperson of Kuwaiti Sports Club for the Disabled, speaking on sidelines of a seminar themed “Integrating the disabled into national development,” indicated at significance of the symposium during which some figures spoke about hardships of cases of special challenges, on the latters’ behalf.

She praised efforts of the GCC states in the realms of care for the handicapped, integrating them into the society and securing jobs for this segment of the community.

Kuwait is a leader among countries of the region in the field of serving the disabled, issuing special legislations intended to protect them and grant them their rights.

The disabled in Kuwait sit side by side in school classes with other citizens with no such impairments and are given work in public department on par with the other nationals, Sheikha Al-Abdullah explained.

Dr Abdullah Al-Kanderi, a founding member of the Gulf Disability Society, said a number of handicapped GCC citizens submitted, during the seminar, papers shedding light on their experiences. Fatma Rashed Al-Aqrouqa,

a Kuwaiti academic expert, praised the GCC states, namely Kuwait, for specializing programs for aiding the handicapped.

Kuwait aspires to turn into an “international center for those of special needs and impairments, in line with a project that has been launched by His Highness the Late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah when he has founded a special chair for those of special needs and impairments at the UNESCO,” she said.

The advisor at Kuwait Society for Human Rights, Samira Al-Ginaee, said process of integrating the handicapped into the society has not been pondered deeply and sufficiently to conduct it in a sound manner.

Citizens of the special challenges have been merged into the schooling system, although the schools and teachers have not been habilitated properly for treating citizens of such particular cases, Al-Ginaee explained.

She also called for greater efforts to aid this section of the society. Sheikha Sheikha, AlKanderi, Al-Aqrouqa and Al-Ginaee are members of the Kuwaiti delegation taking part in the seminar. Other Kuwaiti personalities, namely Rehab Bouresli, the chairperson of the society of the handicapped parents, Dr Mariam Arab and Dr Homoud Al-Geshaan, are also involved in the activity. — KUNA

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Fund for Economic Development (KFAED) signed yesterday a KD 3 million-loan agreement with Mozambican government to finance an electricity project in the northern Niassa Province. In a press statement, the KFAED said that the agreement was signed in Maputo by Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang and KFAED Deputy Director General Hamad Al-Omar.

The project aims to meet the electricity needs and improve economic situation in the rural areas of the Niassa Province till 2037. It will cover 32,000 households, the statement added.

By signing this agreement, the KFAED had extended to the Republic of Mozambique 11 loans to finance projects in different sectors with a total amount of about KD 25.6 million. It had also extend-

ed to Mozambique 5 Technical Assistance Grants with a total amount of KD 576,000. The KFAED supervises the spending of a Kuwaiti $6 milliongrant to the Mozambique as a part of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s initiative to establish the Goodwill Fund to help the Islamic countries in their efforts to supply food security for their People. —- KUNA

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

LOCAL Special Report

‘They hunt us down for fun’ Human Rights Watch on Transgender treatment in Kuwait

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he role and behavior of women in public has long been a fraught issue in Kuwait, where conservatives have anxiously sought to maintain traditional gender roles and there is growing social anxiety regarding “proper” gender comportment.

Transgender women-persons designated male at birth but who identify and present themselves as women-have never fitted easily into this framework.

Nonetheless, many transgender women, who constitute a visible and tightly networked community in this country of approximately 3.5 million people (including nonnationals), told Human Rights Watch they had for many years generally been able to circulate freely, secure employment, access public health care, and live with minimal interference from police. While harassment from the general public was not uncommon, they could access channels of redress, including from police, although the seriousness with which their complaints were handled depended on the individual officer.

A sea change in treatment That began to change in May 2007, when Kuwait’s National Assembly voted to amend article 198 of the country’s penal code. A previously generic public decency law now stipulated that anyone “imitating the opposite sex in any way” would face one year in prison, a KD 1,000 fine (approximately $3,600), or both. The amendment did not criminalize any specific behavior or act, but rather physical appearance, the acceptable parameters of which were to be arbitrarily defined by individual police.

These provisions have created a sea-change in the lives of Kuwaiti transgenders. Many have become the most recent victims of abuse by police, who often take advantage of the amendment to article 198 to harass, sexually assault, and arbitrarily arrest them.

The 2012 report by Human Rights Watch documents the physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and persecution that transgenders face at the hands of police, and it documents the discrimination that transsexuals face on a daily basis-including in public more generally-due to the law, which in itself constitutes a human rights violation.

This fuels a climate of inconsistency towards transgender people, which is accentuated by divided Islamic opinion on the matter of sex reassignment and gender correction. The report also looks at obstacles that transgenders face accessing health and employment, and the lack of protection and redress available to transgender people who experience abuse.

For example, transgender women-who were previously often seen in malls, coffee shops, and other public spaces, particularly the city’s social center Salmiya-have since 2008 been the main focus of police arrests for allegedly violating the amendment to article 198.

Although many began dressing in male garb and presenting themselves as men to avoid persecution, police have been undeterred, basing arrests on “a soft voice,” “smooth skin,” or some other physical trait beyond the women’s control. Thirty-nine of the 40 transgender women whom Human Rights Watch interviewed said they were arrested, some as many as nine times. In most cases (54 out of 62) the court either acquitted or failed to reach a verdict, although transgender women claim that police forced them, threatening or engaging in physical violence, to sign a declaration stating they would “never again imitate the opposite sex” before releasing them.

Only 2 of the 62 cases resulted in convictions (between six months to a year’s imprisonment).

Police abuse All those interviewed described some form of police abuse, at times rising to the level of torture, degrading and humiliating treatment, and sexual assault or harassment-although police deny mistreatment.

Kuwaiti media have reported on the arrest of a small number of transgender men, although Human Rights Watch found these arrests happen significantly less frequently than those of transgender women. One possible reason is that women generally enjoy more flexibility in their dress and presentation, and it is more difficult to define what constitutes gender transgressive dress for women than for men. According to several lawyers and transgender women and men interviewed, transgender men and boyat- a term common in the Gulf to describe masculine women-generally escape police scrutiny because police fear accusations of sexually harassing women, charges that are taken very seriously in Kuwait.

Among the abuses transgender women report suffering at the hands of police are beatings and physical abuse with fists and cables, verbal taunts, and humiliation that includes forcing them to clean toilets and being paraded naked inside the police station. Sexual harassment is also a common complaint. In some cases transgender women reported that police had blackmailed them for sex, threatening them with arrest if they did not comply, an act that constitutes sexual assault. Several transgender women have told Human Rights Watch that police use the law and vulnerability of transgender individuals as a way to have easy, consequence-free sex.

Transgender women interviewed said they rarely report the police mistreatment, abuse, and sexual assault they encounter for fear of re-arrest, retaliation, and direct threats by the perpetrators, whether civilian or police.

These fears are not unfounded; many transsexuals told Human Rights Watch they were arrested simply for going to the police station to report an unrelated crime.

According to Ghadeer, a 22-year old transgender woman: Before the law we had no problems, we would

come and go as we pleased and be out in public safely....

When we were stopped at checkpoints and the police would ask us for our IDs and see that we were male they would just smile or even find us cute and let us pass. In the worst of cases they would try to take our numbers to arrange for a date. So there was harassment, but rarely was it as violent as it is now. After the law came out, I started hearing that X was in prison, Y was in prison. I lived in fear and terror. I felt like I couldn’t move, but it is my right to go out, to go to the souk, to go to the doctor.

In addition, transgender women reported a host of due process and procedural violations connected to their arrest and detention. Many said that police arrested them even though they had done nothing to “imitate” the opposite sex and forced them to dress in women’s clothes at the police station to justify the charge against them; others said that they faced arrest even when reporting other crimes. Police often detained them well beyond the four day pre-charge detention period permitted by Kuwaiti law, they said, and typically failed to inform their families of their whereabouts or did not allow them to meet with their lawyers.

Criminalization of transgender life Article 198 has not just led to arrests and police abuse, it has permeated every aspect of transgender lives. It does not criminalize any specific behavior or act, but mere physical appearance, the acceptable parameters of which are arbitrarily defined by individual police.

Transgender women have reported that ordinary citizens in public spaces report them to police, encouraged by an unrelenting vilification campaign in Kuwaiti media that portrays them as a destructive force and a threat to the fabric of Kuwaiti society. They also said that hospital doctors have reported them to police after noting the gender on their government-issued IDs, which they are required to present, does not match their appearance and presentation-effectively limiting their access to health care. Even driving around the city can be perilous, with transgender women reporting that they risk police picking them up at numerous checkpoints on main highways and side streets. Indeed, the situation has become so dire that many transgender women said they live under what amounts to self-imposed house arrest to avoid the dangers that police and the broader public pose.

Adding to the difficult circumstances that Kuwaiti transgender people face is the lack of any law governing sexual reassignment surgery (SRS), a procedure that some transgender people turn to in order to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. While there has only been one court decision in Kuwait to date granting a transsexual woman permission to change her gender in her legal identity papers from male to female,

which was quickly overturned by a court of appeals, there is also no explicit legislation banning the procedure. In the absence of any law governing sex-change cases, judges base their decisions on personal conviction. However, conservative MPs are pushing a bill regulating plastic surgery that includes articles explicitly banning both SRS and gender correction, a dire prospect for many transgender individuals who medically require the procedure as treatment for Gender Identity Disorder.

Unlike most people, whose internal, deeply felt sense of belonging to a particular gender corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth based on their external sex organs, transgender people have a gender identity that differs from their birth sex-known as Gender Identity Disorder, or GID. While the Kuwaiti medical establishment formally recognizes GID as a medical condition, the law continues to criminalize transgender women who suffer from the disorder, including those who have obtained documentation from the Ministry of Health certifying their disorder.

The police abuse and torture that is at the center of this report is itself a grave violation of human rights, irrespective of the law allegedly broken. The amendment to article 198 and its consequences violate fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in international conventions to which Kuwait is a signatory. By criminalizing an individual’s gender expression and identity, the law violates the right to non-discrimination, equality before the law, free expression, personal autonomy, physical integrity, and privacy. The consequences of the amendment further violate the right to health and accessible health care without discrimination. The law adds to the vulnerability of an already marginalized population, making redress for egregious police abuses against them, including sexual assault and torture, difficult due to fear of reprisal.

Kuwait should take immediate steps to investigate allegations of torture, prosecute those responsible, and implement working mechanisms to curb future abuses.

In order to comply with its obligations under international law, Kuwait should impose an immediate moratorium on arrests under amended article 198 and repeal the amendment, which in and of itself is vague and overbroad, failing to define the elements of the crime with any specificity, and as a result has been applied in an arbitrary manner. Furthermore, the law constitutes discrimination against transgender individuals. The state should allow those diagnosed with GID to change their gender in their legal identification papers.

The lives of transgender women have been made miserable as a result of the law and the police abuse that has accompanied it-an untenable situation that can, and must, be remedied by repealing the legislation.

— Human Rights Watch, Jan 2012

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

LOCAL kuwait digest

in my view

Please open your eyes

Only lifeless Arab robots need apply

By Abdullatif Al-Duaij

W

Al-Anbaa

By Rami Khouri

Cooperation

ment Parlia

Governmen t

hen we were kids, they told us a story about a farmer who plotted to kill a snake he discovered living in his farm. One day, he sneaked behind it with an axe in hand. But when he made struck, he missed, and the strike left a mark on a rock nearby. Meanwhile, the snake went back to its hole and was too afraid to come out again. This allowed rodents and insects to spread through the farm and destroy the crops. Realizing the results of his own actions, the farmer pleaded with the snake to return back, and vowed to allow it to roam freely around his farm without harm. “How can I feel safe when the mark your axe left is still showing on the rock?” the snake replied.

The moral of the story is that you should not let allegations and sugarcoated speech make you forget the harm that the same person previously plotted against you. The farmer’s promises never blinded the snake from seeing his axe’s mark, which symbolized his previous attempt to kill it. Unfortunately, most national activists and politicians who claim to be defending democracy in Kuwait lack similar shrewdness. They became blinded by allegations of corruption and robbery of public funds, as to see the destruction of development and progress that started at the hands of conservative and religious groups The same allegations have unfortunately blinding so many people from seeing attempts to limit freedoms. Religious and conservative groups managed in recent years to limit freedom of expression and violently interfere in personal lives. Many have forgetting the behaviors that these groups practiced in daylight, including banning shisha in public and proposing capital punishment for offenders of religious figures.

Under claims of defending the constitution, they stole our freedoms and obstructed our development.

Today, they are stronger under the ‘elected government’ slogans which they use to promote efforts through which they wish to destroy what is left. The weirdest part is that they find people to rally behind them, of course blinded by corruption claims so as to see the real danger represented by conservative and religious groups.

How can you trust those who sought to enforce capital punishment against whoever questions their beliefs. How can you believe their ‘democratic’ claims? Democracy is more than written texts. It is actual practice for freedom of opinion, justice and equality. He who forces his opinion through law is not democratic. He who prevents others from sharing power is not democratic. He who leaves no space for others to breath or exist are certainly not democratic. —Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

The sand ‘idols’

By Suad Al-Mojel

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eligions came to elevate humans’ behavior and way of thinking, as they do not contain restrictions to the activity of the human mind. On the contrary, the Holy Quran for example not only encourages thinking, but also contemplating on things that already exist. Muslim societies in specific face a problem when some people refuse to change their perceptions or work with the dynamics of the Holy Quran that was revealed to be applicable at all times and places.

For example, an Islamist political activist recently raised concerns over an international sand sculpture festival to be held in Kuwait. He proclaimed that hosting the event violates sharia law because it promotes paganism by erecting sculptures that resemble idols in the pre-Islam era in the Arabian Peninsula.

I believe that the activist’s statements are politically motivated and not religious. I am positive that he is aware that the concept of idols which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fought against is not applicable to the modern artistic use of sculptures

which today are considered part of human civilization.

When Muhammad (PBUH) destroyed idols surrounding the Kaaba, it was a symbolic action to ‘destroy’ the era of slavery and humiliation. He faced strong opposition from the autocratic rule of the Quraish tribe as he went to spread the message of freeing the slaves and achieving equality between slaves and their masters. If the activist and his political group are so keen on following the path of the Prophet (PBUH), then they should bring justice back to the Muslim society where workers’ rights are being violated every day.

The sand sculpture festival’s idea was brought together by young citizens for cultural and recreational reasons. The ‘One Thousand and One Nights’ theme was chosen because it is a story that exceeded the boundaries of Arab culture and became a part of the world’s heritage. It is worth mentioning that during the era of Islamic conquests, no sculpture in a church or city was ordered to be demolished. —Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

‘Conscious awakening’

By Shanlan Y Al-Esssa

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any analysis, writings and opinions have been expressed about the spread of physical and verbal violence in Kuwait society which led to the killing of innocent people in markets and malls. Al-Watan’s deputy editor-in-chief Waleed Al-Jassim contributed with an article on Saturday in which he demanded the return of “markets guards” who used to guard the markets at night and used to repeat the word “awake” to show that they are alert and not asleep. Jassim asked for their return to work during the day in malls, because of the many attacks and harassments and the spread of violence and crimes.

I do not imagine that placing guards or police in markets, schools, hospitals and state institutions will solve the problem. Violence has no relation to the presence of security men, because the problem is much deeper than that - this problem has psychological, educational, social and legal dimensions.

I do not claim that solutions of the problem are ready, but for sure, through the political and social readings that we teach our students, there is a defect in the structure of the Arab family. The personality of the individual is formed within the family - the way the individual is raised and cared for is what polishes his personality. If the child’s upbringing in the family is right, he will grow up as he was raised. But in the Arab upbringing including our Kuwaiti society, the individual grows up depending on his expanding family almost completely, and gains their habits, traditions and values. And among the bad habits is the individual’s loyalty to his family, tribe and sect and not to his country, as his responsibility towards his family wipes out his responsibility towards his homeland, with regrets!

The way we raise our children is wrong, as we accustom them from an early age to social education as an effective tool to instill authority. We also accustom them to learn by heart and repeat to a point where no room is left to question, research and experiment. The goal behind dictating is to transfer the society’s fixed values and customs to the core of the mental structure of the individual.

The question is what is the relation of the child’s upbringing with violence? Results of wrong upbringing by the family leads to an individual’s dependence and inability. How can we increase the feeling of responsibility towards the society by the youth if they are dependent and unable? Finally, what to do?

Can wrong behaviors in our society be changed? The work starts with changing the society through changing the family, and each is linked to the other.

The society’s self criticism and revealing of its negatives is the start of reform.

What we need today in not the word “awake” from a simple guard - what we need is the word “conscious awakening” from Kuwait’s people towards their country. If officials, ministers and MPs have a grain of living consciousness, they would not provide wasta to criminals and law violators. —Al-Watan

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here are many indicators that one could use to gauge the condition of political cultures and governance systems in the Arab world at any given moment. One of the most useful is the prison system, and who is being detained and prevented from carrying out their normal activities as free citizens. The situation across much of the Arab world in this respect is bad and worsening, as governments are increasingly arresting individuals who speak out

Arab societies broadly continue to suffer from clampdowns by governments on the ability of individuals or groups to speak out in defense of human rights, and to challenge the uncontested authority of families or small groups of officers to decide the fate of entire societies with hundreds of millions of citizens. for personal rights, or harass and close down human rights and other civil society organizations that work to ensure the social, economic and political rights of citizens.

It was troubling to learn that recently a contingent of heavily armed military men stormed the Cairo premises of the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights. They roughed up and then detained members of the staff overnight, and continue to hold one person in jail: Mohammad Adel, a leader of the April 6 youth movement that played a central role in the popular uprising against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.

As Bahey Eldin Hassan, the director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, pointed out to the New York Times Thursday, Adel’s detention means that “the four most important youth symbols of the revolution are now in jail. This has never happened at any moment since Jan 25, 2011.” The three others he was referring to are Alaa Abdel-Fattah, Ahmad Douma and Ahmad Maher, who are in custody on various charges, including their challenge to a law that the government passed a few weeks ago that severely restricts public protests.

Such heavy-handed moves against human rights organizations and civil society activists suggest that the military-installed transitional government in Egypt is moving to stifle protests and activism by a wider range of human rights groups, beyond its harsh repression of the Muslim Brotherhood organization that had won major elections in Egypt in 2011-2012. Thousands of Egyptians are in jail - the estimates vary from 2,000 to 15,000. This includes supporters and colleagues of deposed Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamad Morsi, as well as Adel and other human rights activists who are not Islamists - some of whom actively criticized the brutish excesses of the Muslim Brotherhood when Morsi was still in power.

In recent months some human rights activists in Egypt have publicly accused the military-installed transitional government of being as bad as, or even worse than, the Mubarak government. Just last month the ECESR, jointly with 56 other non-governmental organizations, had submitted to the United Nations’ Committee for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights a powerful report that reviewed human and civil rights conditions in Egypt. This impressive document is available on the ecesr.com website and is well worth reading by anyone who wonders why Arab governments continue to crack down on their citizens’ personal freedoms and the ability to organize and mobilize citizens for the pursuit of justice and rights.

However, Egypt is not alone. Arab societies broadly continue to suffer from clampdowns by governments on the ability of individuals or groups to speak out in defense of human rights, and to challenge the uncontested authority of families or small groups of officers to decide the fate of entire societies with hundreds of millions of citizens. The Gulf region in particular is punishing and harassing individuals who use social media to make their views known, often simply to demand greater freedoms to speak out in public, or to seek more public participation in government decisions.

Human Rights Watch has just released a report about how Saudi activists using social media to call for change are facing repressive moves, harassment and imprisonment. The report, titled “Challenging the Red Lines: Stories of Rights Activists in Saudi Arabia”, accuses the authorities of “arresting, prosecuting, and attempting to silence rights defenders and to quash their calls for change.” The report outlines cases of bloggers who have been jailed for months because of their actions, noting that social media activism is on the rise because the government does not allow independent civil society organizations.

Many other examples across the Gulf and the Arab world paint a frightening picture of a region whose leaders exercise the disgraceful deed of denying their own citizens not just their civil rights, but also their fundamental humanity. Being able to speak freely and articulate one’s aspirations or grievances is the essential foundation of any stable and decent society. This remains elusive across most of the Arab world, where prisons are overflowing with human rights activists whose major crime seems to be their willingness to behave like human beings and citizens, rather than the lifeless robots their governments would prefer.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Scores left without power in US, Canada Page 9

Air blitz death toll in Aleppo passes 400 Page 8

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis gives his traditional Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. — AFP

Pope Francis calls for peace Appeal to atheists is contrast to predecessor’s attitude VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, celebrating his first Christmas as Roman Catholic leader, yesterday called on atheists to unite with believers of all religions and work for “a homemade peace” that can spread across the world. Speaking to about 70,000 people from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the same spot where he emerged to the world as pope when he was elected on March 13, Francis also made another appeal for the environment to be saved from “human greed and rapacity”. The leader of the 1.2 billionmember Church wove his first “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and world) message around the theme of peace. “Peace is a daily commitment. It is a homemade peace,” he said.

He said that people of other religions were also praying for peace, and - departing from his prepared text - he urged atheists to join forces with believers. “I invite even nonbelievers to desire peace. (Join us) with your desire, a desire that widens the heart. Let us all unite, either with prayer or with desire, but everyone, for peace,” he said, drawing sustained applause from the crowd. Francis’s reaching out to atheists and people of other religions is a marked contrast to the attitude of former Pope Benedict, who sometimes left non-Catholics feeling that he saw them as second-class believers.

He called for “social harmony in South Sudan, where current tensions have already caused numerous victims and are threatening peaceful coexistence in that young state”.

Thousands are believed to have died in violence divided along ethnic lines between the Nuer and Dinka tribes in the country, which seceded from Sudan in 2011 after decades of war. The pontiff also called for dialogue to end the conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq, and prayed for a “favourable outcome” to the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. “Wars shatter and

hurt so many lives!” he said, saying their most vulnerable victims were children, elderly, battered women and the sick.

Personal Peacemakers The thread running through the message was that individuals had a role in promoting peace, either with their neighbour or between nations. The message of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was directed at “every man or woman who keeps watch through the night, who hopes for a better world, who cares for others while humbly seeking to do his or her duty,” he said. “God is peace: let us ask him to help us to be peacemakers each day, in our life, in our families, in our cities and nations, in the whole world,” he said.

Pilgrims came from all over the world for Christmas at the Vatican and some said it was because they felt Francis had brought a breath of fresh air to the Church. “(He) is bringing a new era into the Church, a Church that is focusing much more on the poor and that is more austere, more lively,” said Dolores Di Benedetto, who came from the pope’s homeland, Argentina, to attend Christmas Eve Mass.

Giacchino Sabello, an Italian, said he wanted to get a firsthand look at the new pope: “I thought it would be very nice to hear the words of this pope close up and to see how the people are overwhelmed by him.”

In his speech, Francis asked God to “look upon the many children who are kidnapped, wounded and killed in armed conflicts, and all those who are robbed of their childhood and forced to become soldiers”. He also called for a “dignified life” for migrants, praying tragedies such as one in which hundreds died in a shipwreck off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa are never repeated, and made a particular appeal against human trafficking, which he called a “crime against humanity”. — Reuters

Egypt’s former Islamist prime minister arrested CAIRO: Egyptian police arrested ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi’s former prime minister Tuesday as tensions rose after a major car-bomb attack on a police building killed 15 people. The interior ministry said ex-premier Hisham Qandil, who is facing jail after being convicted of failing to respect a court ruling while in office, was arrested in the desert outside Cairo with a “smuggler attempting to escape to Sudan”. An unpopular prime minister who strug-

Hisham Qandil

gled to right a dire economy, Qandil has kept a relatively low profile since the military overthrew Morsi in July.

He represented an alliance of pro-Morsi Islamist groups in meetings with European mediators who tried to defuse tensions with the military-installed government. The efforts failed in August, with the police launching a massive crackdown that killed more than 1,000 people in street clashes. In April, while still in office, Qandil was sentenced to a year in prison for not carrying out a ruling to re-nationalise a company that had been privatised in 1996. An appeals court upheld the sentence in September.

Qandil’s arrest followed an early-morning car bombing outside the police headquarters in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura that killed at least 15 people, including at least 12 policemen. The explosion, which the country’s militaryinstalled authorities suggested was carried out by Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, was one of the deadliest since the Islamist leader’s ouster, which has bitterly polarised the country. The Muslim Brotherhood condemned the bombing “in the strongest possible terms”.

The Brotherhood, Egypt’s most well-organised opposition movement during decades of dictatorship, prevailed in polls following the overthrow of longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Morsi became Egypt’s first freely elected leader after winning elections last year, but was removed from power after massive protests against his turbulent rule. More than 2,000 Islamists have been arrested since Morsi’s overthrow, virtually the entire top leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood. The United Nations on Tuesday called for the immediate release of prisoners detained over peaceful protests. UN chief Ban Ki-moon said convicting activists for organising peaceful protests was “contrary to the spirit of Egypt’s revolution”. — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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

Restored citadel will never regain past glory BAM, Iran: Experts who are painstakingly rebuilding the Bam citadel after an earthquake destroyed it a decade ago say Iran’s architectural masterpiece will never return to its past glory but are hopeful they will restore some of it. A thousand kilometres southeast of Tehran, the pre-Islamic desert

citadel was the largest adobe monument in the world made of non-baked clay bricks. But it was reduced to rubble on Dec 26, 2003, when it was hit by a major quake that killed 26,000-32,000 people, according to various estimates. “Bam will never be rebuilt exactly the way it was,”

BAM, Iran: Iranian women visit the citadel Arg’e Bam, the pre-Islamic desert citadel that was the largest adobe monument in the world made of non-baked clay bricks, is seen on the 10th anniversary of the earthquake. —AFP

said Afshin Ebrahimi, the manager of the reconstruction project.

The citadel can be traced back to the sixth century BC but reached its apogee from the seventh to 11th centuries as it sat on the crossroads of the Silk Road and other trade routes. A decade after the quake, only part of the massive site has been rebuilt, while wooden scaffoldings are propped up against most of it and gaping holes can be seen along the outer walls. “We are not aiming at rebuilding the citadel as it was before the quake. We can never do that,” Ebrahimi, who is carrying out the work for Iran’s culture and heritage authorities, told AFP. “The quake, like the local architecture, is part of our history,” he said, adding that certain parts of the citadel would be rebuilt while others would merely be stabilised, to reflect the past disaster.

Two rows of arches located a hundred meters (yards) from the entrance give visitors a glimpse inside the work being done.

On one side they can see the original architecture and on the other the renovation. More than 100 people work on the

site each day, alongside 20 Iranian experts and others who have come to lend a hand from France, Germany, Italy and Japan.

Japan contributed $500,000 (365,000 euros) through UNESCO, and provided equipment to clear the rubble and carry out restoration work. “We are the best equipped team in the world,” said Ebrahimi.

Dreams of a return of tourists The Japanese experts are working on a 3D map of the site, while their French and Italian counterparts are focusing on making mud and cement bricks designed to endure future quakes. “The work will never end,” said Ebrahimi. “We are trying to preserve the sites but, if it rains on an adobe wall, we must rebuild it all over again.” He says the reconstruction drive has had a positive impact on residents of the modern city of Bam, which lies at the foot of the citadel. Survivors who lost family members in the quake are still haunted by memories of the tragedy, Ebrahimi said. “To see the citadel being reborn has a soothing effect. This is a very special proj-

ect, it is very emotional. It is not just a renovation workshop,” he added. Ebrahimi hopes that restoring the citadel will bolster tourism arrivals in Bam, which is also home to some 150 lesser-known archeological sites.

Bam Governor Hossein Zainol Salehi expressed satisfaction with the pace of the work, saying reconstruction must be done in a “prudent and appropriate” fashion.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation said there had been improvements in the site’s management and conservation, and removed Bam from UNESCO’s list of “World Heritage in Danger”. “This is a great honour for Bam,” said the governor, because “it shows that the right steps have been taken to rebuild the citadel.”

Akbar Panjalizadeh agrees, and has rebuilt his tourist hostel and created more room to be ready for the return of holidaymakers. Panjalizadeh says he dreams of seeing 10 or even 15 tour buses parked outside the citadel. But for the time being he gets only 10 clients a week, half the number who came a decade ago. —AFP

UN moving to boost force in South Sudan Fighting rages in world’s newest state JUBA: South Sudan’s army battled rebel forces yesterday in one key town while troops flushed out insurgents in another after its recapture, as the UN moves to double its peacekeeping force to stave off civil war. Thousands are believed to have been killed in more than a week of violence, with reports of bodies piled in mass graves amid escalating battles between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and those backing his rival Riek Machar, a former vice president who was sacked in July. Government forces

taken over.” Fighting has spread to half the country’s 10 states, the United Nations said, with hundreds of thousands fleeing to the countryside and others flooding UN bases seeking shelter. The UN humanitarian chief in the country, Toby Lanzer, said Tuesday there was “absolutely no doubt in my mind that we’re into the thousands” of dead, the first clear indication of the scale of the conflict engulfing the world’s youngest country.

Earlier, UN rights chief Navi Pillay said a mass grave had been found in the rebel-held

‘Chaos’ could engulf young country Witnesses recount a wave of atrocities, including an orchestrated campaign of mass killings and rape.“There are now people who are targeting others because of their tribal affiliation,” Kiir said in a Christmas message to the country, where the population is roughly divided between Christians, Muslims and traditional beliefs. “It will only lead to one thing and that is to turn this new nation into chaos.” Government forces have also said they are preparing to take back the town of

BENTIU, South Sudan: The UN’s top humanitarian official in the country Toby Lanzer (center) makes a visit to assess the humanitarian situation at the UN compound where many displaced have sought shelter in oil-rich Unity state on Tuesday. —AFP celebrated late Tuesday the recapture of Bor from forces loyal to Machar after the army stormed the strategic town, but battles raged elsewhere including Malakal, capital of oil-producing Upper Nile state. Information Minister Michael Makwei denied rebel claims they had seized it. “There is fighting now in Malakal since morning between the government forces and the rebels,” Makwei told AFP. “It is not true that the rebels have

town of Bentiu and cited reports of at least two more in Juba. Around 15 bodies were found in one site in Bentiu, with another 20 bodies at a nearby river. In Juba, the UN mission was more cautious, confirming the 15 killed but saying it was still “investigations reports of such atrocities.” The official toll nationwide has stood at 500 dead for days, but aid workers have said the number killed was likely far higher.

Bentiu, capital of South Sudan’s most important oil region Unity state, now in the hands of a powerful army commander who mutinied last week to join Machar.

Oil production, which accounts for more than 95 percent of South Sudan’s fledgling economy, has been dented by the violence, with oil workers evacuated. Bor’s re-capture, apparently without major resistance by the rebels, lifted nearly a week-long siege of the

town, where some 17,000 civilians fled into the overstretched UN compounds for protection, severely stretching limited food and supplies. “There are currently operations against some pockets of rebels within the airport area” in Bor, Makwei said. “The army is clearing them up... but most of the rebels who were in the town are on the run.” UN peacekeepers had spent days bolstering fortifications ahead of the army assault, after militia gunmen last week stormed a UN compound in the Jonglei outpost of Akobo, killing two Indian soldiers and about 20 ethnic Dinka civilians sheltering there.

UN force boosted by 6,000 The unrest has taken on an ethnic dimension, pitting Kiir’s Dinka tribe against Machar’s Nuer. Machar said he was ready to accept Kiir’s offer of talks, following days of shuttle diplomacy by African nations and calls from Western powers for an end to the fighting. “We want democratic, free and fair elections. We want Salva Kiir to call it a day,” Machar said, listing his demands Tuesday. US Secretary of State John Kerry called both men and urged them to “accept a cessation of hostilities and begin mediated political talks,”the State Department said.

Late on Tuesday, the UN Security Council voted to send nearly 6,000 extra soldiers and police to South Sudan, nearly doubling the UNMISS force to 12,500 troops and 1,323 civilian police. But UN chief Ban Ki-moon, who requested the reinforcements, warned the force “will not be able to protect every civilian in need in South Sudan”. The US military deployed a “platoon-sized” Marine contingent to neighbouring Uganda, while nearly 100 US troops are already on the ground in South Sudan. Four were wounded on Saturday when their aircraft was shot at during an evacuation operation. South Sudan gained independence in July 2011 to become the youngest country in the world, born out of a bloody decades-long struggle for independence from Sudan. It remains a fragile state with deep ethnic divisions. Kiir has accused Machar of starting the fighting by attempting a coup, while Machar says the president has exploited tensions within the army to carry out a purge. —AFP

Jihadist group claims Egypt police bombing CAIRO: An Al-Qaeda-inspired group based in Egypt’s Sinai yesterday claimed a suicide car bombing of a police headquarters north of Cairo that killed 15 people, the deadliest such attack since Mohamed Morsi’s overthrow. The brazen assault underscored the military’s challenge to contain Sinai militants who have killed more than 100 soldiers and policemen in a wave of attacks since the army ousted Islamist president Morsi on July 3. “Your brothers in Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, with the grace of God, were able to target the Daqhaleya police headquarters,” the group said

of Tuesday’s attack, in a statement posted on Islamist forums. Ansar Beit al-Maqdis said the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber identified as “Abu Maryam”.

Authorities say there are links between the Sinai jihadists and Morsi’s more moderate Muslim Brotherhood movement, but have offered no proof. Morsi and top Brotherhood leaders, imprisoned in a crackdown following his overthrow, are charged with colluding with militant groups to launch attacks in the country. Ansar Beit alMaqdis, whose name in English means “Partisans of

MANSOURA, Egypt: Angry Egyptians set fire to a microbus, said to belong to a company owned by a businessman who supports the Muslim Brotherhood on Tuesday. —AFP

Jerusalem”, had previously claimed credit for bombings in Sinai and the attempted assassination by a suicide car bomber of interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Cairo in September.

The group warned soldiers and policemen to abandon their posts “to preserve their religion and lives”. It said it carried out Tuesday’s attack in response to the “apostate regime’s war on Islamic sharia, its shedding of Muslim blood and violation of our women’s and sisters’ honour”.

An interior ministry official told AFP yesterday investigators were still trying to identify the suicide bomber through human remains found at the scene of the blast, which tore down part of the police headquarters’ facade.

Investigators found a large crater at the site, where the bomber set off the explosives after crashing his car through barricades. The military had sent tanks and armour to the Sinai peninsula to crush the militants, with limited success so far. Two soldiers were shot dead last week in a botched attempt to arrest Ansar Beit al-Maqdis leader Shadi al-Menei, the military said. Menei escaped.

But the military says it has killed 184 “terrorists” in north Sinai, which borders the Palestinian Gaza Strip and Israel, since Morsi’s overthrow. The sparsely populated desert and mountain region has presented a challenge to the army, which was unaccustomed to fighting against a sustained militant campaign.

In November, an Ansar Beit al-Maqdis bombing killed 11 soldiers when an army bus drove past a booby trapped car on a desert road in north Sinai. Tuesday’s attack, however, shocked the military-installed government in its scale and location. “This is the ugliest kind of terrorism,” prime minister Hazem Al-Beblawi told reporters on Tuesday after the attack. “What we saw yesterday was a qualitative transformation in terrorism,” he said. Beblawi, soon after the attack, had branded the Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist” group, according to a spokesman, but stopped short of blaming it for the bombing. —AFP

DAMASCUS: Christians celebrate Christmas at a party held at the Dama Rose hotel yesterday. —AP

Air blitz death toll in Aleppo passes 400 DAMASCUS: The death toll from a 10-day Syrian regime air offensive on Aleppo rebels passed 400 yesterday, as Pope Francis called on Christmas Day for aid access to the wartorn country. But even as the European Union and Arab League condemned the aerial campaign in Syria’s second city, a Russian company signed a major oil and gas exploration deal with the Damascus government. Aleppo has been divided into regime and rebel-held enclaves since the opposition launched a massive offensive on the northern city in July last year.

The air force has been bombarding the rebel-held areas using TNT-packed barrels since Dec 15, in an offensive the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said has left 410 people dead, including 117 children, as of Tuesday night. Also among those killed were 34 women, 30 rebel fighters and nine jihadists. The Observatory, a Britain-based group that uses a network of activists and witnesses on the ground to track the conflict, said the air force pressed the assault into an 11th day yesterday, with raids on the opposition-held eastern districts of Sakhur and Jabal Badro.

Human Rigths Watch has labelled as “unlawful” the relentless aerial campaign by President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, especially the use of the massively destructive barrel bombs in civilian areas. The United States has also condemned the aerial assault, and yesterday the Arab League and the European Union joined the chorus of criticism. “The High Representative (Catherine Ashton) is deeply concerned with reports of an escalating bombing campaign in the city of Aleppo,” the EU said in a statement. “She condemns the unabated use of air strikes by the Syrian government on civilian areas.”

Arab League chief Nabil Al-Arabi called on “the Syrian army to stop the air bombings” of Aleppo, condemning the killing of “hundreds of innocent civilians, especially women and children”. Arabi also called on the UN Security Council “to take responsibility” to end the conflict, which has been raging in Syria for nearly three years. The opposition National Coalition has said it will boy-

cott a peace conference slated for January if the bombing of Aleppo does not cease.

A security source in Damascus yesterday defended the military’s operations as necessary to “save Aleppo”. “We do not target any area unless we are 100 percent sure that the ones there are terrorists,” the source said, using the regime’s term for the rebels. “The bodies you see on television are the bodies of terrorists and mercenaries, most of whom travelled into Syria from abroad.” Syria hit back at the US on Tuesday, describing it as a “one-eyed pirate” for condemning the aerial assault but “ignoring the crimes committed by the terrorists”.

‘Too many lives have been shattered’ In his first Christmas address, Pope Francis in the Vatican City called for peace in Syria, saying “too many lives have been shattered in recent times by the conflict in Syria, fueling hatred and vengeance”. “Let us continue to ask the Lord to spare the beloved Syrian people further suffering, and to enable the parties in conflict to put an end to all violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid,” he said. The Syrian conflict is estimated to have killed more than 126,000 people since it first started out as peaceful anti-regime protests in 2011.

But in a new sign of confidence, Syria’s Oil Minister Suleiman Abbas and General Petroleum Company signed a major oil and gas exploration deal with Russia’s Soyuzneftegaz energy firm, with cooperation spanning 25 years. The deal permits the exploration of an area of 2,190 sq km in the Mediterranean off the Syrian coast. The contract “is the first ever for oil and gas exploration in Syria’s waters,” head of the General Petroleum Company Ali Abbas told AFP, adding it would be financed by the Russian side. The minister Abbas meanwhile said during the signing ceremony that the contract covers “25 years, over several phases,” adding that: “The cost of exploration and discovery is $100 million.” Russia is one of Assad’s main backers, as well as a key proponent along with the United States of peace talks slated for January in Switzerland. —AFP

BORI, Bahrain: A Bahrain farmer pushes a wheelbarrow as he works on a farm in this village south of Manama yesterday. —AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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

Brief Christmas cheer in Bangui as fighting rages BANGUI: Fresh exchanges of gunfire rattled the Central African Republic’s capital Bangui yesterday, but a brief respite from the violence earlier allowed residents and troops to celebrate Christmas, bringing some festive cheer to the strife-torn nation. The main celebratory event in this overwhelmingly Christian-majority country was a moving Christmas Eve mass at the imposing red-brick cathedral in Bangui. The ceremony was brought forward to Tuesday afternoon due to a duskto-dawn curfew in place after violence that has claimed some 1,000 lives since December 5, according to Amnesty International.

Soldiers guarded the 1930s building set against the stunning backdrop of a lush hillock studded with towering equatorial trees. “We must speak out freely and say in one voice ‘This should never happen again,’” said Bangui’s much admired Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga in a long and emotional sermon. “There is no peace without justice,” he told the congregation, addressing them in French and the national language Sango. “Let us become the harbingers of justice and we will become peacemakers.”

The faithful interrupted the sermon several times with sustained clapping and some voiced hope that peace was near at hand. But the reality on the ground hit home as one stepped out of the cathedral, ringed by Kalashnikovwielding men. The sectarian violence that has gripped the traditionally unstable and impoverished nation has pitted Muslims against Christians following a rebel-led coup that toppled president Francois Bozize. The former rebels who launched attacks against the government of coup leader Michel Djotodia, a Muslim, are identified with Muslims and are targeted by Christian vigilante groups known as the anti-balaka (anti-machete).

“I work but I pray too,” said a soldier, who carefully followed the Archbishop’s speech, relayed on loudspeakers outside the cathedral. “They said that Central Africa has been forgotten by God but God does not forget anyone here like in any other place,” he said, cradling his Kalashnikov. Inside the church, a worshipper said the vigilantes were not true Christians. “We are a religion of peace, not of war,” he whispered. “The anti-balaka are not Christian, they are not one of us.” A day earlier, the vigilantes had bru-

tally lynched two Muslims in Bangui, hacking off their limbs with machetes.

The Christmas spirit also buoyed the ranks of French soldiers, deployed in the former colony to support an African peacekeeping force to help restore security. Out on a night patrol in the deserted capital, the soldiers feted Christmas by exchanging gifts, jokes and goodnatured banter. “Merry Christmas to the pack,” Lieutenant Laujac told his men.

Others excitedly opened their presents ranging from sweets to a tin of cassoulet.

In keeping with the festive spirit, one of the vehicles in the convoy had a plastic Christmas tree, illuminated with tiny lights. “It’s not like back home,” a soldier joked.

But the Christmas break for the patrol just lasted a few minutes. Presents exchanged, cigarettes smoked and once again they were on their way. There are 1,600 French soldiers deployed in the country. The major component of the African forces come from neighbouring Chad. Many Christians accuse the Chadian government of being allied to the Seleka rebel group which propelled Djotodia to power, while Muslims allege that French forces are siding with

BANGUI: A Burundian soldier from the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA) patrols in the Fouh neighborhood yesterday. —AFP Christian militia groups.

Christmas Eve night saw isolated and sporadic bursts of gunfire and automatic weapons fire and explosions were heard Wednesday in the PK12 neighbourhood

in northern Bangui. Pope Francis, in his first Christmas Day address at the Vatican, pleaded for peace in the Central African Republic, a country he said was “often forgotten and overlooked”. —AFP

Scores left without power in US, Canada Dozens of deaths linked to ice storm

NEW YORK: This Sept 7, 2013 photo shows Democratic mayoral hopeful Bill de Blasio and his daughter Chiara during a campaign rally in the Brooklyn borough. —AP

NY first daughter reveals battling substance abuse NEW YORK: The 19-year-old daughter of New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio has opened up about her personal struggles, saying she spent years battling substance abuse and depression. Chiara de Blasio, a college sophomore who had a central role in her father’s campaign, appears in a surprise fourminute video released Tuesday by the incoming mayor’s transition team. In it, she looks into the camera and says she drank alcohol and smoked marijuana to deal with clinical depression and anxiety.

“It made it easier, the more I drank and did drugs, to share some common ground with people,” she said, speaking under soft lights with piano music tinkling in the background. “It didn’t start out as, like, a huge thing for me, but then it became a really huge thing for me.” She said she thought she could escape the problem by leaving for college in California, but her sense of “physical insecurity” only grew worse.

“My mom was trying really hard to help me and my dad was doing the same, but obviously he was really busy,” she said.

“They were both very emotionally committed to trying to find out some way to get me better.”

De Blasio said she eventually found success in group therapy at a treatment center in New York. “Removing substances from my life opened so many doors for me. I was actually able to participate in my dad’s campaign,” she said in the video. “Getting sober is always a positive thing, and by no means is it easy - it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done but it’s so worth it.” In a statement accompanying the video, Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, said they were “so proud of Chiara and love her deeply.”

“As parents, our instinct has been to protect our daughter and privately help her through a deeply personal struggle,” they said in the statement. “But not only has Chiara committed to her own health, she is also committed to helping young people everywhere who face similar challenges.” The campaign did not say what prompted it to release the video on Christmas Eve, a day when many news consumers are more concerned with travel or shopping than current events. The announcement was framed as a way to help others struggling with depression and substance abuse during the holiday season.

