29th Dec

CR IP TI ON BS SU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Arid Kuwait facing rapid water exhaustion

Anti-graft party takes charge in New Delhi

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SAFAR 26, 1435 AH

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Egyptian rapper speaks for women’s rights

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www.kuwaittimes.net

Bayern to play exhibition match in Kuwait

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Egyptian student dies during campus protest Brotherhood continues demos despite harsher penalties

3 dead as Saudi oil rig sinks Women drive again JEDDAH: Saudi coastguards have found the bodies of three Asian workers at sea after they went missing when an oil company’s offshore platform sank, officials said yesterday. “They were all found. We found two of them late yesterday and another one this morning,” Eastern Province Coastguard spokesman Colonel Khaled Al-Arqubi told AFP. Aramco confirmed in a statement that the bodies of three missing crewmembers - two Indians and a Bangladeshi had been found.

The platform belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco sunk Friday as it was being used to carry out maintenance work at an oil well in Safaniya, the world’s largest offshore oilfield about 265 km north of Dhahran. Dhahran is the headquarters for Aramco, the world’s largest oil company in terms of production and reserves. In a statement emailed to AFP on Friday, Aramco had said the remaining 24 crew were saved but that some had suffered “limited injuries”.

Yesterday, Aramco said it had “promptly dealt with the incident seeking support from the company’s helicopters, boats, special diving teams, and medical evacuation teams”. The company said its teams had reacted to the sinking “effectively, limiting its effect on workers aboard the platform”. A thorough investigation had been launched into the accident, the Saudi company said, adding its operations had not been affected. Discovered in 1951, the Safaniya field is 50 km by 15 km and has a production capability of more than 1.2 million barrels per day.

Separately, Saudi police yesterday pulled over a woman minutes after she got behind the wheel in the Red Sea city of Jeddah after activists called for a Continued on Page15

CAIRO: A man stands outside a faculty building at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University after student protesters stormed it and set it on fire yesterday. — AP

China eases 1-child policy Labour camps abolished BEIJING: China’s top legislative committee formally approved a loosening of the country’s hugely controversial one-child policy yesterday and abolished “reeducation through labour” camps, state media reported. The decisions were taken by the standing committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s rubberstamp parliament, at the conclusion of a six-day meeting, according to Xinhua news agency. The widening of existing exceptions to the one-child policy will allow couples where either parent has no siblings to have two

children, reforming the strict family planning policy imposed more than three decades ago to prevent overpopulation in the world’s most populous nation.

The abolition of re-education through labour, known as “laojiao”, will see existing inmates freed, Xinhua said.

“Their remaining terms will not be enforced anymore,” it quoted the NPC resolution as saying. China argues its one-child limit kept population growth in check and supported the country’s rapid development that has Continued on Page 15

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CAIRO: A student was killed and 101 arrested as police clashed with students who set fire to Cairo university buildings yesterday amid an intensifying crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, officials said. The unrest followed nationwide repression of Islamist protests on Friday after the military-installed government designated the Brotherhood, the movement of deposed president Mohamed Morsi, as a terrorist organisation. A hospital official said a 19-year-old student was shot dead in the clashes at the Al-Azhar University campus, where pro-Morsi students have regularly staged protests since his overthrow by the army in July.

The students entered the commerce faculty during an exam and set it alight, before police burst into the campus and fired tear gas. A police official said 101 students were arrested for possession of makeshift weapons including petrol bombs after the fire on the first two floors of the building was brought under control. Shaimaa Mounir, a student activist, told Reuters the dead student was Khaled El-Haddad, a supporter of the Islamist movement.

Two college buildings caught fire in yesterday’s violence. State TV broadcast footage of black smoke billowing from the faculty of commerce building and said “terrorist students” had set the agriculture faculty building on fire as well. State-run newspaper Al-Ahram said security forces fired teargas to disperse proBrotherhood students who were preventing their classmates from entering university buildings to take exams. Protesters threw rocks at police and set tyres on fire to counter the teargas. Calm had been restored, and scheduled exams went ahead after the morning clashes.

The Brotherhood condemned what it called a “violent crackdown on student protests”, saying in a statement that the deployment of security forces on university campuses was an attempt by the government to “silence any voice of opposition”. Security sources confirmed the Brotherhood’s statement that nine Al-Azhar students have been killed in clashes with police since the start of the academic year in September. Separately, a prosecutor ordered the continued detention of seven Al-Azhar students arrested during clashes on Thursday.

The students are the first to be ordered detained by prosecutors on accusations of belonging to a terrorist group since the Brotherhood’s formal listing on Dec 25.

Continued on Page 15

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

LOCAL

Resolving the bedoon issue case by case

By Bader Khaled KUWAIT: Salah Al-Fadhalah has one of the most difficult jobs in Kuwait. As the head of the agency responsible for illegal residents (bedoons) in Kuwait, Al-Fadhalah’s job requires a technocratic approach to what is one of the most controversial political issues in the Arabian Gulf.

There are more than 111,000 stateless residents (known locally as bedoon), who are essentially residents without a passport or a nationality living in Kuwait. Set up in 2010, the agency Al-Fadhalah heads is charged with resolving their status, either by helping them through the process of gaining Kuwaiti nationality - a lengthy and contentious procedure - or identifying original nationalities.

The issue is divisive, with proponents on both sides vested in the issue. Some argue that they are Kuwaitis who have been denied their natural rights. Others claim that they are from other Arab states - mostly Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria - and that they have thrown away their passports in hopes of gaining the coveted Kuwaiti citizenship. The Kuwait government has estimated that around 34,000 (out of the 111,000+) bedoons qualify for consideration for citizenship. In 2013, the agency recommended 519 bedoons for naturalization this year. By law, Kuwait’s govern-

ment may naturalize no more than a maximum of 4,000 people per year.

Three categories Weighing each claim is the job Al-Fadhalah oversees. Using government and historical documents, known facts, scientific information and research, legal and security considerations, Al-Fadhalah’s agency reviews each case and working in tandem with the Interior Ministry, forwards each file to the parliament with a recommendation. Since 2011, the government has begun to classify bedoons into

The hardest job in Kuwait three categories - bedoons living in Kuwait and included in the 1965 census and their descendants, special consideration going to those who are children of prisoners of war, martyrs and military personnel.

A second categor y classifies bedoons whose families originated from elsewhere in the Arab world. Those who fall into this category are unlikely to get Kuwaiti citizenship and are encouraged to return to their ancestral homes or at least acknowledge their ‘original’ nationalities in order for Kuwait to help them legalize their status.

A third classification includes bedoons

who can show documents proving they or their parents lived in Kuwait between 19661979. These stateless will also be denied citizenship but again may apply for legalized residency.

Annual accounting Each year, the Central Apparatus for Illegal Residents, as the bedoon agency is officially known, announces the number of bedoons whose cases have been resolved. Typically in the low thousands, the announcements almost always focus on the number of bedoons who have been identified as holding another nationality. In May 2013, KUNA reported that the agency had verified the illegal residents including 3,929 Saudi nationals, 608 Syrians, 433 Iraqis, 45 Jordanians, 40 Iranians and 213 of other nationalities.

To encourage bedoons who hold other passports to legalize their status, the government is reportedly offering five-year residency visas for the bedoon applicant and his family, free education, healthcare and subsidized foodstuff.

The agency also oversees the issuance of birth and marriage certificates, driving licenses and other documents for bedoons in Kuwait. But the decision to grant nationality ultimately lies with the parliament and the government.

Kuwait spends KD 1.4bn to maintain social welfare KUWAIT: Kuwait plans to spend more than KD 1.4 billion by the end of the current fiscal year to maintain ‘social welfare’ in the country , a local daily reported yesterday quoting an economic report released by the Ministry of Planning and Development.

The study divides the annual development plan for the fiscal year 2013/2014 in four main categories, including social welfare which takes up 26 percent of the total budget that reaches KD 5.4 billion.

According to the report, KD 3.2 billion or 61 percent of the budget is allocated to ‘economic devel-

opment sustainability’, KD 523 million or 10 percent of budget for human development, while KD 150 million or 3 percent of the budget is allocated for the ‘institutional excellence program’.

The report, which was published by Al-Jarida daily yesterday, identifies social welfare as a priority in the development plan, and explains that spending in this field is focused on improving prosperity and the gross domestic production (GDP) per capita.

Meanwhile, the report explains that the decision to increase spending on social welfare came to address “Kuwait’s drop in the 2013 Legatum

Prosperity Index from 34th place in 2009 to the 38th in 2012”. “Kuwait decided to refocus spending on education, health and social security and others in order to address the prosperity index drop which happened despite the increase in GDP per capita from $42,102 in 2009 to $47,935 in 2012,” the report reads. In the meantime, the report shows that the oil, housing and electricity sectors take 60 percent of the budget allocated for construction and developmental (building and expansion) projects, while the education, aviation and health sectors make up 8 percent, 4 percent and 3 percent respectively.

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Diving Team at the Environmental Voluntary Foundation began a survey of the sea bed in north and east of Oshairej coast in Doha, to make sure no navigation obstacles are there. Head of the team Waleed Al-Fadhil said this activity comes in cooperation with the committee to remove encroachments, that belongs to the council of ministers.

Police duo transferred to new ward

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Two police officers sentenced to death over charges of torturing citizen Mohammed Al-Maymouni to death in custody were transferred to another ward in the central prison. But informed sources denied that they were being transferred pending execution and that they were only moved for security reasons. Notably, 20 security agents were prosecuted in the same case - two were

sentenced to death, one sentenced to 3 years, four sentenced to 15 years, two fined KD 75 each while 11 were acquitted.

Meanwhile, MP Khalil Al-Saleh expressed amazement at the parliamentary legislation committee’s rejection of his proposal to lower the minimum retirement age of women to 15 years and men to 20 years and urged the committee to reconsider its decision in order to help reduce unemployment rates.

Expat teacher suspended KUWAIT: An expatriate teacher working in a school in Jahra has been suspended after it was discovered that her certificates were unaccredited. The teacher, who was recruited through a third party, has been working at the Saad Al Abdullah School as an elementary English teacher since September 2012.

The Education Ministry ’s foreign appointments office issued a warning to the school’s administration to suspend the teacher because “she was appointed by mistake and her certificate is not recognized,” reported Al-Watan newspaper.

The teacher has since filed a complaint with the Ministry of Education requesting that her salary, halted since Sept 30, be paid and her contract honored. Director of Legal Research and Petitions at the Education Ministry Awatef Al-Otaibi wrote to Jahra Educational Zone asking for infor-

mation in regards to the teacher’s complaint and reasons for salary non-payment, in order to take the necessary action.

The nationality of the teacher was not revealed but Kuwait regularly hires Arab teachers for its public schools from neighboring Arab states including Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia. It has faced difficulty in recent years, however, due to discrepancies in salaries between local and expat teachers in Kuwait public schools and problems recruiting enough teachers to meet growing demand. The majority of foreign teachers work for Kuwait’s growing private educational sector. But shortages in the public sector continue to mean work for foreigners, mostly Arabs, in the public education system in Kuwait. There are an estimated 21,000 male and female expatriate teachers employed by the Education Ministry in Kuwait.

KUWAIT: The “nabeeha tawsal” campaign reached Jalaih area as a delegation from Kuwait Fire Services Directorate, in cooperation with the Kuwait Oil Company and the medical emergencies department, launched a campaign to increase safety and security awareness of desert campers. —By Hanan Al-Saadoun

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

LOCAL Social Reform Society slams terror tag for Brotherhood KUWAIT: The Social Reform Society criticized the Egyptian government’s decision to list the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in a statement released one day after the president of the Kuwaiti charitable organization denied relations with the pan-Arab group.

“We believe that the decision follows Zionist dictations on the insurrectionists,” President Dr Hmoud Al-Roumi said in a statement released Friday. Arguing that the Muslim Brotherhood’s activity “has been proven to be peaceful by international human rights organizations”, Roumi announced that the group supports “the return of legitimacy for the stability of Egypt and protection of lives” there.

Roumi was quoted by Al-Rai daily on Friday as he announced that his group has no political activity and focuses only on charitable and social purposes as per its license. “We support [the Muslim Brotherhood’s] ideology which [Muslim Brotherhood founder] Sheikh

Hassan Al-Banna preached,” Roumi said, arguing that this ideology “reflects the moderate understanding of Islam that never endorses violence”.

Despite his vocal support of the Muslim Brotherhood, Roumi reiterated that the Social Reform Society is “a Kuwaiti NGO with no legal or organizational affiliation to any movement or party in Kuwait”. “Our position is for reform and to denounce terrorism practiced by states, groups or individuals,” Roumi said. Friday’s reports indicated that the Kuwaiti government has not received any notice from the Egyptian government with regards to classifying the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist group after Egypt announced plans to contact countries signatory to the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorism. Members of the Islamic Constitutional Movement, the unannounced political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Kuwait, has already criticized the decision to list the group as a terrorist organization.

Kuwait obtains UNCITRAL membership MANAMA: Kuwait has obtained a full membership in the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) which would be beneficial to support the Gulf Cooperation Council states’ (GCC) legislative infrastructure, GCC-CAC chief noted yesterday.

Secretary General of GCC Commercial Arbitration Center (GCC-CAC) Ahmad Najim said that by gaining a full membership at the UNCITRAL, Kuwait would be able to fully participate in this UN body’s meetings and make a difference in the decision-making processes. Kuwait would also be able to acquire the necessary experiences in stipulating legislations in commerce and law; a much needed tool in forming legislations in the upcoming period where Kuwait would start implementing giant development projects in partnership with international companies.

He added that Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry is to hold a seminar, next month, on the future of GCC-CAC after Kuwait joining of the UNCITRAL. The seminar will discuss the local bodies’ readi-

ness in providing the right environment, through setting well-considered trade and law legislations, for local and international investments.

UNCITRAL is established by the United Nations General Assembly by resolution 2205 of 17 December 1966. It plays an important role in developing legal framework for the facilitation of international trade and investment. It strives to harmonize and modernize the law of international trade by preparing and promoting the use and adoption of legislative and nonlegislative instruments in a number of key areas of commercial law. Members of UNCITRAL are selected from among States Members of the United Nations and represent different legal traditions and levels of economic development. The original membership comprised 29 States. It was expanded by the United Nations General Assembly in 1973 to 36 States and again in 2002 to 60 States. Kuwait has been granted the membership last month and will continue to be a full participating member until year 2019. — KUNA

‘Accurate’ data requested for housing loan proposal KUWAIT: The government has been asked to provide a final report showing the projected cost for the proposed increase to the housing loan from KD 70,000 to KD 100,000 for today’s meeting of the parliament’s financial committee. This came after the government’s representatives gave two conflicting reports during the previous meeting, according to the committee’s president MP Faisal Al-Shaya, who added that the government’s team was given time to ‘unify their view’ on the topic until today’s meeting.

Shaya explained in statements to Al-Qabas daily on Friday that representatives of the Saving and Credit Bank as well as the Public Authority for Housing Welfare gave different information regarding the number of housing units intended to be built within five years, and the construction cost as a result. “The government’s opinion on the [housing loan] increase remains unclear so far,” Shaya said.

Meanwhile, the same lawmaker told AlJarida daily that the panel sent an official request to parliament Speaker Marzouq AlGhanem asking for a one-month extension to finish reports for the children and servicemen

allowance increase proposals. “The original onemonth period ended before panel members were able to finish studying 39 proposals presented,” Shaya explained. And when asked about an earlier statement by MP Dr Yousuf AlZalzalah who demanded reports to be filed on time, Shaya insisted that the committee is working on “ensuring that draft laws are approved after thorough study to avoid errors”.

Amendments to the build-operate-transfer (BOT) law are also included in the meeting’s schedule after the committee could not finish the issue last week. “All notes on the BOT law are taken under consideration as the committee works with a high level of transparency to release a law that is attractive to investors, serves the national economy and at the same time is clear of loopholes that can be used to give certain parties an unfair advantage,” he said. Separately, MP Abdurrahman Al-Jeeran told Al-Qabas about ‘information’ he received and which indicate that Prime Minister HH Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah plans to invite up to five lawmakers to join the new Cabinet.

Local farms need better drainage, organization Kuwait facing water exhaustion

By A Saleh KUWAIT: Kuwait ranks among a group of countries with very high levels of ‘water exhaustion’ according to a recent study by the World Resources Institute. The WRI released data and a map showing countries throughout the globe categorized according to the dangers posed to their freshwater resources including river basins.

The WRI map shows countries’ and river basins’ average exposure to five water risk indicators - baseline water stress, interannual variability, seasonal variability, flood occurrence and drought severity. Of the 37 countries designated as having a very high level of water exhaustion, Kuwait ranked 19 on the list.

The report discussed water risks in 100 river basins and 181 countries around the world.

It is considered the first evaluation of its kind, it also provide information related to the economy, environment and society of each country. The report identified the water exhaustion as the percentage of total water that is withdrawn annually compared with the total renewable supply years. The report ranked UAE at 16, Saudi Arabia at 18, Oman at 20, Qatar at 10 and Bahrain at 2.

Limited fresh water With a total land area of 17,820 km, Kuwait has almost no natural fresh water resources and an annual rainfall of around 100 mm-135 mm. The prevailing hyper-arid climate of Kuwait is not favorable to the existence of any river systems in the country. There are no permanent rivers or lakes, but small wadis develop in the shallow depressions in the desert terrain. Surface runoff sometimes occurs in the large wadi depressions during the rainy season. Flash floods are reported to last from only a few hours to several days.

Doesn’t sink in Due to the extremely high evaporation losses and the high deficit in soil moisture, only a small percentage of the precipitation infiltrates into the groundwater supply.

Internal renewable groundwater sources are negligible. Groundwater inflow has been esti-

mated at about 20 million m3/year through lateral underflow from Saudi Arabia.

The country’s arable land is characterized by a sandy texture and low water retention capacity. Hard pans (locally known as “gutch”) prevail at different depths of the soil, and are a constraint on water permeability.

Farming and water About 154 000 ha have been judged as potentially cultivable land. However, it is almost completely covered by permanent pasture. Estimates for crop production potential vary between 25 000 and 37 500 ha, mainly located in Wafra area near the southern border where there are an estimated 1,495 farms that cover a total area of 10,000 ha and Abdali area near the northern border that contains 810 farms in a total area estimated at 20,000 ha.

In the Sulaibiya agricultural area in the centre of the country, where the soil is much better, as it is deep with a sandy texture, good drainage characteristics and good airing and without salt, hard pans or impermeable layers, the number of productive farms in this area, covering an area of about 5,000 ha, is estimated at 68, including 13 vegetable and crop farms, 37 cattle farms, four sheep and goat farms, and 14 poultry farms.

Kuwait’s water future Kuwait is planning to reclaim more land in order to provide food for the population by putting it under irrigation. This will increase irrigated areas and boost demand for water in the irrigation sector. But water efficiency needs greater organization and improvement to help protect Kuwait’ longer term water resources since Kuwait’s water economy is based on non-conventional sources of water.

The use of treated wastewater becomes one of the most important solutions for extending irrigation of agricultural crops and landscape. While its use poses potential health hazards and environmental problems, these could be faced effectively with the available technology and good management. It is the main source of non-conventional water that can be used in a cost-effective manner for irrigation.

Desalinated water can also be used, but because of its high cost, only high-value cash crops produced under intensive conditions are cost-effective today, according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Water-logging and salinity problems are prevalent, which underlines the urgent need to improve drainage, both for agricultural and landscaping areas and to convince the farmers/users of the need for adequate drainage facilities.

Kuwait to turn education ministry into authority KUWAIT: Kuwait is considering transforming the education ministry into an independent authority to be headed by a secretary general. The authority will be directly under the Council of Ministers and the secretary general will be appointed for a four-year term that can be renewed only once. “The idea is to keep the education ministry aside from the frequent cabinet reshuffles that mean changing the minister and therefore the policies too quickly,” sources said. “The political instability in the country has often meant giving the education portfolios to ministers for a short period of times in line with the reshuffles. This also meant that the plans, strategies and projects are not implemented and are either delayed or changed. There is no concrete progress,” the sources said in remarks published yesterday. The shift from ministry to authority will entail several administrative and financial issues and changes, the sources added.

“The authority will have its own independent budget and will not be linked with the civil service commission, unlike the ministry.” Kuwait’s government resigned last week after several of its ministers faced grilling and even a possible no-confidence vote by lawmakers from the powerful parliament who said that they had noted several financial and administrative irregularities and wanted the ministers to respond to them.

The new government should be formed by the end of next week amid reports that all the ministers will be named by Jan 5. Kuwait has one of the smallest cabinets in the Arab world with only 16 ministers. The country’s parliament itself faced a possible exit after more than 50 people filed petitions challenging its election in July.

The challengers said that the polls were unconstitutional on the grounds that the decree calling for them was not constitutional.

However, the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country, last week ruled that the parliament was constitutional, allowing it to remain.

KUWAIT: Members of the Khayt Group produced more than 75 hats for Syrian children to be donated to refugees in Jordan and Turkey. Khayt Group, hosted by Sadu House, met on Dec 25 to crochet the hats, scarves and other items to help keep Syrian children warm during the cold winter months. Khayt Group is a nonprofit, local community crochet group that meets weekly at Sadu House. It organizes a variety of charitable projects and has also held crochet hat collection campaigns for the children of the NBK hospital and the Kuwait orphanage. Khayt Group also organizes workshops to teach crochet. —Photos by Yasser al Zayyat

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

LOCAL kuwait digest

kuwait digest

Constitutional court ruling

The quota system

By Nasser Al-Eidan

Corruption

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By Dr Shamlan Y Al-Essa

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Public Fund

Al-Anbaa

hat is the truth about the fighting in South Sudan? Some might believe that the struggle is over an oilfield, land or to defend a tribe’s right. In reality however, the struggle is organized, sophisticated and comes with destructive effect. In fact, the struggle could very well divide South Sudan to two countries or more!

South Sudan contains several tribes. The president belongs to the largest tribe, and the former vice president to the second largest. The struggle revolves around which tribe to choose the next president from. In other words, the struggle stems from the desire to adopt the quota system in power.

The term ‘quota system’ is commonly known in Kuwait, as it is often heard in criticism over the Cabinet’s formation. But in reality, an appointed Cabinet sees less commitment to distributing portfolios as per quotas compared to an elected Cabinet. Humans are equal, and the human thinking is contagious. What is happening in Juba today can be transmitted to other societies including our own, albeit in different forms depending on the local circumstances.

The quota system is present in elected Cabinets.

A majority bloc in the parliament demands a similarly heavy presence in the government. The prime minister naturally represents the parliament’s majority, or the most influential entity in the society. Entities in South Sudan are purely tribal, so it is normal to see the largest tribe or family obtain the highest political position in the state.

The extreme example in South Sudan will not necessarily happen in Kuwait in its destructive form, but the ideology behind it is present here. We see it in elections of labor unions, student lists, co-op societies’ boards - tribal, sectarian or family entities dominate the seats. The difference between us and what happens in South Sudan is that while a fanatic, uneducated society is taking the driver’s seat of democracy there, the same seat here is taken by the ruling family, with marginal participation of people who lack political awareness.

Raising people’s awareness is necessary before allowing them to take the driver’s seat. A society dominated by tribalism, sectarianism and family affiliation and where a majority does not believe in political parties will definitely adopt the quota system and lead the country to an endless struggle of powers. —Al-Rai

kuwait digest

A lottery Cabinet

By Dr Naji Al-Zaid

I

believe it is safe to say that most of us have grown tired of ministers’ changes or reshuffles following years that saw many different Cabinet formations with almost identical composition and performance.

HH the Prime Minister will most likely find no problems in selecting ruling family members for his new Cabinet. When it comes to the remaining ministers, I honestly believe that the list will not be much different compared to previous Cabinets that Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak has formed. Even if there was a difference between the previous Cabinets, it was too little to leave an effect anyway.

That is why I propose a different way to select ministers this time around. Take two bowls - the first containing pieces of paper that have names of ruling family members qualified for a minister’s post written on them and the second containing names of Kuwaitis registered in the Public Authority for Civil Aviation records who meet qualifications for the job.

The second bowl probably needs to be very large considering previous years which saw people with middle school, high school and university degrees all considered for a Cabinet spot.

Anyway, the prime minister then draws names from both bowls randomly, and whoever is selected

is announced as the ‘winner’ of a Cabinet post. The premier could also use a third bowl containing names of MPs in order to select one to join the Cabinet, which is something that should not be too hard to do since only one is sufficient.

This method, which is similar in fashion to lottery draws held in Europe and the United States, is a great way to end ‘quota distribution’, a mechanism in which a representative from every social category is generally chosen in the Cabinet, and one which has so far failed to come up with a Cabinet qualified to implement developmental plans or even have a vision for the future.

What do you think? Maybe random selection is better and guarantees more justice. The situation cannot become worse than what it already is now, right? This is not a joke - Kuwait has a chance to be known in history as the first country to form a Cabinet through lottery. Besides, how much difference is there going to be between a Cabinet formed traditionally and one selected through lottery, if any? Who knows, we might get lucky and have a Cabinet with members capable of and serious about improving Kuwait without running after personal interests. —Al-Qabas

kuwait digest

People who destroy themselves

By Mohammad Hayat

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he spread of fanaticism and sectarianism at the expense of patriotism in society has reached unbearable levels. A person that divides us based on our religious beliefs becomes a leader, and a person who discriminates between families and tribes becomes a hero, whereas those who deal unequally with citizens based on where they grew up have become legislators who determine the future course of our country.

I do not understand how someone who adopts sectarian, fanatic and discriminatory ideologies in his speech becomes a star overnight, or how people follow whoever adds fuel to the fire that divides them.

These are the people who work against their wishes, and who complain of being marginalized by political figures that they themselves have idolized and defended for years.

It is frustrating to continue having a government that lacks the responsibility to protect people’s national identity and dignity, or MPs and political figures who talk about what best serves the national interest while their actions are based on sectarian and discriminatory arguments. It is also frustrating to see the people accept the culture of sectarianism and racism despite knowing very well how dangerous they are and their direct effect on the deterioration of our situation.

Unfortunately, political opinions in local, regional or international topics are shaped after racial, sectarian and religious belongings in Kuwait. The sectarian or ethnic group has became the basis on which people pass judgment, regardless of what is right or wrong.

It is ironic to see the Kuwaiti national makes sure to select a skilled doctor for his treatment, or a skilful engineer to build his house, but when it comes to electing a legislator for his country, skills and capabilities are ignored! I wish citizens elect representatives in the parliament in the same way they select a doctor to treat their ailment, an engineer to build their houses, or even a mechanic to fix their cars!

The situation is more complicated than a political reform project, amendment to the electoral law, boycotting the elections or changing the performance of the legislative and executive authorities. The situation will not be fixed unless by reforming ‘national identity’ and take the first step on the road of patriotism that the government, parliament and even opposition has failed to take.

Divide and conquer is a concept that while it can serve personal interests momentarily, eventually it will lead to total destruction. —Al-Rai

inally, we can relax and settle down after the constitutional court ruling keeping the National Assembly and admitting MPs Abdulhameed Dashti and Nabil Al-Fadhl. We congratulate them and all MPs who were afraid the parliament being dissolved. Now, after the government submitted its resignation to HH the Amir and will be re-formed again, things are expected to settle down in the country and true work starts by the two authorities without hindrance to pass some important and necessary laws to push the wheel of development and modernization forward.

Some MPs expressed optimism, headed by National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, who said: “we are turning a new page and nothing will stop us from doing our job and make achievements”. Members of parliament who said that the ruling is the start of political stability in a country that suffered a lot from the tension between the two authorities are the same MPs who stated in the opening session of parliament in October that they want to start with a new page with the government and that they want to see cooperation between the two authorities. Yet, just two weeks following their statements, grillings rained on the prime minister and his ministers, and the number of those grillings reached nine. Is this the cooperation between the two authorities, or is it just manipulation of people’s feelings?

Members of parliament demanded a different government and ministers who cooperate with MPs to achieve development ambitions. What MPs are asking here are ministers who sign their transactions and agree with their violation of the law, and do not mind to “accept payment” from the government to pass what it wants in laws, and this is what they call cooperation between the two authorities, which means “help me and I help you”!

Our professor, the bright diplomat Abdullah Bishara, was outstanding in his article in Al-Watan tilted “Kuwait in permanent crises”, when he said “the first thing that we can call for strongly is imposing disciplinary rules in behavior and limiting behavioral chaos which destroyed the law and messed with its articles. This comes from imposing the rule of law on all and abiding with the requirements of equality and deepening the right of citizenry, respecting its principles and imposing the control of ability and competence.

“But this does not come from the government alone, rather from parliamentary backing and serious intention to build a modern administration in Kuwait, and the first element of modernity is to eradicate parliamentary wasta that has become a strange case that controls the destiny of the MP, and it is the standard that controls his future. Wastas are illnesses that secrete corruption which nests in Kuwait and has dimensions that are present in the motives of grillings by MPs against ministers, and most of it because of the MPs displeasure from the minister’s steadfastness and rejection of succumbing to the wave of violations.”

Yes, you are right Prof Abdullah in this frank and realistic statement, but the question is, will the government comply with the principle of power separation and reject MPs’ interference? Then how can MPs continue their jobs without wastas, influences and receiving payments? The social movement wants these types of MPs to benefit...and no consolation for the country. —Al-Watan

kuwait digest

Truth about oil reserves

By Dr Bader Al-Daihani

D

eputy PM and Oil Minister Mustafa Al-Shamali has said that there are promising discoveries of oil and gas that will help increase Kuwait’s daily production and reserves as per the 2030 oil strategy. Al-Shamali added that Kuwait targets reaching a daily production of 4 million barrels by 2020. Such a statement is highly important because it is about our oil reserves. The problem is that we do not know for sure how big are they nor when we are expected to run out of oil. As I mentioned in an earlier article, official information about this issue is still controversial and the oil ministry has not settled this controversy yet.

In 2008, the oil ministry announced that our oil reserves were 99 billion barrels and that they would last over a hundred years. However, oil economist and former MP Abdullah Al-Naibari had another opinion. He questioned the accuracy of the assumption and wrote “I have information that KOC’s internal reports estimate oil reserves at 35 billion barrels, which means that oil is expected to last for 35 years not a hundred, that is if our production rates remain limited to 2.2-2.5 million barrels a day”. Naibari also expected oil reserves to drop to 25 years if the oil ministry increases daily production to 3 or 4 million barrels as suggested by the government’s plan.

O the other hand, official reports referred to by former MP Musallam Al-Barrak on June 6, 2008 show that confirmed oil reserves are 24 billion barrels and not 99 billion ‘as some people claimed’, which means that they are still less than what Naibari estimated and, accordingly, the time before oil dries out would drop. (Notice that this statement was made five years ago).

Since daily production should be linked to actual reserves, classified information about the truth of our oil reserves and how long they are expected to last is of vital importance and significance. Former speaker of the house Ahmad Al-Saadoun had asked oil ministers more than once as per the parliament’s records but he apparently received no answer, which raises many exclamations especially since oil is the main source of national income.

Therefore, the question still stands. Will the oil minister reveal the real volume of actual oil reserves so that we can assess how log our prime source of national income will last and know whether it is being drained by overproduction, because there is no point when the minister says oil reserves will increase if we do not know how big they are in the first place! —Al-Jarida

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

LOCAL

Vehicles inspection by private companies ‘a big success’ Privatization of public services

Professor Sharon Orleans Lawrence —Photos courtesy of the American University of Kuwait.

AUK professor publishes art book ‘Appreciating the materiality of painting’ KUWAIT: The American University of Kuwait’s Assistant Professor Sharon Orleans Lawrence has published a book described by a reviewer as “an imaginative and masterful examination of painting’s history in art, its death by art theory, and its resurrection in various forms in contemporary art practice.” The title of the book, which was published in June 2013 by Edwin Mellen Press, is How the Materiality of Paint is Intrinsic to the Work of Art: An Explanation of the Meaningful Placement of the Medium of Painting in Contemporary Art Theory.

The book grew out of Lawrence’s passionate interest in paint, painting and paintings. “It’s more like an obsession,” she says. “I’m fascinated by painting, a method of art making that dates at least as far back as the Paleolithic caves. These decorated caves document the sequential thinking and high level of skill painters possessed tens of thousands of years ago.

Using paints made with ground mineral pigments mixed with water or animal fat or even spittle, the paintings are powerful and resonant-so much so that Picasso and other artists of the early Modern era appropriated ideas from the cave paintings for their own artwork.”

Traditional easel painting, Lawrence’s first love, took off during the early Renaissance with the ascension of painting in oils and reached a pinnacle of art practice that endured into the mid-20th century even after photography and motion pictures came into popular use. Then traditional easel painting hit a wall.

As the modern era segued into the postmodern era and into our contemporary society, nothing has occurred to restore painting’s reputation as a viable player in contemporary practice, except that some painters just keep painting.

Lawrence believes the endurance of easel painting in the face of its death in art theory is tied to the paint itself and its characteristics that are distinct from other methods of art making. In other words, its materiality.

The central theme of Lawrence’s book-painting’s viability in contemporary art practice-is addressed through an exploration of what painting was and what it became, in order to contemplate a place for what painting is. The author questions and discusses the key issues of pertinent contemporary art theory, attempting to see through to their limits and place them against a backdrop of her own actual painting practice. In the process, she builds a convincing case for the re-emergence of traditional easel painting as an avant-garde art. Dr. George Bauer, who wrote the forward to How the Materiality of Paint is Intrinsic to the Work of Art, says its author “connects art theory, art history and art making, providing compelling arguments to painters for their own entrÈe into the brave new world of contemporary art making.”

Lawrence, who has taught at AUK since 2008 and is now the Chair of the Department of Art and Graphic Design, thinks she has a great life. “I love art. How many people find something they love, then get to do this thing they love, write about it, spend their vacations investigating it, and even their work life teaching others about it? Even as I teach art history and studio art subjects, I am adding to my thinking about art in general and painting in particular-and my students have taught me a lot.”

Her only regret is not having enough time to paint.

“I have been invited a couple of times to do a onewoman show here in Kuwait in some very nice venues. But I just haven’t had the time to paint enough paintings. I am a contemporary realist easel painter-I paint large and in oils-they take time.”

In the book’s Acknowledgements, Lawrence notes her gratitude to the American University of Kuwait “and the freedom it has provided me to explore and develop synergistic teaching methodologies across the disciplines of art and art history, expanding the limits of understanding for both my students and for myself.”

KUWAIT: Cars’ mechanical inspection and issuance of ownership papers by private companies, under super vision of the Ministr y of Interior, has proven to be a successful experience within framework of privatizing public services. Privatization of these services provide motorists with more options and alleviate the government personnel work burden.

Bader Al-Otaibi, the chairman of a company specialized in autos’ mechanical inspection, said the new sector is capable of performing the required tasks with high efficiency, with employment of state-of-art devices, thus facilitate work, sparing time and energy.

These private companies are highly reliable, having accumulated an experience of tens of years, thus the state traffic department depends on the assessment of these companies, he said.

This experience has proven successful and has given Kuwaiti youth the opportunity to work and develop, he said.

These companies undertake various tasks, such as vehicles’ mechanical inspection, tickets’ fees payment, insurance and issuance of autos’ papers.

The Ministry of Interior accreditation of such companies has resulted in expansion of this sector and has lured more entrepreneurs with new and creative services, such as delivery of cars to the company workers outside customers’ homes.

Ahmad Ismail, a customer, said while waiting for his car’s examination that he had chosen the inspection by a private company due to the short duration.

KUWAIT: Car inspection in progress in a private company.

Hassan Abkhat, another client, said he selected this kind of service because he used to go to several buildings to finalize his car’s papers.

This service by the private sector trim bureaucratic proceedings and centralize the paper work for token fees, Abkhat added. —KUNA

Music festivals revive, maintain Gulf heritage DOHA: A number of Kuwaiti artists stressed the importance of music festivals in the GCC countries in order to revive, maintain and spread their musical heritage locally, regionally and globally.

The musical heritage of the Gulf represents the unified identity of the Arabian Gulf communities, the artists participating at the second GCC Musical Arts Festival, which is taking place in Doha from Dec 25 to 28, said.

For his part, poet and writer Bader Bouresly praised the role of such GCC musical forums in which experiences and skills are exchanged for reviving the musical heritage that the GCC have in common in order to maintain it as art, in general, is an effective means for spreading freedom of speech, love, cooperation and peace.

He said that he spoke at the seminar, held on the sidelines of the festival, about his personal experience in writing and moving forward to a stage that he called “the dream of writing,” which is the reality of practical writing.

Kuwaiti composer Sulaiman Al-Mulla, one of

the honorees at the festival, along with composer Ghannam Al-Daikan, praised the role of the festival in uniting accomplished and young artists together so that the younger generation would benefit from the great artists’ experiences.

For her part, head of the Kuwaiti delegation participating in the festival’s concerts, Ghanima Haidar, said that the festival is held every two years, alternating between the GCC states, adding that the first one was held in Kuwait in 2011.

The festival is considered a joint cooperation between the GCC and its General Secretariat, she added, noting that the Kuwaiti delegation, under the umbrella of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL), is participating this year with six artists of two singers, two composers and two writers.

She stressed the NCCAL’s keenness to participate in such festivals to encourage and support outstanding talents of the young generation, as well as to activate the related agreements in the GCC countries to motivate the youngsters.

On the mechanism of selecting the youngsters to participate in the festival, Haidar said that a special committee was formed by the NCCAL for that, according to certain artistic standards and resumes.

In separate remarks, a number of other artists expressed their gratitude to those in charge of the festival for the great effort in the organization of such an event, which contributes in enriching the knowledge and experience through the meeting of young artists with the music mavens of the GCC music industry.

In addition to the concerts, held at Qatar National Theater, the festival includes a seminar entitled “the gulf modern song...a present and a future,” as well as an award ceremony.

Holding the second GCC Musical Arts Festival comes in response to the resolutions made at the 18th meeting of the Ministers of Culture of the GCC, which was held in Riyadh in October, 2012 as the first meeting was held in Kuwait in 2011. —KUNA

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

LOCAL

Parkour at Al Kout Mall

Al Kout Mall

KUWAIT: As part of its New Year’s celebrations program, Al Kout Mall will hold a unique Parkour performance showcasing a feat of physical strength and agility by young acrobats who negotiate obstacles by running, jumping and climbing in an urban environment.

Developed in France by three young friends in the 1980s, Parkour became popular in the 90s and 2000s through films and documentaries, as well as TV advertisements - with leading sport-shoes manufacturers like Nike developing shoes specifically for the practice.

The young performers consist of local youth who have come together through the love of Parkour, and together with Al Kout, want to share it with Kuwait -

where it is still slowly being discovered as a healthy and fun way to keep teenagers engaged while occupying them in a manner that will benefit both their minds and bodies.

The show will be set against beautiful views of the sea and the Al Kout Marina, along with a dancing fountain centerpiece and a host of international musical performances. Children’s activities, games and giveaways are included in the festivities’ program, which will start on Dec 31 and will last until Jan 4. With a fresh cool breeze, clear skies and an exceptional destination, the outdoor celebrations will create an engaging atmosphere for a leisure experience not to be missed.

License plate at accident site leads to culprit’s identity Drunk man held in neighbor’s house KUWAIT: Two people were seriously wounded after they were run over in the Jahra desert, while police were able to identify the suspect. The case, which preliminary investigations indicate was an accident, happened Thursday night when the driver knocked the two Kuwaiti youngsters off their all-terrain-vehicle. The driver escaped immediately, leaving behind the front bumper of his car which was detached due to the impact. The victims were rushed to Jahra Hospital with serious injuries. Police were able to identify the suspect from the license plate of his car that was left on the fender. Investigations are ongoing in search for the man.

Fatal crash A man died in an accident on Sixth Ring Road Friday morning. Paramedics and police arrived to the scene shortly following an emergency call, but found that the 26-year-old Indian national had already succumbed to his injuries. An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances which led the car to lose balance and overturn at the side of the road. The body was taken to the forensic department after criminal investigators examined the scene. A case was filed at the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh police station.

Meanwhile, a senior citizen died following an accident on a desert road northwest of the country.

Paramedics and police arrived to the scene Friday morning shortly after the accident was reported, and

found the man unconscious. The 80-year-old Kuwaiti was soon pronounced dead after paramedics’ resuscitation attempts failed to revive him. Criminal investigators were called to the scene as they transported the body to the forensic department after finishing examinations. A case was filed to determine the circumstances behind the accident.

KD 10,000 theft Investigations are ongoing in a case involving a man who says that he was robbed by three people outside the Palace of Justice. In his statements to police, the Yemeni national said that the suspects eyed a plastic bag he was holding and which contained KD 10,000 he had just withdrawn from his company’s bank account. He arrived to the police station with his employer and gave descriptions of the three who he said beat him up before stealing the bag.

Assault and battery A teenager faces assault and battery charges after he beat up a judge in Mirqab. Police arrived at the scene following an emergency call reporting a fight, and found that the 19-year-old had physically assaulted a Kuwaiti man, who was later identified as a judge who works in the Ministry of Justice. The man was taken to the Salhiya police station for questioning, which later revealed that the assault followed an altercation over who got to use an elevator

first. The youngster remains in police’s custody pending further action.

Jewelry thief Farwaniya police arrested a man who broke into an apartment in the area and stole jewelry worth over KD 3,000. Investigations had been ongoing since the case was filed by an Egyptian man, who said that the theft happened while he and his family where outside and that the thief stole his wife’s jewelry from the bedroom. Detectives were able to identify the suspect by tracing his cell phone signal. The Kuwaiti man was detained inside his house and eventually admitted responsibility for the theft after he was faced with evidence. He was remanded in custody pending further investigations to reveal whether he is connected to similar cases reported in the area and other places.

Drunk man A man was arrested after he entered his neighbor’s house by mistake while being heavily intoxicated. The incident was reported Thursday night in an Ahmadi house where a family became startled by the sight of their neighbor making his way inside uninvited. After realizing that his neighbor was drunk, the homeowner locked the man inside a room and called police. The Kuwaiti was put under arrest and taken for questioning on charges of intoxication as well as illegal entry.

AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent Society humanitarian aid packets ready for distribution yesterday.

Kuwait buys bread for Syrian refugees AMMAN: Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) handed in necessities, bread and blankets, to some 6,000 Syrian refugee families fleeing violence raging in their country since March 2011, said an official here yesterday.

KRCS representative Khaled Al-Zaid said the distribution of the goods came in line with the state of Kuwait’s concern over the dire situation the Syrian refugees are living in especially with the cold weather in Jordan.

He stressed that there was more work to be done to meet the needs of the Syrian refugees, noting that the KRCS’ field teams came to this conclusion during numerous visits to refugee camps in the country. The KRCS will continue its efforts to help the Syrian refugees in Jordan, said Al-Said.

KRCS announced on Thursday a new “Ragheef” (loaf of bread) campaign, in aid of Syrian refugees in Jordan.

“Ragheef ” month-long campaign is offering loaves of bread every day to about 6,000 Syrian families in various parts of Jordan, in coordination with a total of 29 bakeries, head of the Kuwaiti delegation, and head of Public Relations in the KRCS, Khalid Al-Zaid, said.

The campaign “achieved a great success in the past four months, which prompted the society to continue this project,” he added.

The KRCS team will be also distributing blankets to Syrian families in various parts of Jordan, he said.

The Kuwait Red Crescent is committed to its humanitarian mission and works to alleviate suffering of the refugees, especially during this harsh winter season, he affirmed. He praised the efforts of Jordanian Red Crescent Society and Kuwait’s Embassy in Jordan in offering assistance to reach all families of Syrian refugees. — KUNA

NBK Annual Walkathon

NBK launches 50 social initiatives during 2013 KUWAIT: National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has ties as part of its specialized training prolaunched more than 150 social initiatives gram.NBK hosted more than 3000 high during 2013. NBK’s corporate social respon- school and university students as part of the sibility (CSR) program covers a range of edu- bank’s strategy to work in coordination with cation, environment, health, philanthropic, various educational institutions with the aim of helping students successfully transition to social and sports-related initiatives.

“NBK has a long tradition supporting the work force.

NBK strongly supports the country’s social and community oriented activities in the country,” said Manal Al-Mattar, NBK health care institutions. This year, NBK continued its support to build a Public Relations Executive new state-of-the-art cancer Manager. “We believe that center at NBK’s Children our people are our most Hospital. The new center will valuable resource and to expand the hospital’s ability that end we’ve implemented to treat children with cancer numerous professional and blood diseases. development and training For the 20th consecutive programs to encourage the year, NBK organized Iftar education and professional banquets for fasters during development of Kuwait’s the Holy Month of Ramadan. youth,” added Al-Mattar.

Throughout the year, NBK As part of its commitment also organized several social to providing job opportuniawareness programs includties to new graduates, NBK Manal Al-Mattar ing blood donation drives actively recruited more than and breast cancer awareness 243 Kuwaitis, reaffirming its position as a leader among private sector campaigns.

NBK’s Annual Walkathon in its 19th year institutions in Kuwait recruiting and hiring attracted thousands of participants from all national manpower.

During 2013, NBK has provided more ages and both genders.

As an environment-friendly bank, NBK than 90 training programs including NBK Academy, the Summer Internship Program has launched a range of initiatives - includand the first of its kind in the region NBK ing beach cleanup, energy saving, paper Advanced Academy for high fliers. NBK pro- recycling and desert campsite cleanup camvided more than 1600 training opportuni- paigns.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Iraq troops arrest leading Sunni MP in violent raid

Erdogan under fire after new round of protests Page 9

Page 8

Indian train inferno kills 26

PUTTAPARTHI, India: Indian rescue personnel use a stretcher to carry a body near a charred carriage of the Nanded-Bangalore Express in Ananthpur district yesterday after a fire engulfed the train. (Inset) A policeman inspects the damage inside a carriage of the train. — AFP/AP

NEW DELHI: Fire raced through an Indian train carriage packed with sleeping passengers yesterday, killing at least 26 people, and forcing terrified passengers to smash windows in a frantic bid to escape. Some passengers were able to break the train’s toilet cabin windows, but other victims were overcome by the thick, swirling smoke and bodies were found heaped at the windows and doors. “We woke up to the screams of ‘fire, fire!’. Everybody was screaming,” one survivor, identified as Patil, told The Press Trust of India news agency.

Another survivor, Sharad, recalled: “We were all asleep. All of a sudden, we all woke up to a burning sensation.” “There was chaos. We realised the bogie (carriage) was burning,” Sharad said, adding he broke the glass pane of a toilet cabin enabling three people to escape.

“But I could not save my wife and maternal uncle,” he said in tears. Rescue officials said many bodies were charred beyond recognition and would have to undergo DNA tests to determine their identity.

“Rescue teams have so far recovered 26 bodies from the three-tier coach of the train while five of the eight injured have been admitted to hospital for emergency treatment,” South Western Railway spokesman S Biswas told AFP. Two of the dead were children, officials said. Forensic teams were on their way to the train site to collect body sam-

ples for analysis. Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh expressed “shock and grief at the loss of life in the train accident in Andhra Pradesh” in a statement on his official Twitter account.

The carriage was gutted by the inferno and was a mass of twisted metal and melted plastic seats. Adjacent coaches also bore scorch marks, testifying to the ferocity of the fire.

There were conflicting reports about the number in the carriage with police saying 65 while national Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said there were 67 people, sleeping six to a compartment. Kharge told AFP the blaze was believed to have been caused by an electricity fault.

Exit doors locked India’s underfunded, accident-prone rail network, one of the world’s largest, is still the main form of long-distance travel in the huge country despite fierce competition from private airlines. The coach caught fire in the predawn hours as it travelled from the hightech city of Bangalore to Nanded, 300 km from Hyderabad city. The exit doors of Indian trains are customarily locked at night, reports said, while the carriage windows are covered with bars, making escape all but impossible. The toilet windows are the only ones that have no bars and the spaces and berths are narrow.

“We were suffocating because we couldn’t get

the windows open, the windows are really strong,” one young man, who lost his cousin to the flames, told India’s NDTV news.

The tragedy comes a little over a year after another train accident in the same state of Andhra Pradesh killed 32 people and shone the spotlight again on the Indian rail network’s dismal safety record. That train was also carrying sleeping passengers and was also attributed to an electrical fault. It was not immediately known whether more bodies would be found, police said. Initial relief efforts were hampered by winter fog, local reports said, while the first people to reach the blazing train carriage were from nearby villages.

Railways Minister Kharge said the railway board chairman would lead an inquiry into the cause of the accident and a more complete report would be issued later. The engine driver stopped the train when he spotted flames about an hour away from Nanded, a police officer was quoted on The Hindu newspaper website as saying. Rescue workers brought out the bodies as the smoke abated. The prime minister said he had told railway and state government authorities “to extend all possible help to the victims in rescue and relief operations”. India’s worst rail accident was in 1981 when a train plunged into a river in the eastern state of Bihar, killing an estimated 800 people. — AFP

Bahrain oppn chief arrested DUBAI: Bahrain police have arrested Ali Salman, head of the main Shiite opposition bloc Al-Wefaq that has spearheaded protests against the authorities in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, the group said yesterday. “Al-Wefaq can confirm that Sheikh Ali Salman has been arrested,” it said in a brief statement. “He is in detention after a series of illegal measures which comprised summonsing him to the office of criminal investigation and bringing him before a public prosecutor,” the statement added, without elaborating. There was no immediate word from the authorities on the reported arrest.

In a separate statement, Al-Wefaq said supporters of the 48-year-old Salman gathered outside his home in central Manama after hearing of his arrest. It said they were holding up pictures of the group’s leader and “demanding his immediate release”. However, security forces quickly intervened to disperse the protesters, Al-Wefaq said, denouncing the use of tear gas against them.

Al-Wefaq, the most important opposition grouping in Shiite-majority Bahrain, wants a constitutional monarchy in the Gulf nation ruled by the Al-Khalifa dynasty. It repeatedly says it rejects violence, but the authorities in turn blame its supporters for the trouble that has shaken the country. A month-long protest that erupted on Feb 14, 2011, was dispersed in a mid-March deadly crackdown helped by security forces from neighbouring Saudi Arabia. At least 89 people have been killed in Bahrain since the Arab Spring-inspired protests erupted, according to the

Sheikh Ali Salman

International Federation for Human Rights.

Demonstrators frequently clash with security forces in Shiite villages outside the capital.

The judicial authorities have stepped up the number of trials of Shiites charged with attacking the police, and protests in Manama have been banned. King Hamad in August ordered stiffer penalties for “terror acts”. These

include a minimum 10-year jail term for an attempted bombing. If such attacks cause casualties, the sentence can be life imprisonment or the death penalty. Bahrain, a strategic archipelago just across the Gulf from Shiite Iran, is the home base of the US Fifth Fleet and Washington is a long-standing ally of the ruling Sunni dynasty. — AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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

Lebanon ‘microcosm of regional conflicts’ BEIRUT: A Beirut car bomb that killed an antiSyria politician underscores how Lebanon has become a “microcosm of regional conflicts”, with violence escalating as Damascus and its ally Tehran become more emboldened, analysts say.

Friday’s bombing that killed seven people including Mohammad Chatah, a voice of moderation and a Sunni member of Lebanon’s anti-Syria March 14 coalition, will also further fuel SaudiIranian animosity, the experts say. “This latest political assassination reflects much more than a simple spillover of the Syrian war. I think we’re past that stage, and we have now entered a fullfledged Saudi-Iranian proxy war,” said Paris-based expert Karim Bitar.

“The intense polarisation in Lebanon makes it easy for Iran and Saudi Arabia” to settle scores here, “and the country has zero immunity,” said Bitar, of the French Institute for International and Strategic Studies (IRIS). Lebanon is sharply divided over the war in neighbouring Syria. Tehranbacked Hezbollah backs President Bashar AlAssad’s regime, while the March 14 coalition supports the revolt that broke out in 2011. Damascus ended its 30-year domination of Lebanon in 2005, but continues to exert significant influence over the country through its ally Hezbollah.

The Shiite group has thrown its weight behind Assad’s regime in Syria’s war, sending political and sectarian tensions in Lebanon soaring. Lina Khatib, who heads the Carnegie Middle East Centre, described Lebanon as “a microcosm of regional conflicts, and it would be fanciful to assume that it would manage to escape the security repercussions of the Syrian conflict”. And with the West all but silent on Syria, Assad and his allies in Iran and Lebanon are feeling “more empowered following the international negotiations about nuclear and chemical weapons,” said Khatib.

Chatah’s killing comes in the context of “a series of attacks and counter-attacks targeting opposing

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman presenting his condolences to the wife of slain former finance minister Mohamed Chatah yesterday. — AFP

political camps in the country,” she added.

Last month, twin suicide blasts hit the Iranian embassy in Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold, killing at least 25 people. That attack came after two car bombs in south Beirut in summer.

One of them, on Aug 15, killed 27 people. “The attacks (against both sides of Lebanon’s political divide) are aimed at destabilising Lebanon and pulling it closer to the Syrian conflict,” said Khatib.

Heading for escalation IRIS’ Bitar said attacks against both March 14 and Hezbollah targets are both “pure, unadulterated terrorism,” but emphasised that “the modus

operandi and rationale are very different”. Starting in 2005, nine anti-Assad politicians and intellectuals have been assassinated in attacks widely blamed on Syria. Two other security officials and a general were also killed. This string of killings started years before the Syrian revolt, and with the latest assassination, “Syria might be sending the message that it is still able to destabilise Lebanon if its influence and interests are not preserved,” said Bitar. As for the attacks against Hezbollah targets, “they are part of a wider regional power struggle between rival intelligence services (and) the consequence of rising Sunni-Shiite animosity.”

Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia backs Hariri’s camp in Lebanon and has supported, along with Qatar, Syrian rebels against Assad’s regime. With Saudi-Iranian rivalry at an all-time high, it is likely the attacks Lebanon is suffering will only escalate. “Only an Iranian-Saudi rapprochement can put an end to such crimes, and it seems far off,” said Bitar.

Meanwhile, the elimination of moderates like Chatah benefits extremists on both sides of the Shiite-Sunni divide. “Lebanese moderates no longer have a word to say and two mutually reinforcing Sunni and Shiite extremisms are now left alone,” said Bitar. Imad Salamey, who teaches politics at the Lebanese American University, agreed, warning that Iran will be the main beneficiary of heightened Sunni extremism. “If this continues, what we will be left with is... Sunni extremists leading the Sunni communities,” Salamey warned.

“These extremists are presented as hostile to the West, as hostile to moderate solutions... and therefore this will give the upper hand to... the Iranian proxy groups... and will make them look like the moderates.”

The attack comes in the midst of a Lebanese domestic political crisis. For eight months, Lebanon has had no government, and March 14 and Hezbollah appear further than ever from reaching a deal. Salamey said: “I think it is very possible that a new series of assassinations and car bombs will begin taking place... as both parties... are stuck, and are unable to come up with an acceptable solution to either side.”

Friday’s bombing is also seen in some quarters as a warning shot ahead of the start on January 16 of the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon, tasked with investigating the 2005 assassination of Lebanese former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.

Five Hezbollah members have been accused of involvement in Hariri’s killing and are due to be tried in absentia by the court. — AFP

Libya briefly holds 4 US military personnel

RAMADI: Iraqis armed with automatic weapons march during a protest against the arrest of MP Ahmed Al-Alwani (inset) yesterday. — AFP/AP

Iraq troops arrest Sunni lawmaker in violent raid MP’s brother, bodyguards killed in fighting RAMADI: Iraqi security forces yesterday raided the home of a Sunni MP who backs anti-government protesters, arresting him and sparking clashes that killed his brother and five guards, police said. The raid threatens to inflame widespread discontent among Iraq’s Sunni Arab minority and could compound rampant violence plaguing the country. A police major said automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers were fired in the clashes that erupted during the raid on MP Ahmed AlAlwani’s home in Ramadi, west of Baghdad.

Alwani’s brother and five guards were killed, while 18 people, including 10 security forces members, were wounded, according to two police officers and a doctor from the Ramadi hospital. The defence ministry said Alwani’s brother Ali, who was wanted on terrorism charges, was the target of the raid, which took place at about 4:00 am (0100 GMT ). When security forces arrived, the two brothers and their guards opened fire, killing one security forces member and wounding five, said a ministr y statement. Ali and two guards were wounded and taken to hospital, while Ahmed was arrested.

A blurry image of Ahmed Al-Alwani, his head down and his face apparently bruised, was posted on the Iraqi special forces’ Facebook page, with a caption indicating he had been arrested by counter-terrorism forces. Hundreds of people armed with automatic weapons protested at Alwani’s home in Ramadi after the raid, an AFP journalist said. “With soul, with blood, we sacrifice for you, doctor,” they shouted, referring to the MP. Speaker questions legality of arrest Parliament speaker Osama Al-Nujaifi, a Sunni, sharply criticised the arrest and described it as “treading on the core of the Iraqi constitution and a clear violation of its articles”. Nujaifi said in a statement that MPs have immunity and added he was dispatching a parliamentary delegation

to Anbar province, where the raid occurred, to investigate the case. However, the constitution says MPs can be arrested without parliament waiving immunity if they are caught committing a serious crime, which security forces may argue in Alwani’s case.

Alwani, in his 40s and serving his second term as an MP, is a well-known supporter of Sunni Arab anti-government protesters camped on a highway near Ramadi, and has frequently spoken at the site. Protests broke out in Sunni Arab-majority areas of Iraq late last year after the arrest of guards of then-finance minister Rafa AlEssawi, an influential Sunni Arab politician, on terrorism charges. The arrests were seen by Sunnis as just the latest example of the Shiiteled government targeting one of their leaders.

In Dec 2011, guards of vice president Tareq Al-Hashemi, another prominent Sunni politician, were arrested and accused of terrorism, while he fled the country and has since been given multiple death sentences for charges including murder. The demonstrations have tapped into longstanding grievances of Sunnis, who say they are both marginalised by the Shiite-led government and unfairly targeted with heavy-handed tactics by security forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, a Shiite, meanwhile said on Dec 22 that the protest site near Ramadi had become “a headquarters for the leadership of Al-Qaeda,” giving those not affiliated with the group a “very short period” to leave before security forces move in. Sunni discontent has been a key factor in the sharp surge in violence in Iraq this year, boosting recruitment for militant groups, pushing them to carry out attacks and eroding cooperation with security forces.

But while the government has made some concessions aimed at placating Sunni Arabs, including freeing prisoners and raising the salaries of anti-Al-Qaeda fighters, underlying issues remain unaddressed. The last major security operation at a protest site, near the northern

town of Hawijah on April 23, sparked clashes in which dozens of people were killed. Nationwide death tolls from violence then spiked, reaching a level not seen since 2008, when the country was just emerging from a brutal period of sectarian killings.

The violence continued yesterday, with attacks by suicide bombers and gunmen killing eight people in Iraq, among them four police and two soldiers, and wounding 11.

More than 6,700 people have been killed in violence since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources. — AFP

WASHINGTON: Four US military personnel have been freed after a brief detention by the Libyan government, the US State Department said yesterday. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki, who hours earlier announced that the Americans had been detained, did not say why they were held. “All four US military personnel being held in Libyan government custody have been released,” Psaki said in a brief statement just after midnight Friday. “We are still trying to ascertain the facts of the incident.”

According to Psaki, the four “were operating in an area near Sabratha as part of security preparedness efforts when they were taken into custody”. Sabratha, known for its Roman ruins, is located some 65 km west of the capital Tripoli. “We value our relationship with the new Libya,” Psaki said. “We have a strategic partnership based on shared interests and our strong support for Libya’s historic democratic transition.”

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the four were released just two hours after the US State Department announced their detention. The military staff were attached to the security team at the US embassy in Tripoli and may have been scouting escape routes for possible future use by diplomats, The New York Times reported, citing unnamed US officials.

The personnel were detained at a checkpoint and moved to the interior ministry, according to the Times.

A Libyan security source said the Americans had been travelling in two cars, one of which was stopped at a checkpoint near Al-Ajailat, south of Sabratha. A Reuters photographer who arrived later at the scene saw a burned out, four-wheel drive vehicle.

“Their car burned out,” the security source said. A police official told the photographer the car was set on fire after the arrest, but did not explain the circumstances. The Americans’ second car was stopped by security forces close to Sabratha, a coastal town, the Libyan source said. Passport pictures said to belong to the four were posted on Twitter.

Neither the identity of the Americans nor the authenticity of those photos could be confirmed. The Libyan security source said one of the Americans was of Libyan origin and another carried a second passport.

Americans in Libya have been targeted more than once since 2011, when the regime of strongman Moamer Kadhafi was overthrown by local rebel groups backed by US and NATO airpower. In Sept 2012 four people, including the US ambassador to Libya, were killed in an attack on the US consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi by Islamist gunmen with alleged Al-Qaeda ties.

In mid-November, the State Department revealed that since January it has been quietly offering a $10 million reward to help track down the militants behind the attack.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens, a popular diplomat and fluent Arabic speaker, was the first US ambassador killed while on duty in three decades. The assault quickly became a political football, with opposition Republicans blaming then secretary of state Hillary Clinton of failing to properly protect the envoy. And earlier this month an American teacher was gunned down during his morning jog in Benghazi in an attack blamed on Islamist extremists.

Libya’s new authorities have struggled to integrate the rebel groups that helped topple the Kadhafi regime into the regular armed forces. Militias have carved out their own fiefdoms, each with its own ideology and regional allegiances. In November, Secretary of State John Kerry and his British counterpart William Hague met in London with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan and agreed to help Libya crack down on militia violence. The Pentagon also said that the US military was prepared to train between 5,000 and 8,000 Libyan army troops at a base in Bulgaria. There were also plans to train a separate counter-terrorism unit, said Admiral William McRaven, commander of US Special Operations Command. But Libya and the United States have also had disagreements: in early October, US commandos seized senior alleged Al-Qaeda figure Abu Anas Al-Libi - indicted for the twin 1998 bombings of US embassies in east Africa - on the streets of Tripoli and whisked him away to custody aboard a warship. The suspect was then moved to New York, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Libi’s capture embarrassed the Libyan government, which denounced it as “kidnapping” and claimed it had not been given advance notice of the seizure. — AFP

Air strike in Aleppo kills 25 BEIRUT: Helicopters dropped TNT-packed barrels on a vegetable market and next to a hospital in Syria’s northern city Aleppo yesterday, killing at least 25 civilians including two children, a watchdog said. “The number of people killed has risen to 25 including two women, four children, a teenager and a media activist,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, updating its earlier toll. “The number is likely to rise further because several people have been critically injured,” the Britain-based group added. The Syrian Revolution General Commission, a network of activists on the ground, described the bombing as a “massacre”.

“The raid targeted a crowded market where people were buying vegetables and home appliances,” it said. “Many buildings have been damaged, and one collapsed.” The Observatory and activists in Aleppo say President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime has waged a massive aerial offensive against the city and nearby villages since Dec 15, killing more than 400 people, mostly civilians. Warplanes have launched rockets and helicopters dropped so-called barrel bombs, often on densely populated rebel-held areas, terrorising residents.

Human rights organisations as well as Arab and Western countries have condemned the offensive as “indiscriminate” and “unlawful”, but Assad’s regime says it is targeting “terrorists”. Activists distributed footage of the badly damaged market area. “We have picked up pieces of children’s bodies - they were there with two women and a man,” said one man, pointing towards a destroyed vehicle. “Inside the

car there were bodies of women with their heads severed. We put the remains in bags... May God take his vengeance against you, tyrant,” he added of Assad. According to Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman, the regime is using the same tactic for Aleppo city as it has for other besieged, rebel-controlled areas. “The regime wants to take back rebel areas through an air offensive, terrorising the civilians and pushing out the rebels,” said Abdel Rahman. “It will then try to besiege these areas, even if it doesn’t have enough troops for that right now,” he added.

Activists said Ahmad Al-Hajji, an independent anti-regime activist, was among those killed. They distributed a recording of Hajji taking part in a discussion on Syria that had been broadcast live on an official television channel months into the anti-Assad revolt. “Stop treating us like idiots,” Hajji had said, calling on “all media (in Syria), both public and private... to show how the demonstrations are being suppressed. We should be protecting these demonstrations.”—AFP Syria’s war broke out after Assad’s regime unleashed a brutal crackdown on dissent when an Arab Spring-style revolt calling for change erupted. Elsewhere in Aleppo province, helicopters dropped barrel bombs near Aleppo prison, which has been under siege by the jihadist Al-Nusra Front and other Islamist groups for eight months.

The Observatory says the warplanes and helicopters are using air bases in Aleppo province, notably Nairab east of the provincial capital. — AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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

Erdogan under fire after new round of protests PM facing biggest challenge to power

BANGUI: Chadian civilians sit in the back of trucks in the 4th district of Bangui as they flee the city yesterday. — AFP

Chadian civilians flee attacks, threats in CAR BANGUI: Hundreds more Chadian civilians prepared Saturday to flee to their home country after facing repeated attacks and threats from majority Christians in the strife-torn Central African Republic. The Chadians were seen piling into a convoy of several dozen cars and taxis in the capital Bangui under the taunts of angry residents looking on. French peacekeepers kept the protesters at a distance from the convoy as the Chadians jostled to cram their personal belongings into the cars. A first convoy of Chadian civilians left Friday, also under the jeers of angry protesters.

Military and humanitarian officials said at least one civilian was killed and several children were wounded when Chadian soldiers protecting the convoy threw grenades into the crowd.

The land convoys are in addition to an air bridge set up by the Chadian government that the International Organisation for Migration says has evacuated some 3,000 people in the past week. Yesterday, one of the Chadians, Abdoulaye Saken, who was fleeing along with his wife and four children, told AFP: “I wanted to take my family to the airport (where French and African peacekeepers are based) to get them to safety, but we were blocked by civilians. Fortunately the French army is protecting us now.”

The mass exodus is unprecedented despite the former French colony’s long history of unrest and follows weeks of violence pitting majority Christians against Muslims, who make up about one-fifth of the population. Only 30,000 Chadians are officially registered with the Central African authorities, but they are

thought to number in the hundreds of thousands, many of them going back generations.

French and African troops - including a Chadian contingent - are struggling to contain the unrest that has wracked the impoverished country since a March coup by mostly Muslim Seleka rebels who installed Michel Djotodia as interim president - the country’s first Muslim leader.

The aftermath of the coup saw many former rebels - including some from Chad - carry out abuses against Christians, who in turn set up vigilante squads seeking revenge. More than 1,000 people are believed to have been killed in three weeks of sectarian violence in Bangui alone. Soldiers from mainly Muslim Chad, which lies to the north of the Central African Republic, have been accused of siding with the Seleka force, and the African Union has said the Chadians will redeploy outside the capital to avoid tensions.

The United Nations said Friday it would speed up planning for a possible UN peacekeeping force to the country following a plea from French President Francois Hollande for the world body to “play a still bigger role” in the troubled country. The accusations against the Chadians have been fanned by several incidents, including one on Monday when Burundian troops in the African Union force said Chadian soldiers opened fire on them as they were disarming former rebels. The same day, Chadian peacekeepers fired on a stonethrowing crowd of mostly Christian protesters, killing one man and wounding around 40 more.—AFP

ISTANBUL: Turkey’s embattled Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was to address a political rally yesterday in a bid to muster support after a fresh round of protests demanding that he step down over a spiralling corruption scandal. The conservative prime minister, who has dug in his heels over the crisis that has led to the resignation of three ministers, was to speak in the southern city of Manisa later yesterday.

On Friday, police forcibly dispersed thousands of anti-government demonstrators in the capital Ankara and commercial hub Istanbul, leaving at least two people injured.

Erdogan is facing the biggest challenge to his 11 years in power because of the probe that has savaged his government, prompted party resignations and pushed the country’s currency to a record low. Yesterday, a prominent editorialist wrote an open letter to Erdogan warning him to end his feud with the judiciary that has seen him sack dozens of police officers involved in the corruption probe. “This crisis will destroy not only you... It will destroy all of us,” Ahmet Hakan wrote in an open letter to Erdogan in the Hurriyet daily. “You cannot survive this crisis by defying the judiciary, defying the prosecutors, defying the courts,” he wrote.

“Please give up this mentality of ‘I won’t hand my inner circle over to the justice’.”

Erdogan has also decreed that investigating police now inform their superiors before launching probes demanded by public prosecutors. But Turkey’s top court on Friday blocked the government decree, which it said would cause “irrevocable damage”. Political analysts link the high-level probe to simmering tensions between Erdogan’s government and followers of influential Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen, who lives in exile in the United States.

The so-called Gulen movement includes prominent members of the judiciary and the police.

lowed by a presidential ballot in August and legislative elections in 2015. In Istanbul on Friday, police used tear gas, water cannon and plastic bullets against the demonstrators, who hurled back stones and fireworks. At least two people were hurt after the protest turned violent towards midnight, and local prosecutors said 70 people were arrested.

Protests also took place in eight other cities, local media reported. At the Istanbul rally,

ANKARA: People hold hosepipes, which in Turkey have come to symbolize siphoning of public funds, and shout ‘May the thieves’ hands be broken’ as several thousand civil servants gath‘Dangerous political atmosphere’ Murat Belge, a prominent columnist, ered in the city center to protest against corruption and the government of Prime Minister decried what he called a “dangerous political Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday. — AP atmosphere” created by Erdogan’s response to the crisis. “There is no doubt that the corrup- of justice”. “Who are you working for? If you do some protesters held up shoeboxes in refertion is a bad thing. No matter how we are used not explain it, we will release it,” Erdogan said at ence to images of boxes stuffed with millions to it as a nation, it is a bad thing,” he wrote yes- a conference in the northwestern city of of dollars found in the home of one of the corruption probe suspects, the head of the stateterday in Taraf, a mouthpiece for the move- Sakarya.

Erdogan, who has led Turkey since 2002 as controlled Halkbank. The controversial investiment. “But the political atmosphere the prime minister has created after allegations emerged the head of a conservative Islamic-leaning gov- gation led to a comprehensive cabinet reshufis even worse and more dangerous than the ernment, is now seen as increasingly strug- fle after the resignation on Wednesday of three gling to limit damage and hold on to power ministers whose sons were implicated in the corruption itself,” he said.

Erdogan has stood fast in claiming develop- ahead of local polls in March, which will be fol- high-level probe. — AFP

South Sudan rivals under pressure to end violence JUBA: International pressure bore down yesterday on the two sides in South Sudan’s bloody violence to open peace talks to keep the young nation from sliding into civil war. East African and Horn of Africa peace brokers gave President Salva Kiir and de facto rebel leader Riek Machar, whom Kiir sacked as vice president in July, until Dec 31 to start face-to-face talks and stop two weeks of fighting that is thought to have left thousands dead. “The communication is to both sides, and I think both sides have heard it loud and clear,” Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesman Dina Mufti said Saturday.

His country has spearheaded attempts to end the fierce battles for control over several strategic oil-producing areas notably in the north of the country. The United Nations, Washington and Beijing are also pressing for talks. “IGAD (the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development pushing for a settlement) has already come out with the condition that the contending parties should negotiate within four days beginning from Friday,” Mufti said. “So we are awaiting results.”

Both sides have agreed to the idea of negotiations without setting a date. IGAD spokesmen said President Kiir had on Friday expressed willingness for an “immediate” ceasefire though Machar would not immediately commit to a truce. The rebel leader said he first wanted a mechanism to monitor any ceasefire as well as the release of his political allies arrested when trouble first broke out, in a satellite telephone interview with the BBC from an undisclosed location. Yesterday, rebel spokesman Moses Ruai Lat insisted that those close to Machar be released, especially Pagan Amum since the former vice president had named him to lead the negotiating team.

The conflict, fuelled by an old rivalry between Kiir and Machar, has fanned ethnic differences between Kiir’s Dinka group and Machar’s Nuer clan in the country, which won independence from Sudan, on its northern border, in 2011.

Reports of massacres, rapes and murders have emerged in recent days. The United Nations - whose hard-pressed peacekeepers are to be doubled to more than 12,000 - said one mass grave had been discovered and large numbers of uncollected bodies were seen outside at least one UN base. The fighting erupted Dec 15 after Kiir accused his former vice president of trying to mount a coup. Machar has denied the allegation and retorted that Kiir was trying to eliminate his rivals.

Rebels quickly took control of a few key regional cities including Bentiu, in the northern oil-producing state of Unity,

ments were a “smear campaign” mounted by obscure international forces. “Those who call it a corruption inquiry are corrupt themselves,” he told a large crowd of his supporters on Friday as he arrived in Istanbul from a political rally in the northwest. A Turkish prosecutor said Thursday he had been prevented from expanding the corruption investigation, alleging pressure on the judiciary. But Erdogan hit back at Muammer Akkas, calling him “the black sheep

as well as Bor, the capital of eastern Jonglei state which was recaptured by the army on Tuesday. Yesterday, South Sudan army spokesman Philip Aguer told AFP that all was calm in the main flashpoint areas of recent days, including Malakal, capital of the oil-rich northeastern Upper Nile state, in Bor and in Unity state where the army said it pushed back rebel attacks on Friday.

‘If attacked you respond’ Aguer insisted his troops would implement any truce agreed by the government and rebels but vowed they would riposte if attacked. “Definitely if you are attacked you will have to respond,” the army spokesman said. The death toll nationwide is said to be several thousand. The United Nations has said more than 120,000 residents have been displaced since the conflict started. A source at the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the Sudanese capital Khartoum told AFP that the agency was investigating reports that hundreds of South Sudanese have fled across the border into neighbouring Sudan.

Pressure is also coming from other countries to halt the fighting, including the United States - which supported South Sudan’s independence and has been its main economic backer. Washington again this week threatened to cut aid if the Kiir government is toppled. Washington has said envoys remain in constant touch with both sides. China, which has invested heavily in the South Sudan oil sector, said Thursday it would soon send a special envoy to make contact with both sides. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon this week condemned the ethic attacks as “a grave violation of human rights” and warned that those responsible would be “held accountable”.

The United Nations sent in the first peacekeeping reinforcements on Friday - a 72-member UN police unit from Bangladesh - and more troops and equipments were expected to arrive Saturday. In all, 6,000 extra peacekeepers will be deployed along with air equipment to help protect the tens of thousands of civilians huddling near UN bases. The extra troops will almost double the size of the UNMISS mission in the country to a total of up to 12,500 soldiers and 1,300 police.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, became independent after a civil war that killed more than two million people between 1983 and 2005. — AFP

JUBA: A wounded man walks on crutches in a courtyard at the Juba Military Hospital yesterday. — AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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

Reports of sexual assaults in US military on rise WASHINGTON: Heightened attention to the crime of sexual assault in the US military may be causing more people to come forward and report problems. Defense officials cite the increased awareness as a possible reason the number of reported sexual assaults rose by more than 50 percent this year.

More than 5,000 reports of sexual assault were filed during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, compared to the 3,374 in 2012, according to early data obtained by The Associated Press. About 10 percent of the 2013 reports involved incidents that occurred before the victim got into the military, up from just 4 percent only a year ago. That increase, officials said, suggests that confidence in the system is growing and that victims are more willing to come forward. While cautious in their conclusions, officials said surveys, focus groups and repeated meetings with service members throughout the year suggest that the number

of actual incidents - from unwanted sexual contact and harassment to violent assaults remained largely steady.

A string of high-profile assaults and arrests triggered outrage in Congress and set off months of debate over how to change the military justice system. Military leaders launched a series of programs intended to beef up accountability and encourage victims to report crimes.

“Given the multiple data points, we assess that this is more reporting,” said Col. Alan R. Metzler, deputy director of the Pentagon’s sexual assault prevention and response office. He also noted that more victims are agreeing to make official complaints, rather than simply seeking medical care without filing formal accusations. The military has long struggled to get victims to report sexual harassment and assault in a stern military culture that emphasizes rank, loyalty and toughness. Too often, victims have

complained that they were afraid to report assaults to ranking officers, or that their initial complaints were rebuffed or ignored.

Underreporting As a result, the crime has been vastly underreported - a fact that became evident when officials announced earlier this year that an anonymous survey had revealed that about 26,000 service members reported some type of unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault.

According to the latest numbers, the increase in reports across the services ranges from a low of about 45 percent for the Air Force to a high of 86 percent for the Marines, the smallest service.

The Navy had an increase of 46 percent and the Army, by far the largest military service, had a 50 percent jump. Jill Loftus, director of the Navy’s sexual assault program, which also includes the Marine Corps, said the increase in reporting also suggests that more service members are starting

to understand what types of behavior constitute harassment or assault. She said that based on Navy surveys, “we are not seeing a perception that the number of incidents are going up.”

“More likely, we have people who understand what sexual assault is,” she said. And, she said, officials are hearing that more people are comfortable coming forward.

Meanwhile, a myriad of sexual assault arrests and scandals, including an Air Force commander’s decision to dismiss sex assault charges against another officer who had been convicted of multiple offenses, got the attention of Congress. And it all led to a series of often emotional public hearings in which victims described their experiences.

As Congress debated changes in the military’s justice system, the Pentagon and the services instituted new training programs that targeted rank-and-file service members as well as top commanders and officers. Several of the

new programs were aimed at encouraging service members to be more vigilant, and to look out for each other and intercede if they saw a bad situation developing. There also were moves to restrict alcohol sales, since drinking has long been associated with sexual assault and harassment. By year’s end, after lengthy negotiations between Capitol Hill and the Pentagon, lawmakers passed legislation that beefs up legal rights for victims and strips military commanders of their ability to overturn jury convictions. It also requires a civilian review if a commander declines to prosecute a case and requires that any individual convicted of sexual assault face a dishonorable discharge or dismissal. Defense officials beat back efforts to more drastically revamp the military justice system that would take authority away from commanders and allow victims of rape and sexual assault to go outside the chain of command for prosecutions. —AP

US releases Newtown massacre documents Murderous rampage of Adam Lanza NEW YORK: American schoolchildren were slaughtered in a hail of bullets after packing like sardines into a bathroom in a doomed bid to escape the murderous rampage of Newtown gunman Adam Lanza.

Harrowing details about last year’s mass shooting were revealed on Friday when US police released thousands of pages of documents, photographs and recordings from their investigation.

cers who arrived at the scene on December 14, 2012 said he discovered a “massive pile up” of corpses in the bathroom of one classroom in the small Connecticut town. “There appeared to be about 15 bodies in the small room and several bodies, including, two adults near the entrance to the room,” said the officer, Christopher Vanghele.

An adult victim lay across the dead

classroom door.

The shooter interrupted them and “opened fire on the mass of children and adults... it was clear that no one had survived”. Other files said Lanza was dressed almost entirely in black, his clothes-shirts, trousers, boxer shorts, socks, sneakers, fingerless gloves and a belt stained with blood and gunpowder.

According to an FBI incident report

A photograph of Nancy Lanza (bottom left), one of the 27 people killed by Adam Lanza in the Sandy Hook village of Newtown, Conn., appears on a board at a makeshift memorial in Newtown, Connecticut. —AP Lanza murdered 20 first graders and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, using a rifle taken from his suburban mother’s legally acquired home defense arsenal. The troubled 20-year-old killer wore yellow ear plugs that muffled the screams of his victims. After committing one of the country’s worst school massacres-in less than 11 minutes-he shot himself in the mouth. One of the first police offi-

children, who were stacked “two or three high” and packed in “like sardines,” probably by the teachers when they heard gunshots. “As the pile got higher it appeared that there was a mad scramble to get into the bathroom, with people stepping on one another and climbing on top of each other,” he said. There was no longer any space for the teachers to get in, but in the panic they failed to lock the outer

he ducked into a classroom and turned a weapon on himself after two law enforcement officers arrived, shattering his brain and skull, according to the attached forensics analysis.

Gun law in focus The massacre, just one in what was then a series of deadly shooting sprees across the United States, inspired a short-lived and ultimately

failed drive to tighten American gun ownership rules.

According to another witness interviewed by the FBI, Lanza and his mother Nancy owned at least four firearms, which were kept in a gun safe in the school shooter’s bedroom closet.

Witness testimony, which has been redacted to remove some names and other identifying details, also revealed little known details about Lanza, who suffered from Asperger’s Syndrone.

The gunman was a vegan, interested in Japanese techno music and had been taking Chinese lessons. He also knew how to build a computer from scratch by assembling spare parts. His mother at one point took him out of school because he was sensitive to sound and light and photographs showed various windows taped over with white plastic and black bin liners.

Lanza carried out the murders the morning after his mother Nancy returned from a few days away, which she told one friend had been an “experiment” to allow him to stay home alone. She told friends she was thinking about moving to the western state of Washington or to North Carolina to enrol her son at a special school or get him a job to make him more self-sufficient.

The investigation was unable to find a motive other than to conclude that the killer was obsessed with mass murders and had “significant mental health issues”.

Nancy and Adam Lanza were said to have been close, with the mother not afraid of her son, but allegedly afraid for him. Earlier this month, US authorities released recordings of emergency calls made by trapped and terrified people from within the school as the killer stalked the classrooms.

Lanza drove to Sandy Hook Elementary having that morning fatally shot his mother in the head as she lay in bed.

On arrival, he killed the school principal and a psychologist in a hallway, then shot dead two adults each in two first-grade classrooms, and shot 15 children dead in one classroom and five dead in the other. —AFP

Facility found for Calif teen on ventilator OAKLAND: An attorney says a nursing home has agreed to provide long-term care for a 13-yearold girl, who has been declared brain dead but whose family maintains is still alive. A southern California facility agreed after another nursing home backed out, the family ’s lawyer, Christopher Dolan, said Friday. He wouldn’t provide its name, saying “we’re afraid they’ll be inundated with press” and decide to back out as well. Time is short for the family, as Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo on Tuesday ruled that the Children’s Hospital Oakland may remove Jahi McMath from life support at 5 p.m. Monday unless an appeal is filed.

Jahi underwent tonsil surgery at Children’s Hospital on Dec. 9 to treat sleep apnea. After she awoke from the operation, her family said, she started bleeding heavily from her mouth and went into cardiac arrest. Doctors at Children’s Hospital concluded the girl was brain dead on Dec 12 and wanted to remove her from life support. The family said they believe she is still alive.

Before Jahi can be transferred, she must undergo two more medical procedures - the insertion of a breathing tube and a feeding tube, both of which would be necessary for her long-term care but which the nursing home is not equipped to perform.

The hospital has refused to perform the procedures. “Children’s Hospital Oakland does not believe that performing surgical procedures on the body of a deceased person is an appropriate medical practice,” David Durand, its chief of pediatrics, said in a statement Thursday. Douglas Straus, a lawyer for the hospital, said in a letter made public Friday that before the hospital would comply with the family’s request to move Jahi, it would need to speak directly with officials at any nursing home to make sure they understand her condition, “including the fact

that Jahi is brain dead” - and to discuss needed preparations, including transportation.

“Children’s Hospital will of course continue to do everything legally and ethically permissible to support the family of Jahi McMath. In that regard, Children’s will allow a lawful transfer of Jahi’s body in its current state to another location if the family can arrange such a transfer and Children’s can legally do so,” Straus wrote in the letter. He also said the Alameda County coroner needed to sign off on the move “since we are dealing with the body of a person who has been declared legally dead.”

The letter was sent to Dolan after Dolan said he was preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit to force the hospital to outfit Jahi with breathing and feeding tubes. He said the hospital’s refusal to cooperate violated her family’s religious, due process rights and privacy rights.

In fulfillment of the hospital’s request, Dolan said he had held a three-way conference call Friday with Straus and the director of the nursing home. Dolan also told the Associated Press on Friday that he had already obtained signed consent from the coroner for Jahi’s transfer.

The Alameda County Coroner’s Bureau said it had no comment. Jahi’s uncle, Omari Sealey, said earlier on Friday the family was in talks with three nursing homes - two in Los Angeles and one in New York - that might be willing to take her. The girl’s relatives had announced on Thursday that they had found a nursing home in the San Francisco Bay Area that was willing to care for the girl if she had the tubes. Within hours, the hospital’s chief of pediatrics issued a statement saying Children’s would not cooperate because it “does not believe that performing surgical procedures on the body of a deceased person is an appropriate medical practice.” Upon learning of the hospital’s position, that facility backed out. Dolan said

he is hoping the hospital officials will change their mind about the surgery after speaking with the nursing home officials. If they don’t, he said, the family’s options are slim, but he is hoping the Alameda County judge will give them some more time Monday to find a doctor willing to perform the surgeries. —AP

In quest for Obama library, Hawaii plays underdog HONOLULU: President Barack Obama was born and grew up on Hawaii’s shores, soaking in an island sensibility that his family says is part of who he is. Yet in the search for a home for Obama’s future presidential library, Hawaii has become the underdog, stuck in Chicago’s shadow.

Chicago is where Obama was first elected and matured as a political figure, and many of his advisers and closest supporters call Chicago home. Hawaii officials say they understand the library will likely go to Chicago. They’re hoping if that’s the case, Obama will choose to build a presidential center or institute in Hawaii instead. A high-level campaign has been under way for years in Hawaii, where officials have gently pressed Obama’s sister and friends.

They’ve also set aside prime oceanfront property. —AP

French tightrope walker Henri Rechatin walks over the Saint-Remy sur Durolle countryside in central France, in this July 16, 1967 file photo, as he breaks the specialty’s world record of the time. The celebrated French tightrope walker known as Henry’s, who balanced above high the Alps, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, has died Friday, aged 82, the mayor of his home town of St Etienne announced yesterday.—AP

Tightrope walker who tackled Grand Canyon dies PARIS: The celebrated French tightrope walker known as Henry’s, who balanced above high the Alps, the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, has died.

Maurice Vincent, a senator and the mayor of the acrobat’s hometown, said Henry’s died Friday. Henry’s, whose real name was Henri Rechatin, once walked

along the cable that carries cable cars to the summit of the Aiguille du Midi in the Alps. But he is perhaps most famous in France for spending six months atop a cable over a supermarket in his hometown of Saint-Etienne.

He was 82, according to French press reports. —AP

Four dead after LA shootings, 3 hurt LOCKPORT: A nurse embroiled in a custody fight with his ex-wife killed his current wife before shooting his former in-laws and his onetime boss in a rampage that spanned two parishes in Louisiana, leaving three people dead and three wounded. He then fatally shot himself in the head, authorities said. All three survivors remained hospitalized Friday, two in critical condition, Brennan Matherne, a spokesman for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, said in an email. He said deputies are still investigating the motive.

Preliminary evidence shows that Ben Freeman, 38, first killed his wife, Denise Taylor Freeman, 43, before he went on a rampage and shot the others Thursday, Maj. Malcolm Wolfe, of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, wrote in an email. Denise Freeman’s body was found in a bathtub, and an autopsy showed that she suffocated and drowned, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Friday. Ben Freeman then attacked his former inlaws with a shotgun in Lafourche Parish about 45 miles southwest of New Orleans, wounding parish Councilman Louis Phillip Gouaux (pronounced “go”) and Gouaux’s daughter Andrea, Matherne said. Louis Gouaux was shot in the neck, while Andrea Gouaux suffered spinal damage, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. Both were in critical, but stable, condition after surgery Friday in New Orleans, Matherne said. Gouaux’s wife, Susan, was dead when deputies arrived, he said.

About 20 minutes after the first shootings, Freeman arrived at the home of Milton Bourgeois, CEO of Ochsner (OX-ner) St. Anne General Hospital in nearby Raceland, about 8 miles from Lockport.

Bourgeois was shot and killed at close range; his wife, Ann, was shot in the leg and was listed in stable condition at a hospital, Matherne said.

Bourgeois had been CEO of the hospital in Raceland since 1988, Giselle Hecker, spokeswoman for Ochsner Health Systems, said in an email.

Registered nurse Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said Freeman worked at the hospital as a registered nurse until 2011, when he was fired. He said police had been called there previously after Freeman damaged a room. Freeman told officers he would seek mental help, Webre said.

But in a teleconference later Friday, Ochsner officials said Freeman had resigned voluntarily, citing personal reasons. The officials said he had worked at the hospital from May 1998 to April 2011, and that he was considered an on-call employee for another five months after that.

Freeman also had worked at two other hospitals, which along with St. Anne had been placed on lockdown for a time on Thursday. Susan Gouaux - “Pixie” to her friends - was a teachers’ aide at Holy Savior Elementary School. She also was a talented needlewoman and knitter who designed the state bicentennial quilt square for Lafourche Parish and made scarves for all her friends, Parish President Charlotte Randolph said in a telephone interview.

She said that she went to school at one time or another with both Philip and Susan Gouaux, and that Susan Gouaux taught her grandchildren. The couple has six adult daughters.

Gouaux called 911 around 6:40 p.m. Thursday from his home in Lockport, telling dispatchers he had been shot in the throat, The Courier newspaper in Houma (http://bit.ly/1cEpgEk) reported. Freeman was divorced from Gouaux’s daughter Jeanne, whom he married in 1997.

Jeanne (ZHANNE) Gouaux - also a nurse - had filed several protective orders against Freeman, who had pleaded guilty to harassment charges and was allowed only supervised visits with their four children, Webre said. The last protective order expired less than a month ago, he said.

“Clearly, there has been a very difficult and complicated divorce/custody issue going on,” Webre said during a news conference late Thursday.

Freeman pleaded guilty on Oct. 23 to one of two criminal telephone-harassment charges brought on a complaint filed June 19 by Gouaux and her father, Lafourche Parish Clerk of Court Vernon H. Rodrigue said. He was given a deferred sentence of a $250 fine or 10 days in jail, put on unsupervised probation for a year, and the second count of criminal harassment was dismissed, Rodrigue said.

On Nov 27, Ben Freeman was issued a citation for simple battery domestic violence against Denise Freeman, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. A court date had been scheduled for Jan. 16, 2014. Court records show Freeman agreed in June to pay Jeanne Gouaux $22,560 in overdue child support payments dating back two years. A settlement filed the following month showed the couple would sell three adjacent lots near her parents’ house and split the $25,000 in proceeds; Freeman also agreed to pay Gouaux $39,000.

Jeanne Gouaux and the children lived with her parents for a while after the divorce, said Rita Bonvillain (BAHN-vee-yenh), 83, a neighbor of the family for nearly 30 years. She said Andrea Gouaux, a nurse like her sister Jeanne, was visiting from Texas.

Whenever a holiday came, she said, children filled the house and yard. A trampoline, soccer balls and a swing hanging from a big oak in the front yard testified to that.

Bonvillain choked up and held back tears several times as she talked about the Gouauxes. Since her husband died, they regularly have stopped by to ask if she needs groceries or other errands run.

The councilman once told her, “If you ever hear a sound at night and want someone to check it out, call me,” she said. Ben Freeman was found dead around 10:45 p.m. along U.S. Highway 90 near Bayou Blue. He had shot himself in the head.

At Denise Freeman’s house, a man who did not give his name demanded that an Associated Press reporter leave his sister’s property. Others in the neighborhood of quaint middle-class, ranch-style houses in Houma, the Terrebonne Parish seat, said the house was originally hers. —AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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

India anti-graft party takes charge in Delhi ‘Today Delhi, tomorrow the country’

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi

Suu Kyi party to contest 2015 Myanmar elections YANGON, Myanmar: Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party said yesterday that it will contest 2015 parliamentary elections even if the country’s constitution barring her from running for president is not amended. It was the first time the National League for Democracy party announced it would take part in the polls, which Suu Kyi had said cannot be fair unless the constitution is changed.

“I want to say that the NLD will contest the 2015 elections,” National League for Democracy spokesman Nyan Win said at a news conference. Myanmar is a republic where the president is chosen by Parliament rather than directly elected. The NLD expects to do well enough in the 2015 polls to offer its own presidential candidate, and Suu Kyi has expressed an interest in running. The president is usually elected during the first session of Parliament following the general election.

The 2008 constitution was drawn up under Myanmar’s previous military regime to ensure its continuing influence in government. The NLD considers it undemocratic because of clauses giving the military a mandatory allocation of 25 percent of parliamentary seats and disqualifying Suu Kyi from running for president.

The NLD boycotted 2010 elections as undemocratic, but ran in by-elections in 2012 after changes were made in election laws. It won 43 of the 45 seats it contested in both houses of Parliament, with Suu Kyi winning a seat in the lower house. Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has said that “there will be more problems” if the constitution is not changed before the 2015 elections, though she has not said what would happen.

In October, Suu Kyi and her party launched an awareness campaign in many parts of the country to garner public support for amending the constitution. Myanmar’s Parliament formed a Constitution Review Committee in July to recommend changes to the constitution before the 2015 elections. The 109-member committee includes lawmakers from all parties, including Suu Kyi’s party and President Thein Sein’s ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, along with the military’s allotted representatives. The committee will collect suggestions from individuals, organizations and political parties and submit them to Parliament by the end of January.

The NLD decided at a meeting yesterday to send suggestions on changing 168 points from 14 chapters of the constitution, including the article that disqualifies Suu Kyi from becoming president, said Win Myint, a senior party member. Article 59 of the constitution says anyone whose spouse or children owes allegiance to a foreign power cannot become president or vice president. Suu Kyi was married to the late British scholar Michael Aris, and her two sons are foreign citizens.

Constitutional amendments require the consent of more than 75 percent of lawmakers, followed by more than 50 percent approval in a nationwide referendum. —AP

NEW DELHI: The leader of an upstart anti-graft party was sworn in yesterday as chief minister of India’s capital in what supporters hoped would start the clean-up of the nation’s corruption-ridden politics.

Tens of thousands of supporters cheered as 45-year-old Arvind Kejriwal took the oath of office in a public park after living up to his “common man” reputation by riding the subway to the ceremony.

“I will do my duties as a minister honestly,” said Kejriwal, 45, a political outsider who led his Aam Aadmi-Common Man-Party to a stunning showing in state polls this month. The engineer, wearing his trademark Gandhi white cap, said he had no “magic wand” to solve the megacity ’s massive housing, infrastructure and sanitation problems. “But the people, not the police or bureaucrats will run government,” he said, adding, “If we all come together, then we can change the country.”

Supporters held banners reading “Today Delhi, Tomorrow the Country” and waved brooms-the party’s symbol for sweeping away India’s endemic corruption and bribery. Kejriwal told the crowd, estimated by police at up to 100,000, to repeat after him: “I promise I will never give bribes or take bribes.” The party, formed just a year ago, won 28 state seats, reducing the Congress party to just eight seats after famously dismissing Kejriwal as “not even on our radar”.

Congress’s rout in Delhi and three other state polls has been seen as one more sign the powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which has given India three premiers since independence, may lose

office in looming general elections.

The rookie party’s performance will be closely watched to see what it could deliver for the rest of India. Kejriwal has a radical plan to slash electricity costs, sup-

holic. He rises at 4:30 and goes on until 11:30 at night,” Mayank Gandhi, a new minister, told NDTV news channel. Kejriwal’s unprecedented move to use the subway to travel to the oath ceremony echoed a pre-poll pledge to end

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, leader Arvind Kejriwal speaks to the crowd after being sworn-in as chief minister of Delhi in New Delhi yesterday. —AP ply free water and decentralise power.

Revolution The ex-tax inspector called his party’s journey to power a “revolution” and “nothing short of a miracle” but he took no time to celebrate, chairing his first cabinet meeting within hours.

“He’s a simple man, a worka-

the privileged culture surrounding Delhi’s politicians and make his administration down-to-earth.

Kejriwal has said he and his ministers will not occupy the sprawling white bungalows built

by India’s former British colonial rulers. Their cars will also not have the red beacons and sirens allowing them to zip through traffic enjoyed by their predecessors. “I

with outside support from Congress.

“A strong message has gone to the established political system that there is no going away from basic issues of governance,” said commerce chamber president Rana Kapoor. Kejriwal, named news weekly India Today ’s Newsmaker Of The Year, plans to keep living in his modest subur-

ban flat.

“He has emerged as a new moral force in Indian politics,” wrote India Today editor-in-chief Aroon Purie. The Ramlila Maidan where Kejriwal was sworn in is considered ground zero of India’s anti-corruption movement where huge rallies were staged two years ago.

Some obser vers believe Kejriwal’s success could mark the start of a bigger campaign to break the grip of the two main parties, Congress and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, on national politics.

Both parties have been tainted by scandals, but the test would be to swell the Aam Aadmi Party’s strength in time for the May elections.

Kejriwal came to prominence as an adviser to elderly social activist Anna Hazare whose 2011 anti-graft drive galvanised India.

Kejriwal went on to found his own party after the men fell out over strategy. Hazare, now 76, wanted the struggle to remain non-partisan while Kejriwal wanted to enter the electoral fray. Hazare “used to say politics is dirty, but to clear the muck, one has to enter the muck,” Kejriwal said in his speech.

Hazare gave his blessing yesterday to his erstwhile protege, saying, “He (Kejriwal) will do good work.” Kejriwal faces no easy task in governing Delhi, one of the world’s most congested, slum-ridden and polluted cities, lacking proper sanitation and power and whose roads are full of bone-jolting potholes. “I want to see him make a difference,” Munshi, a security guard who goes by one name, said. —AFP

Hundreds held ahead of Bangladesh march Capital cut off from rest of country

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri Muslim women pray inside the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom, commonly known as Sultan-Ul-Arifeen, on the saint’s Urs in Srinagar yesterday. —AP

Pakistan gunmen kill vaccinator PESHAWAR: Gunmen shot dead a health officer supervising an anti-polio vaccination campaign after storming a hospital where children were being immunized in Pakistan’s troubled northwest yesterday, officials said.

Two other hospital staff were injured in the attack at a government-run hospital in the town of Mattani, on the outskirts of Peshawar. Nobody immediately claimed responsibility for the killing, but Taliban militants have been targeting health workers and security personnel during vaccination campaigns. “Two men riding a motorbike stormed the office of an immunization officer located inside the premises of Civil Hospital Mattani and shot him dead,” senior police official Ijaz Khan told AFP.

appeal to my party, let us never become arrogant,” said Kejriwal, whose supporters span many classes from domestic servants to teachers to business entrepreneurs. Business leaders congratulated Kejriwal, who will govern

“Two other local staff of the hospital including a woman were injured in the attack,” he added.

Khan said the gunmen fled on the motorbike soon after the shooting. Provincial health minister of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Shaukat Ali, confirmed the attack.