Rumors swirled during the mayoral primary campaign that Chiara had battled drug issues.

But the de Blasio campaign fiercely beat back reporters who

pursued the topic, saying that his two children were off limits from the press. No media outlet published a story.

Yet even as the campaign pleaded for privacy, de Blasio’s family played a key role in his campaign. De Blasio was frequently joined at campaign events by his wife, and McCray is considered his top adviser who will wield considerable influence at City Hall.

Both Chiara and her brother stumped for their father and appeared in television ads. Dante appeared first, and the teen’s

soaring Afro and heartfelt descriptions of his father was the most effective ad of the campaign, helping de Blasio surge in the polls.

Chiara de Blasio’s ad appeared closer to Election Day and she gave a sunny description of her dad’s vision “that leaves no one behind.” She also introduced her father at his raucous primary night party. She gave one hint about some of her struggles after being spotted in tears at a parade in September.

She told reporters that she sometimes suffered from anxiety.

AUGUSTA, Maine: Repair crews worked around the clock to restore power to nearly half a million customers who faced a cold and dark Christmas in parts of the central and northeastern United States and into eastern Canada after a weekend ice storm. At least 24 deaths have been linked to the storm. It appears the bad weather isn’t ready to take a break. The US National Weather Service said more snow was forecast to roll into the Great Lakes and Midwest by yesterday morning.

In Canada, five people were reported dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Police said two people in Ontario died after using a gas generator to heat their blacked-out home northeast of Toronto. Police in Quebec said carbon monoxide poisoning was believed to be the cause of three deaths in a chalet on the province’s North Shore. Earlier, five people were killed in eastern Canada in highway crashes blamed on severe weather conditions.

In the US, the nationwide death toll from the storm reached at least 14 on Tuesday, when a 50-year-old man in Knox, Maine, was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from a generator. It was the second reported death attributed to fumes from a generator during the storm. Police in Michigan also attributed two deaths in a traffic collision that happened Monday to the storm. As temperatures plunged below minus 15 Celsius in Toronto - where nearly 80,000 customers remained without power late Tuesday authorities reported a dramatic jump in calls for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, responding to 110 calls in a 24-hour period. Officials said they typically see 20 such calls a day. “We’re looking at approximately six times as many calls,” Toronto Mayor Rob Ford said as the city issued an extreme cold weather alert. “I understand they want to keep warm but you cannot do this. This is deadly.”

LANSING, Michigan: Dave Dora, a lineman from Grand Haven Board of Light and Power, works on connecting fallen wires on Macon Avenue on Dec 23, 2013. —AP Fire officials warned residents not to use any appliance that burns inside a home, and even cautioned against using a lot of candles. In Toronto, where 300,000 customers lost power at the height of the storm, crews from Ottawa, Windsor, Manitoba and Michigan were helping local teams with their efforts. Elsewhere in Ontario, more than 44,000 customers were still without power early Wednesday. In Quebec, some 28,000 customers remained without power. In New Brunswick, just over 29,000 customers were still in the dark, and about 300 were without

power in Nova Scotia.

Canadian utility officials warned that some customers could be without power until Saturday. Some US states kept emergency shelters open for people without power.

The number of customers in Maine without power spiked to more than 100,000 on Tuesday. Central Maine Power said its goal was to use more than 1,000 workers to restore power for all customers by Thursday night, while other utilities in Maine warned customers they could be without electricity until Friday. —AP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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

Politics ‘colors Russian criminal cases’ MOSCOW: The release from prison of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and two members of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot drew worldwide attention to complaints about political prisoners in Russia.

Although none of the three were convicted of political crimes, the taint of political vengeance hung strongly on all their cases. Here’s a look at some other politically loaded convictions and trials in Russia: Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner who became the most prominent leader of the loose opposition to President Vladimir Putin, spent only one night behind bars. But the case effectively was a synopsis of critics’ complaints about the Russian legal system: its political taints, its unreliability, the sense that it is a puppet of the executive branch.

Authorities mounted a complicated and seemingly improbable charge against him: that when working as an unpaid adviser to a regional governor, he arranged for the theft of half a million dollars’ worth of timber from a local company. None of the company managers who appeared as witnesses in the trial supported the contention except for one whom Navalny had recommended to be fired.

Navalny was convicted in July and sentenced to five years in prison. But no sooner had he been led off to jail, prosecutors asked that he be kept free pending appeal. On the surface, the argument was that Navalny was a registered candidate for the Moscow mayor’s race and should be allowed to run until his appeals were exhausted. Below the surface,

speculation was wide that Putin feared that imprisoning Navalny would only re-energize the opposition.

He lost the mayoral race in September, and his second-place finish was stronger than expected. But he can’t try again because in October a court upheld his conviction, although it suspended his sentence.

A week later, Russia’s main investigative agency said it has filed new charges against him, this time for allegedly defrauding a French cosmetics company.

PLATON LEBEDEV Lebedev was a close associate of Khodorkovsky, heading Menatep Group, the holding company that had a controlling interest in Khodorkovsky’s oil company Yukos. Lebedev was convicted along with Khodorkovsky during trials in 2005 and 2011.

Although Lebedev was far less visible than Khodorkovsky before his arrest in 2003, their close business involvement may have made the Kremlin view him as an enabler of Khodorkovsky’s funding of opposition politicians and a tacit supporter of the tycoon’s presumed political ambitions. Amnesty International has declared Lebedev a “prisoner of conscience.”

ARCTIC 30 The arrest of 30 Greenpeace activists in September after they tried to mount a protest at an offshore Russian drilling rig wasn’t political on the face of it, but the oil and gas industry is intimately

tied to Russia’s politics. It’s the source of much of the wealth that floods certain parts of Russia, and that prosperity has been a key to Putin’s staying in power. In addition, the Greenpeace protest challenged Putin’s cherished, carefully cultivated image as an outdoorsman who cares about Russia’s ecology. The protesters say offshore drilling poses a severe threat to the delicate balance of the Arctic environment.

The environmental group said Tuesday that one of the activists has been granted amnesty and that it expects others to receive the same treatment in the coming days.

BOLOTNAYA Nearly 30 people were rounded up in May 2012, after clashes between police and demonstrators at a protest on Moscow’s Bolotnaya Square on the eve of Putin’s inauguration to a third term as president.

Some face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The drawn-out proceedings have seen only three cases decided - two who received light sentences after cooperating with authorities and a third who was sent for forced psychiatric treatment. That man, who was convicted of beating a policeman, had a history of schizophrenia, but rights activists charged the court was reviving the Soviet-era practice of using punitive psychiatry against dissidents.

Four more people were granted amnesty last week.

Several defendants are under house arrest, but most of others have been in jail for a year and a half pending trial.— AP

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Catalan public TV shuns king’s Christmas speech Protests highlight growing separatist fervor

US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden

Snowden declares ‘mission accomplished’ on spy leaks LONDON: Rogue American intelligence analyst Edward Snowden has declared his “mission accomplished” after unveiling huge US surveillance programs, but urged citizens to insist their governments stop spying on them. In excerpts of his first major media appearance since claiming asylum in Russia-which was broadcasted on British television on Christmas Day- Snowden issued a staunch defense of individual privacy.

“Together we can find a better balance, end mass surveillance and remind the government that if it really wants to know how we feel, asking is always cheaper than spying,” he says in extracts released by Britain’s Channel 4. The former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor sent shockwaves around the world by revealing the extent of Washington’s electronic eavesdropping.

The short, pre-recorded broadcast will be his first television appearance since arriving in Moscow in June. The 30-year-old has also given his first in-person interview since claiming asylum, telling Tuesday’s Washington Post: “I already won. “For me, in terms of personal satisfaction, the mission’s already accomplished,” he said. “As soon as the journalists were able to work, everything that I had been trying to do was validated,” he added.

“Because, remember, I didn’t want to change society. I wanted to give society a chance to determine if it should change itself.” Snowden leaked explosive details of the secret surveillance schemes to media including the Washington Post and Britain’s Guardian, and has fled the United States to avoid prosecution. He arrived in Russia in June as a fugitive and spent more than a month holed up in a Moscow airport before being granted a year’s asylum.

US federal prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against him, charging him with espionage and felony theft of government property. His leaks have deeply embarrassed President Barack Obama’s administration by revealing the massive scale of America’s spying efforts, including on the country’s own allies such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In his Christmas Day broadcast to Britain,

Snowden says that children born into today’s world will “grow up with no conception of privacy at all”. “They’ll never know what it means to have a private moment to themselves-an unrecorded, unanalyzed thought,” he says in the broadcast, due to be aired at 1615 GMT. “And that’s a problem because privacy matters.

Privacy is what allows us to determine who we are and who we want to be.”

He signs off the broadcast by wishing Britons a merry Christmas. Channel 4 has aired a short “alternative” Christmas message every year since 1993, intended as a response to Queen Elizabeth II’s annual Christmas Day broadcast on the rival BBC. The channel caused a political row in 2008 when it chose former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as its Christmas broadcaster. The NSA’s collection of communications data has grown dramatically since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

On Friday, Obama said he welcomed a debate about the NSA’s role as he weighs possible changes to its broad powers amid a public outcry over rights to privacy. The president said he would make a “pretty definitive statement” in January about how the NSA should be overhauled. A panel of legal and intelligence experts chosen by the White House has recommended curbing the agency’s powers, warning that its sweeps in the war on terror have gone too far.

And a federal judge has warned that the NSA’s routine collection of nearly all Americans’ phone records was probably unconstitutional.

Snowden insisted in the Post interview that he had not been disloyal to his former employers. “I am not trying to bring down the NSA, I am working to improve the NSA,” he said. “I am still working for the NSA right now.

They are the only ones who don’t realize it.”

Snowden blamed lawmakers’ decision to keep the NSA programs hidden and their failure to ask probing questions for his decision to spill the secrets. “The system failed comprehensively, and each level of oversight, each level of responsibility that should have addressed this, abdicated their responsibility,” he said. — AFP

Christians increasingly under threat: Vatican VATICAN CITY: Thousands of Christians are killed every year because of their faith and the persecution is becoming more widespread, Catholic observers said as Christmas celebrations are increasingly marred by attacks in at-risk countries. Pope Francis addressed the killings in a recent interview saying there was “an ecumenism of blood”, meaning that Christians of all denominations including Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox are targeted. “The narrative about Christianity in the Western mind is that a Christian is rich, powerful and has massive political influence,” said John Allen, a Vatican expert and author of the new book “The Global War on Christians”.

“It doesn’t reflect the reality. They are impoverished, linguistic and cultural minorities,” he said. Estimates on Christian deaths are contested and vary widely. Out of around 2.3 billion Christians in the world, between 9,000 and 100,000 people are said to be killed because of their religion every year. In an editorial for Italy’s top-selling Corriere della Sera daily on Monday, Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Catholic

charity in Rome, criticized the “silence at Christmas over the persecutions”.

The US evangelical group Open Doors said the worst country for anti-Christian violence is North Korea, followed by Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Maldives, Mali, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea. The situation was said to be worsening in Egypt, Ethiopia and Syria as well. Open Doors has said that 100 million Christians are being persecuted-a figure that has been widely criticized for including entire communities and not individual Christians at risk for their faith.

Some observers say the reasons for antiChristian violence are much more varied than simply a question of faith and are often linked to a variety of local issues. An upsurge in attacks in Central African Republic or South Sudan, for instance, is being seen as linked more to ethnic discord and battles for control of resources. The issue is a highly sensitive one, as shown by the criticism of Allen’s talk of “war on Christians” by US professor Andrew Chestnut, an expert on Pentecostalism.

MADRID: The Spanish k ing’s traditional Christmas address did not air on Catalonia’s public television yesterday for the first time in the broadcaster’s 30-year history, highlighting growing separatist fervor in the wealthy northeastern region. Workers at the broadcaster went on a brief strike during the king’s speech and other programming was aired instead.

The official reason was to protest cost cuts and outsourcing of some produc tion.

Catalonia has clashed with the central government in Madrid over cuts on spending on public services. In his address, King Juan Carlos did not directly discuss the contentious issue of Catalan independence, but he made a strong appeal to Spaniards to unify and embrace their diversity as the country struggles to emerge from a deep five-year economic crisis that has left one in four workers out of a job.

“Together we have resolved problems even more difficult than the ones we face today and we’ve always aimed for the same common goal,” the king said. “Spain is a great nation that is worth fighting for.” Catalonia - which has its own language - is home to 7.6 million people and produces about a fifth of Spain’s economic output. Its leader, Artur Mas of the centre-right CiU political alliance, is pushing for a referendum on Nov 9 next year on independence from Spain. That would be two months after Scotland holds a similar vote on whether to break from the United Kingdom.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says the Catalan plebiscite would be unconstitutional and has vowed to block it in Parliament and in the courts. Mas’s referendum drive may prove a political dead end for him and his party. If the central government blocks the plebiscite, his coalition with radical independence party the Catalan Republican Left, or ERC, could fall apart and force him to call early elections. Polls show he would lose the election to the ERC. BREAKAWAY Catalonia has long had a strong movement for nationalism - primarily as a push for greater

MADRID: Spanish King Juan Carlos looks on during his annual Christmas Eve message at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. King Juan Carlos appealed for national unity in a thinly veiled broadside against Catalan separatists seeking to redraw the map of Spain. — AFP autonomy within Spain. But in recent years a more radical independence movement has taken root and polls show roughly half of Catalans would vote for full independence if there were a referendum. Cost cutting imposed by the Spanish central government due to the economic crisis, perceptions of unfair tax treatment and constant tussles with Madrid over self-governing powers have all fuelled the independence movement.

Public television in the Basque Country, another highly devolved region ruled by a nationalist party, did not transmit the King’s speech on Tuesday either. But 30-year-old Basque public television EiTB has rarely broadcast the speech, as the Basque Nationalist Party, or PNV, is historically critical of the

monarchy. Juan Carlos has been on the throne 38 years and is considered a key player in Spain’s transition to democracy in the 1970s after dictator Francisco Franco died.

The audience for his Christmas address has fallen somewhat in recent years as corruption charges against the king’s son-in-law have damaged the royal family’s credibility. On Tuesday, the king said he knew he had to set an example for all Spaniards and called on politicians to meet the highest ethical standards. A series of back and hip operations have raised questions over whether the king might abdicate, but he signaled he was not considering stepping aside by saying: “I’m determined to continue to encourage civic participation and faithfully serve my mandate.” — Reuters

Gulag Archipelago: 40 years since Solzhenitsyn’s chronicle of terror for ‘The Archipelago’ thanks to them,” Solzhenitsyn said in a 2007 interview, a few months before his death.

The eyewitness testimonies are what make the book so valuable. They helped reveal the torture of prisoners, revolts and escapes through the boundless taiga as well as the deaths of prisoners from hunger and cold as they were forced to labor at temperatures of -50 degrees Celsius during the harsh Siberian winters. Solzhenitsyn worked on the book for 10 years, mostly in the greatest secrecy as Khrushchev’s de-Stalinization campaign turned out to be short-lived and the KGB secret service had him shadowed.

MOSCOW: Published 40 years ago in Paris, Russian dissident writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s masterpiece, “The Gulag Archipelago”, revealed the shocking truth about Soviet terror and changed the way the USSR was viewed in the West. When Solzhenitsyn’s mammoth tome hit bookshops on December 28, 1973 the shock was enormous as it brought to light the horrific scale of the repression under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.

The word “gulag”-a Russian acronym for Main Camp Directorate-refers to the vast Stalin prison system that left millions dead, and has become synonymous in all languages with brutal detention camps. First published by YMCA-Press, the Soviet emigrant publishing house, the book was translated into 40 languages and some 10 million copies were printed around the world. “Judged by how much impact a book has on the course of world history, this is certainly the most influential book of the 20th century,” said Solzhenitsyn’s literary agent, French publisher Claude Durand.

‘THE SINISTER WORLD’ “Solzhenitsyn’s book was a shock to us,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner and Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, who died in 1989, wrote in his memoir. “From the first pages arose the sinister world of grey camps surrounded by barbed wire, torture chambers... millions of our citizens vanished in glacial mines of Kolyma.” It did not take long for the Kremlin to retaliate. Two months after the book’s publication, Solzhenitsyn was arrested, stripped of his citizenship and expelled from the USSR. He returned to Russia in 1994, after 20 years in exile. Back in the Soviet Union, Russian copies of the Paris edition had been smuggled into the country, re-typed on typewriters or photographed.

To have a copy of the book at home or lend it to a friend meant to risk being sent to prison for “spreading anti-Soviet propaganda.” In 1978 the dissident Balys Gaiauskas was sentenced to 10

An undated file picture shows Soviet writer and dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn. years in jail for translating the book into Lithuanian.

Solzhenitsyn wrote “The Gulag Archipelago” with the help of numerous former prisoners who contacted him after the 1962 publication of his groundbreaking novella “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich”, the first work in the USSR that spoke about the Stalinist camps.

EYEWITNESS TESTIMONIES That book was published during the short period of de-Stalinization initiated by the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. To write it, Solzhenitsyn had used his recollections of the seven years he spent in the Gulag for criticizing Stalin in a letter to a friend. “Thousands of ex-prisoners wrote to me after the publication of ‘Ivan Denisovich’. I then realized that fate sent me what I needed. I got material

THE ‘INVISIBLES’ A network of loyalists, whom he called “invisibles”, assisted him by taping, microfilming and hiding manuscripts and then smuggling them to the West where they waited for a green light for publication. “He worked in very difficult conditions. He always had to plan in advance where to hide his manuscripts. He had been writing without ever having before him the entire body of his work,” said one such “invisible” helper Elena Chukovskaya. “He had been making notes in his notebook: to insert this in this chapter, this chapter is hidden in Estonia, another Moscow...” she said.

“The Gulag Archipelago” remains “the most important book for the people of my generation and has not lost its importance today,” said Arseny Roginski, the president of the non-profit group Memorial, which studies and documents the Soviet Union’s totalitarian past. “It perfectly describes the birth and operations of the Gulag, always placing people at the centre of the storysomething that only a great writer could do,” said Roginski. Until the fall of the Communist regime, Solzhenitsyn spent all the revenues from the book’s sales helping Soviet political prisoners. — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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BEIJING: Tourists visit tombs at a heritage park in the Chinese border city of Jian, northeast China’s Jilin province. (Right) Two women wash clothes by the Yalu River in the Chinese border city of Jian, northeast China’s Jilin province. Centuries ago Kwanggaet’o the Great ruled over a mighty empire stretching from south of Seoul deep into Manchuria in China’s northeast, but his Koguryo dynasty is now at the centre of a historical tug-of-war. — AFP

China, Koreas in modern conflict over ancient kingdom JIAN: Centuries ago, Kwanggaet’o the Great ruled over a mighty empire stretching from south of Seoul deep into Manchuria in China’s northeast, but his Koguryo dynasty is now at the centre of a historical tug-of-war. He is revered as a Korean national hero on both sides of the divided peninsula, while Chinese attempts to claim Koguryo as its own have provoked fury among its neighbors.

One of Koguryo’s capitals, now the modern Chinese city of Jian, stands on the Yalu river on the frontier between China and Kim Jong-Un’s North Korea. It hosts a treasure trove of historical sites and cultural relics, including royal mausoleums designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites and decorated with murals depicting traditional wrestling and tiger-hunting.

A towering stone stele more than six meters (20 feet) tall illustrates the dispute, with Kwanggaet’o’s name carved into the granite-in the classical Chinese characters used for writing in northeast Asia at the time. “Koguryo is in

fact part of Korean history, not Chinese history,” said Hwang Seon-Goo, a South Korean visitor.

“We think that China insists on having its own way.” Soon afterwards Zhang Ming, who identified himself as a Chinese tourist, expressed keen interest in knowing what the South Korean visitor had said.

EVIDENCE OF CHINESENESS In response, he pointed to the language of the inscription as evidence of its Chineseness, asking “how it could be Korean” if it was written in Chinese. The general Chinese view can be seen in a description in a Jian museum devoted to the dynasty. “Koguryo was engaged in wars with ancient central China and surrounding nations and tribes,” reads one label.

“However, they finally accepted the authority of ancient central China dynasties and had a main historical trend of tributary kingdom.” The sensitivity of the issue is such that an AFP reporter visiting the museum was briefly detained by public security officials, before

in the

news

Father ‘tried to kill’ baby with needles BEIJING: A court in northeastern China has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for trying to kill his baby daughter by inserting sewing needles into her body, state media reported yesterday. A court in Heilongjiang province found Yin Zhihe guilty of attempting to murder his 2-month-old daughter in August, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The court found that Yin wanted to kill the child because he believed that she was not his daughter, Xinhua reported. Yin first inserted one needle into the baby’s ribcage on Aug 4. The next day, the baby’s cries prompted her mother to take the child to the hospital, where the needle was found and surgically removed. But Yin later inserted three more needles in the child’s chest, navel and stomach. The needles were removed in an operation but had already caused respiratory failure and injuries to the baby’s organs. The court granted Yin some leniency because he turned himself in to police and the baby survived the attacks, Xinhua said. A DNA test showed that Yin was the girl’s biological father, the report said.

Chinese Olympian lover jailed for life BEIJING: The ex-girlfriend of a Chinese Olympic gymnastics champion has been sentenced to life in jail for defrauding other star athletes and celebrities of nearly $10 million, state-run media said yesterday. Wang Ti-whose then boyfriend Xiao Qin won pommel horse gold at the 2008 Beijing Gamescheated “more than two dozen well-known figures in the sports and entertainment industries”, the China Daily reported. Among the victims were gymnasts Yang Wei, who won the 2008 men’s individual all-round title, and his wife Yang Yun, who won a bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “Many victims trusted Xiao, considering his social influence, so they gave money to his girlfriend,” a lawyer for several victims told the China Daily. Wang pretended to be the daughter of various high-level officials, claiming that enabled her to buy properties and luxury cars at a reduced price, the paper said. Altogether she obtained 58 million yuan ($9.6 million) and HK$2 million ($260,000), it added.

Mao’s achievements outweigh mistakes BEIJING: More than 85 percent of respondents in a Chinese state media survey said that Mao Zedong’s achievements outweigh his mistakes, as the country prepares to mark 120 years since the “Great Helmsman’s” birth. Mao’s legacy remains mixed in China, where he is revered for the 1949 founding of the People’s Republic but authorities have called for restraint in commemorating the anniversary. Mao is blamed for the deaths of tens of millions due to famine following his “Great Leap Forward” and the decade of chaos known as the Cultural Revolution.

Since his death in 1976, the Chinese Communist Party’s official line has been he was “70 percent right and 30 percent wrong”. But participants in the survey conducted Monday and Tuesday by the Global Times newspaper, which is close to the ruling party, seemed to hold an even more favorable view of Mao. Asked “Do you agree that Mao Zedong’s achievements outweigh his mistakes?”

78.3 percent of respondents in the Global Times survey said they agreed, 6.8 percent strongly agreed and only 11.7 percent disagreed. About three percent said they did not know. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said that Mao’s “greatest merit” was “founding an independent nation through revolution”.

being ordered to leave Jian and followed out of town.

‘MATTER OF NATIONAL IDENTITY’ Koreans on both sides of the divided peninsula claim Koguryo as an inherent part of their history, and it is a popular theme in South Korea for novels and television dramas, such as this year’s “The Blade and Petal”, a tale of romance and political infighting toward the dynasty’s close. Koguryo lasted from at least 37 BC until 668 AD, when it was brought down by an alliance between Tang dynasty China and Silla, a rival Korean kingdom.

But the areas governed by the empire, spelled Goguryeo in South Korea and Gaogouli in China, lie in what today are four modern sovereign states: the two Koreas, China and Russia.

Tensions heated up about a decade ago when China launched the Northeast Project, a reexamination of the history of the country’s border areas in the region.

Reaction was particularly negative in South

Korea where the move was seen as an attempt to hijack Korean history, and even a possible prelude to Chinese designs on its ally North Korea were the ruling regime to collapse.

South Korea’s foreign ministry devotes a section of its website to the topic, putting it on a par with the row with Japan over a disputed island called Dokdo by Seoul and Takeshima by Tokyo.

“The Korean government considers issues concerning the history of Goguryeo to be a matter of national identity, and thus places such issues among its highest priorities,” the website says. In 2006 South Korea’s then president Roh Moo-Hyun reportedly raised the research personally with Wen Jiabao, China’s premier at the time. Tensions may have eased since but South Korea still keeps a close eye on “new cases of historical distortion”, according to the foreign ministry.

Adam Cathcart, a lecturer in Chinese history at Britain’s University of Leeds said: “When you look at North Korean relations with China,

when you look at South Korean relations with China, it’s an impediment, it’s an irritant, it’s something that all sides are watching.”

Kwanggaet’o, who reigned from 391 to 413 and whose name is often translated as “broad expander of territory”, is known in China as Haotaiwang. South Korea spells his name Gwanggaeto-and uses it for a class of its warships.

For its part North Korea-whose government proclaims a “military first” principle-also has numerous sites related to Koguryo and sometimes invokes the dynasty in its propaganda.

“Koguryo martial valor is something that is seen as very desirable from an historical exemplary point of view... for the North Korean leaders,” said Cathcart, an expert in relations between Beijing and Pyongyang. North Korea’s young leader-who recently had his uncle executed-would undoubtedly want to visit the ancient tombs in Jian, he added.

“That’s a photo op to die for for Kim Jong-Un,” he said. — AFP

Taleban sends US ‘Xmas gifts’ Rockets land inside embassy compound in Kabul

KABUL: Two Taleban rockets landed inside the US embassy compound in Kabul yesterday, causing no casualties but underlining Afghanistan’s continuing security problems as many foreigners in the capital marked Christmas Day. Taleban militants, who have been fighting the US-backed government since being ousted from power in 2001, claimed responsibility for the attack, which included at least one other strike in the city.

Rocket attacks in Kabul have been rare in recent years, but the insurgents have vowed to step up pressure on the US and Afghan authorities before next year’s presidential election in April and the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat forces. “At approximately 6:40 local time in Kabul, approximately two rounds of indirect fire impacted the US Embassy compound,” a statement from the embassy said. “All Americans are accounted for and no injuries were sustained. “The Embassy continues to investigate the attack.”

The mortar rockets sent US diplomats rushing for shelter as the heavily-fortified embassy in the city centre sounded its emergency sirens and loudspeakers broadcast a “duck and cover” alarm warning. Another rocket landed near a hill where former kings and members of the old royal family are buried in a large mausoleum, a spokesman for the National Directorate of Security said. “One impacted near Maranjan hill, about one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the presidential palace.

There are no reported casualties,” Lutfullah Mashal said.

In a text message to AFP, the Taleban claimed the rockets caused heavy casualties, but the insurgents regularly make exaggerated claims after attacks. “Today at around 6am four rockets were fired at the US embassy in Kabul. All hit the target (causing) heavy casualties,” Taleban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in the message. Previous Taleban mortar attacks on Kabul have lacked accuracy, and the Christmas Day attacks will raise concerns that the militants have improved their ability to launch and direct the rockets.

Kabul has seen a drop in insurgent attacks in recent months after a series of high-profile strikes earlier in the year, with the NDS claiming to have foiled several plots to launch complex assaults involving truck bombs and suicide gunmen.

Earlier this month a Taleban suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a NATO military convoy entering the city airport, killing himself but causing no other deaths or injuries.

KABUL: Soldiers with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) celebrate during a special meal on Christmas Day at a military base in Kabul. — AFP In October a car bomb attack killed two civilians outside a compound housing foreign workers near the airport. The Supreme Court, the airport, foreign compounds and the presidential palace were all targeted in major attacks during 2013.

NATO forces are withdrawing from Afghanistan after more than a decade of fighting the Taleban, but negotiations have stalled on a security accord that would allow some US and NATO troops to stay after 2014.

President Hamid Karzai first endorsed the deal-which lays out rules for US troops, and would be the basis for other NATO forces-but he later said it might only be signed after the April election that will choose his successor. The ministry of interior said four policemen had suffered minor injuries yesterday morning when some other explosive ordnance detonated as they were investigating the rocket on Maranjan hill. — AFP

Philippine minister to resign over broken power promise Christmas in mud as rain pelts disaster zone

TACLOBAN: Tents are erected as temporary shelters for residents whose houses were flattened by super Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city, Leyte province yesterday. — AFP

MANILA: The Philippines’ energy minister intends to resign after failing to keep a promise to restore electricity to all typhoon-ravaged areas by Christmas Eve, a presidential spokesman said yesterday.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla plans to file his resignation today, President Benigno Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda said on ABS-CBN television.

“He intends to submit his resignation, perhaps by tomorrow. Whether the president will accept his resignation, let us wait for that conversation to take place,” said Lacierda after speaking to the energy chief. Petilla had earlier promised to restore electricity to all towns hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan by Christmas Eve but had failed to reconnect the supply to three towns, the spokesman said.

Lacierda said Petilla had done an “admirable job” considering the scale of the disaster.

The typhoon, one of the strongest ever to hit land, flattened whole towns and left over 6,100 dead and almost 2,000 missing when it struck the central Philippines on November 8. While power has been restored in a few selected areas of the affected towns, many districts still have no electricity after the storm tore

down power lines across a wide area. The government disaster monitoring agency reported that there were still power outages reported throughout the provinces hit by the typhoon, one of the worst natural disasters to strike the country.

CHRISTMAS IN MUD Meanwhile, survivors of the Philippines’ deadliest typhoon spent a gloomy Christmas Day surrounded by mud yesterday as heavy rain drove many inside their flimsy shelters, dampening efforts at holiday cheer in the deeply devout nation. Groups of children in plastic raincoats braved the incessant rain in the devastated central city of Tacloban, knocking on doors in trick-ortreat fashion and beseeching pedestrians for candies, coins and other Christmas presents.

But housewife Susan Scala sat glumly under a white tarpaulin in one of Tacloban’s many tent cities for those made homeless by Super Typhoon Haiyan. At a time when her family should be celebrating, all she could think of was her missing husband. “Even if it’s not Christmas I don’t stop thinking about him,” the mother of five said of her hus-

band Oscar, a telephone utility worker believed lost at sea when giant waves whipped up by the November 8 storm swept away homes in the city’s San Jose slum.

Like many of the city’s survivors, the miserable weather made Scala nervous.

“This incessant rain is scary. It reminds me of what happened (during the typhoon),” the 53-year-old said. Haiyan left more than 6,100 people dead and nearly 2,000 others missing, many of them from Tacloban and nearby towns, in the storm-prone country’s deadliest typhoon disaster. About 4.4 million others were left homeless across the central islands and now live in tents provided by aid agencies or rough shacks fashioned by survivors from the wreckage of destroyed homes and fallen trees.

At the city’s ruined Sagkahan fish port, 67-year-old widow Emiliana Aranza pulled sweets and shortbread from jars at her makeshift store outside her shanty to give to the children who knocked on her counter. “It’s a sad Christmas Day. We have lost our home and the government will not allow us to rebuild here as it’s too close to the shore,” she said. — Agencies

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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Indonesia cave reveals history of ancient tsunamis JAKARTA: A cave discovered near the source of Indonesia’s massive earthquake-spawned tsunami contains the footprints of past gigantic waves dating up to 7,500 years ago, a rare natural record that suggests the next disaster could be centuries away - or perhaps only decades. The findings provide the longest and most detailed timeline for tsunamis that have occurred off the far western tip of Sumatra island in Aceh province.

That’s where 100-foot waves triggered by a magnitude-9.1 earthquake on Dec 26, 2004, killed 230,000 people in several countries, more than half of them in Indonesia. The limestone cave, located within a couple hundred yards (meters) of the coast near Banda Aceh, is about 3 feet (1 meter) above kneehigh tide and protected from storms and wind. Only huge waves that inundate the coastal area are able to gush inside.

Researchers in 2011 uncovered seabed sand deposits that were swept into the cave over thousands of years and neatly layered between bat droppings like a geological cake.

Radiocarbon analysis of materials, including clamshells and the remains of microscopic organisms, provided evidence of 11 tsunamis before 2004. The disasters were by no means evenly spaced, said lead researcher Charles Rubin from the Earth Observatory of Singapore. The last one occurred about 2,800 years ago, but there were four others in the preceding 500 years.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE And it’s possible there were others.

Researchers know, for instance, that

there were two mammoth earthquakes in the region around 1393 and 1450.

Rubin said a big tsunami could have carried away evidence of other events through erosion. The scientists are still working to determine the size of the waves that entered the cave. “The takehome message is perhaps that the 2004 event doesn’t mean it won’t happen for another 500 years,” said Rubin, who added that the cave was discovered by chance and not part of planned field work.

“We did see them clustered together closer in time. I wouldn’t put out a warning that we’re going to have an earthquake, but it shows that the timing is really variable.” The quake that triggered the 2004 tsunami surprised scientists because the fault that unleashed the megathrust temblor had been quiet for hundreds of years. And since the last big earthquake had struck more than 500 years earlier, there was no surviving oral history that could have helped people understand the risk.

Since 2004, much research has been done to try to learn about the area’s past by examining sand deposits, uplifted coral and GPS data. “The findings are very significant,” Katrin Monecke, a geosciences professor at Wellesley College in Massachusetts wrote in an email. She worked on tsunami sand deposits discovered in marshes in the area, but was not involved with the cave research, which was presented this month at an American Geophysical Union conference in San Francisco. “The sand sheets in the cave cover a very long time span and give an excellent idea about earthquake frequency.”

ACEH PROVINCE: Scientists work in a trench that shows layers of sand deposit in a cave which they said reveals history of ancient tsunamis in Lhong, Aceh province, Indonesia. — AP Despite the long record preserved in the cave, Rubin said it did not provide any clear clues about tsunami frequency or when events might happen in a relatively close period of time. Geologist Kerry Sieh, director of the Singapore group and also part of the cave investigation, has predicted that another monster quake could rock the area in the

next few decades. They tend to come in cycles and the 2004 temblor heaped more pressure on the fault. However, the history is so variable, it’s impossible to make an exact forecast.

“By learning about the type of tsunamis that happened in the past, maybe we can do planning for mitigation for the next tsunami,” said Nazli

Ismail, head of the physics and geophysics depar tment at Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh who worked on the project. Indonesia is an archipelago located on the so-called “Ring of Fire,” a horseshoe of fault lines and volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Basin. It is home to some of the world’s biggest and deadliest seismic activity. — AP

Japanese PM nears deal on controversial US base 20-year-old deadlock strains Tokyo-Washington ties

JAKARTA: Indonesian congregations from two churches attend a mass prayer outside the presidential palace in Jakarta yesterday. — AFP

Indonesian Christians stage Christmas protest at palace Christians protest over closure of churches JAKARTA: Hundreds of Indonesian Christians held a Christmas service yesterday in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta to protest at the closure of their churches due to pressure by Muslim hardliners. Some 200 people from two churches near the capital sang hymns, recited prayers and lit candles by a busy road alongside three “Christmas trees” constructed out of plywood and bamboo. The service, involving people of all ages from toddlers to the elderly, began under the scorching sun and continued for hours even after the weather changed abruptly and heavy rain fell.

Christians are coming under increasing pressure from extremists in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been criticized for failing to tackle the growing intolerance. “We want to remind our

president once again that he has not yet resolved the issue of religious intolerance in this country,” Bona Sigalingging, a spokesman for one of the churches said. The churches, in the cities of Bekasi and Bogor, were closed in 2010 by local authorities who had come under pressure from Muslim hardliners.

Authorities said it was because the buildings lacked proper building permits, although rights groups say local governments are simply bowing to extremist pressure and using the permit issue as an excuse. As well as Christians, hardliners in Sunni-majority Indonesia have targeted Muslim minorities.

Ahmadis have seen their places of worship closed and Shiites have been subjected to violent attacks. Ninety percent of Indonesia’s 250 million people identify themselves as Muslim although the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. — AFP

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday moved close to winning approval from the island of Okinawa on a replacement for a US air base, a move that would resolve a nearly 20-year-old deadlock that has strained ties with Washington. A deal with officials in Okinawa would be an achievement for Abe, who has promised a more assertive Japanese military at a time when the US-Japan security alliance has been tested by tension with China over disputed islands in the Pacific.

The potential breakthrough came at a meeting between Abe and Okinawa’s governor, Hirokazu Nakaima, who has held an effective veto over long-delayed plans to build a new US Marine air base to replace the Futenma base. Nakaima praised Abe for offering a range of concessions to address various worries, including promises of larger budget outlays on Okinawa over the next seven years and the prospect of a tighter environmental controls over US bases.

“What has been offered is surprising and splendid,” Nakaima told Abe, adding later that he would make a final decision on approving construction of a new base on Friday. The United States and Japan agreed in 1996 to close the Futenma base but plans for a replacement stalled in the face of fierce opposition in Okinawa, which hosts more than half of the US forces in Japan. Okinawa was occupied by the United States until 1972. Japan’s ties with the United States were strained when thenPrime Minister Yukio Hatoyama sought to keep a campaign prom-

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (front left) and Okinawa governor Hirokazu Nakaima (front right) gesture during their meeting at Abe’s official residence yesterday. — AFP ise to move the US base off Okinawa. US officials have said the new Marine facility needed to be on the island.

The Futenma base has been a lightning rod for criticism because of its location in a densely populated area. The proposed replacement base would be built on the Henoko coast near the town of Nago, removed from the more crowded southern tip of Okinawa. Activists living in tents have been staging a protest near the site of the proposed Henoko base for almost 10

Chinese smugglers dig tunnel into Hong Kong BEIJING: Chinese smugglers dug a “professional” concrete tunnel into Hong Kong equipped with lights, vents, steel reinforcements and even rails to transport goods, domestic media reported yesterday.

The underground path had “one end in a rented garage in Shenzhen and another in a thicket of reeds in Hong Kong, totally concealed”, said a report posted on the official website china.com.cn. “It was dug in a totally professional way,” it said.

Semi-autonomous Hong Kong, along with Shenzhen in mainland China, are both important trade hubs for the fast-growing and massive market.

But the two have very different tariff systems. The asyet unidentified smugglers sought to exploit their proximity by building a 40-metre-long (130 feet) underground passage and installing a rail track and wagon with a block-and-tackle system to ferry goods such as cell phones and tablet computers. The tunnel stood about 0.8 meters wide and 1 meter high, just big enough for an adult to crawl through.

It started from a remote area of Shenzhen, in a garage full of bags packed with sludge dug up from the tunnel, and ended in a cluster of tall reeds a few meters past a river dividing mainland China and Hong Kong, with the nearest village 20 meters away.

The project was estimated to have cost three million yuan ($490,000) and taken four months to build.

Border officers discovered the tunnel a week ago, and a nearby resident said she heard drilling noises for one or two nights but assumed they were for renovations. The man who rented the garage had used a fake ID, authorities were quoted as saying. — AFP

SHENZHEN: A soldier checks an underground tunnel leading to Hong Kong from Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. Chinese smugglers dug a “professional” concrete tunnel into Hong Kong equipped with lights, vents, steel reinforcements and even rails to transport goods, domestic media reported yesterday. — AFP

years and have promised demonstrations if Nakaima approves construction.

In April, the United States and Japan announced a plan to close Futenma as early as 2022. Abe said the government would study whether that plan could be accelerated and would begin negotiating an agreement with the United States that could allow for more local oversight of environmental issues at US bases. That would mark the first change to the bilateral Status of Forces agreement that has

applied to US military activities in Japan since the 1960s.

“We have never even had a discussion of this kind,” Abe told reporters. “We want this to produce a solid result.” Although Abe remains generally popular, Okinawa handed his Liberal Democratic Party one of its few defeats in July elections. In addition to anger over the issue of US bases, sugar farmers in Okinawa also oppose Abe’s plans to join the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement. — Reuters

Thailand’s PM proposes national reform council BANGKOK: Thailand’s prime minister proposed a “national reform council” yesterday to seek a way out of the political crisis gripping the kingdom, following weeks of mass street protests against her government. Yingluck Shinawatra said the body would be set up in parallel with a February 2 general election to recommend constitutional amendments, economic and legal reforms and anti-corruption measures. “It is now time to develop a mechanism to push forward and mobilize national reform,” she said in an address to the nation.

But the plan was immediately rejected by protest leaders who want reforms before elections, in a bid to curb the political influence of the prime minister’s family. Yingluck “is not sincere about reform”, said a spokesman for the protest movement, Akanat Promphan. “The prime minister can show her responsibility and sacrifice by stepping down so that the reform process can begin,” he added.

In recent weeks tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Bangkok seeking to oust Yingluck’s elected government and install an unelected “people’s council” in its place. The premier has called a snap election for February 2 to try to ease tensions, but the main opposition Democrat Party-

which has not won an elected majority in about two decades-has vowed to boycott the vote.

The Democrat-backed protesters are demanding loosely-defined reforms-such as an end to alleged “vote buying” as well as anti-graft measures-before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months. The political conflict broadly pits a Bangkokbased middle class and elite against rural and poor voters loyal to Yingluck’s brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006 and lives in self-exile. Protesters accuse Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon turned politician, of controlling his sister’s government from his home in Dubai. Even some of Yingluck’s supporters criticized the proposed selection process for the 499-member reform council, which will be supervised by 11 representatives from the military, civil service, business and other sectors. “All 11 people are from the Thai elite and have nothing to do with the Thai people,” said Thida Thavornseth, chairwoman of the “Red Shirt” political movement which is broadly loyal to Thaksin. “This could cool the political temperature but in reality only the people want reform-not the elite,” she said, stressing the importance of the February election. — AFP

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Mining threatens unique culture of Sweden’s Samis JOKKMOKK: As winter approaches, the Samis of northern Sweden move thousands of reindeer down from the snow-covered mountains for lowland grazing. They have done so for centuries, but they wonder how much longer they can continue. The mining industry is one of several modern threats to the unique way of life of the Samis, the only indigenous people in the EU, and one small, tightly-knit community has decided to fight back.

The roughly 100 residents of the Jaahkaagasska area near the subarctic town of Jokkmokk are deeply worried what will happen if the proposed Kallak iron mine, an open pit project mostly located inside the district, is allowed to go ahead. “There’s no way our reindeer herding will be able to continue,” said Nik las Spik , a spokesman for the Jaahkaagasska Sami community. “The natural straying won’t be possible if the reindeer can’t move freely.” Roughly 80,000 Samis inhabit a huge swathe of land stretching from Norway across Sweden and Finland to Russia.

Friction with the 21st century economy is not unusual, but rarely is it played out as dramatically as here. Samis and environmental activists have protested against the plans for the mine the entire year. Malin Norrby, 27, was fined 2,000 kronor (220 euros, $300) last week for an incident in July when she and other activists tied themselves to a self-built wooden tower that blocked access to the mine. “I went to Jokkmokk to protest against the mining boom and the unsustainable use of finite resources,” she told AFP after the fine was meted out.

Norrby and other activists argue that the mine makes no allowances for the shape of a Sami district such as Jaahkaagasska, which is long and narrow, stretching through different types of vegetation suitable for different seasons. Spik said a mine located in the passage between the mountain pastures in the west and the eastern winter grazing areas would prevent the animals from moving between the seasonal pastures, leaving

them to starve.

Economic, cultural value “Sami villages already encounter so many forms of encroachment on their areas, from roads to windmills, that they just can’t take anymore,” said Mattias Aahren, head of the human rights unit of the Sami Council, an umbrella organization of Sami groups. Prospected mines in Kiruna and Roennbaeck, also in northern Sweden, likewise cut the grazing land in half and affect nearby areas with dust and transport, critics said.

“The mines are located at the worst site possible for reindeer herding,” said Aahren, who represents the affected villages, including the one in Roennbaeck that submitted a petition to the UN’s human rights committee in September 2013. But Fred Boman, CEO of British Beowulf’s subsidiary Jokkmokk Iron Mines, Jimab said he thought the fears were exaggerated. He expressed confidence the mine would be approved by the government.

“This is a very solid and large ore find and the economic value of this weighs more than the local reindeer herding business,” he said. “But (reindeer herding) has important cultural value, and we are absolutely convinced that we can get on with this together.” The conflict between cultural heritage and mining is still being debated, and advocates of the mines argue that the industry will create jobs in areas otherwise troubled by high unemployment rates.

In Jokkmokk, with a population of 5,000 citizens, the Kallak mine would lead to 500 jobs, for at least 14 years, according to advocates.

But Tor Lundberg Tourda, a local activist, is not impressed, and sees it all as a continuation of a pattern of exploitation. “The Swedish state has colonized these areas for over 300 years, land that has been used by Samis for thousands of years”, he said, standing by one of the test holes on top of the kilometer-long iron ore deposit. What is more, it is not just the natural environment which the

JOKKMOKK: Tor Lundberg Tourda stands in open test mining holes at the Kallak prospecting area near Randijaur village, 40 kilometers north-west of Jokkmokk, in Swedish Lapland. — AFP Samis seek to preserve. They also hope to keep their culture, which has undergone enormous changes over time but has always maintained one constant: The close relationship with the reindeer.

Johan Andersson may just be 18 years old, but he is determined to help take the proud Sami heritage through the 21st century. With other young Samis, he attends a

boarding school in Jokkmokk, where he learns the materials and techniques of traditional handicrafts and is taught how to distinguish between different kinds of reindeer and even between different types of snow. “I like the handicrafts, studying the Sami language, the reindeer herding business and learning about nature guiding,” he said.

“There are so many things that are useful to know.” — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

ANALYSIS

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Issues

Gaza journos ‘fish’ for truth

By Diana Atallah n the restless Gaza Strip, Palestinian journalists have launched a soft revolution. Twenty-nine Gazans united to form “Fish”, an independent coalition of journalists seeking to change their local media. The group took its name, which also means “doesn’t exist” in Arabic, from the most important job for journalists: fishing for news and stories. Members say they hope to create a media landscape without boundaries or bias, and to move the traditional news culture away from routine, repetition and staleness.

They agreed to meet every week to protest a status quo that is seen as “too formal, too dry, too political, too dependent on propaganda and too reliant on office work,” said AP’s senior reporter Mohammed Daraghmeh. The idea for the new group came up during two weeks of training on feature story writing that Daraghmeh led.

“These journalists work in media that has a lot of propaganda and little information,” he told The Media Line, adding that some have never been introduced to media founded on facts. During the training, journalists discussed the basic roles of media. “I believe one can be objective and still have an ideology,” Noor Al-Dalo, a news editor at Sawt Al-Aqsa radio, a Hamas-affiliated station, told The Media Line. “As people under occupation, we can’t ignore our social responsibility.” The editor explained that he will not publish a comment from the Israel Defense Forces saying that they used force in response to rocket fire from Gaza. “I believe this is a lie because Israel doesn’t need an excuse to hit Gaza,” he said. “So I won’t participate and promote their propaganda.”

Group members agreed that the current form of journalism is not good because it doesn’t reflect people’s concerns.

“It’s full of cliches and doesn’t even attract audience from the party’s own supporters,” Daraghmeh explained. Ahmad Tolba, a reporter and editor for Al-Risala, a Hamas-affiliated newspaper, told The Media Line that local journalism paid a high price for the internal split between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. “The Palestinian public TV focuses on the mistakes of Hamas, while Al-Aqsa TV focuses on the Palestinian Authority’s mistakes,” he said, adding that other issues, like the detainees and refugees, are ignored because of sectarian agendas. “I rarely find an independent journalist in Gaza,” Daraghmeh said. Most are affiliated with political parties because it ensures financial stability.

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Humane stories Islam Zanoun, a 23-year-old who is training to be a journalist, told The Media Line that she will focus on less traditional stories and features. “I want to show the economic difficulties through humane stories such as the suffering of a family who has quadruplets and can’t pay for their medical treatment,” she said, adding that it’s important to work with English speakers to present Gaza’s stories to the world.

Tolba said that the process of change will take a long time and a lot of effort. “Some issues can be treated easily and some need more work. For example, I worked on reducing the number of words in my report today. People nowadays don’t have time to read long reports as they used to in the past,” he said. “They will face challenges from the management and leaders of the news houses, but now it’s their job convince their managers that this is the only way media works,” Daraghmeh added.

For Al-Dalo, the change is already happening, even if it’s slow. “We know that the current Egyptian regime, the Palestinian Authority, and the Israeli siege are the reason for the fuel problem in the Gaza Strip,” he said, explaining that this would have been the way he presented the story before Daraghmeh’s training. “Now, I asked a governmental official about their responsibility to come up with creative solutions. We can’t always blame these parties, the government needs to take its responsibility.” Dalo said that the same goes to issue of reconciliation between Hamas, which controls Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority in charge of the West Bank. He will no longer say that Hamas is ready for unity while the Palestinian Authority is not because of American pressure. “I won’t mention the American veto if I am not sure of this fact,” he said.

“However, I will say that (Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin) Netanyahu told the PA that it has to choose between peace and reconciliation with Hamas.” Journalists agree that changing the situation will not be easy because media freedom in Gaza is already threatened. A few months ago, the government here briefly shut down the offices of AlArabiya and Ma’an News Agency claiming that they distribute “false news”. “We are working in partisan outlets,” Tolba said. “We can be more objective but only to the limit that won’t affect the outlet’s agenda.” Dalo agrees. “The decision-makers need to change as well. Otherwise many people will lose their jobs,” he said. — Media Line

All articles appearing on these pages are the personal opinion of the writers. Kuwait Times takes no responsibility for views expressed therein. Kuwait Times invites readers to voice their opinions. Please send submissions via email to: opinion@kuwaittimes.net or via snail mail to PO Box 1301 Safat, Kuwait.

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

Robot to save civilians from snipers

By Emma Beals n a grimy warehouse on the outskirts of a seedy border town, two young Syrians are hard at work, building a machine that they believe will bring much needed relief to the victims of Bashar Al-Assad’s army in Aleppo. Syria’s cities and towns are rife with danger. Gunmen poised on busy streets and quiet corners shoot at fighters and civilians alike. In many cases the victims are wounded, not killed, and bringing them to safety and medical attention, out of the line of sniper fire, is a treacherous task. Civilians risk their lives to drag the wounded to safety. Some of the injured, however, are not rescued. Bilal, a computer network engineer from Aleppo, has a personal connection to the deadly results of sniper fire. “My cousin’s son was walking to work and was shot by a sniper,” he said. “He didn’t die. He lay on the ground for five days and nobody could help him, so he lost a lot of blood and he died.” Deeply affected by the needlessness of this death, Bilal was motivated to use his skills to help put an end to the problem. Alongside Ahmed Heider, a childhood friend and fellow programmer, Bilal designed and is now building a remote-controlled, robotic “nurse,” which will retrieve people injured by snipers and bring them to safety, so they can reach medical attention. Nearly a year in the making, “Teena”, as the robot is affectionately called, began as a simple drawing. The team then built the computer system used to control the robot. After a chance meeting, they received a substantial amount of money from a private donor, who sold her own possessions to fund the project. With this help, a full-sized prototype is taking shape in a corner of the warehouse nestled among car repair shops on the outskirts of Kilis, a Turkish town adjacent to the Syrian border.

Bilal is the more serious of the team. He used his skills to work in a computer repair store, before setting up his own small business fixing laptops and computer systems for locals in Kilis. He is, like Heider, a refugee. Heider has lived in a dingy hotel in the town for more than a year now. His family joined

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him from Syria a few months ago and live in an unfinished building in town. His younger brother works at the warehouse and is saving money to buy a Canon camera so he can follow his dream of becoming a film director.

Heider’s skills in computer programming - he studied computer science and then became a lecturer at a private institute in Qatar - have shaped his experience of the Syrian civil war since the beginning. Groups on all sides of the conflict sought his talents. When the Syrian uprising first began in 2011, the Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), a notorious hacking group of regime loyalists who have attacked the websites and online accounts of international organizations like The New York Times, Human Rights Watch and others they believe are not sympathetic to the Syrian regime’s cause, took Heider to their safe house and asked him to join their ranks in lieu of military service. He declined and went into hiding within Syria. While hiding, Heider and a number of other computer hackers formed a group called the Pirates of Aleppo. Working alongside similar hacker collectives within Syria and abroad, the group spends most of its time infiltrating government websites. According to Heider, the pirates once hacked into Syrian state TV and declared Assad’s resignation as president of Syria, stating his reason for stepping down as being “for the good of his people”.

Altruistic aims However, the primary aim of the group was altruistic. After an activist was arrested by Assad’s forces, the pirates hacked into his Facebook page and cleaned up any evidence of activism, replacing it with pornography. Laughing, Heider explains that this was meant to “keep the investigators busy for at least an hour”. These days, activists are taught similar techniques to protect themselves if they’re arrested or kidnapped by extremists on either side of the conflict. The SEA wasn’t the only organization aiming to utilize Heider’s skills. Many armed groups have, and continue to, ask him and Bilal to build net-

works, remote controls and robots for weapons. They have refused every time. “We only want to make things to help civilians,” Heider said.

The use of robots or remote-controlled weaponry in conflict is not a new concept. Bomb disposal units, small surveillance robots that go ahead of troops or first responders to ensure an area is safe to enter and unmanned drones that provide aerial footage or strike military targets without risking pilots’ lives - all of these tools have been utilized in modern war. The use of a robot to drag civilians to safety, however, is unique. The finished full-size prototype of Teena will be constructed from the body of a bulldozer, with additional titanium covering to add strength and protection from bullets. A commander from a rebel group is trying to arrange for a bulldozer to modify, but this could jeopardize the independence of the project and the team’s ability to use the robot solely for humanitarian purposes.

Heider is keen to stress that the vehicle will be nimble and efficient. “If I say ‘bulldozer,’ does it sound like it’s a tank? ‘Cause it’s not a tank,” he said. Their vision is that Teena’s robotic arms will lift the injured person, placing him or her inside the body of the bulldozer while wheeling to safety. Bilal and Heider plan to redeem the costs of making the robot - $15,000 so far - by patenting the design so similar machines can be built and used in other conflict zones around the world. At the warehouse in Kilis, after a two-day wait for a vital part, the prototype is fired up and clunks and whirs her way to life. The daydream sketches of months ago have become less a figment of a bored refugee’s imagination and more like something that may save lives. There’s more work to be done and funds to raise, but after the demonstration, Heider has tears in his eyes and Bilal’s spirits are so high that he waves and hollers at shop mannequins on the way back into town. The developers are hopeful that Teena will soon have the chance to save lives in the streets of Aleppo, bringing a small sliver of possibility to a war where such optimism is in short supply. — Media Line

Story of a Palestinian honor killing

By Diana Atallah n an exclusive interview, her mother and sister told the story that ended when Thamar’s father murdered her three months ago. He is currently in a Palestinian jail awaiting trial. Thamar had a male friend, Iyad Na’lweh, a laborer who worked in Israel. He was married, but his wife and children live in Jordan. He fell in love with Thamar and promised her that if she became his second wife (legal in Islamic law) he would help her get her children back. She wanted to marry him, but her family objected, saying he had a drinking problem. It is not clear if they had a physical relationship, although the autopsy showed no recent sexual relations.

On the night of Sept 17, Na’lweh was seen outside Thamar’s house. Rumors, many of them false, began to spread. “People said they had been together in her room for the past three days, but that’s impossible,” her mother Laila said. “In fact I had been in the hospital and she spent the past three days in my room there.” Seeing Na’lweh lurking outside her home, neighborhood men attacked him.

He ran into the house, and Thamar’s father called the police. The attackers, who believed they were defending her honor, were arrested. Thamar began to fear that her male relatives might harm her. She asked the police to help her, and left with them to spend the night in protective custody. The next morning, her father and uncle assured the police that she would be safe, and she could come home. The men who attacked Na’lweh were also released.

The following day, Suad and Zaher Mohammed, Thamer’s sister and brother-in-law, came to the village to bring Thamer to Ramallah for a few days until the storm died down. Hours later, some of Thamer’s conservative relatives began circulating a written petition demanding that Thamer’s father Munther “reinstate the cultural and religious morals in his family”. They posted the petition in 5 local mosques during Friday prayer. More than 50 family members, including Abed Al-Rahman Zeidan, a Palestinian lawmaker signed the petition. “My husband was under tremendous pressure,” Laila said. “The family wanted to banish us from the West Bank and people started rumors that my husband wasn˝˝’t mentally stable. I wanted my husband to discipline her. We took away her phone and limited her movement.”

On Saturday, Munther drove to Ramallah to bring his daughter home. “He told us she will be safe and he won’t surrender to the family’s pressure,” Suad told The Media Line. According to Suad, Thamar went to her room. After

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checking on her, Laila went out to harvest the family’s olive trees. “He said he was going to talk to her,” Laila said, her voice catching. “”That’s all he said.” According to the police, based on his confession, Munther attacked Thamer in her room. “My sister’s voice is usually loud, but this time no one heard her,” Suad said sadly. “He had put one hand on her mouth and he choked her with the other hand.”

Cause for celebration Laila came back around noon to find the home surrounded by police. Aftert he killing, Munther had gone straight to the local police station and turned himself in.

For some of the relatives, the death was a cause for celebration. Thamer’s aunt held a feast celebrating that the family’s honor was now clean. But for the immediate fami-

Thamar

ly, it was and remains a tragedy. “My father doesn’t understand that he will go straight to hell now,” Suad told The Media Line bitterly. Later on the family found a letter written by Munther in which he outlines his plan to kill his daughter. The family believes the letter was written the day before the murder in which Munther clearly states he holds all who circulated the petition against the family to be responsible.

The letter, acquired by The Media Line, began by apologizing to his wife, children and grandchildren. “Don’t hold any kind of funeral for my daughter, and don’t let those who signed the petition into my house,” the letter states.

Thamar’s immediate family is still angry at those who demanded that the “family honor” be restored. “Thamar’s sisters kicked relatives who came to pay their respects out of their house. They were angry because they believe these were the same people who helped spread gossip that led to killing Thamar,” her brother-in-law Zaher Mohammed told The Media Line. “My wife and her family are suffering in silence publicly, but at home the loss is more devastating than just the death of one person. The whole family is traumatized.”

According to the Jordanian personal status law which is still in force in the West Bank, crimes of passion such as honor killings are punished with reduced sentences. As Munther awaits trial, Suad and her husband agree that a long jail sentence might help put an end to honor killings.

Palestinian official statistics show that 24 women were killed in 2013 as opposed 13 last year. “It’s not clear that honor killing is on the rise but we can say that documenting such cases has improved and police and media are more aware of them,” Surayda Hassan, the General Director of the Women Affairs Technical Committee, told The Media Line. She said that Islam demands four eye witnesses to adultery before an adulteress can be killed. Suspicion of adultery is not enough.

Laila visits her husband weekly in jail. “We avoid talking about it as he is suffering physically,” Suad said. “He only recently stopped crying.” Laila said her husband was reacting to the family’s demands to restore their honor. “My husband is a peaceful man and this is completely out of character, but the pressure was too intense,” she told The Media Line. Laila says her family will never recover. “They took a piece of my heart. My only wish now is not to see anyone and live with my children alone,” Laila explained, “Every time I see Thamar’s children...,” she chocked up holding back her tears, “her children and my children will always be rejected,” Laila added. — Media Line

NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

A carousel spins near Spasskaya Tower on Red Square in Moscow on Tuesday. New Year is the biggest holiday of the year in Russia, followed by Orthodox Christmas celebrated on Jan 7. — AFP

Saudi activists gloomy over rights, reforms Continued from Page 1 At least five women were detained for several hours for flouting a driving ban, and a Saudi male writer supportive of their push was detained for almost two weeks.

Abdulaziz Alhussan, the rights lawyer who fled to the United States, warned that if the monarchy doesn’t address calls for change, the demands could escalate and destabilize the country. “If we wait another seven to 10 years, we will be in a more dangerous situation than Egypt and Syria,” he told AP. “What we need to do is fix it before it’s too late.” He said that while 2013 was bad for activists “one of the worst years we are facing in Saudi Arabia” - it was ultimately “much worse for the government” because Saudis are more informed and aware of the needs for better governance. “The government has no option but to reconcile with its own people,” he said.

“They do not want to overthrow the royal family. They are saying we need reform where human rights are respected and where there

is accountability and transparency within government.”

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s last absolute monarchies. All decisions are centered in the hands of King Abdullah, who has the sole power to ratify new laws. There is no parliament. There is little written law, and judges have broad leeway to impose verdicts and sentences. A Specialized Criminal Court created in 2008 for terrorism cases has tried reformers and activists. Offences such as “disobeying the ruler” can result in years in prison.

When Saudis do speak out, they say their phone calls and emails are monitored and that they are tailed by security officers. The kingdom has aggressively monitored social media websites like Facebook and Twitter, where jokes about the ageing monarchy are rife and anger over corruption, poverty and unemployment is palpable. One female activist, who was recently put under house arrest and banned from Twitter for her criticism of the government, said people are terrified of the “security state”. “Everyone expects a

revolution in the kingdom. We don’t want one because the people are divided. The only thing uniting us is repression,” she said. She spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution against her family, saying security officials warned that her parents could face arrest for her activism.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights over the weekend voiced its “deep concern” about what it said was the “intimidation and prosecution of individuals in Saudi Arabia for exercising certain fundamental freedoms.” Human Rights Watch released a report last week saying Saudi authorities have redoubled their harassment of activists since early 2011. The rights group HASEM was formed in 2009 to challenge detentions of people held for years without trial or kept imprisoned far beyond their sentences. Since then, it became one of the most vocal organizations in the kingdom, though it was never given a license to operate. There are two licensed human rights bodies in the kingdom but unions and most

Xmas attacks kill 44 in Iraq Continued from Page 1 capital, killed one person and wounded seven.

Defence ministry spokesman Mohammed Al-Askari told AFP that aerial photographs and other information pointed to “the arrival of weapons and advanced equipment from Syria to the desert of western Anbar and the border of Nineveh province”, referring to Sunni-majority areas bordering Syria. This has encouraged Al-Qaeda-linked militants to “revive some of their camps that were elimi-

nated by security forces in 2008 and 2009,” Askari said, adding that aerial photos showed 11 militant camps near the border with Syria.

Iraqi security forces have launched an operation against militants dubbed “Avenge the Leader Mohammed”, named for a divisional commander who was killed during a raid targeting militants. The defence ministry said in an online statement issued yesterday that security forces had killed 11 militants in a three-day period, and captured weapons and equipment. — Agencies

Erdogan defiant as three ministers quit Continued from Page 1 comment on the ministers’ resignations. Instead, he again blamed the probe on “a conspiracy” and “international powers” and insisted the AKP had a clean record. “If a verdict is made by the opposition party on the second day of the investigation, what’s the point of having judges? If a decision is made by the media, what’s the point of having these long legal procedures?” Erdogan told provincial leaders of his Islamist-rooted AK party. Alluding to TV news reports which have riveted Turks with footage of cashfilled shoeboxes allegedly seized at suspects’ homes, he asked: “How do you know what that money is for?”

Observers say the investigation has exposed a rift between Erdogan and former ally Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who lives in the United States and whose movement wields considerable influence in Turkey’s police and judiciary. The damaging probe comes ahead of crucial local elections in March and presidential elections in August.

In his resignation statement, Bayraktar pointed the finger at Erdogan, saying the vast majority of construction projects mentioned in the investigation were carried out with the premier’s approval. “It’s the prime minister’s natural right to work with or remove whichever minister he would like to,” he told NTV in a live broadcast. “But I don’t accept any pressure to resign over an operation involving bribery and corruption... because a big majority of construction plans in the investigation dossier were carried out with the approval of the prime minister.”The television network then cut the live feed in a move that immediately raised a stir on Twitter, with critics slamming it as censorship.

In another blow to Erdogan, former interior minister and current lawmaker Idris Naim Sahin, a predecessor to Guler, also tendered his resignation. He said government polices had provoked “hostile and discriminatory sentiments in society, caused a loss of self-confidence... and disappointment.” Meanwhile, in an apparent widening of the graft investigation, prosecutors in Ankara said they had opened a probe into the national rail authority over corruption claims in public tenders. No arrests have yet been made, the prosecutor’s office said. The political tensions of the past days have hurt the already slowing Turkish economy, pushing the national currency to hover around record lows against the US dollar.

Caglayan kept up the government’s defiant stance in his resignation announcement, declaring that the investigation was “clearly a hideous plot against our government, our party and our country”. “I am stepping down from my post as economy minister so that this ugly game targeting my close colleagues and my son will be spoiled and the truth will be revealed,” he said. Both Caglayan and Guler have rejected the bribery accusations against their sons.

Muslim cleric Gulen has denied being behind the graft investigation. His reported dispute with Erdogan is thought to be linked to government plans to shut down a network of Gulenist schools, a major source of revenue for the group. Gulenists were previously key backers of the AKP, helping it to win three elections in a row since 2002.

In an apparent reference to Gulen, Erdogan said yesterday: “We would not allow certain organisations acting under the guise of religion but being used as the tools of certain countries to carry out an operation on our country.” — Agencies

Court refuses to restore Abu Ghaith’s...

Continued from Page 1 Separately, Kuwait University has allowed sociology professor Dr Haifa Al-Kandari to return to work after she was suspended over press statements she made about peculiar behaviors and conducts within the university. Kandari had been subjected to an investigation over stating that Kuwait University had sexually-disordered students of both genders and that some professors have been sexually molesting female students. The investigating committee recommended scrapping the case on grounds that the statements Kandari made were part of an academic study she had conducted.

Kuwait University also denied what the head of the parliamentary budgets committee MP Adnan Abdulsamad charged about the theft of millions of dinars worth of sand from the Shadadiya university construction site. Abdulsamad expressed amazement at the denial, noting that he got his

information from an Audit Bureau report after a meeting with KU rector Dr Abdullatif Al-Bader who claimed he had no knowledge about the sand theft. “Instead of investigating the matter, the university immediately denied the story,” he fumed.

MP Yacoub Al-Sane in the meantime submitted a draft law calling to scrap a legislation passed in 2010 that calls for establishing a public shareholding company to build power and water desalination plants. In justifying his demand, Sane said that it is clear that a number of drawbacks have appeared while trying to implement the law which may have negative consequences on the people. MP Saleh Ashour yesterday warned the prime minister against changing the portfolio of a number of ministers and keeping them in the Cabinet in a bid to spare them facing grillings in the Assembly. Ashour said if this happens, it will be a flagrant misuse of the constitution.

independent civil society groups are not allowed to operate.

Two years ago, HASEM and other rights advocates were strong enough to pressure the government to shelve a version of the anti-terror law that was recently approved by Cabinet. Last year, HASEM challenged a law that says citizens must pledge allegiance to the king in accordance with Islam and the Quran. HASEM posted an online petition arguing that Islam requires rulers to be responsible toward their people, “rather than people being the ruler’s livestock and property, inherited continuously by the ruler’s family”. Now around a dozen members of HASEM are in detention, on trial or under investigation. One of them, 23-year-old Umar Al-Saeed, was sentenced in December to four years in prison and 300 lashes. The verdict came in a secret, surprise session of his trial without his defense lawyers or family present, and the court has not announced what charges he was convicted on, Saeed’s lawyer Abdullah AlShubaily said.

Separately, two founding members of HASEM and icons of the reform movement, Mohammed Al-Qahtani and Abdullah AlHamid, were sentenced to between 10-11 years in prison, with a five- to 10-year ban on travel after that on charges of breaking allegiance with the ruler, inciting disorder, disseminating false information to foreign groups and founding an unlicensed organization.

Rights lawyer Alhussan, who represented the two, was later interrogated by authorities and accused of trying to damage the reputation of the prison system because of tweets critical of his clients’ treatment. Shortly after, he left to the United States as a visiting scholar at Indiana University. Shubaily, the lawyer who represented Saeed, has also been questioned over his own participation in HASEM. “I am ready for jail. I am ready to be lashed. I am ready for everything,” he said. “It’s hard to see our grandfathers die to unite the country and then for it to be heading into the unknown.” — AP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Sportspeople of the year PARIS: Wimbledon women’s singles champion Marion Bartoli and NBA star Tony Parker were named female and male sports person of the year by French sports newspaper L’Equipe yesterday. Bartoli, 29, topped the women’s section with 886 points following her stunning success at Wimbledon beating German Sabine Lisicki, her first - and only - Grand Slam crown at the 47th attempt, a record in the women’s game for those who have finally captured such a lofty honor. Two skiers downhill world champion Marion Rolland (522pts) and giant slalom world champion Tessa Worley (520pts) finished second and third but not much consolation given both have been ruled out of February’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, because of injury.

Parker, 31, got the nod with 805 points principally on the back of his inspirational performances in France’s being crowned European champions in Slovenia in September. Parker, who plays guard for the San Antonio Spurs, beat Judoka legend Olympic and six-time world champion Teddy Riner (555 pts), who won the award last year. — AFP

Montenegro coach pens 2-year contract extension

Kallis to quit tests

PARIS: Montenegro manager Branko Brnovic has signed a twoyear contract extension to lead the country through the Euro 2016 qualifiers, the domestic governing body said on its website on Tuesday. “I feel honored and privileged to remain on the Montenegro bench,” the 46-year-old Brnovic was quoted as saying on uefa.com after extending his stay in a job he took up in October 2011. He guided Montenegro to the Euro 2012 playoffs, where they lost to the Czech Republic, and their bid for a place at the 2014 World Cup finals only floundered after two defeats at the end of the qualifying campaign left them third in their group. “I hope me and my team will do what we have almost done in the last two qualifying campaigns and seal our passage to a major finals,” said Brnovic, referring to the next European Championship which is being hosted by France. “We have a core of the team at my disposal for the next qualifying campaign, with several young players coming through who can strengthen competition for starting places, which is very important.”

Brnovic, who played at the 1998 World Cup, has guided Montenegro to four wins, four draws and six defeats in his 14 official matches in charge. — Reuters

DURBAN: South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis will retire from test and firstclass cricket after the Boxing Day test against India in Durban, the country’s cricket board said yesterday. Kallis, cricket’s fourth highest test run-getter, would be available, however, for selection in the limited-over formats, Cricket South Africa said in a statement. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to have been part of the South African test team since making my debut 18 years ago,” said the 38-year-old, who has amassed 13174 runs and taken 292 wickets from 165 tests. “I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my test whites,” said the all-rounder who has also accumulated 11574 runs from 325 one-day internationals. “It wasn’t an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel that I have made my contribution in this format.” After the first test ended in a draw, world number one Proteas take on India in the second and final test today. They will host Australia for three tests and as many Twenty20 internationals in a series starting in February. — Reuters

MELBOURNE: England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow (right) dives for a catch as teammates Alastair Cook (second right), Ian Bell and Ben Stokes (left) look on during a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), in Melbourne yesterday. England is preparing to take on Australia in the fourth Ashes cricket Test match starting today. — AFP

England captain says Swann’s shock is over SYDNEY: England captain Alastair Cook yesterday declared the furor over Graeme Swann’s shock retirement “closed”, saying the spinner had assured him that controversial remarks about player arrogance were not directed at his teammates. Swann stunned the cricket world with his announcement Sunday that he was resigning immediately from the England team midway through the Ashes series.

He stoked tensions by saying some players had “no idea how far up their own backsides they are”.

There was speculation he was referring to his England colleagues, particularly outspoken batsman Kevin Pietersen. But Swann has since denied that and Cook said Wednesday he had insisted it was not the case. “A phone call to Swanny reassured me very quickly that it wasn’t at all anything about England players,” Cook told reporters

ahead of today’s Boxing Day fourth Test, where the tourists will be hoping to avert a 5-0 series whitewash.

“I haven’t heard the quotes exactly-obviously I’ve seen what’s been written-and whether it’s come across badly, he totally 100 percent reassures me and the whole England team that it’s not about us. “So to me the matter’s closed on that.” Australia clinched the Ashes by taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead in Perth and Swann’s departure has further destabilized the tourists’ already-shaky campaign. But Cook commended Swann for his courage, saying “no one’s forcing you to play cricket for England, we’re privileged to do that.” “Graeme just gave up a lot for that England shirt and he had no more to give, and I think it’s a very brave decision,” he said. “He could have just hung on for these two games, and whether he played or not is pretty irrelevant,

South Africa and India have Durban bowling headaches DURBAN: Finding the right combination of bowlers will be the biggest headache for both South Africa and India ahead of the second and final Test starting at Kingsmead yesterday.

After fighting out an epic draw in the first Test in Johannesburg, the two top-ranked teams in Test cricket will seek a series win at a venue where South Africa have lost their most recent four Test matches, including an 87-run defeat

by India three seasons ago.

DURBAN: India’s cricketer Shikhar Dhawan plays football during a training session ahead of the second cricket test match between India and South Africa at the Sahara Stadium Kingsmead in Durban. — AFP

World champions South Africa will almost certainly be without injured fast bowler Morne Morkel, who has been a key member of a three-pronged pace attack together with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander. Morkel suffered a sprained ankle early in the second innings of the first Test. His likely replacement is Rory Kleinveldt, who has played in four Tests. But South Africa will be tempted to play Kyle Abbott, who was called into the squad after Morkel’s injury.

Kingsmead is Abbott’s home ground and the accurate fast-medium bowler will be keen to add to the success of his only previous Test when as a late replacement he took seven for 29 in the first innings against Pakistan at Centurion last season. He had match figures of nine for 68. Kingsmead has lost much of the pace that was on offer when current bowling coach Allan Donald had match figures of nine for 54 when India were bowled out for 100 and 66 in 1996/97 but the Proteas could contemplate going in with an all-pace attack.

Leg-spinner Imran Tahir had a poor match in Johannesburg and South Africa have the option of using part-time off-spinner JP Duminy, who was described by AB de Villiers as the best spinner in the first Test. India’s concerns will be centred around the lack of success of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who failed to take a wicket in 36 overs in the second innings after South Africa had been set a world record target of 458 in Johannesburg.

Kingsmead may be more helpful to Ashwin than the Wanderers but India could also call on Ravindra Jadeja or Pragyan Ojha, who are both left-armers.

In the most recent Test at Kingsmead, Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath was man of the match after bowling his side to victory with match figures of nine for 128 two seasons ago. It will also be a worry for India their three pace bowlers at the Wanderers, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, bowled a combined 91 overs in hot weather in the second innings. The 35-yearold Khan, who took his 300th Test wicket in Johannesburg, played a big role in India’s win at Kingsmead three seasons ago with match figures of six for 98. With only three days of recovery time between Tests, India may look to Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Umesh Yadav to bolster their pace resources. — AFP

he could have stayed but he was like ‘I know I’ve got no more to give, I don’t feel I’ve got anything left’.” Cook said Swann “will be missed because he was a fine, fine cricketer.”

Spinner Monty Panesar is expected to step in for England today, and Cook said pace spearhead Stuart Broad had made promising progress back to fitness after a foot injury in Perth. Australian captain Michael Clarke said he would retain the same 12 from the previous three Tests, with everyone looking “fully fit”. His final 11 will be named at the toss. Despite three convincing wins on the trot over third-ranked England, Clarke said there was no room for complacency and declined to offer Cook advice.

“I don’t think it would be fair for me to sit here and try and give advice to Alastair or to the England team because we’ve only won three test matches out of the last, I think it’s

a dozen now,” he said. “We’re ranked fifth in the world, we’ve won three test matches out of the past 12 months.”

“England have a very good team, a lot of very good individual players... I think they know they’ve got the stock there, it’s just about them continuing to do what they’ve done for long periods of time, it’s got them to be the number one team in the world.” Clarke also declined to comment on the Australians’ change of coach and recent turnaround in form.

“I don’t think now’s the right time for me to talk about that, to be honest, I think it’s really important that we focus on the here and now,” he said. “I’d prefer to offend nobody and not get involved in it. Mickey (Arthur) did his job to the best of his ability and I thought did a really good job-Darren (Lehmann)’s doing the job now to the best of his ability and he’s doing a good job as well.” — AFP

ALPINE SKIING

Vonn back in latest step towards Sochi VAL D’ISERE: Lindsey Vonn has chosen the right place for the next stop on her road back to fitness ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February. The 29year-old, a four-time overall World Cup winner, opted out of last weekend’s St Moritz outing and Tuesday’s slalom in Courchevel. In her fight to regain full fitness in time to defend her Olympic downhill title, Vonn is being choosy. Returning to competition at Lake Louise in the first week of December, she showed steady progress over three races in her first starts since reconstructive surgery on her right knee after a crash at the World Championships in Schladming last February.

But the American, whose boyfriend is golf world number one Tiger Woods, will return for Saturday’s downhill and Sunday’s giant slalom in a place she knows well. Not only did she win World Championships downhill gold in Val d’Isere in 2009, albeit on a different piste, she also won World Cup downhills in 2006, 2007 and 2010, as well as two super-combined events in the same period. Vonn has admitted that she is confident of surpassing Austrian Annemarie Moser-Proell’s record of 62 women’s World Cup victories - the American has 59 - and even Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark’s mark of 86.

“I’ve already been thinking about that,” Vonn told Red Bulletin magazine. “My current plan is to keep going until the 2015 World Cup. Then, I’ll see how far away I am from that number and then I’ll decide what to do, whether I’ll keep going in every discipline or maybe just downhill and super-G and concentrate on that record. “Records are the only thing which remains of an athlete. The only thing that people will remember.”

Vonn finished in 12th spot in the first training run on Wednesday, 1.23sec off the lead time of 1min 49.30sec set by Germany’s Maria Hoefl-Riesch, who won

Lindsey Vonn of the US

back-to-back downhills in Lake Louise.

Current World Cup leader Lara Gut of Switzerland, who won last year’s downhill race in Val d’Isere, was a further 0.06sec adrift while Slovenia’s reigning world super-G champion Tina Maze was just ahead, in 11th (+1.20sec). Austrian Anna Fenninger and Spain’s Carolina Ruiz Castillo were second and third, with a raft of favourites also showing promise on the Oreiller Killy piste.

Hoefl-Riesch’s outing went some way to making up for the disappointment of

bombing out of Tuesday’s slalom in nearby Courchevel. “The last races were difficult for me, especially yesterday,” said the 29-year-old German, who finished 13th in last year’s downhill. “I was really fast before I unfortunately skied out. I also struggled in the last two super-G races in Lake Louise and St Moritz. “In downhill for now it’s looking good. My skis must be super fast, because I didn’t ski perfectly today and still managed to be the fastest.

I hope I can have a good race on Saturday and make up some points.” — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

S P ORTS

Waiting game continues for Cowboys over injured Romo DALLAS: The Dallas Cowboys say that Tony Romo has not been ruled out of Sunday’s crucial regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, though one major media outlet claimed that the quarterback’s season was done and dusted. ESPN reported on Tuesday that Romo was diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back and had an epidural injection after apparently aggravating a back injury during Sunday’s 24-23 win against the Washington Redskins.

Citing “sources close to the quarterback”, ESPN said that Romo was unlikely to return to competition in such a short time and that he had been advised to have surgery. If three-time Pro Bowl selection Romo is sidelined on Sunday, back-up quarterback Kyle Orton will start against the Eagles in a winner-take-all showdown that will decide the NFC East champion and a berth in the playoffs.

“He (Romo) is going through treatment ... if that treatment has positive implications, and it certainly

has a chance he should not be ruled out in any way for this game,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told Dallas radio show on Tuesday. “On the other hand, we paid a lot of money for just this very circumstance, should we be in a situation ... when Tony couldn’t play. That’s why we signed Kyle Orton for over $10 million three years ago, just for this very occasion. “Kyle’s got a very strong arm, he’s very experienced. If required, he’ll be able to step in and do as good of circumstances as you could expect.”

Orton, 31, has not started a National Football League game in two years but Jones believes the back-up quarterback knows the Dallas system as well as Romo. “We’re in as good of shape under these circumstances as you possibly could be in,” Jones said. “I have every reason to think, if needed, Kyle Orton could step out there and really do a good job for us.”

A former starter for Chicago and Denver, Orton has completed three-of-five passes for 40 yards in two games for the Cowboys this season. — Reuters

Japan pitcher Tanaka freed up to join MLB TOKYO: The club of star Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka has approved his move to the US major leagues, at a likely bargain price for such a high-profile trans-Pacific deal because of a new “posting” system.

The Rakuten Eagles, powered by Tanaka to their first-ever “Japan Series” national title this year, spent about a week after the launch of the new system before announcing on Wednesday they would release the 25-year-old right hander.

The new rules put a $20 million cap on the money a Japanese team can earn from posting a player for a transfer to a major league club. There was no limit under the previous system. “There are many problems in the new posting system. And the club, which owns a precious player, feels it is unequal,” Rakuten president Yozo Tachibana told a news conference, without disclosing the release fee the club wants.

“But we have highly appreciated pitcher Tanaka’s seven-year contribution to the team ... and accepted his wish to challenge the major leagues.”

Tanaka separately told reporters: “I want to continue my baseball career by firmly bearing in mind what I have achieved (at Rakuten).” If posted, Tanaka, who went 24-0 in the regular season this year, is expected to draw several suitors including the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. Major

League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced the new posting system early next week.

The original system was introduced in 1998 to prevent a drain of Japanese talent across the Pacific without benefiting their old clubs and to provide US teams with equal bidding opportunities. But rising bidding prices have prompted MLB to revamp it. Under the previous system, which helped Japanese stars Yu Darvish, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Ichiro Suzuki land MLB deals, US clubs made blind offers for negotiation rights to a player. The highest bidder would win the rights.

Under the new system, a posted player can negotiate with any club willing to pay a release fee which his NPB outfit demands.

But the amount should not exceed $20 milllion. In 2012 the Texas Rangers posted a record winning bid of $51.7 million just for the right to negotiate with right-handed pitcher Darvish.

Tanaka’s transfer could have earned the nine-year-old Rakuten, the youngest of Japan’s 12 professional baseball clubs, at least $50 million under the old system, according to Japanese media. Rakuten president Tachibana earlier told Japanese media that the new rules would resemble a “free-agent system” and force clubs to do a “bargain sale.” — AFP

LANDOVER: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is sacked by Washington Redskins outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan during the second half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md, on Sunday, Dec 22, 2013. — AP

Packers hoping to make quick call on QB Rodgers

Masahiro Tanaka

Oregon St tops Boise St 38-23 HONOLULU: Rashaad Reynolds returned two fumbles for touchdowns, helping Oregon State beat Boise State 38-23 in the Hawaii Bowl on Tuesday night. The Beavers set several records in handing Boise State its worst loss in two months. Biletnikoff Award-winner Brandin Cooks had 60 yards receiving and a touchdown while setting a Pac-12

record for most receiving yards in season. Sean Mannion set another for passing yards, finishing 24 of 33 for 259 yards and a touchdown. Oregon State kept Boise State out of the end zone until the third quarter, well after the Beavers opened a big lead. Matt Miller led Boise State with 11 catches for 206 yards and a touchdown. — AP

HONOLULU: Boise State forward Ryan Watkins (right) blocks a shot of Hawaii forward Christian Standhardinger (34) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. — AP

GREEN BAY: When the Green Bay Packers take the field for practice on Thursday, they will know whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going to start Sunday’s NFC North showdown at the Chicago Bears. There was no word Tuesday on the most scrutinized collarbone in Wisconsin. The team is hoping to make a call early this week.

“We’ve done a scan and we’re going through the process of evaluation,” Rodgers said on his weekly ESPN radio show. “Probably not what everybody wants to hear, but I can say definitively (on) Thursday - one way or another - it will be a definitive conclusion to this week’s unknown. We wanted to give everybody a rest for Christmas, be able to enjoy their Christmas.”

Rodgers broke his left collarbone Nov. 4 against the Bears and has missed the last seven games. He started practicing on a limited basis four weeks ago and has been pain-free for about two weeks. He had hoped to get medical clearance for each of the past two games. The Packers are 2-5-1 since Rodgers’ injury, which occurred on the opening series of their 27-20 loss to the Bears.

If Rodgers is unable to go, Matt Flynn would start his fifth straight game. The winner of Sunday’s game at Soldier Field gets the division title. Since relieving Scott Tolzien and rallying Green Bay to a 26-26 tie against Minnesota on Nov 24, Flynn has led the Packers to four fourth-quarter comebacks, including last Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh. The Packers are 2-2 with Flynn as the starter, although the players are clearly hopeful of Rodgers’ return.

“Gut feeling? That Christmas is tomorrow,” veteran wide receiver James Jones said. “I don’t know. I think we will get some good news.” Rodgers wouldn’t reveal the results of his scan but certainly seemed upbeat during the 45-minute show.

“I’m feeling better and not thinking about my injury at all,” Rodgers said. “I think ultimately it comes down to, it’s big on the medical side. Is the bone healed or is there a large risk of going back out there that’s too great, that the organization would not want to put me out there? “Obviously I want to be out there. I know what’s at stake. This is an important week for us. We’re somehow back in this position to be able to get into the playoffs.

What a better way to do that than against the Chicago Bears?”

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that the team wanted to make a decision on Rodgers’ status early in the week and let his teammates know the plan. Until now, the Packers have not announced their decision on Rodgers’ status each week until Friday, when he has been ruled out. “I think No 1 for the football team and also Aaron Rodgers, I think it’s important for us to make a quicker decision,” McCarthy said.

“This has obviously been frustrating and stressful for Aaron, rightfully so, but also our football (team). I want them to know who the quarterback’s going to be.” Rodgers has thrown for 2,218 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. The 2011 NFL MVP has completed 66.9 percent of his passes with only four interceptions. “I thought as of last week there’d be a lot more healing that would have gone on,” Rodgers said. “Learned a lot about the clavicle and the kind of blood flow or lack of that it gets as being a reason it didn’t look as good as we all wanted it last week.” — AP

Thornton’s 15-game ban upheld by league BOSTON: Boston Bruins for ward Shawn Thornton will serve out a 15-game suspension for punching an opponent in the head after National Hockey League (NHL) Commissioner Gary Bettman upheld the ban on Tuesday.

Thompson had last week appealed against the suspension, which was imposed after he knocked Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik to the ground before punching him during a Dec. 7 game.

“Commissioner Gar y Bettman today upheld the 15-game suspension that was assessed ... by the Department of Player Safety for punching and injuring an unsuspecting opponent,” the NHL said in a statement. Bettman, who heard Thornton’s appeal at a hearing in New York on Dec 20, said the ban had been “supported by clear and convincing evidence and is therefore affirmed”.

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Thornton will be fined $84,615, which is more than seven percent of his 2013 salary of $1.1 million.

Thornton’s actions resulted in Orpik sustaining a concussion, the Bruins forward having pulled the unsuspecting Orpik to the ice before punching him several times in the head. Canadian Thornton was assessed a match penalty, ejected and immediately suspended. “This cannot be described as a hockey play that went bad, nor do we consider this a spontaneous reaction to an incident that just occurred,” the NHL said in a video link posted on its website when it initially announced the suspension.

“Rather, it is our view that this was an act of retribution for an incident that occurred earlier in the game. The result of this action by Thornton was a serious injury to Orpik.” Media reports after the game said Thornton was angry because Orpik’s hit to Bruins forward Loui Eriksson during the first shift knocked the Boston forward out of the game. “I feel awful,” Thornton told reporters after the game.