“Routine immunization of children was going on in the hospital at the time of the attack,” he said.

The Taleban imposed a ban on polio vaccinations last year as they view inoculation campaigns as a cover for espionage. But prominent Pakistani religious scholar, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, known as the “Father of the Taleban”, has urged parents to immunize their children against polio and other life-threatening diseases, saying that vaccinations

were compliant with Sharia. Eradication efforts have also suffered due to long-standing rumours that the vaccine was part of a Western plot to sterilize Muslims.

Pakistan is one of three countries in the world where polio remains endemic and efforts to stamp it out have been badly affected by attacks on health workers inoculating children. Polio is also endemic in Afghanistan and Nigeria.

According to the World Health Organization, Pakistan recorded 72 cases of polio this year compared with 58 in 2012. New Delhi last week announced it would require citizens from Pakistan and other polio-affected nations travelling to India to take a mandatory vaccination for the disease at least six weeks prior to their departure. —AFP

DHAKA: Bangladesh police have rounded up hundreds of opposition supporters, authorities said yesterday, as the capital was virtually cut off from the rest of the country a day before a mass march aimed at derailing January 5 elections. Over 750 people have been arrested over the past two days in a nationwide crackdown on opposition supporters, police officials told AFP. Hundreds of thousands of opposition backers are expected to descend on the country’s capital Sunday to protest the controversial polls. The move came after opposition leader Khaleda Zia vowed Friday to go ahead with the march despite a police ban on the protests citing fears of violence.

Dhaka-bound bus and ferry transports have ground to a halt as operators suspended their services following orders from the government, which has sought to prevent the march, claiming it could trigger widespread violence. Police and security forces have raided houses of opposition supporters and searched trains to arrest supporters, officers told AFP. Of the more than 750 arrested, around 200 opposition activists have been detained in the capital, police said. Police made the arrests “to prevent acts of violence and sabotages” ahead of the opposition protests, Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman told AFP. More than 550 were arrested outside the capital as preventive measures against the march, officials in police control rooms across Bangladesh told AFP. At least 97 passengers were taken off a Dhaka-bound

train in northern Tangail district after police searched it for Islamists accused of attacking police in recent months. “They are being questioned on suspicion of militant connection,” district police chief SM Tanvir said.

The opposition, which is boycotting the elections, has said that up to a million people will descend on the capital in this Sunday’s protest aimed at forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to call off the polls.

Police said they could not give approval for what Zia has called a “March for Democracy” amid fears the protest would become a focal point for more unrest after months of deadly political violence. Bus operators, meanwhile, said the government has stopped their Dhaka-bound services until the end of the march. “We suspended our services following government orders,” Mohammad Faruq Talukder, owner of the country’s largest inter-city bus operator, Sohag Motors, told AFP. “I don’t have any courage to defy a government order,” he said. There was doubt whether Zia would be able to take part in the protest herself with supporters accusing authorities of keeping her under de facto house arrest since Wednesday. Although authorities deny that Zia is under house arrest, they concede that police reinforcements have been posted outside her home in an upmarket district of Dhaka to “enhance security”.

Violence triggered by the election protests and war crime trials of opposition leaders have left at least 273 people dead this year, making it the deadliest since the country’s independence in 1971. —AFP

Security forces kill 6 rebels in N Afghanistan ISLAMABAD: At least six rebels were killed and three others were wounded during a security forces operation in northern Faryab province of Afghanistan, said officials yesterday. The 209th Shahin Military Corps spokesman, Maj. Mohammad Reza said that the weeklong operation by the Afghan National Army (ANA) and police ended yesterday. He added that two militant hideouts were destroyed and 12 villages in Atta Khan area were cleared of fighters as a result of the offensive. He said that two army soldiers were also wounded.

The Civil society council members of Afghanistan, in a recent meeting with United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) representatives, expressed concerns over insecurity in the

province. They demanded more security during the upcoming presidential elections and said that if the situation remained unchanged, people neither would be able to cast their votes nor candidates dare launch their election campaigns.

The Shahin Military Corps spokesman said, “The operation was aimed to set up security checkpoints in the areas and improve the security environment for the upcoming election campaign.” According to local media reports, a Taleban spokesman, Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, claimed to have killed four soldiers of ANA during the offensive. The upcoming presidential and provincial council polls are scheduled to take place on April 5, 2014. —KUNA

AHMADABAD: Gujarat Chief Minister and India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi (centre) waves to supporters during the flagging-off of Statue of Unity campaign vehicles in Ahmadabad. —AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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

This image taken by Andrew Peacock of www.footloosefotography.com yesterday shows (left) passengers stretching their legs on a short excursion off the ship as they wait for the release of the ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, which is trapped in the ice at sea off Antarctica. — AFP

Rescue of stranded Antarctic ship stalls Passengers pin hopes on Australian icebreaker SYDNEY: Passengers onboard a ship stuck in ice off Antarctica were yesterday placing their hopes in the Australian icebreaker hurrying to their remote location, after a Chinese icebreaker failed to free them.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), which is coordinating the rescue of the Russian passenger ship MV Akademik Shokalskiy, said the icebreaker came within six-anda-half nautical miles of the ship but had to stop. “The Chinese vessel unfortunately encountered some heavy ice that it’s not capable of breaking through,” AMSA spokeswoman Andrea Hayward-Maher told AFP. “The rescue... unfortunately has stalled.” The Russian ship, with 74 scientists, tourists and crew on board, has been trapped in ice about 100 nautical miles east of the French base Dumont d’Urville since Tuesday.

The Chinese vessel came tantalisingly close to the stranded ship but it was forced to turn back to open sea once it realised it could not break through. Passengers are now waiting for the arrival, expected late Sunday, of Australia’s Antarctic resupply ship Aurora Australis which has the highest icebreaking rating

of the three vessels originally asked to respond.

It is not yet clear whether the Aurora Australis will be able to go any further than the Chinese vessel, the Snow Dragon. A third ship, the French vessel L’Astrolabe, was released from the rescue mission yesterday. “We all know that there’s a possibility of this becoming quite a protracted sit and wait,” said Andrew Peacock, a passenger onboard the Akademik Shokalskiy, speaking to AFP via satellite phone.

“I think people are just looking at that next step when that second icebreaker arrives.

“We really are just hoping that the... two powerful icebreaker ships will provide the breakage of ice that we need.”

The captain of the Aurora, Murray Doyle, said his ship-which can cut through ice up to 1.35 metres thick or reverse and ram thicker ice to break it up-was always “option B”. “We were always going to be sent on until the end,” he told a Sydney Morning Herald reporter onboard his ship, but admitted the ship was not built to take on ice thicker than three meters. He said trying to break through ice that was too thick would be

“like driving your car into a brick wall’”. Peacock said while there was an element of frustration at the turn of events, passengers had been delighted the Chinese ship had been able to get close to their remote location as quickly as it did.

“It certainly tried hard,” Peacock said, adding it was still visible off the ship’s starboard side when it was not snowing.

AMSA said yesterday it was “assessing options” regarding the rescue of the Russian ship which is approximately 1500 nautical miles south of the southern Australian city of Hobart.

“A helicopter-equipped Chinese-flagged vessel remains in the vicinity to assist if necessary,” it said in a statement. The Akademik Shokalskiy is carrying scientists and tourists who are following the Antarctic path of explorer Sir Douglas Mawson a century ago and Peacock, the expedition’s doctor, said the work was continuing. Some passengers were also walking near the boat, watching the Adelie penguins and ice formations which had formed around the ship in the past few days, he said.

Those onboard have been carrying out the same scientific

experiments Mawson’s team conducted during the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition-the first large-scale Australianled scientific expedition to the frozen continent. Several members of the team have already battled sea ice to reach the historic Mawson’s Huts-built and occupied by the 1911-1914 expedition-which have been isolated for years by a giant iceberg. The group, which includes Australians, New Zealanders and Britons, became stuck when unexpected weather forced their ship into heavy ice. An intense blizzard appears to have increased the build up of ice around them. Peacock said it seemed that the ice floes had pushed up against each other to remodel the once flat landscape since they became stranded.

“Ridges have formed in the night... the ice is quite featured,” he said. “So when we get the midnight sun and the shadows thrown across... it’s absolutely spectacular.”

They have been onboard for three weeks and had planned to return to New Zealand by early January. Peacock said the ship was well supplied and all passengers were comfortable.

“The beer is running low,” he joked. — AFP

Lawmakers in Chinese city resign en masse 56 sacked after implicated in bribery case

TOKYO: Visitors walk under the new year decorations at the Nakamise shopping street in front of the Sensoji temple in Tokyo yesterday. New Year’s Day is one of the most important holidays of the year in Japan, with many people visiting their hometowns and visiting temples and shrines. — AFP

Opponents to fight new US base on Okinawa TOKYO: Threatening lawsuits and protests, opponents are gearing up to fight a decision

by Okinawa’s governor that could pave the way for a new US military base on the southern Japanese island.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomed Friday’s decision, calling it “the most significant milestone” so far in a long-running battle to realign US forces in Okinawa. The new base is designed to reduce the impact of the heavy US military presence in Okinawa by replacing another base in a more congested area, but opponents want the operations moved off Okinawa completely.

“What the governor has done is unforgivable,” Yuichi Higa, the head of the assembly in Nago city, said in a phone interview. Nago would house the new base. “Residents who are opposed will surely resort to the use of force, such as blocking roads, to stop this from happening,” Higa said.

Hiroshi Ashitomi, head of a Nago group opposing the base, said his organization would file a lawsuit challenging the governor’s decision. Gov. Hirokazu Nakaima on Friday approved the Japanese Defense Ministry’s application to reclaim land for the proposed American base on Okinawa’s coast. It would replace the U.S. Marine Corps Futenma air station in Ginowan city.

Debate rages But Nakaima later told a news conference that he would continue pressing to move the Futenma troops off Okinawa entirely. He has asked that Futenma be closed within five years, and the new base wouldn’t open until 2022 under current plans.

“My thinking remains it would be fastest to relocate outside (Okinawa) prefecture to a place where there is already an airport,” he said. US defense officials told reporters that troops could move to the new base sooner if it’s ready earlier. They were not authorized to talk publicly about the issue and spoke on condition of anonymity. The new base is part of a US-Japan agreement that would also move 9,000 Marines off Okinawa, including transferring 5,000 to Guam.

Hagel said the effort to realign American troops in Okinawa was “absolutely critical to the United States’ ongoing rebalance” to the Asia-Pacific region. “Moving forward with this

plan will reduce our footprint in the most populated part of Okinawa ... while sustaining US military capabilities vital to the peace and security of the region,” the defense secretary said in a statement.

The debate over the future of Futenma dates to 1996, when the US and Japan signed an agreement to move its operations elsewhere in Okinawa. In 2006, the two countries agreed to relocate the base to a relatively unpopulated area called Henoko in Nago city.

But after the Democratic Party of Japan took power in 2009, it raised the possibility of moving the base off Okinawa. While it later agreed to the Henoko plan, the proposal energized a movement to move the base elsewhere.

US Sen John McCain, a top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Nakaima’s decision a major achievement “after 17 years of hard work and setbacks.”

About half of the 50,000 American troops in Japan are based in Okinawa, and many residents complain about base-related crime, noise and the risk of accidents. Some feel the island is bearing an unfair share of the burden of protecting Japan from attack.

A key factor could be the outcome of a mayoral election in Nago next month that pits an opponent of the Henoko plan against a supporter. “The governor is taking a risk putting the prestige of his office behind the project,” said Jun Okumura, a political analyst and former national government official. “I still don’t see the project going forward without the consent of the Nago mayor, but I see that this improves the chances of success.” The rise of China’s military is reinforcing in the minds of some Japanese the need to have a strong defense, though it’s unclear whether it’s enough to sway public opinion in Okinawa.

“The government of Japan is poised to take whatever measures are necessary to maintain a strong deterrent while reducing the burden on the people of Okinawa,” said the government’s top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Suga expressed his gratitude to Nakaima for what he called a “bold step.” The politically difficult decision came only after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with Nakaima in Tokyo on Wednesday and offered him a package that included pledges of increased financial assistance for Okinawa. — AP

BEIJING: More than 500 lawmakers in a Chinese city have resigned after being implicated in a bribery scandal, while another 56 provincial legislators have been sacked, state media said on Saturday, as the government steps up its war on graft. The official Xinhua news agency said the 512 lawmakers in Hengyang city in the poor, landlocked southern province of Hunan resigned after they took bribes from 56 members of the provincial assembly.

The total amount of the bribes was more than 110 million yuan ($18.1 million) and the money was used to swing the results of elections, Xinhua said, citing a Hunan government statement. China does not have fully democratic one-man, one-vote elections but has experimented with a selection process at the grassroots for local legislatures, even if most candi-

dates are Communist Party members and there is rarely more than a single candidate for each position available. “ The number of people involved in the Hengyang election case are many, the amount of money large, the substance serious, the effect pernicious; this is a serious challenge to our People’s Congresses system,” Xinhua said.

“It must be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law.” The National People’s Congress is China’s parliament. Provinces, cities, counties and other administrative districts all have their own People’s Congresses, and they all generally act as a rubber stamp for party decisions rather than providing a forum for debate or making policies.

The competition, though limited, to become lawmakers in some places has opened the door to corruption, as membership of such bodies

brings opportunities to influence decisions about things such as business contracts and promotions. Xinhua said that those found to have broken the law in this bribery scandal would be handed over to judicial authorities for prosecution.

President Xi Jinping has launched a sweeping crackdown on corruption since taking power, pursuing high-flying “tigers” as well as lowly “flies”, warning the problem is so severe it could threaten the party’s survival. Still, the party has shown no sign of wanting to set up an independent body outside party control to fight corruption, which many experts say is the only way China can really deal with it. Indeed, the party has gone after activists who have pressed for officials to publicly reveal their wealth. One of the most prominent of these, Xu Zhiyong, is expect to go on trial soon. — Reuters

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 (30meter) 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 knee-high 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.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.

Size of the waves The scientists are still working to determine the size of the waves that entered the cave. “The take-home 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.—AP

Karma Tsewang, a highly regarded Tibetan monk, from Japa Monastery at an annual world peace praying meeting in Nangqian county, Qinghai province, China. Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser said Friday. Chinese authorities have detained the monk and 16 of his supporters, as Beijing tightens its grip over the region. — AP

China’s bun shop gets president as diner BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping dropped in yesterday at a traditional Beijing bun shop, where he queued up, ordered and paid for a simple lunch of buns stuffed with pork and onions, green vegetables, and stewed pig livers and intestines. Such visits are rare for top Chinese leaders, who are usually surrounded by heavy security. After spotting Xi, fellow diners took photos of the president and shared them on China’s social media. State media reposted the photos on their microblog accounts, and the official Xinhua News Agency reported about Xi’s lunch on its Chinese news site.

The manager of the Qing-Feng Steamed Dumpling Shop, who gave only her family name, He, when reached by phone, said Xi and a small entourage arrived at the no-frills

eatery in western Beijing at around noon without prior notification. She said Xi paid 21 yuan ($3.40) for his lunch.

“There was no special security measure during his stay,” the manager said.

“Customers could freely enter and leave the restaurant, and many took photos with him.”

In one photo, a chef posed with Xi, who continued eating his meal as the picture was taken. Installed as China’s president in March, Xi has sought to portray himself as being in touch with regular people, but has done so with scheduled visits to factories and homes. In April, a Hong Kong newspaper reported that Xi had taken a cab ride in Beijing - also highly unusual for a top leader - but the excitement soon dissipated when state media denied the report. — AP

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Gunman in deadly attack on Thai rally Protester killed, scores wounded as crisis escalates BANGKOK: A gunman opened fire at an opposition rally in Thailand yesterday in a deadly attack that inflamed tensions in the politically divided kingdom, where antigovernment protesters wreaked fresh havoc in election preparations.

The shooting, which killed one demonstrator and wounded several others, follows weeks of mass street protests seek ing to oust Prime M inister Yingluck Shinawatra and curb her billionaire family’s political dominance. Yingluck has called February elections in the hope of bringing an end to the rallies, which have drawn tens of thousands of people calling on her to step down.

But the protesters have vowed to block the February 2 vote, saying it will only return the Shinawatra clan to power. Anti-government demonstrators besieged a number of candidate registration venues in Thailand’s opposition-dominated south on Saturday, forcing officials to suspend the process in seven provinces, Elec tion Commission secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong said.

A first round of registrations for party-list candidates was completed on Friday with a second round for constituency candidates due to close on January 1. Thailand has been periodically convulsed by political bloodshed since Yingluck’s older brother Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago. The protesters, a mix of southerners, middle class Thais and urban elite, accuse the billionaire tycoonturned-politician of corruption and say he controls his sister’s government from his self-exile in Dubai. They want an unelected “people’s council” to run the country to oversee loosely-defined reforms-such as an end to alleged “vote buying”-before new elections are held in around a year to 18 months.

Yingluck’s government still enjoys strong support in

the northern half of the country and is expected to win the election if it goes ahead. The pre-dawn shooting by at least one unidentified gunman targeted a group of demonstrators camped overnight near Government House, police said.

It was unclear who fired the shots but armed provocateurs have a history of trying to stir tensions in the politically polarized kingdom. “There is an attempt to incite violence and hatred between protesters and the police,” said a spokesman for the anti-government movement, Akanat Promphan.

The country’s Election Commission on Thursday urged the government to postpone the February polls after protesters stormed a par ty registration venue in Bangkok, triggering clashes in which a policeman and a demonstrator were shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

But the government rejected the plea, saying that a delay would only bring more violence. It has appealed to the military to provide security for election candidates and voters following several outbreaks of street violence in recent weeks, in which eight people have been killed and about 400 wounded.

Army role The army chief insisted Friday that the military would remain neutral and said it was up to the election authorities whether the vote could go ahead, but he did not rule out another coup. “The door is neither closed nor open.

In every situation, anything can happen,” General Prayut Chan-O-Cha said when asked about the possibility of a coup, without elaborating. Thaksin’s “Red Shirt” supporters have accused the demonstrators of trying to incite the military to seize power again, in a country with a history of intervention by the military and the courts to remove elected governments. — AFP

ABNGKOK: Thai anti government protesters rally next to riot policemen during the registration of constituency candidates in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday. Thailand’s government on December 26 rejected calls to postpone February elections after clashes between police and opposition protesters in the capital left one policeman dead and dozens wounded on both sides. — AFP

ANALYSIS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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Washington Watch

The challenges of the New Year

By Diana Atallah few months back, the Arab World was shaken by a New York Times article claiming to detail Obama Administration’s efforts to disengage from the Middle East in order to facilitate its “pivot toward the East”.

It didn’t matter that the President had just delivered his annual address the United Nations General Assembly in which he spelled out his priorities for the year - largely focused on his commitment to address: the IsraelPalestinian conflict; the war in Syria; the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program; and the effort to build more democratic societies. Despite his words and the actions that followed, the perception that the US was abandoning the region persisted. As we begin 2014, it is clear that concerns over US abandonment are unfounded. The US isn’t going anywhere, and the Middle East promises to be every bit as complicated and challenging to US policy-makers as it has been in the year just ending. There is a dizzying array of conflicts and crises unfolding across the region - all of which will involve the US in the year to come.

The clock is running out on the US-sponsored IsraeliPalestinian peace talks. The US Secretary of State had given the negotiators a nine month period in which to conclude a Framework Agreement. With the deadline nearing, there is the expectation that early in the New Year the US may offer its own proposal. With the Netanyahu government showing little interest in loosening its hold on the occupied territories and the Palestinian leadership still weak and deeply divided - prospects for success may appear slim, but with the US so heavily invested in this process, the risks of failure are great.

The Syrian peace talks - dubbed “Geneva II” - are supposed to be convened in late January. But there are growing doubts that this will occur. The opposition is in disarray with the political coalition and the military forces recognized by the US and the international community losing ground to a coalition of Islamist groups who have shown desire to reach negotiated solution. Meanwhile the regime has stepped up its attacks using indiscriminate violence against rebel strongholds. With neither side showing any real interest in ending the conflict, it appears likely that Geneva II will be cancelled or once again postponed. Here again, despite the risks, the urgency to resolve the conflict will trump any push to disengage.

As the Syrian conflict continues, the refugee crisis it has spawned has resulted in additional challenges that must be addressed. First and foremost, is the humanitarian disaster as over two and one-half million Syrians have been forced to flee their homeland. They are living in deplorable conditions in neighboring countries. Their needs cannot be ignored. Of primary concern are the almost one million Syrians who have overwhelmed Lebanon. Their presence, the involvement of Lebanese groups in the Syrian conflict, and the involvement of foreign proxies in Lebanon are now placing that country at risk of becoming a new front in the Syrian war. This, too, will require attention.

Also scheduled in January is the next round of the P5+1 talks with Iran. In engaging Iran, the Obama Administration has taken a calculated risk that a negotiated solution can be found to resolving the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program. In doing so, however, the US caused a rupture both with Israel and some of its Arab Gulf allies. These talks, therefore, will not occur in a vacuum. While the Administration was able to temporarily hold off Israel’s supporters in Congress who were threatening to impose new “game ending” sanctions against Iran in advance of the talks, the threat of Congressional action remains.

An additional complication of this US overture to Iran has been the strains it has caused with some Arab allies.

Since the creation of the Islamic Republic in 1979, the Arab Gulf states have felt threatened by Iran’s efforts to export its revolution. In the past decade, Iran’s fingers have been seen playing in Iraq, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon, and, most notably, Syria. That, in the face of this meddlesome and destabilizing behavior, the US opened discussions with Iran without even a discussion with its regional allies, has caused a breakdown in trust that will require attention in the New Year. If this picture weren’t complicated enough, the US will before long have to address the situation that is developing in Egypt. Since the January, 2011 downfall of the Mubarak government, US policy has meandered between promoting democracy and protecting its relationship with Egypt’s military and the government in power.

Confronted with a Muslim Brotherhood victory in parliamentary and presidential elections, the US sought to work with the democratically elected government.

Following the massive Tamarrud protests and the July 3rd deposing of the Morsi government by Egypt’s military, the US again tried to work with the new reality, urging the military and the interim government to live up to their promised “road map” that would restore elected civilian rule.

A

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.

Abe shrine visit raises risk of conflict

By Harumi Ozawa rime Minister Shinzo Abe’s inflammatory visit to a Tokyo war shrine demonstrates his determination to drag pacifist Japan to the right and nudges Northeast Asia a significant step closer to conflict, analysts say. Already-frayed ties in the region will be further damaged by what Abe claimed was a pledge against war, but what one-time victims of Japan’s aggression see as a glorification of past militarism. Abe’s forthright views on history - he has previously questioned the definition of “invade” in relation to Japan’s military adventurism last century have raised fears over the direction he wants to take officiallypacifist Japan. “His ultimate goal is to revise the (pacifist) constitution,” said Tetsuro Kato, professor emeritus at Tokyo’s Hitotsubashi University. He is “arrogant and running out of control”.

After a creditable performance in getting Japan’s chronically under-performing economy back on track that has kept his poll numbers respectable, Abe is now spending his political capital pursuing pet nationalist issues. He sent shockwaves around the region when he went to pray at Yasukuni Shrine on Thursday, the anniversary of his coming to power and just days after approving the second consecutive annual budget rise for Japan’s military.

Partly, the money will be used to buy stealth fighters and amphibious vehicles intended to boost Japan’s ability to defend remote islands, the government said, citing fears over Beijing’s behaviour in a row over the sovereignty of an East China Sea archipelago. Ed Griffith, a specialist in Sino-Japanese at Britain’s Leeds University, says the calcified positions on the islands led Abe to conclude he had nothing to lose by visiting the shrine.

“Abe has always wanted to pay a visit to the shrine as prime minister, but the threat of ruining Japan’s relationship with China has previously been enough to keep him away,” he told AFP. “However, with the dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands taking the relationship to its lowest point since 1945, he clearly no longer sees that as an impediment.”

After months-long jostling by paramilitary boats and planes, relations deteriorated further when China declared an Air Defence Identification Zone over the East China Sea in November, including the airspace above the Tokyo-administered Senkaku Islands, which Beijing claims as the Diaoyus. Beijing says that the islands have been its territory for hundreds of years and were snatched by Japan in the opening stages of its empirebuilding romp, which culminated in the brutal subjugation of swathes of China. Like Yasukuni, they stand as a symbol in Chinese eyes of Japan’s unrepentant militarism, and as a proxy among the Japanese Right for righteous nationalism.

China’s press on Friday called for “excessive” counter-measures after the shrine visit. “China has made it abundantly clear that visits to Yasukuni Shrine by a serving prime minister cannot be tolerated,” said Griffith. “With Xi Jinping still in the early stages of his leadership he cannot afford to be seen as weak. In the context of the unresolved dispute in the East China Sea, that is very serious indeed.”

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Kishi doctrine For Takehiko Yamamoto, professor of international relations at Waseda University, the visit was the natural extension to Abe’s efforts to ape his staunchly nationalist grandfather. Nobusuke Kishi, a World War II cabinet member who was arrested, but never convicted, for war crimes, was prime minister in the late 1950s and is remembered for fighting leftists and his desire to slough off the US-imposed constitution. “Abe is regressing to the Kishi doctrine,” he said. “He has implemented national security measures since taking power almost as if there is something in his DNA that has made him do it.”

Earlier this month the government rode roughshod over objections from opposition lawmakers, media, lawyers and social rights activists to hammer through a far-reaching national secrecy law. Critics say the legislation represents a real threat to freedom of the press and democratic governance, and recalls the repressive laws used to silence dissent in pre-war Japan. Abe dismissed the qualms, insisting stricter rules on keeping secrets are necessary if Japan’s leaky bureaucracy is to win the trust of allies like the United States, and vital for the new, US-style National

Security Council he established, which concentrates diplomatic and defence powers with a handful of ministers.

But it was his explosive visit to Yasukuni that proved the icing on the cake. Around 2.5 million souls are enshrined there, the majority of them common soldiers, but also including senior officials executed for war crimes, like General Hideki Tojo, the prime minister who ordered the attack on Pearl Harbor. “(This visit) was an action that gives the strong impression that Japan is leaning towards the right, towards militarism,” Yamamoto said. “It is certain that this will create a new destabilising factor in Northeastern Asia.” For Jia Qingguo, an international relations expert at Peking University, Abe is engaged in a dangerous game of chicken for domestic reasons. “The calculation is this: If you stand up against China... for whatever matter then you appear to be strong and heroic” at home he told AFP. “I think it makes the already very difficult relationship between the two countries more difficult.” Hitotsubashi’s Kato agrees, warning neither side is prepared to back away.”Even if (this visit) does not mean an immediate war,” said Kato, “a small clash at the border is now much more likely.” — AFP

A Shinto priest leads Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as he visits the controversial Yasukuni war shrine in Tokyo on Dec 26, 2013. — AFP

Erdogan seen weathering storm

By Humeyra Pamuk and Orhan Coskun urkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan still enjoys the fierce loyalty of pious voters and wealthy elites, which should be enough to keep him in power in the face of a corruption scandal that has rocked his government and reached his family.

But the suggestion by members of his AK party that a general election could be brought forward to next year shows that he is more worried than ever about his grip on a country he has transformed during a decade in office. A less feisty leader might already have been sunk by the corruption scandal involving accusations of wrongdoing at a state-run bank.

Two members of the cabinet have resigned after their sons were arrested. Another minister who quit said the prime minister knew what was going on and should resign as well. The affair turned more personal last week when Turkish media published what appeared to be a preliminary summons for Bilal Erdogan, one of the premier’s two sons, to testify. The authenticity of the document could not be verified. Investors are nervous and the lira currency has swooned.

But the scandal has only brought out the fight in Erdogan, who has consistently said that the entire affair is a foreignbacked plot against him. He has sacked police officers including the Istanbul police chief, exchanged diatribes with a powerful cleric and steadfastly insisted he has done nothing wrong. The document naming his son was just another example of the conspiracy, he said: “If they try to hit Tayyip Erdogan through this, they will go away empty-handed. Because they know this, they’re attacking the people around me.”

So far, opinion pollsters predict that support for Erdogan’s AK party, which enjoys wide support in Istanbul and the conservative countryside, has probably fallen by a few percentage points but still remains over 40 percent. That is hardly enough of a slide to force it out of power. The last election saw it win more than

T

two thirds of the seats in parliament with 50 percent of the vote, an unprecedented success. Still, one senior official in Erdogan’s AK party predicted the next general election, due in 2015, could be brought forward to early next year “if events take a dramatic turn”, a sign that the party is revising its calculations to contain the fallout.

Pugnacious Much depends on the resolve of the famously pugnacious three-term premier, 59, who has already transformed Turkey by curbing the powers of the secularist military establishment and presiding over a spectacular economic boom. Defiance worked for Erdogan six months ago, when he was beset by unprecedented anti-government street protests. Accused of being authoritarian, he ordered a police crackdown in which eight people died. Polls found his popularity almost unchanged. To his conservative followers, corruption allegations could prove more damaging than accusations of authoritarianism.

“The (summer) protests were viewed as having been taken over by several disparate interest groups, which could explain why it has not had a major impact on his supporters,” said Nazli Ilicak, a well-known Turkish columnist who worked for the progovernment daily Sabah until last week. “But within the conservative electorate, the sense of justice - that what rightfully belongs to the people has been usurped - these are not seen as issues to be taken lightly.” She said Erdogan, who has hunkered down with a reshuffled cabinet of loyalists, would need to “come clean” and address the corruption allegations head on if he wanted to keep votes.

Municipal Vote a Test Erdogan became prime minister in 2002, winning the loyalty of pious Turks who were sick of corrupt politicians. His image sits poorly with TV news pictures of police seizing shoeboxes

filled with cash from the houses of corruption suspects. Bekir Agirdir, director of polling firm Konda, which said there could have been a 3-5 percent slide in support for Erdogan’s AK Party, said how the party manages the crisis will determine if its rating slides further or bounces back. A March municipal vote in Istanbul, which is both Turkey’s commercial hub and a longtime pro-Erdogan bastion, will be a bellwether. Trying to unseat the AK mayor is Mustafa Sarigul of the main opposition party CHP. Erdogan faithful sound confident they will hold the city, yet they also fear Sarigul could reap grassroots support from a rival Muslim social network, Hizmet, whose charismatic leader Fethullah Gulen, a US-based preacher, fell out with Erdogan last year and now openly excoriates the premier. Hizmet claims to have at least one million followers worldwide, including in the upper tiers of the Turkish police and judiciary. In private conversations, AK officials say they will work to prevent Hizmet “defaming” Erdogan’s government - a possible harbinger of dragnets for suspected Gulenists. “Right now the situation in Istanbul seems to be under control,” said one senior party official. But it remains to be seen whether similar operations by Hizmet to rally opposition to Erdogan take place in other cities.

Stewardship of the economy has long been Erdogan’s most impressive boast, and the impact of the scandal on the business climate could determine whether support holds up. Turkey’s currency has hit consecutive new lows against the dollar, though the plunge was slightly softened last week by the central bank’s sale of foreign currency. But many investors are likely to keep faith in Erdogan and his economic team for now, having seen them successfully navigate stormy waters in the past. “Erdogan is a political survivor, and a shrewd political operator. I think he can ride through this,” said Timothy Ash of Standard Bank. “He has strong underlying support, and as long as he retains the support of the economy team I think markets will give him the benefit of the doubt.” — Reuters

NEWS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

A towing company worker prepares to pull the mangled wreckage of a car driven over a Palos Verdes Peninsula cliff by a 19-year-old Los Angeles man on Friday in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

The man was hospitalized in critical condition and told paramedics that he intentionally drove of the cliff in the Bluff Cove area. — AP

3 dead as Saudi oil rig sinks

China eases 1-child policy

Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1 seen it soar from mass poverty to become the world’s second-largest economy. But enforcement of the policy has at times been excessive.

The public was outraged last year when photos circulated online of a woman forced to abort her baby seven months into her pregnancy.

Now China faces looming demographic challenges, including a rapidly increasing elderly population, a shrinking labour force and malefemale imbalances. China’s sex ratio has risen to 115 boys for every 100 girls, while the working population began to drop last year, Xinhua said earlier. The birth rate has fallen to about 1.5 since the 1990s, well below the replacement rate, it added. While the easing of the onechild policy - estimated to apply to around 10 million couples - has been welcomed, critics say that the state has retained the principle of deciding itself how many children people should have.

Provincial congresses and their standing committees will decide on implementing the new policy “based on evaluation of local demographic situation and in line with the law on population and family planning as well as this resolution,” Xinhua said, citing the resolution document. The one-child policy reforms are expected to come into force in the first quarter of 2014, according to a senior official from the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Xinhua reported last week.

The approval to end the labour camps, introduced more than half a century ago, closes the curtain on a dark aspect of the country’s modern

new challenge to a driving ban. “Only 10 minutes after Tamador Al-Yami got behind the wheel police stopped her,” activist Eman Al-Nafjan told AFP, adding that Yami carries an international driving licence and was with another woman who was filming her in the car. Tamador’s husband was called to the scene and she was forced to sign a pledge not to drive again without a Saudi licence, said Nafjan on her Twitter account.

Women are not allowed into driving schools in the ultra-conservative kingdom and are not granted licences.

Elsewhere in Khobar, in Eastern Province, another woman drove for two hours, accompanied by her husband, with-

BEIJING: A family makes its way along a road at a park in the Chinese capital yesterday. — AFP history long criticised by human rights groups and which Chinese authorities admit is no longer viable.

China began re-education through labour in 1957 as a speedy way to handle petty offenders. But the system - which allows a police panel to issue sentences of up to four years without trial - soon became rife with abuse.

State media have cited the development of China’s legal system as making the camps “superfluous”, with their “historical mission” having come to an end. A UN report published in 2009 estimated that 190,000 people were held in the camps. But activists played down the significance of the labour camp system’s abolition, pointing out that under Chinese law the authorities can still detain suspects for lengthy periods without a trial. “Almost all the people I know who were staying at the camps have been released, start-

ing from early this year,” Zhao Guangjun, a former laojiao inmate and political activist based in Liaoning province, told AFP. “Even if the labour camp system has been abolished, the government could still punish people by making them to stay longer in detention centres,” added Zhao, who took part anti-laojiao protests in Beijing in March.

Earlier this month Amnesty International also warned that the closure of the labour camps amounted to little more than cosmetic change given that arbitrary detention will persist in unofficial “black jails”, drug rehabilitation centres and other facilities. The decisions came just days after the standing committee had expressed support for them and following promises by the ruling Communist Party at its Third Plenum meeting last month. Legislative approval was formally required to put them into effect. — AFP

Egyptian student dies during campus...

Continued From Page 1 Human Rights Watch said yesterday that the government’s designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist group was “politically driven” and intended to end all of the movement’s activities. An adviser to interim president Adli Mansour said in comments published yesterday that the decision was not political, “instead, is the use and application of existing laws.”

The violence comes a day after five people were killed in clashes across the country, according to a health ministry tally yesterday, as police stamped out Brotherhood demonstrations. The interior ministry said 265 protesters were arrested. Police also fired tear gas at students in Zagazig university north of Cairo yesterday, security officials said. Fourteen were wounded in the Zagazig and Cairo clashes, the health ministry said. Elsewhere in Cairo, police said they defused a bomb found on a bus days after four people were wounded when an explosive device went off next to another bus.

The interim government has banned protests by Brotherhood members demanding Morsi’s reinstatement, after listing it as a terrorist group this week. The designation carries harsh penalties for offenders, with Brotherhood leaders facing possible death sentences and protesters looking at up to five years in prison. The movement has held near-daily protests since the military ousted Morsi on July 3, despite a crackdown that has killed more than 1,000 people, mainly Islamists, and imprisoned thousands.

It was listed as a terrorist group in a drastic escalation of the months-long crackdown after a suicide bombing

killed 15 people in a police headquarters north of Cairo on Tuesday. The bombing was claimed by an Al-Qaedainspired group that has led attacks on the military and police and in the restive Sinai Peninsula, and was denounced by the Brotherhood. Five people were also wounded in a bombing that targeted a bus in Cairo on Thursday.

On Friday, the Islamist movement, which had dominated elections following the overthrow of strongman Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, said it would remain committed to peaceful protests. “The Muslim Brotherhood declares it is innocent of any violent incident that has (been) or will be committed,” it said in a statement. The government has decapitated the 85-year-old movement since Morsi’s overthrow, imprisoning him and most of the movement’s leadership and putting them on trial. It has also sought to quell a surge in attacks in the Sinai that has killed more than 100 soldiers and policemen, as bombings and shootings spill over into mainland Egypt.

Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, the group that claimed responsibility for Tuesday’s police HQ attack, had tried to assassinate Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim in a suicide car bombing outside his home in Cairo in September.

The militant group has criticised the Brotherhood for its style of electoral politics, but authorities say the Brotherhood has links with militant groups, without offering proof. Morsi and Brotherhood leaders face trial for allegedly colluding with militants to launch attacks.

Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, ruled for just one turbulent year before the military overthrew him following mass protests demanding his resignation. — Agencies

out being stopped, Nafjan said. Activists say yesterday was chosen as a “symbolic” date as part of efforts first launched more than a decade ago to press for the right for Saudi women to drive. The call for action is a “reminder of the right so it is not forgotten,” activist Nasima Al-Sada had told AFP. The absolute monarchy is the only country in the world where women are barred from driving, a rule that has drawn international condemnation. Yesterday’s action is a continuation of a campaign launched on Oct 26, when 16 activists were stopped by police for defying the ban. In addition to not being allowed to drive, Saudi women must cover themselves from head to toe and need permission from a male guardian to travel, work and marry. — AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

S P ORTS

Harvey, Bjoergen win Tour de Ski prologue

Michu set for six weeks

OBERHOF: Alex Harvey shrugged off a broken ski and difficult conditions to win the 4.5-kilometer freestyle prologue for the Tour de Ski on Saturday, beating Canadian teammate Devon Kershaw by 4.1 seconds. In the women’s prologue, overall cross-country World Cup leader Marit Bjoergen led a 1-2 Norwegian finish in a 3-kilometer race. Mild and rainy weather forced organizers to shorten the course and change the format of the competition, a decision that led to the withdrawal of four-time women’s Tour winner Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland. The Olympic champion said it was unfair to have five freestyle and only two classical races in the seven-stage event.

“The changed program doesn’t fit into my Olympic preparations,” said Kowalczyk, a classical style specialist. Harvey’s right ski broke early in the race and he was given a replacement from his team.

With fog also coming down on the course, Harvey covered the distance in 9 minutes, 3.4 seconds to edge Kershaw. Chris Jespersen of Norway was third, 10.2 seconds behind.— AP

LONDON: Swansea City forward Michu will be out for around six weeks after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury in Portugal, the Premier League club revealed yesterday. The Spaniard last played in the 1-1 draw at Norwich City on December 15, with manager Michael Laudrup subsequently revealing that he was due to have an operation. “Swans striker Michu has today undergone a successful ankle operation which will keep him out for six weeks,” read a statement on the club website. “Michu, who has scored six goals in 19 games this season, missed the festive fixtures with Everton, Chelsea and Aston Villa due to the injury.

“But after the operation went ahead as planned in Portugal, the 27-year-old is set to be sidelined for the next six weeks before making his return to the first team.” Michu joined Swansea from Rayo Vallecano last year and has since scored 28 goals for the club. He published a picture of himself on his Twitter feed, apparently taken after the operation, which shows the 27-year-old lying in a hospital bed and making a ‘thumbs-up’ gesture. “I will be back!!! Thanks so much for your support!” he wrote.—AFP

Belgian millionaire Charlton near deal LONDON: Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic confirmed yesterday that they are in takeover talks with Belgian millionaire Roland Duchatelet.

Duchatelet, a renowned political activist who made his money in the electronics business, is reported by the Daily Mail to have agreed a £14 million ($23 million, 16.7 million euros) deal for the south London club. Addicks chairman Michael Slater confirmed the news on the club’s official website yesterday, stating: “Very constructive discussions are ongoing which we hope to conclude soon”. Duchatelet also owns Belgian league leaders Standard Liege, as well as founding the social liberal political party Vivant, who believe in a basic minimum wage for all.

The 67-year-old Belgian’s imminent purchase of Charlton follows the collapse last month of a proposed takeover by American sports franchise owner Josh Harris after talks had reached an advanced stage. It had been reported that Charlton were in desperate need of new owners as London property developer Kevin Cash, who has been bankrolling the club, was no longer prepared to put in further funding. —AFP

Wild Oats XI win Sydney to Hobart honors

SYDNEY: Wild Oats XI tackle the Derwent River on their way to a seventh Line Honors in Hobart yesterday.—AFP

Bouchard inspires Canadian victory PERTH: Teenager Eugenie Bouchard emphasised her status as one of the most promising players in women’s tennis by leading Canada to a 2-1 win over Australia at the mixed teams Hopman Cup yesterday. The 19-year-old was named the WTA’s Newcomer of the Year in November and opened her new season with the prized scalp of former US Open winner and world number 18 Samantha Stosur. The hard-hitting Bouchard, ranked 32nd in the world, came from a set down to beat the local favorite in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, to secure the Group A tie for the Canadians.

Earlier, the powerful serve of Milos Raonic broke the spirit of Bernard Tomic as the 11th-ranked Canadian cruised to a straight sets win, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, to give Canada first blood in the tie. The host nation won the dead mixed doubles rubber. Bouchard was pleased to have reversed her loss to Stosur in the final in Osaka in October. “It was a good first match for me,” she said. “We had a good battle in Osaka and I got my revenge tonight.” Stosur started the match well enough, but her game started to disintegrate in the second set, when the pair traded service breaks until Bouchard steadied late to level the match.

Bouchard broke the normally imposing Stosur serve in four successive games, including to secure the second set. The Canadian gained the only break of the final set in the eighth game and then served it out. Raonic slammed down 19 aces against Tomic, who once again showed little fight in the second set, after the opening stanza was a tight struggle. Earlier in the day, world number five Agnieszka Radwanska got her new season off to a fine start with a straight sets win over Flavia Pennetta as Poland beat Italy 3-0.

After Radwanska edged past the 31st-ranked Pennetta, the Poles clinched the tie in unlikely circumstances, with the 288th-ranked Grzegorz Panfil handed victory over Andreas Seppi in the men’s singles when the Italian retired due to illness. Panfil, who was a late callup for the tournament following the withdrawal of Jerzy Janowicz due to injury, won the first set 6-4 and scores were level at 2-2 in the second when Seppi retired, complaining of dizziness.

That gave Poland an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the Group A encounter and they were handed a clean sweep when Seppi also withdrew from the mixed doubles.

Radwanska only arrived in Perth the night before her match against Pennetta, but looked in good touch in cruising to a 6-2, 6-2 win against the Italian, who has been ranked as high as 10th in the world. The match was closer than the scoreline suggested, with the Italian creating six break points to Radwanska’s four. While the Pole claimed all of hers Pennetta was unable to convert any as she was punished by her own errors against the defensive skills of the ultra-consistent Radwanska.

The 24-year-old Radwanska was pleased to perform so well given the circumstances of her opening match.

“I didn’t have much time to adjust and I only slept for like three hours,” she said after a match that was played under an open roof on a warm day. “In Poland it was about five degrees so I was very happy I could play my best tennis, playing alright for the first day here.” The 25th-ranked Seppi should have been far too good for Panfil, but the Italian never looked comfortable on the court after being broken in the very first game.

Seppi told tournament officials he was hopeful of being fit to play in Italy’s next tie against Australia on Tuesday.—AFP

All eyes on Federer as season gets underway BRISBANE: Six of the top 10 women’s players will compete in the Brisbane International beginning today but arguably all eyes will be on the men’s draw as Swiss superstar Roger Federer makes his debut in the tournament.

Seventeen-time Grand Slam winner Federer could possibly be playing in Australia for the last time if he decides to call an end to his glittering career at the end of 2014.

The 32-year-old former world number one slipped to number six in the rankings at the end of 2013 following a mid-season back injury and a series of disappointing results, particularly in the Grand Slams. After losing to Andy Murray in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, Federer was beaten by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.

Federer then suffered a shock second round loss to world number 116 Sergiy Stakhovsky at Wimbledon before bowing out in the fourth round of the US Open to Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

He won just one title in 2013, and failed to make a major final for the first time since 2002.

However, Federer warned against writing him off, saying the recent appointment of Stefan Edberg to his coaching staff was an indication he still had the desire to compete at the top level. “Critics are part of the tennis game, and

they will be the last ones to put me out of the game,” Federer said on his arrival in Brisbane on Saturday. “I still have a lot to do. Considering everything, I finished the season sixth, which was unbelievable. “I always had a good perspective for things and it’s why, as crazy as it sounds, I enjoyed the year considering the setbacks I had-I wanted to find a way out of it.”

Federer’s main challenges in Brisbane will come from Japanese star Kei Nishikori, the world number 17, and Frenchman Gilles Simon, ranked two places lower at 19. The top three seeds, along with fourth ranked South African Kevin Anderson, all have a bye into the second round.

Brisbane fans will be hoping former world number one Lleyton Hewitt can draw upon his huge local support to force his way deep into the draw. Hewitt plays a qualifier in the first round ahead of a probable second round meeting with sixth seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

Defending champion and world number one Serena Williams heads an incredibly strong women’s field, which also features world number two Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova (4), Jelena Jankovic (8), Angelique Kerber (9) and Caroline Wozniacki (10). Williams has played Brisbane for the past two years and said it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open.—AFP

SYDNEY: Supermaxi Wild Oats XI won a recordequaling seventh Sydney to Hobart race yesterday, coming in well ahead of her nearest rival as she stormed across the finish line. The yachts had struggled with the uncharacteristic lack of breeze in the early stages of the 628 nautical mile ocean race, and Wild Oats XI’s time of two days, six hours, seven minutes and 27 seconds was well short of her 2012 course record.

Wild Oats XI’s billionaire owner Bob Oatley told reporters at Constitution Dock he was initially worried his 100-foot boat, skippered by Mark Richards, would not win. “(We were) worried until we got across the line today because it is such a difficult race you. You never know how it’s going to happen,” the 86-year-old said. “We lost the lead the first night out with difficult weather conditions. Then we were happy to pick it up again and improve on it which we have done all day.”

Hundreds of people lined the docks at Hobart’s Constitution Dock to welcome the eight-year-old boat which is affectionately known by its crew as the ‘Swiss Army knife’ because of the number of appendages she boasts. It was its seventh line hon-

ors victory for Wild Oats XI, which also crossed the line first every year from 2005 to 2008 and in 2010 and 2012. It equals the record of the boat Morna, later renamed Kurrewa IV, which last won in 1960.

As Wild Oats XI crossed the line yesterday, its nearest rival was fellow supermaxi Perpetual Loyal about 30 nautical miles behind, followed by Ragamuffin 100 a further 10-plus nautical miles behind. Other challengers had been two Volvo 70sGiacomo from New Zealand and Black Jack from Queensland-along with Karl Kwok’s brand new 80footer Beau Geste from Hong Kong and Wild Thing, another 100-footer.

Wild Oats XI had led a thrilling neck and neck race out of Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day but was overtaken by Perpetual Loyal on the first night, only to stage a dramatic comeback on Friday to snatch back the lead. Skipper Richards said this start had been disappointing, saying the race itself had been “draining”. “It was a really tough race,” he told reporters in Hobart. “We fell a long way behind Loyal... but the next morning it all just started to come through. The boat was flying.”

The boat outpaced the rest of the 91-strong

fleet all the way to Hobart, gaining pace as she neared the end and reaching speeds of up to 35 knots, and Oatley said she would remain a contender in future years. “We’ve got a great future, more wins. It’s beautiful, it’s wonderfully built,” he said. With winds picking up, most of the mid-sized boats in the fleet are expected to cross the Bass Strait yesterday before forecast gale force winds come through in the evening. However, the smaller and slower boats will bear the brunt of expected rough weather as they make their crossing in subsequent hours.

Organizers expect the winds will continue through the notoriously variable final stages of the race, when boats often battle maddeningly calm conditions up the Derwent River to Hobart’s Constitution Dock. So far only three boats have retired from this year’s race-Audi Sunshine Coast, Dodo and Wilparina-reducing the field to 91. Last year Wild Oats XI bagged a historic second triple crown in crossing the line first and winning the overall handicap, as well as setting a new record time of one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds. —AFP

Blackhawks overcome Avalanche CHICAGO: Patrick Sharp scored three goals for his third career hat trick and set up one of Jonathan Toews’ two scores to lead the Chicago Blackhawks past the Colorado Avalanche 7-2 on Friday night.

Toews added two assists, and he and Sharp both finished with four points. Michal Handzus and Kris Versteeg also scored for the Blackhawks, whose NHL-leading offense powered them to a second straight win. They are 7-1-1 in their past nine.