“It wasn’t my intention for that outcome. I know Brooksie. I’ve gotten to know him over the last seven years here ... It’s not what I wanted to see or what anybody wanted to see.” — Reuters

Shawn Thornton

Today’s matches on TV ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Hull City v Manr United 15:45 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Newcastle v Stoke 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +6 Aljazeera Sport 5 HD Chelsea v Swansea 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +2 West Ham v Arsenal 18:00 Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Norwich v Fulham 18:00 Aljazeera Sport +3

Everton v Sunderland Aljazeera Sport +7 Aljazeera Sport 3 HD Tottenham v West Brom Aljazeera Sport +8 Aljazeera Sport 2 HD Aston Villa v Crystal Palace Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Cardiff v Southampton Aljazeera Sport +4 Manchester City v Liverpool Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

S P ORTS

It’s the perfect time to learn kite-flying basics

TYPES OF KITES

BY JAMIE GUMBRECHT McClatchy Newspapers

Here are some basic types of kites, along with examples from the catalog of Premier Kites, a major online source for kites based in Hyattsville, Md. (www.premierkites.com).

With a little luck and a gentle breeze — and a few tips from experts — you may never know a plummeting kite again.

We asked Byron Bell and Jessica Mayes, a kite-flying couple and members of KICK — Kite Flyers in Central Kentucky — to share how to choose the best kite for you.

But there are a few essentials to consider before you get started: ■ In some areas, spring and fall are best seasons for kites. But if you’re going to the beach, you’ll likely be able to fly a kite any time of the year.

■ If the wind is slower than 5 mph, you’re probably wasting your time. If it gets over 20 mph, expect a broken kite. The ideal wind speed is from 5 mph to 12 mph.

■ A kite can cost as little as $50 and as much as $1,000. Find the right kite for your skill level and interest. And try shopping online or ordering with a club for wholesale prices.

Diamonds These classically shaped kites are old favorites for a reason: They’re easy to find or build on your own. Most need a tail to be good fliers.

Who should use it: Anybody, especially kids and inexperienced fliers.

When to use it: Winds 7-20 mph (when leaves and twigs are constantly moving up to when small trees will sway).

What the fliers say: “The tail on the kite gives it some stability,” Mayes says. “It helps aerodynamically to get some lift.”

Rokkakus Rokkakus are six-sided Japanese kites that are taller than they are wide. They’re sometimes used in battles where the fliers try to ground each others’ kites while they’re in the air. (These fights are popular in several Asian countries, although people there often use small, diamond kites with glass-coated line for cutting.)

Who should use it: Only fliers with practice — fighter kites can be tough to handle.

When to use it: Winds 4-18 mph.

What the fliers say: “I don’t think anybody’s going to have rokkaku battles” at kite festivals, Bell says.

HORNBEAM SLED KITE For your first plunge into kite making, the “sled” is hard to beat. It’s the ultimate in simplicity — two sticks and a plastic bag — and it’s a great kite for kids. The Hornbeam design, featuring a crescent-shaped cutout at the leading edge, eases the sled’s tendency to collapse in side winds. These directions are for a 24-inch kite, but the design easily can be scaled up to larger dimensions. However, sled kites develop lots of “pull” as they grow in size. Sleds like steady, light winds.

Kitchen garbage bags make nice sled kites, as do plastic lawn bags. You can decorate them with markers or colorful stickers. Plastic shopping bags also work well, and they often come already decorated.

Box kites Box kites are part of a branch called cellular kites. They can be big, like the one above, and complex looking, but a lightweight one is easy to fly.

Who should use it: Anybody tired of the old diamonds and deltas.

When to use it: Winds 7-20 mph (when leaves and twigs are constantly moving up to when small trees will sway).

What the fliers say: “More complicated to build but very easy to fly,” Bell says.

“I used to make them from dowel rods and model airplane paper. Alexander Graham Bell made some huge cellular kites also.”

Deltas This kite doesn’t have the iconic diamond shape, but it’s popular for being easy to fly, especially in low-wind situations.

Who should use it: Anybody, especially kids and inexperienced fliers.

When to use it: Winds 5-18 mph (from when you can feel wind on exposed skin up to when small trees will sway).

What the fliers say: “It’s more like a miniature hang glider,” Bell says.

Sport kites Sport kites are steerable and often used for stunts. (Think synchronized swimming without the water.) They use two or more lines, instead of the single line found on many other kites.

Who should use it: Anybody can figure them out, but don’t expect to be a daredevil on your first fly.

When to use it: Winds 4-20 mph.

What the fliers say: With dual lines, “you can steer those left and right,” Mayes says. “The more lines, the more control and the more difficult to fly.”

Soft kites Soft kites inflate like a large balloon and require a lot of wind and strength to manage. They come in shapes such as fish or puppies or giant blue or orange lobsters.

Who should use it: Strong fliers with a sense of humor and patience — you’ll have to wait for wind and answer to excited crowds.

When to use it: Winds 9-22 mph.

What the fliers say: “The kite club has a 21-foot inflatable lobster, but you have to get a pretty good wind to get it going,” Mayes says.

K I T E P H OTO S COURTESY OF PREMIER KITES

SAFETY TIPS ■ Don’t fly a kite around power lines or in a thunderstorm. Everything your mother told you is true.

■ Don’t fly a kite anywhere near traffic. It was cool to see your kite a few hundred feet in the air, until it came down and landed on a car’s windshield.

■ Don’t run with the kite. Seems innocent, but if you’re running and watching your big beautiful kite, you won’t notice the tree/telephone pole/small child/picnic table in front of you.

■ Don’t fly a kite within 5 miles of an airport or 500 feet above the earth’s surface. The feds and pilots don’t find it cute or impressive.

■ Don’t let the wind unravel the line in your hands. Ouch. That’ll burn later.

■ Don’t fly kites near trees, and never climb to get one back. Charlie Brown had a kite-eating tree, not a kitespitting tree or a kite-growing tree.

MCT

MCT

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

S P ORT S

Mourinho urges Chelsea to keep looking up LONDON: Jose Mourinho has urged Chelsea to “enjoy the moment” and make sure they overtake at least one of their Premier League title rivals in today’s traditional Boxing Day fixtures. Swansea City are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on a day that also sees leaders Liverpool travel to Manchester City, who are in third place. Just two points separate the top five, with Arsenal second, Chelsea fourth and Everton fifth.

“The best way to get the first objective, which is top four and Champions League (qualification), is to be close in the title race, so let’s enjoy the moment,” Mourinho said. “I know Swansea are a good team with good players and a certain style of play, but we are two points behind and two title contenders are playing each other. It is important for us to win.”

Chelsea drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Monday, the day after Swansea had been beaten 2-1 at home by Everton. “It is a bit more difficult for us because we played on Monday and our opponents played on Sunday, so they had one more day to rest-and one more day is a lot,” Mourinho added. “But I hope Stamford Bridge is there for us. When I say Stamford Bridge I mean Stamford Bridge with noise, because last Boxing Day Chelsea were 11 points behind the leaders-Chelsea were out of the title race-and we are there now. “We are two points behind both leaders, so we have reasons to keep going.”

Mourinho has not tasted a traditional English festive period of hectic fixture scheduling since 2006, having enjoyed winter breaks in Italy and Spain since then while in charge of Inter Milan and Real Madrid. “I love it,” he said. “I don’t play, of course, so for the play-

ers it is more difficult than it is for me, but I always feel very proud to be working on Boxing Day and giving the people what they want.

“My wife and my kids, they are fantastic. They understand completely that I love to do it. They are in England, they are not with the Portuguese family.

“They miss their family, but they know that I have to do it and I am very happy to do it.”

Swansea’s hopes of recording a first victory in six Premier League games have been hit by the loss of forward Michu for six weeks. The Spain international requires surgery on an ankle problem and the blow comes shortly after winger Nathan Dyer suffered a serious ankle injury at Norwich City. “It’s not good news,” said manager Michael Laudrup.

“Unfortunately he will need an operation. It can be done in the next week and he should be back playing in around a month and a half.” The growing injury problems mean Laudrup is reconsidering his approach to the January transfer window. “What has happened in the last couple of weeks has changed things,” the Dane admitted.

“We will probably do something now in January and try to add something that we don’t have in certain positions. The numbers are a bit down and that is risky for the last four months of the season.” Ben Davies, the Swansea left-back, has been rewarded for his impressive form with a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2017. The 20year-old said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision and it’s always great to sign a new deal and commit my future to the club.”— AFP

LONDON: Chelsea’s Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta (left) is tackled by Arsenal’s English striker Theo Walcott during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 23, 2013. — AFP

Sherwood set for Tottenham debut

Alan Curbishley

Curbishley, Dempsey sign on for struggling Fulham LONDON: Former Charlton and West Ham manager Alan Curbishley and American international midfielder Clint Dempsey have signed on at Fulham with the Premier League club staring at relegation.

Curbishley, 56, was named first team technical director to work alongside head coach Rene Meulensteen while former star Dempsey, who plays for Seattle Sounders in the MLS, penned a two-month loan deal.

“I’m very happy that Alan has joined us as I know his expertise will be invaluable as we enter the remaining months of the season,” said Meulensteen, who took over from Martin Jol three weeks ago but is in charge of a side which is second from bottom of the Premier League. “Following Martin Jol’s departure I discussed with both (chief executive) Alistair Mackintosh and the chairman the challenges we face, and I was delighted that they supported the idea of additional support within the coaching team.

“Alan has a proven track record in the industry and understands full well what it takes to succeed. I look forward to sharing ideas and listening to advice, to ensure Fulham Football Club remains where it belongs: in the Premier League.” Curbishley

played for West Ham, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Charlton and Brighton before turning his hand to management with Charlton and West Ham whom he left in 2008.

Earlier Tuesday, Dempsey, 30, agreed to return to Fulham where he spent five and a half seasons in his first spell after having signed in January 2007 from New England Revolution. During his first stay at Craven Cottage, Dempsey scored 60 goals in 225 appearances. Dempsey scored the only goal of the match against Liverpool at Craven Cottage in May 2007, which secured Premier League football the following season.

“It feels good to be back. This has always felt like my home in Europe,” said the American. “I am excited to be back and be a part of this team and play in this league.” Dempsey said he also hopes that a spell in England will help sharpen his form ahead of the World Cup. “I just wanted to be back playing at the highest level, get back to top form and get back to helping the team where they are not where they want to be in the table,” he added. “Going into World Cup year you want to get to that top form and carry that forward, so hopefully have a good showing.”— AFP

Premier League set for Boxing Day shoot-out LONDON: The concertina effect at the top of the Premier League table means that no fewer than five teams will have designs on top spot in today’s traditional Boxing Day fixtures. For the first time in the post-1992 Premier League era, just two points separate the top five teams on Christmas Day, and the erosion of Arsenal’s seven-point lead has also given hope to seventh-place Tottenham Hotspur and eighth-place Manchester United. Arsenal’s bruising 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea on Monday left Liverpool top at Christmas for the first time since 2008.

However, the new leaders face a stern test today when they visit a Manchester City side who have won all eight of their home games to date this season, scoring 35 goals.

City, 4-2 victors at Fulham in their last outing, will leapfrog Liverpool if they prevail at the Etihad Stadium and visiting manager Brendan Rodgers says that his side must not get carried away by their early-season form.

“You don’t get the rewards at Christmas. It is a nostalgic time and people always want to know where the team is at around Christmas Day,” he said.

“We want to be there, but we want to be there at the end of the season and for that there is a lot of hard work ahead.” Rodgers remains without Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique due to injury, but in 19-goal top scorer Luis Suarez he can call upon the outstanding player of the season so far. City’s own leading man, Sergio Aguero, is currently sidelined with a calf complaint, and having seen Liverpool rout Tottenham Hotspur 5-0 in their last away game, manager Manuel Pellegrini predicts a “very difficult” encounter.

“Liverpool is a very good team and Suarez is in a very good moment,” said the

Chilean. “But I think this Premier League, we are just finishing the first half, in two more games. “And this Premier League will not just be Liverpool and Manchester City. Five or six teams will fight until the end.” Secondplace Arsenal, behind Liverpool on goal difference, will hope to capitalize on any slipups by Rodgers’s side when they visit London rivals West Ham United.

Fourth-place Chelsea, meanwhile, host Swansea City, with fifth-place Everton hosting bottom club Sunderland. Chelsea have failed to sparkle during the first half of the season, but with Liverpool only two points ahead of them, captain John Terry knows that Jose Mourinho’s side remain very much in contention. “We all know, and the fans have seen it home and away, that we can get better,” Terry told Chelsea TV. “So whilst everyone is dropping points around us, hopefully in the new year we have to start firing and put ourselves on a good run of games. “If we do that we’re more than capable of pulling away from everyone.” Tottenham, four points below the top five, host West Bromwich Albion, with Tim Sherwood set to experience life as a fulltime Premier League manager for the first time after being appointed as the permanent successor to Andre Villas-Boas on Monday. Defending champions United, meanwhile, will look to close the eight-point gap that separates them from arch rivals Liverpool when they visit Hull City. United have won four consecutive games in all competitions since the shock of successive home defeats by Everton and Newcastle United, and manager David Moyes hopes it will stand his side in good stead against a Hull team who have only lost once at home all season. —AFP

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur head coach Tim Sherwood will take charge of his first game as a full-time Premier League manager today when managerless West Bromwich Albion visit White Hart Lane. Both clubs sacked their managers earlier this month, but Spurs moved quickly, and bravely, by appointing a man with no previous top-flight experience.

Sherwood, 44, has made a name for himself working with the youngsters at Tottenham, but now has a dream opportunity to manage one of the top clubs in Europe. “Opportunities come in different ways, but initially he gives Tottenham some stability and he has some credentials; he is ambitious and a leader,” said former Spurs manager David Pleat.

“I look back to when he was at Blackburn with Alan Shearer, David Batty, Chris Sutton and Graeme Le Saux-some big players. But he was the leader and considered the man who spoke for the team. “He is a hard-working guy. He has developed, and, along with (assistant coaches) Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey, helped develop some good players that have emerged this season.”

As interim manager, Sherwood guided his side to an entertaining 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday. Bringing back Emmanuel Adebayor from the wilderness has also proved a key decision as the Togolese striker now has three goals in two games under Sherwood following his brace at St Mary’s. “Ade scored a fantastic goal to keep us in the game and in the second half we did the job all together to get the three points,” said goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

“We showed a lot of positive things for the future. It was important to win because now we have two games at home to try to make the difference and try to come back into the top four.

“We have to continue (this form) and work together because the Christmas period is very important.” With Andros Townsend (hamstring), Younes Kaboul (thigh) and Jan Vertonghen (ankle) sidelined, Sherwood is missing some first-team players, but by handing 19-year-old

SOUTHAMPTON: Tottenham Hotspur’s English manager Tim Sherwood (left) and assistant coach Les Ferdinand (right) watch from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton. — AFP midfielder Nabil Bentaleb a debut at about results. “At the moment the confidence is Southampton, he showed that he is prepared to low and there is a little uncertainty, which just accumulates. But once a manager is appointed, I place his trust in the club’s young players.

West Brom caretaker coach Keith Downing think things will settle down pretty quickly.

“West Brom have never made a mistake in the believes the mood at his club will improve once a long-term replacement for Steve Clarke is five years I have been here-Robbie Di Matteo, appointed, but says that he is happy to keep Roy Hodgson and Steve Clarke were all good things ticking over for as long as necessary. selections. “So I wouldn’t want them to rush Downing will take charge of his second game at things, but the quicker it is done, in terms of setTottenham, with Albion likely to appoint their tling everybody down and getting a direction, the better. “It is important they do it soon, but if new man by the end of the week.

“Confidence is the biggest challenge,” said it means me holding the job for another week, Downing, who saw his side draw 1-1 at home to so be it. That’s fine, providing they get the right Hull City on Saturday. “Results dictate people’s man.” Striker Victor Anichebe is West Brom’s only moods, so it has to be an issue. Getting people injury doubt, as he is struggling with a groin to change their confidence and get upbeat is all injury. — AFP

SPL PREVIEW

Lennon laughs off the ‘invincible’ Celtic talk GLASGOW: Celtic manager Neil Lennon has moved to play down talk of his side going the whole of the Scottish Premiership campaign unbeaten ahead of today’s clash with St Johnstone. The Parkhead club’s 2-0 win over Hearts last Saturday stretched their unbeaten start to the season to 16 games. Lennon’s side, who lost seven games last season on the way to winning their second title in a row by 16 points, are already 10 points clear of Dundee United at the top of the table.

However, the Hoops manager said it was too soon to be talking about completing a season undefeated. “It is something that people talk about very prematurely,” said Lennon. “I wouldn’t say it was impossible but it is a very difficult thing to do so I wouldn’t get too far ahead of ourselves on that. “We are 16 games into a 38-game season so we are not even halfway there, so it is still a lot to ask for.“What I am pleased about is that we are unbeaten since the start of the season which, considering the amount of games we have had, is a very good effort so far. “What I want to do in the festive period is to try to increase the gap at the top and give ourselves a bit of leeway going into the break we are taking in January and be ready to go again. “We are still a very long way from where we want to be and the Champions League showed that.” Celtic face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park today before another

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TABLE GLASGOW: Scottish Premiership table ahead of today’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points): Celtic Dundee Utd Aberdeen Inverness CT Motherwell St Johnstone Hibernian

16 17 17 16 17 16 17

13 9 10 10 10 6 4

3 5 2 2 1 4 6

0 3 5 4 6 6 7

38 34 28 26 21 22 10

12 12 17 15 24 17 16

42 32 32 32 31 22 18

tough trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday.

And Lennon believes these matches could be two of their stiffest tests of the season. “We have two very tough games coming up, St Johnstone away and Inverness away,” he said. “This will really test the players but they are good tests in my view. “We obviously want to keep the unbeaten run going and try to get a decent per formance in both games. “But St Johnstone at home can beat anyone. They are a very good side and have been very consistent in the last couple of years. “Tommy Wright has kept the continu-

St Mirren 16 4 4 8 Kilmarnock 17 4 3 10 Partick 16 3 5 8 Ross County 16 3 2 11 Hearts 17 3 3 11 Note: Hearts deducted 15 points administration

14 19 14 17 13 for

26 16 29 15 27 14 32 11 29 -3 entering

ity going that Steve Lomas had brought in and look at the resilience they have, they were down to 10 men at Hibs for a long period in their last game and didn’t get beat. “So they are a very tough nut to crack and we know that Inverness are having a great season.” Elsewhere today, bottom of the table Hearts, without a win in four games, host Kilmarnock, Ross County take on Hibernian, Partick Thistle welcome Inverness CT to Firhill and St Mirren host high-flying Dundee United, who are looking for their sixth straight league win. — AFP

Man Utd primed for fixture frenzy KINGSTON UPON HULL: Manchester United manager David Moyes believes that his squad are ready for the rigors of the festive period as they prepare for today’s Premier League trip to Hull City. After suffering consecutive home defeats against Everton and Newcastle, United have improved with a run of four wins in three different competitions. They now face back-to-back away matches after Christmas, with a trip to Norwich City following their game at the KC Stadium.

United then host Tottenham Hotspur on January

1, but although Moyes acknowledges that the schedule is not ideal, he is growing in confidence about his group’s ability to cope. “Away games are always much harder than the home games and you have to make sure that we go and do the job right,” said the Scot, whose side approach today’s game in eighth place in the table. “We’ve done the job quite well away from home this season so far, so we’ll try to keep it going, keep the away form up and hopefully pick up some points.

“It’s felt like we’ve had to use the squad over the

last month as well and we’ve had it most of the season. “But everyone at United is used to it. We look forward to the games and we’ve got a big squad and they’ll all be used over this period.” Moyes has hinted that Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick could return from respective thigh and Achilles problems over the festive period. Captain Nemanja Vidic has also recovered from illness and a calf problem, while striker Danny Welbeck is fit despite suffering a knock to his knee in the 3-1 win over West Ham United at the weekend. —AFP

Vonn back in the latest step towards Sochi

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Curbishley and Dempsey sign on for struggling Fulham

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Lennon laughs off ‘invincible’ Celtic talk

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LONDON: Liverpool’s Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the White Hart Lane stadium in this Dec 15 2013 photo.

Liverpool won the game 5-0. — AP

City wary of Suarez in table-topping clash MANCHESTER: Manchester City midfielder James Milner says that his side will be facing one of the country’s outstanding players when they host Luis Suarez and Premier League leaders Liverpool yesterday. Uruguayan striker Suarez has already scored 19 league goals this term despite having been suspended until the end of September for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season.

His run of form has helped Liverpool go top with a run of four straight wins, in which they have scored 17 goals, while City, who could move above the Reds with a win, have scored 16 in a similar run of four victories. However, while Suarez will be the centre of attention, Milner feels it would be wrong to underestimate the rest of Brendan Rodgers’s players.

And as City look for a second title in three seasons, Milner feels that the visit of Liverpool, and the following home

game against Crystal Palace, offer City a real opportunity to take charge in the title race. “(Suarez) is having a pretty good season,” said the England midfielder.

“He’s a dangerous player. We have come up against dangerous players so far this season, but he will definitely be right up there, so we will need to keep him quiet. “But Liverpool are a top side having a good season and it’s not just about stopping him, because they have plenty of other players who can do damage as well.

“Against Fulham (who City beat 4-2 last weekend) we showed character to get those extra two goals at the end and get the win. These are the sort of games you have to win if you want to win the title. “Now we have two games in quick succession, but we have the momentum to go into those games and hopefully get six points. “Every game is very important for us. We dropped points earlier in the sea-

Arsenal’s Wenger keeps faith despite slowdown LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene We gave a lot against Chelsea, so we have Wenger is convinced that his players to make sure we are completely focused remain on course in their Premier League on that game.” Wenger will make changes title challenge despite having picked up to keep his starting line-up fresh and now just two points from their last three games. has the option of using Lukas Podolski, the Wenger’s side will make the short trip Germany forward, who has recovered from across London to West Ham United today the hamstring injury that had sidelined having drawn at home with Everton and him since August. “Podolski has not played Chelsea either side of a 6at all since the second 3 thrashing at Manchester game of the season and City. he lacks a bit of competiArsenal had been sevtiveness,” said Wenger, en points clear at the end who will again be withof November, but now out suspended midfieldfind themselves behind er Jack Wilshere. leaders Liverpool-who vis“It is right to say he it City in today’s late game can only find it if I play on goal difference. him, but he is just two Wenger’s men struggled weeks in training now to create chances against and I have to make that Chelsea in Monday’s 0-0 decision whether to use draw, but Wenger insists him or not. “But we need that the Gunners’ to rotate a little bit prospects are far healthier because we play so than they had appeared at many games now.” West the start of the season, Ham have managed when they lost 3-1 at only one win in their last home to Aston Villa. “The 10 Premier League Arsene Wenger spirit of the players is games and sit just one unbelievably focused and point and one place there is a great desire,” he said. above the bottom three. However, right“We are going through a period where back Guy Demel believes that Sam it is a bit more difficult, but with that spirit Allardyce’s side have a chance of upsetting we will come out of that. “Let’s be serious- the Gunners. after the first game, against Aston Villa, if “We all know Arsenal is a great side I’d have told you we would be top of the and a force this season, but we are at league, you would have said I was home, it is a London derby and if we can absolutely mad, so let’s not go completely get our per formance right, take our overboard. “We are where we are. The last chances that we create and keep it tight three games have been difficult, but we at the back, then we always give ourhave played Everton, we have played Man selves a chance,” he said. “Our last two City and we have played Chelsea.” West games at home have been a win and a Ham are struggling to stay out of the rele- draw, with two clean sheets also in those gation places, but Wenger is nonetheless matches, so we want to keep that going expecting a testing 90 minutes. and hopefully send our fans home happy “In the Premier League we have have on a Boxing Day match. These games are learnt that it is difficult everywhere,” he special.” West Ham captain Kevin Nolan is said. “Chelsea lost at Stoke. We have to go expected to return to the side after a to West Ham and on top of that it’s a derby. three-match suspension. — AFP

son so we need to keep going and build a winning run.”

City’s main striker Sergio Aguero is still absent with a calf injury, while Stevan Jovetic, Pablo Zabaleta and Micah Richards are also missing for manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan is doubtful for the game with a tight hamstring and with Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique still out, Rodgers has been training with just 17 players. But he still sees the trip to City as a big chance for his team to lay down a marker. “Our squad is very thin at the moment and we’re down to 17 players, which is unfortunate coming into a busy period,” said the Liverpool manager.

“These games are opportunities for us and we’re not going to cry about it. We have what we have. The players have been brilliant. “We know we’ve got a busy schedule, but it’s an opportunity for us in the game and will be an

opportunity for some of the youngsters.” While Liverpool have won all but one of their home matches this season, City have a perfect record of eight wins from their eight games on home turf. Rodgers maintains that his side are going to the Etihad Stadium to attack, though, and says that his players are in buoyant mood after their fine recent form.

“We know it’s a tough place to go,” he added. “They have confidence at home, they score goals, but they concede goals, so it makes for a really good game. “We score, our focus is on this game and this game only and we know our possession game is in a good moment. “They’re going to lose that record at some stage of the season and it will depend on the team that can go there and have the bravery to play and get that bit of luck. “We were the better side home and away against them last year so they’ll know that we’re a good side in a good moment.” — AFP

Bolt continues golden form PARIS: What would a year of track and field be without mention of the indomitable Usain Bolt at its fore, dragging the doping-mired sport out of the doldrums? The 2013 season was no different, the towering Jamaican again dominating the sprints and underlining his formidable track prowess by claiming double individual gold in the 100 and 200m at the Moscow World Athletics Championships, respectively his second and third titles in the events.

It means that apart from his false-start blip in the Daegu worlds 100m, Bolt has won every global sprint title on offer since the 2008 Beijing Olympics, an astonishing feat he aims to carry through until the 2016 Games in Rio. The six-time Olympic gold medallist’s world medal haul now stands at eight golds, bringing him level with American women’s 200m specialist Allyson Felix, and retired US track stars Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson.

Bolt’s Moscow performances were the perfect tonic for track and field after pre-championship positive doping tests for, among many others, top sprinters Tyson Gay of the United States, and Jamaican duo Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell-Brown. Turkey also banned 36 athletes for doping offences, including women’s Olympic 1500 metres champion Asli Cakir Alptekin.

International track and field was given a further boost in Moscow by the confirmation of Mo Farah as one of the best distance runners in the world.

Farah emulated Ethiopian long-distance king Kenenisa Bekele by adding double world 5,00010,000m gold to similar exploits at the 2012 London Olympics. Like Bolt, the Somali-born Briton dominated both races, controlling the pace with aplomb and each time producing his now-trademark kick to burn off any opponents in the home strait. But he will likely leave his fans disappointed next year as he has opted to compete in the lucrative London Marathon rather then the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Russian athletes topped the medals table for the first time since 2001 with seven golds, one more than the United States, boosted by a “super Saturday” where the team enjoyed stunning victories in the women’s high jump and 4x400metres relay. One stand-out performance at Moscow’s iconic Luzhniki Stadium featured

MOSCOW: Jamaica’s Usain Bolt poses after the men’s 200 m semifinal at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium on Aug 16, 2013. — AFP Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva. The 31year-old, who will now take an 18-month break to start a family before contemplating a return at the 2016 Rio Olympics, brought the house down when she won her third world title, her first global championship victory since her triumph at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The victory made up in part for her comments seemingly backing a controversial new law in Russia that outlaws dissemination of information about homosexuality to minors. Pro-gay rights activists argue that the law could be used for a broad crackdown against homosexuals, and such was the backlash to Isinbayeva’s comments that the Russian was forced into issuing a statement saying she had been misunderstood.

World athletics governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) awarded their men and women’s athletes of the year to Bolt and his Jamaican teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who also claimed double sprint golds. Notably, there was for the first time

an African presence on the podium in both the women’s 100 and 200m, US-based Ivorian Murielle Ahoure claiming two silvers, with Nigerian Blessing Okagbare also taking a 200m bronze. The shadow of doping remains, however, with 2014 likely to see further moves from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to regulate testing, particularly from national bodies.

WADA audited the Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO) after seven high-profile Jamaican athletes tested positive in 2013, WADA president John Fahey accusing the body of “dropping the ball”. Kenya also came under WADA’s spotlight amid accusations of years of inaction from the east African running powerhouse. The most impressive world record of the year went to a Kenyan, Wilson Kipsang shaving 15 seconds off the marathon as he stormed home in Berlin in 2hr 3.23min. It was another story at the Boston Marathon in April, two explosions killing at least three and wounding 260, with a police officer later killed by the bombing suspects. — AFP

Business

Post-Soviet economic union ready for 2015 launch: Putin Page 25

Hungarians turn to black market for just a smoke

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

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Wataniya offers most advanced network in Kuwait

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Economic crisis dampens Zimbabwe’s holidays Page 23

LONDON: Shoppers sit with their purchases outside a store on Oxford Street in central London on Tuesday. — AFP

Compliance costs clip wings of ME banks Western lenders shunning regional banks DUBAI: When it comes to false positives - where a person or transaction is incorrectly flagged for contravening sanctions - the total at Middle Eastern banks is around twice that of many international lenders because of the high use of names like this, said John Garrett, chief compliance officer at National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

Rectifying these mistakes costs banks and their customers both time and money and highlights the rapidly increasing compliance costs which lenders in the Middle East and Africa must deal with.

Compliance teams face an increasing array of rules, both due to failings exposed by the financial crisis and as banks work with more partners around the world than ever before. JP Morgan Chase is due to spend an extra $1 billion on controls this year and had added 4,000 compliance staff since 2012, CEO Jamie Dimon said in September.

Such figures are far beyond anything banks in Africa and the Middle East can comprehend, let alone apply themselves. Bank of Sharjah, an Abu Dhabi-listed lender with a market value of $1.01 billion, is more than doubling its compliance team in the next 12 months - to 10 people from four currently - its chief executive, Varouj Nerguizian, said. It is also spending millions of dollars on new software, he added.

Convergence Converging factors should be proving a boon for Middle Eastern and African banks. More trade involves emerging markets, providing more business opportunities - such south-south trade is forecast by Standard Chartered to represent 40 percent of global trade by 2030. And international banks are pulling out of servicing some markets as the cost of ensuring compliance is too high.

Barclays’ decision in June to stop dealing with remittances to Somalia, the country’s biggest foreign currency stream, left those who used this service seeking other avenues. But Western lenders now also avoid doing business with some Middle East and African banks because such institutions cannot meet compliance standards demanded outside their local markets.

“The truth of the matter is, on the ground, a lot of these institutions really don’t have the basic infrastructures to be able to comply,” Gordon Acha, head of financial institutions Africa for Citigroup, said. He has rejected working with some lenders on the continent, fearing their poor compliance systems will result in the American bank being fined.

The need to be spending significant sums on compliance creates resentment among banks in the Middle East and Africa.

“We don’t like FATCA and we don’t want it, but we don’t have a choice,” Abdulaziz Al-Ghurair, chairman of lobby group the UAE Banks Federation and chief executive of Dubai lender Mashreq , said, referring to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which forces banks to disclose assets held by citizens of the United States overseas.

It would cost UAE banks not less than 100 million dirhams ($27 million) to get the right systems and infra-

structure in place to deal with FATCA, Ghurair added.

The human cost It isn’t just the monetary outlay which is prohibitive, but the difficulty in recruiting and retaining compliance staff.

Much was made of the difficulties the new oversight body at the European Central Bank would have hiring 770 supervisors in the 12 months prior to launch, and the wider impact on national regulators and the private sector.

This escalator effect sees talent hoovered up at the top, leaving smaller lenders in less glamorous locations struggling. The high turnover of compliance staff has also raised questions over whether all the new rules can be effectively implemented, even in developed markets.

Rising demand for skilled employees means a lot of staff are new and inexperienced, said Sam Moss, director of investor relations at FirstRand. The second-largest bank by market value in South Africa has 112 full-time and 57 parttime compliance staff out of around 34,000 employees.

There are also other complications that international lenders wouldn’t have to think about in their home markets. Local policies which encourage positive discrimination in recruitment place restrictions on the potential hiring pool, said one source at a southern African bank who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of his remarks.

For example, South Africa’s Black Empowerment Act sets out quotas for the hiring of black locals, while Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat policy gives targets for local citizens to be employed in different industries, including financial services.

For local and global names alike, there is also the fact that rules governing compliance are not universal, with sometimes conflicting standards in different jurisdictions.

While the United States classifies Hezbollah as a terrorist group, a status which triggers financial sanctions, until July the European Union did not - meaning banks were under no obligation to act in Europe but, if they operated in both jurisdictions, risked incurring the wrath of U.S regulators if they did not.

Consequences The penalties for banks violating the rules, especially those imposed by the United States, are more severe than ever. HSBC Holdings was fined $1.92 billion by a US court last year for lax controls, while Noor Islamic Bank embarrassed Dubai - a traditional US ally - in 2011 when the state-owned bank was found to be handling billions of dollars of Iranian oil revenues.

The biggest change is that enforcement action is now coming from the US Department of Justice and not just banking regulators, said Bill Fox, global financial crimes compliance senior executive at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch. “Four or five years ago, that would have been a truly extraordinary situation, while today it’s almost expected that not only will regulators take action but possibly prosecutors too,” he said of the quasi-criminal situation this now creates.

Telecom Egypt jumps, Saudi stocks plunge MIDEAST STOCK MARKETS DUBAI: Shares in Egypt Telecom surged yesterday in response to a newspaper report, which it denied, that it might sell its 45 percent stake in Vodafone Egypt. Egypt’s telecommunications regulator said early this month that it would in coming weeks issue a licence allowing a company to operate fixed-line and mobile networks, a move that could allow Telecom Egypt to offer mobile services.

Currently, Telecom Egypt offers only fixed line services; if it gets a mobile licence, to avoid a conflict of interest it is expected to either sell out of Vodafone Egypt or try to raise its ownership to a controlling level.

“Either scenario is positive for TE,” said Sarah Shabayek, telecommunications analyst at Egypt’s CI Capital. If Telecom Egypt sells it will pay out some of the cash in the form of a higher dividend, and if it raises its Vodafone Egypt stake, it will be increasing its exposure to a leading, established mobile operator, Shabayek argued.

Kuwait’s Al-Rai newspaper reported yesterday, quoting unnamed sources, that Saudi Telecom might buy Telecom Egypt’s stake in Vodafone Egypt. After the Cairo market closed, Telecom Egypt said in a statement that it was not looking to sell the stake. Saudi Telecom officials could not be contacted for comment. Speculation about a possible sale boosted shares in Telecom Egypt by 5.2 percent in

active trade to their highest since Oct. 22. Vodafone Egypt slipped 1.3 percent, while Saudi Telecom was flat.

Other blue-chips on Egypt’s bourse also rose as investors positioned for the annual dividend and earnings season in coming weeks. Given signs that Egypt’s economy is gradually recovering on the back of an infusion of aid from the Gulf, investors are hoping for positive earnings surprises. Cairo’s benchmark index rose 1.4 percent to 6,870 points yesterday, its highest level since January 2011, before the launch of major street protests that eventually ousted president Hosni Mubarak.

On Tuesday, a car bomb in the Nile Delta killed 13 people and wounded over 130 in one of the deadliest attacks since Mohammed Morsi was ousted in July. But although the market initially fell that day, it then bounced to close higher, showing the economic recovery story is still outweighing any political instability in investors’ eyes. “The dip yesterday was a good entry point for buyers and the momentum is continuing today,” said Islam Batrawy, Cairobased head of regional equity sales at NBK Capital. “We expected a range of 6,600-6,800 levels this week, but it broke above it and is trending higher.” The next technical resistance for the index is the January 2011 peak of 7,248 points.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

BUSINESS

China’s dependence on natural gas imports rises TOKYO: China’s dependence on natural gas imports will continue to increase as the country is trying to reduce its fossil fuel consumption and improve air quality, the state-run China Daily reported yesterday.

“Up to 32 percent of China’s natural gas use this year will depend on imports,” Wang Xiaokun, an analyst at Sublime China Information Group Co Ltd, was quoted as saying.

China’s dependency on foreign natural gas supplies will continue to grow because the output of existing domestic gas fields is decreasing, while the country’s demand is rapidly increasing,” she said.

According to China National Petroleum Corp’s institute, the nation imported 42.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2012, accounting for 29 percent of the country’s total gas consumption.

The institute estimated that China will import 53 billion cubic meters of natural gas this year, up 23.8 percent year-on-year.

As the country’s biggest natural gas pro-

ducer and importer, China National Petroleum Corp will continue to boost natural gas imports, with more investments in pipelines and liquefied natural gas projects, said Zhou Jiping, chairman of the company.

In addition to imports, the Chinese government is also making efforts to support the development of unconventional natural gas projects to increase domestic output and ease the supply shortage.

“The Chinese government encourages the development of unconventional gas projects, including shale gas, coal bed methane gas and coal gas to meet the soaring domestic demand,” said Wang. “However, technology obstacles and environmental issues will be the major difficulties for the development of these resources.” Shale gas exploration projects require lots of fresh water, which the country doesn’t have in many areas where the shale gas reserves are located, said Wang. Another downside is that exploration projects can endanger the water quality. — KUNA

Egypt’s pound weaker at CB auction CAIRO: The Egyptian pound weakened at a foreign exchange auction yesterday, sliding for the fourth time in a row at the central bank’s regular dollar sale. It was steady on the black market, albeit still trading weaker than on the official market. The central bank introduced dollar currency sales a year ago to help counter a run on the pound. It has burned through at least $20 billion - or roughly half its reserves - suppor ting the currenc y since Egypt’s 2011 revolution, which cut into tourism revenues and foreign investment.

Underlining security concerns, 16 people were killed on Tuesday when a suicide bomber detonated a car filled in explosives next to a police building in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura.

The central bank sold $37.7 million to banks at yesterday’s auction, with a cut-off price of 6.9179 pounds to the dollar, allowing it to weaken from 6.9075 at the previous sale on Monday.

It had offered up to $40 million. Last week the pound weakened against the dollar for the first time since the army’s removal of Islamist President Mohammad Morsi in July after mass protests against his rule.

On the black market, a participant said the dollar was offered for 7.40 on Wednesday. Another quoted Tuesday’s price at 7.41 pounds.The central bank has limited Egyptians from transferring more than a cumulative $100,000 out of the countr y since the 2011 uprising unless they can demonstrate a pressing need for the funds. In January, this limit will be raised by another $100,000, Central Bank governor Hisham Ramez said this month.

Depositors at banks can only withdraw a maximum of $10,000 in foreign currency per day under central bank rules, but in practice many banks restrict such withdrawals to much less and demand documents to show why the client needs the funds. — Reuters

Hungarians turn to black market for just a smoke NYIREGYHAZA: In a parking lot in Nyiregyhaza, a Hungarian town near the Ukrainian border, Imre describes his black-market cigarette operation, whose business is booming thanks to a controversial government tobacco crackdown.

“We sell several hundred cartons per day,” says the young man, who is using a fake name. His colleague “Janos” explains how the contraband merchandise crosses the Tisza river in small rafts.

“We don’t even have to climb onboard... we just pull the rafts from one shore to the other with ropes,” he said. “When they reach us, we sort them out and the cigarettes are sent to the four corners of the country.” Business has never been so good, he adds. In July, the Hungarian government shut almost 90 percent of the country’s licensed cigarette vendors, squeezing the number to 5,300 from a previous 42,000.

The authorities said their crackdown was an effort to stop sales to minors and reduce smoking in the country of 10 million people, where about 46 percent of men and 34 percent of women light up. But critics say it is a ploy to favor close allies of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government with lucrative tobacco concessions.

Nora Ritok, head of the charity group Igazgyongy in northeastern Hungary, said she doubted the truth of official estimates that the

number of smokers in Hungary has dropped by at least 200,000 in one year.

“Almost everyone smokes here,” she said.

“Before, you could buy cigarettes everywhere, in every shop, in pubs. Now it’s banned and there are many smaller villages where you won’t find an (official) cigarette shop.... That’s why the black market is developing.” How much the black market has grown is unclear. But cigarette seizures increased to 85 million in the first 10 months of 2013, compared to 68 million for all of 2012, according to the tax and customs authority (NAV).

A political decision Smoking has been banned in public places in Hungary since 2009, but some see a more noticeable change in attitudes thanks to the government’s newest efforts. “I think there are a lot of people who are now smoking less,” Janos Murci, a lung specialist and president of an antismoking association, recently told the weekly Kiskegyed.

“That’s because the price of cigarettes has gone up-in two years, they’ve gone from 600 forints (two euros, $2.75) per pack to 1,000 forints-but also because of the tobacco reform, as there are towns where there are absolutely no

cigarettes for sale.” The government’s tobacco policy has sometimes chalked up ironic successes. Some opponents of Orban’s government refuse to patronize the so-called “national cigarette shops” because of their alleged ties to the ruling centre-right Fidesz party.

“I’ve been smoking since I was 16 and I tried quitting already several times but to no avail,” said Marianna Nemet, a 67-year-old retiree from Budapest. “Now I think I’ve found the necessary incentive to do it: I will not spend one cent in these national shops, these moneymakers for friends of the party,” she said. An unintended effect of the law has been a significant drop in tax revenues from cigarette sales, down to 24 million forints in August, compared to 36 million forints a year earlier, according to the tax authority.

Still, the government wants to press ahead with its measures, with new restrictions planned on e-cigarettes as well as tobacco and papers for hand-rolled cigarettes. The campaign has already paid off, at least for Orban: in October, the World Health Organization (WHO) awarded him a certificate of special recognition for his efforts to clamp down on smoking. This was a rare international tribute for a man often criticized abroad for his tightening grip on power. — AFP

Oil, copper rise on positive signs on US economy NEW YORK: Crude oil and copper prices rose following the latest positive signs that the US economy was improving.

Increases in orders for manufactured goods and new home sales last month suggested that a pickup in the economy could cause demand for energy and basic building materials to rise.

Oil for February delivery rose 31 cents, 0.3 percent, to close at $99.22 in a shortened session on the New York Mercantile Exchange. US financial markets will be closed Wednesday for Christmas.

In other energy trading, natural gas fell 5 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $4.469 per 1,000 cubic feet (28.32 cubic meters). In metals trading, the actively traded March

contract for copper rose 6.65 cents, or 2 percent, to $3.374 a pound.

February gold rose $6.30, or 0.5 percent, to $1,203.30 an ounce. March silver rose 7.1 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $19.48 an ounce. January platinum rose $9.10, or 0.7 percent, to $1,336.50 an ounce March palladium edged down 20 cents, less than 0.1 percent, to $695.45 an ounce Crop futures were mixed. Corn for March delivery rose a quarter of a penny, or 0.1 percent, to $4.345 a bushel, March soybeans rose three cents, or 0.2 percent, to $13.2275 a bushel. March wheat fell 3.25 cents, or 0.5 percent, to $6.0625 a bushel. — AP

NEW YORK: Danny Coffey (right) sits at a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday in New York as his father, James Coffey (right, rear) watches. US stocks moved higher in a holiday-shortened session Tuesday after a report showed a bigger than expected jump in durable goods orders in November. — AFP

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

ASIAN COUNTRIES 2.715 4.581 2.675 2.164 2.864 224.260 36.545 3.639 6.388 8.658 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES 75.590 77.886 736.360 752.890 77.197

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash 40.000 Egyptian Pound - Transfer 40.510 Yemen Riyal/for 1000 1.322 Tunisian Dinar 172.410 Jordanian Dinar 400.300 Lebanese Lira/for 1000 1.902 Syrian Lira 2.020 Morocco Dirham 35.112 EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.350 Euro 389.040 Sterling Pound 464.690 Canadian dollar 268.070 Turkish lira 135.740 Swiss Franc 318.370 Australian Dollar 253.460 US Dollar Buying 282.150 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

GOLD 231.000 117.000 61.000

UAE Exchange Centre WLL COUNTRY Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Euro US Dollar Sterling Pound Japanese Yen Bangladesh Taka Indian Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee Nepali Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirhams Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Jordanian Dinar Omani Riyal Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal

SELL DRAFT 256.94 270.66 320.71 390.66 282.75 466.43 2.77 3.637 4.580 2.166 2.871 2.685 77.05 752.56 40.88 402.42 735.33 78.08 75.53

SELL CASH 257.000 271.000 321.000 393.000 285.000 469.000 2.800 3.800 4.890 2.600 3.400 2.760 77.400 753.400 41.100 407.500 741.400 78.400 75.800

Dollarco Exchange Co. Ltd Rate for Transfer US Dollar Canadian Dollar Sterling Pound Euro Swiss Frank Bahrain Dinar UAE Dirhams Qatari Riyals Saudi Riyals Jordanian Dinar Egyptian Pound Sri Lankan Rupees Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees

Selling Rate 282.700 269.510 461.550 390.375 319.945 746.465 76.945 78.500 76.255 398.510 40.993 2.160 4.567 2.652

Bangladesh Taka Philippines Pesso Cyprus pound Japanese Yen Thai Bhat Syrian Pound Nepalese Rupees Malaysian Ringgit Chinese Yuan Renminbi

3.632 6.379 694.370 3.745 09.800 3.010 3.855 88.370 46.975

Bahrain Exchange Company CURRENCY Belgian Franc British Pound Czech Korune Danish Krone Euro Norwegian Krone Romanian Leu Slovakia Swedish Krona Swiss Franc Turkish Lira Australasia Australian Dollar New Zealand Dollar America 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

BUY SELL Europe 0.007365 0.008365 0.456104 0.465104 0.006068 0.018068 0.047823 0.052823 0.381665 0.389165 0.041944 0.047144 0.086169 0.86169 0.008122 0.018122 0.038973 0.043973 0.309775 0.319975 0.137426 0.144426 0.243982 0.255482 0.225293 0.234793 0.261024 0.269524 0.279250 0.283600 0.279750 0.283600 Asia 0.003584 0.004184 0.045180 0.048680 0.034452 0.037202 0.004378 0.004779 0.000019 0.000025 0.002629 0.002809 0.003296 0.003296 0.000257 0.000272 0.083508 0.089508 0.002978 0.003148 0.002462 0.002742

Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan Thai Baht

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal Saudi Riyal Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar Turkish Lira UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

0.006407 0.006687 0.000069 0.000075 0.219875 0.225875 0.021305 0.029805 0.001875 0.002455 0.009306 0.009486 0.008447 0.008997 Arab 0.745135 0.753135 0.037504 0.040604 0.000078 0.000080 0.000187 0.000247 0.395430 0.402930 1.0000000 1.0000000 0.000139 0.000239 0.022681 0.046681 0.001199 0.001834 0.728942 0.735622 0.077119 0.078332 0.074923 0.075623 0.002171 0.002391 0.167875 0.175875 0.137426 0.144426 0.076164 0.077313 0.001287 0.001367

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) 282.800 389.100 462.650 267.850 4.580 40.795 2.162 3.638 6.368 2.681 753.000 77.050 75.500

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Economic crisis dampens Zimbabwe’s holidays HARARE: Thousands of city-dwelling Zimbabweans travel back to their rural homes during the holiday season, taking gifts and foods for feasts to share with their families. But this year, the holiday spirit has been dimmed by Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation marked by company closures and job losses.

Banks have experienced shortages of cash.

Zimbabweans waited in long, winding lines at banks to withdraw money but many depositors came out with a just a fraction of the money in their accounts that they had hoped to spend during the holiday period.

The bleak festive season caps a year marked by a disputed election in July, mired by allegations of vote-rigging, that long-time President Robert Mugabe won with a 61 percent majority against his major opponent and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Mugabe, 90 in February, has gone on his annual leave until the end of January.

He has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from British rule in 1980.

Tsvangirai, 61, blames Mugabe’s administration for failing to deliver economic progress. “It is clear the current government stole Christmas from Zimbabweans. Hunger is stalking the nation,” he said in a year-end message. “I’m fully aware this is going to be a bleak Christmas with

little or nothing to share. The nation is in a dire state.” Tens of thousands of workers swelled the unemployed because more than 700 companies shut down this year, according to a report by the state Social Security Authority. Zimbabwe’s unemployment in formal industry is pegged at around 80 percent, say economists.

At the bus station in Harare’s Mbare township, holiday travelers were determined, despite the hardships, to celebrate the holidays at their rural homes and carried beds and mattresses, building materials, seeds and fertilizer on buses.

One said he is bidding farewell to city life, as he won’t have a job in 2014. Blessmore Makuva, 38, said he won’t be coming back to Harare as he sat beside a cart laden with two doors and roofing sheets waiting to be loaded onto a bus. He said he is going to complete building a house in rural northeastern center of Mutoko.

Accompanied by his wife and two children Makuva said he used most of his money to buy the building materials and bus tickets to travel to the village. “There is no use for us to stay in Harare. I’ve got no job, I can’t pay the rentals,” he said. Makuva said he will farm on the small family plot. “I’m worried about my family’s future,” he said. “What lies ahead, I don’t know.” — AP

HARARE: A family heads for the bus in Mbare, Harare, for a trip to rural areas in Harare. Thousands of city-dwelling Zimbabweans travel back to their rural homes during the holiday season, taking gifts and foods for feasts to share with their families. But this year, the holiday spirit has been dimmed by Zimbabwe’s worsening economic situation marked by company closures and job losses. — AP

Turkish CB boosts markets against corruption probe Govt steps up defense of lira

ATHESN: A scrap collector drives a three-wheeled mini-van piled high with cardboard boxes for recycling past the old Athens Stock Exchange building in Athens. — AP

Greece won’t cut heating oil tax despite smog ATHENS: Greece’s government yesterday ruled out reducing a tax on heating oil despite a sharp increase in smog resulting from extensive wood-burning.

“Reducing the price is not the solution (to the smog problem),” Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras told a joint Christmas Day press conference with Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and Environment Minister Yiannis Maniatis.

Crisis-hit Greeks are increasingly shunning fuel for cheaper firewood to heat their homes, as energy prices have soared because of tax hikes that are part of the country’s EU-IMF bailout deals.

Excessive wood-burning has caused choked skies in Athens and other main cities around the country, prompting repeated pollution warnings. At the weekend in Athens’ northern suburbs, particulate matter was double the nor-

mal level for the area, approaching what is considered the alarm threshold of 150 milligrams per cubic metre.

The three ministers further urged the public to take advantage of heating oil subsidies and free electricity available to low-income families.

On Monday, the health ministr y finalised a plan offering free power to poorer households when smog exceeds safety levels. Under the plan, those registered with the state power company’s low-income rates are entitled to two days of free electricity for every day that smog hits the alarm level. The smog contains sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other carcinogens, all dangerous for public health. The economic crisis that has stalked Greece since 2010 initially caused pollution to dip because of a drop in automobile traffic. — AFP

Tunisia eyes 4% growth in 2014: Outgoing PM TUNIS: Tunisia’s economy is predicted to grow by four percent in 2014, up from 2.8 percent this year, the outgoing Prime Minister Ali Larayedh told parliament yesterday. Speaking at a session devoted to next year’s budget, the Islamist prime minister also predicted that the deficit would drop to 5.7 percent from its current level of 6.8 percent. “The growth rate in 2014 will reach four percent compared to 2.8 percent this year,” Larayedh told a plenary session also attended by his successor-to-be Mehdi Jomaa.

“In 2013 economic performance was positive but it did not reach its hoped for level,” due to security and political tensions that rocked the country, said Larayedh. He said the 2014 budget would

grow by 2.3 percent to reach 28,125 billion dinars (around 15 billion euros).

Larayedh is due to step down by January 14 as part of a political roadmap brokered by mediators after his Islamist Ennahda party came under sharp criticism for failing to rein in jihadists blamed for violence. Earlier this month, the World Bank said that security problems and political tensions were hindering growth in Tunisia, which needs a level above 4.5 percent to reduce joblessness.

Unemployment, which stands at around 15 percent, and which is twice as high among university graduates, was the driving factor behind the January 2011 revolution that toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. — AFP

Japan mob-linked bank faces more action TOKYO: Japan’s financial watchdog will order Mizuho, one of the country’s biggest banks, to suspend part of its loan business as additional punishment for its links to organized crime, reports said yesterday.

The order, expected to be issued by the Financial Services Agency (FSA) today, will stop Mizuho Bank from extending new loans through its affiliated credit company for one month, the Jiji and Kyodo news agencies said. The agency will also issue business improvement orders to Mizuho’s parent firm the Mizuho Financial Group, the reports said. The group has been under fire since September when it was found to have processed some 230 loans worth about $2 million for the country’s notorious yakuza crime syndicates, which are involved in activities ranging from prostitution and

drugs to extortion and white-collar crime.

In late September the FSA ordered Mizuho Bank to improve operations after it was found to have taken “no substantial steps” to sever the Yakuza links for two years after they were discovered.

The FSA decided to take additional punitive action against the group for failing to prevent the bank from submitting a false report on the issue to the agency, Kyodo said. Mizuho Bank had originally said its top management had been unaware of the Yakuza links. But it later admitted that its current and former presidents were in a position to know of the issue. In late October the bank submitted a report compiled by a third-party panel probing the issue, which said it found no evidence of a cover-up of the scandal. — AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkish markets firmed yesterday after the central bank vowed to defend the lira, which has come under heavy pressure from a corruption scandal and worries about the country’s current account gap. The central bank’s offer of hefty forex-selling auctions, amounting to at least $6 billion until the end of January, has helped to temper market reaction to a corruption investigation that has pitted the government against the judiciary. Two ministers resigned on Wednesday after their sons were arrested.

The central bank sold $450 million in a regular forex auction on Tuesday. The bank will sell a minimum $450 million every day until the end of 2013, Governor Erdem Basci told a news conference on Tuesday, totalling at least $3 billion until year-end. Basci also said the bank will sell at least $3 billion by the end of January through forex-selling auctions.

The lira firmed to 2.0642 against the dollar by 0917 GMT, from 2.0786 late on Tuesday and versus 2.0950 on Tuesday morning. It hit an all-time low of 2.0983 against the dollar on Friday.

The yield on the 10-year benchmark bond fell to 9.85 percent from 10.09 percent a day before.

“The central bank’s hefty forex sales will likely to lead the lira stronger in the short term, amidst lack of foreign participation,” said Erkin Isik, a strategist at TEB-BNP Paribas.

“However, in January, $3 billion in forex sales may not be enough to strengthen the lira, especially in a scenario where global risk sentiment weakens and local political risks continue.”

Already under pressure this year in anticipation of the US Federal Reserve’s decision this month to stem a flood of dollars that has boosted global emerging markets, the lira has been beaten down further by the corruption probe.

Turkey needs to import almost all of the oil it uses, which gives it one of the world’s biggest current-account shortfalls and makes it heavily dependent on foreigners buying its stocks and bonds to bring in capital. Turkey’s main stock index rose 1 percent to 69,690.46 after sustaining heavy losses last week.

The central bank stepped up its defense of the lira, whose value has sagged amid a political crisis and the winding down of US monetary

ANKARA: Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, (second right), flanked by his wife Emine Erdogan, (right) Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, (center), and Planning and Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar (left) as he addresses supporters at the Esenboga Airport in Ankara shortly after his arrival yesterday. — AFP stimulus. Central bank chief Erdem Basci said to combat volatility on the currency market it would step up its provision of liquidity by “injecting daily at least 450 million dollars per day until December 31.”

On Tuesday morning the lira had fallen to 2.097 to the US dollar, from 2.091 on Monday.

It rallied to 2.086 to the dollar after Basci’s comments. Since the US Federal Reserve decided last Wednesday to modestly cut its monthly stimulus injections, the lira has fallen by around 3 percent against the dollar despite the Turkish central bank injecting $900 million.

As a leading emerging economy, Turkey has been one of the main beneficiaries of the Fed’s stimulus as US investors sought higher returns abroad. It was also one of the countries worst hit earlier this year when the Fed signalled it plans to wind down the stimulus program, with the lira tumbling by 15 percent against the dollar since the beginning of 2013. The lira has also suffered as Turkey is embroiled in a political crisis amid a sweeping graft probe that has rocked the establishment and exposed bitter fault lines in

the power base of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey goes to polls next year for local elections in March and a presidential vote in June, and the central bank has been under pressure from the government to keep interest rates low to maintain economic growth. However Turkey needs to keep foreign funds flowing in to cover its trade gap, which would argue for the central bank to raise interest rates.

The central bank has refused to raise its main policy rate, and Basci let it be understood Tuesday he doesn’t intend to make any changes in the near future.

However Turkey’s central bank maintains a number of rates at which it provides financing to lenders, and has gradually lessened the amount of funding they can take at the cheaper policy rate. Basci said the central bank plans to inject $100 million per day of liquidity into the market in January, but the last week the bank also warned if there was excessive volatility it could raise by 10 times its minimum daily foreign currency sale amount. — Agencies

SoftBank on course to buy T-Mobile TOKYO: Japan’s SoftBank plans to acquire TMobile US through its subsidiary Sprint in a move that would create the world’s second largest mobile carrier by revenue after China Mobile, a report said yesterday.

SoftBank intends to buy a majority stake in fourth-ranked US wireless carrier T-Mobile in early 2014 in a transaction with an estimated price tag of more than 2 trillion yen ($19 billion), the Nikkei business daily said. It is in the final stages of talks with T-Mobile’s parent, Deutsche Telekom of Germany, the economic daily quoted anonymous sources close to the matter as saying. SoftBank declined to comment on the report. Shares in the firm fell 0.56 percent to 8,760 yen in Tokyo morning trade. The purchase would boost the SoftBank group’s annual revenue from mobile operations to $69.4 billion, making it the world’s No. 2 carrier behind China Mobile with $90.4 billion, the Nikkei said citing, industry figures.

SoftBank had initially envisioned a stock swap but it is believed to have added a tender offer and other transactions to the list of options, since Deutsche Telekom prefers a cash deal, it said.

The Japanese group has begun talks with US financial institutions for loans to finance the deal, it said.

SoftBank aims to compete better with the two US giants-Verizon and AT&T by integrating T-Mobile with Sprint to create a stronger number three player with some 100 million subscribers, it said.

The deal needs approval by the US Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice. Number three US mobile carrier Sprint in July closed a deal that allowed SoftBank to take a controlling stake for $21.6 billion, the largest overseas acquisi-

tion ever by a Japanese firm.

The SoftBank deal received clearance from US national security officials on condition of appointing an independent member to the Sprint board of directors to serve as security director.

AT&T sought to buy T-Mobile for $39 bil-

lion in 2011 but backed down amid opposition from US regulators. As competition intensifies in the mobiles industry, Apple and China Mobile on Sunday unveiled an agreement to bring the iPhone to customers on a network with an estimated 760 million subscribers. — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Argentine president’s new style isn’t fixing economy BUENOS AIRES: President Cristina Fernandez has tried to reinvent her image since her return from skull surgery. She’s put aside the all-black wardrobe she wore for three years mourning her late husband Nestor Kirchner, and reshuffled her Cabinet.

This week, her economy minister announced a new stimulus program.

Analysts, however, say what she really needs to do, and quickly, is take politically painful steps to contain inflation by dialing back government spending. Restoring Argentina’s sense of pride and sovereignty after its 2001 economic collapse has been the central goal of the Kirchners’ “victorious decade” in the presidency. They renegotiated or paid off nearly all of Argentina’s defaulted debt in ways that removed the supervision of international lending organizations, nationalized the pension system, retook control of the national airline and oil company, and dug deep into the treasury to redirect revenue to the poor.

But the years of 7 percent growth are over.

Fernandez now “faces a rapidly deteriorating economy that demands profound and urgent measures, and there are no pleasant alternatives in

sight,” said Ignacio Fidanza, who directs lapoliticaonline.com, a website focused on Argentine politics.

Inflation has been at least 26 percent this year, more than twice the widely discredited official rate, private economists say. This forces rounds and rounds of wage and price negotiations that scare off investors and spark social unrest, like the provincial police strikes that set off looting across the country this month.

Governors promised pay raises that reached nearly 60 percent in some provinces to get officers back in the streets after the mob violence killed 13 people. A 50 percent average raise for police would cost about $2.3 billion in 2014, but the officers represent just 15 percent of Argentina’s 2 million provincial government employees, and with at least 28 percent inflation expected in the coming year, the rest won’t be satisfied with less. If all 2 million get 30 percent raises on average, it would cost the equivalent of $10 billion in today’s pesos, estimates Diego Giacomini, chief economist with the Economia y Regiones consultancy.

Printing more pesos isn’t a sustainable alterna-

tive: JP Morgan estimates the peso will be worth 45 percent less by this time next year. Economists figure Argentina’s primary fiscal deficit, before making debt payments, grew to 2.6 percent of GDP this year. That’s better than the U.S deficit of 4.1 percent of GDP, but Argentina can’t attract international loans at market rates. Instead, it uses Central Bank reserves to buy fuel overseas, meet foreign debt payments and finance economic stimulus programs, reducing the reserves by nearly $13 billion this year, to $31 billion.

In all, the government had to spend $13 billion this year importing oil and natural gas, costing nearly $48 in hard currency for every $100 that agricultural exports brought into the economy, the Fundacion Mediterranea consultancy says.

“The ceiling that the debt once put on growth is now imposed by the energy deficit,” said Ramiro Castineira, an analyst with the Econometrica firm in Buenos Aires. The deficit has risen because longterm business investments have slowed even as the government stimulates the economy, subsidizes energy and transportation and expands welfare for the poor. — AP

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez (left) embraces newly swornin Economy Minister Axel Kicillof in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After reshuffling her Cabinet, Kicillof announced government-backed, peso-denominated business loans as part of a new stimulus program aimed at creating new jobs in the coming year. Kicillof also negotiated quarterly price controls on some products sold in supermarkets. —AP

Asian markets mixed after record US highs HONG KONG: Asian shares were mixed yesterday after another record-breaking close on Wall Street, though most financial markets in the region were closed for the Christmas holiday. Tokyo climbed 0.40 percent, Shanghai slid 0.17 percent while Taipei rose 0.24 percent.

Financial markets in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and India were closed for a public holiday. US stocks closed at a new all time high Tuesday before the Christmas break, following solid reports on durable goods and new home sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both hit their highest ever levels on Tuesday, rising 0.39 percent to 16,357.55 and 0.29 percent to 1,833.32 respectively. The techrich Nasdaq Composite Index tacked on 0.16 percent to 4,155.41.

The November report on US durable goods orders showed an increase of 3.5 percent, more than expected. The number of new home sales in the US in November, though slightly down from

the October level, also bested expectations. A strong dollar, ongoing monetary easing by the Federal Reserve, the recovering US economy, and low interest rates were expected to offer support to Japanese equities, Hideyuki Ishiguro, assistant manager of investment strategy at Okasan Securities, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar fetched 104.35 yen yesterday compared with 104.27 yen in New York Tuesday afternoon. The euro bought $1.3663 and 142.57 yen against $1.3681 and 142.65 yen. China shares were down slightly in morning trade, led by drug makers on worries over the safety of a hepatitis B vaccine, dealers said. Authorities are investigating after a hepatitis B vaccine produced by a domestic drug maker was linked to the deaths of at least seven infants, state media have reported.

On oil markets New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate for February delivery, was up 29 cents from morning trade Tuesday at $98.95. — AFP

Fukushima operator readies new revamp TOKYO: Tokyo Electric Power yesterday submitted a fresh restructuring plan to a Japanese government-backed fund that envisages the creation of a special unit to dismantle the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. TEPCO president Naomi Hirose pledged thorough implementation of the plan, once approved by the government as expected next month.

The utility’s board Tuesday approved a draft plan that would see the creation of a holding company with several sub-units dedicated to separate tasks, including one that would be solely responsible for decommissioning the battered reactors.

The plan, which includes a cost-cutting round of early retirements, assumes the giant utility will be allowed to restart some of its idled nuclear reactors. Supporters say this is necessary to reduce the inflated fuel bills caused by the switch back to fossil fuels in the aftermath of the disaster in March 2011.

“As the government takes a step forward (to help TEPCO), Tokyo Electric wished to demonstrate that we are taking three steps and four steps for ward,” Hirose told reporters of the plan, according to national broadcaster NHK. TEPCO submitted the plan to the Nuclear Damage Liability Facilitation Fund, which gave its broad approval. The utility and the fund will jointly submit the plan to the government next month for formal approval. The government on Tuesday approved a budget for fiscal 2014 which includes measures to help TEPCO, such as earmarking 101.2 bil-

lion yen ($1 billion) to pay for facilities to store radioactive waste. Local media have separately said TEPCO was likely to receive fresh loans totaling 500 billion yen from 11 lending institutions, which have been pushing for reactor restarts to ensure the utility’s sustainability. The company cannot raise money on normal bond markets because of its perceived poor credit risk.

Observers say banks are already on the hook for huge sums and are willing to lend the company more to keep it afloat, in the hope they will get back their original money and more.

If TEPCO went under, it could deal a huge blow to the viability of some of its lenders, which would have knock-on effects in other parts of the economy. Its failure could also affect electricity production in the economically-vital Tokyo area.

TEPCO and Japan have yet to figure out the exact cost of compensating tens of thousands of people who had to flee their homes and livelihoods to avoid radiation.

Nearly three years after the tsunamisparked disaster, the final cost of shuttering damaged reactors and cleaning up tracts of agricultural and residential land coated by radioactive materials also remains unknown. Tens of thousands still cannot return to their homes in the area around the plant, with some settlements likely to be uninhabitable for decades. The government believes it may take 40 years completely to dismantle the plant and could require the use of technology that has not yet been invented. — AFP

Batista’s oil firm in deal with creditors SAO PAULO: Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista’s debt-laden oil company, currently under bankruptcy protection, has agreed with foreign creditors to renegotiate $5.8 billion in debt into a 90 percent stake in the firm. Oleo e Gas Participacoes (OGP), formerly known as OGX, informed Brazil’s Securities and Exchange Commission of the accord, the G1 news website reported yesterday.

Under the deal reached Tuesday, holders of $3.8 billion in bonds issued by OGP’s OGX Austria subsidiary are also to invest between $200 million to $215 million to cover the company’s operation costs and cash flow needs, it said.

Implementation of the accord, which must be approved by all creditors and by the Rio bankruptcy court, would enable the company “to weather its current financial crisis, continue its activities and fully meet its objectives,” Rio-based OGP said.

The company’s chief executive Paulo

Narcelio Simoes Amaral was quoted as saying the agreement was “an important vote of confidence in our future and the company now has solid foundations to take part in promising prospects of the Brazilian oil sector.”

OGX filed for bankruptcy protection in late October after debt-restructuring talks with its creditors failed. Last month, a Rio state judge granted bankruptcy protection to OGX but not to its foreign subsidiaries based in The Netherlands and Austria. A Rio court also extended bankruptcy protection to Batista’s debtladen shipbuilding company OSX. OSX and OGX are part of Batista’s crumbling EBX empire of energy, mining and logistics companies. The decline of EBX began in mid-2012, when OGX announced that its oil output would be a quarter of what it had promised.

In three years, EBX has seen its value plummet from $43.5 billion to less than $3 billion. — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Post-Soviet economic union ready for 2015 launch: Putin Eurasian Economic Union, new source of growth

Dr Raymond Khoury

Fady Kassatly

Ramez T. Shehadi

Key to stronger ties between MENA govts, constituents?

Mobile e-government applications Booz & Company Report DUBAI: New technologies such as smartphones, tablets and social media channels are fundamentally changing the way that people in the MENA region interact and process information. Additionally, prices for mobile technology continue to drop, making these platforms more accessible to lower-income segments of the population.

Faced with this new reality, governments must urgently change the way they connect with their citizens and customers.

After all, failing to take advantage of new technologies can leave their populations disaffected and disengaged, with a belief that their government does not speak with them in meaningful ways or understand their needs. Conversely - and according to the management consulting firm Booz & Company- the effective use of mobile apps can increase engagement and communication between citizens and governments, empowering citizens and creating stronger and more satisfied societies.

A recent study by Google shows that smartphone penetration in many countries has reached unprecedented levels. Leading the pack is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 73.8 percent, closely followed by South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, all with penetration levels in excess of 70 percent. In parallel, prices for mobile technology have significantly decreased in recent years.

In line with this, many private-sector companies - that do not want to risk losing customers to their more digitally-savvy competitors-are relying more heavily on mobile apps to interact with their target audience. And, although they do not face competitive pressures from alternate service providers, the risks for governments are just as stark.

Some policymakers may point to the egovernment portals that launched over the past few years and ask why they are no longer sufficient. There are three main reasons. First, the very feature that once distinguished the portals now works against them; they contain so much information and so many services, which can be overwhelming. Second, government portals can be labyrinthine, and so confuse rather than help citizens. Third, Web portals are impractical on smartphones, due to the smaller screens and limited browsing capability. As a result, some e-government portals are already seeing declining usage rates for some of their listed e-services.

“By contrast, mobile apps offer several advantages,” said Ramez T Shehadi, a Partner with Booz & Company. “Specifically, they are always on. They are highly personal and have intuitive interfaces that require no explanation or instructions. They also contain information that users can access even when they are offline. And, they can take advantage of the broad array of functions and tools now routinely built into smartphones.”

Shehadi also added, “Perhaps most important, apps are typically limited in scope and designed to meet a set of precise needs, making them uniquely fit for purpose and highly appealing to users.”

As a result, mobile e-government apps can help governments deliver services more efficiently and effectively. They can drive the adoption rates of e-services by making them more accessible and easier to use. They also have the potential to generate financial benefits for governments -by delivering services in a more cost-effective manner and by letting governments reduce costly channels and less popular ones. By encouraging citizens to pay their bills on time, mobile e-government apps can also lead to improved revenue collection.

“There are benefits for citizens as well namely more transparency and greater satisfaction with government services, spurring increased participation in civic life,” explained Dr Raymond Khoury, a Partner with Booz & Company.”For society at large, a push to build a digital ecosystem can increase a region’s technological prowess and create jobs in the field of digital technologies.”

The UAE government, for example, has recognized this shift and has sought to get ahead of it. In a recent speech, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, declared that he wanted all government services to be offered through mobile applications and accessible around the clock by 2015. UAE officials that fail to meet this goal could face dismissal.

Driving engagement As policymakers around the globe undertake a large-scale effort to deliver as many services as possible through e-government apps, they should keep the real objective in mind. The goal is greater than simply developing the largest number of apps in the least amount of time. Rather, the ultimate aim is to engage citizens by making the delivery of government services faster and easier. Deploying a large number of problematic apps could be

counterproductive and may discourage the uptake of future apps.

“To avoid these missteps, policymakers should make a deliberate effort to design e-government apps that are as engaging and user-friendly as possible, borrowing approaches that have already proved successful in private-sector apps,” stated Fady Kassatly, a Principal with Booz &Company.

“Payment functionality is a good example.

The most successful payment apps share several common attributes: they are very simple, convenient and designed with the customer experience in mind.”

Three mechanisms In developing e-government apps that can lead to greater citizen engagement, agencies and policymakers should consider three mechanisms that have a proven track record in the private sector: loyalty programs, gamification, and social media. l Loyalty Programs: Also known as affinity programs, they provide incentives that reward customers and citizens for frequent use of e -government services through apps. The actual incentives can vary widely. For example, participants who use a government bill-payment app may be eligible for a prize drawing. Discounts are another type of loyalty incentive-citizens who pay a number of bills online can qualify for a lower payment. Another variation is a points system, similar to airline miles, in which participants accumulate points for executing transactions through a specific app and can later redeem them for discounts on government products or services. l Gamification: The second mechanism to increase engagement with mobile e-government apps is gamification.”The aim is to introduce a sense of fun to seemingly mundane tasks, by tapping into the psychological drive in people to pursue rewards, achieve goals, advance to higher status levels, and compete”, Kassatly said.

For example, citizens could gain points by using an app to pay bills, report local issues such as faulty traffic lights, refer their friends to digital services, and post feedback about their experience. Also, they could lose points for negative behaviors like late payments or traffic violations. l Social Media: Third, the rapid growth of social media makes it a key mechanism for governments to engage with the public. Facebook now has more than 1.2 billion users globally, LinkedIn has over 225 million, and Twitter over 500 million. All three are set to continue to grow.In the UAE, approximately 1.8 million people follow H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, and his Facebook page has 831,000 “likes.” In the context of e-government apps, social media can be layered onto the other two mechanismsloyalty programs and gamification-to make them evenmore engaging.

Critical success factors All three of these mechanisms share several requirements-in particular that the apps be intuitive and easy to use. “The interface must be simple enough that the average person can figure it out on the first try with no external guidance,” said Dr Khoury. “If not, the app is too complicated.

In addition, the underlying code must be bug-free and reliable.”

Developing apps at this level of sophistication requires skills that some government entities may not possess.

They may not have the ability to code and develop, or apply game principles, introduce payment systems, or build a network of external retail partners that can provide incentives.

“Given this challenge, governments should consider developing an ecosystem that leverages the power of central government, the expertise of sectorial agencies, and the capabilities of the private sector to develop more engaging apps,” explained Shehadi. “Specifically, the central government should focus on broader areas like building a loyalty program and developing guidelines for gamification and social media. Governments should also create a government app store to host all developed government apps.”

Given the platform nature of some app functions, central government should build foundational enablers for these functions, along with apps that touch on national priorities and cut across different sectors.

Individual agencies should focus on developing sector-specific apps based on the sectorial priorities that they are driving.

Finally, the private sector can be a positive engine of innovation. “If central governments make their data open and accessible to all, then the private sector can use this data to develop innovative apps across different government sectors at no cost for government,” said Kassatly. “Such open data initiatives would encourage participation by the broader digital ecosystem, creating jobs and value. The private sector can also be involved in central government foundational projects through public-private partnership.”

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said the final pieces were in place for the 2015 launch of an economic union with Belarus and Kazakhstan that Moscow hopes can also be joined by Ukraine. Putin promised following talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko that the so-called Eurasian Economic Union would turn into a new source of growth for all involved.

The alliance would replace a much looser Eurasian Customs Union that Russia formed with the two ex-Soviet nations in an effort to build up a free trade rival to the 28-nation EU bloc. “Government representatives of the troika (Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus) ... have developed the draft of the institutional part of the Eurasian Economic Union agreement,” Putin said in televised remarks. “ This document determines the international legal status, organizational frameworks, the objectives and mechanisms of how the union will operate starting on January 1, 2015,” Putin said.

Putin has made the creation of a post-Soviet economic union that could one day even be joined by nations such as Turkey and India the keystone project of his third Kremlin term.

Russia has put immense pressure on Ukraine to join the alliance and threatened economic sanctions against Kiev when it was on the verge of signing a landmark trade and political association deal with Brussels last month.

Kiev’s decision to spurn the EU pact sparked the biggest protests since the 2004 pro-democracy Orange Revolution and exposed the deep cultural rifts running between the nationalist west of Ukraine and its more Russified eastern parts. But the size of those rallies began to ebb when Ukraine agreed a $15-billion bailout package with Russia that also included a onethird cut in the price Moscow charges its neighbor for natural gas.

Rescue plan Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said during talks in Moscow with his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev that Kiev had just received the first $3.0-billion tranche of the Russian rescue plan. “ This is a stabilizing factor for us,” the Ukrainian government website quoted Azarov as saying before he joined Putin at the Eurasian meeting. “Thanks to the reached agreements, our ratings went up. We came out of the zone that we were in,” Azarov said. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara added that Kiev and Moscow intended to continue to “coordinate (their) foreign policies.” “I am especially asking my Russian colleague Sergei Lavrov to support Ukraine’s efforts to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,” ITAR-TASS quoted Ukraine’s top diplomat as saying.

Russia’s rescue-announced following talks in Moscow between Putin and Uk rainian President Viktor Yanukovych-involves the purchase of new eurobonds Kiev began to issue on the Irish stock exchange.

The package helped to tamp down the soaring yield on Ukrainian government obligations and made it easier for Kiev to issue new debt to cover its yawning fiscal black hole.

The three nations on Tuesday also agreed on a “road map” paving the way for the membership in their union of Armenia-a tiny ex-Soviet Caucasus nation that had also been expected to sign an initial agreement with Brussels last month.

Putin rewarded Armenia’s reversal by slashing the price of its natural gas imports from Russia to $189 from $270 per 1,000 cubic metres. Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said it should take “about half a year” for Armenia to formally join the existing Moscow-led customs pact.

Putin added that the impoverished Central Asian state of Kyrgyzstan was also conducting initial membership talks. Kyrgyzstan’s participation has been held up by Russia’s worries over its inability to plug its porous border vwith China. —AFP

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (back center) attends a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council at the Kremlin in Moscow on Tuesday. Vladimir Putin said that the final pieces were in place for the 2015 launch of an economic union with Belarus and Kazakhstan that Moscow hopes can also be joined by Ukraine. —AFP

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (left), his visiting Belarus counterpart Alexander Lukashenko (right) and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (center) speak during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow yesterday. Putin met Lukashenko to discuss progress on a fledgling state union the two neighbors had first agreed to forge nearly two decades ago. —AFP

Ukraine eyes remaining $12bn of Russian bailout in early 2014 KIEV: Ukraine expects a $15 billion bailout package from Russia to be fully disbursed in early 2014, Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said yesterday after Kiev received the first $3 billion tranche.

Russia agreed to bail out Ukraine by purchasing its sovereign bonds after Kiev performed a sharp foreign policy U-turn and refused to sign deals on political association and free trade with the European Union in late November. Russia told Ukraine on Tuesday it had transferred the first $3 billion tranche of the bailout, part of plans to keep Kiev firmly within Moscow’s orbit. {ID:nL6N0K320B] “We expect the remaining $12 billion in the beginning of next year,” Azarov told a government meeting yesterday. The deal with Russia sparked large -scale protests in Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of people have gath-

ered every weekend on Kiev’s main square to demand the government’s resignation.

President Viktor Yanukovich, however, has largely ignored their demands and pressed ahead with the Russian rapprochement, securing, in addition to the bailout money, a sizeable discount on the price of natural gas imported from Russia.

“The Russian loan is a critical factor in stabilising our state finances and economy,” Azarov said on Wednesday. Ukraine’s current account and budget deficits have been growing for the last few years as the government stuck to a pegged hryvnia exchange rate and continued to subsidize gas and heating prices for households. Azarov told the government meeting that Ukraine’s economy, which grew 0.2 percent in 2012, would remain flat this year. —Reuters

US raises ‘many concerns’ over China business plans WASHINGTON: The United States said it harbored “many concerns” over China’s business practices, despite significant progress since the country’s 2001 accession to the World Trade Organization. The United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued its findings in its annual report to Congress on China’s compliance with WTO regulations.

“While progress was made on some meaningful issues ... many issues of concern remain,” the USTR report said. The United States has denounced Beijing’s practices before the WTO on numerous occasions since China was admitted to the WTO, regularly accusing it of limiting foreign companies’ access to its domestic market or illegally subsidizing its own industries.

The USTR called on China to “reduce the role of the state in planning the economy, reform state-owned enterprises, eliminate preferences for domestic national champions and remove market access barriers currently confronting for-

eign goods and services.” The report welcomed an announcement by the Chinese Communist Party in November that the free market should be “decisive” and “dominant” but said Washington wanted to see the rhetoric “translate into changes.”

The USTR meanwhile called on Beijing to overhaul its legal structure in order to better protect intellectual property.

“Critical changes to China’s legal framework are still needed in several areas, such as further improvement of China’s measures for copyright protection on the Internet,” the report said. “Counterfeiting and piracy remain at unacceptably high levels and continue to cause serious harm to US businesses across many sectors of the economy.

“Indeed, in a study released in 2011, the US International Trade Commission estimated that US businesses suffered a total of $48 billion in lost sales, royalties and license fees due to IPR infringement in China in 2009.” The USTR called on China

to “eliminate the use of unauthorized software at all levels of government and to discourage the use of unauthorized software by enterprises, including major stateowned and state-invested enterprises.”

The USTR said China also continued to limit access to its market by foreign companies, in violation of WTO rules. “China continued to pursue industrial policies in 2013 that seek to limit market access for imported goods, foreign manufacturers and foreign service suppliers, while offering substantial government guidance, resources and regulatory support to Chinese industries,” the summary said.

China remained among the “least transparent and predictable” of the world’s markets for agriculture products, largely because of selective intervention by the country’s regulatory authorities, the USTR said. While the US would continue to engage in “productive” dialogue with China, Washington would “not hesitate” to invoke the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism if required. —AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

BUSINESS

Wataniya Telecom offers most advanced network in Kuwait Utilizing the U900 technology for better indoor coverage KUWAIT: Wataniya Telecom, the first private telecom operator in Kuwait, is now presenting the most advanced network to its customers along with excellent 4G/LTE internet service and brilliant mobile network coverage. Wataniya has rebuilt its network to fulfill the needs and requirements of its customers today and in the future.

Wataniya is now offering the most advanced network in Kuwait and in the region. The new U900 technology

has been utilized for the first time in Kuwait. It delivers better indoor coverage such as in basements, high-rise buildings, elevators, or even under water. The U900 is characterized by the deep indoor penetration and its ability to reach beyond barriers such as cement and water. Customers of Wataniya using mobile phones that support 3G/4G networks on 900 MHz will feel the difference in call clarity and strength of indoor coverage.

With an investment of over $ 400 million, Wataniya

has partnered with Huawei and Ericsson to inaugurateanew network for a better future for its customers.

Now, customers of Wataniya can absolutely enjoy the best of telecom services through the most advanced network in Kuwait.

Wataniya has recently launched a new campaign promoting the remarkable network coverage it is offering.

Customers can now have stunning network coverage wherever they are.

Drake & Scull Int’l wins engineering contract for Mall of Qatar project DOHA: Drake & Scull Qatar (DSI Qatar), a wholly owned subsidiary of Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI), has won a mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract for an approximate value of QAR 400 million for the upcoming Mall of Qatar in the Al-Rayyan district of Qatar. The win is the latest in a series of multi-million commercial and residential deals signed by the company in 2013. UrbanCon Trading and Development are the main contractors on this commercial development.

Under the terms of the agreement, DSI Qatar will execute the installation of all incidental electromechanical works on the three-storey mall which will feature a hypermarket, a multiplex, five department stores and at least 20 restaurants. In addition to the car parking accommodating 7000 cars, the mall will also have its own metro station. DSI Qatar is scheduled to start works on site in Q1 2014 and the project is slated for completion in June 2015.

Qatar is witnessing an upsurge in project tenders and contracts awarded as there is larger construction spending geared towards achieving its ambitious infrastructure development plans to facilitate the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Given this increased government expenditure and DSI Qatar’s proven track record, the company is poised to secure more projects and significantly increase its market share.

Karem Akawi, Area General Manager, Drake & Scull Qatar stated, “The Mall of Qatar is a very prestigious project award for DSI and will build upon the rich experience we have in Mega Retail projects. DSI Qatar’s MEP division is a market leader and is currently executing projects across District cooling, Hospitality and Residential sectors. “ “Our engineering expertise is one of the central pillars of our success and will continue to be a vital factor for driving growth in Qatar during

the crucial years leading up to the worldcup.

We anticipate positive development in the rail sector as we have cemented strategic alliances with leading International Rail experts to address the challenges and needs of Qatar Rail.”

“We also see untapped potential in the Water and Waste Water sectors and we are well placed to leverage our patented European technology through our German Subsidiary Passavant Roediger to lead the modernization of Qatar’s Infrastructure.”

Karem Akawi

Earlier this year, Drake & Scull Qatar was awarded a QAR 304 million contract for a mixed-use real estate development project in Doha and a second residential project worth

Maaden secures $4.2bn for phosphate project

ERP survey unveils barriers for high-tech manufacturers ABU DHABI: Epicor Software Corporation, a global leader in business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations, yesterday announced that a new IDC Manufacturing Insights White Paper sponsored by Epicor titled, “Get Customers Inspired - A Call to Action for High-Tech Manufacturers,”1 reveals barriers between high-tech manufacturing companies not utilizing modern enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to full capacity and the driving factors to implement a customer experience strategy.

The high-tech manufacturing industry is a consumer-driven, fast paced sector where success is fully influenced by meeting those consumer expectations at the end of the value chain. Survey results from the report, uncovered the majority of high-tech manufacturers are limited in utilizing their modern ERP solutions and understanding how technology innovation can drive greater customer experience.

According to 45 percent of survey respondents, the main barrier to creating customer experience is related to lack of back-office/front-office integration in the organization. With the inability to quickly adapt business processes and limitations to access and utilize the data-these factors all point to ineffective or rigid IT systems identified as both critical barriers to creating a greater customer experience.

“Keeping up with the required pace of innovation is by far the main business challenge for high-tech manufacturers today along with rapid changes in market demand and aggressive competitors,” said Pierfrancesco Manenti, head of IDC Manufacturing Insights research practice in Europe, Middle East & Africa.

“More frugal consumer behaviors in developed countries and demand from unstable emerging economies are pushing high-tech manufacturers to launch initiatives aimed at achieving superior customer loyalty through technology innovation.”

With the increased volatile consumer demand, manufacturers along the hightech value chain need to gain better visibility with uncertainty in their markets, according to the survey results. “To prevent volatility and improve customer fulfillment, manufacturers need to find new ways of understanding future

demand and utilize modern ERP platforms to its full capacity that can integrate business processes throughout the value chain,” added Manenti.

“We believe it is imperative for hightech manufacturers to create an agile and flexible supply chain by investing in technologies that enable faster decision making, collaboration across the organization and with business partners resulting in superior customer experience,” said John Hiraoka, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Epicor. “Improving real-time access to data and sharing information with modern ERP solutions leveraging mobile, social and cloud concepts will bring greater competitive advantage and growth.”

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Key points from the survey Nearly 35 percent of high tech manufacturers believe their ERP is vital as the platform for customer experience that connects back-office and front-office; specifically 80 percent of large high-tech organizations with 5,000 employees or more indicated that their ERP is a vital platform The main barrier of nearly 45 percent high-tech manufacturers to creating greater customer experience is essentially related to lack of backoffice/front-office integration High-tech manufacturers will prioritize investments focused on adapting IT to react and serve customers better (35.9 percent) Approximately 28 percent are dependent on ERP for everyday support of business operations, yet the impact on customer experience is still limited About 26 percent of survey respondents already state that the single most critical factor driving new product purchases is how value-added services are delivered and supported, including custom repackaging and relabeling, logistics, repair and overhaul, and environmentally compliant recycling Over the next three years, high-tech manufacturers will be looking for a flexible ERP system that includes or easily integrates more customer-facing functions in order to provide more timely information and ability to collaborate more within the organization.

QAR 180 million. DSI Qatar has also been associated with several prestigious projects since the early 2006 such as the Four Seasons Hotel, the Qtel Tower and the Doha Land project and has a healthy backlog and a history of consistent profitability.

Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI) is a regional market leader delivering world class quality projects via end to end solutions that provide integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of General Contracting, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Water and Power, Rail and Oil and Gas, through People, Innovation, and Passion.

DSI established its first office in Abu Dhabi in 1966, and has since expanded operations to encompass offices in Dubai, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, Jordan and India, Thailand, as well as managing projects in Europe and other parts of North Africa.

DSI ‘s main business streams include Drake & Scull Engineering, which serves as the MEP and Water & Power arm, Drake & Scull Construction (DSC), which is the General Civil Contracting unit and Drake and Scull Development, focusing on the Infrastructure sector.

In 2008, DSI offered 55% of its shares to the public and the IPO was oversubscribed 101 times. Ernst & Young ranked the IPO among the top 20 global IPOs in 2008.

DSI has since then used the funds to integrate, establish and acquire businesses that complement its corporate strategy of expansion into new markets, via organic and inorganic growth.

The fully Integrated Management Systems, certified to ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2005 and OSHAS 18001:2007 standards are compliant with leading building, health and safety regulations, as well as sound environmental and energy management procedures.