Colorado’s Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog beat rookie Antti Raanta, who finished with 16 saves in his eighth straight start - all since Blackhawks top goalie Corey Crawford sustained a lower body injury on Dec 8. Sharp, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Friday, has 21 goals this season and 10 in nine games. He scored twice in Chicago’s previous game against New Jersey on Monday.

scramble in front when he poked the puck under goalie Niklas Backstrom with 9:20 remaining for his 14th goal of the season, giving the Jets a 5-4 lead. Evander Kane, Olli Jokinen, Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom added goals for Winnipeg. Dany Heatley, Justin Fontaine, Stephane Veilleux and Mikko Koivu scored for Minnesota. The Jets, who were coming off a loss in Edmonton on Monday, beat the Wild after losing the first three meetings between the teams. It was a fourth straight loss for the Wild, who have dropped six of eight games.

The Jets led 4-3 after a first period in which five goals were scored in the first 7:04.

MAPLE LEAFS 4, SABRES 3, SO

regulation for the Sharks. Logan Couture and Marleau scored in the shootout and Antti Niemi sealed the two points by stopping Radim Vrbata and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. David Moss had two goals, and Vrbata scored late in the third period to help send Phoenix to overtime for the fourth straight game.

STARS 4, PREDATORS 1 Erik Cole scored two goals in the second period when Dallas snapped a tie, and the Stars went on to beat Nashville. Cole has scored in his last three games against Nashville, including three in two games this season. Dallas (19-12-6) is 4-0-1 in its last five games and 5-1-1 since a 3-1 loss at

BRUINS 5, SENATORS 0 Tuukka Rask made 33 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, and Reilly Smith scored two goals to pace Boston’s rout of Ottawa. The Bruins are 13-0-2 in their last 15 home games and have won eight straight in Boston. They haven’t lost there in regulation since Oct. 26. Rask (20-8-2) has allowed one goal or fewer in 15 of his 30 starts this season. After earning only 19 wins last season, he is the third goalie with 20 NHL wins this season.

Boston tied a club record, set in 1929, by having a player score two goals for the seventh straight game. Smith has done it three times. Jarome Iginla, David Krejci, and Brad Marchand also scored. Robin Lehner made 36 saves for Ottawa, which has dropped four of five.

CAPITALS 3, RANGERS 2 Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist, and Eric Fehr scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:09 left to carry Washington over the New York Rangers.

Moments after New York defenseman Dan Girardi’s drive hit the post, Fehr took a pass from Backstrom during 4-on-4 play, skated in, and beat goalie Cam Talbot from the right circle for his sixth goal. Mike Green added a goal, and Philipp Grubauer had 37 saves for Washington, which had dropped two straight before taking the finale of a three-game homestand. Benoit Pouliot and Carl Hagelin scored for New York, which had won two straight.

Talbot, making his third straight start in place of No 1 goalie Henrik Lundqvist, stopped 31 shots in the opener of a five-game road trip.

PENGUINS 4, HURRICANES 3, OT James Neal scored at 1:03 of overtime, and Pittsburgh beat Carolina. NHL scoring leader Sidney Crosby had a goal, and Chris Conner and Deryk Engelland each scored in the third period to help the Eastern Conference leaders win their 13th in 15 games. Neal, who also had two assists, ended it by beating Justin Peters with a wrist shot off a pretty give-and-go from Jussi Jokinen - the former Carolina forward’s third assist. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 31 shots in his 500th game for the Penguins. Drayson Bowman scored with 2:29 left in regulation. Nathan Gerbe had a goal and an assist, and Andrej Sekera scored for the Hurricanes.

Carolina lost its seventh in eight games, with four coming in overtime. Peters, Carolina’s backup, made 22 saves.

BLUE JACKETS 2, DEVILS 1, SO Cam Atkinson scored the lone goal in the shootout to lead Columbus past New Jersey. Curtis McElhinney made 16 saves for Columbus, which has won three in a row. Artem Anisimov scored the Blue Jackets’ goal in regulation. New Jersey has lost two in a row. Martin Brodeur stopped 29 shots, and Adam Henrique scored for the Devils in the third period. Anisimov gave Columbus a 1-0 lead 7:34 into the game.

JETS 6, WILD 4 Blake Wheeler scored two goals in Winnipeg’s victory against Minnesota. Wheeler ended a

WASHINGTON: New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) fights for the puck against Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) during the third period an NHL hockey game, on Friday, Dec 27, 2013. — AP Jonathan Bernier stopped all three Buffalo shooters in the shootout to give Toronto the win.

Matt Moulson, Tyler Ennis and Zemgus Girgensons all failed to beat Bernier. Ryan Miller stopped Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk in the tiebreaker, but Joffrey Lupul beat him on a nifty backhand.

Steve Ott had scored with 25 seconds left in regulation with the Leafs trying to kill off a 6-on-4 skating disadvantage. Ott pounced on a rebound during a scramble and fired the puck in for his fifth goal. Jake Gardiner, Peter Holland and Kessel scored second-period goals to put Toronto ahead 3-2. Moulson and John Scott also scored for Buffalo. Scott, a 6-foot-8, 259-pound tough guy, snapped a 164-game goal drought with his second NHL goal.

SHARKS 4, COYOTES 3, SO Patrick Marleau scored in regulation and in the shootout, Joe Pavelski had a goal and an assist, and San Jose beat Phoenix. Brent Burns had a goal and an assist, and Joe Thornton had two assists in

Nashville on Dec 12. The Predators (16-18-4) are 14-1 since then and are winless in their last five games. They have allowed 21 goals in those five games. Jamie Benn scored on Dallas’ first shot, a wraparound just 42 seconds into the game.

Antoine Roussel missed a penalty shot at 16:35 of the first period.

OILERS 2, FLAMES 0 Ryan Smyth scored both goals and Devan Dubnyk made 27 saves to lead Edmonton over Calgary. Smyth’s fifth goal of the season, and first in 14 games, came at 17:22 of the first. That was all the offense Dubnyk needed in recording his second shutout of the season and eighth of his career.

Smyth’s second goal was into an empty net with six seconds left. Edmonton has won consecutive games for the first time in more than a month.

Calgary has split the first two games of its fivegame homestand. Calgary’s Reto Berra made 26 saves and fell to 5-9-2. All five of his wins have come after regulation.—AP

NHL results/standings Columbus 2, New Jersey 1 (SO); Washington 3, NY Rangers 2; Pittsburgh 4, Carolina 3 (OT); Boston 5, Ottawa 0; Toronto 4, Buffalo 3 (SO); Chicago 7, Colorado 2; Winnipeg 6, Minnesota 4; Dallas 4, Nashville 1; Edmonton 2, Calgary 0; San Jose 4, Phoenix 3 (SO).

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

Western Conference Pacific Division W L OTL GF 27 7 5 127 25 9 4 106 24 8 6 125 22 11 6 106 19 10 8 114 14 18 6 95 13 24 3 103 Central Division 27 7 6 152 24 7 5 128 23 11 3 108 20 15 5 92 19 12 6 110 17 18 5 109 16 18 4 86

GA PTS 98 59 76 54 97 54 93 50 114 46 120 34 135 29 109 85 95 102 108 120 113

60 53 49 45 44 39 36

Eastern Conference Atlantic Division 26 10 2 111 77 54 23 11 3 106 87 49 22 13 3 96 84 47 17 13 9 99 108 43 19 16 5 110 116 43 15 18 7 111 131 37 14 19 5 88 123 33 10 24 4 69 109 24 Metropolitan Division Pittsburgh 28 11 1 125 91 57 Washington 20 14 4 120 114 44 Philadelphia 17 16 4 93 104 38 Columbus 17 17 4 103 107 38 NY Rangers 18 19 2 90 105 38 New Jersey 15 16 8 93 101 38 Carolina 14 15 9 89 109 37 NY Islanders 11 20 7 96 129 29 Note: Overtime losses (OTL) are worth one point in the standings and are not included in the loss column (L).

Boston Tampa Bay Montreal Detroit Toronto Ottawa Florida Buffalo

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

S P ORTS

Thunder thump Bobcats

DURBAN: South Africa’s AB de Villiers dives and avoids being run out on the third day of the second and final Test between South Africa and India at Kingsmead in Durban yesterday. — AFP

Kallis holds firm as South Africa inch closer to India DURBAN: Jacques Kallis showed typically stoic resistance at the crease as he compiled a patient, unbeaten half-century to guide South Africa to 267 for four at tea on the third day of the second and final test against India at Kingsmead yesterday.

Kallis has faced 180 balls for his 61 in what could be his last test innings following the announcement that he will retire at the end of this series and has taken the Proteas to within 67 of India’s first innings score of 334.

Kallis notched up his 87th half-century in tests to go with 44 hundreds. He will resume after the interval with JP Duminy (13 not out) but the match could be interrupted by rain and bad light as dark clouds hovered over the ground. All-rounder Kallis, 38, was the junior partner in an excellent fourth-wicket stand of 127 with AB de Villiers (74) that got South Africa out of trouble on day three. De Villiers, who bagged a century to help save the first test in Johannesburg, looked fluent again as he scored all around the ground before he edged to Virat Kohli at first slip off the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja, one of three wickets for the spinner.

De Villiers and Kallis steadied the

innings after a mini-collapse in the morning session when the hosts lost three wickets for 10 runs. The home side had started the day well, Graeme Smith (47) and Alviro Petersen (62) moving the side briskly from their overnight score of 82 and adding 21 runs before the former was excellently caught by Shikhar Dhawan running towards the boundary at cover off the bowling of Jadeja. Hashim Amla had a wretched time in the drawn first test in Johannesburg, out twice leaving deliveries that crashed on to his stumps, and he failed with the bat again.

This time he played a shot but the result was the same, the excellent Mohammed Shami getting the ball to move away slightly and clip the off-stump and dismiss him for three. That brought Kallis to the crease and India, showing great sportsmanship, gave the veteran all-rounder a guard of honor as he walked to the middle, with Australian umpires Steve David and Rod Tucker joining in. But perhaps the emotion of the moment led to Petersen losing his concentration as he was out the very next delivery, gloving the ball to Murali Vijay at slip off the bowling of Jadeja.— Reuters

SCOREBOARD DURBAN: Scoreboard at the close of play on the third day of the second and final test between South Africa and India in Durban yesterday.

India won the toss and elected to bat.

India first innings 334 South Africa first innings (82-0 overnight) G. Smith c Dhawan b Jadeja A. Petersen c Vijay b Jadeja H. Amla b Shami J. Kallis not out AB de Villiers c Kohli b Jadeja JP Duminy lbw Jadeja

47 62 3 78 74 28

D. Steyn not out 0 Extras (lb-6, w-1) 7 Total (for five wickets, 104.5 overs) 299 Fall of wickets: 1-103 2-113 3-113 4-240 5-298 Still to bat: F. Du Plessis, R. Peterson, V. Philander, M. Morkel.

Bowling (to date): Z. Khan 16-2-46-0 (w1), M. Shami 19-2-62-1, I. Sharma 23-7-76-0, R. Jadeja 37-9-87-4, R. Sharma 9.5-1-22-0.

Windies have tails up for second ODI WELLINGTON: The West Indies feel they have put the disappointment of their Test series against New Zealand behind them as they head into the second one-day international today full of confidence. Their two wicket win in the first ODI in Auckland on Boxing Day was the tonic the side needed coming off a 2-0 defeat in the three-Test series.

Although it was another unconvincing display with the bat in Auckland, the runfriendly McLean Park wicket in Napier offers the West Indies top order the chance to spend long spells in the middle today.

Their front-line seamers Ravi Rampaul, Jason Holder and Dwayne Bravo, who were not part of the Test squad, had the measure of New Zealand in the first ODI as they dismissed their hosts for a modest 156 in the 43rd over.

“It was exactly what we wanted, the momentum going into the next few games,” Holder said. “It wasn’t the best Test series we wanted, but the captaincy has changed and the mood has changed and

we’re just in better spirits and heading forward.” The West Indies will be forced into at least one change with key batsman Darren Bravo returning home for undisclosed personal reasons which will likely mean a promotion for Kirk Edwards into the playing XI. If New Zealand make a change it could be the introduction of speedster Adam Milne at the expense of Jimmy Neesham to give the side a genuine quick option.

“That’s something we’ve got to entertain the thought of,” captain Brendon McCullum said as he weighed up wickettaking options on a batsman’s wicket. “I guess you’ve got to try and balance it between that extra batter versus someone who can try and run through a team. It’s something we’ve got to look at.” The toss will also be crucial with the relatively small McLean Park, where scores are hard to defend, tending to favor the side batting last. An added bonus for the side batting second is the prospect of showers which would bring Duckworth-Lewis into the reckoning if the game is shortened. — AFP

SCOREBOARD MELBOURNE: Scoreboard on the third day of the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday: England 1st innings 255 (K. Pietersen 71; M. Johnson 5-63) Australia 1st innings (164 for 9 overnight): Chris Rogers c Pietersen b Bresnan 61 David Warner c Bairstow b Anderson 9 Shane Watson c Bairstow b Stokes 10 Michael Clarke b Anderson 10 Steve Smith c Bell b Broad 19 George Bailey c Bairstow b Anderson 0 Brad Haddin c Bairstow b Anderson 65 Mitchell Johnson c Anderson b Bresnan 2 Ryan Harris c Root b Broad 6 Peter Siddle c Bresnan b Broad 0 Nathan Lyon not out 18 Extras (lb4) 4 Total (all out; 82.2 overs) 204 Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Warner), 2-36 (Watson), 3-62 (Clarke), 4-110 (Smith), 5-112 (Rogers), 6-122 (Bailey), 7-151 (Johnson), 8-162 (Harris), 9-164 (Siddle), 10-204 (Haddin) Bowling: Anderson 20.24-67-4, Broad 20-6-45-3, Stokes 15-4-46-1, Bresnan 18-6-24-2, Panesar 9-2-18-0 England 2nd innings: Alastair Cook lbw b Johnson 51 Michael Carberry lbw b Siddle 12 Joe Root run out (Johnson) 15 Kevin Pietersen c Harris b Lyon 49 Ian Bell c Johnson b Lyon 0 Ben Stokes c Smith b Lyon 19 Jonny Bairstow c Haddin b Johnson 21 Tim Bresnan b Lyon 0 Stuart Broad c Clarke b Lyon 0 James Anderson not out 1 Monty Panesar lbw b Johnson 0 Extras (b5, lb6) 11 Total (all out; 61 overs) 179 Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Cook), 2-86 (Carberry), 3-86 (Root), 4-87 (Bell), 5131 (Stokes), 6-173 (Bairstow), 7-174 (Bresnan), 8-174 (Broad), 9-179 (Pietersen), 10-179 (Panesar) Bowling: Harris 10-1-34-0, Johnson 155-25-3, Lyon 17-3-50-5, Siddle 15-6-46-1, Watson 4-2-13-0.

CHARLOTTE: Kevin Durant had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder held on to defeat the Charlotte Bobcats 89-85 Friday night without injured guard Russell Westbrook. The Thunder announced before the game that Westbrook had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be out until after the All-Star break. Durant scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and finished 14 of 28 from the field. Serge Ibaka had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Thunder, who have won seven straight road games and 11 of 12 overall. Reggie Jackson started in place of Westbrook, shooting 4 of 19 from the floor.

The Thunder escaped after Josh McRoberts missed a wide-open 3-pointer with 3 seconds left.

KINGS 108, HEAT 103, OT DeMarcus Cousins had 27 points and 17 rebounds, Rudy Gay scored 26 and Sacramento rallied from an early 17-point deficit to beat undermanned Miami in overtime. Isaiah Thomas added 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to help the Kings snap Miami’s six-game winning streak. Gay made a tying jumper in the final minutes of regulation, and Sacramento quickly pulled away in the extra period to bring the sellout crowd of 17,317 roaring to its feet. LeBron James finished with 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and Chris Bosh had 18 points and seven rebounds for the two-time defending NBA champions. Miami played without Dwyane Wade (rest), Ray Allen (right knee tendinitis) and Chris Andersen (sore back).

WARRIORS 115, SUNS 86 Stephen Curry had career highs of 16 assists and 13 rebounds to go with 14 points, and Golden State beat Phoenix for its fourth straight victory. Klay Thompson scored 21 points for the Warriors and David Lee added 17. PJ Tucker had 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Suns, who had won three straight and eight of nine. It was Phoenix’s worst defeat of the season. Curry, who played 1 minute of the fourth quarter, had a rough shooting night and made just one of six 3point attempts. He more than made up for it with his passing and rebounding for his third career triple-double.

MAGIC 109, PISTONS 92 Arron Afflalo scored 23 points to lead five teammates in double figures and Orlando snapped a three -game skid by beating Detroit. The Magic led the Pistons by as many as 22 and cruised in the fourth quarter. Nik Vucevic added 20 points and 11 rebounds, and rookie Victor Oladipo finished with 16 points and a career-high 11 assists. The victory also halted a five-game home losing streak for the Magic, who hadn’t won at the Amway Center since the day before Thanksgiving.

Brandon Jennings had 21 points for the Pistons, who had won three in a row on the road.

PELICANS 105, NUGGETS 89 Tyreke Evans had 19 points and 10 assists, and New Orleans handed Denver its fifth straight loss. Jrue Holiday had 17 points and four steals, causing two turnovers that led to late fast-break points as the Pelicans slammed the door on Denver’s comeback bid. Anthony Davis added 17 points and four blocked shots despite playing sparingly in the first half because of three early fouls. Wilson Chandler scored 22 points and JJ Hickson added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who trailed by 18 in the second quarter but were as close as 93-87 on Quincy Miller’s 3-pointer with 2:55 to go.

RAPTORS 95, KNICKS 83 Jonas Valanciunas had 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, DeMar DeRozan scored 25 and Toronto rallied to beat New York. The Raptors trailed by 12 in the third quarter, but outscored the Knicks 29-12 in the fourth to take the opener of the home-andhome series. Kyle Lowry had 15 points and 11

MINNEAPOLIS: Minnesota Timberwolves’ Nikola Pekovic (left) has a close encounter with Washington Wizards’ Marcin Gortat during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Dec 27, 2013. —AP

assists for the Atlantic Division leaders, who host the Knicks on Saturday with a chance to extend their lead to five games over last season’s division champions. Andrea Bargnani had 18 points and 12 rebounds against his former team. Beno Udrih finished with 15 points and 10 assists for the Knicks, who played again without Carmelo Anthony because of a sprained left ankle.

JAZZ 105, LAKERS 103 Derrick Favors had 18 points and 14 rebounds and made a putback dunk with 2.1 seconds remaining to lift Utah over depleted Los Angeles. With the game tied at 103, Gordon Hayward drove to the basket on Utah’s final possession but missed his off-balance attempt as the Lakers converged. Favors grabbed the rebound and slammed the ball through the hoop to snap Utah’s four-game home losing streak. Hayward finished with 24 points and nine assists. Nick Young scored 21 points in 27 minutes before fouling out with 5:45 remaining and Chris Kaman had a season-high 19 points starting in place of Pau Gasol, who was out with a respiratory infection.

TIMBERWOLVES 120, WIZARDS 98 Kevin Love had 25 points and 11 rebounds,

and J.J. Barea scored 17 points off the bench to help Minnesota top Washington. Ricky Rubio had 11 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 26 minutes, and Nikola Pekovic added 18 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves. Minnesota outrebounded Washington 44-35 and only turned the ball over five times. John Wall had 26 points and seven assists for the Wizards, who missed a chance to win their fourth straight road game for the first time since March 2008. Nene added 13 points and five rebounds, but Bradley Beal had to be helped off the floor in the fourth quarter with a left leg injury.

NETS 104, BUCKS 93 Shaun Livingston scored 20 points, Mirza Teletovic added 19 off the bench and Brooklyn rebounded from an embarrassing Christmas Day performance by ending its four game losing streak with a victory over Milwaukee.

Paul Pierce added 13 points for the Nets, who lost by 17 in each of their previous two games.

Bucks rook ie Giannis Antetokounmpo had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Khris Middleton added 15 points and eight boards. Brooklyn led by as many 23 in the fourth quarter before the Bucks made a late run.— AP

NBA results/standings Oklahoma City 89, Charlotte 85; Orlando 109, Detroit 92; Brooklyn 104, Milwaukee 93; Toronto 95, NY Knicks 83; Minnesota 120, Washington 98; New Orleans 105, Denver 89; Utah 105, LA Lakers 103; Sacramento 108, Miami 103 (OT); Golden State 115, Phoenix 86.

Western Conference Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Northwest Division W L PCT GB Portland 24 5 .828 Toronto 12 15 .444 Oklahoma City 24 5 .828 Boston 12 17 .414 1 Denver 14 14 .500 9.5 Brooklyn 10 19 .345 3 Minnesota 14 15 .483 10 NY Knicks 9 20 .310 4 Utah 9 23 .281 16.5 Philadelphia 8 20 .286 4.5 Pacific Division Central Division LA Clippers 20 11 .645 Indiana 23 5 .821 Phoenix 17 11 .607 1.5 Detroit 14 17 .452 10.5 Golden State 18 13 .581 2 Chicago 11 16 .407 11.5 LA Lakers 13 17 .433 6.5 Cleveland 10 18 .357 13 Sacramento 9 19 .321 9.5 Milwaukee 6 23 .207 17.5 Southwest Division Southeast Division San Antonio 23 7 .767 Miami 22 7 .759 Houston 20 11 .645 3.5 Atlanta 16 13 .552 6 Dallas 16 13 .552 6.5 Charlotte 14 16 .467 8.5 Washington 12 14 .462 8.5 New Orleans 13 14 .481 8.5 Orlando 9 20 .310 13 Memphis 12 16 .429 10

Australia eye victory as England crumble MELBOURNE: Australia moved within 201 runs of victory in the fourth Ashes test with all 10 wickets in hand after routing England’s second innings for 179 to wrest back the momentum on a roller-coaster fourth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday.

Australia offspinner Nathan Lyon celebrated his 100th test wicket in a 5-50 haul as the tourists lost their last five wickets for six runs, squandering a hard-fought advantage their bowlers had secured in the morning. Chris Rogers was on 18 with fellow opener David Warner on 12 as Australia, chasing 231 for victory, reached 30 for no loss at the close of a blustery day’s play in front of a crowd of more than 63,000. “To have that result in the second innings for Australia is fantastic to turn the game around,” Lyon told reporters.

“We didn’t expect that, but we knew if we bowled in partnerships and keep on improving as a bowling unit then we knew that we could possibly crack open the game. “Come tomorrow Australia has to be really patient with our batting and it’s going to be a massive challenge.” Though victory and a 4-0 lead in the five-test series would seem Australia’s for the taking, no team has ever chased down more than South Africa’s 183 in 2008 since the first use of drop-in wickets at the MCG in 1996.

Both sides have struggled to score over 200 on a two-paced wicket amid Melbourne’s notoriously fickle weather, which brought baking heat before a cool change ushered in chilly gusts and blew rubbish across the field late in the day. England, however, were in large part the architects of their downfall in the second innings having pushed the lead to

116 without loss shortly after lunch. England captain Alastair Cook had moved serenely to his third half-century and became the youngest cricketer at 29 to reach 8,000 test runs, but his wicket for 51 was duly followed by the loss of three more for one run in the session.

Rejuvenated seamer Mitchell Johnson firmed his bid for man-of-the-series by trapping Cook in front with a searing inswinger and finished with 3-25 after having wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow caught behind for 21 and Monty Panesar lbw for a duck to wrap up the innings. The 32-year-old left-armer also dismissed Joe Root for 15 with brilliant fielding, throwing down the stumps from mid-off with the England number three well short of his bid for a reckless single. Two balls later Johnson, disbelievingly, took the simplest of catches at mid-off as Ian Bell lofted a horrid drive off the bowling of Lyon to be out for a golden duck. That completed a collapse of 31, kicked off when paceman Peter Siddle trapped Michael Carberry in front after a dour knock that yielded only 12 runs from 81 balls.

ENGLAND IMPLODES England still held a lead of 182 after tea with six wickets in hand, but promptly imploded as Lyon combined with Johnson to mow through the tail. Lyon struck to remove Ben Stokes for 19 to end a 44-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen, the spinner coaxing the all-rounder into a clumsy slog straight to Steven Smith at mid-on. The 26-year-old struck again the second ball after drinks to bowl Tim Bresnan for a duck, and three balls later had his 100th when Stuart Broad was

out for another duck by offering up a catch to Australia captain Michael Clarke at slip. Lyon capped a banner day by dismissing Pietersen for 49 for his fifth wicket when the South Africa-born batsman slogged to Ryan Harris at long-off.

While Lyon enjoyed most of the plaudits, Haddin continued to be the thorn in England’s side, with his first innings 65 making him the first batsman at seventh or lower in the order to post four first innings half-centuries in a series. He also surpassed Englishman Alec Stewart’s 378 runs on home soil in 1993 to become the highest-scoring wicketkeeper in an Ashes series, and his last wicket stand with Lyon added a valuable 40 runs. James Anderson was the pick of

England’s bowlers with 4-67, with Broad taking 3-45, and Cook will lean heavily on his two seamers to back up and win the match for England.

“I’m not really sure that I can explain what happened (with the batting) if I’m honest but obviously it was disappointing,” Bairstow, who replaced the dropped Matt Prior behind the stumps, said. “The mood is (we’re) looking forward to tomorrow. I guess it’s an exciting challenge knowing we’ve got to go out and take 10 wickets. “Very confident (of victory). We’ve got people in our side that have shown over a number of years the skills that are needed tomorrow to win us this game of cricket ... We’re still 200 runs in front.”— Reuters

MELBOURNE: England’s Kevin Pietersen lies down as he avoids a drive from Jonny Bairstow on the third day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test match against Australia yesterday. — AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

S P ORTS SPL PREVIEW

Celtic desperate to remain unbeaten GLASGOW: Anthony Stokes has become the latest Celtic player to talk up the importance of continuing his side’s 17-game unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season. The Glasgow giants’ 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on Thursday sent the Parkhead club 11 points clear at the top of the table from second place Motherwell to leave Neil Lennon’s side firmly on course to retain their title.

The Hoops manager has played down talk of his side remaining unbeaten for the entire season but, ahead of their trip to Inverness on Sunday, Irish striker Stokes said it was what the players were focusing on now their European run had come to an end. “It is massive. It is something we pride ourselves in,” Stokes said of the unbeaten run. “We have had a great start to the season, the consistency has been tremendous and we want to maintain that. “We are taking it game by game and we just want to keep it up, winning games is what it is all about. It is demanded at this club and we will keep striving towards that.

“Obviously this year has been a bit disappointing, with Europe, but we want to finish this season on a high and win trophies. At the end of the day, that is what it’s all about.” Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk is also keen to keep the unbeaten run going for as long as possible. His wonder goal clinched victory against St Johnstone and after netting two on his last trip to the Highlands to face Ross County he hopes to add to his tally when they take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“I¥ve never been unbeaten for maybe more than two games so this is new for me as well,” van Dijk said. “I like winning so hopefully we can keep it going. I’m expecting another battle against Inverness, definitely. It¥s a long trip as well so you have to be ready for the game. “I hope I can add to my tally up there. I love scoring-I think it¥s what everybody loves.” Celtic have no fresh injury worries for the trip north with Derk Boerrigter, Mikael Lustig, Beram Kayal and Steven Mouyokolo all out while Charlie Mulgrew remains a doubt.

Elsewhere, Dundee United will hope to get back to winning ways following a surprise defeat to St Mirren when they travel to take on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, second place Motherwell are away to Partick Thistle and Aberdeen host Ross County.

Bottom club Hearts, who were started the season on minus 15 points as a punishment for entering administration, look set to start the new year still in negative figures unless they get a win away to St Mirren.— AFP

Mourinho hopes for ‘little Suarez injury’ LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho enjoyed a typical moment of mischief on Friday when he suggested a “little injury” might deprive Liverpool of in-form striker Luis Suarez for today’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking to Chelsea TV, the Portuguese coach avoided any mention of Suarez’s controversial behavior in the clubs’ last meeting, at Anfield in April, when he bit the arm of defender Branislav Ivanovic. Instead, Mourinho said he hoped the free-scoring Uruguay striker - who was suspended for 10 matches for his dental attack - would not be available to play in the clash of the third and fourth-placed clubs.

“Maybe Suarez has got a little injury,” he said following Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on Thursday. “I’m not asking for a big injury... Just a little injury to stop him playing for four days.” Knowing that Suarez has scored 19 goals in 13 league games this season, Mourinho - who has bemoaned his own strikers’ profligacy this term - unsurprisingly avoided making comparisons. His three main strikers - Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba - have scored only five times between them.

“Every game is hard,” he said. “The difference is some teams are bigger - bigger name, bigger impact... Man CityLiverpool, Chelsea-Liverpool, Chelsea-Arsenal... “But every game is difficult. The last two matches we played (at home), Swansea and Crystal Palace: 1-0, 2-1. You have to give everything to win matches.” The Portuguese praised Eto’o, despite the Cameroon international having missed two clear chances to net his third league goal of the season. “He did well,” Mourinho said. “I want that feeling that my strikers are working to have chances. I want them to shoot, I want the goalkeeper to save, the ball to hit the post.”

TIGHT RACE Mourinho also said he hoped to see Chelsea awarded more penalties for fouls on their tricky Belgium winger Eden Hazard, who scored in a 1-0 win over Swansea City on Thursday. “I think that it happens a lot,” he explained. “That Eden Hazard beats people, goes into the box and is not getting penalties in situations like that.” Mourinho also foresees a very championship race, saying: “This year I think the pressure will be not only to win the title, it will be to get into the top four.

It will be hard. I think Manchester City is a big, big favorite.” He said Liverpool, managed by Brendan Rodgers who worked under him at Chelsea during Mourinho’s first stint in charge, had an edge by not being involved in European competition. “Liverpool are on holiday this season. They have a big advantage

LONDON: Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic (left) jumps for the ball with a Swansea City player during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stamford Bridge ground in London on Thursday, Dec 26, 2013. Chelsea won the match 1-0. — AP because they have one week to prepare the match, then they play the match - because they are not involved in the heat of the knockout of the Champions League or even the Europa League,” the Portuguese said.

“The manager (Rodgers) is one of my best friends in the game. I have full respect for a team like Liverpool.

He’s doing a fantastic job. He’s training every week in a calm way, training every day. “He has a big advantage compared to the other teams... It’s easier for a team that does that every day, every week,” said Mourinho, who has bemoaned being unable to work on tactics with his

team because of the frequency of matches.

Chelsea will be without their suspended Brazil midfielder R amires, who is likely to be replaced by England’s Frank Lampard on an afternoon when captain John Terry is set to make his 600th appearance for the west London club. Ivanovic is expected to continue at right back and, rejecting any chance to talk about Suarez, the Serbia international stressed the importance of the fixture. “It’s going to be a very important game for us, one of the deciding games this season,” he said. “We must be ready for the big fight. Our team likes to play big games and big challenges.”— Reuters

Sherwood aims to get Hotspur back on track LONDON: Tim Sherwood will continue his crashcourse introduction to management as he attempts to ensure Tottenham avoid another home disappointment when Stoke visit White Hart Lane today.

Sherwood marked his first game since agreeing an 18-month contract to succeed Andre Villas-Boas as Tottenham boss with a frustrating draw against struggling West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day. That extended Spurs’ poor run of form on home turf where they have failed to win in four Premier League and exited the League Cup at the hands of West Ham. Tottenham’s continuing inconsistency has left them five points adrift of the Premier League’s top four going into the next round of matches and midfielder Lewis Holtby admits anything other than victory over Mark Hughes’ Stoke side will be a major blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. “We have to win this game against Stoke because it’s vital we stay up near the top with the European places,” Holtby said. “It was a very disappointing result at home against West Brom.

Everyone wanted the win, we needed the win but in the Christmas period there’s no time for feeling sor-

ry for ourselves.

“We have to be up for it, we have to be mentally right.” It is Sherwood’s job to ensure his team bounces back and after overseeing a win, loss and a draw in his three games since first taking caretaker charge, he is learning quickly about the ups and downs of the job. The former Spurs midfielder admits chairman Daniel Levy has taken a chance in appointing but is convinced he will rise to the challenge. “It’s a gamble because I’ve never done it before,” Sherwood said. “But there are a lot of good managers who had never done it before and become a success.

“I was never a professional player until I stepped on the field.” Sherwood hopes to welcome Aaron Lennon back into his squad after the winger missed the West Brom clash with a stomach strain, but Jermain Defoe and Mousa Dembele are rated doubtful. Brazil midfielder Paulinho returns after suspension but right-back Kyle Walker serves a onematch ban. Meanwhile, Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen is hoping to retain his place despite conceding five on his first Premier League appearance in 19 months at Newcastle.

Hughes’ side - who were reduced to nine men by the dismissals of Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson lost 5-1 at St James’ Park after regular number one Asmir Begovic was ruled out for up to six weeks with a broken finger sustained on Christmas Day. Stoke also have the option of England Under 21 goalkeeper Jack Butland after he returned from a loan spell at Barnsley.” We knew straight away Asmir was struggling,” said Sorensen. “They did a light scan and they saw a break in there. He was really in pain.

It will be three, four or five weeks. “It wasn’t the comeback I had imagined. We controlled the game and kept them to a minimum of chances while we created chances.

“But then two sendings-off at this level, away from home against a team with the amount of attacking flair they had it was going to be a long second half and so it proved. “It was a bad loss, but under the circumstances I don’t think there was much we could do. “Spurs have obviously lost their manager and a new one in Tim Sherwood has come in who will have different ideas and play players in different positions. “We will get home, recover from this one and then start focusing on Spurs.”-—AFP

Washington beat BYU in Fight Hunger Bowl

BARCELONA: Spanish football international Andres Iniesta arrives with her daughter Valeria before signing to extend his Barcelona contract until at least 2018 at the club’s offices in Barcelona. His current contract, which runs out in 2015, carries a 200-million-euro release clause. —AFP

Barca ‘not scared’ of City MADRID: Barcelona are “not afraid” of facing Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 next month, the Spanish giants’ emblematic midfielder Andres Iniesta said in an interview published yesterday. Last week Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure said Barcelona-who he used to play for-were afraid of their impending clash because of the English club’s excellent form.

“They are quite afraid about us, the way they see us play in the Premier League at home especially, they’re quite scared,” said the 30-year-old, who joined Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010. “We play fantastic football and we score goals, it’s total attack. But it’s going to be a tough game and for us we know if we’re to win we need to be at the top of our game.”

Asked about Toure’s comments during an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca, Iniesta said: “We are not scared. This is football, the Champions League and Barca can’t be

scared of anyone.” “It’s going to be an intense and exciting tie. I think City was the toughest side we could have drawn and will prove a good test for us,” the 29-year-old added. Iniesta, who signed a three-year contract extension with Barcelona on Monday which will keep him with the La Liga leaders until at least June 2018, said he would like to end his career at the club.

“I think I still have many years left playing at the highest level and only time will tell where I end up. I’d like to end my career at Bara, but ultimately, my career will be defined by what I’ve won,” he said. Under the deal he signed last week, after 2018 Iniesta’s contract will be automatically extended annually if he has played a certain number of matches in the previous season. Winner of three Champions League trophies with Barcelona in 2006, 2009 and 2011, Iniesta was also key to Spain taking the World Cup in 2010 and being crowned European champions in 2008 and 2012.—AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Washington’s Bishop Sankey ran for 95 yards and two scores to tie the college’s career touchdown record and the Huskies went on to beat Brigham Young University 31-16 in the Fight Hunger Bowl on Friday. In the day’s other bowl games, Syracuse got a late touchdown to edge Minnesota in the Texas Bowl and Marshall used two fourth-quarter scores to beat Maryland in the Military Bowl.

Washington’s Keith Price added a 16-yard touchdown pass to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and John Ross returned a kick 100 yards for another score to help the Huskies complete their best season since winning the Rose Bowl in 2000. BYU’s Taysom Hill threw for 293 yards and ran for 133 yards and a score for the Cougars (8-5), who had their fourgame bowl winning streak snapped. Justin Sorensen kicked three field goals but also missed one in the third quarter after an interception by Robertson Daniel had given BYU prime field position.

The game capped a whirlwind month for the Huskies that began with coach Steve Sarkisian leaving for the same job at Southern California. Chris Petersen was lured from Boise State to take over, but quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo coached Friday on an interim basis. The defense led the way this game, holding the Cougars to four field goal attempts and one touchdown on five drives inside the Huskies 30. The game made history by being the first ever in the bowl series with two female officials. Sarah Thomas was the line judge and Maia Chaka was the head linesman based on their work in Conference USA this season.

In Houston, Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt scrambled 12 yards for a touchdown with 1:14 remaining to lift the Orange to a 21-17 win over Minnesota. Brisly Estime set up Hunt’s touchdown with a 70-yard punt return. Syracuse led 14-3 entering the fourth quarter before Mitch Leidner threw two touchdown passes and a 2-point conversion to put the Golden Gophers up 17-14. After the Orange regained the lead, Minnesota attempted two long passes to the end zone on the final plays. The first slipped through Drew Wolitarsky’s arms and the second, as time expired, was knocked down near the end zone.

Marshall’s Rakeem Cato threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Thundering Herd to a 31-20 win over Maryland. Marshall trailed 20-17 before Cato brought them back. After directing a 63-yard march to put his team up 24-20 with 12:05 left, Cato clinched it with an 8-yard touchdown throw to Gator Hoskins with 3:42 to play. Cato com-

pleted 28 of 44 passes with no interceptions.

Maryland (7-6) scored only one touchdown after halftime, and AJ Leggett followed Cato’s final TD pass with an interception to set off a celebration among the Marshall fans. Brandon Ross rushed for 116 yards for the Terrapins, and CJ Brown went 14 for 24 for 197 yards.— AP

SAN FRANCISCO: Offensive and Defensive Players of game Bishop Sankey #25 and Hau’oli Kikaha #8 of the Washington Huskies holds up the Championship Trophy after they defeated the BYU Cougars 31-16 in the Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on December 27, 2013. —AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

S P ORTS

Welbeck lifts United Norwich 0

Man Utd 1

BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor (left) scores against Swansea City during the English Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham England yesterday. — AP

Villa suffer more home frustration Aston Villa 1

Swansea 1

BIRMINGHAM: Aston Villa endured another frustrating outing on home tur f as Swansea hit back to rescue a 1-1 draw at Villa Park yesterday. Paul Lambert’s team were on course for a rare success in front of their own fans when Gabriel Agbonlahor opened the scoring early in the first half.

But Swansea’s Roland Lamah equalized before the interval and the hosts were unable to snatch a winner. That meant Villa have now won just one of their last seven home matches, although the draw did at least end a miserable run of four consecutive Premier League defeats.

Villa are four points above the relegation zone, with Swansea, who are without a win in their last six games, a further point ahead of Lambert’s side in the table. Villa had left the field to jeers after losing at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday but they began positively, pressing high up the pitch and wasting no time breaking forward. They got their reward after seven minutes as Andreas Weimann picked up the ball on the right and played in Agbonlahor, who exploited dreadful positioning by the Swansea defence and found himself all alone on the edge of the penalty area.

Agbonlahor initially seemed to hesitate, but then showed good composure to slot his shot under Swansea goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel. Swansea’s first chance to equalize came in the 17th minute when Pablo Hernandez cut inside and tested Brad Guzan, who spilled the ball before gathering at the second attempt. Three minutes later the visitors should have been

level but Ben Davies headed the ball into the ground and over the bar from six yards when he was picked out by Jonathan De Guzman’s corner.

However, Michael Laudrup’s team drew level in the 36th minute when Jonjo Shelvey found Hernandez on the left and his cross was headed in at the back post by Lamah. Guzan was called into action early in the second half, tipping over De Guzman’s free-kick, before Wilfried Bony fired well over the bar.Villa rarely looked like winning it and even Fabian Delph’s well-struck shot was straight at Tremmel.

That turned out to be the final chance and Villa’s angry fans responded to the final whistle with more boos.— AFP

Matches on TV (Local Timings)

Sunderland 2

CARDIFF: Cardiff’s chaotic week ended on a frustrating low note as Sunderland scored twice in the final minutes to snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw yesterday. Malky Mackay was sacked as manager by Cardiff owner Vincent Tan on Friday following the acrimonious breakdown of their relationship.

Malaysian tycoon Tan claimed he had no choice but to axe the popular Mackay because the Scot was revealing too much about the behind-the-scenes power struggle at the Premier League club.

Just 24 hours after Mackay’s departure, the Bluebirds, led by caretaker bosses David Kerslake and Joe McBride, were unable to ease the angst in south Wales after blowing a two-goal lead at the Cardiff City Stadium. Goals from Jordan Mutch and Fraizer Campbell had put Cardiff in control, but Steven Fletcher got one back with seven minutes left and Jack Colback capped a remarkable finish with an equaliser in the final seconds.

Cardiff remain 16th, two points above the relegation zone, while Sunderland stay bottom of the table. The controversial Tan clearly had no intention of keeping a low profile and he emerged into the directors box before kick-off wearing Cardiff’s bright red home shirt. The response from Cardiff’s fans to Mackay’s sacking wasn’t quite as furious as expected, although there were banners held up displaying slogans that read ‘ Thank you Malky ’ and ‘ Tan out’.

NORWICH: Manchester United’s English striker Danny Welbeck (right) scores the opening goal past Norwich City’s English goalkeeper John Ruddy (L) during the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and Manchester United yesterday. —AFP the ball away before Wes Hoolahan could pounce. United had to soak up some intense pressure after that, which saw Gary Hooper’s fierce drive saved by de Gea and Snodgrass twice fail to hit the target. Referee Phil Dowd then booked three players in the space of a few minutes - Giggs and Hernandez plus Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer - but did not award Norwich a penalty when Tom Cleverley brought Bradley Johnson down while trying to clear.

Norwich continued to dominate and de Gea had to get behind a header from a corner from Sebastien Bassong before Snodgrass shanked the last chance of the half wide. Welbeck replaced Giggs at the break as United switched to a 4-4-2 formation and that proved a key moment. Young perked up and a run ended with

a shot that only just cleared Ruddy’s crossbar.

Nathan Redmond was inches away from opening the scoring at the other end but it was United who found the net in the 57th minute through Welbeck.

The substitute blocked Bennett’s clearance, with the ball then bouncing off Hernandez and allowing Welbeck to round Ruddy and score.

United now looked the more likely to add to the score-line and Ruddy had trouble dealing with a Hernandez long-range strike. Norwich boss Chris Hughton made his last roll of the dice, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel replacing Hooper to derisive jeers from the unhappy home fans. Netherlands international van Wolfswinkel was unable to make much of an impact as United saw out the closing minutes with little alarm.— AFP

English Premier League Newcastle v Arsenal Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD Everton v Southampton Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Tottenham v Stoke Aljazeera Sport +5 Aljazeera Sport 4 HD Chelsea v Liverpool Aljazeera Sport 1 HD Aljazeera Sport +9 Aljazeera Sport +10 Aljazeera Sport 6 HD

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19:00

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WEST ASIAN FEDERATION Lebanon v Kuwait Aljazeera Sport 1

West Ham, West Brom share spoils in goalfest

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Sunderland frustrate Cardiff Cardiff 2

NORWICH: Danny Welbeck came off the bench to maintain Manchester United’s recent revival as his second half goal clinched a hard-fought 10 win over Norwich at Carrow Road yesterday.

United rode their luck at times and Welbeck’s goal had an element of good fortune about it, but the champions held on for their sixth successive victory in all competitions. The reigning Premier League champions are up to sixth, two points short of a top-four place, although four of the five clubs above them now boast a game in hand. United boss David Moyes made several changes to the side that fought back to win 3-2 at Hull on Boxing Day. Wayne Rooney, who scored his 150th United goal in that game, did not travel because of a groin strain and Antonio Valencia missed out through suspension as Javier Hernandez, Shinji Kagawa and Ashley Young started. Norwich, who beat United 1-0 at Carrow Road last season, also changed their starting line-up following a 2-1 home loss to Fulham, with Wes Hoolahan, Russell Martin and Ryan Bennett coming in.

The struggling Canaries looked nervous and were unable to hold on to possession in the early stages. United, with Ryan Giggs controlling midfield, tested the hosts on both flanks and Japan midfielder Kagawa saw a shot from a tight angle blocked by Canaries goalkeeper John Ruddy. The home side calmed their nerves eventually and almost took the lead in the 20th minute when Russell Martin, having played a one-two with Robert Snodgrass, forced David de Gea into a parrying save.

Chris Smalling made a mess of clearing the rebound at the back post but was able to hook

Mackay’s departure didn’t seem to have shattered his former players’ morale and they made a flying start in the sixth minute.

Campbell stole possession in midfield and Mutch seized on the loose ball, surging towards the edge of the penalty area before driving in a powerful strike that took a slight deflection off Modibo Diakite as it flashed past goalkeeper Vito Mannone. Tan celebrated with a broad smile and a thumb up gesture to all corners of the stadium.

There was real energy about Cardiff and South Korean midfielder Kim Bo-Kyung forced Mannone to tip over with a fierce long-range effort. Sunderland finally found some momentum and should have been level before half-time.

Ki Sung-Yueng’s deflected shot was pushed out by goalkeeper David Marshall to Jozy Altidore, who had the goal at his mercy but could only scuff his shot wide from close-range. Fabio Borini’s long-range strike was well saved by Marshall soon after and the Italian was denied by an even better stop when the Cardiff ‘keeper turned away his first-time shot. Former Sunderland forward Campbell appeared to have killed off his old club in the 58th minute.

Mutch whipped over a cross from the left and Campbell, given far too much space by Sunderland’s sloppy marking, pounced with a clinical close-range finish.

But Fletcher reduced the deficit when he poked home from Emanuele Giaccherini’s cross in the 83rd minute. That set the stage for a tense finale, with Sunderland’s Valentin Roberge denied an equalizer by Marshall’s reflex save. Sunderland kept pressing and they were rewarded in the fifth minute of stoppage -time when Colback’s shot clipped off Steven Caulker and looped into the net, leaving Tan and Cardiff’s players stunned.—AFP

West Ham 3

West Brom 3

LONDON: West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion each squandered opportunities to move away from the Premier League relegation zone in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Upton Park yesterday. After Joe Cole put West Ham ahead in the fourth minute, Nicolas Anelka scored his first two West Brom goals to give the visitors a 2-1 halftime lead. Substitute Modibo Maiga equalized for West Ham and then teed up Kevin Nolan as the hosts went in front, but Saido Berahino struck two minutes later to earn managerless West Brom a point.

West Ham have won only once in 12 league games and the dropped points prevented them from climbing out of the relegation zone, while West Brom remain in peril after seeing their own winless run extended to nine matches.

West Brom caretaker coach Keith Downing gave Anelka his first start since late October in a new 3-5-2 formation and his side made a positive start, with Chris Brunt volleying into the side netting from James Morrison’s cross.

However, from the resulting goal kick West Ham went ahead, with Carlton Cole flicking on Jussi Jaaskelainen’s high ball for Joe Cole, who exchanged passes with Nolan before drilling a low shot past Ben Foster. West Ham then lost James Tomkins to a groin injury, with Guy Demel taking his place, but the hosts continued to push forward, with Demel striking the outside of the post and Mark Noble bending a free-kick narrowly wide.

West Brom had not mustered a shot in anger since falling behind, but in the 40th minute they drew level, with Anelka racing onto a lofted pass from Brunt and coolly clipping a low shot past Jaaskelainen. It was a suckerpunch, and West Brom hit their hosts with another in first-half injury time, as Anelka poked home from close range after Jonas Olsson’s header was blocked on the

line by Carlton Cole. Maiga replaced Carlton Cole at half-time and after seeing Berahino flash a shot just wide, West Ham set about restoring their lead.

Foster repelled Maiga’s first effort of note with a fine diving save, but moments later the West Ham substitute found the back of the net with a low curling effort that the England goalkeeper should probably have saved. Maiga came to the fore again two minutes later, nodding down a cross from Noble for Nolan to hook home, only for Berahino to equalize almost immediately with a low drive that went in off the right-hand post.

West Brom came closest to snatching all three points, but Brunt could only shoot straight at Jaaskelainen from a promising position and Berahino saw an 81st-minute freekick come back off the post.

ANTI-SEMITIC CELEBRATION Meanwhile, West Bromwich’s Anelka has denied performing an anti-Semitic goal celebration in yesterday ’s 3-3 draw at West Ham United, according to caretaker coach Keith Downing. Anelka, 34, made his first appearance since October in the Premier League game at Upton Park and scored twice in a five-minute spell shortly before half-time. After scoring his first goal, he put his left hand across his body to make the ‘quenelle’ salute popularized by the anti-establishment French comedian Dieudonne, who is one of Anelka’s friends. The gesture has been linked to anti-Semitism in France, with French interior minister Manuel Valls calling for Dieudonne’s performances to be banned. Anelka’s celebration quickly created a buzz on social networking websites, but Downing said that the former France striker was merely showing his support for the comic. “I’m aware of it, but it has got nothing to do what is being said,” Downing told a press conference when asked about the gesture. “It is dedicated to a French comedian he knows very, very well.

He uses it in his act and I think speculation can be stopped now. It is absolute rubbish really. “He is totally unaware of what the problems were or the speculation that has been thrown around. He is totally surprised by it.”—Agencies

LONDON: West Bromwich Albion’s French striker Nicolas Anelka gestures as he celebrates scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at The Boleyn Ground, Upton Park in east London yesterday. The game finished 3-3. —AFP

EPL results/standings LONDON: English Premier League table after yesterday’s matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

CARDIFF: Sunderland’s Steven Fletcher scores his team’s opening goal during their English Premier League match against Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff Wales yesterday.—AP

Man City Arsenal Chelsea Liverpool Everton Man Utd Newcastle Spurs Southampton Hull

19 18 18 18 18 19 18 18 18 19

13 12 11 11 9 10 10 9 7 6

2 3 4 3 7 4 3 4 6 5

4 3 3 4 2 5 5 5 5 8

54 36 33 43 29 32 29 19 25 22

21 18 18 21 17 22 23 24 18 23

41 39 37 36 34 34 33 31 27 23

Swansea 19 Stoke 18 Aston Villa 19 Norwich 19 West Brom 19 Cardiff 19 Crystal Palace 19 5 Fulham 19 West Ham 19 Sunderland 19

5 5 5 5 3 4 1 5 3 3

6 6 5 4 9 6 13 1 6 5

8 7 9 10 7 9 12 13 10 11

24 18 18 16 22 15 28 19 18 15

25 26 25 32 27 30 16 41 28 32

21 21 20 19 18 18 16 15 14

Anelka denies anti-Semitic celebration

19

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Welbeck lifts Man United over Norwichx

19

Australia eye victory after England crumble Page 17

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s English midfielder James Milner (right) vies with Crystal Palace’s Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace yesterday. Manchester City won the game 1-0. — AFP

Man City edge Palace to go top Man City 1

Palace 0

MANCHESTER: Edin Dzeko’s second-half strike sent Manchester City to the top of the Premier League table as his side earned a narrow 1-0 victory over strugglers Crystal Palace yesterday. City manager Manuel Pellegrini decided to make six changes from his side’s victory over Liverpool on Thursday and their 100 percent home record looked in danger

until Dzeko’s strike with 24 minutes to go.

Nonetheless, the 2012 champions are now top of the league for the first time since the opening weekend of the season, with previous leaders Arsenal not in action until today. With City unbeaten at the Etihad Stadium in the league this year, visiting their ground is a daunting task for even Europe’s top sides, let alone relegation candidates Palace.

Tony Pulis’s side may have won four of their last seven games, but City’s ruthlessness on their own turf meant that most Palace fans travelled north expecting a damage limitation exercise. But City lacked something in the opening half, with the absence of midfielder Yaya Toure notable as he was rested by Pellegrini and looked on from the bench.

David Silva did create an early chance for

Dzeko and he flashed a shot wide in the best of the first-half openings.

City probed for the opening 45 minutes with the majority of the possession, but they did not have the same zip to their play that has seen them put six goals past Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur on home turf this season.

They were limited to long-distance efforts, with Silva, James Milner and even centre-back Vincent Kompany having a go from range, only to be either off target or have their shots easily saved by Julian Speroni in the Palace goal. Palace rarely ventured out of their own half, but when they did it ended badly for forward Cameron Jerome, who had to be taken off after colliding with City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

England international Hart received a nasty

cut under his eye for his troubles. That led to a lengthy delay and in the first-half stoppage time that resulted, Fernandinho forced Speroni into a decent stop with a powerful header. After the restart, it was Hart who was tested first when Jason Puncheon fizzed an effort towards the bottom corner that the City goalkeeper pushed away. That prompted Pellegrini into a double change as Fernandinho and right-back Dedryck Boyata were sacrificed for the more attacking Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo.

Pellegrini’s decision to rest some of his big names in the busy festive period, having complained about fixture congestion recently, looked set to backfire. Frustration was creeping in among the home fans, who had been treated to so much better in their side’s previ-

Hull post record win, hammer Fulham 6-0 Hull 6

Fulham 0

KINGSTON UPON HULL: Hull ended a disappointing run of form in emphatic style yesterday as they recorded their best-ever result in the Premier League with a 6-0 hammering of struggling Fulham.

Hull, who had won just twice since September prior to the game, scored all their goals in the second-half to move seven points clear of the relegation places while the visitors remain third from bottom with their defense once again having let them down. They have conceded 41 goals in 19 games, the worst in the Premier League, and must hope to get positive results at home to fellow relegation candidates West Ham and Sunderland early next year to ease their plight.

Hull dominated the first-half without managing to beat David Stockdale, deputizing for first choice ‘keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who failed to recov-

er from a calf injury. Tom Huddlestone rattled the post with a fierce free-kick while Stockdale did brilliantly to deny George Boyd. Egyptian international Ahmed Elmohamady also went close for the hosts but his longrange shot was saved easily by Stockdale as Hull ended the half having had seven shots to the visitors’ two.

Hull kept up the pressure on Fulham straight after the break, Huddlestone again going close with a fine effort that crept over the bar. Stockdale then did brilliantly in denying first Yannick Sagbo and regathered himself to save from the rebound which fell to Slovenian Robert Koren-but his efforts were to be in vain seconds later. Huddlestone’s corner was only cleared as far as Elmohamady, who made no mistake from the edge of the box with a crisp effort.

From then on Fulham wilted and Hull rubbed in their all-round superiority with two goals in three minutes around the hour mark as first the impressive Koren got on the scoresheet, converting Sagbo’s cross. Boyd grabbed Hull’s third, although it was more about woeful defending than Boyd’s ingenuity.

Jake Livermore’s long ball fell to Boyd but he was surrounded by

ous home games. And the hosts even started to look vulnerable on the counter-attack, with Puncheon curling just wide and Mile Jedinak forcing Hart into a good save with a dangerous swerving effort.

But the tension that was filtering around the Etihad was released in the 66th minute when Palace failed to clear and Jesus Navas crossed for Dzeko, who lifted a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards. Soon after, Joel Ward forced Hart into another save before the Palace defender headed wide from close range from Barry Bannan’s cross. Dzeko went close in second-half stoppage time as he headed just over, but a second goal was not needed in the end for City, who can look down on their title rivals for a few hours at least. — AFP

Bayern, Kuwait to face off in exhibition match Reigning World champions to visit Kuwait

HULL: Hull City’s George Boyd (centre) battles for the ball with Fulham’s Giorgos Karagounis, (left) and Elsad Zverotic during their English Premier League match at the KC Stadium yesterday. — AP four defenders and somehow managed to shrug them all off to beat Stockdale. Hull had the bit between the teeth and while in the first-half nothing could beat Sotckdale, now everything they tried came off-Huddlestone crowning a dynamic performance with a fine effort in the 67th minute to make it 4-0.

Huddlestone, who moved from Tottenhham for around £5million (6 million euros, $8.2 million), honored his word, too, as he had promised to have his hair cut once he ended what had become a two-

year goal drought and he stopped by the dugout during his celebrations to have a lock of it cut by a member of the backroom staff. If Fulham hoped Hull’s desire for goals was sated they were to be sorely disappointed as Matty Fryatt poked home the fifth after Huddlestone’s extraordinary 40yard free-kick had been tipped onto the bar by Stockdale. There was even time for Koren to add his second as the 33-year-old fired home from close range after Stockdale’s reflex save from Danny Graham had fallen to him. — AFP

KUWAIT: Reigning World and European champions Bayern Munich FC will be visiting Kuwait in two weeks to play against AFC Cup Champions Kuwait SC in an exhibition match. The match, which is expected to garner huge crowds in the football-crazed Gulf nation, will take place at the Kuwait SC Stadium in Kuwait City on January 13, 2014.

Kick-off time is set at 6:00 pm.

“Bayern Munich is scheduled to arrive from Qatar on the match’s day”, said Muayad Al-Shehab, chairman of the higher committee that is organizing the match, in a statement published yesterday. He added that the German team has also requested to use Kuwait club’s training facilities. According to Al-Shehab, Kuwait SC have signed a 1.100 million Euros (KD426,935)contract with Bayern Munich to play a friendly match featuring all of its stars, including French international Frank Ribery who is a nominee to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual’s award given for the best player in the previous season, and which coincidently is set to be named on the same day of the match.

Tickets will be available at affordable prices “because the goal is to lure crowds back to the stadium and allow them to watch the world’s top footballers play”, said Al-Shehab. Football is the most popular sport in Kuwait, but most of the game’s enthusiasts in the Gulf prefer European or foreign teams to local clubs. League and Cup

matches in Kuwait are mostly held in front of empty seats whereas many Kuwaitis make travel every year to European countries to watch and support their favorite clubs.

Bayern Munich is one of the most successful football clubs in Europe and the world, with 5 UEFA Champions League titles in its resume - the last won in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final last May. It also holds the record for most German league championships with 23 trophies. Its latest accomplishments came last week when the team was crowned the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup Champions after defeating Africa’s champions Raja Casablanca in Morocco.

Kuwait SC is a three-time AFC Cup champion, and the reigning champion after winning last season’s trophy. It is the third most successful club in Kuwait with 33 domestic titles - coming only after archrivals Al-Arabi and Al-Qadsia. Bayern Munich would become the third high-profile European football team to play a friendly match in recent years in Kuwait.

On March 2012, Real Madrid, featuring mega stars including Christiano Ronaldo, defeated the Kuwait National team 2 - 0.

Kazma SC hosted Real Madrid’s archrival, Barcelona, on December 2009 in a friendly match held as part of the Kuwaiti club’s 45th anniversary celebration. The match ended in a 1- 1 draw as the Spanish giant was missing most of its key players including three-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

Business

Italy defers proposed ‘Google tax’ until July Page 22

Libya’s Hariga port to resume exports in days

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Page 23

Democrats plan big push on US jobless aid in 2014

Page 25

UAE real estate set for robust growth: Study Page 26

NEW YORK: Specialist Peter Elkins reflected in one of his screens at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The Dow Jones industrial average set a record in March and hardly stopped to celebrate. The blue-chip average has soared roughly 25 percent so far, its best performance in a decade. Stocks stand out as among the few areas of the economy to fully recover from the 2008 financial crisis. — AP

Market strategists wary about 2014 Predictions from market experts NEW YORK: It is an understatement to say stock market investors had a good year in 2013. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index soared 29 percent, its best year since 1997. Including dividends, it gained 32 percent. What lies ahead after this historic year? The AP asked leading market analysts and investment managers where they see the Standard & Poor’s 500 index winding up by the end of 2014 and why. The index closed at 1,841 Friday, with two trading days left in the year.

CITIGROUP Year-end target: 1,900.

Reasoning: Modest improvement in the economy and better company earnings. Enticed by higher returns, investors will move some cash from bonds back into stocks.

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH Year-end target: 2,000.

Reasoning: With the Federal Reserve likely to end its bond-buying program, bonds face a tough year. In stocks, the focus will be large multinational companies that can benefit from an improving global economy.

GOLDMAN SACHS Year-end target: 1900.

Reasoning: The rally of 2013 cannot continue into 2014. Stocks are no longer cheap. Investors are paying more than $16 for every $1 of earnings, versus about $14 at the beginning of 2012.

Stocks will keep rising, but more modestly, Goldman analysts say.

BARCLAYS CAPITAL Year-end target: 1,900.

Reasoning: The Fed pulling out of its stimulus program will lessen the support for US stocks over the next year. Investors should focus on corporate earnings, as well as the modestly improving economy.

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES Year-end target: 1850-1900.

Reasoning: The stock market will trend higher next year, but the returns are unlikely to repeat the gains of 2013. Another round of budget battles between the White House and Congress as well as a new Fed chairwoman will likely impact the market’s growth. — AP

Investors get resolutions for New Year NEW YORK: 2013 was a great year for the average investor, but few market strategists believe that 2014 will be anywhere near as good. The simple strategy of buying US stocks, selling bonds and staying out of international markets isn’t going to work as well as it has, they say.

Some of Wall Street’s biggest money managers have come up with a few resolutions to help investors’ retirement portfolios have a good year: • Curb your expectations Few investors expected 2013 to be as big as it was.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 29 percent for the year, its best year since 1997. Including dividends, it’s up 32 percent. On average, market strategists expect 2014 to be somewhat tame. Most are looking for the S&P 500 to rise to 1,850 to 1,900 points, a gain of just 1 to 3 percent.

market. Since the market bottomed in March 2009, investors pulled $430 billion out of stock funds, according to data from Lipper, while putting nearly $1 trillion into bond funds.

Professional market watchers are concerned that many individual investors, trying to play a game of catch-up, might rush into the market with a vengeance next year. The surge of money could cause stocks to jump if investors ignore warnings that the market is getting overvalued.

Wall Street calls this phenomenon a “melt-up.” As you can guess, a “melt-up” could lead to a “melt-down,” as happened in the late 1990s with the dot-com bubble.

“I fear people, who sat out 2013, will jump in too fast next year and get burned,” said Richard Madigan, chief investment officer for JPMorgan Private Bank.

• Keep your eye on valuation Investors bid up stock prices to all-time highs this year, despite a mediocre economy and corporate profits that were less than spectacular. At the beginning of the year, the price-to-earnings ratio on the S&P 500 was 13.5, meaning investors were paying roughly $13.50 for every $1 of earnings in the S&P 500. Now the S&P 500’s P-E ratio is around 16.7.

While a P/E ratio of 16.7 won’t set off any alarm bells - the historical average is 14.5 - it is noticeably higher than it was a year ago. Investors have high expectations for corporate profits next year, based on the prices they are paying.

“It’s hard to believe that this market can go much higher from here without some corporate earnings growth,” said Bob Doll, chief equity strategist at Nuveen Asset Management.

Profit margins are already at record highs, and corporations spent most of 2013 increasing their earnings by cutting costs or using financial engineering tools like buying back their own stock. Earnings at companies in the S&P 500 grew at an 11 percent rate in 2013.

The consensus among market strategists is that profit growth will slow to around 8 percent in 2014.

However, if the US economy continues to improve, and corporate profit margins expand, it could justify the prices investors have been paying for stocks.

Which leads us to: • Don’t panic, either Stocks cannot go higher all the time. Bearish investors have been saying for months that stocks are due for a pullback in the near future.

The S&P 500 is up 63 percent since the stock market’s last major downturn in October 2011. It has been resilient through several scares this year, including the conflict in Syria, the budget crisis and near-breach of the nation’s borrowing limit in October.

In their 2014 outlook, Goldman Sachs analysts said that while the market has been strong, they see a 67 percent chance that stocks will decline 10 percent or more in 2014, which is known as a stock market “correction.”

Goldman analysts still expect stocks to end the year modestly higher.

• Don’t get caught up in the euphoria Be wary if your neighbor decides to jump head-first into the market next year. A large number of investors have remained on the sidelines for this five-year bull

• Cut your exposure to bonds Fixed-income investors had a tough year in 2013. The Barclays Aggregate bond index, a broad composite of thousands of bonds, fell 2 percent. Investors in longterm bonds were hit even harder, losing 14 percent of their money since the beginning of the year, according to comparable bond indexes. 2014 is not looking good for bond investors, either.

The Federal Reserve has started to pull back on its bond-buying economic stimulus program. That means one of the biggest buyers of bonds for the last year will slowly exit the market in 2014.

The Fed’s exit could send bond prices falling. “Bonds are hardly a place to be in 2014,” Nuveen’s Doll said. That

doesn’t mean investors should avoid bonds altogether, strategists say. Instead, investors should reorganize their portfolio to focus more on bonds that mature in relatively short periods of time. The prices of those bonds tend to fluctuate less than those of bonds that take longer to mature, and are less likely to lose value when interest rates rise, as many expect will happen in 2014.

Madigan said that under normal circumstances he would advise investors to hold bonds that mature in an average of about five years. This measure is referred to as a bond’s “duration.”

For 2014, Madigan is advising investors to restructure their portfolio to have an average duration of two to two-and-a-half years.

“Long duration bonds are much more a riskier asset than a safe asset next year,” Madigan said.

• Your stock market alternative in 2014 is ... stocks Other than stocks, the average investor typically has access to three other types of investments: cash, bonds and commodities such as gold. None are expected to perform better than the stock market next year. If bonds had a tough 2013, gold investors got punched in the stomach. Gold is down 28 percent this year, and is on its way to its first annual loss since 2000.

Gold is expected to have another tough year in 2014, with inflation under control and the Fed expected to gradually exit the bond market. Analysts at Barclays Capital expect gold to end 2014 at $1,270 an ounce, about 5 percent higher than where it is today.

Cash is expected to provide a near-zero return next year, as it has for several years now. Savings and money market-accounts are returning less than 0.1 percent on average.

Study abroad Several market strategists believe international stocks will be the place to be next year. Asian and European stocks did not perform as well as US stocks in 2013, with the notable exception of Japan, where the Nikkei 225 index soared 56 percent.

Europe is particularly attractive, they say. The European Union came out of a two-year recession in 2013, and the debt crisis that plagued most of the region has abated. Some strategists say that Europe is a couple of years behind the US in its economic recovery, and stocks could be relatively cheap in comparison.

“The big debate among my team is whether international markets will play catch-up next year,” said Madigan of JPMorgan Private Bank. — AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Social recruiting: The HR buzzword for 2014 Bayt.com weekly report

By Lama Ataya

A

s social media continues to develop and morph today, its impact on HR and the recruitment process is inevitable. When you harness the power of social platforms to drive your recruitment efforts even further, what you get is termed today as “social recruiting”. Consider this statistic from the Bayt.com ‘Personal Branding in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, September 2013: 61 percent of professionals in the MENA agree that their company does check the profiles of new recruits online before hiring them. Additionally, 50.5 percent of professionals polled in the Bayt.com ‘Hiring Management in the MENA’ poll, August 2012, say that they recruit senior management online.

Using social media platforms for recruitment Most companies who have some kind of presence on the Internet have wisely got themselves an account on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Social media platforms offer companies a unique opportunity to give their brand a more personalized image, thus connecting at a more individual level with their customers.

According to the Bayt.com ‘Corporate Usage of Social Media in the Middle East’ poll, June 2012, 65.5 percent of professionals in the MENA say that their company has a Facebook page, making it the most popular social media platform for corporate use in the region. However, only 6.6 percent of professionals say that their company uses social media for recruitment purposes, highlighting the fact that companies in the region have yet to get on the social recruitment wagon.

Bayt.com’s own People (people.bayt.com) and Specialties (bayt.com/specialties) platforms have helped millions of professionals successfully make the leap to professional networking. While professionals benefit greatly from discussions on the hyper-specific forums on Specialties, employers also have a chance to spot potential talent on this new, powerful platform.

Here are some aspects of social recruiting suggested by the HR experts at Bayt.com,

the Middle East’s number 1 job site, for employers to consider and factor into their recruitment process: 1. Employer Branding: Branding efforts shouldn’t be confined to the time when you are advertising your products or services. To attract the best talents, hiring companies need to put their best foot forward. Make sure your company’s page on Bayt.com is well maintained. Just as employers don’t want to see typos on candidates’ CVs, the same applies to your job postings. You can create a unique page for your company on bayt.com/en/company.

2. Engagement: All jobs posts on Bayt.com have social sharing buttons which makes it easy for professionals to share interesting jobs with their network. Once they have posted their vacancy on Bayt.com, companies can also go a step further and share these jobs on their social pages. Using the right tone and a consistent voice is also important to make sure posts are always enticing and engaging.

3. Customer Service: Companies should treat their job applicants just as they would treat their customers. While it may not be practically feasible to call each of the 500 applicants who applied to your job, you can always use an email notification system.

Bayt.com offers employers many customizable templates so that jobseekers are notified about their job application during every step of the hiring process.

4. Selection: 71 percent of professionals in the Bayt.com ‘Personal Branding in the Middle East and North Africa’ poll, September 2013, say that a candidate’s social networking activity has made them change their mind about that person. Doing an online audit of the candidate is a step that companies need to build into their recruitment process if they don’t want to come across unsavory details about their new hires.

5. Social Spokespersons: Hiring is an ongoing process and so companies should not halt their branding efforts after they have finalized the hire. Your new hires and existing employees are the best spokespersons to promote your employer brand. You can also use social media to share your hiring success stories as this will encourage fresh talent to approach you.

Textron: Too soon to say if Beechcraft faces cuts NEW YORK: Textron Inc’s CEO said that his aviation company’s $1.4 billion purchase of Beechcraft Corp will require “restructuring and optimization of costs.” But how the deal will affect thousands of employees at Beechcraft’s home base in Kansas, and elsewhere, remains unclear.

Textron, Cessna Aircraft’s parent company, announced late Thursday that it was purchasing Wichita, Kan.-based Beechcraft in a merger of big players in aviation. On Friday, a Textron spokesman said it was too early to speculate on workforce size or plant consolidations.

Civic leaders seemed optimistic in Wichita, where Beechraft is one of the linchpin businesses with about 3,300 employees. The company emerged from bankruptcy earlier this year.

Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University, said the merger was good news. He noted that Textron already has ties to Wichita because Cessna Aircraft was founded in the central Kansas city more than 80 years ago.

Hill speculated that some upper management cuts could happen, but he doubted that

the number of line workers would be reduced by much, if any. “I will say both companies are fairly lean,” Hill said. “I can’t imagine there would be many more layoffs.” Wichita Mayor Dale Brewer and the City Council released a statement calling the acquisition “a development of great interest” to Wichita. “Our city’s reputation as the Air Capital of the World has been built on the solid business decisions of our aviation industry,” the statement read. “We fully expect that the Textron/Beechcraft merger will result in a positive outcome for the individual businesses and the community as a whole.”

Brewer was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment, his spokesman said. Messages seeking comment from the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers union in Wichita were not returned. During a Friday teleconference with analysts, Textron chairman and CEO Scott C Donnelly acknowledged that Beechcraft employees have been through a lot in recent years. Beechcraft emerged from bankruptcy 10 months ago largely freed from debt and its unprofitable Hawker business jet operations. — AP

ROME: Italian government delayed the start of its planned Internet tax until July 2014.

Italy defers proposed ‘Google tax’ until July Govt OKs funds for business, welfare ROME: Italy delayed the start of its planned Internet tax until July 2014, approved billions of euros in business and welfare measures and extended a ban on media cross-ownership in a final package of year-end legislation approved.

The launch of an Internet tax, sometimes dubbed the “Google tax”, passed this week by parliament, will be postponed until July, 1, 2014, Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s office said in a statement. The delay should ensure it can be more closely coordinated with other European countries.

The tax, designed to ensure that companies that advertise and sell online in Italy do so only

through companies with a tax presence in the country, has been criticized by the European Commission, which expressed doubts on its legality before it was approved in parliament.

The delay was contained in the so-called “Milleproroghe” (“thousand extensions”), a catchall decree used by Italian governments to pack in miscellaneous pieces of legislation that must be approved before the start of the new year. The package announced after Friday’s cabinet meeting included measures to allow Italy to use 6.2 billion euros in European Union funds, which have already been approved, to help small businesses, fight youth unemployment and help local

economies by funding the maintenance of historic sites. It also extended provisions, which would have otherwise expired, forbidding newspaper publishers from operating national broadcasters. This is a highly sensitive political issue given centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi’s extensive television interests.

The package also contained measures to shore up the finances of the city of Rome and allow the cancellation of a number of expensive rental contracts on buildings used by parliament and the public service, an issue on which the government has been attacked by the opposition 5-Star Movement. — Reuters

Union chief says Boeing’s latest offer $1bn gain SEATTLE: The international president of the Machinists union has told members that Boeing’s revised contract offer is an improvement of more than $1 billion. In a letter to union members that was dated Thursday, Tom Buffenbarger said the offer that workers will consider next week is a significant improvement over a contract the union rejected last month. Buffenbarger has scheduled the Jan 3 vote despite the objections of local union leaders who say the latest contract offer is too similar to the last one.

Boeing is seeking a new contract with Machinists in the Puget Sound area that would move workers away from traditional pension plans. In the revised offer, Boeing has backed away from a proposal that would have slowed the rate at which employees rise up the pay scale. The company is also offering $5,000 in additional bonus money and improved dental coverage.

Boeing has vowed to build the company’s new 777X airplane in the Puget Sound if the Machinists agree to the new contract.

Buffenbarger noted that Boeing started soliciting bids from other states once Machinists rejected the last contract offer. He said several states have put forth serious offers and warned that “the timeline for the Puget Sound area is expiring.” I am duty-bound to inform the membership this vote will be the final vote on this pro-

Boeing is about to build the Boeing 777X and the company is deciding where the plane will be built.

posed contract,” Buffenbarger said.

Still, local union leaders are recommending to members that they reject the latest contract offer. In a letter, they said the contract amounts to “massive takeaways” and said it was important to reject the contract even if it meant Boeing would build the 777X elsewhere.

“If the company chooses this path of destruction, then they are responsible for it.

We, as union members, do not have control over it and have a contract in place through 2016,” local union leaders said. Production of

Boeing’s 777X would likely bring thousands of well-paying jobs to whatever region wins the work. The plane is a new iteration of its strongselling 777, and the company recently received orders for 225 new 777X planes from three airlines at the Dubai Airshow.

Boeing began offering the 777X in May, but it’s still finalizing plans for the plane and aiming to deliver the first aircraft by the end of the decade. Boeing has said it is expected to carry as many as 400 passengers and be more fuel efficient than the current 777. — AP

EXCHANGE RATES Al-Muzaini Exchange Co. ASIAN COUNTRIES Japanese Yen Indian Rupees Pakistani Rupees Srilankan Rupees Nepali Rupees Singapore Dollar Hongkong Dollar Bangladesh Taka Philippine Peso Thai Baht Irani Riyal transfer Irani Riyal cash

2.706 4.583 2.684 2.163 2.858 225.600 36.541 3.639 6.388 8.653 0.271 0.273 GCC COUNTRIES

Saudi Riyal Qatari Riyal Omani Riyal Bahraini Dinar UAE Dirham

75.590 77.886 736.360 752.890 77.197

ARAB COUNTRIES Egyptian Pound - Cash Egyptian Pound - Transfer Yemen Riyal/for 1000 Tunisian Dinar Jordanian Dinar Lebanese Lira/for 1000 Syrian Lira Morocco Dirham

40.200 40.390 1.322 172.930 400.300 1.902 2.020 35.419

EUROPEAN & AMERICAN COUNTRIES US Dollar Transfer 283.350 Euro 392.860 Sterling Pound 470.360 Canadian dollar 267.560 Turkish lira 133.850 Swiss Franc 321.990 Australian Dollar 254.730 US Dollar Buying 282.150 GOLD 20 Gram 10 Gram 5 Gram

228.000 116.000 60.000

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

Selling Rate

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

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

BUY Europe BBelgian Franc 0.007365 0.008365 British Pound 0.456864 0.468864 Czech Korune 0.006304 0.018304 Danish Krone 0.048146 0.053146 Euro 0.383926 0.391426 Norwegian Krone 0.042030 0.047230 Romanian Leu 0.081760 0.81760 Slovakia 0.008122 0.018122 Swedish Krona 0.039619 0.044819 Swiss Franc 0.311656 0.321855 Turkish Lira 0.137426 0.144426

SELL

Pakistan Rupee Philippine Peso Sierra Leone Singapore Dollar South African Rand Sri Lankan Rupee Taiwan 0.009401 Thai Baht 0.008390

0.002491 0.006407 0.000069 0.219699 0.021442 0.001875 0.009581 0.008940

Bahraini Dinar Egyptian Pound Iranian Riyal Iraqi Dinar 0.000187 Jordanian Dinar Kuwaiti Dinar Lebanese Pound Moroccan Dirhams Nigerian Naira Omani Riyal Qatar Riyal0.077119 Saudi Riyal Syrian Pound Tunisian Dinar Turkish Lira UAE Dirhams Yemeni Riyal

Arab 0.745135 0.753135 0.037504 0.040604 0.000078 0.000080 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 0.078332 0.074923 0.075623 0.002171 0.002391 0.168938 0.176938 0.137426 0.144426 0.076164 0.077313 0.001287 0.001367

Australasia Australian Dollar 0.243135 0.254635 New Zealand Dollar 0.225095 0.234595 America Canadian Dollar 0.259036 0.267536 US Dollars 0.279250 0.283600 US Dollars Mint 0.279750 0.283600

Bangladesh Taka Chinese Yuan Hong Kong Dollar Indian Rupee Indonesian Rupiah Japanese Yen Kenyan Shilling Korean Won Malaysian Ringgit Nepalese Rupee

Asia 0.003563 0.004163 0.045142 0.048642 0.034447 0.037197 0.004364 0.004765 0.000019 0.000025 0.002613 0.002793 0.003385 0.003385 0.000258 0.000273 0.082437 0.088437 0.002978 0.003148

0.002771 0.006687 0.000075 0.225699 0.029942 0.002455

Al Mulla Exchange Currency

Transfer Rate (Per 1000)

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

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

BUSINESS

China estimates 2013 growth slowed to 7.6% BEIJING: China’s Cabinet estimates this year’s economic growth edged down to 7.6 percent and warned it faces pressure to decline further, a state news agency said.

The forecast, reported by the Xinhua News Agency, is below the 2012 rate of 7.7 percent but above the government’s 7.5 percent target.

Communist leaders are trying to steer China to slower, more sustainable growth but an unexpectedly sharp decline in 2012 and this year prompted concern about politically dangerous job losses. Beijing temporarily reversed course and shored up growth in mid-2013 with a ministimulus of higher spending on building railways and other public works.

China has the strongest economic growth of any major country but this year’s forecast rate is barely half of 2009’s 14.2 percent. In a report to China’s ceremonial legislature, the Cabinet warned that growth faces challenges including rising labor costs, environmental problems, weak global demand and excess production capacity in some industries, according to Xinhua.

“We cannot deny a downward pressure on

economic growth,” the minister in charge of the Cabinet’s planning agency, Xu Shaoshi, was quoted as saying. The report cited potential problems including slow economic restructuring, worsening pollution and “social conflicts among interest groups,” Xinhua said.

The government will continue to reduce excess production capacity in industries including steel, cement, aluminum and glass in which supply exceeds demand, Xinhua said. The glut of supply in those fields has led to price-cutting wars that threaten the financial health of companies.

Chinese leaders are under pressure to replace a growth model based on exports and investment that delivered three decades of rapid expansion but has run out of steam.

A development blueprint issued last month by the ruling party promises to revive economic growth by giving the free market a bigger role and opening more areas to private business. It promises to inject more competition into some industries dominated by state companies but says government ownership will remain the core of the economy. — AP

SHANGHAI: An investor speaks at a private securities company in Shanghai. — AP

Libya’s Hariga port to resume exports in days Protesters demand more autonomy, financial support

BEIJING: Workers check paints and bodies of the new model of Toyota Motor’s best selling car “Corolla” at a plant of the company’s subsidiary Central Motor at Ohira village in Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan. Leading Japanese automakers saw their best November sales ever last month, in stark contrast to a year ago when shipments plunged amid a deep territorial row between Tokyo and Beijing. — AFP

Japan economy continues to recover as prices rise TOKYO: Japanese consumer prices rose last month, showing that the country’s economy continues to recover.

Government data released showed that consumer prices excluding food rose 1.2 percent in November compared to the same month last year. It is the largest gain since November 2008.

Industrial output increased 0.1 percent, the third straight month of a rise.

The unemployment rate stayed at 4.0 percent, while jobs available rose but by less than the month before.

Economists say the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy of depreciating the yen and increasing the money supply combined with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic strategy such as spending on public works projects has been helping the world’s third largest-economy get back on its feet. Prices for food and basic items are also increasing. The government’s data from November showed that

grocery prices rose by 18.1 percent, electricity 8.2 percent and gasoline 8.7 percent. Consumer prices excluding food and energy increased 0.6 percent compared to last year, the biggest rise since August 1998.

Worker incomes declined by 1.1 percent in November. Excluding housing costs, household spending fell by 1.2 percent from the month before. “From an unemployment rate perspective, the economy as a whole may not be on the upswing,” said Tsutomu Watanabe, professor of economics at the University of Tokyo. “It may be that prices are increasing not because of actual consumer spending but from anticipation that prices of products will rise.”

Economists say a planned consumption tax hike from 5 percent to 8 percent in April 2014 was expected to push consumer spending up before that, followed by a fall in spending after the tax hike kicks in. — AP

CEO of Hyundai’s North America operations quits NEW YORK: John Krafcik, the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, is stepping down next week after five years at the helm, the company announced Friday. He will be replaced by David Zuchowski, the current executive vice president of sales who joined the company in February 2007.

When Krafcik became CEO of American operations in 2008, the South Korean automaker’s cars were ugly and often broke down. During his tenure, he pushed through quality, style and fuel efficiency improvements to help drive up sales. Hyundai Sonata midsize cars and Elantra compacts became top sellers and multiple models garnered the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick designation. Hyundai had already started to change before Krafcik arrived, offering a 10-year, 100,000 mile warranty with its cars. But the transformation from joke to juggernaut accelerated under his watch. Krafcik didn’t just focus on the engine but how people used their cars as personal living spaces.

“Finding room for people’s stuff is one of our priority focal points,” he told The Associated Press in a 2012 interview. “Let me give you a great example. Cup holders and bottle holders. This is a great success for Hyundai, and it took some time to convince the engineers that this is what we needed to do (because) cup holders cost money.”

While the company’s cars found success, Krafcik has faced serious challenges

in the latter years of his tenure.

Last year, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s determined that that Hyundai and Kia overstated gas mileage claims on window stickers of 900,000 vehicles in the past three years.

And the automaker has had trouble in the last couple of years keeping up with demand. As Hyundai dealers complained that they could sell more cars if only they could get them, the company tried to add more capacity to its US assembly plant. But the lack of production has cost the company sales. Hyundai’s US sales were up only 1.9 percent for the first half of 2013, less than a quarter of the overall market’s 8.4 percent growth rate.

Zuchowski, a 33-year-veteran of the auto industry, joined Hyundai Motor America in February 2007 as vice president of sales. He started his career in 1980 at Ford, where he became national merchandising manager and field operations manager for the Ford and Mercury divisions. He later served as vice president of sales and field operations for Mazda North America.

“I am both humbled and excited to lead Hyundai Motor America into the next chapter by continuing to build on John’s great legacy, and focusing on what matters most - building the highest quality, safest and most diverse fleet of models that customers love,” Zuchowski said in a statement. Hyundai Motor America, based in Costa Mesa, California, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co of Korea. — AP

BENGHAZI: Libya’s eastern Hariga port will resume oil exports within days after protesters agreed to end a four month blockage, an oil official said.

A reopening would be a victory for Prime Minister Ali Zeidan who has been trying to end such blockades, which have reduced Libya’s oil output to 250,000 bpd from 1.4 million bpd in July, cutting much needed revenue for rebuilding the state. The protesters in the east, which was the cradle of the revolt that ousted veteran leader Muammar Gaddafi, also have their own victory, of sorts, as Libyan authorities are building a new oil headquarters there, moving it from the capital Tripoli in the west, to appease their calls for greater autonomy.

Tribesmen and other protesters have occupied Hariga, located in Tobruk in the far east of Libya, since August to press their financial and autonomy demands despite several government attempts to reopen the terminal. It has an export capacity of 110,000 barrels per day and also serves the Tobruk oil refinery. There was no immediate confirmation from the government which has repeatedly announced Hariga would reopen. But in a sign of progress, state National Oil Corp (NOC) said last week the 20,000 barrels a day-Tobruk refinery had resumed work.

Mohamed Ben Shatwan, head of Arabian Gulf Oil Co (AGOCO) operating Hariga port, told Reuters an agreement had been reached with local people to secure the port and restart the export terminal.

“A ship is docked at the port, and exports will

resume within days,” Shatwan said in the eastern city of Benghazi, adding that oil from the Sarir field had already been pumped to the port. He spoke on the sidelines of ceremony attended by senior officials to lay the foundation stone for the new NOC headquarters in Benghazi, which will move from Tripoli. Another oil official, asking not to be named, said it was not yet clear whether the protesters would allow the loading of tankers but a group of activists planned to travel by boat to the port to convince them to end the blockage.

The protesters, which have been divided over what to demand, have several times prevented tankers from docking at the port. Pressure has been building on militias and tribesmen seizing ports and fields to allow the resumption of oil exports, the main source for the national budget and to fund food imports. Zeidan has warned the government might not be able to pay public salaries if strikes continue.

Foundation Many in the east, home to much of the country’s oil wealth, sympathise with port and oil strikers campaigning for a greater share of oil sales and power in the turmoil that has bedevilled Libya 2-1/2 years after Gaddafi was ousted then killed. “We meet today to lay the foundation stone ... for the National Oil Corp and other government institutions to achieve economic and social development,” Deputy Oil Minister Omar Shakmak told the audience.

State-owned Libyan Airlines, the Libyan

Monte Paschi top investor set to force cash call delay SIENA, Italy: The top investor in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena looked set to force a delay in a 3-billion-euro ($4 billion) capital increase the Italian lender needs to carry out to reimburse state aid and avert nationalization. The management of the world’s oldest bank, led by Chairman Alessandro Profumo and CEO Fabrizio Viola, wants to launch the rights issue as early as January and has asked shareholders to approve it this week.

But the top shareholder - a not-for-profit foundation with close ties to Siena politicians - is determined to delay the cash call until May or later to win more time to sell down its stake in the bank and repay debt. The cash call, along with a tough restructuring plan, is among the conditions imposed by the European Commission for approving a 4.1 billion euro state bailout that Monte dei Paschi received earlier this year.

A shareholder meeting got under way yesterday after it was rescheduled because not enough investors showed up on Friday. Thanks to its 33.5 percent holding, big enough to veto any decision, the foundation can force the bank to postpone the rights issue.

Tensions ran high ahead of the meeting, with sources close to the matter saying Profumo could quit if the capital increase is postponed. The size of the capital increase is higher than the lender’s stock market value of just over 2 billion euros and the operation is regarded as risky as the bank was hit hard by the economic crisis and a derivatives scandal.

Saddled with around 340 million euros of debt, the foundation is looking for a buyer for all or part of its Monte Paschi stake to pay back creditors. It fears that a cash call next month would massively dilute its holding and leave it with virtually nothing to sell.

The bank’s management wants instead to tap investors for cash as soon as possible and has secured a pool of banks to guarantee the share issue if it is launched before endJanuary.

Profumo said last week that a postponement would cause great uncertainty and could force the bank to be nationalized. One specific concern is that Europe-wide health checks next year could force several other European lenders to raise capital, meaning Monte dei Paschi could find itself in a crowded market if it waits too long.

Under the agreement with the European Commission, if the Tuscan lender cannot complete the capital increase by the end of 2014 it will have to convert state loans it received in the bailout into shares issued to the Italian treasury.

The bank, which is cutting 8,000 jobs and shutting 550 branches as part of its turnaround plan, is hoping instead to pay back the bulk of the state aid through the cash call. It said a delay would cost it at least 120 million euros in interest payments.

Monte Paschi was kept afloat by the bailout which plugged a capital shortfall that arose after the bank was hammered by the euro-zone debt crisis and loss-making derivatives trades. It is on track to post its third straight annual loss after losing nearly 8 billion euros over 2011 and 2012. — Reuters

Insurance Company and the National Investment Company are also set to move to the eastern port city, which was starved of cash under Gaddafi.

Last week, the Tripoli government had expected a heavily armed autonomy group in eastern Libya to lift the blockage of the Ras Lanuf, El-Sider and Zueitina ports previously accounting for 600,000 bpd after tribal elders pressured it. But autonomy leader Ibrahim Jathran declared at the last minute that talks with Tripoli to get a greater share of oil revenues for the east had failed.

Jathran’s and other militias involved in oil strikes in the east and other parts of the country helped topple Gaddafi in 2011 but have kept their weapons, fuelling concerns about instability in the North African country. The NOC ceremony came as gunmen assassinated one air force officer in another part of Benghazi while he was leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, a security source said.

The security situation has sharply deteriorated in Benghazi, Libya’s second-largest city, in the past few months. Most countries closed their consulates in the city after a series of attacks and some foreign airlines have stopped flying there.

The US ambassador and three other Americans were killed in September 2012 during an Islamist assault on the consulate.

Western diplomats worry the violence in Benghazi will spill over to the capital which has also seen some clashes between militias in recent months. — Reuters

UN Assembly okays $5.5bn budget for 2014/15 THE UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly on Friday approved a $5.53 billion UN budget for 2014-2015, down 1 percent from the total spending during the previous two years. The new biennial budget includes a 2 percent staffing cut, or some 221 posts, and a one year freeze in staff compensation. The socalled core UN budget that was adopted does not include peacekeeping, currently running at over $7 billion a year and approved in separate negotiations, or the costs of several major UN agencies funded by voluntary contributions from member states.

As in past years, the biennial budget negotiations were marked by a tussle between poor countries seeking to raise UN development spending and major developed countries, which are the biggest budget contributors, trying to rein in the figures as they struggle to reduce expenditures in their own national budgets. Fiji’s UN Ambassador Peter Thomson, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 developing nations, said the 2014-2015 budget “repre-

sents the best that we as member states can muster at this time of continuing austerity in the world economy.”

He said the G77 bloc supported the budget “with deep concern that budgetary austerity may negatively affect the development pillar of the work of the United Nations.”

Critics of the United Nations, especially in the United States, have long charged that it is a bloated and sometimes corrupt bureaucracy that wastes taxpayers’ money. US Deputy Ambassador Joe Torsella, who focuses on UN management and reform at the US mission, said the 2014-2015 budget marked a “new commitment to real fiscal discipline at the United Nations at a tough time for hardworking families around the world.”

“Our shared goal should be to ensure that the United Nations can maximize the results that it delivers with the amount of resources that member states are collectively able to provide,” Torsella said. The United States, which pays 22 percent of the UN budget, is the biggest financial contributor to the United Nations. — Reuters

BEIJING: Visitors look at a Buick Excelle at an auto exhibition in Beijing. — AP

BUSINESS

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

Saudi budget and IMF prescription AL-SHALL WEEKLY ECONOMIC REPORT KUWAIT: Saudi Arabia announced figures of its budget for next year. It contains two good things: Announcing the figures before the beginning of the fiscal year (which is the calendar year in the Saudi case), and what Reuters described as the beginning of limiting the expansion of fiscal policy. The new expenditure allocation figure is S.R. 855 billion (about $228 billion or about KD64.7 billion). Revenues are estimated at the same level, making the budget a balanced one, perhaps by lowering the hypothetical price of a barrel of oil in the budget estimates.

Certainly, the budget figures do not reflect the government’s overall financial position, which must be in large surplus. Reuters notes that estimates of budget expenditures rose in the past decade by about 14 percent per year, while actual expenditure exceeded the allocated by about 25 percent. In 2013 actual expenditure exceeded the allocated by about 13 percent, nevertheless Saudi Arabia has achieved surplus of about S.R. 206 billion. The figure of public expenditure allocation in 2013 budget was about S.R. 820 billion, meaning that the growth rate of public expenditure in 2014 was about 4.3 percent only, down from a compound annual growth rate of 14.6 percent per annum for the 10 years that preceded it. It seems this is an intentional decision after warnings of the danger of expanding the fiscal policy.

The attached graph reviews the developments in the allocation of public expenditure in Saudi Arabia between 2003 and 2014, during which public expenditure increased from about S.R. 209 billion in 2003 to about S.R. 820 billion in 2013, ie increased by about 3.9 times, and doubled between 2008 and 2013 due to the global financial crisis and because of the Arab Spring.

Although the allocation of public expenditure for 2014 has still increased by about S.R. 35 billion, the fall in growth rate by much more than the historical rate, is deemed the beginning of shrinking the expansion in the fiscal policy.

In comparative measure, Saudi public expenditure is still far from the Kuwaiti public expenditure, if they are compared on per capita share terms. It was about $7.8 thousand in Saudi Arabia and $19.8 thousand in Kuwait in 2013, with the citizen’s share being about $11.4 thousand in Saudi Arabia and $63,000 in Kuwait-approximately 6 times as much for the same year.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told Saudi Arabia earlier that it should control its public expenditure, if it wanted to preserve its oil wealth for future generations, and that its budget might begin to record deficit by 2016, if public expenditure continues to rise at its historical rate of the past decade. From the differences in per capita share of public expenditure between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, it is clear that the basis for IMF advice to Kuwait is one and the same, but the position of public finance in Kuwait is even more skewed.

The Kuwaiti Minister of Finance spoke of the need to begin building a tax by extending the profit tax pool on foreign companies to include Kuwaiti ones. Recently, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, repriced some subsidized commodities such as petrol, diesel, electricity and water, which the Kuwait Minister of Finance a few months ago called the importance of rationalizing subsidies and directing them to those in need only. The reform list is lengthy. In addition to the above, Kuwait is unique in the world in establishing authorities and councils similar to its already inflated ministries, which alone is a major reform arena we will talk about in a later report. Kuwait also occupied embarrassing positions on the Corruption Perceptions Index, despite it being apparently empty of corrupt people, and that is another reform area. The fifth area is the pledged populist projects. The main obstacle for reform remains the old government and the next one in a few days, if its formation basis is not fundamentally changed, despite the good and serious intentions in policy reforms of the current Minister of Finance.

2. The US economy The Congress agreement on December 10 on the budget for the US government for the next two years represents an awareness of the importance of not repeating the conflict on economic management that led to the disruption of US government operations for about 16 days in October during a fragile economic situation. The agreement presents support for other signs of recovery in the US economy after five years of the outbreak of the global financial crisis in September 2008. The historic course of the crisis may be charted from a macro-economies aspect using two key indicators, namely real economic growth and the unemployment rate. This helps evaluate the resilience of the recovery.

In terms of real economic growth (ie, after removing the inflation impact), the US economy witnessed early signs of recession starting in the fourth quarter of 2007, when its growth slowed on annual basis to about 1.5 percent and then contracted in the first quarter of 2008 by about -2.7 percent on an annual basis for the first time since the third quarter of 2001, i.e. after the previous tech bubble burst. But the US economy regained its breath for a little while in the second quarter of 2008 with 2 percent growth on an annual basis, however that faded with the outbreak of the crisis after the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers on September 15, 2008 and the US economy entered into recession for a whole year. The toughest period was the fourth quarter of 2008 and the

first quarter of 2009, when the economy contracted by about -8.3 percent and -5.4 percent on annual basis, respectively, which are unprecedented rates for the US economy since the early 1980s. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), responsible for establishing the beginning and end of economic crises, decided the end of the recession in the US, meaning the end of the contractionary trend, from the second quarter of 2009, i.e. after about a year and a half from its beginning, making it the longest recession since the Great Depression of 1929.

Nevertheless, the US economy did not achieve high economic growth in the subsequent years of 2010, 2011 and 2012 vis-a-vis the period after the tech bubble. It grew by about 2.5 percent, 1.8 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively, with average growth of about 2.4 percent.

These rates are less than the growth rates after the tech bubble in 2002, 2003 and 2004 of about 1.5 percent, about 2.8 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively, with an average growth of 2.8 percent. Perhaps the most important conclusion of this comparison relates to the depth of the 2008 crisis and the difficulty in exiting it, as the US economy continued to face the risk of recession until 2011, for example when it shrank in the first quarter by -1.3 percent on an annual basis. However, the latest economic growth data remain positive and were about 4.1 percent, after revision, for the third quarter of 2013.

In terms of unemployment, it started to rise in September 2007 from about 4.6 percent and continued to rise by an average of 0.2 percentage points monthly until unemployment reached its highest rate at about 10 percent in October 2009, the highest since 1983. It then gradually declined to its lowest at about 7 percent in November 2013. It is, however, still far from the unemployment rate of the mid-1990s (including the tech bubble period), which ranged from 3.8 percent to 6.3 percent. Nevertheless, the decline in unemployment may be one of the motives for the Federal Reserve (US central bank) to declare on December 18 the beginning of reducing its Quantitative Easing program starting January 2014 by -11.8 percent to around $75 billion per month instead of $85 billion per month. The Federal Reserve had announced in December 2012 it was targeting an unemployment rate of no more than 6.5 percent and inflation expectations of no more than 2.5 percent before it would lift the interest rate from 0 to 0.25 percent since December 2008.

In brief, the signs of recovery are still apparent in the US economy, the latest being the return to responsible behavior through agreement on the government budget. The recovery is backed by basic indicators in the macro-economy, which are relative recovery in economic growth and reduced unemployment. Although this recovery is lower than the recovery after the former bubble, it is yet better than the situation in the eurozone which is still in the phase of enhancing stability and preventing decline, and not the phase of set recovery. The more important question remains whether the US economy will be able to stand alone with the gradual reduction of one of the most important tools for its support during the crisis, i.e. Quantitative Easing.

3. KFH financial results Kuwait Finance House (KFH) announced results of its financial operations for the first nine months of the current year 2013, which indicated the bank’s net profits -after deducting due taxes, scored about KD110.9 million, up by about KD 25 million, or 29 percent, versus KD 85.9 million in the same period 2012. When we deduct the non-controlling interest, the profit to the equity

holder of the bank scored KD 89.1 million, versus KD75.9 million in the same period 2012, a rise by 17.5 percent, or the equivalent of KD13.2 million. The main reason underlying this rise is the increase in operations income by more than the rise in total expenses.

In details, operations income increased by KD99.7 million, 16.3 percent, to KD711.6 million (KD611.9 million in the same period 2012), which occurred as a result of rise in the item of investments income by KD 46.2 million to KD 168 million vis-a-vis KD 121.8 million in the same period of 2012. Likewise, item of financing income rose by KD 24 million to KD 425 million (KD 401 million in September 2012). Item of fees and commissions income rose by KD 13.2 million to KD 61.9 million (KD 48.7 million in September 2012). In addition, the bank achieved exceptional profits from gain on sale of investment properties during the third quarter this year by about KD 26.4 million.