Marks & Spencer’s biggest international store to open at the View in Kuwait KUWAIT: Marks & Spencer, the iconic British retailer, will soon expand its international footprint in Kuwait, with the unveiling of its brand new flagship store at The View in Salmiya on Thursday 9th January 2014.

Located on Salem Al Mubarak Street, the new 72,000 square feet one-stop shop is Marks & Spencer’s largest international store outside of the UK & Republic of Ireland*. The new store will be home to M&S’s latest clothing collections for the entire family, its unrivalled food offer and its renowned in-store M&S Cafe. In addition to food, customers will soon be able to explore M&S’s exceptional quality, confident style and clever product innovations across womenswear, menswear, kidswear, lingerie and beauty and homeware products.

“Kuwait is one of the fastest growing markets in the globe and is home to the world’s biggest retailers, so it comes as no surprise that we’re strengthening our presence here with the new largest Marks & Spencer store outside of the UK*. With our most extensive range of exceptional quality fashion and food products and our first M&S Cafe in Kuwait, we are able to reflect our ongoing commitment to deliver an inviting and inspiring shopping experience and quality product offer for our customers,” said John Cooper, Managing Director of Marks & Spencer Al-Futtaim Group MENA.

The View is a new iconic standalone building featuring state -of-the -art design that showcases the very best of M&S’s clothing, food and home products over four floors. The ground floor will house the womenswear and kidswear followed by the lingerie section on the first floor and menswear on the second floor while the third floor offers food, beauty and home products, as well as the new M&S Cafe. The new location which is close to the old store in SalmiyaMall has great visibility both from the Gulf road and Salmiya high street and also accommodates easy accessibility and car parking facilities for better convenience.

With seating for 60 and delicious, freshly-made dishes using the finest inhouse ingredients, the new M&S CafÈ is the retailer’s second hospitality offer to launch in the region outside of the UAE. Customers can enjoy hot snacks and traditional cream teas and English pastries as well as a wide range of Fairtrade teas and coffees served by specially trained baristas.

Commenting further on the expansion, Mr Cooper adds: “As we close the store in Salmiya Mall to create a larger, more inspiring flagship store in The View, we are confident that this beautifully conceived new store will serve as a unique opportunity to offer our loyal and new customers a truly unmatched shopping experience that will tend to

KHOBAR: Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has commitments from banks for financing worth up to 15.75 billion riyals ($4.2 billion) for a $7 billion phosphate project in Saudi Arabia, it said yesterday. The project in the northern city of Waad al-Shimal is a joint venture between Maaden, Saudi Basic Industries Corp and Mosaic and is part of Saudi state efforts to create a stronger industrial base beyond oil refining and export.

The rest of the funding should come from two Saudi government funds - the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) - as well as some export credit agencies (ECA).

The 17-year loan with commercial banks and financial institutions will be repaid in half-yearly installments from Dec. 31 2018, Maaden said in a bourse filing yesterday.

It gave no details in the statement of the banks involved in the financing and said it expects to receive the remaining financing commitments by the end of January 2014. It will sign along with its partners and the project financial advisor the final financing agreements in the second quarter of 2014.

The scheme will have a production capacity of 16 million tons per year of phosphate concentrate, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, as well as plants to produce calcium monophosphate and calcium diphosphate, Maaden said previously, with phosphate production expected to start in late 2016. — Reuters

Syria inks oil, gas exploration deal with Russian firm DAMASCUS: Damascus signed a major oil and gas exploration deal with a Russian company in the Syrian capital yesterday will allow for exploration in a section of Syrian waters, an AFP journalist witnessed. The agreement was signed by Syrian Oil Minister Suleiman Abbas, Syria’s General Petroleum Company and the Russian Soyuzneftegaz company.

The deal permits the exploration of an area of 2,190 square kilometres (850 square miles) in the Mediterranean off the Syrian coast. The contract “is the first ever for oil and gas exploration in Syria’s waters,” head of the General Petroleum Company Ali Abbas told AFP. “It will be financed by Russia, and should oil and gas be discovered in commercial quantities, Moscow will recover the exploration costs,” Abbas added. Oil Minister Abbas meanwhile said during the signing ceremony that the contract covers “25 years, over several phases,” adding that: “The cost of exploration and discovery is $100 million.” Russia is one of Syrian President Bashar alAssad’s main backers, as well as a key proponent along with the United States of peace talks slated for January in Switzerland. — AFP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

technology

Tablets a hit with kids, but experts worry Too much screen time NEW YORK: Tablet computers are so easy to use that even a threeyear-old can master them. And that has some pediatricians and other health experts worried. Since navigating a tablet generally doesn’t require the ability to type or read, children as young as toddlers can quickly learn how to stream movies, scroll through family photos or play simple games.

That ease-of-use makes tablets and smartphones- popular with busy parents who use them to pacify their kids during car rides, restaurant outings or while they’re at home trying to get dinner on the table. And many feel a little less guilty about it if they think there’s educational value to the apps and games their children use.

The devices are expected to rank among the top holiday gifts for children this year. Gadget makers such as Samsung have introduced tablets specifically designed for kids and many manufacturers of adult tablets now include parental controls. Those products are in addition to the slew of kiddie tablets produced by electronic toy makers such as LeapFrog, Vtech and Toys R Us. But some experts note there’s no evidence that screen time whether from a TV or tablet - provides any educational or developmental benefits for babies and toddlers. Yet it takes away from activities that do promote brain development, such as non-electronic toys and adult interaction.

They also say that too much screen time has been linked to behavior problems and delayed social development in older children.

Dr Dimitri Christakis, a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, points out that iPads have only been on the market for a little over three years, which means tabletrelated research is still in its infancy.

Christakis says educational games and apps have some value if they engage a child and prompt them to interact with the device, but cautioned that if all children do is watch videos on their tablets, then it’s just like watching T V, which has a limited ability to engage a child.

Slow language development He also notes that parents need to be mindful of whether tablet time is replacing more important activities such as sleeping, reading or interacting with adults. He says that while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one to two hours of screen time a day for kids over the age of two, he thinks one hour is plenty. “ The single most important thing for children is time with parents and caregivers,” he says.

“Nothing is more important in terms of social development. If

time with the tablet comes at the expense of that, that’s not good.”

Dr Rahil Briggs, a pediatric psychologist at New York’s Montefiore Medical Center, says tablet usage needs to be limited for the youngest of children, because too much screen time can slow language development. And since there’s very little research out there so far, experts still don’t know exactly how much is too much, she says.

mends no more than 30 minutes of tablet usage at a time in light of the short attention spans of most young kids. “ There’s so much media out there and so much marketing,” she says. “It’s all about smart choices and research, whether it’s an app on a tablet or a TV show.”

Susan Linn, director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, says parents should be

NEW YORK: Marc Cohen, 5, uses a Sesame Street app on his tablet at home in New York. Tablets of all types are expected to rank among the top holiday gifts for children this year, but some experts and advocates question the educational or developmental benefits for youngsters. —AP For older children, Briggs says too much tablet use can slow social development. She notes that the solitary nature of the activity means that kids aren’t using that time to learn how to make friends or pick up on social cues.

Some experts, however, believe tablets and smartphones possess unique educational benefits.

Jill Buban, dean of the School of Education at Post University in Waterbury Connecticut, says the more children absorb and understand technology before they start school, the more comfortable they’ll feel when they enter a classroom for the first time.

But she says even the best educational apps must be monitored by parents and limited. She recom-

wary of any TV show or app that touts educational benefits for babies or toddlers, saying that scientists have yet to prove that there are any.

“Babies and young children are spending huge amounts of time with screen media when really what they need is hands-on creative play, active time and face-toface time with the people that love them,” Linn said.

Marketing practices Linn’s group, known for its allegations against “Baby Einstein” videos that eventually led to consumer refunds, is urging the Federal Trade Commission to examine the marketing practices of certain apps and games geared

toward babies.

“The best toys are the ones that just lie there until the child transforms them,” Linn said pointing to blocks and stuffed animals as examples. “If all children do is push a button, that’s not the kind of play that promotes learning.”

Since its debut over 40 years ago, the TV show “Sesame Street” has dealt with questions about the amount of screen time small children should have.

Scott Chambers, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president for digital content, says the brand, which now includes 45 apps and 160 e-books, has gotten a huge boost from touch screen devices, which are much easier for preschoolers to handle than computer mice. That content can provide children with a much more customized and interactive educational experience than the show could hope to deliver, he says.

“It’s a balancing act, but all we can do is try to provide a good enriching media experience wherever parents and preschoolers may be,” Chambers says.

Family Play Chambers notes that some of Sesame’s apps encourage kids to put down their devices, pointing to Sesame’s new “Family Play” app.

Instead of having a child interact directly with a phone or tablet, it gives parents ideas for ways to play together.

Adam Cohen, a stay-at-home father of two from New York, says apps have been a key part of his 5year-old son Marc’s education since he was a baby.

“He had an iPad at close to 18 months so he was definitely one of those babies swiping away in his stroller,” Cohen says. “Now it’s different, but back then we were a little ostracized. Now he’s reading at close to a second-grade reading level and I credit a lot of that to iPad apps.”

Marc now has his own iPad loaded with mostly educational content and his baby sister Harper, who isn’t yet one-year-old, seems frustrated that she doesn’t have one too, Cohen says.

Still, not every parent is keen on tablets and apps. Lance Somerfeld, another stay-at-home dad from New York, says he thinks he and his wife are stricter than most parents.

They don’t own a tablet and didn’t allow their 5-year-old son Jake to watch TV until he was nearly three.

But Somerfeld says he does have an iPhone and lets Jake occasionally play with some of the apps.

“If I have an hour and a choice, I’d really rather spend it reading books with him,” Somerfeld says.

“But he’s really engaged by the a p p s, s o yo u c o u l d m a k e t h e case that there needs to be a balance.” —AP

Monster looks to rebuild brand after loss of Beats ATLANTA: It’s been a tough couple of years for Monster.

The audio cable company was in a coveted position as the decade began after launching what became the hottest headphones on the market, Beats by Dre. The audio devices had hip-hop/production legend Dr Dre as a namesake and soon became synonymous with headphone chic. Celebrities like LeBron James, Diddy, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber launched their own signature Beats by Dre lines, and a host of other performers, athletes and entertainers became unofficial representatives as the most famous faces on the planet sported Beats on their ears.

But Beats Electronics ended its partnership with Monster last year. Even though Beats is still superhot, Monster CEO Noel Lee believes his San Francisco-based company has the proper pieces in place to regain its mojo.

“It left us having to reinvent ourselves, and that’s what we are going to do,” said self-proclaimed “Head Monster” Lee. Monster is pushing out headphones, tablets, slim battery power adapters and portable DJ turntable mixers.

The company is also tapping stars like Shaquille O’Neal, Nick Cannon, Jason Aldean, Meek Mill and Drew Brees as its pitchmen.

Confident individual Lee, who often rides a gold-plated Segway because of a neurodegenerative disease, is seen as an eccentric champion of the privately owned Monster. A confident individual, he takes a lot of the credit for the stylish Beats

by Dre headphones. He said the key contribution of Beats Electronics, founded Dr. Dre and Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine, was marketing (though he allows that Robert Bruner, chief designer at Beats, did the industrial design). “People have to realize that them was us,” Lee said. “Monster did that. Beats supplied the marketing. We supplied all the distribution, all the technology, all the engineering that went into the product. What we didn’t have was the marketing clout before.”

Now, Lee says he does with music producer Swizz Beatz, who purchased a co-ownership stake in the company this year. But don’t expect Swizz Beatz to follow in the footsteps of Dr. Dre and release his own line anytime soon. His focus has been to make the Monster brand appealing to consumers in the same way he helped in Reebok’s return to relevance.

“I’m here to show the world who we are,” said Swizz Beatz, who has appeared in a commercial with A$AP

SANTA MONICA: This May 15, 2013 file photo shows hip-hop mogul Dr Dre as he announces a $70 million donation to create the new “Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts and Technology and Business Innovation,” at the University of Southern California, in Santa Monica. The audio cable company Monster was in a coveted position as the decade began after launching what would become the hottest headphones on the market, Beats by Dre. —AP Rocky to promote Monster’s DNA headphones. “There are so many being powered and plugged by Monster, but hardly anyone knows that. It’s all about getting back to the roots and showing people what we’re all about.”

After Swizz Beatz was brought into the fold, he persuaded retired basketball champion O’Neal to be part of the Monster team. It was an easy decision for O’Neal, who still has strong marketing power.

“People ask me all the time, ‘How do you pick a partner?’” O’Neal said. “It’s simple. I’ve got to believe in the product. I believe in this. For me, it’s never about money starting off. I learned a long time ago, when you invest your money, time and it’s something you believe in, it will hit in the long run. Monster is proven.”

Majority stake Monster, which was founded by Lee in 1978, became

known for selling pricey video and audio cables. Monster eventually partnered with Beats, launching Beats by Dre in 2008. Both companies flourished together over the next five years. In its last year with Monster, 2012, Beats by Dre captured 53 percent of the $1 billion annual headphone market, according to the NPD Group, a market research group.

But Beats decided not to renew a five-year contract with Monster in early 2012 after HTC bought a majority stake in the company for $300 million (it later sold half the shares back to Monster). Since the split, Beats’ market share has increased to 57 percent.

Lee said the buyout with Beats was “amicable.” He said the company paid to retain the name, audio, patents and designs. He said he was paid “very generously” in royalties and a percentage of the Beats company, but declined to say how much. —AP

TALLAHASSE: A customer signs his credit card receipt at a Target store in Tallahassee, Fla. The US is the juiciest target for hackers hunting credit card information. And experts say incidents like the recent data theft at Target’s stores will get worse before they get better. That’s in part because US credit and debit cards rely on an easy-to-copy magnetic strip on the back of the card, which stores account information using the same technology as cassette tapes. —AP

Technology may clash with 18th Century right WASHINGTON: A judge’s bid this week to stop the US government from collecting Americans’ phone records raises a question that the US Supreme Court has confronted before: at what point should modern technology force judges to revisit legal precedents? Technological advancements from the automobile to the Global Positioning System (GPS) have tested the justices over the years as they tried to figure out how to apply to modern circumstances an 18th Century guarantee in the US Constitution against unreasonable searches.

On Monday, US District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the National Security Agency’s bulk gathering of phone records is likely unlawful and called it an “indiscriminate” and “arbitrary invasion” of personal data. President Barack Obama’s administration is expected to appeal the ruling, which Leon has put on hold for now. The case is the furthest along of several lawsuits winding their way through US courts, all fueled by the revelations of former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. In the other cases, civil liberties organizations sued in New York and San Francisco, and a neonatal intensive care nurse who said she was distressed about the program sued in Idaho.

At the heart of all the cases is the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, dating from 1791. The amendment protects people from unreasonable searches of them and their property. Courts have enforced those values by requiring authorities to have a warrant before they search. For lawyers watching the cases, what was striking about Leon’s opinion was how little credit it gave to a 1979 case known as Smith v. Maryland, which held that Americans had no privacy rights when it came to information they give to third parties such as phone companies.

Then, the Supreme Court upheld a robbery conviction of a man who was arrested after the police, working with the phone company, collected a few days’ worth of numbers dialed from his home. In Monday’s ruling, Leon said he was not bound by the 34-year-old precedent. “The almost-Orwellian technology that enables the government to store and analyze the phone metadata of every telephone user in the United States is unlike anything that could have been conceived in 1979,” he wrote.

In court papers, Obama’s Justice Department has argued that Smith v.

Maryland should prevail. It said there are privacy safeguards such as constraints on who may search the call records database, and when they may do so. Leon “went a step farther certainly than anyone else has gone,” said Carrie Cordero, the director of national security studies at Georgetown University Law Center and a former Justice Department lawyer.

In testimony before Congress, Cordero has defended the bulk phone data collection as consistent with precedent on expectation of privacy. Leon’s opinion, she added in an interview, shows why the Supreme Court may decide to take another look at the matter. The matter could reach the high court as soon as late 2014. That could happen as an appeal from an intermediate federal appellate court, such as one in Washington or New York.

A constitutional issue Instead of Smith v Maryland, Leon emphasized a different high court case, United States v Jones in 2012. Antoine Jones was convicted in Washington, DC, of conspiring to distribute cocaine after investigators put a GPS tracking device on his wife’s car for 28 days and tracked its movement without a warrant. The Supreme Court was asked to decide if the tracking was an unlawful search.

The court sided unanimously with Jones, ruling that the GPS tracking breached his Fourth Amendment rights. For four of the justices, what was unsettling was the idea of

long-term collection of data about an individual when a reasonable person would have expected privacy instead. A fifth justice, Sonia Sotomayor, suggested the court may have to reconsider the whole idea that third-party data was open to government search.

“The Jones case shows there are at least five justices who are sensitive to the draconian implications of new technologies,” said Georgetown University law professor David Cole. Those ideas did not make it into the court’s controlling opinion in the Jones case they were in concurring opinions - but they made it into Leon’s ruling on Monday. Quoting Sotomayor, Leon wrote, “The government has at its disposal today the most advanced 21st Century tools, allowing it to ‘store such records and efficiently mine them for information years into the future.’”

Just last month, a different federal judge in an unrelated case wrote that Sotomayor’s 2012 opinion was irrelevant to the phone data program, a finding that could help the Obama administration as appeals courts weigh rulings on the matter. Devices that record dialed numbers, known as pen registers, “predate the Internet era by about 150 years and are not a product of the so-called digital revolution,” wrote U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller in a criminal case where the defendants sought a new trial based on NSA spying.

Changing precedents In seeking to meet the challenges of changing technology, courts have sometimes bolstered protections against government searches. Sometimes they have weakened them. In 1925 the Supreme Court carved out an automobile exception to the Fourth Amendment because of the law-enforcement concerns raised by the mobility of cars across state lines. Faced with a Prohibition Era case about bootleggers transporting alcohol, the court said the police did not need a warrant to search an automobile.

Perhaps more relevant to the collection of phone data is a pair of cases about wiretapping. In Olmstead v United States in 1928, the court said Fourth Amendment protections did not apply to a wiretap unless authorities had physically entered a place like a home. But then in Katz v United States in 1967, involving a listening device on a public telephone booth, the court emphasized that the amendment “protects people, not places.” The court said it did not matter that the device did not penetrate the wall of the booth and emphasized people’s privacy expectations, even in a place accessible to the public.

Thermal-imaging presented yet another technological challenge for the court. In 2001, it said that under the Fourth Amendment the government needed a warrant to aim a thermal imaging device at a home to determine its temperature. Agents were trying to determine whether marijuana was being grown under high-intensity lamps. The NSA phone-records case would be different because it would be about informational privacy, or when people should be able to keep information from the government without a warrant, said Erwin Chemerinsky, the law dean at the University of California at Irvine.

“Technology really has made that the central issue in so many Fourth Amendment contexts, and yet the court has not begun to confront it,” Chemerinsky wrote in an email. It is difficult to predict how the nine justices might rule. In weighing a decision, they must balance individual privacy rights against government powers. With advances in technology, the government can track people’s every move and map their thoughts, said Georgetown’s Cole. “If constitutional doctrine doesn’t adjust,” he said, “our privacy would be lost forever.” —Reuters

‘Be wary of phishing emails’ ATLANTA: Target says it has learned of some incidents of scam emails related to its recent data breach and is setting up a section of its corporate website to post copies of all official communication.

The company says it is aware of “limited instances” of scam emails.

Spokeswoman Molly Snyder says the company doesn’t have any other specifics to provide about the fake

emails. The Minneapolis retailer says it is creating a section of its website to contain copies of Target’s official communication to customers so customers can be sure they are really hearing from Target when they get emails from the retailer.

Target said last week that data connected to about 40 million credit and debit card accounts was stolen between Nov 27 and Dec 15. —AP

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Many with diabetes unaware of vision loss NEW YORK: Less than half of people with diabetes-related eye disease have been told about it, which means they’re also missing out on treatment that could save their sight, US researchers say. In nationwide surveys of adults with diabetic macular edema - a condition that can ultimately lead to blindness - just 45 percent of respondents said they had been informed by their doctor that diabetes had affected their eyes. Nearly 30 percent already had vision loss in the affected eye.

It’s important to catch the signs of diabetic macular edema (DME) early because it can be treated, Dr Neil M. Bressler said. He led the study at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital in Baltimore. Diabetes commonly causes DME, which is a thickening of the eye’s retina. That change can be detected in an eye exam that includes dilation of the pupils. Left untreated, DME is likely to cause

progressive vision loss. Degeneration of the retina in people with diabetes, known as diabetic retinopathy - which is often caused by DME - is the leading cause of blindness in the US, Bressler and his colleagues write in the journal JAMA Opthalmology. Many US medical authorities recommend annual eye checks for diabetics to monitor early signs of vision problems, but many people with diabetes do not get the proper type or frequency of eye care. The survey data Bressler’s team used included patient questionnaires and physical examinations, so people with vision loss could be identified even if they themselves were unaware of the changes in their sight.

The researchers considered a subset of 800 people from the survey who reported having diabetes, which affects 25.8 million people in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 800 self-reported diabetics, the

physical exam confirmed that 238 had diabetic retinopathy without DME and 48 had DME. Some 60 percent of those with DME said they had undergone an eye exam with pupil dilation within the past year. But only 45 percent said their doctor told them about the changes in their eyes.

Physician and patient behavior seem not to have changed in recent years, despite wonderful new achievements in potential treatments for diabetic eye problems, Dr Lee Jampol told Reuters Health.

A professor of ophthalmology who studies diabetes and vision at Northwestern University in Chicago, Jampol was not involved with the new estimate. “This study is very important as it shows that many diabetics are not aware of potential or actual real risk to their eyesight from diabetic retinopathy,” Jampol said. Physicians and patients need to be more aware of the vision risks involved in diabetes and insist on yearly visits to the oph-

thalmologist, he said. Treatment for DMA “typically involves injections of biologics into the middle cavity of the eye that in most cases cause resolution of the swelling with prevention of vision loss in about 90 to 95 percent of cases, and improvement in vision in about 50 percent of cases when the edema involves the center of the retina and is causing vision impairment,” Bressler said.

Patients tend to need about nine injections in the first year with a couple of additional shots over the next two years, and may require laser surgery as well, which can cause the price to vary quite a bit, he said. “Everyone with diabetes should be referred to an appropriate health care provider who can evaluate the retina for DME or diabetic retinopathy, even in the absence of symptoms, periodically, so that complications which can be treated to prevent vision impairment and blindness can be done,” Bressler said. — Reuters

Behavioral therapy may treat migraines in kids, teens

This picture shows two Siberian tiger cubs competing for milk with two puppies on a mother dog at Wild Animal World in Hangzhou, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province.

Staff at the facility feed the tigers on dog milk since the tigers’ mother resisted feeding them after giving birth on Novermber 10. — AFP

Weight loss surgery safe, beneficial NEW YORK: Bariatric surgery results in substantial weight loss and can turn back some diseases related to obesity, a new study finds. There is some risk of complications, but death rates appear to be lower than previously thought, researchers reported after reviewing about a decade’s worth of recent data. They were interested in updating current knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of various types of weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding (lap banding), vertical banded gastroplasty and sleeve gastrectomy.

These surgical procedures are used for people who are severely obese, or moderately obese with serious weight-related health problems. The last time there was a major update of bariatric surgical research was in 2003. “Previous reviews included data from clinical trials and studies published before 2003, but because of advances in technology of bariatric surgery and accumulation of surgeons’ experience, information provided in previous reviews is outdated,” Su-Hsin Chang told Reuters Health in an email. Chang is an instructor with the Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery at the Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis, Missouri and led the new study. “We planned to answer general questions regarding effectiveness and risks of surgical treatment of obesity and which surgical procedure is the most efficacious,” Chang said.

Positive results The results were published in JAMA Surgery. The researchers reviewed 164 studies conducted from 2003 to 2012, which included a total of 161,756 patients. On average, the patients were about 45 years old and almost 80 percent were female. The average body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight relative to height, of patients before surgery was nearly 46. A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal weight and a BMI of 35 or higher is considered obese.

Patients’ presurgery weight averaged 274 pounds. More than a quarter of patients had diabetes, nearly half had high blood pressure and almost 30 percent had high cholesterol. Seven percent had heart disease and 25 percent had sleep apnea.

Chang’s group found that patients’ BMI dropped by an average of 12 to 17 points within 5 years after surgery. The researchers

also found that diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea improved significantly.

Between 86 percent and 92 percent of patients with diabetes experienced remission of the disease. The same happened for about 75 percent of those with high blood pressure.

High cholesterol and heart disease were rolled back at slightly lower rates, but sleep apnea disappeared or improved dramatically in more than 90 percent of those who had it pre-surgery. Death rates ranged from 0.08 within one month of surgery to 0.31 after 30 days. Complication rates ranged from 10 percent to 17 percent and the proportion of operations that needed to be repeated was 6 percent to 7 percent.

Gastric bypass surgeries were the most effective in terms of long-term weight loss, but the procedure had the highest complication rates. Sleeve gastrectomy was almost as effective as gastric bypass. Adjustable gastric bands (lap bands) weren’t quite as effective but were the safest. “Weight loss surgery provides substantial effects on weight loss and improves obesity-related conditions in the majority of bariatric patients, although risks of complication, reoperation and mortality exist,” Chang said.

Knowledge leads to safer surgery “The article is very interesting and overdue,” Dr Pratt Vemulapalli told Reuters Health in an email. Vemulapalli is director of bariatric surgery and an associate professor of surgery at the Montefiore Medical Center of the University Hospital for the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

She was not involved in the study. “Those of us doing bariatric surgery have seen this with our own patients and in studies that have been published in the literature but this meta-analysis simply ties that data together and has wrapped the impression like a present in a neat package,” she said.

Vemulapalli said there are currently about 200,000 weight loss procedures performed each year. She said the most common procedures are the gastric bypass, the sleeve gastrectomy and, to a lesser extent, the adjustable gastric band. “The article itself was very well done, and shows that the surgeons and centers who do surgery know how to do the operations, know which patients to operate on and how to identify and treat complications,” she said, “All of this makes for safer surgery.”— Reuters

NEW YORK: Children and teens with chronic migraines may find headache relief when they pair medication with psychotherapy, according to a new study. Researchers found that kids who received cognitive behavioral therapy, a type of psychotherapy that teaches relaxation and coping techniques, had significantly fewer days with headaches. “This is a learning based treatment in a sense that you as a young person can learn skills and apply them to everyday life,” Dr Scott Powers said.

Powers is the study’s lead author and co-director of the Headache Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. Migraines are severe headaches - sometimes accompanied by light sensitivity, visual hallucinations or nausea that can disable a person for hours or even days at a time. The majority of migraine sufferers are women.

About 2 percent of adults suffer from chronic migraine, which is defined as having the severe headaches for at least 15 days per month. About 1.75 percent of children have the chronic condition, Powers and his colleagues write in JAMA. Despite the severity of chronic migraine and how common the condition is in children and teens, there are currently no treatments for kids approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Instead, the antidepressant amitriptyline (first sold as Elavil by AstraZeneca), which has been found to help prevent migraines, is sometimes prescribed for kids. Some studies have also suggested that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of talk therapy that emphasizes changing one’s responses to problems, may help children and teens to manage chronic pain. To see whether CBT could improve kids’ ability to cope with chronic migraine, the researchers randomly assigned 135 chronic migraine sufferers between the ages of 10 and 17 to undergo either CBT or an education program about headaches. All the participants were also taking amitriptyline.

Each child received eight weekly hour-long sessions of either headache education or CBT. That was followed by booster sessions at 12 and 16 weeks, plus three more booster sessions over the next year. Children in the CBT group received a modified version of a program that teaches coping skills to help control pain. It includes relaxation skills, such as slow and deep breathing exercises, and a biofeedback component to show kids the body’s response to the techniques.

The children in the education group discussed headache-related topics and received support from therapists during their sessions. The study was conducted between October 2006 and September 2012. At the beginning, the children reported having migraines for an average of 21 out of 28 days. On a scale that measures disability from migraine symptoms, where 50 or above is considered severe, they averaged a disability level of 68.

We may not get rid of migraines but we can reduce them After 12 months, the number of days with migraines had been cut by at least half in 86 percent of children in the CBT group, compared to only 69 percent of kids in the education group.

“We may not get rid of migraines entirely but we can reduce them significantly,” Powers said. The researchers also found that 88 percent of the CBT group scored below 20 on the disability scale at the end of the study. That compared to 76 percent of the headache education group.

A score below 20 on the disability scale signifies mild or no disability. In an editorial accompanying the new study, Mark Connelly says there had been some evidence that CBT in addition to medication would be effective as treatment for chronic migraines, but that doesn’t mean it will be widely available right away.

“I don’t think right off the bat every provider

who sees these kids will have access to people who can help,” Connelly said. He’s co-director of the Comprehensive Headache Clinic at Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics in Kansas City, Missouri. Children and teens may be unlikely to follow through with a doctor’s recommendation to see a therapist for chronic migraines, he said, and doctors may not have the time or training to properly explain the rationale for CBT. Also, insurance companies may not pay for CBT and people would need to be trained in the therapy, he noted. While Powers and his fellow researchers didn’t examine the cost of the program, he said the total cost of treatment may be less than for a typical medical imaging test, such as an MRI. “You’re talking about the potential of cost being under $2,000 to get these types of results,” Powers said, adding that the ability to

spread this type of therapy would also partially depend on whether insurance companies cover it.

Still, Powers said, people may be able to take advantage of the program used in this study if they ask their doctors about CBT. Connelly, however, said availability of the treatment will still probably depend on doctors’ ability to explain the therapy.

“I think some families will see a summary of the data and potentially pursue it on their own, but more likely it will be providers who need to explain it and push people to do it,” he said. In the future, Powers said, there may be ways to alter the therapy to make it more accessible. For example, they could modify it to be partially delivered by computer or online. “We think there are ways through the research on how to improve upon what we’ve done,” Powers said. — Reuters

Chinese woman gave birth to twins at 60 BEIJING: A Chinese woman had twin girls at the age of 60 following IVF treatment after her only child died, making her possibly the oldest person in the country to give birth, state media reported yesterday. The case is extremely unusual in China, which has long maintained a one-child policy, because of the woman’s age. Worldwide, many countries and clinics impose limits on IVF treatment which is known to become less effective with age, and amid concerns for the resulting children’s welfare. Sheng Hailin, now 63, lost her first daughter, then in her late twenties, in an accidental gas poisoning case in 2009, the China Daily said. “To survive and free myself of the loneliness, I decided to have another child in my old age,” she was quoted by the newspaper as saying. A military hospital in the eastern city of Hefei agreed to give her and her husband in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy, the report said.

She gave birth to Zhizhi, who weighed 1.85 kilograms (4.1 pounds), and Huihui, 1.45 kilograms, on May 25, 2010 at the No. 105 Hospital of the People’s Liberation Army, said the paper. The oldest woman to give birth anywhere, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was Maria del Carmen Bousada Lara, of Spain, who had twin boys by Caesarean in 2006 aged 66 years 358 days. She died of cancer three years later. The China Daily did

not explain why Sheng was accepted for treatment. China has implemented its family planning law for over 30 years, sometimes brutally, restricting most parents to only one child, with exceptions including some rural families whose first child is a girl, ethnic minorities, and couples who are both only children.

An estimated one million families nationwide have lost their sole descendant since the measure took effect in the late 1970s, and another four to seven million are expected to do so in the next 20 to 30 years. Such families face uncertain futures, with no one to help them through the frailties or medical costs of old age, and an unshakeable sense of loss in a culture that emphasizes family.

The report came as China’s top legislative committee is set to formalize a wider exception to the one-child limit, to allow couples where only one is an only child to have two offspring. Sheng, a retired medical worker, and her husband both have relatively good pensions, according to other Chinese media reports. But Sheng has returned to work, travelling across the country to give health lectures to earn extra money to support the children, including more than 10,000 yuan ($1,600) a month to pay two baby sitters as she is no longer able to undertake physical tasks such as bathing. —AFP

Borderline high blood pressure tied to deaths NEW YORK: Blood pressure readings above the ideal but below the formal definition of “high” still raise a person’s risk of death from stroke and heart disease and should be addressed, according to a new study. After analyzing results from 20 previous studies that included more than one million men and women, researchers calculated that 15 percent of deaths from stroke and 11 percent of heart disease deaths would be avoided if so-called prehypertension were eliminated.“Our findings reaffirm the importance of the definition of prehypertension for individuals with blood pressure between 120-139/80-89 mm Hg - rather than being considered ‘normal,’” Dr Dingli Xu, who led the study, told Reuters Health by email. “For people with blood pressure in this range, we advise periodic health screening, as well as smoking cessation, increased physical activity and proper body weight,” Xu said. He is based in Guangzhou, China, at Southern Medical University.

Experts have debated whether to lower the official threshold for high blood pressure - currently defined as a top number (systolic pressure) of 140 or more or a bottom number (diastolic pressure) of 90 or more mm Hg. The category of prehypertension was created because studies have also linked readings below 140/90 mm Hg to increased risk of cardiovascular problems. An ideal, healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 mm Hg or less, according to the US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

The link between prehypertension and risk of death Studies examining the link between prehypertension and risk of death have produced inconsistent results, Xu and his colleagues write in the American Heart Journal. So they gathered the data and results from studies conducted in the US, Europe, Australia and several Asian countries, and analyzed

their findings with regard to deaths from cardiovascular causes and deaths from “all causes.” Overall, blood pressure readings in the prehypertension range were not linked to any increased risk of death from all causes.

Prehypertension-level readings were, however, tied to a 28 percent increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 41 percent higher risk of stroke death, compared to people in the same studies with normal blood pressure. Most of the raised risk was seen among people at the high end of the prehypertension range, with readings between 130-139/85-89, the researchers note, suggesting doctors may want to consider that when deciding how to treat slightly elevated blood pressure.

Updated medication studies US guidelines for treating high blood pressure were recent-

ly updated by a joint national committee, which suggested that doctors prescribe drugs to adults aged 60 years and older when systolic pressure is above 150 mm Hg. For those younger than 60, the committee recommended medication at levels 140 mm Hg and higher. “This new meta-analysis confirms and extends previous studies by including several conducted in Asia,” said Dr Xianglan Zhang of Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.

The findings confirm that “prehypertension and cardiovascular disease mortality exist across different ethnic groups,” Zhang wrote to Reuters Health in an email. Zhang was not involved in the current research. The study also confirmed previous research that has found higher risk of cardiovascular disease deaths among US blacks. “I don’t think the findings of this meta-analysis are very new,” wrote Dr Katsuyuki Miura in an email to Reuters Health. —Reuters

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Is it safe for pregnant women to eat peanuts?

Capybaras bathe in the hot spring water at the Saitama Children’s zoo in Higashi Matsuyama city, Saitama prefecture yesterday. 13 capybaras in the zoo, originally from South America, enjoyed the hot spring water. — AFP

US FDA approves Novo Nordisk’s drug for rare blood clotting disorder NEW YORK: The US Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday that it has approved Novo Nordisk’s drug Tretten to treat a rare blood clotting disorder, Reuters reported. People with congenital Factor XIII A-Subunit deficiency, a genetic blood disorder, do not make enough of the Factor XIII protein that promotes normal clotting. The new drug, which is a “human recombinant” produced in yeast cells, will make up for this deficiency, HealthDay reported.

“The approval of this product provides another therapeutic option for the prevention of bleeding in patients with Factor XIII A-subunit deficiency,” Karen Midthun, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement. “Without treatment, people with this rare condition are at risk for serious and life-threatening bleeding.”

In a statement, the FDA said Tretten is a sterile freeze-dried powder “to be reconstituted with diluent and injected intravenously.” The product can be administered by a physician or be self-administered. According to Reuters the blood disorder affects about 3 million people globally and is associated with impaired wound healing and miscarriage.—Reuters

NEW YORK: So long as they don’t have nut allergies themselves, pregnant women shouldn’t be afraid that eating nuts might trigger allergies in their child, according to a large new study. In fact, when women ate nuts more than five times a month during pregnancy, their kids had markedly lower risk of nut allergies compared to kids whose mothers avoided nuts, researchers found. “The take-home message is that the previous concerns or fears of the ingestion of nuts during pregnancy causing subsequent peanut or nut allergy is really unfounded,” Dr Michael Young said.

Young is the study’s senior author and an attending physician in allergy and immunology at Boston Children’s Hospital.

He cautioned that pregnant women shouldn’t start eating peanuts and tree nuts to prevent their children from developing nut allergies, however. “Even though our study showed a reduction of risk, I really have to emphasize that the way our study was done only shows an association,” he told Reuters Health. He and his colleagues write in JAMA Pediatrics that between 1997 and 2010 the prevalence of peanut allergies tripled to 1.4 percent of US children.

For the new study, the researchers used data from a national study of female nurses between the ages of 24 and 44 years old. Starting in 1991, the women periodically reported what they ate. The researchers then combined information on the women’s diets from around the time of their pregnancies with data from another study of their children.

In 2009 the women completed a questionnaire that asked whether their children had any food allergies. Of 8,205 children in the study, 308 had food allergies, including 140 who were allergic to peanuts or tree nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamias and Brazil nuts.

Overall, the researchers found that eating nuts while pregnant was not tied to an increased risk of nut allergies among children. On the contrary, the more nuts women reported eating during pregnancy, the less likely their children were to have nut allergies. About 1.5 percent of children of women who ate less than one serving of nuts per month during pregnancy developed nut allergies. That compared to about 0.5 percent of children of women who ate five or more servings per week.

In other words, kids whose mothers ate nuts most often had about a third of the risk compared to kids whose mothers ate nuts least often. The exception was children of women who themselves had a history of nut allergies. In those cases, when women ate nuts five or more times a week during pregnancy, their children had about two and a half times the risk of nut allergies compared to the kids of allergic mothers who avoided nuts during pregnancy.

“Certainly this is reassurance that eating nuts during pregnancy will not increase your child’s risk of allergy,” Dr Loralei Thornburg said. “In fact, it may be tied to a decreased risk of nut allergies.”

Thornburg was not involved in the new study but is a high-risk pregnancy expert at the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York. However, “if there is a strong family history at all or if the mother herself has any food allergy, then she should go talk to her physician, because there is not clear data on that,” Dr Ruchi Gupta said.

Gupta is an associate professor of pediatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in

Chicago and an expert on food allergies and asthma. In an editorial accompanying the new study, Gupta wrote that it will take additional studies and research to understand why a growing number of children are developing food allergies and how to prevent it. “What I do like about the study is it adds evidence that mothers-to-be should eat whatever they wish and not worry that the consumption of certain foods will result in allergies,” she said. — Reuters

$100m deal agreed over US meningitis outbreak WASHINGTON: The owners and insurers of a bankrupt pharmacy at the center of a deadly US meningitis outbreak have reached a tentative agreement to pay more than $100 million to compensate victims, US media reported yesterday. The fund will also serve to pay creditors of the New England Compounding Center, whose tainted drugs are blamed for dozens of deaths last year.

“We are working very hard to expedite this process and get money to victims as quickly as possible,” bankruptcy trustee Paul Moore, who led the settlement negotiations, told The Boston Globe. “ This is a first step, although a significant one.”

The deal must first be finalized and approved by the US Bankruptcy Court. At least 751 people in 20 states contracted fungal meningitis or other infections from

steroid injections made by the pharmacy, including 64 people who died. Victims and their families will likely receive at least tens of thousands of dollars on average under the settlement, according to the Globe. They have until January 15 to file claims with the bankruptcy court.

Authorities investigating the NECC have said that its now defunct facility outside Boston made medications in unsanitary conditions with bacteria and mold so prevalent it could be seen with the naked eye. The outbreak has led to calls for tighter regulation of the loosely controlled pharmaceutical compounding industry.

Critics say drug manufacturers have found a way to sidestep costly and strict oversight by classifying themselves as pharmacies, which are given freer rein to mix drug compounds for patients. — AFP

W H AT ’ S O N Advisory to Indian nationals in Kuwait

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he Embassy of India has been receiving often reports from the members of Indian community residing in Kuwait regarding thefts, robberies assaults and damages to their property etc. All such incidents should be immediately reported to the local police station. In order to extend help the members of our community, please contact us with the following information so that the matter could also be taken up by the Embassy with Kuwaiti authorities:(a) Brief details of the incident; (b) Civil ID of the affected member(s) and their passport details; (c) Contact telephone number and the proof of residence of the person(s) affected; (d) Copy of FIR along with address of the Police station.

2. Please contact either Ms Hend, Ambassador’s office at Telephone No. 22561276, Fax No. 22546958 (E-mail: amb.kuwait@mea.gov.in OR ambss@indembkwt.org) or Balram Kumar Upadhyay, Counsellor (Consular and Chief Welfare Officer) on Telephone No. 22533125, Fax No.22573910 (E-mail: counsellor@indembkwt.org).

Indian passport, visa fees reduced

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s a goodwill gesture, BLS International Visa Services Company Co (KSCC), which is operating as a sole partner for the Embassy of India in Kuwait to handle Passport and Visa Services, has reduced the Indian Passport processing fee from KD 1.500 to KD 1.000 and Indian Visa processing fee from KD 5.000 to KD 3.000. These rates have been implemented with effect from 17/12/2013.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

ACK participates in Abu Dhabi 2013 VTEC MENA Exhibition

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he Australian College of Kuwait’s (ACK) School of Engineering participated in the “Getenergy VTEC MENA 2013 Exhibition” which focuses on vocational education and technology training in the Oil and Gas industry. Taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the exhibition is a platform which presents ideal cooperation opportunities between educational and training providers, multinational companies, governments and service providers operating in Oil and Gas sector.

As one of the leading institutions in the region that provides vocational education in Oil and Gas Engineering, ACK highlighted its successes stories in the utilization of the vocational educational Australian TAFE System, while stressing the importance of vocational education in fostering the capabilities of youth and qualifying human resources for the labor market.

Dr Ayad Salhieh, Head of School of Engineering at ACK, said: “VTEC was a great opportunity to put ACK on the global market as a provider for vocational education in the Oil and Gas field and also to share knowledge and experiences that we acquired through the last ten years with other leading companies and providers. Through its participation, ACK was recognized as a success model of the Australian TAFE vocational educational system and truly regarded as an international institution that has the expertise to provide world class education and produce skilled workers.”

Under the patronage of Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al-Nahayan, Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development, the exhibition was concluded successfully with the participation of 48 speakers, more than 20 countries represented from across the world and 112 companies taking part over the 3-day period.

Greetings

GUST professor Dr Ayman Bakr publishes book

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ishing you happy birthday dear Nasreen Hussein with God’s choicest blessing upon you. Best wishes come from Jack Fernandes, Farwaniya.

he Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) Assistant Professor of Arabic in the Humanities and Social Sciences Department, Dr Ayman Bakr, released his book titled: The Openness of Criticism: Towards Cultural Analysis of Literature.

The event was held at the A M Al-Refai Library at GUST in

the presence of Professor Mona Rabea Bastawi, Egyptian Cultural Consultant to Kuwait, Professor Ghassan Aouad, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr Matteo Salvadore, Head of the H&SS Dept, and Dr Salah Arkadan, Head of the Dept. Cultural Committee and a number of university professors. Dr Bakr welcomed the attendees and thanked them

for their support. He gave an overview of the book which he said is an attempt to establish the field of cultural studies of literature in the Arabic culture, theoretically and practically.

GUST supports its entire faculty efforts to increase their activities in research and publications, which will reflect in their work both inside and outside the classroom.

First Filipino movie making competition

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FM Kapihan sa Kuwait’, the first Internet-based talk show, proudly announce ‘First Filipino Movie Making Competition: Short Film Festival 2014’ dubbed ‘First Cut’. TFM Kapihan sa Kuwait will accept short films, 5-7 minutes in length, from any OFWs and Filipino students (groups or individuals). Participants may submit one or two entries from three categories: 1) Real Life Story 2) Documentary 3)Comedy.