On the other hand, the bank’s total operational expenses and estimated distributions to depositors rose

by KD 75 million and by less than the rise in total operational income, i.e. from KD 374.4 million in September 2012 to KD 449.4 million due to the rise in the item of estimated distributions to depositors by KD 17.6 million, 15.1 percent rise, to KD 134.1 million, versus KD 116.5 million for the same period 2012. Item of general and administrative expenses rose by KD 28.7 million, 36.7 percent, from KD 78.1 million in September 2012 to KD 106.8 million. Item of staff costs rose by 25 percent to KD 116.4 million in September 2013 (KD 93.1 million in September 2012). Item of financing costs also rose by KD 8.7 million to KD 48.3 million (KD 39.5 million in the same period last year). While the provisions for impairment declined by KD 241 thousand, 0.2 percent, and scored KD 149.1 million (KD 149.3 million in the same period last year). As such, the net profit margin for the total income rose to 15.6 percent up from 14 percent in the same period last year.

The bank’s total assets rose by KD 804 million, 5.5 percent, to KD 15507.3 million (KD 14703.3 million in the end of 2012).

If we compare the rise with the total assets in the third quarter of 2012, it will be close to KD 1357.7 million, 9.6 percent, when total assets scored KD 14149.7 million. Item of receivable increased by KD 358.2 million, 5.4 percent, from KD6652.9 million in the end of 2012 (45.2 percent of total assets) to KD 7011.1 million (45.2 percent of total assets). It rose by KD 458.9 million, 7 percent, compared with KD 6552.2 million (46.3 percent of total assets). Item of short term murabaha rose

by KD 77.7 million (6.6 percent) to KD 1263.4 million (8.1 percent of total assets) vis-a-vis KD 1185.7 million in December 2012 (8.1 percent of total assets) and by KD 34.6 million compared with September 2012 when they scored KD 1228.9 million (8.7 percent of total assets).

Item of cash and balances with banks and financial institutions went up by KD 152.3 million and scored KD 966.6 million (6.2 percent of total assets) versus KD 814.3 million in the end 2012, (5.5 percent of total assets), and by KD 20.6 million, or 2.2 percent and scored KD 946 million (6.7 percent of total assets) in September 2012.

Figures indicate that the bank’s liabilities rose by KD 341.9 million, or 2.8 percent to KD 12724.5 million up from KD 12382.5 million, in December 2012. These figures would be bigger if we compared total liabilities with the same period of 2012. They would score KD 781.1 million, or by 6.5 percent when it scored KD 11943.4 million.

Item of depositors accounts rose to KD 9877.2 million (77.6 percent of total liabilities) or by 5.2 percent, KD 484.5 million, up from KD 9392.7 million (75.9 percent of total liabilities) in December 2012. It rose by 10.5 percent, or KD 940.1 million, if compared with its counterpart in the same period last year in the amount KD 8937.1 million (74.8 percent of total liabilities).

Analysis of financial statements calculated on annual basis indicates that all profitability indexes went up.

Return on average equities related to the bank shareholder (ROE), rose slightly to 7.8 percent (7.7 percent in the same period 2012). Return on average assets (ROA) rose to 1 percent (0.8 percent in the end of third quarter 2012) and the return on the bank capital (ROC) rose to 43.9 percent, up from 41 percent in the same period 2012. EPS for the bank’s shareholders scored about 25.5 fils (22.9 fils for September 2012). Price multiplier to earning per share (P/E) scored 30.9 times (33.6 times in the same period 2012) due to the rise in the one share price by 11.6 percent compared with 2.6 percent rise in the share price comparing to the its level of end of September 2012. Price multiplier to the book value (P/B) scored 1.5 times (1.4 times in September 2012).

4. Boubyan Bank financial results Boubyan Bank announced its results for the first nine months of the current year ending 30 September 2013, which indicate the bank achieved profits, -after tax

deductions-, scored by KD 9.3 million, up by KD 2.1 million, vis-a-vis by KD 7.2 million for the same period 2012, achieving rise rate by 29.2 percent. The main reason behind this rise is the rise in net financing income.

Total operations income rose by KD 3.7 million, to KD 48.9 million (KD 45.2 million the same period 2012).

Net financing income during the first nine months ending 30 September 2013, rose by KD 6.7 million, or 17.8 percent, to KD 44.7 million (KD 38 million in the same period 2012). On the other hand, all other components of income retreated. Item of net investment income dropped by 91.1 percent, KD 1.6 million, to KD 158 thousand (KD 1.8 million in the same period 2012). Item of share of results of associate dropped by KD 1.5 million to KD 467 thousand, vis-a-vis KD 1.9 million.

Total operations expenditures, rose by KD 1.9 million and by less than the rise in total operational income, ie scored by KD 23 million (KD 21.1 million in the third quarter 2012). Item of staff costs increased by KD 1.3 million and scored KD 14.1 million (KD 12.8 million in the same period 2012). Likewise, item of general and administrative expenses increased by KD 635 thousand and scored KD 7.63 million (KD 6.99 million in the same period 2012). Provisions for impairment decreased by 2.7 percent, or KD 454 thousand and scored KD 16.15 million, (KD 16.60 million in the same period last year).

This explains the rise in the net profit gain which scored 17.8 percent (15.1 percent in the same period 2012).

Financial statements indicate the bank’s total assets rose by KD 221.5 million, or 11.8 percent, to KD 2106.2 million (KD 1884.7 million in the end 2012). The rise in assets scored KD 305.4 million, or 17 percent, if compared with the third quarter of 2012, and scored KD 1800.8 million, Item of Islamic financing to customers rose by 13.4 percent or KD 170.7 million to KD 1440.7 million (68.4 percent of total assets) vis-a-vis KD 1270 million (67.4 percent of total assets in the end 2012). It went up by 18 percent, KD 219.7 million, vis-a-vis KD 1221 million (67.8 percent of total assets) in the same period 2012. Likewise, item of dues from banks rose by KD 15.7 million, or 6.2 percent to KD 267.3 million (12.7 percent of total assets) vis-a-vis KD 251.6 million (13.4 percent of total assets) in the end of 2012. It rose by 22.4 percent, KD 48.9 million, vis-a-vis KD 218.4 million (12.1 percent of total assets) in the same period 2012.

Item of cash and cash equivalent rose by KD 34.4 million, 20.2 percent, to KD 203.9 million (9.7 percent of total assets) vis-a-vis KD 169.5 million (9 percent of total assets) in the end 2012 and rose by about 22.5 percent, or KD 37.5 million vis-a-vis KD 166.4 million (9.2 percent of total assets) in the same period 2012.

Figures indicate that bank liabilities rose by KD 217.2 million, 13.3 percent, to KD 1845.7 million (KD 1628.5 million in the end 2012). These figures will be bigger if we compare total liabilities with the same period of last year as they will be close to KD 297.5 million, a rise rate by 19.2 percent, when they scored KD1548.2 million then.

Item of depositors accounts rose to KD 1664.3 million (90.2 percent of total liabilities), or by 19.1 percent, or KD 267.3 million, from KD 1397 million in December 2012, (equal to 85.8 percent of total liabilities). The account went up by 24.4 percent, KD 326 million when compared with its counterpart in the same period 2012 in the amount of KD 1338.3 million (86.5 percent of total liabilities).

Analysis of financial statements indicates that all bank indexes went up. Return on average equities relevant to shareholder (ROE) scored about 4.9 percent (4.1 percent in the same period 2012). Return on average capital (ROC) index also rose to 6.9 percent this year (5.5 percent in the same period 2012). Return on average assets index (ROA) remained stable at 0.6 percent for the two periods. The earnings per share (EPS) scored 5.1 fils (4.2 fils in the same period 2012). Price Multiplier to earning per share (P/E) scored 120.1 times (149 times in the same period 2012) due to the rise in EPS 22.1 percent above its level in September 2012. The price share retreated by 1.6 percent below its level on 30/09/2012.

The bank maintained the price multiplier to book value (P/B) index fixed at 4.3 for the two periods.

5. The weekly performance of KSE The performance of Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) for the last week was mixed where all indexes showed an increase, the traded value index, the traded volume index, the transactions index showed an increase, while the general index showed a decrease. AlShall Index (value index) closed at 453.1 points at the closing of last Thursday, showing a decreased of about 1.3 points or about 0.3 percent comparing to last week and an increase of 14.9 points or about 3.4 percent compared with the end of 2012.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Law to put calorie info on vending machines CONCORD, New Hampshire: Office workers in search of snacks will be counting calories along with their change under new labeling regulations for vending machines included in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law. Requiring calorie information to be displayed on roughly 5 million vending machines nationwide will help consumers make healthier choices, says the Food and Drug Administration, which is expected to release final rules early next year. It estimates the cost to the vending machine industry at $25.8 million initially and $24 million per year after that, but says if just .02 percent of obese adults ate 100 fewer calories a week, the savings to the health care system would be at least that great.

The rules will apply to about 10,800 companies that operate 20 or more machines. Nearly three quarters of those companies have three or fewer employees, and their profit margin is extremely low, according to the National Automatic Merchandising Association. An initial investment of $2,400 plus $2,200 in annual costs is a lot of money for a small company that only clears a few thousand dollars a year, said Eric Dell, the group’s vice president for government affairs. “The money that would be spent to comply with this - there’s no return on the investment,” he said.

While the proposed rules would give companies a year to comply, the industry group has suggested a two-year deadline and is urging the government to allow as much flexibility as possible in implementing the rules. Some companies may use electronic displays to post calorie counts while others may opt for signs stuck to the machines.

Carol Brennan, who owns Brennan Food Vending Services in Londonderry, said she doesn’t yet know how she will handle the regulations, but she doesn’t like them. She has five employees servicing hundreds of machines and says she’ll be forced to limit the items offered so her employees don’t spend too much time updating the calorie counts. “It is outrageous for us to have to do this on all our equipment,” she said. Brennan also doubts that consumers will benefit from the calorie information. “How many people have not read a label on a candy bar?” she said. “If you’re con-

SEATTLE: In this Dec 23, 2013 photo, a vending machine advertises snacks on a small screen on the machine. — AP cerned about it, you’ve already read it for years.”

But Kim Gould, 58, of Seattle, said he doesn’t read the labels even after his choice pops out of a vending machine, so having access to that information wouldn’t change what he buys. “People have their reasons they eat well or eat poorly,” Gould said. Standing with his 12-year-old daughter near a vending machine in a medical clinic where he bought some drinks last week, he said he only makes purchases at the machines when he’s hungry and has no other options. “How do we know people who are buying candy in the vending machines aren’t eating healthy 99 percent of the time?” he added. As for the new labels, Gould said he wasn’t sure

what the point would be, and that they would just be “nibbling around the edges of the problem.”

No Change in Consumption The FDA also is working on final rules for requiring restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calories information, something some cities already mandate and some large fastfood operations have begun doing voluntarily. A 2011 study in New York found that only one in six customers looked at the information, but those who did generally ordered about 100 fewer calories.

A more recent study in Philadelphia found no difference in calories purchased after the city’s labeling law took effect.

“There is probably a subset of people for whom this information works, who report using it to purchase fewer calories, but what we’re not seeing though is a change at an overall population level in the number of calories consumed,” said Brian Ebel, the study’s author and an assistant professor at New York University’s department of population health and medicine. Ebel said he wouldn’t be surprised if the vending machine labels end up being equally ineffective, but he said it’s possible that consumers might pay more attention to them for a couple of reasons.

In some locations, a vending machine might be the only food option, he said. And reading a list of calorie counts on a machine will be less over-

whelming than scanning a large menu at a fast-food restaurant with other customers waiting in line behind you, he said. “It could go either way, but I think there’s at least some reason to think it could be slightly more influential in vending machines.”

Even without the calorie counts, consumers already have ways to make healthier choices from vending machines. The vending machine industry group launched its “Fit Pick” system in 2005, which includes stickers placed in front of products that meet healthy guidelines for fat and sugar content. The program is used by nearly 14,000 businesses, schools and government agencies, as well as all branches of the military. — AP

Democrats plan big push on US jobless aid in 2014 Economic agenda aims to win middle class support

NEW YORK: A board above the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange shows the closing number for the Dow Jones industrial average. Stocks surged after the Federal Reserve decided the US economy was strong enough for it to reduce its stimulus efforts.— AP

Big year ends with Wall St hopeful for 2014 WALL STREET WEEKLY OUTLOOK NEW YORK: As Wall Street’s best year in more than 15 draws to a close, few are expecting a repeat performance in 2014, though traders have plenty of reasons to feel optimistic.

While the market will likely enter January quietly, with many traders still out for the holidays and few major catalysts, the upward trend is seen continuing next week, especially in some of 2013’s high-flying names.

Economic growth is expected to accelerate next year, boosting employment and consumer purchasing power. But with markets repeatedly notching all-time highs, that may not translate to market gains as dramatically as in 2013. “There’s a pervasive feeling that the economy is getting better, and the Fed is still on the market’s side after saying it would keep rates low,” said Donald Selkin, chief market strategist at National Securities in New York.

“However, while new money will still be flowing into stocks next year, probably we’ll see less money come in. There’s little chance of another 30 percent gain or so next year.”

The S&P 500 has risen 29 percent so far in 2013, its best annual performance since 1997.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 26 percent while the Nasdaq is up nearly 38 percent. The gains have been widespread, with all 10 S&P 500 sectors higher on the year. The weakest group, telecoms, rose 6.5 percent while consumer discretionary led the year with a gain of 40 percent. One of the market’s biggest boosts this year-the Federal Reserve’s stimulus program-will not be as strong a factor after the central bank announced a slowing of the program in December. The Fed beginning in January will buy $75 billion in Treasuries and mortgage-backed bonds per month, down from $85 billion, and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, whose term expires on Jan. 31, suggested the US central bank could continue to slowly reduce that stimulus throughout 2014. The latest Reuters poll showed analysts expect the S&P 500 to rise to 1,925 points by the end of 2014, which repre-

sents a rise of 4.5 percent from current levels.

Subscription video company Netflix Inc was the S&P’s strongest performer in 2013, with a jump of almost 300 percent, followed by electronics retailer Best Buy Co Inc and semiconductor maker Micron Tech, both of which climbed nearly 240 percent. Tesla Motors was another standout, soaring 346 percent, while Facebook Inc more than doubled.

These names could see further upside next week thanks to “window dressing,” a practice in which investors buy securities with big gains to improve the appearance of their holdings before presenting the results to clients. The 2013 year will close out on Tuesday, with the market closed on Wednesday for the New Year’s Day holiday.

“Consumer discretionary and tech names have driven the market over the past 12 months, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see continued upside on them next week,” said Jake Dollarhide, chief executive of Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

However, Dollarhide said the names were “priced for perfection” and vulnerable to pullbacks next year. “There won’t be a sudden ‘let’s sell Micron and Netflix’ movement, but if profit growth slows or a conference call doesn’t go well, absolutely you could see a 20 to 30 percent selloff after doubling this year,” he said.

The fourth-quarter earnings season won’t start in earnest until the second week of January, but there will be a few clues into the economy’s strength coming out next week, with data on consumer confidence and manufacturing. Next week will also see reads on the housing market with November pending home sales on tap for Monday and the Case/Shiller report on October home prices on Tuesday. The housing sector has been in focus as US benchmark Treasury yields rose to two-year highs, which could put pressure on mortgage rates, which are typically driven by the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. — Reuters

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama and Democrats will make a major push when Congress returns on Jan 6 to renew expired benefits for the unemployed and will seek to pressure Republicans over the issue by painting them as uncaring toward the middle class.

Federal unemployment benefits will officially expire for 1.3 million out-of-work Americans.

With Congress in recess, no last-minute fix is possible. Democrats have spent much of the holiday week criticizing Republicans for resisting an extension of the emergency jobless aid program, which began in 2008 under President George W Bush and has been extended every year since then.

The federal benefits kick in once people exhaust their state jobless benefits, which end in many states after 26 weeks. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has vowed to make an extension of the benefits the top issue in his chamber when Congress returns on Jan 6.

The issue is part of an economic agenda aimed at winning support from middle-class Americans. Along with the push for an extension of unemployment insurance, Democrats will also push for an increase in the minimum wage. The renewal of unemployment benefits is expected to face opposition in the Republican-led House of Representatives, but Democrats said this week they are increasingly optimistic about gaining political traction for the issue.

Democrats have been highlighting the personal stories of out-of-work Americans about to

be bumped off the unemployment rolls.

An ad running on cable television by the liberal group Americans United for Change accuses Republicans of putting the interests of the wealthy above those of ordinary Americans and spoiling Christmas for the unemployed. Earlier this week, House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, held a conference call with reporters to highlight the plight of unemployed mothers.

The White House is also hammering the message. “As the president has repeatedly made clear, it defies economic sense, precedent and our values to allow 1.3 million Americans fighting to find jobs to see their unemployment insurance abruptly cut off - especially in the middle of the holiday season,” Gene Sperling, director of the White House National Economic Council, said in a statement.

Obama, who is spending the holidays in Hawaii with his family, on Friday telephoned Democratic Senator Jack Reed and Republican Senator Dean Heller, the sponsors of a measure that would temporarily extend the federal unemployment benefits.

Congressional Democrats, on the defensive over the botched rollout of Obama’s signature healthcare law, view a focus on economic issues as a chance to improve their prospects in the midterm congressional elections in November.

Reviving a strategy that helped Obama win re-election in 2012, Democrats plan to use Republican resistance to renewing unemploy-

ment benefits and raising the minimum wage to portray them as insensitive to the struggles of middle- and lower-income Americans.

Clock ticking “The clock is ticking, not only for 1.3 million Americans who have been looking for work for longer than six months, but tens of thousands more who each week will lose their unemployment insurance if House Republican leaders don’t agree to put an extension up for a vote,” said Representative Sander Levin, ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Democrats have seized on a comment earlier this month from Republican Senator Rand Paul that extending the unemployment benefits would be a “disservice” to those out of work by giving them less of an incentive to rejoin the workforce more quickly. Republicans have argued that the federal unemployment benefits were always meant to be temporary and that the program would add to the deficit unless offset by reductions in spending elsewhere in the budget.

“We’re not going to convince (Republicans) substantively that it’s the right thing to do. We have to put political pressure on them,” said Brad Woodhouse, president of Americans United for Change. The proposal by Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, and Heller, a Nevada Republican, would extend the federal unemployment benefits for three months. — Reuters

US stocks rise amid wave of positive sentiment NEW YORK: US stocks edged towards the finale of a banner 2013 in buoyant fashion this week, repeatedly reaching new records on a string of solid economic data. Markets eased on Friday, with all three indices retreating slightly from Thursday records. But that came on the heels of three straight record-setting days earlier in the holidayshortened week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 257.27 (1.59 percent) higher for the week at 16,478.41. Thursday’s record close marked the 50th record settlement for the year, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.

The S&P 500 also repeatedly broke records, ending the week 23.08 (1.27 percent) higher at 1,841.40. The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index closed 51.85 (1.26 percent) higher at 4,156.59.

“Overall, you’re seeing a slow drift higher in stocks this week, as many traders have called it a good year and looking forward to 2014,” said David Levy, portfolio manager at Kenjol Capital Management.

The stretch between the Christmas and New Year’s holidays has historically been a winner for investors in a phenomenon known as a “Santa Claus” rally.

Investopedia said reasons stocks usually rise during this period include “happiness around Wall Street” and “the fact that the pessimists are usually on vacation this week.”

This time around, unexpectedly strong economic data also propelled markets, with low trad-

ing volumes accentuating the trends. Data showed US consumer spending rose in November for the second straight month. There were also betterthan-expected reports on new home sales, durable goods orders and new unemployment claims.

“I sense that all the ingredients of a recovery are at hand,” said Jack Ablin, chief investment officer at BMO Private Bank, who called the latest batch of numbers “really, really encouraging.”

The better data come on the heels of last week’s decision by the US Federal Reserve to begin scaling back its bond-buying program in light of the “growing underlying strength in the broader economy.”

Stocks have soared throughout 2013, with the S&P 500 gaining more than 29 percent. Ablin said the trajectory in 2014 will depend on corporate earnings. Stocks rose in 2013 even as revenues stagnated, as many companies cut costs to maintain profitability. That will not be enough in 2014, given current valuations, Ablin said. “As long as revenues and earnings are rising, we can have stocks rise too,” Ablin said. Levy said a key factor could be how quickly interest rates rise. So far, bond yields have edged higher in the wake of last week’s announcement. But a sudden rise could crimp investor enthusiasm.

“While there’s still room for stocks to move higher, I wouldn’t expect as strong a year in 2014 as

we’ve seen in 2013,” Levy said. Levy said the “jury is out” on the economy, even though the trend is positive. For one thing, the 2013 holiday shopping season has been generally disappointing.

“We’re not seeing strong economic data,” Levy said. “We’re seeing stronger economic data than we’ve previously seen. The economy continues to muddle along. The consumer still has an uphill fight.” Corporate news highlights included Apple’s deal with China Mobile to make its iPhones more widely available in the massive Chinese market. The hard-won deal took years to negotiate and could double Apple’s iPhone presence in China.

UPS and FexEx were also scrutinized after some consumers did not receive holiday packages by Christmas, despite promises by retailers. However, shares in both companies rose, suggesting investors were cheered by the news of lofty business more than they were troubled by complaints on Twitter that likened the shippers to the “Grinch who stole Christmas.”

Shares in Target underperformed the S&P 500 as news dribbled out about its massive data breach in the first part of the Christmas holiday season. On Friday, Target said hackers obtained “strongly encrypted” debit-card data, but that it was confident hackers could not have obtained PIN numbers. — AFP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Alghanim Chevrolet’s promotion to end in 3 days KD500 assistance on top of your car’s best trade-in price!

KUWAIT: Chevrolet fans have only three days left to benefit from the best offer on new vehicles. Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive has set the bar in Kuwait with its trade-in promotion that has always been well received. In order to meet customers’ expectations Yusuf A.Alghanim & Sons automotive, the exclusive distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in Kuwait, has launched the much-anticipated trade-in promotion during the month of December 2013.This limited time, special promotion provides many individuals the opportunity own a Chevrolet by trading in their used vehicles of any make and model for the best trade in value and KD 500 on top of the price of their traded in vehicle. Because the promotion will end after three days, grab this opportunity by visiting the nearest Yusuf Ahmed Alghanim & Sons Automotive showroom where you can choose your favorite new Chevrolet vehicle and enjoy the trade-in offer.

Those who are seeking an elegant and modern drive need not to look further than the Chevrolet Cruze, a car that continues to evolve into one of Chevrolet’s most impressive vehicles in its segment, offering competitive amenities, quietness, safety features and space expected of a larger sedan, but still providing the efficiency and value of a compact car. Now available with the new infotainment system ‘MyLink’, the sleek and sporty Cruze offers more value for customers than ever. Apart from its large sunroof, the Cruze is equipped with ABS, StabiliTrak, USB connectivity, airbags, Bluetooth, rearview camera, Cruise Control and remote engine starter plus 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lamps. The Cruze is powered with a 1.8-liter engine that generates an impressive 140 hp.

Rugged, powerful and lean, the Tahoe is the ideal SUV that contains features sought by the

youth, fans of powerful cars, top executives as well as families who seek spacious, solid cars that conveniently and comfortably transport them downtown or carry them through the great outdoors. Tahoe is equipped with an 8cylinder, 5.3-liter V8 engine with 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive that reaches up to 320 hp. The Tahoe has proven to be the ultimate vehicle of choice for any need or want due to its rich features and security measures that comprise of eight airbags, ABS, StabiliTrak, Cruise Control and remote engine starter.

Rethought, reshaped and redesigned, the Traverse provides its owner with a new exterior design and impressive engineering developments. The Traverse’s powerful performance is complemented with standard-setting safety features. The enhanced Traverse’s exterior starting with the front grill, headlights and smooth, seamless lines that greatly beautify and enhance the hood and backdoor. Comfortably seating eight passengers, the interior is equipped with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system that provides 6.5 inches of touch screen interface for all entertainment needs. Apart from allowing one to access MP3 files, iPods, iPads and more, the MyLink system seamlessly integrates a smartphone’s capabilities into the vehicle via USB or Bluetooth.

The Chevrolet Traverse is designed to help avoid crashes and protect the driver and his/her passengers in the event of a collision.

From the StabiliTrak(r) Electronic Stability Control System, six standard air bags, the Chevrolet Traverse has covered every area when it comes to providing a safe journey on every road and in every type of terrain. The Traverse has a 3.6-liter, direct-injected V6 engine and standard 6-speed automatic transmission that provide smooth shifting and

Gulf Bank winners of Al-Danah daily draws KUWAIT: Gulf Bank held its Al-Danah daily draws on December 22, 2013, announcing the names of its winners for the week of December 15 to December 19. The Al-Danah daily draws include draws each working day for two prizes of KD1000 per winner.

The winners were: (Sunday 15/12): Hussein Abdullah Jaber, Badriya Marzooq Dawood Al-Bader (Monday 16/12): Abdulaziz Bader Abdulaziz Alghanim, Maryam Bardah Ahmed (Tuesday 17/12): Fajer Mohammed Adnan Behbehani, Amal Mohammed Hassan Al Ramadan ( Wednesday 18/12): Salah Khalifa Mubarak Al-Jimaz, Nabil Nasr Mohammed Al-Atraby (Thursday 19/12): Khaled Abdulla Hassan Mazloum, Hashmiya Syed Yousef Hashim Gulf Bank’s Al Danah 2013 draw lineup includes daily draws (2 winners per working day each receive KD1000), as well as three draw prizes per quarter. The

final draw will be held on January 9, 2014 announcing winners of KD50,000, KD250,000 and the Al-Danah Millionaire.

Gulf Bank’s Al-Danah allows customers to win cash prizes and simultaneously encourages them to save money.

Chances increase the more money is deposited and the longer it is kept in the account.

Al-Danah also offers a number of unique services including the Al-Danah Deposit Only ATM card which helps account holders deposit their money at their convenience; as well as the AlDanah calculator to help customers calculate their chances of becoming an AlDanah winner.

To be part of the Al-Danah draws, customers can visit one of Gulf Bank’s 56 branches, transfer on line, or call the Customer Contact Center on 1805805 for assistance and guidance. Customers can also log on to www.e gulfbank.com/aldanahwinners, to find out more about Al Danah and who the winners are.

Ashraf El-Afifi, President, Henkel MEA

Henkel reaffirms commitment to MEA region DUBAI: Reinforcing its commitment to the region, Henkel - one of the world’s leading companies active in laundry & home care, beauty care and adhesive technologies, has opened its new Innovation Center, Middle East and Africa [MEA] in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The Innovation Center has been set up in Dubai to take advantages of the strategic benefits Dubai offers as a business hub for the Middle East, coupled with its political & economic stability and multicultural environment.

Ashraf El-Afifi, President Henkel MEA, said: “The decision to open our regional R&D-Innovation Center in Dubai is emphasizing once more the important role Dubai plays for us as regional hub and is underlining our commitment to the MEA region, which is one of our fastest growing markets globally. As a key player in Laundry and Home Care business in MEA it makes perfect business sense to further extends our specific research for these markets.” The Innovation Center is facilitating the development of new products in the area laundry and home care tailored to the specific needs of consumers in Middle East and Africa. The center is equipped with a simulated environment for component testing.

State-of-the-art technologies and equipment allow applying latest test methods, reinforcing Henkel’s position as an innova-

tion leader.

“Dubai attracts a highly skilled workforce, which is evident from the growing number of international companies, professional service firms and financial institutions operational here, so we decided to have our R&D facility here which helps us gauge the pulse of our consumers - especially considering that people from over 150 nationalities reside in Dubai,” emphasizes El-Afifi. The new R&D center houses experts from seven different nationalities, emphasizing the importance of diversity for the company, which plays a key role in Henkel’s success. “Diverse teams - in terms of nationality, gender and seniority - deliver better results and offer competitive advantages, adds El-Afifi.”

Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies. Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions both in the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel employs about 47,000 people and reported sales of 16,510 million euros and adjusted operating profit of 2,335 million euros in fiscal 2012. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX.

effortless, quiet acceleration while contributing to impressive highway fuel economy.

Fans of crossover vehicles will inevitably be attracted to the Captiva that possesses an unrivaled per formance on any road. The new Captiva comes with an enhanced, proportionate exterior that exudes a harmonious blend of modernity and liveliness especially in the front and back ends of the car that include bumpers, headlamps and a front unique grill. Under the hood lies the option of a 2.4-liter and fourcylinder engine that runs at 169 hp or a 3-liter, 6-cylinder engine that reaches 264 hp, elements that position the Captiva as the most powerful crossover vehicle in the market. The Chevrolet Captiva’s spacious cabin is comprised of three rows that seat up to seven passengers.

Enriched with the latest modern technologies, the new Captiva includes Bluetooth, CD and an MP3 system. The exciting new Captiva also maintains a 360 safety package including ABS, StabiliTrak, rear park assisting sensors, a solid exterior and many more beneficial features which make Captiva one of the most secure and safe vehicles in the market.

Yusuf A Alghanim & Sons Automotive is committed to offering an exceptional shopping and ownership experience, a factor that is furthered by the company’s excellent products and services that cater to customers’ every need and want. The company grounds itself in Chevrolet’s promise that vows to provide customers with unmatchable customer service, transparency as well as efficient, effective and genuine service, elements that affirm the company’s position as a pioneer in the vehicle industry. Drop by any Yusuf A. Alghanim & Sons Automotive showroom to benefit from this exclusive valuable offer by choosing your favorite new Chevrolet car.

UAE real estate set for robust growth: Study TASWEEK says it is a strong magnet for investors DUBAI: The UAE real estate sector is on a very strong growth pedestal, and offers a robust growth potential in the coming months for the investor community, according to a comprehensive study by TASWEEK Real Estate Development and Marketing PJSC - an advisor and solutions provider for the sector.

As per the landmark study undertaken by TASWEEK, the UAE real estate market is set to witness amazing Return on Investments between 9 percent and 12 percent per annum, which will serve as a major magnet for local and international investors. The study also revealed that the contribution of the UAE real estate sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product [GDP] would touch AED 111.4 billion by the end of 2013, which is expected to further surge to AED 118 billion by the end of 2014. The sector’s contribution to GDP was AED 108.2 billion in 2012 and AED 99 billion in 2009.

The rising confidence in the markets of Dubai and the strong fundamentals in the markets of Abu Dhabi have led the growth in the real estate sector of UAE, the TASWEEK study said, adding the sector is set to continue the growth trajectory witnessed over the last three years.

Masood Al-Awar, CEO of TASWEEK Real Estate Development and Marketing, said: “The UAE real estate fundamentals is set for a steady uptrend in the next few months, driving the overall optimism and growth potential on offer, thanks to the consistency and consolidation witnessed in the primary markets of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

We have strong market intelligence to suggest a major spurt in the growth with increased investor activity across a wide spectrum of real estate projects - from residential to commercial in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. These residential projects will increase the amount of spending which will stimulate job creation.”

“2014 will mark a major step-change in the growth of the UAE real estate sector, specially that world economic recovery started with Euro zone comeback and US housing growth pushing the mortgage lending and interest increase all of which will become more robust and sustainable.

The prospects are good for the UAE’s endured

property market rally - Abu Dhabi’s up-tempo market and Dubai’s return as a preferred global real estate hub provide sufficient boosts to maintain momentum through next year,” said AlAwar. The TASWEEK study emphasizes very positive growth for the Abu Dhabi real estate, with price stabilization and recovery in select areas driven by the unveiling of mega projects such as

Masood Al-Awar the AED 246 billion developments in the Western Region, which will positively impact the sector. The residential and retail rental values in Abu Dhabi are also set to grow exponentially amidst the decision of the Executive Council to disengage itself from the annual rental cap in November 2013, the study said. Varying rental trends will remain in vogue across the UAE capital, with high demand witnessed around Al-Raha Beach, Saadiyat, Al-Reem Island and Corniche areas.

On the other hand, a comparative study revealed that the preferred investor interest for sale of residential units would target the Al-Raha Beach, Al-Reem Island and Al-Reef Downtown neighborhoods. No major changes were expected in the office rental structure, the study said,

adding Al-Raha Beach, Corniche and Khalidiya would remain preferred target areas.

The Dubai market increased by over 10 percent since the beginning of 2013, driven by the strong governmental support and improving confidence in the market amidst political instability in the region, the TASWEEK study noted.

One of the advantages of Dubai is that it offers a world-class infrastructure for developments and projects across all sectors, it added.

The residential rental market would focus around Downtown Burj, Old Town, Dubai Marina, DIFC and Silicon Oasis neighborhoods, while those keen on buying residential units would eye developments in Downtown Burj, Dubai Marina, DIFC, Business Bay, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Greens, among other areas.

Offices leasing market witnessed slower activity in Dubai, while prices increased in the prime locations and the new business areas such as the Sheikh Zayed Road in the midst of increasing investor demand, the report opined, with rentals focusing on Dubai Marina, DIFC and TECOM among the preferred destinations.

Moreover, the successful bid to host Expo 2020 will have a good payoff in terms of return on investment which contributes to attracting foreign capital as well as local investors. This will have a significant impact on the growing demand for real estate units of various kinds in Dubai over the next three years, it suggested.

TASWEEK Real Estate Development and Marketing has been showcasing its two core competencies of networking and extensive market knowledge as it continues its expansion into the international markets. The company offers expertise in Purchase and Sale of Strategic Assets; Asset Management; Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances; and Marketing Consultancy.

TASWEEK Real Estate Development and Marketing has been showcasing its two core competencies of networking and extensive market knowledge as it continues its expansion into the international markets. The company offers expertise in Purchase and Sale of Strategic Assets; Asset Management; Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances; and Marketing Consultancy.

TOFE 2014 to spotlight occupational education DUBAI: In response to the increasing demand for industry-ready education in the UAE and across the region, TOFE (Technical, Occupational and Further Education), an advanced training and professional development exhibition, will hold its debut edition from January 29 to 31, 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in the UAE capital.

The exhibition will highlight the importance of occupational education in developing local talent and enhancing expertise at the workplace.

Organized by International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), one of the longest standing international exhibition houses in the region, TOFE will feature an array of professional certification options ranging from business and accountancy, engineering, medicine, nursing, dentistry, arts & photography, filmmaking, architecture, jewelry making, fashion design, among others, making it easier for students to choose from available courses being offered by prestigious institutions.

With employability criteria rapidly evolving and skill shortages still present within the UAE job market, technical and occupational education has

become highly significant in providing Emirati and expatriate job seekers with competitive advantages. Add to this developments such as Dubai’s successful World Expo 2020 bid, which is expected to create an estimated 220,000 jobs for the country, the need for industry-ready training is becoming more and more relevant.

Abu Dhabi alone is likely to generate more than 600,000 new jobs over the next decade based on a projected 7-9 per cent annual economic growth rate. All of these economic factors affirm the strong need for TOFE education to cultivate the required talent pool. Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions (IC&E), commented on the increasing need for a show dedicated to vocational and occupational training within the region, “Competition is fierce in the UAE job market with fresh graduates increasingly feeling the pressure of securing employment to match their qualifications. Even Emirati graduates are struggling to secure suitable jobs in the private sector. The status quo calls for acquiring additional skills such as technical qualification or specialization in occupational studies to excel professionally.”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

technology

Robot astronaut ‘Kirobo’ has historic talk on International Space Station Toyota to use this experiment to improve interactive conversation technologies he was tough enough to withstand the intense force of a rocket launch.

Further conversations will be held, and conversation logs and other data will be utilized by the project participants. The key aims of the project are to facilitate the coexistence of humans and robots, and to explore possible future deployment of communication robots in outer space.

DUBAI: Robot Astronaut Kirobo and astronaut Koichi Wakata made history when they had a conversation on the International Space Station (ISS) on December 6, 2013. The conversation was the first of its kind between a human and a robot in outer space and represents the latest development in the Kibo Robot Project, a joint research project carried out by Dentsu, RCAST(Research Centre for Advanced Science & Technology), University of Tokyo, Robo Garage and Toyota Motor Corporation. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) is also providing extensive assistance. Kirobo arrived at the space station in early August.

This experiment represents autonomous conversation using voice recognition technology as well as communication with people on Earth.

An extract from the conversation experiment: Wakata: How did you get out here into space, Kirobo?

Kirobo: On the Kounotori1 from Tanegashima Space Center.

Wakata: Right. So you came here on the Kounotori?

Kirobo: Not the bird, of course! A rocket.

Wakata: It’s incredible that you came here all by yourself.

Kirobo: Well, I’m a robot!

Toyota is responsible for voice and face recognition functions that are crucial to the experiments. Toyota plans to use experience gained from the orbital experiments to improve the range of interactive conversation technologies it uses in its automotive and personal robotic assistance products.

Before he was allowed to fly, Kirobo had to prove he had the right stuff by passing a range of tests. These included a parabolic flight test to examine behaviour in ‘zero G’ conditions, and a vibration test, to ensure

Customers’ encrypted card PINs were stolen ATLANTA: Target said yesterday that debit-card PINs were among the financial information stolen from millions of customers who shopped at the retailer earlier this month.

The company said the stolen personal identification numbers, which customers type into keypads to make secure transactions, were encrypted and that this strongly reduces risk to customers. In addition to the encrypted PINs, customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the embedded code on the magnetic strip on back of the cards were stolen from about 40 million credit and debit cards used at Target stores between Nov 27 and Dec 15.

Security experts say it’s the secondlargest theft of card accounts in U.S. history, surpassed only by a scam that began in 2005 involving retailer TJX Cos. “We remain confident that PIN numbers are safe and secure,” spokeswoman Molly Snyder said in an emailed statement Friday. “The PIN information was fully encrypted at the keypad, remained encrypted within our system, and remained encrypted when it was removed from our systems.”

However, Gartner security analyst Avivah Litan said Friday that the PINs for the affected cards are vulnerable

and people should change their codes since such data has been decrypted, or unlocked, before. In 2009 computer hacker Albert Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges after masterminding debit and credit card breaches in 2005 that targeted retailers such as T.J. Maxx, Barnes & Noble and OfficeMax. Gonzalez’s group was able to unlock encrypted data. Litan said changes have been made since then to make decrypting more difficult but “nothing is infallible.”

“It’s not impossible, not unprecedented (and) has been done before,” she said. Besides changing your PIN, Litan says shoppers should instead opt to use their signature to approve transactions because it is safer. Still, she said Target did “as much as could be reasonably expected” in this case. “It’s a leaky system to begin with,” she said.

Credit card companies in the US plan to replace magnetic strips with digital chips by the fall of 2015, a system already common in Europe and other countries that makes data theft more difficult. Minneapolis-based Target Corp. said it is still in the early stages of investigating the breach. It has been working with the Secret S er vice and the Depar tment of Justice. — AP

Kirobo’s basic specifications Dimensions: Height: 34 cm, Width: 18 cm, Depth: 15 cm (approx.)

Weight: 1 kg (approx.)

Language: Japanese Main features: Voice recognition, natural language processing, voice synthesis, telecommunications functions, gestures, facial recognition camera, recording camera Key project developments to date Nov 29, 2012 -The project is announced; public begins proposing robot names Jun 26, 2013 - Kirobo and ground crew member Mirata are completed and publicly introduced Aug 4, 2013 - Kirobo leaves Japan for the ISS aboard the Kounotori 4 transfer vehicle Aug 10, 2013 — Kirobo arrives on the ISS Aug 21, 2013 — Kirobo speaks his first words in outer space: “On August 21, 2013, a robot took one small step toward a brighter future for all” Future project plans Dec 2014 — Kirobo scheduled to return to Earth.

Mobile carriers failed to use tech fixes to thwart spying Europe’s biggest conference on hacking, security NEW YORK: The world’s mobile phone carriers have failed to implement technology fixes available since 2008 that would have thwarted the National Security Agency’s ability to eavesdrop on many mobile phone calls, a cyber security expert says.

Karsten Nohl, chief scientist with Berlin’s Security Research Labs, told Reuters ahead of a highly anticipated talk at a conference in Germany that his firm discovered the issue while reviewing security measures implemented by mobile operators around the world.

Nohl also told Reuters that the carriers had failed to fully address vulnerabilities that would allow hackers to clone and remotely gain control of certain SIM cards. Those vulnerabilities were pointed out in July.

While the German cryptologist criticized carriers for failing to implement technology to protect customers from surveillance as well as fraud, he said he does not think they did so under pressure from spy agencies.

“I couldn’t imagine it is complicity. I think it is negligence,” he said. “I don’t want to believe in a worldwide conspiracy across all worldwide network operators. I think it is individual laziness and priority on network speed and network coverage and not security.”

A spokeswoman for the GSM Association, which represents about 800 mobile operators worldwide, said she could not comment on Nohl’s criticism before seeing his presentation on the topic at the Chaos Communications Congress in

Hamburg, Europe’s biggest annual conference on hacking, security and privacy issues.

Nohl uncovered the issue while working on a project known as the GSM Security Map, which evaluates security of mobile operators around the globe. The map, which can be found at www.gsmmap.org, is partially funded with a grant from the US government’s Open Technology Fund, according to Nohl.

None of the carriers surveyed had implemented measures for thwarting a method that allows the NSA to eavesdrop on most mobile calls by unscrambling a widely used encryption technology known as A5/1, Nohl said.

Flaws in mobile technolgy The Washington Post reported on Dec. 13 that documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden showed the agency can crack A5/1. (http://wapo.st/JolNxy ) Nohl said that method would have been blocked if carriers had applied two patches released in 2008.

Nohl is credited with leading research teams that have uncovered major flaws in mobile technology in recent years. In July, he reported on security vulnerabilities that would allow hackers to gain remote control of and clone certain mobile SIM cards. The unprecedented work prompted a United Nations group known as the International Telecommunications Union, which advises nations on cyber security plans, to urge the industry to take quick action to tackle the vul-

nerabilities.

Once a hacker copies a SIM, it can be used to make calls and send text messages impersonating the owner of the phone, said Nohl, who has a doctorate in computer engineering from the University of Virginia.

A few weeks after Nohl disclosed his findings, he said it looked like most carriers had implemented fixes to prevent such attacks. Yet he said on Friday that while conducting research for the GSM Security Map project, he learned on closer inspection that those fixes still left plenty of room for attacks, making customers on many networks vulnerable.

“I need to go back on what I said. The majority of the operators only addressed the symptoms, not the root cause,” Nohl said. He said that his firm launched the GSM Security Map project to pressure mobile operators around the world to boost security. The effort will also push researchers like himself not to be complacent.

“We as researchers must not give up so easily like we did in July, when we said ‘The network operators addressed it. We are so proud. We changed the world,’” Nohl said. The group will continue to update the map, which has detailed reports for each country surveyed that describe security of individual carriers.

In the map’s initial release on Friday, the country whose networks were rated the most secure was France. Not all countries are surveyed, however, because the group does not yet have enough data. — Reuters

Review

Options for watching TV on the road BIRMINGHAM: If you are on the road and want to watch live TV and recorded shows on your phone or tablet, there aren’t many easy options. Although services such as Hulu let you watch television shows over the Internet, new episodes aren’t typically available until the day after they air. Your cable or satellite TV provider may offer apps for watching, but the channels offered vary from provider to provider, and trying to figure out what’s available when or where can be frustrating.

Instead, you can buy a gadget that gives you more flexibility and certainty. You can also subscribe to an online service called Aereo if you mostly watch overthe-air television and live in one of the markets it serves.

Slingbox Here are a few options for TV on the go: Slingbox (Apps for Apple, Android and Windows phones and tablets are $15 each, free on personal computers): Video cassette recorders and digital video recorders give us the gift of time shifting. Rather than watching a show when it airs, you can view it at a later time of your choosing. The Slingbox introduces us to place shifting.

You watch a given show at a place of your choosing.

With the Slingbox, you can even combine the two: Watch a recorded show from a computer, phone or tablet anywhere in the world through an app called

SlingPlayer.

I did just that while stuck in traffic in Birmingham, Ala., earlier this year. I was in the back seat and squeezed in an episode of a Showtime series by Oliver Stone. I watched a PBS documentary in my Montgomery hotel room and another while waiting for friends at a bar in New York. Thank you, unlimited cellular data plan.

Each Slingbox is attached to an account, so you can’t access a stranger’s Slingbox in London to watch BBC, for instance. But you can watch shows on your box while in London. As long as it’s a show you can watch at home on the TV, live or recorded, you can usually watch it remotely through Slingbox. Some high-definition programs are blocked by the content provider, but a lowerquality version is often available with the right cables.

The SlingPlayer apps have on-screen remotes to change channels or navigate a DVR ’s menu.

Unfortunately, the remotes are particularly cumbersome on phones and take getting used to.

Another drawback: Because the Slingbox mirrors the TV feed, someone at home can’t watch a different show from what you’re watching on the road. That person would need to find another TV, connect a separate settop box or watch with you. You can really spook someone changing channels from afar.

The Slingbox is the most versatile of the three offer-

ings I reviewed. It’s also the only one to allow playback in slow motion. But it’s clunky at times. After hitting the on-screen remote, there’s a noticeable lag before the channel actually changes. It’s OK if you’re watching a show straight through, but if you do a lot of rewinding and forwarding, you spend too much time waiting for the Slingbox to respond. The Slingbox 500 lets you bypass a wired Internet connection and use Wi-Fi instead. It also has HDMI connectors and the ability to project videos and photos from your phone to the big screen.

Android next year. Streaming over cellular networks is coming as well, though you can currently download over cellular if you have a good enough data plan.

I’ve had occasional log-in problems or unspecified errors, but the feature’s great when it does work. There’s no awkward on-screen remote with TiVo. I simply tap the show I want and hit “ Watch Now.” I caught up on “American Horror Story” that way this weekend.

The feature requires a Roamio Plus or Roamio Pro. With basic and older models, you need a separate TiVo Stream device.

TiVo Roamio DVR TiVos are first and foremost digital video recorders. In recent years, TiVo Inc. has let you watch shows on phones and tablets while away from home if you download them before you leave. A new, free app lets you stream those shows on the fly, so you don’t have to plan ahead with downloads. Video quality is poorer with streaming, though. You can also use this streaming feature to watch shows live.

Either way, just about anything you can record on your TiVo can be watched on the phone or tablet. Like the Slingbox, some programs are blocked by the content provider. For now, you’re limited to iPhones and iPads with Wi-Fi connections. The feature is coming to

Aereo Aereo offers television over the Internet for a monthly fee, with no wiring or satellite dish involved. Aereo’s data centers have thousands of dime-sized antennas.

You’re temporarily assigned one to record your show.

Aereo streams it to your computer, phone or tablet. You can watch shows live, too.

Enjoy it while you can: Broadcasters are trying to shut it down because Aereo doesn’t pay licensing fees, the way cable and satellite providers do. Aereo argues that because each person is assigned an antenna, it’s akin to having your own antenna at home picking up free signals. Aereo has prevailed in court so far, but the case is likely to go to the Supreme Court. — AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

Hundreds of corpses unburied after Philippine typhoon TACLOBAN, Philippines: More than a thousand dead victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan lay unburied yesterday, seven weeks after the region was battered by the Philippines’ deadliest storm, residents living alongside the stench said.

About 1,400 corpses, in sealed black body bags swarming with flies, lay on a muddy open field in San Isidro, a farming village on the outskirts of the destroyed central city of Tacloban, an AFP reporter saw. “The stench has taken away our appetite. Even in our sleep, we have to

wear face masks,” said local housewife Maritess Pedrosa, who lives in a house about 20 metres (66 feet) from the roadside city government property.

Haiyan killed 6,111 people and left 1,779 others missing on November 8, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

This made the storm, which also left 4.4 million people homeless, one of the deadliest natural disasters in Philippine history. Tacloban and nearby towns were devastated by tsunami-like giant waves

unleashed by Haiyan which accounted for a majority of the dead.

The council’s spokesman, Reynaldo Balido, said he was unsure if the official death toll already included the cadavers in San Isidro.

Fly factory Eutiquio Balunan, the local village chief, said government workers assigned to collect the typhoon dead began trucking them to San Isidro on November 10, where they have been exposed to the

tropical heat and heavy seasonal rainshowers. There, state forensics experts try to identify the corpses, he told AFP. The processed corpses are then turned over to relatives, while those that are unclaimed are tagged and taken to a mass grave at the city cemetery about three kilometres (1.86 miles) away.

“Our tally comprises those already tagged and processed by the local governments,” Balido, the disaster council spokesman, told AFP. Balunan, the village chief, said the pro-

cessing of the cadavers had been suspended over the Christmas weekend as the forensics experts went on holiday.

“We are requesting the city government to please bury the cadavers because our children and elderly residents are getting sick,” he said.

“This place has become a fly factory.”