Submission of entries will be accepted until early February. Seminar/workshop on movie making will be conducted. Winners will receive trophies/lots of fabulous prizes from sponsors! For more details/queries please email us: kapihansaKuwait@gmail.com. Note: Please avoid subjects related to local politics and religion.

SEND US YOUR INSTAGRAM PICS

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hat’s more fun than clicking a beautiful picture? Sharing it with others! Let other people see the way you see Kuwait - through your lens. Friday Times will feature snapshots of Kuwait through Instagram feeds. If you want to share your Instagram photos, email us at instagram@kuwaittimes.net

Write to us Send to What’s On upcoming events, birthdays or celebrations by email: local@kuwaittimes.net Fax: 24835619 / 20

The Premier Goal Academy in association with Everton FC and sponsored by Porsche Centre Kuwait, Bebehani Motors Company recently completed the first week of the Winter Camp program. All the players enjoyed expert coaching, fun and games under the expert guidance of coaches Peter, Andrew, Alex, Sam, Justin, Yousaf, David and JK. A second week of Winter Camp fun begins on Saturday 28 December at Bayan which will continue for four action-packed days from 4-7pm.

W H AT ’ S O N

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Embassy Information EMBASSY OF AUSTRALIA The Embassy of Australia has announced that Kuwait citizens can apply for and receive visit visas in 10 working days through www.immi.gov.au. All other processing of visas and Immigration matters are handled by the Australian Visa Application Centre located in Al Banwan Building, 4B, 1st Floor, Al Qibla Area, Ali Al Salem Street, Kuwait City. Visit. www.vfs-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. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF SOUTH AFRICA The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa has the honour to inform that on the occasion of the Christmas and New Year, the Embassy will remain closed from 24 December 2013 and will reopen again on 5th January 2014. nnnnnnn

ECEE’13 at AUK showcases student innovations

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o commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the American University of Kuwait (AUK), the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at the University held the Electrical & Computer Engineering Exhibition 2013 (ECEE’13), in which alumni and students presented projects to compete for the Best Project Award, as well as the Students’ Choice Award. The panel of judges for the Best Project Award was composed of instructors and experts in the field of Electrical & Computer Engineering, while students across the University were able to cast their votes via email to nominate the winner of the Students Choice Award.

Interim President Dr Nizar Hamzeh and Interim Dean Dr Rawda Awwad presented the awards to the participants and winners in each of the categories.

Dr Issam Damaj, Chair of AUK’s Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, headed the committee that organized this initiative. “The ECEE’13 was an opportunity to exhibit the projects of the first Computer Engineering graduates. It was good to see our alumni back on campus to meet with the rapidly growing body of engineering students. More than forty current capstone students had the opportunity to learn from the experiences of their peers. The exhibited projects well demonstrated the abilities of our students and the capabilities of AUK’s first-class laboratories,” he said. The organization committee included Dr. Mohammed El Abd, Hani Samadi, and Marie El Neaman.

Four projects were presented in the Exhibition: 1-GPU Implementation of Computational Algorithms: * Khaled Al-Ajmi * Supervisor: Dr Mohammed El Abd Khaled Al-Ajmi investigated the implementation of two computational algorithms on graphic processing units (GPUs) to accelerate their computation speed. The algorithms implemented are the population-based harmony search and artificial bee colony algorithms. Two GPU-based implementations were presented for each algorithm, one that uses the GPU to speed up the evaluation part of the algorithm and another version that uses the GPU to speed up the algorithm as a whole. Each of these versions was compared against their sequential and CPU-parallel counterparts.

The experiments carried out clearly illustrated the increase of the computation speed of the implemented algorithms when executed on GPUs. 2 - Smart Cart: l Nardeen Al-Alawy l Rudaina Al-Khalawi

EMBASSY OF SLOVAK The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Kuwait would like to inform the public that on the occasion of the Christmas holidays the Embassy will he closed on Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26, December 2013, on the occasion of the New Year and the Independence Day of the Slovak Republic, the Embassy will be closed on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 and on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 and on the occasion of Catholic Epiphany Holiday, the Embassy will be closed on Monday, January 06. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF INDIA India and Kuwait have enjoyed historically close, warm and friendly ties. The visit of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Kuwait to India in November 2013 has imparted a new thrust to the strengthening further of the bilateral ties. To facilitate travel of Kuwaiti nationals to India for business, tourism, medical and study purposes, the embassy has adopted the following visa structure for Kuwaiti nationals with immediate effect:

Group photo for Engineering faculty, staff, and students with the AUK Interim President and Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Upper row (from left): Dr. Jabran Yousafzai, Dr. Mounib Khanafer, Dr. Seyed Esmaeili, Dr. Ashraf Zaher, Dr. Detlef Hummes, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Dr. Rawda Awwad, Dr. Mohammed Al Abd, Dr. Issam Damaj, Mr. Hani El Samadi, Maymoonah I Toubeh. Lower Row - AUK Students (from left): Khaled Al-Ajmi, Maher Rehayel, Mohammad El-Shafei, Adel Shalati, Maryam Al-Omar, Rudaina Al-Khalawi, Reem Al-Luqman l l

Reem Al-Luqman Supervisor: Dr Issam Damaj

The Smart Cart team has developed a system that facilitates the supermarket experience for the shoppers. By simply connecting to the supermarket’s web server wirelessly, the shoppers can easily navigate through the supermarket to find the items they seek without having to waste any time trying to locate them. This is done by using Radio-Frequency (RF) technology, whereby an RF reader attached to the shopping cart locates the desired item-section and guides the shopper to it in a time-efficient manner.

Additionally, couples shopping together will never have to worry about losing each other in the supermarket, as there is a shopping cart locator facility as well.

3 - “Be Safe” Smart System: l Maryam Al-Omar l Dana Al-Muttar l JarrahJarrah l Supervisor: D Mohammed El Abd In addition to regulating light/electricity consumption within the household, this system’s main features are to ensure the safety of the house and its inhabitants. Be Safe can save time for search and rescue operations in case of emergencies when the house needs to be evacuated, such as if a fire breaks out; it automatically counts how many individuals are in the house and

determine their locations.

It also has the ability to detect air pollutants, such as gas leaks or dust, and take the necessary measures to ventilate the house accordingly. Once pollutants have been detected in a room, the door to that room closes to stop the pollutants from spreading, and the windows open - in case ventilation was required - or close in case of stopping the pollutants such as dust from entering. Additionally, the home’s lighting system is programmed to be solar-sensitive and automatically switch on/off when needed. Homeowners receive notifications via email whenever the Be Safe system has been activated.

4 - HOBOT: A Customizable Home Management System with a Surveillance RoBOT with a Surveillance RoBOT l Mohammad El-Shafei l Maher Rehayel l Adel Shalati l Supervisor: Dr Issam Damaj The Home Management System with a Surveillance Robot, or HOBOT as it is named by its’ creators, turns regular, traditional homes into robots - sort of! HOBOT is a system that automates the control over home’s maintenance and surveillance that is customized to the personal needs of the homeowner. Some of its functions include monitoring temperature and home ventilation, managing environmentally eco-

nomic usage of lighting (indoor and outdoor), as well as a security system that documents unexpected activities around the house - these functions are especially useful when the homeowners are away from their homes. When the homeowners are away, HOBOT immediately notifies them via email of any disturbances to the preprogrammed settings. HOBOT is ubiquitous; users can use smart phones, tablets, laptops and other computing devices. The system provides a true pervasive computing experience. HOBOT Software is webenabled and supports several modes of use including the administration of customization and calibration.

After viewing each of the projects, Dr Hamzeh, supported by the panel of judges, which consisted of Dr. Ashraf Zaher, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, Dr MounibKhanafer, Assistant Professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering, and Dr SeyedEsmaeili, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, presented the certificates to all the participants and congratulated them on their dedication to their projects.

After some consideration, and the tallying of the student votes that were submitted for the Student Choice Award, the winner of both categories was the HOBOT team. Congratulations to them and all their fellow participators for a job welldone!

Please apply Indian visa online at www.bls-international.com and deposit visa application, with applicable visa fee and service charge, at either M/s.

BLS International Services, Emad Commercial Centre, Basement floor Ahmed Al-Jaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait city (Telephone: 22986607 - Fax: 22470006) or M/s. BLS International Services, Mujamma Unood, 4th floor, Office No.25-26 Makka Street, Entrance 5, Fahaheel, Kuwait (Telephone: 22986607 - Fax: 22470006). For additional information, please contact Second Secretary (Consular) in the Embassy at sscons@indembkwt.org.

In addition, a service charge of KD 5 will also apply for each visa service provided. nnnnnnn

EMBASSY OF US The US Embassy in Kuwait has new procedures for obtaining appointments and picking up passports after visa issuance.

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 +965-22271673).

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

Oula Fuel Marketing Company CEO Abdulmuhsen Al-Sultan honored a group of employees for the contributions they made during the year 2013. The event took place recently at the Kuwait Business Town Tower.

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.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 00:05 The Office 00:35 The Office 02:35 Eastenders 03:05 Doctors 03:35 Whitechapel 04:25 My Family: Christmas 2008 05:00 Charlie And Lola - Christmas Special 05:20 Teletubbies 05:45 Show Me Show Me 06:10 Charlie And Lola - Christmas Special 06:30 The Tale Of Jack Frost 07:05 Kidnapped 07:55 David Copperfield 08:45 Eastenders 09:15 Doctors 09:45 Fawlty Towers 10:15 Fawlty Towers 10:45 Fawlty Towers 11:20 Fawlty Towers 11:50 Fawlty Towers 12:20 Fawlty Towers 12:50 Fawlty Towers 13:25 Eastenders 13:55 Doctors 14:20 Return To Cranford 15:15 Return To Cranford 16:10 Return To Cranford 17:00 Eastenders 17:30 Doctors 18:00 Only Fools And Horses Christmas Special 19:00 My Family: Christmas 2008 19:30 Absolutely Fabulous: Xmas 2011 20:00 Great Expectations 20:50 Bleak Old Shop Of Stuff: Christmas Special 21:20 Lapland: Christmas 2011 22:35 After You’ve Gone: Xmas Special 2008 23:15 Gates

00:25 Antiques Roadshow 01:15 Antiques Roadshow 02:05 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 02:55 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 03:25 DIY SOS: The Big Build 04:15 DIY SOS: The Big Build 05:10 Come Dine With Me: Supersize 06:45 French Food At Home 07:05 DIY SOS: The Big Build 08:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build 08:55 DIY SOS: The Big Build 09:50 DIY SOS: The Big Build 10:45 DIY SOS: The Big Build 11:40 DIY SOS: The Big Build 12:35 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 13:30 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 14:00 New Scandinavian Cooking 14:25 Antiques Roadshow 15:15 Antiques Roadshow 16:10 Antiques Roadshow 17:05 Homes Under The Hammer 18:00 Homes Under The Hammer 18:55 Homes Under The Hammer 19:50 Homes Under The Hammer 20:45 The Restaurant Inspector 21:30 Come Dine With Me 22:20 Cash In The Attic 23:05 Cash In The Attic 23:50 Cash In The Attic

00:30 01:20 02:10 03:00 03:50 04:15 04:40 05:05 05:30 06:00 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30

You Have Been Warned Treehouse Masters Mythbusters Mythbusters Border Security Storage Hunters Flip Men How Do They Do It? How It’s Made Sons Of Guns Mythbusters Finding Bigfoot Fast N’ Loud Border Security

09:55 Storage Hunters 10:20 Flip Men 10:45 How Do They Do It? 11:10 How It’s Made 11:35 You Have Been Warned 12:25 Treehouse Masters 13:15 Mythbusters 14:05 Border Security 14:30 Storage Hunters 14:55 Flip Men 15:20 Dirty Great Machines 16:10 Fast N’ Loud 17:00 Ultimate Survival 17:50 Dirty Jobs 18:40 Mythbusters Specials 19:30 Sons Of Guns 20:20 Storage Hunters 20:45 Flip Men 21:10 How Do They Do It? 21:35 How It’s Made 22:00 Sons Of Guns 22:50 Amish Mafia 23:40 Amish Mafia Christmas Special

00:15 Gadget Show - World Tour 00:40 Squeamish 01:05 Squeamish 01:30 Food Factory 02:00 Unchained Reaction 02:50 Unchained Reaction 03:45 Unchained Reaction 04:35 Unchained Reaction 05:25 Unchained Reaction 07:05 Fire In The Sky: A Daily Planet Special 08:00 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 08:25 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 08:50 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 09:15 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 09:40 Wallace & Gromit’s World Of Invention 11:25 Unchained Reaction 12:20 Unchained Reaction 13:10 Unchained Reaction 14:00 Unchained Reaction 14:50 Food Factory 15:20 Unchained Reaction 17:00 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 17:55 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 18:45 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 19:35 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 21:20 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 22:10 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 23:00 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman 23:50 Through The Wormhole With Morgan Freeman

00:00 00:20 00:45 01:05 01:30 01:50 02:15 02:35 03:00 03:20 03:45 04:05 04:30 04:50 05:15 05:35 06:00 06:25 06:45 07:10 07:35 07:55 08:20 08:45

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Sonny With A Chance Sonny With A Chance Suite Life On Deck Suite Life On Deck Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place Austin And Ally Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm A.N.T. Farm Gravity Falls My Babysitter’s A Vampire Jessie Good Luck Charlie

09:05 09:30 11:05 11:25 11:50 12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 17:00 18:15 18:30 18:55 19:20 20:05 20:30 20:50 21:15 21:40 22:00 22:25 22:50 23:10 23:35

Dog With A Blog Bambi Jessie Wolfblood Suite Life On Deck A.N.T. Farm Austin And Ally Shake It Up That’s So Raven Jessie Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Wolfblood Gravity Falls Jessie Violetta A Goofy Movie Prank Stars Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Violetta Jessie My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wolfblood Gravity Falls Shake It Up Austin And Ally A.N.T. Farm Good Luck Charlie Wizards Of Waverly Place Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 01:30 Iron Chef America Special 02:20 Jodie Prenger’s Christmas Cracker 02:45 Chopped 04:25 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 05:15 Iron Chef America Special 06:50 Food Network Challenge 07:35 Jodie Prenger’s Christmas Cracker 08:00 Unwrapped 08:25 Unwrapped 08:50 United Tastes Of America 09:15 Unique Sweets 09:40 Kid In A Candy Store 10:05 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 10:30 Food Network Challenge 11:20 Charly’s Cake Angels 11:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 12:35 Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco 13:00 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:50 Siba’s Table 14:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:05 Guy’s Big Bite 15:30 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 16:20 Roadtrip With G. Garvin 16:45 Chopped 17:30 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 18:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 18:50 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:40 Charly’s Cake Angels 20:05 Siba’s Table 20:30 Chopped 21:20 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives Special 22:10 Iron Chef America

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 02:00 Louie 02:30 Veep 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 05:30 1600 Penn 06:00 Last Man Standing 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 08:30 1600 Penn 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 12:00 Last Man Standing 13:30 Friends 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon

THE THREE STOOGES ON OSN MOVIES HD

02:30 Insane Experience - RideIculous 03:00 Baggage Battles 06:00 Airport 24/7: Miami 06:30 Airport 24/7: Miami 07:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 08:00 Globe Trekker 09:00 Descending 10:00 Airport 24/7: Miami 10:30 Airport 24/7: Miami 11:00 World’s Greatest Motorcycle Rides 12:00 Wild Carpathia

13:00 13:30 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 21:30 22:00 23:00

The Food Truck The Food Truck Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters Hotel Impossible Trip Flip Trip Flip The Food Truck The Food Truck Bizarre Foods America International House Hunters International House Hunters Extreme Parking Monumental Mysteries

Kate Upton Eyed for Female Lead in ‘Entourage’ Movie

K THE AVENGERS ON OSN MOVIES ACTION Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 16:30 Last Man Standing 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:30 Ben And Kate 20:00 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 21:00 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 21:30 The Colbert Report 22:00 The New Normal 22:30 Louie 23:00 Veep 23:30 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 22:00 23:00

Royal Pains Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Hannibal Rescue Me Perception Franklin & Bash Royal Pains Drop Dead Diva Bones Perception Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Franklin & Bash Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Bones Royal Pains Coronation Street The Ellen DeGeneres Show Bones Franklin & Bash Top Gear (US) Rescue Me

00:00 03:00 04:00 07:30 09:00 10:30 12:00 14:00 15:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Switched At Birth Treme Boardwalk Empire Coronation Street C.S.I. Coronation Street C.S.I. Switched At Birth Live Good Morning America C.S.I. Switched At Birth Parenthood C.S.I. Switched At Birth Boardwalk Empire Treme

00:00 02:00 04:00 06:00 08:00 09:30 12:00 13:30 15:30 18:00 20:00 22:00

The Raid: Redemption Devil’s Playground Mad Max True Justice: Blood Alley Swamp Shark The Avengers Sins Expiation Lara Croft: Tomb Raider The Avengers Do No Harm Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Sutures

00:00 02:00 04:00 PG15 06:00 07:30 10:00 11:30 13:30 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00

Devil’s Playground-18 Mad Max-18 True Justice: Blood AlleySwamp Shark-PG15 The Avengers-PG15 Sins Expiation-PG15 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider-PG15 The Avengers-PG15 Do No Harm-PG15 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider-PG15 Sutures-18 The Veteran-18

00:00 You, Me And Dupree-18 02:00 All American Christmas-PG15 04:00 Home Alone: The Holiday

Heist-PG 06:00 12 Wishes Of Christmas-PG15 08:00 My Dog’s Christmas MiraclePG15 10:00 Snow Day-PG 12:00 Home Alone: The Holiday Heist-PG 14:00 Police Academy 3: Back In Training-PG15 16:00 Snow Day-PG 18:00 Smooch-PG15 20:00 Goon-18 22:00 Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy-PG15

01:00 04:00 06:15 09:00 10:45 13:00 15:00 17:00 18:45 21:30 23:30

Treasure Island-PG15 Anna Karenina-PG15 Neverland-PG Lying To Be Perfect-PG15 Anna Karenina-PG15 Beneath Hill 60-PG15 A Christmas Kiss-PG15 My Own Love Song-PG15 Birdsong-18 W.E.-18 Best Laid Plans-18

01:00 03:00 05:00 07:00 09:00 11:15 13:00 15:00 16:45 19:00 21:00 23:00

A Dangerous Method-18 96 Minutes-PG15 The Chorus-PG15 The Descendants-PG15 Dreamgirls-PG15 Tricks Of A Woman-PG15 Lost Christmas-PG15 Earth-PG15 Dreamgirls-PG15 Being John Malkovich-PG15 The Lady-PG15 Columbus Circle-PG15

01:15 The Descendants-PG15 03:15 A Christmas Wish-PG15 05:00 The Odd Life Of Timothy Green-PG 07:00 The Big Year-PG 09:00 The Three Stooges-PG15 10:45 Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax-PG 12:15 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey-PG 15:00 Thunderstruck-PG 17:00 The Three Stooges-PG15 19:00 The Impossible-PG15 21:00 Drive-PG15 23:00 The Expendables 2-PG15

01:00 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 02:30 Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups 04:15 Arthur Christmas 06:00 The Elf Who Stole Christmas 08:00 Santa’s Magic Crystal 09:45 The Polar Express 11:30 Arthur Christmas 13:15 Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups 14:45 Big Top Scooby-Doo! 16:15 Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted 18:00 Jingle All The Way 20:00 Shrek The Third 22:00 Big Top Scooby-Doo! 23:30 D’Fenders

00:00 House At The End Of The Street-PG15 02:00 Barnyard-PG 04:00 Arthur 3: And The War Of Two Worlds-PG 06:00 Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days-PG 08:00 Just Crazy Enough-PG15 10:00 Dating Coach-PG15 12:00 Dark Shadows-PG15 14:00 A Christmas Kiss-PG15 16:00 Just Crazy Enough-PG15 18:00 Phil Spector-PG15 20:00 Jeff, Who Lives At HomePG15

22:00 Small Apartments-18

02:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:00 Live Cricket Test Match 11:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Darts 16:00 Super Rugby Final Highlights 16:30 Currie Cup Final Highlights 17:00 ITM Cup Final Highlights 17:30 Super League Final Highlights 18:00 NRL Final Highlights 18:30 Rugby League WC Final Highlights 19:00 The Fedex Cup 20:00 PGA Tour Year In Review 21:00 EURO Tour Weekly Review Of The Year 22:00 Darts

00:30 01:30 02:30 03:30 04:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 23:00

PGA European Tour Weekly The Fedex Cup Playoffs PGA Tour Year In Review ICC Cricket 360 Live Cricket America’s Cup Review Show The USPGA Championship PGA European Tour Weekly The Fedex Cup Playoffs PGA Tour Year In Review Top 14 WWE NXT NFL Gameday NFL WWE NXT

00:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 01:30 Trans World Sport 02:30 Asian Tour Golf 03:00 PDC Worlds Darts Championship 07:00 Golfing World 08:00 Asian Tour Highlights 09:00 Asian Tour Golf 09:30 Super Rugby Final Highlights 10:00 Currie Cup Final Highlights 10:30 ITM Cup Final Highlights 11:00 Super League Final Highlights 11:30 NRL Final Highlights 12:00 Rugby League World Cup Final Highlights 12:30 Pro 12 14:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 15:30 Trans World Sport 16:30 Futbol Mundial 17:00 Golfing World 18:00 Asian Tour Highlights 19:00 Asian Tour Golf 19:30 Pro 12 21:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 22:30 Americas Cup 23:30 Trans World Sport

01:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 07:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 14:30 15:30 19:00 21:00 22:00

NHL Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing European Le Mans Series Mass Participation WWE SmackDown Ping Pong World US Bass Fishing NHL UIM Powerboat Champs Mass Participation Prizefighter NHL UFC The Ultimate Fighter UFC

00:00 00:30 01:00 Rides 02:00

Airport 24/7: Miami Airport 24/7: Miami World’s Greatest Motorcycle Insane Coaster Wars

ate Upton is being eyed for the female lead in the “Entourage” movie, multiple individuals familiar with the Warner Bros. project have told TheWrap. Though Upton has not been formally offered the role yet, she is in early discussions to join the cast, according to sources.

While a representative for the swimsuit model-turnedactress has denied that any such talks are under way, they acknowledge that there was interest in Upton for the project earlier this year.

Warner Bros had no comment. After heated contract negotiations, Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara and Jeremy Piven have all agreed to reprise their iconic roles from the HBO series in the Doug Ellindirected feature, which is expected to highlight Ari Gold’s new career as a studio head. Details of Upton’s potential role are being kept under wraps, though she could be playing the latest love interest of movie star Vincent Chase (Grenier), who always had a thing for curvy blondes.

Production is scheduled to start early next year. Upton, who appeared in Brett Ratner’s “Tower Heist” and “The Three Stooges” movie, will soon be seen alongside Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in Nick Cassavetes’ comedy “The Other Woman.” She’s represented by IFA Talent Agency. — Reuters

Native Americans Sue ‘Out of the Furnace,’ allege defamatory depiction of New Jersey Clan

A

group of 17 members of the Ramapough Lunaape Nation Tribe - many with the last name DeGroat or Van Dunk - are suing “Out of the Furnace” filmmakers, including writer/director Scott Cooper and Relativity Media, for what they say is a defamatory depiction of their clan that’s caused them pain and embarrassment.

“Furnace” stars Christian Bale as a man tangling with a gang of “inbreds” in the deep, hilly forests of New Jersey, including a ringleader named Harlan DeGroat (played by Woody Harrelson) and another gangster named Dwight Van Dunk (played by Bobby Wolfe).

Of the 17 defendants, eight are named DeGroat, and two are named Van Dunk. Many of the defendants live in or around rural Mawah, NJ, a 20-mile drive from Bergen County, where Bale’s character twice travels across the state from Braddock, Pa, in attempts to infiltrate them and exact vengeance for the death of his brother.

Defendants include Cooper, who has repeatedly said he wrote the screenplay from a personal experience; Brad Inglesby, who co-wrote with Cooper; distributor Relativity Media; and production companies Appian Way, Energy Entertainment, Scott Free Prods., Red Granite Pictures. The suit also names five “John Doe” defendants, alluding that they include the film’s actors. A Relativity spokesman said the studio had not reviewed the complaint and would not be commenting. Responding to previous protests by Ramapough people, the studio had maintained that the film is entirely fictional.

Filed Monday in US District Court in New Jersey, the defamation lawsuit does not specify damages other than to say they are in excess of $150,000. It says each of the plaintiffs is a member of the Ramapough Lunaape Nation, a Native American ethnic group recognized by New Jersey and New York.

“Historically, the Ramapough Lunaape people were referred to locally as ‘Jackson Whites,’ a derogatory term with various origins ascribed to it, none of them complimentary. The people of the Ramapough Lunaape Nation have historically been widely discriminated against in educational opportunity, employment and other matters, and are regarded as ‘inbred’ among their surrounding populations and communities,” the lawsuit states.

The filing says DeGroat and Van Dunk are “well known common surnames among the Ramapough Lunaape Nation, and have been for 200 years or so.” In the film, released Dec 6, Casey Affleck’s character becomes involved with a bareknuckle fight-club ring and is murdered by Harlan DeGroat, the leader of a gang identified as the “Jackson Whites,” described as a community of “inbreds” that inhabits the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey, according to the lawsuit.

“The community is depicted as lawless, drug- addicted, impoverished and violent; and the members appear to be of some sort of racially mixed heritage,” the lawsuit states.

The suit states that the film “puts Plaintiffs, and their family members, in a false light, and has caused them shame, embarrassment and humiliation. Their children have suffered teasing and harassment in school as a result of this.

The connection between the ethnic slur of ‘Jackson Whites,’ with the location of the Ramapo Mountains of New Jersey, with a Bergen County Police patrol car, with the surnames ‘DeGroat’ and ‘Van Dunk,’ is too specific to the Ramapough plaintiffs to be chance, coincidence or happenstance.” The lawsuit demands a jury trial on the civil defamation count, and seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and legal fees. — Reuters

Classifieds THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Kuwait SHARQIA-1 THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-2 FROZEN (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) NO SUN+TUE+WED SHARQIA-3 HOURS (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) HOURS (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HOURS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/12/2013 TO 01/01/2014) 1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

MUHALAB-1 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HOURS (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG)

1:45 PM 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM

MUHALAB-2 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM

MUHALAB-3 FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG)

2:15 PM 4:30 PM 6:45 PM 9:15 PM

DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) HOURS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

6:00 PM 9:15 PM 12:30 AM

FANAR-4 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:00 PM 3:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

FANAR-5 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) HAUNTER (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 9:00 PM 11:45 PM

MARINA-1 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 9:15 PM 12:05 AM

MARINA-2 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) HOURS (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 3:45 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

MARINA-3 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:15 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-1 GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

FANAR-2 FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

AVENUES-2 FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG)

2:00 PM 4:15 PM 6:30 PM 8:45 PM 12:15 AM

2:00 PM 4:00 PM

AVENUES-3 DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI)

1:30 PM 5:00 PM 8:30 PM

FANAR-3 HOURS (DIG) HOURS (DIG)

ACCOMMODATION

AVENUES-1 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE

(DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG) (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI)

12:05 AM

360º- 1 GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG)

1:15 PM 3:45 PM 6:15 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

360º- 2 MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG)

12:30 PM 3:30 PM 6:30 PM 9:30 PM 12:30 AM

360º- 3 FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) HATOULY RAGEL ?CE??? ?C?? (DIG) HATOULY RAGEL ?CE??? ?C?? (DIG)

1:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 10:00 PM 12:15 AM

Sharing accommodation available for decent bachelor non-smoking, Amman Street, one big room, opposite to Al Rashid hospital.

Please contact: 66232356/55862576.

(C 4600) 18-12-2013

SITUATION VACANT Driver needed for Kuwaiti family, full-time & part-time.

Call 60623330. (C 4603) 26-12-2013

FOR SALE Selling Mazda 6 (2004

AL-KOUT.1 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) 47 RONIN (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:45 PM 3:00 PM 5:15 PM 7:30 PM 10:00 PM 12:30 AM

AL-KOUT.2 GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) HOURS (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) HOURS (DIG) GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:45 PM 4:15 PM 6:15 PM 8:30 PM 10:45 PM 12:45 AM

AL-KOUT.3 FROZEN (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) FROZEN (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 12:05 AM

AL-KOUT.4 BLOOD OF REDEMPTION (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) BLOOD OF REDEMPTION (DIG) MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) BLOOD OF REDEMPTION (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

12:30 PM 2:15 PM 5:00 PM 7:45 PM 9:30 PM 12:15 AM

BAIRAQ-1 WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) FROZEN (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) WALKING WITH DINOSAURS (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D) 47 RONIN (DIG-3D)

Abraq Khaitan full room and sharing room available for decent bachelor with Goan in double bedroom flat with internet, kitchen facility, beside main road and bus stop, near police station round about.

Contact: 24745162 or 97523316. (C 4602) 24-12-2013

model) white color car, mileage 124,000 kms only.

Body, chassis, engine, gear, A/C, exteriors etc all in good condition and well maintained. Expecting KD 550. Call 66596645.

(C 4601) 18-12-2013

12:30 PM 2:30 PM 4:45 PM 6:45 PM 8:45 PM 11:15 PM

112 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry aboutthe Civil ID card is

1889988 Prayer timings Fajr:

05:15

Shorook

06:40

Duhr:

11:48

Asr:

14:38

Maghrib:

16:56

Isha:

18:19

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines BBC JAI KLM THY JZR JZR QTR SAI ETH GFA THY UAE ETD MSR QTR MSC FDB THY DHX QTR QTR JZR FDB BAW KAC JZR IRA FDB KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC UAE ABY QTR ETD IRA FDB IZG GFA MSC DHX JZR MSC MEA SYR TBZ UAE JZR JZR MSR KAC MSR KNE FDB QTR KAC

Arrival Flights on Thursday 26/12/2013 Flt Route 43 DHAKA 574 MUMBAI 411 AMSTERDAM 772 ISTANBUL 267 BEIRUT 539 CAIRO 1084 DOHA 441 LAHORE 620 ADDIS ABABA 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 612 CAIRO 1076 DOHA 401 ALEXANDRIA 67 DUBAI 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 8524 DOHA 8650 DOHA 503 LUXOR 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 529 ASYUT 617 AHWAZ 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 206 ISLAMABAD 362 COLOMBO 352 COCHIN 332 TRIVANDRUM 855 DUBAI 125 SHARJAH 1070 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 605 ISFAHAN 55 DUBAI 4161 MASHAD 213 BAHRAIN 403 ASYUT 872 BAHRAIN 165 DUBAI 405 SOHAG 404 BEIRUT 341 DAMASCUS 5483 MASHAD 871 DUBAI 241 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 561 SOHAG 610 CAIRO 382 DELHI 579 SOHAG 480 TAIF 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA 672 DUBAI

Time 00:05 00:10 00:30 00:45 00:40 00:40 00:55 01:30 01:45 02:10 02:15 02:35 02:45 03:10 03:45 03:45 04:20 05:35 05:40 05:45 05:45 05:50 05:50 06:40 06:45 06:20 07:50 07:50 07:55 07:40 08:45 08:10 08:15 08:40 09:00 09:10 09:20 09:30 09:40 10:35 10:40 11:15 11:15 11:30 11:20 11:55 12:30 12:35 12:50 12:45 12:55 13:00 13:05 13:05 13:15 13:50 13:55 14:00

KAC SVA KNE KAC JZR JZR JZR GFA KNE NIA OMA KAC KAC QTR UAE ETD RJA SVA JZR JZR ABY GFA KAC UAL JZR KAC JZR QTR FDB KAC GFA KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC OMA TAR FDB MSR JAI AXB JZR ABY DLH ALK MEA JZR ETD UAE GFA QTR KLM JAI JZR AIC FDB UAL PIA JZR

546 500 472 562 331 257 535 221 470 251 645 788 118 1072 857 303 640 510 777 787 127 215 284 982 135 542 177 1080 63 786 217 674 614 618 176 774 104 647 328 61 618 572 393 189 129 634 229 402 181 307 859 219 1074 417 576 239 981 59 981 205 185

ALEXANDRIA JEDDAH JEDDAH AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA NAJAF BEIRUT CAIRO BAHRAIN JEDDAH ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT JEDDAH NEW YORK DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH JEDDAH RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN DHAKA WASHINGTON DC DULLES BAHRAIN CAIRO DUBAI DOHA DUBAI JEDDAH BAHRAIN DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA GENEVA RIYADH LONDON MUSCAT DUBAI DUBAI ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI KOZHIKODE DUBAI SHARJAH FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT AL MAKTOUM INTERNATI ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI BAHRAIN DOHA AMSTERDAM COCHIN AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA CHENNAI DUBAI BAHRAIN LAHORE DUBAI

14:05 14:30 14:35 14:50 14:10 14:45 15:50 15:00 15:35 15:50 15:55 15:10 16:35 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:55 17:00 17:25 17:30 17:45 18:00 18:00 18:05 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:45 19:30 19:25 19:35 19:00 19:15 19:30 19:35 19:55 20:00 20:05 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:15 20:20 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:30 21:35 21:40 21:45 22:00 22:05 22:15 22:20 22:30 22:30 23:10 23:15 23:20

Airlines AIC AXB JAI KLM BBC DLH SAI ETH THY UAE KAC ETD MSR QTR MSC FDB QTR KAC JZR FDB JZR THY GFA QTR QTR KAC JZR THY FDB BAW IRA JZR JZR KAC KAC KAC ABY KAC UAE ETD QTR IRA FDB JZR GFA KAC IZG KAC MSC MSC JZR MEA DHX KAC SYR JZR JZR TBZ

Departure Flights on Thursday 26/12/2013 Flt Route Time 976 GOA 00:05 490 MANGALORE 00:15 573 MUMBAI 01:10 411 AMSTERDAM 01:45 44 DHAKA 01:45 635 FRANKFURT 02:10 442 LAHORE 02:30 620 DAMMAM 02:45 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 854 DUBAI 03:50 381 DELHI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 406 SOHAG 04:45 68 DUBAI 05:00 1077 DOHA 05:15 283 DHAKA 05:15 560 SOHAG 06:20 70 DUBAI 06:30 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 8525 DOHA 07:15 8650 DHAKA 07:15 545 ALEXANDRIA 07:15 240 AMMAN 07:20 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 616 AHWAZ 08:50 256 BEIRUT 08:55 534 CAIRO 09:00 561 AMMAN 09:25 787 JEDDAH 09:25 671 DUBAI 09:30 126 SHARJAH 09:40 101 LONDON 09:50 856 DUBAI 09:55 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 1071 DOHA 10:10 606 MASHHAD 10:20 56 DUBAI 10:20 330 AL NAJAF 10:50 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 4162 MASHHAD 11:35 165 ROME 11:50 404 ASYUT 12:15 402 ALEXANDRIA 12:20 776 JEDDAH 12:25 405 BEIRUT 12:55 511 KANDAHAR 13:00 785 JEDDAH 13:00 342 DAMASCUS 13:30 786 RIYADH 13:35 176 DUBAI 13:45 5484 MASHHAD 13:50

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

MSR MSR KNE UAE FDB QTR JZR KAC KAC KNE JZR GFA SVA KAC KAC KNE KAC NIA OMA JZR JZR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR JZR UAL FDB QTR GFA FDB TAR KAC OMA ABY MSR JAI AXB KAC KAC DHX ALK MEA ETD GFA KAC UAE KAC KLM QTR FDB JAI JZR KAC KAC

580 611 481 872 58 1079 134 673 617 473 188 222 505 773 501 471 613 252 646 238 180 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 266 982 64 1081 218 62 328 331 648 120 619 571 394 343 543 171 230 403 308 220 301 860 205 417 1075 60 575 528 415 411

SOHAG CAIRO TAIF DUBAI DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH DUBAI BAHRAIN JEDDAH RIYADH BEIRUT JEDDAH BAHRAIN ALEXANDRIA MUSCAT AMMAN AL MAKTOUM INTERNATIONAL ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI BEIRUT BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI TUNIS TRIVANDRUM MUSCAT SHARJAH ALEXANDRIA MUMBAI KOZHIKODE CHENNAI CAIRO BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD DAMMAM DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI ASYUT KUALA LUMPUR BANGKOK

13:50 14:00 14:10 14:15 14:30 14:55 15:00 15:05 15:30 15:30 15:40 15:45 16:00 16:05 16:30 16:30 16:35 16:50 16:55 16:55 16:55 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:50 19:15 19:25 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:50 20:55 20:55 21:00 21:05 21:10 21:15 21:30 21:40 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:50 22:55 23:05 23:10 23:10 23:15 23:25 23:55 23:55

34

s ta rs CROSSWORD 410

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) ARIES You may find a friend involved in gossip and it should not take you too long to lend kind disapproval. You are progressive and in a helpful mood today and although this friend may shun you the rest of the day, ignore it and smile. Your problem-solving abilities are in top form and directing others in your fine manner could have someone older seeking you out for help in performing a particular chore. It is a great time to be with friends and interact with each other. Those around you should have no problem in following your lead, as you are very persuasive. You are very natural in your self-expression.

Expect a very engrossing conversation with someone you love this evening. Laughter and fun conversations bring about fond memories.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) You may find that this is not the most appropriate time to make important decisions that affect your living situation or life circumstances. Someone may challenge your ideas or the direction that you want to take. It is a good time for everyone to write down what they want and then plan a time to review the ideas later. This could mean a new home or plans to refurbish the home in which the family lives now. You dislike sloppy ways of getting things done and will be creating a new remedy to make life easier. Family objectives are very important to you at this time. Family time is made easier by bringing dinner home for tonight. This gives everyone a little extra time to read, chat and perhaps a little walk out-of-doors to identify the stars.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A doctor's degree in preventive medicine.

4. Castrated male horse.

11. Willing to face danger.

15. The United Nations agency concerned with the interests of labor.

16. Genus of low-growing mat-forming New Zealand plants.

17. In bed.

18. A kind of heavy jacket (`windcheater' is a British term).

20. British informal.

21. To fix or set securely or deeply.

22. Lacking care and attention.

24. Being one more than one hundred.

26. English monk and scholar (672-735).

27. A cylindrical drawstring bag used by sailors to hold their clothing and other gear.

28. Romanian violinist and composer (18811955).

30. A public promotion of some product or service.

31. A colorless odorless gaseous element that give a red glow in a vacuum tube.

32. A mountainous landlocked communist state in southeastern Asia.

36. Any of numerous low-growing cushionforming plants of the genus Draba having rosette-forming leaves and terminal racemes of small flowers with scapose or leafy stems.

41. A sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain.

42. Black-and-white short-necked web-footed diving bird of northern seas.

44. Resembling glass in transparency or translucency.

47. The father of your father or mother.

50. Having the head uncovered.

51. A Chadic language spoken south of Lake Chad.

52. A grant made by a law court.

55. English monk and scholar (672-735).

56. (botany) Of or relating to the axil.

58. American inventor.

60. A design fixed to some surface or a paper bearing the design to be transferred to the surface.

63. Of or relating to or characteristic of Morocco or its people.

66. A small nail.

68. Thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and Pipturus albidus.

72. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

76. Psychoactive substance present in marijuana.

79. The elementary stages of any subject (usually plural).

80. Grass mowed and cured for use as fodder.

81. An early Christian church designed like a Roman basilica.

82. The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code.

DOWN 1. Type genus of the Dipodidae.

2. Having a horizontal surface in which no part is higher or lower than another.

3. Belgian architect and leader in art nouveau architecture (1861-1947).

4. A city in southeastern Spain.

5. (Akkadian) God of wisdom.

6. Capital and largest city of Togo.

7. In or relating to the duodenum.

8. A kind of person.

9. A daughter of your brother or sister.

10. A rare silvery (usually trivalent) metallic element.

11. Gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement.

12. A French abbot.

13. (archaic) A fitting reward.

14. Tropical starchy tuberous root.

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

23. 1/10 gram.

25. California evergreen wild plum with spiny leathery leaves and white flowers.

29. An acute inflammatory disease occurring in the intestines of premature infants.

33. Islands in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Portugal.

34. A city in northwestern Spain near the Cantabrian Mountains.

35. Make unhappy.

37. Living in or characteristic of farming or country life.

38. Jordan's port.

39. A member of an agricultural people of southern India.

40. A human female who does housework.

43. An official prosecutor for a judicial district.

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

46. Having lips or parts that resemble lips.

48. Australian clover fern.

49. A room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter.

53. A language of Australian aborigines.

54. No longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life.

57. A radioactive element of the actinide series.

59. A person who announces and plays popular recorded music.

61. An international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members.

62. Very large red gum tree.

64. Title for a civil or military leader (especially in Turkey).

65. Full of zest or vigor.

67. A roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector.

69. (Babylonian) God of storms and wind.

70. Having nine hinged bands of bony plates.

71. United States writer (born in Poland) who wrote in Yiddish (1880-1957).

73. An accountant certified by the state.

74. The network in the reticular formation that serves an alerting or arousal function.

75. A loose sleeveless outer garment made from aba cloth.

77. A metallic element having four allotropic forms.

78. Being nine more than ninety.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

Soon it will be time to communicate your ideas to a city meeting. A call early this morning may even remind you of some meeting coming up soon that will encompass the communication between the communities. This may mean it will soon be your opportunity to communicate ideas for improved walkways, animal laws, eliminating some extreme noise because of the highway or parking spaces of nearby businesses, etc., etc. Professionally, you will find yourself involved a bit more with writing and concentrating on some ongoing business. If you honestly believe in what you are saying, you will be very persuasive—at any time, but particularly at this meeting. You are respected by family and neighbors and you have lots of support.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Something may help you discover some new ways to go forward with a plan or decision in regard to your life situation. You may find yourself serving to guide someone younger than you in matters of importance. Here is your opportunity to set a good example. This is a vital day with lots of energy and much action. You may feel focused and even a bit radiant. You could find yourself able to really communicate with others. You instinctively want to be powerful and in control but you wisely stand aside and wait for the right opportunity to excel. This could all lead to a magnified interest in healing or investing. You and a loved one make plans for celebrating new beginnings and may decide on your very own special celebration.

Leo (July 23-August 22) There could be a situation where you feel as though you are butting heads with another and there could be a great deal of disagreement with what you say or think. The situation that you find yourself in may require some rethinking or else could challenge your ideas. It may be very difficult for you to communicate what you mean to others. Stop—this is probably not the best of times to attempt to get your ideas across to anyone, emotionally or otherwise. It is the best of times to do some writing about what you want to accomplish and where you want to see your life experiences develop or your ideas blossom. A get-together after the holiday celebrations will give you new ideas about how you want to develop a few new goals.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) Your schedule today is an old routine; you may look for new and different responsibilities. You may truly feel the need to make a change, wanting to break away from old-fashioned things from the past. You long for new, different and unique experiences. Your emotional nourishment and feeling of protection comes from integrity, friendships and social interactions. Having someone flatter you about anything is always nice and today will be no exception; some form of compliment on your tastes or belongings will find its way to you. Perhaps others have noticed your new clothes. You are determined to see that things become better organized this afternoon. You work exceptionally hard to find a place for everything. Relax with your feet up this evening.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) Having figured out new ways to communicate or a temperate manner will make conversations and interactions go well. You may find yourself more verbal than usual. A dialogue with an older person may take place this afternoon. It is possible that you will need to check on this person on your way home later. You are pleased at the improvements and positive changes of your friends and you may plan to express this to them soon. You are appreciated for your feelings and ability to take action and get things done.

Your emotions or the feelings of those around you should be very clear. Considering this is a very busy time of the year, today is a nice day, possibly filled with some renewed appreciation for all that is attractive and refined.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) An opportunity to visit with neighbors this morning is too good to pass up.

Compassion and comprehension are emotional qualities that take on a greater significance. It’s wisdom, not knowledge, that really counts the most. Coming to accept the past or getting in touch with the mystical and spiritual are the things that give a sense of satisfaction and completeness. A very important relationship, perhaps an older person or someone in authority, may come into focus this afternoon. You may feel a bit of tension or sense of opposition that will require compromise or negotiation on your part. A fine opportunity for understanding and possibly even growth is at hand. Some good advice from an unexpected source may be forthcoming. This is a good day.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) The drive around town this morning is rather quiet. Of course, some people take a whole two-week vacation at this time of the year. This is one of the happiest times of the year for you and with your sunny optimism you find things to do that will please the whole family. You may decide to gather some snacks together and gather the family and play some outdoor sports or feed the ducks at some nearby park or lake. Be sure to remember your camera and take plenty of pictures. By the evening, you are ready for some quiet relaxation at home and perhaps an early bedtime. Put a star on this day or keep notes for your diary—it will be one of your best days this year. You are especially popular with your loved ones this evening.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) You identify strongly with those around you. Others could find it very easy to follow your lead—you are an eloquent speaker and can communicate well.

Things are natural for self-expression and luck in love and money may just seem to fall in your lap. Your ego will get a boost today, but be prepared for more responsibilities.

Questions from young people are easy for you to answer and you will find the people asking you questions have an easy time in understanding your answers. You enjoy an insightful conversation with someone you love this afternoon. You are at ease and comfortable with your surroundings and enjoy a bit of laughter and joking with friends later today. You can expect the positive from all directions this holiday season.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) There could be many temptations today to chat with friends and pass the day along. You are in a clear thinking sort of mood. Perhaps you can write your ideas down in a list type of style. This will help you to remain focused on the main flow of events. Ideas are flowing and come easily. Taking care of personal business, however, could be your number one priority for now. You desire organization and practicality as you begin to close the books on a variety of projects. Health issues take on more importance, especially as you begin to think about your personal goals for next year. If you do not have plans for celebrating the end of the year, or the beginning of next year, you could make them now.

Those around you find you especially witty this evening.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) A competitive mood is obvious today. Keep the fun in the competition and enjoy your friends. Some sort of a temporary obstacle may appear this afternoon but you will do well when you stay with the facts and not the emotion. Thank goodness this should not last too long and should all work out to your benefit. You are interactive with the public and have no difficulty in serving those who need your help. Use any quiet time today to examine your inner motivations, desires and needs in order to plan any changes for the future. Such changes are easily made at this time. You derive great satisfaction from your accomplishments now. In personal encounters, you excel. An elderly couple has your attention this evening, if not your parents, a neighbor.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

i n f o r m at i o n For labor-related inquiries and complaints: Call MSAL hotline 128 GOVERNORATE Sabah Hospital

24812000

Amiri Hospital

22450005

Maternity Hospital

24843100

Mubarak Al-Kabir Hospital

25312700

Chest Hospital

24849400

Farwaniya Hospital

24892010

Adan Hospital

23940620

Ibn Sina Hospital

24840300

Al-Razi Hospital

24846000

Physiotherapy Hospital

24874330/9

PHARMACY

ADDRESS

PHONE

Ahmadi

Sama Safwan Abu Halaifa Danat Al-Sultan

Fahaeel Makka St Abu Halaifa-Coastal Rd Mahboula Block 1, Coastal Rd

23915883 23715414 23726558

Jahra

Modern Jahra Madina Munawara

Jahra-Block 3 Lot 1 Jahra-Block 92

24575518 24566622

Capital

Ahlam Khaldiya Coop

Fahad Al-Salem St Khaldiya Coop

22436184 24833967

Farwaniya

New Shifa Ferdous Coop Modern Safwan

Farwaniya Block 40 Ferdous Coop Old Kheitan Block 11

24734000 24881201 24726638

Tariq Hana Ikhlas Hawally & Rawdha Ghadeer Kindy Ibn Al-Nafis Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Salmiya-Amman St Hawally-Beirut St Hawally & Rawdha Coop Jabriya-Block 1A Jabriya-Block 3B Salmiya-Hamad Mubarak St Mishrif Coop Salwa Coop

25726265 25647075 22625999 22564549 25340559 25326554 25721264 25380581 25628241

Hawally

Al-Madeena

22418714

Al-Shuhada

22545171

Al-Shuwaikh

24810598

Al-Nuzha

22545171

Sabhan

24742838

Al-Helaly

22434853

Al-Faiha

22545051

Al-Farwaniya

24711433

Al-Sulaibikhat

24316983

Al-Fahaheel

23927002

Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh

24316983

Ahmadi

23980088

Al-Mangaf

23711183

Al-Shuaiba

23262845

Kaizen center

25716707

Rawda

22517733

Adaliya

22517144

Al-Jahra

25610011

Khaldiya

24848075

Al-Salmiya

25616368

Kaifan

24849807

Shamiya

24848913

Shuwaikh

24814507

Abdullah Salem

22549134

Nuzha

22526804

Industrial Shuwaikh

24814764

Qadsiya

22515088

Dasmah

22532265

Bneid Al-Gar

22531908

Shaab

22518752

Qibla

22459381

Ayoun Al-Qibla

22451082

Mirqab

22456536

Sharq

22465401

Salmiya

25746401

Jabriya

25316254

Maidan Hawally

25623444

Bayan

25388462

Mishref

25381200

W Hawally

22630786

Sabah

24810221

Jahra

24770319

New Jahra

24575755

West Jahra

24772608

South Jahra

24775066

North Jahra

24775992

North Jleeb

24311795

Ardhiya

24884079

Firdous

24892674

Omariya

24719048

N Khaitan

24710044

Fintas

23900322

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

PRIVATE CLINICS Ophthalmologists Dr. Abidallah Al-Mansoor 25622444 Dr. Samy Al-Rabeea 25752222 Dr. Masoma Habeeb 25321171 Dr. Mubarak Al-Ajmy 25739999 Dr. Mohsen Abel 25757700 Dr Adnan Hasan Alwayl 25732223 Dr. Abdallah Al-Baghly 25732223 Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Dr. Ahmed Fouad Mouner 24555050 Ext 510 Dr. Abdallah Al-Ali 25644660 Dr. Abd Al-Hameed Al-Taweel 25646478 Dr. Sanad Al-Fathalah 25311996 Dr. Mohammad Al-Daaory 25731988 Dr. Ismail Al-Fodary 22620166 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Booz 25651426 General Practitioners Dr. Mohamme Y Majidi 24555050 Ext 123 Dr. Yousef Al-Omar 24719312 Dr. Tarek Al-Mikhazeem 23926920 Dr. Kathem Maarafi 25730465 Dr. Abdallah Ahmad Eyadah 25655528 Dr. Nabeel Al-Ayoobi 24577781 Dr. Dina Abidallah Al-Refae 25333501 Urologists Dr. Ali Naser Al-Serfy 22641534 Dr. Fawzi Taher Abul 22639955 Dr. Khaleel Abidallah Al-Awadi 22616660 Dr. Adel Al-Hunayan FRCS (C) 25313120 Dr. Leons Joseph 66703427 Psychologists /Psychotherapists

Paediatricians

Plastic Surgeons Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaf

22547272

Dr. Khaled Hamadi

Dr. Abdal-Redha Lari

22617700

Dr. Abd Al-Aziz Al-Rashed

Dr. Abdel Quttainah

25625030/60

Family Doctor Dr Divya Damodar

23729596/23729581

Psychiatrists Dr. Esam Al-Ansari

22635047

Dr Eisa M. Al-Balhan

22613623/0

Gynaecologists & Obstetricians DrAdrian arbe

23729596/23729581

Dr. Verginia s.Marin

2572-6666 ext 8321

Endocrinologist

25665898 25340300

Dr. Zahra Qabazard

25710444

Dr. Sohail Qamar

22621099

Dr. Snaa Maaroof

25713514

Dr. Pradip Gujare

23713100

Dr. Zacharias Mathew

24334282

(1) Ear, Nose and Throat (2) Plastic Surgeon Dr. Abdul Mohsin Jafar, FRCS (Canada)

25655535

Dentists

Dr. Fozeya Ali Al-Qatan

22655539

Dr. Majeda Khalefa Aliytami

25343406

Dr. Shamah Al-Matar

22641071/2

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khooly

25739272

Dr. Anesah Al-Rasheed

22562226

22618787

Dr. Abidallah Al-Amer

22561444

Dr. Faysal Al-Fozan

22619557

Dr. Abdallateef Al-Katrash

22525888

Dr. Abidallah Al-Duweisan

25653755

Dr. Bader Al-Ansari

25620111

General Surgeons Dr. Amer Zawaz Al-Amer

22610044

Dr. Mohammad Yousef Basher

25327148

Internists, Chest & Heart Dr. Adnan Ebil Dr. Latefa Al-Duweisan

22666300 25728004

Dr. Nadem Al-Ghabra

25355515

Dr. Mobarak Aldoub

24726446

Dr Nasser Behbehani

25654300/3

Soor Center Tel: 2290-1677 Fax: 2290 1688

Neurologists

22639939

Dr. Mousa Khadada

info@soorcenter.com www.soorcenter.com

3729596/3729581

Dr. Sohal Najem Al-Shemeri

25633324

Dr. Jasem Mola Hassan

25345875

Gastrologists Dr. Sami Aman

22636464

Dr. Mohammad Al-Shamaly

25322030

Dr. Foad Abidallah Al-Ali

22633135

Kaizen center 25716707

25339330

Dr. Ahmad Al-Ansari 25658888 Dr. Kamal Al-Shomr 25329924 Physiotherapists & VD Dr. Deyaa Shehab

25722291

Dr. Musaed Faraj Khamees

22666288

Rheumatologists: Dr. Adel Al-Awadi

Dr Anil Thomas

Dr. Salem soso

Dr. Abd Al-Naser Al-Othman

25330060

Dr. Khaled Al-Jarallah

25722290

Internist, Chest & Heart DR.Mohammes Akkad

24555050 Ext 210

Dr. Mohammad Zubaid MB, ChB, FRCPC, PACC Assistant Professor Of Medicine Head, Division of Cardiology Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital Consultant Cardiologist Dr. Farida Al-Habib MD, PH.D, FACC Inaya German Medical Center Te: 2575077 Fax: 25723123

2611555-2622555

William Schuilenberg, RPC 2290-1677 Zaina Al Zabin, M.Sc. 2290-1677

Afghanistan 0093 Albania 00355 Algeria 00213 Andorra 00376 Angola 00244 Anguilla 001264 Antiga 001268 Argentina 0054 Armenia 00374 Australia 0061 Austria 0043 Bahamas 001242 Bahrain 00973 Bangladesh 00880 Barbados 001246 Belarus 00375 Belgium 0032 Belize 00501 Benin 00229 Bermuda 001441 Bhutan 00975 Bolivia 00591 Bosnia 00387 Botswana 00267 Brazil 0055 Brunei 00673 Bulgaria 00359 Burkina 00226 Burundi 00257 Cambodia 00855 Cameroon 00237 Canada 001 Cape Verde 00238 Cayman Islands 001345 Central African 00236 Chad 00235 Chile 0056 China 0086 Colombia 0057 Comoros 00269 Congo 00242 Cook Islands 00682 Costa Rica 00506 Croatia 00385 Cuba 0053 Cyprus 00357 Cyprus (Northern) 0090392 Czech Republic 00420 Denmark 0045 Diego Garcia 00246 Djibouti 00253 Dominica 001767 Dominican Republic 001809 Ecuador 00593 Egypt 0020 El Salvador 00503 England (UK) 0044 Equatorial Guinea 00240 Eritrea 00291 Estonia 00372 Ethiopia 00251 Falkland Islands 00500 Faroe Islands 00298 Fiji 00679 Finland 00358 France 0033 French Guiana 00594 French Polynesia 00689 Gabon 00241 Gambia 00220 Georgia 00995 Germany 0049 Ghana 00233 Gibraltar 00350 Greece 0030 Greenland 00299 Grenada 001473 Guadeloupe 00590 Guam 001671 Guatemala 00502 Guinea 00224 Guyana 00592 Haiti 00509 Holland (Netherlands) 0031 Honduras 00504 Hong Kong 00852 Hungary 0036 Ibiza (Spain) 0034 Iceland 00354 India 0091 Indian Ocean 00873 Indonesia 0062

Iran 0098 Iraq 00964 Ireland 00353 Italy 0039 Ivory Coast 00225 Jamaica 001876 Japan 0081 Jordan 00962 Kazakhstan 007 Kenya 00254 Kiribati 00686 Kuwait 00965 Kyrgyzstan 00996 Laos 00856 Latvia 00371 Lebanon 00961 Liberia 00231 Libya 00218 Lithuania 00370 Luxembourg 00352 Macau 00853 Macedonia 00389 Madagascar 00261 Majorca 0034 Malawi 00265 Malaysia 0060 Maldives 00960 Mali 00223 Malta 00356 Marshall Islands 00692 Martinique 00596 Mauritania 00222 Mauritius 00230 Mayotte 00269 Mexico 0052 Micronesia 00691 Moldova 00373 Monaco 00377 Mongolia 00976 Montserrat 001664 Morocco 00212 Mozambique 00258 Myanmar (Burma) 0095 Namibia 00264 Nepal 00977 Netherlands (Holland) 0031 Netherlands Antilles 00599 New Caledonia 00687 New Zealand 0064 Nicaragua 00505 Nigar 00227 Nigeria 00234 Niue 00683 Norfolk Island 00672 Northern Ireland (UK) 0044 North Korea 00850 Norway 0047 Oman 00968 Pakistan 0092 Palau 00680 Panama 00507 Papua New Guinea 00675 Paraguay 00595 Peru 0051 Philippines 0063 Poland 0048 Portugal 00351 Puerto Rico 001787 Qatar 00974 Romania 0040 Russian Federation 007 Rwanda 00250 Saint Helena 00290 Saint Kitts 001869 Saint Lucia 001758 Saint Pierre 00508 Saint Vincent 001784 Samoa US 00684 Samoa West 00685 San Marino 00378 Sao Tone 00239 Saudi Arabia 00966 Scotland (UK) 0044 Senegal 00221 Seychelles 00284 Sierra Leone 00232 Singapore 0065 Slovakia 00421 Slovenia 00386 Solomon Islands 00677

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

Kardashian’s baby swamped with designer Christmas presents

K

im Kardashian’s daughter has received lots of designer Christmas presents. The ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star revealed her six-month-old baby girl, North West, has been inundated with complimentary clothes and shoes since arriving back at her mother Kris Jenner’s house in Calabasas, California, for the holidays. Kim, 33, shared photographs of clothes from Stella McCartney, and a variety of shoes and boots from Giuseppe Zanotti, Hermes and Charlotte Olympia on Instagram, as she graciously thanked each designer for their “sweet gift”. She also wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much Giuseppe for the amazing shoes you made for North! WE LOVE YOU” The reality star is clearly excited to back in Los Angeles with her family after jetting around the US

Cole

for the past few weeks with her fiancÈ, Kanye West, while he was performing the first leg of his ‘Yeezus’ tour. She posted a picture of her mother’s festive hallway featuring a giant Christmas tree, with the caption: “Waking up to this. Getting ready for our Christmas Eve party!” Kim previously revealed that the ‘New Slaves’ rapper and her entire family, including Bruce Jenner, who announced his split from Kris after 22 years of marriage in November, would be together for Christmas. She recently said: “Kanye, North, mom, sisters, step dad, brother, niece and nephew, everyone! They are all my family and we will all be together! I can’t wait.”

enjoying sun-drenched Christmas

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heryl Cole has jetted off to enjoy her first “hot” Christmas. The ‘Call My Name’ hitmaker, who split from her American dancer boyfriend of 14months, Tre Holloway, over the summer because of long distance and hectic work schedules, has ditched her annual tradition of celebrating the festive period at home in the UK in favor of soaking up the sun on the beach.

The 30-year-old star shared a photograph that shows her lying on a sunlounger, wearing a black bikini and Aviators, while sipping a creamy cocktail, on Instagram with the caption: “My first hot Christmas. I hope you’re all having a lovely Christmas Eve! Kisses.” Cheryl, who is tipped to rejoin ‘The X Factor’ next year, also shared her tips for relaxing with her followers on Twitter and urged them to download the gaming app Heads Up, which requires players to guess the word on the card that’s on your head from your friends’ clues before the timer runs out. She tweeted: “If you wanna have a laugh at Christmas you should download the Heads Up! app!! We’re all playing it” The brunette beauty hinted she was feeling down in the dumps before her holiday as she tweeted: “Why is our news always full of negativity!

No wonder so many people feel miserable. Can’t they at least report on one good positive story”.

Lawson too lazy for Christmas presents

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Hemsworth

celebrated Christmas in Los Angeles

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iam Hemsworth celebrated Christmas in Los Angeles with his family. The ‘Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ star, who announced his split from his fiancee, Miley Cyrus, in September after four years together, was spotted running some last minute errands with his parents, Leonie and Craig Hemsworth, on Monday. The 23year-old Australian actor went furniture shopping with his mother in Brentwood, before driving to Malibu to pick up some groceries and stopping at Starbucks for iced coffees with his father, according to EOnline.com. Liam’s older brothers Luke and Chris Hemsworth, whose wife Elsa

Pataky is pregnant with their second child, joined the family in California for the festive period. The heartthrob recently admitted he is happier since breaking up with Miley, 21, earlier this year. He said: “These days I feel like I’m more centered and grounded than I’ve ever been.” The former couple celebrated Christmas with the ‘Wrecking Ball’ hitmaker’s family in the US last year before jetting off to Australia together. Miley, who was spotted partying at LIV nightclub in Miami, Florida on Friday went back to LA to spend the holidays with her family.

Max George T

he Lawson boys are too lazy to buy each other Christmas presents. The ‘When She Was Mine’ hitmakers formed of Andy Brown, Ryan Fletcher, Joel Peat and Adam Pitts - never buy each other Christmas or birthday presents because they’re “typical lazy lads”. Bass player Ryan Fletcher told BANG Showbiz: “I wish we did.

We tend to all go big before Christmas, before we all go our separate ways. “I feel like we should have some sort of Secret Santa but we never do and never get each other birthday presents or Christmas presents. I think it’s just typical lazy lads, but we know the thought is there.” The 23-year-old band member added: “We’re all going to go home and gain weight with our families.

It’s going to be lovely.” Ryan is having the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day and has always been banned from the kitchen - until this

year. He joked: “I’m not trusted with the main course but at the same time I fancy it.

I’m going to get involved.” After Christmas has ended, the fun won’t stop for Ryan who is hoping to join his dad on a trip to Dubai.

He said: “I might be going away on holiday with my family because my dad is going away to Dubai and I’m attempted to jump on a flight with him and join him. So I don’t know. “I don’t know whether to stay low with my friends or go away with my family for New Year’s Eve.”

wanted a puppy for Christmas

he ‘All Time Low’ singer says he always wanted to be gifted with a cute canine pal but admits his busy schedule wouldn’t allow time to care for a pet, as he is set to go on tour with The Wanted shortly after the festive season. Max said: “I’d really love a dog, my dog Pele died two years ago and I feel ready for another. I’d like a Boxer, but I’m a patron for Manchester Dog’s home so I would probably end up getting a mutt.” The 25-year-old hunk says lavishing his friends and family with thoughtful presents adds to the excitement on Christmas day and he isn’t fussed about being gifted with items from his own wish list. Max explained: “I love buying

presents. I love watching people open them more than receiving. Last year I got my mum a signed Audrey Hepburn autobiography that I found in a vintage shop. That was the best thing.” Max claims he often leaves his shopping until the last minute, and while most would attempt to avoid the Christmas queues, he finds the experience relaxing. He said: “Christmas Eve, [is when] I go into the centre of Manchester with my dad and we’ll walk off and do our own thing. It’s relaxed.”

Holden is ‘nuts’ about Christmas A

manda Holden wanted kids to make Christmas even more exciting. The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge - who has daughters Lexi, seven, and Hollie, 23 months, with husband Chris Hughes - is “nuts” about the festive period and loves celebrating with her family. She said: “I’ve been nuts about Christmas my whole life. It’s the reason I had children so they could be even more nutty about it. “We have a place in Oxfordshire as our weekend home, so we’ll go there with my family. I do the Christmas Eve dinner - I think I’ll do a curry to get everyone’s bowels in the right position for dinner and I’ll do the Christmas dinner, and on Boxing Day we’ll go to the pub.” The 42-year-old star is hoping for “comfort” presents this year, but says her spouse always buys her

something “naughty”. She said: “I want comfort things like scarves, pyjamas, hats and socks. Chris will buy me something naughty. His favorite line to me one year was, ‘I didn’t know what to get you so I went to Louis Vuitton, Mandy, I’m sorry.’ I said, ‘That’s absolutely fine!’ “ However, Chris will have to go some way to outdo his previous best gift buying. Amanda recalled: “I cried when Chris gave me my favorite car, a cream Morris Minor 1000 with red leather interior.”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

lifestyle F e a t u r e s

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receive flowers following a traditional Christmas Day Church Service at Sandringham.

Britain’s Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive for a traditional Christmas Day Church Service.

Baby George stays indoors as British royals celebrate Christmas P

rince William and his wife Catherine left their baby son Prince George having a fun time indoors as the British royal family made their Christmas Day outing to church. William said it had been a good first Christmas morning with the fivemonth-old, while Kate revealed he was more interested in wrapping paper than his presents. In her annual Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II said George’s arrival had brought “renewed happiness and hope”-while life for William and Kate would never be the same again.

As per tradition, the royals were spending their winter break at the monarch’s private Sandringham residence in Norfolk, eastern England. Their Christmas Day visit to St Mary Magdalene Church is a rare chance to see them all together up close and speak to them as they leave. William and Kate strolled along hand in hand, with George staying indoors. “We’ve had a good morning with George and I can’t wait until next year when he’s bigger,” William told the crowd.

Cicely Howard, 75, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, asked Kate about the baby. “She told me he was having a lovely day but was more interest-

ed in the wrapping paper than the presents,” she said. The baby prince, born on July 22, is third in the line of succession, directly in line to inherit the throne after 87-year-old Queen Elizabeth’s eldest son Prince Charles, 65, and 31-year-old William, his eldest son. In her Christmas broadcast, the sovereign sat by a photograph of the four of them, which was flanked by black-and-white portraits of her parents, king George VI and queen Elizabeth.

“My own family is a little larger this Christmas,” the monarch said, in a pre-recorded speech from Buckingham Palace which focused on finding time for reflection. “The arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope. For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again. “As with all who are christened, George was baptized into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service. After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.

“It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.” While the family walked to the church on Wednesday, the Queen arrived by car accompanied by her heavily pregnant eldest grand-daughter, the former equestrian world champion Zara

Phillips. William’s brother Prince Harry was still sporting the ginger beard he grew while successfully trekking to the South Pole earlier this month with disabled armed forces veterans from Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States. He said he intended to keep the look as it was a “royal tradition”.

Newspaper reports said it was the largest gathering of the family at Christmas in years, with all of the Queen’s descendants and her late sister princess Margaret’s descendants in attendance.

Reports said that as 30 royals were staying at Sandringham, some were having to sleep in the servants’ quarters. While most people in Britain open their presents on Christmas Day, the royals follow the German tradition and open theirs on Christmas Eve. Following their visit to the church, lunch is served at 1:00 pm-usually a giant turkey reared on the estate. While the royal family gathers round the television to watch Queen Elizabeth’s broadcast at 3:00 pm, the sovereign sometimes watches it alone in another room.—AFP

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II receives a bouquet of flowers following a traditional Christmas Day Church Service at Sandringham in eastern England, yesterday. — AFP photos

Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with children.

Britain’s Prince Harry arrives to attend a Christmas Day Service with other members of the royal family at St Mary’s church.

Michelle Obama tracks Santa’s sleigh over Africa

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or first lady Michelle Obama, a joyous Christmas Eve tradition briefly ran up against the harsh realities of a world where all is not calm and bright. Mrs Obama for the fourth year volunteered for the NORAD Tracks Santa program, whereby kids call in to check on Santa’s progress on his annual journey delivering presents around the world. Mrs Obama’s turn to take calls Tuesday came as Santa’s sleigh made its way across Africa first over Egypt, where a bomb killed 15 people, then over South Sudan, where dozens of bodies were discovered in a mass grave amid ongoing civil conflict, and then on to South Africa, still

mourning the death of Nelson Mandela.

Mrs. Obama delicately avoided those grim facts as she wished the callers a merry holiday. “I see his sleigh with eight tiny reindeer and he is over Sudan - South Sudan. That’s in Africa,” she told a girl named Ella. “And right now, he’s delivering some gifts. He’s going down, swooping down to some little kids who are in South Sudan, OK? That’s where he is right now. It’s really, really very cool, don’t you think?”

South Sudan has drawn more and more of President Barack Obama’s attention recently, yet it was far from the mind of

Indian Christians light candles at a Christmas Day service outside the St Mary’s church in Siliguri yesterday. Despite Christians forming a little over two percent of the billion plus population in India, with Hindus comprising the majority, Christmas is celebrated with fanfare and zeal throughout the country.

young Ella, who politely asked the first lady when Santa would be coming to her home in Kansas City. “When you are fast asleep - that’s how he works,” Mrs Obama replied. The first lady also reported to youngsters calling in that Santa was over Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other African countries during nine calls she took during a half-hour period while vacationing with her husband and daughters in Hawaii.

Settling in to his vacation, the president kept a low profile on Christmas Eve, hitting the gym early in the morning on a military base near the family’s upscale rental home, then golfing with

The women of Saint Afram Syrian Orthodox church’s choir pray during morning Christmas mass in Amman, Jordan, yesterday. Syrian and Iraqi Orthodox Christian families prayed for peace in their countries.

friends and aides. The Obamas arrived here Saturday and have remained mostly out of the public eye, except for a trip to a basketball tournament featuring a team coached by Mrs. Obama’s brother and a dinner date at Morimoto Waikiki, a Japanese restaurant created by Masaharu Morimoto of “Iron Chef.” The Obamas have no public events scheduled during their 17-day stay in Honolulu. — AP

A participant in fancy dress jumps into the water during the104th edition of the Copa Nadal (Christmas Cup) in Barcelona’s Port Vell yesterday. The traditional 200-meter Christmas swimming race gathered around 400 participants on Barcelona’s old harbor.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

‘Grudge Match’ Review: De Niro and Stallone’s reputations take another dive S

ylvester Stallone has built an entire late-stage career out of nostalgia, from periodically dredging up Rocky and Rambo for random sequels to a decades-too-late team-up with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Escape Plan” to crafting the entire “Expendables” franchise around the gag of “I used to be an action star.” Robert De Niro, meanwhile, has chipped away at his reputation as one of this generation’s finest screen actors with films that spoof his on-screen image (“Analyze This,” “The Family”) and ones that are just outright embarrassing (“Red Lights,” “Righteous Kill,” and a list that goes on and on down to “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle”).

It was perhaps inevitable, then, that these two would meet up in a boxing movie that would capitalize on the clash between an over-the-hill Rocky Balboa and an AARP-ready Jake LaMotta (the real-life boxer De Niro won an Oscar for portraying in “Raging Bull”).

Such a pairing isn’t the worst idea for a screen comedy, but the execution of “Grudge Match” turns out to be so utterly dismal that the movie feels like the final insult on what’s left of both actors’ reputations.

The premise is pretty much what you’d expect: In the early 1980s, the boxing world was captivated by the rivalry between two Pittsburgh-based light-heavyweights: Henr y “Razor ” Sharp (Stallone) and Billy “ The Kid” McDonnen (De Niro). Both fighters were undefeated except for the one match each lost to the other; before they could have a tie-breaker, however, Razor left the fight game and went back to his factor y job. Razor got

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Robert De Niro as Billy ‘The Kid’ McDonnen, left, and Sylvester Stallone as Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp, in a scene from ‘Grudge Match.’ — AP photos screwed out of his money by fight pro- into a pricier nursing home, Razor takes moter Dante Slate (Anthony Bean), but the gig.

The Kid shows up at the recording The Kid managed to parlay his winnings and his local fame into owning a session, and when a fight between the bar and an auto dealership. His finan- two retired boxers (both wearing those cial success, however, hasn’t kept him green tights with the ping pong balls from stewing over Razor’s refusal to glued on them) goes viral, public fight him again to determine who was demand leads them to agree to their long-delayed grudge match. Dredging the better boxer.

Cut to the present day, when Dante up the past means the return of Sally Slate, Jr. (Kevin Hart) approaches Razor (Kim Basinger) and her son B.J. (Jon about doing motion-capture for a Bernthal), both of whom have a complivideo game company that wants to put cated history with Razor and The Kid. So you’ve got a game cast and a stoout a Razor vs. The Kid simulation. At first, Razor’s not interested, but when ry that pretty much writes itself (and the plant closes and his old manager that plays into the public perception of Louis (Alan Arkin) needs to be moved its actors) - why, then, is “Grudge Match”

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows, from left, Sylvester Stallone as Henry “Razor” Sharp, Kevin Hart as Dante Slate, Jr, and Robert De Niro as Billy “The Kid” McDonnen in a scene from “Grudge Match.” so utterly stultifying until it picks up relief from the afterlife, grateful to have some steam with the big climactic fight been spared this rotten screenplay.

Even with the, you’ll pardon the sequence? Director Peter Segal (“Get Smart,” “50 First Dates”) and scribes Tim expression, dramatic heavyweights in Kelleher (“First Kid”) and Rodney the lead roles, it’s Bernthal (also currentRothman (a former head writer for “Late ly appearing in “ The Wolf of Wall Night With David Letterman”) can’t Street”) who comes off as the movie’s seem to craft believable situations or most natural and compelling performer. witty dialogue to save their lives. Even De Niro mugs, Stallone mumbles, worse, they fall back on a lazy mix of Basinger struggles to make facial homophobia, transphobia (per IMDB, expressions and even the usually relithere’s actually a credited character list- able Arkin and Hart are saddled with ed as “Tranny Hooker”) and misogyny. jokes that aren’t remotely funny. Go When we’re introduced to Arkin’s char- watch “Rocky” and “Raging Bull” again. acter while he complains about getting Because, as they say at closed-casket sponge baths from a male nurse, I could funerals, it’s better to remember them feel Burgess Meredith sighing with as they were. — Reuters

Q&A: Ben Stiller dreams of a shift with ‘Mitty’

This film image released by 20th Century Fox shows Ben Stiller in ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’. — AP

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en Stiller’s commonality with the hero of his new film hasn’t gone unnoticed. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” starring and directed by Stiller, is adapted from James Thurber’s classic short story that first appeared in The New Yorker in 1939. Since then, Walter Mitty (a mildmannered man who enlivens a mundane day with a series of fantasies) has been synonymous with daydreaming and flights of imagination. Stiller, too, hopes for something a little different for his life: He wants to direct more movies and make films outside of the comedies he’s best known for.

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” a kind of remake of the 1947 Danny Kaye version, is a big-budget, big-scale shift for the 48year-old Stiller. It’s his fifth time directing a movie (from “Reality Bites” to “ Tropic Thunder”), but his first time helming a film that, while funny, isn’t quite a comedy.

Having just wrapped shooting on another film with “Greenberg” director Noah Baumbach in Brooklyn, Stiller recently met with a reporter in New York to discuss his new trajectory.

AP: With “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” opening on a crowded Christmas for moviegoing, do you feel particular pressure?

Stiller: (Laughs.) Honestly, I think I feel the same thing that I feel every time a movie comes out which is: It’s a lot of pressure and, at same time, it’s really, totally out of my hands.

AP: Are you comfortable at this point directing and acting at the same time?

Stiller: I don’t think you ever get totally comfortable with it. You get into a rhythm with it. But I always feel like every time you start up, it’s always figuring it out. There’s always that frustration that’s going on where you’re like: I just wish I could be behind the camera also.

AP: That must be especially difficult when you’re, as Mitty, floating in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Stiller: There was this moment where they dropped me in the water and the boat went away to get a POV shot coming back at me, and I was just totally alone in the water. It was that thing: Wow, this has gone beyond making a movie now. This is just me, the ocean.

AP: Were you aiming to be a director as early as “The Ben Stiller Show”? Many credit the 1992-93 sketch series as hugely influential to comedy since.

Stiller: It was always what excited me the most. We’d have a sketch that was a parody of a Scorsese movie or something

like that, or something that all of sudden became its own little movie. I remember one sketch we did that was a restaurant where they were serving human beings. It was like a ‘Soylent Green’ sort of thing. We had been canceled and we knew we were canceled, and we were shooting our last episode. It was this 11-page sketch that was a little sort of horror movie. I remember having one of the best experiences on the show doing that one. It was like making a little movie.

AP: Do you ever wish you limited yourself more to directing?

Stiller: It’s not something I think about in terms of: ‘Oh, if I had just not been an actor, people would think of me as a director, or take me more seriously or something like that. I’ve always enjoyed directing, and that’s always been something that I’ve known in my head that that’s where I see myself ending up, anyway.

AP: Even when you haven’t directed, you’ve surrounded yourself with ensembles and been a strong voice in shaping the films.

Stiller: What I learned early on when I started being the main character in movies, I realized that there’s a responsibility with that in terms of what the audience is going to see. An audience doesn’t delineate who produced that, or who directed that.

They’re like, ‘Oh, I’m going to go see Ben in a movie.’ There’s a responsibility that I felt I had, to varying levels of success (laughs) in that process - unless I was going into a world of a director, someone like Noah, where I felt, ‘This guy had such a specific sensibility.’ ... I feel like I learned from those experiences. I have a different approach going into movies now.

AP: How so?

Stiller: Sometimes I went against the grain more. Now, I wouldn’t. At a certain point, you can push and push, and you don’t get the result that you want and it doesn’t help the person that’s trying to make the movie. That, for me, has been the learning experience over the years.

AP: You’ve long aimed to make a movie of George Saunders’ “CivilWarLand in Bad Decline.” What are you interested in doing now?

Stiller: Just different kinds of movies that I’m not necessarily in. I think that opens up (laughs) the casting possibilities. I look forward to doing that, just something I feel passionate and connected to. I would love to do something that’s not necessarily comedic. But I also don’t want to go and do something that’s ultra-dark and serious just to do that. — AP

Indian Bollywood actors Anil George, Zeena Bhatia, Niharika Singh and Nawazuddin Siddiqui attend the first look of upcoming Hindi film ‘Miss Lovely’ in Mumbai on December 23, 2013. — AFP

‘Saving Mr Banks’ director to rewrite MGM’s ‘Magnificent Seven’; Tom Cruise out

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aving Mr Banks’ director John Lee Hancock has come on to rewrite MGM’s remake of “The Magnificent Seven,” which Tom Cruise is no longer involved with, TheWrap has learned. “True Detective” scribe Nic Pizzolatto wrote the initial draft of the script. John Sturges directed the original 1960 Western, which itself was based on Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 classic “Seven Samurai.” “Magnificent Seven” starred Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter and Horst Buchholz as a group of American gunmen hired to protect a small Mexican village from a group of savage bandits led by Calvera (Eli Wallach). The film was followed by three sequels and remade as a CBS series in 1998-2000.

Cruise first became interested in “Magnificent Seven” back in May 2012, when MGM began developing a remake of its library title, though with his busy schedule, the project was never in his immediate plans. Pizzolatto was hired in August 2012 thanks to heat generated by HBO’s upcoming miniseries “True Detective,” which stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. MGM remains focused on mining its library titles to generate new profits. In addition to upcoming reboots of the “RoboCop” and “Poltergeist” franchises, the studio is also developing remakes of “Death Wish” and “WarGames.” Hancock is no stranger to the Western genre, having co-written and directed “The Alamo” for Disney, which has maintained faith in the filmmaker despite that film’s disappointing box office performance.

Not only did the studio entrust him with its own Walt Disney movie “Saving Mr. Banks,” which is currently in the awards conversation, but it also turned to Hancock to fix its upcoming tentpole “Maleficent.” Hancock wrote several new scenes and helped oversee reshoots on the $200 million-budgeted Angelina Jolie movie. Hancock directed Sandra Bullock to an Oscar nomina-

This image released by Disney shows Tom Hanks as Walt Disney, left, and Emma Thompson as author PL Travers in a scene from ‘Saving Mr Banks’. — AP tion for “The Blind Side,” which was a surprise Best Picture nominee. His other feature writing credits include Clint Eastwood’s “A Perfect World” and “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and Hancock was also among a trio of scribes credited on “Snow White and the Huntsman.” He’s repped by CAA. — Reuters

‘12 Years a Slave’ posters featuring Pitt, Fassbender will be taken down

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ionsgate was scrambling Tuesday to take down posters for “12 Years a Slave” from Italian movie theaters, after complaints that they subjugated black star Chiwetel Ejiofor in favor of the better-known and white stars Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender. Some of the posters had Pitt front and center, others featured Fassbender; in both, star Ejiofor is pictured much smaller in the lower corner running as the main character, Solomon Northrup.

The misrepresentation of director Steve McQueen’s brutal slavery saga, a frontrunner for the Best Picture Oscar, set off a storm in the blogosphere, after it was pointed out late Mondayby Carefree Black Girl. When Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment, which is distributing “12 Years” in Italy, became aware of the posters, it said they “were unauthorized and were not approved by any

of the producers or licensors of the film,” in a statement. Italian distributor BIM Distribuzione wasn’t talking, but most of the offending posters had removed by late Tuesday night, according to a people familiar with the matter.

It’s not unusual for foreign exhibitors to play up the biggest name stars to sell US movies, but this one drew fire because Ejiofor is very much the center of the film as a man kidnapped and sold into slavery. Pitt, who is a producer on the film, plays a minor role as a Canadian carpenter and Fassbender is a cruel slave master. “Summit Entertainment, acting as exclusive sales agent for the licensors, is investigating and taking immediate action to stop the distribution of any unauthorized posters and to have those posters currently in the marketplace recalled,” the studio said after reports about the posters surfaced. —Reuters

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

lifestyle F E A T U R E S

Outfit Builder:

Christmas party wear From tuxedos to sequin maxi-skirts, Victoria Bain offers some outfit ideas for the festive season:

Crystal embellished jumpsuit from NW3 Hobbs ; Earrings from Whistles ; ring from Topshop ; Clutch from L.K.Bennett ; Heels from Kurt Geiger.

— www.fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Sequin maxi skirt from Whistles; Jocelyn hematite and glass stone drop earrings from Stella & Dot; clutch from Marc by Marc Jacobs at Net-a-porter; heels from Jimmy Choo at Net-a-porter; Faux Fur collar from Ted Baker at Selfridges .

Emelia maxi skirt from Coast ; Black devore embellished high neck crop top from River Island ; Mesh and metal high heel sandal from Zara; Geometry gold ring from Ileana Makri ; bag from Topshop ; Gold-plated brass ‘Machu Picchu’ clip-on earrings from Aurelie Bidermann at My Theresa.

Silver spotty trousers and Mesh top from both Topshop; Clutch from Monki ; pearl and crystal necklace from Shourouk at My Theresa; heels from Kurt Geiger; Silver starlet Swarovski encrusted barrette clip from Jennifer Behr at Liberty.

Sequin dress from l’Wren Scott for Banana Republic ; Faux fur jacket from Simone Rocha at Net-a-Porter ; clutch from Whistles ; heels from Zara ; earrings from Kenneth Jay Lane at Net-a-Porter.

Metallic textured jacket from H&M ; trousers from Max Mara at Matches ; heels from L.K.Bennett; Top from Cos ; Pave crystal cone bracelet from Eddie Borgo at Matches; Earrings, from Oscar de la Renta at Net-a-Porter.

Printed dress from & Other Stories ; heels from Topshop ; Swarovski crystal embellished drop clip-on earrings from Ben Amun at Harvey Nichols ; Beaded clutch from Debenhams.

Volupte tuxedo jacket, Claudie Pierlot ; Encrusted ear cuff from River Island; trousers, Joseph at Net-a-porter ; Heels, Zara ; bag with chain from Hobbs.

Dress from Vivetta at Avenue 32 ; studded heels from Valentino at Net-a-Porter ; pompom clutch from Kzeniya at My-Wardrobe ; Baroque Earrings with Hanging Pomegranates from Alex Monroe.

Feather top from Coast; Faux fur sandals from & Other Stories ; clutch from Zara ; Wide leg trousers By Malene Birger at Net-a-porter ; Baroque Jewel Earrings from Asos.

‘Grudge Match’ Review: De Niro and Stallone’s reputations take another dive

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013

38

Newborns sleep in oversized red stockings in the nursery at Long Beach Memorial in Long Beach, Calif on Monday.

— AP photos

Hospital wraps

A man prepares to make rose bouquets to sell on the occasion of Christmas at a wholesale market in Mumbai, India, yesterday. Although Christians comprise only two percent of the population among a Hindu majority, the holiday is observed across the country as an occasion to celebrate. — AP

newborns in Christmas stockings C

alifornia hospitals are spreading holiday cheer for new parents by delivering newborns in giant Christmas stockings. The bright red stockings were provided this week for babies born at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Redlands, California. The Long Beach Press-Telegram says it’s a half-century-old tradition.

The Redlands Community Hospital has been handing out stockings to parents of infants born this month. The Riverside Press-Enterprise says the tradition began in 1930, but lapsed before it was revived in 2005. This year, 16 volunteers made 250 fleece stockings during a daylong sewing bee. —AP Jackie Soffel holds her newborn baby Dallas in her Christmas stocking at Redlands Community Hospital in Redlands.

Newborn baby Dallas Soffel in her Christmas stocking at Redlands Community Hospital in Redlands, Calif.

Christmas

tree hangs above Ohio pediatric hospital

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oung patients looking for Santa in the night sky above a northeast Ohio hospital will see a different holiday symbol - a hanging Christmas tree. A construction crew at Akron Children’s Hospital uses a crane to hoist a twinkling, 13-foot Christmas tree 150 feet above the facility each night, hoping to brighten the holidays for patients. Fifteen-year-old Massillon resident Ben Stanoyevic tells the Akron Beacon Journal he initially was confused to see the tree but enjoyed watching it while he was at the hospital dealing with complications from cystic fibrosis.

The tree was provided by the man overseeing a construction project, Welty-Boldt superintendent Tom Conti. He says one of his sons was treated at the hospital years ago and that experience made him want to help other patients smile. — AP

The water skiing Santa Claus heads down the Potomoc River on December 24, 2013 at National Harbor, Maryland, near Washington.

The group of volunteers are celebrating their 28th anniversary of the event that also has kneeboarding reindeer, flying elves, the jet-sking Grinch, and Frosty the snowman. — AFP

Is Justin Bieber retiring?

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is tweet says he is...Teen pop megastar Justin Bieber has set Twitter ablaze with a message suggesting he may be stepping away from the stage just as his new movie hits theaters on Christmas Day. “My beloved beliebers I’m officially retiring,” the 19-year-old Bieber said on Twitter to his nearly 48 million followers.

The message has been retweeted more than 240,000 times and comments from fans flooded the globally popular messaging site. But a subsequent tweet from the Canadian teen idol left some doubt about his future plans.

“The media talks a lot about me. They make a up a lot of lies and want me to fail but I’m never leaving you, being a belieber is a lifestyle,” he wrote. Then, Bieber tweeted a trailer for his latest movie, “Justin Bieber’s Believe,” which opens in US theaters on Wednesday, and “Merry Christmas everyone. Be kind to one another.” He told a Los Angeles radio station last week that he was “quitting music, quitting everything,” saying: “I’m going to go (play) golf.”

The singer has recently run into trouble during his “Believe” tour in both Brazil and Australia, where he was accused of spraying graffiti on hotel walls. He caused outrage in Argentina by stepping on an Argentine flag thrown onto the stage during a concert. And he was photographed in Rio de Janeiro leaving a notorious brothel. —AFP