The cadavers are guarded by eight policemen. One officer who asked not to be named said they are under orders to prevent the cadavers from being eaten by stray dogs. — AFP

Mistakes ‘essential steppingstones’ Learning from missteps

TOKYO: Shoppers look at piled crabs at a seafood shop in Tokyo’s Ameyoko district, which is jam-packed with year-end shoppers yesterday. Ameyoko is a big bazaar in the city selling everything from food, clothing, and jewelry at bargain prices. —AP

Family finds facility to take ‘brain-dead’ girl OAKLAND: An attorney says a nursing home has agreed to provide long-term care for a 13-year-old girl, who has been declared brain dead but whose family maintains is still alive.

A southern California facility agreed after another nursing home backed out, the family’s lawyer, Christopher Dolan, said Friday. He wouldn’t provide its name, saying “we’re afraid they’ll be inundated with press” and decide to back out as well.

Time is short for the family, as Alameda County Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo on Tuesday ruled that the Children’s Hospital Oakland may remove Jahi McMath from life support at 5 p.m.

Monday unless an appeal is filed.

Jahi underwent tonsil surgery at Children’s Hospital on Dec. 9 to treat sleep apnea. After she awoke from the operation, her family said, she started bleeding heavily from her mouth and went into cardiac arrest. Doctors at Children’s Hospital concluded the girl was brain dead on Dec. 12 and wanted to remove her from life support. The family said they believe she is still alive.

Before Jahi can be transferred, she must undergo two more medical procedures - the insertion of a breathing tube and a feeding tube, both of which would be necessary for her long-term care but which the nursing home is not equipped to perform.

Lawful transfer The hospital has refused to perform the procedures.

“Children’s Hospital Oakland does not believe that performing surgical procedures on the body of a deceased person is an appropriate medical practice,” David Durand, its chief of pediatrics, said in a statement Thursday.

Douglas Straus, a lawyer for the hospital, said in a letter made public Friday that before the hospital would comply with the family’s request to move Jahi, it would need to speak directly with officials at any nursing home to make sure they understand her condition, “including the fact that Jahi is brain dead” - and to discuss needed preparations, including transportation.

“Children’s Hospital will of course continue to do everything legally and ethi-

cally permissible to support the family of Jahi McMath. In that regard, Children’s will allow a lawful transfer of Jahi’s body in its current state to another location if the family can arrange such a transfer and Children’s can legally do so,” Straus wrote in the letter.

He also said the Alameda County coroner needed to sign off on the move “since we are dealing with the body of a person who has been declared legally dead.”

The letter was sent to Dolan after Dolan said he was preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit to force the hospital to outfit Jahi with breathing and feeding tubes. He said the hospital’s refusal to cooperate violated her family’s religious, due process rights and privacy rights.

In fulfillment of the hospital’s request, Dolan said he had held a three-way conference call Friday with Straus and the director of the nursing home.

No comment Dolan also told the Associated Press on Friday that he had already obtained signed consent from the coroner for Jahi’s transfer.

The Alameda County Coroner ’s Bureau said it had no comment.

Jahi’s uncle, Omari Sealey, said earlier on Friday the family was in talks with three nursing homes - two in Los Angeles and one in New York - that might be willing to take her.

The girl’s relatives had announced on Thursday that they had found a nursing home in the San Francisco Bay Area that was willing to care for the girl if she had the tubes. Within hours, the hospital’s chief of pediatrics issued a statement saying Children’s would not cooperate because it “does not believe that performing surgical procedures on the body of a deceased person is an appropriate medical practice.”

Upon learning of the hospital’s position, that facility backed out. Dolan said he is hoping the hospital officials will change their mind about the surgery after speaking with the nursing home officials. If they don’t, he said, the family’s options are slim, but he is hoping the Alameda County judge will give them some more time Monday to find a doctor willing to perform the surgeries. —AP

HONG KONG: A general view shows commercial and residential buildings on a smoggy day in Hong Kong yesterday. Tomorrow Hong Kong will introduce the Air Quality Health Index, the first in Asia to use the system in its ongoing battle to combat air pollution. —AFP

WASHINGTON: Many of us - though more likely most of us - fear making mistakes. And it makes sense. We live in a mistake-phobic society, according to clinical psychologist Wendy Mogel, Ph.D. Take social media. We’re tempted to become our own publicists, she said. “We curate our persona,” rarely letting imperfections show (hello Facebook). Thanks to our 24/7 news media cycle, the smallest blunders get broadcast and picked apart by readers all over the world.

We also learn as kids that mistakes are bad.

It’s better to get the answer right. The right answer leads to higher grades and scores, and greater success. And it’s a competitive world out there. But mistakes are also valuable teachers, if we can only learn to listen.

One father told Mogel he fought with a pediatrician over his son’s Apgar score (and won). A kindergarten teacher recounted a meeting with two parents who complained the class curriculum wasn’t on the proper track for pre-med.

Mogel’s teen client was afraid to tell his mom he was writing a play. When asked why, he said, “Because she’ll get too excited.” Mogel has worked with scores of parents who are afraid to let their kids make mistakes. It’s no wonder we try to minimize and mask our own imperfections. And yet mistakes are essential steppingstones. They’re vital for growth and creativity. “[I]f we don’t focus on process over product, we cannot be innovators. We cannot learn about ourselves and learn about the world.”

Acknowledge your mistakes Think of trial and error learning. “With no trial, there’s no error and no learning,” said Mogel, also author of The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B Minus.

And the reality is we’re going to make mistakes, said Alina Tugend, a journalist and author of Better By Mistake: The Unexpected Benefits of Being Wrong. “There’s no way to protect ourselves.” The key lies in how we view mistakes and what we do with them. Here are several

strategies for rethinking mistakes and learning from your missteps.

When making a mistake many of us deny it, get defensive, blame others or beat ourselves up, said Tugend, who also writes the ShortCuts column for The New York Times. These are natural tendencies. But they also prevent us from learning. When beating ourselves up, we have a tendency to say everything from “I’m so stupid” to “I’m such a loser.” We view failure as permanent, and success as temporary, she said, stressing the importance of moving away from this sense of permanence. “Beating yourself up over mistakes is actually a form of vanity, because it’s as though you’re supposed to be good at everything or always know what to do,” Mogel said.

When you make a mistake, take a deep breath and acknowledge it, Tugend said. Remind yourself that mistakes are normal. Perfection is a myth.

Mine your mistakes We tend to confuse reasons with excuses, Tugend said. In other words, sometimes we’re afraid to go into the reasons we made a mistake because we worry that we’re just making excuses. But, sometimes, “there are valid reasons” behind our mistakes. And exploring those reasons helps you make important discoveries and improvements. It helps you set up systems to prevent mistakes in the future.

So explore your mistakes. Do you make this mistake a lot? Tugend said. If you do, how can you prevent it from happening next time? What kind of system can you set up?

If you forget to pay the cable bill every month, maybe you can create a reminder in your calendar a week before your due date, or set up an automatic withdrawal. Maybe your spouse is more organized, and you can delegate the task to them. System changes have created positive results everywhere from the aviation industry to the medical field. For instance, implementing simple checklists along with instituting feedback

BURLINGTON: Dr Jothi Kanagalingam practices the proper technique for inserting a central line at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

Fletcher Allen has developed its own procedures for reducing potentially fatal central line infections, that begins with re-teaching physicians techniques they’ve already been taught. —AP photas

and cultivating a culture of collaboration has saved lives, reducing medical mistakes at hospitals around the world.

Valid and invalid criticism Sometimes we ignore the criticism aimed our way or internalize every morsel, Tugend said.

Rather than taking an all-or-nothing approach, try to distinguish between valid and invalid criticism. For instance, if you misspelled a prominent person’s name in an article, criticism that says you need to be more careful in the future is valid. However, criticism that says it’s solely your fault is not, because the editor and copyeditor also should’ve caught the error. The entire system may need to change, not just your actions.

It also helps to talk to someone you trust. Tell them what happened, and ask for their feedback in figuring out what’s right, she said.

Find a sponsor When Mogel works with parents on developing the courage to let their kids make mistakes, she suggests they find “a sponsor or one sane friend,” who isn’t caught up in the pressure for perfection, and “does not feel they have to have an inserted GPS into their child’s brain.” Find one person who’s relatively unashamed and adventurous - without being reckless - about trying new things in various areas, she said.

Branch out “Instead of staying in the habit of doing the things you’re good at, learn something new,” Mogel said. Take a new class. Take up a new hobby. Try a solution that may not work. Practice taking chances and making mistakes.

We forget that mistakes can be instructive.

“We know [from the research] that people who are allowed to make mistakes when they learn things often learn deeper and more comprehensively,” Tugend said. Give yourself the opportunity to focus on the process, mine your mistakes and truly learn. —Psychcentral

BURLINGTON: Dr Alfred Croteau, center, a surgery resident at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, demonstrates the proper procedure for inserting a central line to Drs. Jothi Kanagalingam, left, and Lucas Mikulic.

Four myths about obesity NEW YORK: The obesity epidemic is among the most critical health issues facing the United States.

Although it has generated a lot of attention and calls for solutions, it also has served up a super-sized portion of myths and misunderstandings.

1. If you’re obese, blame your genes.

As obesity rates have soared, some researchers have focused on individuals’ genetic predisposition for gaining weight. Yet, between 1980 and 2000, the number of Americans who are obese has doubled too quickly for genetic factors to be responsible.

So why do we eat more than we need? The simple answer: Because we can. At home and at restaurants, a dollar puts more calories on our plates than ever before. Before World War II, the average family spent as much as 25 percent of its total income on food - in 2011, it was 9.8 percent. And people eat out now more than in the past. In 1966, the average family spent 31 percent of its food budget dining away from home - in 2011, it was 49 percent. Because restaurant meals usually have more calories than what we prepare at home, people who eat out more frequently have higher rates of obesity than those who eat out less. Meanwhile, the food industry has developed tens of thousands of products with more calories per bite, as well as new, effective marketing strategies to encourage us to buy and consume more than necessary. We should blame these business practices, which are modifiable, for obesity rather than our genes, which are not.

2. If you’re obese, you lack self-control.

According to a 2006 study, “research on restrained

eating has proven that in most circumstances dieting is not a feasible strategy.” In other words: People won’t lose weight by trying to eat less because they can’t easily control themselves. Unfortunately, this puritanical view of personal resolve plays down how our surroundings and mental state determine what we eat.

Research shows that if we are overwhelmed with too much information or preoccupied, we have a tendency to surrender to poor dietary choices. In one study, for example, people asked to choose a snack after memorizing a seven-digit number were 50 percent more likely to choose chocolate cake over fruit salad than those who had to memorize a two-digit number.

When adults in another study were asked to sample a variety of foods after watching a television show with junk-food commercials, they ate more and spent a longer time eating than a similar group watching the same show without the junk-food ads. In the same study, children ate more goldfish crackers when watching junk-food commercials than those who saw other ads.

Our world has become so rich in temptation that we can be led to consume too much in ways we can’t understand. Even the most vigilant may not be up to the task of controlling their impulses.

3. Lack of access to fresh fruits and vegetables is responsible for the obesity epidemic.

The Obama administration’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative is meant to help low-income communities that lack access to fresh food. Although the U.S Department of Agriculture estimates that fewer than 5 percent of Americans live in these “food

deserts,” about 65 percent of the nation’s population is overweight or obese. For most of us, obesity is not related to access to more nutritious foods, but rather to the choices we make in convenience stores and supermarkets where junk-food marketing dominates.

Since we are buying more calories than we need, eating healthfully could be made more affordable by eliminating unnecessary cheaper low nutrient foods and substituting higher quality foods that may be slightly more expensive. Obesity is usually the consequence of eating too much junk food and consuming portions that are too large. People may head to the produce section of their grocery store with the best intentions, only to be confronted by candy at the cash register and chips and soda at the end of aisles.

Approximately 30 percent of supermarket sales are from such end-of-aisle locations. Food retailers’ impulse-marketing strategies contribute significantly to obesity across the population, not just for those who do not live near a green grocer or can’t afford sometimes pricier healthy choices.

4. The problem is not that we eat too much, but that we are too sedentary.

First lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign is based on the idea that if kids exercised more, childhood obesity rates would decline. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was no significant decrease in physical activity levels as obesity rates climbed in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, although a drop in work-related physical activity may account for up to 100 fewer calories burned, leisure physical activity appears to have increased, and Americans keep tipping the scales. —Outlook

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

H E A LT H & S C I E N C E

‘DNA clamp’ technology to help cancer treatment Understanding at molecular level MONTREAL: An international team of researchers has developed tiny technology that can spot genetic mutations at the DNA level before diseases such as cancer develop. Scientists are calling this nanotechnology a “DNA clamp” and say it could revolutionize screening and treatment of cancer, and other diseases with a genetic basis.

“The clamp is made from DNA and it’s made to bind with DNA. It’s as small as it can get,” said Alexis VallÈe-BÈlisle, a professor in the chemistry department at the UniversitÈ de MontrÈal, and one of the developers behind the discovery.

Researchers believe that this innovative technology could one day help speed disease diagnosis and help tailor treatment. The next step in the research is to try the clamp in clinical settings using human DNA samples.

A big challenge in cancer therapy now is understanding cancer at molecular level, VallÈe-BÈlisle said.

“The mutation is affecting which protein, and that protein is responsible for what regulatory function in the cell?

We might have the specific drug for that protein, but if you don’t know which mutation, you cannot efficiently treat the cancer.

“That’s why we need to have these rapid diagnostic tests.”

Published this month in the journal ACS Nano, researchers found that the DNA clamp performed more precisely and quickly than current genetic testing for mutations, developed in the ‘90s and called “molecular beacons.”

op this clamp,” VallÈe-BÈlisle said. “It’s a specific tool that may have a lot of applications.” Many advances in diagnostic tests in the past years have built upon the discovery of the DNA double helix by James Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin in the ‘50s.

The clamp designed by VallÈe BÈlisle, and researchers Andrea Idili and Francesco Ricci of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and Kevin W. Plaxco, University of California Santa Barbara, is, in essence, a triple helix.

It turns out that when two strands clamp onto a third DNA sequence, it provides an even more sensitive way to identify a mutation, VallÈe-BÈlisle said.

An increasing number of genetic mutations have been identified as risk factors for the development of cancer and many other diseases. Single gene defects, according to researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, may lead to diverse neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.

Many people have tapped into their personal genetic makeup with the advent of popular companies like 23andMe that sprung into existence since scientists first sequenced the human genome more than a decade ago. “People are sequencing and sequencing and we’re getting more and more information about what a single mutation will do to an organism,” VallÈe-BÈlisle said. “As our samples get bigger, we are starting to see high correlations for specific cancers.”

Tiny material Like a clothing peg on a laundry line, DNA is the perfect tiny material for creating scaffolds or clamps that can hold other molecules in place, VallÈe-BÈlisle said. The DNA clamp was designed to become fluorescent if it detects mutations that signal a high risk for cancer.

The nanotechnology field has exploded recently with researchers designing many nanostructures using DNA codes, VallÈe-BÈlisle added.

One challenge is to improve cancer therapy where toxic drugs destroy both healthy and malignant cells to eradicate disease.

Research teams are currently designing DNA nanomachines able to carry and deliver drug therapies to targeted tumour cells while sparing the rest.

“For us it was really exciting to devel-

Genetic mutations Women with a family histor y of breast cancer, for example, regularly seek tests for BRCA1 and BRCA2, the genetic mutations that greatly increase a lifetime risk of such cancer by 60 to 80 per cent in some families.

Actress Angelina Jolie had a preventive double mastectomy last year after learning she carried the gene that made it extremely likely she would get breast cancer. The research was funded by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MIUR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grand Challenges Explorations program, the European Commission Marie Curie Actions program, and the US National Institutes of Health. — The Gazette

MEMPHIS: Certified industrial hygienist Gary Siebenschuh putting on a hazardous materials suit before entering a home that once served as a clandestine methamphetamine lab in Memphis. The house was placed under quarantine after a Nov 6 fire that police said was caused by a meth lab that exploded in the attic of the house. —AP photos

MEMPHIS: Certified industrial hygienist Gary Siebenschuh, center, and his assistant Courtney Van Stolk, left, speaking with homeowner Dick Cochran after searching for methamphetamine residue in the house he rents in Memphis.

Cleaning up homes with meth labs growing industry MEMPHIS: A tall man and a slender woman wiggled into their white hazardous materials suits, putting on protective masks and gloves before venturing into the dark, two-story home where police say a methamphetamine lab recently exploded. Gary Siebenschuh and a helper used a yellow photo ionization detector to measure for meth residue, maneuvering around debris and a hole in the roof caused by the Nov. 6 fire that injured a young child.

They took wipe samples of walls, ducts, window sills and other parts of the home, later sending them to a lab to be analyzed.

“The process is extremely cumbersome but I think it’s necessary,” said Dick Cochran, owner of the Memphis home where a renter was charged with making meth and causing the fire and explosion. He hired Siebenschuh to inspect the property. “You don’t know how bad a house can be contaminated,” Cochran said.

Cottage industry Tens of thousands of houses have

been used as meth labs the last decade and a cottage industry is developing around cleaning them up. Many Americans are more aware of the production of the highly addictive drug thanks to AMC’s hit show “Breaking Bad,” which featured a high school chemistry teacher who turned into a meth cooker and dealer. In real life, cleanup contractors are the ones who deal with a property when a batch explodes or police raid an operation and shut it down.

However, there is little oversight of the growing industry in most states, opening the door for potential malfeasance. And some homeowners are often reluctant to pay thousands of dollars to make a property safe, so many houses simply don’t get cleaned for years, exposing residents and sometimes even neighbors to harmful chemicals.

Cochran expects to spend thousands to make the house rentable once again, with much of the cost covered by his insurance company. However, that is not the norm; Many insurance policies do not cover meth cleanup.

To make a meth home safe, a certi-

fied contractor must remove and replace all contaminated materials, from walls to carpet to air conditioning vents.

Next, a certified “industrial hygienist” tests the home to gauge whether it can be lived in or needs more cleaning.

Hygienists and contractors find homes in different states of disrepair.

Homes with no fires or explosions are easier to clean, but there is often a pungent odor, contaminated cooktops, carpets and walls, leaky roofs and dirty furniture. In the case of Cochran’s home, Siebenschuh had to maneuver around scattered debris and a burned-out shell of a second floor and attic. “You do testing in the front end, so we can find out how much meth is there,” said Siebenschuh, whose company, G7 Environmental Services, also does testing for asbestos, mold and other contaminates. “Then the homeowner hires a contractor, and then he cleans it up.”

Contaminated homes Despite laws requiring landlords to disclose if meth had been made on a property, experts say such disclosures

often don’t happen and there are many people living in contaminated homes nationwide.

Exposure to meth residue can cause respiratory problems, and health officials say meth homes pose a threat to public safety. For example, squatters may enter abandoned homes, and children play around them.

Over the last decade, tens of thousands of homes have been used to cook meth, according to federal data. About 25 states have laws related to meth cleanup. Some states, such as Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, place meth homes on quarantine lists. Some properties on Tennessee’s list date to 2006, underscoring the years it often takes for some properties to be cleaned. Cleanup costs can range from $3,000 to $25,000, depending on the home’s size and the amount of contamination.

Joe Mazzuca, CEO of operations for Meth Lab Cleanup LLC, said his business has been growing 30 percent annually in recent years. “We consider it to be still in its infancy,” said Mazzuca, a leader in the meth cleanup industry.—AP

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

W H AT ’ S O N

Filipino music band Free Style performs first time in Kuwait

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).

By Sunil Cherian

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hey were college friends in Manila back in 1996. After their tryst with sound engineering and occasional singing at hotels they joined to form Free Style - arguably the most famous music band in Manila. Now they are in Kuwait rocking and rousing the ‘Kabayan’ - their fellow-country people in the Al-Mulla Exchange organized programs last weekend at the American International School, Maidan Hawally.

“Our OPM (Original Pilipino Music) is what people liked the best”, said an excited Joshua Desiderio, the band’s singing sensation. Other members - Ava Santos, Mike Luis, Rommel Dela Cruz, Gerd Banzon and Tat Suzara - were all thrilled about their experience in Kuwait. “It’s always hot in the Philippines”, said a shivering Ava, 23, the band’s youngest member.

The band Free Style consists of 3 generations of people - some original members left and new ones have joined. The 13 albums - with OPM, English and remix songs - the band has produced since its inception in the late 90’s have created followers without borders. The full-time musicians of the band live by music alone, performing 4 to 5 programs a week. “We are very much influenced

by Western music, but when we write songs in Tagalog we use different derivatives of the English word. For example, for the word love, we use mahal, sinta, erog, iniibig”, said Tat Suzara, a ‘Free Styler’. Free Style members are preparing for their charity for Tacloban victims on January 3 at Solaire Resort and Casino, Manila. “There we’ll be singing our most famous number Bakit ngayon ka lang”, said the 6 members together in harmony.

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.

Puthuvalsarathanima 2014

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HANIMA, the prominent socio-cultural Group in Kuwait actively involved in promoting traditional art & cultural forms as well as striving for religious harmony is celebrating their New Year program - Puthuvalsarathanima 2014 - on Saturday, January 4 from 6 pm onwards at United Indian School, Abbassiya. The main attraction of the event is a ‘Traditional Carol Singing Competition’ which is one of its kind in Kuwait. Winners will receive trophies & prizes sponsored by Thanima.

Leaders representing various religious beliefs will deliver New Year messages highlighting the importance of religious harmony and the need for peaceful co-existence. Thanima invites all to the program to share the nostalgic experience of traditional carol singing and New Year celebrations. Entry to the event is free.

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

Nandhanam Kuwait conducts ‘Arangetram 2013’

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andhanam Kuwait conducted “Arangetram 2013” at American International School, Maidan Hawalli on 29th November 2013. The program was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Mission Indian Embassy Shri S. Goldar, who appreciated Nandhanam for their efforts to demonstrate the artistic culture and heritage in its original form. Ms. Kavya Madhavan, well known dancer and South Indian actress, Shri N.V. Krishnan Master founder Director of Bharatanjali Payyannur, Shri Vijayan Kaarayil - Indian Community School Honorary Secretary, Smt. Anju Dheman, the Principal of Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School were spe-

cial guests for the program. Smt. Nayana Santhosh delivered the welcome speech followed by the national anthem.

The deputy Chief Mission - Indian Embassy Shri S. Goldar released the Souvenir - Arangetram 2013 and the first copy given to Ms Kavya Madhavan, an eminent dancer and film actress.

The live accompaniment team Shri.

Bijeesh Krishna (Vocal), Shri Venugopal Kurumassery (Mridangam), Shri Murali Narayanan (Flute) and Shri Cherthala Sreenatha (Edakka) who welcomed the audience by a lovely Ganesha Sthuthi. In Arangetram 2013, 37 students performed their Arangetram in Bharata Natym,

Mohiniyaattam, Kuchipudi dance forms and 6 other students performed bharatanatym Varnnam in accordance to the live music.

After the Arangetram session, Ms. Kavya appreciated the efforts and dedication of the teachers, students and live accompaniment team for very joyous presentation - a visual and harmonious treat. She feels so proud and enchanted on her return to Kuwait through such a prestigious event and she appreciated the efforts done by the organizers for organizing such a program in its original and traditional form.

Ms. Kavya Madhavan handed over the mementoes to the Arangetram students

along with the certificate and a gift from Joy Alukkas and the mementoes to the teachers and the live orchestra team.

As a token of appreciation, Nandhanam directors - Mrs Nayana Santhosh and Mrs. Bindhu Prasad handed over a momento to the special guests Ms. Kavya Madhavan and Shri N. V. Krishnan Master.

As part of the closing ceremony, all students of Nandhanam presented a simple dedication song to Ms. Kavya Madhavan.

The programs were winded with vote of thanks to all the sponsors, supporters, wellwishers, parents and the students for their immense support and for showing their passion towards our culture and heritage.

W H AT ’ S O N

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 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

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

KNES excels in Dubai Debate 2013

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ith over 32 schools participating and more than 120 debating teams, Dubai Debate is one of the biggest and more prestigious Inter-school debating competitions in the Middle East. Following the World Schools Debating Competition format, the event is fiercely competitive.

Kuwait National English School made their debut in this event this year and it turned out to be a spectacular one as our students made up of three teams stormed in to the semi-finals of the open division section in their respective groups.

Our star debaters held their own and quietly proceeded through the early stages to make 2 semi-final appearances and thereby prove that our students have the calibre to debate with the best. KNES is pursuing every possible avenue to enhance participation in such events and to gain top position in debating in the near future.

This is a small and modest beginning and we hope to take part in many more international debates in future. We are proud of the team of Dominika Korunich, Zeinab Chamkha, Farah Abu Shanab, Israa Khaled, Ibrahim Khodabocus, Osama Attia, Yousef Tawfik, Abdullateef Ali, Heshamakl, Sondous Jazzaf, Joana Bashir and Adam Tonsberg for their brilliant performance.

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:

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

ABS visits Bait Al-Othman Museum

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great day was has by all on The American Baccalaureate School grade 1 field trip! We arrived at Bait Al-Othman museum at 9.30 and spent a couple of hours exploring the history of Kuwait.

The students were really excited to see a typical

home from the early 19th Century, somewhere their grandparents may have grown up. There are major differences between life today and life long ago and the volume of artifacts there helped to highlight these for the children.

They especially enjoyed looking at all the traditional Kuwaiti fishing boats. After the museum tour we all gobbled down a Happy Meal and some ice-cream at McDonalds. The children returned to ABS exhausted but happy after a fun day out!

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.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

TV PROGRAMS 00:05 Pramface 00:30 Pramface 01:00 Pramface 01:30 Pramface 02:00 My Family: Christmas 2008 02:30 Alan Carr: Chatty Man 03:15 Whitechapel 04:00 Doctor Who 05:00 Me Too! 05:20 Balamory 05:40 Fimbles 06:00 Little Robots 06:10 Buzz & Tell 06:15 Me Too! 06:35 Balamory 06:55 Fimbles 07:15 Little Robots 07:25 The Weakest Link 08:10 Alone In The Wild 09:00 My Family 09:30 My Family 10:00 My Family 10:30 My Family 11:00 My Family 11:30 My Family 12:00 My Family 12:30 My Family 13:00 My Family 13:30 Doctors 14:00 Doctors 14:25 Doctors 14:55 Doctors 15:25 Doctors 15:50 Great Expectations 16:45 Great Expectations 17:35 Great Expectations 20:00 The Hound Of The Baskervilles 21:30 The Turn Of The Screw 23:00 Absolutely Fabulous 23:30 Absolutely Fabulous

00:00 Cash In The Attic 00:45 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 01:35 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 02:05 Delicious Iceland 02:30 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 03:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 05:10 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 06:00 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 06:45 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 08:05 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 08:45 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 09:25 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 10:50 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Specials 12:10 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 12:50 Hairy Bikers’ Bake-ation 13:45 Tareq Taylor’s Nordic Cookery 14:10 Delicious Iceland 14:40 New Scandinavian Cooking 15:10 DIY SOS: The Big Build 16:10 DIY SOS: The Big Build 17:05 DIY SOS: The Big Build 18:00 DIY SOS: The Big Build 18:55 DIY SOS: The Big Build 19:50 DIY SOS: The Big Build 20:45 Come Dine With Me: Supersize 22:20 Antiques Roadshow 23:15 Bargain Hunt

00:05 Bugs, Bites And Parasites 00:55 Life Or Death: Medical Mysteries 01:45 NASA’s Unexplained Files 02:35 How It’s Made 03:00 How It’s Made 03:25 How It’s Made 03:50 How It’s Made 04:15 How It’s Made 04:40 How Do They Do It?

05:05 05:30 06:00 06:30 07:00 07:50 08:40 09:30 10:20 11:10 12:00 12:25 12:50 13:15 13:40 14:05 14:30 14:55 15:20 15:45 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:25 17:50 18:15 18:40 19:05 19:30 19:55 20:45 21:35 22:25 23:15

How Do They Do It? How Do They Do It? How Do They Do It? How Do They Do It? Kings Of Crash World’s Top 5 Wheeler Dealers Man, Cheetah, Wild Bush Pilots Ultimate Survival Destroyed In Seconds Destroyed In Seconds Destroyed In Seconds Destroyed In Seconds How It’s Made How It’s Made How It’s Made How It’s Made How It’s Made Storage Hunters Storage Hunters Storage Hunters Storage Hunters Storage Hunters Border Security Border Security Border Security Border Security Border Security Mythbusters Treehouse Masters You Have Been Warned Man, Cheetah, Wild Bush Pilots

00:40 True 01:30 02:00 02:50 03:45 04:35 05:25 06:15 07:05 08:00 08:50 09:40 10:30 11:25 12:20 13:10 14:00 14:50 15:20 16:10 17:00 17:55 18:45 19:35 20:30 21:20 22:10 23:00 23:50

Dark Matters: Twisted But Food Factory Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Food Factory Finding Bigfoot Finding Bigfoot Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships Mighty Ships

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 09:05 09:30 09:55 10:15 10:40

The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody Jonas Los Angeles Jonas Los Angeles 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 Jonas Los Angeles Jonas Los Angeles 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 That’s So Raven Shake It Up Good Luck Charlie Dog With A Blog Gravity Falls Wolfblood My Babysitter’s A Vampire A.N.T. Farm Dinosaur

12:15 12:35 13:00 13:25 13:45 14:10 14:35 15:00 15:25 15:50 16:10 16:35 17:00 17:20 17:45 18:10 18:30 18:55 19:20 19:40 20:30 21:15 22:00 22:50 23:35

That’s So Raven Shake It Up Dog With A Blog Dog With A Blog Dog With A Blog Dog With A Blog Dog With A Blog Dog With A Blog My Babysitter’s A Vampire Wolfblood Gravity Falls A.N.T. Farm Shake It Up Jessie Dog With A Blog Gravity Falls Wolfblood My Babysitter’s A Vampire Mako Mermaids Violetta Violetta Violetta Violetta Violetta Wizards Of Waverly Place

00:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 00:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 01:30 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 01:55 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 02:20 Unwrapped 02:45 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:10 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 03:35 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:00 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 04:25 Unique Eats 04:50 Food Crafters 05:15 United Tastes Of America 05:40 Chopped 06:30 Amazing Wedding Cakes 07:10 Unwrapped 07:35 Unwrapped 08:00 Everyday Italian 08:25 Everyday Italian 08:50 Everyday Italian 09:15 Everyday Italian 09:40 Aarti Party 10:05 Aarti Party 10:30 Aarti Party 10:55 Aarti Party 11:20 Reza’s African Kitchen 11:45 Reza’s African Kitchen 12:10 Reza’s African Kitchen 12:35 Reza’s African Kitchen 13:00 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 13:50 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:15 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 14:40 Barefoot Contessa - Back To Basics 15:05 Reza’s African Kitchen 15:30 Reza’s African Kitchen 15:55 Siba’s Table 16:20 Siba’s Table 16:45 Amazing Wedding Cakes 17:35 Iron Chef America 18:25 Iron Chef America 19:15 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 19:40 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:05 Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives 20:30 Charly’s Cake Angels 20:55 Charly’s Cake Angels 21:20 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 21:45 Tastiest Places To Chowdown 22:10 Chopped 23:00 World Class: Bartender Of The Year 23:25 Charly’s Cake Angels 23:50 Amazing Wedding Cakes

00:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 01:00 The Colbert Report 01:30 Saturday Night Live 02:30 Veep 03:30 Baby Daddy 04:30 The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 06:30 Friends 07:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 09:30 Two And A Half Men 10:30 Friends 11:00 The Tonight Show With Jay

THE FOG ON OSN MOVIES ACTION

Hollywood poised for best box-office year

BATTLESHIP ON OSN MOVIES HD ACTION Leno 13:30 Friends 14:00 Baby Daddy 14:30 Two And A Half Men 15:30 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart 16:00 The Colbert Report 17:00 Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 18:30 Go On 19:00 Two And A Half Men 19:30 The Mindy Project 20:00 The Cleveland Show 20:30 Web Therapy 21:00 2 Broke Girls 21:30 2 Broke Girls 22:00 New Girl 23:00 Veep

00:00 01:00 02:00 03:00 04:00 05:00 06:00 08:00 09:00 10:00 11:00 12:30 14:00 15:00 16:30 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00

Royal Pains Red Widow Alphas Rescue Me The Glades Almost Human Royal Pains Bones Almost Human Red Widow The Glades Coronation Street Bones Royal Pains Coronation Street Bones Bunheads Zero Hour Red Widow The Newsroom Rescue Me

00:00 03:00 04:00 07:30 09:00 10:30 12:00 14:00 16:00 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 05:45 08:00 10:00 Life 12:00 14:00 16:00 Life 18:00 20:00 22:00

Boogeyman Fertile Ground Underworld: Awakening Battleship The Rescue True Justice: One Shot, One Wrath Of The Titans Abandoned True Justice: One Shot, One The Fog Abandoned Sultanes Del Sur

00:00 Fertile Ground-18 02:00 Underworld: Awakening-18 03:45 Battleship-PG15 06:00 The Rescue-PG15 08:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 10:00 Wrath Of The Titans-PG15 12:00 Abandoned-PG15 14:00 True Justice: One Shot, One Life-PG15 16:00 The Fog-PG15 18:00 Abandoned-PG15 20:00 Sultanes Del Sur-PG15 22:00 No Man’s Land: The Rise Of Reeker-18

00:00 The Impostors-PG15 02:00 The Inbetweeners-18 04:00 Jack And Jill-PG15 06:00 I Think I Do-PG15 08:00 Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach-PG15 10:00 Adventures In BabysittingPG15 12:00 Jack And Jill-PG15 14:00 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege-PG15 16:00 Adventures In BabysittingPG15 18:00 Nacho Libre-PG 20:00 Calendar Girls-PG15 22:00 Rushmore-PG15

01:00 The Forger-PG15 03:00 The Trial-PG15 05:00 Good Day For It-PG15 07:00 Prosecuting Casey AnthonyPG15 09:00 The Forger-PG15 11:00 Virtual Lies-PG15 13:00 You Got Served: Beat The World-PG15 15:00 Blue Lagoon: The Awakening-PG15 17:00 Oh Christmas Tree-PG15 19:00 My Week With Marilyn-PG15 21:00 Being Flynn-18 23:00 The Disappearance Of Alice Creed-18

01:00 The Darkest Hour-PG15 02:45 A Very Long Engagement-18 05:00 The Music Never StoppedPG15 07:00 The Hand That Rocks The Cradle-PG15 09:00 The Evening Star-PG15 11:10 New York Stories-PG15 13:15 The Music Never StoppedPG15 15:15 Snow Flower And The Secret Fan-PG15 17:00 The Evening Star-PG15 19:15 True Love-PG15 21:00 Perfect Stranger-18 23:00 Across The Universe-PG15

00:30 Passion-18 02:30 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel-PG15 05:00 Ceremony-PG15 07:00 Hotel Transylvania-PG 09:00 Why Did I Get Married Too?PG15 11:15 Flower Girl-PG15 13:00 The Makeover-PG15 15:00 Paranorman-PG 16:45 Why Did I Get Married Too?PG15 19:00 Gambit-PG15 21:00 Ted-18 23:00 Jack Reacher-PG15

01:00 Snowmen 02:45 Puppy In My Pocket: The Movie 04:15 Cher Ami 06:00 Surf’s Up 08:00 The Happets 10:00 Ben 10: Race Against Time 11:30 Scooby-Doo! Mask Of The Blue Falcon 13:00 Surf’s Up 14:30 Everyone’s Hero 16:00 Angel’s Friends 18:00 Ben 10: Race Against Time 20:00 Flicka 3 22:00 Everyone’s Hero 23:30 Angel’s Friends

00:00 The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption-PG15 02:00 Pitch Perfect-PG15 04:00 A Monster In Paris-PG 06:00 American Girl: McKenna Shoots For The Stars-PG 08:00 Mary & Martha-PG15 10:00 Madea’s Big Happy FamilyPG15 12:00 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island-PG 14:00 Burden Of Evil-PG15 16:00 Mary & Martha-PG15 18:00 Love’s Kitchen-PG15 20:00 Butter-18 22:00 Chernobyl Diaries-18

02:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 02:30 ICC Cricket 360 03:00 Live Cricket Test Match 11:00 Trans World Sport 12:00 Darts 16:00 HSBC Sevens World Series Highlights 16:30 Top 14 18:30 Top 14 20:30 ICC Cricket 360 21:00 EURO Tour Weekly Review Of The Year 22:00 Live Darts

01:00 03:00 04:00 12:00 12:30 14:30 15:30 17:30 20:30 21:00

Top 14 Trans World Sports Live Cricket ICC Cricket 360 Top 14 Trans World Sports UFC UFC NFL Gameday Live NFL

00:00 Euro Tour Weekly 01:00 The Fedex Cup Play Offs 02:00 PGA Tour 03:00 Pro 12 05:00 Super Rugby Final Highlights 05:30 Currie Cup Final Highlights 06:00 ITM Cup Final Highlights 06:30 Super League Final Highlights 07:00 PDC Worlds Darts Championship 11:00 Pro 12 13:00 AFL Premiership Highlights 14:00 Super Rugby Final Highlights 14:30 Pro 12 16:30 World Match Racing Tour 18:30 Rugby League World Cup Final Highlights 19:00 Pro 12 21:00 Currie Cup Final Highlights 21:30 ITM Cup Final Highlights 22:00 ICC Cricket 360 22:30 AFL Premiership Highlights 23:30 Pro 12

02:30 03:00 04:00 06:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:30 18:30 20:30 21:00 23:00

UFC FlashBack UFC Countdown Live UFC Prelims Live UFC WWE Experience WWE This Week Mass Participation NHL UIM Powerboat Champs US Bass Fishing Mass Participation Mass Participation WWE This Week European Le Mans Series European Le Mans Series NHL UFC FlashBack UFC Prelims UFC

LOS ANGELES: Despite a string of summertime flops, Hollywood is expected to have a banner year at the domestic box office, coming in just shy of $11 billion, the largest annual take ever. But because of higher ticket prices, actual attendance at North American theaters remained flat after a decade of decline.

With the current domestic box-office tally nearly 1 percent ahead of last year at this time, 2013 could surpass 2012’s overall haul of $10.8 billion by more than $100 million, according to box-office tracker Rentrak.

High-profile flops such as “ The Lone Ranger,” “After Earth,” “R.I.P.D.” and “Turbo” were offset by mega-hits like “Fast & Furious 6” and “Iron Man 3,” which consistently filled theaters last summer.

More recently, Warner Bros.’ space epic “Gravity” has earned $254 million domestically, Lionsgate’s sci-fi sequel “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” has grossed $378 million and fantasy prequel “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” has brought in $150 million for Warner Bros.

A strong holiday slate is also boosting the year’s box-office total. “There has virtually been every kind of genre of film available,” said Rentrak box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

“You have blockbusters like ‘Hobbit’ and esoteric, challenging films like ‘Nebraska,’ ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ and ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.’ All of these films get people to the movies.”

But the National Association of Theater Owners projects that the actual number of tickets sold domestically in 2013 will remain about the same as last year’s 1.36 billion. That’s down from the all-time high of 1.57 billion admissions in 2002.

In 2011, the domestic box-office gross sunk to a 16-year low, dropping 3.5 percent from 2010 to $10.2 billion. But 2012 saw the industry rebound with a $10.8 billion total, thanks to hits like Disney’s “The Avengers” and Warner Bros.’ Batman finale “The Dark Knight Rises.”

Both films screened in 3-D, a profit-boosting perk that saw a huge increase in popularity following 2009’s “Avatar.” But the public’s appetite for the heightened technology has eased, leaving Hollywood to search for other ways to counter audience drain.

Entertainment available on countless portable devices continues to threaten multiplex attendance, as do advanced home theater systems and video-on-demand services offering original premium programming and feature films the same day as their theatrical release.

But Hollywood is fighting back with the premium multiplex experience. Movie attendance may be tepid, but the audience is willing to pay more for theater extras, which keep the bottom line growing, even as admissions remain flat.

“Theaters are offering IMAX, bigger chairs, dine-in options and alcohol,” said Don Harris, head of distribution at Paramount. “It’s kind of like the difference between staying at a Hilton or a Ritz Carlton. I think what you saw this year was a growth in a segment of the audience that isn’t as worried about the price of a movie ticket as they are interested in the out-ofhome premium experience. I think you’re going to see that going forward.”

And with all of the bells and whistles now offered at theaters, movie-going is still one of the least expensive ways to be entertained, compared to concerts, sporting events and live theater,” notes Richie Fay, Lionsgate’s president of domestic distribution. (So far this year, the average cost of a movie ticket in North America has been $8.05, according to NATO.) Social media has also helped boost sales, Fay observed, with Twitter and other services providing a powerful marketing tool for studios and a faster way for fans to spread that allimportant word of mouth. “People don’t have to wait a day for a print story anymore. It’s an important part of the growth of the industry.”

Studios are hoping to continue that growth in 2014 with such anticipated releases as “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past” and “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1” and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again.”

“I think the fact that attendance is at least holding its own is impressive, given the number of other media options in the mix,” said Rentrak’s Dergarabedian. “Going out to the movie theater is clearly as attractive, relevant and viable as ever with audiences.”

Although year-end figures for the overseas box office are not yet available, foreign receipts are typically two to three times higher than domestic earnings. So fan-driven hits like “The Hangover Part III,” which grossed $112.2 million in North America, are expected to earn more than double their domestic takes overseas.

“With all of its ebbs and flows, ups and downs, the theatrical experience just continues to resonate,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution at Sony. — AP

Classifieds SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

KNCC PROGRAMME FROM THURSDAY TO WEDNESDAY (26/12/2013 TO 01/01/2014)

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

1:15 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:45 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

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

1:00 PM 3:30 PM 5:45 PM 8:00 PM 10:30 PM 1:00 AM

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

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

FANAR-1 GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) 12:45 PM JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) 3:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 5:30 PM GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) 8:30 PM JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) 10:45 PM GRUDGE MATCH (DIG) 12:45 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 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 FANAR-3 HOURS (DIG)

12:30 PM 2:45 PM 5:00 PM 7:15 PM 9:45 PM 12:05 AM

HOURS (DIG) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) DHOOM 3 (DIG) (HINDI) HOURS (DIG) NO SUN+TUE+WED

4:00 PM 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) 1:15 PM THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 4:00 PM THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (DIG) 7:00 PM MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) 9:15 PM MANDELA: Long Walk to Freedom (DIG) 12:05 AM NO SUN+TUE+WED 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

AVENUES-1 JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG) JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE (DIG)

1:30 PM 3:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 11:30 PM

AVENUES-2 FROZEN (DIG) 2:00 PM FROZEN (DIG) 4:15 PM FROZEN (DIG) 6:30 PM THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 8:45 PM THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (DIG) 12:15 AM

ACCOMMODATION

112 THE PUBLIC AUTHORITY FOR CIVIL INFORMATION Automated enquiry aboutthe Civil ID card is

1889988

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 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

Prayer timings Fajr:

05:17

LOST

Shorook

06:41

Duhr:

11:50

Asr:

14:40

Maghrib:

16:58

Isha:

18:21

It is notified for the information that my original qualifying examination certificate of mains CBSE Secondary School Examination Grade Sheet cum Certificate of Performance (2010-2012) and roll number 8106218,

2:00 PM

issued by CBSE (Govt of India) has been actually lost. Govind Shajan, Civil ID No: 296120701624, flat 31, building 1, street 2, block 12, Salmiya, Kuwait, Phone: 96614238. (C 4604) 28-12-2013

SITUATION VACANT Driver needed for Kuwaiti family, full-time & part-time.

Call 60623330. (C 4603) 26-12-2013

Directorate General of Civil Aviation Home Page (www.kuwait-airport.com.kw)

Airlines JAI KAC JZR JZR THY JZR QTR RJA DLH GFA THY UAE ETD RBG MSR CLX QTR FDB KAC THY DHX QTR FDB BAW KAC KAC FDB KAC KAC UAE KAC KAC ABY QTR ETD FDB IRA GFA IRC DHX JZR MEA IRC UAE JZR KAC MSR KAC KAC FDB QTR

Arrival Flights on Sunday 29/12/2013 Flt Route 574 MUMBAI 502 BEIRUT 335 NAJAF 267 BEIRUT 772 ISTANBUL 539 CAIRO 1084 DOHA 642 AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA 637 DAMMAM 211 BAHRAIN 764 SABIHA 853 DUBAI 305 ABU DHABI-INTL 555 ALEXANDRIA 612 CAIRO 792 LUXEMBOURG 1076 DOHA 67 DUBAI 544 CAIRO 770 ISTANBUL 170 BAHRAIN 8524 DOHA 69 DUBAI 157 LONDON 412 MANILA 206 ISLAMABAD 53 DUBAI 302 MUMBAI 352 COCHIN 855 DUBAI 362 COLOMBO 332 TRIVANDRUM 125 SHARJAH 1070 DOHA 301 ABU DHABI-INTL 55 DUBAI 603 SHIRAZ 213 BAHRAIN 6666 AHWAZ 870 BAHRAIN 165 DUBAI 404 BEIRUT 6507 SHIRAZ 871 DUBAI 561 SOHAG 382 DELHI 610 CAIRO 742 DAMMAM 774 RIYADH 57 DUBAI 1078 DOHA

Time 00:10 00:15 00:30 00:40 00:45 00:40 00:55 01:05 01:10 02:10 02:15 02:35 02:45 02:55 03:10 03:40 03:45 04:00 04:20 05:35 05:40 05:45 05:50 06:40 06:45 07:40 07:50 07:55 08:10 08:40 08:45 08:15 09:00 09:10 09:20 09:40 10:35 10:40 11:00 11:15 11:30 11:55 12:05 12:50 12:55 13:05 13:00 13:30 13:30 13:50 13:55

JZR SVA KNE GFA KAC SYR QTR UAE ETD RJA SVA ABY GFA AFG JZR KAC KAC UAL JZR JZR QTR KAC FDB GFA OMA KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC KAC FDB JAI AXB ABY MSR DLH ALK MEA ETD UAE KAC GFA QTR FDB JZR KLM JAI AIC JZR FDB UAL JZR PIA

329 500 472 221 788 341 1072 857 303 640 510 127 215 415 777 284 542 982 143 177 1080 786 63 217 647 618 674 166 102 562 514 61 572 393 129 606 634 229 402 307 859 172 219 1074 59 135 417 576 981 239 61 981 185 205

NAJAF JEDDAH JEDDAH BAHRAIN JEDDAH LATAKIA DOHA DUBAI ABU DHABI-INTL AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA RIYADH SHARJAH BAHRAIN KABUL JEDDAH DHAKA CAIRO WASHINGTON DC DULLES DAMMAM DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH DUBAI BAHRAIN MUSCAT DOHA DUBAI PARIS NEW YORK AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA TEHRAN DUBAI MUMBAI KOZHIKODE SHARJAH LUXOR FRANKFURT COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI-INTL DUBAI FRANKFURT BAHRAIN DOHA DUBAI BAHRAIN AMSTERDAM COCHIN CHENNAI AMMAN-QUEEN ALIA DUBAI BAHRAIN DUBAI LAHORE

14:00 14:30 14:35 15:00 15:10 16:10 16:40 16:40 16:50 16:55 17:15 17:25 17:30 17:45 17:55 17:45 18:05 18:00 18:00 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:45 19:30 19:55 19:00 19:25 19:10 19:35 19:55 20:45 20:05 20:10 20:15 20:20 20:45 20:55 21:10 21:20 21:35 21:40 21:45 21:45 22:00 22:00 22:05 22:05 22:15 22:30 22:20 23:00 23:10 23:20 23:55

Airlines AIC AXB UAL JAI DLH THY RBG UAE KAC ETD MSR QTR FDB QTR KAC CLX JZR FDB JZR THY RJA GFA QTR THY FDB BAW KAC KAC ABY UAE KAC KAC ETD QTR FDB JZR KAC GFA KAC IRA IRC KAC JZR MEA DHX KAC IRC JZR MSR UAE FDB

Departure Flights on Sunday 29/12/2013 Flt Route Time 976 GOA 00:05 490 MANGALORE 00:15 981 WASHINGTON 00:55 573 MUMBAI 01:10 637 FRANKFURT 02:10 773 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 02:55 556 ALEXANDRIA 03:35 854 DUBAI 03:50 381 DELHI 03:50 306 ABU DHABI 04:00 613 CAIRO 04:10 1085 DOHA 04:15 68 DUBAI 04:40 1077 DOHA 05:15 283 DHAKA 05:15 792 HONG KONG 05:45 560 SOHAG 06:20 70 DUBAI 06:30 164 DUBAI 06:55 765 ISTANBUL-SABIHA 07:05 643 AMMAN 07:05 212 BAHRAIN 07:15 8525 DOHA 07:15 771 ISTANBUL-ATATURK 07:30 54 DUBAI 08:30 156 LONDON 08:45 171 FRANKFURT 09:10 787 JEDDAH 09:25 126 SHARJAH 09:40 856 DUBAI 09:55 117 NEW YORK 10:00 773 RIYADH 10:05 302 ABU DHABI 10:05 1071 DOHA 10:10 56 DUBAI 10:20 328 AL NAJAF 10:25 741 DAMMAM 10:30 214 BAHRAIN 11:25 541 CAIRO 11:30 602 SHIRAZ 11:35 6667 AHWAZ 12:00 103 LONDON 12:20 776 JEDDAH 12:25 405 BEIRUT 12:55 521 BAGRAM 13:00 785 JEDDAH 13:00 6508 SHIRAZ 13:05 176 DUBAI 13:45 611 CAIRO 14:00 872 DUBAI 14:15 58 DUBAI 14:30

DIAL 161 FOR AIRPORT INFORMATION

KAC JZR QTR KAC KAC KNE GFA SVA KAC KAC JZR SYR ETD QTR UAE JZR RJA ABY SVA GFA JZR AFG JZR JZR UAL FDB QTR GFA FDB OMA ABY KAC JAI AXB MSR DHX ALK MEA ETD GFA KAC FDB UAE KAC KAC KLM QTR JAI KAC JZR FDB KAC KAC

561 142 1079 673 617 473 222 503 513 501 238 342 304 1073 858 538 641 128 511 216 184 415 266 134 982 64 1081 218 62 648 120 361 571 3944 619 171 230 403 308 220 301 60 860 205 351 417 1075 575 343 502 62 411 415

AMMAN DAMMAM DOHA DUBAI DOHA JEDDAH BAHRAIN MADINAH TEHRAN BEIRUT AMMAN LATAKIA ABU DHABI DOHA DUBAI CAIRO AMMAN SHARJAH RIYADH BAHRAIN DUBAI JEDDAH BEIRUT BAHRAIN BAHRAIN DUBAI DOHA BAHRAIN DUBAI MUSCAT SHARJAH COLOMBO MUMBAI KOZHIKODE ALEXANDRIA BAHRAIN COLOMBO BEIRUT ABU DHABI BAHRAIN MUMBAI DUBAI DUBAI ISLAMABAD KOCHI DAMMAM DOHA ABU DHABI CHENNAI LUXOR DUBAI BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR

14:30 14:50 14:55 15:05 15:15 15:30 15:45 15:45 16:20 16:30 16:55 17:10 17:35 17:40 17:50 17:50 17:55 18:05 18:15 18:20 18:40 18:45 18:50 19:10 19:15 19:25 19:40 20:15 20:45 20:55 21:00 21:00 21:10 21:15 21:45 21:50 22:10 22:20 22:20 22:30 22:35 22:40 22:50 22:55 23:00 23:05 23:10 23:15 23:15 23:30 23:40 23:55 23:55

34

stars CROSSWORD 413

STAR TRACK Aries (March 21-April 19) There may be a tiny lazy streak wanting to surface today and could cause you to ignore your responsibilities and do some socializing. However, reality has a way of rearing its head and getting your attention. You may not be up to your regular work this day but it-takes-what-it-takes. With resolve, you are successful in your endeavors. Before you know it, all the clues point to the exit . . . It is time to go home. After your struggle to do the very best job for your company, you may find yourself bartering with family members for a little time out tonight. You may barter to join the people that have planned a particular outing later this evening—napping first. You might not want to stay at the party for too long. For now, you have been mentally refreshed.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) We seldom recapture the past but a friend of yours may say they know just how to return to the days of the past. As it turns out, there may be a new exhibit or play or antique store in town that you didn’t know about. Plan a trip to see this exhibit after work; you will be glad you did. You benefit from allowing your creative and intuitive sides to come forth as you work on an art project this evening. A new mailbox, the family crest or some other fun project has you making a list of all the things you need to show off your talents. You may find a good opportunity to draw closer to a young family member—art is the connection. A loved one really understands your need to be creative and is supportive of your rather interesting interests.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1. A sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow).

4. A move or step or maneuver in political or diplomatic affairs.

12. Of or relating to a member of the Buddhist people inhabiting the Mekong river in Laos and Thailand.

15. Group insurance that entitles members to services of participating hospitals and clinics and physicians.

16. Conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence').

17. Large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male.

18. Any of various small insectivorous American birds chiefly olive-gray in color.

20. Brought from wildness into a domesticated state.

22. In a subordinate position.

24. (informal) Being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition.

25. (British) A disparaging term for an appointee.

28. A strategically located monarchy on the southern and eastern coasts of the Arabian Peninsula.

31. Being in competition.

32. A secret store of valuables or money.

36. An Indian side dish of yogurt and chopped cucumbers and spices.

38. A metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 10 liters.

40. A Loloish language.

41. (Norse mythology) The heavenly dwelling of the Norse gods (the Aesir) and slain war heroes.

43. The basic unit of money in Bangladesh.

45. A quantity that is added.

46. The cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100.

48. Ornamented in a vulgar or showy fashion.

50. Adult female chicken.

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

52. In bed.

53. Fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer.

54. Capable of having having clear evidence of eliminated without trace.

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

59. A doctor's degree in religion.

60. Type genus of the Meliaceae.

61. Tag the base runner to get him out.

63. Title used for a married Frenchwoman.

66. Being one hundred more than three hundred.

71. A drama set to music.

74. Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829).

75. Russian physicist (1895-1971).

77. Widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its fragrant flowers and colorful fruits.

78. A system of weights used for precious metals and gemstones.

79. Talks a great deal about uninteresting topics.

80. A language unit by which a person or thing is known.

DOWN 1. A name for the Old Testament God as

transliterated from the Hebrew YHVH. 2. Type genus of the Amiidae.

3. Brought into existence.

4. An unpleasant or disastrous destiny.

5. (combining form) Former.

6. Marine bivalve mollusk having a dark elongated shell.

7. Red Asian weaverbirds often kept as cage birds.

8. (computer science) Memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed.

9. Supply with battlements.

10. An open box attached to a long pole handle.

11. Half the width of an em.

12. An accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape.

13. Type genus of the Alcidae comprising solely the razorbill.

14. An endorsement.

19. Having few if any teeth.

21. United States anthropologist (born in England) who popularized anthropology (1905- ).

23. The month following March and preceding May. 26. West Indian tree having racemes of fragrant white flowers and yielding a durable timber and resinous juice.

27. A very poisonous metallic element that has three allotropic forms.

29. A man who is aggressive in making amorous advances to women.

30. An island in the Aegean Sea in the Saronic Gulf.

33. Jordan's port.

34. A protective covering or structure.

35. Having or involving the use of hands.

37. Tuberous or rhizomatous herbaceous perennials.

39. Any of many long-legged birds that wade in water in search of food.

42. Dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid.

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

47. A shop selling delicatessen (as salads or cooked meats).

49. A city in southern Turkey on the Seyhan River.

55. Unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech.

56. Imperial moths.

58. The peninsula and island in the Philippines where Japanese forces besieged American forces in World War II. 62. A coffee cake flavored with orange rind and raisins and almonds.

64. South American armadillo with three bands of bony plates.

65. A visual presentation showing how something works.

67. Trailing grass native to Europe now cosmopolitan in warm regions.

68. Male red deer.

69. Large semi-evergreen tree of East India.

70. Great merriment.

72. An undergarment worn by women to support their breasts.

73. A flat wing-shaped process or winglike part of an organism.

76. A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

A co-worker shares a cooking secret and you are impressed. People have been bringing different items to work all winter and it just may be time you thought of something that others could enjoy, particularly a low-fat item. A business idea is discussed with a friend or ride-share person after work and the proposition may not be a good one. You can find a way to say no without seeming offended. This evening you are ready to enjoy a gathering of friends. In fact, your friends may have some good use for some of your talents, or it could be that in sharing talents, you will uncover the potential for a future neighborhood choir or dance group. A camera would not be a bad idea and then at the next gathering a fun show and tell can bring much laughter.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Cleaning off a desk at work reminds you of plans to rearrange living arrangements. Today you may reassess your attitude toward marriage. If you are engaged, you may add a few more months to the wedding date. A little extra time will help you think through some ideas. If you are already married, consider a redo on a room and plan to share. One area could be for reading; another section could have an easel set up for art projects. Provide a rather large area for storage of games, art project baskets, etc. You may want to sew or write or learn a new talent and not be interrupted.

Perhaps this room can have reservations so that others can enjoy a little creative time or you could work together. A faithful friend brings you encouragement this evening.

Leo (July 23-August 22) You need freedom and action. You are an optimist. You are open to new ideas. You go through the newspapers and news on the internet and feel ready for any conversation. Your job could depend on how well you can carry on a conversation with the public about current events. You stay up-to-date with the multitude of new technology; you can teach and demonstrate and are always in demand as an instructor, whether it is in the school system or for helping businesses to prosper. You enjoy the learning process and can be contagious when it comes to teaching others. Lately you have considered writing a children’s book where you can be encouraging. Some additional education in general psychology may be very helpful here.

Virgo (August 23-September 22) This morning is a good time to complete unfinished tasks. Whether you are in the workplace or at home, you seem to make great headway in getting things accomplished. You have to be pushy to get to the top of the professional ladder and if that is where your dreams are headed, this next year ought to be quite beneficial. Begin now to create some goals for this next year and while you work you could jot down a few thoughts as they come to you. This afternoon you may decide to enter into some game playing. A co-worker may want to get a team together. Some highly competitive games, such as one-on-one basketball, squash, handball, etc., can be a lot of fun. Much to your sweetheart’s pleasure, you turn into a passionate lover tonight.

Word Search

Libra (September 23-October 22) You know you are on the right path in order to achieve what is needed and to put you in the best line of growth with the company for which you work.

You want to learn as much as you can because one day, when you are ready, you will be able to create your own business. Don’t sell yourself short with the creative talents that you have. Keep stretching and learning new things. The more varied you are with your capabilities; the more likely you are to keep your job going. A co-worker may need your help today and this is a good time to work with that person and to teach that person the work. When you are agreeable and helpful, you are in line for advancement. Keep up the good work. You have a new and positive attitude about life and your place in it.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Financial investments are important for the future but if there is something you want now it would be difficult if your money is in financial investments.

This is something you do not want to happen, although the energies show you a bit frustrated over money. You are smart enough to have set enough funds aside for a rainy day but you may have forgotten a fun day. Get some help soon so that in the near future, some of what you earn can be enjoyed through the development of a talent or a hobby or a vacation. Another subject about money comes up when the community wants to build a memorial or do helpful things for animals, etc. A planning committee may be just where your energies are best spent this evening.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Technical answers may be hard to find today. The thought of going back to school does not please you but this class may be the one that will help you excel in the workplace. You are enthusiastic to volunteer and look for new projects frequently. Informational seminars on a variety of health topics may soon take place in your community and people are needed to help with the handicapped or the elderly. People are also needed to take healthy and warm food to the homeless. You and a friend will enjoy teaming up to help in one or more of these situations. There is, at the least, some talk of how you and this friend can best be helpful to your community. You help young people see the importance of caring for others through your actions.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Your church or school may encourage the american field service www. Afs. Org. When the time is appropriate you can call or ask someone about the date and place for the next meeting or presentation. You can then learn the details of going to live with a family in another country for weeks, or months—or having an international student come and stay in your home. This is a way to reach out to other countries and learn more about the customs, beliefs and living habits of others and make new friends. We cannot have a one-world-at-peace until we know more about our brothers and sisters that are in other countries. This is a good time for you to check out the possibilities.

You are in a good position to communicate to others and to be convincing.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18) This day begins early and if you show up at the office early, it will allow you to take advantage of some quiet time to catch up on those unfinished projects. Clean up your space, make things look nice and then you are ready for the day. This afternoon you may have lots of fun catching up on a photo album. Calling a friend and talking about old friends brings back good memories and ideas for projects that would interest the young people around you. Creation consists of: thought, word and deed. Your day just keeps getting better and better. Chores are finished quickly this afternoon and a good movie can be enjoyed in the early evening. A friend of the opposite sex has good news to share and may need a little time to tell you all about it; patience.

Pisces (February 19-March 20) With your kind of discipline you are able to accomplish quite a lot today.

When it comes to the people you work with, you appreciate what is aboveboard and straightforward and have a particular distaste for anything that is secretive, intense and private. Today you may want to verbalize your disdain at the above but perhaps it would be best to wait a few days. Give as little time to the negative as possible. It may turn out that things are not what they seem. A former business associate may contact you today and you may want to listen to what he or she has to say. After work, you may enjoy shopping. Everything is like a winter type of festival. You can purchase a gift for a birthday or wedding such as baked goods, pottery, sterling silver, etc.

Yesterday’s Solution

Yesterday’s Solution

Daily SuDoku

Yesterday’s Solution

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 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

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22545171

Sabhan

24742838

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22434853

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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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

Court

e v o L y e n

ke a to m

T

he Hole rocker - the widow of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain - has vowed to start 2014 with a romantic clean slate and has decided to drop any grudges she has against any of her former boyfriends. In a post made on her Facebook page, Courtney wrote: “I think at nearly 50 the basis of any relationship should be restraint and pragmatism before the big dramatic tsunami-s?-?-?t I wish I knew this at 20, and to become best friends and to make sure your exes dont all hate you. its important to leave romances nicely-and its 2014 so im letting alot of grudges just go, i dont have time .?.?. none of it matters-thank you dave navvaroo [Dave Navarro] and peter mensch.” Courtney - who has

s r e v o l x e th i w e peac

a 21-year-old daughter Frances Bean - believes by ridding herself of negative energy and hateful feelings next year will prove to be far more successful for her both financially and romantically. She added in her post: “So to everyone take my advice, lose the grudges and grudge matches. First of all youll make a lot more money if that doesnt incentivise you, youll just be happier and get kissed more. (sic)” Courtney has previously dated a string of famous men, including Smashing Pumpkins musician Billy Corgan, Edward Norton, Steve Coogan and most recently businessman Andre Balazs. She is also widely believed to have had a fling with former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher years ago.

Anne Hathaway leaves bag of dog poop on a photographer’s car

T

he ‘Dark Knight Returns’ star was out walking her dog Esmeralda in Los Angeles on Thursday when she was spotted by the paparazzo who took a few shots of her with her canine friend.

However, it seems Anne was unhappy about being seen and so when her chocolate Labrador mutt needed to answer the call of nature the 31-year-old actress decided to use the pooch’s poo as a dirty protest. Anne bagged up the fresh faeces and placed it on the windshield of the snapper’s white Toyota vehicle. The actress - who is married to Adam Shulman - and her pet pooch then walked off and returned home. It is not known if the unnamed paparazzo complained about the package left on his car or whether he disposed of it accordingly.

Katy Perry demands director’s chair be placed in her room

T

he pop star’s penchant for a movie mogul’s seat is just one of a list of items she has one of her aides give to hotel staff before she will stay at any hotel in the world. According to Life & Style magazine, Katy also requires a selection of snacks with a bowl of ranch dressing, at least six different sodas and beverages, a coffee maker and a full-length mirror for her stays. Katy’s boyfriend John Mayer also makes a series of specific requests.

Among his must-have items are a bottle of fine whiskey, bottles of water, various sodas and a platter of fresh fruit. The couple’s demands also allegedly extend to their riders for concerts, TV appearances and radio promos. A source told the publication: “John and Katy get VIP treatment wherever they go. It’s usually all the same items for TV shows, backstage at concerts and hotels.” Katy and John have recently been promoting their duet, ‘Who You Love’, together and are believed to have spent the Christmas holidays with one another.

Carmen Electra keeps her figure by dancing

T

he 41-year-old star has always had an enviable body and she has revealed she is keeping in shape now by practicing her dance moves for several hours each day. Carmen — who is returning to her music career with upcoming single ‘WERQ’ — said: “Dancing rehearsals and performances are, to me, the best way to stay in shape. We spend about six to eight hours a day rehearsing while prepping for a performance. Its fun and I don’t think of it as a workout, but I notice the most results during those times.” Carmen was signed by Prince to his label, Paisley Park Records, in 1991 but her music career fizzled out by 1995 and she began to move into acting with her most famous role playing lifeguard Lani McKenzie in ‘Baywatch’ - a part she landed in 1997.

Although she has been away from music for many years, the brunette beauty insists it has always been her plan to return to recording and although she is no longer in contact with Prince she is still grateful to him to this day for believing in her talents. In an interview with the latest US issue of OK! magazine, she said: “I’ve always wanted to continue making music and I’ve always tried to incorporate music and dance performance in some of the other work I’ve done. This time it was all about meeting the right people at the right time.

This all happened in a very organic, natural way ... No, but I will always have gratitude toward him for believing in me as an artist and giving me the opportunity to spend every day playing at Paisley Park studios, which was like the Willy Wonka of music, performance, and creativity. I felt like I had been given the golden ticket to the chocolate factory!”

Kelly Brook thinks of having plastic surgery

T

he model has vowed never to have plastic surgery as she thinks it wouldn’t suit her, and people would pay more attention to the fact she had undergone surgery than the results. She said: “I just want to look like me, not a plastic version of me. With people who have had plastic surgery, you don’t say, ‘Oh, they look great with that new nose’ or, ‘They look great with those new boobs’ you just go, ‘Oh they’ve had surgery’ whether its lips or Botox or boobs. It can be a sign of low self esteem, too.” Kelly, 33, also says it’s important not to be too skinny and to accept who you are and your own body.

She added: “Being comfortable in your own skin and having confidence in yourself is the most important thing. I’m not super skinny, but I think I’ve got a pretty healthy relationship with my body and my appearance. You’ve got to accept your shape and how you are.”

Julia Roberts pickier about film roles she accepts

T

he Oscar-winning actress is now 46 and she is happy to admit there are numerous parts she will no longer consider now she is a veteran screen star and is comfortable to accept she is not suitable to play suitable characters because she is a mature star. Discussing the reason why she appears in less films now, she revealed: “There’s a couple of things at play. For one, I’m 46 years old, so falling out of chairs isn’t as funny. I could break a hip. Certain scenarios that worked 10 years ago aren’t as appealing, as applicable, as believable, as original all those things.” Julia says a lot of people have the misconception she takes on less work now because she wants to spend as much time as possible with her three children, twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, nine, and son Henry, six, whom she raises with her husband Danny Moder. While the ‘August: Osage County’ star does prioritise her family over work she is adamant that isn’t the reason why she isn’t now a prolific Hollywood actress. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, she explained: “I think people like to say that I’m super-picky because of how much I love my kids. But as an actor, I sort of pride myself on the fact that I’ve always been picky.”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

lifestyle G o s s i p

Celine Dion wants a young family to buy her home

T

he 45-year-old singer recently listed her mansion - which comes complete with its own water park and lazy river - for $72.5 million because she and her family have only visited it twice in the last two years. Once Celine extended the contract of her Las Vegas residency show at the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino until 2019 she knew she should get rid of the home and she now just hopes somebody will buy it and have many happy times at the fun property. In a TV interview for ‘ET Canada Conversations’, she said: “We’re going to be leaving this beautiful mansion to a family [that] deserves to spend the whole year there.” Celine - who raises Rene Charles, 12, and twoyear-old twins, Nelson and Eddie, with her husband Rene Angelil, 68 - released her first English language album, ‘Loved Me Back To Life’, for six years in 2013, and she admits her eldest son was very impressed with one collaborator in particular. Discussing the LP, she revealed: “He was like, ‘Not the Rihanna Sia! The Sia that writes for Rihanna?’ “ As well as its own water slides, Celine’s 10,000 sq-ft water-front estate on Jupiter Island has multiple swimming pools, an eight-bedroom guesthouse, tennis court and a simulated golf range. The singer’s neighbours include retired basketball legend Michael Jordan and musician Kid Rock. Celine - who was born and raised in Quebec - will appear on Entertainment Tonight Canada’s New Year’s Eve (31.12.13) special with a performance from her Las Vegas show ‘Celine’ being broadcast live.

Louis Walsh launching new boy band in 2014

T

he ‘X Factor’ judge - who mentored acts such as Westlife, Boyzone and Samantha Mumba to success - has promised his latest pop group will be comprised of all “new kids” after auditioning thousands of hopefuls and he is looking forward to the public hearing them for the first time. He said: “I’m doing a brand new boy band that will be ready to go next year. They’re going to rehearse for the month of January, see the record companies in February and take it from there. No familiar faces, all new kids that have never been on a talent show or anything. I auditioned a thousand!” As for himself, Louis just wants to be “happy” next year, and will kick off 2014 with a relaxing break in Miami. The 61-year-old music mogul who is currently representing Union J, Shane Filan and Ronan Keating - said: “In 2014 all I want is to be happy and well. I just love to work in this business. “I’ll go to Miami for the whole month of January. I go there three months of the year. I have an apartment and I just love it, it’s the best place in the world.”

‘Breaking Bad’ star RJ Mitte wants to start music career

T

he 21-year-old actor - who played the character of lead actor Bryan Cranston’s son, Walter Jr., in the recently concluded hit TV series - has aspirations to record some of his own songs and has been brushing up on his instrumental skills. RJ - who has cerebral palsy - told BANG Showbiz: “I’m working on it right now, I’m learning guitar, I’m learning piano. “I have a little bit of an issue, I have one good hand, the other hand is a little stiff and rigid, but I’m getting control over it. “I love music, at one point I had close to half a million songs on a hard drive. My house is constantly being filled with music, every music, vinyl, everything. It’s really brilliant.” Although RJ suffers from cerebral palsy (CP) - a condition which normally occurs before or during birth for a number of reasons, usually due to a lack of oxygen to the brain - through “tons of yoga” and exercise, he has the condition under control, and had to accentuate its characteristics for the series. RJ also known as Roy Frank Mitte - has previously said: “It took a little bit of convincing [to get the part], as at first Vince [Gilligan, show creator] thought I was actually too ablebodied. “I can’t tell you the last time I’ve gone to a doctor for my CP. I have it under control for the most part.”

Miley Cyrus’ burglary is believed to be an inside job

T

he ‘Wrecking Ball’ hitmaker was shaken up after an intruder got into her house on her birthday last month and stole around $100,000 worth of jewelry.

She wasn’t in the house at the time but - according to TMZ police believe the culprit may be someone she knows. The gossip website explained surveillance footage doesn’t show anyone suspicious entering or leaving her Studio City home - plus there is no sign of forced entry. Police are now looking at a number of workers who were at the house while she was away. Miley will have been glad to not be at home when the intruder got in, but - while she might be scared of being burgled - it seems she thinks some celebrities are actually scared of her risque reputation. Speaking to the New York Times newspaper, she said: “You don’t have to be signed to Disney Channel to be put in a box, or to be rated PG. “I’m with artists sometimes, and I’ll take a picture of them or whatever. They make me delete it ... I don’t have a bunch of celeb friends, because I feel like some of them are a little scared of the association. This is terrible.”

—Bangshowbiz

Dannii Minogue set to open up on ‘very personal’ new album

T

he 42-year-old star has begun work on her latest record, and it is said she could be ready to sing about her break-up with Kris Smith and her rumoured fling with Simon Cowell.

An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “The record will be very personal. Dannii wants to cover the events from the last couple of years. “She’s kept quiet about a lot of things and is using her music as an opportunity to finally speak about it all. She’s actually finding it really therapeutic.” The ‘Put The Needle On It’ singer has been turning to her sister Kylie for support as she writes the new album - which is her first in ten years, which made her apprehensive. She said: “I’ve been dabbling for a while, I’ve got a few tracks there. The older you get the more hesitant you get. “There’s more at stake and seeing how I’m going to build in time for that and keep some balance. “There’s always a few messages from fans saying ‘Come on, it’s been 10 years since the last album’. I’ve had little chunks of time to dedicate and sit down and write stuff. It’s all about the right songs.”

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

lifestyle

‘Hobbit, ‘Frozen’ top US box office

F

amily came first at the box offic, as “The Hobbit” and “Frozen” both surged on the day after Christmas and were the only two movies to top their holiday totals.

“The Desolation of Smaug” stayed No. 1 with $10.5 million, up 13 percent from Wednesday. Disney Animation’s 3D kids film took in $9.1 million, a jump of more than 30 percent, to finish second.

“Smaug” passed the $500 million mark at the global box office Thursday, with $160 million of that coming from North America since its Dec. 13 opening. If it hangs on, it will claim its third straight weekend win at the US box office.

“Frozen,” in its fifth week, is up to nearly $220 million domestically and $363 million worldwide. Martin Scorsese’s R-rated “The Wolf of Wall Street,” one of five Christmas Day openers, brought in $6.6 million and fell from second to fourth, behind another Paramount film “Anchorman 2.” The “Will Ferrell comedy brought in $7.2 million Thursday.

“Wolf,” which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, dropped just 27 percent from its first day and has taken in nearly $16 million after two. It remains on pace for a total north of $30 million for the long weekend. “ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” did $4.8 million Thursday off nearly 40 percent from its Wednesday debut and was sixth, behind David O. Russell’s “American Hustle,” which brought in $6.3 million. Sony’s quirky comedy about Abscam-era con men, like “Wolf” an awards contender, has taken in more then $40 million domestically.

Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks” was just behind “Mitty” with $4.7 million, upping its domestic total to $23.7 million.

Keanu Reeve’s samurai epic “47 Ronin” took a major hit and dropped 48 percent from its Christmas opening, finishing eighth with $3.6 million for Universal. It’s taken in just $10.7 million over the two days, not enough for film with a budget the studio puts at $170 million.

“Grudge Match,” the Sly Stallone-Robert DeNiro boxing comedy, fell just as much from its opening day and dropped out of the top ten with $2.1 million Thursday for Warner Bros. Justin Bieber’s “Believe” has taken in just $2.3 million in two days for Open Road, after adding $1 million on Thursday. — Reuters

Tyler Armstrong, from Southern California, poses for a portrait as he arrives to a hotel in Mendoza, Argentina, Friday. The 9-year-old boy has become the youngest person in recorded history to reach the summit of Argentina’s Aconcagua mountain, the tallest peak in the Western and Southern hemispheres. — AP

Tyler Armstrong

Youngest American reaches Aconcagua summit A

9-year-old boy from Southern California has become the youngest person in recorded history to reach the summit of Argentina’s Aconcagua mountain, which at 22,841 feet (6,962 meters) is the tallest peak in the Western and Southern hemispheres.

Tyler Armstrong of Yorba Linda reached the summit on Christmas Eve with his father Kevin and a Tibetan sherpa, Lhawang Dhondup, who has climbed Mt. Everest multiple times. They were in fine spirits Friday as they left Aconcagua, whose sheer precipices and bitter cold have claimed more than 100 climbers’ lives.

“You can really see the world’s atmosphere up there. All the clouds are under you, and it’s really cold,” Tyler said, describing the summit to The Associated Press. “It doesn’t look anything like a kid’s drawing of a mountain. It’s probably as big as a house at the summit, and then it’s a sheer drop.”

Only 30 percent of the 7,000 people who obtain permits to climb Aconcagua each year make the summit, said Nicolas Garcia, who handled their logistics from down below. No one under 14 is usually allowed, so the family had to persuade an Argentine judge that Tyler could safely accomplish the feat. “Any kid can really do this, all they have to do is try. And set their mind to the goal,” said Tyler, who worked out twice a day for a year and a half to prepare for the climb. He also held fundraisers, not only to defray the cost but to raise money for CureDuchenne, which funds muscular dystrophy research.

“I think Tyler’s record speaks for itself and because I think he’s doing it for a good cause, he’s doing it to help other

people, I think the judge recognized that,” said his father, an emergency medical technician. Tyler’s mother is a pediatric neuropsychologist, and they also have another son, Tyler’s younger brother Dylan.

“Most people think we as parents are pushing Tyler to do this, when it’s completely the opposite. I wouldn’t climb it if I didn’t have to, but my wife makes me do it to keep watch on him,” he said.

Highest mountains “He’s a great dad,” Tyler said. “At 20,000 feet, he wanted to turn around but I kept him going. And the day we were getting off the mountain, he had a blister and it popped ...

He made it to the summit and everything but that dang blister made him ride a mule.”

Aconcagua’s previous record-holder was Matthew Moniz of Boulder, Colorado, who was 10 when he reached the summit in 2008. There was one younger boy who climbed the lower slopes of Aconcagua, Garcia noted: An Inca boy was sacrificed some 500 years ago at 16,400 feet (5,300 meters) on Piramide, one of the mountain’s lower peaks.

Scientific tests on the mummy, recovered in 1985, put his age at about 7.

Tyler had already climbed the 19,341-foot (5,895-meter) Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania at the age of 8, and with Aconcagua conquered, is determined to reach all “seven summits,” the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Luckily for Kevin Armstrong, who also coaches his kids in soccer, his younger son prefers a more earthly sport. b”I was not a climber. He got me doing this because he

wanted to, and I wanted to experience it with him,” Armstrong said. Financially, these mountaineering expeditions have been difficult, Armstrong said.

“My wife and I have just kind of scraped everything we can together and put off family vacations and everything else so that Tyler can do this,” he said. “I’ve had to charge half of this on my credit card. But he did what he needed to do, so I felt I needed to support him.”

Asked to describe his most memorable moment of the climb, Tyler didn’t hesitate: “Seeing my dad reach the summit.” “Tyler is a really happy kid, very open. And he’s prepared for these climbs very carefully,” Garcia said. “Neither he nor his father are in for ‘adventure.’ Their project is pretty conservative, with a guide who is very experienced, so from my perspective, their climb wasn’t imprudent.”

His mother Priscilla Armstrong, back home in Southern California, was apparently worried nonetheless. “Didn’t sleep a wink thinking about you honey. Praying for you guys! Good luck and can’t wait to hear from you!” she posted on his Facebook page while they were climbing down.

Next on Tyler’s list is Mt. McKinley in Alaska, North America’s tallest peak. “I do want to be the youngest for that, but we don’t have the money,” Tyler said. “If we get a sponsor, we can do it. If not, we can’t, because we’re broke.”— AP

Farooq Shaikh

Bollywood actor Farooq Shaikh dies at age 65

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ndian actor Farooq Shaikh, the plump unlikely hero of scores of Bollywood films, has died. He was 65. Press Trust of India reported that Shaikh suffered a heart attack Friday in Dubai, where he was visiting with his family.

Shaikh’s career began on a high note with the 1973 new wave film “Garm Hawa,” about the 1947 partition of the subcontinent at the end of British rule. His performance earned him a key role in director Satyajit Ray’s “The Chess Players,” about the decadence of India’s feudal classes.

Shaikh’s cherubic looks struck a chord with ordinary people who tended to identify with his man on the street image. Bollywood reacted to the news of Shaikh’s death, with several celebrities, including Amitabh Bachchan, tweeting their condolences. — AP

Josh Hutcherson loves Emma Watson

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he Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ hunk is a huge admirer of the ‘Harry Potter’ star and is hoping to meet her next time he is London.

He said: “I love Emma Watson. I’m dying to meet her. I tried to get my manager to call, like, ‘Er, could you like call Emma’s manager and see if we could, like, meet or something?’ It hasn’t happened yet.

One day, fingers crossed!”

The 21-year-old star has locked lips with stunning actresses including Jennifer Lawrence and Vanessa Hudgens on the big screen and admits he is not opposed to dating a co-star.

He explained: “As far as I’m concerned, you’re both actors, you understand each other’s lifestyle, so it’s a very natural thing to have happen.”

However, Josh says his past romances haven’t always been the most memorable - much to the annoyance of his former flames.

He said: “The girls I’ve dated hate me a little because I can’t remember anything about first dates or when we kissed. I have the worst memory in the world!”

Is ‘47 Ronin’ one of 2013 biggest bombs?

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niversal has already accepted it will lose money on “47 Ronin,” taking write-downs for the samurai tale starring Keanu Reeves. The movie, which opened in the States on Christmas Day, has grossed $10.7 million at the domestic box office - and the reception overseas has been tepid thus far as well.

Yet Universal won’t say how large those write-downs were. “Universal Pictures regularly evaluates its film slate for potential adjustment,” the studio said in statement to TheWrap. “In the case of ‘47 Ronin,’ we adjusted film costs in previous quarters and as a result our financial performance will not be negatively impacted this quarter by its theatrical performance.”

In other words, Universal has already taken a couple of punches to the stomach, and by the time Comcast reports earnings in early 2013, people will have forgotten about “47 Ronin.”

Until someone unearths a figure for how much Universal has lost, it will be hard to estimate the movie’s damage to the studio’s bottom line. Saying you took a write-down on a film without saying how large a writedown is a little like saying there was a major earthquake without revealing its magnitude.

TheWrap has reached out to a few analysts who follow this space closely, but they seem to be enjoying their

Christmas vacation. And rightfully so. However, we can compare “47 Ronin” to others in its species.

Here are the four biggest flops of the year: “The Lone Ranger” Budget: $215 million Opening Weekend: $29 million Grosses: $260.5 million Write-down: $160-$190 million “White House Down” Budget: $150 million Opening Weekend: $24 million Grosses: $205 million Write-down: N/A, but the studio did lose $181 million in its second quarter (“After Earth” didn’t help either) “Jack the Giant Slayer” Budget: $195 million Opening Weekend: $27 million Grosses: $197.6 “R.I.P.D.” Budget: $130 million Opening Weekend: $12.7 million

Grosses: $78.3 million And here’s Ronin: “47 Ronin” Budget: $175 million Opening Weekend: $15-$20 million (est.)

Grosses: TBD Ronin’s opening weekend will land somewhere in between “White House Down” and “R.I.P.D.,” but as with every movie of this size, it will all come down to those foreign numbers.

There are other movies this year that lost their studios money. “Beautiful Creatures” was one of the year’s early misfires, grossing $60 million with a $60 million budget, while “Ender’s Game” disappointed in November, grossing $88 million from a budget of $110 million.

Yet neither of those cost as much as the five films discussed above, all of which likely cost a lot more than their studios are willing to admit. — Reuters

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

lifestyle Books

Unreturned library books can mean fines, jail time

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all it throwing the book at the bookworms. A Texas man who was arrested for failing to return an overdue library book ignited an online flurry of snarky comments and headlines about the Lone Star State extending its tough-on-crime bravado to books. But such cases aren’t unheard of, and many communities faced with shrinking budgets and rising costs have ordinances calling for fines or even arrest warrants when library property isn’t returned.

In Texas alone, the issue has cost libraries an estimated $18 million. Jory Enck learned that the hard way. He was arrested for not returning a GED study guide that he checked out three years ago in the Central Texas community of Copperas Cove. Enck declined comment to The Associated Press, but he told the Killeen Daily Herald that he wouldn’t set foot in a library again: “I think I will probably just purchase a book from Amazon.”

A Texas state law took effect in September that defines the failure to return library books as theft. The law, which doesn’t trump stricter community ordinances, mandates up to a $100 fine per offense.

Other states also call for fines or even arrest warrants in such cases, including Iowa - where an overdue-book offender was jailed for a week - Vermont and Maine. In Copperas Cove, about 70 miles northwest of Austin, a 2002 ordinance mandates a $200 fine for each library item that goes unreturned 20 days after a written notice is sent demanding its return. If the fine isn’t paid, the municipal court issues a warrant, city spokesman Kevin Keller said.

Keller said he didn’t know how many people had been jailed on library-related offenses.

“I was a police officer for 12 years, and while it wasn’t a regular daily thing, we had maybe a couple of these a year,” he said, adding that he didn’t know why Enck’s arrest in October got so much attention.

In that case, police were called to the 22year-old’s apartment on an unrelated disturbance charge, but officers arrested him after finding a past warrant for the study guide. Enck was released on a $200 bond, requested timeserved - and returned the book. He said he couldn’t do it earlier because he checked it out before beginning a three-year prison term for robbery.

Purchased with taxpayer funds Being jailed for absconding with library materials “is an uncommon occurrence, but can happen once in a while,” said Mark Gould of the Chicago-based American Library Association.

But he said there was no accurate count on how many states and communities issue arrest warrants.

It’s an issue that has cost libraries a lot of money. Nearly 150 libraries in Texas participated in a survey earlier this year that found 966,000 items were checked out long enough to be considered lost, with the total cost exceeding $18.2 million, said Gloria Meraz, a spokeswoman for the Texas Library Association.

Among the most notable library-related arrests came in 2011, when a man from Newton, Iowa, served more than a week in jail for failing to return 11 library books and six CDs worth $770. Iowa law classifies failure to return library materials as theft, and the town has a 1993 ordinance, said Sue Padilla, director of the Newton library.

Padilla said she saw a spike in returned overdue materials after the arrest. “We did notice that some things that had been out for quite a while did suddenly come back,” she said. The library hasn’t been back to court since that case, she said. She said going to court was a last resort, but that “we try to be good stewards of those things that were purchased with taxpayer funds.”

Other notable cases include police being called to the home of a 4-year-old whose family had racked up more than $80 in overdue fines for four books in Freeport, Pa. Police also visited a family’s home in Charlton, Mass., to collect overdue books.

Back in Texas, two women in Baytown were arrested following traffic stops in 2006 and 2010, after police discovered they had outstanding warrants for unreturned library books.

Indiana-based Unique Management Services is a collection agency that works with more than 1,600 libraries nationwide to recover overdue materials and administer fines and fees. During sluggish economic times, libraries became more anxious than ever to recover unreturned books, said Kenes Bowling, the agency’s customer development manager.

“They feel the budgetary pressure, no doubt,” Bowling said. “But what we’ve seen over the years is that, no matter what the library does, there’s still a percentage of folks who need third party encouragement.” That includes a woman whose excuse for unreturned books ranks as Bowling’s favorite: He said she claimed the leg on her dining room table had broken “and the stack of books under it were just right.” — AP

LAS VEGAS: In this photo provided by Caesars Entertainment, Britney Spears rehearses “Britney: Piece of Me” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Thursday, in Las Vegas.

Spears began her two-year Las Vegas casino residency Friday. — AP

Britney Spears’ Las Vegas residency a departure B

ritney Spears has begun her early retirement in Las Vegas with a show that looks strikingly like the eye-popping Cirque du Soleil productions found elsewhere on the Strip. The debut of Spears’ long-term casino gig Friday kept an audience of about 4,500 on their feet for 90 minutes.

The young-for-Vegas crowd was there for the danceable hits and the spectacle, which included acrobatics, a ring of fire, confetti, a live band, frenetic costume changes and a frequently airborne Spears.

The show’s production values are unusually high for a casino residency, often calling to mind the golden age of music videos. Its high-concept set pieces featured a cadre of backup dancers who danced in human-sized hamster wheels and summersaulted over the Grammy-winning star.

Spears, 32, has signed on to perform 50 shows each in 2014 and 2015 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. She cuts a different figure from the typical Strip headliner. Other successful Las Vegas acts- including Shania Twain, Elton John and Celine Dion- have generally attracted an older audience. Judging from Friday’s show, her fans are more likely to be found at a casino mega-club than in front of a slot machine.

Still, the show is not immune to nostalgia, one of the prime currencies in Las Vegas entertainment.

It includes several callbacks to the 1990s and early 2000s, including plaid shirts tied around dancers’ waists and a recap of the barley-there sparkling costume Spears wore in the “Toxic” music video.

Spears’ younger self haunted the show, with clips of her early performances playing on huge monitors. Notably absent from those monitors, to the displeasure of some fans in the cheap seats,

were any live close-ups of what was unfolding onstage.

On his way out, Shane Sodeman, of San Diego, complained that Spears hadn’t donned the sexy school girl outfit or the skintight orange jumpsuit she wore in sexier days. A version of the jumpsuit was displayed in the lobby.

Maryn Harberg, 29, spent the night dancing in her $139 seat, on the upper end of the $59 to $179 scale. She’d come to the Strip for just one night, for Britney.

“I loved it,” said the beaming Boston resident.

Officials with Caesars Entertainment Corp., which owns Planet Hollywood, say Spears sings her entire set. Entertainment Programming Vice President Kurt Melien said she sings against a recorded track of her vocals to help her through the more physically grueling parts of the set, and add the electronic undertones that characterize many of her songs. Some audience members said they thought they detected lip syncing.

Most of the show appeared physically grueling.

Spears has lost some of the crisp precision that characterized her dancing a decade ago, but she was in constant motion during the show, allowing her backup dancers to throw her through the air, and flying around in a huge angel costume for a performance of “Everytime.”

She spent downtime marching around stage and posing, banishing the specter of her disastrous 2007 MTV performance, which also took place in Las Vegas, and was a career low point. Younger divas Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry lent moral support from the audience. Casino executives say the gig may be extended if it proves a success. — AP

It was time to be myself: Miley

This Dec 3, 2013 file photo shows singer Britney Spears speaking to the crowd after arriving at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino before the debut of her Las Vegas residency “Britney: Piece of Me” in Las Vegas.

Spears begins her two-. — AP

Gambler rewards man who returned $300K left in cab

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t is sex, drugs and pop music - and Miley Cyrus is fine with it that way now that the provocative singer has shed her innocent Disney star image along with most of her clothes.

Cyrus, 21, who has grabbed headlines in the past year for her admitted drug use, sexually suggestive dancing and wearing as little as boots in a music video, said she was surprised by the scrutiny her new persona has attracted.

“I went from people just thinking I was, like, a baby to people thinking I’m this, like, sex freak that really just pops molly and does lines all day,” Cyrus told the New York Times in an interview to be published today and made available early online, referring to the drugs MDMA and cocaine, respectively.

“It’s like, ‘Has anyone ever heard of rock ‘n’ roll?’” the “Wrecking Ball” singer countered. “There’s a sex scene in pretty much every single movie, and they go, ‘Well, that’s a character.’

Well, that’s a character. I don’t really dress as a teddy bear and, like, twerk on Robin Thicke, you know?”

Cyrus, who rose to prominence as a teen star of the Disney musical TV series “Hannah Montana,” has become a bad girl of pop music since her performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September when she “twerked” (a sexually suggestive dance) during a performance of Thicke’s hit “Blurred Lines.” “I don’t have a bunch of celeb friends, because I feel like some of them are a little scared of the association,” Cyrus said of her new persona. “This is terrible. I was backstage with (the rising pop star) Ariana Grande. I’m like, ‘Walk out with me right now and get this picture, and this will be the best thing that happens to you, because just you associating with me makes you a little less sweet.’”

Cyrus, whose newest music video “Adore You” shows her writhing between bed sheets in her underwear, sucking her thumb and rubbing her body, said she feels more free to be herself now that she is no longer under a Disney contract.

“When I was no longer employed by anyone, that’s when I was like, ‘O.K., I’m going to do my own thing.’ But I waited until I felt like I had respectfully finished out what I was supposed to do, you know?” she said. Cyrus signed with label RCA this year after releasing her first three albums on Disney’s Hollywood Records. Cyrus, the daughter of country music singer Billy Ray Cyrus, also fired back at pop star Joe Jonas, formerly of the Jonas Brothers, who said Cyrus and pop singer Demi Lovato introduced him to marijuana.—Reuters

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poker player who left $300,000 in the back seat of a Las Vegas taxi made good on his promise this week, handing over a $10,000 reward to the honest cabbie who returned the stash.

Yellow Checker Star Cab Company CEO Bill Shranko confirmed Friday that Gerardo Gamboa had been paid by the poker player. The cab company also honored the driver’s good deed by naming him employee of the year, awarding him $1,000 and giving him a gift certificate to a Las Vegas steakhouse.

It’s unclear how Gamboa plans to spend the belated Christmas gift. He did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Friday. The tale, first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, started Monday when Gamboa made a pickup at the Bellagio casino. A hotel doorman noticed a brown paper bag on the back seat and handed it to him; Gamboa thought it was candy.

The driver said he had another passenger by the time he began wondering what kind of chocolates were in the brown paper bag. He peeked inside at a traffic light and spotted the cash.

“I told my passenger, ‘You are my witness on this,’” the 13-year taxi driver told the Las Vegas Sun, “and then I immediately called my dispatcher.” Gamboa took the six bundles of $100 bills to the company’s main office, where Las Vegas police and casino officials linked it to the poker player.It took several hours to verify the identity of the owner and return the cash. Authorities aren’t identifying the poker player.

Before he learned about the anonymous gambler’s gift, Gamboa said he wasn’t in it for the money. “If he doesn’t give me anything, that’s OK,” Gamboa told the Sun earlier this week. “I’m not waiting for any kind of return. I just wanted to do the right thing, and I appreciate what the company did for me.” — AP

Miley Cyrus

Courtney Love to make peace with ex-lovers

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2013

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A Palestinian rides a horse on Gaza beach as the sun sets yesterday. —AP

Egyptian rapper speaks for women’s rights A

s soon as the beat started, the young veiled woman bobbed her head to the rhythm, raised her hands to get the crowd clapping and then unleashed a flood of rap lyrics that tackled some of the biggest social challenges women face in the Arab world.

With the Middle East’s hit TV show “Arabs Got Talent” as her stage, 18-year-old Myam Mahmoud rapped about sexual harassment, second-class treatment of women, and societal expectations of how a young religious woman should behave.

The Egyptian teenager didn’t win the program - she crashed out in the semifinals - but she did succeed in throwing the spotlight on something bigger than herself. “I wanted to tell girls in Egypt and everywhere else that they are not alone, we all have the same problems, but we cannot stay silent, we have to speak up,” Mahmoud told The Associated Press.

In Egypt, a country where politics have grabbed most of the headlines for the past three years, little space has been dedicated to addressing social problems. So Mahmoud, who is a first-year student of politics and economics at the October 6 University in a western Cairo suburb, decided to draw attention

to women’s rights through rap.

“Everybody speaks about politics, but nobody tackles the topics that relate to me the most,” Mahmoud said. She said she gets the ideas for her songs from the surrounding community, and that sometimes girls send her their problems to write about and give them a voice.

Sexual harassment “Many girls want to say what I rap about, but they cannot for many reasons,” she said. “I speak for them.” One of the biggest problems for woman in Egypt is sexual harassment. A UN report released in April said the issue had reached “unprecedented levels,” with 99.3 percent of women in the country reporting that they have been subjected to sexual harassment.

“There is no single female in Egypt that has not been harassed, regardless of her looks,” Mahmoud said. “As soon as a girl is born in Egypt, she is repressed with many pressures.”

Part of the problem, in Mahmoud’s eyes, is that women don’t speak out against harassment.

“I wish we would not be silent about our problems,” she said. “We have to snatch our freedoms, nobody will just offer them.” Her

lyrics take the issue head on. “Some of us see the answer is to cover up, and if the girl is hidden she will not be assaulted,” she raps in one song. “My body is only mine.”

Initiatives to counter the problem have increased in the past year in Egypt, where volunteer groups have started protecting women at street protests. On the other side of the debate are conservative religious clerics who blame women, saying they invite harassment and sexual abuse by mixing with men.

The issue is, in part at least, linked to the broader expectations that many men in religiously conservative Egypt have about women and their roles in society. Mahmoud, with her quiet self-confidence and animated performances in a genre that has gained more acceptance among younger Egyptians in recent years, has challenged those expectations.

She said she received a flood of messages after her performance on TV accusing her of misrepresenting Islam with her look - read veil - and attitude. But she dismissed the criticism, saying “religion has never been a constraint we put the curbs on.”

“The veil was never a problem for me because it is my personal choice,” she said. “If I’m going to add anything new to my life it has to go with my initial choices.” —AP

Myam Mahmoud poses for a portrait in downtown Cairo. —AP

Surfers dressed as Santa Claus gather in Florida

‘Duck Dynasty’ star returns

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he star of America’s most popular cable TV reality show will be allowed to return to the program, a statement said, after his suspension for inflammatory remarks about homosexuality and blacks triggered a national furor.

The A&E Network confirmed its popular “Duck Dynasty” show would resume filming next year with star performer Phil Robertson back on board following the storm over his anti-gay comments in a recent interview.

Robertson, 67, the patriarch of the extended family of Louisiana hunters whose lives are chronicled in “Duck Dynasty” was suspended by A&E after suggesting homosexuality is sinful and could lead to bestiality. In the same interview with GQ magazine, Robertson also minimized the era of racist segregation of blacks in America’s southern states.

Robertson’s comments appalled gay rights activists who demanded A&E consider take action and urged sponsors to cut ties to the program, which is the most-watched nonfiction cable show

in US television history. However the outcry after Robertson’s suspension was matched by an equally vigorous response from fans and socially conservative Republicans, with many claiming Robertson’s rights to free speech were being violated.

After a week-long war of words A&E confirmed that Robertson would return to the show after the star said he “regretted” the way his remarks had been portrayed. “While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the ‘coarse language’ he used and the misinterpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article,” A&E said in a statement.

“He also made it clear he would ‘never incite or encourage hate.’ We at A&E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article and reiterate that they are not views we hold.” The statement from the broadcaster said “Duck Dynasty” was “not a show about one man’s views.” —AFP

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FLORIDA: George Trosset Jr., left, and his father George Trosset, clasp hands while participating in the Surfing Santas event in Cocoa Beach.

The event raised money for the non profit Grind for Life. —AP

ore than 210 surfers dressed as Santa Claus, elves and snowmen were surfing the Christmas Eve waves off central Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Florida Today reports (http://on.flatoday.com/18LiqMu ) that when Cocoa Beach Mayor Dave Netterstrom took in the view from the sand Tuesday, he declared the fourthannual gathering “the largest surfing Santa event on the planet.”

Organizer George Trosset says he may move the holiday event to downtown Cocoa Beach next year to accommodate growing crowds. He started the tradition in 2009 with a few family members after seeing a television commercial featuring people surfing in Santa Claus attire.

More friends joined them the following year, and in 2012, nearly 160 surfers participated. Trosset says the event “has gone from being a little family party to being a community event.” —AP